A COMPREHEN SIVE

ETYMOLOGI CAL DICTIONARY

OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Dealing with the origin of words
and their sense development thus illustrating
the history of civilization and culture
BY

DR. ERNEST KLEIN

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver

PROVERBS 25: II

VOLUME I A-K

ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY

AMSTERDAM LONDON NEW YORK

1966

ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY

335 JAN VAN GALENSTRAAT, P.O. BOX 2I I, AMSTERDAM

lam what my MOTHER and my FATHER made of me

THE AUTHOR

AMERICAN ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.

52 VANDERBILT AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10017

ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED

RIPPLES IDE COMMERCIAL ESTATE

DEDICATED TO THE SACRED MEMORY OF THE BEST PARENTS:

MY DEAR MOTHER

BARKING, ESSEX

WHO AFTER A LIFE OF SELF-SACRIFICE DIED IN SZATMAR IN 1940

AND MY DEAR FATHER,
THE WORLD-RENOWNED RABBI AND SCHOLAR
RABBI IGNAZ (ISAAC) KLEIN OF SZATMAR.

WHO DIED A MARTYR OF HIS FAITH IN AUSCHWITZ IN 1944;

AND TO THE SACRED MEMORY OF MY WIFE
AND OF MY ONLY CHILD JOSEPH (HAYYIM ISRAEL)
WHO ALSO FELL VICTIMS TO NAZISM IN AUSCHWITZ IN 1944

First Published 1965- First Reprinted 1969

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER 65-I 3229

COPYRIGHT@ 1966 ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, AMSTERDAM

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THIS BOOK OR ANY PART THEREOF MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM,
INCLUDING PHOTOSTATIC OR MICROFILM FORM,
WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHERS

PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS

COVER AND BINDING SUSANNE HEYNE MANN

Preface
To know the origin of words
is to know the cultural history of mankind.

In infinite humility I bend the knee and bow before the Eternal Who gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might increases strength.
Blessed be the Eternal Who granted me life and sustenance and permitted me to write and
complete this etymological dictionary, whose first volume is just leaving the press.

This dictionary is a modest tribute of my devotion to Canada, the country whose citizen I am
proud to be, the country in which the spirit of the Bible has dominion from Sea to Sea, the country in which the Human Rights are a happy, living reality, a reality called upon to serve as a
shining example to mankind.
On this occasion I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Canada Council, whose
grant made it possible for me to have the manuscript of my dictionary typed in order to prepare it for the press. The generosity of this noble institution will continue to serve for me as a
precious stimulus for further scientific work.
-~

---~~---------

Between 193 I and 1944, I was Rabbi of the Jewish Congregation in Nove Zamky (Czechoslovakia), whence I was deported by the Nazis to Auschwitz and, from there, to the concentration camp Allach-Dachau. After the liberation from the latter place by Amerian troops in
I 945, I returned home to find only the ruins of what had once been the flourishing Jewish community of Nove Zamky. There I learned that my Father, my wife, my only child Joseph and two
of my three sisters had suffered martyrdom in Auschwitz. Of my family, my sister Mrs. Paul
Horvath (nee Elizabeth Klein) and her husband have survived.
After my return I decided to write an etymological dictionary of the English language, the
language which I had loved and admired since my early childhood.
This project materialized in Toronto where I settled together with my sister Elizabeth and
her husband, and where my friends established the congregation Beth Yitshak, which was
named after my Father of blessed memory, and chose me for their rabbi.
It was before all my sister who through her selfless love and infinite dedication, with which
she has taken care of me, made it possible for me to devote my time to my congregation and to
writing this dictionary.
On this occasion I would like to extend my affectionate feelings to two of my closest and
dearest friends in Toronto, whom I love both as ifthey were brothers to me in the literal sense of
this term: Mr. Arthur Minden, Q.C., whose friendship and love I treasure as one of the greatest
gifts bestowed upon me by Providence and whose zeal and encouragement have been an imP<>rtant factor in my writing and completing this dictionary, and Mr. Leo Bermann, whose
sincere brotherly affection and friendly devotion have always been and continue to be a gratifying source of spiritual joy to me, and who had a decisive role in the history of the publication
of my dictionary.
My abiding gratitude is extended to Mr. Marsh Jeanneret, president of the Toronto University Press, and to Miss F. Halpenny, its editor, for their helpfulness and encouragement,
Which were important factors on the way leading to the publication of my work.

VIII

My grateful acknowledgements are also due to the whole staff of the University of Toronto
Library for the facilities extended to me in the use of its books.

Introduc tion

May this dictionary, which plastically shows the affinity and interrelationship of the nations
of the world in the way in which their languages developed, contribute to bringing them nearer
to one another in the sincere pursuit of peace on earth - which was one of my cardinal aims
in writing this dictionary.
Toronto, October, 1965

DR. ERNEST KLEIN

Since my youth I have devoted myself to philology, with special regard to etymology.
The reasons inducing me to write 'A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the
English Language' may be summed up as follows:
It is a well-known fact that in the course of the last sixty years philology has attained a high
degree of development. It is so much the more to be regretted that modern lexicography has
remained far behind the achievements of philology. As a rule, even the most authoritativ e
English etymological dictionaries give such etymologies as reflect the level reached by philology
about half a century ago. In most cases etymologies given up by serious science long ago are
still wandering out of one dictionary into another and continue living with tenacity, apparently ignoring the truths established in the field of philology in the course of the latter decades.
One example may suffice to prove this. Despite the fact that Tocharian (this language extinct
long ago but newly discovered at the end of the Nineteenth Century) occupies a very important
place among the Indo-Europ ean languages, Tocharian references appear only quite exceptionally in the etymological dictionaries of the English language. This is so much the more striking, because Tocharian may help us understand the development of many a word in the different
Indo-Europ ean languages, inasmuch as the words of the Tocharian language often represent
the transitory form- 'the missing link'- between the Old Indian and the other Indo-Europ ean
languages. In this dictionary Tocharian words are regularly referred to together with the other
Indo-Europ ean equivalents.
English belonging to the great family of the Indo-Europ ean languages, it is quite evident
that in tracing any word to its source, an etymological dictionary must take into consideration
all the important cognates of this word in the other Indo-Europ ean languages. If we want to
understand the history of an English word, we must compare this word with as many correspondences as possible.
Most etymological dictionaries do not pay enough attention to this circumstance and therefore cite equivalents from the kindred languages quite at random, often enumerating the less
important ones but omitting such as had a decisive influence upon the form of the word treated
or upon the development of its meaning. This dictionary tries to be a dependable guide to the
reader in this respect too, by giving him all the necessary information about the origin, formation and sense development of any word that might interest him.
The scientific value of most etymological dictionaries is much impaired by the circumstance
that their authors are not familiar with the structure of the Semitic languages, a fact thrown
into relief by the inconsistencies of the transliteration of Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic words,
on the one hand, and by the lack of any etymological analysis of these words, on the other. In
this dictionary the words of Semitic origin- about 750 in number- are fully analyzed: they
are traced to their etyma, the cognates are given, the stem is distinguished from the prefixes and
suffixes added to it, etc. In brief: the words of Semitic origin are treated exactly as the IndoEuropean words. This is why my dictionary may also serve as a preliminary work for an etymological dictionary of the Semitic languages themselves.
In all etymological dictionaries we frequently come across such words as are declared to be
'of unknown origin', even in cases when the etymology of such words can be established beyond
any doubt. In many other cases the etymology is not given either, but the origin of the respec-

tive word is referred to by such vague terms as 'of uncertain etymology' , or 'probably of Oriental origin', etc., whereas their provenance is very well known. My dictionary contains the etymology of several hundred such words.
This dictionary gives also the etymologie s of personal names and mythologic al names.

Some other features of this dictionary:

What the elements are to chemistry, what the sounds are to music, are words to language.
However, words are not only the elements of a language but also of the history of the people
speaking it. They are important milestones along the way leading to the majestic Palace of
Human Knowledge .
One of the basic features of this dictionary is that -in contradistin ction to other etymological dictionari es- its aim is not only to give the history of words, but to give also History in
words. This dictionary is the first attempt to give the history of human civilizatioll and culture
condensed in the etymological data of words. We not only speak but think and even dream
in words. Language is a mirror in which the whole spiritual developmen t of mankind reflects
itself. Therefore, in tracing words to their origin, we are tracing simultaneou sly civilization
and culture to their real roots.
Another important aim that I set to myself in composing this dictionary was to mirror in it the
history of the humanities and sciences. Since the history of a word is at the same time the history
of the thing denoted or the idea expressed by that word it is obvious that by giving the history
of the technical terms of any branch of science we also give the history of that branch of science
itself. In considerati on of this fact one of the goals of an etymologic al dictionary should be to
deal with the history of scientific technical terms in a manner that would enable the reader to
reconstruct through them the history of the various branches of the humanities and sciences.
This dictionary represents the first attempt to live up to this goal. E.g. in order to know the
important phases of the developmen t of medicine one will only have to look up the medical
terms occurring in this dictionary.
For the illustration of this fact I am quoting here a few entries from this dictionary dealing
with medical terms:
abiotrophy, n., loss of vitality (med.)- Coined by the English neurologist Sir William Richard Gowers
(1845-1915) fr. Gk. &[lLO~, 'without life', and --rpo<pli, fr. -rpo<p~, 'nourishmen t'. See abio- and
-trophy.
Derivative: abiotroph-ic, adj.
accoucheur, n., a man who acts as midwife. -F., fr. accoucher, 'to go to childbed'; first used by Jules
Clement in the second half of the 17th cent. See accouchement.
Achilles' tendon. - So called from the myth of Achilles being held by the heel when his mother Thetis
dipped him into the river Styx to render him invulnerable; first used by the Dutch anatomist Verheyden
in 1693 when dissecting his own amputated leg. See Achilles and tendon.
acrodynia, n., disease characterized by pain in the hands and feet (med.)- Medical L., coined by Chardon in 1828, and lit. meaning 'pain in the extremities', fr. aero- and Gk. oll\\'J"t), 'pain'. See -odynia.
actinomycosis, n., an inflammatory disease caused by the actinomycetes (med.)- Coined by the German
pathologist Otto Bollinger (1843-1909) in 1877 fr. Actinomyces and suff. -osis.
agoraphobia, n., morbid fear of being in open spaces (med.)- Coined by Westphal in 1871, who first
described this morbid condition. The word lit. means 'fear of a public place'. See agora and -phobia.
albuminuria, n., the presence of albumen in the urine (med.)- Medical L., fr. F. a/buminurie, a hybrid
coined by the French physician Martin Solon (1795-1856) in 1838 fr. L. albumen, 'white of the egg',
and Gk. oupov, 'urine'. See albumen, urine and -ia.
the
allopathy, n., treatment of disease by remedies that produce effects opposite to those caused by
Gk.
fr.
(1755-1843)
Hahnemann
Samuel
physician
German
the
by
coined
Allopathie,
disease.- G.

XI

'other', and -n:<X&wx, fr. n:a&o~, 'suffering'. See allo- and -pathy and cp. enantiopathy, homeopathy.
Derivatives: allopath-ic, adj., allopath-ic-ally, adv., allopath-er-ic, adj., al/o-path-et-ical-ly, adv., allopath-is!, n.
anaphylaxis, n., exaggerated susceptibility, especially to protein (med. and bioi.) - Coined by the
French physiologist Charles Richet (1850-1935) in 1893 on analogy of prophylaxis (q.v.) Anaphylaxis
accordingly means the opposite of what is expressed by prophylaxis; it is formed fr. ana- and Gk.
<pUAIX~L~, 'a watching, guarding'. See phyla xis.
anarthria, n., inability to articulate words (med.) - Medical L., coined by the French neurologist
Pierre Marie (1853-1940) fr. Gk. Cl'J1Xp&po~, 'without joints' (seeanarthrous). For theending"see'suff. -ia.
antitoxin, n., a substance neutralizing poisonous substances (immunology). -Coined by the German
bacteriologist Emil von Behring (1854-1917) in 1890 fr. anti- and toxin. Cp. autotoxin.
aperient, adj., laxative. - L. aperiens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of aperire, 'to uncover, open', which
stands for *ap-werire and is rel. to operire (for *op-werire), 'to cover, close', and cogn. with 01. apavrrzJti, 'uncovers, opens', api-vrrzJti, 'closes, covers', fr. I.-E. base *wer-, 'to enclose, cover'. See weir
and cp. words there referred to. The word aperient was used by Bacon in 1626.
Derivative: aperient, n., a laxative drug.
aphemia, n., a kind of aphasia (med.)- Medical L., coined by the French surgeon and anthropologist
Paul Broca (1824-80) in r86o fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. 'P~fl"t), 'voice', which is rei. to <prX'JIXL, 'to say,
speak'. See fame and -ia and cp. aphasia.
aspirin, n. (pharm.)- A hybrid coined by H. Dreser in Pfluger's Archiv in 1899. The acetylo-salicylic
acid occurs in the flowers of the plant Spiraea ulmaria. In order to distinguish from this natural product the same substance gained chemically, the word aspirin was formed by Dreser from priv. pref.
a-, the above mentioned plant Spiraea, and chem. suff. -in. Hence aspirin prop. means 'acetylo-salicylic acid which is gained not from the Spiraea ulmaria (but in a chemical way)'.
astigmatism, n., defect of the eye that prevents the rays of light from converging to a point on the retina
(med. and optics).- Coined by the English mathematician and philosopher William Whewell (17941866) in 1819 fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. a-rlyfLIX, gen. a-rlyfLIXTo~. 'a prick, puncture, mark'. See stigmatic and -ism.
athetosis, n., affection of the nervous system marked by involuntary movements of the fingers and toes
(med.)- Medical L., coined by the American nerve specialist William Alexander Hammond (1 8281900) in 1871 fr. Gk. ri&e-ro~, 'not fixed', and suff. -osis. See prec. word.
aureomycin, n., an antibiotic drug resembling penicillin (med.)- A hybrid coined fr. L. aureus, 'golden'
(so called from its color), Gk. fLUX"t)~. 'fungus', and chem. suff. -in; see aureate and myco-. The correct
form would be chrysomycin, in which both clements are of Greek origin (see chryso- and cp. Aureo'
hasidium).
batophobia, n., a morbid fear of being at great heights or passing near high objects (med.)- Medical L.,
compounded of Gk. [l1X-r6~. 'passable', verbal adj. of ('liXL'JEL'J, 'to go', and -<po('llii, fr. <p6[lo~. 'fear'.
See base, n. and phobia. The association of Gk ('la:":0c; with height is due to a connection of this
word with the second element in acrobat. (Acrobats are used to display their art in the height.)
A more adequate name for this condition is hypsophobia.
bronchiole,n., a minute bronchial tube(anat.) - Medical L. bronchio/a, a diminutive coined by E. Schultz
fr. L. bronchia (pl.), 'the bronchial tubes'; see bronchia. Cp. Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica,
p.557.
Derivative: bronchiol-ar, adj.
bronchitis, n., inflammation of the bronchial tubes (med.)- Medical L., coined by Charles Bedham in
in his Interpretationes Clinicae
I 8o8 fr. bronchus and suff. -itis; introduced into medicine by P. Frank
1n 1812.
Caesarean section, Caesarean operation.- So called from the belief that Julius Caesar was thus delivered. This belief is refuted by the fact thatthe mother of J. Caesar was still alive at the time of the Gallic
wars, whereas, on the other hand, we know that in antiquity this operation was never performed on the
livmg mother.
calciphylaxis, n., increased sensitivity to calcium (med.) - A Medical L. hybrid coined by Dr. Hans
Se!yc (born in 1907), professor of the University of Montreal, fr. calcium, a word of Latin origin, and
Gk. -;;u:Aa:~L~, 'a watching, guarding'. See phylaxis.
cbloromycetin, n., an antibiotic drug of the penicillin-streptomycin family discovered by Dr. Paul
R. Burkholder of Yale University (med.) - Coined fr. chloro-, Gk. f.L)xr,c;, gen. fLUX"t)-roc;, 'fungus'
(see myceto-), and chcm. suiT. -in.
cirr~osis, n., a disease of the liver (med.) - Medical L., coined by the French physician Rene-Theo~hile-H.yacinthe Laenne~ ( 1781-1826) fr. Gk. XLpp6~. 'tawny', which is of uncertain origin; so callt:d
m allus10n to the yellowish color of the diseased liver. For the ending see suff. -osis.
(}).).o~.

XII

to be a dog (med. )- Forme d with suff.

cynanthropy, n., insanity in which the patient believes himself
n', which is compo unded of xowv, gen.
dog-ma
-y (representing Gk. -lii), fr. Gk. xuv:Xv.&pwn-o<;, 'of a
The name cynanthropy prop. derives
o-.
anthrop
and
cynoSee
'man'.
n-o.;,
xuvo<;, 'a dog', and &v.&pw
to this mania by Galen (see Galen,
given
name
a
',
disease
fr. Gk. v6cro.; xuv&.v.&pwr.o<;, lit. 'dog-man's
19, 719).

l terms beginning with the letter A,

The examples have been taken from among the medica
I) volume of this dictionary.
B or C, hence such as are contai ned in the presen t (i.e.
branch es of science in this dictionaSimilarly, in dealing with the technical terms of the other
pment of science in general and of its
ry, one of my chief aims was to show the histori c develo
y, zoology, botany , mineralogy,
various branches in particu lar, with special regard to biolog
try, mathe matics , gramm ar, philogeography, geology, history, astron omy, physics, chemis
this dictionary, virtually contai n the
sophy. The entries treatin g these branches of science in
most impor tant phases of their history.

XIII

Transliteration of Semiti c Words

etymologies of this dictionary is such

The transliteration for Semitic words contai ned in the
ical sign. It happens for the first time
that it renders exactly every conson ant, vowel and diacrit
logical dictionary are transliterated
that the Hebrew and Arama ic words quoted in an etymo
literate these words into their original
according to a system which makes it possible to retrans
Hebrew and Aramaic. (See the followcharac ters, including all the phonetic signs particu lar to
ing Rules for Transl iterati on.)
the exception of the Akkad ian.
As a rule, in this diction ary the accent in Semitic words (with
the usual accent mark placed
by
ed
indicat
is
),
for which the laws of accentuation are not known
e.
syllabl
ed
over the vowel of the accent
OF HEBR EW
THE RULE S FOR THE TRAN SLIT ERAT ION
IONA RY
AND ARA MAIC EMP LOYE D IN THIS DICT
Form of the Leller

Its Name

Its Transliteration

Its Sounds

dteph

fic terms are inexactly coined and

Scientists are rarely also linguists. This is why many scienti
terms are hybrids, i.e. words made up
often errone ous and misleading in sense. Many of these
s are not only referred to as such,
of elements from different languages. In this dictionary hybrid
is suggested instead of the one used
but-q uite freque ntly-a new, correctly forme d word
hithert o.
page.
For an examp le see the entry aureomycin on preceding

Not rendered at the

beginning or the end
of a word; otherwise
marked by.

Orig. the glottal stop.

Now silent in the
middle of words if it has
no vowel;
otherwise it is pronounced according to
the accompanying
vowel sign.

:1

beth

LOAN TRAN SLATI ONS

bhith

biz

hh,

gime/

Pronounced like
gin ~:et.

ghinu:t

gh

Orig. prono unced with a slight aspiration of the sound -

like gh; now pronounced like g in get.

ddleth

tllufleth

dh

Orig. pronou nced like

1/r in this;
now pronOUilL'L'J rf

i1

he

I"

ulyin

::

::

cheth

~~

Pronounced like c/1 in

Scot. loch

Two other charac teristic feature s of this dictionary:

HYBR ID WORD S

on which civilization and culture travLoan transla tions are impor tant guideposts on the road
Throu gh them we learn e.g. that the
.
eled in the course of centuries from nation to nation
t Greece and reache d Weste rn
ancien
in
ped
chief elements of the science of gramm ar develo
gmajo rityofg ramma ticalte rms
helmin
overw
(1he
Europ e throug h the medium of the Roman s.
y from, Latin words, which
directl
derive
or
of,
in the modern languages are loan transla tions
subject, verb, adverb, nomiwords
the
e.g.
Cp.
words.
themselves are loan transla tions of Greek
native, accusative, genitiv e, dative in this dictionary.)
for the reconstruction of the history
In like manne r, loan transla tions are of great importance
this dictionary, special attenti on was
of all the other branch es of science as well. This is why, in
language to language.
paid to loan transla tions and their way was traced from

WilW

Or

I'U/1

I'

XIV

Form of the Letter

Its Name

reth

.,

yOdh

:l;

at the end
of a word

:::::>;

at the end
of a word

'

Its Transliteration

Its Sounds

XV
VOWEL SIGNS USED WITH HEBREW CHARACTERS

An emphatic t
y

kaph

kh

kh

Sound

qamdtz giidhJI

like a in far

tzere

like ai in rain

A) Long Vowels
T

khaph

Transliteration

Vowel Sign
Form Name

like i in machine

l)ir{q gadhtJI
idmedh
mem

~; at the end

of a word

of a word

sdmekh

!J

'ayin

D;

at the end
of a word

of a word

paltd/;1

like a in far

A strong guttural
sound; now usually
treated in the pronunciation like an
aleph

sighOI

like e in them

B) Short Vowels

ph

an emphatic k

resh

IV

shin

sh

sh

i1i

.fin

tiiw or tav
th

Orig. pronounced like

th in thing; now pronounced like t (by the
Ashkenazic Jews like

T'l

thaw or

tha~

koph

tziidhi or ~iidhd

like i in pin

l;irfq qa(dn
qam&tz qii(dn

like o in gone

qubbdtz

like u in put

schwa (na')

i'

like e in agent

l;dtdph pattdl;

like a very short

pattiih

l;titdph sighol

like a very short

s<'gh61

~uitdph qiimdtz

C) Half Vowels

tz

of a word

like u in true

tz; occasionally pronounced like an emphatic s ( - ~)

~; attheend

shurdq

phe

tl: at the end

like o in fork

pe

nun

l; at the end

l)otdm

s).

T:

like a very short

qamatz qatan

A point in the middle of a consonant, called daghish l;azdq ( daghesh forte, 'strong daghesh '),
strengthens (i.e. doubles) the consonant. It is marked by the doubling of the respective consonant.
The sign diighish qat ( daghesh lene = 'light daghesh'). which is formally identical with the
sign of the diighish hazdq, is used with the letters T'l 0, :::::> , i, l , :J , to indicate their
original hard pronunciation. In this Dictionary n, D.~ . ., ,l' :J are transliterated
b, g, d, k, p, t, whereas

T'l, tl,

:::::> ,

i .l, :J , are rendered by bh, gh, dh, kh, ph, th.

XVI

XVII

Its Name

Its Transliteration

Its Sound

shin

sh

sh

~ad

dad

.1

tii'

J;

;a'

'ayn

ghayn

gh

a guttural, gargling
sound

fti'

\)

qiif

an emphatic k

Form of the Leiter

A

...r

RULES FOR THE TRANSL ITERATI ON OF ARABIC

EMPLOY ED IN THIS DICTION ARY

Form of the Letter

Its Naff!_e

Its Transliteration

Its Sound

(i/if

Marked by ' at the

beginning of a word
or when it is provided with hamza;
otherwise rendered
by a macron.

The glottal stop.

I.-)

bti'

..:,

Iii'

I.-)

c
c
c

an emphatic z
a strong guttural
sound; cp. Heb. -::

th

jim

...!)

kiif

Jpi'

&

(a sharp guttural
aspirate;
pronounced like a
strong h with friction
sound)

/tim

mim

Ill

nun

hii'

wiiw

ya'

khii'

kh

(like ch in Scot. loch)

l:!

diil

..)

dhiil

dh

(like th in English this)

rii'

ziiy

sin

.J

thii'

..)

palatal d
an emphatic t

\.._.

(like th in English
thing)

an emphatic s; pronounced like ss in

English hiss

XVIll
VOWEL SIGNS USED WITH ARABIC CHARACTERS

Its Name

Vowel Sign

Its Transliteration

A) Short Vowels

Its Sound

Abbreviation of Books and Journals Frequently

Referred to

Pronounced like

a in wan.

Pronounced like
i in pin.

kdsrah

cjammah

Pronounced like
u in put.

B) Long Vowels
Pronounced like a
in father.
Pronounced like i
in' machine.

Pronounced like u
in rule.

ORTHOGRAPHI C SIGNS

(sign of the glottal

stop)
(o)

tllshdfd.

It marks the douhling of a consonant. lt is d1sregarded in the

case of a lS after an i. The assimilation of the

J (in the def. art. J)) to the so called solar

letters is not tak'r~ into consideration (as e.g. in aldea, Aldebaran, Aftllir). unless this assimilation appears a <J in the European (in most cases Spanish or Portuguese) loan word itself
(as in arrope, , afayll).

Bloch-Wartburg, DELF. =Bloch, Oscar, and W. von Wartburg, Dictionnaire etymologique

de Ia langue fran~aise, 2nd ed., Paris, 1950.
Boisacq, DELG. = Boisacq, Emile, Dictionnaire etymologique de Ia langue grecque, 4th ed.,
Heidelberg, 1950.
Dauzat, DELF. =Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire etymologique de Ia langue fran~aise, 7th ed.,
1938.
E-M., DELL. = Ernout, A., and A. Meillet, Dictionnaire etymologique de Ia langue latine,
4th ed., Paris, 1959.
Frisk, GEW. =Frisk, Hjatmar, Griechisches etymologisches Worterbuch, 1955- in progress.
Gesenius-Buhl, HWAT. = Gesenius, W., Hebrliisches und Aramaisches Worterbuch tiber
das Alte Testament, bearbeitet von Dr. Frants Buhl, 16th ed., Leipzig, 1915.
HEL. = Francis Brown, S. R. Driver and Charles A. Briggs, The Hebrew and English Lexicon
of the Old Testament based on the Lexicon of William Gesenius, Oxford, 1952, corrected
impression.
Hofmann, EWG. = J. B. Hofmann, Etymologisches Worterbuch des Griechischen, Munchen,
1930.
JQR. = Jewish Quarterly Review.
Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS. =Kluge, Friedrich, Etymologisches Worterbuch der deutschen Sprache, 17. Auflage, unter Mithilfe von Alfred Schirmer bearbeitet von Walther Mitzka, Berlin,
1957Meyer-Lilbke, REW. = Meyer-Ltibke, W., Romanisches etymologisches Worterbuch, 2nd
ed., Heidelberg, 1924.
OED. = The Oxford English Dictionary.
Walde-Hofmann, LEW. = Walde, A., Lateinisches etymologisches Worterbuch, dritte, neubearbeitete Auflage von J. B. Hofmann, Heidelberg, 1938-55.
Walde-Pokorny, VWIS. = Walde, A., Vergleichendes Worterbuch der indogermanischen
Sprachen, herausgegeben von J. Pokorny, Berlin, 1928 ff. (3 volumes).
ZDMG. = Zeitschrift der Deutschen MorgenHindischen Gesellschaft.

General Abbreviations

Other Literature Consulted

J. F. Bense, Dictionary of the Low Dutch element in the English Vocabulary.

Berneker, E., Slavisches etymologisches Worterbuch, vol. 1, Heidelberg, 1908-13.
Carnoy, Albert, Dictionnaire etymologique de la mythologie greco-romaine, Louvain.
Devic, M., Dictionnaire etymologique des mots fran~ais derives de l'arabe, Paris, 1876;
published also in Supplement to E. Littre's Dictionnaire de la langue fran"aise, Paris, 1884.
Feist, S., Vergleichendes Worterbuch der gotischen Sprache, 3rd ed., Leiden, 1939.
Frankel, Siegmund, Die aramaischen Fremdworter im Arabischen, Leyden, 1886.
Gamillscheg, E., Etymologisches Worterbuch der franzosischen Sprache, Heidelberg, 1926-28.
Hehn, V., Kulturpfianzen und Haustiere in ihrem Obergang aus Asien nach Griechenland und
Italien, 8. Aufiage, neu herausgegeben von 0. Schrader, Berlin, 191 I.
Holthausen, F., Etymologisches Worterbuch der englischen Sprache, 3rded., Gottingen, 1949.
Koehler, L., and W. Baumgartner, Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros, Leiden, 1951.
Lewis and Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford, 1951.
Lewy, H., Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen, Berlin, 1895.
Liddell and Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, in Henry Stuart Jones's recension, Oxford,
1925-40.
Litmann, E., Morgenlandische Worter im Deutschen, 2nd ed., Tiibingen, 1924.
Lokotsch, K., Etymologisches W orterbuch der europaischen (germanischen, romanischen und
slavischen) Worter orientalischen Ursprungs, Heidelberg, 1927.
Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymological Sanskrit Dictionary, Heidelberg, 1956in progress.
J. R. Partington, The History of Chemistry, London, 1961-62.
Skeat, W. W., An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, New Edition, Oxford,
1946.
Skinner, Henry Alan, The Origin of Medical Terms, 2nd ed., Baltimore, 1961.
Weekley, E., A Concise Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, 2nd ed., 1952.
Yule, H., and A. C. Burnell, Hobson-Jobson, revised by Crooke, 1903.

abl.
ace.
adj.
adv.
Aeol.
AF.
Akkad.
AL.
Alb.
alg.
alt.
Am.
an at.
Anglo-Ind.
Ann am.
anthropol.
anthropom.
antiq
aor.
Arab.
A ram.
archaeol.
arc hit.
Arm.
art.
astrol.
astron.
Att.
augment.
auxil.
Bab.
bacteriol.
B.C. E.
Berb.
Bib!.
hiochem.
bioi.
Boeot.
bot.
Bret.

Brit.
Bulg.

ablative
accusative
adjective
adverb
Aeolie
Anglo-French
Akkadian
Anglo-Latin
Albanian
algebra
alteration
American
anatomy
Anglo-Indian
Annamese
anthropology
anthropometry
antiquity
aorist
Arabic
Aramaic
archaeology
architecture
Armenian
article
astrology
astronomy
Attic
augmentative
auxiliary
Babylonian
bacteriology
before the common era
Berber
Biblical
biochemistry
biology
Boeotian
botany
Breton
Britain, British
Bulgarian

Can. F.
cap.
Carib.
Catal.
cca.
Celt.
cent.
chem.
Chin.
chronol.
class.
Co.
cogn.
coli.
colloq.
compar.
conj.
Copt.
copul.
corrupt.
cp.
Cret.
crystallogr.
Cypr.

Canadian French
capital (initial)
Caribbean
Catalan
circa
Celtic
century
chemistry; chemical
Chinese
chronology
classical
Cornish
cognate
collective, collectively
colloquial, colloquially
comparative
conjunction
Coptic
copulative
corruption
compare
Cretan
crystallography
Cyprian

Dan.
dat.
def.
demonstr.
dent.
dept.
Deut.
dial.
diet.
dimin.
Dor.
Du.

Danish
dative
definite
demonstrative
dentistry
department
Deuteronomy
dialect, dialectal
dictionary
diminutive
Doric
Dutch

E.
Eccles.
econ.
ed.

English
Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastical
economics
edition

XXIII
XXII

EF.
EFris.
e.g.
Egypt.
elect.
embryoI.
Engl.
entomol.
equiv.
esp.
Esth.
Ethiop.
ethnol.
etymol.
Ex.
Ezek.

F.
facet.
fern.
f.
ff.

fig.
Finn.
Flem.
fort.
fr.
freq.
Fris.
fut.

G.
Gael.
Gaul.
Gaul.-L.
Gen.
gen.
geogr.
geol.
geom.
Gk.
Goth.
gram.
Hab.
u ....

East French
East Frisian
exempli gratia (for example)
Egyptian
electricity
embryology
English
entomolo gy
equivalent
especially
Esther
Ethiopian
ethnology
etymology
Exodus
Ezekiel

Reb.
helminthol.
her.
Hind.
hist.
Hitt.
Hos.
Hung.
hydrogr.

French (always used in the

sense of Modern French)
facetiously
feminine
following
following
figurative
Finnish
Flemish
fortification
from
frequentative
Frisian
future

German (always used in the

sense of New High German)
Gaelic
Gaulish
Gaulish-L atin
Genesis
genitive
geography
geology. geological
geometry
Greek
Gothic
grammar
Habakku k
Hauai

I eel.
I.-E.
imit.
immunol.
imper.
imperf.
impers.
in def.
indic.
inf.
interj.
intr.
Ion.
Ir.
Iran.
Is.
It.

Hebrew
helminthology
heraldry.
Hindustan i
history
Hittite
Hosea
Hungaria n
hydrograp hy
Icelandic
Indo-Euro pean
imitative
immunology
imperative
imperfect
impersona l
indefinite
indicative
infinitive
interjection
intransitive
Ionic
Irish
Iranian
Isaiah
Italian

Jap.
Jav.
Jer.
Josh.

Japanese
Javanese
Jeremiah
Joshua

L.
Lam.
Lapp.
i.e.

Latin
Lamentat ions
Lappish
loco citato ( = in the place
cited)
Lettish
Leviticus
Low German
literal, literally
Lithuania n
lithograph y

Lett.
Lev.
LG.
lit.
Lith.
lithogr.
Mal.
Malayal.
Man d.

Malachi
Malayalam
Mandaean , Mandaic

masc.
math.
MBret.
MCo.
MDu.
ME.
mech.
med.
MedHeb.
MEgypt.
Messap.
metal.
metath.
meteorol.
MF.
MGk.
MHG.
Mi.
mil.
mineral.
Mir.
ML.
MLG.
ModE.
Mod F.
ModHeb.
ModL.
ModNorw .
ModPers.
Mod Port.
ModProven'<.
ModW.
mus.
MW.
mythol.
n.
N.American
nat. hist.
naut.
NE.
neg.
Neh.
neut.
NF.
nom.
Norw.
Num.
numism.
NW.

masculine
mathemat ics
Middle Breton
Middle Cornish
Middle Dutch
Middle English
mechanical, mechanics
medicine
Medieval Hebrew
Middle Egyptian
Messapia n
metallurgy
metathesis
meteorology
Middle French
Middle Greek
Middle High German
Micah
military
mineralogy
Middle Irish
Medieval Latin
Middle Low German
Modern English
Modem French
Modern Hebrew
Modern Latin
Modern Norwegian
Modern Persian
Modern Portuguese
Modern Proven9al
Modern Welsh
music
Middle Welsh
mythology
noun
North American
natural history
nautical
North East
negative
Nehemiah
neuter
North French
nominativ e
Norwegian
Numbers
numismatics
North West

OBrit.
obsol.
OBulg.
OCelt.
OCo.
ODan.
ODu.
OE.
OF.
OFlem.
OFris.
OGael.
OHG.
01.
Olr.
Olran.
Olt.
OL.
OLG.
OLith.
ON.
ONF.
ONorw.
OPers.
OPicard
OPort.
OProven'<.
OPruss.
orig.
ornithol.
ORuss.
OS.
OSabinic
OSerb.
OSlav.
OSp.
Osset.
OS wed.

ow.
paleontol.
part.
pass.
pathol.
perf.
per h.
Pers.
Peruv.
pharm.
philo!.

Old British
obsolete
Old Bulgarian
Old Celtic
Old Cornish
Old Danish
Old Dutch
Old English
Old French
Old Flemish
Old Frisian
Old Gaelic
Old High German
Old Indian
Old Irish
Old Iranian
Old Italian
Old Latin
Old Low German
Old Lithuania n
Old Norse
Old North French
Old Norwegian
Old Persian
Old Picard
Old Portuguese
Old Proven'<al
Old Prussian
original, originally
ornithology
Old Russian
Old Saxon
Old Sabinic
Old Serbian
Old Slavic
Old Spanish
Ossetic
Old Swedish
Old Welsh
paleontology
participle, participial
passive
pathology
perfect
perhaps
Persian
Peruvian
pharmacy
philology

XXIV

philosophy
Phoenician
photography
phrenology
Phry gian
physics, physical
physiology
plura l
Personal Nam e; Proper
Nam e
y ; poetical
poetr
poet.
h
Polis
Pol.
Portuguese
Port.
possessive
possess.
past participle
pp.
preceding
prec.
predicate, predicative,
pred.
predicatively
prefix
pref.
preposition
prep.
present participle
pres. part.
printing
print.
privative
priv.
probably
pro b.
pron oun, pron omin al
pron.
properly
prop.
proso dy
pros.
Provencal
c.
Proven
Psalms
Ps.
psychology
psychoI.
psychopathol. psychopathology

philos.
Phoen.
photo gr.
phrenol.
Phryg.
phys.
physiol.
pl.
PN.

q.v.
qq.v.

quod vide (L., 'which see')

quae vide (L., 'which see';
pl.)

R.C.Ch.
refl.
rei.
relig.
rhet.
Rom.
Rum .
Russ.

Rom an Catholic Chur ch

reflexive
relative; related
religion
rhetoric
Rom an
Rum anian
Russian

s.
S.Afr.
S.Am.

Sout h
Sout h African
Sout h American

Sam.
Savoy.
Scand.
scil.
Scot.
sculp.
seismol.
Sem.
Sept.
Serb.
sing.
Slav.
s.m.
sociol.
Sp.
specif.
subj.
subst.
suff.
super!.
surg.
s.v.

sw.
Swed.
Syr.
Tarent.
techn.
Teut.
theatr.
theol.
Thessal.
Toch.
tr.
Turk .
typogr.

Samuel
Savoyard
Scandinavian
scilicet (L., 'understood,
namely')
Scottish, Scotch
sculpture
seismology
Semitic
Septuagint
Serbian
singular
Slavonic
same meaning
sociology
Spanish
specifically
subjunctive
substantive
suffix
superlative
surgery
sub voce ( = unde r the
word)
Sout h West
Swedish
Syriac
Taren tine
technical, technology
Teutonic
theatrical
theology
Thessalian
Tocharian
transitive
Turkish
typography

Ugar.
ult.
U.S.A.
U.S.S.R.

Ugaritic
ultimate, ultimately
United States of America
United Soviet Socialist
Republics

v.
var.
veter.
VArab.

verb
variant
veterinary
Vulgar Arab ic

XXV

VL.
vulg.
Vulg.

Vulgar Latin
vulgar
Vulgate

w.

Welsh
West African

W.African

WSem.
WTeut.

West Semitic
West Teutonic

Zech.
Zeph.
zooI.

Zechariah
Zephaniah
zoology

Symbols used in this Dictionary

The asterisk ("') indicates a hypothetica l form.

The mark called macron(-) is placed over a vowel to show that it is long.
The mark called breve(~) is placed over a vowel to show that it is short.
In this dictionary the quantity of vowels (esp. in Greek and Latin words) is indicated only
when they are long. The brevity of vowels is indicated only in some special cases (e.g. in Latin
pendere, 'to cause to hang', in contradistin ction to pendere, 'to hang' (see pendant). Hence
when there is no mark over a vowel it is to be assumed that it is short.
The mark' after a consonant in the Slavonic languages indicates palatalizati on.
The mark- after a syllable or a group of syllables (as in ant-, anti-) indicates that this syllable
.
or group of syllables is a prefix.
The mark before a syllable or a group of syllables (as in -ate, -ation) indicates that this
syllable or group of syllables is a suffix.

A
a, indef. article.- Form of an before a consonant.
a, prep. meaning 'of', as in a clock = of the
clock.- ME., fr. OE. of, 'from, off, of'. See of.
a, prep. meaning 'on'.- OE. an, on, 'on'. See on.
a, prep. meaning 'to, at, in'.- F., fr. L. ad, 'to,
toward'. See ad- and cp. a-, pref. corresponding
to L. ad-. Cp. also a Ia.
a-, pref. meaning 'of', as in akin. - ME. a-,
fr. OE. of. See a, prep. meaning 'of'.
a-, pref. meaning 'on'; used to form adverbs
from nouns as in abroad, ashore. - Fr. OE. an,
on. See a, prep. meaning 'on'.
a-, intensive pref. - OE. a-, rei. to OS., OFris.
ur-, or-, Du. oor-, OHG., MHG. ur- (unstressed:
OHG. ir-, ar-, MHG., G. -er), Goth. us-. The
orig. meaning of these prefixes was 'out, away'.
Cp. the pref. in oakum, ordeal.
a-, pref. meaning 'away from, from' (occurring
only before v), as in avert. - L. a-, fr. a, short
form of ab, 'away from, from'; rei. to Oscan
aa-, Umbr. aha-, 'away from, from'. See ab-.
a-, pref. corresponding to L. ad-, fr. ad, 'to, toward', either directly or through the medium of
OF. a- or F. a. Cp. the pref. in abandon, acknowledge, ascend, ascribe, and see ad-. Cp. also a.
a-, priv. pref. meaning 'not, less, without'. Gk. &-, used before a consonant, the form before a vowel being &.v-. See an- and cp. the priv.
prefixes in- and un-.
aam, n., a Dutch and German liquid measure. Du., fr. L. ama (more exactly hama), 'bucket',
fr. Gk. <'i!J.1J (prop. d1!J.1J), 'bucket', which is rei.
to &:!J.iXa&cH, 'to draw, gather', &.!J.vlov, 'a bowl
in which the blood of victims was caught'. See
amnion.
aardvark, n., a South African burrowing animal.
- Du., lit. 'earth pig', fr. aard, 'earth', and
vark, 'pig'. See earth and farrow.
aardwolf, n., a South African hyena-like mammal. - Du., lit. 'earth wolf'. See prec. word
and wolf.
Aaron, masc. PN.; in the Bible, the brother of
Moses.- Late L., fr. Gk. 'Aocpwv, fr. He b. Ahiirdn, which is prob. of Egyptian origin. Arab.
Hartin is borrowed from Hebrew.
Derivative: Aaron-ic, adj.
Aaron's beard, name of several plants. - So
called because of their resemblance to a beard
and with allusion to Ps. 133:2.
Auons rod, 1) straight molding in architecture;
2) PDPular name of the common mullein. So called with allusion to Nu. 17.
Alt. n., name of the fifth Jewish month. - Heb.
4blt, fr. Akkad. abu.
a'-, Pref. in words of Latin origin, denoting de:;"ture, separation. - L. ab-, fr. ab, 'away from,
om; by'. The form ab is regularly used before

all vowels and h; before consonants except h,

ab usually becomes a; before c, q, t, it becomes
abs. L. ab derives fr. orig. *ap (cp. aperi6, 'I
open'), and is cogn. with 01. apa, 'away from',
Gk. <iTC6, 'away from, from', Goth. af, OE. of,
'away from, from'. See of and cp. a-, 'away
from', apo-, post-.
aba, n., a form of altazimuth instrument. - So
called after its inventor Antoine Thomson
d'Abbadie.

aback,adv. -OE. on blfc. See a-, 'on', and back.

abacus, n., I) frame with beads for calculation;
2) (archit.) slab at the top of a column. - L.
abacus, fr. Gk. &~oc!;, gen. &~ocKo~, 'a square
tablet strewn with dust', fr. Heb. abhtiq, 'dust',
fr. root a-b-q, 'to fly off'. The first type of abacus
was a board covered with dust, whence its name.
Abaddon, n., the bottomless pit.- Heb. abhadddn, 'destruction', fr. iibhddh, 'he perished', which
is rel. to Aram. abhddh, 'he perished', Ugar. 'bd,
'to perish', Ethiop. abada, 'he wandered about',
Arab. abada, 'it (the animal) fled in fright'.
abaft, adv., astern, aft; prep., behind.- Formed
fr. a-, 'on', and OE. belfjtan, fr. be, 'by, at',
and <eftan. 'behind'. See be- and aft.
abalienate, tr. v., 1) to alienate; 2) to remove.L. abalienatus, pp. of abalienare, 'to remove',
lit. 'to make alien from', fr. ab- and alieniire.
See alienate.
abalienation, n., 1) alienation; 2) removal. L. aba/ieniitio, gen. -6nis, fr. aba!ienatus, pp.
of abalieniire. See prec. word and -ion.
abalone, n., a mollusk.- Sp., of unknown origin.
abandon, tr. v., to leave, forsake. - ME. abandonen, fr. OF. abandoner (F. abandonner), fr. a
bandon in (mettre) a bandon, 'to give up to a
public ban', fr. a, 'to' (fr. L. ad) and bandon,
'power, authority, jurisdiction', fr. Late L. bandum, bannum, 'order, decree', which is of Teut.
origin. See ad- and ban, 'proclamation', and cp.
banish.
Derivatives: abandon, n., abandon-ed, adj., abandon-er, n., abandon-ment, n.
abase, tr. v., to lower.- OF. abaissier (F. abaisser), 'to bring low', fr. VL. *adbassiare, which
isformedfr. L. ad- and Late L. bassus, 'thick, fat,
low'. See base, 'low', and cp. the second element
in bouillabaisse.
Derivatives: abas-ed, adj., abas-ed-ly, adv., abased-ness, n., abase-ment, n.
abash, tr. v., to confuse; to put to shame.- ME.
abassen, abaissen, abashen, fr. OF. esbahiss-,
pres. part. stem of esbahir, 'to astonish', compounded of pref. es- (fr. L. ex; see 1st ex-) and
a derivative of OF. baer (F. bayer), 'to gape',
the change of conjugation (-ir for -er) being
prob. due to the influence of the OF. adj. bar/,

abasia

abbreviator, n. - L., fr. abbreviiitus, pp. of ab'astonished'. The OF. verb baer derives fr. VL.
breviare. See abbreviate and agential suff. -or.
batare, 'to gape, yawn'. See bay, 'part in the
Abderian, pertaining to Abdera. - See Abderite
wall', and cp. words there referred to.
and -ian.
Derivatives: abash-less, adj., abash-less-ly, adv.,
Abderite, n., 1) an inhabitant of Abdera; 2) a
abash-ment, n.
fool. - L. Abderita, fr. Gk. 'A~lhJpfTI)<:;, 'inabasia, n., inability to walk (med.)- Medical L.,
habitant of Abdera', fr. "A(j81Jp(X (pl.), 'Abdera',
formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. ~&crL~, 'stepping,
a town proverbial for the stupidity of its instep; base', from the stem of ~(J((ve:w, 'to go'.
habitants. For sense development cp. GothaSee base, n., and -ia.
mite. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
abate, tr. andintr. v.-ME. abaten,fr.OF.abat re,
abdest, n., the Mohammedan rite of washing the
abattre (F. abattre), 'to beat down', fr. VL. *abhands before prayer.- Pers. abdiist, lit. 'water
batere (whence also It. abbattere, Sp. abatir),
for the hand', fr. iib, 'water', and diist, 'hand'.
fr. ab- and batere (L. battuere), 'to beat, strike'.
Pers. iib, 'water', is rei. to Avestic iip, 01. tipaf:r
See batter, 'to beat, strike', and cp. abatis, abat(fern. pl.), 'water'; see amnic and cp. the first
toir, bate, 'to reduce'.
element in abkari and the second element in
Derivative: abate-ment, n.
doab and in julep. Pers. diist, 'hand', is rei. to
abatis, n., a defense made of felled trees (mil.) Avestic zasta, 'hand', fr. I.-E. base *ghosto,
F., 'things thrown down', fr. abattre, 'to beat
whence also 01. htista/;, 'hand'. See basta and
down, throw down'. See prec. word and cp.
cp. hath.
abattoir.
abdicate, tr. v. - L. abdicatus, pp. of abdiciire,
abattoir, n., a slaughterhouse. - F., fr. abattre,
'to renounce, resign, abdicate', fr. ab- and di'to beat down'. See abate. The subst. suff. -oir
care, 'to proclaim, dedicate, consecrate, devote',
corresponds to L. -orium, whence E. -ory.
which is related to dicere, 'to say, tell'. See dicabb, n., the yarn for the woof. - OE. iiweb, iib.
tion and verbal suff. -ate and cp. dedicate, inSee a-, 'on', and web.
dicate.
abba, n., title of honor. - L., fr. Gk. &.(j(joc, fr.
Aram. abbd, 'the father; my father', emphatic abdication, n. - L. abdiciitio, gen. -onis, 'renunciation, abdication', from abdicatus pp. of abstate of abh, 'father'. See abbot, and cp. abdiciire. See prec. word and -ion.
bacy, abbey.
abdomen, n., the belly. - L. abdomen (later also
abbacy, n., the office or jurisdiction of an abbot.
abdumen), 'the lower part of the belly, paunch,
-Eccles. L. abbatia, fr. abbas, gen. abbatis. See
abdomen', which prob. meant orig. 'the hidden
badia.
also
Cp.
abbey.
abbot and cp. abba,
part of the body', and stands for *abdemen, a
abbe, n., a title given in France to a priest. - F.,
derivative of abdo, abdere, 'to hide', which is
fr. Eccles. L. abbiitem, ace. of abbas. Cp. It.
formed from ab-, and -dere (used only in comabbate, Sp. abad, 'abbot', which also derive fr.
pounds), fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, *dfzl., 'to put,
Eccles. L. abbatem, and see abbot.
place'; see do and cp. words there referred to.
abbesse,
(=F.)
OF.
fr.
abbess, n.- ME. abbesse,
See Walde-Hofmann, LEW., 1., p. 3
fr. Eccles. L. abbatissa, fern. of abbas, gen. -iitis.
abdominal, adj., pertaining to the abdomen. See abbot and cp. It. abbadessa, badessa, and
Medical L. abdominalis, fr. L. abdomen, gen.
Sp. abadesa, 'abbess', which also derive fr. Ecabdominis. See prec. word and adj. suff. -at.
cles. L. abbatissa.
Derivatives: abdominal, n., abdominally, adv.
abbey, n., a convent headed by an abbot or an
abdomino-, combining form denoting the ababbess. - ME., fr. AF. abbeie, fr. OF. abeie,
domen. - Fr. L. abdomen, gen. abdominis. See
abaie (F. abbaye), fr. Eccles. L. abbatia, fr. L.
abdomen.
abbiis. See abbot and cp. abba, abbacy, abbess.
abduce, tr. v., to draw away.- L. abducere, 'to
Cp. also It. abbadia, Sp. abadia, 'abbey', which
lead away'. See next word.
also derive fr. Eccles. L. abbatia.
abbot, n. - OE. abbod, fr. L. abbat-, stem of abducent, adj., drawing back or away (said of the
muscles); the opposite of adducent.- L. abduabbiis, gen. abbatis, fr. Aram. abbd, 'the father;
cens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of abducere, 'to lead
my father', emphatic state of iibh, 'father', which
away', fr. ab-, and ducere, 'to lead'. See duke
is rei. to Heb. iibh, 'father'. See Aboth and cp.
and -ent.
words there referred to. Cp. also abba, abbacy,
abduct, tr. v., to kidnap. - L. abductus, pp. of
abbe, abbey, abuna, badia.
abducere, 'to lead away'. See prec. word.
abbreviate, tr. v., to shorten. - L. abbreviiitus,
abduction, n. - L. abductio, gen. -ionis 'a leading
pp. of abbreviare, 'to shorten', fr. ab- and breaway', fr. abductus, pp. of abducere, 'to lead
viare, 'to shorten', fr. brevis, 'short'. See brief, adj.,
away'. See prec. word and ion. As a term of
and cp. abridge, which is a doublet of abbreviate.
logic, L. abductio is a loan translation of Gk.
Derivatives: abbreviat-ed, adj., abbreviation, ab&.Tt(J(ywylj, 'a shifting (of the argument)', lit. 'a
adj.
breviator (qq.v.), abbreviat-ory,
leading away', used to denote a syllogism whose
abbreviation, n. -F. abreviation, fr. L. abbreviiimajor premise is certain, but whose minor pretionem, ace. of abbreviiitw, fr. abbreviiitus, pp.
mise is only probable.
-ion.
and
abbreYiate
See
of abbreviiire.

abiogenesis

3
abductor, n. (anat.) - Medical L., name of a
muscle, lit. 'that which leads away', fr. L. abductus, pp. of abducere, 'to lead away'. See abduct and agential suff. -or.
abeam, adv., at right angles to the keel (naut.)Lit. 'on the beam', fr. a-, 'on', and beam.
abecedarian, adj., elementary, rudimentary. ML. abecedarius, 'pertaining to the alphabet',
a word formed from the names of the first f6tir
letters of the alphabet. For the ending see suff.
-arian.
abecedarium, n., an ABC book.- ML., prop.
neut. of the adjective abecediirius, used as a
noun. See prec. word.
abed, adv., in bed (archaic). - Formed fr. a-,
'on', and bed.
Abel, masc. PN.; in the Bible, the second son of
Adam and Eve.- L., fr. Gk. "A(je:).., fr. Heb.
Hebhel, lit. 'breath, vanity'.
abele, n., the white poplar. - Du. abeel, fr. OF.
aubel, a/bel, fr. VL. *albellus, 'whitish', dimin.
of albulus, which itself is dimin. of a/bus,
'white'. See alb.
Abelmoschus, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Arab.l;abb-al-mus k,
in vulgar pronunciation /;abb-el-mosk, lit. 'grain
of musk'. See hubba and musk.
abelmosk, n., a plant of the mallow family. Fr. prec. word.
Abeona, also Adeona, n., the goddess watching
over the first departure of children from the
house (Roman mythol.)- L. Abeona, Adeona,
formed on analogy of miitrona, 'matron', from
the stem of abire, 'to go away', resp. of adire,
'to approach'. See abiturient, resp. adit.
aberdevine, n., the siskin.- Of unknown origin.
aberrance, aberrancy, n.- L. aberrantia, Cr. aberrans, gen. aberrantis. See aberrant and -ce, resp.
-cy.
aberrant, adj., deviating from what is normal. L. aberrans, gen. -antis, pres. part. of aberriire,
'to wander away, go astray', fr. ab- and erriire,
'to wander, stray about'. See err and -ant.
aberration, n.,- L. aberratio, gen. -6nis, 'a wandering', fr. aberrat-(um), pp. stem of aberrare.
See prec. word and -ation.
Derivative: aberration-al, adj.
llbet, tr. v. - ME. abetten, fr. OF. abeter, 'to
bait', lit. 'to cause to bite', fr. a- (fr. L. ad, 'to')
and OF beter, 'to bait', which is of Teut. origin;
cp. ON. beita, 'to cause to bite', bita, OE. bitan,
'to bite'. See ad- and bait, bite, and cp. bet.
Derivatives: abet-ment, abett-al, abett-er, abetttw, nouns.
lllleto, n., the fir tree called Abies religiosa. - Sp.,
fr. L. abief, gen. abietis, 'the silver fir'. See Abies.
.-,._, n., temporary inactivity. - AF. a~iance, 'suspension', formed fr. a- (fr. L.ad, 'to',
sec ad-), and OF. beer (F. bayer), 'to gape', fr.
L hatiire 'to gape'. See bay, 'part in the wall',
and cp. words there referred to.
llhbor, tr. v. - L. abhorrire, 'to shrink away

from', fr. ab- and horrere, 'to bristle, shudder'.

See horror.

abhorrence, n. - Formed fr. next word with

suff. -ce.
abhorrent, adj. - L. abhorrens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of abhorrere, 'to shrink away from'. See
abhor and -ent.
Derivative: abhorrent-ly, adv.
abide, intr. and tr. v. - OE. iibidon, formed fr.
intensive pref. a- and bidan, 'to remain, await'.
See bide.
Derivatives: abid-ing, adj., abid-ing-ly, adv.
Abies, n., a genus of trees, the true fir (bot.) L. abies, 'silver fir', cogn. with Gk. &(jLv (ace.),
'silver fir', 'A(jLx~, name of Southern Russia,
lit. 'a region of firs'. Cp. abeto.
abietic, adj., pertaining to the crystalline acid
C20H 300 2 (chem.) - Formed with suff. -ic fr.
L. abies, gen. abietis, 'silver fir'. See prec. word.
Abigail, fern. PN.; in the Bible, the wife ofNabal,
later of David.- Heb. Abhigdyil, lit. 'my father
is rejoicing', fr. abh, 'father' andgl/, 'to rejoice'.
For the first element see Aboth. The second element is rei. to Arab. jdla, 'he went round' and
to Heb. galtil, 'he rolled, unfolded'; see gelilah.
The use of the name in the sense of 'waiting
maid' is due to the passage in I Sam. 25:35, where
Abigail calls herself a 'handmaid'.
abigeat, n., cattle stealing (civil law). - L. abigeatus, fr: abigeus, 'cattle stealer', fr. abigere,
'to drive away', fr. ab- and agere, 'to drive'; see
agent. The change of Latin a(in agere) to i (in abigere) is due to the Latin phonetic law according
to which in the unaccented open radical syllable
of the second element of compounds, original
iJ becomes i. Cp. accident, adhibit, ambiguous,
ancipital, anticipate, artifice, comfit, conceive,
consilient, constitute, contiguous, council, deceive, deciduous, deficient, delicious, delitescent,
desipient, destine, destitute, difficulty, disciple,
dissilient, efficient, elicit, exhibit, Illicium, incident, incipient, inhibit, inimical, institute, insipid,
insipient, irritate, 'to make null and void', navigate, obstinate, occident, occiput, office, participate ,precipice ,prodigal,proficient, prohibit, prostitute, receive, recidivist, resilient, resipiscence,
restitute, reticent, substitute, superficies, superstition, supplicate, transilient.
ability, n. - ME. abilite, fr. OF. ablete, habilite
(F. habilite'), fr. L. habilitatem, ace. of habilitiis,
'aptitude, ability', fr. habilis, 'that may be easily
handled or managed, suitable, fit, proper'. See
able and -ity.
-ability, subst. suff. expressing ability, capacity,
fitn?ss. - L. -abilitiis, forming nouns from adjectives ending in -abilis. See -able and -ity and
cp. -ibility.
abio-, combining form meaning 'without life'.Fr. Gk. &(jLo~. 'without life', fr. &:- (see priv.
pref. a-) and (j(o~, 'life'. See bio-.
abiogenesis, n. supposed production of living organisms from unliving matter; spontaneous

abiogenetic

generation. - Coined by the English biologist

Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95) in 1870 fr.
Gk. li~w<;, 'without life', and ye'Jeat<;, 'origin,
source'. See abio- and genesis and cp. biogenesis.
abiogenetic, adj., pertaining to abiogenesis.-See
prec. word and genetic and cp. biogenetic.
Derivative: abiogenetic-al-ly, adv.
abiogenist, n., one who believes in spontaneous
generation. - See abiogenesis and -ist.
abiotrophy, n., loss of vitality (med.) - Coined
by the English neurologist Sir William Richard
Gowers (I845-I9I5) fr. Gk. li~w<;, 'without
life', and --rpo~(iX, fr. -rpo~l]. 'nourishment'.
See abio- and -trophy.
Derivative: abiotroph-ic, adj.
abiturient, n., one who is preparing for the final
examination of a high school. -G., fr. ModL.
abituriens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of abiturire,
'to wish to leave', a desiderative verb formed fr.
L. abe6, abfre (neut. pp. abitum), 'to go away,
leave', fr. ab- and e6, ire, 'to go'. See itinerate
and cp. Abeona. For the Latin desiderative suff.
-urfre cp. esurient, micturition, parturient, vomiturition. For the ending see suff. -ent.
abject, adj., I) miserable; 2) contemptible.- L.
abjectus, pp. of abicere (less correctly abjicere),
'to throw away', fr. ab- and jacere (pp. jactus),
'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth'. For the change
of Latin ii(injiictus) to e (in ab-jectus), see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: abjection (q.v.), abject-ly, adv.,
abject-ness, n.
abjection, n., the state of being abject (rare). F., fr. L. abjecti6nem, ace. of abjecti6, 'dejection,
despondency', lit. 'a throwing away', fr. abject us
pp. of abicere. See prec. word and -ion and cp.
dejection, ejection, projection.
abjuration, n.- L. abjiiriiti6, 'a denying on oath',
fr. abjiiratus, pp. of abjiirare. See next word and
-ation.
abjure, tr. v., I) to renounce on oath; 2) torecant. - L. abjiirare, 'to deny on oath', fr. aband jiis, gen. juris, 'right'. See jury.
Derivatives: abjure-ment, n., abjur-er, n.
abkari, n., the sale of int~xicating drinks; the
excise duty on such sale (India). - Pers. iibkarf,
'business of distilling', fr. iibkar, 'a distiller', fr.
iib, 'water', and kar, 'doer, maker'. For the first
element see abdest. The second element is related
to Avestic kar-, 'to make', ktrtnaoiti, 01. kar6ti,
knriJti, 'makes', fr. I.-E. base *q"'er-, 'to make,
form'. See corpus and cp. the second element in
Sanskrit and words there referred to.
ablactate, tr. v., to wean. - L. ablactatus, pp. of
ablactiire, 'to wean', fr. ab- and klctare. See
lactate.
ablactation, n. - L. ablactati6, gen. -6nis, 'the act
of weaning', fr. abklctatus, pp. of ablactare. See
prec. word and -ion.
ablation, n., removal. - L. ablatio, gen. -iinis, 'a
taking away', fr. ablatus (used as pp. of auferre,

'to carry or take away'), fr. ab- and latus (used

as pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands
for *tlatos, fr. *t/-, zero degree of I.-E. base
*tel-, *to/-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tollere,
'to lift up, raise', toleriire, 'to bear, support'.
See tolerate and cp. collate and words there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ion.
ablative, adj. and n. - L. (casus) abliitivus, coined by Quintilian from the pp. ablatus, 'taken
away', to denote the case expressing direction
from a place or time. Cp. F. ablatif and see prec.
word and -ive.
Derivatives: ablativ-al, adj., ablative-ly, adv.
ablaut, n., vowel gradation. - G. Ablaut, lit.
'off sound', coined by J.P.Zweigel in I568 fr.
ab, 'off' (which is rei. to OE. of, 'from, of, off'),
and fr. Laut, 'sound, tone' (which is rel. to G.
/aut, 'loud'), and popularized by Jacob Grimm.
See of and loud and cp. anlaut, inlaut, auslaut,
umlaut.
ablaze, adv. and adj.- Formed fr. pref. a-, 'on',
and blaze.
able, adj. - ME., fr. OF. able (F. habile), fr. L.
habilis, 'that which may be easily handled or
managed, suitable, fit, proper', fr. habere, 'to
have'. See habit and cp. ability. Cp. also habile,
which is a doublet of able.
Derivatives: able-ness, n., abl-y, adv.
-able, suff. expressing ability, capacity, fitness. F., fr. L. -abilis, fr. a, stem vowel of verbs of the
1st conjugation, and -bilis. See -ble and cp.
-ible. H soon became a living suffix, because of
its supposed connection with the adjective able
(fr. L. habilis, 'handy'), with which it has nothing to do.
Ablepharus,n., a genus oflizards (zoo/.)- ModL.
formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. ~AE~ocpo'l,
'eyelid'. See blepharo- and cp. next word.
ablepsia, n., blindness. - L., fr. Gk. ci~).ey[IX,
'blindness', lit. 'lack of sight', fr. &- (see priv.
pref. a-) and ~).bret'l, 'to see'. Cp. ~AE~ocpo'l,
'eyelid', and see blepharo-. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
ablet, n., the bleak (a small water fish). - F.
ablette, dimin. formed fr. able (masc.), fr. L.
albulus, 'whitish', dimin. of a/bus, 'white'. See
alb.
ablution, n., a washing, esp. as a ritual.- L. ablutio, gen. -6nis, 'a washing, cleansing', fr. abliitus, pp. of abluere, 'to wash off', fr. ab- and
luere, 'to wash', which is rei. to laviire, 'to wash'.
See lave and -ion.
Derivative: ablution-ary, adj.
abnegate, tr. v., to deny, give up.- L. abnl'gatus,
pp. of abnegare, 'to refuse, deny', fr. ab- and
negiire, 'to say no, deny'. See negate.
abnegation, n. - L. abnegiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'refusal, denial', fr. L. abnegatus, pp. of abnegiire.
See prec. word and negation.
Aboel-, n., masc. PN.; in the Bible, commander
of Saul. - Heb. Abhnir, lit. 'my father is light',
fr. iibh, 'father', and Mr, 'light'; cp. the Baby-

5
Ionian PN. Abuniiri. For the first element see
Aboth, for the second see Menorah.
abnormal, adj. - A blend of L. abnormis and
ML. an6rmalis, this latter itself being a blend
of L. an6malus and n6rmalis. See anomalous and
norm and cp. anormal.
Derivatives: abnormal-ity, n., abnormal-ly, adv.,
abnormal-ness, n.
abnormity, n.- L. abn6rmitas, formed with suff.
-itiis fr. abn6rmis. See prec. word and -ity.
aboard, adv. and prep. - Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and board.
Abobra, n., a genus of plants of the gourd family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Port. abobora, abobra,
'gourd', fr. L. apopores, apoperes (see Isidorus,
XVII, ro, r6), from a Hispanic language.
abodah, n., 1) service in the Temple in Jerusalem;
2) liturgy; 3) name of the seventeenth benediction of the Shemoneh Esreh, containing the
prayer for the restoration of the Temple (Jewish
liturgy). - Heb. 'abhodhd", 'service', fr. 'abhadh, 'he served, worshiped', which is rei. to
Aram.-Syr. 'abhddh, Arab. 'abada, 'he served,
worshiped', Ugar. 'bd, 'to serve, worship', and
to Heb. 'ebhedh, Aram. 'abhdii, 'slave, servant,
worshiper', Arab. 'abd, 'slave, worshiper'. Cp.
Obadiah, Obed.
abode, n., dwelling place. - Formed from the
past tense of abide. See next word.
abode, v., past tense of abide. - ME. abood, fr.
OE. abiid, past tense of abfdan. See abide and
cp. prec. word.
abolish, tr. v. - F. abo/iss-, pres. part. stem of
abolir, 'to abolish, suppress', fr. L. abolere, 'to
destroy, efface, abolish', prob. a back formation fr. abolescere, 'to decay gradually, vanish,
cease', which was prob. formed as the antonym
of adolescere, 'to grow up, grow', a verb
dissimilated fr. orig. *ad-alescere, lit. 'to grow
forward', fr. ad- and alescere, 'to grow up, increase', fr. a/ere, 'to grow'. See ab-, adolescent
and verbal suff. -ish. The change of conjugation
in F. abolir and the related It. abo/ire, Sp. abolir,
all verbs of the 4th conjugation (fr. L. abo/ere,
a verb of the 2nd conjugation), is due to the
influence of the noun abolitio, 'abolition' (fr.
abo/ere), which was mistaken for a derivative of
the (non-extant) Latin verb *abo/ire. Cp. aboUtion.
Derivatives: abolish-er, n., abolish-ment, n.
llllolition, n. -F., fr. L. aboliti6nem, ace. of abolitw, 'abolition', formed with suff. -ion fr. abotitus, pp. of abo/ere, 'to destroy, efface, abolish'.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: abolition-ary, adj., abolition-ism, n,
abolition-ist, n.
aboUa, n., a thick woolen cloak.- L. of Sicilian
origin. Cp. the Sicilian town 'A[i6J.Aoc (now
called Avow).
abomasum, n., the fourth stomach of a ruminant
(anot.) - ModL., fr. ab- and L. omasum,
'bullock's tripe'. See omasum.

about

abominable, adj. - F. abominable, fr. L. ab6minabilis, 'deserving imprecation, abominable'.

See next word and -able.
Derivatives: abominab-ly, adv., abominableness, n.
abominate, tr. v., to loathe, abhor. - L. abominiitus, pp. of ab6minarf, 'to deprecate as an ill
omen; to detest, abominate', fr. ab- and omen,
gen. 6minis, 'a foreboding, sign, token, omen'.
See omen and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: abominate, abominated, adjs.
abomination, n. - F., fr. L. ab6miniiti6nem, ace.
of ab6miniiti6, 'abomination', fr. ab6miniitus,
pp. of ab6minarf. See prec. word and -ion.
aboriginal, adj. and n. - See IfeXt word.
Derivatives: aboriginal-ly, adv., aboriginal-ity, n.
Aborigines, n. pl., the first inhabitants of a country; natives.- L. Aborigines, 'ancestors', name
of the primeval Romans; formed from the
words 'ab origine', 'from the origin', fr. ab,
'from' (see ab-), and orfgine, abl. of origo, 'origin'. See original.
abort, intr. v., to miscarry. - L. abortare, 'to
miscarry', freq. of aborfrf (pp. abortus), 'to disappear; to miscarry', fr. ab- and orirf, 'to rise,
be born'. See orient.
abort, n., miscarriage.- L. abortus, 'miscarriage,
abortion', fr. abortus, pp. of aboriri. Sec abort, v.
abortifacient, adj. and n., (anything) producing
abortion. - See prec. word and -facient.
abortion, n., miscarriage.- L. aborti6, gen. -6nis,
'miscarriage, abortion', fr. abortus, pp. of aborfri. See abort, v., and -ion.
Derivatives: abortion-a/, adj., abortion-ist, n.
abortive, adj., 1) born prematurely; 2) unsuccessful. - L. abortivus, 'pertaining to miscarriage',
fr. abortus, pp. of aborfri. See abort, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: abortive-ly, adj., abortive-ness, n.
Aboth, also Abot, n., I) the Mishnah treatise also
called Pirke A both or The Ethics of the Fathers;
2) name of the first benediction of the Shemoneh
Esreh (Jewish liturgy). - Heb. Abh&th, pl. of
iibh, 'father', rel. to Aram. abh (absolute state),
abb& (emphatic state), Ugar. 'b, Arab. ab,
Ethiop. ab, 'father'; of uncertain origin, possibly
traceable to *ab(a), a child"s word for father.
Cp. the first element in Abraham, Abner, Absalom, Abigail, and the second element in Joab,
Moab, Barabbas. Cp. also abbot and words
there referred to. Cp. also borage.
abound, intr. v.- ME. abounden, fr. OF. (=F.)
abonder, fr. L. abundiire, 'to overflow; to abound',fr. ab- and unda, 'wave'. See undate and
cp. redound, surround. Derivatives: abound-er,
n., abound-ing, adj., abound-ing-ly, adv.
about, adv. - ME. abuten, abouten, aboute, fr.
OE. abiitan, onbiitan, 'on the outside of', formed
fr. a-, 'on', and biitan, 'outside', which itself is
formed fr. be, 'by', and iitan, 'outside', fr. iit,
'out'. See by and out and cp. but.
Derivative: about, prep.

above

ver, 'to give drink to (animals)', fr. OF. abevrer,

abrever, fr. VL. abbibertire, fr. ad- and L.
bibere, 'to drink'. See beverage, and cp. It. abbeverare, Provenc;., Catal. abeurar, Sp., Port. abrevar, which all derive fr. VL. abbiberiire.
abridge, tr. v.- ME. abregen, fr. OF. abregier,
abreger (F. abreger), 'to shorten', fr. L. abbreviiire, fr. ad- and brevitire, 'to shorten', fr. brevis,
'short'. See brief, adj., and cp. abbreviate, which
is a doublet of abridge.
Derivatives: abridg-ed, adj., abridg-ed-ly, adv.,
abridg-er, n., abridgment (q.v.)
abridgment, abridgement, n.- OF. abregement
(F. abregement), fr. abregier. See abridge and
-ment.
abrin, n., a toxic albumin (biochem.). - Formed
with chem. suff. -in fr. Abrus; so called because
it is found in the shrub Abrus precatorius.
abroach, adv.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and broach.
abroad, adv. - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and broad.
abrogate, tr. v., to annul, repeal.- L. abrogiitus,
pp. of abrogiire, 'to annul, to repeal (a law)', fr.
ab- and rogiire, 'to ask; to ask the people about
a law, to propose a law'. See rogation and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: abrogation (q.v.), abrogat-ive, adj.,
abrogat-or, n.
abrogation, n. - L. abrogiitio, gen. -onis, 'repeal
of a law', fr. abrogiitus, pp. of abrogtire. See
prec. word and -ion.
Abroma, n., a genus of plants of the chocolate
family (bot.). - ModL., formed fr. priv. pref.
a- and Gk. ~p6l[J.oc, 'food'. See broma.
Abronla, n., a genus of plants of the four-o'clo ck
family (bot.) - ModL., for Habronia, fr. Gk.
ci~p6<;. See Abrus.
abrotanum, n., southernw ood. - ML., fr. L.
abrotonum, fr. Gk. &~p6-rovov, 'wormwo od',
&~p6-rovov lippEV, 'southern wood', which is of
unknown origin.
abrupt, adj. - L. abruptus, pp. of abrumpere, 'to
break off', fr. ab- and rumpere, 'to break'. See
rupture.
Derivatives: abrupt-ed-ly, abrupt-ly, advs., abrupt-ness, n.
A'llna, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.)- ModL., for *Habrus, fr. Gk. ci~p6.;,
'graceful, delicate'. See habro-.
Absalom, masc. PN.; in the Bible, King David's
son; fig. a favorite son.- Heb. Abhshii/Om, lit.
'father is peace', fr. iibh, 'father', and shiildm,
'peace'. See Aboth and sbalom.
abscess, n., a swelling in body tissues (med.). L. abscessus, 'a going away, departure , abscess',
fr. abcedere, 'to go away', fr. abs-, ab-, 'away
from, from', and cedere, 'to go'. See ab- and
cede and cp. cease.
Derivativ e: abscess-ed, adj.
tr. v., to cut off (obsol.) - L. abscindere,
absciod,
aufabra.
off', fr. ab- and scindere, perf. scidi, pp.
cut
'to
breast.
and
abreast, adv.- Formed fr. a-, 'on',
sciuJU (for scid-tos), 'to cut, split'. See llllell,
llbreaYolr, n., an interstice between stones (maand cp. ......., rac:t.d.
sonry). - F., lit. 'a watering troush', fr. abreu-

above, adv. - ME. aboven, fr. OE. abufan, formed fr. a-, 'on', and bufan, 'above', which itself
is formed fr. be, 'by' (see by), and ufan, 'upward, above'; cp. OE. ofer, 'over' which is the
compar. of ufan, and see over. Cp. also about.
Derivatives: above, prep. and adj.
abracadab ra, n., a magic formula .- Late L., fr.
Gk. &~pocc<X8oc~poc, in which word the letter c =
s was misread for k. It was originally written
as a magic formula on Abraxas Stones, whence
its name. See abraxas.
abrade, tr. v., to scrape off. - L. abriidere, 'to
scrape off', fr. ab-, and riidere, 'to scrape off,
to shave'. See raze and cp. abrase.
Abraham, masc. PN.; in the Bible, the first of the
patriarch s and father of the Hebrew nation. Heb. Abhrtihdm, lit. 'father of the multitude ',
compoun ded of iibh, 'father', and riihdm,
'multitud e', which is rei. to Arab. ruhdm, of
s.m.; see Gen.I7:5 . See Aboth and cp. next
word.
Abram, masc. PN.; in the Bible, former name of
Abraham . - Heb. Abhrdm, compoun ded of
iibh, 'father', and riim, 'high, exalted', which is
prop. part. of rum, 'to be high, to be exalted'.
For the first element see Aboth and cp. Abraham. From the second element derive rtimdi',
'height' (prop. fern. part. of rUm), romdm, 'extolling, praise; song of praise', miirdm, 'height',
t 1rumd", 'contribu tion, offering (for sacred
use)', lit. 'somethin g lifted up, somethin g separated'. Cp. Aram.-Syr. ram, 'was high', Arab.
rdma prop. 'he rose', hence 'he strove for', and,
in Zanzibar and Oman, 'he was able to'. Cp.
the second element in Hiram.
Abramis, n., a genus of fishes (ichthyo l.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. &~poc[J.l<;, 'bream', fr. Egyptian rem,
'fish'.
abranchiate, adj., having no gills.- Formed fr.
priv. pref. a- and branclliate.
Derivative: abranchiate, n.
abrase, tr. v., to abrade. - L. abriisus, pp. of
abriidere, 'to scrape off'. See abrade.
abrasion, n. - Formed with suff. -ion fr. L.
abriisus, pp. of abriidere. See prec. word.
abrasive, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -ive
fr. L. abriisus, pp. of abradere. See abrade.
abraxas, n., a mystical word used as a charm. Gk. 'A~p~oc<;, according to Irenaeus (in Adversus haereses I, c. 23 and 24) a word formed from
the Greek letters oc, ~. p, oc, ~. oc, a, whose numerical value amounts to 365 (oc = I, f:l = 2,
p = IOO, oc = I,~= 6o, oc = 1, a = 200), correspondin g to the number of aeons in Basilidian
gnosticism and to the number of days in a year.
It is more probable, however, that the word
abraxas is an acrostic formed from the initials
of certain consecutive Hebrew words. Cp. abra-

abstinent

abscissa, n. (math.) - L. (linea) abscissa, lit. '(a

line) cut off', fem. pp. of abscindere, 'to tear
away; to cut off'. (The abscissa of a point Pis
the portion of the x axis cut off by the line
drawn through P parallel to the y axis.) See
prec. word.
abscission, n., the act of cutting off. - L. abscissio, gen. -onis, 'a cutting off', fr. abscissus, pp.
of abscindere. See abscind and -ion.
abscond, intr. v., to depart suddenly and secretly.- L. abscondere, 'to hide, conceal', fr. abs-,
ab-, 'away from, from' (see ab-) and condere, 'to
put together, hide', fr. con-, 'together' (see con-),
and -dere (used only in compoun ds), fr. I.-E.
base *dhe-, *dht-, *dho-, 'to place, put, make',
whence also Gk. -rr..Sivoc1, 'to place', L. facere,
'to make, do', OE. don, 'to do'. See do, v., and
cp. fact, theme. Cp. also Consus, recondite,
sconce, 'metal bracket', scoundrel.
Derivativ e: abscond-er, n.
absence, n. - F., fr. L. absentia, fr. absens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of abesse, 'to be away from,
be absent'. See absent and -ce.
absent, adj. -F., fr. L. ~bsentem, ace. of absens,
pres. part. of abesse, 'to be away from, be absent', fr. ab- and esse, 'to be'. See esse and -ent
and cp. sans, senza. Cp. also present, adj.
Derivatives: absent, v. (q.v.), absent-ly, adv., absent-ness, n., absent-ation, n., absent-ee, n., absent-ee-ism n., absent-er, n., absent-ly, adv.,
absent-ness, n.
absent, tr. v., to keep (oneself) away. -F. absenter, fr. L. absentiire, 'to cause one to be absent', fr. absens, gen. absentis. See absent, adj.
absinth, absinthe, n., wormwoo d. - F. absinthe,
fr. Gk. &ljilv&1ov, 'wormwo od', which is of
OPers. origin; cp. ModPers. iispiind, sipiind,
ofs.m.
absolute, adj.- L. absolUtus, pp. of absolvere, 'to
loosen, set free'. See absolve and cp. consolute,
dissolute, resolute.
Derivatives: absolute, n., absolute-ly, adv., absolute-ness, n.
absolution, n. -OF. ( = F.) absolution, fr. L. absoluti6nem, ace. of absolutia, 'an acquittal' , fr.
abso/utus. See prec. word and -ion.
absolutism, n. - Formed with suff. -ism fr. L.
abso/utus. See absolute.
absolutist, n. - Formed with suff. -ist fr. L. ab60/Utus. See absolute.
lllllohe, tr. v. - L. absolvere, 'to set free', fr.
lib- and solvere, 'to loosen, set free'. See solve
and cp. assoil. Cp. also dissolve, resolve.
lllllorb, tr. v. - L. absorbere, 'to swallow up',
: .ab- .and sorbe~e, 'to suck in, swallow up',
hich IS cogn. With Arm. arbi (from. *srbh-)
'I drank , Gk. pocpe:'Lv (for *apo<pe:Lv), 'toa sup'
Alb. gerp (for serbhO-), 'I sip', OSlav.
~ti, Lith. surbiu, surbti, srebiu, srebti, 'to
lip Mlr. srub, 'snout'. Cp. absorption, resorb,
la1l, v., and the second element in Sangui-

up:,

IOrba.

Derivatives: absorb-ed, adj. absorb-ed-ly, adv.,

absorb-ed-ness, n., absorbent (q.v.), absorb-ing,
adj., absorb-ing-ly, adv.
absorbefacient, adj., tending to promote absorption.- Compoun ded of L. absorbere, 'to swallow up', and faciens, gen. -entis, 'to make, do'.
For the first element see absorb, for the second
see -facient, for the ending see suff. -ent. Cp.
sorbefacient.
absorbency, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
absorbent, adj. - L. absorbens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of absorbere. See absorb and -ent.
absorption, n. - L. absorpti6, gen. -onis, fr. absorptus, pp. of absorbere. See absorb and -ion.
abstain, intr. v. - ME. absteynen, fr. OF. astenir, fr. VL. *abstenire, correspon ding to L.
abstinere, 'to abstain', which is formed fr. abs,
ab, 'away from, from' (see ab-), and tenere, 'to
hold'. See tenable and cp. appertain, contain,
detain, entertain, maintain, obtain, pertain, retain, sustain. Cp. also abstention, abstinence.
The ME. and E. forms have been refashioned
after L. abstinere.
Derivatives: abstain-er, n., abstain-ment, n.
abstemious, adj., moderate in eating and drinking.- L. abstemius, 'sober, temperate ', fr. abs,
ab, 'away from, from' (see ab-), and the stem
of temetum, 'intoxicat ing drink, mead, wine',
which is rei. to temulentus, 'drunken' . See temulent. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
Derivatives: abstemious-ly, adv., abstemiousness, n.
abstention, n. - F., fr. L. abstenti6nem, ace. of
abstentio, 'the act of retaining' , fr. abstentus, pp.
of abstinere. See abstain and -ion.
absterge, tr. v., I) to wipe away, cleanse; 2) to
purge.- F. absterger, fr. L. abstergere, 'to wipe
away', fr. abs-, ab-, 'away from, from' (see ab-),
and tergere, 'to rub, wipe off'. See terse and cp.
words there referred to.
abstergent, adj., cleansing; n., a cleansing substance.- F. abstergent, fr. L. abstergent em, ace.
of abstergens, pres. part. of abstergere. See prec.
word and -ent.
abstersion, n., a cleansing. -F. fr. L. abstersus,
pp. of abstergere. See absterge and -ion.
abstersive, adj., cleansing. - F. abstersif (fem.
abstersive), fr. L. abstersus, pp. of abstergere.
See absterge and -ive.
Derivative: abstersive-ness, n.
abstinence, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. abstinentia,
fr. abstinens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
abstinent, adj. and n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. abstinentem, ace. of abstinens, pres. part. of abstinere, 'to refrain from'. See abstain and -ent. The
change of 'Latin ~(in tenere) to t (in abs-ttnere)
is due to the Latin phonetic law according to
which in the unaccente d open radical syllable of
the second element of compoun ds, original i
becomes i. Cp. assiduous, continent, continuous,

abstrac t

abusive, adj. - F. abusif (fern. abusive), fr. L.

corrigendum, diligent, dimidiate, eligible, indiabusfvus, fr. abiisus, pp. of abuti. See abuse, v.,
gent, insidious, pertinacious, reside.
and -ive.
adj.
Derivat ive: abstinent-ial,
Derivatives: abusive-ly, adv. abusive-ness, n.
abstract , adj.- L. abstractus, pp. of abstrahere,
abut, intr. v. - OF. abouter, 'to touch by the
'to draw away', fr. abs-, ab-, 'away from, from'
end, border on' (whence F. abouter, 'to join end
tract,
See
(see ab-), and trahere 'to draw'.
to end'), formed fr. cl, 'to' (fr. L. ad; see ad-),
'region' .
and bout, 'end'. See butt, 'the thicker end of
n.
,
Derivat ive: abstract
anythin g'.
of
pp.
abstrac t, tr. and intr. v. - L. abstractus,
ives: abut-ment, n., abutt-al, n., abutt-er,
Derivat
verbs
the
cp.
and
word
prec.
See
re.
abstrahe
g, adj.
abutt-in
n.,
.
subtract
,
contract, detract, distract, protract
Abutilon, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
Derivat ives: abstract-ed, adj., abstract-ed-ly,
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Arab. aubutiltin, a
adv., abstract-ed-ness, n., abstract-er, n., abname coined by the Arab philoso pher Avicenna
straction (q.v.)
( = Ibn-Sin a).
abstraction, n. - F., fr. L. abstractionem, ace. of
n., poetic for abyss. - OF. abisme (F.
abysm,
See
re.
abstrahe
of
pp.
ahstractio, fr. abstractus,
fr. Eccles. L. *abismus (whence also
abime),
abstrac t, adj., and -ion.
abisme, Sp. and Port. abismo), formn9.
OProve
adj.
ion-a[,
Derivat ive: abstract
of words ending in -ismus (fr. Gk.
analogy
on
ed
s,
abstrusu
abstruse, adj., difficult, obscure. - L.
fr. L. abyssus. See abyss.
-ism),
see
-LcrfL6~;
pp. of abstrudere, 'to thrust away, conceal', fr.
l, adj.
abysm-a
ive:
Derivat
truand
ab-),
(see
abs-, ab-, 'away from, from'
abyss, n.- L. abyssus, 'bottom less pit', fr. Gk
dere, 'to thrust, push, shove', which derives fr.
&~ucrcro~ (scil. ALfL'J1J), 'bottom less, unfathI.-E. base *treud-, 'to press, push', whence also
(pool)', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and
omed
'to
,
]Jreatian
Goth. us-priutan, 'to vex', OE.
'depth, bottom ', which is related to
~ucra6~,
press, afflict, threaten '. See threat and cp. ins.m. Cp. abysm.
of
~u-&6~.
to.
referred
trude and words there
Derivat ive: abyss-al, adj.
Derivatives: abstruse-ly, adv., abstruse-ness, n.
Abyssinia, n.- ModL. Abyssinia, Latinized form
absurd, adj. - F. absurde, fr. L. absurdus, 'out
of Arab. lftibasha", 'Abyssinia'. Cp. hubshi.
,
absurd'
uous,
of tune, harsh, rough, incongr
ives: Abyssini-an, adj. and n.
Derivat
formed fr. ab- and a derivative of the I.-E. base
ted form of ad- before c and q.
assimila
ac-,
surd.
cp.
and
swarm
See
*.swer-, *sur-, 'to sound'.
onding in meaning to suff. -ic.
corresp
suff.,
-ac,
adv.,
Derivatives: absurdity (q.v.), absurd-ly,
or directly fr. L. -acus, fr. Gk.
-aque,
F.
- Fr.
absurd-ness, n.
-()()(6~.
iitem,
absurdit
L.
fr.
absurdity, n. -F. absurdite,
acacia, n. - L. acacia, fr. Gk. liK(J(KLfi, 'shittah
ace. of absurditiis, 'dissonance, incongr uity',
tree', which, like lix(l(K(l(Al~. 'gall of the Orienta l
-ity.
and
word
prec.
See
fr. absurdus.
tamaris k', is of foreign, prob. Egyptia n origin.
l
Medica
abulia, n., loss of will power (psycho[.)
Both tXK(l(Kli and liKXK(l(AL~ were prob. influenced
L., formed fr. priv. prcf. a-, the stem of Gk.
in form by ocKx'J{t(J(, 'thorn, prickle', and other
boule,
See
-ia.
~o-.'JA.Ecr&x~. 'to will', and suff.
Greek derivatives of I.-E. base ak-, 'sharp'.
'senate' , and cp. Gk. &.~o~A.Ui, 'ill-advisedness'.
e, n. academy (poetic). -See academy.
academ
ian
Abyssin
the
of
h
patriarc
abuna, n., the
ic, adj. - L. academicus, fr. academia.
academ
ab,
fr.
Church . - Ethiop. abunii, 'our father',
and -ic.
academy
See
'father', which is rel. to He b. iibh, 'father'. See
academic-al, adj., academic-al-ly,
ives:
Derivat
to.
referred
there
Aboth and cp. abbot and words
adv.
abundance, also abundancy, n. - ME., fr. OF.
academician, n., a membe r of an academ y.- F.
abundance, abondance (F. abondance), fr. L.
academicien, fr. academie. See academy and
fr.
',
abundantia, 'abunda nce, plenty, fullness
-ician.
abundiins, gen. antis. See next word and -ce,
Academus, n., name of a hero from whom the
resp. -cy.
academy near Athens derived its name. - L.
abundant, adj.- ME. fr. OF. abundant, abondant
Academus, fr. Gk. 'AKii31jfLO~, fr. earlier 'EK:iabunof
ace.
tem,
abundan
(F. abondant), fr. L.
'Academ us'. Cp. next word.
lll)!J.O~,
See
diins, 'abound ing', pres. part. of abundiire.
y, n. - F. academie, fr. L. academia, Cr.
academ
-ant.
abound and
Gk. 'AK~~fLELX (or, less correct ly,' AK:xllr,!J.lti),
Derivative: abundant-ly, adv.
fr. earlier 'EK(l(llljfLEL:X, 'the Academy.', a gymabuse, tr. v. - F. abuser, fr. L. abusus, pp. of
nasium near Athens where Plato taught. 'AK(l(misto
),
purpose
any
abutf, 'to make use of(for
8-f:f.lEL(l( orig. meant 'the olive grove of Acadeuse, abuse', fr. ab- and tlti, 'to use'. See use, v.,
mus'. See prec. word.
and cp. usurp.
, adj., pertaini ng to Acadia (Nova ScoAcadian
abusive
n.,
Derivatives: abuse-ee, n., abus-er,
- Formed with suff. -an fr. Acadia, Latintia).
(q.v.)
ized form of F. Acadie, former name of Nova
abuse, n.- F. abus, fr. L. abusus, fr. abusus, pp.
Scotia; prob. so called fr. Micmac akadie, 'ferof abuti. See prec. word.

tile land', which occurs in many place names.

Cp. Cajun.
Acaena, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ctK(l(L'I(l(, 'spike, prick,
goad', which is rel. to liKl<;, 'point, sting', fr.
I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp, pointed '. See acrid and
cp. words there referred to.
acajou, n., the cashew tree. - See cashew.
acalephe, n., jellyfish. - Gk. liK().A+,cpl) (also
&.K(l(AUtp1J), 'stinging nettle; sea anemon e', pro b.
a Semitic loan word. Cp. Aram. /:lil'phd, 'reed',
and Heb. /:liiliphOth or /:liiliiphiith, 'the sharp,
prickly leaves of the spinach ', from stem /:1-1-p,
'to be sharp, cut through , pierce', See H.Lewy ,
Die semitischen Fremdw orter im Griechischen,
p. so, and Boisacq, DELG. , p. 34. Cp. Acalypha.
Cp. also alfa.
acalycine, adj., without a calyx (bot.). - ModL.
acalycfnus, 'having no calyx', formed fr. priv.
pref. a-, Gk. KocA.u!;, 'cup, calyx', and L. suff.
-inus. See calyx and adj. suff. -ine.
Acalypha, n., a genus of herbs of the spurge
family (bot.)- ModL. fr. Gk. &.K(l(A'JCf>1J, secondary form of liK(l(A+,cp1J, 'stinging nettle'. See
acalephe.
acantha, n., a prickle (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
ctK(J('J{tx, 'thorn prickle' , which is rel. to &.K-1),
'point', ocKl~. 'point, sting', fr. I.-E. base *ak-,
'sharp, pointed'. See acrid and cp. acanthus.
Acanthaceae, n., a family of plants (bot.) ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. Gk. ctK(l('J{t(l(,
'thorn, prickle'. See prec. word.
acanthion, n., a point at the tmse of the anterior
nasal spine (craniometry). - Gk. liKoc'J{tto'J,
'a small thorn', dimin. of ctK:x'J{tx, 'thorn,
prickle'. See acanthus.
acantho-, combining form meaning 'prickly,
spiny, thorny'. - Gk. &.K(J('I&o-, fr. ctK(l('l&(l(,
'thorn, prickle'. See acanthus.
Acanthocephala, n., a class of parasiti c worms
(helminthol.) - ModL., lit., 'spiny-h eaded',
compou nded of Gk. ctK(J('J&:x, 'thorn, prickle,
spine', and Kecp:x:t..+,, 'head'. See acanthus and
cephalic.
Acanthopterygii, n.pl., an order of teleost fishes
(ichthyo/.) - ModL., lit., 'spiny-winged'. See
acantho- and pterygium.
Acanthus, n., 1) a genus of plants having large
spiny leaves; (not cap.) any plant of this genus
(bot.); 2) a form of orname nt resembling the
leaves of this plant. - L., fr. Gk. ctK(J('J&o~,
'bearsfoot, Acanth us mollis', which is rel. to
&z:x,\h. 'thorn, prickle'. See acantha and cp.
the second element in Diplacanthus, tragacanth.
acapnia, n., lack of carbon dioxide in the organIsm (med.) - Medical L., formed with suff. -ia
fr. Gk. ::ix:xrrvo~, 'smokeless', fr. &- (see priv.
Pref. a-) and K(l(1t'l6~, 'smoke' , which stands for
xril(1t'16<; and is cogn. with Lith. kvapas,
'breath, scent, smell, odor', kvepiu, kvepti, 'to
Pant, breathe, inhale', and perh. also with 01.

acaudal

kupyati, 'is agitated', L. cupere, 'to desire'. See

Cupid.
Acarapis, n., a genus of mites (tool.) - ModL.,
compou nded of Acarus and L. apis, 'bee'. See
Apis, 'bee'.
acardiac, adj., having no heart. -Fr. Gk. liKocp8LO~, 'wantin g the heart', fr. &.- (see priv. pref.
a-) and K(l(pllli, 'heart'. See cardiac.
acariasis, n., itch caused by mites. - ModL.,
formed with suff. -iasis fr. Gk. ctK(l(pL, 'mite'.
See acarid.
acarilUre, adj., bad-tempered. - F., 'contrar y,
crabbed , quarrels ome', orig. meaning 'possessed by a demon' , formed with pejorative suff.
-titre, from the name of Acharius, bishop of
Noyon in the 7th cent., renown ed for curing
folly. The suff. -titre derives fr. OF. -astre, fr. L.
-aster; see -aster.
acarid, n., a mite. - Formed with subst. suff.
-id fr. Gk. ctK(l(pL, 'mite', which is rel. to liK(l(pi)~.
'small, tiny', lit. 'too short to be cut', and in
gradatio nal relationship to KdpEL'I (for *Kip~c:w),
'to cut'. See shear and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also Acarina, Acarus, carnal.
acariform, adj., of the shape of a mite. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. ctK(l(pL, 'mite', and L.forma ,
'form, shape'. See.,acarjd and form, n.
Acarina, n. pl., an order of the Arachn ida, vulgarly called mites. - ModL., formed fr. Acarus with suff. -ina.
acaro-, combining form, denoting the mites. ,
ModL., fr. Acarus (q.v.)
~.
ctK(J(prro
Gk.
(bot.)
ul
unfruitf
acarpous, adj.,
'withou t fruit, barren', fr. &.-(see priv. pref. a-)
and K(l(prr6~. 'fruit'. See carpel. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -o~. see -ous.
Acarus, n., a genus of small mites. - ModL. fr.
Gk. ctK(l(pt, 'mite'. See acarid.
acatalectic, adj., having the full number of syllables or feet (pros.) - Late L. acatalecticus,
fr. Gk. OCK(l(TcXA7JWro~, 'incessant; not catalectic',
i.e. 'not allowing of the omission of a syllable
at the end of a line', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and
K:XT(l(:t..+,yc:Lv, 'to leave off'. See catalectic.
acatalepsy, n., incomprehensibility (philos.) Gk. :iK:x-r:x/-r,t}li, 'inability to compre hend', fr.
&.-(see priv. pref. a-) and K(J(T(J():r,~li, 'a seizing,
apprehe nsion' (see catalepsy); first used by
Pyrrho the Sceptic to express the view that
the human mind can know nothing with certainty.
acataleptic, adj., incomprehensible. - Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. liK:x-::iA7J7t-ro~. 'that cannot be reached. incomprehensible', fr. oc- (see
priv. pref. a-) and K(J(TX).r,=6~. verbal adj. of
K(l(T(l(A(J(IJ.~ci.'JEW, 'to seize with the mind, comprehend '. See cataleptic and cp. prec. word.
acatharsia, n., filth.- Gk. ocKxlt:xpcrli, 'unclean ness, foulness, filth', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-),
X(l(&r4p6~. 'clean, pure', and suff. -lti. See catharsis and -ia.
acaudal, also acaudat e, adj., tailles s.- A hybrid

acaulescent

10

intercept, interject, intersperse, novennial, object,

coined fr. priv. pref. a-, L. cauda, 'tail', and suff.
obsecrate, octennial, percept, peregrine, peren-al, resp. -ate. See caudal.
nial, perpetrate, prefect, prince, profess, progress,
acaulescent, adj., stemless (bot.) - A hybrid
project, quadrennial, quadriceps, quinquennial,
coined fr. Gk. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and caurefection, regress, septennium, sexennium, solemn,
lescent.
subreption, surreptitious, susceptible, traject,
suff.
adj.
with
Formed
acauline, adj., stemless. transcend, transgress, triceps, triennial. - L. ac-ine (representing L. -fnus) fr. ModL. acaulis,
centus is prop. a loan translation ofGk. 7tpocr<p'stemless' (whence also F. acaule, of s.m.), a
8ii, fr. 7tpocr'*8ELv, 'to sing to', fr. 7tp6.;, 'to', and
hybrid coined fr. Gk. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and
~8ELV, 'to sing' (see prosody).
L. caulis, 'stem'. See caulescent and cp. prec.
accent, tr. v., Accentor (q.v.), acDerivatives:
word.
centu-able, adj., accentu-al, adj., accentu-al-ly,
acaulose. acaulous, adjs., stemless (bot.) - See
adv.
acaulescent and adj. suff. -ose, resp. ous.
Accentor, n., I) a genus of small singing birds,
acca, n., medieval fabric of silk mixed with gold
also called Prunella; 2) (not cap.) any bird of
threads.- ML.,prob.so calledfr.Ara b. 'Akka11 ,
genus, esp. the hedge sparrow.- L. accenthis
in
(now
Syria
in
'Acre',
'Akko,
'Akkii, fr. Heb.
tor, 'one who sings with another', fr. ad- and
Israel). Accordingly acca orig. simply meant
cantor, 'singer'. See cantor. For the change of
'material made in Acco'.
Latin ti (in cantor) to i (in ac-cintor) see prec.
Accadian. - See Akkadian.
word.
accede, intr. v.- L. accedere, 'to approach, come
accentuate, tr. v. - ML. accentuiitus, pp. of acnear', fr. ad- and cedere, 'to go, yield'. See cede
centuiire, fr. L. accentus. See accent and verbal
and cp. access. Cp. also antecede, concede, insuff. -ate.
tercede, precede, proceed, succeed.
accentuation, n. - ML. accentuiitio, gen. -onis,
Derivative: acced-er, n.
fr. accentuiitus, pp. of accentuiire. See prec.
accelerando, adv. and adj., gradually faster (muand -ion.
word
of
abl.
accelerando,
L.
fr.
-It.,
sical direction).
accept, tr. v. - ME. accepten, fr. MF. ( = F.)
the gerund of acceleriire, 'to hasten'. See acaccepter, fr. L. acceptiire, freq. of accipere (pp.
celerate.
acceptus), 'to take, receive', fr. ad- and capere
which
that
n.,
2)
;
accelerant, I) adj., accelerating
(pp. captus), 'to take'. See captive and cp. words
accelerates; a catalyst (chem.)- L. acceleriins
referred to. For the change of Latin a
there
next
See
acceleriire.
of
part.
pres.
-antis,
gen.
to l (in ac-clptus, ac-ciptiire) see
captus)
(in
word and -ant.
accent and cp. words there referred to.
accelerate, tr. v., to increase the speed of; intr.
Derivatives: acceptable, acceptance, acceptant,
v., to increase in speed.- L. acceleriitus, pp. of
acceptation (qq.v.) accept-ed, adj., accept-ed-ly,
acceleriire, 'to hasten', fr. ad- and ce/eriire, 'to
adv., accept-er, n., acceptor (q.v.)
hasten', fr. celer, 'swift'. See celerity and verbal
acceptability, n. - Late L. acceptiibilitiis, fr. L.
suff. -ate and cp. decelerate.
acceptiibilis. See next word and -ity.
Derivatives: accelerat-ed, adj., acce/erat-ed-ly,
adj. - F., fr. L. acceptiibilis, fr. acacceptable,
acadj.,
,
accelerat-ive
(q.v.),
adv., acceleration
ceptiire. See accept and -able.
celerat-or, n., accelerat-ory, adj.
Derivatives: acceptable-ness, n., acceptabl-y,
acceleration, n. - L. acceleriitio, gen. -onis, 'a
adv.
hastening, acceleration', fr. acceleriitus, pp. of
acceptance. n. - OF. acceptance, fr. accepter.
accelertire. See prec. word and -ion.
See accept and -ance.
accelerometer, n., an instrument for measuring
acceptancy, n. -See prec. word and -cy.
acceleration. - A hybrid coined fr. L. acceleacceptant, adj. -F., prop. pres. part. of accepriire, 'to hasten', and Gk. rd<pov, 'measure'. See
ter. See accept and -ant.
rhythm'.
accelerate and meter, 'poetical
Derivative: accept-ant, n.
accent, n. - F., fr. L. accentus, fr. ad- and canacceptation. n., I) acceptance (archaic); 2) the
Ius, 'tone, melody'. See cant and cp. enchant,
meaning in which a word is usually understood.
incantation. The change of Latin ti (in ctlntus)
- F., fr. Late L. acceptiitionem, ace. of accepto l (in ac-clntus) is due to the Latin phonetic
tiitio, 'a taking, receiving',fr. L. acceptiitus,p p.of
and
law according to which in the unaccented
acceptiire. See accept and -ation.
closed radical syllable of the second element of
acceptilation, n., formal remission of a debt
compounds, original ii becomes i. Cp. concent,
(Roman law); remission of sins (theol.) - L.
precentor, succentor. Cp. also abject, accept,
often written in two words: accept!
acceptiliitio,
coerce,
centennial,
biennial,
biceps,
ascend,
adept,
remission of a debt' (from the
'formal
kitio,
confess,
commend, concept, confect, confection,
formula acceptum fero used by the debtor). The
congress, conjecture, consecrate, defect, degresfirst word is the gen. of acceptum, 'receipt', prop.
sion, deject, descend, discerp, disperse, eject, exneut. pp. of accipere, 'to receive', used as a
cept, excerpt, execrate, exercise, forceps, imnoun; see accept. L. liiti6 gen. -Onis 'entering
petrate, incendiary, incense, incentive, incept,
of money paid', lit. 'a bearing, bringing', is fonnincest, inept, inerm, inert, infect, inject, integer,

accompnsn

11

ed fr. /titus (used as pp. offerre, 'to bear, carry'},

which stands for *tliitos, fr. tJ-, zero degree of
I.-E. base *tel-, *to/-, 'to bear, carry', whence
L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', toleriire, 'to bear,
support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and words
there referred to.
acceptor, n. - L., fr. acceptus, pp. of accipere.
See accept and agential suff. -or.
access, n., approach. - OF. acces (F. acces), fr.
L. accessus, 'an approach', fr. accessus, pp. of
accedere, 'to come near, approach'. See accede.
Derivatives: access-ary, adj. and n., access-arily, adv., access-ari-ness, n., access-ory, adj. and
n., access-ori-ly, adv., access-ori-ness, n.
accessible, adj. - F., fr. Late L. accessibilis, fr.
L. accessus, pp. of accedere. See prec. word
and -ible.
Derivatives: accessibil-ity, n., accessibl-y, adv.
accession, n. - F., fr. L. accessionem, ace. of
accessio, 'a coming near, approach', fr. accessus, pp. of accedere. See access and -ion.
Derivatives: accession, tr. v., accession-a/, adj.,
accession-er, n.
accidence, n., that part of grammar which deals
with inflection. - From misspelling of orig.
accidents, fr. L. accidentia, neut. pl. of accidens
(pres. part. of accidere), treated as a sing. fern.
noun. See accident.
accident, n.- F., fr. L. accidentem, ace. of accidens, 'accident', prop. pres. part. of accidere, 'to
fall upon something, happen', fr. ad- and
cadere, 'to fall'. See cadence. For the change of
Latin a (in ciidere) to i (in ac-cidere) see abigeat
and cp. words there referred to. As a term of
philosophy L. accidens, 'accident', is a loan
translation of ,Gk. mitJ-[3e[3rpc6.;.
accidental, adj. - F. accidental (now accidentel),
fr. ML. accidentiilis, fr. L. accidens, gen. -entis.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: accidental, n., accidental-ity, n.,
accidental-ly, adv., accidental-ness, n., accidentia/, adj.
Accipiter, n., a genus of hawks and falcons (ornithol.)- L. accipiter fr. orig. *acu-peter, 'swiftly-flying', but influenced in form through a confusion with accipere, 'to take, receive'. The first
element lit. means 'sharp' (cp. acu-pedius, 'swiftfooted', lit. 'sharp-foote d', and acuere, 'to
sharpen'); see acute. The second element is cogn.
with 01. pdtram, 'wing, feather', Gk. 7tnp6v,
'wing', OE. feoer, 'feather'. See feather. Cp.
Astur, ostreger.
Derivatives: accipitr-al, adj., accipitr-ary, n. (fr.
ML. accipitriirius ), accipitr-ine, adj.
accismus, n., feigned refusal (rhet.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. &.xxLatJ-6<;, rei. to &.xxtt:ecr~ocL, 'to
affect indifference', and to '.Axxw, nurse of Demeter, &.xxw, 'a vain woman', and cogn. with
01. akkii, 'mother', L. Acca Ltirentia, name of
the mother of the 12 Arval brothers. All these
Words are of imitative origin.
lltdaim, tr. v. - L. acclamare, 'to cry out at',

fr. ad- and clamiire, 'to cry out'. See claim and
cp. declaim, exclaim, proclaim, reclaim.
acclamation, n. - L. acclamtitio, gen. -onis, fr.
acclamiit-(um), pp. stem of acclamiire, 'to cry
out at'. See acclaim and -ation.
acclimate, tr. and intr. v. - F. acclimater, fr. a
(fr. L. ad), 'to', and climat, 'climate'. See a and
climate.
Derivatives: acclimate-ment, n., acclimat-ion, n.
acclimatize, tr. and intr. v., to acclimate. - See
acclimate and -ize.
Derivatives: acclimatiz-ation, n., acclimatiz-ed,
adj., acclimatiz-er, n., acclimatiz-ing, n.
acclivity, n., a slope.- L. acclfvitiis, 'an ascending direction, acclivity', fr. acclivis, 'mounting
upward, ascending', fr. ad- and clivus, 'slope,
hill'. See clivus and -ity.
accolad~, n., an embrace, formerly used in conferring knighthood; now, a touch of the shoulder with the flat blade of the sword in conferring
knighthoo d.- F., refashioned, on analogy of
words ending in -ade, fr. OF. aco/ee, prop.
subst. use of the fern. pp. of acoler, 'to embrace
round the neck', fr. VL. *accol/iire, fr. ad- and
L. collum, 'neck'. Cp.lt. accollata and see collar
and -ade. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: accolad-ed, adj.
accoUe, adj., collared, intertwined (her.) - F.
accote, pp. of accoler, 'to embrace', fr. OF.
acoler. See prec. word.
accommodate, tr. v.- L. accommodiitus, pp. of accommodiire, 'to make fit, adapt', fr. ad- and commodiire, 'to make fit', fr. commodus, 'fit, suitable', which is formed fr. com-, con-, 'with', and
modus, 'measure'. See com- and mode and cp.
commode, commodity. For the ending see verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: accommodat-ing, adj., accommodating-ly, adv., accommodation (q.v.), accommodative, adj., accommodat-or, n.
accommodation, n. - F., fr. L. accommodiitionem, ace. of accommodiitio, fr. accommodiitus,
pp. of accommodtire. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: accommodation-a/, adj.
accompaniment, n. - F. accompagnement, fr.
accompagner. See next word and -ment.
Derivative: accompaniment-a/, adj.
accompany, tr. v.- F. accompagner, fr. a (fr. L.
ad), 'to', and compagne, 'companion' . See adand companion.
Derivative: accompan-ist, accompany-ist, n.
accomplice, n.- F., fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and complice, fr. L. complicem, ace. of complex, 'closely
connected with somebody, confederate', which
is formed fr. com-, con-, 'with', and the stem of
plectere, 'to braid, plait, intertwine',p/iciire, 'to
fold'. See ad- and comply, 'to bend', and cp.
complice.

accomplisb, tr. v. - ME. acomplissen, fr. OF.

acompliss-, pres. part. stem of acomplir(F. accomplir), 'to fill up, complete', fr.a (fr. L. ad), 'to',and
complere, 'to fill up, achieve, perform'. Cp. It.

12

accomplishment

compiere, accompiere, OProven9. complir, accomplir, and see ad-, complete and verbal suff.
-ish. For the change of L. complere, a verb of
the 2nd conjugation, to OF. acomplir, F. accomplir, a verb of the 4th conjugation, cp. F.
Ienir, 'to hold', fr. L. tenere (see tenable).
Derivatives: accomplish-ed, adj., accomplish-er,
n., accomplishment (q.v.)
accomplishment, n.- F. accomplissement, fr. accomplir. See accomplish and -ment.
accord, intr. v., to agree; tr. v., to grant.- ME.
accorden, 'to agree, admit', fr. OF. acorder (F.
accorder), fr. VL. accordiire, 'to agree', fr. adand L. cor, gen. cordis, 'heart'. See heart and cp.
cordate. Cp. also accordion, acuerdo. Cp. also
chord, 'combination of notes'.
Derivatives: accord-er, n., accord-ing, adj. and
adv., accord-ing-ly, adv.
accord, n., I) agreement; 2) harmony. - ME.
accord, acord, fr. OF. acord (F. accord), back
formation fr. acorder. See accord, v., and cp.
concord, discord.
accordance, n., 1) agreement; 2) harmony.- OF.
acordance, fr. acorder, See accord, v., and -ance.
accordant, adj., agreeing; corresponding. - ME.
acordant, fr. OF. acordant (F. accordant), pres.
part. of acorder (F. accorder). See accord v.,
and -ant.
accordion, n., a musical instrument. -Formed
from the noun accord in the sense of 'harmony',
with suff. -ion, on analogy of clarion.
accost, tr. v., to address. - F. accoster, fr. VL.
accostiire, lit. 'to come up to a person's side',
fr. ad- and L. costa, 'a rib'. See costal.
accouchement, n., delivery in childbed. - F.,
prop. 'going to childbed', fr. accoucher, 'to go
to childbed, be delivered', which is formed fr. a,
'to', and coucher, 'to lie', fr. L. collociire, 'to lay'.
See a, collocate, and -ment, and cp. couch.
accoucheur, n., a man who acts as midwife. F., fr. accoucher, 'to go to childbed'; first used
by Jules Ch!ment in the second half of the 17th
cent. See prec. word.
accoucheuse, n., a midwife. - F., fern. of accoucheur. See prec. word.
account, tr. and intr. v. - ME. acounten, fr. OF.
aconter (F. confer), fr. a, 'to' (see a), and conter,
'to count, tell', fr. L. computiire. (ModF. differentiates between compter, 'to count', and conter,
'to tell'.) See compute.
Derivatives: account-abil-ity, n., account-able,
adj., account-able-ness, n., account-abl-y, adv.,
account-ing, n.
account, n. - ME., fr. OF. aconte, acont, back
formation fr. aconter. See account, v.
accountancy, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
accountant, n. - OF. acontant (whence, with
'etymologizing' spelling, F. accomptant), pres.
part. of aconter. See account, v., and -ant.
accouter, accoutre, tr. v., to dress, fit out (esp. for
military service). - F. accoutrer, 'to rig (some-

body) out', fr. VL. *ac-c6(n)-s(u)tiiriire, 'to sew

together', fr. ad- and *c6(n)sutiira, 'a sewing together', fr. L. c6nsiitus, pp. of c6nsuere, 'to sew
together', fr. con- and suere, 'to sew'. See suture.
accouterment, accoutrement, n., dress; personal
outfit (esp. mil.) - F. accoutrement, 'dress,
garb', fr. accoutrer. See prec. word and -ment.
accredit, tr. v. - F. accrediter, fr. a, 'to', and
criditer, 'to credit (somebody with a sum)', fr.
credit, 'credit'. See a and credit.
Derivatives: accredit-ation, n., accredit-ed, adj.
accrescent, adj., growing. - L. accrescens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of accrescere, 'to increase'. See
next word and -ent.
accretion, n., growth in size. - L. accreti6, gen.
accreti6nis, 'an increasing', fr. accretus, pp. of
accrescere, 'to increase', fr. ad- and crescere,
'to grow'. See crescent and -ion and cp. accres
cent, accrue. For the ending see suff. -ion.
Derivative: accretion-ary, adj.
accroach, tr. v., to usurp. - ME. acrochen, fr.
OF. acrochier, acrocher (F. accrocher), lit. 'to
hook, catch', fr. a, 'to', and crochier, 'to seize
with a hook, to hook', fr. croc, 'a hook'. The
orig. meaning of the verb accroach was 'to take
to oneself'. See a and crochet and cp. encroach.
accrue, intr. v., to be added to.- F. accrue, 'increase', prop. fern. pp. of accroitre, 'to increase',
fr. L. accrescere, 'to increase'. See accretion and
cp. crew. Derivative: accru-al, n.
accubation, n., the act of reclining. - L. accubiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a reclining', fr. accubiit-(um),
pp. stem of accubiire, 'to lie near',freq. of accumbere. See next word and -ation.
accumbent, adj., reclining. - L. accumbens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of accumbere, 'to lie near',
fr. ad- and -cumbere (found only in compounds),
fr. *qumb-, nasalized form of base *qub-, 'to lie,
recline', whence cubiire, 'to lie down, recline'.
See cubicle and -ent and cp. decumbent, incumbent, procumbent, recumbent, succumb.
accumulable, adj.- See accumulate and -able.
accumulate, tr. v., to heap up; intr. v., to increase
in quantity. - L. accumuliitus, pp. of accumuliire, 'to heap up', fr. ad- and cumulus, 'heap'.
See cumulus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: accumulat-ed, adj., accumulation
(q.v.), accumulat-ive, adj., accumulat-ive-ly, adv.,
accumulat-ive-ness, n.
accumulate, adj., accumulated. - L. accumuliitus, pp. of accumuliire. See prec. word.
accumulation, n. - L. accumuliiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
heaping up', fr. accumu/iitus, pp. of accumuliire.
See accumulate, v., and -ion.
accumulator, n. - L., 'one who, or that which,
accumulates', fr. accumuliitus, P!l of accumuliire. See accumulate, v., and agential suff. -or.
accuracy, n. - Formed fr. next word with suff.
-cy.

accurate, adj., 1) exact; :z) precise.- L. accuriitus, 'prepared with care', pp. of acciiriire, 'to
take care of, prepare with care', fr. ad- and

13

Aceratherium

-acean, subst. suff. used to denote members of

ciiriire, 'to take care of'. See cure, v., and adj.
orders of the animal kingdom. - See -acean,
suff. -ate.
adj. suff.
Derivatives: accurate-ly, adv., accurate-ness, n.
accursed, accurst, adj., cursed. - Prop. pp. of acedia, n., sloth, lethargy. - Late L., fr. Gk.
OCKi)8c:Lcx, 'carelessness', which is formed fr. ocobsol. accurse, fr. ME. acursien, which is form(see priv. pref. a-) and K'ij8o~ (Dor. Ki8o~),
ed fr. intensive pref. a- and cursien, fr. OE. cur'care', rel. to K'l'J8c:uc:Lv, 'to take charge of, tend',
sian, 'to curse'. See curse, v., and -ed, resp. pp.
K-lj8La-ro~ (super!. formed fr. K'ij8o<;), 'most
suff. -t.
worthy of one's care, most cared for', fr. I.-E.
Derivatives: accursed-ly, adv., accursed-ness, n.
base *kiid-, 'ill-humor, hatred', whence also OE.
accusation, n. - F., fr. L. acciisiiti6nem, ace. of
hete, 'hate', hatian, 'to hate'. See hate and cp.
acciisiiti6, fr. acciisiitus, pp. of acciisiire. See
epicedium.
accuse and -ation.
aceituna, n., a West Indian tree. - Sp., fr. Arab.
accusative, adj. and n. - L. (casus) acciisiitivus,
az-zaytfma", 'the olive (tree)', fr. az-, assimilated
fr. Gk. a:tnfinK-1} (1Tt'waL~), 'accusative (case)',
form of al-, 'the', and zaytfma", 'olive tree,
lit. '(case) expressing cause', fr. a:l-rloc, 'cause'.
olive', nomen unitatis fr. zaytfm, 'olive trees,
Since cd-rlfi means not only 'cause', but also
olives', fr. zayt, 'olive oil', a word borrowed fr.
'accusation', od-rLfi-rLK-1) 1r-rwa1~ was misinterAram. zaythd, zethd, 'olive tree, olive', which is
preted as 'case expressing accusation', and was
rei. to Heb. zdyith, 'olive tree, olives'.
rendered accordingly in Latin by (casus) acciiAceldama, n., the potter's field near Jerusalem;
siitivus, fr. acciisiitivus, 'pertaining to an accusaa place of bloodshed.- Gk. 'AKc:A8cxfl~, fr. Syr.
tion', fr. accusiitus, pp. of acciisiire, 'to call to
biiqdl d'mii, 'the field of blood'.
account, accuse'. See next word and -ative. The
acemila, n., a pack mule. - Sp., 'pack mule', fr.
correct Latin translation would have been casus
Arab. az-zdmila11 , fr. az-, assimilated form of
causiitivus. For a mistranslation of another
a/-, 'the', and zdmila", 'beast of burden'.
Greek case name cp. genitive.
aceology, n., therapeutics. - Lit. 'the science of
Derivatives: accusativ-al, adj., accusative-ly, adv.
curing', fr. Gk. &Ko<;, gen. otKc:o~, 'remedy', and
accuse, tr. v. -ME. acusen, fr. OF. acuser (F.
-Aoylfi, fr. -A6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a ceraccuser), fr. L. acciisiire, 'to accuse', fr. ad- and
tain manner); one who deals (with a certain
causa, 'cause, lawsuit', which stands for *caudtopic)'. Gk. &Ko~ prob. stands for *yakos and
tii-, and is rel. to cudere, 'to strike, beat'. See
is cogn. with Olr. hfcc, 'cure, payment', icaim,
cause and cp. excuse, recusant, recuse. The
'I heal, cure'. For the second element see -logy.
change of Latin au (in causa) to ii (in ac-cusiire)
Cp. acology and the second element in Anis due to the Latin phonetic law, according to
drosace.
which in the unaccented radical syllable of the
-aceous, suff. meaning 'belonging to, of the na
second element of compounds, au becomes ii.
ture of'. - L. -iiceus, enlarged fr. adj. suff. -iix,
Cp. conclude, exclude, occlude.
gen. -iicis. This suff. corresponds either to L.
Derivatives: accus-ed, adj. and n., accus-er, n.,
-iicea (neut. pl. of -iiceus), in which case it means
accus-ing-ly, adv.
'pertaining to such and such an order of aniaccustom, tr. v. - OF. acostumer (F. accoutumals', or to L. -iiceae (fern. pl. of -iiceus ), in
mer), fr. a, 'to', and costume (F. coutume). See a
which case its meaning is 'pertaining to such
and custom.
and such a family of plants'. See -ous and cp.
Derivatives: accustom-ed, adj., accustom-ed-ly,
-acea, -aceae.
adv., accustom-ed-ness, n.
acephalous, adj., headless.- L. acephalus, fr. Gk.
ace, n., the one in dice, cards, etc. -F. as, 'ace
OCKt<:f><XAo~, 'headless', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-)
at cards or dice', fr. L. iis, gen. assis, 'unity,
and xc:<:pocA-1], 'head'. See cephalic. For E. -ous, as
unit'. See as, 'Roman coin', and cp. the second
equivalent to Gk. -o~, L. -us, see -ous.
element in ambsace.
-acea, suffix denoting orders and classes in zool- Acer, n., the maple tree. - L., cogn. with Gk.
&Koca-ro~ (for *&Kocpa-ro~), 'maple tree', OHG.,
ogy. - L. -iicea, neut. pl. of -iiceus, 'belonging
MHG. iihorn, G. Ahorn, of s.m.
to, of the nature of'; see -aceous. The neut. pl.
Aceraceae or Acerinae, n. pl., a family of plants
forrn of suff. -iiceus is used because it refers to
(order Sapindales). - ModL., formed fr. Acer
L. anima/ia ('animals'), pl. of the neuter noun
animal. Cp. -aceae.
with suff. -aceae, resp. -inae.
Acerates, n., a genus of plants of the milkweed
-tleeae, suffix denoting orders and families in
family (bot.) - ModL. lit. 'hornless', fr. priv.
~tany.- L. -iiceae, fP.m. pl. of -iiceus, 'belongpref. a- and Gk. Ktpoc<;, gen. Ktpi-ro~, 'horn'
mg to, of the nature of'; see -aceous. The fern.
(see cerato-); so called because its hoods have
Pl. forrn of suff. -iiceus is used because it refers
no crest or horn.
to L. plantae ('plants'), pl. of the feminine noun
llltlnta. Cp. -acea.
Aceratherium, n., lit. 'hornless animal', a name
given by Kaup to some mammiferous fossils
-~ a~j. suff. used in the sense of -aceous. resembling the rhinoceros, but differing from it
-aceanus, compounded of the suffixes -iiceus
and -iinus. See -acea and -an.
in being hornless. - ModL., formed fr. priv.

14

acerb

becom e sour. - Compo unded of L. acetum,

'horn', and
pref. a-, Gk. xepa:~, gen.
'vinega r' (see acetum), and -fy.
and
&Y)plov, 'anima l'. See cerato- and therio, n., a colorless volatile liquid, CH3 COCH3
acetone
word.
cp. prec.
- A hybrid coined fr. L. acetum,
(chem.)
,
acerbus
L.
acerb, adj., sour, sharp, bitter.
and the Greek suff. -Wv1). See acetic
r',
'vinega
'harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour', fr. iicer,
cp. ketone.
and
-one
and
supercp.
ion
format
the
For
'sharp' ; see acrid.
pertaining to, or like, vinegar;
adj.,
,
acetous
'above,
bus, 'haugh ty, proud, excellent', fr. super,
d with suff. -ous fr. L. acetum,
Forme
sour.
over' (see superb).
word.
next
See
r'.
'vinega
aceradj.,
c,
acerb-i
Derivatives: acerbate (q.v.),
acetum, n., vineg ar.- L. acetum, 'vinega r', prop.
bity (q.v.)
vinum (acetum), 'wine turned sour, neut. pp. of
acerbate, tr. v., to sour, embitt er; to aggravate;
e, 'to turn sour', fr. acere, 'to be sour',
acescer
acerL.
to irritate ; adj., sour, embittered. is
which rei. to iicer, 'sharp' . See acrid and cp.
biitus, pp. of acerbiire, 'to make bitter; to agacescent, acetic. For sense development cp. Gk.
suff.
verbal
and
acerb
gravate ', fr. acerbus. See
.
15~o~, 'wine vinegar', which is rei. to b~u~, 'sharp'
-ate and cp. exacerbate.
ester.
in
t
elemen
first
the
and
Cp. also eisel
acerbity, n.- F. acerbite, fr. L. acerbitiitem, ace.
acetyl, n., the radical of acetic acid, CH3 CO
of acerbitiis, 'harshness, sharpn ess', fr. acerbus,
(chem.) - A hybrid coined by the Germa n
'harsh, sharp', See acerb and -ity.
chemist Justus von Liebig (1803-73) in 1839 fr.
)
0
Ca(Mn
,
2
ganate
4
acerdol, n., calcium perman
L. acetum, 'vinegar' (see prec. word) and -yl,
(chem.) - Forme d with suff. -ol fr. acerdese,
a suff. of Greek origin.
~.
O:xepll-1)
Gk.
fr.
nite,
manga
of
former name
ne, n., a colorless hydroc arbon (chem .)acetyle
(see
0:fr.
'bringi ng no gain, having no value',
Coined by the French chemist Marcelin-Pierrepriv. pref. a-), and xepllo~. 'gain', which is prob.
Eugene Berthelot (1823-1907) fr. acetyl and
raft'.
handic
trade,
cogn. with Olr. cerd, 'art,
suff. -ene.
aceric, adj., pertaining to the maple. - ModL.
us, adj., having no bristles or setae. acbaeto
-ic.
and
Acer
See
'.
'maple
acer,
aceric us, fr. L.
coined fr. priv. pref. a-, Gk. xoc"1),
hybrid
A
chaff,
of
'full
s,
acerose, adj., chaffy .- L. acerosu
hair, mane', and -ous, a suff. of
flowing
'long
chaffy', fr. acus, gen. aceris, 'chaff'. See awn and
origin. See chaeto-.
Latin
adj. suff. -ose.
acbar, n., pickles (Anglo-Ind.) - Pers. iichiir,
acervate, adj., heaped up. - L. acerviitus, pp. of
'pickles'.
acerviire, 'to heap up', fr. acervus, 'heap, pile',
acbame, adj., bloodthirsty, furiou s.- F., pp. of
which is of uncertain origin. For the ending see
acharner, 'to madde n, embitter, venom ', lit. 'to
adj. suff. -ate.
flesh', fr. a, 'to', and chair 'flesh, meat', fr. L.
suff.
with
word
next
fr.
d
acescence, n. - Forme
car6, gen. carnis, 'flesh'. See a and carnal.
-ce.
ment, n., fury. - F., fr. acharner. See
acbame
gen.
s,
acescen
L.
sour.
turning
adj.,
acescent,
and -ment.
word
prec.
sour'
turn
'to
-centis, pres. part. of acescere,
s, n., in Virgils Aeneid, the armor- bearer
Achate
and
acid
See
sour'.
be
'to
acere,
of
tive
inchoa
and faithful friend of Aeneas; hence, a faithful
-escent.
- L. Achiites, fr. Gk. O:x&"1J~, 'agate'.
friend.
anacetabulum, n. 1) a cup for vinegar (Roman
n.
agate,
See
bone
hip
the
of
socket
aped
cup-sh
tiq.); 2) the
ache, intr. v., to be in pain. - ME. aken, fr. OE.
(anat.); 3) a sucker of an octopus, a leech, etc.
acan, 'to ache', of uncertain origin. The spelling
(zoo/. )- L. acetiibulum, lit. 'a vessel for vinegar',
is due to a confusion of this word with Gk.
ache
a
,
-iibulum
with
r',
formed fr. acetum, 'vinega
'pain, distress'.
&xo~.
suffix used to form names of tools and vessels.
pain. - ME. ache, fr. OE. rece, 'pain',
n.,
ache,
bulum.
tintinna
cp.
suff.
the
For
.
See acetum
'to ache'. See ache, v.
acan,
fr.
acetas,
Derivatives: acetabul-ar, acetabuli-ferou
Derivatives: ach-ing, adj., ach-ing-ly, adv.
adjs.
m,
buli-for
ache, n., parsley (obsol.) - F., fr. L. apium, of
acetanilide, also acetanilid, n., a crystalline subs.m., prop. 'the plant preferred by bees', fr. apis,
stance, CsHON (chem.). - A hybrid coined fr.
'bee'. See Apis, 'a genus of bees', andcp. Apium.
L. acetum, 'vinegar' (see acetum), and anilid(e).
n., name of the letter h. - See aitch.
ache,
with
d
acetarious, adj., used in salad. - Forme
achene, n., a dry carpel containing only one seed
suff. -ous fr. L. acitiiria (pl.), 'vegetables pre(bot.) - Forme d fr. priv. pref. a- and the stem
r'.
'vinega
,
acetum
pared with vinegar, salad', fr.
of Gk. xa:lv&w, 'to gape', which is cogn. with
See acetum and -ous.
L. hiiire, 'to yawn, gape', OE. giinian, ginian, 'to
acetate, n., salt of acetic acid (chem.) - Forme d
yawn'. See yawn and cp. hiatus. Cp. also the
See
r'.
'vinega
,
with chem. suff. -ate fr. L. acetum
element in Cbaeua ctis.
first
acetum.
n, n., one of the rivers of Hades (Greek
Achero
d
Forme
.
vinegar
to
ing
acetic, adj. pertain
gy). - L., fr. Gk. 'AyJp(>)v. The name
mytholo
See
r'.
'vinega
,
with suff. -ic: fr. L. adtum
'marsh like water' and is rei. to
means
prob.
aeetum.
qcpoUo-14, 'marsh like water', and cogn. with
into vineur : intr. v . to
xl:pa..._o~,

15

acidula te

achromato-, before a vowel achromat-, combining

OSiav. jezero, 'lake'. The derivat ion of Gk.
ogy.
form meaning 'achro matic' .- Gk. &:xp(>)fLot-ro-,
etymol
folk
is
'Axepwv fr. &xo~. 'woe',
the
to
&:xpwfLotT-, fr. O:xpwfLa:-ro~. 'colorless'. See achroAcheulean, Acheulian, adj., pertain ing
and
matic.
n
Chellea
the
by
d
precede
period
thic
paleoli
achromatopsia, achrornatopsy, n., color-blindness
succeeded by the Mouste rian (geology). - F.
(med. )- Lit. 'sight withou t color', compo unded
Acheulien, from the name of the village St.
in
called
so
;
of achromat- and Gk. -oq,a., fr. l5o/tc;, 'sight'.
France
in
,
Amiens
Acheul, near
See -opsia.
red.
allusion to the remains there discove
= F.)
(
atous, adj. having no color .- Gk. O:xpwOF.
fr.
,
achrom
acheven
ME.
-:v.
tr.
,
achieve
*acVL.
fr.
'colorless'. See achromatic. For E. -ous,
te',
fLot~c;.
comple
achever, 'to accomplish,
as equivalent to Gk. -o.;, see -ous.
capiire, 'to come to an end', fr. L. ad, 'to', and
achroous, adj., colorless. - Gk. &xpooc;, 'color*capiire, a verb formed from the stem of L.
acabar,
Port.
Sp.,
less', formed fr. &:-(see priv. pref. a-) and xpM,
caput, 'head'. Cp. OProven't.
xpot& (for *xpwf-tiX), 'skin, color of the skin,
of s.m., and see a and chief.
n.
er,
which is rei. to XPWfLot, 'color'. See chrome.
achievcolor',
(q.v.),
ment
Derivatives: achieve
etion,
For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see -ous.
achievement, n. - F. achevement, 'compl
-ment
, n., a spine, prickle. - L., 'a small pin',
and
acicula
achieve
See
.
achever
fr.
conclusion',
of acus, 'needle, pin', which is rei. to
dimin.
and cp. hatchment.
acuere, 'to sharpe n', iicer, 'sharp, bitter'. See
achill, adv., in a state of chill. - Coined by
acrid.
William Morris (1834-96) fr. pref. a-, 'on', and
acicular, adj., needle-shaped. - Forme d with
chill.
suff. -ar fr. L. acicula. See prec. word.
Achillea, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
s',
Achille
of
Derivative: acicular-ly, adv.
herb
(bot.) - ModL. , prop. 'the
. - Forme d with
fr. L. achilleos (scil. herba), fr. Gk. 'AxlXAetoc;, 'of acicuJate, adj., needle-shaped
See acicula.
.
acicula
L.
fr.
-ate
pronal
suff.
adj.
medici
its
e
becaus
Achilles'; so called
-Eith er fr.
taste.
the
to
sharp
by
red
sour,
acid, adj.,
perties are said to have been discove
F. acide or directly fr. L. acidus, 'sour', fr. acere,
Achilles. See Achilles.
'to be sour', whence also acetum, 'vinegar' (see
Achilles, n., son of Thetis and Peleus, the bravest
acetum); introduced into English by Francis
hero in the Trojan war. - L. Achilles, fr. Gk.
Bacon (1561-1626) in 1626.
'AxtXAeu~. a name of prob. pre-Gr eek origin.
Derivatives: acid, n., acid-ic, adj.
Achilles' tendon. - So called from the myth of
mother
his
is, n., a genus of Trilobites. - ModL. ,
when
Acidasp
heel
the
by
held
being
s
Achille
render
to
unded of Gk. &:xlc;, gen. &:xllloc;, 'pointe d
Styx
river
compo
the
Thetis dipped him into
object, point, needle' (fr. O:x~. 'point') , and
him invulnerable; first used by the Dutch ana&:cr1tl<;, 'shield'. See acid and aspidistra.
tomist Verheyden in 1693 when dissecting his
tendon.
acidify, tr. v., to make sour; intr. v., to become
own amputa ted 'leg. See Achilles and
(zoo/.)
sour. - See acid and -fy and cp. F. acidifier.
mantle
no
having
adj.,
ydate,
achlam
and
apref.
Derivatives: acidif-ic, adj., acidif-ic-ation, n.,
priv.
fr.
Lit. 'not chlamydate',
acidifi-er, n.
chlamydate.
(bot.)
h
eter, n., an instrument for measuring the
periant
acidim
no
having
adj.,
achlamydeous,
and
apref.
strength of acids. - A hybrid coined fr. L.
Lit. 'not chlamydeous', fr. priv.
acidus, 'sour' and Gk. fLl:'t'pov, 'measu re'. See
chlamydeous.
family
la
sapodil
acid and meter, 'poetical rhythm '.
the
of
Achras, n., a genus of trees
acidimetry, n., the measurement of thP. strengt h
(bot.) - L., fr. Gk. &:xpoc~. gen. ix?ocllo~. 'wild
of acids. - See prec. word and -metry.
pear tree', which is pro b. rei. to Gk. &x&p8oc;,
acidity, n., the quality of being acid; sourn ess.'wild pear tree', and cogn. with Alb. darCJe,
F. acidite, fr. L. aciditiitem, ace. of aciditiis,
'pear tree'.
achross, acidity', fr. acidus. See acid and -ity.
-See
lens.
'sourne
achromat, n., an achrom atic
acidoid, adj., resembling acid. - A hybrid coined
matic.
fr. L. acidus, 'sour', and Gk. -oe:L87jc;, 'like', fr.
achrornat-, form of achrornato- before a vowel.
light
e18oc;, 'form, shape'. See acid and -oid.
achromatic, adj., colorless; transmitting
nent
ilic, adj., staining easily with acid. - A
compo
its
acidoph
into
it
posing
decom
without
&:xpwGk.
fr.
hybrid coined fr. L. acidus, 'sour', Gk. <pl:Aoc;,
COlors. - Forme d with suff. -ic
'loving', and suff. -ic. See acid and -phile.
IL=<-;c,;, 'colorless', fr. &:- (see priv. pref. a-) and
tic.
ilus milk, milk that has been fermented
chroma
See
acidoph
XPi:>(l.x, gen. XPWfLot't'o~, 'color'.
by acidophilic bacteria. - See prec. word.
achromaticity, n. - See achromatic and -ity.
atic.
s, n., a morbid condition, caused by an
achrom
acidosi
being
of
state
n.,
achromatism,
accumulation of acids (med.). - A Medical L.
See achromatic and -ism.
hybrid coined by Bernha rd Nauny n of Strasaclaromatize, tr. v., to deprive of color .- Formss'.
'colorle
O'-~.
burg in 1906 fr. L. acidus, 'sour' (see acid), and
&.xpw!L
Gk.
fr.
ed with sutf. -ize
-osis. a suff. of Greek origin.
See achromatic.
acidulate, tr. v., to make slightly sour. - Forme d
Derivative: achromatiz-ation, n.

acidulous
with verbal suff. -ate fr. L. acidulus, dimin. of
acidus. See acidulous.
Derivat ives: acidulat-ed, adj., acidulat-ion, n.
acidulous, adj., slightly sour. - Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. acidulus, 'slightly sour', dimin.
of acidus, 'sour'. See acid. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
acierate , tr. v., to convert into steel.- A hybrid
coined fr. F. acier, 'steel', and verbal suff. -ate
(fr. L. -iitus). F. acier derives fr. Late L. aciiirium, fr. L. acies, 'sharp edge, point', acies
Jerri, 'steel' (lit. 'point of iron'). Cp. It. acciaio,
Sp. acero, 'steel', which also derive fr. Late L.
aciiirium, and see next word.
acies, n., battle array (Roman antiq. )- i. acies,
'sharp edge, point, the front of an army line
of battle, battle array', rei. to iicer, 'sharp,
pointed '. See acrid and cp. prec. word.
aciform, adj., needle -shape d.- Compo unded of
L. acus, 'needle' and forma, 'form, shape'. See
acus and -form.
Acineta, n., a genus of Infusor ia (zoo!.) ModL., fr. Gk. &xtV1)TO<;, 'immov able', fr. &(see priv. pref. a-) and XLVIJTo<;, 'moved ', verbal
adj. of xrve:'iv, 'to move'. See kinesis.
aciniform, adj., clustered (bot.) - Lit. 'having
the form of an acinus', fr. L. acinus, 'berry', and
forma, 'form, shape'. See acinus and form, n.
acinus, n., drupele t; berry (bot.) - L., 'berry,
stone of a berry', of uncerta in origin.
-acious, suff. meaning 'incline d to, abound ing
in', as in audacious, tenacio us.- Compo unded
of L. suff. -iix, gen. -iicis (whence also F. -ace)
and -ous.
-acity, suff. denotin g quality, as in audacity, tenacity.- F. -acite, fr. L. -iicitiitem, ace. of -iicitiis,
compou nded of adjectival suff. -iix, gen. -iicis,
and subst. suff. -itiis. Accordingly this suff.forms
nouns corresp onding to adjectives in -acious.
See -acious and -ity and cp. -icity.
Acipenser, n., a genus of fishes comprising the
sturgeons. - L. acipenser, name of a fish, prob.
'stUigeon'. The first element of this compou nd
is prob. rei. to L. iicer, 'sharp, pointed ' (see
acrid). The second element in aci-penser is of
uncerta in origin.
acknowledge, tr. v. - Fr. earlier aknowledge, a
blend of the ME. hybrid aknowen and ME.
knowlechen. See a-, 'to', and knowledge.
Derivatives: acknowledg-ed, adj., acknowledged-ly, adv., acknowledg(e)-ment, n.
aclastic, adj., not refracting. -Form ed with suff.
-ic fr. Gk. &xl.?:a-:o<;, 'unbrok en', fr. ci- (see
priv. pref. a-) and XA?:a-r6~, verbal adj. of x).iv,
'to break'. See clastic.
aclinic, adj., not dipping (said of a magnet ic
needle ).- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &.xAtvl]<;,
'bendin g to neither side', fr. ci- (see priv. pref.
-a) and xAtve:Lv, 'to incline'. See clinic.
acme, n., the highest point. - Gk. &.x(L-f,, 'point,
edge; the highest point of anythin g, the flower,
prime of man's age', rei. to cb<-f,, 'point', and

16

cogn. with L. acies, 'point, edge; battle array',

fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp, pointed '. See acrid
and words there referred to, and cp. paracme.
Cp. also acne.
acmite, n., a sodium ferrum silicate (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &.xfL-f),
'point, edge' (see prec. word); so called in allusion to the crystal form.
acne, n., a skin disease caused by the inflammation of the sebaceous glands (med.) - This word
owes its existence to a clerical error, Gk. &xfL-f),
'point' (see acme), having been miswritten as
&.xv-f,.
Acnida, n., a genus of plants of the amaran th
family. - ModL., lit. 'withou t nettles', fr. priv.
pref. a- and Gk. xvLil1), 'nettle', which is rei. to
xvl~c:tv, 'to scratch '. See cnida.
acnode, n., point of a curve, not connect ed with
real points of the curve (math.) - A hybrid
coined fr. L. acus, 'needle' (see acus), and E. node.
Acocanthera, n., a genus of African plants (bot.)
- ModL., compou nded of Gk. &.xwx+,, 'point,
sting', and &v&Y)p6<;, 'flowery'. The first element
is rei. to &.x-f,, 'point', fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp,
pointed '; see acrid. For the second element see
anther.
Acoemeti, n., pl., name of an order of Eastern
monks. - Eccles. L., fr. Gk. &.xolfL"t)TOt, 'the
sleepless ones', from ci- (see priv. pref. a-) and
xotfLiiv, 'to lull to sleep'. See home and cp.
cemetery.
acology, n., the study of remed ies.- Compo unded of Gk. &xo<;, 'remedy ', and -).oyifi, fr. -).6yo<;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner ); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See aceology.
acolyte, n., 1) an attenda nt, follower; 2) an altar
attenda nt. - ML. aco/itus, acoluthus, fr. Gk.
ocx6)-ou~o<;, _'follower', lit. 'having one way', fr.
copul. pref. ci-, 'togethe r with' and x)-s:u~o<;,
'way, road, path, track'. Copul. pref. &.- stands
for I.-E. *s~-, a weak gradatio nal form of I.-E.
base sem-, 'one, togethe r'; see same. Gk.
xt).c:u~o<; is cogn. with Lith. kelias, 'way',
keliduju, 'I journey ', fr. I.-E. base *qeleu-, enlargement of *qel-, 'to drive', whence L. celer,
'swift'. See celerity and cp. anacoluthon.
acomia, n., baldne ss.- ModL. formed with suff.
-ia fr. Gk. &xo;w~. 'hairless', fr. &- (see priv.
pref. a-) and XOfi7), 'hair', whence xofLf,T"t)<;,
'comet'. See coma, 'tuft of hairs' and cp. comet.
aconite, n., the monksh ood. - L. aconitum, fr.
Gk. tXXOVL'rO'I, which prob. derives fr. ocxovht,
'withou t dust' (sci!. of the arena), hence 'without struggle, unconq uerable ', formed fr. &.- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xovlc:tv, 'to cover with dust',
fr. x6vtc;, 'dust', which is cogn. with L. cim's,
'ashes'; see cinerary. The plant was called 'unconque rable' in allusion to its deadly poison.
Acontias, n., a genus of lizards (zoo/.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. ocxov-rlotc;, 'a quick-d arting serpent ', fr.
&:x6v-rLov, dimin. of &xwv, 'dart, javelin' . See next
word.
- -- .. -----~ .......

17

acontium, n., javelin .- ModL. fr. Gk. &:x6v-.tov,

dimin. of &xwv, 'dart, javelin' , fr. I.-E. base *ak-,
'sharp, pointed ', whence also Gk. &.x+,, 'point', L.
ticer, 'sharp, bitter'. See acrid and words there
referred to and cp. esp. prec. word.
acopic, adj., removing weariness (med.) -Form ed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &xo7to<;, 'unwear ied', fr.
&- (see priv. pref. a-), and x61to<;, 'striking, beating, fatigue, weariness', whence x67tnLV, 'to cut,
beat, strike', XOflfLO(, 'someth ing cut or struck'.
See comma and cp. words there referred to.
acor, n., acidity (med.) - L. acor, 'a sour taste,
sournes s', fr. acere, 'to be sour'. See acid.
acorn, n. - ME. akern, fr. OE. recern, 'acorn',
rei. to ON. akarn, 'acorn', Du. aker, LG. ecker
(whence G. Ecker), 'acorn', Goth. akran,
'fruit'. As proved by Goth. akran, the orig.
meanin g was 'fruit', esp. 'fruit of the field'. Accordingly it is very probabl e that the above
words are rei. to Goth. akrs, etc., 'field'. See
acre. E. acorn was influenced in form by an
associa tion with corn.
Acorus, n., a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.) - L., an aromati c plant, prob. 'the sweet
flag', fr. Gk. &xopo<;, which is of uncerta in
origin.
acosmism, n., the denial of the indepen dent reality of the world as distinct from God. - Coined
by Fichte and Hegel fr. Gk. priv. pref. a-,
x6afLoc;, 'the world' (see cosmos), and suff. -ism.
acosmist, n., one who believes in acosmism. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivat ive: acosmist-ical, adj.
acotyledon, n., a plant without cotyledons (bot.)
-See priv. pref. a- and cotyledon.
acotyledonous, adj., having no cotyledons. Formed fr. acotyledon with suff. -ous.
acouchy, n., a species of agouti. - F. acouchi,
of Tupi origin.
acoumeter, n., an instrum ent for measur ing the
sense of hearing - Compo unded of the stem
of Gk. &.xoue:tv, 'to hear', and fLhpov, 'measure'. See acoustic and meter, 'poetica l rhythm '.
-acousia, -acousis, combin ing forms meaning
'hearing '. - Fr. Gk. &xoum<;, 'hearing ', fr.
&.xouc:w, 'to hear'. See acoustic.
acoustic, adj.- F. acoustique, fr. Gk. &.xoua-.Lx6<;,
'pertain ing to hearing ', fr. &.xoua-.6c;, 'heard,
audible', verbal adj. of &xou&Lv, 'to hear', which
stands for *ocxoua1c:LV, and is prob. formed fr.
copul. pre f. &.-(see acolyte) and I.-E. base *(s)qeu-,
*(s)qeu-, 'to look at, observe, perceive', whence
also xos:i:v, 'to mark, perceive, hear', Goth.
hausjan, OE. hyran, 'to hear'. See hear and cp.
sbow. Some scholar s explain Gk. &.xous:tv as
standing for *&.x-oua-l&Lv, 'to have a sharp
car', fr. I.-E. base ak-, 'sharp' and *ous, 'ear';
lee acrid and ear. See Frisk, GEW., I, 57-58.
Derivatives: acoustic~/, adj., acoustic~l-ly,
adv., acoust-ics, n.
-..uaint , tr. v. -ME. acointen, fr. OF. acointier, acointer, fr. Late L. accognitiire, 'to make

known, to acquain t' ,fr. L. accognitus,'acquainted

with', fr. ad- and cognitus, pp. of cognoscere,
'to know'. See cognition and cp. quaint.
Derivatives: acquaintance (q.v.), acquaint-ed,
adj., acquaint-ed-ness, n.
acquaintance, n.- OF. acointance, fr. acointier.
See prec. word and -ance.
acquiesce, intr. v. - F. acquiescer, fr. L. acquiescere, 'to become quiet, to rest', fr. ad- and
quiescere, 'to rest'. See quiesce.
acquiescence, n. - F., fr. acquiescent. See next
word and -ce.
acquiescent, adj.- F., fr. L. acquiescentem, ace.
of acquiescens, pres. part. of acquiescere. See
acquiesce and -ent.
Derivative: acquiescent-ly, adv.
acquire, tr. v.- L. acquirere, 'to seek in addition
to, acquire', fr. ad- and quaerere, 'to seek,
search'. See quaere and cp. acquisition, conquer,
conquest, inquire, require, request. The change
of Latin ae (in quaerere) to f (in ac-quirere) is
due to the Latin phoneti c law according to which
in the unaccented and open radical syllable of
the second part of compou nds, ae becomes i. Cp.
-cide, circumcise, collide, concise, conquistador,
decide, elide, excide, excise, 'to cut out', incise,
iniquity, perquisite, precise, succise.
Derivatives: acquir-ed, adj., acquire-ment, n.,
acquir-er, n.
acquisition, n. - F., fr. L. acquisitionem, ace. of
acquisitio, fr. acquisitus, pp. of acquirere, 'to
acquire'. See prec. word and -ion and cp. disquisition, inquisition, requisition.
acquisitive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
acquisitus, pp. of acquirere. See acquisition.
Derivatives: acquisitive-ly, adv ., acquisitiveness, n.
acquit, tr. v. - OF. aquiter (F. acquitter), fr. VL.
*acquitiire, fr. ad- and L. quietiire, 'to appease,
settle'. fr. quies, gen. quietis, 'rest'. See quiet,
and cp. quit.
Derivatives: acquitment (q.v.), acquitt-al, n.,
acquittance (q.v.), acquitt-er, n.
acquitment, n.- OF. aquitement, fr. aquiter. S~e
prec. word and -ment.
acquittance, n. - OF. aquitance, fr. aquiter. See
acquit and -ance.
acr-, combining form. - See aero-.
Acraeinae, n. pl., a subfamily of butterflies of the
family Nymph alidae (entomology). - ModL.,
formed with suff. -inae fr. Acraeus, Acraea, fr.
Gk. 'Axp?:io<;, 'Axp?:lii, 'dwelling on the heights ',
epithet of Jupiter resp. Juno, fr. &xpii, 'the end,
point, the highest point, peak, headlan d', prop.
fern. of &xpo<;, 'outerm ost', used as a noun. See
aero- and cp. acropolis.
acrasia, n., intempe rance (med.) - Medical L.,
prop. a confusi on of Gk. &xpiialii, 'bad mixture' (fr. &xpii-.oc;, 'unmixe d', fr. pref. &.- and
the stem of xpO(WUVott, 'to mix') and &.xpiialii
( = &.xpihr:!.O(), 'want of power, debility '. See
priv. pref. a- and crater, resp. acratia.

n.,

AcraspeCia
Acraspeda, n. pl., a group of ~ellyfishes (ichthyol.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. &xpacr1te:8o~, 'without fringes', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and xpoccr1te:8ov,
'edge, border, fringe'. See craspedon. The group
is so called in allusion to the lack of a velum.
acratia, n., weakness (med.) - Medical L., fr.
Gk. &xpocTe:Loc, 'want of power', fr. &- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xpocTo~. 'strength, power,
rule', which is cogn. with Goth. hardus, OE.
heard, 'hard'. See hard and cp. -cracy, -crat. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
acre, n. - ME. aker, fr. OE. recer, rei. to OS.
akkar, ON. akr, Swed. dker, Norw. aaker, Dan.
ager, MLG., MDu. acker, Du. akker, OHG.
achar, MHG., G. acker, OFris. ekker, Goth.
akrs, and cogn. with 01. djra/:z, Arm. art, Gk.
&yp6~. L. ager, 'field, land', which stand for
I.-E. *ag-ro-s and orig. meant 'pasture', i.e. 'a
place where the cattle are driven', fr. I.-E. base
*ag-, 'to drive, lead', whence 01. djati, 'drives',
Arm. acem, 'I lead, bring', Gk. &yw, 'I lead,
guide', L. ago, 'I drive, lead'. See agent and cp.
agrarian. Cp. also acorn. For sense development
cp. Heb. mighrtish, 'common, open land', prop.
'pasture land', i.e. 'a place where the cattle are
driven', fr. giirdsh, 'he drove out'; cp. also G.
Trift, 'pasture, common', which is rei. to treiben, 'to drive'.
Derivative: acre-age, n.
acrid, adj. - A blend of L. iicer (fern. iicris, neut.
acre), 'sharp, bitter', and acidus, 'sour', which
are both related to L. acus, 'needle', acies, 'sharp
edge, point, the front of an army, line of battle,
battle array', acuere, 'to sharpen', fr. I.-E. base
*ak-, *aq-, 'sharp, pointed', whence also Oscan
acrid ( = L. acriter), 'sharply', Umbr. per-acri,
'fruitful, fertile', Gk. &xpo~, 'at the farthest point,
highest; pointed', &x~, 'a point, edge', &xl~, 'a
point', &x:xv.ftoc, 'thorn, prickle', &xwv, 'a javelin', &xf1.wv, 'an anvil', 01. asri/:z, 'edge', dsman-,
'stone, rock, sky', Avestic, asman-, of s.m. Lith.
akmuo, 'stone', asmuo ,'sharpness', OSlav. kamy
(a metathesized form), 'stone', Olr. er (for
*akros), 'high', Arm. as-eln, 'stone' (the force
of the suff. -eln is yet unknown), ON. hamarr,
OE. hamor, hamer, etc., 'hammer'. Cp. Gk.
&xpo&ofl.OCL, 'I hear, listen', prop. 'have a sharp
hearing', in which the first element is rei. to
&xpo~, 'pointed, sharp'.- Cp. the gradational
variant base oq-, whence Gk. o~J~, 'sharp',
ilxpL~, 'peak, hilltop', OL. ocris, 'a rugged, stony
mountain', L. mediocris, 'middling, moderate,
indifferent, tolerable' (orig. 'being half-way up
the height of a mountain'), occa, 'a harrow',
OSiav. ostru, Lith. astrus (for *okro, with inserted t), 'sharp', Mlr. ochar, W. ochr, ochyr,
'edge, corner, border'. Cp. awn, eager, ear of
corn, edge, egg, 'to urge', hammer. Cp. also
Acaena, acantha, acanthion, acantho-, Accipiter, acerb, acescent, acetum, acid, Acipenser,
acme, acne, Acocanthera, acor, Acreiuae, acrimony, aero-, acroama, acrobat, acropolis, Ac-

18
taea, Actaeon, aculeate, aculeus, acumen, acus,
acute, aglet, agrito, ague, cute, exacerbate, eglantine, griotte, paragon, tetrakis, Thrinax, triakis,
vinegar. Cp. also mediocre, ocrea, Ocimum, Oxalis, oxy-, oxygen.
Derivatives: acrid-ity, n., acrid-ly, adv., acridness, n.
acrimonious, adj., harsh, bitter.- F. acrimonieux
fr. ML. acrimoniosus, fr. L. acrimonia. See acri~
mony and -ous.
Derivatives: acrimonious-ly, adv., acrimoniousness, n.
acrimony, n., harsness, bitterness; asperity.- L.
iicrimonia, 'sharpness, pungency', formed fr. L.
iicer (fern. acris, neut. acre), 'sharp', with suff.
-mania. See acrid and -mony and cp. words there
referred to.
acrisia, n., condition of disease with no symptoms to establish the diagnosis. - Gk. &xpLcrloc,
'want of judgment', fr. &xpLTo~. 'not judged',
fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and xpLT6<;, 'separated,
chosen, decided, judged', verbal adj. of xp(ve:Lv,
'to separate, choose, decide, judge'. Sec critic.
acritical, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
Gk. &xpLTo~. 'not judged'. See prec. word.
aero-, acr-, combining form meaning 'pertaining
to the end, extreme'. - Gk. &xpo-, fr. &xpo<;,
'at the end, at the top, outermost', fr. &x~,
'edge'; cogn. with L. acer, 'sharp', OSlav. ostrii,
Lith. astrus, of s.m:, Oir. er, 'high'. See acrid
and cp. words there referred to.
acroama, n., oral teaching; esoteric teaching. L., fr. Gk. &xp6ocf1.oc, lit. 'that which is heard
(with pleasure)', fr. &xpoocofl.OCL, 'I hear', orig.
'I have a sharp hearing', fr. *&xp-oucroc, 'a sharp
hearing', compounded of &xpo<;, 'pointed,
sharp', and Jon., Att. oo<;, gen. oO:hTo<;, corresponding to Gk. oo~. gen. WT6~. 'ear'. For
the first element see acrid and cp. acropolis. For
the second element see ear, 'the organ of hearing', and cp. oto-. For the ending see suff. -ma.
acroamatic, adj., oral; esoteric. - Gk. &xpoocf1.0CTLx6~. 'pertaining to hearing', fr. &xp6ocf1.oc,
'that which is heard'. See prec. word and -atic.
Derivative: acroamatic-s, n.
acrobat, n. - F. acrobate, fr. Gk. &xp6~ocTo~.
'walking on tiptoe', fr. &xpo~, 'at the end, outermost, highest', and ~ocT-, 'going', from the stem
of ~oclvELv, 'to go, walk'. (Cp. ~ocT6~, 'passable',
verbal adj. of ~octve:Lv.) For the first element
see aao-, for the second see base, n., and cp.
the second element in aerobatics.
Derivatives: acrobat-ic, adj., acrobat-ic-al-ly,
adv., acrobat-ics, n., acrobat-ism. n.
acrocarpous, adj., bearing fruit at the end of the
stalk (bot.) - Gk. &xp6xotprro~. 'bearing fruit
at the top', compounded of &xpo~, 'at the end,
outermost, highest', and xocprr6~. 'fruit'. See
aero- and carpel. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
Gk. -o~. see -ous.
acrocepbalic, aerocepbalous, adj., having a pointed skull. - Compounded of aero- and cepbalic.

19
acrochordon, n., a kind of wart (med.) - L., fr.
Gk. &xpoxop8&v, which is compounded of
&xpo~, 'at the end, outermost, highest' and
xop8~. 'chord, string'. See aero- and chord.
acrodynia, n., disease characterized by pain in
the hands and feet (med.)- Medical L., coined
by Chardon in 1828, and lit. meaning 'pain in
the extremities', fr. aero- and Gk. oMV1J, 'pain'.
See -odynia.
acrogen, n., a plant growing at the apex, as ferns,
mosses, etc. (bot.) - Lit. 'growing at the top'.
See aero- and -gen.
Derivative: aerogen-ous, adj.
acrolein, n., a colorless aldehyde, C,H.O (chem.)
- Compounded of L. acer (fern. acris, neut.
acre), 'sharp', and olere, 'to smell'. See acrid
olfactory, and chem. suff. -in.
acrolith, n., a statue having the extremities of
stone and the trunk of wood. - L. acrolithus,
fr. Gk. &xp6Adto~, 'with ends made of stone',
which is compounded of &xpo~, 'at the end,
outermost, highest', and Al.&o~. 'stone'. See
aero- and -lith.
acromegaly, acromegalia, n., a disease characterized by an enlargement of the head, thorax and
extremities (med.) - Medical L. acromegalia,
compounded of aero- and Gk. fLEyOC~, fern.
fl.EYOCA"l'), 'great'. See mega- and the suff. -y,
resp. -ia, which both represent Gk. -lii.
acromial, adj., pertaining to the acromion.- See
next word and adj. suff. -al.
acromion, n., the outer end of the shoulderblade
(anal.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. &xpwfl.loc, 'point
of the shoulder', which is compounded of &xpo<;,
'at the end, outermost, highest' and Wfl.oc;,
'shoulder'. See aero- and omo-, 'shoulder'.
acron, n., the foremost segment of the body of an
insect. - Gk. &xpov, 'tip', prop. neut. of the
adjective &xpoc;, 'at the end, outermost, highest'. See aero-.
acronychal, acronycal, adj., happening or occurring at nightfall (astron.) - Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. &xp6vuxo~. 'at nightfall',
fr. &xpoc;, 'at the end, outermost, highest', and
wx_o~ = vu~, 'night'. See aero- and nycti-.
Derivative: acronychal-/y, adv.
acroaym, n., a word formed from the first letters
of a series of words, as UNO, from United
Nations Organization. - Coined fr. acr- and
Glt. !Swf.Lot, dial. form of ilvofLot, 'name'. See
and cp. onomato-.
IICnpllobia, n., morbid fear of high places (med.)
-Medical Latin, fr. aero- and Gk. -opo~toc, fr.
~. "fear'. See -phobia.
IICI'Oplawy, n., the use of the pictorial representation of an object as the phonetic sign of the
initial sound or syllable with which the name of
that object begins. - Compounded of aero-,
and Glt. -cp6)vta, fr. <p6)vfj, 'sound, voice'. See

.......,.

............ n., the fortified upper part of an ancient

Greek city; esp. that of Athens.- Gk. bp61ro-

Actaeon
AL<;, fr. &xpo~ 'at the end, outermost, highest',
and 7t6ALc;, 'city' (see aero- and policy, 'method
of government'). This compound developed
from the older form &xpoc rr6AL~, 'the upper or
higher city'. (Homer still prefers &xpii rr6ALc; to
the compound, which he uses only twice,
Odyssey VIII, 494 and 504.) See Albert
Debrunner, Griechische Wortbildungslehre,
Heidelberg, 1917, p.91.
acrorhagus, n., one of the marginal tubercles of
actinians (zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of
aero- and Gk. p&~. gen. piiy6~, 'berry', which
is cogn. with L. racemus, 'the stalk of a cluster
of grapes'. See raceme.
across, adv. and prep. - Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and cross.
acrostic, n., a poem in which the initial letters of
the lines form a word or words. - L. acrostichis,
fr. Gk. &xpocrnxl<;, 'acrostic', which is compounded of &xpo~. 'at the end, outermost', and
cr-rtxo~. 'row, line, rank, verse', which is rel.
to crnlxe:w, 'to go; to march in order'. See
aero- and sty, 'to ascend', and cp. hemistich,
monostich, distich, tetrastich, pentastich, hexastich, heptastich, octastich, decastich, stichich,
orthosticby, stoichiometry, cadastre.
Acrostichum, n., a genus of ferns of the polypody
family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. L. acrostichis, 'acrostic' (see prec. word); so called from
the position of the sori.
acroterium, acroterion, n., pedestal for a statue
or other ornament, placed at the apex or one of
the corners of a pediment (archil.) - L. acr6terium, fr. Gk. &xpCilT"i)pLOv, 'extremity, summit, top', fr. &xpo~, 'at the end, outermost'.
See aero-.
acrotomous, adj., having a cleavage parallel with
the base (mineral.) - Gk. &xp6TOfLO<;, 'cut off,
sharp, abrupt', compounded of &xpo~. 'at the
end, outermost', and -TO fLO~, which is rei. to
T6fl.o<;, 'a cut, piece cut off, section', TOfl-6~.
'cutting'. See tome and cp. words there referred to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc;,
see -ous.
act, n. - F. acte, 'action', partly fr. L. actus, 'a
doing, an action' (fr. actus, pp. of agere, 'to set
in motion, drive; to do, act'), partly fr. iictum,
'something done' (which is prop. neut. of actus,
pp. of agere). See agent and words there referred to and cp. esp. entr'acte, interact.
Derivatives: act, tr. and tr. v., act-ing, n., and
adj., active (q.v.)
Actaea, n., a genus of plants, the baneberry
(bot.)- L., 'herb Christopher', fr. Gk. &x"tiii,
'the elder tree', prob. meaning lit. 'the tree with
pointed leaves', fr. I.-E. base ak-, 'sharp,
pointed'. See acrid and cp. words there referred to.
Actaeon, n., the hunter who, having seen Artemis
bathing, was changed by her into a stag and tom
to pieces by his own dogs (Greek mythol.) L. Actaeon, fr. Gk. 'Ax=lCilv, a word of un-

actin-

20

suff. forming neut. nouns and adjectives. See

certain etymology. It denoted perh. orig. a
actino- and cp. actinium.
ry;
'promonto
&:x-d),
water god and derives fr.
actinotherapy, n., the use of actinic rays in the
beach seashore' (whence also &:x't"Q(Lo~, 'on the
treatment of disease. - Compound ed of actinoshore'), which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
and therapy.
derives fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp, pointed'. See
Actinozoa, a class of marine coelenterate animals
acrid and cp. prec. word.
(zoot.) - Compound ed of actino- and Gk. ~<{)0(,
actin-, form of actino- before a vowel.
pl. of ~<{)ov, 'animal'. See -zoa.
actinic, adj., pertaining to actinism. -See next
n.- OF. ( = F.), fr. L. actionem, ace. of
action,
-ic.
and
word
fr. tictus, pp. of agere, 'to do, act'.
'action',
tictio,
causof
actinism, n., property of ultraviolet rays
See act, n., and -ion and cp. interaction.
ing chemical change. - Formed with suff.
Derivative: action-able, adj.
-ism fr. Gk. &:x't"t~. gen. &:x't"'i:vo~, 'ray, raactivate, tr. v.- See active and verbal suff. -ate.
diance'. See actino-.
active, adj.- F. actif(fem. active), fr. L. actfvus,
Actinistia, n., an order of crossopterygian fishes
fr. tic/us, pp. of agere, 'to act'. See act.
actinof
(paleontol.) - ModL., compound ed
Derivatives: active-ly, adv., active-ness, n.
and Gk. l<n(ov, 'web, sail', dimin. of l<n6~,
n. - F. activite, fr. Late L. tictivittitem,
of
activity,
stem
the
from
mast',
'web, tissue; ship's
ace. of iictfvitiis, fr. L. tictivus. See active and
LO"TI)iJ.L, 'I make to stand'. See histo- and cp.
-ity.
anhistous. For the ending see suff. -ia.
acton, n., a quilted garment worn under the maiL
actinium, n., a radioactive element (chem.) - ME., fr. OF. auqueton (F. hoqueton), fr. Sp.
ModL., coined by its discoverer, the French
alcotOn, algod6n, fr. Arab. al-qutun, 'the cotton'.
I899
in
I874)
.
Debierne(b
is
chemist Andre-Lou
See cotton.
fr. Gk. &.xd<;, gen. &:x't"'i:vo<;, 'ray'. See actinic
actor, n.- L. tictor, 'doer, actor', fr. tictus, pp. of
and -ium.
agere, 'to do, act'. See act and agential suff. -or.
actino-, before a vowel actin-, pertaining to rays;
actress, n. - See prec. word and -ess.
pertaining to actinism. - Fr. Gk. &.x't"t~ gen.
actual, adj. - ME. actuel, fr. F. actuel, fr. Late
&:x't"'i:vo<;, 'ray, radiance', which is cogn. with
(for
L. tictuiilis, fr. L. actus, pp. of agere, 'to do, act'.
1/htwo
01. aktub, 'light, ray, night', Goth.
See act and adj. suff. -al.
*IJX.t''"o), dawn, daybreak', OHG. uhta, of s.m.,
the
Derivatives: actual, n., actuality (q.v.), actualize
Cp.
'early',
angstainai,
Lith. anksti, OPruss.
(q.v.), actual-ly, adv., actual-ness, n.
second element in Chaenactis, diactinic, tetract.
actuality, n. - ML. tictutilittis, fr. Late L. iictuactinogram, n., record made by an actinograph.
tilis (see actual and -ity); prop. a loan trans- Compound ed of actino- and Gk. yp&:iJ.iJ.Q(,
lation of Gk. iv&pyELQ( (see energy).
'something written'. See -gram.
n, n. - See next word and -ion.
actualizatio
the
recording
for
instrument
an
actinograph, n.,
actualize, tr. v.- Coined by Coleridge fr. actual
actinic power of the sunrays. - Compound ed
and suff. -ize.
of actino- and Gk. -ypQ((jlO<;, fr. ypocqJEtv, 'to
Derivative: actualiz-ation, n.
write'. See -graph.
actuary, n., one whose profession is to calculate
Derivatives: actinograph-ic, adj., actinograph-y,
insurance rates. - L. iictuiirius, 'copist, clerk,
n.
registrar', fr. acta, 'events, records', prop. pl.
actinology, n., the study of the rays of light. neut. pp. of agere, used as a noun. See act and
Compound ed of actino- and Gk. -Aoyta, fr.
subst. suff. -ary.
manner);
certain
a
-A6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in
Derivative: actuari-al, adj.
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
tr. v., to put into action. - ML. actuthe
actuate,
measuring
for
instrument
an
n.,
actinometer,
atus, pp. of tictuiire, fr. L. tictus, 'action'. See
actinic effect of the sun's rays. -Compou nded
act and verbal suff. -ate.
of actino- and Gk. iJ.ihpov, 'measure'. See meter,
Derivatives: actuat-ion, n., actuat-or, n.
'poetical rhythm'.
acuerdo, n., resolution of a tribunal; the memDerivatives: actinometr-y, n., actinometr-ic, acbers of a tribunal (Sp. Amer.) - Sp., lit. 'resotinometr-ical, adjs.
lution', fr. acordar, 'to agree to resolve by comActinomyces, n., a genus of parasitic bacteria
mon consent', fr. VL. accordtire, 'to agree'. See
(bacterial.). - ModL., compound ed of actinov.
accord,
and Gk. IJ.'~xr,<;, 'fungus'. See myco-.
acuity, n., sharpnes s.- F. acuite, fr. L. acuitiitem,
actinomycete, n., any of a group of parasitic
ace. of acuittis, fr. acuere, 'to sharpen', which
bacteria. - Formed fr. actino- and -mycete.
is rei. to acus, 'needle'. See acrid and -ity and
causactinomycosis, n., an inflammatory disease
cp. acuteed by the actinomycetes (med.) - Coined by
aculeate, adj., 1) having a sting; 2) furnished with
the German pathologis t Otto Bollinger (I 843prickles; 3) pointed. - L. acu/etitus, 'furnished
1909) in 1877 fr. Actinomyces and suff. -osis..
with prickles', fr. aculeus, 'prickle'. See aculeus
actinon. n., a radioactive gaseous element of the
Gk.
fr.
I
and adj. suff. -ate.
form
ModL.,
(chem.)
argon family
Derivative: aculeat-ed, adj.
hTt.;, gen. hTi'~. 'ray', and -on, . Greek

21

aculeiform, adj., shaped like a prickle.- Compounded of aculeus, and L.forma, 'form, shape'.
See form, n.
aculeolate, adj., furnished with very small prickles.- Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. aculeolus,
double dim. of acus, 'needle'. See next word.
aculeus, n., a prickle (bot.); a sting (zoo/.)- L.,
'spine, prickle', dim. of acus, 'needle', fr. I.-E.
base *ak- 'sharp, pointed'. See acrid and cp.
words there referred to.
acumen, n., mental sharpness. - L. acumen,
'sharpness, mental sharpness, keenness of intelligence', fr. acuere, 'to sharpen'. See acute
and -men.
acuminate, adj., tapering to a point.- L. acuminatus, pp. of acumintire, 'to sharpen', fr. acumen,
gen. acuminis, 'sharpness. See acumen and adj.
suff. -ate.
acupressure, n., the checking of bleeding by the
pressure of a needle on the bleeding vessel
(surg.) - Compound ed of L. acus, 'needle' and
pressura 'pressure'. See acus and pressure.
acupuncture, n., puncture of the ailing part with
a needle to relieve pain. - Compound ed of L.
acus, 'needle', and punctura, 'a pricking'. See
acus and puncture.
acus, needle, pin (Rom. antiq.) - L., fr. I.-E.
base *ak-, 'sharp pointed', whence also ticer,
'sharp'. See acrid and cp. the first element in
aciform. Cp. also eglantine.
acushla, n., darling (Jr.)- lr. a cuisle, '0 pulse'
(in a cuisle mo croidhe, '0 pulse of my heart').
acute, adj.- L. acutus, 'sharp', lit. 'sharpened ',
pp. of acuere, 'to sharpen', which is rei. to acus,
'needle'. See acrid and cp. cute and ague.
Derivatives: dcute-ly, adv., acute-ness, n.
-acy, suff. denoting quality, state or dignity. I) F. -atie, fr. L. -ticia, fr. adjectives in -tix, gen.
-acis (cp.fallacy ); 2) F. -atie, fr. L. -titia (whence
ML. -iicia), fr. L. -tis gen. -litis (cp. abbacy);
3) ML. -iitia, fr. L. nouns ending in -titus (cp.
magistracy); 4) ML. -titia, fr. Gk. -oc't"E:LQ( (cp.
piracy); 5) from English nouns and adjectives
in -ate (cp. privacy). Cp. the suffixes -cy and
-cracy. Cp. also -acious and subst. suff. -ate.
acyclic, adj., not cyclic. - See priv. pref. a- and
cyclic.
acyrology, n., incorrect diction. - L. acyrologia,
fr. Gk. ix:i~oi,oyl'i, 'incorrect phraseology', fr.
cixUpo}._oy&w, 'I speak incorrectly', which is
compounded of :Xx:upo~, 'without authority',
and -Aoyli, fr. -)._6yo;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. The first element is formed fr. i- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xJpto<;, adj., 'having power
or authority over' (whence xOpto~, n., 'lord,
master'), fr. xupoc;, 'authority' . See cburch and
cp. words there referred to. For the second element see -logy.
ad-, pref. of Latin origin expressing direction toward or addition to. -Ad- appears in this form
before a vowel and before the consonant s d, h,

adamant

j, m, v. It is simplified to a- before sc, sp, st.

Before c, f, g, l, n, p, q, r, s and t ad- is assimilated to ac-, resp. af-, ag-, a/-, an-, ap-, ac-, ar-,
as-, at-. - L. ad-, etc., fr. ad, 'to, toward', rei.
to Umbr. af-, ars-, Oscan ad-, az (for *ad-s),
'to, toward', and cogn. with Goth. at, OE. ret,
'at'. See at and cp. a, pref. a- (corresponding to
L. ad), and a- in abandon.
-ad, suff. used to denote collective numerals, feminine patronymics, families of plant names or
names of poems. - Gk. -oc<;, gen. -t1.11o~, a suff.
forming femin. nouns.
Ada, fern. PN. (Bible) - Heb. 'Adhti", lit. 'ornament', rei. to 'tidhd", 'he adorned, ornamente d',
whence 'ildhf, 'ornament' .
adactylous, adj., without fingers or toes (zoo/.)Formed with suff. -ous fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk.
a&:x-ruAo.:;, 'finger'. See dactyl.
adage, n., proverb. - F., fr. L. adagium, 'adage,
proverb', fr. ad- and the stem of L. aio (for
*agyo), 'I say', which is rei. to prodigium (for
*prod-agiom), 'sign, omen, portent,pro di gy',
and cogn. with Gk. -i)[J-l (for *-/jyiJ.l), 'I speak',
perf. riv-ooyQ(, 'I command' , lit. 'I say loudly' (for
this sense of the pref. ivoc- cp. ivocxQ(A<:w, 'I
call loudly'), Arm. asem, 'I say', af-ac, 'proverb'. Cp. prodigy.
adagio, adv., slowly, leisurely; n., a slow movement (music). - It., formed fr. ad- and agio,
'leisure', fr. OProven9. aize, 'ease, convenience,
leisure', fr. VL. adjacens, pres. part. of adjacere,
'to lie at, to lie near', whence also F. aise, 'ease,
convenience, comfort, leisure'. See adjacent and
cp. ease.
adalid, n., leader, guide. -Sp., fr. Arab. ad-dalfllit.
'the leader', fr. ad-, assimilated form of a/-, 'the',
and datil, 'leader', fr. ddlla, 'he showed the way,
he lead'.
Adam, n., name of the first man (Bible); in a figurative sense it is used to denote 'human nature,
frailty'.- Heb. Addm, lit. 'man', usually with
the def. art., hti-tiddm, 'the man', prop. 'the one
formed from tidtimd" (i.e. the ground)'. See Gen.
2:7, 'The Lord God formed man of dust from
the ground'. For the connection between Heb.
tidtimdh, 'ground, earth', and tiddm, 'man', cp.
L. homo, 'man', humtinus, 'human', which are
rei. to humus, 'earth, ground, soil', and Gk.
im;.:.&6vtot, 'earthly ones, men', fr. ;.:.&wv, 'earth'.
Derivatives: Adam-ic, Adam-ic-al, adjs., Adamic-al-ly, adv., Adam-ite, n., Adam-it-is m, n.,
Adam-it-ic, Adam-it-ic-al, adjs.
adamant, n., a very hard stone; adj., very hard,
unyieldin g.- ME., 'diamond. magnet', fr. OF.
adamant, oblique case, fr. L. adamant em, ace. of
adamtis (whence the OF. nom. adamas), fr. Gk.
&:I1<11J.i~, 'adamant, the hardest metal, diamond',
lit. 'unconque rable', fr. ?:-(see priv. pref. a-)and
the verb l1ociJ.iill, 'to tame'. See tame and cp. diamond; cp. also the second element in Hippodamia.
The sense of 'load stone, magnet', arose from a
confusion with L. adamiire, 'to love passionately'.

adamantean

adamantean, adj., hard as adamant. -Formed

with suff. -an fr. L. adamanteus, fr. adamtis. See
prec. word.
adamantine, adj., 1) made of adamant; 2) like
adamant; very hard.- L. adamantinus, fr. Gk:
&.II<XtJ.<h,.nvo~. fr. &.MtJ.oc~. See adamant and adj.
suff. -ine.
adamite, n., a hydrous zinc arsenate (mineral.) Named after the mineralogist M. Adam. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Adam's apple, the thyroid cartilage. - A name
due to the inexact translation of Heb. tappilaJ)
htitiddm, lit. 'man's projection (in the neck)', fr.
tappaaft, 'anything swollen or protruding;
apple', from the base of ttiphd/;1, 'it swelled'. The
rendering of this Hebrew term by 'Adam's
apple' is due to two popular beliefs: 1) that the
forbidden fruit eaten by Adam was an apple;
2) that a piece of this apple stuck in Adam's
throat.
adangle, adj., dangling. - Coined by Robert
Browning (1812-89) fr. pref. a-, 'on', and
dangle.
adapt, tr. v.- F. adapter, fr. L. adapttire, 'to fit,
adjust, adapt', fr. ad- and apttire, 'to fit', fr.
aptus, 'fit'. See apt and cp. adept.
Derivatives: adapt-able, adj., adapt-abil-ity, n.,
adaptation (q.v.), adapt-ed, adj., adapt-ed-ness,
n., adapt-er, adapt-or, n.
adaptation, n. - F., fr. ML. adapttitionem, ace.
of adapttitio, fr. L. adapttitus, pp. of adapttire.
See adapt and -ation.
Derivatives: adaptation-a/, adj., adaptation-ally, adv.
Adar, n., name of the twelfth Jewish month.Heb. A.dhdr, fr. Akkad. Addaru, Adaru, lit. 'the
dark or clouded month', fr. Akkad. adiiru. 'to
be dark'; see Frd. Delitzsch, Prolegomena,
p. 138. According to Haupt in WMG., 64, 705,
Addaru is rel. to Akkad. iddar, 'threshing floor',
and prop. means 'month of the threshing floor'.
Cp. Veadar.
adati, n., a kind of fine cloth exported from Bengal. - Pro b. fr. Hind. tidha, 'half', and lit.
meaning 'of half width'. See Yule-Burnell,
Hobson-Jobson, P-4
add, tr. and intr. v. - L. addere, 'to put to, lay
on, give in addition to, add', fr. ad- and -dere,
fr. dare, 'to give'. See date, 'point of time', and
cp. addendum, additament, additioo.
Derivatives: add-ed, adj., adder (q.v.), addible, adj.
addax, n., a North African and Arabian antelope
with long spiral horns. - L., according to
Pliny 11, 124, a word of African origin.
addendum, n., something added. - L. neut. of
addendus, 'that which is to be added', gerundive
of addere, 'to add'. See add and cp. reddendum.
For other Latin gerundives used in English cp.
agenda and words there referred to.
adder, n., one who or that which adds.- Formed
with aamtial suff. -er fr. add {q.v.)

22
adder, n., a snake.- ME. naddre, addre, fr. OE.
IIZdre, 'adder, snake', rel. to OS. niklra, ON.
ntidra, MDu. ntidre, Du. adder, OHG. ntitara,
MHG. ntiter, G. Natter, Goth. nadrs, and cogn.
with L. natrix, 'water snake' Olr. nathir, W.
neidr,OCo. nader, 'adder'. All these words prob.
derive fr. I.-E. base *(s)ne-, 'to wind, twist',
whence also Gk. vijv, L. nere, 'to spin'. See
needle and cp. natrix. The loss of the initial n in
E. adder is due to a misdivision of ME. a naddre
into an addre. For similar misdivisions cp. aitchbone, apron, auger, ekename, eyas, ouch, umble
pie, umpire.
addict, tr. v. - L. addictus, pp. of addicere, 'to
award, assign, devote', fr. ad- and dicere, 'to
say'. See diction.
Derivatives: addict, n., addict-ed, adj., addicted-ness, n.
addiction, n. - L. addictio, gen. -onis, 'an awarding, devoting', fr. addictus, pp. of addicere. See
addict and -ion.
Addison's disease. - So called by its discoverer
Thomas Addison of Guy's Hospital in 1855.
additament, n., addition. - L. addittimentum,
'addition, increase', fr. *addittire, freq. of adtkre (pp. additus), 'to add'. See add and -ment.
Derivative: additament-ary, adj.
addition, n. -OF ( = F.), fr. L. additionem, ace.
of additio, 'an adding to, addition', fr. additus,
pp. of addere. See add and -ion.
Derivatives: addition, tr. v., addition-al, adj.,
addition-al-ly, adv., addition-ary, adj.
additicious, adj., increasing. - L. additicius,
'added, additional', fr. additus, pp. of addere. See
add. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
additive, adj. - L. additivus, 'added, anexed',
fr. additus, pp. of addere. See add and -ive.
Derivatives: additive-ly, adv., additiv-ity, n.
addle, n., urine, filth. - OE. adela, rel. to OSwed.
adel, 'urine', MLG. adel, Du. aal, 'puddle'. Cp.
addle, adj.
addle, adj., putrid (said of an egg); confused,
muddled. - From addle, n., 'urine, filth',
whence addle egg, used in the sense of 'an egg
that does not hatch, rotten egg', but lit. meaning
'urine egg'; a term due to the literal rendering
of L. ovum urinum, 'urine egg', which arose from
the erroneous translation of Gk. ovpLov (j)ov,
'putrid egg', prop. 'wind egg', fr. ovpLO<;, 'of
the wind' (fr. oupO<;, 'wind'), confused with
OVpLOi;, 'of urine', fr. oupov, 'urine'.
address. tr. v.- ME. adressen, 'to raise, adorn',
F. adresser, fr. OF. adrecier, fr. a. 'to' (see a),
and drecier (F. dresser), 'to direct'. See adand dress and cp. direct.
Derivatives: address, n.(q.v.),address-ee,n.,address-er, n., address-ful, adj., address-or, n.
address, n. - A blend of address, v., and F.
adresse, 'address'.
addac:e, tr. v., to bring forward; to cite.- L. addiiare, 'to lead to', fr. ad- and diiare (pp.
dllctu). 'to lead'. See clllb.

adept

23
Derivatives: adduc-er, n., adduc-ible, adj.
adducent, adj., drawing together (said of muscles); the opposite of abducent (anal.)- L. addiicens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of adducere. See
prec. word and -ent.
adduct, tr. v., to draw together (said of the
muscles). - L. adductus, pp. of adducere, 'to
lead to'. See adduce.
adduction, n., the act of adducing. - L. adductio,
gen. -onis, fr. adductus, pp. of adducere. See prec.
word and -ion.
adductor, n., an adducent muscle (anat.) - L.,
lit. 'a drawer to', from adduct us pp. of adducere.
See adduce and agential suff. -or.
-ade, suff. denoting 1) an action as in cannonade;
2) the result or product of an action as in lemonade, pomade. - F. -ade, fr. Sp. -ada or
OProven<;. or It. -ata, fr. Late L. -tita, prop.
fern. pp. suff. of Latin verbs of the 1st conjugation; see adj. suff. -ate. The native French form
is -ee (cp. -ee).
-ade, suff. denoting the person or group participating in an action as in comrade, brigade. F. -ade, fr. Sp. or Port. -ado, which is rei. to It.
-ato, fr. L. -titus, pp. suff. of verbs of the 1st
conjugation. Cp. prec. suff. and the suff. -ado.
-ade, suff. denoting a number or a group. - F.
-ade, fr. Gk. -ocii<X, ace. of -occ;. Cp. decade. This
suff. is identical with, though graphically differentiated from, suff. -ad (q.v.)
adeem, tr. v., to revoke (a legacy) (law). - L.
adimere, 'to take away', fr. ad- and emere, 'to
take'. See exempt and cp. words there referred
to.
Adela, fern. PN. -Lit. 'noble'. See next word.
Adelaide, fern. PN. -F. Adelaide, fr. G. Adelheid, fr. OHG. Adalhaid, lit. 'of a noble mind',
fr. OHG. ada/, 'noble family' (whence G. Adel,
'nobility'), and heit, 'state, rank', which is rei.
to OE. hiid, 'person, sex, degree, state, nature'.
For the first element cp. Adela, Adeline, Adolph,
Aline, Athelstan, and allerion, for the second
see -hood, -head. Cp. also Alice.
Adelia, n., a genus of American plants of the
olive family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &37]:/..o~,
'unseen, invisible' (see adelo- and -ia); so called
because of its minute flowers.
Adeline, fern. PN.- F., a word of Teut. origin,
introduced into England through the medium
of the Normans. The name lit. means 'noble'.
See Adelaid and cp. Aline.
ildelite, n., a calcium and magnesium arsenate
(mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
Gk. ~1):/..o~, 'unseen, obscure' (see adelo-); so
c:alled in allusion to the lack of transparency.
lllldo-, combining form, meaning 'not seen, con~.- Gk. &./17J:I..o-, fr. ~1J:I..oc;, 'unseen, inVISible', fr. &:- (see priv. pref. a-) and 31j:l..o~
(liomenc 8:/..o.;), 'visible, clear', which is conllac:tcd fr. 81dO<;. and is rei. to llb.t-ro, 'seemed',
IIDd cogn, with 01. dldeti, 'shines'. See deity and
ep. Adelia.

adelpho-, combining form meaning 'brother'. Gk. &lle::/..cpo-, fr. &3e::/..cp6c;, 'brother', lit. 'from
the same womb', fr. copul. pref. &-, 'together
with', and /le::l..cpuc;, 'womb'. Copul. pref. &stands for I.-E. *sm-, a weak gradational form
of I.-E. base *se::-, 'one together'; see same.
For the etymology of lle::l..cpu~ see calf and cp.
dolphin. Cp. also the second element in Diadelphia, Didelphia, monadelphous, Philadelphus.
For the sense development of Gk. &3e::l..cp6c; cp.
Gk. &y&cr-rwp, 'from the same womb', fr. copul.
pref. &-and y~cr-r~p. 'belly, womb'.
adempted, adj., taken away (law). - Fr. obsol.
adempt, fr. L. ademptus, pp. of adimere, 'to take
away;. See next word and -ed.
ademption, n., the act of taking away. - L.
ademptio, gen. -onis, 'a taking away, seizure', fr.
ademptus, pp. of adimere. See adeem and -ion.
aden-, form of adeno- before a vowel.
adenine, n., also adenin, a crystalline base (biochem.) - Coined by the German physiological
chemist Albrecht Kossel (1853-1927) fr. Gk.
&ll~v. 'gland' (see adeno-), and chem. suff. -ine,
-in; so called by him because it is derived from
pancreas.
adenitis, n., inflammation of a gland or glands
(med.) - Medical L., formed with suiT. -itis fr.
Gk. &ll~v, gen. &3&/oc;, 'gland'. See adeno-.
adeno-, before a vowel aden-, combining form
denoting 'pertaining to glands, glandular'
(med.) - Gk. &lle:vo-, &Se:v-, fr. &Sf:v, gen.
&Mvo~, 'gland', fr. I.-E. .. -l]g'"en, whence also
L. inguen, 'groin, abdomen'. See inguen and cp.
the second element in Dipladenia.
adenoid, adj., gland-like, glandular.- Medical
L. adenofdeus, fr. Gk. &lle:voe:LII+:c;, 'gland-like',
fr. &ll~v, gen. :XIIevoc;, 'gland', and -oe:LS~~
'Iike', fr. dlloc;, 'form, shape'. See adeno-and -oid.
Derivatives: adenoids, n. pl., adenoid-al, adj.,
adenoid-ism, n.
aden01na, a benign glandular tumor (med.) Medical L., formed with suff. -oma fr. Gk. &ll~v,
'gland'. See adeno-.
Derivative: adenomat-ous, adj.
AdeOIIS, also Abeona, n., the goddess watching
over the first departure of children. - See
Abeona and cp. adit.
Adepbaga, n. pl., an order of beetles (zoo/.) ModL., fr. Gk. &.31J<pcl.y~. 'voracious (scil. ~<fl~,
animals)', neut. pl. of &8r,cp:Xyo~, which is compounded of &31)v, 'to one's fill', and -cpocyoc;, fr.
<p~ye:Iv, 'to eat'. Gk. &llr,~. more correctly &llr.v
(fr. saden) is rei. to tit.Lv (for saein), 'to satiate', and cogn. with OE. soed, 'sated, satisfied'
(whence ME. sad, 'sated, full, satisfied, tired').
See sad and words there referred to and cp. esp.
hadro-. For the second element see -phagollS.
adepbagous, adj., 1) voracious; 2) pertaining
to the Adephaga. - See prec. word and
-pbagous.

adept, adj., skilled, proficient; n., an expert. L. adeptus, 'reached, attained', pp. of adipisci,

adequacy

'to arrive at, reach, attain', fr. ad- and apiscf

(pp. apt us), 'to reach, come up with', which is
rei. to OL. *apio, apere, 'to bind, attach', pp.
aptus, 'attached to'. See apt and cp. adapt. For
the change of Latin a (in aptus) to e (in adeptus) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: adept-ness, n.
adequacy, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
adequate, adj.- L. adaequiitus, pp. of adaequiire,
'to make equal to', fr. ad- and aequiire, 'to make
equal', fr. aequus, 'equal'. See equal and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: adequate-ly, adv., adequate-ness, n.
adermia, n., absence of the skin (med.)- Medical
L., formed fr. priv. pref. a-, Gk. 3tp!J.1X, 'skin'
(see derma), and suff. -ia.
adevism, n., the denial of gods. - A hybrid coined by Max MUller on analogy of atheism, fr.
priv. pref. a-, 01. deva/;1, 'god', and -ism, a suff.
of Greek origin. See deity.
adharma, n., unrighteousness (Hinduism). - 01.
a-dharma/;1, formedfr. priv. pref. a-and dharma};,
'law, right, justice'. See an- and dharma.
adhere, v.- F. adherer, fr. L. adhaerere, 'to stick
to, cling to', fr. ad- and haerere, 'to stick, cling'.
See hesitate and cp. adhesion. Cp. also cohere,
inhere.
adherence, n.- F. adherence, fr. ML. adhaerentia, fr. L. adhaerens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
adherent, adj. and n. - F. adherent, fr. L. adhaerentem, ace. of adhaerens, pres. part. of adhaerere. See adhere and -ent.
adhesion, n. - F. adhesion, fr. L. adhaesionem,
ace. of adhaesio, 'a sticking to, adhesion', fr.
adhaesus, pp. of adhaerere. See adhere and -ion.
Derivative: adhesion-al, adj.
adhesive, adj. -F. adhestf(fem. adhesive), fr. L.
adhaesus, pp. of adhaerere. See adhere and -ive.
Derivatives: adhesive-ly, adv., adhesive-ness, n.
adhibit, tr. v., to attach, affix. - L. adhibitus, pp.
of adhibere, 'to hold to, apply to', fr. ad- and
habere, 'to have, hold' (see habit). For the
change of Latin a (in habere) to i (in ad-hibere)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
adhibition, n. - L. adhibitio, gen. -onis, fr. adhibitus, pp. of adhibere. See prec. word and
-ion.
adiabatic, adj., impassable. - Formed with suff.
ic- fr. Gk. :i8d.~;x-:a~. 'not to be passed', fr.
&- (see priv. pref. a-) and 3toc~;x-:6~, 'to be
passed', verbal adj. of 3toc~7lvetv, 'to step
across, step over', fr. 8t:i (see dia-) and
~oclve:w, 'to go, to pass'. See base, n., and cp.
diabetes.
Adiantum, n., a genus of plants, the maidenhair
fern (bot.) - L., fr. Gk. &3toc~ov, 'maidenhair', lit. 'unwetted', fr. &- {see priv. pref. a-)
and 814i-ntv {for *81.f<iv1e:tv), 'to wet, moisten', which is prob. rel. to 8cie:tv, 'to wet,
moisten'.

24
adiaphoretic, adj., preventing perspiration (med.)
- Gk. &8Locq>op1JnK6~, 'not promoting perspiration'. See priv. pref. a- and diaphoretic.
Derivative: adiaphoretic, n., an adiaphoretic
agent.
adiaphoresis, n., absence of perspiration (med.)Medical L. See priv. pref. a- and diaphoresis.
adiaphoron, n. (pl. adiaphora), a thing indifferent
from the ecclesiastical point of view. - Gk.
&8L<iq>opov, neut. of &3L<iq>opo~, 'indifferent'. See
next word.
adiaphorous, adj., indifferent.- Gk. &8L<iq>opa~.
'not different, indifferent', fr. &- (see priv. pref.
a-) and 3L<iq>opo~, 'different', fr. 8L<i (see dia-)
and q>epe:L'II, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. diaphoresis. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -a~, see -ous.
adieu, interj. and n. - F. a Dieu, which is short
of je vous recommande a Dieu, 'I commend you
to God', fr. L. ad Deum, 'to God'. See ad- and
deity.
adipo- before a vowel adip-, combining form
meaning 'fat, fatty'. - From the stem of L.
adeps, gen. adipis, 'fat'. See adipose.
adipocere, n., a waxy substance into which animal
matter is converted under certain circumstances. - Coined by the French chemist Count
Antoine-Fran9 ois de Fourcroy (I755-I809) fr.
L. adeps, gen. adipis, 'fat', and cera, 'wax'. See
adipose and cere.
adipose, adj., fatty.- ModL. adiposus ( = L. adipiitus), 'filled with fat, fatty', fr. L. adeps, gen.
adipis, 'fat of animals', fr. Gk. &J.eLq>oc, 'unguent, oil, fat', fr. ci.J.e(q>EL'J, 'to anoint'. The
change of J to d is prob. due to Umbrian influence. Gk. &J.e:lq>ELV is rei. to Gk. J.bta~,
'grease, fat', J.m;xp6~. 'fat, oily', and is cogn.
with L. lippus, 'blear-eyed', OE. be-lifan, 'toremain'. See leave v., and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also synaloepha, aliphatic. For the ending
see adj. suff. -ose. Derivative: adipos-ity, n.
adiposis, n., fatness (med.) - A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. adeps, gen. adipis, 'fat' (see
adipose), and -osis, a suff. of Greek origin.
adipsia, n., the absence of thirst (med.)- Medical
L., fr. Gk. &8Lyo~, 'not suffering from thirst',
fr. :i- (see priv. pref. a-) and 3l~x, 'thirst', which
is of unknown origin. Cp. dipsOiuania, Dipsosaurus, dipsosis. For the ending see suff. -ia.
adit, n., entrance. - L. aditus, 'approach, entrance', fr. adit-(um), pp. stem of adire, 'to approach', which is formed fr. ad- and ire, 'to go',
fr. I.-E. base *ei-, *i-, 'to go', whence also L.
iter, 'a journey.' See itinerate and cp. aditus.
Aditi, n., the endless heaven, mother of the Adityas (Vedic mythol.) - Ol. aditi/J, 'boundlessness, infinity'. See Aditya and cp. daitya.
aditus, n., an entrance (zoo/., anat., etc.) - L.
aditus. See adit.
Aditya, n., one of the sons of Aditi {Vedic mytho/.) - 01. Aditya-, lit. 'the not bound ones',
. formed fr. priv. pref. a- (see an-) and dyati,

25

administer

ing to, an addition', fr. adjiinctus, pp. of ad'binds', fr.l.-E. base *de-, *d-, 'to bind', whence
jungere. See prec. word and -ion.
also Gk. 8eELV, 'to bind'. See desmo- and cp.
adjuration, n.- F., fr. L. adjuriitionem, ace. of
prec. word.
adjuriitio, 'a swearing to, adjuration', fr. adadjacency, n. - ML. adjacentia, fr. L. adjacens,
juriitus, pp. of adjuriire. See next word and -ion.
gen. -entis. See next word and -cy.
adjure, tr. v., to charge or command solemnly. adjacent, adj. - L. adjacens, gen. -entis, 'lying
L. adjurare, 'to swear to, to confirm by an oath'
at', pres. part. of adjacere, 'to lie at', fr. ad- and
(whence also F. adjurer), fr. ad- and juriire, 'to
jacere, 'to lie', which orig. meant 'to cast oneswear', fr. jus, gen. juris, 'law'. See jury, jus.
self down', fr. jacio, jacere, 'to throw, cast,
Derivatives: adjuration (q.v.), adjur-atory, adj.,
hurl'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ent and cp.
adjur-er, n., adjur-or, n.
circumjacent, interjacent, subjacent, superjacent.
adjust, tr. v., I) to settle, arrange; 2) to fit exactDerivative: adjacent-ly, adv.
ly.- Fr. earlier F. adjuster (corresponding to F.
adjective, adj. - L. adjectivum (for adjectivum
ajuster), fr. ML. adjustiire, fr. Late L. adjuxtiire,
nomen), neut. of adjectfvus, 'that is added (to the
'to bring near', fr. ad- and L. juxta, 'near'. See
noun), 'adjective', fr. adjectus, pp. of adicere
joust, v., and cp. juxta-.
(less correctly adjicere), 'to throw or place a
Derivatives: adjust-able, adj., adjust-er, n., adthing near', fr., ad- and jacere (pp. jactus), 'to
just-ive, adj., adjust-ment, n.
throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ive and cp.
adjutancy, n. - Formed fr. next word with
adjacent. For the change of Latin a (in jactus)
suff. -cy.
to e in ad-ject us see accent and cp. words there
adjutant, n., 1) an officer appointed to assist a
referred to. L. adjectfvum is prop. a loan transcommanding officer; 2) a large stork found in
lation of Gk. hrl.&no'J, lit. 'something added
East India.- L. adjutiins, gen. -antis, pres. part.
to', fr. em't'LlJ-evocL, 'to add to'.
of ad.Jutiire, 'to help, assist', freq. of adjuviire
Derivatives: adjectiv-al, adj., adjectival-ly, adv.,
(pp. adjutus). See next word and -ant.
adjective-ly, adv.
adjutory, adj. and n., helpful. - L. adjutorius,
adjoin, tr. and intr. v. - ME. ajoinen fr. OF.
'helping, helpful', fr. adjutus, pp. of adjuviire,
ajoindre fr. L. adjungere, 'to join, add, annex',
'to help, assist'. See aid and -ory and cp.
fr. ad- and jungere, 'to join, unite'. See join and
coadjutor.
cp. adjunct. The insertion of the letter d in
adjuvant, adj., helping;n., I) an assistant; 2)(med.)
ModF. adjoindre and in E. adjoin is due to the
a remedial substance. - F., fr. L. adjuvantem,
adjungere.
L.
influence of
ace. of adjuviins, pres. part. of ad.Juviire. See
Derivative: adjoin-ing, adj.
prec. word and cp. adjutant.
adjourn, tr. v., to put off to another day; intr. v.,
Adlumia, n., a genus of plants, the climbing fumito suspend a session. - OF. ajorner (whence
tory (bot.)- Modl., named after the American
F. ajourner), fr. VL. adjurniire, lit., 'to set a day',
See
gardener Major J. Adlum (I759-1836). For the
'day'.
dies,
fr.
'daily',
diurnus,
L.
fr. ad- and
ending see suff. -ia.
diurnal and cp. journal, sojourn. The insertion
admeasure, tr. v. -OF. amesurer, fr. L. admenof the letter d in E. adjourn is due to the insuriire, fr. ad- and mensuriire, 'to measure', fr.
fluence of VL. adjurniire.
mensura, 'measure'. See measure. The insertion
Derivatives: adjourn-al, adj., adjourn-ment, n.
of the letter din E. admeasure is due to the inajugier,
OF.
fr.
ajugen,
ME.
adjudge, tr. v. fluence of L. admensuriire.
ajuger, fr. L. adjtldiciire. See next word and cp.
Derivatives: admeasur-er, n., admeasure-ment, n.
judge. The insertion of the letter d in ModF.
adminicle, n., I) a help; 2) corroborative evidence
adjuger, and in E. adjudge is due to the influence
(law). - L. adminiculum, 'prop, stay, support',
of L. adjudiciire.
which prob. derives fr. *adminire, 'to stand out
Derivatives: adjudg-er, n., adjudge-men!, n.
toward something', fr. ad- and -minlre, 'to
adjudicate, tr. v. - L. adjt7diciitus, pp. of adjtidistand out'. Cp. e-minere, 'to stand out, project',
care, 'to adjudge, decide, ascribe', fr. ad- and
and see mount, 'hill, mountain', and -cle.
jUdicare, 'to judge'. See judge and cp. judicial,
adminicular, adj., I) helping; 2) corroborative .judicious. Cp. also adjudge. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ate.
Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. adminiculum. See
prec. word.
~rivatives: adjudication (q.v.), adjudicat-ive,
adminiculate, tr. v.- L. adminiculiitus, pp. of adadj., adjudicat-or, n., adjudicat-ure, n.
miniculiire, 'to prop', fr. adminiculum. See adadjudication, n. -- L. adjudicatio, gen. -onis, fr.
minicle and verbal suff. -ate.
adjUdiciitus, pp. of adjudiciire. See prec. word
and -ion.
adminiculum, n., help, support. - L. See adminicle.
adjlUICt, adj., added, joined. - L. adjunctus, pp.
Derivatives: adminicular (q.v.), adminicul-ary,
of ad}ungere, 'to join'. See adjoin and cp.
iuoction.
adj., adminiculate (q.v.)
administer, tr. v. - OF. aministrer, fr. L. admi?erivatives: adjunct, n., adjunction (q.v.), adnistriire, 'to manage, carry out, attend, serve',
Junct-ive, adj., adjunct-ive-ly, adv.
fr. ad- and ministriire, 'to serve'. See minister, v.
adjunction, n. - L. adjiinctio, gen. -dnis, 'a join-

administrant

The insertion of the letter d in F. administrer

and in E. administer is due to the influence of
L. administriire.
Derivative: administer-ial, adj.
administrant, adj. and n.- F., pres. part. of administrer, fr. L. administriire. See prec. word
and -ant.
administrate, tr. v., to administer. - L. administriitus, pp. of administriire. See administer and
verbal suff. -11te.
Derivatives: administration (q.v.), administration-a/, adj., administrative (q.v.), administrator (q.v.)
administration, n. - L. administriitio, gen. -onis,
fr. administriitus, pp. of administriire. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivative: administration-a/, adj.
administrative, adj. - L. administriitivus, fr. administriitus, pp. of administriire. See administrate and -ive.
Derivative: administrative-ly, adv.
administrator, n. - L., fr. administriitus, pp. of
administriire. See administrate and agential suff.
-or.
administratr ix, n., a female administrato r. ModL., fr. L. administrator. See prec. word
and -trix.
admirable, adj. - F., fr. L. admiriibilis, fr. admiriiri, 'to admire'. See admire and -able and
cp. MirabeL
Derivatives: admirable, n., admirabl-y, adv.
admiral, n. - OF. amiral, amiralt (F. amiral),
prob. shortened fr. Arab. amfr-ar-ra/:11, 'commander of transport, officer commanding a
(transport) fleet', whence also Port. amiralhs,
amirat, It. ammiraglio (It. almiraglio and It., Sp.
and Port. almirante arose from a confusion of
am-, the beginning of the word amfr, with the
Arab. art. a/-; It., Sp. and Port. almirante were
transformed after the pres. part. sutf. -ante,
fr. L. -antem; see -ant); influenced in form by
L. admiriiri, 'to admire'. See ameer, amir.
admiralty, n.- ME., fr. OF. admiralte (whence
MF. amiralte, F. amiraute). See admiral and
-ty.
admiration, n.- F., fr. L. admirtitionem, ace. of
admirtitio, 'a wondering at, admiration', fr. admiriitus, pp. of admirtiri. See admire and -ation.
admirative, adj.- F. admiratif(fe m. admirative),
fr. Late L. admiriitivus, fr. admiriitus, pp. of admiriiri. See next word and -ative.
admire, tr. and intr. v. - F. admirer, fr. L. admiriiri, 'to wonder at', fr. ad- and miriiri, 'to
wonder', fr. mirus, 'marvellous' , whence also
mirticu/um, 'a wonderful thing, marvel'. See
miracle and cp. marveL
Derivatives: admir-ed, adj., admir-ed-/y, adv.,
admir-er, n., admir-ing, adj., admir-ing-ly, adv.
lldmissible, adj.- F., fr. Late L. admissibilis, fr.
L.admis.su.s, pp. of admittere. Seeadmitand -ible..
Derivatives: admissibil-ity, n., admissible-ness,
n., admissibl-y, adv.

26

admission, n. - L. admissio, gen. -onis, 'a letting

in', fr. admissus, pp. of admittere. See admit
and -ion.
adrnissive. - Formed with sutf. -ive fr. L. admissus, pp. of admittere. See next word.
admit, tr. v. - L. admittere, 'to allow to enter,
let in', fr. ad- and mittere, 'to send'. See mission and cp. commit, intermit, omit, permit,
submit, transmit.
Derivatives: admitt-able, adj., admitt-ance, n.,
admitt-ed, adj., admitt-ed-ly, adv., admitt-ee, n.
admix, tr. v. - Back formation fr. earlier admixt, which derives fr. L. admixtus, 'mixed
with', but was mistaken for the pp. of an English verb (i.e. admixt was supposed to have been
formed from the verb admix and the pp. sutf.
-t). L. admixtus is pp. of admiscere, 'to add to
by mingling, mix with', and is formed fr. adand miscere, 'to mix'. See mixed and cp. commix, intermix.
admixtion, n. - L. admixtio, gen. -onis, 'a mingling', fr. admixtus, pp. of admiscere. See prec.
word and -ion.
admixture, n. - Formed with sutf. -ure, fr. L.
admixtus, pp. of admiscere. See admix.
admonish, tr. v. - ME. amonesten, fr. OF. amonester, fr. VL. admonestiire, fr. L. admonere, 'to
remind, suggest, advise, admonish', fr. ad- and
monere, 'to warn'. See monition and cp. next
word. The insertion of the letter d in OF. admonester and E. admonish is due to the influence
of L. admonere. The use of the sutf. -ish is due
to the influence of the numerous English verbs
ending in -ish, in which this suffix corresponds
to OF. and F. -iss and goes back to the Latin
inchoative sutf. -iscere. Cp. astonish, distinguish,
extinguish.
Derivatives: admonish-er, m., admonish-ment,n.
admonition, n.- F., fr. L. admonitionem, ace. of
admonitio, fr. admonitus, pp. of admonere. See
admonish and -ion.
Derivatives: admonition-er, n.
admonitor, n. - L., fr. admonitus, pp. of admonere. See admonish and agential sutf. -or.
admonitory, adj. - Late L. admonitorius, fr. L.
admonitus, pp. of admonere. See admonish and
adj. sutf. -ory.
adnate, adj., attached congenitally (bot.) - L.
adniitus, 'born to', pp. of adntisci, 'to be born
in addition to', fr. ad- and ntisci, 'to be born'.
See nascent.
ado, inf. and n. - ME. at dO, 'to do', from a
Northern E. dialect, of Scand. origin. In ON.
the prep. at was used before infinitives (cp. the
same function of the prep. to in English). See
at and do. For sense developmen t cp. to-do and
F. affaire (see affair).
-ado, suff. occurring in words of Spanish or Portuguese origin. - Sp. or Port. -ado, fr. L. -iitus,
hence related to the suff. -ade (in comrade,
brigade, etc.), which is nothing but a Frenchified
. form of Sp.-Port. -ado.

27

adobe, n., brick. - Sp., fr. VArab. at-tdba, 'the

brick', fr. Arab. at-, assimilated form of al-,
'the', and V Arab. tdba, correspondin g to classical Arab. ttibah, 'a (single) brick', which is a
nomen unitatis fr. tub, 'bricks' (collectively). See
Lokotsch, EW., No.2083.
adolescence, n. - F., fr. L. ado/escentia, fr. adolescens, gen. -entis. See adolescent and -ce.
adolescency, n. - L. adolescentia. See prec. word
and -cy.
adolescent, n., an adolescent person.- F., fr. L.
adolescentem, ace. of adolescens. See adolescent,
adj.
adolescent, adj., growing up. - L. adolescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of adolescere, 'to grow
up', which stands for *ad-alescere, fr. ad- and
alescere, 'to grow up', inchoative of a/ere, 'to
nourish'. See aliment and words there referred
to and cp. esp. adult, soboles. For the ending
see sutf. -ent.
Adolph, Adolphus, masc. PN.- L. Adolphus, of
Teut. origin. The name lit means 'noble wolf';
cp. OHG. Athalwolf, Athaulf, Adulf, Adolf (G.
Ado/f), fr. athal, 'noble', and wolf, 'wolf'. For
the first element see Adelaide and cp. words there
referred to. For the second element see wolf.
Adonai, n., a Hebrew name of God. - Heb.
Adhondy, lit. 'my Lord', the plural of majesty
of Adh&n, 'Lord', with the sutf. of the 1st person.
Adhon prob. meant orig. 'Ruler', and derives
from the base a-d-n = d-w-n, 'to rule, judge'.
Adonic, adj., 1) pertaining to Adonis; 2) pertaining to a verse called Adonic.- F. adonique,
fr. ML. Adonicus, fr. L. Adonis. See Adonis and
cp. next word.
Adonic, n., a verse consisting of a dactyl and a
spondee or trochee; so called because it was
especially used at the festival of Adonis. - See
prec. word.
Adonis, name of a youth in Greek mythology,
renowned for his beauty and loved by Aphrodite. - L. Adonis, fr. Gk. "AawvL~, fr. Heb.Phoen. iidhdn, 'lord'. See Adonai.
Adonis, n., name of a genus of plants of the buttercup family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. Adonis (see
prec. word), who, after his death was changed
by Aphrodite into a plant.
adopt, tr. v. - F. adopter, fr. L. adoptiire, 'to
choose, select, adopt as a child', fr. ad- and opttire, 'to wish, desire'. See option.
Derivatives: adoptable (q.v.), adopt-ed, adj.,
~pt-ee, n., adopt-er, n., adoption (q.v.), adoptive (q.v.)
adoptable, adj. - Formed fr. adopt with sutf.
:'ble; first used by Carlyle. Cp. affordable, dislikable, forgettable.
adoption, n. - F., fr. L. adoptionem, ace. of
adoptio. See ad- and option.
adoptive, adj. - F. adoptif (fern. adoptive), fr. L.
adoptivus, 'pertaining to adoption', from the
stem of adopttire. See adopt and -ive.
Derivative: adoptive-ly, adv.

Adriatic

adorable, adj. - L. adoriibilis, 'worthy of adoration', fr. adoriire. See adore and -able.
Derivatives: adorable-ness, n., adorabl-y, adv.
adoration, n. - F., fr. L. adoriitionem, ace. of
adoriitio, 'worship, adoration', lit., 'a praying
to', fr. adoriitus, pp. of adortire. See next word
and -ion.
adore, tr. v.- F. adorer, 'to adore, worship', fr.
L. adoriire, 'to speak to, entreat, ask in prayer,
worship', fr. ad- and oriire, 'to speak, pray'.
See oration.
Derivatives: adorable (q.v.), ador-er, n., adoring, adj., ador-ing-ly, adv.
adorn, tr. v.- ME. adornen, fr. OF. adorner, fr.
L. adorniire, 'to furnish, provide, decorate,
adorn, embellish', fr. ad- and orniire, 'to deck,
embellish, beautify'. See ornament.
Derivatives: adorn-er, n., adornment (q.v.),
adorn-ing-ly, adv.
adornment, n.- OF., fr. adorner. See prec. word
and -ment.
adown, adv., downward. - ME. adoune, adoun,
fr. OE. of-dune, 'from (the) hill', fr. of, 'off',
and dun, 'hill'. See of and down, adv.
Adoxa, n. a genus of plants, the moschatel (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. &ao!;o~, 'inglorious, obscure,
insignificant', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and M!;oc,
'glory', which is rei. to aoKEL\1, 'to think, believe', My!J.Gt, 'opinion', and cogn. with L. docere, 'to teach', decus, 'honor, ornament'. See
decent and cp. dogma, doxology.
Adrastea, Adrastia, n., Nemesis.- L. Adrastea,
Adriistia, fr. Gk. 'Aap&crnLoc, lit. 'she from
whom there is no escape', fr. &Spiicr-ro~, 'not
running away, not inclined to run away', fr. &(see priv. pref. a-) and the stern of apiicriJ-6~. 'a
running away', and of -8L8p&crKELv (used only
in compounds, esp. in &.:n:o-8L8p&crxELv, 'to
run away'), fr. I.-E. base *drii-, 'to move quickly', whence also 01. drdti, 'he runs'. From
*drem-, a collateral form of base *drii-, derive
Gk. 8petiJ.ELv, 'to run', 8p61J.o~, 'course'. See
dromedary.
adrenal, adj., near the kidneys; n., one of the two
ductless glands above the kidneys (anat.) Formed fr. ad- and L. reniilis, 'pertaining to the
kidneys', fr. ren, 'kidney', See renal.
adrenaline, adrenalin, n., a substance secreted by
the suprarenal glands (chem.)- Coined by the
Japanese chemist Jokichi Takamine (1854-1922)
in 1901 fr. ad-, L. reniilis, and chem. suff. -ine,
-in. See prec. word.
Adrian, adj., Adriatic. -See Adriatic and -an.
Adrian, masc. PN. - L. Adriiinus, Hadritinus,
lit. 'of the Adriatic'. See next word.
Adriatic, adj. - L. Adrititicus, Hadriiiticus, fr.
Atria, also called Adria, Hadria (now Atri),
a town in Picenurn, fr. iiter, fern. iitra, neut.
iitrum, 'black', hence lit. 'the black city' (see
atrabilious and -atic); the town was so called
because it was built on black mud. See Mommsen, Inhabitants of Italy, p. 76.

adrift

28

lit. 'to change, alter', fr. ad- and alteriire, 'to

adrift, adj. and adv., drifting; floating about aimalter'. See alter, v., and verbal suff. -ate.
change,
drift.
and
lessly.- Formed fr. a-, 'on',
s: adulteration (q.v.), adulterat-or, n.
Derivative
adroit, adj., dexterous, skillfuL- F., 'dexterous' ,
adj., guilty of adultery. - L aduladulterate,
L.
fr.
droit,
and
a),
(see
'to'
a,
fr.
orig. 'rightly',
teriitus, pp. of adulterare. See adulterate, v.
dlrectus, 'right'. See direct, v., and cp. maladroit.
n, n. - L adulteriiti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
adulteratio
Derivative s: adroit-ly, adv. adroit-ness, n.
, pp. of adulterare. See adulterate, v.,
adulteriitus
additional.
adscititious, adj., supplemen tary,
-ion.
and
Formed fr. L. adscftus, pp. of adsciscere, 'to
adulterer, n. - Formed with agential suff. -er
take with knowledge, to approve', fr. ad- and
from the obsol. verb. adulter, which displaced
scfscere, 'to seek to know', an inchoative verb
ME. avouterer, avoutrer, avowterer, from the
formed fr. scire, 'to know'. See science and -ious.
avouteren, etc., fr. OF. avoltrer, fr. VL.
verb
Derivative: adscititious-ly, adv.
, a verb formed-w ith change of
*abulteriire
adscript, adj., attached to the soil (said of serfs).
pref.-fr. L. adulteriire, 'to commit adultery'.
'writlit.
'enrolled',
ascriptus,
- L adscriptus,
See adulterate, v.
ten after', pp. of adscribere, ascribere, 'to add
adulteress, n. - See prec. word and -ess.
to a writing, attribute, designate, apply'. See
adulterine, adj., 1) of adultery; 2) spurious. - L.
ascribe and cp. script.
adulterinus, 'bastard, not genuine'. See adulteraduana, n., customhouse. - Arab. ad-diwdn, fr.
er and adj. suff. -ine.
diwdn,
and
'the',
al-,
of
form
ad-, assimilated
adj. I) guilty of adultery; 2) relating
adulterous,
fr. Pers. diwiin, 'register, office, council, custom- See adulterer and -ous.
adultery.
to
house'. See divan and cp. douane.
L. adulterium, displacing ME.
n.
adultery,
surthe
on
gases
adsorption, n., condensati on of
avowtrie, fr. OF. avoutre,
avouterie,
avoutrie,
faces of solid bodies. - Formed fr. ad- and L
avoutre, 'adulterer', fr. VL. *abultrum, ace.
fr.
sorption.
See
in'.
sucking
'a
-6nis,
sorpti6, gen.
of *abutter, a word formed-w ith change of
adularia, n., a translucen t variety of orthoclase
pref.-fr. L. adulter, 'adulterer', which is a back
(mineral. )- Named after the Adula mountains
fr. adulterare. See adulterate and -y
formation
in Switzerland.
L. -ium).
ng
(representi
adulate, tr. v., to flatter in a servile manner. tr. v., to outline, sketch out. - L.
adumbrate,
dog',
a
like
fawn
'to
adU/ari,
of
pp.
L. aduliitus,
adumbratus, pp. of adumbrtire, 'to cast a
prop. 'to wag the tail', prob. fr. ad- and I.-E.
shadow, overshadow, to represent a thing in
base ut-, 'the tail', whence also OI. vala/:1, vara/.1,
outline', fr. ad- and umbriire, 'to shade, shaFor
tail'.
the
of
'tail', Lith. valai, 'horsehair
dow', fr. umbra, 'shade, shadow'. See umbra
sense development cp. Gk. actlve:w, 7tpocsactlve:Lv,
and verbal suff. -ate.
wheedle,
E.
and
flatter',
to
tail;
the
'to wag
s: adumbration (q.v.), adumbrat-ive,
Derivative
tail'.
which derives fr. G. wedeln, 'to wag the
adj.
For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
adumbration, n. - L. adumbriiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
Derivatives: adulation (q.v.), adulator (q.v.),
sketch in shadow, sketch, outline', fr. adumadulat-ory, adj., adulat-ress, n.
bratus, pp. of adumbrare. See prec. word and
,
adUlationem
L.
fr.
adulacion,
-~OF.
adulation, n.
-ion.
ace. of aduliiti6, 'a fawning like that of a dog',
aduncous, adj., hooked. - L. aduncus, 'hooked',
fr. adiiliitus, pp. of aduliiri. See prec. word and
fr. ad- and uncus, 'hook'. See uncus. For E. -ous,
-ion.
as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
adulator, n. - L. adulator, 'a low flatterer', fr.
adj., burned, parched. - L. adustus, pp.
adust,
agential
and
adulate
See
adularl.
of
adtiliitus, pp.
of adiirere, 'to set in a flame, burn, singe', fr.
suff. -or.
ad- and urere, 'to burn'. See combust and cp.
Adullamite, n. name given to the seceders from
words there referred to.
subst.
with
Formed
the Liberal party in I 866.advance, tr. and intr. v.- ME. avancen, fr. OF.
suff. -ite fr. Heb. 'Adu/Mm, name of a cave (see
avancier, avancer (F. avancer), fr. VL. *abanl Sam., 22: I-2). The name was orig. given
tiiire (whence also It. avanzare, Sp. avanzar),
by John Bright to Horsman who 'had retired
fr. Imf,erial L. abante, 'from before' (prep.);
of
cave
political
his
called
be
may
what
into
'before' (adv.), which is compound ed of L. ab,
Adullam'.
'from' and ante, 'before'; see ab- and ante-. The
adult, adj., and n.- L. adultus, 'grown up', pp.
d in advance was inserted about the end of the
adolescent.
See
of adolescere. 'to grow up'.
16th cent., the initial a in amncen having been
adulterant, adj., adulteratin g; n., an adultermistaken for F. a, 'to' (see a). See avaunt, interj.,
-antis,
gen.
adulteriins,
L.
substance
ating
and cp. advantage. Cp. also avant-courier, vanpresent part. of adulterare, 'to defile, corrupt'.
guard and its shortened form van. Cp. also
Sec adulterate and -ant.
prance.
;
admixture
by
impure
make
to
v.,
adulterate, tr.
Derivatives: advance, n. and adj., advanc-ed,
to corrupt. - L. adultertitus, pp. of adultertire,
adj., advancement (q.v.), advanc-er, n., ad'to falsify, corrupt; to corrupt a woman; to
vanc-ive, adj.
commit adultery', dissimilated fr. *ad-altertire,

29

advocate

adversative, adj., expressing opposition or antiadvancement, n. - OF. ( = F.) avancement, fr.

thesis. - L. adverstitivus, fr. adversatus, pp. of
avancer. See advance and -ment.
adversiiri, 'to stand opposite to one', fr. adveradvantage, n. - ME. avantage, fr. OF ( = F.)
sus. See next word and -ative.
avantage, fr. avant, 'before', fr. Imperial L.
Derivative: adversative-ly, adv.
abante. See advance and -age and cp. vantage.
adverse, adj., opposed; unfavorable. -ME. fr.
advantage, tr. v. - F. avantager, fr. avantage.
See prec. word.
OF. avers, later ( = F.) adverse, fr. L. adversus,
'turned toward', opposite to; opposed to', pp.
advantageous, adj. - F. avantageux (fern. avanof advertere. See advert.
tageuse), fr. avantage. See advantage, n. and -ous.
Derivatives: adverse-ly, adv., adverse-ness, n.
Derivative s: advantageous-ly, adv., advantaadversity, n., misfortune. - OF. aversite, later
geous-ness, n.
adversite (F. adversite). See prec. word and -ity.
advene, intr. v. to come to. - L. advenire, 'to
advert, intr. v., to refer to. -F. avertir, fr. L. adarrive' fr. ad- and venire, 'to come'. See come
vertere, 'to turn toward', fr. ad- and vertere, 'to
and cp. venue 'arrival'. Cp. also advent, avenue,
event.
turn'. In English, the word has been refashioned after L. advertere. See version and cp. adveradvent, n. - L. adventus, 'arrival', fr. adventtise and the second element in animadvert. Cp.
(um), pp. stem of advenire. See prec. word.
L. adventicius,
also avert, controvert, convert, covert, culvert,
adventitious, adj., casual. divert, extrovert, introvert, overt, pervert, subvert.
'coming from abroad, extraneous , foreign', fr.
advertence, n., attention. - OF. avertence, later
advent-(um), pp. stem of advenire. See advent
and -itious.
( = F.) advertence, fr. Late L. advertentia. See
advertent and -ce.
Derivatives: adventitious-ly, adv., adventitiousadvertence, n., advertenc e.- Late L advertentia.
ness, n.
See prec. word and -cy.
adventure, n. - ME. aventure, fr. OF. ( = F.)
advertent, adj., attentive. - L. adverti!ns, gen.
aventure, fr. VL. *adventura, 'a happening ', fr.
-entis, pres. part. of advertere. See advert and
L. aventurus, 'that which is going to happen',
-ent and cp. inadvertent.
fut. part. of advenire, 'to arrive, happen'. The
Derivative: advertent-ly, adv.
English word was refashioned after L. advenire,
advertise, tr. and intr. v.- MF. advert iss-, pres.
adventiirus. See advent and cp. venture. Cp. also
part. stem of advertir, which correspond s to OF.
saunter.
avertir, 'to warn, give notice to', fr. VL. *adDerivatives: adventure, v. (q.v.), adventurous
vertire, formed with change of conjugatio n, fr.
(q.v.), adventure-some, n., adventure-some-ly,
L advertere. Cp. It. avvertire, OProven". averadv., adventure-some-ness, n.
fir, Sp., Port. advertir, and see advert.
adventure, tr. and intr. v. - ME. aventuren, fr.
Derivatives: advertisement (q.v.), advertis-er, n.,
OF. aventurer, fr. aventure. See adventure, n.
advertis-ing, n.
Derivatives: adventur-er, n., adventur-ess, n.
advertisement, n. - MF. advertissement, coradventurous, adj.- ME. aventurous, fr. OF. avenresponding to OF. and F. avertissement, fr. adturos (F. aventureux), fr. aventure. See advenvertir, resp. avertir. See advert and -ment.
ture, n., and -ous.
advice, n.- ME. avis, 'opinion', fr. OF. ( c~ F.)
Derivatives: adventurous-ly, adv., adventur-ousness, n.
avis, formed from a misreading of the OF. term.
ce m'est a vis into ce m'est avis. The former term
adverb, n. - F. adverbe, fr. Late L. adverbium,
itself is an alteration of ce m'est vis, lit. 'this
'adverb', lit. 'that which is added to the verb'
seems to me', fr. VL ecce hoc mihi est visum,
coined by the grammaria n Flavius Sosipate;
which correspond s to L. hoc mihi videtur, 'this
Charisius fr. ad, 'to', and verbum, 'word; verb'
seems (right) to me'. L visum is neut. pp. of
(sec ad- and verb), as a loan translation of Gk.
videre 'to see'. See ad- and vision and cp. det-:lFF~:n, 'adverb', lit. 'that which is said afterward" (see ep1~ and rhetor).
vice. Cp. also next word arid avizandum.
advise, tr. and intr. v. - ME. avisen, fr. OF.
adverbial, adj. - Late L. adverbialis, 'pertaining
( = F.) aviser, fr. avis. See prcc. word and cp.
to an adverb', fr. adverbium. See prec. word
and -ial.
devise.
Derivative: adverbial-ly , adv .
Derivatives: advis-abil-ity, n., advis-able, adj.,
lid
advisable-ness, n., advisabl-y, adv., advis-ed, adj.,
versaria, n. pL, miscellaneous notes. - L. adadvis-ed-ly, adv., advis-ed-ness, n., advisement
l1ersuria (sci!. scripta), lit. 'writings turned to(q.v.), advis-er, advis-or. n., advis-ory, adj ..
Ward one', neut. pl. of adversiirius. See adversary.
advis-ori-ly, adv.
~ersary, n. - OF. aversier, adversier, fr. L. advisement, n. - OF. avisement, fr. aviser. See
prec. word and -ment.
..__v:!siirius, 'opponent, adversary, rival'. lit.
advocacy, n.- OF. advocacie, fr. ML. advociitia,
"'"led toward one'. See adverse and subst.
fr. L. advoctitus. See advocate and -cy.
-lUff. -ary. The insertion of the letter d in F. adPn"saire, and E. adversary is due to the influence
advocate, n.- ME. avocat, fr. OF. avocat, fr. L.
of L adversiirius.
advoctitus, 'one called to aid (esp. as a witness

advocation
or counsel)', pp. of advoctire, 'to call to (esp. 'to
call to a place for counsel')', fr. ad- and vocare,
'to call', fr. vox, gen. vocis, 'voice'. See voice
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. vocation, avouch,
avow.
Derivative: advocate, tr. v.
advocation. n. - L. advoctitio, gen. -onis, 'a calling to', fr. advocatus, pp. of advocare. See advocate and -ion and cp. advowson, which is a
doublet of advocation.
advowson, n., the right of presenting a nominee
to a church benefice. - ME. avoweisoun, fr.
OF. avoeson, fr. L. advocationem, ace. of advocatio. See advocation.
adynamia, n., lack of vital force (med.) - Gk.
&8uvo:fL[ii, 'want of strength, debility', fr. &(see priv. pref. a-) and 8uvxfLt<;, 'power, strength'.
See dynamic and -ia.
adynamic, adj., weak.- Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ic.
adytum, n., I) the innermos t part of a temple;
2) a sanctum. - L., fr. Gk. &8uTov, 'innermo st
sanctuary ', lit. 'a place not to be entered', subst.
use of the neut. of the adj. &8uToc;, 'not to be
entered', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and Me:tv,
'to sink into, plunge into, penetrate into, dive,
enter'; 'to put on' (lit. 'enter into') clothes; 'to
set' (prop. 'to dive into the sea'; said of the sun
and stars), which is cogn. with 01. upa-du, 'to
put on (clothes)', and perh. also with 01. do~d,
'vespertine, western'. Cp the second element in
Anadyomene, Aptenodytes, ecdysis, Endymion,
endysis, ependyma.
adz, adze, n., an axlike tool. - OE. adesa, 'ax',
fr. OF. aze, a secondary form of aisse, 'ax' fr.
L. ascia, 'ax, adz', which is metathesized fr.
*acsia and cogn. with Gk. &~tv7J, 'battle ax, ax',
Goth. aqizi, OE. eax, a>x, 'ax'. See ax.
Derivative: adz-er, n.
Aeacus, n., one of the three judges in Hades,
famous for his piety and prayers (Greek mythol.)
- L., fr. Gk. Ato:x6c;, a word of uncertain
origin. It is possibly rel. to o:tf~e:tv, 'to wail,
lament', which derives from the interj. o:I, 'ah'.
Aechmophorus, n., a genus of large grebes (zoot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. o:txfLoql6poc;, 'spear bearer',
fr. o:txfL-1), 'spear', and -ql6poc;, 'bearer'. The
first element stands for *aiksmii and is cogn.
with L. icere, 'to strike'; see ictus. For the
second element see -phore.
aecidium, n., the cup-shaped fruit in certain
parasitic fungi (bot.) - ModL. dimin. formed
fr. Gk. o:!x(ii, 'injury', which is rel. to &e:tx-1).;,
poetic &cxl)c;. Att. o:txl)c;, 'unseemly, shameful', dxwv, 'likeness, image, statue'. txe:Ao<;,
'like'. See icon.
Aedes, n., a genus of mosquitoes (zoo/.) ModL., fr. Gk. tX7J8-1Jc;, 'unpleasa nt, distasteful,
fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and i)Mc; (for swadu)
'sweet', which is cogn. with OE. swite, etc.,
'sweet'. See sweet and cp. words there referred to.
aedile, n., an official in charge of buildings (Ro-

30

man antiq~ity). - L. aedi/is, fr. aedes, 'a building, sanctuary, temple', orig. 'a place with a
hearth', fr. I.-E. base *aidh-, 'to burn', whence
also Gk. ame:w, 'to burn', o:t.&pii, 'the clear
sky, fair weather', o:t.&l)p, 'the upper purer air,
ether'. See edify and cp. ether.
aegagrus, n., the wild goat. - ModL. fr. Gk.
o:tyo:ypoc;, 'wild goat', which is compoun ded
of o:r~. gen. o:ty6c;, 'goat', and &yptoc;, 'wild'.
See aego- and agrio-.
Aegeus, n., the father of Theseus who, believing
his son to be dead, threw himself into the Aegean sea (said to have been named Aegean after
him) (Greek mythol.) - L. Aegeus, fr. Gk. Atye:uc;,
which prob. derives fr. cdye:c;, 'waves', a word
of uncertain origin; it is possibly a figurative
use of the pl. of o:t~. 'goat' (see aegis). Cp.
o:!ytaA6c;, 'seashore', and see Frisk, GEW., I,
p.42 s.v. o:r~ and p.JI s.v. ayto:A6c;.
aegicrania, n., representation of goats' heads
(Greek and Roman antiq.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
o:t~, gen. o:!y6c;, 'goat', and xpiiv[oc, pl. of
xpiivlov, 'skull'. For the first element see aego-,
for the second see cerebrum.
aegirite, n., a variety of acmite (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite from Aegir, name
of the Icelandic sea-god; so called because it
occurs in Scandinavia.
aegis, egis, n., I) shield used by Zeus, later by
Pallas Athene (Greek mythol.); 2) used figuratively in the sense of protection. - L. aegis, fr.
Gk. o:tylc;, 'goatskin ; the skin shield of Zeus',
fr. o:r~. gen. o:ty6<;, 'goat'; see aego-. For this
etymology, suggested already by Herodotu s, see
Frisk, GEW., I, p. 32 s.v. o:tyl;. Cp. Aegeus.
Cp. also Giles.
Aegisthus, n., the lover of Clytemnestra, with
whom he killed her husband Agamem non
(Greek mythol. )- L., fr. Gk. Atyta.&oc;, a word
of uncertain origin.
Aegte, n., I) one of the Hesperides; 2) the mother
of the Graces; 3) the fairest of the Naiads
(Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. AtyA7J, lit. 'radiance, gleam'. The orig. meaning of Gk. o:tyA7J
was 'quickly moving light'. It is cogn. with 01.
ejati, 'moves about, trembles'.
Aegte, n., a genus of trees of the rue family (bot.)
- Named after the Naiad Aegle. See prec.
word.
aego-, combining form meaning 'goat'. - Gk.
octyo-, fr. ocr~. gen. o:ty6c;, 'goat', which iscogn.
with 01. ajtilJ, 'he-goat', ajinam, 'skin', Avestic
fzaentm, 'pertainin g to skin', Arm. aic, 'goat',
Lith. oiys, 'he-goat'. Cp. the first element in
aegicrania.
Aegopodium, n., a genus of herbs 0f the carrot
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. octyo1t687Jc;,
'goatfoot ed', fr. ex:!~, gen. octy6c;, 'goat', and
1tou~, gen. 1to86c;, 'foot'. See aego- and podo-;
prob. so called from the shape of its small leaves.
aegrotat, n., a certificate that a student is ill. L., 'he is sick', 3 pers. sing. of aegrotiire, 'to be

31

sick', fr. aeger, 'sick', which is prob. cogn. with

Toch. B aik(a)re, A ekro, 'sick'.
Aello, n., a harpy (Greek mythol. )- L., fr. Gk.
'Ae:A'Aw, lit. 'Stormswift', rei. to &e:A).cx;, 'tempest,
whirlwind', which stands for *&fe:-A-10C, fr.
*&fe-'A-oc;, 'blowing', and is rei. to &7JfLt (for
*&fl]fLt), 'I blow'. Cp. W. awe!, 'wind' and see
atmo-.
aeluro-, before a vowel aelur-, combining form
meaning 'cat'.- ModL., fr. Gk. O'tAoupoc;, 'cat'.
See Ailurus.
Aeneas, n., the son of Anchises and Aphrodite,
a Trojan hero and mythical ancestor of the
Romans; the hero of Virgil's Aeneid. - L.
Aeneas, fr. Gk. Atvdxc;, a name of uncertain
origin. It is possibly rei. to o:!v6c;, 'horrible,
terrible'.
aeneous, adj., bronze-colored. - L. aeneus, 'brazen', fr. aes, gen. aeris, 'brass', which is cogn.
with OI. dyab, Goth. aiz, OE. ar, ;er, 'brass',
ora, 'metal'. See ore and cp. words there referred
to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Aeolian, adj., pertaining to Aeolus, god of the
winds; pertaining to the wind. - See Aeolus
and -ian.
Aeolian, n., one of a branch of the Greek people
nam~d fr. Aeolus-- Formed with suff. -an fr. L.
Aeolius, fr. Gk. At6:Atoc;, 'Aeolian' , fr. AroAoc;,
'Aeolus', after whom the ancient district A1o).[~
(Aeolis) in Asia Minor is said to have bee~
named.
Aeolis, n., a genus of mollusks (zool.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. o:t6:Aoc;, 'quick, quick-moving'. See aeon
and cp. Aeolus.
aeolo-, combining form used to denote musical
wind instrume nts.- Fr. L. Aeolus, name of the
god of winds. See Aeolian, 'pertaining to
Aeolus'.
Aeolu~, n., the god of the winds in Greek mythol.
L. fr. Gk. AtoAo~. lit. 'Rapid', fr. o:6Ao<;,
'quick, rapid', which is of uncertain origin. It
pos-;ibly stands for *o:tfo-Aoc;, and is rei. to
<Xtwv, 'age, eternity'. See next word and cp.
Aeolis.
aeon, eon, n.. a long and indefinite period of
tim. -- L. aeon, fr. Gk. oclwv, 'age, eternity',
which stands for *o:lfwv and is rei. to Gk. octd
(for *<X1Fm), 'always, ever', and cogn. with
01. <iyu, 'life', Avestic ayu, 'age', L. aevum,
'spa;e ~f time, eternity', Goth. aiws, 'age, eter~lty, mw, adv., 'ever', ON. ;evi, 'lifetime', OHG.
ewa .. 'eternity', Du. eeuw, 'age, century', eeuwig,
OF-ts. lwich, OS., OHG. ewig, MHG. ewic,
G. ''wig, 'everlasting', OE. a, 'always, ever'. See
aye, 'ever', and cp. words there referred to. See
also age and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also prec. word.
Aepyornis, n., a gigantic, extinct bird of Madagascar. - ModL., lit., 'the tall bird', compounded of Gk. o:bruc;, 'tall, very high', a
word of uncertain origin, and of opv~c;. 'bird',
for which see ornitbo-.

aerobic

aequor, n., even surface; the sea. - L., 'an even

surface, the even surface of the sea', fr. aequus,
'even, level, fiat'; see equal. L. aequor is a loan
translatio n of Gk. 1tt'Aocyoc;, 'the open sea, the
u~broken surface of the sea', which is cogn.
with L. plaga, 'hunting net, curtain', and planus,
'level, fiat' (see pelagian).
aerarian, adj., fiscal. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. aeriirius, 'pertaining to copper, pertainin g to
money' fr. aes, gen. aeris, 'copper, bronze,
money', which is cogn. with OE. tir, ter, 'brass'.
See ore and cp. aes.
aerarium, n., the public treasury kept in the temple of Saturn in Rome. - L., prop. neut. of the
adjective aerarius, 'pertainin g to money', used
as a noun. See prec. word.
aerate, tr. v., to expose to air. -Forme d with
verbal suff. -ate fr. L. tier, gen. aeris, 'air', fr.
Gk. ril)p. See air and cp. the second element in
saleratus.
Derivatives: aerat-ed, adj., aerat-ion, n., aerator, n.
aerial, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
aerius, fr. Gk. &ptoc;, 'of air, pertaining to
air', fr. &~p, 'air'; first used by Shakespeare.
See air.
Derivatives: aerial, n., aerial-ly, adv., aerialness, n.
aerie, aery, n., I) the nest of an eagle or another
bird of prey; 2) the brood of an eagle or another bird of prey. - ME. aire, fr. OF. ( = F.)
aire, fr. Late L. area, nest of a bird of prey'.
(Ducange in Glossarium mediae et intimae
Latinitatis, s.v. area quotes a passage where
area has this meaning; see Skeat s.v.) It is
doubtful whether area in this sense is identical
with L. area, 'vacant piece of ground, open
space' (see area). Cp. eyrie.
aerification, n., the act of aerifying, aeration. Compoun ded of L. aer, gen. aeris, 'air' (see
air), and -fication.
aeriform, adj. - Compoun ded of L. aer, gen.
alris, 'air', and forma, 'form, shape'. See air
and form, n.
aerify, tr. v.- Compoun ded ofL. tier, gen. aeris,
'air' (see air), and -fy.
aero-, before a vowel aer-, combining form denoting the air. - Gk. &epo-, fr. &l]p gen.
&poe;, 'air'. See air.
aerobatics, n., acrobatic tricks performed with
aircraft. -Coined on analogy of acrobatics fr.
aero- and the stem of ~oclvew, 'to go'. See acrobat and cp. words there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ics.
aerobic, adj. (bioi.). I) living only in the presence
of oxygen (said of bacteria); 2) produced by aerobic bacteria (bioi.).- Coined by the French
chemist Louis Pasteur f1822-95) in r863 fr. Gk.
&l)p, 'air', and ~loc;, 'life'. See aero-, bio- and
-ic and cp. anaerobic. Cp. also the second element in microbic.
Derivative: aerobic-al-ly, adv.

32
aerodo ne

fr. aerugo, gen. -ginis, 'rust of coppe r', fr. aes,

aerodone, n., a gliding mach ine.- See next word.
gen. aeris, 'coppe r'. See ore and -ous and cp. the
aerodonetics, n., the science of gliding flight (aeroelement in esteem. For the forma tion of L.
first
nauti cs).- Comp ounde d of Gk. ci-f)p, 'air', the
cp. ferrugo, 'iron rust', fr. ferrum , 'iron',
aerugo
stem of oovEi:v, 'to shake, drive about' , and
'rust of metals, fr. rilber, 'red', albugo,
,
rubigo
suff. -ics. For the first element see air. Gk.
spot', fr. albus, 'white' (see ferruginous,
white
'a
oove;i:v is rei. to 06voc~, Dor. owvoc~, 'reed', and
rubiginous, albugo).
prob. cogn. with Lett. duonis, 'reed, rush'. The
adj., aerial. -See aerial.
aery,
orig. meaning of these nouns pro b. was 'someaery, n.- The same as aerie.
.
thing shaken (by the wind)'
aes, n., brass, coppe r (Roma n antiq.) - L. aes,
aerodrome, n., airpo rt.- Coine d on analogy of
gen. aeris, 'brass' . See ore and cp. aerarium,
hippod rome fr. aero- and Gk. op6fLO~, 'cours e'
aerarian.
See dromedary.
Aeschynomene, n., a genus of plants, the sensitive
prec.
See
flying.
of
art
the
n.,
aerodromics,
joint vetch (bot.) - ModL ., fr. Gk. octaxuvofLEV1J,
word and -ics.
'sensitive plant', fern. of octaxuv6tJ.EVo~, 'being
aerodynamics, n., that branch of dynamics which
ed', pass. pres. part. of oclazuve;w, to disasham
deals with the air and other gases .- Comp oundhonor, put to shame ', fr. octazuv1J, 'shame ', fr.
ed of aero- and dynamics.
cx.Iazo<;, 'shame ', which stands for *aigwh-s-kos
aerography, n., description of the air. -Com and is cogn. with Goth. aiwisk i, 'shame , conpound ed of aero- and Gk. -ypoccploc, fr. ypoccpE~v,
fusion', MHG. eisch, 'ugly'. For the suff. -fLE;VO<;
'to write'. See graphy.
see alumnus and cp. words there referred to. The
Derivatives: aerograph-ic, aerograph-ic-al, adjs.
plant was called octazuvofLSV1J, 'the ashamed
aerolite, n., a stony meteo rite.- Comp ounde d
one', in allusion to the sensitiveness of its
of aero- and -lite.
leaflets.
aerometer, n., an instrum ent for measuring the
aceae, n. pl. a family of trees, the horseAescul
d
weight of air and other gases. - Comp ounde
ut (bot.) - Forme d with suff. -aceae fr.
chestn
of aero- and Gk. tJ.hpov, 'measu re'. See meter,
L. aesculus, 'the Italian oak'. See Aesculus.
'poetic al rhythm '.
apian, adj., 1) pertaining to Aesculapius:
Aescul
aerometry, n., the science of measuring the air,
aL- Forme d with suff. -an fr. Aescul amedic
2)
pneumatics. - Comp ounde d of aero- and Gk.
pius, Latinized from Asclep ius, fr. Gk. 'Aax"A1)
-tJ.e;-rploc, 'a measuring of', fr. 11-hpov, 'measu re'.
ius.
m6~, 'the god of medicine'. See Asclep
ut
chestn
horseSee -metry.
the
trees,
of
genus
a
n.,
us,
Aescul
aeronaut, n. - Comp ounde d of aero- and Gk.
(bot.) - L. aesculus, 'the Italian oak'. See oak.
vocu'n)~. 'sailor '. See nautical.
Aesir, n. pl., the chief gods of Scandinavian myDerivatives: aeronaut-ic, aeronaut-ic-al, adjs.,
tholo gy.- ON., pl. of ass, 'god', rei. to OE. 6s,
aeronaut-ic-al-ly, adv., aerona ut-ics, n.
OS. as-, os-, OHG. ans- (in PN.s), Goth. ans,
aerophagia, aerophagy, n., air swallowing (med.)
'god'; possibly of the same origin as ON. iiss,
-Med ical L., compo unded of aero- and -cpocyloc,
Goth. ans, 'beam '.
fr. -cp.Xyo~. 'eating'. See -phagy.
Aesopian, adj., pertaining to, or resembling Aefor
air
g
carryin
tus
appara
aerophore, n., an
sop. - Forme d with suff. -an fr. L. Aesopius,
breathing as used for miners. - Comp ounde d
'Aesopian', fr. Aes6pu s, fr. Gk. A'iawrro~. the
of aero- and Gk. -cp6po~. 'bearin g'. See -phore.
Greek fable writer.
aerophyte, n., an air plant. - Comp ounde d of
, n., the goddess of summer in Roma n
Aestas
aero- and tp'J-r6v, 'plant' . See -phyte.
logy. - L. aestiis, 'summ er'. See estival.
mytho
aeroplane, n., an airplane. -F. aeroplane, comaesthete, n. - See esthete.
pound ed ofL. iier, 'air', and F. planer, 'to hover,
aesthetic, adj. -See esthetic.
soar', fr. L. planus, 'level, flat; plain'. See aeroaestival, adj. - See estival.
e.
airplan
cp.
and plane, 'a flat surfac e', and
aestivate, intr. v. - See estivate.
aerostat, n. - F. aerost at, compo unded of Gk.
tion, n. -See estivation.
aestiva
,if,p, 'air', and a-;oc-;6~, 'placed ; standi ng'. See
n. -See ether.
aether,
hyaero- and static and cp. gyrostat, heliostat,
aethogen, n., boric nitrite (chem.) - Lit. 'produ stat.
thermo
at,
rheost
drostat, pyrostat,
cing heat', fr. Gk. ocl{}o~, 'burnin g, heat, fire',
aerostatic, adj. - F. aerosta tique, compo unded
and -yEVrjc,, 'produ ced by' (but used in the modof Gk. ci-f,p, 'air', and a-;oc-:-~x6~. 'causing to
ern sense 'produ cing'). For the first element
stand'. See aero- and static.
see ether and cp. next word. For the second
aerostatics, n., that science which deals with the
element see -gen.
equilibrium of gaseous fluids. - See prec. word
Aethousa, n., a genus of plants oft he carrot family
and -ics.
ModL ., fr. Gk. o-mv"a:x, 'burning.
(bot.) aerostation, n., the science of operat ing flying
pres. part. of ocr&e;~v, 'to light up,
fern.
fiery',
machines lighter than the air; opposed to aviawhence cx.I&oc,, 'burnin g heat,
burn',
,
kindle
-ion.
tion. - F. aerosta tion. See aerostat and
upper purer air, ether'; see
'the
oc1&Yjp,
fire',
aeruginous, also aeruginose, adj., pertaining to, or
of plants was prob. called
genus
This
ether.
like. coppe r rust. - L. aeruginosus, 'full of rust',
0

33
'to tax', fr. VL. *afforiire, fr. ad- and L. forum,
Aethou sa ('the burnin g or fiery one') in allusion
'public place, marke t', in VL. also 'marke t price,
to the bright leaves.
(whence OF. fuer, 'price, tariff, tax). See
tariff'
etio-.
See
aetio-.
forum.
y.
aetiology, n. -See etiolog
afferent, adj., bringing inward (physio l.) - L.
aeto- combining form meaning 'eagle', as in
, 'to
liE-r6~,
,
octE-r6<;
fr.
~fferens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of afferre
&e;'t'o-,
Gk.
Aetosa urus. bear,
'to
ferre,
and
adfr.
to',
large
'a
carry
lit.
or
bring
'eagle', which stands for *&f ~E't'6~.
carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and -ent and cp.
bird', and is cogn. with L. avis, 'bird'; see aviary.
efferent.
The suff. -eto-s in *&fle;'t'6~ prob. has augmenaffettuoso, adj. and adv., with feeling (mus.) tative force.
It., adj., fr. L. affectuosus, 'full of affection or
Aetosaurus, n., a genus of reptiles of the Triassic
of
unded
compo
love', fr. affectu s, 'love, goodwill', fr. afficere
period (paleo ntol.) - ModL .,
.
sauroaffectu s), 'to do something to, to affect a
See
'.
(pp.
'lizard
.
a:xupo~
Gk.
and
aetowith something'. See affect, 'to act upon'.
f
person
before
adof
af-, assimilated form
affiance, n., trust, faith; promise of marriage. afar, adv. -Form ed fr. a-, 'on', and far.
ME.
ic).
OF. afiance 'confidence, trust', fr. after, 'to
(archa
afraid
adj.,
,
afeard, afeared
n,
frighte
'to
,
trust', fr. ML. afffdiire, 'to pledge one's faith',
afered , fr. OE. ii}ired, pp. of iif;iran
ran,
andf<F
a.
ad- and L. fidiire, 'to trust', fr. fides, 'faith',
fr.
vepref
intensi
from
formed
',
terrify
e fide/is, 'true, faithful', fidelitiis, 'faithn.
whenc
and
v.
'to terrify'. See fear,
,
itiitem
fulness, fidelity'. See fidelity and -ance and cp.
affability, n. - F. affabilite, fr. L. affiibil
ity',
affidavit. Cp. also fiance.
affabil
ss,
faith,
kindne
sy,
'courte
itiis,
ace. of affiibil
affiance, tr. v., to promise in marriage. - OF.
fr. affiibilis. See affable and -ity.
afiancier, fr. afiance. See affiance, n.
affable, adj., easy to speak to; court eous. - F.,
'he
lit.
',
tive: affianc-er, n.
affable
Deriva
y,
friendl
fr. L. affiibilis, 'kind,
affiche, n., poste r.- F., formed fr. d, 'to' (see a),
who can be (easily) spoken to', fr. affiirf, 'to
and ficher, 'to drive in (a stake or a nail), to
speak to', fr. ad- and fiirf, 'to speak'. See fable
fix, fasten', fr. VL. *ffgiciire (contracted
stick,
and cp. esp. ineffable.
into *jicciire), freq. of L. figere, 'to fix, attach '.
Derivatives: affable-ness, n., affabl- y, adv.
Cp. It. ficcare, OProvenr;:. ficar, Sp. hincar, 'to
affair, n. - ME., fr. OF. afaire (F. affaire),
'to',
ad,
thrust, drive in', and see fix. Cp. also affix.
from the phrase a faire, 'to do', fr. L.
ado
cp.
it, n., a sworn statement. - ML. affidavit,
and
fact
affidav
and
adSee
do'.
'to
and facere,
pledged his faith', perf. tense of affidiire;
has
'he
and to-do.
afof
from the first word of a sworn statepp.
called
us,
so
affect
L.
.upon
act
to
v.,
tr.
affect,
affiance, n.
facere
See
and
adment.
fr.
to',
ing
ficere, 'to do someth
affiliable, adj. -Form ed fr. next word with suff.
(pp. factus) , 'to make, do'. See fact and cp.
-able.
affettuoso. For the change of Latin a (in fiictus)
affiliate, tr. v. - L. afflliiitus, pp. of uffiliiire, 'to
toe (in af-[ect us) see accent and cp. words there
adopt as a son', fr. ad- and filius, 'son'. See
referred to.
afadj.,
ing,
filial.
affectadj.,
Derivatives: affect-ed,
Derivatives: affiliat-ed, adj., affiliation (q.v.)
fect-in g-ly, adv., affecti on (q.v.)
feign.
ion, n. -F., fr. ML. affflicltionem, ace. of
to
of;
affiliat
ce
preten
a
make
to
affect, tr. v.,
aim
after,
strive
affiliiiti6, fr. L. affiliiitus, pp. of afflliiire. See afF. affecte r, fr. L. affectiire, 'to
somedo
and -ion.
'to
s),
filiate
affectu
(pp.
e
afficer
of
freq.
at',
affine, n., a relative by marriage (obsol.) - OF.
thing to'. See prec. word.
affin, fr. L. affinis, 'neighboring, related by marDerivatives: affectio n (q.v.), affect- ed, adj., af(q.v.),
on
affecti
riage', lit. 'borde ring on', fr. ad- and finis, 'born.,
er,
affectfect-ed -ly, adv.,
e),
affectiv
der, end'. See fine 'end', and cp. the second
affect- ive, adj. (cp. F. affecti f, fern.
t in chromaffin, paraffin.
n.
elemen
iv-ity,
affectadv.,
ive-ly,
affectstrivaffine-ly, adv.
'a
tive:
-6nis,
gen.
Deriva
affectation, n. - L. affectiiti6,
affined, adj. - F. affine, fr. OF. affin, fr. L. ofing after', fr. affectiitus, pp. of affectiire. See
finis. See prec. word and -ed.
prec. word and -ation.
affinity, n., 1) relationship by marriage; 2) close
affection, n., feeling. -F., fr. L. affectio nem, ace.
relationship; 3) similarity: 4) mutua l attract ion;
of affectio, 'a perma nent state of feeling', fr.
to'.
ing
someth
5) (chem.) the tendency of atoms of certain eledo
affectus, pp. of afficere, 'to
a
make
'to
to combine. - F. affinite, fr. L. affiniaffect,
ments
and
upon',
act
'to
affect,
See
ace. of afliniti is, 'neigh borhoo d, relatiitem,
pretence of'.
,
tionship by marriage', fr. affinis. See affine and
Derivatives: affection-a!, adj., affectio n-al-ly
adv.
-ly,
ion-ate
-ity.
affectadj.,
,
adv .. affect-ion-ate
affirm, tr. and intr. v. -OF . uferme r, fr. L. afaffection, n., an acting upon. - F., fr. L. affecfirmiire, 'to make steady, to strengthen, corrotionem , ace. of affecti o. See affection, 'feeling'.
AF.
law).
English
borate ', fr. ad- and firmiire, 'to make firm or
(Old
aft'eer, tr. v., to confirm
r,
afeure
r,
steady, to streng then', fr. firmus, 'firm'. See
ciferer, corre;p onding to OF. affeure

affirmation

3S

and cp. words there referred to.

firm, adj. F. affirmer and E. affirm have been
Derivatives: afforest-ation, n., afforest-men!, n.
refashioned after Latin affirmare.
affranchise, tr. v. -Fr. F. affranchiss-, pres. part.
affirmation, n. - F. affirmation, fr. L. affirmiistem of affranchir, 'to free, set free, liberate', fr.
ti6nem, ace. of affirmati6, fr. affirmatus, pp. of
a, 'to' (see a), andfranc, fem.franche, 'free'. See
affirmare. See prec. word and -ion.
ad- and franchise.
affirmative, adj. - F. affirmatlf (fern. affirmaDerivative: affranchise-ment, n.
tive), fr. L. affirmatfvus, fr. affirmatus, pp. of afaffray, tr. v., to frighten.- ME. afraien, affraien,
firmare. See affirm and -ative.
formed-with change ofprefix-fr. OF. esfreer,
Derivative: affirmative-ly, adv.
*esfreier (F. effrayer), 'to frighten, terrify', fr.
affix, tr. v. - ML. afflxare, freq. of L. affigere (pp.
Gaul.-L. *exfridare, 'to put out of peace',
affixus), 'to fasten, fix, or attach to', fr. ad- and
fr. L. ex-, 'out of' (see ex-), and Frankish
figere, 'to fasten, fix'. See fix and cp. affiche.
*fridu, 'peace', which is rei. to OE.friou, OHG.
Derivatives: affix-a!, adj., affix-ation, n., affixfridu, 'peaee, truce', fr. Teut. base *fri-, which
er, n., affix-ture, n.
corresponds to I.-E. base *pri-, 'to be friendly,
affix, n. -F. affixe, fr. L. affixum, neut. of affixto love', whence OS\av. prijati, 'to aid, help',
us, pp. of affigere. See affix, v.
prijatelji, 'friend', 01. prijd-, 'beloved'. Cp.
afflatus, n., inspiration. - L. afflatus, 'a blowing,
OProven~. esfredar, 'to frighten', which also
breathing, inspiration', fr. afflatus, pp. of afderives fr. Gaul.-L. *exfridiire. See free and
flare, 'to blow on', fr. ad- and fliire, 'to blow'.
words there referred to and cp. esp. defray.
See blow, v., and cp. flatus and words there
Derivative: affray-er, n.
referred to.
affray, n. - ME. afrai, affrai, fr. OF. esfrei (F.
afflict, tr. v., to distress.- L. ajflfctare, 'to dameffroi), fr. esfreer, *esfreier. See prec. word.
age, harass, torment, distress', freq. of ajflfgere
affricate, n. (phonetics). - L. affricatus, pp. of
(pp. afflictus), 'to cast down, throw down, overaffriciire, 'to rub again~t'. See affricate, v.
throw', fr. ad- and fligere (pp. flictus), 'to
affricate, tr. v., to rub; to grate on.- L. affriciitus,
strike', which is cogn. with Gk. qlAt~EL\1, 'to
pp. of affriciire, 'to rub against', fr. ad- andfripress, crush', Lett. blaizit, 'to press, crush,
ciire, 'to rub'. See friction and verbal suff. -ate.
strike', bliezt, 'to strike', Czech, Pol. blizna,
Derivatives: affricat-ed, adj., affricat-ion, n.,
'scar', OSlav. blizi, blizit, 'near', W. blif, 'cataaffricat-ive, adj.
pult', blifaidd, 'quickly'. Cp. conflict, inflict,
affright, tr. v., orig. spelled a/right. - Metaprofligate, thlipsis.
thesized fr. afyrht, fr. OE. iifyhrt, pp. of afyrhtan,
Derivatives: afflict-ed, adj., afflict-er, n., afflict'to frighten', fr. a- (see intensive pref. a-) and
ing, adj., aff/ict-ing-/y, adv., affliction (q.v.), affyrhtan. See fright, v. For the spelling affright
flict-ive, adj., afflict-ive-ly, adv.
(with double f) see afford. Derivatives: affright,
affliction, n. - F., fr. L. afflicti6nem, ace. of afn., affright-ed, adj., affright-ed-ly, adv.
flicti6, 'pain, suffering, torment', fr. a.fjlfctus, pp.
affront, tr. v. - OF. afronter (F. affronter), 'to
of affligere. See prec. word and -ion.
strike on the forehead', fr. Late L. aff'rontare,
affluence, n. - F., fr. L. affluentia, 'a flowing to,
'to strike against', fr. ad- and L.frons, gen./ronaffluence, abundance', fr. affluens, gen. -en tis.
tis, 'forehead'. See front.
See next word and -ce and cp. influence.
Derivatives: affront, n., affront-ed, adj., ajfrontaffluent, adj., abundant; rich - F., fr. L. affluens,
ed-ly, adv., affront-ed-ness, n., affront-er, n., afgen. -entis, pres. part. of affluere, 'to flow to',
front-ive, adj., a.ffront-i~e-ness, n.
fr. ad- and fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
affronte, adj., facing each other (her.) - F., pp.
afflux, effluent, influent.
of a.ffronter, 'to affront'. See affront.
Derivative: affluent, n., a tributary.
affuse, tr. v., to pour upon. - L. affiisus, pp. of
afflux, n. - L. affluxum, neut. pp. of affluere, 'to
affundere, 'to pour upon', fr. ad- and fundere,
flow to'. See prec. word and cp. flux.
'to pour'. See fuse, 'to melt' and cp. confuse, inDerivative: afflux-ion, n.
fuse, refuse, suffuse, transfuse.
afford, tr. v. - ME. aforthen, fr. OE. geforoian,
affusion, n. - L. affusirJ, gen. -onis, 'a pouring
'to further', fr. pref. ge- andforiJian, 'to further'
upon', fr. affusus, pp. of affundere. See prec.
fr. foro, 'forth'. See forth and cp. further, v. For
word and -ion.
the weakening of the OE. pref. ge- into a- in
afield, adv.- OE. on felda, 'in the field'. See a-,
English cp. aware. The spelling afford (with
'on', and field.
double f) is due to a confusion of the Teut. pref.
afikoman, less exactly afikomen, n., a piece of
a- with L. ad-, 'to', and its assimilated form ofmatzah broken off from the central of the three
before f See af- and cp. affright.
matzoth, used at the end of th<C meal in the
affordable, adj. - Formed fr. afford with suff.
Seder service (Jewish religion). - Heb. aphi-able; first used by Carlyle. Cp. adoptable, disqomdn, fr. Gk. &mxw[LL0\1, 'festal procession
likable, forgettable.
after the meal', prop. subst. use of the neut. of
afforest, tr. v., to tum into a forest. - ML.
the adj. ~ttLXW[LLo~, 'of, or at, a festal procesafforestiire, fr. ad- and forestiire, fr. Late L.
sion', fr. ttl, 'on, upon; at' (see epi-), and xwf!o~,
/orestis (scil. silva), 'open woodland'. See fOI'est

'banquet, merrymaking, revel'. See comedy.

afire, adv. and adj.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
fire.
aflame, adv. and adj.- Formed fr. a- 'on', and
flame.
allicker, adv. and adj., flickering. -Coined by
Browning fr. a-, 'on', and flicker.
afloat, adv. - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and float.
aflower, adv. and adj. - Coined by Swinburne
fr. a-, 'on', and flower.
aflush, adv. and adj., flushing. - Formed fr. a-,
'on', and flush, 'a blush'.
aflush, adv. and adj., on a level, even.- Formed
fr. a- 'on', and flush, 'level'.
afoot, adv. and adj.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
foot.
afore, adv.- ME. afore, aforn, fr. OE. onforan.
See a-, 'on', and fore.
a fortiori, adv., all the more. - L., 'from the
stronger (reason)', fr. ii, 'from' and abl. of
fortior, compar. of fortis, 'strong'. See a-, 'from',
fort and -ior.
afraid, adj. - Orig. pp. of affray, 'to frighten'.
afreet, n., an evil demon or jinni.- Transliteration of Arab. 'ifrft (in vulgar pronunciation
'afrlt); name of an evil demon or monstrous
giant in Mohammedan mythology.
afresh, adv. - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and fresh.
African, adj. and n. - L. Africiinus, fr. Africa,
fr. Afer, 'African'.
Afrikander, n., a South African native of Dutch
descent.- Formed fr. Du. Afrikaner, 'African',
with d inserted on analogy of Du. Hollander,
Englander, etc.
aft, adv. - OE. reftan, 'behind', rei. to Goth.
aftana, 'from behind', prop. superlatives formed
fr. OE. ref, a/, of, resp. Goth. af, 'of', with the
Teut. superlative suff. -fa, which corresponds to
the I.-E. super!. suff. -to (cp. Gk. ttpwro~. 'first',
super!. of ttp6, 'before', and see proto-). Cp.
the first element in eftsoons and the last element
in abaft. For the orig. comparative form of OE.
af see next word.
after, adv. and prep.- ME. after, efter, fr. OE.
aJfter, 'behind in place or time', rei. to ON. eptir,
'after', aptr, 'back', Dan., Swed. efter, OHG.
aftar. Goth. aftra, aftaro, 'behind', and cogn.
with Gk. &ttcu--:ep-w, 'farther off'. Suff. -ter has
comparative force (cp. -ther). After orig. meant
'more away', and represents the comparative
form of OE. a/, 'off, away', which is cogn. with
01. dpa, Gk. &tt6, L. ab, 'away from'. See of and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also aft, abaft.
after, adj.- OE. ;;eftera, fr. <efter. See after, prep.
aftermath, n., prop. '(grass which springs up) after
(the first) mowing'. -See after and math.
aftermost, adj. - ME. eftemeste, fr. OE. reftemest, ;eftemyst, superlative formed fr. OE. ::ef,
'of', with the suffixes -te, -me and -st; rei. to
Goth. aftumists ( = af-tu-mi-sts), 'the last', a
treble superlative formed fr. af, 'of'. The double
superlative suffixes: Goth. -tu-mi- and OE.

-te-me- are cogn. with 01. -ta-ma (e.g. in

sreshthatamal;, 'most brilliant', dntamal;, 'next'),
Avestic -tt-mo (in vahishtottmo, 'best'), L. -tumus, -ti-mus (in op-tumus, op-timus, 'best', intimas, 'innermost'). E. aftermost (fr. ME. eftemeste) was influenced in form by after and most.
See aft and -most. For the super!. suff. -tumus, -timus, cp. intimate, posthumous, optimism, ultimate,
maritime. For the Teut. super!. suff. -st ( = I.-E.
-is to) see best.
afterward, afterwards, adv. - OE. ::efterweard,
compounded of refter, 'behind', and -weard,
'toward'. See after and -ward, -wards.
ag-, assimilated form of ad- before g.
aga, agha, n., a title of rank, esp. in Turkey. Turk. aghii, 'chief, master, lord', rei. to East
Turkish aghii, 'elder brother'.
again, adv. - ME. agen, agein, fr. OE. ongegn,
ongean, 'against, again', fr. on, 'on', and gegn,
gagn (hypothetic forms), which are rei. to OS.
gegin, 'against', angegin, 'against, again', ON.
gegn, 'straight, direct', fgeng, 'against', Dan.,
Swed. igen, 'again', OFris. jen, OHG. gegin,
gagan, MHG. gegen, gein, gen, G. gegen (poet.
also gen), 'against, toward', OHG. ingagan, ingegin, MHG. engegen, G. entgegen, 'against, in
opposition to, toward'. Cp. against, gainly, and
the first element in gainsay, Gegenschein.
against, prep. - ME. ayeynst, ageinest, againest,
formed fr. OE. ongegen, ongean, with the adverbial suff. -es and excrescent -t. See prec. word
and cp. amidst, amongst, betwixt, whilst.
agalloch, n., aloewood. - ModL. agallochum,
fr. Gk. rxyrXAAOXOV, &yt:X).oxov, 'aloe, aloewood'.
which is prob. a loan word fr. 01. agurul;, 'aloewood'. Cp. eaglewood. Cp. also aloe.
agalma, n., statue, image. - Gk. &yiXA[L(I(, that
in which one delights, ornament; 'statue', fr.
&.y&Me:LY, 'to glorify, exalt', which is of uncertain origin.
agama, n., name of various Indian scriptures
(Hinduism). - 01. dgamal;, lit. 'coming up',
from particle ii-, 'toward', and the stem of gdmati, 'goes'. 01. ii- is rei. to Avestic ii- and cogn.
with Gk. &- (e.g. in l-.&EAEL\1, 'to will'), -f)- (e.g.
in ~-~(l(t6.;, 'little, small'), 6- (e.g. in 6-xtMm,
'to run a ship aground'); cp. the first element in
ananda and the second element in Anopheles and
in samadh. OI. gdmati is rei. to A vestic jamaiti,
'goes', and cogn. with Gk. ~IX(vw (for ~&fL-W,
*~&v-cu), 'I go', L. veni6 (for *gw'l'i6), 'I come',
Goth. qiman, OE. cuman, 'to come'; see come
and cp. jagat.
Agama, n., a genus of lizards (zoo/.) - ModL.,
fr. Sp. agama, which is of Caribbean origin.
Agamemnon, n., king of Mycenae, leader of the
Greeks against Troy.- L, fr. Gk. 'Ay1X[LE[LVWV,
which pro b. stands for *' Ay(I(-[Lif.S[Lwv, lit. 'ruling mightily', fr. &ya.v, 'very much', and fLEilcuv,
'ruler', prop. pres. part. of the ancient verb
[LtSttv, 'to protect, rule over', which derives fr.
I.-E. base *mid-, 'to measure, limit, consider',

agami

a-d-enlargement of base *me-, 'to measure'. See

meditate and cp. Medea, Medusa and the second
element in Andromeda, Diomedes, Ganymede.
agami, n., the trumpeter (a South American
bird). -F., fr. Galibi agamy.
agamic, adj., asexual (biology). - Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. &yaqw~, 'unmarried'. See
agamous.
Agamidae, n., a family oflizards(zool.)-ModL.,
formed fr. agami with suff. -idae.
agamo-, before a vowel agam-, combining form
meaning 'asexual'. -- Gk. &.yiXfLO-, fr. &yoq.w<;,
'unmarried'. See next word.
agamous, adj., cryptogamous (hot.)- L. agamus,
fr. Gk. CfyiXfLO<;, 'unmarried', fr. &.- (see priv.
pref. a-) and yocfLo~. 'marriage'. See gamo-. For
E. -ous, as equiv. to Gk. -o.;, L. -us, see -ous.
agamy, n., absence or non-recognition of marriage relation. - Gk. &.yiXfLlii, 'celibacy, single
estate'. See agamous and -y (representing
Gk. -lii).
Agapanthus, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'flower of love', fr. Gk.
&.yoc:TI), 'love', and &v.&o.;, 'flower'. See agape,
n., and anther.
agape, adv. and adj., gaping.- Lit. 'on the gape';
coined by Milton fr. pref. a-, 'on', and the noun
gape. Derivative: agape, adj.
agape, n., love feast of the early Christians. L., fr. Gk. &.yocr:"t), 'love', pl. &.yocrciX~, 'love feast',
fr. &.yiXrciiv, 'to love', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. the first clement in Agapanthus,
Agapornis.
Agapornis, n., a genus of parrots (ornithof.) ModL.lit. 'bird of love', compounded of &.yci.TC"t),
'love', and 15pv~<;, 'bird'. Sec agape, n., and ornitho-.
agar-agar, n., a gelatinous substance obtained
from dried seaweed. - Malay.
agaric, n., any fungus of the genus Agaricus. -L. agaricum, fr. Gk. ay:xp~x0v, 'larch fungus',
named fr. Agaria, a place in Sarmatia, abounding in this kind of fungi. Derivative: agaric, adj.
Agaricaceae, n. pl., a family of fungi (hot.) ModL. formed from Agaricus with suff. -aceae.
agaricaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Agaricus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. agaricum. See agaric.
Agastache, n., the giant hyssop (bot.)- Gk. &.yoccr-r:xzu;, 'rich in ears of corn', compounded of
&yiiv, 'much', and cr-rci.zJ;, 'ear of corn'. The
first element is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. I.-E. *~?1ga- and is rei. to Gk. fLEy:x;,
'great, large'; see mega-. The second element is
cogn. with ON. stin~ra, OE. stingan, 'to thrust';
see sting and cp. Stachys.
agastric, adj. having no stomach (zoo!.)- Formed fr. priv. prcf. a-, and Gk. p:crY,p, 'stomach'.
See gastric.
agate, n., a kind of chalcedony. - F., fr. L.
achiites, fr. Gk. &.z&T"tJ<;, which is of .ncertain
origin. The name of the river Achates 1!1 Sicily,

36
as well as the name of the faithful friend of Aeneas, prob. derive from Gk. &.z&T"tJ<;. See Frisk,
GEW., I, p. 199 s.v.
agate, adv., on the way.- Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and gate, 'street'.
Agatha, fern. PN.- L., fr. Gk. &.yiX.&~, fern. of
&.yoc-&6!;, 'good'. See agatho-.
Agathis, n., a genus of timber trees of the pine
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. &.yiX~H.;, 'ball of
thread', which is of unknown origin.
agathism, n., the doctrine that all things tend
toward good. -Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
&.yoc-&6.;, 'good'. See agatho-.
agatho-, before a vowel agath-, combining form
meaning 'good'. - Gk. &.yoc.&o-, &.yiX&-, fr
&.yiX-&6<;, 'good'; of uncertain origin. Cp. Agatha, agathism.
Agathosma, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'smelling good', compounded of Gk. &yiX-&6!;, 'good' (see agatho-),
and ocrfL~, 'smell, odor'. See agatho- and
osmium.
Agave, n., the mother of Pentheus (Greek mytho/.)- L., fr.Gk. 'AyiXu~, prop. fern. of &y!Xu6.;,
'illustrious, noble' (of kings), 'brilliant, glorious'
(of things), rei. to yiXle:~v (for *y:Xf-J,.e:~v), 'to
rejoice, exult', yiX\.ipo.;, 'exulting in something',
yiX.&e:'Lv = y"t).&e:r:v, 'to rejoice', and cogn. with
L. gaudere (for *gawidere), 'to rejoice'. (The &in &.-y!Xu6!; has intensive force.) See joy and
cp. gaud.
Agave, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis
family (hot.) - ModL., fr. prec. word.
agaze, adv. and adj., gazing. Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and gaze.
age, n. - ME., fr. OF. aage, eage (F. age), fr.
VL. *aetiiticum, fr. L. aetiitem (ace. of aetas,
'age'), whence also It. eta, Catal. edat, Sp. edad,
Port. idade, 'age'. L. aetas is contracted fr. aevitiis, fr. aevum, 'space of time, eternity'. See aeon
and cp. eternal. Cp. also coetaneous, coeval,
longevity, primeval, moyen age.
Derivatives: age, intr. and tr. v., ag-ed, adj.,
ug-ed-ly, adv., ag-ed-ness, n., age-less, adj.
-age, suff. forming nouns denoting act, process,
function, condition, dignity or place.- OF. and
F. -age, fr. Late L. -iiticum, fr. L. -iitus, pp. suff.
of verbs in -iire (i.e. verbs of the Ist conjugation). See adj. suff. -ate and cp. -atic.
agee, adv., awry (dial.)- Formed fr. a and dial.
E. gee, 'to turn'.
Agelaius, n., a genus of birds of the family Icteridae, comprising the blackbird (ornithol.) ModL., fr. Gk. &.ye:A:xr:o.;, 'belonging to a herd,
gregarious', fr. &yel.'f), 'heard', lit. 'that which
is led or driven', fr. &ye:w, 'to lead', which is
cogn. with L. agere, 'to drive, lead, do, act'.
See agent, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
agency, n. - Late L. agentia (whence also F.
agence), fr. L. agens, gen. agentis, pres. part of
agere. See agent, adj. and n., and -cy.
agenda, n. - L., 'things to be done', neut. pl.

37
of agendus, the gerundive of agere. See agent.
For the use of other Latin gerundives or their
derivatives in English cp. addendum, Amanda,
Amandus, avisandum, corrigendum, credenda,
deodand, dividend, girandole, habendum, hacienda, horrendous, launder, legend, memorandum,
minuend, Miranda, multiplicand, ordinand, prebend, propaganda, pudendum, radicand, reddendum, referendum, repetend, reprimand, reverend,
subtrahend, tremendous.
agent, adj. - L. agens, gen. agentis, pres. part.
of agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead, conduct,
guide, govern; to do, act', whenceagmen, 'army,
troop, band, multitude', lit. that which is lead',
fr. I.-E. base *ag-, 'to drive, lead, act, do', whence
also Gk. &ye:~v, 'to lead, guide, drive, carry
off', &.y~ve:r:v, 'to lead, bring', &.ywv, 'assembly,
contest in the games', &.ywv[ii, 'struggle for victory, anguish, agony', &.ywy6.;, 'leader', &.ywyfj,
'a carrying away, a leading', OI. tijati, 'drives',
ajirti/:1, 'moving, active', Avestic azaiti, 'drives',
Toch. A iik-, B ak-, 'to travel, lead', Arm. acem,
'I lead, bring', ON. aka, 'to drive'. Cp. agent,
n. Cp. also abigeat, acorn, acre, act, action, activate, actor, actress, actuate, Agelaius, agenda,
agile, agitate, agminate, -agogue, agonist, agonize, agony, agrarian, agrestic, agriculture, agrio,
agro-, agronomy, Agrostis, Agyieus, aisle, ala,
ambages, ambagious, ambassador, ambiguous,
ament, anagogy, antagonist, apagoge, assay,
Auriga, axilla, axiom, axis, axle, cache, choragus, clarigation, coact, coagulate, cogent, cogitate, demagogic, deuteragonist, embassy, epact,
essay, exact, examen, exigent, exiguous, exility,
indagate, intransigent, isagoge, paragoge, paragonite, pedagogue, pilgrim, prodigal, protagonist, react, redact, remex, stavesacre, strategy,
synagogue, transact, tritagonist, and the second
element in castigate, clarigation, fastigiate, fumigate, fustigate, levigate, litigate, mitigate, na
vigate, objurgate, purge, variegate.
agent, n.- F., in the sense of 'acting force', fr.
ML. agens, in the sense of 'acting person', fr.
It. agente; both these words derive fr. L. agens,
gen. agentis, pres. part. of agere. See agent, adj.
agential, adj. - Formed fr. agency with suff.
-ial.
Ageratum, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL. ageratum, fr. Gk. &.yfjpnov, neut. of ocyf,pa:TO<;, 'ageleSS, everlasting',
fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and iflp:xc;, 'old age'.
See geronto-.
ageustia, ageusia, n., lack of the sense of taste
(med.)- Gk. ygJcrTlii, 'a not-tasting, fasting',
fr. &.-(see priv. pref. a) and a derivative of Gk.
yUe:crlh~, 'to taste', fr. I.-E. base *geus-, *gus-,
'to taste, enjoy by tasting'. See choose and cp.
gust, 'relish'. For the ending see suff. -ia.
agger, n., mound, rampart (Roman antiq.) - L.,
'heap, pile, dam, dike, mound, rampart', lit.
things brought together', from the stem of agKerere, 'to bring to (a place), bring together',

aggregate

fr. ad- and gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See gerent

and cp. exaggerate.
agglomerate, tr. and intr. v., to gather into a
mass. - L. agglomeriitus, pp. of agglomeriire,
'to wind into or as into a ball', fr. ad- and glomeriire, 'to form into a ball', fr. glomus, gen.
glomeris, 'a ball of yarn'. See glomerate and cp.
conglomerate.
Derivatives: agglomeration (q.v.), agglomerative, adj., agglomerat-or, n.
agglomerate, adj., gathered into a mass.- L. agglomeriitus, pp. of agg/omeriire, Sec agglomeerate, v.
Derivative: agglomerate, n.
agglomeration, n. - L. agglomeriitio, gen. -onis,
fr. agglomeriitus, pp. of agg/omeriire. See agglo
merate, v., and -ion.
agglutinant, adj. uniting. - L. aggliltiniins, gen.
-antis. See agglutinate and -ant.
Derivative: agglutinant, n.
agglutinate, tr. v., to unite with glue or as with
glue; intr. v., to unite.- L. agglutiniitus, pp. of
aggliltiniire, 'to fasten together with glue, to
fasten to', fr. ad- and gliltiniire, 'to glue', fr.
gluten, gen. glutinis, 'glue'. See gluten, glue and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: agglutin-ated, adj., agglutin-ation,
n., agglutinat-ive, adj., agg/utinat-or, n.
agglutinate, adj., united. - Sec agglutinate, v.
agglutinin, n., a substance causing agglutination
(bacteriology). - Coined by the German bacteriologist Max von Gruber (1853-1927) from
the stem of L. aggliltiniire, 'to glue on'. See
agglutinate and chcm. suff. -in.
aggrandize, tr. v. to make larger, increase. - F.
agrandiss-, pres. part. stem of agrandir, 'to enlarge', fr. d, 'to' (see :'t), and grandir, 'to increase', fr. L. grandire, 'to make great, increase',
fr. grandis, 'great'. See grand. The spelling with
double g is due to the analogy of Latin words
beginning with agg- (for ad-g).
Derivatives: aggrandizement (q.v.), aggrandizer, n.
aggrandizement, n. - F. agrandissement, fr. a~"
grandir. See prec. word and -ment.
aggravate, tr. v., to make worse. - L. aggraviitus, pp. of aggravare, 'to make heavier, make
worse', fr. ad- and graviire, 'to charge with a
load, to make heavy', fr. gravis 'heavy'. See
grave, 'weighty', and cp. grieve, 'to feel grief',
aggrieve.
Derivatives: aggrarat-ed, adj., aggrarat-ing, adj.,
aggravat-ing-ly, adv., aggravation (q.v.), aggravat-ive, adj., aggravat-or, n.
aggravation, n.- Late L. aggral'(/!hl, gen. -onis,
fr. L. aggraviitus, pp. of aggraviire. See prec.
word and -ion.
aggregable, adj., that can be aggregated. - See
aggregate and -able.
aggregate, tr. v. to gather into a mass; to amount
to. - L. aggregiitus, pp. of aggregiire, 'to add
to, attach oneself to, follow', lit. 'to bring to the

39

agonothete

aggregate
OF. agistement, fr. agister. See prec. word and
flock', fr. ad- and gregiire, 'to gather into a
-ment.
flock', fr. grex, gen. gregis, 'flock'. See gregaagistor, agister, n., one who agists. - AF. agisrious and verbal suff. -ate and cp. congregate,
tour, fr. OF. agister. See agist and agential suff.
egregious, segregate.
resp. -er.
-or,
adj.,
,
aggregat-ive
n.,
,
aggregat-ion
Derivatives:
agitable, adj. - L. agitiibilis, 'that can easily be
aggregat-or, n., aggregat-ory, adv.
moved', fr. agitiire. See agitate and -able.
aggregate, adj., gathered into a mass.- L. aggretr. and intr. v. - L. agitiitus, pp. of agiagitate,
v.
aggregate,
See
giitus, pp. of aggregiire.
put in constant motion, drive, impel',
'to
tiire,
Derivatives: aggregate, n., a collective mass;
freq. of agere, 'to move, drive'. See agent, adj.,
sum total, aggregate-ly, adv., aggregate-ness, n.
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. cogitate.
aggress, intr. v., to start a quarrel.- F. agresser,
Derivatives: agitat-ed, adj., agitat-ed-ly, adv.,
fr. Late L. aggressiire, freq. of L. aggredi (pp. ag
(q.v.)
agitation
adfr.
attack',
approach,
to,
gressus), 'to go
of agiace.
agitiitionem,
L.
fr.
F.,
n.agitation,
and gradi (pp. gressus), 'to step, go', fr. gradus,
tiitio, 'motion, agitation', fr. agitiitus, pp. of
'step'. See grade. For the change of Latin ii (in
agitiire. See agitate and -ion.
griidi) toe (in ad-gressus, ag-gressus) see accent
Derivative: agitation-a/, adj.
and cp. words there referred to. For the form
adj. agitated (musical direction). - It.,
agitato,
congress.
see
of gressus, pp. of gradi,
fr. L. agitiire. See agitate.
agitare,
of
pp.
Derivatives: aggression (q.v.), aggress-ive, adj.,
agitator, n. - L., fr. agitiitus, pp. of agitiire. See
aggress-ive-ly, adv., aggress-ive-ness, n., aggresagitate and agential suff. -or.
sor (q.v.)
Agkistrodon, n., a genus of pit vipers (zoo/.) aggression, n.- F. agression, fr. L. aggressi6nem,
ModL., compounded of Gk. &yx~aTpov, 'fishace. of aggressio, 'a going to; an attack', fr.
and ollwv, gen. oll6'1TO<;, 'tooth'. The
hook''
aggressus, pp. of aggredi. See prec. word and
first element is rel. to &yxoc;;, 'a bend, hollow',
-ion.
~yxwv, 'elbow', lit. 'the bend of the arm', and
aggrieve, tr. v., 1) to grieve; 2) to injure in one's
cogn. with L. angulus, 'angle, comer'; see
rights. -ME. agreven, fr. OF. agrever, fr. L.
'corner'. For the second element see
angle,
aggravate.
See
heavier'.
make
'to
aggraviire,
odonto-.
.,
adv
Derivatives: aggriev-ed, adj., aggriev-ed-ly,
Aglaia, n., one of the Graces in Greek mytholaggriev-ed-ness, n.
ogy. - L., fr. Gk. 'AyAoctoc,lit. 'splendor, beauagasted,
agast,
ME.
aghast, adj., frightened.
brightness', fr. ciyAoc6c;;, 'splendid, beautiful,
ty,
pp. of agasten, 'to frighten', formed fr. intensive
bright', which is of uncertain origin. It pospref. a- and OE. giistan, 'to frighten', fr. giist,
sibly stands for *ci-yAocf6<; and is formed fr.
giist, 'spirit'. See ghost and cp. ghastly. Cp. also
copul. pref. &:-and I.-E. base *gl-, zero degree of
the second element in flabbergast.
base *gel-, 'clear, serene, cheerful, lovely; to
agilis,
L.
fr.
F.,
active.
agile, adj., nimble,
laugh'. Copul. pref. ci- (in *ci-yAocf6c;;) stands
'that can be moved easily, nimble, quick', fr.
for I.-E. s~r- a weak gradational form of I.-E.
agere, 'to move, drive'. See agent, adj., and cp.
sem-, 'one, together'; see same. Fr. base
base
see
words there referred to. For the ending
*gel- derive Gk. yocATjv6<;, 'calm, serene', yocA-IJWJ,
suff. -ile.
'stillness of wind and wave', y&Aocv, 'to laugh',
Derivatives: agile-ly, adv., agile-ness, n., agiliyeAw<;, 'laughter' ; see geloto- and cp. words
ty (q.v.)
there referred to.
agility, n. - F. agilite, fr. L. agilitiitem, ace. of
Aglaspis, n., a genus of Cambian Xiphosura
agilitiis, 'mobility, nimbleness, quickness', fr.
(paleontol.) - ModL., lit. 'with a glittering
agilis. See prec. word and -ity.
shield', contracted fr. Gk. ciyAoc6c;;, 'splendid,
curone
exchange
to
paid
agio, n., the discount
beautiful, bright', and ~am<;, 'shield'. See
rency for another.- It. aggio, agio, fr. dial. It.
Aglaia and aspidium.
Gk.
fr.
'exchange',
~Ma.y~ov,
MGk.
fr.
lajje,
agleam, adv. and adj., gleaming. - Formed fr.
~).)..orylj, 'change'; see allagite. The I in lajje
a-, 'on', and gleam.
was mistaken for the It. def. article and was
aglet, aiglet, n., the metal tag of a lace. - F.
accordingly dropped.
aiguillette, dimin. of aiguille, 'needle', fr. VL.
agiotage, n. - F., fr. agioter, 'to be a stock jobacucula, correspondin g to L. acicula, dimin. of
-age.
and
word
ber', fr. agio. See prec.
'needle'. Cp.lt. agucchia, OProven~ . Port.
acus,
agist, tr. v., to take cattle to graze at a certain
agulha, Sp. aguja, 'needle', and see a~, aiguilprize.- OF. agister, fr. a, 'to' (see a), and gister
le. For the ending see suff. -et.
(F. giter), 'to lodge, lie', fr. giste (F. gite), 'lying
Scot.). - Formed fr.
place, resting place', fr. L. jacita, fern. pp. of agley, adv., awry (chiefly
'to squint'.
gley,
Scot.
and
'on',
a'to
iet.
See
noun.
a
as
used
lie',
'to
jacere,
L.
Aglossa. n. pl., a suborder of amphibians (zoo/.)
spirt forth', and cp. gist. 'essence'. Cp. also ad- ModL., fr. Gk. clyAwcrcroc;, 'tongueless'. See
jacellt, agio.
next word.
agistJDeot, n., I) the act of agisting; 2) an agreeIIJI)oslal, adj., tongueless. - Formed with adj.
ment to agist; 3) profit made by agisting. -

agnomen, n., name added to the surname (Roman

suff. -al fr. Gk. &yAwcrcro<;, 'without a tongue',
antiq.) - L. agnomen, fr. ad- and OL. gnomen
'tongue'.
yAwaarx,
and
a-)
pref.
fr. &:- (see priv.
(whence L. nomen), 'name'. See name and cp.
See gloss, 'note', and cp. prec. word.
nominal. Cp. also cognomen.
aglow, adv. and adj., in a glow. - Formed fr.
agnostic, n., one who professes that the existence
a-, 'on', and glow.
of a First Cause and the essential nature of
agmatine,n. ,name of the base C 5H 14N 4 (biochem.)
are not and cannot be known. - Coined
things
chemist
l
physiologica
German
the
by
-Coined
by Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95) in 1869 on
Albrecht Kosse! (1853-1927) fr. Gk. &y(J.ot, gen.
analogy of gnostic fr. Gk. &yvwaTo<;, 'unknown,
&y[.LotTo<;, 'fragment', and chem. suff. -ine. Gk.
not to be known'. See priv. pref. a- and gnostic.
&y[.Loc is rel. to &yvG(J.~ (for f&yvu(J.L), 'I break',
Derivative: agnostic, adj.
and cogn. with Toch. wiik-, 'to burst, crack', in
n., the doctrine of agnostics. agnosticism,
disto
split,
to
cause
'to
form,
the causative
Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -ism.
tinguish', wiikam, 'peculiarity'. See Frisk, GEW.,
agnus castus, n., an ornamental tree. - L. ; agnus
I, p. 13 s.v. &yvu(J.~.
derives fr. Gk. &yvoc;;, 'a willowlike tree, used
surgery.
in
fractures
agmatology, n., the study of
at religious festivals, the chaste tree', which is
- Compounde d of Gk. &y[.Loc, gen. &y[.LotToc;;,
of unknown origin. This word was confused
'fragment', and -Aoyloc, fr. -A6yo,;, 'one who
both with L. agnus, 'lamb', and Gk. ciyv6c;;,
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
'sacred, chaste', whence arose the name agnus
(with a certain topic)'. See agmatine and -logy.
prop. 'the chaste lamb', and, as a loan
castus,
-Formed
grouped.
adj.,
agminate, agminated,
translation of this latter name, G. Keuschlamm,
with adj. suff. -ate, resp. also -ed, fr. L. agmen,
and E. chaste tree. For the etymology of castus
gen. -minis, 'multitude in motion, crowd, army',
see chaste. Cp. the second element in Elaeagnus.
lit. 'that which moves', fr. agere, 'to set in moago, adv. -Prop. pp. of ME. agon, 'to go away',
tion, drive'; cogn. with 01. djma/.l, 'path', Gk.
fr. OE. iigiin, 'to go away, pass by', fr. intensive
-men.
and
adj.,
agent,
iiy(J.o<;, 'furrow; path'. See
pref. a- and giin, 'to go'. See go.
agnail, n., a hangnail.- OE. angnregl, 'worn on
agog, adverb and adj., in a state of excitement. the foot', compounded of ang- (used only in
F. en gogues, 'mirthful'. Cp. etre en goguette(s),
compounds) , 'narrow, painful', and megl, 'nail'.
'to be on the spree', goguenard, 'mocking, banThe first element is rel. to OE. enge, 'narrow';
All these words derive from *gog-, a
tering'.
Cp.
nail.
see
element
see anger. For the second
base of imitative origin.
anbury.
-agogue, combining form meaning 'leading, guidagnate, adj., sprung from the same male ancesing', as in demagogue, peoogogue. - Gk. -rxywtor.- L. agniitus, 'related by the father's side',
y6<;, fr. ciywy6c;;, 'leader', fr. &y&w, 'to lead'. Sec
lit. 'born to', pp. of agniisci, 'to be born in adagent, adj.
L.
(whence
gniisci
OL.
dition to', fr. ad- and
agomphious, adj., toothless. - Coined by the
niiscf), 'to be born'. See natal and cp. cognate,
German naturalist Ch. G. Ehrenberg (1795-1876)
innate.
from priv. pref. a- and Gk. YO(J.<pLO<; (sci!. ollwv),
Derivatives: agnate, n., agnat-ic, adj.
'grinder tooth', fr. y6fL<po<;, 'bolt, nail'. See gomagnation, n., an agnate relationship. - L. agand -ous.
phosis
word
prec.
See
niitio, gen. -onis, fr. agniitus.
agonic, adj., not forming an angle. - Formed
and -ion.
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &yw'lo<;, 'without angles',
agnathous, adj., having no jaws. - Formed fr.
fr. ci- (see priv. pref. a-) and ywvlii, 'angle'. See
priv. pref. a- and Gk. yv&.&o.:;, 'jaw'. See gna-goo.
thic and -ous.
agonist, n., a contender in public games. - Gk.
Agnes, fern. PN. - L. Agnes, fr. Gk. 'Ayvf1, lit.
ciyww1-ri]<;, 'combatant; actor', fr. ~ywvl~&a&oc~.
'pure, chaste', fern. of ciyv6<;. See agnus castus
See agonize and -ist and cp. antagonist, deuteraof
forms
ME.
frequent
most
The
Inez.
and cp.
gonist, protagonist, tritagonist.
the name Agnes were Annis, Annys. Cp. Nancy.
Derivatives: agonist-ic, adj., agonist-ic-al-ly,
Agni, n., one of the chief gods of the Vedas. adv., agonistics (q.v.)
which
'fire',
01. Agni/.l, 'the god of fire', fr. agni/.l,
agonistics, n., athletics.- See prec. word and -ics.
is cogn. with L. ignis, 'fire'. See igneous.
agonize, intr. v., to suffer extreme pain; tr. v. to
agnize, tr. v., to recognize (archaic). - Formed
cause extreme pain, to torture. - F. agoniser,
fr. L. agnoscere on analogy of recognize (fr. L.
'to begin death agony', fr. ML. agoniziire, fr.
recognoscere).
Gk. &ywvl~~cr~n. 'to ce>ntenrl for a prize, to
(philos.)
ignorance
of
agnoiology, n., the doctline
struggle', fr. ciywv 'assembly; contest in the
;-Coined by J.-F. Ferrier in 1854 fr. Gk. &yvoLoc,
games'. See agony and -ize.
Ignorance', and -Aoylii, fr. -A6yo.:;, 'one who
Derivatives: agoni::-er, n., agoniz-ing, adj., agSpeaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
oniz-ing-ly, adv.
(with a certain topic)'. Gk. &yvo~ is formed
agonothete, n., leader of the public games in anfr. ci- (see priv. pref. a-) and the stem of y~yvw
cient Greece. - Gk . .Xywvo&tTI)c;;, 'judge of the
m:~v. 'to know'; see gnostic and cp. agnostic.
contest', formed fr . .Xywv, 'contest', and the
For the second element see -logy.

agony

stem of -r~-\htvcu, 'to put, place'. See agony and

theme.
agony, n., extreme pain. - OF. ( = F.) agonie,
fr. Eccles. L. agonia, fr. Gk. &:ywvloc, 'struggle' ,
orig. 'struggle for victory in the games', fr. &:ywv,
'assembly, contest in the games', fr. ocyo.w, 'to
lead, guide', which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to
set in motion, drive, lead'. See agent and -y
(represen ting Gk. -loc) and cp. agonist.
agora, n., an assembly; the place of assembly;
the market place. - Gk. &:yop&, rei. to &:ydpo.w,
'to assemble', &yup~~. 'assembly ', &:-yUpTI)~.
'beggar', and cogn. with L. grex, gen. gregis,
'flock'. See gregarious and cp. the second element in allegory, category, panegyric, paregoric.
agoranome, n., a superinte ndent of the market
(Greek antiq.) - L. agQ(dnomus, fr. Gk. &.yopocv6tJ.o~, 'clerk of the market', fr. &:yop&, 'market'
and the stem of vE:fL<.W, 'to divide, distribute '.
See agora and Nemesis.
agoraphobia, n., morbid fear of being in open
spaces (med.)- Coined by Westphal in I87I,
who first described this morbid condition . The
word lit. means 'fear of a public place.' See
agora and -phobia.
agouti, aguti, aguty, n., a Central-A merican and
West-Ind ian rodent. - F., fr. Sp. aguti, a native
Indian name.
agraffe, n., hook, clasp. - F. agrafe, back formation fr. agrafer, 'to hook, fasten', fr. a, 'to'
(see a), and OF. grafer, 'to fasten with a hook',
fr. grafe, 'hook', fr. OHG. krapfo, 'hook'.
See grape.
agraphia, n., inability to write; a form of aphasia
(med.) - Medical L., formed fr. priv. pref. aand -graphia.
agrarian, adj., I) of the land; 2) of agricultu re.Formed with suff. -an fr. L. agrarius, 'pertainin g
to land', fr. ager, gen. agri, 'field, land', which
is rei. to Umbr. ager and cogn. with Gk. &:yp6~.
'11cld', Goth. akrs, OE. <Fcer, 'field'. See acre
and agent and cp. agriculture. Cp. also acorn,
agrestic, agrio-, agro-, Agrostis and the second
element in onager.
Derivativ e: agrarian, n.
agree, intr. v. - ME. agreen, fr. OF. agreer (F.
agn'er), 'to receive with favor', fr. a (F. a), to'
(see a), and gre (F. gre), 'will, pleasure', fr. L.
gratum, neut. of the adjective gratus, 'acceptable,
pleasing, agreeable, grateful', used as a noun. See
grateful and cp. the second element in maugre.
Derivatives: agreeable (q.v.), agre-ed, adj., agreed-ly, adv., agree-ing, adj., agree-ing-ly, adv.,
agreeme111 (q.v.)
agreeable, adj.- ME. agreable, fr. OF. agreab/e
(F. agreab/e). See agree and -able.
Derivatives: agreeabil-ity, n., agreeable-ness, n.,
agreeabl-y, adv.
agreement, n.- OF. agrement (F. agrement), fr.
agreer. See agree and -ment.
agrestic, adj., rustic, rural. - L. agrestis, 'pertaining to the fields', fr. ager, 'field'; see agrar-

40

ian. Agrestis has been dissimilated fr. *agrestris.

(Cp. campestris, 'relating to the field', fr. campus, 'field', and terrestris, 'earthly', fr. terra,
'earth'.)
agricolite, n., silicate of bismuth (mineral.) Named after the German mineralog ist Georg
Agricola (I494-I555)- For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
agriculturalist, n., a farmer. - Formed fr. L.
agricultura (see agriculture) with the suffixes -al
and -ist. Cp. agriculturist.
agriculture, n.- F., fr. L. agricultura, lit. 'cultivation of the land', compoun ded of ager, gen.
agrf, 'field, land', and cultiira, 'cultivatio n'. See
agrarian and culture.
Derivatives: agricultur-al, adj., agriculturalist,
agriculturist (qq.v.)
agriculturist, n., an agricultur alist (rare). Formed with suff. -ist fr. L. agricultiira. See
prec. word.
Agrimonia, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) - ModL.
See next word.
agrimony, n. - L. agrimonia, fr. Gk. &:py<.tJ.wV'I),
'a kind of poppy', which is pro b. borrowed fr.
Heb. argamtin, 'purple'; influenced in form by
L. ager, gen. agri, 'field'. See Argemone.
agrimotor, n., a machine used in agriculture. Compoun ded of L. ager, gen. agri, 'field' (see
agrarian), and E. motor.
agrio-, combinin g form meaning 'wild'. - Gk.
&:yp~o-, fr. ocypwc;, 'wild', lit. meaning 'living in
the fields', fr. &:yp6c;, 'field', which is cogn. with
L. ager, 'field'. See agrarian.
agriology, n. the study of prehistori c human customs.- Compoun ded ofagrio- and Gk. -'Aoytoc,
fr. -Myo~, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See -logy.
agrito, n., name of the plant called scientifically
Mahonia tnfo/iata. - Sp., fr. agrio, 'sour', fr.
VL. acrus, fr. L. deer, 'sharp', in VL. also 'sour'.
Cp. F. aigre, 'sour', which also derives fr. VL.
acrus, and see acrid. Cp. also eager and the
second element in vinegar.
agro-, combinin g form meaning 'pertainin g to
agriculture. - Gk. &:ypo-, fr. &:y,-0.:;, '11eld',
which is cogn. with L. ager, 'field'. Sec agrarian.
agronomy, n., the science of crop productio n;
managem ent of land. - F. agronomie, fr. Gk.
&:ypwl,fl.ot;, 'rural', which is compoun ded of
ci.yp6~, 'field' and the stem of vitJ.ELv, 'to assign, manage', 'to drive (cattle) to pasture'. See
agrarian and :-;emesis.
Derivatives: agronom-ic, agronom-ic-a/, adjs.,
agronom-ics, n., agronom-ist, n.
Agropyron, n., a genus of perennial grasses (bot.)
- ModL., lit. 'field wheat', fr. Gk. &:yp6i;,
'field', and rr0p6~, corn, wheat'. The first element is cogn. with L. ager, 'field'; see agrarian.
For the second element see pyrene and cp. words
there referred to.
Agrostem ma, n., a genus of plants of the pink

aikinite

41

(Jewish liturgy). - Reb. ahabhdth 'oldm, 'with

everlasting love' (so called from the two first
words of the text of the benediction). Ahabhtith
is the state construct of ahablztih, 'love'; see
prec. word. '0/dm means 'eternity' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew also 'world'); see Olam Habba.
Ahasuerus, n., name of a Persian king (Bible);
identical with Xerxes. - Heb. A/:zashwerosh (also, in the kethib of the Book of Esther Io: I,
Abashresh), fr. OPers. Xshayarshan- (whence
also Gk. EE:p~'IJ~), 'lit. 'male (i.e. hero) among
kings', fr. xshaya-, 'king', and arshan-, 'male,
man'. The 11rst element derives fr. I.-E. base
*q]Je(i)-, *q]ii!(i)-, 'to rule'; see check, 'a sudden
stop'. The second element is cogn. with Gk.
IXp<TI)v, 'male, masculine', 01. ($abhd/:l, 'bull,
steer', fr. I.-E. base *eras-, *ras-, *eres-, *ers-,
'to flow, wet, moisten', whence also L. ros, gen.
roris, 'dew'; see roric and cp. rasa. Cp. Xerxes.
ahead, adv. and adj.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
head.
aheap, adv.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and heap.
ahem, interj. - Of imitative origin.
Ahi, a serpent in Vedic mythology, identi11ed
with Vritra.- 01. tihi/:1, 'serpent', rei. to Avestic
aiish and cogn. with Gk. ex~c;, 'viper', L. anguis,
'serpent, snake'. See anguine and cp. echidna.
ahoy, interj.- A natural sound, compoun ded of
the interjections a, 'ah', and hoy. See ah and hoy.
Ahriman, n., the spirit of evil in the Zoroastri an
religion. - Gk. 'Ap<.~tJ.v~o~ (in Aristotle) or
'Ap<.~tJ.V'I)t; (in Agathias) , fr. Aves tic ati.ra mainyu, 'the evil (lit. hostile) spirit'.
ahull, adv. (naut.) - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
hull, 'body of a ship'.
ahura, n., a benevolent deity (Persian mythology).
- Avestic ahura-, 'a god, a good spirit', rei. to
01. tisura/:1, of same meaning. Sec asura and cp.
the 11rst element in Ormazd.
Ahura-Mazda, n. - See Ormazd.
ai, n., the three-toed sloth. - Tupi ai, a word
imitative of the cry of the animal.
aid, tr. v. - OF. aidier, aider (F. aider), fr. L.
adjutare, 'to help', freq. of adjuvare (pp. adjiitus), 'to help', sustain', fr. ad- and jiivare, 'to
help', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. adjutant, adjuvant, coadjutor, jocund, jury, adj.
Derivatives: aid-er, n., aid-jut, adj.
aid,n.-O F. ( = F.) aide, back formation fr.aider.
See aid, v.
aide-de-camp, aid-de-camp, n.- F. aide-de-camp,
lit. 'camp assistant' . See aid, n., and camp.
aigrette, n., egret. - F. aigrette. See egret.
aiguille, n., 1) a peak shaped like a needle; 2) a
needlelike borer. - F., 'a needle', fr. VL.
*acucula. See aglet.
aiguillette, n., an aglet. - F., dimin. of aigui/le,
'needle'. See prec. word and -ette.
aikinite, n., a sulfobism utite of lead and copper
(mineral.) - Named after the English mineralogist Arthur Aikin. For the ending see subst.
~ Olam, the second of the two benedicsuff. -ite.
tions preceding the Shema in the evening prayer

family; the corn cockle (bot.) - ModL. lit.

'crown of the field', fr. Gk. &:yp6c;, 'field', and
cr-ritJ.fl-0(, 'wreath'. See agro- and stemma.
Agrostis, n., a genus of grasses, the bent grass
(bot.) - L. agrostis, 'couch grass', fr. Gk.
&ypwcrnc;, fr. &:yp6<;, 'field'. Sec agro-.
agrostology, n., that branch of botany which deals
with grasses. - Compoun ded of Gk. &ypwcrn~,
'grass', and -1-oylCi., fr. -A6y6<;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See Agrostis and -logy.
aground, adv. (naut.) - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
ground.
agrypnia, n., sleeplessness (med.) - Medical L.,
fr. Gk. &:ypu7tVloc, sleeplessness, wakefulness',
fr. &ypu7tVo<;, 'wakeful', which is compoun ded
of &:yp6~, 'field', and \lr.vo~, 'sleep'; the orig.
meaning of ocypu7tVo~ was 'sleeping in the field'.
See agro- and hypno-.
aguardiente, n., spirituous liquor. - Sp., lit.
'burning water', compoun ded of agua, 'water'
fr. L. aqua, and ardiente, fr. L. ardentem, ace. of
ardens, pres. part. of ardere, 'to burn'. See aquatic and ardent.
ague, n., malarial fever. -OF. ague, 'an acute
fever', prop. fern. of the adjective agu (F. aigu),
'sharp, acute (sci!. fever)', fr. L. (febris) acuta,
'an acute fever', fern. of aciitus, 'sharp, acute'.
See acute.
Derivatives: agu-ish, adj., agu-ish-ly, adv., aguish-ness, n., ague-/ike, adj.
agunah, n., a woman prevented from remarryin g
because she has no proof of he<' husband' s death
(Jewish religion) .- Heb. 'aghiindh, lit. 'restraine d
(from marrying )', passive fern. part. of 'aghtin,
'he restrained; shut up', which is rei. to Arab.
'rl}ama, IV (=causat ive) form of stem '-j-m, 'to
shut up'.
Agyieus, n., a name of Apollo (Greek mythol.) Gk. 'AyJLE)c;, lit. 'guardian of the streets', fr.
CiyJLcr:, 'street', lit. 'that through which something is led or driven', fr. Ciy<.L\1, 'to drive',
which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set in motion,
drive; to do, act'. See agent, adj.
agynary, adj., having no female organs (bot.) Formed fr. priv. prcf. a-, Gk. Y'Nf;, 'woman'
(see gyneco-), and adj. suff. -ary.
ah, interj. - Of imitative origin.
aba, intcrj.- Of imitative origin.
Ahabah Rabbah, the second of two benedictions
preceding the Shema in the morning prayer
~~~wish liturgy). - Heb. ahiibhdh rabbtih, lit.
With great love' (so called from the two first
~rds of the text of the benediction). Ahabhdh,
ve', derives fr. ahahh. 'he loved'. which is rei.
lo Aram. iihdbh, 'he l~ved', and possibly also
lo Arab. habba, 'he was moved'. Rabbdh is fern.
of rabh, 'great' (whence Mishnaic Heb. rabh,
~-See rabbi and cp. the first element in

ail
ail, tr. and intr. v. - ME. eilen, ailen, fr. OE.
eglan, 'to molest, trouble ', rei. to Goth. agls,
'shamef ul', agio, 'distress, oppress ion', us-agljan,
'to oppress '.
Derivat ives: ail-ing, adj., ail-ment, n.
Ailanthus, more correctly Ailantus, the tree of
heaven (bot.) - ModL., fr. Amboy na ai/anto,
'tree of the gods', or 'tree of heaven' . The spelling ailanthus is due to a confusi on of the end
of this word with Gk. &v-&o.;, 'flower'.
aile, winged (her.) - F., 'winged ', fr. aile, 'a
wing', fr. L. iila. See aisle and cp. aileron,
alar.
aileron, n., hinged flap of the wing of an airplane .- F., 'little wing', dimin. of aile, fr. OF.
ele, fr. L. iila, 'wing'. See aisle and cp. words
there referred to.
ailette, n., a steel plate WOQ'l on the shoulde rs for
protecti on. - F., 'little wing', dimin. of aile,
wing', fr. L. iila, 'wing'. See aisle and cp. preceding word. For the ending see suff. -ette.
ailurophile, ailurophil, n., a lover of cats.- Compounde d of Gk. cxl/..oupo.;, 'cat', and -<pLAo<;,
'loving' . For the first element see Ailurus, for the
second see -phile.
ailurophobia, n., morbid fear of cats. - Compounde d of Gk. cxt'Aoupo.;, 'cat', and -cpo[3(ii,
'fear of', fr. cp6[3oc;, 'fear'. See prec. word and
-phobia.
Ailurus, n., the genus consisti ng of the panda
(zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk. cxt'Aoupo<;, 'cat', which
is of uncerta in origin; its derivati on fr. Gk.
cxto:Ao.;, 'quick moving, rapid', and oup&, 'tail',
is folk etymology. Cp. aeluro-.
aim, intr. and tr. v.- ME. aimen, eimen, fr. OF.
aesmer, which is formed fr. a, 'to' (see a), and
esmer, fr. L. aestimiire, 'to estimate '. See esteem.
Derivat ives: aim, n., aim-less, adj., aim-lessly, adv.
air, n., atmosph ere. - ME. aire, fr. OF. ( = F.)
air, fr. L. iier (whence also Rum. aer, OProvenr;.,
Catal., Sp. aire, Port. air, 'air'), which derives
fr. Gk. &-ljp, gen. -ljtpoc;, Att. gen. cUpoc;, 'air'
(from the Att. ace. cUpoo: is borrow ed It. aria,
'air'). Gk. &f,p (cp. the parallel forms Aeol.
<XU'I)p, Dor. &[3-ljp) and the rel. oo:upii, 'air in
motion, breeze', are of uncerta in origin. They
are possibly rei. to &dpe:Lv, 'to lift up, raise',
and lit. mean 'that which rises'. See aorta, and
cp. aerate, aerial, aero-, the first element in
aerostat , and the second element in malaria .
Derivat ives: air, v., air-able, adj., air-er, n., airing, n., air-less, adj., air-y, adj., air-i-ly, adv.,
air-i-ness, n.
air, n., melody, tune. - F., fr. It. aria, of s.m.,
fr. L. iierea, fern. of the adjective aereus, 'pertaining to the air', fr. iier, 'air'. See prec. word
and cp. aria.
airplane , n. - Compo unded of air and plane.
See aeroplane.
aisle, n. - ME. ile, ele, fr. OF. ele (F. aile),
fr. L. ala. of s.m., which stands for ag-

42
s-/ii and is rei. to axilla, 'armpit ', and cogn. with
OI. dk$a/:1, 'collarb one', Avestic ashayd (dual
gen.), 'of both shoulde rs', Arm. anut' (for *asnut'), 'armhol e', ORG. ahsala, MRG. ahsel,
G. Achsel, ON. ox/, OS. ahsla, OE. eaxl,
'should er'. All these words are formed fr. I.-E.
base *ag-, 'to move, drive', with reference to
the arms moved from the shoulde rs. See agent.
adj., and cp. aileron, ailette, alar, alate, aliform,
aliped, alula, axil, axilla, axillary , axle, oxter,
and the second element in bezel.
Derivative: aisl-ed, adj.
aitch, also ache, n., name of the letter h in English. - ME. ache, fr. OF. ( = F.) ache, which
is of uncerta in origin. It possibly derives -together with It. acca and Port. agd, of s.m.from a form *hakka, which would stand for
orig. ha-ka (for h-k, i.e. h and k (as the consonant following h in the alphabe t). The derivation of the French name of the letter h fr. F.
hache, 'ax' (in allusion to the form of the small
h which resembles an ax) is contrad icted by the
fact that whereas the letter h is called acca in It.
and agd in Port., the It., resp. Port. name for
the ax is accia, resp. facha.
aitehbo ne,n.- Fr. ME.ana che hone,fr. OF. nache,
pl., 'rump', fr. VL. *natica, fr. L. natis, which is
cogn. with Gk. vw-ror;, viinov, 'back'; see nates.
The loss of the initial n is due to a misdivision
of a nache bone into an ache bone. Cp. adder,
apron, auger, ekename, ouch, umble pie, umpire.
ajar, adv., on the turn, slightly opened. - ME.
on char, 'on the turn', fr. a-, 'on', and ME.
chearr, char, 'a turn', fr. OE. cierr, cyrr. See
char, 'a turn of work', and cp. words there
referred to.
ajar, adv., out of harmon y. -Comp ounde d of
a- 'on' and jar, 'creak'.
Ajax, n., in the Iliad, the name of two Greek
heroes of the Trojan war: Ajax the Greater , son
of Telamo n, and Ajax the Less, son of Olleus .L. Ajax, fr. Gk. A(iir;. The name Atii.; prob.
denoted orig. an earth god and derives fr. Gk.
cxtoc, 'earth'. See Kretsch mer in Glotta 15,1927,
and Frisk, GEW. I, p. 30.
ajonjoli, n., sesame. - Sp. ajonjoli fr. Arab. aljuljui&n, lit. 'the sesam', altered in Spain into aljulju/fn (cp. the Sp. variant aljonjoli).
Ajuga, n., a genus of plants of the mint family;
the bugle weed (bot.) - A ModL., hybrid
coined fr. Gk. privativ e pref. a- and L. jugum,
'joke' (see jugular and yoke); so called from the
seeming absence of the upper lip of the corolla.
akasa, n., the name of space in Sankhy a philosophy. - 01. iikiisa-, 'space', formed fr. emphatic pref. ii and kdsate, 'appear s, shines', prob.
from I.-E. base *qwek-, *qweg-, whence also
Avestic cashman, 'eye', iikasat, 'he beheld' ,Gk.
-<tx!J.wp, later form -rex!J.cxp (rrob. for qwekmor), 'sign, token', OSiav. kaiQ, kazati, 'to
show'. Cp. ukase.
akerite, n., a quartz syenite (petrogr.) - Named

43

after Aker in Sweden. For the ending see subst.

suff. -ite.
akimbo, adv. and adj.- ME. in kenebowe, prob.
of Scand. origin. Cp. Ice!. kengboginn, 'bent into
a curve', and see kink and bow, 'a weapon '.
akin, adj.- Formed fr. a-, 'of', and kin.
akinesia, n., absence of motion in a muscle (med.)
- Medica l Latin, fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. xtV1JcrL<;, 'motion ', fr. x~ve:iv, 'to move'. See kinesis and -ia.
Akkadi an, also Accadian, adj. and n. - Formed
with suff. -ian fr. Reb. Akkdd (Gen. 10: 10),
name of a district and city in Babylon ia.
at-, assimilated form of ad- before /.
-al, suff. forming adjectives, as in royal, or substantive s of adjectival origin, as in rival. Either fr. F. -al, -el, or directly fr. L. adj. suff.
-iilis. In many cases the suff. -iilis was used already in Latin both adjectivally and substan tivally (cp. L. rfviilis, 'pertain ing to a brook; one
who uses the same brook; neighbo r; compet itor, rival', and see rival). Cp. the suffixes -ial
and -ar.
-at, suff. forming verbal nouns, as arrival, avowal. - L. -iilia, neut. pl. of -iilis, but in Vulgar
Latin mistake n for the fern. sing. suff.; formed
either directly from Latin or through the medium of OF., F. -ai/le (as in OF. arrivail/e, etc.).
-at, chem. suff. denotin g aldehyde as in bromal,
chlora l.- F., from the first syllable of aldehyde.
ala,n., a wing or anythin g similar to a wing (anat.)
- L. See aisle and cp. alar.
a Ia, short for d Ia mode, 'in the fashion or style
of', as d Ia fran~aise, 'in the French fashion or
style'. - See a and ille.
alabamine, n., name of a chemical element discovered in I 93 I by the Americ an chemist Fred
Allison (1882- ) and his collabo rators and
named by them after the Alabama Polytec hnic
Institut e; now called astatine. For the ending
see chem. suff. -ine.
alabandite, n., mangan ese sulfide (mineral.) Named after Alabanda in Asia Minor. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alabarc h, n., title of the chief official of the Jews
of Alexand ria during the Grecian period. Gk. :ih[3ipz7jr;, which lit. means 'ink ruler',
and origin. denoted an official in charge of
the 'written ' notes or records. - Gk. &:Aoo:~iPX1J<;, is compou nded of &:Aoo:f3cx, 'ink' (Hesychius), and &pz6~. 'leader, chief, ruler' (see
-arch). The parallel form ocpoo:~ipz1Js is secondary and due to assimila tion - Most dictionaries either do not deal with the etymology of
the word alabarch at all, or content themselves
withthe stereoty picrema rk: 'origin unkno wn'.In the Addend a et Corrige nda to Liddell and
Scott's Greek-English Lexicon, new (ninth) ed.
(reprint ed 1951), p. 2053a s.v. 'Apocf3&px_7j~, the
word 'AAIX[3<Xpx.1J~ is explain ed as dissimilated
fr. 'Ap<X[3cipx_7j<;, 'ruler of the Arabs, emir'. The fact is, however, that we must distinguish

alarm
between 'Apcxf3&px1Js in the sense of 'Ruler of
the Arabs', and &.pcx[3&px_7j<;, the assimilated
form of &:Aoo:[3&pz7J<;, title of the chief magistr ate
of the Jewish populat ion in Alexand ria, a name
which has nothing to do with the Arabs.
alabaster, n., a transluc ent whitish kind of gypsum. - OF. alabastre (whence F. albiitre), fr.
L. alabaster, fr. Gk. &:A&f3<Xcr-rpo.;, &:A&[3cxa-rpov,
fr. earlier oc:A&f3cxcr-ror;, fr. Egypt *a-la-baste,
'vessel of the goddess Ebaste ( = Bubaste). See
Frisk, GEW., p. 62 s.v. &M[3occr-ro~. Cp. aHey
'choice marble' .
Derivatives: alabaster, alabastri-an, alabastrine, adjs.
alack, interj. - Prob. formed fr. ME. a, 'ah',
and lak, 'loss, failure'. See ah and lack and cp.
lackaday.
alacran , n., scorpio n. - Sp. fr. Arab. al-'dqrab,
'the scorpio n' fr. a/-, 'the', and 'dqrab, 'scorpio n',
which is rei. to Reb. 'aqrabh, Aram. 'aqrabbd,
Syr. 'eqqarbd, Ethiop. 'aqrab, 'arqab, Akkad.
aqrabu, 'scorpio n'.
alacrity , n., eager readiness. - L. alacritiis, gen.
-iitis, 'cheerfulness', fr. alacer, fern. alacris, neut.
a/acre, 'cheerfu l', which stands for *ala-tlis and
is cogn. with Goth. a/jan, 'zeal', OE. ellen,
ORG. ellian, ellen, of s.m. Cp. allegro. For the
ending see suff. -ity.
Derivat ive: alacrit-ous, adj.
alaite, n., a hydrous vanadiu m pentoxi de (mineral.) - Named after the Alai Mounta ins. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alalite, n., a synony m of diopside (mineral.) Named after Ala in Tirol. For the ending see
combin ing form -lite.
alameda, n., a public walk with poplar trees
(Sp. American). - Sp., fr. dlamo, 'poplar' . See
alamo.
alamo, n., poplar (Sp. American). - Sp. alamo,
fr. a/no, 'the black poplar', fr. L. alnus, 'alder'.
See alder.
Alan, masc. PN.- ML. A/anus, of Celtic origin.
alanine, alanin, n., aminop ropioni c acid (chem.)
- Prob. formed from the first syllable of aldehyde, the syllable -an (inserted for euphon ic
reasons), and chem. suff. -ine. The name was
coined by Strecker, the discoverer of this substance, in 1849, who, however, gives no explanation for the name.
alar, adj., 1) pertaini ng to a wing; 2) winglike;
3) in anatomy, axillary. - L. iiliiris, 'of the
wing', fr. iila, 'wing'. See aisle.
Alaric, masc. PN.- L. Alaricus, a name of Visigothic origin lit. meanin g 'all-rule r', fr. Teut.
*ala-, 'all', and *rikja, 'rule'. See all and Reich
and cp. the 2nd element in Roderick, Theodoric.
alarm, n.- F. alarme, fr. It. all'arme, 'to arms'
(lit. 'to the arms'), fr. aile (pl. fern.), 'to the',
fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and le, 'the', fr. L. illae,
'those' (fern.) See ad-, ille and arm, 'weapon ',
and cp. alarum. For a similar fusion of the
article with the following word cp. alert.

44

alarmist

Derivatives: alarm, tr. v., alarm-able, alarm-ed,

adjs., alarm-ed-ly, adv., alarm-ing, adj., alarming-ly, adv., alarmist (q.v.)
alarmist, n., 1) one who starts alarming rumors;
2) one easily frightened. -A hybrid coined fr.
F. alarme (see prec. word) and -ist, a suff. of
Greek origin.
alarum, n. - A poetical variant of alarm.
alary, adj., pertaining to wings. - L. aliirius, fr.
iila, 'wing'. See aisle and -ary and cp. alar.
alas, interj. - F. helas, composed of he, a word
of imitative origin, and las, 'tired, weary', in OF.
also meaning 'unfortunate', fr. L. /assus, 'tired,
weary'. See lassitude and late. E. alas was prob.
influenced in form by alack (q.v.)
Alastor, n., son of Neleus and brother of Nestor
in Greek mythology; fig. used in the sense of
avenging spirit.- Gk. 'A"AocaTwp, lit. 'wanderer',
a derivative of &."Aiia&o:~. 'to wander, roam'. See
hallucinate and cp. the first element in Aleochara.
alastrim, n., a mild form of smallpox (med.) Port., fr. alastrar, 'to ballast a ship', fig. 'to
cover all over, spread, strew', fr. a (fr. L. ad),
'to' ,and lastro, 'ballast', fr.G.Last, 'load,charge,
burden, weight'. See ad- and last, 'burden'.
alate, alated, adj., winged.- L. tiliitus, 'winged',
fr. iila, 'wing'. See aisle and adj. suff. -ate and
cp. words there referred to.
alatern, alaternus, n., a buckthorn (Rhamnus a/aternus). - L. alaternus, 'buckthorn', of Etruscan origin.
Alauda, n., a genus of birds, the skylark (ornithol.)- ModL., fr. L. alauda, 'lark', of Gaul ish
origin, and prob. literally meaning 'tufted'.
alazor, n., the safflower.- Sp., fr. Arab. al-u$[tir,
in vulgar pronunciation a/-'o$jOr, fr. al-, 'the',
and 'u$jftr, resp. o~ftJr, 'safflower'.
alb, a long white vestment. - ML. alba for L.
alba (vestis), 'white (garment)', fern. of a/bus,
'white'; cogn. with Gk. oc"A<p6~, 'dull-white leprosy', :X"Aqn, :XA<p~-;ov, 'barley meal', OHG.
albt3, e/bi3. OE. elfet, 'swan', lit. 'the white
bird', OSlav., Russ. lebedi, Serb. l'iibud, Pol.
labrdi, Czech labud, 'swan', for orig. *olb-edi,
*olb-rdi, *olb-pdi, 'the white bird'. Cp. also Arm.
afauni, 'white pigeon, dove', Alb. el'p, el'bi, 'barley', Hitt. a/pash, 'cloud'. Cp. abele, ablet, albedo, albescent, albino, albite, albo-, Albuca, albugo, album, albumen, albumin, alburnum, alphitomancy, aubade, aube, auburn, daub.
albacore, n., a species of tunny (zoo/.)- Sp. albacora, fr. Arab. albdkrah, 'the young camel', fr. a/-,
'the', and the collective noun bakr, 'young
camels', whence bdkra", 'young she-camel', rei.
to bikr, 'virgin, woman having first child', from
the stem of the verb bdkara, 'he rose early, did
something early', and to Heb. b'kh6r, 'first
born', b'khordn, 'the right of first born', bikhrdn, 'young camel', bikkurdh, 'first ripe fig',
bikkurfm, 'first fruits', Ethiop. bakur, 'first
born'.

an

albatross, n. - Port alcatraz, 'cormorant, pelican' (whence also F. albatros), a variant of

alcatruz, 'the bucket of a water wheel', fr. Arab.
al-qiidils, 'machine for drawing water; jar', fr.
at-, 'the', and Gk. x&<'lo~. 'jar', which is a loan
word from Heb. kadh, of s.m. The name was
orig. applied to the pelican as 'the water carrier',
i.e. the bird that carries water in its pouch. For
sense development cp. Arab. saqqd, 'pelican',
lit. 'water carrier'. The alteration of Port. alcatraz to E. albatross (after L. a/bus, 'white') was
pro b. suggested by the white color of the albatross. ModPort. albatroz has been reborrowed
fr. F. albatros. Cp. alcatras.
Alban, masc. PN.- L. Albiinus, lit. 'of Alba', fr.
Alba, name of the mother city of Rome.
albedo, n., the ratio of light reflected from a surface (astron.) - L. albedo, 'whiteness', fr. a/bus,
'white'. See alb.
albeit, conj.- ME. albeit, 'all through it be',
compounded of all, be and it. Cp. although.
alberca, n., a waterhole. - Sp., 'sink, pool', fr.
Arab. al-birkah, fr. a/-, 'the', and birka", 'sink,
pool', which is rei. to Heb. b<rekhdh, Aram.
b'rekhtd, 'pool, pond'.
Albert, masc. PN.- F., fr. OHG. Adalbert, lit.
'bright through nobility', fr. ada!, 'nobility',
and beraht, 'bright'. Cp. Ethelbert, fr. OE. A':oelbryght, which is the exact equivalent of OHG.
Adalbert. For the first element see atheling and
cp. words there referred to. For the second
element see bright and cp. the second element
in the names Egbert, Gilbert, Herbert, Hubert,
Lambert.
albert, n.- Shortened from Albert chain; named
after Albert, the Prince Consort (1819-61) of
Queen Victoria.
Alberta, fern. PN. - Formed fr. Albert.
albertite, n., a bituminous mineral. - Named
after Albert County in New Brunswick, where
it is found. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
albescence, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ce.
albescent, adj., becoming white. - L. albescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of albescere, 'to become
white', inchoative of albere, 'to be white', fr.
a/bus, 'white'. See alb and -escent.
Albigenses, n. pl., religious reformers in southern
France between 1020 and 1250. - ML., so
called fr. Albi or A/bigia, a town in Languedoc
in France where they resided and where their
tenets were first condemned (in 1176).
Albin, masc. PN. - L. Albinus, a Roman cognomen, fr. a/bus, 'white'. See alb and cp.
Albina.
Albina, Albinia, fern. PN. - Fern. of L. Albinus.
See Albin.
albino, n., man or animal lacking in pigmentation.-Port., fr. L. a/bus, 'white', orig.applied
by the Portuguese to African Negroes who were
mottled with white spots. See alb.
Derivatives: albin-ic, adj., albin-ism, n.

a1cnemy

4.5

Albion, ancient name of England. - L., fr. a

non-Aryan base *alb, 'mountain', whence also
Alba, Irish name of Scotland, L. Alpes, 'the
Alps'. See alp, 'high mountain'.
albite, n., a white feldspar (mineral.) - Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. a/bus, 'white'. See alb.
Albizzia, n., name of a genus of the mimosa family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Albizzi, name of an
I tal. family, one of whom is said to have introduced it into Italy. For the ending see suff. -ia.
albo", before a vowel alb-, combining form meaning 'white'.- Fr. L. a/bus, 'white'. See alb.
albricias, n., a gift to the bringer of good news. Sp., rei. to Port. a/vic;aras, Valencian albixeres;
fr. Arab. al-bishdrah, fr. a/-, 'the', and bishdrah,
'tidings, gift for good tidings', rei. to bashira,
'he was glad, joyful', bashshara, 'he gladdened
somebody with good tidings', Heb. Msord",
'tidings, good tidings, reward for good tidings',
bisSir, 'he brought tidings, gladdened with good
tidings', Ethiop. absdra, Syr. sabbdr (with metathesis), 'he brought good tidings', Ugar. bshr,
Akkad. bussuru, 'to bring good tidings'.
Albuca, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. albucus, 'the asphodel',
lit. 'the white plant', fr. a/bus, 'white'. See alb.
albugo, n., a white spot on the cornea of the
eye. - L. albugo, 'a white spot, a disease of the
eye, a film', fr. a/bus, 'white'; see alb. For the
suff. cp. aerugo, 'rust of copper' (see aeruginous).
album, n., a blank book for pictures, stamps, autographs, etc.- L. album, 'a white tablet, on which
various kinds of notices were inscribed'; prop.
neuter of a/bus, 'white', used as a noun. See alb.
albumen, n., the white of an egg. - L. albumen,
gen. albuminis, fr. a/bus, 'white'. See alb and cp.
cerumen. Derivatives: albumen-ize, tr. v., albumeniz-arion, n.
albumin, n., one of a class of proteins (biochem.)
- Sec albumen and chem. suff. -in.
albuminoid, adj., resembling albumin, n., protein. - A hybrid coined fr. albumin, a word of
Latin origin, and Gk. -oE~o~<;, 'like', fr. d<'lo~,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
albuminous, adj., of, like, or containing albumen
or albumin. - Formed fr. albumen with suff.
-ous (as if fr. L. *a/buminosus).
albuminuria, n., the presence of albumen in the
urine (med.) - Medical L., fr. F. a/buminurie,
a hybrid coined by the French physician Martin
Solon (1795-1856) in 1838 fr. L. albumen, 'white
of the egg', and Gk. ":!p<Jv, 'urine'. See albumen,
urine and -ia.
albumose, n., proteose formed from albumin
(biochem.) -Coined by Mialhe in 1846 fr. albumin and subst. sutf. -ose.
alburnum, n., sap wood. - L. alburnum (whence
also OF. aubour, and, with change of suff., F.
aubier), prop. neut. of the adjective a/burnus
'white, whitish', fr. a/bus, 'white'. See alb
cp. auburn.
Alca, n., a genus of birds of the auk family (or-

and

nithol.) - ModL. See auk and cp. Alcedinidae.

alcabala, n., excise. - Sp., fr. Arab. a/-qabdla",
fr. a/-, 'tbe', and qabdla", 'act of receiving'.
See cabal.
Alcaic, adj., pertaining to Alcaeus or to either of
the two meters invented by him. - L. Alcaicus,
fr. Gk. 'A:l-.xo:'(xo<;, 'pertaining to or used by
Alcaeus', fr. 'A"Axo:'to<;, Alcaeus, a poet who
lived in Mytileneabout6oo B.C.E.Fortheendi ng
see suff. -ic.
alcaide, n., commander of a fortress; warden of
a prison. - Sp., fr. Arab. al-qti'id, 'the leader'
fr. a/-, 'the', and part. of qtida, 'he led (the army)'
Cp. kaid.
alcalde, n. the mayor of a Spanish town. - Sp.,
fr. Arab. al-q&j.i, 'the judge', formed fr. a/-,
'the', and part. of qtil/.ii, 'he decided'. See cadi.
alcatras, n., the pelican; the frigate bird.- Port.
alcatraz. See albatross.
aleazaba, n., fortress.- Sp., fr. Arab. al-qd$aba",
'the fortress', from a/-, 'the', and qd,mbah, 'city,
capital, fortress', fr. qd$aba, 'he cut, chopped
up', which is rei. to Heb. qatzdbh, 'he cut off',
Mishnaic Heb. qatztztibh, 'butcher', Aram.
qatztzabhti, of s.m. (Arab. qa$$dbh, 'butcher', is
a Hebrew loan word.)
alcazar, n., a castle, a palace. - Sp., fr. Arab.
al-qa$r, 'the castle', fr. al-, 'the', and L. cast rum,
'fortified place, fort, castle'. See castrametation and cp. castle.
Alcedinidae, n. pl., a family of birds comprising
the kingfishers (ornithol.) - ModL., formed
with suff. -idae fr. L. a/cedo, 'kingfisher', which
is latinized fr. Gk. &"Axuwv, on analogy of Latin
words ending in -edo. See halcyon.
Alces, n., the genus of the elk (zoo/.) - L. alces,
'elk', a loan word fr. Teut. *alx.is. Cp. ON. e/gr,
OHG. e/aho, 'elk' and see elk.
Alcestis, n., wife of Admetus, one of the Argonauts; she offered her life for her husband but
was rescued from the lower world by Heraclcs
(Greek mythol.)- L. Alcestis, fr. Gk. "A"Ax-r,aT~<;.
lit. 'valiant, courageous', fr. ril.x-i), 'protection,
help, strength, power, courage'. See Alexander.
alchemist, n. -OF. a/qemiste (F. alchimiste), fr.
a/qemie. See alchemy and -ist.
Alchemilla, n., a genus of plants of the rose family;
the lady's-mantle (bot.). - ModL., fr. Port.
alchime/ech, fr. Arab. iklfl al-mdlik, 'the crown
of the king'. The first element is prob. a loan
word fr. Aram. k<lfl, k<lilti, 'crown'. For the
second element see malik, Mameluke.
alchemy, n. medieval chemistry.- OF. a/quemie
(13th cent.), alchimie (14th cent.) (F. alchimie),
fr. ML. alchemia, fr. Arab. a/-kimiyd, fr. a/-,
'the', and MGk. X.'l/fi.dii, X't)fi.lii, prop. 'the art
of the black land (Egypt)', fr. Gk. Xwli, 'Blackland, Egypt', fr. Egypt. khem, khame, 'black'.
The derivation from Gk. zufi.dii, 'pouring',
from the stem of X~ELV, 'to pour', is folk etymology. See W.Muss-Arnolt, Transactions of
the American Philological Association, vol.

46

41

atextpnarmtc

alcmaeon

XXIII, p. I49 Cp. chemical, chemist, chemistry.

Derivatives: alchem-ic, alchem-ic-al, adjs., alchem-ic-al-ly, adv.
Alcmaeon, n., one ofthe epigones (Greek mythol.)
- L. Alcmae6(n), fr. Gk. 'AA.x[J.o:lwv, prob.
meaning lit. 'valiant, brave'. Cp. Gk. liAx[J.o:~o(;
(Hesychius), 'young man', liAx[J.o:pe~ (neut.)
(ibidem), 'strong, powerful'.
Alcmene, n., the mother of Hercules (Greek
mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. 'AAx[J.-f)V"t), lit. 'the strong
one', fr. ocAx-Yj, 'strength, power'. See Alexander.
alcohol, n. - ML., fr. Arab. al-ko/:11, vulgar pronunciation of al-kubl, fr. al-, 'the', and kobl,
resp. kubl, 'antimony (used for painting the eyelids)', which is rel. to Heb. kiibtil (Ezek. 23: 40);
'he painted the eyelids with antimony', Aram.Syr. klbal, Ethiop. kabtila, of s.m., Aram.
ku/:1/ti, Ethiop. kubel, 'antimony'. (Akkad. gublu,
'antimony', is prob. a WSem.loan word.)lts modem sense ('highly rectified spirits') is due to the
analogy of the fineness of this powder. Cp. kohl.
Derivatives: alcohol-ic, adj., alcohol-ic-ally,
adv., alcohol-ism, n., alcohol-ize, tr. v.
alcoholometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the alcoholic strength of liquids. - A hybrid
coined fr. alcohol and Gk. [J.hpov, 'measure'.
See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Alcoran, n.- F. alcoran, fr. Arab. al-qur'dn, 'the
Koran', fr. al-, 'the', and qur'dn, lit. 'reading'.
See Koran.
alcomoque, n., the bark of several trees. - Sp.,
Port. 'cork tree', a hybrid coined fr. Arab. al-,
'the', and L. quercus, 'oak', changed into *quernus. See cork and cp. Quercus.
alcove, n., I) a recessed section in a room; 2) any
recess. - F. alcove, fr. Sp. alcoba, fr. Arab. alqubba", fr. al-, 'the', and qubbah, 'arch, vaulted
tent', which is rel. to Arab. qtibba, 'it was bent',
and to Heb. qubbdn, 'vaulted tent', Syr. qlbhiibhti, 'vault, vaulted tent', Akkad. qabiibu,
'shield'. All these words are derivatives of the
Sem. base q-b-b, 'to be bent, crooked, vaulted'.
aldea, n., hamlet, villa. - Sp. and Port., 'hamlet', fr. Arab. at-, 'the', and dayah, 'farm, hamlet'. Cp. aldeia.
Aldebaran, n., a red star in the constellation
Taurus (astron.) - Arab. Al-Dabariin, lit. 'the
following (star)', fr. dabara, 'he followed'; so
called in reference to its position with regard to
Pleiades.
aldehyde, n. (chem.) - Coined by the German
chemist Justus von Liebig (I803-73) from the
abbreviation of alcohol dehydrogeniitum, 'alcohol deprived of hydrogen'.
aldeia, n., hamlet. - Port. aldeia. See aldea.
alder, n., tree rel. to the birch. - ME., formed
with excrescent d fr. OE. a/or, which is rel. to
OS. elora, ON. olr, Dan. elle, el, Swed. al,
MDu. else, Du. els, OHG. erila (fr. earlier
elira), G. Erie, fr. Teut. *aliso; cogn. with
Russ. 6/Tcha (for *a/isa-), 'alder', Pol. olcha, of
s.m., OS!av. jellcha, L. alnus (for alsnos), Lith.

alksnis (with excrescent k), OPruss. alskande.

All these words possibly derive fr. I.-E. base
*el-, *ol-, 'yellow'. Cp. OHG. elo, 'yellow', and
see elk. See also elm and elder, the tree, and cp.
alamo, alameda, aliso, Alnus. Cp. also F. alise,
'sorb apple', which is a Frankish loan word.
alder, n., head of family, chief.- OE. aldor, ealdor, fr. ald, eald, 'old'. See old and -or, -er.
Derivatives: alder-dam, n., alderman (q.v.)
alderman, n.- OE. (e)aldorman, 'prince, chief',
compounded of (e)aldor, 'chief', and man. See
alder, 'chief', and man. Derivatives: alderman-ic,
adj., alderman-cy, n., alderman-ess, n., aldermanly, adj., alderman-ry, n., alderman-ship, n.
Aldine, adj., printed by Aldus Manutius (I450I5I5).- Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr. Latinization of It. Aldo, an abbreviated form of Teobaldo. See Theobald.
ale, n. - OE. ealo, alo, rel. to ON. ol, and cogn.
with L. alumen, 'alum', fr. I.-E. base *alu-,
'bitter'. OPruss. a/u, 'mead', Lith. a/us, OSlav.
olu, 'beer', are Teut. loan words. Cp. alum,
alumina, aluta, alutaceous.
aleatory, adj., depending on chance. - L. iileiitorius, 'pertaining to a gamester', fr. alea, 'die,
game of hazard', prob. meaning orig. 'mere
chance', and derived fr. Gk. &A.e:6~. a collateral
form of ~Ae:6~, 'wandering in mind, distraught,
foolish'. See Aleochara and the adj. suffixes -ate
and -ory.
aleberry, n. -Compounded of ale and ME. bre,
'brewis, broth', fr. OE. briw. See brew, brewis.
alec, n., herring; fish pickle. - L. al(l)ec, hal(l)ec, also a/lex, hal/ex, prob. borrowed fr. Gk.
&A(A)"t)~. a var. of &At~, 'alec, fish pickle'.
aleconner, n., an old official who tested the quality of ale (English hist.) - Compounded of ale,
con, 'to examine', and agential suff. -er.
alectryomachy, n., cock-fighting.- Compounded of Gk. &Ae:x-rpu6lv, 'cock', and [J.OC:;(IJ, 'battle,
fight'. The first element lit. means 'warder off,
fighter', and is rel. to &A~e:Lv, 'to ward, drive
or keep off', liAe:~"tJ-riJP, 'fighter', li).x-rljp, of
s.m. See Alexander and cp. the first element in
next word and the second element in hippalectryon. For the second element in alectryomachy
see -machy.
alectryomancy, n., divination by means of a cock
and grains of corn. - Compounded of Gk.
&Aex-rpuwv, 'cock', and [J.o:vt"e:l<i, 'oracle, divination'. See prec. word and -mancy.
alee, adv., on or toward the lee (naut.)- Formed
fr. a-, 'on', and lee. Derivative: alee, adj.
Alemanni also Alamanni, n. pl., Suebic tribes,
who settied in Alsace and part ofSwitzerland.L., fr. Teut. Alamann- which prob. means 'the
aliens', lit. 'foreign men'. The al- in Al-e-manni
Al-a-manni lit. means 'other, foreign', and is of
the same origin as a/- in L. al-ius, 'the other', in
the tribe name Al-lobrogi (see AUobrogi), and
el- in else (q.v.) Cp. alias and Alsatia. For the
second element in Al-e-manni, Al-a-mannf see

man. Cp. F. allemand, 'German', which also

derives fr. Teut. Alamann- (see allemande).
alembic, n. - ME., fr. OF. (=F.) alambic, fr.
OSp. ( = Sp.) alambique fr. Arab. al-anbtq, 'the
still', which is formed fr. a/-,'the', and Gk. &[!~Li;,
'cup, cap of a still, alembic', which is of uncertain, possibly Semitic origin. Cp. It. lambicco,
which is of the same origin as Sp. alambique.
Alenu, n., concluding prayer (Jewish liturgy). Heb. 'aMnii, lit. 'upon us', formed fr. 'al, 'on,
upon', with -inu, the pronom. suff. of the 1st
person in the plural. The prayer is so called
from the first words 'aMnii Fshabbiab, 'it is (incumbent) upon us to praise'. Heb. 'a/ is rei. to
'alti", 'he went up'. See aliyab.
Aleochara, n., a genus of rove beetles (entomol.)
- ModL., compounded of Gk. ci).c:6~, a collateral form of ~Ae:6<;, 'wandering in mind, distraught, foolish', and xo:p&, 'joy'. The first element is rel. to liAiXcr{}o:L, 'to wander, roam'; see
hallucinate and cp. Alastor, aleatory. The second
element is rei. to xo:(pe:LV, 'to rejoice', xocpL~,
'grace, kindness'; see Charis.
aleph, n., name of the 1st letter of the Heb. alphabet.- Heb. tileph, pausal form of eleph 'ox'
so called in allusion to the ancient Hebrew' for~
of this letter, representing the head of an ox. Cp.
alpha. For the form cp. daleth, lamedh, samekh.
alepidote, adj., without scales (zoo/.) - Gk.
liAe:7tlllw-ro~, fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and
Ae:mllw-r6~. 'covered with scales', fr. AS:7tl~. gen.
AE7tlllo~, 'scale'. See lepido-, leper.
Derivative: a/epidote, n., a fish without scales.
alerce, alerze, n., the sandarac tree. - Sp., 'the
larch tree', fr. Arab. al-arz, in vulgar pronunciation al-erz, fr. al-, 'the', and arz, resp. erz,
'coniferous tree, pine tree, cedar', borrowed fr.
Heb. erez, 'cedar'.
alert, adj., watchful; active, nimble.- F. alerte,
fr. earlier a l'erte, a l'airte, fr. It. al/'erta, lit.
'on the height', fr. erta, 'height', prop. fern. of
erto, 'steep, precipitous', pp. of ergere 'to erect
raise', used as a noun, fr. L. erigere. 'See erect:
Derivatives: alert-ly, adv., alert-ness, n.
Alethea, fern. PN. - Gk. li).~{}e:Lo:, 'truth', fr.
liA"tJ&~~. 'true'. See aletho- and cp. Philathea.
alethiology, n., the science of truth.- G. Alethio/ogie, compounded of Gk. li:Af.&e:to:, 'truth' (fr.
&I."f)&~~. 'true'), and -Aoy(iX, fr. -A6yo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See aletho- and -logy.
The word was first used by J. H. Lambert in his
Neues Organon (in r 764).
al~tho-, combining form meaning 'true'. - Gk.
o:u,,'to-, fr. &l."fi&f.~, 'true', lit. 'not concealing',
fr. :i- (see priv. pref. a-) and ).-Yj{}"t), 'forgetfulness, oblivion', which is cogn. with L. latere
'to lie hid or concealed, to lurk'. See latent and
cp. Lethe, Alethea.
Alethopteris, n., a genus of fossil ferns, found
~pecially in the coal formation. - ModL., lit.
having true ferns', coined by Sternberg fr.

aletho- and Gk. 7t-rtpL<;, 'fern', which is rei. to

1t-re:p6v, 'feather, wing'. See ptero-.
Aletris, n., a genus of plants; the colic root (bot.)
-. ModL., fr. Gk. liAe:-rpl~, 'a female slave, who
gnnds corn', fr. liAe:'Lv, 'to grind' (see next
word); so called from the mealy appearance of
its blossoms.
aleurone, also aleuron, n., a proteid substance
found in cereals (biochem.) - Gk. &Ae:upov,
'wheat flour', fr. liAe:'Lv, 'to grind', which is
cogn. with Arm. a/am, 'I grind, pulverize', aleur,
'flour', and prob. also with OI. a!Jub (for *alnub), 'thin, fine'. Cp. prec. word and the first
element in Aleyrodes.
alevin, n., a young fish.- F., 'fry, young fish',
fr. OF. alevain, fr. VL. *allevamen, fr. L. al/eviire, 'to lift up, lighten, alleviate', in VL. also
'to bring up, rear', fr. ad- and levare, 'to raise
lift up'. See lever and cp. elevate. The French
form alevin (fr. OF. alevain) is due to the change
of suff. -ain (fr. L. -amen) to suff. -in (fr. L. -inus).
Alexander, masc. PN. - L. Alexander, fr. Gk.
'AAei;o:vllpo~, lit., 'defender of men', fr. liAe/;e:tv,
'to ward off, keep off, turn away, defend, protect, and &v-f)p, gen. &vllp6<;, 'man'. 'AA~e:Lv is
desiderative of li:Atxs:Lv, 'to ward off', which is
related to &J.x~, 'protection, help, strength,
power, courage', &AXL[J.O~, 'strong', and cogn.
with OI. rtik[iati, 'protects', OE. ealgian, 'to defend', and possibly also with OE. ea/h, OS.
alah, Goth. alhs, 'temple', OLith. elkas, alkas,
'sacred wood', Lett. elks, 'idol'. Cp. Alcmene,
alexin, alexipharmic, Alexis, Alexius, Alcestis,
analcite. Cp. also lac, 'one hundred thousand'.
For the 2nd element in Alexander see andro-.
alexanders, the meadow parsnip. - Lit. 'the
flower of Alexander (the Great)'; so called for
its brilliant color suggesting royalty.
Alexandrine, n., a verse of six iambic feet, having
the caesura after the third. -F. alexandrin; so
called because first used by the French poet
Alexandre de Paris (de Bernai) in a poem on
Alexander the Great, dating from the I 3th cent.
alexandrite, n., a dark green variety of chrysoberyl (mineral.) - Named after Alexander II
of Russia. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alexia, n., inability to read (med.) - Medical L.,
formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. )./;t~, 'speech',
from the stem of Atye:Lv, to tell, say, speak'
(see lexicon), but confused in meaning with L.
Iegere, 'to read'. For the ending see suff. -ia.
alexin, n., a substance which destroys bacteria
(immunology). -Coined by the German bacteriologist Hans Buchner (r8so-1902) in 1888, fr.
Gk. &/.~ELY, 'to ward off, keep off, protect'.
See Alexander and chem. suff. -in.
alexipharmic, adj. counteracting poison, antidotal.- Gk. liAe:/;tcpocp[J.o:xo~, 'acting as an antidote', fr. &A.e/;e:tv, 'to ward off, keep off, protect', and cpocptJ.o:xov, 'drug, poison'. See Alexander, pharmacy and -ic.
Derivative: alexipharmic, n., an antidote.

46

49

alltorm

alexipyretic

of equations, which was the original scope of

alexipyretic, adj., keeping off fever. - Comalgebra. Al-jabr is formed fr. al-, 'the', andjabr,
pounded of Gk. &At~E~~. 'to ward off, keep
'reunion', which is rel. to the verb ja' bara, 'he
off, protect', and 7tupE-r6~, 'fever', fr. m:ip, 'fire'.
bound together, united'. Cp. algorism.
See Alexander and pyretic.
Derivatives: algebra-ic, algebra-ic-a!, adjs., alDerivative: a/exipyretic, n.
adv., algebraization (q.v.), algegebra-ic-al-ly,
Alexis, masc. PN.- Gk. "AAE~~~. fr. oc)..s~E~v, 'to
(q.v.)
braist
ward off, keep off, protect'. See Alexander and
algebraist, n., an expert in algebra. - A hybrid
cp. next word.
coined fr. algebra and -ist, a suff. of Greek
lit.
Alexius, masc. PN. - L., fr. Gk. 'A)..s~to~,
origin.
'defender, helper', fr. :):)..s~E~~- See prec. word.
algebraization, n., reduction of algebraic sym(entomol.)
insects
of
genus
Aleyrodes, n., a
bols (phi/as.) - G. Algebraisierung, fr. algebraModL., fr. Gk. :):)..gupw1l1J<;, 'resembling flour',
isieren, a hybrid coined by Edmund Husser!
compounded of aAEupav, 'wheat flour', and
(1859-1938) fr. algebra and suff. -isieren, fr.
-W31J<;, 'like'. See aleuron and -ode, 'like'.
Gk. -li:;z~v. See -ize and -ation.
alezan, n., a sorrel horse. - Sp. alazdn (whence
algebraize, tr. v.- See prec. word.
alArab.
fr.
(horse)',
F. alezan), 'sorrel-colored
algedonic, adj., characterized by the association
hisdn 'the noble and beautiful horse'.
of pain and pleasure. - Compounded of Gk.
air~, ~-. the esparto grass. - Arab. l:zalfd', rel.
C()..yoc,, 'pain, and ~3avnt6r:,, 'pleasant', fr. 1)3av~,
to Mishnaic Heb. l:zeleph, Aram. l:zil'phd, 'rush,
'pleasure'. See algid and hedonic.
reed', from stem l:z-1-p, 'to be sharp, cut through,
Algernon, masc. PN.- Lit. 'with mustaches', fr.
pierce'. Cp. acalephe.
OF. a/s gernons. OF. als (F. aux) stands for a
alfalfa, n., lucerne. - Sp., fr. Arab. al-fd~fa~ah.
les, lit. 'to the' (pl.), fr. L. ad- (see ad-) and the
(Cp. the collateral Sp. form alfalfez, which repplural of the article le, fr. L. ille, 'that one';
Arab.
resents the intermediate form between
see ille and cp. words there referred to. OF. geral-fd~fa,mh and Sp. alfalfa.).
non is a collateral form of grenon, 'mustache',
alfaqui, n., a Mohammedan scholar. - Sp., fr.
VL. *granonem, ace. of *grana, a word of
fr.
Arab. al-faqih, fr. al-, 'the', and faqih, 'learned,
Teut. origin. Cp. OHG. grana, OE. granu, 'musintelligent', fr. fiqh, 'knowledge, intelligence'.
tache', G. Granne, 'awn, beard', fr. I.-E. base
alfenide, n., an alloy of nickel and silver. - So
*gher-, 'to stick out', whence also OSiav. grani,
called after the chemist Halphen, who invented
'point, edge', W. gran, 'eyelid', Mlr. grend,
this alloy in 1850. For the ending see suff. -ide.
'whiskers'.
Alfred, masc. PN.- OE. /fr:id, compounded
-algia, suff. denoting 'pain', as in cardialgia, myalof ;elf, 'elf', and r:id, 'counsel'. See elf and read.
gia, neuralgia (med.) - Gk. -oc)..ylii, fr. a)..ya<;,
alfresco, adv. and adj., in the open air. - It. al
'pain', whence :):)..yg~v. 'to feel pain', &pyoc)..ea<;,
fresco, lit. 'in the fresh (air)'. It. al, lit. 'to the',
(dissimilated fr. *&.)..yoc)..sa<;), 'painful'; of unis formed fr. a, 'to' (fr. L. ad), and the dcf. article
certain origin. Cp. algio-.
i/ (fr. L. ille, 'that'); see ad- and ille and cp. a1
algid, adj., cold; chilly.- F. algide, fr. L. algisegno. For It. fresco see fresco.
Jus, 'cold', fr. algere, 'to be cold', which is cogn.
alga, n.- L., 'sea weed', cogn. with 01. rjisd/:1,
ON. elJ?iar, Ice!. elgur, 'drifting snow'; not
with
'viscous, sticky', Norw. ulka, 'moldy; slime',
Gk. &1-yE'i:v, 'to feel pain'. See E. L. Liden,
to
rel.
fr. I.-E. base *el-, *ol-, 'to putrefy, rot', whence
zur altindischen und vergleichenden
Studien
also Norw. ul, 'moldy', Swed. ul, 'rancid', L.
Sprachgeschichte, Uppsala, 1897, p. 66. Cp.
ulva, 'sedge'. Cp. Ulva.
algor.
Algae, n. pl., a division of plants of the ThalloDerivatives: algid-ity, n., algid-ness, n.
phyta (bot.) - L., pl. of alga. See prec. word.
algio-, combining form meaning 'pain' or 'peralArab.
fr.
Sp.,
abelmosk.
algalia, n., the
taining to pain', as in algiomuscular. - Fr. Gk.
gdliyah, 'the civet'; so called in allusion to its
C()..yo<;, 'pain'. See -algia.
musky seeds.
before a vowel alg-, combining form dealgo-,
common
algarroba, n., 1) the carob tree; 2) the
'pain', as in algedonic.- Fr. Gk . .X)..ya<;,
noting
mesquite (Prosopis juliflora). - Sp., fr. Arab.
'pain'. See -algia.
and
'the',
a/-,
fr.
carob',
'the
al-kharrilbah,
algoid, adj., resembling algae.- A hybrid coined
kharrilbah, 'carob tree'. See carob.
fr. L. alga and Gk. -oe:~3f,<;, 'like', fr. d3o<;,
algarrobilla, n., a yellow dye from the seeds and
'form, shape'. See alga and -oid.
dimin.
a
pods of Prosopis juliflora. - Sp.,
algodonite, n., a copper arsenide (mineral.) formed fr. algarroba.
Named after the Algodones mine in Chile. For
algebra, n. - Fr. Arab. al-jabr (in vulgar prothe ending see subst. suff. -ite.
nunciation al-jebr), 'reunion (of broken parts in
Algol, n., a fixed star in the constellation Perequations)', short for al-jabr w'al-muqdbalah, 'reseus (astron.) --Lit. 'the Demon Star', fr. Arab.
union and comparison', title of a work written
al-ghul, 'the demon', fr. al-, 'the', and ghul,
i,
by Mohammed ibn M\isa al-Khowlirizm
'demon'. See ghoul.
great mathematician of the 9th cent. The title
algolagnia, algolagny, n., the feeling of pleasure
refers to, and the work deals with, the solution

red castle', from the color of the sun-dried

in causing or suffering pain (psychopathol.) bricks of which its outer walls were built.
ModL. algolagnia, coined by Schrenck-Notz ing
Alhambresque, adj., made in the style of the Alfr. Gk. a)..ya<;, 'pain', and )..ocyva<;, 'lustful,
hambra. - A hybrid coined fr. Alhambra and
lecherous'. For the first element see -algia. Gk.
suff. -esque (fr. It. -esco).
)..ocyvac, is rel. to )..ocyocp6<;, 'slack, loose', )..~yE~v,
AI Het, the longer confession of sin recited on
'to stay, leave off, cease', and cogn. with OE.
the day of Atonement (Jewish Religion). sleac, 'slow, slack'. See slack, adj., and cp.lack,
Heb. 'al /:let, 'upon or for the sin'; so called
langnid, lax, adj.
because each sentence begins with the words 'a/
algology, n., the study of algae.- A hybrid coin/:let, resp. v''al l:ze! ('Forgive us "for the sin" we
ed fr. L. alga and Gk. -Aaylii, fr. -)..6ya<;, 'one
have committed by .. .').
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
alias, adv., otherwise called; n., an assumed
(with a certain topic)'. See alga and -logy.
name. - L. alias, 'in another way, at another
Derivatives: a/go log-ical, adj., algo/og-ist, n.
time, otherwise', fr. a/ius, 'another', which is
algor, n., cold; chill.- L., fr. algere, 'to be cold'.
cogn. with Gk. a)..)..or:, (for *aAJ:OC,), 'another',
See algid and -or. For the mode of formation
Goth. aljis, 'other', OE. elles, 'otherwise'. See
cp. terror, 'fright', fr. terrere, 'to frighten', albor,
else and words there referred to and cp. esp.
'white color', fr. albere, 'to be white'.
alibi, alien.
algorism, n., the Arabic system of numerals. alibi, n., plea that the accused person was elseME. algorisme, fr. OF. algorisme (F. algorithwhere than at the place where the crime was
me), fr. ML. algorismus, from the inexact transcommitted (law). - L. alibi, 'elsewhere', comliteration of Arab. al-Khowiirizmi, 'the man of
pounded of a/ius, 'other', and ibi, 'there'. See
Khowiirizm (the modern Khiva), surname of
prec. word and ibidem.
Abu Jafar Mohammed ibn Miisa, great mathealible, adj., nourishing.- L. alibi/is, 'nourishing,
matician of the 9th cent. His famous work Alnutritious', fr. a/ere, 'to nourish'. See aliment
jabr w'al muqdbalah ('Reunion and comparand cp. words there referred to. For the ending
ison'), introduced the use of Arabic numerals in
see suff. -ible.
Europe, which denoted a turning point in the
Derivative: alib-il-ity, n.
history of mathematics. Cp. algebra.
Alice, fern. PN. -OF. Aliz, Aaliz, fr. OHG. Ada/algous, adj., pertaining to algae. - L. algosus,
haid, lit. 'of a noble kind'. See Adelaide and
fr. alga, 'seaweed'. See Alga and -ous.
cp. Alison.
alguazil, n., peace officer in Spain.- Sp. alguacil,
Alice blue. -Named after Mrs. Alice Roosevelt,
fr. earlier alguazil, fr. Arab. al-wazfr, fr. a/-,
wife of President Theodore Roosevelt.
'the', and wazfr, 'vizier'. See vizier.
alicula, n. a short cloak (Rom. antiq.) - L. 'a
algum, n. - See almug.
light upper garment', a dimin. formed fr. Thesalhacena, n., an alcove. - Sp., fr. Arab. al-khisal. Gk. a)..)..~xoc, ace. of aUL~, 'upper garzdnah, 'the store room, the cell', fr. al-, 'the',
ment; purple cloak', with suff. -ula (see -ule).
and khdzana, 'he stored up'. See magazine and
L. alicula is not rei. to L. iila, 'wing'.
cp. almacen.
alidade, n., indicator of an astrolabe. - F., fr.
Alhagi, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
Sp. alidada, fr. Arab. al-iq.ddah, 'the revolving
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Arab. a/-l:ziij, 'the camel's
radius of a circle'.
thorn', which is rel. to Talmudic Heb. heghd,
alien, adj. and n. - L. alienus, 'belonging to anAram. heghd, hegh'thd, Syr. J:ziigh'thd, of s.m.
other', fr. a/ius, 'another'. See alias.
The primary meaning of these nouns is 'thorns
Derivatives: alien-able, adj. (cp. F. alienable),
forming a hedge', from the Semitic base l:z-y-g,
alien-abil-ity, n., alienage (q.v.), alienate (q.v.),
/:1-w-g, 'to surround, hedge, fence in'. See
alien-ee, n., alienism (q.v.), alienist (q.v.)
H. L. Fleischer in his Contributions to Jacob
alienage, n., status of an alien. -F. alienage, fr.
Levy's Neuhebraisches und Chaldaisches W orteraliener, fr. L. alieniire. See next word and -age.
buch tiber die Taimudim und Midraschim I
alienate, tr. v. - L. alieniitus, pp. of alieniire, 'to
p. 556, and Immanuel Low, Aramaische Pfl~n:
make something another's, to take away, rezennamen, Leipzig, 1881, pp. 145-47.
move', fr. alienus. See alien and verbal suff. -ate.
Alhambra, n., the palace of the Moorish kings at
Derivatives: alienation (q.v.), alienat-or, n.
Granada.- Sp., fr. Arab. (al-kal'at) al-l:zamrd',
alienation, n. - ME., fr. OF. alienation (F. alie'the red (castle)', fern. of d/:lmaru, 'red', rel. to
nation), fr. L. alieniitionem, ace. of alieniitiiJ,
/:ldmmara, 'he dyed red', /:IUmrah, 'redness', Heb.
'transference or alienation of property', fr. aliehemdr, 'bitumen, asphalt' (so called because of
niitus, pp. of alieniire. See prec. word and -ion.
its reddish color), /:ziimdr, 'he covered or smearalienism, n., the status of a alien. - Formed fr.
ed with asphalt', Mmer, 'mortar, clay' (so called
alien with suff. -ism.
from its color), Heb. l:zQmor, Arab. l:zimdr,
alienist, n., specialist in mental diseases. -F.
Aram.-Syr./:zamiird,Akkad. imeru, 'ass', lit. 'the
alieniste, a hybrid formed fr. L. alienus, with
reddish brown animal', Heb. yal:zmilr, Aram.
suff. -iste. See alien and -ist.
ya(lmurd, Arab. yal:zmilr, 'roebuck' (also named
aliform. adj., wing-shaped. - Compounded of
from its color). The Alhambra was called 'the

alight

L. iila, 'wing', and forma, 'form, shape'. See

aisle and form, n.
alight, intr. v., to descend, get down. - ME.
alihten, fr. OE. iilihtan, fr. ii- (see intensive
pref. a-), and lfhtan, 'to alight'. See light, 'to
dismount'.
alight, adj., on fire.- ME. aliht, pp. of alihten,
'to light up'. See a-, 'on', and light, n.
align, tr. v., to range in line; intr. v., to fall into
line. -F. aligner, fr. a, 'to' (see a-), and ligne,
fr. L. linea, 'line'. See line and cp. allineate.
Derivatives: align-er, n., alignment (q.v.)
alignment, alignement, n. - F. alignement, fr.
aligner. See align and -ment.
alike,adv.,ad j.-Formed fr.a-, 'on',andlike, adj.
aliment, n., food. - L. alimentum, 'nourishment,
food', fr. a/ere, 'to rear, nourish, support, maintain', fr. I.-E. base *a/-, 'to grow, nourish'. See
old and cp. words there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ment.
Derivatives: aliment-al, adj., alimentary (q.v.),
alimentation (q.v.)
alimentary, adj. - ML. alimentiirius, 'pertaining
to nourishment', fr. L. alimentum. See aliment
and adj. suff. -ary.
alimentation, n. - ML. alimentiiti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. L. alimentum. See aliment and -ation.
alimony, n., money paid to a wife out of her husband's income during or after separation or
divorce (law). - L. alim6nia, 'nourishment,
sustenance', formed fr. a/ere, 'to rear, nourish,
support, maintain', with suff. -mania, which is
cogn. with Gk. suff. fJ.WV. See aliment and -mony.
Aline, fern. PN. - F., shortened fr. Adeline. See
Adeline.
aline, tr. and intr. v. - A var. of align.
aliped, adj., wing-footed. - Compounded of L.
iila, 'wing', and pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'. See alar
and pedal.
Derivative: aliped, n.
aliphatic, adj., fatty. - Formed with suff. -ic
from the stem of Gk. &AeL~Q(p, also otAe:L~Q(,
gen. &:Ae:l~Q('t'O~, 'oil, fat', fr. &:Ad~e:Lv, 'to anoint'.
See adipose and cp. next word.
aliptes, n., the manager in the school for wrestlers (Roman antiq.)-L.aliptes,fr.Gk.&.Ad1tTIJ~.
lit. 'anointer'. fr. &.Ad~e:Lv, 'to anoint'; see
prec. word. He was so called because it was his
care to annoint the bodies of the wrestlers with
unguents.
aliqnant, adj., not dividing without leaving aremainder. - F. aliquante, fr. L. aliquantus,
'somewhat, some, moderate', compounded of
alius, 'other', and quantus, 'how great'. See
alias and qnantum.
Derivative: aliquant, n.
aliquot, adj., dividing exactly, without leaving a
remainder. - L., 'some several, a few', compounded of a/ius, 'other', and quo!, 'how much,
how many'. See alias and quota and cp. the
second element in hidalgo.
Alisma, n., a genus of aquatic plants, the water

so
plantain (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. otALO'fJ.Q(, 'the
water plantain'.
Derivative: alism-al, adj.
alismoid, adj., resembling a water plantain.
Compounded of Gk. otALO'fJ.Q(, 'the water plantain', and -oe:Lilf,c;, 'like', fr. dlloc;, 'form, shape'.
See -oid.
aliso, n., any of several plants of the genus Alnus
or their wood (bot.) - Sp., 'alder', fr. Goth.
*alisa, 'alder', fr. Teut. *aliso-. See alder, the tree.
Alison, fern. PN. - F., prop. a dimin. of Alice
(q.v.)
alisonite, n., a variety of covellite (mineral.) Named after R. E. Alison of Chile. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
aliunde, adv., from another place. - L., 'from
another place', compounded of a/ius, 'another'
(see alias), and unde, 'from which place; from
whatever place', fr. orig. *cunde, rel. to the pronominal base *qwo. See who and words there
referred to and cp. esp. ubiety.
alive, adj. - ME. on live, alive, fr. OE. on lf{e,
'in life'. See on and life, and cp. live.
Derivatives: alive, adv., alive-ness, n.
aliyah, n., I) the act of being called to the almemar to participate in the reading of the Torah;
2) immigration to Israel. - Reb. 'aliyyd", 'a
going up', fr. 'aid" 'he went up, ascended', which
is rei. to Ugar. ~v, Arab. 'alii, 'he went up,
ascended', Akkad. e!U, 'to go up, ascend', Reb.
'al, Aram.-Syr. 'a/, Ugar. '/, Arab. 'alii, 'on,
upon; against', Reb. 'iiteh, 'leaf', lit. 'that which
springs up', '6/dh, 'burnt offering' (prop. fern.
part. of the verb 'iildh, and lit. meaning 'that
which goes up'), 'ely6n, 'high, higher', ma'aliih,
'step, stair', ma'id", 'upward'. Cp. Alenu, Eli.
alizari, n., madder root. - F., fr. Sp. alizari, fr.
Arab. al-'asdra", 'the juice', fr. a/-, 'the', and
asara, 'he squeezed, pressed', which is rei. to
Reb. 'iitzar, Aram.-Syr. 'atzar, 'he retained'.
alizarin, alizarine, n., a dye (chem.) - F. alizarine, fr. alizari. See prec. word and chem. suff.
-in, -ine.
aljama, n., a Jewish congregation in Spain. Sp., fr. Arab. al-jamd'a", fr. a/-, 'the', and jamd'ah, 'assembly', fr. jama'a, 'he gathered together, assembled'.
aljamia, n., Moorish name of the Spanish language. - Sp. aljamia, fr. Arab. al-'ajamlyah,
'the non-Arabic, barbarian (language)', fr. a/-,
'the', and fern. of'ajamf, 'non-Arabic, barbarian'.
aljofaina, n., wash basin. - Sp., fr. Arab. aljufayna", dimin. of al-jafna" (whence Sp. a/jafana), fr. a/-, 'the', and jafna", 'dish'.
alkahest, n., the universal solvent of the alchemists.- F. a/cahest, fr. ML. a/cahest, a pseudoArabic word prob. coined by Paracelsus.
alkali, n. - F. a/calli (now spelled alcali), fr.
Arab. a/-qi/1, fr. a/-, 'the', and qilf, 'charred
ashes of the saltwort', fr. qdlii, 'he fried, roasted', which is rei. to Heb. qiild11 , 'he roasted,
parched', Aram. q~/d, 'burned', Akkad. qalii,

51
'to bum'; cp. kali. The word alkali first appears
in the writings of Albertus Magnus(1206? -I28o).
alkalimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
strength of alkalis. - A hybrid coined fr. alkali
and Gk. fJ.E"pov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
alkaline, adj. - A hybrid coined fr. alkali and
-ine, a chem. suff. of Latin origin.
alkaloid, n. - A hybrid coined fr. alkali and
Gk. -oeLil~~. 'like', fr. e'rllo.:;, 'form, shape'. See
-oid.
alkanes, n. pl., a series of saturated hydrocarbons;
the methane series (chem.)- Formed fr. alkyl
and methane-s.
alkanet, n., the bugloss. - Sp. a/caneta, dirnin.
of alcana, fr. Arab. al-l;.innii. See next word.
Alkanna, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Sp. alcana, fr. Arab.
al-/:linnli', fr. al-, 'the', and /:linnd', 'henna'. See
hem1a.
alkyl, n., any radical of the methane series, as
methyl, ethyl, etc. (chem.)- Formed fr. alkali
with suff. -yl.
all, adj. - ME. all, fr. OE. eall, all, rel. to OS.
OFris., OHG., MHG. al, ON. allr, Dan., Swed.,
G. all, Goth. ails, OHG. ala- (in ala-wiiri, 'quite
true'), Goth. ala- (in ala-mans, 'mankind', lit.
'all men'), and cogn. with Lith. al- (in al-vienas,
'every one'). Cp. albeit, withal. Cp. also Alaric,
allodium, alone, Ella.
Derivatives: all, n. and adv., all-ness, n.
allactite, n., basic manganese arsenate (mineral.)
- Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &.AA<iacre:Lv, 'to change' (fr. &AAoc;, 'other'); so called
in allusion to its pleochroism. See else and cp.
allo-, alias. Cp. also allagite, catallactic, parallactic, trophallax.
allagite, n., a carbonated rhodonite (mineral.)Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &.AAQ(yf),
'change', which derives from the stem of &.AA<iaCJEL\1, 'to change'. See prec. word and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also agio, diallage,
hypallage.
Allah, n., Mohammedan name of the Supreme
Being. - Arab. Alldhu, contraction of al-1/dhu,
fr. a/-, 'the', and 1/dh. 'God'. See Elohim.
allanto-, combining form meaning 'sausage'. Gk. ciMocV't'o-, fr. &:Mii.:;, gen. &.MiiV1'~, 'sausage', a loan word fr. L. iilium, allium, 'garlic', the orig. meaning of Gk. &.Mii.:; being
'garlicky (sausage)'. Ion. &AA1J, glossed by Resychius, and rendered by him with M-x_Q(vo\1
('greens, vegetables'), is of the same origin. See
Allium.
allantoic, adj., pertaining to the allantois. - See
allantois and -ic.
6ntoid, adj., resembling a sausage. - Gk.
~oe!.ll~.:;. 'sausage-shape d', fr. &.AAW;, gen.
~.:;.'sausage' and -oeLilTj.:;, 'like', fr. e:IIlo.:;,
'form, shape'. See a11anto- and -oid.
Derivative: allantoid-al, adj.
llaatois, n., a membranous sac in the embryos

iiiiCIO

of mammals, birds and reptiles (anat.)- ModL.,

fr. Gk. otAAQ(II't'OELil~~. 'sausage-shape d'. See prec.
word.
allative, adj., pertaining to a case that expresses
motion toward; n., the allative case (gram.)Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. alliitus, 'brought to'
(used as pp. of adferre, afferre, 'to bring to'),
fr. ad- and liitus, 'borne, carried' (used as pp. of
ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands for *tliitos,
fr. *tj-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-, *to/-, 'to
bear, carry', whence L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise',
toleriire, 'to bear, support'. See tolerate and cp.
collate and words there referred to.
allay, tr. v., 1) to quiet; 2) to alleviate. - ME.
alaien, fr. OE. iilecgan, 'to put down, remit,
give up', fr. ii- (see intensive pref. a-) and /ecgan,
'to lay'. See lay, 'to place'.
Derivatives: a/lay-er, n., allay-ment, n.
allegation, n. - F. allegation, fr. L. allegiiti6nem,
ace. of allegiitio, 'despatching a mission', fr.
allegiitus, pp. of allegiire, 'to despatch, commission, mention, adduce', fr. ad- and Iegare,
'to send with a commission, despatch'. See legate and -ion.
allege, tr. v.- ME. aleggen, 'to bring forward as
evidence', fr. AF alegier, which is formedwith change of prefix-fr. OF. esligier, 'to free,
disengage, buy, pay, possess', fr. VL. *exlitigiire, 'to free from a lawsuit', fr. 1st ex- and
litigiire, 'to sue, quarrel'. See litigate.
Derivatives: alleg-ed-ly, adv., alleg-er, n.
allegiance, n.- ME. alegeance, formed fr. a (fr.
L. ad), 'to', and OF. ligeaunce, ligeance, fr. lige.
See ad-, liege and -ance and cp. ligeance.
allegorize, tr. and intr. v.- F. allegoriser, fr. L.
a/legoriziire, fr. allegoria. See next word and
-ize.
Derivatives: allegoriz-ation, n., allegoriz-er, n.
allegory, n. - F. allegorie, fr. L. allegoria, fr.
Gk. &.AA1Jyoplii, 'figurative language', lit. 'a
speaking about (seemingly) something else';
compounded of roo.;, 'other' (see aDo-), and
&.yopeueLII, 'to speak in the assembly', fr. &.yop&,
'assembly', which is rel. to &.ye:lpe:LV, 'to assemble', fr. I.-E. base ger, 'to gather, collect'.
See gregarious and cp. category, panegyric. The
word allegory was introduced into English by
Wycliffe.
Derivatives: allegoric (q.v.), allegor-ism, n., al/egor-ist, n., allegor-ist-er, n., allegorize (q.v.)
allegretto, adj., n., and adv. (music).- It., dirnin.
of allegro (q.v.)
allegro, adj., n., and adv. (music). -It. allegro,
'cheerful, gay', fr. L. alacer, fern. a/acri:., neut.
a/acre, 'lively, cheerful, brisk'. See alacrity.
allelo-, combining form, meaning 'one another'.
- Gk. <1AA1JAO-, fr. illf,'Awv, Dor. ill&Ac:ull,
'of one another', fr. *&.AA<iM-, *&.AAii'A-, contraction of roo.:;-&AAov (masc.), *illii-&AAiiv
(fern.), etc., lit. 'the other' (nom.)-'the other'
(ace.), fr. llio~, 'another, other'. See aDo- and
cp. dialleloo, parallel.

alleluia
alleluia, n. and interj.- L., fr. Gk. tiAA1JAo\n<X,
fr. Heb. hafli!lii-ydh, 'praise ye the Lord'. See
hallelujah.
allemande, n., name of various German dances.
- F., prop. fern. of allemand, 'German', fr.
Teut. A/amann-, stem of L. Alamanni, Alemanni
(pl.), name of a Suebic people, applied in extension to all the Germans. See Alemanni.
allergology, n., the study of allergies. - Coined
fr. ModL. allergia and Gk. -Aoy[ii, fr. -A6yo~,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See allergy and
-logy.
Derivatives: allergolog-ic-al, adj., allergologist, n.
allergy, n., hypersensitiveness of body cells to
certain substances (immunology). - ModL. allergia, coined about 1905 by Clemens von Pirquet, an Austrian pediatrist (1874-1910), fr. Gk.
&AAo~, 'another' and epyov, 'work'. See allo- and
ergon and cp. energy.
Derivative: allerg-ic, adj.
allerion, n., an eagle with expanded wings (her.)
-F. aterion, fr. Frankish *adalaro, corresponding to MHG. adelar (G. Adler), 'eagle', orig. a
compound meaning 'noble eagle'. The first element of this compound is rei. to OHG. ada/,
'noble family', edili, OE. xoele, 'of noble descent'. Sec atheling and cp. words there referred
to. For the second clement see erne and cp.
ornitho-.
alleviate, tr. v. - L. alleviatus, pp. of alleviare,
a collateral form of allevare, 'to lighten, alleviate'. fr. ad- and levare, 'to lighten, ease', fr.
levis, 'light'. See levity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: alleviat-ion, n., alleviat-ive, adj.,
alleviat-or, n.
alley, n., a narrow passage.- OF. alee (F. a/tee),
'a going, passage', prop. fern. pp. of OF. aler
(F. aller), 'to go', fr. L. ambuliire, 'to go, walk'.
See amble and cp. purlieu.
Derivative: alley-ed, adj.
alley, n., a choice marble. - Abbreviation of
alabaster; so called because it was orig. made
of alabaster.
alliaceous, adj., belonging to the genus Allium
(bot.) - Formed fr. Allium with suff. -aceous.
alliance, n. - ME. aliance, fr. OF. aliance (F.
alliance), fr. OF. alier (F. allier). See ally and
-ance.
Alliaria, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. allium, 'garlic'
(see Allium); so called with reference to its odor.
allice, allice shad, n. - F. alose, fr. L. alausa,
'shad'. See akse.
alligation, n., relation between the prices of the
ingredients of a mixture and the price of the
mixture; 'the rule of mixtures'. - L. alligati6,
gen. -6nis, 'a binding to', fr. alligiitus, pp. of alligiire, 'to bind something to', fr. ad-, and /igiire,
'to bind, tie, fasten'. See ligament and cp.
alloy, ally.

52
alligator, n. - Corruption of Sp. el lagarto.
which is shortened fr. ellagarto de Indias, name
of the cayman, lit. 'the lizard of the (West)
Indies'. Sp. el, 'the', derives fr. L. ille, 'that one',
/agar to comes fr. L. Iacer! us, 'lizard'. See ille
and lizard.
alligator pear, the avocado. - Formed fr. Nahuatl ahuacatl through the medium of the Mex.
Sp. forms alvacata, alligato. Cp. avocado.
alliterate, intr. v., to use alliteration. - ML. alliteratus, pp. of alliteriire, 'to begin with the
same letter'. fr. ad- and L. littera, 'letter'. See
letter and verbal suff -ate.
Derivatives: alliteration (q.v.), alliterat-ive, adj.,
alliterat-ive-ly, adv.
alliteration, n., repetition of the same letter in
several words of a sentence. - ML. alliteriiti6,
gen. -6nis, from alliteriitus, pp. of alliterare.
See prec. word and -ion.
Allium, n., a genus of herbs of the lily family
(bot.) - L. iilium, allium, 'garlic', prob. cogn.
with 01. alii/:1, a/ukam, 'bulb'. Accordingly iilium
would lit. mean 'the bulbous plant'. There is
little probability in Vanieek's suggestion to explain iilium as 'the strong-smelling plant', by
deriving it from the base *an-, 'to breathe,
smell'. Cp. alliaceous, Alliaria. Cp. also allanto-.
Cp. also the first element in allyl.
allo-, combining form, meaning 'other'. - Gk.
&Mo-, fr. &Mo~, 'another, other', which stands
for *&Alo~, and is cogn. with L. a/ius, 'another'. See alias.
Allobroges, n. pl., a Celtic tribe inhabiting the
north of Gallia Narbonensis (now Savoy). L. Allobroges (pl. of Allobrox), lit. meaning 'the
aliens', in allusion to their having driven out the
original inhabitants. The al- in Al-lobroges is
identical both in origin and meaning with a/in L. al-ius, 'the other', and in ML. Al-satia, and
with el- in E. else (q.v.) See also Alsatia and cp.
Alemanni.
allocate, tr. v., to set apart; to allot, assign. Late L. allociitus, pp. of allociire, fr. ad-, and
L. locare, 'to place'. See locate and cp. allow,
'to assign', which is a doublet of allocate.
allocation, n. - Late L. allociiti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
allocatus,pp. of allocare. See prec. word and -ion.
aUochroic, adj., changeable in color.- Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &M6z.poo~. 'changed in
color, fr. W.o~, 'another' and z.p6ii, zpot&.,
'skin, surface, color of the skin'. See allo- and
chrome.
allochroite, n., a sub-variety of andradite. -See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
allochromatic, adj., changeable in color. - Compounded of allo- and chromatic.
allochrous, adj., changing color. - See allochroic and -ous.
alloclase, alloclasite, n., a mineral containing
bismuth, cobalt, arsenic, sulfur and iron. Compounded of aUo- and Gk. xA&.a~, 'a breaking', fr. xM.v, 'to break'. See clastic and cp.

53

auoxan

by the disease. - G. Allopathie, coined by the

words there referred to. For the ending see
German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755subst. suff. -ite.
1843) fr. Gk. &Mo:;, 'other', and -rrti%e:tot, fr.
allocution, n., address. - L. allociiti6, gen. -6nis,
rr&%o~, 'suffering'. See allo- and -pathy and cp.
'address', fr. allociitus, pp. of alloqui, 'to speak
enantiopathy, homeopathy.
to', fr. ad- and /oqui, 'to speak'. See loquacious
'Derivatives: allopath-ic, adj., allopath-ic-ally,
and cp. locution.
adv ., allopath-et-ic, adj., allo-path-et-ical-ly, adv .,
allodial, alodial, adj., pertaining to an allodium.
n.
allo-path-ist,
and
allodium
See
allodium.
fr.
- ML. allodialis,
allophylian, adj., foreign; specif., neither Indoadj. suff. -al.
European nor Semitic; n., one who speaks an
Derivatives: al(l)odial-ism; n., al(l)odial-ist, n.,
allophylian language. - L. allophylus, fr. Gk.
al(l)odial-ly, adv.
&Ai-6<puAo~. 'of another tribe, foreign' (in the
allodiality, alodiality, n., the quality of being al&.Ai-6<puAoL is the usual rendering of
Septuagint,
a/16ML.
fr.
allodial,
fr.
allodialite,
F.
lodial.pifishtim, 'Philistines'); compounded of riMo:;,
diiilis. See prec. word and -ity.
'other' and <puA~, 'tribe' which is rei. to <puAo~.
allodium, alodium, n., land held as absolute prop'stock, race'. See allo-, phylo- and -ian.
erty. - ML. allOdium, Latinized fr. Frankish
allot, tr. v. - OF. aloter (F. alloter, allotir), a
*al-6d (whence also ML. alodis, a word occurhybrid coined fr. a, 'to' (see a), and lot, a word
comproperty',
'entire
lit.
ring in the Salic Law),
of Teut. origin. See lot.
pounded of *al, 'all' (see all), and* 6d, 'properallotment, n.- F. allotement, fr. alloter. See prec.
ty', which is rei. to OS. od, OHG. *ot, OE. ead,
word and -ment.
ON. aui'Jr, Goth. auda-, 'possession, property,
allotrio-, before a vowel allotri-, combining form
wealth', the second element in MHG. klein-6t,
meaning 'abnormal', as in allotriophagy.- Gk.
G. Klein-od, 'jewel, gem', lit. 'little wealth'. For
tXMO't'pLo-, tXMO't'pL-, fr. tXM6't'pto:;, 'strange',
the second element in allodium cp. the first elewhich is formed fr. &no~, 'other' (see allo-),
ment in Edgar, Edith, Edmund, Edwin. - It. aland 't'p-, zero degree of the com par. suff. --.e:p,
lodio, Sp. alodio, OF. alue, aluef (whence F.
for which see -ther.
a/leu), OProven~. ala, aloe, 'allodium', are
allotriophagy, n., an unnatural appetite (med.)Frankish loan words.
Compounded of allotrio- and Gk. -<p<Xy[ii, 'eatallogamy, n., cross-fertilization (bot.) - Coming of', fr. -<p&yo~, 'eating'. See -phagy.
pounded of allo- and Gk. -yot!J.Lii, fr. yti~J.o:;,
allotropy, n., the change of physical properties
'marriage'. See -gamy.
without change of chemical substance. - Gk.
altogeneous, adj., of a different kind. - Formed
&Ai-o-rporr[<X, 'strangeness, variety', fr. &AA6-.poanother
'of
with suff. -ous fr. Gk. &Moye:vl)~.
rro~, 'strange', which is compounded of (}.),),o~,
kind'. See allo- and -gen.
'other' and 't'p6rro~, 'turn, direction, way'; inallogeneity, n. - See prec. word and -ity.
troduced into chemistry by the Swedish chemist
allograph, n., a writing made by another person.
Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848) in 1841. See
- Compounded of allo- and Gk. -ypot<po~, fr.
allo- and -tropy.
-graph.
See
ypti<pEL~, 'to write'.
Derivatives: allotrop-ic, allotrop-ic-a[, adjs., alloallomerism, n., variation in chemical compositrop-ic-al-ly, adv., allotrop-ism, n.
tion without change in crystalline form.- Comallow, tr. and intr. v.- ME. a/ouen, fr. OF. aloer,
pounded of Gk. &AAo:;, 'other' and fl.e:po~, 'part'.
a/ouer, 'to place; to let, rent' (whence F. a/See atlo-, mero- and -ism.
louer. 'to assign, a!locate'), fr. Late L. allocare,
-ous.
and
word
prec.
See
aUomerous, adj. fr. ad- and L. lociire, 'to place' (whence F. Iauer,
allomorph, n. (mineral.)- Gk. &M61J.op<po~, 'hav'to let, rent') (see allocate); confused in meaning
ing another form'. See allo- and -morph.
with OF. aloer, alouer, 'to approve', fr. L. a/Derivatives: allomorph-ic, adj., allomorph-ism, n.
laudiire, 'to extol', fr. ad- and laudiire, 'to praise'
allomorphite, n., a barite with the qualities of an(whence F. louer, 'to praise'); see laud.
hydrite. - See allomorph and subst. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: allowable (q.v.), allowance (q.v.),
allonge, n., a thrust (in fencing) (obsol.) - F., 'a
allow-ed-ly, adv., a/low-er, n.
lengthening', fr. a/longer, 'to lengthen', fr. OF.
allowable, adj. - F. al/ouable, 'permissible', fr.
alongier, fr. a, 'to' (see a-), and long, 'long'. See
allouer, 'to permit'. See allow, and -able.
long, adj., and cp. longeron, lunge.
Derivatives: allowable-ness, n., allowabl-y, adv.
allonym, n., the name of another person assumed
by the author of a work. - Compounded of allowance, n. - OF. alouance, fr. aloer, alouer,
'to place: to let'. See allow and ..ance.
Gk. &Mo~. 'other' and ilwfl.ot, dial. form of
Derivative: allowance, tr. v.
OVOfLOC, 'name'. See allo- and name and cp. onoalloxan, n., an oxidation product of uric acid
mato. Cp. also anonymous, antonym, cryptonym,
(chem.) - Coined fr. a//antoin and oxalic; so
homonym, metonymy, paronymous, patronymic,
synonym.
called because it contains residues of allantoin
and oxalic acid. The name alloxan was coined
aUopath, n.- Back formation fr. allopathy.
by Liebig and Wohler (see Ann. Chern. Pharm.
aUopathy, n., treatment of disease by remedies
XXVI, 256).
that produce effects opposite to those caused

alloy

alloy, n. - F. aloi, fr. OF. alei, aloi, fr. aleier,

aloier, 'to bind, combine ' (whence F. aloyer,
'to alloy'), fr. L. alligiire, 'to bind to (something)', fr. ad- and ligiire, 'to bind, tie, fasten'.
See ligament, and cp. alligation.
alloy, tr. v. - OF. aleier, aloier, 'to bind, combine'. See alloy, n.
alloyage, n. - F. aloyage, 'the act of alloying',
fr. a/oyer, 'to alloy'. See alloy, and -age.
allspice, n., the berry qf the pimento (Pimenta
officinalis) and the spice made from it. - Compounded of all and spice; so called because it
is suppose d to combine the flavors of several
condime nts.
allude, intr. v. - L. alliidere, 'to play with; to
refer to', fr. ad- and /iidere, 'to play'. See ludicrous and cp. collude, delude, elude, illude.
allumette, n., a match for lighting. - F., fr. allumer, 'to light, kindle', fr. VL. *alliiminiire, fr.
ad- and L. liiminiire, 'to light up, brighten ', fr.
liimen, gen. liiminis, 'light'. Cp. It. alluminare,
OProven9. alumenar, Sp. a/umbrar, Port. alumiar, 'to light, illumina te', and see luminous.
allure, tr. v., to tempt by a bait. - ME. aluren,
fr. OF. a/eurrer, fr. a, 'to' (see a), and leurrer,
'to lure'. See lure.
Derivati ves: allure, n., allure-ment, n., allur-er,
n., allur-ing, adj., allur-ing-ly, adv., allur-ingness, n.
allusion, n. - L. alliisio, gen. -onis, 'a playing
with, a reference tol, fr. alliisus, pp. of alliidere.
See allude and -ion, and cp. collusion, delusion,
elusion, illusion.
allusive, adj.- Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. alliisus
pp. of alliidere. See allude and cp. collusive, delusive, elusive, illusive.
Derivati ves: allusive-ly, adv., allusive-ness, n.
alluvial, adj. and n.- Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. alluvius, 'alluvial' . See alluvion.
alluvion, n., !)washin g of water against the shore;
2) a flood; 3) alluviu m.- F., fr. L. alluvionem,
ace. of al/uvio, 'an overflow, inundati on, alluvial land', lit. 'a washing upon', fr. alluere, 'to
wash upon or against', fr. ad- and luere, 'to
wash', which is rei. to loviire, 'to wash'. See lave
and -ion and cp. antediluvian, deluge, dilute,
diluvium, elution.
alluvium, n., matter deposite d by flowing water.
- L., neut. of al/uvius, 'alluvial ', fr. alluere.
See alluvion.
ally, tr., and intr. v. - ME. alien, fr. OF. a/ier
(F. allier), 'to join, unite', fr. L. alligiire, 'to bind
to somethin g', fr. ad- and ligiire, 'to bind'. See
ligament and cp. alliance.
Derivati ve: ally, n.
allyl, n., a univalen t radical, C 3 H 5 (chem.) Formed with suff. -yl fr. allium, 'garlic' (see Allium); so called because it was first obtained as
a disulfide from garlic (by Werthei m in 1844).
Alma, fern. PN.- Lit. 'nourish ing', fr. L. alma,
fcm. of almus, fr. alere, 'to nourish' . See albaeat
and cp. Alma Mater.

54

almacen, n., warehou se, magazine. - Sp., fr.

Arab. al-makhzan, fr. al-, 'the', and makhzan ,
'storehou se', fr. khazana , 'he stored up'. See
magazine and cp. albacena.
almaciga, n., the tree Agathis alba.- Sp., a var.
of almastiga, 'mastic', fr. Arab. al-masta ka", fr.
al-, 'the', and md$taka", 'mastic', ult. fr. Gk.
!J-<XGTLX7J. See mastic.
almadia, n., a kind of boat. - Sp. almadia, fr.
Arab. al-ma'd{ya", fr. al-, 'the' and ma'dlya" ,
'ferrybo at', a derivative of the verb. 'tidii, 'he
passed by', which is rei. to Heb. 'iidhd", Aram.
'c'idht, 'iidhd, Syr. 'iidha, Ethiop. 'adtiwa, 'he
passed by', Heb. 'adh, 'as far as', 'adh, 'eternity '
(lit. 'passing time'), Iii' tidh, 'for ever'.
almagest, n., 1) the treatise of Claudius Ptolemy
of Alexand ria on astronom y; hence 2) any
similar medieval work on astronom y or astrology. - ME., fr. OF. almageste, fr. Arab. almajistf, fr. al-, 'the', and Gk. fJ-tylcrT7J (scil.
crUVTa:~~c;), 'the greatest composi tion', fern. of
fJ-tr~crToc;, superlat ive of !J-tyot:c;;, 'great'; see mega-. In their admirati on for the great work of
Claudius Ptolemy the Arabian translato rs
changed the title of his work from Me:y<XA7J
crUVTot:~~c; (Tijc; <icrTpovo!J-liic;;), 'Great work (on
astronom y)', into Me:ylaT7J crUVTa:~~c;. 'the greatest work'.
almagra , n., red ocher. - Sp., fr. Arab. almdghra", fr. al-, 'the', and mdghra", 'red ocher'.
Alma Mater, one's university or school. - L.,
'fosterin g mother'. Almus, fern. alma, neut. almum, 'nourish ing, fostering', is related to alo,
alere, 'to nourish' , and prob. cogn. with the
second element in Gk. cpuT-IXA!J-LO<;, 'produci ng,
nourishi ng, fostering ', epithet of Zeus and of
Poseidon . See aliment and cp. Alma. For the
second element see mater, mother.
almanac, n., a calendar giving astronom ical data
and other useful inform ation.- F. almanach,
fr. ML. almanachus (whence also It. almanacco,
Sp. almanaque, G. Almanach, etc.), fr. Gk.
cXA!J-e:v~x~a:x<X (pl.), 'calenda rs', which is prob.
of Coptic origin; prob. influenced in form by a
confusio n with Arab. al-mant:Uz, 'the gift'. Sp.Arab. al-mamikh, 'the almanac ', is itself a loan
word fr. ML. almanachus.
almandine, n., a purple variety of garnet (mineral.) - F., assimilated fr. earlier alabandine, fr.
L. (gemma) A/abandina, a precious stone, fr.
Alobancla, a town in Carla, an ancient district
of Asia Minor. For the ending see suff. -ine.
almemar, n., platform with reading desk in a
synago gue.- Arab. al-minbar, 'the pulpit', fr.
al-, 'the', and minbar, which orig. denoted 'an
(elevated) seat', and is a loan wor!i fr. Ethiop.
minbar, 'seat'. See mimbar.
almeriite, n., a hydrous basic aluminiu m sodium
sulfate (mineral.) - Named after Almeria in
Spain. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lllmlabtY, adj. - OE. ealmihtig, aelmihtig, fr. eall,
'all', and mihtig, 'mighty' . See an and mighty.

55

almogavar, n., a light-arm ed Spanish soldier in

the middle ages. - Sp., fr. Ar. al-mughdwir, lit.
'the raider', fr. al-, 'the', and active partie. of
ghdwara, 3rd conjugat ion of ghdra, 'he raided,
invaded' .
Almohades, n., pl., member s of a Mohamm edan
sect, founded by Mohamm ed ibn Abdallah . Lit. 'the unitarian s'; shortene d fr :* Al-movahides,
from Arab. al-muwai;J;idtm, 'they who profess
the unity of God', fr. a/-, 'the', and active part.
of the 2nd conjugat ion of wd/:tuda, 'he was alone'
whence also wabfd, 'solitary '; rel. to Heb. yii/:tld,
'only one, solitary' , ya/:tad, yaf:tddw, 'togethe r'.
almond, n.- ME., fr. OF. almande (F. amande),
fr. VL. amandula, fr. L. amygdala, fr. Gk.
&tJ.uy8<X).7J, 'almond ', which, accordin g to H.
Lewy, Die semitischen Fremdw orter im Griechischen, pp. 25-26, is borrowe d from Heb. meghedh El, 'divine fruit'. [The ending -ula in VL.
amandula, correspo nding to the Gk. ending -&:A7J
in cXfLuyM:A7J, was mistaken for the dimin. suff.
(see -ule) and consequ ently dropped in OF. almande, E. almond, etc.] The n before the dis
excrescent. Cp. amygdalate. Cp. also mandorla.
almoner, n. -OF. almosnier (F. aumonier), fr.
almosne (F. aumone), fr. VL. *alemosina, fr.
Eccles. L. eleemosyna. See alms.
almonry, n. -OF. almosnerie (F. aumonerie), fr.
a/mosnier, 'almoner '. See prec. word and -y (representing OF. -ie).
Almoravides, n. pl., the member s of an African
tribe. - Arab. al-Muriibitiln, fr. al-, 'the', and
muriibitdn, lit. 'monks living in a fortified convent', denomin ated fr. rib&!, 'fortified convent' ,
fr. rdba!a, 'he applied himself to somethin g, devoted himself to religious life', 3rd conjugat ion
of rdba(a, 'he bound'. Cp. marabou, marabou t,
rnaravedi.
almost, adv. - ME. almest, a/mast, fr. OE. ealmrest, ~elmrest, lit. 'mostly, all'. See all and most.
alms, n. - ME. almesse, fr. OE. ll!lmysse, fr.
Eccles. L. eleemosyna, fr. Gk. eAt7JfJ-OcrUV7J,
'pity, mercy', in Eccles. Gk. 'charity, alms', fr.
e).dwwv, 'pitiful, merciful '. fr. ~).eoc;, 'pity,
mercy', which is of uncertai n, possibly imitative, origin. Cp. almoner, eleemosynary, the
second element in frankalmoign, and the second
word in Kyrie eleison.
almuce, n., hood, headdres s. - OF. almuce, aumuce (F. aumusse), fr. VL. almucia. See amice,
'hood, headdress', and cp. words there referred
to.
almud, almude, n., a dry measure . -Arab . almudd, fr. al-, 'the', and mudd, 'a corn measure ',
fr. madda, 'he extended , stretched ', which is rei.
to Heb. miidtid, 'he measure d', middJ", 'measure, stature, size', Akkad. matUidu, 'to measure '.
almuerzo, n., breakfas t. - Sp., fr. almorzar, 'to
breakfas t', fr. L. admorsus, pp. of admortlere,
'to bite into', fr. ad- and mordere, 'to bite'. See
mordant .
almug, also algum, n., a tree mention ed in the

id.IUVY

Bible, prob. the sandalw ood (the first form occurs I Kings I o : II-12, the second II Chron.
2:7 and 9: I O-Il). - Heb. almuggfm, resp. algummfm (pl.). The singular of these words must
be alm6gh, resp. alg6m, so that the forms
a/mug and a/gum are incorrect. They should be
replaced by almog, resp. algom.
alnage, n., measure ment by the ell.- OF. aulnage (F. aunage), fr. aulne, 'ell', fr. Frankish
*alina, prop. 'forearm ', which is rei. to OHG.
elina, OE. eln, 'ell'. See ell and -age.
Derivati ve: alnag-er. n.
Alnus, n., a genus of plants; the alder (bot.) L. alnus, cogn. with ON. obi, OE. a/or, 'alder'.
See alder.
alodial, alodium, n.- See allodial, allodium.
aloe, n. - L. aloe, fr. Gk. &A67J, 'aloe', pro b.
borrowe d fr. Heb. iihiilfm, iihiil6th (pl.), which
are perhaps borrowe d fr. 01. agaru/:1, aguru/:1,
'aloewoo d', these latter being prob. of Dravidian origin. Cp. agalloch.
aloetic, adj. containi ng, or of the nature of, aloes;
n., an aloetic medicine. - Formed with suff.
-etic fr. Gk. &A67J, 'aloe'. See aloe.
aloft,ad v.-ON. a /opt, 'in the air', whence arose
the meaning 'on high'. See a-, 'on', and loft.
aloin, n., a bitter crystalline substanc e (chem.) Formed fr. aloe with chem. suff. -in; so called
because it is obtained from the aloe.
aloisiite, n., a hydrous subsilicate of calcium,
ferrum, magnesi um and sodium (mineral.) - ,
Named after Prince Luigi (Latinized into Aloisius) Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of the Abruzzi.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alone, adj. - ME. alone, 'all alone', fr. a/, 'all',
and one, fr. OE. iin, 'one, alone'. Cp. Du. aileen,
MHG. al-ein, al-eine, G. aile in, 'alone', and see
all and one. Cp. also lone.
along, adv. and prep.- ME. anlong, along, fr. OE.
andlang, which is compou nded of and-, 'against' ,
and lang, 'long'. The first element is cogn. with
Gk. <ivT(, 'against' , L. ante, 'before'; see ante-,
anti-. For the second element see long, adj.
aloof, adv.- Originally a nautical term formed
on the analogy of Du. te loef, 'to windwar d'.
See loof, luff.
alopecia, n. baldness. - L., fr. Gk. &:Awn:exlii,
'mange in foxes, bald patches (on the head)',
fr. &:Aw7t7J~, gen. <i).wm:xo~. 'fox', which is perh.
cognate with L. vulpes, 'fox' See Vulpes and cp.
Alopecurus. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Alopecurus, n., the genus of foxtails (bot.) ModL., lit. 'fox tail', fr. Gk. <iAw7t7J~, 'fox', and
oup&, 'tail' (see alopecia and ur()-, 'taillike' ); so
called from the shape of the spike.
aJose, n., a small fish, the shad. - F., fr. L.
a/ausa, a word of Gaulish origin. See G.-D.
Dottin, La langue gauloise, Paris 1920, p. 225,
and cp. allice.
aloud, adv.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and loud.
alow, adv., below (naut.) - Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and low, adj.

Aloysius

Aloysius, masc. PN. - ML. Aloisius, fr. OF.

Loois. See Louis.
alp, a high mountain.- L. Alpes, 'the Alps',lit.
'the High Mountains', from non-Aryan base
*alb-, 'high; mountain', whence also Gael. alp,
W. ailp, 'a high mountain' (cp. Albion). The
connection of this word with L. a/bus, 'white',
is based on folk etymology. Sse Pokorny in Zeitschrift flir Keltische PhiloIogie, 38, 3 I 3
alp, a demon.- G. Alp, 'elf'; rel. to E. elf (q.v.)
alpaca, n., a kind of llama and its wool. - Sp.
alpaca, fr. Quechua alpaca, fr. paco, 'yellowish
red'.
alpenstock, n., a long iron-pointed staff used for
climbing mountains.- G.,lit. 'Alp stick', compounded of A/pen, 'the Alps', and Stock, 'stick'.
See alp, 'a high mountain', and stock.
alpha, n., name of the Ist letter of the Greek alphabet. - L., fr. Gk. &Acpa.:, fr. Heb.-Phoen.
tileph; see aleph. The final a.: was added because
a Greek word cannot end with a cp; cp. beta,
gamma, delta, eta, theta, iota, kappa, lambda,
sigma. See Theodor Noldeke, Die semitischen
Buchstabennamen, in Beitrage zur semitischen
Sprachwisscnschaft, Strassburg, I 904, pp. I 34
and I35, and Eduard Schwyzer, Griechische
Grammatik, Miinchen, I939, I, I40 y.
alphabet, n. - L. alphabetum, compounded of
Gk. &Acpa.: and ~'ija.:, names of the first two
letters of the Greek alphabet. See alpha and
beta.
Derivatives: alphabet, tr. v., alphabet-ar-ian, n.,
alphabet-ic, alphabet-ic-a/, adjs., alphabet-ic-ally, adv., alphabet-ics, n. pl., alphabet-ism, n.,
alphabet-ist, n. alphabet-ize, tr. v., alphabet-ization, n., alphabet-iz-er, n.
alphitomancy, n., divination from barley meal. Compounded of Gk. &AcpLTov, 'barley groats',
and IJ.O.:IITEliX, 'oracle, divination'. Gk. &AcpL,
&AcpL;ov orig. meant 'white (grain)' and are rei.
to ciAcp6;, 'white', and cogn. with L. albus, 'white';
see alb. For the second element see -mancy.
alphitomorphous, adj., of the form of barley meal.
-Compounded of Gk. &AcpLTov, 'barley groats',
and IJ.O??~ 'form, shape'. See prec. word and
-morphous.
Alphonso, masc. PN. - Sp. Alfonso, fr. OHG.
Ada/funs, which is compounded of ada!, 'noble
family, noble descent' (sec atheling), and funs,
'ready'.
alphos, n., a form of leprosoy (med.) - Gk.
ciA<j)O~, 'dull-white leprosy' (whence L. alphus,
of s.m.); cogn. with L. albus, 'white'. See alb.
Alpine, adj., pertaining to the Alps. - L. Atpinus, fr. Alpes, the Alps'. See alp and adj.
suff. -ine.
Alpinist, n., one who climbs the Alps or other
mountains. See Alpine and -ist.
alraun, n., the mandrake root. -G. Alraun, fr.
OHG. alrtina, fr. Albriina, a name given to
seeresses (see Tacitus, Germania, chapter 8).
The name Albriina lit. means 'having the secret

56
power of the Albs'; it is compounded of Alb
and riina, 'secret'. See rune.
already, adj. - Compounded of all and ready.
alright, adv. - Compounded of aU and right.
Alsatia, n.- ML. Alisiitia, Alsiitia (whence also
F. Alsace), Latinized fr. OHG. eli-saJJO 'inhabitant of the other (bank of the Rhine)',
whence G. Elsaft, name of the province. The
first element in OHG. eli-saJJO is rei. to Goth.
a/jis, 'other', OE. elles, 'otherwise'; see else. The
second element is rel. to OHG. si33an, OE.
sittan, 'to sit, dwell'; see sit.
Derivatives: Alsatian, adj. and n.
al segno, musical direction to go back to the sign.
-It., 'to the sign'. The first word is formed fr.
a, 'to' (fr. L. ad), and the def. article il (fr. L.
ille, 'that one'). See ad- and itle and cp. alfresco.
The second word derives fr. L. signum, 'sign'.
See sign and cp. dal segno.
alsike, alsike clover, (bot.) - Named fr. Alsike,
near Uppsala, in Sweden.
Alsine, n., a genus of herbs of the chickweed
family (bot.) - L., name of a plant, perh. 'the
chickweed', fr. Gk. ti)..cr(v7J.
AI Sirat, n., in the Koran, 'the right way' of faith;
the narrow bridge leading over the fire of hell
(Islam). - Arab. al-sirtit, 'the road', fr. a/-,
'the', and sirtit, 'road', fr. Aram. ist<ratti, isratti,
fr. Late Gk. crpiha.:, fr. L. strata (sci!. via), lit.
'paved way'. See street.
also, adv. - ME. al so, fr. OE. alswa, relswa,
ealswa, prop. 'all so'. See aU, so, and cp. as.
alt, n. - L. altus, 'high, lofty, tall; high, shrill
(of voice)'. Altus is the pp. of alere, 'to nourish',
and lit. means 'nourished, grown up'. See old
and cp. aliment. Cp. also haughty, hauteur,
hawser, enhance, exalt, the first element in hautboy, oboe, and the second element in rialto.
Altair, n., a first magnitude star, (J. Aquilae (astron.) - Arab. al-{iiir, shortened fr. al-nasr altair, 'the flying eagle', fr. al-, 'the', and (air, part.
of ttira, 'it flew'.
altar, n. - ME. alter, fr. OE. altar, fr. L. a/tare,
'altar', which is pro b. rei. to adole6, adolere,
'to burn', a verb dissimilated fr. orig. *adaleio;
hence L. a/tare orig. meant 'a place for burning
(sacrifices)'. It was influenced in form by an erroneous association with altus, 'high' (as if altare meant 'a high place'). Cp. ME. auter, fr.
OF. alter, auter (F. autel).
Derivative: a/tar-ed, adj.
altazimuth, n., an instrument for observing the
altitude and azimuth of a star (astron.) -Compounded of the abbreviation of altitude and
of azimuth.
alter, tr. and intr. v. - F. a/terer, fr. Late L. alteriire, 'to change', fr. L. alter, 'the other (of
two)', which stands for *a/iteros, *alitros, *altros,
and is formed with the compar. suff. -ter fr. base
*ali-, 'there, beyond', whence also a/ius, 'another'. Hence alter and a/ius lit. denote 'one
who stands there'; the former-in keeping with

57
the sense of the compar. suff. -ter-denotes 'the
other of two', the latter means 'another picked
out of many (at least three) persons'. See alias,
else and cp. altercate, altern, alternate, adulterate, adultery, altruism. For the compar. suff. -ter
see -ther and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: alter-able, adj. alter-abil-ity, n.,
alter-ation, n., alter-at-ive, adj.
altercate, intr. v., to dispute, quarrel. - L. altercatus pp. of altercarf, to dispute, wrangle,
quarrel;, fr. *altercus, 'disputing', fr. alter, 'another'. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
altercation, n., dispute, quarrel. - F., fr. L.
altercationem, ace. of altercatio, 'a dispute,
wrangling', fr. altercatus, pp. of allercarf. See
altercate and -ion.
altern, adj., alternate. - L. alternus, 'one after
the other', fr. alter, 'the other (of two)'. See
alter and cp. subaltern.
alternant, adj. and n.- L. alternans, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of alterniire. See alternate and -ant.
alternate, tr. and intr. v. - L. alterniitus, pp. of
alternare, 'to do first one thing, then another,
to alternate', fr. alternus. See altern and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: alternat-ing, adj., alternat-ing-ly,
adv., alternation (q.v.), alternative (q.v.)
alternate, adj. - L. alternatus, pp. of alternare.
See alternate, v.
Derivatives: alternate-ly, adv., alternate-ness, n.
alternation, n. - L. a/ternati6, -onis, fr. alterniitus, pp. of alternare. See alternate, v., and -ion.
alternative, adj. and n. - ML. alternativus, fr.
L. alterniitus, pp. of alternare. See alternate, v.,
and -ive.
Derivatives: alternative-ly, adv., alternateness, n.
Althaea, n., a genus of plants of the marsh family
(bot.) - L., fr. Gk. ciA&o:LiX, 'marsh mallow',
which is rel. to ciA&o:lvew, 'to heal', &Ail7),
'growth', &:Ailljcrnew, 'to grow', <iAilo:lvew, 'to
make to grow, to nourish'; fr. I.-E. base *aldh-,
resp. *aid-, enlarged fr. *al-, 'to nourish, grow'.
See old and words there referred to and cp. esp.
alt.
although, conj.- Compounded of all and though.
Cp. ME. al thagh.
alti-, combining form meaning 'high'.- L. alti-,
fr. altus, 'high'. See alt.
Attica, a genus of beetles of the family Chrysomelidae (entomol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ocAnx6.;,
'good at leaping', from the stem of Ci.A)..e:cr&a.:L,
'to leap, jump', which is cogn. with L. salfre,
'to leap, jump'. See salient.
altigraph, n., an altimeter recording the altitudes
reached.- A hybrid coined fr. L. altus, 'high',
and Gk. -ypa.:cpo.;, fr. yp:X<j)ew, 'to write'. See
alt and -graph.
altimeter, an instrument for measuring altitudes.
-A hybrid coined fr. L. altus, 'high', and Gk.
!J.iTpov, 'measure'. See alt and meter, 'poetical
rhythm', and cp. altometer.

alumnus

altissimo, adj. and n. (music). - It., super!. of

alto, 'high'. See alto.
altitude, n., height. - L. altitiido, 'height', fr.
altus, 'high'. See alt and -tude.
Derivatives: altitudin-al, adj., altitudin-arian,
adj. and n.
alto, n. (music).- It., fr. L. altus, 'high'. See alt
and cp. contralto.
altogether, adv.- ME. altogedere, compounded
of a/, 'all', and togedere, 'together'. See aU and
together.
altometer, n., a theodolite. - A hybrid coined
fr. L. altus, 'high' and Gk. iJ.'hpov, 'measure'.
See alt and meter, 'poetical rhythm', and cp.
altimeter.
alto-relievo, also alto-rilievo, high relief. - It.
altorilievo, 'high relief'. See att and relief, 'projection', and cp. mezzo-relievo.
altruism, n., unselfishness;the opposite of egoism.
-F. altruisme, coined by A.Comte in I830 fr.
L. alter, 'another', on analogy of OF., F. autrui,
'another', whose ending is due to the influence
of lui, 'he'. See alter and -ism.
altruist, n., a person who believes in altruism. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: altruist-ic, adj., altruist-ic-al-ly, adv.
aludel, n. a pear-shaped pot open at both ends,
so that a series of such pots can be placed one
above another; used for sublimation.- F., fr.
Sp. aludel, fr. Arab. al-uthtil, 'a pot used for
sublimation', fr. al-, 'the', and Gk. a.:t&:XA7j,
'sublimed vapor', a derivative of o:t&e:Lv, 'to
burn'. See ether.
Aludra, n., name of a constellation in the zodiac.
- Arab. al-'Adhrti', fr. al-, 'the', and 'adhrti',
'a virgin', from the stem of 'tidharat, 'she was
a virgin'.
alula, n., the bastard wing of birds (ornithol.) ModL., dimin. of L. ala, 'wing'. See aisle and
-ole.
alum, n. - OF. alum (whence F. alun), fr. L.
aliimen, 'alum', lit. 'bitter salt', cogn. with Gk.
ci)..ullm!J.o<;, 'bitter', OE. ealo, alo, 'ale', ON.
01, of s.m. See ale and cp. alumina, aluta, alutaceous.
Derivative: alum, tr. v.
alumin-, form of alumino- before a vowel.
alumina, n., aluminum oxide (chem.) - Fr. L.
aliimen, gen. aliiminis. See alum.
alumiuite, n., a hydrous aluminum sulfate (mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
aluminum.
aluminium, n. -The same as aluminum (q.v.)
alumino-, before a vowel alumin-,combining form
for aluminum.
aluminum, also aluminium, n. - ModL., coined
by the English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy
(I778-1829) fr. L. aliimen, 'alum'. He gave the
new element the name aluminum, but changed
it later to aluminium. See alum and cp. the
second element in duralumin.
alumnus, n., pupil; graduate of a college or uni-

alurgite

58

wort', prop. neut. of the adj. &'Aucrcro<;, 'curing

versity. - L. alumnus, 'a nursling, foster-son,
madness', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and 'Avcrcrrx,
part.
pres.
pass.
prop.
*alo-menos,
for
disciple',
Att. 'Avrrrx, 'rage, fury, madness, frenzy'. See
of a/ere, 'to nourish'; see old and cp. alt. For
lyssa.
the suff. *-menos cp. Gk. -[J.E'>~o<;, the suff. of the
alytarch, n., chief of police at the Olympic games.
med. and pass. part., and L. je-mina, 'woman',
- L. alytarcha, fr. Gk. <i'Au-rocpx'YJ<;, fr. :X.M-r<X.;,
lit. 'suckling (woman)', and see feminine. Cp.
'police officer (esp. at Olympic games)', and
ne,
Aeschynome
words
the
of
suffixes
the
also
'leader, chief, ruler'. The first element
&:px6<;,
ecumencalumny, catechumen, clement, column,
stands for *frxM--r<X<;, lit. 'staff carrier', and is
ic, energumen, hapax legomenon, hegumen,
cogn. with Goth. walus, 'staff', ON. voir, 'a
noumenon, phenomenon, prolegomenon.
round stick', fr. I.-E. base *wal-, *we!-, 'to turn,
alurgite, n., a purplish manganese mica (mineral.)
bend, twist, roll'. See volute and cp. words there
&'Aoupyf)<;,
Gk.
fr.
-ite
suff.
subst.
with
-Formed
referred to. For the second element see arch-.
the
by
'genuine purple dye', lit. 'wrought in or
am, v. - OE. eom, earn, am, rei. to ON. em,
sea', which is compounded of &'A.; (fern.), 'sea',
Goth. im, for I.-E. *esmi, whence also OI. tismi,
and ~pyo'>~, 'work'. See halieutic and ergon.
Hitt. esmi, Arm. em, Gk. d!J.l, Lesbian and
alushtite, n., a hydrous aluminum silicate (minThessal. t!J.flol, Dor. -iJfJ.l, Alb. jam, L. sum
eral.) - Named after Alushta in the Crimea.
(formed on the analogy of the plural sumus, 'we
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
are'), OSlav. jesmi, Lith. esmi, OPruss. asmai,
aluta, n., a kind of soft leather. - L., for a/U-ta,
am, 'I am', fr. I.-E. base *es-, 'to be'. See
Oir.
to
rei.
alum',
of
lit. 'leather prepared by means
esse and cp. are, art, is.
aliimen, 'alum'. See alum.
Amabel, fern. PN. -Lit. 'lovable', fr. L. amiialutaceous, adj., resembling aluta.- L. aliitiicius,
bilis, fr. amiire, 'to love'. See amatory and cp.
fr. aliita. See prec. word and -aceous.
the PN.s Amandus, Amanda, Amy.
alveolar, adj., pertaining to alveoli. - Formed
amadou, n., a spongy substance. - F., fr. Proven~.
with suff. -ar fr. L. alveolus. See alveolus.
amadou, lit. 'loving, amorous', fr. L. amiitor,
alveolate, adj., pitted with small cavities, as a
'lover' (see amatory); so called from the inflamSee
alveolus.
fr.
alveo/iitus,
L.
honeycomb.
mability of the substance.
next word and adj. suff. -ate.
amain, adv. - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and main,
alveolus, n., a small cavity.- L. alveolus, dimin.
'strength'.
of alveus, 'a hollow, cavity', which is rei. to alamalgam, n., 1) a mixture of mercury with a
vus, 'belly', and cogn. with Gk. rx?J'A6<;, 'tube,
metal or metals; 2) a mixture, blend. - F. amalpipe', ~\1-<XUAO<;, 'channel, riverbed', rxU).hW,
fr. ML. amalgama, dissimil. fr. Arab. algame,
strait',
'hollow way, defile, ravine, glen, channel,
malgham, which is formed fr. Arab. al-, 'the'
OS!. u/iji, Lith. aulys, Lett. aulis, 'beehive', lit.
and Syr. miiliigmd, fr. Gk. !J-&:1-ocy~J.rx, 'a soft
'a trunk hollowed out', OSlav. utica, 'defile;
mass', fr. flo<X'Aoccrcre:Lv, 'to soften', fr. [J.OC:f-ocxo.;,
courtyard', Lith. ail/as, Lett. aule, 'leg of a
'soft'. See malaco- and cp. Amalthaea.
uli,
ul,
Arm.
'shinbone',
aulis,
OPruss.
boot',
Derivatives: amalgam, v. (q.v.), amalgam-ate,
'way', yli, 'pregnant'. For the corresponde nce
tr. and intr. v., amalgam-at-ion, n., amalgam-atof Gk. rx?J/..6<; and L. alvus, alveus, cp. Gk.
ive, adj., amalgam-at-or, n., amalgam-ist, n.,
vEupov, 'nerve', with L. nervus, of s.m., and
amalgam-ize, tr. v., amalgam-iz-at-ion, n.
Gk. mxupo<;, 'little, small', with L. parvus, of s.m.
amalgam, tr. and intr. v., to amalgama te.- F.
For the ending see suff. -ole. Cp. carol, hyamalgamer, fr. amalgame. See amalgam, n.
draulic.
Amalthaea, Amalthea, n., the nurse of Zeus
alvite, n., a hydrous silicate containing yttrium
(Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. 'Aflooc'A~ELrx, which
and other metals (mineral.)- Named after Alve
is prob. rei. to [J.OC'A~ocx6<;, 'soft, light, weak',
in Norway. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
!J.<X'Arxx6.;, 'soft'. See malaco- and cp. amalgam.
alway, adv., always (archaic or poetic). - ME.,
Amanda, fern. PN.- Lit. 'worthy to be loved',
lit. 'all (the) way'. See all and way.
fern. of amandus, gerundive of amiire, 'to love'.
always, adv.- Formed fr. prec. word with adv.
See amatory and cp. Amabel and names there
gen. suff. -s.
referred to. For other Latin gerundives used in
alypin, alypine, a crystalline compound (pharm.)
cp. agenda and words there referred to.
English
Gk.
fr.
-ine,
-in,
suff.
- Formed with chem.
AmandiL'I, masc. PN.- L. See prec. word.
&Au1to<;, 'painless', fr. <i- (see priv. pref. a-) and
write from
A01t7), 'pain', whence 'Av7tE~'II, 'to give pain to, amanuemis, n., a person employed to
formed
amanuensis,
L.
secretary.
dictation;
to
to pain, grieve', 'Au1t'l)p6<;, 'painful' (rei.
with suff. -t!nsis from the phrase servus ii manu,
:Au1tp6.;, 'wretched, distressed'); so called be'a servant from the hand', i.e. 'a servant writing
cause of its anesthetic nature. Gk. A01t'l) is of
from dictation'. See pref. a-, 'from', and
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with OI.
manual.
lumpdti, 'breaks, hurts, damages'. See leaf and
Amara, n., a genus of beetles, the ground beetle
cp. library.
(entomol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. cituipii, 'trench'
Alyssum, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
which is prob. rei. to li(L'I], 'shovel. mattock'
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ID.uaao'll, 'mad-

59

(whence 8Lrxf1-iX'II, 'to cut through, clear away'),

and cogn. with OSlav. jama, 'a pit'.
amaranth, n., 1) a mythical plant that never fades;
2) any plant of the genus Amaranthus; 3) purple
color.- Gk. &:fJ.&prx'll-ro<;, 'unfading; amaranth',
fr. &:- (see priv. pref. a-), and the stem of !J.Ctpoclve:L'II, 'to put out, quench, extinguish, to make
to waste away', fr. I.-E. base *mer-, 'to rub,
consume, wear away'; see smart, v., and cp.
marasmus. The ending of amaranth (for amarant)
is due to the influence of plant names formed
with Gk. Ol'>l~o<;, 'flower'.
amaranthine , adj., 1) unfading, undying; 2) of
purple color.- Coined by Milton fr. amaranth
and adj. suff. -ine.
Amaranthus, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. &:!J.ocprx'll-ro<;. See amaranth.
amargoso, n., the bark of the goatbush. - Sp.,
lit. 'bitter', fr. VL. *amiiricosus, fr. L. amiirus.
See amarine.
amarillo, n., any of several tropical American
trees. - Sp., for *ambarillo, fr. Arab. 'anbarf,
'amber-colo red', fr. 'dnbar, 'amber'. See amber.
amarine, amarin, n., a poisonous compound
(chem.) -- Formed with chem. suff. -ine, -in, fr.
L. amiirus, 'bitter', which is cogn. with ON. apr,
'sharp', Swed., Norw., Du. amper, 'sharp, bitter', OE. ampre, OHG. ampfaro, MHG., G.
ampfer, 'sorrel', OI. amlti/:1, amblti/:1, 'sour';
wood sorrel', Arm. amok', 'sweet, Alb. taml'e,
'(curdled) milk', &mble, 'sweet'; fr. I.-E. *am-ro-,
fr. base *am-, 'bitter', which is rei. to *omo-,
'raw, unripe', in 01. iimti/:1, 'raw, unripe, uncooked', Gk. w!J-6<;, of s.m. See omo-, 'raw, unripe', and cp. amargoso, maraschino, margosa,
and the second element in picamar. For the -roformative element cp. Gk. mx-p6<;, 'bitter' (see
picric).
amaryllid, n., any plant of the order of Amaryllidaceae (bot.) - See Amaryllis and -id.
Amaryllidaceae, n. pl., an order of plants. ModL., formed with suff. -aceae from the PN.
'A(Lrxpull[<;, gen. 'Af1-rxpulll3o.;. See Amaryllis,
a genus of plants.
Amaryllis, n., name of a shepherdess in Theocritus' Idyls. - L., fr. Gk. A!J.ocpulll<;.
Amaryllis, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - From
prec. word.
amass, tr. v., to pile up.- F. amasser, 'to accumulate, heap up', fr. Late L. *admassiire, fr. adand massiire, 'to heap up', fr. L. massa, 'a lump,
mass'. See mass.
Derivatives: amass-er, n., amass-ment, n.
lliDastJa, n., absence of the breasts. - Medical
L., fr. Gk. &[J.o:cr-:-o<;, 'without breasts', fr. &.(see priv. pref. a-) and (L<Xcr-r6<;, 'breast'. See
rnasto- and -ia.
amateur, n. -F., 'lover of something, amateur',
fr. L. amiitorem, ace. of amiitor, 'lover', fr. amiitus, pp. of amiire, 'to love'. See amative.
Derivatives: amateur, adj., amateur-ish, adj.,
amateur-ish-ly, adv., amateur-ish-ness, n.

ambages
Amati, n., a violin made by a member of the
Amati family at Cremona (16th and 17th cent.)
amative, adj., pertaining to love, amatory. Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. amiitus, pp. of amiire, 'to love', from the I.-E. infantile imitative
base *ama-, whence also amita, 'father's sister',
amicus, 'friend'. Cp. Gk. &:3o:[J.\IE~'II, 'to love'
(Hesychius), which is formed fr. Phrygian intensive pref. &:3- and *&:!J.'>I&I\1, 'to love'. See
aunt and cp. Amabel, amadou, Amanda, Amandus, amateur, amenity, amiable, amicable, amity,
amorous, amour, enamor, enemy, enmity, inamorato, inimical.
amatol, n., an explosive containing ammonium
nitrate and trinitrotolue ne. - Coined fr. the
abbreviation s of ammonium and toluene.
amatory, adj., pertaining to, or showing, sexual
love. - L. amiitorius, 'loving, amorous, amatory', fr. amiitus, pp. of amiire. See amative and
-ory.
Derivatives: amatory, n., amatori-al, adj., amatori-al-ly, adv., amatori-an, adj.
amaurosis, n., decay or loss of sight (med.)- Gk.
&:fJ.rxvpwcrL<;, 'a darkening', fr. &.!J.rxup6<;, 'dark,
dim, dull, faint'. See Moor and cp. words there
referred to. For the ending see suff. -osis.
amaze, tr. v. -ME. amasen, fr. OE. iimasian, fr.
intensive pref. a- and -masian. See maze.
Derivatives: amaze, n., bewildermen t (poetic.),
amaz-ed, adj., amaz-ed-ly, adv., amaz-ed-ness,
n., amaze-ment, n.
Amazon, n., a member of a race of female warriors in Scythia (Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk.
'A[.Lrx~w'>~, which pro b. derives fr. Heb. ammftz,
'strong'. The form of the word 'A!J.oc~wv was
prob. influenced by the folk etymology according to which 'A!J.o:~w\1 lit. means 'without
breast', fr. &:- (see priv. pref. a-) and !J.rx~6<;,
'breast' (the Amazons are said to have cut off
their right breasts in order to use the bow with
more ease).
Derivatives: Amazon-ian, adj., and n., Amazonism, n.
Amazon, n., name of the largest river in the world
in volume. - Sp. Amazonas, from prec. word;
so called by Francisco Orellana after his battle
with the Tapuyas (in 1541), in allusion to the
circumstanc e that the women of the tribe
helped the men in their fight. Cp. next word.
amazonite, n., a green variety of microline (mineral.)- Formed with subst. suff. -ite from the
name of the Amazon River, near which it occurs.
ambages, n. pl., a roundabout way. - L. ambiiges, 'a roundabout way', lit. 'a going round',
compounded of ambi-, 'about', and iig-, lengthened form ofthe stem of agere, 'to move, drive'.
See ambi- and agent, adj., and cp. ambiguOIL'I.
Cp. also amt, ambassador, embassy. For iig-,
lengthened form of the stem of agere, cp. L. indiigiire, 'to trace out, investigate', which is formed fr. ind(u)-, 'in', and iig-, lengthened form of
the stem of agere (see iadagate).

ambagious

60

ace. of ambiguitiis, 'double meaning', fr. ambiambagious, adj., circuitous. - Formed with suff.
See ambiguous and -ity.
guus.
-ous fr. L. ambiiges. See prec. word.
ambiguous, adj., unclear; doubtful. - L. ambiDerivatives: ambagious-ly, adv., ambagiousguus, 'having double meaning, shifting, changeness, n.
able, doubtful', fr. ambigere, 'to wander about',
ambassador, n., a diplomat of the highest rank.which stands for *amb-agere, fr. ambi-, 'about,
F. ambassadeur, fr. It. ambasciatore, fr. ambasaround', and agere, 'to set in motion, drive'; see
ciata, 'embassy'. See embassy.
ambi- and agent. For the change of Latin a (in
Derivatives: ambassador-ial, adj., ambassadoriigere) to i (in amb-fgere) see abigeat and cp.
ia/-ly, adv.
words there referred to. For E. -ous, as equivalent
ambassadress, n. -Formed fr. ambassador with
to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
suff. -ess.
Derivatives: ambiguous-ly, adv., ambiguousambatoarinite, n., a carbonate of the cerium metness, n.
als and strontium (mineral.) - Named after
n., a circuit.- L. ambitus, 'a going round,
ambit,
ending
the
For
Madagascar.
Ambatoarina in
fr. ambitus, pp. of ambire, 'to go round'.
circuit',
see subst. suff. -ite.
See ambient and cp. ambition.
amber, n.- ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) ambre, fr. Arab.
ambition, n.- F., fr. L. ambitionem, ace. of am'anbar, 'ambergris'. Cp. It. ambra, Sp., Port.
bitio, 'a going round', esp. 'a going round of
ambar, alambar, which all derive fr. Arab. 'ancandidates canvassing for office', whence 'a deand
ambrosia
also
Cp.
bar. Cp. also amarillo.
sire for honor', fr. ambitus, pp. of ambire,
the second element in next word and in Liquid'to go round'. See ambient and -ion and cp.
pomander.
ambar,
ambit.
Derivatives: amber, adj. and tr. v., amber-y,
ambitious, adj. - L. ambitiosus, 'going about in
adj.
order to canvass for office', hence 'anxious to
amber'.
'gray
gris,
ambre
F.
ambergris, adj. please, ostentatious', fr. ambitiO, gen. -onis. See
For the first word see amber. F. gris is borrowed
ambition and -ous.
fr. Frankish *gris, which is rei. to Du.grijs, 'gray',
Derivatives: ambitious-ly, adv., ambitious-ness, n.
OS., OHG., MHG. gris, 'gray', G. Greis, 'old
ambivalence, ambivalency, n., simultaneous conman', and prob. also to OE. gr;r;g, 'gray'. See
flicting feelings (psycho/.) - Compounded of
rethere
words
and
gray
cp.
grizzle, 'gray', and
ambi- and valence resp. valency; introduced by
ferred to.
Sigmund Freud.
amber
fr.
Formed
explosive.
an
n.,
amberite,
amble, intr. v., to go at an easy gait. - ME., fr.
with subst. suff. -ite; so called because it reOF. ambler, fr. L. ambuliire, 'to go about, walk',
sembles amber.
which prob. stands for *amb-al-iire, fr. ambform
combining
amb-,
ambi-, before a vowel
(see amb-) and I.-E. base *iii-, 'to go', whence
meaning 'both, on both sides'. - L. ambi-, amb-,
also Gk. &.A'I), 'ceaseless roaming', ciAoca%ocL,
'around, round about', rei. to ambo, 'both', and
aAOCL'IEL\1, 'to wander about', aA~TI)~. 'beggar',
cogn. with Gk. &[L<pl, 'round about', 01. abhiLett. alu6t, 'to wander about', L. aluciniiri, 'to
tal;z, Avestic aiwi-to, 'on both sides', OE. ymbe,
wander in mind'. See hallucinate and cp. amumbe,
MHG.
um,
umb,
OS., OHG. umbi, ON.
ambulate, funambulist, noctambulism,
bulance,
umbe, G. um, Gaul. ambi-, Olr. imb-, imm-,
somnambulism. Cp. also Alastor, aleatory, Aleoimme-, 'round about, about', and with Gk. &.[L<pW,
chara, alley, 'a narrow passage', exile, purlieu.
'both', Toch. A iimpi, ampe, B ant-api, OI. ubDerivatives: amble, n., amble-ing, adj.
Mu, Avestic uwa, OSiav. oba, Lith. abit, Lett.
n., an easy gait. - ME., fr. F. amble, fr.
amble,
'both'.
bii,
OE.
bai,
abi, OPruss. abbai, Goth.
See amble, v.
ambler.
OF.
See both and cp. amphi- and the first element in
ambly-, combining form meaning 'blunt'. - Gk.
ambsace, ancile, ancillary, ancipital, umlaut. Cp.
&fL~Au-, fr. &fL~M~. 'dull, blunt, dim', which
also ember days.
prob. stands for *&-[LAu~. and is rel. to [LOCAOCambidexter, adj., using both hands with equal
x6.:;, 'soft'. See malaco- and cp. amalgam, Amalof
compounded
facility. - ML. ambidexter,
thea.
ambi- and L. dexter, 'on the right side, right'.
amblyopia, n., weakening of the eyesight, the first
See dexter.
stage of amaurosis (med.) - Medical L., comDerivatives: ambidexter, n., ambidexter-ity, n.,
pounded of ambly- and Gk. -wmoc, fr. w<jl, gen.
ambidextrous (q.v.)
w7t6<;, 'eye, face'. See -opia.
-ous.
and
ambidextrous, adj. - See prec. word
ambo, n., a large pulpit in early Christian churchDerivatives: ambidextrous-ly, adv., ambidexes. - ML., fr. Gk. &[L~W\1, 'a ridge', in Middle
trous-ness, n.
Greek also 'pulpit'; of uncertain origin.
ambient, adj., surrounding. - L. ambiens, gen.
ambos, incus (anal.) - G. AmbojJ, 'anvil'. See
-en tis, 'going round', pres. part. of ambire, 'to
beat, 'to strike', and cp. beetle, 'mallet'.
go round, surround', compounded of ambi-,
amboyna, amboyna wood. - So called from Am'about, around', and ire, 'to go'. See ambi- and
boyna Island, one of the Moluccas.
itinerate and cp. ambition. Cp. also andante.
n., a fossil resin. - Formed fr. amber
ambrite,
ambiguitiitem,
L.
fr.
ambiguite,
F.
n.ambiguity,

61
with subst. suff. -ite; so called because it resembles amber.
Ambrose, masc. PN.- L. Ambrosius, fr. Gk. &u.~p6mo.:;, 'immortal, belonging to immortals'. S~e
ambrosia.
ambrose, n., the wood sage. - ME., fr. F. ambroise (now ambroisie), fr. L. ambrosia. See
next word.
ambrosia, n., the food (sometimes the drink) of
the gods in Greek mythology.- Gk. &[L~poaloc,
fern. of &!J.~p6aLo~, a word generally explained
in the sense of 'immortal' and regarded as a
lengthened form of &.[1-~po-ro.:;, 'immortal'. A. W.
Verrall has proved, however, that the true
meaning of &!J.~p6aLo:; is 'fragrant'. (For the
exquisite smell of ambrosia cp. Homer, Odyssey, 18, 192-3.) 'A!J.~p6mo~ is prob. a Semitic
loan word, with the original meaning 'as fragrant as ambergris; pertaining to amber', and
&[L~poa(oc stands for &[L~poa[iX ellwll-1), 'amberlike food'. Cp. Arab. 'unbar (pronounced 'ambar'), 'ambergris', and see amber. See also
nectar.
Derivatives: ambrosi-ac, adj., ambrosial, adj.
(q.v.), ambrosi-an, ambrosi-ate, adjs.
ambrosial, adj.- Coined by Milton fr. L. ambrosius, fr. Gk. &[L~p6mo~. See ambrosia and adj.
suff. -al.
ambry, n., cupboard; closet (archaic).- ME. atmary, aumbry, fr. OF. a/marie, armarie (F. armoire), 'cupboard', fr. L. armarium, 'closet,
chest', lit. 'a place where arms are kept', fr. arma,
gen. armorum, 'arms; tools, instruments, utensils'. Cp. It. and Sp. armario, OProven9. armari,
and see arm, 'weapon', armory.
ambsace, n., double aces.- OF. ambes as, fr. L.
ambiis, fern. ace. of ambo, 'both', and L. as,
'unity, unit'. See ambi- and ace.
ambulance, n. - F., fr. earlier h6pital ambulant
lit. 'a walking hospital', fr. L. ambuliins gen.
-antis. See next word and -ce.
ambulant, adj. - L. ambuliins, gen. -antis, pres.
part. of ambuliire. See next word and -ant.
ambulate, intr. v., to move about, walk. - L.
ambuliit-(um), pp. stem of ambuliire, 'to go
about, walk'. See amble and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. circumambulate, perambulate.
ambulation, n. - L. ambu/iitio, gen. -onis, fr. ambuliit-(um), pp. stem of ambuliire. See prec.
word and -ion.
ambulatory, adj. - L. ambuliitorius, 'movable',
fr. ambuliit-(um) pp. stem of ambuliire. See ambulate and adj. suff. -ory.
ambulatory, n. - ML. ambuliitorium, a noun
formed fr. L. ambuliitorius, 'movable'. See prec.
word and subst. suff. -ory.
ambury, n.- See anbury.
B~buscade, n., ambush. - F. embuscade, GalliC!zed fr. It. imboscata (under the influence of
OF. embuscher), lit. 'a hiding in the bush', fr.
imboscare, fr. ML. imbosciire, 'to lie in the bush'.
See next word and -ade.

amen

Derivatives: ambuscade, tr. and intr. v., ambuscad-er, n.

ambush, tr. v.- OF. embuscher (F. embiicher), fr.
ML. imbosciire, 'to lie in the bush', fr. im-, 'in,
within', and boscus, 'bush'. See bush, 'shrub',
and cp. prec. word. Cp. also boscage, bosky.
Derivatives: ambush, n. (q.v.), ambush-er, n.,
ambushment (q.v.)
ambush, n. - OF. embusche (F. embiiclu?), back
formation fr. embuscher. See prec. word.
arnbushment, n. - OF. embuschement, fr. embuscher. See ambush, v., and -ment.
ameen, n., official, inspector (Anglo- Ind.)- Hind.
amfn, fr. Arab. amfn, lit. 'trustworthy', fr. dmina,
'he was steady, firm, trustworthy' (whence &'mana, 'he believed'); rei. to Heb. iimin, 'verily,
truly'. See amen.
ameer, amir, n., a Mohammedan ruler.- Arab.
amir, 'commander, prince', fr. dmara, 'he commanded'. See emir.
Ameiurus, n., a genus of catfishes (ichthyol.) ModL., formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. [Ldoupo.:;, 'curtailed', which is compounded of the
stem of [LELWII, 'smaller, less', and oup&., 'tail'.
See meiosis and uro-, 'tail-'.
amelcorn, n. - G. Amelkorn, compounded of
Arne/, 'starch',andKo rn, 'grain'. The first element
derives fr. L. amylum, fr. Gk. O.:[J.uAov, 'starch';
see amyl. The second element is rel. to E. corn,
'grain' (q.v.) Cp. emmer.
Amelia, fern. PN. -A Teutonic name lit. meaning 'laborious'. Cp. ON. ama, 'to trouble', and
Amal, name of the ruling family of the Ostrogoths. The name was confused later with the
name of the Roman gens Aemi/ia (see Emily).
ameliorate, tr. v., to make better; intr. v., to become better. - Formed with verbal suff. -ate
fr. F. ameliorer, which is refashioned after L.
melior, 'better', fr. OF. ameillorer, fr. OF. meil/or (whence F. meil/eur), 'better', fr. L. me/iiirem, ace. of melior, 'better'. See meliorate.
Derivatives: amelioration (q.v.), amelior-at-ive,
adj., amelior-at-or, n.
amelioration, n., betterment, improvement. -F.
amelioration, fr. ameliorer. See prec. word and
-ion.
amellus, n., name of a flower. - L., 'the purple
Italian starwort', a word of Gaulish origin (see
G.-D. Dottin, La langue gauloise, p. 226). The
derivation of this word from the river name
Mella, as suggested by Servius in his commentary on Virgil4, 271, is folk etymology.
amen, interj., n., adv. and tr. v.- OE., fr. Eccles.
L. amen, fr. Eccles. Gk. &[Lf,ll, fr. Heb. iimin,
'verily, truly, certainly', from stem a-m-n, 'to be
trustworthy, confirm, support', whence also
timan, 'he supported, nourished', he'emin, 'be
believed', emun&n, 'firmness, fidelity', umndm,
omndm, 'verily, truly, emerh (for *ementh), stability, truth'. Cp. the related Syr. ammin, 'strong,
enduring', Aram. hemiinuthd, Syr. haymiinuthd,
'faithfulness, truth', Arab. amina, 'he was safe',

amenable

amuna, 'he was faithful', it mana, 'he believed',

amin, 'faithful'. Cp. ameen. Cp. also mammon.

amenable, adj., answerable; willing; submissive.

- Formed with suff. -able fr. F. amener, 'to
lead, or bring up, to'. fr. tl, 'to' (see a), and
mener, 'to lead', fr. VL. mintire, 'to drive (animals) by shouting', fr. L. miniiri, 'to threaten'.
The orig. meaning of L. miniiri has survived in
Rum. mana, 'to threaten'. See menace and -able.
Derivatives: amenabil-ity, n., amenable-ness, n.,
amenabl-y, adv.
amend, tr. andintr. v.-OF.(= F.) amender,fr.L.
emendiire, 'to correct, emend', with change of
suff. (cp. the same change of suff. in It. ammendare and OProven9. amendar); fr. e-, 'out of'
(see e-) and menda, 'defect, blemish', which is
cogn. with 01. mindd, 'physical blemish' (for
*mandii, influenced in form by 01. nindti,
'blame'), Olr. mennar, 'stain, blemish', mind,
'sign, mark', W. mann of s.m. Cp. emend, mend,
mendacious, mendicant.
amendment, n. - OF. ( = F.) amendement, fr.
amender. See prec. word and -ment.
amends, n. - ME. amendes, fr. OF. amendes, pl.
of amende, fr. amender, 'to amend'. See amend.
amenity, n., pleasantness; attractiveness. - F.
amenite, fr. L. amoenitiitem, ace. of amoenitiis,
'delightfulness, loveliness', fr. amoenus, 'pleasant, delightful, lovely', which is rei. to amiire,
'to love'. See amative and -ity.
ament, catkin. - L. ammentum, less correctly
amentum, 'strap, thong', so called because of its
resemblance to a strap. Ammentum stands for
*ag-mentum, and prop. means 'something to
lead with', fr. agere, 'to lead'. See agent and
-ment.
Derivatives: ament-aceous, ament-al, adjs.
amentiferous, adj., bearing aments.- See ament
and -ferous.
amerce, tr. v., 1) orig., to fine; 2) to punish.ME. amercen, 'to fine', fr. AF. amercier, fr. OF.
a merci (F. a merci), 'at somebody's mercy'.
OF. a derives fr. L. ad, 'to'; see ad-. For F.
merci see mercy.
Derivatives: amerce-able, amerci-able, adjs.,
amerce-ment, n.
America, n. ~ Named after Americus Vespucius
(Amerigo Vespucci), an Italian merchant (1451
1512). The name America was first used by the
German cartographer Martin Waldseemtiller
(in 1507).
Derivatives: Americ-an, adj. and n., Americ-anism, n., Americ-an-ize, v., Americ-an-iz-ation, n.
americium, n., name of a radioactive element
(chem.) - ModL., named in 1946 by its discoverer Glenn Theodore Seaborg (1912- )
after the 2 Americas. For the ending see suff.
-ium.
Amerind, n., an American Indian or Eskimo. Abbreviation of American Indian; coined by
Major John Wesley Powell (1834-1902), director of the bureau of American Ethnology.

62
Derivatives: Amerindi-an, n. and adj., Amerindic, adj.
amethyst, n., violet quartz, used n jewelry. ME. ametist, fr. OF. ametiste (F. amethyste), fr.
L. amethystus, fr. Gk. &[L-&ucr't'oc;, 'remedy
against drunkenness', prop. an adjective meaning 'not intoxicating', fr. &-, 'not' (see priv. pref.
a-), and fLe:.&ue:Lv, 'to be drunken' (whence
fLE-3-ucrLc;, 'drunkenness') , fr. fLE.&u, 'wine'; see
mead, 'an intoxicating drink', and cp. methyl.
The stone amethyst owes its name to its supposed power of preventing drunkenness.
amethystine, adj. - L. amethystinus, fr. amethystus. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -in us).
AMG. -Abbreviatio n of Allied Military Government.
AMGOT. - Abbreviation of Allied Military
Government of Occupied Territory.
Amhaarez, n., an ignoramus. - Heb. 'am hiitiretz, 'the people of the land'. Heb. 'am, 'people',
derives fr. base '-m-m, 'to join, be united',
whence also 'am, 'kinsman', 'im, 'with'. Cp. the
rel.Aram.-Syr. 'ammti, 'people', Ugar. 'm,'clan',
Arab. 'amm, 'a great crowd', amma", 'rabble',
'amma, 'it comprised, included', 'amm, 'father's
brother', 'dmma", 'father's sister', Aram. 'im,
Syr. 'am, Ugar. 'm, Arab. ma'a, dial. 'am,
'with'. Cp. the first element in Emmanuel and
the second element in Jeroboam. Heb. eretz,
'earth', is rei. toAram. ara',ar'ti, Ugar. 'r,v,Arab.
arrj, Akkad. ir$itu, 'earth'. Cp. Eretz Yisrael.
amiable, adj.-OF. (=F.), fr. Late L. amiciibilis,
'friendly', fr. L. amicus, 'friend'. F. amiable was
influenced in form by aimable, 'lovely', fr. L.
amiibilis, fr. amiire, 'to love'. See amicable.
Derivatives: amiabil-ity, n., amiable-ness, n.,
amiabl-y, adv.
amianthus, n., name of a kind of asbestos. - L.
amiantus, fr. Gk. &[LL<XVTOc; (scil. }.(-3-oc;), lit.
'undefiled (stone)', fr. &-(see priv. pref. a-), and
fLL<Xv-r6c;, 'stained, defiled', verbal adj. of fLL<Xtve:tv,
'to stain, defile'; see miasma. The spelling th (for
t) is prob. due to the influence of Gk. &v.&oc;,
'flower'.
Derivatives: amianth-ine, amianth-oid, amianthoid-al, adjs.
amicable, adj., friendly. - L. amiciibilis, 'friendly', fr. amicus, 'friend', fr. amiire, 'to love'. See
amative and cp. amiable, which is a doublet of
amicable. Cp. also enemy, inimical. For sense
development cp. Gk. cp().o~, 'friend', from the
base of cptAEtv, 'to love', and Heb. ohlbh,
'friend', which is prop. part. of iihdbh, 'he
loved'.
Derivatives: amicabil-ity, n., amicable-ness, n.,
amicabl-y, adv.
amice, n., vestment worn by the celebrant at
Mass. - ME. amyse, fr. OF. amis, amit, fr. L.
amictus, 'mantle, cloak', fr. amictus pp. of
amicio, amicire, 'to wrap, throw around', which
is contracted from am-jacio, fr. pref. ambi- and

63

amnic

bination of ammonium nitrate and aluminum.

jacio, 'I throw'. See ambi- and jet, 'to spirt forth'.
- Formed fr. ammonia and the first two letters
amice, n., hood, headdress. - ME. amisse, fr.
in aluminum.
OF. aumuce (F. aumusse), fr. VL. almucia,
ammonia, n.- Contraction of sal ammoniac, fr.
which is formed fr. Arab. al-, 'the', and musL. sal ammoniacum, 'ammoniac salt'. See next
taqa", fr. Pers. mushtii, 'fur cloak'. Cp. Sp. alword.
mucio, OProven9. almussa, MDu. almutse, later
ammoniac, adj. and n.- F., fr. L. ammoniacum,
mutse, muts, Du. muts, 'cap', MHG. mutze,
fr. Gk. &fLfL<UVtocx6v, 'a resinous gum', prob.
mutze, G. Miitze, 'cap', which all derive fr. VL.
fr. orig. 'Ap[Le:vtocx6v, 'Armenian', through the
almucia. Cp. also almuce, mozzetta, mutch. For
intermediate form &pfLOVLocx6v, occurring in the
sense development cp. cap.
works of ancient authors beside &fLfL<UVt<Xx6v;
amid, prep. - ME. amidde, fr. OE. on middan,
so called because first found in Armenia. See
'in the middle', fr. on (see a-, 'on'), and middan,
Pauly-Wissova, Real-Encyclopiidie der klasdat. sing. masc. of midde, adj. See mid and cp.
sischen Altertumswissenschaft, I, 186r.
amidst.
Derivative: ammoniac-al, adj.
amide, amid, n., a compound obtained by reammonite, n., a cephalopod mollusk allied to the
placing one hydrogen atom in ammonia by an
nautilus (paleontol.)- Formed with subst. suff.
element or radical (chem.)- F. amide, coined
-ite fr. L. cornu Ammonis, 'the hom of (Zeus)
by the French chemist Charles-Adolp he Wurtz
Ammon; so called from its shape, which re(1817-84) from the first syllable of ammonia and
sembles a ram's horn (Zeus Ammon was repsuff. -ide, -id.
resented with ram's horns).
amidin, amidine, n., solution of starch in hot
an~monium, n., a basic radical, NH4 (chem.) water (chem.)- Formed fr. F. amidon, 'starch',
ModL., fr. ammonia (q.v.)
fr. ML. amidum, fr. L. amylum, fr. Gk. &[Lu).ov,
an~mophilous, adj., sand-loving (zoo/. and bot.)
'starch'. See amyl, 'starch', and chem. suff.
- Compounded of ammo- and Gk. cp(f.oc;,
-ine, -in.
'loving'. See -philous.
amido-, combining form meaning 'containing
ammotherapy, n., treatment by means of sand
the radical NH 2 and an acid radical' (chem.)baths. -Compounde d of ammo- and -therapy.
Fr. amide.
ammunition, n. ~ F. amunition, a dialectal form
amidogen, n., the hypothetical univalent radical
for munition (see munition). Amunition arose
NH2 (chem.) - Coined fr. amido- and -gen.
through a misdivision of Ia munition intol'amuamidst, prep. ~ Formed with excrescent -t fr.
nition.
ME. amiddes (which was formed with adv. gen.
amnemonic, adj., characterized by loss of mesuff. -s fr. amidde, see amid, prep.) For the -t
mory. - Formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk.
cp. against, amongst, betwixt, whilst.
fLVl)fLOVLx6:;, 'pertaining to memory'. See mneamine, amin, n., a compound obtained by remonic.
placing hydrogen atoms of ammonia by hydroamnesia, n., loss of memory (psychiatry). carbon radicals (chem.) ~Coined from the first
Medical L., fr. Gk. &fLVl)crli, 'forgetfulness', fr.
syllable of ammonia and chem. suff. -ine. Cp.
&- (see priv. pref. a-) and fLVf.moc;, 'pertaining
amide and vitamin. Cp. also imine.
to memory', which is rei. to fLV&.ofLoct, 'I rememamino-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to,
ber', fr. I.-E. base *men-, 'to think, remember'.
or containing, the radical NH,' (chem.)- See
See mind and cp. next word. Cp. also anamprec. word and cp. deaminate.
nesis, paramnesia. For the ending see suff. -ia.
amir, n. ~See ameer.
amnesty, n., general pardon. - F. amnestie, fr.
amiss, adv. and adj.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
miss, 'failure'.
L. amnestia, fr. Gk. &[LVl)cr-rli, 'forgetfulness,
fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and fLV'ijcrnc;, 'rememamity, n., friendship.- F. amitie, fr. OF. amistie,
brance', which is rei. to fLVctOfLOCL, 'I remember'.
fr. VL. amfcitiitem, ace. of *amicitiis, correSee prec. word.
sponding to L. amfcitia, 'friendship', fr. amicus,
amnic, adj., pertaining to a river. - L. amnicus,
'friend', which is rei. to amiire, 'to love'. See
amative and cp. enmity.
fr. amnis, 'river', which stands for *ab-nis and
is cogn. with Olr. abann, ab, W. afon, 'river', fr.
ammeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
I.-E. base *ab-, a collateral form of base *ap-,
strength of electric currents. ~ Shortened fr.
'water, river', whence 01. dpa/:r, apab, Avestic
ampere-meter. See ampere and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
iif-sh, 'water', Gk. 'Arrli, a name of the PeloAmmi, n., a genus of plants (hot.)~ L. ammi, fr.
ponne~us (so called because surrounded by
water), Me:crcrirrli, 'Messapia', a part of Magna
Gk. &fLfLL, fr. Aram. ammithd, a secondary form
of bammfthti, of s.m.
Graecia in Lower Italy comprising Apulia and
ammo-, combining form meaning 'sand', as in
Calabria, lit. 'the country between two waters',
L. Ap-ulia, 'Apulia', lit. 'region abounding in
ammophilous. - Gk. &fLfLO, fr. &fLfLo:;, 'sand',
a blend of &[L<X-3-o:;, 'sand', and \jl!f[L[Loc;, 'sand';
waters', Lith. itpt!, Lett. upe, 'water', OPruss.
which are both cogn. with E. sand (q.v.)
ape, 'a small river', apus, 'spring, fountain,
ammooal, n., a high explosive obtained by a comwell', and pro b. also Toch. AB iip-, 'river'. Cp.

64
amnion

'mountain dwellers' (sing. used collectively),

the first element in abdest, abkari, Apsaras and
rei. to amtr, 'top, summit'. Akkadian Amurand
.
the second element in doab and in Messapian
mat Amurru, 'land of the West', is a loan
in
ru,
For the ending of amnic see suff. -ic.
whose sense developme nt finds its exword
embryos
the
enclosing
amnion, n., the membrane
in the fact that the Amorites lived to
planation
of mammals, birds and reptiles. - Gk. OC[J.'ILo'l,
west of Assyria and Babylonia. For the
the
was
victims
of
blood
the
which
in
bowl
'a
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
caught; membrane round foetus', rel. to &[J.iicrDerivative s: Amorite, adj., Amorit-ic, adj.
&oc~, 'to draw, gather', &[J.1J, prop. ot[J.1J (whence
adj. - OF. (whence F. amoureux), fr.
amorous,
semiu,
Lith.
with
cogn.
and
L. hama), 'bucket',
fr. L amor, 'love', fr. amare,
am6r6sus,
L.
Late
semti, 'to draw', sdmtis, 'scoop, ladle'. These
'to love'. See amative and -ous and cp. enamor,
words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *sem-, 'one,
inamorato, paramour.
together', whence also Gk. &[J.oc, 'together with'.
Derivative s: amorous-ly, adv., amorous-ness, n.
See same and cp. aam.
Amorpha, n., a genus of American plants (bot.)amoeba, ameba, n., a microscop ic one-celled aniModL., fr. Gk. &[J.opcpoc;, 'deformed' (see amormal.- Gk. &[J.o~~~. 'change', rel. to &[J.d~e:w,
phous); so called because of the absence of four
'to change', fr. copul. pref. -& and I.-E. base
of the petals.
*meigw-, *migw-, 'to change', whence also L
amorphism, n., absence of crystallized form. migrcire, 'to wander'; see migrate. Copul. pref.
See amorphous and -ism.
&-stands for I.-E.* sm-, a weak gradationa l form
amorpho-, combining form meaning 'shapeless' .
of I.-E. base *sem-,"'one, together'; see same.
- Gk. &.[J.opcpo-, fr. &[J.opcpoc;. See next word.
amoebean, amebean, adj., interchang ing. , adj., shapeless. - ModL amorphus,
amorphous
'inFormed with suff. -an fr. Gk. &[J.oLf3oc~oc;,
'without form, shapeless, de&[J.opcpoc;,
Gk.
fr.
terchangin g, alternate', fr. &[J.o~~~- See prec.
formed', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and [J.Opq:>-1),
word.
'form, shape'. See morpho-. For E. -ous, as
amok, adj. and n.- See amuck.
equivalent to Gk. -oc;, L. -us, see -oWi.
faginger
the
of
plants
of
genus
a
n.,
Amomum,
amortize, tr. v., to extinguish (a debt) through a
mily (bot.) - L amomum, 'a spice plant', fr.
sinking fund. -ME. amortisen, fr. OF. ( = F.)
Gk. &[J.w[J.O'I, which is of Sem. origin. Cp. Mishamortiss-, pres. part. stem of amortir, fr. VL.
bamcimd,
Syr.
and
s.m.,
of
naic Heb. bamdm,
*admortire, 'to deaden, extinguish ', fr. ad- and
Arab. flamdmci, 'a spice plant', which pro b. deVL. mortus (L. mortuus), 'dead', fr. L. mors,
rive from stem /:1-m-m, 'to be warm'. See Immagen. mortis, 'death'. Cp. It. ammortire, OProvLeipsic,
men,
nuel Low, Aramiiische Pflanzenna
amortir, Sp., Port. amortecer, 'to deaden',
enc;:.
I 88 I, and Heinrich Lewy, Die semitischen Fremdmortal.
see
and
37
p.
1895,
Berlin,
en,
worter im Griechisch
Derivative s: amortiz-able, adj., amortiz-ation, n.,
among, prep. - ME., fr. OE. on gemang, 'in a
amortizement (q.v.)
crowd, into a crowd', formed fr. prep. on (see a-,
ent, n. - F. amortissement, fr. amoramortizem
mingle'.
'to
'on') and a derivative of gemengan,
and -ment.
amortize
See
tir.
See mingle and cp. words there referred to.
PN; in the Bible I) the third in the
masc.
Amos,
adv.
with
among
fr.
amongst, prep. -Formed
order of the Twelve Prophets; 2) the Book of
gen. suff. -sand excrescent -t. For this latter cp.
Gk. 'AtJ.w<;, fr. Heb. 'Amos, lit. 'borne
Amos.against, amidst, betwixt, whilst.
fr. 'iimas, 'he bore, carried', which is
God)',
(by
Sp.,
wine.
amontillado, n., a variety of sherry
and Ugar. '-m-s, 'to carry', Aram.
Phoen.
to
rei.
formed fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and the name of the
compresse d', Arab. 'dmisa, '(the day)
'he
'iimas,
in
Cordova
of
province
the
town Monti/la in
was oppressive '.
Spain. For the pref. see ad-, for the ending see
amount, intr. v.- ME., fr. OF amonter, 'to raise',
suff. -ado.
fr. amant, 'upward', lit. 'up hill', fr. a, 'to' (see
amoraim, n. pl., the teachers who expounded the
and mont, 'hill, mountain'. See mount and
a),
Mishna (Jewish literature). - Heb. cim6rii'im,
paramount , tantamount .
cp.
'he
iimdr,
Aram.
fr.
'speaker',
pl. of amord, lit.
: amount, n.
Derivative
said, he spoke', which is rel. to Heb. iimdr, 'he
amour,n., a love affair.- F., 'love',fr. L. am6rem,
'he
dmara,
Arab.
d',
commande
spoke,
said,
ace. of amor, 'love', fr. amiire, 'to love'. See
ordered, commande d'. Cp. ameer, emir.
amative.
amoral, adj., non-moral ; ethically indifferent. ampangabe ite,n., a complex tantalo-nio bate (minA hybrid coined fr. Greek&- (see priv. pref. a-)
eral.) - Named after Ampangabe in Madagasand moral, a word of Latin origin; first used by
car. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
(I85D-94)Stephenson
Balfour
Louis
Robert
n., a certificate issued to the claimant of
amparo,
n.
Derivative s: amoral-ism, n., amoral-ity,
serve as protection. - Sp., lit. 'protectto
land
amorist, n., a practicer of gallantry, lover. help, support', fr. amparar, 'to shelter,
ion,
with
amoroWi),
(see
'love'
amor,
L
fr.
Formed
protect,he lp',fr. VL. *ampariire,which is formed
suff. -ist.
fr. L. pref. im- and pariire, 'to prepare'. See im-,
Amorite, n., any of an ancient people inhabiting
'in', and pare and cp. emperor.
Palestine. - Heb. bnorl, prob. meaning lit.

65

arnpuu::c~.ll.~t:l

sides', which is compound ed of &[J.q:>~- (see amampelideous, adj., pertaining to the vine family.phi-) and K<Xp7t6<;, 'fruit'. See carpel. For E. -ous,
e:!3oc;,
and
'vine',
&[J.7te::Aoc;,
Gk.
of
ed
Compound
as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see -ous. The genus
-ous.
'form, shape'. See ampelo-, -oid and
was called Amphicarpa because it has two
ampelo-, combining form, meaning 'vine'. - Gk.
of pods.
kinds
posuncertain,
of
'vine';
ci[J.1t'E:Ao-, fr. &[J.7te:Aoc;,
amphictyonic, adj., pertaining to an amphictysibly Mediterran ean, origin.
ony. - L. amphictyonicus, fr. Gk. OC[J.q:>~K-ruO'IL
ampelography, n., description of the vine. -F.
fr. &f.Lq:>Lx-ruo'l[oc. See next word and -ic.
x6c;,
and
'vine',
ampelographie, fr. Gk. ot[J.7te::Aoc;,
amphictyons, n. pl., deputies to an amphictyo nic
-ypcxcpLoc, fr. ypcicpe:Lv, 'to write'. See ampelocouncil.- L. amphictyones, fr. Gk. tX[J.q:>LKTllO'Ie:c;.
and -graphy,
See next word.
grape
Ampelopsis, n., a genus of plants of the
amphictyony, n., confederat ion of states in anfamily (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'looking like vine',
cient Greece, established around a common
compound ed of Gk. &[J.11'e::Aoc;, 'vine', and il\jiL<;,
center. - Gk. &[J.q:>LK't'Uo'ILiX, 'the Amphictyo nic
'appearanc e'. See ampelo- and -opsis.
League', fr. &.f.LcpLx-ruo'le:c;, 'amphictyo ns', fr.
current
electric
an
of
strength
the
n.,
amperage,
&[J.q:>LK-rlo'le:<;, 'they that dwell round
earlier
with
given in amperes. - Formed fr. ampere
about'. For the first element see amphi-. The
suff. -age.
second element is rei. to Gk. x-rl~e:w, 'to create,
ampere, n., unit of force of the electric current.found', x-rlcrLc;, 'a founding, settling', x-rol'lii,
F .,named after the French physicistA ndre-Marie
'habitation , township', and cogn. with
x-ro~voc,
).
Ampere (I775-1836
k#ydti, 'abides, dwells', k$itib, 'dwelk$1ti,
01.
Corampersand, n., the symbol & ( = and).
ling place', Arm. shen, 'inhabited' (pp.)
ruption of the partly English, partly Latin
amphigory, amphigouri, n., a nonsense verse. phrase 'and per se and', i.e. 'the sign & by itF. amphigouri, of unknown origin.
self (equals) and'.
: amphigor-ic, adj.
Derivative
meaning
pref.
amph-,
vowel
a
before
amphi-,
amphimixis, n., union of the germ cells of two
'both, on both sides, of both kinds'. - Gk.
individuals (bioi.) - Compound ed of amphi&[J.cp~-, &[J.q:>-, 'on both sides, at both ends, around',
and Gk. [J.L~~<;. 'mixing, mingling, intercourse '.
cogn.
is
which
about',
round
fr. &[J.cpL, 'around;
See mix.
with L. ambi-, amb-, 'around; round about'.
Amphion, n., son of Zeus and Antiope, king of
See ambi- and cp. Amphion.
Thebes and husband of Niobe (Greek mythol.)
Amphibia, n. pl., a class of vertebrat es.- ModL.
- L. Amph'i6n, fr. Gk. 'A[.Lcptw'l, which is pro b.
See next word.
a derivative of &[J.cpl. 'round about'. See amphi-.
Derivative s: amphibian, adj. and n.
Amphioxus, n., a genus of marine animals (zoo/.)
amphibious, adj., living both on land and in water.
- ModL., coined by the English zoologist Wil- Gk. &[J.cpl~Lo<;, 'living a double life', viz. 'on
liam Yarrell (1784-I856) in 1836 fr. amphiamphi-)
(see
OC[J.q>Lland and in water', fr.
and 6~uc;, 'pointed, sharp'. See oxy-. Accordand ~(oc;, 'life'. See bio-. For E. -ous, as equivingly Amphioxus lit. means 'tapering at both
-ous.
see
-o<;,
alent to Gk.
ends'.
amphibole, n., a silicate of calcium, magnesium ,
Amphipoda, n. pl., an order of the Crustacea with
etc. -F., fr. L. amphibolus, 'ambiguou s, doubttwo kinds of feet for swimming, respectively for
:w,
<itJ.cpL~cine
fr.
ful', fr. Gk. &tJ.cpl~o:Aoc;, of s.m.,
jumping (zoo/.) - ModL. compound ed of am'to throw around; to doubt', fr. &(.Lcpl, 'around',
phi- and Gk. Jto)c;, gen . .-:oooc;, 'foot' (see -poda).
and ~iAI,e:Lv, 'to throw'. See amphi- and balAccordingl y Amphipoda lit. means 'having two
listic. The name amphibole was given to this
kinds of feet'.
group of minerals by the French mineralogi st
Derivative s: amphipod-an, amphipod-ous, adjs.
Rene-Just Haiiy (I743-I822 ).
amphisbaena, n., a serpent having a head at each
Derivative : amphibol-ic, adj.
end (Greek mytlwl.) - L., fr. Gk. ::itL;:>la~:mx,
amphibology, n., an ambiguous statement. - F.
'serpent supposed to be able to go both foramphibologie, fr. ML. amphibologia, altered (on
ward and backward', which is compound ed of
analogy of words ending in -logia), fr. L. amphi&[J.cp[ (see am phi-) and ~ocl'le:w, 'to go'. Sec base,n.
bolia, fr. Gk. &tJ.cpL~o).[oc, 'ambiguity ', fr. &[J.cpLAmphisbaena, n., a genus of lizards (zool.) - See
~o:Aoc;. See amphibole and -logy.
prec. word.
ampbibolous, adj., ambiguous . - Gk. &tJ.?L~o
amphiscians, also amphiscii, n. pl., the inhabitants
Aoc;, 'ambiguou s, doubtful'. See prec. word. For
of the tropic zone. - ML. amphiscii (pl.), fr.
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see -ous.
three
of
Gr. &[J.?lcrxw;, 'throwing a shadow both ways'
consisting
amphibrach, n., a metrical foot
fr. OC[J.?L (see amphi-) and cr;ui, 'shade, shadow'
syllables, the middle one long and the other two
(see skiagraphy ); so called because their shadow
short (pros.) - L. amphibrachys, fr. Gk. &[J.<;JLfalls toward north at one time, toward south at
f1pocxuc;, 'short at both ends' ,fr. &:[J.q:>l (see am phi-)
another. Cp. antisciaus.
and ~pcxxuc;, 'short'. See brachy-.
amphitheat er, amphitheatre, n. - L. amphitheciAmpbicarpa, n., a genus of vines (bot.)- ModL.,
trum, fr. Gk. &.f.Lq:>L&toc-rpo\1, lit. meaning 'having
fr. Gk. &.[J.cp[xcxp1to<;, 'having fruits on both

Amphitrite

seats for spectators all round'. See amphi- and

theater.
Amphitrite, n., the daughter of Nereus and Doris
and wife of Poseidon (Greek mythol.)- L., fr.
Gk. 'A(.!qnTptq, lit. '(waves of the sea) roaring
round (the earth)', pro b. fr. &.!J.<pt, 'on both
sides' (see amphi-), and the stem of Tpt~e:tv,
'to utter a shrill cry, creak', from the I.-E. imitative base *(s)trig-; see strident and cp. trismus.
Cp. W. H. Roscher, Ausfi.ihrliches Lexikon der
griechischen Mythologie, Leipzig, I884-86, I,
p.JI8.
Amphitryon, n., son of Alceus and husband of
Alcmene in Greek mythology; used figuratively in the sense of host. - Gk. 'A!J.<pLTpuwv, a
compound literally meaning 'one who reigns
far and wide'. For the first element of this compound see amphi-. The second element is prob.
rel. to Gk. T,Jp-otvvo<;, 'lord, master, sovereign,
tyrant'; see tyrant. The metaphorical use of this
PN. to denote a host is due to the circumstance
that during Amphitryon's absence his wife Alcmene was visited and feasted by Zeus in the
shape of her husband. See Pauly-Wissova, RealEncyklopadie der klassischen Altertumswissenschaft, I, I 967.
amphodelite, n., a variety of anorthite (mineral.)
- Compounded of amph-, and Gk. olle:A6<;, a
variant of 6~e:A6<;, 'a spit' (see obelus, obelisk);
so called in allusion to the twin crystals in which
it occurs. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
amphora, n. - L., 'a vessel with two handles or
ears, a pitcher', fr. Gk. &.!J.<pope:u<;, of s.m., which
is contracted fr. *&.f!<pL-<pope:u<; (see haplology),
lit. 'two-handled', fr. &.!i<pl (sec amphi-) and
'f'Ope:];, 'bearer, carrier', fr. <pepe:w, 'to bear'.
See Ilea:-, 'to carry', and cp. -phore. Cp. also
ampulla.
ample, adj., spacious, abundant. - F., fr. L.
amp/us, 'large, spacious', which stands for *amlos and lit. means 'comprehensive', from I.-E.
base *am- 'to seize, hold', whence also L. amp/a,
ansa, 'handle', Lith. -qsa, Lett. uosa, 'loop,
knot', OPruss. ansis, 'pot hook, trammel', Gk.
-i;vli. Dor. tiv[i (for *ansia), 'bridle, reins',
ON. a:s, MLG. a:se, G. tJse, 'eye, loop', Mlr.
esi (pl.), 'bridle'. Cp. amplify, amplitude.
Derivatives: ample-ness, n., ampl-y, adv.
amplification, n. - L. amplificatio, gen. -onis, 'a
widening, enlarging, extending', fr. amplificiitus,
pp. of amplificiire. See next word and -ion.
amplify, tr. v. - F. amplifier, fr. L. amplificiire,
'to widen, enlarge, extend', fr. amplus (see ample) and -ficiire, fr.facere, 'to make, do'. See -fy.
Dt:rivdlive: amplifi-er, n.
amplitude, n., spaciousness; abundance; extent.
- F., fr. L. amp/itiido, 'wide extent, width', fr.
umplus. See ample and -tude.
ampulla, n., a flask with two handles. - L. ampulla (for *ampor-la), 'a globular vessel for holding liquids', dimin. of amphora, ampora. See
amphora.

66
Derivatives: ampul/-aceous, ampull-ar, ampullar-y, ampull-ate, ampull-at-ed, adjs.
ampulliform, adj. - Compounded of ampulla
and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
amputate, tr. v.- L. amputiitus, pp. of amputare,
'to cut off, to prune', compounded of am-,
shortened form of ambi-, 'around', and putiire,
'to trim, prune, lop, clean'. See ambi- and putative and cp. pave and pit. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: amputation (q.v.), amputat-ive, adj.,
amputat-or, n.
amputation, n. - L. amputatio, gen. -onis, fr.
amputatus, pp. of amputare. See amputate and
-ion.
amrita, amreeta, n., the drink of immortality
(Hindu mythol.)- OI. amrtdl;, 'immortal; drink
of immortality; immortality', cogn. with Gk.
&!J.~poTo~. 'immortal'. See priv. pref. an- and
mortal.
amsel, n., I) the blackbird; 2) the ring ouzel.G. Amsel, fr. MHG. amsel, fr. OHG. amsala,
amusia. See ouzel and cp. words there referred to.
Amsonia, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) - ModL.,
named in honor of Charles Amson, physician ul Gloucester, Virginia (Iilth cent.) for
the ending see suff. -ia.
amt, n., a territorial division in Denmark and
Norway.- Dan., fr. G. Amt, 'office', fr. MHG.
ambeht, ammet, fr. OHG. ambahl, ampaht,
which is of Celtic origin. Cp. Gaulish-Lat.
ambactus, 'servant', and see embassy.
amuck, amok, adj., possessed with a murderous
frenzy; adv., in a murderous frenzy.- Malay
amoq, 'in a frenzy'.
amulet, n.- L. amuletum, 'amulet', prob. orig.
meaning 'food made of amylum (starch flour)',
fr. amulum, amylum, 'starch flour' (see amylum); influenced in sense by a confusion with
amollri, 'to carry away, remove'.
Derivative: amulel-ic, adj.
amurcous, adj., foul. - Formed with suff. -ous
fr. L. amurca, 'the dregs of olives', fr. Gk.
&.fi.6pytJ, of s.m., fr. &.f!pyELV, 'to pluck, pull',
which is perh. related to Of!opyvuvotL, 'to wipe
off', and cogn. with 01. mrjdti, 'wipes off', L.
mergae, 'a two-pronged pitchfork'. For the
change of Gk. y to c(k) in Latin cp. L. spe/unca,
'cave', fr. Gk. crmj/..uy~. This change is prob.
due to Etruscan influence; see K. v. Ettmayer,
Indogermanische Forschungen, 45, IOf., and
E. Vetter, Glotta, 17, 302.
amuse, tr. v. - OF. ( = F.) amuser, 'to cause to
muse', lit. 'to cause to gape idly about', fr. a,
'to' (sec a), and muser, 'to muse'. See muse.
Derivatives: amus-ed, adj., amus-ed-ly, adv.,
amuse-ment, n., amus-ing, adj., amus-ing-ly, adv.
amus-ing-ness, n., amus-ive, adj., amus-ive-ly,
adv., amus-ive-ness, n.
amusia, n., inability for music (med.) - Medical
L., fr. Gk. &.(.loucn'i, 'want of harmony', fr.
&IJ.oucro~. 'without song, without harmony', fr.

67
&-(see priv. pref.a-) and Moucrot, 'Muse; music'.
See Muse and -ia.
Amy, fern. PN.- OF. Amee, lit. 'beloved', fr.
OF. amee (corresponding to F. aimee), fern.
pp. of amer (F. aimer), 'to love', fr. L. amare,
of s.m. See amative.
amyelous, adj., lacking the spinal chord.- Gk.
&.!J.ue;).oc;, 'without marrow', fr. &.- (see priv.
pref. a-) and f!Ue:A6t;, 'marrow', which stands
for mus-e lo-s, and is rel. to f!uwv (gen. f!i3wvo,;},
'knot of muscles', and to f!U<; (gen. !J.U6<;),
'muscle'. Seemyo- and cp. amyous. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see -ous.
amygdala, n., a tonsil (anal.) - L., fr. Gk. &.fi.uyI!OC/..1), 'almond'; see almond. The use of the
word in its anatomical sense is due to a literal
translation of Arab. al-lauzatdni, 'the two tonsils', lit. 'the two almonds'.
Amygdalaceae, n. pl., the almond or peach family
(bot.)- ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. L.
amygdala, 'almond'. See amygdala.
amygdalaceous, adj. -Formed fr. amygdala with
suff. -aceous.
amygdalate, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
almonds. - Formed fr. amygdala with adj.
suff. -ate.
amygdalic, adj., pertaining to, or designating, the
crystalline acid C 20H 28 0, 3 (chem.) - See next
word and -ic; so called because it is formed by
the decomposition of amygdalin.
amygdalin, n., a crystalline glucoside C 20 H 27 NOu
(chem.)- Formed fr. amygdala with chem. suff.
-in; so called because it occurs in bitter almonds.
amygdaline, adj., I) pertaining to, or resembling,
an almond or almonds; 2) pertaining to a tonsil
(anal.) - L. amygdalinus, 'of almonds', fr.
amygdala, 'almond'. See amygdala and -ine (representing L. -inus).
amyl, n., starch (obso/.) - L. amylum, fr. Gk.
&fi.u'Aov, 'fine meal, starch', prop. neut. of the
adjective CL!J.UAo<;, 'not ground at the mill', fr.
&.- (see priv. pref. a-) and f!UA1J, 'mill'. See mill
and cp. amidin.
amyl, n., a hydrocarbon radical C,H 11 (chem.)Coined from the first two letters of L. amylum
(see prec. word) and suff. -yl.
amyloid, adj., starchlike; n., a starchlike substance. -Compounded of Gk. OCfi.UAov, 'starch',
and -oEL8-Ijc;, 'like', fr. dlloc;, 'form, shape'. See
amyl, 'starch', and -oid.
amyous, adj., wanting in muscles (med.) - Gk.
&(.luoc;, 'without muscle', fr. &.- (see priv. pref.
a-) and [.LG<;, gen. !J.'Y\<;, 'muscle'. See myo- and
cp. amyelotfi.
Amyris, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. [L'Jpov,
'balsam'. See smear, n.
an, indef. art. (before a word beginning with a
vowel).- ME. an, fr. OE. an, 'one', whence also
one (q.v.) Cp. a, indef. article.
an. conj. meaning 'if, and if'. - Shortened fr.
and (q.v.)

anabasis
an-, a-, priv. pref.- Gk. &.'1-, &.-,'not, without',
rei. to vE-, vr,-, v-, of s.m. (see nepenthe), and
cogn. with 01. an-, a-, L. in-, Goth., OE., etc.
un-, of s.m. See priv. pref. un-.
an-, form of ana- before a vowel.
an-, assimilated form of ad- before n.
-an, suff. meaning 'pertaining to', used in zoology, chemistry, biology. -Fr. L. -iinus, either
directly or through the medium of F. -ain, -en.
Cp. the suffixes -ian and -ain. Cp. also suff. -ana
and ana.
ana-, before a vowel an-, pref. meaning: 1) up,
upward; 2) back, backward, against; 3) again,
anew; 4) exceedingly; 5) according to. - Gk.
&.vet-, &.v-, 'up to, upward, up, toward; exceedingly; back, backward; against', fr. &.v~, 'up,
on, upon; throughout; again', rei. to &vw,
'above', and cogn. with Avestic ana, 'on, upon',
L. an- in anheliire, 'to pant, gasp', Goth. ana,
OE. on, an, OSlav. na, Lith. nil, OPruss. no, na,
'on, upon'; fr. I.-E. base *ana-, 'on, upon.
above'. Cp. on and a-, 'on'. Cp. also the pref.
in anhelation.
-ana, pl. suff. meaning 'sayings of, anecdotes of',
as in Joh11soPi<ma. - L. -iina, I'.eut. rl. of -'inus,
'pertaining to'. See -an and cp. ana.
ana, n., collection of memorable sayings of
famous men. - Coined fr. -iina, neut. pl. of
Latin adjectives ending in the masc. sing. into
-anus; abstracted from the ending of names like
Johnsoniana, etc. See -ana.
Anabaena, n., a genus of algae (bot.) -- ModL.,
fr. Gk. &.vot~O(L'IE~v. 'to go up', fr. &.v~ (see ana-)
and ~ot[veLv, 'to go'. See base, n., and cp. anabas, anabasis.
anabaptism, n., rebaptism. - ML anahaptismus,
fr. Late Gk. :XvO(~otiTTLcr(J.':!<;, 'dipping into water
again, re-immersion', fr. Gk. ocvot-, 'again' (see
ana-) and ~O(c:T[~ELV, 'to dip, baptize'. See baptism.
Anabaptist, n. - ModL. anabaptisla, 'one who
baptizes again', fr. ana- and Gk. ~O(ITTLcr7-f,c;,
'one that dips, baptizer'. See baptist and cp.
prec. word.
Derivatives: A nabaplist-ic ,Anabaplisl-ic-a I, adjs.,
Anabaptist-ic-a/-/y, adv.
anabaptize, tr. v., to rebaptize. - ML. anahaptiziire, fr. Late Gk. :Xv0(~0(7t7l~sLv, 'to dip into
water again'. See anabaptism and -ize.
Anabas, n., a genus of fishes (ichthyol.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. &vO(~~~. gen. :Xv:i~O(VT'><;, aor. part. of
&.n~O([ve:Lv, 'to go up, mount, climb' (see next
word); so called by the French naturalist baron
Georges- Leopold -Chretien- Frederic- Dago bert
Cuvier (17fi9-r832) hecamr the fi,he<; of thi<;
genus are capable of leaving the water and
climbing trees.
anabasis, n., a military expedition, e<;p. that of
Cyrus the Younger again5l Anaxerxes, described by Xenophon in his Anabasis. - Gk.
&.v<i~ot(nt;, 'a going up, an expedition up from
the coast', fr. ocvot~otlvEw, 'to go up', fr. &v.X

Anableps

68

creon. - L. Anacreonticus, fr. Anacreon, fr. Gk.

(ana-) and ~ottv<:~v, 'to go'. See base, n., and cp.
'Avotxpwv, a celebrated Greek lyrical poet born
prec. word and catabasis.
at Teos in Ionia (56o-478 B.C.E.).
Anableps, n., a genus of S. and Central American
, n., unstressed syllable before a stressed
anacrusis
1h&~:AeGk.
Fr.
eyes.
projecting
fishes with
at the beginning of a verse. - Gk.
syllable
and
ana-)
9t~, 'a looking up', fr. &:v& (see
&v&xpoum~. 'a pushing back', fr. &vocxpotletv,
~'Ab:wJ, 'to look, see', which is rel. to ~:A<potpov,
'to push back', fr. &.v&, 'back' (see ana-), and
'eyelid'. See blepharo-.
(for *xpotlcre~v), 'to knock, strike,
xpotletv
anabolic, adj., pertainin g to anabolis m.- Formis rei. to Homeric xpooc(vetv (prob.
which
push',
is
which
'that
&vot~o:l-1),
Gk.
fr.
-ic
suff.
with
ed
e~v), 'to stamp, strike with the
*xpoumiv-~
for
throw
'to
tv,
thrown up, mound', fr. &:voc~&:A'Ae
hoof', and cogn. with OSlav. sii-krusQ, sii-kruup', fr. &:v& (see ana-) and ~&Me~v, 'to throw'.
siti, Russ. krusit', Lith. krusu, krusti, 'to smash,
See ballistic.
shatter', OSlav. kruchii, 'piece, bit of food'.
anabolism, n., the building up process in the living
n., a wreath, garland .- L. anadema, fr.
anadem,
cp.
and
-ism
and
word
prec.
See
m.
protoplas
'band, headband ', fr. &.vottidv,
&.v&tl'Y){J.ot,
Gk.
catabolism.
'to bind up', fr. &.vii (see ana-) and tl<:~v, 'to
anabrosis, n., corrosion of soft tissues (med.) bind'. See diadem.
Medical L., fr. Gk. &:v&[3pwm~. 'an eating up',
anadiplosis, n., repetition of an initial word (rhet .)
fr. &:vot[3~[3pwcrxe~v. 'to eat up', fr. &:v& (see ana-)
- Gk. &.voctiln:'AwcrLc;, 'repetition , duplicatio n',
and [3t[3pwcrxetv, 'to eat, eat up, devour'. See
fr. &:vottiLn:'Aouv, 'to double, fold', fr. &.v, 'again'
broma and -osis.
(see ana-), and 8m)..ouv, 'to fold, repeat', fr.
anabrotic, adj., corrosive (med.)- Gk. &:vot['pwtim:A6o~, tim'Aoi3~, 'double'. See diplo- and cp.
up',
'eaten
c;,
&:v&[3pw-.o
fr.
',
tx6~, 'corrosive
diploma.
verbal adj. of &.voc~~[3pwcrxetv. See prec. word.
anadromous, adj., going up rivers to spawn. anacatharsis, n., expectora tion (med.)- Medical
Gk. &.vci.tipo(J.o~, 'running upward', fr. &.v& (see
L., fr. Gk. &vocx&&otpm~, 'a clearing away (of
ana-) and tip611.o~, course, race, running'. See
rubbish), fr. &.v (see ana-) and x&&otpmc;, 'a
y and cp. catadromous. For E. -ous, as
dromedar
caSee
cleanse'.
'to
,
xoc&oc(petv
cleansing', fr.
t to Gk. -oc;, see -ous.
equivalen
tharsis and cp. acatharsia.
Anadyomene, n., an epithet of Aphrodit e (Greek
anacathar tic, adj., emetic, expectora nt. - See
mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. 'Avro'3oiJ.zvr,, lit. 'she
prec. word and -ic.
that emerges (out of the sea)', fern. pres. part. of
anachronic, adj., marked by anachron ism. -See
&.votMecr&oct, fr. &.v& (see ana-) and middle voice
-ic.
and
anachronism
of Me~v, 'to put on (clothes), to enter, peneF.
anachronism, n., an error in chronology.
trate, dive'. See adytum and cp. ecdysis, enanachronisme, fr. Gk. &.v:xzpov~O'[J.6~, 'anachrodysis.
nism', fr. &.votzpov[~etv, 'to refer to a wrong
anaemia. - Sec anemia.
time', fr. &v&, 'up, against' (see ana-), and zp6vo~
anaerobic, adj., capable of living without oxygen
'time'. See chronic and -ism.
(bioi.) - Coined by the French chemist and
-anachronistic, adj., marked by anachron ism.
bacteriologist Louis Pasteur (1822-95) in 1863
See prec. word and -ic.
from priv. pref. an- and aerobic.
anachroadj.,
Derivatives: anachronistic-a!,
Anagallis, n., a genus of herbs of the primrose
nistic-al-ly, adv.
family (bot.)- L. anagallis, 'pimperne l', fr. Gk.
anaclastic, adj., pertaining to refraction (opt.)&.vocy:x'AA(~, a word of uncertain origin.
oc;,
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &.vxi.otcr-r
anaglyph, n., an embossed ornament . - Gk.
'bent back, broken, reflected' (said of light),
&.vci.yb<pov, 'wrought in relief', fr. <ivocy:AJ9Etv,
verbal adj. of &.v:xx:Aiv, 'to bend back, break,
'to carve in relief', fr. iv& (see ana-) and y'A.J<petv,
reflect', fr. &.v&, 'back' (see ana-), and x:Aflv, 'to
'to carve', which is cogn. with L. ghlberl', 'to
break'. See clastic.
and E. cleave, to split (q.v.) Cp. the second
peel',
anacoluthon, n., a lack in grammati cal sequence.
in hieroglyph, triglyph.
element
&o~,
&v:xx6'Aou
of
neut.
&ov,
iv:xx6:Aou
Gk.
, adj., pertaining to anaglyphs. - Gk.
anaglyptic
priv.
(see
&:v'inconseq uent, inconsiste nt', fr.
&.vry'Auc.TLx6~. fr. &v&y'AuT:-r'.l~, 'wrought in repref. an-) and &.x6'Aou&oc;, 'following, attending
lief', verbal adj. of &.viXy).J~f>Etv. See prec. word
on', which is formed fr. copul. pref. &.- and
-ic.
and
xi.eJ&r,c;, 'way, road, path, track'. Copul. preL
n., mystical interpreta tion of Scripanagogy,
al
gradation
weak
a
*s't'-
I.-E.
for
&.- stands
Gk. &.votywy+,, a leading up, fr.
tures.
see
form of base *sem-, 'one, together';
&.v&yetv, 'to lead up', fr. &.v& (see a'la-) and 'lyew,
same. For the etymology of Gk. xe:I.EOJ&oc; see
'to lead'; cp. &ywyl], 'a leading'. See agent and
acolyte.
-agogue, apagoge, pedagogue, synagogue.
cp.
of
anaconda, n., orig. a name given to a python
Derivatives: anagog-ic, anagog-ic-al, adjs., anaCeylon; (zoo!.) any large snake of the boa famgog-ic-al-ly, adv.
ily. - Perhaps of Singhalese origin.
anagram, n., transposi tion of the letters of a
Anacreontic, adj., written in the style of Anaword or phrase so as to form another .- ModL.
creon; n., a poem written in the style of Ana-

69
anagramma, fr. Gk. &.votypoc{J.{J.otTt0'(1.6~, 'a transposition of letters', fr. &.votypoc(J.(J.OCTl~etv, 'to
transpose the letters of a word', which is
formed fr. &.voc, 'back' (see ana-), and yp&fJ.(J.OC,
gen. yp&(J.iJ.ot-roc;, 'written character , letter'. See
-graph and cp. grammar.
Derivatives: anagrammat-ic, anagrammat-ic-al,
adjs., anagrammat-i-cal-ly, adv., anagrammatism
(q.v.), anagramm at-ist,n., anagrammatize (q.v.)
anagrammatism, n., the making of anagram s.ModL. anagrammatismus, fr. Gk. &.vocypot{J.{J.otncriJ.6~. See anagram and -ism.
anagrammatize, tr. v., to make an anagram of;
intr. v., to make anagram s.- Gk. &.votypot(J.{J.OC-.(~ew. See anagram and -ize.
anal, adj., pertaining to, or connected with, the
anus. See anus and adj. suff. -al.
analcite, n., a white zeolite (mineral.) - Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &.vot'Ax-l)c;, 'weak,
feeble', fr. &.v- (see priv. pref. an-) and &.'Ax-1),
'protectio n, help, strength'; so called in allusion
to the weak electricity it acquires when rubbed.
Gk. &.'Ax-1) is rei. to &'Aexetv, 'to ward off',
whence the desiderative verb &.'As!;etv, 'to ward
off, keep off, turn away, defend, protect'. See
Alexander.
analectic, adj., relating to analects. - See next
word and -ic.
analects, also analecta, n. pl., collected writings;
literary gleanings. - Gk. &.v&:Ae:x-rr, 'things,
chosen', neut. pl. of &.v&'Aex-roc;, 'select, choice',
verbal adj. of &.vot'Ayetv, 'to pick up, gather
up, collect', fr. ocv& (see ana-) and AEye:tv, 'to
speak', prop. 'to choose (words)', which is cogn.
with L. Iegere, 'to read'. See lecture.
analemma, n., an orthograp hical projection of the
sphere on the plane of the meridion al (geom.) L., 'a sundial showing the meridian and latitude
of a place', fr. Gk. &voc):~{J.fJ.ot, 'sundial', fr.
&.v:xi,iXiJ.[3&vetv, 'to receive, take up, restore',
fr. &.vi (see ana-) and 'Aot(1.[3<ive:tv, 'to receive'.
See lemma and cp. words there referred to.
analeptic, adj., restorative, tonic (said of a medicine); n., a restorative medicine, a tonic.- Gk.
civrxAYJTrT~X'~c;, 'restorativ e', fr. &.v:tAcqJ.~&.ve~...,, 'to
receive', take up, restore', fr. &.v& (see ana-) and
'Aocf1.[3&vew, 'to take, grasp, seize; to receive'.
See prec. word.
analgesia, n., absence of pain. - Medical L.,
fr. Gk. ocviX'Ayt)crli, 'want of feeling, insensibility',
fr_ &.v&'Ayt)TO~, 'without pain'. See next word.
Derivatives: analges-ic, adj., and n., analgesics, n.
analgetic, adj., producing analgesia; n., a drug
producing analgesia. - Formed with suff. -ic
fr .. Gk. &.vAyt)-roc;, 'without pain', fr. &.v- (see
pnv. pref. a-) and &.:1-ye~v, 'to feel pain', fr.
oc'Ay'.lc, 'pain'. See -algia.
analogical, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. analogicus, fr. Gk. &.vct'Aoytx6~. fr. &vot'Aoyloc.
See analogy and -ic.
Derivative: analogical-ly, adv.

analogize, tr. v., to explain by analogy; intr. v.,

to reason by analogy or to use analogies. - Gk.
&.voc'Aoy(~ecr-&ot~, 'to reckon up, sum up', fr.
&.voc'Aoyloc. See analogy and -ize.
analogous, adj. - L. ana/ogus, fr. Gk. &.v&'Aoyoc;, 'accordin g to a due proportio n, proportionate', fr. &.v& (see ana-) and Myo(;, 'word,
speech, reckoning, proportio n'. See logos and
-ous. Derivatives: analogous-ly, adv., analogousness, n.
analogue, n., an analogou s thing. - F., fr. Gk.
&.v&'Aoyov, neut. of &.v&:Aoyo~. See prec. word.
analogy, n., similari ty.- F. analogie, fr. L. analogia, fr. Gk. &.vot'Aoyla, 'proportio n, analogy',
fr. &v&'Aoyo~. See analogous and -y (representing Gk. -lfl).
Derivatives: analogical (q.v.), analog-is/, n.,
analog-ist-ic, adj., analogize (q.v.)
analphabetic, adj., not alphabetic. - Formed fr.
privative pref. an- and alphabetic.
analysis, n., separatio n of a whole into its component parts. - Gk. &va'Aucr~c;. 'a loosing, releasing', fr. &vot:A~e;~v, 'to unloose, release, set
free', fr. &.v&, 'up, on, througho ut' (see ana-), and
:Auetv, 'to unfasten, loosen, slacken". Sec lysis.
analyste, n., a person who analyzes .- F., formed
fr. analyser, on analogy of nouns in -isle (E.
-ist) fr. verbs in -iser (E. -ize). See prec. word
and cp. analyze.
analytic, analytical, adj. - ML. ana/yticus, fr.
Gk. OCViXAUTtx6c;, 'analytica l', fr. ocv:Xba~;. See
analysis and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: analytic-al-ly, adv.
analyze, analyse, tr. v. - F. analyser, formed fr.
analyse, 'analysis' , on analogy of verbs in -iser.
See analysis and -ize.
Derivatives: analyz-ation (analys-ation), n., analyz-ed (analys-ed), adj., analyzer (analys-er), n.
anamnesis, n., recollection, remembrance. - Gk.
&.v&.[.lvr,crtc;, 'a calling to mind, reminiscence',
fr. &.vocfLtfLV'hm<e:tv, 'to remind, recall to memory', fr. &.v& (see ana-) and fL~f.l.v-ijO'x<:~v, 'to
remind', which is rei. to f1.Vicr%oct, 'to remember', fLEfJ.OVot, 'I remembe r', fr. I.-E. base *men-,
'to think, remembe r'. See mind and cp. mnesic,
amnesia, paramnesia.
anamorphosis, n., a distorted image; a gradual
change in form (bioi.) - ModL., fr. &n<-'-0p<pwOLt;, 'a forming anew', fr. &.nfJ.op<poGv, 'to
form anew, transform ', fr. &v&, 'again' (see
ana-), and fJ.Op<poGv, 'to give form to, form,
shape', fr. fLOp<;Jf,, 'form, shape'. Sec morphoand cp. metamorphosis, amorphous.
ananas, n. - Sp. anands, fr. Peruv. nanas,
'pineappl e'.
ananda, n., bliss, one of the three qual!t1es of
Brahma (Hindu mythol.) - 01. iinandd-, 'joy,
happiness, bliss', formed from the particle iiand the stem of ndndoti, 'he rejoices'. for the
etymology of the particle ii- see agama and cp.
words there referred to. OI. ndndati is of un
certain origin.

anandrous

70

&~a.rr).c(crae:~v, 'to make anew, remodel', fr. &:voc,

'again' (see ana-), and rrAoccrcre:w, 'to mold, form'.
See plasma.
anaptotic, adj., of languages: characterized- as
English - by a tendency to lose declensional
forms.- Formed fr. Gk. ocv&, 'back' (see ana-),
and rrwnx6c;, 'pertaining to cases', fr. 7t't"W't"6c;,
'fallen', verbal adj. of 11:trcnw, 'to fall', which
stands for *rt~-rtnw, fr. *pt-, zero degree of
I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, to fall'. See feather and
cp. symptom and words there referred to. For
the ending see suff. -ic.
anarch, n., leader in anarchy. - Gk. &.va.pzo~,
'without chief', fr. <X~& (see priv. pref. an-) and
&pz6~, 'chief, leader, ruler'. See arch-.
anarchy, n. - F. anarchie, fr. Gk. <ivocpzl~. 'lack
of a leader, state of being without any leader',
fr. &.vocpzoc; 'without chief'. See anarch and -y
(representing Gk. -t~).
Derivatives: anarch-ic, anarch-ic-al, adjs., anarch-ic-al-ly, adv., anarch-ism, n., anarch-ist, n.,
anarch-ize, tr. v.
anarthria, n., inability to articulate words (med.)
-Medical L., coined by the French neurologist
Pierre Marie (!853-1940) fr. Gk. &.va.p-&poc;,
'without joints' (see next word). For the ending
see suff. -ia.
anarthrous, adj., unarticulated.- Gk. &.va.p-&po~,
'without joints', fr. &v- (see priv. pref. an-) and
&p-&po'l, 'joint, limb, organ'. See arthritis. For
fr. Gk. &:\lc.cro:~c-r~x6~, fr. a_,J:irr~to-ro~. See prec.
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see -ous.
word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Anas, n., the genus of ducks (zoo/.) - L. anas,
Derivative: anapaestic-al-ly, adv.
'duck', cogn. with Lith. antis, OPruss. antis,
anapaite, n., a hydrous ferrous calcium phosphate
OSlav. gty, ORuss. utovi, Serb. utva (fr. *gt-),
(mineral.) - Named after Anapa on the Black
ON. ond, OF. rened, MDu. amt, OHG. anut,
Sea. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
MHG. ant, G. Ente, and prob. also with Gk.
Anaphalis, n., a genus of plants (hot.)- ModL.,
~r,crcra., Att. v1jno:, Boeot. 'liiacra., 'duck', OI.
of uncertain origin.
iitib, 'waterfowl'. Cp. Anatidae, Nesonetta. Cp.
Anaphe, n., a genus of moths (zoo!.) - ModL.,
also smew.
fr. Gk. <iv:x?f.~, 'impalpable', fr. &~- (see priv.
anasarca, n., a form of subcutaneous dropsy.
pref. an-) and ::b:pf,, 'touch, grip', from the stem
(med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. <i'loc a&pxa., abof 6lrc7e:~v. 'to fasten, usually in the middle
breviation of u3pw<j; &voc crocpxa., 'dropsy throughvoice 6lrc7e:cr1l:x~. 'to touch'. See apsis and cp.
out the flesh'; fr. &~oc, 'throughout' (see ana-),
words there referred to.
and crtXp~. gen. cra.px6~. 'flesh'. See sarco-.
anaphora, n., repetition of the same word or
anaspadias, n., a condition in which the urethra
phrase in successive clauses. (rhet.)- Gk. &~a.
opens on the upper surface of the penis (med.)
?up&, a carrying back', fr. &v:x?spe:~v. 'to carry
- Medical L., fr. ana- and the stem of artii~. 'to
back', fr. 'l.ri:, 'back" (see ana-), and 9~pe:w, 'to
draw'. See spasm and cp. words there referred to.
bear, carry. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. -phore.
fern. PN. - Late L., fern. of AnastaAnastasia,
sexual
reduces
which
that
adj.,
anaphrodisiac,
sius (q.v.).
desire; n., a drug reducing sexual desire. anastasis, n., convalescence (med.)- Medical L.,
Formed fr. priv. pref. an- and Gk. &i:ppollima.fr. Gk. &~occr't"occr~c;. 'a standing up', fr. &:~un&voc~,
x6~, 'sexual, venereal'. See aphrodisiac.
'to make to stand up', fr. &~oc (see ana-) and
anaphylaxis, n., exaggerated susceptibility, esla-:-i~:x~, 'to make to stand'. See state and cp.
pecially to protein (med. and bioi.) - Coined
apocatastasis, catastasis, hypostasis, metastasis.
by the J-rcnch physiOlogist Cnarles Richet
Anastasius, masc. PN.- Late L. Anastasius, fr.
(1850-1935) in 1893 on analogy of prophylaxis
G k. 'Av:xcrTtXcrwc;, fr. &:~tXO"TocaLc;, 'resurrection',
(q.v.) Anaphylaxis accordingly means the oplit. a rising up', See prec. word and cp. Ana
posite of what IS expressed by prophylaxis; it is
stasia.
formed fr. ana- and Gk. <p'JAa.~~~. 'a watching,
anastomose, tr. v., to communicate by anastoguarding'. See phyla xis.
mosis.- F. anastonwser, fr. anastonwse, fr. Gk.
anaplasty, n., plastic surgery.- F. anaplastie, fr.
.x~oca't"6(Lwa~. See next word.
Gk. <Xv<irc).a.aToc;, 'made anew', verbal adj. of

anandrous, adj., having no stamens.- Gk. &.va.v

llpo~, 'husbandless; unmanly', fr. <iv- (sec priv.
pref. an-) and <ivf,p, gen. &:vop6~, 'man'. See
-androus.
Ananke, n., the personification of necessity in
Greek mythology. - Gk. <ivtXyx"Y), 'necessity',
of uncertain origin; perhaps standing for *anank- and cogn. with Olr. ecen, W. angen, 'necessity, fate', Ir. echt (for *anktu-), 'manslaughter', OE. oht, MDu. aht, OHG. iihta, MHG.
ahte, aht, G. Acht, 'hostile persecution', Hitt.
benkan, 'destiny, death'.
Ananta, n., the endless, an epithet of the serpent
Shesha in Hindu mythology. - OI. andntab,
'endless', fr. 01. priv. pref. an- (see priv. pref.
an-) and dntab- 'end, boundary, edge', which
is rei. to 01. anti, 'opposite', and cogn. with
Gk. &v-rl, 'over against, opposite, before', L.
ante, 'before, in front of'. See ante- and cp.
anti-.
anapaest, n., a metrical foot consisting of two
short syllables followed by a long one, a reversed
dactyl (pros.) - L. anapaestus, fr. Gk. &~&
r.a.~cr-:-o~, 'struck back, rebounding', verbal adj.
of &v:xr.:xletv, 'to strike back', fr. &vtX, 'back'
(see ana-), and r.:xle~v, 'to strike'. which prob.
stands for *rdf,etv and is cogn. with L.pavfre,
'to beat, ram, tread down'. See pave.
anapaestic, anapaestical, adj. - L. anapaesticus,

71

anchorite

acrotomous, atom. For the ending see suff. -y

anastomosis, n., intercommunicatio n of vessels in
(representing Gk. -li).
the animal body or of parts in any branching
Derivatives: anatom-ism, n., anatom-ist, n., anasystem (anal.) - Gk. &va.cr't"oi.Lwa~c;. 'outlet,
tom-ize, tr. v., anatom-iz-ation, n., anatom-izopening', fr. &va.cr't"Ofi.OU\1, 'to furnish with a
er, n.
mouth', fr. &.v& (see ana-) and cr't"6fi.a., 'mouth'.
anbury, ambury, n., a soft tumor or wart on the
See stoma, stomach.
neck of a horse or an ox. - A compound pro b.
anastomotic, adj. - See prec. word and -otic.
meaning lit. 'a painful berrylike tumor'. For the
anastrophe, n., inversion of the usual order of
element see the first element in agnail. For
first
turning
'a
<iva.cr't"po<p~.
Gk.
fr.
words (rhet.)-L.,
the second element see berry.
upside down; a turning up or back, inversion',
-ance, suff. - Fr. L. -antia, either directly or
fr. <iva.cr't"pe<pe:~~. 'to turn up or back', fr. <iv&
through the medium of F. -ance. L. -antia de(see ana-) and cro::pE:<pe:~v, 'to turn'. See strophe
rives fr. -iins, gen. -antis, pres. part. suff. of the
and cp. antistrophe, apostrophe, catastrophe.
verbs of the first Latin conjugation, and forms
peror
thing
a
malediction;
curse,
n.,
anathema,
abstract nouns denoting action, process, state or
son accursed. - L. anathema, fr. Gk. &~oc-&e:fi.a,
quality. See -ant and -ce and cp. -ence. Cp. also
'anything devoted', later used in the sense of
-ancy.
'anything devoted to evil, an accursed thing',
ancestor, n, - A blend of ME. ancestre and ana later variant of &~&&IJf!.a., 'an offering', lit.
cessour. ME. ancestre, derives fr. OF. ancestre
'that which is set up', fr. &~a.'t"d:l-E:va.L, 'to lay
(F. ancetre), fr. L. antecessor, 'predecessor', lit.
upon', which is formed fr. &voc (see ana-) and
'foregoer', fr. antecessus, pp. of antecedere, 'to
't"~-&iva.~. 'to put, place'. See thesis and cp. words
go before', fr. ante- and cedere, 'to go'. ME. anthere referred to.
cessour, 'ancestor', comes fr. OF. ancessor, fr.
Derivatives: anathemat-ic, anathemat-ic-al, adjs.,
L. antecess6rem, ace. of antecessor. See cede
anan.,
anathemat-ism,
adv.,
anathemat-ic-al-ly,
and cp. antecessor.
themat-ize (q.v.)
ancestral, adj. -OF. ancestrel, fr. ancestre. See
anathematize, tr. v. to pronounce an anathema
ancestor and adj. suiT. -al.
against; intr. v., to curse. - F. anathematiser,
Derivative: ancestral-ly, adv.
fr. L. anthematiziire, fr. Gk. &va.-&e:fi.a."t"[~e:~v, 'to
ancestry, n. -OF. ancesserie; refashioned after
devote to evil', fr. &:vtX-&e:JLa., gen. --&E:fi.a.'t"oc;. See
OF. ancestre. See prec. word and -y (representanathema and -ize.
ing OF. ie).
Derivative: anathemat-iz-ation, n., anathematAnchises, n., the father of Aeneas; see Aeneas. iz-er, n.
L. Anchises, fr. Gk. 'AyztQ"""~<;, a name of unAnatidae, n. pl., a family of birds, the ducks (orcertain origin.
nithol.) - ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
Anchistea, n., a genus of ferns (hot.) - ModL.,
L. anas, gen. anatis, 'duck'. See Anas.
fr. Gk. <in~cr't"e:u~. 'next of kin'. fr. &.yz~ao<;,
anatocism, n., compound interest (law).- L. ana'nearest', super!. of G.yy_~. 'near', which is rei. to
tocismus, fr. Gk. <iv:x-:-ox~crfi.O~, fr. &~tX, 'again'
&.yze:~v. 'to squeeze, throttle'. "Ayx~ prop.
(see ana-), and 't"oxl~e:~~. 'to lend on interest',
means 'pressed together'. See anger, anxious.
which is rei. to ,6xoc;. 'childbirth', Toxe:uc;,
For the sense development of Gk. &.yx~. 'near',
'father', in pl. 'parents', and in gradational refr. &.ne:~v. 'to squeeze', cp. F. pres, 'near, by',
lationship to 7exvov, 'child', "t"LXTe:~~ (for *"t"lfr. L. pressus, 'compressed'. The genus was
TXe:L~). 'to bring forth, bear'. See thane and cp.
called Anchistea to intimate that it is related to
tecno-, toco-, atocia. For the ending see suff.
another genus of plants called Woodwardia. For
-ism.
the Greek super!. suff. -~crTo~ in &.yz~cr-ro~ see
Anatolia, n., ancient name of Asia Minor.- ML.
-est and cp. Callisto and words there referred
Anatolia, fr. Gk. &~a.TOA~, 'sunrise, east', lit. 'a
to.
rising above (the horizon)', fr. &~au"Me:~~. 'to
anchor, n. - ME. anker, fr. OE. ancor, fr. L. anrise', fr. &~& (see ana-) and 't"EMe:~~. 'to accora, fr. Gk. &yxupa., 'anchor', which is rei. to
complish, perform; to rise', which is rei. to
Gk. &.yxt:J~. 'a bend', iyx)).o~. 'crooked,
Te).o~, 'end'. See tele- and cp. words there recurved'. See angle, 'corner', and cp. ancon,
ferred to.
ankylosis. Cp. also angora.
Derivatives: Anatoli-an, adj. and n., Anatol-ic,
Derivatives: anchor, tr. and intr. v., anchor-age,
adj.
n., anchor-ed, adj., anchor-er, n.
fr.
anatomique,
F.
adj.
anatomical,
anatomic,
anchoress, n., a female anchorite. - See next
L. a'latomicu<, fr. Gk. ~vcr.-rot.LtY.6~, 'relating to
word and -ess.
anatomy, skilled in anatomy', fr. <i~a.TofLli.
anchorite, also anchoret, n., hermit, recluse. See next word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Anchoret is the earlier form. It is a contraction
Derivative: anatomic-al-ly, adv.
of still earlier anachoret, fr. L. anachoreta, fr. Gk.
anatomy, n. - F. anatomie, fr. L. anatomia, fr.
&~a:xwp"Y)ri)c;, 'anchorite', lit. 'one who has reGk. &~rx't"o(Lt~. &.~o:"t"O(L~. 'dissection', which is
tired', fr. &.~a.xwpe:i:v, 'to go back, retire', fr.
related to &:vrx't"e(Lve:tv, 'to cut up', fr. &:v&. (see
&v&., 'back' (see ana-), and zwpe:L~. 'to give
. ana-) and 't"E(Lvew 'to cut'. See tome and cp.

anchovy

place, withdraw', fr. z(';\po~, 'free space, room'.

See chori-.
anchovy, n., a small, herringlike fish. - Sp. anchova, fr. Basque anchu, prop. 'dried fish', fr.
anchua, anchuva, 'dry'.
Anchusa, n., a genus of plants of the borage family.- L. anchusa, fr. Gk. &.nourro., 'alkanet',
which is of uncertain origin.
anchylose, n. - See ankylose.
anchylosis, n. - See ankylosis.
anchylotic, adj. -See ankylotic.
ancient, adj., old. -F. ancien, fr. VL. *antiiinus,
'former', fr. ante, 'before'; see ante-. The -t in
ancient is excrescent and is due to a confusion
of the ending of F. ancien with -ent, the English
equivalent of L. -ens (gen. -en tis), the pres. part.
suff. of the II-IV. Latin conjugations. Cp. pageant, peasant, pheasant, tyrant.
Derivatives: ancient, n., ancient-ly, adv., ancientness, n., ancient-ry, n.
ancient, n. ensign. - Corruption of ensign.
ancile, n., the sacred shield of Rome.- L. anclle,
'the sacred shield of Rome', said to have fallen
from heaven. - The word prop. means 'cut in
on both sides', and stands for *am(bi)-caid-sli,
from ambi-, 'round about', and caedere, 'to cut,
hew, fell'. See ambi- and cement.
ancillary, adj., pertaining to a maid servant; secondary, auxiliary. - L. ancilliiris, 'relating to
female servants', fr. ancil/a, 'a female servant',
dimin. fr. anculus, 'a man servant', which was
misdivided into anc-ulus. In reality, however,
anculus stands for an-culus and is compounded
of pref. am(b)- (see ambi-) and the base of L.
co/ere, 'to till (the ground), cultivate, dwell, inhabit'. Sec colony and -ary. Cp. Gk. &f1-<pl7to:Ao~,
'handmaid of gods, priestess, attendant priest',
which is cogn with L. anculus.
ancipital, ancipitous, adj., having two edges. Formed with adj. sutf. -al, resp. -ous, fr. L. anceps, gen. ancipitis, 'having two heads', fr. an-,
a short form of ambi-, 'on both sides', and caput,
gen. capitis, 'head'. See ambi-, and capital, adj.
For the change of Latin ii (in ciiput) to i (in andpitis) see abigeat and cp. words there referred
to.
ancon, n., I) the elbow (anat.); 2) a projection
supporting a cornice; console (archit.)- L., fr.
Gk. &y-.-:wv. 'elbow', lit. 'bend (of the arm)'.
See angle, 'corner', and cp. anchor, ankylosis.
-ancy, sutf. denoting quality or state. - Fr. L.
-antia, either directly or through the medium of
F. -ance, hence derivatively identical with -ance
(q.v.) Cp. -ency.
ancylostomiasis, n., hookworm disease (med.) Medical L., compounded of Gk. &y-.-:u:Ao~,
'crooked, curved', and (JT6f1-CI:, 'mouth'. See
ankylosis, stoma and -iasis.
Ancylus, n., a genus of snails (entomol.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. &yxu:Ao~, 'crooked, curved'. See ankylosis.
and, conj. - ME., fr. OE. and, rei. to OS. endi,

72
ande, OFris. and(a), ande, MDu. ende, enn, Du.
en, OHG. enti, anti, later unta, unti, MHG. unde,
und, G. und, 'and', ON. enn, en, 'and, but', prob.
fr. I.-E. *Qthti-, whence also OI. dthJ, 'then,
and'. Cp. an, 'if', and ampersand.
anadabata, n., a Roman gladiator whose helmet
had no opening for the eyes. - L., a word of
Gaulish origin. The first element of this word
means 'blind', and is cogn. with 01. andhdfr,
Avestic anda, of s.m. The second element is of
the same origin and meaning as L. battuere, 'to
beat, strike'. See batter, 'to beat', and cp. words
there referred to.
Andalusia, n., a former province of southern
Spain.- Andalusia ( = Sp. Andalucia), fr. Arab.
Andalus, a name denoting the whole peninsula,
fr. Late L. * Vandalfcia, prop. 'the country
occupied by the Vandals'. See Vandal.
andalusite, n., a hard silicate of aluminum (Al 2 Si05) (mineral.) - Formed with subst. sutf.
-ite fr. Andalusia (see prec. word); so called because it was first found in Andalusia.
andante, adj., moderately slow; adv., in andante
tempo; n., an andante movement (musical
direction).- It., pres. part. of andare, 'to go',
rei. to Sp. and Port. andar, 'to go'; fr. VL. ambftiire, 'to go round', fr. L. ambitus, pp. of am
bfre, 'to go round'. See ambient.
andantino, adj., somewhat quicker (sometimes,
slower) than andante; adv., in andantino tempo;
n., an andantino movement (musical direction).It., dimin. of andante.
andesine, n., a mineral of the group of feldspars.
- Coined by the German geologist Wilhelm
Hermann Abich (1806-86) from the name of the
Andes Mountains. For the ending see chem.
suff. -ine.
andesite, n., name of a family of rocks (petrogr.)
-Coined by the German geologist Baron Christian Leopold von Buch (1774-1853) from the
name of the Andes Mountains. For the ending
see subst. sutf. -ite.
Derivative: andesit-ic, adj.
andiron, n., either of a pair of metal supports for
Jogs in a fireplace. - ME. anderne, aundirne,
aundiren, fr. OF. andier (F. /andier), fr. Gaul.
*andero-, 'a young bull' (cp. Ir. ainder, 'a young
woman', W. anner, 'heifer'); so called because
andirons were frequently adorned with the
heads of animals. Andiron was influenced in
form by, but is not related to, iron. Cp. gridiron.
andouille, n., a kind of sausage. - F., fr. VL.
*inductile, neut. of the adjective *inductilis, used
as a noun, fr. L. inductus, pp. of inducere, 'to
introduce'; see induce. Andouille must have denoted originally the filling that was 'introduced'
into the sausage.
andr-, form of andro- before a vowel.
Andrew, masc. PN. - OF. Andreu, Andrieu (F.
Andre), fr. L. Andreas, fr. Gk. 'Avllpe.X~, which
is rei. to <ivllp&i:o~, 'manly', fr. &vf]p, gen. &vllp6c;,
'man'. See andro- and cp. dandy.

anemo-

73
andrewsite, n., a hydrous phosphate (mineral.)Named after the Irish physicist and chemist
Thomas Andrew (r8I3-58). For the ending see
subst. sutf. -ite.
Andrias, n., a genus of fossil salamanders (zoo/.)
- ModL., fr. Gr. &vllp~&~, 'image of a man',
diminutive formed fr. &v~p, gen. &vllp6~. 'man';
see andro-. For the diminutive character of the
-nt-formative element see Kretschmer in Glotta,
14, 84f.
andro-, before a vowel andr-, combining form
meaning 'man'. - Gk. &vllpo-, &vllp-, fr. &v~p.
gen. &vllp6~. 'man', which is cogn. with 01.
ndram (ace.), 'man', ndryab, 'virile', Arm. ayr,
gen.-dat. afn, 'man', Alb. n'er, 'man', Umbr.
nerus (pl. ace.), 'men', Sabine-L. Nero, PN., lit.
'strong', W. ner, 'hero', Olr. nert, W., Co. nerth,
'virility'. Cp. Andrew, Andrias, andron, dandy,
'a fop', and the second element in Alexander,
Ardhanari, Dianira, Leander, philander, sundari.
Cp. also the first element in anthropo-.
androcracy, n., rule or supremacy of men. Compounded of andro- and -xpCI:-r[.X, fr. xpcl.'t"o~,
'strength, power, rule'. See -cracy.
androecium, n., the stamens of a flower taken
collectively (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
andro- and Gk. otxlov, dimin. of o1xo~, 'house'.
See economy.
androgen, n., a male sex hormone (biochem.) Coined fr. andro- and -gen.
androgynous, adj., hermaphrodite.- Gk. &vllp6yuvo~. 'man-woman, hermaphrodite', fr. &v~p,
gen. &vllp6~. 'man', and yuv~, 'woman'. See
andro- and gynaeco-, and cp. gynandrous. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o~. see sutf.
-ous.
Andromache, n., the wife of Hector (Greek mytho/.)- L., fr. Gk. 'AvllpoiJ.&.)("t), lit. 'whose husband excells in the fight', fr. &v1Jp, gen. &vllp6~.
'man', husband', and fL&.g, 'fight'. See androand -machy.
Andromeda, n., I) the daughter of Cepheus and
Cassiopeia (Greek my tho/.)- Gk. 'Av8pofL3:i,
Ion.' Avopr;fl-zll"t), lit. 'mindful of her husband',
compounded of &v-l)p, gen. &v8p6~, 'man' (see
andro-), and f1-E3e:crlh~. 'to be mindful of, give
heed to, think on', which is rei. to fLEO<Vv, fl&llewv, 'guardian, ruler' (prop. pres. part. of the
ancient verb iJ.E3&w, 'to protect, rule over'),
Y-+,ilecr&CI:~, 'to devise, resolve, advise', flf.OECI: (pl.
neut.), 'counsels, plans, device, cunning', iJ.EII~fL
"''~ 'a measure', fr.l.-E. base *mid-, 'to measure,
limit, consider', which is a -d-enlargement of
base *me-, 'to measure'. See meditate and cp.
1\fedea, !\1edusa and the second clement in automedon, Diomedes, Ganymede. Cp. also medical.
Andromeda, n., I) name of a constellation in the
northern hemisphere; 2) name of a genus of
Plants of the heath family (bot.)- From prec.
word.
andron, n., men's apartment in a house (Greek
antiq.) - Gk. &vllpwv, a collateral form of

&vllpwvi:n~, 'men's apartment',

&vllp6~. 'man'. See andro-.

fr.

&v~p,

gen.

androphobia, n., morbid dread of the male sex.ModL., compounded of Gk. &v~p. gen. &vllp6<;,
'man', and -<po~(.X, 'fear of', fr. <p6~o~. 'fear'.
See andro- and -phobia.
Andropogon, n., the beard grass (bot.) - ModL.,
compounded of andro- and Gk. nwywv, 'beard'.
See Pogonia.
Androsace, n., a genus of herbs of the primrose
family (bot.) - L. androsaces, name of a zoophyte, fr. Gk. &v3p6crCI:xe:~, of s.m., lit. 'man's
remedy', compounded of &v~p, gen. &vllp6~.
'man', and &.xo~. 'remedy'. See andro-, and
aceology.
androsterone, n., a male sex hormone (biochem.)
-Coined fr. andro-, ster(ol) and -one.
-androus, combining form used in botany in the
sense of 'having (a certain number or form) of
stamens (prop. male organs)', as in monandrous,
gynandrous.- Gk. -CI:vllpo~. fr. &v~p. gen. &vllp6~,
'man'. See andro-.
-ane, sutf., a variant of -an, fr. L. -iinus, generally with differentiation of meaning. Cp. human,
humane, and urban, urbane.
-ane, sutf. used to form names of saturated hydrocarbons (chem.); derivatively identical with
prec. suff.
anear, prep. and adv. (poetic). - Formed fr. a-,
'on', and near.
anecdote, n. - F., fr. Gk. ci.'ltxllo-rCI: (neut. pl. of
&vtxllo-roc;, 'not published'), used as a noun in
the sense of 'unpublished things', fr. &v- (see
priv. pref. an-) and exllo-rCI:, 'things given out',
neut. pl. of ~xllo-ro~ verbal adj. of l:xlllllwfL~,
'I give out' (fr. l:x, 'out', and reduplication of
base *do-, 'to give'). See ec- and date, 'point
of time'.
Derivatives: anecdot-age, n., anecdot-al, anecdot-ic, adjs., anecdotic-al-ly, adv., anecdot-ist, n.
anele, tr. v., to anoint (archaic). - ME. anelien,
'to anoint with oil', fr. OE. an, 'on', and ME.
ele (fr. OE. tXle), 'oil', fr. L. oleum. See a-, 'on',
and oil.
anemia, anaemia, n., deficiency of blood (med.)
- Gk. &vCI:LfLli, 'want of blood, bloodlessness',
fr. ci.'l- (see priv. pref. an-) and ctlfLCI:, 'blood'.
See hemal.
Derivatives: anemi-a/ (anaemi-a/), anem-ic (anaem-ic), adjs.
Anemia, n., a genus of plants of the climbingfern family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &vdfLW'I,
'unclad', fr. &v- (see priv. pref. an-) and elfl-CI:,
which corresponds to Dor. f"ijfLCI:, 'a dress, garment', and is cogn. with Gk. b&+,; (for *.:',;cr&+,;),
'clothing', tw'JVCI:~ ('for *fe:crvu'ICI:~). 'to clothe',
and cogn. with L. vestis, 'covering for the body,
clothes'. See vest and cp. himation.
anemo-, before a vowel anem-, combining form
Gk. &ve:tJ.O-, &v&fl--, fr.
meaning 'wind'. OCV&fLO~, 'wind', which is cogn. with L. anima,
'breath of air, air, breath, soul, life', animus,

anemology

74

sibility; n., substance producing anesthesia. 'soul, spirit, mind, courage, wish, desire'. See
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &vo:lcr-&1]-ro~, 'withanimus.
out feeling', fr. &:v- (see priv. pref. an-) and
anemology, n., the science of wind. - Como:tcr&r,-r6<;, 'sensible, perceptible'. See prec.
pounded of anemo- and Gk. -AoyliX, fr. -A6yo~.
word.
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
Derivatives: anesthet-ist, n., anesthet-ize, tr. v.
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
n., dill. - F. anet, aneth, fr. L. anethum,
anet,
adj.
Derivative: anemolog-ic-al,
llv7J&ov, 'dill, anise'. Cp. Gk. &vi:crov,
Gk.
fr.
anemometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
L. anisum, and see anise.
velocity of the wind. - Compounded of anemoaneurysm, n., a morbid dilatation of the coat of
and Gk. f.Lhpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetan artery (med.)- Gk. &.ve:upucr[J.6c;, 'dilatation',
ical rhythm.'
fr. &:ve:upuve:Lv, 'to dilate', fr. &vci (see ana-), and
Derivatives: anemometr-y, n., anemometr-ic,
e:opuve:Lv, 'to widen', fr. e:up):;, 'wide', which is
adj.
cogn. with 01. uru/:1, 'wide'. The spelling
anemone, n. - Gk. &.ve:fJ.WVIJ, 'the wind flower',
aneurism (with i instead of y) is due to a conni('l
in
na'timdn
Heb.
fr.
which prob. derives
fusion with words ending in -ism.
na'timanim (Is. I7: 10), lit. 'plants of pleasantDerivatives: aneurysm-al, adj., aneurysm-al-ly,
ness', fr. na'lm, 'was pleasant'. See Paul de Laadv., aneurysm-at-ic, adj.
garde in Abhandlungen der Gesellschaft der
anfractuosity, n., circuitousness. - F. anfractuWissenschaften zu Gottingen, XXXV, p. 205,
osite, fr. L. anfriictus. See anfractuous and -ity.
and Heinrich Lewy, Die semitischen Fremdadj., circuitous. - F. anfractueux
anfractuous,
worter im Griechischen, Berlin, 1895, P-49 For
(fern. anfractueuse), fr. L. anfriictu6sus, fr. amthe etymology of Heb. na'tm, 'was pleasant', see
friictus, anfriictus, 'a breaking round; a turning,
Naaman and cp. words there referred to. Gk.
winding', fr. am-, shortened form of ambi-,
&.ve:f.LW'17J was influenced in form by &ve:[J.o~,
amb-, 'about, around', and friictus, pp. of
cp.
&.ve:[J.WVIJ
in
-wv7J
'wind'. For the ending
'to break'. See ambi- and fraction.
frangere,
&.pye:[J.W'17J, 'a kind of poppy', fr. Heb. argamdn,
Derivatives: anfractuous-ness, n.
'purple' (see Argemone).
anew, adv. - Formed fr. a-, 'of', and new.
Anemonella, n., a genus of herbs of the family
angaralite, n., a magnesium aluminum iron siliRanunculaceae (bot.) - ModL., dimin. of anecate (mineral.)- Named after Angara River in
-ella.
suff.
see
ending
mone (q.v.) For the
Siberia. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
anencephalic, adj., having no brain (zoo/.)- Gk.
angaria, n., a system of relays of couriers for dis&.ve:yxliqlo:Ao~. coined by Galen from &.v- (see
patching official letters in ancient Persia, later
priv. pref. -an) and Gk. i:yx~9o:Ao~, 'brain'. See
also in the Roman empire. - L., 'service to a
encephalic.
lord', fr. Gk. &:yyocpe:liX, 'impressment for the
anent,
ME.
about.
concerning,
anent, prep.,
public service', fr. liyyo:poc;, 'mounted courier,
anentis, fr. OE. onefen, onemn, 'near to, close
messenger', of Persian, ult. Semitic, origin. See
by', orig. 'on a level with', fr. an-, on-, 'on', and
angel.
efen, 'even, equal'. Cp. OHG. (MHG., G.) neangary, n., the right of a warring nation to use
ben, 'near to, by the side of', shortened fr. inor destroy the property of neutrals. - F. anand
on
See
'equality'.
ebani,
and
'in',
in,
eben, fr.
fr. L. angaria. See prec. word.
garie,
even, 'straight'. The final t in anent is excrescent.
angel, n. -ME., fr. OF. angele (F. ange), fr. L.
foment.
Cp.
angelus, fr. Gk. &yyeA.o<;, 'messenger, divine
-aneous, adj. suff. - L. -iineus. See -an and -ous.
messenger, angel' (whence the verb &.yy~Me:Lv,
anergy, n., lack of energy (med.)- Medical L.
bear a message, report, tell'), which is rei. to
'to
of
analogy
on
formed
energy',
of
'lack
anergia,
'mounted courier, messenger'; of
&yyOtpo~;,
energy fr. priv. pref. an- and Gk. l:pyov, 'work'.
Persian, ult. of Sem. origin. Cp. Akkad. agarru,
See ergon.
'hireling, hired laborer', fr. agiiru, 'to hire',
Derivative: anerg-ic, adj.
which is rei. to Aram. agar, eggar, 'he hired',
aneroid, adj., containing no liquid (said of a kind
Arab. ajara, of s.m.), Heb. iggereth,
(whence
F.
of barometer); n., an aneroid barometer.iggartd, 'letter', prop. 'message'
igg'rd,
Aram.
aneroide, lit. 'without liquid', compounded of
Cp. angaria, the first element in Ingram and the
priv. pref. a- and Gk. viXp6~, Vl)p6~;, 'flowing,
second element in evangel. The sense developliquid' (which is rei. to vtiew, 'to flow'), and
ment of Gk. &yyo:poc;, resp. &yyeAo~, from a
-oe:Lilf1 ~. 'like', fr. dllo~. 'form, shape'. See
Sem. noun meaning 'hireling', may be illustrated
Nereid and -oid.
by the phases: 'hireling, hired messenger, mesanesthesia, anaesthesia, n., insensibility. - Gk.
senger'. Gk. fi.yyiAoc; in the sense of 'angel', is
cinLcr-&r,crliX, 'lack of sensation', fr. &.vo:Lcr-&1]-re:i:v,
a loan translation of. Heb. mal'tikh, 'messenger,
senlack
'to be without sense of something,
divine messenger, angel', fr. base 1-'-k, 'to send'.
sation', fr. &.v- (see priv. pref. an-) and Ottcr-&1]-r6c;,
Derivatives: angel-ic, adj., angelica (q.v.), angel'sensible, perceptible', verbal adj. of Ottcr.&civeaic-al, adj., angel-ic-al-ly, adv., angel-ic-ize, tr. v.,
esthesia.
cp.
and
.&OtL, 'to perceive'. See esthete
angel-ize, tr. v.
auesthetic, anaesthetic, adj., producing insen-

Anglican

75

Angela, fern. PN.- Fern. of L. angelus, 'angel'.

See prec. word and cp. angelica, Angelina.
angelfish, n. -The name is prob. due to the misreading of the Dutch name of this fish zeeegel,
lit. 'sea urchin', as zeeengel, 'sea angel' (cp. its
French name ange de mer), a mistake suggested
by the winglike fins of this fish.
angelic, adj.- F.angelique, fr. L. angelicus, fr. Gk.
&.yye:ALx6~, 'angelic', fr. &.yye:).o<;. See angel and
-ic.
Angelica, fern. PN. - Fern. of L. angelicus, 'angelic'. See prec. word and cp. Angela, Angelina.
Angelica, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
lit. 'the angelic (herb)', fr. L. (herba) angelica,
fern. of angelicus (see prec. word); so called
because of its medicinal properties.
Angelina, fern. PN. - Dimin. of Angela (q.v.).
angelo-, combining form meaning 'angel'. See
angel.
angelolatry, n., the worship of angels. - Compounded of angelo- and Gk. -),oc-rpdiX, Aoc-rpliX,
fr. ).o:-rpe:liX, 'hired labor, worship'. See -latry.
angelot, n., I) a gold coin; 2) a sort of cheese made
in Normandy; 3) a musical instrument. OF., dimin. of angele, 'angel'. See angel.
anger, n. - ME., fr. ON. angr, 'sorrow, affliction', rei. to ON. angr, OE. enge, 'narrow, painful', OS. engi, MDu. enghe, Du. eng, OHG. angi, engi, MHG. enge, G. eng, Goth. aggwus,
'narrow', and cogn. with OI. arrzhu-, 'narrow',
til!zha/:1, 'anguish, need, anxiety', A vestic qzah-,
'distress, oppression', Gk. &.ne:Lv, 'to squeeze'
(esp. the throat), 'strangle, throttle, hang',
&:n6vr,, 'strangling, hanging; rope', &yxL,
&:yxou, 'near' (lit. 'narrow'), ticrcro\1 (for *&yx-LOv),
'nearer', L. angere, 'to press together, throttle,
torment', angustus, 'narrow', Arm. anjuk, 'narrow', OSlav. qi{J, qziti, 'to narrow, compress',
qzota, 'narrowness', 'qzosti, 'a narrowing, narrowness', qziikii, 'narrow', Lith. afikstas, 'narrow', fr. I.-E. base *angh-, 'to narrow, compress'; the corresponding Celtic base is *engh-,
*IJgh-, whence Bret. enk, 'narrow', Jr. cumung,
'narrow', Jr., W. ing, 'distress'. Cp. agnail, angina, anguish, anxious, and the second element
in cynanche, quinsy, squinancy, Orobancbe.
Derivatives: angr-y, adj., angr-i-ly, adv.
anger, tr. v. - ON. angra, fr. angr, 'anger'. See
anger, n.
angina, n., inflammation of the throat; quinsy.L. angina, 'quinsy', prob. a loan word fr. Gk.
&y-t.6VIJ, 'a throttling, strangling, hanging'. The
form angina (instead of *ancina) is due to the
influence of angere, 'to throttle'. See anger,
n., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: angin-al, adj.
angio- before a vowel angi-, combining form
meaning 'covered by a seed or blood vessel', as
in angiosperm. - Gk. &yyeLo-, fr. &yye:i:ov,
'vessel', fr. &yyot;, 'vessel', a word of uncertain
origin. Cp. the second element in Hydrangea,
Sporangium, synangium.

angiology, n., that branch of anatomy which

deals with the blood vessels. - Compounded
of angio-, and Gk. -AoyliX, fr. -A6yo<;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic). See -logy.
angioma, n., a tumor consisting of dilated blood
vessels (med.) - Medical L., formed with suff.
-oma fr. Gk. &.yye:'tov, 'vessel'. See angio-.
angiosperm, n., name of a large class of plants
which has its seeds inclosed in an ovary. Coined (in the Modern Latin form Angiospermae) by Paul Hermann in 1690 fr. Gk. &:yydov,
'vessel, receptacle' and crn~pfJ.Ot, 'seed'. See
angio- and sperm.
Derivatives: angiosperm-a/, angiosperm-atous,
angiosperm-ic, angiosperm-ous, adjs.
angle, n., comer. - F., fr. L. angulus, 'angle,
comer', which is cogn. with Arm. angiun, ankiun, OSlav. qg(u)lu, 'corner', OSlav. qkotii,
'hook', Lith. anka, 'loop', OI. aligam, 'limb',
anguli/:1, miguri/:1, 'finger, toe', angu$(ha/:l, 'big
toe, thumb', Avestic angushta-, 'toe, finger', OI.
ankal:r, 'hook; bent', aficati, 'bends, curves', Gk.
&yxo~, 'a bend, hollow', &:yxc~v, 'elbow', &:yxuAo~,
'crooked, curved', &yxupo:, 'anchor', L. ancus,
'crooked, curved', OE. ancleo, ancleow, 'ankle',
OE. anga, OHG. ango, 'hook'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. base *ang-, resp. *anq-, 'to bend'.
Cp. angle, 'fishhook', Angle, anchor, ancon,
angula, angular, ankle, ankylosis, and the second
element in triangle. Cp. also the second element
in sarangousty. The above I.-E. words stand in
gradational relationship to Gk. oyxo~, L. uncus, 'hook', MJr. ecath, 'fishhook'; cp. Uncaria,
unciferous, uncinal, uncinate, uncinus, uncus,
aduncus, Redunca.
angle, n., a fishhook. - OE. angel, fr. anga,
'hook', rei. to ON. anguli, OHG. angul (MHG.,
G. angel), 'fishhook', and cogn. with L. ancus,
'crooked, curved', uncus, 'hook'. See angle,
'corner'.

Derivatives: angle, tr. and intr. v., angl-er, n.,

angl-ing, n.
Angle, n., member of a Teutonic tribe that came in
the 5th century from what is now known as
Schleswig-Holstein to Britain and conquered it.
- L. Anglus, pl. Angli, of Teut. origin. Cp. OE.
Angle, Engle, prop. 'the people coming from
Angul ( = ON. Ongull), 'a hookshaped district
in Schleswig', fr. angul ( = ON. anguli), 'fishhook, angle', which is rei. to anga, OHG. ango,
'hook'. See angle, 'fishhook', and angle, 'comer',
and cp. English, Anglican, Anglo-Saxon.
anglesite, n., a mineral containing lead sulfate.Coined by the French mineralogist and physicist Francois Sui pice Beudant in I 832; so called
by him in allusion to the fact that it was discovered by Withering in Anglesey (in 1783).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Anglican, adj. and n. - ML. Anglicanus, fr. Anglicus, 'English', fr. Late L. Anglus. See Angle
and -an.

anglice
anglice, adv., in English.- ML. Ang/ice, fr. Anglicus. See prec. word.
Anglicism, anglicism, n. - Formed with suff.
-ism fr. ML. Ang/icus. See Anglican.
Anglicize, anglicize, tr. and intr. v. - Formed
with suff. -ize, fr. ML. Ang/icus. See Anglican.
Derivative: angliciz-ation, n.
Anglo-, combining form meaning 'English'. Fr. Late L. Angli, 'the English'. See Angle,
Anglo-Saxon.
Anglomania, n., a mania for what is English.Compounded of Anglo- and Gk. [.Locvlii, 'madness, frenzy'. See mania.
Derivative: Ang/omani-ac, adj.
Anglophile, Anglophil, n., a friend of England or
the English; adj., friendly to England or the
English. - Compounded of Anglo- and Gk.
<plA.o~, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Anglophobe, n., one who fears or hates England
or the English. - Compounded of Anglo- and
Gk. -<p6~oc;, fr. <p6~o~, 'fear'. See -phobe.
Derivative: Anglophob-ic, adj.
Anglophobia, n., fear or hatred of England or the
English. - Compounded of Anglo- and Gk.
-rpo~lii, 'fear of', fr. rp6~oc;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Derivative: Anglophob-ic, adj.
Anglo-Saxon, n. - ML. Anglo-Saxones, fr. earlier Anglf Sax6nes, 'the English', fr. L. Anglf,
'the Angles', in Late L. 'the English', and L.
Saxones, 'the Saxons', in Late L. 'the English'.
Accordingly the term Anglo-Saxon is tautological, inasmuch as both elements of this compound denote 'the English'. See Angle and
Saxon.
angola, n. - Corruption of angora.
angora, n., I) an Angora cat; 2) Angora wool or
anything made of it. - Named from the town
Angora (now Ankara) in Asia Minor, fr. L. Ancyra, fr. Gk."AyxupC~:, fr. ocyxupoc, 'anchor'. See
anchor.
angostura, n., a bitter aromatic bark. - Shortened fr. angostura bark, lit. 'bark of the tree
growing at Angostura', now Ciudad Bolivar, in
Venezuela, on the narrows of the Orinoco River;
so called fr. Sp. angostura, 'a narrow pass', fr.
angosto, fr. L. angustus, 'narrow'. See anguish,
n., and -ure.
angrite, n., a meteorite stone. - Named after
Angra dos Reis in Brazil. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
angry, adj. - Formed fr. anger with suff. -y (representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: angri-ly, adv., angri-ness, n.
angstrom unit, angstrom, n., unit of length equal
to one hundred-millionth of a centimeter; used
to measure the wavelengths of light. - Named
after the Swedish physicist Anders Jonas Angstrom ( 18 I 4-1874).
Anguidae, n. pl., a family of lizards (zoo/.) ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L. anguis,
'serpent, snake'. See anguine.
Anguilla, n., a genus of fishes, the common eel

76
(ichthyol.) - L. anguilla, 'eel', prop. 'the snakelike fish', fr. anguis, 'snake'; see next word. Cp
the cognate Gk. ityxEA.uc; (see Encelia), OPruss.
angurgis, Lith. ungurjis, OSlav. *qgori (appearing in Russ. ugori, Pol. wrgorz), 'eel', which all
mean derivatively 'the snakelike fish'. It. anguilla, F. anguille, Sp. anguila, Port. enguia and
prob. also OSlav. qgulja,jrgulja, 'eel', derive fr.
L. anguilla.
anguine, adj., pertaining to a serpent. - L. angufnus, fr. anguis, 'serpent, snake', which is cogn.
with Arm. auj, 6j, Lith. angis, OPruss. angis,
Lett. ilodze, Russ. ai, Pol. wqi, and prob. also
with Ol. tihil), Avestic aiish, 'snake', Gk. itx~c;.
'viper'. See echidna and cp. Anguidae, Anguilla.
Anguis. Cp. also Ahi, Encelia, ask, 'water newt'.
For the ending see suff. -ine (representing L
-!nus).
anguineous, adj., serpentlike. - L. anguineus, fr.
anguis, 'serpent'; see prec. word. For E. -ous, as.
equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Anguis, n., a genus of lizards, the blindworm
(zoo/.) - L. anguis, 'serpent, snake'. See anguine.
anguish, n.- ME. anguise, angoise, fr. OF. anguisse, angoisse (F. angoisse), fr. L. angustia (in
classical Latin used mostly in the pl.), 'narrowness, deficiency', fr. angustus, 'narrow', fr. angere, 'to throttle, torment'. See anger and words
there referred to and cp. esp. angostura.
anguish, tr. and intr. v. - OF. anguissier, angoissier (F. angoisser), fr. anguisse, angoisse. See
prec. word.
Derivative: anguish-ed, adj.
anguishous, adj., causing anguish; anguished~
anxious. (obsol.) -OF. angoissos, fr. VL. *angustiosus, fr. L. angustus, 'narrow'. See anguish, n.
Derivative: anguishous-ly, avd.
angula, n., a measure in ancient India, corresponding to 1.05 inches, lit., 'finger'. - 01.
migulab, 'finger', rei. to migU/il), miguri~z, 'finger,
toe; migusfQiib, 'big toe, thumb', tiiicati, 'he
bends, curves', and cogn. with Gk. &.yxwv, 'elbow', L. ancus, 'crooked, curved', angulus,
'angle, corner'. See angle, 'corner'.
angular, adj. - L angularis, 'having corners or
angles', fr. angulus. See angle, 'corner', and -ar.
Derivatives: angular-ity, n., angular-ly, adv.,
angular-ness, n.
angulate, adj. - L. angulatus, pp. of anguliire,
'to make angular, fr. angulus. See angle, 'corner', and adj. suff. -ate.
anguria, n., the gourd; the watermelon.- ModL.,
fr. Late Gk. ocyyv\..F~<-~, 'watermelon', which
derives fr. Pers. angiirah. See gherkin.
Angus, masc. PN. -Scot., rei. to lr. Aonghus,
a compound whose two clements are cognate
with E. one, resp. choice.
anhelation, n., panting, asthma (archaic). - F.
anhelation, fr. L. anheliiti6nem, ace of anhe/atw,
'difficulty of breathing, panting', fr anheliitus,

77

animism

madversi6, gen. -6nis, 'perception, observation,

pp. of anheliire, 'to breathe with difficulty', which
attention', fr. animadversus, pp. of animadveris prob. compounded of pref. an-, 'up, upward'
tere. See animadvert and -ion.
(see ana-), and heliire, 'to breathe', which prob.
Derivative: animadversion-a/, adj.
stands for *anslare, fr. I.-E. base *an-, 'to blow,
animadversive, adj., percipient. - Formed with
breathe'. See animus and cp. exhale, inhale. For
suff. -ive fr. L. animadversus, pp. of animadverthe ending see suff. -ation.
tere. See next word.
anhistous, adj., with no recognizable structure
Derivative: animadversive-ness, n.
(bioi.) - Formed with suff. -ous fr. priv. pref.
animadvert, intr. v., to criticize, blame, censure.
an- and Gk. !cr-r6c;, 'tissue', which stands for
- L. animadvertere, contraction of animum ad*mcr-r6~ and lit. means 'that which makes to
vertere, 'to direct one's mind, attend', fr. aniStand', from the stem Of rO'TI)[.L~ (for *crlcrTIJ[.L~),
mum, ace. of animus, 'mind', and advertere, 'to
'I make to stand'. See histo- and cp. the second
turn toward'. See animus and advert.
element in Actinistia.
animal, n.- L., lit. 'a living being', fr. animiile,
anhydride, anhydrid, n., an oxide which is capable
neut. of anima/is, 'of air, living', fr. anima,
of forming an acid, if added to water (chem.)'breath of air, air, breath, soul, life'; see animus
Formed with suff. -ide resp. -id, fr. Gk. &vu3po~,
and adj. suff. -al. For sense development cp. Gk.
'waterless'. See anhydrous.
1;ij>ov, 'animal, which is rel. to ~w-1), 'life', and
anhydrite, n., anhydrous calcium sulfate (mineral.)
OE. deor, 'a wild animal', lit. 'a breathing being',
-Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &vu3poc;,
which is cogn. with OSlav. duchii, 'breath,
'waterless'. See next word and cp. prec. word.
spirit', dusa, 'soul'. Cp. also Heb. l)ayydh, 'wild
anhydrous, adj., containing no water (chem.) animal, beast', which is rei. to Qiiylih, 'he lived',
Gk. &vu3po<;, 'waterless', fr. &.v- (see priv. pref.
l)ayyfm, 'life'.
an-) and u8wp, 'water'. See hydro-. For E.
animal, adj. - L. animiilis, 'of air, living, ani-ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see suff. -ous.
mate'. See animal, n.
ani, n., any of certain black birds of the cuckoo
animalcular, adj. -Formed with suff. -ar fr. L.
family. - Sp. ani, Port. ani, fr. Tupi ani.
animalculum. See next word.
anicut, annicut, n., a dam (Anglo-Ind.) - Tamil
animalcule, n., a very small animal, esp. one peranai kaf!u, 'dam building'.
ceptible only by a microscope. - Late L. anianigh, adv., new (pseudo-archaic). - Formed
malculum, dimin. of L. animal. See animal, n.,
on analogy of afar, etc., fr. a-, 'on', and
and -cule.
nigh.
animalism, n., animal character; the doctrine that
anights, adv. (archaic) - Formed fr. OE. on
man is a mere animal. - See animal and -ism.
nihte; see a-, 'on', night, and the adv. suff. -s.
animalist, n., 1) one who believes in animalism;
anil, n., I) a West Indian shrub, from which in2) an artist representing animals. - See animal
digo is made; 2) indigo. -Port. ani/, fr. Arab.
and -ist.
an-nfl, assimilated fr. al-ntl, fr. al-, 'the', and
animalize, tr. v., to make like an animal. - See
nil, 'indigo', fr. Pers. nfla, ult. fr. OI. nflf, 'indianimal and -ize.
go', fr. nflal), 'dark blue'. Cp. lilac.
Derivative: animaliz-ation, n.
Derivatives: anil-ic, adj., anil-ide, n., aniline
animate, tr. v., to give life to, to enliven. - L.
(q.v.)
animatus, pp. of animiire, 'to fill with air or
anile, adj., like an old woman. - L. anflis, 'perbreath, to animate', fr. anima. Sec animus and
taining to an old woman', fr. anus, gen. aniis,
verbal suff. -ate.
'old woman', from the I.-E. imitative base *an-,
Derivatives: animat-ed, adj. animat-ed-ly, adv.,
whence also Hitt. annash, 'mother', !Jannash,
animat-er, n., animat-ing, adj., animat-inf?-1)',
'grandmother', Gk. &.wL:;, 'grandmother',
adv., animation, animalism (qq.v.)
Lith. anyta, 'mother-in-law', OPruss. ane, 'old
animate, adj., living. - L. animatus, pp. of animother', OHG. ano, MHG. ane, an, 'grandmare. See animate, v.
father, great grandfather', OHG. ana, 'grandDerivatives: animate-/y, adv., animate-ness, n.
mother, great grandmother', G. Ahnen, 'ancesanimation, n., life; vivacity.- L. animiiti6, gen.
tors', OHG. eninchilf (whence MHG. eninkel,
-6nis, 'an animating', fr. animiitus, pp. of anienenkel, G. Enkel), 'grandson', prop. dimin.
mare. See animate and -ion.
of OHG. ano, 'great grandfather'. Cp. the first
animatism, n., the primitive belief that the inanielement in Olaf.
mate is regarded as if it were animated. Derivative: anile-ness, n.
Coined by Maretti in 1~99 in cnntr8oi<;tinction
artiline, also anilin, n., an oily, poisonous liquid,
to animism. See animate, adj. and -ism.
C.H,NA, (chem.) - Coined by C.J. Fritzsche
animatistic, adj. - See prec. word and -istic.
in 1841 fr. anil and chem. suff. -ine, resp. -in.
anime, n., any of various re<;im. -- F fr. Sp.
Derivative: aniline, ani/in, adj.
anime, which is a Tupi loan word.
anility, n., quality of being anile. - L. anilitiis,
animism, n., a word of many meanings, but used
'the old age of a woman, anility', fr. anflis. See
esp. in the sense of 'theory of the universal anianile and -ity.
mation of nature' (Sir Edward Burnett Tylor's
animadversion, n., criticism; blame. - L. ani-

animist

78

ankh, n., a tau cross (T) with an oval at the top,

definition in Primitive Culture, chapter I I). the Egypt. symbol of life.- Egypt. ankh, 'life'.
Coined by the German physicist and chemist
anklet, n., a ring for the ankle.- Contraction of
Georg Ernst Stahl (I66o-I 734) and re-introankle and dimin. suff. -let.
duced by E.B. Tylor in I871. See animus and -ism
ankle, n. - ME. ancle, ankle, prob. of Scand.
and cp. animatism.
origin; cp. ON. okkla (for *ankula), Dan., Swed.
animist, n., one who believes in animism. - See
ankle. The collateral ME. form anclowe derives
animism and -ist.
fr. OE. ancleo, ancleow. Cp. MDu. anclau, enkel,
Derivative: animist-ic, adj.
Du. enkel, OHG. anchliio, anchal, enchil, MHG.,
animosity, n., ill will; enmity.- F. animosite, fr.
G. enkel, 'ankle'. All these words are diminuL. animositiitem, ace. of animositiis, 'boldness,
tives formed with suff. -el, -1 (see dimin. suff. -le),
vehemence', fr. animosus, 'bold, vehement', fr.
from the Teut. stem appearing in MHG. anke,
animus. See next word, adj. suff. -ose and suff.
'joint', G. Enke, 'ankle'. 01. migam, 'limb',
-ity.
anguli/:!, 'finger', and L. angulus, 'angle, comer',
L.,
animosity.
2)
intention;
I)
animus, n.,
are cogn. with these Teut. words; see angle,
'soul, spirit, mind, courage, wish, desire', rei. to
'corner', and cp. angola.
anima, 'breath of air, air, breath, soul, life', and
ankus, n., an elephant goad. - Hind., fr. 01.
cogn. with Gk. &ve:[Lo~, 'wind', fr. I.-E. base
ankusa/:1, rei. to 01. diicati, 'bends, curves', and
*an-, 'to blow, breathe', whence also 01. dni-ti,
cogn. with L. ancus, 'curved, crooked', angulus,
W.
aniil,
Olr.
'breath',
dni-la/:1,
dna-ti, 'breathes',
'angle, corner'. See angle, 'corner', and cp.
anadl, MBret. (with metathesis) alazn, 'breath',
prec. word.
Olr. animm, Co., Bret. eneff, 'soul', Goth. uzankylo-, before a vowel ankyl-, combining form
anan, 'to exhale', ON. anda, 'to breathe', andi,
meaning 'crooked'. - Gk. &yxu),.o-, &yxuA-,
ond, 'breath, soul, spirit', OE. eoian (for *an&yxu).o~. 'crooked, curved'. See ankylosis.
fr.
Alb.
'smell',
vonja,
OSlav.
breathe',
Nan), 'to
ankylose. anchylose. tr. v., to aff~:ct witl-t aPky
Gheg aj, Tosk en, 'I swell', Toch. A aiima, Arm.
losis; intr. v., to be affected with ankylosis.anjn, 'soul'. Cp. animadvert, animal, animalBack formation fr. ankylosis.
cule, animate, animosity, equanimity, exanimate,
ankylosis, anchylosis, n., stiffening of the joints.
exhale, inhale, longanimity, magnanimous, mag- Medical L., fr. Gk. &yxu),.wa~~. fr. &yxu),.ou\1,
nanimity, pusillanimous, pusillanimity, unani'to crook, bend', fr. &yxu),.o~. 'crooked, curved',
mous, unanimity. Cp. also ahura, anemo-, anwhich is rei. to &yxo~, 'bend, hollow; mountain
helation, asthma, asura, prana.
glen'. See angle, 'corner', and cp. anchor, ancon,
anion, n., a negatively charged ion (physical
Ancylus, ankus.
chem.) - Gk. cbn6v, neut. of &.v~wv, pres.
ankylotic, anchylotic, adj.- See prec. word and -ic.
part. of &v~tvCI:~, 'to go up', fr. &.v&. (see ana-)
anlace, n., a dagger with tapering blade.- Metaand tevCI:~, 'to go', which is cogn. with L. ire,
thesis of OF. alenas, alesne (F. alene), 'dagger',
'to go'. See itinerate. The word anion was infr. OHG. a/ansa, a derivative of iila, 'awl'.
troduced into electricity by the English physiSee awl.
cist and chemist Michael Faraday (1791-I867);
anlaut, n., initial sound.- G. An/aut, fr. an, 'on,
cp. ion, cation.
at', and Laut, 'sound, tone', G. an is rei. to E.
Derivative: anion-ic, adj.
on (q.v.) G. Laut, 'sound, tone', derives fr. /aut,
anis-, combining form. See aniso-.
'loud'; see loud. Cp. ablaut, auslaut, inlaut,
anise, n. - F., fr. L. anisum, fr. Gk. &vi:crov,
umlaut.
anise, dill'. Cp. Gk. &v1J&ov, L. anethum, and
Ann, Anna, Anne, fern. PN.- L. Anna, fr. Gk.
see anet.
"Awx, fr. Heb. Hannah, lit. 'grace', from the
Derivative: anis-ic, adj.
base of /:liindn, 'h~ was gracious, showed favor'.
aniseed, n. - Contraction of anise-seed.
See Hannah.
anisette, n., liqueur flavored with aniseed. - F.,
anna, n., an Indian penny. - Hind. iinii.
dimin. of anise. For the ending see suff. -ette.
Annabel, Annabella, fern. PN. - The name is
aniso-, anis-, combining form meaning 'a deriusually interpreted as a compound of Anna and
vative of anise' (chem.) - Gk. &.11i:cr-, &.11Icro-,
Bella. It is more probable, however, that it arose
fr. ot\ltcrov, 'anise'. See anise.
from a misreading of the name Amabel for Anaaniso-, anis-, combining form meaning 'unequal,
bel. Cp. Arabel, Arabella.
unsymmetrical'. - Gk. &.v~cro-, fr. &11~cro~, 'unannabergite, n., a hydrous nickel arsenate (minequal', fr. &11- (see priv. pref. an-) and tao~.
eral.) - NameJ after Annaberg in Saxony. For
equal'. See iso-.
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Formed
(bot.)isomerous
not
adj.,
anisomerous,
annalist, n., a writer of annals. - F. a,,naliste, fr.
fr. priv. pref. an- and isomerous.
annates, 'annals', fr. L. amuiles. See next word
anisotropic, adj., not isotropic (physics).- Formand -ist.
ed fr. priv. pref. an- and isotropic.
annals, n. pl. - L. anniiles (sci!. JiJri), 'chronianker, n., a liquid measure.- Du., rei. to G.
cles', lit. 'yearly (books)', pl. of anniilis, 'perAnker, Swed. ankare, fr. ML. anceria, ancheria,
taining to a year', fr. annus, 'year'. See annual.
'keg, vat', which is of uncertain origin.

79
annates, n. pl., first fruits of an ecclesiastical
benefice payable to the Pope. - ML. anniita,
'income of a year', fr. L. annus, 'year'. See
annual.
anneal, tr. v., to temper by heat; to temper. ME. anelen, fr. OE. anti'/an, 'to burn, kindle',
fr. an, 'on (see a- 'on'), and ti'lan, 'to kindle,
burn', which is rei. to OE. iii, 'fire', ti'led, 'fire,
firebrand'. ME. anelen and E. anneal were influenced in form by an erroneous association
with OF. neeler (whence F. nieller), fr. VL. *nigelliire, 'to blacken', fr. L. nigellus, dimin. of
niger, 'black'.
annelid, adj., pertaining to the Annelida; n., one
of the Annelida. - See next word.
Annelida, n. pl., a phylum of segmented worms
(zoot.) - ModL., fr. F. annelide, a hybrid
coined by the French naturalist, J.B. P. Lamarck
(I744-I829), fr. L. iinellus, dimin. of iinulus, 'a
little ring', and Gk. e:lllo~, 'form, shape'. See
annular and oid.
annerodite, n., a pyroniobate of uranium, yttrium,
etc. (mineral.)- Named after Annerod in Norway. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
annex, tr. v.- F. annexer, fr. L. annexus, pp. of
annectere, 'to bind to, tie on, annex', fr. adand nectere, 'to bind, join, fasten'. See nexus.
Derivatives: annex-ive, adj., annex-ment, n.
annex, n. -F. annexe, fr. L. annexus, pp. of annectere. See annex, v.
annexation, n. - ML. annexiitio, gen. -onis, 'the
act of annexing', fr. annexiitus, pp. of annexiire,
which is formed fr. L. annexus, pp. of annectere.
See annex, v., and -ation.
Derivative: annexation-al, adj.
annexion, n. -~ F., fr. L. annexionem, ace. of annexio, 'a binding to', fr. annexus, pp. of annectere. See annex, v., and -ion.
annihilate, tr. v. - L. annihiliitus, pp. of annihiliire, 'to bring to nothing, annihilate', fr. adand nihil, 'nothing'. Sec nihil and verbal suff. -ate.
annihilation, n.- F., fr. annihiler, 'to annihilate',
fr. L. annihilare. See prec. word and -ion.
annihilationism, n., the doctrine that the wicked
will be annihilated at the end of this life (thea!.).
- A hybrid coined by Edward White in England fr. prec. word and suff. -ism.
annihilationist, 11., a believer in annihilationism.
- Coined fr. annihilation and suff. -ist.
anniversary, n. and adj. - L. anniversiirius, 'returning every year', compcunded of annus, gen.
anni, 'year', and versus, pp. of vertere, 'to turn'.
See annual, version and -ary.
annona, n., the yearly produce (Roman antiq.) L. annona, fr. anmH, 'y~ar'; see annI!ar. For the
suff. cp. pomona, 'fruit trees, fruit', fr. pomum,
'fruit', and miitrona, 'a married woman', fr.
miiter, 'mother' (see Pomona and matron).
annotate, tr. v. - L. annotiitus, pp. of annotiire
'to note down', fr. ad- and notiire 'to mark'
note', fr. nota, 'mark, sign'. See O:,te, n., and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. connotate.

annulation

Derivatives: annotation (q.v.), annotat-ive, adj.,

annotator (q.v.), annotat-ory, adj.
annotation, n. - L. annotiitio, gen. -onis, fr. annotiitus, pp. of annotiire. See prec. word and
-ion and cp. connotation.
annotator, n. - L., fr. annotiitus, pp. of annotiire. See annotate and agential suff. -or.
announce, tr. v. - ME. anounce, fr. OF. anoncer
(F. annoncer), fr. L. annuntiiire, 'to announce,
relate', fr. ad- and nuntiiire, 'to relate, report',
fr. nuntius, 'messenger'. See nuncio and cp.
annunciate.
Derivatives: announce-ment, n., announc-er, n.
annoy, n.- ME. anoi, anui, fr. OF. enui (F. ennui), 'worry', back formation fr. enuier, 'to
worry, vex, annoy'. See annoy, v.
annoy, tr. v. - ME. anuien, fr. OF. anoier, ennoier (F. ennuyer), fr. VL. inodiiire, 'to hate',
fr. L. in odio, 'in hate, in aversion'. See in, prep.,
and odium and cp. ennui, noisome. Cp. also It.
annoiare, OProven.;. enojar (whence Sp. enojar),
'to vex, annoy', which also derive fr. VL.
inodiiire.
Derivatives: annoy-ance, n., annoy-er, n., annoying, adj., annoy-ing-ly, adv., annoy-ing-ness, n.,
annoy-ous, adj.
annual, adj.- OF. annuel, fr. Late L. annuiilem,
ace. of annuiilis, corresponding to L. anniilis,
'continuing a year, annual', fr. annus, 'year',
which stands for *at-nos and is cogn. with Goth.
afmam (pl. dat.), 'to the years', and with 01.
dtati, 'goes, moves on, wanders'; cp. also OscoUmbr. akno, 'year, holiday time'. Cp. annalist,
annals, annate, and the second element in biennial, triennial, quinquennial, septennial, centennial, millennium, perennial, solemn.
Derivatives: annual, n., annual-ly, adv.
annuitant, n., one who receives an annuity.
Formed fr. annuity with suff. -ant.
annuity, n.- F. annuite, fr. ML. annuitiitem, ace.
of annuitiis, fr. L annus, 'year'. See annual
and -ity.
annul, tr. v. - ME. annul/en, fr. OF. anuller (F.
annuler), fr. Late L annul/are, fr. ar:I- and L.
nullum, 'nothing', neut. of nul/us, 'none'. See null.
Derivatives: annull-er, n., annul-ment, n.
annular, adj., 1) pertaining to a ring; 2) ringshaped. - L. annuliiris, correctly iinuliiris, 'pertaining to a ring', fr. annulus, correctly iinulus,
'ring', dimin. of iinus, 'ring, iron ring for the feet,
anus'. See anus, -ule and -ar and cp. Annelida.
annulary, adj., annular; n., the ring finger. - L.
annuliirius, correctly iinuliirius, 'pertaining to a
ring', fr. iinuliiris. See prec. word and adj. suff.
-ary.
annulate, adj., furnished with rings. - L. annuliitus, correctly iinuliitus, fr. iinulus, 'ring'. See
annular and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: annulat-ed, adj.
annulation, n., a ringlike formation. - Formed
with suff. -ation, fr. L. annulus, correctly iinulus,
'ring'. See annular.

annulet

80

anomalous, adj.- L. anomalus,fr. Gk. (hWtJ.OC).oc;,

annulet, n., a little ring. -Forme d with dimin.
'uneven, irregular' . See anomalo-. For E. -ous, as
suff. -et fr. L. annulus, correctly iinulus, 'ring'.
t to Gk. -a~, see -ous. Derivatives:
equivalen
See annular.
adv., anomalous-ness, n.
s-ly,
anomalou
coined
hybrid
annuloid, adj., ring-shaped. - A
anomaly, n. - L. anomalia, fr. Gk. &.vwfJ.otAla,
fr. L. annulus, correctly iinulus, 'ring', and Gk.
'inequality', fr. &.vwtJ.otAo~, 'unequal' . See ano-oe:~ll+,~. 'like', fr. e:tlloc;, 'form, shape'. See annuand -y (representing Gk. -la).
malolar and -oid.
es: anomal-ism, n., anomal-ist, n., anoDerivativ
suff.
adj.
with
Formed
.ringlike
adj.,
annulose,
anomal-ist-ic-al, adjs., anomal-ist-icmal-ist-ic,
See
'ring'.
-ose, fr. L. annulus, correctly iinulus,
adv.
al-ly,
annular.
anomo-, combinin g form meaning 'irregular '. annunciate, tr. v., to announc e.- L. annuntiiitus,
Fr. Gk. &votJ.o~, 'without law', fr. &.-(see priv.
pp. of annuntiiire. See announce and verbal
a-), and "6fJ.o~, 'law'. See nomo-.
pref.
suff. -ate.
n., lawlessn ess.- Gk. cX'JOfJ.lii, fr. a'JOfLO<;.
anomy,
annonF.
annunciation, n., announce ment.
See anomo- and -y (representing Gk. -la).
ciation, fr. L. annuntiiiti6nem, ace. of annuntiiiti6,
anon, adv., soon.- ME., fr. OE. on iin, ME. anoon,
fr. annuntiiitus, pp. of annuntiiire. See announce
anon, lit. 'in one (instant)'. Sec on and one.
and -ation and cp. prec. word.
anonym, n. - F. anonyme, fr. L. an6nymus, fr.
ano-, combinin g form meaning 'upward '.- Fr.
Gk. &'JwwtJ.o<;, 'without a name', fr. &.v- (see
Gk. i}:vw, 'upward', which is rei. to &.va, 'up,
pref. an-) and OWfJ.ot, dial. form of ovotJ.<X,
priv.
on'. See ana-.
See name and cp. onomato-. Cp. also
'name'.
&"ollo~,
Gk.
pole.
electric
anode, n., positive
autonym, homonym, synonym.
antonym,
'way'.
'way up', fr. &.v& (see ana-) and 636~.
Derivatives: anonym-ity, n., anonymous (q.v.)
See odograph and cp. words there referred to.
anonymous, adj. - Gk. &.vwwfJ.o~. See prec.
The term anode was introduce d into electricity
word. For E. -ous, as equinlen t to Gk. -o<;,
by the English physicist and chemist Michael
see -ous. Derivatives: anonymous-ly, adv., anonelectrode.
cathode,
cp.
7);
Faraday (1791-186
ymous-ness, n.
anod-icDerivatives: anod-al, anod-ic, adjs.,
, n., a genus of mosquitoes (entomol.)
Anopheles
adv.
al-ly,
fr. Gk. &vwpsA-lj<;, 'useless, hurtful,
ModL.,
ModL.,
(zoo/.)mussels
Anodonta, n., a genus of
&v- (see priv. pref. an-) and orpsAo<;,
fr.
harmful',
lit. 'the toothless ones', formed fr. priv. pref. ane', whence o<p~AAs~v (for
advantag
help,
'use,
odonto-.
See
'tooth'.
oll6vro.:;,
gen.
and Gk. oilw'J,
enlarge', ocpEAfJ.<X, 'adincrease,
'to
,
*o<pEAlE~'J)
an6L.
anodyne, adj., relieving pain (med.)
vantage'. "O<Dsi.o<; pro b. meant orig. 'increase' ,
dynus, fr. Gk. &"wllJvo~, 'free from pain, aland stands f~r o<pEAo<;, fr. pref. o- (see agama)
laying pain', fr. &v- (see priv. pref. an-) and
*<ptt.o<;, which together with Ol. phd/am,
and
l,M"YJ 'pain', which prob. meant orig. 'that
success', derives fr. I.-E. base *phel-, 'to
'gain,
with
cogn.
is
and
bites',
devours,
up,
which eats
This base is a collateral form of base
swell'.
devour,
'to
01. -advan-, 'eating', Lith. ediioti,
*bhel-, 'to swell', whence L. fo/lis, 'bellows'. See
bite', ediiotis, 'to suffer pain', Arm. erkn, gen.
follicle and cp. Aphelandra, Aphelinus.
erkan (for *edwon or *edwen), 'labor pains', fr.
n., loss of appetite (med.) - Medical
anorexia,
I.-E. base *ed, 'to eat', whence also L. edere,
fr. priv. pref. -an and Gk. ops!;~<;.
formed
L.,
odonto-.
cp.
and
eat
'to eat'. See
the stem of ;Jp~ysw, 'to stretch
from
,
'appetite'
Gk.
anodyne, n., anything that relieves pain.
oneself, reach, reach after, long for, desire',
&vwSwov, neut. of the adjective &'Jwi3u'Joc;. See
which is cogn. with L. regere, 'to keep straight,
anodyne, adj.
guide, lead, rule'. See regent, adj., and cp.
anoetic, adj., unthinkab le. - Formed with suff.
words there referred to. For the ending see suff.
unheard
on,
thought
'not
&"6~-ra~,
-ic. fr. Gk.
-ia.
'perof', fr. &-(see priv. pref. a-) and 'Jo-r,-:!J~,
not normal. - ML. anormiilis.
ceptible by the mind, mental', verbal adj. of anormal, adj.,
.
abnormal
See
See
mind'.
voU~,
'Joe:~v, ~to perceive', fr. v/Jo~,
anorthoclase, n., a triclinic potash-so da feldnous and cp. noetic.
spar. - Coined by the German mineralogist
L.
fr.
enoindre,
of
pp.
enoint,
anoint, tr. v.- OF.
Harry Rosenbusch (1836-1914) in 1885 fr. priv.
unand
inunguere, 'to anoint', fr. in-, 'in, on',
pref. -an and orthoclase (q.v.)
ointment.
cp.
and
unguent
See
smear'.
'to
guere,
n., lack of the sense of smell (med.)anosmia,
anointn.,
Derivatives: anoint-ed, adj., anoint-er,
L., fr. priv. pref. an- and Gk. l,n!J.-f:.
Medical
ing, n., anoint-ment, n.
See osmium and -ia.
odor'.
'smell,
g
combinin
anomal-,
vowel
a
anomalo-, before
pron. -Forme d fr. the indef.
and
adj.
another,
form meaning 'anomalo us'. - Gk. &"wfJ.<XAo-,
other.
and
an
article
irregunequal,
'uneven,
,
&'JC;>~.L?:Ao~
fr.
&vw.L-xA-,
, anoxaemia, n., abnormal condition of
ular~, fr. &"- (s~ priv. pref. an-) and OfJ.<XAO<:;, anoxemia
due to the lack of oxygen in the blood
body
the
'even', fr. 6tJ.6<:;, 'one and the same', which
(med.)- Medical L., formed fr. priv. pref. an-,
derives fr. I.-E. base *sem-, 'one, together'. See
the first two letters of oxygen, Gk. <X!tJ.<X, 'blood'
same and cp. words there referred to.

81

(see hemal), and suff. -ia. Accordingly the word

anoxemia lit. means 'the lack of oxygen in the
blood'. Derivative: anoxem-ic, anoxaemic, adj.
anoxia, n., oxygen deficiency. - Medical L.,
coined fr. priv. pref. an-, the first two letters of
oxygen and suff. -ia.
Anselm, Ansel, masc. PN. - L. Anselmus, fr.
OHG. Ansehelm, lit. 'having a divine helmet',
compoun ded of ansi, 'god', and helm, 'helmet',
For the first element cp. Astrid, for the second
see helmet.
Anser, n., a genus of birds, the goose (ornithol.)
- L. anser, 'goose', for *hanser. See goose and
cp. the second element in merganser.
anserine, adj., 1) pertainin g to, or resembling, a
goose; 2) stupid. - L. iinserlnus, fr. iinser. See
prec. word and -ine (representing L. -mus).
answer, n. - ME. andsware, answere, fr. OE.
andswaru, 'a reply', lit. 'a swearing against', fr.
and-, 'against', and swerian, 'to swear'; cp. OS.
antswor, ON. andsvar (Dan., Swed. ansvar),
OFris. ondser. The first element is cogn. with
Gk. &.v-rl, 'against', L. ante, 'before'. See anteand cp. anti-. For the second element see
swear.
answer, tr. and intr. v.- ME. andswerien, fr. OE.
andswarian, andswerian, fr. andswaru. See
answer, n. Derivatives: answer-able, adj., answer-er, n., answer-ing, a,dj.
ant, n.- ME. amete, ante, fr. OE. :imete, :imette,
rei. to OHG. iimei;;a, MHG. iimei;;e, G. Ameise,
'ant', lit. 'the animal that cuts (i.e. bites) off',
fr. Teut. ii, 'off', and *maitan, 'to cut' (whence
Goth. maitan, ON. meita, OHG. mei;;an, 'to
cut', ON. meitill, OHG. mei;;il, MHG. mei;;e/,
G. Mei]Jel, 'chisel'). Cp. emmet. Cp. also mite,
'a small arachnid' .
ant-, form of anti- before a vowel.
-ant, adj. and subst. suff. denoting an agent or
an instrument. - OF. and F. -ant, fr. L. -anrem or -entem, ace. of -iins, resp. -ens, pres. part.
suff. of verbs pertaining to the 1., resp. II. or III.
conjugation. This Latin suffix is cogn. with 01.
-ant, Gk. -wv (fern. -oucrot, neut. -ov). Cp. the
ending of Gk. yEpwv, 'old man' (see geronto-).
Cp. also -ent, -ance, -ancy, -ence, -ency, and
pres. part. suff. -ing. Cp. also tooth.
anta, n., pillar, pilaster (archit.) - Sing. of L.
antae, gen. -iirum, 'pillars, pilasters' (in Latin
the word is used in pl. only); cogn. with 01.
dta~ (pl. of dtii), 'doorfram e, enclosure ', ON.
6nd, 'ante-roo m', and Arm. dr-and, 'doorpost ,
threshold ' (see Hiibschm ann, Armenische Studien, 1,19).
antacid, adj., counterac ting an acid (med.) - A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. &v-rl, 'against', and L.
acidus, 'sour'. See ant- and acid.
Derivative: antacid, n.
Antaeus, n., a giant of Libya, slain by Heracles
(Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. 'Av-r<X"Lo<;, fr.
&.vret"Lo.;, 'opposite, opposed to, hostile', fr. &v-ret,
'face to face', which is rei. to &:vti, 'opposite ,

against'. See anti-.

antagonism, n., opposition, hostility. - Gk. &.vT<Xywv~crtJ.<X, fr. &.v-rotywvl~scr~<XL, 'to struggle
against'. See antagonize and -ism.
antagonist, opponent , enemy. - L. antag6nista,
fr. Gk. ti.'JT<XYWIILO'TIJ~, 'competit or, opponent ,
rival', fr. &:v-retywvl~e:cr~ot~, 'to struggle against'.
See next word and -ist and cp. deuteragonist,
protagonist.
Derivatives: antagonist-ic, antagonist-ic-a[, adjs.,
antagonist-ic-al-ly, adv.
antagonize, tr. v., to oppose, bring into oppositio n.
- Gk. &.v-retywvl~e:cr~<X~, 'to struggle against',
fr. &:v-rl (see anti-), and &.ywvl~scr~<X~, 'to struggle',
fr. &.ywv. 'contest'. See agony and -ize.
Derivatives: antagoniz-ation, n., antagoniz-er, n.
antalkali, n., a substance that neutralizes alkalinity.- Formed fr. ant- and alkali.
Derivatives: antalkal-ine, adj. and n.
antaphrodisiac, adj., counterac ting sexual desire;
n., a drug counterac ting sexual desire.- Formed fr. ant- and aphrodisiac.
antarctic, adj., pertaining to the South Pole or
regions near the South Pole. - Prop. 'opposite
to the north', fr. Gk. &.v-rl, 'opposite ' (see anti-),
and &px-r~, 'bear; the constellation of the Great
Bear'. See arctic.
Antares, n., a large red star, the brightest in the
Constella tion Scorpio .- Gk. 'Av-r.&p1Jc;, lit. 'opposite (the planet) Mars', fr. &.v-rl, 'opposite ',
and VAp1J<:;, 'Mars'. See anti- and Ares.
ante-, pref. - Fr. L. ante, 'before, in front of',
which is cogn. with 01. anti, 'opposite ', Toch.
B ente, 'opposed to', Arm. tnd, 'opposite ', Gk.
&vTot, &'JT"fiV, 'opposite ', cX'JTL, 'over against,
opposite, before', OLith. antd, Lith. afit, 'on
to', Goth. and, anda, 'along', ON., OS., OE.
and- 'against', OHG., MHG., G. ant-, OHG.
int-, MHG., G. ent-, 'along, against', Hitt. !Jantl,
'opposite ', !Jantezzish, 'the first'. Cp. anti-. Cp.
also Ananta, antiae, enantio-, the first element in ancestor, antique, antiquity, and the
second element in Rosinante and in Vedanta.
Cp. also end, un-, pref. expressing reversal, and
the first element in along and in answer.
antecede, tr. and intr. v. - L. antecedere, 'to go
before', fr. ante- and cedere, 'to go'. See cede
and cp. precede.
antecedence, n. - L. antecedentia, fr. antecedens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
antecedent, adj. and n. - F. antecedent, fr. L.
antecedentem, ace. of antecedens pres. part. of
antecedere. See antecede and -ent.
Derivative: antecedent-al, adj.
antecessor, n., a predeces sor.- L. See ancestor.
antechamber, n. - F. antichombre, formed on
analogy of It. anticamera, which is compoun ded
of anti, 'before' and camera, 'chamber ', fr. L.
ante, 'before', and camera, vault, arch'. See
ante- and chamber.
antechapel, n.- Formed fr. ante- and chapel.
antedate, n. (rare), -Forme d fr. ante- and date,

antediluvian

'point of time'. Derivative: antedate, tr. v.

antediluvian, adj., relating to the time before the
Deluge. - Coined by the English physician
Sir Thomas Browne (1605-82) fr. ante- and L.
dlluvium, 'flood, deluge', fr. dfluere, 'to wash
away'. See dilute and cp. diluvial, deluge. For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative: antediluviun, n.
antefixa, n. pl., small ornaments concealing the
ends of the tiles at the eaves of the roofs (class.
archit.) - L., neut. pl. of antefixus, 'fixed in
front', formally correspondin g to the pp. of
*antefigere, fr. ante- and fixus, pp. of figere,' to
fix'. See fix, 'to attach'.
antelope, n. - OF. antelop, fr. ML. ant(h)alopus,
fr. MGk. &~it6).otjJ, name of a fabulous
animal, which prob. means 'flower eye', fr.
Gk. &.~ito~. 'flower', and 8<1, 'eye'. See anther
and optic. F. antilope has b~en reborrowed fr.
E. antelope.
antemeridian, adj., pertaining to the forenoon.
- L. antemeridiiinus, 'in the forenoon', fr. ante
meridiem. See next entry and -an.
ante meridiem, before noon. - L., fr. ante, 'before', and ace. of meridies, 'midday, noon'. See
ante- and meridian and cp. post meridiem.
antemundane, adj., existing or happening before
the creation of the world. - Formed fr. anteand mundane. Cp. premundane.
antenatal, adj., previous to birth. - Formed fr.
ante- and L. niitus, 'born', pp. of niisci, 'to be
born'. See natal.
antenati, n. pl., persons born before a certain
event (law).- Formed fr. ante- and L. niiti, pl.
of niitus, 'born'. See prec. word.
antenna, n. - ModL., feeler or horn of an insect', fr. L. antemna, antenna, 'sail yard' ,which is
of uncertain origin. It is perh. a contraction of
*an(a)tempnii, 'that which is stretched, extended', fr. I.-E. base *temp-, 'to stretch, extend'. See
temple, 'place of worship', and cp. next word.
Derivative: antenn-a[, adj.
Antennaria, n., a genus of herbs, plants of the
thistle family (bot.) - ModL., fr. antenna; so
called because the pappus resembles the antennae of insects.
antenuptial, adj., prior to marriage. - Formed
fr. ante- and nuptial. Cp. postnuptial.
antepenult, n. - Abbreviatio n of next word.
antepenultima, n., the last syllable but two. L. antepaenultima (sci!. syl/aba). See ante- and
penultima. Derivative: antepenultim-ate, adj.
anteprandial, adj., before dinner. - Formed fr.
ante- and prandial. Cp. postprandial.
anterior, adj. - L., 'former, compar. of ante,
'before'. Cp. F. anterieur and see ante- and -ior.
Derivatives: anterior-ly, adv., anterior-ness, n.
anteroom, n., A hybrid coined fr. L. ante, 'before' (see ante-), and room. The word lit. means
'a room in front'.
antetype, n., fl prototype. - A hybrid coined fr.
L. ante, 'before (see ante-), and Gk. -rU1ro~, 'a

82

blow, a stamp'; see type. The correct form is

prototype, in which both elements are of Greek
origin.
anth-, form of anti- before an aspirate.
anthelion, n., a kind of halo. - ModL., fr. Gk.
&~&~).wv, neut. of &~&~).~o~, 'opposite the sun',
fr. &~-r~- (see anti-), and ~).~o~, 'sun'. See helio-.
anthelmintic, adj., destroying or expelling intestinal worms. - Formed fr. Gk. &~-r, 'against'
(see anti-), and EA!J.~V<;, also EA!J.~<;, gen. eA!J.~~-ro<;,
'worm'. See helminthic.
anthem, n. - ME. antefne, antem, fr. OE. antefn
(orig. identical in meaning with antiphony), fr.
ML. antiph6na, fr. Gk. &~dq:>wvcx, neut. pl. of
&v-rtpw~o<;, 'sounding in answer to', which was
mistaken for fern. sing. See antiphon.
Derivative: anthem, tr. v.
Anthemis, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family; the camomile (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
&~&e!J.l~. 'a flower resembling the camomile',
fr. &.'l&o<;, 'flower'. See next word.
anther, n., that part of the stamen which contains
the pollen. - F. anthere, fr. ModL. anthera, 'a
medicine extracted from flower', fr. Gk. &v&YJp&, fern. of &v&YJp6<;, 'flowery', fr. O.:v&o<;,
'flower', which is cogn. with OI. dndhas, 'herb'.
Cp. antho-, Anthus, -anthus, antheridium, Anthyllis, the first element in antelope, Anthemis,
Anthesterion, anthology, Anthrenus, Anthurium,
and the second element in Chrysanthemum,
clinanthium, colcothar, enanthema, exanthema,
hydranth, isanthous, perianth, polyanthus.
Anthericum, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &~&Ep~l-co<;, 'the asphodel', which is rei. to &~&tpL~, 'blade', &~p,
'chaff, barb of a weapon'; of unknown etymology. Cp. Anthriscus, atherine, atheroma, and
the first element in Atherosperma.
antheridium, n., the male organ in ferns, mosses,
etc. - ModL., formed with the Greek dimin.
suff. -tS~o~ fr. &~&'l]p6<;, 'flowery', fr. o.:~&o<;,
'flower'. See anther and -idiom.
Anthesterion, n., name of the 8th month of the
Attic calendar (correspondi ng to the second
half of February and the first half of March). Gk. 'Av&eaTI)p~blv, lit. 'the month in which
A~&EaTI)p~cx. "the Feast of the Flowers", was
celebrated', fr. o.:~&o<;, 'flower'. See anther.
antho-, before a vowel anth-, combining form
meaning 'flower'.- Gk. &v&o-, &v&-, fr. O.:v&o~,
'flower'. See anther.
anthodium, n., the head of a composite plant
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. &v&blSr,~. 'flowerlike',
which is formed fr. Ci~&o<;, 'flower', with suff.
-C:..Sr.~. 'like'. See anther, -ode, 'like', and 1st
-ium.
antholite, n., a fossil flower.- Lit. 'flower stone'.
See antho- and -lite.
anthology, n. - Gk. &v&o).oyiii, 'a flower gathering', fr. &v&o).6yo~, 'gathering flowers', fr.
&v&o~, 'flower', and ).!yew, 'to gather'. See
anther and -logy.

83

Derivative: antholog-ic-al, adj., antholog-ic-ally, adv., antholog-ist, n., antholog-ize, tr. v.

anthophyllite, n., a magnesium and iron silicate
(mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
ModL. anthophyllum, 'clove', fr. Gk. Civ&o~.
'flower', and q:>u).).ov, 'leaf' (see antho- and
phyllo-); so called in allusion to its clove-brown
color.
Anthoxanthum, n., a genus of grasses of the
family Poaceae (bot.) - ModL., lit'. 'the yellow
flower', fr. o.:~&o<;, 'flower', and ~O(v&6<;, 'yellow'.
See antho- and xantho-.
Anthozoa, n. pl., a group of Coelenterata (zoo/.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. &.v&o<;, 'flower', and ~<}lex, pl.
of ~<}>o~. 'animal', hence Anthozoa lit. means
'flower animals'. See anther and -zoa and cp.
Zoanthus. Derivatives: anthozo-an, adj. and n.,
anthozo-ic, adj., anthozo-id, n.
anthracene, n., a hydrocarbon C, 4 H 10 (chem.) Formed with suff. -ene fr. Gk. O.:v&pcx~, 'coal'.
See next word.
anthracite, n., a kind of hard coal. - L. anthracites, 'a kind of bloodstone', fr. Gk. &v.Sp(l(KfTIJ~,
'a gem', prop. subst. use of an adj. meaning 'resembling coal', fr. o.:~&pcx~, gen. &.v&pcxxo<;, 'coal'.
See anthrax and subst. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: anthracite, tr. v., anthracit-ic, adj.,
anthracit-ism, n.
anthraconite, n., a coal-black marble of limestone
(mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
Gk. &.v&pcx~, 'coal', and xo~lii, 'dust, ashes;
lye, soap powder; lime'. For the first element
see anthrax. Gk. xovii derives fr. x6~~<;, 'dust',
which is cogn. with L. cinis, 'ashes'; see cinerary.

anthracosis, n., coal-miner's disease (med.) Medical L. lit. 'disease caused by coal', formed
with suff. -osis, fr. Gk. O.:v&pcx~, gen. Ci~&pcxxo:;,
'coal'. See anthrax.
anthrax, n., a malignant disease of cattle and
sheep. - L., fr. Gk. Ci~&pcx~, 'coal; carbuncle,
malignant pustule', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. Arm. ant'el, 'a glowing coal'. - Coal is
first mentioned about 370 B.C.E. by Theophrastus in his treatise 'On Stones', under the
name ).(&Q<; a.~&pcxxo<; (i.e. 'coal stone').
AntbremLo;, n., a genus of insects (entomol.) ModL., fr. Gk. O:v&p~vYJ, 'wild bee, hornet',
contraction of *iv&o-&p~Vl) (see haplology), lit.
'flower bee'. For the first element see antho-.
The second element is rei. to nv&pf,vt;, 'bee,
wasp', ltpbl~~. 'drone'. See drone.
Anthriscus, n., a genus of plants of the family Ammiaceae (bot.)-L. anthriscus, 'the wild chervil',
fr. Gk. ri~p(axo<;, which is possibly rel. to &&f,p,
'chaff'. See Antbericum.
aatbrop-, form of anthropo- before a vowel.
lllltbropic, adj., pertaining to man. - Gk. &v~Tnl(~, fr. Mpw1ro<;, 'man'. See anthropoand -ic.
lllltllropo.., before a vowel anthrop-, combining
form meaning 'of man, pertaining to man'. -

anthropomo rphous

Gk. &~&pwrro-, &~&pwrr-, fr. &~&pwrro<;, 'man',

which is perh. a dialectical variant of *O.:vSpW7rO<;, a compound of &~~p. gen. &~Spo<;,
'man', and wtjJ, gen. b)1t0~, 'eye, face', and lit.
means 'he who has the face of a man'. See
andro- and -ops and cp. the second element in
cynanthropy, Eoanthropus, lycanthrope, misanthrope, philanthrope, Pithecanthropus, therianthropic.
anthropocentric, adj., regarding man as the
center.- Compounde d of anthropo- and centric.
anthropogeography, n., the study of the geographical distribution of man.- G. Anthropogeographie, coined by the German geographer
Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904) in r882 fr. anthropo- and G. Geographie, fr. L. ge6graphia (see
geography).
anthropography, n., that part of anthropolog y
which deals with the physical characteristics of
the human race. -Lit. 'the description of man'.
See anthropo- and -graphy.
anthropoid, adj., manlike; n., an anthropoid ape.
- Gk. &~&porroELSf,<;, 'like a man, resembling
a man', compounded of &~&porro<;, 'man', and
-oe~S~<;, 'like', fr. dS<;<;, 'form, shape'. See anthropo- and -oid.
Derivatives: anthropoid-a/, anthropoid-an, adjs.
anthropolatry, n., the worship of a human being.
- Compounde d of Gk. O(~&pumo<;, 'man', and
-Acx-rpdii, -).cx-rpl:i, fr. ),ccrpd:i, 'hired labor;
worship'. See anthropo- and -latry.
anthropology, n., the science of the natural history of man. - The word lit. means 'the science
of man'; it is compounded of anthropo- and Gk.
-).oy~. fr. -).6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See anthropo- and -logy.
Derivatives: anthropolog-ic-al, adj., anthropolog-ic-al-ly, adv., anthropolog-ist, n.
anthropometry, n., measuremen t of the human
body. - Compounde d of anthropo- and Gk.
-!J.<:-rpl:i, 'measuring of', fr. iJ.tTpo~, 'measure'.
See -metry. Derivatives: anthropometr-ic, anthropometr-ic-a/, adjs., anthropometr-ist, n.
anthropomorphic, adj., pertaining to or having
the nature of anthropomo rphism. - Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &v&pwr.O!J.op<p(><;, 'of a human form'. See anthropomorphous.
Derivative: anthropomorphic-al-ly, adv.
anthropomorphism, n., conception of God under
a human form.- Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
&~&pwrr6!J.opq:>o~, 'of a human form'. See anthropomorphous.
anthropomorphist, n. - See prec. word and -ist.
anthromorphize, tr. and intr. v. - See next word
and -ize.
anthropomorphous, adj., having the form of a
man. - Gk. &vltpwrr6w,pq:>o,, 'of a human
form', compounded of o.:~&pwm:.~, 'man', and
!J.Opq:>-1], 'form, shape'. See anthropo- and morpho-. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o<;, see
suff. -ous.

84

anthropopathy
anthropopathy, n., ascription of human feelings to
God. - Gk. oc111tpw7to7t&.1le:~<X, 'humanity', lit.
'human feelings' fr. &v&pwTCoc;, 'man', and
-TC&.&e~<X, fr. 7t<X&e:t:v, 'to suffer'. See anthropoand -pathy.
Derivatives: anthropopath-ic, adj.,anthropopathic-al-ly, adv.
anthropophagi, n. pl., cannibals. - L., pl. of
anthr6pophagus, fr. Gk. &.v&pw7totpocyoc;, 'maneater, cannibal', fr. &v.&pw7toc;, 'man', and the
stem of tp<Xye:t:v, 'to eat'. See anthropo- and
~phagous.

anthropophagous, adj., cannibalistic, Gk. &.v&pw7to<pocyoc;, 'man-eater, cannibal'. See next word.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see -ous.
anthropophagy, n., cannibalism. - F. anthropophagie, fr. Gk. &v&pc.mo<p<Xyli, fr. &11&pw7totp&.yoc;. See prec. word and -y (representing Gk.
-li).
Derivatives: anthropophag-ic, adj., anthropophag-ist, n., anthropophagous (q.v.)
Anthurium, n., a genus of plants of the arum family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. &v.&oc;, 'flower', and oup&, 'tail'. See anther and
uro-, 'tail-'.
Anthus, n., a genus of birds, the pipit; the titlark
(ornithol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &11-&oc;, 'flower'.
See anther.
-anthus, suff. used in botany to form generic
names as in Dianthus, Galanthus. -- ModL., lit.
'flower', fr. Gk. &110')~. The masculine form of
this suff. is based on the erroneous supposition
that Gk. &110oc; is masculine, whereas it is of
the neuter gender. This error was suggested by
the fact that the overwhelming majority of
Greek nouns ending in -oc; are masculine.
Anthyllis, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. &11-&UAALc;, a plant name derived fr.
:Xv&oc;, 'flower'; see anther. The name &v&c.JH[c;
was first used by Dioscorides.
anthypophora, n., reply to a supposed objection
(rhet.) - Gk. oc11&urro<pop&, formed fr. :Y.nl,
opposite, against' and \moq>op&, 'allegation',
lit. 'a carrying down' fr. ur.oq>epe:~v. 'to carry
down', fr. u1t6, 'under, below', and ?ZPEL'I, 'to
carry'. See anti-, hypo- and -phore.
anti-, before a vowel ant-, pref. meaning 'opposite, against, instead'. - Gk. &Yn-, :i\1":'-,
fr. :i\I":'L, 'over against, opposite, before, instead of', which is cogn. with L. ante, 'before,
in front of'. See ante-.
antiae, n. pl., forelocks (zoo!.) - L. antiae (gen.
antiiirum), rel. to ante, 'before, in front of', and
cogn. with OHG. andi, endi, ON. enni, 'forehead. See ante- and cp. anti-, end.
antiar, n., poison from the resin of the Upas tree.
- Jav. antjar.
antibiotic, adj .. tending to destroy life; n., a substance that inhibits or destroys microorganism s.
- Medical L. antibioticus, coined fr. anti-, Gk.
~lac;, 'life', and suff. -ic (see biotic); first used
by the physician Selman Abraham Wak.sman

(18881941.

), the discoverer of streptomycin, in

Derivative: antibiotic-al-ly, adv.

antibody, n., substance developed in the blood as
an antitoxin (immunol.) -A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. &v-rL, 'against (see anti-), and E. body.
antic, adj., odd, grotesque. -It. antico, 'ancient',
fr. L. antiquus, 'old'. See antique.
Derivatives: antic, n., a trick, antic-ly, adv.,
antic-ness, n.
antichrist, n. - Late L. antichrfstus, fr. Gk.
&11-rlxp~o..ro~, fr. &11-rl, 'against', and Xp~cr-r6~,
'Christ'. See anti- and Christ.
Formed fr. anti- and
antichristian, adj. Christian.
anticipant, adj. and n. - L. anticipiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of anticipiire. See next word
and -ant.
anticipate, tr. v. - L. anticipiitus, pp. of anticipiire, 'to take beforehand, anticipate', fr. ante,
'before', and -cipiire, fr. capere, 'to take'. See
ante-, captive and verbal suff. -ate. For the
change of Latin ii (in capere) to ((in anti-cipiire)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: anticipation (q.v.), anticipat-ive,
adj., anticipat-ive-ly, adv., anticipat-or, n., anticipat-ory, adj.
anticipation, n. - L. anticipiiti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
anticipiitus, pp. of anticipiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
anticlerical, adj. -Formed fr. anti- and clerical
Derivative: anticlerical-ism, n.
anticlimax, n., the opposite of climax (rhet.) Coined by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) fr. antiand climax.
anticlinal, adj., leaning in opposite directions. Formed fr. anti- and Gk. xAtve:~v, 'to cause to
slope'. See clinical.
anticline, n., a fold of rock in which the layers
slope down from the axis in opposite directions
(geol.) - See prec. word.
anticyclone, n. - Coined by the English scientist
Sir Francis Galton (1822-19II) fr. anti- and
cyclone.
Derivative: anticyclon-ic, adj.
antidote, n., a remedy counteracting poison. L. antidotum, fr. Gk. X'I":'L3o":'ov, 'a remedy',
lit. 'given against', fr. :in[ (see anti-) and 3o-r6v,
neut. of 3o-r6c;, 'given', verbal adj. of 3~36~~-x~,
'to give'. See donation and cp. dose. Cp. also
epidote.
Derivatives: antidote, tr. v., antidot-al, adj.,
antidot-al-ly, adv., antidot-ic-al, adj., antidot-ical-ly, adv.
antifebrile, adj., reducing fever; n., a remedy reducing fever. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. ocii":'L,
'against' (see anti-), and Late L. febrilis, 'pertaining to fever', fr. L. febris, 'fever' (see febrile).
The correct form is antipyretic (q.v.), in which
both elements are of Greek origin.
antigen, n., a substance that causes the production of an antibody (immunology) .- Coined fr.

85
Derivatives: antipath-etic, adj., antipath-etic-alanti- and Gk. ye:wCi.v, 'to produce'; see -gen.
ly, adv.
Accordingly antigen lit. means 'something proantiphlogistic, adj., tending to counteract inflamduced against something'.
mation (med.) - Formed fr. anti- and phloAntigone, n., daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta
gistic.
(Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. 'A'iny6\I'Y), lit.
Derivative: antiphlogistic, n.
prob. meaning 'in place of a mother', fr. &11-rl,
antiphon, n., a versicle sung responsively. - F.
'opposite, in place of' (see anti-), and yo11-!j,
antiphone, fr. ML. antiph6na, fr. Gk. &v-rltpw'I<X,
'womb'; childbirth, generation', which is rel. to
neut. pl. of &11-rlcpw'loc;, 'sounding in answer
yo11euc;, 'father' (in the pl. yove'i'c;, 'parents'). See
to', mistaken for fern. sing.; fr. tinl, 'over
genus.
against, in response to' (see anti-), and q>w11f,,
antigorite, n., a variety of serpentine (mineral.) 'voice, sound'; see phone, n. Cp. anthem, which
Named after the Antigorio valley in Piedmont.
is a doublet of antiphon.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: antiphon-al, adj., antiphon-al-ly,
antihelix, n., the rounded piece of cartilage mside
adv., antiphonary (q.v.), antiphon-et-ic, adj., anand in front of the outer rim (helix) of the ear,
tiphon-ic, antiphon-ic-al, adjs., anliphonon (q.v.),
(anat.) - Erroneous formation instead of *anantiphon-y, n.
thelix, for Gk. &v.&eAt~, 'inner curvature of the
antiphonary, n. - A collection of antiphons. ear' (first used by Rufus Ephesius in this sense);
ML. antiph6niirium. See antiphon and subst.
formed fr. &11-rl, 'before' (see anti-), and !:1-~~.
suff. -ary.
'coil, spiral'. See helix.
antiphonon, n., an antiphon. - Gk. &\I":'L(jlW\IOII,
antilobium, n., the tragus (anat.) - Medical L.,
neut. of rX\I't'L(jlW\Ioc;, 'sounding in answer to'.
fr. Gk. &11nAof3w\l, 'the upper edge of the ear',
See antiphon.
fr. &11-rl, 'opposite, in front of' (see anti-), and
antipodal, adj., pertaining to the antipodes. -Ao~6c;, 'lobe of the ear'. See lobe .
Formed fr. antipodes with adj. suff. -al.
antilogarithm, n., the number corresponding to a
antipodes, n. pl., opposite places of the earth. ~
logarithm (math.) - Formed fr. anti- and loL. antipodes, fr. Gk. &nlrw3ec;, pl. of &11-rlrcouc;,
garithm.
'having the feet opposite', fr. &11-rl (see anti-)
antilogous, adj., contradictory .- Gk. &v-r[Aoyoc;.
and TCO'J~, gen. 7to36~, 'foot'. See foot and cp.
See next word. For E.-ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-pod.
-oc;, see -ous.
antipope, n. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. &11Tl,
antilogy, n., contradiction. - Gk. &11nAoyli,
'against', and ME. pope, 'pope'. See anti- and
'contradiction', fr. rX\1-r(Aoyoc;, 'contradictory' ,
pope.
fr. X\l":'~),eye~~~. 'to contradict', fr. &11n- (see
antipyretic, adj., reducing fever; n., a remedy
anti-) and Aeye:~\1, 'to say, tell, speak', which is
reducing fever. - Formed fr. anti- and pyretic.
cogn. with L. Iegere, 'to read'. See lecture.
antipyrin, n., a crystalline compound
antipyrine,
protecting
for
used
'cloth
Orig.
n.antimacassar,
used as an antipyretic. - G. Antipyrin, coined
backs of chairs from macassar oil'. Sec antiby the German chemist Ludwig Knorr (1859and macassar.
1921) fr. antipyretic and chem. suff. -in.
antimony, n., a brittle metallic element (chem.)antiquarian, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -an
ML. antimonium, prob. fr. Arab. al-uthmud,
fr. L. antlquiirius. See next word.
al-ithmid, from al-, 'the', and uthmud, ithmid,
antiquary, n. - L. anliquarius, 'pertaining to an'stibium', which prob., derives fr. Gk. cr-rl[J.[J.~,
tiquity; an antiquarian', fr. antfquus, 'old'. See
'stibium'. See stibium and -y (representing L.
antique and -ary.
-ium).
antiquate, tr. v., to make old or obsolete. - L.
antinomian, n. - See next word.
antiquiitus, pp. of antfquiire, 'to render obsoantinomianism, n. (Eccles. hist.) - A term inlete', fr. antfquus, 'old'. See antique and verbal
troduced by Martin Luther. See antinomy, -ian
suff. -ate.
and -ism.
Derivatives: antiquat-ed, adj., antiquat-ed-ness,
~tioomy,_ n. ~ L. antinomia, fr. Gk. :i\I":'WO!J.Li,
n., antiquation (q.v.)
ambiguity m the law', fr. &v-r( (see anti-) and
antiquation, n. - Late L. antiquiiri6, gen. -6nis,
v6[J.o~, 'law'. See nomo- and -y (representing
Gk. -li).
fr. L. antfquiitus, pp. of antfquiire. Sec antiquate and -ion.
Derivatives: antinom-ic, antinom-ic-al, adjs.
antique, adj.- F., fr. L. antfquus, anticus, 'old',
Aotiope, n., the mother of Amphion and Zethus
fr. ante, 'before'. See ante-.
(Greek mythol.) - Gk. 'A\I-rt61t'7), lit. 'oppoDerivatives: antique, n. (q.v.), anrique, tr. v.,
~Ite, facing', fr. ~nl (see anti-) and q,, gen.
antique-ly, adv., antique-ness, n., anliquity (q.v.)
07to~. 'eye, face'. See optical.
antique, n. - F., fr. antique, adj. See antique,
antipathy, n.- L. antipathfa, fr. Gk. &11-rtrr~&e:t<X,
adj.
fr. &v-rtTC<X&f)c;, 'having opposite feelings', fr.
antiquity, n. - F. antiquite, fr. L. anllquitiitem,
~~ (see anti-) and 1toc&o;, 'a feeling, sufferace. of antiquitils, 'ancient times, antiquity', fr.
mg. See -pathy and cp. apathy, empathy,
Sympathy,
antiquus. See antique and -ity.

Antirrhinum
Antirrhinum, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family; the snapdragon (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk.
&.'11:lpp~'1ov, 'snapdragon', fr. &.'11:, 'opposite;
like', and pte;, gen. p~v6c;, 'nose'. See anti- and
rhino-.
antiscians, also antiscii, n. pl., those who live on
the same meridian, but on opposite sides of the
equator.- L. antiscif, fr. Gk. &.nl<n<w~, pl. of
&.v.. t<n<(oc;, 'throwing a shadow the opposite
way', fr. &.v1:l (see anti-) and <n<(&, 'shade,
shadow'. See skiagraphy and cp. amphiscians.
anti-Semitism, n. -G. Antisemitismus (see anti-,
Semite and -ism). The word Antisemitismus was
first used by Wilhelm Marr (in 188o).
antiseptic, adj. and n. - Formed fr. anti- and
septic.
Derivatives: antiseptic-al-ly, adv., antisepticism, n., antiseptic-is!, n., antiseptic-ize, tr. v.
antiserum, n. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. &.v1:,
'against', and L. serum, 'whey'. See anti- and
serum. The correct form would be antiorus, fr.
Gk. &.v1:l, 'against', and op6c;, 'whey'.
antisocial, adj. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. &.v1:l,
'against', and L. socialis, fr. socius, 'companion'.
Sec anti- and social.
antistrophe, n.- L., fr. Gk. &.n(0"1:po<p~, 'a turning back', fr. &.vncr-:pt<pE~'i 'to turn back or
against', fr. "-"'~"[ (see anti-) and cr1:pt<pE('I, 'to
turn'. See strophe.
antithesis, n. - L., fr. Gk. &.'11:l-&Em<;, 'opposition', lit. 'a placing against', fr. &.'in't"(&t'ia~. 'to
set one thing against another, to oppose', fr.
&.nl (see anti-) and nBba(, 'to place'. See
thesis.
antithetic, antithetical, containing an antithesis.
- Gk. &.n(}ie:nl<o<;, 'setting in opposition', fr.
&.nl&e:1:oc;, 'opposed', verbal adj. of &.'11:L1:(&'iaL.
See prec. word and -etic, resp. also -at.
Derivative: antithetical-ly, adv.
antitoxic, adj., pertaining to an antitoxin.
Formed fr. anti- and toxic.
antitoxin, n., a substance neutralizing poisonous
substances (immunology) .- Coined by the German bacteriologist Emil von Behring (18541917) in 1890 fr. anti- and toxin. Cp. autotoxin.
antitragus, n., the eminence of the external ear
(anal.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. ocrr1:pocyoc;, lit.
'the part opposite the tragus'. See anti- and
tragus.
Derivatives: anti trag-al, antitrag-ic, adjs.
antitype, n. - Gk. ocnl-:urroc;, 'corresponding
in form', lit. 'struck back', fr. &v-:[ (see anti-)
and 7':moc;, 'a blow, a mark'. See type and cp.
antetype and prototype.
antler, n. - ME. aumelere, fr. OF. antoillier (F.
andouiller), fr. VL. *anteoculare, neut. adj. used
as a noun and lit. meaning '(the horn) growing
before the eyes, fr. L. ante oculos, 'before the
eyes'. See ante- and ocular. For sense development cp. G. Augensprossen, 'antlers', lit. 'eye
sprouts'.
Derivative: antler-ed, adj.

86
antlerite, n., a copper sulfate (mineral.)- Named
after the Antler mine in Arizona. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Antonia, fem. PN. - L. Antonia, fern. of Antonius. See Antony.
antonomasia, n., use of an epithet for a proper
name or vice versa (rhet.) - L., fr. Gk. &.v't"o\IOfLOCO"(<i, fr. &.v1:ovoiJ.<i~EL'i, 'to name instead, to
call by a new name', fr. &.n(, 'instead of' (see
anti-), and b'iOfLtX~ELV, 'to name', fr. IS'Iof.La,
'name'. See antonym.
Antony, also Anthony, masc. PN.- L. Antonius,
name of a Roman gens. The spelling Anthony
was suggested by the numerous Greek loan
words beginning with an tho-, fr. &v-&oc;, 'flower'.
Cp. Antonia.
antonym, n., opposite in meaning to another
word. - Formed fr. Gk. &.v't"wvuf.L(<i, 'a word
used for another, a pronoun', fr. <iv1:t, 'instead
of' (see anti-), and ISvuiJ.a, dialectal form of
ovofLa, 'noun'. See name and cp. anonym and
words there referred to.
antro-, before a vowel antr-, combining form
meaning 'antrum, cavity' (anal.)- Gk. <iv1:po-,
&v1:p-, fr. &npov. See next word.
antrum, n., a cave or cavity.- L., fr. Gk. &:npov,
'cave, cavern', which is prob. cogn. with Arm.
ayr, 'cave'.
antrustion, n., a voluntary follower of Frankish
princes - F., fr. ML. antrustionem, ace. of antrustio, lit. 'in fidelity', which is formed fr. pref.
an-, en, 'in' (see in-, 'in, on'), OHG. trost,
'fidelity', Latinized into trust is, and suff. -ion.
See trust.
Derivative: antrustion-ship, n.
Anubis, n., a jackal god, son of Osiris (Egypt.
mythol.) - L. Anubis, fr. Gk. "Avou~L<;, fr.
Egypt. Anepu, Anpu.
anus, n., inferior opening of the alimentary canal.
- L. anus, 'a ring, an iron ring for the feet;
anus (so called because of its form)'. For sense
development cp. Gk. aaxnJALO<;, 'ring, signet;
felloe of a wheel; anus', fr. 3tixTUAO<;, 'finger'.
L. anus is cogn. with Olr. anne, ainne, 'ring,
rump'. See annular.
anusim, n. pl., Jews converted to another faith
by force; ~pecif. the marranos.- Heb. aniisfm,
'those compelled (to give up their faith)', pl. of
iinfts, pass. part. of antis, 'he compelled, constrained', which is rei. to Aram. antis, Syr.lmis,
ofs.m.
anvil, ME. anvelt, anfilt, fr. OE. anfilte, 'anvil',
rei. to MDu. anvilt, anevilte, aenbelt, iinebelt,
Du. aanbeeld, aambeeld, OHG. anafalz, Dan.
ambolt, 'anvil', G. fa/zen, 'to fold' (whence
Falz, 'groove, furrow'), OHG. vilz, OE. felt,
'felt'; see felt. L. pel/ere, 'to strike', is prob. not
cognate with the above Teut. words.
Derivative: anvil, tr. v.
anxiety, n. - L. anxietiis, gen. -iitis, 'anguish,
anxiety', fr. anxius. See next word and -ity.
aut-, adj. - L. anxius, 'solicitous, uneasy', fr.

87

aper

apart, adv. - F. a part, fr. L. ad partem, 'to the

angere, 'to press together, throttle'. See anger and
one side or part', fr. ad, 'to' (see ad-) and parequias
E.-ous,
For
to.
referred
there
cp. words
tem, ace. of pars, 'part'. See part, n., and cp.
valent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
next word and apartment.
Derivatives: anxious-ly, adv., anxious-ness, n.
apartheid, n., the policy of racial segregation and
any, adj. and pron.- ME. <tmiy, ami, any, eny,
discrimination against the native Negroes and
ony, fr. OE. ;imig, which is formed fr. OE. an,
other colored peoples in South Africa. - S.
'one', with suff. -ig; rel. to OS. enig, enag (fr. en,
African Dutch, 'apartness', formed fr. Du. apart,
'one'), ON. einigr(fr. einn, 'one'), Du. enig(fr. een,
'separate' [fr. F. a part (see apart)], with Du.
'one'), OHG. einag, MHG. einec, G. einig (fr.
-heid, which corresponds to E. -hood (q.v.)
suff.
-ig).
OE.
(representing
-y
and
ein, 'one'). See one
apartment, n. - F. appartement, fr. It. appartaAnychia, n., a genus of plants of the whitlowwort
mento, prop. 'a separated place', fr. appartare,
family, the forked chickweed (bot.) - ModL.,
'to separate', fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and parte (fr.
aphetic for Gk. ;r,;pwwx.l<i, 'whitlowwort'. See
L. partem, ace. of pars), 'part'. See apart and
paronychia.
-ment.
New
and
Australian
the
of
Anzac, n., a member
Apatela, n., a genus of moths (zoot.) - ModL.,
Zealand Army corps. - Acrostic formed from
fr. Gk. &.mxTI)Aoc;, 'illusory', fr. &.rra1:ii'i, 'to
the initials of the words Australian (and) New
cheat, deceive', fr. &.rr&TIJ, 'deceit', which is of
Zealand Army Corps.
uncertain origin. Cp. apatite.
Derivative: Anzac, adj., pertaining to the Anapathic, adj. -F. apathique, fr. apathie. See next
zacs.
word and -ic.
aorist, n., a past tense of Greek verbs. - Gk.
apathy, n. - F. apathie, fr. L. apathia, fr. Gk.
&opLcr'l:oc;, 'indefinite' (short for &.6p~cr1:oc; x.povoc;,
&.rrti&e:Lcx, 'freedom from suffering, impassibil'the aorist, i.e. indefinite tense'), fr. &.-(see priv.
ity', fr. &.rrcx&~c;, 'without suffering, impassible',
pref. a-) and opLcr1:6t;, 'limited, defined', verbal
&.-(see priv. pref. a-) and rr&&oc;, 'feeling, suffr.
'boundfr.ISpoc;,
define',
limit,
'to
adj. of opl~e:LV,
fering'. See -pathy and cp. antipathy, empathy,
ary ,limit, border'. See horizon. As a grammaticsympathy.
al term &.opLcr'l:oc; was introduced by Dionysius
Derivatives: apath-ism, n., apath-ist, n., apathThrax.
ist-ic-al, adj.
aorta, n. - ModL., fr. Gk. &opTI], 'the great
apatite, n., calcium phosphate fluoride (mineral.)
artery', fr. &.e(pELv, 'to lift, raise up, bear',
- Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. ocrr&TI),
which is rei. to the second element in tJ.<:~opoc;,
'deceit' (see Apatela); so called because it has
Att. IJ.<:1:8wpoc;, 'raised from the ground, high',
been mistaken for other minerals.
of uncertain etymology. Cp. artery and the
ape, n.- ME., fr. OE. apa, rei. to OS. apo, ON.
second element in endaortic and in meteor. Cp.
api, Du. aap, OHG. ajfo, MHG., G. affe; ac'atmosphere'.
air,
also
cording to 0. Schrader borrowed fr. OCelt.
Derivatives: aort-al, aort-ic, adjs.
&.~p&vcxc;, a word glossed by Hesychius. It is more
aortico-, combining form meaning 'aortic'. probable, however, that OE. apa, etc., are SlavSee aorta and -ic.
onic Joan words. Cp. ORuss. opica, Czech
aosmic, adj., having no smell (med.) - Formed
'ape'.
opice,
smell',
no
'having
&:ocriJ.o<;,
Gk.
fr.
-ic
suff.
with
Derivatives: ape, tr. v., ape-ry, n.
fr. &-(see priv. pref. a-) and OO"f.L~, 'smell, .odor'.
apeak, adv., in a vertical position (naut.) - F.
See osmium.
apic, 'vertically', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and pic, 'verAotus, n., a genus of American monkeys, the
tex'. See peak, 'sharp point', and cp. peak, 'to
night ape (zoo/.)- ModL., fr. Gk. &:w1:o<;, 'earraise vertically'.
w1:6c;,
gen.
ouc;,
and
a-)
pref.
priv.
~ess': fr. &-(see
apeiron, n., the boundless mass postulated by
ear . See oto-.
Anaximander as the first principle. - Gk.
ap-, form of apo- before a vowel.
&:rrtLpov, neut. of Ci.rrE~poc;, 'boundless, infinite',
ap-, assimilated form of ad- before p.
fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and rre:~p,;p (gen.
apace, adv.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and pace.
rrdpa1:oc;), 'completion, achievement', which is
apadJe, n., a Parisian gangster.- F., from the
rei. to rre:lptLv, 'to pierce, run through', rr6pac;,
name of the North American Indian Apaches.
'ford, ferry', prop. 'means of passing a river',
apagoge, n., reductio ad absurdum (logic). - Gk.
and is cogn. with L. porta, 'gate', portus, 'har&.mxywyfj, 'a leading away', fr. &.7rocye:L'I, 'to
bor'. See port, 'harbor', and cp. words there
lead away', fr. &.;r6 (see apo-) and &ye:LV, 'to
referred to.
lead', which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set in
apepsia, apepsy, n., indigestion (med.)- Medical
motion, lead'. See agent, adj., and cp. -agogue,
L., fr. Gk. &.rre:~(<i, fr. &rre:rr1:oc;, 'undigested',
anagogy. pedagogue, synagogue.
fr. &.- (see pref. a-) and rre:~1:6c;, 'cooked', verB)I8Dage, n. - See appanage.
bal adj. of miT'l:EL'I, 'to cook'. See pepsin.
8JI8ritbmesis, n., enumeration (rhet.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. &.mtpl&!J.l)Gt.;, fr. &.mxpL&tuiv, 'to count aper, n., the wild boar.- L., rei. to Umbr. apruf,
abrof, 'the boars' (ace.), and cogn. with OE.
over', fr. &.1r6 (see apo-) and &.p..&tuiv, 'to
eofor, 'wild boar', OHG. ebur, MHG., G. eber,
count', fr. &.pr.-&!J.6c;, 'number'. See aritbmetk.

aperc;u

88

meaning 'invisible'. - Fr. Gk. ci<p<Xv~c;;. See

of s.m., ON. jofurr, 'prince', and with OSlav.
Apbanes.
vepri, Lett. vepris, 'wild boar'. The a in L. aper
aphasia, n., loss of the faculty of speech (med.)(inst. of *eper) is prob. due to dissimilation unMedical L., fr. priv. pref. a- and <pcimc;;, 'speech',
der the influence of caper, 'he-goat'. Cp. the
from the base of <pcivoct, 'to speak', which is rei.
first element in Everard.
to <p~fL'l), 'voice, report, rumor', and cogn. with
aper~u, n., sketch, rapid survey.- F., prop. pp.
L. fiima, 'talk, report, rumor'. See fame and
of apercevoir, 'to perceive', used as a noun, fr.
-ia and cp. aphemia.
a, 'to' (see a), and percevoir 'to perceive', fr. L.
Derivatives:. aphasi-ac, adj. and n., aphas-ic,
percipere. See perceive and cp. apperception.
adj. and n.
aperient, adj., laxative.- L. aperiens, gen. -entis,
Aphelandra, n .. ' genus of plants of the acanthus
pres. part. of aperire, 'to uncover, open', which
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
stands for *ap-werire and is rei. to operire (for
&.<pe:A~c;;. 'even, simple', and the stem of &.v-f]p,
*op-werire), 'to cover, close', and cogn. with
&.v3p6c;;, 'man'. Gk. &.<pe:A-f]c;; prob. means
gen.
api-VfQOti,
opens',
'uncovers,
01. apa-vrti,
lit. 'without protuberances' and is formed fr.
'closes, covers', fr. I.-E. base *wer-, 'to enclose,
&.- (see priv. pref. a-) and *<pe:Aoc;;, 'swelling,
cover'. See weir and cp. words there referred to.
protuberance' (whence also <pe)J,euc;;, 'stony
in
Bacon
by
The word aperient was first used
ground'). See Anopheles and cp. next word and
1626.
For the second element in Aphelandra
Aphelinus.
drug.
laxative
a
n.,
aperient,
Derivative:
see andro-. The genus was called Aphelandra in
aperiodic, adj., not periodic.- Formed fr. priv.
allusion to the one-celled anthers.
pref. a- and periodic.
Aphelenchus, n., a genus of nematode worms
Derivative: aperiodic-al-ly, adv.
(zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. &.<pe::A-f]c;;,
aperitif, n., appetizer. - F. See next word.
'even, simple' (see prec. word), and -~t.o<;;,
ape(fern.
aperitif
F.
aperient.
aperitive, adj.
'spear', a word of uncertain origin.
ritive), 'opening' (said of a drug), fr. L. aperiAphelinus, n., a genus of small flies (zoo/.) tivus, fr. aperire, 'to open'. See aperient and -ive.
ModL., fr. Gk. &.<pe:A-f]c;;, 'even, simple'. See
apert, adj., open. - OF., fr. L. apertus, pp. of
Aphelandra.
aperire, 'to op~?n'. See aperient and cp. pert,
aphelion, n., that point of the orbit of a celestial
malapert.
body which is farthest from the sun (astron.) aperture, n., an opening. - L. apertura, 'an opeGrecized fr. ModL. aphelium, which was coined
ning', fr. apertus, pp. of aperire. See aperient and
Kepler on analogy of apogaeum (see apogee)
by
-ure.
fr. Gk. &.1t6 (see apo-) and -lj:Atoc;;, 'sun'. See
Derivatives: apertur-al, apertur-ed, adjs.
helio-.
apetalous, adj., having no petals (bot.)- Formed
apheliotropic, adj., turning away from the sun
fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. 1t1hoc:Aov, 'thin plate
(said of certain plants).- Formed fr. Gk. oc1t6
of metal; leaf'. See petalon and -ous.
apo-), -lj:Ato<;, 'sun', and -rpomx6c;, 'turning,
(see
Derivative: apeta/ous-ness, n.
relating to a turn'. See apo- and heliotropic.
apex, n., the highest point of something, top,
summit.- L., 'top, summit, the extreme end of aphemia, n., a kind of aphasia (med.) - Medical
L., coined by the French surgeon and anthroa thing; the small rod at the flamen's cap', lit.
pologist Paul Broca (1824-80) in 186o fr. priv.
'something joined or fastened to', formed with
pref. a- and Gk. <p-l]fJ-1), 'voice', which is rei. to
suff. -ex fr. api6, apere, 'to join, fasten'; see apt.
<pcivoct, 'to say; speak'. See fame and -ia and cp.
For the formation of apex fr. apere, cp. vertex,
aphasia.
periCp.
tum'.
'to
vertere,
fr.
'top, summit',
aphesis, n., gradual aphaeresis (gram.) - Gk.
apical.
&<pecrtc;, 'a letting go', fr. ci<pttv<XL, 'to send
aph-, form of apo- before an aspirated vowel.
let go', fr. ci1t6 (see apo-) and lmt, 'to
forth,
the
at
apbaeresis, n., loss of a letter or syllable
send', which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn.
beginning of a word (gram.) - L., fr. Gk.
withL.jaclre, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth',
&.<pocLpecr~, 'a taking away', fr. &<poctperv, 'to
and cp. diesis. The word aphesis was introduced
take away', fr. &.1t6 (see apo-) and <Xlprii:v, 'to
into English by Sir James Murray (1837-I915).
into
introduced
was
aphaeresis
word
take'. The
aphetic, adj., pertaining to, or resulting from,
English by Sir James Murray (1837-1915). See
aphesis.- Gk. <X<pe-rtx6c;;, 'letting go', fr. &<peheresy and cp. diaeresis, synaeresis.
'let loose', verbal adj. of ci<p!bt, 'to let go'.
-roc;;,
family
rose
the
Aphanes, n., a genus of plants of
See prec. word and -etic.
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &<pocvi)c;;, 'unseen, un-aphia, combining form meaning 'touch', and
noticed', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and the base
referring to a specified condition of the sense of
of <poc(vew, 'to make visible'. See phantasm.
touch (med.)- Medical L. -aphia, fr. Gk. &<p'l),
apbanite, n., name of certain dark rocks (petrogr.)
'touch'. See apsis and cp. words there referred to.
word
prec.
See
&<p<Xvljc;;.
- Lit. 'unseen', fr. Gk.
aphkl, n., a plant louse. - See next word.
and subst. suff. -ite.
Aphis, n., a genus of plant lice (zoo/.)- ModL., of
Derivatives: aphanit-ic, adj., aphanit-ism, n.
uncertain origin.
apbano-, before a vowel apban-, combining form

89

apivorous

the sea)' is folk etymology. For the change of sh

aphlogistic, adj., flameless. - Formed with suff.
to <p, cp. Heb. shum, Arab. thum, VArab.
-ic fr. Gk. ci<pMytcr-roc;;, 'not inflammable, flamefum, 'garlic', Heb. giidfsh, Arab. jcidath, VArab.
less', fr. &.-(see priv. pref. a-), and <p:Aoytcr-r6c;;, 'injadaf, 'mound, tumulus', and the Russian PN.
flammable'. See phlogiston.
Feodor, which derives fr. Gk. 0e63wpoc;; (see
aphonia, n., the loss of voice (med.)- Medical L.,
Theodore). Cp. Ashtoreth, Astarte, Ishtar. Cp.
fr. Gk. ci<pwv(iX, 'speechlessness', fr. &<pwvoc;,
also April.
'voiceless, speechless', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-)
aphtha, n., a children's disease, also called
and <pw~, 'sound, voice'. See phone and -ia.
See
'thrush'. - L., fr. Gk. &:<p~ot, 'inflammation,
voiceless.
sound,
no
having
adj.,
aphonic,
eruption', fr. &7tntv, 'to fasten; to kindle'. See
prec. word and -ic.
apsis.
aphorism, n., I) a short definition; 2) a maxim.aphthous, adj., caused by aphthae. - See prec.
F. aphorisme, fr. ML. aphorismus, fr. Gk. ci<poword and -ous.
ptcrfJ-6<;, 'definition', fr. ci<poplt;ew, 'to define',
aphyllous, adj. having no leaves (bot.) - Gk.
fr. &7t6 (see apo-) and op1;ew, 'to bound, limit',
&<pulloc;, 'leafless', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and
fr. 8poc;, 'boundary'. See horizon and -ism and
<pullov, 'leaf'. See phyllo-.
cp. aorist.
aphtbitalite, n., a potassium sodium sulfate (minaphorist, n., a writer of aphorisms. - See prec.
eral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk.
word and -ist.
&<p~t-roc;, 'undecaying, imperishable; unchangeaphoristic, aphoristical, adj.- Gk. &.<poptcrnx6c;;,
able', and &:Ac;;, 'salt'; so called because it is un'delimiting, aphoristic', fr. &<pop1;m. See aphorchangeable in air. Gk. &<p~t-roc;; is formed fr.
ism and -ic, resp. also -al.
&.- (see priv. pref. a-) and verbal adj. of rp~Lvew,
aphotic, adj., lightless.- Formed with suff. -ic fr.
'to decay'; see phthisis. For the etymology of &Ac;;
Gk. &rpwc;;, gen. &<pw-roc;, 'without light', fr. &see halieutic.
(see priv. pref. a-) and <p&c;, gen. <pw-r6c;;, 'light'.
apiarian, adj., pertaining to bees or beekeepSee phosphorus.
ing; n., an apiarist. - Formed with suff. -an
Aphra, fern. PN.- The name arose from a misfr. L. apiiirius, 'relating to bees', fr. apis. See
understanding of blbheth 'Aphrci", 'in the house
Apis, a genus of bees.
of Aphrah' (Mi. I: IO), 'Aphrah having been misapiarist, n., one who keeps bees. -Formed fr.
taken for a feminine personal name. In reality
next word with suff. -ist.
'Aphrci", in the above verse is the name of a
apiary, n., a place where bees are kept. - L. apitown which was identified by most commeniirium, 'beehouse, beehive', fr. apis. See Apis,
tators with 'Ophrd"inBenj amin(seeJosh. IS: 23).
a genus of bees.
The name pro b. means 'hind'.
apicitis, n., inflammation of the apex of an organ
aphrite, n., a variety of calcite (mineral.)- Form(med.) - A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L.
ed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &<pp6c;, 'foam',
apex, gen. apicis (see apex) and -itis, a suff. of
(see aphro-); so called from its appearance.
Formed
Greek origin.
tourmaline.
of
variety
a
n.,
aphrizite,
apiculture, n., rearing of bees. -Compounde d
with subst. suff. -ite from the stem of Gk. &.<pp(of L. apis, 'bee', and cultura, 'tending, care'. See
t;etv, 'to foam', fr. ci<pp6c;, 'foam' (see next word);
Apis, 'a genus of bees', and culture.
so called from its appearance when heated.
apiece, adv. - Orig. written in two words: a
aphro-, before a vowel aphr- combining form
ci<pp6c;;,
piece.
fr.
&<pp-,
ci<ppo-,
Gk.
'foam'.meaning
apiology, n., the scientific study of bees. -A hy'foam'; of uncertain origin. Cp. the prec. two
brid coined fr. L. apis, 'bee', and Gk. -:AoyliX,
words.
fr. -:A6yoc;;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manaphrodisia, n., sexual passion. - ModL., from
ner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
the fern. of Gk. 'A<ppo3fcrtoc;, 'pertaining to
Apis, a genus of bees, and -logy.
Aphrodite', fr. 'A<ppo3f"'l), the Greek goddess of
Apios, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
love. See Aphrodite.
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. &moe;;, 'pear tree, pear',
aphrodisiac, adj., producing or increasing sexual
which is a loan word from an unknown source,
desire. - Gk. &.<ppo3~crt<Xx6c;, 'sexual, venereal',
whence also L. pirum, 'pear' (cp. pear); so called
fr. 'A<ppo3fcrto<;. See prec. word.
from the pearlike form of the tubers.
Derivative: aphrodisiac, n., an aphrodisiac drug.
Apis, n., an Egyptian god represented as a man
Aphrodite, n., name of the goddess of love in
with the head of a bull (Egypt. mythol.) - L.,
Greek mythology (corresponding to Venus in
fr. Gk. "Am,, fr. Egypt. lfiipi.
Roman mythology). - Gk. 'A<ppo3f't'1), prob.
Apis, a genus of bees.- L., 'bee', of unknown
a popular alteration of *' AqHrop-1]&1), Anoetymology. Cp. Apium, ache, 'parsley'.
p-1]&1) (a change due to the influence of Gk. &.<pp6c;,
Apium, n., a genus of plants of the carrot family.
'foam'), fr. Heb.-Phoen. 'AshtOreth, 'the god- L., 'parsley', lit. 'the plant preferred by bees',
dess oflove', which is rei. to Akkad. Ashtarte,
a derivative of apis, 'bee'. See prec. word.
lshtar; cp. Frisk, GEW., I, pp. 196f. s. v. 'Acppoapivorous, adj., bee-eater. - Compounded of L.
3t't'1J. The explanation of the name 'A<ppo3tTII by
apis, 'bee', and -vorus, from the stem of voriire,
Hesiod as '(the goddess) born of the foam (of

90

apjohnite

apocalyptic, adj., pertaining to a revelation. 'to devour'. See Apis, a genus of bees, and
Gk. &n:oxot1-un:-rLx.6~. fr. &n:ox..x1-un:ntv. See prec.
-vorous.
and -ic.
word
mangaand
aluminum
hydrous
a
n.,
apjohnite,
apocalyptist, n., the writer of the Apocalypse
nese sulfate (mineral.) -Named after the Irish
(rare). - See apocalypse and -ist.
chemist James Apjohn (1796-I886). For the
n., restoration (med. and astron.)
apocatastasis,
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
- Gk. &:n:oxot-r&cr-rotm~. 'restitution, restoration',
Aplectrum, n., a genus of plants of the orchid
fr. &:n:ox.ot&Lcr-r&votL, 'to restitute, restore', fr.
family, the puttyroot (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'with&n:6 (see apo-) and x.ot&Lcr-r<XvotL, 'to set in order,
Gk.
and
out spurs', formed fr. priv. pref. aarray, appoint', lit. 'to set down', fr. x.ot-r&,
7t):Yjx-rpov, 'spur', lit. 'an instrument to strike
'down', and [cr-rocvotL, 'to make to stand, to
strike';
'to
7tA~-rnLv,
Att.
with', fr. 1tA~crcre:w,
See cata- and state and cp. catastasis.
stand'.
see plectrum. The puttyroot has no spur, whence
apocha, n., receipt for the payment of money
its scientific name.
(law).- L., fr. Gk. &:7toz~, 'a receipt', fr. &n:iaplomb,n.- F., 'perpendicular ity', whence 'selfze:Lv, 'to keep off, keep away, to receive in full',
possession', fr. plomb, 'perpendicular ', fr.
fr. &1t6 (see apo-) and !:ze:w, 'to have, hold'.
plumb.
See
'lead'.
plomb,
'to' (see a), and
hectic and cp. epoch.
See
aplome, n., a variety of andradite (mineral.) apocopate, tr. v., to cut off.- ModL. apocopiitus,
Gk. &n:1-wf1-ot, 'that which is unfolded', fr.
pp. of apocopiire, 'to cut off', fr. Gk. &n:oxorri],
.Xn:A6o~, &n:1-ou~, 'simple'. See haplo- and cp.
'a cutting off'. See next word and verbal suff.
diploma.
-ate.
ModL.,
(bot.)plants
of
genus
a
n.,
Aplopappus,
apocope, n., the omission of the last letter or sylfr. Gk. &n:1.6o~, &1t1-ou~, 'simple', and n:<Xn:n:o~,
lable of a word (gram.)- L., fr. Gk. &n:oxorri],
'pappus'. See haplo~ and pappus.
'a cutting off', from the stem of&n:ox6n:nLv, 'to
aplilda,
L.
Apluda, n., a genus of grasses (bot.)cut off', fr.lin:6 (see apo-) and x.67t't'eLv, 'to cut',
'chaff', which is of uncertain origin. Perh. it is
whence x6f1-f1-ot, 'a piece cut off'. See comma and
formed fr. ab, 'away from, from', andplaudere,
pericope, syncope.
cp.
is
'to strike, beat', and lit. means 'that which
Derivative: apocop-ic, adj.
beaten off'; see ab- and plaudit. See WaldeApocrypha, n. pl., books excluded from the numHofmann, LEW., I, 58 s.v. apliida.
ber of the sacred books of the Bible. - Eccles.
aplustre, n., the curved stern of a ship with its
L., neut. pl. of apocryphus, fr. Gk. &n:6xpu<po~,
ornaments (Greek and Roman antiq.)- L., fr.
'hidden away, kept secret', fr. &rwxpu7tTELv, 'to
the
Gk. &<p1-otcr-rov; as shown by the suff. -stre,
hide away', fr. &:n:6 (see apo-) and x.pun:nLv, 'to
word came into Latin through the medium of
hide'. See crypt.
(in
ii
Greek
of
change
the
the Etruscans. For
Derivative: Apocryph-al, adj.
&<p1-iicr-rov) to i1 (in L. apliistre) cp. L. scutula,
Apocynaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the dog'wooden roller', fr. Gk. crxu-r&1-'1), 'stick, staff',
bane family (bot.) - ModL., formed with suff.
pesL.
L. crapiila, fr. Gk. xpotm&1-'1), 'debauch',
-aceae fr. Apocynum (q.v.)
siilus, fr. Gk. n:&crcrii1-o~, 'bolt', L. triumphus,
apocynaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
'triumph', fr. Gk. &p(iifi~O~, 'a procession (made
Apocynum, n., a genus of plants; the dogbane
in honor of Bacchus)'; (see crapulence, pessulus,
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. &n:6xuvov, 'dogbane',
triumph).
&n:6 (see apo-) and x.Dwv, gen. xuv6~, 'dog'.
fr.
(med.)
apnea, apnoea, n., suspension of breathing
See cyno-.
- Medical L., fr. Gk. ctltVoLot, 'absence of resapod, apode, n., an animal that has no feet. piration', fr. &1tVoo~, &1tVou~, 'without breathGk. &n:ou~, gen. &n:olloc;, 'footless', fr. &- (see
ing', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and ltVEw, ltVE~v,
priv. pref. a-) and T>ou~, gen. n:oll6~, 'foot'. See
'to breathe'. See pneuma.
-pod.
Derivatives: apne-a/, apnoe-a/, adj., apne-ic,
apodal, adj., having no feet. - See prec. word
apnoe-ic, adj.
and adj. suff. -al.
apo-, ap- (before a vowel), aph- (before an aspiapodictic, apodeictic, adj., clearly demonstrated.
rated vowel), pref. meaning 'from, away from,
- L. apodicticus, fr. Gk. &n:ollELX't'LK6~, fr. &.n:oasunder, separate'.- Gk. &n:o-, &n:-, &<p-, fr. &n:6,
lle:tx-r6~. verbal adj. of &n:ollEtxwva;L, 'to show
'from, away from', cogn. with 01. tipa, 'away
by argument', fr. &n:6 (see apo-) and lle:Lxwvott,
from', L. ab (orig. *ap), 'away from, from',
'to show'. See deictic and cp. epideictic.
and
of
See
from'.
Goth. a/, OE. of. 'away from,
Derivative: apod(e)ictic-al-ly, adv.
cp. a-, 'from', ab-, post-.
apodosis, n., the consequent clause (gram.) - L.,
apocalypse, n., revelation. - Eccles. L. apocafr. Gk.lin:61locrtc;, 'a giving back', fr. &.n:oar.ll6vott,
fr.
lypsis, fr. Gk. &n:oxtO..u\jJL~, 'revelation',
'to give back', fr. &:7>6 (see apo-) and llLil6w.n,
&.7tOxot1-un:-rELv, 'to uncover, disclose, reveal', fr.
'to give'. See dooatioo and cp. words there rewhich
cover',
'to
xct1.u7t't'Etv,
and
apo-)
(see
lir.6
to.
ferred
is rei. to Kat)..mj.w, Calypso, a sea nymph,
apodous, adj., footless. - See apodal and -ous.
l<ctAU[jlJ, 'cabin'. See Calypso and cp. calybite,
apogee, n., the point at which the moon (or anc:alypter, caJyptra.

a,

apoplexy

91
other celestial body) is at the greatest distance
from the earth (astron.)- F. apogee, fr. L. apogaeum, fr. Gk. &rr6yotLov, prop. neut. of the
adjective &:n:6yotLoc;, 'far away from the earth',
but used by Ptolemy as a noun for &:n:6yotLov
cr't)fl-e:i:'ov, 'the sign far away from the earth', i.e.
'apogee'. 'An:6yotLo~ (also &n:6ye:w~) is formed
fr. &:n:6 (see apo-) and yoti:ot, y'ij, 'earth'. See geoand cp. perigee.
.apograph, n., a copy, a transcript. - Gk. &n:6ypotcpov, fr. &.n:oypci<pe:Lv, 'to write off', fr. &n:6
(see apo-) and ypci<pe:w, 'to write'. See -graph.
apolar, adj., having no pole. -Formed fr. priv.
pref. a- and polar.
apolaustic, adj., devoted to pleasure. - Gk.
&n:ou1.otucrnx6~, fr. &n:61-otucr-ro~, verbal adj. of
&n:o1.otDe:Lv, 'to enjoy', fr. &:n:6 (see apo-) and
I.-E. base */au-, *lu-, 'to profit, gain', whence
also L. lucrum, 'profit, gain'. See lucre and cp .
-!estes. For the ending see suff. -ic.
Apollinarian, adj. - Formed with suff. -an fr. L.
Apolliniiris, 'belonging to Apollo', fr. Apollo,
gen. Apollinis. See Apollo.
Apollinaris water. - From G. Apollinaris-Brunnen ('Springs of Apollinaris'), near Remagen in
Germany.
Apollo, n., one of the most important Olympian
divinities, the god of music, poetry, medicine,
etc., later identified with Helios, the sun god
(Greek mythol.)- L. Apollo, gen. -inis, fr. Gk.
'An:61.1-wv =Dor. 'An:l:.Uwv, which, according to
Usener, is rei. to an obsolete Greek verb meaning 'to drive away (sci!. evil)', and cogn. with L.
pel/ere, 'to beat, strike; to drive'. See pulse
'throb'.
Derivatives: Apollinarian (q.v.), Apoll-ine, adj.,
Apollonian (q.v.), Apollon-ic, Apollon-ist-ic,
adjs.
Apollonian, adj. - Formed with suff. -an fr. Gk.
'Arro1.Awvw~, 'belonging to Apollo', fr. 'Arr61.1-wv. See prec. word.
Apollyon, n., the destroying angel of the bottomless pit, the equivalent of Heb. iibhadd&n (see
Abaddon). - Gk. lin:oi.Auwv, pres. part. of
lin:oi.ADELv, 'to destroy utterly', fr. &n:6 (see
apo-) and 61-Me:Lv, 'to destroy', which is rei. to
111-e:&po~, 'destruction, ruin'. Cp. Olethreutidae
and the second element in AzoUa.
apologetic, adj., I) apologizing; 2) defending in
writing or speech.- F. apologetique, fr. L. apolcgeticus, fr. Gk. &n:oAOY7J't'Lx6c;, 'fit for defense', fr. &n:o1-oye:Lcr&a;L, 'to speak in defense',
fr. lin:o1-oy(<i, 'defense'. See apology.
Derivatives: apologetic, n., apologetic-al-ly, adv.,

apologet-ics, n.

apologist, n. - F. apologiste, fr. apologie. See

apology and -ist.
apologize, intr. v. - This verb corresponds formally to Gk. &n:o:hoy(l;e:a&a;L, which, however,
means 'to give an account', fr. cbt61.oyoc;, 'account' (see next word). In reality, however, E.
apologize is a new formation fr. apology and

-ize and answers in sense to Gk. lin:o1-oyEi:cr&(XL,

'to speak in defense, defense oneself'.
Derivative: apologiz-er, n.
apologue, n., moral truth. -F., fr. L. apologus,
fr. Gk. &:n:61.oyo~. 'story, tale, fable, apologue,
account', lit. '(that which comes) from a speech',
fr. &:n:6 (see apo-) and 1.6y6~. 'word, speech,
discourse, account'. See logos.
apology, n.- F. apologie, fr. L. apologia, fr. Gk.
&:n:o1-oylei., 'a speech in defense', fr. &n:61-oyo~,
See prec. word and -y (representing Gk. -L<i).
apomorphine, n., name of a drug, C, 7H 17N02
(chem.) - Changed fr. earlier apomorphia, a
name coined by the chemists Mathieson and
Wright fr. apo- and morphine. They gave the
drug this name because it is obtainable from

morphine.
apopemptic, adj., valedictory. - Gk. &n:o7tEfl-7t't'Lx.6c;, 'pertaining to sending away, valedictory',
fr. &n:on:ef1-1te:Lv, 'to send away, dismiss', fr.
&.n:6 (see apo-) and n:l:.fl-n:ELv, 'to send', which
stands in gradational relationship to 7tOfl-7t~, 'a
sending, solemn procession'. See pomp.
apophasis, n., mention of something we feign to
deny (rhet.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &n:6<potm~. 'answer, denial', fr. &n:o<p&votL, 'to speak out, say
no, deny', fr. &n:6 (see apo-) and <pcivcJtL, 'to
speak', which is rei. to <p~fl-'1), 'voice, report,
rumor', and cogn. with L. fiima, 'talk, report,
rumor'. See fame and cp. aphasia, aphemia.
apophthegm, n. - See apothegm.
apophyge, n., a curve in a column, with which
the shaft 'escapes' into its base (archit.) - Gk.
&:n:o<puy/), 'escape', fr. &rro<pEuye:Lv, 'to flee away,
escape', fr. &n:6 (see apo-) and <pEDye:Lv, 'to flee',
which is cogn. with L. fugere 'to flee'. See fugitive and cp. hypophyge.
apophysis, n., process on a bone (anal.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. &.n:6<pucrLc;, 'prominence, process
of a bone', fr. &n:o<pue:w, 'to produce', fr. &n:6
(see apo-) and <pDe:Lv, 'to bring forth, produce,
make to grow'. See physio- and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also zygapophysis.
Derivatives: apophys-ate, apophyse-al, apophysial, adjs.
apophysitis, n., inflammation of the apophysis
(med.) - Medical L., formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -itis.
apoplectic, adj., I) pertaining to, or causing, apoplexy; 2) having apoplexy; 3) liable to apoplexy.
- F. apop/ectique, fr. L. apoplecticus, fr. Gk.
&n:on:A'1)X't'Lx6~. 'disabled by a stroke, crippled',
fr. &n:6n:1.'1)x-ro~, verbal adj. of &n:on:).~crcrELV, 'to
cripple by a stroke'. See next word and -ic.
apoplexy, n., sudden loss of consciousness caused
by the breaking of a blood vessel in the brain
(med.) - ME. apoplexie, fr. OF ( = F.) apoplexie, fr. L. apoplexia, fr. Gk. &rron:A't)~(ii,
'apoplexy, paralysis', fr. &n:on:1-f.crcrELv, 'to cripple by a stroke', fr. &.n:6 (see apo-) and n;)..~acrEw,
'to strike', which is rei. to 7tA7jy/), Dor. n:1-<Xy&,
'stroke'; see plague and cp. words there referred

aposiopesls

to. The Latin translation of Greek &.rrorr:A1J~lii,

'sideratio', lit. 'disease caused by a constellation',
shows that &.rrorr:A1J~lii orig. must have denoted
the condition of being struck ( &rr6rr:A1JKTO~) by
the stars (cp. sideration).
aposiopesis, n., a sudden breaking off in the
middle of a sentence (rhet.) - L., fr. Gk. &.rro
mw1t1Jm<;, 'becoming silent', fr. &.rr6 (see apo-)
and mwrri), 'silence', which is prob. rel. to Messa pian crlrr-riX', 'be silent!, and perh. cogn. with
Goth. sweiban, 'to cease', OHG. gi-sw!fton,
'to become quiet'. Cp. swifter, swivel.
apostasy, n., desertion of one's faith, principles,
etc. - ME. apostasie, fr. L. apostasia, fr. Gk.
&rrocr-riXalii, a later form of &rr6cr-ram<;, 'revolt,
defection', lit. 'a standing off', fr. &.rrocrTijviXt,
'to stand off, revolt', fr. &rr6 (see apo-) and
cr-r1jv1Xt, 'to stand'. See state and -y (representing
Gk. -lii), and cp. stasis. The word apostasy was
introduced into English by Wycliffe.
apostate, n., a person guilty of apostasy; adj.,
guilty of apostasy. - ME., fr. OF apostate (F.
apostat), fr. L. apostata, fr. Gk. &rrocr-r&T1J<;,
'rebel, deserter', lit. 'a person standing off', fr.
&.rrocr-r1jv1Xt, 'to stand off, revolt'. See prec.
word.
apostatic, apostatical, adj., apostate. - L. apostaticus, fr Gk. :h:ocr-:-IXTtx6<;, 'pertaining to revolt', fr. &rrocr-r&T1J<; See prec. word and -ic, resp.
also -al.
Derivative: apostatical-ly, adv.
apostatize, intr. v., to become an apostate. ML. apostatiziire, fr. L. apostata. See apostate
and -ize.
aposteme, n., an abscess (med.) - MF., fr. OF.
aposteme, fr. L. apostema, fr. Gk. &.rr6crT1J[J.IX,
'abscess, lit. 'a standing off', fr. &.rroaT'ijviXt, 'to
stand off'. See apostasy and cp. impostume.
a posteriori, 1) from effect to cause; 2) inductively; 3) from experience (philos.) - ii posterior!, 'from what comes after', fr. a, 'from' (see
a-, 'from'), and posterior!, abl. of posterior, compar. of posterus, 'coming after'. See posterior.
apostil, also apostille, n., note, esp. on the text
of the Bible. - F. apostille. See postil.
apostle, n. - OF. apostle, apostre (F. apotre),
'apostle', fr. Eccles. L. apostolus, fr. Gk. &.7-rf;a-:-r;i.o~. 'one sent, a messenger, an envoy', fr.
:i;-;r,cr-:-lD-AEt'l, 'to send forth', fr. &rr6 (see apo-)
and cr-:-eMEtv, 'to set in order, dispatch, send'.
See stall and cp. stele, stole, 'garment', epistle.
Derivative: apostle-ship, n.
apostolate, n.- Eccles. L. apostolatus, fr. apostolus, fr. Gk. &rr0cr-ro:Ao~. See prec. word and
subst. sutf. -ate.
apostolic, apostolical, adj. - F. apostolique, fr.
Eccles. L. aposto/icus, fr. apostolus, fr. Gk. &.rr6cr-ro:Ar,<;. See apostle, -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: apostolic-al-ly, adv.
apostrophe, n., a sign (') indicating the omission
of a letter or letters.- F., fr. L. apostrophus, fr.
Gk. &.rr6a-rpo<po<;, 'apostrophe', lit. 'a turning

92
away', fr. &.rrocr-rpcpe:t'11, 'to turn away', fr. &.rr6
(see apo-) and cr-.pol:tpe:tv, 'to turn'. See strophe
and cp. next word. Cp. also anastrophe, antistrophe, catastrophe, epistrophe.
apostrophe, n., a turning aside from the subject
(rhet.) - L., fr. Gk. &rrocr-rpocp-1;, 'a turning
away', fr. ocrrocr-rpol:tpe:tv. See prec. word.
Derivatives: apostroph-ic, adj., apostroph-ize,
tr. v.
apothecary, n.- OF. apotecarie (F. apothicaire),
fr. ML. apothecarius, orig. 'storekeeper', fr.
apotheca, 'storehouse', fr. Gk. &7to.&-/;x1J, lit. 'a
place wherein to lay up a thing', fr. &.rron.&ol:viXt,
'to put away', fr. ocrr6 (see apo-) and -.t.&voct, 'to
put, place, set down'. See theme and -ary and
cp. next word and apothem. Cp. also bodega,
bottega, boutique.
apothecium, n., the ascocarp of lichens (bot.) ModL., fr. Gk. *&.rro.&-/;Kto\1, dimin. of &.rro.&-/;x.1J,
'a storehouse'. See apothecary.
apothegm, apophthegm, n., a pithy saying, a
maxim. - Gk. &.rr6cp.&Ey[J.a, 'a terse saying, apothegm', lit. 'something uttered', fr. &.rrocp&yye:cr&at, 'to speak one's opinion plainly', fr. &.rr6
(see apo-) and tp&yye:cr&IXt, 'to speak' (whence
cp&ol:y[J.a, 'voice, speech'), which stands in gradational relationship to cp&6yyo<;, 'a sound, a
voice'. Cp. the second element in monophthong,
diphthong, triphthong.
apothem, n., perpendicular drawn from the center
to any of the sides of a regular polygon (geom.)
- Formed fr. apo- and Gk. &e[J.a, 'that which
is placed', from the stem of -rt&ol:vcrt, 'to place'.
See theme.
apotheosis, n., deification. - L., fr. Gk. &rro&iwm~, 'deification', fr. &7to.&Eou'11, 'to make someone a god, to deify', fr. :irr6 (see apo-) and %E6~,
'god'. Sec theo- and -osis.
Derivative: apotheos-ize, tr. v.
apotropaion, n., an amulet, a charm, anything
supposed to avert evil. - Gk. ocrro-rporriXto\1,
neut. of :irro-.p07tiXtO~, 'that which averts', fr.
&n;.::.plrre:tv, 'to turn away, avert', fr. &.rr6 (see
apo-) and -rperrEtv, 'to turn'. See trope.
apozem, n., a decoction (pharm.)- F. apozeme,
fr. L. apozema, fr. Gk. &.rr6~E[J.O:, 'decoction',
fr. &r.o~d11, 'to boil till the scum is thrown off',
fr. &.rr6 (see apo-) and ~dv, 'to boil'. See eczema and cp. words there referred to.
appall, tr. v. - ME. appal/en, apallen, 'to make
pale, become pale', fr. OF. apallir, 'to grow
pale', fr. a, 'to' (see a), andpallir,palir(F.pli/ir} ,
'to grow pale', fr. pale (F. pale). See pallor and
cp. pale, pallid.
Derivatives: apalling, adj., apall-ing-ly, adv.
appalto, n., a monopoly. - It., 'contract', of
uncertain origin. It stands perh. for *appacto,
fr. L. *appactum, fr. ad, 'to', and pactum, 'agreement, contract, pact' ; see ad- and pact. Rum.
apalt is an Italian loan word. See Meyer-Li.ibke,
REW., No.533.
appanage, apanage, n., provision made by kings

93

and princes for their younger children; perquisite.- F. apanage, fr. OF. apaner, 'to nourish,
support', fr. ML. appanare, 'to provide with
bread', fr. ad- and L. panis, 'bread'. Cp. OProveny. apanar, 'to nourish', and see pastor and
-age.
Derivative: appanage, tr. v.
apparatus, n., instruments serving a specific task.
- L. apparatus, 'preparation,' fr. apparatus, pp.
of apparare, 'to make ready', fr. ad- andparare,
'to make ready, prepare'. See pare and cp.
parade, prepare.
apparel, n. - ME. appareil, apareil, fr. OF. apareil, (F. appareil), 'preparation', fr. apareillier,
(F. appareiller), fr. VL. *appariculiire, fr. L. apparare, 'to prepare', lit. 'to make ready for', fr.
ad- and parare, 'to prepare'. Cp. It. apparecchiare, OProven9. aparelhar, Sp. aparejar, Port.
aparelhar, 'to prepare', which all derivefr. VL.
*appariculare, and see pare. Cp. also prec. word.
apparel, tr. v. - ME. aparailen, fr. OF. apareillier. See apparel, n.
apparent, adj. - OF. aparant (F. apparant), fr.
L. apparentem, ace. of apparens, pres. part. of
apparere, 'to appear'. See appear and -ent.
Derivatives: apparent-ly, adv., appar-ent-ness,n.
apparition, n. - F., fr. L. apparitionem, ace. of
apparitio, 'service, attendance' fr. apparit-(um),
pp. stem of apparere, 'to appear'. See appear
and -ition.
apparitor, n., an officer in attendance of a Roman
magistrate (Roman antiq.); an officer who executes orders. - L., 'an attendant, a public servant', fr. apparit-(um), pp. stem of apparere. See
prcc. word and agential suff. -or.
appeach, intr. '1/, to impeach, accuse (obso/.) ME. ape chen, formed, with change of suff., from
OF empechier (F. empecher), 'to hinder, impede'. See impeach.
ap[leal, tr. and intr. v. - ME. appe/en, ape/en,
fr. OF. apeler (F. appeler), 'to address, entreat,
call', fr. L. appellare, 'to address, accost, appeal
to, apply to, summon, call, name', fr. ad- and
-pel/are (found only in compounds), fr. pe/lere,
'to drive', whence also appellere, 'to drive to'.
The sense development of appellare, 'to address, accost', etc., fr. pel/ere, 'to drive', may
be illustrated by the following phases: 'to drive,
push on, incite, warn, admonish, summon, call,
dddress'. See pulse, 'throb', and cp. repeal. Cp.
also compel, dispel, expel, impel, propel, repel.
Cp. also push. The change from the 3rd conjugation (pel/ere, appellere) to the 1st (appe/lclre) is due to the iterative sense of appellare.
rp. interpel/are, 'to int~rrupt in speaking', which
is formed fr. inter- and -pel/are, and also has an
iterative meaning (see interpellate). For other
l:J.tin iterative verbs of the rst conjugation formed from verbs of other conjugations cp. interPolare, 'to give a new form to, to polish, furbish; to change, vary; to falsify; to insert, interpolate', fr. inter- and polire, 'to smooth, polish,

appendix

furbish' (see interpolate), and occupare, 'to seize,

take possession of', fr. capere, 'to catch, seize,
take' (see occupy).
Derivatives: appeal, n. (q.v.), appeal-able, adj.,
appeal-er, n., appeal-ing, adj., appeal-ing-ly, adv.
appeal, n.- ME. appel, apel, fr. OF. ape/ (F. appel), back formation fr. OF. apeler. See appeal, v.
appear, intr. v.- ME. apperen, aperen, fr. OF.
aparoir (F. apparoir), 'to appear', fr. L. apparere, fr. ad- and parere, 'to come forth, appear,
be visible', which is prob. cogn. with Gk. mmiXpe:'Lv (aorist inf.), 'to display, manifest'. Cp.
peer, 'to appear'. Cp. also apparent, apparition,
apparitor, transparent.
appearance, n. - ME. aparaunce, fr. OF. aparence (F. apparence), fr. L. apparentia, fr. apparens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of apparere, 'to
appear'. See prec. word and -ance.
appease, tr. v. -ME. apaisen, apesen, appesen,
fr. OF. apeser (F. apaiser), 'to pacify, appease',
fr. OF. pais, a collateral form of paiz (F. paix),
fr. L. pacem, ace. of pax, 'peace'. See peace.
Derivatives: appeas-able, adj., appeas-er, n., appeasement (q.v.), appeas-ing, adj., appeas-ing-ly,
adv., appeas-ive, adj.
appeasement, n.- F. apaisement, fr. apaiser. See
appease and -ment.
appellant, adj., appealing. - F., fr. L. appellantem, ace. of appellans, pres. part. of appellare,
'to call'. See appeal, v., and -ant.
Derivative: appellant, n.
appellate, adj., pertaining to appeals.- L. appe/latus, pp. of appel/are, 'to address, call'. See
appeal and adj. suff. -ate.
appellation, n. - L. appellatio, gen. -onis, fr. appelliitus, pp. of appellare. See prec. word and
-ion.
Derivative: appellation-a/, adj.
appellative, adj. - L. appelkitfvus, fr. appellatus,
pp. of appellare. See appeal, v., and -ative.
appellee, n., a person appealed against (law). F. appe/e, pp. of appeler, 'to call, address'. See
appeal, v., and -ee.
append, tr. v., to attach; to join.- OF. apendre
(F. appendre), fr. L. appendere, 'to hang something on', fr. ad- and pendere, 'to cause to hang'.
See pendant.
Derivatives: appendage, n., appendag-ed, adj.
appendant, adj. and n. - F., pres. part. of appendre. See prec. word and -ant.
appendectomy, n., removal of the appendix (surgery). - A hybrid coined fr. L. appendix and
Gk. -E',{70[J.Li, 'a cutting out of', fr. S:.-:-:-o[Li;, 'a
cutting out'. See appendix and -ectomy.
appendicitis, n., inflammation of the vermiform
appendix. - A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L.
appendix (see next word) and -itis, a suff. of
Greek origin.
appendix, n. - L., 'something hung on, some
thing appended', fr. appendire. See append.
Derivative: appendix, tr. v.

appercei ve

apperceive, tr. v. - ME., fr. OF. aperceivre (F.

apercevoir), fr. a, 'to. (see a), and perceivre, 'to
perceive', fr. L.percip ere. Seeperceive and cp.
next word. Cp. also aper~u.
apperception, n. - F. aperception, coined by the
German philosop her Baron Gottfrie d Wilhelm
von Leibniz (1646-1716) as the noun correspondin g to the verb apercevoir, on analogy of
the noun perception (which correspo nds to percevoir). See prec. word and -ion.
appertain, intr. v. - ME. aperteinen, apertenen,
fr. apertenen, fr. OF. apartenir (F. appartenir),
fr. L. appertinifre, 'to pertain to', fr. ad- and
pertinifre, 'to pertain'. See pertain and cp. appurtenance.
appetence, appetency, n., a strong desire. - F.
appetence, 'longing, covetousness, appetenc e',
fr. L. appetentia, 'longing after something', fr.
appetifns, gen. -entis, pres. part. of appetere, 'to
seek or long after', fr. ad- andpete re, 'to rush at,
seek, request'. See petition and -ence.
appetent, adj., eagerly desirous. - L. appetifns,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of appetere. See prcc. word
and -ent. Derivati ve: appetent-ly, adv.
appetite, n. - ME., fr. OF. apetit (F. appetit),
fr. L. appetftus, 'appetite ', lit. 'a longing after',
fr. appetftus, pp. of appetere. See appetency.
Derivative: appetit-ive, adj.
appetize, tr. v.- Irregular ly formed fr. L. appetitus (see prec. word) and suff. -ize.
Derivatives: appetiz-er, n., appetiz-ing, adj. appetiz-ing-ly, adv.
Appian Way. -The road between Rome and
Capua is so called because it was begun by the
consul Appius Claudius Caecus (during his consulship in 302 B.C.E.).
applaud, intr. and tr. v.- L. applaudere, 'to clap
the hands in approba tion; fr. ad- and plaudere,
'to clap the hands in approba tion, approve ,
applaud '. See plaudit and cp. next word.
Derivatives: applaud-able, adj., applaud-abl-y,
adv., applaud-er, n., applaud-ing-ly, adv.
applause, n. - L. applausus, pp. of applaudere.
See applaud.
applausive, adj. - ML. applausivus, fr. L. applausus. See prec. word and -ive.
apple, n. - ME. appel, eppel fr. OE. <eppe/, <epl,
rei. to OS., OFris., LG., Du. appe/, ON. eple,
epli, Dan. <eb/e, Swed. apple, Norw. eple, OHG.
apful, afful, MHG., G. apfel, Crimean Goth.
ape/, and cogn. with Gaul. avallo (pl.), 'fruit',
Olr. ubull, 'apple', aball, 'apple tree', W. afall,
of s.m., afal, Co., Bret. aval, 'apple', Lith.
obalas, obuolas, Lett. iibuolis, OPruss. woble,
'apple', OSlav. abluko, jabluko, 'apple'. Cp. L.
Abella (now Avella), name of a town in Campania. lit. 'Apple town'.
Derivative: apple, intr. v.
apple pie bed, a bed in which the sheets are
doubled so as to prevent the user from stretching his legs. - Apple pie in the above term
is folk etymology and stands for F. nappe pliee,

94
'folded sheet', pronoun ced nap-pe pliee. See
napery and ply, 'to bend'.
appliance, n. -Forme d fr. apply with suff. -ance.
applicable, adj. -Form ed with suff. -able fr. L.
appliciire. See apply.
Derivatives: applicabil-ity, n., applicable-ness,
n., applicabl-y, adv.
applicancy, n., quality of being applicable. Formed fr. next word with suff. -cy.
applicant, n., one who applies for someth ing.L. app/iciins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of appliciire.
See apply and -ant.
applicate, adj. 1) inclined; 2) applied. - L. app/iciitus, pp. of app/iciire. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ate.
application, n. -F. fr. L. appliciiti6nem, ace. of
appliciiti6, 'an attachin g oneself to', fr. appliciitus, pp. of appliciire. See apply and -ation and
cp. prec. word.
applicative, adj., practical. -Form ed with suff.
-ive fr. L. appliciitus, pp. of app/iciire. See apply.
Derivatives: applicative-ly, adv., applicativeness, n.
applicator, n., an applier. -Form ed as if fr. L.
*appliciitor, fr. appliciire. See apply and agential
suff. -or.
applicatory, adj., applying. -Form ed with adj.
suff. -ory. fr. L. appliciitus, pp. of appliciire. See
prec. word.
applique, adj., applied, attached ; n., an applique
work.- F., pp. of appliquer, 'to apply', fr. L. appliciire. See apply.
apply, tr. and intr. v. -OF. aplier (F. app/iquer),
fr. L. appliciire, 'to fasten or attach to, to place
near to, to devote oneself to', fr. ad- andplici ire,
'to fold, bend'. See ply, 'to bend', and cp. applique.
Derivatives: appli-able, adj., appliable-ness, n.,
appli-abl-y, adv., appli-ance, n., appli-ant, adj.
appoggiatura, n., a grace note (music). - It., lit.
'a support' . fr. appoggiare, 'to lean, rest, support', fr. VL. *appodiiire, 'to support' , fr. adand L. podium, 'elevated place, balcony' . See
podium and cp. appui.
appoint, tr. v.- ME. appointen, fr. OF. apointier,
apointer (F. appointer ), 'to arrange, settle, place'
fr. VL. appunctiire, 'to bring to a point', fr. adand L. punctum, 'point'. See point
Derivatives: appoint-ee, n., appoint-er, n., appoint-ive, adj., appointment (q.v.), appoint-or, n.
appointment, n.- F. appointement, fr. appointer.
See prec. word and -ment.
apport, n., an object appearin g at a seance without visible physical agency (spiritu alism).- F.,
lit. 'anythin g brought ', back formatio n fr. upporter, 'to bring', fr. L. apportiire, 'to bring,
carry to', fr. ad- and portiire, 'to carry'. See
port, 'to carry', and cp. rapport.
apportion, tr. v., - OF. apportionner, fr. a, 'to'
(see 8.), and portionner, 'to divide into portions ',
fr. portion, 'share, portion' . See portion, n.
Derivatives: apportion-er, n., apportion-ment, n.

95

approxim ate

VL. *apprestiire, fr. ad 'to', and *prestus, fr. L.

appose, tr. v. -F. apposer, fr. a, 'to' (see a), and
praest6, 'at hand, ready'. VL. *prestiireaccordposer, 'to place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
ingly lit. meant 'to place into somebod y's hand'.
words there referred to.
See presto and cp. the second element in culprit.
apposite, adj., appropri ate. - L. appositus, pp. of
apprise, also apprize, tr. v., to notify. - F. apapponere, 'to put near', fr. ad- and p6nere, 'to
pris, fern. apprise, pp, of apprendre, 'to learn'.
put, place'. See position and cp. postiche.
See apprehend.
Derivatives: apposite-ly, adv., apposite-ness, n.
apprize, also apprise, tr. v., to appraise. - OF.
apposition, n. - L. appositi6, gen. -6nis, 'a placing
aprisier, fr. L. appretiiire. See appreciate and cp.
before', fr. appositus, pp. of app6nere. See prec.
appraise.
word and -ion.
approach, intr. and tr. v. - ME. approchen, fr.
appraisal, n. - Formed fr. appraise with subst.
OF. aprochier (F. approcher), fr. Late L. apsuff. -al.
propiiire, 'to come near to', fr. ad- andpropiiire,
appraise, tr. v. - OF. apreisier, apreiser (F. ap'to come near', fr. L. prope, 'near', which stands
precier), fr. L. appretiiire. See appreciate and cp.
for *pro-qwe- (whence also the super!. proximu s,
apprize, 'to appraise '.
for *pro-csimos, 'nearest' ). See propinquity and
Derivatives: appraise-ment, n., apprais-er, n.,
appraisadv.,
ng-ly,
cp. proximal. Cp. also prochein, rapprochement,
apprais-ing, adj., apprais-i
reproach.
ive, adj.
Derivatives: approach, n., approach-abil-ity, n.,
appreciable, adj. -F. appreciable, fr. apprecier,
approach-able, adj., approach-able-ness, n., ap'to apprecia te'. See next word and -able.
proach-er, n., approach-ing, adj.
Derivative: appreciabl-y, adv.
approbate, tr. v., to approve. - L. approbiitus,
appreciate, tr. v. - L. appretiiitus, pp. of apprepp. of approbiire, 'to approve '. See approve and
tiiire, 'to value, appraise ', lit. 'to set a price to',
cp.
and
price
See
verbal suff. -ate.
'price'.
pretium,
fr. ad- and
approbation, n., approv al.- F., fr. L. approbiitus,
prize. Cp. also appraise, depreciate.
pp. of approbiire. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: appreciat-ing-ly, adv., appreciation
adv.,
t-ive-ly,
ive, adj., approving. - F. approba tif
apprecia
approbat
(q.v.), appreciat-ive, adj.,
(fern. approbative), fr. L. approbiitivus, fr. approappreciat-ive-ness, n., appreciat-or, n., appreciatbiitus, pp. of approbiire. See approbate and -ive.
ory, adj., appreciat-ori-ly, adv.
Derivative: approbative-ness, n.
appreciation, n. - F. appreciation, fr. apprecier,
approbator, n., one who approves. - L., 'an ap'to appreciate', fr. L. appretiiire See prec. word
prover', fr. approbiitus, pp. of approbiire, 'to apand -ion.
prove'. See approbate and agential suff. -or.
apprehend, tr. v., 1) to arrest; 2) to understa nd;
approbatory, adj., approving. - Formed with
3) to fear. -Fr. F. apprehender or directly from
adj. suff. -ory fr. L. approbiitus, pp. of approL. apprehendere, 'to seize, take hold of, apprebare. See approbate.
hend', fr. ad- and prehendere, 'to seize'. See
appropriate, adj.- L. appropriiitus, pp. of approprehensile and cp. apprentice, apprise.
priiire, 'to make one's own', fr. ad- and propriDerivatives: apprehend-er, n., apprehend-ingiire, 'to appropr iate', fr. proprius, 'one's own.
ly, adv.
See proper and adj. suff. -ate and cp. words
apprehensible, adj.- L. apprehifnsibi/is, 'that can
there referred to.
be seized', fr. apprehensus, pp. of apprehenDerivatives: appropriate-ly, adv., appropriatedere. See apprehend and -ible.
ness, n.
Derivatives: apprehensibil-ity, n., apprehensibl-y,
adv.
appropriate, tr. v. - L. appropriiitus, pp. of apappreL.
fr.
sion
propriiire. See appropriate, adj.
apprehension, n. - F. apprehen
Derivatives: appropriation (q.v.), appropriathensi6nem, ace. of apprehensi6, fr. apprehensus,
-ion.
and
word
prec.
See
ive, adj. appropriat-ive-ness, n., appropriat-or, n.
dere.
pp. of apprehen
1\PPropriation,.-n. - L. appropriati6, gen. -6nis, 'a
apprehensive, adj. - ML. apprehensivus, whence
making one's own', fr. appropriiitus, pp. of apalso F. apprehensif (fern. apprehensive), fr. L.
propriiire. See appropriate, adj. and v., and -ion.
apprehensus, pp. of apprehendere. See apprehend
and -ive.
approval, n. - Formed fr. approve with subst.
siveapprehen
adv.,
sive-ly,
suff. -al.
Derivatives: apprehen
ness, n.
approve, tr. and intr. v. - ME. aproven, fr. OF.
aprover (F. approuver), fr. L. approbiire, 'to asllpprentice, n. - ME. aprentis, fr. OF. aprentiz
sent to as good, regard as good', fr. ad- and
(F. apprenti). fr. aprendre (F. apprendre). 'to
probiire, 'to try the goodness of', fr. probus,
learn, teach', fr. L. apprehendere, 'to seize, take
'good'. See probate adj. and cp. words there
hold of, grasp, apprehe nd', whence also It. apreferred to.
Prendere, OProvenc;. aprendre, Catal. apendrer,
Derivatives: approv-ed-/y, adv., apprm-er, n.,
Sp., Port. aprender, 'to learn'. See apprehend.
approv-ing-ly, adv.
Derivative: apprentice, tr. v.
IIPI'eteur, n., dresser. - F. appreteur, lit. 'pre- approximate, adj. - L. approximiitus, pp. of approximiire, 'to come near, approac h', fr. ad- and
parer', fr. appreter, 'to prepare, get ready', fr.

96
appro xima te

propos, 'to
apropos, adv., oppo rtune ly. - F. a
adj. suff.
fr. a, 'to'
m),
proximus, 'near est' (see prox imal and
ositu
pr6p
ad
L.
=
(
ose'
purp
the
Thom as
ose'.
'purp
),
-ate) ; intro duce d into Engl ish by Sir
situm
propo
L.
(fr.
s
(see a), and propo
Brow ne (1605-82).
and cp. malapropos, malapropism.
se
purpo
See
's heav en
Deriv ative : approximate-ly, adv.
Apsaras, n., one of the nymp hs of India
ximiitus,
ing in
'mov
lit.
appro xima te, tr. and intr. v.- VL. appro
r~,
Apsa
(Hindu mythol.) - 01.
adj.
pp. of approximiire. See appro xima te,
fr. O.pa/:1 (pl.),
ap-,
of
ed
ound
comp
rs',
wate
the
at-ive,
The first
Deriv ative s: approximat-ion, n., approxim
'wate r', and sdrati, 'flows, runs fast'.
at-ive';
adj., approximat-ive-ly, adv., approxim
derives fr. I.-E. base ap-, 'wate r, river
ent
elem
. with
cogn
is
ness, n., approximat-or, n.
ent
elem
d
secon
The
c.
see amni
fr. ap'to urge,
appui, n., sup port .- F., back form ation
Gk. op6~ (for *aop6~). 'whe y', opp.<i'l,
VL. *appuyer, fr. OF. apuier, 'to supp ort', fr.
wate ry fluid '; see
y,
'whe
,
serum
L.
late',
stimu
Proven9.
podiiire (whence also It. appoggiare,
serum.
apoiar),
the end of
apoiar, Cata l. apuiar, Sp. apoyar, Port.
apse, n., 1) a semicircular exten sion at
ted
eleva
'an
m,
podiu
L.
and
adfr.
ort',
.
apsis
'to supp
See
.
apsis
L.
.
apsis
2)
ch;
a chur
appoggiafr. L.
-al
place , balco ny'. See podium and cp.
suff.
adj.
with
ed
apsidal, adj. - Form
tura.
.
apsis
See
is.
apsid
gen.
,
apsis
lsus, fr.
n; aphe appulse, n., appr oach , impa ct. - L. appu
apsis, n., apog ee or perigee of the moo
fr. ad- L.,
n.)
appulsus, pp. of appellere, 'to drive to',
(astro
t
plane
lion or perih elion of a
See pulse,
and pellere, 'to push , strike , drive'.
&<jit~. 'a fastening,
Ion.
<Xq.t~.
Gk.
fr.
',
vault
,
'arch
'cont act,
'thro b'.
felloe of a wheel' (whence aU\Iocq.L~,
s; appe nappurtenance, n., that whic h appe rtain
from the stem of
,
ion')
junct
of
line
or
t
poin
fr. AF.
ly in the
dage ; acce ssor y.- ME. apurtena(u)nce,
&7tnLv, 'to fasten, to kindl e', usual
apparteapurtenance, fr. OF. apartenance (F.
, 'to grasp, touch ',
a.&ocL
&7t't'e:
voice
le
midd
pres.
nt),
<Xcpiiv,
nance), fr. apartenant (F. appartena
whence also oc<plj, 'a touching, hand ling',
appe rtain
e'; of
noos
,
part. of apartenir (F. appartenir). See
'knot
c,
&p.p.o
feel',
le,
'to touch , hand
and -ance.
-aphi a, aphth a, hapCp.
.
ology
etym
rtain
unce
fr. AF.
ent in
appu rtena nt, adj., appe rtain ing. - ME.,
teron, hapti c, hapto- and the secon d elem
part. of
phiPsela
pt,
apurtenant, fr. OF. apartenant, pres.
peria
hia,
Anaphe, chirapsia, parap
apartenir. See prec. word and -ant.
se.
synap
hea,
synap
dae,
tr. v., to
prop . pp.
apricate, intr. v., to bask in the sun;
apt, adj., fit.- L. aptus, 'fitted, suite d',
of apriexpose to the sun. - L. apriciitus, pp.
n', rel. to apisci, 'to
faste
'to
,
apere
l.
obso
of
sed
'expo
apnoti,
ciiri, 'to bask in the sun', fr. apricus,
reach after, attain ', and cogn. with 01.
fr. aperire,
'. Cp.
seize
'I
to the sun', contr actio n of *apericus,
,
epmi
Hitt.
'he reaches, attai ns',
open , un'to open ', hence prop . mean ing 'lying
de, attitu de, inept,
aptitu
,
apex
t,
adep
t,
adap
-ate.
cove red'. See aperi ent and verba l suff.
lariat , reata .
Deriv ative : aprication, n.
Derivatives: apt-ly, adv., apt-ness, n.
fr.
oque
ithol .)apricot, n. - F. abricot, fr. Port. albric
Aptenodytes, n., a genus of pingu ins (orn
x6xw'l,
&rtTlJ"
Arab . al-barqtlq fr. al-, 'the', and 7tpocL
Gk.
fr.
',
diver
Mod L., lit. 'wingless
cot', neut.
Grec ized form ofL.p raec oquu m, 'apri
~. 'dive r'. The first elem ent
llUT7J
and
less',
'wing
ripe' , for
a collatof praecoquus = praecox, 'early
is formed fr. ci- (see priv. pref. a-) and
. For the
*pta-,
which see precocious. See also cook
7tT7J'I6~, 'flying, wing ed', fr.
of
form
eral
c
havo
cp.
fly'; see
'to
inter chan geab ility of -c ( = -k) and -t
,
*petbase
I.-E.
of
e
degre
zero
and the
Gk. Me:L\1,
(fr. OF. havot), bat (fr. orig. bakke),
ptero-. The secon d element derives fr.
word s milt and milk, 'milt of fishes'.
s there referred
word
cp.
and
m
adytu
see
;
dive'
'to
mon th of
April, n.- L. (mensis) Aprilis, lit. 'the
to.
t form of
Aphr odite ', fr. Gk. 'Acppw, a shor
- Gk. &7tapterous, adj., witho ut wings (zoo/.)
s,
Maiu
is
mens
L.
Cp.
.
odite
Aphr
See
J.
a-) and
pref.
'AcppolltTl
priv.
(see
cifr.
less',
'wing
npo~,
of Jupit er
word .
next
'the mon th of May ', prop . 'the mon th
cp.
and
-,
ptero
rrnp6 v, 'wing '. See
Maiu s' (see May).
-o~. see -ous.
Gk.
to
alent
equiv
as
-ous,
E.
For
wing s', fr.
Deriv ative : April-ine, adj.
apter yx, n., the kiw i.- Lit. 'with out
ctive ly;
a priori, I) from cause to effect; 2) dedu
7t't'~pu~, 'wing ', whic h is rel.
and
apref.
priv.
L.
os.) word .
3) not derived from experience (phil
to 7tnp6v, 'wing '. See ptero- and cp. prec.
t'i, 'from '
ido,
aptiti
L.
a priori, 'from what comes first', fr.
Late
fr.
F.,
aptitude, n., fitness.
, 'first '.
and cp.
(see a-, 'from '), and priori, abl. of prior
'fitness', fr. L. aptus. See apt and -tude
de.
See prior , prius.
attitude, which is a doub let of aptitu
ivision of
apron, n. - ME. napron (thro ugh misd
noun . - L. aptiitum,
le
linab
indec
an
n.,
e,
aptot
n.
on, dimi
ng no
a napron into an apron), fr. OF. naper
fr. Gk. &7t't'w't'ov, neut. of rilTiw't'o~, 'havi
mappa,
and
a-)
pref.
priv.
of nape, nappe (F. nappe), dissi milat edfr.
e
&.-(se
fr.
le',
cases, indec linab
cp. nappe,
'table cloth , napk in'. See map and
l adj. of ntn-re:c.v, 'to
verba
n',
'falle
t'6~,
7t't'w'
cp.
ns
*pt-, zero
napkin, oaperon. For simil ar misdivisio
fall', whic h stand s for nt-nu~v. fr.
fall'. See
to
fly,
adder and word s there refer red to.
'to
,
*petbase
degre e of I.-E.
atives: aoron, tr. v., apron-ed, adj.

97
there refeather and cp. symptom and word s
ferred to.
Deriv ative : aptot-ic, adj.
- Form ed
apyretic, adj., witho ut fever (med.)
out fever',
'with
.-o~.
&m1pe:
Gk.
fr.
-ic
with suff.
'fever,
fr. ci- (see priv. pref. a-) and rtupe't'6~;,
ic and cp.
pyret
See
'fire'.
niJp,
fr.
,
heat'
ish
fever
apyre xia.
(med.) apyre xia, apyrexy, n., absen ce of fever
fr. &.;~(<i,
chrupe
Gk.
fr.
xia,
apyre
L.
Medi cal
fever
be
'to
,
cre:Lv
mJpea
(see priv. pref. a-) and
and -ia.
ish', fr. 1tUpe:'t'6~, 'fever'. See prec. word
aqua , n., wat er.- L. See aquatic.
ent. - A
aqua cade , n., an aqua tic enter tainm
r' (see
'wate
,
aqua
L.
fr.
ed
form
word
mod em
See
(q.v.)
cade
caval
of
gy
aquatic), on analo
also -cade.
wate r'. See
aqua fortis, nitric acid .- L., 'stron g
aqua tic and fort.
en variety
aqua mari ne, n., a trans paren t bluish-gre
wate r',
'sea
a,
marin
aqua
of beryl (min eral. )-L.
marinus,
fr. aqua, 'wate r', and marina, fern. of
'of the sea'. See aqua and marine.
nitric and
aqua regia , mixture of conc entra ted
lit. 'roya l
L.,
.)
(chem
acid
ric
ochlo
hydr
lve gold,
wate r'; so called from its powe r to disso
regal.
'the king of metals'. See aqua tic and
F., fr. It.
aquarelle, n., a wate r color painting. , 'waacquerella, 'wate r color ', dimin. of acqua
ter', fr. L. aqua. See aqua tic.
Deriv ative : the hybr id aquare/1-ist, n.
rium .
aqua rian, adj., perta ining to an aqua
.
rium
aqua
fr.
-an
suff.
with
Form ed
adjective
aquarium, n.- L. aquiirium, neut. of the
as a noun .
used
r',
wate
to
ining
'perta
rius,
aquii
See aqua tic.
eleventh
Aquarius, n., a cons tellat ion and the
carri er',
r
'wate
L.,
on.)
(astr
c
zodia
sign of the
wate r'.
to
ining
'perta
prop . the adj. aquarius,
rius as
Aquii
L.
.
word
prec.
cp.
and
tic
aqua
See
c is a
zodia
the
of
signs
the
of
the name of one
waterloan trans latio n of rllpoz.oo<;, 'the
ellation.
pour er', the old Gree k name of this const
ticus,
aqua
L.
fr.
,
tique
aqua tic, adj. - F. aqua
, 'wate r',
aqua
fr.
ry',
wate
r,
wate
the
in
d
'foun
, waters,
which is cogn. with Goth . alva, 'river
'wate r',
OHG . aha, OFri s. ii, e, ON. o, OE. ea,
'mea dAu,
G.
,
ouwe
.
MHG
,
ouwa
,
OHG . auwia
, name of
ow watered by a broo k', ON. JEgir
'islan d',
the god of the sea, ON. ey, OE. ieg,
ian
Russ
the
cp.
';
drink
Hitt. akw-anzi, 'they
ent in
river name Oka, and the second elem
, 'tidal
Sca(n)din-avia. See island and cp. eagre
aqua tint,
wave', ewer, eyot. Cp. also aquacade,
gouache,
aqueduct, aqueous, aquiline, Aquilo,
-atic.
suff.
see
g
endin
Scandinavia. For the
-ly, adv.
Derivatives: aquatic-a/, adj., aquatic-al
aqua fortis.
aqua tint, n., a kind of engra ving with
wate r',
'dyed
,
tincta
aqua
L.
- It. acquatinta, fr.
of tingere,
fr. aqua, 'wate r', an<t tincta, fern. pp.
'to dye'. See aqua tic and tinge .
of araqua tofana, a poiso nous liquid, prob ably

a Sicilian
seni c.- L., 'wate r of To/ana', name of
invented
and
cent.
17th
the
in
lived
wom an, who
oses.
this poiso n, using it for criminal purp
'wate r of
aqua vitae, I) alcoh ol; 2) bran dy.- L.,
developsense
For
vital.
and
life'. See aquatic
dy', lit.
ment cp. F. eau-de-vie, 'spirits, bran
whisky.
and
h
baug
usque
E.
and
life',
of
'wate r
lit.
uit',
cond
'a
s,
ductu
e
aqueduct, n. - L. aqua
of aqua,
'a conveyance of wate r', fr. aquae, gen.
s, pp.
'wate r', and ductus, 'a leadi ng', fr. ductu
duke and
of diicere, 'to lead'. See aquatic and
duct.
cp. the second element in viaduct, venti
rme d fr.
aqueous, adj., wate ry; like water. -Fo
ux, the
L. aqua, 'wate r', on analo gy of F. aque
d for
itute
subst
been
g
havin
-eous
Engl ish suff.
aqueux,
its usua l Fren ch equivalent -eux. F.
aqu6sus,
however, goes back directly to L.
aquose.
E.
also
ce
when
r',
'abou ndin g in wate
See aquatic.
ss, n.
Derivatives: aqueous-ly, adv., aqueous-ne
L. aquila,
Aquila, n., the genus of eagles (zoo /.)'eagle'. See aquiline.
colum bine
Aquilegia, n., a genus of plant s, the
L. aqui(bot .)- Mod L., called also aqui/eia, fr.
.
word
next
See
e'.
la, 'eagl
an eagle's.
aquiline, adj., I) like an eagle; 2) like
the eagle',
to,
ining
perta
or
'of,
inus,
aquil
L.
color ed
dark'the
lit.
.
prob
e',
fr. aquila, 'eagl
prop .
(bird )', fern. of aqui/us, 'dark -colo red',
tic
aqua
See
r'.
'wate
aqua,
fr.
,
ored'
'wate r-col
cp.
and
)
-inus
L.
ing
esent
and adj. suff. -ine (repr
L. nubilus,
eagle. For the form of the word cp.
d'.
'clou
,
niibes
'clou dy', fr.
.) - L.
Aquilo, n., the north wind (Roman antiq
fr.
one',
dark
'the
lit.
',
wind
h
'nort
aqui/6,
e',
'eagl
a,
aquil
[cp.
red'
aquilus, 'dark -colo
word .
prop . 'the dark- color ed (bird )'); sec prec.
h
'nort
ii~.
x.ocLxl
Gk.
cp.
ent
lopm
For sense deve
. with L.
east wind ', lit. 'the dark one', cogn
caecus, 'blin d' (see Caecias).
'abou ndin g
aquose, adj., aque ous. - L. aqu6sus,
and cp.
in wate r', fr. aqua, 'wate r'. See aquatic
aqueous.
ar-, assimilated form of ad- before r.
in vicar. -ar, subst. suff. deno ting an agent, as
gh the methrou
or
tly
Fr. L. -tirius (either direc
-ary (reCp.
-ier).
F.
of
-er,
-ier,
OF.
of
dium
s).
-tiriu
L.
presenting
of the na-ar, adj. suff. mean ing 'perta ining to,
(either
-aris
L.
Fr.
r.
insula
in
ture of', as
-er,
-ier,
OF.
of
um
directly or throu gh the medi
form of
dary
secon
a
is
-aris
L.
-ier).
-air,
F.
or
the syl-iilis (see adj. suff. -al) and is used when
e.g. L.
lable preceding the suff. has an 1. So
*realis,
*liin,
l-a/is
*insu
s,
ul-iili
*iil-iilis, *cons
beca me
gul-a/is, *simil-iilis, *;ol-iilis, *stell-a/is
consular),
iil-iiris (see alar), resp. consul-aris (see
), regulc
lunar
(see
ris
liin-a
r),
insul-iiris (see insula
-ar), ovliiris (see regular), simil-ar is (see simil
chan ge
iiris (see solar), stell-iiris (see stellar). The
n. Cp.
of suff. -iilis to -iiris is due to dissimilatio
-ary (repr esent ing L. -iirius ).

-ar

98

and -ott81)<;, 'like', fr. t!8o<;, 'form, shape'; first

-ar, a rare variant of the agential suffixes -er, -or.
used by the Greek surgeon and anatomist HeroCp. beggar, liar.
philus. See Arachnida and -oid.
ara, n., altar. - L., prob. denoting orig. 'a
aragonite, n., a variety of calcium carbonate (minparched place', fr. I.-E. base *tis-, 'to bum,
eral.) - Named after Aragon in Spain. For
parch', whence also L. arere, 'to be dry', iiridus,
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
'dry, withered, parched', ard~re, 'to bum'. See
arakawaite, n., a hydrous copper zinc phosphate
ash, 'powdery substance', and cp. ardent, arid.
(mineral.) - Named after the Arakawa mine
Arab, n.- F. Arabe, fr. L. Arabem, ace. of Arabs,
in Japan. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fr. Gk. "Apot'-f>, gen. "Apot~o<;, fr. Arab. 'Arab,
Aralia, n., a genus of shrubs and trees (bot.) which lit. means 'inhabitant of the desert', and
ModL., of uncertain origin.
is rel. to Heb. 'driibhti", 'desert', and to Ethiop.
Aramean, Aramaean, adj. and n. -Formed with
'dbra, 'was dry, was waste'. For sense developsuff. -an fr. L. Aramaeus, fr. Gk. 'ApottJ.ot~o<;, fr.
ment cp. Arab. badawf, 'Bedouin', lit. 'desert
Heb. Artim, 'Syria, Mesopotamia', which is
dweller', fr. badw, 'camp, desert' (see Bedouin).
prob. related to Heb. and Aram. rum, 'to be
Cp. Mozarab.
high', and orig. meant 'Highland'.
Derivatives: Arabesque(q.v.), Arab-ian, adj. and
n., Arabic (q.v.), Arab-ic-ism, n., Arab-ic-ize, Aranea, n., a genus of spiders, the garden spider
(entomol.)- L. ariinea, 'spider', cogn. with Gk.
tr. v., Arabis (q.v.), Arab-ist, n.
&plixvrJ, 'spider'. See Arachnida.
Arabel, Arabella, fern. PN.- This name of Scotaraneid, ri., a member. of the order Araneida. tish origin prob. arose from the blend of the
See next word.
name Annabel(la) with the ethnic name Arab.
Araneidll, n. pl., an order of spiders of the class
arabesque, n. - F., It. arabesco, fr. Arabo,
Arachnida (entomol.)- A ModL. hybrid coined
'Arab'. See Arab and -esque.
fr. L. ariinea, 'spider' (see Aranea), and -ida,
Derivatives: arabesque, adj. and tr. v., arabesa suff. of Greek origin. The correct form is
que-ly, adv.
Arachnida, in which both the primary word and
Arabic, adj. -OF., fr. L. Arabicus, 'Arabic', fr.
the suff. are of Greek origin.
Arabs. See Arab and -ic.
araneology, n., the study of spiders.- A hybrid
Derivative: Arabic, n.
coined fr. L. ariinea, 'spider' (see prec. word),
Arabis, n., a genus of clustering plants containing
and Gk. -).oy(ii, fr. -A6yo<;, 'one who speaks
the rock cresses.- ML. Arabis, 'Arabian', fr.
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
L. Arabs. See Arab.
certain topic)'. See Aranea and -logy. The corarable, adj., suitable for plowing. - F., fr. L.
rect form would be arachnology, in which both
arabi/is, fr. ariire, 'to plow' (whence ariitrum,
elements are of Greek origin.
'plow'), fr. I.-E. base *arii-, 'to plow', whence
Araucaria, n., a genus of trees of the pine family
also Gk. &pouv, OSlav. orjq, orati, Lith. ariu,
(bot.) - ModL., named after the province
cirti, 'to plow', Lett. afu, 'I plow', Goth. arjan,
Arauco in Chile, whence also Araucania, name
OS., OE. erian, W. arddu, 'to plow', Mlr. airim,
of a district in central Chile.
'I plow', Gk. &po-rpov, Cret. &pnpov, Arm.
arbalest, n., a crossbow.- ME. arblaste, fr. OF.
araur, Mlr. arathar, OSlav. ralo, Lith. drklas,
arbaleste (F. arbaMte), fr. VL. arbalista, fr. Late
ON. arpr, Toch. AB iire, 'plow', Gk. &poupot,
L. arcuballista, 'catapult', which is compounded
'arable land'. See ear, 'to plow', and -able and
of L. arcus, 'bow', and ballista, 'a machine for
cp. Arval.
projectiles, ballista'. MDu. armborst and MHG.
Araceae, n. pl., the arum family (bot.)- Formed
(= G.) armbrust are OF. loan words, but have
fr. Arum with suff. -aceae.
-aceous.
influenced in form by folk etymology. See
and
been
word
prec.
See
adj.araceous,
arc and ballistic.
arachnid, n., any member of the Arachnida. arbalester, n., a cross bowman.- ME. arblastere,
See next word.
fr. OF. arbalestier (F. arbaletrier), fr. arbaleste.
Arachnida, n. pl., a class of arthropods, the spider
See prec. word and agential suff. -er (represent(entomol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &pocxvrJ, 'spider;
ing OF. -ier).
spider's web', which prob. stands for art-k-snii,
arbiter, n., judge in. a dispute. - L., 'spectator,
and is cogn. with L. ariinea, 'spider; spider's
hearer, witness, judge', rel. to Umbr. afputrati,
web'. Cp. araneid. The word Arachnida was
'by arbitration'; prob. formed fr. ad, 'to' (see
first used by the French biologist Jean-Baptistead-), and baetere, betere, bitere, 'to go', and lit.
Pierre-Antoine de Monet de Lamarck (1744meaning 'one who goes to something'. For the
1829) in 1815.
change of ad to ar in arbiter cp. Marsian L.
arachnitis, n., inflammation of the arachnoid
apor = L. apud, 'at, near, by'.
membrane (med.) - Medical L., formed with
arbitrable, adj. - Formed with suff. -able fr. L.
~uff. -itis fr. G k. <ipocxv'll, cobweb'. See Arachnida.
arbitriiri. See arbitrate.
arachnoid,adj .,cobweblike: arachnoidmembrame,
arbitrage, n., arbitration. - F., fr. arbitrer, 'to
the thin membrane that covers the brain and
arbitrate, judge', fr. L. arbitriiri. See arbitrate
the spinal cord (anal.) - Gk. cipot)(VOL3lj~;,
and -age.
'cobweblike', compounded of tip& XvrJ, 'cobweb',

arbitrament, n. -F. arbitrement, fr. arbitrer. See

prec. word and -ment.
arbitrary, adj.-L. arbitriirius, 'of arbitration, depending on the will, arbitrary', fr. arbiter. See
arbiter and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: arbitrari-ly, adv., arbitrari-ness, n.
arbitrate, intr. v. - L. arbitriitus, pp. of arbitriiri, 'to make a decision, be of opinion', fr. arbiter. See arbiter and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: arbitration (q.v.), arbitrat-ive, adj.,
arbitrator (q.v.)
arbitration, n. - OF. arbitracion, arbitration (F.
arbitration), fr. L. arbitriitionem, ace. of arbitriiti6, 'judgement, will', fr. arbitriitus, n., of
s.m., fr. arbitriitus, pp. of arbitriirf. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivative: arbitration-al, adj.
arbitrator, n.- L., 'a spectator, hearer, witness,
judge', fr. arbitriitus, pp. of arbitriiri. See arbitrate and agential suff. -or.
arbor, arbour, n., a shady retreat. - Fr. earlier
arber, fr. ME. herbier, 'a garden of herbs', fr.
OF. ( = F.) herbier, fr. L. herbiirium, of s.m.,
fr. herba, 'herb'. See herb and cp. herbarium.
For the change of e (in ME. herbier) to a (in
arber) cp. carve, harbor. The change of arber
to arbor, arbour is due to a confusion with L.
arbor, 'tree'.
arbor, n., tree. - L., of uncertain origin. Cp. arborescent, arboretum, arbuscle, arbuscule, arbustum.
arboraceous, adj., treelike; wooded. - Formed
with suff. -aceous fr. L. arbor, 'tree'. See prec.
word.
arboreal, adj., I) of a tree or trees; 2) living in
trees. - For111ed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. arboreus, 'pertaining to a tree or trees', fr. arbor.
See arbor, 'tree'.
arborean, adj., arboreal. - Formed fr. arbor,
'tree', with suff. -ean.
arboreous, adj., I) abounding in trees; 2) living
in trees. - L. arboreus, 'pertaining to a tree or
trees', fr. arbor. See arbor, 'tree'. For E.-ous,
as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
arborescence, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ce.
arborescent, adj., r) treelike; 2) branching. - L.
arborescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. oi arborescere, 'to grow into a tree', formed fr. arbor,
'tree', with the inchoative suffix -escere. See
arbor, 'tree', and -escent.
arboretum, n., a garden of trees.- L. arboretum,
'a place grown with trees', fr. arbor, 'tree'. See
arbor, 'tree'.
arboriculture, n., cultivation of trees. - Compounded of L. arbor, 'tree', and cultura, cultivation'. See arbor, 'tree', and culture.
Derivatives: arboricultur-al, adj., arboricultur-ist.
arborize, tr. v., to give a treelike appearance;
intr. v., to assume a treelike appearance.
Formed fr. arbor, 'tree', with suff. -ize.
Derivative: arboriz-ation, n.

arbor vitae, n., an evergreen tree of the genus

Thuja. - L., 'tree of life'; a name given by the
French physician and botanist Charles de Lecluse, latinized into Carolus Clusius (I525r6Q9), to trees of the genus Thuja. See arboreal
and vital.
arbuscle, n., a dwarf tree. -~ Late L. arbuscula,
dimin. of L. arbor, 'tree'. See arbor, 'tree', and
-cle.
arbuscule, n., a tuft of hairs (zoo/.) - See prec.
word and -cule.
arbustum, n., a copse; an orchard.- L., 'a place
where trees are planted; an orchard', prop. neut.
of arbustus, 'planted with trees', used as a noun,
which stands for *arhos-to-s, fr. mbos, arbor,
'tree'. See arbor, 'tree'.
Arbutus, n., 1) a genus of evergreen trees of the
heath family; 2) (not cap.) a tree of this genus.
- L., 'the strawberry tree', of obscure origin.
arc, n.- OF. (=F.) arc, fr. L.arcus, 'bow, arch',
which is cogn. with Goth. arlvazna, 'arrow', OE.
earh, ON. or, of s.m.; but Russ. rakita, Czech
rokyta, 'willow', and Gk. &pl<u<;, 'net', are not
cognate. Cp. arcade, arch, arrow, and the first
element in arbalest, arciform, arcuate, arculite,
arquebus.
area, n., a chest. - L., fr. arcere, 'to enclose'.
See an.anum and cp. Arcella.
arcade, n.- F., fr. It. arcata, a derivative of arco,
'arc', fr. L. arcus, of s.m. See arc and -ade.
Derivative: arcad-ed, adj.
Arcadia, n., a district in ancient Greece, proverbial for the rural life of its inhabitants. L., fr. Gk. 'Apl<ot8!ii, fr. 'Apl<ct<;, gen.' Apl<oc8o<;
= Areas, the founder of Arcadia.
Arcadian, adj., and n. -Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Arcadia. See prec. word.
arcanum, n., secret, mystery. - L. arcanum, prop.
subst. use of the neut. of arciinus, 'shut up,
secret', orig. 'enclosed in a chest', fr. area, 'chest,
coffin', which is rei. to arcere, 'to enclose, keep
away, ward off', and cogn. with Gk. &pl<dv, 'to
keep off', &pl<o<;, 'defense', &pl<to~. 'safe, sure'.
Arm. argel, 'obstacle', argelum, 'I lock in', and
possibly also with Lith. riiktas, 'key', rak/nti, 'to
shut lock'. These words stand in gradational
relationship to Orcus, name of the god of the
infernal regions in Roman mythology. Cp. area,
Arcella, ark, coerce, exercise, Orcus. Cp. also
askari, lascar, autarchy, 'self sufficiency'.
Areella, n., a genus of protozoans (zool.) ModL., dimin. of area, 'chest, box' (see area);
so called from the boxlike shape of the shell.
Arceuthobium, n., a genus of parasitic plants
(bot.)- ModL., compounded of Gk. :Xpl<E'J.So~,
'the juniper', and ?L'J~, 'life', so called from
its parasitism on conifers. Gk. &pl<c:u&o~ is pro b.
rei. to otpl<J<;, 'net'. For the etymol. of ~(o<; see
bio-.
arch, n., a curved structure. -OF. ( = F.) arc he,
fr. VL. area, fr. L. arcus, 'bow'. See arc.
Derivative: arch, tr. v.

arch
arch, adj., chief, principal. - See pref. arch-.
Derivatives: arch-ly, adv., arch-ness, n.
arch-, pref. meaning 'chief, principal', as in archduke, archbishop.- ME. arche-, fr. OE. arce-,
-erce, fr. L. archi-, arch-, fr. Gk. &.px~-. &.pz-,
which is rel. to &.pz6~. 'leader, chief, ruler', from
the stem of &pzE~v. 'to begin, rule' (whence also &pz~, 'beginning, first cause, origin, first
principle, office'), and in gradational relationship to op;e:qw~, 'leader, chief'. Cp. arch, 'chief',
-arch. Cp. also archaeo-, archaic, archaism,
arche, architect, archon, -archy.
-arch, suff. meaning 'a ruler', as in ethnarch, oligarch. - See pref. arch-.
Archaean, also Archean, pertaining to the oldest
geological period. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
Gk. &p;cx~o~. 'ancient', fr. &.pz+,, 'beginning'. See
arch- and cp. archaic.
archaeo-, before a vowel archae-; also archeo-,
resp. arche-, combining form meaning 'ancient,
primeval, primitive. - Gk. &.pzo:to-, &.pzo:~-. fr.
&.pzo:'i:o~, 'ancient', lit. 'from the beginning', fr.
&pz~, 'beginning'. Sec arch-.
archaeological, archeological, adj. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. &pzo:~o"Aoy~x6~, 'pertaining to archaeology', fr. &.pzo:w"Aoyli. See
next word.
Derivative: archaeo/ogical-ly, archeological-ly,
adv.
archaeology, also archeology, n. - Gk. &pzo:w"Aoyli, 'the study of ancient things', compounded of &pzo:~o- (see archaco-) and Gk. -"Aoyli, fr.
-A6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: archaeological (q.v.), archaeolog-ist
or archeolog-ist, n.
Archaeopteryx, also Archeopteryx, n., a genus of
extinct reptilian birds (paleonto/.) - ModL.,
compounded of archaeo- and Gk. rr":spj;, 'wing'.
- See pterygo-, ptero-.
archaic, adj., old-fashioned, antiquated, obsolete. - Gk. &pzo:cx0;, 'old-fashioned, antiquated', fr. &pp!:o~, 'ancient', fr. &pz-fi, 'beginning'. See arch- and cp. Archaean.
Derivative: archaic-al-ly, adv.
archaism, n., use of an obsolete word. - Gk.
&pz?'~rr,L6~. fr. &~z:<"~~"~" 'to be old-fashioned,
copy the ancients in language', fr. &pzo:'to;, 'ancient'. See prec. word and -ism.
archaist, n., one fond of using archaisms. Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk. &pzo:io;, 'ancient'.
See archaic.
Derivative: archaist-ic, adj.
archaize, tr. v . to make archaic; intr. v., to use
an,;hai,nb. - Gk. xpz:d~zcv. Sec archaism and
-ize.
archangel, n. - Late L. archangelus, fr. Gk.
&pz'l.;(EAo~, 'chief angel', fr. &pz- (see arch-)
and 'iyye"Ao~, 'angel'. See angeL
archangelic, adj. -Late L. archange/icus, fr. Gk.
&.pzo:yye:Atx6~. fr. &.pz&.yye:Ao~. See p c. word
and -ic.

100

archbishop, n. - ME. archebischop, fr. OE. arcebiscop, fr. Eccles. L. archiepiscopus, fr. Eccles.
Gk. &.pzterrlcrxorro~, lit. 'chief bishop', fr. Gk.
&.pz~- (see archi-) and E:rr(crxorro;, 'bishop'. See
bishop.
archbishopric, n.- ME. archebischopriche, fr. OE.
arcebiscoprfce. See arch- and bishopric and cp.
prec. word.
archdeacon, n. - OE. arcediacon, fr. Eccles. L.
archidiaconus, fr. Eccles. Gk. &pztlldxovo~, lit.
'chief deacon', fr. &.pz~- (see archi-) and ll~&xovo~.
'servant, minister of a church'. See deacon.
arche, n., the first principle (Greek philos.)- Gk.
&.pz-i), 'beginning, first cause, origin, first principle'. See arch-.
Archean. - See Archaean.
archegonium, n., the female sex organ in ferns
and mosses (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. &.pzeyovo~,
'first of a race', fr. &pz- (see arch-) and -yo~o~.
which is rei. to yov-i), 'offspring, race, family,
generation', fr. I.-E. base *gen-, 'to produce,
beget'. See genus.
Archelon, n., a genus of extinct turtles.- ModL.,
shortened fr. Gk. apz (wv z)e"Awv1), 'ruler tortoise'. Gk. Oipxw~. 'ruler', is pres. part. of &pzE~v,
'to rule'; see arch- and cp. archon. Gk. ze).wv1)
is rei. to )(EAJ~, 'tortoise', lit. 'the yellow animal',
fr. I.-E. base *ghel-, 'yellow'; see yellow.
archenteron, n., the primitive enteron of a gastrula (zoo/.)- Formed fr. arch- and Gk. itv-rEpov,
'intestine'. See enteric.
archer, n. -- OF. archier (F. archer), fr. L. ardirius, fr. arcus, 'bow'. See arc and subst. suff.
-er.
archery, n.- OF. archerie, fr. archier, 'archer'.
See prec. word and -y (representing OF. -ie).
archetype, n. -- L.archetypum,fr.G k. &p)(E":'.Jrrov,
'pattern, model', prop. neut. of the adjective
&~zE":'jrro;, 'stamped first', used as a noun, fr.
pze- ( = pzt-), 'first', and -:-.i:-;0~, 'a blow, mark
of a blow'. See arch- and type.
archi-, pref. meaning 1) 'chief', as in archidiaconal; 2) 'primitive, original' as in archiplasm.Gk. &pzt-, rei. to &pz6~, 'leader, chief, ruler',
ipzew, 'to begin, to rule'. See arch-.
archiater, n., the chief physician at the court of a
Greek king or Roman emperor (Greek and
Roman hisr.) - Gk. pzci":p6~, 'court physician', fr. pz~- (see archi-) and li":p0;, 'physician'. See iatric.
archidiaconal, adj., 1) of an archdeacon; 2) of an
archdeaconry. - Compounded of archi- and
diaconal.
archil, orchil, n., dyestuff obtained from lichen.
- !\1E. orchC'i!, fr. AF. archei, which is rei. to
earlier F. orso!fe, F. orseille, It. orce!fa; of uncertain origin. Cp. Roccella.
archimandrite, n., in the Greek Church, head of
a monastery or of a group of monasteries. ML. archimandrita, fr. MGk. &.pz~fLocv/lpt":'Y)~.
fr. &py_t-, 'chief' (see archi-), and fL&"Ilpi, 'fold,
stable', which is prob. cogn. with 01. mandurti,

101

'stable', mandirdm, 'room, house, palace,

temple'.
Archimedean, adj., pertaining to Archimedes. Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Archimedeus, 'of Archimedes', fr. Gk. 'Apx~tJ-~31)~. Archimedes, the
celebrated mathematician (287?-212 B.C.E.).
archipelago, n., r) the Aegean Sea; 2) a sea studded with many islands; 3) a group of islands. It. arcipelago, lit. 'the chief sea', compounded of
arci-, 'chief', fr. Gk. &.pz~- (see archi-), and Gk.
d"Aocyo~. 'sea' (see pelagic). In ancient and mediaeval Greek, the word &pzme"Ao:yo~ does not
occur, in modern Greek it is an Italian loan word.
The fact that archipelago orig. denoted the Aegean Sea may help us find the origin of this word,
which is a real crux etymologorum. lt. arcipelago
very probably arose from a mistaking of Gk.
Atyo:'i:o~ m).o:yo~, 'the Aegean Sea', for &.pz~
rrsf.o:yo~, 'the chief sea', a confusion suggested by
the numerous Greek words beginning with &.pz~.
archiplasm, n., 1) primitive protoplasm; 2) archoplasm.-Comp ounded of archi- and -plasm.
Derivative: archiplasm-ic, adj.
architect, n. - F. architecte, fr. L. architectus, fr.
Gk. &p)(t't'ex-rwv, 'master builder', fr. &pz~-.
'chief', and -rex't'wv, 'carpenter, builder', which
is rei. to 'l'E)(V1), 'art, skill, craft'. See archi- and
text and cp. technic, tectonic.
architectonic, adj. - L. architectonicus, fr. Gk.
&pzt't'ex't'o~~x6~. 'pertaining to a master builder',
fr. &.p)(~":sx.Tw~. See prec. word and -ic.
architectonics, n. - See prec. word and -ics.
architecture, n. - F., fr. L. architecttira, fr. architectus. See architect and -ure.
Derivatives: architectur-al, adj., architectur-ally, adv.
architraYC, n., the lowest part of the entablature
(archil.) - It. architrave, fr. archi- and trave,
'beam', fr. L. trabem, ace. of trabs. See trabeate.
archive, n., generally used in the pl.- F. archives,
fr. L. archivum, archium, 'the archives', transliteration of Gk. &.pzd,~. 'official building', pl.
-:-i &pzEco:, 'public records, archives', fr. &pz~,
'beginning, origin, first place, office'. Sec archand cp. arche.
Derivatives: archive, tr. v., archiv-al, adj.,
archiv-ist, n.
archivolt, n., a curved molding on the face of an
arch (archit.) - It. archivolto, lit. 'an arched
vault', fr. arco, 'arch', and volta, 'vault'. See
arch and vault.
archo-, combining form meaning 'rectal' (med.)
- Fr. Gk. &pz6~, 'rectum', which is of uncertain origin.
archon, n .. one of the nine chief magistrates in
Athens (Ancient Greek hist.) - Gk. &pzw",
'ruler', prop. pres. part. of lipzet", 'to rule'.
See arch- and cp. the first element in Archelon.
-archy, combining form meaning 'rule', as in anarchy, monarchy. - L. -archia, fr. Gk. -o:pxl<i,
'rule', fr. cipz6c;, 'leader, chief, ruler'. See -arch
and -y (representing Gk. -l<i).

ardella

arciform, adj., having the form of an arch. Compounded of L. arcus, 'bow', and forma,
'form, shape'. See arc and form, n.
arctic, adj., pertaining to the North Pole or the
regions near it.- L. arcticus, fr. Gk. &px't'tx6~,
'of a bear; of the Great Bear; northern', fr.
lipx.To~ (also &pxo~). 'bear'; the constellation
of the Great Bear; the north', which is cogn.
with 01. fk$ab, Avestic artsh6, Arm. arj. Alb.
ari, 'bear', L. ursus (for *urksos), Olr., Gael.
art, W. arth (for *arkt), 'bear'. Cp. Ursus. Cp.
also Arctium, arcto-, Arcturus, antarctic, Arthur,
Nearctic.
Arctium, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family,
the burdock (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &px,o;,
'bear'. See prec. word.
arcto-, before a vowel arct-, combining form
meaning 'bear', or 'the north'. - Gk. &.px'ro-,
&px.T-, fr. &px-ro~, 'bear; the north'. See arctic.
Arctogaea, Arctogea, n., a zoogeographical
realm, comprising North America, Europe, Asia
and Africa. - ModL., compounded of arctoand Gk. yij, 'earth'. See geo- and cp. Ncogaea,
Notogaea.
Derivatives: Arctogae-al or Arctoge-al, Arctogae-an or Arctoge-an, Arctogae-ic or Arctogeic, adjs.
Arctostaphylos, n., a genus of plants of the heath
family, the bear berry (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. lipxTo;, 'bear' and rrT:x?u"A~,
'bunch of grapes'. See arctic and staphylo-.
Arcturus, n., the brightest star in the constellation Bootes (astron.) - L., fr. Gk. 'Apx,o'Jpo~,
lit. 'the Bearguard', fr. :Xpx":o;, 'bear' and o\'ipo~.
'watcher, guard, ward'. See arctic and ware,
'alert'.
arcuate, arcuated, adj .. bent like a bow. - l.
arcuiitus, pp. of arcuiire, 'to bend like a bow',
fr. arcus, 'bow'. See arc.
Derivative: arcuate-ly, adv.
arcuation, n.- L. arcuiitio, gen. -on is, fr. arcuiitus
pp. of arcuiire. See prec. word and -ion.
arculite, n., a bow-shaped crystallite (mineral.)Compounded of L. arcus, 'bow' (see arc), and
combining form -lite.
-ard, -art, suff. It orig. had an intensive force;
now it is often used in a pejorative sense. OF., fr. OHG. -hart, which is rei. to OHG. harti, 'hard'. See hard. For the force of this suff.
cp. coward, dastard, dotard, drunkard, sluggard.
Ardea, n., a genus of herons (ornithol.) - L. ardea, 'heron', cogn. with Gk. zpw3~6~, 'heron',
Serb., Croat. rdda 'stork', ON. arta, OSwed.
iirta, 'creek duck'. Cp. Erodium.
ardeb, n .. a measure of capacity used in Egypt.Arab. irddbb, in vulgar pronunciation arddbb,
ardebb, fr. Gk. &p"~-r.. name of a Persian
measure. See artaba.
ardella, n., any of the small apothecia of some
lichens (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. &p3ELV, 'to water, pour forth', a word of unknown etymology.
Cp. Arethusa.

102

ardency

fr. next word with suff. -cy.

ardency, n.
ardent, adj.- ME. ardaunt, fr. OF. ardant (F. ardent), fr. L. ardentem, ace. of ardens, pres. part.
of ardi're, 'to burn', which stands for *iiridere,
fr. iiridus, 'parched , dry', and is rei. to iirere,
'to be dry', fr. *iisere, fr. I.-E. base *lis-, 'to
burn, glow', whence also OI. dsaQ, 'ashes, dust',
Toch. A iisar, 'dry', Arm. azazem, 'I dry up',
aciun, 'ashes', Gk. ~~e;Lv (for *azdiein), 'to dry
up, parch', &~!X, 'dryness ; dirt, mold', oc~!XAEoc;,
'dry, parched ', Czech ozd, 'malt drier', ozditi,
'to dry (malt)', Goth. azgo, OE. asce, resce,
'ashes'. See ash, 'powder y substanc e', and cp.
ara, ardor, area, arid, arson, asbolite, Azalea.
Cp. also the second element in aguardie nte.
Derivati ves: ardent-ly, adv., ardent-ness, n.
ardennite , n., a vanados ilicate of aluminu m and
mangane se (mineral.) - Named after Ardennes
in Belgium. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ardhanar i, n., a form of Siva in which he is represented as half male and half female (Hindu
mythol.) - 01. iirdha-niiri-, 'half woman', fr.
llrdhab-, 'half, part, side', and niiri-, 'woman' .
01. drdhab- is rei. to OJ. fdhak, 'especial ly' ,Avestic ar'da-, 'side', 01. fti, 'besides, except', fr.
I.-E. base *er-, *(e)rl-, 'loose; to split, separate ,
be rare', whence also L. riirus, 'thin, loose', see
rare, 'thin'. OJ. niiri-, 'woman ', prop. means
'pertaini ng to a man', and is rei. to OI. ndram
(ace.), 'man', and cogn. with Gk. &v~p, 'man';
~Formed

see andro-.
arditi, n. pl., Italian voluntee rs serving in storm
troops in World War I. - It., pl. of ardito,
'brave, audaciou s', fr. F. hardi, prop. pp. of OF.
*hardir, 'to render courageo us', lit. 'to make
hard', fr. Frankish *lzanijan, fr. *hart, 'hard',
which is rei. to OHG. harti. OE. heard, 'hard'.
See hard.
ardor, ardour, n. - ME. ardeur, fr. OF. ardour
(F. ardeur), fr. L. ardorem, ace. of ardor, 'heat',
fr. ardi're, 'to burn'. See ardent and -or.
arduinite, n., a zeolite (mineral.) - Named after
the Venetian geologis t Giovann i Arduino. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
arduous, adj. - L. arduus, 'high, lofty, steep', fr.
I.-E. base *eredh-, *erdh-, 'to grow; high',
whence also Avcstic 'r'dva-, "high', Olr. ard,
'high', Alb. rit, OSlav. rast(J, 'I grow'. Cp.I.-E .
base *weredh-, 'to grow; high', whence OI.
lirdhhib, 'high', vdrdhati', 'causes to grow, increases', Gk. l,p&6:; (for *fop&f6c;; cp. Dor.
~op&6-), 'straight , right, erect'. See ortho- and
cp. niddhi. For E. -ous, as equivale nt to L. -us,
~ee -ou~.

Derivati ves: arduous-ly, adv., arduous-ness, n.

are, v., pres. pl. indicativ e of be. - ME. aren,
later ar(', fr. OE. (1\lnrthu mbrian) aron, rel. to
ON. eru, '(they) are', for I.-E. *es-en, whence
also Dor. EV'rL, Att. dcr(, 01. sdnti, L. sunt,
Umbr. sent, Goth., OE. sind. All these words
are derivativ es of I.-E. base *es-, 'to be'. See
esse and cp. am, art, is.

are, n., a square unit. -F., formed in 1795 by a

decree of the French Nationa l Convent ion, fr.
L. iirea, 'vacant piece of ground'. See next word
and cp. the second element in hectare.
area, n.- L., 'vacant piece of ground, building ,
plot', rei. to arere, 'to become dry', hence area
orig. meant 'a place burned down, a dry, bare place'; see ardent and cp. areola, debonair . For sense
developm ent cp. G. Esse, 'chimney , forge',
which also derives fr. I.-E. base *iis-, 'to burn'.
Areca,n. , a genus of palms of Asia and the Malay
Archipel ago (bot.)- ModL., fr. Port. areca, fr.
Malayal am drj.akka, fr. Tamil dtjaikiiy, lit.
'having close clusters of nuts', fr. dtjai, 'close
arrangem ent of the cluster', and kiiy, 'nut'. See
OED. and Yule-Bu rnell, Hobson- Jobson, p. 35
Arecacea e, n. pl., a family of plants, the palm
family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -aceae.
arecaceo us, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
arena, n. - L. harena, arena, 'sand, sandy place,
seashore ; place of combat (lit. 'place strewn
with sand'), prob. of Etruscan origin. Cp.
Arenaria .
arenaceo us, adj., sandy. - L. areniiceus, 'sandy'.
See prec. word and -aceous.
Arenaria , n., a genus of herbs of the chickwe ed
family; the sandwor t (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'the
sand wort', fr. Late L. hareniirius, areniirius, 'of
sand', fr. L. harena, arena (see arena); so called
because many represen tatives of this species
grow in the sand.
Du.,
arend, n., bearded vulture (S. Afr.) 'eagle', fr. MDu. arent, rei. to ON. orn, OE.
earn, OHG. aro, 'eagle'. See em(e).
areo- combini ng form meaning 'of, or pertainin g
to, Ares or Mars', used in astronom y. - Fr.
Gk. "Apeo~ or "Ape;w:;, gen. of"Ap1]c;, 'Arcs'.
See Ares and cp. Areopagite.
areola, n., a small area; esp. the pigment ed ring
surround ing the nipple (anat.) - L. areola,
'small area', dimin. of iirea, 'a vacant piece of
ground' (see area); introduc ed into anatomy by
the Swiss anatomi st and botanist Caspar Bauhin
(156o-16 24) in 16o5.
Derivati ves: areol-ar, areal-ate, areol-a t-ed,
adjs., areol-ation, n.
areole, n., a small space (bot.)- F. areole, fr. L.
areola. See areola.
areolet, n., a small areola (zoo/.) - A dimin. of
areola, hence a double dimin. of area. For the
ending see suff. -et.
areology, n., the study of the planet Mars. Compou nded of areo- and Gk. -/..oy(iX, fr.
-1-6yo:;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ;
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivati ves: areolog-ic, areolog-ic-a/, adjs., areolog-ic-al-ly, adv.
areomete r, n., a hydrom eter.- Compou nded of
Gk. cipctL6:;, 'thin, rare', and v--rpov, 'measure'. The first element is of uncertai n origin;
it originall y began with digamm a (f = w),

103

argue

'mouse' (lit. 'the white colored animal') , Arm.

hence cannot be cognate with L. riirus 'thin
;Iemen;
second
the
For
'silver', Olr. argat, W. arian(t), Co.,
'thin').
areal',
rare,
(see
rare'
MBret. argant, Bret. arc'hant, 'silver', L. arsee meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
guere, 'to make clear, prove'. Cp. argil, Argo,
Derivati ves: areometr-ic, areometr-ic-al, adjs.,
n.
-y,
argue, Argus, argyria, argyrodi te, arjun, and the
areometr
second element in litharge, Pelargon ium, PoAreopag ite, n., member of the Areopa gus.- Gk.
darge, pygarg.
'ApeLon-ctyfTI):;, fr. 'Ape;L67t<Xyoc;. See next word.
argentiferous, adj., containi ng silver. - ComAreopagus, n., name of a hill west of the Acropounded of L. argentum, 'silver', and the stem
polis in Athens and of the tribunal situated on
"Ape;wc;
for
Xyoc;,
'Ape:L6n-<
of L. ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See argent and
Gk.
fr.
it. - L.,
-ferous.
miyo:;, 'hill of Ares ( = Mars)', resp. ~ Bou1.-lj
argentine , adj., resembli ng silver. - L. argen~ !; 'Apdou n-~you, 'the council of the hill of
tinas, 'of silver', fr. argentum, 'silver'. See argent
Ares'. See next word. For the etymol. of mxyoc;,
and -ine (represen ting L. -inus).
'rocky hill', see pact.
argentite , n., silver sulfid, Ag2S (mineral.) Ares, n., the Greek god of war, identified by the
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. argentum,
Romans with Mars (Greek mythol.) - L., fr.
'silver'. See argent.
Gk. "Ap1J:; (gen. "Ape;o:; or "Apewc;), lit. 'injurer,
argil, n., potter's clay.- F. argile, 'clay', fr. L.
destroye r', fr. &p-f), 'bane, ruin', which is rei.
argilla, 'white clay, potter's earth', fr. Gk.
to &pe;L-f), 'a cursing, menacin g', and pro b.
'bears
irasydti,
will',
'ill
~pyLMoc;, of S.m., which is rel. to ocpyoc;, 'shinirasyd,
01.
cogn. with
ing, bright'. See argent.
ill will', Arm. her, 'anger, envy', OE. eorre, yrre,
argillaceous, adj., resembli ng clay. - L. argi/lii'angry'. Cp. areo-, Areopagus, Antares.
&pe;TI),
Gk.
phi/as.)
ceus, fr. argilla. See prec. word and -aceous.
arete, n., virtue (Greek
argilliferous, adj., rich in clay. - Compou nded
'virtue', prop. 'that which is good', rei. to
of L. argilla, 'white clay' and the stem of ferre,
ocpdwv, 'better', ~pLcr-roc;, 'best' (whence ocpLcr'to bear, carry'. See argil and -ferous.
TOXpct-rliX, 'the rule of the best'), &ocnce;w 'to
'
Argive, adj., of Argos; (by extensio n) of Greece.
make good, conciliat e'. See aristo-. '
- L. Argivus, fr. Gk. 'Apye1:o:;, 'of Argos', fr.
arete, n., sharp crest of a mountai n. - F., 'fish"Apyo~, 'Argos', name of the capital of Argolis
bone; ridge', fr. L. arista, 'ear of grain', which
Aristida,
arista,
in the Pelopon nesus.
Cp.
origin.
Etruscan
of
is prob.
Derivati ve: Argive, n.
arris.
Argo, n., I) name of the ship in which the ArgoArethusa , n., nymph of a fountain near Syracuse
cola
r!X,
'Ap%ouc
Gk.
nauts sailed to Colchis, whence 2) name of a
fr.
(Greek mythol.) -- L.,
constel lation.- Gk. 'Apyw, lit. 'the Swift', fr.
lateral form of Ci.plloucr!X, 'waterer ', fern. pres.
ardella.
See
water'.
&.py6~, 'swift'. This word is identical with &.py6c;,
'to
Ci.plle;Lv,
of
part.
'shining, bright'. Cp. its 01. cognate rjrdQ, which
Arethusa , n., a genus of orchids (bot.)- ModL.,
also unites these two meaning s, and sec argent.
named after the nymph Arethusa. See prec. word.
.)
(mineral
also Argonau t.
ate
Cp.
mctasilic
arfvedsonite, n., a basic
argon, n., an inert chemica l element. - ModL.,
Named after the Swedish chemist Johan August
fr. Gk. &py6v, neut of &py6c;, 'idle, inert', conArfvedson (1792-18 41). For the ending see subst.
traction of &.e:py6c;, lit. 'not active', fr. &- (see
suff. -ite.
priv. pref. a-), and ~pyov, 'work'. See ergon
argala, n., the adjutant bird. - Hind. hargitii.
and cp. the second element in lethargy. This eleargali, n., a large wild sheep of Asia ( Ovis amment, discover ed by the British chemists Sir
mon). - Mongoli an.
Aime
inventor
Ramsay (1852-19 16) and Morris Wilits
after
William
Named
argand lamp.liam Travers (1872-19 61) in 1894, was so called
Argand, a Swiss physicist (1755-18 03).
by them because it does not readily unite with
Argemone, n., a genus of plants of the poppy
other elements.
fanuly (bot.) - Gk. cipyEfi.W\11), 'a kind of popArgonaut, n. pl., one of the heroes led by Jason
py', prob. fr. Heb. argiimdn, 'purple'. Cp. Akin the ship Argo to fetch the golden fleece iR
kad. argamannu, of s.m. Cp. also agrimony . For
Colchis. - L. Argonauta, fr. Gk. 'Apyov<XuTij:;,
the ending -w\11) in &.pye:!J.fu\11), cp. cive:!J.w'fl), 'the
'sailor of the Argo', which is compou nded of
wind flower' (see anemone).
argentum
L.
fr.
-F.,
'Apyw (see Argo) and V!X'JTI]c;, 'sailor, seaman' .
argent, n., silver (archaic).
See nautical.
'silver', which is cogn. with Gk. &pyupo~, 'silver,'
argonaut , n., the paper nautilus (zoo/.) - Fr.
prop. 'the white (metal)'' fr. ocpy6~ (dissimil :
prec. word.
ated fr. &pyp6c;), 'shining, bright, white'; fr.
argosy, n., a large ship; a fleet of large ships. I.-E. base arg-, 'to shine', whence also 01.
Earlier ragusye, arguze, lit. 'ship from Ragusa'
rird/:1, 'shining, glowing, bright', rajatdm Avesfr. It. Ragusea, 'ship of Ragusa'.
tic 'rlzata, 'silver', 01. drjuna/:1, 'shining, 'white',
argot, n., slang, esp. the slang of Paris. - F., of
Toch. A arki, 'white' (said of teeth) arkyant'
' color'
Sl"Iver', B iirkwi, of s.m., arkwiiiiie, 'light
uncertai n origin.
argue, intr. and tr. v.- ME. arguen, fr. OF.
Hitt. !Jarkish. 'bright, clear', Thracian &pyl-A<><;:

argument
F.) arguer, fr. L. argutiire, freq. of arguere,
'to make clear, prove', which is rel. to argentum,
'silver' (arguere orig. meant 'to make as white
as silver'). See argent.
Derivatives: argu-able, adj., argu-er, n.
argument, n.- F., fr. L. argumentum, fr. arguere,
'to argue'. See prec. word and -ment.
argumental, adj. - L. argiimentiilis, fr. argumentum. See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
argumentation, n. -F., fr. L. argumentiitionem,
ace. of argumentiitio, 'an adducing of proof', pp.
of argumentiirl, 'to argue', fr. argiimentum. See
argument and -ation.
argumentative, adj. - F. argumentatif (fern. argumentative), fr. argument. See argument and -ive.
Derivatives: argumentative-ly, adv., argumentative-ness, n.
Argus, n., a giant with a hundred eyes (Greek
mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. "Apyo~, lit. 'the bright
one', fr. cl.py6~. 'shining, bright' (see argent);
so called in allusion to his hundred eyes. Cp. his
epithet IT(I(v6rtTI)<;, 'all-seeing, all eyes'.
argute, adj., sharp, quick. - L. argutus, pp. of
arguere, 'to argue'. See argue.
Derivatives: argute-ly, adv., argute-ness, n.
argyr-, form of argyro- before a vowel.
argyria, n., discoloration of the skin (med.) Medical L., fr. O:pyupo~, 'silver'. See argyroand -ia.
argyrite, n., argentite (mineral.) - Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. O:pyupo~, 'silver'. See
argyro- and cp. argentite.
argyro-, before a vowel argyr-, combining form
meaning 'silver'. - Gk. &pyupo-, &pyup-, fr.
Oipyupo;, 'silver', which is cogn. with L. argentum, 'silver'. See argent and cp. the second
element in hydrargyrum.
argyrodite, n., a steel gray mineral containing silver, geranium and sulfur (mineral.) - G. Argyrodit, coined by its discoverer the German
chemist Aloys Auer von Welsbach (1858-1929)
fr. Gk. &:pyupw1l'l)~, 'rich in silver' (fr. Oipyupoc;,
'silver', and -W1l'l)c;, 'like'), and suff. -tTIJ~ See
argyro-, -ode and subst. suff. -ite.
Argyrol, n., a trademark for silver vitellin
(pharm.) - Coined by its inventor Albert
C. Barnes fr. argyr- and suff. -ol, a var. of -ole.
aria, n. (music). - It., 'air'. See air, 'melody',
and cp. arioso.
-aria, subst. suff. meaning 'related to', or 'connected with', as in Utricularia (bot. and zoo/.)ModL. -iiria, fr. L. fern. sing. or neut. pl. of
-iirius. See adj. suff. -ary.
Ariadne, n., daughter of Minos, king of Crete
(Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. 'Ap~!i1l'I'Tj, a name
of uncertain origin.
Arian, adj. and n. - L. Ariiinus, 'pertaining to
Arius', fr. Arius = Gk. "ApE~oc;, presbyter of
Alexandria (died in 336).
Derivatives: Arian-ism, n., Arian-ist-ic, Arianist-ic-al, adjs., Arian-ize, intr. and tr. v., Arianiz-er, n.
(=

104
-arian, suff. forming adjectives from nouns ending in -ary. - Compounded of the suffixes -ary
(representing L. -iirius) and -an (representing L.
-iinus).
aricine, n., an alkaloid found in cusco bark. Named after Arica, in Peru. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ine.
arid, adj., dry.-L. iiridus, 'parched, dry', whence
ardere, 'to bum'. See ardent.
Derivatives: arid-/y, adv., arid-ness, n.
aridity, n., dryness. - F. aridite, fr. L. iiriditiitem, ace. of iiriditiis, 'dryness', fr. iiridus. See
prec. word and -ity.
ariel, n., a gazelle. -Arab. aryil, a vulgar variant
of ayyil, 'stag', which is rei. to Heb. ayil, 'ram',
ayytil, 'stag', Aram.-Syr. ay/d, 'stag', Akkad.
ayalu, 'ram', fr. Sem. base '-w-1, 'anything
strong', whence also Heb. eydl, 'strength', e/dh,
al!dh, 'terebinth; oak', allon, Akkad. a/liinu,
'oak', prop. 'a strong tree'.
Aries, n., 1) a constellation; 2) the first of the
signs of the zodiac (astron.) - L. aries, gen.
arietis, 'lamb', cogn. with Arm. or-o] (assimi\. fr.
*er-oj), 'lamb', Gk. &p~-<poc;, 'kind', Olr. heirp,
'kid', Mlr. earb, of s.m.
aright, adv.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and right.
aril, n., an accessory covering of seeds (bot.) Late L. arillus, 'dried grape'.
arioso, adj., melodious; adv., in a melodious
way (mus.) -It., formed fr. aria, 'melody', with
suff. -oso (corresponding to L. -osus). See aria
and adj. suff. -ose.
Arisaema, n., a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.). - ModL., lit. 'blood of arum', fr. Gk.
&plc;, 'a kind of arum', which is rei. to &po~,
'cuckoopint', and (l(r[J.(I(, 'blood' (see Arum and
hemal); so called from the red-spotted leaves of
some species.
arise, intr. v. - OE. iirlsan, rei. to OS. ar!san,
Goth. urreisan. See a-, 'on', and rise.
arista, n., an awn. - L. See ar~te.
aristarchy, n., government by the best men. Gk. <ip~o"rocpzlii, compounded of &p~o"ro~, 'best',
and -(l(pzlii, 'rule', fr. &pz6c;, 'leader, chief, ruler'.
See aristo- and -archy.
Aristida, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. arista, 'awn'. See arista and -ida.
aristo-, before a vowel arist-, combining form
Gk. &pta-ro-, &pta-r-, fr.
meaning 'best'. OipLCI":'Oc;, 'best', SUperl. tO ocpELWV, 'better', rei.
to &:ptTI), 'virtue', &p~crxE~'I, 'to make good, conciliate', fr. I.-E. base ar-, 'to join', whence also
Gk. &p&pov, 'a joint', L. artus, 'joint, limb', ars,
'art', arma (pl.), 'implements of war, weapons'.
See arm, 'weapon', and cp. arete.
aristocracy, n. - MF. aristocracie (F. aristocratie), fr. L. aristocratia, fr. Gk. &:p~cr-roxp(l(-rlii,
'government, rule of the best', which is compounded of ocpta't'Oc;, 'best' and -xpoc-rlii, 'rule
of', fr. xp&-roc;, 'strength, power, rule'. See aristoand -cracy.
aristocrat, n.- F. aristocrate, back formation fr.

105

aristocratie. See prec. word.

aristocratic, adj. - F. aristocratique, fr. Gk.
&:p~a-roxp(l(-r~x6~, 'pertaining to the rule of the
best', fr. &p~a-roxp(l(-rlii. See aristocracy and -ic.
Derivatives: aristocratic-a/, adj., artistocratical-ly, adv.
Aristolochia, n., a genus of plants, the birth wort.
- ModL., fr. Gk. &:p~ao:Aozlii, 'birthwort', lit.
'that which is the best for childbirth', fr. OC:p~a-ro;,
'best', and :Aozdii, 'childbirth', fr. :A6zoc;, of s.m.
See aristo- and lie, 'to recline'.
aristology, n., the science of dining. - Compounded of Gk. &p~a-rov, 'breakfast', and -:Aoylii,
fr. -).6yoc;, 'one who speaks(in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. The first
element lit. means 'morning meal'. It is formed
fr. &p~-. which is rei. to ~pt, 'early', and cogn.
with OE. iir, 'soon, formerly' (see ere, early),
and fr. -cr-ro (for *d-to), zero degree of root &11-,
'to eat', whence also Gk. 11E~'I, E:cr&lE~'I, L. edere,
'to eat' (see eat). For the second element in
aristology see -logy.
Derivatives: aristolog-ic-a/, adj., aristolog-ist, n.
Aristotelian, adj., pertaining to the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322); n., a follower of
Aristotle; an adherent of Aristotle's teachings.Formed with suff. -ian fr. Gk. 'Apta-ro-re:A'I)c;,
'Aristotle'.
Derivative: Aristotelian-ism, n.
arite, n., a variety of niccolite (mineral.) Named after montagne d' Ar in the dept. Basses
Pyrenees, in France. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
arithmetic, n. - ME. arsmetike, fr. OF. arismetique, fr. L. arithmetica, fr. Gk. &pdt[J.'I)TLX~
(sci\. -rtzvr,), 'the art of counting', fr. &pdt!J.El'~. 'to number, count, reckon', fr. &p~-fr[J.6c;,
'number', fr. I.-E. base *rt-, 'to count, number',
whence also Gk. v~-pt--roc;, 'numberless', OE.,
OHG. rim, 'number', Olr. r!m, 'number', dorfmu, 'I count, number, enumerate', L. rftus,
'religious custom, usage, ceremony'. Base *ri-,
'to count, number', is prob. an enlargement of
base *ar-, 'to join', whence L. arma, 'weapons',
ars, 'art', Goth. arms, OE. earm, arm, etc., 'the
upper limb'. See arm, 'the upper limb', arm,
'weapon', and cp. rhyme, rite. The&- in &:p~fr[J.6c;
is prosthetic and due to the fact that the Greek
(as well as the Armenian) never begins a word
with primary r. Initial p in Greek words goes
back either to sr- or wr- (see red). The sin OF.
arismetique is the phonetic rendering of L. th =
Gk. fr; the ME. forms arismetric, arsmetrik
were developed from ME. arsmetike, which was
associated erroneously with L. ars metrica, 'the
art of measure'. Mod F. arithmetique and E.
arithmetic have been refashioned after the Greek.
Cp. aparithmesis and the second element in
logarithm.
aritbmetician, n. - F. arithmiticien, fr. arithmetique. See arithmetic and -ian.
arithmo- combining form meaning 'number'. -

arm
Gk., fr. &:ptfrtJ.o-, fr. &p~&f.L6~, 'number'. See
arithmetic.
arithmogram, n., the sum of the numerical values
of the letters in a word or phrase. -Compounded of arithmo- and Gk. yp&f.L[J.(I(, 'something
written'. See -gram.
arithmograph, n., a kind of calculating machine.
- Compounded of arithmo- and Gk. -yp(l(<pO~,
fr. ypoc<pe:w, 'to write'. See -graph.
arithmography, n. - Compounded of arithmoand Gk. -yp(l(<plii, fr. ypoc<pEtv, 'to write'. See
-graphy.
arithmometer, n., a calculating machine.- Compounded of arithmo- and Gk. f.L'hpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
-arium, subst. suff. meaning 'a place for, or abounding in, something', or 'a thing pertaining
to something'. - L. -iirium, prop. neut. of the
adjectival suff. -iirius, used to form nouns. The
regular English equivalent of this suff. is -ary.
arizonite, n., a ferric metatitanate (mineral.) Named after Arizona in the U.S.A. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
arjmi, n., an Asiatic tropical tree (Terminalia arjuna). - Hind. arjun, fr. 01. arjuna/:1, 'white',
which is cogn. with Gk. &py6c;, 'bright, white',
OC:pyupoc;, 'silver', L. argentum, 'silver'. See
argent.
ark, n.- OE. arc, earc, 'Noah's ark, box, coffin',
fr. L. area, 'chest', whence also OHG. arahha,
arka (MHG., G. arche), 'ark'. (OSlav. raka,
'burial cave, rakev, 'coffin', are Teut. loan
words.) See arcanum and cp. words there referred to.
aries, n. pl., earnest money (Scot.) - OF., fr. L.
*arrhula, dimin. of arrha, 'pledge'. See arrha
and cp. words there referred to.
arm, n., the upper limb. - ME., fr. OE. earm,
arm, rei. to OS., Dan., Swed., MDu., Du.,
MHG., G. arm, ON. armr, OFris. erm, OHG.
arm, aram, Goth. arms, 'arm', and cogn. with
01. frma/:1, Avestic ar1ma-, 'arm', Arm. armukn,
'elbow', Osset. iirm, 'palm of the hand', Gk.
&:p[J.6c;, 'a joint', L. armus, 'shoulder', OSlav.
ramo, OPruss. irmo, 'arm'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *ar-, 'to join', and lit. mean
'joint', whence also L. arma (pl.), 'weapons',
prop. 'implements of war', artus, 'joint, limb',
ars, 'art', are Ol. ara/:1, 'spoke (of a wheel)',
Avestic ratav-, 'epoch; judge', Toch. ABiirwar,
iirwer, 'ready, prepared', Hitt. iira, 'suitable,
good', Arm. y-armar, 'fitting, appropriate',
arnem, 'I make', Gk. OipBpov, 'a joint', &pf.L(I(, 'a
Chariot', OCp(l(pL<ntEL'I, 'to join, fasten, fit together',
&pecrxEtv, 'to make good, conciliate', &pdwv,
'better', Oip~cr-roc;, 'best', &:pETIJ, 'virtue', &pf.L(I(ALii,
'allotted sustenance', &p!J.6~EL'I, 'to fit together,
adapt, accommodate' , &pr.u\~, 'a joining',
&ptJ.ovlii, 'joint, proportion, concord', &p-r~.
'just', ~noc;, 'complete, perfect of its kind,
suitable; even' (said of a number), &p...UEw,
&:p-r<lvEt~. 'to arrange, prepare, make ready'. Cp.

arm

arm, 'weapon'. Cp. also ambry, arete, aristo-,

armilla, art, Artamus, arthro-, article, articulate,
artillery, artisan, artist, artiste, harmony, inert,
inertia, the first element in Artiodactyla and the
second element in Homer. Cp. also arithmetic,
ration, read, reason.
arm, n., usually in pl. arms, weapon. - ME.
armes (pl.), fr. OF. armes (pl.), fr. L. arma, 'implements of war, weapons', neut. pl. mistaken
in VL. for fern. sing., fr. I.-E. base *ar-, 'to join',
whence also L. armus, 'shoulder', Goth. arms,
OE. earm, arm, 'arm'. See arm, 'upper limb',
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also alarm,
alarum, armada, armadillo, armament, armature, armet, army, inerm and the last element in
gendarme.
arm, tr. v., to furnish with weapons.- F. armer,
fr. L. armare, fr. arma, 'weapons'. See arm,
'weapon'.
Derivatives: arm-ed, adj., arm-ing, n.
armada, n., a fleet of warships; specif. the fleet
of warships sent against England by Philip II
of Spain in rs88, called the Spanish or Invincible Armada.- Sp., 'fleet, navy', fr. L. armata,
fern. pp. of armare, 'to furnish with weapons',
used as a noun, fr. arma, 'weapons'. See arm,
'weapon', and cp. army.
armadillo, n., an American burrowing mammal.
- Sp., dimin. of armada, 'armed', fr. L. armtitus,
pp. of armare (see prec. word); so called in allusion to its hard bony plates resembling armor.
Armageddon, n., scene of a great battle. - Late
L. Armagedon, fr. Gk. 'Ap[L1Xye:33wv, 'Ap[LIX
ye;3wv, fr. Heb. Har Megidda, 'mountain (district) of Megiddo'.
armagnac,n., a superior kind of brandy.- So called because it is made in the department ofGers
in France, a district formerly named Armagnac.
armament, n. - L. armamentum, 'implement', fr.
armare, 'to furnish with weapons', fr. arma,
'weapons'. See arm, 'weapon', and -ment and
cp. F. armement.
armature, n., armor.- L. armatura, 'armor', fr.
armtitus, pp. of armare. See prec. word and -ure
and cp. armor, which is a doublet of armature.
armet, n., a medieval steel helmet.- F., dimin.
of arme. See arm, 'weapon', and -et.
armiger, n., an esquire. - L., 'a weapon bearer',
compounded of arma, 'weapons', and the stem
of gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See arm, 'weapon',
and gerent.
armigerOWi, adj., possessing arms. - Formed fr.
L. armiger (see prec. word) with suff. -ous, on
analogy of adjectives in which this suff. corresponds to OF. -ous, -eus (F. -eux), representing
L. -osus.
armilla, n., a bracelet. - L. dimin, formed fr.
armus, 'shoulder'. See arm, 'the upper limb'.
armillary, adj., r) pertaining to a bracelet; 2) consisting of rings. - Formed with adj. suff. -ary
fr. L. armilla. See prec. word.
Anninian, adj., pertaining to the Dutch theo-

106

logian Jacobus Arminius (I56o-I609) or his

doctrines. For the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative: Arminian-ism, n.
armipotent, adj., mighty in arms. - L. armipotens, gen. -entis, compounded of arma,
'weapons', and patens, 'mighty, powerful'. See
arm, 'weapon', and potent.
armistice, n., truce. -F., fr. ModL. armistitium,
lit. 'a standing (still) of arms', formed, on analogy of the juridic term justitium, 'suspension of
jurisdiction', fr. L. arma, 'weapons', and -sistere,
pp. stem -stit-(um) (used only in compounds),
fr. sistere, 'to cause to stand still', fr. stare, 'to
stand'. See state and cp. words there referred to.
G. Wa.ffenstillstand, 'armistice', lit. 'a standing
still of weapons', is a loan translation of F. armistice.
armlet, n.- Formed fr. arm, 'the upper limb',
with dimin. suff. -let.
armor, armour, n. - ME. armure, fr. OF. armeiire, armure (F. armure), fr. L. armatura. See
armature.
Derivative: armored, armoured. adj.
armorer, n. - OF. armeurier, armurier (F. armurier), fr. armeiire, armure. See armor and
agential suff. -er.
armory, n., the science of heraldry. - OF. armoierie, fr. armoier, armoyer, 'to blazon', fr. L.
arma, 'weapons'. See arm, 'weapon', and cp.
next word.
Derivative: armori-al, adj.
armory, n., armour collectively. - A blend of
OF. armoierie, 'coat of arms', and OF. a/marie,
armarie, 'a place where arms are kept'. See
armor and ambry.
army, n.- F. armee, fr. L. armata, fern. pp. of
armare, 'to furnish with weapons'. See armada
and -y (representing F. -ee).
Derivative: armi-ed, adj.
Amebia, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.)-Arab. arnabtyah, name of a plant,
lit. 'hare plant', fr. arnab, 'hare', which is rei.
to Heb. arnebheth, Arm. arnabhtd, Syr. arn~bha, Ugar. 'nhb. Akkad. annabu, 'hare'.
arnica, n., I) (cap.) a genus of plants ofthe thistle
family; 2) tincture made from the root of the
plant.- ModL., prob. corruption ofptarmica, fr.
Gk. m-cxpfLLXlJ, 'sneezewort', fern. of 7tT1XpfLLxoc;,
'causing to sneeze', fr. 7tT1XpvuviXL, m-cxlptLv, 'to
sneeze', from the I.-E. imitative base *pster(eu)-, whence also L. sternuere, 'to sneeze'. See
sternutation.
Arnold, masc. PN. - G., fr. OHG. Arenwald,
lit. 'having the strength of an eagle', fr. OHG.
aro, 'eagle', and wald, 'power', from the base
of waltan, 'to have power'. For the first element
see em(e) and cp. arend, for the second see
wield and cp. words there referred to.
Amoseris, n., a genus of plants of the chicory
family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'lamb chicory',
fr. Gk. cipvoc;, 'lamb', and aep~.~;, 'chicory'.
The first element is rei. to cipijv gen. cip~.

107

'lamb', and to Homeric and Ion. Gk. dpo~,

'wool'; see erio-. The second element is of uncertain, prob. foreign, origin.
aroint, intr. v. (used only in the imper.), begone!
(obsol.) - Of uncertain origin.
aroma, n., odor. - L., fr. Gk. &pwfLIX, 'fragrance,
odor, spice', of uncertain origin.
aromatic, adj.- F. aromatique, fr. L. aromaticus,
fr. Gk. &pw(LIXT~XO~, fr. &pw[LIX, gen. ocpW[LIXTO<:;,
'fragrance'. See prec. word and -atic.
aromatize, tr. v., to render aromatic. -F. aromatiser, fr. L. aromatizare, fr. Gk. &pwfLCXT[~e;tv,
fr. &pwfLcx. See aroma and -ize.
aromo, n., the huisache.- Sp. aroma, fr. L. aroma,
fr. Gk. &pwfLIX, 'fragrance, odor'. See aroma.
arose, past tense of arise. - ME. aroos, fr. OE.
aras, 'arose' fr. arisan. See arise.
around, adv. and prep. - Formed fr. a- 'on',
and round.
arouse tr. v. -Formed fr. a-, 'on', and rouse.
Derivatives: arous-al, n., arous-er, n.
a rovescio, a musical direction indicating imitation by contrary motion. - It., lit. 'upside
down', fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and rovescio, 'reverse, wrong side', fr. L. reversus, 'turned back',
pp. of revertere. See ad- and revert.
arpeggio, n., the playing of the notes of a chord
in rapid succession instead of simultaneously;
a chord on which the notes are so played
(mus.) - It., fr. arpeggiare, 'to play upon the
harp', fr. arpa, 'harp'. See harp.
arpent, n., an old French land measure. - F.,
fr. VL. *arependis, alteration of L. arepennis,
a Gaulish word of uncertain origin.
arquebus, n. - See harquebus.
arrack, in the East, a strong alcoholic drink made
from rice or molasses.- Fr. Arab. 'draq, 'sweat,
juice of fruit'. Cp. rack, 'arrack', and borage.
arraign, tr. v., to call to account; to bring before
a law court. - ME. areinen, fr. AF. areiner,
fr. OF. araisnier, aresnier (F. arraisonner), fr.
VL. *arrationare, fr. ad- and *rationare, 'to
reason', fr. L. ratio, 'reckoning, calculation;
reason'. See reason and cp. deraign.
Derivatives: arraign, n., arraign-er, n., arraignment (q.v.)
arraignment, n. -OF. araisnement, fr. araisnier.
See prec. word and -ment.
arrange, tr. and intr. v.- OF. arengier, arangier,
(F. arranger), fr. a, 'to' (see a), and rengier, rangier (F. ranger), 'to put into line'. See range and
cp. derange.
Derivatives: arrange-ment, n., arrang-er, n.
arrant,adj.,I)wandering(obsol.); 2)unmitigated;
notorious, infamous. - A variant of errant.
Derivative: arrant-ly, adv.
arras, n., pictured tapestry.- Fr. Arras, formerly capital of the province of Artois (now capital
of the department Pas de Calais), from L. Atrebates, a tribe of the Belgae (whence also the
name Artois. Cp. artesian.
arras, n., property contributed by the husband

arriba

to the wife (Sp. law).- Sp., fr. L. arrha, 'earnest

money'. See arrha and cp. earnest, 'pledge', and
words there referred to.
arrastre, n., a drag-stone mill for grinding orcs.
- Sp., 'dragging, haulage', fr. arrastrar, 'to
drag along', fr. ad-, ar- (fr. L. ad}, 'to', and
rastrar, 'to drag', fr. rastro, 'rake, harrow', fr.
L. rastrum, 'a toothed hoe, a rake', which stands
for *rad-trom, 'instrument to scrape with', fr.
radere, 'to scrape'. See raze.
array, tr. v., I) to arrange; 2) to dress, clothe. ME. arraien, fr. OF. araier, areier, areer, aroier,
fr. VL. *arredare (whence also It. arredare),
which is formed fr. L. ad, 'to', and Teut. *raidjan, 'to place in order', whence OE. riide,
'ready, mounted', Goth. garedan, 'to attend to,
provide for', garaijJs, 'fixed, appointed, ordained'. See ad- and ready and cp. raiment.
Derivatives: array-al, n., array-er, n., arraymen!, n.
array, n., I) order, arrangement; 2) dress, garments. - ME. arrai, fr. OF. arrei, aroi, arroi
(F. arroi), 'array, equipage', fr. OF. areier,
areer. See array, v.
arrayan, n., name of various trees.- Sp. arraytin,
fr. Arab. ar-rayhan, Cr. ar-, assimilated form of
a/-, 'the', and ray /:ran in rayfuin al-qubar, 'myrtle'
(lit. 'sweet-smelling plants of the tombs'), a
deriv. of ri/:1, 'odor', which is rei. to Heb. rla/:1,
'odor', prop. 'breath', Heb. raah, Aram.-Syr.
ru/:ld, 'breath, wind, spirit', Arab. rii/:1, 'soul,
spirit'.
arrear, n.- ME. arere, fr. OF. arere (F. arriere),
'behind', fr. VL. *ad retro (L. = retro), 'backward'. See ad- and retro- and cp. reredos.
arrearage, n. - ME. arerage, fr. OF. arerage
(F. arrerage). See prec. word and -age.
arrect, adj., erect.- L. arrectus, pp. of arrigere,
'to set upright', fr. ad- and regere, 'to keep
straight, stretch'. See regent and cp. erect.
arrest, tr. v. - ME. aresten, fr. OF. arester (F.
arreter), fr. VL. *arrestare (whence also It. arrestare, Sp., Port. arrestor), fr. ad- and L. restare, 'to stop', fr. re- and stare, 'to stand'. See
state and cp. rest, 'to remain'.
arrest, n. - ME. arest, fr. OF. arest (F. arret),
back formation fr. arester (F. arreter). See
arrest, v.
Derivatives: arrest-er, n., arrest-ing, arrest-ive,
adjs., arrestment (q.v.)
arrestment, n.- OF. arestement, fr. arester. See
prec. word and -ment.
arrha, n., earnest money.- L. arrha, arra, shortened fr. arrhabO, fr. Gk. &pp1X[?>wv, 'earnest
money', fr. Heb. 'erabh6n, 'pledge, surety', fr.
'artibh, 'he pledged'. See earnest, 'pledge' and
cp. words there referred to.
arriba, n., a variety of cacao from Ecuador. Sp. arriba, 'up, above', formed fr. ad-, ar- (fr.
L. ad), 'to' and ripa, 'bank of a stream' (see adand riparian and cp. arrive); so called from an
upland district in Ecuador.

arride

108

a department in France.- F., lit. 'a rounding',

arride, tr. v., to please (archaic). - L. arridere,
fr. arrondir, 'to make round, to round off', fr.
'to laugh at, laugh with', fr. ad- and ridere, 'to
a, 'to' (see a), and rand, 'round'. See round, adj.
laugh'. See risible.
and -ment.
arriere-ban, n., summons to war issued by the
arrope, n., must boiled down to a sirup.- Sp.,
king to his vassals. - F., fr. OHG. hari-ban,
fr. Arab. ar-rubb, ar-, assimilated form of a/-,
(whence also G. Heerbann), lit. 'proclamation
'the', and rubb, 'juice of the fruit boiled down'.
to the army', fr. OHG. hari, heri (whence G.
arrow, n.- ME. arewe, fr. OE. arwe, earh, rei.
'Heer), 'army', and ban (whence G. Bann), 'proto ON. or, gen. orvar, Goth. arlvazna, and cogn.
clamation'; see harry and ban. F. arriere-ban
with L. arcus, 'bow, arch'. See arc.
was influenced in form by a confusion with F.
Derivative: arrow-y, adj.
amere, 'behind' (see next word).
arroyo, n., a watercourse; the dry bed of a
arriere-pensee, n., mental reservation - F., lit.
stream.- Sp., 'rivulet, small stream', fr. L. ar'a thought behind', fr. arriere, 'behind', and
rugia, 'shaft or pit in a gold mine', which is
pensee, 'thought'. For the first word see arrear.
prob. formed, fr. ad- and ruga, 'wrinkle'; the
F. pensee is prop. fern. pp. of penser, 'to think',
orig. meaning was 'a digging out'. See ruga.
fr. L. pensiire, 'to weigh out carefully, ponder,
arse, n., the buttocks (now vulgar). - ME. ars,
examine'; see pensive and cp. pansy.
ers, fr. OE. ears, rers, rei. to OS., OHG., MHG.
arriero, a muleteer. - Sp., a collateral form of
ars, ON. ars (also metathesized into rass), MDu.
harriero, fr. arrear, harrear, 'to drive or push
rers, e(e)rs, Du. (n)aars, G. Arsch, 'buttock',
on', from the interjection harre, fr. Arab. harr,
and cogn. with Gk. iSppo~ (for I.-E. *orsos),
the cry used to drive on camels.
'tail, rump, base of the spine', o0p& (for *6pcrf&),
arris, n., a sharp ridge, an edge. - OF. areste
'tail', Hitt. arrash, Arm. of, 'buttock', Oir. err
(F. arete), fr. L. arista, 'ear of grain'. See arete
(for *ersa), 'tail'. Cp. uro-, 'tail-'.
and cp. arista, Aristida.
arsenal, n., a place for manufacturing and storing
arrival, n. -ME. arrivaile, fr. AF. arrivaille, fr.
ammunition and weapons. - It. arsenale (Oit.
OF. arriver. See next word and subst. suff. -al.
arzanale), 'dock', borrowed-prob. through the
arrive, intr. v. - ME. ariven, fr. OF. arriver,
medium of MGk. &.pcr1Jva):YJ~-fr. Arab. diirariver (F. arriver), 'to arrive', fr. VL. *arripiire,
a$-$ina'ah (whence also Sp. dtirsena and It. dar'to touch the shore', fr. ad- and L. ripa, 'shore,
sena, 'dock'), lit. 'house of construction', fr. dar,
bank'. See river and cp. arriba. Sp. arribar also
'house', as-, assimilated form of a!-, 'the', and
derives fr. VL. *arripiire, but It. arrivare, is a
$inti'ah, 'construction, art', fr. $dna' a, 'he made'.
French loan word.
For the ending of arsenal see adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: ttrrival (q.v.), arriv-er, n.
arsenic, n., a chemical element. - OF. ( = F.)
arroba, n., a Spanish weight. - Sp. and Port.,
arsenic, fr. L. arsenicum, arrhenicum, fr. Gk.
fr. Arab. ar-rub', in vulgar pronunciation ar&.pcr~vLx6v, &.ppe:vL;{O'J, 'yellow orpiment', fr.
rob', 'the quarter' (sci\. of the weight at-qintar),
MPers. *zarnfk, 'gold, golden; orpiment '(whence
fr. ar-, assimilated form of a/-, 'the', and rub'
ModPers.-Arab. zarnfkh, 'orpiment'), through
(rob'), 'quarter', from the stem of arbti' (masc.),
the medium of a Semitic language; cp. Mishtirba'a 11 (fern.), which is rei. to Heb. arbti'
naic Heb. zarnfkh, Syr. zarnlkhd, 'orpiment'.
(masc.), arbii'ah, (fern.), Aram. arbti' (masc.),
Cp. Avestic zaranya, Pers. zar, 'gold', and the
arh''a (fern.), Ethiop. arba' (masc.), arbii'tii
first element in zermahbub, and see yellow and
(fern.), Akkad. arba'u (masc.), irbitti (fern.),
words there referred to. Cp. also jargon, 'a
'four'. (The masc. forms are used with fern.
variety of zircon'. Gk. &.pcr~\nx6v, &.pp~vLx6v,
nouns, the fern. ones with masc. nouns).
'orpiment', was influenced in form by &.pcrEVLx6c;,
arrogance, n.- F., fr. L. arrogantia, fr. arrogans,
&.ppEVLx6<;, 'male', fr. Gi.pcrr,v, Gi.pp"ljv, 'male'. For
gen. -antis. See next word and -ce.
the sense development of MPers. *zarnik, cp. L.
arrogant, adj. - F., fr. L. arrogantem, ace. of
auripigmentum, fr. aurum, 'gold' (see orpiment).
arrogiins, pres. part. of arrogare. See next word
Derivatives: arsenic, arsenic-al, adjs.
and -ant.
arsenious, adj., containing arsenic. - See arDerivative: arrogant-ly, adv.
senic and -ous.
arrogate, tr. v. - L. arrogatus, pp. of arrogare,
arsis, n., the unaccented part of a foot in pro'to claim as one's own, to arrogate to oneself',
sody. - L., fr. Gk. &paL~, 'a raising, lifting',
fr. ad- and rogiire, 'to ask'. See rogation and
fr. tidptw, octpe:Lv, 'to raise, lift'. See artery.
verbal suff. -ate and cp. abrogate.
arson, n. - OF., fr. Late L. arsi6nem, ace. of
Dcri\atives: arrogation (q.v.), arrogat-ive, adj.
arsio, 'a burning', fr. L. arsus, pp. of ardere, 'to
arrogation, - L., fr. arrogiitus, pp. of arrogiire.
burn'. See ardent.
See prec. word and -ion.
arsonium, n., the radical AsH4 (chem.) - ModL.,
arrojadite, n., a phosphate of natrium, ferrum,
compounded of arsenic and ammonium.
sodium, etc. - Named after the Brazilian geoart, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. artem, ace. of ars,
logist Dr. Miguel Arrojado of Lisbon. For the
'skill, handicraft, trade, occupation, art', which
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
is rei. to L. artus, 'joint', and cogn. with 01.
arrondissement, n., an administrative district of

109

rti/.1, 'manner, mode', Gk. Gi.pn, 'just', &pno~,

'complete, perfect of its kind, suitable; even
(said of a number), &.prl~e:Lv, 'to prepare',
&.p-ru~w, &.p-r6vtLv, 'to arrange, prepare, make
ready', Lith. art/, 'near', MHG., G. art, 'manner, mode'. All these words derive fr. I.-E.
*art-, at- enlargement of base *ar-, 'to join',
whence L. armus, 'shoulder', arma, 'weapons'.
See arm, 'upper limb', and arm, 'weapon', and
ep. Artamus, article, articulate, artifice, artillery, artisan, artist, artiste, coarctation, inert.
Derivatives: art-ful, adj., artful-ly, adv., artful-ness, n., art-less, adj., art-less-ly, adv., artless- ness, n.
art, 2nd pers. pres. ind. of be. - OE. eart, fr.
Teut. base *ar-, corresponding to I.-E. base *es-,
'to be'. See are, v., and words there referred to.
artaba, artabe, n., a Persian and Egyptian measure. - Gk. &.p-r6:f'1j, prob. of Egyptian origin.
Cp. ardeb.
Artamus, n., a genus of oscine birds (ornithol.)ModL., fr. Gk. Gi.p-rafl.o~, 'butcher, cook',
which-according to Eusthatios-is a contraction of e:l.~ Gi.p-rLa "rEf.LVCUv, 'he who cuts artistically'. Accordingly Gi.p-rocf.Lo~ stands for *&p-rlTCifl.O~ (see haplology), and is compounded of
Gi.pn, 'just', orig. 'joining, order', and of the
stem of TEf-1.\/WJ, 'to cut'. See art, n., and tome.
Artemis, n., the goddess of hunting in Greek
mythology; identified by the Romans with
Diana. - L., fr. Gk. "Ap-re:f.!.Lc;, a name of uncertain origin. Cp. next word.
Artemisia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - L., 'mugwort', fr. Gk. &.p-re:fl.Lcr[c.t, fr. "Ap-re:f.!.Lc;, the Greek goddess of hunting. See prec. word and -ia.
arterial, adj. - F. arterial (now arteriel), fr. L.
arteria. See artery and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: arterial-ly, adv.
arterialize, tr. v. to change into arterial. -- F.
arterialiser. See prec. word and -ize.
Derivative: arterializ-ation, n.
arteriasis, n., degeneration of an artery (med.)Medical L., formed with suff. -iasis fr. Gk.
&.p-::~p('i. See artery.
arterio-, combining form meaning 'arterial'. Gk. &.p7r,pLr:.-, fr. &p-::r,p[i, 'windpipe, artery'.
See artery.
arteriole, n., a small artery. - ModL., dimin.
of L. arteria. See artery and -ole.
arteriosclerosis, n., thickening of the walls of
the arteries (med.)- Medical L., lit. 'hardening
of the arteries'; compounded of Gk. &.pr,pli,
'windpipe, artery', and ax:i-epcumc;, 'hardening,
induration'. See arterio- and sclerosis.
arteriosclerotic, adj.- See arterio- and sclerotic.
arteriotomy, n., the cutting open of an artery
(mpd.)- Late 1.. arti'riotnmia, fr. Gk. fp~fW>
'!'OiLLa, fr. &.pr,pLo-::of.Le:~v, 'to cut an artery'. See
artery and -tomy.
arterious, adj., arterial. - Formed with suff. -ous
fr. L. arteria. See artery.

article

arteritis, n., inflammation of an artery or of arteries (med.) - Medical L., formed with suff.
-itis fr. Gk. &pt"YJPLa. See next word.
artery, n. - L. arteria, fr. Gk. &flTI)pla, 'windpipe, artery', prob. contracted from *&e:por'l)pla,
which is a derivative of &.e:lpe:Lv, a'ip~w. 'to
lift, raise, bear'. See aorta and cp. arsis and the
second element in meteor.
artesian, adj.- F. artesien, 'of Artois'. fr. OF.
Arteis (F. Artois), fr. L. Atrebates, a people that
lived in the NW. of Gallia. Cp. arras. For the
ending see suff. -ian. - Artesian well owes its
name to the circumstance that the first such
wells were established by Belidor (I 698-1 76 I)
in the province of Artois, who therefore called
them puits artesiens.
artha, n., purpose (Hindu phi/as.) - 01. tirtham,
later tirtha/.1, 'purpose, aim, work, object', which
is rei. to p:z6ti, p:zvtiti, 'rises, moves', rcchtiti,
'goes toward a thing, reaches', Avestic 6r'naoiti,
'moves', and cogn. with Gk. opvtif.LL, 6pvuvaL,
'to stir up, rouse', L. orior, orirl, 'to rise'. See
orient, and ep. words there referred to.
arthritic, adj., pertaining to arthritis. - L. arthriticus, fr. Gk. &.pi}pi:nx6~. fr. &.p&p~'!'L~. See
next word and -ic.
arthritis, n., inflammation of a joint (med.) Medical L., fr. Gk. &p&p~ort~ (sci!. v6cro~). 'disease of the joints', prop. fern. of the adjective
&p&ph'IJ~, 'pertaining to the joints', fr. Gi.p&pov,
'joint'. See next word and -itis and cp. diarthrosis, enarthrosis, synarthrosis.
arthro-, before a vowel arthr-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the joints'. - Gk.
&p&po-, &.p&p-, fr. Gi.p&pov, 'joint', which is a
derivative of base *ar-, 'to join'. See arm, 'the
upper limb', and cp. arthritis and words there
referred to. Cp. also article.
arthrology, n., the study of the joints. -- Formed
fr. arthro- and Gk. -),Qy[x, fr. -Myoc" 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
arthroplasty, n., formation of (artificial) joints. Formed fr. arthro- and -;-:/,acr":"(i. Sec -plasty.
arthropod, adj., pertaining to the Arthropoda;
n., one of the Arthropoda. - See next word.
Arthropoda, n. pl., the phylum of invertebrate
animals with jointed limbs (entomol.)- ModL.,
lit. 'those with jointed feet'; coined by the German anatomist and zoologist Karl Theodor
Ernst von Siebold (1804-85) in I845 fr. arthroand -poda.
Arthur, n., masc. PN. - ML. Arthurus, Arturus,
fr. W. arth, 'bear', which is rei. to Mlr. art, of
s.m. and cogn. with Gk. Gi.px-::oc;, L. ursus 'bear'.
See arctic and cp. words there referred to.
artichoke, n. - Northern It. articiocco, altered
fr. It. rarrinfn, fr. Sp. alcarchofa. fr. Arab. alkarshfif, fr. a/-, 'the', and karshilf, 'artichoke'.
F. artichaut, and G. Artischocke are also borrowed fr. It. articiocco.
article, n. - F., fr. L. articulus, dimin. of artus,

110

articular
'joint', which is rei. to ars, gen. artis, 'art'. See
art, n., and cp. articular, articulate. For the ending see suff. -cle.
Derivatives: article, tr. v., articl-ed, adj.
articular, adj. - L. articularis, 'pertaining to the
joints', fr. articulus, 'joint'. See prec. word
and -ar.
Articulata, n. pl., a division of animals comprising invertebrates with jointed limbs (now called
Arthropoda). - ModL., coined by the French
naturalist baron Georges-Leopold-ChretienFrederic-Dagobert Cuvier (1769-1832) fr. L.
articulatus, 'jointed', pp. of articuliire. See next
word.
articulate, tr. and intr. v. - L. articuliitus, pp. o(
articulare, 'to separate into joints; to utter distinctly', fr. articulus, 'joint'. See article and
verbal suff. ate.
Derivatives: articulat-ed, adj., articulation (q.v.),
articulat-ive, adj., articulat-or, n., articulat-ory,
adj.
articulate, adj. - L. articulatus, pp. of articulare.
See articulate, v.
articulation, n. - F., fr. L. articuliitionem, ace.
of articulatio, 'separation into joints', fr. articuliitus, pp. of articulare. See articulate, v., and
ion.
artifact, n., anything made by human art (paleant.) - Compounded of L. ars, gen. artis, 'art',
and facere, 'to make, do'. See art and fact and
cp. next word.
artifice, n., 1) skill; 2) trickery.- F., fr. L. artificium, 'handicraft, skill, ingenuity, dexterity;
craft, cunning, device', fr. artifex, gen. artificis,
'craftsman', which is formed fr. ars, gen. artis,
'art', and -ficere, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See
art, n., and fact and cp. artifact. For the change
of Latin a (in fiicere) to i (in arti-fic-, the stem
of arti-fex) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivative: artific-er, n.
artificial, adj. - L. artificialis, 'pertaining to art,
artificial', fr. artificium. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: artificial, n., artificial-ity, n., artificialize (q.v.), artificial-ly, adv., artificial-ness, n.
artillery, n. - OF. ( = F.) artillerie, fr. artillier,
'to provide with engines of war', fr. ML. articula, 'engine of war', dimin. of L. ars. gen. art is,
'art'. See art, n., and cp. words there referred to.
For sense development cp. engine, fr. L. ingenium,
'nature, disposition, capacity'.
Derivative: artiller-ist, n.
artinite, n., a hydrous magnesium carbonate
lmineral.) - Named after the Italian mineralogist Ettore Artini (1866-1928). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Artiodactyla, n., an order of mammals (zoo/.) ModL., lit. 'having even-numbered toes', fr. Gk.
&p-r~oc;, 'even', and 8&:xw).oc;, 'finger, toe'. For
the first element see art. for the second see
dactyL

artisan, n. - F., fr. It. artigiano, fr. VL. *art'itiiinus, fr. L. art!tus, pp. of artire, 'to instruct
in arts', fr. ars, gen. art is, 'art'. See art. For the
ending cp. partisan.
artist, n. - F. artiste, fr. It. artista, which is
formed fr. L. ars gen. art is, 'art'. See art and -ist.
artiste, n. - F. See prec. word.
artistic, adj.- F. artistique, fr. artiste. See prec.
word and -ic.
Derivative: artistic-al-ly, adv.
artistry, n. -Coined by Browning fr. artist and
suff. -ry.
Arum, n., a genus of plants; (not cap.) any plant
of this genus (bot.) - L., fr. Gk. &pov, 'the
cuckoopint', a word of Egyptian origin. See
Plinius, Historia Naturalis, 19, 96, and cp.
Araceae.
Aruncus, n., a genus of plants, the goat's beard
(bot.) - L. aruncus (a word used by Pliny), fr.
Gk. 'ijpuyyoc;, Dor. Y.puyyoc;, 'goatsbeard'. See
Eryngium.

Arundinaria, n., a genus of bamboo grasses (bot.)

- ModL., fr. L. arundii, gen. -inis, 'reed'. See
Arundo, adj. suff. -ary and suff. -ia.
Arundo, n., a genus of grasses (bot.)- L. arundii,
harundo, 'reed', of uncertain origin.
arupa, adj., without form (Hindu religion). - OI.
ariipa/:1, formed fr. priv. pref. a- and riipa/:1,
'form'. See priv. pref. an- and rupa.
Arval, adj., pertaining to the Fratres Arvales
(Rom. relig.) - L. arvalis, 'pertaining to a cultivated field', fr. arvum, 'arable field, cultivated
land', which is rei. to arare, 'to plow', and cogn.
with Gk. &:pouv, 'to plow', &poupoc, 'arable land'.
See arable and adj. suff. -al.
arvej6n, n., the chickling vetch.- Sp., fr. arvejo,
'bastard chick-pea', rei. to arveja, 'vetch', fr. L.
ervilia, 'the chick-pea', which is rei. to ervum,
'the bitter vetch'. See Ervum.
-ary, adj. suff. meaning 'pertaining to, connected
with', as in arbitrary. - ME. -arie, -arye, derived fr. L. -arius, fern. -aria, neut. -iirium, either
directly or through the medium of OF. -ier,
AF. -er or F. -aire. Cp. adj. suff. -ory.
-ary, subst. suff. meaning 'a man belonging to,
or engaged, in something', as in emissary, notary.- L. -arius, prop. identical with adj. suff.
-iirius. See adj. suff. -ary.
-ary, subst. suff. denoting 'a place for, or abounding in, something', as in aviary.- L. -arium,
prop. neut. of the adj. suff. -iirius, used to form
substantives. See prec. suffixes and cp. -arium,
and -er in the sense 'receptacle for'.
-ary, adj. suff., meaning 'pertaining to', as in
exemplary. - L. -aris. The regular English equivalent of L. -aris is -ar (q.v.)
Aryan, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
01. drya/:1, 'noble', which is rei. to OPers. ariya,
'noble' (whence Pers. lriin, 'Persia'). Cp. Iran
ian. As a synonym for 'Indo-European' the
term Aryan was introduced by the German
philologist Friederich Max MUller (1823-1900).

111

Derivatives: Aryan-ism, n., Aryan-ize, tr. v.,

Aryan-iz-ation, n.
aryballus, n., a bottle with a short neck and globular body (Greek antiq.)- L., fr. Gk. &:pu~ocA
Ao<;, 'bag or purse; globular bottle for holding oil', prob. a North Balkanic Joan word. See
Frisk, GEW., I, p. 156.
arytenoid, adj., pertaining to two small cartilages
in the larynx (anat.)-Gk. &pu-rocwoe~81)c;, 'shaped
like a pitcher', coined by Galen fr. apUTct:LV<X,
'a pitcher' and -oeL81)c;, 'like', fr. d8oc;, 'form,
shape'. The first element is rei. to &:pu-ri)p,
'ladle', fr. apUeLv (Att. &:pU-reLv), 'to draw' (water,
wine, etc.) which prob. stands for *focpUeLv, and
is rei. to euptcrxeLv, 'to find'; see heuristic. For
the second element see -oid.
Derivatives: arytenoid, n., arytenoid-a/, adj.
as, adv. - ME. as(e), als(e), also, al swa, fr. OE.
ealswa, a!lswii, alswa, prop. 'all so', rei. to
MHG. als, dlse, dls6, 'so, as, than', G. als, 'as,
than'. See also.
Derivatives: as, conj., pron., prep.
as, n., Roman copper coin. - L. as (for *ass),
gen. assis, prob. lit. meaning 'square piece of
metal' (such was the original form of the coin),
and orig. identical with assis, axis, 'plank, disc',
which is rei. to asser, 'pole, stake, post'. See
ashlar and cp. the second element in ambsace.
as-, assimilated form of ad- before s.
asafetida, asafoetida, n. - A ModL. hybrid
coined fr. asa (fr. Pers. aza, 'mastic') and L.
foetida, fern. of foetidus, 'stinking'. See fetid.
asana, n., seat; sitting. - 01. asana/:1, formed
from the stem of dste, 'he sits', which is cogn.
with Hitt. esa, esari, 'he sits', eszi, 'he causes
to sit', Gk. ~[lct:L, 'I sit'.
asarabacca, n., the wild ginger (bot.) - Compounded of L. asarum, 'hazelwort', and bacca,
'berry'. See Asarum and bacci-.
asaron, n., a crystalline compound, found especially in the oils of :>!ants of the genus Asarum.
- Gk.llcrocpov, 'hazelwort' of uncertain, possibly
Sem. origin. Cp. next word.
Asarum, n., a genus of herbs of the family Aristolochiaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. asarum,
'hazelwort, wild spikenard', fr. Gk. &crocpov.
See asaron.
asbestine, adj., pertaining to asbestos. - L. asbestinus, fr. Gk. &cr~cr-rLvo<;, fr. &cr~ecr-ro<;. See
next word and adj. suff. -ine (representing L.
-[nus).
asbestos, n. - L. asbestos, fr. Gk. &cr~ecr-roc;, lit.
'unquenchable, inextinguishable', fr. a- (see
priv. pref. a-) and cr[:iecr-r6c;, verbal adj. of
cr[:ie:vWv<X~. 'to quench, extinguish', which derives
fr. I.-E. base gwes-, 'to quench, extinguish',
whence also Lith. gestu, gesti, 'to go out, be
extinguished', OS!av. gas(J. gasiti, of s.m., Hitt.
kishtari, 'is being put out', Toch. A kas-, B kes-,
kiis-, 'to go out, be extinguished'.
asbolite, n., a mineral containing oxide of cobalt.
- Formed with subst. suff. -fte fr. Gk. &:a~6A7),

Asclepias
'soot', which is perhaps rei. to Gk. Y.~oc, 'dryness', &~eLv, 'to dry up, parch', and cogn. with
Goth. azg6, 'ashes', L. arere (for *asere), 'to be
dry', ardere, 'to burn'. See ardent and cp. ash,
'powdery substance'.
Ascaridae, n. pl., a genus of Nematoda or threadworms. - ModL., fr. Gk. &crxocptc;, hen. -t8oc;,
'worm in the intestines', which is rei. to crxocpt~eLv, Att. occrx<Xpt~eLv, 'to jump', crxoc(pew, 'to
skip, dance', crxLp-riiv (freq. of crxoc(peLv), 'to
leap, bound', crx&:poc;, 'the parrot fish' (lit. 'the
leaping one'), fr. I.-E. base *sqer-, 'to leap,
bound'. See Scarus and -idae.
ascend, tr. and intr. v.- L. ascendere, 'to climb
up, mount', fr. ad- and scandere, 'to climb'. See
scan and cp. descend. For the change of Latin
i1 (in sciindere) to e (in as-cendere) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
ascendance, ascendence, n.- Formed fr. ascendant resp. ascendent, with suff. -ce. .
ascendancy, ascendency, n.- Formed from next
word with suff. -cy.
ascendant, ascendent, n.- F. ascendant (adj. and
n.), fr. L. ascendentem, ace. of ascendens, pres.
part. of ascendere. See ascend and -ancy, resp.
-ency.
ascension, n.- F., fr. L. ascensionem, ace. of ascensiii, 'ascent', fr. ascensus, pp. of ascendere.
See ascend and -ion and cp. descension.
Derivative: ascention-al, adj.
ascensive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
ascensus, pp. of ascendere. See ascend and cp.
descensive.
ascent, n. - Formed fr. ascend on analogy of
descent (fr. descend).
ascertain, tr. v.- OF. acertener, fr. a, 'to' (see a),
and certain. See certain.
Derivatives: ascertain-able, adj., ascertain-er, n.,
ascertain-ment, n.
ascetic, adj., self-denying, austere. - Gk. &crX1)TLx6c;, 'practiced, laborious, athletic', fr.
&:crx'I)Ti)c;, 'one who practices any art or trade',
fr. &crxe'L11, 'to form by art, to practice gymnastics, to practice, exercise', which is of uncertain origin. The word ascetic was introduced
into English by Sir Thomas Brown (1663-1704).
Derivatives: ascetic, n., ascetic-al-ly, adv., ascetic-ism, n.
ascidian, n., a sea squirt (zoot.) - Gk. occrx(8LOv,
dimin. of <Xcrx6c;, 'leather bag'. See ascus.
ascites, n., accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal
cavity (med.) - Gk. &:crxt't"l)c;, 'a kind of dropsy', short for &:crxt't"l)c; !}8pwy, lit. 'a baglike
dropsy', fr. &:crx6c;. See ascus.
Asclepiadaceae, n. pl., the milkweed family (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. next word with suff.
-aceae.
Asclepias, n., a genus of plants, the milkweed.L. asclepias, name of a plant, fr. Gk. &:crxA7jm&:c;,
fr. 'AmU..1)m6<;, name of the god of medicine;
see next word and -ad. Asclepias orig. meant
'the plant dedicated to Asclepius'.

Asclepiu s

112

base *onnii, for *osnii), 'ash', L. ornus (for *osinos),

'the wild mountai n ash'. The original I.-E. base
*osis appears in Lith. uosis, Lett. u6sis, OPruss.
woasis, 'ash'.
Derivative: ash-en, adj.
ashamed, adj. - Pp. of obsol. ashame, fr. ME.
aschamien, fr. OE. iiscamian, 'to put to shame',
which is formed fr. intensive pref. a- and
scamian, 'to put to shame'. See shame.
Ashamnu, n., the shorter of the two alphabetical
confessions of sins recited in the liturgy of
Yom Kippur (Jewish religion ).- Heb. Ashdmnu, 'we have trespassed', fr. iishdm, 'he has trespassed', rei. to iishtim, 'offence, guilt, guilt offering', and to Arab. dthima, 'he has sinned',
ithm, 'offence'.
Asher, n., I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) a son
of Jacob; b) the tribe descended from him. Heb. Ashir, lit. 'happy' (see Gen. 30: 13), rei. to
ishsMr, 'he pronoun ced happy', Osher, 'happiaskos.
ness', ashri, 'happy is', and prob. also to Arab.
ModL.,
Ascyrum, n., a genus of plants (bot.)
yasara, 'was gentle, easy, happy'. Cp. the PN.
fr. Gk. &crxupov, 'St. John's wort', which is of
Felix, fr. L. fi!lix, 'happy'.
unknow n origin.
asherah, n., a Canaani tish and Phoenician god-ase, suff. denoting enzymes (biochemistry). ess; a sacred tree or pole. - Heb. iisherti", of
The ending of diastase (q.v.), the first enzyme
uncertain origin.
forming
for
isolated, became the regular suffix
Ashkenaz, n., the eldest son of Gomer (Gen.
nouns denoting enzymes. Cp. -ese.
10: 3); also name of a people mention ed in Jereaseity, n., being by itself (philos.) - ML. iisiitiis,
(51 : 2 7); in the Middle Ages applied to
miah
'state of being by itself', fr. L. ii se, 'from, or of,
ny.- Heb. Ashkendz. Cp. Euxine.
Germa
-ity.
and
sui
'from',
a-,
See
himself'.
n. pl., the Jews of Germany, central
zim,
Ashkena
Medical
asepsis, n., absence of sepsis (med.)
Europe. - Heb. Ashkena zzfm,
northern
and
L., formed fr. priv. pref. a- and sepsis.
z. See prec. word.
Ashkend
fr.
formed
pl.
g
producin
not
asepsis,
to
aseptic, adj., pertainin g
stone; 2) masonry
building
squared
a
1)
n.,
ashlar,
sepsis (med.) - Formed fr. priv. pref. a- and
- ME. ascheler, fr. OF. aisstones.
squared
of
septic.
See
tive'.
'putrefac
cr1J7tTLK6~,
selier, fr. L. axil/iiris, fr. axis, 'board, plank', a
Derivatives: aseptic-al-ly, adv., aseptic-ism, n.,
collateral form of assis, of s.m., which is rei. to
aseptic-ize, tr. v.
'pole, stake, post'. Axis, 'axle', is not rei. to
asser,
.)(pharm
ion
preparat
c
aseptol, n., an antisepti
the above sense. Cp. as, n., atelier. ror
in
axis
Coined fr. aseptic and suff. -ol (representing L.
the ending see suff. -ar.
oleum, 'oil').
ves: ashlar-ed, adj., ashlar-big, n.
Derivati
fr.
coined
asexual, adj., not sexual. - A hybrid
Formed fr. a- 'on', and shore.
adv.ashore,
Gk. &-, 'not' (see priv. pref. a-), and sexual, a
of various gold coins, esp. a
name
n.,
ashrafi,
word of Latin origin.
Pers., fr. Arab.
Persia.
in
coin
gold
Derivatives: asexual-ity, n., asexual-ly, adv.
'noble ones', pl. of sharff, 'noble',
lit.
dshraf,
e
substanc
powdery
a
ashes,
pl.
in
ash, n., usually
fr. shdrafa, 'he was exalted, he was noble'.
that remains after burning anything. - ME.
See shereef and cp. words there referred to.
asche,fr. OE. asce, :Esce, rei. to ON., Swed. aska,
, n., hermitage (Hinduism). - 01. iisrdashrarna
Goth.
asche,
G.
Dan. ask, OHG. asca, MHG.,
adnomin al pref. ii- and srtima/:1, 'effort,
fr.
ma/:1,
azg6, 'ashes' (whence Sp. and Port. ascua, 'red
whence srdmyati, 'he becomes
fatigue',
toil,
'ashes',
,
*as-gh6n
*as-g6n,
I.-E.
hot coal'), fr.
rei. to OI. kidmyati, kldmati, 'he
is
which
tired',
also
fr. I.-E. base *lis-, 'to burn, glow', whence
es' and cogn. with OS!av.
languish
,
slackens
L. iirere (for *iisere), 'to be dry', ardere, 'to
chrom1i, 'lame'.
tame',
'to
kromiti,
to.
referred
there
burn'. See ardent and cp. words
Ashtoreth, n., a Canaani tish goddess, identical
Derivatives: ash-en, adj., ash-ery, n., ash-y,
with Astarte. - Heb. 'Asht6reth. rei. to Ugar.
adj.
'strt, Akkad. /shtar. Cp. lshtar, Astarte, AphroME.
ash, n., any tree of the genus Fraxinus. and the first element in Atargatis. Cp. also
dite,
.
OS.,Dan
askr,
ON.
to
rei.
a?sc,
OE.
fr.
esch,
asch,
April.
MHG.
es,
Du.
esCP,
Swed., OHG. ask, MDu.
Ashura, n., name of the Mohamm edan fast obasch, esche, G. Esche, and cogn with Arm. ha~i,
served on the 1oth day of the month Muharb~e:i,
o~u't),
o~u:i,
Gk.
'beech',
ah,
'ash', Alb.
ram.- Arab. 'Aslzurd', lit. 'the tenth', Arabized
-with
element
tive
'beech', and-wi th -n-forma
fr. Heb. 'asar, 'the tenth day', which is rel. to
(fr.
Russ. jasen', Olr. uinnius, W., OCo. onnen

Asclepius, n., the god of medicine in Greek mythology. - Gk. 'AcrxA1Jm6~;, of uncertain origin. Cp. Asclepias, Aesculapian.
asco-, combining form meaning 'bladder '. Gk. &crxo-, fr. &crx6~;, 'leather bag, wine skin'.
See ascus.
ascospore, n., a spore formed in an ascus (bot.)Compou nded of asco- and cr1t6po~, 'a sowing'.
See spore.
ascribe, tr. v. - L. ascrlbere, 'to add to in a
writing', fr. ad- and scrlbere, 'to write'. See
scribe.
Derivatives: ascrib-able, adj., ascrib-er, n.
ascription, n. - L. ascripti6, gen. -6nis, fr. ascriptus, pp. of ascribere. See prec. word and -ion.
ascus, n., a sac in certain fungi (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. &crx6~, 'leather bag, wine skin'; of uncertain origin. It is possibly cogn. with 01.
dtka/:1, 'covering garment'. Cp. ascidian, ascites,

113
'iisiird" (fern.), 'ten'. The Arabic word shows
Aramaic influence; the ending -ii represents the
Aramaic article. See asor.
Asia, n. - L. Asia, fr. Gk. 'Acrl:i, 'Asia', fr. Akkad. ii$fi, 'to go out; to rise' (said of the sun),
which is rei. to Heb. yiitzti', 'went out; rose'
(said of the sun), Aram. y<'a, 'went forth; burst
forth, bloomed ', Ethiop. wac}tia, 'went out',
Arab. wtic}u'a, 'was or became beautiful, neat
or clean'. Accordingly Asia orig. denoted 'the
Region of the Rising Sun', in contradi stinction
to Europe, which orig. meant 'the Region of the
Setting Sun' (see Europe). Cp. hamotzi. Cp. also
wudu.
Asian, adj. and n.- L. Asiiinus, fr. Gk. 'Acrt:iv6~,
fr. 'AcrliX. See prec. word and cp. next word.
Derivatives: Asian-ic, adj., Asian-ism, n.
Asiatic, adj. and n.- L. Asiiiticus, fr. Gk. 'AmiXnx6~, fr. 'AcrliX, 'Asia'. See Asia and cp. prec.
word.
Derivatives: Asiatic-al-ly, adv., Asiatic-ism, n.,
Asiatic-ize, tr. v.
aside, adv., prep., and n. -Form ed fr. a-, 'on',
and side.
Asilidae, n. pl., a family of flies (zoo/.) - ModL.,
fr. L. asilus. See next word and -idae.
Asilus, n., a genus of flies (zoo/.) - L. asi/us,
'gadfly, horsefly', prob. of Etruscan origin. See
A. Ernout in Bulletin de Ia societe de linguistique, 30, I 102
Asirnina, n., a genus of trees, the North American
papaw (bot.) - ModL., fr. Can. F. assiminier,
'papaw tree', fr. Illinois Indian rassimina.
asinego, n., a little ass, a fool.- Sp. asnico, dimin. of asno, 'an ass', fr. L. asinus, of s.m. See
next word.
asinine, adj., like an ass; stupid. - L. asininus,
fr. asinus, 'ass, dolt, blockhea d'. See ass and
cp. words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ine (representing L. -fnus ).
-asis, suff. used in medical terminology to
denote a state or conditio n. - Medical L.
-asis, fr. Gk. -IXcrt~, formed from the aorist
of verbs into -&.w, -w (inf. -&.ew, -:iv). Cp. -esis,
-osis, -iasis.
ask, tr. and intr. v. - ME. asken, axien, fr. OE.
iiscian, iicsian, rel. to OS. escon, Dan. <Pske,
Swed. iiska, OFris. iiskia, MDu. eiscen, Du.
eisen, 'to ask, demand ', OHG. eisc6n, heiscon,
'to ask (a question)', MHG. eischen, heischen,
G. heischen, 'to ask, demand ', and cogn. with
01. icchdti (for *is-sh!-ti), 'seeks, desires', Arm.
aic_ (for *ais-skii-), 'investigation', OSlav. iskati,
'to seek', Lith. idkau, iesk6ti, 'to seek', 01.
i$md/:l, 'spring, god of love', prob. also with
Gk. 'ifLepo<; (for* tcrfLepoc;), 'longing, yearning,
desire'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*aish-, 'to wish, desire, seek'.
Derivatives: ask-er, n., ask-ing, '1., ask-ing-ly,
adv.
ask, n., water newt. - ME. aske, corrupti on of
OE. iijJexe, which is rel. to OS. egithassa, MDu.

haghedisse, Du. hagedis, OHG. egidehsa, MHG.

egedehse, eidehse, G. Eidechse. The first element
of these words is prob. cogn. with L. anguis,
'serpent, snake', Gk. itxt;, 'viper'; see anguine
and cp. echidna. The second element is prob.
rei. to MHG. dehse, 'spindle'. For sense development cp. Russ. weretenica, 'lizard', fr. wereteno,
'spindle'. Cp. asker.
askance, adv. - ME. askaunce; of uncertai n
origin.
askari, n., a native soldier of East Africa. Arab. 'askarf, 'a soldier', fr. 'dskar, 'an army',
fr. Late Gk. >t~epKij't"ov, ultim. fr. L. exercitus, 'army', fr. exercere, 'to train, drill'. See
exercise and cp. lascar.
askew, adv. - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and skew.
asker, n., a newt (dial.)- Formed fr. ask, 'newt',
with suff. -er.
askos, n., a vase resembling a wine skin (Greek
antiq.) - Gk. &crx6~, 'leather bag, wine skin'.
See ascus.
aslant, adv. -Form ed fr. a- 'on', and slant.
Formed fr. a-,
asleep, adv. and pred. adj.
sleep.
and
'on',
Formed fr. a-,
aslope, adv. and pred. adj.
'on', and slope.
Asmodeus, n., an evil spirit, the prince of the
demons. - L. Asmodaeus, fr. Gk. 'AcrfLOOIXto~,
fr. Talmudic Heb. Ashmday, fr. Avestic Aeshma-d<Pva, lit. 'Aeshma, the deceitful'.
asocial, adj., not social. - A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. &-, 'not' (see priv. pref. a-), and social, a
word of Latin origin.
asomatic, adj., incorpo real.- Formed with suff.
-ic fr. L. as6matus, fr. Gk. &crwwx't"o~, 'disembodied, incorporeal', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-)
and Gk. crwfLIX, 'body'. See somatic.
asomatous, adj., incorporeal. - Gk. &crwfLIX't"o~.
See prec. word. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-o~, see -ous.
asor, n., a Hebrew ten-stringed instrument. Heb. 'iis6r, fr. 'eser (masc.), 'iiiard" (fern.),
'ten', which is rei. to Aram. 'iisdr (masc.), 'asrii
(fern.), Ugar. 'shr (masc.), 'shrh (fern.), Arab.
'ashr (masc.), 'dshara11 (fern.), Ethiop. 'ashrii
(masc.), 'ashartu (fern.), Akkad. eshri (masc.),
eshertu, esherit (fern.), 'ten'. (The masc.
forms are used with fern. nouns, the fern.
ones with masc. nouns.) In the Sem. languages the orig. meaning of 'ten' seems to
have been 'gatherin g, collection, union'. Cp.
Arab. 'dshara, 'he formed a commun ity', 'ashira", 'a tribe', 'ashfr, 'kinsman ', md'shar, 'a
group of men, assembly'. Cp. Ashura.
asp, n., a snake of the viper family .- OF. aspe,
fr. L. aspidem, ace. of aspis, 'asp', fr. Gk. :l:<r:-:1;,
gen. &crdllo;, of s.m., which prob. derives fr.
Heb. tzepha', 'basilisk'.
Derivative: asp-ish, adj.
asp, n. - Poetic form of aspen.
Derivative: asp-en, adj.
asparagus, n. - L., fr. Gk. &cr7t#ocyoc;, Att

Aspasia

'asparagus,' which prob. means lit.

'a sprout', and is rei. to crn:cxpyii\1, 'to swell, be
ripe', fr. I.-E. base *sper(e)g, *spher(e)g-, 'to
sprout, swell, burst', whence also L. spargere,
'to scatter'. See sparse and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also asperges and sparrowgrass.
Aspasia, fern. PN. - L., fr. Gk. 'Acrn:cxcrliX, fern.
of occrrr:&mo~. 'welcome', which is rei. to &:crn:&~ecr%cxL, 'to welcome'; of uncertain origin.
aspect, n. - L. aspectus, 'glance, sight, appearance, countenance', fr. aspectus, pp. of aspicere,
'to look at', fr. ad- and specere, spicere 'to look
at'. See species and cp. conspectus, inspect, introspect, perspective, prospect, respect, retrospect, suspect.
aspect, tr. v. - L. aspectiire, freq. formed fr.
aspectus, pp. of aspicere. See aspect, n.
aspen, n., a variety of poplar. - Orig. an adj.
formed with suff. -en (cp. ashen, oaken) fr. asp,
'the aspen', fr. ME. aspe, asp, fr. OE. :espe, resp,
{Eps, 'aspen, white poplar', which is rei. to ON.
osp, Dan., Swed. asp, MLG., MDu. espe, Du.
esp, OHG. aspa, MHG. aspe, G. Espe,and cogn.
with Lett. apsa, OPruss. abse, Lith. apuse, Russ.
osina (for *opsina).
asperate, tr. v., to make rough. - L. asperiitus,
pp. of asperiire. See asperity and verbal suff. -ate.
asperges, n., the ceremony of sprinkling (R.C.Ch.)
- L. asperges, second person sing. fut. indic.
of aspergere, 'to sprinkle upon'; see asperse. The
ceremony is called asperges from the opening
words of the Vulgate, Ps. 51:9 Asperges me
hyssop6, rendering Heb. t'l;auinl bhteztJbh
('purge me with hyssop').
aspergillum, n., a small brush for sprinkling
(R.C.Ch.)- ML., 'a small brush for sprinkling',
a diminutive formed fr. L. aspergere. See prec.
word.
Aspergillus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.)- ModL.,
a diminutive formed fr. L. aspergere. See
asperges.
asperifoliate, also asperifolious, adj., having rough
leaves. - Compounded of L. asper, 'rough',
and folium, 'leaf'. See next word and foliate.
asperity, n., roughness. - F. asperite, fr. L. asperillltem, ace. of asperitiis, 'unevenness, roughness', fr. asper, 'uneven, rough', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. Asperugo, Asperula, Aspredo,
exasperate. For the ending see suff. -ity.
asperse, tr. v., I) to besprinkle (now rare); 2) to
slander. - L. aspersus, pp. of aspergere, 'to
sprinkle upon', fr. ad- and spargere,' to scatter,
sprinkle'. See sparse and cp. asperges, disperse.
For the chang<: of Latin a (in spargere) to e (in
a-spergere) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: aspers-ed, adj., aspers-er, n., aspersive, adj., wpers-ive-ly, adv.
aspersion, n. - L. aspersi6, gen. -6nis, fr. aspersus, pp. of aspergere. See prec. word and -ion.
Asp~ruga, n., a genus of plants of the borage
&mp&pcxyo~,

114
family (bot.) - L. asperug6, 'a plant with prickly leaves', fr. asper, 'rough'. See asperity.
Asperula, n. a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.)- ModL., a diminutive formed fr.
L. asper, 'rough'. See asperity.
asphalt also asphaltum, n. - F. asphalte, fr. Late
L. asphaltus, fr. Gk. Ompcxl't"o~, which is of uncertain, possibly Scm., origin. See Heinrich
Lewy, Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen, Berlin, 1895, p. 53
Derivatives: asphalt, tr. v., asphalt-ine, asphaltic, adjs.
asphodel, n. - L. asphodelus, fr. Gk. occr<p63e/-o~.
a foreign word of uncertain origin. Cp. daffodil,
which is a doublet of asphodel.
asphyxia, n.. suspended animation (med.) Medical L. fr. Gk. oca<pl#iX, lit. 'pulselessness',
fr. &:-(see priv. pref. a-) and cr<pu~L~, 'pulsation',
which is rei. to cr<puyfL6~. 'pulsation', cr<pu~e:w
(for *cr<puy-!,E:L\1), 'to beat, pulsate'. See sphygmus and -ia.
asphyxiant, adj., asphyxiating; n., an asphyxiating agent. - See prec. word and -ant.
asphyxiate, tr. v., to suffocate. - See asphyxia
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: asphyxiat-ion, n.
aspic, n., asp. -OF. ( = F.) aspic, which is pro b.
a blend of OF. aspe, 'asp' (see asp, 'snake'), and
OF. ( = F.) basilic, 'basilisk', fr. L. basiliscus
(see basilisk), two names that are often associated with each other.
aspic, n., a savory meat jelly. - F., the same as
aspic, 'asp'; so called from the varied colors of
this jelly.
Aspidistra, n., a genus of plants of the lily-of-thevalley family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'star shield',
fr. Gk. &:crrr:~. gen. &:crrr:3o~, 'shield', and rxcr-rpo\1,
'star'. See next word and aster.
aspidium, n., the shield fern (bot.)- ModL., lit.
'little shield', fr. Gk. &:crn:t3Lo'J, dimin. of &crrr:t~.
gen. &:crrr:3o~, 'shield', which is of uncertain
origin.
aspirant, adj. - F., fr. L. aspirantem, ace. of asplriins, pres. part. of asplriire. See aspire and -ant.
aspirate, n. - L. asplriitus, pp. of aspiriire. See.
aspire, and adj. suff. -ate.
aspirate, tr. v. - L. aspiriitus, pp. of aspiriire.
See aspirate, n.
Derivatives: aspirat-ed, adj., aspiration (q.v.),
aspirat-or, n., aspirat-ory, adj.
aspiration, n. - L. asplriitio, gen. -6nis, fr. aspiriitus, pp. of aspiriire. See next word and
-ation.
aspire, intr. v. - F. aspirer, fr. L. asplriire, 'to
breathe or blow upon; to aspire', fr. ad- and
splriire, 'to breathe'. See spirit and cp. conspire, expire, iuspire, respire.
aspirin, n. (pharm.) - A hybrid coined by H.
Drcser in PflUger's Archiv in I 899. The acctylosalicylic acid occurs in the flowers of the plant
Spiraea ulmaria. In order to distinguish from
this natural product the same substance gained

115
chemically, the word aspirin was formed by
Dreser from priv. pref. a-, the above mentioned
plant Spiraea, and chem. suff. -in. Hence aspirin
prop. means 'acetylo-salicylic acid which is
gained not from the Spiraea ulmaria (but in a
chemical way)'.
Asplenium, n., a genus of ferns (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. asplenum, 'miltwort, spleenwort', fr. Gk.
rxcrrr:AYJV0\1, fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and crrr:Afj'J,
'spleen'; see spleen. The plant was so called for
its healing qualities. The name Ocrrr:A'fJ\IO'J lit.
means 'a remedy against (the diseases of) the
spleen'.
Aspredo, n., a genus of catfishes (ichthyol.) ModL., fr. L. aspred6, 'roughness', fr. asper.
See asperity.
asquint, adv. and adj. - Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and squint.
ass, n. - ME. asse, fr. OE. assa, fr. Olr. assan,
fr. L. asinus, 'ass, dolt, blockhead', a word borrowed from a language spoken in the South of
Asia Minor, whence also Gk. ll'Jo~ (for orig.
*osonos), 'ass', Arm. esh (collective pl. ishan-k'),
of s.m. Cp. asinego, asinine, easel, onager.
assagai, assegai, n., a hardwood spear. -Port.
azagaia, fr. Arab.-Berb. az-zagluiyah, fr. az-,
assimilated form of a/-, 'the', and zaghtiyah, a
spear'. Cp. lancegay.
Derivative: assagai, assegai, tr. v.
assai, adv., very (musical direction). -It., fr. L.
ad, 'to', and satis, 'enough'. See assets.
assai, n., the assai palm. - Port. assai, fr. Tupi
assahy.
assail, tr. v. - ME. assai/en, fr. OF. asalir, assailir (F. assaillir), fr. VL. assalire, fr. ad- and
L. sa/ire, 'to leap, spring'. Cp. L. assilire, 'to
leap upon', and see salient. Cp. also assault.
Derivatives: assail-able, adj., assailant (q.v.),
assail-er, n., assail-ment, n.
assailant, n. - F. assail/ant, pres. part. of assail/ir. See assail and -ant.
assart, n., the act of grubbing up trees, bushes,
etc. (Old English law)- Formed-with change
of prefix-fr. OF. ( = F.) essart, 'the grubbing
up of trees', fr. VL. exsartum, fr. L. ex, 'out of'
(see 1st ex-), and the stem of sarlre (also spelled
sarrlre), 'to grub, hoe', whence also sarculum,
(for *sart-lom), 'hoe'; cogn. with 01. Sfl.lf,
'sickle', srr:ril;, 'elephant goad'. L. sarlre is rei.
to sarpere, 'to cut off, lop, trim'. See sarmentum.
assart, tr. v.- OF. essarter, 'to grub up trees',
fr. essart. See assart, n.
assassin, n., murderer. - F., fr. It. assassino, fr.
Arab. bashshiishln, 'drinkers of hashish', fr.
hashl.~h. 'hemp'; see h~tshish. The first a.uassins
were the fanatic followers of the Shaykh-ulJabal (the Old Man of the Mountains), who
committed their murders under the intoxication
of hashish. The plural suff. -in in assassin was
mistaken for part of the word. Cp. Bedouin.
Derivatives: assassin-ate, tr. v., assassin-ation, n.

assert

assault, n. - ME. asaut, fr. OF. asaut (F. assaul), fr. VL. *assaltus, fr. ad- and L. saltus,
'a leap', fr. satire, 'to leap, spring'. See salient
and cp. assail.
assault, tr. v. - OF. assauter, fr. VL. assaltiire,
fr. ad- and L. saltiire, freq. of sa/ire. See assault, n.
Derivative: assault-er, n.
assay, n. - ME., fr. OF. assai, which was formed-with change of prefix-from OF. essai,
essay (F. essai), fr. L. cxagium, 'a weighing',
fr. exigere, 'to weigh, measure, examine', lit.
'to drive out', fr. 1st ex- and agere, 'to drive'.
Cp. It. saggio (with the loss of the initial
syllable) and the verb assaggiare (with the same
change of pref. as in English). See agent, adj.,
and cp. essay. Cp. also exigent, exiguous.
assay, tr. v. -ME. assayen, fr. OF. assayer, a
collateral form of essaier, essayer, fr. assai,
resp. essai, essay. See assay, n.
Derivatives: assay-able, adj., assay-er, n., assaying, n.
assecuration, n., insurance (law). - ML. assecuriiti6, gen. -6nis, fr. ad- and L. securus, 'free
from care, careless'. See secure.
assecurator, n. (law). -See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
assemblage, n. -F. assemblage, 'gathering, assemblage', fr. assembler. See next word and
-age.
assemble, tr. and intr. v.- ME. assemblen, fr.
OF.(= F.) assembler, 'to gather, assemble', fr.
L. assimuliire, 'to make like, think like', in later
sense 'to gather at the same time', fr. ad- and
simu/iire, 'to make like, imitate', fr. simul,
'together'. See simulate.
Derivative: assembl-er, n.
assembly, n.- ME. assemblee, fr. OF. assemb/ee
(F. assemblee), prop. fern. pp. of assembler, 'to
assemble', used as a noun. See prec. word and
-y (representing OF. -e, -ee).
assent, intr. v. - ME. assenten, fr. OF. asenter,
assenter, fr. L. assentiiri, 'to agree with', freq.
formed fr. assentlre, assentlrl, fr. ad- and sen/ire,
'to feel'. See sense and cp. consent, dissent,
resent.
Derivatives: assentation (q.v.), assent-er, n.,
assent-ive, adj., assent-ive-ness, n.
assent, n. - ME., fr. OF., back formation fr. assenter. See prec. word:
assentation, n. - L. assentiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
flattering assent', fr. assentiitus, pp. of assentiiri. See assent, v., and -ation.
assentient, adj., assenting; n., one who assents.L. assentiens. gen. -entis. pres. part. of assentire.
See assent, v., and -ent.
assert, tr. v. - L. assertus, pp. of asserere, 'to
claim, maintain, affirm', lit. 'to join to oneself',
fr. ad- and serere, 'to join together, connect.
combine'. See series and cp. dissert, insert.
Derivatives: assert-er, n., assertion (q.v.), assertive, adj., assert-ive-ly, adv., assert-ive-ness, n.

assertion

assertion, n.- L. assertio, gen. -onis, fr. assertus,

pp. of asserere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: assertion-a/, adj.
assertory, adj.- L. assertorius, 'pertaining to an
assertion, assertive', fr. assert us, pp. of asserere.
See assert and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: assertori-al, adj., assertori-al-ly,
adv.
assess, tr. v., to evaluate for taxation. - ME.
assessen, fr. OF. assesser, fr. Late L. assessiire,
freq. formed fr. L. assessus, pp. of assidere, 'to
sit by or near; to assist in office', fr. ad- and
sedere, 'to sit'. See sedentary and cp. assiduous,
assize. Cp. also cess, 'tax', which is an aphetic
form of assess.
Derivatives: assess-able, adj., assess-ee, n., assess-ment, n., assessor (q.v.)
assessor, n. - ME. assessour, fr. OF. assessour
(F. assesseur), fr. L. assessorem, ace. of assessor,
lit. 'a sitter by', fr. assessus, pp. of assidere. See
prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: assessor-ial, adj.
assets, n. - Orig. a singular noun fr. OF. asez
(pronounced asets) (whence F. assez), 'enough',
fr. VL. *ad-satis, 'in sufficiency' ,fr. L. ad, 'to' (see
ad-), and satis, 'enough'. Cp. OProven~. assatz,
'enough', It. assai, 'much', which also derive fr.
VL. *ad-satis, and see satis, sad.
asseverate, tr. v., to affirm. - L. asseveriitus, pp.
of asseveriire, 'to act with earnestness, to assert
strongly' (said of speech), fr. ad- and severus,
'serious, grave, strict, austere'. See severe and
cp. persevere.
Derivatives: asseverat-ive, adj., asseverat-ive-ly,
adv., assever-at-ory, adj.
asseveration, n., affirmation. - L. asseveriitio,
gen. -onis, 'vehement assertion', fr. asseveriitus,
pp. of asseveriire. See prec. word and -ion.
assibilate, tr. v., to make sibilant. - L. assibiliitus, pp. of assibiliire, fr. ad- and sibiliire, 'to
hiss'. See sibilant.
Derivative: assibilat-ion, n.
assiduity, n. - L. assiduitiis, gen. -tiitis, 'continual presence', fr. assiduus. See next word
and -ity.
assiduous, adj., 1) constant in application; 2) diligent.- L. assiduus, 'busy; incessant, continual,
constant', lit. 'sitting by (one's work)', fr. assidere, 'to sit by', fr. ad- and sedere, 'to sit'. See
ad- and sedentary. For the change of Latin e
(in sedere) to i (in as-sidere), see abstinent and
cp. words there referred to. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives :assiduous-ly,adv., assiduous-ness, n.
assiento, asientn, n., contract or convention. -Sp. asiento, fr. asentar, 'to adjust, settle, establish', lit. 'to place on a chair', formed fr. a
(fr. L. ad, 'to'), and sentar, 'to place on a chair,
set, set up, establish', fr. L. sedens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of sedere, 'to sit'. See ad- and sedentary.
assign, tr. v.- ME. assignen, fr. OF. ac..,;ner, as-

116
signer, fr. L. assigniire, 'to assign, allot, distribute', lit. 'to mark out', fr. ad- and signiire, 'to
mark', fr. signum, 'mark, token, sign'. See sign,
n., and cp. design.
Derivatives: assign-able, adj., assignabl-y, adv.
assign, n., one assigned. - F. assigne, pp. of assigner. See prec. word and cp. assignee.
assignat, n., paper money issued by the French
revolutionary government ( 1789-96). -F., fr. L.
assigniitum, neut. pp. of assigniire. See assign, v.
assignation, n., appointment to meet; assignment.
- ME. assignacion, fr. OF. assignacion (F.
assignation), fr. L. assigniitiiinem, ace. of assigniitiii, 'allotment', fr. assigniitus, pp. of assigniire. See assign, v., and -ation.
assignee, n., an assign.- F. assigne, pp. of assigner, fr. L. assigniire. See assign, v., and cp.
assign, n.
assignment, n. - ME. assignement, fr. OF. assignement, fr. assigner. See assign, v., and -ment.
assimilate, tr. and intr. v. - L. assimiliitus, pp.
of assimiliire, 'to make like, liken', fr. ad- and
similiire, 'to make similarto', fr. simi/is, 'like, resembling'. See similar and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. assemble.
Derivatives: assimilation (q.v.), assimilat-ive,
adj., assimilat-or, n., assimilat-ory, adj.
assimilation, n. - L. assimiliitio, gen. assimiliitionis, 'likeness, similarity', fr. assimiliitus, pp.
of assimiliire. See assimilate and -ion.
assist, tr. and intr. v. - F. assister, 'to stand by,
help, assist', fr. L. assistere, 'to stand by', fr. adand sistere, 'to cause to stand, put, place; to
stand still, stand', from the reduplicated base of
stiire, 'to stand'. Cp. 01. ti${hati, Avestic hishtaiti, 'stands', and Gk. tcrTIJ[J-1, 'I cause to stand,
place; I stand', which stands for *cr(-cr-cr,[J-1,
and see state. Cp. also consist, desist, exist,
insist, persist, resist, subsist.
assistance, n. - F., fr. assistant. See next word
and -ce.
assistant, adj. and n. -F. assistant, adj. and n.,
prop. pres. part. of assister. See assist and -ant.
assize, n. - ME. assise, fr. OF. asise, 'session'
(whence F. assises, 'the assizes'), prop. fern.
pp. of asseoir, 'to cause to sit, to set', fr. L. assidere, 'to sit by'. See assess and cp. size.
Derivatives: assize, tr. v., assize-ment, n., assizer, n.
associable, adj. -F., fr. associer, fr. L. associiire.
See next word and -able.
Derivatives: associabil-ity, n., associable-ness, n.
associate, tr. and intr. v. - L. associiitus, pp. of
associiire, 'to join to, unite with', fr. ad- and
sociiire, 'to join together, associate', fr. socius,
'companion'. See sociable and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. consociate, dissociate.
Derivatives: associat-ed, adj., association, associative (qq.v.)
associate, adj. - L. associiitus, pp. of associiire.
See prec. word.
Derivative: associate, n.

117
association, n.- F., fr. ML. associiilionem, ace.
of associiitio, fr. L. associiitus, pp. of associiire.
See associate, v., and -ion, and cp. consociation,
dissociation. Derivative: association-a!, adj.
associative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive from
the verb associate; first used by Coleridge.
Derivatives: associative-ly, adv., associativeness, n.
assoil, tr. v., to absolve (archaic). - ME. assailen, fr. OF. assoile, pres. subjunctive of assoldre
(F. absoudre), 'to absolve'. See absohe, which
is the doublet of assail.
Derivative: assail-ment, n.
assoilzie, tr. v., to acquit (Scot. law).- Formed
fr. prec. word.
assonance, n. - F., fr. assonant. See next word
and -ce and cp. sonance and words there referred to.
assonant, adj.- F., fr. L. assonantem, ace. of assonclns, pres. part. of assoniire, 'to sound to, respond to' ,fr. ad- and soniire, 'to sound'. See sound,
'voice', and cp. sonant and words there referred to.
assonate, intr. v.- L. assoniitus, pp. of assoniire.
See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
assort, tr. and intr. v. - OF. assorter, 'to assort,
match', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and sorte, 'sort, kind,
species'. See sort, v. and n. The change of conjugation in F. assortir, of s.m., is due to the influence of the verb sortir, 'to go out'.
Derivatives: assortative, adj., assort-ed, adj.,
assort-er, n., assort-ive, adj., assort-ment, n.
assuage, tr. v., to mitigate; to soothe. - ME.
asuagen, fr. OF. asuager, assouager, assouagier,
fr. a, 'to' (see a), and L. suiivis, 'sweet'. See
sweet and cp. suave.
Derivatives: assuag-er, n., assuagement (q.v.)
assuagement, n. - OF. assouagement, fr. assouager. See assuage and -ment.
assuetude, n., custom, habit (med.) - L. assuetudo, fr. assuetus, pp. of assuescere, 'to accustom', fr. ad- and suescere, 'to become used or
accustomed', fr. I.-E. base *swedh-, 'to make
one's own'. Sec custom and cp. consuetude. For
th~ ending see suff. -tude.
assume, tr. and intr. v. - L. assiimere, 'to take
to (oneself), take up, adopt, usurp', fr. ad- and
sumere, 'to take'; which is compounded of sub-,
'under', and emere, 'to take'. See exempt and
cp. consume, presume, resume, subsume. Cp. also
redeem.
Derivatives: assum-ed, adj., assum-ed-ly, adv.,
assum-ing, adj., assum-ing-ly, adv.
assumption, n. - L. assiimptio, gen. -6nis, 'a taking, receiving', fr. assumptus, pp. of assiimere.
See prec. word and -ion and cp sumption and
words there referred to.
assumptive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
assiimptus, pp. of assiimere. Se~ assume and cp.
prec. word.
assurance, n. - OF. aseiirance (F. assurance),
fr. aseiirer. See assure and -ance.
assure, tr. v.- OF. aseiirer (F. assurer), fr. Late

-aster

L. assecuriire, fr. ad- and L. securus, 'safe'. See

secure, sure.
Derivatives: assur-ed, adj., assur-ed-ly, adv.,
assur-ed-ness, n., assur-er, n., assur-ing, adj., assur-ing-ly, adv.
assurgent, adj., rising.- L. assurgens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of assurgere, 'to rise up', fr. ad- and
surgere, 'to rise'. See surge and cp. insurgent.
Assyria, n. - L. Assyria, fr. Gk. 'Acrcrup(oc (short
for 'Acrcrup(i yij, 'the Assyrian land'), fern. of
'Acr<rUpw~, 'pertaining to Assyria', fr. Akkad.
Ashshur. Cp. Reb. Ashshc"tr, Gen. 10: ro. Cp.
also Syria.
Derivatives: Assyri-an, adj. and n., Assyri-anize, v.
Assyriology, n., the study of the history and
language of Assyria. - Compounded of Assyria and Gk. -A.oy(ii, fr. -A6yo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: Assyriolog-ic-al, adj., Assyriologist, n.
-ast, agential suff., identical in meaning to -ist. F. -aste, fr. L. -asta, fr. Gk. -rxcr-c~~. which stands
for -rxcr-T~~ and is formed fr. -rxcr- (the ending
of the stem of the verbs in -t:X~ew) and agential
suff. -'!:~~- Cp. -ist.
Astarte, n., a Phoenician goddess, identical with
Greek Aphrodite. - L., fr. Gk. 'Acr-:t:Xpq, fr.
Heb.-Phoen. 'Ashtoreth. See Ashtoreth and cp.
Aphrodite.
astatic, adj. (electricity) - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. iicr-crx-co~, 'not steadfast', fr. &- (see priv.
pref. a-) and cr-crx-c6~, 'standing', verbal adj. of
'LuTIJ[J.I (for *crl-crTIJ[J-1), 'I cause to stand, place;
I stand'. See static.
astatine, n., name of a radioactive element (chem.)
Formed with chem. suff. -ine, fr. Gk.
lfcr-:rx-ro~. 'unstable'. See prec. word.
asteism, n., genteel irony. - Gk. &cr'l:e:tcr[J-6~,
'wit, witticism', fr. &cr-ce:i:o~, 'of the town', fr.
&cr-ru, 'town, city', esp. 'the city of Athens', fr.
orig. ft:Xcr-cu [cp. Arcadian frxcrcr-cu6zc,> (gen. of
frxcrcr-.uozo~). 'protecting the city (of Athens)',
epithet of Pallas Athene], which is cogn. with
OI. vdstu, 'dwelling place, nistu, vastu, 'seat,
place, thing', Toch. A waet, 'house', fr. I.-E.
base *wes-, 'to dwell'. See was and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also the first element in
Astyanax. For the ending see suff. -ism.
Aster, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.)- L. aster, 'star', fr. Gk. &cr-IT,p; so called
from the radiate heads of its flowers. See star
and cp. asterisk, Astraea, astrology, astronomy, disaster.
-aster, combining form meaning 'star, starlike',
as in C/ypeaster. - See prec. word.
-aster, suff. expressing incomplete resemblance,
usually of dimin. and depreciative force. - L.
-aster, fr. Gk. -rxcr-r~p, a suff. orig. forming
nouns from verbs ending in -til;:e:w, later generalized as a pejorative suff. Cp. 7ttxTprxcr-rljp, 'he

asteria

who plays the father', fr. 1toc't"f)p, 'father'. The

Gk. suff. -oca't"f)p was adopted by the Latin,
whence, in the form -astre, -atre, it came into
the Old French, resp. the French. Cp. the words
medicaster, oleaster, pinaster, poetaster. Cp. also
-ster.
asteria, n., a gem reflecting a six-rayed light
(Greek antiq.) - L., fr. Gk. &:cr-re:p(oc, 'a precious stone', prop. fern. of &:a-repLO~, 'starred,
starry', used as a noun, fr. &:a't"f)p, 'star'. See Aster.
asterisk, n., the figure of a star (the printing
mark *).-Late L. asteriscus, fr. Gk. &:a-re:p(crxo~,
dimin. of &:a't"f)p, 'star'. See Aster.
asterism, n., a system of stars, a constellation. Gk. &:a-re:p~cr{J-6~, fr. &:cr't"f)p, 'star'. See Aster and
-ism.
astern, adv.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and stem.
Gk. &:cr-re:poe:~8-f)~.
asteroid, adj., starlike. compounded of &:a't"f)p, 'star', and -oe:~8-f)~.
'like', fr. e:I8o~, 'form, shape'. See Aster and -oid.
Derivative: asteroid, n.
Asteroidea, n., a class of echinoderms, the starfish
(zoo/.) - ModL. See asteroid.
asthenia, n., weakness (med.) -- Medical L., fr.
Gk. &:a&e\le:~oc, 'weakness', fr. &:cr&e:ll-f)~. 'weak',
fr. &:- (see priv. pref. a-) and cr&e\lo~. 'strength'.
See sthenic and cp. sthenia.
asthenic, adj., weak (med.) - Gk. &:cr&E'i~x6~, fr.
&:a&e:\1-f;~. 'weak'. See prec. word and -ic.
asthma, n., a chronic disorder characterized by
difficulty in breathing. - Gk. &cr&[J.oc, 'harddrawn breath', which prob. stands for *&:11cr&[J.oc
and derives fr. I.-E. base *an-, 'to blow, breathe',
whence also ot\le:[J.o~, 'wind', L. animus, 'breath
of air, air, breath'; see animus. See Frisk, GEW.,
I, pp. 161-62 s.v. &cr&[J.ct.
asthmatic, adj. - L. asthmaticus, fr. Gk. &:cr&[J.a
nx6~. fr. iicr&[J.ct. See asthma and -atic.
Derivative: asthmatic-al-ly, adv.
astigmatic, adj., pertaining to, or suffering from,
astigmatism (med. and optics).- See next word.
astigmatism, n., defect of the eye that prevents
the rays of light from converging to a point on
the retina (med. and optics). - Coined by the
English mathematician and philosopher William Whewell (1794-1866) in 1819 fr. priv. pref.
a- and Gk. cr-r(yiJ-a, gen. a-:-ly[J.oc-ro~. 'a prick,
puncture, mark'. See stigmatic and -ism.
Astilbe, n., a genus of plants of the saxifrage
family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'not shining', fr.
priv. pref. a- and cr-:-().[3e:~~~. 'to shine'. See stilbite.
astir, adv. -Formed fr. a-, 'on', and stir.
astomatous, adj., having no mouth. - Formed
fr. priv. pref. a and -stomatous.
astonish, tr. v.- Obsol. astony, fr. ME. astonien,
astonen, which is formed with change of pref.
fr. estoner (whence F. etonner), fr. VL. *extoniire, lit. 'to strike with thunder', fr. 1st exand L. toniire, 'to thunder'. See thunder and cp.
astound. The verb astonish was influenced in
form by English verbs ending in -ish, in which
this suff. is the equivalent of OF. and F. -iss,

118

and goes back ultimately to the Latin inchoative

suff. -iscere. Cp. admonish, distinguish, ex
tinguish.
Derivatives: astonish-ed-ly, adv., astonish-er, n.,
astonish-ing, adj., astonish-ing-ly, adv., astonishing-ness, n.
astound, tr. v. - ME. astoned, astouned, pp. of
astonien. See astonish.
Derivatives: astound-ing, adj., astound-ing-ly,
adv., astound-ment, n.
astraddle, adv. - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
straddle.
Astraea, n., the goddess of justice in Greek and
Roman mythology. - L., fr. Gk. 'Acr-rpaloc, lit.
'starry', fern. of &:a-rpa~o~, fr. &:a't"f)p, 'star'. See
Aster.
astragal, n., a convex molding (archit.) - L. astragalus, fr. Gk. &:a-rp&:y<XAo~. 'one of the vertebrae of the neck, anklebone, molding', assimilated fr. *6a-rp&:ya).o~, which is rei. to IScr-rpaxov, 'oyster shell, potsherd'' oa-reo\1, 'bone', and
cogn. with L. os, 'bone'. See os.
astragalus, n., the ball of the ankle joint (anat.)
- L. See prec. word.
Astragalus, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) - L. See astragal.
astrakhan, astrachan, n., the fur of still-born or
young lambs from Astrakhan. - From Astrakhan in Russia. The name of the city lit.
means 'star of the caravanserai'. See astral and
khan, 'caravanserai'.
astral, adj., pertaining to the stars. - F., fr. L.
astra/is, fr. astrum, 'star', fr. Gk. &a-rpov, which
is rei. to &:a-r-f)p, 'star'. See Aster and adj. suff.
-al.
Derivative: astral-ly, adv.
astrapophobia, n., morbid fear of lightning (med.)
- Medical L., compounded of Gk. &:a-rpo:7t-f;,
'lightning', and -<po[3loc, 'fear of', fr. <p6[3o~. 'fear'.
Gk. &:cr-rpaJt-f) is a collateral form of &:a-re:poJt-f),
cr-re:poJt-f), and lit. means 'the eye of a star', fr.
&:cr-repo~, &:cr't"f)p, 'star', and stem (m-, 'to look'
(whence also oJt-f), 'an opening, hole', o<J-~~.
'sight'). See Aster and optic. For the second element see -phobia.
astray, adv. and adj. -For on stray, fr. pref. a-,
'on', and the noun stray.
astrict, tr .. v., 'to bind, constrict.- L. astrictus,
pp. of astringere, 'to draw tight, bind', fr. ad
and stringere, 'to draw tight'. See stringent.
Derivatives: astriction (q.v.), astrict-ive, adj.
astriction, n.- L. astrictio, gen. -6nis, 'a drawing
tight', fr. as/rictus, pp. of astringere. See prec.
word and -ion.
Astrid, a fern. PN. - A Norse name rei. to
OHG. Ansitruda, which is compounded of ansi,
'god', and triit, driit (whence MHG. triit, G.
traut ), 'beloved, dear'. For the first element cp.
Anselm, for the second see true and cp. the
second element in Ermentrud and in Gertrude.
astride, adv. and prep.- Formedfr. a-, 'on', and
stride.

119

astringe, tr. v., to bind, constrict. - L. astringere, 'to draw tight'. See astrict.
astringency, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy. Cp. stringency.
astringent, adj., that which contracts, severe. L. astringens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of astringere, 'to draw close, tighten, contract'. See
astringe and -ent.
astro-, before a vowel astr-, combining form
meaning 'star'.- Gk. &:cr-rpo-, &:a-rp-, fr. &cr-rpo11,
'star', which is rei. to &:cr't"f)p, 'star'. See Aster.
astrocyte, n., a star-shaped cell (anat.) - Compounded of astro- and Gk. xu-ro~, 'a hollow
vessel'. See -cyte.
astrography, n., the mapping of the stars. - Lit.
'description of the stars', fr. astro- and Gk.
-ypoc<ploc, fr. yp&:<pm, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivative: astrograph-ic, adj.
astrolabe, n., an obsolete astronomical instrument. - ME., fr. OF. astrelabe, fr. ML. astralabium, fr. Gk. &:cr-rpoA&:[3o11 (sci!. ISpya\lov), lit.
'startaking (instrument)', fr. &cr-rpov, 'star', and
the stem of AO:[J.[3&:ve:w, 'to take'. See astroand lemma.
astrologer, n. -See astrology and agential suff
-er.
astrologic, astrological, adj.- Gk. &:a-rpo).oy~x6~.
fr. &cr-rpo).oy(oc. See astrology and ic, resp. also -al.
astrology, n. - F. astrologie, fr. L. astrologia,
fr. Gk. &:cr-rpoAoy(oc, 'astronomy', later 'astrology', fr. &:cr-rpo).6yo~, 'astronomer', later 'astrologer', which is compounded of i1cr-rpov, 'star',
and -A6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See astro- and -logy.
astrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
brightness of stars. - Compounded of astroand Gk. iJ-i"t"pov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
astronaut, n., one who flies through space; one
concerned with space flight. - Compounded
of astro- and Gk. \IO:UTIJ~, 'sailor, seaman'. See
nautical and cp. cosmonaut.
astronautics, n., the science of space flight. Compounded of astro- and nautics. Cp. prec.
word. Cp. also cosmonautics.
astronomer, n.- See astronomy and agential suff.
-er.
astronomic, astronomical, adj.- F. astronomique,
fr. L. astronomicus, fr. Gk. &:cr-rpovo[J.~x6~, fr.
&:a-rpovo[J.loc. See next word and ic, resp. also
-al.

Derivative: astronomical-y, adv.

astronomy, n. - OF. astronomie, fr. L. astronomia, fr. Gk. &:a-rpovo[J.loc, 'astronomy', fr.
&:a-rpov6[J.o~. 'an astronomer', lit. 'star-arranger',
fr. &a-rpo11, 'star', and -v6[J.o~. 'arranger', which
is rei. to 'IEfLE~'I, 'to deal out, distribute'. See
Nemesis and cp. nomo-.
astrophysics, n. - Lit. 'astronomical physics'.
See astro- and physics.

asymptote

astucious, adj., astute. - F. astucieux (fern.

astucieuse), fr. astuce, 'astuteness', fr. L. astiitia,
'dexterity; cunning, subtlety', fr. astiitus. See
astute and -ous.
Astor, n., the genus of the goshawks (zoo/.) ML.,fr. L. acceptor, secondary form of accipiter,
'falcon' (see accipiter), whence also OSp. o.ztor,
Port. a9or, It. astore, OProven9. austor, OF.
ostoir, ostour, F. autour, 'goshawk'. Cp. ostreger.
astute, adj., shrewd, cunning, crafty. - L. astii
tus, 'artful, drafty, cunning', fr. astus, 'clever
ness, craft, cunning', which is of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: astute-ly, adv., astute-ness, n.
Astyanax, n., the son of Hector and Andromache
(Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. 'Acr-ru:i'loc~, lit.
'king of the city', fr. &cr-ru, 'city' (see asteism),
and ot\loc~, orig. *f&:11oc~, 'chief, lord, master', a
name given to him in reference to his father.
Cp. Andromache.
asunder, adv.- OE. on sundran. See pref. a-, 'on',
and sunder.
asura, n., a god, a good spirit; later an evil spirit
(Hindu mythol.) - 01. dsurafz, prob. rei. to OI.
dsu~ (for *!JSU-), 'breath of life', fr. I.-E. base
*an-, 'to blow, breathe', whence also or. dni-ti,
dna-ti, 'breathes', L. anima, 'breath of air,
breath, soul, life', animus, 'soul, spirit, mind,
courage, wish, derive'. See animus and cp. ahura
and sura, 'spirit, demon'.
Asvins, n. pl., two Vedic gods, twin brothers, the
Dioscuri of Vedic mythology. - 01. Asvinau
(dual), lit. 'horse owners', fr. dvab, 'horse',
which is rei. to Avestic aspa-, and cogn. with
Gk. l1t1tO~, L. equus, 'horse'. See equine.
asylum, n. - L. asylum, fr. Gk. &<JUAo'l, 'refuge,
sanctuary', prop. neut. of the adjective &cru).o~,
'free from plunder, inviolable', used as a noun,
fr. &:- (see priv. pref. a-) and aDAlJ, cru/-o'l, 'the
right of seizure', whence criJAoc'l, 'to strip, plunder'. Accordingly O(criJ).ov lit. means 'an inviolable place'.
asymmetric, asymmetrical, adj. - Formed with
suff. -ic, resp. also -al, fr. Gk. ci:<PJfLfJ-E"t"po~. See
asymmetry.
Derivative: asymmetrical-ly, adv.
asymmetry, n. - Gk. &:<:ruiJ-iJ-ETpli, 'incommensurability', fr. &:cru[J.[J.E-rpo~, 'incommensurate;
disproportionate', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a) and
crU[J.iJ-E-rpo~, 'commensurable'. See symmetry and
cp. dissymmetry.
asymptote, n., a straight line continually approaching but never meeting a curve (math.) Gk. &:<:P.J[J.rt-rw-ro~, 'not falling together', formed
fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-), au11. 'with' (see sym-,
syn-), and 1t-rw-r6~, 'fallen', verbal adj. of 7ti1t"t"e:W,
'to fall', which stands for *1ti-1t-re:~v. fr. *pt-,
zero degree of I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, to fall'.
See feather and cp. symptom and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: asymptot-ic, asymptot-ic-a/, adjs.,
asymptot-ic-al-ly, adv.

asyndetic

asyndetic, adj., using asyndeton.- See next word

and -ic.
Derivative: asyndetic-al-ly, adv.
asyndeton, n., omission of conjunctions (rhet.)Gk. &cruv1krov, neut. of &cruv3e:-ro~. 'unconnected', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and cruv3e:-ro~,
'connected', verbal adj. of cruv3e:~v, 'to bind
together, connect', fr. cruv, 'with' (see syn-), and
<'ldv, 'to bind'. See diadem and cp. polysyndeton.
at, prep. - OE. ret, rei. to ON., OS., Goth. at,
OFris. et, at, OHG. az, and cogn. with L. ad,
'to, toward', Olr. ad-, W. add-, Phryg. <X<'l-,
<X(3-, 'to'. Cp. ad-.
at-, assimilated form of ad- before t.
atabal, n., kettledrum. - Sp., fr. Arab. at-tab!,
'the drum', fr. at-, assimilated form of al-, 'the',
and tab!, 'drum'. Cp. timbal.
atacamite, n., a basic copper chloride (mineral.)
- Named after the province of Atacama, in
Chile. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
atajo, n., a drove of mules (Amer. Sp.) - Sp.,
'separation', fr. atajar, 'to separate', fr. a- (fr.
L. ad), 'to', and tajar, 'to cut', fr. VL. *talitire,
'to cut'. See ad- and tailor.
Atalanta, n., daughter of King Schoeneus, famous
for her swiftness in running (Greek mythol.)L., fr. Gk. , A-r<XAtXV":"I) (fern. of a"t"XAIXV"t"O~).
'having the same value (as a man)', from copul.
pref. &- and d.kxvrov, 'balance, weight, talent,
value'. Copul. pref. &- stands for I.-E. *sw-, a
weak gradational form of I.-E. base *sem-,
'one, together'; see same. For the etymology
of -ra:A<XvTov see talent.
atalaya, n., a watchtower. - Sp., fr. Arab. attaldyi', 'the sentries', fr. at-, assimilated form of
al-, 'the', and taliiyi', pl. oftalf'ah, 'sentinel', but
mistaken for a singular. See Dozy-Engelmann,
Glossaire des mots espagnols et portugais derives de l'arabe, 2nd edition, pp. 209-10. Arab.
talt'a" derives fr. tdla'a, 'he rose'.
ataman, n., a Cossack commander.- Russ., fr.
Pol. hetman. See hetman.
ataraxia, n., calmness, impassiveness. - ModL.,
fr. Gk. &-rocpa:;li, 'calmness, impassiveness,
calmness', lit. 'imperturbability', fr. &-(see priv.
pre f. a-) and the stem of -rocpcrcre:tv, 'to trouble,
disturb', which is rei. to &p~crcre:Lv, of s.m., and
cogn. with ON. dregg, 'dreg'. See dreg.
Atargatis, n., Syrian goddess of fertility. - Gk.
'A-rocpy-rL~, fr. Aram. 'Attdr, 'Astarte', which
is rei. to Heb. 'Asht&reth (see Ashtoreth), and
Palmyrene 'Athe, name of a goddess (cp. Derceto).
ataoot, adj., fully rigged (naut.)- F. autant, 'so
much, as much as possible', fr. earlier altant,
which is compounded of the OF. pron. al,
'something else', and tant, 'so much'. The first
element derives fr. VL. *ale, which is shortened
fr. *alid, corresponding to L. aliud, neut. of a/ius,
'another'; see alias, else. The second element
comes fr. L. tantus, 'so great, so much', for

120

which see tantamooot. Cp. taunt, 'very tall'.

atavic, adj., of a remote ancestor. - Formed
with suff. -ic fr. L. atavus. See next word.
atavism, n., reversion to a remote ancestral type.
- Formed with suff. -ism fr. L. atavus, 'father
of a great-grandfather, ancestor', fr. pref. at-,
'beyond', and avus, 'grandfather'. See uncle and
cp. avuncular.
atavistic, adj., pertaining to atavism; tending to
atavism.- Formed with suff. -istic fr. L. atavus.
See prec. word. See atavism.
Derivative: atavistic-al-ly, adv.
ataxia, n., irregularity of bodily functions (med.)
-Medical L., fr. Gk. &-roc~lix, 'want of order',
fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and -ra~L~, 'arrangement, disposition, order', from the stem of
-r&crcre:Lv, 'to arrange, put in order'. See tactic.
ataxic, adj. - Formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-ic.
ate, past tense of eat.- ME. ate, formed on the
analogy of brake, spake.
Ate, n., the goddess of infatuation and evil in
Greek mythology. - Gk. "ATI), fr. &.TI), 'infatuation, bane, ruin, mischief', which stands
for *&fch-1) and is rei. to &cu, 'I hurt, damage',
&-oc-ro~. 'unhurt, uninjured'; of uncertain etymology.
-ate, suff: forming participial adjectives (as in sedate, ornate) and adjectives (as in chordate, stellate). - L. -iitus, pp. suff. of verbs of the first
conjugation.
-ate, verbal suff. - L. pp. suff. -iitus, hence derivatively identical with adj. suff. -ate (q.v.) Its
original use consisted in the formation of verbs
from participial adjectives in -ate. So e.g. from
the participial adj. separate arose the verb to
separate.
-ate, subst. suff. expressing office, dignity, rank,
honor. - L. -titus (gen. -iitus), a suff. formed
from the participial suff. -iitus. Cp. e.g. consulate
and see adj. suff. -ate.
-ate, subst. suff. forming names of salts from
acids whose names end in -ic, as nitrate, fr.
nitric acid (chem.)- L. -iitum, neut. ofpp. suff.
-iitus. See adj. suff. -ate.
atelectasis, n., incomplete expansion of the lungs
(med.) - Medical L., compounded of Gk.
a-rE:Af,<;, 'incomplete', and ~w:ocm~, 'extension,
expansion. The first element is formed fr. &(see priv. pref. a-) and -re:Ao~. 'end'; see teleo-.
For the second element see ectasis.
atelier, n., workshop, studio. - F., fr. OF. aste' lier, fr. astelle, 'shiver of wood', fr. Late L. astella, fr. L. astula, which is prob. a blend of
assula, 'shiver of wood' and hastula, 'a little
spear'. Assula is a dimin. of assis, 'board, plank';
see ashlar. Hastula is a dimin. of hasta, 'spear';
see hastate."
Athanasius, rnasc. PN.- L., fr. Gk. 'A&ocvocmo~,
fr. &&ocvoc-ro~, 'immortal'. See next word.
athanasy, n., immortality. - Gk. &&<Xvoccrlii, fr.
&&&vcno;, 'immortal', fr. &:- (see priv. pref. a-)

121

and &&voc-ro<;, 'death'. See thanato- and cp.

euthanasia. For the ending see -y (representing
Gk. -liX).
athanor, n., the self feeding furnace of the alchemists.- F., fr. Arab. at-tannfir, 'the oven',
fr. at-, assimilated form of a!-, 'the', and tannfir
'oven', borrowed fr. Heb. tannfir, which is rei.
to Akkad. tinnuru, 'oven'.
Atharvan, n., name of a fire priest, the eldest son
of Brahma (Vedic mythol.) - 01. dtharvan,
'fire priest', rel. to Aves tic iiiJravan-, 'fire priest',
titarsh, 'fire', titrya-, 'ashes', and cogn. with L.
titer, 'black, dark'. See atrabiliary.
atheism, n. - F. atheisme, formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. &&e:o~, 'without god', fr. &- (see
priv. pref. a-) and &e:6<;, 'god'. See theism.
atheist, n. - F. atheiste. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: atheist-ic, athest-ic-al, adjs., atheist-ic-al-ly, adv.
atheling, n., a noble, a prince. - OE. <I!oeling,
'a noble', fr. reoele, 'noble', which is rei. to
OFris. ethete, OS. eiJili, OHG. edili, MHG.
edele, G. edel, 'noble'. The orig. meaning of
these adjectives was 'noble by birth'. Cp. odal
and the first element in Albert, allerion, Alphonso, Athelstan, Audrey, edelweiss, Ethelbert,
Etheldred, Ethelinda, Ulrica.
Athelstan, masc. PN. - OE . .Eoelstane, lit.
'noble stone', fr. <I!oele, 'noble', and stan, 'stone'.
For the first element see atheling and cp. words
there referred to. For the second element see
stone.
Athena, Athene, fern. PN., the goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology, i:ientified by the
Romans with Minerva.- Gk. 'A&f)v'l), a preHellenic name' of uncertain origin.
Athenaeum, n., the temple of Athena at Athens;
whence athenaeum 1) a Roman school of law;
2) a literary club. - L., fr. Gk. 'A&~vocwv, the
temple of the goddess Athene fr. 'A&~V'I) See
prec. word.
atherine, n., any of the fishes of the family Atherinidae (ichthyol.) - ModL. atherina, fr. Gk.
&Se:ptvr,, 'smelt', fr. &&~p'l), 'gruel, porridge',
which is rei. to &S~p. 'awn, chaff, barb of a
weapon', &v&epLxo<;, 'the asphodel'. See Anthericum and cp. atheroma.
Atherinidae, n. pl., a family of fishes (ichthyol.)
- ModL., fr. atherina. See prec. word and
-idae.
athermancy, n., impermeability to heat.- Formed with suff. -cy fr. Gk. &&piJ.ocv-ro<;, 'not
heated', fr. & (see priv. pref. a-) and &e:p[J.ocv-:6<;,
'capable of being heated', verbal adj. of &e:p(J.:lve:Lv, 'to warm, heat'. See therm and cp.
diathermancy.
athermanous, adj., not transmitting radiant heat.
-Formed fr. priv. pref. a-, the stem of Greek
&e:piJ.<XLve:~v. 'to warm, heat', and suff. -ous.
See tberm and cp. diatbermanous. The use of
the suff. -ous is due to the analogy of joyous
and other similar adjectives in which -ous corre-

-atic

sponds to OF. -ous, -eus ( = F. -eux), fr. L.

-osus.
atheroma, n., a kind of encysted tumor (med.) L., fr. Gk. &&~pcuiJ.oc, 'a tumor full of gruel-like
matter', fr. &&~p'l). See atherine and -oma.
Atherosperma, n., a genus of trees of the b0ldo
family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. Gk. &&~p,
gen. &:&epo~, 'awn, chaff', and crrdp(J.oc, 'seed'.
See atherine and sperm.
athetize, tr. v., to reject. - Formed with suff.
-ize fr. Gk. &&e:-re:Iv, 'to deny, disprove, reject',
fr. &&e:-ro<;, 'not fixed', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-)
and &e:-r6~, 'placed, set', verb. adj. of -rL&vocL,
'to put, place', fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, 'to place'.
See theme and cp. words there referred to.
athetosis, n., affection of the nervous system
marked by involuntary movements of the fingers
and toes (med.) - Medical L., coined by the
American nerve specialist William Alexander
Hammond (1828-1900) in 1871 fr. Gk. &.&e:-ro~.
'not fixed', and suff. -osis. See prec. word.
athirst, adj. - ME. ofthurst, fr. OE. ofpyrsted,
pp. of ofpyrstan, fr. of- (see of) and pyrstan,
'to thirst'. See thirst, v.
athlete, n. - L. athleta, fr. Gk. &&:A'I)TI)~. 'combatant, champion', fr. &S:Acu, 'I contend for a
prize', fr. ~&:Ao~, contracted fr. &.e:&:Ao~ (with
the exception of Odyssey, 8, 160, this latter
form alone is used by Homer), for orig. &.fE&:Aa~. The first element of this word is perh.
cogn. with OI. vti-yati, 'he fatigues himself'; the
second element is of unknown origin. Cp. the
second element in pentathlon, hexathlon, decathlon.
athletic, adj. - L. athleticus, fr. Gk. &S:A1)-rLx6<;,
fr. &&1.1)-r~~- See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: athletic-al-ly, adv., athletic-ism, n.,
athlet-ics, n.
athrepsia, n., debility of children caused by lack
of food (med.) - Medical L., lit. 'condition
caused by the lack of nourishment', fr. Gk.
&&pe:rr-ro~. 'ill-nourished, underfed', fr. &- (see
priv. pref. a-) and &pm-r6~. 'fed, nourished',
verbal adj. of -rpeq>e:Lv, 'to feed, nourish' (whence
also &p1ji~~. 'nourishment'). See trophic and cp.
thrombosis. For the ending see suff. -ia.
athrill, adv. -Formed fr. a-, 'on', and thrill.
athrob, adv. -Formed fr. a-, 'on', and throb.
athwart, adv. and prep. - Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and thwart.
athymy, also athymia, n., despondency. - Gk.
&&GiJ.li, 'faintheartedness, despondency', lit.
'lack of spirit', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and
WiJ-6<;, 'spirit, mind, soul'. See thio- and cp.
thyme.
-atic, adj. suff. of Greek origin, meaning 'pertaining to; of the nature of', as in dramatic,
grammatic. - F. -atique, fr. L. -iiticus, fr. Gk.
-iX-rLX6<;. Cp. -etic.
-atic, adj. suff. of Latin origin meaning 'pertaining to; of the nature of', as in erratic,
aquatic. - F. -atique, fr. L. -iiticus. This suff.

-atile

arose from a misreading of -iit-icus ( = pp.

suff. of verbs of the rst conjugation and
suff. -icus) into d-ticus. [Cp. e.g. L. ven-iiticus, 'pertaining to the chase', (fr. vemitus, pp.
of ventiri, 'to chase'), misread into ven-ti-ticus.]
Accordingly suff. -atic is a compound of the
adj. (orig. pp.) suffix -ate and of suff. -ic.
Later the suff. -a tic was also appended to nouns.
Cp. -age.
Derivative: -atic-al.
-atile, adj. suff. expressing possibility.- F. -atile,
fr. L. -titilis, prop. suff. -ilis added to -atus, pp.
suff. of verbs of the first conjugation. See adj.
suff. -ate and ile.
atilt, adv. and adj. - Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
tilt.
-ation, subst. suff. denoting action, process, state
or condition. -Fr. F. -ation, (or directly) fr. L.
-iitionem, ace. of -titio, a suff. forming nouns of
action fr. -atus, pp. suff. of verbs of the first
Latin conjugation. See adj. suff. -ate and cp.
suff. -ition. For the sense of suff. -ation cp. -osis.
-ative, adj. suff. meaning 'tending to'.- F. -atif
(fern. -ative), fr. L. -iitivus, prop. suff. -ivus added to -titus, pp. suff. of verbs of the first Latin
conjugation. Accordingly suff. -ative is a compound of adj. suff. -ate and suff. -ive.
atlantes, n. pl., figures of men supporting an entablature (archil.)- L., fr. Gk. "A-.:Atxv-re~. pl.
of "A-r/,oc~. See Atlas.
Atlantic, adj., pertaining to the Atlantic Ocean
or to Mount Atlas. - L. At/anticus, fr. Gk.
'A-r:Atxv-r~x6~. fr. "A-r:t..<i~, 'the Atlas mountains'.
See Atlas and -ic.
Atlas, n., one of the Titans, son of Iapetus and
Clymene, supporting the heavens on his shoulders; later, a king of Mauretania, changed by
Perseus into Mt. Atlas (Greek mythol.) - L.
At/tis (gen. Atlantis), fr. Gk. "A-r/..oc~ (gen. "A-r/..txv-ro~), which stands for" A--:-/..oc~ and lit. means
'the Bearer (sci!. of Heaven)', fr. copul. pref. &and the stem of -:-J..'ijvtx~, 'to bear' (cp. rro:t..U-rA<i~, 'much-enduring'). Copul. pref. :i- stands
for I.-E. s~-, a weak gradational form of I.-E.
base sem-, 'one, together'; see same. Gk. -r/..ijvtx~
derives fr. *t/-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-,
*tal-, *to/-, 'to bear, lift, suffer', whence -rci:Aoc~,
gen. -rciAtxVo~ and -rciAO'v-ro~. 'bearing, suffering', -rtx:Acicrcrtx~ (aor.), 'to bear, suffer', L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', tolertire, 'to bear, support'. See tolerate and cp. atlas, name of the
first vertebra, atlantes, Atlantic, Atalanta,
talent.
atlas, n., a collection of maps bound into a book.
- First so called by the geographer Mercator
because the figure of Atlas supporting the world
was frequently put on the front page of such
collections. (The first part of Mercator's Atlas,
sive cosmographicae meditationes defahrica mundi appeared in 1585.) See prec. word.
atlas, n., name of the first vertebra (anal.) From Atlas (q.v.); so called because it bears the

122

skull. This name was given to the first vertebra

by the Belgian anatomist Andreas Vesalius
(1514-64). See Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia
anatomica, Vienna, 188o, P-59
atlas, n., silk-satin. - Arab. atlas, lit. 'wiped
smooth', fr. tdlasa, 'he wiped, smoothed away'.
atle, atlee, n., the tamarisk salt tree. - Arab.
dthlan, 'a species of tamarisk', prop. unit name
of athl, rel. to Aram. athlti, Heb. t!shel, 'tamarisk tree'.
atman, n., the supreme soul, the principle of life
(Hinduism).- 01. atmdn, prop. 'breath, soul',
orig. 'cover, body', cogn. with OHG. titum,
MHG. titem, G. Atem, MDu. tioem, OFris.
ethma, OS. tithom, OE. iiom, 'breath'. Cp. the
second element in mahatma.
atmido-, before a vowel atmid-, combining form
meaning 'vapor'. - Gk. &:-rf.Lt8o-, &-rf.L~a-, fr.
&:-rf.Ll~. gen. &-rf.Ll8o~, 'steam, vapor', rei. to &:-rf.l-6~,
of s.m. See atmo-.
atmidometer, n., an atmometer.- Compounded
of atmido- and Gk. f.Lhpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
atmo-, before a vowel atm-, combining form
meaning 'vapor'.- Gk. hf.Lo-, hf.L-, fr. &-rf.l-6~.
'steam, vapor', contraction of &e-rf.L6~, which
prob. stands for *&:f<:--r-f.l-6-~ and is rei. to
&eMtx (for *&h-A-~tx), 'tempest, whirlwind', and
to &1Jf.L~ (for *&f1JfJ.~). 'I blow', fr. I.-E. base
*we-, 'to blow', whence also 01. vtiti, 'blows',
Goth. waian, OE. wtiwan, 'to blow'. See wind,
'air in motion', and cp. Aello.
atmology, n., the study of the laws of aqueous
vapor. -Compounded of atmo- and Gk. -/..oyL<i,
fr. -A6y6~, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
-logy.
Derivatives: atmolog-ic, atmo/og-ic-al, adjs., atmolog-ist, n.
atmolysis, n., separation of mixed gases.- Compounded of atmo- and Gk. /..ucn~. 'a loosing;
dissolution'. See -lysis.
atmometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
rate of evaporation. - Compounded of atmoand Gk. f.Lt"rpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Derivatives: atmometr-ic, adj., atmometr-y, n.
atmosphere, n. - Compounded of Gk. &:-rf.l-6~,
'steam, vapor', and cr<ptxiptx, 'ball, sphere'; see
atmo- and sphere. The word atmosphere was first
used by the English bishop and scientist John
Wilkins (1614-72) in 1638 with reference to the
moon (which in reality has no atmosphere).
Derivatives: atmospher-ic, atmospher-ic-a/, adjs.,
atmospher-ic-al-ly, adv., awwspher-ics, n.pl.
atocia, n., sterility of the female (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. &.-roxloc, 'sterility', fr. ti-roxo~,
having never yet brought forth', fr. &.-(see priv.
pref. a-) and -r6xo~, 'childbirth, parturition',
which is rel. to oro~, 'father', in the pl.,
'parents'. See -tocia, toco-, and cp. anatocism.
atoll, n., a coral island. - Malayalam.

123

atom, n.- F. atome, fr. L. atomus, fr. Gk. &-rof.Lo~,

'atom', prop. 'uncut, indivisible', fr. &- (see
priv. pref. a-), and -TOf.LO~, fr. TEf.LVELv, 'to cut'.
See tome and cp. anatomy. The word &-rof.Lo~
was first used by the Greek philosopher
Leucippus.
Derivatives: atom-ic, adj., atom-ic-ity, n., atomism, n., atom-ist, n., atom-ize, tr. v., atom-ization, n., atom-iz-er, n.
atomy, n., skeleton. - From misdivision of anatomy into anatomy. See anatomy.
atomy, n., pygmy. - L. atomi (pl. of atomus,
'atom'), mistaken for a singular. See atom.
atone, intr. v.- Short for 'to be at one'.
Derivatives: atone-ment, n., aton-ing-ly, adv.
atonic, adj. - Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
&-rovo~. not stretched, slack; without tone',
fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and -r6vo~, 'tone'. See
tonic and cp. diatonic.
atony, n., want of tone. - ML. atonia, fr. Gk.
&:-rovl<i, 'slackness, debility', fr. &-rovo~. See prec.
word and -y (representing Gk. -l<i).
atopic, adj., pertaining to atopy (med.)- Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &-rorro~, 'out of place; unusual', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and -r6rro~,
'place'. See topic.
atopite, n., calcium antimonate (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &-rorro~.
See atopic.
atopy, n., allergy. - See atopic and -y (representing Gk. -loc).
-ator, subst. suff. - L. -titor, forming masculine
agential nouns from verbs of the first conjugation. Accordingly the suff. -titor consists of -ti-,
the characteristic vowel of the first conjugation,
and suff. -tor (q.v.)
atrabiliary, adj., melancholy, hypochondriac.Medical L. atrabiliiirius, 'suffering from black
bile', fr. L. titra bf/is, 'black bile, melancholy',
loan translation of Gk. f.LEAtx~vtx xoJ..~ (see melancholy). Atra is fern. of titer, 'bla~k, dark', rei.
to Umbr. atru, adro (neut. pl.), 'black', and
prob. cogn. with 01. dtharvan-, Avestic ii{}ravan-, 'fire priest', iitarsh, 'fire', atrya-, 'ashes',
Arm. airem, 'I light up, kindle'. Cp. atrocioiL'i.
Cp. also Atharvan. For the etymology of L. bflis
see bile. For the ending of atrabi/iary see adj.
suff. -ary.
Derivative: atrabiliari-ous, adj.
atrabilious, adj. - Formed with suff. -oiL'i fr. L.
titra bilis. See prec. word.
Derivatives :atribilious-ly,ad v. ,atrabilious-ne ss,n.
Atractaspis, n., a genus of African burrowing
vipers (zoo/.) - ModL., lit. 'arrow snake', fr.
Gk. &-rpo;x-ro~, 'spindle, arrow', and &:mrl,..
'serpent, snake', The first element is cogn. with
L. torquere, 'to twist, bend'; see torque. For the
second element see asp, 'snake'.
Atragene, n., a genus of trees of the buttercup
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. &:.&pa;ybnj, 'traveler's joy', compounded of ti.&p~. 'chariot',
and -yr;vfj, 'of a certain kind'. The first ele-

Atropos

K\

h
d.
mem""nds for *f&:(v)-&ptx~ an 1s cogn. Wit
01. vandhura/:1, 'a hamper (made of wickerwork)', fr. I.-E. base *wendh-, *w!Jdh-, 'to turn,
twist', whence also ON. vim/a, OE. wfndan,
'to wind, twist'; see wind, 'to turn'. The
second element is rei. to Gk. ytvo~. 'race,
descent, gender, kind'; see genus and cp. -gen.
atresia, n., occlusion of a natural passage of the
body (pathol.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. &-rp1J-ro~,
'not perforated', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and
-rp~-r6~, verbal adj. of n-rptxLvew, 'to pierce,
perforate', which is rei. to nlpeLv (for *-rtp~etv),
'to rub, rub away, wear away', fr. I.-E. base
*ter-, 'to bore, pierce, rub'. See throw and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
Atreus, n., a son of Pelops and father of Agamemnon and Menelaus (Greek mythol.)- L.,
fr. Gk. 'A-rpeu~. a word of uncertain origin.
atrip, adv. (naut.)- Formed fr. a- 'on', and trip.
Atriplex, n., a genus of plants of the goosefoot
family (bot.) - L. atriplex, 'orach', fr. Gk.
<X-rpoc<ptx~u~, which is of unknown origin. Cp.
orach.
atrium, n., r) the central, courtlike room of the
ancient Roman house; 2) (anat.) cavity in the
heart or in the ear. - L. atrium; according to
Yarro, De Lingua Latina 5, 161, a word of
Etruscan origin and rei. to the Etruscan town
Atria, as the place of origin of this kind of architecture. The connection of atrium with titer,
'black, dark', is folk etymology.
atrocious, adj., extremely cruel or wicked. Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. atr6x, gen. atr6cis,
'cruel, fierce', prop. 'dark-looking, gloomy',
and compounded of iiter, 'black, dark', and
-ox, gen. ocis, 'looking'. For the first element see
atrabilioiL'i. The second element is cogn. with
Gk. w\jl, gen. wrr6~, 'eye, sight'. See -ops and cp.
the second element in ferocioiL'i, velocity.
Derivatives: atrocious-ly, adv., atrocious-ness.
atrocity, n., atrociousness. - F. atrocite, fr. L.
atr6cittitem, ace. of atrocitas, 'cruelty', fr. atrox.
See prec. word and -ity.
Atropa, n., a genus of plants of the potato family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. hporrtx, 'the deadly
nightshade', which is rel. to "A-rporro~, name
of one of the Fates. See Atropos.
atrophy, n., a wasting away through lack of
nourishment (med.) - F. atrophie, fr. L. atrophia, fr. Gk. hpo<pL<i, 'want of food', fr. &-rpo<po~, 'not nourished, ill-fed', fr. &- (see priv.
pref. a-) and --rpo<po~, fr. -rpo<p~, 'food, nourishment'. See trophic and cp. athrepsia. Cp. also
dystrophy, hypertrophy.
Derivatives: atrophy, intr. and tr. v., atroph-ic,
atrophi-ed, adjs.
atropine, also atropin, n., an alkaloid poison
extracted from belladonna. - Formed with
chem. suff. -ine, resp. -in, fr. Gk. &-rporrtx, 'the
deadly nightshade'. See Atropa.
AtropoJ, n., one of the Fates in Greek mythol-

attach

124

Derivatives: attemperat-ion, n., attemperat-or, n.

ogy. - Gk. "A't'porto~, lit. 'not to be turned
attempt, tr. v. - OF. atenter, also atempter (F.
away, inflexible', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) and
attenter), fr. L. attenttire, attemptare (whence
the stem of -rpem:~v, 'to turn', -rp6rco~, 'a turn'.
also It. attentare, OProvenc., Port. attentar, Sp.
See trope and cp. Atropa, atropine.
atentar), 'to attempt, try', fr. ad- and tentiire,
attach, tr. and intr. v. - ME. attachen, fr. OF
tempttire, 'to put to the test, try'. See tempt and
atachier, attachier (F. attacher), lit. 'to tack or
cp. attentat.
fasten to', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and tache, 'a nail,
Derivatives: attempt, n., attempt-able, adj., athook', a word of Teut. origin. See tack, 'a small
tempt-er, n.
also
Cp.
detach.
nail', and cp. tache, 'a buckle',
attend, intr. and tr. v. -OF. atendre (F. attenattack, which is a doublet of attach. Cp. also
dre), 'to expect, wait for', fr. L. attendere (aninext word.
mum), 'to stretch one's mind to', fr. ad- and
Derivatives: attach-able, adj., attach-ed, adj.,
tendere, 'to stretch, extend'. Cp. It. attendere,
attach-ed-ly, adv., attach-er, n., attachment (q.v.)
atender, which are of the same oriOProvenc.
atstaff
diplomatic
attache, n., a member of the
gin. See tend, 'to move in a certain direction',
tached to an embassy. -F., lit. 'attached', pp.
and cp. tend, 'to attend'. Cp. also contend, inof attacher, 'to attach'. See prec. word.
tend, portend.
attachment, n.- F. attachement, fr. attacher. See
Derivatives: attendance, attendant (qq.v.), atattach and -ment.
tend-er, n., attend-ing-ly, adv.
attack, tr. v. -F. attaquer, fr. It. attaccare, prop.
attendance, n. -OF. atendance, fr. atendant (F.
'to attach, join', whence 'to begin', attaccare batattendant), pres. part. of atendre. See next word
taglia, 'to begin a battle', whence elliptically
and -ce.
attaccare, 'to attack'; a doublet of attach (q.v.)
attendant, adj. -F., pres. part. of attendre. See
Derivatives: attack, n., attack-able, adj., atattend and -ant.
tack-er, n.
Derivative: attendant, n.
attacus, n., a kind of edible locust. - Late L.
adj., attentive (archaic). - L. attentus,
attent,
mentioned
cinocx6~.
Gk.
fr.
22),
I:
I
Lev.
(Vulg.,
pp. of attendere. See attend.
by Philo (cp. &.-:dx%, Sept., Lev. r 1: 22).
attent, n., attention (obsol.) - OF. atente (F. atattagen, n., the Pallas's sand grouse.- L., name
tente), fr. VL. *attendita, n., prop. subst. use
Gk.
fr.
francolin,
the
of a kind of bird, possibly
of the fern. of *attenditus, pp. formed fr. L. at:i-rny~v (also cinxyiis, oc't'TXyij~); of uncertain,
tendere. See attend.
possibly imitative, origin.
attentat(e), n., I) a criminal attempt (obsol.); 2) in
attain, tr. and intr. v. - ME. atteinen, attainen,
law, a proceeding in court of judicature after an
from the stem of OF. ataindre, ateindre (F. atinhibition is decreed. -F. attentat, 'criminal
to
g
correspondin
*attangere,
teindri'), fr. VL.
attempt', fr. L. attentiitum, neut. pp. of attentiire,
L. attinr:ere, 'to touch, to arrive at', fr. ad- and
'to attempt'. See attempt.
tangere, 'to touch'. See tangent and cp. attainattention, n. - F., fr. L. attenti6nem, ace. of atder, attaint, attinge.
tenti6, 'attention, attentiveness', fr. attentus, pp.
Derivatives: attain-abil-ity, n., attain-able, adj.
attendere. See attend and -ion.
of
legal
and
civil
the
of
extinction
attainder, n., the
Derivative: attention-a!, adj.
rights of a person sentenced to death or outattentive, adj. - F. attentif (fern. attentive), fr.
lawed (law).- OF. infinitive ataindre. ateindre,
VL. *attenditus. See attent, n., and -ive.
'to attain; to accuse, condemn', used as a noun.
Derivatives: attentive-ly, adv., attentive-ness, n.
For the subst. use of Old French infinitivesattenuant, adj., attenuating, diluent; n., an atesp. in legal terminology -cp. avoirdupois,
tenuating substance, a diluent. - L. attenuans,
cesser, demurrer, detainer, disclaimer, estovers,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of attenuare. See next
rerejoinder,
oyer,
ouster,
misnomer,
joinder,
word and -ant.
mainder, retainer, tender, 'offer', terminer, user,
attenuate, tr. v., to make thin; to make less; intr.
'right of use', waiver.
v., to become thin; to become less. - L. atattaint, n. - OF. ataint, pp. of ataindre (see attenuiitus, pp. of attenutire, 'to make thin, attetain); confused with taint.
fr. ad- and tenuiire, 'to make thin', fr.
nuate',
attaintn.,
,
attaint-ment
n.,
Derivatives: attaint,
tenuis, 'thin'. See tend, 'to move in a certain
ure, n.
direction', and verbal suff. -ate and cp. tenuis,
attar, n., also otto, volatile oil. - Pcrs. 'afar, fr.
thin.
Arab. 'itr, 'perfume'.
attenuate, adj.,. attenuated. - L. attenuiitus pp.
attemper, tr. v. - OF. atemprer (F. attemprer),
of attenuare. See attenuate, v.
adfr.
adjust',
fit,
'to
fr. Late L. attemperiire,
attenuation, n. - L. attenuiiti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
and L. temperiire, 'to divide duly; to temper'.
attenutitus," pp. of attenutire. See attenuate, v.,
See temper, v.
and -ion.
n.
nt,
Derivatives: at temper-ed, adj., attemper-me
atter, n., poison. - OE. at(t)or, rei. to OFris.
attemperate, tr. v. (obsol.)- Late L. attemperatus,
tit(t)er, OS. ettar, ON. eitr, 'poison', Swed., Du.
pp. of attemperare. See prec. word and cp.
etter, OHG. eittar, eitar, MHG., G. eiter, 'pus',
temperate.

125

and cogn. with Gk. o!3fL(X, oi3o~;, 'a swelling',

ot3iiv, ot3e:"i:v, 'to swell'. See edema.
Derivatives: atter-n, atter-y, attr-y, adjs.
attest, tr. and intr. v. - F. attester, fr. L. attestarf, 'to bear witness to, attest'. fr. ad- and
testiiri, 'to bear witness', fr. testis, 'witness',
See testament andcp. contest, detest. Derivatives:
attestation (q.v.), attest-er, attest-or, n.
attestation, n. - F., fr. L. attestiiti6nem, ace. of
attestiiti6, 'an attesting, testimony', fr. attesttitus, pp. of attestiiri. See attest and -ation and
cp. contestation, detestation.
Attic, adj., of, or pertaining to, Attica. - L. Atticus, fr. Gk. 'ATnx6~, 'of Attica'.
attic, n. - F. attique, 'attic', lit. 'Attic (story)'.
See Attic.
atticism, n., Attic style, elegant diction. - Gk.
'An~xtcrfL6~. fr. 'Antx6~. See Attic and -ism.
atticize, tr. v., to adapt to the dialect of Attica;
intr. v., to imitate Attic style. - Gk. 'An~x(
~e:w, fr. 'Antx6~. See Attic and -ize.
attinge, tr. v., to touch upon (obsol.)- L. attingere. See attain.
attire, tr. v. - ME. atiren, fr. OF. atirier, atirer,
fr.a tiere, a tire, 'into a row', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and
tiere, 'row, rank, series'. See tier, 'row, series'.
Derivatives: attire, n., attir-ed, adj., attir-er, n.
attitude, n. - F., fr. It. attitudine, 'aptness,
promptitude ', fr. ML. aptitiidinem, ace. of aptitiido; see aptitude. The word attitude was introduced into English by the diarist John Evelyn
(!620-1706).

Derivatives: attitudin-al, adj., attitudinarian,

attitudinarianism, attitudinize (qq.v.)

attitudinarian, n., one who attitudinize s.- Formed with suff. -arian fr. It. attitudine. See attitude.
Derivative: attitudinarian-ism, n.
attitudinize, intr. v., to strike an attitude; to pose.
- Formed fr. It. attitudine (see attitude) with
suff. -ize.
attorn, intr. and tr. v., I) orig., to transfer homage
from one feudal lord to another; 2) to agree to
become a tenant under a new landlord (law).OF. atorner, 'to direct, attorn', lit. 'to turn to',
fr. a, 'to' (see a), and torner (F. tourner), fr. L.
torniire, 'to turn'. See turn, v. and cp. attorney.
attorney, n., solicitor. - Lit. 'one authorized to
act for another', fr. OF. atorne, pp. of atorner,
'to turn to'. See prec. word and -ee.
attornment, n., I) a turning over, assignment;
2) acknowledgment of the new landlord.- OF.
atornement, fr. atorner. See attorn and -ment.
attract, tr. v.- L. attractus, pp. of attrahere, 'to
draw to, attract', fr. ad- and trahere, 'to draw'.
See tract, 'region', ancl cp. attrahent. Cp. also
contract, detract, protract. subtract.
Derivatives: attract-er, n., attraction, attractive (qq.v.)
attraction, n. - F., fr. L. attracti6nem, ace. of
attracti6, 'a drawing together', fr. attractus, pp.
of attrahere. See prec. word and -ion.
attractive, adj. - F. attractif (fern. attractive),

KJ

Aubrietia

fr. ML. attractivus, fr. L. attractus, pp. of aUrahere. See attract and -ive.
Derivatives: attractive-ly, adv., attractive-ness, n.
attrahent, adj., that which attracts. - L. aurahens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of attrahere. See
attract and -ent and cp. contrahent, subtrahend.
Derivative: attrahent, n.
attribute, tr. v.- L. attribiitus, pp. of attribuere,
'to add, assign, bestow, give, impute, attribute',
fr. ad- and tribuere 'to assign allot bestow
'
'
'
give, grant'. See tribute.
attribute, n. - L. attribiltum, 'anything attri
buted', neut. of attribiitus, pp. of attribuere.
See attribute, v.
attribution, n. - F., fr. L. attribiitionem, ace. of
attributio, 'assignment, attribution', fr. attribiitus, pp. of attribuere. See attribute, adj., and
-ion.
attributive, adj. - F. attribut1j(fem. attributive),
fr. attribut, 'attribute', fr. L. attribiltum. See
attribute, n., and -ive.
Derivatives: attributive, n., attributive-ly, adv.,
attributive-ness, n.
attrite, adj., worn away by rubbing. - L. attrltus, pp. of atterere, 'to wear away', lit. 'to rub
against', fr. ad- and terere, 'to rub'. See trite.
attrition, n.- L. attriti6, gen. -onis, lit. 'a rubbing
against', fr. attritus, pp. of atterere. See prec.
word and -ion.
attune, tr. v. - Formed fr. at- and tune.
Formed fr. a-, 'on',
atwain, adv. (archaic).
and twain.
Formed fr. a-, 'on',
atween, adv. (archaic).
and -tween (in between).
auantic, adj., atrophic. - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. xuxvTI), 'a wasting, atrophy', fr. och[%tv, 'to wither, be dry', fr. xiktv, 'to dry', fr.
ocuo~, 'dry', which stands for *sauso-s and derives fr. I.-E. base *saus-, *sus-, 'dry', whence
also OE. sear, 'dry', OHG. soren, 'to become
dry'. See sere, adj., and cp. austere.
aubade, n., morning serenade.- F., fr. Proven<;.
aubada, fr. auba, 'dawn', fr. L. alba, fern. of
a/bus, 'white', used as a noun. See alb and -ade.
aubain, n., alien, foreigner. - F., orig. written
aubene, fr. Frankish *aliban, lit. 'belonging to
another ban'. The first element of this word is
rei. to Goth. a/jis, 'other', and to E. else (q.v.)
The second element is rei. to E. ban, v. (q.v.)
See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p.43 s.v. aubain.
aubergine, n., the eggplant. - G., fr. Catal. alberginera, alberginia, fr. Arab. al-btidinjdn, 'the
eggplant', fr. al, 'the', and biidinjdn, 'eggplant',
fr. Pers. badin-gan, fr. 01. vatingana/:1. Cp.
berengena.
aubin, n., canter. - F., fr. earlier hobin, fr. hauby
(15th cent.), fr. E. hobby (q.v.)
Aubrey, masc. PN. -F. Auberi, fr. G. Alberich,
lit. 'ruler of elfs'. For the first element cp. ON.
alfr, OE. :elf, 'elf', and see elf. For the second
element see rich and cp. words there referred to.
Aubrietia, n., a genus of plants of the mustard

auburn

126

ear'), OSlav. ave, jave, 'open, public', aviti,

family (bot.) - ModL., named after Claude
javiti, 'to reveal'. Cp. obedient, obeisance, obey,
Aubriet, painter of flowers and animals (I668oyer, oyez.
I 743). For the ending see suff. -ia.
Derivatives: audibil-ity, n., audible-ness, n.,
auburn, adj., reddish-brown. - ME. auburne,
audibl-y, adv.
'whitish', fr. OF. a/borne, auborne, fr. VL. alaudience, n. - F., fr. L. audientia, 'a hearing,
burnus, 'whitish', fr. L. a/bus, 'white'. The sense
audience', fr. audiens, gen. -entis, pres. part. o
development of the word was influenced by a
audire. See audible and -ence.
confusion with brown. See alb and cp. alburnum.
audient, n., a hearer, listener.- L. audiens, gen.
Derivative: auburn, n.
-entis. See prec. word and -ent.
auchenium, n., part of a bird's neck (ornithol.)
adj., auditory. - Formed with suff. -ile
audile,
rJ.ux-f)v,
Gk.
fr.
-ium
suff.
with
- ModL., formed
fr. L. audfre, 'to hear'. See audible.
'neck, throat', which is rei. to Aeol. &[Lqll)V, of
Derivative: audile, n., a person whose imagery
s.m., and cogn. with Arm. auji-k', 'necklace'.
is chiefly auditory (psycho/.)
auction, n. - L. auctio, gen. -onis, 'an increase;
audiology, n., the science of curing defective heara public sale, auction', fr. auctus, pp. of augere,
ing. - A hybrid coined fr. L. audire, 'to hear',
'to
*aug-,
*aweg-,
base
I.-E.
fr.
'to increase',
and Gk. -J..oyliX, fr. -J..6yo~, 'one who speaks
grow, increase', whence also Lith. dugu, dugti,
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
Lett. augu, augt, 'to grow', Lith. dukStas, Lett.
certain topic)'. See audible and -logy.
augsts, 'high, of superior rank', OPruss. auckDerivative: audiolog-ist, n.
timmien, 'chief', aucktai-rikjiskan, 'authority',
audiometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
Lett. audzet, 'to bring up', Goth. aukan, 'to
intensity of sounds. - A hybrid coined fr. L.
grow, increase', OE. eacian, 'to increase'; see
audire, 'to hear', and Gk. [LtTpov, 'measure'. See
eke and cp. augment, augur, august, author. Cp.
and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
audible
*weks-,
the related base *aw(e)ks-, *auks-,
Derivatives: audiometr-y, n., audiometr-ist, n.
*uks-, 'to grow, increase', whence 01. vak$dyati,
audiphone, n., an instrument for helping the deaf
'causes to grow', fikJati, 'grows strong', Gk.
to hear.- A hybrid coined fr. L. audire, 'to hear',
&.f~e:tv, OCE~e:Lv, a.:U~eLv, aU~&:ve:Lv, 'to increase',
and Gk. qlWV-ij, 'sound'. See audible and phone.
L. auxilium, 'help, aid', Goth. wahsjan, OE.
tr. v. and n. -Back formation fr. auditor
audit,
auxiliary,
cp.
weaxan, 'to grow'. See wax, v., and
(q.v.)
auxano-, auxesis, auxetic, auxo-.
audition, n.- L. audltio, gen. -onis, 'a hearing',
Derivatives: auction, tr. v., auction-eer, n., aucfr. auditus, pp. of audfre. See audible and -ion
tion-eer-ing, n.
and cp. auditor.
aucupate, intr. and tr. v., to go fowling. - L.
auditive, adj. - F. auditif (fern. auditive), fr. L.
aucupiitus, pp. of aucupiire, later aucupiirf, 'to
audftus, pp. of audire, 'to hear'. See audible.
go fowling', fr. auceps, 'fowler; spy, eavesn., a hearer. - AF. auditour, correauditor,
and
'bird',
avis,
fr.
*avi-cap-s,
for
dropper',
sponding to F. auditeur, fr. L. auditorem, ace. of
capere, 'to catch, seize, take, receive'. See auspice
auditor, 'a hearer', fr. auditus, pp. of audire. See
and captive.
and agential suff. -or.
audible
audacieux
F.
audacious, adj., daring, bold. auditorium, n., a building or part of a building
(fern. audacieuse), fr. L. audiicia, 'daring, boldassigned to the audience. - L. auditorium,
ness, courage, intrepidity', fr. audiix, gen. au'lecture room, hall of justice', prop. neut. of the
diicis, 'daring, bold, courageous, intrepid', fr.
adjective auditorius, 'relating to hearing', used
audere, 'to dare', which stands for *avidere, 'to
as a noun, and lit. meaning 'the place where
be eager', fr. avidus, 'eager'. The meaning 'to
something is heard', fr. auditus, pp. of audfre.
dare' first arose from the negative form: non
See next word and cp. auditory, n.
audere orig. meant 'to wish or to have a mind
auditory, adj., pertaining to hearing. - L. audinot to do something', whence it came to denote
torius, 'relating to a hearer or hearing', fr. audi'not to risk or dare to do something'. L. avidus
tor, 'hearer'. See auditor.and adj. suff. -ory.
is a derivative of avi!re, 'to wish, desire, long for,
auditory, n., an audience. - L. auditorium, 'leccrave', whence also aviirus, 'greedy'. See avid
ture room'. See auditorium and subst. suff.
and cp. avarice.
-ory.
Derivatives: avdacious-/y, adv., audaciousAudrey, fern. PN. - Shortened fr. Etheldreda,
ness, n.
latinization of OE. --Eoeloryo, lit. 'noble might',
audacity, n., daring, boldness. - Formed with
fr. ;;eoele, 'noble', and orN, 'strength, might'.
suff. -ity fr. L. audax, gen. -iicis, 'bold', fr. auFor the first element see atheling. The second
dere, 'to dare'. See prec. word and -ity.
element is rei. to OHG. triuwen, 'to flourish',
audible, adj.- ML. audibilis, fr. L. audio, audire,
trouwen, 'o grow', MHG. druo, 'fruit', ON.
'to hear', which prob. stands for awis-d-io, fr.
'to thrive', jJroskr, ~trong'. Cp. tawdry.
jJro-ask,
also
whence
I.-E. base *awei-, au-, 'to perceive',
Augean, adj., pertaining to Augeas, king of Elis,
Ol. iivib, Avestic iivish, 'openly, evidently', Gk.
whose stable remained uncleaned for thirty
a:la-IHvo[La:t (for *&fta-.&-ocvo[La:t}, 'I perceive',
years until Hercules cleaned it in a day (Greek
&tw (for *ocf(w), 'I hear' (lit. 'I perceive by the

127

mythol.)- Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Augeas,

fr. Gk. AuyetiX~, 'Augeas'.
augelite, n., a hydrous aluminum phosphate (mineral.) - Lit. 'the bright stone', formed with
combining form -lite fr. Gk. a:uyf), 'light of the
sun, brightness'. See augite.
auger, n. - ME. auger, earlier nauger, fr. OE.
nafugar, which is compounded of nafu, 'nave of
a wheel' and gar, 'spear'; see nave and gore, 'a
triangular piece of land'. The loss of the initial
n is due to a misdivision of ME. a nauger into
an auger. For similar misdivisions cp. adder and
words there referred to.
Derivative: auger-er, n.
aught, n. - ME. auht, fr. OE. iiwiht, owiht, lit.
'ever a whit', fr. ii, o, 'ever, always', and wiht,
'creature, thing'. See aye, 'ever', and wight and
cp. naught.
augite, n., a variety of pyroxene (mineral.) - L.
augfti!s, fr. Gk. a:uyfTIJ~, fr. ocuyf), 'light of the
sun, ray, brightness, dawn, daybreak', which is
cogn. with Alb. ag6j, 'to dawn', agume, 'dawn',
and prob. also with OSlav. jugu, 'south', lit.
'the place where the sun shines', jutro, 'morning'. Cp. augelite. Cp. also the first element in
Yugoslav.
augment, tr. v., I) to cause to increase; 2) to prefix the augment to (see next word). - F. au[!menter, fr. L. augmentiire, 'to increase', fr. augmentum, 'increase', fr. augi!re, 'to increase'. See
auction and -ment.
Derivatives: augment-ed, adj., augment-ed-ly,
adv., augment-er, n.
augment, n., a prefixed vowel or the lengthening of
the initial vowel to form the past tense in Greek
and Sanskrit (gram.) - F., fr. L. augmentum,
'increase', fr. augi!re, 'to increase'. See augment, v.
augmentation, n. - F., fr. VL. augmentiiti6nem,
ace. of augmentati6, 'an increasing', fr. L. augmentiitus, pp. of augmentiire, 'to increase'. See
augment, v., and -ion.
augmentative, adj. - F. augmenlatif (fern. augmentative), fr. L. augmentiitus, pp. of augment are.
See augment, v., and -ive.
Derivative: augmentative-ly, adv.
augur, n., in ancient Rome, a priest who foretold
events by interpreting omens. - L., 'augur, diviner, soothsayer; a member of the college of
priests in Rome, who foretold the future', transformation of OL. augos, gen. augeris, 'increase' (with assimilation of the e to the u of
the first syllable), rei. to augere, 'to increase'.
For the change of the neuter gender (in OL.
au~os) to the masculine (in L. augur), cp. L.
vet us, 'old', which derives from the noun *wetos,
'year', and orig. meant 'of (many) years' (see
veteran). The usual derivation fr. avi-ger (avis
'bird', and gerere, 'to bear, conduct') is folk
etymology. Cp. inaugurate.
augur, tr. and intr. v., to foretell; to prophesy.L. auguriiri, 'to perform the functions of an

aulaco-

augur; to foretell by auguries; to foretell; to

prophesy', fr. L augur. See augur, n.
augural, adj., pertaining to augurs or augury. L. auguriilis, 'belonging to augurs, relating to
soothsaying', fr. augur. See augur, n., and adj.
suff. -al.
augurate, n., the office of an augur. - L. auguriitus, 'the office of an augur', fr. auguriitus,
pp. of auguriirf. See augur, v., and subst. suff. -ate.
augury, n. - OF. augurie, fr. L. augurium, 'divination; profession of an augur'. See augur, n.,
and -y (representing L. -ium).
august, adj., majestic, venerable. - L. augustus,
'majestic, venerable, august', lit. 'that which is
made to increase', rei. to augi!re, 'to increase';
cp. Lith. dukstas, Lett. augsts, 'high, of superior
rank'. See auction and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: august-ly, adv., august-ness, n.
August, n., name of the eighth month of the
year. - L. Augustus; named after Augustus
Caesar, the first Roman emperor, lit. 'venerable,
august'. See august. For sense development cp.
Sebastian.
Augusta, fern. PN. - L., fern. of Augustus. See
Augustus.
Augustan, adj., I) of, or pertaining to, Augustus
Caesar or his times; 2) of, or pertaining to, any
age resembling that of Augustus Caesar. - L.
Augustiinus, 'of, or relating to, Augustus', fr.
Augustus. See August and -an.
Augustine, Augustin, Austin, masc. PN. - L.
Augustinus, lit. 'of, or pertaining to, Augustus',
fr. Augustus. See next word and -ine(representi ng
L. -fnus).
Augustus, masc. PN. - L., fr. augustus, 'venerable, august'; the name was first applied to
Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. See august and
cp. August.
auk, n. - Scand. Cp. ON. iilka, Dan. alke,
Swed. atka, which prob. derive from the I.-E.
imitative base *el-, ot-, 'to shout, cry', whence
also L. olor (for *elor), 'swan', Mlr. ela, 'swan',
and possibly also Gk. iJ..eiX, 'a marsh bird',
iJ..wpta~, 'a water bird'. Cp. A lea.
anklet, n., any of small species of auks.- Formed fr. prec. word with dimin. suff. -let.
auksinas, n., a money of account in Lithuania.Lith., lit. 'gulden', fr. duksas, 'gold', fr. OLith.
ausas, of s.m., which is rei. to OPruss. ausis and
cogn. with L. aurum, of s.m.; see aureate. See
Walde-Hofman n, LEW., I, p.86 s.v. aurum.
aula, n., a large hall. - L., 'the front court of a
Grecian house', fr. Gk. ry.,Ji.!;. 'open court, court,
hall', fr. I.-E. base *au-, 'to rest'. whence also
Arm. ag-anim, 'I pass the night', Gk. tw)w (for
t-a:f-,;w), 'I sleep',and pro b. the second element
in Gk. tvtrJ.)TO~, 'year'. Cp. oriel.
aulaco-, before a vowel aulae-, combining form
meaning 'furrow'. - Gk. ry.u).ocxo-, a:u:i.ocx-,
from the stem of a:o:Aa:~ (gen. a:uJ..a:xo~). 'furrow', which stands for &:-fJ..a:x-~ and is cogn.

Aulacomnium
with OSlav. vlek(J, vlesti, Lith. velku, vilkti, 'to
draw, drag'.
Aulacomnium, n., a genus of mosses (bot.) ModL., compound ed of Gk. a:u:Aa:!;, gen. a:\l:Aa:xo~, 'furrow' (see prec. word), and tJ.Vlov, 'moss',
which is cogn. with Lith. miniava, 'close-mow n
turf'.
auld, adj., old. - OE. ald; a dial. variant of old
(q.v.)
aulic, adj., pertaining to a court.- F. aulique, fr.
L. aulicus, fr. Gk. IXUA~x6~, fr. a:u:A-Ij, 'court'. See
aula and -ic.
Derivative : aulic-ism, n.
aumbry, aumery, n.- Variants of ambry.
aumil, n., a native revenue collector in India. Hind. 'timil, fr. Arab. 'timil, 'worker, agent',
partie. of 'amila, 'he worked, labored, made',
which is rei. to 'amal, 'work, toil', and to Heb.
'amal, Aram.-Syr . 'iimal, 'he worked', Ethiop.
ma'mal, 'tool', Akkad. nimelu, 'gain, possession '.
Cp. omlah.
aumildar, n., a revenue collector in India. Hind. 'amaldar, lit. 'one holding an office', a
hybrid coined fr. Arab. 'amal, 'work' (see aumil), and the Persian agentialsuf f. -dar, meaning
'holder, possessor', which is rei. to Avestic
darayeiti, 'holds, supports', 01. dharayati, of
s.m., fr. I.-E. base *dher(e)-, 'to hold, support',
whence also L. firmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable,
strong'. See firm, adj., and cp. the first element
in Darius. Cp. also the second element in bahadur, chobdar, chokidar, dizdar, dufterdar, enamdar, foujdar, havildar, jaghiredar, jemadar,
killadar, ressaldar, silladar, sirdar, subahdar,
tahsildar, talukdar, thanadar, zemindar.
auncel, n., a weight used in England in the Middle
Ages. - AF. aunce/le, fr. It. lancella, dimin. of
lance, 'balance', fr. L. lanx, gen. lancis, 'plate,
dish; scale of the weighing machine'. See balance. The loss of the initial/ in E. auncel is due
to the circumstan ce that the initial l in It. !ancella was mistaken for the It. def. art. l' and
con:;equently dropped.
aunt, n. - AF. aunte, fr. OF. ante (F. tante), fr.
L. am ita, 'father's sister', which is formed with
-ita, a suff. of prob. Etruscan origin, from the
infantile imitative base *am(ma), 'mother, grandmother, nurse'. Cp. Gk. &fLfLOC, atJ.tJ.oc~, &fL[Lli,
'mother', ON. amma, 'grandmot her', OHG.
amma, 'mother, nurse', Mlr. ammait, 'old hag'.
The base occurs also in the Semitic languages;
cp. Heb. em, Aram.-Syr . em, Arab. umm, imm,
Ethiop. em, Akkad. ummu, 'mother'. Cp. also
the second element in begum.
aura, n. emanation ; aroma.- L., 'breeze, wind,
air', fr. Gk. C(')pi, 'air in motion, breeze', which
is rei. to &f;p, 'air'. See air and cp. soar.
aural, adj., of, or pertaining, to the ear. Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. auris, 'ear'. See auricle.
Derivative : aural-ly, adv.
aural, adj., pertaining to an aura.- Formed fr.
aura with adj. suff. -al.

128
auramine, auramin, n., a yellow dyestuff (chem.)
-Coined fr. L. aurum, 'gold' (see aureate), and
amine.
aureate, adj., golden (rare). - L. aureatus, fr.
aureus, 'golden', fr. aurum, 'gold', lit. 'the shining metal', fr. I.-E. base *awes-, 'to shine',
whence also OLith. ausas, Lith. auksas, OPruss.
ausis, 'gold', and possibly also Toch. A wiis, of
s.m. See aurora and cp. auksinas, auramine, aurelia, aureole, aurin, dorado, El Dorado, loriot,
moidore, or, 'gold', ore, oriflamme, oriole,
ormolu, oroide, orphrey, orpiment.
aurelia, n., butterfly chrysalis. - ModL., fr. It.
aurelia, prop. fern. of aurelia, 'shining like gold',
fr. L. aurum, 'gold'. See aureate and cp. Aurelia.
Derivative : aureli-an, adj.
Aurelia, fern. PN. - L., fern. of Aurelius (q.v.)
Aurelius, masc. PN.- L., the name of a Roman
gens, rei. to aurum, 'gold'. See aureate.
Aureobasidium, n., a genus of basidiomyc etes
(bot.)- A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. aureus,
'of gold, golden', and basidium, a word of Greek
origin. The correct form would be Chrysobasidium, in which both elements are of Greek origin (see chryso- and cp. aureomycin).
aureole, n., celestial crown.- L. aureola (corona),
'golden crown', fern. of aureolus, 'golden', dimin. of aureus, fr. aurum, 'gold'. See aureate
and cp. oriole.
aureomycin, n., an antibiotic drug resembling
penicillin (med.) - A hybrid coined fr. L. aureus, 'golden' (so called from its color), Gk.
!J.UXYJ~, 'fungus', and chem. suff. -in; see aureate and myco-. The correct form would be
chrysomycin, in which both elements are of
Greek origin (see chryso- and cp. Aureobasidium).
auri-, combining form meaning 'gold'. - Fr. L.
aurum, 'gold'. See aureate.
auri-, combining form meaning 'ear'. - Fr. L.
auris, 'ear'. See auricle.
aurichalcite, n., a basic copper zinc carbonate
(mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L.
aurichalcum, 'yellow copper ore', popular alteration of orichalcum (as if related to aurum,
'gold'), fr. Gk. opdza;).xo~, 'a kind of copper',
later 'brass', lit. 'mountain copper', fr. opo~.
'mountain' , and zoc:Ax6~, 'copper'. See oro-,
'mountain' , and chalco- and cp. orichalc. For
the change of the Greek masculine gender to
Latin neuter cp. Gk. x'l:crcrl"tpo~, 'tin', whence
.
L. cassiterum (see cassiterite).
auricle, n., I) the external ear; 2) chamber of the
heart. - L. auricula, 'the external ear', dimin.
of auns, 'ear', which stands for *ausis, fr. I.-E.
base awei-, au-, 'to perceive'. See ear, 'the organ of hearing', and cp. aural, 'pertaining to the
ear'. For the ending see suff. -cle.
Derivative : auric/-ed, adj.
auricula, n., the Alpine primula (bot.) - Lit. 'a
little ear'. See auricle.
Derivative s: auricular (q.v.), auricul-ate, adj.

129
auricular, adj., I) pertaining to the ear; 2) pertaining to an auricle. - ML. auriculiiris, fr. L.
auricula. See auricle and adj. suff. -ar.
auriculo-, combining form meaning 'auricular'.
- Fr. L. auricula. See auricle.
auriferous, adj., containing gold.- Compound ed
of L. aurum, 'gold', and ferre, 'to bear, carry'.
See aureate and -ferous.
auriform, adj., earshaped. - Compound ed of L.
auris, 'ear', and forma, 'form, shape'. See auricle
and -form.
aurify, v., to turn into gold.- See aureate and -fy.
Auriga, n., the Charioteer (astron.) - L. auriga,
'a charioteer, driver', compound ed of aureae
(pl.), 'bridle of a horse', and -(rra, 'driver'. Aureae
stands for oreae (pl.), a derivative of os, gen. oris,
'mouth'; -iga derives fr. agere, 'to set in motion,
drive, lead'. See oral and agent, adj.
auriga!, adj., pertaining to a charioteer. - L.
aurlgalis, fr. auriga. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
Aurignacia n, adj. and n. (archaeol.) - Named
from Aurignac, in the departmen t of HauteGaronne in France, a place where many utensils of primeval man were first discovered . For
the ending see suff. -ian.
aurilave, n., earcleaner. - Compound ed of L.
auris, 'ear', and /avare, 'to wash'. See auricle
and lave.
aurin, n., a poisonous red synthetic dye.- Formed with chem. suff. -in fr. L. aurum, 'gold'.
See aureate.
aurist, n., ear specialist, otologist. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. auris, 'ear' (see aureate), and -ist, a
suff. of Greek origin.
auro-, combining form meaning 'gold'.- Fr. L.
aurum, 'gold'. See aureate.
auro-, combining form meaning 'wind'. - Fr.
Gk. otupoc, 'breeze'. See aura.
aurochs, n., the European bison.- G. Auerochs,
fr. MHG. ur(ohse), fr. OHG. tlr(ohso), rei. to
ON. tirr (gen. urar), of s.m., ON. ur, 'fine rain,
drizzle', ON. urigr, OE. tirig, 'wet', and cogn.
with Gk. oi'ipov, L. urina, 'urine', but OI.
usrti/.1, 'ox', is not cognate; see urine. For the
second element in aurochs see ox. L. iirus,
'aurochs', is a Teut. loan word; see urus.
aurora, n., the dawn of day; (cap.) the goddess
of dawn in Roman mythology , identified with
the Greek Eos. - L. aurora, 'dawn', for ausosa (for the form cp. L. Flora, 'the goddess of
flowers', fr. jlos, gen. floris, 'flower'), fr. I.-E.
base *awes-, 'to shine', whence also Gk. i:w~.
Homeric T,tiJ; (for *tiusos), 'dawn', OI. u:)d/.1,
Lith. ausrd, 'dawn', L. auster. 'south wind'. ON.
ausrr. OE. east, 'east'. See east and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also L. aurum, 'gold',
which also derives fr. I.-E. base *awes-, 'to
shine', and lit. denotes the shining metal (see
aureate and cp. words there referred to). Cp.
also the first element in Ostrogoth.
aurora australis, the Southern Lights. - L., lit.

Auster
'southern dawn'. See aurora and austral.
aurora borealis, the Northern Lights. _ L., lit.
'northern dawn'. The term was introd'V lY
Gassendi in I62I. See aurora and bort J.'.-J
aurum, n., gold (term of chemistry). - L. See
aureate.
auscultate, tr. and intr. v., to examine by auscultation. - L. auscultiitus, pp. of auscu/tare.
See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative s: auscultation (q.v.), auscult-at-ive,
adj., auscultat-or, n., auscultatory, adj.
auscultatio n, n., a listening to the sounds in the
human body. - L. auscultiitio, gen. -onis, fr.
auscultatus, pp. of auscu/tare, 'to hear with attention, listen to'. L. auscultiire was pro b. formed with metathesis fr. *aus-clutare, fr. *auscltttos, 'heard with one's (own) ears', fr. *aus-is
(whence auris), 'ear', and *clutos, 'heard '(cp.
in-clutus, 'celebrated , famous'). See auricle and
loud. Accordingl y ausculttire lit. means 'to hear
with one's (own) ears'. Cp. Gk. ~:xxoucr"rd~, 'to
hearken, listen to', fr. ~-riXxoucr-r~~. 'hearkcncr ,
listener', which is compound ed of oi'i~, gen.
W-r6~, 'ear', and &xoUeL'J, 'to hear', hence is
analogous to L. aus-cultare both in sense and
form. Cp. scout, 'spy'.
auslaut, n., final sound. - G. Auslaut, fr. aus,
'out of', and Laut, 'sound, tone', G. aus derives
fr. MHG. ii3, fr. OHG. ii.3, which is rei. to Goth.,
ON., OE. tit; see out. G. Laut, 'sound, tone',
comes fr. /aut, 'loud'. Sec loud and cp. ablaut,
anlaut, inlaut, umlaut.
Ansonia, n., a poetic name for Italy. - L. Ausonia, fr. Ausones (Gk. Aucrovz~). 'the Ausonians', ancient inhabitants of Middle and Lower
Italy; of Illyrian origin.
Derivative : Ausoni-an, adj. and n.
auspicate, tr. v., to predict. - L. auspicdtus, pp.
of auspicarf, 'to take auspices', fr. auspex, gen.
auspicis. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
auspice, n., an omen (usually a favorable one). F., fr. L. auspicium, 'divination by observing the
flight of birds', fr. auspex, gen. auspicis, 'diviner,
augur', lit. 'bird seer', fr. avis, 'bird', and the
stem of specere, spicere, 'to see, look at, watch'.
For the first element see aviary and cp. auscultation, for the second see species and cp. spy.
auspicious, adj. of good omen, favorable. Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. auspicium. See prec.
word. Derivative s: auspicious-ly, adv., auspicious-ness, n.
Auster, n., the south wind. - L., of uncertain
origin. It is perh. cogn. with ON. austr, n.,
'east'; adv., 'eastward', OHG. ostar, 'to the
east' (whence ostar-rihi. G. 0.1terreich. 'Austria'), Lett. *austrs, 'eastern' in iwstrums, 'east',
OSlav. ustru, 'pertaining to summer', A\cstic
ushas-tara, 'eastern',a nd with OHG. lhtan, OE.
east, 'east'; see aurora and cp. austral; cp. also
east. However, on the basis of this etymology ,
it is difficult to explain why L. auster denotes the
'south wind' (and not the 'east wind'). See

austere

Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, p.87, where also an

attempt is made to explain the meaning of L.
auster.
austere, adj., stem, severe; very simple. -OF.
austere (F. austere), fr. L. austerus, 'dry, harsh,
sour, tart', fr. Gk. otUO'TIJp6c;, 'harsh, rough,
bitter', fr. oc\)e:tv, 'to dry', fr. aooc;, 'dry'. See
auantic.
Derivatives: austere-ly, adv., austere-ness, n.,
austerity, n. (q.v.)
austerity, n., the quality of being austere.- OF.
austerite (F. austerite'), fr. L. austeritatem, ace.
of austeritiis, fr. austerus. See prec. word and -ity.
Austin, masc. PN.- Abbreviation of Augustin
(q.v.)
austral, adj. southern; southerly.- L. australis,
'southern', fr. ouster, 'south wind'. See Auster
and adj. suff. -al and cp. next word.
Australia, n.- Lit. 'southern land', fr. L. australis, 'southern', in Terra Australis, 'the Southern
Land'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: Australi-an, adj. and n., Australian-ize, tr. v., Australi-an-iz-ation, n.
austro-, combining form meaning 'south'.- Fr.
L. auster, 'south wind, the south'. See Auster.
aut-, form of auto- before a vowel.
autarchy, n., absolute sovereignty. -Gk. otU't'otpzLoc, fr. au'tocpze:i:v, 'to be an absolute ruler',
which is compounded of au"t"6c;, 'self', and
&pze:i:v, 'to rule'. See auto- and -archy.
autarchy, n., autarky.- See next word; influenced
in form by prec. word.
autarky, n., self-sufficiency. - Gk. otu't&pxe:tot,
fr. au'totpxe:i:v, 'to be self sufficient', compounded of otu't6~, 'self', and &pxe:i:v, 'to suffice'.
For the first element see auto-. Gk. &pxe:i:v is
cogn. with L. arcere, 'to enclose, hold'; see arcanum.
auth-, form of auto- before an aspirate.
authentic, adj. authoritative; reliable; genuine.OF. autentique (F. authentique), fr. Gk. otu~e:v
't'Lx6c;, 'original, genuine, principal', fr. otu~brr1)c;,
otu"t"o-tv't1)~, 'absolute master, ruler; murderer',
lit. 'one who does a thing himself', compounded
of au't6c;, 'self' ('see auto-), and *&n]<;, 'one
who does (a thing) himself', which is rei. to
&v&w, Att. ~v&w, 'I accomplish', and cogn. with
01. san6ti, 'wins, gains', perhaps also with Hitt.
shanfJ-zi, 'he seeks, strives'. Cp. effendi.
Derivatives: authentic, n., authentic-al-ly, adv.,
authenticate (q.v.), authentic-ity, n., authenticly, adv., authentic-ness, n.
authenticate, tr. v., to make authentic, verify. ML. authenticiitus, pp. of authenticiire, fr. Late L.
authenticus. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: authentic-ation, n., authentic-ator,n.
author, n.- ME. autour, authour, fr. OF. autor
(F. auteur), fr. L. auct6rem, ace. of auctor, 'he
that brings about, master, supporter, leader,
author', an agential noun formed fr. auctus, pp.
of augere 'to increase'. See auction and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also octroi.

130

Derivatives: author, tr. v., author-ess, n., authorial, adj., author-ial-ly, adv., authority (q.v.),
authorize (q.v.)
authority, n. - F. autorite, fr. L. auct6ritiitem,
ace. of auct6ritiis, 'invention, advice, opinion, influence, command', fr. auctor, 'master, leader'.
See prec. word and -ity.
Derivatives: authorit-arian, adj. and n., authoritative, adj., authorit-ative-ly, adv., authorit-ativeness, n.
authorize, tr. v. - OF. autorizer (F. autoriser),
fr. ML. auct6riziire, fr. L. auctor. See author
and -ize.
Derivatives: authoriz-able, adj., authoriz-ation,
n., authoriz-ed, adj., authoriz-er, n.
autism, n., morbid admiration of oneself (psycho/.)- G. Autismus, coined by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler (I857-1939) fr. Gk.
otu't6c;, 'self', and suff. -ismus. See auto- and
-ism.
autist, n., one who morbidly admires oneself
(psycho/.)- Coined fr. Gk. au"t'O<;, 'self', and
suff. -ist. See prec. word.
Derivative: autist-ic, adj.
auto, n. (colloq.) - Short for automobile.
auto-, before a vowel aut-, before an aspirate
auth-.- Gk. otU'to-, otU't-, ot~-. fr. otOT6c;, 'self,
same', of uncertain origin.
autobiographer, n. - Compounded of auto- and
biographer.
autobiography, n.- Compounded of auto- and
biography;first used by the English poet and prose
writer Robert Southey (I774-I843) in 1809 with
reference to the autobiography of the Portuguese painter Francisco Vieira (in Quarterly
Review, I, 283).
Derivatives: autobiographic-ic, autobiographical, adjs., autobiograph-ical-ly, adv.
autocade, n., a procession of automobiles. - A
modem word formed fr. auto on analogy of cavalcade (q.v.) See also -cade and cp. the synonym motorcade.
autocar, n., an automobile. - A hybrid coined
fr. auto and car.
autocephalous, adj., having its own head or chief.
- Compounded of auto- and Gk. XEqJoc):/j,
'head'. See cephalic and -ous.
autochthon, n., an aboriginal inhabitant. - L.
autochthOn, fr. Gk. ocU"t"6x~wv, 'from the land itself', which is compounded of otu"t"o- (see auto-)
and x~wv, gen. x~ov6.;, 'earth, soil'. See chthonian.
Derivatives: autochthon-a!, autochthon-ic, autochthon-ous, adjs., autochthon-ism, n.
autoclave, n., a container used for sterilizing and
cooking.- F., lit. 'self-locking', a hybrid coined
fr. Gk. ocU"t"6c;, 'self', and L. clovis, 'key'. See autoand clavicle.
autocracy, n., supreme political power; dictatorship.- F. autocratie, fr. Gk. oc&roxp&-tetot, fr.
otU't'oxpoc-ri).;. See next word and -cracy.
autocrat, n., a ruler with supreme power; dicta-

131

tor.- F. autocrate, fr. Gk. otU'toxpoc-ri)c;, 'ruling

by oneself', which is compounded of auTo- (see
auto-) and xp&'toc;, 'strength, power, rule'. See
-crat. Derivatives: autocrat-ic, adj., autocratic-al-ly, adv.
auto-da-fe, n., the sentence passed by the Inquisition.- Port., lit. 'act of faith', fr. L. actus de
fide, 'an act concerning faith'. L. actus derives
fr. actus, pp. of agere, 'to do, act'. L. fide is the
abl. of fides, 'faith'. See act, de- and fidelity.
autodidact, n., one self-taught. - Gk. otU'toIWlocx-to.;, 'self-taught', fr. ocu't'o- (see auto-) and
3L8otxT6<;, 'taught', verbal adj. of 8La&axetv, 'to
teach'. See didactic.
Derivative: autodidact-ic, adj.
autoecious, adj., passing through all stages of
growth on the same host [said of certain fungi]
(bot.) - Compounded of auto- and Gk. oixo<;,
'house'. See economy.
autogamous, adj., self-fertilizing (bot.) - Compounded of auto- and Gk. y&f.to<;, 'marriage'.
See -gamous.
autogamy, n., self-fertilization (bot.) - Compounded of auto- and Gk. -yotf.t(IX, fr. y<Xf.to<;,
'marriage'. See -gamy.
autogenesis, n., spontaneous generation. -Compounded of auto- and genesis.
autogenetic, adj., pertaining to autogenesis.
Compounded of auto- and genetic.
Derivative: autogenetic-al-ly, adv.
autogenous, adj., self-generated. -Coined by the
English biologist Sir Richard Owen (1804-92)
in I846 fr. Gk. otu"t"oye:v~~. 'self-produced', fr.
otu"t"o- (see auto-) and the stem of ye:vvfiv, 'to
produce'. See -genous.
Derivative: autogenous-ly, adv.
autogeny, n., autogenesis.- See autogenesis and
-geny.
autograph, n., signature. - L. autographum, fr.
Gk. otO't6ypotqJOV, neut. of otu"t"6ypocqJo<;, 'written
with one's own hand', compounded of otO'to(see auto-) and -ypotqJoc;, fr. yp&rpe:tv, 'to write'.
See -graph.
Derivatives: autograph-y, n., autograph-ical,adj.
autogravure, n., a kind of photogravure. - A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. ocu'to<;, 'self' and F. gravure, fr. graver 'to grave'. See auto-, grave, v.,
and -ure.
autogiro, n., a type of airplane.- Sp., compounded of auto- and Gk. r'Jpo.;, 'ring'. See gyre.
autointoxication, n., self-poisoning (med.) Compounded of auto- and intoxication.
automatic, adj.- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
M6f.tat't'O<; (see automaton); first used by the
English physician and philosopher David Hartley (1705-57) in I 748.
Derivatives: automatic, n., automatic-a/ , adj.,
automatic-al-ly, adv.
automation, n., a method in which manufacturing
processes are automatically performed by selfoperating devices. - A hybrid coined by D. S.
Harder, a vice-president of the Ford Motor

autopsy

Company, fr. automatic and suff. -tion.

automatism, n., the state of being automatic; involuntary action. - Gk. ocu"t'Of.tot't'tcrf.tO<;, 'that
which happens of itself', fr. otU'!Of.tot'to~. See next
word and -ism.
automaton, n., I) any automatic device; 2) any
living being that acts automatically. - Gk.
otU't'O[J.OC'to\1, neut. of otO'to[J.ot'to<;, 'acting of one's
own will, happening of itself', compounded of
otu"t"6- (see auto-) and I.-E. *mntos. 'thinking'
fr. base *men-, 'to think', when~ also Gk:
f.te\l"t'Wp, 'adviser'. See mind and cp. mentor.
Automedon, n., a friend and charioteer of Achilles (Greek mythol.) - Gk. Au'to[J.3wv, lit.
'ruling by himself', compounded of otU"t"o- (see
auto-) and [LE:8wv, f.te:8ewv, 'guardian, ruler'
(prop. pres. part. of the ancient verb [J.tf8e:LII,
'to protect, rule over'), fr. I.-E. base *mld-, 'to
measure, limit, consider', which is a-d-enlargement of base *me-, 'to measure'. See meditate
and cp. the second element in Andromeda and
in words there referred to.
automobile, adj. and n. - Lit. 'moving of itself',
a hybrid coined fr. Gk. ocu'to<;, 'self', and L.
mobilis, 'movable'; see auto- and movable. The
modern Greek calls it ocO'toxlv1)'tO, 'moved of
itself' (see cinema).
Derivatives: autonwhile, n. and intr. v., automobil-ism, n., automobil-ist, n.
automotive, adj., self-moving; automobile; pertaining to automobiles. - A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. otu't6~. 'self', and L. m6tivus, 'moving'. See
auto- and motive.
autonomic, adj. - See autonomous and -ic.
autonomist, n. - Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk.
ocu"t"6vof.to<;. See next word.
autonomous, adj. self-governing. - Gk. ot,J-r6vof.to~, 'living by one's own laws', compounded
of au"t"o- (see auto-) and "6f.t'J<;, 'law'. See nomo-.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o~, see -ous.
autonomy, n., self-government.- Gk. otj't,J\IOfJ-t'i,
'independence', fr. ~u"t"6vo[J-os. See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -[i).
autonym, n., a person's own name. -Lit. 'one's
own name', formed fr. auto- and Gk. O\I'JfJ-OC,
dialectal form of O\IOf.tOC, 'name'. See name and
cp. onomato-. Cp. also antonym and words there
referred to.
antonymous, adj, ~ See prcc. word and -ous.
autonymy, n., a word used as a name for itself. Compounded of auto-, Gk. ovu1n, dialectal
form of ovof.tot, 'name', and suff. -y; introduced
by RudolfCarnap (born in 1891). See autonym
and -y (representing Gk. -loc).
autoplasty, n. (surg.) - Compounded of autoand -plasty. Derivative: autoplast-ic, adj.
autopsy, n., post-mortem examination of a body.
- Gk. otu'to\jl(a, 'a seeing with one's own eyes',
compounded of ot:.-:o- (see auto-) and a~~~.
'sight'. See -opsis.
Derivatives: autopsy, tr. v., autops-ic, autops-ical, adjs.

132

autoptic
autoptic, adj., based on personal observati on.Gk. -z1-o'l7:7tx6<;. fr. otu767t-rr,<;, 'seeing oneself',
which is compound ed of -zu-ro- (see auto-) and
the stem of oyofLot~. 'I shall see', o~t~, 'sight'.
See -opsis and cp. prec. word.
autosugges tion, n. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
w176;. 'self', and L. suggestio. Sec auto- and
suggestion.
autotelic, adj., doing something for its own sake.
- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. etu-ro-re;),~.:;,
'ending in itself', which is compound ed of etu-ro(scc auto-) and 7EAQ<;, 'end'. See tele-.
autotoxin,n ., toxin formed within the body(med. )
-Compou nded of auto- and toxin.
autotype, n., a facsimile. - Compound ed of
auto- and type.
autotypogr aphy, n., a process of drawing designs
on gelatin.- Compound ed of auto- and typography.
autumn, n. -OF. autompne (F. automne), fr. L.
a1111111111Us, which is prob. of Etruscan origin. Cp.
It. a11111nno, Rum. toamnii, Proven9. autom, Sp.
oto1lo, OPort. at uno, Port. outono, 'autumn',
which all derive fr. L. a11tumnus. Cp. also
ratoon.
autumnal, adj. - L. autummllis , fr. autumnus.
Sec autumn and adj. suff. -al.
autumnity, n., the quality of autumn.- L. autumnitas, 'the season of autumn', fr. autumnus. See
autumn and -ity.
autunite, n., a hydrous uranium calcium phosNamed after Autun in
phate (mineral.) France. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
auxano-, combining form meaning 'increase,
growth', as in auxanome ter.- Gk. otuf,<Xvo-, fr.
cx)::L;s~v. 'to increase', which is rei. to otu;e:tv,
of s.m., and cogn. with L. augi're, pp. auctus, 'to
increase'. See auction and cp. auxesis, auxetic,
auxo-.
auxanomet er, n., an instrument for measuring
the grovth of plants.- Compound ed of auxano- and Gk. :.Ls-opov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
auxesis, n., amplificati on, hyperbole (rhet.) Gk. T~~r,cP.;. from the stem of otu~'*''E~'' 'to increase. See auxano-.
auxetic, auxetical, adj., pertaining to auxesis. Gk. -zj~r,nx6;, fr. otJ:',r,76~, 'that may be increased', verbal adj. of etu~ivzw. See auxano-.
Derivative : auxetical-l y, adv.
auxiliary, adj. - L. auxiliiiris, 'helpful', fr. auxilium, 'help, aid, assistance, support', which is
rei. to augere, pp. auctus, 'to increase'. See auction and adj. suff. -ary.
Deri\ ati\C: auxiliary, n.
auxin, n., a substance that stimulates stem growth
(biochem. )- Coined fr. Gk. -x\J!;~w. 'to increase'
(see mrxo-), a11J chcm. suff. -in.
auxo-, ... urnb~.Hng form meaning 'stimulatin g
growth'. - Gk. etu!;o-, fr. etu!;~w. 'to increase'.
See auxano-.
a\ail, intr. and tr. v. - ME. availen, fr. OF. a,

'to' (see a), and vail-, the pres. stem of valoir, 'to
be worth', fr. L. valere, 'to be well, be strong,
be worth'. See valiant.
Derivative s: avail, n., avail-abil-ity, n., available, adj., avail-able-ness, n., avail-abl-y, adv.,
avail-ing-ly, adv.
aval, n., endorseme nt on a bill.- F., fr. It. aval/o,
of s.m., fr. Arab. l;awtilah, 'money order', fr.
!;lila, 'he changed'.
avalanche, n., mass of snow sliding down a mountain. - F., fr. dial. Swiss avalantse, formed under the influence of F. a val, 'downhill', avaler,
'to descend', fr. Savoy.lava ntse, fr. VL. *labanca,
'avalanche ', which is prob. of pre-Latin origin
(cp. the suff. -anca in *labanca, which is of Ligurian origin). Cp. OProven9. lavanca, 'avalanche', which also derives fr. VL. *labanca. For
another related word of pre-Latin origin sec
moraine. The derivation of VL. *labanca fr. L.
labi, 'to glide down', is prob. folk etymology .
avale, tr. v., to cause to descend. - F. avaler, fr.
'to'
val, 'downhill', lit. 'to the valley', fr.
(see a), and val, 'valley', fr. L. val/is, 'valley'.
See vale, n., 'valley', and cp. vendaval.
avant-cour ier, n., a herald.- For F. avant-courrier, 'forerunne r'. See avaunt and courier.
avarice, n., greed. - OF. ( = F.) avarice, fr. L.
aviiritia, 'greed', fr. a varus, 'greedy', which is
rei. to avere, 'to long eagerly for, wish, desire'. Sec avid and -ice.
avaricious, adj., greedy. -- F. avaricieux (fem.
avaricieuse), 'greedy', fr. avarice, 'greed'. See
prec. word and -ous.
Derivative s: avaricious-ly ,adv. ,avaricious-ness, n.
avast, interj., hold! stop! (naut.) - Prob. corruption of Du. houd vast, 'hold fast'. Sec hold,
v., and fast, adj.
avatar, n., descent of a Hindu deity (Hindu mytho/.)- 01. avatarab, 'descent', fr. ava, 'down',
and tdrati, 'crosses over'. The first element is rei.
to 01. avdb, 'down, downward" , Avestic ava,
'down', and cogn. with Gk. w:,- (in cx)zi-o-rstv,
'to go back, retire'), L. au-, 'away' (in auferre,
'to carry away, etc.), Lith., Lett., OPruss. priv.
pref. au-, OSlav. u, 'at, with', Olr. 6, 1la, 'down,
from'; cp. the first element in w~ania and in
vesper. 01. uirati derives fr. I.-E. base *tcr-,
'to pass beyond, cross over'. Sec term and cp.
words there referred to.
avaunt. interj., begone.- F. avant, 'forward', fr.
L. ab ante, from before', v.hence also It. avallli,
OSp., Port. mante, Catal. arant, OProven9.
arans. See advance and cp. ci-devant. Cp. also
the first element in vambrace, Yamp, 'front part
of a boot', yamplate, ,-anguard, ,anward.
ave, interj., 1) hail!; 2) farewell!; n., the salutation
ave.- L. ave, in vulgar speech hal't!, 'hail, farewell', fr: Phoen.-Pun ic. l;iiwJ, correspond ing to
He b. biiy(h, imper. sing. masc. of Phoen.-Pu nic
bawd, resp. Heb. /:!iiytih, 'he lived'. Cp. Plautus,
Poenulus, 994, 998, 1001, and see Walde-Ho fmann, LEW.,l, pp. 8o-81.- The identity of the

a,

133
Semitic bases b-w-h (b-w-') and b-y-his illustrated in Gen. 3:20, 'And the man called his wife's
name Evc(.lfawwti11 ), because she was the mother
of all living (lziiy)', See Eve. For sense development cp. Heb. y'bf iidhonf hammelekh
Dclwfdh Foldm: 'Let my lord king David live for
ever!' (I Kings 1: 31; cp. Dan. 2:4 and passim),
E. 'Long live the King!', F. 'Vive lc roi', etc.,
all used as formulas of greeting.
(The origin of L. ave being thus established , we
shall be able to find the exact meaning of the
words with which the gladiators greeted the
emperor: 'Ave, Imperator, moritiiri te saliitant'
(see Suetonius, Claudius 2 I). The usual rendering
is: 'Hail, Emperor, who are about to die salute
you'. ln fact, however, the Latin words express
a perfect antithesis. According to my opinion,
their original meaning was: 'Live, Emperor!
They who are about to die salute you.')
avellan, avellane, adj., pertaining to, orresembli ng,
a filbert or hazel. - Fr. L. ave/lana, 'filbert',
shortened from nux avelliina, lit. 'nut of Avella',
fr. Avella, Abella, name of a town in Campania,
abounding in nuts. See apple.
Avena, n., a genus of grasses; the oat grass (bot.)
- L. avena, 'oats', prob. formed fr. orig. *avigsna, but influenced in form by the ending of
arena, 'sand'; cogn. with OSiav. ovisii, 'oats',
Russ. ores, Lith. aviia, Lett. auza, OPruss.
wyse, of s.m. Cp. avener.
avenaceous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling ,
oats.- L. avenaceus, 'of oats, oaten', fr. avena.
See prec. word and -aceous.
avenalin, n., a globuline occurring in oat kernels
(biochem.) - Formed with chem. suff. -in fr.
L. avena, 'oats'. See Avena.
a\cner, n., a chief officer of the stable who had
the charge of the provender for the horses (hist.)
- OF. avenier, fr. L. avi'niirius 'pertaining to
oats', fr. avena. See Avena and agential suff. -er.
Derivative s: aven-ary, aven-ery, n.
avenge, tr. and intr. v.- OF. avengier, fr. a, 'to'
(s~ a), and vengier (F. venger), fr. L. vindiciire,
'to lay claim to, avenge, punish'. See vindicate
and cp. vengeance, revenge.
Derivative s: aveng-er, n., avenge-ful, adj., avenging, adj., aveng-ing-/y, adv.
avens, n., a plant of the genus Geum (bot.) ME. avence, fr. OF. avence.
aventail, n., ventail. -Formed -with change of
pref.-fr. OF. esventail, fr. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out
of' (see 1st ex-), and ventail.
aventurine, n., a kind of Venit ian glass. - F., fr.
It. avventurino, fr. avventura, 'chance', fr. VL.
adventiira (see adventure); so called because the
filings used in the fabrication of this glass are
thrown over the melting glass at random.
avenue, n.- F., prop. fem. pp. of avenir, 'to come
to', fr. L. advenfre, fr. ad- and venire. 'to come'.
See venue, 'arrival', and cp. advene, advent.
aver, tr. v. - F. avirer, fr. OF. averer, fr. a, 'to'
(see a), and voire, 'true', fr. L. verus, 'true'. Cp.

av1ary

OProvenc. averer, aveirar, It. averare, and see

very.
average, n., I) loss incurred by damage at sea;
2) an equitable division of such loss among all
the parties interested; 3) an arithmetica l mean.
- F avarie, 'damage to ship', fr. lt. avaria,
fr. Sp. averia, fr. Arab. 'awiirfyah, 'merchand ise
damaged by sea water', fr. 'awdr, 'rent, tear;
flaw; damaged goods'.
Derivative s: average, adj. and tr. v.
average, n., feudal service (Old English lall') ME., fr. ML. averagium, fr. ML. avera, fr. OF.
oevre, ovre (F. tZuvre), 'work', fr. L opera. See
opus and cp. opera. ML. avera was prob. influenced in form by OF. aver, aveir, 'property",
prop. inf. used as a noun, fr. L. habere, 'to have'
(see habit).
averah, n., transgressi on, sin (Jewish religion). Heb. 'abherti", 'transgress ion'. lit. 'a passing
over', fr. 'abhdr, 'he passed over'. See Hebrew.
averment, n. - MF. averement, fr. merer (F.
averer). See aver and -ment.
Averroism, n., the teachings of the Arab philosopher Averroes (=Ibn Rushd) (r 126-98). For
the ending sec suff. -ism.
averruncate , tr. v., to avert. - L. iirerrwlccltus,
pp. of iiverrunciire, 'to avert, remove', fr. cl
'away from', and verrunciire, 'to turn', v. hich is
rei. to verrere 'to sweep'. See a-, 'away from',
verricule and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative s: averruncat-ion, n., averrunclll-or, n.
averse, adj.- L. aversus, 'turned a\\ay, pp. of
iivertere. See avert.
Derivative s: averse-ly, adv., averse-ness, n.
aversion, n. - F., fr. L. aversionem, ace. of iiversi6, 'a turning away', fr. aversus, pp. of cirerlere. See next word and -ion.
avert, tr. v., to prevent, ward off. - L. iivertere,
'to turn away', fr. ii, 'away from', and vel'lere,
'to turn'. See a-, 'away from', and version.
Derivative s: avert-ed, adj., avert-ed-/y, adv.,
avert-ible, adj.
Aves, n. pl., the class of birds (zoo/.) - L ares
pl. of avis, 'bird'. See aviary.
Avesta, n., the sacred books of the Parsees. Pers., earlier form Avistak, lit. 'text'. Cp. ZendAvesta.
Derivative s: Avest-an, Avest-ic, adjs.
aviarist, n., one who keeps an aviary. - See next
word and -ist.
aviary, n., a place in which birds are kept. L. aviiirium, 'a place where birds are kept, an
aviary', fr. avis, 'bird', which is cogn. with 01.
vii;, vJI;, Avestic vish, 'bird', 01. vdyas-, 'fowl,
bird', Gk. -z!-:6~. Alt. &76; (for *F~-:6:),
'eagle', and prob. also with Arm. /zar, "bird'.
(For the insertion of the h cp. Arm. hot 'odor',
which is cogn. with L. odor, and hum. raw',
which is cogn. with Gk. ,;,;u;~.) Cp. miation,
avion, the first element in aucupate, auspice,
aviculture, bustard, ocarina, ostrich, and the
second element in pettitoes. Cp. also ovum, egg.

aviation

134

avoid, tr. v. - ME. avoiden, formed - with

aviation, n.- F., coined by G. de la Landelle (in
change of pref. - fr. OF. esvuidier, 'to empty',
his Aviation ou Navigation aerienne, Paris, 1863)
fr. pref. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out of', and OF. voit,
suff.
and
word),
prec.
(see
fr. L. avis, 'bird'
voide, dial. forms ofvuit, vuide (F. vide), 'empty',
-ation.
fr. VL. *vocit-(um), for *vacit-(um), for L.
aviator, n. -Refashioned after F. aviateur. See
vaciit-(um), pp. stem of vaciire, 'to be empty'.
prec. word and agential suff. -or.
See xst ex- and void, adj.
aviatress, aviatrix, n., a woman aviator. - ForDerivatives: avoid-able, adj., avoid-abl-y, adv.,
med fr. aviator with suff. -ess, resp. -trix.
avoid-ance, n., avoid-er, n., avoid-less, adj.,
Avicennism, n., the teachings of the Arab. philoavoid-ment, n.
sopher Avicenna (=Ibn Sina) (98o-1037). For
avoirdupois, n., a system of weights. - Incorrect
the ending see suff. -ism.
for ME. avoir de pois, fr. OF. aveir de pois,
aviculture, n.- Compounded of L. avis, 'bird',
'goods of weight'. OF. aveir, 'goods', is prop.
aviary
See
culture'.
'cultivation,
and cu/tiira,
the inf. aveir (F. avoir), 'to have', used as a
and culture.
noun, fr. L. habere, 'to have'; OF.(= F.) de,
avid, adj., eager. - F. avide, fr. L. avidus, 'long'from, of', derives fr. L. de, 'from, away from'; .
'to
avere,
fr.
ing eagerly for; desirous, eager',
OF. peis, pais (F. poids), 'weight', comes fr. L.
long eagerly for, to wish, desire', which is prob,
'weight', which is prop. the neut. pp.
pensum,
W.
desire',
'wish,
awell,
awe/,
Co.
with
cogn.
of pendere, 'to weigh'. See habit, de- and poise.
ewy/1, 'will, volition', 01. dvati, 'wishes, favors,
For the subst. use of the infinitive cp. attainder
protects', avitdr, 'protector', Gk. Ev-1)-f)c; (for
words there referred to.
and
avarice,
Cp.
*zv-iif-f)c;), 'benevolent, affable'.
Derivative: avoirdupois, adj.
audacious.
avouch, tr. and intr. v. - ME. avouchen, fr.
Derivatives: avid-ly, adv., avid-ious, adj., avidOF. avochier, fr. L. advociire, 'to summon to a
ious-ly, adv., avidity (q.v.)
place', fr. ad- and vociire, 'to call'. See vouch.
avidity, n., eagerness. - F. avidite, fr. L. avidiavoue, n., lawyer, solicitor. -F., 'solicitor', fr.
tiitem, ace. of aviditiis, 'eagerness, avidity', fr.
L. advociitus, 'advocate', prop. 'one called to
avidus. See prec. word and -ity.
aid', pp. of advociire. See next word.
avidya, n., relative knowledge. - 01. avidyii, lit.
avow, tr. v.- OF. avoer, avouer (F. avouer), fr.
'non-knowledge', fr. pref. a-, 'not', and vidyii,
L. advociire, 'to call to; to summon to a place',
'knowledge'. See priv. pref. an- and vidya.
ad- and vociire, 'to call', which is rei. to vox,
fr.
regarded
region,
a
of
avifauna, n., all the birds
gen. vocis, 'voice'. See voice and cp. advocate,
collectively. - Compounded of L. avis, 'bird'
advowee, avoue.
(sec aviary), and fauna.
Derivatives: avow-able, adj., avow-al, n., avowavion, n., an airplane.- F., coined by the French
ed, adj., avow-ed-ly, adv., avow-ed-ness, n., avowengineer Clement Ader (1841-1925) in 1875 fr.
er, n., avowry (q.v.)
L. avis, 'bird'. See aviary.
avowry, n. - ME. avoerie, fr. OF. avoer, avouer.
avital, adj., ancestral. -- Formed with adj. suff.
See prec. word and -ry.
-al fr. L. mitus, 'pertaining to a grandfather,
avulsion, n., a pulling away; a part torn off.- L.
ancestral', fr. avus, 'grandfather', whence avuniivulsio, gen. -onis, 'a tearing off, a plucking off',
culus, 'uncle on the mother's side'. See uncle.
fr. iivulsus, pp. of iivel/ere, 'to tear off, pluck off,
food
one's
in
vitamins
of
avitaminosis, n., lack
pull away', fr. ii, 'away from', and vel/ere, 'to
(biochem.) - A ModL. hybrid coined fr. priv.
tear, pull, pluck'. See a- 'away from', and vellipref. a-, vitamin and suff. -osis.
cate. For the ending see suff. -ion.
avizandum, n., consideration (Scot. law).- ML.,
avuncular, adj., pertaining to an uncle.- Formed
gerundive of aviziire. See advise. For other Latin
with adj. suff. -ar fr. L. avunculus, 'uncle
gerundives used in English cp. agenda and
on the mother's side'. See uncle and cp. words
words there referred to.
there referred to.
Sp.,
fruit.
pear-shaped
tropical
a
avocado, n.,
await, tr. v.- ME. awaiten, fr. ONF. awaitier,
fr. aguacate, fr. Nahuatl ahuacatl. Cp. alligator
fr. a, 'to' (see a), and waitier, 'to watch'. See
pear.
ad- and wait.
av-ocation, n., business; occupation; hobby.- L.
awake, tr. and intr. v. -Partly fr. ME. awaken,
iivociiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a calling off', fr. iivociitus,
fr. OE. iiwacan (fr. ii, 'on', and wacan, 'to arise,
pp. of iivociire, 'to call off', formed fr. ii, 'away
awake'), partly fr. ME. awakien, fr. OE. iiwacum
from', and vociire, 'to call'. See a-, 'from', and
(fr. ii, 'on', and wacian, 'to be awake, watch').
vocation and cp. advocate.
See a-, 'on', and wake, v.
avocet, amset, n., a bird with webbed feet (genus
awake, adj. - ME. awaken, earlier pp. fr. OE.
Recurvirostra). - F. avocetle, fr. It. avocetta,
iiW:l!CIU!In. See awaken.
which is of unknown origin.
awaken. tr. and intr. v. - OE. iiw:l!cnan, fr. aawgadrite, n., fluoborate of potassium and cae'on', and W:l!Cnan, 'to waken'. See waken.
sium (mineral.) - Named after the Italian phyDerivatives: awaken-er, n., awaken-ing, adj. and
sicist Amedeo Avogadro (1776-1856). For the
n., awaken-ing-ly, adv.
ending see subst. suff. -ite.

135
award, tr. v. - AF. awarder, formed - with
change of prefix - fr. ONF. eswarder, which
corresponds to OF. esgarder (MF. egarder), 'to
regard, examine', fr. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out of', and
warder, resp. garder, 'to observe'. See 1st exand ward, v., and cp. guard, v.
Derivatives: award, n. (q.v.), award-er, n.
award, n.- AF. award, fr. ONF. eswart, which
corresponds to esgart, fr. esgarder. See award,
v.
aware, adj. - ME. iwar, ywar, fr. OE. gew:l!r,
which is formed fr. pref. ge- (see y-) and W:l!r,
'aware, cautious'. See ware, 'alert'.
Derivative: aware-ness, n.
awaruite, n., a natural alloy of iron and nickel
(mineral.)- Named after Awarua Bay in New
Zealand. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
awash, adv. and adj.- Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
wash.
away, adv. - ME. away, aweie, fr. OE. on weg,
lit. 'on the way'. See a-, 'on', and way.
awe, n.- ME. aghe, awe, fr. ON. agi, rei. to OE.
ege, 'fear', OHG. agiso, 'fright, terror', Goth.
agis, 'fear, anguish', prob. also to OHG. z-agen,
MHG., G. zagen, 'to fear, hesitate', and cogn.
with Gk. a:x.oc,, 'pain, grief', ct;(OfliXt, 'I am afflicted', Olr. -iigor, '1 fear'.
Derivatives: awe, tr. v., awe-less, adj., aw-ful,
adj., aw-ful-ly, adv., aw-ful-ness, n.
aweather, adv. and adj., on the weather side;
toward the wind (naut.) - Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and weather.
awhile, adv. - ME., fr. OE. iine hwfle. See a-,
indef. art., and while.
awkward, adj. - ME. awkwarde, lit. 'turned the
wrong way', formed fr. auk-, awk-, 'wrong, contrary', and suff. -warde (see -ward). ME. aukis borrowed fr. ON. ofugr, 'turned backward,
wrong, contrary', which is a derivative of af,
'of, off'. See of, off.
Derivatives: awkward-ly, adv., awkward-ness, n.
awl, n. - ME. al, alia, aile, fr. OE. !/, rei. to
ON. air, MLG. iii, Du. aal, OHG. ala, MHG.
iile, G. Ahle, fr. Teut. *e/6, corresponding to
I.-E. eta, whence Ol. drii, 'awl'. Lith. yla, Lett.
ilens, OPruss. ylo, 'awl', are borrowed fr. Goth.
eta. Cp. anlace.
awn, n. - ME. awne, agune, fr. ON. ogn, pl.
agnar, which is rel. to OE. egenu, OHG. agana,
MHG. agene, G. Ahne, Goth. ahana, and cogn.
with 01. aidni-, 'arrowhead', Gk. 5.zV1) (for
*ak-s-nii), 'husk of wheat, foam, froth', pl.
ixvoct, 'chaff', &xoaTI), 'barley', lit. 'the awny
one', OL. agna (for ac-na), 'ear, straw', L.
acus, gen. aceris, 'chaff', OPruss. ackons, 'awn,
beard', Lith. akiwtas, Lett. akuiJts of s.m., fr.
I.-E. base ale-, *aq-, 'sharp'. See acrid and cp.
ear, 'com'. Cp. also acerose.
Derivatives: awn, tr. v., awn-ed, adj., awn-er, n.,
awn-less, awn-y, adjs.
awning, n. -Of uncertain origin; perhaps formed
with suff. -ing fr. F. auvent, 'shed, pent roof',

AXmlnst:er
which is rei. to OProvenc;. ambon, anvan, 'a kind
of parapet'.
awoke, past tense of awake. - See awake and
woke.
awry, adv. and adj. -Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
wry.
ax, axe, n.- OE. eax, rex, rei. to OS. accus, acus,
ON. ex, ox, ox, Dan. ekse, Norw. eks, Swed.
yxa, OFris. axe, OHG. ackus, MHG. ackes,
G. Axt, Goth. aqizi, and cogn. with Gk. &~fv1J,
'ax', L. ascia (for acsiii-), 'ax; mason's trowel'.
All these words are pro b. of Sem. origin; cp .
Akkad. b0$($)innu, Aram.-Syr. batzimf, 'ax'. Cp.
axinite, adz.
Derivative: ax, tr. v.
axial, adj. pertaining to an axis. - Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. axis. See axis and cp. the
second element in coaxial, uniaxial.
axil, n., upper angle between a leaf, branch, etc.,
and the stem (bot.) - L. axilla, 'armpit'. See
aisle and cp. words there referred to.
axile, adj., pertaining to an axis (bot.)- Formed
with suff. -ile fr. L. axis. See axis.
axilla, n., armpit (anal. and zoo/.)- L See axil.
Derivative: axill-ary, adj. and n.
axinite, n., a borosilicate of aluminum and calcium (mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite
fr. Gk. &~fv1), 'ax'. See ax.
axiom, n. - F. axiome, fr. L. axioma, fr. Gk.
&~lwf-Loc, gen. &~LWfLOCTos, 'that which is thought
worthy', fr. &~touv, 'to think worthy', fr. Ci!;w~.
'worthy', prop. 'weighty', from the base of
&yew, 'to lead', used in the sense of 'to weigh.
which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set in motion.
drive, lead'. See agent, adj., and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also the second element in
chronaxy. For the ending see suff. -oma.
axiomatic, axiomatical, adj.- Gk. &:';twfL:xTtx6~.
fr. &!;lwf-Loc, gen. &1;twfLOCToc;. See prec. word and
1st -atic.
Derivative: axiomatical-ly, adv.
axis, n. - L., axletree, 'axle, chariot, wagon,
axis', cogn. with Gk. &;wv, 'axis, axle, wagon,
Gk. &f.L-oc~:x, 'carriage', prop. 'that which has
one axle', 01. dk$ab, 'axis, axle', L. axilla, 'arm
pit', iila (for *acs-lii), 'wing', OSiav. osi, Lith
aJis, OPruss. assis, Lett. ass, 'axle', lr. aiss,
'cart', W. echell, 'axle', OE. eax, OFris. axe,
OS., OHG. ahsa, MHG. ahse, G. Achse, OK
oxu/1, 'axis, axle'. All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base *ag-, 'to lead'. See agent,
adj., and cp. axilla, axle, axon, ala, aisle, aileron, axiaL
axle, n. - ME. axel in the compound axeltre,
fr. ON. oxul-tre, 'axletree', rei. to ON. ox/, OE.
eaxl, OS. ahsla, OHG. ahsala, G. Achsel, 'shoulder', and cogn. with L. axilla, 'armpit'. See prec.
word and cp. aisle.
Derivative: axl-ed, adj.
Axminster, n., name of a kind of carpet. Named after Axminster, England, where it was
orig. made.

axo-, before a vowel ax-, combining form meaning 'axis'.- Gk. &~o-, &~-, fr. &!;wv, 'axis, axle'.
See axon.
axolotl, n., any of several salamanders.- Sp., fr.
Nahuatl, lit. 'servant of the water'.
axon, n., axis of the vertebrate body. - ModL.,
fr. Gk. CI!;6)V, 'axis, axle, vertebra', which is
cogn. with L. axis, 'axis, axle'. See axis.
Axonopus, n., a genus of plants of the family
Poaceae (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
m;wv, 'axis', and 7rou~, gen. n:o86~, 'foot'. See
axon and podo-.
axunge, n., lard.- Earlier F. axunge (F. axonge),
fr. L. axungia, 'axletree grease, grease, fat',
which is compounded of axis, 'axletree, axis',
and ungere, 'to grease'. See axis and unguent.
ay, aye, interj., yes.- Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: ay, aye, n.
ayah, n., a native Hindu nurse. - Hind. aya,
iiya, fr. Port. aia, 'nurse, governess', which, together with Sp. aya, of s.m., derives fr. L. avia,
'grandmother', used in the sense of 'an aged
woman who takes care of the children'. L. avia
derives fr. avus, 'grandfather', whenceavuucu/us,
'uncle on the mother's side'. See uncle and cp.
words there referred to.
ayah, n., a verse (in the Koran). - Arab. dyah,
lit. 'a sign', contraction of *dwaya 11 , rei. to Hcb.
6th, Aram.-Syr. cltlzd, 'sign'.
aye, ay, adv., ever, always. - ME. ei, ai, ay, fr.
ON. ci, which is rei. to OE. cl, 6, OS. eo, 'always,
eYer', OHG. eo, later io, MHO. ic, G.j!', Goth.
aiw, 'ever' and cogn. with Gk. Ct~d. Cyprian,
Pbocian, I.ocrian cdfd (for *:xL:;"i:at), "alv..ays',
Gk. cxtc0v (for *cxtFc:w), 'age, ctcro1ity', L. aevum,
'space of time, eternity'. See aeon and cp. each,
e1er, the first ekment in either and the second
element in nay. Cp. also Aeolus, age, etl.'rnal.
aye-aye, n., a small rodent (Daubcllfunia madagasmrio:sis). - .. ~ F .. fr. Malag;,sy aiai, imitative
t'f the animal's cry.
ayin, n., name of the 16th letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. - He b. 'dyin, 'eye'; so called in allusion to the ancient form of this letter. Cp.
Aram. 'amd, 'i'l/{1, Syr. 'aynd, Ugar. 'n, Arab.
'ayn, Ethiop. 'ayn. Akkad. i'nu, 'eye'.
az-, form of azo- before a vowel.
Azalea, n .. a gcnus of plants of the heath family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ~:xi.sc.;, 'dry', fr. l(~:x,
'dryness, mold. rel. to x~E~v. 'to dry up', fr.
l.-E. base *us, 'to be dry, to be hot', whence also
Goth. a::g6, OE. asce, a-see, 'ashes'. Sec ash,
'pmnlery substance, and cp. the first element
in Azolla. This g~nus of plants was called Azalea
(!it. 'dry pbnt') becJuse it grows best in a
dry soil.
azam, n., Persian title of respect.- Arab. d';:am,
'greater', ai-d' :;am, 'the greatest', elative of
'a:;.!n:, great, fr. 'J.;un:a, \\as great", rel. to ~a::nt,
Ethiop. atjm, 'bones', Heb. 'iitzdm, 'was mighty', 'etzem, 'bone', Aram.-Syr. 'atmd (in Babylonian Aram. weakened into a{nui), 'thigh',

137

136

axo-

Akkad. eyemtu, 'bones', e,sen,seru, 'backbone,

spine'.
Azariah, masc. PN. (Bible)- Heb. 'Azaryd", lit.
'God has helped'. See Ebenezer and cp. Ezra.
azarole, n., fruit of the Neapolitan Medlar ( Crataegus Azarolus); the tree itself. - F. azerole,
fr. Sp. acerola, fr. Arab. az-za'nirah, 'the medlar', fr. az-, assimilated form of al-, 'the', and
za'rfira", name of unity fr. za'rfir, which is rei.
to Mishnaic Heb. 'uzrdr, 'medlar'.
Azazel, n., place to which the scapegoat was sent
Heb. 'Azazil; in the Talmud
(Bible). (Yoma 67b) explained as a compound of 'az,
'firm, rough', and el, 'strong'. (Cp. GeseniusBuhl, HWAT., p.576a.)
azedarach, n., the China tree and its bark. F. azedarac, fr. Pers. iiziid dirakht, 'free (i.e.
noble) tree'.
Azilian, adj., pertaining to one of the transition
periods of the Old Stone Age. -From the name
of the village Mas d'Azil in the French Pyrenees, where remains were found. For the ending
see suff. -ian.
azimuth, n., distance of a star from the North or
South point of the meridian (astron.)- F. azimut, fr. Arab. as-sumfit, pl. of as-samt, 'the way',
fr. as-, assimilated form of a/-, 'the', and samt,
'way'. See zenith and cp. altazimuth.
azo-, before a vowel az-, combining form denoting the presence of nitrogen (chem.)-Shortened fr. azote (q.v.) Cp. diazo-, thiazine.
azoic, adj., without life. - Formed with suiT. -ic
(see priv.
fr. Gk. Cl~wc.~. 'without life', fr.
pref. a-) and ~to)(;, 'life'. Sec zoo- and cp. azote.
Azolla, n., a genus of plants of the salvinia family
(bot.)- ModL, compounded of Gk. Ci~w1, 'to
dry', and oi).v'Jcx~, 'to destroy'. For the first
element see Azalea, for the second see Apollyon.
azonic, adj., not pertaining to a particular zone.
- Gk. &~cu'J~z6c;, fr. CI~6W''~' 'not confined to
a zone', fr. -(see priv. pref. a-) and ~tNi;, 'belt,
zone'. See zone and -ic.
azorite, n., a variety of zircon (mineral.) Named after the Azores. Fortheendingsccsubst.
suff. -ite.
azote, n., nitrogen. - F., lit. 'without life';
coined by the French chemist Antoine-Laurent
de Lavoisier ( l 743-94) in 1776 fr. priv. pref. aand Gk. ~wi;. 'life' (see zoo- and cp. azoic): so
called by him because this element is incapable
of supporting life.
Derivatives: a::ot-ic, adj., azotite (q.v.), azot-ize,
tr. v.
azote, n., a whip. - Sp., fr. Arab. as-sau{, lit.,
'the whip', fr. as-, assimilated form of a/-, 'the',
and saut, 'whip', which is rei. to Heb. shot,
Aram. shotd, Syr. shiitd, Ethiop. saut, 'whip',
Heb. shu,., 'to rove about', Akkad. shii{u, "to
drag'.
azotea, n., a flat roof. - Sp., fr. Arab. as-sat/:t,
lit. 'the roof', fr. as-, assimilated form of at-,
'the', and sat/:t, 'roof', fr. sa{a/:la, 'he spread out',

which is rei. to Heb. shiitd/:t, Aram.-Syr. shttab,

'he spread out'.
azotite, n., salt of nitrous acid (chem.)- Formed
fr. azote with subst. suff. -ite.
azulene, n., blue hydrocarbon (chem.)- Formed
with suff. -ene fr. Sp. azul, 'blue'. See next word.
azure, adj. - ME. asur, fr. OF. azur, fr. Med.
Lat. azura (whence also Ita!. azzurro, Sp. azur,
azul, Port. azul), fr. Arab. al-liizaward, fr. Pers.
liijwiird, 'lapis lazuli'; so called from Lajward,
a place in Turkestan, mentioned in Marco
Polo's Travels. The initial/ was mistaken for the
definite article and consequently dropped in the
Romanic languages. Cp. azulene. Cp. also
lapis lazuli.

a-

azyme

azurite, n., hydrous carbonate of copper (mineral.)- Formed fr. azure with subst. suff. -ite;
so called from its color.
azygo-, combining form meaning 'azygous'. -- G k.
&~uyo-, fr. &~uyot;. See azygous.
azygous, adj., odd. - Gk. &~uyot;, 'odd. not
forming a pair', fr. &.- (see priv. pref. a-) ~md
~uy6v, 'yoke'. See zygo-, yoke. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -o~, see suff. -ous.
azyme, azym, n., unleavened bread. - Late L.
azymus, fr. Gk. &~u[LO~, 'unleavened', formed
fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and ~O[Lr,, 'leaven'.
See zyme.
Derivatives: azym-ic, azym-ous, adjs.

B
Imitative of the cry of
the sheep.
Derivative: baa, n.
Baal, n., the name of many deities of the Semitic
peoples. - Heb. Bd'al (pl. B 1'iilfm), lit. 'owner,
master, lord', fr. bii'dl, 'he took possession of,
he married', rei. to Akkad. Belu (whence Heb.
Bel, Gk. B'ij:t..o~). name of Marduk (lit. 'Ruler'),
biilu, 'rule', Arab. bd'ala, 'he possessed (esp. a
wife)', ba'l, 'husband', Ethiop. ba'dla, 'he married'. Cp. Bel and Beulah and the first element
in Beelzebub.
Dab, n., title given to the founder of Babism. Pers. biib, 'door, gate', fr. Arab. biib, of s.m.,
fr. Aram. biibh, biibhd, fr. Akkad. biibu, 'door,
gate', which is shortened fr. *nebiibii, lit. 'hole,
aperture', from Sem. stem n-b-b, 'to make hollow, to hollow out', whence also Heb. n1bhubh,
'hollowed', Aram.-Syr. abbubhd, Akkad. imbubu,
'flute', Arab. anbilb, 'part of reed between
knots'. Cp. Babel.
Derivatives: Bab-ism, n., Bab-ist, n.
babacoote, n., a Madagascan lemur (zoo!.) Malagasy.
Babbitt, babbitt, n., a conventional businessman.
- So called after George Babbitt, the title
character of a novel by Sinclair Lewis (1922).
Derivative: Babbit-ry, babbit-ry, n.
Babbitt metal. - Named after its inventor Isaac
Babbitt (1799-1862).
babble, intr. and tr. v. - ME. babe/en, from the
I.-E. imitative base *bab-, whence also ON.
babba, Swed. babbla, Norw. babble, LG. babbeln, Du. babbe/en, G. babbeln, 'to prattle', L.
babulus, 'babbler', F. babil/er, 'to stutter, stammer'; cp. babe, baboon, bauble. Cp. the related
imitative base *balb-, whence L. ba/bus, 'stammerer'; see balbuties, booby. Cp. also the related
imitative base *barb-, 'to stammer', whence Gk.
;3:ip(3<Xpo~, 'foreign, barbarous'; see barbaric,
brave.
Derivatives: babble, n., babbl-er, n., babbl-ing,
n. and adj., babbl-ing-ly, adv., babbl-ish, adj.,
babbl-ish-ly, adv., babbl-ish-ness, n., babbl-y, adj.
babe, n. - ME., of imitative origin. See prec.
word and cp. baby. Cp. also boy.
Babel, n., name of the capital of Babylonia. Heb. Biibhel, fr. Akkad. Biib-ilu, lit. 'the gate of
God', prop. a literal translation of Sumerian
Ka-dingir. Akkad. Biibilu is compounded of
biib, 'gate', and ilu, 'god'. The first element is
rei. to Aram. biibh, biibhd, 'door, gate'; see Dab.
For the second element see EI. Cp. the second
element in Zerubbabel. Cp. also Babylon.
babiroussa, babirussa, n., a species of wild swine.
- Malay, compounded of biibi, 'hog', and

baa, intr. v., to bleat. -

riisa, 'deer'.

baboo, n., Master, Mr. -Hind. biibu.

baboon, n. - ME. baboin, fr. OF. babuin, babouin (F. babouin), a blend of babine, 'the pendulous lip of certain animals, esp. monkeys' (the
baboon has prominent lips), and baboue, 'wry,
ugly face'; both babine and baboue are of imitative origin. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., P-49
s. v. babouin. MDu. baubijn (whence Du. baviaan)
is an OF. loan word. G. Pavian is borrowed fr.
Du. baviaan.
Derivative: baboon-ery, n.
babouche, n., a heelless Oriental slipper. - F.,
fr. Arab. biibtlsh, fr. Pers. piipiish, lit. 'footcovering', fr. pii, 'foot', and the verb pushiden,
'to cover'. Pers. pii is rei. to Avestic pad-, 'foot';
see foot. The change of p to b proves that the
word came into Europe through the medium of
the Arabic, which having no p, regularly changes the p of foreign words into b.
baby, n.- Dirnin. of babe.
Derivatives: baby, adj. and tr. v., baby-hood, n.,
baby-ish, adj., baby-ish-ly, adv., baby-ish-ness,n.
Babylon, n., the capital of Babylonia. - L., fr.
Gk. B<X(3u:Aw'll, fr. Akkad. Biib-iliini, 'the gate
of the gods', fr. biib, 'gate', and iliini, pl. of ilu,
'god'. Compared with Akkad. Biib-ilu (see
Babel), Bab-iliini is a later form, occurring in
texts dating from the Neo-Babylonian period.
Babylonia, n. - L., fr. Gk. Bct(3u:Awvt~, fr. B<X[3u:f..w'll. See prec. word.
Derivatives: Babyloni-an, adj. and n.
bacalao, n., a West Indian fish, Mycteroperca
falcata.- Sp., 'codfish', fr. L. baculum, 'a stick,
a staff', whence also ODu. bake/jauw. See bacillus and cp. cabilliau. For sense development
cp. stock/ish.
Bacbuc, n., name of the Holy Bottle in Rabelais'
Pantagruel. - Heb. baqbuq, 'flask', a word of
imitative origin; so called from the gurgling sound
of emptied liquid (cp. Arab. bdqbaqah, 'gurgling
noise'). Cp. Syriac buq, 'a two-handled vase or
jug', and see beaker.
baccalaureate, n., the academic degree of bachelor. - ML. baccaklureiitus, fr. baccalaureus,
fr. baccaliirius, 'the holder of a small farm; a
young man', which is of uncertain origin; influenced in form by L. bacca, 'berry', and laureus,
'of laurel', fr. taurus, 'laurel'. Cp. bachelor. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ate.
baccara, baccarat, n., a gambling card game. F., of unknown origin.
baccate, adj., bearing berries. - L. biiciitus, bacciitus, 1'r. biica, bacca, 'berry'. See bacci- and
adj. suff. -ate.
Baccbae, n. pl., the female attendants of Bacchus.
- L., fr. Gk. B<Xxx<Xt, pl. ofBocxx7J, fr. Bocxxo<;.
See Bacchus.

139

bacchanal, adj., pertaining to Bacchus; pertaining

to a reveler. - L. bacchiinalis, fr. Bacchus. See
Bacchus and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: bacchanal, n., a reveler.
Bacchanalia, n. pl., the orgies of Bacchus; revelry. - L., neut. pl. of bacchiiniilis. See prec.
word.
Derivative: Bacchanali-an, adj.
bacchant, n., a devotee ofBacchus.- L. bacchiins,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of bacchiiri, 'to celebrate
the festival of Bacchus', fr. Bacchus. See Bacchus
and -ant.
baccbaris, n., name of an aromatic plant. ModL., fr. baccar, 'plant with a fragrant root',
prob. identical with Gnaphalium sanguineum
L., fr. Gk. (3ocxx<XpL~, which is a Lydian loan
word. See Scholia Aristoph. Pers., p. 42.
Baccbic, adj., pertaining to Bacchus. - See
Bacchus and -ic.
Bacchus, n., the god of wine in Greek mythology.
- L., fr. Gk. B:ixxo~, 'the god of wine', orig.
prob. 'the god of grapeberries', and cogn. with
L. biica, bacca, 'berry'. See next word.
bacci-, combining form meaning 'berry'. - L.
biici-, bacci-, fr. biica, bacca, 'berry', which prob.
meant orig. 'grape', and is cogn. with Gk.
Bocxxo~. See prec. word and cp. asarabacca, bagasse, bagatelle, bay, 'the laurel'.
bacciferous, adj., bearing berries. - Formed
with suff. -ous (as if fr. L. *bacciferus) fr. L.
bacc1fer, which is compounded of bacca, 'berry',
and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bacci- and
-ferous.
bacciform, adj., berry-shaped. - Compounded
of bacci- and L.forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
baccivorous, adj., berry-eating. - Compounded
of bacci- and -vorous.
bache, n., stream, rivulet (dial. E.) - OE. ba:c,
rei. to OS. beki, ON. bekkr, Dan. b;ek, Swed.
biick, MDu. bike, Du. beek, OHG. bah,
MHG., G. bach, and cogn. with Mlr. bUal (for
*bhoglii), 'flqwing water', 01. bhatigdl;t, Lith.
bangti, 'wave'. Cp. beck, 'brook'.
bachelor, n.- ME. bache/ere, fr. OF. bacheler,
'squire, a young man aspiring to knighthood;
a young man' (whence F. bachelier, 'bachelor'),
fr. ML. baccaliiris (the usual form is baccaliirius). See baccalaureate.
Derivatives: bachelor-dom, n., bachelor-hood, n.
bacillary, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
bacilli. - Formed fr. L. bacillum (see bacillus)
with adj. suff. -ary.
bacilliform, adj., shaped like a bacillus. - Compounded of bacillus and L. forma, 'form, shape'.
See form, n., and cp. baculiform.
bacillus, n. - Late L. bacillus, 'a little staff', dimin. of baculus, var. of L. baculum, 'stick, staff',
which stands for *bac-t/om and is cogn. with
Gk. [3ocx-rpo'11, 'staff', (3~xTI)pw'11, 'a little staff'.
See bacterimn and cp. baculus, baguette, bail,
'crossbar', debacle, imbeclle. As a term of bacteriology the word bacillus was introduced by

oanenum

the German botanist Ferdinand Cohn (1828-98)

in 1853
back, n., the hinder part of the human body. ME. bak, fr. OE. b<c, rel. to OS., ON., MDu.
bak, OHG. bah, 'back', OHG. bahho, 'ham,
haunch', MHG., G. backe, 'buttock'. Cp. bacon.
Derivatives: back, tr. and intr. v., adj. and adv.,
back-ed, adj., back-er, n., back-ing n., back-ward,
adj., backwardation (q.v.), back-wards, adv.
back, n., vat, tub. - Du. bak, fr. F. hac, fr. VL.
bacca, 'water vessel', whence *baccinum, 'basin'.
See basin.
back formation (philo/.)- Coined by the English
lexicographer and linguist Dr. (later, Sir James)
Murray (1837-1915).
backgammon, n. - Prop. a game, in which the
pieces are put back; compounded of back, 'the
hinder part of the body', and gammon, 'game'.
backsheesh, backsbish.- Variants of baksheesh.
backward, backwards, adv.- Formed fr. back,
adv. (see back, 'the hinder part of the body'),
and -ward, resp. -wards.
Derivative: backward, adj.
backwardation, n., postponement of delivery
(London Stock Exchange). - A hybrid coined
fr. backward and -ation, a suff. of Latin origin.
bacon, n. - ME., fr. OF. bacon, bacoun, fr. ML.
baconem, ace. of baco, fr. OHG. bahho, 'ham,
haunch'. See back, 'the hinder part of the body'.
Baconian, adj., pertaining to Lord Verulam Bacon
(1561-1626) or his philosophy. For the ending
see suff. -ian.
Bacopa, n., a genus of plants of the figwort family; the water hyssop (bot.) - ModL., of
American Indian origin.
bacteria, - The pl. of bacterium.
Bacteriaceae, n. pl., a family of rod-shaped bacteria (bacterial.) - ModL., formed with suff.
-aceae fr. L. bacterium. See bacterium.
bacterial, adj., pertaining to bacteria.- Formed
with adj. syff. -al fr. ModL. bacterium. See
bacterium.
bactericide, n., a substance destroying bacteria.
- A hybrid coined fr. Gk. (3ctxTI)pwv and L.
-cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See bacterium
and -cide.
bacterio-, before a vowel bacteri-, combining form
meaning 'bacteria'. - See bacterium.
bacteriology, n., the study of bacteria. - Compounded ofbacterio- and Gk. -:t..oyt~. fr. -A6yo~.
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: bacteriolog-ical, adj., bacteriologist, n.
bacterioscopy, n., investigation of bacteria. Compounded of bacterio- and Gk. -crxo7tL~. fr.
axo7te:i:'ll, 'to look at, examine'. See -scopy.
bacterium, n., in the pl. bacteria. - ModL.,
coined by the German naturalist Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg (1795-1876) in 1838 fr. Gk.
[3~xTI)ptov, 'a little staff', which is rei. to (3ocx-rpo'11, 'staff', fr. I.-E. *bak-, 'staff', whence also

bacteroid

L. baculum, 'rod, staff'. Olr. bacc, 'hook, crosier', is prob. a loan word fr. L. baculum and
derived from it through back formation. See
Frisk, GEW., I, p. 2Il-I2 s.v. ~ocxTI)p(oc. Cp.
bacalao, cabilliau, Kabbeljaws.
bacteroid, adj., resembling bacteria. - Compounded of bacterium and Gk. -oeLil~~. 'like', fr.
dllo~. 'form, shape'. See -oid.
Derivatives: bacteroid, n., bacteroid-al, adj.
Bactrian, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Bactria, lit. 'the Eastern province', fr.
Persian bakhtar, 'the east'. For sense development cp. Levant.
Bactris, n., a genus of plants of the palm family.
- ModL., fr. Gk. ~&x-rpo'IJ, 'staff'. See bacterium.
baculiform, adj., rod-shaped. -Compounde d of
L. baculum, 'a rod', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See next word, and form, n., and cp. bacilliform.
baculus, n., a rod, esp. as an emblem of authority.
- L. baculus, also baculum. See bacillus.
bad, adj.- ME. bad, badde, prob. fr. OE. biddel,
'hermaphrodite '. Cp. OE. bidling, 'effeminate
person'.
Derivatives: bad, n. and adv., badd-ish, adj.,
badd-ish-ly, adv., badd-ish-ness, n., bad-ly, adv.,
bad-ness, n.
baddeleyite, n., zirconium dioxide (mineral.) Named after its discoverer Joseph Baddeley. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bade, v., past tense of bid. - ME. bad, bade, fr.
OE. b:ed, fr. biddan. The ME. form bade prob.
developed fr. orig. bad, on analogy of spake.
badge, n.- ME. bage, bagge, of unknown origin.
badger, n., the animal. - Earlier bageard, prob.
formed fr. badge with the sutf. -ard, lit. 'the
animal with a mark', and so called in allusion
to the white mark on its face. For sense development cp. F. hlaireau, 'badger', which derives fr.
OF. bier, 'marked with a spot'.
badger, tr. v., to worry. - Lit. 'to treat like a
badger'; formed fr. prec. word.
badger, n., a huckster. - ME. bager, perh. related to bag.
badia, monastery, abbey.- It., aphetic fr. Eccles.
L. abbatia, 'abbey", fr. abbas, abbatis, 'abbot".
See abbacy, abbot.
badian, n., the Chinese anise. - F. badiane, fr.
Pers. bii.diii.n, 'anise'.
badinage, n., banter. - F., fr. badiner, 'to jest,
joke', fr. OProven9. badin, 'simpleton, fool', a
derivative of hadar, 'to gape', fr. VL. batiire, 'to
gape'. See bay 'part in the wall', and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see sutf. -age.
Derivative: badinage, intr. v.
badminton, n., name of a game played with
shuttlecocks. - Fr. Badminton, seat of the Duke
of Beaufort in Gloucestershir e, England.
baetulus, n., a meteorite (antiq.) - L., fr. Gk.
~ocl-ruAo<;, a sacred meteoric stone, fr. Heb.
beth El, 'house of God'; see bethel. The form
(3aLruAo~ shows that the name came to the

140

Greeks through the medium of the Phoenicians

who pronounced it bet-ill. See Muss-Arnolt,
Semitic words in Greek and Latin, in Transactions of the American Philological Association, I892 (volume XXTTT), pp.SI-52, and p.52,
Note 1.
baetyl, n., a baetulus. - Gk. ~oc[-:uAo~. See prec.
word.
Derivative: baetyl-ic, adj.
baff, tr. and intr. v., to beat, strike. - Of imitative origin. Cp. the next two words.
baffie, tr. v. - Prob. rei. to OF. beffler, 'to ridicule, mock at', bafouer, 'to set at nought", dial.
E. baff, 'useless', G. bajf in baiT machen, 'to
astound, flabbergast'. All these words seem to
be derivatives of the I.-E. imitative base *baf
Cp. prec. and next word.
Derivatives: baffl-er, n., baffl-ing, adj., baffl-ingly, adv., baffl-ing-ness, n.
baffy, n., a wooden golf club. - Formed from
the verb baff with suff. -y.
baft, bafta, n., a course kind of cotton cloth. Pers. biifta, 'woven', rei. to A vestic ubdaena,
'woven fabric', or. ur(w-vtibhi(l, 'spider', fr.
I.-E. base *webh-, 'to weave'. Sec weave, and
cp. words there referred to.
bag, n. - ME. bagge, fr. ON. baggi, of Celtic
origin. The word was brought to England by
the Normans. See J. M.D. Meiklejohn, The English language, its grammar, history and literature, London, I 923, p. I 34 Cp. badger, 'huckster', baggage.
Derivatives: bag, tr. v., to inclose in a bag~ intr.
v., to swell like a bag, bagg-er, n., bagg-y, adj.,
bagg-i-ly, adv., bagg-i-ness, n.
bag, tr. v., to cut (grain, weeds). - Of uncertain
origin.
bagasse, n., sugar cane crushed in the mill. F., fr. Sp., bagazo, 'dregs', derivative of haga,
'pod, husk', fr. L. baca, 'berry'. Sec bacci- and
cp. next word. Cp. also megas, mcgasse.
bagatelle, n., a trifle.- F., fr.It. bagatellu, of s.m.,
dimin. of L. biica, 'berry'. For sense development cp. It. bagattino, a kind of small coin',
which is of the same origin. See bacci- and cp.
prec. word.
baggage, n.- F. baga!{e, fr. OF. bague, 'bundle',
which, together with OProvem;:. baga, of s.m.,
is prob. borrowed from Teutonic. See bag, n.,
and -age.
Derivative: baggag-er, n.
bagnio, n., a bath. - It. bagno, fr. L. balneum,
whence also F. bain, 'bath'. See balneal and
cp. baignoire.
baguette, n., a small molding. - F., prop. 'a
small rod', fr. lt. bacchetta, dimin. of bacchio,
'rod', fr. L. baculum. See bacillus.
bahadur,' n., a title given to European officers in
India. - Hind. bahiidur, 'hero', which according to Benfey (in Orient und Occident I 137,
quoted in Hobson-Jobso n 49a) derives fr. OI.
bhaga-dhara-, 'happiness-pos sessing'. The first

141

balalaika

yawn', which also derive fr. VL. bataculiire, and

element is cogn. with Gk. <pocyei:v, 'to eat'; see
see bay, 'part in the wall'.
-phagous and cp. baksheesh. For the second elebain-marie, n. double pan for holding food. ment see aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
of
F., 'water bath', fr. ML. balneum Afariae, lit.
sect
religious
the
of
Bahaism, n., the teaching
'bath of Mary (sister of Moses)', to whom varthe Bahaists. - Formed with suff. -ism fr. Pers.
ious works dealing with alchemy were attributed.
bahii, 'splendor', fr. Arab. bahti', of s.m.
See balneal.
bahar, n., a weight.- Arab. bahdr, a weight used
Bairam, n., the name of two Mohammedan fesin India, ultim. fr. OI. bhdra(l, 'load, weight',
tivals following the fast of Ramadan. -Turk.
which is rei. to bhdrati, bhdrate, 'carries', and
bairlim.
cogn. with Gk. <pepew, L. ferre, 'to bear,
bairn, n. (Scot.) - OE. bearn, barn, child', rel.
carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. words there
to bear, 'to carry' (q.v.)
referred to.
Derivative: bairn-ish, adj.
bahur, n., young man, youth, unmarried man. bait, tr. v. - ME. baiten, beyten, fr. ON. beita,
Hebrew bii(lar, 'young man', rel. to Akkad.
'to cause to bite', causative of bita, 'to bite'; rei.
babiilati, 'warriors'.
to biitan, 'to bait', OS. betian, OHG. beizzen,
bahuvrihi, n., name of a class of compounds
'to bait'. MHG. beitzen, 'to bait; to hawk', G.
(Old Indian gram.) - OT. bahuvrfhi(l, 'having
beizen, 'to hawk; to cauterize, etch'. OE. bimuch rice', compounded of bahu/J, 'much,
tan, OS. bet ian, etc., are causatives of OE. bitan,
numerous, abundant', and vrfhi(l, 'rice'. The
resp. OS. bitan, OHG. bi33an, etc., and lit. mean
first element is rei. to A vestic bazah-, 'height,
'to cause to bite'. See bite and cp. words there
depth', and cogn. with Gk. rtrJ.X{J~, 'thick'; see
referred to.
pachy-. For the second element see rice.
bait, n. -ON. beita, 'food', beit, 'pasture', fr.
baignoire, n., box at a theatre.- F., 'bath, bathbe ita, 'to cause to bite' (see prec. word); in some
tub; box at a theatre', fr. baigner, 'to bathe', fr.
meanings derived directly fr. prec. word.
bain, 'bath', fr. L. balneum. See balneal and cp.
baize, n., a coarse woolen cloth.- F. baies, pl. of
bagnio.
baie, prop. fern. of bai, 'bay colored'. See bay,
baikalite, n., a dark-green variety ofhedenbergite
'reddish'.
(mineral.) - Named after Lake Baikal in SiDerivative: baize, tr. v.
beria, ncar which it was first discovered. For the
bake, tr. and intr. v.- ME. baken, fr. OE. bacan,
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
rei. to ON. baka, Swed. baka, Dan. bage,
bail, n., security. - OF. bail, 'custody' (whence
give',
MDu. backen, Du. bakken, OHG. bahlran,
carry,
seize,
'to
baillier,
fr.
F. bail, 'lease'),
backan, MHG., G. backen, fr. I.-E. base *bhog-,
fr. L. biijulare, 'to bear a burden', fr. bajulus,
'to warm, roast, bake', whence also Gk.qn0ywJ,
'porter', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. bail,
'to roast'. Cp. batch, batz and the second ele'to dip water', and bailiff.
ment in zwieback. Base *bhllg- is a -g-enlargcDerivatives: bail, tr. v., bail-ee, n., bail-er, n.
ment of base *bhe-, 'to warm'; sec bath.
(law), bail-ie, n., baili-er-y (also baili-ar-y) n.,
Derivatives: bake, n., bak-ed, adj., baker (q.v.),
bail-ment, n.
bak-ing, n., bak-ing-ly, adv.
bail, n., fortification; crossbar. - ME., fr. OF.
bakelite, n., synthetic resin. - Named after its
bail, 'stake; palisade', which prob. derives fr.
inventor Leo Hendrik Baekeland (1863-I944).
L. baculum, 'rod, staff'. See bacillus and cp.
For the ending see subst. sutf. -ite.
bailey.
baker, n.- ME. bakere, fr. OE. b;ecere, fr. bacan,
bail, also bale, n., a bucket used to dip water out
'to bake'. See bake and agential sutf. -er and
of a boat; tr. v., to dip water out of; intr. v., to
cp. baxter.
dip out water. - F. baille, 'bucket', fr. ML.
Derivative: bak-ery, n.
*biijula (aquae) lit. 'porter (of water)', used in
baksheesh, n., a gratuity; a tip.-~ Pers. bakhshlsh,
the sense of 'water jar'; *biijula is the fern. of
lit. 'gift', a derivative of the \Crb bakhshidan, 'to
biijulus. See bail, 'security'.
give', fr. I.-E. base *bhag-, 'to distribute, share
bailey, n., walls, resp. courts of a feudal castle.out', whence also 01. bhdjati, 'assigns, allots,
ME. variant of bail. See bail, 'fortification'.
apportions, enjoys, loves', blrdgafz, 'allotter, disbailiff, n. --~E. bai/lif. fr. OF. bail/if. 'custodian,
tributor, master, lord', Gk. ?xye~v, 'to eat'.
magistrate', fr. ML. biijulivus, fr. L. bajulus,
See -phagous and cp. Bhaga and the first ele'porter'. See bail, 'security', and -ive.
ment in Bhagavadgita, and in bahadur.
Derivative: bai/iff-ry, n.
Balaena, n., a genus of whales, the Greenland
hailiwick, n., the district of a bailiff. - ME.
whale. - L. ballaena, ba/aena. See baleen.
baillifwik, compounded of bail/if (see prec.
balaghat, balaghaut, n., tableland above the pasword) and wick, 'village'.
ses (Anglo-Ind.) - Formed fr. Pers. biilii.,
baiUone, adj., holding a staff in the mouth (her.)
'above', and Hind. ghat, 'a pass'.
- F. biiillonne, lit. 'gagged', pp. of bciillonner,
balalaika, n., a Russian stringed instrument with
'to gag', fr. Miller, 'to gape, yawn', fr. VL. bataa triangular body. - Russ. balalaika, which,
culiire, fr. batiire, 'to gape, yawn'. Cp. OProvaccording to Erich Berneker, Etymologische s
en~. badalhar, It. badigliare, sbadigliare, 'to

balan-

142

cpoc/...Xp6~, 'having a patch of white', cpet!..iip(~.

Worterbuch der russischen Sprache, I, p. 40,
'coot' (so called from a white spot on its head),
Heidelberg, 1908-I3, is rel. to Russ. balabOlit',
L. fulica, 'coot', Alb. bale, 'forehead', OSiav.
'to chatter, babble', from the I.-E. imitative base
belU, 'white', Lith. bdlnas, baltas, Lett. biils,
*balb-, whence also L. balbus, 'stammering'. See
'pale', OE. bEil, 'a blazing fire, a funeral pyre',
booby and cp. words there referred to.
OHG. belihha, MHG., G. belche, 'coot'. Cp.
vowel.
a
balan, form of balano- before
balefire, Beltane, beluga, blaze, 'flame', Fulica,
balance, n. - OF. ( = F.) balance, fr. L. bi-,
full, 'to thicken cloth', Phalaris, phalarope.
'two, twice', and VL. *Iancia, fr. L. lanx, gen.
Derivatives: bald-en, tr. and intr. v., bald-ish,
lancis, 'plate, dish; scale of weighing machine',
adj., bald-ly, adv., bald-ness, n.
which prob. stands for *ltnk-s, fr. I.-E. base
baldachin, n., canopy. - F. baldaquin, fr. It. bal*lllq-, 'to bend', whence prob. also Gk. :t..bw~,
dacchino, fr. Baldacco, 'Bagdad', fr. ML. Bal!..EX<iv7), 'dish', Mx_pLo~, 'slanting, crosswise',
dac. It. baldacchino orig. denoted richly woven
/..o~6~, 'slanting, crooked, bent'; see Waldesilk stuff brought from Bagdad. Cp. baudekin.
Hofmann, LEW., I, p. 761 s.v. lanx. See bi- and
balderdash, n., r) nonsense; 2) a poor mixture of
loxo- and cp. th<! second element in auncel. Cp.
liquors. - The first element is prob. identical
in
a
first
The
lekane.
also LecaniUDI, Lecidea,
with Dan. balder, 'noise, clatter', the second is
balance is prob. due to an association of this
the English word dash. Dan. balder is rei. to
word with F. bailer, 'to dance', fr. Gk. ~oc!..ALv,
Dan. baldre, dial. Norw. baldra, dial. Swed.
'to throw' (see ballistic).
ballra, MLG., earlier Du. balderen, Dan. buldre,
Derivatives: balance, tr. v., balanc-ed, adj.,
bullra, 'to make a noise, rattle', MHG.
Swed.
adj.
balanc-er, n., balanc-ing,
buldern, G. poltern, 'to knock, rattle, bluster'.
balaniferous, adj., acorn-bearing. -CompoundThese words derive from a dental enlargement
ed of L. balanus, 'acorn', and L.ferre, 'to bear,
of I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to sound', whence OE.
carry'. See balano- and ferous.
bellan, bylgan, 'to bellow'. See bellow, 'to make
balano-, before a vowel balan-, combining form
a loud noise', and cp. words there referred to.
fr.
~oc:l-ocv-,
~(l/..(XVo-,
Gk.
'acorn'.
meaning
baldric, n., a belt worn over one shoulder. ~oc/..ocvo~. 'acorn', which is cogn. with L. gliins,
ME. baldric, baudric, haudry, fr. OF. baldre,
gen. glandis, 'acorn'. See gland and cp. the
baldrei, baldroi, (whence F. baudrier and MHG.
second element in myrobalan.
balderich), fr. L. balteus, 'belt'. See belt and cp.
balanoid, adj., acorn-shaped.- Compounded of
there referred to.
words
'form,
dllo~.
fr.
'like',
balan and Gk. -oLII~~.
Baldwin, masc. PN. - OF. Baldofn (F. Baushape'. See -oid.
douin), ofTeut. origin. Cp. OHG. Baldawin, lit.
balas, n., a variety of spinel ruby. - F. balais,
'bold friend', fr. OHG. bald, 'bold', and wini,
fr. Arab. bdlakhsh, fr. Balakhshdn, fr. Pers.
'friend'. For the first element see bold and cp.
Badhakhshlm, name of a region in Central Asia
second element in Theobald. OHG. wini,
the
spinel
of
variety
this
where
(near Samarkand),
'friend', is rei. to OE. wine, ON. vinr, 'friend',
ruby is found.
and to OE. winnan, 'to strive, struggle, fight'.
balatron, n., jester, buffoon. - L. balatr6, gen.
See win and wish and cp. the first element
-on is, of Etruscan origin; not related to L.
in Winfred and the second element in Edwin.
blater6, 'babbler'.
n., bundle, package.- ME., fr. OF. bale,
bale,
Formed
tree.
pomegranate
balaustine, n., the
balle (F. balle), fr. OHG. ba/la, 'ball'. See ball
with suff. -ine fr. Gk. ~oc:l-ocucrnov, 'flower of
'a round body'.
the wild pomegranate', a word of Sem. origin.
Derivatives: bale, tr. v., bal-er, n.
Cp. Aram. balatz, said of the blossoming of the
pomegranate tree. For the correspondence of bale, n., misfortune.-ME. , fr. OE. bealu, bealo,
balu, 'injury, calamity', rei. to OS. balo, 'evil',
Greek st to Semitic $, tz, cp. Gk. crrupoc~, fr.
ON. bOt, 'misfortune', OFris. bealu, 'evil', OHG.
Heb. tzorf (see styrax). Cp. baluster.
halo, 'destruction', Goth. balwjan, 'to torment',
balbriggan, n., a cotton fabric used for hosiery.balweins, 'pain, torture', balwa-wesei, 'wickedProp. 'fabric made in Balbriggan (in Ireland)'.
ness'.
balbuties, n., stammering (med.) - Medical L.,
Derivatives: bale-ful, adj., bale-ful-ly, adv., balefr. L. balbutire, 'to stammer', fr. bulbus, 'stamful-ness, n.
merer', from the I.-E. imitative base *bal-, 'to
bale, n., bucket, v., to dip water. - See bail,
stutter'. See booby and cp. words there re'bucket'.
ferred to.
bale, n., balefire. - OE. b;e/. See balefire.
balcony, n. -It. balcone, formed with the augbaleen, n., whalebone. - ME. balene, baleyne,
men~tive suff. -one fr. balco, 'scaffold', which
'whale, whalebone', fr. OF. baleine, of s.m., fr.
is borrowed fr. OHG. balcho, 'beam' (whence
L. ballaena, 'whale', which was borrowed fr. Gk.
MHG. balke, G. Balken, 'beam'). See balk,
cp&.AAocwoc, of s.m., through the medium of the
'beam'.
Illyrian language, a fact which explains the tranbald, adj. - ME. balled, orig. 'white', fr. I.-E.
sition of Gk. cp into L. b (instead of p). Gk.
base *bhel-, 'to shine', whence also 01. bhiilam,
cpoc.cxwcx is related to cpocA/..6~, 'penis', fr. I.-E.
'brightness; forehead', Gk. cpiXA~, 'white',

143
base *bhel-, 'to swell'. See ball, 'a round body',
and cp. Balaena, balinger.
balefire, n. - OE. bEilfyr, 'funeral fire', compounded of biil, 'a blazing fire, a funeral pile',
andfyr, 'fire'. The first element is rei. to ON. biil,
'a great fire', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to shine'; see
bald. For the second element see fire.
balinger, n., a whaleship (obso/.) - OF. balengier, 'whaleship', fr. baleine, 'whale'. See baleen.
balk, also baulk, n., ridge of land left unplowed
between furrows: a beam.- ME. balke, 'beam',
fr. OE. balca, 'ridge between furrows, beam,
rafter', rel. to OS. balko, ON. bjiilki, Dan. bjelke,
Swed. bjiilke, OFris. balka, OHG. balko, balcho,
MHG. balke, G. Balken, 'beam, rafter' (cp.,
with vowel gradation, OE. bolca, 'wooden
gangway of a ship'), ON. bolr, 'trunk of a tree';
fr. I.-E. base *bhettg-, 'beam, plank', whence
also Gk. cp&.Aocyl;, 'trunk, log; line of battle,
battle array', cpoclv<7J~, 'beam', L. fulcfre, 'to
prop', fulcrum, 'bedpost', Lith. baliiena, 'crossbar', Lett. biilziens, 'prop, stay'. Cp. balcony.
Cp. also block, bole, 'trunk', bulk, 'projection',
debauch, ebauchoir, fulcrum, phalange, phalanx,
planch, planchet, plancier, plank.
Derivatives: balk v. (q.v.), balk-er, n., balk-ingly, adv., balk-y, adj.
balk, also baulk, tr. v., to hinder, thwart; intr.
v., to refuse.- Formed fr. prec. word and lit.
meaning 'to put a beam in the way'. Cp. bilk.
Balkanize, tr. v. -Coined by the English journalist and editor James Louis Garvin (1868I 947) in allusion to the political condition in the
Balkans in 1912-I3.
ball, n., a round body; a sphere. -ME. balle,
fr. ON. bOllr, which is rei. to OHG. ballo, balla,
MHG. balle, bal, G. Ball, fr. I.-E. base *bhel-,
'to swell'. See belly and cp. Balaena, bale,
'bundle', baleen, balinger, balloon, ballot, billow, bulk, 'size', and the first element in billberry and in pall-mall.
Derivatives: ball, tr. v., to form into a ball,
ball-er, n.
ball, n., a party for social dancing. - F. bal, fr.
OF. baUer, 'to dance', fr. VL. balliire, fr. Gk.
~:x/..A(~ELV, 'to dance', which prob. derives fr.
~oc!..Aew, 'to throw'. See ballistic and cp. ballad,
ballerina, ballet, bayadere.
ballad, n., I) a sentimental or romantic song; 2) a
narrative song. - ME. balade, prop. 'a song
written for a dance', fr. OF. balade (F. ballade),
fr. OProvenr;:. balada, lit. 'dance', later used in
the sense of 'dancing song', fr. balar, 'to dance'.
See ball, 'party for dancing'.
ballade, n. a poem with three stanzas of eight or
ten lines each and an envoy of four. -F. See
prec. word.
balladry, n., ballad poetry. - Formed fr. ballad
with suff. -ry.
ballast, n., heavy material used to steady a ship.
-Dan. and Swed., assimilated fr. earlier barlast lit. 'bare load'. The first element of this

balm

compound is rel. to the E. adjective bare; the

second is rel. to last, a unit of weight.
Derivatives: ballast-er, n., ballast-ing, n.
ballerina, a woman ballet dancer. -It., fr. ballare, 'to dance'. See ball, 'party for dancing'.
ballet, n. - F., fr. It. balletto, dimin. of ballo,
'dance'. See ball 'party for dancing', and -et.
Derivative: ballet, tr. v.
ballista, n., an ancient military engine (Roman
antiq.)- L., lit. 'a throwing machine', fr. Gk.
~oc!..AELV, 'to throw'. See next word
ballistic, adj., pertaining to projectiles. -Formed
with suff. -istic fr. Gk. ~oc!..AeLv, 'to throw',
which stands in gradational relationship to
~o/..~, ~6:1-o~. 'a throw', ~:1-o~, 'bolt, arrow,
dart', lit. 'something thrown', fr. I.-E. base
*gwel-, whence also 01. apa-gurya-, 'swinging',
Avestic ni-yrii-ire, 'they are being hurled down',
Toch. AB klii-, 'to fall', and perhaps also 01.
galati, 'trickles', OHG. quellan, MHG., G. quellen, 'to well up'. Cp. ball, 'party for dancing',
ballista, amphibole, amphibology, anabolism,
belemnite, Belostoma, bolide, bolometer, boule,
'council', catabolism, devil, diabolic, discobolus,
Eblis, ecbolic, Elaphebolion, emblem, embolism,
emboly, hyperbola, hyperbole, metabolism, parable, parabola, parlance, parley, parliament,
parlor, parol, parole, periblem, problem, scybalum, symbol, Tribolium, Tribulus.
ballistics, n., the study of projectiles.- See prec.
word and -ics.
ballonet, n., an auxiliary gas or air bag in a balloon or airship. - F. ballonnet, lit. 'a small
balloon', fr. ballon. See next word and -et.
balloon, n. - F. ballon, fr. It. pallone, which is
formed with augment. suff. -one fr. palla, 'a
ball', a word of Teut. origin; see ball, 'a round
body', and -oon. The b in F. ballon (fr. It. pal/one) is due to the influence of F. balle, 'ball'.
Cp. pallone.
Derivatives: balloon, tr. and intr. v., and the
hybrid noun balloon-ist, n.
ballot, n.- F. ballotte, fr. It. ballotta, 'little ball',
dimin. of bal/a, 'ball' (see E. ball, 'a round
body'); so called in allusion to the small balls
formerly dropped into the voting urn.
Derivatives: ballot, intr. and tr. v., ballot-age
(q.v.)
Ballota, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ~oc!..Aw~, 'the black
horehound'; of unknown origin.
ballotage, n.- F. bal/ottage, fr. ballotter, 'to ballot', fr. ballotte. See prec. word and -age.
ballyhoo, n., I) outcry; 2) noisy advertising
(slang). - Of uncertain origin; possibly fr.
Ba/lyhooly, a village in County Cork, Ireland.
Derivative: ballyhoo, tr. and intr. v.
ballyrag, tr. and intr. v.- A variant of bullyrag.
balm, n. - ME. hasme, baume, fr. OF. bausme,
baume (F. baume), fr. L. balsamum, 'gum of the
balsam tree, balsam', fr. Gk. ~ocAcrocfLOV. See
balsam and cp. embalm.

Balm oral
Derivatives: balm-y, adj., balm-i-ly, adv., balminess, n.
Balmoral, n., name of various objects. -Named
after Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
balneal, adj., pertaining to baths. -Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. balneum, balineum, 'bath', fr.
Gk. ~IXAO<:vEi:ov, of s.m., which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. bagnio, baignoire and the first element in bain-marie.
balneo-, combining form meaning 'bath'.- Fr.
L. halneum, 'bath'. See balneal.
balneology, n., the study of bathing. - Compounded of balneo- and Gk. -)..oy[ii, fr. -)..6yo~,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: balneolog-ic-al,adj., ba/neolog-ist, n.
balsam, n. - L. balsamum, 'gum of the balsam
tree, balsam', fr. Gk. ~ci)..croq.r.ov, fr. Heb. biisdm,
which is rei. to Heb. Msem, Aram. busmd, Syr.
besnui, Arab. bashdm, 'balsam, spice, perfume'.
Cp. balm, embalm.
Derivatives: balsam, tr. v., balsam-er, n., balsamic, adj. and n., balsam-itic, adj., balsam-ize,
tr. v.
Balsaminaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.) ModL. See next word and -aceae.
balsamine, n. the garden balsam. - F., fr. Gk.
~x:AcrGC[L[VYJ, 'the balsam plant', fr. ~ocACIIX[L0\1. See
balsam and -ine.
balteus, n., girdle or belt worn by ecclesiastic
dignitaries. - L., of Etruscan origin. Cp. belt,
baldric.
Balthasar, masc. PN. - F., fr. L., fr. Gk. Bcx.),-:-occrGCp, fr. He b. Belt'shatztzd r (Dan. IO: I), fr.
Baby!. Baliit-shar-u$ur, lit. 'save the life of the
king'. In Hebrew the name has been assimilated
in form to that of Belshatztzdr (see Belshazzar).
baluster, n., support for a railing. -F. balustre,
fr. It. balaustro, fr. L. balaustium,f r.Gk. ~:x)..ocu
G7~''V, 'flower of the wild pomegranat e', a
word of Syrian origin (see balaustine); so called
from the shape of the capital. Cp. next word
and '>anister.
Derivatives: baluster-ed, adj., balustrade (q.v.)
balustrade, n., a row of balusters.- Prop. 'a set
of balusters', fr. F. balustrade, fr. It. balaustrata,
lit. 'provided with balusters', fr. balaustro (see
prec. word and -ade); introduced into English
by the diarist John Evelyn (1620-1706).
Derivatives: balustrad-ed, adj., balustrad-ing, n.
bam, tr. and intr. v., to bamboozle. - Abreviation of bamboozle.
bambino, n., a little child; an image of the infant
Jesus.- It., 'baby', dimin. of bambo, 'simple',
which is of imitative origin.
bamboo, n. - Malay bambii. Cp. Bambusa.
Derivative: bamboo, tr. v.
bamboozle, tr. v., 1) to hoax; 2)to confuse, puzzle.
- Of uncertain origin.
Bambusa, n., a genus of bamboos (bot.)- ModL.
See bamboo.
ban, tr. v., to prohibit; to curse (archaic).- ME.

144

bannen, fr. OE. bannan, 'to summon, proclaim,

command', rei. to ON. banna, 'to forbid, prohibit', OHG. bannan, 'to command or forbid
under threat of punishment' , MHG., G. bannen,
'to put under the ban, banish, expel, curse';
formed with -n- formative element fr. I.-E. base
*bhii-, 'to speak, tell, say', whence also Gk.
<pcXVIXt, L. fiirf, 'to say', Arm. ban, 'word', Olr.
bann, 'law'. See fame and cp. ban, 'edict', banish,
banal, bandit, banns, abandon, aubain, boon, n.,
contraband.
ban, n., edict.- ME., partly fr. bannen, 'to summon, proclaim' (cp. ON. bann, 'prohibition ',
OHG. ban, 'commandm ent or prohibition under
threat of punishment, jurisdiction' , MHG. ban,
G. Bann, 'public proclamatio n, jurisdiction, ban,
ostracism, curse', which derive fr. ON. banna,
resp. OHG. bannan, MHG., G. bannen); partly
fr. OF. ( = F.) ban, 'public proclamatio n', fr.
Frankish *ban, which is rei. to OHG. ban
(see above). See ban, v.
ban, n., a governor ofCroatia.- Serbo-Croa tian
biin, 'lord, master, ruler', fr. Pers. biin, 'prince,
lord, chief, governor' (pro b. through the medium
of the Avars). As a suff. -ban (var. -wan) means
'keeper, guardian'. Pers. biin, is rei. to OPers.
pii(y)-, 'to guard, protect', 01. piiti, 'guards,
protects', piind-, 'guarding, protecting' (see
P. Horn, Grundri13 der neupersischen Etymologie, StraBburg, I893, No. q6). See food and
cp. banat and the second element in durwaun
and in satrap.
Bana, n., son of Bali, a thousand armed giant
(Hindu mythol.)- 01. BaiJdl:z, lit. 'arrow', pro b.
a loan word fr. Austroasiatic.
banal, adj., trite, commonplace. - OF. banal,
fr. ban, 'proclamatio n'. See ban, 'edict'. Banal
orig. meant 'compulsory ', whence it came to
denote 'common to all, commonplac e'.
banal, adj., pertaining to a ban or the banat. Formed fr. ban, 'governor', with adj. suff. -al.
banality, n., 1) triteness; 2) a platitude.- F. banalite, fr. banal. Sec banal, 'trite', and -ity.
banana, n. - Sp. and Port., fr. earlier Congolese banam.
banat, also banate, n., the district governed by J.
ban. -A hybrid coined fr. ban, 'governor' and
suff. -ate (fr. L. -iitus). Cp. G., F. banal, which
are of the same meaning and origin.
banausic, adj., proper for an artisan; trivial. Gk. ~x'Jcxu~~x6~, 'relating to artisans', fr. ~IX\IIX\J
crl'i, 'handicraft', fr. ~:XvocucrQ~, 'artisan', which
is of uncertain origin. The usual explanation
that r~xvoc)~Q; is a dissimilated form of *~xu
\IIX\JCIO~, and compounded of [:h\i'JQ~, 'furnace,
forge', and ocu~tv, 'to dry', is folk etymology.
Banbury cake. -- Named after Banbury in Oxfordslfire.
bane, n., bench, esp. bench on which judges sit.F. See banco.
banco, n., bank.-lt., fr. Teut. *banki-. Cp. ME.
banke and see bank, bench. Cp. also bane and

145

the last element in charabanc, mountebank,

saltimbanco.
band, n., a tie. - ME., fr. ON. band, rei. to OS.,
Swed., Du., G. band, OHG., MHG. bant, Goth.
bandi, lit. 'that which binds', fr. I.-E. base
*bendh-, 'to bind', whence also 01. bandhdl;z, 'a
tying, fastening; band, bandage', Mlr. bainna,
'bracelet'; F. bande, 'band', is a Teut.loan word.
See bind and cp. bend, bond. Cp. also bandage,
bandanna, bandhava, bandhu, bandoleer, and
the second element in ribband, ribbon, roband,
seerband.
Derivatives: band, tr. and intr. v., band-ed, adj.,
band-er, n., band-ing, n.
band, n., troop.- F. bande, fr. OProven9. banda,
fr. Goth. bandwa, bandw6, 'sign, signal'. See
banner and cp. disband.
bandage, n. - F., fr. bande, fr. OF. bende, fr.
ML. benda, 'a band', fr. Goth. *binda, which is
rei. to E. band, 'tie' (q.v.) For the ending see
suff. -age.
Derivatives: bandage, tr. v., bandag-er, n.,
bandag-ist, n.
bandanna, bandana, n., a colored and spotted
handkerchief. - Hind. biindhnu, 'a mode of
dyeing in which the cloth is tied in various
places to prevent these places from receiving
the dye', rei. to bandhdl;z, 'a tying, fastening;
band, bandage'. See bind and cp. band, 'tie'.
Cp. also bandhu, panda!.
bandeau, n., a narrow band, fillet.- F., fr. earlier
handel, dimin. of bande, 'band, ribbon', ofTeut.
origin. See band, 'tie'.
banderilla, n., a small dart with a streamer thrust
into the bull by the banderillo. - Sp., dimin. of
bandera, 'banner'. See banner and cp. next word.
banderole, banderol, n., a small streamer attached to a lance. - F. banderole, dimin. of
bandiere, banniere, 'banner'. See banner and
cp. prec. word.
bandhava, n., a kinsman (Hindu law). - 01.
bdndhaval;z, rei. to bdndhul;z 'relationship , kinsman'. See next word.
bandhu, n., related through females. - 01. bdndhul;z, 'relationship , kinsman', rei. to bandhd/.z, 'a
binding; band, tie', fr. I.-E. base *bendh-, 'to
bind'. See band, 'tie'.
bandicoot, n., a kind of a large rat. - Telegu
pandi kokku, lit. 'pig rat'.
bandit, n. - F., fr. It. bandito, prop. pp. of bandire, 'to banish', which arose from a blend of
Frankish *bannjan, 'to banish' (whence F. bannir, E. banish), and Goth. bandwa, 'sign, signal'.
See banner.
banditi, n. pl., sometimes used as sing., bandits;
bandits collectively. - It., pl. of bandito. See
prec. word.
bandog, n., a dog kept tied up as a watchdog or
because of its ferocity; a mastiff or bloodhound .
- Contracted fr. band-dog (see hand, 'a tie',
and dog). For sense developmen t cp. F. limier,
'bloodhound ; sleuthhound ', lit. 'a dog held

with a leash', fr. liem, ancient form of lien.

'band'.
bandoleer, also bandolier, n., a shoulder belt. F. bandouliere, fr. Sp. banda/era, fr. banda,
'scarf, sash', which is a Teut. loan word. See
band, 'tie'.
Derivative: bandoleer-ed, bandolier-ed, adj.
bandore, n., a stringed musical instrument.
Port. bandurra, fr. L pandiira, fr. Gk. rrocvoo\ip:z,
'a musical instrument of three strings'. See pan
dore and cp. banjo. Cp. also mandolin.
bandy, tr. v., to toss.- F. bander, 'to bind, bend,
bandy', of Teut. origin. See bend, 'to curve', and
cp. next word.
bandy, n., I) a form of hockey; 2) the bent stick
used in this game. - F. bande, pp. of bander.
See prec. and cp. next word.
bandy, adj., bent, crooked, bandy-legged. -Derivatively identical with prec. word.
andy ,n., bullock cart or carriage.- Telugu band/.
bandy-legged, adj. - Compounde d of bandy,
adj., leg and suff. -ed.
bane, n.- OE. bana, 'murderer, slayer', rei. tC'
OE. benn, 'wound', OS. bano, OFris. bona,
OHG. bano, 'murderer', OHG. bana, 'murder.
ON. bani, 'murderer, murder, death', ben.
'wound', Dan., Swed. bane, 'death, murder'.
Goth. banja, 'stroke, wound', and cogn. with
Avestic banta, 'ill', bqnay'n, 'they make sick
Derivatives: bane-ful, adj., bane-ful-ly, ad\ ..
bane-ful-ness, n.
bang, tr. and intr. v. - Of. Scand. origin. Cp.
ON. banga, 'to hammer', Swed. bdnga, to make
a noise', Ice!. banga, Dan. banke, 'to beat', Cp.
also Lith. bungat, 'to nudge in the ribs', MHG.
bunge, 'drum', G. Bengel, 'cudgel; a clumsy
fellow, a fool', Du. benge[, 'a naughty boy'.
All these words are of imitative origin. Cp.
bungle. Cp. also whang, whiz-bang.
Derivative: bang, n.
bang, interj. - Of imitative origin. See prec.
word.
bang, n. - A variant of bhang.
bang, n., hair cut across the forehead. -Of un
certain origin.
bangle, n., a ring-shaped bracelet. - Hind
bangrf.
bangy, banghy, n., a shoulder yoke for carrying
loads. - Marathi bmigl, fr. Hind. balzatigl, fr.
OI. vihaligamii, vihmigikii. See Yule-Burnell.
Hobson-Job son, p. 6ob.
banian, n., a Hindu merchant. - Hind. vii~1ija.
'a trader', fr. OI. vii1,1ij, 'merchant'. Cp. bany
an tree.
banish, tr. v. - ME. banishen, fr. OF. baniss.
pres. part. stem of banir, 'to proclaim; to banish
(F. bannir, 'to banish; to expel'), fr. Frankish
*bannjan, which is rei. to Goth. band.,:ian, 't0
make a sign, to signal', whence It. bandire.
OProven.y. bandir, 'to proclaim: to banish'. See
banner and cp. band, 'troop'. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ish. OF. banir, etc., were influenced

banister
in meaning by a confusion with OF. ban, 'public
proclamation' (see ban, 'edict'). See BlochWartburg, DELF., p.55 s.v. bannir and Dauzat,
DELF., p. 72 s.v. bannir.
banister, n. -Corruption of baluster.
banjo, n., a musical instrument. - Fr. earlier
banjore, banjer, banshaw, Negro alterations of
bandore (q.v.)
Derivatives: banjo, intr. v., banjo-ist, n.
bank, n., the edge of a river.- ME. banke, of
Scand. origin. Cp. ON. bakki, 'river bank, ridge',
and next word, and see bench. Cp. also bunk,
'sleeping berth'.
Derivative: bank, tr. and intr. v., to pile up in
a bank.
bank, n., a bench. - ME. banck, prob. fr. OF.
bane, 'a bench', which is of Teut. origin. See
bench and cp. prec. word and bane, banco.
bank, n., an institution for the custody of money.
- F. banque, fr. It. banca, orig. 'bench, table,
counter' (sci!. of a money changer), which is
of Teut. origin. Cp. bank, 'the edge of a river',
bank, 'bench', and see bench. Cp. also bankrupt,
bunco, embankment.
Derivatives: bank, intr. v., to keep a bank; to
keep money in a bank; tr. v., to keep (money)
ina bank;bank-able. adj.,bank-er,n.,bank-ing, n.
banket, n., the conglomerate in the Witwatersrand gold district in the Transvaal. - S. Afr.
Du., lit. 'sweetmeat', fr. F. banquet. See banquet.
bankrupt, n. and adj. - Refashioned after L.
rupta, fr. F. banqueroute, fr. It. banca rotta, lit.
'a broken bench', fr. banca, 'bench', and rotta
(fr. L. rupia), fern. pp. of rompere, 'to break',
fr. L. rumpere, (see bench and rupture); so called
from the habit of breaking the bench of bankrupts.
Derivatives: bankrupt, tr. v., bankrupt-cy, n.,
bankrupt-ly, adv.
bankshall, n., 1) a warehouse; 2) the office of a
harbor master (Anglo-Ind.) - Hind. bangstil,
'store room', pro b. fr. OI. bhtir;l/astila-, 'storehouse'. Sec Yule-Bumell, Hobson-Jobson,
p.6!b.
Banksia, n., a genus of Australian evergreen
trees. - Named after the famous English naturalist and traveler, Sir Joseph Banks (17431820). For the ending see suff. -ia.
banner, n.- ME. banere, fr. OF. baniere (F. banniere), which is prob. a blend ofWTeut. *banda,
corresponding to Goth. bandwa, bandw6, 'sign,
signal' (whence also It., OProven9. banda, 'band,
troop', Late L. bandum, 'banner', banderia, baneria, 'place where the banner is set up', OProvcn9. bandiera (whence It. bandiera, F. bandiere, Sp. bandera), 'banner', and of OF. ban,
'public proclamation'. Goth. bandwa, pro b. derives fr. I.-E. base *bendh-, 'to bind'. See band,
'tie', and cp. band, 'troop', banderilla, banderole,
banish, pandour. For the etymol. of 0 F. ban see
ban, 'edict'. MHG. banier(e) (whence G. Banner
and Panier), 'banner', is an OF. loan word.

146

Derivatives: banner, tr. and intr. v. [(obsol.),

banner-ed, adj., bann-er, n. (obsol.), banneret
(q.v.)
banneret, n., order of knighthood; orig., a knight
who could lead his men into battle under his
own banner. - ME. baneret, fr. OF. baneret
(F. banneret), a derivative of baniere (F. banniere). See banner.
banneret, bannerette, n., small banner. - OF.
banerete, dimin. of baniere (F. banniere). See
banner and -et, -ette.
bannerol, n., banner borne at a funeral and placed
over the tomb. - A variant of banderole.
bannock, n., a thick flat cake. - OE. bannuc,
'cake', fr. Gael. bonnach, of s.m.
banns, bans, n. pl., public announcement of a
marriage. - Pl. of ban, 'edict'.
banquet, n.- F., fr. It. banchetto, dimin. of banco, 'bench'. See bench and -et and cp. bane,
banco, banket, banquette.
Derivatives: banquet, v., banquet-er, n.
banquette, n., the foot bank of a trench (fort.)F., fr. Languedoc banqueta, dimin. of bane
'bench'. See prec. word and -ette.
banshee, n., a female spirit supposed to warn
families of the death of a member. - From Ir.
bean sidhe, lit. 'woman of the fairies'. Bean
comes fr. OE. ben, which is cognate with E.
quean and queen.
banstickle, n., the stickleback. - Compounded
of ME. ban, 'bone', and stickle (in stickleback),
'prickle'. See bone and stickleback.
bantam, n., a kind of small fowl. - Fr. Bantam,
name of a town, west of Jakarta in Java.
banter, tr. and intr. v. and n. - Of unknown
origin.
Derivatives: banter-er, n., banter-ing-ly, adv.,
banter-y, adj.
banting, n., a system for reducing weight. Named after William Banting (1797-1878), its
inventor and propagator.
Derivatives: banting-ism, n., banting-ize, intr. v.
bantling, n., a brat; a bastard. - G. Biink/ing,
'bastard', lit. 'conceived on a bench', fr. Bank,
'bench'; see bench and subst. suff. -ling. For
sense development cp. bastard.
Bantu, n., a group of African languages comprising most of those spoken south of the Equator. - Coined by W. H. I. Bleek fr. native
Ba-ntu, fr. plur. pref. ba- and ntu, 'a man, a
person', hence Ba-ntu lit. means 'the men, the
people, mankind'.
banyan, n. - See banian.
banyan tree, also banyan, n. - Orig. 'the tree
under which the banyans ( = Hindu merchants)
settled near Gombroon (now called Bandar
Abbas); seebanian. See Yule-Bu.nell, HobsonJobsQn, p.65.
banzai, interj., form of greeting addressed to the
Emperor of Japan. - Jap. 'may you live ten
thousand years'. Cp. Chin. wan, 'myriad', sui,
'year'.

oaroasco

147

baobab, n., name of an African tree. - Native

name.
bap, n., a small roll of bread (Scot.) - Of uncertain origin.
Baphia, n., a genus of trees and shrubs of the pea
family. (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ~()(cp-1), 'a dipping, a dyeing', which is rei. to ~&rrmv, 'to
dip, dye', ~()(7t-rl~e:Lv, 'to dip'. See baptism and -ia.
Baptisia, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ~oc7tTLO'L<;, 'a dipping',
fr. ~()(7tTl~e:Lv, 'to dip' (see next word); so called
from the use of some species for dyeing. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
baptism, n. - ME. bapteme, fr. OE. baptesme
(F. bapteme), fr. Eccles. L. baptisma, fr. Gk.
~OC7t-rLO'J.L()(, 'a dipping in water', in Eccles. Gk.
'baptism', fr. ~()(7tT(~e:Lv, 'to dip', in Eccles. Gk.
'to baptize', fr. ~&wre:Lv, 'to dip, steep, dye,
color', which is rei. to ~()(q:>-1), 'a dyeing', and
cogn. with ON. kvefja, 'to plunge', OSwed. kvaf,
'a deep place'. For sense development it should
be borne in mind that baptism orig. consisted
in immersion. E. baptism has been refashioned
after Eccles. L. baptisma, Gk. ~oc7tTLO'J.LIX. For
the ending see suff. -ism. Cp. Baphia, Baptisia,
baptist, baptistery, baptize and the second element in phlobapbene.
Derivatives: baptism-al, adj., baptism-al-ly, adv.
baptist, n. -OF. ( = F.) baptiste, fr. Eccles. L.
baptista, fr. Gk. ~()(7tTLO"T-fj<;, 'one who dips'. See
baptism and -ist.
baptistery, baptistry, n.- OF. baptisterie (F. baptistere), fr. Eccles. L. baptisterium, fr. Gk. ~()(7t
ncrTI)pmv, 'bathing place', in Eccles. Gk., baptistery'. See baptist and -ery, resp. -ry.
baptize, tr. and intr. v. - ME. baptisen, fr. F.
baptiser, fr. Eccles. L. baptiztire, 'to baptize', fr.
Gk. ~()(7tTl~e:Lv. See baptism and -ize.
bar, rod of metal or wood.- ME. barre, fr. OF.
( = F.) barre, fr. VL. *barra, a word of Gaulish
origin. See forum and cp. barrier, barrister, barrulet, debar, disbar, embargo, embarrass.
bar, tr. v.- ME. barren, fr. OF. barrer, fr. barre.
See prec. word and cp. barrage.
Derivatives: barr-ed, adj., barr-er, n., barr-ing,
n. and prep., barr-y, adj.
bar, n., the maigre (Sciaena aquila). -F. bar, fr.
MDu. ba(e)rse, which is rei. to OS., MHG. bars,
G. Barsch and E. barse (q.v.)
Barabbas, masc. PN. - L., fr. Gk. B()(p()(~~ii<;, fr.
Aram. bar abbd, 'son of the father, son of the
master', fr. bar, 'son', which is rei. to Heb. ben,
'son', and fr. Aram. abbd, 'the father', emphatic
state of abh, which is rei. to Heb. abh, 'father'.
For the first clement see ben, 'son', and cp. bar
mitzvah and words there referred to. For the
second element see Aboth and cp. Abba, abbot.
barad, n., the unit of pressure in the centimetergram-second system (physics).- Fr. Gk. ~ocpo~.
'weight'. See baro-.
baratbnun, n., 'pit, gulf', esp. that near Athens
into which criminals condemned to death were

thrown. - L., fr. Gk. ~ocp()(&pov, 'pit, gulf,

cleft', rei. to Homeric ~epe:&pov, ofs.m., fr. I.-E.
base *gwer-, 'to devour', whence also ~op6~.
'voracious', ~PWJ.L()(, 'food', lit. 'that which is
eaten', L. vortire, 'to devour'. See voracious and
cp. words there referred to.
barato, n., money given to bystanders by a winner
at the gaming table.- Sp., from the adj. barato,
'cheap', fr. baratar, 'to barter, traffic', which
prob. derives fr. Gk. 7tp&ne:w, 'to do, perform'.
See practical.
barb, n., beard, a beardlike appendage.- OF.
(=F.) barbe, fr. L. barba, 'beard', which is cogn.
with OE. beard. See beard and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: barb, tr. v., to supply with a barb;
barb-ed, adj.
barb, n., name of a breed of horse. -F. barbe,
shortened fr. Barbarie, prop. 'horse introduced
from Barbary in North Africa'.
Barbara, fern. PN.- L., prop. fern. of barbarus,
'strange, foreign, barbarous', fr. Gk. ~ocp~::.:po<;.
Sec barbaric.
Barbarea, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.)- ModL., named after St. Barbara.
barbarian, n. and adj. -Formed with suff. -ian
fr. Gk. ~ocp~::.:po<;. See barbaric.
barbaric, adj. -- OF. barbarique, fr. L. barbaricus, 'foreign, strange, outlandish', fr. G. ~()(p
~1XpLx6<;, fr. ~ocp~()(po<;, 'non-Greek, foreign,
barbarous', which is cogn. with OI. barbarab,
'stammering (designation of the non-Aryan
nations), from the I.-E. imitative base *barb-,
'to stammer, stutter; unintelligible'. Cp. brave.
Cp. also Berber and the second element in rhubarb. For *balb-, a collateral base of *barb-, see
balbuties, booby. For the imitative base *bahsee babble.
Derivative: barbaric-al-ly, adv.
barbarism, n.- F. barbarisme, fr. L. barbarismus,
fr. Gk. ~1Xp~::tpLcrJ.L6;, 'unintelligible speech', fr.
~ocp~1Xpv<;. See prec. word and -ism.
barbarity, n. - See barbaric and -ity.
barbarize, tr. and intr. v. - Gk. ~::.:p[:lxp(~w,.,
'to speak like a barbarian', fr. ~ocp~::.:~c,~. See
barbaric and -ize.
Derivative: barbariz-ation, n.
barbarous, adj. - L. barbarus, fr. Gk. ~:locp~xv,;.
See barbaric. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-o<;,

see -ous.

Derivatives: barbarous-ly, adv., barbarousness, n.

Barbary, n., the countries in North Africa west
of Egypt. - OF. Barbaric, fr. L. barbaria, 'a
foreign country', fr. barbarus, 'strange, foreign,
barbarous'. See barbaric and -y (rcpn:senting
OF. -ie).
Barbary ape. - Lit. 'ape of North Africa', fr_
Barbary.
barbasco, n., the wild cinnamon. - Sp., fr. L.
verbascum, 'mullein', a word of Ligurian origin.
Cp. Verbascum.

148

bar bate

barbate, adj., I) bearded; 2) (bot.) having hairlike tufts or awns. - L. barbiitus, 'bearded',
fr. barba, 'beard'. See barb, 'appendage', and
adj. suiT. -ate and cp. barbituric.
Derivative: barbat-ed, adj.
barbecue, n., an animal roasted whole; a social
gathering at which animals are roasted whole.
- Sp. barbacoa, orig. 'aframeworktosle ep on;
a framework for roasting meat', fr. Taino barbacon.
Derivative: barbecue, tr. v.
barbel, n., a large fish, Barbus fiuviatilis. -OF.
(F. barbeau), fr. VL. *barbel/us, dimin. of Late
L. barbula, which itself is dimin. of L. barbus,
'barbel' (whence OHG. barbo, MHG., G. barbe,
of s.m.), fr. L. barba, 'beard'. See barb, 'beard'.
barber, n. - ME. barbour, fr. OF. barbeor (as
if fr. VL. *barbiitor), fr. L. barba, 'beard'. Cp.
F. barbier (fr. VL. *barbiirius) and see barb,
"beard'.
barberry, n., any plant of the genus Berberis. OF. barbere, barberis, fr. ML. berberis, barbaris,
fr. Arab. barbiirts, in vulgar pronunciation berberts, 'barberry'. Cp. Berberis.
barbet, n. - F., fr. L. barbiitus, 'bearded'. See
barbate.
barbette, n., mound for mounting guns (fort.)F., dimin. of barbe, 'beard' (see barb, 'beard',
and -ette); so called from a fanciful comparison
of the mounted guns with a beard.
barbican, n., outer defense of a city or castle. ME. barbecan, fr. OF. barbacan, barbican (F.
barbacane), which prob. derives ult. fr. Pers.
biila-khiina, 'upper chamber, balcony on the top
of a house', lit. 'a high house', fr. biila, 'high',
and khiina, 'house'. The first element is rei. to
Avestic btrtzant-, 01. brhdnt-, 'high'; see
borough. The second element derives fr. stem
khan-, 'to dig'.
barbicel, n., a little process on the barbule of a
feather. - ModL. barbicella, dimin. of barba,
'beard'. See barb, 'beard'.
barbiton, n., an ancient many-stringed instrument resembling a lyre. - Gk. ~&p~~ov, earlier
form ~:ip~~-:o<;, a loan word from a foreign,
prob. the Phrygian, language.
barbituric, adj., designating, or pertaining to, a
crystalline acid, CH,(CO.NH)1 CO (chem.) Coined fr. L. barbiita (in ML. Usnea barbiita,
lit. 'bearded moss'), and uric. L. barbiita is fern.
of barbiitus, 'bearded'; see barbate. (ML. usnea
derives fr. Arab. ushnah, 'moss').
barbule, n., a minute barb; a process at the edge
of the barb of a feather. - L. barbula, 'a little
beard', dimin. of barba. See barb 'beard', and
-ule and cp. barbicel.
barcarole, barcarolle, a song sung by Venetian
boatmen. - F. barcarolle, fr. It. barcarola, fr.
harcarolo, 'gondolier', a derivative of barca,
'boat'. Sec bark, 'vessel'.
bard, n., a Celtic minstrel-poet. - C '.el. bard,
fr. Gaul. *hardo-, 'singer', whence tlso Gk.

L. bardus, 'bard', bardala, 'the copped

lark' (lit. 'the singer').
Derivative: bard-ic, adj.
bard, also barde, n., armor for the breast and
flanks of a warhorse. - F. barde, 'armor for
horses', fr. Sp. barda, 'horse armor', a/barda,
'packsaddle', fr. Arab. (al-)bdrdaah, '(the) stuffed
packsaddle of an ass'.
bardash, n., a catamite. - F. bardache, fr. It.
bardascia, fr. Arab. bdrdaj, 'slave', ult. fr. Pers.
bardah, of s.m.
bardolater, n.,a worshiper of the Bard, i.e. Shakespeare.- Formed fr. bard, 'poet', on analogy of
idolater.
bardolatry, n., worship of Shakespeare.- Formed fr. bard, 'poet', on analogy of idolatry.
Bardolph, masc. PN. - OHG. Berhtolf, compounded of beraht, 'bright', and wolf, 'wolf'. See
bright and wolf.
bare, adj. - ME. bare, fr. OE. b:u, rei. to OS.,
OHG., MHG., G. bar, ON. berr, Du. baar,
(fr. Old Teut. *baza-), and cogn. with Arm. bok
(for*bhos-ko-), 'naked', OSlav. bosu, Lith. basas,
Lett. bass, 'barefoot'. Cp. the first element in
ballast.
Derivatives: bare, tr. v., bare, n., bare-ly, adv.,
bare-ness, n., bar-er, n.
barege, barege, n., I) a gauzelike fabric; 2) a mineral water from Bareges. - F. barege, so
called fr. Bareges, a village situated in the
department of the Hautes-Pyrenees in France.
baresark, adv., without shirt. - Alternation of
berserk (as if deriving from bare sark, i.e. 'bare
shirt'). See berserker.
baret, n. - A var. of barret.
bargain, n. - ME. bargayn, fr. OF. bargaigne,
fr. bargaigner. See bargain, v.
bargain, intr. and tr. v.-OF. bargaignier (F. barguigner), 'to waver, be irresolute', orig. 'to bargain', pro b. fr. Frankish *borganjan, 'to borrow.
to lend', which is rei. to OHG. borgen, OE.
borgian, 'to borrow, to lend'. See borrow.
Derivative: bargain-er, n.
barge, broad, flat boat. - OF., fr. OProven.;:.
barca, fr. L. biirca, 'a small boat, bark', shortened fr. *biirica, fr. Gk. ~ip!<;, fr. Copt. b(ii"f,
'boat'. Cp. bark, 'sailing ship', and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: barge, intr. v.
bargeer, n., a trooper who is riding another man's
ho:-se (Anglo-Ind.). - Pers. biirgfr, lit. 'burden
taker', fr. biir, 'burden', and -gir, stem of giriftiin, 'to seize, take'.
barite, n., barytes (mineral.) - See barytes.
baritone, barytone, n., a male voice between bass
and tenor. - F. baryton or It. baritono, fr. Gk.
~ocpuovo<;, 'heavy-toned, low-toned', which is
compbunded of ~ocpu<;, 'heavy' (see bary-), and
T6vo<;, 'tone'. See tone.
Derivative: barytone, baritone, n.
barium, n., a metallic element (chem.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. ~ocpu<;, 'heavy', which is rei. to ~ocpo<;,
~ocp3o<;,

149

'weight'; see baro-. The element was so called

by its discoverer, the English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) because of its presence
in barytes or heavy spar.
bark, n., rind of a tree. - ME. barke, fr. ON.
bOrker (whence also Dan., Swed. bark), which is
rei. toLG.borke(when ceG.Borke).Acco rdingto
Petersson (in Indogerm. Forschungen 23,403),
these words derive from a -g-enlargement of
I.-E. base *bher-, 'to cut', for which see bore,
'to pierce' and words there referred to. For
sense development cp. L. cortex, 'bark of a
tree', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut' (see cortex).
Derivatives: bark, tr. v., bark-en, tr. and intr. v.,
bark-en, adj. (poet.), bark-er, n., bark-er-y, n.
bark, n., a kind of sailing ship.- F. barque, fr.
It. barca, fr. L. biirca, 'a small boat, bark'. See
barge, 'boat', and cp. barkentine, barque, debark, disembark, embark.
bark, intr. v., to cry as a dog. - ME. berken, fr.
OE. beorcan, rel. to ON. berkja, 'to bark'; pro b.
imitative.
Derivatives: bark-er, n., bark-ing, adj. and n.
barkentine, barquentine, n., a kind of threemasted vessel.- Formed fr. bark, resp. barque,
'sailing vessel', on analogy of brigantine.
barkevikite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.)
- Named after Barkevik, on the Langesund
fiord, in Norway. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
barley, n. - ME. barly, fr. OE. brerlic, orig.
an adjective meaning 'like barley', fr. bere,
'barley', and -lie, 'like'. The first element is rei.
to ON. barr, 'barley', Goth. barizeins, 'of barley', and cogn. with L. far, gen. farris, 'coarse
grain, meal'. See farina, farrage, and cp. barn,
barton. For the second element see adj. suff. -ly
and like, adj.
barm, n., yeast. - ME. berme, fr. OE. beorma,
rei. to Du. berm, MLG. berm, barm, LG. barme
(whence G. Biirme), and cogn. with L. fermenrum, 'substance causing fermentation', fr. I.-E.
base *bher-, 'to boil, seethe', whence also OI.
bhurdti, 'moves convulsively, quivers', Mlr.
berbaim, 'I boil, seethe'. Cp. brand, bread, brew,
broil (in both senses), broth. Cp. also fennent.
bar mitzvah, a male person who has completed
his thirteenth year, when he reaches the age of
religious responsibility (Jewish religion). He b. bar mitzvd", lit. 'son of command', fr. bar,
'son', which is rei. to Heb. ben, and mitzvd",
command, commandment', which is rei. (o'tiivvd~>, 'he commanded'. For the first element see
ben, 'son', and cp. the first element in Barabbas,
Barnabas, Bartholomew. For the second element
see mitzvah.
barn, n. - ME. bern, fr. OE. bern, shortened fr.
orig. bere-ern, lit. 'barley house', fr. bere, 'barley' and ern, :Ern, 'house'. For the first element
see barley. The second element is a metathesized
form of ran(n) (for *rasn), 'house', and rei. to
ON. rann, Goth. razn, 'house', and to OE. rest,

oaroque

r:Est, 'resting place'. See rest, 'repose', and cp.

the first element in ransack.
Barnabas, n., a surname of Joseph, the Levite of
Cyprus (Acts 4: 36). - Eccles. L., fr. Gk. BIX:;
voc~IX<;, lit. 'son of exhortation', fr. Aram. bar,
'son', and niiblui, 'prophecy, exhortation'. For
the first element see bar mitzvah and cp. words
there referred to. The second element is rei. to
Heb. niibhf, 'prophet', ntbhu'li", 'prophecy'. See
Nebiim.
barnacle, n., an instrument for pinching a horse's
nose.- ME. bernak, bernacle, bernakile, fr. OF.
bernac, which is of uncertain origin.
barnacle, n., I) the barnacle goose; 2) shellfish.Bret. bernie, 'shellfish' (whence also F. bernicle,
'barnacle goose; shellfish'), prob. fr. Olr. bern,
'cleft, crack, fissure' (according to popular
belief, the goose was supposed to be born from
the shellfish).
baro-, before a vowel bar-, combining form denoting the pressure of the atmosphere. - Gk.
~1Xpo-, fr. ~ocpo<;, 'weight', rei. to ~1Xpu<;, 'heavy', fr. I.-E. base *gwer-, 'heavy', whence also
L. gravis. See grave, 'weighty', and cp. bary-,
Briareus, and the second element in centrobaric,
charivari.
barograph, n., a recording barometer. - Compounded of baro- and Gk. -yp1Xq:>O<;, fr. yptiq:>E~v.
'to write'. See -graph.
Derivative: barograph-ic, adj.
barology, n., the study of weight or gravity.
Compounded of baro-, and Gk. -:Aoy[i, fr.
-A6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
barometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
pressure of the atmosphere. - Compounded of
baro- and Gk. !J-hpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'. The term barometer was pro b.
used first by the English chemist and physicist
Robert Boyle (1627-91) in 1665.
Derivatives: barometr-ic, adj., barometr-y, n.
baron, n. - ME. baron, barun, fr. OF. baron,
oblique case of ber, fr. ML. bar6, gen. -onis,
which is ofTeut. origin; cp. OHG. baro, 'man',
prop. 'warrior', which is rei. to ON. berjask,
'to fight', and cogn. with OSlav. borj(J, boriti,
'to fight'. All these words prob. derive fr. I.-E.
base *bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry.
Derivatives: baron-age, n., baron-ess, n., baronet, n. and tr. v., baron-et-age, n., baron-et-cy, n.,
baron-etic-al, baron-ial, adjs., barony (q.v.)
barony, n., I) a baron's domain; 2) dignity or
rank of a baron. - OF. baronie (F. baronnie),
fr. baron. See prec. word and -y (representing
OF. -ie).
baroque, adj., pertaining to an artistic style characterized by grotesque forms. - F., not fr.
Port. barroco, 'irregularly shaped pearl', as
generally assumed, but from the name of the
founder of the baroque style, Federigo Bctrocci
(1528-!612).
Derivative: baroque, n.

baroscope
baroscope, n., an instrument showing the changes
of the pressure of the atmosphere.-C ompounded of baro- and Gk. -crx6mov, fr. crxo:rce:Lv, 'to
look at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivatives: baroscop-ic, baroscop-ical, adjs.
Barosma, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.)- ModL., lit. 'of a heavy smell', fr. baroand Gk. 6crfL~, 'smell, odor'. See osmium.
barosmin, n., diosmin (pharm.) - Formed fr.
Barosma with chem. suff. -in.
barouche, n., a kind of four-wheeled carriage. G. Barutsche, fr. It. baroccio, a collateral form
of earlier biroccio, fr. VL. *birrotium, 'a twowheeled carriage', fr. L. birotus (for bis-rotus),
'two-wheeled', fr. bis, 'twice', and rota, 'wheel'.
See bi- and rota and cp. britska.
barque, n. - A variant of bark, 'sailing vessel'.
barquentine, n. - See barkentine.
barracan, n., an Oriental fabric, camlet.- F., fr.
Arab. barrakdn, 'camlet', which is of Persian
origin.
barracks, n. pl., soldiers' lodgings.- F. baraque,
fr. Sp. barraca, orig. 'hut of bricks', a derivative
of barro, 'clay', which is pro b. oflberian origin.
barracuda, also barracouta, n., a large sea fish. Sp. barracuda, of uncertain origin.
barrage, n., dam. - F., fr. barrer, 'to bar, obstruct'. See bar, v., and -age.
barrage, n., curtain fire (mil.) - Fr. F. tir de
barrage, 'curtain fire'. See prec. word.
barranca, n., ravine. - Sp., fr. barranca, 'precipice, ravine', fr. VL. barrancus, fr. Gk. <:papcxy~.
gen. q>apo:yyo~, 'deep chasm, ravine, gully',
which is ret. to <pxpuy~, 'throat, chasm, gulf',
<:pxpEtv, 'to cleave, part', and cogn. with L.
foriire, 'to bore', OE. borian, 'to bore'. See bore
'to pierce', and cp. pharynx,
barrandite, n., a hydrous phosphate of iron and
aluminum (mineral.) - F., named after the
French geologist Joachim Barrande (I 799-1 883).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
barrator, n., one guilty of barratry.- ME. baratour, 'a quarrelsome person', fr. OF. barateor,
'deceiver, swindler', fr. barater, 'to deceive,
barter'. See barter.
barratrous, adj., tending to barratry (law).- See
barratry and -ous.
Derivative: barratrous-ly, adv.
barratry, n., fraudulent breach of duty (marine).
- See barrator and -ry.
barrel, n. - ME. bare!, fr. OF. ( = F.) baril,
'barrel, cask', which is of Gaulish origin. The
word came to Britain through the medium of
the Normans; it is not related to F. barre, 'bar'.
Cp. It. barite, OProven". and Sp. barril, which
are of the same origin and meaning as OF. baril.
Cp. also barricade, barrico, breaker, 'a small
cask'.
barren, adj. - ME. barain, barein, fr. OF. brehaigne, baraigne, which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: barren-ly, adv., barren-ness, n.
barret, n., a small cap, esp. a biretta. - F. bar-

150

rette, fr. It. barretta (now berretta). See biretta.

barricade, n. - F., fr. MF. barriquer, 'to barricade', fr. barrique, 'a large barrel', fr. baril,
'barrel'; see barrel. Barricade orig. meant 'an
obstruction made with barrels'. It. barricata,
usually regarded as the etymon of F. barricade,
is in reality a French loan word.
barricade, tr. v. - F. barricader, fr. barricade.
See barricade, n.
barrico, n., a keg. - Sp. barrica, fr. barril, 'a
barrel'. See barreL
barrier, n. - ME. barrere, fr. F. barriere, 'obstacle', fr. barre, 'bar'. See bar, 'rod of metal
or wood'.
barrister, n.- Formed fr. bar, 'rod of metal or
wood', with suff. -ster.
barrow, n., mountain, mound. - ME. barewe,
berewe, fr. OE. beorg, 'mountain', ret. to OS.,
Swed., Norw., OFris., Du., OHG., G. berg,
'mountain', ON. bjarg, 'rock', Dan. bjerg,
MHG. berc, 'mountain', fr. I.-E. base *bhergh-,
'high'. See borough and cp. the second element
in iceberg.
barrow, n., a castrated boar..- OE. bearg, rei. to
OS., OHG. barg, barug, ON. -bOrgr, MDu. barch,
barech, Du. barg, MHG. bare, G. Barch, and
cogn. with OSlav. bravu, fr. earlier borvu, 'castrated young pig; wether', fr.I.-E. base *bher-,
'to cut, bore'. See bore.
barrow, n., a handcart. - ME. barewe, fr. OE.
bearwe, 'basket, barrow', fr. beran, 'to carry'.
See bear, 'to carry', and cp. bier.
barrulet, n., a small bar (her.) - Formed with
dimin. suff. -et fr. VL. *barrula, dimin. of*barra.
See bar, 'rod of metal or wood'.
barry, adj., traversed by an even number of bars
(her.) - F. barre, pp. of barrer, 'to bar', fr.
barre. See bar, 'rod of metal or wood'.
barse, n., the common perch.- OE. ba?rs, 'perch',
rel. to MDu. ba(e)rse, Du. baars, OS., MHG.
bars, G. Barsch, 'perch', G. barsch, 'rough'; fr.
Teut. base *bars-, 'sharp'. See bristle and cp.
bass, 'perch', bar, 'maigre'.
barter, intr. and tr. v. - ME. bartren, fr. OF.
barater, 'to deceive, barter', fr. barat, 'cheat,
deception', which is of uncertain, possib~y
Celtic, origin. Cp. Ir. brath, 'treachery', Gael.
brath, 'to betray'. Cp. also barrator.
Derivatives: barter, n., barter-er, n.
barthite, n., a hydrous arsenate of zinc and copper. -Named after Barth, a mining engineer
at Guchab, SW. Africa. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Bartholomew, masc. PN.- OF. Barthelemieu (F.
Barthelemy), fr. L. Bartholomaeus, fr. Gk. Bcxp&oAow..:'io~. fr. Aram. bar Talrruiy, 'son of Talmai'. Aram. bar, 'son', is rel. to Heb. ben, of
S.m.; see ben, 'son', and Cp. WOrds there referred
to. Talrruiy, a Heb. name occurring already in
the Bible (e.g. Nu. 13: 22), is rei. to Heb. telem,
'furrow'.
Derivative: Bartholome-an, adj.

DasiOIUnl

151

bartizan, n., a small tower for defense - First

used by Walter Scott who mistook the real
meaning of Scot. bartisene, which is nothing but
the corrupted spelling of bratticing, 'timberwork', fr. brattice (q.v.)
barton, n., barn.- ME. berton, fr. OE. beretun,
'threshing floor, bam', lit. 'barley enclosure', fr.
bere, 'barley', and tun, 'enclosure'. See barley
and town.
Bartonia, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) - ModL., named in honor of
Benjamin Smith Barton of Philadelphia (died
in r8rs). For the ending see suff. -ia.
baruria, n., an abnormal condition in which the
urine has a very high specific gravity (med.)Medical L., compounded of Gk. ~cxpu~, 'heavy',
and o0pov, 'urine'. See bary-, uro-, 'of urine',
and -ia.
bary-, combining form meaning 'heavy'. - Gk.
~cxpu-, fr. ~cxpu~, 'heavy', rei. to ~cxp6c;, 'weight'.
See baro-.
barycenter, barycentre, n., the center of gravity.
- Compounded of bary- and center.
Derivative: barycentr-ic, adj.
barysilite, n., a lead silicate. - Coined fr. bary-,
silicate and subst. suff. -ite.
baryta, n., barium monoxide (chem.) - From
next word.
barytes, n., native barium sulfate, BaS04 ; heavy
spar (mineral.)- Coined by the Swedish chemist Karl Wilhelm Scheele (1742-86) fr. Gk.
~cxpu~, 'heavy', which is rei. to ~ocpo~, 'weight'.
See baro- and cp. barium, barite.
barythymia, n., melancholia (med.) - Medical
L .. compounded of bary- and &lifL6~, 'spirit,
mind, soul'. See thio- and -ia and cp. thyme. Cp.
also the second element in lipothymia, parathymia.
barytic, adj., pertaining to baryta.- Formed fr.
baryta with suff. -ic.
barytone, n. - See baritone.
basal, adj., relating to the base; basic. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. base, n.
Derivative: basal-ly, adv.
basalt, n. - L. basaltes, explained by most lexicographers as a word of African origin. (This
explanation is based on Pliny, Historia 36, 58.)
In Thesaurus Linguae Latinae, s.v. basanites,
several editions are quoted, in which basaltes
stands for basanites. We may, therefore, assume
that the original form is basanites, which was
later shortened into basaltes. L. basanires (lapis)
comes fr. Gk. ~cxcrcxvtTIJ~ (Al&o~). I tentatively
suggest that (?;<Xcrcxvtrr.~ derives fr. Bcxcrv, 'Bashan' (B<Xcrci:v is the transliteration of He b.
Biisluin in the LXX), to which the suff. -tTIJc;
was added (see subst. suff. -ite). Accordingly,
l?;cxaa;vfTI)c; Al&oc; lit. means 'stone of Bashan'.
This etymology is supported by the fact that
Bashan, this well-known region east of the Jordan, first mentioned in the Bible as the Kingdom
of Og, is especially rich in basalt. Cp. baslmite.

basan, n., tanned sheepskin. - F. basane, fr.

OProven". basana, fr. Sp. badana, fr. Arab.
bitdna" ,lit. 'lining', fr. batana, 'he hid, covered'~
fr. ba{n, 'belly, interior'. See wad, 'soft material'.
basanite, n., touchstone. - L. basanites (lapis),
fr. Gk. (?;cxcrcxv6~ or ~cxcrcx'ltTIJ~ (Af..&o~), 'touchstone'. See basalt.
basaree, n., a Hindu flageolet (music). - Hind.
basree, fr. 01. varil.Sd/:1, 'bamboo', which is cogn.
with Mlr. jeice, Ir. feige (for *vankiii), 'lintel,
rafter'; L. vacerra, 'log, stock, post', however,
is not cognate.
bascule, n., an apparatus based on the principle
of the seesaw. - F., 'seesaw', from orig. basse
cute, altered from earlier bacule under the influence of basse, fern. of bas, 'low'. Bacule is
composed of the imper. of battre, 'to strike',
and cul, 'posterior'. See batter, 'to beat', and
culet.
base, n., bottom; foundation, pedestal.- F., fr.
L. basis, fr. Gk. (?;am~, 'a stepping, step, pedestal, foot, base', from the stem of ~cxtvw, 'I go',
which prob. stands for *~ocv1w, fr. *~ctfLiW,
fr. I.-E. base *gwem-, 'to go; to come', whence
also L. veni6 (prob. for *gw1Jii6), 'I come', Goth.
qiman, OE. cuman, 'to come'. See come and cp.
venue, 'arrival'. Cp. also basis, abasia, acrobat,
aerobatics, amphisbaena, Anabaena, anabas, anabasis, -bates, bathmism, batophobia, bema, catabasis, diabase, adiabatic, diabetes, ecbatic, gynobase, hyperbaton, metabasis, Odobenus, Oribatidae, parabasis, presby-, stereobate, sty lobate.
As a term of chemistry base was introduced by
the French chemist Guillaume-Fraw,:ois Rouelle (1703-70) in 1754.
Derivatives: base, tr. v., to form a base for;
intr. v., to be based (on or upon something);
base-ment, n.
base, adj. - ME. bas, fr. OF ( = F.) bas, 'low',
fr.Late L. bassus, 'thick fat, stumpy' (in classical
L. occurring only as a cognomen) ; of uncertain origin. Cp. abase, bass (music), basset,
~. ~n,debase.

Derivatives: base-ly, adv., base-ness, n.

bash, tr. v., to strike violently. - Of imitative
origin. Cp. Swed. basa, Dan. baske, 'to strike'.
bashaw, n. - A variant of pasha (q.v.)
bashful, adj. - Aphetic for abash-jul. See abash
and -ful.
Derivatives: bashful-ly, adv., bashful-ness, n.
bashi-bazouk:, n., a Turkish irregular soldier. Turk. biishi-bozuq, lit. '(one whose) head is
turned'. Cp. the first element in bashlyk and the
second element in bimbashee.
bashlyk, also bashlik, n., houd covering the cars.
-Turk. bashlyq, 'any kind of headgear'.
basic, adj. - Formed with suff. -ic fr. base, n.
Cp. the second element in monobasic, dibasic.
Derivative: basic-al-ly, adv.
basidium, n., a form of sporophore characteristic
of the fungi of the class Basidiomycetes (bot.)-

basil

\'lodL., fr. Gk. ~cim~, 'base'. See base, n., and

cp. Aureobasidium.
basil, n., any of a group of aromatic plants of the
mint family. - OF. basile (whence F. basilic),
fr. Late L. basilicum, fr., Gk. ~ocmAtx.6v (scil.
q>n6v ), 'basil', neut. of the adjective ~ocaLAtx.6<;,
'royal'. See basilica.
basil, n. - Corruption of basan.
Basil, masc. PN.- L. Basi/ius, fr. Gk. BocaLAELO~,
lit. 'kingly, royal", fr. ~ocm)..eo~. 'king'. See basi
lica and cp. basil, the plant.
basilar, adj., pertaining to the base; basal, basic,
fundamental.- ModL., irregularly formed fr. L.
basis, fr. Gk. ~d:at~, 'a stepping, step, pedestal,
foot, base'. See base, 'foundation', and adj.
sutf. -ar.
Derivative: basilar-y, adj.
ll:lasilic, royal. - F. basilique, fr. Gk. ~ocm)..tx6<;.
See next word.
basilica, n. - L., 'a public hall with double colonnades', fr. Gk. ~<XaLALKYj (sci!. a-ro&), lit.
royal colonnade', fern. of ~ocmAtx.6<;, 'kingly,
royal', fr. [3ocaLAEO<;, 'king', which is of un.::ertain origin. It is possibly a loan word from
a language of Asia Minor; cp. Lydian ~d:no<;,
'king'. Cp. basil, the plant, basilisk.
hasilic vein (anat.)- ML vena basilica, fr. Arab.
al-biisiltq, fr. a/-, 'the', and biisi/fq, a word of
uncertain origin, which was confused by the
translators of Avicenna with Gk. ~ocm)..tx.6~.
royal' (see prec. word). The term vena basilica
.lppears for the first time in a translation of Avi;.:cnna by Gcrardus Cremonensis. See Joseph
Hyrtl, Das Arabische und Hebraische in der
Anatomic, Wien, 1879, pp. 7477
basilisk, n., a mythical serpent, cockatrice; a
Central American lizard.- L. basiliscus, fr. Gk.
3ocmf-lax.oc;, 'princelet, chieftain, basilisk', dimin. of [3ocatk,J~. 'king'; so called after Pliny,
:-.laturalis Historia, 8, 33, from ist 'crown', i.e.
.1 white spot on its head. See basilica and cp.
the second element in aspic, 'asp'.
basin, n.- ME., fr. OF. bacin, bassin (F. bassin),
fr. VL. *bacclnum, fr. bacchinon (cited by Gregory of Tours as a vulgar word), fr. *bacca,
a water vessel' (whence F. bac, 'vat'). Sec
back, 'vat', and cp. next word.
basinet, n., a light steel helmet, later made with
a visor.- ME., fr. OF. baciner, bassinet (F. bassinet), dimin. of bacin, bassin (F. bassin), 'basin'.
See prec. word and -et, and cp. bassinet.
basis, n. - L., fr. Gk. ~xm,. See base, n.
bask, intr. and tr. v.- VIE. hasken, fr. ON. baiJask, a reflexive verb lit. meaning 'to bathe oneself', fr. baiJa, 'to bathe' (see bathe), and reflex.
suff. -sk.
l>asket, n. -ME., fr. L. bascauda, 'a brazen vessel', referred to by the Roman poet Martial as an
OBrit. word; cogn. with L. fascis, 'bundle, faggot'; see fasces. The orig. meaning of bascauda
was pro b. 'wicker basket'.
bason, n. - A variant of basin.

152
Basque, n. and adj. -F., fr. Sp. vasco, adj., fr.
vascon, n., fr. L. Vasciines, name of the ancient
inhabitants of the Pyrenees. According to Wilhelm von Humboldt, the name Vasciines orig.
meant 'Foresters'. Cp. Gascon.
bas-relief, n., low relief. -F., fr. bas, 'low', and
relief, 'raised work', fr. relever, 'to raise'. F. basrelief is a loan translation of It. bassoriliero.
See bass, adj., and relief and cp. basso-rilievo.
bass, n., any of various perchlike fishes. - Alteration of barse.
bass, adj. and n. (mus.) - It. basso, fr. Late L.
bassus, 'low'. See base, adj., and cp. bassoon
and the second element in contrabass.
bassanite, n., an anhydrous calcium sulfate (mineral.) - Named after F. Bassani, professor of
geology in Naples. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
bassarid, n., a maenad (Greek mythol.) - Gk.
~occratXp(~, gen. -~36<;, fr. f3ocaad:pa, 'fox', a word
of unknown etymology; so called because their
dresses were made of foxskins.
basset, n., a variety of small hound.- F., formed
with dimin. suiT. -et fr. bas, 'Low'. See base, adj.
bassetite, n., a phosphate of calcium and uranium
(mineral.) - Named after the Basset mines in
Cornwall.
bassinet, n., cradle. - Usually derived fr. F. bassinet, 'a little basin', dim. of bassin, fr. OF. bacin
(see basin). This derivation, however, does not
account for the sense of the English word. According to my opinion, E. bassinet is a blend of
F. barcelonnette, 'a little cradle' (a collateral
form of bercelonnette, fr. bercer, 'to rock'), and
F. bassinet, 'a little basin'.
basso, n., a bass voice. -It. See bass (mus.).
bassoon, n., a woodwind instrument. - F. basson, fr. lt. bassone, fr. basso. See bass (mus.)
and -oon.
bassoonist, n., player of a bassoon. - A hybrid
coined fr. bassoon and suff. -ist.
basso-riliem, n., bas-relief. - It. See bas-relief
and rilievo and cp. cavo-relievo.
bast, n., the inner bark of the linden tree.- ME.,
fr. OE. ha!st, rei. to ON., OS., MDu., OHG.,
MHG.,G., 'bast',OHG.besten , 'to sew with ba~:,
and pro b. cogn. with L. fascis, 'bundle', see fasces. OE. ba!st, etc., orig. meant 'that which serves
for binding'. OF. bastir (whence F. biitir), 'to
build', is a loan word fr. Frankish *bastjan, and
orig. meant 'to sew or bind with bast'. Cp. baste,
'to sew loosely'. Cp. also bastille, bastion, and
the second element in bundobust. For sense development cp. G. Wand, 'wall', which is rei. to
wenden, 'to turn, twist' (see wand).
bastard, n., an illegitimate child. - OF. (F. btitard), identical in meaning with fils de bast,
'acknowledged son of a nobleman, born out of
wedlock', prop. 'son of concubinage', fr. bast,
'concubinage', which prob. derives fr. Teut.
*bansti, 'bam' (cp. Goth. bansts of s.m.); accordingly, OF. bastard lit. meant 'child born in

153
a barn'. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p.6o s.v.
batard.
Derivatives: bastard, adj., and the hybrids
bastard-ize, tr. v., bastard-iz-ation, n.
baste, tr. v., to soak, moisten. - Orig. pp. of a
verb formed fr. OF. basser, 'to soak'; of uncertain origin.
Derivative: bast-ing, n.
baste, tr. v., to sew loosely. - OF. bastir (F.
batir), 'to build', fr. Frankish *bastjan 'to sew
or bind with bast', which is rei. to OHG. besten,
of s.m., fr. bast, 'bast'. See bast.
Derivative: bast-ing, n.
baste, tr. v., to beat. -ON. beysta, 'to beat', rei.
to OE. beatan. See beat.
Derivative: bast-ing, n.
bastille, n., a castle or fortress; specif. an ancient
prison of Paris, destroyed by the revolutionaries
July 14, 1789.- F., formed with change of suff.
fr. OProven9. bastida, fr. bastir, 'to build'. See
baste, 'to sew loosely', and cp. bastion.
hastinado, n., beating with a stick on the soles of
the feet.-"- Sp. bastonada, 'a beating, cudgeling,'
fr. baston, 'stick', See baston and ado.
bastion, n., a work projecting outward from a
fortification. - F., variant of bastillon, dimin.
of bastille. It. bastione, is a French Joan word,
whereas lt. bastia is a back formation fr. bastione. See bastille.
Derivatives: bastion-ary, bastion-ed, adjs.
baston, n., a stick, staff.- OF. basion (F. biiton),
formed with the augment. suff. -on fr. Late L.
bastum, of s.m. This word is prob. borrowed fr.
Gk. *~cicr-rov or *[3xa-:oc, 'support', which is a
back formation fr. Late Gk. *(3-xa-riiv (cp. ModGk. r:h-:mo), fr. Gk. (3-xcrd(s~v. 'to lift up, raise,
carry', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. it. hastone, Sp. haston, and see -oon. Cp. also bastinado, haton, and batten, 'timber'. Cp. also the
first element in bathorse, batman.
bat, n., the club used in cricket, etc.- ME. batte,
hat, fr. OE. batt, 'cudgel', prob. rei. to F. batte,
'beater, beetle', back formation fr. battre, 'to
beat'. See batter, v., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: bat, intr. v., to use a bat, batt-ing,n.
bat, n., a nocturnal mammal. -A dialectal form
of ME. bakke, a word of Scand. origin. Cp.
Swed. natt-hacka, natt-batta, 'bat' (lit. 'night
bat'), Dan. aften-bakke, 'bat' (lit. 'evening bat').
For the change of k (in ME. bakke) to t (in E.
bat) cp. apricot (from orig. apricock), havoc (fr.
OF. havot), and the l::.nglish words milt and milk,
'milt of fishes'.
batata, n., the sweet potato. - Sp. See potato.
batch, n. - ME. bacche, lit, 'a baking', OE. bacan, 'to bake'. See bake. Batch stands to bake as
match, 'one of a pair', stands to make.
Derivatives: batch, tr. v., batch-er, n.
bate, n., a solution used in tanning. - Rei. to
Swed. beta, 'soaking, tanning', and to E. bait,
bite (qq.v.)

bat nos

bate, v., to reduce. - Aphetic for abate.

Derivative: bat-ed, adj.
bate, intr. v., to beat the wings, flutter. - F. bat
tre, 'to beat' (in the term battre des ailes, 'to beat
the wings'), fr. L. battuere, battere. See batter, v.
bate, n., strife (obso/.) - Aphetic for debate.
-bates, combining form meaning 'treading on .. .'
as in Dendrobates, Hylobates.- Fr. Gk. ~d:-rr,~.
'one that treads', from the stem of ~(XL \lEW, 'to
go'. See base, n.
bath, n. - ME. bath, fr. OE. b:eiJ, rei. to OS.
bath, ON. baa, MDu., MHG. bat, OHG., G., Du.
bad. The final dental sound corresponds to
Teut. -pa (= I.-E. -to) and is added to the Teut.
base appearing in OHG. bii-jan (whence MHG.
bam, b;ejen, G. bii-hen), 'to foment', corresponding to I.-E. base *bhe-, 'to warm'. Hence OE.
b:eiJ, etc., orig. meant 'that which warms'. Base
*bhog-, 'to warm, roast, bake', a -g-enlargement
of base bhe-, 'to warm', appears in Gk. cpwys~''
'to roast', and in E. bake (q.v.)
Derivative: hath, tr. v.
Bath, brick, chair, etc. - Named after Bath, a
town in Somerset, England.
bath-, combining form. - See batho-.
bathe, tr. and intr. v. - ME. bathien, fr. OE.
haoian, rei. to ON. baJa, MDu. baden, Du. baden,
OHG. badon, MHG., G. baden, and to OE. bxiJ.
etc., 'bath'. See bath.
Derivatives: bathe, n., bath-er, n., bath-ing, n.
bathkol, n., a heavenly voice.- Heb. bath qol,
lit. 'the daughter of a voice', fr. bath, 'daughter',
and qol, 'voice'. Bath stands for *banth, fr. orig.
*bint, fem. of ben, 'son'; rel. to Aram. b'rmh.
emphatic case h~rattd, Syr. (emphatic) bartii
Arab. bint. Ethiop. bant, 'daughter', See ben,
'son' and cp. the first clement in Bathsheba. For
the second element see cowle.
bathmism, n., the growth force (bioi.) - A name
coined by the American paleontologist Edward
Drinker Cope (1840-97) fr. Gk. ~o:i}tJ.6;, 'step.
threshold', from the stem of f3(XlvEw, 'to go,
whence also ~cim,, 'a stepping, pedestal, foot.
base'. See base, n., and words there referred to.
For the ending see suff. -ism.
batho-, bath-, combining form meaning 'depth'.
- Gk. ~(Xi}o-, fr. ~x&r:>~, 'depth'. See bathos.
bathometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
depth of water. - Compounded of batho- and
11.i-rpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
bathorse, n., a horse that carries baggage. A hybrid coined fr. F. biit, 'packsaddle' and E.
horse. F. btit derives fr. OProvcm;. bast, fr. VL
*bastum, 'the act of carrying', back formation
fr. *bastiire, 'to carry', fr. Late Gk. *~oca-:iiJ,
'to carry', fr. Gk. ;:io:a-r~ELV. Sec baston and cp.
words there referred to.
bathos, n., anticlimax, a descent from the sublime
to the ridiculous.- Gr. ~l}o;, 'depth', rei. to
~oc&,J;, 'deep', and pro b. also to [3&,&0,, 'depth'
-which seems to have been formed on analogy
of rr'1~<;. 'grief'-andJ to f31jacroc (for *(3~&-

Bathsheba

1rx), 'glen'; prob. cogn. with 01. gahate, 'dives

into', gtihdb, 'deep place', Avestic vi-giif}, 'ravine', Olr. biiidim, 'I cause to sink, drown'. The
word bathos was first used in the above sense
by Pope in his Dunciad. Cp. bathy-, benthos and
the second element in isobath.
Bathsheba, fern. PN.; in the Bible, the wife of
King David and mother of Solomon. - Heb.
Bathshebha', lit. 'daughter of the oath'. For the
first element see bathkol. The second element is
rei. to shiva', 'seven'. Cp. nishbd' , 'he swore',
orig. 'he bound himself by the sacred number
seven'. See Shabuoth and cp. the second element
in Elizabeth.
bathy-, combining form meaning 'deep' - Gk.
~rx&u-, fr. ~rx&U.:;, 'deep', which is rei. to ~oc&o.:;,
'depth'. See bathos.
bathybius, n., a slimy substance dredged up from
the Atlantic (zoo/.) - ModL., coined by the
English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley (182595) in 1868 fr. Gk. {3.x&U.:;, 'deep' and ~(o.:;,
'life'. See bathy- and bio-.
bathyscaphe, n., a diving apparatus for reaching
great depths. - Compounded of bathy- and
Gk. crxocq>1J, 'boat'. See scapbo-.
bathysphere, n., a spherical diving apparatus for
th~ observation and study of the depths of the
sea. -Compounded of bathy- and Gk. crq>oc~poc,
"hall, globe, sphere'. See sphere.
batik, n., a method of coloring designs on cloth.
-- Javan. batik, 'spotted, speckled'.
Derivatives: batik, tr. v., batik-er, n.
batiste, n.- F., named after its first maker, Baptiste of Cambrai, who lived in the 13th cent.
batman, n., an officer's servant. - A hybrid
coined fr. F. bdt, 'packsaddle', and E. man. See
bathorse.
batmoney, n., allowance to an officer. A hybrid
coined fr. Canarese bhatta, 'rice' (see batta),
and E. money.
baton, n., a stick, staff. - F. baton. See baston.
batophobia, n., morbid fear of being at great
heights or passing near high objects (med.) Medical L., compounded of Gk. ~oc-r6.:;, 'passable', verbal adj. of ~oclvELv, 'to go', and
-cpo{3ii, fr. q>6{3o.:;, 'fear'. See base, n. and -phobia. The association of Gk. ~rx-r6.:; with height
is due to a connection of this word with the
second element in acrobat. (Acrobats are used
to display their art in the height.) A more adequate name for this condition is hypsophobia.
Batrachia, n., pl., the amphibians (zoot.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. {3oc-rpocze;Lo~, 'pertaining to a frog', fr.
{3x7p?:;(':l~, 'frog', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivative: batrachi-an, adj.
batracbo-, before a vowel batrach-, pertaining to
frogs. - Gk. ~ct-rprxzo-, {3<X"t"fl<X;(-, fr. ~oc"t"p.xzo.:;,
'frog'. See prec. word.
batta, n., allowance to an officer. - From Canarese bhatta, 'rice', prob. through the medium of
Port. Cp. batmoney. For sense development cp.
salary, orig. 'salt money'.

154
battalion, n.- F. bataillon, fr. It. battaglione, fr.
battaglia, 'battle'. See battle and -ion and cp.
pulton.
battel, n., college accounts (at the University of
Oxford). -Of uncertain origin.
batten, intr. v., to grow fat.- The orig. meaning
was 'to become better', fr. ON. batna, which is
rei. to OE. batian, OFris. batia, MLG., Du. baten,
OHG. ba;sen, Goth. ga-batnan, 'to become better, avail, benefit', and to OE. bet, 'better' (adv.),
betera, 'better' (adj.) See better, best.
batten, n., timber used in flooring. - F. baton,
'stick, staff'. See baton.
Derivative: batten, tr. v., batten-ing, n.
batter, tr. and intr. v., to beat violently and rapidly. - ME. bateren, batteren, fr. OF. batre,
battre (F. battre), 'to beat, strike', fr. L. battuere, later also battere, 'to beat, strike', which
is of Gaulish origin; fr. I.-E. base *bhat-, 'to
beat, strike', whence also L. con-futiire, 'to
check, suppress', re-futiire, 'to repel, refute', and
prob. also fatuus, 'stupid', lit. 'struck silly'. See
beat and cp. next word, abate, abattis, abattoir,
bascule, bat, 'club', bate, 'to reduce', bate, 'to
flutter', battalion, battle, battledore, combat, debate and the second element in andabata. Cp.
also confute, refute. Cp. also fade.
Derivatives: batter-ed, adj., batter-er, n.
batter, n., a mixture of flour, eggs and milk beaten up together. - ME. bature, batour, fr. OF.
bature, 'a beating', fr. batre, 'to beat'. See prec.
word.
batter, n., slope of a wall. - Perhaps fr. batter,
'to beat'.
Derivative: batter, intr. v., to slope backward
(said of walls).
battery, n.- F. batterie, fr. battre, 'to beat'. See
batter, 'to beat', and-y (representing F. -ie).
battle, n. - ME. bataile, fr. OF. ( = F.) bataille,
fr. L. battuiilia, battiilia, 'fighting and fencing
exercises of soldiers and gladiators', fr. battuere,
battere, 'to strike, beat'. See batter, 'to beat'.
battle, tr. and intr. v., to fight. - ME. batailen,
fr. OF. bataillier, batailler (F. batailler), 'to
fight', fr. bataille. See battle, n., and cp. embattle, 'to prepare for battle'.
battle, tr. v., to equip with battlements (archaic
or poetic). - OF. bataillier, 'to equip with
battlements, fortify', fr. batailles, 'battlements',
pl. of bataille, 'battle'. See battle, n.
battledore, n., a wooden instrument with a long
handle and a flat board used to strike a shuttlecock.- ME., prob. fr. OProven!;. batedor, 'an
instrument for beating', fr. L. battuere, battere,
'to beat, strike' (see batter, 'to beat'); influenced
in form by beetle.
battlement, n.- ME. batelment, fr. OF. bataillement, tr. bataillier, 'to equip with battlements,
to fortify'. See battle, 'to equip with battlements', and -ment and cp. embattle, 'to provide
with battlements'.
Derivatives: battlement,tr. v., battle-ment-ed, adj.

155
battology, n., superfluous repetition in speaking
or writing. - Gk. ~ocno:Aoyl&, 'a speaking
stammeringly', compounded of ~ocno.:;, 'stammerer' (cp. Boc"t"-ro~, name of a stammerer in
Herod. 4, 155; {3.xnocpl~ew, to stutter, stammer'), and -:Aoy!oc, fr. -A6yo.:;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. The first element is of imitative
origin. For the second element see -logy.
Derivatives: battolog-ical, adj., batto/og-ist, n.
battue, n., 1) beating of woods to drive game out;
2) the game thus shot.- F., 'beating', prop. fern.
pp. of battre,''to beat'. See batter, 'to beat'.
batz, n., a small coin, formerly current in Switzerland. - G. Batz, Batzen, orig. meaning 'a
thick piece, lump', rei. to the verb bat zen, 'to be
sticky, be adhesive', which is contracted fr.
*backezen, freq. of backen, 'to bake; to stick
together', but influenced in form by G. Biitz,
Petz, pet form of Biir, 'bear', the animal represented in the arms of Bern. See bake and bezzo.
bauble, n., jester's stick. - ME. babel, fr. OF.
baubel, babel, 'toy'; related to E. babe, baby.
baud, n., (a term in telegraphic signaling) one dot
per second.- Named after the French inventor
Jean Baudot (1845-1903).
baudekin, baudkin, n., baldachin (a kind of brocade). - ME., fr. OF. baudequin, fr. It. baldacchino. See baldachin.
bauson, n., badger (archaic).- ME. bausen, 'badger', fr. OF. bauc:ant, 'piebald' (whence also F.
balzan, 'horse with white stockings'), fr. VL.
*balteiinus, 'provided with girdles', fr. L. balteus, 'girdle', whence also Rum. bait, 'girdle',
biil(at, 'spotted, piebald'. See belt' and cp.
bauxite.
bausond, adj., having white spots or stripes (dial.
E.) - OF. bauc:ant. See prec. word.
bauxite, n., a claylike hydrate of aluminum (mineral.) - F., fr. Les Baux, near Soles in France,
where this compound was first found. The name
Les Baux, fr. Proven!;. Li Baus, lit. means 'the
precipices'. Proven!;. baus derives fr. L. balteus,
'girdle', whence also Rum. balf, 'girdle', It. balzo, 'shelf', balzare, 'to spring, jump'. See belt
and subst. sutf. -ite and cp. bauson.
bavenite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (mineral.) - Named after Baveno in Italy. For the
ending see subst. sutf. -ite.
bavette, n., a child's bib. - F., dimin. formed fr.
bave, 'drivel, slaver', fr. haver, 'to drivel, slobber' (whence bavarder, 'to babble, prattle'); of
imitative origin. Bavette lit. means 'slobbering
bib'. For the ending see suff. -ette.
bawbee, n., I) sixpence; 2) halfpenny.- Named
after the Laird of Sillebawby, a mintmaster of
Scotland in the 16th cent.
bawd, n., procurer, procuress. - ME. bawde,
'joyous, merry', pro b. fr. OF. baude, baud, 'bold',
which is of Teut. origin. Cp. OE. bald, beald,
'bold', and see bold.
Derivatives: bawdry (q.v.), bawd-y, adj.

bay salt

bawdry, n., obscenity.- ME. bawdery, prob. fr.

OF. bauderie, 'boldness', fr. baude, baud. See
prec. word and -y (representing OF. -ie).
bawl, intr. and tr. v., to howl, bellow. - Prob.
fr. ML. bauliire, 'to bark', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. Ice!. baula, 'to low', ON. baula,
'cow', lit. 'the lowing animal'. Cp. also bellow.
Derivatives: bawl, n., bawl-er, n.
baxter, n., a baker (Scot,) - Orig. 'a female
baker', fr. OE. brecestre, fern. of brecere, 'baker'.
See baker and -ster.
bay, n., inlet. - ME. baye, fr. F. baie, fr. Sp.
bahia, which is prob. of Basque origin. See
Meyer-Liibke in Zeitschrift fiir Romanische
Philologie, 32, 492. Cp. embay.
bay, n., part in the wall.- OF. baee (F. baie),
'an opening', prop. fern. pp. of baer (whence
F. bayer, bier, 'to gape'), taken as a noun, fr.
VL. badiire or batiire, 'to gape, yawn', a word of
imitative origin, whence also It. badare, Proven!;. badar, of s.m. Cp. abeyance, abash, badinage, baillone, beagle, bevel.
bay, adj., of reddish brown color. -OF. ( = F.)
bai, fr. L. badius, 'chestnut-brown', which is
cogn. with Olr. buide, 'yellow'. Cp. baize,
bayard.
Derivative: bay, n., an animal of bay color,
esp. a bay horse.
bay, intr. and tr. v., to bark. - ME. abayen,
bayen, fr. OF abaier, baier (F. aboyer), 'to bark',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. It. abbaiare.
Cp. also Gk. ~.xu~e~v. L. baubiiri, 'to bark', lit.
'to utter bau'.
Derivative: bay, n., barking.
bay, n., the European laurel tree.- Orig. 'berry',
fr. OF. ( = F.) baie, fr. L. biica, bacca, 'berry',
See bacci-.
baya, n., the weaverbird (Ploceus baya). - Hind.
baiii, bayii.
bayadere, a female dancer. - F. bayadere, fr.
Port. bailadeira, 'ballet dancer', fr. bailar, 'to
dance', fr. VL. ba/liire, 'to dance'. See ball,
'party for dancing'.
bayard, n., a bay horse. - OF., fr. bai. See bay,
adj. and -ard.
Bayard, n., a gentleman of great courage and integrity.- From the name of Pierre du Terrail,
seigneur de Bayard (1473-1524), the celebrated
'Chevalier sans peur et sans reproche' ('knight
without fear and without reproach').
bayberry, n.- Compounded of bay, 'the laurel',
and berry.
bayonet, n. - F. bayonnette, baionnette, fr.
Bayonne in Southern France; so called because
the first bayonets were made at Bayonne. For
sense development cp. bilbo, Toledo.
Derivatives: bayonet, tr. and intr. v., bayonet-ed,
adj., bayonet-eer, n.
bayou, n., a creek. - Amer. F., fr. Chocktaw
bayuk.
baysalt, n.- Fr. Bai, place in France (near Nantes), renowned as a shipping port for sea salt in

bazaar

156

OE. bed, gebed, 'prayer', rei. to OS. beda, gibed,

the 15th century. Cp. MDu. bayesout, G. Baibeta, 'request', gibet, MHG., G. gebet,
OHG.
origin.
and
meaning
same
the
of
salz, which are
'prayer', Du. bede, 'prayer, request', gebed,
bazaar, n., a market place.- Ult. fr. Pers. biiziir.
'prayer', G. Bitte, 'request, entreaty', Goth. bida,
'market', which is rei. to Pahlavi vaciir, of s.m.
'prayer, request', OHG., MHG., G. bitten, 'to
bazooka, n., a weapon consisting of a metal tube
ask, request', OHG. bet6n, MHG., G. beten, 'to
and used for launching an explosive rocket;
pray', Goth. bidjan, OE. biddan, 'to ask, pray'.
name
bazooka,
Fr.
11.War
World
in
first used
See bid.
of a kind of wind instrument invented and
Derivatives: bead, tr. and intr. v., bead-ed, adj.,
named by the American comedian Bob Burns
bead-ing, n., bead-y, adj.
(died in 1956).
beadle, n.- ME. bedel, fr. OF. bedel (F. bedeau),
bazzite, n., a silicate of scandium, etc. (mineral.)
a Teut. loan word. Cp. OE. bydel, OS. budil,
-Named after the Italian enigineer Alessandro
MLG. bOde/, bOddel, MDu. buel, Du. beul,
E. Bazzi (died in 1929). For the ending see
OHG. butil, MHG. biitel, G. Biittel, which are
subst. suff. -ite.
fr. OE. beodan, OS. biodan, etc., 'to anformed
the
in
mentioned
bdellium, n., 1) a substance
nounce, proclaim', with agential suff. -el, -if.
Bible, Gen. 2: 12 and Num. II: 7; 2) a gum
See bid and agential suff. -!e.
resin.- L., fr. Gk. ['13~A).wv, 'a fragrant gum',
Derivatives: beadle-dam, n., beadle-ship, n.
fr. Heb. btd6lal).
beagle, n., a small hound used in hare hunting.be, intr. v.- ME. been, bean, fr. OE. bean, 'to
ME. begle, prob. fr. OF. beegueule, fr. VL.
OHG.,
bim,
OHG.
bium,
OS.
be', rei. to blom,
batiita (or badiita) gula, 'open throat', fr. fern.
MHG., G. bin, 'I am', and cogn. with L. fui,
pp. of batiire or badiire, 'to open,' and gula,
'I have been',fueram, 'I had been',fuer6, 'I shall
'throat'; so called with reference to its bark.
have been', fu-turus, 'about to be', Oscan fust,
See bay, 'part in the wall' and gullet.
will be', L. fio, 'I become', Gk. <pue:tv, 'to make
Derivative: beagl-ing, n.
to grow', cpum~. 'nature', 01. bhtivati, 'bebeak, n. -ME. bee, fr. OF. ( = F.) bee, fr. VL.
comes, happens', bhutti/.1, 'been', bhavitram,
beccus (whence a so It. becco) said by Suetonius
world', bhdmi/.z, bhdman-, 'earth, world', Alb.
(De vita Caesarum, 18) to be of Gaulish origin.
huj, 'I dwell, spend the night', botE:, 'earth,
Cp. OE. becca, 'pickax', MHG. bickel, of s.m.,
world', ban(E), 'dwelling place', OSlav. byti, 'to
OHG. bicchan, 'to sting' Cp. also becasse and
'was',
buvo,
be',
'to
buti,
Lith.
'was',
be', bylu,
the first element in beccafico.
Olr. biu, 'I am', buith, 'to be', boi, 'was', OE.,
Derivatives: beak-ed, beak-y, adjs.
OS., OHG. biian, ON. btla, Goth. bauan, 'to
beaker, n.- ME. biker, fr. ON. bikarr, fr. VL.
dwell', Dan., Swed. bo, 'to dwell', Lith. butas,
blciirium [whence also OS. bikeri, OHG. beh'house', bukla, 'dwelling place', Ir. both, 'hut'.
hiiri (MHG., G. becher), It. bicchiere], fr. Gk.
*bhu-,
*bheu-,
base
fr.l.-E.
derive
words
All these
~ixo~, 'earthen wine vessel'; pro b. derived fr.
"to be, exist, grow'. Cp. bhava, bhumi-devi, bhut,
Syr. buq, 'a two-handled vase or jug', a word of
big, 'to build', bond, 'serf', boor, booth, bound,
imitative origin. Cp. Heb. baqbuq, 'bottle' and
adj., bower, 'cottage', bower, 'the knave in
see bacbuc. Cp. also pitcher.
cards', build, busk, 'to prepare', byre, the first
beakiron, n., the horn of an anvil; a bickern. clement in bylaw, and the second element in
Folk-etymological alteration of bickern (as if
neighbor. Cp. also fiat, future, phyle, physic,
compounded of beak and iron. See bickiron.
physio-, -phyte, and the second element in dubeam, n. -ME. beem, fr. OE. beam, 'tree, beam,
bious, eisteddfod, prabhu, probate, prove, superb,
column of light', rei. to OS. b6m, MLG., NLG.
symphytum, tribe, tribune, tribute.
b6m, MDu., Du. boom, OHG., MHG. bourn, G.
force.
intensifying
or
be- pref. with transitive
Baum, 'tree', OFris. biim, 'tree, gallows, be ...m,
OE. be-, toneless form of bl (see by); cp. OS. be,
Goth. bagms,OSwed.bag nand prob.alsoto ON.
resp. hi, MHG., G. be-, resp. bei, Goth bi,
baJmr, 'tree'; of uncertain etymology. Cp. boom,
(used both as a pref. and an adverb; in the
'pole', and the first element in bumboat.
latter case it means 'round about, by'). See by.
beamish, adj., beaming. -Coined by Lewis Carbeach, n. - Of uncertain origin.
roll (1832-98) fr. beam, in the sense of 'ray of
Derivatives: beach, tr. v., beach-y, adj.
light', and adj. suff. -ish.
becen,
beacen,
OE.
fr.
beekne,
ME.
n.
beacon,
bean, n. - ME. bene, fr. OE bean, rei. to OS.,
sign, signal', rei. to OS. b6kan, OHG. bouhhan,
OHG. bona, ON. baun, Dan. banne, Norw.
"'iHG. bouchen, OFris. haken [whence MLG.
bauna, Swed. bona, OFris. bane, MLG., MDu.
biike, G. Bake, MDu. biiken, Du. baak, baken,
bOne, Du. boon, MHG. bone, G. Bohne; prob.
ON. biikn, Dan. bavn, Swed. (fyr)bilk], 'beacon',
derived from the child's word bha-, 'something
fr.
borrowed
prob.
is
which
*baukna-,
fr. Teut.
swelling', whence also Gk. <pcxx6c;, 'lentil'. Cp.
L. bucina, 'a crooked horn or trumpet, signal
L.faba, 'bean', OSlav. bobU, Russ. bob, OPruss.
horn'; see Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS., P-45 s.v.
babo, 'bean', which prob. derive from the I.-E.
Bake. See buccinator and cp. beckon, buoy.
child's word bhabhii, 'bean', reduplication of
Derivatives: beacon, tr. and intr. v., beaconage, n.
bha-; see Fabaceae.
bead, n.- ME. bede, 'prayer; prayer bead', fr.

157

beauteous

certain origin. Cp. bestial, bestiary, bicho, the

Derivative: bean, tr. v.,to hit on the edge(s/ang).
element in beebe-de-mer and the second elefirst
word.
prec.
Fr.
(slang).
beano, n., beanfeast
ment in hartebeest.
bear, n., the animal. - ME. bere, fr. OE. bera,
Derivatives: beast-ly, adj. and adv., beast-lirei. to MDu. bere, Du. beer, OHG. bero, MHG.
ness, n.
ber, G. Biir, ON. bjorn, lit. 'the brown animal',
beat, tr. and intr. v. - ME. beten, fr. OE. beafr. I.-E. *bhero-, 'brown', whence also Lith.
tan, rei. to ON. bauta, beysta, MLG. boten.
beras, Lett. b"frs, 'brown', L. fiber, OE. beofor,
OHG. bo:;:;an, MHG. b6:;en, 'to beat', and to
'beaver', lit. 'the brown animal'. Cp. beaver, the
the second element in OHG. anab6:; (whence
animal, and brown. Cp. also the first element in
MHG. anebo:;, G. Ambofi), 'anvil', fr. I.-E. base
Bernard.
*bhat-, 'to beat, strike', whence also L. conDerivatives: bear, tr. v., bear-ish, adj., bear-ishfutiire, 'to check, suppress', refutiire, 'to repel.
ness, n.
refute', and prob. also fatuus, 'stupid', lit. struck
bear, tr. and intr. v., to carry. -ME. beren, fr.
silly'. Cp. batter, 'to beat', and words there reOE. beran, rei. to ON. bera, OFris. bera, Du.
ferred to. Cp. also baste, 'to beat', beetle, 'malbaren, OHG. beran, 'to bear, carry', Goth.
let', boss, 'protuberance', boterol, boutade, butt,
bairan, 'to bear, carry, give birth to', OHG. gi'to strike', butt, 'the thicker end of anything',
beran, MHG. gebern, G. gebiiren, Goth. gabutt, 'aim', button, and the second element in
bairan, 'to give birth to', fr. I.-E. base *bher-,
ambos.
whence also 01. bhtirati, 'bears', bhdrman, 'susDerivatives: beat, n., beaten (q.v.), beat-er, n.,
tenance, care, burden', Arm. berem, 'I bear,
beat-ing, n.
carry, bring', bern, 'burden', Gk. <pepetv, 'to
beat, adj., exhausted. - ME. bete, prop. short
bear, carry', <pwp, 'thief', L. ferre, 'to bear, carform of beten, pp. of beten, 'to beat'. See beat, v.
ry', fur, 'thief', Alb. mbar, bar, 'I carry, drag',
Beata, fern. PN. - Lit. 'happy', fern. of L.
bir, 'son', OSlav. ber(J, birati (for earlier birti),
beiitus. See beatitude and cp. Beatrice.
'to bring together, collect, take', brem(!, 'burbeaten, adj., prop. pp. of the verb beat.- ME.
den', sii-borii, 'assembly', Olr. biru, 'I carry',
beten, fr. OE. beaten, pp. of beatan, 'to beat'.
W. cymeraf, 'I take', Toch. AB piir, 'to
See prcc. word.
bear, bring, fetch', and prob. also Toch. B
beatific, beatifical, adj., making blessed. - Late
priiri, 'finger'. Cp. bairn, baron, barrow, 'mounL. beiitificus, whence beiitificiire. See beatify and
bore,
birth,
bier,
berth,
'handcart',
tain', barrow,
-fie, resp. also -a!.
'tidal wave', borough, burden, 'load', burly. Cp.
Derivatives: beatifical-ly, adv., beatific-ate, tr.
also adiaphoresis, adiaphorous, afferent, amv., beatification (q.v.)
phora, anthropophora, Berenice, bhat, breba,
beatification, n., process of making or becoming
brehon, cataphora, circumference, confer, cumber,
blessed. - F. beatification, fr. beatifier. See
defer, deference, differ, difference, differentiate,
next word and -ation.
efferent, -fer, feretory, -ferous, ferret, the animal,
beatify, tr. v.,- to make blessed; to make happy.
fertile, fortuitous, fortune, furtive, furuncle, in-F. beatifier, 'to beatify', fr. post-classical L
fer, metaphor, offer, opprobrium, paraphernalia,
becitificiire, 'to make happy', which is comperiphery, phoradendron, phoresis, Phonnium,
pounded of L. beiitus, 'happy, prosperous', and
profprefer,
phosphorus,
-phorous, phosphorous,
-ficiire, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. Becitus is prop.
fer, refer, scirophorion, semaphore, Sobranje,
pp. of beiire, 'to make happy, to bless', which is
suffer, transfer, varnish, vernix caseosa, Veroprob. rei. to bene, 'well', bonus, 'good'. See
nica, vociferate.
bene-, bonus, and -fy and cp. next word, beati
Derivatives: bear-able, adj., bear-er, n., beartude, Beatrice.
ing, n.
beatille, n., tidbit, dainties. - F., orig. 'work
beard, n.- ME. fr. OE. beard, rei. to OFris. berd,
done by nuns', fr. beate, fern. of beat, 'blessed.
MDu. baert, Du. baard, OHG., MHG. G. bart,
devout', fr. L. beiitus. See beatify.
'beard', fr.I.-E. base *bhar-dhii, 'beard', whence
beatitude, n., blessedness, happiness. - F. beati
also L. barba (assimilated from original *farbii,
tude, fr. L. beiititudinem, ace. of becititudo, 'hapfor *bhardhii), OSlav. brada, Russ. borodd,
piness, blessedness, coined by Cicero fr. beiitus.
OPruss. bordus, Lett. bilrda, Lith. barzda (this
See beatify and -ude.
latter was influenced in form by Baltic *barzdii,
beatnik, n., a person behaving and dressing in an
'furrow'). I.-E. *bhar-dlui- prop. means 'bristle'.
unconventional manner. - A hybrid coined
Cp. OE. byrst, 'bristle', and see bristle. Cp. also
from the adj. beat and -nik, a suiT. of Yiddish,
barb, 'beard', barbate, barbel, barber, barbet,
ult. Slavic origin (see nudnik).
barbette, barbicel, barbule and the second eleBeatrice, fern. PN.- F. Beatrice, fr. L. beiitricem.
ment in halberd, Langobard, lombard.
fern. of beiitrix, 'she who makes happy', fr. beciDerivatives: beard, tr. v., beard-er, n., beard-ing,
tus, 'happy', prop. pp. of beiire, 'to make happy".
n., beard-less, adj., beard-less-ness, n., beard-y,
See beatify and cp. Beata.
adj.
beantoous, adj., beautiful. - Formed with suff.
beast, n. - ME. beste, fr. OF. beste (F. bite),
-ous fr. OF. beaute (F. beaute). See beauty.
fr. L. bestia, 'beast, wild animal', which is ofun-

beaujolais

beaujolais, n., a type of burgundy. - Named

from the Beaujolais district in the department of
the Lyonnais in France.
beaune, n., a type of burgundy. - So called fr.
the Beaune district in the department of the
COte d'Or in France, where it is produced.
beautiful, adj. and n.- A hybrid coined fr. beauty, a word of French origin, and English full;
first used by Tyndale.
Derivatives: beautiful-ly, adv., beautiful-ness, n.
beautify, tr. v. - See beauty and -fy.
beauty, n.- ME. bealte, beaute (F. beaute), fr.
L. bellitiitem, ace. of bellitiis, 'prettiness, charm,
loveliness, beauty', fr. bellus, 'pretty, handsome,
charming, fine, lovely, beautiful', which stands
for *dwenelos, *dwenlos, and is rei. to L. bene,
'well', bonus, earlier *dwenos, 'good', prob. also
to beiire, 'to make happy', beiitus 'happy' and
cogn. with 01. duvas-, 'gift, honor, respect',
duvas-ytiti, 'honors, respects'. Cp. bonus, and
words there referred to. Cp. also beatify, beldam(e), belladonna, belle, belles-lettres, Bellis, belvedere, clara bella, embellish, Christabel, Rosabel.
beaver, n., a rodent of the genus Castor. - ME.
bever,fr. OE. beofor, rei. to ON. biarr, OS. bi1Jar,
OHG. bihar, MHG., G. biber, 'beaver', and
cogn. with L. fiber, OSlav. bebru, Lith. bebrus
(also dissimilated into vebrus, debrus), Lett.
b~hrs, hebris, OPruss. bebrus, W. hefer, Bret.
bieuzr, Avestic hawra, 'beaver'. All these words
lit. denote 'the brown animal'; they derive fr.
I.-E. *bhe-bhru-s, 'very brown', whence also 01.
babhru/:z, adj., 'brown'; n., 'the larger ichneumon'. I.-E. *bhe-bhru-s is reduplication of base
*bhero-, 'brown'. Both the bear and the beaver
are called after their color. See bear, n., and
brown.
beaver, n., the lower, movable, part of the helmet.- ME. haviere, fr. OF. baviere, lit. 'a bib',
fr. haver, 'to drivel, slobber', which is of imitative origin. Cp. bavette.
beaverite, n., a hydrous sulfate of copper, lead,
iron and aluminum (mineral.) - Named after
Beaver County in Utah. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
becalm, tr. v. -Formed fr. be- and calm.
became, past tense of become. - See become
and came.
becasse, n., the woodcock. - F., formed fr. bee,
'beak', with the augment. suff. -asse. See beak.
because, adv. - ME. bi cause, fr. bi, 'by', and
cause, 'cause'. See by and cause.
beccafico, n., any of various migratory birds. It., prop. 'fig peeker', compounded of beccare,
'to peck' and fico, 'fig'. It. beccare derives fr.
becco, 'beak', fr. VL. beccus; see beak. It. figo
comes fr. L.ficus; see fig.
bechamel, n., a rich white sauce. - F. bechamel,
fr. the name of Louis de Beclwmel, a steward
of Louis XIV.
bechaDce, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. be- and
cbance.

158

bkhe-de-mer, n., sea slug, trepang.- F., altered

fr. Port. bicho-do-mar, lit. 'sea worm'. Port. bicho, 'animal, worm', derives fr. VL. bestius,
'animal', whence also Sp. bicho, 'insect'; see
bicho. Port. do, 'of the', is a contraction of de,
'from, of' (fr. L. de, 'from, away from'), and the
masc. def. art. o, fr. earlier to (fr. L. ilium, ace.
of ille, 'that'); see de- and ille. Port. mar, 'sea',
derives fr. L. mare, of s.m.; see mare, 'sea'.
beck, n., sign, nod. - Fr. obsol. beck, v., shortenend fr. beckon (q.v.)
beck, n., a vat. - See back, 'vat'.
beck, n., a small stream, a brook.- ME. bek,
fr. ON. bekkr, See bache.
becket, n., a device used for fastening loose ends
of ropes, oars, tackle, etc. (naut.)- Of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: becket, tr. v.
beckon, tr. and intr. v. - ME. beknen, bekenen,
fr. OE. beacnian, 'to make signs, point out', fr.
beacen, 'a sign'. See beacon.
Derivatives: beckon, n., beckon-ed, n., beckoning, n., beckon-ing-ly, adv.
become, intr. and tr. v. - ME. bicumen, becumen, fr. OE. becuman, 'to come to, meet with,
happen', rel. to Du. bekomen, MHG. bekomen,
G. bekommen, 'to suit, agree' (in G. said only
of food), Goth. biqiman, 'to come upon one',
and to OE. gecweme, ME. iqueme, queme, OHG.
biquiimi, MHG. bequreme, G. bequem, 'convenient, fitting, suitable'. See be- and come.
bed, n. - OE. bedd, bed, rei. to OS. beddi, bed,
ON. beJr, Dan. bed, Swed. biidd, MLG., MDu.
bedde, Du. bed, OHG. betti, MHG. bette, bet,
G. Bett, Goth. badi, 'bed', prop. 'a couch dug
into the ground', fr. I.-E. base *hhedh, *bhod-,
'to dig, pierce', whence also Hitt. beda-, 'to pierce, prick', Gk. ~6-&upo~. 'pit', L. fodere, 'to dig',
fossa, 'ditch', Lith. badau, badyti, 'to pierce,
prick', bedu, besti, 'to dig', Lett. badu, badit, 'to
pierce, prick', Lith. bidre, Lett. b(!du, best, 'to
dig', bedre, 'pit', OPruss. boadis, 'prick', OSlav.
bodQ, bosti, 'to prick', hodli, 'thorn', W. bedd,
Co. bedh, Bret. bez, 'grave'. G. Beet, 'gardenbed', is a variant of Bett, 'bed'. Cp. bothrium,
fosse, fossil.
bed, tr. v.- ME. beddien, bedden, fr. OE. beddian,
'to place in a bed, to bed', fr. bedd, 'bed'. See
bed, n.
Derivatives: bedd-ed, adj. bedd-er, n.
bedding, n.- OE., fr. bedd. See bed, n., and subst.
suff. -ing.
bedeck, tr. v.- Formed fr. be- and deck, v.
bedeguar, bedegar, n., a mossy growth on rosebushes. - F. bedeguar, bedegar, fr. Pers. biidaward, lit. 'wind rose', fr. biid, 'wind', and ward,
'rose'. The first element is rel. to Avestic viita-,
'winl!l', viiiti, 'blows', 01. vdtab, 'wind', vditi,
'blows'; see wind, n. For the second element
see rose.
bedel, bedell, n,- Variants of beadle.
bedevil, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and deviL

bedew, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and dew.

bedight, v., to adorn.- Formed fr. be- and dight.
bedikah, n., examination, required by Jewish
religious law.- Mishnaic Heb. b1dhiqd 11 , 'examination, inspection, search', verbal noun of
biidhtiq, 'he examined, tested, scrutinized', fr.
Biblical Hebrew, biidhtiq, 'he mended, repaired',
which is rel. to Biblical Hebrew bedheq, 'fissure,
rent, breach', Aram. btdhtiq, 'he examined, explored', bidhqd, 'fissure, rent, breach'.
bedim, tr. v.- Formed fr. be- and dim.
bedizen, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and dizen.
bedlam, n., a lunatic asylum. - From Bedlam,
fr. ME. Bed/em, fr. earlier Beth/em, fr. Betlehem (q.v.); originally name of a hospital in London, converted later into a lunatic asylum.
Derivatives: bedlam-ism, n., bedlam-ite, n., bedlam-ize, tr. v.
Bedlington terrier, bedlington, n. - From Bedlington, town in Northumberlan d, England,
where it was first bred.
Bedouin, n. - F. bedouin, fr. Arab. badawfn, lit.
'desert dwellers',pl.of badawf,fr.badw(in vulgar
pronunciation bedu), 'camp; desert'. The plural
suff. -in in Arab. badawfn was mistaken for part
of the word. Cp. assassin.
bedraggle, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and draggle.
bedridden, adj. - ME. hedrede, fr. OE. bedrida,
lit. 'bed rider' (in contradistincti on to a 'horse
rider'), formed fr. bed and ridan, 'to ride'. See
bed, n., and ride.
bee, n. - ME. bee, fr. OE. beo, rel. to OS.,
OSwed. bi, ON. by, Dan., Swed. bi, MDu. bie,
Du. hij, OHG. bia, OS. bini, OHG. bina, MHG.
bin, G. Biene, fr. I.-E. base *hi-, whence also
OSlav. bicela, ):..-ith. bite, bitls, Lett. bite, OPruss.
bitte, 'bee', OW. bydaf, 'beehive'.
beech, n. - ME. heche, fr. OE. bece, rel. to bac,
bac-treo, 'beech tree', OS. bake, ON. bak, Norw.
hok, Swed. bok, Dan. bog, MDu. boeke, Du.
heuk, OHG. buohha, MHG. buoche, G. Buche,
and cogn. with Gk. '?1JY6~, 'oak', L. fagus
'beech', Russ. buzinti, 'elder'. Cp. Kurdish buz,
'elm'. Cp. also book, buckwheat. Cp also Fagus
and the first element in Fagopyrum and in
Phegopteris.
Derivatives: beech, beech-en, beech-y, adjs.
beef, n. - ME. boef, beef, fr. OF. boef, buef (F.
bt:euf), fr. L. bovem, ace. of bas, 'ox'. See bovine
and cp. next word. Cp. also biffin.
Derivatives: beef-ish, adj., beef-ish-ness, n., beefY, adj., beef-i-ness, n.
beefeater, n. - Compounded of beef and eater
and lit. meaning 'one who eats another's beef'.
For sense development cp. OE. hlaf-:ita, 'servant', lit. 'loaf eater'.
Beelzebub, n., 1) a Philistine god worshiped at
Ekron; 2) the chief devil.- L., used in the Vulgate to render Heb. bti'al z 1bhUbh, god of the
Ekronites (II Kings I :2), lit. 'lord of flies', fr.
Heb. bd'al, 'lord' and z 1bhUbh, 'fly'. See Baal
and zimb.

been, pp. of be. - ME. ben, fr. OE. beon, 'been',

pp. of beon, 'to be', See be.
beer, n.- OE. beor, rei. to OS., OHG. bior, ON.
biarr,OFris.hi iir,MLG.,MDu . ber,Du., MHG.,
G. bier, fr. Eccles. L. biber (pl. biberes), 'drink,
beverage', fr. L. bibere, 'to drink'. See beverage.
Derivatives: beer-ish, adj., beerish-ly, adv., beery, adj., beer-i-ly, adv., beer-i-ness, n.
beestings, biestings, n., first milk of a cow after
calving. - ME. bestinge, fr. OE. bysting, fr.
byst, beost, which is rel. to OS., OHG. hiost,
MDu., Du., MHG., G. biest, 'beestings', and in
vowel gradation to Norw. budda (for *'buzda),
'beestings', fr. I.-E. base *bhau-, *bhu-, 'to swell'.
See belly.
beet, n. - ME. bete, fr. OE. bete, fr. L. beta,
'beet', which is of Celtic origin. See Ettmayer
in Zeitschrift fiir neufranzosische Sprache und
Literatur, vol. 32, pp. 153ff. Cp. Beta.
beetle, n., any insect of the order Coleoptera. ME. betel, fr. OE. bitula, prop. 'little biter',
formed from the base of bitan, 'to bite', with
suff. -el. See bite and dimin. suff. -le.
beetle, n., a heavy wooden mallet.- ME. betylle,
fr. OE. betel, bite/, 'mallet', rei. to LG. hOtel,
of s.m., MHG. hoeJel, 'cudgel'. These words lit.
mean 'beater'. They are formed fr. Teut. base
*baut-, 'to beat, strike', with instrumental suff.
-el, -/e. See beat and instrumental suff. -le.
Derivatives: beetle, tr. v., beetl-er, n.
beetle, intr. v., to project; adj., projecting. -Of
uncertain origin; possibly rei. to beetle, 'insect'.
Cp. next word.
beetle-browed, adj. having projecting eyebrows.
- ME. bitelbrowed, compounded of bite/, 'projecting' (see prec. word), and the adj. browed,
which is formed fr. brow with suff. -ed.
befall, intr. and tr. v. - ME. bifallen, fr. OE.
befeallan, 'to fall into (a habit)', fr. be- and
feallan, 'to fall'. See fall, v.
befit, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and the verb fit.
Derivatives: befitt-ing, adj., befitt-ing-ly, adv.,
befitt-ing-ness, n.
befog, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and fog.
befool, tr. v. - ME. be/olen, formed fr. be- and
fol, 'fool', See fool.
before, prep. adv. and conj. - ME. beforen, biforen, fr. OE. be/oran, b1joran, fr. he-, 'by' and
adv. foran, 'in front', fr. fore, 'before'. See beand fore and cp. former.
befoul, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and foul.
befriend, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and friend.
befurred, adj. - Formed fr. be- and pp. of the
verb fur.
beg, tr. and intr. v. - ME. beggen, back formation fr. AF. hegger, fr. OF. begard, begart, 'beggar', fr. MDu. beggaert, 'mendicant'. Cp. beggar. Cp. also Beguine, biggin, 'cap'.
Derivatives: begg-ing, n. and adj., begg-ing-ly,
adv.
beg, n., a bey.- The same as bey. Cp. beglerbeg.
and begum.

began
began, past tense of begin. - ME. began, vr. OE.
begann, fr. beginnan. See begin.
beget, tr. v. - ME. bigiten, fr. OE. begitan, beaietan 'to get', fr. be- and gitan; rei. to Goth.
bigita~, OHG.pige33an, 'to get, obtain'. See get.
Derivative: begett-er, n.
beggar, n. - ME. beggar, beggere, fr. OF. begard, begart. See beg, v.
Derivatives: beggar, tr. v., beggar-ly, adj., beggar-li-ness, n., beggar-y, n.
begin, tr. and intr. v.- ME. beginnen, fr. OE. beginnan, rei. to OS., OHG. beginnan, MDu. beghinnen, MLG., Du., MHG., G. beginnen, OFris.
bijenna, Goth. du-ginnan, 'to begin', fr. Teut.
*bi-ginnan, fr. bi- (see be) and *ginnan, which
is prob. cogn. with Alb. ze and zq, 'to touch,
begin'. Cp. gin, 'to begin'.
Derivatives: beginn-er, n., beginn-ing, n.
begird, tr. v.- ME. begyrden, fr. OE. begyrdan,
fr. be- and gyrdan, 'to gird'. See gird, 'to encircle'.
beglerbeg, n., formerly, governor of a province in
the Ottoman empire.- Turk., lit. 'bey of beys',
fr. begler, pl. of beg, 'bey', and beg, 'bey'. See
bey and cp. beg, n., begum.
begnaw, tr. v. - OE. begnagan, fr. be- and gnagan, 'to gnaw'. See gnaw.
begone, intr. v. and interj. - Prop. two words:
be gone [i.e. the imper. be (see be) and the pp.
of go].
begonia, n.- F., named by the botanist Plumier
(I646-qo6) after Michel Begon (1638-I7IO),
governor of Santo Domingo, a patron of botanical study. For the ending sec suff. -ia.
begot, past tense of beget.
begotten, pp. of beget.
begrime, tr. v. -Of LG. origin; cp. MDu. begriemen, begremen. See be- and grime, v.
begrudge, tr. v. -Formed fr. be- and grudge.
Derivative: begrudg-ing-ly, adv.
beguile, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and guile.
Derivatives: beguile-ment, n., beguil-er, n., bef{ui!-ing-/y, adv.
Beguine, n., name of the members of certain lay
sisterhoods founded in the I 3th cent. - F. beruine, prob. fern. of beguin, 'monk, friar', a var.
of hegard, fr. MDu. beggaert, 'mendicant'. See
beg, v.
brgum, n. - Turk., a hybrid coined fr. beg and
Arab. umm, 'mother', and orig. meaning 'mother of the bey'. For the first element sec bey. The
second element is rei. to Heb. em, Aram.-Syr.
em, Ethiop. em, Akkad. ummu, 'mother'.
begun, pp. of begin.
behalf, n.- ME., in the phrase on mi beha/fe, 'on
my side', fr. OE. he healfe, 'by the side', fr. be,
'by', and healfe, 'half, part, side'. See be- and
half.
behave, tr. and intr. v.- ME. behaven, fr. OE.
behabban, 'to restrain', formed fr. be- and habhan,
'to have' (see have). The orig. meaning was 'to
have (oneself) under one's control'.

160

behavior, behaviour, n. -Irregular formation fr.

behave, owing to a confusion with havior, 'possession'.
behaviorism, n. (psychol.) - Coined by the American psychologist John Broadus Watson I878I958) in 1913 fr. behavior and suff. -ism.
behaviorist, n. - See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: behaviorist-ic, adj., behaviorist-ical-ly, adv.
behead, tr. v. - ME. bihefden, biheden, fr. OE.
beheafdian, fr. be- and OE. heafod, 'head'. See
head.
beheld, past tense and pp. of behold.
behemoth, n., a huge beast, probably the hippopotamus. - Heb. b'hem6th, used in the sense
of a plural of intensity of b'hemti", 'beast' (see
Job 40: I 5-24). The assumed connection of Heb.
b'hem6th with Egypt. p-ehe-mau, 'ox of the
water', was justly rejected by W. Max Miiller.
behen, n., the plant Centaurea behen. - Arab.
btihman, in vulgar pronunciation bellmen, fr.
Pers. bahman, a kind of root resembling a large
radish.
behest, n. - ME. behest, bihest, fr. OE. behii's.
'promise, vow', fr. behiitan. See next word and
cp. hest.
behight, tr. v., to entrust, commit. - The orig.
meaning was 'to promise, vow'; ME. bihaten.
fr. OE. behiitan, 'to promise, vow', fr. be- and
hiitan, 'to command'. See hight and cp. prcc.
word.
behind, prep. and adv. - ME. behinden, fr. OE.
behindan, fr. be- and hindan, 'behind'. See hind,
adj.
Derivative: behind, n.
behold, tr. v.- ME. beholden, fr. OE. behealdan.
behaldan, 'to hold by,possess', fr. be-andhealtlan.
haldan, 'to hold'. See hold, v.
Derivatives: beholden (q.v.), behold-er, n.
beholden, adj. --Prop. pp. of behold, used in its
earlier sense as 'held by, attached to'.
behoof, n.- ME. behof(chiefty in the dat. behore
with the prep. to, 'for the usc of'), fr. OE. behaf.
'profit, benefit, advantage, need', rei. to OFris ..
MLG. hehof, Du. behoef, MHG. behuof, G.
Behuf, "benefit, usc, advantage', Dan. behor.
Swcd. hehof, 'need, necessity', and in gradational
relationship to E. have and heave.
behove, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hehoren, fr. OF.
behOfian, 'to need, require', fr. behaf. See prec.
word.
beige, n., 1) undyed and unbleached wool fabric:
2) its grayish brown color; adj. grayish brown.
-F., 'of natural color, undyed' (said of wool).
of uncertain origin; not fr. It. bambagia,
'cotton.
being, n. - Formed fr. be with subst. suff. -ing.
beje~el, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and jewel.
bekah, n., half a shekel.- Hcb. beqa', lit. 'fraction, pan', from the base of biiqd', 'he cleaved,
broke through', which is rei. to Aram. b'qa',
Syr. p'qd', of s.m., Mishnaic Hcb. piiqti', 'split,

161

sprang off', p'qd'ath, 'coil, ball', Arab.ftiqa'a,

vulgar faqa'a, ba'aqa, ba'aja, of s.m., Ethiop.
abqtiwa, 'he opened wide his mouth'.
Bel, n., the god of the earth in Babylonian mythology. - Akkad. Belu (whence Heb. Bel, Gk.
B'ij:A.o~), lit. 'owner, master, lord', rei. to Heb.
Bd'al. See Baal.
bel, n., a unit for determining in logarithms the
ratios of power.- From the name of Alexander
Graham Bell (1847-1922), the inventor of the
telephone.
belabor, belabour, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and
labor.
Belamcanda, n., a genus of plants of the iris
family (bot.) - ModL., of East Indian origin.
belated, adj. - Formed fr. be-, late and suff. -eel.
Derivatives: belated-ly, adv., belated-ness, n.
belaud, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and laud.
belay, tr. and intr. v. -ME. beleggen, fr. OE.
belecgan, 'to lay round', fr. be- and lecgan, 'to
lay'. See lay, v.
belch, intr. and tr. v., to erect. - ME. be/chen,
fr. OE. bealcian, prob. rei. to LG. and Du. halken, 'to shout, bellow'.
Derivative: belch-er, n.
belcher, n., a kind of handkerchief. - Named
after the English prizefighter Jim Belcher
(I78I-I8II).
beldam(e), n., an old woman; esp. a hideous old
woman. -OF. beldame (F. belle dame), 'beautiful lady', formerly used in the sense of 'grandmother'. See beauty and dame and cp. belladonna.
beleaguer, tr. v. - Du. belegeren, 'to besiege',
formed fr. pref. be-, which corresponds to E.
be-, and Ieger, ''bed; camp; army'. See leaguer
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: beleaguer-er, n., beleaguer-ment, n.
belemnite, n., name of a tapering fossil of a
cephalopod resembling the cuttlefishes (paleonFormed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk.
lo/.) ~~).ep.vov, 'dart', fr. ~E:A.o~, 'dart', which stands
in gradational relationship to [H)J.ew, 'to
throw'. Accordingly, belemnite prop. means
'dart-shaped'. See ballistic.
belfry, n., a bell tower. - ME. berfray, fr. OF.
berfrei, berfroi (F. beffroi), fr. MHG. bercvrit,
'watchtower', fr. OHG. bergfrid, lit. 'that which
watches over peace', fr. OHG. bergan (whence
MHG., G. bergen), 'to save, cover', and OHG.
fridu (whence MHG. vride,G.Friede),'peace'.The
first element is rei. to OE. beorgan, 'to save, preserve'; see bury. The second element is rei. to
OE. /riou, 'peace'; see free. It. battifredo, 'belfry', is a loan word fr. F. beffroi, but was influenced in form by an association with It.
battere, 'to strike' (see batter, v.) E. belfry was
influenced by bell, with which, however, it is not
connected derivatively. Cp. the first element in
frankpledge.
Belial, n., 1) worthlessness, wickedness; 2) Satan. - Heb. b~liyyd'al, lit. 'uselessness', com-

belles-lett res
pounded of belt, 'without', and yd'al, 'use, usefulness'.
belie, tr. v. - ME. belien, fr. OE. be/eagan, "fr.
be- and leogan, 'to lie'. See lie, 'to tell an untruth'.
belief, n. - ME. bileafe, formed (with change of
pref. ge- into hi-) fr. OE. geleafa, 'belief', which
is rei. to OS. gi/675o, Du. gelooj; OHG. gilouho.
MHG. geloube, gloube, G. Glaube, Goth. galaubeins, 'belief', and to E. lief and love (qq.v.)
Cp. next word.
believe, tr. and intr. v. - ME. bileven, fr. OE.
belifan, belefan, rei. to ge/Yfan, gelefan, OS. gilobian, Du. ge/oven, OHG. gi/ouben, MHG. gelouben, glouben, G. glauben, Goth. galaubjan,
'to believe', and to OE. geleafa, 'belief'. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: believ-able, adj., believ-er, n., believ-ing, adj., believ-ing-ly, adv.
belike, adv., probably (archaic). - Formed fr.
be- (in the sense of by) and like.
belittle, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and little.
bell, n., a hollow vessel of metal. - ME. belle,
fr. OE. belle, rei. to MLG., MDu. belle, Du. bel,
ON. bjalla, 'bell', and to OE. bel/an, 'to bellow,
cry'. See bellow and cp. next word.
Derivatives: bell, tr. v., to furnish with bells,
bell-ing, n.
bell, intr. v., to bellow (as the stag in the rutting
season); to roar. - ME. bel/en, fr. OE. bel/an.
See bell, n.
Derivative: bell, n., a bellow (as the cry of the
stag in the rutting season); a roar.
belladonna, n., r) a poisonous plant; 2) a drug extracted from this plant. -It. (whence F. belladone), lit. 'a beautiful woman', from bella, fern.
of bello (fr. L. bel/us), 'beautiful', and donna,
'woman, lady' (fr. L. domina) (see beauty and
dame and cp. beldame); so called in allusion to
the cosmetic once made from it.
Bellatrix, n., a star in Orion (astron.) - L. belliitrix, 'a female warrior', fern. of belliitor, fr.
belliire, 'to wage war', fr. bellum, 'war'. Sec
bellicose and -trix.
belle, n., a beautiful woman. - F., adj. used as
a noun, fern. of beau, 'beautiful' fr. L. hellus.
See beau, and cp. embellish.
Belle, fem. PN. - Fr. prec. word.
belleric, n., the fruit of the plant called Terminalia
bel/erica.- F. bel/eric, fr. Arab. balfiaj, in vulgar pronunciation, beli/aj, fr. Pers. balilah.
Bellerophon, n., a Greek hero, son of Glaucus
and Eurymede (Greek mytlwl.) - L., fr. Gk.
BEAA.epo<;)(~v, more frequently Bc::Ms~oq;';"'"~
which prob. means lit. 'the killer of a demon
called Bellerus', fr. lltnepo:;, 'Bellerus', name
of a demon and -c;>6v.-r,~, 'killer of', fr. q;0vo;,
'murder'; see defend. The identification of the
first element with a king of Corinth supposedly
called Bellerus is folk etymology.
belles-Jettres, n. pl., literature. - F., lit. 'fine
letters', fr. belles, pl. of belle, fern. of beau, 'fine,

belletrist
beautiful', and lettres, pl. of lettre, 'letter . See
beauty and letter.
belletrist, n., a student ofbelles-lettres.-Formed
fr. prec. word with sutf. -ist.
Derivative: belletrist-ic, adj.
bellicose, adj., warlike, hostile. - L. bel/icosus,
'warlike', fr. bel/icus, 'pertaining to war', fr.
bellum, 'war', fr. OL. dvel/um, dikllum, which
is of uncertain origin. Duellum in the sense of
'duel' is Medieval Latin (see duel). Cp. Bellona,
rebel, revel. For the ending see adj. sutf. -ose.
Derivatives: bellicose-ly, adv., bellicose-ness, n.
bellicosity, n., hostility.- See prec. word and -ity.
bellied, adj. - Formed fr. belly with sutf. -eel.
belligerency, n. -Formed fr. next word with
sutf. -cy.
belligerent, adj., 1) at war; 2) warlike; n., a person
or nation engaged in war. - F. bel/igerant, fr.
L. be/ligerantem, ace. of be/ligeriins, pres. part.
of belligeriire, 'to wage war', fr. bel/iger, 'waging
war', fr. bellum, 'war' and gerere, 'to bear,
carry'. See bellicose and gerent.
Bellis, n., the genus of daisies (bot.)- L., 'daisy',
prop. 'the handsome flower', formed on analogy of Greek nouns ending in -L<; fr. L. bel/us,
'pretty'. See beauty and cp. words there referred to.
Bellona,n., the goddessofwarinRoman mythology. - L., fr. OL. Duel/ona, fr. duellum, 'war'.
See bellicose. For the sutf. -na cp. L. Liito-na
(fr. Dor. A<X-rw, Gk. A'f)-rw) and miitr6-na, 'matron' (fr. miiter, 'mother'); see Latona, matron.
bellote, n., the edible acorn of the holm oak. Sp. bellota fr. Arab. ballilta". in vulgar pronunciation bell6ta, 'acorn'.
bellow, intr. v., to make a loud noise, to roar. ME. be/wen, fr. OE. bylgian, rei. to OE. bel/an,
'to bellow', MDu. bel/en, OHG. bel/an, MHG.,
G. bel/en, 'to bark' and E. bell, 'to bellow'; fr.
I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to make a loud noise, to
sound, ring, roar', whence also OI. bhaJd-,
'barking', bhti{fate, 'speaks, talks'. Cp. bawl,
bell, 'metallic vessel', boulder, the first element
in balderdash and in poltergeist, and the second
element in dubash.
Derivatives: bellow, n., bel/ow-er, n.
bellows, n. pl. - ME. bely; prop. a variant of
belly (q.v.)
belly,n.- ME. bali, bely, fr. OE. b;e[g, belig, belg,
'bag, belly, bellows', related to ON. belgr, 'bag,
bellows', Swed. balg, 'belly, bellows', Du. balg,
'belly', OHG. balg, MHG. bale, G. Ba/g, 'bellows', Goth. balgs, 'wineskin', OE. -belg (in
beanbelg, 'bean pod'), OHG. belgan, 'to swell',
ON. by/gja, 'billow', bolstr [for *bul(h)stra],
'bolster', lit. 'something swelled', fr. Teut. base
*belg-, which corresponds to I.-E. base *bhelgh-,
'to swell', whence OPruss. balsinis (for *bholghi-nos), 'cushion', Lett. pabalsts, 'pillow',
Serbo-Croat. bliizina (for bolzina), 'pillow',
Olr. bo/gaim, 'I swell', bolg, 'bag', W. bol, bola,
bo/y, 'belly', Bret. bo/c'h, 'flax pod'. (L. bulga,

104!

'leather knapsack', is a Gaulish loan word.) Cp.

bellows, bilge, billow, bolster, budge, 'fur', budget, bulge. Base *bhelgh-, is an enlargement of
base *bhel-, 'to swell'. See bull, 'male of the ox,
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: belly, intr. v., helly-er, n., belly-ful,
adj.
belong, intr. v. - ME. belongen, fr. Iangen, 'to
concern', fr. lang, long, fr. OE. gelang, 'at hand,
attainable, dependent on', which is rel. to MDu.
belanghen, Du. belangen, G. belangen, 'to concern; to belong to' (whence Du. belang, resp.
G. Belang, 'concern, interest, importance'), and
to OE. lang, etc., 'long'. The orig. meaning of
the above verbs prob. was 'to be alongside of'.
See long, adj., and cp. along.
Derivatives: belong-er, n., belong-ings, n. pl.
Belostoma, n., a genus of aquatic bugs (zoo/.) ModL., lit. 'arrow-mouthed', fr. Gk. ~t:Ao~.
'arrow, dart', and a-r6fL<X, 'mouth'. The first
element stands in gradational relationship to
~ocllELV, 'to throw'; see ballistic. For the second element see stoma.
belove, tr. v.; now only in the passive.- ME.
biluven, formed fr. bi- and luven, 'to love'. See
be- and love, v.
beloved, adj. - Prop. pp. of belove.
below, adv. and prep. - Formed fr. be- and the
adj. low.
Belshazzar, n., the last Chaldaean king of Babylon (Bible). - Heb. Belshatztzdr, contraction
of Akkad. Bel-shar-U[/ur i.e. 'Bel, protect the
king'.
belt, n.- ME., fr. OE., rel. to ON. belti, OHG.
balz, fr. L. balteus, 'girdle', a word of Etruscan
origin. Cp. balteus, baldric, bauson, bausond,
bauxite.
Derivative: belt, tr. v.
Beltane, n., an ancient Celtic festival on May
Day.- Gael. bealtuinn, a compound lit. meaning 'blazing fire'. For the first element see balefire. The second element is rel. to Olr. ten, 'fire'
(for I.-E. *tepnos), and cogn. with L. tepere, 'to
be lukewarm', tepidus, 'lukewarm'. See tepid
and cp. words there referred to.
beluga, n., a kind of dolphin. - Russ. beluga, fr.
beliy, 'white', which is rel. toOSlav.bllu, 'white',
Lith. bdltas, 'white', Lett. bats, 'pale', and cogn.
with OE. biil, 'a blazing fire', ON. biil, 'a great
fire'. See balefire and cp. the first element in
Beltane.
belvedere, n., a turret, giving a fine view; a summerhouse. - It.,lit. 'a beautiful sight', fr. bello,
bel, 'beautiful, fine', and vedere, fr. L. videre, 'to
see'. See beauty and vision.
bema, n., platform, stage (Greek antiq.) - Gk.
~-ij!J-<X, 'step, platform', from the ste.n of [)a(vELv,
'to ge', whence also ~&:aL<;, 'a stepping, pedestal,
foot, base'. See base, n.
bemoan, tr. v.- ME. bimenen, fr. OE. bemiinan,
'to lament', fr. be- and miinan, 'to moan'.
See moan.

163
bemuse, tr. v.- Formed fr. be- and muse.
Derivative: bemus-ed, adj.
ben, adv., within (Scot.) - OE. binnan (rel. to
OFris. binna, MDu., Du., MHG., G. binnen),
'within'; contraction of bi-innan, be-innan. See
be- and in, prep.
ben, n., the inner room (Scot.) - From prec.
word.
ben, n., son.- Heb. ben, 'son', rei. to Arab. ibn,
Aram.-Syr. bar, 'son', Akkad. binbinni, 'grandson'. Cp. Benjamin, B'nai B'rith, boanerges. Cp.
also Barabbas, bar mitzvah, Barnabas, Bartholomew. For the feminine correspondences Heb.
bath, 'daughter', etc., see bathkol and cp.
Bathsheba.
Ben, masc. PN. - Dimin. of Benjamin (q.v.)
bench, n.- ME., fr. OE. bene, rel. to ON. bekkr,
Dan., Swed. bank, OS., OFris., MLG., Du.,
OHG., G. bank, MHG. bane, 'bench', ON.
bakki, 'elevation'. Cp. bank, banket, bankrupt,
banquet, charabanc, mountebank, saltimbanco.
Derivatives: bench, tr. and intr. v., bench-ing, n.
bencher, n., any of the members of the Inns of
Court.- Formed fr. bench with agential sutf.
-er. Cp. disbench.
bend, tr. and intr. v. - ME. benden, fr. OE.
bendan, 'to stretch a bow; to bend, bind', rel.
to bind (q.v.) Cp. next word and bent. Derivatives: bend, n. (q.v.), bend-ed, adj., bend-er, n.
bend, n., a knot.- Orig. meaning 'band, bond',
fr. OE. bend, fr. bendan (see bend, v.); prop. a
variant of band, 'a tie' (q.v.)
bend, n., a diagonal bend (her.) - OF. bende,
bande, 'a bend', a Teut. loan word. See band,
'a tie', and cp. prec. word.
bendy, adj., divided by bends (her.)- OF. bende,
bande (F. bande). See bend (her.) and -y (representing OF. -e, F. -e).
bene-, combining form meaning 'well'. - L. bene,
'well', fr. earlier *dwene, rei. to bonus, earlier
*dwenos, 'good', bel/us, earlier *dwenelos, *dwenlos, 'beautiful'. See bonus, beauty.
beneath, prep. and adv. - ME. benethe, beneothen, fr. OE. beneopan, fr. be-, 'by', and neopan,
'below, beneath'. See be- and nether and cp.
underneath.
Benedicite, n., the canticle beginning with the
words 'Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino' (in English '0 all ye works of the Lord,
bless ye the Lord'). -Pl. imper. of benedicere,
pp. benedictus, 'to bless'. See benediction.
Benedick, n., a confirmed bachelor who marries.
- From a character in Shakespeare's Much Ado
About Nothing. For the origin and meaning of
the name see benediction.
Benedict, n., masc. PN.- L. benedictus, 'blessed',
pp. of benedicere. See benediction.
Benedicta, fern. PN. - L. benedicta, fern. of benedict us, 'blessed'. See prec. word.
Benedictine, n., a monk of the order founded
in 529 by St. Benedict. - F. benedictin,
fr. Eccles. L. benedictinus, fr. Benedictus (=St.

benign

Benedict), name of the founder of this order,

benediction, n. - L. benedicti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
benedictus, pp. of benedicere, 'to bless', lit. "to
speak well of, to praise', fr. bene, 'well', and
dicere, 'to say, tell'. See bene- and diction and
cp. benison, which is a doublet of benediction.
Cp. also bennet, bensh.
benedictory, adj., pertaining to a blessing.- ML.
benedictorius, fr. L. benedict us, pp. of benedicere.
See prec. word and adj. sutf. -ory.
benefaction, n., a good deed, donation. - L.
benefactio, gen. -onis, fr. benefactus, better written in two words bene factus, fr. bene, 'well', and
factus, pp. of facere, 'to make, do'. See beneand faction and cp. benefit.
benefactor, n., one who confers a benefit. - L.,
'who performs an act of kindness', fr. benefactus. See prec. word and factor.
benefactress, n. - See prec. word and -ess.
benefice, n., a church living.- F. benefice, fr. L.
beneficium, 'generosity, kindness, benefit', fr.
beneficus, 'generous, kind, beneficent, obliging',
which is formed fr. bene, 'well' and -ficus, from
the stem of -ficere, unstressed form of facere,
'to make, do'. See bene- and fact.
Derivative: benefic-ed, adj.
beneficence, n., the quality of being beneficent,
kind, charitable. - Either fr. F. beneficence or
directly fr. L. beneficentia, 'kindness, generosity,
beneficence', back formation fr. beneficentior.
See next word and -ce.
beneficent, adj., doing good, kind, charitable. Back formation fr. L. beneficentior, compar. of
benefic us. See benefice and -ent.
Derivative: beneficent-ly, adv.
beneficial, adj., helpful, advantageous. - F. beneficial, fr. L. beneficiiilis, 'pertaining to a favor',
fr. beneficium. See benefice and -ial.
Derivatives: beneficial-ly, adv ., beneficial-ness, n.
beneficiary, n., one who receives benefits. - L.
beneficitirius, 'enjoying a favor, privileged', fr.
beneficium. See benefice and subst. sutf. -ary.
benefit, n. - ME. benefet, benfet, fr. AF. benfet
(rei. to OF. and F. bienfait), fr. L. benefactum,
bene factum, 'well done'. Sec benefaction.
Derivatives: benefit, tr. and intr. v., bene/it-er, n.
benevolence, n., kindliness. - OF. benivolence,
fr. L. benevolentia, 'good will, kindness', fr.
benevo/ens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
beneolent, adj. wishing to do good, kindly. OF. benevolent, fr. L. benevo/ens, gen. -entis,
'wishing well, benevolent', fr. bene, 'well', and
volens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of vol6, velle, 'to
will, wish'. See voluntary and -ent and cp.
malevolent.
Derivative: benevolent-ly, adv.
benight, tr. v. (rare) - Formed fr. be- and night.
Derivative: benight-ed, adj.
benign, adj., kindly.- ME. benigne, fr. OF. benigne (F. benin, fern. benigne), fr. L. bcnlgnus,
'kindly, kindhearted, friendly', orig. 'of good
nature', compounded of bene, 'well' and *gno-s,

benignant
'born, of a certain nature', fr. I.-E. base i!J-,
'to beget, bear, bring forth', whence also L.
gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring forth', W. geni,
'to be born'. See bene- and genus and cp. malign.
Derivative: beni?n-ly, adv.
benignant, adj., kindly.- Formed fr. benign on
analogy of malignant. For the ending see suff.
-ant.
Derivative: benignant-ly, adv.
benignity, n., kindliness.- ME. benignite, fr. OF.
hen ignite, fr. L. benlgnitiitem, ace. of benignitiis,
fr. benlgnus. See benign and -ity.
benison, n., blessing, benediction.- ME., fr. OF.
beneison, fr. L. benedictionem, ace. of benedictio.
See benediction.
benitoite, n., a barium titanosilicate (mineral.) Named after San Benito River in California.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Benjamin, masc. PN.; in the Bib/e,Jacob'syoungest son. - Heb. Binyiimfn, lit. 'son of the right
hand', fr. ben 'son', and yiimfn, 'right hand';
see Gen. 35: I8. For the first element see ben,
'son'. Heb. yiimfn mer.ns also 'south' (lit. 'the
right hand, the right side', i.e., if one faces east).
It is rei. to Aram.-Syr. yammfn, Ugar. ymn,
'right hand', Arab. ydman, 'right hand, right
side, south', ydmana, 'he was happy', lit. 'he
turned or went to the right' (the right side was
regarded as auspicious), Ethiop. yaman, Akkad.
imnu, 'right hand, right side'. Cp. Yemen, maimon, monkey.
benjamin, n., gum benzoin.- Corruption of benjoin, an earlier form of benzoin (q.v.)
bennet, n., a herb. - ME. herbe beneit, 'the blessed herb', fr. F. benoite, prop. fern. pp. of OF.
heneir (F. benir), 'to bless', fr. L. benedfcere.
See benediction.
bensh, tr. and intr. v., to bless; to say grace. Yiddish benshen, fr. dial. OF. *bencheir (OF.
beneir, F. benir), fr. L. benedlcere. Sec benediction.
bent, adj., curved. - Pp. of bend.
bent, n., inclination. -Fr. prec. word.
bent grass, also bent, n. - OE. beonot- (in place
names), rei. to OS. binut, OHG. binu3, MHG.
hin(e)J, bin3, 'rush'. G. Binse developed fr. early
MHG. bintz(e), pl. of MHG. bin(e)3.
Benthamism, n., utilitarianism, as taught by
Bentham (phi los.)- Named after Jeremy Bentham (I748-1832), founder of the English Utilitarian School of Philosophy. For the ending
see suff. -ism.
Benthamite, n., a follower of Bentham. - See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
benthos, n., the fauna and flora of the bottom of
the sea.- Gk. ~ev&o~. 'depth of the sea', prob.
rei. to ~-i~h~. 'depth', but influenced in form
by ;rsJlJ<>:. 'grief'. See bathos.
bentonite, n., a porous clayey mineraL- Named
after Fort Benton in Wyoming, U.S.A. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
benumb, tr. v. - ME. binomen, pp. of biniman,
fr. OE. beniman, 'to deprive' ,lit., 'to take away',

164
formed fr. be- and niman, 'to take'. See nimble,
numb.
Derivatives: benumb-ed, adj., benumb-ed-ness,
n., benumb-ing, adj., benumb-ing-ly, adv.
benz-, form of benzo- before a vowel.
benzene, n. - Fr. Benzin, a name coined by the
German chemist Eilhardt Mitscherlich (17941863) in I833; so called by him because he obtained it through the distillation of benzoic acid
with lime. The spelling benzene is due to A. W.
Hofmann. See benzoin.
benzine, benzin, n., a volatile, inflammable liquid.
- See benzene and chem. suff. -ine, -in.
benzo-, before a vowel benz-, combining form
meaning 'relating to benzene'. - See benzene.
benzoic, adj., pertaining to benzoin. - See benzoin and -ic.
benzoin, n., a balsamic resin. - F. benjoin, fr.
Sp. benjui, which is shortened fr. lo-benjui (the
first syllable having been mistaken for the def.
article), fr. Arab. lubtin jawf, 'frankincense of
Java' (Java is the former name of Sumatra).
For the etymology of Arabic lublin see leban.
benzol, n., benzene. - Altered fr. Benzin by the
German chemist Baron Justus von Liebig (180373) in I834.- See benzene and -ol (representing
L. oleum, 'oil').
benzoyl, n., a univalent radical, C 6 H 5 CO, found
in benzoic acid.- Coined by the German chemists Baron Justus von Liebig (I803-73) and
Friedrich Wohler (I8oo-82) fr. benzo- and -yl.
bepaint, tr. v.- Formed fr. pref. be- and paint.
Formed fr. pref. be- and
beplaster, tr. v.
plaster.
Formed fr. pref. be- and
bcpowder, tr. v.
powder.
ME. biquethen, fr. OE.
bequeathe, tr. v. becwej:Jan, 'to say, bequeathe', which is formed
fr. pref. be- and ewepan, 'to say'. See quoth and
cp. next word.
Derivatives: bequeth-a/, n., bequeath-er, n.
bequest, n. - ME. biqueste, a blend of ME. biquide and queste (see quest). ME. biquide is
formed fr. pref. bi- (see be-) and OE. cwide,
'a saying, declaration', which is :r~l. to OE.
cwej:Jan, 'to say'. See quoth and cp. prec. word.
Heb.
berakah, n., blessing, benediction. btrakh&n, 'blessing', from the stem of berdkh,
'he blessed', which is rei. to Aram. biirikh,
Arab. bdraka, Ethiop. biirdka, 'he blessed',
Akkad. kariibu (a metathesis form), 'to bless',
Ethiop. mekriib (metath.), 'temple'. Cp. cherub,
griffin.
Berber, n. - Arab. bdrbar, 'the people of Barbary', perhaps derived fr. Gk. fHp~:xpo~. 'barbar' (see barbaric).
Berberidaceae, n. pl., the barberry family (bot.)
- Formed fr. Berberis with suff. -aceae.
See prec. word and
berberidaceous, adj. -aceous.
Berberis, n., a genus of plants, the barberry (bot.)
- ML. berberis, barbaris, 'barberry', fr. Arab.

165

barbiiris, in vulgar pronunciation berberis, 'barberry'. Cp. barberry.

berceau, n., cradle; bower. - F., 'cradle', fr.
bercer, 'to rock' (cp. OProvenc. bresar, Catal.
bressar), from the Gaulish base *bertii-, 'to
shake'. Cp. Ir. bertaim, 'I shake'.
berceuse, n., a cradlesong. - F., 'a woman who
rocks an infant; cradlesong', fr. bercer, 'to
rock'. See prec. word.
Berchemia, a genus of vines of the buckthorn
family (bot.)- ModL., named after M. Berchem,
a French botanist of the qth century. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
bereave, tr. v.- ME. bereven, fr. OE. bereafian,
fr. pref. be- and reafian, 'to plunder, ravage'. See
reave.
Derivatives: bereav-ed, adj., bereave-ment, n.
bereav-ed, n.
bereft, adj. - Prop. pp. of bereave.
berengelite, n., a resinous material. - Named
after San Juan de Berengela, a province of Peru.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
berengena, n., the eggplant. - Sp., fr. Arab.
biidinjan (in vulgar pronunciation bedinjen), ult.
fr. Persian. See aubergine.
Berenice, fern. PN. - L. Berenice, fr. Bepevtx'l),
Macedonian var. of Gk. cl>Epevtxr,, lit. 'bringer
of victory', fr. tpepetv, 'to bring', and vtx'l),
'victory'. See bear, 'to carry', and Nike, and cp.
Veronica. Cp. also varnish.
Bereshith, n., I) the creation; 2) the first book of
the Pentateuch ( = Gk. Genesis, lit. 'origin'). Hcb. B'reshfth, shortened fr. Sepher ma'ase?o
b'reshfth, 'the Book of the creation'. Since
b~reshtth happens to be the first word of the
Pentateuch, it, was erroneously assumed that
the first book of the Pentateuch was called
Bereshith from the first word of its Hebrew
text. This erroneous belief gave rise to the
custom of naming Hebrew books (also the other
four books of the Pentateuch) from initial
words of the text. - Heb. blreshfth lit. means
'in the beginning'. It is formed fr. pref. bl-, 'in',
and reshfth, (for *rl'eshtth), 'beginning', a
derivative of rash, 'head', which is rei. to Aram.
resh, Akkad. reshu, Arab. rii's, Ethiop. res,
'head'. Cp. race, 'tribe', rais, reis, resh, Rosh
Hodesh, Rosh Hashanah.
beret, n., a flat round cap. - F. beret, occasionally written also berret, fr. berret, a word of the
dialect of Beam, fr. Old Gascon berret, 'cap',
fr. Late L. birrus, also birrum, 'large cloak with
a hood'. See biretta and cp. barret, burnous.
bergamot, n., the tree Citrus bergamia. - Fr.
Bergamo, a city in Lombardy, Italy.
bergamot, n., kind of pear.- F. bergamot, fr. It.
bergamotta, fr. Turk. beg armudf, lit. 'pear of
a bey', influenced in form by the Italian placename Bergamo. See bey.
bergander, n., sheldrake (obsol.) - Prob. a blend
of Du. bergeend, 'sheldrake', lit. 'mountain
duck' (see barrow, 'mountain', and Anas), and

berry
E. gander. Cp. goosander.
berger, n., a long curl hanging down from the
nape of the neck to the shoulder ..~F. bergere,
'shepherdess; style of dressing the hair', fern. of
berger, 'shepherd', fr. VL. berbiciirius, 'shepherd', fr. berbex, corresponding to L. vervex,
'wether', which is cogn. with Homeric and Ion.
Gk. dpos, 'wool', which stands for *sp,=os, dissimilated fr. *Npfo~. See erio- and cp. next
word.
bergere, n., I) a shepherdess; 2) a style of sofa;
a style of armchair (both in vogue i,1 the I 8th
century.- F., 'shepherdess; a large and deep
armchair'. See prec. word
beri-beri, n., a disease characterized by wasting.
- From intensifying reduplication of Singhalese beri, 'weakness'.
berith, n, circumcision of the male child (Jewish
religion).- Heb. b8rith, 'covenant', rei. to Akkad. barii, 'to bind' (whence birftu, 'fetter, covenant'. Cp. B'nai B'rith. Berith in the above
sense is the abbreviation of berith milah, 'covenant of the circumcision', so called in allusion
to Gen. I 7: I off. and to Mishnah Ncdarim, 3: 11.
Berkeleian, adj., pertaining to George Berkeley
or his philosophy. See next word and -ian.
Berkeleianism, n. - The idealistic system of
philosophy taught by George Berkeley (1685I753). For the ending see suff. -ism.
berkelium, n., a radioactive element (chem.) ModL., named after Berkeley in California,
where it was discovered. For the ending see sutr.
-ium.
berlin, n., a kind of four-wheeled carriage. F. ber/ine, named after Berlin, Germany,
whence this kind of carriage was imported
into France in the second half of the 17th
and in the first half of the 18th century.
berline, also berlin, n., an automobile body with
a glass partition at the rear of the driver's seat.
- F. berline. See prec. word.
berlinite, n., a hydrous aluminum phosphate
(mineral.)- Named after N.H. Berlin, Professor
of the University of Lund. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
berloque, breloque, n., a drumbeat.- F., a word
of imitative origin.
berm, also berme, n., a narrow ledge.- F. berme,
fr. Du. berm, fr. MDu. baerm, which is rei. to
ON. barmr, 'brim', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'edge,
point; to bore, pierce'. Cp. the related base
*bhre-m-, of s.m., whence E. brim (q.v.)
Bernard, masc. PN. - F., fr. G. Bernhard, lit.
'bold as a bear', fr. OHG. hero, 'bear', and
harti, 'hard, bold'. See bear, the animal, and
hard.
berrugate, n., the fish called scientifically Verrugato pacificus.- Fr. Sp. verruga, 'wart', fr. L.
verruca. See verruca and cp. words there referred to.
berry, n. - ME. berie, fr. OE. berige, berie, rei.
to OS., OHG. beri, ON. ber, Dan. b;pr, Swed.

166

bersagliere

bar, MHG. ber, G. Beere, Goth. basi (in weinabasi 'grape'), Du. bes, bezie, 'berry', and prob.
to OE. basu, 'purple', and cogn. with Mlr. base,
'red'. Cp. anbury.
Derivatives: berry, intr. v., berri-ed, adj., berri-er, n.
bersagliere, n. any of a corps of riflemen in the
Italian army.- It., 'sharpshooter', fr. bersaglio,
'mark', rei. to OF. berser, 'to shoot with the
bow', bersail, bersage, 'target'; of uncertain
origin.
berserker, n., a Norse warrior. - ON. berserkr,
a word lit. meaning 'bear's skin', and referring
to the warrior's garments. For the first element
see bear, the animal, for the second see sark.
Berteroa, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) - ModL., named after the Italian
botanist Carlo Giuseppe Bertero (1789-1831).
berth, n. - The orig. meaning of this word was
'convenient sea room'. It is formed with subst.
suff. -th from the stem of the verb bear, hence
derivatively identical with birth.
Derivatives: berth, tr. v., bert h-er, n., berthing, n.
Bertha, fern. PN.- G., fr. OHG. Berahta, Perahta, name of a female deity, lit. 'the bright
one', fr. OHG. beraht, 'bright,' which is related
to OE. benrht, 'bright'. See bright.
bertha, n., a kind of broad collar. - From
Bertha, a woman's name.
Bertillon system, a system of anthropometry as
a means of identifying persons. -Named after
its inventor Alphonse Bertillon, a French anthropologist and criminologist (1853-1914).
Bertram, masc. PN. - OHG. Berahtram, lit. 'a
bright raven', fr. berallf, 'bright', and hram, a
collateral form of hraban, 'raven'. See bright and
ra,en and cp. the second clement in Ingram.
bertrandite, n., a beryllium silicate (mineral.) Named after the French mineralogist E. Bertrand, who first analyzed it. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Berula, n., a genus of plants of the parsley family
(bot.)- L. berula, 'water cress', dissimilated fr.
*beruva, a word of Celtic origin. Cp. W. berwr,
Mlr. biror, bilor, 'water cress'.
beryl, n. - ME., fr. OF. beryl (F. beryl), fr. L.
beryl/us, fr. Gk. ~+,pJN.o<;, fr. Prakrit veruliya,
transposed fr. vefuriya (whence OJ. vait/urya-),
which pro b. derives from the name of the city
Ve/ur (now called Belur). Cp. G. Brille, 'spectacles', from the pl. of MHG. bril, of s.m., which
derives fr. MHG. berille, 'beryl', fr. L. berylIus (the first spectacles were made from beryl).
Cp. also brilliant, the first element in besiclometer and the second element in chrysoberyl.
beryllium, n., a metallic element, called also
glucinum (chem.)- ModL., fr. L. beryl/us (see
beryl); so called because it was first obtained
through isolation from beryl (by the French
chemist Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin in 1797). For
the ending see suff. -ium.

berzelianite, n., copper selenide (mineral.) Named after the Swedish chemist Baron Jons
Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848), who first analyzed
it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
berzelite, n., arsenate of calcium, magnesium and
manganese (mineral.) -Named after the Sweddish chemist Baron Jons Jakob Berze/ius (17791848). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bescreen, tr. v.- Formed fr. be- and screen.
beseech, trans. v.- ME. besechen, fr. be-, and
sechen, seken, 'to seek'. See seek and cp. G.
besuchen, 'to visit' (fr. be- and suchen, the equivalent of E. seek).
Derivatives: beseech-ing, adj., beseech-ing-ly,
adv.
beseem, impers. v.- Formed fr. be- and seem.
beset, tr. v.- ME. besetten, fr. OE. besettan, 'to
set on, adorn', rei. to Du. bezetten, OHG. bisazjan, G. besetzen, Goth. bisatjan. See be- and
the verb set.
Derivatives: besett-er, n., besett-ing, adj.
beshrew, tr. v. - ME. beschrewen, 'to pervert',
fr. be- and schrewen, 'to curse'. See shrew, 'to
curse'.
besiclometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the forehead to establish the exact size of the
spectacles. - A hybrid coined fr. F. besicles
(pl.), 'spectacles', and Gk. fJ.t'Tpov, 'measure'.
The first element is an alteration of OF. bericle,
fr. L. beryl/us, 'beryl'. The ending of OF. bericle
was pro b. suggested by the synonymescarboucle,
'carbuncle'; see beryl. For the second element
see meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
beside, prep.- ME. besiden, beside, fr. OE. be
sidan, 'by the side', fr. be, 'by', and dative of
side, 'side'. See by and side.
besides, adv. - Formed fr. prec. word with the
adv. gen. suff. -s.
Derivative: besides, prep.
besiege, tr. v.- Formed with change of pref. fr.
OF. asegier (F. assieger), fr. VL. *assedictire,
fr. ad- and sedicum, 'seat', fr. L. sedere, 'to sit'.
See be- and siege.
Derivatives: besieg-er, n., besieg-ing, n., besieging-/y, adv.
beslaver, tr. v.- Formed fr. pref. be- and slaver.
besmear, tr. v.- Formed fr. pref. be- and smear.
besmirch, tr. v.- Formed fr. pref. be-and smirch.
besom, n. - ME. besum, fr. OE. besma, besema,
rei. to OS. besmo, OFris. besma, MDu. besem,
bessem, Du. bezem, OHG.besmo, besanw, MHG.
besme, besem, besen, G. Besen. The original
meaning is 'something bound or twisted', fr.
I.-E. base *bheidh-, 'to bind, twist'. See fisc.
Derivatives: besom, tr. v., besom-er, n.
besot, tr. v., to make sottish. - Formed fr. beand sot.
Derlvatives: besott-ed, adj., besolled-ly, adv.,
besott-ed-ness, n.
besought, past tense and pp. of beseech. - ME.
besoht(e), fr. besechen. See beseech and cp.
sought.

167

bespangle, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and spangle.

Derivative: bespang/-ed, adj.
bespatter, tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and spatter.
Derivative: bespatter-er, n.
bespeak, tr. v. - ME. bespeken, fr. OE. besp(r)ecan, 'to speak about', rei. to Du. bespreken,
G. besprechen. See be- and speak.
besprent, adj., sprinkled (archaic). - ME. bespreynt, pp. of besprengen, fr. OE. besprengan,
'to besprinkle', rei. to Du. and G. besprengen,
of same meaning. See be- and sprinkle and cp.
next word.
besprinkle, tr. v. - Formed fr. pref. be- and
sprinkle.
Bessemer process, Bessemer steel. - So called
after Sir Harry Bessemer, engineer and inventor
(1813-98).
best, adj. - ME., fr. OE. best, dissimilated fr.
betst, rei. to ON. beztr, Du. best, OHG. be33isto,
\1HG., G. best, Goth. batists, 'best', OE. bat ian,
'to become better', bot, 'remedy, cure, improvement, compensation', and possibly cognate with
01. bhadrd/:1, 'favorable, good', Avestic hubadra-,
Jucky'. Cp. better. Cp. also batten, 'to grow
fat', boot, 'advantage'. For the dissimilation of
OE. betst into best cp. last, adj.
bestead, adj. - ME. bestad, 'placed, situated',
formed fr. be- and stad, 'placed', fr. ON.
staddr, 'placed', pp. of steoja, 'to place, fix'. See
stead.
bestead, tr. v., to help. - Formed fr. be- and
stead, v., which derives fr. stead, n.
bestial, adj. - F., fr. L. bestitilis, 'like a beast',
fr. bestia, 'beast'. See beast and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: bestial-ly, adv., bestiary (q.v.),
bestial-ize, tr. v.
bestiality, n. - F. bestialite, fr. bestial, fr. L. best iii/is. See prec. word and -ity.
bestiary, n., a medieval collection of fables about
beasts.- ML. bestiiirium, 'a treatise on beasts',
prop. neut. of the L. adjective bestiiirus, 'pertaining to beasts', and as a noun, fr. bestia,
'beast'. See beast and subst. suff. -ary.
bestir, tr. v. - ME. bestiren, fr. OE. bestyrian,
'to heap up', fr. be- and styrian, 'to set in motion'. See stir.
bestow, tr. v. - ME. bestowen, fr. be- and
stowen. See stow.
Derivatives: bestow-al, n., bestow-er, n.
bestrew, tr. v. - ME. bestrowen, fr. OE. bestreowian, 'to bestrew, cover', fr. be- and
streowian, 'to strew'. See strew.
bestrewn, pp. of bestrew.
bestride, tr. v.- ME. bestriden, fr. OE. bestridan,
'to mount a horse', fr. be- and stridan, 'to stride'.
See stride.
bet, n.- Prob. aphetic for the ME. noun abet, fr.
OF. abet, fr. abeter, 'to incite, bait', lit. 'to cause
to bite'. See abet.
Derivatives: bet, tr. and intr. v., better, n.
lq.v.), bett-ing, n., bett-or, n.
beta, n., name of the znd letter of the Greek al-

betray

phabet. - Gk. ~'ijTat:, fr. Heb.-Phoen. beth; see

beth. The at: was added because a Greek word
cannot end with a .. ; cp. alpha and words there
referred to.
Beta, n., a genus of plants of the goosefoot
family (bot.) - L., 'the beet'. See beet.
betake, reflex. v. -ME. bitaken, 'to entrust', fr. bi(see be-) and taken, 'to take'. See take.
betatron, n., a device for accelerating the velocities of electrons or beta rays. - Coined fr.
beta (rays) and (elec)tron.
betel, n., the leaf of the pepper called Piper betel.
- Port. betel, bette, betre, fr. Malayal. ve{fila,
fr. veru ila, 'simple leaf'.
beth, n., name of the znd letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. - Heb. beth, lit. 'house'; so called
in allusion to the ancient Hebrew form of this
letter. See bethel and cp. beta.
bethel, n., a house of worship. - Heb. beth El,
'the house of God'. Beth is the state construct
of bdyith, 'house', and rei. to Aram. baythd,
beth&, Ugar. bt, Arab. bayt, Akkad. brtu,
'house'; cp. beth, beta. Cp. also Basque baita,
'house'. For the second element see El. Cp.
baetulus, baetyl.
Bethesda, n., a pool at Jerusalem; a chapel. Gk. B1J&ecrM, fr. Aram. beth /:lesdd, 'house of
mercy'. See bethel and Hasidim and cp. beth,
beta.
bethink, reflex. v. - ME. bethenchen, fr. OE.
bepencan, 'to consider', formed fr. be- and pencan, 'to think'. See think and cp. Du. and G.
bedenken.
betide, intr. and tr. v.- ME. betiden, formed fr.
be- and tiden, 'to happen', fr. OE. tfdan. See
tide.
betimes, adv. - Formed fr. be- and adv. gen. of
OE. tima, 'time'. See time and -s.
betoken, tr. v.- ME. betacnien, fr. be- and OE.
tacnian, 'to signify, betoken', for tacn, 'sign,
token'. See token.
Derivative: betoken-er, n.
beton, n., a kind of concrete.- F., fr. L. bitumen,
'mineral pitch', later used in the sense of 'mud,
sand'. See bitumen.
Betonica, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.)- L. betonica, 'bettony'. See next word.
betony, n., a plant of the genus Betonica. - F.
betaine, fr. L. bet6nica, var. of vetl6nica, named
from thl: VettJnes, VectJnes (pl.), a tribe living
near the Tagus (now Tajo) in Lusitania (now
Portugal). VectJnes is prob. a derivative of vehere, 'to draw, carry', and lit. means 'carriers'.
See vehicle.
betray, tr. v. - ME. betraien, a hybrid comed
fr. be- and OF. tralr (F. trahir), 'to betray',
which was formed-with change of conjugation-fT. L. tradere. Cp. It. tradire, OProven<;;. trair, 'to betray', and see tradition. Cp. also traitor, treason.
Derivatives: betray-al, n., betray-er, n., betravment, n.

betroth
betroth, tr. v. - ME. betreuthen. See be and
troth, truth.
Derivatives: betroth-al, n., betroth-ed, adj. andn.
better, adj.- ME.bettere, bettre (adj.), bet (adv.),
fr. OE. betera (adj.), bet (adv.), rel. to ON. betri
(adj.), betr (adv.), Dan. bedre, Swed. biittre, Du.
beter (adj. and adv.), OHG. be33iro (adj.), ba3
(adv.) G. besser (adj. and adv.), Goth. batiza
(adj.) See best and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: better, v. (q.v.), better, adv. and n.,
better-ing, n., better-ment, n.
better, tr. and intr. v.- OE. beterian, fr. betera,
'better'. See better, adj.
better, n., one who bets. - Formed fr. bet with
agential suff. -er.
betty, n., flask of oil; crowbar, etc. - From
Betty, pet name of Elizabeth.
Betula, n., the genus of the birches (bot.) - L.
betula, betulla, 'birch tree', fr. Gaulish betu-,
'bitumen' (found in PN.s); cp. Mlr. beithe,
'box tree', W. bedwen, 'birch tree'. According
to Pliny the birch tree was called betu-la, i.e.
'bitumen tree', because the Gauls extracted tar
from it; see bitumen.
between, prep. and adv. - ME. bitweonen, bitwenen, bitwene. fr. OE. betweonum, fr. be-, 'by',
and tweonum, dative pl. of tweon, 'double,
twain', which is rei. to Goth. tweihnai, 'two
each', fr. twa, 'two'. See be-, twain, two, and
cp. next word.
betwixt, prep. and adv. - ME. betwixe, fr. OE.
betweox, betweolzs, betwux, betwyx, fr. pref. be-,
'by', and a form of twa, 'two'; cp. OHG. zwisk,
zwiski, MHG. zwisc, 'twofold', OS. twisk, 'between', Du. tussen, G. zwischen, of s.m. See
between. For the final -t cp. against, amongst,
etc.
Beulah, fern. PN.- Heb. b~'iildh, 'married woman', fern. pp. of ba'dl, 'he married', rei. to bti'al,
'lord, ruler, husband'. See Baal.
beurre, n., butter.- F., 'butter', fr. earlier burre,
fr. L. biltyrum, fr. Gk. ~o)TUpov. See butter.
beurn\ n., any kind of pear with soft flesh. -F.,
pp. of beurrer, 'to butter', fr. beurre, 'butter'.
See prec. word.
bevel, n., inclination of a surface. - OF. *baivel
(whence F. beveau, biveau), 'bevel rule', fr. OF.
baif, 'with an open mouth', fr. baer, beer, 'to
gape'. See bay, 'part in the wall', and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: bevel, tr. v. bevel(l)-ed, adj., bevel(l)-er, n.
beverage, n. - OF. bevrage, bovrage (F. breuvage), fr. beirre, boivre (F. boire), 'to drink', fr.
L. bibere. See bibulous and -age and cp. bevy,
abreuvoir.
bevue, n., error, blunder. - F. bevue, 'blunder,
mistake, slip', fr. OF. bes-vue, lit. 'an erroneous
vue', fr. pejorative pref. bes-, which derives fr.
L. bis, 'twice' (see bis-; for sense development cp.
OF. bes-torne, 'badly turned', lit. 'twice turned'),
and fr. vue, 'sight', prop. fern. pp. of voir, 'to

168

see', fr. L. videre, 'to see'. See vision and cp.

words there referred to.
bevy, n., I) a flock of birds; 2) a company, esp. of
women.- F. bevee, 'a flock of larks or quails',
fr. It. beva. The orig. meaning was pro b. 'a company of drinking birds', fr. It. bevere, 'to drink'.
fr. L. bibere. See bibulous and cp. prec. word.
bewail, tr. v. -Formed fr. be- and wail.
beware, intr. and tr. v. - Formed fr. be- and
ware, adj.
bewilder, tr. v.- Formed fr. be- and wilder.
Derivatives: bewilder-ed, adj., bewilder-ed-ly,
adv., bewilder-ed-ness, n., bewilder-ing, adj., bewilder-ing-ly, adv.
bewitch, tr. v.- Formed fr. be- and witch.
Derivatives: bewitch-ed, adj., bewitch-ing, adj.,
bewitch-ing-ly, adv.
bewray, tr. v., to reveal, divulge (archaic) ME. bewreien, bewreyen, 'to reveal', fr. be- and
OE. wregan, 'to accuse', which is rei. to OS.
wrogian, OFris. wrogia, OHG. ruogen, MHG.
riiegen, 'to accuse', G. riigen, 'to censure', Goth.
wrohjan, 'to accuse', ON. r!gja, 'to slander, defame', Du. wroegen, 'to prick' (said of conscience), OE., OS. wroht, OFris. wrogie, MHG.
ruoge, riiege, Goth. wrohs, 'accusation'. G. Riige,
'censure', ON. rog, 'quarrel, slander'.
bey, n., 1) governor of a district in Turkey; 2) a
Turkish title of honor. - Osmanli equivalent
of Turk. beg. Cp. beg, 'bey', begum.
beylic, beylik, n. - Turk., formed fr. bey and
-lik, a suff. expressing quality. Cp. paslzalik.
beyond, adv. and prep.- ME. biyeonde, biyonde.
fr. OE. begeondan, 'beyond', fr. be- and geond,
'yond, yonder'. See yon, yond, yonder.
Derivative: beyond, n.
bezant, n., a gold coin. - Orig. 'coin of Byzantium', fr. OF. besan, besant, fr. L. byzantius.
short for B.Yzantius nummus, 'Byzantine coin.
See Byzantine.
bezel, n., a sloping edge.- OF. bezel (F. biseau),
'a sloping edge, bevel, prob. orig. meaning 'a
stone with two angles'; fr. VL. *bis-alus, 'having two angles', fr. L. bis, 'twice', and ala, 'wing.
side'. See bis- and ala.
bezesteen, n., a bazaar. - Pers. bezestan, formed
fr. bez (whence Arab. bazz), 'flax, linen clothes,
and -stan, a suff. denoting place, which is rei.
to Aves tic stiina- (in compounds), 'place', lit.
'a place where to stand'. See Hindustani.
bezetta, bezette, n., a dyeing material made by
dipping linen rags into certain coloring matters.
-It. pezzetta, dimin. of pezza, 'piece of cloth'.
a word of Gaulish origin. See piece and -ette.
bezique, n., a card game. - F. besigue, of unknown origin.
bezoar, n., orig. a term for antidote; later used
for ooncoctions found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals and thought to ha,e
antidotal properties. - F. bezoard, fr. Sp. bezoar (cp. Port. bezuar), fr. Arab. biidiztihr, often
shortened into baztihr (see Freytag, Lexicon

169

Arabico-Latinum, I, 79a and b), ult. fr. Pers.

biidzahr, padzahr, 'counterpoison, bezoar stone',
lit. 'protecting (against) poison', fr. pad, 'protecting, guarding; guardian, lord, master', and
zahr, 'poison'. For the first element see padi
shah. The second clement is rei. to Pers. zehre,
'gall, bile', Pahlavi zahr, 'poison', Avestic zara-,
'gall, bile', and cogn. with Gk. xo"A~, 'gall, bile'.
See choler.
bezonian, n., knave, rascal.- Formed with suff.
-ian, fr. It. bisogno, 'want, need', which is rei. to
F. besogne, 'work, task, job', besoin, 'want,
need', OProvenr;. bezonh, 'want', bezonha, 'want,
work, task'. These words prob. derive fr. Frankish *bisiinnia, which is formed fr. bi-, 'by', beside' (see be-), and *siinnia (rei. to OS. sunnea),
'care', whence Oit. sogna, F. soin, OProvenr;.
sonh, sonha, 'care'. See Dauzat, DEL F., p. 85
s.v. besogne.
bezzle, tr. v., to plunder, consume; intr. v., to
revel (dial. English). - OF. besillier, 'to torment', freq. of beser, 'to be scared, be startled'
(said of cows stung by gadflies), fr. OHG. bi33an, 'to bite, sting'; see bite and cp. embezzle.
See R. Grandsaignes d'Hauterive, Dictionnaire
d'ancien franr;ais, Paris, I947, p. 62 s.v. besi//ier.
bezzo, n., name of a small Venetian silver coin.It., fr. G. Batz, Batzen, name of a small Swiss
coin, orig. meaning 'a thick piece', and rel. to
the verb bat zen, 'to be sticky, be adhesive'. See
batz.
Bhaga, n., a god of wealth (Vedic mythol.) OI. Bhdga/:1, lit. 'atlotter, distributer, master,
lorJ', fr. bhdjati, 'assigns, allots, apportions, enjoys, loves', rei. to Avestic baya, OPers. baga,
'master, lord, god'. See baksheesh and cp. next
word. Cp. also pagoda.
Bhagavad-Gita, the celebrated dialogue between
Krishna and Arjuna inserted in the Mahabharata. - 01. Bluigavadgita, 'the song of the
Sublime One', compounded of Bhaga, suff.
-vant (corresponding to Gk. -hvoo:-, -'17-) and
gi-ta, 'song', prop. fern. pp. of gdyate, 'sings,
calls', from the I.-E. imitative base *f{a-, *f{i-,
whence also Aves tic ga&ii, Pers. giih, 'song',
Lith. giedoti, 'to sing, giesme, 'song', Lett.
diesma, 'song'.
bhang, n., the Indian hemp.- Hind. bhang, fr.
OI. bhmiga, 'hemp', which is cogn. with Russ.
penika (whence Pol. pienka), 'hemp'.
bhat, n., 1) a bard; 2) a title of respect.- Hind.
bhiif, fr. 01. bha{{a/:1, a title, prob. rei. to bhartri/:1, 'bearer, supporter, master', from the stem
of bhdrati, 'he bears', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to
bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry.
bhava, n., becoming, birth, origin, world, health.
-or. bhavti/:1, rei. to bhavitram, 'world', bhilmi/:1,
bhilman-, 'earth, world', from the stem of bhtivati, 'becomes, happens', fr. I.-E. base *bheu-,
*bhi'J-, 'to be, exist', whence also Gk. ?'JEW, 'to
make to grow', cpuaL<;, 'nature', L. fio, 'I become', fui, 'I have been', OE. beon, 'to be'. See

!)I Ole

be and words there referred to and cp. esp.

Bhumi Devi, bhut.
bheesty, n., a water carrier. - Hind. bhlsti, fr.
Pers. bihisti, 'one from Paradise', fr. bihist,
'Paradise', which is rei. to Avestic vahishta-,
Pahlavi vahislzt, OI. vtisii{ha/.1, 'best'.
Bhrign, n., one of the aerial class of gods in Vedic
mythology. - OI. Bhfgu/.1, lit. 'shining, resplendent', rei. to blzrdjate, 'shines', fr. I.-E. base
*bhleg-, 'to shine', whence also Gk. tp"A~yew,
'to burn', tpA6~, gen. cp"Aoy6~. 'flame of fire, L.
flagrare, 'to burn'. See flagrant and cp. phlegm.
Bhumi Devi, the earth goddess in Hindu mythology.-01. bhiimih, 'earth', and deVI', 'goddess'.
For the etymology of the first word see bhava,
for that of the second see Devi.
bhut, n., a demon, a ghost. -Hind. bhiit, fr. 01.
bhiitd/:1, lit. 'a being, creature', rei. to bhiimi[l,
bhaman-, 'earth, world'. See bhava.
bi-, pref. meaning 'two'.- L. bi-, 'twice, double',
fr. bis, 'twice', cogn. with. 01. dvi-, Gk. 8L(for ll."L-), OE. twi-, 'twice, double'. See bis and
cp. di-, 'two', dis-, twi-, two. Cp. also binary,
combine, barouche, breba.
biangular, adj., having two angles. - Formed fr.
bi- and angular.
biannual, adj., occurring twice a year. - Formed
fr. bi- and annual.
Derivative: biannual-ly, adv.
Bianca, fern. PN. - It., prop. fern. of bianco
'white', rei. to F. b/unc, fern. blanche, 'white'.
See blank and cp. Blanch.
bias, n., I) slant; 2) prejudice.- F. biais, 'slope,
obliquity, bias', prob. fr. OProvenr;. biais, which
prob. derives fr. Gk. r.uaipmo<;, 'slanting,
oblique' [through the medium of VL. *(e)bigassius]. Gk. bmd:pmo<; is formed fr. d, at,
upon' (see epi-), and x&p, 'head', which is rei.
to xxpi, 'head'. Sec carotid.
Derivative: bias, tr.v.
biaxial, adj., having two axes. - Formed fr. hiand axial.
bib, n., a piece of linen, worn by children over the
breast. - Prob. fr. bib, 'to drink' Cp. biberon.
bib, tr. and intr. v. to drink. - L. bibere. "to
drink'. See bibulous and cp. imbibe.
Derivatives: bibb-er, n., bibb-ing, n.
biberon, n., infant's feeding bottle. - F., fr. L.
bibere, 'to drink'. See bibulous and cp. bib,
'piece of linen'.
bibitory, adj., pertaining to drinking (rare). ModL. bibitorius, fr. Late L. bibiror, 'drinker,
toper', fr. bibere, 'to drink'. See bibulous and
-ory.
Bible, n.- ME. bible, fr. OF. ( ~ F.) bible, fr. L.
biblia, fr. Gk. (3L~"A(ct, 'collection of writings',
pl. of ~L(3"Alov, 'paper, scroll, book'. This is the
dimin. of (3l~"Ao<;, (3)(3"Ao<;, 'the inner bark of
papyrus; book', fr. B)(3"Ao<;, Greek name of the
famous Phoen transit port, whence the Greeks
obtained the Egyptian papyrus, Gk. Bu~'Ao<; has
been assimilated fr. Glbhdl, the Heb.-Phoen.

170

Biblic

name of the city (lit. 'frontier town'; cp. Heb.

gtbhiil, 'frontier, boundary', Arab.jdbal, 'mountain', and see javali). Cp. Jubayl, the actual
Arabic name of ancient Gebhal. (Jubayl prop.
is a dimin. formed from the original name of the
city.) For the sense development of Bible fr.
Byblos cp. parchment.
Biblic, adj., Biblical.- See next word.
Biblical, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ML. biblicus, fr. L. biblia. See Bible.
Derivative: Biblical-ly, adv.
biblico-, combining form meaning 'Biblical'. Fr. ML. biblicus. See prec. word.
biblio-, combining form, meaning 'book'.- Gk.
{'L{'ALO-, fr. {'L{':A(ov, dimin. of {'lf':Aoc;, 'book'. See
Bible.
bibliographer, n. - Formed with agential suff. -er
fr. Gk. ~L~ALoypliqloc;, 'writer of books, transcriber, copyist'. See next word.
bibliography, n. - Gk. ~L{'ALoypcxql(iX, 'writing of
books', compounded of ~L~A(ov, 'little book',
and -ypcxqlliX, fr. ypliqlELv, 'to write'. See biblioand -graphy.
Derivatives: bibliograph-ic, bibliograph-ic-al,
adjs., bibliograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
bibliolater, n., a worshiper of books. -See next
word and -later.
Derivative: bibliolatr-ous, adj.
bibliolatry, n., worship of books; worship of the
Bible. - Compounded of biblio- and Gk.
-),cx-:pdiX, -Acx'!p(iX, fr. Ac:t'TpdiX, 'hired labor, worship'. See -latry.
bibliomancy, n., divination by opening a book,
esp. by opening the Bible. - Compounded of
biblio- and Gk. [LCXV'TEliX, 'oracle, divination'.
See -mancy.
biblomania, n., book madness. -Compounded
of biblio- and Gk. [.tc:tvliX, 'madness, frenzy'. See
-mania.
biblomaniac, adj. - Compounded of biblio- and
ML. maniacus, 'maniac'. See maniac.
bibliophil, bibliophile, n. a lover of books. - F.
bibliophile, 'lover of books', compounded of
biblio- and Gk. ql(Aoc;, 'friend'. See -phil.
Derivatives: bibliophil-ic, adj., bibliophil-ism, n.,
bibliophil-ist, n., bibliophil-y, n.
bibliopole, n., bookseller. - L. bibliopola, fr. Gk.
~Lj3ALor.w:A1jc;, 'bookseller', which is compounded
of ~L[3:A(o.,, 'book' (see biblio-), and r.w:A'r]c;,
'merchant, seller', which derives fr. I.-E. base
*pel-, 'to sell, purchase, barter, gain'. See
monopoly.
bibliotheca, n., a library. - L. bibliotheca, fr.
Gk. [3L[3"ALO&Ip<"fJ, lit. 'a case for books', which
is compounded of {'L~"Alov, 'book', .&~K"IJ, 'case,
chest, sheath'. See biblio- and theca.
Derivative: bibliothec-al, adj.
bibliothecary, n., a librarian - L. bibliotheciirius,
fr. bib/iotheca. See prec. word and subst. suff.
-ary.

Derivative: bibliothecar-ial, adj.

bibulous, adj., fond of drink; spongy. -

L. bi-

bulus, 'drinking readily', fr. bibere 'to drink',

assimilated fr. *pibere, which is cogn., with 01.
pibati, 'drinks', Olr. if, 'drink!', OW. iben, 'we
drink'; from the reduplication of I.-E. base *pi-,
*po(i)-, 'to drink', whence 01. pdti, 'drinks',
piiydyati,pdyate, 'gives to drink', pdnam, 'beverage', Arm. tmpem, 'I drink', Gk. r.fvELV, 'to
drink', r.6aLc;, 'a drink', r.6'!oc;, 'a drinking, a
drinking bout', L. potiire, 'to drink', patio, 'a
draft, drink', OSlav. pij(l, piti, 'to drink'. See
potion and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
abreuvoir, beverage, bevy, bib, 'to drink', bib,
'piece of cloth', biberon, imbibe, imbrue. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: bibulous-ly, adv., bibulous-ness, n.
bicameral, adj. having two chambers (said of
legislative bodies). - Formed fr. bi-, camera
and adj. suff. -al.
bicarbonate, n. (chem.) - Formed fr. bi- and
carbonate.
bice, n., blue or green pigment.- F. bis, 'brown,
tawny', rei. to OProven~. bis, It. bigio; of unknown origin.
bicentenary, adj., pertaining to a period of two
hundred years; n., a bicentennial. - Formed
fr. bi- and centenary.
bicentennial, adj., r) occurring every two hundred
years; 2) lasting for two hundred years; n., the
two hundredth anniversary or its celebration. Formed fr. bi- and centennial.
bicephalous, adj., two-headed. -A hybrid coined
fr. bi-, a pref. of Latin origin, Gk. KEqlc:tA.~,
'head' (see cephalic), and -ous, a suff. of Latin
origin.
biceps, n., name of various two-headed muscles,
esp. of that on the upper arm (anat.)- L., 'twoheaded', fr. bi-, 'twice, two' and caput, 'head'.
See bi- and capital, adj. For the change of Latin
a (in caput) to e (in bi-ceps) see accent and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. bicipital, triceps,
quadriceps.
bichir, n., a fish (Polypterus bichir).- A name of
Arabic origin, introduced into zoolog. nomenclature by the French naturalist Geoffroy SaintHilaire (1772-1844).
bichloride, n. (chem.) - Formed fr. bi- and
chloride.
bicho, n., the chigger. - Sp., 'animal, small animal', fr. VL. bestius, fr. L. bestia, 'beast'. See
beast.
bicipital, adj., having two heads (anat .) - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. biceps, gen. bicipitis.
See biceps.
bicker, intr. v., to squabble, quarrel. - ME. bikeren, of uncertain origin; possibly formed with
suff. -er fr. base *bik-, a collateral form of *pik-,
whence the verb pick.
bicker, n. - Scot. form of beaker.
bicuspid, adj., having two points. - Formed fr.
bi- and L. cuspis, gen. cuspidis, 'point'. See cusp
and cp. tricuspid.
bicycle, n.- F., lit. 'two-wheel', a hybrid coined

171
fr. the L. pref. bi- and Gk. xvx"Aoc;, 'a wheel'.
See cycle.
Derivatives: bicycle, intr. v., bicycl-ing, n., bicycl-ism, n., bicycl-ist, n.
bid, tr. and intr. v.- Prob. a blend of ME. bidden (fr. OE. biddan), 'to ask', and ME. beden
(fr. OE. beodan) 'to announce, proclaim, offer'.
OE. biddan is rei. to ON. bioja, OS. biddjan,
OHG., MHG., G. bitten, Goth. bidjan, 'to ask',
and to E. bead, and stands in gradational relationship to OE. biidan, ON. beioa, OHG. beiten,
Goth. baidjan, 'to command, force, compel'. All
thesewordsderivefr.I.-E. base *bheidh-, *bhidh-,
'to persuade, compel; to trust', whence also Gk.
r.d.&ELv, 'to persuade', r.lcrnc; (for *r.(%-O"'!Lc;),
'faith', L. fidere, 'to trust, confide in', foedus,
'compact treaty', Alb. be (for *bhoidhii), 'oath',
OSlav. beda (for *bhoidhii), 'need', biidQ, biditi,
'to compel, incite'. Cp. bide, faith, fidelity, pis1ology.- OE. beodan is rei. to ON. bj6oa, OHG.
biotan, MHG., G. bieten, 'to offer', OE. onbeodan, OS. an-biodan, OHG. in-biotan, Goth.
ana-biudan, 'to order, command', OE. forbeodan, Goth. faur-biudan, 'to forbid', fr. I.-E.
base *bheudh-, 'to offer, present', whence also
01. b6dhati, bUdhyate, 'is awake, is watchful, observes, understands', buddhti/:1, 'awakened, enlightened', Gk. r.EJ.J.&Ecr.&cxL, 7ru\l.&livEcr.&cxL, 'to
learn by inquiry', OSlav. b/jud(l, b/justi, 'to observe', bUidQ, budeti, 'to be awake', buid(l, buditi, 'to awake', bUdru, 'watchful', Lith. budeti,
'to be awake', Lett. budrus, 'watchful', Lith.
baudiiu, baiisti, 'to chastise', Olr. buide,
'contentment, thanks', ro-bud, 'a warning'. Cp.
beadle, bode, forbid, Buddha.
Derivatives: bid, n., bidd-able, adj., bidd-er, n.,
bidd-ing, n.
bidden, pp. of bid.
Biddy, fern. PN. - Pet form of Bridget (q.v.)
biddy, n., an Irish maid. - From prec. word.
bide, intr. and tr. v. - ME. biden, fr. OE. bidan,
'to remain, continue, wait', rei. to ON. bioa,
OFris. bidia, OHG. bftan, Goth. beidan, 'to
wait' and cogn. with Gk. 7td&ELV, 'to persuade',
L. fidere, 'to trust, confide in'. See bid and cp.
abide.
Bidens, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. bidens, 'two-toothed'.
See next word.
bident, n., an instrument with two prongs. - L.
bidens, gen. -entis, 'two-pronged', formed fr. hiand dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See dent and cp.
prec. word.
bidree, bidry, also biddery, n., an alloy of tin,
zinc and copper.- H!nd. bidri, from Bidar, a
town in India.
Biedenneier, adj. -After Gottlieb Biedermeier,
the imaginary author of poems written by Ludwig Eichrodt (1827-92).
bieooial, adj., lasting for two years; occurring
every two years; n., a plant living for two years.
- Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. biennium,

bigamy

'space of two years', fr. bi- and annus, 'year'.

See annual and cp. words there referred to. For
the change of Latin ii (in iinnus) to e (in biennium) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
bienseance, n., propriety. - F., lit. 'well-becomingness', fr. bienseant, 'well-becoming', fr. bien
(fr. L. bene), 'well', and seant, pres. part. of
seoir, 'to sit', fr. L. sedere. See bene-, sedentary
and -ce.
bier, n. - ME. here, fr. OE. biEr, rei. to OS.,
OHG. biira, ON. barar (pl.), OFris. bere, MLG.,
MDu., MHG. biire, Du. baar, G. Bahre, 'bier',
fr. I.-E. *bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to
carry', and words there referred to and cp. esp.
barrow, 'handcart'. E. bier was influenced in
form by F. biere, 'bier'.
biere, n., beer. -F., fr. Du. bier, which is rei. to
ON. bjorr, OE. beor. See beer.
bifarious, adj., r) twofold (rare); 2) arranged in
two rows (bot.)- L. bifiirius, 'twofold, double',
prob. orig. meaning 'that which can be expressed in two ways', and compounded of bi- and
fiis in the sense of 'utterance, expression, manifestation', which is rei. to fiiri, 'to speak, say'.
See fame and cp. fasti, fate. Cp. also multifarious, nefarious, omnifarious, trifarious. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
biff, v., to strike; n., a blow. - Of imitative
origin. Cp. buff, 'a blow'.
biffin, also beefin, n. -Variants of orig. beefing,
fr. beef; so called from the color of this variety
of apple.
bifid, adj., split into two equal parts. - L. bifidus, 'split into two parts', fr. bi- and fid-, the
stem of findere (pp. fissus), 'to split'. See fissile
and cp. trifid, quadrifid, multifid.
bifocal, adj. having two foci. - Formed fr. hiand focal.
bifoliate, adj., having two leaves (bot.)- Formed
fr. bi- and foliate.
bifurcate, adj., divided into two branches. - ML.
bifurciitus. See bi- and furcate.
bifurcate, tr. and intr. v., to divide into two
branches. - See prec. word,.
Derivatives: bifurcat-ed, adj., bifurcat-ion, n.
big, adj. - ME. bigge, big, of uncertain origin.
big, bigg, tr. v., to build.- ME. biggen, fr. ON.
byggja, 'to build; to dwell in', which is rei.
to bua, 'to dwell'. See be and cp. boor, booth.
biga,n.,a two-horsed chariot (Roman antiquities).
- L. bigae (pl.), contraction of *bi-jugae, lit.
'two (horses) yoked together', compounded of
bi-, 'twice' and jugum, 'yoke'. See bi- and yoke
and cp. join.
bigame, n., a bigamist (obsol.)- OF., fr. ML. bigamus (corresponding to Gk. atycxfLoc;), 'twice
married', a hybrid coined fr. L. pref. bi- and
Gk. -yc:t[LO<;, fr. y!X[Lo<;. See next word.
bigamy, n., the state of having two wives or two
husbands at the same time. - OF. ( = F.) bigamie, fr. bigame (see bigame), fr. Eccles. L.

bigarreau

173

172

bilabiate, adj., having two lips. - Formed fr.

bigamia, a hybrid coined fr. L. bi- and Gk.
bi- and labiate.
Y~fLO~, 'wedding, marriage', which is rei. to
bilateral, adj., having two sides. - Formed fr.
ycxtJ.e:"Lv, 'to take to wife, to marry', ycx[J.~p6c;,
bi- and lateral.
'son-in-law, brother-in-law, father-in-law', fr.
Derivatives: bilateral-ity, n., bilater-al-ly, adv.,
I.-E. base *gem(e)-, 'to marry', whence also 01.
bilateral-ness, n.
jiimi/:l, 'brother, sister', jiimii, 'daughter-in-law',
bilberry, n.- Dan. bellebrer, lit. 'ball berry'. See
jdmii-tar, Avestic ziimii-tar, 'son-in-law', L.gener
ball, 'a round body', and berry.
(for *gemer), 'son-in-law' (for the change of m
bilbo, n., a kind of sword.- Sp., fr. Bilbao, town
to n see gener). Cp. Gamelion, gamete, gamo-,
in Spain. For sense development cp. bayonet,
-gamy. For the difference in meaning between
Toledo.
bigamy and digamy see digamy.
bildar, n., an excavator, digger (Anglo-lnd.) Derivatives: bigam-ist, n., bigam-ous, adj. biHind., fr. Pers. beldiir, 'a spade wielder'.
gam-ous-ly, adv.
bile, n. - F., fr. L. bilis [for *bis(t)-lis], 'gall,
bigarreau, n., a variety of cherry. - F., fr. bigarre,
bile', which is cogn. with W. bust/, OCo.
'variegated', fr. OF. garre 'variegated', which is
bistel, Bret. best/, 'gall'. Cp. biliary, bilious, and
of uncertain origin; so called from its color.
the second element in atrabiliary.
Big Ben, name of the bell attached to the clock
bilge, n. - A var. of bulge.
at Westminster. - Named after Sir Benjamin
Bilharzia, n., a genus of worms, parasitic in the
Hall, first commissioner of works, under whose
blood (zoo/.) - ModL., named, at the suggessupervision the bell was cast. For Ben, dimin.
tion of the English biologist T.S.Cobbold, after
of Benjamin, see Ben.
the German physician Theodor Bilharz, disbigg, big, n., the four-rowed barley (dial.)- ME.
coverer of this parasite. For the ending see
big, bigge, fr. ON. bygg, 'barley', rei. to OE.
suff. -ia.
beow, 'grain, barley', OS. beo, bewod, 'harvest'.
Derivatives: bilharzi-a/, bilharz-ic, adjs., bilbiggin, n., cap, hood. - F. beguin, fr. beguine,
harzi-asis, n.
name of the members of certain lay sisterhoods
bill-, combining form denoting the bile. - L.
(see Beguine); so called from caps originally
hili-, fr. bflis, 'bile'. See bile.
worn by them.
biliary, adj., pertaining to the bile; bilious. biggin, n., a coffee percolator. - So called from
F. biliaire, 'pertaining to the bile', fr. L. bUis.
the name of its inventor.
See bile and adj. suff. -ary.
bight, n., I) a beflding; 2) a loop in a rope; 3) a
biliate, tr. v., to treat with bile. - Formed with
bay.- ME., fr.OE. byht, 'a bend', rei. to MLG.
verbal suff. -ate fr. L. bflis, 'bile'. See bile.
buclu (whence G. Buehl, Du. bocht, Dan., Swed.
Derivative: biliat-ion, n.
bught, 'bight, bay'); prop. abstract nouns formed
bilinear, adj., of, or pertaining to, two lines. fr. OE. h1igan, resp. MLG. biigen, 'to bend'.
Formed fr. bi- and L. lfnea, 'line'. See linear.
See bow, 'to b~:nd', and cp. obsol. E. bought,
bilingual, adj. - Lit. 'of two languages'. See hi'a bend, turn, curvature'.
and lingual.
Derivative: bight, tr. v.
bilious, adj., I) related to, or caused by the bile;
Bignonia, n., a genus of vines (bot.) - ModL.,
2) peevish. - F. bilieux, fr. L. biliosus, 'pernamed by the botanist Tournefortafter his friend
taining to the bile', fr. bf/is. See bile and -ous.
the Abbe Jean-Paul Bignon (I662-1723),
Derivatives: bilious-ly, adv., bilious-ness, n.
librarian at the court of Louis XV. For the
bilk, tr. v., to balk, deceive. - Prob. a var. of
ending see suff. -ia.
balk, 'to hinder'.
Bignoniaceae, n.pl., the Bignonia family (bot.)Derivatives: bilk, n., a bilking; a swindler, bilkModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
er, n., bilk-ing, n.
bignoniaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
bill, n., an ancient weapon; a halberd. - ME.
bigot, n. - F. bigot, 'over-devout', of uncertain
bit, fr. OE. bill, 'sword, chopping tool', rei. to
origin. It possibly derives fr. Sp. hombre de hiOS. bil, 'sword', MDu. bfle, Du. bijl, OHG.
gates, 'a man wearing mustaches', whence 'a
bfha/, MHG. bfhel, later bfl, G. Beil, ON. bflda.
man of a serious, solemn cast of mind'.
'hatchet', ON. bfldr, 'instrument for letting
Derivatives: bigot-ed, adj., bigot-ry, n.
blood', fr. I.-E. base *bhei-, 'to cut', whence
bijou, n.- F., 'jewel, gem', fr. Bret. bizou, 'finger
also Arm. bir, 'cudgel', Gk. tpi:-rpo~, 'block of
ring', fr. biz, 'finger'.
wood. log', OS!av. biti, 'to strike', biil, 'whip',
bijouterie, n., articles of jewelry. - See bijou
Russ. bi/o, 'mallet', Oir. biail, 'ax', benim (for
and -ery.
*bhinami, 'I cut, strike'. Cp. bill, 'beak'. Cp.
bike, n. and v.- Colloq. abbreviation of bicycle.
also boyar. For *bheid-, a-d-enlargement of base
bikh, bish, n., aconite poison (Ang/o-Ind.) *bhe!-, see bite and cp. words there referred to.
Hind., fr. 01. vi~tim, 'poison', which is cogn.
bill, n., document. - ME. bille, fr. AF. bille, fr.
with Gk. toe; (for f~cro<;), L. virus (for *vfsos),
Anglo-L. billa, fr. ML. bulla, 'seal affixed to a
'poison'. See virus.
document, sealed document, document', fr. L.
bilabial, adj., formed with both lips.- Lit. 'made
bulla, 'bubble, boss, knob' ,later 'seal', fr. *bu-1-,
with both lips', fr. bi- and labial

an -/-enlargement of the I.-E. imitative base

*bu-, 'to blow; to swell'. See buccal and cp.
billet, 'note', boil, v., bolas, boule, 'a game',
budge, bulb, bull, 'edict', bullet, bulletin. ,
Derivative: bill, tr. v., to make out a bill; to
announce by bills.
bill, n., beak.- ME. bille, fr. OE. bile, 'beak',
rei. to OE. bill, 'sword, chopping tool'. See
bill, 'halberd'.
Derivative: bill, intr. v., to touch bills; to caress.
billet, n., document, note. - F. billet, fr. OF.
bil/ette, which is a blend of bille, 'ball', and OF.
bullette, dimin. of bulle, 'bill', fr. L. bulla. See
bill, 'document'. Cp. also habiliment.
Derivative: billet, tr.v.
billet, n., stick, log. -OF. billete (whence, with
change of suff., F. billot), dimin. of bille, 'block
of wood', fr. VL. bilia, a word of Gaulish origin.
Cp. Ir. bile, 'tree trunk'. Cp. also billiards, bilJon, bullion.
billet-doux, n., love letter.- F., lit. 'sweet note',
fr. billet, 'document, note', and doux, 'sweet',
fr. L. dulcis, of s.m. See billet, 'document', and
dulcet.
billiards, n. - F. hi/lard, first denoting 'a bent
stick', then 'a stick to push balls' (whence its
modern sense), from bille, 'log'. See billet,
'stick, log'.
billingsgate, n., abusive, blasphemous language.
- Prop. 'the language used at Billingsgate', fishmarket in London.
billion, n., I) lit. (and still so in England and Germany) a million millions, (i.e. I followed by I 2
zeros); 2) in the United States and France, a
thousand millions (i.e. I followed by 9 zeros).F., a hybrid formed on analogy of million (q.v.)
fr. L. pref. bi-, fr. his, 'twice'. See bi- and cp.
trillion, quadrillion, quintillion, sextillion, septillion, octillion, nonillion, decillion, centillion.
Derivatives: billionaire (q.v.), billion-th, adj.
and n.
billionaire, n. -Formed fr. billion on analogy of
millionaire.
billon, n., an alloy of silver with a preponderating
amount of copper.- F., 'Jump', fr. bille, 'block
of wood': prop. a variant of bullion (q.v.)
billow, n. - Fr. ON. by/gja, 'billow', rei. to
MHG. bulge, 'billow, bag', fr. Teut. base *belg-,
'to swell'. Accordingly billow lit. means 'anything swelling', whence 'a swelling wave'. See
belly and cp. bolster.
Derivative: billow-y, adj.
billy, n.- In all its senses: fr. Billy, pet form of
William.
billycock, n. - Altered fr. bully-cocked (hat),
which lit. means 'cocked as hats worn by bullies'. See bully and cock.
bilobate, adj., having two lobes. - Formed fr.
bi-, Gk. :Ao~6.;, 'lobe of the ear' (see lobe), and
adj. suff. -ate.
biltong, n., sundried meat (S. African). - S.
African Du., compounded of Du. bil, 'rump',

bind

and tong, 'tongue' (see tongue); so called because

the strips are tongue-shaped.
bimanal, bimanous, adj., having two hands (zoo/.)
-Formed fr. bi-, L. manus, 'hand' (see manual),
and adj. suff. -al, resp. -ous.
bimastism, n., condition of having two mammae
(anat.) - A hybrid coined fr. L. pref. bi-, Gk.
tJ.cxcr-r6.;, 'mamma', and Gk. suff. -~<>fLO<;. See bi-,
masto- and -ism.
bimbashee, n., a Turkish military officer.- Turk.
bing-biishl, lit. 'head of a thousand'. The second
element of this word forms the first element of
the compound bashi-bazouk (q.v.)
bimestrial, adj., bimonthly.- Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. bimenstris, bimi!stris, 'lasting two
months', fr. bi- and mensis, 'month'. Cp. L.
menstruus, 'pertaining to a month, monthly',
intermenstris,intermestris, 'between two months',
and see month. Cp. also menses.
bimetallic, adj., 1) composed of, or pertaining to,
two metals; 2) pertaining to, or based upon,
bimetallism. - F. bimetal/ique, coined by the
Italian economist Enrico Cernuschi (1821-96)
in I 869 fr. pref. bi- and metal/ique, 'metallic'.
See bi-, metal and -ic.
bimetallism, n., the use of two metals, usually
gold and silver, as standard money. - F. bimetallisme, coined by Enrico Cernuschi in I876.
See prec. word and -ism.
bimetallist, n., an advocate of bimetallism. - See
prec. word and -ist.
bimonthly, adj., happening once in two months.
-A hybrid coined fr. the L. pref. bi- (see bi-)
and English monthly (see month).
Derivative: bimonthly, n.
bin, n., receptacle. - ME. binne, fr. OE. binn.
fr. L henna, 'a two-wheeled cart with a body
of basket work', a word of Celtic (Gaulish)
origin; cp. W. benn, 'cart'. L. henna stands for
*bhentnii and is cogn. with Gk. rri&II1J, Att.
tp~TI1J, 'manger, crib', fr. J.-E. base *bhendh-,
'to bind', whence also E. bind (q.v.) OE. b6sig,
'cowstall', and dial. E. boose, 'crib', are prob.
cogn. with W. benn, 'cart'.
Derivative: bin, tr. v.., to place in a bin.
binary, adj., dual. - L. bfniirius, 'consisting of
two', formed fr. bini, 'two each, two at a time',
which stands for *dwis-nf, and is rei. to duo,
'two', OL. dvis (whence L. bis), 'twice'. Sec bi-,
bis, and adj. suff. -ary and cp. combine and the
first element in binocle, binocular.
binate, adj., double (bot.) - Formed with adj.
suff. -ate fr. L. bfnf. See prec. word.
Derivative: binary, n.
bind, tr. and intr. v. - ME. binden, fr. OE.
bindan, rei. to OS., Goth. bindan, ON., OFris.
binda, OHG. bintan, MHG., G. binden, fr. I.-E.
base *bhendh-, 'to bind', whence also 01. badhndti, later form bandhati, 'binds', btindhu/:l,
'kinsman', Gk. rrE\i&~po<;, 'father-in-law', prop.
'bound (through marriage)', rr~"i:crtJ.CX (for rrev&<>tJ.cx), 'cable', rr~&v1J, Att. tp<i't"Vt)(for *bhl)dh-nii),

174

bine
'manger, crib' (lit. 'place where the animal is
tied up'), L. of-fend-ix, 'a band', Lith. befidras,
'common, joint', as a noun 'partner', Lett.
biedrs, 'companion, comrade'; see R. Trautmann, Baltisch-Slavisches Worterbuch, p. 30.
Cp. band, 'a tie', bandhava, bandbu, bandoleer,
bend, besom, bin, bine, bond, bend, bond, bundle,
bandal, the first element in bundobust and the
second element in cummerbund, sebundy.
Derivatives: bind, n., bind-er, n., bind-er-y, n.,
bind-ing, n. and adj.
bine, n., any climbing stem.- A dialectal form
of bind, n. (see prec. word).
bing, interj.- Imitative.
binnacle, n., case for a compass on a ship. Corruption of earlier bittacle, fr. Port. bitacola,
which is formed by aphesis fr. L. habitiiculum,
'little dwelling' (whence also F. habitacle), a
derivative of habitiire, 'to dwell'; see habitat.
The form of the word binnacle was prob. influenced by E. bin.
binocle, n., a telescope adapted for the use of
both eyes at the same time. -F., fr. L. bini,
'two at a time', and oculus 'eye'. See binary
and ocular.
binocular, adj., using both eyes at the same time.
- See prec. word and cp. monocular.
Derivative: binocular, n.
binomial, adj., consisting of two terms (alg.) A hybrid coined from the L. pref. bi- (see bi-) on
analogy of monomial.(q.v.)
Derivative: binomial, n.
binominal, adj., having two names.- Formed fr.
bi- and nominal.
binturong, n., an animal resembling the civet cat.
-Malay.
bio-, combining form meaning 'life'.- Gk. [3w-,
fr. [3lo.;, 'life', dissimilated fr. *[3lfo.;, fr. I.-E.
*guiwos; cogn. with Goth. qius, OE. cwicu,
'living'. See quick, and cp. vital, zoo-. Cp. also
biosis, biotic, and the second element in aerobic,
amphibious, bathybius, cenobite, microbe, hygiene, Limnobium, Lithobius, macrobiotic, necrobiosis, Rhizobium, symbion, symbiosis.
biochemistry, n., chemistry dealing with animal
and plant life. - See bio- and chemistry.
biogeo, n., a protopla5mic unit (bioi.) - Coined
by the German physiologist Max Verwom
(1863-1921) in 1903 fr. bio- and -gen.
biogenesis, n., the theory that living organisms
can only arise from pre-existing living matter
(bioi.)- Coined by the English biologist Thomas
Henry Huxley (1825-95) in 1870 fr. Gk. [3lo.;,
'life', and yeve:m~. 'origin, source'. See bio- and
genesis and cp. abiogenesis.
biogenesist, n., one who believes in the theory of
biogenesis. - See prec. word and -ist.
biogenetic, biogenetical, adj., pertaining to biogenesis. -See biogenesis and -etic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: biogenetic-al-ly, adv.
biogeny, n., biogenesis.- Compounded of bioand -geny.

biograph, n., a cinematograph . - Lit. 'living description', fr. Gk. [3lo.;, 'life', and -ypoc<po<;, fr.
ypoc<pe:~\1, 'to write'. See bio- and -graph and cp.
next word.
biographer, n. -See next word and agential sutf.
-er.
biography, n.- Late Gk. [3wypoc<pl<i, 'description
of life', fr. Gk. [3lo.;, 'life', and -ypoc<pl.X, fr.
ypoc<pEL'I, 'to write'. See bio- and -graphy.
Derivatives: biograph-ic, biograph-ic-al, adjs.,
biograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
biology, n. - Lit. 'the study of life', suggested by
the German naturalist G. Reinhold Treviranus
as a modern coinage fr. Gk. [3lo.;, 'life', and
-).oylix, fr. -A6yo.;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic) (see bio- and -logy); introduced as a
scientific term by the French biologist Jean-Baptiste-Pierre-Antoine de Monet de Lamarck
(1744-1829) in 1802 (in his Hydrogeologie).
Derivatives: biolog-ic, biolog-ic-al, adjs., biologic-al-ly, adv., biolog-ist, n.
biometry, n., the calculation of the notable duration of human life. - Compounded of bio- and
-metry.
bionomics, n., ecology. - Formed fr. bio- on
analogy of economics.
bioplasm, n., living protoplasm (bioi.) - Compounded of bio- and Gk. 7tAOCCT[liX, 'something
molded'. See plasma.
bioplast, a particle of bioplasm (bioi.) - Compounded of bio- and Gk. -7tAoccr-ro.;, fr. 7tAoccr-r6~,
'molded, formed'. See -plast.
bioscope, n., a biograph. - Compounded of bioand Gk. -crx6mov, fr. crxomi:v, 'to look at,
examine'. See -scope.
biosis, n., vitality (bioi.) - Gk. [3wcr~, 'way of
life', fr. [3lo.;, 'life'. See bio- and -osis.
biosterin, n., product from cod-liver oil.- Coined
fr. Gk. ~lo.;, 'life' (see bio-), cholesterol and
chem. suff. -in.
biotic, biotical, adj., pertaining to life. - Gk.
[3twnx6.;, fr. [3lo.;, 'life'. See bio-.
biparous, adj., bringing forth two at a birth. Formed fr. bi- and L. -parus (in viviparus, 'bringing forth its young alive'). See -parous.
bipartite, adj., divided into two parts (bot.) L. bipartitus, pp. of bipartire, 'to divide into
two parts', fr. bi- and partitus, pp. of partiri,
'to divide'. See partite.
biped, n., an animal with two feet; a man; adj.,
two-footed. - L. bipes, gen. bipedis, 'twofooted', fr. bi- and pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'. See
pedal.

biplane, n., airplane with two planes. - Formed

fr. bi- and plane, 'airplane'.
Bipontine, adj., relating to the edition of ancient
class1cs at Zweibrucken. - Lit. 'relating to the
town Zweibrucken ( = Town of the 'two bridges') in Bavaria, whose name was Latinized into
Bipontium. See bi- and poiL'!i. For the ending see
adj. suff. -ine.

1/)

biquadrate, n., the fourth power, the square of

the square (math.) - Formed fr. bi- and quadrate.
Derivative: biquadrat-ic, adj. and n.
birch, n.- ME. birche, fr. OE. bierce, beorc, rei.
to OS. birka, berka, ON. bOrk, Dan. birk, Swed.
bjijrk, Norw. bjerk, MDu. berke, Du. berk, OHG.
birihha, birka, MHG. birche, birke, G. Birke,
'birch', and cogn. with Osset. harz, OSlav. breza,
Lith. berias, Lett. bei'ia, OPruss. berse, Russ.
bereza, OCzech bfieza, 01. bhii.rjd/:1, 'birch', L.
farnus,fraxinus, 'mountain ash'. All these words
lit. mean 'the white (or bright) tree' and derive
fr. I.-E. base *bhereg-, 'to shine, be white'. See
bright and cp. Fraxinus, fraxinella.
Derivatives: birch, adj. and tr. v., birch-en, adj.,
birch-ing, n.
bird, n. - ME. brid, bird, fr. OE. bridd, 'young
bird', of uncertain origin; possibly in gradational
relationship to breed, brood.
bireme, n., a galley having two banks of oars. L. biremis, formed fr. bi- and remus (for *resmas), 'oar', which is cogn. with Gk. epecrcrEL\1,
Att. epe-rnw, 'to row', eph7J<;, 'rower', epe:-r[J-6<;,
epE't'[lOV, 'oar', 01. arittir-, 'rower', aritra/:1, 'oar',
OE. rowan, 'to row', r6oer, 'rudder'. See row,
'to propel a boat', rudder, and cp. the second
element in unireme, trireme, quadrireme, quinquereme. Cp. also remex.
biretta, n., a square cap worn by the Roman
Catholic clergy. -It. berretta, fr. Late L. birrus,
also birrum, 'large cloak with a hood', which is
ofGaulish origin; cp. Mir. herr, W. byrr, 'short'.
Cp. barret, beret, burnous.
birr, intr. v., to whir. -Of imitative origin.
birrellism, n., style resembling that of Augustine
Birrell (1850- 1933). - For the ending see
sutf. -ism.
birth, n.- ME. burthe, birthe, fr. ON. byro, rei.
to OE. gebyrd, OS. giburd, OFris. herd, Du.
geboorte,OHG .giburt, MHG., G. geburt. Goth.
gabaurps. Derivatively these words correspond
exactly to 01. bhrti/:1, 'a bringing, maintenance',
and to L.fors, gen. fortis, 'chance', fr. I.-E. base
*bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and
cp. berth.
bis, adv., twice. - L. bis, fr. OL. dvis, cogn. with
OI. dvi/:1, Avestic bish, Gk. 3l.;, MHG. zwis,
'twice', Goth. tvis-, 'in two, asunder', ON. tvistra, 'to divide'. See bi- and cp. two, twi-, twist.
Cp. also the first element in bevue and the second
element in t~te-beche.
biscuit, n. - F. biscuit, fr. L. bis coctus, 'twice
cooked' (whence also It. biscotto), fr. bis,
'twice' (see prec. word), and coctus, pp. of coquere, 'to cook'. See cook, n., and cp. bisque.
bise, n., a dry and cold north wind. - F., fr.
Frankish *bisa, which is rei. to OHG. bisa, G.
Bise, 'bise', OHG. bison, 'to run about' (said
of cattle attacked by gadflies), OSwed. bisa, 'to
run', Dan. bisse, 'to run in agitation'; not related to breeze.

DIStro

bisect, tr. v., to cut in two.- Formed fr. bi- and

L. seciire, pp. sectus, 'to cut'. See section.
Derivatives: bisect-ion, n., bisect-or, n.
bisexual, adj. - Formed fr. bi- and sexual.
bishop, n. - ME. biscop, bischop, fr. OE. bisceop, biscop, fr. L. episcopus, 'overseer, superintendant', in Eccles. L., 'bishop', fr. Gk. e7tlcrxo7to<;, 'overseer', fr. e1t, 'on, over', and crxo1t6<;,
'watcher'. See epi- and -scope and cp. episcopal.
Cp. also obispo.
Derivative: bishop, tr. and intr. v.
bishopric, n. - OE. bisceoprfce, biscoprice, compounded of bisceop, biscop, 'bishop', and rice
'dominion'. See prec. word and Reich.
bismite, n., bismuth trioxide (mineral.)- Coined
fr. next word and subst. sutf. -ite.
bismuth, n., name of a metallic element (chem.)G. Bismuth (now spelled Wismut), Latinized by
Georgius Agricola (in 1530) into bisemutum.
The origin of the word is uncertain. It is not
connected with Arab. ithmid, 'antimon', as most
lexicographers would have it.
bismuto-, bismutho-, combining form meaning
'bismuth'.- See prec. word.
bisnaga, n. a kind of cactus. -Port. bisnaga (cp.
Sp. biznaga), fr. Arab. bisruij, secondary form of
bastiruij, fr. L. pastiniica, 'parsnip'. See parsnip.
bison, n., wild ox. - F., fr. L. bison, fr. OHG.
wisunt (MHG., G. wisent), which is rei. to OE.
wesand, ON. visundr, and cogn. with OPruss.
wis-sambrs, 'aurochs', and with L. vissi6,
'stench'. The bison is named after the peculiar
odor of musk emitted by it during the rutting
season. See weasel.
bisporous, adj., having two spores (bot.) - A
hybrid coined fr. L. pref. bi-, 'twice', and Gk.
cr1top&, 'sowing, seed' (see bi- and spore). The
correct form is disporous in which both elements
are of Greek origin. For the ending see sutf. -ous.
bisque, n., unglazed porcelain (ceramics).- Corruption of biscuit.
bissextile, adj. and n., intercalary (year). - F.
(anmfe) bissexti/e, fr. Late L. (annus) bissextilis,
'a year containing an intercalary day', fr. (dies)
bissextus, the intercalary day (of the Julian
calendar), lit. 'the twice sixth (day)', i.e. the
sixth day before the calends of March, which
is reckoned twice in a leap year. See bis-, sext
and suff. -ile.
bister, bistre, n., a dark-brown pigment. - F.
bistre, of unknown origin.
bistort, adj., a plant (Polygonum bistorta). - F.
bistorte, lit. 'twice twisted', fr. L. bis, 'twice', and
torta, fern. pp. of torquere, 'to twist' (see bis and
torque). The plant was so called from its twisted
root.
bistoury, n., a small surgical knife. -F. bistouri.
of unknown origin.
bistro, n., 1) a wine seller; 2) a wine shop (slang).
- F., 'winemerchant , restaurantkeep er, restaurant', fr. bistraud, 'a little shepherd', a word of
the Poitou dialect, fr. biste, 'goat'.

bit

bit, n., a morsel. - ME., fr. OE. bita, 'a bite,

bit, morsel', lit. 'something bitten off', rei. to
OS. biti, ON. bit, OFris. bite, MDu. bete, Du.
beet, OHG. bi330, MHG. bi33e, G. Bissen, 'bit,
morsel', and to OE. bitan, 'to bite'. See bite and
cp. next word.
bit, n., mouthpiece of the bridle of a horse. ME. bit, bitt, fr. OE. bite, 'a biting', rei. to OS.
biti, ON. bit, G. Bi.P, and to OE. bltan, 'to bite'.
See bite and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: bit, tr. v.
bit, past tense of bite. - ME. bit, from the stem
of the OE. pp. biten. See bite and cp. bitten.
bitartrate, n., an acid tartrate (chem.) - See hiand tartrate.
bitch, n., female dog.- ME. bicche, fr. OE. bicce,
rei. to ON. bikkja; of uncertain origin.
bite, tr. and intr. v. - ME. biten, fr. OE. bitan,
rei. to OS. bitan, ON., OFris. bita, Swed. bita,
Dan. bide, MLG., MDu. bften, Du. bijten, OHG.
bi33an, MHG. bi3en, G. bei.Pen, Goth. beitan, 'to
bite'. The orig. meaning was 'to cleave, split', fr.
I.-E. base *bheid-, whence also 01. bhinddmi, 'I
cleave', L. findere, 'to cleave, split', and prob.
also Gk. <pdllscr&<X~, 'to spare' (orig. 'to cut
oneself off from somebody'). Cp. bit, 'morsel',
bit, 'mouthpiece ', bait, bate, 'solution used in
tanning', abet, bezzle, embezzle, bitter, adj., vent,
'slit', giblets. Cp. also fissile and words there
referred to. Cp. also bill, 'halberd'.
Derivatives: bite, n., bit-er, n., bit-ing, adj., biting-ly, adv.
bitt, n., timber fastened to the deck of a vessel.Prob. fr. ON. biti, 'beam', which is rei. to ON.
beit, 'boat', Du. b!'eting, 'bitt', MHG. bizze,
'wooden wedge'.- F. bitte, 'bitt', is of the same
origin. See boat and cp. bitter, n.
bitten, pp. of bite. - ME. bitten, fr. OE. biten,
pp. of bftan. See bite.
bitter, adj. - ME. biter, fr. OE. biter, bitor, rei.
to OS. bittar, ON. bitr, Du. bitter, OHG. bittar,
MHG., G. bitter, Goth. baitrs, 'bitter', orig. 'of
a pungent taste' and rei. to OE. bftan, 'to bite'.
Sec bite and cp. embitter.
Derivatives: bitter-ly, adv., bitter-n!'ss, n.
bitter, n., turn of the cable about the bitts (naut.)
- Sec bitt~.
bitterling, n., a small fish (Rhodeus amarus). Formed from the adjective bitter with suff.
-ling; so called from its bitter flavor.
bittern, n., a hcronlike bird. - ME. bitour, fr.
OF. ( c= F.) butor, fr. VL. *bilfi-taurus, a compound of L. bllteo, butio, 'a kind of falcon or
hawk', and taurus, 'ox', L. htlleo derives fr.
btl/ire, 'to cry like a bittern', which is of imitative origin and lit. means 'to utter the sound
hii'. Cp. L. huber!', a synonym of btitire and
htiho, 'owl', and sec Buteo, Bubo. For the second
clement in VL. *buti-taurus see Taurus. The
reason why in VL. *buti-taurus the bittern is
compared with an ox, may be best explained by
a passage in Pliny (10,42), in which the author

176

relates that in Gaul the bittern was called taurus

(i.e. 'ox') because of its voice suggestive of the
bellowing of oxen. For the suffixed -n in bittern
cp. marten.
bittern, n., the bitter liquid remaining after the
crystallization in saltworks. - A derivative of
bitter, adj.
bitters, n. pl., bitter liquors. - The adj. bitter,
used as a noun.
bitumen, n., 1) asphalt; 2) an inflammable mineral
substance. - L. bitumen, 'mineral pitch', an
Osco-Umbri an loan word (the genuine Latin
form would have been *vetiimen, fr. *gwetumen) of Celtic origin; cogn. with 01. jdtu, 'lac,
gum', ON. kviioa, 'resin', OE. cwidu, cudu,
'mastic, cud'. See cud and cp. beton. Cp. also
Betula.
Derivatives: bitumin-ize, tr. v., bitumin-ous, adj.
bivalence, bivalency, n. (chem.) -Formed fro'11
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
bivalent, adj. having a valency of two (chem.)Formed fr. bi- and L. valens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of valere, 'to have power'. See valiant and
cp. -valent, valence.
bivalve, n., a mollusk with a double shell. Formed fr. pref. bi- and valve.
bivouac, n. -F. bivouac, variant bivac, fr. earlier
biwacht, fr. Swiss G. biwacht, which is equivalent to G. Beiwacht, a collateral form of Beiwache, 'a keeping watch', fr. bei, 'at, by', and
Wache, 'watch, guard'. See by and wake, 'to be
awake'. It. bivacco, 'bivouac', is a French loan
word.
Derivative: bivouac, intr. v.
bixbyite, n., an iron mangenese oxide (mineral.)
- Named after Maynard Bixby of Utah, its
discoverer. For the ending see subst. suff. -itc.
bizarre, adj., strange. - F., fr. It. bizzarro, 'capricious', fr. Sp. bizarro, 'gallant, brave', fr.
Basque bizar, 'beard'. The sense development
of the word is due to the strange impression
made by the bearded Spanish soldiers upon
the French.
blab, n. - ME. blahbe, rei. to ME. blabaen.
See blabber.
Derivative: blab, tr. and intr. v.
blabber, intr. and tr. v. --ME. blaberen, of imitative origin. Cp. ON. blabbra, Dan. blabbre,
'babble', OHG. blabbizon, MHG. blepzen, G.
plappern, 'to babble'.
Derivative: blabber, n.
black, adj.- ME. blak, blakke, fr. OE. bl<l!c, rei.
to ON. blakkr, 'dark', OHG. blah, 'black',
Swed. h/iick, 'ink', Du. hlaken, 'to burn', fr.
I.-E. base *bhleg-, 'to shine, gleam', whence
also Gk. 9/.iyew, 'to burn, scorch', q:i!.iy[J.'X,
'hfat, inflammation"~ ?)J.~;, gen. 1ft).cry6~, 'flame,

blaze', tpA''YfLl~. of s.m., L. flumma (fr. *flagmii), 'flame', flagriire 'to blaze, glow, burn',
fu/g('re, 'to shine', ji1/gur, 'lightning', fulmen (fr.
fulg-men), 'lightning, 01. bhrdjate, 'it shines',
hhdrga/:r, 'gleam', bhfgava/:r, 'demi-deities rep-

1/1

resenting the lightning', Lith. bldgnytis, 'to

brighten' (intr.). Cp. blanc, blank, blink, bream,
'a fish'. Cp. also flagrant, flambeau, flame, flammule, fulgent, fulgara, fulgurant, fulminate,
Phlegethon, phlegm, phlegmon, phlogiston, Phlox.
Derivatives: black, n., and tr. v., black-ing, n.,
black-ish, adj., black-ish-ly, adv., black-ish-ness,
n., black-y, adj. and n.
blackamoor, n., a Negro.- Compounde d of black
and Moor.
blackguard, n. - Prop. a black guard, a name
orig. given to the lowest menials employed in
the kitchen of a great household.
Derivatives: blackguard, adj. and intr. and tr. v.,
blackguard-ism, n., blackguard-ly, adj. and adv.
blackjack, n., a large leathern vessel. - Compounded of black and the personal noun Jack.
blackmail, n. - Compounde d of black, used
figuratively in the sense 'illegal', and mail, 'rent,
tax'. For this meaning of black cp. the modern
term black market.
Derivatives: blackmail, tr. v., blackmail-er, n.
bladder, n.- ME. bladre, bledder, fr. OE. bliedre,
blteddre, 'blister, bladder', rei. to OS. bladara,
ON. blaara, Swed. bladdra, OHG. bliittara,
\1HG. bliitere, G. Blatter, Du. blaar; formed
fr. Teut. base *hie-, 'to blow, inflate', corresponding to I.-E. base *bh/6-, *bhle- (see blow,
'to puff'), with suff. -dro, which corresponds to
Gk. -Tpo, L. -tro (see rostrum). Cp. the second
element in isinglass.
Derivatives: bladder, tr. and intr. v., bladder-y,
adj.
blade, n. - ME. blad, blade, fr. OE. blred, 'leaf;
blade (of an ear)', rei. to ON. blao, OS., Dan.,
Swed., Du. blqd, OHG., MHG. blat, G. Blatt,
OFris. bled, 'leaf'; prop. pp. ofOE. blowan, etc.,
'to bloom, flower', fr. I.-E. base *bhlo-, *bhle-,
*bhlii-, 'to sprout, bloom; leaf', whence prob.
also Toch. pii/t, 'leaf'. See blow, 'to bloom', and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: blade, tr. and intr. v., blad-ed, adj.,
blade-let, n., blad-er, n., blad-ing, n., blad-y, adj.
blae, adj., dark-blue, livid (obsol.) - ME. blo,
bla, fr. ON. bliir, which is rei. to OE. bliiw,
bliew, 'blue'. See blue.
blaeberry, n., bilberry. - Compounde d of blae
and berry.
blah, interj. and n. (U.S. Slang)- Of imit. origin.
blain, n., a pustule. -ME. bleine, fr. OE. blegen,
rei. to Dan. blegn, Du. blein, fr. I.-E. base
*bhlei-, 'to swell', an enlargement of base
*bhel-. For other enlargements of base *bhelsee belly, bloat, bulge, phlebo-.
Derivative: blain, tr. v.
blake, adj., pale (ubsol.) - ME., fr. OE. bliic,
'bright, white; pale', rei. to ON. blfkja, 'to appear,
shine, glitter'. See bleach and cp. words there
referred to.
blame, tr. v.- ME. bfamen, fr. OF. blasmer (F.
blcimer), fr. VL. blastemiire, 'to blame', which is
formed-pro b. under the influence of L. aesti-

miire,'to estimate':___fr. Late L. blasphemiire, 'to

blaspheme, blame', fr. Gk. ~A<Xcr<:p1J[J.dv, 'to speak
profanely, speak ill'. Cp. Catal. hlastemar, Port.
lastimar, Rum. blestema, 'to abuse', and see
blaspheme.
Derivatives: blame, n. (q.v.), blam-able, adj ..
blam-able-ness, n., blam-abl-y, adv., blam-ed,
adj., blam-er, n., blam-ing, adj., blam-ing-ly, adv.
blame, n. - ME., fr. OF. blasme (F. bhime),
back formation fr. blasmer. See blame, v.
Derivatives: blame-ful, adj., blame-jitl-ly, adv.,
blame-ful-ness, n., blame-less, adj., blame-less-ly.
adv., blame-less-ness, n.
blanc, n., a French coin.- Prop. 'a white coin',
fr. F. blanc, 'white'. See blank.
blanch, tr. v., to make white; intr. v., to turn.
pale. - ME. blanchen, fr. OF. ( = F.) blanchir
'to make white', fr. blanc, fern. blanche, 'white'.
See blank and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: blanch-er, n.
Blanch, Blanche, fern. PN. - F. Blanche lit
'white', fr. blanche, fern. of blanc, 'white;; of
Teut. origin. See blank and cp. blanch. Cp. also
Bianca.
blancmange, n., a kind of dessert. - F. blancmanger, lit. 'white food', fr. blanc, 'white', and
manger, 'food', fr. manger, 'to eat'. See blank
and manger.
bland, adj., 1) gentle, pleasant; 2) mild, soothing.
- L. blandus, 'smooth-tong ued, flattering, pleasant', of uncertain, possibly imitative origin.
Derivatives: bland-ly, adv., bland-ness, n.
blandish, tr. v. - ME. blandissen, fr. OF. blandiss-, pres. part. stem of blandir, 'to flatter, fr.
L. blandiri, 'to caress', fr. blandus. See prec.
word and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: blandish-er, n., blandish-ing, adj.,
blandish-ing-ly, adv.
blank, adj. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) blanc, fern.
blanche, 'white', fr. Frankish *blank, 'shining,
bright', which is rel. to OHG. blanc, blanch,
MHG. blanc, G. blank, 'shining, bright', OE.
blanca, ON. blakkr, 'white horse', fr. I.-E. base
*bhleg-, 'to shine, gleam', See black and cp.
blanc, blanch, Blanch, blanket, Bianca.
Derivatives: blank, n., blank-ly, adv., blankness, n.
blanket, n. - OF. blankette, hlanquette, dimin.
of blanc, 'white', orig. meaning 'a white cloth".
See blank, adj., and -et, -ette.
Derivatives: blanket, tr. v., blank!'l-ing, n.
blanquilo, n., a fish of the genus Caulolatilus. Sp., dimin. of blanco, 'white'; which is a Tcut.
loan word. See blank, adj.
blare, tr. and intr. v., to sound loudlv. - ME.
blaren, hloren, 'to cry, weep', of imita~i\e origin.
Cp. MDu. bleren, Du. blaren, bler!'n, 'to bleat,
cry', MLG. blarren, 'to weep', LG. bl<iren, 'to
whine', MHG. bleren, G. pldrren, 'to bleat; to
bawl, blubber, whine'. Cp. also Gk. ~A1Jzi;, 'a
bleating', (3A1Jzoccr&:n, 'to bleat', L. hiiliire,
OSiav. bleju, blejati, Lett. bleju, hlet, Russ. ble~

blarney
kat', MHG. bleken (G. bloken), 'to bleat', which
are all imitative. Cp. blatant, bleat, blurt.
Derivative: blare, n.
blarney, n., flattery.- From Blarney, name of a
village and a castle near Cork, Ireland, containing the Blarney stone, which is said to make
anyone that kisses it a persuasive speaker.
Derivative: blarney, tr. v.
bias, n., supposed influence of the stars (obsol.)Coined by the Flemish physician and chemist
Jan Baptista van Helmont (1577-1644), prob.
after MDu. bla3s, 'wind', which is rei. to LG.
bias, 'breath', and to E. blast (q.v.) For another
word coined by Helmont see gas.
blase, adj., surfeited. - F., pp. of blaser, 'to
blunt, cloy, surfeit', fr. Du. blazen, 'to blow',
which is rei. to ON. bliisa, OHG. bliisan, 'to
blow', and to E. blast (q.v.) F. blase orig.
meant 'puffed up under the effect of drinking'.
blaspheme, tr. v., to speak impiously of; intr. v.,
to utter blasphemy. - ME. blasfemen, fr. OF.
blasfemer (F. blasphemer), fr. Late L. blasphimiire, 'to blaspheme', fr. Gk. ~Aotmp1Jf1E'i:ll, 'to
speak profanely, to speak ill', fr. ~'A.XaqrrJf10<;,
'speaking ill'. The first element of this compound
is of uncertain etymology. The second element
is rei. to 'P~f11J, 'report'; see fame.
Derivatives: blasphem-er, n., blasphemous, blasphemy (qq.v.)
blasphemous, adj. -Late L. blasphemus, fr. Gk.
~Ma<p'IJfLO<;, 'speaking ill'. See prec. word. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: blasphemous-ly, adv., blasphemousness, n.
blasphemy, n. - ME. blasfemie, fr. OF. biasfernie, fr. Late L. b/asphemia, fr. Gk. ~AtxO'<p1Jf1(.X,
'a speaking ill', fr. ~A<ia<p1Jf10<;. See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -[.X).
hlast, n.- ME., fr. OE. b/:st, 'blowing, blast',
rei. to ON. bliistr, OHG. bliist, 'a blowing,
blast', ON. bliisa, OHG. bliisan, MHG. bliisen,
G. blasen, Goth. b/esan, 'to blow'; formed with s formative element- fr. I.-E. base bhlii-,
bhle-, 'to swell'. See blow, 'to puff', and cp.
bias, blase, blaze, 'to make known', blister.
Derivatives: blast, intr. and tr. v., blast-ed, adj.,
blast-er, n., blast-ing, n., b/ast-ment, n., blast-y,
adj.
-blast, combining form denoting an embryonic
cell or a germ layer as in ectoblast, mesoblast
(bioi.)- Fr. Gk. ~Atxa-r6<;, 'bud, sprout, shoot',
a word of uncertain origin. Cp. blastema, -blastic, blasto-.
blastema, n., the basis from which an organ is
formed (embryo/.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ~AcXO''t'llf1tx,
'offspring, offshoot', from the stem of ~).oca
.,.cive:~~~. 'to shoot forth', fr. ~Aa.a't'6<;. See -blast.
Derivatives: blastem-a/, blastem-atic, blastem-ic,
adjs.
-blastic, combining form meaning 'sprouting', as
in homoblastic, heteroblastic; connected with
nouns ending in -blast.- Formed with suff. -ic

If<>

fr. Gk. -~Aot:o-'1'6<;, fr. ~ActO"T6<;. See -blast.

blasto-, before a vowel blast-, combining form
meaning 'bud, germ', as in blastoderm. - Gk.
~).oea-ro-, ~).oca-r-, fr. ~Aa.O"T6<;. See -blast.
blastoderm, n., a layer of cells arising from the
segmentation of the ovum (embryo/.) - Compounded of blasto- and Gk. opf1ot 'skin'. See
derma and cp. words there referred to.
blatant, adj., offensively noisy. -Coined by Edmund Spenser (in his 'Faery Queen'); prob.
suggested by L. blatire, 'to babble', which is of
imitative origin; not rei. to E. bleat.
Derivatives: blatan-cy, n., blatant-ly, adv.
blather, blether, intr. v., to talk nonsense.
ME., fr. ON. blaora, 'to talk nonsense', fr.
blaor, 'nonsense', which is of imitative origin.
Derivatives: blather, blether, n., blather-er,
blether-er, n.
Blatta, n., a genus of cockroaches (entomol.) L. blatta, 'cockroach', of unknown origin.
blatti, blatty, n., the plant Sonneratia acida (Anglo-Ind.) -Hind., lit. 'the foreign plant', corruption of biliiti, biliiyati, 'foreign', fr. Arab.
wildyat, 'kingdom, province'. See vilayet and
cp. Blighty, vall.
blauwbok, blaubok, n., a name given by the Dutch
in South Africa to a large kind of antelope. Du. blauwbok, lit. 'blue buck'. See blue and
buck.
blay, n., the bleak. - ME., fr. OE. bl:ge, rei. to
MLG., MDu. bleie, Du. blei, G. Bleie, Bleihe,
and to E. bleak (q.v.) The Iitteral meaning is
'shining, white, silvery'.
blaze, n., flame. - ME. blase, fr. OE. b/;ese,
blase, 'torch, fire', rei. to OS. bias, 'white, whitish', MHG. bias, 'bald', orig. 'white, shining'
(whence G. blaft, 'pale'), OHG. blas-ros, 'horse
with a white spot', OHG. blassa, MHG. blasse,
MLG. bles, blesse, 'white spot', MDu., Du. bles,
G. Blesse, 'white spot; an animal (esp. a horse
or a cow) with a white spot', ON. bles-6ttr,
'marked with a white spot', OE. blysa, 'torch,
flame', blyscan, 'to blush', fr. I.-E. bhles-, 'to
shine, glitter', enlargement of *bhel-, a base of
the same meaning. See bald, tlaze, 'white spot',
and cp. blazon. Cp. also blemish, blizzard, blush.
Derivatives: blaze, intr. v., blaz-y, adj., to burn
with flame, blaz-er, n., blaz-ing, adj., blaz-ingly, adv.
blaze, n., a white spot. - Prob. fr. MLG. blase
(in blasenhengst), 'white spot', which is rei. to
MLG. bles, blesse, of s.m. See prec. word.
Derivative: blaze, tr. v., to make a blaze on
(trees).
blaze, tr. v., to make knov.n.- The orig. meaning was 'to blow with a trumpet', fr. ON. bliisa,
'to blow'. See blast and cp. blase. Cp. also emblaze, 'to emblazon'.
blazer, n., a light, bright-colored, coat. - Lit.
'that which blazes', so called in allusion to its
color. See blaze, 'flame', and -er.
blazoa, n., a coat of arms.- ME. blason, fr. OF.

blason, 'shield' (in Mod. French 'coat of arms'),

of uncertain origin; not rel. to OHG. bliisan,
etc., 'to blow', nor to OE. bl;ese, blase, 'torch,
fire' (see blaze, 'flame'). It. blasone and Sp. blason, 'coat of arms', are French loan words. Cp.
emblazon.
Derivatives: blazon, tr. v., blazon-ry, n.
bleach, tr. v., to whiten.- ME. blechen, fr. OE.
b/Zcan, fr. bliic, 'bright, white; pale', rei. to OS.
blek, ON. bleikr, Du. bleek, OHG. bleih, MHG.,
G. bleich, 'pale', ON. bleikja, Du. bleken, OHG.
blfhhan, MHG. bliken, G. bleichen, 'to bleach',
and perh. cogn. with OSlav. bliskati (for
bligskati), 'to sparkle, glitter', blesku, 'gleam,
splendor'. Cp. blake, bleak, adj. and n.,
blight.
Derivatives: bleach, n., bleach-ed, adj., bleacher, n., bleach-er-y, n., bleach-ing, n.
bleak, adj. - ME. bleke, fr. ON. bleikr, 'pale'.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: bleak-ish, adj., bleak-ly, adv.,
bleak-ness, n., bleak-y, adj.
bleak, n., the blay. - The word lit. means 'the
white, silvery (fish)', and is rei. to Swiss G.
blicke, Swab. blecke, and to E. blay and bleak,
adj.
blear, adj. and tr. v.- ME. bleren, 'to dim (the
eyes)'. Cp. LG. bleer-oged, 'blear-eyed'. Cp. also blur.
bleat, intr. and tr. v. and n.- ME. bleten, fr. OE.
bl:tan, of imitative origin. Cp. Du. blaten, OHG.
blii3an, 'to bleat'. Cp. also ME. blaren, 'to cry,
weep', and see blare.
Derivatives: bleat-er, n., bleat-ing, adj., bleating-ly, adv.
bleb, n., a vesicle, blister; a bubble. -Of imitative origin. Cp. blob, blubber, 'the fat of the
whale'.
bled, past tense and pp. of bleed.- ME. bled.de,
resp. (y)bled, fr. OE. bledde, resp. gebled.d, gebled, past tense, resp. pp. of bledan. See next
word.
bleed, intr. and tr. v. - ME. bleden, fr. OE. hiedan, fr. b/6d, 'blood'. See blood.
Derivatives: bleed-er, n., bleed-ing, n. and adj.
blemish, tr. v. - ME. blemissen, blemisshen, fr.
OF. blemiss-, pres. part. stem of blemir, blesmir
(F. blemir), which prob. derives fr. Frankish
btesmjan, 'to make one grow pale', from the
Teut. base seen in G. blass, 'pale'. See blaze,
'flame'.
Derivatives: blemish, n., blemish-er, n.
blench, tr. v., to make pale; intr. v., to turn pale.
- A var. of blanch.
blench, intr. v., to shrink. - ME. blenchen, fr.
OE. blencan, 'to deceive', prob. causative of
blink, and orig. meaning 'to make to blink'.
(Blench stands to blink as drench to drink.) Cp.
also OE. cwencan, causative ofOE. cwincan, 'to
disappear' (see quench), so that quench prop.
means 'to cause to disappear'.
blead, tr. and intr. v., to mix.- ME. blenden, fr.

ON. blanda, which is rei. OE., OS., OHG.

blantan, Goth. blandan, MHO. blenden, 'to mix'
(cp. G. Blendling, 'bastard, mongrel'), fr. I.-E.
base bhlendh-, 'to mix; to confuse', whence
also Lith. blandus, 'troubled, turbid, thick',
OSiav. bl~d{J, bl~sti, 'to go astray', blqditi, 'to err',
Lith. blandytis, 'to lower (the eyes)', blfsti, 'to
become thick, turbid' (said of water). Cp. blend,
'to blind'. Cp. also blond, blunder.
blend, tr. v., to blind (obsol.)- OE. blendan, rei.
to OFris. blenda, MLG., MHG., G. blenden,
OHG. blentan, 'to blind', and prob. to OE.
blandan, 'to mix'. See blend, 'to mix', and cp.
blind, adj. and v. Cp. also blende.
blende, n., an ore of zinc, sphalerite. -G. Blende,
back formation fr. blenden, 'to blind; to deceive'; so called because though it resembles
lead, it yields no lead. Cp. the second element in
pitchblende.
blenheim orange. - Named after Blenheim, seat
of the duke of Marlborough, in Oxfordshire,
England.
blenheim spaniel. - See prec. word; so called
because originally bred at Blenheim.
blenno-, before a vowel blenn-, combining form
meaning 'mucus'.- Fr. Gk. ~Aiwo~ or f3Aiw:t,
'slime, mucus', of uncertain etymology; (3)..fwo~
possibly stands for *iJ-A3-cr-vo.;, and is rei. to
f1EA3e~v. 'to melt', and cogn. with L. mol/is (for
moldwis), 'soft'. See mollify and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also blenny.
blennorrhea, blennorrhoea, n., excessive discharge
of mucus (med.)- Medical L., compounded of
blenno- and -rrhea.
blenny, n., a small seafish. - L. blennius, fr. Gk.
(3Awo~. name of a fish, fr. ~Atwoc, 'slime', lit.
'slime fish'; so called from the mucus which
covers its skin. See blenno-.
blepharo-, before a vowel blephar-, combining
formmeaning'eycl id' .-Gk. f3Aetpocpo-, ~).e:t,?o:p-,
fr. f3Ae<ptxpov (Dor. yAs<pocpov), 'eyelid', which is
rei. to (3Abtew (Dor. y)Lrre~'J), 'to look, sec'; of
uncertain etymology. Cp. Ablepharus, ablepsia,
anableps.
blepharospasm, n., contraction of the eyelids
(med.) - Compounded of blepharo- and Gk.
arro:criJ-6<;, 'spasm, convulsion'. See spasm.
Blephilia, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) - ModL., contraction of Gk. ~).e'(:tp~~.
'eyelash' (which is rei. to ~Ae<pocpcN, 'eyelid'),
and L. cilium, 'eyelid' (see blepharo- and cilia);
so called because of its fringed bracts and calyx
teeth.
bless, tr. v. - ME. blessen, fr. OE. bledsian, biersian, 'to bless, consecrate', rei. to OE. blod.
'blood'; see blood. The orig. meaning of bless
was 'to sprinkle or consecrate with blood' (said
of the sacrificing priest).
Derivatives: bless-ed, adj., bless-ed-ly, ad1 .,
bless-ed-ness, n., bless-ing, n., bless-ing-ly, adv.
blew, past tense of blow. - ME., fr. OE. bleow,
past tense of bliiwan. See blow, 'to puff'.

blight

blight, n. -- Prob. related to OE. blicettan, 'to

glitter', ME. blickening, 'pallor' (often used as
the English equivalent of L. rubigo, 'mildew'),
and to E. bleach (q.v.) Cp. blitzkrieg.
Derivatives: blight, tr. v., blight-ed, adj., blighter, n., blight-ing, adj., blight-ing-ly, adv.
Blighty, n., England, home (British army slang).
- Hind. bilaiti, a word used in India to denote England or Europe, fr. Arab. wildyat,
'kingdom, province', a derivative of wdliya, 'he
reigned, governed'. See vilayet and cp. blatti,
vali.
blimp, n., a nonrigid (limp) dirigible (colloq.)Contraction of Blimp, one of the 2 types of the
small nonrigid airship (the other type is called
A limp). See limp, 'relaxed'.
blind, adj.- ME., fr. OE. blind, rei. to OS., Du.,
G. blind, ON. blindr, OHG., MHG. blint, Goth.
blinds, 'blind', OE. blendan, etc., 'to blind', prob.
fr. I.-E. base *bhlendh-, 'to confuse; to mix'.
See blend, 'to mix', blend, 'to blind'.
Derivatives: blind, n., 'screen, cover', blind-ling,
n., blind-ly, adv., blind-ness, n.
blind, tr. v. --The OE. equivalent is blendan, 'to
blind'; see blend, 'to blind'. The E. verb has been
influenced in form by the adj. blind (q.v.)
Derivatives: blind-ed, adj., blind-ed-ly, adv.,
blind-er, n., blind-ing, adj. and n.
blink, intr. and tr. v.- ME. blinken (rei. to Du.
and G. blinken, 'to gleam, sparkle, twinkle'), a
nasalized variant of the base appearing in OE.
blican, ME. bliken, 'to shine, glitter', OHG.
blfhhan, 'to bleach'. See bleach and cp. blench.
Derivatives: blink, n., blink-ard, n., blink-ed,
adj., blink-er, n. and tr. v., blink-ing, n., blink-y,
adj.
bliss, n. - ME. blis, fr. OE. blis, contraction of
OE. blfos, 'joy, happiness', fr. bliOe, 'gay, happy'.
See blithe.
Derivatives: bliss-ful, adj., bliss-ful-ly, adv.,
bliss-ful-ness, n.
blister, n. - ME. blister, blester, fr. OF. bleslre,
fr. ON. bliistr, 'a swelling', fr. bliisa, 'to blow'.
See blast and cp. bluster. .
Derivatives: blister, intr. and tr. v., blister-y,
adj.
blite, n., any of various herbs of the goosefoot
family. - L. blitum, fr. Gk. f3:Al-:ov, 'a vegetable used as a salad; orach'; of uncertain etymology. According to some philologists f3:Al-rov
stands for *fL).-l-:cN and prop. means 'the softleaved plant', fr. I.-E. base *mel-dh-, whence also
OE. me/de, OS. maldia, Swed. miill, Du. me/de,
OHG. melta. molta, multa, MHO., G. me/de,
'orach'. Base *mel-dh- is an enlargement of
base *mel-, 'to rub, grind'. See meal, 'edible
grain', and cp. Blitum.
blithe, adj., joyous; cheerful. - ME., fr. OE.
blioe, 'joyful, kind, gentle', rei. to OS. blioi,
'bright, happy', ON. b/for, 'mild, gentle', Du.
hlij(de), 'glad', OHG.blidi, 'gay, friend' ',Goth.
bleips, 'kind, friendly, merciful'. Cp. Jiss_

180

Derivatives: blithe-ly, adv., blithe-ness, n., blithesome, adj., blithe-some-ness, n.

Blitum, n., a genus of herbs of the family Chenopodiaceae (the goosefoot family). - L. blitum.
See blite.
blitz, n., a sudden overwhelming attack (colloq.)
- Short for blitzkrieg (q.v.)
blitzkrieg, n., a sudden, overwhelming warfare.
-G., lit. 'lightning war'. G. Blitz, 'lightning',
derives fr. MHG. blicze, 'lightning', fr. bliczen,
'to flash, to lighten', rei. to OHG., MHG. blic,
'lightning', G. Blick, 'a glance', and to OE. blicettan, 'to glitter'; see blight. G. Krieg, 'war',
comes fr. MHG. kriec, 'effort, resistance, combat', fr. OHG. chreg, 'stubbornness, obstinacy',
which is rei. to MLG. krich, 'combat'.
blizzard, n. -Fr. earlier blizz, 'rain storm', which
is prob. cognate with blaze, 'burst of flame'.
For the ending see suff. -ard.
Derivatives: blizzard-ly, blizzard-y, adjs.
bloat, tr. v., to cause to swell; intr. v., to swell.OE. *bliitian, 'to swell', cogn. with Gk. cp:Aulliiv,
'to swell, overflow with moisture, be ready to
burst', Lett. blfdu, blizt, 'to become thick', fr.
I.-E. base *bhlei-d-, enlargement of base *bhlei-,
'to swell', whence OE. blegen, 'blain'. See blain
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: bloat, n., bloat-ed, adj., bloat-edness, n., bloater (q.v.)
bloater, n., a soaked fiat herring or mackerel.Formed fr. bloat with agential suff. -er.
blob, n., a small drop. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
bleb, blubber, bubble.
Derivative: blobb-y, adj.
block, n.- ME. blok, fr. OF. ( = F.) bloc, 'block,
mass', fr. Du. bloc, 'trunk of a tree' which is rei.
to OHG. bloh, MHG. bloch, G. Block, and
cogn. with Olr. blog, 'fragment'; not rei. to
balk. Cp. en bloc.
Derivative: block-ish, adj.
block, tr. and intr. v. -F. bloquer, fr. bloc. See
block, n.
Derivatives: block-ade, n. and tr. v.
blodite, also b!Odite, n., hydrous sulfate of magnesium and sodium (mineral.) - Named after
the German chemist Carl A. Blade (died in
1820). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bloke, n., a man (slang). - Of unknown origin.
blond, blonde, adj.- F., 'fair of complexion', rei.
to It. biondo, Sp. blondo, OProven<;. blon; of
Teut. origin. Cp. OE. blonden-feax, blanden-feax,
'gray-haired', fr. blondan, blandan, 'to mix', and
see blend, 'to mix'.
Derivatives: blond, n., blond(e)-ness, n., blondine, n. (fr. F. blondine).
blondine, n. -F., fr. blonde, fern. of blond. See
prec. word and -ine (representing L. -ina).
blOOd, n. - ME. blod, fr. OE. bl6d, rei. to OS.,
OFris. bl6d, ON. b/60, Dan., Swed. blod, MDu.
bloet, bloed, Du. bloed, OHG., MHG. bluot,
G. Blut, Goth. b/6/J, blopis, fr. I.-E. *bhloto-, pp.
of base bhlO-, 'to bloom'. See blow, 'to bloom',

181

and cp. bleed. Cp. also bless. The I.-E. bases denoting 'blood' proper (like L. cruor and sanguis)
were regarded by the Teutons as taboo and accordingly given up.
Derivatives: blood, tr. v., blood-ed, adj., bloodless, adj., blood-less-ly, adv., blood-less-ness, n.,
blood-y, adj., and tr. v., blood-i-ly, adv., bloodi-ness, n.
bloodguilty, adj. -Coined by Miles Coverdale
(1488-rs6g), English translator of the Bible,
from blood and guilty.
Derivative: bloodguilti-ness, n.
bloom, n., flower. - ME. blome, fr. ON. bl6m,
blomi, which is rei. to OS. blomo, Du. bloem,
OHG. bluoma (fern.), bluomo (masc.), MHG.
bluome (masc. and fern.), G.Blume (fern.), Goth.
bloma, 'flower, blossom', OE. blostm, blostma,
'blossom', and cogn. with Olr. blath, 'bloom,
flower', L. flos, 'flower', f/6rere, 'to blossom,
flourish'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*bhl6-, 'to sprout, bloom'. See blow, 'to bloom,
blossom', and cp. blossom. Cp. also flower.
Derivatives: bloom, intr. v., bloom-ing, adj.,
bloom-ing-ly, adv., bloom-ing-ness, n., bloom-y,
adj.
bloom, n., rough mass of wrought iron. - OE.
bloma, 'a lump of metal', of uncertain origin.
bloomer, n., a costume for women. - Named
after the inventor Mrs. Amelia Jenks Bloomer of
New Y..ork (in r8sr).
bloomer, n., a blunder. - Of uncertain origin.
blossom, n. - ME. blosme, blossem, fr. OE.
blostm, blostma, blosma, rei. to MLG. blosem,
Du. bloesem, MHG. bluost, G. Blust, fr. I.-E.
*bhlos-, enlarged form of base *bhlo-, 'to sprout,
bloom'. See bloom, 'flower'.
Derivatives: blossom, intr. v., blossom-ed, adj.,
blossom-ry, n., blossom-y, adj.
blot, n., a spot.- ME. blot, blotte, fr. MF. blotte,
'a clod or clot of earth', fr. OF. bloste or blostre,
which are of uncertain origin.
blot, tr. and intr. v., to make spots, to blur. MF. blotter, fr. b/otte. See prec. word.
Derivatives: blott-er, n., blott-ing, adj., blotting-ly, adv.
blot, n., 1) in backgammon, an exposed man; 2)an
exposed point.- Prob. rel. to Dan. blot, Swed.
blatt, LG. blutt, MDu., Du. bloot, MHG. bl63,
G. bloft, 'bare, naked', OHG. b/63, 'proud', ON.
blautr, 'soft, tender', and possibly cogn. with Gk.
cp:A.ulliiv, 'to overflow', cp:A.ullocp6~. 'soft, flabby',
L.fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp. words there
referred to.
blotch, n. - A blend of blot and botch.
Derivatives: blotch, tr. and intr. v., blotch-y, adj.
blouse, n. - F., fr. ML. pelusia, 'Pelusian garment'; so called because during the Middle Ages
blouses were manufactured in Pelusium on a
large scale.
Derivatives: blouse, intr. v., blous-ed, adj.,
blous-ing, n.
blow, intr. and tr. v., to puff.- ME. blowen, fr.

bluestocking

OE. bliiwan, rei. to OHG. bliien (for *bliijan),

MHG. b/;ejen, G. bliihen, fr. I.-E. base *bh/6-,
*bh/e-, *bhl~-. 'to blow', whence also L. flare,
'to blow'. Cp. bladder, blast, blaze, 'to make
known', blister, bluster. Cp. also flatus and
words there referred to. Cp. also fluent. For a
secondary meaning of base *bh/6- see blow, to
bloom', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: blow-er, n., blow-ing, n. and adj.,
blow-y, adj.
blow, intr. v., to bloom, blossom; tr. v., to cause
to bloom. - ME. blowen, fr. OE. blowan, w
flower, bloom, flourish', rei. to OS. b!Oian, 0Fris. bloia, OHG. bluoen (for *bluojan), MHG.
bliien, bliiejen, G. b/Uhen, fr. I.-E. base *bh/6-,
*bhle-, 'to sprout, bloom', whence also L. jfos,
gen. floris, 'flower', Mlr. bliith, 'bloom, blossom',
W. blawd, of s.m. See flower, and cp. blade, blood,
bloom, blossom. Cp. also folio and words there
referred to. For the original meaning of base
*bhlo- see blow, 'to puff'.
Derivatives: blow, n., blow-er, n., blow-ing. n.
blow, stroke, n. - ME. blewe, rei. to OS. bleuwan, MDu., Du. blouwen, OHG. bliuwan,
MHG. bliuwen, G. bleuen, Goth. bliggwan," to
strike', fr. Teut. *bleuwan; of uncertain etymology.
blown, pp. and adj. - ME. blowen, fr. OE.
bliiwen, pp. of bliiwan. See blow, 'to puff'.
blubber, n., the fat of the whale. - The orig.
meaning was 'bubble, foam'; of imitati,e origin.
Cp. bleb, blob.
Derivatives: blubber-ous, blubber-y, adjs.
blubber, intr. v., to weep loudly. - Of imitative
origin.
Derivatives: blubber-er, n., blubber-ing, n., blubber-ing-ly, adv.
bluchers, n. pl., old-fashioned boots. - Named
after the Prussian field marshal Blucher (17-P!819). For sense development cp. wellington.
bludgeon, n., a short club. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: bludgeon, tr. and intr. v., bludgeoned, adj., bludgeon-er, n.
blue, adj. - ME. blew, fr. OF. ( = F.) bleu, fr.
Frankish *blao, which is rei. to OE. bliiw, bhill',
OS., OHG. bliio, Dan. blaa, Swed. bid, OFris.
bliiu, MDu. blii, Du. blauw, MHG. blii, G. blau,
'blue', ON. bliir, 'dark blue, black', and cogn.
with Olr. bliir, W. b/awr, 'gray', L. /favus, 'yellow'. See flavescent and cp. blae, blaeberry,
blauwbok, bluet.
Derivatives: blue, n., blue, tr. v., blu-ing, blueing, n., blu-ish, adj., blu-ish-ness, n.
bluebird, n. (ornitlwl.) - Compounded of blue
and bird.
blue bird, symbolic name of the quest for happiness. - From the play-romance l'Oiseau
bleu ('The Blue Bird'), written by the Belgian
dramatist and poet Maurice Maeterlinck (18621949) in 1909, which symbolizes the quest for
happiness.
bluestocking, n., a pedantic lady boasting of her

bluet

erudition. - About 1740 a literary circle used

to assemble at Lady Elizabeth Montague's home
in London. Benjamin Stillingfleet, one of the
leading members of the circle, regularly attended those meetings, wearing blue stockings, a
circumstance which gave occasion to admiral
Boscawen to deride The blue stocking society;
hence the name bluestocking, and its loan translations: F. bas-bleu, Du. blauwkous, G. Blaustrumpj; etc.
bluet, n., the name of various plants with blue
flowers. - F. bleuet, bluet, dimin. formed fr.
bleu, 'blue'. See blue and -et.
bluff, adj., presenting a broad, flattened front.Of LG. origin. Cp. MLG. blaff. 'smooth, even',
MDu. blaf. 'fat, broad', bla.lfaert, 'a man having
a broad face'.
Derivatives: bluff, n., bluff-y, adv., bluff-ness, n.
bluff, tr. v., to deceive. - MLG. vorblu.lfen, 'to
baffle', (whence Du. verbluffen, 'to stun', G. verbliijfen, 'to amaze'); prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives: bluff. n., deception, bluff-er, n.
blunder, intr. and tr. v.- ME. blunderen, 'to confuse', rei. to blend, 'to mix' (q.v.)
Derivatives; blunder, n., blunder-er, n., blundering, adj., blunder-ing-ly, adv.
blunderbuss, n., a short heavy gun with a broad
muzzle. -- A blend of Du. donderbus, of s.m.,
lit., 'thunder box', and E. blunder. See thunder
and box, 'case', and cp. blunderhead.
blunderhead, n. - Alteration of dunderhead. Cp.
prec. word.
Derivatives: blunderhead-ed, adj., blunderheaded-ness, n.
blunt, adj. -- Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: blunt, n. and v., blunt-er, n., bluntll, adv., blunt-ness, n.
blur, v. and n.- Pro b. in gradational relationship to blear.
Derivatives: blurr-ed, adj., blurr-ed-ness, n.,
blurr-er, n., blurr-y, adj.
blurb, n. - Coined by the American journalist
Frank Gelett Burgess (1866-1951) in 1907.
blurt, tr. v.- Of imitative origin. Cp. Scot. blirt
and E. blare.
Derivative: blurt, n.
blush, intr. v. - ME. bluschen, 'to shine; to be
or grow red', fr. OE. blyscan, 'to grow red,
blush', fr. blysa, 'torch, flame, fire', which stands
in gradational relationship to Du. blozen, 'to
blush', andto E. blaze, 'flame'.
Derivatives: blush, n., blush-ing, adj., blushing-ly, adv.
bluster, intr. v., to be boisterous.- Rei. to LG.
bliistern, blistern, 'to blow', and to E. blister
(q.v.)
Derivatives: bluster, n., bluster-er, n., bluster-ing,
adj. bluster-ing-ly, adv.
B'nai B'rith, a Jewish fraternal organization
founded in New York City in 1843. - Heb.
b1nl b 1rfh, 'sons of the covenant', fr. b'nl,
state construct of biinlm, pl. of ben, 'son', and

182

btrfth, 'covenant'. See ben and berith and cp.

the first element in Boanerges.
bo, interj. - Imitative.
Boa, n., a genus of snakes, the New World Constrictor. - L. boa, 'a large serpent', of uncertain
origin. Cp. Boidae.
Boanerges, n., a name applied to the sons of Zebedee (see Mark 3: 17); used figuratively to denote a clamorous orator. - Galilean dialectal
corruption of Heb. b1ni! reghesh, 'sons of thunder', fr. btne (see B'nai B'rith) and reghesh,
'commotion, tumult, throng', from the stem of
riighdsh, 'he was in commotion or in tumult',
which is related to Aram. r 1ghash, 'he trembled,
was agitated', and to Arab. rdjasa, 'he made
a vehement noise'.
boar, n. - ME. bar, bore, boor, fr. OE. biir, rei.
to OS. bi!r, Du. beer, OHG. bi!r, dial. G. Bar,
'boar' (not to be confused with G. Bar, 'bear').
board, n., table, plank. - ME. bord, 'table,
plank', fr. OE. bord, rei. to ON. boro, 'plank',
Goth. fotu-baurd, 'footstool', lit. 'foot board',
Du. bord, 'board, blackboard', OE., OS. bred,
MLG., OHG., MHG. bret, G. Brett, 'plank';
fr. I.-E. *bhrtom, resp. *bhret-om, fr. base
*bherd-, 'to cut', a -d-enlargement of base
*bher-, 'to bore, pierce, perforate'. See bore,
'to pierce', and cp. board, 'side of a ship', and
the second element in gar board. Cp. also bordage, bordar, borde!, border, berm, brelan, brim,
predella.
Derivatives: board, v., to cover with boards,
board-er, n., board-ing, adj. and verbal n.,
board-y, adj.
board, n., side of a ship. - OE. bord, 'border,
edge; side of a ship', rel. to OS. bord, LG.
bo(o)rd (whence G. Bord), Du. boord, OHG.
bort, ON. baro, boro, 'border, edge; side of a
ship', and to OE. bord, etc., 'table, plank' (see
prec. word); influenced in sense by F. bord,
'edge, margin, border, shipboard'. See board,
'table, plank', and cp. border and the second
element in larboard.
Derivatives: board, tr. and i.:::tr. v., board-er, n.,
board-ing, adj. and n.
boast, n. - ME. boost, host. See next word.
boast, tr. v.- ME. boosten, bosten, fr. boost, bost,
n., rei. to OS. b6si, MLG., MDu. bOse, Du. boos,
'evil, wicked, angry'. OHG. b6si, 'worthless,
slanderous', MHG. boese, G. bOse, 'evil, bad,
angry', Norw. baus, 'proud, bold, daring', fr.
Teut. base *baus-, which lit. means 'to blow up,
puff up, swell'. This base is an enlarged form
of I.-E. *bh6u-, *bhii-, 'to swell', for which see
bow, 'anything bent'.
Derivatives: boast-er, n., boast-ful, adj., boastfuJ-/y, adv., boast-ful-ness, n., boast-ing, adj. and
verbal n., boast-ing-/y, adv.
boat, n. - ME. boot, fr. OE. biit, 'ship, boat',
whence ON. biitr, D. boot, G. Boot, Sp. bate/,
F. bdteau, It. batto, battel/o, 'boat'; rei. to ON.
bite, 'beam', hence orig. meaning 'boat made

Bohemian

183

from one piece of timber, monoxylon'. See bitt.

Derivatives: boat, tr. v., boat-able, adj., boatage, n., boat-ing, n.
bob, n., a knot of hair.- ME. bobbe,bob, 'bunch,
cluster', pro b. of imitative origin. Cp. next word.
Derivative: bobb-ed, adj.
bob, intr. and tr. v., to move rapidly to and fro,
to jerk. - Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: bob, n., a jerky movement, bobbish, adj.
bob, tr. v., to cheat, deceive. - ME. bobben, fr.
OF. bober, 'to purse one's lips, pout, deceive',
imitative of the movement of the pursed lips.
bob, n., trickery. - OF. bobe, fr. bober. See
prec. word.
bob, n., a shill\ng (British Slang). - Prob. fr.
Bob, dimin. of Robert. Cp. bobby.
bobbery, n., a squabble (Anglo-lnd.) - Hind.
biipri!, '0 father'.
bobbin, reel, spool. -F. bobine, 'a grotesque figure, a wry face; a reel', from the imitative
base *bob- (see bob, 'to deceive'); so called from
its cylindric form.
Derivative: bobbin, tr. v.
bobby, n., a policeman (slang).- Dimin. of Bob,
itself dimin. of Robert; so called after Sir Robert
Peel (1788-1850). Cp. peeler.
bobolink, n., a migratory bird of North America.
- So called from its cry suggestive of boblincoln
(for Bob Lincoln).
bocaccio, n., the rockfish called scientifically Sebastodes paucispinis.- It. boccaccio, fr. boccaccia, 'a big mouth', augment. of bocca, 'mouth',
fr. L. bucca, 'mouth'. See buccal.
Boche, boche, n., a German. - F. slang, shortened fr. Alboche, a slangy alteration of Allemand, 'German', through the intermediary form
Al(le)moche, used in the east of France. The
change of m to b is due to an association with
caboche, 'pate, noodle, nob' (see cabbage).
bock, bock beer, a kind of beer. - G. Bock,
shortened fr. Ambock, Oambock, Munichian
dialectal words for Einbeck, name of a town in
Germany. Hence bock lit. means '(beer made
at) Einbeck'.
hocking, n., a coarse woolen material. -Named
fr. Bocking in England.
hocking, smoked herring. - Du. bokking, fr.
MDu. buckinc, a derivative of buc, boc, 'buck'; so
called from its odor. See buck and cp. buckling.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ing.
bode, tr. v. - ME. bodien, fr. OE. bodian, 'to
announce, foretell', fr. boda, 'messenger', which
stands in gradational relationship to OE. bi!odan,
'to announce, proclain1, command'. Cp. ON.
boOi, OHG. boto, MHG., G. bote, 'messenger',
and see bid.
Derivatives: bode-ful, adj., bod-ing, adj., boding-/y, adv., bod-er, n.
bodega, n., a wineshop. - Sp., fr. L. apotheca,
fr. Gk. ci=&ijxl), 'any place wherein to lay
up something; magazine, storehouse'. See

apothecary and cp. bottega, boutique.

bodice, n. -Prop. pl. of body, in 'pair of bodies'.
- For formation cp. stays, pence.
Derivative: bodic-ed, adj.
bodildn, n., an obsolete oath. - Prop. 'a small
body', formed from body with suiT. -kin.
bodkin, n., a small dagger. - ME. boydekin,
'dagger', of unknown origin.
bodle, n., a small Scottish copper coin. - Probably corruption of the name of Bothwell, a
Scottish mintmaster.
body, n.- ME. bodi, fr. OE. bodig, rel. to OHG.
botah, of uncertain origin. Cp. bodice, embody.
Derivatives: body, tr. v., bodice (q.v.), bodikin
(q.v.), bodi-ed, adj., bodi-er, n., bodi-less, adj.,
bodi-ly, adj. and adv.
Boedromion, n., name of the Jrd month of the
Attic Greek calendar (corresponding to AugustSeptember).- Gk. Bo7)Spo(J.LWV, fr. Bo7)3p6(J.tOC
(pl.), 'the games in memory of the aid given by
Theseus against the Amazons', fr. ~or,Sp6(J.o~,
'running to aid', lit. 'running on hearing a cry',
fr. ~o-1], 'a cry, shout', and -Sp6(J.o~. 'running',
which is rei. to. Sp6(J.o~. 'a running'. For the
first element see reboant and cp. Boethusian, for
the second see dromedary.
Boehmeria, n., a genus of plants of the nettle
family (bot.) - ModL., named after G.R.
Boehmer, professor at Wittenberg (1723-1 803).
For the ending see suiT. -ia.
Boer, n.- Du. boer, 'peasant, farmt'r'. See boor.
Boethusian, n., a member of a Jewish sect rei. to
the Sadducees. - Heb. Baytust, 'follower of
Baytas ( = Boethus)', fr. Gk. ~o7J.'t6c; (whence
L. Boethus), name of a priest, whose son was
made high priest by Herod the Great. See Josephus, Antiquitates, 19, 5. 3. Bo1JM~ lit.
means 'assisting, helpful'. It is a derivative of
~o+,, 'a cry, shout'; see Boedromion.
bog, n.- Gael. or lr. bog, 'soft', whence bogach,
'bog'.
Derivative: bog, tr. and intr. v.
See bogie
bogey, bogie, n., ghost, bugbear.
and cp. bogy.
boggle, intr. v. and n. - See bogie.
bogie, n. -A. var. of bogey.
bogie, n., a truck. - Of uncertain origin.
bogle, boggle, n., - a specter. Scot. bogie, bog ill,
'goblin, specter', rei. to bug, 'bugbear', bogey,
bogy.
bogus, l!dj., sham. - Of uncertain origin.
bogy, n.- Another spelling for bogey.
bobea, n., a kind of Chinese black tea.- Named

after the Wu-i hills in China.

Bobemia, n. - The word derives from L. Baihaemum (see Tacitus, Germ., 28), which lit.
means 'home of the Boii' (a Celtic nation, ex-

pelled from this region by the Marcomans about

the beginning of the tst cent.) The second element in Boi-haemum is a Teut. loan word meaning 'home'. See home.
BobemiaD. adj. and n. - F. bohemien, 'gypsy',

Boidae

orig. 'inhabitant of Bohemia', where the gypsies were supposed to come from. See Bohemia
and -an.
Boidae,n.pl., a family of snakes (zoo!.)- ModL.,
formed with suiT. -idae fr. L. boa. See Boa.
boil, n., inflammation, tumor.- ME. bfle, fr. OE.
byle, by/, rei. to OFris. bele, OS., OHG. biilia,
MHO. biule, G. Beule, Goth. ufbau/jan, 'to
puff up', Ice!. bey/a, 'hump', and cogn. with
Olr. bolach, 'pustule, pimple', Serb. bUljiti, 'to
protude one's eyes, to stare'. All these words
derive, with -/-formative element, fr. I.-E. base
*blrou-, *bhu-, 'to swell'. See buck, 'the body of a
wagon'.
boil, intr. and tr. v., to bubble up. -ME. boilen,
fr. OF. boillir (F. bouillir), fr. L. bullfre, a collateral form of bullare, 'to bubble', fr. bulla,
'bubble'. See bill, 'document', and words there
referred to and cp. the second element in
parboil.
Derivatives: boil, n., boil-er, n .. boil-ing, n., resp.
adj., boil-ing-ly, adv., boilery (q.v.)
boilery, n., a place for boiling, - Formed, on
analogy of F. bouillcrie, fr. boil, v. For the ending see s ufT. -cry.
boisterous, adj., rough; noisy. - ME. boistrous,
a var. of boistous, which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: boisterous-ly, adv., boisterous-ness,
n.
bola, also bolas, n., an implement used by the
Gauchos. - Pl. of Sp. bola, 'ball', fr. L. bulla,
'boss, knob'. See bill, 'document'.
bold, adj.- ME., fr. OE. bald, bea/d, rei. to OS.,
OHG. bald, 'bold, swift', OHG. baldo, 'boldly',
MHG. baldc, 'boldly, quickly' (whence G. bald,
'soon'), ODu. ba!do, 'with confidence', Goth.
ba!jJci, 'boldness', bed/mba, 'boldly', ON. ballr,
'frightful, dangerous', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to
swell'. It. Imido, OF. and Proven<;. baut, 'bold,
daring, fearless', are Teut. loan words. Sec ball,
'a round object', and belly and cp. billow. Cp.
also ba11d, the llrst element in Baldwin and the
second ekmenl in Leopold and in Theobald.
Cp. also bulk, 'size".
Derivatives: bold-1.~, adv., bold-ness, n.
bole, n., trunk of a tree. - ME. bole, fr. ON.
bo!r, 'trunk of a tree', rei. to MLG. bole, bolle,
G. Bohle, 'plank', MDu. holle, 'trunk of a tree'.
Sec balk, n., and cp. words there referred to.
bole, n., red earthy clay.- L. bolus, 'clay, morsel', fr. Gk. ~,-;;),r>~, 'lump, clod of earth'. See
bolus.
bolection, n., a molding (archit.)- Of unknown
origin.
boleite, n., chloride of lead, copper and silver
(mineral.)- Named after Boleo in Lower California. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bolero, n., a kind of Spanish dance. - Sp., pro b.
fr. bola, 'ball', fr. L. bulla. See bowl, 'a ball'.
Boletaceae, n. pl., a family of fungi (bot.) ModL., formed fr. Boletus with suff. -aceae.
boletaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.

184
Boletus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) - L. boletus,
fr. Gk. ~wAh1)<;, 'mushroom, fungus', which
possibly derives fr. ~w:Ao<;, 'lump'. See bolus.
bolide, n., a brilliant meteor. - F., fr. L. bolis.
gen. bolidis, fr. Gk. ~o:AL<;, gen. ~o:AL8o<;, 'a brilliant meteor', which is rel. to ~o:A-fj, (3oA6~. a
throw', and in gradational relationship to
(3&A:Ae:w, 'to throw'. See ballistic.
bolivarite, n., a hydrous aluminum phosphate
(mineral.)- Named after the Spanish entomologist Ignacio Bolivar. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
boll, n., a round seed vessel.- ME. bolle, fr. OE.
bolla, 'bowl'. See bowl, 'vessel', and cp. the
second element in thropple.
bollard, n., a post, around which a mooring rope
is fastened.- Prob. formed fr. bole, 'trunk of a
tree', with suff. -ard.
bolo, n., a kind of large knife. - Sp.
Bolo, also bolo, n., a traitor. - Named after
Paul Bolo, a French traitor, executed for treason
in April 1918.
Derivative: Bolo-ism, bolo-ism, n.
bolometer, n., an instrument for measuring radiant heat.-Compound ed ofGk. ~o:A-fj, 'throw.
blow, stroke', and [L~-.pov, 'measure'. The firs!
element stands in gradational relationship w
(3&ne:w, 'to throw'; see ballistic. For the second element see meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Bolshevik, bolshevik, n., I) orig. (from I903) a
member of the more radical faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party; 2) later (since tho.:
revolution of Nov. 7, 19I 7) a member of the
Russian Communist Party. - Russ., lit. 'one
of the majority' (i.e. bolsheviki), fr. bolslte,
'more, larger'; so called with reference to the
party that took over the supreme power in Russia in 1917, and used in contradistinction to the
mensheviki, i.e. 'those of the minority' (see
Afenshevik). Russ. bolshe is rei. to OSlav. boljiji, 'larger', and cogn. with OI. bdlam, 'strength.
force', Gk. ~e:).-.tw'J, 'better'. See debile.
Derivative: Bolshe1:ik, bol~hevik, adj.
Bolshevism, bolshevism, n., the doctrines and
policies of the Bolsheviki.- See prec. word anj
-ism.
Bolshevist, bolshevist, n. and adj., Bolshevik. See Bolshevic and -ist.
Derivative: Bolshevist-ic, bolshevist-ic, adj.
Bolshe\ize, bolshevize, tr. v., to make Bolshevic. - See Bolshevic and -ize.
bolster, n. - ME. bolster, fr. OE. bolster, rei. to
ON. bolstr, Dan., Swed., MLG., Du. bolster,
OHG. hol.star, MHO., G. polster, fr. Teut.
*bul(h)stra-; formed with suff. -stra fr. Teut. ba5o.:
*belg-, 'to swell', which corresponds to I.-E.
base *bhelgh-; hence bolster, etc., lit. mean
'so'inething swelled'. The above words are cogn.
with OPruss. balsinis, Lett. palxilsts, SerooCroat. bliizina (for *bolzina), 'pillow'. See belly
and cp. billow, budget, bulge.
Derivatives: bolster, tr. v., bolster-er, n.

185

bolt, n., a bar. -ME., fr. OE. bolt, rei. to ON.

bolti, Dan. bolt, Swed. bull, MDu. boute, bout,
Du. bout, OHG., MHO. bolz, G. Bolzen, fr. I.-E.
base *bheld-, 'to knock', whence also Lith. beldu,
bdldau, 'I knock, rap', baldas, 'pole for striking'.
Derivatives: bolt, tr. and intr. v., bolt, n. (a
rapid run), bolt-er, n.
bolt, tr. v., to sift. - ME. bulten, fr. OF. buleter
(F. bluter), fr. MDu. biutelen, 'to bolt, sift',
which is rei. to MDu. biidel, Du. buidel, 'bag,
pouch'. See bud.
Boltonia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.)- ModL., named after James Bolton, an English botanist of the 18th cent. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
bolus, n., a large pill.- L. bOlus, 'clay, morsel',
fr. Gk. ~w).o<;, 'lump, clod of earth', which is
perh. rel. to ~o:A(36<;, 'onion'. See bulb, and cp.
bole, 'clay', Boletus.
bomb, n. - F. bombe, fr. It. bomba, 'explosive
shell', fr. L. bombus, 'a hollow, deep sound, a
humming, a buzzing', fr. Gk. (36[L(3o<;, of s.m.,
which is of imitative origin. Cp. bum, bump,
boom. Cp. also Bombus, bound, 'to leap'.
Derivatives: bomb, tr. and intr. v., bombard
(q.v.), bomb-er, n.
bombard, n., I) an early kind of cannon; 2) a
former musical instrument. - F. bombardc, lit.
'that which hums or buzzes', fr. L. bomhus. See
prec. word and -ard.
bombard, tr. v. - F. bombardcr, fr. bombarde.
See bombard, n.
Derivatives: bombard-er, n., bombard-ment, n.
bombardier, n.-F.,lit., 'one who throws bombs'.
See prec. word and -ier.
bombardon, n., a musical instrument. - It. bombardone, augment. of bombardo, fr. bombardare.
See bombard, n., and -oon.
bombasine, n. - See bombazine.
bombast, n., high-sounding speech. - From
Bombastic, lit. 'in the style of Bombastus Paracelsus' (I493-154I). The PN. Bombast comes fr.
ML. bombclcium, fr. Gk. ~Ot~J.~~xwv, 'cotton'.
See Bombyx.
Derivatives: bombast-ic, adj., bombast-ic-al-ly,
adv., bombast-ry, n.
bombazine, bombasine, n., twilled silk cloth with
worsted or cotton.- F. bombasin, fr. ML. bombacium, fr. Gk. 7tctiJ.~:ixLOv, 'cotton'. See Bombyx.
bombiccite, n., a hydrocarbon mineral.- Named
after the Italian geologist L. Bomhicci. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Bombus, n., a genus of insects, the bumblebee
(entomol.) - ModL., fr. L. bombus, 'a humming or buzzing'. See bomb.
Bombyx, n., a genus of moths, the silkworm moth
(entomol.) - L. bombyx, 'silkworm', fr. Gk.
(36[L~U~, fr. (3ocfL~&xto'J, assimilated form of
7rOCfL(3xwv, 'cotton', fr. Pers. piinba, 'cotton'.
Cp. bombast, bombazine.
bona fide, in good faith. - L. bonii fide, abl. of

bonne

bona fides, 'good faith'. See bonus and fidelity

and cp. mala fide.
bonanza, n., a rich vein of ore; hence, colloq., a
source of wealth.- Sp., lit. 'fair weather, prosperity', fr. VL. *bonacia (whence also It. bonaccia, OProven<;. bonassa, F. bonace, 'fair
weather at sea'), alteration ofL. malacia, 'calm
at sea', which derives fr. Gk. [J.OCActxla, 'softness', but was mistaken for a derivative of L.
malus, 'bad', and accordingly changed into
*bonacia, fr. L. bonus, 'good' (see bonus).
bonbon, n., sweetmeat. - F., reduplication of
bon, 'good', fr. L. bonus, 'good'. See bonus and
cp. bonny.
bonbonniere, n., a small box or dish for bonbons.
- F., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -it!re;
cp. -ery.
bond, n., anything that binds. - ME. bond, a
var. of band. See band, 'a tie', and cp. the first
element in bonspiel.
Derivatives: bond, tr. v., bond-ed, adj.
bond, n., serf (archaic). - ME. bond, 'husband,
householder', fr. OE. b6nda, 'householder', fr.
ON. bondi, for buandi, 'householder', lit. 'dweller', fr. biia, 'to dwell, build'. See be, build, and
cp. Boer, boor, booth, bound, adj., bower, 'arbor', byre, and the second element in husband.
bondage, n. - ML. bondagium, fr. OE. b6nda,
'householder'. See bond, 'serf', and -age.
bondman, n.- Compounded of bond, 'serf', and
man.
bone, n.- ME. ban, bon, fr. OE. ban, 'bone', rei.
to OS., OFris. ben, ON. bein, Dan., Swed. hen,
MDu., Du. been, OHG., MHO., G. bein, 'bone'.
Cp. the first element in bonfire and in banstickle.
Derivatives: bone, tr. v., bon-ed, bon-y, adjs.
bonfire, n. - ME. bonefire, bane/ire, orig. 'fire
made of bones'; see bone and fire.- Cp. Richard Broxton Onians, The Origin of European
Thought, Cambridge, I951, p.268, Note 1.
Derivative: bonfire, tr. and intr. v.
bongo, n., a large antelope. - Native name.
bonhomie, n., good nature. - F. bonhomie, compounded of bon, 'good', and homme, 'man'. See
bonus and homage.
Boniface, masc. PN.- L. Bonifacius, Bonifatius,
fr. bomfiitus, 'lucky, fortunate', lit. 'of a good
fate', fr. bonus, 'good', and fcitum, 'fate'. See
bonus and fate and cp. the second element in
mauvais. In the sense of 'innkeeper, hotel owner', the name Boniface is used in allusion to Will
Boniface, a character in George Farquhar's play
Beaux' Stratagem (1707).
bonitarian, adj., beneficial (Roman law).- Formed
with suff. -arian fr. L. bonitas, 'goodness',
fr. bonus, 'good'. See bonus and -ity.
bonito, n., any of various fishes. - Sp. bonito,
pro b. lit. 'the good or fine one', and identical
with the adjective bonito, 'pretty good', a derivative of bueno, 'good', fr. L. bonus, of s.m.
See bonus.
bonne, n., a child's nurse. - F., fern. of the ad-

bonne bouche

jective bon, 'good', fr. L. bonus, of s.m. See

bonus.
bonne bouche, a titbit. - F., 'a good taste', fr.
fern. of bon, 'good', fr. L. bonus, and bouche,
'mouth', fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See bonus and
buccal and cp. bouche.
bonnet, n., a head covering.- ME. bonet, bonette, fr. OF. boner, bonnet (F. bonnet), fr. ML.
abonnis, occurring in the Salic Law, a word of
uncertain origin.
Derivative: bonnet, tr .v.
bonny, adj., beautiful; fine.- ME. boni; formed
with suff. -y fr. OF. ( = F.) bon, 'good', on analogy of adjectives like jolly, etc. See bonus.
bonspiel, n., grand curling match. - Du. bonspel. The first element is prob. identical with
Du. bond, abbreviation of verbond, 'league, alliance'; see bond, 'anything that binds'. Du. spel,
'game', is rei. to E. spell, 'to take the place
of (another) at work'; see spiel and cp. the
second element in glockenspiel, kriegspiel.
bonte, goodness; civility. -F., fr. L. bonitiitem,
ace. of bonitiis, 'goodness', fr. bonus, 'good'.
See next word and -ity.
bonus, n. - L. bonus, 'good', fr. OL. dvenos,
dvonos, rei. to L. bene, 'well', bellus, 'handsome,
charming, fine'. See beauty and cp. bene-, benediction, benefactor, benefit, benevolent, benign,
bonanza, bonitarian, bonito, bonne, bonte, boon,
bounty, bunt, 'to sift', bunting, 'cloth', debonair,
embonpoint, magnum bonum.
bonze, n., a Buddhist priest.- F., fr. Port. bonzo,
fr. Jap. bonzo, 'Buddhist priest', fr. Chin. fanseng, 'religious person'.
bonzery, n., a Buddhist monastery. - F., fr.
bonze. See prec. word and -ery.
boo, intr. v. and n. - Imitative of the sound
made by a cow.
booby, n., an awkward fellow; name of various
seabirds.- Sp. hobo, fr. L. balbus, 'stammering',
from the I.-E. imitative base balb-, whence also
OJ. Balbuthd/:1, a name (lit. 'the stammerer'),
Czech bib, 'booby', blb/ati, 'to stammer', Serbian blebetati, 'to blabble', OJ. balbalii-karoti,
'he stammers', Russ. balab6/iti, 'to chatter,
babble', Bulg. blab6l'u, 'I chatter, babble'.
Barb-, a collateral base of base balb-, appears in 01. barbara/:!, 'stammering' (designation of the non-Aryan nations), Gk. ~&p~c:t
po~, 'non-Greek, foreign, barbarous', Slovenic
brbrati, brbljati, Serbian brboljiti, 'to mumble,
mutter', Lith. birbti, 'to buzz, hum'. Cp. babble,
babe, baby, balalaika, balbuties, barbaric, bauble.
Derivative: booby-ish, adj.
boodle, n., money (slang). - Prob. fr. Du. hoedel, 'estate, possession'. Cp. caboodle.
booboo, intr. v. and n. - Of imitative origin.
Cp. boo.
book, n.- ME. hoke, hook, fr. OE. hOc (pl. bee),
rei. to OS., ON., OFris. b6k, Swed. bok, Dan.
bog, Du. hoek, OHG. buoh, MHG. buoch, G.
Buch, 'book', Goth. bOka 'letter (of the alpha-

186
bet)', pl. b6kos, 'books', and to OE. hOc,
bece, 'beech' (see beech). The connection between book and beech (cp. G. Buch, 'book',
Buche, 'beech') is due to the Teutonic custom
of writing runic letters on thin boards of beech.
Derivatives: book, tr. and intr. v., book-ed, adj.,
book-er, n., book-er-y, n., book-ing, n., bookish, adj., book-ish-ly, adv., book-ish-ness, n.,
book-let, n., book-y, adj.
boom, intr. and tr. v., to hum, buzz.- Of imitative origin; cp. Du. bommen, 'to drum', ME.
bommen, 'to hum'. Cp. also bomb, bmn and

bump.
Derivatives: boom, n., humming, buzzing, boomer, n., boom-ing, n. and adj.
boom, n., a long pole (naut.) - Du. boom, 'tree,
beam, pole', rei. to E. beam (q.v.) Cp. the first
element in bmnboat.
boomerang, n., Australian throwing stick. - Native Australian name.
boon, n., request, favor.- ME. bone, 'petition',
fr. ON. bOn, which is rel. to OE. ben, 'prayer,
petition', and in gradational relationship to
OE. bannan, 'to summon', ON. hanna, 'to forbid'. See ban, v., and cp. words there referred
to.
boon, adj., gay; convivial. -ME. bon, fr. OF.
bon, 'good', fr. L. bonus. See bonus.
boor, n.- Du. boer, 'peasant, farmer', fr. earlier
geboer, prob. fr. LG. gebUr, which is rel. to
OHG. giburo, MHG. gebure, G. Bauer, OE.
gebur, 'peasant', lit. 'one who dwells with others',
fr. ge-, 'with' (see y-, 'with'), and bur, 'a dwelling', which is rei. to bua, 'to dwell, build'. See
be and cp. Boer. Cp. also bower, 'cottage', and
the second element in neighbor.
Derivatives: boor-ish, adj., boor-ish-ly, adv.,
boor-ish-ness, n.
boost, tr. v. and n. - Of unknown origin.
Derivative: boost-er, n.
boot, n., a leather covering for the foot. - ME.
bote, fr. OF. bote (F. botte), which is rei. to F.
bot, 'club-footed'; prob. of Teut. origin.
Derivatives: boot, tr. v., boot-ed, adj., boot-ee,
n., boot-er, n., boot-er-y, n., boot-ing, n.
boot, n., advantage. - ME. bot, bote, fr. OE.
bot, 'remedy, cure, improvement, compensation', rei. to OS. bOt, b6ta, ON. bot, OFris. bOte,
Du. boete, OHG. buo5, buo5a, MHG. buo5e,
G. Bufte, 'penance, atonement', Goth. bota,
'advantage'. These words lit. mean 'a making
better'. See better and cp. bote.
BOOtes, n., the Wagoner (a constellation). - L.
Bootes, fr. Gk. ~owTij;, 'plowman', fr. ~ow"t"t'iv,
'to plow', fr. ~oG~. gen. ~o6~. 'ox', which is
cogn. with L. b6s, gen. bovis, 'ox'. See bovine.
boofJJ, n. - ME. bothe, borrowed fr. ODan.
bOth; rei. to ON. buiJ, 'a dwelling', MDu. boede,
MHG. buode, G. Bude, ON. bua, OE., OHG.
buan, 'to dwell', and cognate with Lith. bUtas,
'house', Olr. both, 'hut'. See be, buDd and cp.
boor, botby, bound, 'ready', bower, 'cottage',

187
busk, 'to prepare', byre, the first element in bylaw and the second element in neighbor.
bootleg, tr. and intr. v. -The word orig. meant
'to carry prohibited alcoholic liquor in the leg
of a high boot.
Derivatives: bootleg, adj., bootlegg-er, n., bootlegg-ing, n.
booty, n. - F. butin, fr. MLG. bUte, 'share,
booty' (whence also Du. buit, MHG. biute,
G. Beute, 'booty'). E. booty was influenced in
form by an association with boot, 'advantage'.
The ending -y (inst. of -in) is due to the analogy
of other nouns in -y, -ty. Cp. the second element
in freebooter, filibuster.
booze, intr. v., to drink to excess (colloq.) - A
var. of bouse (q.v.)
Derivatives: booz-ed, adj., booz-er, n., booz-y,
adj., booz-i-ly, adv., booz-i-ness, n.
bo-peep, n., a childish game. - Formed fr. bo
and peep.
bora, n., a cold northeast wind. -It., a dialectal
form of borea, 'north wind', fr. L. boreiis. See
boreal.
Borachio, n., name of a drunkard in Shakespeare's
.\.fuch Ado About Nothing. - Sp. borracho,
'drunk, intoxicated', fr. L. burrus, 'red' (see
burro); so called in allusion to the red complexion of intoxicated people.
boracic, adj., boric. - See borax and -ic.
borage, n., a blue-flowered plant used in salads.
- ME., fr. OF. borrace (cp. its variant burage
and F. bourrache), fr. ML. borriigo, ult. fr.
Arab. abil 'drak, lit. 'father of sweat', so called
by the Arab physicians because of its sudorific
effect. See abbot andc p. arrack.
boraginaceous, 'adj. -Formed with suff. -aceous
fr. ML. borrago, gen. borraginis. See prec. word.
borate, n., salt of boric acid (chem.) -See boron
and chem. suff. -ate.
borax, n., a white crystalline salt used as a flux
and an antiseptic. - F., fr. Arab. baitraq
<VArab. b6raq), fr. Pers. burah.
bordage, n., the tenure of a border (Feudal system).- ML. bordiigium. See next word and -age.
bordar, n., tenant (Feudal system). - ML. bardarius, fr. borda, 'cottage', fr. OF. borde, which
is a Teut. loan word. See board, 'table, plank',
and cp. border.
Bordeaux, bordeaux, n., claret. - From Bordeaux, name of a city and seaport in Southern
France; so called because the wine is shipped
from Bordeaux. The name of the city derives fr.
F.(la ville au) bordd'eaux, '(thecityat)the edge
of waters' (see border and Eau de Cologne).
bonlel, n., a brothel. - F., fr. Provenc;., borde/,
'brothel', fr. OF. borde/, 'a poor hut, hovel',
dimin. of borde, 'hut', fr. Frankish borda, 'hut
made from planks', fr. *bord, 'plank', which is
rei. to OE. bord, ON. boriJ, 'plank'. See board,
'table, plank'.
border, n.- OF.(= F.) bordure, fr. border, 'to
border', fr. bord, 'a border', fr. Frankish bord,

borne

'border, edge; side of a ship', which is orig.

identical with *bord, 'plank'. See board, 'side of
a ship', and cp. bordage, border, bordure. Cp.
also prec. word.
Derivatives: border, v., border-ed, adj., borderer, n.
bordure, n., a border around a shield (her.) F. See prec. word.
bore, tr. and intr. v., to pierce. - ME. borien, fr.
OE. borian, rei. to ON. bora, Swed. borra, Dan.
bore, OS., OHG. boron, MDu., Du. boren,
MHG. born, G. bohren, fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to
cut with a sharp point; to bore, pierce', whence
also Arm. beran, 'mouth' (prop. 'opening'), Gk.
cpc:tp&w, cpc:tp6w, 'I plow', cp&po~. 'plow', cp&pc:ty~.
'cleft, chasm', cp&puy~. 'throat, chasm, gulf', L.
ferire, 'to strike, smite', foriire, 'to bore, pierce',
OSlav. barjf!, brati (for *bor-ti), 'to strike, fight',
Lith. biiras, Lett. bars, 'swath', Lith. burna,
'mouth', Russ. borond, 'harrow', Mir. bern,
bema, 'cleft, opening', Alb. brime, 'hole'. Cp.
bark, 'rind of a tree', barranca, barrow, 'castrated
boar', board, 'table, plank', board, 'side of a
ship', Boris, brackish, broom, burin, foralite,
foramen, interfere, perforate, pharynx, and the
second element in Dukhobors.
Derivatives: bore, n., bor-ed, adj., bore-dom, n.,
bor-er, n., bor-ing, adj., bor-ing-ly, adv., boring-ness, n.
bore, n., tidal wave.- ME. bore, 'wave, billow',
fr. ON. btira, 'wave', lit. 'that which is borne
or carried', rei. to ON. bera, 'to bear'. See bear,
'to carry'.
bore, past tense of bear. - ME. See bear, 'to
carry'.
Boreades, n., pl. the wind gods Zetes and Calais,
(Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. Bopt&oc:tL, lit. 'the
sons of Boreas', fr. BopiX~. See Boreas.
boreal, adj., pertaining to Boreas; northern. L. boreiilis, fr. boreas. See next word and adj.
suff. -al.
Boreas, n., the god of the north wind in Greek
mythology. - L., fr. Gk. BoptiX~. fr. ~optiX~.
'north wind', which is of uncertain origin. It
possibly stands for I.-E. gwore-yiis and orig.
meant 'mountain wind', and is cogn. with 01.
giri/:1, Avestic gairi, 'mountain', Alb. gur, 'rock',
OSiav. gora, 'mountain', Lith. gire, 'forest'. Cp.
bora, Boreades, boreal and the second element
in Hyperborean. Cp. also Croat.
borecole, n., kind of cabbage. - Prob. fr. Du.
boerenkool, lit. 'peasant's cabbage'. See boor
and cole.
boric, adj., pertaining to, or containing, boron
(chem.) - See boron and -ic.
Boris, masc. PN.- OSlav., lit. meaning 'fight',
rei. to OSiav. barjrJ, brati (for *bor-ti), 'to fight',
and cogn. with L. ferire, 'to strike'. See bore,
'to pierce'.
born, borne, pp. of bear. - ME boren, fr. OE.
boren, pp. of beran. See bear, 'to carry'.
borne, adj., narrow-minded . - F., lit. 'limited',

boron

pp. of horner, 'to limit', fr. OF. ( = F.) borne,

'limit', fr. earlier bodne, a word of Gaulish
origin. See bourn and bound, 'limit'.
boron, n., name of a non-metallic element (chem.)
- Originally called by the English chemist Sir
Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) boracium, because
drawn fr. boracic ( = boric) acid. See borax.
The ending -on in boron is due to the analogy
of carbon, where, however, the ending -on belongs to the stem.
borough, n. - ME. burgh, burwe, fr. OE. burg,
burh, burg, rei. to OS., OFris., burg, 'castle',
ON. borg, 'wall, castle', MDu. burch, borch,
borcllf, Du. burch!, burg, OHG. burg, burc,
buruc, 'fortified place, citadel', MHG. burc,
G. Burg, 'castle', Goth. baurgs, 'city', OE. beorg,
etc., 'mountain'. These words pro b. derive fr.
I.-E. base *bhergh-, 'high', whence also Arm.
berj, 'high place', OSlav. bregii, 'bank (of a
river)', W. bera, 'stack, pyramid', Mlr. bri, ace.
brig, 'hill', Toch. Aparkas, 'long', Hitt.parkush,
'high', 01. brhdnt-, Avestic blrlzant-, 'high',
OCeltic Brigantes, lit. 'the high ones' (cp. Burgundians, fr. Late L. Burgundiones, lit. 'highlanders'), prob. also OL. forctus, 'good', L.
fortis (fr. OL. forctis), 'strong', see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, pp. 535-36, s.v.fortis, and KlugeMitzka, EWDS., p.67, s.v. Berg. Cp. barrow,
'mountain, mound', bourgeois, burgage, burgess,
burgh, burgrave, Burgundy, canterbury, faubourg,
gaussbergite, ghetto, Hapsburg, hauberk. Cp. also Brahma, fort, and the second element in barbicane. Cp. also the suff. -bury in English place
names, which comes fr. OE. byrig, the dative
sing of OE. burg. Base *bhagh- is prob. an enlarged form of base *bher-, 'to carry, lift'. See
bear, 'to carry'.
Borrichia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.)- ModL., named after the Danish
botanist Olof Borrich. For the ending see suff.
-ia.
borrow, tr. and intr. v. - ME. borwen, fr. OE.
borgian, 'to lend; to borrow', fr. borg, 'pledge,
security', rei. to ON. borga, 'to become bail for,
to guarantee', MDu. borghen, 'to protect, guarantee', OHG. boragen, borgen, 'to beware of;
to spare; to remit a debt', G. borgen, 'to borrow; to lend', biirgen, 'to become bail for, to
guarantee', OE. beorgan, OHG. bergan, 'to hide,
save'. See bury.
Derivatives: borrow-er, n., borrow-ing, n.
Borstal system. - So called fr. Borstal, a town
in Kent, England, in allusion to the reform
system adopted in its prisons.
borzoi, n., the Russian wolfhound. - Russ.
borzoy, lit. 'quick, swift', rei. to Czech brzy,
Serbo-Croat. brzo, 'quickly', and cogn. with
Lith. bruzdeti, bruzgiti, 'to hurry', burzdus,
'mobile, agile', and cogn. with the first element
in Avestic berez-cachra, 'having fast-moving
wheels'.
Bos, n., a genus of quadrupeds (zoo/.) - L. bos,

188

gen. bovis, 'ox'. See bovine and cp. the second

element in Ovibos.
boscage, n., a thicket.- OF. boscage (F. bocage),
'grove', fr. ML. boscus, 'wood'. See bush and
-age, and cp. bosquet, bouquet.
Boselaphus, n., a genus of antelopes, the nilgai
(zoo!.)- ModL., compounded of L. bos, 'ox',
and Gk. i:Aot<po<;, 'deer'. See Bos and eland.
bosh, n., empty talk, nonsense.- Turk. bosh.
bosk, n., a thicket.- ME. bosk, a var. of busk.
See bush, 'shrub', and cp. busk.
bosky, adj., bushy. - Formed fr. bosk with adj.
suff. -y.
bosket, bosquet, n., a thicket. - F. bosque/,
'grove, thicket', fr. It. boschetto, dimin. of bosco,
'wood', fr. ML. boscus, ofs.m. See bush, 'shrub',
and cp. boscage, bouquet.
bosom, n. - ME., fr. OE. b6sm, rei. to OFris.
bosm, OS. bosom, MDu. boesem, Du. boezem,
OHG. buosam, MHG. buosem, buosen, G. Busen; of uncertain etymology. For the suff. -om
cp. besom. Cp. embosom.
Derivatives: bossom-ed, adj., bossom-er, n.,
bossom-like, bossom-y, adjs.
bosquet, n. -See bosket.
boss, n., a protuberance. - ME. boce, fr. OF.
boce (F. bosse), which is perh. ofTeut. origin.
Cp. OHG. b633an, 'to thrust, beat', and see beat.
Cp. also emboss. Cp. also botch, 'a swelling,
cabbage, n., cabochon.
boss, n., master (colloq.) - Du. baas, 'master,
fr. MDu. baes, rei. to Fris. baes; not rei. to
OHG. basa(whencc MHG. base, G. Base), 'aunt".
Derivative: boss, tr. and intr. v.
bostangi, bostanji, n., a gardener. - Turk. bostiinji, formed fr. bostiin, 'garden', fr. Pers. bostiin, of s.m., with Turk. suff. -jf, which denot.:s
occupation or trade. Pers. b6stiin lit. means
'place of fragrance', fr. b6, 'smell, odor, fragrance', which is rei. to Avestic baoibi-, ofs.m.,
and -stiin, a suff. denoting place, which is rei. to
Avestic -slana (in compounds), 'place', lit. a
place where to stand'. See Hindustani.
boston n., 1) a kind of valse; 2) a breed of dog. In both senses, named from Boston in Massachusetts (U.S.A.)
bostonite, n., a kind of igneous rock (petrogr.)Named fr. Boston in Massachusetts, because
found at Marblehead Neck, near Boston. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Bostrychidae, n. pl., a family of beetles (entomol.)
- ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. ~0cr
Tpuzo:;, 'lock of hair, curl, foliage; a winged
insect', which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
stands for *gwostruchos and orig. meant 'something twisted', and is cogn. with OSerb. goozd,
'forest', Czech hvozd, 'mountain', MHG., G.
qua!t, quaste, 'tuft, knot', Alb. ge&, 'foliage,
branch'.
Boswell, n., admirer of a person. - Named after
James Boswell (I74Q-95), admirer and biographer of Dr. Johnson.

189
Derivatives: Boswell-ian, adj., Boswell-ism, n.,
Boswell-ize, intr. and tr. v.
bot, bott, n., an insect larva. - Of unknown
etymology.
botany, n.- F. botanique, fr. Gk. ~OTIXV~K~ (i:mcr"t"!)!J."f)), lit. '(knowledge of) botany', prop. fern.
of ~o-.otv~x6c;, 'pertaining to herbs', fr. ~o-.&v"1),
'pasture, fodder', which is rei. to ~6cnc;, ~ocrx.~,
'food, fodder', ~6crx.e:w, 'to feed, nourish, tend',
~ocrx.6c;, 'herdsman', ~6m<."f)!J.IX, 'cattle', lit. 'that
which is fed'; prob. fr. I.-E. base *gwo-, 'to
feed', whence also Lith. guo/as, 'herd', gaujii,
'herd, flock', guju, guiti, 'to drive'. Gk. ~oTot
v~x~ i:mcr"t"!)iJ."tJ orig. meant 'the science of
fodder'. The ending-yin E. botany is due to the
influence of words like astronomy, etc. Cp. the
second element in Hippoboscidae, proboscis,
sybotic.
Derivatives: botan-ist, n., botan-ize, int. v.,
botan-iz-er, n.
botch, n., a swelling.- ONF. boche, corresponding to OF. boce. See boss, 'protuberance'.
Derivatives: botch, tr. v., botch-y, adj., botchi-ly, adv., botch-i-ness, n.
botch, tr. v., to mend; intr. v., to do mending.ME. bocchen, 'to patch, mend', of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: botch, n., botch-ed, adj., botch-er,
n., botch-ery, n.
botfly, n. - Compounded of bot and fly, n.
bote, n., compensation. - ME. form of boot,
'advantage' (q.v.) Cp. the second element in
haybote.
boterol, boteroll, n. (her.)- F. bouterolle, fr. bourer, 'to beat, push' (later 'to put, place'), fr.
Frankish *botan, 'to beat, strike', which is rei. to
OHG. b633an and ON. bauta, of s.m. See beat
and -ole.
both, adj., pron. and conj. - ME. bathe, bathe,
fr. ON. biipir, which is rei. to OS. bethia, OFris.
bethe, Du. beide, OHG.beide,bede(masc.),beido
(fern.), beidiu (ncut.), MHG. beide, bede (masc.
and fern.), beidiu (neut.), G. beide, Goth. bajops,
'both'; formed fr. Teut. *ba-, 'both', and the
def. article (see the). The first element in both,
etc., is rei. to OE. begen (masc.), bii (fern. and
neut.), G::>th. bai (masc.), ba (neut.), 'both', and
cogn. with the second element, in 01. u-bhdu
(masc.), u-bh~ (fern.), Avestic u-wa (masc.), u-bi
(fern.), 'both', Toch. A am-pi, am-pe, B ant-api,
Gk. O:[i.-cpw, 'both', &.tJ.-cp(, 'round about', L.
om-bo, 'both', am-bi-, 'around', OSlav. o-ba,
Lith. a-bU, Lett. a-bi, OPruss. ab-bai, 'both'. Cp.
ambi-, amphi-.
bother, tr. and intr. v.- Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: bother, n., botheration (q.v.),
bother-er, n.
botheration, n., bother (colloq.) - A hybrid
coined from the verb bother and -ation, a suff.
of Latin origin.
bothrio-, combining form for bothrium. - See
bothrium.

bottomry

Bothriocephalus, n., a genus of tapeworms (zoot.)

- ModL., lit. 'having heads resembling little
pits', fr. Gk. ~6&p~ov, 'a little pit', and xe:cpotAf,,
'head'. See next word and cephalic.
bothrium, n., a sucker (esp. on the head of a tapeworm; zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ~6&pLOv, 'a
little pit', dimin. of ~6&po:;, 'pit, ditch, trench',
which is prob. cogn. with L.fodere, 'to dig' ,fossa,
'ditch'. See bed and cp. fosse. Cp. also the second element in Cyclobothra.
bothy, n., a hut. - Of Celtic origin. Cp. Olr.
both, 'hut', and see booth.
botone, botony, adj., having a trefoil at the end
(her.) - F. boutonne, pp. of boutonner, 'to bud;
to button', fr. bouton, 'bud; button'. See button.
bo tree.- Singhalese bo, fr. Pali bodhi, shortened
fr. bodhi-taru, 'bo tree', lit. 'tree of wisdom or
enlightenment', fr. bodhi, 'wisdom, enlightenment', and taru, 'tree'. Pali bodhi is rei. to 01.
buddhd}J, 'awakened, enlightened'. See Buddha.
Botrychium, n., a genus of plants, the moonwort
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ~6-.puzo:;, 'grapestalk',
which is rei. to ~6-.pu:;, 'a cluster of grapes' (see
next word); so called because its sporangia form
a cluster resembling that of grapes. See next
word.
botryo-, before a vowel botry-, combining form
meaning 'cluster, clusterlike'. - Gk. ~~o-.puo-,
~o-.pu-, fr. ~6-.puc;, 'a cluster of grapes', of
uncertain origin. Cp. prec. word.
bottega, n., shop, workshop. - It., fr. L. apotheca, 'storehouse (esp. of wine)', fr. Gk.
&.:n:o&~x"tJ, 'any place wherein to lay up something; magazine, storehouse'. See apothecary
and cp. bodega, boutique.
bottle, n. - ME. bote/, fr. OF. botele (F. bouteil/e), fr. VL. butticula, dimin. of Late L. buttis,
'cask', fr. Gk. mJTlv"tJ, 'flask covered with plaited
osier' (through the medium ofTarent.[3u-.(v"1), of
s.m.). Cp. butt, 'barrel', butler. For the change of
Gk. :n:to L.b cp. ML. buxida, fr. Gk. rr'J~lih.,acc.
of =~(:;, 'box' (see box, 'tree', and box, 'receptacle').
Derivatives: bottle, tr. v., bottl-ed, adj.
bottom, n. - ME. botme, bowme, fr. OE. botm,
'lowest part, depth, bottom', rei. to OS. bodom,
ON. botn, OFris. baden, 'soil', Du. bodem,
OHG. bodam, MHG., bodem, G. Boden,
'ground, soil, earth', and cogn. with OI. budhnd/.1, Gk. mJ&f.lf.v, 'foundation, bottom', L.
fundus (metathesis for *fudnos), 'bottom; piece
of land, farm', Olr. bond(metathesis for *bodn),
'sole of the foot'. Cp. found, 'to establish', founder, v., fund, fundament, profound.
Derivatives: bottom, adj. and v., bottom-less,
adj., bottomry (q.v.)
bottomry, n., bond by which the vessel is hypothecated for the loan of the money advanced
on the security of the ship. - A blend of bottom, in the sense of 'ship', and Du. bodemerij,
'bottomry', fr. MLG. bodmen, verbodmen, fr.
bodem, 'bottom; to lend a ship and its cargo',

botulism

Cp. F. bomerie, 'bottomry', which also derives

fr. Du. bodemerij.
botulism, n., sausage poisoning.- G. Botulismus,
coined fr. L. botulus, 'sausage', and suff. -ismus.
See bowel and -ism.
bouche, n., mouth (obsol.)- F., 'mouth', fr. L.
bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal and cp. bonne bouche.
boucle, n., a kind of yam having small curly
loops. - F., lit. 'buckled, curled', pp. of boucler, 'to buckle, curl', fr. boucle, 'buckle, curl'.
See buckle.
boudoir, n., a woman's private sitting room. F., lit. 'sulking or pouting room', fr. bouder,
'to sulk, pout', which is of imitative origin. Cp.
pout.
Bougainvillaea, n., a small genus of woody vines.
- Named after the French navigator Louis
Bougainville (1729-181 1).
bough, n. - ME. bogh, fr. OE. bOg, bah, 'arm,
shoulder, bough', rel. to ON. b6gr, 'shoulder;
bow of a ship', OHG. buog, MHG. buoc, G. Bug,
'shoulder, hock, joint', fr. I.-E. bhiighus-, 'elbow, arm', whence also 01. biihU/.1, Avesticbiizu,
Arm. bazuk, 'arm', Gk. mjxut;, Dor. rtii;<:ut;,
'elbow', Toch. A poke, Bpauke, 'arm'. Cp. bow,
'the fore part of a ship'.
bought, past tense and pp. of buy. - ME.
boht(e), fr. OE. bohte, resp. (ge)boht. See buy.
bougie, n., I) a wax candle; 2) a surgical instrument used to dilate a body canal. - F., 'wax
candle', fr. Bougie, Bugia, a town of Algeria.
The orig. meaning was 'fine wax candles
brought from Bugia', and only at a relatively
later period did the sense of the word develop
into 'candles brought from Algeria', and 'candles' in general.
bouillabaisse, n., a kind of fish stew. - F., borrowed fr. Proven\(. bouiabaisso, prop. a compound of the imperatives of two verbs, corresponding to F. bous-abaisse and to Engl. boilabase (this latter taken in its original sense 'to
lower'), expressing, in a joking way, the rapidity
of the cooking. See boil, v., and abase and cp.
bouilli, bouillon.
bouilli, n., boiled meat.- F., prop. pp. of bouillir, 'to boil'. See boil, v., and cp. next word.
bouillon, n., a strong broth. - F., 'broth', fr.
bouil/ir, 'to boil'. See boil, v., and cp. prec. word
and the first element in bouillabaisse.
boulder, n., a large stone. - Short for boulder
stone, fr. ME. bulderstan, prob. of Scand. origin; cp. Dan. bu/dre, Swed. bullra, 'to roar,
rattle', dial. Swed. bullersten, 'a large stone in
a stream'.
boule, n., council in ancient Greece. - Gk.
j3ou).-i), 'counsel, deliberation, decree, council',
rei. to j3ou).e:a.&cn, 'to will, wish'. The orig.
meaning of this verb was 'to throw oneself upon
something' (in a spiritual sense). It stands in
gradational relationship to {3&AA.:LII, 'to throw';
see ballistic. See Frisk, GEW., I, pp.258-59 s.v.
j3oUAOfULL

IYU

boule, n., a game.- F., 'ball', fr. L. bulla, 'any

round object, bubble, boss'. See bill, 'document'.
boulevard, n. - F., earlier boloart, boulevert,
balouart, belouart, orig. meaning 'work of fortification', fr. MDu. bolwerc. See bulwark.
boulter, n., a long line for fishing, with hooks
attached. - Of unknown origin.
bounce, intr. and tr. v.- ME. bunsen. Cp. LG.
bunsen, Du. bonzen, 'to beat, thump'. Cp. also
jounce.
Derivatives: bounce, n., bounc-er, n., bounc-ing,
adj., bounc-ing-ly, adv.
bound, n., limit.- ME. bounde, fr. earlier bunne,
fr. OF. bonne, fr. earlier bodne, 'limit, boundary', fr. ML. bodina, which is prob. of Gaulish
origin. Cp. borne.
Derivatives: bound, tr. v., to set a limit to,
intr. v., to have a boundary, boundary (q.v.),
bound-less, adj., bound-less-ly, adv., bound-lessness, n.
bound, intr. v., to leap.- F. bondir, 'to rebound,
resound, echo', fr. VL. bombitfre, formedprob. on the analogy of VL. tinnitire (whence
OF. tentir, F. retentir), 'to resound'-fr. L.
bombfre, 'to resound', fr. bombus, 'a hollow,
deep sound'. Cp. Late L. bombitiire, 'to buzz,
hum', another derivative of L. bombire. See
bomb and cp. bombard, rebound.
Derivatives: bound, a leap, bound-ing, adj.,
bound-ing-ly, adv.
bound, adj., I) ready (obsol.); 2) ready to go,
going.- ME. boun, bun, 'prepared, ready', fr.
ON. biiinn, pp. of biia, 'to dwell, prepare'. See
be and cp. boor, bower, 'cottage', booth, bothy.
The d in bound is excrescent. Cp. pound, 'to
beat', round, 'to whisper', sound, 'noise',
horehound.
bound, past tense and pp. of bind. - ME. bunde(n), past tense, resp. pp. of binden. See bind.
boundary, n. - A blend of bound, 'limit', and
ML. bonniirium, 'piece of land with a fixed
limit', fr. OF. bonne, 'limit'. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ary.
bounden, adj. - ME. bounden, fr. OE. bunden,
pp. of bindan, 'to bind'. See bind.
bounder, n., an ill-bred person. - Formed fr.
bouod, 'to leap', with agential suff. -er.
bounteous, adj., I) generous; 2) abundant.
ME. bountevous, formed with suff. -ous fr. OF.
bontlf, fern. bontive, fr. bonte (F. bontl). See
bounty. Derivatives: bounteous-ly, adv., bounteous-ness, n.
bountiful, adj. - Compounded of bounty and
-ful.
Derivatives: bountiful-ly, adv., bountiful-ness, n.
bounty, n. - OF. bonte (F. bonte), fr. L. bonitiitem, ace. of bonitiis, 'goodness', fr. bonus,
'good'. See bonus and cp. It. bonta, Rum. buniitate, Engadine bundet, OProvenl(., Catal. bontat, Sp. bondad, Port. bondade, 'goodness',
which all derive fr. L. bonitiitem. For the endi.
see suff. -ty.

bouquet, n., I) a bunch of flowers, nosegay;

2) aroma.- F., orig. meaning 'grove, thicket',
dimin. formed fr. ML. boscus, 'wood', whence
also F. bois, 'wood, forest'; see bush and cp.
bosket. For the original sense of bouquet cp.
bouquet d'arbres, 'group of trees, grove'.
Bourbon, n., a member of the royal family in
France which reigned 1589-1792 and 18151848. -F., from Bourbon !'Archambault , chief
town of a lordship in central France. The place
name Bourbon is traceable to Borvo, name of a
thermal deity. See burbot.
Derivatives: Bourbon-ism, n., Bourbon-ist, n.
bourdon, n., pilgrim's staff. - F. bourdan, fr.
ML. burdOnem, ace. of burd6, fr. L. burdus,
'mule'. For sense development cp. chevron, ram,
sawbuck, sawhorse.
bourdon, n., a drone bass. - F., fr. ML. burd6nem, ace. of burd6. See burden, 'refrain'.
bourette, n., a kind of silk linen or cotton yam
with knots. -F. bourrette, dimin. of bourre,
'flock (for stuffing or padding); floss silk', fr.
Late L. burra, 'a shaggy garment' wich is cogn.
with Gk. ~e:pp611, 'thick with hair, shaggy'. See
bureau and -ette and cp. burel, burl, burlesque.
bourgeois, adj., characteristic of the middle class;
middle-class; n., one of the middle class. F., fr. bourg, 'small town', hence prop. meaning
'inhabitant of a bourg'; of Teut. origin. See
borough and cp. burgess. Cp. also burgee.
bourgeois, n., a size of printer's type (print). Named after Bourgeois, a French type founder.
bourgeoisie, n., middle class.- F., fr. bourgeois.
See bourgeois, 'middle class'.
bourn, bourne, also bum, n., a stream. - ME.
burne, borne, fr. OE. brunna, burna, rei. to OS.,
OHG. brunno, 6N. brunnr, Norw. brunn, brynn,
Dan. hrend, Swed. brunn, OFris. burna, MLG.,
MDu. borne, Du. bron, MHG. brunne, brun,
G. Brunnen and Born, Goth. brunna, 'well,
spring', and cogn. with Gk. <pptiip, 'well, spring',
Arm. albeur (gen. alber), 'source', Russ. brujd,
'current', bruit', 'to stream with force'. For
more cognates see harm, brand, bread, brew,
broil (in both senses), broth, and ferveut, phreatic.
bourn, bourne, n., a limit. - F. borne, fr. earlier
bodne. See bound, 'limit'.
bourn~e, n., an old lively French dance. - F.,
prop. fern. pp. of bourrer, 'to cram, to stuff (a
chair, etc.)', fr. Late L. burra, 'a shaggy garment', which is rei. to L. birr us, 'a kind of cloak';
see burnous. The dance was pro b. so called from
its rude and uncouth movements.
bourse, n. - F., 'purse, exchange', fr. Late L.
hursa, 'purse' (see purse). The sense development of the word is due to the following facts.
In the 13th cent. a famous family of merchants
living in Bruges (Belgium) was called Van der
Burse (in allusion to the three purses contained
in their coat of arms). The place before their
house became a celebrated meeting center of
merchants and bankers. This is why the Ex-

change of Antwerp built after the pattern of

that in Bruges was called Bourse. Later this word
became the general name denoting exchange.
See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. Sr. Cp. bursar, disbourse.
bouse, n., a drink. - ME. bous, fr. MDu. buse,
'cup'. See next word.
bouse, intr. and tr. v. to carouse.- ME. bousen,
fr. MDu. biisen, 'to carouse', rei. to MHG. biis,
'act of swelling, inflation'; of uncertain origin.
Cp. booze.
Derivatives: bous-er, n., bous-y, adj.
boustrophedon, n., an old form of writing, in
which lines run alternately from right to left and
from left to right. - Gk. {3oucr-rpo<p"IJ8611, 'turning as an ox turns in plowing', compounded of
~out;, 'ox', and a-rp<pe:w, 'to turn'. See bovine
and strophe.
bout, n., a contest. -Fr. earlier bought, 'bend',
from the base of bow, 'to bend', and in gradational relationship to bight.
boutade, n., whim, caprice. - F., fr. bouter, 'to
beat, push', fr. Frankish botan, 'to beat', which'
is rei. to OHG. bo:;:;an, OE. beatan, of s.m. See
See beat and -ade and cp. boterol, butt, 'to strike'.
Bouteloua, n., a genus of grasses (bot.)- ModL.,
named after the Spanish botanist Claudio
Boutelou (1774-1842).
boutique, n., a shop. - F., fr. OProven~. botica
(also botiga), fr. Gk. ocrro&-IJx'IJ, 'any place
wherein to lay up something; magazine, storehouse', whence also L. apotheca. See apothecary
and cp. bodega, bottega. The vowel i (for e) is
due to the MGk. pronunciation of 'lJ as i.
bouts-rinres, n. pl., rhyming words to which verses are to be composed. - F., lit. 'rhyming
ends'. See butt, 'the thicker end of anything'
and rhyme.
bovate, n., a measure of land (obsol.) - ML.
boviita, fr. L. bas, gen. bovis, 'ox'. See next word.
bovine, adj., pertaining to the ox. - Late L. bovinus, fr. L. bas, gen. bovis, 'ox', which stands for
*guaus, and is rei. to Umbr. bum, 'the ox'
(ace.), and cogn. with OHG. chuo, OE. cu,
'cow'. See cow and cp. words there referred to.
For the ending see adj. suff. -ine.
Bovista, n., a genus of gasteromycetous fungi. -ModL., fr. G. Bovist (also Bofist), 'puffball',
dissimilated fr. earlier vohenfist, fr. MHG. vohe,
'vixen'; see fox. The second element is cogn.
with 01. picchorii, 'pipe, flute', OS!av. piskati,
'to whistle', fr. the I.-E. imitative base *peis-,
'to blow'.
bow, intr. and tr. v., to bend. - ME. bugen,
bogen, bowen, bugen, fr. OE. biigan, 'to bow
down, stoop, bend, tum; to flee', rei. to OS. biigan, MLG. bugen, MDu. biighen, Du. buigen,
OHG. biogan, MHG., G. biegen, Goth. biugan,
'to bend', ON. boginn, 'bent', beygja, 'to bend',
Dan. bugne, beie, Swed. buga,biija, 'to bend', fr.
I.-E. base *bheug(h)-, 'to bend', whence also 01.
bhujdti, 'bends, thrusts aside' ,bhuktti/J, 'bent' .Base

bow

*bheug(h)-, 'to bend', is identical with base

*bheug-, 'to flee', which prop. meant originally,
'to bend one's course away from a place',
whence Gk. 'Jle:uye;Lv, L. fugere, 'to flee', Lith.
bi'igstu, bUgti, 'to be frightened'. For sense development cp. OE. bugan, 'to bow down, stoop;
to bend, turn; to flee'. Cp. bow, 'anything bent',
bight, bout, buxom, akimbo. Cp. also fugitive
and words there referred to.
Derivative: bow, n., inclination of the head.
bow, n., anything bent; rainbow; weapon. ME. howe, fr. OE. boga, rel. to ON. bogi, OFris.
boga, Du. boog, OHG. bogo, MHG. boge, G.
Bogen, 'bow', and to OE. bugan, etc., 'to bend',
and cogn. with Ir. fid-bocc, 'wooden bow'. See
bow, 'to bend', and cp. elbow, embow.
Derivatives: bow, intr. v., to use the bow, bowed, adj., bow-ing, n.
bow, n., the fore part of a ship. - Of Scand.
origin. Cp. ON. b6gr, Dan. bov, Swed. bog,
'shoulder; bow of a ship'. See bough.
bowdlerize, tr. v., to expurgate. - Formed with
suff. -ize from the name of Thomas Bawdier,
who in 1818 published The Family Shakespeare,
expurgating from it, according to his own
words, 'whatever is unfit to be read by a gentleman in a company of ladies'.
Derivative: bowdler-iz-ation, n.
bowel, n. - ME. bouel, bouele, fr. OF. boe/ (F.
boyau), fr. L. bote/Ius, dimin. of botulus, 'sausage', fr. I.-E. base *gwet-, *geut-, *gut-, 'to
vault', whence also L. guttur, 'throat', Goth.
qifJUs, OE. cwio, 'belly, womb', ON. kvir'Jr,
'belly', MHG. kutel, G. Kutteln, 'guts, bowels;
tripe; chitterlings'. The above base is a dental
enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend, curve,
arch'. See 1st cove and cp. botulism, boyau, chitterling. Cp. also bitumen, cud, guttural.
Derivatives: bowel, tr. v., bowel(l)-ed, adj.
bowenite, n., a variety of serpentine (mineral.) Named after G.T.Bowen, who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bowe.-, n., one who, or that which bows. Formed fr. bow, 'to bend', with agential suff. -cr.
bower, n., an anchor carried at the bow of a ship.
-Formed fr. bow, 'the fore part of a ship', with
suff. -er.
bower, n., cottage. - ME. bour, 'chamber', fr.
OE. biir, rei. to ON. bur, 'chamber', Swed. bur,
'cage', OHG. bur, 'dwelling, chamber', MHG.
btlr, 'chamber, cage', G. Bauer, 'cage'. These
\\Ords lit. mean 'lodging', and are rei. to ON.
hila, OE. bzlan, 'to dwell'. See be and cp. boor,
hyre. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: bower-y, adj.
bower, n., the knave in cards. - G. Bauer,
'peasant', fr. MHG. gebiire, fr. OHG. giburo,
which is rei. to biir, 'a lodging'. See prec. word.
bowie knife. - Named after its inventor Colonel
James Bowie (1799-1836).
bowl, n., a hollow vessel. - ME. bo/le, fr. OE.
bolla, rei. to ON. bolle, OHG. bolla, MHG. bol/e,

192

'a round vessel', G. Bolle, 'bulb', OHG. bol6n.

'to roll', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to swell'. See ball,
'a round body', and cp. boll and the second
element in rocambole.
Derivatives: bowl-er, n., round felt hat, bow/-y,
adj., bent.
bowl, n., a wooden ball. -F. boule, fr. L. bulla,
'bubble'. See bull, 'edict', and cp. bolero.
Derivatives: bowl, tr. v., to roll (bowls); intr. v ..
to roll rapidly, bowler (q.v.), bowl-ing, n.
bowler, n., one who bowls.- Formed from prec.
word with agential suff. -er.
bowler, n., a hard round hat. - Formed with
suff. -er fr. bowl, 'hollow vessel'.
bowline, n., a rope used to keep the sail taut
(naut.) - ME. bottline, fr. OF. bouline, which is
of LG. origin. Cp. MDu. boech-line (whence
Du. boeglijn), 'bowline', and see bow, 'the fore
part of a ship', and line.
bowls, n. pl., name of a game. - Pl. of bowl, 'a
wooden ball'.
bowly, bowry, n., a well with steps leading down
to the water (Anglo-Ind.) - Hind. biioli, biiorf.
'a well'. Cp. 01. vavrab, 'hole, well'.
bowsprit, n., the spar extending from the bow of
a ship. - ME. bouspret, pro b. fr. MLG. b6chspret, fr. boch, 'bow' (which is rei. to ON. b6gr,
'bow'), and spret, 'pole' (which is rei. to OE.
spreot, 'pole'). Cp. Du. boegspriet, Dan. bugspryd, Swed. bogsprot, G. Bugspriet. F. beaupre
is a Dutch loan word. See bow, 'the fore part of
a ship', and sprit.
bowwow, n., and intr. v. - Of imitative origin.
bowyer, n., maker, or seller of bows.- Formed
fr. bow, 'weapon', with suff. -yer.
box, n., the tree.- ME., fr. OE. box, fr. L. buxus
(whence also It. boss'o, F. buis), fr. Gk. rru~o~,
'box tree', which is perhaps a loan word of
Thraco-Phrygi an origin. Cp. next word, bushing,
Buxus, and pyx. Cp. also the second element in
arquebus, blunderbuss. For the change of Greek
rr to b in Latin-which is pro b. due to Etruscan
inftuence-<:p. burro, carbasus and sbirro.
box, n., case, chest.- ME., fr. OE. box, orig. 'a
receptacle made of boxwood', fr. L. buxum,
'anything made of boxwood', fr. buxus, 'box
tree'; see prec. word. Cp. MDu. bosse, busse and
OHG. buhsa (whence MHG. buhse, G. Biichse),
which derive fr. VL. *buxem, contraction of
*buxidem, ace. of buxis, which corresponds to
Classical L. pyxis, 'box of boxwood', fr. Gk.
mJ~lc of s.m., fr. -::.J;o~, 'box tree'. Cp. also
OF. -boiste (whence F. boite), which comes fr.
VL. buxida, ace. of buxis. Cp. also Boxing day
and bush, 'metal lining'.
box, a blow. - ME., of uncertain, possibly imitative, origin.
'Derivatives: box, intr. v., boxer{q.v.), boxing, n.
boxer, n., a person who fights with his fists. Formed fr. prec. word with agential suff. -er.
Boxer, n., a member of a Chinese secret society.
- Loan translation of Chinese I he ch'iian,

193
'righteous, uniting fists', a phrase originating in
the misunderstand ing of the original name
I he t'uan, 'righteous harmony band'.
Boxing day, name given to Dec. 26th. - See box,
'case, chest'. Dec. 26th was so called from the
custom of distributing on this day the contents
of the Christmas box, i.e. the box (placed in the
church for charity and) opened on Christmas day.
boxwallah, n., a native peddlar in India (AngloInd.) - Hind. bakaswiilii, a hybrid coined fr.
bakas = English box, 'case', and Hind. suff.
-wiilii; see wallah. For sense development cp.
Scot. pack man, 'peddlar'.
boy,n.- ME. boi, rel. to the OE.PN.Bofa,O Fris.
boy, 'a young gentleman', MDu. boeve, Du. boef,
'knave, villain', the OHG. PN. Buobo, MHG.
buobe, G. Bube, 'boy', and in vowel gradational
relationship to E. babe, baby (qq.v)
Derivatives: boy, tr. and intr. v., boy-hood, n.,
boy-ish, adj., boy-ish-ly, adv., boy-ish-ness, n.,
boy-ism, n.
boyar, n., a member of an order in Russian aristocracy. - Russ. boyarin, fr. bojf, 'struggle', in
gradational relationship to OS!av. bijq, biti,
'to strike', bici, 'whip', Russ. bilo, 'mallet', fr.
I.-E. base *bhei-, 'to cut'. See bill, 'sword'.
boyau, n., trench; zigzag. -F., lit. 'gut, bowel',
fr. L. hotel/us, 'a little sausage', dim. of botulus.
See bowel and cp. botulism.
boycott, tr. v., to combine in refusing to deal
with.- Fr. Captain Charles Boycott, landagent
at Lough- Mask in the county of Mayo, Ireland,
who was the first to be so treated (in r 88o).
Derivatives: boycott, n., boycott-age, n., hoycott-er, n.
brab, n., the Palmyra tree.- Corruption of Port.
brava (which is short for palmeira brava, 'wild
palm'), fern. of bravo, 'wild', fr. L. barbarus.
See brave.
brace, n., clasp, buckle. - ME. brace. fr. OF.
brace, brasse, 'the two arms' (whence F. brasse,
'fathom, armful'), fr. L. brachia, 'the arms', pl.
(of the neut. noun brachium) mistaken for a fern.
sing. noun, fr. Gk. ~p:q(wv, 'arm', which derives fr. ;3pcq_)~, 'short', and prop. means 'that
which is shorter (than the forearm)'. See brachyand cp. bracelet, brachial, brassard, hraza, embrace, bretzel, and the second element in ,ambrace.
brace, tr. v., to encompass. - ME., fr. OF. bracier, 'to embrace', fr. brace, 'the two arms'. Sec
brace, 'clasp'.
Derivati\cs: brac-ing, n. and adj.
brace, n., rope attached to the yard of a vessel
(naur.)- From F. bras in bras de rergue. 'tackle
for trimming a yard', fr. L. brachium, arm'. See
brace, 'clasp'.
bracelet, n. - OF ( = F.), formed with the
double dimin. suff. -elet, fr. braz (F. bras),
'arm'. Bracelf!t lil. means 'a littk arm'. &e
brace, 'clasp, buckle', -el and -et.
Derivative: bracelet-ed, adj.

brackish
bracer, n., armor for the arm (archaic). - ME.,
fr. OF. brasseure, formed fr. braz (F. bras),
'arm' (see brace, 'clasp, buckle'), with suff. -eure,
ure, which was changed in English to -er.
brach, n., a bitch hound (archaic).- ME. brache,
'a scenting hound', fr. OF. brache, which is of
WTeut. origin; cp. MDu. bracke, OHG. braccho, MHG., G. bracke, 'hound, setter'. It.
bracco, Proven<;. brae, of s.m., are Teut. loan
words; F. braque is borrowed either fr. Italian
or fr. Provcn<;al. The above Teut. words are
rei. to MHG. br<ehen, 'to smell', and cogn.
with L. fragriire, 'to smell sweetly'. See fragrant.
bracbet, n., a little brach.- F. brachet, 'scenting
hound', dimin. of OF. brache. See prec. word
and -et.
brachi-, form of brachio- before a vowel.
brachial, adj., pertaining to the arm. - L. brachia/is, fr. brachium, 'arm'. See brace, 'clasp',
and adj. suff. -al.
brachiate, adj., having branches arranged in
pairs. - L. brachiiitus, 'having branches that
resemble arms', fr. brachium, 'arm'. See brace,
'clasp', and adj. suff. -ate.
brachio-, before a vowel brachi-, combining form
meaning 'arm' (anat.) - Gk. ~poczLO-, [1po:x~-.
fr. ~pocziw~. 'arm'. See brace, 'clasp'.
brachy-, combining form meaning 'short'. - Gk.
[1poczu-, fr. ~po:zu~, 'short', which is cogn. with
L. brevis, 'short'. See brief, adj. and cp. brace,
'clasp'. Cp. also the second element in amphibrach, tribrach.
brachycephalic, also hrachyccphalous, adj., shortheaded (anthropometry). - Formed fr. brachy-,
Gk. XEtpocf.i), 'head' and suff. -ic, resp. -ous. Sec
cephalic. Cp. Gk. [~poc)':J:drpoci,vc;, name of a fish,
lit. 'short-headed'. The word was first used in
anthropometry by the Swedish anthropometri st
Magnus Gustaf Rctzius (1842-1919).
brachylogy, n., a concise phrase or expression,
brevity in speech. - Gk. ~vxz;),r,y[i, 'brevity
in speech', compounded of ;3pocz)~. 'short', and
-!.0yli, fr. -My'>c;, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See hrachy- and -logy.
bracken, n., a coarse fern. - ME. hrakl'n, prob.
of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed. briii<en, 'fern', and
see brake, a fern'.
bracket, n. - F. hraf{uette, 'codpiece', dimin. of
brague, 'breeches', a loan word fr. OProvenc;.
braga, 'clout', in the pl. bragas. 'breeches', fr.
L. hnlca, pl. hriicae, 'breeches', whence also It.
brache (pl.), 'trousers, Catal., Sp., Port. brar:a,
'clout", m the pl. bragas, 'bn:..:ch~:s', L bwit,
'clout'. in the pl. braies, 'breeches'. Sec breeches
and cp. hrail.
Derivatives: bracket, tr. v., bracket-ill!{, n.
brackish, adj., salty, fresh. - Formed with adj.
suiT. -ish fr. obsol. brack, 'salty', fr. MDu. brae,
'salt water' (whence Du. brak water, G. Brackwasser, Swed. brakvatten, Dan. brakvand); fr.

bract

194

01. briihmal)i, fern. of briihmal)a-. See prec. word.

I.-E. base *bher-, 'to cut', whence also E. bore,
brahmapootra, usually shortened to brahma, n.,
'to pierce' (q.v.)
name of a large species of fowl. - From BrahDerivative: brackish-ness, n.
maputra, name of the great river in India.
bract, n., a small leaf at the base of a flower
Brahmin, n. - A var. of Brahman.
(bot.)- L. bractea, 'a thin metal plate', of unbraid, tr. v.- ME. breiden, braiden, fr. OE. bregcertain origin. The correct form is brattea.
dan, 'to move quickly, brandish; to weave', rei.
bracteal, adj., pertaining to bracts.- Formed fr.
to ON. bregoa, 'to brandish, tum about, braid',
L. bractea (see prec. word) with adj. suff. -al.
OS. bregdan, 'to weave', Du. breien, 'to knit',
bracteate, adj., having bracts (bot.) - L. bracOHG. brettan, MHG. bretten, 'to draw, weave,
teiitus, 'covered with thin plates', fr. bractea. See
braid'. The orig. meaning of these words was
bract and adj. suff. -ate.
'to move suddenly to and fro'. They ult. derive
brad, n., a small wire nail.- ME. brad, 'spike,
fr. I.-E. base *bherek-, 'to shine', whence also
headless nail', fr. ON. broddr, of s.m., which is
01. bhrtiSate, 'flames, blazes, shines', Gk. qJopx6~,
rei. to OE. brord, 'point; spire of grass', OHG.
'white, gray'. Cp. brae, bream, a fish, bridle,
brort, 'point; edge; crown'. Cp. broider, prod.
broider, upbraid. Cp. also bright and words
bradawl, n. - Compounded of brad and awl.
there referred to.
Bradbury, n., an English treasure note for r
Derivatives: braid, n., braid-ed, adj., braid-ing, n.
or ros., signed by John Bradbury, secretary to
Named after
Braidism, n., hypnotism. the Treasury.
James Braid in Manchester (died in 186o). For
brady-, combining form meaning 'slow'.- Gk.
the ending see suff. -ism.
:3poc3u-, fr. ~pocM~. 'slow', which stands for
Braidist, n., a hypnotist. - See prec. word and
*gwrdus and is cogn. with Lith. gurdus, 'tardy,
-ist.
negligent', Lett. gufds, 'tired'.
brail, n., rope used for hauling in a sail before
brae, n., slope, river bank (Scot.) - ON. bra,
furling. - ME. brayle, fr. OF. braiel, 'breech
'eyelash', rel. to OE. br<iw, 'eyelid', OFris. bre,
girdle', fr. braie, 'breeches', fr. L. brticiile, of
'eyebrow', OHG. briiwa, 'eyebrow', orig. 'eyes.m., fr. briica, pl. briicae, 'breeches'_ See
lash, eyelid', MHG. brii(we), G. Braue, 'eyebreeches and cp. bracket.
brow', Goth. bralvaugins, 'moment', fr. I.-E.
Derivative: brail, tr. v., to haul in with the
base *bherek-, 'to shine', whence also OE. bregbrails (usually with up).
dan, 'to move quickly, brandish; to weave'. See
Braille, braille, n., system of writing for the
braid. E. brow is not related to brae.
blind.- Named after the inventor Louis Braille
brag, intr. v. - ME. braggen, fr. OF. braguer,
(1809-52), himself blind from the age of three,
'to brag', fr. brague, 'bragging', which is of unand teacher of the blind.
certain origin.
Derivatives: Braille, braille, tr. v., Brai/1-ist,
Derivatives: brag, n., braggart (q.v.), bragg-er,
brai/1-ist, n.
n., bragg-ing, adj., bragg-ing-ly, adv.
brain, n.- ME, fr. OE. brregen, rel. to MLG.
braggadocio, n., a braggart. - A hybrid coined
bregen, OFris., Du. brein and cogn. with Gk.
by Edmund Spenser (1552-99) in his Faerie
Queen, fr. E. brag, and It. pejorative suff. -occio.
~P9J.1.6~ (also ~PEYf.1.6:;, ~PEY[LOC, ~ptzfLoc, ~poz
[L6:;), 'the front part of the head'.
braggart, n., a boaster; adj., boastful. - OF.
Derivatives: brain, tr. v., -brain-ed, combining
bragard, fr. braguer. See brag and -ard.
form; brain-er, n., brain-less, adj., brain-less-ly,
bragite, n., a variety of fergusonite (mineral.)adv., brain-less-ness, n., brain-y, adj.
Named after Brage, the Norse god of poetry.
braise, tr. v., to cook (meat) slowly in a covered
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dish.- F. braiser, 'to stew', fr. braise, 'glowing
Brahma, Brahaman, n., I) the impersonal world
charcoal', fr. WTeut. *brasa; cp_ It. bragia,
soul; 2) the chief member of the trinity Brahma,
brace, OProven<;. and Sp. brasa, which are of
Vishnu and Siva (Hindu religion). - 01. brahthe same origin. See braze and cp. breeze, 'reman- (neut.), 'prayer, the universal soul, the Abfuse from charcoal or coke'.
solute' (in this last sense exceptionally treated
brake, n., a kind of fern.- ME. brake, 'fern'. See
as masculine), Brahman (masc.), 'the chief god
bracken.
of Hindu religion', of uncertain origin; possibly
brake, n., an instrument for breaking flax. related to 01. brhant-, 'high', fr. I.-E. base
ME., fr. MLG. brake, 'instrument for breaking
*bhergh-, 'high'. See borough.
flax', rei. to Du. braak, G. Breche, of s.m., and
Derivatives: Brahma-hood, n., Brahma-ic, adj.,
to Du. breken, OE_ brecan, 'to break'. See break.
Brahman, n. (see next word)
brake, n., a contrivance for retarding or stopBrahman, n., a member of the highest priestly
p~g the motion of a wheel.- From prec. word.
caste among the Hindus. - 01. brtihmaiJLI-, fr.
Derivative: brake-age, n.
brahman-, 'prayer'. See prec. word.
Bramah press. - Named after its inventor, the
Derivatives: Brahman, adj., Brahman-ic, adj ..
English mechanician Joseph Bramah.
Brahman-ism, n., Brahman-ist, n., Brahman-istbramble, n_ - ME. brembil, fr. OE. brrembel,
ic, Brahman-y, adjs.
brembel, fr. earlier br<imel, breme/ (the second
Brahmanee, Brahmani, n., a Brahmin woman. -

195

bin brtembel, brernbel, is intrusive); rel. to Du.

braam, OHG. brtima, briimo, MHG. briime,
'thorny bush, bramble', OE. bronz, 'broom (the
plant)', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'point, edge; to cut
with a sharp point; to bore, pierce'. See bore
and cp. broom. For the ending see dimin. suff.
-le.
Derivatives: brambl-ed, adj., brambling (q.v.),
brambl-y, adj.
brambling, n., the mountain finch. - Formed fr.
bramble with subst. suff. -ing; cp. G. Bram/ing,
Briimling, of same meaning.
bran, n. - ME., fr. OF. bren (F. bran), which is
of Celtic origin. Cp. brennage.
Derivative: bran, tr. v.
brancard, n., a horse litter. -F., 'stretcher, litter',
a Norman loan word with the original meaning
'thick branch', a derivative of branque, the Norman equivalent of F. branche. See next word
and -ard.
branch, n. - ME. branche, braunche, fr. OF.
( = F.) branche, fr. Late L. branca, 'paw, claw',
a Gaulish word, which is cogn., with OSlav.
rqka, Lith. rankd, 'hand'. Cp. brank, brankursine, embranchment.
Derivatives: branch, intr. and tr. v., branch-age,
n., branch-ed, adj., branch-er, n., branch-ing, n.
and adj., branch-y, adj.
branchia, n., a gill. - L., fr. Gk. :3pocntoc (pl.},
'gills' (the sing. ~pocyztov means 'fin'), rel. to
~p6yzo~. 'tracheal artery'. See bronchi and cp.
branchiate.
Branchiata, n. pl., a name denoting groups of
animals having gills (zool.)- A ModL. hybrid.
See next word.
branchiate, adj.; having gills (zool.) -A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. ~pocnt:x (see branchia) and adj.
suff. -ate (representing L. -iitus ).
branchiform, adj., resembling a gill.- A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. ~pnt:x (see branchia) and L.
forma, 'form, shape' (see form). The correct form
would be branchiomorph (fr. Gk. ~pocyztoc and
!LOpq:>~. 'form, shape').
brand, n. - ME. brand, brand, fr. OE. brand,
brand, 'firebrand, fire, torch, sword' (the meaning 'sword' is derived from the flashing of the
blade), rei. to ON. brandr, 'firebrand, blade of
sword', OHG., MHG. brant, OFris. brand, of
s.m., Dan., Swed., Du., G. brand, 'firebrand,
fire'; formed from the base of OE. beornan, etc.,
'to burn' (see burn, v.), with suff. -pa( =I.-E. -to).
Cp. OF. brant, 'blade of a sword, sword', It. brando (poet.), 'sword', F. brandon, 'firebrand. torch,
which are TeuL loan words. Cp. also brandish,
brandy, brindled, the first element in brandreth
and the second element in Hildebrand.
brandish, tr. v. - ME. braandisen, fr. OF. brandiss-, pres. part_ stem of brandir, fr. brant,
'blade of a sword, sword'. See brand and verbal
suff. -ish.
Derivatives: brandish, n., brandish-er, n.
brandling, n., name of a worm. - Formed fr.

brassard

brand with suff. -ling; so called from the red

marking.
brandreth, n., gridiron.- ME., fr. ON. brandreio,
'firegrate', compounded of brandr, 'brand' and
reiO, 'vehicle'. Sec brand and ride.
brandy, n. - Shortened fr. earlier brandwine,
brandewine, fr. Du. brandewijn, lit. 'distilled
wine', fr. branden, 'to burn', whence 'to distil',
and wijn, 'wine'. For the first element see burn,
v., and cp. brand, for the second see wine. Cp.
G. Branntwein, 'brandy'. Cp. also Czech pa/enka,
'brandy', and its equivalents in the other Slavic
languages, fr. paliti, etc., 'to burn'.
Derivative: brandi-ed, adj.
brandypawnee, n., brandy and water (Anglo/nd.)- A hybrid coined fr. E. brandy and Hind.
piini, 'water'.
brangle, intr. v., to wrangle (archaic). - Prob.
a var. of wrangle. Cp. embrangle.
Derivative: brang/e, n.
branks, n_ pl., a sort of bridle; an instrument used
formerly to punish noisy women. - Norm. F.
branques, the equivalent of F. branches,
'branches'. Sec branch, brancard.
brank-ursine, n., the bear's breech (Acanthus
mol/is). - Fr. branche ursine, fr. ML. branca
ursina, lit. 'bear's claw', fr. Late L branca,
'claw' and fern. of the L. adjective ursinus, 'belonging to a bear'; so called from the shape of
its leaves. Sec branch and ursine.
branle, n., an old French dance.-- F., fr. hranler,
'to shake, swing' (whence ehranler, of s.m.),
shortened form of brandeler, which is rei. to
brandir, 'to wave'. See brandish.
brannerite, n., a complex uranium titanate (mineral.) - Named after the American geologist
John Casper Branner (1850-1922). For the
ending sec subst. suff. -ite.
brant goose, also hrend goose, n., - Cp. Swed.
brandgds, G. Brandgans, and see brand and goose;
prob. so called from its dark color.
Brasenia, n., a genus of plants of the watershidd
family (bot.) - ModL.. a name of uncertain
origin. For the ending see suff. -ia.
brash, n., rubbish.- Prob. fr. F. breche, 'breach,
breccia', fr. OHG. brehha, 'breach', fr. brehhan.
'to break'. See break and cp. breccia.
Derivative: brash-v, adj.
brash, n., eructation. - Prob. identical in origin
with prec. word. For sense development cp. G.
brechen, 'to break; to vomit'.
brass, n. - ME. bres, bras, fr. OE. br,Ts, prob.
borrowed from the same Semitic source as L.
ferrum, 'iron'. Sec farrier and cp. brassie,
brazen.
Derivatives: brass, adj. and tr. v., brass-y, adj.
brassage, n., a charge for coining money. - F.,
fr. brasser, 'to stir up, agitate', fr. OF. bracier,
fr. VL. *braciclre, fr. L. braces, quoted by Pliny
as a Gaulish word meaning ~pelt'. Cp. W. bwx,
'malt'. Cp. also brassery.
brassard, brassart, n., armor for the arm. - F.

brasserie

brassard, fr. bras, 'arm', fr. L. brachium. See

brace, 'clasp', and -ard.
brasserie, n., brewery. - F., fr. brasser, 'to stir
up, agitate'. See brassage and -ery.
Brassica, n., a genus of plants including the cabbage, the turnip, the mustard, etc. - L. brassica, 'cabbage'; cp. Gk. ~poccrx7J (Hesychius),
'cabbage'; of uncertain etymology.
Brassicaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the cabbage family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. prec.
word with suff. -aceae.
brassie, brassy, n., a wooden club with a brass
plate. - Formed fr. brass with subst. suff. -ie,
resp. -y.
brat, n., bib, apron. - OE. bratt, 'a covering,
mantle'. fr. Olr. or Gael. bratt, 'cloak, cloth'.
brat, n., child. - Prob. fr. prec. word.
Derivatives: brat-ling, n., bratt-ish, adj.
bratstvo, n., brotherhood. - Russ., etc., formed
with suff. -stvo (corresponding in meaning to E.
-hood), fr. Russ., Pol., Slovak, brat, etc.,
'brother', which is cogn. with Goth. brojJar,
OE. brooor, 'brother'. See brother.
brattice, n., a partition. - ME. bretasce, 'bartizan, fr. OF. bretesche (F. breteche, bretesse),
'brattice', fr. ML. (turris) brittisca, 'British
tower', fr. OE. Brittisc, 'British'. See British and
cp. bartizan.
Derivatives: brattice, tr. v., brattic-er, n., brattic-inK, n.
braunite, n., a basic manganese silicate (mineral.)
- Named after M. Braun of Gotha. For the
ending sec subst. suff. -ite.
bravado, n., ostentatious show of courage. - Sp.
bravata, bravada, fr. It. bral'ata, 'boast, bluster',
whence also F. bravade, E. bravado was influenced in form by the erroneous analogy of
Spanish words ending in -ado, as e.g. renegado.
See next word.
Derivative: bravado, intr. v.
brave, adj. - F., fr. It. bravo, orig. meaning
'wild, savage', fr. L. barbarus, 'foreigner'
(through the intermediate forms *brabarus,
*brabus); with change of meaning from 'wild'
to 'courageous'. See barbarian and cp. brab.
Derivatives: brave, n., brave, v. (q.v.), bravery, n.
brave, tr. v., to defy; intr. v., to boast. - F.
bra~er, 'to dare, defy', fr. brave. See brave, adj.
Derivatives: braver, n., brav-ing, n.
bravo, n., brigand. - It. bravo, fr. L. barbarus.
See brave, adj.
bravo, interj., well done!; n., the shout 'bravo'.It. bravo, 'the brave man', used in applauding
actors, etc.; the fern. form brava is used in applauding a woman, the pl. bravi in applauding
several people. See brave, adj.
bravoite, n., an iron sulfide containing nickel
(mineral.) - Named after Jose J. Bravo, of
Ltma, Peru. l'or the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bravura, n., I) boldness, spirit; 2) in music, a
brilliant passage. -It., 'bravery, spirit', formed

196
fr. bravo, 'courageous, brave', with suff. -ura.
See brave, adj., and -ure.
brawl, intr. v. - ME. braulen, 'to scold, quarrel',
fr. braule, 'scold, quarrel', rei. to Du. and LG.
bra/len, 'to brag'.
Derivatives: brawl, n., brawl-er, n., brawl-ing, n.
brawn, n. -OF. braon, braion, 'piece of flesh',
whi~h is ofTeut. origin. Cp. OHG. briito, 'tender
meat' (whence-with sense influenced by the un-.
related MHG. briiten, G. braten, 'to roast'MHG. briite, G. Braten, 'roast'), ON. briiJ, 'raw
meat', OE. brted, 'flesh'.
Derivatives: brawn, tr. and intr. v., brawn-ed,
adj., brawn-ed-ness, n., brawn-er, n., brawn-y, adj.
braxy, n., a disease of sheep.- Pro b. rei. to OE.
brrec, 'rheum', prop. 'a breach', from the stem
of brekan, 'to break'. See brl!llk.
bray, tr. v., to crush.- ME. braien, fr. OF. breier
(F. broyer), 'to crush, pound', fr. W. Teut. *brecan, 'to break', whence also OProvenc;. bregar.
See break.
bray, intr. v., to utter a cry (said esp. of the ass).
-ME. brayen, fr. OF. braire, 'to cry' (whence
F. braire, 'to bray'), fr. VL. *bragere, 'to whine,
cry' (whence also OProvenc;. braire, 'to cry,
sing'), which prob. derives from the Celtic
imitative base *brag-, 'to cry'. Cp. Gael. braigh-,
'to shriek, crack, crackle'.
Derivatives: bray, n., bray-er, n.
braza, n., a Spanish measure of length, fathom.
- Sp., fr. L. brachia (pl. of brachium, 'arm'),
taken as a fern. sing. Cp. F. brasse, 'fathom', and
see brace, 'clasp'.
braze, tr. v., to solder. - F. braser, 'to solder,
braze', fr. braise, 'glowing charcoal'. See braise
and cp. brazier, 'a pan for holding hot coals;
brazil, breeze, 'cinders', embracer, 'one who attempts to corrupt a jury', embrasure.
braze, tr. v., to cover with brass.- OE. bra'sian,
fr. br<Es, 'brass'; see brass. Cp. the verb glaze,
from. the noun glass.
brazen, adj. - ME. brasen, fr. OE. br<Esen, 'of
brass; bold', fr. brres, 'brass'. See brass and adj.
suff. -en.
Derivative: brazen, tr. v.
brazier, n., one who works in brass.- ME. brasiere, fr. bras. See brass and -ier.
brazier, n., a pan for holding hot coals. - F.
brasier, fr. braise, 'glowing charcoal'. See braze,
'to solder'.
brazil, brazil wood, n.,- ME. brasil, fr. Sp. or Port.
brasil, name for a red dye-wood from the East
Indies, fr. F. bresil, of s.m., a derivative of OF.
breze (whence F. braise), 'glowing charcoal',
which is of Tcut. origin. See braze, 'to solder'.
The wood was called brasil from its emberlike
color.
Brazil, n. - The country was so called from the
brazilwoodfound in it.
brazilite, n., a variety of baddeleyite (mineral.) So called because found in Brazil. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.

197
breach, n. - ME. breche, partly fr. OE. bryce,
'a breaking', which is rei. to brecan, 'to break',
partly fr. F. breche, fr. OHG. brehha, 'a
breaking', fr. brehhan, 'to break'. See break.
Cp. G. Bresche, 'breach', which was reborrowed
fr. F. breche. Cp. also breccia and brash, 'rubbish'.
Derivatives: breach, v., breach-er, n., breqch-y,
adj.
bread, n. - ME. breed, brede, fr. OE. bread,
'morsel, crumb, bread', rei. to OS. brod, ON.
brauJ, Dan. brod, Swed. brad, OFris. briid, MDu.
brot, broot, Du. brood, OHG., MHG. brot, G.
Brot, fr. Teut. *brauoa, lit. 'bread leavened with
barm'; cogn. with Thracian Gk. ~p\ho~ (~pou-ro~
in Hesychius), ~pu-rov, 'fermented liquor made
from barley', L. de-frutum, 'must boiled down'.
These words are formed with the I.-E. pp. suff.
-to fr. base *bhreu-, *bhrii-, 'to boil, ferment',
whence also OE. breowan, ON. brugga, 'to
brew'. See brew and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: bread, tr. v.
breadth, n.,- ME. bredethe, formed on the analogy of ME. lengthe, etc., fr. OE. brtedu,
'breadth', fr. briid, 'broad'. See broad and subst.
suff. -th.
break, tr. and intr. v. - ME. breken, fr. OE.
brecan, rei. to OS. brecan, OFris. breka, Du.
breken, OHG. brehhan, MHG., G. brechen,
Goth. brikan, and cogn. with L. frangere, past
tensefregl, 'to break', or. (giri)-bhrdj, 'breaking
forth (out of the mountains)', fr. I.-E. base
*bhreg-, 'to break'. A parallel base *bheg- appears in OI. bhandkti, 'he breaks', Arm. bekanem, 'I break', bek, 'broken', Oit. com-baing,
'he breaks'. The disappearance of the r in this
secondary base is prob. due to the nasalization
of the base. Cp. brake, 'instrument for breaking
flax', brake, 'contrivance for stopping motion',
brash, braxy, bray, 'to crush', breach, breck,
brick, bricole, brioche, brook, n. Cp. also
fraction and words there referred to.
Derivatives: break, n., break-able, adj., breakagen, n., breaker (q.v.), break-ing, n.
breaker, n., one who, or that which, breaks. Formed fr. break with agential suff. -er.
breaker, n., a small cask. - Sp. barrica, 'cask.
See barrel and cp. barricade.
breakfast, n. - Prop. 'the meal that breaks the
fast. Cp. F. dejeuner, 'to breakfast', fr. L. dis}ejuniire, 'to break the fast' (see dejeuner, dinner).
bream, n., a fish. - ME. breme, brem, fr. F.
breme, fr. OF. braisme, fr. Frankish *brahsima,
which is rei. to OHG. brahsima, of s.m.; prob.
fr. Teut. base *brehwan, 'to shine', which is rei.
to I.-E. *bherek-, 'to shine, be white'. See braid.
bream, tr. v., to clean a ship's bottom. - Du.
brem, 'furze, broom'. See broom.
breast, n. -ME. brest, fr. OE. breast, rei. to OS.
briost, ON. brj6st, OFris. briast, and to OFris.,
OHG., MHG., G. brust, MLG., MDu., Du.
borst, Goth. brusts, 'breast', and cogn. with Mlr.

breed

bruasach, 'having a broad, strong breast', Olr.

bruinne (for *bhrusnio-), 'breast', brii (for
*bhruso-), 'abdomen, belly'; fr. I.-E. base
*bhreus-, 'to swell'. Cp. brisket, browse.
Derivatives: breast, tr. and intr. v., breast-ed,
adj., breast-er, n., breast-ing, n.
breastsummer, n., a large beam. -Compounded
of breast and summer, 'beam'.
breath, n.- ME. breeth, breth, fr. OE. brtejJ,brejJ,
'odor, scent, breath', rei. to OHG., briidam,
MHG. briidem, G. Brodem, 'breath, steam', fr.
I.-E. base bher-, 'to boil'. See brew and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: breath-less, adj., breath-less-ly,
adv., breath-less-ness, n., breath-y, adj.
breathe, intr. and tr. v.- ME. brethen, fr. breth.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: breath-ed, adj., breath-er, n.,
breath-ing, verbal n. and pres. part.
breba, n., fig of the first crop. - Sp. breva, metathesis of bevra, of s.m., fr. L. bifera, fem. of
bifer, 'bearing fruit twice a year', which is compounded of bis, 'twice', and ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bi- and bear, 'to carry'.
breccia, n., a rock composed of angular piecet>
(petrogr.) -It., 'a kind of marble consisting of
angular pieces', fr. OHG. brecha, 'a br::aking',
whence also F. breche. See breach.
Brechites, n., a genus of mollusks (zoo!.) ModL., fr. Gk. ~peze:Lv, 'to wet', which is cogn.
with Lett. merguot, 'to rain softly', merga, a soft
rain', Russ. morosit', 'to rain softly'. Cp. embrocate.
breck, n., a breach (obsol.) - Related to break
(q.v.)
bred, past tense and pp. of breed.- ME. bredde,
bred(d), fr. OE. bredd(', resp. gf!bri'd(d). past
tense, resp. pp. of bredan, 'to breed'. See bned.
bredbergite, n., a variety of iron garnet (mineral.)
- Named after B. G. Bredherg, who analyzed
it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brede, tr. v., to roast (obsol.) - OE. brii:dan, 'to
roast', rei. to OHG. briitan, 'to roast', fr. I.-E.
base *bher-, 'to boil'. See brew and cp. words
there referred to.
brede, n., breadth (dial.)- OE. br:Mu, 'breadth',
rei. to briid, 'broad'. See broad.
brede, tr. and intr. v., to broaden (dial.) - OE.
brlidan, 'to broaden, rei. to brad, 'broad'. Cp.
OS. bredian, ON. breioa, Du. ver-breden. OHG.,
MHG., G. breiten, Goth. braidjan, 'to broaden',
and see broad.
breeches, n. pl. - ME. brech, fr. OE. brec, pl. of
brae, rei. to ON., OS., OFris. brok, Dan. brog,
Swed., Norw. brok, Du. broek, OHG. bruoh,
MHG. bruoch, G. Bruch, 'breeches'; of uncertain etymology. L. briica, pl. briicae, 'breeches,
is a Gaulish word borrowed fr. Teut. Cp.
bracket, brail, brogue, 'shoe'.
Derivatives: breech, tr. v., breech-eel, adj.,
breech-ing, n.
breed, tr. and intr. v. - ME. breden, fr. OE. bre-

198

breeze

den,'to cherish, keep warm, nourish', reL to Du.

hroeden, OHG. bruoten, MHG. hriieten, G. briiten, 'to brood, hatch', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to
boil'. See brew and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: breed, n., breed-er, n., breed-ing, n.,
hrecd-y, adj.
breeze, n., a light wind.- F. brise, prob. fr. Sp.
brisa, 'north-east wind'; not related to F. bise,
'dry and cold north wind' (see bise).
Derivatives: breeze, intr. v., breez-y, adj., breezi-ly, adv., breez-i-ness, n.
breeze, n., refuse from charcoal or coke. - F.
braise, 'cinders, live coal'. See braise.
bregma, n., front part of the head (craniometry).
- Gk. ~P~YfJ.tX, 'front part of the head', reL to
~pc:zfL6~, of s.m., and cogn. with OE. br;egen,
'brain'; see brain. The name bregma was introduced into craniometry by the French surgeon
and anthropologist Paul Broca (1824-80).
Derivatives: bregm-ate, bregm-atic, adjs.
brehon, n., one of a class of judges in ancient Ireland. - Jr. breitheamh, fr. Olr. brithem, gen.
brithemon, 'judge', fr. breth, 'a bearing; judgment'. which is reL to biru, 'I bear', and cogn.
with L. ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to
carry'.
breislakite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.)
- Named after the Italian geologist S. Breislak
( 1748-1826). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
breithauptite, n., nickel antimonide (mineral.) Named after the German mineralogist J.F.A.
Breirhaupf ( 1791-1 873). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
brelan, n., name of a gambling game. -- F. brelan. fr. OF. hrelens, pl. of brelenc, 'table, gambling table', whence 'a kind of gambling game',
fr. OHG. brerling, 'small plank', dimin. of bret,
'plank' (in G. slang, Brettling denotes 'table').
For the etymology of OHG. bret see board,
'table', for the ending see suff. -ling.
breloque, n., a charm for a watch chain. - F.,
a word of imitative origin. Cp. berloque.
breme, adj., famous (obso!.) - ME .. fr. OE.
/H'<'Ill<'. famous.
Bren~un. n., often shortened to bren. -- Coined
from the first two letters of Bmo, a city in
Czcchoslova k ia, and the first two letters of Enfield near London. The patent for the gun was
purchased in Brno; the gun was manufactured
at Enfield.
brennage, n .. payment made in bran to feed the
lords' hounds (feudal law). - OF. brenage, fr.
brcn, 'bran. See bran and -age.
brent goose. - See brant goose.
Brenthis, n., a genus of butterflies (entomo/.) Modl., lit. 'the arrogant (insect)', fr. Gk.
~Ft'lfl'J~, 'pride, arrogance', which is of uncertain origin.
bressummer. - See breastsummer.
bretelle, n., strap, braces.- f'., fr. OHG. brittil,
'bridle', which is rei. to bride/, of s.m. See
bridle.

brethren, n. - Archaic pl. of brother.

Breton, adj. and n.- F. See Briton and cp. the
first element in next word.
Bretwalda, n., a title given to some of the earlier
Anglo-Saxon kings. - OE., lit. 'ruler of the
Britons'. See Breton and wield and cp. the first
element in Walter and the second element in
Oswald.
breve, n., 1) a writ or brief (law); 2) a curved line
C) placed over a vowel to indicate its shortness
(gram.); 3) a note equal to two whole notes or
the sign for it (lol) (mus.)- In the legal sense, fr.
ML. breve, 'letter', prop. neut. of the L. adjective
brevis, 'short'; in the grammatical sense, fr. F.
breve, prop. fern. of bref, 'short', used as a noun,
fr. L. brevis; in the musical sense, fr. It. breve,
which also derives fr. L. brevis. See brief, adj.
and n.
Derivative: breve, tr. v. (obso/.), to write down.
brevet, n., a commission giving an army officer
nominal higher rank. - F., dimin. of bref,
'brief, document'. See brief, n., and -et and cp.
prec. word.
Derivative: brevet, tr. v.
brevi-, combining form meaning 'short'. - L.
breve-, fr. brevis, 'short'. Sec brief, adj.
breviary, n., a short prayer book used by priests
in the Roman Catholic Church. - L. breviiirium, 'summary', neut. of the adjective breviiirius, 'abridged', used as a noun, fr. breviiire,
'to shorten, abbreviate', fr. brevis, 'short'. See
brief, adj., and subst. suff. -ary and cp. brevet,
abbreviate. Cp. also brimborion.
brevier, n., a size of small type, between bourgeois and minion (typogr.) - Lit. 'the breviary
type' (cp. G. Brevier, 'breviary'); so called because this type was used originally in printing
brevi:~ries.

breviped, adj., having short feet.- Compounded

of L. brevis, 'short', and pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'.
See brief, adj., and pedal.
brevipennate, adj., having short wings. - Compounded of L. brevis, 'short', and penna, 'wing',
Sec brief, adj., and pennate.
brevity, n., shortness of time. - L. brevitiis,
'shortness', fr. brevis, 'short'. Cp. F. brievete,
of s.m., fr. L. brevitiitem, ace. of brevitiis. See
brief, adj., and -ity.
brew, tr. and intr. v.- ME. brewen, fr. OE. breowan, rei. to OS. breuwan, ON. brugga, Dan.
brygge, Swed. brygga, Norw. brugga, bryggja,
OFris. bri1lwa, MDu. brouwen, bruwen, Du.
brouwen, OHG. briuwan, MHG. bruwen, brouwen, G. brauen, 'to brew', MLG. broien, MDu.
broeyen, MHG. briiejen, briien, G. briihen, 'to
scald', fr. I.-E. base *bheru-, *bhreu-, *bhru-, 'to
boil, ferment', whence also 01. bhurv-at;ti/;, 'wild,
turbulent', bhtm;ti/;, 'violent, passionate', Arm.
albeur (gen. alber), 'source', Gk. cpopCr11e:~v,
cpopuaac:w, 'to knead together, soil, bespatter',
cppe~p (gen. cppe~To<;), 'well, spring' Thracian
Gk. ~piho<; {~pouTo<; in Hesychius), ~puTov,

199
'fermented liquor made from barley, beer', L.
defrutum, 'must boiled down', fervi!re or fervere,
'to boil, glow, foam', Alb. brum, brums, 'leaven',
Russ. brujd, 'current', bruit', 'to stream with
force', Oir. bruth, 'heat', Mir. berbaim, 'I boil,
seethe'. Base *bheru-, *bhreu-, *bhr/1- represents
enlargement forms of base *bher-, 'to boil, ferment', which appears e.g. in L. fermentum, 'substance causing fermentation'. Cp. brewis. Cp.
also barm, Bourbon, bourn, 'stream', brand,
bread, breath, brede, 'to roast', brindled, broil (in
both senses); brood, broth, burbot, burn, n. and
v. Cp. also ferment, fervent, fry, 'to cook in fat'.
Derivatives: brew, n., brew-age, n., brew-er, n.,
brew-er-y, n., brew-ing, n., brewster (q.v.)
brewis, n., beef broth. - ME. broues, brouet,
brouis, 'broth', fr. OF. ( = F.) brouet, of s.m.,
derivative of breu, 'broth', which is of Teut.
origin. See brew and cp. words there referred to.
brewster, n., a brewer.- Formed fr. brew with
suff. -ster. The word denoted orig. a female
brewer.
briar, n.- See brier.
Briareus, n., a hundred-handed giant (Greek
mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. Bp~&pc:w<;, fr. ~p~tXp6<;,
'strong', fr. base ~p~- (cp. the compound ~p~
iJ=o<;, 'loud-shouting'), whence also ~ptM<;,
'heavy', ~pt.&wo~, 'to be laden, to be heavy', fr.
I.-E. base *gwer-, 'heavy', whence also Gk.
~tXpO<;, L. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave, adj., and
cp. baro-. Cp. also Bridget, Brigit.
bribe, n.- OF. bribe, 'crumb, piece of bread', esp.
'piece given to a beggar', fr. briber, brimber,
'to beg', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: bribe, tr. v., brib-able, adj., brib-ee,
n., brib-er, n., hrib-er-y, n.
bric-a-brac, n., odds and ends of furniture, artistic objects, etc.- F. bric-ii-brac, 'odds and ends,
curiosity shop'; of imitative origin.
brick, n. - F. brique, 'brick', fr. MDu. bricke,
of s.m., lit. 'a broken piece', rei. to E. break
(q.v.) Cp. briquette.
Derivatives: brick, adj. and v., brick-y, adj.
bricole, n., a catapult. - F., 'catapult; driving
belt, strap, rebound of a ball, zig-zag'. The word
derives fr. OProven~. bricola or It. briccola,
'machine of war', fr. Longobard *brihhil, reconstructed fr. MHG. breche/, which lit. means
'that which breaks', fr. brechen, 'to break'. See
break.
bridal, n., ceremony of marriage. - ME. brida/e,
fr. OE. brydealu, 'bride-ale, bride feast'; (see
bride, 'newly married woman', and ale). Later
the second element of ME. brid-a/e was prob.
confused with the suff. -al in synonymous words
(cp. espousal, nuptial).
Derivative: bridal-er, n.
bridal, adj., 1) pertaining to a bride; 2) pertaining
to a wedding.- Either fr. adjectival use of bridal, n., or formed fr. bride with adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: bridal-ly, adv.
bride, n., a newly married woman. - ME. bride,

brief

bryde, fr. OE. bryd, rei. to OFris., breid, 'bride',

OS. brud, ON. bruor, OFris. breid, Du. bruid,
OHG., MHG. brut, G. Braut, 'bride', Goth.
bru]Js, 'daughter-in-law'. L. Frutis, a name for
Venus, is not cognate with the Teut. words quoted, but with Gk. n-puT-tXv~<;. n-p6T-tXV~<;, 'prince,
lord, president' (see prytany). Cp. hurd.
bride, n., loop, tie. -F., 'bridle, bridle rein', fr.
MHG. bride/, which is rei. to E. bridle.
bridegroom, n. - ME. brudgume, bridegome, fr.
OE. brydguma, rei. to OS. brudigumo, ON. bruogumi, OHG. brutigomo, MHG. briutegome, G.
Brautigam, 'bridegroom'. For the first element
in bridegroom see bride. The second element
arose through the substitution of groom (q.v.)
for OE. guma, 'man', which is rei. to OS. gumo,
gomo, ON. gumi, OFris. goma, OHG. gomo,
Goth. guma, 'man', and cogn. with L. homo,
'man'. See human.
bridewell, n., house of correction, prison. From Bridewell in London, a house of correction. The name has been altered fr. St. Bride's
Well, and this fr. St. Bridget's Well. See Bridget
and well, 'spring'.
bridge, n., structure spanning a river, etc. - ME.
brigge, brig, etc., fr. OE. brycg, bricg, rei. to
OS. bruggia, ON. bryggja, bru, Dan. bro, Swed.
brygga, OFris. brigge, bregge, Du. brug, OHG.
brucca, G. Briicke; prob. orig. 'bridge of beams',
and derived fr. I.-E. base *bhru-, *bhreu-, 'beam,
log', whence also Gaulish briva, 'bridge', OSlav.
bruvuno, 'beam', Serb. bfv, 'footbridge'.
Derivatives: bridge, tr. v., bridg-ed, adj., bridging, n.
bridge, n., a card game resembling whist. -First
mentioned as Biritch or Russian Whist; of unknown origin.
Bridget, fern. PN.- From Ir. Brighid, name of
the Irish fire goddess, a derivative of brigh,
'strength', which is cogn. with Gk. ~pi:M<;,
'heavy', ~pt.&c:w, 'to be laden, to be heavy',
~p~tXp6<;, 'strong'. See Briareus and cp. Brigit
and the first element in bridewell.
bridle, n. - ME. bride/, fr. OE. bride/, brigdels,
rei. to Du. breidel, OHG. brittil, MHG. bride/,
OHG. brittil, MHG. bride!, and to OE. bregdan,
'to move quickly, brandish; to weave'. See
braid and cp. bride, 'loop', bridoon, debridement. Cp. also bretelle. For the ending see dimin. suff. -le.
bridle, tr. and intr. v. - ME. bridlen, fr. OE.
brfdlian, fr. bride/. See bridle, n.
Derivatives: bridl-ed, adj., bridl-er, n., bridling, n.
bridoon, n., snaffle and reins of a military bridle.
-F. bridon, dimin. of bride, 'bridle'. See bride,
'loop'.
Brie cheese, often shortened to brie. - From
Brie, name of a district in the department Seineet-Mame in France, renowned for its cheese.
brief, adj., short in duration. - ME. bref, fr.
OF. ( = F.) bref, fr. L. brevis, 'short', which

brief

prob. stands for *mregh-w-i-s, brehvis, and is

cogn. with Sogdian murzak, 'short', the first element in Avestic m~r~zu-]iti, 'shortlived', Gk.
~po:zo~ (for I.-E. mrffhlls), 'short', Goth. *maurgus, 'short' (only in the compound gamaurgjan,
'to shorten'), OHG. murg, murgi, 'short', OE.
myrge, 'pleasing, delightful, merry'; see merry,
adj. For sense development cp. G. Kurzweil,
'pastime', lit 'a short time'. Cp. brief, n. Cp.
also brachio-, brachy-, brace, 'clasp', brevet,
brevi-, breviary, brevier, brevity, brume, abbreviate, abridge.
brief, n., a summary. - ME. bref, fr. OF. ( = F.)
bref, fr. ML. breve, prop. neut. of L. adj. brevis,
'short', used in the sense of 'short writing, letter,
document'. Cp. It. breve, of s.m., G. Brief, 'letter'. See brief, adj., and cp. breve.
Derivatives: brief, tr. v., brief-less, adj., briefless-ly, adv., brief-less-ness, n., brief-ly, adv.
brier, briar, n., a prickly plant. -ME. brere, fr.
OE. br"ii?r, brer.
brier, briar, n., heath. - F. bruyere, 'heather,
heath', fr. VL *briiciiria, *briigiiria, fr. briicus,
'heather', a word of Gaulish origin. Cp. Oir.
froech (for *vroiko-s), 'heath', which is cogn.
with Gk. epdx1J, eplx-r, (for *fs:pdxi), 'heath',
Lith. viriis, Russ. veres, of s.m. Cp. also brisk,
brusque, Erica.
brig, n., a two-masted square-rigged vessel. Abbreviation of brigantine.
brigade, n. - F., fr. It. brigata, fr. brigare, 'to
fight', fr. briga, 'strife', which is of Gaulish origin. Cp. Gael. brigh, W. bri, 'power'. Cp. also
brigand.
Derivatives: brigade, tr. v., brigadier, n. (q.v.)
brigadier, n., an officer commanding a brigade.F., fr. brigade. Sec prec. word.
brigand, n., bandit. - F., fr. It. brigante, fr.
brigare, 'to fight". Sec brigade.
Derivatives: br~!Jand-agc, n. (fr. F. brigandage),
brigander, n., brigandine (q.v.), brigand-ish, adj.,
hrigand-ish-/.l", adv., brigand-ism, n.
brigandinc, n., body armor. -- F., fr. It. brigantina, fr. brigare, 'to fight". See prec. word.
brigantine, n., a two-masted square-rigged ship.
- F. brigantin, fr. It. brigantino, 'piratical (lit.
'fighting') vesseL fr. brigante 'brigand'. See
brigand.
bright, adj. - ME. briht. fr. OE. beorht, bryht,
rel. to OS. herht, ON. bjartr, Norw. bjerk,OHG.
beralrt, MHG. birht, Goth. bairhts, 'bright', fr.
I.-E. base *bhereg-, 'to shine, be white'. whence
also OI. bhrdjate, 'shines. glitters', Lith. brekSta,
brikSti, 'to dawn'. W. berth. 'bright. beautiful'.
Cp. birch. Cp. also Bertha, the first element in
Bardolph, Bertram, and the second element in
Albert, Cuthbert, Egbert, Ethelbert, filbert, gilbert, Herbert, Hubert,Lambert, Robert. I.-E. base
*bhereg- is rel. to base *bherek-, 'to shine, be
white'; see braid and cp. words there referred to.
Bright's disease, chronic nephritis. - So called
after the English physician Richard Bright ( 1789-

201

200

1858), who first described this disease (in 1827).

Brigit, fern. PN.- From Ir. Brighid, name of the
Irish fire goddess. Sec Bridget.
brill, n., a flat fish allied to the turbot. - Cp. Co.
brilli, 'mackerel', contracted fr. brithelli, lit.
'streaked'.
brilliance, brilliancy, n.- Formed fr. next word
with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
brilliant, adj. - F. brillant, lit. 'shining', pres.
part. of briller, 'to shine', fr. VL. *berylliire, 'to
shine like a beryl', fr. L. beryl/us, fr. Gk. [3+,puhl-o~, 'beryl'. See beryl and -ant.
Derivatives: brilliant, n., brilliant-ly, adv., brilliant-ness, n.
brilliantine, n., an oily liquid used to make the
hair glossy. - F. brillantine, fr. brillant, 'shining'. See prec. word.
brim, n. - ME. brimme, brim, rel. to ON. barmr,
MHG. brem, 'bordering edging', Late MHG.
verbremen, G. verbriimen, 'to border, edge',
OHG. briimberi, MHG. briimher, G. Brombeere, 'bramble, blackberry', OE. brom, 'broom'.
All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base
*bhre-m-, 'edge, point; to bore, pierce', an enlargement of base *bher-, of s.m., whence berm,
board, 'table', board 'side of a ship', bramble,
broom.
brimborion, n., nonsense. - F., 'knick-knack,
bauble, gewgaw', fr. earlier briborion, breborion,
fr. Eccles. L. breviiirium, 'breviary'. See breviary.
brimmer, n., a vessel filled to the brim.- Formed
fr. brim with suff. -er.
brimstone, n. - ME. brinston, brenston, fr. brinnen, 'to burn', and ston, 'stone', hence the word
lit. means 'burnstone'; rel. to ON. brennisteinn,
'brimstone'. Sec burn and stone.
Derivative: brims ton-y, adj.
brindisi, n., a rhymed toast. - It., fr. G. (ich)
bring' dir's, lit., '(I) bring it to you', used in the
sense of 'I drink your health'. Cp. G. jemandes
Gesundheit ausbringen, 'to drink one's health'.
brindled, adj., streaked with a dark, esp. brown or
tawny, color.- Formed-prob. after kindledfr. archaic brinded, fr. ME. brended, which is rel.
to brand.
brine, n.- ME., fr. OE. br_\"ne, rei. to MDu. brine
(whence Du. brijn).
Derivatives: brine, tr. v., brin-er, n.
bring, tr. v. - ME. bringen, fr. OE. bringan, rei.
to OS. brengjan, OFris. brenga, MDu. brenghen,
Du. brengen, OHG. bringan, MHG., G. bringen,
Goth. briggan, fr. Teut. base *bhrenk-. Outside
Teut. cp. W. he-brnwg, 'to send', MCo. hembronk. 'we lead'.
Derivative: bring-er, n.
brinjarry, also binjarree, n., a dealer in grain and
salt (Anglo-Ind.)- Hind. banjarii, lit. 'one who
carries on trade', fr. OI. vm;ijyii, 'trade, traffic'
(fr. vm:rij, 'merchant'), and kiira/:1, 'doer', which
is rel. to k(IJOii, 'he does, makes, accomplishes'.
See Sanskrit and cp. Chamar. The word brinjarry
was influenced in form by Pers. birinj, 'rice'.

II

brink, n. - ME. brink, of Scand. ongm. Cp.

Dan. brink, 'steepness, brink, precipice', ON.
brekka, 'projection, slope', which are rel. to
MDu. brink, 'edge, shore'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *bhreng-, 'to project', whence
also Lith. brinkti, 'to swell'.
brio, n., vivacity. -It., of uncertain origin, perhaps aphetic for L. ebrius, 'drunk, intoxicated'.
See ebrious.
brioche, n., a kind of bun. - F., a derivative of
brier, 'to knead the dough', Norman form of
broyer, 'to grind, pound', which comes fr.
WTeut. *brekan, 'to break'. See break.
briquette, n., brick made of coal dust. - F. briquette, dirnin. of brique. See brick and -ette.
brisance, n., shattering effect of explosives. F. brisance, fr. brisant, pres. part. of briser, 'to
break, smash, shatter', fr. VL. brisiire, a word of
Gaulish origin; cp. Olr. brissim, 'I break', brisc,
'brittle', Bret. bresk, of s.m.; fr. I.-E. base
*bhres-, 'to break, crush, crumble'. See bruise,
and cp. debris. For the ending see suff. -ance.
brisk, adj. -A doublet of brusque (q.v.)
Derivatives: brisk, tr. and intr. v., brisk-en, tr.
and intr. v., brisk-ly, adv., brisk-ness, n.
brisket, n., animal's breast.- ME. bruskette, rel.
to MHG. briische, G. Brausche, 'bruise on the
head', ON. brj6sk, Dan. brusk, 'gristle', and to
E. breast (q.v.) F. brechet (fr. earlier brichet,
bruchet) is an English loan word.
brisling, bristling, n., a small seafish resembling
sardines. - Of uncertain origin.
brisque, n., a card game.- F., of uncertain origin.
bristle, n. - ME. brustel, brostle, bristel, formed
with dirnin. suff. -if, -el, -le, fr. OE. byrst, 'bristle', which is rel. to OS. bursta, ON. burst, Du.
borstel, OHG. burst, MHG., G. borste, 'brush,
bristle', and cogn. with OI. bh($(1(1, 'point, spike',
and pro b. also with L.fastlgium (for *farstfgium),
'top, summit', Lith. barsstis, 'carrot'. Cp. bur.
Cp. also bar, 'maigre', barse, bass, 'perch', beard,
'device for cleaning'. Cp. also fastigiate.
Derivatives: bristle, intr. v., bristl-y, adj.
brisurc, n., a break in the direction of a parapet
(fort.) - F., fr. briser, 'to break'. See brisance and -ure.
brit, n., sing. and pl., the young of the herring.Dial. Co., prob. meaning lit. 'speckled', and
rei. to Co. bruit, 'speckled'.
Brit, Brett, n., a Briton; adj., British (English
hist.)- OE. Bret (pl. Brettas), of Celtic origin.
Cp. British, Briton, Brython.
Britain, n. - ME. Bretayne, Breteyne, fr. OF.
Bretaigne (F. Bretagne), fr. L. Britannia, earlier
Brittiinia, fr. Britanni, resp. Britt ani, 'Britons',
fr. Britto. See Briton.
Britannic, adj. - L. Britannicus. See Britain,
Briton. For the ending see suff. -ic.
b'rith, brith, n. - Variant spellings of berith.
British, adj. - OE. Brettisc, Bryttisc, fr. Bret.
See Brit and adj. suff. -ish.
Derivative: British-er.

brochure

Briton, n. - ME. Breton, fr. OF. ( = F.) Breton,

fr. L. Brittonem, ace. of Britto, a member of the
tribe of the Britons. E. Briton corresponds to
Brito, an erroneous variant of L. Britto. See
Brit and cp. Breton.
brittle, adj. -ME. brute!, britel, fr. OE. breotan,
'to break', rei. to ON. brjota, Swed. bryta, 'to
break', OHG. brodi, 'fragile'.
Derivatives: britt/e-ly, adv., brittle-ness, n.
britska, britzka, n., a long, open carriage. -Pol.
bryczka, prob. fr. It. biroccio. Sec barouche.
Briza, n., a genus of plants of the family Poaceae
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ~p[~rx, name of a kind
of rye.
broach, n.- ME. broche, fr. OF. ( = F.) broche,
'spit; spindle', fr. VL. brocca, prop. fern. of L.
broccus, 'projecting' (said esp. of teeth) a word of
Celtic origin; cp. OJr. brace, Co., W. broch,
'badger'. Cp. also brocade, brocatel, broccoli,
brochure, brock, brocket, broker, brooch. Cp. also bronco.
broach, tr. v. - OF. ( = F.) brocher, fr. broche.
See broach, n.
Derivative: broach-er, n.
broad, adj.- ME. brod, fr. OE. brad, rei. to OS.,
OFris. bred, ON. breior, Dan., Swed. bred,
Norw. breid, brei, MDu. breet, breed, Du. breed,
OHG., MHG., G. breit, Goth. braijJs; of uncertain origin. Cp. breadth.
Derivatives: broad, n., broad-en, intr. and tr. v.,
broad-ly, adv., broad-ness, n.
broadloom, adj., woven on a wide loom.- Compounded of broad and loom.
Brobdingnag, 'the Land of giants'.- Coined by
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) in his Gulliver's
Travels.
Derivatives: Brobdingnag-ian. adj. and n.
brocade, n., a rich figured, woven fabric. - Sp.
brocado, fr. broca, fr. ML. broccare, 'to prick,
emboss', fr. L. broecus, 'projecting' (said esp.
of teeth). Cp. It. broccato, F. brocart, and see
broach, n. For the ending sec suff. -ade.
Derivatives: brocade, tr. v., brocad-ed, adj.
brocard, n., a law maxim.- F. hrocard, fr. ML.
brocardus, of s.m., fr. Brocardus, fr. Burchardus,
G. Burckard, bishop of Worms, who in the 1st
half of the 1 Jth cent. compiled an ecclesiastical
canon.
brocatel, brocatelle, n., a heavy, figured silk used
in upholstery. -F. brocatelle, fr. It. broccatello,
dimin. of broccato, 'brocade'. See brocade.
broccoli, n., a kind of cauliflower. - It., pl. of
broccolo, 'sprout', dim in. of brocco, 'stalk,
splinter', which is rei. to F. broche, 'spit;
spindle'. See broach.
broch, n., a prehistoric round tower in the North
of Scotland. -Fr. ON. borg. Sec borough.
brochantite, n., a hydrous basic copper sulfate
(mineral.) - Named after the French rnineralogi!>t Brochant de Villiers (1 772-1 840). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brochure, n., a small pamphlet or tract. - F., 'a

brock

small book stitched and covered with a wrapper', fr. brocher, 'to stitch (a book, etc.)'. See
broach, v. and n., and -ure.
brock, n., a badger. - OE. brae, of Celtic origin.
Cp. Gael. and Ir. brae, W., Co., Bret. broch,
'badger', and see broach.
brocket, n., a stag two years old. - ME. broket,
fr. F. brocard, 'fallow deer a year old', a dialectal
word formed from broque, 'tine of an antler'
(corresponding to OF. broche, 'something pointed; spit; tine of a antler'), with suff. -ard. The
name refers to the small spike of the horn. See
broach, n.
broggerite, n., a crystallized variety of pitchblende
(mineral.) - Named after the Norwegian mineralogist Waldemar Christofer Bragger (18511940). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brogue, n., a kind of rough shoe worn by the
Irish.- Gael. and Ir. brog, fr. ON. brok, 'hose'.
See breeches.
brogue, n., accent.- Pro b. fr. Ir. barrog, 'a hold',
esp. 'a hold on the tongue'.
broider, tr. v., to embroider (archaic). - F. broder, fr. OF. brosder, fr. Frankish *brozdon,
which is rel. to Lombardic *brustan (whence
It. brustare), 'to embroider', and to OE. brord,
'point; spire of grass'. See brad and cp. embroider.
Derivatives: broider-er, n., broider-y, n.
broil, tr. and intr. v., to fry. - ME. broilen, fr.
AF. broiller, fr. OF. broueillier (F. brouiller), 'to
mix together, embroil, confuse', which is prob.
a blend of breu, brou, 'broth' (whence F. brouet,
'thin broth, brewis'), and fooillier (whence F.
fouiller), 'to rummage, ransack'. OF. brev, brou,
is of Teut. origin. Cp. MLG. br6ie'1, MDu.
broeyen, MHG. briieyen, briien, G. briihen, 'to
scald', ME. breie, MDu. broeye, Du. brui,
MHG. briieje, G. Briihe, 'broth', fr. I.-E. base
*bheru-, *bhreu-, *bhru-, 'to boil, ferment'. See
brew and cp. brewis, broth. Cp. also broil, 'to
confuse'. F. fouiller derives fr. VL. *fodiculiire,
fr. L. fodiciire, freq. offodere, 'to dig'. See fosse.
Derivatives: broil, n., broil-er, n., broil-ing, adj.
broil, tr. v., to confuse (obsol.); intr. v., to quarrel. - F. brouiller, 'to mix together, confuse'.
See broil, 'to fry', and cp. embroil, imbroglio.
Derivative: broil-er, n.
broke, past tense of break. - ME. broke, from
the pp. broke(n). See broken.
broke, archaic pp. of break; adj. (slang), penniless, bankrupt. -See prec. word.
broke, intr. v., to deal (rare). -Back formation
fr. broker.
Derivative: brak-ing, n.
broken, pp. of break. - ME. broke(n), fr. OE.
brocen, pp. of brekan, 'to break'. See break.
Derivatives: broken-ly, adv., broken-ness, n.
brolly, n., an umbrella (slang). - Corruption of
umbrella.
brokenhearted, adj. - Compounded of broken,
pp. of break, and -hearted; first used by Tyndale.

202

Derivatives: brokenhearted-ly, adv., brokenhearted-ness, n.

broker, n. - AF. brocour, fr. ONF. brokeor,
fr. ONF. brokier, 'to broach', lit. 'to open a
cask of wine', fr. ML. brocciire, fr. L. broccus,
'projecting' (said esp. of teeth); see broach, n.
The broker was orig. 'a broacher of wine casks',
whence developed the meanings 'wine retailer;
retailer; second-hand dealer; agent'.
Derivatives: broker-age, n., broker-y, n. (obsol.)
brom-, form of bromo- before a vowel.
broma, n., food.- ModL., fr. Gk. ~p&f.loc, 'food',
which is rei. to ~op&, 'food', ~~~pwcrxew, 'to eat,
eat up, devour', fr. I.-E. base *gwor-, *gwer-,
whence also L. voriix, gen. voriicis, 'hungry,
greedy'. See voracious and cp. Abroma, Bromus,
Brosimum, anabrosis.
bromal, n., a colorless, oily fluid, CBr3 COH
(chem.)- Abbreviation of bromine and alcohol.
bromate, n., a salt of bromic acid (chem.)- See
brom- and chem. suff. -ate.
brome, n., also brome grass. - Gk. ~p6f1.o~, 'wild
oats'. See Bromus.
Bromelia, n., a genus of American plants (bot.)ModL., named after the Swedish botanist Olaf
Bramel (1639-1705). For the ending see suff. -ia.
Bromeliaceae, n. pl., the pineapple family (bot.)
- Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
bromic, adj., pertaining to, or containing, bromine (chem.) - Formed fr. bromine with suff.
-ic.
bromide, n., a compound of bromine (chem.)See bromine and -ide.
Derivatives: bromid-ic, adj., bromidic-al-ly, adv.
bromine, n., name of a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogen family (chem.)-Formed
with ehem. suff. -ine fr. F. brome, 'bromine',
which was coined by its discoverer, the French
chemist Antoine Jerome Balard (1802-76) fr.
Gk. (jp&fJ.o~, 'noisome smell (see bromo-); so
called by him in allusion to the unpleasant odor
of the fumes.
Derivatives; bromin-ate, tr. v., bromin-ation, n.,
bromin-ism, n., bromism.
bromism, n., bromine poisoning (med.) - See
bromine and -ism.
bromite, n., salt of bromous acid (chem.) - See
bromine and chem. suff. -ite.
bromize, tr. v., to treat with bromine or a bromide. - See bromine and -ize.
Derivatives: bromiz-ation, n., bromiz-er, n.
bromo- before a vowel brom-, combining form
meaning 'containing bromine'.- Gk. ~PWfLO,
~pwfL, fr. ~p&f.lo~. more exactly ~p6f1.o~, 'noisome smell', identical with ~p6f1.o~, 'any loud
noise', which is rel. to ~pef.le:~v. 'to clash, roar',
~pov-ri) (for *~pofJ.--rii), 'thunder', fr. *brem-, a
variant of I.-E. base *bhrem-, whence L. /remere, 'to roar, resound, murmer, W. brefu, 'to
roar', OHG. breman, MHG. bremen, MHG., G.
brummen, 'to growl, buzz', OE. brimsa, OHG.
bremo, brimissa, G. Breme, Bremse, 'horsefly,

203

gadfly', 01. bhramara/:1, 'bee'. Cp. Brontes, Brontosaurus. Cp. also fremitus.
Bromus, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. bromos, fr. Gk. ~p6f1.o~, 'wild oats', which
is pro b. related to ~p&fJ.oc, 'food', ~~~pwoxe~v, 'to
eat, eat up', (jop&, 'food'. See broma and cp.
brome.
bronchia, n. pl., the bronchial tubes (anat.) Late L. bronchia, gen. -6rum, fr. Gk. ~p6n:~o:,
fr. f3p6n:o~, 'windpipe'. See bronchus.
bronchiole, n., a minute bronchial tube (anat.) Medical L. bronchia/a, a diminutive coined by
E. Schultz fr. L. bronchia (pl.), 'the bronchial
tubes'; see bronchia. Cp. Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica, P-557Derivative: bronchiol-ar, adj.
bronchiolitis, n., inflammation of the bronchioles
(med.)- Medical L. formed fr. bronchia/a with
suff. -itis. See prec. word.
bronchitis, n., inflammation of the bronchial tubes
(med.) - Medical L., coined by Charles Bedham in 1808 fr. bronchus and suff. -itis; introduced into medicine by P.Frank in his Interpretationes Clinicae in 1812.
broncho-, before a vowel brooch-, combining form
denoting relation to the bronchi.- Gk. (jpoyxo-,
~poyx-, fr. ~p6n:o~, 'windpipe'. See next word.
bronchus, n., each of the two forked branches of
the windpipe. - Medical L., fr. Gk. ~p6n:o~.
'windpipe', which is pro b. rel. to f3p6x.&o~,
'throat', ~~po~e: (aor.), 'he swallowed up',
~p&yxwv, 'gill', and cogn. with Olr. briigae,
'neck', W. breuant, 'throat, gullet', Lith. gurkljis, 'crop, maw', ME. crawe, 'craw". See craw
and cp. branchia. The above words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *gwriJgh-, a -gh-enlargement
of base *gwer-, 'to devour', whence Gk. i3op&,
'food', ~p&fJ.oc, 'food', L. voriire. See voracious
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: bronchi-al, adj., bronchi-al-ly, adv.
bronco, n., a rough horse of Western North America. - Sp. bronco, 'rough', fr. VL. *bruncus,
'block, log, lump', which seems to be a blend
of L. truncus, 'trunk of a tree', and broccus,
'projecting'. See trunk and broach.
Brontes, n., one of the Cyclopes (Greek mythol.)
- L., fr. Gk. Bp6v-;r,~. fr. ~pov-;+,, 'thunder'.
See bronto-.
bronto-, before a vowel bront-, combining form
meaning 'thunder'. - Gk. i3pov-;o-, ~pc.v-;-, fr.
~pov-ri) (for *~pof!.-;i), 'thunder', which is rel.
to ~p6f.lo~, 'any loud noise', (jpl:iJ.eLV, 'to clash,
roar'. See bromo- and cp. Brontes and the first
element in Brontosaurus.
Brontosaurus, n., a genus of American dinosaurs
(paleontol.) - ModL., coined fr. Gk. ~pov-rl),
'thunder', and cr<Xvpo~, 'lizard'. See bronto- and
saurian.
bronze, n. - F., fr. It. bronzo, bronzino, ult. fr.
Persian birinj.
Derivatives: bronze, tr. and intr. v. (cp. F. bronzer), bronze, adj., bronz-ify, tr. v. (rare), bronz-

uruu1t:1

ing, n., bronz-ite, n. (mineral.), bronz-y, adj.

brooch, n. - A var. of broach.
Derivative: brooch, tr. v.
brood, n. - ME. brad, fr. OE. brad, lit. 'that
which is hatched out by warmth', rei. to Du.
broed, MHG. bruot, G. Brut, 'brood', and to
MLG. broien, MDu. broeyen, MHG. briieyen,
briien, G. briihen, 'to scald'. See brew and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: brood, v. and adj., brood-er, n.,
brood-ing, adj., brood-ing-ly, adv., brood-y, adj.
and n.
brook, n., a small stream of water. - ME. broc,
fr. OE. brae, rel. to LG. brok, Du. broek,
OHG. bruoh, MHG. bruoch, G. Bruch, 'marshy
ground', and to E. break. Brook orig. denoted
'that which breaks out of the earth'.
Derivative: brook-y, adj.
brook, tr. v., to endure. - ME. bruken, fr. OE.
brucan, 'to enjoy', rel. to OS. brukan, OFris.
bruka, OHG. bruhhan, MHG. bruchen, G. brauchen, Goth. brukjan, 'to use', L. fruor, frui, 'to
enjoy', whence fructus, 'enjoyment, the means
to enjoyment, produce, fruit'. See fruit.
brookite,n., titanium dioxide (mineral.)- Named
after the English mineralogist Henry James
Brooke (1771-1857). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
broom, n.- ME. brome, fr. OE. brom, rei. to Du.
braam, 'blackberry', OHG. briima, briimo, MHG.
briime, 'broom (the plant)', OHG. briimberi,
MHG. briimber, G. Brombeere, 'blackberry';
fr. I.-E. base *blzer-, 'point, edge; to cut with a
sharp point, to bore, pierce'. See bore, 'to pierce',
and cp. bramble, bream, v., brim. For the sense
development of broom cp. brush, scrub.
Derivatives: broom, tr. v., broom-er, n., broomy, adj.
brose, n. - The same as brewis.
Derivative: bros-y, adj.
Brosimum, n., a genus of trees of the mulberry
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. (jpwcr~f.lo~,
'edible', rei. to (jp&fJ.oc, 'food', (j~~pwcrxm, 'to
eat, eat up, devour'. See broma.
broth, n.- ME., fr. OE. broo, rel. to OHG. brod,
fr. Teut. base *brauoa-, lit. 'anything leavened',
cogn. with Thracian Gk. f3p\i-;o~ (~poiho~ in
Hesychius), (jpv-;ov, 'fermented liquor made
from barley, beer', L. defrutum, 'must boiled
down', Mlr. embruthe, 'broth', bruith, 'to boil',
ModW. brwd, 'hot', ModBret. broud, of s.m.;
fr. I.-E. base *bhreu-, *bhru-, 'to swell', which
is enlarged fr. base *bher-, 'to boil'. See brew
and cp. bread, brood.
brothel, n. - ME. brothel, 'worthless person,
prostitute', derived fr. OE. bruoen, pp. of
breooan, 'to destroy'; confused in meaning with
OF. borde/, 'hovel' (for which see borde/).
brother, n. - ME., fr. OE. brooor, rei. to OS.
brothar, ON. brooir, Dan., Swed. hroder, OFris.
brother, MDu., Du. broeder, OHG., MHG. bruoder, G. Bruder, Goth. bropar, and cogn. with

Brother Jonathan

01. bhrdtar-, Avestic briitar-, Toch. A pracar,

B procer, Arm. elbayr (in Armenian, br became
lb), Gk. cpp&-r1Jp, <pphwp, 'member of a clan',
L. friiter, 'brother', Oscan frat rum, fratrom, 'of
the brothers' (pl. gen.), OSlav. bratru, bratu,
'brother', Russ., Pol., Slovak brat, Czech bratr,
OPruss. briiti, brote (voc.), 'brother', bratrikai,:
'brothers', Lith. broterelis, 'little brother',
whence-through back formation-br6lis, Lett.
bra/is (voc.), 'brother', Olr. briithir, OW.
hroder, W. brawd, Bret. breur, 'brother'. Cp.
bratstvo, fraternal, friar, phratry. Cp. also pal.
Derivatives: brother, tr. v., brother-ly, adj. and
adv., brother-li-ness, n.
Brother Jonathan, a sobriquet for the United
States. - Generally derived fr. Jonathan Trumbull, governor of Connecticut (1740-1809), to
whom George Washington often referred as
Brother Jonathan.
brougham, n., a closed four-wheeled carriage. Named after the first Lord Brougham (17781868).
brought, past tense and pp. of bring. - ME.
brought(e) fr. OE. brohte (past tense), resp. gebroht (pp.), fr. bringan, 'to bring'. See bring.
brow, n.- ME. browe, fr. OE. bru, rel. to ON.
briln, 'brow', and cogn. with OI. bhrill}, Toch.
A piirwiim (dual), Avestic brvat-, ModPers. abril,
bru, Gk. o<pp6~, OSiav. brilvi, Lith. bruvis,
'brow', OPruss. wubri (metathesis fr. *brwi),
Olr. bru, 'edge', Mlr. brilad, 'brow'. OE. briiw,
'eyelid', is not related to brow (see brae).
brown, adj. - ME. braun, fr. OE. hrun, rei. to
ON. brunn, Dan., Swed. brun, OS., OFris.,
OHG., MHG. hrun, MDu. bruun, Du. bruin,
G. braun, 'brown', and cogn. with Russ. bron,
'white, variegated', Gk. <ppuvo~. <ppGV1J, 'toad',
(prop. 'the brown animal'). These words have
been enlarged-with -n-formative elementfrom I.-E. base *bher-, "shining, brown', whence
also Lith. beras, Lett. b{rs, 'brown', OE. hera,
'bear' (prop. 'the brown animal'), OE. be(o)for,
'beaver' (lit. 'the brown animal'). See bear, the
animal, beaver and cp. bruin, brunette, brunissure, Bruno, burnet, burnish, Prunella.
Derivatives: brown, n. and tr. and intr. v.,
brownie (q.v.), brown-ish, adj.
brownie, n., a good-natured goblin. -- Formed
fr. brown with dimin. suff. -ie; so called from its
supposed color.
Browning, also browning, n. - Named after its
inventor John M. Browning (1 855-1926).
browse, tr. and intr. v., to feed on; to graze. From the obsolete noun browse, 'shoots. twigs'
(often used as cattle food), fr. MF. broust
(whence F. brout), 'sprout, shoot' (whence MF.
brouster, F. brouter, 'to browse'), fr. OF. brost,
of s.m., fr. Teut. *brustjan, 'to bud', lit. 'to swell',
fr. I.-E. base *bhreus-, 'to swell'. See breast.
Derivatives: brows-er, n., brows-ing, n.
brucine, n., a poisonous alkaloid found in the
seeds of nux vomica (chem.) - Named by the

204

English naturalist Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820)

after the Abyssinian traveler James Bruce (173094). For the ending see chem. suff. -ine.
brucite, n., magnesium hydroxide (mineral.) Named after the American mineralogist A.
Bruce. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brugnatellite, n., a hydrous ultrabasic carbonate
of magnesium and iron (mineral.) - Named
after the Italian mineralogist Luigi Brugnatelli
(1859-1928). For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
bruin, n., name of the bear in fairy tales. - Du.
bruin, 'brown'. See brown. For sense development see bear, the animal.
bruise, tr. and intr. v. - ME. brisen, brusen, a
blend ofOE. brysan, 'to crush, bruise', and OF.
bruisier, 'to break'. Both OE. brysan and OF.
bruisier derive fr. I.-E. base *bhreus-, *bhres-,
'to break, crush, crumble', whence also Olr.
bronnaim (for *bhrusnami), 'I wrong, hurt', brissim, 'I break', brisc, 'brittle', Bret. bresk, of
s.m., brezel, 'war', VL. brisiire, 'to break', a
word of Celtic origin (whence F. briser, of s.m.),
Mlr. brilim, 'I crush', OE. berstan, OS., OHG.
brestan, etc., 'to burst', and prob. also L. frustum (fr. *bhrus-to-), 'piece', Alb. bresw, 'hail'.
Cp. I.-E. *bhrousmen, whence OS. brosma,
OHG. brosama, brosma, MHG. broseme, brosme, G. Brosam, Brosame, 'crumb'. Cp. debris,
debruise. Cp. also burst. Cp. also frustum.
Derivatives: bruise, n., bruis-er, n., bruis-ing, n.
bruit, n., noise; rumor (archaic). - F. 'noise',
orig. pp. of bruire, 'to rustle, rumble', used as a
noun. F. bruire derives fr. VL. *brilgere, which
is a blend of L. ruglre, 'to roar', with VL. *bragere, 'to whine, cry' (whence F. braire, 'to bray'
(see bray, 'to cry'). L. rilglre (whence VL. *rugere), 'to roar', is cogn. with Gk. epuydv, 'to
bellow, roar', Of"J[J.!X'(M~. 'a loud noise', p)~ew
(for *punsw), 'to growl, snarl', OSiav. rykati,
ryknpti, 'to roar, bellow', OE. ryn (for *riihjan),
OHG. rohon, of s.m.
Derivatives: bruit, tr. v., bruit-er, n.
Brumaire, n., name of the second month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
October 23rd to November 21st).- F., lit., 'the
foggy month', coined by Fabre d'Eglantine in
1793 fr. brume, 'fog', fr. L. bruma. See brume
and -aire.
brumal, adj., pertaining to winter. - L. brilmii/is,
fr. briima, 'winter'. See brume and adj. suff. -al.
brume, n., mist, fog. - F., 'mist, fog', fr. L.
brilma, 'winter', lit. 'the shortest day of the year',
contraction of *brevima, *breuma, super!. of
brevis, 'short'. See brief, adj.
brummagem, adj., counterfeit; cheap and showy;
n., anything cheap and showy. -A vulgar var.
of Birmingham, orig. meaning 'any article made
at Birmingham'.
brumous, adj., misty, foggy.- F. brumeux (fern.
brumeuse), fr. brume, 'mist, fog'. See brume
and -ous.

205

brunch, n., breakfast and lunch combined. A blend of breakfast and lunch.
brunette, n., a woman with dark hair and eyes. F., fern. of brunet, 'brownish', dimin. of brun,
'brown', of W. Teut. origin; cp. OHG. brilno,
'brown' and see brown. OProven~. brun, It.
bruno, 'brown', are of the same origin. For the
ending see suff. -ette. Cp. burnet.
brunissure, n., a plant disease characterized by
the browning of the leaves (plant physiol.)- F.,
lit. 'a browning', formed with suff. -ure fr.
bruniss-, pres. part. stem of brunir, 'to brown',
fr. brun, 'brown' See prec. word.
Brunnichia, n., a genus of vines of the buckwheat
family (bot.)- ModL., named after M. T. Brunnich, a Norw. naturalist of the 18th cent. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
Bruno, masc. PN.- OHG., lit. 'brown', fr. brun,
'brown'. See brown.
brunt, n. - ME., of uncertain origin.
Derivative: brunt, tr.v.
brush, n., shrubs.- ME. brusche, fr. OF. broche,
brace, brosse, 'brushwood; brush' (whence F.
brosse, 'brush', in the pl. brasses, 'brushwood',
and broussaille, 'brushwood'), fr. VL. *bruscia,
'shoots of a plant', fr. L. bruscum, 'excrescence
of the maple tree', which is prob. cogn. with
Gk. ~pusLv, 'to swell'. ~puov, 'moss'. See bryoand cp. the next three words.
brush, n., implement used for cleaning. - ME.
brusshe, fr. OF. broisse, brosse (F. brosse),
'brush'; of the same origin as prec. word. The
usual derivation of E. brush in the above sense
fr. Teut. *burstja, 'bristle' (see bristle) cannot
be accepted, owing to the fact that the first
brushes were rriade not of bristle, but of coachgrass, brier, and other plants. For sense development cp. broom, scrub.
Derivative: brush-y, adj.
brush, tr. v., to use a brush on.- ME. bruschen,
brusshen, fr. brusche. See prec. word.
brush, intr. v., to hurry; to rush.- ME. bruschen,
'to rush', prob. fr. MF. brosser, 'to go through
underbrush', fr. brosse, 'brush'. See brush,
'shrubs'.
Derivative: brush, a short, quick fight.
brusque, adj., rough. - F., fr. It. brusco, 'rough,
sharp, not ripe', orig. a noun meaning 'butcher's
broom'; a blend of L. riiscum, of s.m., and VL.
*brilcus, 'heath, heather'. See brier, 'heath', and
cp. brisk, which is a doublet of brusque.
Derivatives: brusque, tr. and intr. v., brusque-ly,
adv., brusque-ness, n.
brut, adj., dry (said of wines, esp. of champagne).
- F., 'raw, crude'. Sec brute.
brutal, adj. - See brute and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: brutal-ity, n., brutal-ize, tr. v.
brute, n.- F. brut, fern. brute, 'raw, crude', fr.
L. brutus, 'heavy, dull, stupid', which is cogn.
with Lett. grilts, 'heavy', 01. guru&, Gk. ~cxpu~,
L. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave, adj., and cp. baro-,
Briareus.

buccal

Derivatives: brute, adj., brutal (q.v.), brut-ish,

adj., brut-ish-ly, adv., brut-ish-ness, n.
bryo-, combining form meaning 'moss'. - Gk.
~puo-, fr. ~puov, 'moss, catkin', rei. to ~pu&Lv,
'to swell', ~pu&~o:Lv, 'to swell, teem', S:[L~puov,
'young one, embryo', and prob. cogn. with OS.
kriid, MDu. cruut, Du. kruid, OHG., MHG. krut,
G. Kraut, 'herb', Goth. quairu, 'stake, prick,
prickle', perh. also with L. veru, 'spit'. Cp. embryo. Cp. also brush, 'shrubs', the first element
in verumontanum and the second element in
choucroute, sauerkraut.
bryology, n., the study of mosses.- Compounded of bryo- and Gk. -AoyUi, fr. -A6yo~, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: bryolog-ical, adj., bryolog-ist, n.
Bryonia, n., a genus of vines of the cucumber
family (bot.) - L. bryonia, fr. Gk. ~puwvlii.
See next word and -ia.
bryony, n., any plant of the genus Bryonia. Gk. ~puwvlii, 'bryony', fr. ~pueLv, 'to swell',
which is rei. to ~puov, 'moss'. See bryo-.
Bryophyta, n., a division of plants including the
mosses and liverworts (bot.) - ModL., compounded of bryo- and Gk. tp'JT6v, 'plant'. See
-phyte.
Bryozoa, n. pl., a class of aquatic animals (zoo!.)
- ModL., compounded of bryo- and -zoa.
Brython, n., a Briton; a Welshman.- W. Brytlwn,
of the same origin as L. Britto. See Briton, Brit.
Derivatives: Brython-ic, adj. and n.
bubaline, adj., pertaining to a certain group of
antelopes. - L. bilbalinus, fr. biibalus, 'antelope' (or 'buffalo'). See buffalo and cp. next
word.
bubalis, n., a large kind of antelope. - ModL.,
fr. Gk. ~ou~cxAL~, 'an African antelope', which
is rel. to ~ou~cx).o~. 'an African antelope; buffalo'. See buffalo.
bubble, intr. and tr. v. - ME. bobelr>n, of imitative origin. Cp. Dan. boble, MLG. bubbcln,
Du. bobbelen, 'to bubble'. Cp. also Dan. boble,
Swed. bubbla, Du. bobbel, 'a bubble', E. blob,
and the second element in bubble-bubble. Cp.
also burble.
Derivatives: bubble, n., bubbl-ing, adj., bubbling-ly, adv., bubbl-y, adj.
Bubo, n., a genus of owls (ornithol.) - L. bclb6,
'owl, horned owl', from the I.-E. imitative base
*bu-. See Buteo.
bubo, n., a swelling in the groin (med.)- Late L.,
fr. Gk. ~oJ~wv, 'groin, swelling in the groin',
which is prob. cogn. with 01. gavin!, 'groin'.
bubonic, adj., characterized by swelling in the
groin. - See prec. word and -ic.
bucca, n., cheek. - L. See next word.
buccal, adj., pertaining to the cheek. -Formed
with adj. suff. -al, fr. L. bucca, 'cheek', from the
I.-E. imitative base *bu-, 'to blow; to swell'. Cp.
Bubo, buckle, bull, 'edict', debouch, disembogue,
embouchure, pocket, poke, 'a bag', pox, puck.

206

buccan

Cp. also the related base *buq-, 'to roar, bark',

in OI. buk-karal;r, 'lion's roar', bUkkati, 'barks',
Gk. f3uxt"f)~, 'roaring' (said of the wind). Cp.
also bud.
buccan, n., a wooden frame for smoking meat. F. boucan, 'frame for smoking meat', fr. Tupi
mocaem (so called in a Port. report fr. 1587);
initial b and m are interchangeabl e in the Tupi
language. See Bloch-Wartbur g, DELF., p. 77.
s.v. boucan.
buccan, tr. v., to smoke on a buccan. - F. boucaner, fr. boucan. See prec. word.
buccaneer, n., one who smokes meat; a pirate.F. boucanier, fr. boucan. See buccan, n.
buccinal, adj., like a trumpet. - See next word
and adj. suff. -al.
buccinator, n., a flat thin muscle in the cheek
(anat.) - L. biicinator, bucciniitor, 'trumpeter',
fr. biiciniitus, bucciniitus, pp. stem of biiciniire,
buccinniire, 'to blow the biicina', fr. biicina, buccina, 'crooked horn, trumpet', which stands for
*bou-cana, lit., 'that which is made from (the
horn of) the ox for blowing', fr. bas, gen. bovzs,
'ox' (see bovine), and can6, -ere, 'to sing, sound,
blow' (see cant, 'slang of beggars'). OHG.
buchina (MHG. busine, busiine, G. Posaune),
'trumpet, trombone' is a loan word fr. L. biicina. Cp. Posaune.
Derivative: buccinator-y, adj.
bucco-, combining form meaning 'buccal and'.Fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal.
Bucellas, also bucellas, n., a white wine.- Named
after Bucellas, a small town near Lisbon.
Bucentaur, n., a fabulous monster, half bull, half
man. - Compounded of Gk. f3ou~. gen. f3o6~,
'ox', and xiv":"ocJpo~, 'centaur'. See bovine and
centaur.
Bucephalus, n., name of Alexander the Great's
favorite horse.- Gk. BouxE:-:pocAoc;,lit. 'oxhead',
fr. f3ou~, gen. f3oo<;, 'ox', and xe-:pocAf,, 'head'. See
bovine and cephalic.
Buceros, n., the genus of hornbills (zoo!.) ModL., fr. Gk. f3ouxe:pw~. 'horned like an ox',
compounded of f3oG~, gen. f3o6~. 'ox', and xE:pocc;,
'horn'. See bovine and cerato-.
Buchloe, n., a genus of plants of the family Poaceae (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'buffalo grass', contracted fr. Gk. f3o)[3?:).o~, 'buffalo', and zA6r,,
'young green shoot'. For the first element see
buffalo. The second is related to zA6oc,, 'greenishyellow color', zi.wp<\~, 'greenish yellow'. See
chlorine.
buchu, n., leaves of the plant Barosma betu/ina
and related species (bot.) - Zulu buchu, bucu,
lit. 'mixture'.
buck, n., the body of a wagon (dial.) - OE. biic,
'body', rei. to ON. biikr, Swed., Norw. buk,
Dan. bug, OFris. biik, MDu. buuc, Du. buik,
OHG. biih, biihhes, MHG. biich, G. Bauch,
'belly, abdomen', fr. I.-E. base *bhou-, *bhii-,
'to swell', whence also boil, 'inflammation' . Cp.
bucket. Cp. also the second element in siUabub,

trabuco, trebuchet. Cp. also bulk, 'size' buire,

burette.
buck, t.v., to soak in lye. - ME. bouken, rei. to
MLG. buken (whence Swed. byka, Norw. bykja,
Dan. byge), G. bauchen, beuchen, and to beech
(q.v.); lye was orig. made of beech ashes.
buck, n., male deer, stag; dandy.- ME. bucke,
fr. OE. bucca, 'he-goat', bucc, 'male deer', rei.
to OS. buck, MDu. buc, boc Du. bok, OHG.,
MHG. boc, G. Bock, ON. bokkr, bukkr, Dan.
buk, and cogn. with Avestic biiza, 'buck', Pers.
buz, 'buck, goat', Arm. buc, 'lamb'. Olr. bocc
and W. bwch are prob. Teut. loan words. Cp.
butcher. Cp. also bocking, 'smoked herring', and
the second element in kleeneboc, gemsbok, grysbok, springbok.
Derivatives: buck, intr. and tr. v., buck-er, n.,
buck-ish, adj., buck-ish-ly, adv., buck-ish-ness,n.
buckaroo, also buckayro, n., cowboy (W. American slang). -Corruption of Sp. vaquero, 'cowboy', fr. vaca, 'cow', fr. L. vacca. See vaccine.
buck basket, n., a laundry basket. -See buck,
'to soak in lye'.
buckeen, n., an Indian woman (in Guiana). Formed fr. buck, 'male deer; dandy', with suff.
-een.
bucket, n. - ME., fr. AF. buket, dimin. formed
fr. OE. biir, 'body, belly, pitcher'. See buck,
'body of a wagon', and -et.
Derivative: bucket, tr. v.
buckle, n.- ME. boke/, fr. OF. boucle, 'boss of a
shield' (whence F. boucle, 'buckle, ring'), fr. L.
buccula, dimin. of bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal
and cp. buckler, boucle.
Derivatives: buckle, v. (q.v.), buckl-ed, adj.
buckl-er, n.
buckle, tr. v., to fasten with a buckle. -Fr. prec.
word. Cp. F. boucler, 'to fasten with a buckle',
fr. boucle, 'buckle'.
buckle, tr. v., to bend.- F. boucler, 'to buckle;
to bulge' (said of a wall). See prec. word.
buckler, n., one who, or that which, buckles. Formed fr. buckle, 'to fasten with a buckle',
with agential suff. -er.
buckler, n., a large shield.- ME., fr. OF. bocler
(whence F. bouclier), fr. boucle, 'boss of a
shield'. OF. boc/er lit. means 'that which is provided with a boss', fr. VL. *bucculiiris, fr. L.
buccula. See buckle, n.
buckling, n., a smoked herring. -G. Buckling,
alteration of MHG. bucking (owing to a confusion of suff. -ing with -ling) fr. MDu. buck inc
(whence Du. bokking), fr. buc, boc, 'buck'; so
called from its odor. Sec buck, 'male deer',
bocking.
buckram, n., a coarse linen.- ME. IJokeram, fr.
OF. boquerant (F. bougran), fr. Bukhara (Bokhara), name of a town in Turkestan (now the
chief city Uzbek, U.S.S.R.) Cp. It. bucherame,
OProven~. bocaram, Sp. bucartin, 'buckram'.
The orig. meaning of these words was, 'linen
brought from, or manufactured in, Bukhara'.

of

207

Bufo

budgerow, n., a keelless barge (Anglo-Ind.) buckrams, n., ramson.- See buck, 'male deer',
Hind. bajrii.
and ramson.
budget, n. -F. bougette, 'a little trunk of wood',
buckwheat, n. - Compounded of dial. E. buck,
dimin. of boge, bouge, 'leather bag, wallet'. See
'beech', fr. OE. boc (see beech), and wheat (cp.
budge, 'fur', and -et.
boecweit,
MDu.
bohvete,
Swed.
Dan. boghvede,
Derivatives: budget, tr. and intr. v., budget-ary,
Du. boekweit, G. Buchweizen); so called beadj., budget-eer, n., budget-er, n.
cause its seeds resemble the nuts of the beech
budmash, n., a worthless fellow, rake (Anglotree.
Ind.) - A hybrid coined fr. Pers. bad, 'evil',
bucolic, adj., pertaining to shepherds, pastoral.
and Arab. ma'dsh, 'means of livelihood', fr.
herds'of
~ouxoA~x6c;,
Gk.
fr.
- L. biicolicus,
'dsha, 'he lived'. Cp. the first element in next
men', fr. ~oux6Ao~. 'herdsman', which is comword.
pounded of f3oi3~, gen. ~o6~, 'ox', and -x6Aot;,
budzat, n., an evil fellow.- A hybrid coined fr.
'keeper'. For the first element see bovine. The
Pers. bad, 'evil', and Arab. dhat, 'essence, persecond element stands in gradational relationis
son, individual'. Cp. the first element in prec.
and
become',
to
be;
'to
7teAe:~v,
Gk.
to
ship
word.
cogn. with L. colere, 'to till (the ground), cultibuff, n., a blow; tr. and intr. v., to strike. vate, dwell, inhabit'; see colony. Cp. Mlr. MaME. buffe, fr. OF. buffe, 'blow', which is of
chaill, W. bugail, 'shepherd', which are the exact
imitative origin. Cp. buffet, puff.
Celtic equivalents of Gk. f3oux6Aot;. Cp. also
buff, n., skin of the buffalo.- From earlier buffe,
Gk. o.:t7t6Ao~ (for *o.:ty-7t6Aot;), 'goatherd'.
'buffalo, buff', fr. F. bujfle, 'buffalo'. To account
Derivative: bucolic, n.
for the loss of the ending -le, I would suggest
bucranium, n., an ornament representing the skull
that it was mistaken for the diminutive suffix
of an ox. - L., fr. Gk. ~ouxp&vLov, 'oxhead',
and accordingly dropped.
fr. ~au~, gen. f3o6~, 'ox', and xpocvlov, 'skull'.
Derivative: buff, tr. v., to polish with a buff; to
See bovine and cranium.
make as smooth as buff leather.
bud, n.- ME. budde, rei. to Du. bot, 'bud', OS.
buffalo, n. - Port. bufalo, fr. L. biifalus, a colbiidil, 'bag, purse', MDu. biidel, Du. buidel,
lateral form of biibalus, fr. Gk. ~o0[3o.:)_o~. 'an
OHG. biitil, MHG. biutel, G. Beutel, of s.m.,
African antelope', later 'buffalo', which is prob.
fr. I.-E. base *b(h)u-, 'to swell'. See buccal and
rel. to f3ou~, 'ox'. See bovine and cp. prec. word
cp. buddy. Cp. also bolt, 'to sift'. Cp. also
and buffle. Cp. also bubaline, bubalis and the
boil, 'inflammation' .
first element in Buchloe.
Derivatives: bud, intr. and tr. v., budd-er, n.,
buffer, n., one who, or that which, buffs or
budd-ing, n.
strikes. - Formed from the verb buff. 'to strike'
Buddha, n., incarnation of deified religious teach(see buff, 'a blow'), with agential suff. -er.
ers, esp. of Gautama Siddharta (563-483). buffer, n., a device, esp. at the end of a railroad
OJ. buddhtil;r, 'awakened, enlightened', pp. of
car. - Derivatively identical with prec. word.
Mdhati, budhyate, 'is awake, observes, underCp. Puffer of s.m.
present'.
offer,
'to
*bheudh-,
base
stands', fr.I.-E.
buffer, n., a fellow.- Orig. identical with buffer,
See bid and cp. bo tree.
'one who buffs'; influenced in meaning by
Derivatives: Buddh-ic, adj., Buddh-ism, n.,
buffoon.
Buddh-ist, n., Buddh-ist-ic, Buddhist-ic-al, adjs.
buffet, n., a blow.- OF., dimin. of huffe, 'blow'.
Buddleia, n., a genus of shrubs (bot.) - Named
(died
See buff, 'blow', and dimin. suff. -et.
Buddie
Adam
botanist
English
after the
Derivatives: buffet, tr. and intr. v., buffet-er, n.
in 171.5). For the ending see suff. -ia.
buffet, n., refreshment bar. - F. buffet, of unbuddy, n., chum, companion, former soldier (colcertain origin.
loq.) - Orig. the noun buddy was an affectionbuffle, n. (obso/.), 1) buffalo; 2) a bufllehead (obate term for a child and is etymologically idensol.)- F., 'buffalo', fr. Port. bufalo. See buffalo.
tical with the adj. buddy, 'full of buds, resembling
bufflehead, n., a small North American duck. a bud'. See bud and adj. suff. -y.
Compounded of buffle and bead.
budge, intr. and tr. v., to stir, move.- F. bouger,
buffoon, n. - F. bouffon, buffon, fr. It. buffone,
fr. VL. *bulliciire, 'to bubble, boil up, seethe',
fr. buffa, 'joke, jest, pleasantry', which is rel. to
hence 'to be agitated, to be in movement', fr.
buffare, 'to blow'; of imitative origin. Cp. buff,
L. bullire, 'to bubble'. Cp. It. bulicare, 'to
'to blow'. For the ending see suff. -oon.
bubble. seethe'. and OProven~. bolef!ar. 'to stir,
Derivatives: buffoon, intr. and tr. v., buffoonbudge', which are of the same ~rigin as F.
ery, n.
bouger, and see boil, v.
Bufo, n., a genus of toads (zoo/.) - L. bclfo, 'a
budge, n., a kind of fur.- ME. bouge, 'bag', fr.
toad', an Osco-Umbrian loan word, prob.
OF. boge, bouge, 'leather bag, wallet', fr. L.
standing for gtJJobho and cogn. with OPruss.
bulga, 'leather wallet'. See bulge and cp. budget.
gabawo, 'toad', OSlav. iaba (for *g"ebhii),
Cp. also belly.
'frog', MLG. kwappe (whence G. Quappe, Kaulbudgereegah, n., the Australian parakeet. - Naquappe), 'tadpole'.
tive Australian.

bug
bug, n., an insect.- ME. bugge, 'scarecrow', of
uncertain origin.
bug, n., a bugbear.- W. bwg, 'ghost,' bugbear'.
bugbear, n. - Compounded of prec. word and
the noun bear.
bugger, n., 1) a sodomite; 2) a fellow, a chap.OF. (= F.) bougre, fr. ML. Bulgarus, 'a Bulgarian; heretic; sodomite'. See Bulgarian.
Derivative: bugger-y, n.
buggy, n., a light vehicle.- Of unknown origin.
bugle, n., a buffalo (obsol.); a hom. -OF. 'ox,
buffle', fr. L. buculus, 'young ox', dimin. of bas,
gen. bovis, 'ox'; see bovine. F. bugle, 'a wind
instrument', is an English loan word. OF. bugler
(whence F. beugler), 'to blow the horn', derives
fr. OF. bugle.
Derivatives: bugle, intr. v., to sound a bugle;
tr. v., to summon by blowing a bugle; bugl-er, n.
bugle, n., an ornament. - Possibly fr. bugle,
'horn', and orig. denoting little horns and hornlike ornaments.
bugloss, n., name of a plant. - F. buglosse, fr.
L. bUg/ossa, fr. Gk. ~ouyf.waao.:;, 'ox-tongued',
fr. ~oG.:;, gen. ~ooc;, 'ox', and yf.waaoc, 'tongue'.
See bovine and gloss, 'interpretation'. The plant
was so called from the shape of the leaves.
buhl, n. decoration of furniture inlaid with brass
and tortoise shell. - G., from the name of the
French cabinetmaker Charles-Andre Boulle
(1642-1732).

Derivative: buhl, adj.

build, tr. and intr. v. - ME. bulden, bilden, fr.
OE. by/dan, rei. to OE., OFris. bold, 'a buiiding,
a house', OE., OHG. bUan, ON. bUa, 'to dwell',
fr. Teut. base *bil-, corresponding to I.-E. base
*bhu-, 'to dwell'. See be and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: build, n., build-er, n., build-ing, n.
buire, n., jug, pitcher.- F., 'bottle', a secondary
form of buie, from Frankish buka, alteration of
*hUk, 'belly', which is rei. to MDu. buuc, etc.,
'belly'. See buck, 'the body of a wagon', and
cp. t>urettc.
bulb, n.- F. bulbe, fr. VL. bulbu,s 'bulb, bulbous
root, onion', fr. Gk. ~rj).~l,c;, of s.m., which
was formed from the reduplication of the I.-E.
imitative base *bot-; pro b. not rd. to L. bulla
(see bull, 'edict'). Lith. bulbe, 'potato', is borrowed
fr. Pol. bulba, which is a Latin loan word.
Derivatives: bulb, intr. v., bulb-ar, adj., adj.,
bulb-ed, bulb-ous, bulb-y, adjs.
bulbul, n., a songbird of Persia, prob. the nightingale.- Pers. bulbul, a word of imitative origin.
Bulgarian, adj. and n. - ML. Bultwria, 'Bulgaria', fr. Bu!f(arf, 'Bulgarians', lit. prob. meaning 'the men from the Bolg ( = Volga)', so called
because they came from the banks of the Volga
where they had lived till the 6th cent. - Volga
is a word of Sarmatian origin and denotes 'the
great river'. For the ending see suff. -an. Cp.
bugger.
bulge, n.- OF. boulge, bouge (F.bouge), 'leather

208
bag, wallet', fr. L. bulga, 'leather knapsack',
which, according to Festus, is a word of Gaulish
origin. Cp. Olr. bolgaim, 'I swell', bolg, 'bag',
W. bol, bola, boly, 'belly', Bret. bolc'h, 'flax
pod', which derive fr. I.-E. base *bhelgh-, 'to
swell'. Bulga prop. means 'swelled skin of animal'. See belly and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: bulge, intr. v., bulg-er, n., bulging, adj.
bulimia, n., morbid hunger (med.)- Medical L.,
fr. Gk. ~ouf.I[L[ti, 'ravenous hunger', lit. 'ox
hunger', fr. ~ou~, gen. ~o6~, 'ox', and f.IfJ-6~,
'hunger'. See bovine, loimic and -ia.
bulk, n., size, volume; cargo of a ship.- ME.
bulke, prob. a blend of ON. bulki, 'carge', and
OE. buc, 'body, belly'. ON. bulki, is rei. to ON.
bO/lr, 'a ball', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to swell';
see bull, 'the male of a bovine animal', and cp.
ball, 'a round body', bold. For the etymology
of OE. hue see buck, 'the body of a wagon'.
bulk, n., projection from a shop. - ME. balk,
bolk, fr. OE. balca, 'beam'. See balk and cp.
next word.
bulkhead, n.- Compounded of bulk, 'projection',
and head.
Derivative: bulkhead, tr. v.
bull, n., the male of a bovine animal.- ME. bule,
bole, fr. OE. hula, 'bull', ret. to ON. boli, MDu.
bul(le), Du. bul, G. Bulle, of s.m., OE. bul/uc,
'little bull', beal!uc, 'testicle', ON. bOllr, 'ball',
fr. I.-E. base "bhe/-, 'to swell', whence also Gk.
9ccAA6;;, 'penis', cp~A).cHvx, q>~iJ:ij, 'whale', L.
follis, 'a pair of bellows'. Cp. bullock. Cp. also
baleen, ball, 'a round body', bold, bulk, 'size',
follicle, phallus. For derivatives of base *bhelgh-,
an enlargement of base *bizet-, see belly, budget, bulge.
Derivative: bull, intr. and tr. v., bull-ish, adj.
bull, n., an edict of the pope.- ME. bulle, fr. OF.
bulle, fr. It. hulla, fr. ML. hulla, 'seal affixed to a
document, document', fr. L. bulla, 'bubble, boss,
knob', fr. I.-E. *bu-1-, whence also Lith. buh?,
bulis, 'buttock', MDu. puy/, 'bag', MLG. pull,
poll, 'pod, husk' (with p for b). I.-E. *bu-1- is
an -/-enlargement of base *bu-, 'to blow; to
swell', whence L. bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal and
cp. bill, 'document', bullet, bulletin. Cp. also
poll, 'head'.
bull, n., a comical blunder.- Of uncertain origin.
bulla, n., boss, knob. - L. bulla, 'bubble, boss,
knob'. Sec bull, 'edict'.
bullace, n., a wild plum. - ME. bolace, fr. OF.
beloce, 'sloe', of unknown origin.
bullate, adj., blistered. - L. bulliitus, fr. bulla,
'bubble'. See bull, 'edict', and adj. suff. -ate.
bulldog, n. - Compounded of bull, 'male of a
bovine animal', and dog; so called because originally used for baiting bulls.
bulldoze, tr. v., to intimidate; to bully (colloq.)
- Of uncertain origin.
bulldozer, n., I) one who bulldozes; 2) a kind

209
of tractor.- Formed fr. prec. word with agential
suff. -er.
bullet, n. -F. boulet, dimin. of boule, 'ball', fr.
L. bulla, 'bubble'. See bull, 'edict', and -et.
Derivative: bulle t-ed, adj.
bulletin, n.- F., fr. It. bullettino, dimin. of bulla,
'an edict of the pope'. See bull, 'edict'.
bullion, n., uncoined gold or silver. - Du. bulioen, 'alloy of gold and silver', fr. F.billon, 'lump,
ingot, alloy of silver with a preponderating
amount of copper', fr. bille, 'block of wood'.
See billet, 'a stick'.
bullock, n. - OE. bulluc, 'little bull', dimin. of
bull. See bull, 'male of a bovine animal', and
-ock.
bully, n., adj. and tr. v. -- Of uncertain origin.
Cp. billycock.
Derivatives: bully-ing, adj., bully-ing-ly, adv.
bulrush, n.- ME. bolroysche, bulrysche. See bole,
'trunk of a tree', and rush, the plant.
bulwark, n., I) rampart; 2) protection. - ME.
bulwerk, fr. MLG. ( = Du.) bolwerk, which is rei.
to MHG. bolwerk, G.Bollwerk, Swed. bolverk.
These words lit. mean 'bole work'. See bole,
'trunk of a tree', and work and cp. boulevard.
Derivative: bulwark, tr. v.
bum, intr. v., to make a humming sound.- Of
imitative origin. Cp. boom, bump.
Derivative: bumm-er, n.
bumbailiff, n., a bailiff serving writs, making arrests, etc. -Compounded of obsol. bum, 'rump,
buttocks', and bailiff; so called because he used
to be close behind.
Bumble, n., a self important, petty official. From Mr. Bumble, name of a pompous beadle
in Dickens's Oliver Twist.
Derivative: Bumble-dam, bumble-dom, n.
bumblebee, n. - Compounded of ME. bumlen,
bumblen, 'to hum', and bee. The first element is
of imitative origin; cp. boom, bum, bomb, bump.
Cp. bumblebee.
bumbo, n., a drink made of sugar, water, spirits
and spice.- It. bombo, a child's word for drink.
bumboat, n., a boat used to convey stores, etc.,
to a ship.- LG. bumboot, lit. 'boat hewn from
a tree trunk', fr. bum, 'tree', and boot, 'boat'.
See beam and boat.
Bumelia, n., a genus of the family Sapotaceae
(bot.) - ModL, fr. Gk. ~OUfiE),[i, name of a
kind of ash, compounded of ~ou~, gen. ~oo~,
'ox', and fi~Alti, 'ash tree'. See bovine and Melia.
bummalo, n., the Bombay duck.- Corruption of
Marathi bombfl.
bump, intr. and tr. v.- Of imitative origin. Cp.
boom, bum, bomb. Cp. also bumptious.
Derivatives: bump, n. (q.v.), bump-er, n., bumpy, adj., bump-i-ness, n.
bump, n., a blow; swelling, protuberance caused
by a blow.- Fr. prec. word. Cp. bunch.
bumpkin, n., a rustic, a lout. - Prob. fr. Du.
bommekijn, 'a little cask'. For the ending see
suff. -kin.

bungle
bumptious, adj., arrogant, obtrusive. - A jocular
word, formed from bump on analogy of facetious, fractious, etc.
Derivatives: bumptious-ly, adv., bumptiousness, n.
bun, n., a small cake.- ME. bunne, of uncertain
etymology. It is perh. of Celtic origin (cp. Gael.
bonnach) or derives fr. OF. bugne, buigne, bigne,
'a swelling; fritter', whence buignet, bignet, F.
beignet, 'fritter'; so called from its swollen shape
Cp. bunion.
bun, n., the tail of a rabbit. - Of uncertain origin. Cp. bunny.
bunch, n. - Prob. fr. bump, in the sense of 'swelling'. For the connection of bump with bunch
cp. clump and clunch, hump and hunch, lump
and lunch.
Derivatives: bunch, tr. and intr. v., bunch-y, adj.,
bunch-i-ly, adv., bunch-i-ness, n.
bunco, bunko, n., swindling at cards; tr. v., to
swindle at cards. - Cp. Sp. banco, 'bank',
banco, 'a game of cards', which are rei. to It.
banca, 'bank'. Sec bank, 'an institution for the
custody of money'.
buncombe, n. - A spelling var. of bunkum.
bundle, n. - ME. bundel, fr. MDu. bundel, a
collateral form of bondel, din1in. of MDu. bont
(whence Du. bond), 'bundle', rei. to Du. binden,
'to bind'. Cp. MHG., G. bUndel, 'bundle', dimin. of MHG. bunt, rcsp. G. Bund, 'bundle',
and OE. byndele, 'a binding', and see bind. For
the ending sec dimin. suff. -le. Cp. bunt, n.
Derivatives: bundle, tr. and intr. v., bundl-er, n.
bundobust, n., regulation, settlement (AngloInd.) - Hind. and Pers. band-o-bast, lit. 'tying
and binding'. Hind. band derives fr. OI. band,
'a tying', fr. 01. bandhati, 'he ties up, binds';
see bind. For Pers. bast, 'a binding', see bast.
bundook, n., a rifle. --- Hind., fr. Arab. hcinduq,
'missile', orig. 'weapon made in Venice', fr.
Bunduqf_vah, the Arabic name of Venice, the city
once so famous for its manufacture of crossbows and small arms. This etymology is corroborated by the circumstance that bunduqiyah
means also 'musket, rifle'. Cp. also A/-Banduqiinf, 'the man of the crossbow', a surname of
the caliph Harun-ai-Rashid.
bung, n., a large stopper.- MDu. bonghe, fr. F.
bonde, fr. Gaul. *bunda, whence also OProven<;. honda. Cp. Oir. bonn, Gaelic and Jr. bonn,
W. bon, 'base, sole of the foot'. MHG. bunt
punt, spunt (whence G. Spund), 'bung', are
Romance loan words. See Bloch-Wartburg,
DELF., p. 75 s.v. bonde.
Derivative: bung, tr. v.
bungaloid, adj., resembling bungalows. - A
hybrid coined fr. bungalow and Gk. -CJs~oi;;.
'like', fr. dllo~, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
bungalow, n. - From Hind. Biinglii, 'belonging
to Bengal, of Bengal', used elliptically for 'huuo,e
of Bengal'.
bungle, intr. v., to act clurnsily; tr. v., to make

bunion
clumsily. - Of Scand. ongm. Cp. OSwed.
bunga, 'to strike', bang/a, 'to work ineffectively', which is related to Swed. bdnga, 'to make
a noise', MHG. bunge, 'drum', MDu. benghel,
MHG. benge/, 'cudgel', G. Bengel, 'cudgel; rude
fellow'. All these words are ult. of imitative
origin. See bang.
Derivatives: bungle, n., bungl-er, n., bungl-ing,
adj. and n.
bunion, n., a swelling on the first joint of the
great toe. - Fr. MF. bugne, 'a swelling'. See
bun, 'small cake'.
bunk, n., a sleeping berth. - Prob. related to
bank, 'edge of a river', and to bank, 'bench'.
Cp. bunker.
Derivative: bunk, intr. v.
bunk, n., nonsense. - See bunkum.
bunker, n. -Scot. bunker, 'bench', prob. rei. to
bench.
Derivative: bunker, tr. v.
bunkum, buncombe, often shortened to bunk, n.,
speechmaking for effect; insincere talk; humbug. - From Buncombe, name of a county in
North Carolina, one of whose representatives
was said to have spoken frequently in Congress,
merely to impress his constituents.
bunny, n., pet name for a rabbit. - Formed fr.
bun, 'rabbit', with dimin. suff. -y.
bunodont, adj., having tubercles in the teeth (applied to the pig and the hippopotamus).- Compounded of Gk. f3ouv6;, 'mound, hill', and
ollwv, gen. 01>6v-ro~, 'tooth'. The first element is,
according to Herodotus, 4,199, a Cyrenaic loan
word. For the second element see odonto-.
Bunsen burner. -- Named after its inventor, the
German chemist Professor Robert Wilhelm
Bunsen (ISII-99).
bunt, n., a disease of wheat; smut.- Of unknown
origin.
bunt, n., the bagging part of a fishing net.- Rei.
to Dan. bundt, Swed. bunt, MDu. bont, MHG.
bunt, G. Bund, Bunde/, 'bundle', and to E.
bundle (q.v.)
bunt, tr. v., to sift.- ME. honten, 'to sift', formed
-through the medium of OF. - fr. VL. *banitare, 'to make good', fr. L. bonitas, 'the good
quality of a thing, goodness', fr. bonus, 'good'.
See bonus and cp. bunting, 'cloth'.
bunt, tr. and intr. v ., to strike with the head
or horns, to butt.- Cp. butt, 'to strike'.
bunting, n., any of various small birds. - ME.,
of unknown origin.
bunting, n., cloth used for patriotic decoration,
- The orig. meaning prob. was 'cloth used for
sifting', fr. ME. bonten, 'to sift'. See bunt, 'to
sift', and subst. suff. -ing.
bunyip, n., a fabulous animal. Hence: a humbug,
an impostor. - Native Australian.
buoy, n.- MDu. boeye, boye (Du. boei), fr. OF.
boye (F. bouee), fr. Teut. *baukn, 'signal'. Cp.
OHG. bouhhan, OFris. btiken, and see beacon.
Derivatives: buoy, tr. v., buoy-age, n., buoy-

210
ance, n., buoy-ancy, n., buoy-ant, adj., buoy-antly, adv., buoy-ant-ness, n.
Bupleurum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. f3ou~, gen. [3o6;,
'ox', and :rr).eupov, 'rib'. See bovine and pleura.
Buprestis, n., a genus of beetles (entomol.) ModL., fr. Gk. f3oo:rrp1jcrn~, 'a poisonous beetle',
lit. 'burner of cattle', compounded of [3ou~. gen.
f3o6~, 'ox', and :rrp-Y)-&eLv, 'to blow out, swell out,
blow into flame'; so called because this beetle,
if eaten by cattle, causes them to swell up and
die. For the first element see bovine. The second
element is rei. to :rtL!J.:rtpci:vocL, 'to burn, burn up',
and prob. cogn. with Hitt. pariii-, 'to blow into
a flame, to kindle', OSlav. parna, 'smoke, vapor', Russ. preju, pret', 'to sweat, boil', ON.
friEs, 'a blowing'.
bur, also burr, n., the prickly seed vessel of certain
plants. - Lit. 'the bristly one'; rei. to Dan.
barre, 'burdock', and to E. barse and bristle
(qq.v.) See also fastigiate and cp. the first element in burdock.
Derivative: bur, burr, tr. v.
burble, intr. v., to make a bubbling sound. - Of
imitative origin. Cp. bubble.
Derivatives: burble, n., burbl-er, n., burbl-y,
adj.
burbot, n., a fresh-water fish of the cod family. F. bourbotte, fr. bourbe, 'mud, mire', fr. Gau~ish
*borva-, a form reconstructed from Borvo, name
of a thermal deity (whence the place name
Bourbon), rei. to Olr. berbaim, 'I boil, seethe',
fr. I.-E. base *bheru-, 'to boil'. See brew and cp.
F. barbote, 'eelpout', barboter, 'to dabble about
in mud or in muddy water', which are related
to bourbe, 'mud, mire'. Cp. also Bourbon.
burd,n., lady.- ME. byrd, hurd, prob. metathesis
of OE. bryd, 'bride'. See 1st bride.
burden, n., a load.- ME. burden, birden, birthen,
fr. OE. byroen, rei. to ON. byror, OS. hurthinnia, OHG. burdi, MHG., G. biirde, Goth.
baurpei; lit. 'that which is borne', fr. I.-E. base
*bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry' and
cp. burthen.
Derivatives: burden, tr. v., burden-er, n., burdensome, adj., burden-some-ly, adv., burden-someness, n.
burden, n., refrain. - F. bourdon, 'drone, drone
bass, humblebee', fr. ML. burdonem, ace. of
burdo, of s.m., which is of imitative origin. Cp.
bourdon, drone bass'.
burdock, n., the plant Arctium Lappa. - Compounded of bu.-, 'prickly seed vessel', and dock,
the plant; so called for its burs and because of
its large leaves resembling those of the dock.
Cp. hardock.
bureau, n. - F., 'desk, writing table, office', fr.
OF. burel, dimin. of bure (F. bourre), 'coarse
woolen c1oth', hence bureau orig. meant 'table
covered with a coarse woolen stuff.' OF. bure,
comes fr. VL. *biira, corresponding to Late L.
burra, 'flock of wool', which is cogn. with Gk.

211
f3epp6v, f3[ppo;, 'thick with hair, hairy'. Cp.
bourette, burel, burl, burlesque.
bureaucracy, n.- F. bureaucratie, a hybrid coined
by the French economist Jean Claude Marie
Vincent de Gournay (1712-59) fr. bureau and
Gk. -xpoc-;{ii, fr. xp:ho~, 'strength, power, rule'.
See -cracy.
bureaucrat, n. - F. bureaucrate. See prec. word
and -crat.
Derivatives: bureaucrat-ic, bureaucrat-ic-al,adjs.,
bureaucrat-ic-al-ly, adv., bureaucrat-ism, n., bureaucrat-is!, n., bureaucrat-ize, tr. v., bureaucratiz-ation, n.
burel, n., a kind of woolen cloth (history).- ME.,
fr. OF. buret. See bureau.
burette, n., a graduated glass tube for measuring
small quantities of liquid. -F., 'cruet, flagon',
dimin. of buire, a secondary form of buie,
'bottle', See buire and -ette.
burgage, n., a former form of privileged tenure
of land (law).- F. bourgage, fr. ML. burgagium,
'municipality', fr. Teut. *burg, 'town'. See
borough and -age.
burgee, n., a small pennon used by yachts and
merchant vessels for identification. - Orig.
'owner's pennon', fr. OF. burgeis (F. bourgeois)
in burgeis (F. bourgeois) d'un navire, 'owner of
a ship'; see bourgeois. In English, the s of OF.
burgeis was mistaken for the plural suff. For
other words similarly treated see pea.
burgeon, n., bud. - ME. borjoun, burjon, fr. OF.
burjon (F. bourgeon), fr. VL. *burriiinem, ace. of
*burr iii, fr. Late L. burra, 'flock of wool' (see
bureau); so called because the buds of many
trees have a hairy, shaggy appearance.
burgess, n., citizen of a borough. - OF. burgeis
(F. bourgeois), fr. Late L. hurgi'nsis, fr. Teut.
*burg, 'town'. See borough and cp. burgher. Cp.
also bourgeois.
burgh, n., 1) a borough; 2) in Scotland, an incorporated town. - A var. of borough (q.v.)
Derivatives: burgh-a!, adj., burgher (q.v.)
burgher, n., 1) freeman of a burgh; 2) a citizen.--Prob. fr. Du. burger, 'citizen', fr. MDu. burgher,
fr. MHG. burgll!re, burger (whence G. Burger),
fr. OHG. burgari, fr. OHG. burg, 'castle, citadel, city'; influenced in form by E. burgh. Sec
borough and agential suff. -er.
burglar, n. - ML. burgulator, burglator, a
hybrid lit. meaning 'town thief'. The first element is a Teut. loan word (see borough), the
second is traceable to L. latro, gen. -6nis, 'thief,
robber'; cp. OF. fer, lerre, ace. laron (whence F.
larrnn), ~nd 5ee larceny.
Derivatives: burglar-ious, adj., burglar-ious-ly,
adv., burglar-ize, tr. v. (colloq.), burglar-y, n.,
burgle (q.v.)
burgle, intr. v., to commit burglary; tr. v., to
burglarize. - Back formation fr. burglar.
burgomaster, n. - Formed fr. Du. burgemeester,
with the assimilation of the second clement to
E. master (q.v.) For the first element see bo-

Burmannia
rough. Cp. OFris. burgarnastere, Dan. borgmester, Norw. borgemcster, Swed. borgmiistare,
MHG. burge-, burge-, hiirger-, burgermeister,
G. Burgermeister.
burgonet, n., a light helmet. - F. bourguignotte,
prop. 'helmet of Burgundy', fr. Bourguignon,
'man of Burgundy', fr. Bourgogne, fr. ML. Burgundia. See Burgundy.
burgrave, n., in German history, the lord of a
castle.- G. Burggraf, lit. 'count of a castle',
fr. Burg, 'castle', and Graf: 'count'. See borough
and grave, 'count'.
Burgundy, n. - ML. Burgundia, fr. Late L.
Burgundiones, lit. 'highlanders'. See borough and
cp. burgonet ar..d burgundy.
burgundy, n., wine of Burgundy.
burial, n. - ME. buriels, fr. OE. byrgels fr. hyrgan, 'to bury', rei. to heorgan, 'to cover'; see
bury. The ending -s in OE. byrgels, ME. buriels,
was mistaken for the pl. suffix and consequently dropped.
burin, n., engraver's cutting tool. --- F., fr. It.
burino (now bulino), a Teut. loan word. Cp.
OHG. boron, 'to bore', and sec bore, v.
burke, tr. v., to murder by smothering. - From
the name of William Burk, executed in Edinburgh in 1829 for murdering several persons in
order to sell their bodies for dissection.
Derivatives: burk-er, burk-ite, n.
burkundauze, also burkundaz, n., an armed retainer, an armed policeman (Anglo-Jnd.) - A
hybrid coined fr. Arab.-Pers. barq-andaz, 'lightning,thrower', fr. Arab. harq, 'lightning' and
Pers. andaz, 'thrower'. Arab. barq is rei. to Heb.
bartiq, Aram. b'raq, harqti. Akkad. hirqu, 'lightning, Arab. baraqa,' it lightened, Akkad. buraqu,
'to lighten', Aram. b'raq, Ethiop. baraqa, 'it
lightened'; cp. Egypt. brq, 'to shine, glitter',
Copt. ebreje, tightning'.
burl, n., knot, lump. -OF. burle, dimin. of bure
(F. bourre), coarse woolen cloth'. See bureau
and cp. burlesque.
burlap, n., a coarse cloth made of hemp, flax or
jute. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: burlap, tr. v., to cover with burlap.
burlesque, adj., comic. - F., fr. It. burlesco, fr.
bur/a, 'jest', fr. VL. *burrula. *bilrula, dimin. of
Late L. burra, 'flock of wool', used in the plural
in the sense of 'trifles, nonsense. For the elymol. of L. burra see bureau.
Derivatives: burlesque, n. and tr. v .. burlcsquely, adv., burlesqu-er, n.
burly, adj. - ME. borlich, burli, 'lofty', prob.
fr. OF. horlice, 'excellently, exactly. very. rei.
to OHG. burlfh, 'lofty, exalted', bwjan, 'to raise,
lift', prob. fr. I.-E. base bher-, 'to bear, carry';
see bear, "to carry. For sense development cp.
He b. na.l'd, 'he lifted, carried'.
Burmannia, n., a genus of plants of the lmrmannia
family (hot.) - ModL., named after the Dutch
botanist Johannes Bwmann (1706-79). For the
ending see suff. -ia.

Bu rmann iaceae

Burmanniaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.)Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
See prec. word and
burmanniaceous, adj. -aceous.
burn, n., a brook, water (Scot. and dial. Engl.) ME. burne, fr. OE. brunna, burna. See bourn,
'stream'.
burn, tr. and intr. v. - ME. birnen, bernen,
brennen, fr. OE. beornan, biernan, brinnon (intr.),
b<nnan(tr.), rei. to ON. brenna, brinna (intr.),
brenna (tr.), MDu. bernen, Du. branden, OS.,
OHG. brinnan, MHG. brinnen (intr.), OHG.
brennan, MHG. brennen (tr.), G. brennen, Goth.
brinnan (intr.), brannjan (tr.), 'to burn'; fr. I.-E.
base *bhreu-, 'to boil'. See brew and words there
referred to and cp. esp. bourn, burn, 'brook',
brand, brindled.
Derivatives: burn, n., burn-able, adj., burn-er, n.,
burn-ing, adj.
burnet, n., any plant of the genus Sanguisorba.
-OF. lmrnete, metathesis of brunete, brunette,
dimin. of brune, fern. of brun, 'brown'. See
burnish and -et and cp. brunette.
burncttize, tr. v., to impregnate with zinc chloride
solution. - Lit. 'to impregnate according to the
process patented by Sir William Burnr!tt', physician to the King (1779-186r ). For the ending
see su1f. -ize.
burnish, tr. v., to polish.- ME. burnischen, hurnisscn, from OF. burniss-, pres. part. stem of
burnir, metathesis of OF. (~ F.) hrunir, 'to
make brown', fr. hrun, 'brown', fr. WTeut.
*brtin-, 'brown'. Sec brown and cp. brunette,
burnet. For the ending see verbal su1f. -ish.
Derivatives: burm:sh, n., burnish-er, n., burnishing, adj., burnish-ment, n.
burnous, n., a long cloak worn by the Arabs. -Arab. hUmus, fr. Gk. ~lppo~. 'large cloak with
a hood', fr. Late L. birrus. See biretta and cp.
barret, beret.
burr, n., prickly seed vessel of certain plants. The less usual spelling of bur in the same sense.
Derivatives: burr-er, n., hurr-y, adj.
burr, n., guttural pronunciat ion of the r. Of imitative origin.
Derivati\e s: burr, intr. and tr. v., burr-ed, adj.
burra khana, a banquet (Ang/o-Ind.) - Hind.
barci khanii, 'a big dinner'.
burrito, n., any of several grunts of America.
(;:ool.)-,Sp ., dimin. of burro, 'ass'. See next word.
burro, n., a donkey. - Sp., rei. to borrico, of
s.m., fr. Late L. burricus, buricus, 'a small horse,
whence also F. bourrique, 'she-ass; donkey', fr.
burl'lls. 'red'. fr. Gk. ;r-Jccr',: 'flame-colored
yellowish red, assimilated' fr. -~7:"Jpcr6:;, fr. T:::ip:
gtn. :-:Jp->:;, 'fire'. See fire and cp. words there
referred to.
burrow, n. -A var. of borough, used in the sense
of 'shelter'.
Derivative: burrow, tr. v., lit. 'to make a burrow'.
bursa, n., a saclike cavity (anat.}- Latt- L. bursa,
'bag'. See burse.

212

bursar, n., I) a college treasurer; 2) in Scotland,

holder of a scholarship. - ML. bursiirius, fr.
Late L. bursa. See burse and -ar.
Derivatives: bursar-ial, adj., bursar-y, n.
bursautce, also bursattce, n., a disease of horses
(Anglo-Ind.) - Hind. barsiiti, 'pertaining to
rain', fr. barsiit, 'the rains'. The word orig. denoted 'a disease caught in, or owing to, the
rain'.
borsch, n., a German university student. - G.,
lit. 'living from the same purse', fr. Late L. bursa,
'purse'. See next word.
burse, n., I) a purse; 2) in Scotland, a scholarship. - F. bourse, fr. Late L. bursa, 'leatherbag, purse', fr. Gk. ~1.\pcroc, 'hide, leather',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. bourse, borsch,
disburse, imburse, reimburse. Cp. also Byrsa.
bursiform, adj., shaped like a purse or poach.Compound ed of Late L. bursa, 'purse', and
L. forma, 'form, shape'. See burse and form, n.
bursitis, n., inflammat ion of a bursa (med.) Medical L., formed with suff. -itis. fr. Late L.
bursa, 'purse'. See bursa.
burst, intr. and tr. v. - ME. bersten, bresten, fr.
OE. berstan, rei. to OS., OHG. brestan, ON.
bresta,Swed. brista, OFris. bersta, MDu. barsten,
bersten, borsten, Du. barsten, MHG. bresten,
MHG., G. bersten, 'to burst', and cogn. with
Oir. brissim (in which ss stands for orig. :o_t),
fr. I.-E. base *bhreus-, *bl1res-, 'to break, crush,
crumble'. See bruise and cp. brisance.
burst, n. - OE. byrst, 'injury, loss', fr. *bursti,
which is rei. to berstan. See burst, v.
burthen, n. -A var. of burden, 'load'.
burton, n., a tackle (naut.)- Of unknown origin.
bury, tr. v.- ME. burien, berien, fr. OE. byrgan,
'to bury', rei. to OE. beorgan, OS. bergan, ON.
bjarga, Dan. bjerge, Swed. berga, MDu. herghen,
Du. bergen, OHG. bergan. MHG., G. bergen,
Goth. hairgan, 'to save, preserve', fr. I.-E. base
*bhergh-. 'to preserve, save', whence also OSlav.
bregq, 'I preserve, guard'. Cp. the first clement
in belfry and the second clement in habergeon,
harbor, harbinger, hauberk, scabbard.
Derivatives: burial (q.v.), bury-ing, n.
bus, n. - Shortened fr. omnibus.
busby, n., fur hat worn by hussars in full parade.
- Of unknown origin.
bush, n., shrub.- ME. hussh, bosch, busk, rei. to
OS., OHG. busc, MLG. busch, busk, Du. bos,
MHG. busch, bosch(e), G. Busch, fr. WTeut.
*busk-, 'bush, thicket'. Dan. husk, Swed. buske,
and ML. boscus (whence It. bosco, OProven<;.
bose, F. bois) are WTeut. loan words. Cp.
boscage, bosket, bouquet, husk, 'strip of steel',
the first element in Bushman and the second
element in ambush, hautboy, tallboy.
Derivatives: bush-y, adj., bush-i-ness, n.
bush, n., me'tallini ng.- Du. bus, 'box'. See box,
'case, chest'.
bushel, n.- ME. buschel, fr. OF. boissiel (F. boisseau), fr. boisse, 'the sixth part of a bushel', fr.

213

Gaul.-L. *bostia, 'a handful', fr. Gaul. *bosta,

reconstruc ted after Ir. bass, boss, Bret. boz, 'the
hollow of the hand'. See Bloch-War tburg,
DELF., p. 74 s.v. boisseau.
Derivatives: bushel, tr. v., bushel(l)-er, n.
bushido, n., the code of moral principles in feudal
Japan.- Jap., lit. 'warrior's way'.
bushing, n., metal lining. -Formed with subst.
suff. -ing fr. bush, 'metal lining'.
Bushman, n. - Alter. of S. A. Du. Boschjesman
(Du. Bosjesman), lit. 'man of the bush', fr. boschje
(Du. bosje), dimin. of bosch (Du. bos), 'bush,
thicket', and man, 'man'. See bush, 'shrub', and
man.
business, n. - Formed fr. busy with suff. -ness.
busk, n., strip of steel, formerly of whalebone,
placed in front of a corset. - F. busc, fr. It.
busco, lit. 'a stick of wood', which is of Teut.
origin. Cp. OHG. busc, 'bush', and see bush,
'shrub'.
husk, tr. and intr. v., to prepare. - ME. busken,
fr. ON. buask, 'to prepare oneself', formed fr.
bua, 'to dwell; to prepare', and -sk, contractio n
of the ON. reflexive pron. sik. See be, boor and
suff. -sk and cp. bustle, 'to hurry about'.
Derivative: busk-er, n.
buskin, n., a half boot. - Prob. fr. OF. brosequin, 'buskin' (whence F. brodequin, under the
influence of F. broder, 'to embroider '), fr. MDu.
broseken, 'a little shoe', which is of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: buskin-ed. adj.
buss, n., a small vessel used in herring fishing. ME. busse, fr. OF. busse, buce, fr. ML. buza,
bucia, whence also ON. buza, 'man-of-wa r,
merchantm an', OHG. buzo, 'pirate ship',
MHG. bcize, 'man-of-war, merchantm an', G.
Buse, 'buss'.
buss, n., a kiss. - Of imitative origin. Cp. G.
Busser!, dimin. of dial. G. Buss, 'kis>', bussen,
'to kiss', W. and Gael. bus, 'kiss'.
bust, n. -- F. bustle, fr. It. busto, fr. L. bustum,
lit. 'the burned body', prop. neuter pp. of *burere, for urere, 'to burn'. The initial bin *biirere
is due to a misdivision of L. amburere (i.e. ambIirere), 'to burn around, scorch', into am-bilrere.
Sec combust.
bust. - Slang for burst.
bustard, n., a large bird related to the crane. A blend of OF. bistard and oustarde (whence F.
outarde), both fr. L. al'is tarda, lit. 'slow bird'.
Cp. OProven<;. austarda, Sp. avetarda, 'bustard', and see aviary and tardy.
bustce, n., a village, slum (Anglo-Ind.). - Hind.
basti, lit. 'an inhabited place', fr. OI. rasati,
'dwells', which is cogn. with Gk. icr-:-Liv, 'toreceive at one's hearth', Goth. wisan, OE., OHG.
wesan, 'to be'. See was and cp. words there referred to.
buster, n., something big (slang). - Lit. 'that
which 'busts', formed fr. bust, 'to burst', with
suff. -er.

bustle, intr. and tr. v., to hurry about. - Fr. obsol. buskle, freq. of busk, 'to prepare'.
Derivatives: bustle, n., hurry, bustl-ing, adj.,
bustl-ing-ly, adv.
bustle, n., framework worn by women to support
the skirt. -Of uncertain origin.
busy, adj. - ME. busy, bisy, fr. OE. bysig, bisig,
rei. to LG. besig, Du. bezig; of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: busy, v. (q.v.), busy-ness, n.
busy, tr. v. - OE. bysgian, bisgian, fr. bysig,
bisig. See busy, adj.
Busycon, n., a genus of marine snails (zoo/.) ModL., fr. Gk. ~o1.\cruxov, 'a large coarse fig';
so called from the fancied resemblance of the
shell to a large fig. Gk. ~o,)cru;;:ov is formed fr.
augment pref. ~ou- and cr'-ixov, 'fig'. The pref.
~ou- is rcl. to ~oG<;, 'ox', and orig. meant 'as big
as an ox'. See bovine and Sycon.
but, prep. - ME. butan, buten, hute, fr. OE. bulan. 'without, except, besides', fr. be-titan,
which is compound ed of be, 'by', and litan, 'out,
outside, except, without', fr. ut, 'out'. See by
and out and cp. about.
Derivatives: but, conj., adv., n., tr. and intr. v.
but, n., the outer room of a cottage. - Fr. hut,
adv. See prec. word.
butane, n., either of two hydrocarho ns in the
methane series (che~n.) - Formed with suff.
-ane from the first three letters of L. b1itvmm,
'butter'. Sec butter.
butcher, n. - ME. bocher, boucher, fr. OF.
bochier bouchier (F. boucher), 'butcher, lit.
'one who slaughters bucks', fr. bouc, 'buck'. See
buck, 'male deer', and -er (representing OF.
-ier).
Derivatives: butcher, tr. v., butcher-ly, adj. and
adv., butcher-li-ness, n.
butchery, n. - ME. boch~rie, fr. OF. bocherie,
boucherie (F. boucheric), fr. boucher. See butcher and -y (representing F. -ie).
Buteo, n., a genus of hawks, the buzzard. -- L.
bclte6, 'a kind of falcon or hawk', rei. to btltire,
'to cry like a bittern' (lit. 'to utter the sound
bu'), from the I.-E. imitative base *bel-, v.hence
also L. lnlho, 'owl, horned owl'. Cp. Bubo. Cp.
also bittern, buzzard.
butler, n. - ME. buteler, fr. AF. butuiller, corresponding to OF. botillier, bouteillier, fr. hotele,
bouteille, 'bottle'. See bottle.
Derivatives: butler-age, n., hutlery (q. \ .)
butlery, n. - ME. bote/erie, fr. OF. bouteillcrie,
or directly fr. butler.
Butomaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bat.) ModL., formed fr. Butomus witn sufT. -aceae.
butornaceous, adj.- Sec prcc. v.crd and -aceous.
Butomus, n., a genus of plants (bot.) -- :V1odl.,
fr. Gk. i:lo)-:-ofl-0<;, 'a kind of plant, sedge, compounded of ~r)j;; (gen. ~r;l;:;), 'ox', and -:-r~:lrJ:;,
'a piece cut off'. See bovine and tome.
butt, n., a barrel for liquor. - OF. bout (F.
botte}, fr. Late L. butris, 'cask'. See bottle
'vessel'.

butt

butt, n., the thicker end of anything.- ME. but,

butte, prob. rei. to MDu., Du. bot, LG. butt,
'blunt, dull', and to ON. hauta, OE. beatan, 'to
beat'. See beat and cp. butt, 'aim', butt, 'to
strike', buttock.
butt, n., aim, goal.- ME., fr. F. but, 'goal', pro b.
fr. Frankish *biit, 'stump, stock, block' (cp. ON.
blitr, 'log of wood'), taken in the sense of 'mark,
goal'; rei. to butt, 'the thicker end of anything',
and to butte. Cp. debut.
butt, also but, n., flatfish. - ME. butte, but, fr.
LG. butte or MDu. botte, butte, bot, but (Du.
bot), rei. to G. Butte, Butt, OSwed. tornbut
(whence E. turbot, q.v.), Swed. butta, Dan. botte
and to MDu. bot, LG. butt, 'blunt'. See butt, 'the
thicker end of anything' and cp. the second
element in halibut.
butt, tr. v., to strike, thrust. - ME. butten, fr.
OF. bater, buter, 'to strike, push; to put, place'
(whence F. bouter, 'to put, place'; OF. bot,
'a blow; end, extremity', resp. F. bout, 'end,
extremity', are back formations fr. OF. boter,
rcsp. F. bouter). OF. boter is of Teut. origin;
cp. LG. hOten, 'to beat', and see butt, 'the thicker
end of anything'. OProvenfY. botar, It. buttare,
Sp. botar, 'to cast, throw', are French loan
words. Cp. boutade, bouts-rimes, buttress, rebut,
sackbut.
Derivative: butt-er, n.
butte, n .. an isolated hill in the western U.S. F., fr. hut, 'goal, target'. See butt, 'aim, goal'.
butter, n. - OE. butere, lmttor-, fr. L. btlt_iirum
(whence also Ofris., OHG. hutera, Du. bater,
MHG. but"r, G. Butter, lt. burro, OF. burre,
F. bcurre). fr. Gk. f3rA~'iP'JV, 'butter', lit. 'cow
cheese. which is compounded of ~o'i<;, 'ox,
cow'. and -:-~p/,;, 'cheese. See bovine and tyro-.
Dcri~ativcs: butter, tr. v., huflcry, adj.
butterfly. n. --ME. butleljfie, fr. OE. buterfleoge.
See butter and fly. Butterfly prop. means 'the
(hi11g huttercolored thing'.
butteris, n., an instrument for paring the hoofs
of horses. - A variant of buttress, from which
it is differentiated in meaning.
buttery, n .. a storeroom for liquor.- Lit. 'a place
whc;c l>ur11 or barrels of liquor are stored', fr.
OF. hotcrie, 'place for keeping bottles or butts',
fr. bout. Sec butt, 'barrel', and -y (representing
OF. -ic) and cp. bottle, 'vessel', and butler.
buttock, n. - Formed fr. butt, 'thick end', with
the dimin. sutf. -ock.
button, n. - OF. hoton I F. bouton), 'bud', later
'button. fr. the verb bouter, 'to pash', fr. Frankish btJran. 'to beat'. Cp. LG. bi5ten, of s.m.,
and see butt, w stnke.
Deri,atives: button, v. (q.v.l, button-ry, n.
button, tr. and intr. v. - OF. botoner (f. boutonnl'i'), fr. hoton. See button, n.
Deri,ative: button-ed, <dj.
buttress, n., a structure supporting a wall. -ME. boterace, butrasse, fr. OF. bouterez (pron.
boutercts), pl. of bouteret, 'support', fr. bouter,

214

'to push; to put, place'. See butt, 'to strike' and

cp. butteris.
Derivative: buttress, tr. v.
butty, n., a middleman. -Of uncertain origin.
butyl, n., a hydrocarbon radical, C 4 R 9 (chem.)Formed from the first three letters of L. btltyrum, 'butter', and fr. Gk. ll:A1), 'material, stuff'.
Sec butter and -yl.
butyraceous, adj., resembling butter. - Formed
with suff. -aceous fr. L. biityrum, 'butter'. See
butter.
butyrate, n., a salt of butyric acid (chem.) Formed with chem. suff. -ate fr. L. blityrum,
'butter'. See butter.
butyric, adj., pertaining to butter. -Formed fr.
L. batyrum, 'butter' (see butter) and suff. -ic.
butyric acid (chem.)- So called by its discoverer,
the French chemist Michel-Eugene Chevreul
(q86-1889) because it occurs in butter. See
prec. word.
Buxaceae, n. pl., the box family (bot.) - ModL.,
formed fr. Buxus with suff. -aceae.
buxom, adj. - ME. buhsum, buxum, 'pliable,
obedient', rei. to Du. buigzaam, G. biegsam,
'flexible, pliable'; derived fr. OE. h!lgan, resp.
Du. buigen, G. biegen, 'to bend'. See bow, 'to
bend'. For the ending see 1st -some.
Derivatives: buxom-ly, adv., buxom-ness, n.
Buxus, n., the genus of the box tree (bot.) - L.
buxus, 'the box tree'. See box, the tree.
buy, tr.v. - ME. buggen, biggen, bien, fr. OE.
bycgan, rei. to OS. huggian, buggean, ON. byggfa, Goth. bugfan, 'to buy'.
Derivatives: buy, n., buy-able, adj., buy-er, n.
buzz, intr.v. - Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: buzz, n., buzz-er, n.
buzzard, n. - ME. busard, fr. OF. bus-ard,
formed, with change of suff., fr. OF. buis-on,
hus-on (a regressive derivative of which is F.
&use, 'buzzard'), fr. L. bliteonem, ace. of biiteo,
'a kind of falcon or hawk'. See Buteo and cp.
bittern.
by, prep. and adv. - ME. hi, by, fr. OE. hi; the
toneless form is be- (see be-); rel. to OS., OFris.
bi, MDu. bie, Du. bij, OHG., MHG. bi, G. bez,
'by, at, near', Goth. bi, 'round about, by'. These
words are cogn. with the second element in OI.
a-hhi, 'toward; to, Gk. i{J--~l, 'around, about',
L. am-bO, 'both'. See ambi-, amphi-, and cp. the
first element in but. Cp. also the second element
in about, above.
bye, n., something secondary. -Fr. by, prep.
bye-bye, n., bed; sleep. -A childish word.
bye-bye, interj., good-by. - A childish word.
bygone, adj. - Formed from the adv. by and
gone, pp. of go.
bylaw, n. - ME. bilaw, prob. meaning lit. 'village law', and derived fr. ON. *b.ii/og, which is
compoundelj of byr, 'village' (which is rei. to
biia 'to liYe'), and fog, 'law'. See be and law and
cp. boor, bower, 'cottage', booth, bound, 'ready
for a journey', byre.

Z1!>

byre, n., a cow shed. -ME., fr. OE. byre, rei.

to biir, 'dwelling', biian, 'to dwell'. See be and
cp. prec. word and words there referred to.
Byronic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, Lord
Byron (q88-r824).
Byronism, n., characteristics of Lord Byron. See
prec. word and -ism.
Byrsa, also Bursa, n., name of the citadel of Carthage.- Metathesized from Phocn.-Reb. Botzrd" (cp. Botzrd" = Gk. B6aoppa;, later B6a-rp01:,
name of the capital of Edom), lit. 'enclosure;
citadel', fr. biitzdr, 'he cut off, made inaccessible
(a technical term of fortification work), but confused with Gk. ~upaa;, 'hide' (see burse), whence
arose the well-known legend concerning the
foundation of the citadel of Carthage.
byssine, adj., made of byssus. - L. byssinus,

..,,..QII\.III ....

'made of byssus', fr. Gk. ~ucrowo;;, fr. ~uacro~.

See next word and adj. suff. -ine (representing
Gk. -tva;;).
byssus, n.- L., fr. Gk. ~ucrcro;;, 'fine white linen',
a Semitic loan word. Cp. Reb. biitz, of s.m., fr.
Sem. *b-w-:t (*b-w-tz), 'to be white, to surpass
in whiteness', whence Reb. betzd", Arab. bdyifa",
'egg'. Cp. W. Muss-Arnolt, Semitic words in
Greek and Latin, in Transactions of the American Philo!. Association, 23, 8o, Note 19.
Derivatives: byss-a/, adj., byss-in, n., byssine
(q.v.)
Byzantine, adj., pertaining to Byzantium. - L.
Byzantinus, fr. Byzantium, name of the capital
of the Eastern Roman Empire. Cp. bezant. For
the ending see suff. -ine (representing L. -inus ).
Derivative: Byzantin-ism, n.

217

c
cab, n., a Hebrew dry measure. - Reb. qabh.
rel. to Aram.-Syr. qabbil, Arab. qabb, name of a
measure of capacity, from the Sem. base *q-b-b,
'to be hollow'.
cab, n., carriage. - Abbreviation of cabriolet.
Derivative: cab, intr. v.
cab, tr. v., to crib (slang). - Short for cabbage,
'to pilfer'.
cabal, n., a secret intrigue. -F. cabale, fr. Late
L. cabbala, fr. Mishnaic Reb. qabbtilc'i", 'reception; doctrine received', fr. Reb. qibb!l, 'hereceived, accepted', rei. to Aram. q<bhil, q0bhil,
'before', Syr. men q'bh61, 'opposite', Aram.Syr. qabbil, 'he received, accepted', Arab. qdbi/a,
'was in front of', qdbala, 'he received, accepted',
Ethiop. qabdla, 'he went to meet, accepted',
Akkad. qablu, 'fight, encounter'. Cp. cabala,
alcabala, gabella, kabyle, kiblah.
Derivative: cabal, intr. v., to conspire.
cabala, n., a system of Jewish'mystical interpretation of the scriptures (Jewish literary history).
- Mishnaic Heb. qabbii!d", 'reception', in the
sense of 'teachings received'. See cabal.
cabalist, n., a student of cabala. - A hybrid
formed fr. cabala with suff. -ist.
Derivative: cabalist-ic, adj.
cabaret, n. F., a loan word fr. MDu.
cahret, denasalizcd fr. cambret, camret, fr.
OPicard cambrete, dimin. of cambre, 'chamber,
room', which is rei. to F. chambre, of s.m. See
chamber and -et.
cabas, n., a flat basket. -F., 'frail, basket', fr.
OProven~. cahas, 'basket of sedge', fr. VL. *capclcius, fr. L. capax, gen. capiicis, 'that can contain much, capacious, spacious', fr. capi6, capere, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'. See captive and
cp. cabbage, v.
cabbage, n., plant of the order Brassica. - ME.
cahoche, fr. ONF. ( = F.) caboche, 'head', fr.
OF. caboce, formed fr. pejorative pref. ca- and
boce IF. bosse), 'a swelling'. See boss, 'a protuberance', and cp. Boche, cabochon.
Derivative: cabbage, intr. and tr. v.
cabbage, tr. and intr. v., to pilfer. - F. cabasser,
'to steal', fr. cabas, 'basket'. See cabas.
cabby, n., a cabman (colloq.)- Short for cabman.
caber, n., a beam. - Gael. cabar, 'pole, beam'.
cabildo, n., the chapter of a cathedral. - Sp.,
metathesizcd fr. L. capitulum, 'head of a column', dimin. of caput, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. chapter.
cabilliau, n., a codfish. - F. cabillaud, fr. Du.
kabe/jauw, fr. MDu. cabbeliau, fr. ML. cabbellalllms, altered fr. Sp. bacallao, 'codfish', fr. L.
baculum, 'stick, staff'. See bacterium and cp.
bacalao. For sense development cp. stock/ish.
cabin, n. - ME. cabane, fr. F. cabane, fr. Late

L. capanna, which is of Illyric origin. It. capanna, Sp. cabana also derive fr. Late L. capanna.
F. cabine and It. cabino are English loan words.
Cp. caboose. Cp. also cuddy, 'cabin in a ship'.
Derivative: cabin, tr. v.
cabinet, n.- It. gabinetto, prob. dimin. of gabbia,
'cage', fr. L. cavea. See cage and -et.
Derivative: cabinet-ry, n.
Cabiri, n. pl., a group of Greek gods (Greek
mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. K&~e~po~, fr. Reb. kabbfr,
'great, mighty', fr. base *k-b-r, 'to be great, to
be much, many'. Cp. their title Mey&/-ot -&eo(,
'the great gods', which corroborates the above
etymology.
cable, n. - ME. cable, cabel, kable, fr. F. cable,
fr. Port. cable, which is a blend of Arab. /;lab/,
'rope, cable', and VL. cap(u)lum, 'a halter for
cattle', fr. capi6, capere, 'to catch, seize, take,
hold'. Arab. /;lab! is rei. to l;dbala, 'he bound',
Reb. !Jibhel, 'rope, cord', Ethiop. /;labal, 'rope',
/;l~bdla, 'he bound', Akkad. na!Jbalu, 'rope,
snare', Aram. /;labhlil, 'cord, rope'. For the etymology of L. capere see captive.
Derivatives: cable, v., cabl-ed, adj., cabl-er, n.,
cabl-ing, n., cabl-et, n.
cablegram, n. - A blend of cable and telegram.
cabob, n., roast meat (Anglo-Ind.) - Hind.
kabiib, fr. Pers. kabiib.
Derivative: cabob, tr. v.
cabochon, n., a polished but uncut precious
stone. - F., fr. caboche, 'head, pate, noddle,
nob'. See cabbage.
Cabomba, n., a genus of aquatic plants (bot.) ModL., a name of American Indian origin.
caboodle, n., group, lot (slang). - Corruption of
kit and boodle. See kit, 'wooden tub', and
boodle.
cabook, n., laterite (Ceylon).- Port. cavouco (also cabouco), short for pedras de cavouco, 'quarry
stones', fr. cava, 'concave', fr. L. cavus, 'hollow,
concave'. See cave, n.
caboose, n., 1) a ship's galley; 2) the trainmen's
car on a goods train. - Du. kabuis, fr. MLG.
kabuse, a compound word, the first element of
which is prob. rei. to cabin. The second element
in MLG. kabuse was perh. orig. identical with
MLG. hus (= Du. huis); see house. Hence
MLG. kabUse and Du. kabuis would prop.
mean 'cabin house'.
caboshed, adj., showing the animal's head fullfaced (affronte) and without the neck (her.) Formed with suff. -ed fr. F. caboche, 'head'. See
cabbage, n.
cabotage, n., .(;Oasting trade. - F., fr. caboter,
'to coast', fr. Sp. cabo, 'cape, promontory', fr.
L. caput, 'head'. See capital, adj., and cp. cape,
'promontory'.

cabrerite, n., a hydrous arsenate of nickel, cobalt

and magnesium (mineral.) - Named after the
Sierra Cabrera in Spain. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
cabrilla, n., any fish of the genus Serranus. Sp., dimin. of cabra, 'she-goat', fr. L. capra, of
s.m. See cabriolet.
cabriole, n., a form of leg (furniture). - Prob.
fr. F. cabriole, 'leap of a goat, caper'. See next
word.
cabriolet, n., a light two-wheeled carriage. -F.,
fr. cabriole, 'leap of a goat, caper', fr. cabrioler,
caprioler, 'to leap like a goat, to caper', fr. It.
capriolare, fr. capriuolo, 'roebuck', fr. L. capreo!us, dimin. formed fr. caper, 'he goat', whence
capra, 'she-goat', which is rei. to Umbr. kabru,
kaprum (ace.), 'he-goat', and cogn. with Gk.
x&7tpoc;, 'boar', OE. hmfer, ON. hafr, 'he-goat',
G. Habergeiss, 'goatsucker'; so called from its
easy motion. Cp. caper, v. Cp. also cab, 'carriage',
cabriole, Capella, Caprella, capreol, Capreolus,
capri-, capric, Capricorn, caprification, caprine,
capriole, cheverel, chevron, chevrotain.
cac-, form of caco- before a vowel
Cacalia, n., a genus of plants, the Indian plantain (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. x<Xwx/-[i, name of
a plant.
cacao, n. - Sp., fr. Nahuatl caca-uatl, 'cacao
seed'. See coco.
cachalot, n., the sperm whale. - F., fr. Sp. cachalote, fr. Port. cacholotte, lit. 'thick-headed',
fr. cachola, 'head, pate', which is perh. a dimin.
of cacha, 'handle of a razor', fr. VL. caputa,
pl. of capu/um, corresponding to L. capulus,
'handle, hilt of a sword', fr. capere, 'to catch,
seize'. See captive.
cache, n., hiding place.- F., 'hiding place', back
formation fr. cacher, 'to hide', fr. VL. *coiicticiire, 'to press together', frcq. fr. L. coiictiire,
itself freq. fr. cogere, pp. coiictus, 'to press together, force'. See co- and act and cp. coact,
cogent. Cp. also cachet.
Derivative: cache, v.
cachectic, adj., pertaining to cachexia. - Gk.
X<X)'p<.";~x6c;, fr. x<Xzex-;-f,:;, 'in a bad habit of the
body', fr. x<Xxr\c;, 'bad', and ~ze~~. 'to have'. See
cachexy and -ic.
cachet, n., a distinguishing mark of quality or
authenticity. -F., 'seal, stamp', fr. cacher, 'to
hide'. See cache.
cachexia, cachexy, n., bad general state of health
(med.)- L., fr. Gk. x<Xze~[i, lit. 'bad habit', fr.
)((1}(0<;, 'bad', and e~t:;, 'state, condition, habit'.
For the first element see caco-. The second element derives fr. ezet'l (for *ezet'l, cp. the fut.
e~w), which iscogn. with:Ol. sdhate, 'he masters',
sdha/;1, 'victory', Goth. sigis, OE. sige, 'victory'.
See scheme and cp. words there referred to.
cachinnate, intr. v., to laugh loudly.- L. cachinniit-(um), pp. stem of cachinniire, 'to laugh
loudly', of imitative origin. Cp. OI. kdkhati,
kakkhati, khakhati, 'laughs', Gk. xoc;x:&Z:etv, later

cacology
form x<Xx;x:iz:;e~v, 'to laugh loudly', OHG. kachazzen, of s.m., Arm. xaxank', 'violent laughter', which are all imitative.
cachinnation, n., loud laughter. - L. cachinniiti6, gen. -6nis, 'violent laughter', fr. cachinniit(um), pp. stem of cachinniire. See prec. word
and -ion.
cacholong, n., an opaque variety of opal. - F.,
fr. a Kalmuck word meaning 'beautiful stone'.
cachou, n. - F. See cashew, catechu.
Cachrys, n., a genus of herbs of the carrot family
(bot.)- Gk. x<i;x:puc;, 'parched barley, catkin',
prob. rei. to xenpoc;, 'millet'. Cp. Cenchrus.
cachucha, n., a Spanish dance. - Sp., lit. 'recipient', fr. cacho, 'saucepan', fr. VL. *cacculus,
'an earthen pot for cooking'. See cockle, 'stove'.
cacique, n., a West Indian chief. - Sp., from a
Haitian language.
cachunde, n., a pastil (pharm.) - Sp., fr. cachrl.
See cashew, catechu.
cack, intr. v., to void excrement (dial.) - ME.
cakken, fr. L. caciire, which, like Gk. x<Xxxiiiv,
Russ. kdkat', Mir. caccaim, etc., derives from
the I.-E. child's word *kakka, 'to void excrement'. Cp. Cagot.
cackle, intr. v. - Of imitative origin. Cp. Du.
kakelen, 'to chatter, gabble'. Cp. also quack
and gabble.
Derivatives: cackle, n., cackl-er, n., cackl-ing, n.
caco, n., a bandit.- Sp., 'thief', fr. L. Ciicus =
Gk. Kiiixoc;, son of Vulcan; he terrified the
country round about Mount Aventinus by his
robberies and was slain by Hercules.
caco-, before a vowel cac-, combining form
meaning 'bad, ill, poor'.- Gk. x~w.>-, x<Xx-, fr.
x<Xx6c;, 'bad, evil', prob. orig. a word from the
child's language. Cp. the first element in cachexy, kakistocracy, and the second element in
stomacace.
cacodyl, n., a poisonous, malodorous radical
As(CH3 ) 2 (chern.) - Lit. 'ill smelling matter';
coined by the Swedish chemist Baron Jons
Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848) from Gk. z(lxw~r.c;,
'ill smelling', and suff. -yl. Gk. x<Xz6,8r,c; is compounded of x<Xzo- (sec caco-) and the stem of
o~etv, 'to smell'. See OZO, odor.
cacoepy, n., bad pronunciation. - Gk. x<Xxoe;:-et~, 'bad language', COmpounded Of X(IZQ
(see caco-) and -bz~<X, fr. z;:-oc;, 'word'. See
epos and cp. orthoepy.
Derivatives: cacoep-ist, n., cacoep-ist-ic, adj.
cacoethes, n., a bad habit.- Gk. z~xr\r,{}e:;, neut.
of the adj. xocxol;&-tjc;, 'of ill habits', used as a
noun; compounded of x<Xzo- (see caco-) and
f;&o~, 'habit'. See ethic.
cacography, n., bad writing. - Compounded of
caco- and Gk. -yp9li, fr. YV~?e~~. 'to write'.
See -graphy and cp. calligraphy.
cacology, n., bad speaking; bad pronunciation.
- Compounded of caco- and Gk. -),r,y(i, fr.
-A6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.

caconym

caconym, n., a bad name. - Compounded of

caco- and Gk. ilvu[-LOC, dialectal form of o~o[-LOC,
'name'. See..,pame and cp. onomato-.
Derivative: caconym-ic, adj.
cacoon, n., the tropical bean. - Of uncertain
origin.
cacophonous, adj., ill-sounding. - Gk. xocx6cpwvo~, compounded of xocxo- (see caco-) and
cpw~~. 'sound, voice'. See phone. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see suff. -ous.
cacophony, n., a harsh or discordant sound. Gk. xocxocpw~Ui, fr. xocx6cpwvoc;. See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -Lii).
Cactaceae, n. pl., the cactus family (bot.) ModL., formed fr. cactus with suff. aceae.
cactaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
cactiform, adj., resembling a cactus in form. Compounded of Cactus and -form.
cactus, n.- L., 'a prickly plant', fr. Gk. xcxxroc;,
of s.m., which is prob. a pre-Hellenic word of
unknown origin.
cacuminal, adj., I) pertaining to the top; 2) in
phonetics, pronounced with the tip ofthe tongue
turned upward; cerebral. - Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L cactlmen, 'top, summit', which is
cogn. with OI. kakubh-, 'peak', kakUd-, 'peak,
top', kakud-, 'mouth-cavity, palate'; from a
dental enlargement of the reduplication of I.-E.
base *qeu-, 'to bend', for which see cubit, high.
L. cacumen prob. developed fr. orig. *kakud
under the influence of acumen, 'sharpened
point' (see acumen).
cacuminate, tr. v., to make pointed or sharp. L. cacumimlfus, pp. of cacuminiire, 'to point',
fr. cacumen, gen. caetlminis. See prec. word and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: cacumin-ation, n.
cacuminous, adj., pointed (said oi the top of
a tree). -See cacuminal and -ous.
Cacus, n., son of Vulcan, a giant, slain by Hercules in his cave in the Aventine (Rrman mytho/.)- L. Ciicus, of uncertain etymology.
cad, n. - Shortened fr. caddie, caddy.
Derivatives: cadd-ish, adj., cadd-ish-ly, adv.,
cadd-ish-ness, n.
cadamba, n., an East Indian tree. - Kanarese
ka~jamba-. Cp. OI. kadambdl;l, 'Nauclea cadamba', which is prob. of Dravidian origin (see
Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymol. Sanskrit Dictionary I, I44 and I49).
cadastral, adj., pertaining to a cadaster. - F.,
fr. cadastre. See cadastre and adj. suff. -al.
cadastre, cadaster, n. - F. cadastre, 'register of
the survey of lands', fr. OProven\=. cadastre, fr.
It. catastro, catasto, fr. Olt. catastico, fr. Late
Gk. z:xdcr-:-Lz<:~v, 'register', lit. 'by the line',
formed fr. Gk. z:x-: (see cata-) and a-:Lzo;,
'row, line'. See acrostic.
cada,er, n., a dead body, a corpse.- L., 'a dead
body, a corps~;:', fr. cudere, 'to fall'; see cadence.
For sense developmentcp. Gk. rtTW[-L:X, 'corpse',
which is rei. to d:-:-:nv, 'to fall' (perf. rter:oo;wx:x),

218

and Heb. n'bheliih, 'carcass, corpse', fr. niibhll,

'it decayed, withered', which is rei. to niiphdl,
'he fell'. Cp. ptomaine.
Derivatives: cadav-er-ic, adj., cadaverous (q.v.)
cadaverous, adj., looking like a corpse; pale.L. cadaverosus, 'corpselike', fr. cadaver, 'a dead
body, corpse'. See cadaver and -ous.
Derivatives: cadaverous-ly, adv., cadaverousness, n.
caddie, caddy, n., a person who carries one's golf
clubs, etc. - F. cadet. See cadet and cp. cad.
Derivative: caddie, caddy, to act as a caddie.
caddis, n., I) worsted yarn (obsol.); 2) lint. Prob. fr. OF. cadaz, cadas, also cadarce, fr.
OProven9. cadarz, which is of uncertain origin;
confused with F. cadis, 'light woolen serge'.
See next word.
caddis, n., a kind of cheap serge. - F. cadis,
'light woolen serge', fr. OProven\=. cadis, prob.
fr. Sp. cadiz, of s.m., which apparently comes
from the name of the city of Cadiz and orig.
meant 'material made at Cadiz'.
caddie, n., the larva of the caddis fly. -Of uncertain origin.
caddy, n., a small box; orig. used only in the sense
of tea caddy. - Fr. earlier catty, prop. 'a box
containing a catty of tea', fr. Malay kiiti, a
weight of I I/3 lb. Cp. catty.
cade, n., a small barrel.- F., fr. L. cadus, 'bottle,
jar, jug', fr. Gk. xcilloc;, fr. Heb. kadh, 'pitcher',
prop. 'a rounded vessel', fr. base *k-d-d, 'to be
round'. Cp. cadus.
cade, n., a juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus). - F.,
fr. OProven\=. cade, fr. Late L. catanus, 'cedar
juniper', which is prob. a loan word fr. Sabine
catanus, 'a plant with pointed leaves', fr. SabineL. catus, 'sharp, pointed'. See hone.
-cade, suff. denoting a group or the contest of a
group. - Adopted fr. the suff. -cade in cavalcade (q.v.); accordingly this suff. is the equivalent of L. -(i)ciitus. See 2nd -ade and cp. aquacade, motorcade and subst. suff. -ate.
cadence, n.- F., fr. It. cadenza, fr. VL. *cadentia,
a fern. noun, fr. L. cadentia, neut. pl. of cadens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of cadere, 'to fall', which
is cogn. with 01. sad-, 'to fall down', Arm. cacnum, 'to fall, become low', and possibly also
with Ir. casair, W. cesair, Co. keser, 'hail'. Cp.
chance, which is a doublet of cadence. Cp. also
accident, cadaver, cadenza, caducity, cascade,
case, 'condition', casual, cheat, chute, coincide,
decadence, decay, decheance, deciduous, escheat,
incident, occasion, occident, parachute, recidivist.
Derivatives: cadence, tr. v., cadenc-ed, adj.,
cadenc-y, n.
cadenza, n., an ornamental flourish (music). It., fr. VL. '*cadentia; prop. 'a flourish before
the cadence', whence its name. See cadence.
cadet, n., 1) a younger son or brother; 2) a student at a military or naval school. - F., fr.
Gascon capdet, which corresponds to OProven\=.
capdel, 'chief', fr. VL. *capite/Ius, dimin. formed

219

fr. L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,

and cp. cad, caddie.
cadge, v., to beg. - Back formation fr. cadger.
For similar back formations cp. peddle, swindle.
cadger, n., a hawker. --The word orig. denoted
'one who brought in a cadge or basket eggs,
poultry etc. from the coul).try to the market'.
Cadge derives fr. F. cage in the sense of'basket'.
See cage.
cadi, n., a minor Mohammedan judge. - Arab.
qlicjf, 'judge', prop. partie. of qdcjii, 'he decided',
rei. to He b. qiitzin, 'judge, prince, leader'. Cp.
alcalde.
cadjan, n., palm leaves for thatching or matting.
- Malay kiijiing, 'a matting of palm leaves'.
Cadmean, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, Cadmus. - Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cadmeus,
fr. Gk. Kocllfl-~~oc;, 'Cadmean', fr. IGil[-Lo<;, 'Cadmus'. See Cadmus.
cadmia, n., calamine. - L. cadmia. See next
word.
cadmium, n., a white metallic clement (chem.) ModL., coined by its discoverer, the German
chemist Friedrich Strohmeyer (I776-I835) in
I8I7, fr. L. cadmfa, 'calamine', fr. Gk. x:xll[-Ldi,
of s.m., which stands for Kocll[-Ldii (scil. y~). lit.
'Cadmean (earth)', fr. Kll[-Lo<;, 'Cadmus'. See
next word.
Derivative: cadm-ic, adj.
Cadmus, n., son of the Phoenician king Agenor
and founder of Thebes (Greek mythol.) - L.,
fr. Gk. KS[-Loc;, a name of Sem. origin, prop.
denoting 'the man who carne from the East'.
Cp. Heb. qMem (fr. base qadm-), 'East', qiddlm,
'he was in front, met', qadmon, 'eastern; ancient', Ugar. qdm, 'front', Arab. qddama, Ethiop.
qadama, 'he prccedec1', Akkad. qudmu, 'front;
former time'. Cp. cadmium, calamine, camillus.
For other mythological names of Hebrew origin
cp. Danae, Danaus, Niobe.
cadre, n., frame, framework; framework of a
regiment. - F., fr. It. quadro, fr. L. quadrus,
'square'. See quadri-.
caduceus, n., the wand of a herald, specif., the
wand of Hermes (Mercury). - L. ciidtlceus,
'herald's staff', fr. Dor. Gk. ziF~xwj~ (corresponding to Att. xr,?f;zt~r,v), of s.m., fr. x:ipG;
(resp. xf.pG~). 'herald', whence xip~crcrt~~ (resp.
u,p)crcrs~~). 'to proclaim' (said of a herald); rei.
to Gk. z:xpxoc(pt~-... 'to resound', and cogn. with
01. carkarti, 'mentions with praise', carkrtil;l,
'praise, glory', kiirul;l, 'singer, poet', OHG.
-hruod, -ruod (in compounds), ON. hroiJr, OE.
hreiJ, 'fame, glory'. Cp. kerygma. Cp. also
rummer.
caducity, n., perishableness. - F. caducite, 'perishableness, frailty', fr. caduc, 'perishable, frail',
fr. L. caducus, 'falling, fallen, inclined to fall',
fr. cadere, 'to fall'. See cadence and -ity.
caducous, adj., perishable. - L. caducus. See
prec. word. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see s uff. -ous.

caesura

cadus, n., a large vessel for liquids. - L., fr. Gk.

xcilloc;. See cade, 'a small barrel'.
caecal, adj., pertaining to the caecum (anat.) Formed fr. caecum with adj. suff. -at.
Derivative: caecal-ly, adv.
Caecias, n., personification of the northeast
wind. - L. caeciiis, fr. Gk. xoc~x[ic;, 'northeast
wind', lit. 'the dark one', cogn. with L. caecus,
'blind'; see next word. For sense development
cp. Aquila.
caecum, n., the blind gut (anat.) - L., neut. of
the adj. caecus, 'blind', in ML. colon caecum,
'blind gut', a medical term traceable to the
definition of the blind gut as -rou ev-ripou -:ucpA6v't't (lit. 'some blind part of the intestine'), given
by Aristotle in his work De partibus animalium,
3, 14. L. caecus is cogn. with Gk. xa:tx[fic;,
'northeast wind', lit. 'the dark one' (cp. L.
Aqui/6, 'north wind', fr. aqui/us, 'dark'), OI.
kekaral;l, 'squinting', Olr. caech, 'one-eyed',
Mlr. let-chaech, 'squinting', W. coeg, 'empty',
coeg-ddall, 'one-eyed', Goth. haihs, 'one-eyed'.
Cp. Caecias, cecity, and the second element in
pichiciago.
Caeoma,n.,a form genus of rusts (bot.)-ModL.,
fr. Gk. xocLstv, which prob. stands for xcif-lst~,
'to burn', whence xocua-r6c;, 'burnt', xocuanx6c;,
'capable of burning' (see caustic); so called
because of its fiery-red color.
Caesar, masc. PN.- L., of uncertain origin. Cp.
czar, kaiser.
Derivatives: Caesar-ism, n., Caesar-ize, tr. and
intr. v.
Caesarean, adj., 1) pertaining to Caesar; 2) pertaining to the Caesarian section. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Caesareus, fr. Caesar. See
Caesar.
Caesarean section, Caesarean operation. - So
called from the belief that Julius Caesar was
thus delivered. This belief is refuted by the fact
that the mother of Caesar was still alive at
the time of the Gallic wars, whereas, on the
other hand, we know that in antiquity this
operation was never performed on the living
mother.
Caesarian, adj., Caesarean. - L. Caesariiinus,
fr. Caesar. See Caesar, Caesarean.
Caesarism, caesarism, n., an absolute government resembling that of Caesar; imperialism. F. cesarisme, coined by the French man of letters and dramatist Auguste Romieu (I Boo-1855)
fr. Cesar (fr. L. Caesar) and suff. -isme. See
Caesar and -ism.
caesious, adj., grayish blue. - L. caesius, 'bluish
gray', of uncertain etymology. It possibly derives fr. *qaid-to-, or *qait-to-, 'bright, shining',
and is rei. to caelum, 'ceiling'. See celestial and
cp. words there referred to. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
caesium, n.- Sec cesium.
caesura, n., break in a verse (pros.)- L., 'a cutting', formed fr. caesus, pp. of caedere, 'to cut'.

cafard

See cement and cp. words there referred to.

Derivatives: caesur-a/, caesur-ic, adjs.
cafard, n., a hypocrite. - F., 'hypocrite', fr.
Arab. kdfir, 'infidel', part. of kdfara, 'he blotted
out, covered; he denied', with substitution of
the French pejorative suff. -ard for the unusual
ending -ir. See Kaffir and -ard.
cafardise, n., hypocrisy. - F.. 'hypocrisy', formed fr. prec. word with suff. -ise.
cafe, n., I) coffee; 2) coffeehouse; restaurant. F., fr. It. caffe, fr. Turk. qahvi, fr. Arab. qdhva",
'wine; coffee'. See coffee.
cafeteria, n., a restaurant at which the patrons
serve themselves from the food displayed at a
counter.- Mexican Sp., meaning 'retail coffee
store'. Cp. F. cafetiere and see prec. word.
caffeine, caffein, n., an alkaloid obtained from
coffee and tea (chem.) - F. caft!ine, fr. cafe,
'coffee'. See coffee and chem. suff. -ine, resp. -in.
cafila, n., a convoy of travelers, caravan.- Arab.
qt'ifilah, fern. used as a collective noun fr. qtifil,
'one who returns from a journey', part. of qdfala, 'he returned from a journey'.
cafiz, n., a measure of capacity. - Sp., fr. Arab.
qafiz, a measure for corn.
caftan, n., a long-sleeved garment worn in Turkey, Egypt, etc.-Turk. qaftiin, fr. Arab. qafttin,
fr. Pers. khaftiin.
cage, n. - F., fr. L. cavea, 'an excavated place,
a hollow, cavity; enclosure for animals, cage',
fr. cavus, 'hollow'. Cp. It. gabbia, 'basket for
fowls, coop',gaggia, 'basket', OProven<;. gabia,
'prison', Sp. gavia, 'a place where madmen
are confined', which all derive fr. L. cavea, and
see cave, n. Cp. also cabinet, cadger, cajole,
decoy, gabion, jail.
Derivatives: cage, tr. v., eag-er, n.
Cagot, n., one of an outcast race in southern
France. --- F., 'bigot, hypocrite', from cagot,
'leper', a word of the Bearn dialect, derived fr.
L. caciire, 'to stool' (see cack), used in a pejorative sense to denote the leper, the hypocrite,
the deceiver, etc.
cahier, n., a number of sheets of paper stitched
together, a report.-F., fr. OF.quaer, caer, caier,
fr. VL. quaternum, 'four sheets of paper', fr. L.
quaterni, 'four together, four each'. See quire,
'sheets of paper'.
cahnite, n., a hydrous calcium boroarsenate
(mineral.)- Named after L. Cahn, of Colorado
(U.S.A.) For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
caiman, n.- See cayman.
Cain, n., in the Bible, the oldest son of Adam and
Eve. - L., fr. Gk. K-J.~I, fr. Heb. Qdyin, lit.
'created, creature', from stem q-y-n, 'to form,
fashion', whence also qdyin, 'weapon', lit. 'that
which is formed by the craftsman'. The same
base appears in Aram. qena'd, Syr. qeniiyd,
'worker in metal', and in Arab. qayn, 'craftsman,
worker in steel or another metal, smith'. These
words are rei. to He b. qtind", 'he created, formed
made' (for this meaning see Gen. 14:19 and 22,

220

Deut. 32:6, Ps. 139:13, Prov. 8:22), whence

developed the meanings 'he got, acquired; he
bought'. This relationship between the name
Qdyin and the verb qiindh accounts best for the
fact that in Gen. 4: r Eve explains the name
Qdyin with the word qiinlthi. This word is usually
translated, 'I have gotten', but it is more probable that its sense here is 'I have formed', 'I
have made'. See U. Cassuto, A Commentary on
the Book of Genesis, Part One, From Adam to
Noah, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1961,
pp. 196-202. Cp. Elkanah, kinah.
caique, n., a light rowing or sailing boat, used
esp. on the Bosporus. - F., fr. It. caicco, fr.
Turk. kayik.
caird, n., a wandering tinker (Scot.)- Gael., lr.
ceard, 'tinker', rei. to. Oir. cerd, 'smith; poet',
W. cerdd. 'song', and prob. cogn. with Gk.
xspao~. 'gain, profit'.
cairn, n., a heap of stones. - Gael. earn, gen.
cairn, 'heap', rei. toW. and Ir. earn, of s.m. Cp.
the first element in cairngorm.
cairngorm, n., a yellow crystal.- From the name
of the Scottish mountain Cairngorm, where it is
found. This name is compounded of cairn and
Gael. gorm, 'blue'.
caisson, n., box, chest.- F., fr. It. cassone, which
is formed with the augment. suff. -one fr. cassa,
fr. L. capsa, 'chest, box, receptacle'. ~ee case,
'chest', and -oon and cp. capsule.
Derivative: caisson-ed, adj.
caitiff, n., a mean person, a coward; adj., mean,
cowardly.- ME~caitif, 'captive, miserable', fr.
ONF. caitif, which corresponds to OF. chaitif,
'captive; wretched' (whence F. chitif, 'weak,
sickly; miserable, wretched'), fr. L. captivus,
'prisoner' (see captive). Caitiff represents the
early borrowing, its doublet captive is a later
scholarly form; both came into English through
the medium of French.
caja, n., a cashier's office. - Sp., 'box, chest,
cashier's office, fr. L. cap sa, 'box, chest', fr. capere,
'to catch, seize, take, receive, hold'. See case,
'box', and cp. cash,' ready money'. Cp. alsoeajeta.
cajaput, cajeput, n. - Variants of cajuput.
cajeta, n., a small chest. - Sp., dimin. of caja,
'box, chest'. See caja.
cajole, tr. and intr. v.- F. cajoler. The word orig.
meant 'to chatter like a jay in a cage' and is an
alteration of gaioler (a word used in the r6th
cent.), fr. Picard gaiole, 'cage', fr. Late L.
caveola, 'cage', dimin. of L. cavea, 'cage'; see
cage. The change of gaioler to cajoler is due
to the influence of F. cage.
Derivatives: cajole, n., cajole-ment, n., cajol-er,
n., cajol-er-y, n., cajol-ing, adj., cajol-ing-ly,adv.
Cajun, n., a native of Louisiana, supposed to be
of Acadian French descent. - Corruption of
Acadian.
cajuput, n., an East Indian tree. - Malay kiiyuputih, lit., 'white tree', fr. kiiyu, 'tree', and
putih, 'white'.

221

cake, n.- ME., fr. ON. kaka, rei. to MDu. krJke,

Du. koek, its dimin. koekje, OHG. chuohho,
kuocho, MHO. kuoche, G. Kuchen; prob. of
imitative origin. The a-o gradation of these
words testifies to their Teut. origin (cp. ON.
taka, 'take', t6k, 'took'). They are not related
to cook. Cp. cooky, kuchen. Cp. also Cockaigne.
Derivatives: cake, v., cak-y, adj.
Cakile, n., a genus of plants of the mustard family
(bot.) - F., fr. Arab. qiiqullii, also qiiqul!ah,
name of a plant.
Calabar bean. - Named after Calabar on the
west coast of Africa.
calabash, n., a tropical tree of the bignonia
family and its gourdlike fruit. - F. calebasse,
fr. Sp. calabaza, corruption of Arab. qdr'an
ytibisan, 'dry gourd'.
calaber, n., a kind of squirrel fur.- Fr. Calabre,
French name of Calabria, the southeastern
peninsula of Italy.
calaboose,n., a prison (Southernpartofthe U.S.A.)
- Sp. calabozo, 'prison, cell', prob. fr. VL. *calafodium, which is compounded of pre-Latin
*calar, 'a protected place, cave', and L. fodere,
'to dig'. See fosse.
Caladium, n., a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.) - ModL., coined by Rumph in 1750 fr.
Malay kaliidi, 'a kind of arum'.
Calamagrostis, n., the reed bent grass (bot.) ModL., compounded of Gk. z&kqw<;, 'a reed',
and Giypwcr-rL~, 'a grass'. See Calamus and
Agrostis.
calamaneo, n., a woolen cloth. - Cp. ML. calamacus, calamancus, Sp. calamaco, G. Kalamank,
Kalmank; of uncertain origin.
calamander wood, calamander, n., wood of a tree
growing in Ceylon. - Corruption of Coromandel, name of part of the eastern coast of
southern India.
calamary, n., squid.- L. ca/amiirius, 'pertaining
to a pen', fr. calamus, 'reed, pen', fr. Gk. x&A~
iJ.O~, prob. an assimilated form of orig. *x6hiJ.O<;, and, accordingly, cognate with L. culmus,
'stock, stem'. See culm, 'stem of grasses', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the first
element in calamint, caramel.
calamine, n., a kind of zinc ore. - F., fr. ML.
calamina, fr. L. cadmia, fr. Gk. x~lliJ.eli, 'calamine', fr. KafLo~, 'Cadmus', the founder of
Thebes; so called because this mineral was found
first in the vicinity of Thebes. See Cadmus,
cadmium.
calamint, n., an aromatic plant.- ME. ca/ament,
fr. OF. calament. fr. ~L. calamentum, fr. L. calaminthe, fr. Gk. x~A~iJ.lv&r,, which is compounded
of xhiJ.o~, 'reed', and fLLv&r,, 'minth'. See
calamary and mint, 'an aromatic herb'. For the
contraction of *z~AOCiJ.O-iJ.w-&1) into xocA<XfLtv&-tj
see haplology.
calamitous, adj., producing calamity, disastrous.
-F. calamiteux (fern. -euse), fr. L. calamit6sus,
haplological contraction of caliimitiitosus, fr.

calceate

caliimitiis. See next word and -ous.

Derivatives: calamitous-ly, adv., calamitousness, n.
calamity, n., misery; disaster.- F. calamite, fr.
L. caliimitiitem, ace. of caliimitiis, 'damage, injury, loss, misfortune', with the primary meaning 'blow', rei. to in-columis, 'unimpaired, uninjured', fr. I.-E. base *qel(ii)-, *qol(ii)-,'to strike,
beat', whence also Gk. xAiv, 'to break', xA'fjpo<;,
Dor. xAiiipo<;, prop. 'little piece of wood lopped
off (used for casting lots)', hence 'a casting of
lots'. See holt and cp. words there referred to.
calamus, n., reed. - L. See ealamary.
calando, adv. and adj., growing slower (mus.) It., fr. calare, 'to let down, lower', fr. L. caliire, chaliire, 'to let down', fr. Gk. xocAocv, 'to
let down, loosen'.
Calanthe, n., a genus of orchids (bot.)- ModL.,
compounded of Gk. xocA6<;, 'beautiful', and
&v.&o<;, 'flower'. See calo- and anther.
calapite, n., mass found in coconuts.- Fr. Malay
kalapa, 'coco tree'.
calash, n., a kind of carriage. - F. caleche, fr.
Czech kolesa, 'wheels, carriage', pl. of koleso,
'wheel', fr. kolo, 'wheel', which is rei. to OPruss.
kelan, 'wheel', and cogn. with Gk. XIJK),o<;,
'circle', OE. hweogol, hweol, 'wheel'. See wheel
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: calash, tr. v.
Calathea, n., a genus of plants of the arrowroot
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x&:Aoc-&o<;, 'basket' (see next word); so called from the shape
of the flowers.
calathus, n., a basket (Greek antiq.)- L., fr. Gk.
xAoc-9-o<;, 'basket', prop. meaning 'a plaited
basket', and rei. to :.cAw&eLv, 'to spin'. See Clotho
and cp. Clostridium.
calcaneum, n., one of the bones of the tarsus
(anat.) - L. calcaneum (rarely calcaneus),
'heel', a derivative of calx, gen. calcis, of s.m.
See Calceolaria, and cp. calk, 'to stop up the
seams of a ship with oakum'.
calcaneus, n., one of the bones of the tarsus (anal.)
-See prec. word.
calcareous, adj., pertaining to, or containing,
lime or calcium. - L. calciirius, 'pertaining to
lime', fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'limestone, lime,
pebble', a loan word fr. Gk. x*i,\?;, 'small stone,
pebble', which pro b. derives fr. I.-E. *(s)q(h)eliq-, enlargement of base *(s)qel-, 'to cut, cleave,
split'. See colter and cp. silica. Cp. also calcine,
calculate, calculus, calx, cauk, causeway, causey,
chalk, chaussee.- The right spelling oft he word
would be calcarious (a form now obsolete), the
English correspondence of L. -iirius being
-arious (or -ary).
Derivatives: calcareous-ly, adv., calcareous-ness,
n.
calceate, adj., shod (said of members of religious
orders). - L. calcetuus, pp. of calceiire, 'to
furnish with shoes', fr. calceus. See Calceolaria
and adj. suff. -ate and cp. discalceate.

calced

222

Davy (1788-I82 9) fr. L. calx, calcis, 'lime'. See

calced, adj., calceate. - Formed with sutf. -ed
calx, calcareous.
fr. L. calceus, 'shoe'. See next word.
calculable, adj. - F. calculable, fr. calculer, 'to
Calceolar ia, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
compute, reckon, calculate' , fr. L. calculiire. See
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. calceo/arius, 'shoecalculate 'and -able.
of
dimin.
shoe',
little
'a
calceolus,
fr.
maker',
Derivativ es: calculabil-ity, n., calculabl-y, adv.
calceus, 'shoe', fr. co.~lx, gen. calc is, 'heel', which
calculary, adj., pertaining to calculi (med.) is rei. to calcar, 'spur', caliga, 'military shoe or
Formed with adj. sutf. -ary fr. L. calculus, 'stone,
,
calcitriire
down',
tread
sandal', inca/care, 'to
pebble; stone in the bladder or kidneys'. See
'to kick, be stubborn ', and cogn. with OSlav.
calculus and cp, L. calcularius, 'pertainin g to
kluka, 'knee', Lith. kulnas, kulnis, 'heel', Lith.
n'.
calculatio
kul(k)kulse, kU/sis, OPruss. culczi, 'hip', Lith.
calculate, tr. v. - L. calculiitus, pp. of calculiire,
sis, kulkSnis, 'ankle, hock'. All these words
'to reckon, compute, calculate' , fr. calculus, a
prob. meant orig. 'somethin g bent' and derive
stone, pebble, stone used in reckoning ,
small
fr. I.-E. base *(s)qel-, 'crooked, bent', whence
', dimin. of calx, gen. calcis, 'small
rc:koning
'limb,
x(;}f.ov,
e',
'thighbon
xwf.lj,
xwf.~ii,
also Gk.
stone used in gaming, counter'.
pebble,
stone,
and
member'. See colon, 'punctuat ion mark',
See calculus and cp, words there referred to.
cp. calcaneum, caliga, calk, 'to stop up the
Derivativ es: calculat-ed, adj., calculat-ing, adj.,
seams of a ship with oakum', calk, 'to copy',
calculation (q.v.), calculat-ive, adj., calculator
catkin, caltrop, cockatric e, discalceate, inculcalculatory (q.v.)
(q.v.),
called
was
plants
of
genus
This
te.
recalcitra
cate,
calculation, n. - L. calculiitio, gen. -6nis, 'reckCalceo/aria from the slipperlik e appearan ce of
oning, calculatio n', fr. calculiitus, pp. of calcuthe flower.
liire. See calculate and -ion.
the
of
r
soothsaye
Thestor,
Calchas, n., son of
Derivativ e: calculation-al, adj.
Greeks before Troy (Greek mythol.) - L. Calcalculator, n., 1) one who calculates ; 2) a calchiis, fr. Gk. Kocf.xiic;, a name of uncertain etyculating machine .- L. calculator, 'a computer ',
mology.
fr. L. calculiitus, pp. of calcukire. Sec calculate
calci-, combinin g form denoting 'lime' or 'caland agential suff. -or.
calcis,
gen.
calx,
of
stem
cium'. - L. calci-,
calculatory, adj. -- L. calculiitorius, 'pertainin g
'lime'. See calcareous.
to reckoning ', fr. calculiitus, pp. of calculiire.
calcic, adj., pertaining to lime or calcium. -Sec calculate and adj. suff. -ory and cp. prec.
calcis,
gen.
Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. calx,
word.
'lime'. See calcareous.
calculus, n., I) a method in calculatio n (math.);
calciferous, adj., containin g carbonate of lime.-2) a stonelike concretio n in the body (med.)Lit. 'lime-bea ring', compoun ded of calci- and
calculus, 'small stone, pebble, stone in the
L.
-ferous.
See
carry'.
bear,
'to
L. ferre,
or kidneys: counter used in playing
bladder
petrichalk;
calcification, n., conversio n into
drafts; stone used in reckoning ', dimin. of calx,
faction, ossification. - Sec calci- and -ficagen. calcis, 'small stone, pebble, stone used in
tion.
gaming, counter'. Sec calcareous and cp. calcalcify, tr. v., to make calcareou s; intr. v., to
culate.
calciSee
calcifier.
F.
s.
calcareou
become
caldarium, n., the hot room in the Roman bath.and -fy.
L., prop. neut. of the adj. calidiirius, caldiirius,
calcination, n., the act or process of calcining. g to warming' , used as a noun, fr.
'pertainin
and
word
next
See
calcine'.
F., fr. calciner, 'to
See next word.
'hot'.
calidus,
-ation.
n.- ONF. cauderon, caudron
cauldron,
caldron,
to
2)
heat;
by
calx
tO
reduce
to
!)
v.,
calcine, tr.
OF. chauderon, F. chaudron),
to
nding
(correspo
calciniire,
burn to ashes. -- F. calciner, fr. ML.
formed fr. OF. caudicre (F. chaudiere), fr. Late
'to reduce to lime', fr. L. calx, gen. calcis, 'lime'.
L. caldiiria, 'caldron', fr. L. calidiirius, caldiirius,
See calcareous.
'pertainin g to warming' , fr. calidus, caldus, 'hot',
calciphylaxis, n., increased sensitivity to calfr. calere, 'to be warm', which derives fr. I.-E.
by
coined
hybrid
L.
Medical
-A
cium (med.)
base *kel-, '\varm ,whence also Lith. s[lu, Silti, 'to
the
of
Dr. Hans Sclyc (born in 1907), professor
become warm', siitas, 'warm", silus, more exactUniversit y of Montreal , fr. calcium, a word of
ly Silius, 'August' (lit. 'the warm month"), W.
watching,
'a
Latin origin, and Gk. y)i.x~~~.
clyd, 'warm' (whence M\V. claer, cluyar,
guarding' , Sec phylaxis.
'warm'), OI. iardd-, 'autumn', Avestic sart/j,
.)(mineral
carbonate
calcite, n., native calcium
'year', ModPers. siil, of s.m. Cp. It. caldaia,
G. Calcit, a hybrid coined by the Austrian
Rum. ciildare, OProven<;. caudera, Catal. calvon
Karl
Wilhelm
geologist
and
ist
mineralog
Sp. cnldera, Port. cald?ira, 'caldron', which
dira,
calcis,
gen.
calx,
Haidinge r (I 795 I 87 I) fr. L.
fr. VL. ca/dtiria. Cp. calefaci~nt, caderive
all
'lime', and sutf. -it, fr. Gk. -hr,~. See calcareous
e, callant, calorescence, calocalescenc
lenture,
-ite.
suff.
and subst.
clialdron, chauffeur, chawdron,
chafe,
caudle,
ric,
ModL.,
(chem.)
calcium, a metallic element
chowder, rechaulfe, scald, nonchalant. For pro b.
ined hv the English chemist Sir Humphre y

223
derivatives of base *f<leu-, enlargem ent of base
*kef-, 'warm', sec lee.
Caleb, n., masculine PN.; in the Bible, one of the
twelve men sent by Moses to spy out the land
of Canaan. - Reb. Kiilibh, prop. 'like a dog',
fr. kelebh, 'dog'. Cp. Noldcke in ZDMG., 40,
p. I64, Note 1. Cp. Aram. kalbd, Ugar. klb,
Ethiop, ka/b, Akkad. kalbu, 'dog'.
calefacient, adj., producin g heat, heating (med.)
- L. calefaciens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of calefacere, 'to make warm', compoun ded of calere,
'to be warm', and facere, 'to make, do'. See
caldron and fact.
Derivativ e: calefacient, n.
calefactor y, adj., making warm.- Formed with
adj. sutf. -ory fr. calefactus, pp. of calefacere, 'to
make warm'. See prec. word.
calembour, n., pun. -F., of uncertain origin.
calendar, n.- L. calendiirium, 'an account book',
fr. calendae, kalendae, 'the first day of the
month' (sec calends). The account book was
called calendiirium, because it contained the first
days of the months, on which the accounts were
due.
Derivativ es: calendar, tr. v., calendar-er, n.,
calendar-ial, adj., calendar-ian, adj. and n.,
calendar-ic, adj.
calender, n., a mendican t dervish. - Pers.
qalender.
calender, n., machine with rollers for pressing
cloth.- F. calandre, 'calender, roller, mangle',
fr. earlier *co/andre, fr. VL. *colendra, fr. Gk.
xuf.Lv3po~, 'roller, cylinder'. See cylinder.
calender, tr. v. - F. calandrer, fr. calandre. See
prec. word.
Derivativ e: calender-a, n.
calends, kalends, n. pl., the first day of the ancient Roman month. - ME. kalendes, fr. OE.
calend, 'month', fr. L. calendae, kalendae, 'the
first day of the month', fr. caliire, 'to call, proclaim', which is rei. to Umbr. kaferu, kafitu,
carsitu ( = L. caliit6), 'thou shalt (or he shall)
call', and cogn. with Gk. xcxf.w, 'I call', x~f.cx3o~.
'noise, din', xeb:P'J~<:Lv, 'to rush, purl', xf.wp
(Hesychius), 'sound, voice', Lett. ka(uot, 'to
chatter', OHG. hal6n, 'to call', hellan, 'to resound', hell, 'resoundi ng', Olr. cailech, W. ceiliog, Co. chelioc, Bret. kil'ek, 'cock', Lith. kalba,
'language ', kalbiisyri, 'to chatter', Lett. kalada,
'shouting , noise', OPruss. kalrzii, kelsiii, 'it
sounds', the second clement in OI. u$ii-kala/:r,
'cock', Toch. B kal(n)-, AB kiil(n)-, 'to resound'.
All these words are derivatives of the I.-E. imi!ative base *kel-, *kal-, 'to shout, resound'. Cp.
calendar, Calendula, intercalar y, conciliate,
council. Cp. also claim, v., clear, ecclesia. Cp.
also low, 'to make the sound of a cow'.
Calendula, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. calendae, hence
lit. meaning 'the plant blossomin g at the time
of calends'. See prec. word and -ule.
calenture, n., tropical fever. - Sp. calentura, fr.

calicular

L. calens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of calere, 'to be

hot'. See caldron.
Derivativ es: calenture, tr. v., calentur-al, adj.
calepin, n., a dictionary . - Named after Ambrogio Calepino ( 1435- I 5 II), author of a famous
Latin-Ital ian dictionary .
calescence, n., increasing heat. -See next word
and -ce and cp. calorescence.
calescent, adj,, growing warm; increasing in
heat. - L. ca/escens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of
caliscere, 'to grow hot', inchoativ e of calere,
'to be hot'. Sec caldron and -ent and cp. incalescent, recalescent.
calf, n., young of a cow, etc. - ME. calf, kalf,
fr. OE. cealf, rei. to OS., MDu. calf, ON. kiilfr,
Dan. kalv, Swed., Du. kalf, OHG. chalp, kalb,
MHG. kalp, G. Kalb, Goth. kalbo, 'calf', OHG.
kilbur (neut.), kilburra (fern.), OE. cilforlamb,
ceolforlamb, 'ewe lamb', fr. I.-E. base *gwefbh-,
*gwo[bh-, 'womb; young of an animal', whence
also 01. gdrbha/:r, Avestic ga~~wa-, 'womb', Gk.
3ef.<puc;, 3of.<p6c; (in Hesychius), 'womb', &3ef.<p6c;, 'brother' (lit. 'from the same womb'),
Avcstic g<r<bush, 'the young of an animal'. Cp.
adelpho-, dolphin, and the second element in
dagoba. Cp. also chilver.
calf, n., the fleshy part of the leg. '- ON. kii/fi,
'calf of the leg', generally supposed to be rei. to
kiilfr, 'young of a cow', hence derivatively identical with prec. word, but prob. not related to
it, but cogn. with 01. gulphds, 'ankle (bone)'.
Caliban, n., a brutal man. -Fr. Caliban, a character in Shakespe are's Tempest. The name is
prob. a blend of Cariban and cannibal. The
associatio n between these two words is so much
the more natural because the latter is a derivative of the former.
Derivativ e: Caliban-ism, n.
caliber, calibre, n., the diameter of the bore of a
gun.- F. calibre, fr. It. ca/ibro, fr. Arab. qdlib,
'mold, model', fr. Gk. xi),Qrr6/hov, 'shoemak er's
last', dim in. of xif.On:r;uc;, gen. xi),6n:Q3oc;, of
s.m., lit. 'a foot of wood', fr. :.6),ov, 'wood', esp.
'wood for burning', and :-:u)c;, gen. n;r;36c;, 'foot',
Gk. xiif.ov is contracte d fr. *x/y_f-s).r;-v or *x::i..=cx).o-v, a derivative of %xleLv (for *;df!ELv), 'to
burn'; see caustic. For the second element see
foot and cp. -pod. Gk. xiif.Qn:63Lov came into
Arabic through the medium of the Aramaic.
calibrate, tr. v., to determine the caliber of. A hybrid coined fr. caliber and -ate, a sutf. of
Latin origin.
Derivativ e: calibrat-ion, n.
calicle, n., a small cup-shape d cavity (zoo/.) L. caliculus, 'a small cup', dimin. of calix, gen.
calicis, 'cup'. See calyx and cp. calycle, calyculus.
calico, n., cotton cloth.- Named after Ca/icur in
the East Indies whence it was first imported .
Calico orig. meant 'cotton cloth from India'.
calicular, adj., shaped like a caliclc. - Formed
with adj. suff. -ar fr. L. caliculus, 'a small cup'.
SI-c'. calicle.

californium

californium, n., a radioactive element (chem.) ModL., named after the University of California. For the ending see chem. suff. -ium.
caliga, n., a heavy military shoe (Roman antiq.)
- L., rel. to calx, gen. calcis, 'heel', calcar,
'spur', calceus, 'shoe'. See Calceolaria.
caliginous, adj., dim, dark. - L. ciiligin6sus, fr.
ciilig6, gen. cii/iginis, 'darkness', fr. I.-E. base
*qiil-, 'black, spotted', whence also Gk. KIJ:Af~,
Dor. x.cD.t~. 'stain, spot, blemish', X.'t):Ax; (in
Hesychius), 'cloud wanting water', OSlav. kalii,
'mud, dirt', Olr. caile, 'spot', but OI. kiila/.1,
'black; cuckoo', kali(fem.), 'black color, night',
are not derived from this base (see Albert
Thumb, Handbuch des Sanskrit, II, p. 202). Cp.
the related base *qel-, 'black, spotted', whence
Gk. xei.xt~6;, 'black'. See Celaeno and cp.
Columba, columbine. For the ending sec suff. -ous.
Derivatives: caliginous-ly, adv., caliginousness, n.
caliginosity, n., dimness, darkness. - Formed
with suff. -ity fr. L. ciiligin6sus. See prec. word.
caligo, n., dimness of sight (med.) - L. ciilig6,
'darkness'. See caliginous.
caliology, n., the study of birds' nests. - Compounded of Gk. xxi.i:&, 'hut, nest', and -),oylii,
fr. -).oyo~, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. The
first element is rei. to x.x):~~'t), 'hut, cabin',
zx:A)r:-.eL~, 'to cover, hide, conceal', and cogn.
with L. cella, 'storeroom, granary', celiire, 'to
hide, keep secret', occulere, 'to cover, conceal';
see cell and words there referred to and cp. esp.
kalidium. For the second element sec -logy.
Derivatives: caliolog-ic-al, adj., caliolog-ist, n.
calipash, n., the edible greenish substance found
next to the upper shell of a turtle. - Prob.
alter. of carapace.
calipec, n., the edible yellowish substance found
next to the lower shell of a turtle. - Prob.
alter. of calipash.
Variant spellings of
caliper, calliper, n. caliiJer. Derivatives: caU/)iper, tr. and intr. v.,
cal(/)iper-er, n.
caliph, calif, n., title of the successors of Mohammed. - ME. caliplzc, califfe, fr. F. caliphe, fr.
Arab. klwlijah, 'successor', fr. khdlafa, 'he succeeded', which is rei. to Hcb. l;iildph, 'he passed
on, passed away, changed', Aram. f:uildph, of
s.m., Syr. l;iilaph, 'he changed, substituted',
Fthiop. khalaja, 'he passed by, passed across'.
Cp. Collybia.
caliphate, n., office of a caliph. - Not the transliteration of Arab. khildfah, but a hybrid coined
fr. prcc. word and -ate, a sufT. of Latin origin.
Lit. 'most beautiCali~ta, Callista, fern. PN. ful', fr. Gk. z'J.i.i.[r;-:r, fern. of zcl.i.i.L<J'C'><;. Sec
Callisto.
calisthenic, callisthenic, adj., pertaining to, or
promoting, calisthenics. - Sec next word and
-ic.
calisthenics, callisthenics, n. pI., 1) light gymnas-

225

224
tics tending to promote grace and health; 2) (construed as a singular) the art of such gymnastics.
- Compounde d of Gk. x&A:Ao~, 'beauty', and
a&8~o<;, 'strength'. Gk. x&:AI.o~ derives fr. xx:l-6~,
'beautiful'; see calo-. For the second element
sec sthenic and cp. asthenia, neurasthenia. For
the ending of calisthenics see suff. -ics.
calk, caulk, tr. v., to stop up the seams of a ship
with oakum. - The original meaning was 'to
tread', fr. ME. cauken, fr. ONF. cauquier, corresponding to OF. cauchier, chauchier (F. cocher),
'to tread', fr. L. calciire, 'to tread', fr. calx, gen.
calcis, 'heel'. See Calceolaria and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: calk, tr. v., calk-er, n., calk-ing, n.
calk, calque, tr. v., to copy. - F. calquer, 'to
trace, make a drawing', fr. It. calcare, lit. 'to
trample, tread', fr. L. calciire, 'to tread', whence
also OF. cauchier, chauchier. Accordingly calk,
'to copy', is derivatively identical with calk, 'to
stop up with oakum' (q.v.)
calk, n., projections at the ends of horseshoes to
prevent slipping. - Back formation fr. calkin.
calkin, n., calk (in the sense of prcc. word). OF. calcain, fr. L. calcaneum, 'heel', fr. calx,
gen. calcis, 'heel'. See calcaneum.
call, intr. and tr. v. - ME. callen, fr. OE. ceallian, 'to shout', rei. to ON. kalla, 'to shout,
sing', Du. kal/en, 'to talk', OHG. ka/l6n, 'to
call', and cogn. with Mlr. gall, 'glory; swan',
W. galw, 'to call', OSlav. glasu (for *golsu),
'voice', Czech and Slovak hlas, of s.m., OSlav.
glasiti, 'to cry, announce', Czech hlasiti, Slovak hldsit', of s.m., OSlav. glagolii, 'word',
Czech and Slovak hlahol, 'loud talk', OS!av.
glagolati, 'to speak', Czech hlaholiti, Slovak
hlaholit', 'to sound'. Cp. Glagolitic.
Derivatives: call, n., call-able, adj., caller (q.v.),
call-ing, n.
Calla, n., a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. calla, calsa, name of a
plant.
callant,n., boy (Seal.) -Du.kalant (now klant),
'customer', fr. NF. caland, correspondin g
to OF. chalant (F. chaland), 'customer', fr. OF.
chaloir, 'to be interested in', fr. L. calere, 'to be
warm', in VL. meaning also 'to be overheated,
become interested' (cp. It. calere, Sp. caler, 'to
import, matter'). See caldron and cp. nonchalant.
caller, n., one who calls. - Formed from the
verb call with agential sufT. -er.
caller, adj., fresh (Seal.)- Of uncertain origin.
Callicarpa, n., a genus of plants of the vervain
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
zcl.i.i.'>t;, 'beauty', and ;e.r.p;-;6<;, 'fr1it'. The first
element derives fr. z'1.i.0t;, 'beautiful'; sec calo-.
The second element is cogn. with L. carpere, 'to
pluck'; sec carpel.
Callicebus, n., a genus of South American monkeys (zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
x'*Mo~, 'beauty' (fr. xxM<;, 'beautiful'), and

kiilst, kiilstu, 'to dry up'. For the ending see

'a long-tailed monkey'. For the
suff. -ity.
first element see calo-, for the second see
callous, adj., hardened. - L. call6sus, 'hardcowhage.
skinned', fr. callus, callam, 'hardened skin'. Sec
calligraph, n., a specimen of calligraphy .- Gk.
prec. word.
xx:AA~yp&tpo~, 'a calligrapher' . See calligraphy.
Derivatives: callous-ly, adv., callous-ness, n.
Derivative: calligraph-er, n.
callow, adj., unfledged; immature. - ME. cocalligraphic, adj.- Gk. xoc:A:Atypoctptx6~, 'pertainlowe, fr. OE. calu, 'bare, bald', rei. to MDu. calu,
ing to calligraphy', fr. x.x:A:Atypxq;l&. See next
Du. kaal, OHG. kala, kalawer, MHG. kal,
word and -ic.
kalwer, G. kahl, of s.m., and cogn. with OSlav.
Derivatives: calligraphic-a/, adj., calligraphicgolu, 'naked', OSiav. glava, Lith. galva, OPruss.
al-ly, adv.
gallii, 'head'.
calligraphy, n., beautiful writing. - Gk. x.x:A:AtDerivatives: callow, n., callow-er, n.
ypocq;lii, fr. xx:A:Atyp&tpo~. 'a calligrapher ', which
Calluna, n., a genus of plants of the heath family
is compounded of x.&:A:Ao~, 'beauty' and -yp&q;o<;,
(bot.). - ModL., fr. Gk. x:x:AMvetv, 'to brush,
fr. yp&tpew, 'to write'. The first element derives
lit. 'to make beautiful', fr. xx:A:Ao<;,
sweep',
second
the
For
calo-.
see
;
fr. xx:Ao<;, 'beautiful'
'beauty', fr. xx:l-6<;, 'beautiful' (see calo-); so
element see -graphy.
called because its twigs were used as brooms.
Calliope, n., the Muse presiding over epic poetry
n., hardened skin (med.) - L. see calcallus,
'the
lit.
(Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. Kx:A:At6T:'t),
losity.
beautiful-voiced one', compounded of x&A:Ao<;,
calm, n.- F. calme, 'tranquil, quiet', fr. It. cal'beauty', and otjl, gen. rm6<;, 'voice'. The first
ma, 'absence of wind, tranquillity', fr. Gk. xxuelement derives fr. x.xM<;, 'beautiful'; see calo-.
fLOC, 'burning heat of the sun', whence arose the
The second element stands for fr. *f6tjl, fr. I.-E.
'tranquillity of the sea during oppresmeaning
flir.o<;),
(Cypriote
*woqw-s, whence also Gk.lir.o<;
sive heat'. Gk. x.ocufLx derives fr. *x.xf-, the stem
'word', L. vox, 'voice, sound, tone, call'. See
of x.xlet~. 'to burn'. See caustic and cp. words,
voice and cp. epic, epos.
there referred to. Cp. also chOmage.
calliper, n. -See caliper.
Derivatives: calm, adj. and v., calm-er, n., calmCallirrhoe, n., 1) the wife of Alcmaeon; 2) the
adv., calm-ness, n.
ly,
fr.
L.,
mythol.)name of a sea nymph (Greek
calmative, adj., calming. - F. calmatif (fern.
Gk. Kx:A:Atpp6'1J, fern. of xxnlppoo;, 'beautifully
calmative); see calm and -ative. This is a hybrid
flowing', compounded of xci.A:Ao<;, 'beauty' (fr.
word (a suff. of L. origin having been added to
x.xA6~, 'beautiful'), and po~, 'a flowing stream,
a word of Gk. origin); it should be superseded
river', which is rei. to ptetv (for *ap8fEtv), 'to
by sedative.
flow', fr. I.-E. base *sreu-, 'to flow', whence alcalo-, combining form meaning 'beautiful'. so-with inserted t-OE. stream, 'flowing;
Gk. xx:Ao-, fr. xxi.O<;, 'beautiful', which is cogn.
river'. See calo- and stream.
with 01. kalyal;, 'healthy'. Cp. calisthenics, CaCallirrhoe, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
lista, Callicarpa, Callicebus, calligraphy, Calfamily (bot.)- Named after the nymph Callirlisto, Calluna, calomel, caloyer, Hemerocallis,
rhoe. See prcc. word.
Hymenocallis, kaleidophone, kaleidoscope.
callisthenic, adj. - See calisthenic.
n., mercurous chloride, HgCl (chem.)calomel,
calisthenics.
See
callisthenics, n.
F., prop. 'beautiful (i.e. white) substance deCallisto, n., a nymph, mother of Areas by Zeus
rived from black', fr. Gk. xxi.6~. 'beautiful, fair',
(Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. Kx:A:Atcr-:~l, fr. x&:AfLt:Ai~. 'black'. See calo- and melancholy.
and
calo-.
see
:1-ta-:ot;, super!. of xxA6r,, 'beautiful';
Calonyction, n., a genus of plants of the morningFor the Greek super!. suff. -La-:o<; cp. &'(',(La-.o~,
glory family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
super!. of 'lyzt, 'near' (see Anchistea), xxxtcr-:o<;,
calo- and Gk. v)x.no~. 'nightly', fr. \r]:;, gen.
super!. of xxx.6s, 'bad' (see kakistocracy), TCpwvux-:6s, 'night'. See night and cp. nycti-.
-cta-:o<;, superl. of 7tpw-.o<;, 'first' (see protista).
Calophyllum, n., a genus of plants of the balsamFor the cognates of this suff. see superl. suff.
tree family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
-est.
calo- and Gk. <p)).i.o~, 'leaf'. See phyllo-.
water
the
weeds,
aquatic
of
Callitriche, n., a genus
calorescence, n., transference of heat rays into
starwort (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x:x:A:Ai-.ptzo~.
light rays ( phys.)- Coined by the British physi'beautiful-ha ired', which is compounded of
John Tyndall (1820-93). The word is incist
'hair'.
zijj,oc;, 'beauty', and &pl~, gen. T~nz6:;,
correctly formed. The correct form would be
The first element derives fr. x:x).os, 'beautiful',
calescence, fr. L. calescens, pres. part. of calesee calo-. For the second element see tricho-.
scere, 'to grow hot', inchoative of calere, 'to be
callosity, n., callousness. - F. callosite, 'hardenhot'. See caldron and -escence and cp. calesing of the skin', fr. L. call6sitiitem, ace. of calcence and calori-.
which
skin',
l6sitiis, fr. callus, callum, 'hardened
calori-, combining form meaning 'heat'. - L.
is prob. cogn. with OI. ki{la/.1 (for *kriJOb), 'calcalori-, fr. calor, 'heat', fr_ calere, 'to be hot'.
losity', Olr. and Mlr_ cawth, calad, W. called,
See caldron.
Lett.
harden',
cool,
'to
'hard', OSlav. kaliti,
x'ij~o~, x.'ijTCo~,

calori-

caloric

226

pp. of calumniarf. See prec. word and agential

suff. -or.
calumnious, adj., slanderous. - L. calumniosus,
fr. calumnia. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: calumnious-ly, adv., calumniousness, n.
calumny, n., slander.- F. calomnie, fr. L. calumnia, 'trickery, artifice, pretense, evasion, false
accusation, false report', for *calvomnia, from
*calvomnos, archaic pres. part. of calvi, 'to devise tricks, deceive', which is prob. cogn. with
Gk. x-r,l.e~~. 'to bewitch, seduce, beguile', Goth.
h6i6n, 'to deceive', ON. hoi, 'praise, fhttcry,
OE. hOI, 'slander', holian, he/ian, 'to slander'.
Cp. challenge. Cp. also cavil. For the form of
the pres. part. *ca/vomnos cp. alumnus.
Calvary, the place of the crucifixion of Jesus; representation of the crucifixion of Jesus. - L.
calvaria, 'skull', translation of Gk. xp6C~(o~ in
the Gospels, rendering Aram. gulgiiltJu:i, 'skull'
( = He b. gulg6leth), a name given to a hill near
Jerusalem (so called from its shape; see Golgotha). L. calvaria is a derivative of calvus,
'bald', which is cogn. with the second element
in OI. dti-kulval}, dti-klirval}, 'utterly bare',
Avestic kaurva-, ModPers. kal, 'bare'. Cp.
Calvatia, calvities.
Cahatia, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. calvus, 'bald'. See Calvary and -ia.
cahe, intr. and tr. v. -- ME. ca/vcn. fr. OE.
cea/fian, fr. cea/f, 'calf'. See calf, 'young of a
cow'.
Calvinism, n., the religious doctrine of John Cahin
( 1509-64). Cp. chauvin. For the ending see suff.
-ism.
Calvinist, n., a follower of Calvin. - See prec.
word and -ist.
Derivative: Calvinist-ic, adj.
calvities, n., baldness (med.)- L., 'baldness', fr.
calvus. Sec Calvary.
calx, n. (chem.), I) lime (obsol.); 2) ashy substance left after a mineral or metal has been
calcined. - L. calx, gen. ca/CI~. 'stone, lime.
See calcareous.
Calycanthus, n., the Carolina allspice (bot.) ModL., compounded of x:ib;;, 'cup, calyx', and
iv&0~, 'flower'. See calyco- and anther.
calyci-, before a vowel calyc-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to, or resembling a calyx'.
- Fr. L calyx, gen. ca/ycis. Sec calyx.
calycle, n., an epicalyx (bot.) - L. calyculus, 'a
l<tl''hlqu.::.
small flower bud', dimin. of calyx, gen. calycis.
cabmet, n., :1 pipe with long stem, smoked by
Sec calyx and cp. calicle.
7\.unh AmcricJn Indians, esp. in token of
Calycocarpu m, n., a genus of plant< of the moonPc-" -- Can. F., fr. :\F., correspondin g to
seed family (bot.). - Modl., compounded of
F. clwlwneau (with change of suff.), fr. L. cazi).;~, gen. x~A'J)UJ:;, ~cup, calyx\ and x~p;-::6~.
iamul. r..:cd'. Sec calamary.
'fruit'. Sec calyco- and carpel and cp. the second
calumniate, tr. v., to slander. - L. calumniiitu.~.
calumfr.
in Callicarpa.
falsely',
element
accuse
'to
calwnnhlrl.
p:->. of
calyculus," n., a small cup-shaped cavity. - L.
niu. St.:~ calumny and verbal suff. -ate.
Sec calycle.
cufuntniat-io n, n., ca/unlnialor
D~ri\ ~t' j ~'CS:
Calypso, n., a nymph, daughter of Atlas (Greek
f(j.V.)
mythof.) - L., fr. Gk. Koc:AutjJC:>, from the stem
calumniato;-, n., slanderer. - L., fr. calumniiitus,

caloric, n., the principle of heat. -F. calorique,

fr. L. calor, 'heat'. See calori- and -ic.
Derivative: caloric-iry, n.
calorie, also calory, n., unit of heat.- See calori-.
Comcalorifacient , adj., heat-produci ng. pounded of calori- and -facient.
Derivative: calonfacient, n.
calorific, adj., heat-produci ng. - F. calorifique,
ir. L. calorificus. See calori- and -fie.
Derivative: calorific-afion, n.
caloriflcs, n., the science of heat. - See prec.
word and -ics.
calorimeter, n., an apparatus for measuring heat.
-A hybrid coined fr. L. calor, 'heat', and Gk.
!J.Z.:-po~, 'measure'. See calori- and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
calotte, n., a small skullcap. - F., fr. It. callotta,
fr. L. calautica, 'a kind of female headdress
with pendent lappets', a word of foreign origin.
A connection between calotte and Gk. xoc)/ntTpii,
'woman's veil', as suggested by many lexicographers, is impossible for phonetic reasons.
Cp. caul.
caloyer, n., a monk of the Eastern Church. F., fr. MF. calogere, fr. ModGk. xx:A6ypo~ (y
being pronounced y), 'a monk', lit. 'a handsome
old man', fr. Gk. xx).0~. 'beautiful', and yzp~l~,
'old man. See calo- and geronto-.
calpac, calpack, n., a kind of cap. - Turk. qa/pdq. whence also Hung. kalpag, 'calpac, headgear', kalap. 'hat'.
Caltha, n., a genus of herbs of the crowfoot family (hot.)- ModL., fr. L. caltha, 'pot marigold',
fr. supposed Gk. *d:Anr,, prop. 'the yellow
flower', from I.-E. *ghfdhii, rei. to *ghelwos,
'yello"" ,whence L. he/vas, 'light bay'. Sec yellow
and cp. helvite.
caltrop, n., an instrument with four iron spikes
used in medieval warfare. -- ME. calketrappe,
fr. ONF. caaketrape, correspondin g to OF.
chaucetrapc (F. chausse-trape), which is formed
from the imperative of chuuchier, 'to tread,
trample', and trape, 'trap, snare'. Accordingly ,
OF. chauchetrape lit. means 'tread upon the
trap'. OF. chauchia derives fr. L. calciire, 'to
tread', fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'heel'. See Calceolaria and cr. the first clement in cauchemar. For
the ~ccond clement see trap, 'snare'.
calumba, n., formerly columbo, root of a plant
( pharm ) - From kolomho, its name in Mo-

227
of xoc:A~TCT~\1, 'to cover, hide, conceal'. See next
word. For sense developmen t cp. Circe.
calyptra, n., a covering (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk.
xx:AJ7tTpii, 'a covering, veil', fr. XotAtme~~. 'to
cover, hide, conceal', which is rei. to xoc:A'>~1J,
'hut, cabin', xa:).~&. 'hut, nest', and cogn. with
L. cella, 'storeroom, granary', celiire, 'to hide,
keep secret'. See cell and cp. caliology, Calypso,
apocalypse, Eucalyptus, kelyphite.
calyx, n., the outer whorl of leaves (bot.) - L,
fr. Gk. x&.:AuE;, 'the cup or calyx of a flower',
which stands in gradational relationship to
x'>:A~~. 'cup, drinking cup', and is cogn. with L.
calix, 'cup, goblet, drinking vessel', Umbr.
skalce-ta, scalse-to, 'out of the dish or saucer',
OI. kaldsal}, 'pot, cup', kalika, 'bud'. OE. celic,
cil'lic, cll!lc, 'cup', is borrowed fr. L. calix. Cp.
chalice, cylix.
cam, n., a device for changing regular rotary motion into irregular. - Du. kam, 'comb', fr.
MDu. cam, rei. to OE. camb, whence comb(q.v.)
Derivative: cam, tr. v.
camaieu, n., a cameo. - F., fr. OF. camaheus,
fr. ML. camahutus. See cameo.
camail, n., a piece of chain mail protecting the
neck. - F., fr. OProven~. capmalh, lit. 'chain
mail for the head', fr. *capma/har, 'to cover the
head with a chain mail', which is compounded
of cap, 'head' (fr. L. caput, of s.m.), and ma/har,
'to put on a coat of mail', fr. malha, 'coat of
mail', fr. L. macula, 'spot, mark'. See capital,
adj., and mail, 'armor'.
camara, n., chamber.- Sp. cdmara, fr. L. camara,
camera, fr. Gk. XXfL<ipii. See camera, chamber.
camaraderie , n., comradeship . - F., fr. camarade, 'comrade'. Sec comrade and -ery.
camarilla, n., a small meeting room.- Sp., dim in.
of cdmara, 'chamber', fr. L. camera, 'vault,
arched roof, arch'; see camara. In its special
sense 'a private audience chamber in the royal
palace; political clique', it was first used in
France about I830, to designate the absolutist
party during the reign of Charles X.
camas, camash, cammas, n., any plant of the
genus Camassia. - Fr. N. American Indian
quamash, 'bulb'.
Camassia, n., a genus of plants with edible bulbs
(bot.)- ModL., from prec. word. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Cambarus, n., a genus of crayfishes (zoo/.) ModL, rei. to L. cammarus, fr. Gk. xifL!.LXF';~,
'lobster', which i~ cogn. with ON. humarr, 'lobster' [whence F. homard and LG. humarr
Iwhence G. Hummer)], and with 01. kamathah,
'tortoise'. These words derive f,. I.-E .. ba~e
*qam-, *qem-, 'to vault', and lit. denote an animal with a vaulted covering. See camera and cp.
Gammarus, Homarus.
camber, n., a slight convexity. - OF. cambre,
'curved, bent', fr. L. camur, which is rei. to
camera, 'arch, vault'. See camera.
camber, tr. and intr. v., to curve slightly. - F.

camelry

cambrer, 'to curve, bend', fr. camerare, of s.m.,

fr. camera. See prcc. word.
cambial, adj., pertaining to cambium. - Late L.
cambia/is, fr. cambiare, 'to change, exchange'.
See cambium and adj. suff. -al.
cambio-, combining form for cambium. --- See
cambium.
cambist, n., an expert in the theory and practice
ofexchang c.- F. cambistc, 'changer', a hybrid
coined fr. Late L. cambium and -iste, a suff. of
Greek origin. See cambium and -ist.
cambium, n., formative tissue between bark and
wood (bot.)-- Late L., 'exchange', fr. cambiare,
'to change, exchange', which is a Gaulish loan
word. See change, v.
Cambrian, adj., I) pertaining to Cambria or
Wales; 2) pertaining to the first geological period in the Paleozoic Era.- Lit. 'of Cambria'.
i.e. 'of Wales', fr. L Cambria, ML. name of
Wales, fr. Cdtic, Cymru, 'Wales'. See Cymric
and -an.
cambric, n., a fine white linen fabric. - A blend
of Kamerijk, Flemish name of a town in France
(formerly in Flauders), with Cambmi, the
French name of the same town; so called because it was first manufacture d in Cambrai.
Cp. chambray.
came, n., a grooved lead bar used to hold together panes of glass. - Of uncertain origin.
came, past tense of come.- ME. cam (prob. on
the analogy of ME. nam, past tense of niman,
'to take'). Sec come.
cameist, n., 1) one who makes or collects cameos;
2) an expert in cameos. -- A hybrid coined fr.
cameo and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
camel, n.- ME. camel, rameil, chamcl. clwmail,
fr. OE. camel, fr. ON F. camel, corre>pondin g to
OF. chamel (whence F. <hamcau), fr. L. ramelus, fr. Gk. xx,u:r,).r;~, fr. Heb. and Phocn. gamd!,
'camel', which is rei. to Arab. jcimal, of s.m.
Cp. gamma, gimel.
cameleer, n., a camel driver.- Formed fr. camel
with suff. -eer.
Camelidae, n., a family of ruminants (zoo/.) ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L. came/us.
See camel.
Camelina, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'dwarf flax, fr. Gk.
f.XfLXl, 'on the ground' (in botany used in the
sense of 'dwarf'), and ).('''''' 'flax. See chamaeand line, 'flax.
camellia, n.- Named by the Sv.edish naturalist
Karl von Linne after the Jesuit travekr George
Joseph Kamel (italianized into Came/li), who
first described this flower. l-or the endmg see
suff. -ia.
camelopard, n .. the giraffe. - Lit. camelpanr.
fr. L cami'lopardus, fr. Gk. x:r-:L~i.,,::.zFil:xi.t~,
which is compounded of Gk. x:i:u)J,:, 'camel',
and :::l~i):x),L~, 'pard'. Sec camd and pard and
cp. leopard.
camelry, n., - Formed fr. camel with suff. -ry.

Camembert
Camembert, n., a soft, rich cheese. - From Camembert, name of a village near Argentan in
Normandy.
cameo, n., a carved gem. - It. cammeo, fr. ML.
camahutus, ult. fr. Pers. chumiihiin 'agate'
through the medium of the Arabic. Cp: camaieu:
Derivative: cameo, tr. v.
camera, n., a chamber. - L., 'vault, arched roof,
arch', fr. Gk. x.oq.d:piX, which is rei. to x.&!J.tvo~
(whence L. caminus), 'furnace', and cogn. with
L. camur, camurus, 'curved', fr. I.-E. base *qam-,
*qem-, 'to bend, vault'. Cp. It., OProven9.,
Cat a!. camera, Sp. cdmara, Port. camara, F. chambre, OHG. chamara, OS. camara, OSlav. komora,
Lith. kamard, Olr. camra, which all derive fr.
L. camera. Cp. chamber. Cp. also camara, Cambarus, camber, chimney, comrade, concamerated.
For derivatives of a -b-enlargement of base *qamsee change. Cp. cant, 'slope'. Cp. also heaven.
camerlengo, camerlingo, n., the papal chamberlain. - It., a hybrid coined fr. camera (see camera) and the Teut. suff. -ling. Cp. chamberlain.
Cameronian, n., a follower of Richard Cameron
(died in r68o). For the ending see suff. -ian.
camilla, n., a girl of noble birth employed in religious offices. - L., fern. of camillus (q.v.)
Camilla, fern. PN.- Fr. prec. word.
camillus, n., a noble youth employed in religious
offices (Roman antiq.) - L., fr. Etruscan Camillus, 'Mercury', fr. Gk. Kcx3!J.'iAo~ (whence
KcxcrtLD-o~), name of one of the Cabiri in Samothrace. Kcx3!J.Tho~ is prob. related to Ka8 1Lo~,
'Cadmus', hence of Rebrew origin; see Cadmus. The Hebrew origin ofGk. Kcx3tLIAo~ is supported by the fact that the name K&[3e~pm itself (whence L. Cabirl) also derives from Hebrew (see Cabiri).
camisado, camisade, n., a night attack. - F. camisade, fr. OProven9. *camisada (fr. camiza,
'shirt'), prop. a night attack in which the attackers wore shirts over their armour, for the
sake of recognizing one another; cp. It. camiciata, 'camisado', fr. camicia, 'shirt'. See chemise and -ado and cp. next word.
camise, n., a light shirt. - Arab. qamf$, fr.
Late L. camfsia. See chemise.
camisole, n., a woman's loose jacket. - F., fr.
OProven9. camisola, 'mantle', dimin. of camisa,
fr. Late L. camfsia. See chemise and cp. prec.
word.
camlet, n., cloth made of camel's hair and silk
or of wool and silk. - F. camelot, fr. Arab.
khdmlat, 'plush', the stuff having been fabricated
originally in the East. The French form of the
word is due to an erroneous association with the
word chameau, 'camel'. The ending -at (in
Arab. khlimlat) was mistaken for the suff. -at
and substituted by the more frequent French
suff. -01 (in English this latter suff. became -et).
Derivatives: camlet, adj. and tr. v.
camomile, n., an aromatic plant. - F. camomille, fr. Late L. camomil/a, fr. earlier chamae-

228
melon, fr. Gk. Xat!J.atl!J-1JAov, lit. 'earth apple', fr.
xcx!J.cx(, 'on the ground', and !J.ijAov, 'apple'. See
chamae- and Malus, 'genus of the apple trees'.
and cp. Chamomila.
Camorra, n., name of a secret society at Naples.
-It., fr. camorro, 'a person in failing health;
a troublesome person', prob. fr. Port. chamorro, 'with shaven head, bald', which is of
uncertain, possibly Basque, origin.
Derivatives: Camorr-ism, n., Camorr-ist, n.
camouflage, n., concealment of troops, ships, etc.,
from the enemy; disguise. - F., fr. camoufler,
'to disguise', fr. It. camuffare, 'to disguise', contraction of capo muffare, 'to muffie the head'.
See capital, adj., muffle and -age.
Derivatives: camouflage, tr. and intr. v., camouflag-er, n.
camp, n.- F., fr. It. campo, 'camp', fr. L. campus, 'fiat space, plain field' (whence also F.
champ, 'field, battlefield'), fr. I.-E. base *qamp-,
'to bend', whence also Gk. X.IX!J-7t'i), 'bend, turn,
winding of a river', x.&:!J.rt-rew, 'to bend, curve,
turn', x.&!J.q,L~, 'a bending, turning', Lith. kmnpas,
'corner, region', Lett. kampis, 'a crooked piece
of wood', Lith. kumpas, 'crooked', kwnpti, Lett.
kumpt, 'to become bent, to curve', Goth. hamfs,
'mutilated', OHG. hamf, 'crippled' (lit. 'curved'),
OE. hofer, 'hump, swelling'. Cp. campaign,
campane, campanile, Campanula, camper, campion, campo, campus, campylo-, champaign,
champignon, champion, decamp, encamp, gamb,
gamba, schanz, sconce, 'cover', the first element
in Camponotus, Camptosorus, champerty, and
the second clement in elecampane, Kulturkampf.
Cp. base *(s)qamb-, *(s)qemb-, whence Gk.
crx.cx!J-~6<;, 'crooked, bent', Olr. camm, 'crooked,
curved', Mlr. cimb, 'tribute', cimbid, 'prisoner',
Gaulish cambita, 'felloe' (whence F. jante, of
s.m.); see change.
camp, intr. v., to pitch a camp. - F. camper, fr.
camp, 'camp'. Sec camp, n.
Derivative: camp-er, n.
campagna, n., open country. - It., fr. Late L.
campania. See next word.
campaign, n. - F. campagne, 'open country;
campaign', fr. It. campagna, fr. Late L. campania, 'plain, open country' (whence also Sp.
campana, Port. campanha), fr. campanius, a var.
of campaneus, 'pertaining to the open country',
fr. L. campus, 'flat space, plain, open field'. Cp.
L. Campania, name of a province of Italy about
Naples, lit. 'the plain or level country', and see
camp, n. Cp. also campagna, champaign. Cp.
also next word.
Derivative: campaign-er, n.
campane, n., a bell (her.) - F., fr. !..ate L. campiina, orig. 'a metal vessel made in Campania',
fr. L. Ca~piinia. See prec. word and cp. campanero, campanile, Campanula.
campanero, n., the bellbird of South America.Sp., lit. 'bellman', fr. campana, 'bell', fr. Late
L. campiina. See prec. word.

229
campaniform, adj., bell-shaped .- Compounde d
of Late L. campiina 'bell', and L. forma, 'form,
shape'. See campane and form, n.
campanile, n., a bell tower. - It., fr. campana,
'bell', fr. Late L. campiina (see campane); introduced into English by the diarist John Evelyn
( !620-!706).

campanist, n., an expert in bells. - A hybrid

coined fr. Late L. campana (see campane) and
-ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
campanology, n., the study of bells. -A hybrid
coined fr. Late L. campiina and Gk. -:AoyliX, fr.
-A6yo-:;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See campane and -logy.
Derivative: campanolog-ist, n.
Campanula, n., the bellflower (bot.)- ModL., dimin. of Late L. campiina, 'bell' (see campane and
-ule); so called from the shape of the corolla.
Campanulaceae, n. pl., the bluebell family (bot.)
- Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
campanulaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
campanular, adj., bell-shaped. - Formed with
suff. -ar fr. Late L. campiinula, dimin. of campiina, 'bell'. See campane and -ule.
campanulate, campanulous, adj., campanular. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate, resp. -ous.
Campephagidae, n., a family of birds, the cuckoo
shrike (ornithol.) - ModL., lit. 'caterpillar
eaters', formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. x.a!J-1t1J,
'caterpillar', and the stem of <pcxye'Lv, 'to eat'. For
the first element see hippocampus, for the second
see -phagous.
Campephilus, n., a genus of woodpeckers (ornithol.) - ModL., lit. 'lover of caterpillars', fr.
Gk. x&:[Lm;, 'caterpillar', and opl:Aot;, 'lover,
friend'. See hippocampus and philo-.
camphene, n., a hydrocarbon , C 10H 16 (chem.) Formed from the abbreviation of camphor and
suff. -ene.
camphine, n., purified oil of turpentine (chem.)Formed from the abbreviation of camphor and
chem. suff. -ine.
camphire, n., !)camphor (obsol. or dial.); 2) henna
(see Authorized Version, Song of Songs r: 14).
- A var. of camphor.
camphor, n.- F. camphre, fr. ML. camphora, fr.
Arab. kiifilr, fr. 01. kappilra/:1, assimilated fr.
earlier karpilra/:1.
Derivatives: camphor, tr. v., camphor-aceous,
adj., camphor-ate, tr. v., camphor-ated, camphor-ic, camphor-y, adjs.
campion, n., any plant of the genus Lychnis. Perhaps fr. L. campus, 'field'. See camp, n.
campo, n., a field.- It., Sp. and Port., fr. L. campus. See camp, n.
Campodea, n. pl., a genus of insects (entomol.) ModL., compounded ofGk. WX!J-1t1J, 'caterpillar',
and -w3r,:;, 'like'. See hippocampus and -ode.
Camponotus, n., a genus of ants (entomol.) ModL., compounded ofGk. xoc!J.rr1J, 'a bending',

and vw:m;, 'back'. See camp, n., and noto-.

campoo, n., camp (Anglo-Ind.). - Hind. kampii,
fr. Port. campo, 'camp', fr. L. campus, 'field'.
See camp, n.
Camptosorus, n., a genus of ferns of the polypody
family, the walking leaf (bot.). - ModL., lit.
'with flexible fruit dots', compounded of Gk.
XCX!J-7tT6~, 'flexible', verbal adj. of x.&!J.rt>e~v. 'to
bend', and crwp6~, 'heap of corn, heap'. See
camp, n., and sorus.
campus, n., college grounds. - L., 'field'. See
camp, n.
campylo-, before a vowel campyl-, combining
form meaning 'bent, curved'.- Gk. XCX!J.T:UAo-,
XCX!J-7tUA-, fr. Y.CX!J-7t'~Ao<;, 'bent, curved', fr. xwLrtf:
' ''
'a bending'. See camp, n.
camus, camuse, adj., short and fiat (said of the
nose) (obsol.) - F. camus, fern. camuse, 'flatnosed, snub-nosed', formed from pejorative
pref. ca- and the base of museau, 'muzzle, snout'.
See muzzle.
camwood, n., wood of an African tree (Baphia
nitida). - The first element of this compound
is a W. African loan word. For the second element see wood.
can, aux. v - ME. cunnen, fr. OE. cunnan, rel.
to ON. kunna, OS. kunnan, Du. kunnen, OHG.
kunnan, MHG. kunnen, kiinnen, G. konnen,
Goth. kunnan, 'to be able', OE. cnt'iwan, OHG.
bi-chniian, ir-chntian, 'to know', ON. knii, 'I can',
fr. I.-E. base *gene-, *gena-, 'to be able mentally, to know', whence also OI.jiinati, 'knows',
jniitd/:1, 'known', Toch. A knan, 'to know', iiknats, B a-kniitsa, 'ignorant', Arm. caneay,
'I knew', ancan, 'unknown', Gk. y~yvwcrxeLv, 'to
know', yvwcrL~, 'knowledge, wisdom', yw:'l.l1J, 'a
means of knowing, judgement, opinion, maxim',
yvw!J.wv, 'one who knows, a judge; the gnomon
or index (of the sundial)', OL. gn6scere, L. noscere, 'to know', Alb. izeh, 'you know' (sing.),
izoh, 'I know', OSlav. znajq, znati, Lith. ~inaii,
iinoti, 'to know', OPruss. po-sinna, '1 confess',
Olr. ad-gninim, 'I know, recognize', gniith,
'known, accustomed' , W. gnawd, 'custom'. See
know and cp. canny, con, 'to peruse', could,
cunning, keen, ken, 'to know', ken, 'range of
sight', kith, kithe, uncouth. Cp. also acquaint,
agnoiology, cognition, diagnosis, gnome, 'maxim',
gnomic, gnomon, gnosis, gnostic, ignoble, ignore,
incognito, jnana, narrate, noble, normal, note,
notice, notion, notorious, quaint, recognize,
reconnoitre.
can, n., vessel. - ME. canne, fr. OE. canne, rel.
to OS., ON., Swed. kanna, MDu. kam;e, Du.
kan, OHG. channa, MHG., G. kannf', 'can',
borrowed fr. L. canna, 'reed, cane; small vessel,
tube', which is of Sem. origin. See cane and
cp. canal.
Derivatives: can, tr. v., to put into a can, canned, adj., cann-er, n., cann-ery, n . cann-ing, n.
Canaan, n., the Promised Land of the Israelites.
- L. Chanaan, fr. Gk. Xcxvcx&v, fr. Heb. K~-

canaba

230

canaut, also conaut, n., side wall of a tent (Anglomi'an, which is of unknown origin.
Ind.) - Hind. qaniit, fr. Pers. qaniit, fr. Arab.
Canaann.,
and
adj.
Derivatives: Canaan-ite,
qandh, 'cane'. See cane.
it-ic, adj., Canaan-it-ish, adj.
cancan, n., a kind of extravagant dance. - F.,
canaba, also cannaba, n., a hovel, hut (Roman
prob. fr. cancan, childish name of the duck
frameantiq.) --- L., fr. Gk. x&v(v)~X(3o~, 'wooden
( = F. cananf); so called from the waddling gait.
work', fr. xtiw~X, 'reed', which is of Sem. origin.
canard.
Sec
See cane.
cancel, tr. and intr. v.- F. canceller, 'to cancel',
canada, n., a Portuguese liquid measure. -Port.
fr. L. cancel/tire, 'to enclose with a lattice',
canada, n., a deep valley - Sp., fr. VL. canna,
hence 'to cross out; to cancel', fr. cancelli (pl.),
cane
See
tube'.
'canal', fr. L. canna, 'reed, cane;
'enclosure, crossbar, lattice', dimin. of cancer,
and cp. can, 'vessel'.
dissimilated fr. career, 'an enclosed
'lattice,
'a
lit.
canaglia,
It.
fr.
F.,
rabble.
canaille, n.,
place; prison'. See incarcerate and cp. career,
pack of dogs', fr. cane, 'dog'; cp. OF. chiennaille,
chancel.
which is of the same origin and meaning as It.
Derivatives: cancel, n., cancel-ed, adj., cancellcanaglia. See canine.
ate, adj. (q.v.)
canal, n. - F., fr. L. canalis, 'water pipe, chancancellate, adj., marked with crosslines. - L.
nel, canal', prop. subst. use of an adj. formed fr.
cancelliitus, pp. of cance/liire. See prec. word
canna, 'reed, cane; small vessel, tube'. The shortand adj. suff. -ate.
ening of the double n is due to the phonetic law,
Derivatives: cancellat-ed, adj., cancellat-ion, n.
according to which before a stressed syllable,
cancellous, adj., having a spongclike structure
a double consonant becomes short. Cp. L.
(said of the spongy part of bones). - Formed
runi/i.\, "pertaining to a chariot', fr. currus,
with suff. -ous fr. L. cancellf (pl.), 'lattice'. See
'chariot' (see curule), and mamilla, 'breast', dicancel.
min. of mamma, 'breast' (whence this phonetic
cancer, n., a malignant growth. - L., 'crab, ullaw is nlkd 'mamilla law'; sec mammilla). See
cer, cancer', dissimilated fr. *carcro- and cogn.
cane and adj. suff. -al and cp. channel, cannel,
with Gk. x-xpxlvo~, 'crab', lit. 'the animal with
kennel, 'gutter', which are doublets of canal.
the hard shell', fr. I.-E. base *qarq-, *qraq-, 'to
Dcri\atives: canal, tr. v., cana/(1)-cr, n., canalbe hard', whence also 01. karkatal;t, karkal;t,
i~e. tr. v., canal-i~-ation, n.
'crab', karkaral;t, 'hard'. Cp. OSlav. rake/, 'craycanalicular, adj., pertaining to, or like, a canalifish', OPruss. rakis, of s.m., which were prob.
culus 0r canaliculi. --- Formed with adj. suff.
dissimilated fr. *krak-; cp. also W. crach, 'crust',
-ar fr. canaliculus (q.v.)
craig, 'rock', Mlr. crach, 'hard', fr. *qraq-. Cp.
canaliculatc, canaliculated, adj., channeled. also I.-E. base *qar-tu-, 'hard, strong', whence
L. clllui/iculr/IJII', "chanilcled', fr. caniiliculus.
Gk. xp~X7J~, 'strong', Goth. hardus, OE. heard,
Sec next "ord and adj. suiT. -ate, resp. also -ed.
'hard'. See hard and cp. canker, carcinoma,
canaliculus, n., a small canal (anat.) -- L., dimin.
chancre. Cp. also kunkur.
of cwul!is. See canal and -cule.
Derivatives: cancer-ous, adj., cancer-ous-ly, adv.,
Canangium, n., a genus of trees of the custardcancer-ous-ness, n.
appk family (hot.) - ModL., fr. Malay kcniincancriform, adj., crablike. - Compounde d of
xa. pro b. a n;~-;alizeJ form of OJ. kdnakam. For
L. cancer, gen. cancri, 'crab', and forma, 'form,
the ending st'c suiT. -ium.
shape. See cancer and form, n.
canape. n., fouJ s~r\cd as an appetizer. - F.,
cancroid, adj., like a crab; like a cancer. - A
l1rig. a canopy (l\Cr a couch to keep off inhybrid coined fr. L. cancer, gen. caner[, 'crab',
sects'. s~e canopy.
drake',
and Gk. -ve~S+.~. 'like', fr. dove, 'form, shape'.
'duck;
F.,
-hoax.
a
canard, n., :t duck:
Sec cancer and -oid.
fr. OF. C(/1/(// r. fr. or. Cll/1'1", 'to cackle', which is
candelabrum , also candelabra, n., a branched
of imitat i'e origin. Th~ suff. -art (F. -emf) isducto
candlestick. - L. candelabrum, 'candlestick' ,
the influence of OF. maslarr, 'duck; drake', fr.
fr. candela. See candle and cp. chandelier.
masle (F. nnilc), 'me~k". See -ard and cp. cancan.
candent, adj., glowing, white.- L. candens, gen.
canary, n .. - F. canari, canarie, fr. Sp. canario,
-entis, pres. part. of candere. See candescent.
'canary bird. lit. 'of the Canary Islands', fr. L.
n.- Formed fr. next word with suff.
candescence,
lit.
Islands',
Canary
the
of
'one
imula Canaria,
-ce.
"Dog Islands'. fr. canis, "dog' (see canine). The
candescent, adj., glowing.- L. candescens, gen.
island~ were so C3lled from their large dogs.
-entis, pres. part. of candescere, 'to begin to
Arfrom
canasta, n., a card game originating
glow', inchoative of candere, 'to shine, glow',
gentina. - Sp. canasta, 'a basket', fr. canasta,
whence also candidus, 'glowing, white'. See next
a secondary form of canastro, 'a large basket',
word and -escent, and cp. incandesce.
fr. L. canistrum, "wicker basket', fr. Gk. x:Xv<XDerivative~ candescent-ly, adv.
cr-::pr,v; see canister. The game was so called
candid, adj., impartial; frank, sincere.- F. canfrom the basketful of cards used in it.
dide, 'open, frank, ingenuous, sincere, candid',
canaster, n., a kind of coarse tobacco.- Sp. cafr. L. candidus, 'glowing, white; pure, honest,
nastro, 'a large basket'. See prec. word.

upright', fr. candere, 'to shine, glow, be white',

which is cogn. with Gk. x&v8~Xpo~, 'glowing
coal', OI. candrdh, 'shining glowing', candana,
'sandalwood ' (lit. 'wood for burning incense'),
Alb. Gheg hqnc;, Tosk hc;nc;, 'moon' (lit. 'the
white one'). All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qand-, *(s)qend-, 'to shine, glow'. Cp. W.
cann, 'white, bright', OBret. cant, 'white',
MBret. cann, 'full moon', which, according to
Pedersen, are not cognate with L. candidus, but
loan words fr. VL. *candas, contraction of candidus (see haplology). Cp. candle, candelabrum ,
candidate, chandelier, chandler, Cicindelidae,
incandescent, incense, sandalwood, sandarac,
sanders, santa!.
Derivatives: candid-ly, adv., candid-ness, n.
candidate, n., one who seeks an office, etc. - L.
candidtitus, 'one aspiring to office', prop. pp. of
candidiire, 'to make bright or white', fr. candidus, 'glowing, white'; so called because a candidate for office was clothed in a white toga.
See candid and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: candidat-ure, n.
candle, n. - ME. candd, fr. OE. candel, fr. L.
candela, 'candle made of wax or tallow', fr.
candere, 'to shine, glow, burn'. See candid and
cp. candelabrum, chandelier, chandler.
Candlemas, n. - ME. candelmasse, fr. OE. candelm:esse, compounded of candel, 'candle', and
m:esse, 'Mass'. See candle and Mass.
ME. candlestikke, fr. OE.
candlestick, n. candelsticca, compounded of candel, 'candle',
and sticca, 'stick'. See candle and stick, n.
candor, candour, n., impartiality, frankness. L. candor, 'whiteness; sincerity, candor', from
the stem of cqndere, 'to be white'. See candid
and -or.
candy, n., crystallized sugar. - Shortened fr.
sugar candy, fr. F. (sucre) candi, fr. It. (zucchero)
candi(to), 'sugar candy', fr. Arab. qdndi, 'crystallized, candied', adj. formed fr. qand, 'cane
sugar', which, like OI. khal}rjakal;t, 'candy', is
prob. of Dravidian origin. Cp. Tamil ka~1(u,
'candy', ka(fu, 'to harden, condense'.
candy, tr. and intr. v., to crystallize into sugar.Formed fr. prec. word, on analogy of F. candir,
'to candy', back formation fr. candi, 'sugar
candy', which was mistaken for a past participle.
Derivative: can-di-ed, adj.
candytuft, n., name of a plant. - Compounde d
of Candy, obsolete form of Candia, 'Crete',
and tuft. Hence candytuft lit. means 'tuft of
Crete'.
cane, n.- ME. cane, canne, fr. OF. cane, canne
(F. canne), fr. OProvcni;. cana, fr. L. canna,
'reed, cane, small vessel, tube', fr. Gk. xvv(l(,
'reed', which is of Sem. origin. Cp. Akkad.
qanu, Heb. qtint!", Aram.-Syr. qanyd, Arab.
qand" (whence Pers. qaniit), 'reed, cane', Ethiop.
qan6t, 'a goad'. Cp. can, 'vessel', canaba, canada,
canal, canasta, canaster, canaut, canella, canions, canister, Canna, cannel, cannelure, can-

nikin, canon, 'rule', canonical, canyon, anJ the

first element in canephorus, caramel.
Derivatives: cane, tr. v., can-er, n., can-ing, n.
canella, n., cinnamon. - ML., dimin. of L. canna, 'reed, cane'. See cane and -ella.
canephorus, n., a basket bearer (Greek antiq.)L., fr. Gk. X~XV1J<p6po<;, 'basket bearing, compounded of xveov, x-xvo;:iv, 'wicker basket'.
and -<p6po~. 'bearing, carrying'. The first element is rei. to x:Xvv(l(, 'reed'; see cane. For the
second element see -phore.
canescent, adj., growing grayish or white. -- L.
ciinescem, gen. -entis, pres. part. of ciinescere,
'to grow gray or white', inchoative of ciinere,
'to be gray or white', fr. ciinus, 'gray, hoary,
white', which stands for *cas-nos, and is rei. to
cascus, 'old', lit. 'gray with age', and cogn. with
OHG. haso, OE. hara, 'hare', lit. 'the gray animal'. See hare and -escent.
cangue, n., a board worn round the neck by Chinese criminals.- F., fr. Port. canga, 'yoke', fr.
Annam. gong, of s.m.
Derivative: cangue, tr. v.
Canicula, n., Sirius (astron.) - L. canicula, lit.
'the Dog Star', dimin. of canis, 'dog'. See canine
and -cute.
canicular, adj., 1) pertaining to Sirius; 2) pertaining to the dog days. - L. canicuhlris, fr.
canfcula. See prcc. word and -ar.
Canidae, n. pl., the family of dogs, wolves, foxes
and jackals (zool.) - ModL., formed with suff.
-idae, fr. L. canis, 'dog'. See next wm J.
canine, adj., pertaining to the dog. - L. caninus,
fr. canis, 'dog', which is cogn. with Gk. X'J0>V,
gen. w>V6~, Goth. hunds, OE. hut]d, "dog'. Sec
hound and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ine (representing L. -inu:.).
Derivative: canine, n.
canions, n. pl., ornamental rolls attached to
breeches. - Sp. cw1on, in the sense of "tube'.
See canyon.
Canis, n., the genus including the dog, the wolf,
the fox and the jackal (zoo/.)- L canis, 'dog'.
See canine.
Canis Major, Sirius (astron.) - L., 'the larger
dog'. See canine and major.
Canis Minor, Procyon (astron.) - L., lit. 'the
lesser dog'. See canine and minor.
canister, n., a small box.- L. canistrwn, 'wicker
basket', fr. Gk. xncr-::v>v, fr. xw'Y., 'reed.
See cane and cp. canasta, canaster.
Derivative: canister, tr. v.
canities, n., grayness or whiteness of the hair. L., 'grayish white color', fr. canus. See canescent.
canker, n., an ulcerous sore.- ONF. cancre (corresponding to F. chancre), fr. L. cancer, 'crab,
ulcer, cancer'. See cancer and cp. chancre.
Derivatives: canker, tr. and intr. v., canker-ed,
adj., canker-ous, adj.
Canna, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - L. canna,
'reed, cane'. See cane.
cannabic, adj., pertaining to hemp. - Formed

Cannabis

with suff. -ic fr. L. cannabis. See next word.

Cannabis, n., a genus of plants, the hemp (bot.)L. cannabis, 'hemp', fr. Gk. x&woc~L~. See canvas.
cannel, n., a gutter; kennel. - ME. cane!, fr.
ONF. cane/, fr. L. canii/em, ace. of canalis,
'pipe'. See canal and cp. kennel, 'gutter'.
cannel coal, a bituminous coal. - Corruption of
candle coal.
cannelure, n., a groove. -F., fr. It. cannellatura
(now scannellatura), fr. cannellare, 'to groove',
fr. canne/la, 'a small tube', dimin. of canna,
'cane, reed', fr. L. canna. See cane and -ure and
cp. canal.
cannibal, n., a person who eats human flesh. Sp. caribe, caribal, canibal, fr. Carib. galibi,
'Caribs, Carib beans', lit. 'strong men'; so called
because the Caribs were eaters of human flesh.
Cp. Carib, Caliban. The word cannibal was influenced in form by Sp. can, 'dog', fr. L. canis.
Derivatives: cannibal, adj., canniba/-/y, adv.,
cannibal-ic, adj., cannibal-ism, n., cannibal-istic, adj., cannibal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv.
cannikin, n., a small can. - A hybrid coined fr.
can, 'vessel', and suff. -kin (fr. MDu. -kin,
-kijn).
cannon, n., gun. - F. canon, fr. It. cannon') lit.
'a large tube', augment. of canna, 'tube', fr. L.
canna. See cane and cp. canyon.
Derivatives: cannon, intr. v., cannon-ed, adj.,
cannon-ry, n.
cannon, n., a stroke in billiards. -Corruption of
carom.
cannonade, n., discharge of artillery.- F. canonnode, fr. It. cannonata, fr. cannone. See cannon
and -ade (representing It. -ata).
Derivative: cannonade, tr. and intr. v.
cannula, n., a small tube (surg.) - L., 'a small
reed', dimin. of canna. See cane and -ule.
Derivatives: cannul-ar, n., cannul-ate, adj. and
tr. v., cannul-at-ed, adj.
canny, adj., 1) careful; 2) shrewd.- Lit. 'knowing', rel. to the auxiliary verb can (q.v.) Cp.
cunning.
canoe, n. - F. canoe, fr. Sp. canoa, a word of
Caribbean origin.
Derivatives: canoe, intr. and tr. v., canoe-ing,
n., canoeist (q.v.)
canoeist, n. - A hybrid coined fr. canoe and
-ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
canon, n., rule. - ME. canun, canoun, fr. OE.
canon, fr. L. canon, 'a measuring line, rule,
model', in Eccles. L. 'canon', fr. Gk. x-xvwv,
'rod, bar, ruler, rule, model', fr. x:iw-x, 'reed',
which is of Sem. origin. See cane and cp. words
there referred to.
canon, n., a dignitary of the church. - ME. canun, canoun, fr. ONF. canoine, corresponding
to OF. ( = F.) chanoine, fr. Eccles. L. canonicus,
lit. 'one subject to the canon', fr. Gk. x-xvovLx6~,
belonging to a rule', fr. x-xvC:w, 'rule'. See canon,
'rule', and cp. canonical.
canon, n. - See canyon.

233

232

canoness, n. - Formed fr. canon, 'dignitary'.

with suff. -ess.
canonical, adj. - ML. canoniciilis, fr. Late L.
canonicus, 'according to rule' (in Eccles. L. 'pertaining to the canon'), fr. canon, 'rule'. See canon, 'rule', and the suffixes -ic and -al.
canonicity, n. - Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
canonicus. See prec. word.
canonist, n., one skilled in canon law.- Formed
fr. canon, 'rule', with suff. -ist.
Derivatives: canonist-ic, canonist-ic-a/, adjs.
canonize, tr. v., to put in the canon of saints. F. canoniser, fr. Eccles. L. canoniziire, fr. canon.
See canon, 'rule', and -ize.
Derivatives: canoniz-ation, n., canoniz-er, n.
canonry, n., the office of a canon. - Formed fr.
canon, 'dignitary', with suff. -ry.
Canopic, adj., pertaining to Canopus, a town of
ancient Egypt.
canopy, n.- F. canape, fr. ML. canopeum, dissimilated fr. L. conopeum, fr. Gk. l<ul'IW1tE:~OV, 'a
bed with mosquito curtains', fr. X(~vwtjl, gen.
xwvw1toc;, 'gnat, mosquito', a word of uncertain
origin. It. canape is a French loan word. Cp.
canape and the first element in Conopophagidae.
Derivative: canopy, tr. v.
canorous, adj., melodious. - L. canorus, 'melodious, harmonious', fr. canor, 'melody, song',
fr. canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars'.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff.
-ous.
Derivatives: canorous-ly, adv., canorous-ness, n.
cant, n., slang of beggars.- The word orig. denoted the whining of beggars. It derives fr.
ONF. cant (corresponding to OF. and F. chant),
fr. L. cant us, 'singing, song', fr. cant-(um), pp.
stem of canere, 'to sing', whence also carmen
(dissimilated fr. *can-men), 'poem, verse'. L.
canere is cogn. with Toch. kan. 'melody, tune',
Gk. xrtv-:icrcre:tv, 'to give a gurgling or ringing
sound', xrtvocz~, 'a gurgling or ringing sound',
r,(-x-xv6c;, 'cock', lit. 'singer of the dawn' (the
first element of this word is shortened fr. ~o~oc;
(Att. E:woc;), 'early' (see eo-), Russ. kdnja, 'kite',
Olr. canim, 'I sing', Mlr. cetal, 'song', Goth.
hana, OHG., OS. hano, MLG., MDu., MHO.,
Dan., Swed. hane, Du. haan, G. Hahn, ON. hani,
OE. hana, 'cock', lit. 'the singing bird'. See hen
and cp. accent, buccinator, canorous, cantabile,
cantata, cantatrice, canticle, cantillate, canto,
cantor, cantus, canwne, canzonet, chanson,
chant, chantage, chanter, chanticleer, chanty,
charm, 'spell', concent, concert, descant, enchant,
disenchant, incantation, incentive, Oscines, precentor, recant, succentor.
Derivatives: cant, intr. v., to whine, cant-ing,
adj., cant-ing-ly, adv., cant-ing-ness, n.
cant, n., a slope. - ONF. cant (corresponding to
OF. and F-. chant), 'corner', fr. L. cantus, canthus, 'the iron ring round a carriage wheel, a
wheel, felloe' (whence Gk. x-xv-&6~. 'tire of a
wheel'), which is of Gaulish origin (cp. Gaulish

I
I
I

II
I

kantem,kantena,kanten,quoted by G.-D. Dottin,

La langue gauloise, p. 241). Cp. also W. cant,
'bordering (framing, setting) of a circle, tire;
edge', Bret. cant, 'circle', Mlr. cete (for *kantya),
'meeting, fair'. Cp. also Gk. xocv&6~, 'corner of
the eye', OSlav. *kqtu, Russ. kutu, 'corner'. All
these words prob. derive fr. I.-E. *qan-t(h)o-, an
enlargement of base *qam-, 'to bend'. See camera and cp. canthus, cantle, canton, decant, and
the first element in chamfer, contline.
Derivative: cant, tr. v., to cause to slant; intr. v.,
to slant.
cantabile, adj., melodious. - It., lit. 'singable',
fr. cant are, 'to sing', fr. L. cantare. See cantata
and -able.
Derivative: cantabile, n.
Cantabrigian, adj., pertaining to Cambridge, England, or its university.- Formed with suff. -an.
fr. ML. Cantabrigia, 'Cambridge'.
cantaloup, n., a kind of melon.- F., fr. It. cantalupo, fr. Cantalupo, name of a castle in the
province of Ancona, in Italy, where these melons were first grown.
cantankerous, adj., ill-natured. - Prob. formed
fr. ME. contekous, fr. contek, contak, 'strife',
but influenced in form by the ending of words
like cankerous, rancorous.
Derivatives: cantankerous-ly, adv., cantankerous-ness, n.
cantar, n. -See kantar.
cantata, n., a musical composition for solo, chorus, etc. -It., lit. 'that which is sung', fr. cantare, 'to sing', fr. L. cantiire, freq. of canere, 'to
sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and cp. next
word.
cantatrice, n., a female singer.- F., fr. It. cantatrice, 'female singer', fr. cantare, 'to sing'. See
prec. word.
canteen, n., I) store in a military camp; 2) a
small tin vessel. - F. cantine, fr. It. cantina,
'wine cellar, can tine', which is of Gaulish origin.
canter, n. an easy gallop.- Shortened fr. Canterbury pace or Canterbury gallop; so called in allusion to the gait of pilgrims riding to Canterbury. See next word.
Derivatives: canter, intr. and tr. v., canter-er, n.
canterbury, n., a stand with divisions for music.From Canterbury, name of a city in England,
which derives fr. OE. Cantwarabyrig, lit. 'the
fortified town of the Kentish people'. See Kentish and borough and cp. canter.
canth-, form of cantho- before a vowel.
canthal, adj., pertaining to a canthus (anat.) Formed fr. canthus with adj. suff. -a!.
umtharellus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.)- ModL.,
lit. 'a little cup', dimin. of L. cantharus, fr. Gk.
xv&ocpoc;, 'a kind of beetle worshiped in Egypt;
a drinking cup', which is prob. a pre-Hellenic
word; so called from the shape of these fungi.
Cp. chanterelle.
cantharides, n. pl., dried blister beetles (used in
medicine). - L., pl. of cantharis, a kind of

canyon

beetle', fr. Gk. xocv&ocplc;, gen. -lib;, 'blister

beetle', a derivative ofx&.v-&ocpo~. See prec. word.
cantho-, before a vowel canth-, combining form
denoting the canthus - See next word.
canthus, n., either of the corners of the eye (anal.)
- Medical L., fr. Gk. xocv&6~, 'corner of the
eye'. See cant, 'slope'.
canticle, n., a short hymn. - L., canticulum, 'a
little song', dimin. of canticum, 'song', fr. canIus, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp. stem of canere,
'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and -cle.
cantilever, n., a projecting bracket.- Prob. compounded of cant, 'slope', and lever.
Derivative: cantilever, tr. v.
cantillate, tr. v., to chant. - L. cantilliitus, pp. of
cantilliire, 'to sing low', dimin. of cantiire, 'to
sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: cantil/at-ion, n.
cantle, n., the hinder part of a saddle. - ONF.
cante/, corresponding to OF. chante/, 'corner,
piece' (whence F. chanteau, 'hunch of bread'),
dimin. of ONF. cant (corresponding to OF. and
F. chant), 'corner'. See cant, 'slope'.
cantlet, n., a small cantle. - Formed fr. prec.
word with dimin. suff. -et.
canto, n., chief division of a long poem. - It.,
'song', fr. L. cantus, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp.
stem of canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of
beggars'.
canton, n., a district.- F., prop. 'corner of land',
fr. It. can tone, augment. of canto, 'corner',
which is rel. to OF. cant, of s.m., whence E.
cant, 'slope' (q.v.)
Derivatives: canton, tr. v. (cp. F. cantonner),
canton-al, adj., canton-ed, adj., cantonment (q.v.)
cantonment, n., a camp for troops. -F. cantonnement, fr. cantonner, 'to divide into cantons',
fr. canton. See prec. word and -ment.
cantor, n.- L., 'singer, precentor', fr. cant-(um)
pp. stem of canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of
beggars', and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: cantor-a/, cantor-ial, adjs.
cantus, n., a song. - L., fr. cant-(um), pp. stem
of canere, 'to sing'. Sec cant, 'slang of beggars'.
Canuck, n., in Canada: a French Canadian; in
the U.S.A.: a Canadian (slang).- From Indian
corruption of F. Canadien or E. Canadian.
canvas, n. -OF. ( = F.) canevas, prop. a blend
of Picard canevach and OF. chenevas,lit. 'made
of hemp, hempen', fr. OF. chaneve (F. chanvre),
'hemp', fr. L. cannabis, 'hemp', fr. Gk. xiw-x~L~. See hemp and cp. canvass.
Derivative: canvas, tr. v.
canvass, tr. v., to discuss; intr. v., to solicit votes.
- Fr. canvas. To canvass orig. meant 'to sift
through canvas'. Cp. OF. canabasser, 'to examine carefully', lit. 'to sift through canvas', fr.
OProvenc;. canabas, 'canvas', which is rei. to
OF. canevas.
Derivative: canvass-er, n.
canyon, canon, n., a narrow valley between cliffs.

canzone

234

soldiers in the Middle Ages; 2) (med.) a bandage

- Sp. caii6n, 'deep, hollow gorge', augment. of
for the head. - F., fr. It. cappe/lina, dimin. of
caiio, 'tube', fr. L. canna, 'reed, cane, tube'. Sec
cappel/a, itself dimin. of cappa, fr. Late L. cappa,
cannon.
canal,
cane and cp.
'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak', and cp. words
Derivative: canyon, canon, tr. and intr. v.
there referred to.
canzone, n., a song. - It., fr. L. cantionem, ace.
Capella, n., name of a star; Alpha in the Conof canti6, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp. stem of castellation Auriga (astron.)- L., 'she-goat', dinere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and
min. of capra, 'she-goat', fern. of caper, 'goat'.
cp. next word. Cp. also chanson.
See cabriolet and cp. Caprella.
canzonet, n., a short song. - It. canzonetta, dicaper, n., a prickly shrub (Capparis spinosa). min. of canzone, 'song'. See prec. word and -et.
ME. caperis, caperes, fr. L. capparis [whence
caoba, n., mahogany. - Sp., fr. a Caribbean naalso It. cappero [whence OF. caspres, F. ciipre)
tive word.
and G. Kaper], fr. Gk. xirrrro:pt<; (whence Arab.
caoutchouc, n. - F., a Tupi loan word (prob.
kabbtir, ModPers. kiibiir); of unknown etymothrough the medium of Sp. caucho).
logy. The -s in ME. was mistaken for the pl.
cap, n., a covering for the head.- ME. cappe, fr.
was consequently dropped.
and
See
cappa.
L.
Late
fr.
cap',
OE. c:eppe, 'hood,
caper, intr. v., to dance about, to prank. cape, 'cloak', and cp, words there referred to.
Shortened fr. capriole (q. v.)
Derivatives: cap, tr. v., capp-ed, adj., capp-er,
Derivatives: caper, n., caper-er, n., caper-ing,
n., capp-ing, n., capp-y, adj.
suff. adj., caper-ing-ly, adv.
capable, adj. -F., fr. L. capiibi/is, 'able to grasp
caper, n., a privateer; its captain (hist.) - Du.
or hold, capable', fr. capere, 'to catch, seize,
kaper, fr. kapen, 'to seize', which prob. derives
hold'. See captive and -able.
fr. Fris. kapia, 'to buy', used euphemistically in
Derivatives: capabil-ity, n., capable-ness, n.,
the sense 'to take away', fr. kiip, 'purchase', a
capabl-y, adv.
euphemistic term for 'piracy'. Fris. kiip is rei.
capacious, adj., holding much. - Formed with
to MDu. coop, Du. koop, OHG. kouf, ON. kaup,
suff. -ous fr. L. capiix, gen capiicis, 'capable to
etc., 'purchase'. See cheap, n.
grasp or hold', fr. capere. See prec. word and
caph, kaph, n., name of the 1 Ith letter of the
cp. cabbage, 'to pilfer'.
Hebrew alphabet. - See kaph.
Derivatives: capacious-ly, adv ., capacious-ness,n.
capercailzie, also capercaillie, n., the largest
capacitate, tr. v., to render capable. -See next
grouse, Tetrao urogal/us. - Gael. capulcoille,
word and verbal suff. -ate.
lit. 'horse of the woods', fr. caput, 'horse' and
Derivative: capacitat-ion, n.
coille, 'wood'. Gael. caput is borrowed fr. L.
capacity, n., ability to hold; ability. -F. capacabal/us, 'horse'. See cavalry.
cite, fr. L. cap,lcit(/tem, ace. of capiicitiis, 'capacaphar,n.,a toll levied by the Turks upon travelers
bility of holding much', fr. capiix, gen. capiicis.
for protecting them (obsol.) - Fr. Arab. khaSec capacious and -ity.
jdrah, 'protection', fr. khdfara, 'he protected'.
cap-a-pie, adv., from head to foot. - OF. (de)
capias, n., a writ of arrest (law). - L., 'thou
cap a pie, 'from head to foot'. fr. L. caput, 'h~ad',
mayest take', 2nd person sing. pres. subjunctive
ad, 'to', and pedem, ace. of pes, 'foot' (see capiof capere, 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive.
tal, adj., ad-, and pedal). The F. equiv. is
capillaire, n., the maidenhair fern. - F. capiide pied en cap, lit. 'from foot to head'.
Jaire, fr. L. herba capilliiris, 'the maidenhair', fr.
caparison, n., ornamented covering for horses;
capi/Jiiris, 'pertaining to the hair', fr. capillus.
outfit, equipment. - OF. caparasson (F. capaSee capillary.
ra(:on), fr. Sp. caparaz6n, 'caparison', fr. OProcapillarity, n., the property of exerting capillary
ven~. caparasso, 'a mantle with hood', fr. capa,
attraction. - F. capillarite, fr. L. capilliiris. See
'hood', fr. Late L. cappa. See cape, 'cloak'.
next word and -ity.
caparison, tr. v., to cover with caparisons. - F.
capillary, adj., hairlike; n., a very thin blood
capara(:onner, fr. capara(:on. See caparison, n.
vessel. - L. capilliiris, 'pertaining to the hair',
cape, n., a sleeveless cloak. - F., fr. OProven~.
fr. capillus, 'hair', which is prob. rei. to caput,
capa, fr. Late L. cappa, 'hood, mantle', which
gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.
is of uncertain origin. Cp. It. cappa, Sp. capa,
capistrate, adj., hooded. - L. capistriitus, pp.
'cloak', which also derive fr. Late L. cappa. Cp.
of capistriire, 'to halter', fr. capistrum, 'halter',
cap, caparison, capeline, capuche, Capuchin,
fr. capere, 'to catch. seize, hold'. See captive and
chape, chapeau, chapel, chapelet, chaperon,
adj. suff. -ate and cp. capstan.
chaplet, cope, 'a long cloak', escape, kepi,
capital, adj. - F., fr. L. capitiilis, 'pertaining to
schapska.
the head, capital, chief, first', formed with suff.
cape, n., a promontory. - F. cap, fr. It. capo,
-iilis, fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head', fr. I.-E.
fr. L. caput, 'head'. See capital, adj.
*qap-ut, whence also 01. kaput-, 'head', in kacapelin, n., a fish (Ma/lotus villosus).- F. capepucchalam, 'hair of the hind part of the head',
/an, cape/in, lit. 'a beggarly priest', fr. OProven.y.
Goth. haubijJ, OE. hiafod, 'head'. Cp. I.-E.
cape/an, 'chaplain; fish'. See chaplain.
*qap-elo- in 01. kaptilam, 'skull, potsherd, dish,
capeline, n., 1) a small skullcap of iron worn by

235
lid', kapiilf-, 'mendicant's bowl'. See head and cp.
capital, 'principal', capital, 'head of a column',
and chief. Cp. also achieve, ancipital, biceps,
cabildo, cabotage, cadet, camail, camouflage, Capito, cap-a-pie, cape, 'promontory', capitan, capitation, capitellum, Capito, Capitol, capitulate,
caporal, capot, caprice, captain, cater, 'to provide
food'; cattle, caudillo, cavesson, chabot, chapiter,
chapter, chef, chevet, chieftain, corporal (mil.), da
capo, decapitate, kerchief, mischief, muscovado,
occiput, precipice, precipitant, precipitate, quadriceps, sinciput, triceps. Cp. also capillary.
Derivatives: capital, n. (q.v.), capital-ly, adv.
capital, n., stock of money, principal. - Late L.
capitiile, 'property', prop. neut. of the Latin adjective capitiilis, 'pertaining to the head, chief,
first'. Cp. It. capitale, F. capital, G. Kapital,
'capital, principal', and see capital, adj. For
sense development cp. cattle.
Derivatives: capital-ism, n., capital-ist, n., capital-ist-ic, adj., capital-ize, tr.v., capital-iz-ation, n.
capital, n., head of a column. - L. capitellum,
'little head', dimin. of caput, gen. capitis, 'head'.
See capital, adj., and cp. caudillo.
capitan, n., captain. - lt. capitano, fr. Late L.
capitiineus, 'head, chief', fr. L. caput, gen.
capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj., and cp. captain,
chieftain.
capitate, adj., head-shaped (bot.) - L. capitiitus,
fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: capitat-ed, adj.
capitation, n., tax payable by each person.- Late
L. capitiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'poll tax', fr. L. caput,
gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj., and -ation.
capitellum, n., a little head, a knob (anat. and
zoo/.)- L., dimin. of caput, gen. capitis, 'head'.
See capital, adj., and cp. chapter.
Capito, n., a genus of fishes, the South American
barbet (ichthyol.) - L. capiro, a large-headed
fish', lit. 'large head', augment. of caput, gen.
capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj., and cp. chabot.
Capitol, n., the temple of Jupiter on one of the
seven hills of Rome (on the Mons Capitolinus).
- L. Capitolium, a derivative of caput, gen.
capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.
capitoline, adj., pertaining to the Capitol in Rome
or to the hill on which it stood. - L. Capitalinus, fr. Capit6/ium. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
capitular, adj., pertaining to a chapter. - ML.
capituliiris, fr. L. capitulum, 'a small head, chapter', dimin. of caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See
capital, adj., and -ar and cp. chapter.
capitulary, adj., pertaining to a chapter. - See
prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
capitulary, n., a collection of decrees. - ML.
capituliirium, fr. capitaliiris. See capitular and
subst. suff. -ary.
capitulate, intr. v., to surrender on terms.- ML.
capituliitus, pp. of capituliire, 'to draw up the
heads of an agreement', fr. L. caput, gen. capitis,

capreo1

'head'. See capital, adj., and verbal suff. -ate.

Derivative: capitulat-ion, n.
capon, n., a castrated cock.- ME., fr. OE. capun,
fr. L. ciiponem, ace. of ciip6, 'castrated cock
(whence also Gk. x&rrwv, of s.m.), which is cogn.
with Gk. x67te:w, 'to strike, cut, cut off', x6rro~,
'a striking; toil, suffering, pain', x6tJ.iJ.<X, 'a piece
cut off; a short clause', xo7tl<;, 'chopper, cleaver,
billhook', xo1te:u.;, 'chisel', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qlip-,
*(s)qep-, *(s)qop-, 'to cut', whence also Lith.
kap6ju, kap6ti, Lett. kapiiju, kapiit, 'to hew,
hack', OSlav. kopa}Q, kopati, 'to dig', OE. hamelian (whence obsol. E. hamble), ON. ham/a,
OFris. hamelia, OHG. hamalon, 'to mutilate',
OHG. hamal, 'mutilated' (whence MHG. hamel,
G. Hammel, 'wether'), MLG., MDu., Du. hamel,
'wether'. Cp. F. chapon, 'capon', fr. VL. *capp6nem, ace. of *capp6, corresponding to classical
L. capo. From the above base-with initial sderive also Gk. crxocrre:tv, 'to dig out', crxo:rrciv'Y),
'spade, hoe', =cicp'l), 'boat', lit. 'something dug
out',=rro:pvo.;, 'carpenter's ax', crx6rre:).o.;, 'high
rock, peak', OSlav. skopiti, 'to castrate', skopici, 'eunuch', Czech skopec, 'wether' (whence
MHG. schope3, G. SchOps, of s.m.), Lith. skapiu, skopti, 'to dig out, hollow out (a spoon)'.
Cp. hatchet. Cp. alsoapocope,comma,Coptis,kopeck, syncope. Cp. also scabble, scapho-, scapula,
scopelism, scyphus.
Derivatives: capon, tr. v., caponier (q.v.), caponize, tr. v., capon-iz-er, n.
caponier, n., a construction placed across a ditch
(fort.) - F. caponniere, fr. Sp. caponera, prop.
'a coop or enclosure to fatten capons', applied
facetiously to a place affording shelter. See
prec. word and -ier.
caporal, a kind of tobacco. - F., lit. 'corporal'
(see corporal, n.); so called because it is superior
in quality to the common soldier's tobacco (as
the corporal is to the common soldier).
capot, n., the winning of all the tricks at the game
of piquet. - F. capot in faire capot, 'to win all
the tricks at the game of piquet', adopted from
the sea term fa ire capot, 'to capsize, upset';
capot prob. derives fr. Proven.;. cap, 'head',
(fr. L. caput). For sense development cp. F.
chavirer, 'to capsize, upset', which derives fr.
Provenr;. cap ~irar, 'to turn the head (of a
ship)'. See capital, adj.
Derivative: capot, v.
Capparidaceae, n. pl., the caper family (bot.) Formed fr. next word with suff. -aceae.
Capparis, n., a genus of plants of the caper family
(bot.)- L., fr. Gk. x:ir:r::tp:;, 'caper'. See caper,
a prickly plant'.
Caprella, n., a genus of Crustacea (zoo/.) ModL., lit. 'a little she-goat', dimin. of capra,
'she-goat'. See cabriolet and cp. Capella.
capreol, capreole, n., a tendril (bot.)- L. capreolus, 'wild goat; tendril', fr. caper, 'goat'. See
cabriolet and cp. prec. and next word.
Derivative: capreol-ate, adj.

Capreolus

Capreolus, n., a genus of mammals, the roe deer

(zoo/.)- L., 'the wild goat', augmentative formed fr. caper, 'goat'. See cabriolet and cp. prec.
word.
capri-, combining form meaning 'resembling the
goat'.- L. capri-, fr. caper, gen. capri, 'goat'.
See cabriolet.
capric, adj., pertaining to a goat.- Formed with
suff. -ic fr. L. capra, 'goat'. See cabriolet.
capric, adj., pertaining to a fatty acid, C10H2o02
(chem.) - See prec. word; so called from its
smell. Cp. caproic.
capriccio, n., a kind of free composition (mus.) It., whence F. caprice. See next word.
caprice, n., a whim. - F., fr. It. capriccio, 'a
shiver, sudden start, a whim', which is prob.
compounded of capo (fr. L. caput), 'head' and
riccio (fr. L. ericius), 'hedgehog'. See capital,
adj., and urchin.
capricious, adj. -F. capricieux, fr.lt. capriccioso,
fr. capriccio. See capriccio, caprice and -ous.
Derivatives: capricious-ly, adv., capriciousness, n.
Capricorn, n., a constellation represented by the
ancients in the form of a goat. - F. capricorne,
fr. L. Capricornus, lit. 'having horns similar to
those of a goat', compounded of caper, 'goat',
and cornu, 'hom', prop. loan translation of
AtyoxEpwc;, the old Greek name of this constellation. See cabriolet and horn and cp. corn,
'hardened skin'.
caprification, n., artificial pollination of figs by
means of the stings of insects. - L. caprificiitio,
gen. -on is, 'ripening of figs (bythestingingofgallinsects)', fr. caprificiitus, pp. of caprificiire, 'to
ripen figs'. fr. caprificus, 'wild fig', lit. 'goat fig', fr.
caper, 'goat', andficus, 'fig'. See cabriolet, fig and
-ation.
caprifig, n., the wild fig. -A hybrid coined fr. L.
caprificus and E. fig. See prec. word.
Caprifoliaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the
honey-suckle family (bot.) - ModL., formed
with suff. -aceae fr. ML. caprifolium. See
Caprifolium.
caprifoliaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-a ceo us.
Caprifolium, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ML.,
compounded of L. caper, goat', and folium,
'leaf', See cabriolet and folio.
Caprimulgidae, n. pl., a family of birds, the goatsuckers (ornithol.)- ModL., formed with suff.
-idae, fr. L. caprimu/gus. See next word.
Caprimulgus, n., a genus of birds (ornitho/.) L. caprimu/gus, 'a milker of goats', also the
name of a bird, compounded of caper, 'goat'
(see cabriolet), and mulgere, 'to milk', which is
cogn. with Gk. ctf.LeAyEw, 'to squeeze out, to
milk', Goth. mi/uks, OE. meolc, 'milk'. See milk.
caprine, adj., pertaining to a goat.- L. caprinus,
fr. caper, 'goat'. See cabriolet and adj. suff. -ine
(representing L. -inus) and cp. capric.
capriole, n., a leap, caper. - F., cabriole, capri-

236

ole, fr. It. capriolare, 'to leap like a goat, to

caper', fr. capriuolo, 'roebuck'. See cabriolet.
Derivative: capriole, intr. v.
caproic, adj., pertaining to a fatty acid, C 6 H 120 2
(chem.) - Formed with suff. -oic fr. L. caper,
'goat'; so called from its smell. See cabriolet,
and cp. capric.
capsa, n., a repository, a box (esp. for books). L. See capsule.
Capsella, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) - ModL., dimin. of L. capsa,
'box, receptacle'. See capsule and -ella.
Capsicum, n., a genus of plants of the potato family (bot.) - ModL., irregularly formed, fr. L.
capsa. See case, 'box', and cp. capsa, capsule.
capsize, tr. and intr. v., to overturn; to upset.Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: capsize, n., capsiz-al, n.
capstan, n., a device for hauling up anchors. F. cabestan, fr. OProven<;. cabestan, fr. cabestran, pres. part. used as a noun, fr. L. capistriire, 'to tie with a halter', fr. capistrum, 'halter',
fr. capere,''to catch, seize, hold'. Cp. F. chevetre,
'halter', which also derives fr. L. capistrum. See
captive and words there referred to and cp. esp.
capistrate.
capsule, n. - L. capsula, 'a small box or chest',
dimin. of capsa, 'repository, box, chest, case'.
See case, 'box', and cp. Capsa, Capsella, Capsicum. For the ending see suff. -ule.
Derivatives: capsule, tr. v., capsul-ar, capsul-ate,
capsul-at-ed, adjs., capsul-at-ion, n., capsul-er, n.
captain, n. - ME. capitain, fr. OF. ( = F.) capitaine, fr. Late L. capitiineus, 'head, chief', fr.
L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. capitan.
Derivatives: captain, tr. and intr. v., captain-cy,
n., captain-ry, n., captain-ship, n.
captation, n., the reaching after something. -F.,
fr. L. captiitionem, ace. of captiiti6, 'a reaching
after, a catching at', fr. captiitus, pp. of captiire,
'to catch, seize; to strive after', freq. of capere
(pp. captus), 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive
and -ation and cp. next word. Cp. also the second element in mercaptan.
caption, n., 1) the act of taking; 2) heading. L. captio, gen. -onis, 'a catching, seizing, holding', fr. captus, pp. of capere. See captive and
-ion and cp. prec. word. Cp. also usucaption.
captious, adj., faultfinding, carping. - F. captieux (fern. captieuse), fr. L. captiosus, 'fallacious', fr. captio, gen. -onis, 'a seizing, deception,
fallacious argument, sophism', fr. captus, pp. of
capere. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: captious-ly, adv., captious-ness, n.
captivate, tr. v., tocapturetheattentionof; to fascinate. - Orig. 'to capture', fr. L. captfviitus, pp.
of captfviire, 'to take captive, to capture', fr.
captfvus. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: captivat-ing, adj., captivat-ing-ly,
adv., captivat-ion, n., captivat-or, n.
captive, adj. and n. - F. capt if (fern. captive),

237
fr. L. captivus, 'caught, taken prisoner', fr. captus, pp. of capere, 'to catch, seize, take hold of,
take, receive, hold, contain', whence L. capsa,
'repository, box, chest, case', capu/us, 'sarcophagus, bier'; fr.I.-E. base *qap-, 'to seize, hold,
contain', whence also Gk. x&:Ttntv, 'to swallow
greedily, gulp down', x&:7t1J, 'manger', xw7t1),
'handle, handle of an oar, haft', Alb. kap, 'I
take, seize', kam, 'I have', Lett. kamp(j)u, kampt,
'to seize', Goth. hafjan, OE. hebban, 'to raise,
lift', Goth. haban, OE. habban, 'to have',
and prob. also or. kapafi, 'two handfuls'.
See heave and have and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also accept, anticipate, apperceive, apperception, aucupate, cabas, cabbage, 'to pilfer',
cable, cachalot, caisson, caitiff (which is a doublet of captive), caja, cajeta, cajole, capable, capacious, capacity, capias, capistrate, capsa, Capsella, Capsicum, capstan, capsule, captation,
caption, captious, captor, capture, Carpocapsa,
case, 'box, chest', casement, cash, catch, charabanc, chase, conceive, concept, conception, cop,
'to catch', Copepoda, deceipt, deceive, deception,
disciple, discipline, emancipate, except, excipient,
forceps, imperceptible, incept, inception, intercept, intussusception, mancipate, mercaptant,
municipal, nuncupative, occupy, participate, perceive, percept, perception, precept, preceptor,
prince, principal, principle, purchase, recado, receipt, receive, recept, receptacle, reception, receptive, recet, recipe, recover, recuperate, susceptible, usucapion.
captivity, n. - F. captivite, fr. L. captivitiitem,
ace. of captfvitiis, fr. captfvus. See prec. word
and -ity.
captor, n. - L., 'a catcher', fr. captus, pp. of
capere, 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive and
agential suff. -or.
capture, n. - L. captiira, 'a seizing, taking', fr.
captus, pp. of capere. See captive and -ure.
Derivatives: capture, tr. v., captur-er, n.
capuche, n., a hood; a cowl. - F. capuche, capuce, fr. lt. cappuccio, 'cowl', dimin. formed fr.
cappa. See cape, 'cloak'.
Derivative: capuch-ed, adj.
Capuchin, n., a monk of a Franciscan order founded in 152fi. - F. capucin, earlier also capuchin,
fr. It. cappuccino,. dimin. of cappuccio, 'cowl'
(see prec. word); so called from the pointed
cowl worn by the members of this monastic
order.
capybara, n., a South American rodent (Hydrochoerus capybara). - A Tupi word. Cp. Cavia,
cavy.
car, n. - ME. carre, fr. ONF. carre, fr. VL.
carra, a word of Celtic origin; cp. Olr., MW.
carr, 'cart, waggon', Bret. karr, 'chariot', L.
carrus, of the same origin and meaning, gave
birth to ONF. car, F. char. L. currus, 'chariot',
is independent of the above Celtic words, but
cognate with them. See course and cp. career,
cargo, caricature, cariole, cark, carocbe, car-

caratch

roccio, carry, carriage, charabanc, charge, chariot.

Derivative: car, tr. and intr. v.
carabao, n., water buffalo. - Sp., from Philippine native name.
Carabidae, n. pl., a family of beetles (entomol.)ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. x&p()(~o~,
'horned beetle'. See scarab and cp. Caridea.
carabineer, n., a mounted soldier armed with a
carbine.- F. carabinier, fr. carabine, 'carbine'.
See carbine.
carabinieri, n. pl., the Italian police. - It., pl. of
carabiniere, fr. F. carabinier. See carabineer.
caracal, n., a kind of lynx. -F., fr. Turk. qarah
qiiliik, 'black ear'.
caracara, n., a kind of large South American
bird. - A Tupi word of imitative origin.
carack, n. - See carrack.
caracole, n., half-turn in riding. - F., fr. Sp.
caracol, lit. 'snail', which is prob. a blend of
L. scarabaeus, 'a beetle', and conchylium (fr. Gk.
xonuALOv), 'a shell fish'. See scarab and cockle.
caracole, intr. v., to make a caracole. - F. caracoler, fr. caracole. See caracole. n.
carafe, n., a glass bottle. -F., fr. Sp. garrafa, fr.
Arab. gharrdj; 'drinking jug', fr. ghdrafa, 'he
drew water'.
carambole, n., a carom (billiards). - F., fr. Sp.
carambola. See carom.
caramel, n., burnt sugar. - F., fr. OSp. caramel
(now caramelo), a blend of ML. cannamella,
'sugar cane', (see cane and melliferous) and Sp.
caramillo, 'reed', fr. L. calamel/us, dimin. of
calamus, 'reed' (see calamary).
Carangidae, n. pl., a family of fishes (ichthyol.)ModL., formed with suff. -idae, fr. ModL.
Caranx, name of the type genus, fr. Sp. caranga,
name of a kind of flatfish, a word of unknown
origin.
carangoid, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, the
Carangidae. -A hybrid coined fr. Sp. caranga
(see prec. word) and Gk. -'"E~I>(,;, 'like', fr. dl>o<;,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
Caranx, n., the type genus of the Carangidae
(ichthyol.) - ModL. See Carangidae.
carapace, n., the covering of the back of certain
animals, esp. the upper shell of the turtle, crab
etc. - F., fr. Sp. carapacho, which is of unknown origin. Cp. calipash, calipee.
carat, n., unit of weight for precious stones and
pearls. - F., fr. ML. carriitus (whence also lt.
carato), fr. Arab. qirdt, 'fruit of the carob tree:
weight of 4 grains', fr. Gk. xEpi-:tr;v, 'a little
hom; fruit of the carob tree; carat', dimin. of
xifo?:~ een. xzci.,.0~, 'hom'. See horn and cp.
co~, '.h-;rdened ski~'.
caratch, n., formerly, a tribute imposed by the
Arabs and Turks upon their non-Mohammedan
subjects.- Arab. khardj, kharj, 'tribute', borrowed fr. Aram. kargd, 'tribute', through the
medium of Persian (Aramaic was the official
language of the Persian kingdom for many
centuries).

caravan

caravan, n. - F. caravane, fr. Pers. kiinviin,

'company of travelers, caravan', which is rei.
to OI. karabhd/.1, 'camel, young camel, young
elephant'.
Derivatives: caravan, tr. and intr. v., caravaneer, n.
caravanserai, n., Eastern inn, esp. for caravans.
- F. caravanserai, fr. Pers. kiirwiinsariii, fr.
kiinviin (see caravan) and sariii, 'mansion, inn',
which is prob. rei. to Avestic ffriiyeifiti, 'they
protect', Ol. trdyate, 'protects'.
caravel, carve!, n., any of various kinds of light
vessels. - F. caravelle, fr. Sp. carahela, dimin.
formed fr. crirabo, 'a small vessel', fr. Arab.
qdrib, 'bark', which is traceable to Gk. x:~poc~oc;,
'horned beetle; crayfish; a light ship'. See scarab.
caraway, n., a plant with aromatic seeds.- ME
carawai, fr. OSp. ( = Sp.) alcaravea (whence
Sp. carvi), fr. Arab. al-karawiyd', fr. al-, 'the',
and karawiyd', fr. L. carum, careum, fr. Gk.
:d:p0v, x&:pov, 'caraway', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. skirret.
carb-, form of carbo- before a vowel.
carbamate, n., a salt of carbamic acid (chem.)Sec carbamic and -ate.
carbamic, adj., pertaining to the organic acid
CONH 2 0H (chem.) -- Formed with suff. -ic
from the abbreviation of carbonic and amide.
See carbon and amide.
carbasus, n., lint. - L.. fr. Gk. x:xp;;occr,jc;, 'flax,
cotton', which is prob. borrowed fr. 01. karpdsa/.1, 'cotton brush, cotton', whence also
ModPers. kirpiis, Arm. kerpas, Arab. kirbds,
He b. karpds (Esther 1: 6), 'cotton, fine linen'.
See Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymological Dictionary, I, p. 174 s.v. karpdsab. According to Porzig in Zeitschrift fUr Indologie
und Iranistik, 5, 272 ff., both 01. karpdsa/.1 and
Gk. xpr.occro~ derive from a language of the
Mediterranean or Asia Minor.
carbide, n., a compound of carbon with an clectroposit ive element (chon.)-- See carbo- and -ide.
carbine, n., a short rifle.- F. carabine. 'carbine',
fr. carabin, 'carabineer', fr. M F. calabrim, fr.
ML. Calabrfnus, 'of. or pertaining to, Calabria'.
Accordingly the original meaning of F. carahine
is '(rifle) made in Calabria. For the ending sec
adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -fnus).
carbinol, n., methanol or any alcohol derived
from it (chem.) - Coined by the German organic chemist Hermann Kolbe ( 1818-84) in 1868
fr. carbin (see carbon), a name used by him to
denote the methyl radical, and -ol, a suff. denoting an alcohol.
carbo-, before a vowel carb-, combining form for
carbon (chem.) -See carbon.
carbohydrate, n., (chem.) - Compounded of
carbo- and hydrate.
carbolate, n., a salt of carbolic acid (chem.) See carbol- and chem. suff. -ate.
carbol-, combining form denoting the presence
of carbolic acid (chem.) - See next word.

238
carbolic, adj., pertaining to carbon and oil. Compounded of L. carbo, 'coal', and oleum,
'oil'. See carbon, oil and -ic.
carbolize, tr. v ., to sterilize with carbolic acid
(chem.)- Formed fr. carbo!- and -ize.
carbon, n., a nonmetallic clement (chem.) - L.
carbo, gen. -on is, 'coal, charcoal', prob. standing
for *car-dho and derived fr. I.-E. base *ker-,
'to singe, burn, glow'. See hearth and cp. cremate. Cp. also carbonado, Carbonari, carbuncle.
Derivatives: carbon-ic, adj., carbon-ize, tr. v.
carbonaceous, adj., 1) coaly; 2) pertaining to, or
containing, carbon. - Formed with suff. -aceous fr. L. carbo, gen. -onis, 'coal'. See prec. word.
carbonado, n., a broiled piece of meat.- Sp. carbonada, prop. subst. use of the fern. pp. of carbonar. See next word.
Derivative: carbonado, tr. v.
carbonado, n., an opaque kind of diamond.
Sp., lit. 'carbonate3', pp. of carbonar, 'to carbonate', fr. carbon, 'coal', fr. L. carbonem, ace.
of carbo. See carbon and -ado.
carborundum, n., silicon carbide (SiC), an abrasive. - Coined fr. carbon and corundum.
carboxyl, n., a univalent radical, containing carbon, oxygen and hydrogen (COOH) (chem.) Compounded of carbon, oxygen and -yl.
Derivatives: carboxyl-ate, n. and tr. v., carboxyl-ation, n.
carboy, n., a large glass bottle. - Pers. qariiba.
Cp. Arab. qirbah, 'a large leathern bottle'.
carbuncle, n., 1) formerly, a red gem; now a garnet with a convex rounded surface; 2) a painful
inflammation under the skin. - ME., fr. ONF.
carbuncle (corresponding to OF. charboncle,
charbucle), fr. L. carbunculus, 'a small coal; a
bright, reddish kind of precious stone; a kind
of tumor', dimin. of carhO, gen. -onis, 'coal'.
See carbon and cp. escarbuncle.
Derivative: carbuncl-ed, adj.
carbuncular, adj. - Formed with suff. -ar fr. L.
carbunculus. See prec. word.
carburet, tr. v., to combine with carbon (chem.)
- Formed fr. carbon on analogy of sulfuret.
Derivatives: carburet-ant, n., carburet-ion, n.
carburetor, carburcttor, n., an apparatus for carbureting gas or air. - Formed fr. prec. word
with agential sufi. -or.
carcanet, n., an ornamental chain. - Dimin. of
F. carcan, 'iron collar; necklace, carcanet; pillory', fr. ML. carcannum (whence also OProven~. carcan, 'necklace'), which is of uncertain
origin. For the ending see suff. -et.
r. mrcafse. fr. earcarca~~. n .. a dead body. lier charcois, carcois, of uncertain origin. It. carcassa, of s.m., is prob. a French loan word.
carcel, n., a French unit of illuminating rower.Prop. 'the illuminating rower of the light of a
CarcellanTp', which is named after the French
clockmaker Benrand-Gulllaumc Carcel ( 1750t812), its inventor.
career, n., prison. - L. Sec incarcerate.

cardoon

239

Carcharias, n., a genus of sharks (ichthyol.) ModL., fr. Gk. xocpx_ocpLii;, 'a kind of shark',
lit. 'the fish with the saw like teeth', fr. xipz:xpo~,
'sawlike, jagged, pointed, sharp', which is cogn.
with 01. khdra/.1, 'rough, sharp, hard', and prob.
also with Toch. A tsiir, 'rough, sharp'.
Carchariidae, n. pl., a family of sharks (ichthyol.)
- ModL, formed from prec. word with suff.
-idae.
carcinoma, n., a form of cancer (med.)- L carcinoma, fr. Gk. x:x~x(vw,lloc, gen. x:xpxLvwfLoccoc;,
'ulcer, cancer', fr. Y.ocpx(voc;, 'crab, cancer'. See
cancer and -oma.
Derivative: carcinomat-ous, adj.
carcinomatoid, adj., having the shape of a carcinoma (med.) - Compounded of Gk. xocpx(vww (see prec. word) and -oeLilf,c;, 'like', fr.
dlloc;, 'form, shape. Sec -oid.
carcoon, n., manager, clerk (Anglo-Ind.) - Marathi kiirkun, fr. Pers. kiir-k1in, 'manager', lit.
'doer of what is to be done',fr.I.-E. base *q"'er-,
'to make, form, shape'. See Sanskrit and cp.
words there referred to.
card, n., a machine for combing hair, wool, etc.F. carde, 'chard, teasel. card', fr. OProvcn~. cardo, back formation fr. cmdar, 'to card', fr. L.
carduus, 'thistle', which is related to carro, carrere, 'to card (wool)', from a basic form *carridus, 'that which scrapes', fr. I.-E. base *qars-,
'to scrape, scratch, rub'. See harsh and cp. cardoncillo, cardoon, Carduus, Carex, carline thistle,
carminative, carriw, chard.
card, tr. v., to comb with a card. - F. carder,
fr. carde. See prec. word.
Derivatives: card-ed, adj., card-er, n.
card, n., a piece of pasteboard for playing.- F.
carte, fr. Late L. carla, 'a leaf of paper; paper',
fr. L. charta, 'a leaf of the Egyptian papyrus;
papyrus; paper', fr. Gk. zp7r.:;. of S.m., a
foreign word, possibly of Egypt. origin. Cp.
carte blanche, carte de visite, cartel, cartoon,
cartouche, cartridge, cartulary, chart, charter,
ecartc, skat.
Cardamine, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. cardamina, fr. Gk.
;,:::.;:3x:J.vr,, 'a kind of cress', a word formed by
Dioscorides fr. ;,:'-':pllocwjv, 'cress', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. next word.
cardamom, cardamum, n., an aromatic fruit. F. cardamome, fr. L. cardam6mum, fr. Gk. Y.:>:p,H_fl.W!-I.(j\1, which is compounded of xpll:>:[L'JV,
'cress', and !f[LWfLO'I, a spice plant'. See Cardamine and Amomus. The contraction of the two
elements into xocpllillwJ.ov from *x:xpih:J.-i::J.<>)!1.0'1 is due to haplology.
Cardanic, adj., Cardan joint, Cardan shaft, Cardan's solution.- Named after the Italian mathematician and physician Geronimo Cardano
(1501-76).
cardiac, adj. (anat.), I) pertaining to the heart;
2) pertaining to the upper part of the stomach.
- F. cardiaque, fr. L cardiacus, fr. Gk. xocp-

'pertaining to the heart', fr. xotpll(ii,

'heart'. See cardio- and -ac.
Derivative: cardiac-a!, adj.
cardialgia, n. (med.), 1) pain in the region of the
heart; 2) heartburn.- Medical L., compounded of Gk. x:xpllUi, 'heart', and lfA.yo~, 'pain'.
See cardio- and -algia.
cardigan jacket, cardigan.- Named after James
Thomas Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan
(1797-!868).
cardinal, adj. - F., fr. L cardiniilis, 'principal,
chief', fr. cardo, gen. cardinis, 'hinge of a door,
pivot; that on which something turns', which is
of uncertain origin. Perh. it derives fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qeriid-, 'to turn, swing; leap, jump, bound',
whence OJ. kiirdati, 'leaps, hops', Gk. xp&:31J,
'quivering ~pray at the end of a branch', xpotll:iw,
xp:xlloc(vw, 'I brandish, shake', perh. also x6p3ocC,:,
'dance in a comedy'. Base *(s )qeriid- is a -d-enlargemcnt of base *(s)qer-, 'to leap, jump,
bound', whence Gk. crxoc(pw, 'T leap, skip,
bound'. See Scarus and cp. coruscate, horse,
rathe, rather.
Derivatives: cardinal, n. (q.v.), cardinal-ly, adv.
cardinal, n. - F., fr. Eccles. L. cmdinii/is (short
for cardiniilis ecclesiae Romiinae, orig. applied
to various dignitaries of the church). fr. L. cardina/is, 'principal, chief'. Sec cardinal, adj.
cardinalate, n., the rank of a cardinal. - F. cardina/at, fr. Eccles. L. cardinaliitus, fr. cardinal is.
See prec. word and subst. suff. -ate.
cardio-, before a vowel cardi-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the heart' .-Gk. x:xpo~,;-,
xo:p3L-, fr. xocpolii, 'heart'. See heart and cp.
cardiac, carditis. Cp. also the second element in
dexiocardia, diplocardiac, endocardium, epicardium, megalocardia, pericardium, myocardia.
cardiogram, n., the tracing made by the cardiograph. -- Compounded of cardio- and Gk.
yp[J.in, 'that which is written. See -gram.
cardiograph, n., an instrument for recording the
movement of the heart. - Compounded of
cardio- and Gk. -YP?'j~. fr. ypi9e~v. 'to write'.
Sec -graph.
cardiology, n., the study of the heart. - Compounded of cardio- and Gk. -ifjy(i, fr. -).!,yo~,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: cardiolog-ical, adj., cardiolog-ist, n.
Cardiospermum, n., a genus of plants of the soapberry family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
cardio-and Gk. cr;-;iptJ.:>:. 'seed, sperm'. See sperm.
carditis, n., inflammation of the heart (med.)Medical L., coined by the French physician JeanNicolas Corvisart (1775-1821) fr. Gk. x:xpllli,
'heart' (see cardio-), and suff. -itis.
cardoncillo, n .. a kind of cactus. - Sp., dimin.
of cardon, 'teasel', fr. Late L. cardonem, ace. of
cardo, 'thistle'. See next word.
cardoon, n .. the globe artichoke. - F. cardun,
fr. Proven~. cardon, prop. 'thistle', fr. Late L.
cardonem, ace. of cardv, 'thistle', which is rei. to
3Locx6~.

Carduus
L. carduus, 'thistle'. See card, 'machine for combing' and cp. words there referred to.
Carduus, n., a genus of prickly herbs (bot.) L. carduus, 'thistle'. See prec. word.
care, n.- ME. care, fr. OE. caru, cearu, 'anxiety,
sorrow, care', rei. to OS. kara, 'sorrow', OHG.
chara, 'lament', Goth. kara, 'sorrow', OS. (mod)
karag, 'anxious, sad, sorrowful', OE. cearig,
MDu. carich, 'sad, sorrowful', Du. karig,
'scanty, frugal', OHG. karag, 'anxious', MHG.
karc, karg, 'shrewd, clever', G. karg, 'stingy,
scanty'; fr. Teut. *karo, 'sorrow, care'. These
words are cogn. with Gk. ylipu~. Dor. y<ipu~,
'voice, sound', Arm. cicai'n, 'swallow', cicai'nuk,
'nightingale', Ossetic zar, 'song', zarun, 'to sing',
L. garrfre, 'to chat, talk, chatter', W. garm,
Oir. giiir, gairm, W. gawr, 'noise, cry', Toch.
kiirye, 'care'. All these words derive from the
I.-E. imitative base *gar-, 'to shout, cry'. The
sense development of Toch. kiirye, 'care', E. care
and the related Teut. words may be illustrated
by the following stages: cry-lamentat iongrief. Cp. chary, cur, garrulous, Gerygone. Cp.
also German.
Derivatives: care-ful, adj., care-ful-ly, adv., careful-ness, n., care-less, adj., care-less-ly, adv.,
care-less-ness, n.
care, intr. v. - OE. cearian, rei. to OS., Goth.
karon, 'to sorrow', OHG. charon, 'to lament',
and to OE. caru, 'anxiety, sorrow, care'. See
care, n.
careen, tr. and intr. v., to cause (a ship) to turn
aside. - F. cariner, carener, lit. 'to expose a
ship's keel', fr. carine, carene, 'keel of a ship',
fr. dial. It. carena, fr. L. carina, of s.m., orig.
'shell of a nut', which is cogn. with Gk. x&p..>ov,
'nut, walnut', xo:p!ot, 'the walnut tree', and pro b.
also with Ol. karaka/.1, 'coconut; water vessel
made from coconut'. Cp. Carya, karyo-, and
the first element in gillyflower. Cp. also carina.
For the sense development of L. carina cp. E.
hull, 'the body of a ship', prop. figurative use of
hull, 'husk'.
Derivatives: careen, n., careen-age, n., careener, n.
career, n., a running, course; course through life.
- F. carriere, 'racecourse, career', fr. It. carriera, 'wagon', fr. Late L. carriiria via, 'road for
vehicles', fr. carrus, 'a four-wheeled wagon'. See
car and cp. chariot, carry, carriage.
Derivatives: career, intr. v., career-er, n., careerist (q.v.)
careerist, n., a person interested chiefly in his
career. - A hybrid coined fr. career and -ist.
a suff. of Greek origin.
caress, n., an act of endearment. - F. caresse,
back formation fr. caresser. See caress, v.
caress, tr. v., 1) to touch endearingly; 2) to flatter.- F. caresser, fr. It. carezzare, lit. 'tocherish', fr. caro, 'dear', fr. L. carus, of s.m. See
charity and cp. cherish.
Derivatives: caress-ing, adj., carress-ing-ly, adv.,

carress-ive, adj., carress-ive-ly, adv.

caret, n., the mark /'- used in writing to show
where something is to be added.- L. caret, 'it
is without, is wanting', fr. carere, 'to be without, be wanting, be free from, abstain from'.
See chaste.
Carex, n., a genus of plants including the sedge
family (bot.)- L. ciirex, 'rush, sedge', possibly
rei. to carrere, *ciirere, 'to card', so that ciirex
would have orig. denoted 'the scratching plant'.
See card, 'machine for combing', and cp. carrizo.
carfax, n., place where four roads meet. - ME.
carfourkes, fr. OF. carreforcs, pl. of carreforc
(F. carrefour), 'crossroads', fr. Late L. quadrifurcum, of s.m., prop.~neut. of the Latin adj.
quadrifurcus, 'having four forks'. See quadriand fork.
cargo, n. - Sp., 'load, burden', fr. cargar, 'to
load', fr. VL. carriciire, fr. L. carrus, 'wagon'.
See charge and cp. car, cark.
Carib, n., Cariban, adj., Caribbean, adj.- Caribbean galibi, 'strong men'. See cannibal.
caribou, n., the N. American reindeer. -A Canadian F. word of Algonquian origin; ep. Micmac khalibu, lit. 'pawer, scratcher, shoveler'.
caricature, n. - F., fr. It. caricatura, 'a load,
overloading', fr. caricare, 'to load, charge', fr.
VL. carriciire, 'to load a car', fr. L. carrus, 'car'
(see car and charge, v.) Accordingly caricature
prop. means 'an excess in drawing or painting'.
For the ending see suff. -ure.
Derivatives: caricature, tr. v., caricaturist (q.v.)
caricaturist, n. - A hybrid coined fr. It. caricatura (see caricature) and -ist, a suff. of Greek
origin.
Caridea, n., a group of crustaceans (zoo/.) ModL., formed with suff. -idea fr. Gk. z'ipl~.
gen. x'iploo~. 'shrimp, prawn', which is prob.
rei. to x&p~o~. 'horned beetle'. See scarab and
cp. Carabidae. Cp. also Epicarides, Syncarida.
caries, n., decay (med.)- L. caries, 'decay, rottenness', fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'to hurt, hit',
whence also Gk. zf;p, 'death, destruc<ion',
&x+,px-co~, 'unhurt', xep:d~etv (for *zep."l~etv),
'to lay waste', zsp:x;,~~ [for *xzp-x-."!z)v6;] ,
'thunderbolt, lightning', lit. 'smasher, crusher'.
01. snu:iti, 'breaks, crushes', Sfryate, siryate,
'falls asunder', Oir. ar-a-chrinim, 'I fall to
pieces', irchre, 'fall, ruin', crin, 'withered, faded'.
Cp. cerauno- and the second element in sincere.
carillon, n., musical bells. - F., 'peal of bells',
fr. OF. quarregnon, carignon, fr. VL. quadrinionem, ace. of *quadrinio, refashioned on analogy of words beginning with quadri- (see quadri-), fr. L. quaternio, 'a group of four things'
(here used in the sense of 'a group of four
bells'). See quaternion.
carina, n.;a keel-like part (anal., bot. and zoo/.)
- L., 'shell of a nut; keel of a ship'. See careen.
carinate, adj., shaped like the keel of a ship. L. carinatus, pp. of carfniire, 'to supply with a

\.cliii!VUI VU.:l

241

240

II

shell', fr. carina, 'shell of a nut, keel of a ship'.

See careen and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: carinate, n., carinat-ion, n.
cariole, carriole, n., a small light carriage. - F.
carrio/e, fr. OProven~. carriola, dimin. of carri,
fr. VL. *carrium, fr. L. carrus, 'wagon'. It. carrio/a is also borrowed fr. OProven~. carriola.
See car and -ole.
carious, adj., decayed. - L. cariosus, 'decayed,
rotten', fr. caries. See caries and -ous.
Derivative: carious-ness, n.
cark, intr. v., to be anxious. - ME. carken, fr.
ONF. carquier, corresponding to OF. chargier
(F. charger), 'to load', fr. VL. carriciire, 'to put
a load on'. The orig. meaning of cark was 'to
load'. See charge.
Derivatives: cark-ing, adj., cark-ing-ly, adv.
cark, n., anxiety. - ME., fr. AF. carque, karke,
fr. ONF. carche, corresponding to OF. ( = F.)
charge, fr. ONF. carquier, resp. OF. chargier.
See prcc. word.
carl, n., a fellow (Scot.)-- ON. karl, 'a man', rei.
to OE. ceorl, 'a man of low degree'. See churl
and cp. Carl, Charles.
Carl, masc. PN.- G. Karl. See Charles and cp.
carl.
carline, n., an old woman (Scot.) - ON. kerling, fem. of karl, 'man'. See carl and cp. Carl,
Charles. Cp. also earling.
carline thistle. - F. carline, fr. ML. car/ina, for
cardlna, fr. L. carduus, 'thistl~. See card, 'machine for combing', and cp. words there referred
to. ML. car/ina was influenced in form by Charlemagne (Carolus 1Hagnus), with whom this
plant was associated by legend.
earling, n., one of the timbers running lengthwise (naur.)- F. carlingue, fr. ON. ker/ing, lit.
'an old woman'. See carline, 'an old woman'.
Carlovingian, adj., Carolingian.- F. carloringien,
a blend of carolingicn and merovingien. See
Carolingian and Merovingian.
carmagnole, n., 1) jacket (worn by the French
Revolutionarie s in 1793); 2) a revolutionary
dance. - F., fr. Carmagnola, name of a district in Piedmont, Italy. The word orig. denoted
a coat worn in Carmagnola and brought to
France by workmen from Piedmont.
Carmelite, n. and adj. - L. Carmelites, fr. Gk.
K::t.~:rr,i.f-:"r,~. 'an inhabitant of Carmel', fr. K:i:~
!rr).',:, 'Carmel', fr. He b. Kamuil. 'C'v1ount) Carmer, lit. 'garden', derived fr. keron, 'vineyard'.
The mendicant order of the Carmelites owes
its name to the circumstance that about 1210
Berthold, a crusader from Calabria, and ten
of his companions, became h~rmib on :VIowH
Carmel.
carminative, adj., expelling flatulence.- Formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. carminiitus, pp. of carminiire, 'to card wool', hence 'to cleanse, purify'.
L. carminiire derive~ fr. carmen, gen. carminis,
'a card for wool or flax', which is rei. to carrere,
'to card'. Sec card, 'machine for combing', and

-ative. (Carmen in the above sense is not rei. to

carmen, gen. carminis, 'song'.)
Derivative: carminative, n., a carminative drug.
carmine, n., a purplish-red color; adj., of purplish-red color.- F. carmin, fr. ML. carminium,
a blend of Arab. qirmiz, 'worm' and L. minium,
'cinnabar, red lead, vermilion', which is of
Iberian origin. See crimson, and miniature.
carnage, n., slaughter, massacre. -F., fr. It. carnaggio, fr. VL. carniiticum, fr. L. caro, gen.
carnis, 'flesh, meat'. See carnal and -age and cp.
carrion, charnel.
carnal, adj., pertaining to flesh, fleshly, bodily',
of the body; sensual, sexual. - L. carniilis,
'pertaining to the flesh, fleshly, carnal', fr. L. caro,
gen. carnis, 'flesh, meat', orig. 'a piece (of flesh)',
rei. to Umbr. karu, 'part, piece', Oscan carneis
(gen.) 'of a part', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut',
whence also L. cortex, 'bark', corium, 'skin,
hide, leather', scortum, 'skin, hide', 01. kmfiti,
k(I,IOti, 'hurts, kills', Gk. xdpew (for x~p}E(V),
'to cut, shear', &x:xpf,~. 'small, tiny' (lit. 'too
short to be cut'), OE. sceran, scieran, 'to cut,
shear'. See shear and adj. suff. -al and cp.
carnage, carnification, carnivorous, carrion,
caruncle, acharm\ acharnement, cenacle, chair,
'flesh color', charnel, incarnadine, incarnate. For
derivatives of *(s)qer(e)p-, a -p-enlargcment of
base *(s)qer-, see carpel, harvest, scurf, sharp.
Cp. also certain and words there referred to.
Derivatives: carnality (q.v.), carnal-ize, tr. v.,
carne/-/y, adv.
carnality, n., flcshliness. - Late L. carmllitas,
fr. L. carmi/is. See prec. word and -ity.
carnation, n., 1) formerly, flesh color; 2) any of
the cultivated varieties of the clove pink. -F.,
'flesh tint, flesh color, carnation', fr. lt. carnagione, 'flesh, flesh tint', fr. carne, 'flesh, meat',
fr. L. carnem, ace. of caro, of s.m. See carnal
and -ation.
carnelian, n., a red variety of chalcedony. - A
blend of cornelian and L. can], gen. carnis,
'flesh' (see carnal); so called in reference to its
flesh-red color.
carnification, n., the act or process of turning
into flesh. - Compounded of L. caro. gen. carnis, 'flesh. meat' (see carnal), and -fication.
carnify, tr. v., to turn into, or become, flesh. See prec. word and -fy.
carni\'al, n. - F. camaml, fr. It. carnel'a!e, fr.
ML. carne, vale, '0 flesh, farewell''. See carnal
and mle, interj.
Derivative: camira/U)-er, n.
Carnivora, n. pl., an order of mammals (zoo/.)ModL., neut. pl. of L. carnirorus; see carniYorous. The term Carnil'ora was introduced into
zoology by the French naturalist, baron GeorgesCuvier
Leopold-Chn!t ien-Frederic-D agobert
(1769-1832).

carnivore, n .. a flesh-eating mammal. - F., fr.

L. carnivorus. See next word.
carnivorous, adj., flesh-eating. - Formed fr. L.

carob

242

of xe<p(o>Tlae~, fr. xapo<;, 'heavy sleep, torpor''

which itself is rei. to xcipi, 'head', arose from
the erroneous belief that drowsiness was caused
by the carotids.
cious); first used by Thomas Browne.
carousal, n., a carouse. - Formed fr. next word
Derivatives: carnivorous-ly, adv., carnivorouswith adj. suff. -al.
ness, n.
carouse, n., a drinking bout.- OF. carous, fr. G.
carob, n., a tree (Ceratonia si/iqua); its seed pod.
garaus, 'all out', in the phrase garaus trinken,
- F. caroube, fr. ML. carrubia, carrubium, fr.
'to drink right out', fr. gar, 'altogether', and
Arab. kharriibah, fr. Aram. /:ltirubhii, 'carob tree,
aus, 'out'; see yare and out and cp. rouse,
carob', which is rei. to He b. /:ltirilbh, of s.m. Cp.
'carousal'. Carouse was orig. an adverb and
algarroba.
used only in phrases like 'to drink carouse', but
caroche, n., a kind of carriage used in the 16th
it became later a noun.
and 17th centuries. - Earlier F. carroche, fr.
Derivatives: carouse, intr. v., carous-er, n.,
It. carroccia, caroccia, a collateral form of carcarous-ing, adj., carous-ing-ly, adv.
rozza, carozza (whence F. carrosse), fr. carro,
carp, intr. v., to find fault. - ME. ~arpen, 'to
'car, carriage'. See car and cp. carroccio.
say, speak', fr. ON. karpa, 'to chatter, boast';
Carol, masc. PN. - ML. Carolus. See Charles
influenced in meaning by L. carpere, 'to pluck'
and cp. Carl.
(see carpel). Derivatives: carp-er, n., carp-ing,
Carol, fern. PN.-Abbreviatio n of Caroline (q.v.)
adj., carp-ing-ly, adv.
carol, n., a joyful song. - ME. carol, carole, 'a
carp, n., the fish Cyprinus carpio. - OF. ( = F.)
dance in a ring, a joyful song, fr. OF. carole,
carpe, fr. OProven". carpa, fr. Late L. carpa,
'a dance in a ring', fr. L. choraula, a collateral
which is a Teut. loan word. Cp. MDu. carpe,
form of choraules, 'flute player, who accomcarper, Du. karper, OHG. karpfo, MHG. karpfe,
panied with a flute the chorus dance', fr. Gk.
Karpfen, 'carp'. Cp. also It. carpa, carpione,
G.
zop6~,
of
zopocuA"t]~. which is compounded
Sp., Port. carpa, Rum. crap, which derive fr.
'dance in a ring, chorus', and o:u).e~v. 'to play
Late L. carpa. Lith. ktirpis, Lett. karpe, kiirpa,
on the flute', fr. o:uA6~, 'flute'. For the first eleRuss. karp and korop are Teut. loan words.
ment see chorus. The second element is rei. to
carp-, form of carpo- before a vowel.
Gk. OC'JA<ilv, 'a hollow between hills, a channel',
carpal, adj., pertaining to the carpus or wrist. and cogn. with L. alvus, 'belly', alveus, 'a holFormed fr. carpus with suff. -al.
low, cavity'; sec alveolus.
carpale, n., a bone of the carpus (anat.)- Mediccarol, intr. and tr. v., to sing joyfully.- F. caroal L., fr. carpus.
ler, fr. carole. See prec. word.
Carpathian Mountains. - Thracian Gk. Ko:pDerivative: carol(l)-er, n.
rr:l:":"'jc; opoc;, lit. 'the Rocky Mountain', rei. to
Caroline, adj., belonging to the time of Charles I
K:l:prrot, name of a Thracian tribe, lit. meaning
or ll of England. - Formed fr. ML. Carolus,
'the inhabitants of rocky regions', and cogn.
'Charles', with suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
with Alb. karpfi, 'rock'. See next word.
See Charles and cp. Carol.
carpel, n., a simple pistil (bot.) - ModL. carCaroline, fern. PN. - F., fr. It. Carolina, orig. a
pel/um, dimin. formed fr. Gk. xocpr-6~. 'fruit',
and
'Charles',
Carolus,
ML.
fr.
fern. adj. derived
lit. 'that which is plucked', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qerlit. meaning 'of, or pertaining to, Charles'. See
(e)p-, 'to cut; to pluck', whence also OI. krpii!Ja~!,
Caroline, adj.
'sword', Hitt. karp-, karpiyti-, 'to gather, take',
Carolingian, adj., pertaining to the dynasty of
Alb. karpEi, karmfi (for *karp-n), 'rock, crag',
Charlemagne. -- Formed fr. ML. Carolus
skrep, krep, 'rock, slope', Thracian Gk. Ketp(Magnus), 'Charlemagne' (i.e. 'Charles the
rr:l:TIJ<; opr,~, 'Carpathian Mountains' (see prec.
Great'). See Charles and -ian and cp. Carloword), Gk. xpwmo J, 'scythe', L. carpere, 'to
lingian.
pluck, cull, gather', M lr. corriin, 'sickle' cirrim,
Derivative: Carolingian, n.
'I beat off, mutilate', Lith. kerpu, kirpti, 'to cut
carom, n., in billiards, a shot in which the cue
with scissors, shear', Lett. c~rpu, cirpt, of s.m ..
ball hits two other balls. - F. carambole, 'the
dial. Russ. cerp, 'sickle'. For Teut. cognates of
red ball (in billiards)', fr. Sp. carambola, 'fruit
the same base see harrow, hanest, scurf, sharp.
and
round
is
(which
tree'
carambola
the
of
Cp. carp, intr. v., carpet, Carpinus, acarpous,
orange-colored); 'the red ball' (in billiards), ult.
acrocarpous, amphicarpic, cremocarp, Crepidula,
fr. Malay karambi/. Cp. cannon, 'stroke in bilCrepis, discerp, endocarp, epicarp, excerpt, meliards', and carambole.
ricarp, mesocarp, monocarpic, pericarp, scarce,
carotid, adj., designating either of the two arteries
schizocarp, syncarp, xylocarp. I.-E. *(s)qer(e)pthat conduct the blood from the aorta to the
is an enlargement of base *(s)qer-, 'to cut',
head: n., a carotid artery (anat.) - Fr. Gk.
whence (Jk. xdpet'J (for *zp1Etv), 'to cut, shear',
x:xFw-:-llk;, 'the great arteries of the neck', prop.
L. car6, 'flesh, meat'. See carnal.
'the great arteries of the head', fr. x:l:Fi, 'head',
carpenter, n.- ME., fr. ON F. carpentier (correwhich is cogn. with L. cerebrum, 'brain'. See
sponding to F. charpentier), fr. Late L. carpencerebrum and cp. cranium. The usual derivation

carnivorus, 'feeding on flesh', fr. car6, gen.

carnis, 'flesh, meat', and the stem of vortix, gen.
-ticis, 'hungry, greedy' (see carnal and vora-

cartel

243
tarws, 'wagonmaker', fr. L. carpentum, 'wagon,
carriage', which is of Gaulish origin. Olr. carpat, 'wagon', was re-borrowed fr. L. carpentum;
MW. kerbyt, 'coach', is an Irish loan word.
Derivatives: carpenter, intr. and tr. v., carpentry, n.
carpet, n.- ME., fr. OF. carpite, fr. ML. carpita,
'a kind of thick cloth', prob. fr. L. carpere, 'to
pluck' (see carpel); so called because the cloth
is made of shreds.
Derivatives: carpet, tr. v., carpet-ing, n.
Carphophis, n., a genus of snakes (zoo!.)
ModL., compounded of Gk. x:l:pcpo~, 'dry straw,
dry stick', and OqJL~, 'snake'. The first clement
derives fr. I.-E. base *(s)qerebh-, 'to curve, contract, shrink'. See corf and cp. ramp, v. Cp. also
Crambe, crambo. For the second element see
ophidian.
Carpinus, n., a genus of trees of the birch family
(bot.) - L., 'the hornbeam'; cogn. with Lith.
skirpstas, 'elm', OPruss. skerptus, of s.m., Lith.
skirpstus, 'copperbeech', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer(e)p-, 'to cut', whence also L. carpere, 'to pluck,
cull, gather' (see carpel); so called from the
double-serrate leaves of the hornbeam.
carpo-, before a vowel carp-, combining form denoting the carpus (anal.)- Gk. xetprro-, xocprr-,
fr. xo:prr6~, 'wrist'. See carpus.
carpo-, before a vowel carp-, combining form
meaning 'fruit'.- Gk. xe<prro-, xocprr-, fr. xocprr6c;, 'fruit'. See carpel.
Carpocapsa, n., a genus of moths (entomol.) ModL., compounded of carpo-, 'fruit', and
xiyt~, 'a gulping, devouring', from the stem of
x:l:rr-ret'J, 'to swallow greedily, gulp', which is
cogn. with L. capere 'to catch, seize, hold'. See
captive.
Carpodacus, n., a genus of finches (ornithol.) ModL., compounded of carpo-, 'fruit', and Gk.
lhxoc;, 'a biting animal', which is rei. to o:l:x~ew,
'to bite', and cogn. with 01. ddsati, 'bites', OE.
tang, range, 'tongs' (lit. 'that which bites'). See
tongs.
carpology, n., the study of the structure of fruits.
- Compounded of carpo- and Gk. -),<;y[i, fr.
-Mya~. 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
carpophore, n., prolongation of the axis of a
flower (bot.) - Lit. 'fruit bearer', fr. Gk.
xocprr6~, 'fruit', and -?~po<;, 'bearer'. See carpel
and -phore.
carpus, n., the wrist (anal.)- L., fr. Gk. zocpr;l,~,
'wrist', which stands for x.=ocp:-:6; and lit.
means 'that which turns', from I.-E. base
*k"erp-, 'to turn, revolve, -whence also OE.
hweorfan, 'to turn about, go, move', hwerf, 'dam,
bank', prop. 'a place for turning about'. See
wharf and cp. the second element in metacarpus.
carrack, carack, n., a merchant ship. - ME., fr.
OF. car(r)aque, fr. Sp. carraca, fr. Arab. qardqir,
pl. of qurqilr, 'merchant ship', fr. Gk. xepxoupo~,
'boat, pinnace', fr. Kepxo~, 'taii', and oup&, 'tail;

stern of a ship'. See cercus and uro-, 'tail-'.

carrageen, n., an edible seaweed. - Short for
carrageenmoss; named from Carragheen in Ireland, where this seaweed is found.
carriage, n. - ONF. cariage, 'that which is carried', fr. carier, 'to cart, carry' (corresponding to
F. charriage, 'cartage, haulage', fr. charrier, 'to
cart, carry'), fr. L. carriciire, fr. L. carrus, 'wagon, carriage'. See carry and -age.
Derivative: carriage-able, adj.
carrick bend (naut.) - Prob. rei. to carrack.
carriole, n. - See cariole.
carrion, n., the dead flesh of an animal. - ME.
caroin, carion, fr. ON F. caroigne (corresponding
to OF. charoigne, F. charogne), fr. VL. *caronia,
fr. L. car6, gen. camis, 'flesh, meat' (see carnal). It. mrogna, OProven9. caronha, Sp. carrona, 'carrion', also derive fr. VL. *carunia.
Derivative: carrion, adj.
carrizo, n., reed grass. - Sp., fr. L. ciirex, gen.
ciiricis, 'reed grass', whence also It. cariet'. See
Carex.
carroccio, n., the car on which the standard of an
Italian city was bnrne into battle during the
Middle Ages. - It., dimin. formed fr. carro,
'car', fr. L. carr us. See car and cp. caroche.
carronade, n., a kind of short naval gun. Named from Carron in Scotland, where this
kind of gun was first made.
carrot, n. - F. carotte, fr. L. carcita, fr. Gk.
xe<pw-ro~. prob. a derivative of *xxpvc;, 'head',
and rei. to x:l:pi, 'head'. See cranium and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: carrot-y, adj., carrot-i-ness, n.
carrousel, also carousel, n., a merry-go-round. F. carrousel, fr. It. carosello, prob. fr. Arab.
kurraj, 'a play with wooden horses', fr. Pers.
kurrii(k), 'foal'.
carry, tr. and intr. v. -- ME. carien, fr. ON F. carier (corresponding to F. charrier), 'to cart,
carry', fr. VL. carriciire, fr. L. carrus, 'wagon,
carriage'. See car and cp. carriage.
Derivatives: carry, n., carri-er, n.
carry-all, n., a kind of light carriage (U.S.A.)
Corruption of F. carriole, 'a light car', based on
folk etymology. Sec carriole.
cart, n. -ME. carte, cart, prob. fr. ON. kartr,
-which is rei. to OE. cril't, 'cart, chariot', MDu.
cratte, 'a woven mat, hamper', Du. krat, 'basket',
and to OE. cradol, 'cradle'. See cradle.
Derivatives: cart, tr. and intr. v., cart-age, n.,

cart-er, n.
carte, quarte, n., a position in fencing. - F.
quarte, prop. fern. of quart, a founh, fr. L.
quarlu~. 'fourth; a fourth'. Se.: quart.
carte blanche, blank paper. - F., lit. 'white
paper'. See card, 'a piece of pasteboard', and
blank.
carte de visite, a portrait mounted on a small
card.- F., lit. 'vi~iting card'. Sec card, a piece
of pasteboard'.
cartel, n., I) a written challenge; 2) a written

Cartesian

F. cartouche, 'cartouche, cartridge'. See prec.

agreement between belligerants as to the treatword.
ment and exchange of prisoners; 3) an associacartulary, n., a chartulary. - See chartulary.
tion of industrialists. - F., fr. It. cartello, 'placarucate, n., formerly, a measure of land in Engcard', whence, 'written challenge', dimin. formed
land. - ML. carrucagium, 'tax on plow or
fr. cart a, 'paper, writing', fr. Late L. cart a.
plowland', rel. to carraCLltium, 'a two-wheeled
See card, 'piece of pasteboard', and cp. chart,
coach', fr. L. carruca, 'a four-wheeled coach',
charter. In the sense 'association of industriin Gaulish-Latin, 'plow', fr. carrus, 'wagon'.
alists' cartel derives fr. G. Karte/1, which itself
See car.
comes fr. F. cartel (see above).
Carum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot family
Cartesian, adj., pertaining to Descartes; n., fol(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x&pov, 'caraway'. See
lower of Descartes. - Fr. Cartesius, Latinized
caraway.
form of Descartes. Cp. next word and see -ian.
caruncle, n., a fleshy excrescence.- L. caruncula,
Cartesianism, n., the philosophy of Rene Descar'a little piece of flesh', dimin. of caro, 'flesh'.
tes (1596-1650). For the ending see suff. -ism.
See carnal.
Carthamus, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
caruncula, n., a caruncle (anal.) - L. See prec.
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Arab. qir{im, qLir{um,
word.
in vulgar pronunciation qortom, qar{am, 'safDerivatives: caruncu/-ar, caruncul-ate, carunculflower', fr. A ram. qurt'mti, of s.m., literally 'that
at-ed, caruncul-ous, adjs.
which is lopped', fr. Heb. qir{im, 'he lopped',
carve, tr. and intr. v.- ME. keruen, fr. OE. ceorenlarged form of qatam, of s.m.; so called befan, 'to cut, carve', rei. to OFris. kerva, Du.
cause the flowers are plucked off as soon as they
kerven, MHG., G. kerben, 'to cut, notch', fr.
begin to wither.
I.-E. base *gerbh-, 'to scratch', whence also Gk.
Carthusian, n., a monk or nun of the order foundypx<pew, 'to scratch, engrave, write', OS!av.
ed at Chartreuse.- ML. Cartusiiinus, from the
irebu, irebiji, 'lot' (orig. 'a notched stick'),
place name Chartreuse ia France, where the
OPruss. glrbin, 'number' Oit. 'a notch'). Cp.
first monastery of this order was built. Cp.
graph, -graph, graphic. Cp. also kerf. For the
charterhouse.
change of ME. e to E. a cp arbor, 'a shady reDerivative: Carthusian, adj., pertaining to the
treat', harbor.
Carthusians.
Derivatives: carv-er, n., carr-ie, adj.
cartilage, n. - F., fr. L. cartilclgo, which is rei.
Carya, n., a genus of trees, the hickory (bot.) to L. crates, 'wickerwork'. Sec crate and -age.
ModL., fr. Gk. XS<p)'i:, 'the walnut tree', rei. to
cartilaginoid, adj., resembling cartilage. - A
xxp'J'''' 'nut, walnut', and cogn. with L. carina,
hybrid coined fr. cartilage and Gk. -',~t/J!;;,
'shell of a nut; keel of a ship'. See careen and
'like', fr. doo<;, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
cp. Caryota.
cartilaginous, adj. - F. cartilaJ?ineux (fem. carticaryatid, n., a draped female figure supporting a
lagineuse), fr. L. cartihlginrlsus, 'full of carticolumn (archil.)- L Caryatides, fr. Gk. KS<pulage', fr. cartilaJ?<i, gt!n. -inis, 'cartilage'. See
&-:-t/Jc;, 'priestesses of Artemis ( = tht! Roman
cartilage and -ous.
Diana) at Caryae', sing. h:t.?'Jx-ct;; so called fr.
cartograph, n., a map. -A hybrid coined fr. F.
KS<p)S<t, "Caryac', a town in Laconia (prob. in
cartr, 'playing card', and Gk. -'(PS<'t''~ fr. ypxallusion to the dance of the virgins at the festival
;-z~;, 'to write'. Sec card, 'a piece of pasteheld in the temple of Artemis Caryatis at Caryae).
board', and -graph.
Caryocar, n., a genus of trees of the family CaryDerivatives: cartograph-er, n., car/Of?raph-y, n.
F. carocaraceae (hot.)- ModL., compounded of Gk.
cartomancy, n., divination from cards.
xxpy,J, 'nut, walnut', and xp, 'head'; so
tomancie, a hybrid coined fr. F. cartr, 'playing
called in allusion to the large fruit. See careen
card', and Gk. :J.:z~-:-d'i:. 'oracle, divination.
and cranium and cp. Carya.
See card, n., 'a piece of pasteboard', and -mancy.
Caryophyllaceae, n., the pink family (bot.) carton, n., a cardboard box.- F. Sec next word.
ModL, fr. Caryoph.dlus, name of the genus, fr.
cartoon, n., I) a drav. ing on strong paper; 1) a
Gk. zx-;-.)~?;i.i.rJ'J, "clove tree, fr. z'l.;;'Jr.J'J, "nut,
comic strip. - F. carton, 'pasteboard', fr. It.
walnut', and ;-)i.i.c,;, 'leave. See careen and
cartone, augment. of carta, 'paper'. Sec card,
phyllo- and cp. prec. word. For the ending see
n., 'a piece of pasteboard'.
sufT. -aceae.
Derivati\'Cs: cartoon, v., cartoonist (q.v.)
caryophyllaceous, adj. -- See prec. word and
cartooni~t, n. - ;\ hybrid coined fr. cartoon and
-aceous.
-ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
caryopilite, n., a hydrous manganese silicate (mincartouche, n., I) a scroll-like ornament; 1) an
eral.) - Compounded of caryo-, Gk. :::i:i-<;;,
oval figure containing the name or title of an
'felt', and i.Wc.~, 'stone (sec pile 'hair', and
Egyptian deity or king. - F., fr. It. cartoccio,
-lite); so called in allusion to the felty appearlit. 'a roll of paper', fr. carta, fr. Late L. carta.
ance.
See card, 'a piece of pasteboard', and cp.
Caryota, n., a genus of palms of the family Arenext word.
aceae (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xocpjwTo~ <po~vL!;.,
cartridge, n.- Fr. earlier cartrage, corruption of

casserole

245

244

-ous fr. L. case us, 'cheese'. See cheese and cp.

'date palm', lit. 'a palm with walnutlike fruit',
casein.
cp.
and
careen
See
walnut'.
'nut,
fr. x&puov,
casern, cascrne, n., barracks.- F., fr. OProven9.
Carya.
cazrrna, lit. 'a place for four watchmen', fr. VL.
cascabel, n. - The same as cascavel.
*quaderna, fr. L. quaternl, four each'. See
fr.
cascata,
It.
fr.
F.,
cascade, n., a waterfall. quarter and cp. quaternion and words there recascare, 'tofall',fr. VL. *casicare,freq. formed fr.
ferred to. It. caserma, 'cascrne', has been inL. casus, pp. of cadere, 'to fall' (see cadence);
fluenced in form by L. anna, 'weapons'.
introduced into English by the diarist John
cash, n., ready money. - F. casse, fr. It. cassa,
Evelyn (1620-1706).
'chest, box, money box', fr. L. capsa, 'chest, box,
Derivative: cascade, intr. v.
repository'. See case, 'chest'.
cascara sagrada, n., a laxative drug. - Sp., lit.
Derivative: cash, tr. v.
'sacred bark'. Sp. cascara, 'bark', comes from
cash, n., a small coin used in East India and
cascar, 'to break', from VL. quassicarr, freq.
China. -Tamil kasu, 'a small coin'.
of L. quassare, 'to shake violently', itself freq.
n., a tropical American tree yielding
cashew,
quash,
see
shake';
'to
quassus),
of
of qua/ere (pp.
kidney-shaped nuts.- F. acajou, fr. Port. aca}1i,
'to make void', and cp. casco, cask. Sp. sagrada
caju, fr. Tupi acaju. Cp. acajou, cachou, catechu.
is fem. of sagrado, fr. L. sacriitus, 'sacred', pp.
cashier, n., a person in charge of money. -Not
of sac rare, 'to consecrate'; sec sacred.
derived fr. cash but fr. Du. kw;sier, fr. F. caiscasco, n., the hull of a ship. - Sp., 'potsherd,
fr. caisse, 'cashbox'. See cash, 'money'.
sirr,
fr.
ship',
a
of
hull
cask;
helmet,
shell, skull,
cashier, tr. v., to dismiss.- MDu. kasseeren, fr.
cascar, 'to crack, burst', fr. VL. quassiciire. See
F. casser, 'to break, annul, set aside'. Sec quash,
prec. word.
'to make void'.
cascavel, n., the rattlesnake called scientifically
cashmere, n., a soft woolen fabric. - From the
Crotalus terrificus. -Port., 'rattle, rattlesnake',
Vale of Kashmir. Cp. cassimere, kerseymere.
fr. Sp. cascabel, of s.m., lit. 'sleigh bell, jingle',
Casimir, masc. PN. - Pol. Kazimir, lit. 'profr. OProvem;. cascavel, fr. ML. cascabel/us,
claimer (or preacher) of peace', fr. ka::a(', 'to
dimin. of cascabus, which is prob. an alteration
proclaim, preach', and mir, 'peace'. Sec uka~e
of
of Late L. cac(c)abus, fr. Gk. xxx(x)x~o;,
and mir.
s.m., a word of prob. Sem. origin. Cp. Akkad.
casino, n., 1) a small country house; 2) an amusekukubu, 'vessel'.
ment hall. --It., lit. 'a lilLie house', dimin. formed
case, n., condition, instance; a modification in
fr. casa, 'house', fr. L. casa, 'hut, cottage'.
the inflection of a noun, etc. (gram.)- ME., fr.
See chasuble and cp. cassino.
occurrence',
OF. ( F.) cas, fr. L. casus, 'fall,
cask, n. - Sp. casco, 'potsherd, shell, skull, helfr. cas-(um), pp. stem of cadere, 'to fall, fall out,
met, cask', fr. cascar, 'to break', fr. VL. qunshappen'. Sec cadence. In its grammatical sense
sietlre, freq. of quassilrc, 'to shake violently',
L. casus, 'case', is a loan translation of Gk.
itself freq. of L. quat ere ( pp. quas:.us ), 'to shake'.
r:T0lm~, a falling, fall', which is rei. to ;:;(;r-:-ztv,
See quash, 'to make void', and cr. casco, casque.
'to fall'.
casket, n.-- Not a dimin. of cask, but corruption
ease, n., box, chest. - MF. casse, fr. ONF. casse
of F. cassette, dimin. of casse, 'chest, box'. See
(F. chiissl'}, 'a hox', fr. L. capsa, 'chest, box,
case, 'box, chest'.
repository', fr. L. capere, 'to catch, seize, hold'.
n., a style of type (print.) - Short for
Caslon,
Capsicum,
Capsclla,
capsa,
cp.
and
capth'e
See
tlpe; named after the printer William
Cas/on
capsule, caisson, cash, 'ready money', casket,
Caslon (I 692-1766), who designed it.
cassone, chassis, encase. See also chase, 'iron
casque, n .. a helmet.- F., 'helmet', fr. Sp. cmco.
frame', which is a doublet of case.
See cask.
Derivatives: case, tr. v., cas-cr, n., cas-inf?, n.
Derivative: casqu-ed. adj.
casein, n., a phosphoprotei n that forms the basis
Cassandra, n., daughter of Priam. king of Troy.
of cheese (chem.)- Formed with chem. suff. -in
Apollo gave her the gift of prophecy, but later
fr L. caseus, 'cheese'. See cheese.
decreed that no one should believe her propheF.,
casemate, n., a bomb-proof room (fort.)
cies (Greek myrhol.)- L., fr. Gk. KS<crcr~o~S<, a
fr. It. casamatta, apparently fr. Gk. zicrtJ.:<7x,
word of uncertain etymology.
pl. of z&crtJ.x, 'chasm, gap'. See chasm and cp.
cassation, n., annulment.-~ F., fr. casser. fr. Late
words there referred to.
L. cassare, fr. L. quassare, 'to .shake \iolently'.
Derivative: case mat-ed, adj.
See quash, w make void', and -ation dnd cp.
casement, n., a hinged window. - Shortened fr.
cask, and the second clement in fricassee.
MF. encassrment, a var. of MF. enchassement
n., a West Indian tr.:e. - ~ F. cassare, fr.
cassava,
en(F.
enchassrr
fr.
'frame',
(F. enchiissement),
Sp. casabe, cazabe, fr. Haiti casmi.
chiisser), 'to enchase'. See encha~e and -ment.
casserole, n., I) a baking di<>h: 2) a dishlike mold
caseose, n., a soluble product formed during the
of rice. - F., 'saucepan', fr. ONF. ca,.,e, fr.
fr.
Formed
digestion of casein (biochem.)
OProven~. cassa, fr. VL. cattia, 'trowel, frying
casein and subst. suff. -ose.
pan', dissimilated fr. ciattia, fr. Gk. xu:i.&LOv,
caseom, adj., like cheese.- Formed with suff.
--c

II
I

Cassia

dimin. of xuoc&o~. 'ladle', fr. )(\)~~v. XUE~V, 'to

swell", whence also l<U[J.(J(, 'anything swelling or
swollen'. See cave, n., and cp. cyma. Cp. also
cassolettc.
Derivative: casserole, tr. v.
Cassia, n., a genus of plants of the senna family
(bot.)- L. casia, cassia, 'a tree with aromatic
bark', fr. Gk. xom(<i, x:xcrcr[ii, 'cinnamon, cassia',
fr. Heb. q1 tzf'dh, 'cassia', which derives from
the base of qatzd', 'he scraped off', and is rel.
to Arab. qutjii', 'fine dust', lit. 'dust scraped
off'.
Cassida, n., a genus of tortoise beetles (entomol.)
- ModL., fr. L. cassis, gen. cassidis, 'helmet'.
See Cassis.
cassimere, n., a twilled woolen cloth. - Earlier
form of cashmere (q.v.)
cassino, n., a game at cards.- It. casino, 'a little
house, dimin. of casa. See casino.
Cassiopeia, n., the mother of Andromeda; after
her death she was changed into a constellation
(Grak mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. Koccrcr~6rr1], KacrmsrrE~:x; of uncertain etymology.
Cassis, n., a genus of mollusks (zoo/.)- ModL.,
fr. L. cassis, 'helmet', which prob. stands for
*kadh-ris, fr. I.-E. base *kadh-, 'to guard,
watch', whence also OE. hod, 'hood', haw, 'hat'.
See hood, hat and cp. Cassida.
cassiterite, n., native dioxide of tin, Sn02 (chem.)
- Tormed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. x:xcrcr[-re:F';;, 'tin', which is of uncertain origin.lt possibly
derives fr. Elamitic *kassi-ti-ra, 'from the land
of the Kassi (i.e. Cosseans)', hence orig. meaning 'metal occurring in the land of the Kassi'.
cassock, n., a long ecclesiastical garment. ~- F.
casaque, fr. Pers. kazagand, 'a kind of jacket'.
The ending -ond of the Persian word was mistaken for a sutf., and consequently dropped.
Cp. F. msaquin, 'jacket', in which the supposed
suff. -and was substituted by suff. -in.
Derivative: cassock, tr. v.
cassolette, n., a box for holding perfumes.
F., fr. OProven.;:. casoleta, dimin. of casola, itself a dimin. of ca.\'sa. See casserole and -ette.
cassone, n., a large chest, usually carved and
lt., augment. of cassa, 'chest', fr.
painted.
L. capsa. See case, 'box'.
cassowary, n., a large ostrichlike bird of Australia
and New Guinea.- Fr. Malay kasuari, through
the medium of Dutch. See F. Bcnse, A Dictionary of the Low-Dutch Element in the English
Vocabulary, p. 39.
cast, tr. and intr. v. -ME. casten, fr. ON. kasta,
'to throw'. of uncertain origin. There is no connection between this word and L. gerere, pp.
gestus. 'to carry' (see gcre!Zl).
Derivatives: cast, n., cast-er, n., cast-ing, n.,
castor (q.v.)
Castalia, n., the spring of the Muses on Mount
Parnassus (Greek mytho/.) - L., fr. Gk. Krtcr't'-xALi.

Derivative: Castali-an, adj.

246

Castalia, n., the water nymph (bot.) - ModL.,

fr. prec. word.
castanet, n., usually in the pl., a pair of hollowed
pieces of hard wood or ivory used as an accompaniment to music. - F. castagnette, fr.
Sp. castai'ieta, dimin. of castana, 'chestnut' (see
chestnut and -et, -ette); so called from its shape.
caste, n., a distinct social class. - Port. casta,
'race', prop. fern. of the adj. cas to, 'pure, chaste',
used as a noun, fr. L. castus. See chaste.
castellan, n., governor or warden of a castle. ONF. castelain, corresponding to OF. chastelain (F. chiitelain), fr. L. castelliinus, 'pertaining
to a castle', fr. castellum, 'castle'. See castle and
cp. chatelain, which is a doublet of caste/lan.
Cp. also Castilian.
castellated, adj., built like a castle. - ML., castellatus, 'built like, or resembling, a castle', fr.
L. castellum. See castle and the adj. suffixes
-ate and -ed.
castigate, tr. v., to punish severely, chastise. L. castfgatus, pp. of castfgare, 'to correct, chastise', prop. 'to induce to moral purity', compounded of cast us, 'clean, chaste, morally pure',
and agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead; to do,
act'. For the first element see chaste and cp.
chasten, chastise. For the second element see
agent and cp. the second element in fastigiate,
fatigue, fumigate, fustigate, levigate.
Derivatives: castigation (q.v.), castigat-ive, adj.,
castigator (q.v.)
castigation, n., severe punishment. - L. castfgati6, gen. -onis, 'a correcting, chastising', fr.
castfgatus, pp. of castfgare. See prec. word and
-ation.
castigator, n., one who castigates.- L. castigator,
'one who corrects or chastises', fr. castfgatus,
pp. of castfgare. See castigate and agential
suff. -or.
castigatory, adj., punitive. - L. castfgatorius,
'reproving, censuring', fr. castfgatus, pp. of eastfgare. See castigate and adj. suff. -ory.
castile, n., a fine kind of soap. -Short for Castile soap; so called from Castile, a province in
Spain, fr. Sp. Castilla. See Castilian.
Castilian, adj. - Sp. caste/lana, fr. Castilla,
'Castile', a name rel. to castillo, earlier castiello,
'castle, fort', fr. L castellum (see castle); so
called from the numerous forts erected on its
frontiers to serve as defense against the Moors.
Cp. castile. For the ending see suff. -an.
Castilleja, n., a genus of herbs of the figwort
family (bot.)- ModL., named in 1781 after the
Spanish botanist Domingo Castilleja.
castle, n. - ME. caste/, fr. ONF. caste/, corresponding to OF. chaste! (F. chateau), fr. L. castellum, 'citadel, fortress, stronghold', dimin. of
castrum, 'fortified place, fort, castle', castra
(pl.), 'camp'. See castrametation and cp. alcazar,
casteUan, Castilian, chiteau.
Derivatives: castle, tr. and intr. v., castl-ed,
adj.

247

I
I

Castor, n., one of the Dioscuri (Greek mythol.) ~

L., fr. Gk. K&cr-rwp, lit. 'the Bright one', from the
stem of xsxo:cr[Loc~, 'I distinguish myself', which
is cogn. with OI. perf. sasadul;l (part. Sdsadanal;l),
'to distinguish oneself, to shine'.
castor, n., 1) beaver; 2) substance obtained from
the beaver, castoreum. - F., fr. L. castor, fr.
Gk. xticr-rwp, ofs.m., fr. K&cr-rwp (see Castor); so
called because the secretion of the beaver was
used as a remedy for diseases of the womb and
K&cr-rwp was known as a preserver (crw-rf,p) of
women.
castor, n. (of pepper, etc.) - Fr. earlier caster,
lit. 'thrower', formed fr. cast with agential suff.
-er, resp. -or.
castor, caster, n., a small wheel fixed below a
chair leg. - Formed fr. cast in the obsolete
sense 'to turn'. See prec. word.
castor, n., callosity on a horse's leg. - Prob. a
corruption of ME. castane, castanie, fr. ONF.
castaine which corresponds to OF. chastaigne
(F. chdtaigne), lit. 'chestnut'. See chestnut.
castoreum, n., castor (a secretion of the beaver).
- L. fr. Gk. xoccr-r6pwv, fr. x&cr-rwp, gen. x&cr-ropo<;, 'beaver'. See castor, 'beaver'.
Castoridae, n. pl., a family of rodents, the beavers
(zoo!.) - ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. castor, 'beaver'. See castor, 'beaver'.
castorite, n., a variety of petalite (mineral.) Named after Castor, 'one of the Dioscuri'; cp.
pollucite. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
castral, adj., pertaining to a camp. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. castra, 'camp'. See
next word.
castrametation, n., the laying out of a camp
(mil.) - F. castramhation, fr. ML. castrametiitionem, ace. of castrametatio, fr. L. castrametatus, pp. of castrametarf, 'to pitch a camp', which
is compounded of castra, 'camp', and metarf,
'to measure, mete'. Castra is the plural of castrum, 'a fortified place, fort, castle', orig. 'that
which has been cut out', fr. *kastrom, 'a cutting tool'. See next word and cp. alcazar. L.
metarf is rel. to metfrf, 'to measure'; see mete.
castrate, tr. v., to remove the testicles of. - L.
castratus, pp. of castrare, 'to cut, geld', fr. *kastrom, 'a cutting tool'; prob. cogn. with 01.
sdsati, sdsti, 'cuts', sastrdm, 'knife', Gk. xd~E~\1,
'to split', and perh. also with OSlav. kosa,
'sickle'. L castrum, 'a fortified place' (in the pl.
'camp'), carere, 'to be without, be wanting, be
free from, abstain from', castus, 'pure, chaste',
are prob. related to casrrare. See chaste and cp.
caret. Cp. also castle and the first element in
castrametation. For the ending see verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: castrat-er, n., castration (q.v.),
castrat-or, n.
castration, n. - F., fr. L. castrationem, ace. of
castratio, fr. castriitus, pp. of castrare, 'to cut,
geld'. See prec. word and -ion.
casual, adj., accidentaL - F. casuel, fr. L. ciisu-

catachresis

alis, 'accidental, fortuitous'' fr. casus, 'case'.

See case, 'condition', and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: casual-ly, adv., casual-ness, n.,
casual-ty, n.
casuist, n., a person who resolves questions of
right and wrong. -F. casuiste, fr. Sp. casuista,
orig. 'an expounder of cases of conscience', a
hybrid coined fr. L. casus (in its ML. sense 'case
of conscience') and -ista, a suff. of Greek origin. See case, 'condition', and -ist.
Derivatives: casuist-ic, casuist-ic-al, adjs., casuist-ic-al-ly, adv.
casuistry, n., the resolving of questions of right
and wrong. - Coined by the English poet
Alexander Pope (1688-1744) fr. casuist and
suff. -ry.
caswellite, n., an altered mica (mineral.) Named after the American mineralogist John H.
Caswell. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
cat, n.- ME., fr. OE. catt, catte, rel. to ON. kottr
(masc.), ketta (fern.), Du. kat, OHG. kazza,
MHG., G. katze. Cp. O!r., GaeL cat, W. kath,
OCo. kat, Bret. kaz, 'cat'. Both these Teut. and
Celtic words are of uncertain origin. They derive
perh. fr. Late L. cattus(masc.),catta(fem.), whence It. galla, Sp. gato, F. chat. Late L. cattus and
catta are possibly loan words from an African language; cp. Nubian kadfs, 'cat'. The Balto-Slavic
names for the cat: OSlav. kotuka, kotel'a, Lith.
kate (whence Finnish katti) are perh. of the
same origin as L. callus. Cp. Arab. qif{, 'tomcat', qirta", 'cat', which may be from the same
source. Cp. also chatoyant and the first element
in caterpillar, caterwaul. Cp. also kitling, kitten, kittle, 'to bring forth kittens', kitty, 'kitten',
and the second element in meerkat.
Derivatives: cat, tr. v., catt-ery, n., call-ish, adj.,
catt-ish-ly, adv., catt-ish-ness, n., earling (q.v.),
catt-y, adj., catt-i-ly, adv., catt-i-ness, n.
cata- (before consonants), cat- (before vowels),
cath- (before aspirated vowels), pref. meaning
'down, downward; against; in accordance with,
entirely, completely'. - Gk. x:x-:oc-, x:x-r-, resp.
x(J(.&-, fr. x(J(-:i, 'down from, down to; against;
over,along; according to', cogn. with Hitt. katta,
'down, downward, at, with, under', and prob.
also with Gaul. canta-, OW. cant, Olr. cet-,
'with'.
catabasis, n., the decline of a disease (med.) ModL., lit. 'a going down', fr. Gk. xa-r&~:xcr~~.
fr. xoc-:a~:xlvE~v, 'to go down', fr. x:x-:i (see cata-)
and ~oclvEw, 'to go'. See basis and cp. anabasis.
catabolism, n., destructive metabolism (hiol. and
physiol.)- Lit. 'a throwing down', fr. Gk. X'X"::X~ol-+,, fr. x'X-:ct~&i-AE~v, 'to throw down', fr.
xx-rti (see cata-) and ~iN.~~v. 'to throw'. See
ballistic and -ism and cp. anabolism, metabolism.
catachresis, n., incorrect use of a word. - L., fr.
Gk. xo:-roc:xp1J<n<:;, 'excessive use, misuse', which
is compounded of xo:-r&, 'against' (see cata-), and
:xp'ijcn<:;, 'use, employment', from the base of
:xp-1], 'it is necessary', :xpocol-'-o:t, inf. :xp'ijcr.&(J(t 'to

catachrestic
make use of, to use'. See chrematistic and cp.
the first element in chrestomathy and the second
element in polychrestic.
catachrestic, adj., incorrectly used, misapplied.Gk. xoc-:-oczpr,a-:Lx6c;, 'misused, misapplied', fr.
x:x-:-:xzp'r,alhL, 'to misuse', fr. xocr&, 'against' and
zp'ija&:xL, 'to use'. See prec. word. For the ending
see suff. -ic.
Derivatives: catachrestic-al, adj., catachrestica/-ly, adv.
cataclasm, n., a breaking down.- Gk. xoc-r<Xx).:xafJ.:X, 'a breaking down', fr. x:x-r:xx).iv, 'to break
down', fr. xocd (see cata-) and x).iv, 'to break',
whence x).<Xmc;, 'a breaking'. See clastic and
cp. words there referred to. For derivatives of
I.-E. *qelad-, a -d-enlargement of base *qe/a-,
see dado-, holt.
Derivative: cataclasm-ic, adj.
cataclysm, n., a great flood; in geol., a violent
upheaval. - F. cataclysme, fr. Gk. xoc-ro:x).uatJ-6;, 'deluge, flood', fr. x:x-ro:x).)~e:Lv, 'to dash
against, break over, inundate', which is formed
fr. x:x-:-::1:, 'against' (see cata-), and x).)~e:w, 'to
wash, dash against, break over', whence also
xVJatJ.:X, 'liquid used for washing out; surf',
x).uar!Jp, 'clyster pipe, syringe', x),.)oc~v. 'wave,
surge'. Gk. x),.)~e:Lv is cogn. with L. cloaca (fr.
earlier clovaca), 'sewer, drain', OL. cluere, 'to
purge'. See cloaca and cp. clyster.
Derivatives: cataclysm-al, cataclysmat-ic, adjs.,
catac/ysm-ist, n.
catacomb, n., an underground cemetery. - F.
catacomb!', fr. Late L. catacwnba, dissimilated
fr. *cat a rumbas, 'beside the tombs' (prob. under
the influence of L. -cumber!', 'to lay oneself
down, to lie"). See cata- and tomb.
catacumbal, adj., resembling a catacomb. Formed fr. Late L. catacumba (sec prcc. word)
with adj. suff. -al.
catadioptric, adj., involving both reflection and
refraction (physics). - Formed fr. cata- and
dioptric. Cp. catoptric.
catadromous, adj., going down rivers toward the
Formed fr. cata- and Gk.
sea to spawn.
o~'<L''~ 'course'. See dromedary and -ous and
cp. anadromous.
catafalque, n., a temporary structure used at funerals. - F., fr. It. catafalco, fr. VL. *catafalicum (whence also OF. chafaud, F. echafaud,
scaffold), which is formed fr. cata- and L. fa/a,
a wooden tower (from which missiles were
thrown into a besieged city); scaffolding, a
word of Etruscan origin. Cp. scaffold.
Catalan, adj. rertaining tn laralnnia in Spain nr
its language.
Derivative: Catalan, n., the language of
Catalonia.
catalectic, adj., lacking part of the last foot of
the verse (pros.) - Late L. catalecticus, fr. Gk.
:.!:X":~i:r,x-:-c.u;c;, 'leaving off; having the last foot
of a verse incomplete', fr. xo:":o:).f,ye:Lv, 'to leave
off, stop', fr. xo:":i (see cata-), and ).~ye:w 'to

249

248
leave off, cease from', lit., 'to grow tired or
weary', which is related to ).o:yo:p6~. 'slack, hollow, sunken', and cogn. with L. /anguere, 'to
faint, weary', laxus [for *(s)l'g-sos], 'wide, loose,
open', fr. I.-E. base *(s)leg-, *(s)l'g-, 'to be
slack'. See slack, adj., and cp. lax and words
there referred to.
catalepsy, n., a condition in which consciousness
is temporarily lost and the muscles become rigid
(med. and psycho!.)- Gk. xo:dAY)'~L<;, 'seizure',
fr. x:x":o:Ao:tJ.~::l:ve:v, 'to seize upon', fr. x:x-:-& (sec
cata-) and AO:!L~xve:w, 'to take, grasp, seize'. Sec
lemma and cp. words there referred to.
cataleptic, adj., pertaining to, or having, catalepsy. - Gk. xoc-:-:xAY)rt-:-Lx6c; fr. xo:-r:x).IJr.-r6c;,
capable of being seized', verbal adj. of xo:":oc).o:tJ.~iv~Lv. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative; catall'ptic, n., a person subject to
catalepsy.
catallactic, adj., pertaining to exchange. - Fr.
Gk. xoc-r:x).).xaae:w, 'to change, exchange', ft.
xoc-:-x (sec cata-) and xf.).xaa~~v, 'to change', fr.
iJ.noc,, 'other', which is cogn. with L a/ius,
'other'. See else and cp. allo-, alias. Cp. also allactite and words there referred to.
Derivative; catallactic-al-ly, adv.
catalogue, catalog, n. - F. catalogul', fr. Late
L. catalogus, fr. Gk. x:x-:x).oy'J~. 'a counting up,
enrollment', fr. x:x-r:x).sy~Lv, 'to count up', lit.
'to count down. fr. x~"* (see cata-) and ).tye:w,
'to pick out, reckon,count, tell, speak'. See logos.
Derivatives: catalogue, catalog, tr. v., cataloguer, catalog-er, n.
Catalpa, n., a genus of plants of the trumpetcreeper family (bot.)- ModL., a name of Carolina Indian origin.
catalysis, n., chemical change caused by an agent
which itself remains unchanged (chnn.) ModL., fr. Gk. x:x-:-xi.-;crtt;, 'a dissolving', fr.
:.!:x-:-:xi.-:.~Lv, 'to dissolve' fr. x~-:-x (see cata-) and
i.-)e:Lv, 'to loose, loosen'. See -lysis.
catalyst, n., a catalytic agent (chem.) - Sec
prec. word.
catalytic, adj., producing catalysis (chon.)- Gk.
x:x-::xi.;-:-Lxl,~, 'able to dissolve', fr. zx-:-:xi,.)e:tv.
Sec catalysis and -ic.
catalyze, tr. v. - Back formation fr. catalysis.
Derivative: catalyz-rr, n.
catamaran, n .. 1) a raft of logs; 2) a boat formed
from two parallel hulls. - Tamil ka{{tmwram,
compounded of l..a{{u, 'binding', and maram,
'tree, wood'.
catamenia, n., menstruation ( physiol.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. -:'l z:x-:-t:J:~J.x, which is compounded of
x:x-:-x, according to' (see cata-), and [J.i;v, gen.
txr,v0r;. 'month'. See meno- and cr. emmenic.
catamite, n., a boy used in pederasty. - L.
Catamitus, a corrupt collateral form of Ganymedes, fr. Gk. l'o:vJfJ.f.or,r;, 'Ganymede', name of
Jupiter's cupbearer; sec Ganymede. The change
of Greek 1'1 to L. t is due to Etruscan influence.
Cp. sportula.

I
J

Derivatives: catamit-ed, catamit-ing. adjs.

catamountain, cat-a-mountain, n., the European
wild cat. - Lit. 'cat of the mountain'.
catapasm, n., a medicinal powder to be sprinkled
upon the skin.- Gk. xo:d.rro:ai.L:x, 'powder', fr.
x:x-:o:rrxaa~w. 'to besprinkle with', fr. xo:d (see
cata-) and rdaae:Lv, 'to sprinkle, besprinkle',
which is of uncertain origin.
cataphora, n., lethargy (med.) - Medical L., fr.
Gk. x:x-r:xc.pop&, 'lethargic attack', lit. 'a bringing
down', fr. xo:T:X'j)Epe:a&:x~, 'to be brought down',
passive of x:xT:x'j)i:pe:Lv, 'to bring down, fr. xo:-:::1:
(see cata-) and cplipLV, 'to bring'. See bear, 'to
carry', and cp. -phore.
cataphract, n., a coat of mail.- L. cataphractes,
fr. Gk. x:x-::x<ppxx-rr,;, 'coat of mail', fr. x:xdcpp:xx":o~, 'covered up', verbal adj. of x~T~
cppxaa<:Lv, 'to fortify', fr. x:x-rx 'down, entirely'
(see cata-), and <pp&aae:Lv, 'to fence round, enclose, defend', which stands for *<ppx-le:Lv and
is rel. to <ppytJ.o:. 'defence', and pro b. cogn.
with L.farcfre, 'to fill, stuiT',ft"equens, 'crowded'.
See frequent.
cataphyll, n., a rudimentary leaf (bot.) - Lit.
'down leaf', compounded of cata- and Gk.
cp-J/.).ov, Jcaf'. See phyllo- and cp. the second
element in hypsophyll and in sporophyll.
Derivative; cataphy/1-ary, adj.
cataplasm, n., a poultice (med.)- F. catap/asme,
fr. L. cataplasma, fr. Gk. x:x":x;-;),:xcr[.L:X, 'plaster,
poultice', fr. Y.:x-::xr:/,xacr~Lv, 'to plaster over', fr.
x:x-:::1: (sec cata-) and r:),xcrcr<:Lv, 'to form'. See
plasma and cp. words there refcned to.
catapult, n., an ancient military engine for hurling stones, spears, etc. -- L. catapulta, fr. Gk.
xH:x;-;s).-:r,;. 'engine for hurling bolts, catapult',
fr. x:x-:-::1: (see cata-) and the stem of ;-;x)),zLv, 'to
hurl', which stands in gradational relationship
to r.e:AE[LL~E~v. 'to shake, cause to tremble',
;-;~i.zw,;, 'war". See polemic and cp. words there
referred to.
cataract, n., a waterfall. - L. cataracta, 'waterfall', fr. Gk. z:x-:x;:ix-:-f,;. x:x-::xp;:fx-:-r,~. fr. x:x-:-:x;:icrcrzLv, x:x-:-xppxrmz~'l, 'to dash down, break in
pieces, fr. x:x-:-x (see cata-) and piaaz.'i, 'to
smite, break in pieces', which is pro b. of imitative
origin; cp. x;:xy-ih,1, 'with a rattle'. The spelling
Y.:x-:-:xppxz-:r,; (with double p) is prob. due to a
confusion with z:x-::xp;:r,yr~nt, 'to tear in pieces'.
Derivatives: cataract, tr. and intr. v., cataractal, n.
cataract, n., an eye disease. - L. cataracta, 'waterfall' (see prec. word). substituted for aqua,
water. which was used as a loan translation
of Arab. mii', 'water; cataract(theeycdisease)'.
See Walt Taylor, Arabic Words in English, in
S. P. E. ( = Society for Pure English), Tract
No. XXXVIII, fl. 597.
catarimte, n., an iron meteorite (mineral.) Named after Santa Catarina, name of a state
and its capit~l in southern Brazil. For the ending sec subst. suff. -ite.

catchup
catarrh, n., inflammation of the mucous membranes. - F. catarrh!', fr. L. catarrhus, fr. Gk.
Y.:x-r::l:ppoo;, 'cold in the head', lit. 'a running
down', fr. x:x-rocppe:lv, 'to flow down', fr. xo:-r<X
(see cata-) and pziv, 'to flow'. See stream and
cp. rheo-.
Derivatives: catarrh-al, adj., catarrh-al-ly, adv.
Catarrhina, n. pl., a division of the order Primates, including the gorilla, orangutan and
chimpanzee (zoo!.) - ModL., lit. 'with nostrils downward', fr. cata- and Gk. pte;, gen.
PLv6c;, 'nose'. See rhino-.
catarrhine, adj. and n. - See prec. word.
Catasetum, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) - A
ModL., hybrid coined fr. cata- and L. sal'tum,
'bristle'; see seta. The correct form would be
Catachaetum (fr. cata- and Gk. z:xkr,, 'long
flowing hair'), in which both elements are of
Greek origin (see chaeto-).
catastasis, n., the part of a drama, in which the
action is at its height. - Gk. xo:da-:-o:mc;, 'settlement, appointment, state, condition', fr. xoc(ha-:-v:xt, 'to set down, set in order', fr. :<::x-rx
(see cata-) and lcr-:-xvxL, 'to place'. Sec state.
catastrophe, n. - L. catastropha, fr. Gk. xo:"::xa-:po?f., 'overturning, overthrowing', fr. xo:-ro:a-:pscpzLv. 'to upset, overturn, overthrow', lit.
'to turn down', fr. x:x-:-::1: (see cata-) and a-:-pi:<pe:L'I,
'to turn. Sec strophe.
Derivatives: catastroph-ic, catastroph-ic-al, adjs.,
catastroph-ic-al-ly, adv., catastroph-ism, n.,
catastroph-ist, n.
catatonia, n., a severe form of dementia praecox
Medical L., fr. Gk. x:x-:-::1:-:-rJvoc;, 'a
(m!'d.) stretching down; depression', fr. x:x-::x-:dvzL'I,
'to stretch down', fr. :<::x-:- (see cata-) and -:-z\'IZtv, 'to stretch', which is cogn. with L. temas,
'thin, slight', tendere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to
move in a certain direction', and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see suiT. -ia.
Catawba, n., a kind of grape and wine.- Named
after the Catawh:1 River in the Carolinas.
catch, tr. and intr. v. - ME. cacchen, fr. ONF.
cachier, corresponding to OF. chacier, F. chasser, to hunt', fr. YL. *captiare, fr. L. capltlre,
'to strive to seize', frcq. of L. capere (pp. captus), 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive and cp.
chase, which is a doublet of catch. Cp. also
ketch, 'a kind of small vessel'.
Derivatives; catch, n., catch-er, n., catch-ing,
adj .. catch-ing-ly, adv., catch-ing-nl'ss, n., catchment, n., catch-y, adj.
catchpole, catchpoll, n., a sheriff's officer whose
duty was to make arrests for debt; taxgathcrer,
bumbailiff. - ME. cacchepol, from an ONF.
equivalent of OF. chacepol, lit. 'chase-chicken',
fr. ML. caapul/us, clwssipu/lus, fr. *cacere,
*chacere, *chassere, 'to chase', and L. pullus,
'chicken (see catch, chase and pullet, poult);
so called because taxgatherers used to confi5cate poultry.
catchup, catsup, n. - See ketchup.

cate

the assembly', fr. &yap&, 'assembly', which is rei.

cate, usually in pl. cates, n., dainties, delicacies.
to &yelpE~v. 'to assemble', and cogn. with L.grex,
acater,
fr.
acat,
- Aphetic for acate, fr. ONF.
gen. gregis, 'flock'. See gregarious and cp. agora,
'to buy, purchase'. See cater.
allegory. Cp. also categorematic.
catechesis, n., instruction by word of mouth. catena, n., a chain.- L., 'chain'. See chain.
Gk. xo:TiJx:r;cr~c;, 'instruction by word of mouth',
catenarian, adj., pertaining to a chain.- Formed
fr. XO:Tt))(.dv. See catechize.
with suff. -an fr. L. cateniirius, fr. catena. See
cateto
pertaining
catechetic, catechetical, adj.,
prec. word and adj. suff. -ary and cp. conchesis or a church catechism. - Gk. xo:T~x.1i
catenate.
of
word
by
instruction
to
'pertaining
'"nx6c;,
catenary, adj. and n. - See prec. word.
mouth', fr. xo:'"tizdv. See catechize.
catenate, tr. v., to link together. - L. cateniitus,
Derivatives: catechetical-ly, adv., catechet-ics,n.
pp. of cateniire, 'to chain together', fr. catena.
ansand
questions
by
catechism, n., instruction
See catena and verbal sutf. -ate.
wers. - F. catechisme, fr. Eccles. L. catechisintr. v., to provide food. -From the obcater,
See
XO:"t"Yj)(.l~e~v.
fr.
xo:'1iz~o-fL6c;,
Gk.
mus, fr.
catour, 'buyer, caterer', aphetic for acan.
sol.
catechize and -ism.
tour, fr. ONF. acatour, correspondin g to OF.
catechist, n., one who instructs by questions and
achatour (F. acheteur), 'buyer', fr. OF. achater
answers. - Eccles. L. catechista, fr. Gk. xo:'1i(cp. the forme acheder, occurring in Jonas,
x~o-TI;c;, fr. xo:TYj)(.l~etv. See next word and -ist.
10th cent.), fr. VL. *accapitiire, 'to add to one's
Derivatives: catechist-ic, catechist-ic-a/, adjs.,
fr. ad, 'to' (see ad-), and a verb formed
capital',
catechist-ic-al-ly, adv.
from the stem of L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'
catechize, tr. v., to instruct by questions and ans(see capital, adj.). The usual derivation fr. VL.
wers. - Eccles. L. catechiziire, 'to teach by
*accaptiire, 'to try to take, seize', cannot be acword of mouth', fr. Gk. xo:'"tixl~e~v. fr. xo:'1icepted because of phonetic reasons. The change
x.dv, 'to resound', hence 'to sound (a thing) in
oft to din OF. acheder and OSp. acabdar could
one's ears; to teach by word of mouth', fr. xo:Toc
not be accounted for, if it had been preceded
(see cata-) and ~xe~v, 'to sound, ring, peal',
originally by a consonant.
fr. ~x.w, 'sound'. See echo and -ize.
cater, n., the four at cards or dice.- Orig. 'four',
Derivative: catechiz-er, n.
fr. F. quatre, 'four', fr. L. quattuor. See quart.
catechu, n., a stringent substance obtained from
n., a highland robber. - Gael. ceathaircateran,
trees.
Asiatic
the wood, fruit or leaves of several
neach, 'marauder', fr. ceathairne, 'common
- Malay kiiclul (cp. Tamil kiisu, Kanarese
people, peasantry', rei. to lr. ceatharn, 'a band
kachu), fr. Hind. kath, fr. OI. kvdthati, 'he deof soldiers'. See kern, 'lightarmed foot soldier'.
cocts', which is cogn. with Goth. ha/Jjan, 'to
caterer, n. -ME. catour, 'caterer' (whence cater,
foam', lvapo, 'foam', OSiav. kvasii, 'leaven',
v. (q.v.) Accordingly the suff. -er in caterer is
and L. ciiseus, 'cheese'. See cheese and cp. F.
redundant. Cp. fruiterer, poulterer, sorcerer,
cachou (whence E. cashoo, a variant of catechu)
upholsterer.
cutch.
also
Cp.
catecu.
It.
and
caterpillar, n.- ONF. catepelose, correspondin g
catechumen, n., one receiving instruction in the
to OF. chatepe/ose, fr. Late L. catta pi/6sa,
elements of Christianity. - F. catechumene, fr.
'hairy cat'. For the etymology of Late L. calla
oc;,
XO:Tt))(.O'JfLEV
Gk.
Eccles. L. catechlimenus, fr.
see cat. L. pil6sa is fern. of pil6sus, 'hairy', fr.
'instructed by word of mouth', pass. pres. part.
pilus, 'hair'; see pile, 'hair'. The ending of the
of X'XT1i)(.E"iv, 'to teach by word of mouth'. See
English word was influenced by pilfer, 'one who
catechize. For the pass. pres. part. suff. -fJ.EVO<;
pills' (see pill, 'to rob').
sec alumnus and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: caterpillar, intr. v.
categorematic, adj., capable of being used alone
caterwaul, intr. v. - ME. caterwrawen, cater(as e.g. the predicate of a sentence). - Formed
wawen, fr. LG. katerwau/en, 'to cry like cats',
xo:"t"1igen.
,
wx-:-r,yc\pYjfL<X
with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
fr. kater, 'male cat', and waulen, 'to cry'. The
yop~fL<:t.Toc;, 'accusation, charge; predicate', fr.
first element is rei. to MLG., MDu. katte, 'cat';
X<:t.TijyopEiv. See category.
see cat. The second element is rei. to E. waul,
categorical, adj. -Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
a variant of wail (q.v.)
Late L. categoricus, fr. Gk. X<XTijyop~x6c;, 'accuDerivatives: caterwaul, n., caterwaul-er, n.,
satory, affirmative, categorical', fr. xxTijyop(i.
caterwaul-ing, n.
See next word.
n. - Compounde d of cat and gut; so
catgut,
categoricaladv.,
y,
categorical-l
Derivatives:
called although made from the intestines of
ness, n.
sheep.
category, n. - L. categoria, fr. Gk. xo:Tijyopli,
Catharist, n., a member of any of various sects
'accusation, predication, category', fr. xx'1iyoaiming at purity (Eccles. hist.) - ML. Cathape"iv, 'to accuse, signify, indicate, affirm, prerista, fr. Eccles. Gk. xx&xp~o-TI]~. fr. Gk. xo:&o:dicate', fr. xx-:-f;yrJt=:'J::;, 'accuser', lit. 'one who
p6c;, 'pure, clean'; cp. Gk. XC(&a:p~o-TI]~, 'tree
speaks against somebody before an assembly',
pruner', and see next word. For the ending see
fr. xxT:i, 'against' (see cata-), and the stem of
suff. -ist.
dyope:ue:~v, 'to harangue, assert', lit. 'to speak in

Cattleya

251

250

catharsis, n., 1) purgation (med.); 2) purification

of the emotions by art.- ModL., fr. Gk. xoc{}!Xpmc;, 'cleansing, purification' ' from the stem
xx&o:pw.1, 'to cleanse, purify; to prune (a tree)',
fr. xo:&o:p6~, 'clean, pure', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. cathartic, Catherine, acatharsia.
cathartic, cathartical, adj., cleansing, purifying.
- Gk. xo:&o:pnx6~, 'fit for cleansing', from the
stem of xo:&o:pe:tv. See prec. word.
Derivatives: cathartical-ly, adv., catharticalness, n.
Cathay, n., poetic name of China. - ML. Cataya, fr. Khitai, the name of a Tatar kingdom
(the kingdom of the Khitan Tatars). Cp.
Khitan.
cathedra, n., the seat of a bishop. - L., fr. Gk.
x<X&zllpi. See chair and cp. ex cathedra.
cathedral, n,- ML. cathedra/is, short for ecclesia
cathedra/is, 'church pertaining to the seat of a
bishop', fr. cathedra. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -at.
Catherine, Catharine, also Katherine, Katharine,
fern. PN.- F. Catherine, fr. L. Ecaterina, Katerina, fr. Gk. A1xctTEPL~1i (whence also Russ.
Ekaterina). The later L. spelling Katharina is
due to a connection with Gk. xo:&o:p6~, 'pure',
the supposed origin of the name.
Catherine wheel. - So called from the spiked
wheel with which St. Catherine of Alexandria
was tortured.
catheter, n., a surgical instrument used to draw
off fluid from body cavities. - Late L., fr. Gk.
x!Xll-ET~p, 'something let down; surgical instrument for emptying the bladder', from the stem
of xo:\hzvx~, 'to send down', fr. x<:t.d: (see cata-)
and le~<X~, 'to move forward, throw, send',
which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn. with
L. jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and
cp. synesis.
Derivatives: catheter-ism, n., catheter-ize, tr. v.,
catheter-iz-ation, n.
cathode, kathode, n., negative electric pole (physics and chem.) - Gk. x:fif,,i)oc;, 'way down,
descent", fr. X<:t.T:i (see cata-) and i>M~. 'way'.
See odograph and cp. words there referred to.
The term cathode was introduced into electricity
by the English physicist and chemist Michael
Faraday (!791-1867); cp. anode, electrode.
Derivatives: cathod-al, cathod-ic, adjs., cathodic-al-ly, adv.
catholic, adj.- F. catholique, fr. Eccles. L. catholicus, fr. Gk. xx&o:l-~x6c;, 'general, universal', fr.
xxll-6/.o'J = xx&' o),o;, 'on the whole, in general',
fr. XX"t":i, 'according to' (see cata-), and o),O~,
'whole', which stands for *oA.Foc;, fr. I.-E. base
*sol-was, whence also L. salvus, 'saved, preserved, safe'. See safe and cp. holo-. Cp. also
catholicon.
Derivatives: catholic, n., catholic-a/, adj., catholic-al-ly, adv., catholic-ism, n., catholic-ize, tr. v.,
carholic-iz-er, n., catholic-ly, adv.
catholicity, n., 1) the quality of being catholic;

of

'

2) universality; 3) (usually cap.) Catholicism. Coined by Coleridge fr. catholic and suff. -ity
on analogy of F. catho/icite which was coined
by Theodore-A grippa d'Aubigne (1552-!630)
fr. catholique, 'Catholic'.
catholicon, n., a remedy for all diseases. - Gk.
xo:&o:l-~xc\v, neut. of xo:&oA~x6~, 'general, universal'. See catholic.
Catholicos, n., title of primate of the Armenian
church. - Gk. xo:&o:l-~x6~. 'general, universal'.
See catholic.
cation, n., a positive ion moving toward the cathode (physics and chem.)- Gk. xxn6v, neut.
of xo:T~wv, pres. part. of x<:t.T~Evo:~, 'to go down,
descend', fr. xo:T:X (see cata-) and ttvo:~. 'to go',
which is cogn. with L. Ire, 'to go'. See itinerant.
The word cation was introduced into electricity
by Faraday (see cathode); cp. ion, anion.
Derivative: cation-ic, adj.
catkin, n., a tassellike spike of flowers, an ament.
- Du. katteken, dimin. of katte, 'cat', so called
because of its resemblance to a eat's tail. See
cat and -kin.
Derivative: catkin-ate, adj.
catling, n., 1) a kitten (rare); 2) catgut (rare);
3) a double-edged knife used in amputations . Formed fr. cat with suff. -ling.
catlinite, n., a red clay; pipestone (petrogr.)Named after the American traveler George
Catlin (1796-1872). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
cato-, combining form meaning 'down'. - Gk.
x:iTw, 'down, downward', rel. to xo:T&, 'down
from, down to'. See cata-.
catoptric, catoptrical, adj., pertaining to the reflection of light. - Gk. xx"':Orr"t"p~x6c;, 'pertaining to a mirror', fr. x:XTorC"":po~, 'mirror', fr.
xxT:X, 'against' (see cata-), and the stem of rJ1n6c;,
'seen; visible', orrT~xt\c;, 'pertaining to the eyes
or sight'. See optic and cp. dioptric.
Derivatives: catoptrical-ly, adv., catoptrics (q.v.)
catoptrics, n., that part of optics which deals
with the reflection of light. - See catoptric and
-ics and cp. dioptrics.
catoptromancy, n., divination by a mirror. Compounde d of Gk. x:X,orr'P'JV, 'mirror', and
fLX~Tdi, 'oracle, divination'. See catoptric and
-mancy.
Catostomidae, n. pl., a family of fresh-water
fishes, the suckers (ichthyol.)- ModL., formed
with suff. -idae fr. cato- and Gk. o-"":Ofl<X, 'mouth'.
See stoma.
cattle, n. - ME. cate/, fr. ONF. catel (corresponding to OF. chatel), fr. Late L. capitate,
'property', prop. neut. of the L. adjective capita/is, 'pertaining to the head, chief, principal',
from caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital,
adj., and cp. the noun capital in the sense of
'principal'. Cp. also chattel, which is a doublet
of cattle.
Cattleya, n., a genus of American orchids. ModL., named after the English botanist Wil-

252

catty

liam Cattley (died in 1832).

catty, n., a weight used in China and the East
Indies.- Malay kiitl, a weight of It lb. Cp.
caddy.
Caucasian, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -ian
fr. L. Caucasus, fr. Gk. Ketuxetm~, fr. Scythian
Kpou-xicr~~. 'Caucasus', a compound meaning
lit. '(the mountain) shining with ice'; see WaldeHofmann, LEW., I, pp. 295-96, s.v. cnlsla. The
first element of this compound is a derivative of
I.-E. base *qreu-, 'to be icy'. For derivatives of
*qrus-, an enlarged form of base *qreu- see
crust, crystal. The second element is rei. to Gk.
xetbv (for *x.:if;e~v), 'to burn'; see caustic.
cauchemar, n., incubus. - F., a hybrid coined
from the blend of OF. chaucer and Picard cauquer, 'to trample' (both derived fr. L. calciire,
of s.m., fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'heel'), and fr. MDu.
mare, 'incubus'. See Calceolaria and mare, 'incubus', and cp. the first element in caltrop.
caucus, n., private meeting of the leaders of a political party. -A word of Algonquian origin, lit.
meaning 'counselor'.
Derivative: caucus, intr. and tr. v.
cauda, n., tail (zoo/. and anal.) - L. See next
word.
caudal, adj., pertaining to the tail. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. cauda, 'tail', prob. orig.
meaning 'a piece cut, or to be cut, off', and rei.
to caudcx, 'a block of wood'; Lith. kuiJdas,
'tuft'. is not cognate with L. cauda (see WaldeHofmann, LEW., I, p. 185). See hew and cp.
coda, codetta, coward, cue, queue. Cp. also
caudex and words there referred to.
caudate, adj., having a tail. - Formed with adj.
suff. -ate fr. L. cauda, 'tail'. See prec. word.
caudcx, n., the stem of palms and ferns (hot.) L. caudex, codex, 'trunk of a tree', lit. 'a tree cut
otT', rei. to Cl/dae, 'to strike, beat, pound. See
hew and cp. codex, code, codicill. Cp. also caudal, cause and the tirst clement in cockboat.
caudillo, n., commander, chief, leader of an armed
troop: chief. leader.- Sp., a collateral form of
cahdi//o, fr. L. capitellum, 'a little head', dimin.
of capur, gen. capiris, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. capital, 'head of a column.
caudle, n., a hot drink. - ONF. caudel, corresponding to OF. chaudel (F. chaudeau), fr.
VL. caldellum, dimin. formed from the Latin
adj. calidus. caldus, 'hot', fr. calere, 'to be hot'.
See caldron and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also coddle.
Derivative: caudle, tr. v.
caught, past ten,.; and pp. of carch.- ~1E. cauhte, formed on the analogy of lauhte, fr. lacchen
(wh-!nce E. lurch), 'to catch'. See catch.
cauk, cawk, n., chalk; barite (dial. E. and Scot.)
- Northern var. of calk.
caul, n .. a membrane enclosing the fetus and
sometimes covering the head of a newly born
child.- MF. ( = F.) cafe, 'cap', back formation
fr. MF. ( = F.} calolfe. See calotte.

cauldron, n. - See caldron.

Caulerpa, n., a genus of marine green algae (bot.)
- ModL., compounded of Gk. x.etuA6~, 'stem,
stalk', and spr-:Ew, 'to creep'. See cole and
herpes.
caulescent, adj., having a visible stem.- Formed
fr. L. caulis, 'stalk, stem', with the inchoative
suff. -escent, on analogy of arborescent. See
cole and cp. next word. Cp. also acaulescent.
cauliflower, n. - Refashioned after L. caulis,
'stem', and E. flower fr. earlier co/yftory, fr. F.
chou-fteuri, chou-fteur, which is formed on analogy of It. cavolo fiore, 'cauliflower' , fr. L. caulis,
'stem, stalk', and ftos, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
cole.
cauline, adj., pertaining to, or growing on, a stem.
-Formed with suff. -ine (representing L. -fnus)
fr. L. caulis, 'stem, stalk'. See cole and cp.
acauline.
caulis, n., the stem or stalk of a plant (bot.)- L.
See cole and cp. prec. word.
caulk, v.- A var. of calk.
caulker, n. - A var. of calker.
caulome, n., the stem of a plant (hot.)- Formed
fr. Gk. x.auA6~. 'stem, stalk' (sec cole), with suff.
-orne, on analogy of rhizome.
Caulophyllum, n., a genus of plants of the barberry family (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'stem leaf', fr.
Gk. x.xuiJ,~, 'stem', and ~,J),:!.ov, 'leaf' (see cole
and phyllo-); so called because the stem seems
to form the stalk of the great leaf.
L. caurus,
Cauru~, n., the northwest wind. curus, cogn. with Lith. siaur.vs, 'north wind',
siaure, 'north', siaunls. 'raging, stormy', OSlav.
si'l'erii, 'north wind', Goth. sk1ira ( windis ),
'storm', OE. sciir, 'shower. See shower.
causalgia, n., a burning sensation (med.)- Medical L., lit. 'a burning pain', coined by the American physician Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914)
fr. Gk. x.x:::icr<J;, 'burning heat' (which derives fr.
*;c.J..=-, the stem ofx.x(s~v. 'to burn'), and 'J.:Ayoc"
'pain'. Sec caustic and -algi a.
causate, tr. v., to cause.- ML. causiitus, pp. of
causiire, 'to cause'. Se: cause, v. and n., and
verbal suff. -ate.
D~rivatives: causar-ion, n., causat-ion-a/, adj.,
cawat-ive, adJ., and n., causat-ive-tv, adv., causat-i~e-ness,

n.

cause, n. - F., fr. L. causa, 'cause, reason, purpose", which is of uncertain origin. It stands
perh. for *caud-tii and orig. meant a striking',
hence is rei. to ciidere, 'to strike, beat, knock', fr.
I.-E. base *qau-, 'to strike, beat'. See hew and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also accusative, accuse, causerie, coze, excuse, kickshaw,
recusant. For sense development cp. L. decidere,
'to cut off; to decide' (see decide}.
Derivatives: caus-a/, adj. and n., caus-al-ity, n.,
caus-al-ly, adv., cause-less, adj., cause-less-ly,
adv., cause-less-ness, n.
cause, tr. v.- F. causer, 'to cause', fr. ML. caustire, 'to cause' (cp. L. caustiri, 'to plead, to

253

cave

on horseback', used as a noun, fr. Late L. cabaldebate a question'), fr. L. causa, 'cause'. See
liciire, fr. L. cabal/us. See cavalry.
cause, n.
Derivative: cavalcade, intr. v.
Derivative: caus-able, adj.
cavalier, n., a horseman; a gentleman serving as
causerie, n., a conversation al article in a perioda lady's escort. - F., fr. It. cavaliere, orig.
ical or newspaper .- F., 'talk, conversation ', fr.
'horse-soldie r', fr. Late L. caballiirius (whence alcauser, 'to talk', fr. L. causiirf, 'to plead, dispute,
Proven<;:. cavalier, Sp. caballero, Port. cavalso
reason,
to discuss a question', fr. causa, 'cause,
leiro), fr. L. cabal/us. See cavalry and cp. chevapurpose' (see cause and -ery); named after
lier, which is a doublet of cavalier.
Sainte-Beuve 's Causeries du fundi ('Monday
Derivatives: cavalier, adj., cavalier-ly, adv.
Talks').
cavalla, n., any of various fishes of the genus
causeway, n., a raised road. - A blend of cauCarangus. - Port. caval/a, rei. to Sp. cabal/a,
sey and way.
prop. a feminine form of Port. caval/o, resp. Sp.
Derivative: causeway, tr. v.
caballo, 'horse', fr. L. caballus. See cavalry.
fr.
cauce,
ME.
(dial.)
causeway
a
causey, n.,
cavalry, n. - F. cava/erie, fr. lt. cava/leria, fr.
ONF. cauciee, correspondin g to F. chaussee,
caval/a, 'horse', fr. L. caballus, 'an inferior
'causeway', fr. VL. (via) calciiita, lit. 'a road
a nag', which is prob. a loan word from
horse,
'to
calciiire,
of
pp.
paved with limestone', fern.
a language of Asia Minor or the Balkan penpave with limestone', fr. L. calx,gen. calcis, 'lime,
insula. Cp. Gk. xet~:it.A1]<;, 'horse', the Gaulish
limestone'. See calcareous and cp. chaussee.
PN. Caballos and OSlav. kobyla, 'mare', which
caustic, adj., burning, corrosive.- F. caustique,
also derive prob. from the same language as L:
fr. L. causticus, fr. Gk. x.etucrnx6c;, 'capable of
cabal/us. M Ir. ( = lr.) capall, Brct. caval, W.
verbal
'burnt',
xxucr-:-6c;,
burning, corrosive', fr.
ceffy/1, 'horse', are Latin loan words. Cp. chivaladj. of xetle~v, which stands for *x.&f-1ew, 'to
ry, which is a doublet of cavalry. Cp. also cavalburn, set on fire', fr. I.-E. base *keu-, *kii-, 'to
cade, cavalier, cavalla, cheval-de-frise, cheval
milburn, heat', whence also Lith. kiili!, 'blight,
glass, chevalier, capercailzie.
dew', kllliti, 'to become blighted'. Cp. caeoma,
cavatina, n., a short song or melody (mus.) --It., fr.
caliber, calm, catacaustic, Caucasian, cautery,
cavata, prop. fcm. pp. of cavare, 'to hollow(out),
diacaustic, encaustic, holocaust, hypocaust, ink,
(out)', fr. L. caviire, of s.m. See next word.
dig
Nausicaa.
n. - F., fr. L. cal'a, fcm. of the adjective
cave,
causDerivatives: caustic, n., caustic-ize, tr. v.,
cavr1s, 'hollow, concave', used as a noun. L. cavus
tic-ly, adv., caustic-ness, n.
prob. stands for *cowos and is cogn. with Gk.
cautel, n., caution; precaution. - OF. cautele
x.Jo~ (Hesychius), 'chasm', x<~'''~' 'prison' (lit.
(F. cautele), fr. L. cautela, 'caution', fr. cautus,
'a hollow place'), xi,/k>.x, 'poppy head', ,_,,'i),r;~
be
'to
cavere,
of
pp.
heedful',
careful,
'wary,
*x.o."~).'J~), 'hollow', x)xp, 'eye of a needle;
(for
on one's guard'. See cave, interj.
orifice of the ear'. Olr. ella, 'hollow', Cliass, 'cave',
cautelous, adj., cautious. - F. caute/eux (fem.
Bret. keo, 'cave', 01. hdmll', 'swells', s1imib,
cauteleuse), fr. cautele. See prec. word and -ous.
'swollen', Sal'as-, 'strength, heroism', sarfrab,
Derivatives: cautelous-ly, adv., cautelous-ness, n.
'strong', Gk. Y.'JSC'I. x!s>.1, 'to become or
s1irab,
cauF.
cauterizing.
for
iron
hot
a
n.,
cauter,
x"i[L'l., 'anything swollen; a wave'.
pregnant',
he
tere, fr. L. cauterium, fr. Gk. wxJ-:-(,pt'JV. 'brandx'J?c,:, 'authority', :;:~~~,'~ 'lord, mast'r'. All
ing iron'. fr. xxJ-r(.p, 'burner'. See next word and
these words proh. dcri\e fr. I.-E. base *f..c,dc),
cp. cautery.
*knnl-, *lui-, 'to vault', whence developed the
cauterize, tr. v., to burn with a hot iron or a
meanings 'to hend in'' ani. he hollow or
further
L.
Late
fr.
cauthiser,
F.
caustic substance.
concave. on the one hand, and 'to bend outcal/li'ri::iire, fr. Gk. x:xJ-;-r,p~:i::Etv, 'to sear with
ward, swell out, he convex' on the other. See
a hot iron', fr. x-:crf;?, 'hurner', rei. to x-x,~;-;f,;,
Walde-Hofm ann, LE\V., I. pp. 191-92 s.v.
and
caustic
verbal adj. of xxlE>.v, 'to burn'. See
cants, Boisacq, DELG., p . .+RI S.\. :~.x'JI.>: and
-ize.
Frisk, GEW., p. 38 s.\. x)x~. Cp. cabinet, caDerivative: cauteriz-ation, n.
book, cadger, cage, casserole, ca,atina. ca'e ne,
cautery, n., a cauter.- L. cauti'rium. See cauter.
caYity, church and y.ords there rderred to, cocaution, n. -F., fr. L. cauriunem, ace. of cautio,
codon, coelo-, conca,e, cumulus, cyma,
deine,
cautus,
fr.
,
'wariness, carefulness, heedfulness'
decoy, excayate, excamtion, gabion, hound
'wary, careful, heedful'. pp. of carer', 'to be on
(naur.), jail. Cp. the related base *keu-. wswcll:
one's guard, take heed". See cave, intcrj.
hollow, for the derivatives of which ~e.: hole.
Derivatives: caution, tr. v., caurion-ary, adj. and
Deri\ atives: care, tr. and intr. v., car-ing. n.
n., caurion-er, n.
ca,e, interj., beware'- L. can', imper. of wri're,
cautious, adj.- Cp. L. cautus, 'careful, heedful',
'to be on one's guard. take care. beware'. \\hich
and sec caution and -ous.
for *c01ere and is cogn. with Gk. Y.',z<u
stands
n.
,
cautious-ness
adv.,
cautious-ly,
Derivatives:
(for x,J.=tw), 'I mark, perceive', fr. I.-E. hase
cavalcade, n., a procession of horsemen. - F., fr.
*(s}qeu-, *(s)qeu-, 'to look at, observe', whence
It. cavalcata (with the Piemont pronunciatio n
also OE. sceawian, 'to look, see, behold'. See
ride
'to
cava/care,
of
pp.
fern.
prop.
cavalcada),

caveat

show and words there referred to and cp. esp.

caution. Cp. also next word.
caveat, n., 1) notice that no action is to be taken
(law); 2) a warning.- L., 'let him beware', 3rd
p. sing. pres. subj. of cavere. See prec. word.
cavendish, n., tobacco pressed into cakes.- Prob.
so called from the name of the producer or
exporter.
cavern, n., a cave. -F. caverne, 'cave', fr. L.
cmerna, fr. cavus, 'hollow'. See cave, n. For the
Latin suff. -erna, which is of Etruscan origin,
cp. cistern, tavern.
cavernous, adj., full of caverns or cavities. - L.
cavernosus, fr. caverna. See prec. word and -ous.
cavesson, n., a kind of noseband for a horse. F. caveron, fr. It. cavezzone, 'halter with a noseband', augment. of cavezza, 'halter', fr. VL.
*capitia, fr. L. capitium, 'a covering for the
head', fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital,
adj.
Cavia, n., the genus of cavies, the guinea pig
(zoo/.) - ModL., fr. F. cabiai, from a Caribbean native word. Cp. cavy, capybara.
caviar, caviare, n.- F. caviar, fr.lt. caviaro (now
caviale), fr. MGk. x.oc~dp~av, fr. Turk. khiiviiir,
fr. Kaffah ( = Theodosia), name of a trading
town on the SE. shore of the Black Sea.
cavicorn, adj., hollow-horned. - Compounded
of L. cavus, 'hollow', and cornii, 'horn'. See
cave, n., and horn and cp. corn, 'hardened skin'.
Cavicornia, n. pl., another name for Bovidae
(zoo!.)- Lit. 'hollow-horned'. See prec. word.
cavil, intr. v., to find trivial faults, to carp. OF. caviller, fr. L. cavilliirl, 'to jest, joke, make
captious objections, to cavil at', fr. cavil/a, 'jest,
quibble, trick', dissimilated fr. *ca/villa, and
rei. to calvi, 'to devise tricks, use artifice', calumnia, 'false accusation, chicanery'; sec calumny
and cp. challenge. For the suff. cp. L. [avilla,
'glowing ashes, embers' which is rei. to fovere,
'to warm, keep warm'.
Derivatives: cavil, n., cavillaTion (q.v.), cavi/(1)er, n., ca~i/(1)-ing, adj., cavi/(/)-ing-/y, adv., cavi/(/)-ing-ness, n.
cavillation, n., a cavil, caviling.- F., fr. L. cavilliitionem, ace. of cavil/iitii5, 'a jesting, scoffing,
quibbling, shuffling', fr. cavil/atus, pp. of cavillari. See prec. word and -ation.
cavity, n. - F. cavite, fr. L. cavitiitem, ace. of
cmitas, fr. cavus, 'hollow'. See cave, n., and
-ity.
cavo-relievo, n., hollow relief. -- It. camrilievo.
It. cava derives fr. L. cavus, 'hollow'; see cave,
n. For It. rilino sec rilievo and cp. basso-rilievo.
cavort, intr. v., to prance about.- Prob. a blend
of curvet and snort.
cavy, n., a guinea pig.- Sec Cavia.
cay, n., a small island. - Sp. cayo, fr. Taino
cayo, 'small island'. Cp. key, 'small island'.
caw, n., the natural cry of the crow and raven;
intr. v., to utter this cry or imitate it.- Of imitative origin. Cp. chough.

254

cawk, cauk, n., chalk, barite. - Dialectal variants of chalk.

Derivative: cawk-y, adj.
cawney, cawny, n., a measure of land used in
Madras. - Tamil kani, 'property', lit. 'that
which is seen or known', fr. kan, 'to see'.
caxon, n., a wig (archaic).- Pro b. fr. the surname
Caxon.
Caxton, n. -any book printed by William Caxton (died in 1491).
cayenne, n., also cayenne pepper.- Tupi kyinha,
quiynha, 'capsicum', lit. 'of the isle of Cayenne'.
cayman, n., any of Central and South American
kinds of alligators. - Sp. caiman, fr. Carribbcan acayouman.
cazimi, n., the center of the solar disk (astrol.)Arab.jism,jesm, 'body', in the term 'dlajismi'shshamsi, 'on the disk of the sun'. See Dcvic's
Supplement to Littre's Dictionary, p. 13.
-ce, suff. used to form abstract nouns. - Fr. L.
-tia, either directly or through the medium of
F. -ce. See -ance, -ence.
Ceanothus, n., a genus of plants of the buckthorn
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x.d.vw%o~, 'a
kind of thistle'.
cease, intr. and tr. v. - ME. cassen, fr. OF.
( = F.) cesser, fr. L. cessare, 'to delay, loiter',
freq. of cedere (pp. cessus), 'to withdraw'. See
cede and cp. cessation, decease, incessant.
Derivatives: cease, n., cease-less, adj., ceaseless-ly, adv.
cebolite, n., a hydrous calcium aluminum silicate
(mineral.) - Named after Cebolla Creek in
Colorado. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Cecil, masc. PN. -Fr. L. Caecilius, name of a
Roman gens, a derivative of caecus, 'blind'. See
cecity.
Cecilia, Cecily, also Cicely. - L. Caecilia, fern.
of Caecifius. See prec. word.
cecity, n., blindness. - F. cecile, 'blindness', fr.
L. caecitatem, ace. of caeciliis, of s.m., fr. caecus, 'blind', which is cogn. with 01. kekara}J,
'squinting', Goth haihs, 'one-eyed', Olr. caech,
of s.m., Mlr. leth-chaech, 'squinting', \V. coeg,
'one-eyed'. Gk. x.cux(i;, 'the northeast wind',
is cogn. with these words and lit. means 'the
dark (wind)'. For sense development cp. L.
aqui/6, 'the north wind', which is related to
aquilus, 'dark' (see Aquila). Cp. caecum, Caecias, Excoecaria. Cp. also Cecil. For the ending
see suff. -ity.
Cecropia, n., a genus of trees of the mulberry
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Cecrops (q.v.) For
the ending see suff. -ia.
Cecropia moth, a large silkworm moth (Samia
cecropia). - ModL. cecropia. See prec. word.
Cecrops, n., a legendary king of Attica and founder of Athens.- L., fr. Gk. Ksx.pay. The name
Ki;;?"'-i is prob. metathesized fr. *x.spw~ and
lit. means 'face with a tail', fr. x2;;xo~, 'tail',
and o<)., gen. <mo.;, 'eye, face'. For the first element see cercus. The second element is rei. to

l
I
.

Derivatives: ceil-er, n., ceil-ing, n.

Gk. o<jn.;;, 'sight', orno.;;, 'seen, visible', b:r.:nx.6.;;,
celadon, n., pale green color. -- F. celadon, fr.
'pertaining to the eyes or sight'; see optic.
Celadon, Astree's lover in Honore d'Urfe's
cedar, n. - ME. cedre, fr. OF. cedre (F. cedre), .
novel Astree. Honore d'Urfe formed this name
fr. L. cedrus, fr. Gk. x.sSpa.;;, 'cedar', which prob.
from the Latin PN. Celadon occurring in Ovid's
denoted orig. 'a tree whose wood was used for
Metamorphoses.
burning sacrifices', and derives fr. Hcb. qatar,
celadonite, n., a green silicate of iron, magnesium
'it exhaled odor, smoked'; see Heinrich Lewy,
and potassium (mineral.)- Formed with subst.
Die semitischcn Fremdworter im Griechischen,
pref. -ite fr. celadon (q. v.); so called in allusion
Berlin, 1895, P-35 For sense development cp.
to its color.
Gk. %uUi, name of an African tree, prop. 'a tree
Celaeno, n., one of the Harpies (Greek mytho/.)whose wood was burnt for sacrificial purposes',
L., fr. Gk. KEJ.cuvw, lit. 'the Black one', fr.
fr. .fluE~v, 'to sacrifice', prop. 'to cause to smoke'
X.EAoc~v6~, 'black', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, *qol-,
(see Thuja). Heb. qatar [whence q'tdreth, 'odor
'black, spotted', which is rei. to base *qiil-, of
(of burning sacrifice), smoke, incense'] is rei. to
s.m., whence L. caligo, 'darkness'. See caliginous.
Arab. qdtara, 'it exhaled odor, smoked', qutilr,
celandine, n., the swallowwort. - ME. celydoine,
'exhalation, smoke', etc. Cp. Cedrela, cedrine,
fr. OF. celidoine (F. chelidaine), fr. L. chelidoCedrus. Cp. also citron.
nium, fr. Gk. XE:Ai:Mvwv, fr. XE:Ai:Bwv, gen.
Derivatives: cedar, cedar-ed, cedar-n, adjs.
XEA~36vo~, 'the swallow', which is rei. to x.lx:A'IJ,
cede, tr. v. - L. cedere (pp. cessus), 'to go, go
'the thrush', and cogn. with OE. gellan, 'to yell,
away, yield, give up, withdraw', prob. for *ceshriek', galan, 'to sing'. See yell and nightingale
zdere, from the demonstr. particle ce- and
and cp. chelidonium.
I.-E. base *sed-, 'to go', whence also Gk. oM.;,
Celastraceae, n. pl., the staff-tree family (bot.) 'way', OSlav. chodii, 'a walking, going', choditi,
Formed fr. Celastrus with suff. -aceae.
'to walk, go', OJ. a-sad-, 'to go, approach', utcelastraceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
sad-, 'to step aside, disappear'. See he and adoCelastrus, n., a genus of trees, the staff-tree (bot.)
graph and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
- ModL., fr. Gk. x.-i)J.occr-rpo~, 'a kind of everabscess,accede,access,ancestor,antecede,cease,
green', a loan word from an Aegean language,
cession, cesspool, concede, concession, decease,
whence also Basque gorostri.
exceed, excess, intercede, intercession, necessary,
-cele, suff. meaning 'tumor, hernia', as in hydroprecede, predecessor, procedure, proceed, procele, variocele (med.)- Fr. Gk. x.-i)A'f) (Att. x.&:AYJ),
cess, procession, recede, retrocede, secede, suc'tumor, hernia', which is cogn. with OSlav. kyla,
ceed, success.- I.-E. base *sed-, 'to go', is prob.
ON. hau/1, OE. heala, OHG. 176/a, 'hernia'.
identical with *sed-, 'to sit', the original sense of
celebrant, n., one who celebrates.-- L. celebrans,
the base having been 'to place (either the seat in
gen. -antis, pres. part. of celebriire. See next
order to sit down, or the foot upon the ground
word and -ant.
in order to go'). See sedentary.
celebrate, tr. v., to perform (a rite) in a public
cedilla, n., a graphic symbol put under the letter
and solemn manner; to observe, commemoc in some French and Spanish words. - Sp.,
rate; intr. v., to observe a holiday, anniversary,
spelled also zedil/a, lit. 'a little z', from the name
etc. - L. celebratus, pp. of ce/ebrare, 'to freof the Greek letter zeta (~); so called because
quent, repeat, praise, honor, celebrate', fr. ce/eorig. the letter z was added to c (e.g. F. /eczon =
ber (masc.), celebris (fern.), celebre (neut.),
leron), to indicate that it has not the usual sound
'crowded, much frequented, renowned', which
of k, but that of p (in Spanish), resp. that of s
pro b. derivesfr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to drive', whence
(in French). See zeta.
also Gk. x.z).).Etv, 'to drive on, push', L. ce/er,
Cedrela, n., a genus of trees of the mahogany
'swift'. See celerity and verbal suff. -ate.
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Sp. cedrelo, dimin. of
Derivatives: celebrat-ed, adj., celebrat-ed-ness,
cedro, 'cedar'. See cedar.
n., celebration (q.v.), celebral-il'e, adj., celebracedrine, adj., pertaining to cedar. - L. cedrinus,
tor (q.v.), celebrat-ory, adj.
fr. Gk. x.z<Sp~vo<;, fr. x.3pa<;, 'cedar'. See cedar
celebration, n. - L. celebrati6, gen. -6nis, 'conand -ine (representing Gk. -'Lvo~).
course, festal celebration', fr. celebriitus, pp. of
Cedric, masc. PN.- This name, which was first
celebriire. See prec. word and -ion.
used by Walter Scott ('Cedric the Saxon' is one
celebrator, n. - L., fr. celebriitus, pp. of celeof the characters in Ivanhoe) prob. stands for
briire. See celebrate and agential suff. -or.
OE. Cerdic and owes its form to a mistake of
celebrity, n., fame, a famous person. - L. celeScott's.
britas, 'multitude, festal celebration, fr. celeber.
Cedrus, n., a genus of trees of the pine family
Sec celebrate and -ity.
(bot.) - L., 'cedar'. Sec cedar.
celeriac, n., a variety of celery. - Formed fr.
cedula, n., in Spanish countries; order, certicelery
ficate, security. - Sp. eMu/a, fr. L. schedu/a .
celerity, n., speed. - F. ce/erite, fr. L. celeritaSec schedule.
tem, ace. of celeritas, 'swiftness', fr. celer,
ceil, tr. v., to overlay, cover. - F. ciel, 'sky,
'swift', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to drive', whence
canopy', fr. L. caelum, 'sky'. See celestial.

celery

256

esp. life, live. Derivative: celibat-ic, adj.

also xl;).),stv, 'to drive on, push; to run (a ship)
celio-, combining form. - A variant spelling of
to land', -.i"AscrHett, 'to urge on, exhort', xs"Asusw,
coelio-.
'to urge on, exhort, order', xi).r,~, 'race horse;
cell, n. - ME. cellc, fr. OF. celle, fr. L. cella,
small fast boat', Ol. kalayati, 'he urges on', and
'storeroom, granary, bee's cell, hut, cot', fr.
prob. also Goth. haldan, 'to tend (orig. prob.
I.-E. base *kef-, 'to hide, conceal', whence also
to drive on) the sheep', OE haldan, 'to hold'.
L. celtire, 'to hide, conceal', oc-culere, 'to cover,
Sec hold and cp. acolyte, anacoluthon, celebrate,
conceal', OI. stilii, 'hut, house, hall, stable',
clonus, proceleusmatic. For the ending see suff.
stild/:1, 'hedge, enclosure, wall', Gk. xa"AI&, 'hut,
-ity.
nest', }uxAJ~r;, 'hut, cabin', xctA~J~:-re:w, 'to cover,
celery, n., a plant with edible leafstalks. - F.
hide, conceal', :d/i.irpoc;, 'sheath, case', xo"As6c;,
dlcri. fr. Lombardic It. sel/eri, pl. of sellero
'sheath', Mlr. cui, 'defence, shelter', culaid,
(corresponding to lt. sedano), fr. L. se/fnum, fr.
'cover', Olr. cui!e, 'cellar, magazine', OE. heal!,
Gk. cri.!:vov,' parsley'. See parsley and cp. words
hall, 'hall', he!, hell, helle, 'hell', he/an, 'to cover,
there referred to.
hide', Goth. huljan, of s.m., hulistr, 'covering,
celesta, n., a musical instrument. - F. celesta,
veil', hulundi, 'cave, OE. heo/stor, 'that which
fr. celcst{', 'heavenly', fr. L. caelestis. See ceveils, hiding place, darkness'. Cp. cella, cellar,
lestial.
cellule and the second element in Paludicella.
celeste, n., sky-blue color. - F. celeste, fr. L.
Cp. also caliology, calyptra, cilia, clandestine,
caelestis. 'heavenly', fr. caelum. See celestial.
color, conceal, dharmsala, Eucalyptus, hall, hell,
Celeste, fem. PN. - F. CeleHe, fr. L. caelestis,
helmet, holster, hull, kalidium, kelyphite, kil-,
'heavenly'. See prec. word.
occult, superciliary, Valhalla.
celestial, adj.- OF. celestial, celestiel, fr. L. caeDerivatives: cell, tr. and intr. v., cell-cd, adj.
/cstis, 'pertaining to the sky, heavenly, divine',
cella, n., the inner part of a temple in ancient
fr. melum, which is of uncertain origin. It
L. See prec. word.
Greece or Rome (arrhi!.)
stands perhaps for *mid-(s)lom, and derives fr.
cellar, n.- ME. crller, fr. OF. cc/i('l' (F. cel/ier),
I.-E. base *(s)qclit-, *sqtiid-, 'bright'. whence also
fr. L. celliirium, 'a receptacle for food, pantry',
01. ki'llib, 'brightness, light', citrab, 'bright, approp. neut. of the adjective cellar ius, 'pertaining
clear',
'shining,
skaidnls,
Lith.
olwious'.
parent,
ton storeroom', used as a noun. fr. cella. Cp. It.
sktii>tus . .1kai.r11h, 'shining, Lett. skaidrs, of
cellaio, OProveni;. celicr, Catal. ce/1('1', Sp. cillero
s.m., ON. lici<). 'clear sky', OE. liiidor, OHG.
and Port. cel/cirn, 'storeroom', and see cell.
hcitar, Ml-!G., G. lhi:er, 'clear, shining, cloudDerivatives: cellar, tr. v ., cellar-age,n.,cellar-er,n.
less'. Cp. caesious, ceil, ceiling, cerulean, Selina.
n. -Diminutive formed fr. cellar with
cellaret,
to.
referred
there
words
and
-hood
also
Cp.
suff. -et.
The sutf. -stis in L. cacle-stis is related to slllrc.
celliform, adj., having the form of a cell.- Com'to stand'. See state. Dcrivatiws: ce/cstial, n.,
pounded of L cella and forma, 'form, shape'.
celcslial-itl', n., ce/e.\lial-1_,-, adv.
See cell and -form.
celi-, combining form. - A variant spelling of
cello, n. - Short for violoncello.
coeli-.
celloidin, n., a solution of pyroxylin used for emCelia. fem. PN. - It., fr_ L. Caelia, fem. of
bedding. - Formed from cell, -oid and chcm.
Cac/i!f\', name of a Roman gens. Cp. F. Cdi~
suff. -in.
and Sheila.
cellophane, n., a flexible trzmsparent material.- A
celiac. - Sec coeliac.
hybrid coined by the Swiss chemist Jacques
with
Formed
state.
unmarried
..
celib~cy, n
E. Brandenberger (born in 1872) from the
suiT. -ce fr. L. caclihatus. Sec celibate.
first syllable of cellulose and the stem of Gk.
celihatarian, adj .. advocating celibacy: n .. one
9"~'JE~'' 'to sho1\ : see phantasm.
who <1dvocates ccliba..:y. - Formed \\ ith suiT.
cellular, adj. - F. cellulaire, fr. cellule. See next
-arian fr. L. cac/ihatus. Sec next word.
word and -ar.
celibate, adj., unmarried: n., an unmarried perDerivati\e: cellular-iry, n.
son.-- Formed with adj. sutf. -ate fr. L. cae/chs,
cellule, n. - F.. lit. a small cell', fr. L. cellula,
unmarried, single', which is of uncertain ori'a small storeroom', dimin. of cella. See cell
gin. It perl1. meant orig. ti,ing alone. and is
and -ule. Deri\ativcs: cellular (q.v.), cellu/-ate,
formed fr. 1.-E. *qaiwc!o-. alone' (whence also
cellul-ated. adjs.
single
a
to
exclusively
01. kihalafi. 'belonging
celluloid, n. and adj. - A hybrid coined by the
person. alone'. see ke,alin). and *lib< h)-. 'living',
American inventor John Wesley Hyatt ( 1837which is pro b. traceable further to base *leip-, 'to
1goo) fr. cellulose and -oid, a sutf. ofGreekorigin .
stick. adhere: to remain. persevere, continue,
cellulose, n. (chem.) - F., coined by the French
live' (whence Goth. liban, OE. libban, fijian, etc.,
chemist Anselme Payen (1795-1871) fr. L. cel'to li,e'). I.-E. *qai"~/o- is an enlargement of
lula (see cellule) and suff. -ose, which was soon
*qai-wo-, which is rel. to *qai-lo, appearing in
taken over to form many other chemical terms
Lett. kai/s, OE. hal, 'whole, uninjured, healthy'.
(see subst. suff. -ose).
See whole and cp. words there referred to. For
cellulose, adj., containing cells. - Formed fr. L.
derivatives of I.-E. *leip- see leave, v., and ep.

257

cellula (see cellule) with adj. suff. -ose.

Celosia, n., a genus of plants of the amaranth
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x-f)"AEoc,, 'burning', contracted fr. *x-~f&Asoc,, fr. *xaf-, the
stem of xet!ELv, 'to burn', whence also XQ.UO"T6c,,
'burned', xetucrnx6c,, 'capable of burning'; see
caustic and cp. words there referred to. The
name Celosia, 'burning', was suggested by the
color of the leaves.
celt, n., a chisel of stone. - Late L. celtis, a loan
word of unknown origin.
Celt, Kelt, n.- F. Celte, fr. L. Celtae, 'Celts', fr.
Gk. KEA't'<XL, earlier Ks"A't'oC Cp. celtium.
Celtic, Keltic, adj. - L. Celticus, fr. Celtae. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: Celtic-ism, n., Celtic-ize, tr. and
intr. v.
Celtis, n., a genus of plants of the elm family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. L. celtis, name of an African
species oflotus, a loan word of uncertain origin.
celtium, n., a supposed chemical element. ModL. celtium, lit. 'the Celtic (element)', fr. L.
Celtae. See Celt and chem. suff. -ium.
Celtologist, n., a student of the Celtic languages
or of the history of the Celts. - Compounded
of Celt and -logist.
Celtomaniac, n. - Compounded of Celt and
maniac.
cement, n.- ME. cyment, ciment, fr. OF. ( = F.)
cimenf, fr. L. cacmentum, 'rough stone, stone
chippings', for *caid(s)mentom, fr. caedo, caedere, 'to cut, hew, lop', whence also caelum [for
*caid-(s)lom], 'chisel', which is cogn. with Ol.
khidati, skhiddti, 'thrusts, tears', khridii, 'hammer, mallet', khedayati, 'molests, tires, fatigues',
MHG., G. heie, 'mallet, rammer'. Cp. ancile,
caesura, cespitose, cestus, 'cover for the hand',
chisel, -cide, circumcise, concise, decide, decision, excide, excise, 'to cut out', excision, incise, precis, precise, sallet, scissors, succise. For
the ending see suff. -ment.
Derivatives: cement, tr. v., cement-ation, n., cemcnt-er, n.
cemetery, n. - Late L. coemeterium, fr. Gk.
xotfLT,T},flL0v, 'sleeping room, burial place', fr.
zr;L:J.iv, 'to put to sleep', which is rel. to xol-:-t),
'place to lie down in, bed', xo'l't'o~, 'place to lie
down in, bed; sleeping, sleep', xm-rw11, 'bedchamber', Y.EtfLCXL, 'I lie down, lie asleep', XWfL'IJ,
'village', fr.l.-E. base *kei-, 'to lie, rest', whence
also Goth. haims, 'village', OE. ham, 'home,
house, dwelling'. See home and cp. city, civil.
Cp. also the second element in neossine.
cenacle, n., a dining room. - F. cenacle, fr. L.
ceniiculum, 'dining room', fr. cena, 'dinner',
which stands for *qert-snii (cp. Oscan kersnu,
of s.m.), lit. 'portion', fr. I.-E. base *qert-, 'to
cut', whence also 01. krntati, 'cuts', Lith. kertu,
kirsti, 'to hew', Arm. k'ert'em, 'I skin, flay', and
prob. Hitt. karsh-, 'to cut off'. Base *qert- is
an enlargement of base *qer-, 'to cut', for which
see carnal.

censonous

Cenchrus, n., a genus of grasses, 'the sandbur,

the burgrass' (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xE:yzpo~,
'millet'. See Cachrys.
-cene, combining form denoting certain periods
in geology, as in Eocene. - Introduced by the
British geologist Sir Charles Lyell (!797-1875)
fr. Gk. xetLv6c,, 'new', which is cogn. with L
recens, gen. -entis, 'new'. See recent and kainite.
cenobite, coenobite, n., a member of a religious
order living in a community.- Eccles. L. coenobita, 'a cloister brother', fr. coenobium, 'a convent', fr. Gk. xoL\10~wv, 'life in community,
monastery\ fr. XOL\16~. 'common', and ~Lo~~
'life'. For the first element see coeno-, for the
second see bio-.
Derivatives: cenobit-ic, cenobit-ic-al, adjs., cenobit-ic-al-ly, adv., cenobit-ism, n.
cenoby, n. - See coenobium.
-cenosis, combining form meaning 'discharge'
(med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. xevwn~, 'an emptying', fr. xsv6c;, 'empty'. See cenotaph.
cenosite, n., a hydrous silicate and carbonate of
calcium, yttrium, etc. (mineral.)- Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. XetLv6c;, 'new, novel, unusual' (see -cene); so called in allusion to its
composition.
cenotaph, n., an empty tomb in honor of a dead
person who is buried elsewhere. - F. cenotaphc, fr. L. cenotaphium, fr. Gk. xsvo":cttpLov,
'an empty tomb', compounded of xs116~, 'empty', and Tocqnov, neut. of Toctpw~, 'pertaining to
a grave', fr. Tci.tpo~, 'burial, grave, tomb'. The
first element is cogn. with Arm. sin, 'empty'; cp.
keno-, kenosis. The second element is rei. to Gk.
3-ci.rrnL\1, 'to bury', Txtppo~, 'ditch', and cogn.
with Arm. damban, dambaran, 'grave, tomb'.
Cp. Taphrina and the second element in epitaph,
tritaph.
Cenozoic, adj., designating the geological period
extending from the beginning of the Tertiary to
the present. - Compounded of Gk. xcxw6c,,
'new, recent', ~w-1), 'life', and suff. -ic. See -cene
and zoo-.
cense, tr. and intr. v. - Aphetic for incense.
censer, n. - Aphetic for incenser, fr. OF. cncensier (F. encensoir), fr. Eccles. L. incensiirium,
fr. incensum, 'incense', lit. 'that which is burnt',
neut. pp. of L. incendere, 'to set fire to, burn'.
See incense, 'smoke of burning spices'.
censor, n.- L. censor, fr. censere, 'to reckon, assess, estimate, value, deem. judge', cogn. with
Ol. sarilsati, 'recites, praises', sarizsayati, 'announces', sasii, 'song of praise', Toch. B dinmaya, 'he has been proclaimed'. Cp. census,
excise, 'duty', recension.
Derivatives: censor, tr. v., censor-ial, adj., censorious (q.v.)
censorious, adj., inclined to censure; critical. -L. censorius, 'pertaining to a censor', fr. censor.
See prec. word and -orious.
Derivatives: censorious-ly, adv ., censoriousness, n.

censure

censure, n. - F. censure, fr. L. censura, 'judgment, criticism', fr. census, pp. of censere. See
censor and -ure.
censure, tr. and intr. v.- F. censurer, fr. censure.
See censure, n.
Derivatives: censur-able, adj., censur-er, n.
censns, n. - L. census, 'rating of property, registration of citizens and their property', fr. census, pp. of censere. See censor.
Derivative: census, tr. v.
cent, n., a hundred (used in certain phrases only).
- F., 'a hundred', fr. L. centum, 'a hundred'.
See hundred and cp. next word, centenarian,
centner, century, percentage.
cent, n., the hundredth part of a dollar. - Abbreviation of L. centesima (scil. pars), 'the hundredth part', fern. of centesimus, 'the hundredth',
fr. centum, 'a hundred', See prec. word and cp.
mill.
cental, n., a unit of weight, hundredweig ht. Formed fr. L. centum, 'a hundred', with adj.
suff. -al, on analogy of quintal.
centaur, n., I) one of a mythical race in ancient
Thessaly, conceived as m~msters, half man, half
horse (Greek mythol.); 2) (cap.) = Centaurus
(astron.) - L. Centaurus, fr. Gk. Kev-rcwpo.:;,
which is of uncertain origin.
Centaurea, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. centaureum or
centaurium. See centaury.
Centaurium, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. centaureum or
centaurium. See centaury and -ium.
Centaurus, n., a southern constellation between
Hydra and Cross (astron.) - L., 'centaur'.
See centaur.
centaury, n., any of a group of plants of the
gentian family. - ME., fr. ML. centauria, fr.
L. centaureum, centaurium, fr. Gk. XEV-rocupe:~ov,
xe:nocupwv, lit. 'Centaur's plant', fr. Kev-re~:upo.:;,
'centaur'. According to Pliny (see Nat. Hist. 25,
66) the Centaur Chiron, wounded by an arrow
shot by Heracles, heals his wound with this plant,
whence its name XEVTe~:)pe:wv or xEV-rocuptov,
'Centaur's plant' (see centaur). In Latin, folk
etymology altered the foreign word into the
compound of the Latin words centum 'hundred'
and aurum, 'gold'. As a loan transl~tion of L:
centaureum in this mistaken sense, arose G.
Tausendgiildenkraut, 'centaury', lit. 'thousandgolden-herb '.
centenarian, adj., pertaining to a period of a
hundred years; n., a person one hundred years
old.- L. cententirius, 'relating to a hundred', fr.
centeni, 'a hundred each', fr. centum, 'a hundred'. See cent, 'a hundred', and -arian and cp.
centner, kantar.
centenary, 1) adj., pertaining to a century; pertaining to a period of a hundred years; 2) n.,
a century; a period of a hundred years. - L.
centeniirius, 'relating to a hundred'. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ary.

258

centennial, adj., of a hundred years; happening

once in a hundred years; one hundred years old;
n., the hundredth anniversary; the celebration
of the hundredth anniversary. - Formed, on
the analogy of bi-ennial, fr. L. centum, 'a hundred', and annus, 'year'. See annual, biennial.
Derivative: centennial-ly, adv.
center, centre, n. - F. centre, fr. L. centrum, fr.
Gk. xev-;-pov, 'point, prickle, spike, ox goad,
point round which a circle is described', from the
stem of xev-re;~v, 'to prick, goad', whence also
xi:v-rwp, 'a goader, driver', xea-.6.:; (for *xEV-r-r6.:;), 'embroidere d', xea-rp~. 'pickax', xov-.6.:;,
'pole', fr. I.-E. base *kent-, 'to prick', whence
also Bret. kentr, Olr. cinteir, 'a Sj'Xlr', OHG.
han tag, 'sharp, pointed', Lett. sits, 'hunter's
spear', situ, sist, 'to strike', W. cethr, 'nail'. Cp.
centrifugal, centripetal, concentrate, eccentric,
Dicentra, paracentesis. Cp. also cestrum, cestus,
'girdle', kent, 'a pole', quant, 'a pole'.
Derivatives: center, centre, intr. and tr. v., center-ing, centr-ing, centre-ing, n.
centesimal, adj., counting by hundredths. Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. centesima(pars),
'a hundredth (part)', fr. centum, 'a hundred'.
See cent (in both senses).
centi-, combining form meaning 'one hundred',
or 'a hundredth part'. - L. centi-, fr. centum,
'a hundred', See cent, 'a hundred',
centigrade, adj. - Compounde d of centi- and
gradus, 'degree'. See -grade.
centigram, centigramme , n. - F. centigramme,
compounded of centi- and gramme, fr. Gk.
YPOCfLfLa., 'that which is written'. See centi- and
-gram.
centiliter, centilitre, n.- F. centilitre, compounded of centi- and litre. See centi- and liter.
centillion, n. - Formed fr. centi- on the analogy
of million (q.v.) See also billion.
centime, n.- F., formed fr. cent, 'a hundred', on
the analogy of decime, 'one tenth (of a franc)',
fr. L. decima (pars), 'tenth (part)', fr. decem,
'ten'. See cent, 'a hundred', and decimal.
centimeter, centimetre, n. - F. centimetre, compounded of centi- and metre. See centi- and
-meter.
centipede, n. - F. centipede, fr. L. centipeda,
'centipede, many-footed insect', compounded
of centum, 'a hundred', and pes, gen. pedis,
'foot'. See centi- and pedal.
centner, n., commercial hundredweig ht. - G.,
fr. L. cententirius, 'relating to a hundred'. See
centenarian and cp. kantar.
cento, n., a composition made up of selections
from different works. - L. cent6, 'patchwork',
cogn. with OI. kanthti, 'patched garment', OHG.
hadora, MHG., G. hader, 'rag' [cp., with -/formative element, MHG. hade/ (whence F.
hail/on), 'rag']. Gk. xi:v-.pwv, 'piece of patchwork', is a loan word fr. L. cent6, and was influenced in form by xmpwv, 'one that deserves
the goad(= xmpov)'. Cp. Centunculus.

259

central, adj.- L. centriilis, 'pertaining to a center', fr. centrum; first used by the philosopher
of the Cambridge Platonist school, Henry More
(I614-87), in 1647. See center and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: central, n., central-ism, n., centralist, n., central-ist-ic, adj., central-ity, n., centralize, tr. and intr. v., central-iz-ation, n., central-ly,
adv., central-ness, n.
centric, centrical, adj. - Gk. xEVTpLx6.:;, fr. xev-rpov. See center and -ic and cp. anthropocentric,
egocentric, geocentric, heliocentric, paracentric.
Derivatives: centrical-ly, adv., centric-ity, n.
centrifugal, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -a! fr.
ModL. centrifugus, 'fleeing from the center',
which was coined by Sir Isaac Newton from L.
centrum, 'center', andfugere, 'to flee from'. See
center and fugacious and cp. centripetal.
Derivatives: centrifugal, n., centrifugal-ize, tr.v.,
centrifug-al-ly, adv.
centrifuge, n., a rotary machine. - F., fr. centrifuge, 'centrifugal', fr. ModL. centrifugus. See
prec. word.
centripetal, adj.- Formed with adj. suff. -a! fr.
ModL. centripetus, 'tending toward the center',
which was coined by Sir Isaac Newton fr. L.
centrum, 'center', and petere, 'to fall upon,
move toward, seek'. See center, petition and cp.
centrifugal.
Derivative: centripetal-ly, adv.
centro-, combining form meaning 'center, central'. - L., fr. Gk. XEIITpO-, fr. xev-rpov, 'center'. See center.
centrobaric, adj., relating to the center of gravity.
- Fr. Gk. -r<X xe:v-rpo~ocpLxoc, title of a treatise
of Archimedes on the center of gravity, compounded of xev-rpov, 'center', and ~ocpo.:;,
'weight'. See center, baro- and -ic.
Centroserna, n., name of a genus of the family
Fabaceae (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
XEv-rpov, 'spur', and rrij[LOC, 'sign, Standard'. See
center and semantics.
centrosome, n., a minute body occurring in the
cytoplasm (bio/.)-Coin ed by the German zoologist Theodor Boveri (1862-I915) in 1888 from
Gk. xev-rpov, 'center'' and O'WfLOC; 'body'. See
centro- and soma, 'body'.
centumvir, n., one of a court of one hundred judges or jurors (Roman hist.)- L., compounded
of centum, 'a hundred', and vir, 'man'. See cent,
'a hundred', and virile.
Centuncu!us, n., a genus of the primrose family
(bot.) - L. centunculus, 'bindweed, knotweed,
patch', formed fr. cento, 'patchwork', with dirnin. suff. -unculus. See cento and -uncle.
centuple, adj., a hundred times as much, a
hundredfol d.- F., fr. L. centup/us, 'a hundredfold', lit. 'folded a hundred times', formed fr.
centum, 'a hundred', with suff. -plus, 'fold', on
analogy of du-plus, 'double', fr. duo, 'two'. See
double.
Derivatives: centuple, tr. v., centupl-y, adv.
centuplicate, tr. v., to make a hundredfold . -

L. centupliciitus, pp. of centupliciire, 'to increase

a hundredfold ', fr. cent up/ex, gen. centuplicis,
'a hundredfold ', which is compounded of centum, 'a hundred', and -plex, gen. -plicis, '-fold',
from the stem of pliciire, 'to fold, bend'. See
ply, 'to bend', and cp. plicate.
Derivative: centuplicat-ion, n.
centuplicate, adj. and n., a hundredfold . - L.
centupliciitus. See prec. word.
centurion, n., a captain commanding a hundred
men in the Roman army. - L. centuri6, gen.
-6nis, 'commander of a century', fr. centuria.
See next word and cp. decurion.
century, n. - L, centuria, 'a parcel or division
of a hundred things of one kind'; formed fr.
centum, 'a hundred', on the analogy of decuria, 'a company of ten' (fr. decem, 'ten'). See
cent, 'a hundred', and cp. decury.
ceorl, n., a churl. - OE. See churl.
cephal-, form of cephalo- before a vowel.
cephalalgia, cephalalgy, n., headache (med.) L., fr. Gk. xe:<pocJ.ocJ.y[~, which is compounded
of xe:<pocJ.-1), 'head', and (f)..yo.:;, 'pain'. See cephalic
and -algia.
Cephalanthu s, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
xe:<paJ.1j, 'head', and Olv&o.:;, 'flower'. See cephalic
and anther.
cephalate, adj., having a head. - See cephalic
and adj. suff. -ate.
cephalic, adj., pertaining to the head. - F. cephalique, fr. L. cephalicus, fr. Gk. xe:<pocJ.tx6.:;,
'pertaining to the head', fr. xe:<pa.J.1j, 'head', dissimilated fr. *xe:<pocJ.1j, fr. I.-E. base *ghebt-,
whence also Toch. A sptil-, 'head', Goth. gibla,
ON. gafl, 'gable', OE. gafol, 'fork'. See gable
and -ic and cp. Acanthoceph ala, acephalous,
acrocephalic, anencephalic, autocephalou s, bicephalous, Bucephalus, dolichocephalic, Dracocephalum, encephalic, encephalon, Enchelycephali, hydrocephalus, isocephalic, macrocephalic,
megacephalic, mesocephalic, microcephalous,
orthocephalic.
cephalic vein (anat.) - ML. vena cephalica, fr.
Arab. al-qifdl, fr. a/-, 'the', and qiftil, a word of
uncertain origin, which was confused by the
translators of Avicenna with Gk. xe<pocJ.-i), 'head'
(whence xe:~ctJ.tx6.:;, 'pertaining to the head, see
prec. word). The word cephalic in its above
sense appears first in a translation of A vicenna
by Armegandus Blasius de Montepessu lano in
I 564. See Joseph Hyrtl, Das Arabische und
Hebriiischei nder Anatomic, Wien, I 879,p. 96-98.
cephalo-, before a vowel cephal-, combining form
meaning 'head, with reference to the head'. Gk. xe:<pct.Ao-, xe<pct.A-, fr. xe:cpctJ.1j, 'head'. See
cephalic.
cephaloicJ. adj., shaped like a head. - Gk. xe:<pocJ.oe:t81j.:;, fr. xt<pocJ.-1), 'head', and -oe:t8-i).:;, 'like',
fr. t!8o.:;, 'form, shape'. See cephalic and -oid.
cephalopod, n., one of the Cephalopod a. - See
next word.

Cephalopoda
Cephalopoda, n. pl., a class of mollusks, including
the cuttlefish, squid, octopus, etc. (zoot.) ModL., compounded of KE(jlOCA~, 'head', and
7ro,Jc, gen. l't'oM~. 'foot'. See cephalic and -pod.
cephalothorax, n., the united head and thorax
(of spiders and crustaceans) (zoot.) - See cephalo- and thorax.
Cephalotus, n., a genus of Australian plants (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. lWflOCACil'\'6~, 'having a head,
headed', fr. x.e:tpocA~, 'head'. See cephalic.
cephalous, adj., having a head.- See -cephalous.
-cephalous, combining form meaning 'having
(such and such) a head'.- Gk. -x.etpocAo~ (as in
fLOCKpOKE(jl:XAO~, 'long-headed'), fr. X.EqlOCA~, 'head',
See cephalic. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-o~, see -ous.
cer-, form of cero- before a vowel.
ceraceous, adj., waxy. - Formed with suff.
-aceous fr. L. cera, 'wax'. See cere, n.
cerago, n., beebread.- Formed fr. L. cera, 'wax'.
See cere, n.
ceral, adj., pertaining to wax. - Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. cera, 'wax'. See cere, n.
Ceramiaceae, n. pl., a family of algae (bot.) ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. Ceramium.
ceramiaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
ceramic, adj., 1) of pottery; 2) of ceramics. Gk. xe:pociLLx6~, 'of pottery, made of earthenware', fr. xspoctJ-O~, 'earthen vessel, jar, potter's
clay, pottery', a pre-Hellenic word derived from
a language of Asia Minor and not cognate with
L. cremare, 'to burn'. See Kretschmer, Glotta,
11, 284, and Schrader, Reallexikon der indogermanischen Altertumskunde IP, 694. Cp.
Ceramium, and the second clement in Inoceramus.
ceramics, n., 1) the art of making pottery, earthenware, of porcelain, etc.; 2) objects made of
any of these materials.- See prec. word and -ics.
Ceramium, n., a genus of red algae (bot.) ModL., fr. Gk. x.e:pxtJ-WV, dimin. of xspocfl-o~,
'earthen vessel, jar'. See ceramic.
cerargyrite, n., a synonym of hornsilver.- Compounded of Gk. xE:poc;, 'horn' (see cerato-),
ip'f'JprJ;, 'silver' (see argyro-), and subst. suff.
-it e.
cerastes, n., the horned viper (zoo!.)- L. cerastes,
'a horned serpent', fr. Gk. xe:pcrTIJ~, 'horned;
a horned serpent', fr. x.sp(X;, 'horn'. See cerato-.
Cerastium, n., a genus of plants of the chickweed
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xe:pcr-:-r,;,
'horned' (see prec. word); so called from the
shape of the pod.
cerate, n .. a kind of ointment consisting of wax,
lard, oil and other ingredients. - L. ceratum,
prop. neut. pp. of ci'riire, 'to cover with wax',
fr. cera. Sec cere, n., and adj. suff. -ate.
ccratd, adj., waxed. - Formed with suff. -ed fr.
L. ci'riitus, pp. of ceriire, 'to wax', fr. cera. See
cere, n.
cerato-, kerato-, before a vowel cerat-, kerat-,
combining form meaning 'horn, horny'. - Gk.

260

loCEptx":O-, loCEpOC't'-, fr. X.eptx~, gen. xep'Y.":O~, 'horn',

which is cogn. with L. cornu, 'hom', fr. I.-E.
base *ker-, 'the uppermost part of the body,
head, horn, top, summit'. See horn and cp.
carat, cervine, crio-, keratin. Cp. also Aceraterium, Acerates and the second element in
Dicruridae, Dinoceras, Megaceros, rhinoceros,
Triceratops.
Ceratodus, n., a genus of fishes, the barramunda
(ichthyol.)- ModL.,compounded ofGk.xtpoc~.
gen. loCEpOC":O~, 'horn', and -o3ou~, '-toothed',
fr. Mwv, 'tooth'. See cerato- and odonto-.
Ceratophyllaceae, n. pl., the hornwort family
(bot.) - Formed fr. Ceratophyllum with suff.
-aceae.
ceratophyllaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Ceratophyllum, n., a genus of plants, the hornwort (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'with hornlike leaves',
fr. Gk. xepoct;, gen. xepoc":ot;, 'horn', and q:>UAAOV,
'a leaf' (see cerato- and phyllo-); so called because the sessile leaves are divided into hard,
threadlike, parts.
cerauno-, kerauno-, a combining form meaning
'thunderbolt'. - Gk. xe:pocuvo-, fr. xe:pxuv6~,
'thunderbolt, lightning', which stands for *xe:pocf(e:)v6~. lit. 'smasher, crusher', rcl. to xe:poc't~e:Lv
(for *xe:pocf(~e:Lv), 'to Jay waste', and cogn.
with L. caries, 'decay, rottenness'. See caries
and cp. the second element in sincere.
ceraunograph, keraunograph, n., an instrument
for recording thunderstorms and lightnings. Compounded of cerauno- and Gk. -ypx<;JO~, fr.
ypxtpe:~v. 'to write'. See -graph.
Cerberus, n. (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. KE:p~e:po~, which is prob. cogn. with OI. karbardb,
.drvara/:1, .Sabdla/:1, 'spotted, speckled' (whence
Sabdla/:1, name of one of the two dogs ofYama).
cercaria, n., a larval stage of trematode worms
(zoot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xipxo~, 'tail'. See
cercus and -aria and cp. next word.
Cercis, n., a genus of shrubs and trees, the redbud, the Judas tree (hot.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
xe:px(~, 'wea vcr's shuttle; the Judas tree', which
is prob. a dimin. of xspxoc;, 'tail'. See cercus.
Cercopithecus, n., a genus of long-tailed monkeys (zoo[.) - L. Cercopithecus, fr. Gk. xe:pxor.Utr,x.ot;, 'a long-tailed monkey', which is compounded of xepxoc;, 'tail', and ;-c\Br,xo~, 'monkey'. See cercus and Pithecanthropus.
cercus, n., either of a pair of anal appendages
found in many insects (entomol.) - ModL., fr.
Gk. xspxo;, 'tail', which is of unknown origin.
Cp. cercaria, Cercis, the first element in carrack
and in Cercopithecus, and the second element in
cysticercus. Cp. also the first element in Cecrops.
cere, n., a waxlike protuberance at the base of the
bill of some birds. - F. eire, fr. L. cera, 'wax',
which is a loan word fr. Gk. xr,p6~, 'beeswax,
wax', whence x.r,plov, 'honeycomb'. Gk. xr,p6~
is of uncertain etymology. It is perh. cogn. with
Lith. korys, 'honeycomb', Lett. kare, 'honey in

261

the comb'. Cp. cere, v., cerement, Cereus, Cerinthe, Cerion, cerumen, ceruse, cierge, ciruela,
Kerite, and the second element in adipoceres,
meliceris, ozocerite, tricerion.
cere, tr. v., to wrap in a cerecloth.- F. cirer, 'to
cover with wax', fr. eire, 'wax', fr. L. cera. See
cere, n.
Derivative: cer-ed, adj.
cereal, adj. and n. - L. Cerealis, dissimil. fr.
*Cereriilis, 'pertaining to Ceres', fr. Ceres, gen.
Cereris, 'Ceres', name of the Italian goddess of
agriculture, prop. 'goddess of growth', fr. I.-E.
base *ker-, *kere-, 'to grow', whence also L.crescere, 'to grow', creiire, 'to create', Oscan. caria,
'bread'. Gk. x.ope:wuvocL, 'to satisfy, fill with a
thing' (whence x6po~, 'one's fill, satiety'), Arm.
serm, sermn, 'seed, shoot, sprout', serem, 'I produce', Alb. f}jer, 'acorn', Djeh, 'lentil' (lit.
'food'), Lith. seriu, serti, 'to feed', OPruss. sermen, 'funeral repast', OHG. hirsi, hirso, 'millet'.
Cp. herd. Cp. also Ceres, accrue, create, creature, creole, crescendo, crescent, decrease, excrescent, increase, increment, procreate, recreate,
recruit. Cp. also cerium. For the ending see adj.
suff. -a!.
Derivatives: cereal-ian, cereal-ic, adjs., cerealism, n., cereal-is!, n.
cerebellum, n., the hinder part of the brain (anal.
and zoo/.) - L., dimin. of cerebrum. See
cerebrum.
cerebr-, form of cerebro- before a vowel.
cerebral, adj., pertaining to the brain.- F. cerebral, fr. L. cerebrum. See cerebrum and adj. suff.
-al.
cerebrate, intr. v., to use one's brain; to think.See cerebrum and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: cerebrat-ion, n.
cerebric, adj., pertaining to the brain.- Formed
with suff. -ic fr. L. cerebrum. See cerebrum.
cerebro-, before a vowel cerebr-, combining form
denoting the brain. - Fr. L. cerebrum. See
cerebrum.
cerebrose, n., galactose obtained from cerebrasides (biochem.) - Formed fr. cerebrum with
subst. suff. -ose.
cerebroside, n., glucoside occurring in brain and
nerve tissue (biochem.)- Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ide.
cerebrum, n., the main part of the brain (anat. and
zoo!.)- L. cerebrum, 'brain' (prob. for *ker'srom), fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'the uppermost part
of the body, head, horn, top, summit', whence
also 01. siras, 'head, summit', sir$dm, 'head',
Avestic sarah-, ModPers. sar, 'head', Arm. sar,
'top', Homeric Gk. x.ip, 'head', Ion. x:ipr,, Att.
x:ipi, x.p:i~ (poetic form for xipii), Ion. x:ipr,vov,
Att. and Dor. x.cipivov, 'head', Gk. xpiv(ov,
'skull', ON. hjarni, Du. hersenen, OHG. hirni,
MHG. hirne, G. Him, Gehirn, 'brain'. Cp.
cranium and words there referred to. Cp. also
cernuous, cervical, cheer, coryphaeus, the first
element in cervelat, charivari, sarangousty,

cernuous

saveloy, seerband, seerpaw, serang, seraskier,

sircar and the second element in mahseer. Cp.
also horn and words there referred to.
cerecloth, n. - Compounded of cere, v., and
cloth.
cerement, n., a shroud. - Orig. 'waxed shroud',
fr. F. cirement, 'a waxing', fr. circr, 'to wax',
fr. eire, 'wax'. Sec cere and -ment.
ceremonious, adj. - F. cen?monieux (fem. ceremonieuse), fr. Late L. caerim6nh)sus, fr. L.
caerim6nia. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: ceremonious-ly, adv., ceremoniousness, n.
ceremony, n.- OF. ceremonie (F. cbemonie), fr.
L. caerim6nia, 'sacred usage, ceremony', prob.
orig. meaning 'the rites performed by the Etruscan pontiffs at Caere (near Rome)'. See Sexti
Pompei Festi de verborum significatu quae supersunt cum Pauli epitome, Lipsiae, 1880. For
the ending see suff. -mony and cp. words there
referred to. The word ceremony was introduced
into English by Wycliffe.
Derivatives: ceremoni-al, adj. and n., ceremonial-ism, n., ceremoni-al-ist, n., ceremoni-al-ize,
tr. v., ceremonious (q.v.)
Ceres, n., Italian goddess of agriculture, identified with the Greek goddess Demeter (Roman
mythol.) - L. Ceres. See cereal.
Cereus, n., a genus of cacti (hot.) - L. cereus,
'wax candle', fr. cera, 'wax' (see cere, n.); so
called from the shape suggestive of a wax candle.
cerevis, n., a small cap worn by German students.
- G., fr. L. cervisia, cenesia, 'beer', a word
of Gaulish origin. See cervisia.
eerie, adj., containing cerium (chem.)- Formed
fr. cerium with suff. -ic.
Cerinthe, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. cerintha, cerinthe,
'the waxftower', fr. Gk. x~pLv)h,c;, 'beebread',
which was prob. formed fr. Kt,p6c;, 'wax', with
suff. -w&oc;. See cere, n.
Cerion, n., a genus of snails (zoot.)- Gk. Kr,plcN,
'honeycomb', fr. x.r,p6~. 'beeswax'. See cere, n.
ceriph, serif, n., a horizontal line at the top or
bottom of a capital letter. - Prob. fr. Du.
schreef, 'stroke, dash', which is rei. to schrijl'en,
'to write', fr. L. scribere. See scribe and cp.
sanserif.
cerise, n., cherry color.- F. cerise, 'cherry'. See
cherry.
cerite, n., a hydrous silicate of cerium (chem.)Formed fr. cerium with subst. suff. -ite.
cerium, n., a metallic element. - ModL., contracted fr. cererium, a name coined by the Swedish chemist Baron Jons Jakob Berzelius (17791848) after the asteroid Ceres, discovered in
I 80 I, which was called after the Roman goddess
Ceres. See Ceres. For the ending of cerium
see chem. suff. -ium.
cernuous, adj., bowing downward (said of the
bell or cup of flowers) - L. cernuus, 'with the
face toward the earth', standing for kers-n-

cero
owos and rel. to cerebrum, 'brain'. See cerebrum. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
suff. -ous.
cero, n., a fish of the mackerel family. -Corruption of Sp. sierra, 'saw, sawfish', fr. L. serra,
'saw'. See serra.
cero-, before a vowel cer-, combining form meaning 'wax, waxy'. - Gk. X7Jpo-, X7]p-, fr. X7Jp6~,
'beeswax, wax'. See cere, n.
cerograph, n., a writing or painting on wax. See next word.
cerography, n., the art of making cerographs on
wax. - Gk. x7Jpoypocq:~l<X, fr. X1Jpoypocq:~dv, 'to
write or paint on wax', fr. X7Jpo~, 'wax', and
yp&.q:~et\1, 'to write'. See cere, n., and -graphy.
Derivatives: cerograph-ic, cerograph-ic-al, adjs.,
cerograph-ist, n.
cerolite, n., a hydrous magnesium silicate (mineral.) - Compounded of cero- and -lite; so
called in allusion to its waxy appearance.
ceroplastic, adj., pertaining to modeling in wax.
- Gk. x7Jpo7t"Aoca-rtx6~, 'pertaining to molding in
wax', fr. X7Jpo7t"Aoccr-ro~, 'molded in wax', fr. X7]p6~. 'wax', and 7t"Aoccrcretv, 'to mold'. See ceroand plastic.
ceroplastics, n., the art of modeling in wax. See prec. word and -ics.
cerous, adj., containing cerium (chem.)- Formed
fr. cerium with suff. -ous.
cerrero, adj., wild (said of horses). - Sp., fr.
cerro, 'neck of an animal', fr. L. cirrus, 'curl,
lock, the hair on the forehead of a horse'. See
cirrus.
cerris, n., a kind of oak, the Turkey oak. ModL., fr. L. cerrz1s, a word of Hamitic origin.
See Schuchardt, Sitzungsberichte der Akademie
der Wissenschaften in Wien, 188, 4. Abhandlung, 18 f.
certain, adj. - ME., fr. OF. certain, certein (F.
certain), fr. VL. *certiinus (whence also Olt.,
OSp. certano, OProven~;. certan), fr. L. certus,
'determined, resolved, sure, certain' (whence
OF., OProven<;. cert, It. certo, Sp. cierto,
'certain'), which stands for *cri-tos and is rel.
to cerno ( = *crino), cernere, pp. cretus, 'to
separate, sift, distinguish, discern, understand,
decide', and cogn. with Gk. xptv~:tv (*for xpt"le:tv), to separate, pick out, decide, judge',
xpt-r6~. 'picked out, chosen, excellent' (prop.
verbal adj. of xptve:tv), xpt-rf.;, 'judge', xplcrt~,
'a separating, putting apart, a decision', L.
cribrum (for *qrei-dhrom), 'sieve', discrimen,
'distinction, difference, interval', excrementum,
what is sifted out, refuse', W. gogrynu, 'to
sift', gogr, gwagr, 'sieve', Mlr. crith, 'division',
erich, 'border, boundary', OE. hridder, hriddel,
'sieve', Goth. hrains, OHG. hreini, MHG. reine,
G. rein, ON. hreinn, OS. hreni, 'clean, pure'.
All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base
*(s)q(e)re(i)-, 'to separate'. See riddle, 'sieve',
and cp. acrisia, ascertain, certify, certitude, eoac:em, crayon, cribrffonn, crisis, criterion, critic,

262
decem, decree, decretal, diacritical, discern,
discriminate, eccrinology, endocrine, excrement,
excrete, garble, hypocrisy, hypocrite, recrement,
secern, secret. Base *(s)q(e)re(i)-, is an enlargement of base *(s)qer-, 'to cut', whence Gk. xdpetv (for *xep-~e:w), 'to cut', L. caro, 'flesh, meat',
orig. 'a piece'. See carnal.
Derivatives: certain, n., certain-ly, adv.
certainty, n. - OF. certainete, fr. certain. See
prec. word and -ty.
certes, adv. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) certes, fr.
VL. certiis, corresponding to L. certo, 'certainly', fr. certus. See certain.
certificate, n.- F. certificat, fr. ML. certificiitum,
neut. of certificiitus, pp. of certificiire. See certify
and adj. suff. -ate.
certificate, tr. v. - ML. certificiitus, pp. of certificiire. See prec. word.
certification, n. - F., fr. ML. certificiitionem,
ace. of certificiitio, fr. certificiitus, pp. of certificiire. See certify and -ation.
certify, tr. v. - F. certifier, fr. ML. certificiire,
'to certify', lit. 'to make certain', compounded
ofL. certus, 'sure, certain', and -ficiire,fr.facere,
'to make, do'. See certain, and -fy.
Derivatives: certifi-able, adj., certifi-able-ness,
n., certifi-abl-y, adv., certifi-ed, adj., certifi-er, n.
certiorari, n., a writ from a superior to an inferior court, calling up the records of a case
(law). - L. certiorari, pass. pres. infin. of certioriire, 'to certify, inform', lit. 'to make more
certain', fr. certior, compar. of certus, 'sure,
certain' (see certain and -ior); so called from
the word certiorari occurring in the Latin text
of the writ (certiorari volumus, 'we wish to be
certified').
certiorate, tr. v., to certify. - L. certioriitus, pp.
of certioriire. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
certitude, n. - F., fr. Late L. certitudinem, ace.
of certitudo, fr. L. certus, 'sure, certain'. Cp. It.
certitudine, OProven.;;. sertetut, Catal. certitut,
Sp. certidumbre, and see certain and -tude.
The word certitude was introduced into French
by Nicole Oresme, bishop of Lisieux (about
1330-1382).
cerulean, adj., sky-blue.- Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. caeruleus, 'dark blue, azure', prob. dissimilated fr. caeluleus and lit. meaning 'skycolor', fr. caelulum, dimin. of caelum, 'sky'. See
celestial.
cerumen, n., earwax (physiol.) - Medical L.,
coined by the Swiss anatomist Gaspard Bauhin
(156o-1624) fr. L. cera, 'wax' (see cere, n.), on
analogy of albumen, 'white of the egg' (see albumen). Cp. J. Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica, p.104.
Derivative: cerumin-ous, adv.
cerumini-, combining form meaning earwax. See prec. word.
ceruse, n., white lead.- F. ceruse, fr. L. cerussa,
which is of uncertain origin. It is perh. borrowed fr. Gk. *X1')p6eaaoc (fern.), 'waxen', taken

263
in the sense of 'white-colored', fr. X7Jp6~, 'beeswax'. See cere, n.
cerussite, n., lead carbonate (mineral.)- Formed
fr. L. cerussa (see prec. word) with subst. suff. -ite.
cervantite, n., an antimony oxide (mineral.) Named after Cervantes, a town in Spain. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
cervelat, n., a saveloy sausage. - Fr. earlier F.
cervelat (F. cervelas), fr. It. cervellato. See
saveloy.
cervical, adj., pertaining to the neck. -Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. cervix, gen. -icis, 'neck'.
The first element of this word is prob. rel. to
cerebrum, 'brain', and the second, to the base of
vincire, 'to bind'. Accordingly L. cervix lit.
means 'that which binds or fixes the head'. See
cerebrum and vinculum.
cervicitis, n., inflammation of the cervix uteri
(med.)- A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. cervix (see prec. word) and -itis, a suff. of Greek
origin.
cervico-, before a vowel cervic-, combining form
meaning 'cervical'. - Fr. L. cervix, gen. cervicis, 'neck'. See cervical.
cervid, adj., pertaining to the Cervidae. - See
next word.
Cervidae, n. pl., a family of mammals, the deer
(zoo!.) - ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L.
cervus, 'deer'. See next word.
cervine, adj., pertaining to the deer family (zoo/.)
- L. cervinus, 'pertaining to the deer', fr. cervus,
'deer', prop. 'the horned animal'. Cp. Gk. xE:poc~,
L. cornu, 'horn', and see Isidorus, Etymologiae,
I 2, I, I 8: cervi dicti ci1to Twv xephwv ('called
cervifrom their xE:piX-roc, i.e. 'antlers'). See ceratoand cp. words there referred to. Cp. also serval
and the second element in Rucervine. Cp. also
hart. For the ending of cervine see -ine (representing L. -in us).
cervisia, n., beer. - L. cervisia, cervesia, 'beer', of
Gaulish origin; cp. Mlr. coirm, cuirm, 'beer'.
Cp. cerevis.
Derivative: cervisi-al, adj.
Cervus, n., the genus of deers (zoo/.)- L. cervus,
'deer'. See cervine.
cesarevitch, n., title of the eldest son of the czar,
or of the heir to the Russian throne. - Russ.
rsesarevitch, fr. tsesar, earlier form of tsar,
'czar'. See czar and cp. czarevitch.
cesium, also caesium, n., a rare alkaline metal
(chem.) - ModL. caesium, coined by Robert
Wilhelm Bunsen (1811-99) and Gustav Robert
Kirchhoff (I 824-87) in 186o fr. L. caesius,
'bluish gray' (see caesious); so called by them
in allusion to the two blue lines of its spectrum.
cespitose, adj., turfy. - Formed with adj.
suff. -ose from L. caespes, gen. caespitis, 'turf,
sod cut out, knot, knob; clump'. The orig.
meaning seems to have been 'something cut off',
which makes a connection between caespes and
L. caedere, 'to cut', very likely; see cement. See
Walde-Hofman n, LEW., I, p.IJ4

cetene
cess, n., a tax.- Fr. earlier sess, which is aphetic
for assess.
Derivatives: cess, tr. v., cess-er, n.
cessation, n., a ceasing. -F., fr. L. cesstitionem,
ace. of cessiitio, 'a tarrying, delaying', fr. cessiitus, pp. of cessiire, 'to tarry, delay'. See cease
and -ation.
cesser, n., a ceasing of liability (law.) - OF.
cesser, infin. used as a noun, fr. L. cessiire, 'to
cease'. See cease. For the subst. use of the infinitive cp. attainder and words there referred to.
cession, n., a ceding. - F., fr. L. cessio, gen.
-onis, 'a giving up, surrendering', fr. cess-(um),
pp. stem of cedere, 'to go away, yield, give up'.
See cede and -ion.
cessionary, n., an assignee. - ML. cessioniirius,
fr. L. cessio, gen. -onis. See cession and -ary.
cesspool, n., areceptaclefo rrefuse.-Comp ounded of cess (which is prob. aphetic for recess)
and pool.
cesta, n., a basket.- Sp., fr. L. cesta, 'chest, box',
fr. Gk. xlcr'T:7], of s.m. See chest.
Cestoda, n. pl., a class of worms, the tapeworms
(zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xe:cr-r6~, 'girdle', and
-wS1J~, 'like'. See next word.
cestode, cestoid, n., tapeworm. - Formed with
suff. -ode, resp. -oid, fr. Gk. xcr-r6~. 'girdle'. See
cestus, 'girdle'.
cestrum, n., a graving tool. - L., fr. Gk. xecr-rpov,
which stands for *xev-r--rpov, from the stem of
xevnw, 'to prick, goad'. See center.
Cestrum, n., a genus of plants of the potato
family (Solanaceae) (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
xE:cr-rpov, 'betony'.
cestui, pron., 'he, the one', used in legal phrases
(as in cestui que trust or cestui qui trust, the
beneficiary of a trust). - AF. and OF. cestui,
'that one', fr. VL. *ecce istui, 'behold this one'.
For the etymology of ecce see ecce homo. VL.
*is lui corresponds to L. isti, dat. of isle, 'this
one', which is compounded of is, 'he, the same'
(see idem), and the pronominal base *te-.
cestus, n., a covering for the hand used by Roman
boxers (Roman antiq.) - L. caestus, for *caedstus, lit. 'strap for striking', fr. caedere, 'to
strike'. See cement.
cestus, n., a girdle (Greek and Roman antiq.) L., fr. Gk. xe:cr-r6;, 'embroidered; girdle', which
stands for *xen--r6~, from the stem of xE:vntv,
'to prick, goad'. See center and cp. next word.
Cestus, n., a genus of ribbon-shaped jelly fishes
(ichthyol.) - ModL., fr. prec. word.
Cetacea, n., pl., an order of aquatic mammals,
the whale, porpoise, etc. (zoo/.) - ModL.,
formed withsuff. -aceafr. L. cetus, 'whale',fr. Gk.
x'ijTo~, which is of uncertain origin. Cp. the
second element in spermaceti.
cetacean, cetaceous, adj., pertaining to the order
of Cetacea; n., an animal pertaining to this order. - Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -an,
resp. -ous.
cetene, n., unsaturated hydrocarbon (chem.) -

cetin
Formed with suff. -ene fr. L. cetus, 'whale'. See
Cetacea.
cetin, n., a crystalline fat forming the chief component in spermaceti (chem.) - Formed with
chem. suff. -in fr. L. cetus, 'whale'. See Cetacea.
cetology, n., that part of zoology which deals
with the whales. - Compounded of Gk. x'ij-ro<;,
'whale' (see ceto-), and -/..oyUi, fr. -Myo<;, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
cetyl, n., a univalent radical, C 16 H 33 , occurring
in spermaceti, beeswax (chem.)- Formed with
suff. -yl fr. L. cetus, 'whale'. See Cetacea.
chabazite, chabasite, n., a hydrous silicate (mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk.
xoc~oc~ts (occurring in the poem IIspt t..E&c:uv
ascribed to Orpheus), an erroneous reading for
xo:t..oc~1e:, vocative of xo:t..oc~to<;, name of a precious stone, lit. 'resembling hailstone', fr. xoct..o:~o:,
'hail, hailstone'. See chalaza.
chablis, n., light, white Burgundy wine.- Named
from Chablis, a town in the Department of
Y onne in France.
chabot, n., the fish called miller's thumb (her.)F., 'miller's thumb', also 'bullhead', fr. earlier
cabot, fr. OProvem;. cabotz, 'a large-headed
(fish)', fr. VL. *capoceus, fr. L. caput, 'head'. Sec
capital, adj., and cp. Capito.
chabouk, chabuk, n., a long whip. - Pcrs. chiibug,
'a whip'. Cp. chawbuck, sjambok.
cha-cha, also cha-cha-cha, n., a dance in 3-beat
rhythm. - Amer. Sp. cha-cha-cha.
chacma, n., a South African baboon. - Hottentot.
chaconnc, n., a slow Spanish dance. - F., fr. Sp.
chacona, a kind of Spanish dance, prob. fr.
Basque clrucun, 'pretty'.
Chaenactis, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
z:<l~El\1, 'to gape, yawn' and a;c:-ic;, 'ray'. The
first element is cogn. with L. hiiire, 'to gape,
yawn, OE. giinian, 'to yawn'; sec yawn and cp.
achcnc, chama. For the second element see
actinic.
Chaenolobus, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
p\1WI, 'to gape, yawn', and /..ro!36c;, 'lobe'. See
prec. word and lobe.
Chacnomeles, n., a genus of plants of the apple
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
z:x\vs\'1, 'to gape, yawn', and :J.T,A<JV, 'apple'.
See Chaenactis and Malus.
chaeto-, before a vowel chaet-, combining form
meaning 'spine' or 'bristle'. - Fr. Gk. z:xl-:-r,.
'long flowing hair, mane', which is cogn. with
Avcstic gaesa-, 'curly hair', Ir. gaoisideach,
'hair. Cp. achaetous and the second element in
spirochete, Colcochacte, Oligochaeta.
Cbaetodon, n., a genus of fishes having spiny fins
(ichthyol.) - ModL., compounded of chaetand Gk. 68w~. gen. 686no~, 'tooth'. See odonto-.
chaetopod, adj., pertaining to the Chaetopoda;

265

264

n., a chaetopod worm. -See next word.

Chaetopoda, n. pl., a class of annelids or segmented worms (zoo!.) - ModL., compounded
of chaeto- and Gk. 7tou<;, gen. 7to86c;, 'foot'. See
-poda.
chafe, tr. v., I) to warm by rubbing; 2) to irritate
by rubbing; 3) to irritate; intr. v., I) to rub;
2) to become or be irritated. - ME. chaufer,
fr. OF. chaufer (F. chauffer), fr. VL. *ca/efiire
(whence also OProven9. ca!far), fr. L. calefacere,
'to make warm, to heat', which is compounded
of calere, 'to be warm' andfacere, 'to make, do'.
See caldron and fact and cp. calefacient, calorific. Cp. also chaff, 'to banter', chauffeur, rechauffe.
Derivatives: chafe, n., chafer (q.v.)
chafer, n., a vessel for heating. - Formed fr.
chafe with agential suff. -er. Cp. chauffer.
chafer, n., a beetle. - ME., fr. OE. ceafor, rei.
to OS. kevera, Du. kever, OHG. chevar, MHG.
kever, G. Kafer, lit. 'gnawer'. Cp. MHG. kiven,
Du. keveren, 'to gnaw', OE. ceafl, ME. chavel,
G. Kiefer, 'jaw', and see jowl, 'jaw'.
chaff, n., husk of grain.- ME. chaj; fr. OE. ceaf,
rei. to MDu., Du. kaf, G. Kajf, and prob. also
to OHG. cheva, MHG. keve, 'husk'.
Derivatives: chaff, tr. v., chaff-y, adj.
chaff, tr. v., to banter. - Prob. a var. of chafe.
chaffer, n., a bargain.- ME. cheapfare, chapfare,
chaffare, fr. OE. ceap, 'price, bargain' and faru,
'going, journey, proceeding'. For the first element see chapman, cheap, for the second see
fare.
chaffer, intr. v., to bargain. - ME. chajfclren,
fr. chaffare, 'bargain'. See prec. word.
Derivative: chaffer-er, n.
chaffinch, n. -- OE. ceaffinc. See chaff and finch.
chagrin, n., mortification. - F., 'grief, sorrow,
affliction', of uncertain origin.
Derivative: chagrin, tr. v.
chain, n.- OF. chaeine (F. chaine), fr. L. catena,
'chain, fetter', which is of uncertain origin. It
stands perh. for *cates-nii, from base *qat-, 'to
twist together', whence also L. cassis (assimilated fr. *cat-sis), 'hunter's net, snare'. Cp.
catena, catenary, concatinate, chignon.
Derivatives: chain, tr. v., chain-ed, adj., chain-er,

n., chain-less, adj.

chair, n., seat. - ME. chaiere, chaere, chaire, fr.
OF. chaiere, chaere, 'chair' (whence F. chaire,
'pulpit, throne'), fr. L. cathedra, fr. Gk. x:xlH.3pi,
'seat, chair, pulpit', formed fr. x:x-:i, 'down' (see
cata-), and E:llpi, 'seat', which is rei. to e:~~crlh~.
'to sit'. fr. Gk. base *.3-. corresponding to
I.-E. base *sed-, 'to sit', whence L. sedere,
'to sit'. Sec sedentary and cp. cathedra, cathedral. Cp. also chaise, which is a doublet of chair.
Derivative: chair, tr. v.
chair, n., flesh color. - F. chair, 'flesh', fr. OF.
charn, char, fr. L carnem, ace. of car6, 'flesh',
for which see carnal.
chaise, n., a light carriage. - F. chaise, 'chair',

'I

orig. a dialectal variant of chaire, fr. L. cathedra.

In French chaire and chaise were differentiated in
meaning (chaire = 'pulpit', chaise = 'chair').
See chair, 'seat'.
chakra, n., a metal disk. - OI. cakrd~, 'circle,
wheel', cogn. with Gk. xux/.o~, 'circle'. See
cycle.
chalana, n., a kind of barge. - Sp., fr. VL. chelandium, fr. Late Gk. ze:Acivllwv.
chalaza, n., I) the part of an ovule where the integuments are united to the nucellus (bot.);
2) one of the two spiral albuminous chords in
the white of an egg (zoo!.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
xoct..oc~oc. 'hail, hailstone, lump', which stands for
*x:it..:xll-~o: and is cogn. with OSiav. iledica,
'frozen rain'. Cp. next word. Cp. also chabazite.
chalazion, n., a small tumor in the eyelid (med.)
Medical L., fr. Gk. x:xH~wv, dimin. of
xoct.or~o:, 'hail; pimple, small tubercle'. See
chalaza.
chalc-, form of chalco- before a vowel.
chalcedony, n., a variety of quartz. - So called
from the ancient town Chalcedon in Asia Minor.
chalcid, adj., pertaining to the Chalcidae. - See
next word.
Chalcididae, n. pl., a family of flies (entomol.)ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Chalcis, gen.
Chalcidis, name of the type genus, fr. Gk.
xor.t..x6<;, 'copper' (see chalco-); so called from
their copperlike color.
chalco-, combining form mearing 'copper'. Gk. x_o:/..xo-, fr. x_:x/..x6~, 'copper', dissimilated fr.
*xo:t.x_6~; cogn. with Lith. ge/Zis, gelezis, OS!av.
ielezo, 'iron'. Cp. the first element in colcothar
and the second clement in aurichalcitc, orichalc.
chalcography, n:, the act of engraving on copper.
- Compounded of chalco- and Gk. -yp:xcp(<i,
fr. ypoccpe:tv, 'to scratch, write'. See -graphy.
chalcostibite, n., an antimony copper sulfide
(mineral.) - Compounded of chalco-, stibium
and subst. suff. -ite.
Chaldcan, adj. and n. - Formed with suiT. -an
fr. L. Chaldaeus, fr. Gk. X:xi,8:xi:oc;, fr. Aram.
Kaldii'i, fr. Akkad. (mat)Kaldu, dissimilated fr.
(mat)Kashdu, '(the land of) th.: Chaldeans', rei.
to Kasdfm, of s.m. According to some authorities the original meaning of the name is 'descendants of Kesed', the nephew of Abraham
(see Gen. 22: 22). According to others, Akkad.
Kashdu and Heb. KaSdfm lit. mean 'Conquerors', and are connected with Akkad. kashiidu,
'to conquer'. The change of shd, Sd (in Akkad.
Kashdu, resp. Heb. KaSdtm) to /d (in Aram.
Ka/dii'i) is due to dissimilation.
chaldron, n., a measure for coals, 32-36 bushels.
-OF. chauderon (F. chaudron), 'kettle'. Prop.
a doublet of caldron.
chalet, n., I) a herdsman's hut in the Swiss Alps;
2) a Swiss cottage. - F., formed with dimin.
suff. -et fr. pre-Latin *cala-, 'shelter', in a widened sense: 'dwelling place', found as part of
many place names. The original meaning of

Chamaecyparis

*cala- must have been 'a shelter of stone', cp.

F. caillou, 'pebble'. See A.Dauzat, DELF.,
p. 157 s.v. chalet.
chalice, n., a cup. - OF. chalice, a collateral
form of calice (F. calice), fr. L. calicem, ace. of
calix, 'cup, goblet', which is cogn. with Gk.
x:it..u!;, 'the cup of a flower'' xu/..t!';, 'cup, drinking cup'. See calyx.
Derivatives: chalice, tr. v., chalic-ed, adj.
chalk, n. - ME., fr. OE. cealc, 'chalk, lime', fr.
L. calx, gen. calcis, 'stone, chalk, lime', fr. Gk.
xoct..~!;. See calcareous and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: chalk, v., chalk-y, adj.
challah, n.- See hallah.
challenge, n. - ME. chalenge, 'claim, accusation', fr. AF. chalenge (corresponding to OF.
chalonge), 'accusation; dispute', fr. AF. chalengier (resp. OF. chalongier), 'to accuse; to dispute', fr. VL. calumniiire, which corresponds to
L. calumniiiri, 'to accuse falsely', fr. calumnia,
'false accusation'. See calumny.
challenge, tr. v. - ME. chalengen, 'to claim, accuse', fr. AF. chalengier. See prec. word.
Derivatives: challenge-ahle, adj., challeng-er, n.
challis, n., a fabric of wool and silk. - Of unknown origin.
chalumeau, n., a wind instrument. - F., 'reed,
pipe, flute', fr. Late L. calamellus, dimin. of L.
calamus, 'reed'. See calamary.
chalukkah, n. - See halukkah.
chalutz, n. -See halutz.
Chalybean, adj., pertaining to the Chalybes, an
ancient people inhabiting Pontus in Asia Minor. - Formed with suff. -ean fr. L. Chalybes,
fr. Gk. X.:X!.J~e:c;, pl. of X.:XI.Y~. Cp. next word.
chalybeate, adj., impregnated with iron. Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. Gk. zocl.u<fi, gen.
x_:X),J~o~, 'steel', fr. Xoci.Ji3Ec;, 'the Chalybes' (see
prec. word), a people famous for their skill in
working iron and steel. (Cp. the attribute cr~ll-r,
po-rlix-rovsc;, 'workers in iron', given them by
Aeschylus in Prometheus, 7I5.)
Chama, n., a genus of bivalve mollusks (zoo!.)L. chama, chema, 'cockle', fr. Gk. x.f.ra;,
'yawning, gaping; clam', which is rei. to x_:x(Je:lv,
'to gape, yawn', and cogn. with L. hiiire, OE.
giinian, of s.m. See yawn and cp. the first
element in Chaenactis, Chaenolobus, Chacnomeles.
chamade, n., a signal by drum or trumpet for a
parley. - F., fr. Piedmontese ciamada, prop.
fcm. pp. of ciama, 'to call', fr. L. c/iimiire. See
claim, v.
chamac-, combining form lit. meaning 'on the
ground', used in the sense of 'low' (bot. and
zoo!.)- Gk. x_:x;J.:x~-. fr. z:x;J.:x(, 'on the ground',
cogn. with L. humus, 'earth', humilis, 'low, base,
humble'. See humble and cp. the first element in
Camelina, camomile and in germander.
Chamaecyparis, n., a genus of trees of the pine
family (bot.)- ModL.,Iit. 'ground cypress', fr.

Chamaedaphne
chamae- and xurr&p~crcro<;, 'cypress'. See cypress.
Chamaedaphne, n., a genus of plants of the heath
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xocfLoc~Mcpv"f),
'periwinkle', lit. 'ground laurel', fr. xocfLoc[, 'on
the ground', and ll&cpv"f), 'laurel'. See chamaeand Daphne.
Chamaelirium, n., a genus of plants, the devil's
bit (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'ground lily', fr. chamaeand :Adp~ov, 'a lily'. See lily.
Chamar, Chumar, n., 1) an important caste in
India; 2) (not cap.) a leather worker. -Hind.
chamar, fr. 01. carma-kara/:1, 'a leather worker'.
For the first element see shear and cp. corium.
The second element is related to 01. karJti,
kpJilti, 'makes', fr. I.-E. base *qwer-, 'to make,
form, shape'. See Sanskrit, and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also churrus.
chamber, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) chambre,
'room, chamber', fr. L. camera, 'vault, arched
roof, arch'. See camera and cp. antichamber,
cabaret, chambranle. Cp. also next word and
fille de chambre.
chamberlain, n. -OF. chamberlenc (F. chambel/an), fr. Frankish *kamerling (cp. OHG. chamarling, G. Kammerling), formed with suff.
-ling fr. *kamer, a loan word fr. L. camera,
'vault, arched roof, arch'. See camera and cp.
chamber. Cp. also camerlengo.
chamberlet, n., a small chamber. - Diminutive
formed fr. chamber with suff. -let.
Chambertin, n., red Burgundy wine. - Named
from a vineyard near Dijon, where this vine
is grown.
chambranle, n., doorframe, windowframe, mantelpiece. - F., a blend of branler, 'to shake,
brandish', and OF. chambrande, 'vault'. F. branler is a shortened form of OF. brandeler, 'to
shake', which is rei. to OF. ( = F.) brandir, 'to
brandish', fr. brand, 'sword'; sec brandish. OF.
chambrande derives fr. L. cameranda, prop. fern.
of the gerundive of camerare, 'to vault'. fr. camera, 'vault, arched roof, arch'. See camera.
chambray, n., a kind of gingham.- Fr. Cambrai,
a town in France (formerly in Flanders). Cp.
cambric.
chameleon, n., a lizard that can change the color
of its skin.- Lit. 'ground lion', fr. Gk. x:xfLo:[,
'on the ground', and :Aewv, 'lion'. See chamaeand lion.
chametz, n. - See hametz.
chamfer, n., a small groove; bevel.- F. chanfrein,
fr. OF. chanfraint, pp. of chanfraindre, 'to bevel
off', fr. chant, 'edge' and fraindre, 'to break', fr.
L.frangere, ofs.m. See cant, 'slope', and fraction.
Derivatives: chamfer, tr. v., chamfer-er, n.
chamois, n., a small kind of antelope. - F., fr.
L. camox. See gemsboc and cp. It. camoscio,
OProven.;. camas, Sp. camuza, gamuza, Catal.
gamussa, Port. camurt;:a, Rhaeto-Romanic chamotsch, OHG. gamiza (whence MHG. gamz,
gamze, G. Gemse), which all derive fr. L.
camox. Cp. also shammy.

266

chamois leather, chamois, n. - Orig. 'leather

made of the skin of chamois'. See prec. word.
Derivative: chamois, tr. v.
Chamomila, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.
See camomile.
champ, tr. and intr. v., to chew noisily. --Of imitative origin. Cp. jam, 'to press tightly'.
Derivatives: champ, n., champ-er, n.
champac, champak, n., an East-Indian tree.
Malay tshampaka, fr. 01. campaka/:1, which is
prob. an Austric loan word.
champagne, n.- F., abbreviation of vin de Champagne, 'wine made in the province of Champagne', a name derived fr. Late L. campania,
'plain, open country'. See campaign and cp.
champaign.
Derivative: champagne, intr. v.
champaign, n., open country, plain.- OF. champaigne, fr. L. campania. See campagna, campaign, and cp. champion, scamp.
champak, n. - See champac.
champertor, n., a person who commits the act
known as champerty (law).- F. champarteur,
fr. champart. See champerty and agential suff.
-or.
champertous, adj., pertaining to champerty (law).
- See next word and -ous.
champerty, n., an illegal act by which a person
makes a bargain with the litigants, in order to
share in the gains in case of success (law). F. champart, 'division of land (rent)', fr. L.
campi pars, 'part of the field', fr. campus, gen.
campi, 'field', and pars, gen. partis, 'part'. See
camp and part.
champignon, n., fungus, mushroom.- F., formed,
with change of suffix, fr. OF. chanzpegnuel,
fr. VL. *canzpaniolus, 'that which grows in the
field', fr. Late L. campaneus, 'pertaining to the
fields', fr. campus, 'field'. See camp.
champion, n. - ME., fr. OF. champion, fr. Late
L. campi6nem, ace. of campi6, 'fighter', lit. 'one
who takes the field', fr. L. campus, 'field'. See
camp and cp. champaign.
Derivatives: champion, tr. and intr. v., champion-ship, n.
champleve, adj., grooved (said of enameled work).
- F., lit. 'raised field', fr. champ, 'field', and
/eve, pp. of lever, 'to raise'. F. champ derives fr.
L. campus, 'field', F. lever, fr. L. levare, 'to
raise, lift'. See camp and lever.
chance, n. - ME. cheaunce, cheance, chance, fr.
OF. cheance, chance (F. chance), fr. VL. *cadentia, 'a falling', esp. 'a falling of dice', fr. L.
cadentia, neut. pl. of cadens, pres. part. of cadere, 'to fall'. See cadence.
Derivatives: chance, adj. and intr. and tr. v.,
chanc-y, adj.
chancel, n., the part of a church around the altar.
- OF., fr. L. cancelli (pl.), 'lattice, enclosure,
crossbars, railings'. The chancel was orig. separated from the altar by a lattice or crossbars.
See cancel. Cp. chancellor.

267

'

chap

chant, n., a song.- F., fr. L. cant us, fr. cant-(um),

chancellery, n. - OF. ( = F.) chancel/erie, fr.
pp. stem of canere, 'to sing'. See prec. word.
chancelier. See next word and -y (representing
chant, tr. and intr. v., to sing. - F. chanter, 'to
OF. -ie) and cp. chancery.
sing', fr. L. cantare, freq. of canere [pp. stem
chancellor, n.- ME. chanceler, fr. OF.(= F.)
cant-(um)], 'to sing'. See chant, n.
'chancellor',
cancellarius,
L.
Late
fr.
chancelier,
Derivatives: chanter (q.v.), chant-ing, adj. and
fr. L. cancelli (see chancel); so called because his
n., chant-ing-/y, adv.
place was near the lattice that surrounded the
chantage, n., extortion of hush money, blackjudge's seat.
mail. -F., prop. 'the action of causing a person
chance-medley, n., accidental homicide, manto sing', fr. faire chanter que/qu'un, 'to blackslaughter (law). - AF. chance medlee, lit.
mail somebody', lit. 'to make somebody sing',
'mixed chance'. See chance and medley.
fr. chanter, 'to sing', fr. L. can tare, 'to sing';
chancery, n. - ME. chancerie, shortened fr.
see chant, v., and -age.
chance/erie, fr. OF. chancellerie. See chancellery.
chanter, n., I) one who chants; 2) the fingerpipe
chancre, a venereal ulcer (med.)- F.,fr. L. cancer,
of a bagpipe. - ME. chaunt our, fr. 0 F. chanteor
'crab, ulcer, cancer'. See cancer and cp. canker.
(F. chanleur), fr. L. cant6rem, ace. of cantor,
Derivative: chancr-ous, adj.
'singer'. See cantor.
chancroid, n., a sore resembling chancre; soft
chanterelle, n., a species of edible mushroom. chancre (med.) - A hybrid lit. meaning 'like
F., fr. Cantharellus (q.v.)
chancre', coined fr. F. chancre and Gk. -o~31)<;,
chantey, chanty also shanty, n., sailors' rhythmical
'like', fr. 1/lo<;, 'form, shape'. See chancre and
song. - Fr. F. chantez, imper. pl. of chanter,
-oid and cp. cancroid.
'to sing', fr. L. cantare. See chant, v.
chandaul, chandal, n., an outcast (Anglo-lnd.)chanticleer, n., a cock. - ME. Chantecleer, fr.
Hind. chandal, fr. OI. caiJt!ala/:1, which is of unOF. Chantecler (F. Chanteclair), name of the
certain, prob. non-Aryan, origin.
cock in Reynard the Fox; compounded of chanchandelier, n. -F., 'candlestick', fr. VL. *canter, 'to sing', and cler (F. clair), 'clear'. See
delarium, which is formed, with change of suff.,
chant, v., and clear.
fr. L. candelabrum. See candelabrum.
chantier, n., hut, shanty. - Can. F., fr. F. chanchandler, n. - ME. chandeler, fr. OF. chandelier,
tier, 'timber yard', fr. L. cantherius, 'a gelding;
'maker or seller of candles', fr. Late L. canderafter; trellis', fr. Gk. xocv~-f)Aw<;, 'pack ass', a
larius, of s.m., fr. L. candela, 'candle'. See candle.
word of non-Aryan origin. Cp. gantry and
change, tr. and intr. v.- ME. chaungen, changen,
shanty, 'hut'.
fr. OF. ( = F.) changer, fr. Late L. cambiare,
chantress, n., songstress. - F. chanteresse, fr.
'to change, exchange', which is a Gaulish loan
chanter, 'to sing'. See chant, v., and cp. chanter.
word derived fr. I.-E. base *(s)qamb-, *(s)qemb-,
chantry, n., an endowment for the chanting of
'to bend', whence also Olr. camm, 'crooked,
masses. - Orig. 'a singing', fr. OF. chanterie,
curved', Mlr. i:imb, 'tribute', cimbid, 'prisoner',
fr. chanter, 'to sing'. See chant, v.
Gk. crxoc[L[36<;, 'crooked, bent', Swed. skumpa,
Chanukkah, n. - See Hanukkah.
'to limp', skimpa, 'to skip'. The original meanchaos, n., disorder, confusion.- L. chaos, fr. Gk.
ing of Late L. cambiare must have been 'to
x&o<; (for *x:ifo<;), 'gulf, chasm, abyss, the rude
bend', whence arose the following phases of
unformed mass', which is rei. to xocuvo~,' gaping;
meaning: 'to turn, to change, to barter'. Cp.
flaccid, loose', and cogn. with OE. goma, 'paGaulish *camb-ita, 'felloe' (whence F. jante,
late', pl. 'jaws', fr. I.-E. base *gho(u)-, *gheu-,
excambion,
also
'felloe'), and sec cambium. Cp.
*ghtu-, 'to gape'; see gum, 'flesh in which the
exchange, gombeen. Cp. also camp and words
teeth are set', and cp. Chauna. This base is rei.
to.
there referred
to base *ghe(i)-, *ghi-, *ght-, 'to gape, yawn',
Derivatives: change-able, adj., change-abil-ity,n.
whence Gk. x:xlVLV, 'to yawn, gape', XtX<1fLOC, 'a
change-able-ness, n., change-ling, n.
yawning hollow, gulf', x'iJfL"f), 'a yawning,
change, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. changer. See
gaping', zr,-:A-f), 'fork, claw', OE. ganian, 'to
change, v.
see yawn and cp. chasm, chori-.
yawn';
(Turbine/la
shell
large
a
n.,
chunk,
chank, also
chaotic, adj. -Coined fr. prec. word on analogy
rapa) (Anglo-lnd.) - 01. sa~ikhd/:1, cogn. with
of demotic (fr. demos) and other adjectives of
Gk. x6YJ.Tj, x6noc,, 'shell'. See conch.
Greek origin ending in -otic (fr. Gk. -o'nx6<;).
channel, n.- ME. chanel, chanelle, fr. OF. chanel,
Derivatives: chaotic-a/, adj., chaotic-al-ly, adv.
fr. L. canalis, 'waterpipe, channel. canal'. F.
chap, tr. and intr. v., to chop, split, crack. canal, 'channel', is a learned word, borrowed
ME. chappen, 'to cut', rei. to MDu. kappen, 'to
directly fr. L. canalis. See canal.
chop, cut'. Dan kappe, Swed. kappa, 'to cut'.
Derivatives: channel, tr. v., channe/(1)-er, n.,
Cp. chop, 'to cut'.
channel(l)-ing, n.
Derivatives: chap, n., a crack, chapp-ed, adj.,
chanson, n., a song.- F., fr. L. canti6nem, ace.
chapp-ing, n.
of canti6, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp. stem of
chap, also chop, n., one of the jaws. - Of uncanere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars',
certain origin.
and cp. canzone.

chap
chap, n. - Short for chapman.
chaparajos, n. pl., overalls used to protect the
legs from the thorns of the chaparral. - Mex.
Sp., fr. Sp. chaparral. See chaparral.
chaparral, n., a thicket of shrubs. - Sp., fr.
chaparro, 'evergreen oak', fr. Basque txapar,
dimin. of sapar, 'heath, thicket'.
chapbook, n., one of a class of popular books
formerly sold by chapmen. - Compounded of
chap, 'chapman', and book.
chape, n., I) the metal mounting of a scabbard;
2) the piece by which a buckle is fastened to a
strap.- F., 'cope, cap, chape', fr. OF., fr. Late
L. cappa, 'hood, cap, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak',
and cp. chapeau, chaperon.
chapeau, n., a hat. - F., fr. VL. *cappellus, a dimin. formed fr. Late L. cappa. See prec. word
and cp. chaplet.
chapel, n. - ME., fr. OF. chapele (whence F.
chapelle), fr. VL. cappella, 'cloak', later used in
the sense of 'a sanctuary containing relics', orig.
'the shrine containing the cloak of St. Martin
of Tours'. VL. cappella is the dimin. of Late L.
cappa, 'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also chaplain
and the first element in kapellmeister.
Derivatives: chapel, tr. v., chapel-et (F.), chapelry, n. (fr. OF. chapelerie).
chaperon, n., a person, esp. an older woman,
who, for propriety, accompanies a young unmarried woman.- F., 'a hood', fr. OF. chape,
'a churchman's cope, a cover, a chape', whence
arose its figurative use in modern French to
denote a protector', esp. 'the protector of a
young lady'. See chape.
Derivatives: chaperon, tr. v., chaperon-age, n.
chapiter, n .. the capital of a column (archaic).OF. chapitre, 'capital, chapter'. See chapter.
chaplain, n. - ME., fr. OF. chapelein (F. chapelain), fr. Eccles. L. cappelliinus, fr. VL. cappella.
See chapel and cp. capelin.
Derivatives: chaplain-cy, n., chap/ain-ry, n.
chaplet, n .. a wreath, rosary. - ME. chapelet, fr.
OF. ( ~ F.) chapelet, 'garland, rosary', prop.
'a small hat', dimin. of OF. chapel (F. chapeau),
'hat'. See chapeau and -et.
chapman, n., an itinerant dealer, peddler. -ME.
chapman, chepman, fr. OE. ceapman, 'tradesman', compounded of ceap, 'trade, bargain,
price, and man, 'man'. See cheap, n., and man
and cp. Du. koopman, G. Kaufmann, 'merchant'.
Cp. also chap, 'chapman'.
chaps, n. pl. -Abbreviation of chaparajos.
chapter, n. - ME. chapitre, fr. OF. ( = F.) chapitre, fr. earlier chapitle, fr. L. capitulum, dimin.
of caput, gen. capitis, 'head; chapter'. See capital, adj., and cp. cabildo.
Derivatives: chapter, tr. v., chapter-a/, adj.
char, n., an odd job.- See chare, 'tum of work'.
char, n., a species oftrout.-Prob.fr. Gael. ceara,
'blood-colored, red', fr. cear, 'blood'; so called
from the color of its belly.

268

char, tr. and intr. v., to reduce to charcoal. Back formation fr. charcoal.
Chara, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL., fr.
L. chara, name of an unidentified plant, of unknown origin.
charabanc, char-a-banc, n., a long open car with
several benches. - F. char a banes, 'a long car
with benches', fr. char, 'car', a, 'to, at, for' (fr.
L. ad, 'to, toward'), and banes, pl. of bane,
'bench'. See car, ad- and bane, bench.
Characeae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.) ModL., formed fr. Chara with suff. -aceae.
characeous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
tharacter, n. -ME. caracter, caractere, fr. OF.
caractere (F. caractere), fr. L. character, fr. Gk.
;(<Xp<Xxri)p, 'graving tool, mark engraved, impress, character', from the stem of ;(<Xpoccrcre:tv,
'to engrave', which is of Semitic, pro b. Hebrew,
origin. Cp. Heb. l:uirdsh, 'he engraved, plowed',
l;liirath, 'he engraved', Aram. l;liirdth, 'he plowed', Ugar.l;!rs, 'to plow'. Arab.l;ldratha, Ethiop.
/:lardsa, 'he plowed', Akkad. ereshu, 'to till the
ground'. See D. H. MUller in Wiener Zeitschrift
zur Kunde des Morgenlandes, I, 25. Lith. ieriit,
ierti, 'to scrape, scratch', is not cogn. with Gk.
X<Xpoccrcre:tv. Cp. gash.
Derivatives: character, tr. v., characterism (q.v.),
character-ist, n., characteristic (q.v.), characterize (q.v.), character-less, adj., character-lessness, n.
characterism, n. - L. characterismus, fr. Gk.
:x,o:p<XX-rYjptcriJ.6~. 'characterization', fr. ;(<Xp<X><"r"IJpl~e:tv. See characterize and -ism.
Gk. X<XP<XKrr,ptcr-rtx6:;,
characteristic, adj. 'characteristic', fr. X<XP<X><'":"1jpl~e:tv. See next word.
Derivatives: characteristic, n., characteristic-a/,
adj., characteristic-al-ly, adv.
characterize, tr. v.- ML. characteriziire (whence
also F. caracteriser), fr. Gk. ;(<Xp:xxTr,p[~e:w, 'to
characterize', fr. zo:p:xx";p. See character and
-ize.
Derivatives: character-iz-ation, n., characteriz-er, n.
charade, n., a riddle based on the syllables of a
word. - F., fr. Proven<;. charrado, 'talk, chat',
fr. charra, 'to talk, chat', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. It. ciarlare, Sp. char/ar, 'to talk,
prattle'.
charcoal, n. - ME. char cole, prop. '(wood)
turned to coal', fr. charren, 'to turn' (fr. char,
'a turning'), and cole, 'coal'. See chare, 'turn
of work', and coal.
Derivatives: charcoal, tr.v., charcoal-y, adj.
chard, n., the blanched leafstalks of the artichoke.- From earlier card, fr. F. carde, 'chard',
fr. OProven<;. cartk, fr. L. carduus, 'thistle'. See
card, 'machine for combing wool', and cp. cardoncillo, cardoon, Carduus.
chare, also char, n., I) a tum of work, occasion
(ob~ol.); 2) an odd job. ME. cherr, chearr,
char, 'a turn, turning, time', fr. OE. cierr, cyrr,
'a turn, time, occasion', fr. cierran, 'to turn',

269

which is of uncertain origin. Cp. ajar, charcoal,

charwoman, chore.
Derivative: chare, intr. v.
charge, tr. and intr. v. - ME., fr. OF. chargier,
charger, fr. VL. *carriciire, 'to put a load on', fr.
L. carrus, 'car'. See car and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: charge, n., charge-able, adj., chargeabl-y, adv., charge-able-ness, n., charger, n.
(q.v.)
charge d'affaires, n., 1) deputy to an ambassador;
2) representative of a country sent to another,
smaller country.- F., lit. 'charged with affairs'.
charger, n., a large dish (archaic.) -ME. chargeour, fr. 'utensil for loading or carrying on it',
fr. VL. *carricat6rium, fr. *carriciitus, pp. of
*carriciire. See charge.
charger n., anything that charges; a warhorse.See charge and agential suff. -er.
chariot, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.), augment. of
char, fr. L. carrus, 'car'. See car and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: chariot, tr. and intr. v., charioteer,
n. and v., chariot-ry, n.
Charis, n., Grace, one of the three attendants of
Aphrodite= Venus (Greek and Roman mythol.)
- Gk. Xocpt:;, fr. :x,ocpt~, 'grace', rel. to :x,o:(pe:tv,
(for *zocp-le:tv), 'to rejoice', fr. I.-E. base *gher-,
'to desire', whence also OE. georn, 'desirous'.
See yearn and cp. charism and the second element in Eleocharis, Eucharist, Hydrocharis. Cp.
also Charon.
charism, n., a divine favor or gift. -Gk. :x,ocptO"iJ.IX,
'grace, favor, gift', fr. X,<Xpl~e:cr-lht, 'to show
favor', fr. xocpL~. See prec. word and -ism.
Charissa, fern. 'PN. - MGk., fr. Gk. :x,ocpt~,
'grace'. See Charis.
charitable, adj.-OF. ( = F.)Seecharity and -able.
Derivatives: charitable-ness, n., charitabl-y, adv.
charity, n. - F. charite, fr. L. ciiritiitem, ace. of
ciiritiis, 'dearness, affection, love', fr. ciirus,
'dear, precious, esteemed, loved', which is cogn.
with Olr. carae, 'friend', caraim, W., Co.
car, 'friend', W. caraf, 'I love', Lett. kiirs,
'greedy', kiire, 'desire', kiiruot, 'to desire', ON.
h6ra, OE. hare, 'whore'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *qii-, 'to desire', whence also 01.
ktimal;l, 'desire', kayamiinal;, 'loving', Toch. B
kawiifi, 'desire', Lith. kamaros, 'lasciviousness',
Lett. kiimet, 'to hunger'. Cp. caress, cherish,
Kama, whore. For the ending see suff. -ity.
charivari, n., a mock serenade, rough music. F., fr. Late L. caribaria, fr. Gk. x:xpr,~:xpt~,
'heaviness in the head, top heaviness', compounded of xocp~. 'head', and ~!Xpo~, 'weight'; see
cerebrum and baro-. The sense development of
the French word is explained easily by the effect
of a deafening noise ('charivari') upon the head.
Cp. shivaree.
Derivative: charivari, tr. and intr. v.
chark, n., charcoal. - Shortened fr. charcoal.
Derivative: chark, tr. v.

Charon

charlatan, n., a pretender; a quack.- F., fr. It.

ciarlatano, fr. earlier cerretano, of s.m., fr. ML.
ceretiinus, lit. 'inhabitant of Cerreta', a town
near Spoleto in Italy, famous for its quacks and
impostors. It. ciarlatano was influenced in form
by H. ciarlare, 'to prattle'.
Derivatives: charlatan-ic, charlatan-ic-al, adjs.,
charlatan-ic-al-ly, adv., charlatanism (q.v.), charlatan-ry, n.
charlatanism, n. - A hybrid coined fr. prec.
word and -ism, a suiT. of Greek origin.
Charles, masc. PN. - F., derived (possibly
through the medium of ML. Carolus), fr. MHG.
karl, fr. karl, 'man, husband'. See churl and cp.
Carl, carline, 'old woman', earling, Caroline,
carol us.
Charles's Wain, n., the constellation Ursa Major
(the Great Bear); the Big Dipper (astron.)OE. Carles-w<egn, Carles-wien, lit. 'wain of
Charles', i.e. 'wain of Charlemagne'. The name
of the neighboring star Arcturus (in the constellation Bootes) having been confused with the
name of King Arthur, the Ursa Major was associated with the other great hero of medieval
romance, Charlemagne. See Charles and wain.
Charleston, n., a kind of dance.- So called from
Charleston, a seaport in Southern Carolina.
charley, charlie, n., an obsolete name for a night
watchman. - Prob. so called after Charles I
who introduced a new watch system in London.
charlock, n., a wild mustard.- OE. cerlic, cyrlic.
Charlotte, fern. PN. -F., fern. of Charlot, dimin.
of Charles. See Charles.
charlotte, n., apple charlotte. - Fr. prec. word.
charm, n., incantation, spell. - F. charme, fr.
L. carmen, 'song', dissimilated fr. *can-men.
from the stem of canere, 'to sing'. See cant,
'slang of beggars'. For a similar kind of dissimilation of the consonants nm to rm cp. L.
germen, 'germ', dissimilated fr. *gen-men (sec
germ).
Derivatives: charm-ful, adj., charm-ful-ly, adv.,
charm-ful-ness, n., charm-less, adj.
charm, tr. v.- F. charmer, fr. charme. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: charm-ed-ly, adv., charm-er, n.,
charm-ing, adj., charm-ing-ly, adv., charm-ingness, n.
charm, n., song of birds (archaic) - ME. chirm,
fr. OE. cirm, cerm, of imitative origin. Cp.
chirm.
charnel, n., a burial place, charnel house.- ME.,
fr. OF. charnel, from Late L. carniile, 'graveyard, yard', prop. neut. of the Latin adjective
carniilis, 'pertaining to the flesh, fleshly', fr.
car6, gen. carnis, 'flesh'. See carnal.
Charon, n .. the son of Ere bus, who ferried the souls
of the dead over the rivers Acheron and Styx
(Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. Xocpwv, which is of
uncertain origin. It possibly is a euphemistic
term lit. meaning 'lovely', and is rei. to :x,:xlpe:tv
(for xocp-!ELv), 'to rejoice'; see Charis.

charpoy

charpoy, n., the common Indian bedstead. Hind. chiirpiii, lit. 'four-footed', fr. Pers. ciihiirpiii, 'four-footed', fr. ciihiir, 'four' (which is rel.
to Avestic ca#wiiro, 'four'), and piii, 'foot'
(which is rel. to Avestic pad-, 'foot'). See four
and foot and cp. the first element in pajama and
the second element in teapoy. Cp. Gk. Te:Tpoc,-.ou~
and L. quadrupes, 'four-footed', which are the
exact etymological equivalents ofPers. ciihiir-piii.
charqui, n., dried meat.- Sp., fr. Peruv. charqui,
'dried meat'. Cp. jerk, 'to dry meat'.
chart; n., a sea map.- F. carte, fr. Late L. carta,
fr. L. charta. See card, 'a piece of pasteboard',
and cp. next word.
Derivative: chart, tr. v.
charter, n. -OF. ( = F.) chartre, fr. L. chartula,
'a little paper', dimin. of charta. See prec. word
and cp. chartulary.
Derivatives: charter, tr. v., charter-ed, adj.,
charter-er, n.
charterhouse, n., I) a Carthusian monastery;
2) (capit.) a charitable foundation. - Formed
by folk etymology fr. F. chartreuse, 'Carthusian
monastery'. See chartreuse.
charter party, a written agreement for the hiring
of a ship.- F. chartre-partie or charte-partie,
'a divided chartre' (see charter and part, v.);
so called because the form was made in duplicate in one sheet, which was divided between
the contracting parties.
Chartism, n., the principles of a political party
of reformers in England (I836-48).- See charter and -ism; so called from the People's Charter,
which contained the principles and demands of
this party.
Chartist, n., an adherent of Chartism.- See prec.
word and -ist.
Chartreuse, n., a Carthusian monastery. - F.,
fr. Ia Grande-Chartreuse, chief house of the
Carthusians near Grenoble. See Carthusian and
cp. Charterhouse.
chartreuse, n., a sweet liqueur.- The word orig.
meant 'liqueur made at Ia Grande-Chartreuse'.
See prec. word.
chartulary, n., a collection of charters. - ML.
chartuliirium, fr. L. chartula, 'a little paper',
dimin. of charta. See charter and subst. suff.
-ary and cp. cartulary.
charwoman, n. - Compounded of char, 'a turn
of work', and woman.
chary, adj., careful. - OE. cearig, 'sorrowful,
careful', fr. cearu, caru, 'sorrow, care'. See
care and -y (representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: chari-ly, adv., chari-ness, n.
Charybdis, n., a whirlpool between Italy and
Sicily. - L., fr. Gk. Xocpuf3S~~. a word of uncertain etymology.
chase, tr. and intr. v., to hunt. - ME. chacen,
chasen, fr. OF. chacier (F. chasser), fr. VL. *captiiire, fr. L. captiire, 'to strive, to seize', freq. of
capere (pp. captus), 'to catch, seize, hold'. Cp.
It. cacciare, OProven~;., Catal. casar, Sp. cazar,

270

Port. car;ar, 'to chase, hunt', and see catcli,

which is a doublet of chase.
Derivatives: chaser (q.v.), chas-ing, n.
chase, n., the act of hunting.- ME. chace, chase,
fr. OE. chace, fr. chacier, 'to hunt'. Cp. It.
caccia, OProvenc;., Catal. casa, Sp. caza, Port.
car;a, and see prec. word.
chase, tr. v., to emboss, engrave. - Short for
enchase.
chase, n., a rectangular, iron frame (print.) F. chasse, 'box, case, frame', fr. L. capsa,
'chest, box'. See case, 'chest', and cp. chassis,
enchase.
chase, n., a groove.- F. chasse. See prec. word.
chaser, n., one who chases or hunts.- OF. chaceor (F. chasseur), fr. OF. chacier. See chase,
'to hunt', and agential suff. -er.
chaser, n., a chase gun. - From prec. word.
chaser, n., one who embosses or engraves. Formed fr. chase, 'to emboss', with agential
suff. -er.
chasm, n., a deep crack in the earth; abyss. L. chasma, fr. Gk. J(OCO"fLO:, 'a yawning hollow,
gulf', which is rei. to xo:ve:~v. 'to yawn, gape'.
See chaos and cp. polychasium.
Derivatives: chasm-a/, chasm-ic, chasm-y, adjs.
chasse, n. - Short for chasse-cafe.
chasse, n., a quick gliding step in dancing. - F.,
lit. 'chased', pp. of chasser, 'to chase, hunt'. See
chase, 'to hunt'.
chasse-cafe, n., a glass of liqueur taken after coffee. - F., fr. chasser, 'to chase, hunt, drive,
drive away', and cafe, 'coffee'. See chase, 'to
hunt', and cafe.
chassepot, n., a rifle used by the French in the war
of I870. - Named after the French inventor
Antoine-Alphonse Chassepot (1833-I905).
chasseur, n., I) a hunter; 2) a soldier.- F., 'hunter, huntsman', fr. OF. chaceor, fr. chacier, 'to
chase'. See chase, 'to hunt', and cp. chaser, 'one
who hunts'.
Chassideans, n. - See Hasideans.
Chassidim, n. - See Hasidim.
Chassidism, n. - See Hasidism.
chassignite, n., a meteorite.- Named after Chassigny in France. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
chassis, n., framework. - F. chdssis, 'frame,
framework', fr. chasse, 'frame', fr. L. capsa,
'chest, box'. See case, 'chest', and cp. chase,
'iron frame', and sash, 'framework'.
chaste, adj. -OF. ( = F.), fr. L. castus, 'exempt
(from mistakes), free, pure, chaste', prob. the
pp. of carere, 'to be without, be wanting, be free
from, abstain from', which pro b. meant orig.
'to be cut olf, be separated', and is rel. to castriire, 'to cut, geld'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW.,
I, p. I67 s.v. careo. See castrate and cp. caret.
Cp. also caste, castigate, chastise.
Derivatives: chaste-ly, adv., chaste-ness, n.
chasten, tr. v. - ME. chastien, fr. OF. chastier
(F. chdtier), 'to punish', fr. L. castigiire. See

271

castigate and cp. chastise. For the ending see

verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: chasten-er, n., chasten-ed, adj.
chaste tree. - Loan translation of L. castus in
agnus castus (q.v.)
chastise, tr. v.- ME. chastisen, a blend of chastien and suff. -isen ( = E. -ise, -ize). See chasten.
Derivatives: chastis-er, n., chastise-ment, n.
chastity, n.- OF. chastete (F. chastete), fr. L.
castitiitem, ace. of castitiis, 'purity, chastity', fr.
castus. See chaste and -ity.
chasuble, n., an ecclesiastic vestment without
sleeves.- F., fr. Late L. *casubula (contracted
into casubla, a word used in the 6th cent. by
Gregory of Tours), fr. L. casu/a, 'a little hut',
dimin. of casa, 'cottage, hut, cabin', which is
of uncertain origin. Chasuble orig. denoted a
hooded garment resembling a little house. Cp.
casino.
chat, intr. v. - Back formation fr. chatter.
Derivative: chat, n.
chateau, n., a castle in France. - F., fr. OF.
chaste/, fr. L. castellum, 'citadel, fortress, stronghold'. See castle.
chatelain, n., castellan. - F. See castellan.
chatelaine, n., the mistress of a castle; key chain
worn at the waist by women. - F., fern. of
chatelain. See prec. word.
chati, n., a South American tiger cat.- Of South
American Indian origin.
chatoyant, adj., of a changeable luster. - F.,
pres. part. of chatoyer, 'to shine with a changeable luster', lit. 'to shine like the eyes of a cat',
fr. chat, 'cat', fr. Late L. cattus. See cat and -ant.
Derivative: chatoyant, n.
chathamite, n., a 'Variety of chloanthite (mineral.)
- Named from Chatham in Connecticut. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
chatta, n., an umbrella (Ang/o-Ind.) - Hind.
chiitii, chatr, fr. OJ. catra/:1.
chattel, n.- ME. chatel, fr. OF. chatel, fr. Late L.
capitiile, 'property'. See cattle.
chatter, intr. v. - ME. chateren, of imitative
origin. Cp. chat.
Derivatives: chatter, n., chatter-er, n.
chatty, adj., talkative. - Formed fr. chat with
adj. suff. -y.
chatty, n., an earthen pot (Anglo-lnd.) - Hind.
chiiti.
chauffer, n., a portable stove. - Prob. a blend
of F. chauffoir, 'a heater' (fr. chauffer, 'to heat'),
and E. chafer, 'a vessel for heating' (q.v.)
chauffeur, n., driver of a motor car. - F., orig.
'heater, fire man, stoker', fr. chauffer, 'to heat'.
See chafe and cp. chauffer, rechauffe.
Derivative: chauffeur, intr. and tr. v.
Chaumontel, n., a variety of pear.- Named from
Chaumontel, a village in the Department of
Seine-et-Oise in France.
Chauna, n., a genus of birds, the chaja (ornithol.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. )(<Xi3vo.;, 'gaping, flaccid,
loose, porous', which is rei. to x_oco~ (for *xoc.Fo~),

cheap

'gulf, schism, abyss', xxcrfLo:, 'a yawning hollow,

gulf'. See chaos and cp. words there referred to.
chaussee, n., a causeway. - F., fr. VL. (via)
*calciiita, lit. 'a road paved with limestone', fr.
L. calx, gen. calcis, 'lime, limestone'. See causey,
causeway.
Chautauqua, n., an assembly for popular education based on the system introduced in I874 at
Chautauqua, N.Y. (U.S.A.)
Derivative: chautauqu-an, adj.
chauvin, n., a person affected by blind patriotism.
- F., from the name of Nicolas Chauvin, one
of Napoleon's veterans, ridiculed for his excessive patriotism and staged by the brothers
Cogniard in their vaudeville La Cocarde tricolore (1831). - The name Chauvin derives fr
L. Calvfnus, hence is etymologically identical
with the name of the French reformer John
Calvin (1509-64), orig. called Caulvin, Chauvin.
See calvinism.
Derivatives: chauvin-ism (F. chauvinisme), chauvin-ist, n. and adj., chauvin-ist-ic, adj., chauvinist-ic-al-ly, adv.
chaw, tr. v. - A variant of chew.
chawbuck, n. and tr. v. (obsol.) - Anglicized
form of chabouk (q.v.)
chawdron, n., the entrails (of an animal). -OF.
chaudun, fr. ML. caldina, 'intestina', fr. L. ca/idus, caldus, 'warm'. See caldron.
chay, chaya, choya, n., the root of the herb OldenMalaya!. chiiyaver, lit.
landia umbellata 'dye root', fr. chiiya, 'color', and ver, 'root'.
Malaya!. chiiya derives fr. OI. chiiyd, 'shade,
splendor, glitter, color', fr. I.-E. base *skii(i)-,
'to shine, flicker, glimmer'. See skiagraphy.
chazzan, n. -See hazzan.
cheap, n., n., I) market (only in place names as
Cheapside); 2) bargain (obsol.) - OE. ceap,
'barter, buying and selling, bargain, price',
whence ceapian, 'to trade, buy, sell'; rei. to
OHG., MHG. kouf, 'trade, buying and selling',
G. Kauf, 'purchase, bargain', Du. koop, of
s.m., OFris. kiip, ON. kaup, OS. kop, 'trade,
buying and selling', Swed. kop, Dan. kjob, 'purchase, bargain'. All these words derive, like
OHG. koufo, 'trader, dealer', fr. L. caup6,
'huckster, innkeeper', which is of uncertain
origin. OSlav. kupiti, 'to buy'. OPruss. kiiupiskan (ace.), 'trade', are Teut. loan words. Cp.
cheap, v., cheapen, chaffer, chapman, cooper,
'a kind of vessel'. Cp. also caper, 'privateer'. L.
caupo is not rei. to L. cupa, 'tub, cask', as suggested by most lexicographers; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, p. I89.
Derivative: cheap, adj. (q.v.)
cheap, adj., low in price. - Shortened fr. good
cheap, 'a good price or bargain', i.e. 'cheap'. See
cheap, n., and cp. F. bon marche, 'cheap', lit.
'a good bargain'.
Derivatives: cheap-ly, adv., cheap-ness, n.
cheap, intr. v., to barter; tr. v., to buy (obsol.)ME. cheapian, fr. OE. ceapian, 'to trade, buy,

cheat

sell', fr. ceap, 'barter, buying and selling'.

Cp. Goth. kaupon, OHG. koufon, MHG.
koufen, G. kaufen, Du. kopen, ON. kaupa,
Swed. kopa, Dan. kjobe, OS. kopian, kopon,
'to buy'. These verbs orig. meant 'to barter,
bargain', and are traceable to L. caupo, 'huckster, innkeeper'. See cheap, n.
Derivative: cheap-en, tr. v., to buy; intr. v., to
bargain.
cheat, n. - Shortened fr. escheat in the sense of
'confiscation'.
Derivatives: cheat, tr. and intr. v., cheat-er, n.,
cheat-ery, n., cheat-ing, adj., cheat-ing-ly, adv.
chebec, chebeck, n., a xebec. - F. chebec, fr. It.
sciabecco. Sec xebec.
chebule, n., the dried fruit of Terminalia chebula.
- F. chebule, fr. Arabo-Pers. kiibult, lit., 'from
(the city of) Kabul'.
check, n., I) a sudden stop, restrain, repulse;
2) in chess, an attack upon the king. - ME.
chek, fr. OF. eschec (whence F. echec), 'check
(at chess); defeat, blow, loss', fr. earlier eschac,
borrowed (through the medium of Spanish and
Arabic) fr. Pers. shiih, 'king' (in the Arab.-Pers.
phrase shiih miit, 'the king is dead'), fr. OPers.
xshaya-, 'king', which is rei. to xshiiya{}iya-,
'power', fr. I.-E. base *qpe(i)-, *q/J'(i)-, 'to rule',
whence also 01. k$dyati, 'possesses, rules', k$atrdm, 'rule, dominion', Gk. X't'~Ofiot~, '1 get, acquire'. Sec satrap, shah and cp. checkmate, chess,
checker, exchequer, Kshatriya. Cp. also the first
clement in Ahasuerus, Xerxes and the second
element in Nakshatra, padishah and pashah.
Derivatives: check, tr. and intr. v., check-less, adj.
check, cheque, n., a written order to a bank. Most philologists derive this word from check
in the sense 'a sudden stop'. It is more probable,
however, that check in the sense 'a written order
to a bank', comes fr. Arab. ~akk, 'agreement,
contract', fr. Pers. ciik, of S.m.
checker, chequer, n., a pattern resembling a chessboard. -- Shortened fr. OF. eschekier (F. echiquiel ), 'chessboard' , fr. ML. scacciirium, ult.
fr. Pcrs . .shiih, 'king'. Sec check, 'a sudden stop',
and cp. exchequer.
Derivatives: checker, tr. v., checker-ed, adj.,
checkers (q.v.)
checkers, chequers, n., a game played on a
checkerboar d; draughts. - From prcc. word.
checkmate, intcrj. ---ME. chek mat, fr. OF. eschec
et mat (F. echec et mat), fr. Sp. jaque y mate, fr.
Arabo-Pcrs. shiih miit, 'the king is dead' (whence
also It. scaccomatlo). See check, 'a sudden stop'
and cp. mate, 'checkmate'.
Derivatives: checkmate, n. and tr. v.
cheeky, adj., divided into squares of alternate
tincture. - Formed fr. check, n., 'a sudden
stop', with adj. suff. -y.
Cheddar chl.'CSe, Cheddar, also cheddar, n. Named fr. Cheddar, Somerset, England, where
it was originally made.
Derivative: cheddar-ing, n.

272
cheddite, n., an explosive used for blasting. Named after Chedde, a town in the Department
Haute-Savoi e in France, where it was first
made; cp. lyddite. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
cheder, n. - See heder.
cheek, n. - ME. cheke, fr. ceace, 'jaw, cheek',
rei. to MLG. kiike, Du. kaak, 'jaw, cheek'; of
uncertain origin.
Derivatives: cheek, tr. v., cheek-y, adj., cheeki-ly, adv., cheek-i-ness, n.
cheenar, n. - A variant spelling of chinar.
cheep, intr. and tr. v. - Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: cheep, n., cheep-er, n., cheep-y,
adj., clzeep-i-ly, adv., cheep-i-ness, n.
cheer, n.- ME. chere, 'face, countenance , cheer',
fr. OF. chiere, chere, 'face' (whence F. chere,
'countenance , cheer, entertainmen t'), fr. VL.
cara, 'face', fr. Gk. x&p61, 'head'. See cerebrum
and cp. words there referred to. For the sense
development of F. chere, E. cheer, cp. F. bonne
chere, E.good cheer, prop. 'a happy countenance '.
Derivatives: cheer, tr. and intr. v., cheer-ed, adj.,
cheer-er, n., cheer-ful, adj., cheer-ful-ly, adv.,
cheer-ful-ness, n., cheer-less, adj., cheer-less-ly,
adv., cheer-less-ness, n., cheer-y, adj., cheer-i-ly,
adv., cheer-i-ness, n.
cheese, n., milk curd.- ME. chese, fr. OE. cese,
fr. L. ciiseus, 'cheese', whence also OS. kiisi,
MDu. ciise (Du. kaas), OHG. chiisi, kiisi
(MHG. kxse, G. Kiise). L. ciiseusispro b. cogn.
with Prakrit chiisl, 'buttermilk', OSlav. kvasu,
'leaven', kyselu, 'sour', kyseti, 'to turn sour',
and with 01. kvdthati, 'boils, seethes', but OE.
hwxg (see whey) is not cognate. Cp. casein,
catechu, chcsscl.
Derivatives: chees-er, n., chees-y, adj., chees-iness, n.
cheese, n., the proper thing (slang). - Urdu
chlz, 'thing', fr. Pers. chlz, of s.m.
cheetah, n. - Hind. chit(/, lit. 'spotted', fr. 01.
citrd/:1, 'bright, spotted, variegated', rei. to 01.
ketu/:1, 'brightness', fr. J.-E. base *(s)qiiit-,
'bright'. See l'elcstial and cp. -hood. Cp. also
chintz, chit, 'a short letter'.
chef, n., the head cook.- F., short for chtf de
cuisine, lit. 'head of the kitchen'. F. chef, 'head',
derives fr. VL. *capum, fr. L. caput, 'head'.
See chief.
chef-d'oeuvre, n., masterpiece. - F., lit. 'chief
work', fr. chef, 'chief, principal', de, 'from, of'
(fr. L.de, 'from, away from'), and auvre, 'work'.
Sec chef, de- and oeuvre. The word chefd'oeurre was introduced into English by Horace
Walpole (!7 17-97).
cheil-, form of cheilo-, before a vowel.
Cheilanthes, n., name of a genus of ferns of the
polypody family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'having
marginal flowers'; coined fr. Gk. :x:e:D.o<;, 'lip,
margin', and &vito<;, 'flower'. For the fir~t dement see cheilo-, for the second see anther.
cheilitis, chilitis, n., inflammatio n of the lip

273
(med.) - Medical L. cheilitis, chilitis, formed
fr. cheil- with suff. -itis.
cheilo-, before a vowel cheil-, combining form
denoting the lip (anal.) - See chilo-, chil-.
cheiro-, before a vowel cheir-, combining form
meaning 'hand-, pertaining to the hand'. - See
chiro-, chir-.
Cheka, n., former name of the political branch
of the Soviet secret police. - Formed from the
initial letters of Russ. Chrezvychainaya Komissiya, 'Extraordina ry Commission '.
chela, n., a Buddhist disciple. - Hind. chela,
'slave, servant', fr. 01. ceta/:z, cetaka/.1, which is
rei. to Marathi cetjii, 'son', celii, 'pupil', Prakrit
cetja-, cilia-, 'boy', Pali ce{o, 'servant, youth'.
chela, n., the pincerlike claw of lobsters, crabs,
etc. (zoo!.)- ModL., fr. Gk. XYJ'A-IJ, 'fork, claw',
which is rei. to x-iJfLYJ, 'a yawning, gaping',
zottve:~v. 'to gape, yawn'. See chaos and cp. the
first element in cheliform. Cp. also chemosis.
chelate, adj., having chelae. - See prcc. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Chelidonium, n., a genus of plants of the poppy
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ze:'A'L86vwv, 'celandine'. See celandine.
cheliform, adj., having a movable joint, as the
clawlike pincer of a crab. - A hybrid coined
fr. Gk. xf'J'A-IJ, 'claw', and L.forma, 'form, shape'.
See chela, 'claw' and form, n.
Chellean, adj., pertaining to Che!les, France, or
to the early Paleolithic period (archaeol.) - F.
chel!een; so called in allusion to the flint implements discovered there, which belong to this
period. For the ending see suff. -an.
chelone, n., siege performed with shields united
so as to resemble the shell of a tortoise; the
same as L. testiido (Greek hist.)- Gk. ze:'Ati.lvYJ,
'tortoise', fr. ze:'AG<;, 'tortoise', lit. 'the yellow
animal', rel. to zA6o<;, 'greenish-yellow color',
and cogn. with OSlav. iely, 'tortoise', lit. 'the
yellow animal', fr. I.-E. base *ghel-, 'yellow',
whence also OE. geolo, 'yellow'. See yellow and
cp. words there referred to.
Chelone, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x~"Ati.lV1J, 'tortoise' (see prec. word); so called because the
corolla resembles the head of a tortoise.
Chelonia, n., an order of reptiles, the tortoise or
turtle (zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ze:'Ati.lvr,, 'tortoise'. See chelone, 'siege performed with
shields', and -ia.
chelonian, adj., pertaining to the order Chelonia.
- See prec. word and -an.
Derivative: chelonian, a tortoise, turtle.
chemic, adj. - See alchemy and -ic and cp.
chemist. Derivatives: chemic-al, adj. and n.,
chemic-a!- ize, tr. v., chemic-al-ly, adv.
chemico-, combining form meaning 'chemically,
in connection with chemistry'. - Formed fr.
chemic.
chemin de fer, I) railroad; 2) name of a gambling
game resembling baccarat.- F., 'railroad', lit.

'iron road'.
chemise, n., woman's undergarm ent.- F.,'shirt',
fr. Late L. camisa, camisia (whence also It. camicia, Sp. camisa, OProvenc. camiza), borrowed
from Teutonic through the medium of Gaulish.
Cp. OHG. hemidi (MHG. hemede, hemde, G.
Hem(/), OFris. hemethe, OS. hemithi, OE. hemeoe, 'shirt', fr. Teut. *hamijJia, fr. base *hama(n)-, 'covering, cover', fr. I.-E. base *kem-.
*kam-, 'to cover'. See hame, heaven, shame,
and cp. camise, camisado, camisole.
chemisette, n., a kind of bodice worn by women.
-F., lit. 'a little shirt', dimin. of chemise. See
chemise and -ette.
chemist, n. - F. chimiste, fr. chimie, 'chemistry'.
See alchemy and -ist. Derivative: chemist-ry, n.
chemo-, combining form denoting relation to
chemical actions or chemicals. - See chemic.
chemosis, n., swelling of the conjunctiva (med.)Medical L., fr. Gk. :x:f,fLwcr~<;. 'affection of the
eye in which the cornea swells like a cockleshell', fr. x-iJfL7J, 'a yawning, gaping; cockleshell',
which is rel. to :;(otL'Ie:w, 'to yawn, gape'; fr.
I.-E. base *ghi!i-, *ghi-, 'to gape, yawn'. See
chaos and -osis and cp. chela, 'claw'.
chemotherapy, n., -- Coined by the Jewish bacteriologist and chemist Paul Ehrlich (1 854-I9 I 5)
fr. chemo- and therapy.
Chen, n., a genus of geese, the snowgoosc (ornithol.)- Gk. zf,v, 'goose', rei. to Boeotian z&v,
for *z&<;, 'goose'. See goose and cp. words there
referred to.
chen-, form of cheno- before a vowel.
chenevixite, n., a copper and iron arsenate (mineral.) -Named after the Irish chemist Richard
Clzenevix who analyzed it. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
chenille, n., tufted cord of silk, wool, etc. - F.,
prop. 'caterpillar', fr. L. canicula, 'a little dog',
dimin. of canis, 'dog'. See canine.
cheno-, before a vowel chen-, combining form
meaning 'goose'. - Gk. xr,wr, 'j_'fjV-, fr. x(jJ,
gen. :x:YJv6<;, 'goose'. See Chen.
Chenopodiaceae, n. pl., the goosefoot family
(bot.) - ModL., formed fr. Chenopodium with
suff. -aceae.
chenopodiaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Chenopodium, n., a genus of plants of the goosefoot family (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'goosefoot', fr.
Gk. zf;v, gen. ZY,v6;, 'goose', and 7:'J'J;, gen.
:-:,,66;, 'foot'. See cheno- and -pod.
cheque, n. - The British spelling of check, 'a
written order to a bank' (q.v.)
chequer, n. - See checker.
cherish, tr. v.- ME. cherischen, fr. OF. cheriss-.
pres. part. stem of cherir (f. cherir), 'to hold
dear, cherish', fr. cher, 'dear', fr. L. dirus
(whence also It., Sp., Port. caro, OPrmcn~ ..
Catal. car). See charity and verbal suff. -ish
and cp. caress. Derivatives: cherish-er, n., cherish-ing, adj., cherish-ing-ly, adv., cherish-men/, n.

'/./4

cherna, n., any of the fishes of the family Serranidae. - Sp., 'a fish resembling a salmon,
ruffle', fr. Late L. acernia, which is rei. to Gk.
ctze:pviX, a word glossed by Hesychius; of unknown origin.
cheroot, n., a kind of cigar. - Tamil suruffu,
'roll, cigar'' fr. suruf, 'curl'.
cherry, n. - ME. chery, fr. ONF. cherise (F. cerise), fr. VL. *ceresia, fr. Imperial L. cerasium,
fr. Gk. xeptXcroc;, which prob. derives fr. Akkad.
karshu, 'stone fruit'. Cp. Ke:ptXcrouc;, name of a
town in Pontus, lit. '(the town) abounding in
cherries'. The sin ONF. cherise was mistaken
for the pl. suff. and consequently dropped in
English. Cp. cerise, kirsch. Cp. also merry, 'the
wild black cherry'.
Derivatives: cherry, tr. v., cherri-ed, adj.
chersonese, n., a peninsula.- L. chersonesus, fr.
Gk. ze:pcr6v7Jcroc;, 'peninsula', which is compounded of xepcroc;, 'dry, hard, barren', and
v1jcroc;, 'island'. The first element is cogn. with
01. hdr,~ate, h($yati, 'becomes stiff, bristles',
L. horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle, shudder,
tremble'. See horror and cp. -choerus. For the
second element see neso-.
chert, n., a kind of quartz. - Of uncertain origin.
cherub, n.- Heb. k~rabh, 'winged angel', prob.
rei. to Akkad. kariibu, 'to bless', karibu, 'one
who blesses', epithet of the bull-colossus, and to
Hcb. berdkh, 'he blessed', btrakhtih, 'blessing'.
See berakah and cp. griffin.
Derivatives: cherub-ic, cherub-ic-a/, adjs., cherub-ic-al-ly, adv.
chervil, n., an aromatic plant.- OE. cerfille, fr.
L. chaerephyllum, fr. Gk. X1X~peqmnov, which is
compounded of X1Xlpe:~v. 'to rejoice', and <puA.A.ov, 'leaf'. The first element is rei. to z&:p~c;.
'grace'; see Charis. For the second element see
phyllo-.
Cheshire cat. - Named from the county of
Cheshire in England.
Cheshire cheese. - So called because it is made
chiefly in the county of Cheshire in England.
Cheshvan, n. - See Heshvan.
chesil, also chisel, n., gravel, shingle. - OE. ciasol, cisil, cysel, rei. to OHG. kisi/, MHG. kisel,
G. Kiesel, 'pebble, flint', diminutives formed
from Teut. base *kiso (whence also MHG. kis,
G. Kies, 'gravel'), corresponding to I.-E. base
*geis-, 'gravel', whence Lith. iiezdra, 'gravel',
iiezdros, 'coarse sand', OPruss. sixto, 'sand'. Cp.
the first element in kieselguhr.
chess, n. - ME. ches, fr. OF. esches, 'chess',
oblique case of eschec, 'check'. Modern French
also differentiates between the sing. echec,
'check', and the pl. echecs, 'chess'. Sec check,
'a sudden stop'.
chessel, n., cheese vat.- Compounded of cheese
and well, n.
chest, n. - ME. chest, chis!, fr. OE. cest, ciste,
fr. L. cista (whence also ON., OHG. kista,
MDu., MHG., G. kiste, Du. kist), fr. Gk. xlcrTIJ,

'basket', which prob. means lit. 'wicker basket',

and is cogn. with Oir. cess, ciss, 'basket', ainchess, 'bread basket'. Cp. cisium, cist, cistern,
kist.
Derivative: chest, tr. v.
chesterfield, n., I) a kind of overcoat; 2) a kind
of sofa. - Named after one of the Earls of
Chesterfield (19th cent.)
chestnut, n. - Shortened fr. chesten nut, fr. ME.
chesteine, chasteine, fr. OF. chastaigne (F. chotaigne), fr. L. castanea, fr. Gk. (xcipu1X) xiXcr..-cive:~IX,
fr. xcicn-IXvov, 'chestnut', which is commonly
derived fr. KiXO"t"IXVLc;, a town in Pontus, but in
reality a loan word from a language of Asia
Minor; cp. Arm.kask, 'chestnut' ,kaskeni, 'chestnut tree'. The town KtXcrTIXV!c; is named after the
fruit and lit. means 'Chestnut Town'. Cp. castanet.
Derivative: chestnut, intr. v.
cheth, n., name of the 8th letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. - Heb. l;zeth, lit. 'fence, barrier' (cp.
Arab. /;tit a, 'he encompassed, fenced'); so called
in allusion to the ancient Hebrew form of this
letter. Cp. eta.
cheval-de-frise, n. pl., chevaux-de-frise, a series of
projecting spikes (mil.) - F., lit. 'Friesland
horse'; so called because it was first used in
Friesland. For the etymology of cheval see
cavalry.
cheval glass, a long mirror swung in a frame. F. cheval, 'horse', fr. L. cabal/us. See cavalry.
chevalier, n., horseman, knight.- F., fr. Late L.
cabal/arius, fr. L. cabal/us. See cavalier.
cheveril, n., soft leather made of the skin of a
kid. - ME. chevrelle, fr. OF. chevrele (F. chevreau), 'kid', dimin. of chievre (F. chevre), 'goat'.
See chevron.
chevet, n., the apsidal east end of the choir of
a church (archil.) - F., 'pillow, apse', fr. OF.
chevetz, fr. L. capitium, 'covering for the head',
fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. tete-heche.
chevin, n., the chub. - Cp. F. chevanne; of unknown origin.
cheviot, n., cloth made from wool of sheep of
Cheviot Hills.- Named from the Cheviot Hills,
the range forming the borderland between England and Scotland.
chevron, n., 1) a beam, rafter; z) a
shaped
mark (her.) - F., 'rafter, joist, chevron', fr.
VL. *caprionem, ace. of *caprio, fr. L. caper,
gen. capri, 'goat'. See cabriolet.
chevrotain, n., a very small ruminant mammal,
(Tragulus kanchil); the mouse deer. - F., dim in. of OF. chevrot, itself a dimin. formed fr.
chievre (F. cht!vre), '!.he-goat", fr. L. capra. See
cabriolet and cp. prec. word.
chevy, also chivy, n., a) a hunting cry; b) a hunt,
chase; tr. and intr. v., to hunt, chase. Shortened from Chevy chase, from the I 6th
cent. ballad of Chevv Chase, a name corrupted
from orig. Cheviot chase.
chew, tr. and intr. v. -ME. chewen, fr. OE. ceoc

275
wan, rei. to MLG. keuwen, Du. kauwen, OHG.
kiuwan, MHG. kiuwen, MG. kuwen, 'to chew'
(whence G. kauen, 'to chew'; but cp. G. wieder-
kiiuen, 'to chew the cud', fr. MHG. kiuwen) and
to ON. tyggva (dissimilated fr. *kyggva), and
cogn. with OSlav. iiv(J, iivati, 'to chew', Lith.
iiaunos (pl.), Lett. iailnas (pl.), 'jaw; gill', Pers.
Jtividan, 'to chew', Toch. swti, 'to eat'. L. gingiva,
'gum', is not cognate with the above words. Cp.
chaw.
Derivatives: chew, n., chew-er, n., chew-y, adv.
cheyney, n., a woolen fabric.- Lit. 'china ware'.
The word represents the former pronunciation
of China.
Chian, adj., pertaining to the island Chios. Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Chius, fr. Gk. X!oc;,
name of an island off the coast of Asia Minor.
Chian, also chiao, n. - Short for Chiao wine.
Chiante, n., a kind of dry red wine. - Named
from the Chianti Mountains in Tuscany, Italy.
chiaroscuro, n., use of light and shade in painting, drawing, etc. - It., lit. 'clear dark', fr.
chiaro, 'clear', and oscuro, 'dark', fr. L. cltirus,
'clear', resp. obsciirus, 'dark'. See clear and
obscure.
chiasma, n., a crossing or decussation (anat.)ModL., fr. Gk. xttXcrfLIX, 'two things placed crosswise', which is rei. to XL1XcrfL6<;, 'a placing crosswise'. See chiasmus and -rna.
Derivatives: chiasm-a/, chiasm-ic, adjs.
chiasmus, inversion of word order.- ModL., fr.
Gk. XL1XcrfL6<;, 'a placing crosswise', fr. xrci~e:~v.
'to write the letter x', fr. xe:r, xr. name of the
22nd letter in the Greek alphabet. Cp. chiasma.
chiastic, adj., pertaining to, or characterized by
chiasmus. -Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. XL1XcrT6~. 'marked with a z, arranged diagonally',
fr. xrci~e:w, 'to write the letter x'. See prec.
word.
chiastolite, n., a variety of andalusite (mineral.)
- Compounded of Gk. xr1Xcn-6c; (see prec.
word) and A.l.&oc;, 'stone'. See -lite, litho-.
chiaus, n., a Turkish messenger. - Turk. chtiwush, chtiush. See chouse.
chiave, n., clef (music). -It., 'key', fr. L. cltivem,
ace. of cltivis, 'key', whence also F. clef, 'key'.
See clavicle and cp. clef, conclave.
chibouk, chibouque, n., a Turkish tobacco
pipe. - F. chibouque, fr. Turk. chubiiQ, chibuq,
'pipe', prop. meaning 'stick, staff, tube', and
rei. to chiib, 'stick, staff'.
chibrit, n., elemental mercury supposed to produce metals (alchemy). -Arab. chibrft, 'sulfur',
rei. to Heb. gophrlth, Jewish-Aram. guphrithd,
kubhrithd, Christ.-Palest. Aram. guphri, Syr.
kebhrithd, Akkad. kupritu, 'brimstone, sulfur'.
chic, n., style, elegance.- F., prob. fr. G. Schick,
'fitness, tact, skill', fr. MHG. schicken, 'to arrange, set in order', whence G. schicken, 'to
send', Geschick, 'fitness, aptness, fate, destiny',
Schicksal, Schickung, 'fate, destiny'.
Derivatives: chic, adj. and tr. v.

chiffonier

chicane, n., chicanery.- F., 'quibble, evasion',

fr. chicaner. See chicane, v.
chicane, intr. v., to trick. - F. chicaner, 'to
quibble, wrangle, quarrel', of uncertain origin;
prob. not related to MHG. schicken, 'to arrange, set in order' (see chic).
Derivatives: chican-er, n., chicanery (q.v.)
chicanery, n., trickery, quibbling, sophistry.
F. chicanerie, fr. chicaner. See chicane, v. and
-ery.
chich, n., the chick-pea (obsol.) - F. chiche. See
chick-pea.
chick, n. - Shortened form of chicken.
chickadee, n., the black-capped titmouse.- Imitative of its note.
chickaree, n., the red squirrel of North America.
-Imitative of its cry.
chicken, n. and adj.- ME. chiken, fr. OE. cicen,
cjicen, rei. to MDu. kiekijen, kiiken, Du. kieken,
kuiken, ON. kjiiklingr, Swed. kyck/ing, Dan.
kylling, G. Kiichlein, 'chicken'. All these words
are diminutives formed fr. base *kjiik-, imitative
of the sound characteristic of a chicken. Cp.
cock.
chickling, n., a small chicken. - Formed fr.
chick with dimin. suff. -ling.
chick-pea, n. - F. pois chiche, chiche, fr. earlier
cice, fr. L. cicer, 'chick-pea', whence also It.
cece, OProven9. ceze. Cp. Arm. sisefn, 'chickpea'. Cp. also OHG. chihhira (whence MHG.
kicher, G. Kichererbse), 'chick-pea', which is a
loan word fr. L. cicera, pl. of cicer, but was influenced in form by the unrelated Gk. x~x6pwv,
'chicory'. Cp. also OPruss. keckers, 'chick-pea',
which was prob. also borrowed fr. L. cicer.
chicle, n., a gummy substance.- Nahuatl chictli.
chicory, n. - F. chicoree, fr. earlier cicoree, fr.
L. cichoreum, fr. Gk. x~x6ptov, x~x6pe:vx, x~xci>p'l),
fr. OEgypt. kel;zsher. Cp. succory.
chide, intr. and tr. v.- ME. chiden, fr. OE. cidan,
of unknown origin.
Derivatives: chid-er, n., chid-ing, adj., chid-ingly, adv., chid-ing-ness, n.
chief, n. - ME. chief, chef, fr. OF. ( = F.) chef,
fr. VL. capum, fr. L. caput, 'head'. See capital,
adj., and cp. chef, chieftain, achieve, mischief.
Derivatives: chief, adj., chief-ly, adv.
chieftain, n. - ME. chevetein, cheftayn, fr. OF.
chevetain, fr. Late L. capittineus, 'head, chief',
fr. L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See prec. word
and cp. capitan, captain. Cp. also prec. word.
Derivatives: chieftain-cy, n., chieftain-ess, n.,
chieftain-ry, n.
chltrchatr, n., the bird Phylloscopus collybita. Imitative of its note.
chiffon, n., a sheer silk fabric used for women's
dresses. - F., fr. chiffe, 'rag', pl. 'clothes', fr.
Arab. shiff, 'light garment', fr. shdffa, it was fine
and transparent' (said of materials).
Derivative: chiffon, adj.
chiffonier, n., a high chest of drawers.- F. chiffonnier, fr. chiffon, 'rag'. See prec. word and -ier.

chigger

276

chigger, n., I) the larva of ecrtain mites; 2) chichilo-, before a vowel. chil-, combining form
goe. -Fr. chigoe (q.v.)
meaning 'lip' or 'lips'. - Gk. xe:t:Ao-, fr. xe:D.o;,
chignon, n., coil of hair worn at the back of the
'lip', rei. to xe:Mv"t), 'lip, jaw', and prob. cogn.
head. - F., orig. 'nape of the neck', fr. VL.
with ON. gjij/nar (pl.), 'gills'. See gill, 'organ
*catenionem, ace. of *catenio, fr. L. catena,
of respiration', and cp. the second element in
'chain', which first became chaaignon, then
Megachile.
chaignon; the change of this latter to chignon
Chiltern Hundreds, the hundreds of Burnham,
as well as the sense development of this word,
Desborough and Stoke, in Buckinghamshire,
are due to the influence of F. tignon, 'coil of
England. - See hundred (in its historical sense).
hair'. See chain and cp. concatenation.
To accept the Chiltern Hundreds means 'to resign
chigoe, n., a flea (Sarcopsylla penetrans) - Of
from Parliament', prop. 'to acoept an office
W. Indian origin. Cp. chigger.
under the crown' (which disqualifies a Member
chil-, form of chilo- before a vowel.
of Parliament).
chilblain, n. - Compounded of chill and blain.
chilver, n., a ewe lamb (dial. Eng.)- OE. cilforchild, n. - ME. chi/de (pl. chi/dre), fr. OE. cild
/amb, ceolfor/amb, 'ewe Iamb', rei. to OHG. kif(pl. cildru), rel. to Goth. kilpei, 'womb', inkilpo,
bur (neut.), kilburra (fern.), of s.m., OE. cealf,
'woman with child', OSwed. kulder, kolder,
'calf'. See calf, 'young of a cow'.
Swed. kull, Dan. kuld, 'children of the same
Chimaphila, n., a genus of plants of the wintermarriage; litter', and cogn. with 01. jathagreen family (bot.) ModL., lit. 'winterram (for *jalth-aram), 'belly, womb'. Cp. kilt.
loving', fr. Gk. xe;l:fL,:t, 'winter', and qn:Ae:1:v, 'to
Derivatives: Childermas (q.v.), child-hood, n.,
love'. For the first element see chimera, for the
child-ish, adj., child-like, adj., child-ness, n.
second see -phile.
Childermas (day), n. - OE. cildram;esse (d~eg),
chimb, n. - See chime, 'rim of a cask'.
compounded of cildra, cildru, pl. of cild, 'child'
chime, n., a set of bells.- ME. chimbe, chymbe,
(see prec. word), and Mass (q.v.)
'cymbal', fr. OF. chimble, cimble, cimbe, fr. L.
chili, n. - See chilli.
cymba/um, 'cymbal'. See cymbal.
chiliad, n., I) a thousand; :zJ a thousand years.Derivatives: chime, tr. and intr. 'l., chim-er, n.
Gk. x~:Ad~. gen. xThtocllo~. 'the number one
chime, chimb, n., rim of a cask. - ME. chimbe,
thousand', fr. xt:Atot, 'a thousand', which is of
from the stem of OE. cimbing, 'joint', which is
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with 01.
rei. to Du. kim, 'chime', G. Kimme, dial. Swed.
sahasram and with L. mffle, 'a thousand'. See
kimb, kimbe, 'edge'. These words prob. stand
mile and cp. next word and chiliasm. For the
in gradational relationship to comb. Cp. dial.
ending see suff. -ad.
Swed. kim, 'cockscomb'.
chiliarch, n., the commander of a thousand men.
chimer, chimere, n., a robe worn by bishops. - Gk. x~:Atcipx"t)~, xThlacpxa~, compounded of
MF. chamarre, samarre, 'a loose gown', fr. Sp.
xt:Atot, 'a thousand', and &pz6t;, 'leader, chief,
zamarra, fr. Arab. sammilr, 'weasel, marten'.
ruler'. See prec. word and -arch.
Cp. It. zimarra, 'robe; cassock', which was
chiliarchy, n., the office of a chiliarch. - Gk.
formed with vowel dissimilation fr. Sp. zamarra.
F. simarre, 'robe; cassock', is a loan word fr. It.
zThtacpzlii., fr. xThtocflX"t)<;, zi:Alocpxo~. See prec.
word and suff. -y (representing Gk. -loc).
zimarra. Cp. cymar, simar, zimarra.
chiliasm, n., the doctrine of the millennium. chimera, chimaera, n., a monster with lion's head,
goat's body and serpent's tail (Greek mythol.)Gk. zThtaccrfl-6~. fr. zThd~. 'the number one
thousand'. See chiliad.
L. chimaera, fr. Gk. xlfLOCtpac, 'a young shechiliast, n ., a believer in the doctrine of chiliasm.goat', which is rei. to Xt!J.ocp6~. 'a young heGk. x~:Ataccrri;~. rel. to zTht:tcrfL6~. See prec. word.
goat', lit. 'one winter old', fr. XE:tfLOC, 'winter',
Derivative: chiliast-ic, adj.
which is cogn. with L. hiems, 'winter', hibernus,
chill, n.- ME. chele, fr. OE. ce/e, ciele, 'cold',
'pertaining to winter, wintry'. See hibernate and
rei. to OE. calan, 'to be cold'. See cool.
cp. chiono-, the first element in Chimaphila and
Derivatives: chill, adj. and intr. and tr. v., chillthe second element in Hedychium and in isoing, adj., chill-ing-ly, adv., chill-y, adj., chill-icheime.
ness, n.
Deriva. ives: chimer-ic, chimer-ic-al, adjs.
chilli, n., the dried pod of Capsicum. - Sp. chili,
chimere, n.- See chimer.
fr. Nahuatl chilli.
chimney, n. - ME. chimenee, fr. OF. cheminee
chillo, n., a colored cotton material.- Sp. chi/la,
(F. cheminee), fr. Late L. (camera) caminiita,
fr. chiffon, 'showy, tawdry', lit. 'crying, loud,
'(a room) provided with a chimney', fr. L. cashrill', fr. chillar, 'to scream, cry', fr. L. sibi/iire,
minus, 'forge, hearth', fr. Gk. xcifL~Va~, which is
'to hiss, whistle', whence also OProven<;. siftar,
rei. to X:tfLcipi, 'vaulted chamber', fr. I.-E. base
F. siffler, It. zufolare, 'to hiss, whistle'. See
*qam-, *qem-, 'to bend, vault'. See camera and
sibilant and cp. siffie, zufolo.
cp. words there referred to.
chillum, n., I) part of the hookah containing the
chimpanzee, n.- From aS. African native word.
tobaceo; 2) the act of smoking the tob~ceo.
chin, n. - ME., fr. OE. cin, rei. to OS., OHG.
Hind. chi/am.
kinni, ON kinn, MHG. kinne, 11. Kinn, 'chin',

277
Goth. kinnus, 'cheek', and cogn. with 01. hanul;r,
'chin', Avestic zanu- (in compounds), 'chin',
Toch. A sanwel"fl, 'both jaws', Arm. cnawi,
'jawbone, cheek', Gk. yevu~. 'the lower jaw,
cheek, chin', yeve;wv, 'chin', L. gena, 'cheek',
Lith. iandas, 'jawbone', Lett. zuods, 'chin', W.,
Bret., MCo. gen, 'jawbone, chin', Oir. gin, giun,
'mouth'. Cp. gena, genial, 'pertaining to the
chin', genio-, genyo-, gnathic.
Derivatives: chin, tr. v., chinn-ed, chinn-y, adjs.
China, n. - Fr. Chin or Hsin, name of the First
Dynasty of China (255-206 B.C.E.). This word
lit. means 'man'. Cp. cheyney, chine, sinology.
Cp. also serge, Seric, silk.
china, n. - Short for orig. chinaware, i.e. 'ware
from China'. See prec. word.
chinar, also cheenar, n., the Oriental plane tree
(platanus Orienta/is). - Pers. chiniir.
chinch, n., the bedbug. - Sp. chinche, fr. L. cimicem, ace. of cimex, 'bedbug'. See cimex.
chinchilla, n., a small S. American rodent. Sp., a hybrid coined from a S. American native
name and the Spanish dimin. suff. -ilia.
chin-chin, n., polite salutation; ceremonious talk.
-Chin. ts'ing-ts'ing, lit. 'please-please'.
chincough, n., whooping cough. - Contraction
of chink cough. The first element of this word
is rei. to the first element in Fris. kinkhoast,
MLG. kinkhoste, Du. kinkhoest, 'whooping
cough', fr. Teut. *kink-, a nasalized form of the
imitative base *kik-, 'to pant, gasp', whence
MHG. kichen, 'to pant'. Cp. G. keuchen, 'to
pant, gasp', which is a blend of MHG. kichen,
'to pant', and kuchen, 'to breathe'. Cp. kinkhost.
For the second element see cough.
chine, n., I) a fissure (obsol.); 2) a narrow valley.
- ME., fr. OE. cinu, rei. to OE. cinan, 'to gape,
crack', OS., OHG. kinan, 'to germinate', Goth.
uskeinan, G. keimen, of s.m., MDu. kene, OS.
kin, G. Keim, 'germ', fr. I.-E. base *gei-, *gi-,
'to germinate, rise (said of flowers); to cleave,
split'. See key, n., and cp. chink, 'crack', chit,
'sprout'.
chine, n., backbone of an animal. - ME. chyne,
'back', fr. OF. eschine (F. echine), fr. Frankish
*skina. Cp. OHG. scina, 'needle, prickle; shinbone', and see shin.
chine, adj., figured after the Chinese fashion. F., pp. of chiner, 'to color differently, mottle,
figure', lit. 'to color after the Chinese fashion',
fr. Chine, 'China'. See china.
Chinee, n., a Chinese (vu/g.) - Back formation
fr. Chinese, which was mistaken for a plural.
Chinese, adj. and n. - Formed fr. China with
suff. -ese.
chink, n., split, crack. - Formed fr. chine, 'fissure', with dimin. suff. -k.
Derivatives: chink, tr. v., chink-y, adj.
chink, n., a sharp clinking sound; intr. and tr. v.,
to make, resp. to cause to make, this sound. Of imitative origin.
Chink, n., a Chinese (slang}. - Fr. CbiDee.

chirm

Chinook, n., a N. American Indian. - Native

name of a N. American Indian tribe living in
the Columbia River region.
chintz, n., printed cotton cloth. - Orig. written
chints, fr. the sing. chint, fr. Hind. chin(, 'spotted
cloth', fr. 01. citral;r, 'bright, spotted'. See
cheetah.
Chiococca, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
XLwv, 'snow', and x6xxo~, 'kernel, berry'. See
chiono- and coccus.
Chiogenes, n., a genus of plants of the huckleberry family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'offspring of
snow', fr. Gk. xtwv, 'snow', and yevo;, 'race,
'descent, gender, kind' (see chiono- and genus);
so called from the snowwhite color of its berries.
Cp. E. snowberry.
Chionanthus, n., a genus of plants of the olive
family (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'snow flower', fr. Gk.
XLwv, 'snow', and &v&o~, 'flower' (see chionoand anther); so called from the snowwhite color
of its flowers.
chiono-, before a vowel chion-, combining form
meaning 'snow'.- Gk. xwvo-, xwv-, fr. xtwv
(for *xtwfL), gen. xt6vo<;, 'snow', which is rei.
to xdfLOC, XE;tfLWV, 'winter', XLfLatpo~. 'a young
he-goat', lit. 'one winter old'. See chimera.
chip, tr. and intr. v.- ME. chippen, fr OE -rippian, rei. to Du. kippen, G. kippen, 'to cut', and
in gradational relationship to E. chop, 'to cut'.
Derivatives: chipp-er, n., chipp-ing, n. and adj.,
chipp-y, adj. and n.
chipmunk, chipmuck, n., a small American squirrel. - Corruption of Algonquian achitamon,
'red squirrel', lit. 'headfirst'.
Chippendale, adj. - Named after Thomas Chippendale, a famous English cabinetmaker
(171879).

chir-, form of chiro- before a vowel.

chiragra, n., pain in the hand (med.) - Medical
L., fr. Gk. xe:tpciypoc, 'gout in the hand', which
is compounded of xdp, 'hand', and &ypoc, 'a
catching, seizure'. For the first element see
chiro-, chir-. The second element is rei. to Gk.
&ypte:w, 'to take, catch', and cogn. with Olr.
iir (for *agrii), 'defeat', W. aer, 'battle, struggle',
OCo. hair, 'disaster'. Cp. dentagra, pellagra,
podagra.
chiral, adj., pertaining to the hand. - A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. zdp, 'hand' (see chiro-), and -al,
a suff. of Latin origin.
chirapsia, n., friction, massage (med.)- Medical
L., compounded of chir- and Gk. &yt~, &yt~,
'a touching, fastening'. See apsis.
chirata, n., the plant Swertia chirata. - Hind.
chiriiitii, fr. OI. kiriita tikta, lit. 'the bitter plant
of the people called Kiriitas'.
chirm, n., noise. - ME., fr. OE. cirm, cerm,
'shout, cry, noise'. Cp. charm, 'song of birds'.
chirm, intr. v., to make a noise, to chirp.- ME.
chirmen, fr. OE. cirman, 'to shout, cry', fr. cirm.
See prec. word.

chiro-

chiro-, before a vowel chir-, combining form

meaning 'hand'. - Gk. ;x,e:Lpo-, ;x,e:Lp-, fr. x.e:p,
gen. xe:Lp6~, 'hand', cogn. with Toch. A tsar,
B (iar, Hitt. keshshar, kishshar, Arm. jefn, gen.
jefin, Alb. dore (fr. I.-E. *gherii-), 'hand', fr.
I.-E. base *gher-, 'to seize, take, hold, close, envelope', whence also 01. hdrati, 'brings, carries,
takes away, robs', Gk. ;x,6p't'o<;, 'enclosure',
xop6~, 'dance in a ring, dance', L. hortus, 'garden', Goth. gards, 'house', OE. geard, 'piece of
land, garden, yard'. See yard, 'enclosure', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also cbeiro-,
chirurgeon, encbiridion. Cp. also chorion, chorus,
chronic, and the second element in Dashahara
and in vihara.
chirograph, n., a formally written legal document.
-F. chirographe, fr. L. chirographum, fr. Gk.
x.e:Lp6yp(Xtpov, neut. of ;x,e:Lp6yp(Xtpo<;, 'written
with the hand', which is compounded of ;x,dp,
gen. xe:Lp6~. 'hand', and -yp(Xtpo<;, fr. ypoctpe:w, 'to
write'. See chiro- and -graph.
chirography, n., handwriting. - Cp. Gk. x.e:Lpoypoctpl.X, 'a written testimony', and see prec.
word and -y (representing Gk. -l.X).
Derivative: chirograph-ic, adj.
chiromancer, n., a palmist.- See next word and
agential sutf. -er.
chiromancy, n., palmistry. - Lit. 'divination
from the hand'. See chiro- and -mancy.
chiromantic, adj., pertaining to chiromancy. Compounded of chiro- and -mantic.
Chiron, n., a centaur famous for his knowledge
of medicine (Greek mythol.) - L. Chiron, fr.
Gk. Xe:lpwv, which is a word of uncertain origin.
It is possibly the abbreviation of x_e:Lpoupy6:;;,
'working by hand; surgeon'. See chirurgeon.
chiropody, n., the treatment of diseases of the
feet (med.)- Orig. 'the treatment of the diseases
of the hands and feet', fr. Gk. xe:lp, gen. xe:Lpo<;,
'hand', and 1tou:;;, gen. 1toa6:;;, 'foot'. See chiroand podo-.
Derivative: chiropod-ist, n.
chiropractic, n., I) a system of treating disease
by adjusting the joints of the body, esp. the
spinal column, by hand; 2) a chiropractor. Compounded of Gk. xdp, gen. x_e:Lp6<;, 'hand',
and 7tp(XX'l'Lx6:;;, 'fit for action, practical'. See
chiro- and practical.
chiropractor, n., one who practices chiropractic.
- See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Chiroptera, n. pl., the order of the bats (zoo/.)ModL., compounded of Gk. xe:p, gen. x_e:Lp6:;;,
'hand', and 7tTe:p6v, 'wing'. See chiro-and ptero-.
Chirotes, n., a genus of burrowing lizards (zoo/.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. x_e:lp, gen. x_e:Lp6:;;, 'hand'.
See chiro-.
chirp, intr. and tr. v. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
the next two words.
Derivatives: chirp, n., chirp-er, n., chirp-ing,
adj., chirp-ing-ly, adv.
chirr, intr. v., to make a trilling sound (as that
made by a grasshopper and some birds); tr.v.,

278
to utter with a chirr. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
churr. Cp. also prec. word. Derivative: chirr, n.
chirrup, intr. v.- Of imitative origin. Cp. chirp.
Derivatives: chirrup, n., chirrup-er, n., chirrupy, adj.
chirurgeon, n., a surgeon (archaic). -F. chirurgien, fr. chirurgie, 'surgery', ult. fr. Gk. xe:Lpoupy(.X, lit. 'a working by hand', fr. x_e:Lpoupy6:;;,
'working by hand', which is compounded of
xdp, 'hand', and ~pyov, 'work'. See cbiro- and
ergon and cp. surgeon, which is a doublet of
chirurgeon. Cp. also Chiron.
Derivative: chirurgeon-/y, adv.
cbirurgery, n. (archaic). - See surgery, which is
a doublet of chirurgery, and cp. prec. word.
-chirurgja, combining form meaning '-surgery'.
- Fr. Gk. x_e:Lpoupyl.X; see chirurgeon.
chirurgic, chirurgical, adj. (archaic).- L. chlrurgicus (whence also F. chirurgique), fr. Gk. x_e:LpoupyLx6c;;, 'worked by hand', fr. )(.E:Lpoupy(Ci. See
chirurgeon, and -ic.
chisel, n., a cutting instrument.- ME., fr. AF.
chisel, corresponding to OF. cisel (F. ciseau),
fr. VL. *cise/lus, which was altered fr. *caese/lus,
'cutting instrument', fr. L. caesus,pp. of caedere,
'to cut'. Cp. L. cisorium, 'cutting instrument',
and see cement. Derivatives: chisel, tr. v., chisel(/)
-ed, adj., chisel(l)-er, n.
chisel, n. - A var. of cbesil.
chit, n., a shoot, sprout.- OE. ci]J, 'germ, shoot,
sprout', rei. to cinan, 'to gape, crack'. See chine,
'a narrow valley'. Derivatives: chit, intr. v., to
shoot, sprout, chitt-y, adj.
chit, n., I) a young animal (obsol.); 2) a child.Prob. a var. of kit, kitten. Cp. dial. E. chit, 'cat,
kitten'.
chit, chitty, n., a short letter.- Hind. chif(hi, fr.
01. citrd/:1, 'bright, marked, spotted'. See cheetah.
chit-chat, n. - Reduplication of chat.
chitin, n., a substance forming the hard covering
of insects and other invertebrates (biochem.) F. chitine, fr. Gk. ;(LTwv, 'undergarment, coat of
mail. any coat or covering'. See chiton.
chitinous, adj., of the nature of chitin. -Formed
fr. chitin with sutf. -ous.
chiton, n., a garment worn by both sexes in ancient
Greece. - Gk. x_L-rwv, Ion. xL-ltwv, borrowedthrough the medium of the Phoenicians-from
the Semites. Cp. Heb. kutt&neth, Aram. kittiind,
Arab. kattcfn, Akkad. kitinnu, 'linen', Akkad.
kitintu, 'linen garment'. Cp. also chitin, tunic.
XL'l'WV occurs in Mycenaean Greek as early as
the 15th century. See Michael Ventris and John
Chadwick, Documents in Mycenaean Greek
(Cambridge University Press), Index, s.v. Semitic
Loanwords. Cp. the words chrysalis, cumin, sesam.
chitter, intr. v.- Of imitative origin. Cp. chatter,
twitter.
chitterling, n., usually pl. chitterlings, the small
intestines of pigs.- Rei. to OE. cww, 'womb',
ON. ko;wr, 'belly', Goth. qi/Jus, 'womb', MHG.

279
kutel, G. Kutteln, 'guts, bowels; tripe; chitterlings', and cogn. with L. botulus, 'sausage'. See
bowel. For the ending see sutf. -ling.
chitty, n., a short letter. - Hind. chitthi. See
chit, 'a short letter'.
cbivaleresque, adj. - Formed fr. chivalry with
suff. -esque, on analogy of F. chevaleresque.
chivalrous, adj. -OF. chevalereus, fr. chevalier.
See chevalier and -ous.
Derivatives: chivalrous-ly,adv.,chiva/rous-ness,n.
chivalry, n. - ME. chivalrie, chivalerye, fr. OF.
( = F.) chevalerie, 'knighthood', fr. chevalier,
'knight'. See chevalier and cp. cavalry.
chive, n., a plant related to the onion. - ONF.
chive, corresponding to OF. and F. cive, fr. L.
cepa, 'onion'. See cibol.
chiviatite, n., a lead bismuth sulfide (mineral.)Named after Chiviato in Peru. For the ending
see subst. sutf. -ite.
chivy, n. and tr. v. - See chevy.
chladnite, n., a variety of enstatite. - Named
after E. F. Chladni, a writer on meteorites. For
the ending see subst. sutf. -ite.
chlamyd-, form of chlamydo- before a vowel.
chlamydate, adj., having a mantle (zoo/.) - L.
chlamydiitus, 'dressed in a chlamys', fr. chlamys.
See chlamys and adj. sutf. -ate.
chlamydeous, adj., having a pcrianth (bot.) Formed fr. chlamys with suff. -eous.
chlamydo-, before a vowel chlamyd-, combining
form meaning 'mantle' (zoot. and bot.) - Gk.
)(.A(X[J.Uao-, )(.A(X[J.Ua-, fr. )(.AOC[J.u~, gen. ;(A(X[J.uao:;;.
See next word.
chlamys, n., a short mantle worn by the ancient
Greeks (Greek antiq.) - L., fr. Gk. XAOC!J.V~,
gen. XA(X[J.uao~. 'upper garment, mantle', which
is of uncertain origin.
chloasma, n., a deposit of pigment in the skin
(med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. x_A6(Xcr[J.(X, 'greenness', fr. XAooc~e:Lv, 'to be green', fr. xA67J. See
next word.
Chloe, Chloe, fern. PN. - L., fr. Gk. XA67], fr.
zA67], 'a young green shoot, young verdure', rei.
to x_A6o~. 'greenish-yellow color', x.Ao:i~e:L\1, 'to
be green', zAwp6~, 'greenish yellow, pale green,
green, fresh', zoA-f), 'gall'. See yellow and cp.
choler, chlorine. Cp. also the second element in
Buchloe, Hierochloe.
chlor-, form of chloro- before a vowel.
chloral, n., a colorless liquid, CC1 3 CHO (chem.)
- Coined fr. chlor(ine) and al(cohol).
chlorate, n., a salt of chloric acid (chem.)- See
chlorine and chem. suff. -ate.
Cblorella, n., a genus of green algae (bot.) ModL., formed with suff. -ella fr. Gk. x).wp6c;.
See Chloe.
chloric, adj., pertaining to, or obtained from, chlorine (chem.)- Formed fr. chlorine with suff. -ic.
chloride, chlorid, n., a compound of chlorine with
another element (chem.) - See chlorine and
-ide, -id.
chlorine, n., name of a nonmetallic element be-

Choctaw

longing to the halogen family (chem.)- Coined

by the English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy
(1778-1829) fr. Gk. ;(Awp6<;, 'greenish yellow,
pale green, green, fresh'. See Chloe. For the
ending see chem. suff. -ine and cp. brom-ine,
fluor-ine, iod-ine. Derivative: chlorin-ous, adj.
Chloris, n., name of the goddess of flowers in
Greek mythology; later identified with the
Roman goddess Flora (Greek mythol.)- L., fr.
Gk. XAwplc;;, lit. 'greenness, freshness', which is
rei. to )(.Awp6~. See prec. word.
Chloris, n., a genus of grasses (bot.)- Named after Chloris, the goddess of flowers. See prec. word.
chloro-, before a vowel chlor-, combining form
r) meaning light-green; 2) denoting the presence
of chlorine in a compound. - Fr. Gk. ;x,Awp6c;;.
See chlorine.
chloroform, n., a volatile liquid, CHC13 , used as
an anesthetic (chem.)- F. chloroforme, a hybrid
coined by Jean-Baptiste Dumas (r8oo-84) in
1834 fr. chloro- and F. formique, 'formic' (fr. L.
formica, 'ant', see formic); so called by him in
allusion to its capacity of forming potassium
chloride and formic acid.
chloromycetin, n., an antibiotic drug of the penicillin-streptomycin family discovered by Paul
R.Burkholder of Yale University (med.) Coined fr. chloro-, Gk. f.Luxr,c;, gen. f.LUX'Ij'l'O~,
'fungus' (see myceto-), and chem. suff. -in.
chlorophyll, chlorophyl, n., the green coloring
matter of plants. - F. chlorophylle, coined by
the French chemists Pierre-Joseph Pelletier
(1788-1842) and Joseph-Bienaime Caventou
(1795-I877) fr. chloro- and Gk. qJUA)m, 'leaf'.
See phyllo- and cp. the second element in xanthophyll.
chloroprene, n., a colorless liquid used to manufacture neoprene (chem.)- Coined fr. chloroand (iso)prene.
chlorosis, n., a kind of anemia, 'green sickness'
(med.) - Medical L., formed with suff. -osis
fr. Gk. XAwp6~, 'greenish-yellow, pale green,
green, fresh'. See chlorine.
choana, n., a funnel-shaped opening (anat.) Medical L., fr. Gk. xo:ivY), 'funnel, funnel-shaped
hollow in the brain', a derivative of xo+,, 'a pouring out', from the stem of x_e:Lv, 'to pour', which
is cogn. with L. fundere, 'to pour'. See found,
'to cast', and cp. chyle. Cp. also the first element
in chonolith.
chobdar, n., an attendant (Anglo-Jnd.) - Hind.
chobdiir, fr. Pers. chobdiir, lit. 'a stick bearer'.
For the element -dar see aumildar and cp. words
there referred to.
chock, n., a block of wood.- ONF. chouque, rei.
to F. souche, 'stump, stock, block', fr. Gaulish
*tsukka, which is cogn. with OE. stocc, 'trunk,
log, stock'. See stock and cp. chuck, n.
Derivatives: chock, tr. v., chock-er, n.
chocolate, n. - Sp., fr. Nahuatl chocolatl.
Choctaw, n., name of a North-American Indian
tribe.

choctaw

choctaw, n., name of a particular step in fancy

ice-skating. - From prec. word.
-choerus, combining form meaning 'pig', as in
Hydrochoerus (zoo!.)- ModL., fr. Gk. zoi:po~,
'pig', which stands for *ghor-yos and lit. means
'the bristle-bearing animal', fr. I.-E. base "'gher-,
'to bristle', whence also Gk. )(~p, 'hedgehog',
L. horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle, shudder,
tremble'. See horror and cp. chersonese.
choice, n. - ME. chois, choys, fr. OF. chois (F.
choix), fr. choisir, 'to choose', fr. Goth. kausjan,
'to prove, test' (whence also OProvenc;:. causir,
'to look at'), which is rei. to Goth. kiusan, OE.
ceosan, 'to choose'. See choose.
Derivatives: choice, adj., choice-ly, adv., choiceness, n.
choir, quire, n. - ME. quer, fr. OF. cuer (F.
clurur), fr. L. chorus, fr. Gk. xop6~, 'dance in a
ring'. See chorus.
Derivative: choir, tr. and intr. v.
choke, intr. and tr. v. - ME. cheken, choken,
aphetic for achekcn, achoken, fr. OE. iiceocian,
to choke', which is prob. formed fr. intensive
pref. a- and a Teut. base appearing in ON. kok,
'gullet'.
Derivatives: choke, n., chok-a, n., chok-ing,
adj., chok-ing-ly, adv., chok-y, adj.
chokidar, n., a watchman, porter. - Hind.
chauki-diir, 'watchman', fr. chauki, 'watching',
and suff. -dar, 'holder, possessor'. For the first
element see choky. For the second element see
aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
chokra, n., a boy (Anglo-Ind.) - Hind. chokrii,
a boy'.
choky, n., 1) a station, esp. a police station; 2) a
jail. - Hind. chauki. Cp. the first element in
chokidar.
cholagogue, adj., promoting the secretion of bile
(med.) -- F .. fr. Gk. zol.xyw(6r,, 'carrying off
bile', which is compounded of zol:f;, 'bile', and
iy(.,y;;~. 'leading'. Sec choler and -agogue.
Derivatives: cholagogue, n., clwlagog-ic, adj.
cholangitis, n., inflammation of the biliary ducts
(med.) - Medical L., compounded of Gk.
zoi.(,, 'bile', y(e'iov, 'vessel', and suff. -t7l~.
See choler, angio- and -itis.
chole-, combining form meaning 'gall'. - See
cholo-.
cholecyst, n., the gall bladder (anal.) - Medical
L. cholecystis, incorrect formation fr. Gk. X"i:f;,
'gall, bile', and ;;::,c-:-t~, 'bladder, bag, pouch'.
See choler and cyst.
cholecyst-, form of cholecysto- before a vowel.
cholecystitis, n., inflammation of the gall bladder.
- Medical L., formed fr. cholecystis (sec prcc.
word) with suff. -itis.
cholecysto-, befor;! a vowel cholecyst-, combining
form denoting the gall bladder. - See prec.
word.
choledoch, adj., conveying bile (anal.) - Gk.
xo);fl86zo~, 'containing bile', compounded of
zo);fj, 'bile', and 8oz6~. 'containing, able to

281

280

hold', which is rei. to 8ze:cr&o:t, Attic form of

Gk. 8xecr&o:t, 'to receive, hold'. For the first
element see choler. The second element is a derivative of I.-E. base *dek-, 'to receive', whence
also OL ddk$ali, 'is apt, proper', ddk$a/:l, 'apt,
proper, clever', L. decet, decere, 'to be fitting
or seemly'. See decent and cp. the second element in pandect and the third element in synecdoche.
choledocho-, combining form meaning 'containing bile'. - See prec. word.
choler, n.- ME. coler, co/ere, fr. OF. co/ere (F.
co/ere), 'choler, anger', fr. L. cholera, fr. Gk.
zo).epii, 'bilious diarrhea, cholera', fr. )(OA~, also
x6"Aoc,, 'gall, bile', which is rei. to xMo~, 'greenishyellow color', )(AOcX~E:lV, 'to be green', z).wp6~,
'greenish-yellow, pale green, green, fresh', and
cogn. with A vestic ziira-, 'gall, bile', L. fel,
OSlav. ilili'i, Russ. ielc', Lith. tuliis (metathesis
for *iultis), Lett. iults, OE. gealla, galla, 'gall,
bile', fr. I.-E. base *ghel-, *ghel-, 'to shine; yellow, yellowish green, green'. See yellow and cp.
gall, 'bile'. Cp. also next word, Chloe, Chlorella,
chlorine, Chloris, and the second element in
melancholy, Chrysochloris, Echinochloa. Cp. also
the second clement in bezoar.
cholera, n. - L. cholera, fr. Gk. xo).epii, 'bilious
diarrhea', fr. zo'A~, 'gall, bile'. See prec. word.
choleraic, adj., related to, or resembling, cholera.
- Formed from prec. word with suff. -ic.
choleric, adj. - MF. ( = F.) cholerique, fr. L.
cholericus, fr. Gk. )(OAeptx6~. fr. zo).zpii, (see
choler and -ic): first used by Chaucer.
Derivatives: choleric-ly, adv., choleric-ness, n.
cholesterine, n., cholesterol. - See next word
and chem. suiT. -ine.
cholesterol, n., a fatty alcohol (biochem.)- Formed fr. F. cholesterine, a word coined by the
French chemist Michel-Eugene Chevreul (J786I889), and -ol, a suff. denoting an alcohol. F.
cholesterine is formed fr. Gk. zo).+,, 'gall, bile',
and cr-:-spe6~, 'solid' (see chole- and stereo-), and
is so called because it was originally found in
gallstones.
choliamb, n., an iambic verse having in the last
foot a spondee (instead of an iambus) (pros.)L. ch6/iambus, fr. Gk. xw'Al'XfL~O~, 'a lame iambic', which is compounded of xw).6c,, 'lame', a
word of uncertain origin, and hfL~O~, 'iambus'.
See iambus.
choliambic, adj., pertaining to a choliamb. Gk. zw).t'X;.t~~x6;, fr. zwl.l'XfL~O~. See prec. word
and -ic.
Derivative: cho/iambic, n.
cholic, adj., pertaining to the bile.- Gk. XCJAtx6~,
fr. zoi.+,, 'bile'. See choler and -ic.
choline, n., a crystalline base, C 5 H 15 N02 (biochem.) - Formed with chem. suff. -ine fr. Gk.
zoi:!-,, 'bile'. See choler.
cbolo-, before a vowel chol-, combining form
meaning 'bile'. - Gk. zo).o-, zo'A-, fr. xo)..i;,
'bile'. See choler and cp. chole-, cholic, choline.

t
I

chololith, n., a gallstone. - Compounded of

cholo- and Gk. ).[&o~, 'stone'. See -lith.
Derivative: chololith-ic, adj.
chomage, n., stoppage, cessation from work. F., fr. chomer, 'to cease from work', fr. Late
L. caumiire, fr. cauma, 'tranquillity'. See calm
and -age.
chondr-, form of chondri- before a voweL
chondri-. - See chondro-.
chondrify, tr. v., to convert into cartilage. - A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. x6v8po~. 'cartilage', and
L. -ficiire, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See chondroand -fy.
Chondrilla, n., a genus of plants of the chicory
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. chondrille, 'Spanish succory', fr. Gk. zov8pln1), xov8pl).'1), name
of a gum-exuding plant.
chondritis, n., inflammation of a cartilage (med.)
- Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
x6v8poc;, 'cartilage'. See chondro-.
chondro-, before a vowel chondr-, combining form
meaning 'grain' or 'cartilage'. - Gk. zov8po-,
zov8p-, fr. x6v8po~. 'corn, grain, groat; cartilage', dissimilated fr. *xp6v8poc;, cogn. with L.
frendere, 'to gnash the teeth', OE grindan, 'to
grind'. See grind and cp. the second element
in enchondroma, hypochondria, perichondrium,
synchondrosis. Cp. also chrism, chrome.
chondrodite, n., a yellowish red mineral. Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. zov8p<il8'1)c;,
'granular', fr. z6v8po~, 'grain',,rrnd -<il81J~. 'like'.
See chondro- and -ode, 'like'.
chondroid, adj., resembling cartilage. - Formed
fr. Gk. z6v8po~, 'cartilage', and -oet8~r,. 'like',
fr. d8o~, 'form, shape'. See chondro- and -oid.
chondroma, n., a' cartilaginous tumor (med.) Medical L, formed with suff. -oma fr. Gk.
z6v8poc;, 'cartilage'. See chondro-.
chonolith, n., a mass of igneous rock (geol.) Compounded of Xl:,'rr,, 'melting pot, crucible'
and 'J..[&o~, 'stone'. The first element is a contraction of xo-Y:.rr,, which derives from the stem
of zei."V, 'to pour', whence also z)crtt;, 'effusion',
ziJi.0t;, zu;.t6~. 'juice'. See chyle and cp. words
there referred to. For the second element see
-lith.
choose, tr. and intr. v. - ME. cheosen, chesen,
chusen, fr. OE ceosan, rei. to OS., OHG. kiosan,
ON. kjosa, OFris. kiasa, Du. kiezen, MHG., G.
kiesen, Goth. kiusan, 'to choose', and to Goth.
kausjan, 'to prove, test', fr. I.-E. base *geus-,
*gus-, 'to taste, enjoy by tasting', whence also
Gk. ye)ecr&xt, 'to taste', L. gustiire, 'to taste,
enjoy', 01. j6~ati,}u$dle, 'enjoys', Aves tic zaosh-,
'to find delicious', Olr. gu-, go-, 'to choose'. Cp.
OE. costian, OS., OHG. koston, ON. kosta,
MHG., G. kosten, 'to test, try, taste', which are
all related to OE. ceosan, etc. F. choisir, 'to
choose', OProven~. causir, 'to look at', OSlav.
kusiti, 'to taste, try', are Goth. loan words. Cp.
choice. Cp. also gust, 'relish', disgust, and the
second element in Fergus and in valkyrie.

chord

Derivatives: choos-er, n., choos-ing, adj., choosing-ly, adv.

chop, tr. and intr. v., to cut. - ME. choppen, 'to
cut up', in gradational relationship to ME. chappen, 'to cut'. See chap, 'to chop', and cp. chip.
Derivatives: chop, n., chopp-er, n., chopp-ing,
adj., chopp-y, adj.
chop, n., I)jaw; 2) entrance of a valley or channel.
-See chap, 'jaw'.
Derivative: chop, tr. v., to snap with the jaws.
chop, tr. and intr. v., to barter. - Rei. to ME.
cheapien, 'to buy, bargain'. See cheap, v., and
chapman.
Derivative: chop, n., a barter.
chop, n., seal, stamp; brand, quality (Anglo-Ind.)
-Hind. chap, 'seal, stamp'.
chopin, chopine, n., a liquid measure.- F. chopine, fr. Du. schopen, lit. 'a scoop'. Cp. MLG.
schope, 'scoop, ladle', and see scoop and shovel.
G. Schoppen, 'mug', has been reborrowed fr.
NF. chopenne, the equivalent of F. chopine.
chopine, n., a kind of thick-soled shoe, patten. OF. chapin, fr. OSp. ( = Sp.) chapin, fr. chapa,
'a plate of metal, foil, leather chape', which is
of uncertain origin.
chopstick, n., two small sticks used by the Chinese in place of a fork. - Compounded of
Pidgin English chop(-chop), 'quick', prop. a loan
translation of the orig. Chinese name which lit.
means 'the quick ones', and E. stick, n.
chop suey, a Chinese dish. - Chin., lit. 'various
pieces'; influenced in form by E. chop, 'to cut'.
chor-, form of choro- before a vowel.
choragic, adj., pertaining to a choragus. - Gk.
zopiiytx6t;, fr. zopiiy6t;, 'leader of the chorus'.
See next word and -ic.
choragus, n., the leader of the chorus (Greek antiq.)- L., fr. Gk. zopiy6t;, )(Op7jy6t;, compounded of zop6c;, 'chorus', and the stem of &yel\1,
'to lead', which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set
in motion, drive, lead'. See chorus and agent.
choral, adj. - F. choral, fr. ML. choriilis, 'pertaining to the chorus', fr. L. chorus. See chorus
and adj. suff. -al.
choral, chorale, n., hymn. - G. Choral, shortened fr. Choralgesang, trans!. of ML. cantus
choriilis, 'choral song', fr. L. cantus, 'song', and
ML. choriilis. See choral, adj.
chord, n., string of an instrument. - L. chorda,
'gut, string of a musical instrument, rope, cord',
fr. Gk. zop8+,, 'intestine, string of gut, string
of a musical instrument', which is cogn. with
01. hird, 'vein', hira/:1, 'band', L. hernia, 'rupture',
hira, 'empty gut', haruspex, 'diviner inspecting entrails', Lith. iarnd, Lett. zarna, 'gut', OE.
gearn, 'yarn'. See yam and cp. cord, and the
second element in acrochordon, clavichord, notochord. Cp. also hernia and the first element in
haruspex. Cp. also quirt.
Derivatives: chord, tr. v., chord-ed, adj.
chord, n., combination of notes (music). - Fr.
earlier cord, abbreviation of accord (q.v.) The

Chordata

spelling with h is due to a confusion with chord,

'string of an instrument'.
Derivative: chord, intr. v.
Chordata, n. pl., a phylum of the animal kingdom including all vertebrates (zoo/.)- ModL.,
fr. L. chorda, 'cord'. See chord, 'string'.
chore, n., a job (U.S.A.)- A var. of chace.
Derivative: chore, intr. and tr. v.
chorea, n., a nervous disorder; St. Vitus' dance.
- Medical L., fr. Gk. xope:Lot, 'dance', fr.
xop6~, 'dance in a ring; chorus, choir'. See
chorus.
choreography, n., the art of denoting dancing by
signs. - Compounded of Gk. xopda, 'dance',
and -ypot~la, fr. yp~~e:Lv, 'to write'. See chorus
and -graphy.
Derivative: choreograph-ic, adj.
choreus, n., a trochee (pros.) - L., fr. Gk.
xope:~o~. lit. 'pertaining to a chorus', adj. used
as a noun. fr. xop6~, 'dance; chorus'. See chorus.
chori-, pref. meaning 'separate' (bot.) - Fr. Gk.
)(Wp[~, )(WpL, 'separate, apart', rei. to )(Wpo~,
xwp<i, 'empty space, room, place, land, country',
xwpdv, 'to give place; to hold, contain', xwpl~ELV, 'to separate', fr. I.-E. base *ghe(i)-, 'to lack,
be empty', which is identical with *ghe(i)-, 'to
gape, yawn', whence Gk. )(otlve:Lv, 'to yawn,
gape'. See chaos and cp. chorisis, chorist, choristo-, chorizontes, choro-, and the second element in anchorite, enchorial, epichorial, parachor.
choriamb, n., a foot composed of a choreus ( =
trochee) followed by an iambus (pros.) - L.
choriambus, fr. Gk. xoplot[.L~O~, which is compounded of zope:~o~, 'choreus', and !ot[.L~o~.
'iambus'. See choreus and iambus.
choriambic, adj., pertaining to a choriamb. L. choriambicus, fr. Gk. zopLOC[J.~LXO~. fr. xop[ot[.L~O~. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: choriambic, n.
chorioid, adj., pertaining to vascular membranes
(anal.) - Lit. 'like a membrane', fr. Gk. )(OpLoe:Lil+,c;, fr. zopLOV, 'skin, leather', and -OELilf,c;,
'like', fr. di)oc;, 'form, shape'. See chorion and
-oid.
Derivatives: chorioid, n., vascular tunic of the
eye, chorioid-a/, adj.
chorioido-, before a vowel chorioid-, combining
form denoting the chorioid. - See prec. word.
chorion, n., the membrane enclosing the fetus
(embryo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk. z6pLov, 'membrane that encloses the fetus, afterbirth', which
is of uncertain origin. It derives perh. fr. I.-E.
base *gher-, 'to seize, hold, close, envelop',
whence also xdp, 'hand'. See chiro-.
Derivative: chorion-ic, adj.
choripetalous, adj., having separate petals (bot.)
- See chori-, petal and -ous.
chorisis, n., separation of an organ into parts
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xwpun~. 'separation',
ff". )(CilpL~LV, 'to separate', fr. )(CilpL~, 'separate,
apart'. See cbori-.

283

282
chorist, n., member of a chorus.- F. choriste, fr.
Eccles. L. chorista, fr. L. chorus. See chorus
and -ist.
chorister, n., member of a choir. - See prec.
word and -ister.
choristo-, before a vowel chorist-,combi ning form
meaning 'separated'. - Fr. Gk. xwpLcr-r6~.
verbal adj. of xwpl~e:w, 'to separate', fr. zwpl~.
zwpL, 'separate, apart'. See chori-.
chorizontes, n. pl., the Alexandrian critics who
maintained that the Iliad and Odyssey were
written by different authors. - Gk. xwpl~one:c;,
lit. 'separators', pl. of xwpl~wv, pres. part. of
zwpl~e:Lv, 'to separate'. See chori- and cp.
chorisis, choristo-.
choro-, before a vowel chor-, combining form
meaning 'place'.- Gk. zwpo-,zwp-, fr. zwpoc;,
'place'. See ehori-.
ehorography, n., description or mapping of a
particular country or region. - L. chorographia,
fr. Gk. xwpoypot~l<i, which is compounded of
)(Wpoc;, 'place', and -ypot~(<i, fr. ypct~ELV, 'to
write'. See choro- and -graphy.
Derivatives: chorograph-ic, chorograph-ic-a/,
adjs., chorograph-ic-a/-/y, adv.
choroid, adj., chorioid (anat.)- Gk. zopoe:Lil~~.
inexact form for zopLOe:Lilf,c;. See chorioid.
Derivatives: choroid, n., choroid-al, adj.
choroido-, before a vowel choroid-, combining
form denoting the choroid. - See prec. word
and chorioido-.
chorology, n., the study of the geographical distribution of organisms (bioi.) - Compounded
of choro- and Gk. -).oyl<i, fr. -).6yo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: chorolog-ical, adj., chorolog-ist, n.
chortle, intr. and tr. v. and n. - A blend of
chuckle and snort; coined by Lewis Carroll.
chorus, n. - L., fr. Gk. zop6c;, 'dance in a ring,
festive dance, dance; band of dancers; chorus,
choir; troop, band; place for dancing'. The first
meaning was pro b. 'an enclosed place for dancing', from I.-E. base *gher-, 'to seize, take, hold,
close, envelop', whence also Gk. zdp, 'hand',
z6p-ro<;, 'feeding place, courtyard'. See chicoand cp. words there referred to. Cp. also choir,
quire, chorea, choreus, the first element in carol
and in choragus and the second element in
Terpsichore.
Derivatives: chorus, v., chorus-er, n.
chose, past tense of choose.- ME. chaos, formed
on analogy of the pp. chosen. See chosen.
chose, n., thing, property (used in the legal terms
chose in action, chose in possession). -F. chose,
'thing', fr. L. causa, 'cause, reason', in Late L.
also 'thing'. Cp. OProven~. cauza, It., Sp. cosa,
Port. cousa, 'thing', which all derive fr. L.
causa in its Late Latin sense, and see cause.
chosen, pp. of choose. - ME. chosen, fr. OE.
coren; influenced in form by choose.
chou, n., an ornamental ribbon or knot in worn-

II
I

en's dress. -F., 'cabbage', fr. L. caulis, 'stalk',

esp. 'cabbage stalk'. See cole.
Chouan, n., one of the antirevolutiona ry insurgents in Western France in 1791. - F., from
the surname of one of their leaders Jean Cotterau, called Jean Chouan, fr. chouan, dialectal
contraction of chat-huant, 'screech owl'. He
and his three brothers were so named because
they used to imitate the cry of the screech owl
to warn one another in time of danger. Chathuant lit. 'shouting cat', is a popular alteration
of OF. javan (for chavan), fr. ML. cavannus,
'owl', a word of Gaulish origin.
choucroute, n., sauerkraut.- F., fr. Alsatian G.
surkrut (corresponding to G. Sauerkraut), lit.
'sour cabbage', fr. silr, 'sour', and krut, 'cabbage', with folk-etymological change of sur, to
F. chou, 'cabbage', and krut to F. croute, 'crust'.
See sauerkraut.
chough, n., the red-legged crow. -ME. choughe,
rei. to OE. ceo, ciae, MDu. cauwe, Du. kauw,
OHG. kiiha, 'chough', Dan. kaa, Swed. kaja,
'jackdaw'; of imitative origin. Cp. OF. choe,
'screech owl', which derives fr. Frankish *kawa,
'chough', and F. chouette, 'screech owl', which
is a dimin. of OF. choe.
chouse, n., a swindler (obsol.); a swindle (colloq.)
- Turk. chiiwush, chiiush, 'sergeant, herald,
messenger'. The meaning of E. chouse is due to
the circumstance that in 1 6o9 a chiaus is said
to have cheated several Turkish merchants
residing in England. Cp. chiaus.
Derivatives: chouse, tr. v., to swindle (colloq.).
See
chow, n., Chinese (Australian slang). next word.
chowchow, n., Chinese preserves. - Pidgin English, lit. 'mixed', of Chinese origin.
chowder, n., a dish of stewed fish, clams, onion,
etc.- F. chaudiere, 'pot', fr. Late L. caldiiria, 'a
vessel containing warm water'. See caldron.
choya, n. - A var. of chay.
choza, n., hut, hovel, cabin. - Sp., fr. khO$$,
vulgar pronunciation of Arab. khU$$, 'hut,
hovel'.
chrematistic, adj., pertaining to the acquisition
of wealth.- Gk. )(p7j[.L'X't"~cr,Lx6c;, 'pertaining to
money making', fr. ZP"I)[.Lot't"L~e:cr&ocL, 'to transact
business', fr. zp'ijf.Lot, 'a thing that one needs',
in pJ. ;(pf,[.Lot't"OC, 'goods, money', fr. ;(pf,, 'it is
necessary', whence also zp'ijcr&otL, 'to make use
of', zp'ijcrL~, 'use, employment'. See chrestomathy
and ep. words there referred to.
chrematistics, n., the science of wealth. - Gk.
XP7JfL!X't"r.a't"LX~ (sci\. "~XVYJ), 'the art of ITI()ney
making', fern. of zpr,[.Lot":"Lcrnx6<;, 'pertaining to
money making'. See prec. word.
chrestomathy, n., a collection of literary passages,
esp. from a foreign language. - F. chrestomathie, fr. Gk. XP7Jcr-ro[J.&&e:Lot, 'desire of learning;
book containing select passages', lit. 'useful
learning', fr. J(p7Jcr-r6<;, 'useful' (prop. verbal adj.
of )(p'ija&dL, 'to make use of'), and the base of

-chroia

[.Lotv.&tfve:w, 'to learn'. See chrematistic and

mathematics and cp. the second element in
catachresis, polychrestic.
Derivatives: chrestomath-ic, adj., chrestomathies, n. pl.
chrism, n., holy oil. - ME. crisme, fr. OE. crisma, fr. Eccles. L. chrisma, fr. Gk. )(p~cr[J.ot, 'an
unguent', fr. zpte:w, 'to anoint', which is of uncertain origin. It possibly derives fr. I.-E.
*ghrli-, *ghri-, whence also Lith. grieju, grieti,
'to skim the cream off'. I.-E. *ghrii-, *ghri- are
enlargements of base *gher-, 'to rub'. See grind
and cp. chondro-. Cp. also rusma, which is a
doublet of chrism. Cp. also Christ. Cp. also
cream.
Derivative: chrism-a/, adj.
chrism, tr. v., to anoint with chrism.- OF. chresmer, fr. Eccles. L. chrismiire, fr. chrisma. See
chrism, n.
chrisom, n. - A var. of chrism.
Christ,n.- L. Christus, fr. Gk. zp"Ecr-r6c;, 'anointed', translation of Heb. miishfah; verbal adj.
of zpte:Lv, 'to anoint'. See chrism.
Christabel, fern. PN. - Prob. a compound of
Christ and Belle. Cp. claribel.
Christadelphian, n., one of a religious sect founded in the U.S.A. by John Thomas (1805-71)
about 1850.- Compounded of Christ and Gk.
&i)e:).~6<;, 'brother'. See adelpho- and -ian.
Christ-cross, n. - See criss-cross.
christen, tr. v. - ME. cristnen, cristen, fr. OE.
cristnian, 'to baptize', lit. 'to make Christian',
fr. cristen, 'Christian', fr. Eccles. L. christiiinus.
See Christian.
Derivatives: christen-er, n., christen-ing, n.
Christendom, n. - OE. cristendom, formed fr.
cristen, 'Christian', with suff. -dam. See christen and -dom.
Christian, n. and adj. - Eccles. L. christiiinus, fr.
Eccles. Gk. zpTcrnocv6~. See Christ and -ian.
Christian, masc. PN. - Fr. prec. word.
Christianity, n. -OF. chrestiente (F. chretiente),
'Christendom', fr. Eccles. L. christitinitiitem, ace.
of christitinitiis, fr. christiiinus. See Christian
and -ity.
christianize, tr. v. - Eccles. L. christiiiniztire,
fr. Eccles. Gk. zp"Ecrn<ivl~e:Lv, fr. zp"Et!nav6~.
See Christian and -ize.
Derivatives: christianiz-ation, n., christianizer, n.
Christmas, n. - ME. cristesmesse, fr. Late OE.
Cristes mresse. See Christ and Mass.
Christology, n. - Compounded of Christ and
Gk. -).oyli, fr. -).6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: Christo/og-ica/, adj., Christo/ogist, n.
Christopher, masc. PN. - Eccles. L. Christophorus, fr. Eccles. Gk. XpTcr-ro~6po~, lit. 'bearing
Christ'. See Christ and -phore.
-chroia, combining form meaning 'discoloration' ,

-chroic

as in cacochroia.- Fr. Gk. zpm&, 'color', which

is rei. to XPWf.I.OC, 'color'. See chrome and cp. the
second clement in dischroa, Xanthochroi.
-chroic, combining form meaning 'colored', as in
erythrochroic. - Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
zpo~&. 'color'. See -chroia.
chroma, n., the quality or intensity of a color. Gk. XFWf.!.OC, 'color'. See chrome.
chromaffin, adj., having affinity for chromium
salts.- A hybrid coined fr. Gk. XPWf.I.OC, 'color',
and L. affinis, 'related'. See chrome and affinity
and cp. paraffin.
chromatic, adj., I) pertaining to color; 2) progressing by halftones (mus.) - L. chr6maticus, fr.
Gk. zpwf.l.ocnx6~. 'relating to color', fr. XPWf.I.OC,
gen. XPWf.I.OCTo~, 'color'. See chrome and -atic and
cp. achromatic, dichromatic, trichromatic, orthochromatic.
Derivatives: chromatic, n., chromatic-al-ly, adv.,
chromatics (q.v.)
chromatics, n., the science of color. - See prec.
word and -ics.
chromatin, n., protoplasm occurring in the nuclei
of cells (bioi.) - Coined by the German anatomist Walther Flemming (1843-1905) in 1879
fr. Gk. XPWf.I.OC, gen. XPWf.I.OCTO<;, 'color'. See
chrome and chem. suff. -in.
chromatism, n., abnormal coloration. - Gk.
zpwf.!.OC't'~crf.1.6<;, 'a coloring', fr. XPWf.I.OC't'[~e:~\1, 'to
color', from XPWf.!.OC, gen. zpwf.!.oc't'o~. See chrome
and -ism and cp. chromism.
chromato-, before a vowel chromat-, combining
form denoting color or chromatin.- Gk. zpwf.!.OCTo-, XPWfLOCT-, fr. XPWf.I.OC, gen. zpwf.!.ocTo~,
'color'. See chrome.
chromatophore, n., a pigment cell. -Compounded of chromato- and -phore.
chromatoscope, n., an instrument for combining
light rays of different colors into one compound
color. - Compounded of chromato- and Gk.
-crx6,.toll, fr. <1).(01t'E:~II, 'to look at, examine'. See
-scope.
chrome, n., I) chromium; 2) chrome steel.- F.,
coined by the French chemist Nicolas-Louis
Vauquelin (1763-1829) in 1797 fr. Gk. XPWfLGt,
gen. XPWf.I.OCTO~, 'surface of the body, skin, color
of the skin, color', which is rei. to zpo~&. of
S.m., zpw~, gen. zpw't'6~, of S.m., zpw1:e:~ll, 'to
touch the surface of a body, to tinge. to color',
fr. I.-E. base *ghr6u-, *ghr6-, 'to rub, smear,
tinge', which is rei. to base *gher-, 'to rub',
whence Gk. xpte:~v, 'to rub, anoint', xp~af.l.oc,
'an unguent'. See chrism and cp. -chroia, chroma,
chromatic, and the second element in heliochrome, homochromous, metachromatism, metachrosis, monochroic, monochrome, parachroma.
Derivative: chrome, tr. and intr. v.
chromic, adj., pertaining to chromium.- Formed
fr. chromium with suff. -ic.
Derivative: chromic-ize, tr. v.
chromism, n., abnormal coloration. - Irregularly formed fr. Gk. zpwfLoc, 'color', with suff. -ism.

284

The correct form is chromatism (q.v.)

chromite, n., oxide of iron and chromium,
FeCr2 0 4 (mineral.) - Formed fr. chromium
with subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative: chromit-ite, n.
chromium, n., name of a metallic element (chem.)
- ModL., coined by the French chemist Count
Antoine-Franc;ois de Fourcroy (1755-1809) and
the French mineralogist Rene-Just Hatiy (I743I822) fr. Gk. XPWf.!.OC, 'color; see chrome and -ium.
The element was so called by them because of
its colored compounds.
Derivatives: chrom-ic, adj., chromite, n. (q.v.)
chromo-, before a vowel chrom-, combining form
denoting color or pigment. - Fr. Gk. XPWf.I.IX,
'color'. See chroma to-.
chromogen, n., the coloring matter of a plant. Compounded of chromo- and -gen.
chromolithograph, n., colored picture printed
from stones. - Compounded of chromo- and
litograph.
chromolithography, n., lithographing in colors.See prec. word and -y (representing Gk. -[oc).
Derivative: chromolitho-graph-ic, adj.
chromophyll, n., pigment occurring in leaves
(biochem.) - Compounded of chromo- and Gk.
q:>uMo\1, 'leaf'. See phyllo-.
chromosome, n., a minute body occurring in definite number in the cells of a given animal
species (bioi.) - Coined by the German anatomist Wilhelm von Waldeyer-Hartz (I 836I92I) in 1888 fr. Gk. XPWf.I.OC, 'color', and O'WfLIX,
'body'. See chromo- and -some, combining form
denoting the body.
chromosphere, n., envelope of gas around the sun
(astron.)- Compounded of chromo- and sphere.
Derivative: chromospher-ic, adj.
chromotype, n., a photograph in colors. -Compounded of chromo- and type.
chromotypography, n., printing in colors.- Compounded of chromo- and typography.
chromotypy, n., the same as chromotypography.
-See chromotype and -y (representing Gk. -[oc).
chromous, adj., pertaining to chromium (chem.)
- See chromium and -ous.
chron-, form of chrono- before a vowel.
chronaxy, chronaxie, n., the shortest time required to cause the excitation of a nerve cell by
an electric current (physiol.) - F. chronaxie,
coined by the French physiologist Louis Lapicque (I866-I952) in 1909 fr. Gk. xp611o~,
'time', and &~li, 'worth, value', which is re!. to
ct~~o~, 'worthy'. See chrono- and axiom.
chronic, adj., I) lasting a long time; 2) habitual.
- F. chronique, fr. L. chronicus, fr. Gk. xpov~x6~. 'pertaining to time', fr. :xp6vo~, 'time',
which prob. stands for *ghr-on-os and derives
fr. I.-E. base *gher-, 'to seize, take, hold, close,
envelop', whence also Gk. xelp, 'hand'; see
chiro-. Time is regarded as 'that which embraces
all things'. See Hofmann, EWG., p. 424 s.v.
xpovo~. Cp. chronicle, crony, and the second

285

element in isochronous, anachronism, metachronism, parachronism.

Derivatives: chronic-al-ly, adv., chronic-i-ty, n:,
chronicle (q.v.), chron-ist, n.
chronicle, n. - ME. cronicle, fr. cronique, cronike, fr. OF. cronique (F. chronique), fr. L. chronica, neut. pl. mistaken for a fern. sing., fr. Gk.
Toc zpov~x&:, neut. pl. of xpo11~x6~, 'pertaining
to time', fr. xp611o<;, 'time'. See prec. word.
Derivative: chronicl-er, n.
chrono-, before a vowel chron-, combining form
meaning 'time'.- Gk. xpo11o-, xpo11-, fr. xp6vo~,
'time'. See chronic.
chronogram, n., inscription in which certain letters, usually made conspicuous, record a date
expressed in Roman numerals. -Compounded
of chrono- and Gk. yp&:f.!.f.!.Gt, 'that which is written'. See -gram.
Derivatives: chronogramm-atic, chronogrammatic-al, adjs., chronogramm-atic-al-ly, adv.
chronograph, n., an instrument for measuring
and recording minute intervals of time. - Compounded of chrono- and Gk. -ypctq:>o~. fr. yp&:q:>e:~~~. 'to write'. See -graph.
chronology, n., the science of measuring time by
periods. - F. chronologie. See chrono- and
-logy.
Derivatives: chronolog-ie, chronolog-ical, adjs.,
chronolog-ical-ly, adv., chronolog-ist, n., chronolog-ize, tr. v.
chronometer, n., an instrument for measuring
time. - Compounded of chrono- and Gk.
f.1.hpo11, 'measure'. See -meter.
Derivatives: chronometr-ic, chonometr-ic-al,
adjs., chronometr-ic-al-ly, adv., chronometr-y, n.
chronopher, n., an instrument used to broadcast
time signals by electricity. - Compounded of
Gk. xp611o~, 'time', and the stem of q:>lfpe~\1, 'to
bear, carry'. Sec chrono- and bear, 'to carry'.
chronoscope, n., an instrument for measuring minute intervals of time. - Compounded of
chrono- and Gk. -<1).(6mo11, fr. <1).(01t'EL\I, 'to look
at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivatives: chronoscop-y, n., chronoscop-ic,
adj., chronoscop-ic-al-ly, adv.
-chroous, combining form meaning 'having (such
and such) a color'. - Gk. -xpoo~, fr. xpw~,
gen. XPWT6~. 'color'. rei. to xpm&, 'color'. See
-chroia and -ous.
chrys-, form of chryso- before a vowel.
chrysalid, n., a chrysalis. - See chrysalis.
chrysalid, n., pertaining to a chrysalis. - See
next word.
chrysalis, n., the pupa of butterflies and other
insects. - L. chrysallis, fr. Gk. zpucrocM[~, gen.
-[/lo~, 'the gold-colored pupa of the butterfly',
fr. :xpucr6~, 'gold', fr. Hebrew-Phoenician l:u'iriltz,
'gold', which is rei. to Ugar. hr$, Akkad. burti$U,
'gold', lit. 'the yellow metal'; cp. Aram.-Syr.
}Jarti', 'yellow'. Cp. also Mitanni biaruka, 'gold',
which is a Sem. loan word. Heb.-Phoen. hiirtitz,
'gold', found its way into Mycenaean G;eek in

chthonian

the 15th century. See Michael Ventris and John

Chadwick, Documents in Mycenaean Greek
(Cambridge University Press), Index, s.v. Semitic Loanwords. - Cp. the words chiton,
cumin, sesam.
Chrysanthemum, n. (bot.), a genus of herbs of
the thistle family; (not cap.) any plant of this
genus. - L. chrysanthemum, fr. Gk. zpua&:ll.&e:f.I.0\1, 'goldflower', the corn marigold', which is
compounded of zpucr6~, 'gold', and cc\l&e:f.!.0\1,
'flower', fr. &11&0~, 'flower'. See chrysalis and
anther.
chryselephantine, adj., overlaid with gold and
ivory. - Gk. :xpuae:).e:q:>&:llnllo<;, compounded of
zpua6~. 'gold', and t).eq:>&:IIT~\Io~. 'made of ivory',
fr. tMq:>oc~, gen. ).gq:>ctvTo~. 'elephant, ivory'.
See chrysalis, elephant and -ine (representing
Gk. -t11o~).
Chrysemys, n., a genus of American turtles (zoo/.)
- ModL., compounded of chrys- and Gk. tfLu~.
'fresh water turtle'. See Emys.
chryso-, before a vowel chrys-, combining form
meaning 'gold, golden, golden yellow'. - Gk.
xpuao-, zpucr-, fr. zpucr6~, 'gold'. See chrysalis.
chrysoberyl, n., a semi-precious stone (mineral.)
- L. chrYsoberyllus, fr. Gk. xpuao~~puMo~.
which is compounded of zpucr6~. 'gold', and
~~puMo<;, 'beryl'. See chrysalis and beryl.
Chrysochloris, n., a genus of moles (zoo/.)
ModL., lit. 'golden yellow', compounded ofGk.
xpua6~, 'gold'. and z}.wp6~. 'greenish yellow'.
See chrysalis and chlorine.
chrysolite, n., a magnesium iron silicate. - ME.
crisolite (F. chrysolithe), fr. L. chrjsolithus, fr.
Gk. zpua6:..~&o~. which is compounded of
xpucr6<;, 'gold', and :..Uto~, 'stone'. See chrysalis
and -lite.
Derivative: chrysolit-ic, adj.
chrysoprase, n., an apple-green variety of chalcedony (mineral.) - Gk. zpucr6rrpctcro~, compounded of zpua6~, 'gold', and rrp&:cro11, 'leek'.
See chryso- and prase.
Chrysopsis, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family, the golden aster (bot.)- ModL., compounded of Gk. zpua6~, 'gold', and o~~~. 'sight.
view' (see chrysalis and -opsis); so called from
its golden blossoms.
Chrysothamnus, n., a genus of plants of the
thistle family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
Gk. x.pucr6~. 'gold' and &&:f.I.IIO~, 'bush, shrub'.
For the first element see chrysalis. The second
element is related to &ocf.l.ge:<;, 'crowded', &:xf.!.&:,
'often', orig. 'thickly', and stands in gradational
relationship to &1Jf.1.WII, 'heap', from the stem of
-rl&rJf.l.~, 'I put, place', whence also -&ef.!.ct, 'anything laid down, deposit', -&em~, 'a placing,
setting'. See theme and cp. words there referred to.
chthonian, adj., pertaining to the gods of the
underworld (Greek mythol.) - Formed with
suff. -an fr. Gk. :x&6v~ot;, 'of the earth', fr. x&w11,
gen. z&ov6~. 'earth', which stands for x&wfL and

chub

286

carpatl, 'a flat cake', fr. carpa(a/:r, 'flat', which is

is cogn. with 01. k$d/:r, ace. k$dm, 'earth', fr.
possibly of Dravidian origin.
I.-E. *ghaem-, *ghaom-, 'earth'. Cp. Toch. A
chuppah, n. - See huppah.
tkaf!l (B kan), 'earth, place', Hitt. tegan, gen.
chuprassy, n., a messenger wearing a badge
taknas, 'earth', which derive from the above
(Anglo-lnd.) - Hind. chaprasl, fr. clulpras.
base through metathesis. Cp. also Olr. du, gen.
'badge plate', a word of uncertain origin. The
don, 'place' (for *don, fr. *dam, corresponding
usual derivation of chapras fr. Pers. chap-uto Gk. x&C:l'v), duine, 'man'. From *ghom-,
rast, 'left and right', is folk etymology.
*ghem-, simplified forms of the above base,
n. -ME. chirche, churche, fr. OE. cirice,
church,
humus,
L.
ground',
the
'on
X<X[L<XL,
Gk.
derive
cyrice (whence ON. kirkja), fr. MGk. xup~x6v,
'earth', Lith. zeme, Lett. zeme, OPruss. same,
fr. Gk. xup~<Xx6v (scil. aw[L<X), 'the Lord's house'.
semme, OSlav. zemlja, 'earth'. See humus and
OS. kirika, ON. kirkia (Dan. kirke, Swed.
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the second
kyrka), OFris. kerke, MDu. kerke (Du. kerk),
element in autochthon. Cp. also zemstvo, the
OHG. kirihha, chirihha (MHG., G. kirche),
first element in chameleon, camomile, duniwassal,
'church', also derive fr. MGk. xup~x6v. OSlav.
zemindar, and the second element in bridegroom.
cruky (Russ. cerkov') is pro b. a Teut. loan word.
chub, n., a fresh water fish, the chevin.- ME.
Gk. xup~ocx6v is prop. the neut. of the adjective
chubbe, of unknown origin.
xup~ocx6>;, 'belonging to the Lord', fr. x6p~o.;,
chubby, adj., plump.- Lit. 'resembling a chub';
'lord, master', from the adj. x6pw.;, 'having
formed fr. chub with adj. suff. -y.
power, having authority', fr. xupo>;, 'authority',
Derivatives: chubb-i-ly, adv., chubb-i-ness, n.
which is cogn. with or. scivlra/:r, stlra/:r, 'strong,
chuck, tr. v., to throw.- Fr. earlier chock, fr. F.
brave, courageous', Avestic sura-, sura-, 'strong,
choquer, 'to shock', which is prob. borrowed
mighty', Gaul. Kocu<Xpo.;, Oir. caur, 'hero', Co.
fr. Du. schokken, a word of imitative origin.
caur, W. cawr, 'giant, hero'. These words prob.
Cp. shock, 'to collide'.
derive fr. I.-E. base kew(e)-, *kewa-, *ku-, 'to
chuck, intr. v., to cluck. - Of imitative origin.
swell out', whence also Gk. xuEi:v, also xue:w,
Derivative: chuck, n.
'to become or be pregnant', L. cavus, 'hollow'.
chuck, n., a chock. - :Prob. a var. of chock,
See cave, n., and cp. kirk, kermess, 'fair'. Cp.
'block'. Cp. chunk.
also curiologic, Cyril, Kyrie eleison, acyrology.
Derivatives: chuck, tr. v., to put into a chuck,
Derivatives: church, tr. v., church-ing, n., churchchuck-er, n.
ly, adj., church-li-ness, n., church-y, adj.
chuckle, intr. v.- Of imitative origin. Cp. chuck,
churchite, n., a hydrous cerium calcium phos'to cluck'.
phate (mineral.) - Named after the English
chucklehead, n., a blockhead.- The first element
Arthur H. Church (1834-1915). For the
chemist
chuck,
fr.
'stupid',
chuckle,
obsolete
fr.
derives
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
n. For sense development cp. blockhead.
churl, n., I) a peasant; 2) a boor.- ME. cheor/,
chudder, also chuddar, n., a sheet of cloth (Anglocherl, churl, fr. OE. ceorl, 'a freeman of low
Ind.) - Hind. chadar, fr. Pers. chadar, 'tent,
degree, man, husband, male', rel. to MLG.
pavilion; mantle; scarf, veil; sheet; table cloth'.
Du. kerel, 'freeman of low degree', G.
kerle,
christiana
of
descendant
a
of
name
n.,
Chueta,
Kerf, 'fellow', ON. karl, 'old man, man, servant'
ized Jew on the Balearic Islands. - Sp., fr.
(whence OE. carl, 'man'), Norw. kar, 'man',
Majorcan jueuet, dimin. of jueu, 'Jew', fr. L.
ka/1, 'an old man', OHG. karal, 'man, husband,
Jiidaeus, whence also Sp. judio. See Jew.
lover' [whence MHG. karl, of s.m., and the
chufa, n., a sedge, Cyperus esculentus. - Sp., fr.
ML. PN. Carolus, the G. PN. Karl; cp. also Lith.
L. cyphi, 'an Egyptian compound incense', fr.
kartilius, OSlav. kralji (Russ. karol', Pol. kr6/,
Gk. KU(fl~Czech krcil), 'king', which go back to Carolus=
chuff, n., a churl. - Of uncertain origin.
Charles I (Charlemagne), king of the Franks];
chukker, also chucker, n., a wheel; a circle(Jndia).
fr. I.-E. base *ger(e)-, 'to become ripe, grow
-Hind. chakar, chakkar, fr. Ol. cakrd/:r, 'wheel,
old', whence also 01. jtirati, 'grows old', Gk.
circle', which is cogn. with Gk. xux'Ao~;, 'a ring,
ytpwv, 'old man', '('llpocL6~, yt~pa).,to~, 'old', Goth.
circle'. See cycle and cp. hackery, jack, 'an East
kaurn, OE. corn, 'grain'. See com, 'grain',
Indian tree'.
and cp. next word. Cp. also Carl, earling,
chum, n. - Abbreviation of clulmber fellow or
Caroline, caroline, 'old woman', Carolus, Charchamber mate.
les, Charles's Wain, housecarl. Cp. also gerontoDerivatives: chum, intr. v. (colloq.), chumm-y,
and words there referred to.
adj., chum-ship, n.
Derivatives: churl-ed, churl-ish, adjs., churl-ishChumar, n. - A var. of Chamar.
ly, adv., churl-ish-ness, n., churl-y, adj.
chump, n. - A blend of chunk and lump.
chunk, n., a thick block. - A nasalized var. of churn, n., a machine for making butter.- ME.
chirne, chyrne, cherne, fr. OE. cyrin, rel. to ON.
chuck, 'block'.
kirna, Swed. kiirna, Dan. kjerne, Du. karn,
Derivatives: chunk-ing, chunk-y, adjs.
MHG. kern, dial. G. Kirn, Kern, 'a chum',
chupatty, also chapatty, n., a thin unleavened
fr. Teut. *kerna-, 'cream', prop. 'the kernel of
cake (Anglo-Indian). - Hind. chapiiti, fr. 01.

287

CICatriZe

stomach into the small intestine. (physiol.) the milk'; rei. also to OE. cyrnel, ON. kjarni,
Late L. chymus, fr. Gk. xu[L6.;, 'juice', which is
'kernel', and to OE. corn, ON., OHG. korn,
rel. to xuA6<;, 'juice'. See chyle and cp. words
'corn'. See corn, 'grain', and cp. kernel. Cp.
there referred to. Cp. also enchyma and words
also kim. Cp. also prec. word.
there referred to.
churn, tr. v., to make (butter) in a churn; intr.
chymiferous, adj., containing chyme. - See
v., to use a chum in making butter. - ME.
chyme and -ferous.
chirnen, chyrnen, chernen, rei. to Swed. kiirna,
chymification, n., the conversion of food into
Dan. kjerne, Du. karnen, G. kernen, 'to chum',
chyme (physiol.) - A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
and to ME. chirne, 'chum'. See churn, n.
xu[L6~, 'juice', and the Latin suff. -ficati6 (see
Derivatives: churn-er, n., churn-ing, n.
-fication). The correct form would be chymosis,
churr, intr. v., to make a whirring sound (as that
fr. Gk. XG[Lwm<;, 'a converting into chyme', fr.
made by some birds or insects); tr. v., to utter
xu[L6<;. See chyme and cp. chylification.
with a churr. - Of imitative origin. Cp. chirr.
chymify, tr. v., to convert into chyme (physiol.)Derivative: churr, n.
See prec. word and -fy.
churrus, n., an apparatus for drawing water
chymous, adj., pertaining to chyme. -See chyme
(India). - Hind. charas, fr. charsa, 'hide', fr.
and -ous.
OI. carman-, 'hide, leather'. See corium and cp.
chytra, n., an earthen pot (Greek antiq.) - Gk.
Chamar.
xu-rp<X, fr. xu-, the stem of xe:T.v, 'to pour',
chute, n., waterfall; shoot. - F. chute, 'fall', rewhence also xu)..6.;, 'juice'. See chyle and cp.
fashioned after the pp. chu, fr. OF. cheoite, fern.
next word.
pp. of cheoir used as a noun fr. VL. *cadectus,
Chytridium, n.,a genus offungi(bot.)-A ModL.
formed on analogy of L. collectus, pp. of collidimin. formed fr. Gk. xu-rp<X, 'earthen pot'. See
gere, 'to gather', fr. *cadere (L. cadere), 'to
prec. word and -idiom.
fall'. See cadence. In sense development, E.
cibol, n., the Welsh onion. - F. ciboule, fr.
chute was partly influenced by the word shoot.
OProven~;. cebula, fr. L. caepu/la, dimin. of caeCp. parachute.
pa, cepa, 'onion', fr. Gk. *x~lTIJ or x~m<X; cp.
Derivatives: chute, tr. and intr. v., chut-er, n.
Gk. x&moc, rendered in Hesychius by ox6polloc
chutney, n., a strong pickle.- Hind. chatnf.
('garlic'). Cp. chive, cipolin.
chyle, n., fluid formed from the chyme in the
cibophobia, n., morbid aversion to food (med.)small intestine(physiol. )- Late L. chji{us, fr. Gk.
A hybrid coined fr. L. cibus, 'food', and Gk.
zuM~. 'juice', from the stem of XE~V, 'to pour',
q>6~o<;, 'fear'. L. cibus is of uncertain origin. For
whence also xutL6~, 'juice', xucr~<;, 'effusion',
the etymology of Gk. q>6~o.; see -phobe. The
xu-rp<X, xu-rpo~, 'earthen pot', XUTAOV, 'a liquid'
correct form is sitophobia (q.v.), in which both
(lit. 'anything that may be poured'), xua'l)v, 'in
elements are of Greek origin.
a stream', xo~, 'a pouring out', xo&v'l), 'funnel',
ciborium, n., 1) a canopy, esp. one covering an
zwwuva~. 'to throw up, heap up', fr. base xu-,
altar; 2) a covered cup for keeping the consecorresponding to I.-E. base *ghu-, *gheu-, 'to
crated Eucharistic wafers (R.C.Ch). - L.
pour', whence 01. ju-h&ti, ju-hute, 'pours into
ciborium, 'a drinking cup resembling in form
the fire, sacrifices', h&tar, 'sacrificer, priest',
the leaves of the Egyptian bean', fr. Gk. x~~wp~ov,
Mtra/:1, 'offering, oblation', Arm.joyl, 'poured',
'fruit of the Egyptian bean', a word of foreign,
jew, 'form, figure', L.futis, 'a water vessel, pitprob. Sem., origin.
chcr',juti/is, 'that pours out easily; vain, futile'.
Cicada, n., a genus of insects (entomol.) - L.
Cp. chyme. Cp. also choana, chonolith, chytra,
cicada, 'tree cricket', perh. a loan word from a
chytridium, diachylon, ecchymosis, synchytrium,
Mediterranean language. Cp. cigala. Cp. also
urachus. For base *ghu-d-, *gheu-d-, a -d-enCiconia.
largement of the above base, see found 'to cast'
'
'
cicatrice, n., a scar. -F., fr. L. cictitricem, ace.
and cp. words there referred to.
of cicatrix. See cicatrix.
chyli-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
cicatricial, adj., relating to, or resembling, a cichyle'.- See chylo-.
catrice. - See prec. word and -ial.
chylification, n., the formation of chyle (physiol.)
cicatricle, also cicatricule, n., I) a small cicatrix;
- A hybrid coined fr. Gk. xuM<;, 'juice', and
2) the germinating point in the yolk of an egg
the Latin suff. -ficati6 (see -fication). The cor(embryo/.) - L. cicatricula, dimin. of cictitrlx,
rect form would be chylosis, fr. Gk. x6).,wm~,
gen. cicatricis, 'scar'. See cicatrix.
'a converting into chyle', fr. xuM~. See chyle
and cp. chymification.
cicatricose, adj., marked by cicatrices. - L. cicatricosus, 'marked with scars', fr. cicatrix, gen.
chylify, tr. v., to convert into chyle; intr. v., to
cicatrlcis. See next word and adj. suff. -ose.
be converted into chyle (physiol.) - See prec.
word and -fy.
cicatrix, n., a scar (med. and bot.) - L. cicatrix,
'scar', of uncertain origin.
c~ylo-, chyli-, combining form meaning 'pertaincicatrize, tr. and intr. v., to heal by the formation
mg to chyle'. --- Gk. zG).o-, xu).~-, fr. zGA6;,
'juice'. See chyle.
of a cicatrix. - ModL. ciciitriztire, formed fr.
L. cicatrix, with suff. -izare. Cp. L. cicatricari,
chyme, n., the semiliquid food passing from the

07

cicely
'to be cicatrized'. See prec. word and -ize.
Derivative : cicatriz-ation, n.
cicely, also cecily, n. - L., fr. Gk. cr~cre;).t<;, 'hartwort', which is prob. of Egyptian origin; influenced in form by the PN. Cecily, Cicely.
Cicely, fern. PN.- A var. of Cecily (q.v.)
cicerone, n., guide. -It., fr. L. Cicero, the great
Roman orator (106-43 B.C.E.); so called in allusion to the talkativene ss of guides.
Derivative s: cicerone, tr. v., ciceron-age, n.,
cicerone-ship, n., ciceron-ize, tr. and intr. v.
Ciceronian, adj., resembling Cicero, eloquent. Formed fr. L. Cicero (see prec. word) with suff.
-ian.
Derivative : Ciceronian-ism, n.
Cichoriaceae, n. pl., the chicory family (bot.) ModL., formed fr. Cichorium with suff. -aceae.
cichoriaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
Cichorium, n., a genus of plants, the succory or
chicory (bot.) - ModL., see chicory.
Cicindelidae, n. pl., a family of beetles, the tiger
beetles (entomol.) - ModL., fr. L. cicindela,
'glowworm ', formed with reduplica tionthrough the medium of the forms *cecandela,
*cecendel a-fr. candere, 'to glow'. See candid
and cp. words there referred to. For the ending
see suff. -idae.
cicisbeo, n., the recognized lover of a married
woman. - It., prob. of imitative origin. Cp.
Venetian cici, 'chattering of women', used in
this sense in the I 8th century.
ciclatoun, n., a medieval fabric of precious material (obsol.)- OF. ciclaton, fr. Arab. siqilldt,
'tissue adorned with seals'. See scarlet.
Ciconia, n., a genus of birds, the stork (ornithol.)
- L. ciconia, 'stork'; of uncertain origin. It is
possibly, like cicada, 'tree cricket' (see Cicada),
a loan word from a Mediterran ean language.
Cicuta, n., a genus of herbs of the carrot family
(bot.) - L. cicilta, 'hemlock', of uncertain origin. Cp. kex.
-cide, suff. meaning 'killer, murderer', as in
fratricide, regicide, suicide. - F. -cide, fr. L.
-cida, fr. -cidere, used in compound s for caedere,
'to strike down, slay', whence caementum, 'rough
stone, stone chippings'. See cement and cp.
words there referred to. For the change of ae (in
L. caedere) to f (in -cidere) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
cide, suff. meaning 'killing, murder', as infratricide, regicide, suicide. - F. -cide, fr. L. -cidium, fr. -cidere. See prec. word and cp. words
there referred to, most of which are used according to both senses of the suff. -cide (e.g. regicide
can mean both 'the killing of a king', and 'the
killer of a king', etc.)
cider, n. - ME. sidre, fr. OF. sidre (F. cidre),
fr. Late L. sicera, fr. Septuagint Gk. cr(xe;pct, fr.
Heb. shekhdr, 'strong drink', fr. shiikhdr, 'he
drank his fill, became drunk', which is rei. to
Arab. sakira, Ethiop. sakdra, 'he was drunk',
Ugar. shkr, Akkad. shakiiru, 'to be drunk',

Aram. shikhrd, Syr. shakhrd, Arab. sdkar,

'strong drink'.
ci-devant, adj., former.- F., 'formerly, previously', compound ed of ci-, 'here', and devant, 'before, in front of'. The first element derives fr.
L. ecce hie, 'behold here' (see ecce). The second
element is formed fr. de, 'from' (fr. L. de, 'from,
away from'), and avant, 'before' (see de- and
avaunt).
cienaga, n., marsh, moor.- Sp. cienaga, formed fr. L. caenum, 'dirt, filth, mud, mire'. See
obscene.
cierge, n., a wax candle. - F., fr. L. cereus, 'of
wax', used as a noun, fr. cera, 'wax'. See cere, n.
cigala, cigale, n., a cicada.- F. cigale, fr. OProven.y. cigala, fr. VL. *ciciila (whence also It.
cicala, Sp. cigarra), fr. L. cicada, 'tree cricket'.
See cicada.
cigar, n.- Sp. cigarro, fr. Maya siqar, 'to smoke
tobacco', fr. siq, 'tobacco'. Connectio n with Sp.
cigarra, 'grasshopp er' (see cicada), is due to
popular etymology .
cigarette, cigaret, n. - F. cigarette, dimin. of
cigare, 'cigar', fr. Sp. cigarro. See prec. word
and -ette, resp. -et.
cilia, n. pl., r) eyelashes (anat.); 2) fine hairs resembling eyelashes (bot. and zoo/.) - L. cilia,
pl. of cilium, 'eyelid', prob. back formation fr.
supercilium, 'eyebrow', so that cilium would lit.
mean 'that which is under the eyebrows', i.e.
'the eyelid'. (Cilium means also 'eyebrow'. This
meaning is secondary, and prob. taken over fr.
supercilium.) Supercilium, 'eyebrow', stands for
*superkeliom and prop. means 'the covering
above', fr. super- and -cilium, which is rei. to
celiire, 'to hide'. See cell and words there referred to, and cp. superciliary. Cp. also seel, 'to
blind', and the second element in Blephilia.
Derivative s: cili-ary, cili-ate, cili-ated, adjs.
cilice, n., a coarse cloth. -F., fr. L. cilicium, 'a
covering', orig. 'cloth made of Cilician goats'
hair', prop. neut. of the adjective Cilicius, 'Cilician', fr. Gk. Ktf.lxto~, of s.m., whence also
Kt).txl& (scil. yii), 'Cilicia', lit. 'Cilician earth'.
cillosis, n., a spasmodic trembling of the eyelid
(med.) - A Medical L. hybrid formed fr. L.
cilium, 'eyelid', with the Greek suff. -.:.>crt~. See
cilia and -osis.
cimelia, n. pl., treasures .- ML., fr. Gk. x<:~fL~f.t:x,
pl. of xEtfLf,).t'J'I, 'treasure', lit. 'anything stored
up', from the stem of XEt[J.:tt, 'I lie down, rest'.
See home and cp. civil.
cimex, n., bedbug.- L. cimex, 'a bug', lit. 'the
dark-brow n insect', cogn. with 01. syiimab,
'black, blackish', Avestic sdma-, 'black', Lith.
Si!mas, 'bluish grey, grey'. Cp. chinch and the
first element in syagush.
Cimicifuga, n., a genus of plants of the crowfoot
family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'driving away the
bugs', fr. L. cimex, gen. cimicis, 'bug', and
-fugus, 'flying from', in modern usage, 'putting
to flight'. See cimex and -fuge.

1I

employing a wide screen to simulate panoramic

Cimmerian, adj. and n.- Formed with suff. -an
vision. - Formed fr. Gk. xi:'IE~\1, 'to move'
KtfLfLeptot.
Gk.
fr.
fr. L. Cimmeril,
(sec kinematic), on analogy of panorama; see
.
(minecimolite, n., a hydrous aluminum silicate
-rama. The word cinerama is incorrectly formed.
ral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. Cicorrect form would be cinorama.
The
'Cimolian
y'ij),
(scil.
mo/ia, fr. Gk. Kt[.L<Uf.tiX
Cineraria, n., a genus of plants of the aster family
earth'. fr. KlfL<UAo<;, 'Cimolus', an island of the
(bot.)- ModL., fr. L. cineriirius, 'of ashes', fr.
Cyclades, well known for its chalky soil.
cinis, gen. cineris, 'ashes' (see cinerary); so called
(colloq.}
cinch, n., I) a saddle girth; 2) a firm hold
from the color of the down on the leaves.
- Sp. cincha, 'girth', fr. cincho, 'girdle, belt',
cinerarium, n., a place to keep the ashes of the
fr. L. cinctum, neut. pp. of cingere, 'to gird'.
cremated dead. - L., prop. neut. of the adjecSee cincture.
tive cinerarius, 'pertaining to ashes', used as a
Derivative : cinch, tr. v.
noun, fr. cinis, gen. cineris, 'ashes'. Sec next
madder
the
of
Cinchona, n., I) a genus of trees
word.
family (bot.); 2) (r.ot cap.) the dried bark of
cinerary, adj., pertaining to ashes. - L. cinevarious species of Cinchona and the drug
riirius, 'pertaining to ashes', fr. cinis, gen. cineris,
made from it. - ModL., coined by Linnaeus
'ashes', which is cogn. with Gk. x6'1t<;, 'dust'.
from the name of the countess of Chinchon,
the ending see adj. suff. -ary. Cp. incinerFor
1638.
in
Spain
who introduced the drug into
ate. Cp. also aconite, conio-, conidium, and the
(The formation of the name is erroneous. The
second element in Cycloconium, Gymnoconia,
exact form should have been Chinchonia.)
pneumoconiosis.
alkacinchonism, n., the effect of cinchona or its
cinereous, adj., of the color of ashes.- L. cineloids (med.) -Formed fr. prec. word with suff.
reus, 'ashen, ashy', fr. cinis, gen. cineris, ashes'.
-ism.
See cinerary. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L.
cinclis, n., an orifice for the protrusion of the
see suff. -ous.
-us,
fr.
ModL.,
(zoo!.)
anemones
sea
acontia of
Cingalese, n. and adj., Singhalese. - See Sin
Gk. xtyxf.l~. 'a latticed gate'. See cincture.
ghalese.
cinct, adj., girt, girdled. - L. cinctus, pp. of cincingulum, n., belt, girdle (anat. and zoo!.) - L.,
gere, 'to gird'. Sec next word.
'girdle', fr. cingere, 'to gird'. See cincture and
cincture, n., a belt, girdle.- L. cinct11ra, 'a girdle',
surcingle.
cp.
bind
gird,
'to
cingere,
of
pp.
fr. L. cinctus,
cinnabar, n., HgS, mercuric sulfide, a bright red
round', prob. cogn. with OI. kaiicate, 'binds',
mineral. - F. cinabre, fr. OF. cenobre, fr. L.
kiinci, 'girdle', Lith. kinkaii, kinkyti, 'to harness
cinniibaris, fr. Gk. xtw:X[:hpt, which prob.
lat'a
xtyxf.[-;,
Gk.
horses', and perh. also with
derives fr. Pers. shiingiirf, 'red lead, cinnabar'.
ticed gate'. For the ending see suff. -ure. Cp.
s: cinnabar-ic, cinnabar-ine, adjs.
Derivative
sursuccinct,
precinct,
cinter,
cinch, cingulum,
n., a genus of plants of the laurel
um,
Cinnamom
cingle, shingles, ~nccinte, adj. and n.
family (bot.)- L., 'cinnamon '. See next 'NOrd.
Derivative : cincture, tr. v.
cinnamon, n. - L. cinnamomum, cinnamon, fr.
cinder, n. - OE. sinder, 'impurity of metal,
Gk. x~Wi[L<U[LOV, x(wa!LO'I, fr. Heb. qinniimdn.
dross', rei. to OS. sinder, ON. sindr, Dan sinder,
Greek word has been altered fr. orig.
The
sintar,
OHG.
sintel,
Du.
sinder,
MLG., MDu.
'I, prob. under the influence of Gk.
*xtw&fL<U'JO
MHG. sinter, sinder, G. Sinter, and cogn with
ii.t.L.:.l[LO'I, 'a spice plant'.
OSiav. Sfdra, 'sinter', Czech sddra (for *sencinq(ue), n., the five in dice or cards.- F. cinq,
dhrii), 'gypsum'. Cp. sinter. The spelling of sinder
dissimilated fr. L. quinque, 'five'. Sec quinque,
was influenced by F. cendre, 'ashes', with which
st, n., an Italian artist or poet of the
cinquecenti
it has nothing in common.
- It. cinquecentista, 'an artist of
century.
16th
Derivative s: cinder, tr. v., cinder-y, adj.
o', a hybrid coined fr. It. cinquecinquccent
the
-ella
suff.
dimin.
with
Formed
n.
Cinderella,
word) and -ist, a suff. of Greek
next
(see
cento
'Cinderfr. cinder on analogy of F. Cendrillon,
origin.
ella', fr. cendre, 'ashes', which derives fr. L.
cinqueccnto, n., the I 6th century in Italian art and
cinerem, ace. of cinis, 'ashes'. See cinerary and
literature .- It., shortened from mil cinquecento,
cp. G. Aschenbrodel, 'Cinderella ' (fr. Asche,
'one thousand and five hundred'. See cinque
boil').
'to
brodeln,
and
ashes',
cent, 'a hundred'.
and
cine
cinema, n., a motion picture. - Short for
cinquefoil, n., a plant of the rose family, with
matograph.
leaves compound ed of five leaflets.- ME. cinccinematograph, kinematograph. --- Coined by the
foil/e, fr. L. quinquefolium (whence also It. cinquebrothers Lumiere in 1896 fr. Gk. xfrr,;n, gen.
foglie, cinquefoglio), which is compound ed of
x!>ri;t.L:x--:o~, 'motion', and -yp:x?o~, fr. ypi?~tv,
quinque, 'five', and folium, 'leaf': cp. F. quinte'to write' See kinematic and -graph.
feuille, 'cinquefoil ', and see cinque and rst
Derivative s: cinematograph, tr. and intr. v. and
foil. L. qufnquefolium is a loan translation of
adj., cinematograph-ic, cinematograph-ic-a!, adjs.,
Gk. 7tE'ITi<pJAAo'l, which is compound ed of
cinematograph-ic-al-ly, adv., cinematograph-y, n.
TCE'I't'~, 'five', and <puf.f.o'l, 'leaf'.
cinerama, n., a modern motion-pic ture system

LTV

cinque-pace, n., a dance whose rhythm was regulated by the number five. - Compounded of
cinque and pace, n.
Cinq Ports, a group of towns (orig. five) on the
southeast coast of England. - F., 'five (sea)
ports'. See cinq(ue) and port, 'harbor'.
cinter, cintre, n., the centering of an arch or
bridge. -F. cintre, 'curve, bend', fr. cintrer, 'to
curve, bend', fr. VL. *cinctiiriire, fr. L. cinctura,
'cincture, girdle', fr. cinctus, pp. of cingere, 'to
gird'. See cincture and cp. words there referred to.
cion, n., the uvula. - Gk. xiwv, 'pillar; uvula',
cogn. with Arm. siun, 'pillar'.
cipher, n.- ME. cyphre, fr. OF. cifre, 'zero', fr.
Sp. cifra, fr. Arab. ~ifr, 'empty; zero' (fr. ~dfara,
'was empty'), which is a loan translation of 01.
sunyd/.1, 'empty; cipher with no real value; zero'
(F. chiffre, 'cipher', derives fr. It. c1jra, of s.m.,
fr. ML. cifra, which is also borrowed fr. Arab.
#fr). Cp. MHG. cifre, 'zero' (whence G. Ziffer,
'cipher'), which derives fr. OF. cifre. Cp. decipher. Cp. also zero, which is a doublet of cipher.
Derivatives: cipher, tr. and intr. v., cipher-er, n.
cipolin, n., a green Italian marble. - F., fr. It.
cipollino, 'a little onion', dimin. formed fr. cipo/la, 'onion', fr. L. caepulla, dimin. of caepa,
cepa, 'onion'; so called because the foliated
form of this marble resembles the coats of an
onion. See cibol and cp. chive.
cippus, n., post, inscribed column used as a landmark (Roman antiq.) - L., 'post, stake, pillar,
gravestone, boundary stone, landmark', of uncertain origin. lt is possibly rei. to L. scipio,
'staff", and cogn. with Gk. crxircwv, 'staff,
stick', ON. skifa, OS. ski'Oa, etc., 'disk, slice'.
Sec sheave, n.
circa, adv. and prep.- L., 'round about, nearly'.
See circus and cp. circum-.
Circaea, n., a genus of plants, the enchanter's
nightshade(bot.)- ModL., namedafterL. Circe,
the enchantress. See Circe.
Circaetus, n., a genus of large hawks (ornitlwl.)
--- ModL., compounded of Gk. xlpX'J<;, 'hawk',
and ik-:6<;, 'eagle'. The first element, together
with XpE~, XEpx:l:<;, xspxvo~, 'hawk', prob. derives from the I.-E. imitative base *qer-q-,
whence also 01. krkara/.1, 'partridge', Alb.
sk'irake, 'hen', skirEZ, 'partridge', Gk. xipzvo;,
'hoarseness'. Cp. croak, grackle. For the imitative base *qer-, 'to crow', see raven and cp.
words there referred to. For the second element
in Circaetus see aeto-.
circar, n. - A var. of sircar.
Circe, n., name of a sorceress in the Odyssey. L. Circe, fr. Gk. 1\.[p:r,, which prob. means lit.
'wrapping up, covering', and derives fr. Heb.Phoenician kiirdkh, "he wrapped up'. For sense
development cp. Calypso, fr. Gk. xtx)/mn:Lv, 'to
cover'.
Circean, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, Circe.
- Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Circaeus, fr.
Circe. See prec. word.

circinate, adj., ring-shaped. - L. circiniitus, pp.

of circiniire, 'to make round', fr. circinus, 'a pair
of compasses', fr. Gk. x(pxLvo<;, fr. x(pxo<;,
'circle'. See circus and adj. suff. -ate and cp.
circle. Cp. also next word.
Circinus, n., the Compasses, a southern constellation (astron.) - L., 'a pair of compasses',
fr. Gk. x[pxLvo<;. See prec. word.
circle, n. - ME. cercle, fr. F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (whence also OProven9. cercle, celcle,
Catal. cercle, It. cerchio), dimin. of circus, 'ring'.
See circus and cp. circuit, circular.
Derivatives: circle, tr. and intr. v., circl-ed, adj.,
circl-er, n., circl-et, n.
circuit, n. - F., fr. L. circuitus, fr. circuire, circumire, 'to go round', fr. circum, 'round', and
ire, 'to go'. See circum- and itinerate.
Derivatives: circuit, tr. and intr. v., circuit-al,
adj., circuit-er, n.
circuitous, adj., roundabout. - ML. circuitosus,
fr. L. circuitus, also circumitus, 'a going round',
fr. circuitus, pp. of circuire, circumlre, 'to go
round'; see prec. word and -ous. The word
circuitous was first used by Henry More (I61487), philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist
school, in I 664.
Derivatives: circuitous-ly, adv., circuitous-ness,
n.
circular, adj. --- L. circu/iiris, fr. circulus. See
circle and -ar.
Derivatives: circular, n., circularity (q.v.), circular-ize, tr. v., circular-iz-ation, n., circular-izer, n., circular-ly, adv., circular-ness, n.
circularity, n. - ML. circuliiritiis, fr. L. circuliiris. See prec. word and -ity.
circulate, intr. and tr. v. - L. circuliitus, pp. of
circuliirl, 'to form a circle', fr. circulus. Sec
circle and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: circulation (q.v.), circulat-ive, adj.,
circulator, circulatory (qq.v.)
circulator, n.- L., 'peddler, mountebank, quack',
fr. circuliitus, pp. of circuliiri. See prec. word
and agential suff. -or.
circulatory, adj. - L. circuliit6rius, fr. circuliitus,
pp. of circuliiri. See circulate and adj. suff.
-ory.
circum-, pref. meaning 'around, all around,
about'. - L., 'around, about', lit. 'in a circle',
adv. ace. of circus, 'ring'. See circus.
circumambience, circumambiency, n. - Formed
fr. next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
circumambient, adj., going round, surrounding.
- Compounded of circum-, and ambient.
circumambulate, tr. and intr. v. - L. circumambuliitus, pp. of circumambuliire, 'to walk
around', fr. circum- and ambuliire, 'to walk'.
See ambulate, amble.
Derivatives: circumambulat-ion, n., circumambulat-or, n., circumambulat-ory, adj.
circumbendibus, n., a roundabout way.- Facetiously formed fr. circum-, bend and -ibus, the
Latin abl. pl. suff. of the 3rd declension.

:.!Y1

circumcise, tr. v. - L. circumclsus, pp. of circumcidere, 'to cut around', fr. circum- and caedere,
'to cut'. See cement. For the change of caedere
to -cidere (in circum-cidere) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: circumcis-er, n., circumcision (q.v.)
circumcision, n. - L. circumclsi6, gen. -6nis, 'a
cutting around', fr. circumcisus, pp. of circumcidere. See prec. word and -ion.
circumference, n. - L. circumferentia, fr. L. circumferens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of circumferre,
'to carry round', fr. circum- andferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bear, 'to carry'. L. circumferentia
is a loan translation of Gk. rc~pLrpepELtx, lit.
'a carrying round', fr. rtEpL<pEpE~v, 'to carry
round' (see periphery).
circumferential, adj. - Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. circumferentia. See prec. word.
circumflex, adj.- L. circumflexus, 'bent round',
pp. of circumjlectere, 'to bend round', fr. circum and flectere, 'to bend'. See flex, 'to bend'.
Derivatives: circumflex, tr. v., circumflex-ion, n.
circumflex, n., the mark
~, or- placed over
long vowels in Greek to indicate a composite
(i.e. rising and then falling) tone. - L. (accentus) circumflexus, lit. '(accent) bent round' (see
prec. word), is a loan translation of Gk. (rtpocr<p3lii) m:p~crrcw[.teV"t), lit. 'accent drawn round'
(see perispomenon); so called in allusion to its
shape.
circumfluence, n., a flowing round. -- L. *circumfluentia, fr. circumfluens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce.
circumfluent, adj., flowing round. -- L. circumfluens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of circumfluere,
'to flow round', fr. circum- andfluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
circumfuse, tr. v ., I) to pour round; 2) to surround. -- L. circum{usus, pp. of circumfundere,
'to pour around', fr. circum- and fundere, 'to
pour'. See found, "to cast'.
circumfusion, n. - L. circumfiisio, gen. -onis, fr.
circum/usus, pp. of circumfundere. See prec.
word and -ion.
circumgyrate, intr. v., to revolve, rotate. - Late
L. circumgyriitus, pp. of circumgyriire, 'to turn
round, revolve', fr. circum- and L. gyriire, 'to
turn'. See gyrate.
Derivatives: circumgyrat-ion, n., circumgyratory, adj.
circumjacence, circumjacency, n. - Formed fr.
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
circumjacent, adj., lying around. - L. circumjacens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of circumjacere,
'to tic around, border upon', fr. circum- and }acere, 'to lie', which orig. meant 'to cast oneself
down', fr. jaci6, jacere, 'to throw, cast, hurl'.
See jet, 'to spirt forth' and -ent and cp. adjacent
and words there referred to.
circumlittoral, adj., lying along the shore.
Formed fr. circum- and littoral.
circumlocution, n., a roundabout expression.
0

L. circumlocutio, gen. -on is, 'circumlocution', fr.

circumlocutus, pp. of circumloqul, 'to make use
of circumlocution', lit. 'to talk round', fr. circum- and /oqul, 'to speak'. See locution.
Derivatives: circumlocution-a/, circumlocutionary, adjs., circumlocution-1st, n., circumlocutory, adj.
circumnavigable, adj. - See next word and -able
and cp. navigable.
circumnavigate, tr. v., to sail round. - L. circumniivigiitus, pp. of circumniivigiire, 'to sail round',
fr. circum- and niivigiire, 'to sail'. See navigate.
Derivatives: circumnavigat-ion, n., circumnavigat-or, n., circumnavigat-ory, adj.
circumnutate, intr. v., to move around in an irregular spiral or elliptical path (said of growing
parts of a plant). - Formed fr. circum- and
nutate.
Derivatives: circumnutat-ion, n., circumnutatory, adj.
circumpolar, adj., around or near a pole. Formed fr. circum- and polar.
circumscissile, adj., opening by a transverse circular line.- Formed with suff. -ile fr. L. circumscissus, pp. of circumscindere, 'to strip off around', fr. circum- and scindere, 'to cut, split,
cleave'. See scissile.
circumscribe, tr. v., I) to encircle; 2) to limit.L. circumscribere, 'to draw a line round, enclose', fr. circum- and scribere, 'to write'. See
scribe.
Derivative: circumscrib-er, n.
circumscript, adj. - L. circumscriptus, 'circumscribed', pp. of circumscribere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: circumscript-ive, adv., circumscriptive-ly, adv.
circumscription, n.- L. circumscripti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. circumscriptus, pp. of circumscribere. See
circumscribe and -ion.
circumspect, adj., cautious. - L. circumspectus,
pp. of circumspicere, 'to look about', fr. specere,
spicere, 'to look'. See species.
Derivatives: circumspection (q.v.), circumspective, adj., circumspect-ly, adv.
circumspection, n. -- L. circumspectio, gen. -onis,
fr. circumspectus, pp. of circumspicere. See prec.
word and -ion.
circumstance, n. - ME., fr. OF. circumstance,
circonstance (F. circonstance), fr. L. circumstantia, 'a surrounding, condition, attribute, circumstance', lit. ;a standing around', fr. circumstiins,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of circumstiire, 'to surround', fr. circum- and stare, 'to stand', see
state. L. circwnstantia is a loan translation of
Gk. r:sp\0-:-"Xm~. 'circumstance', lit. 'a standing
around'.
Derivatives: circumstance, tr. v., circumstanceed, adj.
circumstantial, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -a!
fr. L. circumstantia. See prec. word.
Derivatives: circumstantial, n., circumstantiality, n., circumstantial-ly, adv.

circumstantiate
circumstantiate, tr. v., to give a detailed proof
of. -- Formed with verbal suff. -ate fr. L. circumstantia. See circumstance.
Derivative: circumstantial-ion, n.
circumvallate, tr. v., to surround with a rampart.
- L circumvallatus, pp. of circumvallare, 'to
surround with a wall', fr. circum- and vallare,
'to entrench with a wall, to wall', fr. val/urn,
'wall, rampart'. See vallum.
Derivative: circumvallat-ion, n.
circumvent, tr. v., to go around; to outwit.
L. circumventus, pp. of circumvenire, 'to come
around (something), to surround in a hostile
manner, to oppress', fr. circum- and venire, 'to
come'. See venue, 'arrival'.
Derivatives: circumvention (q.v.), circumventive, adj.
circumvention, n. - L. circumventi6, gen. -onis,
fr. circumventis, pp. of circumvenire. See prec.
word and -ion.
circumvolution, n., a rolling around. - Formed
with suff. -ion fr. L. circumvoliitus, pp. of circumvolverc, 'to roll round', fr. circum- and volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and -ion.
circumvolve, tr. and intr. v., to revolve. - L.
circumvolvere. See prec. word.
circus, n. - - L. circus, 'a circle, ring, a round
enclosure for games', more prob. borrowed
from th<P1 cogn. with Gk. x[pxo~, xp[xo~, 'a
ring', fr_ T.-_ base *qri-q-, enlargement of base
*qer-, "' twn, twist', whence L. curvus, 'bent,
curved'. See curve and cp. cirque, search, cricoid.
cirque, n., circus. - F., fr. L. circus. See prec.
word.
cirrhosis, n., a disease of the liver (med.)- Medical L., coined by the French physician ReneTheophile-Hyacinthe Laennec (q8I-I826) fr.
Gk. xLpp6<;, 'orange tawny', which is of uncertain origin; so called in allusion to the
yellowish color of the diseased liver. For the
ending see suff. -osis.
cirri-, combining form meaning 'curl, ringlet'. Fr. L. cirrus, gen. cirri. See cirrus.
cirriferous, adj., having tendrils (bot.) - Compounded of cirri- and -ferous.
cirriform, adj., having the shape of a curl or tendril. - Compounded of cirri- and L. forma,
'form, shape'. See -form.
cirriped, adj., pertaining to the Cirripedia. See next word.
Cirripedia, n. pl., an order of crustaceans (zoo/.)
- ModL., compounded of L. cirrus, 'curl', and
pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'. See cirrus and pedal.
cirro-. - See cirri-.
cirrose, adj., resembling a curl or curls (bot. and
zoo/.) - Formed fr. cirrus with adj. suff. -ose.
cirrous, adj., cirrose. - Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ous.
cirrus, n., 1) a tendril (bot.); 2) appendage (zoo/.);
L., 'lock,
3) a kind of cloud (meteorol.) curl, ringlet, tuft of hair', of uncertain origin.
Cp. cerrero.

292
cirs-, form of cirso- before a vowel.
Cirsium, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x(pcrwv, 'thistle', fr.
xLpcr6~. 'varix, enlargement of a vein', which is
of uncertain origin. The plant was called xpcrwv for its alleged healing qualities; x(pmov
prop. means 'remedy for dilated veins'.
cirso-, before a vowel cirs-, combining form
meaning 'varix, dilated vein'. - Gk. xLpcro-,
XLpcr-, fr. :KLpcr6~. 5ee prec. WOrd.
ciruela, n., any plumlike fruit. - Sp., 'plum',
fr. L. cereola (priina), 'wax-colored plume',
neut. pl. of cereolus, 'of the color of wax',
mistaken for fern. sing; L. cereolus is dirnin.
of cereus, 'of wax, waxen', fr. cera, 'wax'. See
cere, n.
cis-, pref. meaning 'on this side'. - L. cis-, fr.
cis, 'on this side', rei. to citra, 'on this side of',
from the I.-E. pron. base *ki-, 'this', whence also
OSlav. si, Lith. sis, Hitt. kf, 'this', Teut. *hi- in
Goth. hidre, OE. hider, 'hither', Goth. hi-mma
daga, 'on this day, today'. See he, her, here,
hither, and cp. citra-.
cisalpine, adj., on this side of the Alps (from the
point of view of Italy). - L Cisa/pinus, fr. cis,
'on this side of' (see prec. word), and A/pinus,
'Alpine'; see Alpine and cp. transalpine.
cisatlantic, adj., on this side of the Atlantic. -Formed fr. cis- and Atlantic. Cp. transatlantic.
cisco,n., any of whitefishes of the genus Argyrosomus. - Abbreviation of Can. F. ciscoette, a
word of Algonquian origin. Cp. siscowet.
cisium, n., a light two-wheeled vehicle (Rom. archaeology). - L., 'a light two-wheeled vehicle,
cabriolet', a word of Gaulish origin; cp. Olr.
cess, 'basket', and see chest. The spelling of L.
cisium with one s is prob. due to Etruscan influence. See Vendryes, Memoires de Ia societe
de linguistique, Paris, I 9, 6off.
cismontane, adj., on this side of the mountains;
esp. on this side of the Alps, cisalpine. - L. cismont anus, fr. cis- and montanus, 'pertaining to
a mountain', fr. mons, gen. mantis, 'mountain'.
See montane and cp. citramontane. Cp. also tramontane, ultramontane.
cispadane, adj., on this (the south) side of the
river Po. - Formed fr. cis- and L. Padanus,
'pertaining to the Po', fr. Padus, 'Po'.
cispontine, adj., on this side of the bridge. Formed fr. cis- and L. pons, gen. pontis, 'bridge'.
See pons and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus)
and cp. transpontine.
cisrhenaoe, adj., on this (the western) side of the
Rhine.- L. Cisrhenanus, fr. cis- and Rhenanus,
'pertaining to the Rhine', fr. Rhenus, 'Rhine'.
See Rhenish.
cissoid, n., a curve invented by the geometer
Diodes (geom.) - Gk. Y.LcrcroeLIIf,~. 'like ivy',
compounded ofxLcrcr6<;, 'ivy', and -oeLIIf,<;, 'like',
fr. di5o~, 'form, shape'. See next word and -oid.
Cissus, n., a genus of plants of the family Vitaceae (bot.)- L., fr. Gk. xLcrcr6~, 'ivy', which is'

293
\_

a foreign word of unknown origin. Cp. cissoid.

cist, n., a chest, esp. one used for sacred utensils.
- L. cista, 'chest, box of wood'. See chest and
cp. kist.
cist, n., a sepulchral stone chest. - W., fr. L.
cista. See prec. word and cp. cistvaen.
Cistaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the rockrose
family (bot.) - ModL., formr:d fr. Cistus with
suff. -aceae.
cistaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Cistercian, n., a monk of the Cistercian order. Formed with suff. -an fr. ML. Cistercium (F.Citeaux), a place near Dijon, where this order was
founded (in I098).
Derivative: Cistercian, adj.
cistern, n. -ME. cisterne, fr. OF. cisterne (F. citerne), fr. L. cisterna, 'a reservoir for water,
cistern', formed fr. cista, 'chest', with suff. -erna.
See chest. For the suff. see cavern.
Derivative: cistern-al, adj.
cisterna, n., cistern (anat.) - See prec. word.
Cistus, n., the genus of rockroses (bot.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. x[crro,;, x[cr-So,;, 'rockrose', which is of
unknown origin.
cistvaen, kistvaen, n., a stone coffin. - W. cistfaen, lit. 'stone chest', fr. cist, 'chest' (see cist,
'stone chest'), andfaen, aspirated form of maen,
'stone'.
cit, n. - Contraction of citizen.
citadel, n. - F. citadelle, fr. It. cittadella, dimin.
of Olt. cittade (It. citta), fr. L. civitiitem, ace. of
civitas, 'city'. Cp. Port. citadel/a, Sp. ciudadela,
and see city.
citation, n., I) summons; 2) quotation. - ME.,
fr. L. citationem, ace. of citatiii, fr. citatus, pp.
of citare. See cite and -ation.
citatory, adj. - L. citatorius, fr. citiitus, pp. of
citare. See next word and the adj. suffixes -ate
and -ory.
cite, tr. v., I) to summon; 2) to quote.- F. citer,
fr. L. citare, 'to put into quick motion, excite,
provoke, call urgently', freq. of ciere (pp. citus),
'to set in motion', fr. base *qi-, whence also Gk.
xbv, 'to go'. This base is rei. to base *qi-,
whence Gk. x"Lve"iv, 'to move', and to base
*qieu-, whence 01. cyavate, 'moves, goes away',
Gk. crdeLv, 'to hunt, chase, drive away'. Cp.
excite, incite, kinetic, oscitancy, recite, solicit,
suscitate. Cp. also bight and words there referred to.
Derivatives: cit-able, adj., citation(q.v.), cit-er, n.
cithara, n., an ancient musical instrument resembling a lyre. - L, fr. Gk. :.n-S#i. See
next word.
either, also cithern, a stringed musical instrument.- F. cithare, fr. L. cithara, fr. Gk. Y.L-[Hpi,
fr. Pers. sihtar. Cp. cithara, citole, cittern, gittern, guitar, kit, 'a small fiddle', zither.
citizen, n. - ME. citezein, formed-prob. under
the influence of denizen-Cr. OF. citeain (F.
citoyen), which was formed fr. cite (F. cite) with
suff. -ain. See city and -an.

civil
Derivatives: citizen-ess, n., citizen-ry, n., citizenship, n.
citizen of the world, a cosmopolitan. - Loan
translation of Gk. xocr[L07toAh'1)<;, 'a cosmopolitan', lit. 'a citizen of the world'.
citole, n., a kind of dulcimer (obsol.) - OF., fr.
L. cithara, fr. Gk. XL-9-&:p!X; see either. The ending
of L. cithara was mistaken for a suff. and this
alleged suff. was changed into suff. -ole.
citra-, pref. meaning 'on this side of'.- L. citra,
rei. to cis, 'on this side'. See cis-.
citramontane, adj., on this side of the nountain. - Formed fr. citra- and montane. See cismontane.
citrate, n., salt of citric acid. (chem.} -- Formed
fr. citr(ic) with chem. suff. -ate.
citrine, adj., lemon-colored. - F. citrin, fern. citrine, fr. L. citrus, 'citron tree'. See next word
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -fnus).
citron, n.- ME., fr. MF. ( = F.), fr. L. citrus,
'citron tree,' fr. Gk. xE:Spo<;, 'cedar'; see cedar.
(Gk. x[-rpov, 'citron', is borrowed fr. L. citrus.)
The change of tr into dr shows that the word
came from Greek into Latin through the medium of the Etruscans. -- Cp. Citrus.
Derivatives: citron-ade, n., citron-in, n.
citronella, n., I) citronella grass; 2) the horse
balm. - ModL. See prec. word and -ella.
citrul, n., the watermelon; the pumpkin (bot.) OF. citrole (earlier form of citrouille), fr. Olt.
citruolo (It. cetriolo), a diminutive formed fr.
Late L. citrium, 'a kind of gourd', fr. L. citrus.
See Citrus and cp. next word.
Citrullus, n., a genus of plants of the cucumber
family (bot.)- ModL., a diminutive formed fr.
L. citrus. See Citrus and cp. prec. word.
Citrus, n., genus 1 of shrubs and trees, including
citrons, lemdns, etc. - L. citrus, 'citron tree',
fr. Gk. xsapo~. See citron.
citric, adj.- Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -ic.
cittern, n. - A var. of cither(n).
city, n. - ME. cite, fr. OF. cite (F. cite), fr. L.
civitatem, ace. of civitas, 'citizens of a community, citizenship, state', fr. civis, 'member of a
community, citizen'. See civil and -ty and cp.
Olt. cittade (whence It. citra), OProvenc;. and
Catal. ciutat, Sp. ciudad, Port. cidade, 'city,
town', Rum. cerate, 'castle, fortress', which all
derive fr. L. civitatem.
Derivative: citi-ed, adj.
civet, n., I) a musklike substance obtained from
the anal glands of the civet cat; 2) the civet cat.
- F. civette, fr. It. zibetto, fr. Arab. zab&d,
'civet', which is rei. to zabad, 'foam, froth''
zubd, cream'. Cp. zibet.
civic, adj. - L. civicus, 'pertaining to citizens,'
fr. civis. See civil.
civics, n., the science dealing with the duties and
rights of citizens. - See prec. word and -ics.
chil, adj. - F., fr. L. civilis, 'pertaining to a citizen, pertaining to public life; polite', fr. civis,
'member of a community, citizen', fr. I.-E. base

294

civility

*kei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence also Gk.

'to lie, to lie asleep', xE~fL~A~o\1, 'treasure', lit. 'anything stored up', XotfLii", 'to put
to sleep', xo~fl't)T~p~o\1, 'a sleeping room, a burial
place', xol~~. 'place to lie down in, bed', xo't-ro~,
'place to lie down in, bed; sleeping, sleep', XWfL1J,
'village', the second element in \le:ocrcr6.; (for
*"e:fo-xy)-<;), 'a young bird', and in 1te:~ncrcr6<;
(for* 7te:p~-x.<6-.;), 'beyond the regular number,
odd', lit. 'lying beyond', OSlav. semija, 'family,
domestic servants', Lith. seimd, seimyna, Lett.
sdime, OPruss. seimfns, 'domestic servants',
Lett. sieva, 'wife', OSlav. po-sivu, 'able, fit',
Goth. haims, 'village', OE. ham, 'home, house,
dwelling', Olr. cairn, coem, 'dear, beloved', OW.
cum, ModW. cu, of s.m., and pro b. also 01.
.Stiva!z, sivd{l, 'kind, friendly, gracious'. All these
words denote relationship or love to the family
or clan. See home and cp. city, citizen. Cp.
also cemetery, cimelia, coma, 'insensibility',
incunabula, neossine, neossology, perissad, Perissodactyla, quiet, Siva.
civility, n. --OF. civilite (F. cil'ilite), fr. L. civflitiitem, ace. of civf!itas, 'the art of governing,
politics; courteousness, politeness', fr. cfvllis.
See prec. word and -ity.
civilize, tr. v. - F. civiliser, fr. civil. See civil
and -ize.
Derivatives: civiliz-ation, n., civiliz-er, n.
civism, n., good citizenship. - F. civisme, formed
fr. L. cfvis, 'citizen', with suff. -isme. See civil
and -ism.
clachan, n .. a small village (Scot. and Irish) Gael., fr. clach, 'stone', which is rei. to Olr.
cloch, 'stone', and prob. cogn. with Arm. sal,
'stone slab', 01. ii!d, 'stone, rock', possibly also
with ON. hallr, Goth. hal/us, 'stone', ON. hella
(fr. *haljon), 'flat stone'. All these words possibly derive fr. I.-E. base *(s)qel-, 'to cut,
cleave, split'. See colter.
clack, intr. and tr. v. - ME. clacken, clakken,
of imitative origin. Cp. Du. klak, 'a crack',
klakken, 'to clack, crack', F. claquer, 'to clap,
crack', and MHG. klac, 'crack', which all are
imitative. Cp. also clap and clatter.
Derivatives: clack, n., clack-er, n.
clad, adj. - ME. cladde, clad, fr. OE. claood,
pp. of ciao ian, 'to clothe'. See clothe.
clado-, combining form denoting 'branch, shoot'.
- Gk. x:Aol:8o-, fr. x).xO'J~, 'young branch or
shoot', lit. 'branch lopped off', fr. I.-E. base
*qeliid-, a -d-enlargement of base *qel(ii)-,
*qol(a)-, 'to strike, beat, break'. See holt and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the next
three words.
cladode, n., a cladophyll (bot.).- Gk. xb:8w8r,<;,
'having many shoots', compounded of xA:I:oo.;,
'sprout, shoot', and -wor,~. 'like'. See clado- and
-ode, 'like'.
cladopbyll, n., a branch assuming the form of a
leaf (bot.) - Compounded of clado- and Gk.
cpu:A:Ao\1, 'leaf'. See pbyllo-.
xdcrD-tx~,

Cladrastis, n., a genus of plants of the pea family

(bot.) - ModL., shortened fr. Gk. xM8o<;,
'branch' (sec clado-), and %pomcr-r6<;, 'brittle',
verbal adj. of &ptxue:w, 'to break in pieces',
which is prob. rei. to &pJ7tTE~\I, 'to break in
pieces, soften', -rpu<p~, 'softness, delicacy'. See
,.,..
drop.
claim, tr. and intr. v. - ME. c/aimen, fr. OF.
claim-, accented stem of clamer, 'to call, cry out,
claim', fr. L. clamare, 'to shout, cry aloud, call,
declare', which is rel. to clii-rus, 'clear, bright','
fr. I.-E. base *kla-, var. of *kal-, 'to shout, resound'. See calends and cp. clear. Cp. also low,
'to make the sound of a cow'. Cp. also acclaim,
chamade, clamant, clamor, clarity, class and
the second element in council, declaim, declamation, disclaim, exclaim, exclamation, nomenclator, nomenclature, paraclete, proclaim,
proclamation, reclaim, reclamation.
Derivatives: claim, n. (q.v.), claim-able, adj.,
claimant (q.v.), claim-er, n.
claim, n.- ME., fr. OF. claime, fr. clamer, 'to
call, cry out, claim'. See claim, v.
claimant, n. - OF., pres. part. of clamer. See
claim, v. and -ant, and cp. clamant.
clairaudience, n., the ability to hear something
not present to the ear. - Lit. 'a clear hearing',
compounded of F. clair, 'clear', and audience,
'hearing'. See clear and audience.
clairvoyance, n., the ability to see objects not
actually present; 'second sight'. - F., lit. 'a
clear sight', formed fr. next word with suff. -ce.
clairvoyant, adj., I) related to clairvoyance; 2)
having clairvoyance; n., a person having clairvoyance.- F., lit. 'seeing clearly', compounded
of clair, 'clear', and voyant, pres. part. of voir,
'to see', fr. L. videre. See clear, vision and -ant.
clam, n., a bivalve mollusk. - Short for clamshell. The first element of this compound derives
fr. OE. clamm, 'bond, fetter'. See clamp, 'a device for fastening', and cp. clem.
clam, tr. v., to smear (now dial.), intr. v., to be
sticky (now dial.) - Cp. OE. clam, 'mud',
cliiman, 'to smear, plaster', and E. clammy, clay.
Derivatives: clamm-i-ly, adv., clamm-i-ness, n.
clamant, adj., loud; insistent.- L. clamans, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of clamare, 'to shout, cry
aloud'. See claim, v., and -ant and cp. claimant.
clamber, intr. v. - ME. clambren, clameren, 'to
climb', rei. to MHG. klemberen, 'to climb', and
to ME. climben, of s.m. See climb and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivative: clamber-er, n.
clamor, clamour, n., a loud cry.- ME. clamour,
fr. OF. clamur, clamour, fr. L. clamorem, ace.
of clamor, 'a loud cry', fr. cliimare, 'to shout, cry
aloud'. See claim, v. and cp. acclamation.
Derivatives: clamo(u)r, v., clamo(u)r-er, n.
clamorous, adj., loud. - ML. cliimorosus, fr. L.
clamor. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: clamorous-ly, adv., clamorousness, n.

295

clamp, n., a device for fastening. - ME. prob.

fr. MDu. *clampe (Du. klamp), 'a clamp', whic)l
is rel. to OE. clamm, 'bond, fetter, chain; grasp',
OE. beclemman, 'to bind, enclose, fetter', OHG.
biklemmen, 'to squeeze in', Du., MHG., G.
klemmen, 'to squeeze', MHG., G. klemme,
'clamp', fr. I.-E. base *glem-, 'to embrace,
compress, squeeze', whence also L. glomus,
gen. glomeris, 'ball, sphere', Lith. glom6ti, 'to
embrace', Lith. glemiiit, glemiti, Lett. glemzt,
'to compress, crush'. I.-E. *glem- is an enlargement of base *gel-, 'to roll up into a ball, compress'. See glebe and cp. glomerate. Cp. also
next word. Cp. also clam, 'bivalve', clasp,
clem, clip, 'to embrace', club, clump, clumsy.
Derivatives: clamp, to fasten with clamps,
clamp-er, n.
clamp, n., a heap.- Prob. fr. Du. klamp, 'heap',
which is prob. related to clamp, 'a device for
fastening'.
Derivative: clamp, tr. v., to heap.
clan, n. -Gael. clann, 'offspring, children, descendants', fr. L. planta, 'sprout, shoot, twig',
whence also Oir. eland, clann, 'children, descendants', clandaim, 'I plant', MW. plant, 'children,
descendants', Mlr. plannda, 'plant, twig'. See
plant.
Derivatives: clann-ish, adj., clann-ish-ly, adv.,
clann-ish-ness, n., clan-ship, n.
clandestine, adj., secret.- L. clandestinus, 'secret,
clandestine', formed on analogy of intestinus,
'inward, internal', fr. *clam-de, *clan-de, a derivative of clam, 'secretly', which stands for cl-am,
and is formed from zero degree of base *kef-,
'to hide, conceal' (whence L. ce/iire, 'to hide,
conceal'), with the adverbial suff. -am. See cell
and words there referred to. For the suff. -am
cp. L. cor-am, 'in the presence of', pal-am,
'publicly'.
Derivatives: clandestine-ly, adv., clandestineness, n.
clang, intr. v.- L. clangere, 'to resound, clang',
of imitative origin. Cp. Gk. x:Atxyyf,, 'a sharp,
quick sound, twang', x:A&~e:t\1 (for *x/-&y-.<e:tv),
'to make a sharp, quick sound', Lith. klageti,
Lett. kladzet, 'to cackle', Goth. hlahjan, OE.
hleahhan, 'to laugh'. See laugh, and cp. Klaxon.
clangor, n., a clang. - L., 'a sound, clang', fr.
clangere, 'to resound, clang'. See prec. word.
Derivative: clangor, intr. v.
clangorous, adj. - ML. clang6r6sus, fr. L. clangor. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivative: clangorous-ly, adv.
clank, intr. and tr. v. and n.- Of imitative origin
and related to clink. For the thinning of a to i
cp. the verbs clack and click.
clap, intr. v., to make an explosive noise; tr. v.,
to strike together. -ME. clappen, fr. OE. cla!ppan, 'to clap, beat, throb'; of imitative origin.
Cp. ON. klappa, 'to clap, beat', Du., G. klappen,
'to clap'. Cp. also clack, clatter.
Derivatives: ciao, n., clapp-er, n.

clarigation
clap, n., gonorrhea. -So called from le Clapier,
name of a district of Paris in the Middle Ages,
ill-famed for its many brothels (whence also F.
clapise, 'brothel'). Clap orig. meant 'disease
contracted in a brothel'.
clapboard, n. - Formed on analogy of clapholt.
clapholt, n., clapboard (obsol.) - LG. klappholt,
rel. to G. Klappholz, which is compounded of
klappen, 'to clap, beat, tally, fit together', and
Holz, 'wood'. See clap, 'to strike together', and
holt.
clapperclaw, tr. v., to claw with the hand and
nails. - Compounded of clapper and claw.
claque, n., hired applauders in theaters.- F., fr.
claquer, 'to clap', a word of imitative origin.
claqueur, n., a hired applauder. -F., fr. claquer,
'to clap'. See prec. word.
Oara, Oare, fern. PN. - L. Clara, fr. clara,
fern. of clarus, 'bright, shining, clear'. See clear
and cp. Clarice, Clarinda.
clarabella, n., an organ stop with a soft tone
(mus.) - Formed from the fern. of L. clarus,
'bright,' and be/Ius, 'beautiful'. See clear and
beauty.
Clarence, masc. PN. - From ML. Clarencia,
name of the dukedom created for Lionel, the
third son of Edward III; so called from the
name of the town Clare (in Suffolk), whose heiress Lionel married.
clarence, n., a closed four-wheeled carriage. From the name of the Duke of Clarence (later
William IV).
Clarencieux, Clarenceux, n., title of the second
king-of-arms at the Heralds' College.- Formed
from the name of the dukedom Clarencia.
clarendon, n., a kind of heavy-faced type (typogr.)
- From a printer of the name Clarendon, who
lived in the I 9th cent.
claret, n., a red wine. - ME., prop. 'a clarified
wine', fr. OF. claret, used as a noun for vin
claret, lit. 'clear wine', whence F. (vin) clairet;
dimin. of OF. cler (F. clair), fr. L. cliirus. See
clear and -et.
Claribel, fern. PN. - A name coined by Tennyson on analogy of Christabel. See Oara and
Bell.
Oarice, Clarisse, fern. PN.- Derived fr. Clara
(q.v.)
clarification, n. - F., fr. Late L. c/arificationem,
ace. of c/arificati6, 'glorification', fr. c/iirificatus,
pp. of clarificare. See next word and -ation.
clarify, tr. and intr. v. - OF. clarifier, fr. Late
L. clarificare, 'to glorify', fr. L. cliirus, 'bright,
shining, clear, glorious', and -ficare, fr. facere,
'to make, do'. See clear and -fy.
Derivative: clarifi-er, n.
clarigation, n., a solemn demand of redress
before the declaration of war by the Fetiales
(Roman antiq.) - L. c/iirigiitio, gen. -onis, fr.
clarigiit-(um), pp. stem of clarigare, 'to demand
redress', prob. formed on analogy of OL. piiri-

clarin

giire = L. purgare, 'to cleanse, purify'; compounded of clarus, 'bright, shining, clear', and
agere, 'to setinmotion, drive, lead, do, act'.
Sec clear and agent, adj. For the ending sec
suff. -ation.
clarin, n., trumpet, clarion.- Sp. clarin, fr. clara,
'clear', fr. L. cliirus. See clear and cp. clarion,
clarinet.
Clarinda, fern. PN.- A derivative of Clara (q.v.)
clarinet, n., a woodwind instrument.- F. clarinette, dimin. formed fr. c/arine, 'bell', orig. fern.
of the OF. adj. clarin, 'clear', fr. L. clarus. See
clear and -et, -ette and cp. clarin, clarion.
Derivative: clarinett-ist, n.
clarion, n., a kind of trumpet. - OF. claron,
cleron (F. c/airon), fr. ML. clarianem, ace. of
cliiri6, fr. L. c/iirus, 'clear'. Sec clear and cp.
clarin, clarinet.
clarionet, n., a clarinet. - Formed from prec.
word with dimin. suiT. -et.
Clarkia, n., a genus of herbs allied to the fuchsia
(hot.) - ModL., named after its discoverer
William Clark, an American explorer (I 7701838). For the ending see suff. -ia.
clary, n., name of several plants. - F. sclaree,
fr. ML. sclarca.
clash, intr. and tr. v. and n. - Prob. a blend of
clap and crash.
clasp, tr. and intr. v. - ME. claspcn, mctathcsized fr. ME. clavlcll and rcl. to clamp, 'device
for fastening' (q.v.)
Derivatives: clasp-a, n., clasp-ing, adj.
clasp, n. - ME. claspe, fr. (1aspen. See clasp, v.
class, n. - F. clane, fr. L. classis, 'army fleet,
class, division', esp. 'one of the six classes of the
Roman people', which prob. stands for *qladt-is, and is related to cahlre, 'to call, proclaim'.
See claim, v., and cp. calends.
Derivative: class. tr. v.
classic, adj.- F. claniquc, fr. L. classicus. 'relating to the classes of the Roman people', esp.
'relating to the first class'. See prec. word and
-ic.
Derivati,es: classic, n., clas.lic-al, adj., classical-ly, adv., classic-al-ness, n., classic-ism, n.,
classic-ist, n., classic-i~e, tr. and intr. v.
classification, n. -- Sec classify and -ation.
classificatory, adj. - See next word and adj.
sutT. -ory.
classify, tr. v. - F. classtjier, fr. fictitious L.
classificiirc, fr. L. classis, 'class', and -jiciire, fr.
facere, 'to make, do'. See class and -fy.
Dcri,atives: classifi-ahle. adj., classifi-er, n.
classy, adj .. pertaining to a higher class (slanf!.)Formed fr. class with suff. -y.
clastic, adj., refracting. - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. z/.:u:;-:-:;;, 'broken in pieces', verbal adj.
of zi.i,, 'to break, break in pieces', fr. I.-E. base
*qel(a)-, *qol(ii)-, 'to strike. beat'. See calamity
and cp. aclastic, anaclastic, cataclasm, iconoclasm, oligoclase, orthoclase, periclase. Cp. also
clergy, cleric, clerk.

296
clathrate, adj., resembling a lattice (bot.) Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. L clathri (pl.), 'lattice', fr. Dor. Gk. xl.iX&pov, which is rei. to
Gk. xl.i:.&pov, Ion. xi.~I&po'l, Old Att. x).?,&pov,
'bar for closing a door', fr. xl.dE!v (for *xi.F1E!v), 'to shut, close, bar'. See cleido- and cp.
clcithral.
clatter, intr. and tr. v. - ME. clateren, a verb of
imitative origin; related to clack and clap (qq.v.)
Derivatives: clatter, n., .clatter-er, n., clattering-ly, adv., clatter-y, adj.
Claude. - See Claudius.
claudetite,n., arsenic trioxide (mineral.)- Named
after its discoverer F. Claudet. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Claudia, fem. PN. - L., fern. of Claudius. See
Claudius and cp. Gladys.
claudicant, adj., limping. - L. claudicans, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of claudiciire, 'to limp'. See
next word and -ant.
claudicate, intr. v., to limp.- L. claudicat-(um),
pp. stem of claudiciire, 'to limp, halt, be lame',
fr. claudus, 'lame,' which is of uncertain origin.
It was influenced in form by a popular connection of this word with claudere, 'to shut, enclose' (see close, adj.).
Claudius, Claude, masc. PN. - L. Claudius,
name of two Roman gentes, rei. to claudus,
'lame'. See prec. word and cp. Claudia.
clausal, adj., pertaining to a clause. - Formed
fr. next word with adj. suff. -al.
clause, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) clause, fr. ML
clausa, used in the sense of L. clausula, 'the
close of a rhetorical period', fr. L. clausus, pp.
of claudere, 'to shut, enclose'. See close, adj.,
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: clause, tr. v.
claustral, adj., pertaining to a cloister. - ML.
claustra/is, fr. L. claustrum, 'bolt, bar', in its
ML. sense 'cloister'. L. claustrum stands for
*claud-trom and literally means 'that by which
anything is shut up', and is formed fr. claudere,
'to shut', with instrumental suff. *-tram. Sec
close, adj., and cp. cloister. For the suff. see
rostrum. Cp. also next word and the first element in claustrophobia.
claustration, n., the act of shutting up in, or as
in, a cloister. - Fictitious L. claustriitia, fr.
claustratus, pp. of claustrare, fr. L. claustrum.
See prec. word and -ation.
claustrophobia, n., morbid fear of being shut up
in a confined place (med.) - A Medical L.
hybrid coined fr. L. claustrum, 'bolt, bar, a confined place, and Gk. -?o~li, fr. <p6~o;, 'fear'.
See claustra! and -phobia.
cla,a, n., the club like end of the antennae of certain insects (entomo/.) - L. clava, 'club'. Sec
cla\iform and cp. next word.
clavate, adj., club-shaped (bot.)- Formed with
adj. suff. -ate fr. L. clava, 'club'. Sec cla,iform.
clavecin, n., a harpsichord.- F., formerly spelled
clavcssin, shortened fr. earlier c/avycimbale, fr.

297
ML clavicymbalum. See clavicembalo.
Derivative: clavecin-ist, n.
clavelization, n., inoculation with sheep pox
virus (med.) - F. clavelisation, fr. clavelee,
'sheep pox', fr. Late L. cliivel/us, 'sheep pox',
dimin. ofL. clavus, 'nail', which is rei. to clavis,
'key'; see clavicle and -ization. The disease is
so called because the pustules caused by it resemble nailheads.
clavicembalo, n., a harpsichord.- It., lit. 'cymbal
with a keyboard', compounded of L. davis,
'key', and cymbalum, 'cymbal'. See clavicle and
cymbal.
Claviceps, n., a genus of sac fungi (bot.)- ModL.,
compounded of L. clava, 'club', and -ceps,
'-headed', fr. L. caput, 'head'. See clava and
capital, adj. For the change of Latin ii (in caput)
toe (in -ceps) see biceps.
clavichord, n., an early keyboard instrument. ML. clavichordium, compounded of L. davis,
'key', and chorda, 'string'. See clavicle and chord.
clavicle, n., the collarbone.- F. clavicule, fr. Late
L. clavicula, 'a little key, bar, bolt, tendril', dim in.
of L. clavis, 'key', which is rel. to clavus, 'nail',
c/audere, 'to shut'. In its anatomical sense Late
L. clavicula was first used by the translators
of Avicenna about the year 980. See close, adj.,
and cp. chi ave, clavelization, clavier, ciavis, clef,
autoclave, conclave, enclave, kevel, laticlave,
subclavian. Cp. also lot.
clavicular, adj., pertaining to the collarbone. Formed with adj. suff. -ar fr. Late L. clavicula.
Sec prec. word.
clavier, n., keyboard. - F., lit. 'kcybearer', fr.
L. clavis, 'key'. See clavicle. In the sense of
'piano', clavier.is borrowed fr. G. Klaner, which
itself derives fr. F. clavier, 'keybearcr'.
claviform, adj., club-shaped. -Compounded of
L. cliiva, 'knotty stick, cudgel, club', and forma,
'form, shape'. The first element is rei. to clavus,
'nail'; see clavicle and cp. clava, clavate. For the
second clement see -form.
claviger, n., one who carries a club.- L claviger,
'club bearer' (epithet of Hercules), compounded
of clava, 'club', and the stem of gerere, 'to carry'. See prec. word and gerent.
davis, n., a key (used also figuratively). - L.
cia vis, 'key', whence cliivicula, 'a little key'. See
clavicle.
claw, n. - OE. clawu, var. of clea, rei. to ON.
kla, OFris. kliiwe, kle, MLG. klouwe, Du. klauw,
OHG. kliiwa, klii, MHG. klawe, G. Klaue,
'claw', and to OE. c/eowe, cleowen, cliwen, 'ball
of thread'. See clew and cp. cloot, Clootie.
Derivatives: claw, tr. and intr. v., c/u~o-ed, adj.
clay, n. -ME. clei, clai, fr. OE. c/:ig, rei. to OS.
klei, Dan. kheg, MDu. c/ei, Du. klei, LG.
klei (whence G. Klei), 'clay', OE. c/teman,
ON. kleima, OHG. kleimen, 'to cover with clay,
besmear', OHG. klfwa, k/ia, MHG. klfge, klfe,
G. Kleie, 'bran', fr. I.-E. base *glei-, *gli-, 'to
glue, paste, stick together', whence also Gk. yl.ti,

c1ear
yl.oUi, 'glue', yl.m6~, 'anything sticky', yl.lvf!,

of s.m., OS!av. glenii, 'slime, mucus', glina,

'clay', Russ. glej, 'clay', Lett. g/ive, 'slime, mucus', Oir. g/enim, 'I cleave, adhere'. Cp. clam,
'to smear', clammy, cleave, 'to stick,' clever,
clevis, cliff, climb, clote. Cp. also glioma, and
the second element in neuroglia. For derivatives
ofi.-E. *gleit-, a +enlargement of base *glei-,
see glue. Derivatives: clay, tr. v., clay-ey, adj.
claymore, n., a large double-edged sword formerly used by the Scottish Highlanders. - Gael.
claidheam mar, lit. 'a big sword, fr. claidheamh,
'sword', and mar, 'great'. The first word is
rei. to W. cleddyf, Oir. claideb, and cogn. with
Gk. xi.OCib;, 'young branch or shoot', L. clades,
'disaster', fr. I.-E. *qelad-, a -d-enlargement of
base *qela-, *qola-, 'to strike, beat, break'. See
holt and cp. dado-. Gael. m6r, 'great', is rei. to
W. mawr, 'great', and cogn. with OE. m;he,
OHG. mari, 'famous'. See more.
Claytonia, n., a genus of plants of the purslane
family (bot.) - ModL., named by Gronovius
after the American botanist John Clayton
(1693-1773). For the ending see suff. -ia.
Cie, dimin. subst. suff. - Fr. L. -culus (masc.),
-cula (fem.), or -culum (neut.), either directly
or through the medium of F. -c/e. See -cule.
clean, adj. - ME. clene, fr. OE. cla!ne, 'clear,
clean, pure', rei. to OS. kleni, 'dainty, graceful',
OHG. kleini, 'shining, neal, elegant' (whence
MHG. kleine, 'nice, graceful, small', G. klein,
'small'; in G. K/einod, 'jewel, gem', prop.
'something neat or fine', the orig. meaning of
klein survives), and pro b. cogn. with Gk. yb:Lvoi
(Hesychius), 'star-shaped ornaments', '(EJ.iv,
'to laugh'. See geloto- and cp. the first clement
in kleeneboc. Derivatives: clean, adv. (q.v.),clcaner, n., clean-ing, n., clean-ly, adv.
clean, adv. - OE. c/ii'ne, 'entirely', fr. cltene
'clear, clean, pure'. See clean, adj.
cleanly, adj. - ME. clenly, fr. OE. cl:inlic, fr.
cliime. Sec clean, adj., and adj. suiT. -ly.
Derivatives: clean-li-ly, adv., clean-li-nes~. n.
cleanness, n. - ME. clennesse, fr. OE. clinnes,
fr. cltene. Sec clean, adj., and -ness.
cleanse, tr. v. - ME. clensien, clensen, fr. OE.
cltensian, fr. cla!ne. Sec clean, adj.
Derivatives: cleanser (q.v.), cleans-ing, n.
cleanser, n. - OE. cla!nsere, fr. cli!!nsian. See
prec. word and agential suff. -er.
clear, adj. - ME. cler, deer, fr. OF. c/er, clier
(F. clair), fr. L. c/arus, 'bright, shining, clear,
plain, manifest, illustrious, famous, glorious',
which stands for cla-rus, and is rei. to cia-mare,
'to call, cry out, shout, declare', fr. 1.-L base
*klii-, var. of *kal-, 'to shout, resound'. See
calends, and cp. claim. Cp. also claret, clarify,
Clara, clarin, clarinet, clarion, clarity, declare,
eclair, glair, the first element in clairaudience,
clairvoyance, chiaroscuro and the second element
in chanticleer.
Derivatives: clear, tr. and intr. v. and adv.,

clearstory

clear-age, n., clear-ance, n., clear-ing, n., clearly, adv., clear-ness, n.

clearstory, n. - See clerestory.
cleat, n., a piece of wood or metal. - ME. clete,
elite, 'wedge', fr. OE. cleat, rel. to MLG. klot,
klute, MDu. cloot, Du. kloot, OHG., MHG.
klo5, G. Kloft, 'clod, dumpling', and cogn. with
Gk. yAou-r6c;, 'rump', lit. 'something round';
s.:e glutaeus and cp. clod, clot, cloud, clout. All
these words are +enlargements of I.-E. base
*gleu-, 'to form into a ball', whence 01. glau/:1,
'ball', and E. claw, clew (qq.v.)
Derivative: cleat, tr. v.
cleave, intr. v., to stick, adhere. - ME. eleven,
clevien, cliven, fr. OE. cleo/ian, eli/ian, rel. to
OS. kli'Oon, OHG. kliban, Du. kleven, OHG.
kleben (intr. v.), MHG., G. kleben, 'to stick, adhere', OHG. kliban, 'to stick', prob. also to
ON. kllfa, 'to repeat over and over again', fr.
I.-E. base *glei-, *gli-, 'to stick, glue, paste'.
See clay and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also clover.
cleave, tr. and intr. v., to divide, split.- ME.
eleven, cliven, fr. OE. cleofan, rei. to OS. klio'Oan,
ON. kljufa, Dan. klove, Du. kloven, OHG.
klioban, MHG., G. klieben, 'to cleave, split',
and cogn. with Gk. yf.1'Jq:>ELv, 'to hollow out,
carve', y).\m"t'1J<;, 'carver, sculptor', L. glubere,
'to peel, strip', gluma (for *glubh-mii), 'hull,
husk'. Cp. cleft, clove, 'bulb'. Cp. also glyph,
glome, glyptic.
Derivatives: cleav-er, n., cleav-ing, n.
cleavers, n.pl., catchweed. - Lit. 'that which
sticks', fr. cleave, 'to stick'.
cledonism, n., the avoidance of words deemed
unlucky. - Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
x).r.llwv, 'omen, presage, calling, rumor, report', which stands for *x)..:f-1)-llwv and is rei.
to x).eoc; (Phocian x).e.=oc;), 'fame, report, rumor',
x).ew (for *x).ifw), 'I celebrate, glorify', x).u-r6c;,
'famous, renowned, glorious', and cogn. with
OFris., OS., OE. hlud, etc., 'loud'. See loud and
cp. words there referred to.
cleek, n., a large hook. - ME. cleken, clechen,
'to seize firmly', rei. to clutch, v.
clef, n., sign of pitch (mus.) - F., 'key', fr. L.
cliivis, whence also It. chiave, Rum. cheie, Provent;., Catal. clau, Sp. llave, Port. chave, 'key'.
See clavicle and cp. enclave.
cleft, n. - ME. clift, fr. OE. gec/yft, rel. to
OHG., MHG., G. kluft, MLG. kluft, klucht,
and to OE. cleofan, 'to cleave'. See cleave, 'to
divide, split'.
cleft, past tense and pp. of cleave.- ME. cleft(e),
newly formed fr. eleven. See cleave, 'to divide,
split'.
cleido-, before a vowel cleid-, combining form
meaning'key' or 'clavicle'.-Gk. xAEL8o-,0L8-,
fr. xAEL<; (for *xA1JL<;, fr. *x).ii.fLc;, cp. Ion. x:A7Jtc;,
Dc>r. x).octc;, Old Att. x:A'flc;), 'bar, bolt, key',
whence 0LELV (for *illflELv), 'to shut, close,
bar', 0~&pov, 'bar for closing a door'; cogn.

298
with L. cliivis, 'key', clavus, 'nail', claudere, 'to
shut'. See close, adj., and cp. cleisto-, cleithral
and the first element in cleoid. Cp. also clathrate.
cleisto-, before a vowel deist-, combining form
meaning 'closed', as in cleistogamy. - Gk.
XAELcr-r6c;, 'shut', verbal adj. of xAELELv. See
,....
cleido-.
cleistogamy, n., self fertilization of certain closed
flowers (bot.) - Compounded of cleisto- and
Gk. -ycxfL[!X, fr. y:XfLoc;, 'marriage'. See -gamy.
Derivatives: cleistogam-ic, adj., cleistogam-ic:
al-ly, adv.
cleithral, adj., having a roof (said of a temple).Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. XAEWpov, 'bar
for closing a door'. See cleido- and cp. clathrate.
clem, tr. v., to pinch or starve (with hunger or
thirst).- Cp. Du. and G. klemmen, 'to pinch',
and see clamp, 'device for fastening'.
Clematis, n., a genus of plants of the crowfoot
family (bot.)- L., fr. Gk. XA1JfLCX't'[c;, 'brushwood,
bag of wood', dimin. of XA'ljfLct, gen. XA~fLct-roc;,
'shoot or twig broken off (for grafting)', fr.
x).iiv, 'to break'. See clastic.
Clemence, Clemency, fem. PN.- Fr. L. clementia, 'mildness, mercy'. See next word and cp.
Clement.
clemency, n. - L. dementia, 'calmness, mildness, forbearance, clemency', fr. clemens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -cy.
clement, adj. - L. clemens, gen. -entis, 'mild,
calm, soft, gentle, merciful, forbearing, indulgent', for *kieyomenos, lit. 'inclined', a participial form of base *klei-, 'to lean, incline',
whence also 01. srdyate, 'leans', srdyamii~a/:1,
'leaning', Gk. x).fvELv, 'to cause to slope, slant',
L. -clfniire (found only in compounds), 'to bend,
turn'. See clinical and cp. words there referred
to. For the participial suff. -menos see alumnus.
For the sense development of L. clemens (fr.
base *klei-, 'to lean, incline'), cp. the E. adj. inclined, in the sense 'disposed favorably'.
Clement, masc. PN. -Lit. 'mild, merciful', fr.
L. clemens. See prec. word and cp. Oemence,
Oemency.
clench, tr. v. - ME. clenchen, fr. OE. -clencan
(in beclencan) 'to hold fast', lit. 'to cause to
cling', causative of clingan, 'to cling' (see cling);
ret. to Dan. klinke, Swed., Norw. klinka, MDu.
clinken, Du. klinken, OHG. klenken, 'to clench,
rivet', Dan., Norw. klinke, Swed. klinka, Du.
klink, G. Klinke, 'latch', G. k/inken, 'to press
the latch'. Cp. clinch.
Derivative: clench, n.
cleoid, n., an instrument used to excavate teeth
(dent.)- Lit. 'key-shaped', irregularly formed
fr. Gk. x)..d~. gen. XAEL86c;, 'key', and -oeLS~c;,
'like', fr. dlloc;, 'form, shape'. See cleido- and
-oid.
Oeome, n., a genus of the caper family (bot.) ModL., of uncertain origin.
clepe, tr. v., 1) to call (obsol.); 2) to name (archaic). - ME. clepen, fr. OE. cleopian, clipian,

299
'to call (out)', prob. related to clap, v. (q.v.)
Cp. yclept.
clepsydra, n., a device for measuring time by the
gradual flow of water; waterclock. - L., fr.
Gk. xAE<jl)llpiX, 'waterclock', which is compounded of the stem ofx).ibt't'ELV, 'to steal', and 68wp,
'water'; so called in allusion to the circumstance
that the water is flowing stealthily from it (cp.
xAE<jllppu-roc;, 'flowing secretly', lit. 'flowing stealthily'). For the first element see klepto- and cp.
klepht and the first element in kleptomania. For
the second element see hydro-.
clepto-, before a vowel clept-. - See klepto-,
klept-.
clerestory, clearstory, n., the upper part of the
nave, transepts and choir of a large church. Compounded of clear and story, 'section of a
house, floor'.
clergy, n. - ME., fr. OF. clergie (F. clerge),
'clerkship, clergy', fr. Eccles. L. c/ericiitus, fr.
clericus. See next word.
Derivative: clergy-able, adj.
cleric, n. a clergyman; adj., clerical. -Eccles.
L. cleritus, fr. Eccles. Gk. xA1JpLx6~. 'belonging
to the clergy, clerical'. See clerk.
clerical, adj. - Eccles. L. clericiilis, 'belonging
to the clergy', fr. clericus. See prec. word and
adj. suff. -al. Derivatives: clerical, n., clericalism, n., clerical-ist, n.
clerk, n., - OE. cleric, clerec, clerk, fr. Eccles.
L. clericus, fr. Eccles. Gk. XA1JpLx6~. 'belonging
to the clergy, clerical', fr. Gk. x).7jpoc; (Dor.
xAiipoc;), 'little piece of wood lopped off (used
for casting lots)', hence 'a casting oflots, allotment, portion', in Eccles. L. 'clergy', rel. to Gk.
xAiiv, 'to break', and cogn. with Olr. cliir, W.
clawr, claur, 'board, plank', fr. I.-E. base
*qel(ii)-, *qol(ii)-, 'to strike, beat, break'; see
calamity and cp. clergy and the first element in
cleruch. For a -d-enlargement of base *qe/(ii)-,
see holt, 'small wood', and cp. words there referred to. For the sense development of Eccles.
Gk. x).7jpoc;, 'clergy', cp. the LXX version of
Deut. 18,2: x1'JpLoc; cxu-roc; x).7jpoc; cx,j-rou, 'the
Lord is his ( = Levi's) inheritance'. Derivatives:
clerk, intr. v.. clerk-dom, n., clerk-ly, adv.
cleruch, n., a citizen who received an allotment
of land in conquered territory, but retained his
citizenship (Greek antiq.) - Gk. xAr,pouzoc;,
compounded of x).7jpo~, 'lot, allotment', and
the stem of ~X.ELv, 'to hold'. See clerk and hectic.
Clethra, n., a genus of plants, the white alder
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. x).f,&piX, 'alder', which
is possibly cogn. with dial. G. Iutter, ludere,
'alpine alder'.
deveite, n., a variety of uraninite (mineral.) Named after the Swedish chemist Per Teodor
Cleve (184D-1905). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
clever, adj.- ME. diver, 'skilled, expert', prob.
rei. to ME. divers, 'claws' (hence orig. meaning
'quick at seizing'), and to OE. clijian, 'to cleave'.

climacteric

See cleave, 'to stick, adhere'.

Derivatives: clever-ly, adv., clever-ness, n.,
clever-ish, adj., clever-ish-ly, adv.
clevis, n., a U-shaped piece of iron used as a securing device. - Related to cleave, 'to stick,
adhere'.
clew, clue, n. - ME. clewe, clue, fr. OE. cleowe,
cleowen, cliwen, 'ball of thread, anything in the
shape of a ball', ret. to OS. cleuwin, Du. kluwen,
OHG. kliuwa, chliwa, MHG. kliuwe, dimin.
kliuwel, dissimilated into kniuwel, kniul (whence
G. Kniiuel), 'clue, ball', OE. clea, 'claw', fr.
I.-E. base *gleu-, 'to form into a ball', whence
also 01. gliiu/:1, 'ball', Olr. glo-sniithe, 'clue, ball'.
The same base-with -!-enlargement-appears
in Gk. y).ou-r6~, 'rump', OE. clud, 'cloud'. Cp.
claw, cleat, clod, clot, cloud, clout, knawel.
Derivative: clew, clue, tr. v.
Clianthus, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) - ModL., irregularly formed fr. Gk.
xAEELv, 'to make famous' (fr. x).Eoc;, 'fame,
glory'), and i:<v&oc;, 'flower'. For the first element see loud and cp. cledonism, Clio. For the
second element see anther.
cliche, n., a trite phrase. - F., prop. pp. of
clicher, 'to stereotype', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. click.
click, intr. and tr. v. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
East Fris., Du. klikk('n, and E. clack and clink.
For the thinning of a to i, cp. the verbs clank
and clink. Cp. cliche, clique.
Derivatives: click, n., click-er, n., click-y, adj.
client, n. - F., fr. L. clientem, ace. of cliens,
'retainer, follower, dependent', lit. 'one who
leans on another', fr. I.-E. base *klei-, 'to lean,
incline', whence also L. -clfniire, 'to bend, turn'.
See clinical and cp. words there referred to. The
usual derivation of L. cliens from the stem of
cluere, 'to be named', is erroneous.
Derivatives: client-age, n., client-al, adj., cliented, adj., c/ient-ry, n.
clientele, n., the clients of a lawyer, doctor, etc.F. clientele, fr. L. c/ientela, formed from the
stem of cliens, gen. clientis (see prec. word) on
analogy of tut-ela, 'guardianship' (see tutelage).
cliff, n., a steep rock. - ME. eli[, fr. OE. eli[, rel.
to OS. eli[, ON. klif, OHG. klep, MDu. klippe
(whence Du. klip and MHO., G. klippe}, 'cliff,
steep rock', and to OE. cleofan, 'to cleave'. See
cleave, to stick, adhere', and cp. klippe, kloofand
the first element in klipspringer. For the relationship between OE. c/if and cleofan cp. L. rupes,
'rock', which is rei. to L. rumpere, 'to break,
burst, tear, rend' (see rupestrian and cp. words
there referred to).
Derivatives: c/iff-ed, adj., cliff-y, adj.
climacteric, n., a critical period in human life. L. climactericus, 'pertaining to a dangerous
period in life', fr. Gk. x:AI[LctX't"t]pLx6;, fr.
xA1[Lct)(Ti)p, 'rung of the ladder; critical point in
human life', fr. xALfLct~, gen. x).tfLctxoc;, 'ladder'.
See climax and -ic.

climacteric
climacteric, adj., pertaining to a climacteric. From prec. word.
climacterium, n., a critical period in human life.
- ModL., fr. L climacter, 'a critical period in
human life', fr. Gk. xA~[LocxTI)p. See climacteric,
n., and -ium.
climactic, adj., pertaining to a climax.- Irregularly formed fr. Gk. XA~[LIX~, gen. xAl[Locxo<;,
'ladder'. See climax and -ic.
climate, n. - F. climat, fr. L. clima, gen. -atis,
'region, climate', fr. Gk. x!-l[LIX, gen. xAl[Loc-ro<;,
'inclination, slope, region', from the stem of
x),(vELv, 'to cause to slope, bend'. See clinical
and cp. clime, which is a doublet of climate. Cp.
also climax, acclimate, acclimatize.
Derivatives: climate, intr. v., climat-ic, climatic-al, adjs., climat-ic-al-ly, adv.
climatography, n., description of climates. Compounded of Gk. xAl[LIX, gen. xAl[Loc-ro<;,
'climate', and -ypoctplii, fr. yp9ELV, 'to write'.
Sec climate and -graphy.
Derivative: climatograph-ical, adj.
climatology, n., the scientific study of climates.Compounded of Gk. x).L[LIX, gen. xl-l[LIXTO<;,
'climate', and -1-oylii, fr. -Myo<;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See climate and -logy.
Derivative: climatolog-ist, n.
climax, n. - L., fr. Gk. xA~[LIX~, 'ladder', lit.
'something sloping, something leading up by degrees', from the stem of xt-fvEw, 'to cause to
slope, bend'. See clinical and cp. ladder.
Derivative: climax, intr. and tr. v.
climb, intr. and tr. v. - ME. climben, fr. OE.
clfmban, rei. to OHG. klimban, MHG. klimben,
klimmen, G. klimmen, MLG. klimmen, klimmeren, and in gradational relationship to ME.
clambren, clameren, 'to climb'. The original
meaning of these words was 'to stick on to'.
They are rei. to clam, 'to smear', clammy, cleave,
'to stick', and further to clay (qq.v.)
Derivatives: climb, n., climb-able, adj. (a hybrid),
climb-er, n.
clime, n., I) a region; 2) climate. - L. clima. See
climate.
clin-, form of clino- before a vowel.
clinamen, n., inclination; bias. - L. cliniimen,
fr. -cliniire,'to bend, turn', which iscogn. with Gk.
xA(vELV, 'to cause to slope, bend'. See clinical.
clinandrium, n., a cavity in the top of the column
of certain orchids, in which the anther rests
(bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. xAlviJ,
'bed', and &vf,p, gen. v8p6<;, 'man', used in its
modern botanic sense 'stamen'. Sec clinical and
andro-.
clinanthium, n., the receptacle in the florets of
composite plants (bot.) - ModL., compounded
of Gk. xAlVIJ, 'bed', and Oiv&o<;, 'flower'. See
clinical, anther and -ium.
clinch, tr. v. --- ME. clenchcn; a var. of clench.
D.:rivatives: clinch, n., clinch-er, n., clinch-ingly, adv., clinch-ing-ness, n.

~Ul

300

cling, intr. v. - ME. clingen, fr. OE. clingan, 'to

shrink, shrivel, contract', rel. to Dan. klynge,
'to cluster', klynge, 'cluster'. Cp. clench, clinch,
which are causatives of cling. Cp. also clutch, v.
Derivatives: cling, n., cling-er, n., cling-ing, adj.,
cling-ing-ly, adv., cling-ing-ness, n., cling-y, adj.
clinic, n. - F. clinique, fr, L. ctinicus. See next..-word.
clinical, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
clfnicus, fr. Gk. XA~vLx6<;, 'a physician who attends patients in their beds', from the adjectiv()
xt-~vLx6<;, 'pertaining to a bed', fr. xAtv'l), 'bed',
which is rei. to xt-tvEtv, 'to cause to slope, slant,
incline', xAl[Loc, 'inclination, slope, region', xA~
[LIX!;, 'ladder', xA~[LIXXT~fl, 'rung of a ladder',
xA~-r6<;, XAL-r6<;, 'slope, hillside', fr. I.-E. base
*klei-, 'to incline, lean', whence also L. -clfniire
(with the exception of the pp. clfniitus, occurring only in compounds), 'to bend, turn', clti'Us,
'slope, hill', clftellae (dimin. of *clitra, for
*kleitrii), 'a packsaddle', Umbr. kletram (ace.),
'litter, bier', 01. srayati, 'leans', sritab, 'leaning',
Lith. slyti, 'to slope', slieti, 'to lean', slaitas,
'declivity,' slefvas, 'bandy-legged', OJr. cloin,
'crooked, wrong', Mlr. clithar, 'hedge', W.
cledren, 'enclosure', Mlr. cle, W. cledd, Co.
cledh, Bret. kleiz, 'left', lit. 'slanting, oblique',
Mlr. fo-chla, W. go-gledd, 'north', lit. 'left' (for
sense development cp. Heb. s'm61, Arab.
sham'dl, shimdl, 'left; north'), Arm. learn (gen.
lefin), 'mountain', Goth. hlaiw, 'grave, tomb',
OE. hltew, hliiw, 'mound, hill; cave', OE. hlinian,
'to lean'. See lean, 'to incline', and cp. words
there referred to. Cp also acclivity, aclinic, anticlinal, clement, client, climacterium, climate,
climax, clinamen, clino-, clitellum, clition, clivus,
declension, decline, declivity, diclinous, enclitic,
heteroclite, incline, isoclinic, microcline, monoclinal, pericline, recline, synclinal, triclinium.
I.-E. base *klei- is an enlargement of base *kef-,
for the derivatives of which see heel, 'to lean'
Derivative: clinical-ly, adv
clink, intr. and tr v. - Prob. fr. MDu. clinken
(Du. klinken), 'to sound, tinkle', which is rei. to
MLG. klingen (whence ON. klingia, Dan.klinge,
Swed. klinga], OHG.klingan,MHG.,G.klingen,
'to sound, tinkle'; of imitative origin. Clink is
related to clank; for the thinning of a to i cp.
click and clack. Cp. clough.
Derivatives: clink, n., clink-er, n., clink-ing, adj.
clino-, before a vowel clin-, combining form denoting bed, or slope, slant, incline, decline. Gk. xHvo-, xt-~v-, fr. xt-tvr,, 'bed', respectively
fr. xAfv~v, 'to cause to slope, slant'. See clinical.
clinometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
angles of slopes. - Compounded of clino- and
Gk. [Lhpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm', and cp. inclinometer.
Derivatives: clinometr-y, n., clinometr-ic, adj.
Ointonia, n., a genus of plants of the lily-of-thevalley family (bot.) - ModL., named after the
American statesman De Witt Clinton (I 769-

I
I
I

~I

o(

'

'

I828). For the ending see suff. -ia.

Clio, n., the Muse of history (Greek mythol.) L. Clfo, fr. Gk. Kt-w0, lit. 'the proclaimer', fr.
xAdELV, xl-i:Ew, 'to tell of, celebrate, make
famous', fr. x!-E:o~, 'fame, flory'. See loud and
cp. cledonism, and the first element in Clianthus.
clip, tr. and intr. v., to embrace (archaic.) ME. clippen, cluppen, fr. OE. clyppan, 'to embrace, love', rei. to OFris. kleppa, of s.m.,
OHG. klii/tra, MHG. kliifter, G. Klafter, MLG.
klachter, 'fathom', lit. 'the outstretched arms',
and cogn. with Lith. glebys, 'armful', gl6biu,
globti, 'to embrace, support', Lett. g!tibt, glebt,
'to protect', L. gleba, 'clod', globus, 'ball, sphere'.
See clamp, 'a device for fastening', and cp. words
there referred to.
clip, n., a term for mechanical devices. - OE.
clypp, 'embrace', fr. OE. clyppan, 'to embrace'.
See prec. word.
clip, tr. v., to cut off; intr. v., to cut something.ME. clippen, fr. ON. klippa, which is of imitative origin. Derivatives: clip, n., clipp-er, n.,
clipp-ing, n. and adj.
clipeus, clupeus, clypeus, a large shield. - L.,
possibly of Etruscan origin. Cp. Clupea.
clique, n., a small, exclusive group of persons. F., fr. OF. cliquer, 'to make a noise', which
is of imitative origin. Cp. click.
Derivatives: clique, intr. v., cliqu(e)-y, cliqu-ish,
adjs., cliqu-ish-ly, adv., cliqu-ish-ness, n., f:liquism, n.
clitellum, n., the raised band of earthworms and
leeches (zoo!.) - ModL., fr. L. clflellae, 'packsaddle', dimin. of *clitra (for *kleitrii), which
is rei. to Umbr. kletram (ace.), 'bier, litter';
formed fr. I.-E, base *klei-, 'to lean, incline',
with instrumental suff. -trii, fern. of -tro. See
clinical. For the suff. see rostrum.
clithridiate, adj., having the form of a keyhole
(zoot.) - Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. Gk.
x),sd}plowv, dirnin. of XAEL%plii, 'keyhole', fr.
x).d{tpr,v, 'bar for closing'. See cleithral.
clition, n., the center of the anterior part of the
clivus (cranial.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. xA~TO<;,
'slope'. See clinical.
Clitoria, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) - ModL., of uncertain origin. For the
ending sec suff. -ia.
clitoris, n., a small, penislike organ of the female.
- Medical L., fr. Gk. xi-EL-rop<;, lit. 'that which
is shut up (scil. by the labia minora)', fr. xi-ElELv,
'to shut, close, bar', which is cogn. with L. claudere, 'to shut'. Sec close, adj., and cp. cleido-,
cleisto-, cleithral, clithridiate.
clitorism, n., hypertrophy of the clitoris (med.)Formed fr. clitoris with suff. -ism.
clitoritis, n., inflammation of the clitoris (med.)
-Medical L., formed fr. clitoris with suff. -itis.
clivus, n., the slanting surface of the body of the
sphenoid bone (anat.)- L. clivus, 'slope, hill',
fr. *kloi-wos (rather than fr. *klei-wos); cogn.
with Goth. hlaiw, 'grave, tomb', OE. hlii!w,

hliiw, 'mound, hill; cave', fr. I.-E. base *klei-,

'to incline, lean', whence also L. -clfniire, 'to
bend, turn', Gk. xAlvE~v. 'to cause to slope,
slant, incline'. See clinical and cp. acclivity, declivity, proclivity.
cloaca, n., a sewer; a watercloset.- L., 'an artificial canal in Rome, which carried the sewage
into the Tiber, sewer, drain', fr. earlier cloviica,
fr. OL. cluere, 'to purge', which is cogn. with
Gk. xt-u~ELV, 'to dash against, break over, inundate, wash away, drench with a clyster',
xMcr[LOt, 'liquid used for washing out', xAt.\Bwv,
'wave, surge', xl-ucr-r~p, 'clyster pipe, syringe',
Toch. B klyauccan, 'broth, bubble', W. clfr,
'clear', Lith. sluoju, sluoti, 'to sweep', sluota,
Lett. slu6ta, 'broom', Goth. hlutrs, OHG. hlut(t)ar, MHG. Iuter, G.lauter, OE. hliit(t)or, 'pure,
clear'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
ktlu-, resp. *kleu-d-, 'to wash up, rinse'. Cp.
clysis, clysma, clyster and cataclysm.
Derivative: cloac-al, adj.
clnak, n. - ME. cloke, fr. OF. cloke, claque,
cloche (F. cloche), 'bell', fr. Late L. clocca,
'bell', also 'cloak' (so called from its bell-like
appearance). See clock, which is a doublet
of cloak.
Derivatives: cloak, tr. v., cloak-ed, adj., cloaked-ly, adv., cloak-ing, n.
cloche, n., a bell-shaped protection of glass for
plants. -- F., 'bell'. See next word.
clock, n., a device for measuring time. - ME.
clok, clokke, fr. MDu. clocke (Du. klok), fr.
OF. cloke, claque, cloche (F. cloche), fr. Late L.
clocca, fr. Celtic *klokkii (whence Olr. clocc,
W. cloch, cloc'h, 'bell'), which is of imitative
origin. Cp. cloak, cloche, and the first element
in glockenspiel.
Derivatives: clock, intr. and tr. v., clock-ing, n.
clock, n., ornament on a stocking. -Pro b. identical with prec. word and orig. meaning 'bellshaped ornament'. Derivative: clock-ed, adj.
clod, n.- ME. clodde, fr. OE. clod- (used only
in compounds), a collateral form of OE. clott,
'lump'. See clot.
Derivatives: clod, tr. and intr. v., clodd-ish, adj.,
clodd-ish-ly, adv., clodd-ish-ness, n., clodd-y,
adj., clodd-i-ly, adv., clodd-i-ness, n.
clog, n., 1) obstruction; 2) a wooden shoe. ME. klogge, 'log of wood'. Cp. Norw. klugu,
'a knotty log of wood'.
Derivatives: clog, tr. and intr. v., clogg-y, adj.,
clogg-i-ly, adv., clogg-i-ness, n.
cloison, n., a partition, division. - F., fr. VL.
*clausionem, ace. of *clausio, 'a closing', fr. L.
clausus, pp. of claudere, 'to shut'. See close, adj.,
and cp. words there referred to.
cloisonne, n., divided into compartments.- F.,
'partitioned, divided into compartments', pp.
of cloisonner, 'to partition', fr. cloison. See
prec. word.
cloister, n. - ME. cloistre, cloister, fr. OF.
cloistre (F. cloftre), a blend of OF. clostre, of

Clonorchis
s.m., and of cloison. OF. clostre derives fr. L.
claustrum, 'bar, bolt, place shut up'; see claustra!. For the etymology of F. cloison see cloison.
Derivatives: cloister, tr. v., cloister-a!, adj.,
cloister-ed, adj.
Clonorchis, n., a genus of flukes (zoo/.)- ModL.,
compounded of Gk. x."Awv, 'branch, twig, slip'.
and 6pz~~. 'testicle'. The first element stands for
*x.M:wv and is rei. to x.Aiiv, 'to break', fr. I.-E.
base *qel(a)-, *qol(a)-, 'to strike, beat, break';
see calamity. For the second element see orchid.
Clonothrix, n., a genus of bacteria (bacteriol.) ModL., compounded of x."Awv, 'branch, twig,
slip', and %pl~, 'hair'. See prec. word and -thrix.
clonus, also clonos, n., a series of violent muscular
spasms (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. x.Mvo~.
'a violent motion, confusion, tumult', pro b. a
derivative ofi.-E. base *kel-, 'to move violently',
whence x."Ae:a%ocL, 'to urge on, exhort', x.e:Ae:ue:w,
'to urge on, exhort, order', L. celer, 'swift'. See
celerity.
cloot, n., hoof, division of a hoof. - ON. k/6,
'claw'. See claw and cp. next word.
Clootie, n., the devil.- Lit., 'hoofed'. See prec.
word.
close, adj. - ME. clos, fr. OF. (= F.) clos, fr.
L. clausus, pp. of claudere, 'to shut, close',
which is rei. to davis, 'key', clavus, 'nail', clava,
'a knotty stick, staff, club', and cogn. with Gk.
x.Ad~. gen. x"Ae:LM~. 'bar, bolt, key' [whence
x.Ae:le:Lv (for *x."Aefle:Lv), 'to shut, close, bar',
x.),e:L&pov, 'bar for closing a door'], Olr. c/o, 'nail',
OSlav. kljui'i, 'key', Russ. kljui', of s.m., OS!av.
k/jui'iti, 'to shut up', Serb. kljuka, 'hook', Lith.
kliuti, 'to catch, be caught on', kliduties, Lett.
klauties, 'to rely upon', OFris. slrlta, MLG.,
MDu. sluten, Du. sluiten, OHG. sliu3an, MHG.
slie3en, G. sch/iejJen, 'to shut, close, lock', OS.
slutil, OFris. s/etel, MDu. sWte/, Du. sleutel,
OHG. sluJJil, MHG. slUJJe/, G. Schliissel,
'key'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *q/au-,
*(s)q/eu-, 'hook, forked branch, key; to close,
shut'. Cp. autoclave, chiave, clathrate, claustra!,
clava, clavate, clavelization, clavicle, clavier,
claviform, clavis, cleido-, cleisto-, cleithral, cleoid, cloison, cloister, closet, closure, clove, 'spice',
clove, 'a former weight', cloy, conclave, conclude, conclusion, disclose, eclosion, enclave, enclose, exclude, exclusion, foreclose, glaive, include, inclusion, occlude, occlusion, parclose,
preclude, preclusion, recluse, seclude, seclusion,
sloat, slot, 'bolt', subclavian. Cp. also Jot.
Derivatives: clos-ed, adj., close-ly, adv., closeness, n.
close, n., enclosure, space. -OF. ( = F.) clos, 'enclosure', pp. used as a noun. See next word.
close, tr. and intr. v.- ME. c/osen, fr. OF. ( = F.)
clos, pp. of clare, 'to shut', fr. L. claudere. See
close, adj.
close, n., completion. - Fr. prec. word.
closet, n.- OF., dimin. of clos, 'enclosure'. See
close, 'enclosure', and -et.

Derivatives: closet, tr. v., closet-ed, adj.

Clostridium, n., a genus of bacteria (bacterial.) ModL., formed with suff. -idiom, fr. Gk. x.Awcr-rljp, 'thread, spindle', fr. x.AciJ%e:Lv, 'to spin'.
See Clotho.
closure, n. - OF., fr. L. clausura (whence also
It. chiusura), fr. clausus, pp. of claudere, 'to
shut'. See close, adj., and -ure. F. clOture, 'closure', has been refashioned fr. OF. closure on
analogy of nouns ending in -ture. Cp. cloture.
Derivative: closure, tr. and intr. v.
clot, n. - ME., fr. OE. clott, clot, 'lump', rei.
to MHG. kloz, klotzes, G. Klotz, 'lump', block',
and to ME. clete, elite, 'wedge'. See cleat and
cp. clod. Cp. also clout, cluster, clutter.
Derivatives: clot, tr. and intr. v., clott-ed, dotty, adjs.
clote, n., the burdock.- ME., fr. OE. cliite, rei.
to OS. cledthe, OHG. cletha, cletto, cletta,
MHG., G. klette, fr. Teut. base *klei/1-, corresponding to I.-E. base *gleit-, +enlargeme nt
of *glei-, 'to cleave, stick to', whence L. glUten,
'glue'. See clay, and cp. glue, gluten.
cloth, n. - ME., fr. OE. cliip, 'cloth', rei. to
OFris. klath, MDu. cleet, Du. kleed, MHO. kleit,
G. Kleid, 'garment' (ON. kliiOi is possibly borrowed fr. OE. cliip, a collateral form of cliip).
These words prob. stand in gradational relationship to OE. clioan, 'to adhere to', clioa, 'plaster',
clioe, 'bur'. See glue.
Derivatives: clothes, n. pl., cloth-ier, n., cloth-y,
adj.
clothe, tr. v. - ME. clothen, clathen, fr. OE.
claoian, 'to clothe', fr. clap,'cloth'. See prec. word.
Derivative: cloth-ing, adj. and n.
Clothilda, Clothilde, fern. PN. - F. Clotilde, fr.
G. Klothilde, a compound lit. meaning 'famous
in battle', fr. OHG. *klod, 'famous', and hildi,
'battle'. For the first element cp. OHG. h!Ut,
OE. hlud, 'loud', and see loud. For the second
element see Hilda.
Clotho, n., one of the Fates in Greek mythology. - L. Clotho, fr. Gk. KJ.w&w, lit. 'the spinner', fr. x.),(:,&e:~v. 'to spin', which is pro b. rei. to
x.:n.'X&I)~, 'basket'. See calathus and cp. Clostridium.
cloture, n., closure of a debate in parliament. F. cloture, 'closing, close, cloture'. See closure.
Derivative: cloture, tr. and intr. v.
clou, n., object of chief attraction. - F., 'nail;
chief attraction', fr. L. clavus, 'nail', which is
rei. to clavis, 'key'. Cp. It. chiodo, chiovo, OProven.;., Catal. c/au, Sp. clavo, Port. cravo, 'nail',
which all derive fr. L. clavus. See clavicle and
cp. clove, 'spice', clo~e, a former weight', cloy.
cloud, n.- ME. dud, cloud, 'rock, cloud', fr. OE.
clud, 'mass of rock, rock', which meant orig.
'mass', and is rei. to clod (q.v.)
Derivatives: cloud, tr. and intr. v., cloud-ed, adj.,
cloud-ing, n., cloud-less, adj., cloud-less-ly, adv.,
cloud-less-ness, n., cloud-y, adj., cloud-i-ly, adv.,
cloud-i-ness, n.

dough, n., a ravine. - ME., fr. OE. *cloh, rei.

to OHG. klah (in the place name Klah-uelde),
fr. Teut. *klanh-, which stands in gradational.
relationship to *klenh-, whence OHG. dingo,
G. Klinge, 'dough'; prob. of imitative origin.
Cp. clink.
clout, n., a patch. - ME., fr. OE. c/ut, 'piece of
cloth or metal, patch', rei. to ON. klutr, 'kerchief', Dan. klud, 'rag, tatter, clout', Fris. klut,
'lump', MLG. klut(e), Du. kluit, 'clod, lump',
and to OE. clott, clot, 'lump'. See clot.
clout, tr. v., to patch, mend. - ME. clouten, fr.
OE. clutian, 'to patch', fr. clut, 'a patch'. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: clout-ed, adj., clout-er, n.
clout, n., a stupid person.- ME. clute, fr. Du.
kluit, 'clod'. See clout, 'a patch'.
clove, n., a spice. - ME. clow, fr. MF. ( = F.)
clou, short for clou de girojle, lit. 'nail of clove';
so called from its resemblance to a nail. F. clou
derives fr. L. clavus, 'nail'. See clou.
Derivative: clove, tr. v., to spice with cloves.
clove, n., a small bulb of garlic, etc. - OE. clufu,
rei. to OS. cluf- in clufloc, MLG. klof-, in kloflok, MDu. clof-, cluj- in cloflooc, clujfooc
(whence, with dissimilation, Du. kno/look),
OHG. chlobi- in chlobilouh (whence MHG. klobelouh, and, with dissimilation, MHG. knobelouch, G. Knoblauch), 'garlic', lit. 'clove leek',
and to OE. cleofan, 'to split, divide'; see cleave,
'to divide'. Hence clove lit. means 'the divided
bulb'.
clove, n., a former weight. - AF. clou, fr. AngloL. clavus, name of a weight, fr. L. clavus, 'nail'.
See clou and cp. clove, 'spice'.
clove, past tense of cleave, 'to divide'.- Formed
on analogy of cloven. Sec cleave, 'to divide'.
clove, past tense of cleave, 'to stick'.- Formed
on analogy of prec. word. See cleave, 'to stick'.
cloven, adj. - ME. cloven, fr. OE. clofen, 'divided', pp. of cleo/an. Sec cleave, 'to divide'.
clover, n. - ME. claver, clover, fr. OE. clafre,
c/iifre, rei. to MLG. klever, MDu. claver, Du.
k/a;er, OS. kle, OHG. kleo, MHG. kle, G.
Klee, 'clover', and prob. also to OE. cleofian,
"to stick, adhere' (see cleave, 'to stick'), so that
clover lit. means 'the plant with the sticky
sap'.
Derivative: clover-ed, adj.
clown, n. - Of uncertain origin. Perh. rei. to
Ice!. klunni, 'a clumsy, boorish fellow', North
Fris. klonne, 'clown', Du. kloen, 'hoyden', dial.
Swed. kluns, 'a hard knob; a clumsy fellow',
klunn, 'log', Dan. k/unt, 'log, block', and to
Dan., Swed. klump, 'lump'. See clump.
Derivatives: clown, intr. v., clown-ade, n., clownage, n., clown-ery, n., clown-ish, adj., clown-ishly, adv., clown-ish-ness, n.
cloy, tr. v., to satiate; to surfeit; to weary with
excess. - Aphetic for obsol. acc/oy, which is
formed (with change of prefix) fr. F. enclouer,
'to prick (horses) in shoeing, to spike (a gun)',

.
.

lit. 'to nail up', fr. en, 'in' (see 1st en-) and clou,
'nail', fr. L. clavus. Sec clou and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: cloy-er, n., cloy-ing, adj., cloy-ingly, adv., cloy-ing-ness, n.
club, n. - ME. clubba, fr. ON. klubba, klumba,
'a thick stick, club'. See clump and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: club, tr. and intr. v., clubb-able,
adj. (a hybrid), clubb-ed, adj., clubb-er, n., clubbish, clubb-y, adjs.
cluck, intr. v. - Of imitative origin. Cp. OE.
cloccian, Dan. klukke, Du. klokken, MHO.
klucken, MHO., G. glucken, Gk. x."Aw~e:Lv,
x.Awaae:Lv, L. gl6cire, 'to cluck', which all are
imitative. Cp. also clutch, 'brood'.
Derivative: cluck, n.
clue, n.- The same word as clew.
dumber spaniel, dumber, n. - Named after one
of the estates of the Ist Duke of Newcastle.
clump, n., a heap, mass.- MLG. klumpe, klompe, 'clog, wooden shoe', prop. 'shoe formed
from a lump of wood', rei. to LG. klump
(whence G. Klumpe, Klumpen), 'clump, lump',
MDu. clompe, 'lump, mass', Du. klomp, 'lump;
wooden shoe', Dan., Swed. klump, 'lump', OE.
clympre, 'lump of metal, metal', and to ON.
klumba, klubba, 'a thick stick, club'. See clamp
'device for fastening', and cp. club. Cp. also
clunch. Cp. also clown.
Derivatives: clump, intr. and tr. v., clump-y, adj.
clumsy, adj. - ME. clumsed, pp. of c/umsen, 'to
benumb', rei. to dial. Swed. klummsen, 'benumbed with cold', OE. be-clemman, 'to bind, enclose, fetter', and to E. clamp, 'a device for
fastening (q.v.). For the insertion of s before the
suff. -y cp. flimsy.
Derivatives: clumsi-ly, adv., clumsi-ness, n.
clunch, n., a kind of limestone. - Cp. Du. klont,
klomp, of s.m., 'lump', and see clump. For the
connection between ciump and clunch cp. bump
and bunch, hump and hunch, lump and lunch.
clung, past tense and pp. of cling. - ME. pp.
clunge(n), fr. OE. c/ungen, fr. cling an, 'to shrivel,
contract'. See cling.
Cluniac, n., a monk of the order of Benedictines
founded 910 in the abbey of Cluny, in France.
Clupea, n., the genus of herrings (ichthyol.) L. clupea, 'a kind of very small river fish', of
uncertain origin; possibly rei. to clupeus, a collateral form of clipeus, 'a round shield'. See
clipeus.
Oupeidae, n. pl., a family of fishes, the herrings,
sardines, etc. (ichthyol.) -~ Modi.., formed with
suff. -idae, fr. Clupea,
cluster, n.- OE. cluster, clyster, pro b. rei. to OE.
clott, clot, 'lump'. See clot.
Derivatives: cluster, intr. v., cluster-ed, adj.,
cluster-y, adj.
clutch, tr. and intr. v., to seize with the hands.ME. clucchen, clicchen, fr. OE. clyccean, 'to
bring together, clench', rei. to OFris. kletsie,

clutcn

'spear', Swed. klyka, 'crotch, fork', and to E.

cling (q.v.)
clutch, n., claw, grip, grasp. - ME. clucche, fr.
clucchen. See prec. word.
clutch, n., a brood.- Fr. earlier cletch, fr. ON.
klekja, which is prob. of imitative origin. Cp.
cluck.
clutter, n., confusion, disorder; intr. v., to run
in disorder; tr. v., to put into disorder, to litter;
-A var. of obsol. dotter, freq. of the verb clot.
See clot and freq. suff. -er.
Derivative: clutter-er, n.
Clydesdale, n., a heavy breed of cart horse.
Named fr. Clydesdale, the valley of the River
Clyde in Scotland.
Clydesdale terrier, a breed of Scotch terrier. See prec. word.
dyer, n., a scrofulous tumor, a wen.- Du. klier,
'gland, scrofula'.
Clypeaster, n., a genus of sea urchins (zoo/.) ModL., formed fr. L. clypeus, 'a round shield',
and aster, 'star'. See clipeus and Aster.
clypeate, adj., shaped like a round shield. - L.
clypeiitus, pp. of clypeiire, 'to provide with a
round shield', fr. clypeus. See clipeus and adj.
suff. -ate.
clypeus, n. ~-See clipeus.
clysis, n., a washing out by a clyster (med.) Gk. x't.Ucr~~. fr. x)/;~E~v, 'to wash away, to drench
with a clyster', which is cogn. with OL. cluere,
'to purge', L. cloaca, 'sewer, drain'. See cloaca.
clysma, n., an enema (med.) - Gk. x:AucrfL<X,
'liquid used for washing out', fr. x:AU~E~v. See
prec. word and cp. cataclysm.
clysmic, adj., washing, cleansing. - Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. x:AucrfL6~, 'liquid used for
washing out', fr. x:AJ~EW. See clysis.
clyster, n., an enema.- F. clystere, fr. L. clyster,
fr. Gk. x:Aucr't"f.p, 'clyster pipe, syringe', fr. x:Au~E~v. See clysis and cp. cataclysm.
Derivatives: clyster, tr. v., clyster-ize, tr. v.
Clytemnestra, Clytaemnestra, n., the wife of Agamen,non. With the aid of her lover Aegisthus
she murdered her husband on his return from
Troy (Greek mythol.) - L. Clytaemnestra, fr.
Gk. Ki.Hn!J.vl;cr-:p-i, a word compounded of
xi.y-:6:;, 'heard of, celebrated', and !.I.V1Jcr't"f.p,
'willing to mind; mindful of; wooer, suitor',
which is rel. to iJ.vicr&o:~. 'to remember', fLV'ijcr~:;.
'memory, remembrance'. For the first element
see loud, for the second see mind and cp. runesic, mnestic.
cnemial, adj., pertaining to the shinbone (anat.)
- Formed with suff. -ial fr. Gk. xv-[;[L~ (Dor.
xvi:L'i), 'leg, shank, tibia', which is cogn. with
Olr. cniiim, 'bone', OE. hamm, 'ham' .. Scc ham,
'part of the thigh', and cp. the second element
in gastrocnemius.
Cnicus, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(hot.) - L cnfcus, cnecus, 'safflower', fr. Crk.
;..vf.x'l:;, 'safflower', whence Gk. xv7ix6:;, Dor.
xv'ixl,:;, 'pale, yellow, tawny'; cogn. with OE.

hunig, 'honey'. See honey.

cnida, n., a nematocyst (zoo!.)- ModL., fr. Gk.
xvt31], 'nettle', from the stem of xvl1:E~v, 'to
scratch, scrape', rel. to Homeric Gk. xvt(!1],
Att. xvt'cro:, 'smell of a burnt sacrifice, steam,
savor', and cogn. with L. nfdor (for *cnfd6s),
'smell of burnt things, savor'. See nidor.
co- short form of com-, con-.
coacervate, tr. v., to heap up (obsol.) - L. coacerviitus, pp. of coacerviire, 'to heap together,
heap up', fr. co- and acerviire, 'to heap up'. Sett
acervate.
coacervation, n. - L. coacerviiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
heaping up', fr. coacerviitus, pp. of coacerviire.
Sec prec. word and -ion.
coach, n. - F. coche, fr. G. Kutsche, fr. Hungarian kocsi, short for orig. kocsi szeker, 'vehicle made in Kocs', fr. kocsi, 'of, or pertaining
to, Kocs', formed with suff. -i, 'of', fr. Kocs,
name of a village near Gyor in Hungary. Cp.
Sp., Port. coche It. cocchio, Du. koets, which
all derive ultimately fr. Hungarian kocsi. Cp.
also the second element in porte-cochere.
Derivatives: coach, tr. and intr. v., coach-ee, n.,
coach-er, n., coach-ing, n.
coact, tr. v., to force, compel (obsol.)- L. coiictiire, 'to constrain', freq. of c6gere (pp. coiictus),
'to force'. See cogent.
Derivatives: coaction (q.v.), coact-ive, adj.
co-act, intr. v., act together. - Formed fr. coand act.
c.oaction, n., force, compulsion. - L. coiicti6,
gen. -6nis, fr. coiictus, pp. of c6gere. See coact
and -ion.
coadjutor, n. - OF. coadjuteur, fr. L. coadjlit6rem, ace. of coadjiitor, fr. co- and adjlitor,
'helper, assistant', fr. ad}Iltus, pp. of adjuviire,
'to help, assist'. See aid and cp. adjutant, adjuvant.
coadunate, tr. v., to unite. -Late L. coadtiniitus,
pp. of coadliniire, 'to unite', fr. co- and L. adliniire, 'to make one, unite', which is formed fr.
ad- and linus, 'one'. See uni- and verbal suff. -ate.
coadunate, adj., united. - Late L. coadliniitus,
pp. of coadliniire. See coadunate, v.
coadunation, n., union. - Late L. coadliniiti6,
gen. -6nis, fr. coad1iniitus, pp. of coadliniire. See
prcc. word and -ion.
coagulate, intr. and tr. v., to curdle. - L. coiiguliitus, pp. of coiiguliire, fr. coagulum, 'means of
coagulation', fr. * co-agere, 'to drive or press
together', fr. co- and agere, 'to set in motion,
drive, lead, do'. See agent, adj., and verbal suff.
-ate. For sense development cp. curd. Cp. quail,
'to ]u,e heart'.
coagulation, n. - L. coiiguliiti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
coiigu/iiti6, gen. -onis, fr. coiiguliitus, pp. of coiiguliire. See prec. word and -ion.
coaita, n., the spider monkey. - A Tupi name.
coal, n. - ME. cole, fr. OE. col. rei. to ON.,
Norw., Swed. kol, Dan. kul, OFris., MDu. ko/e,
Du. kool, OHG. kolo, kol, MHG. kol, G. Kahle,

l
i

It

'coal', and cogn. with Olr. gual, 'coal'. Cp. collier and the first element in collop. Cp. also
collie.
Derivatives: coal, tr. and intr. v., coal-er, n.,
coal-ing, n., coal-y, adj.
coalesce, intr. v., to grow together, unite. - L.
coalescere, 'to grow together, unite', fr. coand alescere, 'to grow up', inchoative of a/ere,
'to nourish'. See aliment and cp. adolescent.
Derivatives: coalesc-ence, n., coalescent (q.v.)
coalescence, n. - Formed with suff. -ce, fr. L.
coalescens, gen. -entis. See next word.
coalescent, adj.- L. coalescens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of coalescere. See coalesce and -ent.
coalite, intr. and tr. v., to unite (obsol.)- L. coalitus, pp. of coali'scere. See coalesce and next
word.
coalition, n., a temporary union. - ML. coaliti6,
gen. -6nis, fr. L. coalitus, pp. of coalescere. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: coalition-al, adj., coalition-ist, n.
coalmouse, n., the European titmouse. - OE.
colmiise, fr. col, 'coal', and miise, 'titmouse'. See
coal and titmouse.
coaming, n., a raised edge around an opening.Of uncertain origin.
Coan, adj., of, or pertaining to the island of Cos.
--Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cus, fr. Gk. K<7><;,
one of the Doric Sporades.
Derivative: Coan, n.
coarctation, n., tightening of the aorta, an orifice, etc. (med.) - L. coarctiitio, gen. -6nis, 'a
crowding or pressing together', fr. coarcultus,
a collateral form of coartiitus, pp. of coarctiire,
rcsp. coartiire, 'to crowd or press together',
fr. co- and arctiire, artiire, 'to press together',
fr. artus, 'close, 'strait, narrow, fitted', which is
related to ars, gen. artis, 'art', anna, 'armor';
see art and -ion. The form arctiire (for artiire)
is due to folk etymology, which associated this
word with L. arci'rc, 'to hold off, keep off'.
coarse, adj. - Earlier also course, of uncertain
origin; possibly adjectival use of the noun
course in the term 'of course', taken in the sense
of 'common, ordinary, rude'.
Derivatives: coarse-ly, adv., coars-en, tr. and
intr. v., coarse-ness, n.
coast, n. - ME. cost, fr. OF. coste (F. cote),
'rib, coast', fr. L. costa, 'rib, side", which is cogn.
with OSiav. kostl, 'bone. Cp. Rum. coastii, It.,
OProven;;:. costa, 'rib, coast', Sp. cuesta, 'hill,
mount, slope', costilla, 'rib', \\hich all derive
fr. L. costa. Cp. accost, costal, costalgia, costard, costermonger, costrel, cuesta, cutlet, intercostal.
Derivative: coastal (q.v.)
coast, intr. and tr. v. - ME. costeyen, costien,
fr. OF. costeier, costoier (F. cotoyer), fr. OF.
coste (F. cote), 'coast'. Sec coast, n.
Derivatives: coast-er, n . coast-ing, n.
coastal, adj., pertaining to, or bordering on, a
coast. - A hybrid formed fr. E. coast with -al,

a suff. of Latin origin. The proper form is costal

(fr. L. costa), which, however, is used only in
the sense 'pertaining to a rib or ribs'.
coat, n. - ME. cote, fr. OF. cote (F. cotte).
'coat, petticoat', fr. Frankish *kotta, which is
rei. to OHG. chozza, chozzo, MHG., G. kotze,
'a coarse coat', OS. kot, 'a woolen mantle'.
OProven;;:., Sp., Port. cola, It. cotta, 'coat', ML.
cotta, 'cowl', are Teut.loan words. Cp. cotillion,
cotise, cotta, and the second element in haussecol.
Derivatives: coat, tr. v., coat-ed, adj., coatee
(q.v.), coat-ing, n.
coatee, n., a short coat. - Formed fr. coat with
suff. -ee.
coati, n., a small Brazilian raccoon. -Port., fr.
Tupi coati, which is compounded of cua, 'cincture, belt', and tim, 'nose'.
coax, tr. and intr. v. - Fr. earlier cokes, 'a fool,
dupe', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: coax, n., coax-er, n., coax-ing, n ..
coax-y, adj.
coaxal, coaxial, adj., having a common axis
(math.)- Formed fr. co-, axis and adj. suff. -al.
cob, n., a heap, lump. -- Prob. rei. to cub. Cp.
cobble, 'a rounded stone'.
Derivative: cobb-y, adj.
cob, n., a gull.- Rel. to Du. kobbe, of uncertain
origin; possibly orig. denoting a plump, roundish bird and rei. to cob, 'heap, lump'.
cob, n., a spider (rare). -- See cobweb.
cobalt, n., a silver-white metallic element (chem.)
-G. Kobalt, prob. a blend of MHG. kobo/t, 'a
malicious sprite', and Gk. xi{1i).c,;, 'rogue.
knave; an evil spirit'. See kobold and goblin.
For sense development cp. nickel and wolfram.
Derivative: cobalt-ic, adj.
cobble, n., a rounded stone. - Formed with suff.
-le fr. cob, 'heap, lump'.
Derivatives: cobble, tr. v., to pave with cobbles,
cobbl-ing, n., cobbl-y, adj.
cobble, tr. v., to patch. - Of uncertain origin.
Perhaps rei. to cob, 'heap, lump', hence derivatively identical with cobble, 'to pave with
rounded stones' (see prcc. \\Ord).
Derivatives: cobbl-er, n., cobbl-ing, n.
Cobdenism, n., the doctrine of the English economist Richard Cobden (1804-65). - For the
ending see suff. -ism.
Cobdenite, n., an adherent of Cobden ism. -See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
coble, n., a kind of fishing boat. - Bret. caubal.
fr. L. caupu/us, 'a kind of small ship', which is
of uncertain origin.
cobnut, n. - L. 'nut in heaps or clu~ters', compounded of cob, 'heap, lump', and nut.
cobra, n., a poisonous snake of Asia and Africa.
- Port. cobra de capella, serpent with a hood'
(so called because it expands its neck so as to
resemble a hood). Cobra derives fr. YL. colobra (whence also F. coulewTc, adder"), formed
with vowel assimilation fr. L. colubra, 'female

c;;ocrnorm

serpent', which is rei. to co Iuber, 'serpent, snake'.

See Coluber.
cobriform, adj., allied to the cobra. -A hybrid
coined fr. Port. cobra (see prec. word) and L.
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
coburg, n., a thin fabric of worsted and cotton
or worsted and silk. - Fr. Coburg, a town in
Germany.
cobweb, n. - ME. coppeweb, shortened fr. aftercop-web, fr. OE. iitorcoppe, attorcoppe, 'spider',
which is compounded of iitor, 'poison', and cop,
'top, head'. See atter and cop, 'top of a thing'.
For the second element see web. Cp. cob,
'spider'.
Derivatives: cobweb, tr. v., cobwebb-ery, n., cobwebb-y, adj.
coca, n., a South American plant. - Sp., fr.
Peruvian coca. Cp. cocaine.
Coca Cola. - A trade name; so called in allusion
to the extracts of coca leaves and cola nuts it
contains.
cocaine, cocain, n., a drug obtained from coca
leaves, used as a local anesthetic. -A hybrid
coined by Niemann in 1859 fr. coca and chem.
suff. -ine, resp. -in, which is of Latin origin.
cocainism, n., a morbid condition caused by the
habitual use of cocaine. - A double hybrid
coined fr. cocaine and -ism, a suff. of Greek
origin.
cocainize, tr. v., to anesthetize with cocaine. A double hybrid coined fr. cocaine and -ize. a
suff. of Greek origin.
cocco-, before a vowel cocc-, combining form
meaning 'berry, seed'. - Gk. xoxxo-, xoxx-,
fr. x6xxoc;;. See coccus.
coccoid, adj., resembling a coccus (bacterial.) Compounded of cocc- and Gk. -oetll~<;, 'like',
fr. e!lloc;;, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
Cocculus, n., a genus of plants of the family
Menispermaceae (bot.) - ModL., dimin. of
coccus, 'a berry'. See next word and -ole.
coccus, n., I) one of the carpels of a dry fruit
(bot.); 2) a spherical cell (bacteriol.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. x6xxoc;;, 'grain of the kermes kernel
berry', which is prob. a foreign word.' Cp. th~
second element in gonococcus and in Chiococca.
Cp. also cocoon. Cp. also scotch, 'to make an
incision'. The word coccus was introduced into
bacteriology by the German surgeon Albert
Christian Theodor Billroth (I 829-94).
Coccus, n., a genus of insects of the family Coccidae. - See prec. word.
coccyg-, form of coccygo- before a vowel.
coccygeal, adj., pertaining to the coccyx (anat.)
- Formed with adj. >uff. -al fr. Gk. x6xxu~,
gen. xt\xxvyoc;;. See coccyx.
coccygo-, before a vowel coccyg-, combining form
denoting the coccyx (med.) - Fr. Gk. x6xxu~.
gen. x6xxuyoc;;. See next word.
coccyx, n., the end of the vertebral column in
.o\an and in some apes; the rudiment of a tail
(anat.)- Gk. x6l<Xu1;, gen.x6l<Xuyoc;;, 'cuckoo;

306

coccyx', a word of imitative origin. This bone

was so called from its supposed resemblance to
a cuckoo's beak. See cuckoo and cp. words
there referred to.
Cochin, n., a breed of large domestic fowl. Named fr. Cochin China.
cochineal, n., a scarlet dye. - Fr. F. cocheni/le,
fr. Sp. cochinilla, prop. 'wood louse', dimin. of
cochina, 'sow', which is rei. to F. cochon, pig'.
Both Sp. cochina and F. cochon prob. are of
imitative origin.
cochlea, n., the spiral part of the inner ear (anat.)
- L. coclea, cochlea, fr. Gk. XOXAL&<;, 'snail
with a spiral shell', fr. x6xAo<;, 'shellfish with a
spiral shell', which is rel. to Gk. x6noc;;, 'shell'.
See conch and cp. cockle, 'bivalve'.
Derivative: cochle-ar, adj.
cochleare, n., a spoonful (med.)- L., 'a spoon,
whose pointed end was used to extract snails
from the shell', dissimilated fr. *coc/eiile, fr. coclea, cochlea, 'snail', fr. Gk. xoxAl&c;;. See cochlea.
cochleate, adj., shaped like a snail shell. Formed fr. cochlea with adj. suff. -ate.
cochleated, adj., cochleate. - See prec. word
and -ed.
cock, n., the male of the domestic fowl. - ME.
cok, fr. OE. cocc, coc, kok, imitative of the cry
of the bird. Cp. ON. kokr. Late L. coccus, OF.
coc (whence F. coq), OSiav. kokotii, 01. kukkutd/:1, 'cock', which all are imitative. Cp. also
chicken, cockade, cockney, coquet, coquette,
coquin, coxcomb.
Derivatives: cock, tr. v., cock, n., the act of
cocking.
cock, n., a small pile of hay. - ME. cokke. Cp.
Dan. kok, 'pile of hay', ON. kokkr, 'lump, ball'.
cock, n., a cockboat. - See cockboat.
cockade, n. - F. cocarde, fr. OF. coquart, coquard, 'vain', fr. coq, 'cock'. See cock, 'the male
of the domestic fowl'. In English the word was
assimilated in form to the numerous nouns ending in -ade.
Derivative: cockad-ed, adj.
cock-a-doodle-doo, n. - Childish imitation of
the cry of a cock.
Cockaigne, n., an imaginary land of luxury. ME. cocaygne, fr. OF. quoquaigne (F. cocagne)
in pais de quoquaigne (F. pays de cocagne), 'land
of plenty', which is prob. a Teut. loan word and
lit. means 'land of cake'. See cake and cp. It.
cuccagna, Sp. cucafia, Port. cucanha, which are
of the same origin and meaning, as OF. quoquaigne.
cockalorum, n., a conceited little man.- Formed
fr. cock in facetious imitation of Latm words.
cockatoo, n., a large parrot of Australia. - Du.
kaketoe, fr. Malay kakatiiwa, which is prob. a
contraction of kakak tiiwa, 'old sister'. See YuleBumell, Hobson Jobson, p. 227. For sense development cp. E. poll, 'parrot', fr. the PN. Poll,
a shortened form of Polly, 'Mary' (see Polly).
cockatrice, n., a fabulous serpent. - ME. coca-

307

tryse, cocatrice, fr. OF. cocatris (F. cocatrix),

'a fabulous serpent', fr. Late L. calciitrix,
'treader, tracker', fr. calciire, 'to tread'; see
calk, 'to stop with oakum'. OF. cocatris was
influenced in form by OF. coc, 'cock'. Late L.
calciitrix is a loan translation of Gk. ixve;u[J.WV,
'ichneumon', lit. 'tracker', fr. rxvo~, 'track'.
cockboat, n., a small boat, esp. one used as a
tender.- ME. cokbote, fr. cok, 'cockboat', and
bote, 'boat'. The first element derives fr. OF.
coque, cogue (F. coche), 'a kind of boat', fr. Late
L. caudica, 'a kind of boat', lit. 'a boat made
from the trunk of a tree', fr. L. caudex, gen.
caudicis, 'trunk of a tree'. Seecaudex. OF. coque,
cogue, were influenced in form by MDu. cogghe.
Cp. coxswain. Cp. also cog, 'a small fishing boat'.
For the second element in ME. cokbote see boat.
cockchafer, n. - Compounded of cock, the bird,
and chafer; so called from its large size.
cocker, tr. v., to pamper.- Formed with suff.
-er fr. obsol. cock, 'to make a nestle cock of'.
See cock, the bird. For sense development cp.
OF. coqueliner, 'to pamper', fr. coq, 'cock'.
cocker, n., quiver (obsol.)- ME. coker, 'quiver,
boot', fr. OE. coeur, cocer, rei. to ODu. cocar,
MDu. coker, Du. koker, OHG. kochar, kochiiri,
MHG. kocher, koch;ue, G. Kocher, 'quiver'.
These Teut. words are connected with ML. cucurum, MGk. xouxoupov, whence Russ. kukor,
'cartridge box'. Cp. quiver, 'a case for arrows'.
cocker, n., also cocker spaniel. - Formed fr.
cock, the bird; so called because originally used
for hunting woodcock.
cockerel, n., a young cock. - Dimin. of cock,
the bird. For the suff. cp. dotterel (fr. dote),
pickerel (fr. pike).
cocket, seal of the king's customhouse. -Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: cocket, tr. v.
cockle, n., the corn cockle. - ME. coke/, cokille,
fr. OE. coccel, 'corn cockle, darnel; tares'; of
uncertain origin.
cockle, n., a stove.- Du. kachel, short for kacheloven, fr. MHG. kacheloven (whence also G.
Kache/ofen), 'stove of Dutch tiles', fr. YL. *cacculus, 'an earthen pot for cooking', a collateral
form of L. caccabus, fr. Gk. xcixxOtf3o~, xotxxaf37J,
'a three-legged pot', which is of Sem. origin;
cp. Akkad. kukubu, 'a pot'. - Cp. cachucha.
cockle, n., bivalve mollusk of the genus Cardium.
-ME. coke/, fr. OF. ( = F.) coqui/Je, 'shell', fr.
VL. *conchilia, neut. pl. taken for fern. sing.,
fr. L. conchylium, fr. Gk. xonuAwv, dimin. of
xon~A7J, 'shell', fr. xon7J, 'shell'. See conch and
cp. cochlea, cochleare, coquina, and the second
element in caracole.
cockle, intr. v., to wrinkle, pucker; tr. v., to cause
to wrinkle or pucker. - F. coqui/Jer, 'to swell,
form blisters', fr. coquille, 'shell'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: cockle, n., a wrinkle, pucker, cockly, adj.
cockney, n., 1) a native of the East End of Lon-

COO Ole

don; 2) a resident of London; 3) his pronunciation. -ME. cockeney, prob. from a NF.
dial. form of OF. acoquine (F. acoquine),
'greatly attached to', pp. of acoquiner, 'to make
fond of', formed fr. a, 'to' (see a), and coquiner,
'to play the knave', fr. coquin, 'knave, rascal,
rogue', which prob. derives fr. coq, 'cock' (cp.
F. coquard,'ridiculous old beau',and other derivatives of coq with a depreciatory sense). See
cock, the bird.
Derivatives: cockney-dam, n., cockney-ism, n.
cockroach n. - Alteration of Sp. cucaracha,
'wood louse', fr. cuco, 'a sort of caterpillar;
cuckoo', possibly derived fr. L. cucus, 'daw',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. Gk. xoxxuf;,
L. cuciilus, 'cuckoo', and see cuckoo. The change
of Sp. cucaracha to E. cockroach is due to a folketymological association with E. cock and roach.
cockscomb, n. - Lit. 'the comb of a cock'. See
cock and comb and cp. coxcomb.
Derivative: cockscomb-ed, adj.
cocky, adj., conceited.- Formed with adj. suff.
-y fr. cock, the bird. Cp. coxy.
Derivatives: cock-i-ly, adv., cock-i-ness, n.
coco, cocoa, n., palm tree. -Fr. Port. coco, 'grimace', so called from the monkeylike face at
the base of the nut. Cp. coquito.
cocoa, n. - Sp. cacas. See cacao.
cocoon, n., the silky case spun by the larvae of
certain insects. - F. cocon, fr. Proven<;. coucoun, 'shell of eggs; cocoon', fr. L. coccum, 'excrescence on a plant; kernel, berry', whence also
F. coque, 'shell of eggs'. L. coccum is a loan
word fr. Gk. x6xxo<;, 'grain of the kermes, ker
nel, berry'. See coccus.
coction, n., a cooking, boiling. - L. cocti6, gen.
-6nis, fr. coctus, pp. of coquere, 'to cook, boil'.
See cook and -tion.
Cocytus, n., one of the five rivers of Hades (Greek
mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. Kwxu"t6<;, 'the River of
Lamentation', fr. xwxu--:6.;;, 'lamentation', fr.
xwxO::>etv, 'to cry, lament', dissimilated fr. *xuxDe~v. and rei. to x<Xu&;, Homeric Gk. x~~.
x'i)U~, 'a sea bird'. Cp. 01. kduti, 'shouts', koka/:1,
'goose', Arm. k'uk', 'sighing, groaning'. All these
words are of imitative origin.
cod, n., a large sea fish. - ME. cod, prob. fr.
cod, 'bag' (see next word), and orig. meaning
'bag fish'. Cp. cuttlefish.
cod, n., a small bag; a pillow. - ME., fr. OE.
codd, 'bag, shell, husk', rei. to ON. koddi, 'pillow', Du. kodde, 'bag', fr. I.-E. base *geu-d-,
*gu-d-, -d-enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend,
curve, arch'. See cove and cp. peasecod. Cp. also
coddle, 'to pamper'.
coda, n., a concluding passage in a musical composition. -It. coda, fr. L. coda, secondary form
of cauda, 'tail'. See caudal and cp. words there
referred to.
coddle, tr. v., to pamper. - Formed with freq.
suff. -le fr. cod, 'pillow'.
Derivative: coddl-er, n.

coddle

coddle, tr. v., to cook slowly. - Prob. a var.

form of eaudle.
code, n. - F., fr. L. codex, later spelling for
caudex, 'the trunk of a tree; a writing tablet;
an account book, a code of laws'. See caudex
and cp. codex.
Derivative: code, tr. v.
codeine, n., an alkaloid obtained fr. opium (chem.)
-Formed with chem. suff. -ine fr. Gk. xwBew:,
'poppy head', which is rei. to xwo~, 'prison'
(lit. 'a hollow place'), xwllwv, 'bell, mouth of
a trumpet, trumpet', xoD.o.:; (for *x6ft"Ao~),
'hollow', fr. I.-E. base *kew-, *kii-, 'vault; to
be hollow; to swell', whence also L. cavus,
'hollow'. See cave, n., and cp. codon.
codetta, n., a short coda (mus.) - It., dimin. of
coda (q.v.)
codex, n. - L. See code and cp. codicil.
codger, n. - A var. of cadger.
codicil, n., an addition to a will. - L. codicillus,
'a small writing tablet; an appendix to a will',
dimin. of codex, gen. codicis. See codex.
codicillary, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature
of, a codicil. - Late L. cOdicillaris, fr. L. cOdicil/us. See prcc. word and adj. suff. -ary.
codification, n. - See next word and -fication.
codify, tr. v., to reduce to a code; to systematize. - Formed fr. code with suff. -fy.
Derivative: codiji-er, n.
codille, n., a term at omber, used when the game
is lost by the challenging player. - Sp. codillo,
lit. 'elbow, bend, knee of quadrupeds', dimin.
of codo, 'elbow, cubit', fr. L. cubitus. See cubit.
codling, n., a young cod. - Formed fr. cod, 'a
large fish', with the dimin. suff. -ling.
codling, n., a variety of apple. - ME. querdling,
corruption of F. m:ur de lion, 'heart of lion'.
F. cll'ur derives fr. L. cor, de fr. L. de, 'from,
away from', lion fr. L. leonem, ace. of leo, 'lion'
(see cordate, de- and lion); influenced in form
by E. coddle, 'to cook slowly', and by nouns
ending in -ing.
codon, n., a small bell, mouth of a trumpet. Gk. xw8w'J, rei. to xw8et:x, 'poppy head'. See
codeine and cp. the second element in Polycodium.
codpiece, n., formerly, a bag worn in the front of
the breeches. - Compounded of cod, 'bag', and
piece.
coed, co-ed, n., a female student in a coeducational college (slang). - Abbreviation of next
word.
coeducation, n. - Formed fr. co- and education.
Derivative: coeducation-al, adj.
coefficient, adj. and n. - Formed fr. co- and
efficient. The term coefficient was introduced
into mathematics by the French mathematician
Fran9ois Viete (Vieta) (154D-I603).
coehorn, n., an obsolete weapon for throwing
shells. - Named after its inventor, the Baron
J\.tenno van Coehoorn (1641-1704).
coel-, form of coelo- before a vowel.

308

Coelenterata, n., a phylum of invertebrate animals (zoo/.)- ModL., lit. '(animals) with empty
intestines', coined by the German zoologist
Rudolf Leuckart (1822-98) fr. Gk. xoi:"Ao.:;,
'hollow', and eovTepov, 'intestine'. See coelo-,
enteric, and adj. suff. -ate.
coelenterate, adj. and n. - See prec. word.
coelenteric, adj.- See Coelenterata and -ic.
coeli-, form of coelio- before a vowel.
coelia, n., cavity (anat.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xm"A[!i,
'cavity in the body'. See next word.
coeliac, celiac, adj., pertaining to the cavity of
the abdomen (anat.) - L. coeliacus, fr. Gk.
xot"Ato:x.6~. 'pertaining to the cavity of the body',
fr. xot"Al!i, 'cavity of the body, abdomen', a
word coined by Aristotle fr. x.oD.o~, 'hollow'.
See coelo- and cp. coelio-.
coelio-, before a vowel coeli-, also spelled celio-,
celi-, pertaining to the abdomen (anal.) - Gk.
xm"Aw-, xot"At-, fr. xmf.l!i, 'abdomen', fr. xoD.o~.
'hollow'. See coelia, coeliac, and cp. next word.
coelo-, before a vowel coel-, combining form
meaning 'hollow'. - Gk. xmf.o-, xot"A-, fr.
xoD.o~. 'hollow', which stands for *x.6ft"Ao~ and
is cogn. with L. cavus, 'hollow'. See cave, n ..
and cp. coelia, coeliac, coelio-, and the second
element in Odocoileus.
coelom, n., the body cavity of Metazoa (zoo/.)Coined by the German biologist Ernst Heinrich
Haeckel (1834-1919) fr. Gk. xol"Aw[.to:, 'a hollow,
cavity', fr. xoi"Ao~. 'hollow'. See coelo-.
Coelopleurum, n., a genus of plants. - ModL.,
compounded ofGk. xoi:f.o~. 'hollow', and rr"Ae;p6v, 'rib'. See coelo- and pleura.
coen-, form of coeno- before a vowel.
coenesthesis, coenaesthesis, n., organic sensation
(in contradistinction to external sensation, as
hearing, seeing, etc.) (psycho/.)- Fr. Gk. xowi;
o:tcr&Y)crt,, 'common sensation'. See coeno- and
esthesis.
coeno-, before a vowel coen-, combining form
meaning 'common'. - Gk. xmw,-, x.ot'J-, fr.
xm'Jo~, 'common, public, general', which prob.
stands for *xop.-l6~. a compound prob. formed
fr. *xo[.t-,'with', which iscogn. with L. com-, cum,
'with' (see com-). and from a derivative of I.-E.
base yo-, 'going' (see itinerate). Accordingly
xm'J6:; lit. means 'that which goes together'.
For the formation of the word cp. Gk. ;Gv6~,
of s.m., which stands for *'.;Jv-~6~. fr. ;)v,
'with', and *-~o~. 'that which goes'. Cp. L.
comes, 'companion', for com-e-s, lit. 'he who
goes with somebody', fr. com-, 'with, together',
and the stem of ire, 'to go'. Cp. epicene.
coenobite, n. - See cenobite.
coenobium, n., a religious community. - Eccles.
L. coenobium, 'a convent', fr. Gk. xmv6~to'J,
'life in community, monastery', fr. xotv6<;,
'common', and ~lo:;, 'life'. For the first element
see coeno-, for the second sec bio-. Cp. ccnoby.
coenosarc, n., the common soft tissue that unites
the polyps of a compound zoophyte (zoo/.) -

309

Compounded of coeno- and Gk. cr&:p;, gen.

cro:px6~, 'flesh'. See sarco-.
coenurus, n., the larva of a tapeworm (Taenia coenurus). - ModL., compounded of coen- and
Gk. oop&, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-'.
coequal, adj. - Formed fr. co- and equal. Cp.
L. coaequalis, 'of equal age, equal'.
Derivatives: coequal, intr. anc tr. v., coequality, n., coequal-ly, adv., coequal-ness, n.
coequate, tr. v.- L. coaequatus, pp. of coaequare,
'to make equal to (something else)', fr. co- and
aequare, 'to make equal'. See equate and cp.
adequate.
Derivatives: coequat-ed, adj., coequal-ion, n.
coerce, to force, constrain.- L. coercere, 'to shut
up together, confine, restrain, limit', fr. coand arcere, 'to shut up, enclose, hold', fr. area,
'chest, box'; see ark and cp. exercise. For the
change of Latin a (in arcere) to e (in co-t!rcere)
see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: coerc-er, n.~ coerc-ible, adj., coercibil-ity, n., coerc-ible-ness, n., coerc-ibl-y, adv.,
coercion (q.v.)
coercion, n., a coercing. - MF. ( = F), fr. L.
coerctiO, coercio, shortened fr. coercitio, fr.
coercitus, pp. of coercere; partly through the
medium of OF. cohercion (F. coercion), a form
less frequently used than OF. ( = F.) coercition,
which derives fr. L. coercitionem, ace. of coercitio. See coerce and -ion.
Derivatives: coercion-ary, adj., coercion-ist, n.
coessential, adj., having one esse'l_ce. - Formed
fr. co- and essential.
Derivatives: coessential-ity, n., coessential-ly,
adv., coessential-ness, n.
coetaneous, adj .., having the same age. -Late L.
coaetaneus, formed fr. pref. co-, L. aetas, 'age',
and suff. -aneus. See co-, age and -aneous.
coeternal, adj., equally eternal. - Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. Eccles. L. coaeternus, fr. co- and
L. aeternus, 'eternal'. See eternal.
Derivative: coeternal-Jy, adv.
coetus, n., an ecclesiastical meeting. - L., fr.
coitus, 'coming together, assembly', fr. coitus,
pp. of coire, 'to come together'. See coition,
coitus.
coeval, adj., having the same age. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Late L. coaevus, fr. co- and
L. aevum, 'age'. See aeon and cp. the second
element in longevity, primeval.
Derivatives: coeval-ity, n., coeva/-ly, adv.
coexist, intr. v. -Formed fr. co- and exist.
Derivatives: coexist-ent, adj., coexist-ence,
coexist-ency, n.
coffee, n. - lt. cajje, fr. Turk. qahve, fr. Arab.
qdhwah, 'wine; coffee', fr. Kaffa, Kafa, a district
in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. Arab.
qtihwa" orig. meant 'the plant or drink coming
trom Kaffa'. In Kaffa itself the coffee is called
buno and the Arabs borrowed this word in the
form bunn, naming by it the raw coffee. Cp.
cafe, caffeine.

cognition

coffer, n. - ME. cofre, cofer, fr. bF. cofre (F.

coffre), fr. L. cophinus. See next word.
Derivatives: coffer, tr. v., coffer-er, n., coffering, n.
coffin, n. - ME., fr. OF. cojin, fr. L. cophinus
(whence also It. cofano, Sp. cuebano, cuevano,
'basket'), fr. Gk. x6qnvo:;, 'basket', a word of
foreign origin.
Derivative: coffin, tr. v.
coffle, n., a slave caravan. - Arab. qtifila".
'caravan'.
coft'ret, n., a little coffer. - F., formed with dimin. suff. -et fr. F. coffre. See coffer.
cog, n., tooth on a wheel. -Of Scand. origin.
Cp. Swed. kugge, Norw. kug, 'cog', and see
cudgel.
Derivatives: cog, tr. v., cogg-ed, adj., cogg-er, n.,
cogg-ing, n.
cog, tr. and intr. v., to cheat. - Of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: cogg-ed, adj.
cog, n., a small fishing boat. -OF. cogue, a collateral form of coque, 'a kind of boat'. See
cockboat.
cogency, n.- Formed fr. next word with suff. -cy.
cogent, adj., forcible; convincing. - L. cogens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of cogere, 'to drive together; to compel'. fr. co- and agere, 'to set in
motion, drive, lead'. See agent and cp. cache,
coact, squat.
Derivative: cogent-ly, adv.
cogitable, adj., thinkable. - L. N)gitiihilis, 'conceivable, imaginable, thinkable', fr. cogitare, 'to
ponder, weigh, reflect, think'. See next word
and -able.
cogitate, intr. v., to think; to ponder. - L. cogitatus, pp. of cogitare, 'to ponder, weigh, reflect, think', fr. co- and agitare, 'to put in constant motion, drive, impel', freq. of agere, 'to
set in motion, drive, lead'. See agitate and cp.
excogitate.
cogitation, n. - F., fr. L. cogitationem, ace. of
cogitatio, 'thinking, considering, meditation, resolution', fr. cogitatus, pp. of cogitare. See prec.
word and -ion.
cogitative, adj., pertaining to thinking; meditative. - F. cogitatif (fern. cogitative), fr. ML.
cogitativus, fr. L. cogitatus, pp. of cogitare. See
cogitate and -ive.
Derivatives: cogitative-ly, adv., cogitative-ness,n.
cognac, n., French brandy.- Prop. brandy made
from wine produced at Cognac, Department of
Charente, in France.
cognate, adj. - L. cognatus, 'related by blood,
kindred', fr. co- and OL. gnatus, L. nat us, 'born,
pp. of niisci, 'to be born'. See natal and adj.
suff. -ate and cp. connate.
Derivative: cognate, n.
cognation, n. - L. cognatio, -onis, 'relationship,
connection', fr. cognatus. See prec. word and
-ion.
cognition, n., knowledge; perception. - L. co-

cognitive

gnitio, gen. -onis, 'a becoming acquainted with,

acquiring knowledge, knowledge, conception,
notion', fr. cognitus, pp. of cognoscere, 'to become
acquainted with, perceive, understand know'
fr. co-and OL.gnoscere, L. noscere, 'tokdow'. S~
can, aux. v., and -ition and cp. quaint, acquaint.
Cp. also cognizance, cognoscente, cognoscible,
cognovit, connoisseur, incognito.
cognitive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
cognitus, pp. of cognoscere. See prec. word.
Derivative: cognitive-ly, adv.
cognizable, adj., recognizable. - Formed fr.
cognize with suff. -able.
Derivatives: cognizable-ness, n., cognizabl-y, adv.
cognizance, n., knowledge, notice.- ME. conisaunce, fr. OF. conoissance (F. connaissance),
'knowledge', fr. conoistre (F. connaitre), 'to
know', fr. L. cognoscere; see cognition and
-ance. E. cognizance was refashioned after L.
cognoscentia.
cognize, tr. v. -Back formation fr. cognizance.
Derivatives: cogniz-am, adj., cogniz-er, n.
cognomen, n., the family name of an ancient
Roman. - L. cognomen, 'a Roman family
name, surname', formed fr. nomen on analogy
of cognoscere, 'to know', which derives fr. noscere, 'to know' (i.e. cognomen stands to nomen,
as cognoscere to noscere). See nominal and cp.
cognition.
cognomina!, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. cognomen, gen. cognominis. See prec. word.
cognoscente, n., a connoisseur. -It. cognoscente,
conoscente, lit. 'one who knows', fr. L. cognoscentem, ace. of cognoscens, pres. part. of
cognoscere, 'to know'. See cognition and cp.
next word.
cognoscible, adj., that which can be known or
perceived. - Late L. cognoscibilis, 'recognizable, discernible, knowable', fr. L. cognoscere. See
cognition and -ible.
cognovit, n., a document in which the defendant
acknowledges liability (law). - L. cognovit, 'he
has acknowledged' (short for cognovit actionem,
'he has acknowledged the action'), 3rd pers.
sing. of the perf. of cognoscere. See cognition.
cogon, n., a coarse grass, Jmperata arundinacea.Sp. cogan, from a Philippine native word.
cohabit, intr. v., 1) to live together (archaic);
2) to live together as husband and wife. -Late
L. cohabitiire, 'to dwell together', fr. co- and
L. habitiire, 'to have frequently, have possession
of, inhabit', freq. of habere (pp. habitus), 'to
have'. See habit.
cohabitation, n. - Late L cohabitiitio, gen. -onis,
fr. L. cohabitiitus, pp. of cohabitiire. See prec.
word and -ation.
coheir, n., a joint heir.- Formed fr. co- and heir.
coheiress, n., a joint heiress. - Formed fr. coand heiress.
Cohen, n., r) a priest; 2) a Jewish surname indicatmg priestly descent. - Heb. koMn, 'priest'.
See Koben.

310

cohere, intr. v., to stick together.- L. cohaerere,

'to stick or cling together', fr. co- and haerere,
'to stick, cleave, cling'. See hesitate and cp.
cohesion. Cp. also adhere, inhere.
coherence, coherency, n. - F. coherence, fr. L.
cohaerentia, 'a sticking together, coherence', fr.
cohaerens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce
resp. -cy.
coherent, adj. - F. coherent, fr. L. cohaerens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of cohaerere, 'to stick
together'. See cohere and -ent.
Derivative: coherent-ly, adv.
coherer, n. - Formed fr. cohere with agential
suff. -er.
cohesion, n. - F. cohesion, fr. L. cohaesionem,
ace. of cohaesio, 'a sticking together', fr. cohaesus, pp. of cohaerere. See cohere and -ion.
cohesive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. cohaesus, pp. of cohaerere. See cohere.
Derivatives: cohesive-ly, adv., cohesive-ness, n.
cohort, n., a company of soldiers. - F. cohorte,
fr. L. cohortem, ace. of cohors, 'an enclosed
place, yard; a company of soldiers, the tenth
part of a legion'. See court, which is a doublet
of cohort.
Cohosh, n., name of several N. American medicinal plants. - Of Algonquian origin.
cohue, n., rout, mob, tumult. -F., orig. 'hall',
fr. MBret. cochuy.
coif, n., cap, headdress. - ME. coif. coife, fr.
OF. coife, coiffe (F. coiffe), fr. VL. cofia, cofea,
cuphia, 'a cap' (whence also It. cuffia, scuffia.
Sp. cofia, escofia, of s.m. ), fr. OHG. kupphia,
'cap, coif'.
Derivative: coif, tr. v.
coiffeur, n., a hairdresser. - F., fr. coiffer, 'to
dress the hair of', fr. coiffe. See prec. word.
coiffure, n., headdress.- F., fr. coiffer. See prec.
word and -ure.
coign, n. - An old spelling of coin.
coil, tr. and intr. v., to wind. - OF. coillir, 'to
collect' (whence F. cueillir, 'to gather, pluck'),
fr. L. colligere, 'to gather, collect'. See collect
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also coil,
'tumult'.
Derivatives: coil, n., coil-er, n.
coil, n., tumult. - Prob. fr. OF. acueil (F. accueil), 'reception, encounter', fr. acueillir (F.
accueillir), 'to receive', fr. VL. *accolligere, fr.
ad- and L. colligere, 'to gather'. See coil, 'to
wind'.
coin, n.- F., 'wedge, coin, stamp', fr. L. cuneus,
'wedge', which possibly derives fr. I.-E. *kun-,
'pointed', whence
enlargement of base
perh. also L. culex, 'gnat'. See Cu1ex and cp.
cuneate, cuneifonn, quoin. Cp. also Olt. cogno,
'die', OProvem;. conh, 'wedge, die', Catal. cony,
Sp. cufio, Port. cunho, 'die', Sp. cufia, Port.
cunha, 'wedge', Rum. cuiu, 'nail', which all
derive fr. L. cuneus.
coin, tr. and intr. v., to make coins.- OF. coignier (F. cogner), fr. coin. See coin, n.

ku-,

311

Derivatives: coinage (q.v.), coin-er, n., coin-ing, n.

coinage, n. - OF. coignaige, fr. coignier. See
prec. word and -age.
coincide, intr. v., r) to agree exactly; 2) to occupy
the same place; 3) to occur at the same time.ML. coincidere, lit. 'to fall upon together', fr.
co- and L. incidere, 'to fall upon, light upon',
fr. in-, 'in', and cadere, 'to fall'. See incident.
coincidence, n. - F. coincidence, fr. MF. coincidance, fr. coincidant, pres. part of coincider,
fr. ML. coincidere. See prec. word and -ence.
coincident, adj. -F. coincident. See prec. word
and -ent.
Derivatives: coincident-al, adj., coincident-ally, adv.
coinstantaneous, adj., happening at the same
moment. -Formed fr. co- and instantaneous.
Derivatives: coinstantaneous-ly, adv., coinstantaneous-ness, n.
coir, n., fiber made from the husk of the coconut. - Malayalam kiiyar, 'cord', fr. kiiyaru,
'to be twisted'.
coition, n., sexual intercourse. - L. coitio, gen.
-on is, 'a coming together', fr. coitus, pp. of co ire,
'to come together', fr. co- and ire, 'to go'. See
itinerate and -ition and cp. next word.
coitus, n., sexual intercourse. - L., 'a coming
together', fr. coitus, pp. of coire. See prec. word
and cp. coetus.
coke, n., charred coal.- ME. colke, 'a core', in
gradational relationship to ME. ke/kes, 'spawn',
Swed. kiilk, 'pith', and cogn. with Gk. yt/.yi:~
(for *y&!.-yXL~), 'clove of garlic', &y/.i:~, 'clove
of garlic' (in the pl. 'head of garlic'). Cp. kelk.
Derivatives: cok-er, n., cok-ery, n., cok-y, adj.
coke, n., cocaine(slang). -Short for cocaine.
col, n., a pass between mountain peaks.- F. col,
'neck', fr. L. collum, of s.m. See collar and cp.
words there referred to.
col-, assimilated form of com- before /.
col-, form of colo- before a vowel.
Cola, n., a genus of trees of the chocolate family
(bot.) - ModL., from a W. African native
word meaning 'kola nut'. Cp. kola, kola nut.
colander, also cullender, n., a large strainer. VL. *coliitor, corresponding to L. c6/iitorium,
'a strainer', fr. coliire, 'to strain', fr. colum,
'strainer', which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
coulee, coulisse, cou1oir, cullion, cullis, percolate,
portcullis.
Colcbian, adj., of, or pertaining to Colchis. Formed with suff. -ian fr. L. Co/chis, fr. Gk.
Ko!.x_(<;. Cp. next word.
Colchicum, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) - L. colchicum, 'a plant with a poisonous root', prop.
neut. of Colchicus, 'Colchian', fr. Gk. Ko/.X.tx6<;, of s.m., fr. Ko!.x_l~. 'Colchis'. Cp. prec.
word. The poisonous plant was called colchicum
in allusion to the poisonous activities of the
sorceress Medea, the daughter of Aeetes, King
of Co/chis.
colcotbar, n., red oxide of iron. - F. and Sp.

col eorhiza

colcotar, fr. Arab. qulqu(dr, qolqotdr, fr. Gk.

x_&:/.xcxv&o~, 'blue vitriol', which is compounded
of xrx.J.x6<;, 'copper, brass', and &v&o<;, 'flower'.
See chalco- and anther.
cold, adj. - ME. ca/d, cold, fr. OE. cald, ceald,
rei. to OS., OFris. kald, ON. kaldr, Dan. kold,
Swed. kall, Du. koud, OHG., MHG., G. kalt,
Goth. kalds, 'cold', fr. Teut. *kalda-, prop. pp.
of base *kal-, 'to be cold', whence OE. calan,
'to be cold', ON. kala, 'to freeze'. Teut. *ka/corresponds to I.-E. base *gel-, 'to be cold,
freeze'. See cool, adj. and cp. words there referred to. Teut. -d in OE. cal-d, ceal-d, OS.,
OFris. kal-d, etc. is equivalent to I.-E. -t in 01.
-ta/:1, Gk. -'t"o<;, L. -tus; etc.; see -ed. For the
formation of Teut. adjectives from past participles, cp. dead, loud, old, sad.
Derivatives: cold, n., cold-ish, adj., cold-ly, adv.,
cold-ness, n.
cold-short, adj., brittle when cold. - Swed. ka/1skiJrt, neut. of kallskor, lit. 'cold brittle', fr. ka/1,
'cold', and skor, 'brittle'. For the first element
see cold. The second element prob. derives fr.
MLG. schoren, 'to break', which is rei. to OE.
sceran, scieran, 'to cut, shear'; see shear. Swed.
ka/lskort became in English cold-short, owing to
a confusion of Swed. skort with E. short, both
in form and meaning. Cp. red-short.
cole, n., cabbage. - ME. col, fr. OE. ciil, ciiwl,
fr. L. caulis, co/is, 'stem, stalk', esp. 'cabbage
stalk', which is cogn. with Gk. xrxu/.6~, 'stem',
Lith. kdu/as, 'bone', Lett. kaiils, 'stalk, stem;
bone', OPruss. caulan, 'bone', Mlr. cuaillr,
'stake, pile', and possibly also with OJ. kulyam,
'bone', kulyd, 'ditch', and with OHG., OFris.,
OS., OE. hoi, 'hollow'. See hole and cp. cau1escent, cauline, Caulis, chou, kale, the first element
in Cau1erpa, cauliflower, coleslaw, colza, kohlrabi, and the second element in Eriocaulon,
nudicauL
Colemanite, n., a calcium borate (mineral.) Named after William Tell Coleman of San Francisco (1824-93). For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
coleo-, before a vowel cole-, combining form
meaning 'sheath', as in Coleoptera. - Gk.
xo/.e;o-, xo/.e;-, fr. xo/.e6~, 'sheath', of uncertain
origin. L. cul/eus, 'leather bag', is not cogn.
with, but borrowed from, Gk. xo).e6~. Cp.
Coleus.
Coleochaete, n., a genus of green algae (bot.) ModL., compounded of coleo- and Gk. x_cxl-rr,,
'long flowing hair, mane'. See coleo- and
chaeto-.
Coleoptera, n. pl., an order of insects ( = Beetles).
- ModL., lit. 'sheath winged', fr. Gk. xo/.e67ITEpo<;, fr. xo/.c:6~, 'sheath', and 1tnp6v, 'wing'.
See coleo- and ptero-.
coleoptera], coleopteran, coleopterous, adj., pertaining to the Coleoptera (bot.) - See prec.
word and adj. suff. -al, resp. -an, -ous.
coleorbiza, n., the sheath that envelops the ra-

coleslaw

dicle in some plants (bot.) - ModL., compounded of coleo- and Gk. p[~oc, 'root'. See
rhizo-.
coleslaw, n., sliced cabbage salad. - Du. koolsla, fr. kool, 'cabbage', and sla, 'salad'. See cole
and slaw and cp. the first element in colza.
Coleus, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. mAe6~, 'sheath' (see
coleo-); so called in reference to the union of
the filaments.
colibri, n., a hummingbird. - F. colibri, fr. Sp.
colibri, which is prob. of Caribbean origin.
colic, adj., pertaining to the colon. - Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. x6),o~, 'large intestine,
colon'. See colon, 'part of the larger intestine'.
colic, n., a sharp pain in the intestines.- F. colique, fr. L. c61icus, 'pertaining to the colic; sick
with the colic', fr. Gk. xwAtx6~, 'sick with the
colic', fr. z<0Ao~, incorrect form for x6Aov, 'large
intestine, colon'. See colon, 'part of the larger
intestine', and -ic.
Derivatives: colic-a/, colick-y, adj~,
Colin, n., in pastoral verse, a name denoting a
shepherd. -- F., prop. a dimin. of Col, itself a
dimin. of Nicolas. See Nicholas and cp. collie.
coliseum, n .. a music hall. - Modl., a blend of
It. colisea and L. Colosseum. Sec Colosseum.
colitis, n., inflammation of the colon. -Medical
L., formed with suiT. -itis fr. Gk. z01J>V, "large
intestine. Sec colon.
coli-, from of collo- before a vowel.
collaborate, intr. v. - L. collah<irclt-(um), pp.
-;tcm of mllahan/re. 'to work together'. Sec com-,
labor, v .. and \crbal suiT. -ate.
Dcri,ati,cs: collahomt-ion. n., collaborat-ire,
adj .. col!ahorat-or, n.
collagen, n .. a gelatinous substance occurring in
the animal body ( phi"Siol.) - Compounded of
Gk. z(,).i.:t.. 'glue. and -ysvi,~. 'born of. of the
nature of', See collo- and -gen.
collapw, intr. '. - L. co!lapsu.\, pp. of co!l<ihi,
'to f,t!l in ruins. fall together, fr. col- and liibi,
"to fair. Sec lapse and cp. words there referred to.
Dcri\ati\es: collapse, n .. collaps-ih/c, adj.
collar, n. - \1 E .. fr. AF. co fer, corresponding
to OF. colier IF. collier). 'necklace, collar', fr.
L. col/arc, a chain for the neck', fr. collum (for
*colwm), neck. "hich is cogn. \\ith Goth.,
OHG .. OFris .. 01\; .. OS. hals. OE. heals. 'neck'.
These \\Ords prob. meant orig. 'that which
turns the head. and deri'e fr. I.-E. base *q"' el-.
"to turn. turn round. whence also L. co/ere. w
till lthc ground): to d"ell. inhabit". cohinus.
"tiller of the ground. husbandman. farmer".
See colony and cp. '' ords there referred to. Cp.
also Lith. kii/..las. Lett. kakls. neck. fr.
*q vq"' lo-. redurlication of base *q"'e/-, 'to turn'
!see abo'e and cp. cycle, "heel). Cp. col, collarf!l, collet, accolade, cuddle, decollate, decollete, hauberk, hausse-col, hawse. For sense development cp. Gk. -:pxzr,)J);, 'neck', which prob.

312

means lit. 'turner', and is rei. to "Poz6~, 'wheel'

(see trachelo-), and OSlav. vratu, 'neck', fr.
vratiti, 'to turn'.
Derivatives: collar, tr. v., collar-ed, adj.
collaret, collarette, n., a small collar.- F. collereffe, formed fr. collier, 'necklace, collar', with
dimin. suff. -ette. See collar and -et, -ette.
collate, tr. v., to compare.- L. colliitus, 'brought
together' (used as pp. of conferre, 'to bring together'), fr. com- and latus, 'borne, carried' (used
as pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands
for *tliitos, fr. *t/-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-,
*to!-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tollere, 'to lift
up, raise', toleriire, 'to bear, support'. See tolerate and cp. ablation, ablative, acceptilation, allative, delate, dilatory, elate, illation, legislate,
oblate, prelate, relate, correlate, sublate, superlative, translate. The word collate was introduced into English by Bacon.
Derivatives: collat-ing, adj., collat-or, n.
collateral, adj., I) placed side by side; 2) secondary. ML. collateriilis, 'alongside of', fr.
col- and L. latus. gen. lawis, 'side'. See lateral.
Derivatives: collateral, n., collateral-ly, adv.,
collateral-ity, n., collateral-ness, n.
collation, n., 1) the act of collating; 2) contribution; 3) a light meal. --- 0 F. collacivn (F. collation), fr. L. colhiti6nem, ace. of col!iititi, 'a
bringing together', fr. colliitus, 'brought together'. Sec collate and -ion.
collathe, adj., having the power to confer. L. colliitim.l", 'brought together', fr. co!liitus,
"brought together'. See collate and -ive.
collator, n., one who collates. - L., 'one who
brings together', fr. co/latus, 'brought together'.
Sec collate and agential suff. -or.
colleague, intr. v., to enter into an alliance (obsol.) - OF. co/lif?ller, co/leguer, 'to ally', fr. L.
colligiire, 'to bind together'. See colligate.
colleague, n., an associate in work, office, etc. F. co/lef?ue. fr. L. col/ega, 'one who is chosen
at the same time with another, a partner in office, colleague. which is prob. formed fr. collegium. 'persons united by the same office. See
college.
collect, n. -F. collecte, fr. L. co/lecta, a gathering together, fern. pp. used as a noun, fr.
colligere. See collect, v.
collect, tr. and intr. v. - L. coll<'ctus, pp. of colligere, w gather, assemble, bring together,
collect'. fr. com- and Iegere, "to gather, collect,
pick out. choose, read'. See lecture and cp. coil,
'to\\ ind', and cull, which are doublets of collect.
Deri' ati,es: co/leer-ed. adj .. collect-ed-lr. adv ..
coi!C'ct-ed-ness, n .. collection (q.v.), col!ectire
(q.v.), collector (q.\ .)
collectanea, n. pl., a collection of "ritings from
\\Orks of one author or of several authors. L., neut. pl. of col!ecuineus, 'gathered or collected together, formed fr. collectus, pp. of colligere, 'to gather', with suff. -iineus. See prec.
word and -aneous.

313

colic-

collection, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. collecti6nem,

ace. of collecti6, 'a collecting, bringing together', fr. col/ectus, pp. of colligere. See collect,
v., and -ion.
Derivative: collection-a/, adj.
collective, adj. - F. collect if (fem. collective), fL
L. collectfvus, 'gathered together, collected', fr.
collectus, pp. of colligere. See collect, v., and
-ive.
Derivatives: collective, n., collective-ly, adv.,
collective-ness, n., collectiv-ism, n., collectiv-ist,
n., collectiv-ist-ic, adj., collectiv-ity, n.
collector, n. - F. collecteur, fr. ML. collect6rem,
ace. of collector, fr. L. collect us, pp. of colligere.
See collect, v., and agential suff. -or. Cp. OProven'<. collector, Sp. colector, It. col/ettore, which
all derive fr. ML. collect6rem.
colleen, n., a girl. - Ir. cailin, dimin. of caile,
'girl'. For the dimin. suff. cp. smithereens.
college, n. -OF. college (F. college), fr. L. collegium, 'persons united by the s:.:me office, college, union, company', orig. 'a union formed
by law', fr. col-, 'together', and lex, gen. legis,
'law'. See com- and legal and cp. colleague, n.
Derivatives: col!eg-er, n., collegial (q.v.), colleg-ian, n., collegiate (q.v.)
collegial, adj. - L. col/egililis, fr. collegium. See
college and -ial.
collegiate, adj. --- L. col!egiiitus, 'he who is with
one in a college or society', fr. collegium. See
college and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: col!egiate-ly, adv., collegiate-ness, n.
Collemhola, n., an order of insects, including the
springtails (entomol.) - ModL., compounded
of Gk. Y.0nx, 'glue', and E[J.~'>),r,J, 'anything
that can be eas'ily thrown in. peg, wedge', fr.
Z[J.rHn~w, 'to throw in'; sec collo- and emblem. The insects of this order are so called in
allusion to their collophore.
collenchyma, n., a plant tissue consisting of elongated cells thickened at the angles (bot.) ModL., formed on analogy of parenchyma fr.
Gk. z!,i).:t., 'glue. and 'i.u>:=. 'infusion'. See
collo-, and cnchymatous.
Derivative: collenchym-atic, adj.
collet, n., a metal band. - F., 'little collar',
dimin. of col, cou, 'neck', fr. L. collum, of s.m.
See col, collar, and -et and cp. cullet, decollete.
Derivative: collet. tr. v.
colletic, adj., agglutinant. - Gk. %'>i):r,-:tz0:, fr.
y_'Ji):r,-:(,~. 'glued', verbal adj. of w,/.l.'h. 'to
glue', fr. x0/.h, 'glue'. See collo-.
Colletotrichum, n., a form genus of imperfect
fungi (bot.) - ModL.. compounded of Gk.
%'~i.i:~-:0-;, ~glued',

and

~t;,(~,

gen.

":?'Zr~:_, 'hair~.

See prec. word and tricho-.

colliculus, n., a prominence (anal. and zoo!.) L., 'a little hill', dimin. of col/is, which ~tands
for *coi-n-is and is cogn. with Lith. kclnas, Lett.
kains, mountain, Gk. zr.Ji.<ll'J!..~, xr_ji.~-,'~'t;, 'hilr,
OE. hyll, 'hill', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to be elevated'. See column and cp. colline. Cp. also hill

and the first element in colophon. For the change

of In to II cp. L. pel/is (for *pelnis), 'skin' (see fell,
'hide'). For the ending of L. col!iculus see sul'f.
-cui e.
collide, intr. v. - L. collidere, 'to dash together',
fr. com- and laedere, 'to hurt'; see lesion and cp.
elide. For the change of Latin ae (in laedere)
to f (in col-lfdere) see acquire and cp. words
there referred to.
collidine, n., an alkaloid, C 8 H 11 N (chem.)- Lit.
'the glue! ike substance', formed with chem. suff.
-ine fr. Gk. Y.oAAoc, 'glue', and dllo~, 'form,
shape'. See collo- and -oid.
collie, n., a Scottish sheep dog. - Of uncertain
origin; possibly the same word as coaly (see
coal and adj. suff. -y) and so called in allusion
to the color of some of this breed, or perh. a
dimin. of the PN. Colin (cp.Chaucer, Y. I, where
Collie is the name of a dog).
collier, n., I) a ship for carrying coal; 2) coal
miner. - ME. colyer, fr. col, 'coal'. See coal
and -ier.
colliery, n., a coal mine. - Formed fr. collier
with suff. -y.
colligate, tr. v., to bind together.- L. col!igiitus,
pp. of col/igcire, fr. col- and ligiire, 'to bind'. See
ligament and verbal suff. -ate and cp. colleague, v.
colligation, n. -- L. colligiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a binding together', fr. col!igiitus, pp. of colligiire.
See prec. word and -ion.
collimate, tr. v., to make parallel to a given line.
- Fr. collimiitus, pp. of 'collimiire', an erroneous reading in early editions of Cicero for
L. col/inciirc, 'to direct in a straight line', fr.
com- and linea, 'line'. See line, 'row', and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: collimat-ion, n., collimat-or, n.
colline, n., a small hill (obsol.) - F., fr. Late L.
collina, prop. fem. of L. co/linus, 'pertaining
to a hill, hilly', fr. col/is, 'hill'. See colliculus
and -inc (representing L. -inus).
collinear, adj., lying in the same line. - Formed
fr. com- and L. linea, 'a line'. Sec linear.
Collins, n., a bread-and-butter letter. -So called
from William Collins, a character in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, in allusion to his letter
of thanks written to Mr. Bennet.
Collinsia, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family (bot.)- ModL., named after the Philadelphian botanist Zaccheus Collins ( 1764-183 r ).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
Collinsonia, n., a genus of herbs of the mint family (bot.) - Modl., named after the English
botanist Peter Collinson. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
collision, n. - L. collisio, gen. -onis, 'a dashing
together, concussion', fr. collisus, pp. of collidere. Sec collide and -ion and cp. elision.
collo-, before a vowel coli-, combining form
meaning glue'.- Gk. w>i.i,u-, WJAi,-, fr. y_rjj),x,
'glue', which stands for *x6Apc and is prob.
cogn. with OSiav. kleji, kleji, 'glue', MLG. helen,

collocate

'to stick'. Cp. colletic, the first element in collagen, Collernbola, collenchyrna, collidine, collodion, colloid, and the second element in
protocol.
collocate, tr. v., to place side by side; to arrange.
- L. collociitus, pp. of col/ociire, 'to place together, arrange', fr. com- and loctire, 'to place'.
See locate and cp. couch, which is a doublet of
collocate.
collocation, n. - L. collociitio, gen. -onis, fr. collociitus, pp. of col/ociire. See prec. word and
-ion.
collocution, n., a speaking together. - L. collociitio, gen. -onis, fr. col/ociitus, pp. of col/oqui,
'to speak together'. See corn-, loquacious and
-ion and cp. colloquy.
collocutor, n.- Late L. co/locutor, 'he who talks
with another', fr. L. co/lociitus, pp. of colloqui.
See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
collodion, n., a solution of nitrated cellulose
(chem.)- Fr. Gk. xo).).w8r;c;, 'gluelike', which
is compounded of 'glue', and -w81J~, 'like'. See
collo- and -ode, 'like'.
Derivative: collodion-ize, tr. v.
collogue, intr. v., to converse confidentially. A blend of F. colloque, 'conversation' (fr. L.
colloquium), and dialogue. See colloquy.
colloid, adj., I) gluelike; of the nature of a colloid
2) n., a gelatinous substance. - Compounded
of coli- and -oeLB~c;, 'like', fr. dllo~, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
Derivative: colloid-al, adj.
collop, n., a slice of meat. ~ ME. colhoppe,
coloppe, compounded of col, 'coal' (see coal),
and hoppe, a word of uncertain origin. Cp. dial.
Swed. g/odhoppa, 'baked over gleeds (i.e. glowing coals)'.
collophore, n., a suckerlike organ in the abdomen
of insects (entomol.) - Compounded of colloand Gk. -cp6po~, 'bearing'. See -phore.
colloquial, adj. - Formed fr. colloquy with adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: colloquial-ism, n., colloquial-ist, n.,
colloquial-ize, tr. v. colloquial-ly, adv.
colloquy, n., conversation.- L. colloquium, 'conversation', fr. com- and loquf, 'to speak'. See
loquacious.
Derivative: colloquial (q.v.)
collotype, n., a photographic print made from a
gelatin plate. - Compounded of collo- and
-type.
collude, intr. v., to cooperate in a fraud. - L.
colliidere, 'to play together', fr. com- and liidere,
'to play'. See ludicrous, and cp. allude and words
there referred to.
collusion, n., cooperation in a fraud.- F., fr. L.
col/iisionem, ae1::. of colliisio, 'a playing together',
fr. colliis-(um), pp. stem of colliidere. See prec.
word and -ion and cp. allusion and words there
referred to.
collusive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
colliis-(um), pp. stem of col/iidere. See c:oUude

314

and cp. allusive and words there referred to.

Derivatives: collusive-ly, adv., collusive-ness, n.
Collybia, n., a genus of agarics (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. x6).).u[3oc;, 'coin', orig. '(small) change',
which stands for *:x.6).).ucpoc;, and derives fr. Heb.
/;iiilOph, fr. biiltiph, 'he changed'. Mishnaic Hebrew qolbon, 'rate of exchange', has been reborrowed fr. Gk. x6).).u[3oc;. Cp. caliph.
collyrium, n., an eye salve (med.) - L., fr. Gk.
xo).),Dpwv, 'poultice, eye salve', dimin. of
xoMDpii, 'a loaf of coarse bread', which is rei.
to x6MI~, of s.m.; of unknown origin. The eye
salve was called xoMDpLov ('a little loaf'), because it was made up in small loaves.
colo-, before a vowel col-, combining form denoting the colon (med.) - Fr. Gk. x6).ov. See
colon, 'part of the larger intestine'.
colobium, 11., a sleeveless or short-sleeved tunic,
formerly used by the clergy.- Late L., fr. Gk.
xoA6~wv, fr. xo).o[36c;, 'docked, curtailed, mutilated', fr. x6).oc;, of s.m., whence also xo).oueLv,
'to cut short, curtail'; rei. to xAiiv, 'to break',
fr. I.-E. base *qel(ii)-, *qol(ii)-, 'to strike, beat'.
See clastic and cp. the next two words and the
first element in colure.
coloboma, n., a defect of the eye (me d.)- Medical
L, fr. Gk. xoA6[3w(J.tx, 'the part taken away in
mutilation', fr. xo).o~ouv, 'to mutilate', fr.
xo).o[36~, 'mutilated'. See colobiurn.
Colobus, n., a genus of African monkeys (zoo/.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. xo).o~6c;, 'docked, curtailed,
mutilated' (see colobium); so called in allusion
to the thumbs.
colocynth, n. - L. colocynthis, fr. Gk. xo).oxuv!Hc;,
'the wild gourd', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. coloquintida.
cologne, n., perfumed liquid. - Shortened fr.
eau de Cologne, lit. 'water of Cologne', fr.
Cologne, French name of Koln in Germany,
orig. called Colonia Agrippfna ('colony of
Agrippa'), after Agrippa, wife of the Roman
emperor Claudius. Cp. Eau de Cologne.
colon, n., that part of the larger intestine, which
extends from the caecum to the rectum (anat.)
- L., fr. Gk. x6).ov, 'large intestine', which is
of uncertain origin.
colon, n., the punctuation mark: - L colon, fr.
Gk. xw).ov, 'limb, member; member of a clause
or a sentence', which is rei. to xw).eii, xw).~,
'thighbone', and cogn. with OSlav. koleno, 'knee',
*Clenii (fr. *celnii), 'limb, member' (whence
Russ., Czech Clen, of s.m.),Lith. kelys, Lett. celis,
'knee', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qe/-, 'crooked, bent',
whence also Gk. axtxA'1]v6c;, 'limping, halting,
uneven', axii.o~, 'leg', axoi.16c;, 'crooked, bent'.
See scalene and cp. semicolon. Cp. also cylinder.
colon, n., the monetary unit of Costa Rica. Sp. colon, named after Christopher Columbus
(Crist6bal Col6n), the discoverer of America.
colonel, n. - Earlier also spelled coronet, fr. F.
colonel, earlier also coronet, fr. It. colonnello, fr.
colonna, 'column'. Cp. Sp. coronel (with dissi-

315

milation of the first I to r) and see column. It.

colonnello orig. meant 'the leader of a column
of soldiers'.
Derivative: colonel-cy, n.
colonial, adj. - Coined by the British statesman
Edmund Burke (I729-97) fr. L. colonia. See
colony and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: colonial, n., colonial-ism, n., colonial-ist, n.
colonization, n. -Formed fr. colonize with suff.
-ation; first used by Edmund Burke. See prec.
word.
Derivative: colonization-ist, n.
colonize, tr. and intr. v., I) to settle with colonists;
2) to form a colony or colonies. - In the first
sense formed fr. L. colonus, 'tiller of the
ground, farmer'; in the second sense derived fr.
colony (q.v.) For the ending see suff. -ize.
Derivatives: colonization (q.v.), coloniz-er, n.
colonnade, n., a series of columns.- F.,fr. earlier
colonnate, fr. It. colonnato, 'colonnade', fr. eolonna, 'column'. See column.
Derivative: colonnad-ed, adj.
colonnette, n., a small column. - F., dimin.
formedwithsuff. -ettefr. co/onne, 'column'. See
column.
colony, n. - ME. colonie, fr. L. colonia, 'landed
estate, farm, settlement, colony', fr. co/onus,
'tiller of the ground, husbandman, farmer', fr.
co/ere, 'to till (the ground), cultivate, dwell, inhabit', rei. to inco/a, 'inhabitant', inquilfnus, 'inhabitant of a place which is not his own, lodger',
fr. I.-E. base *qtcef-, 'to turn, turn round,
move about', whence also 01. ctirati, 'moves
about, wanders, drives', cdra/:1, 'walk, motion',
caramti/:1, 'the last', divii-kam/:1, 'sun', Gk.
d),E:L\1, and 'Tt"EA0'-&etL, 'tO be in motion; tO be;
to become', rr6).o~, 'pivot', -re).o~, 'end' reAeLoc;,
-;e).eoc;, 'complete', Tij).e, 'far off' rrx'A.LV, 'back',
miAtxL, 'long ago', 7ttxAtxL6c;, 'ancient', W., Co.,
Bret. pel/, 'far off', OSlav. kolo, OPruss. ke/an,
'wheel', and-with reduplication of the base01. cakrtil;, Toch. A kukal, B kokale, Gk.
xux).oc;, OE. hweogol, hwcol, wheel', Lith.
kiik/as, 'neck'. Cp. cult, culture. Cp. also Anatolian, ancillary, autotelic, bucolic, calash, chukker, collar, cologne, cycle, domicile, fallow,
'plowed land', inquiline, Limicolae, paleo-, Paludicolae, philately, pole, pratincole, pulley, talisman, tele-, telegnosis, telegraph, teleology, telephone, telescope, telesterion, terricolous, Triteleia, wheel.
colopexy, also colopexia, n., the suturing of the
sigmoid flexure to the abdominal wall (surg.)Medical L. co/opexia, compounded of xl;),ov,
'large intestine, colon', and rrlj~L~, 'a fixing'. See
colon, 'part of the larger intestine', and -pexy.
colophane, n., a resin. - F. colophane, fr. OF.
colofonie, co/ofoine, fr. L. colophonia (see colophony); influenced in form by F. diaphane,
'transparent' (see diaphanous).
colophon, n., inscription at the end of a book,

Colosseum

corresponding to the title page of modern

books. - Gk. xo).ocpwv, 'top, summit, finishing
touch', for I.-E. *qol-1]-bho-; rei. to xo).wv6c;,
XOAWV'YJ, 'hill', and cogn. with L. col/is, 'hill'.
See colliculus.
colophony, n., a resin. - L. co/aphonia, fr. Gk.
(p'1]-rlv1J) Ko).ocpwv(ii, 'resin from Colophon', fr.
Ko).ocpwv, name of a town in Lydia, lit.
meaning 'summit'. See colophon.
coloquintida, n., colocynth. - Med. L., fr.
Gk. xo).oxuv.&[(')cx, ace. of xo).oxuv.&[c;. See
colocynth.
color, colour, n. - ME., fr. OF. culour, colour
(F. couleur), fr. L. colorem, ace. of color, 'color
of the skin, color in general, appearance'. L.
color prop. means 'outward show, covering',
and is rei. to L. celtire, 'to hide'; see conceal.
Cp. It. colore, OProven". and Sp. color, Port.
cor, 'color', which all derive fr. L. co/orem. For
the sense development of L. color cp. OT. vtir~a/:1,
'covering, color', rei. to vriJiiti, 'covers', and
Gk. xpc7lfLet, 'surface of the body, skin, color of
the skin, color', :x.Pws, of s.m. Cp. tricolor.
Derivatives: colo(u)r, v. (q.v.), colo(u)r-ful, adj.,
colo(u)r-ful-ly, adv., colo(u)r-ful-ness, n., col(u)rless, adj., colo(u)r-less-ly, adv., colo(u)r-less-ness,
n., colo(u)r-y, adj.
color, colour, tr. and intr. v. -F. colorer, fr. L.
co/6,.iirf 'to color', fr. color, 'color'. See color,
n., and cp. discolor.
Derivatives: colo(u)r-able, adj., co/o(u)r-ahil-ity,
n., co/o(u)r-able-ness, n., colo(u)r-abl-y, adv.,
colo(u)r-er, n., co/o(u)r-ing, n.
colorado, adj., of medium color (said of cigars).
- Sp., 'ruddy, reddish', lit. 'colored', pp. of
colorar, 'to color, dye, paint, stain', fr. L.
coloriire. See color, v.
colorant, n., a dye. - F., prop. pres. part. of
colorer, 'to color', fr. L. coloriire. See color, v.,
and -ant.
coloration, colouration. n., a coloring. - L. co/6riitio, gen. -onis, fr. coloriitus, pp. of coloriire.
Sec color, v., and -ation.
coloratura, n., florid ornaments (mus.) - It., lit.
'a coloring,' fr. colorare, fr. L. coloriire. See
color, v.
colorific, adj., producing color. -F. colorifique,
fr. L. color, gen. co/oris, 'color', and the stem
ofL. -ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make,
do'. See color, n., and -fie.
colorimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
strength of colors.- A hybrid coined fr. L color,
gen. co/oris, 'color', and Gk. (J.hpr,v, 'measure'.
See color, n., and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
colossal, adj., huge. - F. colossal, formed with
suff. -al (fr. L. -iilis) fr. L. colossus. See colossus
and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: colossal-ly, adj., colossal-ity, n.
colossean, adj., colossaL -Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. colosseus, fr. Gk. xo).ocrcrcxios, 'colossal',
fr. xo).ocrcr6.:;. See colossus and cp. Colosseum.
Colosseum, less correctly Coliseum, n., the great

Colossochelys

amphitheater in Rome built by Vespasian and

Titus. - Neut. of the adj. colosseus, used as a
noun. See prec. word.
Colossochelys, n., a genus of Pliocene tortoises
(paleontol.)- ModL., lit. 'gigantic tortoise', fr.
Gk. xo).ocrcr6<;, 'colossus', and Z.EAG<;, 'tortoise'.
See colossus and Chelonia.
colossus, n., I) a gigantic statue; 2) anything
huge.- L., fr. Gk. xo).ocrcr6<;, 'a gigantic statue,
colossus', a word borrowed from an Aegean
language.
colostrum, n., the first milk after pregnancy(med.)
- L. co/astra, colostrum, 'heestings', of uncertain origin.
colpo-, before a vowel colp-, combining form
meaning 'in relation to the womb' (med.) Gk. xoA7to-, xoA7t-, fr. x6A7to<;, 'womb'. See gulf.
colporteur, n., a hawker.- F., 'hawker, peddler',
fr. colporter, 'to hawk about, peddle', lit. 'to
carry on one's neck' (fr. col, cou, 'neck', and
porter, 'to carry', see coo and collet), a folketymological alteration of OF. comporter, 'to
carry, convey, transport', fr. L. comportiire, 'to
bring together'. See comport.
colt, n., a young horse. - ME., fr. OE. colt,
'young ass or camel' (for the meaning 'young
camel' cp. the Authorized Version to Gen.
32: 15). Cp. dial. Swed. kuft, 'a boy', Dan. kuld,
'brood'.
Derivatives: coft-ish, adj., colt-ish-ly, adv.
Colt, n., a revolver.- Named after the American
Samuel Colt (1814-62), who invented it in 1836.
colter, coulter, n., a knife or blade attached to a
plow.- ME. culler, colter, fr. OE. culler, fr. L.
culler, 'plowshare, knife' (whence also OF.
coltre, F. coutre), fr. I.-E. base *(s)qel-, 'to cut,
cleave, split', whence also Hitt. ishkallii, ishkat/iii, 'to break', Arm. fCelum, 'I cleave, split',
Gk. crxci).).w;, 'to hoe, dig', crxa).l<;, 'hoe, mattock', crx-i).,rr,, 'knife, sword', crxctAiJ.0<;, 'pin or
thole (to which the oar was fastened)', crxx),0y,
'mole' (lit. 'the digger'), crxo).r,y, 'pale, stake',
crxw/.o<;, a pointed stake', OSiav. skolika,
'oyster', skala, 'rock, stone', Jr. scelec, 'rock',
Mlr. sciii/im, 'I scatter, disperse', ON. skalm,
'a short sword, knife', OHG. scala, 'drinking
cup', OE. scala, 'shell, scale of a balance'. See
scale, 'weighing instrument', and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also coutel, cultrate, cultriform, cutlass, cutler, cutlery. Cp. also calcareous.
Coluber, n., a genus of snakes (zoo/.) - L. coluber, 'serpent, snake', of uncertain origin. Cp.
colubrine. Cp. also cobra, culverin.
Colubridae, n. pl., a family of snakes (zoo[.) ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
colubrine, adj., 1) pertaining to, or like, a snake;
cunning; 2) pertaining to the subfamily of snakes
called Colubrinae, of the family Colubridae
(zoo/.)- L. colubrinus, 'like a snake, cunning,
fr. coluber, 'serpent, snake'. See Coluber and
adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -i'nus).

317

316

Columba, n., a genus of birds, the pigeon (ornithol.) - L., 'dove, pigeon', cogn. with Gk.
xoAUiJ.~O<;, xoAUiJ.~l<;, 'diver' (name of a bird),
OSiav. gol{!bi, 'dove', lit. 'the blue bird', Russ.
goluboj, OPruss. golimban, 'blue', Lith. gelumbe,
'blue cloth'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*qel-, *qol-, 'of a dark color', whence also Gk.
xe:).ctw6~, 'black'. Cp. columbine, Colymbus. This
base is related to base *qiil-, whence L. ciitigo,
'darkness'. See caliginous and cp. Celaeno.
columbaceous, adj., dovelike; pertaining to the
pigeons. - Formed with suff. -aceous fr. L.
calumba, 'dove'. See Columba.
columbarium, n., a dovecot. - L. columbiirium,
prop. neut. of the adjective columbiirius, 'pertaining to doves', used as a noun, fr. calumba.
See Columba ar;d -arium.
columbate, n., a salt of columbic acid (chem.) See columbium and chem. suff. -ate.
Columbella, n., a genus of gastropods (zoo/.) ModL., dimin. of calumba, 'dove'. See Columba
and -ella.
columbiad, n., a kind of heavy gun used in the
American Civil War. - From next word.
Columbiad, n., an epic of America. - Formed
with suff. -ad fr. Columbia, poetic nameufNorth
America, which was so called from its discoverer Christopher Columbus.
columbine, adj., pertaining to a dove or doves;
dovelike. - ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) colombin, fr.
L. columbfnus, fr. cofumba, 'dove'. See Columba
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -!nus).
columbine, n., any plant of the genus Aquilegia.
- F. cofombine, fr. ML. columblna, fern. of
L. columbinus, 'dovelike' (see prec. word); so
called from the resemblance of the inverted
flower to a group of doves.
Columbine, fern. PN. -- Lit. 'dovclike', fr. L.
co/umbfna, fern. of columblnus. See columbine,
adj.
Columbine, n., a female character in comedy and
pantomime, the sweetheart of Harlequin. - It.
Colombina, fr. L. columbina, 'dovelike'. See
Columbine, adj.
columbite, n., a columbate of iron, Fe(Cb03 ) 2
(mineral.) - Formed fr. next word with subst.
suff. -ite.
columbium, n., a metallic element (chem.)- The
original name given to niobium by its discoverer
Charles Hatchett (I 765-1 847) in I8o1; he named
it so because he signalized it first in the ore
called columbite (q.v.) For the ending of columbium see -ium.
columella, n., a part resembling a column (anat.,
zoo/. and bot.) - L., dimin. of columna. See
next word and -ella.
column, n.- L. columna, 'pillar, column', prob.
standing for *qelom(e)nii, 'that which rises',
fern. passive part. formed fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to
rise, be elevated', whence also columen, culmen,
'top, summit, gable', eelsus, 'high, lofty, elevated',
excellere, 'to rise, excel', co/lis (for*col-n-is), 'a

,,
'
_I

combust

Comarum, n., a genus of plants of the rose family

hill', 01. kiltam (for kultam), 'top, skull' (orig.
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. x6iJ.apo<;, 'the arbutus',
'elevation'), Gk. xo).wv6~. KOANV'I), 'hill', xoa pre-Hellenic word.
).ocp<i>v, 'top, end', Lith. kdlnas, Lett. kains;
comatose, adj., in a state of coma. - Formed
'mountain', Lith. kalva, Lett. kalva, 'hill', Lith.
with adj. suff. -ose fr. Gk. x&i[-J.ct, gen. xw[-J.ct't'o<;,
keliu, kelti, Lett. ceJu, celt, 'to raise, lift', OSlav.
'a deep sleep'. See coma, 'insensibility'.
celo, 'forehead', celesinu, 'particular, peculiar'.
comb, n. - ME., fr. OE. ciimb, rei. to OS. camb,
OS. holm, 'hill', OE. holm, 'island, wave, sea'.
ON. kambr, Du., Dan. and Swed. kam, OHG.
Cp. hill, holm. Cp. also colliculus, colline,
champ, kamb, MHG. kamp, kam, G. Kamm,
colonel, colonnade, colophon, culminate, excel.
'comb', lit. 'something tooth-shaped', fr. I.-E.
For the participial suff. in L. columna (for
base *gembh-, 'to bite'; to cut to pieces', whence
*qelo-menii) see alumnus and cp. words there
also OI.jdmbha/:1, 'tooth', Toch. A kam, B keme,
referred to.
'tooth', Gk. y6fLcpo<;, 'bolt, nail', yoiJ.cplo~ (scil.
Derivatives: columnar (q.v.), column-ed, adj.
bllwv), 'grinder tooth, tooth of a key', yctfL<pctl,
columnar, adj., formed in columns.- L. co/umyctiJ.<p1JActl, 'jaws of animals, beak or bill of
niiris, 'rising in the form of a pillar', fr. columna.
birds', Alb. &mp, Gheg ~qm, 'tooth', OSlav.
See prec. word and -ar.
Z{!bU, Lett. zuobs, 'tooth', Lith. ianibas, 'edge of a
columniform, adj.- See column and -form.
beam', Lith. gembe, 'peg', OSlav. zrb{! (for
colure, n., one of the two celestial circles intersect*gembh-), 'I tear to pieces'. See gemma and
ing each other at the poles (astron.) -Late L.
cp. cam, n., kemb, unkempt, oakum. Cp. also
coluri (pl.), fr. Gk. ctl x6).oupot (sci!. ypct[-J.[-J.Gtl),
gomphosis.
'the co lures', lit. 'the truncated (lines)', pl. of
Derivatives: comb, tr. and intr. v., comb-ed,
x6).oupo<;, 'dock-tailed', which is compounded
adj., comb-er, n.
of x6).o~, 'docked, mutilated, curtailed', and
combat, intr. v., to fight; tr. v., to fight with. oup&, 'tail' (see colobium and oro-, 'tail-'); so
F. combattre, 'to fight', fr. VL. *combat/ere, fr.
called because in Greece their lower part is
com- and L. battuere, battere, 'to beat, strike'.
always 'cut off' (i.e. beneath the horizon).
See batter, 'to beat violently', and cp. abate, deColutea, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
bate, hors de combat.
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xo).ou't'E~, KOAOt't'e~,
Derivatives: combat, n., combat-ive, adj., comxo).w-:s~, name of a tree.
bat-ive-ly, adv., combat-ive-ness, n.
Colymbus, n., a genus of birds (ornithol.) combat, n., fight. - F., back formation fr. comModL., fr. Gk. x6).;iJ.~O<;, 'diver (the bird)',
battre. See prec. word.
which is cogn. with L. calumba, 'dove, pigeon'.
combatant, 1) adj., fighting; ready to fight; 2) n.,
See Columba.
fighter. - F. combattant, pres. part. of comcolza, n., coleseed; rapeseed.- F., fr. Du. koolbattre. See combat, v., and -ant.
zaad, lit. 'cabbage seed', fr. kool, 'cabbage', and
combe, n., a deep valley. - OE. cumb, of Celtic
zaad, 'seed'. See cole and seed.
origin; cp. Bret. komb, 'small valley', W. cwmm,
com-, pref. meaning 'with, together'.- L. com-,
'dale, valley', Mlr. comm, Ir. and Gael. cum,
fr. OL. com (whence L. cum), 'with', rel. to
'vessel', which are cogn. with Gk. XUiJ.~1i 'the
Oscan com, con, 'with', com-, kum-, Umbr. com-,
hollow of a vessel, cup, boat'. Sec cymbal and
co-, ku- ~ L. com-, con-, and to L. contrii (for
cp. 2nd coomb.
*com-tro-), 'against', and cogn. with Olr., Mlr.
combinant, adj. and n. (math.) - Late L. comcom-, con-, 'with', Alb. kE:-, 'con-', the Teut.
biniins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of combiniire. See
perfective prefixes: Goth. ga-, OE. ge-, etc.,
combine and -ant.
and pro b. also with Gk. xow6~, 'common, public,
combination, n. - OF. combination (F. combigeneral' (see coeno-). Cp. ISt con-, contra-,
naison), fr. Late L. combfniitionem, ace. of comcount, 'title of nobility'. Cp. also y-.
bfniitio, fr. combiniitus, pp. of combiniire. See
coma, n., a state of insensibility. - ModL., fr.
combine and -ation.
Gk. x(7'fLGt, 'a deep sleep, lethargy', which is prob.
combinative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive from
rel. toxotiJ.iv, 'to put to sleep', xe:'Lcr{ht, 'to lie', fr.
Late L. combiniitus, pp. of combiniire, fr. comI.-E. base kei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence also
and bini, 'two each, two at a time'. See binary.
L. civis, 'member of a community, citizen'. See
Derivatives: combine, n., combin-ed, adj., comcivil and cp. acomia.
bin-ed-ly, adv., combin-ed-ness, n., combin-er, n.
coma, n., 1) a tuft of hairs (bot.); 2) a nebulous
Combretum, n., a genus of plants of the myromass (astron.) - L., fr. Gk. x6[-L-~, 'hair of the
balan family (bot.) - L. combretum, a kind of
head', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. next
rush', of uncertain origin. It stands perh. for
word, comet, comose, pyrone.
*kwendhro-, and is cogn. with Lith. svdidrai
Comandra, n., a genus of plants of the sandal(pl.), 'a kind of rush', Faroeish Dan. qvander,
wood family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
the plant 'Angelica silvestris'. See Walde-HofGk. x6iJ.~. 'hair' and &:v'i)p, gen. &:vllp6<;, 'man'
mann, LE\V., I. p. 253 s.v. combretum.
(see coma, 'tuft of hair', and andro-); so called
combust, adj., burnt.- L. combustus, pp. of combecause the hairs on the calyx lobes are attached
biirere, 'to burn up', fr. *co(m)-iirere, with into the anthers.

combustible

serted b on analogy of amburere, 'to burn

round', which stands for amb-iirere, 'to burn
round', but was misdivided into am-biirere.
(Owing to this misdivision the new verb *biirere
was formed, with the pp. bustum; see bust.) L.
*com-iirere is formed fr. com- and iirere, 'to
burn', which is cogn. with 01. O$afi, 'burns',
U$1Jab, 'hot', u#db, 'burnt, hot', Gk. e:\lc:~v (for
*c:tlcmv), 'to singe', OHG. usil-far, 'yellow' (lit.
'ash-colored'), ON. ysja, 'fire', usli, OE. ysle,
'glowing ashes, embers', ON. eimyrja, OE.
iimerge, 'embers'. AU these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *eus-, 'to burn'. See ember, 'live
coal', and cp. Eurus, uredo, Urtica, urticaria, urticate, Ustilago, ustulate.
combustible, adj. - F., fr. Late L. combustibilis,
fr. L. combustus, pp. of comburere. See combust and -ible.
Derivatives: combustible, n., combustibil-ity, n.,
combustible-ness, n., combustibl-y, adv.
combustion, n., a burning.- F., fr. Late L. combusti6nem, ace. of combusti6, 'a burning', fr.
L. combustus, pp. of combiirere. See combust
and -ion.
come, intr. v.- ME. cumen, comen, fr. OE. cuman,rel. to OS. cuman, ON. kama, OFris. cuma,
Du. komen, OHG. queman, koman, MHG. komen, G. kommen, Goth. qiman, 'to come', fr.
I.-E. base *g"'em-, 'to go; to come', whence also
OI. gdmati, gdcchati, 'he goes', gatd/:1, 'gone',
Avestic jamaiti, 'goes', Toch. A kakmu, B kekamu, 'come' (pp.), A kumnas, 'comes', B kamnaskerJZ, 'they come', Arm. ekn (for *e-gwem-t),
'he came', Gk. ~cdvw (prob. for *~&vJ:w fr.
*~&!LJ:W), 'I go', L. venhi (prob. for *g"1Jli6), 'I
come', Mfr. beim for *ben-smen), 'pace, step',
Lith. gemu, gill1ti, 'to be born', lit. 'to come'.
Cp. the collateral base *gu:a. in 01. dgiim (aor.),
Gk. ~~-r,v (aor.), 'I went', Gk. ~'ijfLoc, 'pace, step',
~i:lfLo~. 'altar', Lett. giiju, 'I went', gatwa, 'passage', Alb. ngii, 'I run'. Cp. welcome. Cp. also
base, n., and words there referred to. Cp. also
venue, 'arrival', and words there referred to.
Cp. also agama, jagat.
come-at-able, adj., accessible. - Formed fr.
come, at, and -able.
comedian, n. - F. conuidien, fr. comedie, 'com
medy'. See comedy and -an.
comedienne, n. - F. comedienne, 'an actress in
comedy', fern. of comedien. See prec. word.
comedictta, n., a short comedy. - It. (now
commedietta), dimin. of comedia (now commedia), 'comedy', fr. L. c6moedia. See comedy.
comedo, n., hlackhead (med.) - L. comedo, 'a
glutton', rei. to comedere, 'to eat entirely up',
fr. com- and edere, 'to eat'. See edible and cp.
comestible.
comedy, n.- F. comMie, fr. L. c6moedia, fr. Gk.
XWfL~>i>loc, 'comedy', fr. Xc.>fLcp36c;, 'comic actor'
(orig. 'singer in the xwfLo<; or comic chorus'},
contraction of Xc.>fLocot86<;, which is compounded of x&fLo<;, 'revel, carousal, merry-making,

318

comic chorus', and <Xo~36<;, 'singer'. The first

element is of uncertain origin; it is per h. rei.
to Gk. xcilfLIJ, 'village'. See home and cp. comic,
Comus,encomium,afikoman. The second element
is rei. to Gk. <Xd8m, 'to sing', &m3-i), cf>3-i),
'song'; see ode and words there referred to and
cp. esp. tragedy.
comely, adj.- ME. cumelich, cumlich, comeliche,
comlich, fr. OE. cymllc, formed with suff. -lie
(see like, adj.), fr. cyme, 'fine, beautiful, splendid', orig. 'frail, delicate, tender', which is rei.
to ME. kime, 'weak, delicate', OHG. chumo,
kum6, MHG. kiime, 'with difficulty', OHG.
chiimig, kiimig, 'weak, delicate', G. kaum,
'hardly, scarcely'. The original meaning of ME.
kime and OHG. chiimig was ' 1amentable, pitiable'; cp. OHG. chuma, 'sorrow', OHG. chum6n, 'to mourn', OS. kumian, 'to lament, deplore'. All thtse words are derivatives of the
I.-E. imitative base *gou-, *gow-, 'to shout, cry'
whence also OE. ciegan (for orig. *kaujan), 'to
call', cjita, 'kite', OI. gdvate, 'sounds, resounds',
Gk. yoiiv, 'to wail, groan, weep', MLG. kiiten,
'to chatter, babble, prate', Lith. gaudiiit, gailsl'i,
'to howl', gdudas, 'lamentation', OSiav. govoriti,
'to make a noise', Russ. govorit', Serb. and
Croatiangovoriti, Czechhovofiti, Slovak hovorit',
'to speak', Oir.guth, 'voice'.Cp.kite. The word
comely was influenced in meaning by an association with come.
Derivatives: come li-ly, adv., comeli-ness, n.
comestible, adj., eatable.- F., formed with suff.
-ible fr. L. comestus, a collateral form of comesus, pp. of comedere, 'to eat up, consume', fr.
com- and edere, 'to eat'. See edible and cp.
comedo.
comet, n. - L. cometes, fr. Gk. xotJ.-fjTij<; (scil.
&crTI)p ), 'comet', lit. 'a long-haired (star)', fr.
xofLiiv, 'to wear long hair', fr. x6tJ.YJ, 'hair'. See
coma, 'a tuft of hairs'.
Derivatives: comet-ic, adj., co>net-ary, adj.
cometoid, adj., resembling a comet. - Compounded of comet and Gk. -oe~i>+,.:;, 'like', fr.
d3ot;, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
comfit, n., a dry sweetmeat. - F. con/it, prop.
pp. of confire, 'to conserve, candy, pickle', fr.
L. conficere, 'to put together', fr. con- and facere, 'to make, do'. See confect and cp. discomfit. For the change of Latin ii (in fiicere) to
i (in con-ficere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
comfort, tr. v. -OF. ( = F.) conforter, fr. Late
L. confortiire, 'to strengthen', fr. con- and L.
fortis. 'strong'. See fort.
comfort, n. - OF. ( = F.) confort, back formation fr. conforter. See prec. word.
Derivatives: comfort-less, adj., comfort-less-ly,
adv., comfort-less-ness, n.
comfortable, adj. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) confortable, fr. conforter. See comfort, v., and -able.
Derivatives: comfortable-ness, n., comfortabl-y,
adv.

319

'\1'!

comforter, n. -OF. conforteor, fr. conforter. See

comfort, v., and agential suff. -er.
comfrey, n., a plant of the borage family- ME.
confirie, cumfirie, fr. OF. confirie, fr. con- (see
con-) and firie, 'liver' ( = F. foie), which pro b.
derives fr. L. (iecur) ficiitum, 'liver (of a goose)
fattened with figs', neut. pp. of ficiire, 'to fatten
with figs', fr. ficus, 'fig'; see fig. The plant was
so called because of its congealing properties.
comic, adj. - L. c6micus, fr. Gk. XWfL~x6<;, 'pertaining to comedy', fr. XWfLO~, 'comic chorus'.
See comedy and -ic.
Derivatives: comic, n., comic-al, adj., comic-ality, n., comic-al-ly, adv., comic-al-ness, n.
Comintern, n., the Third International.- Coined
fr. Communist International.
u:omitia, n. pl., assembly of the Roman people
(Roman antiq.) - L., pl. of comitium, 'place of
the assembly', fr. *com-itis, 'a coming together',
fr. com- and the stem of itum, pp. of ire, 'to go'.
See itinerate.
comity, n., courtesy. - F. comite, fr. L. c6mitiitem, ace. of c6mitiis, 'courtesy, kindness, affability', from c6mz:~. 'courteous, kind, affable',
fr. OL. cosmis, which prob. stands for co-smi-s
and lit. means 'he who smiles with', and is
formed fr. co- and the I.-E. base of *smei-, 'to
smile, wonder'; see mirror, smile. OL. cosmis
became L. c6mis in the sense of the Latin phonetic law, according to which s disappeared before d, l, m or n. Cp. L. lifbricus (for *sftlbricos), 'slippery', mirus (for *smeiros), 'wonderful', nidus (for *nizdos), 'nest', ponere (for
*posnere, fr. *po-si-nere), 'to place', primus (for
*prf.5mos), 'first'; see lubricate, miracle, nest,
position, prime.
comma, n.- L., 'division of a period; comma',
fr. Gk. XOfLIL'X, 'a piece cut off; a short clause',
fr. x6rr-re:~v, 'to cut off', which is cogn. with
L. ciip6, 'castrated cock'. See capon, and cp.
acopic, Coptis, pericope, syncope.
Derivative: comma, tr. v.
command, tr. and intr. v. - OF. comander, (F.
commander), 'to command, order', fr. VL. *commandiire, refashioned after mandiire fr. L. commendiire, 'to commit to one's charge', fr. comand mandiire, 'to commit to one's charge', lit.
'to place in one's hands', fr. manus, 'hand'; see
manual and cp. mandate. For the change of
Latin ii (in miindiire) to e (in com-mendiire) see
accent and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
commend, which is a doublet of command.
Derivatives: command, n. (q.v.), commandant
(q.v.), command-er, n., command-er-ship, n.,
commandery (q.v.), command-ing, adj., command-ing-ly, adv., commandment (q.v.)
command, n. -F. commande, fr. commander. See
command, v.
commandant, n. - F., 'the one commanding',
prop. pres. part. of commander. See command,
v., and -ant.
commandeer, n. - S.A. Du. kommanderen, 'to

commencement

commandeer', the same word as Du. kommanderen, 'to command', fr. F. commander.
See command, v.
commander, n. - OF. comandeor (F. commandeur), fr. comander. See command, v., and cp.
commodore.
commandery, n.- F. commanderie, fr. ML. commendiiria, fr. commenda, 'charge, trust' (in the
phrase in commendam dare, 'to give into trust'),
fr. L. commendiire, 'to commit to one's charge'
(see commend and -ery and cp. commendam); influenced in meaning by prec. word. For the
ending see -y (representing F. -ie).
commandment, n. - F. commandement, fr. commander. See command, v., and -ment.
commando, n., I) orig., a military force of Boers;
2) a small raiding group; 3) a member of such
a group. - S.A. Du., fr. Port. commando, fr.
commandar, fr. VL. *commandiire. See command, v.
commatic, adj., consisting of short clauses. - L.
commaticus, fr. Gk. XOfLfLOCnx6c;, fr. XOfLfL'X, gen.
x6fLfLOC"t'o<;, 'a short clause'. See comma and -ic.
Commelina, n., a genus of plants, the dayflower
(bot.) - ModL., named after the Dutch botanists Kaspar and Johann Commelin (1667-1731,
resp. 1629-98).
Commelinaceae, n. pl., the spidcwort family (bot.)
-Formed fr. Commelina with suff. -aceae.
commelinaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
commemorable, adj.- L. commemoriibilis, 'worth
mentioning', fr. commemoriire. See commemorate and -able.
commemorate, tr. v. - L. commemoriitus, pp. of
commemoriire, 'to recall to memory', fr. comand memoriire, 'to bring to remembrance, mention, recount', fr. memor, 'mindful'. See memory
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: commemorat-ive, adj., commemorat-ive-ly, adv., commemorat-ive-ness, n., commemorator (q.v.), commemorat-ory, adj.
commemorator, n. - Late L., fr. L. commemoriitus, pp. of commemoriire. See prec. word and
agential suff. -or.
commemoration, n. - L. commemor(lti6, gen.
-6nis, 'a calling to mind', fr. commemoriitus, pp.
of commemoriire. See commemorate and -ion.
Derivative: commemoration-a!, adj.
commence, tr. and intr. v., to begin. - ME. comencen, fr. OF. comencier, comencer (F. commencer), fr. VL. *cominitiiire, fr. com- and L.
initiiire, 'to initiate, consecrate', in Late L. also
'to begin'; fr. initium, 'beginning'. See initiate.
Cp. It. cominciare, OProven.y. comensar, Catal.
comensar (whence Sp. comenzar), which all derive fr. VL. *cominitiiire.
Derivatives: commencement (q.v.), commencer, n.
commencemeut, n., beginning. - OF. comence
ment (F. commencement) fr. comencier, comencer. See prec. word and -ment.

commend
commend, tr. v. - L. commendtire, 'to commit
to one's charge', fr. com- and mandtire, of s.m.,
lit. 'to place in one's hands'. See command, v.,
which is originally the same as commend, but
differentiated from it in meaning.
commendable, adj. - OF., fr. L. commendtibilis,
'worthy of praise, commendable', fr. commendtire. See commend and -able.
Derivative: commendabl-y, adv.
commendam, n., I) the holding of a benefice by
a bishop or layman to whom it has been commended; 2) the benefice held in this manner
(eccles.)- Abbreviation of ML. in commendam
datum, 'given into trust'. ML. commendam is
ace. of commenda, 'charge, trust'. See commandery.
commendatary, n., a commendator. - ML. commendtittirius, fr. L. commendtitus, pp. of commendtire. See commend, v., and adj. suff. -ary.
commendation, n. - OF., fr. L. commendtitionem, ace. of commendtitio, 'commendation, recommanding'. See commend, v., and -ation.
commendator, n. - L., fr. commendtitus, pp. of
commendtire. See commend, v., and -ator.
commendatory, adj., I) pertaining to, or expressing, a commendation; 2) recommending; (eccles.) holding in commendam. - Late L. commendtitlkius (corresponding to L. commendtiticius), 'serving for commendation, commendatory', fr. L. commendtitus, pp. of commendtire.
See commend, v., and the adj. suffixes -ate and
-ory.
commensal, n., one who eats at the same table. ML. commenscllis, fr. com- and L. mensa, 'table'.
Sec mensa!.
Derivatives: commensal, n., commensal-ism, n.,
commensal-ity, n., commensal-ly, adv.
commensurable, adj. - Late L. commensurtihilis, fr. com- and L. mensurtibilis, 'measurable',
fr. mensurclre. See next word.
Derivatives: commensurabil-ity, n., commensurable-ness, n., commensurabl-y, adv.
commensurate, adj. - Late L. commensuriitus,
'equal in measure', fr. com- and L. mens1lriitus,
pp. of mensurclre, 'to measure', fr. menstlra,
'measure'. See mcnsurate.
Derivatives: commensurate-ly, adv., commensun.Jie-nes.~, n.
comment, n.- ME., fr. OF. comment, fr. L. commentum, 'invention, fabrication, fiction', prop.
neut. of pp. commentus, used as a noun, fr.
comminiscor, 'I devise, invent, contrive, fabricate', which stands for *com-men-iscor and lit.
means 'I ponder', fr. com- and mens, gen. menlis, 'mind'. Sec mental, 'pertaining to the mind'.
F. commenter, fr. L. comcomment, intr. v.
mentiiri, 'to consider thoroughly, meditate upon,
explain', freq. formed fr. comminiscor. See
prec. word. Derivative: comment-or, n.
commentary, n. - L. commentiirium, 'notebook,
sketch, commentary' (short for volumen ommentiirium, 'a commenting book'), ncut. of the

321

adjective commentartus, 'pertaining to a commentum'. See comment, n., and subst. suff. -ary.
commentate, tr. and intr. v. - Back formation
fr. commentator.
commentation, n. - L. commentiitio, gen. -onis,
'meditation upon something, treatise, dissertation', fr. commentiitus, pp. of commenttirl. See
comment, v., and -ation.
commentator, n.- L., 'inventor, contriver, interpreter', fr. commentiitus, pp. of commentiirl. See
comment, v., and -ator.
Derivatives: commentator-ial, adj., commentator-ial-/y, adv.
commerce, n. - F., fr. L. commercium, 'trade,
traffic, intercourse, commerce', fr. con- and
merx, gen. mercis, 'merchandise'. See mercantile.
Derivatives: commerce, intr. v., to have intercow se, commerc-ial, adj. and n., commercialism, n., commercial-ist, n., commercial-ize, tr.
v., commercial-ity, n., commercial-ly, adv.
comminate, tr. and intr. v., to threaten; to anathematize. - L. comminiitus, pp. of commimlri,
'to threaten', fr. com- and miniiri, 'to threaten'.
See minatory and cp. menace.
commination, n., a threat. - L. commintitio, gen.
-onis, fr. comminiitus, pp. of commintiri. See
prec. word and -ion.
comminatory, adj., threatening. - ML. comminiitorius, fr. L. comminiitus, pp. of comminclri.
See comminate and -ory.
commingle, tr. and intr. v. - A hybrid coined fr.
com- and mingle.
comminute, tr. v., to divide into small particles.L. comminiifus, pp. of comminuere, 'to divide
into small parts, break into pieces', fr. comand minuere, 'to make small, lessen, reduce'.
Sec minute, adj.
Derivatives: comminut-ed, adj., comminut-ion, n.
Commiphora, n., a genus of trees of the family
Burseraceae (hot.) - ModL., compounded of
Gk. xiJp.:J.~, 'gum', and -?6P'J~, 'bearing'. See
gum, 'resin', and -phore.
commiserate, intr. and tr. v. - L. commisertitus,
pp. of commiserclri, 'to bewail', fr. com- and
miseriiri, 'to pity, deplore'. See miserable and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: commiserafion (q. v.), commiseralhe, adj., commic;eraf-irc-ly, adv., commiseralor, n.
commiseration, n. - F. commiseration, fr. L.
commiseratwnem, ace. of commisertiti6, 'part of
an oration intended to excite compassion', fr.
commisertitus, .PP of commiseYllri. Sec prec.
word and -ion.
commi~sar, n., ~,.:OnHni~su.ry; con1n1issioncr. Russ. komisar, fr. ML. commissarius. See commissary.
commissariat, n. - F., body of commissaries,
commissary's office', fr. comminaire, 'commissary', fr. ML. commissiirius. Sec commissary.
commissary, n., one to whom something is enM L. commissiirius, 'a person in
trusted. -

charge', fr. L. commissus, pp. of committere, 'to

entrust, give in charge'. See commit and -ary.
commission, n. - F., fr. L. commissionem, ace. of
commissio, 'a bringing together in contest, the
beginning of a contest', fr. commissus, pp. of
committere. See commit.
Derivatives: commission, tr. v., commission-a!,
adj., commission-ed, adj., commission-er, n.
commissionaire, n.- F. commissionnaire, lit. 'one
commissioned', fr. ML. commissioniirius, fr. L.
commissio. See commission.
commissure, n., joint, seam; junction (anat.) F., fr. L. commissura, 'a joining together, joint,
seam', fr. commissus, pp. of committere. See
commit and -ure.
commit, tr. v. - L. committere, 'to join or put
together, to unite, connect, commit', fr. com- and
mittere (pp. missus), 'to send'. See mission and
cp. fideicommissum.
Derivatives: commit, n., commit-ment, n., committ-er, committ-or, n.
committee, n. - Late AF. committe, pp. corresponding to F. commis, fr. F. commettre, 'to
commit'. Orig. committee meant 'a person to
whom something is committeed'. See prec. word
and -ee.
commix, tr. and intr. v. - Back formation fr.
earlier commix!, which derives fr. L. commixtus,
'mixed together', but was mistaken for the pp.
of an English verb (i.e. commixt was supposed
to have been formed from the verb commix and
the pp. suff. -t). L. commixtus is pp. of commiscere, 'to mix together', which is formed fr. comand miscere, 'to mix'. See mixed and cp. admix,
intermix.
commixtion, n. - Late L. commixtio, gen. -onis,
fr. L. commixtus, pp. of commiscere. See prec.
word and -ion.
commixture, n. - L. commixtura, fr. commixtus,
pp. of commiscere. See commix and -ture.
commode, n., I) a chest of drawers; 2) a movable
washstand. - F., fr. commode, 'convenient,
serviceable, comfortable', fr. L. commodus, 'fit,
suitable, convenient', lit. 'measured with', fr.
com- and modus, 'measure, manner, mode'. See
mode and cp. accommodate, discommode.
commodious, adj., spacious, roomy. - F. commodieux (fern. commodieuse), fr. Late L. commodiosus, fr. L. commodus. See prec. word and
-ous.
Derivatives: commodious-ly, adv., commodiousness, n.
commodity, n., I) convenience; 2) an article of
commerce. - F. commodite, fr. L. commoditiirem, ace. of commoditii:., 'measure, proportion', fr. commodus. See commode and -ity.
commodore, n., I) in the United States Navy, an
officer below the rank of a rear admiral; 2) in
the British Navy, commander of a squadron.Fr. earlier commandore, fr. F. commandeur,
prob. through the medium of Du. commandeur.
See commander.

\..UIIHIIUIII\..d.ll\,

common, adj. _.::: ME. commun, comun, fr. OF.

comun (F. commun), fr. L. communis (cp. the
OL. ace. comoinem), 'commcn, universal, public', formed fr. co- and OL. moinos, moenus(L.
munus), 'service, office, function', which is rei.
to OL. moenia, L. munia, 'official duties', fr.
I.-E. base *moin-, *mein-, 'to change'. See mean,
'of low rank', and cp. commune, communicate,
immune, municipal, munificent, remunerate. Cp.
also mime, minimum.
Derivatives: common-er, n., common-ly, adv.,
common-ness, n.
common, n., I) common land; 2) common people;
3) right to another's land (law).- Fr. common,
adj. Cp. discommon.
Derivatives: common-able, adj., common-age, n.
commonalty, n., I) the common people; 2) the
members of a body corporate. - ME. comonalte, fr. OF. comunaulte (F. communaute), fr.
VL. *communtilittitem, ace. of *commtlntilittis,
fr. L. communis, 'common'. See common, adj.,
and the suffixes -al and -ty.
commonplace, n. - Loan translation of L. locus
comm1inis, 'common topics', itself a loan translation of Gk. xot'Jot T6rrot, 'commonplace', lit.
'common places'.
Derivatives: commonplace, tr. and intr. v. and
adj., commonplace-ly, adv., commonplace-ness,
n., commonplac-er, n.
common sense. - Loan translation of L. sensus
communis or Gk. xot'J1, xtcr%r,m~.
commonsensical, adj. - Formed fr. common
sense on analogy of nonsensical.
Derivative: commonsensical-ly, adv.
commotion, n. -F., fr. L. commoti6nem, ace. of
commotio, 'violent movement, agitation, excitement', fr. commotus, pp. of commovere, 'to put
in violent motion, stir, move', fr. com- and movere, 'to move'. See motion.
Derivative: commotion-a/, adj.
commove, tr. v. - ME. commoeven, commeven,
fr. OF. comovoir, fr. L. commovere. See prec.
word.
communal, adj. - Late L. communalis, fr. communa, 'a commune'. See commune, 'a small political district', and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: communal-ism, n., communal-ist, n.,
communal-ist-ic, adj., communal-ize, tr. v., communaliz-ation, n.
commune, n., a small political district. - F., fr.
L. commiinia, neut. pl. of commtinis, 'common',
which was mistaken for fern. sing. See common.
commune, intr. v. - OF. conumer, fr. comun,
'common'. See common, adj.
communicable, adj. -- F., fr. Late L. commumciibilis, fr. L. commrlniciire. See communicate
and -able.
Derivatives: communicabil-ity, n., communicable-ness, n., communicabl-y, adv.
communicant, adj. and n. - L. commtlnictins,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of comnulnictire. See next
word and -ant.

communicate
communicate, tr. and intr. v.- L. communictitus,
pp. of commltniciire, 'to communicate, impart,
share', fr. communis, 'common'. See common,
adj., and verbal suff. -ate and cp. excommunicate.
communication, n. - F., fr. L. communiciitionem, ace. of communiciitio, fr. communiciitus,
pp. of communiciire. See prec. word and -ion.
communicative, adj. - F. communicatif (fern.
communicative), fr. ML. communiciitivus, fr. L.
communiciitus, pp. of commltniciire. See communicate and -ive.
Derivatives: communicative-ly, adv., communicative-ness, n.
communicator, n. - Late L. commltniciitor, fr.
L. communiciitus, pp. of communicare. See communicate and agential suff. -or.
communicatory, adj. - ML. communiciitorius, fr.
Late L. communicator. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ory.
communion, n.- F., fr. L. communionem, ace. of
communio, 'fellowship, communion', fr. communis, 'common'; see common, adj., and -ion.
The word communion was introduced into English by Wycliffe.
Derivatives: communion-able, adj., communiona/, adj.
communique, n., an official communication. F., pp. of communiquer, fr. L. communiciire. See
communicate.
communism, n., a social system based on collective ownership. - F. communisme, coined by
Goodwyn Barmby in 1840 (see The Apostle,
No. I, I 848) fr. L. communis or F. commun (see
common, adj.) and suff. -isme (see -ism).
communist, n. - Coined by Goodwyn Barmby
fr. L. communis (see prec. word) and suff. -ist;
he founded The London Communist Propaganda
Society in I841.
Derivatives: communist, communist-ic, adjs.
community, n. - OF. comunete, comunite (F.
communaute), fr. L. communitatem, ace. of communitas, 'fellowship', fr. communis, 'common'.
See common, adj., and -ity.
Derivative: communit-arian, n.
communize, tr. v. - Formed with suff. -ize fr. L.
communis. See common, adj.
commutable, adj. - L. commutabilis, 'subject to
change, changeable', fr. commutare. See commute and -able.
Derivatives: commutabil-ity, n., commutableness, n.
commutation, n.- F., fr. L. commuttitionem, ace.
of commutiitio, 'a changing', fr. commutatus, pp.
of commuliire. See commute and -ation.
commutative, adj. - ML. commutiitivus, fr. L.
commutiitus, pp. of commutare. See commute
and -ive.
Derivative: commutative-ly, adv.
commutator, n. - ModL., fr. L. commutiitus, pp.
of commuttire. See next word and -ator.
commute, tr. v., to exchange. - L. commutare,

322
'to change entirely', fr. com- and mutare, 'to
change'. See mutable.
Derivative: commut-er, n.
comose, adj., hairy. - L. comosus, 'hairy', fr.
coma, 'hair'. See coma, 'tuft of hair', and adj.
suff. -ose.
compact, adj., 1) packed together; 2) close, firm.
- L. compactus, pp. of compingere, 'to fasten
together, to unite', fr. com- and pangere, 'to
fasten, fix'. See pact and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: compact, v. (q.v.), compact-ly, adv.,
compact-ness, n.
compact, tr. v., to pack together.- L. compact us,
pp. of compingere. See compact, adj.
Derivatives: compacted, adj. (q. v.), compact-er, n.
compact, n., an agreement; a covenant. - L.
compactum, 'agreement', prop. neut. pp. of
compacisci, 'to make an agreement, form a
compact', from com- and pacisci, 'to make a
contract or agreement', which is rei. to pax, gen.
pacis, 'peace'. See pact and cp. compact, adj.
compacted, adj., compact. - Prop. pp. of compact, 'to pack together'.
Derivatives: compacted-ly, adv., compactedness, n.
compages, n., a complex structure. - L. compages, 'a joining together, connection, structure', fr. com- and I.-E. base *pag-, 'to join together, fasten'. See pact and cp. compact, adj.
and n.
compaginate, tr. v., to join together. - L. compaginatus, pp. of compaginare, 'to join together',
fr. compago, gen. compaginis, 'a joining together',
which is rei. to compiiges. See compages and
verbal suff. -ate.
compagination, n. - Late L. compaginiitio, gen.
-ionis, fr. L. compaginiitus, pp. of compaginiire.
See prec. word and -ion.
companion, n., an associate.- OF. compagnon,
fr. VL. companionem, ace. of compiinio, lit., 'one
who eats his bread with ... ', fr. com- and pan is,
'bread'. See pantry and cp. company, accompany.
Derivatives: companion, v., companion-able, adj.,
companion-able-ness, n., companion-abl-y, adv.
company, n. -OF. compagnie, fr. VL. compiinia,
lit. 'a group eating bread together', fr. com- and
L. piinis. See prec. word.
comparable, adj. - F., fr. L. comparabilis, fr.
comparare. See compare and -able.
Derivatives: comparabil-ity, n., comparableness, n., comparabl-y, adv.
comparative, adj. - L. comparativus, 'pertaining
to comparison', fr. comparatus, pp. of comparare, 'to compare'. See next word and -ative.
Derivatives: comparative-ly, adv., comparativeness, n.
compare, tr. and intr. v. - F. comparer, fr. L.
comparare, 'to compare', fr. com- and pariire,
'to make equal'. See pair and words there referred to and cp. compeer. Cp. also comprador.
Derivatives: compare, n., compar-er, n.

323
comparison, n.- OF. ( = F.) comparaison, fr. L.
comparationem, ace. of compariitio, 'comparison', fr. comparatus, pp. of compariire. See
prec. word and -ison.
compart, tr. v., to divide into parts. - L. compartir!, 'to divide, share with somebody', fr.
com- and L. partfre, partiri, 'to divide'. See
part, v.
compartment, n.- F. compartiment, fr. It. compartimento, fr. compartire, 'to divide', fr. comand part ire, fr. L. partire, partiri. See prec. word
and -ment.
compass, n. - F. compas, back formation fr.
compasser, 'to measure', fr. VL. *compassiire
(whence also It. compassare, Sp. compasar), 'to
measure off', lit. 'to measure by steps', fr. L.
passus, 'step'. See pace and cp. the second element in gyrocompass.
compass, tr. v.- F. compasser, 'to measure'. See
compass, n.
Derivatives: compass-able, adj., compass-er, n.,
compass-ing, adj.
compassion, n.- ME.,fr. MF.(= F.)compassion,
fr. Eccles. L. compassionem, ace. of compassio,
'fellow suffering, fellow feeling', fr. Late L. compassus, pp. of compati, 'to suffer with one, to feel
pity', fr. com- and L. pati, 'to suffer'. See passion.
Derivatives: compassion-ate, adj. and tr. v., compassion-ate-ly, adv., compassion-ate-ness, n.
compatibility, n. - F. compatibilite, fr. compatible. See next word and -ity.
compatible, adj. - F., fr. ML. compatibilis, fr.
Late L. compatf. See compassion and -ible.
Derivatives: compatible-ness, n., compatibl-y,
adv.
compatriot, n.- F. compatriote, fr. Late L. compatriota, fr. com- and Late L. patriota, 'countryman, patriot'. See patriot.
compeer, n.- ME. comper, fr. F. compair, fr. L.
compar, 'equal to another', fr. com- and par,
'equal'. See peer.
compel, tr. v.- OF. compeller, fr. L. compel/ere,
'to drive together, compel', fr. com- and pel/ere,
'to drive'. See pulse, 'throb', and cp. appeal and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: compell-able, adj., compel/at ion
(q.v.), compell-ative, adj., compe/1-ent, adj., compell-er, n., compell-ing, adj., com-pell-ing-ly, adv.
compellation, n., r) a calling upon by name; 2)
appellation. - L. compellatio, gen. -onis, 'an
accosting, addressing', fr. compel/are, 'to accost, address', which is rei. to compellere, 'to
drive together'; see prec. word and -ation. For
change of conjugation cp. appeffare, 'to call',
interpel/are, 'to interrupt by speaking', both rei.
to pe/lere, 'to drive'. For the cause of this change
see appeal.
compendious, adj., concise. - AF., corresponding to F. compendieux (fern. compendieuse),
fr. Late L. compendiosus, 'abridged, short, brief,
compendious', fr. compendium. See next word
and -ous.

compital
Derivatives: compendious-ly, adv., compendiousness, n.
compendium, n., a concise summary. - L., lit.
'that which is weighed together', fr. com- and
pendere, 'to weigh'. See pendant.
compensable, adj. - F.,. fr. compenser, 'to compensate'. See next word and -able.
compensate, tr. and intr. v. - L. compensiitus,
pp. of compensare, 'to weigh together, weigh
one thing against another, balance against,
compensate', fr. com- and pensare, freq. of pendire, 'to weigh'. See pendant and cp. pensive.
Cp. also recompense.
Derivatives: compensat-ing, adj., compensat-ingly, adv., compensation (q.v.), compensat-ive, adj.,
compensat-or, n., compensat-ory, adj.
compensation, n. - L. compensiitio, gen. -onis,
'a weighing one thing against another, a balancing', fr. compensatus, pp. of compensiire. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: compensation-al, adj.
compete, intr. v., 1) to contend; 2) to rival. F. competer, fr. L. competere, 'to strive together
after something, coincide, agree, be suitable',
fr. com- and petere, 'to fall upon, rush at, attack,
assail; to seek, ask, request'. See petition and
cp. compitum.
competence, competency, n. -F. competence, fr.
L. competentia, 'agreement', fr. competens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
competent, adj., 1) fit, suitable; 2) sufficient; 3) legally qualified. - F. competent, fr. L. competentem, ace. of competens, pres. part. of com
petere. Sec compete and -ent.
Derivative: competent-ly, adv.
competent, n., a candidate for baptism (eccles.
hist.) - Eccles. L. competens, 'a candidate for
baptism', prop. pres. part. of L. competere. See
prec. word.
competition, n. - Late L. competitio, gen. -onis,
'agreement', fr. L. competitus, pp. of competere.
See compete and -ition.
competitive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
competitus, pp. of competere. See compete.
Derivatives: competitive-ly, adv., competitiveness, n.
competitor,n.-Ei thcrfr. MF. (=F.) competiteur,
or directly fr. L. competitor, fr. competitus, pp. of
competere. See compete and agential suff. -or.
compilation, n. - F., fr. L. compiliitionem, ace.
of compi/atio, 'a gathering together'. See next
word and -ation.
compile, tr. v., to put together; to collect. -F.
compifer, fr. L. compilare. 'to gather together,
pillage, plunder, rob, steal, snatch together and
carry off', prob. meaning orig. 'to press together', and formed fr. com- and pi/are, 'to
press', compress', fr.pila, 'pillar'. See pillar and
cp. oppilate. Derivative: compil-er, n.
compital, adj., pertaining to crossroads. - L.
compitiilis, fr. compitum. See next word and adj.
suff. -al.

compitum
compitum, n., crossroads (Roman antiq.)- L., for
*competom, lit. 'a place where several roads
meet', fr. competere, 'to strive together, come
together, meet'. See compete.
complacence, complacency, n., I) satisfaction;
self-satisfaction; 2) complaisance.- ML. complacentia, fr. L. comp/acens, gen. -en tis. See next
word and -ce and cp. complaisance.
complacent, adj., I) satisfied; self-satisfied; 2) complaisant. - L. complacens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of complacere, 'to be very pleasing', fr.
com- and placere, 'to please'. See please and
-ent and cp. placate, placet.
Derivative: complacent-ly, adv.
complain, intr. v. - F. complaign-, stem of comp/aindre, fr. Late L. complangere, 'to bewail',
fr. com- and L. plangere, 'to strike, to beat the
breast' (as a sign of grief), 'to lament'. See plaint.
complainant, n., complainer.- F. complaignant,
pres. part. of complaindre. See prec. word.
complaint, n. -ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) complainte,
prop. fern. pp. of complaindre, used as a noun.
See complain.
complaisance, n., disposition to oblige, politeness.
- F. complaisanc'!, fr. ML. complacentia. See
complacence.
complaisant, adj., obliging, polite. - F., pres.
part. of complaire, 'to please', fr. L. complacere.
See complacent and -ant.
Derivatives: complaisant-ly, adv., complaisantness, n.
complement, n. - L. comp/ementum, 'that which
fills up or completes', fr. complere, 'to fill up,
complete'. See complete, v., and cp. compliment.
Derivatives: complement, tr. v., complement-al,
adj., complement-al-ly, adv., complement-ary,
adj. and n., complement-ation, n.
complete, adj. - L. completus, pp. of complere, 'to fill up', fr. com- and plere, 'to fill'. See
full and cp. plenum. Cp. also complin, accomplish.
Derivatives: complete-ly, adv., complete-ness, n.
complete, tr. v. - L. completus, pp. of complere.
See prec. word.
completion, n. - Late L. completio, gen. -onis,
'a filling up, fulfilment', fr. L. completus, pp. of
complere. See complete and -ion.
completive, adj. - Late L. completivus, 'serving
for filling up', fr. L. completus, pp. of complere.
See complete and -ive.
complex, adj.- L. complexus, pp. of complecti,
'to fold together, surround, encircle, embrace;
to comprehend, understand; to comprise, include', fr. com- and plectere, 'to plait, braid,
intertwine', fr. I.-E. base *plek-, 'to plait, twist',
whence alsop/iciire (fr. earlier*pleciire), 'to fold'.
See ply, 'to bend', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: complex, n. (q.v.), complex, tr. v.,
comp/('xi-fy, tr. v., complexi-fication, n., complex-ity, n., complex-ly, adv., complex-ness; n.
complex, n. - L. complexus, 'a surrounding, en-

325

324
circling, embracing', fr. complexus, pp. of complecti; see prec. word. As a psychological term
the noun complex (G. Komplex) was coined by
Neisser in I906 and popularized by Freud and
Jung
complexion, n. - 0 F. ( = F.), fr. L. complexionem,
ace. of complexio, 'combination, association,
connection', fr. complexus, pp. of complectf.
See complex, adj., and -ion.
Derivatives: complexion, tr. v., complexion-al,
adj., complexion-al-ly, adv., complexion-ary,
adj., complexion-ed, adj., complexion-ist, n.
compliance, n. - Formed fr. comply with suff.
-ance.
compliancy, n. - Formed fr. comply with suff.
-ancy.
compliant, adj. and n. - Formed fr. comply with
suff. -ant.
Derivative: compliant-ly, adv.
complicacy, n. - Formed fr. complicate with
suff. -cy.
complicant, adj., overlapping (said of the elytra
of some beetles) (entomol.) - L. compliciins,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of compliciire, 'to fold
together'. See next word and -ant.
complicate, tr. v. - L. compliciitus, pp. of compliciire, 'to fold together', fr. com- and pliciire,
'to fold'. See ply, 'to bend', and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. plicate.
Derivatives: complicat-ed, adj., complicat-ed-ly,
adv., complicat-ed-ness, n., complicat-ive, adj.
complication, n. - L. compliciitio, gen. -onis, 'a
folding together', fr. compliciire. See prec. word
and -ion.
complice, n., an accomplice (archaic). -F., fr. L.
complicem, ace. of complex, 'closely connected
with somebody, confederate', fr. com- and base
of plectcre, 'to plait, braid, intertwine'. See complex and cp. accomplice. Cp. also next word.
complicity, n., 1) partnership in crime; 2) complexity.- F. complicite, fr. VL. *complicitiitem,
ace. of *complicitiis, fr. L. complex, gen. -plicis,
'closely connected with somebody, confederate'.
See complex and -ity.
compliment, n. -F., fr. earlier Sp. complimiento
(now cumplimiento), fr. complir (now cumplir),
'to fulfil, perform, accomplish', fr. VL. complire, which corresponds to L. complere, 'to fill
up, complete'. See complement.
Derivatives: compliment-ary, adj. and n., compliment-ation, n., compliment-ative, adj., compliment-er, n.
compliment, tr. v. - F. complimenter, fr. compliment. See compliment, n.
complin, compline, n., the last of the seven canonical hours (eccles.) - ME. complie, fr. OF.
complie (F. complies, pl.), fr. Eccles. L. completa luJra, lit. 'the completed hour', used in the
sense 'hour of the completion of the service';
see complete, adj. OF. complie was influenced in
form by OF. complir, 'to accomplish, end,
complete', fr. VL. campfire (see compliment, n.)

tI

compress

compos mentis, of sound mind, sane (law). - L.,

The ending -in in complin is prob. due to the
lit. 'having power over the mind', fr. compos,
influence of matin(s).
gen. compotis, 'having power over a thing', and
complot, n., a conspiracy. - F., fr. OF. commens, gen. mentis, 'mind'. L. compos is formed
plate, back formation fr. compeloter, comploter,
fr. com- and *pot-, the stem ofpotis, 'powerful'.
'to roll into a ball', fr. com- and pelote, 'a ball'.
See potent. For the second word see mental,
See pellet and cp. plot, 'conspiracy'.
'pertaining to the mind'.
complot, tr. and intr. v., to conspire. - F. comcompost, n., I) a composition, mixture; 2) fertiplater, fr. complot. See prec. word.
lizing mixture of leaves, etc. - OF. composte,
compluvium, n., an open space over the atrium
fr. VL. *composita, prop. fern. pp. of L. comof a Roman house through which the rain flew
ponere. See composite and cp. compote.
into the irnpluvium (Roman antiq.) - L., fr.
Derivative: compost, tr. v.
compluere, 'to flow together', fr. com- and pluere,
composure, n., calmness. - Formed fr. compose
'to rain'. See pluvial and cp. impluvium.
with suff. -ure.
comply, intr. v. -It. complire, fr. VL. *complfre,
compotation, n., a drinking together. - L. comwhich corresponds to L. complere, 'to fill up,
potiitio, gen. -onis, fr. com- andpotiitio, 'a drinkcomplete'. See complete and cp. compliment.
ing'. See potation.
compo, n., a term applied to mortar, plaster, etc.
compote, n., stewed fruit. - F., 'stewed fruit,
- Short for composition.
compote', fr. OF. composte, fr. VL. *composita,
Derivative: compo, intr. and tr. v.
prop. fern. pp. ofL. componere. See compose and
component, adj. and n. - L. componens, gen.
cp. compost.
-entis, pres. part. of componere,' to put together'.
compound, tr. and intr. v.- ME. compounen, 'to
See compound, v., and -ent and cp. deponent,
mix', fr. OF. componre, compondre, fr. L. comexponent, opponent.
ponere, 'to put together', fr. com- and ponere,
comport, tr. v., to conduct (oneself); intr. v., to
'to put, place, set, lay'. See position and cp. comagree (with). - F. comporter, 'to permit, admit
posite. For the d in compound, which is excresof, allow', se comporter, 'to behave, demean onecent, see expound.
self', fr. L. comportiire, 'to carry or bring toDerivative: compound-er, n.
gether', fr. com- and portiire, 'to bear, carry'.
compound, adj. - ME. compouned, pp. of comSee port, 'to carry'.
pounen. See compound, v.
comportment, n. - F. comportement, fr. comDerivative: compound, n.
porter. See prec. word and -ment.
compound, n., an enclosure surrounding an Ancompose, tr. and intr. v., to place.- F. composer,
glo-Indian house. - Malay kampong, lit. 'a
fr. L. componere (pp. compositus), 'to put towalled place'.
gether', which was Gallicized after F. poser, 'to
comprador, n., a native agent employed by a
put, place'. See compound, v., and cp. dispose,
foreign bank or office in China or Japan. impose, oppose, superpose, suppose, transpose.
Port., 'buyer', fr. Late L. comparator, 'purSee also pose, 'to place'.
chaser, buyer', fr. L. compariitus, pp. of comDerivatives: compos-ed, adj., compos-ed-ly, adv.,
pariire, 'to prepare, procure, purchase' (whence
compos-ed-ness, n., compos-er, n., compos-ing,
also Rum. cumpiird, 'to buy'), fr. com- and
adj.
pariire, 'to prepare'. See compare.
Compositae, n. pl., a very large natural group of
comprehend, tr. v. - L. comprehendere, 'to seize,
plants. - ModL., prop. fern. pl. of L. comgrasp, perceive', fr. com- and prehendere, 'to
positus, 'put together', pp. of componere. See
seize'. See prehensile and cp. comprise.
next word.
comprehensible, adj. - L. comprehensibilis, 'that
composite, adj. - L. compositus, pp. of compocan be seized', fr. comprehensus, pp. of comprenere, 'to put together', fr. com- and ponere, 'to
hendere, 'to seize'. See comprehend and -ible.
put, place'. See position and adj. suff. -ite and.
Derivatives: comprehensibil-ity, n., comprehencp. component, compost, decomposite.
sible-ness, n., comprehensibl-y, adv.
Derivatives: composite, n. and tr. v.
comprehension, n. - F. comprehension, fr. L.
composition, n. - F., fr. L. compositionem, ace.
comprehensionem, ace. of comprehensio, 'perof compositio, 'a putting together', fr. campoception, idea, comprehension', fr. comprehensus,
situs, pp. of componere. See prec. word and
pp. of comprehendere; see comprehend and -ion.
-ition and cp. decomposition.
Comprehensio was introduced into Latin by
Derivative: composition-al, adj.
Cicero, as a loan translation of Gk. xot'r&i-r.<Ji~~.
compositive, adj. - lAte L. compositivus, fr. L.
a Stoic term meaning 'perception'.
compositus, pp. of componere. See composite and
comprehensive, adj. -Formed with suff. -ive fr.
-ive.
L. comprehensus, pp. of comprehendere. See
Derivative: compositive-ly, adv.
comprehend and -ive.
compositor, n.- L., 'one who puts together, orDerivatives: comprehensive-ly, adv., comprehenders, arranges', fr. compositus, pp. of componere.
sive-ness, n.
See composite and agential suff. -or.
compress, tr. v. - ME., fr. OF. compresser, fr.
Derivative: compositor-ial, adj.

--r __ ..,.

327
L. compressiire, freq. of comprimere (pp. compressus), 'to press together', fr. com- and premere, 'to press'. See press, v.
D~rivatives: compress-ed, adj., compress-ible,
adJ., compress-ibil-ity, n., compress-ible-ness n
compress-ibl-y, adv., compress-ing-ly, adv., do~~
press-ive, adj., compress-ive-ly, adv.
compress, n. -F. compresse, fr. OF. compresser.
See compress, v.
compression, n. - F., fr. L. compressionem, ace.
of compressio, 'a pressing together', fr. compressus, pp. of comprimere. See compress, v., and
-ion.
compressor, n.- L. compressor, 'one who compresses', fr. compressus, pp. of comprimere. See
compress, v ., and agential suff. -or.
comprise, comprize, tr. v. - F. compris, pp. of
comprendre, fr. L. comprehendere. See comprehend.
compromise, n. - F. compromis, fr. L. compromissum, 'a mutual promise to abide by the award
of an arbiter', prop. neut. of promissus, pp. of
promirtere, 'to promise'. See promise.
Derivative: compromise, tr. and intr. v.
compromit, tr. v. - L. compromittere. See prec.
word.
Compsognathus, n., a genus of small dinosaurs
(paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
>eo[Ly6-;;, 'refined, elegant', and yv6:&o~, 'jaw'.
The first clement prob. stands for *kwonqwmos and is cogn. with Lith. svunkus, 'fine'. For
the second element see gnathic.
Comptonia, n., a genus of shrubs (bot.)- ModL.,
named after the English prelate Henry Compton
(I6J2I7IJ). For the ending see suff. -ia.
comptroller, n., controller. - Erroneous spelling
of controller (q.v.), due to a folk-etymological
associatiOn of the first element of this word with
F. compte, "account' (see count, 'to reckon').
compulsion, n., I) a compelling; 2) force. - F.,
fr. L. compulsionem, ace. of compulsi6, 'a drivIng, urging, compulsion' , fr. compulsus, pp. of
compel/ere. See compel and -ion.
compulsive, adj., compelling; implying compulsion. - Formed with suff. -he fr. L. compulsus,
pp. of compellere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: compulsive-ly, adv., compulsiveness. n.
compulsory, adj., I) compelled; 2) compelling .ML. compuls6rius, fr. L. compulsus, pp. of compel/ere. See compel and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivative: compulsor-ily, adv.
compunction, n., remorse. - ME., fr. OF. compunction (F. componction), fr. L. compunctionem,
ace. of comptlnctio, 'puncture", in Eccles. L.
'sting of conscience', fr. compunctus, pp. of compungere, 'to prick, sting', which is formed fr.
com- and pungere, 'to prick, pierce, sting'. See
pungent.
compunctious, adj., causing compunction . - See
prec. word and -ous.
Derivative: compunctious-ly, adv.

compurgation, n. (legal hist.), the clearing of a

man from a charge by the oaths of a certain
n~m~er of others (called compurgators); vindtcatlon. - Late L. compurgiitio, gen. -6nis, 'a
complete purification' , fr. L. compurgiitus, pp.
of compurgiire, 'to purify wholly', fr. com- and
purgiire. 'to purify'. See purge and -ation.
compurgator, n. (legal hist.), a witness who took
an oath to clear a person from a charge. ML., fr. L. compurgatus, pp. of compurgiire. See
prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Deri~atives: compurgator-ial, adj., compurgatory, adJ.
computable, adj. - L. computiibilis, fr. computiire. See compute and -able.
Derivatives: computabil-ity, n., computabl-y, adv.
computation, n. - L. computiitio, gen. -onis, fr.
computiitus, pp. of computiire. See compute and
-ation.
Derivative: computation-al, adj.
computative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
computiitus, pp. of computiire. See next word.
Derivative: computative-ness, n.
compute, tr. and intr. v., to reckon. - L. computiire, 'to sum up, reckon', fr. com- and put are
'to think'. See putative and cp. the verb count'
which is a doublet of compute. Cp. also conte:
con to.
Derivatives: compute, n., comput-er, n., eomput-ist, n.
computus, n., a computation . - Late L., fr. L.
computiire. See compute and cp. count, 'the act
of reckoning'.
comrade, n. - F. camarade, fr. Sp. camarado
'chamber fellow', orig. 'a company bel on gin~
to one chamber', fr. L. camera, 'vault, arch'.
See camera.
Derivat.ives: comrade-ly, adj., comrad-ery, comrade-ship, n.
Comtism, n., positivism .- Lit. 'the doctrine of
the French philosopher Auguste Comte (17981857). For the ending see suff. -ism.
Comtist, n., a positivist; adj., of positivism. -See
prec. word and -ist.
Comus, n., the god of joy and revelry in Greek
mythology .- L., fr. Gk. KwfLo;, fr. x&fLo~, 'revel'. See comic.
con, tr. v., peruse; to commit to memory.- The
orig. meaning was 'to know', fr. earlier cun, fr.
ME. cunnen, 'to try, test', fr. OE. cunnian 'to
try, test, explore, experience', lit. 'to t~ to
know', rei. to OE. cunnan, 'to know', and in
gradational relationship to the auxiliary verb
can. Cp. conner (in both senses), cunning.
con (naut.) -A var. spelling of conn.
con, adv., against.- Short for L. contra, 'against'.
See contra.
Derivative: con, n., vote against.
con-, pref. meaning 'with, together'. - A form
of com-, used before all consonants except b,
p, /, m, r.
con-, combining form. - See cono-.

concern

formed fr. conceive on analogy of deceit (fr. deconacre, n., formerly in Ireland, small portions of
ceive), and receipt (fr. receive). Cp. concept.
a farm sublet to a tenant. - For corn acre.
Derivatives: conceit, tr. v., conceit-ed, adj., conconarium, n., the pineal gland (anal.) - ModL.,
ceit-ed-ly, adv., conceit-ed-ness, n.
fr. Gk. xwv6:pwv, a dimin. coined by Galen fr.
conceive, .tr. and intr. v. - ME. conceven, conxwvo~. 'pine cone'. See cone.
ceiven, fr. OF. conceivre, concevre, conceveir (F.
conation, n., the faculty of making an effort. concevoir), fr. L. concipere (pp. conceptus), 'to
L. coniitio, 'an endeavoring, effort', fr. coniitus,
take hold of, take, conceive, understand', fr.
pp. of coniiri, 'to endeavor, attempt, try', from
con- and capere, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'. See
the intensive stem of the base seen in Gk. xovdv,
captive and cp. conceipt, concept, conception. For
rendered in Hesychius by l:r.dye;cr.&orL, &ve;pthe change of Latin ii (in ciipere) to i (in conye;'tv ('to work, be active'), fr. Greco-L. base
cipere) see ahigeat and cp. words there referred
*ken-, 'to toil, strive, exert oneself'. From the
same base are Gk. &.-xov"LTl, 'without effort', eyto.
Derivatives: conceiv-able, adj., conceiv-abil-ity,
xove;'tv, 'to be quick and active, to hasten', and
n., conceiv-able-ness, n., conceiv-abl-y, adv.
8L&-xovo~, 'a waiting man, servant'. See deacon
concent, n., harmony (obsol.) - L. concentus,
and cp. words there referred to.
'symphony, harmony', fr. concinere, 'to sing
conative, adj., tending to conation. - Formed
together', fr. con- and canere, 'to sing'. See cant,
with suff. -ive fr. L. coniitus, pp. of coniiri. See
'slang of beggars' and cp. concert, n. For the
prec. word.
change of Latin ii (in dinere) toe (in con-cent us)
conatus, n., conation, tendency. - L., fr. coniisee accent and cp. words there referred to.
tus, pp. of coniiri. See conation.
concenter, concentre, v., to concentrate. - F.
concamerated, adj., divided into chambers (zoo/.)
concentrer, fr. con- and L. centrum, 'center'. See
- Formed with suff. -ed fr. L. concameriitus,
center and cp. next word.
pp. of concameriire, 'to vault over', fr. con- and
concentrate, tr. and intr. v.- Formed with suff.
camera, 'vault, arch'. See camera.
-ate fr. con- and L. centrum. See prec. word.
concameration, n., a vaulting; chamber. - L. conDerivatives: concentrat-ed, adj., concentrat-ion,
cameratio, gen. -onis, fr. concameriitus, pp. of
n., concentrat-ive, adj., concentrat-ive-ness, n.,
concameriire. See prec. word and -ion.
concentrat-or, n.
concatenate, tr. v., to link together. - Late L.
concentric, concentrical, adj. - ML. concentricus
concateniitus, pp. of concateniire, 'to link to(whence also F. concentrique). See concentrate
gether', fr. con- and L. catena, 'chain'. See catena
and -ic, resp. also -at.
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: concentrical-ly, adv., concentricconcatenate, adj., linked together.- Late L. conity, n.
cateniitus, pp. of concateniire. See concatenate, v.
concept, n. - L. conceptus, 'a collecting, gatherconcatenation, n., a linking together; chain, seing, conceiving', fr. conceptus, pp. of concipere,
quence. - Late L. concatenatio, gen. -onis, 'a
fr. con- and capere (pp. captus), 'to catch, seize,
linking together, connecting', fr. concati!niitus,
take, hold'. See conceive and cp. accept, except,
pp. of concati!niire. See concatenate, v., and -ion.
incept, intercept, percept, precept, recept; cp. also
concave, adj. - L. concavus, 'hollow, arched,
conceit, concetto. For the change of Latin ii (in
vaulted, curved', fr. con- and cavus, 'hollow'.
captus) to e (in con-ceptus) see accent and cp.
See cave, n.
words there referred to.
-Derivatives: concave, tr. v., concave-ly, adv.,
conception, n. -F., fr. L. conceptionem, ace. of
concave-ness, n., concav-er, n.
conceptio, 'a comprehend ing; conception', fr.
concavity, n. - F. concavite, fr. Late L. conconceptus, pp. of concipere. See conceive and
cavitiitem, ace. of concavitiis, 'a hollow', fr. L.
-tion and cp. prec. word. Cp. also contraception.
concavus. See prec. word and -ity.
conceptive, adj. - L. conceptivus, 'that which is
conceal, tr. v. - OF. canceler, fr. L. conceliire,
conceived', fr. conceptus, pp. of concipere. See
'to conceal', fr. con- and celiire, 'to hide', fr.
concept and -ive.
I.-E. base *kel-, 'to hide, conceal', whence also
con1.eptual, adj., pertaining to conception or conL. occulere, 'to cover up, conceal', L. cella,
cepts. - ML. conceptuiilis, fr. L. conceptus, 'a
'storeroom, granary'. See cell and words there
collecting, gathering, conceiving'. See concept.
referred to and cp. esp. occult.
conceptualism, n., the doctrine that universals
Derivatives, conceal-ed, adj., conceal-ed-ly, adv.,
exist as realities only in the mind (philos.) conceal-ed-ness, n.
A hybrid coined fr. prec. word and -ism, a suff.
concealment, n.- OF. concelement, fr. canceler.
of Greek origin.
See prec. word and -ment.
conceptualist, n., a believer in conceptualism (phiconcede, tr. v.- F. conceder, fr. L. concedere, 'to
los.) - A hybrid coined fr. ML. conceptualis
go away, give way, yield, submit', fr. con- and
(see conceptual) and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
cedere, 'to go away, yield, withdraw'. See cede.
Derivative: conceptualist-ic, adj.
Derivatives: conced-ed, adj., conced-ed-ly, adv.,
concern, tr. v. - F. concerner, fr. ML. concerconced-er, n.
nere, 'to have regard to', fr. Late L. concernere,
conceit, n. - ME. conceipt, conceit, conseit,

concert
'to mix together in, or as in, a sieve', fr. con- and
L. cernere, 'to sift, distinguish, discern, understand, decide', which is rei. to certus, 'determined, resolved, sure, certain'. See certain and
cp. decern, discern, secern.
Derivatives: concern, n., concern-ed, adj., concern-ed-ly, adv., concern-ed-ness, n., concern-ing,
adj., n. and prep., concern-ing-ly. adv., concerning-ness, n., concern-ment, n.
concert, n. - F., fr. It. concerto. Most lexicographers derive this word fr. L. concertare, 'to
dispute, contend'. This etymology cannot be accepted because of the great discrepancy in meaning. The origin of It. concerto and concertare
must be sought in another Latin word. It. concertare prob. comes fr. L. concentare, 'to sing
together' (whence concentus, 'symphony, harmony, harmonious music, concert'), fr. con- and
cantare, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars',
and cp. concent. For the change of Latin a (in
callfare) to e (in con-centare) see accent. For the
change of -nt- to -rt-, which is due to dissimilation, cp. L. carmen, 'song', dissimilated fr.
*canmcn (fr. canere,' to sing'), and germen, 'bud,
sprout', dissimilated fr. *gen-men (see charm and
germ).
concert, tr. v. - F. concerta, fr. It. concertare.
See concert, n., and cp. disconcert.
Derivatives: couccrt-cd, adj., concert-ed-ly, adv.
concertina, n., a small musical instrument. -It.,
coined fr. concerto (sec concert, n.) and dimin.
suff. -iua.
concession, n. - F., fr. L. concessioncm, ace. of
concessiri, 'an allowing, conceding', fr. concessus, pp. of conci'dcre. See concede and -ion.
Derivatives: concession-a/, adj., concession-ary,
adj. and n., concession-ist, n.
concessionaire, n., a person to whom a concession
has been granted. - F. conccssionnaire, lit. 'a
person to whom concession is made'. See concession and -ary, the equivalent of F. -aire.
concessire, adj.- Late L. concessfvus, fr. L. conccssus. pp. of conci'dcre. See concede and -he
and cp. concession.
Deri' atives: concessire-ly, adv., concessivenes.~,

n.

concettism, n., the use of fanciful expressions. A hybrid coined fr. co~cetto and -ism, a suff. of
Greek origin.
concetto, n., a fanciful expression; conceit. It., fr. L. conceptum, neut. of conceptus, pp. of
concipere, 'to gather, collect, conceive'. See
concept.
conch, n., a spiral shell.- Fr. L concha, 'mussel,
shell', fr. Gk. x0u:r,. which is cogn. with OI.
sa~ikhab. Cp. congius. Cp. also cochlea, cockle,
'mollusk', conk, coquille, coquina.
Der> 1tives: cone/r-ed, adj., conch-er, n.
conch . 1., the out.!r part of the ear. - L. concha,
';,he: See pre.:. ''orJ.
cond .rous, adj . shell-bearing.- Compoundei:l
of c., , :ha and -ferous.

328
conchiform, adj., shell-shaped. - Compounded
of L. concha, 'shell', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See concha and form, n.
conchoid, n., a curve of the fourth degree, invented by Nicomedes (geom.)-Gk. xoYX_oEL8-Ij~,
'mussel-like', fr. x6yx.YJ, 'mussel', and -oEL8-Ij~.
'like'. See conch and -oid.
Derivative: conchoid-al, adj.
conchology, n., the study of shells.-Compounded of Gk. x6rx.YJ, 'shell', and -:Aoy[<X, fr. -A6yor;,,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See conch and -logy.
Derivatives: concholog-ic-al, adj., conchologist, n.
concierge, n., 1) a doorkeeper, janitor; 2) caretaker of an apartment house, etc. - F., 'doorkeeper, headporter', orig. 'guardian', fr. VL.
*conservius, fr. L. conservus, 'fellow servant', fr.
con- and servus, 'servant'; influenced in form
by L. serviens, pres. part. of servire, 'to serve'.
See serve.
conciliar, adj., pertaining to a council.- Formed
with suff. -ar fr. L. concilium, 'a calling together,
meeting'. See council.
conciliate, tr. v., to win over. - L. conci/iatus,
pp. of conciliare, 'to bring together, unite', fr.
concilium, 'a calling together, meeting'. See
council and verbal suff. -ate and cp. reconcile.
Derivatives: conciliation (q.v.), concilfat-ive,
adj., conciliator (q.v.), conciliat-ory, adj., conciliat-ori-ly, adv.
conciliation, n. - L. conci/iati6, gen. -onis, fr.
concilicltus, pp. of conciliare. See prec. word and
-ion.
conciliator, n. - L See conciliate and agential
suff. -or.
concinnity, n., harmony. - L. concinnitas, 'skillful joining, harmony', fr. concinnus, 'skillfully
put together', which is of uncertain origin. For
the ending see suff. -ity.
concise, adj.- L. concfsus, 'divided, concise', pp.
of concldere, 'to cut to pieces', formed fr. conand caedere, 'to cut'. See cement and cp. words
there referred to. For the change of Latin <(in
caedere) to f (in con-cfdere) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: concise-ly, adv., concise-ness, n.
concision, n. - L. concfsio, gen. -6nis, 'a separation into divisions, lit. 'a cutting to pieces', fr.
concfsus, pp. of concfdere. See prec. word and -ion.
conclale, n., 1) a private meeting; 2) in the Roman
Catholic Church, the meeting of the cardinals
for the election of the pope; the rooms in which
the cardinals meet for this purpose. - F., lit.
'persons locked up together', fr. L. conclave, 'a
room that may be locked up', fr. con- and
davis, 'key'. See clavicle.
conclavist, n., either of two persons attending a
cardinal in conclave. - F. conclaviste, fr. It.
conclarista, a hybrid coined fr. L. conclave and
-ista, a suff. representing Gk. -La-r"ijr;,. See prec.
word and -ist.

329

l-

'

conclude, tr. and intr. v.- L. conclildere, 'to shut

up together, to end, close', fr. con- and claudere,
'to shut'. See close, adj., and cp. exclude, include,
seclude. For the change of Latin au (in claudere)
to u (in con-cludere) see accuse and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivative: conclud-er, n.
conclusion, n. - F., fr. L. concliisionem, ace.
of concliisi6, fr. concliisus, pp. of concludere. See
conclude and -ion.
conclusive, adj.- Late L. concliisfvus, fr. L. concliisus, pp. of concliidere. See conclude and -ive.
Derivatives: conclusive-ly, adv., conclusiveness, n.
concoct, v., to make by combining. - L. concactus, pp. of concoquere, 'to cook together', fr.
con- and coquere, 'to cook'. See cook and cp.
decoct.
Derivatives: concoction (q.v.), concoct-ive, adj.,
concoct-or, n.
concoction, n. - L. concocti6, gen. -onis, fr. concactus, pp. of concoquere. See prec. word and
-ion and cp. decoction.
concolorous, adj., of the same color. - Formed
fr. con-, color and su If. -ous.
concomitance, concomitancy, n. - Late L. concomitantia, 'accompaniment', fr. concomitans,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of concomitari. See next
word and -ce, resp. -cy.
concomitant, adj., accompanying; n., an accompanying thing or condition. - Late L. concomitans, gen. -antis, 'accompanying', pres. part.
of concomitarf, 'to accompany', fr. con- and
comitarf, 'to accompany', fr. L comes, gen. comitis, 'companion'. See count, 'title of nobility',
and -ant.
Derivative: concimitant-ly, adv.
concord, n. - F. concorde, fr. L. concordia, 'an
agreeing together, union, harmony', fr. concars, gen. concordis, 'of the same mind', fr. conand cors, gen. cordis, 'heart'. See cordate and
cp. discord.
concordance, n. - F., fr. Late L. concordantia,
'agreement, harmony', fr. L. concordiins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of concordare. See next word
and cp. discordance.
concordant, adj. - L. concordiins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of concordare, 'to be of the same
mind, agree', fr. concors, gen. concordis, 'of the
same mind'. See concord and -ant and cp. discordant.
Derivative: concordant-ly, adv.
concordat, n., an agreement; esp., an agreement
between the Pope and a government. -F., fr.
ML. concordatum, prop. subst. use of the neut.
pp. of L. concordare, 'to be of the same mind'.
See concord.
concourse, n. - F. concours, fr. L. concursus, 'a
running together, concourse, assembly', fr. concurs-(um), pp. stem of concurrere, 'to run together', fr. con- and currere, 'to run'. See course.
concrescence, n., a growing together. - L. con-

condemn
crescentia, 'a growing together', fr. concrescere,
'to grow together', fr. con- and crescere, 'to
grow'. See crescent and cp. next word. For the
ending see suff. -ce.
concrete, adj., r) formed into a mass; 2) real.L. concretus, 'grown together', pp. of concrescere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: concrete, n., concrete, tr. and intr.
v., concretion (q.v.), concret-ive, adj., concretive-ly, adv., concret-or, n.
concretion, n., I) a solidifying; 2) mass formed by
solidification; 3) a solidified mass. - F. concretion, fr. L. concreti6nem, ace. of concretio, 'a
growing together', fr. concretus. See prec. word
and -ion.
Derivative: concretion-ary, adj.
concubinage, n.- F. See concubine and -age.
concubinal, adj. - Late L. concubinalis, fr. L.
concubfna. See concubine and adj. suff. -al.
concubinary, adj. - ML. concubinarius, fr. L.
concubfna. See concubine and adj. suff. -ary.
concubine, n., a woman living with, but not legally married to, a man. - F., fr. L. concuhfna,
from con- and cubare, 'to lie down, recline'. See
cubiele.
concupiscence, n., strong desire; lust. - L. concupfscentia, 'eager desire', fr. concupfscens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of concupfscere. Sec next word
and -ce.
concupiscent, adj., strongly desirous; lustful. L. concupf.5cens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of concupfscere, 'to be very desirous of, covet', fr. conand cupfscere, 'to wish, desire', inchoative of
cupere, 'to desire'. See cupid.
concur, intr. v. -- L. concurrere, 'to run together',
fr. con- and currere, 'to run'. Sec course.
concurrence, n. - ML. concurrentia, lit. 'a running together', fr. L. concurrens, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce.
concurrent, adj. and n.- L. concurrens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of concurrere, 'to run together'.
See concur and -ent.
Derivatives: concurrent-ly, adv., concurrentness, n.
concuss, tr. v., to shake violently.- L. concussus,
pp. of concutere. See next word.
concussion, n., a violent shaking, an agitation.L. concussi6, gen. -onis, 'a shaking, concussion'.
fr. concussus, pp. of concutere, 'to shake violently', fr. con- and quat ere, 'to shake'. See quash,
'to make void', and -ion and cp. discuss, discussion, percuss, percussion.
Derivative: concussion-a/, adj.
concu~~ive, adj., pertaining to concussion.
Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. concussus, pp. of
concutere. See prec. word.
concutient, adj., meeting with concussion (rare).
- L. concutiens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of concutere. See concussion and -ent.
condemn, tr. v. - L. condemnare, 'to sentence,
doom, blame, disapprove', fr. con- and damniire, 'to condemn'. See damn. For the change

condemnable

of Latin ii (in damniire) to e(in con-demniire) see

accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: condemnable, condemnation (qq.v.),
condemn-atory, adj., condemn-ed, adj., condemning-ly, adv.
condemnable, adj. - L. condemniibilis, fr. condemniire. See prec. word and -able.
condemnation, n. -ME., fr. L. condemniitio, gen.
-onis, fr. L. condemniitus, pp. of condemniire. See
condemn and -ation.
condensation, n. - Late L. condensiitio, gen.
-onis, fr. L. condensiitus, pp. of condensiire. See
next word and -ation.
condense, tr. and intr. v. - L. condensiire, 'to
make very dense, condense', fr. con- and densCire, 'to make dense', fr. densus. See dense.
Derivatives: condens-able, adj., condens-abil-ity,
n., condens-er, n.
condescend, intr. v. - F. condescendre, fr. Late
L. condi!scendere, fr. con- and L. descendere.
See descend.
Derivatives: condescendence (q.v.), condescenden!, n., condescend-er, n., condescend-ing, adj.,
condescend-ing-ly, adv., condescend-ing-ness, n.,
condescension (q.v.)
condescendence, n.- F. condescendance, fr. condescendre, fr. Late L. condescendere. See prec.
word and -ence.
condescension, n. - Late L. condescensio, gen.
-onis, fr. condescens-(um), pp. stem of condescendere. See condescend and -ion and cp. descension.
condign, adj., deserved.- F. condigne, fr. L. condignus, 'very worthy, wholly deserving', fr. conand dignus, 'worthy'. See dignity.
Derivatives: condign-ly, adv., condign-ness, n.
condiment, n., a seasoning.- F., fr. L. condfmentum, 'spice, seasoning', fr. condire, 'to preserve,
pickle, spice', rei. to condere, 'to put together,
store up', which is formed fr. con- and I.-E. base
dhe-, 'to put, place', whence also L. facere, 'to
make, do', OE. don, 'to do, perform, act'. See
do and -ment and cp. incondite.
condition, n. - OF. condicion (F. condition), fr.
L. condicionem, ace. of condicio (erroneously
spelled also conditio), 'agreement, stipulation,
condition', fr. condicere, 'to agree upon', lit. 'to
talk over together', fr. con- and dicere, 'to say,
tell'. See diction.
condition, tr. v. -OF. condicioner (F. conditionner), fr. condicion. See condition, n.
Derivative: condition-ed, adj.
conditional, adj. -OF. condicionel (F. conditionnel), fr. L. condicioruilis, fr. condicio. See condition, n., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: conditional, n., conditional-ity, n.,
conditional-ly, adv.
condolatory, adj., expressing condolence. Formed from the verb condole on analogy of
consolatory.
condole, intr. v. - L. condolere, 'to suffer with
another, to feel another's pain', fr. con- and

330

do/ere, 'to grieve, suffer'. See dole, 'grief'.

condolence, n. - Formed with suff. -ence fr. L.
condolere. See condole.
condominium, n., joint sovereignty. - ModL.,
formed fr. con- and dominium.
condonation, n. - L. condoniitio, gen. -onis, 'a
giving away', fr. condoniitus, pp. of condoniire.
See next word and -ation.
condone, tr. v.- L. condoniire, 'to give up, give
away, forgive', fr. .con- and doniire, 'to give'.
See donate. Derivative: condon-er, n.
condor, n., a large vulture of the South American
Andes. - Sp., fr. Peruvian kuntur.
condottiere, n., captain of freelancers. - It.,
formed fr. condotto (fr. L. conductus), 'one
hired', pp. of condurre, 'to lead; to hire', fr. L.
conducere, 'to bring together; to hire' (see next
word), and suff. -iere, a later var. of -iero, fr.
Late L. -erius, corresponding to L. -iirius. See
adj. suff. -ary.
conduce, intr. v. - L. conducere, 'to bring together', fr. con- and ducere, 'to lead'. See duct
and cp. conduct, conn, n. and v.
Derivatives: conduc-er, n., conduc-ing-ly, adv.,
conduc-ive, adj., conduc-ive-ly, adv., conduc-iveness, n.
conduct, n. -Late L. conductus, 'defense, escort',
fr. L. conductus, pp. of conducere. See prec. word
and cp. conduit.
conduct, tr. and intr. v. - Fr. L. conductus, pp.
of conducere. See conduct, n.
Derivatives: conduct-ible, adj., conduct-ibil-ity,
n., conduction (q.v.), conduct-ive, adj., conductiv-ity, n., conductor (q.v.)
conduction, n. - L. conductio, gen. -onis, fr. conductus, pp. of conducere. See conduce and -tion.
conductor, n.- L., 'one who hires, a farmer', in
Late L., 'a carrier', fr. conductus, pp. of conducere. See conduct, v., and agential suff. -or.
conduit, n., a pipe for liquids. - F., fr. Late L.
conductus, 'defense, escort; canal, conduit', fr.
L. conductus, pp. of conducere. Conduit is a
doublet of conduct (q.v.)
conduplicate, adj., folded together lengthwise
along the middle (bot.) - L. condupliciitus, pp.
of condupliciire, 'to double', fr. con- and dupliciire. See duplicate.
condyle, n., ball at the end of a bone, forming a
joint with the socket of another bone (anat.)F., fr. L. condylus, 'the knuckle of a joint', fr.
Gk. x.6~8u"Aoc;, 'knuckle, knuckle of a joint,
knob', which is of uncertain origin. It is possibly cogn. with kandUka/:1, 'ball', kandukam,
'cushion'. Cp. epicondyle.
Derivatives: condyl-oid, adj.
condylion, n., a point at the lateral tip of the condyle of the lower jaw (anal.)- Gk. xo~M"Ato~,
dirnin. of x6vllu"Ao;. See prec. word.
condyloma, n., a wartlike growth, usually near
the anus (med.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xo~8u"Aw(.LOt,
'knob, callous lump', fr. x6~1lu"Ao.;. See condyle and -oma.

331

condylomatous, adj. - Formed with suff. -ous

fr. Gk. xo~llUAW!J-0(, gen. xo~8uAW!J.O(Toc;. See prec.

word.
cone, n. - F. cone, fr. L. conus, fr. Gk. xw~oc;,
'pine cone, fir cone, cone; peak', which is cogn.
with 01. sii~;w/:1, 'whetstone', L. cos, gen. cotis,
'whetstone', catus, 'sharp', fr. I.-E. base *ko(l)-,
*ke(i)-, km-, 'sharp, whet; to sharpen, whet',
whence also OE. hiin, 'stone', ON. hein, 'hone'.
See hone and cp. conarium, Conium. Cp. also
cade, 'juniper'.
Derivatives: cone, tr. and intr. v., con-er, n.
coney, n.- See cony.
confab, n. (colloq.) - Abbreviation of confabulation.
confabulate, intr. v., to talk together, to chat. L. confiibuliitus, pp. of confiibu/iirl, 'to converse
together', fr. con- and fiibuliirl, 'to speak', fr.
fiibula. See fable.
Derivatives: confabulation (q.v.), confabulatory, adj.
confabulation, n. - Late L. confiibuliiti6, gen.
-onis, fr. L. confiibuliitus, pp. of confiibuliirl.
See prec. word and -ion.
confect, tr. v., to prepare by mixing (obsol.) - L.
confect us, pp. of conficere, 'to make up together,
prepare, accomplish', fr. con- and facere (pp.
factus), 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. comfit,
confetti, confiture. For the change of Latin ii
(in /iictus) toe (in con-jectus) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
confection, n. - F., fr. L. confectionem, ace. of
confectio, fr. confect us, pp. of conficere. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivatives: confection-ary, adj. and n., confection-er, n., confection-ery, n.
confederacy, n.- ME. confederacie, fr. OF. confederacie, fr. L. confoederatus. See next word
and -cy.
confederate, adj. - L. confoederiitus, 'leagued together', pp. of confoederiire, 'to join by a league',
fr . con-andfoederiire, 'to establish by a league', fr.
foedus, gen.foederis, 'league, treaty'. See federal.
Derivatives: confederate, n. and tr. and intr v
. .,
confederation (q.v.)
confederation, n. - F. con/tideration, fr. Late L.
c6nfoederiiti6nem, ace. of confoederiitio, fr. L.
confoederiitus, pp. of c6nfoederiire. See prec.
word and -ion.
confederative, adj. - Coined by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832). See confederate and -ive.
confer, tr. and intr. v. - L. conferre, 'to bring
together, collect, bestow upon, give, consult',
fr. con- and ferre, 'to bring, bear'. See bear, 'to
carry, and cp. -fer, -fe.-ous, fertile, circumference, defer, differ, infer, offer, prefer, proffer,
refer, suffer, transfer.
Derivatives: confer-ee, n., conference (q.v.),
confer-ment, n., conferr-er, n.
conference, n.- F. conference, fr. ML. conferentia, fr. L. c6nferens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of
conferre. See confer and -ence.

configure

Conferva, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - L. conferva, 'a kind of water plant', fr. confervere, 'to
boil together', fr. con- and fervere, 'to boil' (see
fervent); so called in allusion to the contracting
power of the plant. See Pliny 27, 69.
confess, tr. and intr. v. - F. confesser, fr. VL.
*confessiire, fr. L. c6nfessus, pp. of confiteri,
'to confess', fr. con- and faterl (pp. fassus), 'to
confess, own, acknowledge', from the stem of
fiirl, 'to speak', whence also fiima, 'report, rumor'. See fame and cp. fate, confiteor. Cp. also
profess. For the change of Latin ii (in fiissus)
to e (in con-fessus) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: confessant (q.v.), confess-ed, adj.,
confess-ed-ly, adv., confession (q.v.), confessor (q.v.)
confessant, n., one who makes confession (rare).
- F., pres. part. of confesser. See confess
and -ant.
confession, n. - F., fr. L. confessionem, ace. of
confessi6, 'confession, acknowledgement', fr.
confessus, pp. of confiterl. See confess and -ion.
Derivatives: confession-al, adj. and n., the hybrid nouns: confessional-ism, confessional-is!
and confession-ist, confession-ary, adj.
confessor, n. - ME., fr. Eccles. L. confessor, fr.
L. confessus, pp. of confiterl. See confess and
agential suff. -or.
confetti, n. pl., bits of colored paper. - It., pl.
of confetto, 'sweetmeat', fr. L. confectus, pp. of
conficere, 'to put together'. See comfit and cp.
confect.
confidant, masc. n.; confidante, fern. n., a confidential friend. - F. confident, fern. confidente,
fr. It. confidente, fr. L. con/fdentem, ace. of confidi!ns, pres. part. of con/fdere, 'to trust, confide
in something'. See next word and -ant and cp.
confident.
confide, intr. and tr. v. - L. c6nffdere, 'to trust
in something, rely firmly upon, believe', fr. conand ffdere, 'to trust'. See fidelity.
Derivatives: confid-er, n., confid-ing, adj., confid-ing-ly, adv., confid-ing-ness, n.
confidence, n. - L. confidentia, 'a firm trust in
something; confidence', fr. conffdens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of con/fdere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: confidenti-al, adj., confidenti-al-ity.
n., confidenti-al-ly, adv., confidenti-al-ness, n.,
confidenti-ary, n.
confident, adj. - L. con!uiens, gen. -entis, 'trusting in something, confident, self-confident', pres.
part. of con/fdere. See confide and cp. diffident.
Cp. also confidant.
Derivatives: confident, n., confident-ly, adv.
configuration, n. - Late L. configuriitio, gen.
-6nis, fr. configuriitus, pp. of configuriire. See
next word and -ation.
configure, tr. v., to shape after some model. Late L. configurare, 'to form after something',
fr. con- and L. figuriire, 'to fashion, shape', fr.
figura, 'form, shape'. See figure, n.

confine

confine, n., usually in the pl., boundary. -F. confins, pl., fr. OF. confines, fr. VL. confines, 'border, boundary', prop. pl. of the Latin adjective
confinis, 'bordering on', fr. con- and finis, 'end,
limit, boundary'. See finis.
confine, intr. v., to border on; tr. v., to limit. F. confiner, 'to border on', fr. confins, 'confines'.
See confine, n.
Derivatives: confin-ed, adj., confin-ed-ly, adv.,
confin-ed-ness, n., confinement (q.v.), confin-er,
n., confin-ing, adj.
confinement, n.- F., fr. confiner. See confine, v.,
and -ment.
confirm, tr. v.- OF. confermer (F. confirmer), fr.
L. confirmiire, 'to make firm', fr. con- and firmare, 'to make firm or steady', fr. firm us. See
firm, adj., and cp. affirm, infirm.
Derivatives: confirm-ed, adj., confirm-ed-ly, adv.,
confirm-ed-ness, n., confirmee (q.v.)
confirmation, n. - F.. fr. L. c6nfirmiiti6nem, ace.
of confirmiiti6, fr. confirmiitus, pp. of confirmiire. See prec. word and -ation.
confirmative, adj.- L. c6nfirmiitivus, 'suitable for
confirmation', fr. confirmiitus, pp. of confirmiire. See confirm and -ative.
Derivative: confirmative-ly, adv.
confirmatory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. confirmiitus, pp. of confirmiire. See confirm.
con!irmee, n., one to whom something is confirmed. - F. confirme, pp. of confirmer. See
confirm and -ee.
confiscable, adj. -See next word and -able.
confiscate, tr. v., to seize by authority.- L. confisciitus, pp. of confisciire, 'to lay up in a chest;
to seize on for the public treasury', fr. con- and
fisc us, 'basket, public chest, treasury'. See fisc
and verbal suff. -ate.
confiscation, n. - F., fr. L. confisciitionem, ace.
of conjisciiti6, fr. confisciitus, pp. of confisciire.
See prec. word and -ion.
confiscator, n. - L., fr. confisciitus, pp. of c6nfisciire. See confiscate and agential suff. -or.
confiscatory, adj. -See confiscate and adj. suff.
-ory.
confiteor, n., a form of confession (eccles.)- L.,
'I confess', 1st person sing. of confiteri (see confess); so called from the first word of the formula.
confiture, n., a confection; sweetmeat. - F., fr.
con/it, pp. of confire, 'to conserve, candy, pickle'.
See comfit and -ure.
confix, tr. v., to join or fasten together. - L.
confixus, pp. of configere, fr. con- and /igere,
'to fix'. See fix.
conflagrate, intr. and tr. v.- L. confiagriitus, pp.
of conflagriire, 'to bum up', fr. con- and fiagriire, 'to blaze, glow, burn'. See flagrant.
Derivatives: conflagration (q.v.), conflagrat-ive,
conflagrat-ory, adjs.
conflagration, n. - F., fr. Late L. c6nfiagriiti6nem, ace. of c6nflagriiti6, 'a burning', fr. L.
c6nfiagriitus, pp. of c6nflagriire. See prec. word
and -ion.

332

conflate, tr. v., 1) to blow together (rare); 2) to

combine two readings. - L. confliitus, pp. of
confliire, 'to blow together', fr. con- and fliire,
'to blow'. See flatus and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
conflation, n. - Late L. confliitio, gen. -onis, fr. L.
confliitus, pp. of confliire. See prec. word and -ion.
conflict, n. - L. conflictus, a striking together,
strife, contest', fr. conflictus, pp. of c6nfligere.
See conflict, v.
conflict, intr. v. - L. conflictus, pp. of confligere,
'to strike against, strike together, contend, fight',
fr. con- and fligere, 'to strike'. See afllict and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: conflict-ing, adj., conflict-ing-ly,
adv., confliction (q.v.), conflict-ive, adj.
confliction, n.- L. conflictio, gen. -onis, 'a striking together', fr. conflictus, pp. of confligere.
See conflict, v., and -ion.
confluence, n. - L. c6nfluentia, 'a flowing together', fr. confluens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
confluent, adj., flowing together. - L. confluens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of confluere, 'to flow
together', fr. con- and fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent.
confluent, n. - L. confluens, 'the place where two
rivers unite', prop. pres. part. of confluere. See
confluent, adj.
conflux, n., confluence. - ML. confluxus, fr. L.
confluere. See confluent, adj., and cp. flux.
confocal, adj., having the same foci (math.) Formed fr. con- and focal.
conform, tr. and intr. v. - F. conformer, fr. L.
conformiire, 'to form, fashion or shape symmetrically', fr. con- and formiire, 'to form,
fashion, shape', fr. forma. See form, n. and v.,
Derivatives: conform-abil-ity, n., conform-able,
adj., conform-able-ness, n., conform-abl-y, adv.,
conformation (q.v.), conform-er, n., conformist,
conformity (qq.v.)
conformation, n. - L. conformiiti6, gen. -onis,
'asymmetrical forming', fr. conformiitus, pp. of
conformiire. See prec. word and -ion.
conformist, n., 1) one who conforms; 2) one who
conforms to the Established Church (English
hist.) - Formed fr. conform with suff. -ist.
conformity, n. - F. conformite, fr. Late L. conformis, 'similar, like', which is rei. to L. c6nformiire. See conform and -ity.
confound, tr. v. -OF. confondre, confundre (F.
confondre), fr. L. confundere (pp. con/fisus), 'to
pour together', fr. con- and funckre, 'to pour'.
See found, 'to cast', and words there referred
to and cp. esp. fuse, 'to melt', confuse.
Derivatives: confound-ed, adj., confound-ed-ly,
adv., confound-er, n., confound-ing, adj., confound-ing-ly, adv.
confraternity, n., a fraternal union.- F. confraternite, fr. ML. confriiternitiitem, ace. of c6nfraternitiis. See con- and fraternity and cp.
next word.
confrere, n., a fellow member of a society.- F.

conglutinate

333

..

confrere, fr. ML. confriitrem, ace. of confriiter.

Cp. It. confrate, OSp. confrade, Sp. cofrade,.
Catal. confrare, OProven~. confraire, cofraire,
which all derive fr. ML. confriitrem. See conand friar.
confront, tr. v. -F. confronter, 'to stand face to
face, confront', fr. ML. confrontiire, fr. con- and
L. frons, gen. frontis, 'forehead'. See frontal.
Derivative: confrontation (q.v.), confront-er, n.
confrontation, n. - ML. c6nfrontiitio, gen. -onis,
fr. confrontiitus, pp. of confrontiire. See prec.
word and -ation.
Confucian, adj., pertaining to Confucius (557?479 B.C.E.) or Confucianism; n., an adherent
of Confucianism. -Formed with suff. -an fr.
Confucius, Latinized form of Chin. K'ung Fu
Tse, lit. 'K'ung, the master of philosophers'.
Derivatives: Confucian-ism, n., Confucian-ist, n.
confuse, tr. v. - ME. con/us, fr. OF. ( = F.)
confus, fr. L. c6nfusus, 'confused', pp. ofL. confundere. See confound.
Derivatives: confus-ed, adj., confus-ed-ly, adv.,
confus-ed-ness, n.
confusion, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. confusi6nem,
ace. of confusio, fr. con/usus, pp. of confundere.
See prec. word and -ion.
confutation, n. - L. confutiiti6, gen. -6nis, fr. confutiitus, pp. of confutiire. See next word and
-ation.
confute, tr. v., to prove to be wrong. -F. confuter, fr. L. confutiire, 'to repress a boiling liquid;
to check, suppress, disprove', fr. con- and futiire, which prob. derives fr. I.-E. base *bhiit-,
'to strike down', whence also OE. beatan, 'to
strike'. See beat, 'to strike', and cp. refute. Cp.
also footy.
Derivative: confut-er, n.
conge, n., leave to depart, dismissal; 2) a formal
farewell. - F., 'permission, leave of absence,
dismissal', fr. OF. congie, fr. L. commeiitus, 'a
going to and fro, a going at will', fr. com- and
meiitus, 'a going, passing', fr. meiit-(um), pp.
stem of meiire, 'to go, pass'. See meatus and cp.
congee, 'dismissal'.
congeal, tr. and intr. v.- F. congeler, fr. L. congeliire, 'to cause to freeze', fr. con- and geliire,
'to freeze', fr. gelu, 'frost, cold'. See gelid.
Derivatives: congeal-able, adj., congeal-er, n.,
congeal-ment, n.
congee, n., leave to depart, dismissal.- OF. congie. See conge.
congee, n., water in which rice has been boiled
(Anglo-Jnd.) - Tamil kanji, 'boilings'.
congelation, n. - F. congelation, fr. L. congeliitionem, ace. of congeliitio, fr. congeliitus, pp. of
congeliire. See congeal and -ation.
congener, n., a person or thing of the same kind.
- L. congener, 'of the same race or kind', fr.
con- and genus, gen. generis, 'race, kind, species'. See genus.
Derivatives: congener-ic, congener-ic-a/, congener-ous, adjs.

congenial, adj., of the same nature. - Fom1ed

fr. con- and genial.
Derivatives: congenial-ity, n., congenial-ly, adv.,
congenial-ness, n.
congenital, adj., existing from birth. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. congenitus, 'born to~
gether with', fr. con- and genitus, pp. of gignere,
'to beget'. See genital.
Derivatives: congenital-ly, adv., congenital-ness,

n.
conger, n., a kind of large marine eel.- ME., fr.
OF. congre, fr. L. congrum, ace. of conger, fr.
Gk. y6yypo~, 'sea eel, conger; tubercular growth
on trees', prob. meaning lit. 'something round',
and rei. to yoyyu"Ao~, 'round, rounded'. Cp.
gingiva.
congeries, n., a heap, pile. - L., lit. 'that which
is brought together', fr. congerere, 'to bring or
carry together', fr. con- and gerere, 'to bear,
carry'. See gerent and cp. congest.
congest, tr. v., to overcrowd. - L. congestus, pp.
of congerere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: congest-ed, adj., congestion (q.v.),
congest-ive, adj.
congestion, n., overcrowding. - F., fr. L. congesti6nem, ace. of congestio, 'a heaping up', fr.
congestus, pp. of congerere. See congeries and
-ion.
congius, n., 1) a liquid measure containing about
three quarts; 2) in pharmacy, a gallon. - L.,
name of a liquid measure, cogn. with Gk. x6yxo~. x6rxYJ, 'shell; a liquid measure' (whence L.
concha, 'shell'). See conch and cp. words there
referred to.
conglobate, adj., formed into a ball or rounded
mass. - L. cong/obiitus, pp. of conglobiire, 'to
gather into a ball', fr. con- and globiire, 'to make
into a ball', fr. globus, 'ball'. See globe and adj.
suff. -ate.
conglobate, tr. v., to form into a ball or rounded
mass. - L. conglobiitus, pp. of conglobiire. See
conglobate, adj.
conglobation, n. - L. conglobiitio, gen. -onis, 'a
heaping together', fr. conglobiitus, pp. of conglobiire. See conglobate, v., and -ion.
conglobe, tr. and intr. v., to conglobate. - F.
conglober, fr. L. conglobiire. See conglobate, v.
conglomerate, adj., formed into a ball or rounded
mass; n., something conglomerate; tr. and intr.
v., to form into a ball or rounded mass. - L.
conglomeriitus, pp. of conglomeriire, 'to roll together', fr. con- and glomeriire, 'to form into a
ball', fr. glomus, gen. glomeris, 'ball'. See
glomerate and cp. agglomerate.
conglomeration, n. -Late L. conglomeriitio, gen.
-onis, fr. L. conglomeriitus, pp. of conglomeriire.
See prec. word and -ion.
conglutinant, adj., gluing; healing. - L. conglutiniins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of conglutiniire.
See next word and -ant.
conglutinate, tr. and intr. v., to glue together. L. cong/utiniitus, pp. of conglutiniire, 'to glue

334

conglutination

together', fr. con- and gliitiniire, 'to glue', fr.

gluten, gen. glutinis, 'glue'. See gluten, glue.
conglutination, n. - L. conglutiniitio, gen. -onis,
'a gluing together',fr. conglutiniitus, pp. of conglutiniire. See prec. word and -ion.
congou, also congo, n., a kind of black China tea.
-Chin. kung-fu, 'labor'.
congratulant, adj. - L. congriituliins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of congriituliiri. See next word and
-ant.
congratulate, tr. v.- Fr. L. congriituliitus, pp. of
congriituliiri, 'to wish joy warmly, congratulate',
fr. con- and griituliiri, 'to wish joy', fr. griitus,
'pleasing'. See grace, n., and cp. grateful.
Derivatives: congratulation (q.v.), congratulator, n., congratulat-ory, adj.
congratulation, n. -F., fr. L. congriituliitionem,
ace. of congriituliitio, fr. congriituliitus, pp. of
congriituliiri. See prec. word and -ion.
congregant, n., a member of a congregation. L. congregiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of congregiire. See next word and -ant.
congregate, adj., assembled. - L. congregiitus,
'flocking together', pp. of congregiire, 'to flock
together', fr. con- and gregiire, 'to gather into
a flock', from grex, gen. gregis, 'flock'. See gregarious and adj. suff. -ate.
congregate, tr. and intr. v., to gather into a crowd;
to assemble. - L. congregiitus, pp. of congregiire. See prec. word.
congregation, n. - F. congregation, fr. L. congregiitionem, ace. of congregiitio, fr. congregiitus, pp. of congregiire. See congregate, adj., and
-ation.
Derivatives: congregation-al, adj., congregational-ism, n., congregational-ist, n.
congress, n. - L. congressus, 'a coming together,
a friendly meeting', fr. congressus, pp. of congredi, 'to come or go together', fr. con- and
gradi, pp. gressus, 'to step, walk, go'. See grade,
'step', and cp. gradus and retrograde. The change
of Latin ii (in griidi) toe (in con-gressus) is due
to the Latin linguistic law according to which,
in the second element of compounds, ii in a
closed radical syllable regularly became e. See
accent and cp. words there referred to. (The pp.
of gradi should be *grassus. The form gressus
is due to the influence of the past participles of
the compounds: con-gressus, pro-gress us, etc.)
Derivatives: congress-er, n., congression (q.v.),
congress-ive, adj.
congressional, adj., I) pertaining to a congress;
2) (cap.) pertaining to Congress. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. congrcssi6, gen. -6nis, 'a
corning together', fr. congress us, pp. of congredi, 'to come or go together'. See congress
and -ion.
Derivatives: congression-al, adj., congressionalist (q.v.), congression-al-ly, adv.
congressionalist, n., an adherent of a congress . .,Formed fr. congression with adj. suff. -al and
suff. -ist.

congressist, n., a member of a congress. Formed fr. congress with suff. -ist.
Congreve rocket, Congreve match. - Both named
after their inventor Sir William Congreve
(I772I828).

congruence, congruency, n. - L. congruentia,

'agreement, harmony', fr. congruens, gen. -entis,
'agreeing'. See congruent and -ce, resp. -cy.
congruent, adj., agreeing, corresponding,. coinciding. - L. congruens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
of congruere, 'to come together, coincide, agree',
fr. con- and *-gruere, which occurs also in L.
ingruere, 'to rush or break into', and is of uncertain etymology. L. ruere, 'to fall violently',
is not rei. to congruere, ingruere.
Derivative: congruent-ly, adv.
congruity, n., agreem~nt, correspondence, coincidence. - F. congruite, fr. Late L. congruitiitem, ace. of congruitiis, fr. congruus. See congruous and -ity.
congruous, adj., congruent, fitting, suitable. L. congruus, 'fit, suitable, congruous', fr. congruere. See congruent. For E. -ous, as equivalent
to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: congruous-ly, adv., congruousness, n.
conic, adj., I) j)ertaining to a cone; 2) coneshaped or resembling a cone. - F. conique, fr.
Gk. xw~tx6~. 'pertaining to a cone', fr. xwvo~.
'cone'. See cone and -ic.
Derivatives: conic-al, adj., conic-al-ly, adv.,
conic-al-ness, n., conic-ity, n.
conidium, n., an asexual cell occurring in certain
fungi. - ModL., formed with the ModL. dimin. suff. -idiom fr. Gk. x6vL~, 'dust'. See conio-.
conifer, n., a cone-bearing tree (bot.)- L., compounded of conus, 'cone', and ferre, 'to bear'.
See cone and -fer.
coniferous, adj., cone-bearing. -See prec. word
and -ferous.
coniform, adj., having the form of a cone. -See
cone and -form.
conine, n., a poisonous alkaloid, C 8 H 17 N, found
in hemlock (chem.) - Formed fr. Conium with
chem. suff. -ine.
conio-, combining form meaning 'dust'. - Gk.
xovw-, fr. x6v~;. 'dust', which is cogn. with L.
cinis, 'ashes'. See cinerary and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also the second element in
anthraconite.
Conioselinum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.)- ModL., compounded of Conium
and Gk afArvov, 'celery'. See celery.
Conium, n., a genus of poisonous plants of the
carrot family (bot.)- L. conium, 'hemlock', fr.
Gk. xwve:Lov, of s.m., which is prob. rel. to
xwvo~, 'pine cone, fir cone'. See cone.
conjecture, n., 1) guesswork; 2) guess.- L. conjectura, 'inference, conclusion' (whence also F.
conjecture), fr. conjectus, pp. of conicere (less
correctly conjicere), 'to throw together; to infer,
conclude', fr. con- and jacere, 'to throw'. See

335

jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ure. For the change of

Latin ii (in jiicere) to e (in con-ji!ctus) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: conjecture, tr. and intr. v., conjectur-able, adj., conjectur-ab/-y, adv., conjectural, adj., conjectur-al-ly, adv.
conjoin, tr. v.- ME. conjoinen, fr. F. conjoindre,
fr. L. conjungere, 'to join together' (whence also
It. congiungere, Proven~. conjonher), fr. con- and
jungere, 'to join'. See join and cp. conjoint,
conjugate.
Derivatives: conjoin-ed, adj., conjoin-er, n.
conjoint, adj. - F. conjoint, pp. of conjoindre.
See prec. word and conjunct and cp. disjoint.
Derivatives: conjoint-ly, adv., conjoint-ness, n.
conjugal, adj., of marriage. - L. conjugiilis,
'relating to marriage' (whence also F. conjugal),
fr. L. conjux (later form conjunx), gen. conjugis,
'spouse', which is rei. to conjungere, 'to join
together'. See conjoin and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: conjugality (q.v.), conjugal-ly, adv.
conjugality, n.- Coined by Milton fr. prec. word
and suff. -ity.
conjugate, tr. and intr. v.- L. conjugiitus, pp. of
conjugiire, 'to join together, unite', fr. con- and
jugiire, 'to join; to yoke; to marry', which is
rei. to jugum, 'yoke', jungere, 'to join'. See join
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. jugate. Cp. also
conjoin.
conjugate, adj.- L. conjugiitus, pp. of conjugiire.
See conjugate, v.
Derivative: conjugate-ly, adv.
conjugation, n. - L. conjugiitiJ, gen. -oms, 'a
combining, connecting, conjugation', fr. conjugiitus, pp. of conjugiire. See conjugate, v., and
-ion. In its grammatical sense, L. conjugiitio is
a loan translation of Gk. au~uyl<i, lit. 'a yoking,
or binding, together'.
Derivatives: conjugation-al, adj., conjugation-ally, adv.
conjunct, adj., joined together, united (archaic).
~ L. conjunctus, pp. of conjungere, 'to join together'. See conjoin and cp. conjoint.
Derivatives: conjunct, n., conjunct-ly, adv.
conjunction, n.- ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) conjonction, fr. L. conjuncti6nem, ace. of conjtlnctio, fr.
conjunctus, pp. of conjungere. Sec conjunct and
-ion. Cp. It. congiunzione, OProven~. conjunctio,
Sp. conjuncion, which all derive fr. L. conjunctionem. In its grammatical sense L. conjunctio is a loan translation of Gk. auv8e:a 1.1.6;
(fr. auvae:~v. 'to bind together').
Derivatives: conjunction-al, adj., conjunction-ally, adv.
conjunctiva, n., the mucous membrane which
covers the inner surface of the eyelids (anat.)Medical L. (short for membriina conjunctiva),
fern. of L. conjiinctivus, 'serving to connect, connective'. See next word.
Derivative: conjunctiv-al, adj.
conjunctive, adj. - L. conjunctivus, 'serving to
connect, connective', fr. conjiinctus, pp. of con-

connive

jungere. See conjunct and -ive and cp. disjunctive, subjunctive.

Derivatives: conjunctive, n., conjunctive-ly, adv.,
conjunctive-ness, n.
conjunctivitis, n., inflammation of the conjunctiva
(med.) -A Medical L. hybrid formed fr. Medical L. conjunctiva (fern. of L. conjunctfvus ), with
-itis, a suff. of Greek origin. See conjunctiva.
conjuration, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) conjuration, fr. L. conjiiriitionem, ace. of conjuriitio, lit.
'a swearing together, conspiracy', fr. conjuriitus,
pp. of conjuriire; cp. It. congiurazione and Sp.
conjuracion, which are of the same origin. See
conjure and -ation.
conjure, tr. v. - ME. conjuren, fr. OF. ( = F.)
conjurer, fr. L. conjuriire, 'to swear together,
conspire', fr. con- andjuriire, 'to swear an oath'.
See jury.
Derivatives: conjur-er, conjur-or, conjur-ing,
nouns.
conk, n., nose (slang). -The same as conch.
conn, tr. v., to direct the steering of a ship. Fr. obsol. cond, fr. ME. conduen, 'to lead,
guide', fr. MF. (=F.) conduire, fr. L. conducere.
See conduce and cp. conning tower.
Derivative: conn-er, n.
connate, adj., born with.- Late L. conniitus, pp.
of conniisci, 'to be born with, to be born at the
same time', fr. con- and niiscf, 'to be born'. See
natal and cp. cognate.
connatural, adj., I) innate; 2) born at the same
time.- ML. conniituriilis, 'of the same nature;
inborn'. See con- and natural.
connect, tr. and intr. v.- L. connectere, 'to bi11d
or join together', fr. con- and nectere, 'to tie,
bind, join', fr. I.-E. base *ned-, 'to twist, knot';
see net and cp. nexus, annex. L. nectere was influenced in form by pectere, 'to comb, dress,
weed'.
Derivatives: connect-ed, adj., connected-ly, adv.,
connect-ed-ness, n., connect-ive, adj., connective-ly, adv., connect-iv-ity, n.
connection, connexion, n. - L. connexio, gen.
-onis, 'a binding or joining together, connection',
fr. connexus, pp. of connectere. See prec. word
and -ion. The spelling connection is due to the
influence of the many English nouns in -tion
(fr. L. -tionem).
Derivative: connection-al, connexion-al, adj.
connellite, n., copper chloride with copper sulfate
(mineral.) -Named after A. Cannel, who analyzed it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
conning tower (naut.)- The first word is the pres.
part. of conn (q.v.)
conniption, n., a fit of hysteria (U.S. Slang). Of unknown origin.
connivance, n. - F. connivence, fr. L. coniventia,
conniventia, fr. conivens, connivens, gen. -entis.
See connivent and -ance.
connive, intr. v., to pretend ignorance.- L. coniveo, conivere, less exactly spelled conniveo, connivere, 'to close the eyes, blink, wink at, over-

connivent

look (errors), connive at', which stands for

*con-cnf(g)ueo and is formed fr. con- and I.-E.
base *kneigwh-, 'to bend', whence also L. nicto,
nictiire, 'to wink, blink', nftor, niti [for *nivitor
(fr. *kneigwhetor) or *nivitor (fr. *knigwhetor)],
'to strive, make an effort, exert oneself', Goth.
hneiwan, 'to bend toward', OE., OS., OHG. hnigan, ON. hniga, MHG. nigen, G. neigen, 'to
bend, bow'. Cp. nictitate, nisus, renitent.
Derivatives: connivent (q.v.), conniv-er, n.
connivent, adj. - L. conivens, connivens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of conivere, connivere. See
prec. word and -ent.
connoisseur, n., a critical judge. - OF. conoisseor, conoisseur (F. connoisseur), fr. conoistre
(F. connaitre), 'to know', fr. L. cognoscere, 'to
become acquainted with, perceive, understand,
know'. See cognition.
connotate, tr. v. - ML. connotiitus, pp. of connotiire. See connote and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
:mnotate.
Derivatives: connotation (q.v.), connotat-ive,
adj., connotat-ive-ly, adv.
connotation, n. - ML. connotiitio, gen. -onis, fr.
connotiitus, pp. of connotiire. See next word and
-ion and cp. annotation.
connote, tr. v. - ML. connotiire, 'to mark together', fr. con-, and L. notiire, 'to mark', fr.
nota, 'a mark'. See note.
Derivatives: connot-ive, adj., connot-ive-ly, adv.
connubial. adj., pertaining to marriage. - L.
c6niibiiilis (later conniibiiilis), 'pertaining to marriage', fr. coniibium (later conniibium), 'marriage', fr. co- and the stem ofniibere (pp. nuptus),
'to marry'. See nuptial and cp. nubile.
Derivatives: connubial-ity, n., connubial-ly, adv.
cono-, before a vowel con-, combining form denoting the cone. - Gk. xwvo-, xwv-, fr. xwvo~,
'cone'. Sec cone.
conodont, n., any of certain minute fossils of a
toothlike shape. -Compounded of Gk. xwvo~,
'cone', and baw'l, gen. oMno~. 'tooth'. See
cono- and odonto-.
conoid, adj., cone-shaped.- Gk. XW'IOELil~~. 'conical, cone-shaped', compounded of xw'lo~,
'cone', and -oeLilf.~. 'like', fr. diloc;, 'form, shape'.
See cone and -oid.
Derivative: conoid, n.
Conopholis, n., a genus of plants of the broomrape family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
Gk. z{;l'Jr,~, 'cone' (see cone), and ?'lAlc;, 'scale',
which is cogn. with ?<=})/,~.'cork tree, cork' (see
phello- and cp. words there referred to); so
called because the upper scales form bracts to
the flowers, resembling those of the fir cone.
Conopophagidae, n. pl., a genus of birds, the ant
pipit (ornithol.) - ModL., lit. 'gnat eaters',
formed with suiT. -idae fr. Gk. xwvwy, 'gnat,
mosquito', and the stem of ql-:Lydv, 'to eat'. See
canopy and phago-.
conquer, tr. and intr. v.- ME. conqueren, fr. OF.
conquerre, fr. VL. *conquaerere, 'to seek with

336

care, conquer' (remodeled after L. quaerere, 'to

seek'), for L. conquirere, 'to seek for' (whence
Olt. conquidere; F. conqwfrir, 'to conquer', is a
new formation after querir, 'to seek', fr. VL.
*quaerfre, which corresponds to L. quaerere).
L. conquirere is formed fr. con- and quaerere,
'to seek'. See quaere and cp. conquest. Cp. also
acquire, inquire, require.
Derivatives: conquer-able, adj., conquerableness, n., conquer-ing, adj., conquer-ing-ly, adv.,
conqueror (q.v.)
conqueror, n. - ME. conquereour, fr. OF. conquereor, fr. conquerre, 'to conquer'. See prec.
word and agential suff. -or.
conquest, n.- ME., partly fr. OF. conquest (F.
conquet), 'acquisition', partly fr. OF. conqueste
(F. conquete), 'acquisition, conquest'. These
words prop. are the masc., resp. fern. pp. of OF.
conquerre, and derive fr. VL. *conquaesitus,
resp. *conquaesita (corresponding to L. conquisitus, conquisita), pp. of *conquaerere. See
conquer and cp. conquistador.
conquian, n., a card game with two players. Fr. Sp. 1,con quien?, 'with whom?' Sp. con derives
fr. L. cum, 'with'; see 1st con-. Sp.quien comes fr.
L. quem, ace. of quis, 'who'; see who. Cp. cooncan.
conquistador, n., a conqueror, applied esp. to the
Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru.- Sp.,
fr. conquistar, 'to conquer', fr. VL. conquistiire,
fr. L. conquisitus, pp. of conquirere, 'to seek for';
see conquer. L. conquisitus stands for *conquaesftus. For the change of Latin ae (in quaesitus) to i (in con-quisitus) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
Conrad, masc. PN.- G. Konrad or F. Conrade,
fr. OHG. Kuonriit, which is compounded of
kuon, 'bold', and rat, 'counsel'; hence Conrad
lit. means 'bold in counsel'. See keen and rede.
consanguine, adj., consanguineous. - F. consanguin, fr. L. consanguineus. See next word.
cousanguineous, adj., of the same blood; having
the same ancestor. - L. consanguineus, 'of the
same blood, related by blood', fr. con- and sanguineus, 'of blood', fr. sanguis, gen. sanguinis,
'blood'. See sanguine and cp. sanguineous. For
E. -ous, as corresponding to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivative: consanguineous-ly, adv.
consanguinity, n., blood relationship. - F. consanguinite, fr. L. consanguinitiitem, ace. of consanguinitiis, 'blood relationship', fr. consanguineus. See prec. word and -ity.
conscience, n. - ME., fr. E. conscience, fr. L.
conscientia, 'consciousness, knowledge, feeling,
sense', lit. 'knowledge shared with another', fr.
consciens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of conscire, 'to
be conscious of', fr. con- and scire, 'to know';
see science. L. conscientia is prob. a loan translation of Gk. cruvd3r;m~. 'consciousness, conscientiousness', lit. 'knowledge shared with another'.
Derivatives: conscience-less, adj., conscienceless-ly, adv., conscience-less-ness, n.

337

ll...

I
I

I
I.

I'

couscientious, adj. - F. consciencieux (fern. consciencieuse), fr. ML. conscientiosus, fr. L. con~
scientia. See conscience and -ous.
Derivatives: conscientious-ly,adv., conscientiousness, n.
conscious, adj. - L. conscius, 'knowing, aware
of', fr. con- and scire, 'to know'. Cp. L. nescius,
fnscius, 'not knowing', which are analogously
formed, and see science.
Derivatives: conscious-ly, adv., conscious-ness, n.
conscribe, tr. v.- L. conscrfbere. See next word.
conscript, adj. and n. - L. conscriptus, pp. of
conscribere, 'to write together, draw up, list,
enrol', fr. con- and scribere, 'to write'. See
scribe.
conscript, tr. v. - Back formation fr. conscription (q.v.) The more correct form is conscribe(fr.
L. conscribere). Cp. the verbs describe, inscribe,
prescribe, subscribe, which have no collateral
forms ending in -script.
conscription, n. - L. conscriptio, gen. -onis, 'a
writing together, a levying of troops', fr. conscrfptus, pp. of conscribere. See prec. word
and -ion.
Derivative: conscription-a!, adj.
consecrate, adj. - L. consecrtitus, pp. of consecriire, 'to devote as sacred, dedicate, consecrate',
fr. con- and sacriire, 'to set apart as sacred, to
hallow, consecrate'. See sacred and adj. suff.
-ate. For the change of Latin ti (in sticriire) toe
(in con-secriire) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
consecrate, tr. and intr. v. - L. consecriitus, pp.
of consecriire. See consecrate, adj.
Derivatives: consecrat-ed, adj., consecrat-edness, n., consecri:lfion (q.v.), consecrat-ive, adj.,
consecrator (q.v.)
consecration, n. - L. consecriitio, gen. -onis, fr.
consecriitus, pp. of consecriire. See consecrate,
adj., and -ion.
consecrator, n.- Late L., 'one who consecrates',
fr. L. consecriitus, pp. of consecriire. See con
secrate, adj., and agential suff. -or.
consectary, adj., that which follows logically (obsol.) - L. consectiirius, fr. consectiiri. 'to follow
after eagerly', freq. of consequi (pp. *consectus,
consectltus), 'to follow up, go after', fr. con- and
sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and -ary and cp.
sect, consequent. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: consectary, n.
consecution, n. - L. consectltio, gen. -oms, fr.
conseet/tus, pp. of consequi, 'to follow up, go
after, attend', fr. con- and sequi, 'to follow'. See
sequel and -tion and cp. consequent.
consecutive, adj. and n.- F. consecutij(fem. consecutive), a learned word derived fr. L. conseciitus, pp. of consequi. See sequel and -ive and
cp. prec. word .
Derivatives: consecutive-ly, adv., consecutiveness, n.
consenescence, n., the process of growing old together. - Formed with suff. -ence fr. L. con-

conservatoire

senescere, 'to grow old together', fr. con- and

senescere, 'to grow old', an inchoative formed
fr. senex, gen. sen is, 'old'. See senile.
consensual, adj. - See next word and adj. suff.
-al.
consensus, n., agreement. - L, 'agreement, accordance, unanimiLy', fr. consensus, pp. of consentire. See consent, v.
consent, intr. v. - OF. ( = F.) consentir, fr. L.
consentire, 'to feel together, agree, accord', fr.
con- and sentire (pp. sensus), 'to feel'. See seuse.
Derivatives: consent-er, n., consent-ing, adj., consen t-ing-ly, adv., consent-ing-ness, n., consent-ive,
adj., consent-ive-ly, adv., consent-ive-ness, n.
consent, n. - OF. consente, fr. consentir. See
consent, v.
Derivatives: consent-jut, adj., consent-ful-ly, adv.
consentaneity, n., agreement. - Formed w~th
suff. -ity fr. L. consentiineus. See next word.
consentaneous, adj., agreeing. - L. consentiineus,
'agreeing with something', fr. consentire. See
consent, v., and -aneous.
Derivatives: consentaneous-ly, adv., consentaneous-ness, n.
consentience, n., agreement. - Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce.
consentient, adj., agreeing.- L. consentiens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of consentire. See consent, v.,
and -ent.
Derivative: consentient-ly, adv.
consentment, n. - OF. consentement, fr. consentir. See consent, v., and -ment.
consequence, n. - F. consequence, fl-. L. consequentia, fr. consequens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
of consequi. See next word and -ence.
consequent, adj. - L. consequens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of consequi, 'to follow up, go after,
attend'. Sec consecution and -ent.
Derivatives: consequent, n., consequent-ly, adv.
and conj.
consequential, adj. - Formed with suff. -ial fr.
L. consequentia. See consequence.
Derivatives: consequen-tial-ity, n., ronsequentiallv, adv., consequential-ness, n.
c~nservable, adj. - L. conserriibi/is, 'that which
can be conserved', fr. conserriire. Seeconsene, v ..
and -able.
conservancy, n. - Formed from the verb consene with suff. -ancy.
conservation, n. - ME., fr. L. conserriiti6, gen.
-on is, 'a keeping, preserving, conserving', fr.
conseniitus, pp. of conserriire. See consene, v.,
and -ation.
Derivatives: conservation-al, adj., conserrarionist, n.
consenatism, n. - Short for consermth"ism. See
consenative and -ism.
conservatiw, adj. - ME., fr. MF. conserratif
(fern. conservative), fr. L. conseniitus, pp. of
conserviire. See consene, v., and -ative.
Derivative: conservative, n.
conservatoire, n., a school of music. - F., fr. It.

conservator

conservatorio, orig. 'orphanage', fr. ML. conservatorium, 'a place for preserving', fr. L. conservare, 'to preserve' (the first Italian musical
schools were orphanages). See conserve, v., and
cp. conservatory.
conservator, n. - ME. conservatour, fr. MF.
( = F.) conservateur, fr. L. conservatorem, ace. of
conservator, 'a keeper, preserver', fr. conservare.
See conserve, v., and agential suff. -or.
conservatory, n., a school of music.- ML. conservatorium. See conservatoire and subst. sulf. -ory.
conserve, tr. v.- F. conserver, fr. L. conservare,
'to save, keep, protect', fr. con- and servare, 'to
save, deliver, preserve, protect', which is prob.
cogn. with Avestic haraiti, haurvaiti, 'takes care
of, protects', haurva, 'protecting'. Gk. ~pw~ (for
*~pwf-o~), 'hero', lit. 'defender, protector', "Hp<i
(for *"Hpf<i), 'Hera', lit. 'defendress,protectress',
and perh. also with llp!J.i:vo~, 'the sage plant', lit.
'the saving plant' (for sense development cp.
L. salvia, 'the sage plant', fr. salvare, 'to save';
see Salvia and sage, the plant). See hero and cp.
observe, preserve, reserve. L. servus 'slave' ser'
vire, 'to serve', are not rei. to servdre.
Derivatives: conserve, n. (q.v.), conserv-er, n.
conserve, n.- F., 'preserved fruit', fr. conserver,
'to preserve, keep, maintain', fr. L. conservare.
See conserve, v.
consider, tr. v. - ME. consideren, fr. MF.( = F.)
considerer, fr. L. consideriire, 'to look at closely,
observe, contemplate, meditate', orig. 'to observe the stars', fr. con- and sidus, gen. sideris,
'star'. See sidereal and cp. desiderate, desire.
Derivatives: consider-ed, adj., consider-er, n.,
consider-ing, prep., consider-ing-ly, adv.
considerable, adj. - ML. c6nsiderabilis (whence
also F. considerable), fr. L. consfderiire. See
prec. word and -able. Derivatives: considerableness, n., considerabl-y, adv.
considerate, adj. - L. consideriitus, pp. of consideriire. See consider and adj. sulf. -ate. Derivatives: considerate-ly, adv., considerate-ness, n.
consideration, n. - F. consideration, fr. L. consideriitionem, ace. of consideriitio, 'consideration, contemplation, reflection', fr. consideratus,
pp. of consideriire. See consider and -ation.
consign, tr. v. - F. consigner, lr. L. consignare,
'to mark with a seal, to subscribe, attest, certify', fr. con- and signare, 'to set a mark upon,
mark, fr. signum, 'a mark'. See sign.
Derivatives: consign-able, adj., consignation
(q.v.), consign-ee, n., consign-er, n., consignment, n., consign-or, n.
consignation, n. - L. c6nsigniiti6, gen. -onis, 'a
written proof, document', fr. consigniitus, pp.
of consignare. See prec. word and -ion.
consilience, n., concurrence, coincidence. - Lit.
'a jumping together'; formed from next word
with sulf. -ce.
consilient, adj., concurring, coincident.- Formed
on analogy of resilient (q.v.) fr. con- and saltre,
'to leap'.

338
consist, intr. v. - L. consistere 'to stand still
stop, halt, endure, subsist', fr. ~on- and sistere:
'to cause to stand, put, place to stand still
stand', from the reduplicated b~se of stare 't~
stand'. See assist and cp. words there referred to.
consistence, consistency, n. - ML. c6nsistentia
(whence also F. consistance), fr. L. consistens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
consistent, adj. - L. consistens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of consistere. See consist and -ent.
Derivative: consistent-ly, adv.
consistory, n., I) a council chamber; 2) the papal
senate. - ONF. consistorie, fr. Late L. consistorium, 'place of assembly; place where the
emperor's council met' (whence also OF., F.
consistoire), fr. L. c6nsistere. See consist and
subst. sulf. -ory. Derivative: consistori-al, adj.
consociate, tr. and intr. v., to associate together.
- L. consociatus, pp. of consociiire, 'to associate
with', fr. con- and sociare, 'to join together, associate', fr. socius, 'companion'. See social and
verbal sulf. -ate and cp. associate, dissociate.
consociate, n.- L. consociatus, pp. of consociare.
See consociate, v.
consociation, n. - L. c6nsociatio, gen. -6nis, fr.
consociiitus, pp. of consociare. See consociate,
v., and -ion.
consolation, n. -F., fr. L. consolati6nem, ace. of
consolatio, fr. consolatus, pp. of c6nsolari. See
console, v., and -ation.
consolatory, adj.- L. consolatorius, 'pertaining
to consolation', fr. consolatus, pp. of consoliiri.
See console and adj. suffixes -ate and -ory.
Derivatives: consolatori-ly, adv., consolatoriness, n.
console, tr. v., to comfort. - F. consoler, fr. L.
consoliiri, 'to console, comfort, encourage', fr.
con- and solar I, 'to comfort'. See solace and cp.
disconsolate.
Derivatives: consol-able, adj., consolatory (q.v.),
consol-er, n.
console, n., I) a bracket supporting a shell, cornice, etc.; 2) a console table; 3) cabinet of an
organ, radio or phonograph. - F., 'console,
console table', prob. a blend of consoler 'to
comfort', and consolider, 'to strengthen, ~ake
firm, consolidate'. See console, v., and consolidate.
consolidant, adj., tending to heal; n., a consolidating agent (med.) - L. conso/idiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of consolidare. See next word
and -ant.
consolidate, tr. v., I) to make solid; 2) to unite;
intr. v.. 1) to become solid; 2) to unite.- L. consolidiitus, pp. of consolidare, 'to make quite firm
or solid', fr. con- and solidiire, 'to make firm or
solid', fr. solidus, 'firm, solid'. See solid and cp.
console, n. Cp. also consound.
Derivative: consolidat-ed, adj.
consolidate, adj., consolidated.- L. consolidiitus,
pp. of consolidare. See consolidate, v.
consolidation, n. - Late L. consolidiitio, -onis,

339
fr. L. consolidatus, pp. of consolidare. See prec.
word and -ion.
consols, n. pl. - Abbreviation of Consolidated
Annuities, British government securities.
consolute, adj., mutually soluble (chem.) - Late
L. consolutus, 'dissolved together', pp. of *consolvere, fr. con- and L. solvere, 'to loosen, untie,
dissolve'. See solve and cp. absolute, dissolute,
resolute.
consomme, n., a clear, rich soup.- F., prop. pp.
of consommer, 'to consume', fr. L. c6nsummiire,
'to accomplish, finish'. See consummate. F. consommer was influenced in meaning by a confusion with L. consumere, 'to consume' (see
consume).
consonance, n. - F., fr. L. consonantia, 'agreement, harmony', fr. consonans, gen. -antis. See
next word and -ce and cp. sonance and words
there referred to.
consonant, adj. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. consonans,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of consonare, 'to sound
together or at the same time', fr. con- and sonare, 'to sound'. See sonant and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: consonant-ly, adv., consonant-ness,n.
consonant, n.- OF., fr. L. consonantem, ace. of
consonans. See prec. word.
Derivatives: consonant-al, adj., consonant-ism,
n., consonant-ly, adv., consonant-ness, n.
consort, n., a spouse. -F., fr. L. consortem, ace.
of c6nsors, 'sharer, partner, comrade', lit.
'having the same lot', fr. con- and sors, gen.
sortis, 'lot, condition'. See sort, n., and cp. sorcerer, consortium.
Derivatives: consort, intr. v., consort-able, adj.,
consort-er, n.
consortium, n., union, association. - L., 'fellowship, partnership, society', fr. consors, gen. consortis. See prec. word.
consound, n., a plant supposed to have healing
qualities; the comfrey. - OF. consolde, consou/de, fr. L. c6nsolilkl, 'comfrey', lit. 'the
strengthening plant', fr. c6nsolidare, 'to make
firm or solid'. See consolidate, v.
conspecies, n., a fellow species of the same genus.
- Formed fr. con- and species.
conspecific, adj., of the same species. - Formed
fr. con- and specific.
conspectus, n., a general survey. - L., 'a looking
at, sight, view', fr. conspectus, pp. of conspicere,
'to look at attentively, get sight of', fr. conand specere, spicere, 'to look at'. See species and
cp. aspect and words there referred to.
conspicuity, n. - Formed with sulf. -ity fr. L.
conspicuus. See next word.
conspicuous, adj. - L. conspicuus, 'visible, remarkable, conspicuous', fr. conspicere. See conspectus.
Derivatives: conspicuous-ly, adv., conspicuousness, n.
conspiracy, n. - ME. conspiracie, fr. OF. conspiracie, fr. L. conspirare. See conspire and -acy.

consternate

conspirant, adj., conspiring. -F., pres. part. of

conspirer. See conspire and -ant.
conspiration, n. (obsol.) - F., fr. L. consplrationem, ace. of conspiratio, 'conspiracy', fr. conspiriitus, pp. of conspirare. See conspire and
-ation.
conspirator, n. - L. conspirator, fr. conspiratus,
pp. of conspirare. See next word and -ator.
conspire, intr. and tr. v. - F. conspirer, fr. L.
conspiriire, 'to breathe together, agree, act in
concert, plot together', fr. con- and spirare, 'to
breathe, blow'. See spirit and cp. aspire and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: conspir-er, n., conspir-ing, adj.,
conspir-ing-ly, adv.
conspue, tr. v., to spit upon in contempt, assail.
-F. conspuer, 'to spit upon, despise, to decry',
fr. L. conspuere, 'to spit upon in contempt', fr.
con- and spuere, 'to spit'. See spew and cp.
sputum. Cp. also cuspidor.
constable, n., peace officer.- ME., fr. OF. conestable (F. conni!table), fr. Late L. comes stabuli,
lit. 'count of the stable', fr. L. comes, 'companion', and genitive of L. stabulum, 'stable'.
See count, 'title of nobility', and stable,
'stall'.
constabulary, adj., pertaining to a constable; n.,
police. - ML. constabul(irius, 'pertaining to
a constable', fr. conestabulus, constabulus, 'constable', fr. Late L. comes stabuli. See constable
and adj. sulf. -ary.
Constance, fern. PN. - Lit. 'constancy, firmness', fr. L. constantia. See next word.
constancy, n. - L. constantia, 'steadfastness,
firmness, constancy', fr. constans, gen. -antis.
See next word and -cy and cp. Constance.
constant, adj. - ME., fr. F. constant, fr. L. constan/em, ace. of c6nstans, 'firm, steadfast, unchangeable, stable, constant', pres. part. of
constiire, 'to stand firm, last, endure, preserve,
be settled, be certain, be evident', lit. 'to stand
together', fr. con- and stare, 'to stand'. See state
and -ant and cp. cost.
Derivatives: constant, n., constant-ly, adv.
Constant, masc. PN. - L. Constans, lit. 'firm,
steadfast, constant'. See prec. word.
Constantine, masc. PN. - F., fr. L. Constantinus, a derivative of c6nstiins, gen. constantis.
See constant and -ine (representing L. -inus) and
cp. prec. word.
Constantinian, adj., pertaining to the Roman emperor Constantine the Great or his period (306337). - For the ending see sulf. -ian.
constellate, tr. and intr. v., to form into a constellation; adj., constellated. - Late L. constellatus, 'starred, studded with stars', fr. conand L. stellatus, 'starred', pp. of stellare. See
steUate.
consteUation, n. - Late L. constelliitio, 'a collection of stars', fr. constellatus. See prec. word
and -ion.
consternate, tr. v. - L. c6nsterniitus, pp. of con-

consternation

sterniire. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.

consternation, n., dismay.- F., fr. L. consternationem, ace. of consterniitio, 'confusion, dismay, consternation', fr. consterniitus, pp. of consternare, 'to stretch upon the ground, overcome,
confuse, alarm, dismay', which is pro b. formed
fr. consternere, 'to throw down, prostrate, deject',
fr. con- and sternere, 'to spread out'. See stratum.
constipate, tr. v. - L. constipatus, pp. of constipare, 'to press closely together', fr. con- and
stipiire, 'to press together, stuff, cram'. See
stipate and cp. costive.
constipation, n. - L. constipatio, gen. -onis, 'a
pressing together', fr. constipatus, pp. of constipare. See prec. word and -ion.
constituency, n.-Formed fr. constituent on analogy of regency, etc. ; first used by Macauley.
constituent, adj. - L. constituens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of constituere. See next word and -ent.
Derivatives: constituent, n., constituent-ly, adv.
constitute, tr. v. - L. constitutus, pp. of constituere, 'to cause to stand, set, put, place, set up,
erect, establish, bring about, appoint, constitute', fr. con- and statuere, 'to cause to stand,
place, set up'. See statute and cp. words there
referred to. For the change of Latin a (in statuere) to i (in con-stituere) see abigeat and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: constitution (q. v.), constitut-ive,
adj. and n., constitut-ive-ly, adv., constitut-iveness, n.
constitution, n. - F., fr. L. constitutionem, ace.
of constitutio, 'constitution, disposition, nature',
fr. c6nstitii.tus, pp. of constituere. See prec. word
and -ion.
Derivatives: constitution-al, adj. and n., constitution-al-ism, n., constitution-al-ist, n., constitution-al-ize, tr. v., constitution-al-ly, adv., constitution-er, n.
constitutor, n. - L., 'an arranger', fr. constitutus,
pp. of constituere. See constitute and agential
suff. -or.
constrain, tr. v., to compel. - ME. constreinen,
fr. constraindre, constreindre (F. contraindre),
fr. L. c6nstringere, 'to draw or bind together, to
fetter, restrain', fr. con- and stringere, 'to bind,
tie'. Cp. It. costringere, OProven~. costrenher,
Catal. costrenyer, Sp. constrenir, Port. constranger, which all derive fr. L. constringere. See
stringent and cp. strain, v. Cp. also distrain, restrain and constringe, constrict.
Derivatives: constrain-ed, adj., constrain-ed-ly,
adv., constrain-ed-ness, n., constrain-er, n., constrain-ing, adj., constrain-ing-/y, adv.
constraint, n. - OF. constrainte, constreinte (F.
contrainte), prop. fern. pp. of constraindre, conftreindre (F. contraindre). See prec. word.
constrict, tr. v., to draw together. - L. constricrus, pp. of constringere. See constrain.
Derivatives: constrict-ed, adj., constriction, constrictive, constrictor (qq.v.)

constriction, n. - L. constrictio, gen. -onis, 'a

341

340

drawing or binding together', fr. constrictus, pp.

of constringere. See constrain and -tion.
constrictive, adj. - F. constrictif (fern. constrictive), fr. Late L. constrictivus, fr. L. constrictus,
pp. of constringere. See constrain and -ive.
constrictor, n.- ModL., fr. L. constrictus, pp. of
constringere. See constrict and agential suff. -or.
constringe, tr. v., to constrict.- L. constringere.
See constrain.
constringency, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
constringent, adj. - L. constringens, gen. -entis,
pres. part of constringere. See constrain and -ent.
construable, adj. - Formed fr. construe with
suff. -able.
construct, tr. v. - L. constructus, pp. of construere, 'to heap or pile together, make by piling
up, make, fabricate, join together', fr. con- and
struere, 'to pile up, build, construct'. See structure and words there referred to and cp. esp.
construe, which is a doublet of construct.
Derivatives: construct, n., construct-er, n., construction (q.v.), constructive (q.v.), constructor, n.
construction, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. constructionem, ace. of c6nstructio, 'a joining together',
fr. constructus, pp. of construere. See prec, word
and -ion and cp. destruction.
Derivatives: construction-a/, adj., constructionally, adv., construction-ism, n.
constructive, adj.- ML. c6nstructfvus, fr. L. constructus, pp. of construere, 'to join together'.
See construct and -ive.
Derivatives: constructive-ly, adv., constructiveness, n., constructiv-ism, n., constructiv-ist, n.
construe, tr. and intr. v. - L. c6nstruere, 'to join
together'; a doublet of construct (q.v.)
Derivatives: construe, n., constru-er, n.
consubstantial, adj., having the same substance.
- Eccles. L. consubstantialis, fr. con- and L.
substantia/is, 'pertaining to the substance or
essence', fr. substantia. See substance and -ial.
consubstantiality, n. - Eccles. L. consubstantialitas, fr. consubstantialis. See prec. word and -ity.
consubstantiate, tr. v., to unite in one substance.
- Eccles. L. consubstantiatus, pp. of consubstantiare. See con- and substantiate.
consubstantiation, n.- Eccles. L. consubstantiatio,
gen. -onis, fr. consubstantiatus, pp. of consubstantiare. See prec. word and -ion and cp. substantiation.
consuetude, n., custom.- OF., fr. L. consuetudo,
fr. consuetus, pp. of consuescere, 'to accustom,
inure, habituate'. See custom and -tude and cp.
assuetude.
consuetudinary, adj., customary. - Late L. consuetudinarius, fr. L. consuetudo, gen. -tudinis.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivative: consuetudinary, n.
consul, n. - L. consul, 'either of the two chief
magistrates of the Roman state'. This word
prob. meant orig. 'convener, convoker', and is

rei. to consulere, 'to take counsel, deliberate'.

See consult.
consular, adj.- L. consularis, fr. consul. See prec.
word and -ar.
consularity, n., the office of a consul. - Late L.
consularitas, 'the office of a consul', fr. L. consuliiris. See prec. word and -ity.
consulate, n. - L. consulatus, 'the office of a consul, consulate', fr. consul. See consul and subst.
suff. -ate.
consult, tr. and intr. v. - F. consulter, fr. L. consultare, 'to take the advice of, consult; to consider maturely, weigh, ponder', freq. formed fr.
consultus, pp. of c6nsulere, 'to take counsel; to
consider, reflect, deliberate'. The verb consu/ere
orig. meant 'to call or gather together', as in
consulere senatum, 'to call together the senate',
whence 'to ask the advice of, or to consult, the
senate'. The origin of consulere is uncertain. In
consideration of its original meaning, it is perh.
formed fr. con- and I.-E. base *sel-, 'to take,
seize'; see Thurneysen in lndogermanische Forschungen, 21, 180. See sell and cp. consul,
counsel.
Derivatives: consultant, consultation (qq.v.),
consult-ative, consult-atory, adjs., consult-ee, n.,
consult-er, n., consult-ing, adj., consult-ive, adj.,
consult-ive-ly, adv.
consult, n., the act of consulting; consultation
(now rare). - L. consultum, prop. neut. pp. of
consulere. See consult, v.
consultant, n. - L. consultans, gen. -antis, pres.
part. of c6nsultare. See consult and -ant.
consultation, n. - L. consultatio, gen. -onis
(either directly or through the medium of F.
consultation), fr. consultatus, pp. of c6nsultiire.
See consult, v., and -ation.
consume, tr. and intr. v. - OF. consumer, fr. L.
consumere, 'to take entirely, eat, devour, consume, destroy', fr. con- and sumere, 'to take up',
which is compounded of sub- and emere, 'to
. take'. See assume and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: consum-able, adj. and n., consumed-ly, adv., consum-er, n., consum-ing, adj., consum-ing-/y, adv., consum-ing-ness, n.
consummate, adj., consummated; complete, perfect. - L. consummatus, pp. of consummare,
'to accomplish, finish, complete', fr. con- and
summus, 'the highest, topmost'. See summit and
adj. suff. -ate and cp. consomme.
Derivative: consummate-ly, adv.
consummate, tr. v., to complete; to achieve.
L. consummatus, pp. of consummare. See prec.
word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: consumiWJtion (q.v.), consummative, adj., consummat-ive-ly, adv., consummative-ness, n., consummator (q.v.)
CO!L';ummation, n. - OF. ( = F.) consommation,
fr. L. consummtitionem, ace. of consummatio, 'a
finishing, completing', fr. consummatus, pp. of
consummtire. See consummate, v. and. adj., and
agential suff. -or.

contaminate

consummator, n. - Late L. consummator, fr. L.

consummatus, pp. of consummare. See consummate, v., and -ion.
consumption, n. - L. consumpti6, gen. -onis, fr.
consumptus, pp. of consumere. See consume and
-tion and cp. sumption and words there referred to. Derivative: consumption-a/, adj.
consumptive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
consumptus, pp. of consumere. See consume.
Derivatives: consumptive, n., consumptive-ly,
adv., consumptive-ness, n., consumptiv-ity, n.
Consus, n., an ancient Roman god of the earth
and of agriculture (Roman mythol.) - L.
Cons us, a contracted form of conditus, 'concealed,
hidden', pp. of condere. See abscond and cp.
words there referred to.
contabescence, n., a wasting away; atrophy.
Formed from next word with suff. -ce.
contabescent, adj., wasting away; atrophied.
L. contabescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of contabescere, 'to waste away', fr. con- and tiibescere, 'to melt gradually, waste or pine away,
decay', inchoative of tabere, 'to melt, waste
away, be consumed'. See tabes and -escent and
cp. tabescent.
contact, n. - L. contactus, 'a touching contact',
fr. contactus; pp. of contingere, 'to touch closely', fr. con- and tangere, 'to touch'. See tact.
Derivatives: contact, tr.v., contact-or, n. (electr.)
contactual, adj. -Formed fr. contact on analogy
of words like factual, actual. Cp. tactual.
Derivative: contactual-ly, adv.
contadino, n., an Italian peasant.- It., 'peasant',
fr. contado, 'peasantry', fr. L. comitatus, 'escort,
retinue, court, a company', fr. comitatus, pp. of
comitari, 'to accompany'. See county.
contagion, n. - F., fr. L. contagionem, ace. of
contagia, 'a touching contact; contagion, infection', formed fr. con- and tag-, extension
degree of tag-, the stem of tangere, 'to touch'.
See tangent and -ion and cp. contaminate.
Derivative: contagion-ed, adj.
contagious, adj. - ME., fr. OF. contagieus (F.
contagieux), fr. Late L. contagiosus, fr. L. contagio. See contagion. Derivatives: contagiously, adv., contagious-ness, n.
contain, tr. v. - ME. conteinen, fr. OF. ( = F.)
contien-, pres. sing. stem of contenir, fr. VL.
*con-tenire, which corresponds to L. continere,
'to hold together, hold fast, preserve, retain,
confine, restrain', fr. con- and tenere, 'to hold'.
See tenable and cp. contango, content, continent.
Cp. also abstain. Derivative: contain-er, n.
contaminable, adj. - L. contaminabi/is, 'that
which may be polluted', fr. contaminare. See
next word and -able.
contaminate, tr. v., to render impure. - L. contiiminatus, pp. of contaminare, 'to bring into
contact, mingle, blend together; to defile, stain,
contaminate', fr. *contamen, gen. collliiminis,
'contagion', which stands for *con-tag-s-men
and is formed fr. con- and *tag-, the stem of tan-

contamination

gere, 'to touch'. See tangent, -men and verbal

suff. -ate and cp. contagion.
contamination, n. - L. contiimimiti6, gen. -onis,
'a polluting, defilement, contamination', fr. contiiminiitus, pp. of contiiminiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
contango, n., interest paid to postpone payment,
the opposite of backwardation (London Stock
Exchange). - Of uncertain origin; possibly
identical with Sp. contengo, 'I contain, refrain,
restrain, check, detain', inf. contener, fr. L. continere. See contain.
conte, n., story, tale. - F., etymologically the
same word as compte, 'account, reckoning', fr.
Late L. computus, fr. L. computarc, 'to sum up,
reckon', fr. com- and putiire, 'to think'. See
compute and cp. count, 'to reckon'. For sense
development cp. OE. tel/an, 'to reckon, calculate', later used in the sense of 'to narrate' (see
tell); cp. also the verbs recount and re-count.
contemn, tr. v., to scorn. - L. contemnere, 'to
despise, scorn', fr. con- and temnere, 'to slight,
scorn, despise, disdain', which is of uncertain
origin. It. possibly stands for *temb-nere and
orig. meant 'to tread with one's feet', and is cogn.
with Gk. o..rt!Lf3e;~v, 'to crush with the feet,
handle roughly, misuse', ON. stappa (for *stampa), OHG. stampf6n, stapfon, 'to pound in a
mortar'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., II, pp.
657-658 s.v. temnere. See stamp, v., and cp.
contempt.
Derivatives: contemn-er, n., contemn-ing, adj.,
contemn-ing-ly, adv.
contemplate, tr. and intr. v. - L. contemp/iitus,
pp. of contempliire, also contempliiri, 'to survey,
behold, observe', fr. con- and temp/um, 'an open
place marked out by the augur for the observation of the sky, consecrated place, sanctuary,
temple'. See temple, 'place of worship', and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: contemplat-ing-/y, adv., contemplation (q.v.), contemplative (q.v.)
contemplation, n. - OF. ( ~ F.), fr. L. contempltitionem, ace. of contemp/iitio, 'an attentive
considering, surveying, contemplation', fr. contemp/iitus, pp. of contempliire. See contemplate
and -ion.
contemplative, adj.- OF. contemplatif(fem. contemplative), fr. L. contemp/iitfvus, fr. contemp/iitus, pp. of contempliire. See contemplate and
-ive.
Derivatives: contemplative-ly, adv., contemplative-ness, n.
contemporaneity, n.- Formed with suff. -ity fr.
L. contemporiinetiS. See next word.
contemporaneous, adj. - L. contemporiineus, fr.
con- and tempus, gen. temporis, 'time'. See temporal, 'pertaining to time'. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: contemporaneous-ly, adv., contemporaneous-ness, n.
contemporary, adj. - Formed fr. con- and L.

343

342

temporanus, 'temporary'. See temporal, 'pertaining to time'.

Derivatives: contemporary, n., contemporari-ly,
adv., contempor-ari-ness, n.
contemporize, tr. v., to make contemporary; intr.
v., to be contemporary. -A hybrid formed on
analogy of Gk. cruYX_povl~e:w, 'to be at the same
time', fr. con- ( = Gk. cruv-), L. tempus, gen.
temporis, 'time' ( = Gk. xp6vot:;), and suff. -ize
(fr. Gk. -(~w).
contempt, n., I) scorn; 2) disgrace; 3) disrespect
of court. - L. contemptus, 'a despising, contempt, scorn', fr. contemptus, pp. of contemnere.
See contemn.
contemptibility, n.- Late L..contemptibilitiis, fr.
L. contemptibilis. See next word and -ity.
contemptible, adj.- L. contemptibi/is, 'worthy of
scorn', fr. contemptus, pp. of contemnere. See
contemn and -ible.
Derivatives: contemptible-ness, n., contemptibly, adv.
contemptuous, adj. - Formed with suff. -ous fr.
L. contemptus, 'scorn'. See contempt.
Derivatives: contemptuous-ly, adv., contemptuous-ness, n,
contend, intr. v., to struggle, fight; to argue;
tr. v., to assert. - OF. contendre, fr. L. contendere, 'to stretch out, exert, strive', fr. conand tendere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to move in a
certain direction'.
Derivatives: contend-er, n., contend-ing, adj.,
contend-ing-ly, adv.
content, usually pl.: contents, n. - L. contentum,
neut. pp. of continere, 'to contain'. See contain.
content, adj. -- F., fr. L. contentus, pp. of continere, 'to contain'. See contain and cp. prec.
word. F. content orig. meant 'bounded in one's
desires', whence arose the meaning 'having no
more desires', i.e. 'satisfied'.
Derivatives: content, n., state of being content,
content-ly, adv., content-ness, n.
content, tr. v., to make content. -F. con/enter,
fr. Late L. contentiire, fr. L. contentus, See content, adj.
Derivatives: content-ed, adj., content-ed-ly, adv.,
content-ed-ness, n., content-ment, n.
contention, n., 1) controversy; 2) point.- F., fr.
L. contentionem, ace. of contentio, 'a stretching,
straining, striving, strife', fr. content us, pp. of
contendere. See contend and -ion.
Derivative: contention-al, adj.
contentious, adj. - F. contentieux (fern. contentieuse), fr. L. contentiosus, 'contentious, obstinate, disputatious', fr. contentio. See prec.
word and -ous.
Derivatives: contentious-ly, adv., contentiousness, n.
conterminal, adj., conterminous. - ML. conterminiilis, fr. L. conterminus. See next word and
adj. suff. -al.
conterminous, adj., having the same boundary.L. conterminus, 'bordering upon, neighboring'_

\.UIIIo.IIIUUU;)

Latin e (in tenere) to i (in con-tinere) see abstifr. con- and terminus, 'boundary'. See terminus.
nence and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: conterminous-ly, adv., contermiDerivative: continent-ly, adv.
nous-ness, n.
continent, n. - L. continens, short for terra concontessa, n., countess. - It., fern. of conte,
linens, 'the mainland, continent', lit. 'the land
'count', fr. L. comitem, ace. of comes, 'companholds together', pres. part. of continere,
that
-ess.
and
nobility',
of
'title
ion'. See count,
hence derivatively the same word as continent,
contest, tr. and intr. v. -F. contester, fr. L. conadj. (q.v.) Cp. F. continent, n., shortened fr. eartestiiri, 'to call to witness' (esp. in the legal term
lier terre continente, literal rendering of L. terra
contesttiri litem, 'to introduce a lawsuit by calcontinens.
ling witnesses, to bring an action'), fr. con- and
Derivatives: continent-al, adj. and n., continenttestiiri, 'to be a witness, bear witness, testify',
a/ism, -ist (qq.v.), continent-al-ity, n.
fr. testis, 'witness'. See testament and cp. attest,
continentalism, n. - A hybrid formed fr. L. condetest.
linens (see continent) and the suffixes -al (fr. L.
Derivatives: contest, n., contestant (q.v,), con-a/is) and -ism (fr. Gk. - ~cr!L6t:;).
testation (q.v.), contest-er, n., contest-ing-ly, adv.
contingency, n. - Formed from next word with
contestant, n. - F., pres. part. of contester, fr.
suff. -cy.
L. contestiiri. See prec. word and -ant.
contingent, adj., I) happening by chance; 2) decontestation, n. -F., fr. L. contestiitionem, ace.
pendent on. - L. contingens, gen. -entis, pres.
of contestatio, 'an attesting, testimony', fr. conpart. of contingere, 'to touch on all sides, take
testiitus, pp. of contestiiri. See contest and -ation
hold of, border upon, be related to, happen', fr.
and cp. attestation, detestation.
con- and tangere, 'to touch'. See tangent. The
context, n. - L. contextus, 'a joining together,
change of Latin ii (in tangere) to i(in con-tlngere)
connection', fr. contextus, pp. of contexere, 'to
is due to the Latin phonetic law accm iing to
weave, join together, interweave, unite', fr. conwhich in the unaccented closed radical syllable
and texere, 'to weave'. See text.
of the second element of compounds, original
contextual, adj. - Formed fr. prec. word with
d followed by ng becomes i. Cp. impinge, inadj. suff. -al; first used by Coleridge. Cp.
fringe.
textual.
Derivatives: contingent, n., contingent-ly, adv.
Derivative: contextual-ly, adv.
continual adj. - ME. continue/, fr. OF. ( = F.)
contexture, n. - F., fr. L. contextus, pp. of concontinue/, fr. continu, 'continuous', fr. L. contexere. See context and cp. texture.
tinuus. See continuous and adj. suff. -al.
contignation, n., a framing together of beams and
Derivatives: continual-ity, n,, continual-ly, adv.,
boards. - L. contigniiti6, gen. -onis, fr. concontinual-ness, n.
tigniitus, pp. of contigntire, 'to furnish with
beams', fr. con- and lignum, 'beam', which is of continuance, n. - OF., fr. continuant. See next
word and -ce.
uncertain origin. It stands perh. for tegnom,
continuant, adj., continuing (obsol.) - F. conand is cogn. with Arm. t'akn, 'cudgel, club',
tinuant, fr. L. continuantem, ace. of continuiins,
Lett. stega, 'rod, pole, perch', Russ. stoiar', of
pres. part. of continuiire. See continue and -ant.
s.m., OE. staca, 'stake'. See stake and cp. words
Derivative: continuant, n., that which continues.
there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ation.
continuation, n. - F., fr. L. continuiitionem, ace.
contiguity, n. - F. contiguite, fr. contigu, 'conof continuiitio, fr. continuiitus, pp. of continuiire.
tiguous', fr. L. contiguus. See next word and
See continue and -ation.
-ity.
continuative, adj. - Late L. continuiitivus, 'servcontiguous, adj., I) touching; 2) near.- L. coning to connect the discourse', fr. L. continuiitus,
tiguus, 'bordering upon, neighboring, contiof continuiire. See next word and -ative.
pp.
confor
stands
which
'touching',
guous', lit.
Derivatives: continuative-ly, adv., continuativetag-uus, fr. con- and tag-, the stem of tangere,
ness, n.
'to touch'. See tangent and cp. contingent. For
continue, intr. and tr. v. - F. continuer, fr. L.
the change of Latin a to i in the second element
continuiire, 'to join together, connect, unite,
of compounds see abigeat and cp. words there
make continuous, continue', fr. continuus. See
referred to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
continuous and cp. discontinue.
see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: continu-ed, adj., continu-ed-ly, adv.,
Derivatives: contiguous-ly, adv., contiguouscontinu-ed-ness, n., continu-er, n.
ness, n.
continuity, n. - F. continuite, fr. L continuicontinence, n. -F., fr. L. continentia, 'a holding
tiitem, ace. of continuitiis, fr. continuus. See next
in', fr. continens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of conword and -ity.
tinere. See contain and -ence and cp. countecontinuous, adj. - L. continuus, 'joining with
nance, which is a doublet of continence.
something, hanging together (in space or time),
continent, adj, -OF. ( = F.), fr. L. continentem,
uninterrupted', fr. continere, 'to hold together',
ace. of continens, pres. part. of continere, 'to
fr. con- and tenere, 'to hold'. For the change of
hold together, retain', fr. con- and tenere, 'to
Latin l (in tenere) to i (in con-tinere) see abstihold'. See contain and -ent. For the change of

\.UIILIIIUUIII

nence and cp. words there referred to. For E.

-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: continuous-ly, adv., continuousness, n.
continuum, n., a continuous series, a whole. L., neut. of continuus. See continuous.
contline, n., space between the strands of a rope.
- Prob. for cant/ine, fr. cant, 'slope', and line.
conto, n., a million reis. -Port., 'a million', fr.
Late L. computus, 'a computation', fr. L. computiire, 'to sum up, reckon'. See compute.
contorniate, adj., having a deep furrow round the
edge.- F., fr.lt. contorniato, pp. of contorniare,
'to make a circuit, to outline', fr. contorno. See
contour and adj. suff. -ate and cp. next word.
Derivative: contorniate, n.
contorno, n., contour. - It. See contour and cp.
prec. word.
contort, tr. v., to twist, distort. - L. contortus,
pp. of contorquere, 'to twist together', fr. conand torquere, 'to turn, twist'. See torque and cp.
distort, extort, retort.
Derivatives: contort-ed, adj., contort-ed-/y, adv.,
contort-ed-ness, n., contortion (q.v.), contortive, adj.
contortion, n.- L. contortit5, gen. -onis, 'a whirling round, intertwining', fr. contortus, pp. of
conrorq~~<'re. See contort and -ion and cp.
torsion.
Derivatives: contortion-a/, adj., contortion-ate,
adj., contor-tion-ed, adj., colllortion-ist (q.v.)
contortionist, n., an acrobat who twists his body.
- See contortion and -ist and cp. distortion-is!.
contour, n., outline. - F., formed under the influence of tour, 'turn', fr. It. contomo, 'circuit,
outline, contour; fr. colllornare, 'to compass
about, to outline, fr. con- and tomare, 'to turn'
(see turn); introduced into English by the diarist
John Evelyn (1620-1706).
Derivative: com our, tr. v.
contournc, adj., turned about (said of an animal;
her.) - F .. pp. of coll/ourner, 'to turn about',
fr. It. conrornarc. See prec. word.
contra, adv .. prep. and n. - L. contra. Sec
contra-.
contra-, pref. meaning against, opposite to'. L contra, against, facing, opposite, contrary
to, opposed to', prop. abl. fern. sing. of *comrro, which was formed fr. OL. rom, 'with, together with' and -tr, zero degree of the compar.
suff. -ter-, which appears in L alter, 'the other
(of two)'. Comnl orig. denoted the being together of two things compared with each other.
For the first clement see com-. For the second
sec -ther and cp. words th.::re referred to. Cp.
also counter, adv., contrary, country, and the first
element in contrast.
contraband, n. - F. contrebande, fr. earlier It.
contrabando (now spelled contrahhando), fr.
contra- and bando, 'proclamation'. Se~ ban,
'edict', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: contraband, adj., contraband-age,

344
n., contraband-ery, n., contraband-ism, n., contraband-ist, n.
contrabass, n., bass viol, double bass (mus.)
Formed fr. contra- and bass.
contraception, n., birth control. - Formed fr.
contra- and (con)ception.
contraceptive, adj., preventing conception. -See
prec. word and -ive.
contract, n.- OF. (F. contrat), fr. L contractus,
'a contract, agreement', fr. contractus, pp. of
contrahere, 'to draw together, collect, bring
about, conclude a bargain, make a contract',
fr. con- and trahere, 'to draw'. See tract.
contract, tr. and intr. v. - L. contractus, pp. of
contrahere. See contract, n., and cp. the verb
abstract and words there referred to.
Derivatives: contract-ed, adj., contract-ed-ly,
adv., contract-ed-ness, n., contract-er, n., contractile (q.v.), contraction (q.v.), contract-ive,
adj., contract-ive-/y, adv., contract-ive-ness, n.,
contractor (q.v.), contracture (q.v.)
contractile, adj., r) having the power of contracting; 2) producing contraction. - F., fr.
contracter, 'to draw together', fr. L. contractus,
pp. of contrahere. See contract, n., and -ile.
contractility, n.- F. contractilite, fr. contractile.
Sec prec. word and -ity.
contraction, n. -F., fr. L. contractit5nem, ace. of
contracti6, 'a drawing together', fr. contractus,
pp. of contrahere. See contract, n., and -ion.
Derivativt:: contraction-al, adj.
contractor, n. - Late L, fr. L. contractus, pp. of
contrahere. See contract and agential suff. -or.
contractual, adj., pertaining to a contract. Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. contractus, 'contract'. See contract, n.
Derivative: contractual-ly, adv.
contracture, n., a condition of permanent contraction of the muscles (med.) - F., fr. L. contractura, 'a drawing together, fr. contractus, pp.
of colllrahere. See contract, n., and -ure.
Derivative: contractur-ed, adj.
contradict, tr. and intr. v. - L. contradictus, pp.
of contradicere, 'to speak against', fr. contraand dicere, 'to say'. See diction.
Derivatives: contradict-a, n., contradiction,
contradictious (qq.v.), contradict-ive, adj., contradict-ive-ly, adv., contradict-ive-ness, n. contradictor, contradictory (qq.v.)
contradiction, n. - F., fr. L. contradicti6nem,
ace. of contradicti6, 'a reply, objection, counterargument', lit. 'a speaking against', fr. contradictus, pp. of contradicere. See contradict and
-ion.
contradictions, adj., inclined to contradict.- See
contradict and -ious.
Derivatives: contradictious-/y, adv., contradictious-ness, n.
contradictor, n. - Late L. contradictor, 'one who
replies or objects, an opponent', fr. L. contradie/us, pp. of contriidlcere. See contradict and
agential suff. -or.

345
contradictory, adj. - Late L. contradictorius,
'containing a contradiction or objection', fr. L.
contradict us, pp. of contriidlcere. See contradict
and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: contradictory, n., contradictori-ly,
adv., contradictori-ness, n.
contradistinct, adj. - Formed fr. contra- and
distinct.
Derivatives: contradistinct-ion, n., contradistinctive, adj., contradistinct-ive-ly, adv., contradistinct-ly, adv.
contradistinguish, tr. v. - Formed fr. contraand distinguish.
contrahent, adj., contracting. - L. contrahens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of contrahere, 'to make
a contract'. See contract and -ent and cp. attrahent.
Derivative: contrahent, n., a contracting party.
contralto, n., the lowest female voice (mus.) It., compounded of contra, 'against, opposite
to', and alto, 'high'. See contra- and alto.
contraposition, n. - Late L. contrapositi6, gen.
-6ni;, fr. contrapositus, pp. of contrap6nere, 'to
place opposite', fr. contra- and L. pt5nere, 'to
put, place'. See position.
contraption, n., a contrivance (colloq.) - An invented word prob. suggested by contrive and
apt.
contrapuntal, adj., pertaining to counterpoint
(mus.)- Formed with adj. suff. -alfr.lt. contrappunto, fr. ML. cantus contrapi:inctus. See counterpoint.
contrapuntist, n., one skilled in counterpoint
(mus.) - It. contrappuntista, fr. contrappunto.
See prec. word and -ist.
contrarian!, adj., opposed, contrary (rare). OF. (- F.) contrarian!, fr. Late L contrarianrem, ace. of contrarians, pres. part. of contrariare, 'to oppose, cross, thwart', fr. L. contrclrius.
See contrary and -ant.
contrariety, n. - F. contrariete, fr. Late L. cont~iirietam, ace. of contrarietcls, 'opposition', fr.
L. contrarius. See contrary and -ity.
contrarious, adj. - OF. contrarios, fr. ML contrariosus, fr. L. contriirius. See contrary and
-ous.
Derivatives: contrarious-ly, adv., contrariousness, n.
contrariwise, adv. - Compounded of contrary
and -wise.
contrary, adj.- ME. contrarie, fr. OF. contrarie,
contra ire (F. contraire), fr. L. contrarius, 'opposite, contrary, opposed', fr. contra, 'against, opposite to'. See contra- and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: contrary, n. and adv., contrari-ly,
adv.
contrast, tr. and intr. v. - F. contraster, 'to contrast', refashioned after It. contrastare, fr. OF.
con/rester, 'to strive against, dispute', fr. VL.
*contrastiire, 'to oppose', fr. L. conlrii :>tiire, 'to
stand against', fr. contra, 'against', and stare,
'to stand'. See contra- and state.

contrive
Derivatives: contrast-ive, adj., contrast-ive-ly,
adv.
contrast, n.- F., fr. It. contrasto, fr. contrastare.
See contrast, v.
contrate, adj., having the teeth at right angles to
the surface (said of the wheels of a watch). Lit. 'opposite', fr. L. contra. See contra- and
adj. suff. -ate.

contravallation, n., a chain of fortifications raised

round an invested place (fort.) - F. contrevallation, fr. contre, 'against' (fr. L. contra), and
Late L. vallatit5, gen. -on is, 'entrenchment', fr.
L. vallare, 'to surround with a rampart', fr. valfum, 'rampart'. See contra-, vallum and -ation
and cp. circumvallate.
contravene, tr. v., r) to oppose; 2) to infringe;
3) to violate.- F. contrevenir, fr. Late L. contravenire, 'to oppose', fr. contra- and venire, 'to
come'. See come and cp. venue, 'arrival'.
Derivative: contraven-er, n.
contravention, n. - Formed fr. Late L. contriivent-(um), pp. stem of contravenlre. See prec.
word and -ion.
contrayerva, n., a tropical American plant (Darstenia contrayerba). - Sp. contrayerba, lit.
'counter herb' i.e. 'antidote for poison', fr. L.
contra, 'against', and hierba, yerha, 'herb'. See
contra- and herb and cp. yerba.
contretemps, n., a mishap. - F., fr. conoe,
'against'(fr. L. contra), and temps (fr. L. tempus),
'time'. See contra- and temporal, 'pertaining to
time', and cp. tempus.
contribute, tr. and intr. v. - L. contriblitus, pp.
of contribuere, 'to bring together, unite, collect,
dispose, arrange', fr. con- and tribuere, 'to assign, allot, bestow, give, grant'. See tribute.
Derivatives: contribution (q. v.), contribut-ive,
adj., contribut-ive-ly, adv., contribut-ive-ness, n.,
contribut-or, n., contribut-ory, adj.
contribution, n.- F., fr. Late L. contributiOnem,
ace. of contributi6, fr. L. contriblitus, pp. of contribuere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: contribution-a/, adj.
contrite, adj. - OF. ( = F.) contrit, fr. L. contritus, 'ground, bruised', pp. of conterere, 'to
grind, bruise; to wear away by rubbing', fr.
con- and terere, 'to rub, grind, wear away'.
Derivatives: contrite-ly, adv., contrite-ness, n.
contrition, n. - OF. contriciun (F. contrition),
fr. L. contrlti6nem, ace. of contrlti6, 'a grinding,
bruising, grief, contrition', fr. contr[fus, pp. of
conterere. See prec. word and -ion.
contrivance, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ance.
contrive, tr. and intr. v. - ME. controven, contrueven, contreven, fr. OF. contrueve, 3rd person
pres. of controver, contreuver (F. controuver), 'to
find out, invent', fr. con- and OF. trover, 'to
compose verses; to invent; to find' (whence F.
trouver, 'to find'). See trover and cp. retrieve.
Cp. also contraption.
Derivative: contriv-er, n.

control

control, tr. v. - F. controler, fr. controle, 'control register, roll, list', fr. OF. contrerole, 'control
register', which is formed fr. contre, 'against'
(fr. L. contra), and OF. role (F. role), 'roll' (fr.
L. rotulus ). See contra- and roll.
Derivatives: controll-able, adj., controller (q.v.),
controll-ing-ly, adv., control-ment, n.
control, n. - F. controle. See control, v.
controller, n.- AF. contrerollour, corresponding
to OF. contrerolleor (whence F. contriileur). See
control, v., and agential suff. -er and cp.
comptroller.
controversial, adj. - La,e L. cot~troversialis, 'pertaining to controversy', fr. L. controversia. See
next word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: controversial-ism, n., controversialist, n., controversial-ly, adv.
controversy, n., dispute. - L. controversia, fr.
controversus, 'turned against, disputed, questionable', fr. contra-, a collateral form of contraand versus, pp. of vertcre, 'to turn'. See contraand version and cp. next word.
controvert, tr. v., to dispute. - Back formation
fr. L. controversus (see prec. word), on analogy
of the verbs convert, invert, pervert, etc. See
prec. word.
Derivative: controvert-er, n.
contubernium, n., tent companionship. -L., fr.
con- and taberna, 'tent'. See tavern.
contumacious, adj., obstinate, stubborn, disobedient. - Formed with suff. -ious fr. L. contumax, gen. -acis, 'haughty, insolent, obstinate',
which is prob. formed fr. con- and the base of
tumere, 'to swell, swell with piide'. See tumid
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
contumely. - L. contumiix is not rei. to contemnere, 'to scorn, esteem lightly' (see contemn).
Derivatives: contumacious-ly, adv., contumacious-ness, n.
contumacy, n., stubbornness, disobedience. - L.
contumiicia, 'haughtiness, insolence, stubbornness', fr. contumiix, gen. -iicis. See prec. word
and -y (representing L. -ia).
contumelious, adj., contemptuously insolent. OF. contumelieus, fr. L. contumeliosus, 'reproachful, insolent abusive', fr. contumelia. See
next word and -ous.
Derivatives: contumelious-ly, adv., contumeliousness, n.
contumely, n., contemptuous insolence. - OF.
contumelie, Cr. L. con umelia, 'insult, affront,
disgrace, ignominy', from the adj. *contumelis,
'haughty, insolent', which is rei. to contumax,
'haughty, insolent'. See contumacy.
contund, tr. v., to contuse. - L. contundere, 'to
beat, bruise'. See next word.
contuse, tr. v., to bruise. - L. contiisus, pp. of
contundere, 'to beat, bruise', fr. con- and tundere,
'to beat, strike, stump'. See tund.
contusion, n., a bruise. - F., fr. L. contiisionem,
ace. of confusio, 'a crushing, bruising', fr. con-

340

tusus, pp. of contundere. See prec. word and -ion

and cp. obtusion.
Derivative: contusion-ed, adj.
conundrum, n., a riddle.- Of uncertain ongm.
Conuropsis, n., a genus of parakeets (ornithol.) ModL., formed fr. Gk. x6lvo~, 'cone', oup&,
'tail', and il<jn~. 'sight'. Sec cono-, uro-, 'tail-',
and opsis.
convalesce, intr. v., to recover from illness.- L.
convalescere, 'to regain health', fr. con- and
valescere, 'to grow strong', inchoative of valere,
'to be well, be strong'. See valiant and -esce and
cp. vale, interj.
convalescence, n. - F., fr. L. convalescentia, 'a
regaining of health', fr. convalescens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
convalescent, adj. and n. - L. convalescens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of convalescere. See convalesce
and -ent.
Convallaria, n., a genus of plants, the lily of the
valley (bot.) - ModL., fr. con- and L. val/is,
'valley'. See vale, n., and -ia.
convection, n., transference of heat by the movement of the heated particles. - L. convectio,
gen. -6nis, 'a carrying together', fr. convectus,'
pp. of convehere, 'to carry together', fr. con- and
vehere, 'to carry'. See vehicle and -ion.
convective, adj., I) conveying; 2) pertaining to,
or of the nature of, convection. -Formed with
suff. -ive fr. L. convectus, pp. of convehere. See
prec. word.
Derivative: convective-ly, adv.
convenance, n., I) conventional usage; 2) propriety. - F., 'fitness, suitability, decency, convenience', fr. convenant, pres. part. of convenir,
'to suit, agree', fr. L. convenire. See next word
and -ance.
convene, tr. and intr. v., to assemble. - F. convenir, 'to suit, agree', fr. L. convenire, 'to come
together, assemble', fr. con- and venire, 'to
come'. See come and cp. venue, 'arrival'. Cp. also
convent, covenant.
Derivative: conven-er, n.
convenience, n. - L. convenientia, 'agreement,
fitness, suitability', fr. conveniens, gen. -intis.
See next word and -ce.
convenient, adj.- L. conveniens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of convenfre, 'to be suitable', lit. 'to come
together'. See convene and -ent.
Derivatives: convenient-ly, adv., convenientness, n.
convent, n. - L. conventus, 'meeting, assembly',
lit. 'a coming together', fr. conventus, pp. of convenire; see convene. Cp. AF. covent (whence ME.
covent), OF., F. couvent, OProven.;. coven, 'convent', fr. Eccles. L. c6(n)ventus, of s.m., fr. L.
conventus. Cp. also covenant, covin.
conventicle, n., 1) a secret religious assembly;
2) the place of such an assembly. - L. conventfculum, 'a small assembly', dimin. of conventus.
See prec. word and -cle.
convention, n. - F., fr. L. conventionem, ace. of

34/

....

conventio, meeting, assembly, agreement', lit. 'a

coming together', fr. convent us, pp. of convenfre.
See convene and -ion.
Derivatives: conventional (q.v.), conventionary, adj.
conventional, adj.- L. conventionalis, 'pertaining
to an agreement', fr. conventio, gen. -onis. See
convention and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: conventional-ism, n., conventionalist, n., conventional-ize, tr. v., conventional-ly,
adv.
conventual, adj. and n. -Eccles. L. conventualis,
'pertaining to a convent', fr. L. conventus. See
convent and adj. suff. -al.
converge, intr. and tr. v., to meet in a point. L. convergere, 'to incline or turn toward one
another', fr. con- and vergere, 'to turn, bend,
incline'. See verge, v.
convergence, convergency, n. - Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
convergent, adj. and n. - L. convergens, -entis,
pres. part. of convergere. See converge and -ent.
conversance, conversancy, n. - Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
conversant, adj., acquainted (with).- OF. ( = F.)
conversant, pres. part. of converser. See converse, v., and -ant.
Derivative: conversant-ly, adv.
conversation, n. - F., fr. L. conversationem, ace.
of conversatio, 'frequent abode in a place, intercourse, conversation', fr. conversiitus, pp. of
conversarf, 'to associate with'. See converse, v.,
and -ation.
Derivatives: conversation-able, adj., conversation-al, adj., conversation-al-ist, n., conversational-ly, adv., conversation-ism, n., conversationis!, n.
conversazione, n., a social gathering for conversation on literary or other learned subjects. It., fr. L. conversati6nem, ace. of conversiitio.
See prec. word.
.converse, intr. v. - F. converser, 'to talk, discourse, converse'' fr. L. conversari, 'to turn
round, to abide, remain, live', fr. con- and versarf, 'to abide, remain, live', lit. 'to be turned',
passive of versare, freq. of vertere, pp. versus,
'to turn'. See version.
Derivatives: converse, n., conversation (q.v.),
convers-able, adj., convers-able-ness, n., conversabl-y, adv.
converse, adj., reversed in order.- L. conversus,
pp. of convertere, 'to tum about'. See convert.
conversion, n. - F., fr. L. conversionem, ace. of
conversi6, 'a turning round', fr. convertere, 'to
tum round'. See con- and version and cp.
convert.
Derivatives: conversion-al, conversion-ary, adjs.
conversive, adj. - F. conversif (fern. conversive),
fr. L. conversus, pp. of convertere. See convert
and -ive.
convert, tr. v. - OF. ( = F.) convertir, fr. VL.
convertire, corresponding to L. convertere, 'to

convivial

turn round', which is formed fr. con- and vertere, 'to turn'. See version.
Derivatives: convert, n., convert-er, n., convertible (q.v.), convert-ive, adj.
convertible, adj. - F., fr. Late L. convertibilis,
'changeable', fr. L. convertere. See prec. word
and -ible.
Derivatives: convertible, n., convertibil-ity, n.,
convertible-ness, n., convertibl-y, adv.
convex, adj. -F. convexe, fr. L. convexus, 'vaulted, arched', which is usually explained as lit.
meaning 'brought together', and connected
with convehere, 'to bring together', but it is
more probable that it stands for *con-vac-sos, fr.
con- and I.-E. base *waq-, *wa-n-q-, 'to be curved', whence also 01. vdficati, 'moves to and
fro', vacydte, 'swings, oscillates', vakrd/.1, 'curved, crooked', vaiicayati, 'slips away, deceives',
Avestic -vashta, 'curved', L. vacilliire, 'to sway,
waver, vacillate', W. gwaeth (for *vakto-),
'worse', gwaethaf. 'worst', Co. gweth, 'worse',
OE. woh, 'crooked, perverse, wrong'; see WaldeHofmann, LEW., I, pp.268-69. See vacillate.
I.-E. base *waq- is rei. to base *wag-, 'to bend';
see vagary and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: convex, n. and v., convex-ed, adj.,
convex-ed-ly, adv., convex-ed-ness, n., convexly, adv., convex-ness, n.
convey, tr. v. - OF. conveier, convoier (F. convoyer), 'to escort', fr. VL. *conviiire, lit. 'to go
together with somebody', fr. con- and via, 'way'.
See via, n., and cp. convoy, v., which is a doublet
of convey.
Derivatives: convey-a/, n., convey-ance, n., convey-anc-er, n., convey-anc-ing, n., convey-er,
convey-or, n.
convicium, n., the offence of reviling a person
(civil law). - L. convfcium, 'a loud noise, outcry, reviling, insult', for *con-vec-iom, lit. 'a
speaking together', fr. con- and a gradational
variant of vox, gen. viicis, 'voice, sound'. See
voice and cp. convoke, convocation.
convict, tr. v., to find guilty. - L. convictus, pp.
of convincere, 'to prove guilty'. See convince.
Derivatives: convict-able, convict-ible, adj., conviction (q.v.), convict-ive, adj., convict-ive-ly,
adv., convict-ive-ness, n.
convict, n., a person found guilty.- L. convictus,
pp. of convincere. See convict, v.
conviction, n., I) a convicting; 2) a firm belief.Eccles. L. convicti6, gen. -6nis, 'proof, demonstration', fr. L. convictus, pp. of convincere. See
next word and -ion.
Derivative: conviction-a/, adj.
convince, tr. v. - L. convincere, 'to overcome,
conquer, prove wrong, refute', fr. con- and vincere, 'to conquer, overcome'. See vincible.
Derivatives: convinc-ed, adj., convinc-ed-ly, adv.,
convinc-ed-ness, n., convince-men!, n., convincer, n., convinc-ible, adj., convinc-ing, adj., convinc-ing-ly, adv., convinc-ing-ness, n.
convivial, adj., sociable. - L. convivia/is, 'per-

convocation

taining to a feast, festal', fr. convlvium, 'a feast',

lit. 'a living together', fr. con- and vlvere, 'to
live'. See vital and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: convivial-ist, n., convivial-ity, n.,
convivial-ly, adv.
convocation, n.- F., fr. L. convoctitionem, ace. of
convoctitio, 'a calling together, convoking', fr.
convociitus, pp. of convociire. See next word and
-ation.
Derivatives: convocation-al, adj., convocational-ly, adv.
convoke, tr. v. - F. convoquer, fr. L. convoctire,
'to call together, assemble, convoke', fr. con- and
vociire, 'to call'. See voice and cp. invoke, provoke.
Derivative: convok-er, n.
Convoluta, n. pl., a genus of flatworms (helminthol.)- ModL., neut. pl. of L. convo!Utus.
See next word.
convolute, adj., rolled up together. - L. convoliitus, pp. of convolvere. See next word.
Derivatives: convolut-ed, adj., convolute-ly, adv.,
convolut-ion, n., convolut-ion-al, adj., convolution-ary, adj., convolut-ive, adj.
convolve, tr. v., to roll up together; intr. v., to
revolve together. - L. convolvere, 'to roll together, roll round, roll up', fr. con- and volvere,
'to roll'. See volute and cp. prec. word.
Convolvulaceae, n .. pl., a family of plants, the
morning-glory family (bot.) - ModL., formed
fr. Convolvulus with suff. -aceae.
convolvulaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Convolvulus, n., a genus of plants, the bindweed
(bot.)- L. convolvulus, 'the bindweed', a diminutive noun formed fr. convolvere, 'to roll together'. See convolve and -ule.
convoy, tr. v., to escort for protection. - OF.
convoier (F. convoyer), 'to escort', fr. VL. convitire, lit. 'to go together with somebody'. Convoy is the doublet of convey (q.v.)
convoy, n., a protecting escort. - OF. ( = F.)
convoi, fr. convoier, 'to convoy'. See convoy, v.
convulse, tr. v., to shake violently. - L. convulsus, pp. of convellere, 'to tear up, pull up, shake,
destroy, overthrow', fr. con- and vel/ere, 'to
pluck, pull, twitch'. See vellicate and cp. words
there referred to.
convulsion, n. - L. convulsio, gen. -onis, 'cramp,
convulsion', fr. convulsus, pp. of convellere. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: convulsion-a[, convulsion-ary, adjs.
convulsive, adj. - F. convuls1j (fern. convulsive),
fr. L. convulsus, pp. of convellere. See convulse
and -ive.
Derivatives: convulsive-ly, adv., convulsiveness, n.
cony, coney, n., a rabbit.- ME. coning, coni, fr.
OF. conin, fr. L. cuniculus, 'rabbit', a word of
Sp.-lberian origin. Cp. Basque unchi, 'rabbit'.
Cp. also cuniculus. The alteration of OF. -in
to ME. -ing is due to a change of suff.; cp. pUdding, fr. F. boudin.

348

coo, intr. and tr. v., to utter the sound characteristic of doves and pigeons. - Of imitative origin; coined by John Dryden (I6JI-I700).
Derivatives: coo, n., coo-er, n., coo-ing, adj.,
coo-ing-ly, adv.
cooee, cooey, interj. and n., cry used as a signal
by the Australian aborigines and adopted by
the Australian colonists. - Of imitative origin.
cooja, n., an earthenware jar (India). - Hind.
kiijii, fr. Pers. kiiza, which is rei. to Avestic
xawza-, 'pot'.
cook, n. - ME. coc, fr. OE. coc, fr. VL. cocus,
fr. L. coquus, 'cook', fr. coquere, 'to cook'
(whence L. coquina, cullna, 'kitchen', rei. to Oscan popina, of s.m.), cogn. with OI. pdcati,
'cooks',pdcyate, 'ripens' (intr.), pakvd?z, 'cooked,
ripe', Toch. B pepak$u, 'cooked', A p(u)kalune,
'ripening', Arm. ephem, 'cook', hac;, 'bread',Gk.
rrecrcrELV, 7tbt'l'ELV, 'to SOften, ripen, boil, COOk',
rrbtwv, 'cooked by the sun, ripe, soft, sweet', the
second element in &:p't'o-x6rro.:; (for *&:p't'o-rr6xo.:;),
'baker', lit. 'bread baker', Alb. pjek, 'I bake',
Lith. kepu, kepti (metathesis for *pekit, *pekti),
'to bake, roast', OSlav. "'pek(!, *pdti, 'to bake',
pecenii, 'roasted', pekii, 'heat', peer, 'oven', OE.
ti-figen, 'roasted', W. pobi, Co. pobas, 'to bake',
W. poeth, 'cooked, baked, hot', Bret. pobet,
'baked'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*peqw- (in Latin and in the Celtic languages assimilated into *q'"eqw-), 'to cook'. Cp. apricot, biscuit, concoct, cotta, culinary, decoct, dyspepsia,
kiln, kitchen, melon, pepo, pepsin, peptic, precocious, pucka, pumpkin, quittor, terra cotta, and
the second element in crumpet, drupe.
Derivatives: cook, tr. and intr. v., cook-er, n.,
cook-ery, n.
cooky,also cookie, n., a small cake.- Du. koekje,
dimin. of koek, 'cake'. See cake and dimin.
suff. -y.
cool, adj.- ME. cole, fr. OE. col, rei. to MDu.
coel, Du. koel, OHG. kuoli, MHG. kuele, G.
kuhl, 'cool', ON. kala, OE. calan, 'to be cold,
freeze', fr. I.-E. base *gel-, 'cold, to freeze',
whence also L. gelii, 'frost, cold', geltire, 'to
freeze', gelidus, 'icy, frosty', glades, 'ice'. Cp.
cold, chill, keel, 'to keep cool', Cp. also congeal,
gelatin, gelid, glacier, jelly.
Derivatives: cool, n., cool, v. (q.v.), cool-ly, adv.,
cool-ness, n.
cool, intr. and tr. v.- OE. eolian, 'to grow cold,
to cool', fr. col, 'cool'. Cp. OE. celan, 'to make
cold', fr. earlier *ko/jan, hence derivatively
identical with OE. eolian. See cool, adj.
Derivatives: cool-er, n., cool-ing, aaj., cool-ingly, adv., cool-ing-ness, n.
coolie, cooly, n., an unskilled laborer in Asia. Hind. quli, prob. fr. Kuli, Koli, name of an
aboriginal tribe of Gujarat, India.
coolth, n. - Formed fr. cool with suff. -th (on
analogy of warmth, fr. warm). Cp. illth, formed
on the analogy of wealth.
coomb, coom, n., a measure of grain. - ME.

349

combe, fr. OE. cumb, 'vessel, a measure', rei. to

MLG. kump, MHG., G. kumpf, 'a deep basin,
bowl, trough', G. Kumme, 'a deep bowl'.
coomb, combe, n., a deep valley. - OE. cumb, of
Celtic origin. See combe.
coon, n., 1) a raccoon; 2) a Negro. - Shortened
from raccoon (q.v.)
cooncan, n., a card game. - Corruption of
conquian.
coop, n.- ME. cope, 'a basket', corresponding
to OE. *ciipe (cp. OE. cype, 'cask'), fr. L. ciipa,
'cask, tub'. See cup.
Derivative: cooper (q.v.)
cooper, n., one who makes barrels. - ME. couper, prob. fr. MLG. kuper (cp. Du. kuiper, G.
Kufer, of s.m.), fr. L. ciipa. See prec. word and
agential suff. -er.
Derivatives: cooper-age, n., cooper-y, n.
cooper, also coper, n., a kind of vessel. - Du.
koper, 'trading vessel', fr. kopen, 'to buy,
trade', fr. koop, 'purchase'. See cheap, n.
co-operant, adj. and n. - Late L. coopertins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of cooperiirl. See co-operate
and -ant.
co-operate, intr. v. - Fr. Late L. coopertitus,
pp. of coopertirf, 'to work together with', fr. coand L. opertiri, 'to work, labor'. See operate.
Derivatives: co-operation (q.v.), co-operat-ive,
adj. and n., co-operat-ive-ly, adv., cooperat-iveness, n.
co-operation, n. -Late L. cooperiitio, 'a working
together', fr. coopertitus, pp. of coopertiri. See
prec. word and -ion.
Cooperia, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis
family (bot.) - ModL., named after Daniel
Cooper, an English botanist of the 19th cent.
For the ending see suff. -ia.
co-opt, tr. v.- L. coopttire, 'to choose, elect', fr.
co- and optiire, 'to wish, desire, require, demand,
choose'. See option and cp. adopt.
co-optation, n. - L. coopttitio, gen. -onis, fr.
eoopttitus, pp. of coopttire. See prec. word and
-ion.
co-optative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
coopttitus, pp. of coopttire. See co-opt and cp.
optative.
co-ordinate, adj. - Formed fr. co- and ordinate
(fr. L. ordintitus).
Derivatives: co-ordinate, n. and tr. v., co-ordination, n,. co-ordinat-ive, adj., co-ordinat-or, n.,
co-ordinat-ory, adj.
coot, n., a web-footed water bird. - ME. cote,
coote, rei. to Du. koet; of uncertain origin.
cop, n., the top of anything; a mound. -ME.
cop, coppe, fr. OE. cop, copp, 'summit', rel. to
OE. cuppe, 'cup', ON. koppr, 'cup-shaped vessel', MLG. kopp, OHG. chuph, kopf, 'cup',
MHG. kopf, 'drinking vessel; skull', G. Kopf,
'head', Du. kop, 'head; cup'. All these words
are traceable to Late L. cuppa, 'cup'. See cup
and cp. kopje. For the sense development of the
Teut. words cp. corrie and tete-a-tete.

coping

cop, tr. v., to catch, arrest (slang). -A dial. var.

of obsoL cap, 'to seize', which derives fr. OF.
caper, 'to seize', fr. L. capere. See captive and
cp. copper, 'policeman'.
cop, n., a policeman (slang).- Shortened fr. copper, 'policeman'.
copaiba, n., an oily resin obtained from trees of
the genus Copaiva (pharm.) - Sp. and Port.
copaiba, fr. Tupi copaiba.
Copaifera, also Copaiva, n., a genus of trees of
the senna family (bot.)- ModL. See prec. word
and -ferous.
copal, n., a resin. - Sp. copal, fr. Nahuatl
copalli, 'resin'.
coparcenary, n., joint heirship. - Formed fr. coand parcenary.
coparcener, n., a joint heir.- Formed fr. co- and
parcener.
copartner, n. - Formed fr. co- and partner.
Derivatives: copartner-y, n., copartner-ship, n.
cope, n., a long mantle worn by ecclesiastics. ME. cope, fr. earlier cape, fr. Late L. cappa,
'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'a sleeveless cloak',
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: cope, tr. v., to dress in, or furnish
with, a cope, coping (q.v.)
cope, intr. v., to struggle, deal with.- ME. coupen, fr. OF. co/per, couper, 'to strike' (whence
also F. couper, 'to cut'), fr. colp, coup (F. coup),
'stroke, blow'. See coup and cp. words there
referred to. Derivative: cop-ing, n.
cope, tr. and intr. v., formerly to buy; now, to
barter (dial. Eng.)- ME. copen, fr. MDu. copen
(Du. kopen), 'to buy', which is related to OE.
ceapian, of s.m. See cheap, v.
copeck, n. - A var. spelling of kopeck.
copepod, n., a minute crustacean pertaining to
the order Copepoda. - See next word.
Copepoda, n. pl., an order of minute crustaceans
(zoot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. xw=,,
'handle of an oar, oar', and r::ou.:;, gen. r::oS6.:;,
'foot'. Gk. xw=, is rei. to xocrrnw, 'to swallow
greedily', and cogn. with L. capere, 'to catch,
seize, hold'. See captive. For the second element
see -poda.
coper, n., a barterer, dealer. -Formed fr. cope,
'to barter', with agential suff. -er.
coper, n., a kind of vessel. - See cooper.
Copernican, adj., pertaining to Copernicus (1473I 543) or his system. For the ending see suff. -an.
copestone, n., a coping stone. See cope,
'mantle', and cp. coping.
cophosis, n., deafness (med.)- Medical L, fr. Gk.
Y.~)'?wrn~, fr. Y.N?0~, 'deaf, dull', which stands
in gradational relationship to Kt,<p~~ 'dull, lazy;
drone'. For the ending see suff. -osis.
copier, n. - Formed from the verb copy with
agential suff. -er.
coping, n., course of a wall, sloped to carry off
water (archil.) - Formed fr. cope, 'to furnish
with a mantle' (see cope, 'mantle'), with subst.
suff. -ing.

copious

copious, adj.- L. copiosus, 'well supplied, plentiful, abounding, copious', fr. copia, 'plenty,
abundance', contraction of *co-apia, fr. co- and
ops, gen. opis, 'power, might, abundance, wealth,
riches, treasure'. See opulent, and cp. copy and
the second element in cornucopia. For the ending
see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: copious-ly, adv., copious-ness, n.
copped, adj., rising to a point.- Formed fr. cop,
'top', with suff. -ed.
copper, n., a reddish metal. -ME. caper, fr. OE.
copor, caper, fr. Late L. cuper, fr. L. cuprum,
'copper', fr. earlier cyprum, fr. aes Cyprium, lit.
'Cyprian brass', fr. Gk. x{mpwv, 'Cyprian
(brass)', neut. of Kurcpto~, 'of Cyprus', fr. Kurcpo~, 'Cyprus'; so called because Cyprus was the
place par excellence from which the ancients
obtained copper. For the etymology of Cyprus
see Cyprian, adj. Cp. cupreous. Cp. also kipper
and the first element in copperas.
Derivatives: copper, tr. v., to cover with copper,
copper-y, adj.
copper, n., policeman (slang).- Prob. formed fr.
cop, 'to catch', with agential suff. -er and lit.
meaning 'catcher'.
copperas, n., I) green vitriol; 2) sulfate of iron.ME. coperose, fr. OF. couperose, fr. ML. cupri
rosa, 'rose of copper' ,fr. gen. of cuprum, 'copper',
and rosa, 'rose'; see copper and rose. Cp. It.
copparosa, Sp. caparrasa, which are of the same
origin.
coppice, n., a wood of small trees. -OF. calpeis,
capeiz, 'cut wood, brushwood', fr. co/per, cauper (F. cauper), 'to strike', fr. calp, coup, 'stroke,
blow'. See coup and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: coppice, tr. v., cappic-ed, adj.
copple, n., a crest on a bird's head. - Formed fr.
cop, 'top', with the dimin. suff. -Ie.
Derivative: cappl-ed, adj.
coppy, n., a dialectal form of coppice. - This
word owes its existence to a double error. The
noun coppice (q.v.) was misspelled coppies, and
this latter was mistaken for a plural, from which
the singular cappy was reconstructed.
copr-, form of copro- before a vowel.
copra, n., the dried kernel of the coconut.
Port., fr. Malayalam kappara, fr. Hind. khaprii,
rel. to Hind. khoprf and khappar, 'skull', fr. 01.
kharpara/:1, 'skull'. See Yule-Burnill, HobsonJobson, p. 254.
copro-, before a vowel copr-, combining form
meaning 'dung'.- Fr. Gk. x0rrp<-'~ 'dung, excrement, filth, dirt', which is cogn. with 01.
sdkrt, 'dung', and pro b. also with Lith. Siku,
sikti, 'to go to stool'.
coprolith, n., fossil dung. - Compounded of
copro- and Gk. :AL&o~, 'stone'. See -lith.
coprology, n., the study of obscene literature. Compounded of copro- and Gk. -:AoyLii, fr.
-Myoc,, 'one who speaks (in a certain manne();
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
coprophagous, adj., dung eating.- Compounded

350

of copro- and Gk. -tp&yoc,, 'eater of', from the

stem of tpocye:i:v, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
Coprosma, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bat.) - ModL., lit. 'of a filthy smell',
compounded of copro- and Gk. oaf.!-~, 'smell';
see osmium. The genus is so called in allusion
to the unpleasant odor of some species.
copse, n. - Short for coppice.
Derivatives: copse, tr. v., cops-y, adj.
Copt, n., I) a native Egyptian descended from
the ancient Egyptians; 2) a member of the Coptic church. - ModL. Captus, fr. Arab. Qufr,
Ql/t, fr. Coptic Kuptias, Kuptaias, fr. Gk. Alyl)rrnoc,, 'Egyptian'. See Egyptian.
Coptic, adj. - ModL. Capticus, fr. Captus. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: Coptic, n.
Coptis, n., a genus of plants of the crowfoot family (bat.) - ModL., from the stem of Gk.
xorrTc:LV, 'to cut', whence also x6tJ.fJ.OC, 'something
cut off' (see comma); so called with reference
to its divided leaves.
copula, n. - I.. copula, 'that which binds together, band, bond', which stands for *caapula, and is formed fr. co- and a dimin. from
the stem of apia, apere, 'to join, fasten'. See
apt and cp. cotiple.
copulate, intr. v.- L. copuliitus, pp. of copuliire,
'to bind together, copulate', fr. copufiire. See
copula and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: copulation, copulative (qq.v.), copulat-ory, adj.
copulation, n. - F., fr. L. copuliitionem, ace.
of copuliitio, 'a binding together', fr. copuliitus,
pp. of copuliire. See prec. word and -ion.
copulative, adj. - F. copulatif (fern. copulative),
fr. L. copu/iitfvus, fr. copuliitus, pp. of copuliire.
See copulate and -ive.
Derivatives: copulative, n., copulative-ly, adv.
copy, n.- ME. copie, fr. MF. (=F.) copie. 'abundance; copy', fr. L. copia, 'plenty, abundance';
see copious. For sense development see next word.
copy, tr. and intr. v.- F. copier, fr. ML. copiiire,
'to transcribe', orig. 'to write in plenty' (fr.
L. copia, 'plenty, abundance'), whence arose the
particular meaning 'to write the original text
many times'. See prec. word.
copyist, n. - A hybrid coined fr. copy and -ist,
a suff. of Greek origin.
coquelicot, n., red poppy.- F., fr. earlier caquelicoq, 'cock', a word of imitative origin. The
name was given later to the flower, because its
color resembles that of the cockscomb. Cp.
cock.
coquet, adj., coquettish.- F., 'coquettish', lit. 'a
little cock', dimin. of caq, 'cock'. See cock and
-et.
Derivatives: coquett-ish, adj., coquett-ish-ly,
adv., coquett-ish-ness, n.
coquet, intr. v., to flirt. - F. coqueter, lit. 'to
behave like a cock', fr. coquet. See coquet, adj.
coquetry, n. - F. caquetterie, 'coquettishness,

351

I
I

~I

flirtation, coquetry', fr. coquet, 'coquettish'.

See coquet, adj., and -ry.
coquette, n. - F., fern. of coquet, 'coquettish'.
See coquet, adj.
coquin n., rogue, rascal.- F., prob. a derivative
of coq, 'cock'. See cock.
coquina, n., a whitish rock consisting of fragments of marine shells. - Sp., 'cockle, shellfish', fr. OSp. coca, fr. VL. *caeca, fr. L. concha,
'mussel, shell'. See conch.
coquito, n., a kind of South American palm tree.
- Sp., dimin. of coco. See cocoa, 'palm tree'.
cor-, assimilated form of com- before r.
Cora, fern. PN. - L., fr. Gk. K6p'IJ, orig. epithet
of Persephone, daughter of Demeter, fr. x6p'IJ,
'maiden', rel. to x6po.:;, 'child, youth', which
prob. stand for *x6pfii, resp. *x6pfoc,, fr. I.-E.
base *ker-, 'to grow', whence also L. creiire, 'to
create', crescere, 'to grow'. See create, crescent
and cp. core-. Corinna, Curetes and the second
element in Dioscuri, Halicore, hypocoristic.
Coracias, n., a genus of birds, the common roller
(arnithal.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xopocx(iic,, 'chough',
fr. x6poc~, gen. x6pocxo~, 'crow, raven'. See
coracoid.
cora cine, n., a perch like Nile fish. - L. caracinus,
fr. Gk. xopocx~voc,, 'a Nile fish', fr. x6poc~, gen.
x6pocxo~. 'crow, raven' [see coracoid and adj.
sulf. -ine (representing L. -fnus)]; so called from
its black color. Cp. crucian carp.
coracle, n., a wicker boat. - W. carwgl, cwrwgl,
'coracle', dimin. of carwg, cwrwg, 'anything
round, the trunk of the body, carcass, boat', rei.
to Gael. curachan, 'coracle', dimin. of curach,
'boat, little ship,' fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut,
separate', whence also OI. krntati, 'cuts', Gk.
xe:lpetv (for *xp-1etv), 'to cut off', L. corium,
'hide, leather'. See corium and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also currach.
coraco-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the coracoid process' (anat.) - Short for coracoid. See next word.
coracoid, adj., pertaining to a process or bone
of the shoulder girdle (anat.)- Lit. 'resembling
a crow's beak', fr. Gk. xopocl<Oc:LI>f,~. which is
compounded of x6poc;;, gen. x6pocxoc,, 'crow',
and -oEtl>~<;, 'like', fr. dl>o~. 'form, shape'. For
the first element see raven and cp. corvine, for
the second see -oid.
coral, n. - ME., fr. OF. coral (F. corail), fr. L.
carallum, caralfium (poet. curalium), fr. Gk.
xopin.wv, prob. formed with the dimin. suff.
-wv fr. He b. gordl, 'lot', which pro b. meant originally 'a small stone, pebble; a small stone for
casting lots', and is rel. to Arab. jaral, jdural,
'stones, pebbles'. For the change of Heb. g to
Gk x cp. Gk. XtXfJ.lJAoc,, 'camel', fr. Heb.-Phoen.
giimdl. For the sense development of He b. gordl
cp. Gk. t.j.'ijtpoc,, 'pebble; vote', and XUtXfJ.O<;, 'bean;
lot'. The usual derivation of Gk. xop&Mwv fr.
xoupii &.A6.:;, 'puppet of the sea'. is folk etymology,

cordelle

coralline, adj. - Late L. carallfnus, 'coral-red',

fr. L. carallum. See prec. word and adj(: t.
suff. -ine (representing L. -!nus).
coralline, n., seaweed of the coral family (bat.)Fr. It. coral/ina, dimin. of caralla, 'coral', fr.
L. carallum. See coralline, adj.
corallite n., a fossil coral.- Formed fr. L. coraltum, 'red coral' (see coral), with subst. suff. -ite.
coralloid, adj., resembling coral.- Compounded
of coral and Gk. -oe:tl>~.:;, 'like', fr. dl>oc,, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
Corallorhiza, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) ModL., compounded of Gk. xop&A:Atov, 'coral'
and pt~oc, 'root'. See coral and rhizo-.
coram, prep., in the face of, in the presence of,
before. - L., fr. ca(m)- (see com-, co-) and
*-oram, which is formed (on analogy of clam,
'secretly', palam, 'openly'), fr. L. os, gen. -oris,
'mouth, face'. See oral.
coranto n., a lively dance. - Fr. F. (danse) courante, 'running (dance).' but assimil. to Sp.
words ending in -a. See current.
corban, n., an offering to God (Bible). - Heb.
qorbdn, 'offering, oblation' (whence Arab. qurbdn, Ethiop. qerbdn, of s.m.), lit. 'something
brought near', fr. Heb. qiirabh, 'he came near',
which is rel. to Aram.-Syr. qlrebh, Arab. qariba,
qaruba, Ethiop. qaraba, 'he came near', Akkad.
qariibu, 'to come near'.
corbeau, n., a dark green color. - F. carbeau,
'raven', dimin. formed fr. OF. carp, fr. L. corvus,
'raven'. See raven and cp. the next two words,
Corvus and the first element in cormorant.
corbel, n., a projection jutting out from the wall
(arch.) - OF. corbel ( = F. carbeau), prop.
'raven', dimin. of OF. carp. See prec. word.
Derivatives: corbel, tr. and intr. v., carbe/(1)ing, n.
corbie, n., a raven; a carrion crow (Scat.)- OF.
carp, 'raven'. See corbeau.
corcopali, n., the fruit of the Garcinia Indica (India). - Compounded of Malayalam koc;lukka,
name of the fruit. and puli, 'acid'.
cord, n. - ME. carde, fr. OF. ( = F.) corde,
'rope, string, twist, cord', fr. L. chorda, fr. Gk.
zopl>~, 'intestine, string of gut'. See chord.
Derivatives: cord, tr. and intr. v., card-ed, adj.
cordage, n.- F., fr. corde, 'rope, cord'. See prec.
word and -age.
cordate, adj., heart-shaped. , L. cardiitus, 'wise,
prudent' (in ModL. 'heart-shaped'), from cor.
gen. cordis, 'heart', which is cogn. with Goth.
hailta, OE. hearte, 'heart'. See heart and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivative: cordate-ly, adv.
Cordelier, n., a Franciscan friar. - F., formed
with suff. -ier, fr. OF. cordele (F. cardelfe), dimin. of carde, 'rope' (see cord and cp. cordelle);
so called in allusion to the girdle of knotted
cord worn by Franciscan friars.
cordelle, n., a towline. -F., dimin. of carde. See
cord and cp. prec. word.

cordial
cordial, adj. - Late L. cordia/is, fr. L. cor, gen.
cnrdis, 'heart'. See cordate and -ial.
Derivatives: cordial, n., cordial-ity, n., cordially, adv., cordial-ness, n.
cordiform, adj., heart-shaped. - Compounded
of L. cor, gen. cordis, 'heart' and forma, 'form,
shape'. See cordate and form, n.
cordillera, n., one of several parallel mountain
ranges. - Sp., fr. cordilla, dimin. of cuerda,
'rope, cord', fr. L. chorda (see cord); hence the
name Cordilleras (pl.) given by the Spaniards
to the parallel ranges of the Andes.
cordite, n., a smokeless explosive. -Formed fr.
cord with subst. suff. -ite.
cordoba, n., the monetary unit of Nicaragua. Sp. cordoba, named after Francisco de Cordoba
(died in 1526). Cp. Cordovan.
cordon, n., 1) a guarded line; 2) an honorary cord
or ribbon. - F., fr. corde, 'twist, cord, cordon,
ribbon (of an order)'. See cord.
cordon bleu. - Orig. the blue ribbon worn by the
knights of the Holy Ghost, the highest order in
France under the Bourbons; later used to denote a distinguished person and, facetiously, a
first-rank cook. -F., 'blue ribbon'. See cordon
and blue.
Cordovan, adj., of Cordova; n. (not cap.), Cordovan leather.- Sp. cordobtin, lit. 'Cordovan',
fr. Cordoba, name of the famous city of Spain,
fr. L. Corduha, fr. Gk. Kopou[3'Y). Cp. cordoba,
cordwain, cordwainer.
corduroy, n., a ribbed cotton fabric. - Perh. fr.
F. corde du roi, 'the king's cord'. See cord and
royal.
Derivatives: corduroy, adj., corduroy, tr. v.,
corduroy-ed, adj.
cordwain, n., Cordovan leather (archaic). - ME.
cordewane, 'leather of Cordova', fr. OF. cordoan,
cordouan. See next word.
cordwainer, n., shoemaker. - ME. cordwana,
fr. OF. cordoanier (F. cordonnier), 'shoemaker',
lit. 'a worker in Cordovan leather', fr. cordoan,
cordouan, 'Cordovan leather', fr. OProven.y.
cordoan, fr. Sp. cordohtin, 'Cordovan (leather)',
fr. Cordoba, 'Cordova'. See Cordovan. F. cordonnier was influenced in form by F. cordon,
'cord, cordon'.
Cordyline, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xr,pM):r,, 'club' (see cordylo-); so called in allusion to the thick caudex.
cordylo-, before a vowel cordyl-, combining form
meaning 'club'. - Gk. w,p6'JA';-, xopiFii.-, fr.
%''p6~i:r,, 'club, cudgel, swelling, headdress',
which i~ of uncertain origin. See Fri~k, GEW.,
I, p. 918 s.v. zopMi,r,.
core, n., hard center of a fruit, etc. - Prob. fr.
L. cor, 'heart'; see cordate. For sense development cp. Avestic z'r't'!aya, 'middle', OS!av.
srudice, 'heart', sri!dti, 'middle', Russ. serdce,
'heart', seredti, 'middle'; Wednesday (i.e. middle
of the week)', Lith. sirdis, 'heart', W. cratdd,
'heart; center', Bret. kreiz, 'middle'; all these

352
words are cogn. with L. cor, 'heart'. Cp. also
Heb. lebh, 'heart', and lebh yam, 'the midst (lit.
the heart) of the sea', lebh ha'eltih, 'the midst of
the terebinth', Akkad. libbu, 'heart; middle'.
Derivative: core, tf. v.
core-, combining form denoting the pupil of the
eye. - Gk. x6p'Y), 'girl; pupil of the eye'. See
Cora.
Coregonus, n., a genus of salmonid fishes (ichthyo!.) - ModL., compounded of core- and
Gk. ywvlii, 'angle'. See -gon.
coreligionist, n. - See co-, religion and -ist.
Corema, n., a genus of plants of the crowberry
family (hot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. x6p'Y)iJ.a, 'a
broom', a derivative of xopdv, 'to sweep out',
fr. x6po~, 'broom, besom', which is of unknown
etymology; so called from its bushy aspect.
For the ending see suff. -rna.
Coreopsis, n., a genus of yellow colored plants.ModL., compounded of Gk. xopt~, 'bug' and
il<j;t:;, 'sight, appearance'; see coriander and -opsis. The name Coreopsis was given to this genus
in allusion to the seeds which look like bugs.
corespondent, n., a joint respondent, esp. in a
divorce suit (law). - Formed fr. co- and respondent.
corf, n., a basket. - MLG. korf, prob. fr. L.
corbis, 'basket', which prob. meant orig. 'something twisted or plaited', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qereb(h)-, 'to twist, curve, contract, shrink', whence
ce also Gk. xci.pcpo~. 'dry twigs, chips', xci.pqJEW,
'to dry up, wither', X()(ptpa:Ato~, 'dry, parched',
Lith. skrebti, 'to be dry', ON. herpask, 'to contract convulsively'. Cp. the first element in Carphophis. It. corba 'wicker basket', derives fr. L.
corbis, whence also ON. korf, OHG. chorp, korb
(MHG. korp, korb, G. Korb), 'basket'. F. corbeille, 'basket', comes fr. L. corhicu/a, dimin. of
corbis; cp. corvette. - For derivatives of
*qremb-, a nasalized enlargement of base *qereb-, see rumple. - Base *qereb(h)- is an enlargement of base *(s)qer-, 'to turn, twist'. See
curve and cp. words there referred to.
coriaceous, adj., leathery. - L. coriaceus, 'of
leather', fr. corium. See corium and -aceous.
coriander, n., 1) a plant of the carrot family (Coriandrum sativum); 2) its fruit. - F. coriandre,
fr. L. coriandrum, fr. Gk. x'>plxwo\1, Y.<;p[xvSpw, which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. x0pt:;, 'bedbug', which stands in gradational relationship to :ixxpi;:;, 'small, tiny' (lit.
'too short to be cut'), ixxpt, 'mite'; fr. I.-E.
base *(s)qer-, 'to cut' (sec shear and cp. corium);
the plant would have been so called from its
odor reminding that of the bedbug. Cp. the first
element in Coreopsis, Corimelaena.
Coriandrum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.)- L. See prec. word.
Corimelaena, n., a genus of insects, the negro bug
(entomo/.)- ModL., lit. 'black bug' ,fr.Gk. x6p.:;,
'bug', and fLZA()(t\la, fern. of fLE:AiX<;, 'black'. See
coriander and melano-.

"
i.
:f.'.'.

~.

lI

"

Corinna, fern. PN.- L., fr. Gk. Koplwa, prop.

dimin. ofx6p1J, 'maiden'. See Cora.
Corinthian, adj. and n.- Formed with suff. -an.
fr. L. Corinthius, 'of Corinth', fr. Gk. Koplv&to<;,
fr. K6pw-&o<;, 'Corinth'. Cp. currant.
corium, n., vascular layer of the skin, the derma.
- L., 'hide, skin, leather', lit. 'the hide stripped
off', rei. to cortex, 'bark', scortum, 'skin, hide',
fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut, separate', whence
also OI. kfti/;1, 'hide', carman-, Avestic cartman-,
'hide, skin', Russ. skord, 'hide', korti, 'bark,
rind', Gk. xop[Lo<;, 'trunk of a tree', OHG. scerm,
scirm, 'shield, defence, cover' (orig. 'the hide
covering the shield'), OHG. herdo, 'fleece', OE.
heoroa, ON. horundr, 'skin', Mlr. scairt, 'midriff, heart', W. corwg, cwrwg, 'trunk ofthe body,
carcass, boat', OE. sceran, sciran, 'to cut, shear'.
See shear and cp. words there referred to.
Corixa, n., a genus of insects (entomol.)-ModL.,
fr. Gk. x6pt<;, 'bug'. See coriander.
cork, n. - Sp. a/corque, 'corkwood soles', fr.
Mozarabic al-qurq, al-qorq, fr. Arab. al-, 'the',
and qurq, 'alcorque', which prob. derives
fr. L. quercus, 'oak'. See Quercus and cp. alcornoque.
Derivatives: cork, tr. v., cork-age, n., cork-ed,
adj., cork-er, n., cork-y, adj., cork-i-ness, n.
corm, n., a subterranean bulb (bot.)- Gk. xop[L6<;,
'trunk of a tree (with the boughs lopped off)'.See
corium.
cormo-, combining form denoting the trunk of a
tree.- Gk. xop[Lo, fr. xop[L6<;. See prec. word.
cormophyte, n., any plant having a stem and a
root (bot.) - ModL. Cormophyta, pl., coined
by the Hungarian botanist Stephan Ladislaus
Endlicher (1804-49) fr. Gk. xop[L6<;, 'trunk of a
tree', and cpu't'6\l, 'plant'. See cormo- and -phyte.
cormorant, n., a large voracious sea bird. - F.
cormoran, fr. OF. cormaran, fr. earlier cormare(n)g, a word compounded of OF. corp,
'raven', fr. L. corvus (see corvine and cp. corbeau, corbel), and of marenc, 'pertaining to the
sea', fr. L. mare, 'sea' (see marine), and the Teut.
suff. -enc. The t in cormorant is due to a confusion of the suff. -an ( = Teut. -enc) with -ant
(fr. L. -ans, gen. -antis, the pres. part. suff. of
the verbs of the 1st conj.) Cp. ML. corvus marfnus, whence Proven.y. corpmari(n), Port. corvo
marinho.
cormus, n., corm. - ModL., fr. Gk. xop[L6<;. See
corm.
corn, n., grain. - ME., fr. OE. corn, rei. to OS.,
ON., OFris., OHG., MHG., G. korn, MDu.
coren, corn, Du. karen, Goth. kaurn, 'grain',
and cogn. with L. granum, 'grain, seed, small
kernel', Gk. ylyxp't'ov, 'grapestone, olivestone',
OS!av. zrlno, zruno, 'grain', OPruss. syrne, 'kernel', Lith. zirnis, Lett. zirnis, 'pea', W. grawn,
pl., Olr. gran, 'granule', fr. I.-E. base *ger(e)-,
'to become ripe, grow old', whence also 01.
jtirati, j{ryati, 'makes old, grows old', jtiran,
'old', jarimdn-, 'old age', jdrai:J, 'growing old',

jfryati, 'grows old' jfrl]ti/;1. 'old', Avestic zaurvan-, 'old age', Pers. zar, 'old man', Ossetic
ziirond, 'old man', Arm. cer, of s.m., Gk.
yepwv, 'old man', Y'Y)pa:Aeo~, 'old', y'ijp()(:;, 'old
age', OS!av. zireti, zri!ti, 'to ripen'. Cp. geronto-,
grain. Cp. also kernel. Cp. also churl and
words there referred to. Derivative: corn, tr. v.,
to granulate; to sprinkle with salt in grains; to
pickle with salt; intr. v., to form grains.
corn, n., a horny induration. - OF. corn (F.
cor), fr. L. cornu, 'horn'. F. come, 'horn', derives fr. VL. *corna (fr. L. cornua), pl. of L.
cornu, but was mistaken for a fern. sing. noun.
See horn and cp. cerato-. Cp. also the second
element in Capricorn, longicorn, unicorn.
Cornaceae, n. pl., a family of trees, the dogwood
family (bot.)- ModL., formed fr. Comus with
suff. -aceae.
cornaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
cornbrash, n. (geol.) - Compounded of corn,
'grain', and brash.
cornea, n., the transparent portion of the external
coat of the eye (anat.) - L. cornea (short for
cornea tunica, lit. 'a horny coating'), fern. of
corneus, 'horny', fr. cornu, 'horn'. See horn and
cp. corn, 'a horny induration'.
corneal, adj., pertaining to the cornea. - See
prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
come!, n. - MDu. kornel/e (Du. kornoelje), fr.
OF. cornei/le, camille (F. cornouille), fr. Late L.
cornicula, dimin. of L. comus, 'cornel tree',
which is cogn. with Gk. xpci.vov, xpci.veta, 'come!
cherry', Lith. Kirnis, 'god of the cherry trees'.
Cp. cornelian.
Derivative: cornet-ian, adj. (in come/ian cherry).
Cornelia, fern. PN. - L. Cornelia, fern. of Cornelius. See Cornelius.
cornelian, n., a variety of chalcedony. -Formed
with change of suff. fr. ME. corneline, fr. OF.
corneline (F. cornaline), fr. OF. come, 'come!
cherry', fr. VL. *coma, pl. of L. cornum, ofs.m.,
but mistaken for a fern. sing. noun; so called
because its color resembles that of the come!
cherry. See cornet and cp. carnelian.
Cornelius, masc. PN.- L. Cornelius, name of a
Roman gens. Cp. Cornelia. Cp. the first element
in keeshond.
cornemuse, n., bagpipe. - F., fr. cornemuser, 'to
pipe', compounded of corner, 'to blow the horn',
and muser, 'to play the bagpipe'. The first element derives fr. F. come, 'horn'; see corn, 'horny
induration'. The second element comes fr. OF.
muse (F. musette), 'bagpipe'; see musette.
corneo-, combining form meaning 'horny'. - L
corneus, 'horny'. See corneous.
corneo-, combining form meaning 'corneal' (anal.)
- See cornea.
corneous, adj., horny.- L. corneus, 'horny', fr.
cornu, 'horn'. See corn, 'a horny induration'.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
corner, n. -ME., fr. AF. cornere, corresponding
to OF. corniere, fr. ML. corneria, 'angle, cor-

355
ner', fr. VL. *coma, which corresponds to L.
cornua, pl. of L. cornu, 'horn', but was mistaken
for a fern. sing. See horn and cp. corn, 'a horny
induration'.
Derivatives: corner, tr. and intr. v., corner-ed,
adj.
cornet, n., a musical wind instrument. - F. cornet, 'a small horn, trumpet', dimin. of cor, 'horn',
fr. OF. corn, fr. L. cornu. See horn and -et and
cp. corn, 'a horny induration'. Cp. also prec.
word.
cornet, n., a headdress worn formerly by women.
-F. cornette, rei. to cornet, 'a small horn'. See
prec. word.
cornice, n., a horizontal projection at the top of
a wall, etc. - F. cornice (now corniche), fr. It.
cornice, fr. L. coronis, fr. Gk. xopu.v[<;, 'anything
curved, a curved line', which is rei. to xopu.v6<;,
'curved', xopwv"IJ, 'ring, crown' (see cro\m); influenced in form by It. cornice, 'crow', fr. L.
cornlcem, ace. of cornfx. Cp. the French architectonic term corbeau (whence E. corbel), lit.
'raven'.
Derivatives: cornice, tr. v., cornic-ed, adj.
cornicle, n., a little horn.- L. corniculum, dimin.
of corntl, 'horn'. See corn, 'a horny induration',
and -cle.
Corniferous, adj., pertaining to the Middle Devonian system containing hornstone (geol.) Compounded of L. carmi, 'horn', and ferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See corn, 'horny induration', and
-ferous.
Cornish, adj. and n. - Formed with adj. suiT.
-ish from the first element in Cornwall (fr. OE.
Cornweal/as, lit. 'Cornish-Welsh').
cornopcan, n., an early form of cornet (mus.) --Invented word suggested by cornet, 'a wind instrument'.
cornucopia, n., I) the horn of the goat Amaltha,
which suckled Zeus; 2) a horn of plenty; 3) abundance; 4) a horn-shaped receptacle (Greek
mytlwl.) - Late L. cornucopia, for L. carmi
copiae, 'horn of plenty', fr. carmi, 'horn', and
copiae, gen. of copia, 'plenty'. See corn, 'horny
induration', and copious.
cornucopiate, adj., resembling a cornucopia. -
Formed fr. prec. word with adj. sutr. -ate.
Comus, n., a genus of plants, the dogwood and
the cornel (hot.)- L.. 'cornel tree'. Sec cornel.
cornute, cornuted, adj. - L. cormltus, 'horned',
fr. carmi, 'horn'. See corn, a horny induration'.
cornwallite, n., a basic copper arsenate (mineral.)
- Named after Cornwall in England. For the
ending see subst. suiT. -ite.
coroa, n., a former Portuguese gold coin. Port., lit. 'a crown', fr. L. corona. See crown.
corody, corrody, n., an allowance of food (old
law).- ML. corrodium, corredium, 'provision'.
See curry.
corolla, n., the whole of the petals of a flower
(bot.) - L. corolla, 'little crown, garland', .dimin. of corona, 'crown'. See crown.

Derivatives: coroll-ate, adj., coroll-at-ed, adj.

corollary, n., I) a proposition proved from another that has been proved; 2) an inference;
3) a result. - L. corolltirium, 'garland given as
a present', fr. corolla, 'little crown, garland;
gift, present, gratuity'. See prec. word and subst.
suiT. -ary.
Derivatives: corollari-al, adj., corollari-al-ly,
adv.
corona, n., a crown. - L. corona, 'garland,
wreath, crown', fr. Gk.xopwv"f), 'anything curved;
a wreath, garland'. See crown.
coronach, n., a dirge. -Gael. corranach, fr. MTr.
com-, 'with' (see com-), and ranach, 'a roaring,
weeping', fr. ran, 'to roar, weep'.
coronal, adj., pertaining to a crown. - L. corona/is, 'pertaining to a crown', fr. corona. See
corona and adj. suiT. -al.
Derivative: corona!-ly, adv.
coronal, n., circlet, diadem.- L. corona/is, 'pertaining to a crown'. See coronal, adj.
coronary, adj., I) pertaining to a crown; 2) encircling; 3) pertaining to either of the two arteries supplying the heart tissues. - L. corontirius, 'pertaining to a crown', fr. corona. See
corona and adj. suff. -ary.
coronate, tr. v., to crown. - L. corontitus, pp. of
corontire, 'to crown', fr. corona. Sec corona and
verbal suiT. -ate.
Derivatives: corona t-ed, adj., coronation (q.v.)
coronation, n. -OF. curvnacion, coronaTion, fr.
coroner, 'to crown', fr. L. coronare. See coronate
and -ion.
coroner, n., an official whose chief duty is to inquire into the causes of deaths not obviously
due to natural causes. -- AF. corouner, fr. coroune, fr. OF. corone, 'crown', fr. L. corona,
'garland, crown' (see crown and agential suiT.
-er); so called because his original task was to
watch over crown property.
Derivative: coroner-ship, n.
coronet, n., a small crown.- OF. coronete, coronette, dimin. of corone, 'crown', fr. L. corona.
See corona and -et and cp. cronet, crownet.
Derivatives: coronet(f)-ed, coronett-y, adjs.
Coronilla, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) - ModL., dimin. of L. corona, 'crown'
(see corona); so called in allusion to its inflorescence.
Coronis, n., mother of Asclepius and consort of
Apollo in Greek mythol. -- L., fr. Gk. K'Jpw'lt;,
which is rei. to x0pc.OYr., 'crow', from the I.-E.
imitative base *qer-, *qor-, 'to cry, shout',
whence also x~p;, 'crow'. See coracoid.
coronium, n., an element supposed tO be in the
solar corona (astrophysics). - ModL., formed
fr. L. corona, 'crown'. See corona and chcm.
suff. -ium.
coronoid, adj., curved (anat.) - Lit. 'resembling
the tip of a bow', fr. Gk. Y.'Jfl<~>v-r;. 'anything
hooked or curved; crow; tip of a bow', and
-oe:t81)~. 'like', fr. d8o~, 'form, shape'; see

'

corona and -oid. The usual translation of coronoid as 'shaped like a crow's beak', is erroneous.
See Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica,
pp. 150-51.
Coronopus, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xopu.v61tou~, 'the
hartshorn', which is compounded of xopwv'f),
'crow', and 7tO'~~. gen. 1toll6<;, 'foot'. The first
element is rel. to Gk. x6pot~, 'raven', and cogn.
with L. corvus, 'raven', cornix, 'crow'; see coracoid. For the second element see -pod.
corozo, n., the name of several S. American palms.
- Sp. (now spelled corojo), from aS. American
native word.
corporal, adj., of the body; bodily. - OF. corporal (F. corpore/), fr. L. corpora/is, 'pertaining
to the body', fr. corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'.
See corpus and adj. suiT. -al.
Derivatives: corpora/ity (q.v.), corporal-ly, adv.
corporal, n., a linen cloth covering the consecrated element at the Eucharist (eccles.) - Eccles. L. corpora/is (sci!. pal/a), 'body cloth', fr.
L. corpora/is, 'pertaining to the body'. See
corporal, adj.
corporal, n., the lowest noncommissioned officer
(mil.) -Earlier F. corporal, an alteration-due
to corps, 'body'-of F. caporal, fr. It. capora/e,
lit. 'chief', which derives fr. capo, 'head', fr. L.
caput. See capital, adj., and cp. caporal. The
ending of It. cap-orate shows the influence of
It. pettora/e.
corporality, n. -Late L. corporalitas, fr. L. corporcllis. Sec corporal, adj., and -ity.
corporate, adj. - L. corpora/us, pp. of corporare,
'to make into a body, incorporate, incarnate',
fr. corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. See corpus and
adj. suiT. -ate.
Derivatives: corporate-ly, adv., corporate-ness, n.
corporation, n. - Late L. corporatio, gen. -onis,
'incorporation, incarnation', fr. L. corpora/us,
pp. of corporiire. Sec prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: corporation-a!, adj., corporationer, n.
corporative, adj. -Late L. corporiitlvus, 'pertaining to the forming of a body', fr. L. corpora/us,
pp. of corporiire. See corporate and -ive.
corporator, n., member of a corporation. Formed with agential suiT. -or fr. L. corpora/us,
pp. of corporare. See corporate.
corporeal, adj., of the body; bodily. - Formed
with adj. suiT. -al fr. L. corpus, gen. corporis,
'body'. See corpus and cp. corporal, adj.
Derivatives: corporeal-ity, n., corporeal-ly, adv.
corporeity, n., corporeality. - ML. corporeiras,
fr. L. corporeus, pertaining lO the body', fr.
corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. Sec corpus and
-ity.
corposant, n., an electric light seen sometimes in
stormy weather; called also St. Flmo's fire. Fr. Port. corpo santo, 'holy body', fr. L. corpus
sanctum. See corpus and sanctus.
corps, n., I) a group of persons; 2) a military unit.

- F., fr. L. corpus. See corpus and cp. corpse

and corse.
corpse, n. - ME. corse, corps, 'body', fr. OF.
cors, fr. L. corpus. See prec. word. The MF. and
modern F. spelling corps is due to the influence
of L. corpus.
corpulence, corpulency, n., fatness. - L. corpulentia, 'grossness or fleshiness of body', fr. corpulentus. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
corpulent, adj., fat. - F., fr. L. corpulentus,
'fleshy, fat, stout'. See corpus and -ulent.
Derivatives: corpulent-ly, adv., corpulent-ness, n.
corpus, n., body. - L. corpus, gen. corporis,
'body', pro b. cogn. with 01. kfp-, 'form, beauty',
Avestic k'r'fsh, gen. k'hrpo-, 'form, body', OE.
hrif, OHG. href, 'womb, belly, abdomen', OFris.
hrif, href, 'belly'; pro b. fr. I.-E. base *qwrep-,
*q"'rp-, enlargement of *qwer-, 'to make, form',
whence 01. k[IJOii, kariJti, 'makes', Avcstic kar-,
'to make', k'r'naoiti, 'makes', OPcrs. kar-, 'to
make', kara-, 'maker', Lith. kuriu, kurti, 'to
build', OPruss. kura, 'he built', Olr. crutl!,
'figure, shape', W. pryd, 'appearance, look'. Cp.
corporal, corporate, corporation, corporeal, corporeity, corposant, corps, corpse, corpulent,
corse, incorporate. Cp. also Sanskrit and words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element in
midriff.
corpus callosum, a mass of white fibers connecting
the cerebral hemispheres (anat.) - L., 'callous
body', in its modern, anatomical sense, a loan
translation of rri::>[J.tx rei::>~ --:J),i0ile<; (lit. 'callous
body'), which is the name given to the corpus
callosum by Galen. See corpus and callous.
corpuscle, n., a small particle. - Formed fr. L.
corpusculum, 'a little body', dimin. of corpus
(see corpus and -cle and cp. corpuscule); introduced into English by the physicist and chemist
Robert Boyle (l6279I).
corpuscule, n., a corpuscle. - L. corpusculum.
Sec corpuscle and -cule.
Derivatives: corpuscul-ar, adj., corpuscu!-ar-ity,
n., corpusc~l-ated, corpuscul-ous, adjs.
corrade, tr. and intr. v., to wear by scraping (geol.)
- L. corriidere, 'to scrape together', fr. comand radere, 'scrape'. See raze and cp. corrasion.
corral, n., a pen for horses. - Sp., fr. corru,
'ring', fr. correr, 'to run', fr. L. currere, 'to run'.
See courier and course and cp. corridor. Sp. corral
is rei. to Port. curral, 'pen, enclosure', whence
kraal (q.v.)
Derivative: corral, tr. v.
corrasion, n., the process of corrading. - L. corrasio, gen. -onis, fr. corriisus, pp. of corriidere.
Sec corrade and -ion.
correal, adj., under joint obligation (law). Formed with adj. suiT. -al fr. L. correus, 'under
joint obligation', fr. cor- and reus, 'defendant',
lit. 'a party to an action', fr. res, 'thing, matter,
affair. action'. See res and cp. reus, reatus.
correct, adj. - L. correctus, pp. of corrigere, 'to
make straight, set right, correct', fr. cor- andre-

\.VII~\.\.

gere, 'to make straight, lead, guide, conduct'.

See regent, adj., and cp. corregidor, corrigendum,
escort.
Derivatives: correct-ly, adv., correct-ness, n.
correct, tr. v. - L. correctus, pp. of corrigere.
See correct, adj.
Derivatives: correct-ed, adj., correct-ed-ly, adv.,
correct-ed-ness, n., correction (q.v.)
correction, n. - F., fr. L. correctionem, ace. of
corri!ctio, 'a making straight, improvement', fr.
corri!ctus, pp. of corrigere. See correct, adj.,
and -ion.
Derivatives: correction-al, adj. and n., correction-er, n.
correctitude, n.- Formed fr. correct on analogy
of rectitude.
corrective, adj. - F. correctif (fern. corrective),
fr. L. correctus, pp. of corrigere. See correct and
-ive.
Derivatives: corrective, n., corrective-ly, adv.,
corrective-ness, n.
corrector, n. - L. corrector, 'improver, corrector', fr. correctus, pp. of corrigere. See correct
and agential suff. -or.
corregidor, n., a Spanish magistrate, mayor of a
town.- Sp., lit. 'corrector', fr. corregir, 'to correct', fr. VL. *corregire, which corresponds to
L. corrigere, 'to correct'. See correct, adj.
correlate, intr. and tr. v., to relate mutually. Formed fr. cor- and L. reliitus, used as pp. of
referre, 'to carry back, bring back, relate'. See
relate.
Derivatives: correlate, n., correlat-ion, correlative, adj. and n., correlat-ive-ly, adv.
correption, n., a shortening in pronunciation. L. correptio, gen. -onis, 'a shortening, decreasing', fr. correptus, pp. of corripere, 'to shorten,
abridge, diminish; to chide', lit. 'to seize upon',
fr. com- and rapere ,'to seize' (see rapid and -ion).
For the change of Latin ii (in raptus) to e (in
cor-reptus) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
correspond, intr. v. - F. correspondre, fr. ML.
correspondere, fr. cor- and L. respondere, 'to
answer'. See respond.
Derivatives: correspond-ence, n., correspondency, n., correspond-ent, adj., correspond-ent-ly,
adv., correspond-ing, adj., correspond-ing-ly,
adv.
corresponsive, adj., corresponding.- Formed fr.
com- and responsive.
Derivative: corresponsive-ly, adv.
corridor, n.- F., fr. It. corridore,lit. 'a place for
running', fr. correre, 'to run', fr. L. currere. Cp.
OProven,.:. courradour and Sp. corredor, which
are of the same origin and meaning.
corrie, n., a circular hollow in the side of a mountain (Scot.)- Gael. coire, 'caldron, kettle', rel.
to Olr. coire, W. pair, of s.m., and cogn. with
OE. hwer, ON. hverr, OHG. hwer, wer, 'kettle',
Goth. lvairnei, 'skull', 01. carub, 'kettle, pot',
karaiikas, 'skull'. For sense development cp. F.

357
tete, 'head', fr. L. testa, 'postherd' (see tester,
'canopy'), and G. Kopf, 'head', fr. MHG. kopf,
'drinking vessel, skull' (see cop, 'the top of
anything', and cup).
corrigendum, n., something to be corrected.L., neut. gerundive of corrigere, 'to make
straight, correct', fr. com- and regere, 'to make
straight, lead, guide, conduct; see correct. For
the change of Latin e (in regere) to i (in corrigere) see abstinence and cp. words there referred to. For other Latin gerundives used in
English cp. agenda and words there referred to.
corrigible, adj. - F., fr. ML. corrigibilis, 'that
which can be corrected', fr. L. corrigere, 'to correct'. See prec. word and -ible.
Derivatives: corrigibil-ity, n., corrigible-ness, n.,
corrigibl-y, adv.
corrival, n., a rival, competitor. - L. corriviilis,
fr. cor- and rivii/is, 'rival'. See rival.
corroborant, adj. and n. - L. corroboriins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of corrobiire, 'to strengthen'.
See next word and -ant.
corroborate, tr. v. - L.. corroboriitus, pp. of corroboriire, 'to strengthen', fr. corn- and robur, gen.
roboris, 'strength'. See robust and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: corroboration, corroborative (qq.v.),
corroborat-or, n., corroborat-ory, adj.
corroboration, n.- F., fr. corroborer, 'to strengthen, corroborate', fr. L. corroboriire. See prec.
word and -ion.
corroborative, adj.- F. corroboratif(fem. corroborative), fr. L. corroboriitus, pp. of corroboriire.
See corroborate and -ive.
Derivative: corroborative-ly, adv.
corroboree, n., a festivity of Australian aborigines. - A native name.
Derivative: corroboree, intr. v.
corrode, tr. v., to eat away gradually; intr. v.,
to become corroded. - F. corroder, fr. L. corrodere, 'to gnaw to pieces', fr. corn- and rodere,
'to gnaw'. See rodent and cp. erode.
Derivatives: corrod-er, n., corrod-ing, adj.
corrody, n.- See corody.
corrosion, n.- F., fr. L. corr6si6nem, ace. of corr6si6, 'a gnawing to pieces', fr. corr6sus, pp. of
corr6dere. See corrode and -ion.
corrosive, adj. - F. corrosif (fern. corrosive), fr.
L. corr6sus, pp. of corrodere. See corrode and
-ive.
Derivatives: corrosive-ly, adv ., corrusive-ness,
n., corrosiv-ity, n.
corrugate, tr. and intr. v., to wrinkle.- L. corrugiitus, pp. of corriigiire, 'to make full of wrinkles,
to wrinkle', fr. com- and rugiire, 'to wrinkle', fr.
riiga, 'wrinkle'. See ruga and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: corrugat-ed, adj., corrugat-ion, corrugator (q.v.)
corrugate, adj., wrinkled. - L. corrugiitus, pp. of
corrugiirP. See corrngate, v.
corrugator, n., either of the two muscles that
contract the brows (anal.) - Medical L., lit.

'that which wrinkles', fr. L. corriigiitus, pp. of

corrugiire. See corrugate and agential suff. -or.
corrupt, adj. - L. corruptus, pp. of corrumpere,
'to destroy, ruin, corrupt', fr. corn- and rumpere,
'to break'. See rupture.
Derivatives: corrupt, tr. and intr.v.; corrupt-ly,
adv., corrupt-ness, n.; corrupt-ed, adj., corrupted-ly, adv., corrupt-ed-ness, n., corrupt-er, n.,
corrupt-ing, adj., corrupt-ingly, adv.
corruptible, adj. - Late L. corruptibilis (whence
also F. corruptible), 'liable to decay, corruptible', fr. L. corruptus, pp. of corrumpere. See corrupt, v., and -ible.
Derivatives: corruptibil-ity, n., corruptible-ness,
n., corruptibl-y, adv.
corruption, n. -F., fr. L. corrupti6nem, ace. of
corrupti6, 'a corrupting, spoiling', fr. corruptus,
pp. of corrumpere. See corrupt and -ion.
corruptive, adj. - Eccles. L. corruptivus, fr. L.
corruptus, pp. of corrumpere. See corrupt and
-ive.
Derivative: corruptive-ly, adv.
corsac, n., a small yellowish fox (Vulpes corsac)
of Central Asia. - Russ. korsak, fr. Kirghiz
karsak.
corsage, n.- F., formed with suff. -age fr. OF.
cors (F. corps), 'body'. See corps and cp. corse,
corset.
corsair, n., a pirate. -F. corsaire, fr. It. corsaro,
'pirate', lit. 'runner', fr. ML. cursiirius, fr. L.
cursus, 'a running, course, voyage'. See current,
adj., and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
hussar.
corse, n. (poet.) - A var. of corpse.
corselet, corslet, n., armor for the body. - F.
corselet, lit., 'little body', dimin. of OF. cors(F.
corps), 'body'. See corps and cp. next word.
corset, n., a close-fitting undergarment; stays.F. corset,lit. 'a little body', dimin. of OF. cors (F.
corps), fr. L. corpus, 'body'. See corpus and -et
and cp. corps.
Derivatives: corset, tr. v., corset-ing, n., corsetry, n.
cortege, cortege, n., a train of attendants; retinue.- F. cortege, fr. It. corteggio, 'retinue',
fr. corteggiare, 'to court', fr. corte, 'court', fr. L.
cohortem, c6rtem, ace. of cohors, cors, 'enclosed
place, yard'. See court and cp. next word.
Cortes, n., the two chambers of the legislative
assembly in Spain and Portugal. - Sp. and
Port., lit. 'courts', pl. of corte, 'court', fr. L.
cohortem, c6rtem. See prec. word.
cortex, n., the bark of a tree (bot.) - L., 'bark,
rind', lit. 'that which is stripped off', fr. I.-E.
base *(s)qer-, 'to cut, s::parate', whence also L.
corium, 'hide, leather'. See corium, and cp.
Corticium, excorticate, scorch, scortation. For
sense development cp. bark, 'rind of a tree', fr.
I.-E. base *bher, 'to cut'.
cortical, adj., pertaining to a cortex. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. cortex, gen. corticis,
'bark'. See prec. word.

Corybant

corticate, corticated, adj., provided with a cortex.

- L. corticiitus, 'covered with a bark', fr. cortex, gen. corticis. See cortex and verbal suff. -ate.
Corticium, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. cortex, gen. corticis, 'bark'. See cortex
and 1st -ium.
cortico-, combining form denoting the cortex. Fr. L. cortex, gen. corticis, 'bark'. See cortex.
corticosterone, n. (biochem.)- Coined fr. corticoand sterone, which is formed fr. sterol and
suff. -one.
cortisone, n., an adrenal cortex hormone (biochem.) - Coined by Edward C. Kendall, its
discoverer, and Philip S. Hench, of the Mayo
Clinic, in 1936 through the abbreviation ofprec.
word.
corundum, n., a very hard mineral. - Tamil
kurundam, fr. 01. kuruvinda-, 'ruby', which is of
uncertain etymology.
coruscant, adj., sparkling, flashing. - L. corusciins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of corusciire. See
next word and -ant.
coruscate, intr. v., to sparkle, flash. - L. corusciitus, pp. of corusciire, 'to thrust with the horns;
to shake, vibrate, wave; to flash, glitter', fr.
coruscus, 'vibrating, waving, glittering', which
is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands for
*coroscos, and orig. meant 'leaping, jumping',
and is cogn. with Gk. crxoclpe:Lv, 'to leap, skip,
bound', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to jump, leap,
bound'. See cardinal, adj., and cp. words there
referred to. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
coruscation, n. - Late L. corusciiti6, gen. -onis,
fr. L. corusciitus, pp. of corusciire. See prec.
word and -ion.
corvee, n., unpaid labor.-F., 'forced labor, statute labor', fr. VL. corrogiita (opera), '(work) in
which people are asked to participate', fern. pp.
of L. corrogiire, 'to bring together by entreaty',
fr. cor- and rogiire, 'to entreat'. See rogation.
corvette, n., a small fast war vessel (naut.) - F.,
dimin. formed fr. carve (a word occurring only
in a text of the year 1700), which was pro b. borrowed fr. MLG. korf, 'basket; a kind of ship';
see corf and -ette. It. corvetta and Sp. corbeta
are French loan words.
Corvidae, n. pl., a family of birds including the
ravens, crows, etc.- ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. L. corvus, 'raven'. See corvine.
corvine, adj., pertaining to the raven or crow. L. corvinus, fr. corvus, 'raven', from the I.-E.
imitative base *qer-, qor-, *qr-, 'to cry, shout'.
See raven and -ine (representing L. -inus) and cp.
coracoid.
Corvus, n., a genus of birds, the crow (ornithol.)
- L. corvus, 'raven'. See prec. word.
Corybant, n., one of the attendants of Cybele
(Greek mythol.) - F. Corybante, fr. L. Corybantem, ace. of Corybiis, fr. Gk. Kopv(3<Xc;, gen.
Kopv(3ocvroc;, a word of uncertain, possibly
Phrygian, origin.
Derivatives: Corybant-ian, Corybant-ic, adjs.

Corydalis

Corydalis, n., a genus of plants of the fumewort

family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xopuilO<'Al-L;,
'crested lark', fr. x6puilo~, of s.m., fr. x6pu<;,
'helmet', which is rei. to xopuv'J), 'club, mace',
xopucp~. 'head, top, summit'. See coryphaeus and
cp. words there referred to.
Corydon, n., the traditional name for a shepherd
or a rustic swain in pastoral poetry. - L
Corydon, fr. Gk. Kopuilwv, name of a shepherd
in the idylls of Theocritus and in Virgil's
Eclogues.
Corylus, n., a genus of trees, the hazel (bot.) L. corylus, corulus, 'the hazel', cogn. with ON.
has!, OE. h;esel, of s.m. See hazel.
corymb, n., a broad cluster of flowers (bot.) L. corymbus, 'cluster of flowers', fr. Gk. x6pu[L~O<;, 'uppermost point, cluster of flowers',
which is rei. to xopucp~, 'head, top, summit'. See
coryphaeus and cp. next word.
Derivatives: corymb-ed, adj., corymbi-ate, corymbi-at-ed, corymb-ose, adjs., corymb-ose-ly,
adv., corymb-ous, adj.
Coryneum, n., a form genus of imperfect fungi
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xopuv'J). 'club, mace',
which is rei. to xopucp~, 'head, top, summit'. See
next word and cp. corymb.
coryphaeus, n., 1) the leader of the chorus in the
Greek drama; hence 2) a leader. - L., fr. Gk.
xop.)cpx~o~. 'leader, chief', fr. xopucp~, 'head, top,
summit, the highest point', which is rei. to
x0p;c;, 'helmet', xr',pu[L~oc;, 'uppermost point,
cluster of flowers', xopu'll~. 'club', and prob.
stands in gradational relationship to Att. Gk.
xip:X, Att. and Dor. xipi'llov, Ion. xip-r,'llo\1,
'head', and to Gk. xpi'll[r,'ll, 'skull'. See cranium
and cp. Corydalis, eorymb, Coryneum. Cp. also
next word.
coryphee, n., a ballet dancer.- F. coryphee, fr. L.
coryphacus. See prec. word.
Coryphodon, n., a genus of extinct mammals
(palcontol.) -- ModL., compounded of xopJ<:pf.,
'head, top, summit', and '"~'~" gen. 0o6vTo<;,
'tooth'. Sec coryphaeus and odonto-.
coryza, n., nasal catarrh (med.) - L. coryza, fr.
Gk. w~pJ~x. 'a cold in the head, nasal catarrh',
\\ hich is pro b. cogn. with OE. hrot, 'thick fluid,
scum', OHG. hro=, roz, 'nasal mucus', MHG.,
G. rot:, nasal mucus', OE. hrutan, 'to snore;
to resound', ON. lujOta, OS. !milan, ON.
hrjota, OHG.Imi33GII, 'to rattle in one's throat'.
cos, cos lettuce, n. - Prop. 'lettuce introduced
from Cos, fr. L. Cos, fr. Gk. K<oc;, one of the
Aegean islands, now called Stanchio. Cp. Coan.
cos, n. - Abbre\ iation of cosine.
cosecant, n., the secant of the complement of an
angle (trigon.)- Formed on analogy of cosine
and cotangelll fr. ModL. complemcnti seciins.
See co- and secant.
coseismal, coseismic, adj., noting points where
an earthquake arrives simultaneously. - Formed fr. co- and seismal.

cosher, intr. v., to feast.- Ir. coisir, 'a feast'.

358
cosher, tr. v., to pamper.- Of uncertain origin.
cosher, adj. - A var. spelling of kosher.
cosignatory, adj., signing jointly with another
or others. -Formed fr. co- and signatory.
cosine, n., the sine of the complement of an angle
(trigon.)- Fr. co. sinus, abbreviation of ModL
complementi sinus, 'the sine of the complement'.
This name and its abbreviation into co. sinus
were first used by Edmund Gunter, a mathematician of the early I 7th cent. See complement
and sine and cp. cotangent, cosecant.
cosmetic, adj., serving to beautify. - Gk. xocrfL-~T~x6~, 'skilled in arranging', fr. XOO'[L'J)"r6~,
'well-ordered', verbal adj. of xocr[Lii'll, 'to order,
arrange, adorn', fr. x6cr[Lo~, 'order, ornament,
decoration, set form; world, universe'. See cosmos and -ic.
Derivatives: cosmetic, n., a preparation for
beautifying the skin, cosmetic-al-ly, adv., cosmetic-ian, n., one who makes or applies cosmetics.
cosmetology, n., the study of cosmetics. - Compounded of Gk. xocr[J-'1)'6~. 'well-ordered' (see
prec. word), and -1-oyli, fr. -Myo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
cosmic, adj., pertaining to the cosmos; vast. Gk. xocr[L~X6<;, 'of, or connected with, the world',
fr. xocr[Lo~. 'world'. See cosmos and -ic.
Derivatives: cosmic-a!, adj., cosmic-al-ity, n.,
cosmic-al-ly, adv.
cosmo-. combining word denoting the world. Gk. xocr[Lo-, fr. x6cr[Loc;, 'world'. See cosmos.
cosmogony, n., the origination of the universe.Gk. xocr[LO(o'llli (whence also F. cosmogonil'),
compounded of x6cr[Lo~, 'world', and -yo'llli, fr.
y6vo~, 'race, offspring'. See cosmos and -gony.
Derivatives: cosmogon-ic, cosmogon-ic-al, adjs.,
cosmogon-ist, n.
cosmography, n., description of the universe. Gk. xocrfLoyp:x?li, compounded of x6cr[Lo~,
'world', and -ypx?lx, fr. ypi<:p1m, 'to write'. See
cosmos and -graphy.
Derivatives: cosmograph-ic, cosmograph-ic-a!,
adjs.
cosmology, n., that part of metaphysics which
deals with the universe. - Compounded of
cosmo- and Gk. -).oyli, fr. -My'><;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: cosmolog-ic, cosmolog-ic-al, adjs.,
cosmolog-ic-al-ly, adv., cosmolog-ist, n.
cosmonaut, n., an astronaut. - Compounded of
cosmo- and Gk. 'llx',.:r,;, 'sailor, seaman'. See
nautical and cp. astronaut.
cosmonautics, n., astronautics. - Compounded
of cosmo- and nautics. Cp. prec. word. Cp. also
astronautics.
cosmoplastic, adj., pertaining to the plastic force
that forms the world. - Compounded of cosmo- and plastic.
cosmopolitan, adj., belonging to the whole world;

359

II
I

n., a citizen of the world. - Formed with suff.

-an, fr. Gk. XOO'[L01t'o'Ah1J~, 'citizen of the world',
fr. x6cr[Loc;, 'world,' and rrof-t'r'J)c;, 'citizen' (fr.
rr6/-~c;. 'city'). See cosmo- and politic.
Derivatives: cosmopolitan-ism, n., cosmopolitanize, v.
cosmopolite, n., a cosmopolitan person. - Gk.
xocr[J.orro'At'r'J)~- See prec. word.
Derivatives: cosmopolit-ic, cosmopolit-ic-al,
adjs., cosmopolit-ism, n.
cosmorama, n., an exhibition of views of different
parts of the world. - Compounded of Gk.
x6cr[Lo<;, 'world', and 8pii[Lx, 'that which is seen,
view, sight', fr. opii'll, 'to see'. For the first element see cosmos. The second element is cogn.
with L. vcrerf, 'to observe with awe, revere, respect, fear', OE. w;er, 'cautious, aware'. See
ware, 'alert', and cp. the second element in diorama, myriorama, panorama. Cp. also -rama.
Derivative: cosmoram-ic, adj.
cosmos, n., the world conceived as an ordered
whole. - Gk. x6cr[Lo~, 'order, ornament, decoration, set form; world, universe', whence
xocr[Lii'll, 'to order, arrange, adorn', xocr[L'IJ'6c;
(verbal adj.), 'well-ordered, regular'; of uncertain origin. Cp. cosmetic, the first element in
cosmetology and the second element in macrocosm, microcosm.
coss, n. - A variant spelling of kos.
cossack, n., one of a people of the southern Soviet
union in Europe and near-by parts of Asia,
noted as horsemen. - Russ. kozak, kazak, fr.
Turk. qaziiq, qiiziiq, 'nomad, vagabond'.
cosset, n., a lamb reared by hand, a pet lamb.Prob. fr. OE. cot-siita, 'cottage dweller, house
dweller', fr. cot, 'cot, house', and sxta, 'dweller',
fr. sittan, 'to sit, to dwell'. See cot, 'cottage', and
sit. For sense development cp. G. Hauslamm,
'pet lamb', fr. Haus, 'house', and Lamm, 'lamb',
and It. casiccio, 'pet lamb', fr. casa, 'house'.
Derivative: cosset, tr. v., to treat as a pet.
cost, intr. v. - ME. costen, fr. OF. coster (F.
coitter), 'to cost', fr. L. constiire, 'to stand together, to be established, settled, certain, evident', which is formed fr. con- and stare, 'to
stand'; cp. It. constare, OProven.;. Cat., Sp.
costar, Port. custar, 'to cost', Rum. custd, 'to
live', which all derive fr. L. constiire. See state
and cp. coustant.
cost, n. -OF. (F. cout), back formation fr. cosIer (F. couter). Cp. It., Sp. costo, Sp. costa,
Port. custa, 'cost, price', Rum. cust, 'duration
of life', and see cost, v.
Derivatives: cost-less, adj., cost-less-ness, n.,
cost-ly, adv., cost-li-ness, n.
costal, adj., pertaining to a rib or ribs. -F., fr.
ML. costa/is, fr. L. costa, 'rib, side, coast'. See
coast and adj. suff. -al and cp. coastal. Cp. also
costard, costate, coteau.
Derivative: cmta/-ly, adv.
costard, n., a variety of apple. -Lit. 'ribbed', fr.
OF. coste (F. cote), 'rib', fr. L. costa (see coast

cotangent

and -ard); so called with reference to the ribs

on its surface. Cp. costermonger.
costate, adj., having ribs, ribbed. - L. costiitus,
'having ribs', fr. costa. See costal and adj. suff.
-ate.
costean, intr. v., to bore through the soil down
to the rock to find out the course of a mineral
deposit. - Co. costen, prob. contracted fr.
cothas sten, 'dropped tin'. Co. sten is rei. to
Gael., Ir. stan, 'tin'. See stannary.
coster, n. -Short for costermonger.
costermonger, n., an apple seller. - From orig.
costardmonger, lit. 'apple seller'. See costard
and monger.
costive, adj., constipated. - MF. costive, fr. L.
constlpiitus, pp. of constlpiire, 'to press closely
together'. See coustipate. For the loss of the
French pp. suff. -e in English cp. defile, 'a narrow valley', signal, 'noticeable', trove.
Derivative: costive-ness, n.
costmary, n., a plant with fragrant leaves (Chrysanthemum balsamita) - ME. costmarye, compounded of OE. cost, 'costmary', and Mary.
OE. cost derives fr. L. cost us, fr. Gk. x6crToc;, fr.
Heb. qosh(, 'an oriental aromatic plant', which,
together with Arab. qust, of s.m., is borrowed
fr. OL kimhab.
costo-, combining form meaning 'rib'. - Fr. L.
costa, 'rib'. See costal.
costotome, n., an instrument for the dissection
of ribs. - A hybrid coined fr. L. costa, 'rib',
and Gk. --ro[J.oc;, 'cutting'. See coast and -tome.
costotomy, n., division of a rib (med.) -A hybrid
coined fr. L. costa, 'rib', and Gk. -7op.lii, 'a cutting of', fr. -ro[L~. 'a cutting'. See coast and -tomy.
costume, n., - F., 'costume, dress', fr. It. costume, 'custom, fashion, customary dress, dress',
fr. L. consuetiidinem, ace. of consuetudo, 'custom'. See custom.
Derivatives: costume, tr. v., costum-er, n., costum-cry, n., costum-ing, n.
costumier, n., a costumer. - F., 'dealer in costumes', fr. costume. See prec. word and -ier.
cosy, adj. - A var. spelling of cozy.
Derivatives: cosi-ly, adv., cosi-ness, n.
cot, n., hut, cottage.- ME. cot, cote, fr. OE. cot,
cote, 'cottage, house, dwelling', rei. to ON. kot,
'hut', MDu. cot, cote, Du. kot, 'hovel, cot'. Cp.
cote, coterie, cottage, cotter, 'cottager', cottier.
Derivative: cot, to put in a cot.
cot, n., bedstead; bed (naut.) (Anglo-Ind.) Hind. khii(, kha(vii, fr. OL khdtvii, borrowed
from Dravidian; cp. Tamil katril, 'beadstead'.
cot, n. - Abbreviation of cotangent.
cotangent, n., the tangent of the complement of
an angle (trigon.)- Fr. co. tangens, abbrevation
of ModL. complementf tangens, 'the tangent of
the complement'. This name and its abbreviation
into co. tangens were first used by Edmund
Gunter, a mathematician of the early 17th century. See complement and tangent and cp. cosecant, cosine.

cotarnine

cotarnine, also cotarnin, n., a nonpoisonous alkaloid, C 12H,.N04 (chem.) - Anagram of narcotine; so called in allusion to the circumstance
that cotarnine is obtained by the oxidation of
narcotine.
cote, n., a shelter for pigeons, sheep, etc. -ME.
cote, cot. See cot, 'hut, cottage'.
coteau, n., an upland (Canada and U.S.A.)- F.,
'a hill', fr. OF. coste/, orig. 'side', fr. coste (F.
cote), 'rib, side, hillside', fr. L. costa. See coast.
cotemporary, adj.- The same as contemporary.
cotenant, n., a joint tenant.- Formed fr. co- and
tenant.
coterie, n., an exclusive group of persons. - F.,
'association of country people, set, circle', fr.
OF. cotier, 'cottager, cotter'. See cot, 'hut', and
-ery.
cothurnus, n., the buskin worn by the Greek and
Roman tragic actors; tragedy; tragic style. L., fr. Gk. x6.&opvo<;, which is of foreign, possibly Lydian, origin.
cotillion, n., a lively dance. - F. cotillon, name
of a dance, lit., 'petticoat', dimin. of cotte,
'coat', fr. OF. cote, fr. Frankish *kotta, 'coat'.
See coat and cp. cotta.
cotise, n., the fourth part of a band, used in pairs
(her.) - F. cotice, fr. ML. coticium, fr. cota,
cotta, 'tunic', which is of Teut. origin. See coat
and cp. cotillion, cotta.
Derivative: cotise, tr. v.
Cotoneaster, n., a genus of plants of the apple
family (bot.)- ModL., formed with the pejorative suff. -aster fr. L. cotonea, 'quince'. See
quince.
cotrustee, n., a joint trustee. - Formed fr. coand trustee.
cotta, n., a short surplice (eccles.) - ML. cotta,
'tunic', of Teut. origin. See coat and cp. words
there referred to.
cottabus, n., a game in vogue at drinking parties
in ancient Athens. - L., fr. Gk. x6n:x~o:;, 'a
Sicilian game of throwing the wine left in one's
cup into a metal basin', which stands perh. for
*x6Tf:x~o:; and is rei. to xo"t"UA'YJ, 'cup'. See
cotyledon,
cottage, n. - AF. cotage, a hybrid coined fr. OF.
cote, a Frankish loan word (see cot, 'hut, cottage'), and -age, a suff. of Latin origin.
Derivatives: cottag-ed, adj., cottag-er, n.
cotter, cottar, n., a cottager. - ML. cotiirius, cottiirius, fr. cola, cotta. See cot, 'hut, cottage'.
cotter, n., a wedge, bolt. - Of unknown origin.
cotterite, n., a variety of quartz (mineral.) Named after its discoverer Miss Cotter, of Rockforest, Ireland. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
Cottidae, n. pl., a family of fishes, the sculpins,
etc. (iclzthyol.) - ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. Cottus (q. v.)
cottier, n., a cottager. -OF. cotier, fr. cote. See

cote and -ier.

cotton, n.- ME. eaton, fr. F. eaton, fr. Sp. eaton,

360

fr. Arab. qu(un, whence also It. cotone, OProven9. eaton, Port. cotiio, Du. katoen, and
(through the medium of Dutch) G. Kattun, 'cotton'. Cp. acton, kittel.
Derivatives: cotton, adj., cotton, v. (q.v.), cotton-y, adj.
cotton, intr. v., to agree. - Fr. cotton, n. The
orig. meaning of the verb was 'to stick together
like cotton'.
cotula, n., an ancient Greek measure (Greek antiq.) - L. cotula, cotyla, 'a small vessel; a
measure of capacity', fr. Gk. XOTUA'YJ. See
cotyledon.
Coturnix, n., a genus of birds, the Old World
quail (ornithol.)- L. coturnix, 'a quail', dissimilated from earlier cocturnix, quocturnix, fr.
base *qwok-, imitative of the quail's cry. For a
similar, but not related, imitative base cp. quail,
the bird.
cotwal, n. - A var. spelling of kotwal.
cotyledon, n., a seed leaf (bot.)- L., 'navelwort',
fr. Gk. xo-ru).'YJ86>v, 'any cup-shaped hollow,
navelwort', fr. xo"t"U).'YJ, 'anything hollow, a cup,
socket of a joint', which is possibly rei. to
x6n:x~o<;, 'cottabus' (name of a game), and
cogn. with L. catinus, 'deep vessel for cooking,
or serving up, food' (whence dimin. catillus);
cp. ON. ketill, OHG. ke33il, 'kettle', which are
borrowed fr. L. catillus, and see kettle. Cp.
acotyledon, cotyliscus, cotula. Cp. also cottabus.
cotyledonous, adj., having cotyledons.- Formed
from prec. word with suff. -ous.
cotyliscus, n., a small cup (Greek and Roman antiq.) - L., fr. Gk. xo-rui>.lcrxo:;, 'a little cup',
dimin. of xoTUA1J. See cotyledon.
cotyloid, adj., cup-shaped. - Compounded of
xo"t"U).1J, 'cup', and -oE~8~<;. 'like', fr. d8o<;, 'form,
shape'. See cotyledon and -oid.
couch, n., a bed.- F., fr. coucher, 'to lay down'.
See couch, v.
couch, tr. and intr. v.- F. coucher, 'to lay down,
put to bed', fr. OF. co/chier, couchier, coucher,
of s.m., fr. L. col/ocare, 'to place, station, arrange', whence also It. collocare, Proven9. co/car,
co/gar, 'to lay, place', Sp. co/gar, 'to hang up,
suspend', It. co/care, coricare, Rum. culca, 'to
lay down, put to bed'. See collocate and cp.
accouchement.
Derivatives: couch-er, n., couch-ing, n.
couch, n., couch grass. - See couch grass.
Derivative: cauch-y, adj.
couchant, adj., lying down with the head up (her.)
- F., pres. part. of coucher. See couch, v., and
-ant.
couch grass. - A var. of quitch grass.
cougar, n.- F. couguar, a name coined by Buffon
on analogy of jaguar fr. cuguacuarana, supposed
to be a Brazilian word. In reality, however, this
latter is due to an erroneous reading. Tupi susuarana was transliterated by the Portuguese into
{:U(:uarana. Through the negligent omission of
the cedillas from under the letters c arose the

361

word from which Buffon coined F. couguar.

cough, intr. v. - ME. cowhen, coughen, fr. OE.
*cohhian (whence OE. cohhetan, 'to make a
noise'), rei. to MDu. cochen, Du. kuchen, 'to
cough', MHG. kitchen, 'to breathe'. Cp. G.
keuchen, 'to pant, gasp', which is a blend of
MHG. kitchen, 'to breathe', and kichen, 'to
pant'. For this latter see chincough.
Derivatives: cough, n., cough-er, n.
could, aux. v. -Past tense of can, fr. ME. coude,
fr. OE. citpe. The lin could is etymologically incorrect and due to the analogy of should and
would.
coulee, n., a stream of solidified lava. - F., fern.
pp. of couler, 'to flow', used as a noun. See
next word.
coulisse, n., back stage place. - F., prop. fern.
of the adj. coulis, 'that which glides' (in vent
coulis, 'a wind that comes through crevices'),
fr. OF. coleis, coulefs, fr. VL. *coliiticius, 'that
which pertains to gliding', fr. L. co/are, 'to
strain, filter', in VL. 'to flow; to glide', fr. colum,
'strainer'. See colander and cp. words there
referred to.
couloir, n., a mountain gully, gorge.- F., 'strainer; corridor, passage way', fr. couler, 'to flow,
run, strain', fr. L. colare. See prec. word.
coulomb, n., the unit of quantity in electricity. Named after the French physicist CharlesAugustin de Coulomb (r736-r8o6).
coumarin, n., a crystalline substance (chem.) F. coumarine, fr. coumarou, 'the Tonka-bean
tree', fr. Tupi cumaru.
council, n. - OF. cuncile, fr. L. concilium, 'a
gathering, meeting, assembly', which stands for
*con-caliom, and prop. means 'a calling together', fr. con- and calare, 'to call, proclaim'.
See calends and cp. conciliar, conciliate. For the
change of Latin a (in *con-ciiliom) to I (in concilium) see abigeat and cp. words there referred
to. Council was often confused with counsel.
councilor, councillor, n. - Formed from prec.
word with agential suff. -or.
counsel, n. - ME. conseil, counseil, fr. OF. consei/, counseil (F. conseil), fr. L. con.silium, 'deliberative assembly; consultation, deliberation,
plan, design, advice, counsel', which is prob.
rei. to consulere, 'to take counsel, deliberate'.
See consult, v.
counsel, tr. v. - ME. conseillen, fr. F. conseiller,
'to advise, counsel, recommend', fr. L. consiliari, 'to take counsel; to give counsel', fr.
c6nsilium. See counsel, n.
counselor, counsellor, n. - ME. counseiller, fr.
OF. conseilleor, conseiilere (F. conseil/er), fr. L.
c6nsiliiit6rem, ace. of consiliiitor, 'counselor',
fr. c6nsiliari. See counsel, v., and agential suff_
-or.
count, tr. and intr. v. - ME. counten, fr. OF.
canter (F. compter), 'to count, reckon', fr. L.
computare, 'to sum up, reckon'. See compute
and cp. conte. Cp. also account, discount, re-

counterfort

count. Modern French differentiates between

compter, 'to count', and confer, 'to narrate',
although the two words are etymologically
identical.
Derivatives: count-able, adj. and n., count-ableness, n., countabl-y, adv.
count, n., the act of reckoning. -Late L. computus, fr. L. computiire. See count, v., and cp.
computus.
count, n., a title of nobility. - AF. counte, fr.
OF. conte (F. comte), fr. L. comitem, ace. of
comes, 'companion' (in Late L. also 'one belonging to the imperial court'), fr. *com-i-t-, lit.
'one who goes with another', fr. com- and the
stem of ire, 'to go'; see itinerate. Cp. It. conte,
OProvenc. comte, Catal., Sp. and Port. conde,
'count', which all derive fr. L. comitem. Cp. also
countess, county, contessa, concomitant, the first
element in constable, and the second element in
viscount.
countenance, n. - OF. ( = F.) contenance, 'demeanor, bearing', fr. L. continentia, 'a holding
together; self control', fr. continens, gen. -en tis,
pres. part. of continere, 'to hold together'. See
contain and -ance and cp. continence, which is
a doublet of countenance.
Derivatives: countenance, tr. v., countenanc-er,n.
counter, n., one who counts. - ME. countour,
fr. OF. conteor (F. compteur), fr. Late L. computiitorem, ace. of computator, 'computer,
reckoner', fr. L. computiitus, pp. of computiire.
See count, 'to reckon', and agential suff. -er.
counter, n., a table on which money is counted.
- ME. countour, fr. OF. conteoir (F. comptoir),
fr. ML. computiit6rium, prop. 'a place for counting, fr. L. computiire. See count, 'to reckon'.
counter, adv., in the opposite way or direction. F. contre, fr. L. contrii, 'against, opposite'. See
contra-.
counter, adj., contrary. - Fr. prec. word.
counter, n., that which is opposite or contrary
to something. - Fr. counter, adj.
counter, tr. v., to go or act counter to; intr. v., to
make a counter move; to oppose. - Fr. counter, adv. Cp. encounter.
counter-, combining form expressing opposition,
contrast, correspondence, reciprocity. - F.
contre-, fr. contre, 'against', fr. L. contrii. See
counter, adv.
counterfeit, adj. - OF. contrefait, contrefet (F.
contrefait), pp. of contrefaire, 'to counterfeit',
fr. contre, 'against', and faire (fr. L. facere), 'to
make, do'. See counter- and fact.
Derivatives: counterfeit, n. and v., counterfeit-er,
n., counterfeit-ly, adv., counterfeit-ment, n.,
counterfeit-ness, n.
counterfoil, n., a stub. -Formed fr. counter- and
foil, 'a thin leaf of metal'.
counterfort, n., a buttress.- F. contrefort, lit., 'a
strong support placed against the wall', fr.
contre, 'against', and fort, 'strong'. See counterand fort.

countermark
countermark, n. - F. contremarque, fr. contre,
'against', and marque, 'mark'. See counter- and
mark.
countermark, tr. v. - F. contremarquer, fr. contremarque. See countermark, n.
counterpaly, adj., paly and divided fesswise (her.)
-F. contrepa/e, fr. contre, 'against', and pale,
'provided with pales', fr. pal, 'a stake'. See
counter- and pale, 'stake', and cp. paly.
counterpane, n., a coverlet. -Fr. earlier counterpoint, 'coverlet', fr. earlier F. contrepointe,
which is a blend of contre, 'against', and OF.
coite-pointe, lit. 'quilt stitched through', fr. L.
culcita puncta, fr. culcita, 'quilt', and puncta,
fern. pp. of pungere, 'to prick, pierce, point'.
See quilt and point, n., and cp. counterpoint,
'counterpane'. F. courtepointe, 'counterpane', is
a blend of court, 'short', and contrepointe. The
second element in E. counterpane is due to a
confusion of OF. pointe, 'stitched through',
with pan, 'cloth', fr. L. pannus, 'piece of cloth'
(see pane).
counterpoint, n., combination of melodies (mus.)
-OF. contrepoint, fr. ML. cant us contrapunctus
(whence also It. contrappunto), from the term
punctus contra punctum, 'note against note' (lit.
'point against point'). The former practice was
to write the notes for the accompanying voice
against (i.e. over or under) the notes for the first
voice. See counter- and point, n., and cp. contrapuntal.
counterpoint, n., a counterpane (obsol.) - Fr.
earlier F. contrepointe, 'coverlet'. See counterpane.
counterpoise, n., a counterweight. - ME. countrepeis, fr. OF. contrepois (F. contrepoids), fr.
contre, 'against', and pais (F. poids), 'weight'.
See counter- and poise, n.
counterpoise, tr. v., to counterbalance. - ME.
countrepesen, countrepeisen, fr. OF. contrepeis-,
contrepois-, pres. sing. stem of contrepeser. See
counter- and poise, v., and cp. counterpoise, n.
counterscarp, n., the outer slope of a ditch (fort.)
- F. contrescarpe, fr. It. contrascarpa, fr. contra, 'against' (fr. L. contra), and scarpa, 'scarp'.
See counter- and scarp.
countersign, tr. v. - F. contresigner, fr. MF., fr.
contre, 'against', and signer, 'to sign' (fr. L.
signare). See counter- and sign, v. and n.
countersign,n.- MF. contresigne, fr. contresigner.
See countersign, tr. v.
countertenor, n., a high tenor voice (mus.)- MF.
contreteneur, fr. It. contratenore, fr. contra,
'against', and tenore, 'a tenor'. See counter and
tenor.
countervail, tr. and intr. v., 1) to compensate;
2) to counteract. - ME. countrevailen, fr. OF.
contrevaloir, 'to be effective against', fr. contre,
'against', and valoir, 'to be worth' (fr. L. valere,
'to be strong, be well, be worth'). See counterand valiant.
countess, n. - OF. contesse (F. comtesse), fern.

362

of conte (F. comte), 'count'. See count, 'title of

nobility', and -ess.
countless, adj. - Formed fr. count, 'number',
with suff. -less; first used by Shakespeare.
countrified, adj. - Pp. of obsol. countnfy, arbitrarily formed fr. country and suff. -fy.
country, n. - ME. contree, fr. OF. cuntree, contree (F. contree), fr. Late L. contrata, 'land lying
opposite', fr. L. contra, 'against, opposite'. See
contra- and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
It., OProven~. Catal., Sp. and Port. contrada,
which also derive fr. Late L. contrata.
county, n. - OF. cunte, conte, contee (F. comte),
fr. L. comitatus, 'escort, retinue', lit. 'a company', fr. comitatus, pp. of comitarl, 'to accompany', fr. comes, gen. comitis, 'companion'. See
count, 'title of nobility', and cp. contadino and
posse comitatus.
Derivative: county, adj.
coup, n., a successful stroke of business. - F.,
'stroke, blow', fr. VL. colpus (occurring in the
text of the Salic law), fr. L. colaphus, 'a blow
with the fist, a box on the car', fr. Gk. x6Atx<po~,
ofs.m., which is rei. to xoA~rr-rztv, 'to hew, cut',
fr. I.-E. base *qola-, 'to strike, cut', whence also
xoAouEtv, 'to cut short, curtail', x6Ao~. 'docked,
curtailed, stunted; short-horned, hornless',
xoAo~6~, 'docked, curtailed, stunted, mutilated'.
See calamity and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also cope, 'to struggle with', coppice, copse,
coopt\ coupee, coupon, recoup, culpable and the
second element in Dendrocolaptidae.
coupe, n., 1) a half-compartment in a European
railway car; 2) a closed carriage seating two
persons with an outside seat for the driver; 3) a
closed two-door automobile. - F., prop. pp. of
couper, 'to cut', used as a noun, fr. coup, 'stroke,
blow'. See prec. word and cp. next word.
coupee, n., a term of dancing. -F., prop. fern.
pp. of couper, 'to cut', used as a noun. See
coup and cp. preceding word.
couple, n. - OF. cople, cuple, couple (F. couple),
fr. L. copula, 'that which binds together, band,
bond'. See copula and cp. couplet.
couple, tr. and intr. v. - OF. copier, cupler,
coupler (F. coupler), fr. L. copulare, 'to bind together, couple', fr. copula. See prec. word.
Derivatives: coupl-ed, adj., coupl-er, n., coupling, n.
couplet, n., a pair of usually rhyming lines. F., dimin. of couple. See couple, n., and -et.
Derivative: couplet-eer, n.
coupon, n., a detachable part of a ticket or a certificate.- F., lit. 'a piece cut off', fr. couper, 'to
cut', fr. coup, 'stroke, blow'. See coup.
courage, n.- ME. carage, fr. OF. carage, curage,
courage (F. courage), fr. VL. *coraticum(whence
also It. coraggio, OProven~. coratge, Sp. coraje,
Port. coragem), fr. L. cor, 'heart'. See cordate
and -age and cp . .encourage, discourage.
courageous, adj. - AF., fr. OF. corageus (F.
courageu.x), fr. carage. See prec. word and -ous.

363

Derivatives: courageous-ly, adv., courageousness, n.

courant, n., a newspaper (now used only in the
names of newspapers). - F., 'running', pres.
part. of courir, 'to run'. See current, adj., and
-ant and cp. next word.
courante, n., a dance characterized by running
steps.- F. courante, fern. of courant. See prec.
word.
courier, n., a messenger. -F. courrier, fr. It. carriere, fr. ML. currerius, 'a professional runner',
fr. L. currere, 'to run'. See current, adj.
courlan, n., a bird of the genus Aramus. - F.,
changed fr. courliri, fr. Galibi kurliri, which is
of imitative origin.
course, n. - Partly fr. F. cours, fr. L. cursus, 'a
running, course', partly fr. F. course, fr.lt. corsa,
'a course', which also derives fr. L. cursus, fr.
curs-(um), pp. stem of cunere, 'to run'. See
current, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: course, tr. and intr. v., courser
(q.v.), cours-ing, n.
courser, n., a swift horse. - F. coursier, fr. ML.
cursarius, fr. L. curs us, 'a running, course'. See
course.
courser, n., a bird of the genus Cursorius (ornithol.) - Late L. cursorius, 'pertaining to running', fr. L. cursus, 'a running, course'. See
course and cp. prcc. word.
court, n. - ME. court, curt, fr. OF. court, curt
(F. cour), 'court, yard'. fr. L. cortem, ace. of
cors, contracted form of cohors, 'yard, enclosure;
company; crowd, cohort', which is formed fr. coand I.-E. *ghrtis, 'enclosure', fr. base *gherdh-,
'to enclose', whence also L. hortus, 'garden', lit.
'an enclosed place', Gk. yfip-ro~, 'enclosed place:
cattle farm'. Goth. gards, 'house', OE. geard,
'piece of land, garden, yard'. Cp. Rum. curte,
It., Sp., Port. corte, OProven~ . Catal. cart, which
all derive fr. L. cor/em. See yard, 'enclosure',
and cp. cohort, which is a doublet of court. Cp.
fllso cortege, curtain, curtilage.
Derivatives: court, tr. v., courteous, courtesy
(qq.v.), court-ier, n., court-ier-ly, adj., court-ling,
n., court-ly, adj. and adv .. court-li-ness, n.
courtcard, n., a king, queen or knave of playing
cards. - Folk-etymological alteration of original coat-card.
courteous, adj.---- ME. cortais, corteis, cortois, fr.
OF. curteis, corteis (F. courtois). See court and
-ous and cp. courtesy.
Derivatives: courteous-ly, adv., courteous-ness, n.
courtesan, courtezan, n. - F. courtisane, fern.
of courtisan, 'courtier', fr. It. cortigiano, fr.
corte, 'court'. See court.
courtesy, n. - ME. cortaisie, corteisie, cortesie,
courtesie, fr. OF. cortesie, corteisie (F. courtoisie), fr. corteis (F. courtois). See courteous
and -y (representing OF. -ie) and cp. curtesy,
curtsy.
couscous, n., an African dish of meat and steamed
flour. - F., fr. Arab. kuskus, fr. kdskasa, 'he

covenant
pounded', which is rei. to Heb. kiskis, of s.m.
These verbs are prop. Pilpel forms of Arab.
kdssa, resp. Heb. kasds, 'he chewed'. Cp. Akkad. kasasu, 'to cut small', Aram.-Syr. kiss'thd,
Akkad. kissatu, 'fodder'.
cousin, n. - F. cousin, rei. to OProven~. cozin;
fr. L. consobrfnus, 'cousin-german', orig. denoting only 'the child of a mother's sister', fr.
con- and sobrfnus, 'a cousin by the mother's
side', contraction of sororlnus, from soror, 'sister' (hence prop. meaning 'sister's child'), which
is cogn. with Goth. swistar, OE. sweostor, 'sister'. See sister and cp. cozen.
Derivatives: cousin-ly, adj. and adv., cousinhood, n., cousin-ship, n.
coutel, n., a kind of knife (lzist.) - OF. coutel
(whence F. couteau), fr. L. cultellus, dimin. of
culter, 'plowshare, knife'. See colter.
coutil, coutille, n., a close-woven canvas fabric. F. coutil, 'drill, twill, ticking', fr. OF. coute
(now couette, coite), 'featherbed', fr. L. culcita,
'sack filled with feathers, cushion', which is
cogn. with 01. kurca(l, 'bundle, bunch, tuft'.
Cp. quilt and words there referred to.
couvade, n., a practice among some primitive
peoples according to which, when a child is
born, the father also takes to bed and takes care
of the child. - F., 'a brood', fr. couver, 'to
brood', fr. L. cubare, 'to lie down'. See covey
and -ade and cp. concubine.
cove, n., a small bay; a sheltered nook.- ME.,
fr. OE. cofa, 'chamber', rei. to ON. kofi, 'hut',
MHG. kobe, G. Kohen, 'pigsty', and cogn. with
Gk. yumJ, 'cave, den, hole', y6<jl, gen. yurr6~,
'vulture', fr. I.-E. *geu-p-, a -p-cnlargement of
base *geu-, 'to bend. curve, arch', whence Gk.
y,'rr,~, 'the curved piece of a wood in a plow',
yui:ov, 'limb' (chiefly used in the pl. yui:tx), and
*Y')-i, 'hand', which proh. appears in E:yy,','Y),
'surety, security, bail', prop. 'pledge put into
one's hand', and in E:yY')~. 'near'. Cp. base
*g(u)wel-, an -/-enlargement of base *geu-,
whence 01. gola/:1, gula/:1, 'sphere', Gk. y!JtxAov,
'a hollow', Megarian Y'J~).-i~, 'cup', Gk. Y'JALO~
(also y,',i.tCJc;), 'long-shaped wallet', OHG. kiol,
vessel', kiulla, 'pocket, wallet'. Cp. bowel
and words there referred to, cod, 'a small bag',
endyscope, Gyps, gyre. For derivatives of I.-E.
*qeu-p-, a collateral form of base *geu-p-, see
cup and words there referred to.
Derivatives: core, tr. and intr. v., cov-ed, adj.
cove, n., fellow, chap (slang). - Gypsy kora,
'that man'.
co,ellite, n., indigo copper (mineral.)- Named
after the Italian chemist Niccolo Covelli (17\IO
1829), who discovered it in the lava of Mount
Vesuvius. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
coven, covine, n., an assembly of witches. -OF.
covent, 'assembly'. See coment and cp. covin.
OF. corcnant, 'a coming together,
cmenant, n.
assembly', prop. pres. part. of covenir, 'to come
together, assemble', whence F. convenir, 'to

cover

agree; to suit, fit'. See convene and -ant and

cp. convenient.
Derivatives: covenant, v., covenant-ed, adj.,
covenant-er, n.
cover, tr. v. -OF. covrir, cuvrir (F. couvrir), fr.
L. cooperlre, 'to cover wholly, cover', fr. coand operlre, 'to cover', for *op-wer'ire, which is
formed fr. ob, 'toward', and I.-E. base *wer-,
'to enclose, cover'. See ob- and weir and cp.
aperient, operculum. Cp. also the first element
in curfew.
Derivatives: cover, n., cover-age, n., cover-ed,
adj., cover-er, n., cover-ing, adj. and n.
coverlet, n., a bedcover.- ME. coverlyte, fr. AF.
cover/it (cp. F. couvre-lit), fr. OF. covrir, cuvrir
(F. couvrir), 'to cover', and lit, 'bed', fr. L.lectus.
See cover and lie, 'to recline'.
covert, adj., 1) covered, hidden, sheltered; 2) (law)
married (said of a woman), lit. 'covered (i.e.
protected) by her husband'. - ME., fr. OF.
covert (F. couvert), pp. of covrir. See cover and
cp. overt. Cp. also feme covert and discovert.
Derivatives: covert, n., covert-ly, adv., covertness, n.
coverture, n., the status of a married woman(law).
- OF. (F. couverture), fr. covert, pp. of covrir.
See prec. word and -ure.
covet, tr. and intr. v.- Fr. OF. coveitier, fr. VL.
*cupidietiire, fr. *cupidietiis, altered fr. L. cupiditiis, 'desire', fr. cupere, 'to desire'; see Cupid.
OF. coveitier soon became conveitier (F. convoiter) on analogy of the numerous words beginning with con-.
Derivatives: covet-able, adj., covet-er, n., coveting, adj., covet-ing-ly, adv., covetise (q.v.), covetive-ness, n., covetous (q.v.)
covetise, n., covetousness (obsol.)- OF. coveitise
(F. convoitise), fr. VL. *cupiditia, fr. L. cupidus,
'desirous', fr. cupere, 'to desire'. Sec covet and
-ise.
covetous, adj. - OF. coveitos (F. convoiteux),
from the stem of coveitier, 'to covet'. See covet
and -ous.
Derivatives: covetous-ly, adv., covetous-ness, n.
covey, n., a brood of partridges. - OF. covee
(F. couVI?e), prop. fern. pp. of cover (F. couver),
'to sit on, hatch', fr. L. cubiire, 'to lie down',
which is cogn. with Gk. xu~oc;, 'hollow above
the hip of cattle'. See cubicle.
covid, n., a varying measure of length. - IndoPort., fr. Port. covado, 'ell, cubit', fr. L. cubitum,
cubitus, 'elbow, ell, cubit', whence also Sp. codo,
Catal. co/de, colze, Provenc. coide, F. coude,
Tosc. govito, Olt. gombito, It. gomito, Rum. cot,
'elbow'. See cubit.
covil, n. - A var. spelling of kovil.
covin, n., an unlawful agreement (law). - OF.
covin, covine, lit. 'a coming together', fr. covenir.
See covenant and cp. coven.
covine, n. - See coven.
coving, n., a cove or series of coves (archit.) .:.....
Formed fr. cove, 'arch,' with subst. suff. -ing.

364

cow, n.- ME. ky, kye, fr. OE. cu, rei. to OS. ko,
OFris. ku, MDu. coe, Du. koe, OHG. chua,
kuo, MHG. kuo, G. Kuh, Dan. and Swed. ko,
ON. kyr, Norw. kyr, ko, 'cow', and cogn. with
Olr. b6, W. buw, 'cow', L. b6s, Gk. ~ouc; (for
*gwiius-), 'ox', Lett. guovs, 'cow', OSlav. *govrtdo, Czech hovado, Slovak hoviido, 'ox', 01.
gdu/:1, Avestic giiush, 'ox, bull, cow', Toch. A
ko, ki, B keu, 'cow', Arm. l~ov, 'cow', kogi,
'butter'. All these words ult. derive fr. Sumeric
gu (fr. earlier gud), 'bull, ox', a word of imitative origin. Chinese ng6, ngu, 'ox', is a Sumeric
loan word (possibly through the medium of an
Indo-European language). Cp. kine. Cp. also
Bos, boustrophedon, bovine, Bucentaur, Bucephalus, Buceros, bucolic, buffalo, bugle, bugloss,
Bupleurum, Buprestis, Busycon, butter, Gaekwar, gaur, Gautama, gopura, hecatomb, nilgai,
priest, sang-de-boeuf.
Derivatives: cow-ish, adj., cow-like, adj.
cow, tr. v., to frighten. - ON. kuga (whence
Dan. kue), 'to tyrannize over'.
coward, adj.- OF. coart, coard, couard (F. couard), fr. OF. coe (F. queue), 'tail', prop. 'one
who turns tail', fr. L. c6do, secondary form of
cauda, 'tail', pro b. orig. meaning 'stump, anything cut off', and related to caudex, 'trunk of
a tree, block of wood'. Sec caudal and -ard.
Derivatives: coward, n., cowardice (q.v.), coward-ly, adv., coward-li-ness, n.
cowardice, n. - ME. cowardise, fr. OF. ( = F.)
couardise, fr. couard. See prec. word and -ice.
cower, intr. v., to crouch in fear. - ME. couren,
of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. kura, 'to doze, lie
quiet', Dan. kure, Swed. kura, 'to squat', which
are rei. to MLG. kuren, G. kauern, 'to squat,
cower', and cogn. with Gk. yiJpoc;, 'circle',
yi)p6~. 'rounded, curved'. See gyre.
cowhage, also cowitch, n., the Indian climbing
plant Mucuna pruriens, the hairs of which
cause itching. - Anglicized fr. Hind. kewiinch,
fr. OI. kapikacchft/:1, lit. 'monkey itch', fr. kapi~,
'monkey', and kacchu/:1, 'itch'. 01. kapi~ is etymologically connected with Akkad. uqupu, He b.
q6ph, Gk. x~1toc;, x~~oc;, and with Egypt. qephi,
'monkey', however, the ultimate origin of these
words has not yet been established. See Manfred
Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymological Sanskrit
Dictionary, I, 156 s.v. kapi~, 'monkey'. 01.
kacchilh, 'itch', and the related kharju/:1, 'itching,
scratching', are Dravidian loan words; cp.
Kanarese kaccu, karcu, 'to bite, sting, ail'.
cowl, n., a hood. - ME. cowle, fr. OE. cuge/e,
cute, fr. L. cucu/lus, 'hood', which is prob. of
Gaulish origin; cp. L. bardocucullus, 'a Gaulish
overcoat with a cowl of wool', prop. meaning
'the cowl of a bard', fr. *bardus, 'bard', and
cucullus, 'cowl'. lr. cochull, 'a veil covering the
head and the shoulders', has been reborrowed
fr. L. cucul/us. Cp. cucullate.
Derivative: cowl, tr. v.
cowl, n., a large tub for water.- ME. covel, coul,

365

fr. OF. cuvele, fr. Late L. cupel/a, dimin. of

L. cupa, 'tub, cask'. See cup and cp. words there
referred to.
cowle, n., a grant in writing (Ang/o-Ind.)- Hind.
qawl, fr. Arab. qaul, 'sound, voice, saying,
word', from the base of qdla, 'he spoke', rei. to
Heb. q6l, 'sound, voice', Ugar. q/, Aram. qiil,
qiild, Syr. qiilti, Ethiop. qiil, of s.m., Akkad.
qulu, 'shouting' and to Heb. qiihdl, 'assembly,
congregation', hiqhfl, 'he assembled', qlhil/tih,
'assembly, congregation'. Cp. kehillah, Koheleth and the second element in bathkoL
cowrie, cowry, n., a small shell of the genus Cypraea, used as money in parts of S. Asia. Hind. kauri, kawjl, fr. Mahrati kavaf/i, fr. 01.
kaparda/:1, kapardika-, derived-through the
medium of the forms *kavatu, kapa(u, *kapardu-fr. Tamil ko(u, 'shell', orig. meaning
'crookedness'.
cowslip, n., a plant with yellow flowers. - OE.
cu-s/yppe, fr. cu, 'cow', and slyppe, 'slime'. See
cow and slip and cp. oxlip.
Derivative: cows lipp-ed, adj.
cox, n. and tr. v. (colloq.)- Short for coxswain.
coxa, n., the hip (anat.) - L., 'hip', cogn. with
01. kdk$a/:l, kak~ii, 'armpit', OE. hoh, 'heel', and
with the first element in OE. h6h-sinu, 'hock
sinew'. See hock, 'joint in the hind leg of a
horse', and cp. cuisse, cushion, Quixotic.
Derivative: cox-al, adj.
coxalgia, n., pain in the hip (med.)- A Medical
Latin hybrid coined fr. L. coxa, 'hip', and Gk.
-rx)..y[ii, fr. rx)..yo'-, 'pain'. See prec. word and
-algia.
Derivative: coxalg-ic, adj.
coxcomb, n.- For cock's comh. The word orig.
meant 'a cap resembling a cock's comb'.
Derivatives: coxcomb-ess, n., coxcomb-ic, coxcomb-ic-al, adjs., coxcomb-ic-al-ly, adv., coxcomb-ry, n., coxcomb-y, adj.
coxitis, n., inflammation of the hip (med.) - A
~cdical Latin hybrid coined fr. L. coxa, 'hip'
(see coxa) and -itis, a suff. of Greek origin.
coxswain, n., a steersman. - From earlier cockswain, which is compounded of cock, 'cockboat',
and swain.
Derivative: coxswain, tr. and intr. v.
coxy, adj., cheeky (schoolboy's slang). - A var.
of cocky.
coy, adj., shy. - ME., 'quiet', fr. OF. coi, coy,
fr. earlier quei, fr. L. quietus. See quiet, adj.
Derivatives: coy, v., coy-ly, adv., coy-ness, n.
coyote, n., prairie wolf of North America. - Sp.,
fr. Nahuatl koyotl.
coypu, n., a South American water rodent.
Sp., from native name.
coz, n. - Abbreviation of cozen.
coze, intr. v., to talk in a friendly way, to chat. Prob. fr. F. causer, 'to talk', fr. L. causiiri, 'to
plead, dispute, to discuss a question', fr. causa,
'cause, reason, purpose'. See cause and cp.
causerie.

-cracy

cozen, tr. v., to cheat, deceive; intr. v., to act

deceitfully. - Orig. 'to pretend to be a cousin;
to deceive by pretending to be a cousin', fr. F.
cousiner, 'to call cousin, be related to; to
sponge, live on others', fr. cousin. See cousin.
Derivatives: cozen-age, n. (cp. F. cousinage),
cozen-er, n., cozen-ing, adj. and verbal n., cozening-ly, adv.
cozy, also cosy, adj., comfortable. - Prob. fr.
Norw. koselig, 'cosy', fr. kose sig, 'to make oneself comfortable'.
Derivatives: cozi-ly, adv., cozi-ness, n.
crab, n., a crustacean. - ME. crabbe, fr. OE.
crabba, rei. to ON. krabbi, MLG. krabbe, MDu.
crabbe, Du. krab, 'crab', OHG. krebi3, MHG.
krebe3, G. Krebs, 'crayfish'. These words lit.
mean 'the scratcher', and are rei. to Du. krabbelen, 'to scratch'. See crawl and cp. crab, 'crab
apple'. Cp. also OF. crevice, escrevice (F.
ecrevisse), 'crayfish', which derive fr. OHG.
krebi3 (see crayfish).
Derivatives: crab, intr. v., to fish for crabs;
tr. v., to drift sidewise (naut. and aviation),
crabb-y, adj.
crab, n., crab apple. - ME. crabbe, prob. fr.
crab, the animal. For sense development cp.
crabbed.
crab apple, a small, sour wild apple. - See prec.
word and cp. Swed. krabapp/e.
crabbed, adj., peevish, morose.- Lit. 'resembling
a crab'. Formed fr. crab, the animal, with suff.
-ed.

Derivatives: crabb-ed-ly, adv., crabb-ed-ness, n.

crachoir, n., spittoon.- F., fr. cracher, 'to spit',
fr. VL. *cracciire, of s.m. (whence also It. scracchiare, scaracchiare, OProvenc. escracar); of
imitative origin.
crack, intr. and tr. v. - ME. cracken, fr. OE.
cracian, 'to resound', rd. to MDu. craken, Du.
kraken, OHG. krahh6n, MHG., G. krachen, 'to
crack', OE. cearcian, 'to creak, to gnash (the
teeth)', F. craquer, 'to crack', from the I.-E.
imitative base *ger-, 'to make a noise', whence
also Lith. girgzdeti, 'to creak', Arm. karkac,
'to make noise', 01. gdrjati, 'roars', Cp. crack-

net
Derivatives: crack, n. and adj., crack-ed, adj.,
crack-er, n., crackle (q.v.), crack-y, adj.
crackle, intr. v. - Formed fr. crack with freq.
suff. -le.
Derivatives: crackle, n., crackl-ed, adj., crackling, n.
cracknel, n., a kind of hard, brittle biscuit. Fr. earlier crakenel, metathesis of F. craque/in,
'cracknel', fr. MDu. crakelinc (Du. krakeling),
fr. craken, 'to crack'. See crack.
cracovienne, n., a Polish dance. - F. (short for
danse cracovienne, lit. 'a Cracow danse'), fern.
of cracovien, 'of Cracow', fr. Cracovie, 'Cracow'.
ccracy, combining form meaning a certain type
of'rule' or 'government', as in monocracy.- 0 F.
-cracie (F. -cratie), fr. Gk. -xprx..-(ii, 'rule', fr.

cradge

'strength, might, power, rule, sway, dominion' (whence xp(XTdv, 'to be strong, rule
over', xp~lm)~, 'strong, mighty'), which is cogn.
with Goth. hardus, 'hard', OE. heard, 'hard,
brave'. See hard and cp. acrasia, acratia and the
first element in Crataegus.
cradge, n., a small bank raised to prevent overflow of water. - F. creche, 'crib, cradle', fr.
Frankish *kripja, which is rel. to OHG. krippa,
OE. cribb, 'crib'. See crib and cp. cratch, creche.
Derivative: cradge, tr. and intr. v.
cradle, n. - ME. cradel, fr. OE. cradel, cradol,
rei. to OE. cr<et, 'cart', and to OHG. kratto,
'basket', OHG. chrezzo, MHG. krezze, of s.m.,
G. Kriitze, 'basket carried on the back', and
cogn. with OI. grathndti, granthdyati, 'twists,
ties', grantha/:1, 'knot'. Cp. cart.
Derivatives: cradle, tr. v., cradl-er, n., cradl-ing, n.
craft, n., skill. - ME. craft, fr. OE. cr<eft,
'strength, power, skill, cunning; trade, profession', rei. to OS., Dan., Swed., OHG., MHG.,
G. kraft, ON. kraptr, OFris. kreft, MDu. craft,
cracht, Du. kracht, 'strength, power', and perhaps also to ON. krefja, 'to crave, demand',
and to E. crave.
craft, n., a boat, vessel. - Shortened from the
phrase a W'ssel of small craft, in which craft is
used in its original sense (i.e. 'power'). See
prec. word.
crafty, adj. - ME., fr. OE. cril'ftig, fr. cr<eft. See
craft and -Y (representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: crafti-ly, adv., crafii-ness, n.
crag, n., a steep rock. - Of Celtic origin. Cp.
W. craig, Gael. creag, lr. carraig, 'cliff, rock'.
Derivatives: cragg-ed, cragg-y, adjs., cragg-iness, n.
crag, n., neck (dial.)- MDu. crc1ghc (Du. kraag),
'neck, gullet; collar'. See craw.
crake, n., the corn crake. - ME., of imitative
origin. Cp. ON. kriika, 'crow', krakr, 'raven',
and E. croak. Cp. also next word.
crake, intr. v., to utter a harsh cry.- ME. craken,
'to shriek', of imitative origin, and ret. to prec.
word.
cram, tr. and intr. v. - ME. crammcn, fr. OE.
crammian, 'to cram, stuff', fr. crimman, 'to cram,
insert', which is ret. to ON. krcmia, 'to press,
squeeze', fr.I.-E. base *grem-, 'to press, squeeze',
whence also 01. grdma/:1, 'heap, troop, village',
OSiav. gramota, 'a heap',gromada , 'a large heap',
L. grcmium, 'bosom, lap'. Base *grcm- is an enlargement of base *gcr-, 'to gather together'.
See gregarious and cp. gremial.
xp&-ro~,

Deri\'ative';: cran1, n., cranun-cr, n.

Crambe, n., a genus of plants of the mustard

family (hot.) - L. cramhe, fr. Gk. ;qoi:[J.[3r,,
'cabbage', which is rel. to xp7::J.i~''s, 'dry, shriveling', zp''!J.f3r,;:;,, (assimilated fr. *xp-x!J.[3r:.'iv), 'to
roast', and cogn. with OHG. hrimfan, rimfan,
'to contract, wrinkle', OE. hrympel, 'wrinkle'.
See rumple and cp. next word and the seco~d
element in Cynocrambe.

367

366

crambo, n., a game in which one player gives a

word, to which another has to find a rhyme. Fr. Gk. xp&!J.[3'1), 'cabbage', prob. in allusion to
the Latin expression crambe repetfta, 'an old
story', lit. 'cabbage warmed over'. See prec.
word.
cramoisy, adj., crimson. - F. cramoisi, whence
ME. crimosine. See crimson.
cramp, n., spasmodic muscular contraction(me d.)
-ME. crampe, 'spasm', fr. OF. (=F.) crampe,
fr. Frankish *krampa, 'cramp, spasm, convulsion'. Cp. OS., Du. kramp, OHG. kramph(o),
MHG., G. ckrampf, 'cramp, spasm, convulsion',
and see next word.
Derivative: cramp, tr. v.
cramp, n., a bent piece of iron. - MDu. crampe,
cramp, rel. to OHG. kramph, 'bent, crooked',
ON. krappr (for *krampr), 'strait, narrow', and
in gradational relationship to Du. and LG.
krimpen, OHG. krimphan, 'to curve, shrink'.
Cp. prcc. word. Cp. also crimp, v., crumple and
grape, grapple, grapnel.
Derivatives: cramp, tr. v., cramp-ed, adj.
crampon, n., a grappling iron; climbing iron. F., fr. Frankish *kramp-, 'bent, crooked', which
is rei. to OHG. kramph, of s.m. See cramp, 'a
bent piece of iron'.
cran, n., a measure for herrings, 37 gallons.Gael. crann, 'tree, lot, a measure', rel. to Olr.
crann, 'tree', W. prenn, 'tree stump', and possibly cogn. with Gk. rrpsfJ.vov, 'tree stump'. Cp.
crannog.
cranage, n., 1) the use of a crane; 2) the charge
for the use of a crane. - Formed fr. crane with
suff. -age.
cranberry, n.- LG. kranhere, rel. to G. Kranichheere, of s.m. See crane and berry.
crandallite, n., a hydrous calcium-alumi num
phosphate (mineral.) - Named after its discoverer M. L. Cranda11, mining engineer of
Provo, Utah. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
crane, n. - ME. crane, crone, fr. OE. cran, rei.
to OS., OHG. krano, Du. kraan, MHG. krane,
OE. cranoc, cornoc, MLG. kranek, OHG. chranuh, MHG. kranech, G. Kranich, 'crane', and
cogn. with Arm. kfunk, Gk. ytp-xvo~, Co., W.,
Bret. garan, 'crane', Lith. garnys, 'heron, stork',
gen'l:, Lett. dzefl'e, OPruss. gerwe, OSlav. ieravi,
'crane', L ?nis, 'crane'. All these words derive
from the I.-E. imitative base *ger-, 'to utter a
hoarse cry'. Co. the first element in cranberry.
Cp. also Geranium, the first element in Gruiformes, and the last element in pedigree. For the
sense development of crane, which denotes also
'a machine for raising weights' (so called from
the long neck of the instrument), cp. Gk.
yzp-x'lo,, 'crane' (in both senses of the English
word).
Derivatives: crane, tr. v., cran-er, n., crane-y,
adj.
cranial, adj., pertaining to the skull. - Formed

with adj. suff. -al fr. ML. cranium. See cranium.

Derivative: cranial-ly, adv.
cranio-, combining form denoting the skull (anat.)
- Gk. xpe(vto-, fr. xpocv(ov, 'skull'. See cranium.
cr~niology, n., the science dealing with the shape,
size and other characteristics of the human skull.
- Lit. 'the study of the skull', fr. cranio-, and
Gk. -).,oy(oc, fr. -).6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: craniolog-ical, adj., craniolog-ically, adv., craniolog-ist, n.
craniometer, n., an instrument for measuring
skulls. - Compounded of cranio and Gk. fJ.E
Tpav, 'measure'. Sec meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
craniometry, n., the science of measuring skulls.
- Compounded of cranio- and Gk. iJ.ETptoc,
'measure of'. Sec -metry.
cranium, n., the skull (anat.) - Medical L., fr.
Gk. xpocv[ov, 'the skull', which is rei. to, and
prob. derives from, xpi~, gen. xpocTo~ (a poetic
form), 'head', hence rei. also to Ion. x&p'l), Att.
x&poc, Homeric x&p, 'head', Att., Dor. x&pocvav,
Ion. x:Xp1Jvov, 'head', the first element in Gk.
xpoccr-rrEilov, 'edge, border, skirt', lit. 'place of
the head', and cogn. with L. cerebrum, 'brain'.
See cerebrum and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also bias, bucranium, carrot, charivari,
coryphaeus, craspedon, hemicrania, megrim, migraine, pericranium.
crank, n., a turn, twist; part of a machine.- ME.
cranke, rei. to OE. cringan, crincan, 'to bend,
sink down in a battle'. See crank, adj.
crank, adj., bent; sick; cranky. - G. krank,
'sick', fr. MHG. kranc, 'narrow, slender, weak',
which is rei. to MDu. crane, Du. krank, 'sick',
OE. crane, 'brittle, tender', cringan, 'to sink
down in battle, to perish', and to crank, n.,
MHG. krange/, 'circle', is of the same base.
Outside Teut. cp. Lith. grriiu greiti 'to turn
twist', OPruss. granstis, 'bo;er'.- C~. cringe:
crinkle.
Derivatives: crank, tr. and intr. v., crank-ed,
adj., crank-er, n., crank-cr-y, n., crank-lc, tr.
and intr. v. and n., crank-y (sickly), adj., cranki-/.v, adv., crank-i-ness, n.
crannog, n., an ancient lake dwelling in Scotland
or Ireland. -lr. crannog, fr. crann, 'tree, beam'.
See cran.
cranny, n., a small cleft. - ME. cram 'chink'
fr. F. cran, 'notch', a collateral for~ of cren:
of s.m., fr. crener, 'to notch', fr. VL. *creniire,
fr. Late L. crena, 'notch'. See crenel and cp.
crenate.
crape, n. - Anglicized spelling of F. crepe, fr.
OF. crespe, 'curled', fr. L. crispus. See crisp
and cp. crepe.
crape, tr. v. - F. creper, fr. crepe. See crape, n.
crappie, n., name of a fish found in the MissisOf uncertain
sippi (Pomoxis annularis). origin

-crat
crapulence, crapulency, n. - Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
crapulent, adj., sick from excess in eatinoc or
drinking. - L. criipulentus, 'very much m;oxicated', fr. criipula, 'drinking bout, intoxication, debauch', fr. Gk. xpocm&A"J, of s.m., which
is possibly rel. to. xpocmv6c;, 'swift, rushing'.
For the change of Greek oc to u in Latin cp. L.
aplustre fr. Gk. &:cp:l-occr-rav, 'the curved stem of a
ship', L. pessulus, fr. Gk. 7\'occrcroc)..ac;, 'bolt', L.
triumphus, 'triumph', fr. Gk . .&p[oc!-'-f3ac;, 'a procession (made in honor of Bacchus)'; see aplustre, pessulus, triumph.
crapulous, adj., crapulent. - VL. criipulosus, fr.
L. criipula, 'intoxication'. See prec. word and
-ous.
Derivatives: crapulous-ly, adv., crapulous-ness, n.
crash, intr. v., to fall with a noise; tr. v., to cause
ME. craschen, of imitative
to crash.
origin; related to craze and to crack (qq.v.) Cp.
clash.
Derivatives: crash, n., a loud, sudden noise,
crash-er, n.
crash, n., a coarse linen fabric.- Short for Russ.
krashenina, 'colored linen', fr. krashenie, 'a
dyeing', fr. krasit', 'to color, paint, dye', fr.
krasa, 'beauty' (whence also krasnyj, 'red'),
which is rei. to Lith. groiis, 'beauty', graius,
'beautiful'.
crasis, n., contraction of two vowels. - Gk.
xpiicrtc;, 'a mixing, blending', rei. to xpoc-r~p, 'a
large bowl for mixing wine and water'. See
crater and cp. dyscrasia, idiosyncrasy.
craspedon, also craspedum, n., the velum of a
jellyfish (zoo/.) - Gk. Kpoccrrreaov, 'edge, border, skirt', for xp:Xcr-rrdlov, lit. 'place of the
head', fr. xp&~, 'head', and rrEaov, 'ground,
earth'. See cranium and pedal and cp. next word.
Derivative: crasped-a!, adj.
Craspedota, n. pl., a group of coelenterates (zoo/.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. xp'Xcrrtellwd, neut. pl. of
xpoccrrreawT6c;, verbal adj. of Kpomrrello\icr.&oct, 'to
be edged, bordered', fr. xp&:crrrellov. See prec.
word.
crass, adj.- L. crassus, 'thick, solid, dense, fat',
for *qrtt-t6s, fr. I.-E. base *qeriit-, *qert-, 'to roll
or twist together', whence also L. criitis, 'wickerwork, hurdle'. See crate and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also Crassula, cresset, incrassate. Cp. also degras, grease, and the first element in grampus.
Derivatives; crass-ly, adv., crass-ness, n.
crassitude, n., grossness. - L. crassitudo, 'thickness, density, fatness', fr. crassus. See crass and
-tude.
Crassula, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) - ModL.,
a dimin. noun formed fr. L. crassus, 'thick'. See
crass and -ole.
Crassulaceae, n. pl., a family of herbs (bot.) Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
crassulaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
-crat, combining form denoting 'a supporter' or

Crataegus

o>OO

Derivatives: crav-er, n., crav-ing, adj. and n.,

'member' of a certain type of government, as in
crav-ing-ly, adv ., crav-ing-ness, n.
democrat. - F. -crate, fr. Gk. -xp&:TI)~, fr.
craven, adj., cowardly. - ME. cravant, 'beaten,
xpi-roc;, 'strength, power, rule'. See -cracy.
vanquished, overcome', fr. OF. cravant, pres.
Crataegus, n., a genus of plants of the apple family
part. of craver, crever (F. crever), 'to crack,
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xpchoc~yoc;, 'thorn',
break, burst', fr. L. creptire, 'to rattle, crack,
which is compounded of xpocro~. 'strong', and
break with a crack, burst'. See crepitate and cp.
-auyoc;, 'tree, oak'. The first element is cogn.
words there referred to.
with Goth. hardus, OE. heard; see hard. The
Derivatives: craven, n. and tr. v., craven-ly, adv.,
second element is cogn. with L. aesculus, 'the
craven-ness, n.
Italian oak', OE. tic, 'oak'; see oak and cp.
craw, n., the crop of a bird. -ME. crawe, rei. to
Aesculus.
MLG. krage, MDu. craghe, Du. kraag, 'neck,
cratch, n., crib, rack. - ME. crecche, fr. OF.
gullet; collar', MHG. krage, ofs.m., G. Kragen,
creche (F. creche), fr. Frankish *kripja, which is
'collar', and prob. cogn. with Gk. ~p6z.&oc;,
related to OHG. krippa, OE. cribb. See crib and
'throat', l:~po~e: (aor.), 'he swallowed up',
cp. cradge, creche.
~p6r:x.oc;, 'windpipe', Olr. brtigae, 'neck', W.
cratch, tr. and intr. v., to scratch (obsol.)- MDu.
breuant, 'throat, gullet', fr. I.-E. base *gwrJgh-,
cratsen, rei. to OHG. krazzon, 'to scratch'. See
a -gh-enlargement of base *gwer-, 'to swallow',
scratch.
whence L. vorare, 'to devour'. See voracious and
crate, n. - L. crtitis, 'wickerwork, hurdle', fr.
cp. crag, 'neck'. Cp. also bronchus.
I.-E. base *qertit-, *qert-, 'to roll or twist tocrawfish, n. - A var. of crayfish.
gether', whence also L. crassus, 'thick, solid,
crawl, intr. v. - ME. craw/en, fr. ON. krafla,
dense, fat', 01. krtsndl;z, 'complete, whole',
'to paw, crawl', rei. to Dan. kravle, 'to crawl',
Russ.-Church Slav. cristvu, cirstvu, 'firm, solid
Du. krabbelen, 'to scratch', LG. krabben, 'to
genuine', Russ. krutu, 'firm, thick', OE. hyrd,
scratch, claw' (whence G. krabbeln, 'to grope,
'door' (orig. 'door of wickerwork'), hyrdel,
crawl'), and to crab, 'crustacean' (q.v.) Cp.
'hurdle'. See hurdle and cp. cartilage, crass,
scrawl.
creel. The above base is a +enlargement
Derivatives: crawl, n., crawl-er, n., crawl-ing,
of base *qer-, 'to turn, twist', whence L. curvus,
adj. and n., crawl-ing-ly, adv.
'bent, crooked'. See curve and cp. words there
crawl, n., an enclosure in water for turtles. - Du.
referred to.
kraal. See kraal and cp. corral.
crater, n. - L. crater, 'a large bowl for mixing
crayfish, also crawfish, n. - ME. crevise, crevis,
wine and water', fr. Gk. xpiiTijp, which is rei. to
fr. OF. crevice (also escrevice, whence F. ecrexpiicnc;, 'a mixing, blending', xepocwu~oc~, 'to
visse), fr. Frankish *krabitja, *krebitja, dimin.
mix, mingle, blend, temper', &xE:poccr-roc;, &xpiiforms rei. to OS. krebit, MDu. crevet, Du.
-roc;, Ion. c'ixp1J-roc;, 'unmixed, pure', fr. I.-E.
kreeft, OHG. krebi3, MHG. krebe3, G. Krebs,
base *kertii-, *ker-, 'to mix, blend', whence also
and to LG. krabbe, Du. krab, ON. krabbi, OE.
01. sr&yati, 'cooks', srfti, 'mixes, cooks', OE.
crabba, 'crab'. See crab, 'crustacean'.
hreran, 'to move, stir, shake', hrer, 'underdone'.
crayon, n., a stick of colored chalk. - F., 'penSec rare, 'underdone', and cp. krater. Cp. also
cil', orig. 'a chalk pencil', derived fr. craie,
acrasia, dyscrasia, grail, 'chalice', syncretism.
'chalk', fr. L. creta, lit. 'sifted earth', fr. (terra)
Derivatives: crater, intr. v., crater-a/, adj.,
creta, fern. pp. of cernere, 'to sift' (see certain).
crater-ed, adj.
The usual derivation of Latin creta, 'chalk',
crateriform, adj., crater-shaped.- Compounded
from Creta, the Latin name of the isle of Crete,
of crater and L.forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
is erroneous. Any Latin derivative of the island
cratometer, n., an instrument for measuring
name Creta must needs have a Latin suff. If
power. - Compounded of xpchoc;, 'strength,
creta, 'chalk', were really a derivative of the
might, power', and !J.hpo~, 'measure'. See
island name Creta, its form should be cretica or
-cracy and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
cretensis, etc. (for terra Cretica or Cretensis, lit.
Derivatives: cratometr-ic, adj., cratometr-y, n.
'earth of Crete'). Confusion with the isle of
earlier
-An
crunch.
to
v.,
intr.
and
tr.
craunch,
Crete is prob. due to the fact that Cimolus (Gk.
form of crunch.
Kl[Lw),oc;), one of the islands of the Cretan Sea,
cravat, n.- F. cravate, fr. Cravate, 'Croat, Crowas famous for the chalk produced there (see
atian', and lit. meaning 'neckcloth worn by
cimolite). For the sense development of L. creta,
the Croats', fr. Serbo-Crotian Hrvat, 'Croat', fr.
'chalk', lit. ~ifted earth', cp. OS!av. nu!/U,
OSlav. Churvatinu; originally meaning 'necktie
'lime', and Russ. melu, 'chalk', fr. OSlav. meljQ,
after the Croatian fashion'. See Croat.
m/eti, 'to grind'. Cp.lt. creta, OProven~ . Catal.,
Derivative: cravat, tr. and intr. v.
Sp., Port. greda, MLG. krfte, MDu. ( = Du.)
crave, tr. and intr. v. - ME. craven, fr. OE.
krijt, OS. krida, MHG. kride (G. Kreide), Bret.
crafian, 'to demand one's right, ask', rei. to ON.
creiz, etc., which all derive fr. L. creta. The word
krefja, 'to crave, demand', krafa, 'a demand',
crayon was introduced into English by the EngSwed. kriifva, 'to demand', and perhaps also
lish diarist John Evelyn (162D-1706).
to E. craft (q.v.)

"07

t
I

l
J

'*
1

I
f

chemist Michel-Eugene Chevreul (1786-r88g),

crayon, tr. v., to draw with a crayon. - F. craythe discoverer of this substance in 1835, fr. Gk.
onner, 'to draw with a pencil', fr. crayon, 'penxpeocc;, 'flesh', which is cogn. with L. crudus,
cil'. See crayon, n.
'raw', cruor, 'thick blood, gore'. See crude and
crayonist, n. - F. crayonniste, 'one who draws
chem. suff. -ine, -in, and cp. the first element in
with a pencil', a hybrid coined fr. F. crayon
creosote and the second element in Pancreas.
(see crayon, n., r), and suff. -iste (fr. Gk. -~cr-r-i)c;,
creation, n.- F. creation, fr. L. cretitionem, ace.
see -ist).
of creatio, 'a creating, producing', fr. cretitus,
craze, tr. and intr. v. -ME. crasen, 'to break,
pp. of cretire. See create and -ion.
crack', of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed. krasa, 'to
Derivatives: creation-ism, n., creation-ist, n.
crackle'. F. ecraser (fr. earlier acraser), is from
the same source. Swed. krasa is of imitative creative, adj. - Coined by the English philosopher Ralph Cudworth (r6q-88) in 1678 (see
origin and related to E. crash and crack (qq.v.}
his The True Intellectual System of the Universe,
Derivatives: craze, n., craz-ed, adj., crazy (q.v.)
published in that year) fr. L. cretitus, pp. of
crazy, adj. -Formed fr. craze with suff. -y (corcretire (see create) and suff. -ive.
responding to OE. -ig).
Derivatives: creative-ly, adv., creat-ive-ness, n.,
Derivatives: crazi-ly, adv., crazi-ness, n.
creativ-ity, n.
creak, intr. and tr. v.- ME. creken, 'to croak',
creator, n. - L. creator, 'creator, author, founof imitative origin. Cp. cricket, the insect, and
der', fr. cretitus, pp. of cretire. See create and
croak.
agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: creak, n., creak-y, adj., creak-i-ly,
creature, n.- OF. creature (F. creature), fr. Late
adv., creak-i-ness, n.
L. cretitf1rti, 'a thing created', fr. L. cretitus,
cream, n. - ME. creme, fr. OF. cresme (F.
pp. of creare. See create and -ure.
creme), which is a blend of Gaulish crama and
Derivatives: creatur-al, creature-ly, adjs., creaEccles. L. chrfsma, fr. Gk. zp'i:cr!J.OC. See chrism.
tur,q-/i-ness, n.
Derivatives: cream, tr. and intr. v., cream-er, n.,
crebri, combining form meaning 'closely set'.creamery (q.v.), cream-y, adj.
Fr. L. creber, fern. crebra, neut. crebrum, 'thick,
creamery, n.- F. cremerie, fr. creme. See cream
close, frequent, numerous', which stands for
and -ery.
*kre-dhro-s and lit. means 'growing densely',
crease, n., a fold, ridge. - Fr. earlier creast, 'a
fr.I.-E. base *ker-, *kere-, 'to grow', whence alridge', a var. of crest.
so L. crescere, 'to grow', creare, 'to create'. See
Derivatives: crease, tr. and intr. v., creas-ed,
create.
adj., creas-er, n., creas-ing, n., creas-y, adj.
crease, creese, n., a dagger. - Var. spellings of creche, n., a day nursery.- F., 'crib, cradle', fr.
Frankish *kripja, which is rei. to OHG. krippa,
kris (q.v.)
OE. cribb, 'crib, manger'. See crib and cp. cradcreare, tr. v. - L. cretitus, pp. of cretire, 'to
ge, cratch.
make, produce, create', lit. 'to cause to grow',
credence, n., belief. - OF., fr. ML. credentia,
fr. I.-E. base *ker-, *kere-, 'to grow', whence
'belief', fr. L. credens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of
also crescere, 'to grow', creber, 'thick, close,
credere, 'to believe'. See creed and -ence and
frequent, numerous', lit. 'densely grown', Ceres,
cp. credent.
gen. Cereris, Italian com goddess, lit. 'goddess
credenda, n. pl., articles of faith. - L. credenda,
of growth', pro-cerus, 'high, tall', prop. 'high
lit. 'those things which must be believed', neut.
grown', Gk. xope:wu'Joc~, 'to fill with a thing,
pl. of credendus, gerundive of credere, 'to besatisfy', x6poc;, 'one's fill, satiety', x6poc;, 'striplieve'. See creed. For other Latin gerundives
ling, child', x6p1J, 'maiden',lit. 'grown up', Arm.
used in English see agenda and words there
serm, sermn, 'seed, shoot, sprout', serem, 'I proreferred to.
duce', Alb. {}jer, 'acorn', {}jerE:, 'lentil',lit. 'food',
credent, adj., believing.- L. credens, gen. -entis,
Lith. seriit, serti, 'to feed', OPruss. sermen,
pres. part. of credere, 'to believe'. See creed
'funeral repast', and prob. also OHG. hirsi,
and -ent.
hirso, 'millet'. Cp. I.-E. base *ker-dh-, 'row,
credential, adj., that which entitles to credit. herd', a -dh-enlargement of base ker-, whence
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. ML. credentia. See
01. sdrdhal;z, 'herd', Goth. hairda, OE. heord,
credence.
'herd'. See cereal, crescent, herd and cp. creaDerivatives: credential, tr. v., credentials, n. pl.
ture, procreate, recreate. Cp. also accrescent, concredibility, n. - ML. credibilittis, fr. L. credicrescence, concrete, Cora, core-, Corinna, crebilis. See next word and -ity.
bri-, Creole, crescendo, decrease, decrement,
credible, adj. - L. credibilis, 'worthy of belief,
Dioscuri, excrescent, hypocoristic, increase, incredible', fr. credere. See creed and -ible.
crement, procerity, recrudesce, recruit. For the
Derivatives: credible-ness, n., credibl-y, adv.
ending of create see verbal suff. -ate.
credit, n. - F. credit, fr. It. credito, fr. L. creDerivatives: creation, creative, creator (qq.v.)
ditum, 'that which is believed; a loan', pp. of
creatine, creatin, n., a white crystalline substance
credere, 'to believe', used as a noun. See creed.
occurring in the muscles of vertebrates (bioDerivatives: credit, tr. v., credit-able, adj., erechem.) - F. creatine, coined by the French

,J/U

dit-abil-ity, n., creditable-ness, n., creditabl-y,

adv.
creditor, n. - L. creditor, 'truster, lender', fr.
creditus, pp. of credere, 'to believe, trust'. See
creed and agential suff. -or.
crednerite, n., an oxide of cuprum and manganese
(mineral.) - Named after the German geologist Karl Friedrich Heinrich Credner (1809-76).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
credo, n., a creed. - L. credo, 'I believe'. See
creed.
credulity, n.- ME., fr. L. credulitiitem, ace. of
credulitiis, 'easiness of belief', fr. credulus. See
next word and -ity.
credulous, adj.- L. credulus, 'easy of belief', fr.
credere, 'to believe'. See creed. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: credulous-ly, adv., credulous-ness, n.
creed,n., a formula of belief.- ME. crede, fr. OE.
creda, fr. L. credere, 'to believe', which is cogn.
with 0 I. srdd-dddhiiti, 'trusts, believes', A vestic
zrazdii- (assimilated fr. *sraz-dii) 'to believe'
Olr. cretim, W. credu, 'I believe', ~rob. fr. 1.-E:
base *kred-dhe-, 'to attribute magic power to
somebody', i.e. 'to believe somebody', fr. *kred-,
'magic power' (whence 01. srdd, 'magic power'),
and *dhe-, 'to place' (whence OJ. dddhiiti, 'he
places', Gk. -rLffevaL, 'to place'). See do an cp.
words there referred to. The usual connection
of L. credere, etc., with L. cor, gen. cordis, Gk.
xo:pol'i, 'heart', etc., is due to folk etymology.
Cp. accredit, credence, credential, credible, credit, creditor, credulity, credulous, grant, incroyable, miscreant, recreant, sraddha.
creedite, n., a hydrous fluoride and sulfate of calcium and aluminum (mineral.) - Named after
the Creede quadrangle of the U.S. Geol. Survey,
Colorado. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
creek, n., 1) a brook; 2) a narrow inlet. - ME.
creke, crike, fr. ON. kriki, 'bay' (whence also
F. crique, 'creek'), which is rei. to MDu. creke,
Du. kreek, 'creek'. The orig. meaning of these
words was 'a bend, turn, angle'. They are rei. to
the second clement in dial. Swed. armkrik, 'bend
of the arm', and to ON. krokr, 'hook'. Sec
crutch.
creel, n., a wicker basket. - OF. creil, 'wickerwork', fr. Late L. criiticulum, a var. of L. criiticula, 'fine hurdle work', dim in. of criitis, 'wickerwork'. See crate and cp. grill, 'gridiron'.
Derivative: creel, tr. v.
creep, intr. v. -ME. creopen, crepen, fr. OE. creopan, rei. to ON. krjtlpa, Swed. krypa, Dan.
krybe, OFris. kriapa, MLG. krepen, knlpen,
MDu. en/pen, Du. kruipen, 'to creep'. These
words prob. meant orig. 'to go bent down', and
derive fr. I.-E. base *greub-, whence also Gk.
yplirr0~. 'curved, hook-nosed', ypurr-r<w, yplirr0uolhL, ypuf.LrrveLv, 'to become bent or wrinkled'. Cp. cripple, croft, crop, crumple. Cp. also
grovel. Base *greub- is an enlargement of bjlSe
*greu-, which itself is an enlargement of base

*ger-, 'to turn, twist', whence Gk. yeppov, 'anything made of wickerwork', esp. 'an oblong
shield', yupya&6~, 'a wicker basket'.
Derivatives: creep, n., creep-er, n., creep-ing, n.
and adj., creep-ing-ly, adv., creep-y, adj.
creeper, n., a climbing plant. - Formed fr. prcc.
word with agential suff. -er; first used in this
sense by Bacon.
creese, n. - See kris.
cremaster, n., the muscle by which the testicle is
suspended (anat.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. xpe:(Lacr-d)p, 'suspender'; in the pl.: 'muscles by
which the testicles are suspended', fr. xpe:f.Lacr-r6~.
'hung, suspended', verbal adj. of xpe:f.Ltiwlif.LL,
'I hang up, suspend', which is rei. to xp~f.LV'I)f.LL,
of s.m., xp'l)f.LV6~, 'precipice', and perh. cogn.
with Goth. hramjan, 'to crucify'. Cp. the first
element in cremnophobia, cremocarp.
cremate, tr. v., to burn 1o ashes. - L. cremiitus,
pp. of cremare, 'to consume by fire, burn', rei.
to Umbr. krematra, 'an instrument for burning
the intestines', fr. I.-E. *ker-em, an -m-enlargement of base *ker-, 'to singe, burn, glow',
whence also L. carbo, 'coal', OE. heorp, 'hearth'.
See carbon, hearth and verbal suff. -ate. Gk.
xepe>:f-LO~, 'potter's clay', is not cogn, With L.
cremiire (sec ceramic).
cremation, n. - L. cremtitio, gen. -onis, 'a burning', fr. cremiitus, pp. of cremiire, 'to burn'. See
prec. word and -ion.
cremationist, n., one who advocates the crem~tion
of dead human bodies instead of burying them.
- See cremation and -ist.
cremator, n.- Eccles. L. cremiitor, 'a burner', fr.
L. cremiitus, pp. of cremiire. See cremate and
agential suff. -or.
crematorium, n. - A Modern Latin word. Sec
crematory, n.
crematory, adj. - ModL. cremiitorius, 'pertaining to cremation', fr. L. cremiitus, pp. of eremare. See cremate and adj. suff. -ory.
crematory, n. - ModL. crematorium, 'a place
for burning corpses', fr. L. cremiitus, pp. of eremare. Sec cremate and subst. suff. -ory.
crembalum, n., a jew's harp. - ModL., fr. Gk.
xpEf-L~ctAov, 'castanet'. See crepitate.
cremnophobia, n., a morbid fear of precipices
(med.) - Medical L., compounded of Gk.
xp'l)f-L"6~. 'an overhanging bank, precipice, cliff,
crag', and - cpo~[i, 'fear of', fr. cp6~o~, 'fear'. The
first element is rei. to Gk. xpf.f-LV7)f-LL, 'I hang up,
suspend'; see cremaster. For the second element
see -phobia.
cremocarp, n., a form of fructification, in which
the fruit is split into two indchisccnt one-seeded
carpels called mericarps, which hang from the
summit ot the central axis called carpophore
(bot.) - Lit. 'hanging fruit', fr. Gk. xpe:[-La-,
stem of xpef.Lawuvo:L, 'to hang', and xaprr6~.
'fruit'. See cremaster and carpel and cp. the
first element in carpophore and the second element in mericarp.

,JJI

Cremona, n., a violin made at Cremona in Italy.

cren-, form of creno- before a vowel.
crenate, crenated, adj., notched, scalloped.- VL.
*creniitus, pp. of *creniire, 'to notch'. See crenel
and adj. suff. -ate, resp. also -ed.
Derivatives: crenat-ion, n., crenat-ure, n.
crenel, crenelle, n., one of the indentations in a
battlement. - OF. crenel (F. cn?neau), dimin.
of OF. cren, cran (F. cran), 'a notch', fr. crener,
'to notch', fr. VL. *creniire, fr. Late L. crena,
'notch', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. cranny,
crenate.
crenelate, crenellate, tr. v. - F. creneler, fr. OF.
creneler, fr. crenel, See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate. Derivatives: crene/(1)-at-ed, adj.,
crene/(1)-at-ion, n.
crenic, adj., pertaining to an acid occurring in
humus and in deposits (chem.)- Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. xp~V1J, 'spring, fountain', which
prob. stands for *xptiovi and is rel. to xpouv6<;
(for *xpoucrv6<;), 'spring, well head'. Cp. the
second element in Hippocrene.
creno-, before a vowel cren-, combining form
used in the sense of 'mineral spring'.- Fr. Gk.
xp'ijv1J. See prec. word.
crenulate, adj., minutely crenate. - ModL. crenuliitus, fr. crenula, dimin. of VL. crena. See
crenate.
Derivatives: crenulat-ed, adj., crenulat-ion, n.
Creole, n., a native of the West Indies, of European descent. - Fr. creole, earlier criole, fr.
Sp. criol/o, fr. Port. crioulo, orig. 'brought up
(in one's house)', fr. criar, 'to nourish, bring
up', fr. L. creiire, 'to make, produce, create'.
See create and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: Creole, adj.
Creon, n., brother of Jocasta and brother-in-Jaw
of Oedipus; he was king of Thebes (Greek mytho/.) - Gk. Kpewv, fr. xpewv, a var. of xpdwv,
'ruler, lord, master', which is cogn. with 01.
sriyas-, Avcstic srayah-, 'better'.
creophagous, adj., flesh-eating.- Gk. xpe:o<pocyo<;,
compounded of xpeo:~, 'flesh', and -cpyo~. 'eating'. See creosote and -phagous.
creosote, n., an oily liquid obtained from tar. G. Kreosot, coined by the German natural philosopher, Baron Karl von Reichenbach (q88I869) in 1832 fr. Gk. xph~, gen. xpEw<;, 'flesh',
and crq>~e:tv, 'to save'. The first element is cogn.
with L. crudus, 'raw', cruor, 'gore, thick blood';
see crude. The second element is rcl. to Gk.
oo<;, 'safe', crw-rf,p, 'savior'; see soter.
crepe, n., a light crinkled cloth of silk. - F.,
'crape', fr. OF. crespe, fr. L. crispus, 'curled'.
See crisp and cp. crape.
Derivative: crepe, tr. and intr. v.
Crepidula, n., a genus of gastropods (zoo/.) ModL., fr. L. crepidula, 'a small sandal', dimin.
of crepida, 'sandal', fr. Gk. xpr,rr'Loa, ace. of
xp'Ylrrfc of s.m., which is cogn. with L. carpisculu,;,, ~ kind of footwear'. For the ending see
suff. -ule.

Crepis, n., a genus of plants of the chicory family

(bot.)- L. crepis, fr. Gk. xpl)rrl<;, 'sandal; name
of a plant'. See prec. word.
crepitant, adj., making repeated crackling sounds.
- L. crepitiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of crepitiire. See crepitate and -ant.
crepitate, intr. v., to make repeated crackling
sounds. - L. crepitiit-(um), pp. stem of crepitiire, 'to rattle, creak, crackle, clatter', freq. of
crepiire, 'to rattle, crack, break with a crack,
burst', which is cogn. with 01. kfpate, 'laments',
from the I.-E. imitative base *(s)krep-; cp.
craven, crevasse, crevice, decrepit, decrepitate,
discrepant, quebracho. Cp. base *(s)qreb-, whence Gk. xpEf.L~a:Aa (pl.), 'castanets', OS!av. skrobotii, 'noise', Lith. skrebu, skrebfti, 'to rustle',
and see crembalum, roup, 'to sell by auction'.
Bases *(s)qreb- and *(s)krep- are enlargements
of the imitative base *qer-, *qr-, *ker-, *kr-; see
raven, n.
Derivative: crepitat-ion, n.
crepitus, n., a sound made by a sudden discharge
of wind from the bowels (med.) - L. (short for
crepitus ventris, lit. 'sound made by the belly'),
fr. crepiire. See prec. word.
cn!pon, n., crepe of firm texture -F., fr. crepe,
'crape'. See crepe.
crept, past tense and pp. of creep.- ME. crepte,
a new formation. See creep.
crepuscle, n., twilight. - L. crepusculum, fr.
creper, 'dusky', which is of uncertain origin.
crepuscular, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
twilight. - Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. crepusculum. See prec. word.
crepuscule, n., twilight. - F. crepuscule, fr. L.
crepusculum. See crepuscle.
crescendo, adj. and adv., gradually increasing in
loudness; n., a gradual increase in loudness.It., lit. 'increasing', fr. crescere, 'to increase,
grow', fr. L. crescere. See next word.
crescent, n., the waxing moon. - ME. cressant,
fr. OF. creissant (F. croissant), prop. pres. part.
of creistre (F. croitre), 'to grow', fr. L. crescere,
of s.m., fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'to grow', whence
also L. creiire, 'to create'. See create and -ent
and cp. decrement, increase, increment.
crescent, adj., increasing in size. - L. crescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of crescere. See prec.
word.
cresol, n., a caustic liquid (chem.) - Formed fr.
creosote with suff. -ol.
cress, n., plant of the mustard family. - ME.
cresse, fr. OE. c~Erse, cerse, cresse, rei. to MDu.
kersse, Du. kers, OHG. kresso (masc.), cressa
(fern.), MHG., G. kresse, 'cress', and cogn.
with Gk. yp&crn<;, 'grass, green fodder', ype:w,
'to gnaw, eat', 01. grdsati, 'eats'. Cp. gastro-.
Cress orig. meant 'the edible plant'. See KlugeMitzka, EWDS., p.403 s.v. Kresse. F. cresson
and It. crescione, 'cress', are Teut. loan words.
cresset, n., an iron vessel for holding oil or grease.
- ME., fr. OF.. craisut, fr. craisse, graisse,

crest

'grease', fr. VL. crassia, fr. L. crassus, 'thick'.

See crass.
crest, n. - ME., fr. OF. creste (F. crete), fr. L.
crista, 'tuft on the head of animals, cock's comb',
which is cogn. with Mlr. cressaim, 'I shake,
swing', ON. hrista, 'to shake', OHG. rista,
MHG. riste, G. Reiste, 'bundle'. These words
derive from a +enlargement of I.-E. base
qreis-, whence OPruss. craysi, 'blade, stalk',
crays (pl.), 'hay', Goth. af-hrisjan, us-hrisjan, 'to
shake off', OE. hrisian, OS. hrissan, 'to rattle,
creak', OE., OS., ON., OFris., OHG. hris, later
ris, MHG. ris, G. Reis, Dan., Swed. ris, MDu.,
Du. rijs, 'twig, sprig', L. crispus, 'curly', crinis
(for crisn!s), 'hair of the head'. Cp. crinite, crisp,
crease, 'a fold', and kestrel. Base qreis- is an
enlargement of base (s)qer-, 'to bend, turn,
twist'. See curve and cp. words there referred to.
cresyl, n., I) a univalent radical, C 7H 7 0; 2) another name for tolyl (chem.) - Formed fr. cresol with suff. -yl.
Derivative: cresyl-ic, adj.
cretaceous, adj., chalky. - L. cretaceus, 'chalklike', fr. creta, 'chalk'. See crayon and -aceous.
Derivative: cretaceous-ly, adv.
cretic, n., name of a metrical foot. - Fr. L. (pes)
Creticus, fr. Gk. (1tou~) Kp1J-rtx6~. lit. 'Cretan
(foot)', fr. Kp~'t't), 'Crete'. For the ending see
suff. -ic.
J:?erivative: cretic, adj.
cretification, n. - See next word and -fication.
cretify, tr. v., to convert into chalk. - Formed
fr. L. creta, 'chalk' (see crayon), with suff: -fy.
cretin, n., I) a person suffering from cretinism;
2) an idiot. - F. cretin, fr. cretin, a word of the
dial. of Valais, fr. F. chn!tien, 'Christian', fr. L.
Chrfstianus (see Christian). The different stages
of sense development were prob. I) Christian;
2) human being; 3) wretched human being;
4) idiot.
Derivatives: cretinism (q.v.), cretin-oid, adj.,
cretin-ous, adj.
cretinism, n., a disease caused by the deficiency
of the thyroid gland (med.) - F. crhinisme,
formed fr. cretin with suff. -isme. See cretin
and -ism.
Cretism, n., Cretan behavior; lying. - Gk. Kp1J
't'tcrt.J.6~. fr. Kpr,-rl~et~, 'to behave like a Cretan',
i.e. 'to lie', fr. Kpf.~. gen. Kp1J-:6~, 'Cretan'. For
the ending see suff. -ism.
cretonne, n., a kind of cotton cloth. - F., fr.
Cretan, a village in Normandy, where it was
originally made.
crevasse, n., a deep cleft, gap, rift, crack. - F.,
fr. crever. See next word.
crevice, n., a narrow opening. - ME. crevasse,
crevice, fr. OF. ( = F.) crevasse, 'gap, rift, crack,
crevasse', fr. VL. crepatia (whence also OProvenc;. crebassa), fr. L. crepare, 'to rattle, crack,
break with a crack, burst'. See crepitate.
Derivatives: crevice, tr. v., crevic-ed, adj.
crew, n.- Formerly spelled crue,apheticforac-

372

crue, 'a reinforcement', fr. OF. accreue, accrue,

'an increase', prop. fern. pp. of accroistre (F.
accroitre), 'to increase', fr. L. accrescere, 'to increase', fr. ad- and crescere, 'to grow'. See crescent, adj., and cp. accrue.
crewel, n., worsted yarn. - Fr. earlier crule,
crewle, which is of uncertain origin.
crib, n. - ME. cribb, fr. OE. cribb, rei. to OS.
kribbia, Dan. krybbe, OFris., MDu. kribbe, Du.
krib, kribbe, OHG. kripia, krippa, MHG., G.
krippe, 'crib, manger', MHG. krebe, 'basket'.
The orig. meaning of these words seems to have
been 'wickerwork'. It. greppia, OProvenc;.
crepcha and F. creche 'manger, crib', are Teut.
loan words. Cp. cradge, cratch, creche.
Derivatives: crib, tr. and intr. v., cribb-age, n.,
cribb-ing, n.
cribble, n., a coarse sieve. - F. crible, fr. Late L.
cribellum, 'a small sieve', dimin. of cribrum. See
next word.
cribriform, adj., sievelike, perforated like a sieve.
- Formed fr. L. cribrum, 'a sieve', and forma,
'form, shape'. L. cribrum stands for *qreidhrom
[lit. 'an instrument for sifting', fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qerei-, 'to sift, separate', and instrumental
suff. -dhro-] and is cogn. with Olr. criathar,
OW. cruitr, OCo. croider, MBret. croezr, 'sieve',
OE. hridder, OHG. ritera, 'a sieve'. See riddle,
'sieve', and cp. garble. Cp. also certain and
words there referred to. For the second element
in cribriform see -form.
crick, n., a painful spasmodic affection of the
muscles. -ME. crykke, of uncertain origin.
Derivative: crick, tr. v.
cricket, n., an insect of the order Orthoptera.OF. ( = F.) criquet, rei. to criquer, 'to crack'; of
imitative origin. Cp. creak, grig.
Derivative: cricket-y, adj.
cricket, n., the game. -OF. criquet, 'stick, stake
used as goal in the game of bowls', fr. MDu.
cricke, 'stick', which stands in gradational
relationship to OE. crycc, 'crutch'. See crutch.
Derivatives: cricket-er, n., cricket-ing, n.
crico-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the cricoid cartilage' (anat.) - See next word.
cricoid (anat.), adj., pertaining to the cartilage
of the larynx; n., the cricoid cartilage. - Gk.
xptxoetS~~. 'ring-shaped', compounded of xplxo~. 'ring', and -oetS~~. 'like', fr. dSo~, 'form,
shape. See circus and -oid.
cried, past tense and pp. of cry. - ME. cride,
cried, fr. crien, 'to cry'. See cry and -ed.
crier, n. - ME. criere, fr. OF. criere, nom. of
crieur, fr. crier, 'to cry'. See cry and agential
suff. -er.
crime, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) crime, fr. L.
crimen, 'judicial decision, judgment, charge,
crime', which stands for cri-men and orig. meant
'cry of distress' (see Brugmann, in Indogermanische Forschungen, 9, 353f., Porzig, ibid.
42, 265). It derives fr. I.-E. base *(s)qrei-, enlargement of the imitative base qer-, 'to shout,

373

cry', whence also OHG. scrian, 'to cry', ON.

hreimr, 'to squeak', hrina, 'to squeal, squeak'.
See scream. For further derivatives of base *qersee raven and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also criminal, criminology, incriminate, recriminate. There is no connection between L.
crimen and cernere, 'to sift'.
Derivatives: crime, tr. v., crime-less, adj., crimeless-ness, n.
criminal, adj. - F. criminel, fr. L. crimina/is,
'pertaining to crime, criminal', fr. crimen, gen.
criminis. See crime and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: criminal n., criminal-ism, n., criminal-ist, n., criminality (q.v.)
criminality, n. - F. criminalite, fr. ML. criminalitiitem, ace. of criminalitas, fr. L. crimina/is.
See prec. word and -ity.
criminate, tr. v., I) to accuse of a crime; 2) to
incriminate; 3) to censure.- L. criminatus, pp.
of criminari, 'to accuse somebody of a crime,
to charge with', fr. crimen, gen. criminis. See
crime and verbal suff. -ate and cp. discriminate,
incriminate, recriminate.
Derivatives: crimination (q. v.), criminat-ive, adj.,
criminator (q.v.), criminat-ory, adj.
crimination, n. - L. criminatio, gen. -onis, 'accusation', fr. criminatus, pp. of criminari. See
prec. word and -ion.
criminator, n.- L., 'accuser', fr. criminatus, pp.
of criminiiri. See criminate and agential suff.
-or.
criminology, n., the study of crime. -A hybrid
coined fr. L. crimen, gen. criminis, 'charge,
crime' and Gk. -:Aoylfi, fr. -A6yo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See crime and -logy.
Derivatives: criminolog-ic, criminolog-ic-al,
adjs., criminolog-ist, n.
criminous, adj., criminal. - L. criminosus, 'slanderous, faulty, blameworthy', fr. crimen, gen.
criminis, 'charge, crime'. See crime and -ous.
Derivatives: criminous-ly, adv ., criminous-ness, n.
crimp, tr. v., to wrinkle.- Du. and LG. krimpen,
'to curve, shrink', rei. to OHG. krimphan, of
s.m., and to E. cramp and crumple (qq.v.)
Derivatives: crimp, n., crimp-er, n., crimp-ing,
n., crimp-y, adj.
crimp, n., one who procures seamen by entrapping them.- Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: crimp, tr. v., to entrap (seamen).
crimson, n., deep red.- Sp. cremesin, fr. Arab.
qirmiz, ult. fr. 01. *kfmi-ja-, 'produced by a
wono'. OI. kfmi/:1, 'worm', is cogn. with Lith.
kirmis, kirmele, Olr. cruim, Alb. krimp, 'worm'.
Cp. kermes, carmine.
Derivatives: crimson, adj. and tr. v., crimson-ly,
adv., crimson-ness, n.
crinal, adj., pertaining to the hair. - L. criniilis,
fr. crinis, 'hair'. See crinite and adj. suff. -al.
cringe, intr. v. - ME. crengen, fr. OE. cringan,
'to fall in battle, yield', lit. 'to be bent', rei. to
ON. kringr, LG., Du. kring, MHG. krinc, G.

crisis
Kring, 'circle, ring', and to crank, crinkle (qq.v.)
Derivatives: cringe, n., cring-ing, n., cring-ingly, adv., cring-ing-ness, n.
cringle, n., a small ring. - LG. kringel, dimin.
of kring, 'circle, ring'. See prec. word and dimin.
suff. -le and cp. degringolade.
crini-, combining form meaning 'hair'. - Fr. L.
crinis, 'hair'. See crinite.
crinite, adj., hairy. - L. crinitus, pp. of crinire,
'to provide or cover with hair', fr. crinis, 'hair',
which stands for cris-nis and is rei. to crispus,
'curly', crista, 'tuft on the head of animals,
cock's comb'. See crest and adj. suff. -ite and
cp. crisp. Cp. also crinal, crino- and the first
element in crinoline.
crinkle, intr. and tr. v., to wrinkle. - ME. (in
the participle crinkled), freq. formed fr. OE.
.crincan, a collateral form of cringan, 'to yield'.
See cringe and freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: crinkle, n., crinkl-y, adj.
crinkum-crankum, adj., full of twists and turns
(colloq.) - See crinkle and crank; jocosely
formed in imitation of Latin words ending in -um.
crinoid, adj., lily-shaped.- Gk. xpt~oet3~~. compounded of xpl~ov, 'lily', and -oetS~~. 'like',
fr. d3o~, 'form, shape'. See Crinum and -oid
and cp. encrinite.
Crinoidea, n. pl., a class of echinoderms (zoo/.)ModL. See prec. word.
crinoline, n., I) a stiff cloth; 2) a petticoat made
of stiff cloth; 3) a hoop skirt. - F., fr. It. crinolino, which is compounded of crino, 'hair' (fr.
L. crinis), and lino, 'flax' (fr. L. Unum). It. crinolino prop. denotes a fabric whose woof is made
of hair and whose warp is made of linen. See
crinite and linen.
Derivative: crinoline, tr. v.
Crinum, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xp(vo~, 'lily',
which is a foreign word of unknown origin. Cp.
the first element in crinoid.
crio-, combining form meaning 'ram-headed'.Gk. xpi:o-, fr. xpi:6~, 'ram, battering ram', which
prob. stands for xpi:f6c; and is rei. to xepo:6~.
'homed', fr. xepo:~, 'horn', and cogn. with ON.
hreinn, 'reindeer'. See hom and cp. cerato-, cervine. Cp. also the first element in reindeer.
criosphinx, n., a sphinx with the head of a ram. Compounded of Gk. xpi:6~. 'ram', and cr<;>ly~.
'sphinx'. See prec word and sphinx.
cripple, n. - ME. cripel, crepe/, crupel, fr. OE.
crypel, rei. to ON. kryppill, OFris. kreppel, MDu.
cropel, crepe/, Du. kreupele, 'cripple', MHG.,
G. kriippel, lit. 'bent, twisted', and to OE.
creopan, 'to creep'. See creep and cp. croft, crop.
Derivatives: cripple, tr. v., crippl-ed, adj., cripple-ness, n., crippl-er, n., crippl-ing, adj. and n.,
crippl-ing-ly, adv., crippl-y, adj.
crisis, n. - L., fr. Gk. xplm~. 'a separating, putting apart, a decision', rei. to xptr~c;, 'judge,'
xpfw:w, 'to separate, pick out, decide, judge',
fr. I.-E. base *(s)q(e)re(i)-, 'to separate', whence

crisp

also L. cernere, 'to separate, sift, distinguish,

discern, understand, decide'. See certain and cp.
critic and words there referred to. Cp. also
acrisia, eccrinology, endocrine, hypocrisy.
crisp, adj., I) brittle; 2) lively; 3) fresh; 4) curly.
- OE., fr. L. crispus, 'curly', which is cogn.
with W. crych, Bret. crech, of s.m., fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qreis-, whence also L. crlnis (for *crisnis),
hair', and crista, 'tuft on the head of animals,
cock's comb'. See crest and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also Crispin.
Derivatives: crisp, tr. and intr. v., crispate, adj.
(q.v.), crisp-ly, adv., crisp-ness, n., crisp-y, adj.
crispate, adj., of a curly appearance. - L. crispiitus, pp. of crispiire, 'to curl, wave', fr. crispus.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: crispat-ion, n.
Crispin, masc. PN. - L. Crispinus, a Roman
cognomen derived fr. crispus, 'curled'. See
crisp, adj., and -in (representing L. -inus).
criss-cross, n., a mark made with two crossing
lines. - Fr. earlier Christ-cross.
Derivatives: criss-cross, adj., tr. v., adv.
cristate, adj., crested (said esp. of birds and other
animals). - L. cristiitus, 'having a crest or tuft',
fr. crista. See crest and adj. suff. -ate.
criterion, n.- Gk. xpnf,ptov, 'a means for judging', fr. xptn]c;, 'judge', fr. xptve:tv, 'to sepa-.
rate, decide, judge'. See critic.
crith, n., a unit of weight for gases. -Coined by
Hoffmann fr. Gk. xp'l&f,, 'barleycorn', which is
prob. cogn. with L. hordeum, 'barley'. See
Hordeum.
critic, n. - L. criticus, fr. Gk. xptnx6c;, 'capable
of judging', fr. xpt-:-f.c;, 'judge', fr. xptve:tv, 'to
separate, decide, judge', which is cogn. with L.
cernere, 'to sieve, distinguish, discer~ understand, decide'. See certain and cp. crisis, criterion, diacritical, hypocrite, oneirocritic.
Derivatives: critic-al, adj., critical-ly, adv.,
critical-ness, n., critic-ism, n., critic-ize, criticise, intr. and tr. v., critic-iz-er, critic-is-er, n.,
critic-iz-ing-ly, critic-is-ing-ly, adv.
critique, n. - F., fr. Gk. xptnxlj (short forxpt-:-txi; T~zv~, 'the critical art'), fern. of xpt-:-tx6:;,
'of, or for, judging, capable of judging'. See
critic.
croak, intr. and tr. v. - From the stem of OE.
criic-ettan, 'to croak', which is rei. to OE. cracian, 'to resound', OE. criiwan, 'to crow', ME.
creken, 'to croak'. All these words are of imitative origin. Sec raven and cp. Circaetus. Cp. also
crack, crake, creak, crow, grackle.
Derivatives: croak, n., croak-er, n., croak-ing,
adj. and n., croak-y, adj.
Croat, n. - Fr. earlier Chorwat, fr. ScrboCroatian Hnat, fr. OSlav. Chiirvatinii, 'Croat',
lit. 'mountaineer, highlander', fr. chiirva, 'mountain', which is rei. to OSlav., Serb. and
Croatian gora, Russ. gord, Pol. gora, Czech and
Slovak hora, and cogn. with 01. giri/:1, Avestic
gairi, 'mountain', Alb. gur, 'rock', Lith. gire,

375

374

'forest' and prob. also with Gk. ~opeii~. 'north

wind', lit. 'a mountain wind'. Sec Boreas and
cp. cravat.
Derivatives: Croat-ian, adj. and n.
crocein, croceine, n., any of several yellow and
red dyes (chem.)- Formed with chcm. suff. -in,
resp. -ine fr. L. croceus, 'saffron-colored', fr.
crocus, 'saffron'. See Crocus.
crochet, n., a kind of knitting done with a small
hook. - F., 'a small hook', dimin. of croc,
'hook', which is a Tcut. loan word. Cp. ON.
kr6kr, 'hook' and sec crook. Cp. also crotchet,
crocket, and accroach, encroach.
Derivatives: crochet, tr. and intr. v., crochet-er,
n., crochet-ing, n.
crocidolite, n., a blue or green fibrous mineral,
consisting of silicate of iron and solium (mineral.) - Compounded of Gk. xpoxo~. gen. xpoxollo;, 'a nap of woolen cloth', and )..(&o~,
'stone'. The first element is rei. to Gk. xp6x1J,
'woof, thread', stands in gradational relationship to xpexe:w, 'to weave', and is cogn. with
OE. hreol, 'reel', hr~Eg(e)l, 'garment', ON. hrlfll,
'a weaver's slcy', fr. I.-E. base *qrek-, 'to strike'.
See rail, 'garment', reel, 'a revolvable instrument', and cp. next word. For the second
element sec -lite.
Crocidura, n., a genus of shrews (zoo!.)- ModL.,
compounded of Gk. xpoxo<;, gen. xpoxollo~, 'a
nap of woolen cloth', and oop&, 'tail'. See prec.
word and uro-, 'tail-'.
crock, n., an earthen pot. - OE. crocca, rei. to
OS. kriika, MDu. crtike (Du. kruik), MHG.
kruche, OHG. kr6g, kruog (MHG. kruoc, G.
Krug), 'pitcher, jug'. Cp. Mlr. crociin, 'pot', Gk.
xpwcrcr6<;, 'pitcher', OSlav. krugla, 'cup'. All
these words arc prob. borrowed from the same
unknown language.
Derivatives: crock, tr. v., to put into a crock,
crock-ery, n.
crock, n., an old, worn-out horse. - Rei. to
Swed. krake, LG. krakke, 'a worn-out horse',
and to E. crack (q.v.)
Derivative: crock, tr. v., to break down (a
horse).
crocket, n., an ornament placed on the sides of
pinnacles, gables, spires, etc. (archit.) - AF.
croquet, corresponding to OF. crochet. See
crochet.
Derivatives: crocket-ed, adj., crocket-ing, n.
crocodile, n. - ME. cocodrille, fr. OF. cocodrille,
mctathesized fr. L. crocodilus, fr. Gk. xpox61lU..o<;,
'lizard; crocodile', dissimilated fr. *xpox6-llpU..o<;,
lit. 'stone worm', fr. xp6x'T), 'pebble', and llp'i:Ao<;,
'worm'. Gk. xp6x'l) is cogn. with 01. iarkara/:1,
sdrkarii, 'gravel, pebble, sugar'; see sugar and
words there referred to. The etymology of Gk.
llpi:Ao~ is unknown.
Derivatives: crocodil-ian, adj. and n.
crocoite, n., native lead chromate, PbCr04 (mineral.) -Fr. earlier crocoisite, which was formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. xpox6e:r.c;, 'saf-

II

fron colored', fr. xp6xo<;, 'saffron'. Sec next

word.
Crocus, n., a genus of plants of the iris family
(bot.) - L., fr. Gk. xp6xo~, 'saffron', a word
of Scm. origin. Cp. Hcb. karktJm, Arab. kurkum, 'saffron', Aram.-Syr. kurktmd, Akkad.
kurkiinu, 'saffron'. 01. kurikumam, 'saffron', is
prob. a Scm. loan word; cp. Manfred Mayrhofcr, A Concise Etymological Sanskrit Dictionary, Heidelberg, I956, I, p. 2I9 s.v. kurikumam.
Derivative: crocus-ed, adj.
Croesus, n., name of a king of Lydia renowned
for his great riches. - L., fr. Gk. KpoTcro<;.
croft, n. - OE., 'a small field', rcl. to MDu.
krocht, Du. kraft, 'hillock', lit. 'something
curved', from the base appearing also in MDu.
crupen, OE. creopan, 'to creep'. See creep and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: croft-er, n., craft-ing, n.
Cro-Magnon, also cro-magnon, adj. (anthropol.)
- So called from the name of a cave in the Department of Dordognc in France, where remains
of this race of men have been found.
cromlech, n., I) a dolmen; 2) a circle of monoliths. - W., fr. cram, fern. of crwm, 'bent'
(which is prob. cogn. with MDu. rompelen,
'to wrinkle', see rumple, v.), and llech, 'a flat
stone'.
cromorna, n., an organ reed stop (mus.) - F.
cromorne, corruption of krummhorn (q.v.)
crone, n., a withered old woman. - ME., fr.
MDu. kronje, karonje, 'an old ewe', fr. ONF.
carogne (corresponding to OF. charogne), 'carcass'. See carrion. For sense development cp. F.
carogne, 'hag, jade'.
Derivative: cron-ish, adj.
Cronian, adj., Satumian. - Formed with suff.
-an fr. Kp6vto<;, 'of Cronus', fr. Kp6vo~. See
next word.
Cronus, n., a Titan, son of Uranus and Gaca and
father of Zeus in Greek mythol.; identified by
.the Romans with Saturn.- L., fr. Gk. Kp6vo<;;
of unknown etymology. Cp. the second clement
in geocronite.
crony, n., a close friend. - Fr. earlier chrony,
fr. Gk. zp.Svto:;, 'lasting', fr. zp6vo~, 'time'. See
chronic.
Derivative: crony, intr. v.
crook, n. - ME. crok, fr. ON. krokr, 'hook,
bend', which is rei. to OE. crycc, 'crutch, staff,
crozier'. See crutch and cp. crosier. Cp. also
crochet and words there referred to.
Derivatives: crook, tr. and intr. v., crook-ed,
adj., crook-ed-ly, adv., crook-ed-ness, n.
crookesite, n., sclenidc of copper, thallium and
silver (mineral.) - Named after the English
chemist Sir William Crookes (I832-I9I9). For
the ending sec subst. suff. -ite.
croon, intr. and tr. v., to sing softly; to hum.MDu. cronen (Du. kreunen), 'to groan,
whimper'; prob. of imitative origin.
Derivative: croon, n.

crosso-

crop, n. - ME. croppe, fr. OE. crop, cropp,

'sprout, bunch of flowers or berries; the top of a
plant; car of corn; crop of a bird; kidney', rei.
to ON. kroppr, 'trunk of a body', Dan. krop,
Swed. kropp, 'trunk of the body', MDu. crop,
Du. krop, 'the craw of a bird', OHG., kropf,
'growth on human body; craw', MHG., G.
kropf, 'craw'. The original meaning of these
words was 'protuberance'. They derive fr. I.-E.
base *greub-, 'curved, rough, uneven', whence
also Gk. yp\i1t6~, 'curved, hook-nosed'. See
creep and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
croup (of a horse), crupper, group.
Derivatives: crop, tr. v., to cut off (csp. the
tops of plants); to pluck off, reap; intr. v.,
to yield a crop, cropp-er, n., cropp-y, adj.
croquet, n., a game played by driving wooden
balls with wooden mallets through a series of
iron hoops. - From a northern dial. var. of
F. crochet, dimin. of croc, 'hook'. Sec crochet.
Derivative: croquet, tr. v.
croquette, n., a ball of minced meat, fish, or of
rice or potato. -F., formed with dimin. suff.
-ette fr. croquer, 'to crunch', which is of imitative origin.
crore, n., ten million rupees, i.e. one hundred
lakhs (Anglo-Indian). - Hind. karor, rei. to
Prakrit krogi, fr. 01. koti/:1, 'end', which is prob.
a Dravidian loan word.
crosier, crozier, n., the staff of a bishop. -The
word orig. meant 'staff-bearer', and derives fr.
OF. crocier, crossier, fr. crosse, 'crosier', fr.
WTeut. *krukja, 'crutch'. See crutch and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also crosse, crossette,
lacrosse.
cross, n.- ME. eros, fr. OE. eros, fr. ON. kross,
fr. Olr. eros, fr. L. crucem, ace. of crux, 'cross',
which is of uncertain, perh. Punic, origin. Cp.
It. croce, OProven<;. crotz, F. croix, Sp., Port.
cruz, Catal. creu, OS. kruzi, MDu. criice (Du.
kruis), OHG. kriizi (MHG. kriuze, G. Kreuz),
which all derive fr. L. crucem. Cp. across,
crucial, Crucianella, crucible, crucify, cruise,
cruiser, crusade, crusily, crux, cruzeiro, excruciate, kreutzer and the second clement in hakenkreuz. Cp. also ridge, rung.
Derivatives: cross, tr. and intr. v., cross-ing, n.
cross, adj., 1) placed across, transverse; 2) contrary; 3) ill-humored.- Fr. cross, n.
Derivatives: cross-ly, adv., cross-ness, n.
cross-country, adj. - Aphctic for across-country.
crosse, n., the racket used in the game lacrosse.See lacrosse and cp. next word.
crossette, n. (archaic). - F., dimin. of crosse,
'crosier, stock.' Sec prcc. word and -ette.
crossite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.) Named after the American geologist Whitman
Cross (I854-I949). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
crosso-, combining form meaning 'provided with
a fringe'. - Gk. xpoaao-, fr. xpoacrol (pl.),
'tassels, a fringe', rei. to xp6aacxL (pl.), 'battle-

Crotalaria

ments, copings of parapets', which prob. stands

for *qroqyii-, and is cogn. with Czech and Russ.
krokva, 'spar, rafter', OE. hriigan, MHG., G.
ragen, 'to jut out'. See rake, 'to project'.
Crotalaria, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xp6-rotAov, 'rattle', fr.
xp6-ro~. See next word.
Crotalus, n., the genus consisting of the rattlesnakes (zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xp6-rotAov,
'rattle', fr. xp6-ro~, 'the sound of rattling, beating,
striking or clapping' (whence also xpoTeiv, 'to
cause to rattle; to knock, beat, strike, clap'), fr.
I.-E. base *kret-, 'to make a noise, to rattle',
whose nasalized form appears in ON. hrinda, OE.
hrindan, 'to thrust'. Cp. next word, Crotaphytus,
and the second element in dicrotic, tricrotism.
crotaphion, n., the point at the posterior extremity of the sphenoid (anat.)- Medical L., fr.
Gk. xpoTocqnov, neut. of xpo-roc<pLoc;, 'of the
temples', fr. xp6-rcx<po~, 'side of the forehead',
in the pl. 'temples', prop. meaning 'the place of
beating', and rei. to xp6-ro~, 'the sound of beating'. See prec. word.
crotaphite, adj., temporal (anat.)- Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. xp6-rot<poL (pl.), 'temples'.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: crotap/lite, n., the temporal fossa,
crotaphit-ic, adj., temporal.
Crotaphytus, n., a genus of lizards (zoo!.) ModL., fr. Gk. xpo-rot<pfTIJ~, 'pertaining to the
temples, temporal', fr. xp6-rcx<poL (pl.), 'the temples'. See crotaphion.
crotch, n., a forked part. - F. croch~, fr. croc,
'hook'. See next word.
Derivative: crotch, tr. and intr. v.
crotchet, n., 1) a small hook; 2) a hooklike part.
- ME., fr. OF. crochet (pronounced crotchet),
fr. croc, 'hook', a var. of crochet (q.v.) See also
crocket.
Derivatives: crotchet, tr. and intr. v., crotcheteer, n., crochet-y, adj., crotchet-i-ness, n.
Croton, n., a genus of plants of the spurge family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xp6-rwv, 'a tick; castoroil tree', a word of unknown origin.
crouch, intr. v.- ME. crouchen; prob. a blend
of cringe and couch.
Derivatives: crouch, n., crouch-er, n.
Scot.
croup, n., an inflammatory disease.
croup, 'to croak', of imitative origin.
Derivatives: croup-y, adj., croup-i-ly, adv.,
croup-i-ness, n.
croup, n., the hind part of quadrupeds, esp. of a
horse.- ME., fr. F. croupe, fr. Frankish *kruppa, which orig. meant 'protuberance', and is rei.
to crop (q.v.) See also next word and crupper.
croupier, n., a person in charge of a gaming table,
collecting stakes. - F., lit. 'rider on the croup',
hence 'assistant', fr. croupir, 'to ride on the
croup', fr. croupe. See prec. word.
crouton, n., a small piece of toasted bread used
in soups, etc.- F., lit. 'a little crust', dimin. of
crotite. See crust.

376

crow, intr. v. - ME. crowen, fr. OE. criiwan, 'to

crow', rei. to MLG. kreien, MDu. crayen, Du.
kraaien, OHG. kriien, MHG. kr:2jen, G. kriihen,
, 'to crow', of imitative origin. Cp. OSiav. graj(J,
grajati, 'to crow, caw', which is also imitative.
Cp. also next word and croak.
Derivatives: crow, n., crow-ing, n., crow-er, n.
crow, n., the bird. - ME. crowe, fr. OE. criiwe,
rei. to OS. kriija, MDu. crtiie, Du. kraai, OHG.
krii, kriiwa, kriija, kriiha, MHG. kra, krreje,
G. Kriihe, 'a crow', and to OE. crawan, etc.,
to crow'; see crow, v. These nouns lit. mean
'the crowing (bird)'. Cp. next word.
crowbar, n.- Lit. 'a bar with a pointed end resembling a crow's beak'.
crowd, n., an ancient Celtic stringed instrument.
-ME. crowde, fr. W. crwth, 'anything swelling,
bulging', which is rei. to Oir. crot, 'harp', Gael.
cruit, 'harp, violin', Ir. cruit, 'violin', and to
OW. crunn, Gael. cruinn, 'round, curved'. See
crown, n., and cp. rote, 'a musical instrument'.
crowd, intr. and tr. v., to press.- ME. cruden,
crouden, fr. OE. crudan, 'to press, push', rei.
to MDu. cruden, later kruyden, kruyen, Du.
kruien, 'to push', MHG. kroten, 'to press, oppress'. Cp. curd.
Derivatives: crowd, n., multitude, crowd-ed, adj.,
crowd-ed-ly, adv., crowd-ed-ness, n., crowder
(q.v.)
crowder, n., one who or that which crowds. Formed fr. prec. word with agential suff. -er.
crowder, n., one who plays on a crowd (archaic).
- Formed fr. crowd, 'a musical instrument',
with agential suff. -er.
crown, n. - ME. croune, fr. earlier coroune, corune, fr. OF. corone (F. couronne), fr. L. corona,
'garland, wreath, crown', fr. Gk. xopwv'1), 'anything curved; crown', fr. xopwv6~, 'curved,
crooked', which is cogn. with Mlr. cruind, OW.
crunn, W., MW. crwnn, Gael. cruinn, 'round',
curved', L. curvus, 'bent, crooked'. Cp. It., Sp.
corona, Port. coroa, OFris., MLG. krone (Du.
kroon, kruin), OHG. corona (MHG krone, G.
Krone), ON. kruna, which all derive fr. L.
corona. See curve and cp. corona. Cp. also
cornice, coroa, corollary, crowd, 'a musical instrument'.
crown, tr. v. - ME. crounen, fr. earlier corunen,
fr. OF. coroner (F. couronner), fr. L. coronure,
'to crown', fr. corona. See crown, n. Cp. Rum.
cununa, 'to crown, wreathe; to unite in wedlock', It. coronare, OProven~., Catal., Sp. coronar, Port. coroar, 'to crown', which all derive
fr. L. coronare.
Derivative: crown-er, n.
crozier, n. - See crosier.
crucial, adj., I) cross-shaped; 2) decisive, critical.
-F., fr. L. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross'. See cross
and adj. suff. -aL In its second sense, the word
crucial derives from Bacon's phrase instantia
crucis (see Novum Organum II, XXXVI).
Derivative: crucial-ly, adv.

377

crucian carp, n., a species of a carp. - Formed

with suff. -an fr. MLG. karusse (whence also
Dan. karuds), which prob. derives fr. Lith.
karusis (whence also G. Karausche). Lith.
karusis is a collateral form of karosas, which,
together with Czech karas, Pol. karas, Russ.
kards', 'crucian carp', is borrowed fr. L. coracfnus, 'a Nile fish' (whence also F. corassin,
carassin, 'crucian carp'), fr. Gk. xopotxi~o~, of
s.m., lit. 'a fish or ravenlike color', fr. x6pot~,
gen. x6potxo<;, 'raven'; see coracine. MG. kara3,
of s.m., is a Slavic loan word.
Crucianella, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.)- ModL. formed with the dimin.
suff. -ella fr. L. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross'. See
cross, n.
cruciate, adj., cross-shaped. - ModL. cruciutus,
'cross-shaped', fr. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross'. See
cross and adj. suff. -ate and cp. excruciate. In
the now obsolete sense, 'tortured, tormented',
cruciate derives fr. L. cruciutus, pp. of crucitire,
'to crucify, torture, torment', fr. crux (see
above).
crucible, n., a vessel for melting metals. - ML.
crucibulum, 'night lamp, melting pot, crucible',
formed fr. L. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross' (see
cross, n.), and the instrumental suff. -bulum.
The lamp was so called from its shape suggestive
of a cross.
Derivative: crucible, tr. v.
cruciferous, adj., I) bearing a cross; 2) pertaining
to the mustard family (bot.) - Formed with
sutr. -ous fr. L. crucifer, 'cross bearer', fr. crux,
gen. crucis, 'cross', and ferre, 'to bear, carry'.
See cross and -ferous. The mustard family is
called cruciferozis because the four petals of the
flowers are arranged crosswise.
crucifix, n. - ME., fr. OF. crucefix (F. crucifix),
fr. L. crucifixus, 'one fixed to the cross', orig.
spelled in two words: crucifix us, from the dative
of crux, 'a cross', and pp. offigere, 'to fix'. See
cross, n., and fix, adj., and cp. crucify.
crucifixion, n. - Eccles. L. crucifixi6, gen. -6nis,
fr. L. crucifixus. See prec. word and -ion.
cruciform, adj., cross-shaped.- Compounded of
L. crux, gen. crucis, and forma, 'form, shape'.
See cross and form, n.
crucify, tr. v.- OF. ( = F.) crucifier, fr. L. crucifigere, orig. spelled in two words: cruel figere,
'to fix to the cross'; see crucifix. 0 F. crucifier was
influenced in form by the many verbs ending
in -fier, a suff. corresponding to L. -ficure.
Derivatives: crucifi-ed, adj., crucifi-er, n.
crude, adj., 1) raw; not refined; 2) not finished.
- L. crudus, 'raw, crude, not cooked', lit. 'trickling with blood, bleeding', rel. to cruor, 'blood
(flowing from a wound)', cruentus, 'stained
with blood, bloody', fr. I.-E. base *qrewt-,
*qreu-, 'coagulated, congealed, bloody', whence
also 01. kravi/1, 'raw flesh', kravyam, 'blood',
kriird/;1, 'raw, bloody, cruel', Avestic xriim(ace.),
'a piece of bloody flesh', xrura-, 'bloody, cruel',

crump

xruma-, xruta-, 'dreadful, horrible', Gk. xpcx~

(for *xpfot~). 'flesh', OPol. kry, OSlav. kruvi,
OPruss. krawian, Lith. kraujas, 'blood', Lett.
kreve, 'clotted blood', Mlr. cru, W. crau, Co.
crow, 'blood', Oir. criiaid, 'firm, hard', OE.
hreaw, 'raw'. Cp. raw. Cp. also creosote, cruel,
cruentation, crust, crystal, ecru, recrudesce.
Derivatives: crude-ly, adv., crude-ness, n.
crudity, n. -F. erudite, fr. L. cruditutem, ace. of
crUditus, fr. crudus. See crude and -ity.
cruel, adj. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) cruel, fr. L.
crUde/is, 'hard, unmerciful, cruel, fierce', fr. crudus; see crude. For the formation of crude/is, fr.
crudus, cp. L. fide/is, 'true, faithful', fr. fidus,
ofs.m.
Derivatives: cruel-ly, adv., cruel-ness, n., cruelty
(q.v.)
cruelty, n. -OF. cruelte (F. cruaute), fr. L. crudelitutem, ace. of crudelitiis, 'cruelty'. See prec.
word and -ty.
cruentation, n., oozing of blood, esp. from a dead
body after incision. - L. cruenttitio, gen. -onis,
'a staining with blood', fr. cruentutus, pp. of
cruenture, 'to stain with blood', fr. cruentus,
'bloody', fr. cruor, 'blood', which is rei. to
crudus. See crude and -ation.
cruet, n., a small glass bottle for vinegar, oil,
etc.- AF., dimin. of OF. crue, cruie, 'an earthen pot', fr. Frankish *kruka (whence also
OProven~. cruga, and F. cruche, 'pitcher'), which
is rei. to MHG. kruche, 'pitcher, jug', and to
OHG. kruog, of s.m. See crock, 'earthen pot'.
cruise, intr. and tr. v.- Du. kruisen, 'to cross;
to cruise', fr. kruis, 'cross', fr. L. crucem, ace.
of crux, 'cross'. See cross, n.
Derivatives: cruise, n., cruiser (q.v.)
cruiser, n. - Lit. 'a cruising vessel', formed fr.
cruise with agential suff. -er.
cruller, n., a small sweet cake. - Du. kruller, lit.
'a curled cake', fr. krullen, 'to curl'. See curl.
crumb, n.- ME. crume, crumme, fr. OE. cruma,
rei. to ON. krumr, Dan. krumme, MLG., MDu.
cr6me, Du. kruim, MHG. krume, G. Krume,
'crumb', and cogn. with Gk. ypufL&Ii, ypufLdli,
'bag, trash, trumpery; fish remnants', ypO-TIJ,
'frippery', ypu, 'dirt under the nail', L. grumus,
'a little heap'. All these words prob. mean lit.
'something scraped together', and derive fr. I.-E.
base *greu-, 'to scrape together'. Cp. crumple.
Cp. also crumen, grume.
Derivatives: crumb, tr. and intr. v., crumble, v.
(q.v.), crumb-y, crumm-y, adjs.
crumble, tr. and intr. v.- Formed fr. crumb with
freq. suff. -le.
Derivative: crumbl-y, adj.
crumen, n., the name of the suborbital gland in
deer and antelopes. - L. crumina, crumena,
'purse, bag', fr. Gk. ypufLE:Ii, ypiJ[L&li. See crumb.
crump, tr. and intr. v., to crunch.- Of imitative
origin.
Derivative: crump, n., I) a crunching sound;
2) a heavy shell.

crumpet

crumpet, n., a kind of sticky cake. - ME. crompid cake (Wycliffe's rendering of Heb. riiq/q,
Ex. 29: 23). ME. crompid prob. derives fr. OE.
cron peht, 'a thin flat cake', which is, indeed,
the most exact rendering of Heb. raqtq, fr. Heb.
raq, 'thin'. OE. cron peht is of Celtic origin.
Cp. Bret. krampoez, 'a thin flat cake', in which
the second element is rel. to W. poeth, 'cooked',
and cogn. with 01. paktd/.r, Gk. 1t"<:Tt"-r6~, L. coctus, 'cooked' Lith. keptas, 'baked'. See cook.
crumple, tr. and intr. v. - Freq. formed with
suff. -lefrom obsol. OE. crump, crumb, 'crooked',
which is rel. to OS. crumb, Du. krom, OHG.,
MHG. krump, G. krumm, 'crooked', and cogn.
with Gk. ypu1t"6~, 'curved, hook-nosed'. See
creep and cp. cripple. Cp. also the first element
in krummhom.
Derivatives: crumple, n., crumpl-ed, adj., crumpler, n., crumpl-ing, n., crumpl-y, adj.
crunch, intr. and tr. v. -Of imitative origin. Cp.
craunch and scrunch.
Derivatives: crunch, n., crunch-ing, n. and adj.,
crunch-ing-ly, adv., crunch-ing-ness, n., crunch-y,
adj., crunch-i-ly, adv., crunch-i-ness, n.
crunode, n., a point at which a curve crosses itself (geom.) - Irregularly formed fr. L. crux,
'cross', and nodus, 'knot'. See cross and node.
Derivative: crunod-al, adj.
crupper, n., 1) the rump of a horse, croup; 2) a
leather strap attached to a saddle. - ME. cropere, fr. OF. cropiere (F. croupiere), 'crupper,
saddle tie', fr. crope (F. croupe), 'croupe, rump'.
See croup, 'the hind part of a horse'.
Derivative: crupper, tr. v.
crural, adj., pertaining to the leg (anat. and zoo[.)
- L. cruriilis, fr. crus, gen. cruris, 'leg'. See
next word and adj. suff. -al.
crus, n., the leg; the shank (anat.)- L. crus, gen.
cruris, 'leg, shank, shin', of uncertain origin;
possibly cogn. with Arm. srun-k' (pl.), 'shinbones, calves of the leg'; not related to L. cruor,
'blood', criidus, 'raw'. Cp. crural.
crusade, n. -A blend of Sp. cruzada and F. croisade, fr. Sp. cruzar, resp. F. croiser, 'to cross,
to take the cross', fr. Sp. cruz, resp. F. croix,
fr. L. crucem, ace. of crux. See cross, n., and
-ade (representing Sp. -ada) and cp. next word.
Derivatives: crusade, intr. v., crusad-er, n.
crusado, cruzado, n., name of a Portuguese coin.
-Port. cruzado, lit. 'marked with a cross', fr.
cruzar, 'to cross, mark with a cross', rel. to
Catal. crusar, Olt. crociare, OProven9. crozar,
F. croiser, fr. L. crux, 'cross'. See cross, n., and
cp. prec. word.
cruse, n., a small earthen vessel. - ME. cruse,
cruce, prob. fr. MDu. cruese (Du. kroes), 'cup,
pot, mug', which is rei. to MLG. kriis, ON. kriis,
Dan. krus, 'mug, jug', Swed. krus, 'mug',
MHG. kriise, G. Krause, 'jug, mug'.
crush, tr. and intr. v. - ME. cruschen, fr. OF.
cruissir, a var. of croissir, 'to break', fr. Frankish *krostjan, 'to gnash the teeth', which is rel.

378

to Goth. kriustan, 'to gnash the teeth', krusts,

'the gn~hing of teeth', ON. kreista, 'to press,
squeeze', OSwed. krusa, krosa, 'to crush'. Cp.
It. crosciare (fr. OF. croissir), and OProven9.
croisir, cruisir, Catal. cruxir (whence Sp. crujir),
'to crack', which are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives: crush, n., crush-ed, adj., crush-er,
n., crush-ing, adj., crush-ing-ly, adv.
crusily, crusile, adj., sprinkled with small crosses
(her.) - OF. croisi/lie, croisille, crusillie, fr.
croisille, 'a small cross', dimin. of OF. croiz (F.
croix), fr. L. crucem, ace. of crux, 'cross'. See
cross.
crust, n. - ME., fr. OF. crouste (F. croute), fr.
L. crusta, 'the hard surface of a body, rind,
crust, shell', which stands for *crus-ta, and lit.
means 'that which has been hardened by freezing', and is cogn. with Gk. xpuo~ (prob. for
*xpucro~), 'icy cold, frost', xpuep6~, 'icy, chilling',
xpti[L6~ (for *xpucr[L6~), 'frost', xpucr-rO':Mo~, 'ice,
crystal', Toch. A kuras, B krost, 'cold', Lett.
kruvesis, 'mud frozen in the field; roughness of
the soil', Lith. at-kriisti, 'to revive' (said of
frozen people),OHG. (h)rosa, (h)roso, 'ice, crust',
ON. hri6sa, 'to shudder', OE. hriise, 'earth,
ground'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. *qreus-,
*qrus-, *qruwes-, enlarged forms of base *qreu-,
'icy, solid, coagulated, congealed', whence also
L. criidus, 'raw'. See crude and cp. Crustacea,
encrust. Cp. also crofiton, crystal, custard and
the first element in Caucasian.
Derivatives: crust, v. (q.v.), crust-y, adj., crusti-ly, adv., crust-i-ness, n.
crust, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. crust, n., on
analogy of OF. crouster (F. crouter), fr. crouste.
Derivatives: crust-ed, adj., crust-ed-/y, adv.
Crustacea, n. pl., a large class of animals characterized by a hard outer shell; including crabs,
lobsters, shrimps, crayfish, etc. (zoo/.) - Neut.
pl. of ModL. crustiiceus, lit. 'pertaining to the
crust or shell', fr. L. crusta. See crust, n.
crustacean, adj., pertaining to the Crustacea. See prec. word and -an.
Derivative: crustacean, n.
crustaceology, n., the study of crustaceans. -A
hybrid coined fr. Crustacea and Gk. -:AoyliX, fr.
-A6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
crustaceous, adj., 1) pertaining to crust; 2) the
same as crustacean. - ModL. crustiiceus. See
Crustacea and -ous.
crutch, n. - ME. crucche, fr. OE. crycc, 'crutch,
staff, crozier', rei. to OS. krukka, Dan. krykke,
Swed. krycka, MDu. crucke, Du. kruk, OHG.
krucka, MHG. krucke, G. Kriicke, 'crutch'.
These words stand in gradational relationship
to ON. krokr, 'hook', kraki, 'astickwithahook
at its end'. They are related also to E. cricket,
the game, creek, crook and crosier. Dial. It.
croccia, It. gruccia, 'crutch', and crocco, 'hook',
are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives:crutch,tr. andintr. v.,crutch-ed,adj.

Cryptostegia

379

crux, n., something difficult to explain, a hard

puzzle.- L. crux, 'cross', used also in the sense
of 'torture, trouble'. Cp. crux interpre tum, 'a
crux of interpretors'. Cp. also crucial, excruciate
and see cross.
cruzado, n.- See crusado.
cruzeiro, n., the monetary unit of Brazil.- Port.,
fr. cruz, 'cross', fr. L. crucem, ace. of crux,
'cross'. See crucial.
cry, intr. and tr. v. - OF. ( = F.) crier, fr. VL.
*cr'itiire, corruption of L. quiritiire, 'to cry, wail,
scream', denominated fr. Quirites, 'Roman citizens'; see Quirites. Accordingly quiritiire orig.
meant 'to address the Romans', whence arose
the meanings 'to implore somebody's help; to
raise a plaintive cry; to cry aloud'. Cp. It. gridare, OProvent;., OSp. cridar, Sp., Port. gritar,
which all derive from L. quiritiire. Cp. also
decry, descry.
Derivatives: cry, n., cry-ing, adj., cry-ing-ly, adv.
cry-, form of cryo- before a vowel.
crymodynia, n., pain caused by cold weather
(med.)- Medical L., lit. 'pain caused by frost',
fr. xpti[L6~ (for *xpucr[L6~), 'frost', and o3Uv1),
'pain'. Gk. xpti[LO~ is cogn. with L. crusta,
'crust'; see crust, n., and cp. the second element
in isocryme. For the second element see -odynia.
crymotherapy, n., the therapeutic application of
cold (med.) - Compounded of Gk. xpti[L6~,
'frost', and ~epO':rrd<i, 'a waiting on, service, attendance'. See prec. word and -therapy.
cryo-, before a vowel cry-, combining form meaning 'cold, freezing'.- Gk. xpuo-, xpu-, fr. xpuo~
(for *xpucro~), 'icy cold, frost", which is cogn.
with L. crusta, 'crust'. See crust.
cryogen, n., a refrigerant. - Compounded of
cryo- and -gen.
cryolite, n., a fluoride of sodium and aluminum
(mineral.) - Orig. kryolith, coined by Peter
Christian Abilgaard (1740-1801), director of the
Veterinary College in Copenhagen, fr. Gk.
xp~o~, 'icy cold, frost', and :A[~o~. 'stone'. See
cryo- and -lite; so called by him from its translucency. See J. R. Partington, A History of
Chemistry, Volume III, London, 1962, p. 554.
cryometer, n., a thermometer for measuring very
low temperatures. - Compounded of cryo- and
Gk. [L!hpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
cryophorus, n., an instrument for showing the
freezing of water by its own evaporation. Compounded of cryo- and Gk. -<popo~, 'bearer',
fr. <;>epew, 'to bear'. See -pbore.
crypt, n., an underground chamber. - L. crypta,
'vault, cave, crypt', fr. Gk. xpurr7i;, of s.m., short
for xpurrTI) XO':[L&:p:i, 'a hidden vault'. Kpurr71;
is fern. of xpurr-r6~. 'hidden, concealed', verbal
adj. of xpuTt"-r<:L'J, 'to hide, conceal', fr. I.-E. base
*qrii-bh-, enlargement of base *qrii-, 'to hide',
whence OSlav. kryj(J, kryli, 'to hide'. Cp. luypton. Cp. also grot, grotto, which are doublets of
crypt. Cp. also Apocrypha, undercroft.

crypt-, form of crypto- before a vowel.

cryptic, adj., secret.- L. crypticus, 'covered, concealed', fr. Gk. xpurr-rLxo~, fr. xpurr-r6~, verbal
adj. of xpurr-r<:L'J, 'to hide, conceal'. See crypt
and -ic.
Derivative: cryptic-al-ly, adv.
crypto-, before a vowel crypt-, combining form
meaning 'hidden, secret'. -Gk. xpurr-ro-, xpurr-r-,
fr. xpurr-r6~, verbal adj. of xpurr-retv. See crypt.
cryptocrystalline, adj., indistinctly crystalline
(petrogr.) - Compounded of crypto- and crystalline.
Cryptodira, n. pl., a suborder of tortoises (zoo/.)
- ModL., lit. 'having a concealed neck', compounded of crypto- and Ion. Gk. Se:Lp-1), 'neck',
which is rel. to Gk. oEp1J, Lesbian oE:ppiX, Dor.
il~pii, Arcad. ilepfa, of s.m. (I.-E. *gwer-wii), and
is cogn. with 01. grivd (for *gwri-wii), 'nape',
OSlav griva, 'mane', fr. I.-E. base *gwer-, 'to
swallow', whence also Gk. ~op&, ~PWfJ.O':, 'food',
L. voriire, 'to devour'. See voracious.
Derivatives: cryptodir-an, cryptodir-ous, adjs.
cryptogam, n., one of the group of plants which
have no external flowers and seeds. - F. cryptogame, fr. Gk. xpurr-r6~, 'hidden', and y:i[LO~,
'marriage'. See crypto- and -gamy.
Derivatives: cryptogam-ian, cryptogam-ic, adjs.,
cryptogam-y, n., cryptogam-ist, n., cryptogamous, adj.
Cryptogamia, n. pl., the group of cryptogams
(bot.) - ModL., formed fr. prec. word with
suff. -ia.
cryptogram, n., something written in cipher. Compounded of crypto- and yp:i[L[LO':, 'something
written'. See -gram.
Derivatives: cryptogram-ic, cryptogrammat-ic,
adjs.
Cryptogramma, n., a genus of plants of the polypody family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
crypto- and Gk. yp:X[J.Il1J, 'a line', which is rei. to
yp:X[L[J.OC, 'something written' (see -gram and cp.
cryptogram); so called in allusion to the lines
of sporangia at first hidden by the margin.
cryptograph, n., a cryptogram. -Compounded
of crypto- and Gk. -ypO':<flO~, fr. yp&:cpetv, 'to
write'. See -graph and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: cryptograph-er, n., cryptograph-ic,
adj., cryptograph-y, n.
cryptology, n., a secret language.-Compounded
of crypto- and Gk. -:Aoylii, fr. -A6yo~, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
cryptorchid, n., one with undescended testicles
(anat.) - Medical. L. cryptorchis, corrupted fr.
Gk. xp,J~0p:;(L~, 'undescended testicles', a word
coined by Galen fr. xpu<jlt~, 'hiding, concealment'
(fr. xpurr-rew, 'to hide'), and iSpx_~;. 'testicle'.
See crypt- and orchid.
Derivative: cryptorchid-ism, also cryptorch-ism,
n.

Cryptostegia, n., a genus of woody vines of the

milkweed family (bot.)- ModL., compounded

Cryptotaenia
of crypto- and Gk. cr-rE:ytj, 'roof', which is rel. to
cr-rE:yo<;, 'roof', fr. cr-rE:yeLv, 'to cover'. See stegano-.
Cryptotaenia, n., a genus of plants containing
the honewort (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
crypto- and Gk. 't"(XLV!oc, 'fillet'. See taenia.
crystal, n. - ME. crista/, fr. OF. crista/ (F. crystal), fr. L. crystal/urn, fr. Gk. xpucr-r(X).Ao<;, 'ice;
crystal', which is rei. to xpucr-r(X(veLv, 'to congeal, freeze'. Both these words derive fr. xpuo<;
(for *xpucro<;), 'frost', which is cogn. with L.
crusta, 'crust'. See crust and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also crymodynia, cryogen,
cryolite.
Derivatives: crystal, adj. and tr. v., crystalline
(q.v.), crystall-ize, tr. and intr. v., crystallization, n., crystalliz-ed, adj., crystalliz-er, n.
crystall-, form of crystallo- before a vowel.
crystalline, adj. - F. crystallin, fr. L. crystallinus, fr. Gk. xpucr-roc.wo<;, 'of crystal', fr. xpucr-r(XAAo<;. See crystal and -ine (representing Gk.
-tvo<;.
Derivatives: crystalline n., crystallin-ity, n.
crystallo-, before a vowel crystall-, combining
form meaning 'crystal'. - Gk. xpucr-r(XAAo-,
xpucr-r(XAA-, fr. xpucr-r(X/../..o<;. See crystal.
crystallographer, n. - See crystallography and
agential suff. -er.
crystallography, n., the study of the formation of
crystals. - Compounded of crystallo- and Gk.
-ypwploc, fr. ypocqJEL\1, 'to write'. See -graphy.
crystalloid, adj., resembling a crystal. - Compounded of crystallo- and Gk. -oe:Lil~<;, 'like',
fr. e!llo<;, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
crystallomancy, n., divination by crystal gazing.
- Compounded of crystallo- and Gk. IJ.(X\In(oc,
'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
csardas, n., a Hungarian national dance.
Hung. csdrdds.
cten-, form of cteno- before a vowel.
ctenidium, n., the gill of a mollusk (zoo/.) ModL., formed with suff. -idium fr. Gk. x-rd<;,
gen. x-re:\lo<;, 'comb'. See cteno-.
cteno-, before a vowel cten-, combining form
meaning 'comblike' (zoo/.)- Gk. xn\lo-, xnv-,
fr. x-rd<;, gen. x-re:\lo<;, 'comb', which stands for
*pkten, and is rei. to rrE:x.e:L\1, 'to comb', and
cogn. with L. pecten, 'comb', pectere, 'to comb'.
See pecten.
Compounded of
ctenoid, adj., comblike. cten- and Gk. -oe:Lil~<;, 'like', fr. dllo<;, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
Ctenophora, n. pl., a phylum f'f Coelenterata
(zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of cteno- and
neut. pl. of Gk. -qJ6po<;, 'bearer', fr. qJepe:Lv, 'to
bear'. See -phore.
cuarenta, n., a silver coin of Cuba. - Sp., 'forty',
fr. L. quadriigintii. See quadragenarian and cp.
quarantine.
cub, n., the young of the fox, bear, wolf, lion,
tiger c;tc. - Of uncertain origin; perhaps rei.
to ON. and Icelandic kobbi, Norw. kobbe, 'seal',

381

380

which is prob. so called from its heavy and

clumsy form, to Norw. kubbe, kub, 'stump,
block', and to E. cob, 'heap, lump', and further to
Norw. kop, 'cup', earlier Dan. kop, 'head', Dan.
kop, 'cup', OHG. chuph, kop/, 'cup', MHG. kop/,
'drinking vessel; head', G. Kopf, 'head'. See cup.
Derivatives: cub, tr. and intr. v., to bring forth
cubs, cubb-ing, n., cubb-ish, adj., cubb-ish-ly,
adv., cubb-ish-ness, n., cub-hood, n.
cub, n., a stall, shed. - MDu. cubbe (Du. kub,
kubbe), 'stall, shed', rel. to cove (q.v.) See also
cubby.
cubage, n., cubic content. -See cube and -age.
cubature, n., cubic content. - F., irregularly
formed fr. L. cubus, 'cube', on analogy of quadrature. See cube and -ure.
cubby, n., a small space. - Derived fr. cub,
'stall, shed'.
cube, n.- F., fr. L. cubus, fr. Gk. xu[3o<;, 'cube,
cubical die', prob. of Sem. origin. Cp. Arab.
ka'b, 'cube', and see Kaaba. The u in Gk. xuf3o<;
is equivalent to Sem. ayin (represented by the
sign '). See W. Muss-Arnolt in Transactions of
the American Philological Association, p. 147.
Gk. xuf3oc; in the sense 'hollow above the hip',
is not related to xuf3o<;, 'cube'.
Derivatives: cube, tr. v., cub-er, n., cubic (q.v.)
cubeb, n., a small aromatic berry used in medicine. - F. cubebe, fr. ML. cubeba, Cr. VArab.
kubdba, corresponding to Arab., kabiibah, of
s.m.
cubelet, n., a little cube. - A double dimin.
formed fr. cube with the suffixes -el and -et.
cubic, adj. - F. cubique, fr. L. cubicus, fr. Gk.
xuf3Lx6<;, fr. xuf3o<;, 'cube'. See cube and -ic.
Derivatives: cubic, n., cubic-al, adj., cubic-al-ly,
cubic-ly, advs.
cubicle, n., 1) a small sleeping room; 2) any small
room. - L. cubiculum, 'an apartment for reclining or resting', for cubi-c/om, lit. 'a place for
reclining', formed from the stem of cubiire, 'to
lie down, recline', with -clom, a suff. denoting
place. L. cubiire derives fr. I.-E. base *qeu-b-,
'to bend, curve, arch', whence also L. cubitum,
'elbow', Gk. xuf3o<;, 'hollow above the hip of
cattle' (but X'Jf3o<; in the sense of 'cube, die',
is a Semitic loan word), Goth. hups, OE. hype,
'hip'. See hip and cp. accumbent, concubine, couvade, covey, cubit, incubate, incubus, incumbent,
procumbent, recumbent, succubus, succumb. Cp.
also coomb, 'a deep valley'. Base *qeub- is a
-b-enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to bend', curve,
arch', whence -with reduplication - L. caciimen (prob. fr. orig. *kakud), 'top, summit'.
See high and cp. cacuminal. For a -p-enlargement
of this base see cup and cp. words there referred to.
cubiculum, n., a cubicle. - L. See cubicle.
cubiform, adj., having the form of a cube.
Compounded of: L. cubus, 'cube', and forma,
'form, shape'. See cube and form, n.
cubism, n., a school of modem art characterized

'

by the use of cubes and other geometric solids.

- F. cubisme, fr. cube, 'cube'; see cube and
-ism. The word cubisme was coined by the
French art critic Louis Vauxcelles on the basis
of a remark made by the French painter Henri
Matisse (1869-1954) before a landscape exhibited by Georges Braque (1882-1963) in the
Autumn Salon of 1908. On that occasion Matisse spoke of the 'small cubes' (petits cubes)
characterizing the painting of Braque. This remark induced Vauxcelles to form the word
cubisme.
cubist, n., an adherent of cubism. - F. cubiste,
fr. cube, 'cube'. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: cubist, adj.
cubit, n.- L. cubitum (also cubitus), 'elbow', fr.
I.-E. base *qeu-b-, 'to bend, curve', whence also
cubiire, 'to lie down'. See cubicle and cp. cubitus.
Cp. also codille.
cubital, adj., pertaining to the cubitus or cubit. L. cubittilis, fr. cubitum (cubitus). See cubit and
adj. suff. -al.
cubitus, n., the ulna (anat.) - L. 'elbow'. See
cubit.
cuboid, adj., resembling a cube in shape.- Gk.
xuf3oc:Lil~<;, 'like a cube, cubical', compounded
Of xuf3o<;, 'cube', and -OELil~<;, 'like', fr. d/lo<;,
'form, shape'. See cube and -oid.
Derivative: cuboid, n.
cuckold, n., the husband of an unfaithful wife. ME. cocold, kokewold, kokeweld, fr. OF. cucuault, 'cuckold', a hybrid coined fr. OF. cocu
(whence F. coucou), 'cuckoo', and -ault, -aft,
a suff. of Teut. origin. See next word. OF. cocu
unites the senses of 'cuckoo' and 'cuckold'. The
sense development of OF. cocu, cucuault, 'finds
its explanation in the fact that the female of the
cuckoo never remains with the same male for
a longer time. Modern French distinguishes between coucou, 'cuckoo', and cocu, 'cuckold'.
Derivatives: cuckold, tr. v., cucko/d-ry, n.
cuckoo, n. - F. coucou, fr. OF. cocu, a word
imitative of the bird's cry. Cp. Gk. x6xxuf;, L.
cuciilus, 'cuckoo', 01. kokild/:1, 'the Indian cuckoo', koka/:1, 'goose', Mlr.ciiach, W.cog, 'cuckoo',
which all are of imitative origin. Cp. cuckold,
coccyx, koel. Cp. also cock.
cuculiform, adj., resembling, or pertaining to,
the cuckoos. - Compounded of L. cuciilus,
'cuckoo', and forma, 'form, shape'. See cuckoo
and form, n,
cucullaris, n., the trapezius muscle (anat.) Medical L. cucul/iiris, lit. 'resembling a cap', fr.
L. cucullus, 'cap, hood'. See cowl and cp.
next word.
cucullate, cucullated, adj., hooded; hood-shaped
(bot. and zoot.)- Late L. cuculltitus, 'hooded',
pp. of cuculliire, 'to cover with a hood', fr. L.
cucul/us, 'cap, hood'. See cowl and cp. prec.
word.
Derivative: cucullate-ly, adv.
cuculliform, adj., hood-shaped. - Compounded

cuddy
of L. cucul/us, 'cap, hood', and forma, 'form,
shape'. See cowl and form, n.
cuculoid, adj., resembling, or pertaining, to the
cuckoos. - A hybrid coined fr. L. cuciilus,
'cuckoo', and Gk. -oc:Lil~<;. 'like', fr. eiilo<;,
'form, shape'. See cuckoo and -oid. The correct
form is cuculiform, in which both elements are
of Latin origin.
cucumber, n. - ME. cucumer, fr. OF. cocombre,
cucombre (F. concombre), fr. OProvenc;. cogombre, fr. L. cucumerem, ace. of cucumis, 'cucumber', fr. Gk. xuxuo<;, assimilated fr. cr(xuo~,
'cucumber', a collateral form of crLxtrtJ, of s.m.,
which was prob. formed through metathesis fr.
Heb. qishshU'd11 , 'cucumber'. See Sicyos and
cp. It. cocomero, Sp. cohombro, Port. cogombro,
which also derive fr. L. cucumerem. Cp. also
Cucumis.
cucumiform, adj., having the form of a cucumber. -Compounded of L. cucumis, 'cucumber',
and forma, 'form, shape'. See cucumber and
form, n.
Cucumis, n., a genus of plants of the cucumber
family (bot.) - L., 'cucumber'. See cucumber.
cucurbit,n., 1) a gourd; 2) a gourd-shaped flask.F. cucurbite, fr. L. cucurbila, 'a gourd', which
is cogn. with 01. carbhatab, 'gourd'. The reduplication in L. cu-cur-bita is prob. due to the
influence of L. cu-cu-mis, 'cucumber'. Cp. Rum.
cucurbetii, OProvenc;. cogorda, OF. coorde
(whence F. courge and gourde), 'gourd, pumpkin', OE. cyrfet, OHG. kurbi3, MHG. kiirbi.;,
G. Kiirbis), 'gourd', which all derive from L. cucurbita. Cp. gourd.
Cucurbita, n., a genus of vines (bot.) - L.,
'gourd'. See prec. word.
Cucurbitaceae, n. pl., a family of vines (bot.) Formed fr. Cucurbita with suff. -aceae.
cucurbitaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
cud, n. - ME., fr. OE. cwidu, cudu, 'mastic, cud',
rel. to ME. code, 'pitch', ON. kvtioa, 'resin',
OHG. quiti, kuti, 'glue' (whence MHG. kiite,
kiit, G. Kitt, 'putty'), and cogn. with 01. jdtu-,
lac, gum', and with L. bitumen (an OscoUmbrian dial. word; the genuine Latin form
would have been *vetiimen, fr. *gwetiimen),
'mineral pitch'. All these words are derivatives
of I.-E. *gwet-, *geut-, *gut-, dental enlargements
of base *geu-, 'to bend, curve, arch'. See cove,
'a small bay', and cp. quid for chewing. Cp. also
bitumen, bowel, guttural.
codbear, n., a dye made from lichens. -Coined
from the name of Cuthbert Gordon (in 1766)
who patented this dye.
cuddle, tr. and intr. v. - Prob. formed ir. dial.
cull, col/, 'to hug, embrace', fr. ME. col/en, fr.
OF. co/er, 'to embrace', fr. col, 'neck', fr. L. collum. See collar.
Derivatives: cuddle, n., cuddle-some, cuddl-y,
adjs.
cuddy, n., a donkey. - From the Scot. name
Cuddy, dimin. of Cuthbert.

cuddy

cuddy, n., a cabin in a ship.- Du. kajuit, fr. F.

cahute, 'cabin', which is a blend of cabane, 'hut,
shanty, cabin', and hutte, 'hut'. Cp. G. KajUte,
Dan. kahyt, Swed. kajuta, 'cabin', which all are
borrowed fr. F. cahute, and see cabin and hut.
cudgel, n. - ME. kuggel, fr. OE. cycgel, rel. to
MDu. koghele, 'club with a round end', Du.
kogel, MHG. kugele, kugel, G. Kugel, 'ball,
globe', OHG. coccho, 'rounded ship', MHG.
kiule, kule, G. Keule, 'club with a round end',
Swed. kugge, Norw. kug, 'cog', and cogn. with
Lith. guga, 'pommel of a saddle, hump, hillock',
gaugaras, 'summit', Russ. guglja, 'tumor, swelling'. Cp. cog, 'tooth on a wheel'.
Derivatives: cudgel, tr. v., cudgel(l)-er, n.
cue, n., tail; billiard rod. - F. queue, 'tail', fr.
L. coda, of s.m. See caudal and words there
referred to and cp. esp. queue.
cue, n., direction for an actor's appearance. Pro b. name of the letter q, used as the abbreviation of L. quando, 'when (the actor has to come
in)'.
cueist, n., a billiard player (slang). - A hybrid
coined fr. cue, 'tail; billiard rod', a word of
Latin origin, and suff. -ist (fr. Gk. -~cr-ri):;).
cuesta, n .. a hill, slope (Southwestern U.S.A.)Sp., fr. L. costa, 'rib, side'. See coast.
cuff, n., the lower part of the sleeve. -ME. cuffe,
coffe, 'glove, mitten', of uncertain origin; not
related to coif
Derivatives: cuff, tr. v ., to put cuffs on, cuff-er, n.
cuff, tr. v., to strike. -ME., prob. fr. ME. cuffe,
'glove', and orig. meaning 'to strike with a
glove'. See cuff, n.
cuirass, n., armor protecting the breast and back.
- F. cuirasse, orig. 'a leather breastplate', fr.
cuir, 'hide, leather', fr. L. corium. Cp. It. corazza, OProven~. coirassa, cuirassa, Sp. coraza,
Port. coura"a, 'cuirass', and see corium.
Derivatives: cuirass, tr. v., cuirass-ed, adj.
cuirassier, n., a soldier wearing a cuirass. - F.,
formed with suff. -ier fr. cuirasse. See prec. word.
cuisine, n., the kitchen; style of cooking. - F.,
'kitchen', fr. Late L. cocina, a var. of coquina,
'kitchen', fr. coquere, 'to cook'. See cook and
cp. kitchen.
cuisse, cuish, n .. usually in the pl., armor for protecting the thigh. - ME. cuissues, fr. OF. cuisseaux, pl. of cuissel, fr. cuisse, 'thigh', fr. L.
coxa, 'hip', whence also It. coscia, 'thigh', Rum.
coapsii, 'hip, thigh', OProven~. coissa, cueisa,
'thigh', Catal. cuxa, OSp., Port. coxa, of s.m.
See coxa and cp. cushion.
-cola, L. fern. dimin. suff.. correspondin g to
masc. -culus, neut. -culum. - Sec -cule.
cul-de-sac, n., a blind alley. - F., lit. 'bottom
of a bag'. For the etymology of F. cui sec culet.
F. de, 'of, from, derives fr. L. de, 'from, away
from'; see de-. For the origin of F. sac see sac.
-cule, dimin. subst. suff. - F. -cute, fr. L. -cu/us
(masc.), -cula (fern.), or -culum (neut.) Cp. -cle.
culet, n., 1) the facet forming the bottom of a

382

brilliant; 2) armor covering the hinder part of

the body.- F., dimin. of cui, 'backside, posterior, bottom', fr. L. cUIus, 'posterior, fundament',
which is cogn. with Olr. cui, W. cil, 'back'. Cp.
culot, culotte, bascule, recoil and the first element in cul-de-sac. For the ending see suff. -et.
Culex, n., a genus of mosquitoes. - L. culex,
'gnat', cogn. with Olr. cui/ (for *ku-li) 'gnat',
W. cylionen, 'gnat, fly', Co. kelionen, 'fly' and
prob. also with 01. siila-, 'spear, spit'. These
words possibly derive fr.I.-E. *kul-, enlargement
of base *ku-, 'pointed', whence also L. cuneus,
'wedge'. See coin.
culici-, combining form meaning 'gnat'. - L.,
stem of culex, gen. culicis, 'gnat'. See Culex.
Culicidae, n. pl., a family of insects, the mosquitoes (entomol.) - ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. L. culex, gen. culicis, 'gnat'. See Culex.
culinary, adj., pertaining to the kitchen; fit for
cooking - L. culiniirius, 'pertaining to the kitchen', fr. culf11a, 'kitchen', which is rel. to coquere, 'to cook'. For the suff. -ina in culina cp.
Late L. coquina, 'kitchen', dial. L.popina, 'cookshop, eating-house '. See cook and adj. suff. -ary
and cp. cuisine. Cp. also kiln.
cull, tr. v., to select.- ME. cullen, fr. OF. cuillir,
coillir (F. cueillir), 'to collect, gather, pluck', fr.
L. collfgere, 'to collect'. See collect and cp. coil,
'to wind'.
Derivatives: cull, n., cull-age, n., cull-er, n.,
cull-ing, n.
cullender, n. - A var. of colander.
collet, n., broken or refuse glass. - F. collet, 'a
little neck' (see collet); so called in allusion to
the small pieces of glass at the neck of the bottle
detached in blowing the glass.
cullion, n., a base fellow.- The original meaning
is 'testicle', fr. couillon, 'testicle; base fellow',
fr. VL. *coleonem, ace. of *co/eo, fr. L. coleus,
'testicles', lit. 'straining bag', which prob. derives fr. colum, 'strainer, colander', and lit.
means 'that which pertains to the strainer'. See
colander and cp. cullis.
cullis, n., a strong broth of meat. - OF. coleis,
couleis (F. cou/is), fr. VL. *coliiticius, 'that which
pertains to straining', fr. L. coliire, 'to strain'.
See colander and cp. coulisse, cullion.
cully, n., a dupe. - Perhaps abbreviation of
cullion.
culm, n., stalk, stem. - L. culmus, 'stalk, stem',
cogn. with Gk. xhy.o<;, xxAX[J:r,, 'reed', OSiav.
slama, Russ. soloma, 'straw', OPruss. sa/me,
Lett. salms, 'blade of straw'. Cp. calamary,
Calumet, chalumeau, haulm, shawm.
culm, n .. coal dust. - ME. co/me, perhaps rei. to
col, 'coal'. See coal.
Derivative: culm-y, adj.
culminant, adj., culminating. - L. culminiins,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of culminiire. See next
word and -ant..
culminate, intr. v., to reach the highest point. Late L. culminiitus, pp. of culminiire, 'to top, to

J
I

.
'

'
.

cummerbund

crown', fr. L. culmen, gen. culminis, contracted

form of columen, gen. columinis, 'the top of an
object, summit', which is rel. to columna, 'pillar,
column'. See column and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. hill.
Derivative: culminat-ion, n.
culot, n., a small sheet iron cup inserted into the
base of projectiles .- F., 'bottom of lamps or
crucibles, metal end of crucibles', dimin. of cut,
'bottom'. See culet and cp. next word.
culotte, n., breeches.- F., fr. cui, 'bottom'. See
culet and cp. prec. word. Cp. also sansculotte.
culottic, adj., wearing breeches.- Formed with
suff. -ic fr. F. culotte, 'breeches'. See prec. word.
culpability, n. - Late L. culpiibilitiis, 'guilt, culpability', fr. L. culpiibilis. See next word and -ity.
culpable, adj. - ME. culpable, coupab/e, fr. OF.
culpable, coupable (F. coupable), fr. L. culpiibilis, 'worthy of blame, culpable', fr. culpa,
'blame, fault', which is rel. to Oscan ku/upu,
of s.m. It is possible that the original meaning
of L. culpa was 'blow', in which case it is quite
probably cogn. with Gk. x6Ax<po<; (whence L.
colaphus), 'a blow with the fist, a box on the
ear', fr. I.-E. base *qolii-, 'to strike, hew'. See
coup, and -able and cp. culprit and disculpate,
exculpate, inculpate.
Derivatives: culpable-ness, n., culpabl-y, adv.
culprit, n. - The first element is shortened fr.
culpable, the second is identical with AF. prist,
prit, fr. OF. prest (F. pret), 'ready', fr. VL. praestus, fr. L. adv. praesto, 'at hand, ready, present'.
See culpable and presto. The word culprit arose
from the abbreviation culpable: prest (or prist),
which is the shortening of culpable: prest d'averrer ('he is guilty. I am ready to prove it'),
words with which the clerk of the court expressed his readiness to prove the guilt of the
accused.
cult, n.- F. cu/te, fr. L. cu/tus, 'care, cultivation,
culture', fr. cultus, pp. of co/ere, 'to till (the
ground), cultivate, dwell, inhabit'. See colony.
cuitivable, adj. - F., fr. cultiver, 'to cultivate'.
See next word and -able.
Derivatives: cultivabil-ity, n., cultivab/-y, adv.
cultivate, tr. v.- ML. cultiviitus, pp. of cultiviire,
fr. cu/tivus, 'fit for tilling (the ground)', fr. L.
cultus, pp. of co/ere. See cult, -ive and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: cultivat-ed, adj., cultivat-ion, n.,
cultivat-or, n.
cultrate, adj., shaped like a pruning knife. - L.
cu/triitus, 'knife-shape d', fr. cu/ter, gen. cu/tri,
'plowshare, knife'. See colter and adj. suff. -ate.
cultriform, adj., cultrate. - Compounde d of L.
cutter, gen. cultri, 'plowshare, knife', and forma,
'form, shape'. See colter and form, n.
culture, n. -F., fr. L. cu/tura, 'a cultivating, culture, agriculture', fr. cultus, pp. of co/ere. See
cult and -ure and cp. agriculture, floriculture,
horticulture. Cp. also kultur, Kulturkampf.
Derivatives: cultur-al, cultur-ed, adjs.

-culum, L. neut. dimin. suff., correspondi ng to

masc. -culus, fern. -cula. - See next word.
-culus, L. masc. dimin. suff. - See -cule.
culver, n., a dove, a pigeon.- ME. culver, colver,
fr. OE. culfre, fr. VL. co/umbra, contraction of
columbula, dimin. of calumba, 'dove'. See
columbine.
culverin, n., a kind of heavy cannon. - F. coulevrine, lit. 'adderlike', fr. couleuvre, 'adder', fr.
VL. colobra, correspondin g to L. colubra, 'a
female snake, a snake'; so called in allusion to
the very long and thin form of this kind of cannon. For the etymology of L. colubra see cobra
and cp. colubrine.
culvert, n., a drain crossing, a conduit. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: culvert, tr. v.
cum, prep., with, together with. - L. See comand cp. the second word in vade mecum.
cumber, tr. v. - ME. combren, fr. OF. combrer,
'to hinder', fr. VL. combrus, 'barrier, bank of
earth, ruins', fr. Gallo-Latin comboros, whence
also MHG. kumber, 'ruins, rubbish', and G.
Kummer, 'grief', lit. 'that which weighs heavily
upon somebody'. Gallo-Latin comboros lit.
means 'that which is carried together', and is
formed fr. com- and I.-E. base *bher-, 'to carry',
whence also Gk. <ppe~v, L. ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. encumber.
Derivatives: cumber, n., cumber-er, n., cumbersome, adj., cumber-some-ly, adv., cumber-someness, n., cumbr-ous, adj., cumbrous-ly, adv., cumbrous-ness, n.
cumbly, also cumly, n., a woolen blanket (lndi!').
- Hind. kamli, fr. 01. kambald/:1, 'woolen
blanket', which prob. stands for *ka-mbal-d
and is rei. to Austroasiati c bal, 'hair'. See Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymologica l Sanskrit Dictionary, I, 1 61.
cumin, also cummin, n. - ME. cumin, comin, fr.
OE. cymen, cymyn, fr. L. cuminum, fr. Gk. xufLivov, which is of Semitic origin. Cp. Heb.
kammdn, of s.m., Aram. kammonti, Syr. kammuna, Ugar. kmn, Akkad. kamunu, Punic X1Xf1.iiv,
'cumin'. Cp. also cymene, kilmmel.- KufLivov
entered into Mycenaean Greek as early as the
I sth century. See Michael Ventris and John
Chadwick, Documents in Mycenaean Greek
(Cambridge University Press), Index, s.v. Semitic
Loanwords. Cp. the words chiton, chrysalis,
sesam.
cummer, n., a woman companion (Scot.) - F.
commere, 'godmother' , fr. Eccles. L. commiiter,
lit. 'a joint mother', fr. co- and L. mater,
'mother'. See mater, mother and cp. godmother,
the English equivalent of F. commere. Cp. also
It. comare, OProven~. comaire, Catal. comare,
Sp., Port. comadre, 'godmother' .
cummerbund, n., waistband (Anglo- Ind.)- Hind.Pers. kamar-band, fr. P~rs. kamar, 'waist, loins',
and band, 'band, bandage'. See bind and cp.
bancl.

cumquat

cumquat, n. - A var. spelling of kumquat.

cumshaw, n., present, tip.- Amoy pronunciation
oi Chin. kan hsieh, 'grateful thanks'.
cumulate, tr. and intr. v., to accumulate. - L.
cumuliitus, pp. of cumuliire, 'to heap'. See cumulus and verbal suff. -ate and cp. accumulate.
Derivatives: cumulat-ed, adj., cumulat-ion, n.,
cumulat-ive, adj., cumulat-ive-ly, adv., cumulative-ness, n.
cumulo-, combining form meaning 'a heap'. Fr. L. cumulus. See next word.
cumulus, n., I) a heap; 2) rounded mass of cloud
with a flat base.- L., 'a heap', prob. standing
for *ku-me-los, 'a swelling', and derived fr.
I.-E. base *kew(e)-, *ku-, 'to swell', whence also
Gk. xue:~-.~. xue:L-.~, 'to become or be pregnant',
KU!J-OC, 'a wave', lit. 'something swelling', xo Tho~,
L. ciivus, 'hollow'. See cave, n., and cp. words
there referred to. For the formation of cumulus
cp. L. tumulus, 'a raised heap of earth'.
cunabula, n., a cradle.- L. cuniibula (pl.), dimin.
formed fr. cunae, 'cradle'. See incunabula.
cunctation, n., delay. - L. cunctiitio, gen. -onis,
fr. ciinctiitus, pp. of ciinctiiri, 'to delay', fr.
I.-E. base *kenq-, *konq-, 'to waver', whence
also Goth. hiihan, OE. hon, 'to hang'. See
hang and -ation.
cunctator, n., a delayer.- L. ciinctator, fr. cunctiitus, pp. of ciinctari. See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
cuneal, adj., wedge-shaped.- Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. cuneus, 'wedge'. See coin.
cuneate, adj., wedge-shaped. - L. cuneiitus, pp.
of cuneare, 'to furnish with wedges, drive into
a wedge', fr. cuneus, 'wedge'. See coin and adj.
suff. -ate.
cuneiform, adj. - Lit. 'wedge-shaped', compounded of L. cuneus, 'wedge', and forma,
'form, shape'. See coin and form, n. The name
cuneiform was first applied to the characters of
the ancient inscriptions of Assyria and Persia
by the explorer Engelbert Kampfer (I 65 I- I 7I6).
Derivative: cuneiform, n.
cuniculus, n., an underground passage. - L.,
'rabbit, rabbit burrowing, underground passage, hole, pit, cavity'. See cony and -culus.
Cunila, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) - L. cunila, 'name of a plant, a species
of origanum', fr. Gk. xovf:Ar., which is of uncertain origin. OE. cunele, 'thyme', OS. quenela, Du. kwendel, OHG. chonela, quenela (G.
Quendel), of s.m., are Latin loan words.
cunner, n., either of two fishes of the family of
wrasses. - Of uncertain origin.
cunning, adj. - ME., 'knowing', pres. part. of
cunnen, 'to know'. See the verbs con and can
and cp. canny, uncouth.
Derivatives: cunning-ly, adv., cunning-ness, n.
cunning, n. - ME. cunning, conning, 'skill, knowledge', fr. cunnen, 'to know'. See cunning, adj.
cup, n.- ME., fr. OE. cuppe, rei. to MLG. kopp,
OHG. chuph, kopf. 'cup', chupfa, 'cap', MHG.

385

kopf, 'drinking vessel; skull', G. Kopf, 'head',

Norw. kop, 'cup', earlier Dan. kop, 'head', Dan.
kop, 'cup', fr. Late L. cuppa, 'cup' (whence also
It. coppa, OProvem;., Catal., Sp., Port. copa,
F. coupe, 'cup', OProven.y. cop, cobs, 'skull',
OF. cope, 'summit', Sp., Port. copo, 'flax put
on the distaff for spinning, flock of wool'). Late
L. cuppa derives fr. L. cupa, 'tub, cask, tun,
vat', which is cogn. with 01. kiipa/:z, 'hollow,
pit, cave', Gk. KU7nJ, 'a kind of ship', xu1te:AAov,
'cup', OE. hyf, 'hive', ON. hufr, 'the hull of a
ship', Lith. kuopa, 'heap', kupstas, 'hill', OSlav.
kupu, Lith. kaiipas, OE. heap, 'heap', OHG.
hubil, OS. huvil, 'hill'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *qeu-p-, 'to bend, arch, vault', -penlargement of base *qeu-, 'to bend'. Cp. coop,
cop, 'top', cowl, 'tub', cupel, cupola, cupula,
cupule. Cp. also cub, 'the young of an animal'.
Cp. also heap, hive, keeve. For the sense development of the above mentioned Teut. words cp. F.
tete, 'head', fr. L. testa, 'potsherd' (see tester,
'canopy'). For the derivatives of base *qeu-b-,
a -b-enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to bend', see
cubicle and cp. words there referred to. From
base *qeu-bh-, a collateral form of base *qeu-b-,
derive OI. kubhrd/;1, 'humpbacked', Gk. xurpo~.
'hump', xurp6~. 'bent, curved, crooked', xurpe::A'Aoc
(pl.), 'the hollows of the ears'. Cp. cyphella,
cypho-, cypsela. For derivatives of I.-E. base
*geu-p-, a collateral form of base *qeu-p-, see
cove and words there referred to.
Derivatives: cup, tr. and intr. v., cupp-er, n.,
cupp-ing, n., cupp-y, adj.
cupboard, n. - Orig. 'a board for holding cups'.
cupel, n., a vessel used in assaying metals. - F.
coupelle, fr. ML. ciipel/a, dimin. of L. cupa,
'tub, cask, vat'. See cup and cp. cupola.
Derivative: cupell-ation, n.
Cupid, n., the god of love in Roman mythology.
- L. Cupido, personification of cupido, 'desire,
love', fr. cupidus, 'longing, desirous, eager', fr.
cupio, cupere, 'to desire', which is prob. cogn.
with 01. kupyati, 'bubbles up, becomes agitated',
OSlav. kyp/j(J, kypeti, 'to boil', Lith. kapu, kupeti,
'to boil over', Lett. kupu, kupet, 'to smoke,
steam', Lith. kvepiu, kvepti, 'to breathe, exhale
fragrance', kupuoti, 'to breathe with difficulty',
Gk. xoc=6~ (for *xfoc7tV6~), 'smoke, vapor',
Goth. af-lvapjan, 'to put out, extinguish', aflvapnan, 'to go out, be extinguished'. Cp. concupiscence, covet. Cp. also acapnia. Cp. also vapor.
cupidity, n. - F. cupidite, fr. L. cupiditatem, ace.
of cupiditiis, desire, longing', fr. cupidus. See
Cupid and -ity.
cupola, n., a small domc.-It., fr. Late L. cupula,
'a little tub', dimin. of L. cupa. See cup and
cp. cupel.
cupr~, adj., containing, or resembling, copper.
- Late L. cupreus, 'of cupper', fr. cuprum. See
copper. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
cupric, adj., containing copper as a bivalent ele-

ment (chem.) -Late L. cupricus, 'of copper',

fr. cuprum. See copper and -ic.
cupriferous, adj., containing copper (chem.) -
Compounded of Late L. cuprum, 'copper', and
the stem of L. fero, ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See
copper and -ferous.
cuprite, n., a red oxide of copper (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Late L. cuprum,
'copper'. See copper.
cuprous, adj., containing copper as a univalent
element (chem.)- Formed with suff. -ous fr.
Late L. cuprum, 'copper'. See copper.
cupula, n., a cupule (anat.) - Medical L., fr. L.
cupula, 'a little tub or cask', dimin. of cupa,
'tub'. See cupule.
Derivatives: cupul-ar, cupul-ate, adjs.
cupule, n., a little cuplike structure (bot. and
zoo/.)- L. cupula, 'a little tub or cask', dimin.
of cupa, 'tub, cask, vat'. See cup and -ule and
cp. cupel, cupola.
cur, n.,- ME. curre, fr. earlier kurdogge, pro b. fr.
MDu. corre, 'a house dog', lit. 'the grumbling
animal', and rei. to ON. kurra, 'to grumble,
murmur'; prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives: curr-ish, adj., curr-ish-ly, adv.,
curr-ish-ness, n.
curable, adj. - ME., fr. Late L. curabilis, fr. L.
curare, 'to care for'. See cure, v., and -able.
Derivatives: curabil-ity, n., curable-ness, n.,
curabl-y, adv.
cura~o, cura~oa, n., a liqueur made from the
dried peel of the Cura.yao orange. - Named
from Cura.;rao, an island in the Caribbean Sea.
Cp. curassow.
curacy, n.- Formed fr. curate with suff. -cy.
curare, curari, n., a blackish resinous substance
used by the Indians as arrow poison. - Fr.
Tupi urari, lit. 'he to whom it comes falls'. Cp.
ourali, woorali.
curarine,curarin, n., an alkaloid obtained from curare, C 19 H 26 N 2 0 (chem.) - A hybrid coined
fJ:". curare and chem. suff. -ine, -in, which is of
Latin origin.
curarize, tr. v., to poison with curare.- A hybrid
coined fr. curare and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
curassow, n., large crested bird. - Phonetic
spelling of Curafao; so called, fr. Curafao island, its place of origin. Cp. cura~o.
curate, n., a clergyman who assists a rector or
vicar. - ML. curiitus, lit. 'one who is charged
with the care of the souls', fr. L. cura, 'care'.
See cure, n., and adj. suff. -ate.
curative, adj.- F. curatif(fem. curative), formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. curatus, pp. of curare, 'to
care for'. See cure, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: curative-ly, adv., curative-ness, n.
curator, n.- Formed (partly through the medium
of AF. curatour, equivalent to F. curateur) fr.
L. curator, 'manager, overseer, superintendent',
lit. one who has the care of', fr. curiirus, pp. of
curare. See curate and agential suff. -or.
curb, n., I) a strap for restraining a horse; 2) a

curtew
restraint; 3) a stone or concrete edge of a sidewalk. -F. courbe, 'curve', from the adjective
courbe, 'curved, bent, crooked', fr. L. curvus.
See curve and cp. kerb.
Derivatives: curb, tr. v., curb-er, n., curb-ing, n.
curbstone, n. - See kerb, kerbstone.
Curculio, n., a genus of weevils (entomol.) - L.
curciilio, 'a grain weevil', lit. 'a winding, twisting (beetle)', fr. I.-E. base *qer-, 'to turn, twist',
whence also L. curvus, 'bent, curved'. See curve.
Curcuma, n., a genus of plants of the ginger
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Arab. kurkum, 'saffron, curcuma'. See Crocus and cp. turmeric.
curcumin, n., the coloring substance of curcuma
root (C21 H 200 6 ) (chem.) - Formed fr. prec.
word with chem. suff. -in.
curd, n.- ME. curd, metathesized fr. ME. crud,
fr. OE. crudan, 'to crowd, press together'. See
crowd, 'to press', and cp. curdle. For the metathesis of ME. crud to curd cp. curl. For sense
development cp. L. coagulum, 'curd', fr. coagere, c6-gere, 'to drive or press together' (see
coagulate).
Derivatives: curd, tr. and intr. v., curd-y, adj.,
curd-i-nes$, n.
curdle, intr. and tr. v. - Formed from the verb
curd (see prec. word) with freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: curdl-er, n., curdl-y, adj.
cure, n., care.- ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) cure, 'care',
fr. L. cura, 'care, solicitude, concern', fr. OL.
coira, which is of uncertain origin. Cp. curate,
curative, cure, curette, curious, accurate, assure,
manicure, pedicure, pococurante, proctor, procure, scour, 'to clean', secure, sinecure, sure,
Kursaal.
Derivative: cure-less, adj.
cure, tr. and intr. v. - OF. curer, 'to take care
of, to heal' (whence F. curer, 'to cleanse)', fr.
L. curare, 'to care for, take care of, heal', fr.
cura. See prec. word.
Derivative: cur-er, n.
cure, n., a strange, queer person (slang). - Abbreviation of curious. Cp. curio.
cure, n., a parish priest. - F., fr. ML. curatus,
whence also E. curate (q.v.)
Curetes, n. pl., divinities worshiped on the island
of Crete (Greek mythol.)- L. Ciiri!tes, fr. Gk.
Koupij-re:~, pl. ofKoup~~ lit. meaning 'youthful',
and rei. to xopo~;, 'child, youth'. See Cora and
cp. words there referred to.
Curetonian Syriac, name of an ancient version
of the Gospels in Syriac. - So called from William Cureton, who published it in London
in ISss.
curette, n., name of a surgical instrument. -F.,
fr. curer, 'to cleanse'. See cure, v., and -ette.
Derivative: curette, tr. v.
curfew, n., evening signal. - ME. courfew, corfew, fr. AF. ctrverfu, covrefeu, corresponding to
OF. covrefeu, lit. 'cover the fire', fr. covre, imper. of OF. covrir (F. couvrir), 'to cover', and
feu, fr. L. focus, 'hearth, fireside', in Late L.

curia

also 'fire'. See cover and focus and cp. the first
element in kerchief.
curia, n., I) the Roman senate; 2) a court; 3) the
papal court. - L. curia, 'one of the thirty parts,
into which the Roman people was divided (ten
for each of the three tribes); the senate house;
the senate', in ML., 'court', prob. for *co-wiria,
hence literally meaning 'community of men', fr.
co- and vir, 'men'. See virile and cp. Quirites,cry.
curial, adj., pertaining to a curia. - L. curiiilis,
'pertaining to a curia', fr. curia. See curia and
adj. suff. -al.
curie, n., the unit of radioactivity (physical chem.)
-Called after Mme Marie Curie (I867-I934),
discoverer (with her husband Pierre Curie, I 859I 906) of radium.
curio, n.- Abbreviation of curiosity.
curiologic, adj., pertaining to that form of hieroglyphics in which objects are represented by
pictures (not by symbols, as in symbolic hieroglyphics). - Gk. xuptoA.oytx6c;, 'speaking literally', fr. xupwA.oy[a., 'use of literal expressions',
fr. x6ptoc;, 'lord, master' and -A.oy[a., fr. -A6yoc;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See church and
-logy. Curiologic is an inexact transliteration
ofGk. xuptoA.oytx6c;. The correct spelling should
be cyriologic.
curiosity, n. - ME. curiosite, fr. OF. curiosete,
curiosite (F. curiosite), fr. L. curi6sitiitem, ace.
of curi6sitiis, 'desire of knowledge, curiosity',
fr. curi6sus. See curious and -ity.
curious, adj. - ME., fr. OF. curios, curius (F.
curieux), fr. L. curi6sus, 'careful, diligent,
thoughtful, inquisitive, curious', fr. cura. See
cure, 'care', and -ous.
Derivatives: curious-ly, adv., curious-ness, n.
curite, n., a radioactive mineral. - Named after
the French chemist Pierre Curie (1859-I906).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
curium, n., name of a radioactive element (chem.)
- ModL; named in I946 by its discoverer,
the American chemist Glenn Theodore Sea borg
(born in I912) in honor of the two Curies (Pierre
and his wife Marie), for their pioneering work
on radioactivity. Cp. curie and prec. word. For
the ending of curium see chem. suff. -ium.
curl, tr. and intr. v. - ME. cur/en, metathesized
fr. ME. crullen, fr. crul, 'curly', which is rei. to
Norw. krull, Dan. krol/e, E. Fris. krul, krul/e,
MDu. crulle, crolle, crul, Du. krul, 'curl', Norw.
krulla, Dan. krolle, MDu. cru/len, crollen, Du.
krul/en, 'to curl', MHG. krol, 'curly', E. Fris.
krillen, 'to bend, twist'. Cp. cruller. For the
metathesis of Ml:.. cruJ/en to cur/en cp. curd.
Derivatives: curl, n., curl-ed, adj., curl-ed-ly,
adv ., curl-ed-ness, n., curl-er, n., curl-ing, n. and
adj., curl-y, curl-i-ness, n.
curlew, n., any of several kinds of wading birds.
-OF. corlieu, courlieu (F. courlis), of imitative
origin.
curmudgeon, n., a churlish, surly, ill-tempered

386

person. - Of unknown origin.

Derivatives: curmudgeon-ish, curmudgeon-ly,
adjs.
curr, intr. v., to make a murmuring sound, to
purr. - Of imitative origin.
currach, curragh, n., a coracle. - Ir. currach,
'boat, little ship', rei. to Gael. curach, of s.m.,
W. corwgl, cwrwgl, 'coracle'. See coracle.
currant, n., 1) a small seedless raisin; 2) the acid
berry of certain species of Ribes. - AF. raysyns
of Corauntz = F. raisins de Corinthe, 'dried
grapes of Corinth', fr. L. Corinthus, fr. Gk.
K6ptv%oc;, 'Corinth', a city of Greece. Cp.
Corinthian.
currency, n. - ME. currentia, fr. L. currens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of currere, 'to run'. See current, adj., and -cy.
current, adj. - ME. currant, fr. OF. corant, curant (F courant), pres. part. of corre, curre
(whence, with change of conjugation, F. courir),
'to run', fr. L. currere (pp. stem curs-um), 'to
run', which is cogn. with Gk. -xoupoc; (for -xopcroc;) in hc[-xoupoc;, 'running to aid, an ally',
Olr., MW. carr, 'cart, waggon', Bret. karr,
'chariot', MW. carrawc, W. carrog, 'torrent'.
Cp. currency. Cp. also coranto, corral, corridor,
corsair, courant, courante, courier, course, curride, curriculum, cursive, cursor, cursory, concourse, concur, concurrant, decurrent, decursive,
discourse, discursive, excurrent, excursion, excursus, incur, intercourse, kraal, occur, occurence, precursor, recourse, recur, succor, succursal. Cp. also car and words there referred to.
ON. hross, OE. hros, hors, 'horse', are prob. not
cogn. with L. currere, but derivatives of I.-E.
base *(s)qerd-, a -d-enlargement of *(s)qer-, 'to
leap, jump' (se... horse). Derivatives: current, n.
(q.v.), current-ly, adv., current-ness, n.
current, n. - ME. corant, fr. OF. corant, curant
(F. courant), pres. part. of curre, 'to run', used
as a noun. See current, adj.
curricle, n., a light two-wheeled carriage. - L.
curriculum, 'a running, a course; a chariot for
racing', fr. currere, 'to run'. See current, adj.,
and -cle and cp. curriculum.
Derivative: curricle, intr. v.
curricular, adj., I) pertaining to carriages; 2) pertaining to the curriculum. - Formed with suff.
-ar fr. L. curriculum. See next word.
curriculum, n., course of study. - L., 'a course'.
See curricle.
currier, n., I) one who dresses leather; 2) one who
curries horses. - ME. corier, fr. OF. corier, fr.
L. coriiirius, 'tanner, currier', fr. corium, 'leather; see corium. E. currier was influenced in form
by next word.
curry, tr. v., to dress leather.- ME. curreien, fr.
OF. correer, correier, fr. earlier conreer, 'to prepare, equip, furnish' (whence F. corroyer, 'to
curry leather'), fr. VL. conredii.re, a hybrid
coined fr. L. con-, 'with' (see coo-) and Teut.
raidjan, 'to place in order'. whence Goth. gare-

387

dan, 'to attend to, provide for', garaips, 'fixed,

appointed, ordained', OE. geride, ride, 'ready,
mounted', ger&du, 'armor, trappings'. See
ready and cp. array.
curry, n., a kind of seasoned dish. -Tamil kari,
'sauce'.
Derivative: curry, tr. v., to flavor with curry.
curse, n. - OE. curs, of uncertain origin; perhaps connected with Olr. cursagim, 'I reprehend'. Cp. accursed.
curse, tr. and intr. v.- OE. cursian, fr. curs. See
curse, n.
Derivatives: curs-ed, adj., curs-ed-ly, adv., cursed-ness, n.
cursive, adj.- ML. curslvus, 'running', fr. L. curs(um), pp. stem of currere, 'to run'. See current,
adj., and -ive.
Derivatives: cursive-ly, adv., cursive-ness, n.
cursor, n., the sliding part of a mathematical instrument.- L, 'runner', fr. curs-(um), pp. stem
of currere. See prec. word and agential suff.
-or.
Cursores, n. pl., 1) an order of birds (ornithol.);
2) a group of spiders (zoo/.)- L., 'runners', pl.
of cursor. See prec. word.
cursory, adj., hastily or superficially done. Late L. curs6rius, 'hasty', fr. L. curs-(um), pp.
stem of currere, 'to run'. See course and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivatives: cursori-ly, adv., cursori-ness, n.
curt, adj., short, brief. - L. curtus, 'mutilated,
broken, short', rei. to cordus, 'late born', orig.
'stunted (in one's growth)', fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qer-, 'to cut', whence also OHG. scurz, OE.
sceort, 'short'. See short and cp. curtail, curta!,
Curtana, curtate. OHG. (MHG., G.) kurz, OS.,
OFris. kurt, ON. kortr, Du. kort, 'short', are
borrowed fr. L. curtus.
Derivatives: curt-ly, adv., curt-ness, n.
ll'tail, tr. v., to cut short. - Fr. curta!; influenced in form by a folk-etymological association
with the noun tail.
Derivatives: curtail-ed, adj., curtail-er, n., curtail-ment, n.
curtain, n.- ME. cortin, fr. OF. cortine, curtine,
'curtain' (whence F. courtine, 'fortified curtain'),
fr. Eccles. L. cortfna, 'curtain', rendering of He b.
y<rf'dh (Ex. 26: I and passim) by the Vulgate.
Eccles. L. cortfna derives fr. L. cohors, c6rs,
'court' (see court), and is prop. a loan translation
of Gk. ocuA.oc[i, 'curtain' ( ~ the Septuagint rendering of Heb. y<rf'dh, see above), fr. Gk. ocJ'Af,,
'court, courtyard'.
Derivatives: curtain, tr. v., curtain-ing, n.
curta!, n., havmg the tail docked, curtailed (obso/.) - OF. cortald, courtald (F. courtaud),
'docked, thick-set', a hybrid formed with the
Teut. suff. -ald fr. L. curt us, 'short'. See curt
and cp. curtail. Cp. also It. cortaldo, which is
of the same origin and meaning as OF. cortald.
Curtana, n., the pointless sword borne before
English sovereigns at their coronation. - ML

curvometer

curtiina (sci!. spiida), 'a short sword', fr. L.

curtus, 'short'. See curt.
curtate, adj., shortened. - L. curtiitus, pp. of
curtiire, 'to shorten', fr. curtus, 'short'. See curt
and adj. suff. -ate.
curtesy, n. -A var. of courtesy.
curtilage, n., a courtyard surrounding a dwelling
house (law).- OF. cortillage, curtillage, fr. cortil, curtil, 'a small courtyard', fr. cort (F. cour),
'courtyard, court'. See court and -age.
curtle axe, curta] axe, (archaic) - Alteration of
cutlass. Folk etymology explained cutlass as
curtle axe, i.e. 'a short axe' (see curtail).
curtsy, curtsey, n. - Variants of courtesy.
curule, adj., designating a chair used by the highest
magistrates in ancient Rome. - L. curiilis (in
sella curiilis, 'the curule chair'), fr. *currulis,
'pertaining to a chariot or car', fr. currus, 'chariot, car, triumphal car'. See current, adj., and
cp. curricle. The shortening of rr (in currus) to
r (in curu/is) is due to the shifting of the accent.
Cp. canal and mammilla.
curvate, curvated, adj., bent, curved. - L. curvii/us, 'crooked, bent, curved', pp. of curviire,
'to crook, bend, curve', fr. curvus. See curve and
adj. suff. -ate, resp. also -ed.
curvature, n., a curving. - L. curviitura, 'a bending', fr. curviitus, pp. of curviire. See prec. word
and -ure.
curve, n., a bent line.- L. curvus, 'crooked, bent,
curved', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to bend, turn,
twist', whence also Gk. xopwv6c;, 'curved, bent',
xopwv7J, 'anything curved; crown', xp[xoc;, x[pxoc;, 'ring', xup-r6c;, 'curved, bent, arched', Mlr.
cor, W. cor, 'circle', Russ. krivu, Czech kfivf,
etc., 'curved, crooked', Lith. kreivas, 'twisted',
kairys (dissimilated fr. *krairys), 'left', Lett.
krails, 'bent, crooked', kreilis, 'left hand', Mlr.
cruind, OW. crunn, MW. crwnn, Gael. cruinn,
'round'. Cp. crown, n., and words there referred to. Cp. also cartilage, circus, corf,
crass, crate, crease, 'a fold', creel, cresset, crest,
cricoid, crowd, 'a musical instrument', curb,
Curculio, curvet, cyrto-, incurvate, kestrel, recurve, rote, 'a musical instrument', Scorzonera.
scrinium, shrine, Tricyrtis.
curve, tr. v.- L. curviire, 'to crook, bend, twist",
fr. curvus. See curve, n.
Derivatives: curv-ed, adj., curv-ed-ly, adv., curred-ness, n., curv-er, n.
curvet, n., a leap. -It. corretta, dimin. of cor\'0
(now curvo), 'a curve', fr. L. curvus. See curve,
n., and cp. cavort.
curvet, intr. and tr. v., to leap, bound. -It. corvettare, fr. corvetta. See curv~t. n.
curvi-, combining form meaning 'curved, bent'.
- Fr. L. curvus. See curve, n.
curvilineal, curvilinear, adj., consisting of, bounded by, curved lines.- Compounded of curviand L. linea, 'line'. See line.
curvometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
lenglh of a curve. - A hybrid coined fr. L.

cuscus
curvus, 'curved, bent', and Gk. [Lhpov, 'measure'. See curve and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
The correct form would be cyrtometer (fr. Gk.
xupT6~, 'curved, bent'), in which both elements
are of Greek origin. The form cyrtometer is
actually used, but only as a medical term.
cuscus, n.- A var. of cous-cous.
cuscus, n., the aromatic root of an Indian grass,
used for making fans, screens, etc. - Pers.
khas-khas.
Cuscus, n. - A genus of marsupials, the Phalanger (zoot.) - ModL., from the Moluccan
native name.
Cuscuta, n., a genus of parasitic plants, the dodder (bot.) - ModL., fr. Arab. kushtith, kashuth& fr. Pers. kushttth, 'dodder', whence also
Mishnaic Heb. kiishtith, 'dodder; fine hair'.
cushat, n., the wood pigeon or ringdove .- OE.
cilscote, cilsceote, of uncertain origin.
cushion, n.- ME. quisshin, cusshin, fr. OF. coissin, cussin (F. coussin), fr. ML. *coxfnus, fr. L.
coxa, 'hip'; see coxa and cp. cuisse. Cp. also
It. cuscino and Sp. cojin, which are French Joan
words. The orig. meaning of OF. coissin was
'hip cushion'.
Derivatives: cushion, tr. v., cushion-ed, adj.,
cushion-y, adj.
cushy, adj., easy, pleasant (slang).- Hind. khashi,
'pleasant', fr. Pers. khilsh, 'pleasant'.
cusp, n., a sharp point. - L. cuspis, 'point,
pointed end', of uncertain origin. Cp. cuspid,
bicuspid, tricuspid.
cuspate, adj., I) having a cusp; 2) shaped iike a
cusp. - Formed fr. cusp with adj. suff. -ate.
cuspated, adj., cnspate. -Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ed.
cuspid, adj., a canine tooth. - L. cuspis, gen.
cuspidis, 'point, pointed end'. See cusp.
cuspidal, adj., 1) pertaining to a cusp; 2) like a
cusp; 3) having a cusp. - Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. cuspis, gen. cuspidis. See cusp.
cuspidate, cuspidated, adj., having a cusp. L. cuspidiitus, pp. of cuspidiire, 'to make pointed',
fr. cuspis, gen. cuspidis. See cusp and adj. suff. -ate.
cuspidor, n., a spittoon. - Port. cuspideira,
fr. cuspir, 'to spit', fr. L. conspuere, 'to spit
upon', fr. con- and spuere, 'to spit', which is of
imitative origin. See spew and cp. conspue.
cuss, n., a curse. - A colloquial corruption of

curse.
Derivatives: cuss-ed, adj., cuss-ed-ness, n.
cuss, n., a fellow. - A colloquial abbreviatio n
of customer.
custard, n., a cooked dish of eggs, milk and sugar.
-ME. crus tad, fr. OF. ( = F.) croustade, fr. It.
crostata, 'fruit tart', lit. 'something covered with
a crust', fr. L. crustiita, fern. of crustiitus, pp. of
crustiire, 'to cover with a crust', fr. crusta. See
crust. The change of ME. crustad to E. custard
is due to the influence of mustard.
custodial, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. custOdia. See custody.

388

custodian, n.- Formed with suff. -an fr. L. custodia. See next word.
custody, n.- L. custodia, 'watching, guard, care,
protection ', fr. custos, gen. custodis 'watch
guard, preserver, keeper, overseer, p~otector-:
fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeudh-, 'to cover', whence also
L. cildo, 'helmet made of skin', 01. kuharam,
'cave', kuhil/;1, 'new moon', lit. 'that which is
hidden', Gk. xw.&etv, 'to cover, hide, conceal',
W. cudd, 'a hiding', cuddio, 'to hide', Mlr. codal,
'skin'. Cp. custos. For derivatives of the related
base *(s)qeut- see hide, 'skin'. The bases
*(s)qeu-dh- and *(s)qeu-t- are dental enlarge
ments of base *(s)qeu-, 'to cover, hide'. See sky
and cp. words there referred to.
custom, n.- ME. custume, custome, fr. OF. costume, custume (F. coutume), fr. L. consuetildinem, ace. of consuetudo, 'custom habit use
usage', fr. consuetus, pp. of consue;cere, 'to ac~
custom', fr. con- and suescere, 'to become
used or accustomed', fr. I.-E. base *swedhwhence also Gk. roo~. ~-&o~, 'custom, usage-:
~o~, 'race'. Base *swedh- is compound ed of
*swe-, 'his, her, its, one's own', and *dhe-, 'to
put, place; to do, make', hence lit. means 'to
make one's own'. See sui- and the verb do and
cp. consuetude, costume, which are doublets of
custom. Cp. also assuetude, de suetude, mansuete, mastiff, sodality. Cp. also ethical, ethnic,
hetaira.
customable, adj. - OF. costumable, fr. costume,
'custom'. See prec. word and -able.
customary, adj.- OF. costumier (F. coutumier),
fr. costume, 'custom'. See custom and adj. suff.
-ary.
Derivatives: customari-ly,adv.,customari-ness,n.
customer, n. -- Formed with agential suff. -er
fr. custom, partly through the medium of AF.
custumer. Cp. cuss, 'fellow'.
custos, n., keeper, guardian. - L. custos, gen.
custodis. See custody.
custumal, n., a written colle1.:tion of the customs
of a city, a province etc. -- ML. costiimiilis
(scil. fiber), 'a book of customs', fr. OF. custumal, fr. custume. See custom and adj. suff. -al.
cut, tr. and intr. v. - ME. cutten kurten kitten
prob. rei. to dial. Swed. kuta, k~ta, Ice'I. kuta:
'to cut with a knife, dial. Swed. kuta, kytti, Icel.
kuti, 'knife'.
Derivatives: cut, pp. and n., cutt-er, n., cutt-ing,
n. and adj., cutt-ing-/y, adv., cutty (q.v.)
cutaneous, adj., pertaining to the skin. - ML.
cutiineus, fr. L. cutis, 'skin'. See cutis and
-aneous.
cutch, n., black catechu. - Malay ktichu. See
catechu.
cutcherry, cutchery, n., office of administra tion
(Anglo-India). - Hind. kachahri.
cute, adj., clever; sharp. - Aphetic for acute.
Derivatives: cute-ly, adv., cute-ness, n.
Cuterebra, n. - See Cutiterebra.
Cuthbert, masc. PN. ~Compounded of OE. cilo,

~89

'known, famous', and beorht, 'bright'. For the

first element see uncouth. For the second element
see bright and cp. Albert, Bardolph, Bertha,
Bertram.
cuticle, n., the epidermis. - L. cuticu/um, dimin.
of cutis, 'skin'. See cutis and -cle.
cuticular, adj., pertaining to the cuticle. Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. cuticulum. See prec.
word.
cutis, n., the skin beneath the epidermis, the
derma (anat.)- L. cutis, 'skin', lit. 'that which
covers', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeut-, 'to cover',
whence also OE. hyd, 'skin'. See hide, 'skin', and
cp. cutaneous, cuticle. Cp. also cyst, -cyte, ecu,
escutcheon, esquire, scudo, scum, Scutellaria,
scutellum, scuttle, 'receptacle', scutum, syncytium, zuchetto. Base *(s)qeut- is rel. to base
*(s)qeudh-, 'to cover'; see custody.
Cutiterebra, Cuterebra, n., a genus of botflies (entomol.) - ModL., compound ed of L. cutis,
'skin', and terebra, 'borer'. See cutis and terebra.
cutlass, cutlas, n., a short curving sword. - F.
coutelas, fr. It. coltellaccio, 'a large knife', which
is formed with augment. suff. -accio fr. coltello,
'knife', fr. L. cultellus (whence also OF. coutel,
F. couteau), dimin. of culter, 'knife'. See colter.
cutler, n. - ME. cote/ere, coteler, fr. OF. cotelier (whence F. coutelier), 'a knife maker', fr.
Late L. cultelliirius, fr. L. cultellus. See prec.
word.
cutlery, n. - OF. cote/erie (F. coutel/erie), fr.
cotelier. See prec. word and -y (representing
OF. -ie).
cutlet, n. -F. cotelette, lit. 'a little rib', a double
dimin. of cote, 'rib', fr. OF. coste, fr. L. costa,
'rib, side'. See coast and cp. costal. Cutlet was
prob. influenced in form by cut.
cuttlefish, cuttle, n. - ME. cotu/, codu/, fr. OE.
cudele, 'cuttlefish', rei. to dial. Norw. kau/e (for
*kodle), lit. 'pouch fish', and to OE. codd, 'bag,
shell, husk'. See cod, 'a small bag'.
cotty, adj., short (Scot. and dial.) - Formed fr.
cut with adj. suff. -y.
-cy, suff. used to form abstract nouns denoting
quality or rank, correspond ing in meaning to
the suffixes -ship and -hood. - L. -cia, -tia, or
Gk. -xdi, -xli, -Tdi, -Tli. Suff. -cy occurs
chiefly as the terminatio n of the suffixes -acy,
-ancy, -ency, -cracy, -mancy (qq.v.)
cyan-, form of cyano- before a vowel.
cyanate, n., a salt of cyanic acid (chem.) - See
cyanic and chem. suff. -ate.
Cyanea, n., a genus of jelly fishes (ichthyol.) ModL., fr. Gk. xv~veoc;, 'dark blue', fr. w~otvot;,
'the dark blue color". See next word.
cyanic, adj., 1) of blue color; 2) pertaining to, or
containing, cyanogen. - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. xllotvoc;, 'dark blue enamel, lapis lazuli,
the dark blue color', a foreign word connected
with Hitt. kuwanna(n)-, 'copper, copperblue ; ornamental stone'.
cyanide, cyanid, n., a compound of cyanogen

-,------with an element or a radical (chem.) -See prec.

word and chem. suff. -ide, resp. -id.
Derivative: cyanide, tr. v.
cyanite, n., an aluminum silicate, Al2 Si0 5 (mineral.)- G. Cyanit, coined by the German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner (I750-I8I7 ) in
1794 fr. cyan- and suff. -it, which goes back to
Gk. -fTI)~; see subst. suff. -ite.
cyano-, before a vowel cyan-, combining form
meaning 'dark blue'. - Gk. XUIXVO-, XVIXV-, fr.
xuotvo~, 'the dark blue color'. See cyanic.
Cyanocitta, n., a genus of birds, the American
blue jay (ornithol.) - ModL., lit. 'blue jay', fr.
Gk. xuotvot;, 'the dark blue color', and xlcrcrot,
xlniX (for *xlx~ot), 'jay'. For the first element
see cyanic. The second element is of imitative
origin. Cp. 01. kiki/;1, 'the blue jay', OHG. hehara (MHG. heher, G. Hiiher), 'jay', which all
are imitative of the cry of the bird.
cyanogen, n., I) the radical CN (carbon and nitrogen); 2) a poisonous gas (CN)2 (chem.) Compound ed of cyano- and -gen.
cyanometer, n., an instrument for measuring th~
degrees of blueness. - Compound ed of cyanoand Gk. {Lhpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Derivative: cyanometr-y, n.
cyanopathy, n., another name for cyanosis (med.)
- Compound ed of cyano- and Gk. -Td~etot,
fr. 7\'ct.&o~, 'suffering'. See -pathy.
Derivative: cyanopath-ic, adj.
cyanosis, n., pathological condition in which the
surface of the body becomes blue for lack of
aeration (med.) - Medical L., formed fr.
cyano- and suff. -osis.
cyathus, n., a cup or ladle for drawing wine out
of the crater (mixing-bowl) into the drinkingcup (Greek antiq.)- L., fr. Gk. x~ot~oc;,. 'cup',
which is prob. rei. to xueiv, xue:tv, 'to become
pregnant', xuotp, 'eye of a needle; orifice of the
ear', xuvot, 'anything swollen; a wave'. See
cyma and cp. cyesis.
Cybele, n., goddess of the earth and mother of
the gods in Greek mythology. - L., fr. Gk.
Ku~,n.'t), a name of uncertain origin.
cybernetics, n., the comparative study of complex
electronic calculating machines and the human
nervous system. - Coined by the Jewish mathematician of the U.S.A., Norbert Wiener(! 8941964), fr. Gk. xJ~epvf,TI)~. 'steersman, pilot' (fr.
xu~e:pviiv, 'to steer, guide, govern', whence L.
guberniire, of s.m., see govern), and suff. -ics.
Cybister, n., a genus of diving beetles (entomol.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. X'J~tcrTI)TI)p, 'tumbler', fr.
xv;3tcr-;iiv, 'to tumble head foremost', which is of
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with 01. kubhanyu/;1, 'dancing', OE. hoppian, 'to hop, dance'.
See hop, 'to leap'.
cycad, n., any of the plants of the family Cycadaceae. - See Cycas.
Cycadaceae, n. pl. (bot.) - ModL., formed fr.
next word with sutf. -aceae.

~.-yeas

Cycas, n., a genus of trees (bot.) - ModL., fr.

Gk. xux<X~, erroneously written for x6(xo:~.
ace. pl. of x6"cf,;, 'the doom palm', which is a
foreign word of unknown origin.
cycl-, form of cyclo- before a vowel.
cyclamen, n. - ML. and ModL., fr. Gk. xuxA&fLLVo~. fr. xux).o~, 'circle'. See cycle.
Cyclanthus, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
coined by Poiteau fr. Gk. xux).o~, 'circle', and
ocvl>o~. 'flower'. See cyclo- and anther.
cyclas, n., a kind of tunic worn by Roman women. - L., fr. Gk. xux).ti~, 'state robe of women', short for xuxA<X<; cr.&~<;, 'a circular garment', from the adjective xux:t.&<;, 'encircling',
fr. xux:f.o<;, 'circle'. See next word.
cycle, n. -F., fr. Late L. cyclus, fr. Gk. xux:f.o~.
'ring, circle, wheel', which is cogn. with 01.
cakrd/J, OE. hweol, hweogol, 'wheel'. See wheel
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also cyclamen, cyclas, and the second element in bemi
cycle, monocycle, multicycle, pericycle, tricycle.
Cp. also chukker, hackery, jack, 'an East Indian
tree', Ku Klux Klan,
Derivatives: cycle, intr. v., cycl-er, n., cyclic
(q.v.), cycl-ing, n., cyc/-ism, n., cycl-ist, n.
cyclic, adj. - F. cyclique, fr. L. cyclicus, fr. Gk.
xjx:f.t;u)<;, 'circular, moving in a circle', fr.
x)x:Ao:;. See cycle and -ic, and cp. acyclic,
monocyclic.
Derivatives: cyclic-al, adj., cyclical-ly, adv.
cyclist, n., 1) one who rides a bicycle, tricycle,
etc.; 2) one who reckons by cycles. - Formed
fr. cycle with suff. -ist.
Derivative: cyclist-ic, adj.
yclo-, before a vowel cycl-, combining form
meaning 'circular'. - Gk. xux).o-, xux}.-, fr.
x)xl-o~, 'circle'. See cycle.
Cyclobothra, n., a genus of plants of the lily
family; called also Calochortus (bot.)- Compounded of cyclo- and Gk. ~6&po~, 'pit' (see
bothrium); so called in allusion to the nectar'es.
Cycloconium, n., a genus of imperfect fungi (bot.)
- ModL., compounded of cyclo- and Gk.
x0vt<;, 'dust', which is cogn. with L. cinis,
'ashes'. See cinerary and cp. words there referred to.
cycloid, adj., circular; n., a curve described by
a point in the circumference of a circle that rolls
along a straight line. - Gk. xjx:Aottll+,o;, 'circular', compounded of xuxl-o~, 'circle', and
-r;etll+,<;, 'like', fr. dl),.,,, 'form, shape'. Seecycloand -oid.
Derivatives: cycloid-a/, adj., cycloid-al-ly, adv.
Cycloloma, n., a genus of plants of the goosefoot
family (bul.). - ivlodL., compounded of cycloand Gk. :Ai0[L!X, 'fringe, border' (see lorna); so
called in allusion to the wing of the calyx encircling it.
cyclometer, n., an instrument for measuring circles. -Compounded of cyclo- and Gk. 11.hpov,
'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
cyclone, n.- Irregularly formed fr. Gk. xul<Aoc;,

390

'circle', or fr. xux:t.&v, 'whirling round', pres.

part. of xux:f.ouv, 'to move in a circle, whirl
round', which is a derivative of xux:f.o~ (see
cycle); coined by H.Piddington in I848.
Derivative: cyclon-ic, adj.
cyclonology, n., the science dealing with cyclones.
- Compounded of cyclone and Gk. -:t.oyl~. fr.
-A6yo~. 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative: cyclonolog-ist, n.
Cyclopean, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, the
Cyclopes. - Formed with suff. -aa fr. L.
Cyc/opeus, fr. Gk. Kux:Aw7ttto~. fr. Kux:t.w<jl. See
Cyclops.
cyclopedia, cyclopaedia, n. - ModL., abbreviation of encyclopedia (q.v.)
Derivatives: cyc/op(a)ed-ic, adj., cyclop(a)edist, n.
Cyclops, n., one of a race of one-eyed giants in
Greek mythology. - L., fr. Gk. Kux:Aw<jl, gen.
Kux:f.w7tot;;, lit. 'round-eyed', fr. xux:t.o~, 'circle',
and (.)<jl, gen. c:m6t;;, 'eye', fr. I.-E. base *ok'"-, a
collateral form of base *ok'"-, 'eye'. See cycloand -opia.
cyclorama, n., a pictorial representation of a landscape on the inner wall of a cylindrical room,
the spectators standing in the middle. - Compounded of Gk. x.Jx:t.o~. 'circle', and opo:f.lo:,
'view', fr. opiiv, 'to see'. For the first element see
cycle. The second element is cogn. with L.
vererl, 'to observe with awe, revere, respect,
fear', OE. wa>r, 'cautious, aware'. See ware,
'alert', and cp. the second element in cosmorama and words there referred to.
cyclosis, n., circulation of protoplasm within a
cell (plant physiol.)- ModL., coined by C. H.
Schultz in 18 35 fr. Gk. x)x:Awcrt~, 'circulation', fr.
xux:Aouv, 'to move in a circle', fr. xuxl-ot;;. See
cycle and -osis.
Cyclostomata, n. pl., a class of eel-like vertebrates, the lampreys and hagfishes (zoo/.) ModL., lit. 'round-mouthed', fr. Gk. xux:t.o~,
'circle', and cr-r611.Z, gen. cr-r6[L:x-ro~, 'mouth'. See
cycle and stoma.
cyclostome, adj., pertaining to the Cyclostomata; n., a cyclostome vertebrate.- See prec.
word.
cyclostyle, n., a device for printing copies. Compounded of cyclo- and style.
cyclotron, n., an apparatus used for splitting
atoms; an atom smasher. - Coined fr. cyclowith the ending of electron.
cyder, n. -A var. of cider.
Cydonia, n., a genus of trees of the apple family.
- L. cydonia (scil. mala), pl., quince apple'.
See quince.
cyesis, n., pregnancy. - Medical L., fr. Gk.
x~Jr,cL:;,

'conception, pregnancy', fr. xue:~"' x,JELv,

'to be pregnant', whence also xuf.to:, 'anything

swollen; a wave'. See cyma and cp. cyatbus.
cygnet, n., a young swan.- Dimin. of F. cygne,
'swan' (refashioned after L. cygnus, a variant

391

of cycnus), fr. OF. cisne, fr. VL. cicinus (which

occurs in the Salic law), fr. L. cycnus, fr. Gk.
xuxvo~, 'swan', which is pro b. of imitative origin. Cp. Russ. kyku, 'swan's cry'. Cp. also
Cygnus.
Cygnus, n., 1) the Swan (name of a constellation);
2) the genus of swans (ornithol.) - L. cygnus,
'swan'. See cygnet.
cylinder, n. -F. cylindre, fr. L. cylindrus, fr. Gk.
xu:f.tvllpocr, 'roller, roll, cylinder', fr. xu:t.lvlle:w,
'to roll', which prob. derives fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qel-, 'to bend, twist', whence also Gk.
xu:AA6~ (for *xu:t.-v6~. *xt:f.v6~). 'crooked, crippled', x&:f.ov, 'limb, member; member of a clause
or a sentence'. See colon, 'punctuation mark',
and cp. calender. Base *q~e-qwfos, reduplication
of base *qel-, 'to bend, twist', appears in 01.
cakrd/J, Gk. xux:f.o~. 'cycle'. OE. hweogol, hweol,
'wheel'. See wheel and cp. cycle.
Derivatives: cylinder, tr. v., cylinder-ed, adj.,
cylinder-er, n.
cylindr-, form of cylindro- before a vowel.
cylindrical, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ModL. cylindricus, fr. Gk. xu:!.w1lptx6~. fr. xu:t.wllpo~. See cylinder.
cylindro-, before a vowel cylindr-, combining
form meaning, 'cylindrical'. - Gk. xu:t.wllpo-,
xu:f.tvllp-, fr. xu:f.tvllpo~. See cylinder.
cylindroid, adj. and n. - Compounded of Gk.
xu:f.tvllpo~, 'cylinder', and -oe:tll~<;. 'like', fr. e:IIlo~.
'form, shape'. See cylinder and -oid.
cylix, n., an ancient drinking cup (Greek antiq.)
- Gk. xu:t.tf;, 'drinking cup', in gradational relationship to x&l-uf;, 'cup, calyx of a flower'.
See calyx.
cyllosis, n., clubfoot (med.) - Medical L., fr.
Gk. xuA:t.wm~. 'clubfoot', fr. xuAl-6~ (for *xu:f.v6~. *xe::t.-v6~). 'crooked, crippled', which is
pro b. rei. to xul-[vlle:Lv, 'to roll', x>JALvllpo~.
'roller, roll, cylinder'. See cylinder.
cym-, form of cymo- before a vowel.
cyma, n., molding of a cornice, with an ogee profile (arch.) - ModL., fr. Gk. XUfL!X, 'anything
SWOllen, a wave, billOW, surge', fr. XUE:tV, XUE:LV,
'to be pregnant'. whence also xur,m~. 'conception, pregnancy', fr. I.-E. base *kew-, *kewii-,
'to swell out', whence also 01. svdyat_e, 'swells',
sQra/:r, 'strong', L. inciens (for *en-kw-yent-s),
'pregnant'. See cave, n., and cp. cyme,cymatium,
cyathus, cyesis, kymatology, acyrology, church.
Cp. also casserole, coelo-, maroon, 'one of a
class of Negroes'.
cymar, n., a robe.- F. cimarre, fr. It. simarra.
See chimere.
cymatium, n., I) a molding; 2) a cyma (archit.)L., fr. Gk. xu!J.&nov, dimin. of XUfL!X See cyma.
cymba,n., I) a boat-shaped sponge spicule(zoo/.);
2) the upper part of the concha ofthe ear (anal.)
- L. cymba, fr. Gk. xu!1.[31J, 'the hollow of a
vessel, cup, boat'. See next word and cp. Cymbella, Cymbidium.
cymbal, n., either of a pair of brass plates used

cymometer

in orchestras. - ME. cimbal, symbal, fr. OE.

cymbal and MF. (= F.) cymbale, which both
derive fr. L. cymba/urn, fr. Gk. XUfL~o::f.ov, fr.
xuf.t~1J, 'the hollow of a vessel, cup, boat', fr.
I.-E. base *qumb-, 'to bend, curve', whence also
01. kumbhd/J, 'pot, jar', Avestic xumba, of
s.m., Toch. A kumpac, 'drum', W. cwmm, 'valley', Bret. komb, 'small valley', Mir. comm,
'vessel', cummal, 'cup', and E. hump, 'swelling,
protuberance' (q.v.) Cp. cymba, chime, n. Cp.
also combe.
Derivatives: cymbal-er, cymbal-eer, n., cymbalist, n.
Cymbella, n., a genus of diatoms (bot.)- ModL.,
formed with dimin. suff. -ella fr. L. cymba, 'boat'
(see cymba); so called in allusion to their boatlike shape.
Cymbidium, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) ModL., formed with dimin. suff. -idiom fr. Gk.
xu!J.~1J, 'cup'. See cymba.
cymbiform, adj., shaped like a boat. - Compounded of L. cymba, fr. Gk. XUf.l~1), 'boat', and
L. forma, 'form, shape'. See cymba and form.
Cymbium, n., a genus of marine snails (zoo/.)ModL., fr. L. cymbium, 'a small cup', fr. Gk.
xuf.t~lov, dimin. ofxuf.t~1J, 'cup'. See cymbe.
cymbocephalic, adj., having a boat-shaped skull
(cranial.)- Lit. 'boat-headed', compounded of
Gk. xuf.l~1J 'boat', and xe:<piX:f.~, 'head'. See cymba
and cephalic.
cymbocephaly, n., the condition of having a
boatshaped head (cranial.) - See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -[~).
Cymbopogon, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) ModL., compounded of Gk. xuf.lf31J, 'boat' and
rrwywv, 'beard'. See cymba and Pogonia.
cyme, n., a mode of inflorescence in which the
primary and the secondary axes bear a single
terminal flower (bot.) - L. cyma, 'young sprout
of a cabbage', fr. Gk. XUfL!X, 'anything swollen'.
See cyma.
cymene, n., a hydrocarbon (chem.) - Gk. xufLLvov, 'cumin'. See cumin.
cymling, n., a kind of squash. - A var. of simnel
(with change of suff.).
cymo-, before a vowel cym-, combining form
meaning 'wave' or 'sprout'. - Fr. Gk. xuf.t!X,
'anything swollen'. See cyma.
Cymodoce, n., one of the Nereids (Greek mytho/.)
- L. Cymodoce, fr. Gk. Kuf.toll6x1J,lit. 'she who
receives the waves', fr. xuf.t!X, 'wave', and llexe:cr&o:t, lleze:cr&a.t, 'to receive'. See cyma and
decent.
cymograph, n., an instrument for tracing graphs
representing electric waves. - Lit. 'tracer of
waves', fr. Gk. xufLIX, 'wave', and -yp<X<po~. fr.
yp&<pe:tv, 'to write'. See cyme and -grapb.
Derivative: cynwgraph-ic, adj.
cymometer, n., formerly an instrument for
measuring etheric waves. - Compounded of
Gk. XU!J.iX, 'wave', and tJ.hpov, 'measure'. See
cyma and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.

cymophane

cymophane, n., a wavy variety of chrysoberyl

(mineral.) -Compounded of Gk. x\i(J.oc, 'wave',
and the stem of cpoclve:w, 'to show', cpo:Lve:cr-ltoct,
'to appear'. See cyma and phantasm.
cymoscope, n., a device for detecting electric
waves. - Compounded of Gk. xii!J.OC, 'wave',
and -crx6mov, fr. crxon-e:"Lv, 'to look at, examine'.
See cyma and -scope.
cymotrichy, n., wavy hair. - Compounded of
Gk. XU!J.IX, 'wave', and -ltpL~, gen. -rpt:x:6c;, 'hair'.
See cyma and tricho-.
Cymric, Kymric, adj., Welsh. - Formed with
suff. -ic fr. W. Cymry, 'the Welsh', pl. of Cymro,
'Welshman', which prob. derives fr. OW. *combrag, 'compatriot', fr. com-, 'with', and *brog
(whence W. bro), 'region', which is rei. to Olr.
bruig, mruig, 'boundary, region', and cogn.
with OE. mearc, 'boundary, sign, mark'. See
com- and mark, 'sign'. Cp. L. Al/obroges, name
of a warlike people in Gallia Narbonensis, lit.
'those from another land'. Cp. also Cambrian.
cyn-, form of cyno- before a vowel.
cynanche, n., a medical term for diseases of the
throat. - Gk. xuv&n:"IJ, 'sore throat', lit. 'dog
quinsy', formed fr. xuwv, gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and
&n:etv, 'to throttle, strangle'. See quinsy.
Cynanchum, n., a genus of plants of the milkweed
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xuv&n:"IJ, 'dog
quinsy'. See prec. word.
cynanthropy, n., insanity in which the patient believes himself to be a dog (med.) - Formed
with suff. -y (representing Gk. -(~). fr. Gk.
xuv&v&pwrroc;, 'of a dog-man', which is compounded of xuwv, gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and &v&pwrroc;, 'man'. See cyno- and anthropo-. The name
cynanthropy prop. derives fr. Gk. v6croc; xuv&v&pwrroc;, lit. 'dog-man's disease', a name given
to this mania by Galen (see Galen 19, 719).
cynegetics, n., hunting. - Gk. xuv"l)ye-rtx-f) (scil.
-rixy1J), '(the art of) hunting', fr. xuV"I)yeTI)c;,
'huntsman, hunter', (whence xuv"l)yenrv, 'to
hunt'), which is compounded of xuwv, gen.
xuv6c;, 'dog', and -Y)ye:tcr&oct, 'to lead'. See cyno-,
seek and -ics.
Cynias, n., a genus of Carchariidae, the smooth
dogfish (ichthyol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xuwv, gen.
xuv6c;, 'dog'. See cyno-.
cyniatrics, n., that branch of veterinary medicine
which deals with diseases of dogs. - Compounded of cyn- and -iatrics.
cynic, n. - L. cynicus, 'a cynic', fr. Gk. xuvtx6c;,
an adjective formed fr. Kuv6crocpyec;, 'Cynosarges', a gymnasium near Athens. It was in this
gymnasium that Antisthenes taught, whence
his disciples were called xuvtxoL, lit. 'of Cynosarges'. (For sense development cp. stoic and
academician, which are also formed from placenames.) The usual derivation of Gk. xuvtx6c;,
'a cynic', fr. xuwv, gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and the explanation that xJvtx.6c; orig. denoted a 'doglike' philosopher, is erroneous. The only connection between a cynic and a dog is given by

392

the quite incidental fact that the first element in

the name Kuv6cr01:pyec; comes fr. xuwv, gen.
xuv6c;, 'dog' (see cyno-).
Derivatives: cynic, cynic-al, adjs., cynic-al-ly,
adv., cynic-ism, n., cynic-is!, n.
cyno-, before a vowel cyn-, combining form
meaning 'dog-'. - Gk. xuvo-, xuv-, fr. xuwv,
gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', which is cogn. with L. canis,
Goth. hunds, OE. hund, 'dog'. See hound and
cp. canine. Cp. also cynanche, Cynias, cynosure,
quinsy, squinancy.
cynocephalic, n., cynocephalous. - See next
word and -ic.
cynocephalous, adj., dog-headed. - Gk. xuvoxecpOI:Aoc;, 'dog-headed'. compounded of xuwv,
gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and xecpoc}.-f), 'head'. See cynoand cephalic. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-oc;, see -ous.
Cynocrambaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. Cynocrambe with suff.
-aceae.
cynocrambaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Cynocrambe, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xuvoxp&!J.~"IJ, 'dog cabbage', which is
compounded of x.uwv, gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and
xp&!J.~'Il 'cabbage'. See cyno- and Crambe.
Cynodon, n., a genus of plants of the family Poaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xuv68wv, 'the
canine tooth', compounded ofx.uwv, gen. xuv6c;,
'dog' and 68wv, gen. 686v-roc;, 'tooth'. See cynoand odonto-.
Cynoglossum, n., a genus of the borage family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. xuv6y}.wcrcrov, 'hound's.
tongue', which is compounded of xuwv, gen.
xuv6c;, 'dog' and y}.wcro-01:, 'tongue'. See cyno- and
gloss, 'explanation'.
cynoid, adj., 1) doglike; 2) pertaining to the dog
family.- Gk. xuvo<:t8~c;, 'doglike', compounded of xuwv, gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and -o<:t8~c;, 'like',
fr. e:I8oc;, 'form, shape'. See cyno- and -oid.
cynorrhodon, n., the dogrose.- L., fr. Gk. xuv6po8ov, 'dogrose', which is compounded of xuwv,
gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and p68ov, 'rose'. See cynoand rhodo-.
Cynoscion, n., a genus of fishes, the weakfish
(ichthyol.)- ModL., compounded of Gk. xuwv,
gen. xuv6c;, 'dog', and crxLIXtviX, a seafish, prob.
'the grayling', fr. crxt&, 'shade, shadow'. See
cyno- and skiagraphy and cp. Sciaenidae.
cynosure, n., the Lesser Bear (constellation). F., fr. L. Cynosura, fr. Gk. xuv6croup01:, 'dog's
tail; the Lesser Bear', compounded of xuwv,
gen. xuvo<;, 'dog'' and oup&, 'tail'. See cyno- and
uro-, 'tail-'.
Cynthia, I)Artemis,goddessofthe moon, whence:
the moon personified; 2) fern. PN.- L., fr.
Gk. Kuv~~. epithet of the goddess Artemis,
lit. '(the goddess) of Cynthus', fern. of Kuwhoc;,
'of Cynthus, ~thian', fr. Kuvao.;, 'Cynthus',
a mountain in Delos, birthplace of Apollo and
Artemis.

393

Cynthian, adj., pertaining to Mt. Cynthus in

Delos. -Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cynthius,
fr. Gk. Kuv&mc;, 'of Cynthus, Cynthian'.

Cyperaceae, n. pl., the sedge family (bot.) ModL., formed fr. Cyperus with suff. -aceae.
cyperaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
Cyperus, n., a genus of plants of the family Cyperaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xurretpoc;,
'sedge', a word prob. rei. to xurrpo<;, 'the henna
plant' (Lawsonia inermis Linn.), which is of
Sem. origin; cp. Heb. kdpher, Aram. ktphord,
Syr. kuphrd, 'the henna plant'. Cp. Cyprinus.
cypheUa, n., a cuplike depression on the lower
surface of the thallus of lichens (bot.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. xucp<:AAIX (pl.), 'the hollows of the ears',
fr. xucp6c;, 'bent, crooked', which is rei. to x\icpoc;,
'hump, hunch', and cogn. with 01. kubhrd};,
'humpbacked', fr. I.-E. base *qeu-bh-, 'to bend',
which is rei. to base *qeu-p-, whence L. ciipa,
'tub, cask, vat'. See cup and cp. cypho-, cypsela,
kyphosis.
cypher, n. -A var. spelling of cipher.
cypho-, before a vowel cyph-, combining form
meaning 'bent, humpbacked'. -Fr. Gk. xucp6c;,
'bent, crooked', or fr. xucpo<;, 'hump, hunch'.
See cypheUa.
cyphosis, n. - A var. spelling of kyphosis.
cy-pres, cypres, adv. and adj., as nearly as possible in agreement with the testator's intentions
(law).- F. si-pres, 'so near, as near', fr. VL. sic
presse, 'from so near', fr. L. sic, 'so', andpresse,
adv. of pressus, 'pressed', pp. of premere, 'to
press'. See sic and press, v.
cypress, n. - ME. cipres, cypres, fr. OF. cipres
(F. cypresse), fr. Late L. cypressus, fr. Gk. xurr&ptcrcro<;, which prob. derives fr. Heb. gOpher,
name of the tree of whose wood the ark was
made (see Gen. 6: 14). Cp. gopherandseeHehnSchrader, Kulturpfianzen und Haustiere in
ihrem Dbergang aus Asien nach Griechenland
und Italien, sth edition, p.231. Cp. Cyprian.
Derivatives: cypress, adj., cypress-ed, adj.
cypress, n., cypress lawn. - ME. cipres, 'gauze,
cloth of gold', fr. OF. Cipre, Cypre, 'the island
of Cyprus'; so called because orig. brought
from Cyprus.
Cyprian, adj. and n. -- L. Cypriiinus, 'of Cyprus,
Cyprian', formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cyprius,
fr. Gk. Kurrpto<;, of s.m., fr. Kurrpoc;, 'Cyprus',
lit. 'the island of cypress trees'. See cypress and
cp. copper. For sense development cp. Pityuses,
lit. 'the islands covered with pines', fr. Gk.
rrl-ruc;, 'pine', and Port. Madeira, 'the island
of timber', fr. madeira, 'timber', fr. L. materia,
'stuff', matter, timber'.
cyprinid, adj., pertaining to the family Cyprinidae. - See next word.
Cyprinidae, n. pl., a family of soft-finned fishes
(ichthyol.)- ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. cyprinus. See next word.
Cyprinus, n., the typical genus of the family Cyprinidae (ichtyol.).- L. cyprinus, 'carp', fr. Gk.

cyst
xurrp~vo<;,

'carp', fr. xurrpo.;, 'the henna plant'

(see Cyperus); so called in allusion to its color.
Cypriote, adj. and n., Cyprian. -Fr. L. Cyprius,
'Cyprian'. See Cyprian and -ote.
Cypripedium, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) ModL., 'the lady's slipper', coined by Linnaeus
fr. Gk. K0rrpt<;, 'Aphrodite' (see next word), and
rre8D.oll, 'shoe, slipper'' which is rei. to rria'fl, 'fetter', and stands in gradational relationship to
rro0c;, gen. rroM.;, 'foot'; see foot. The correct
form of the word would be Cypripedilum.
Cypris, n., a name of Aphrodite.- L., fr. Gk.
Kun-ptc;,lit. 'the Cyprian (goddess)', fr. Kurrpo<;,
'Cyprus'. See Cyprian and cp. the first element
in prec. word.
Cypris, n., a genus of crustaceans (zoo/.) - Fr.
prec. word.
cypsela, n., an achene with an adherent calyx
tube (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xu<jltA"I), 'a hollow
vessel', which is rei. to xucp6c;, 'bent, crooked'.
See cyphella.
Cyrenaic, adj., 1) pertaining to the Cyrenaica;
2) pertaining to the hedonistic school of philosophy founded by Aristippus of Cyrene.
Derivative: Cyrenaic-ism, n.
Cyril, masc. PN. - Late L. Cjrillus, fr. Gk.
KuptM6<;, lit. 'lordly, masterly', rei. to x6ptoc;,
'lord, master'. See church and cp. words there
referred to.
Cyrilla, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after Domenico Cyrillo, professor of
medicine at Naples.
Cyrillaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.) Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
cyrillaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
Cyrillic, adj., pertaining to the alphabet ascribed
to Cyril, apostle of the Slavs. -Lit. 'of, or pertaining to, Cyril'; so called because his name is
associated with the invention of the Slavic alphabet. For the origin of this name see Cyril,
for the ending see suff. -ic.
cyrto-, before a vowel cyrt-, combining form
meaning 'curved', - Gk. xup-ro-, xup-r-, fr.
xup-.6<;, 'curved, bent, arched', rei. to x.opwv6c;,
'curved, bent', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to bend,
tum, twist', whence also L. curvus, 'crooked,
bent, curved'. See curve n., and cp. the second
element in Tricyrtis.
cyrtometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
curves of parts of the body (med.)-Compounded of cyrto- and Gk. (J.tTpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
cyrtosis, n., curvature of the spinal column(med.)
- Medical L., fr. Gk. xup-rwcrL<;, 'being humpbacked', fr. xup-.6c;, 'curved, bent'. See cyrtoand -osis.
Cyrus, masc. PN. - L., fr. Gk. Kupoc;, fr. OPers.
Kurush, whence Akkad. Kurash, Heb. KiJresh,
Egypt. Kawarusha.
cyst, n., a closed membranous pouch or sac containing fluid (med.)- Medical L. cystis, fr. Gk.
xucrnc;, 'bladder, bag, pouch,' which is prob.cogn.

cyst-

with or. svdsati, svdsiti, 'blows, breathes, sighs'.

L. querl, 'to complain'. See quarrel, 'dispute'.
cyst-, form of cysto- before a vowel.
-cyst, combining form meaning 'pouch, sac', as
in cholecyst.- Fr. Gk. xucr-n<;, 'bladder, bag,
pouch'. See prec. word.
cysti-, combining form. - See cysto-.
cystic, adj., pertaining to a cyst; esp., pertaining
to the urinary bladder.- F. cystique, fr. Medical L. cysticus, fr. cystis. See cyst and -ic.
cysticercus, n., the larval form of tapeworms
(zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of cysti- and
Gk. xtpxo<;, 'tail'. See cercus and cp. words
there referred to.
cystiform, adj., having the form of a cyst. - A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. xucr-rL<;, 'bladder, bag,
pouch', and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See cyst
and form, n.
cystitis, n., inflammation of the bladder (med.)
- Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
xucr-rL<;. See cyst.
cysto-, cysti-, before a vowel cyst-, combining
form meaning 'pertaining to, or resembling, a
bladder (esp. the urinary bladder)'. - Fr. Gk.
xucrnt;, 'bladder, bag, pouch'. See cyst.
cystoid, adj., resembling a cyst or bladder. Compounded of Gk. xucrnt;, 'bladder, bag,
pouch', and -oELil~<;. 'like', fr. dllo<;, 'form,
shape'. See cyst and -oid.
cystotomy, n., incision of the uninary bladder
(med.)- Compounded of cysto- and Gk. -Tofl.la,
'a cutting of', fr. TOfl.~ 'a cutting'. See -tomy.

cyt-, form of cyto- before a vowel.

-cyte, combining form denoting a cell, as in hematocyte, leucocyte. - Fr. Gk. xuTo<;, 'a hollow,
hollow vessel, vault, body, skin', fr. I.-E. base
*qeu-t-, 'to cover, hide', whence also L. cutis,
OE. hyd, 'skin'. See hide, 'skin', and cp.
cyto-.
Cytherea, n., a name of Aphrodite or Venus. L., fr. Gk. K~nq.zpELct, lit. 'of Cythera', fr. KJ.fhJpce (pl.), name of an island in the Aegean Sea
(now called Cerigo), celebrated for the worship
of Aphrodite. Cp. next word.
Derivatives: Cythere-an, adj., pertaining to
Aphrodite.
Cytherella, n., a genus of crustaceans (zoo/.) ModL., formed with dimin. suff. -ella fr. L.
Cythera, a var. of Cytherea, 'Aphrodite'. See
prec. word.
Cytinus, n., a genus of plants of the family
Raffiesiaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. xunvo<;,
'flower of the pomegranate', wich derives perh.

394
fr. X'JTo<;, 'a hollow vessel'. See -cyte and -ine
(representing Gk. -t~o<;).
Cytisus, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) - L. cytisus, 'a kind of clover', fr. Gk.
xuTLcro~;, of s.m., a foreign word of unknown
origin.
cytitis, n., inflammation of the skin (med.) Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk. xu-w~.
'skin'. See -cyte.
cyto-, before a vowel cyt-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to a cell or cells'. - Gk. xuTo-,
xuT-, fr. xuTot;, 'a hollow vessel'. See -cyte.
cytology, n., study of the structure, functions and
life history of cells (bioi.)- Lit. 'study of cells',
compounded of cyto- and -).oyla, fr. -A6yot;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: cytolog-ic-a/, adj., cytologic-al-ly,
adv.
cytoplasm, n., the protoplasm of the cells (bioi.
- Compounded of cyto- and Gk. 1t'AOCcrf1.ct,
'something molded'. See plasma.
Derivative: cytoplasm-ic, adj.
czar, tsar, n. - Russ. tsar, fr. earlier tsesar', fr.
OSlav. cisari, fr. Goth. kalsar (which is rei. to
OE. casere, OHG. keisar, OFris., MHG. keiser,
G. Kaiser), 'emperor', fr. L. Caesar, title adopted
by Augustus and the succeeding Roman emperors from the cognomen of Caius Julius
Caesar. Cp. Caesar, kaiser. For sense development cp. Lith. kariilius, OSiav. kra/ji, 'king', fr.
L. Carolus, 'Charles' in Carolus Magnus, i.e.
'Charlemagne' (see churl).
czardas, n., a Hungarian national dance. - See
csardas.
czarevitch, tsarevitch, n., a son of the czar (in
contradistinction to cesarevitch, which denotes
the eldest son of the czar). - Russ. tsarevitch,
fr. tsar. See czar.
czarina, tsarina, n., title of an empress of Russia.
- G. Zarin (formerly spelled Czarin), fr. Zar,
'czar'. The Russian equivalent is tsaritsa. See
next word.
czaritza, n., czarina. - Russ. tsaritsa, fr. tsar,
'czar'. See czar and cp. prec. word.
Czech, n., a Slavic native of Bohemia. -Polish
spelling of Czech Cech, inhabitant of Cechy,
'Bohemia'.
Czechoslovak, n. - Back formation fr. Czechoslovakia.
Czechoslovakia, n.- Lit. 'the land of the Czechs
and the Slovaks'.

D
dab, tr. and intr. v., to touch or strike lightly. ME. dabben, prob. fr. MDu. d'abben, 'to pinch,
dabble', which is prob. of imitative origin. Cp.
dabble, dap, dib, 'knucklebone', and tap, 'to
strike lightly'.
Derivatives: dab, n. (q.v.), dabb-er, n.
dab, n., a light blow; a soft or flattish mass. Fr. prec. word.
dab, n., any small flatfish. - Fr. dab, 'a soft or
flattish mass'.
dab, n., a skillful person (colloq.) - Prob. fr.
dab, 'to strike lightly'.
dabb, also dab, n., a large Arabian lizard (Uromastix spinipes). - Arab. qabb, 'the thorntailed lizard', rei. to Heb. tzabh, Aram. tzabbii,
Syr. 'abbti, 'abhd, of s.m.
dabble, tr. and intr. v.- Freq. formed with suff.
-le fr. dab, 'to strike lightly'.
Derivatives: dabbl-er, n., dabbl-ing, adj., dabbling-ly, adv., dabbl-ing-ness, n.
dabchick, n., 1) the little grebe of Europe; 2) the
pied-billed grebe of America. -Fr. earlier dapchick, lit. 'dipping chick'. See dap and chick
and cp. didapper.
da capo, from the beginning (mus.)- It., 'from
the head, from the beginning'. The first word
is a contraction of L. de, 'from, away from',
and a, 'away from, from; by'; see de- and a-,
'from'. The second word derives fr. L. caput,
'head'; see capital, adj., and cp. the first word
in dal segno.
dace, n., a small cyprinoid fish. - ME. darce,
fr. OF. darz, dars, fr. ML. darsus, a word of
Gaulish origin. F. dard, 'dace', was influenced
in form by a confusion with F. dard, 'dart'
(see dart).
dachshund, n., a small dog of German breed.G., compounded of Dachs, 'badger' and Hund,
'dog'. The first clement is rei. to Du. das and
to the second element in Dan. and Norw. svintoks, and lit. means 'the builder'; it is cogn.
with 0. tak~ati, 'fashions, constructs', Gk.
":'EY.TW\1, 'carpenter', TEZVIJ, 'handicraft, art', L.
texere, 'to weave'. ML. taxus, taxo, F. tainon,
Sp. texan, later tejOn, It. tasso, 'badger', are
Teut. loan words. See technic and cp. text. Cp.
also Taxidea and the second element in ratel.
For the second element see hound.
Dacian, adj., pertaining to Dacia. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Dacia, 'Dacia', fr. Gk. Ll.'!x(i.
Cp. next word.
dacite, n., an igneous rock (petrogr.)- Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. Dacia. See prec.
word.
dacoit, n., one of an armed gang of robbers. Hind. tfokait, tfoka, 'gang robbery'.
Derivative: dacoit, tr. and intr. v.

dacoity, n., robbery by dacoits. -Hind. {iiikiiiti

'gang robbery', fr. l}iikiiit. See prec. word.
dacron, n., a washable synthetic fabric; (cap.) a
trademark.
dacry-. - See dacryo-.
Dacrydium, n., a genus of plants of the yew
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ll:XxtJu, Mxpuo\1,
'tear' (see dacryo-); so called in allusion to the
resinous exudations.
dacryo-, before a vowel dacry-, combining form
meaning 'tear; lachrymal'. - Gk. llocxpuo-,
llcexpu-, fr. ll&xpuo\1, 'tear'. See tear, n., and cp.
lachrymal.
dacryon, n., the point of junction of the lachrymal and the frontal bone (craniometry). ModL., fr. Gk. ll&xpuo'J, 'tear'; see dacryo-.
The name dacryon was introduced into craniometry by the French surgeon and anthropologist Paul Broca (1824-80).
dactyl, n., a metrical foot consisting of one long
syllable followed by two short syllables or one
accented followed by two unaccented (pros.)L. dactylus, fr. Gk. MxTuAo~, 'finger; dactyl'
(so called in allusion to the three joints of the
finger): of uncertain etymology. Gk. lliKruAo'
in this sense is not related to MxruAo~, 'date'
(see date, the fruit), nor is it cogn. with L. digitus,
'finger'. Cp. next word and Dactylis. Cp. also
adactylous, and the second element in leptadactyl, monodactylous, tridactyl, pentadactyl.
Dactyl, n., one of the priests of Cybele (Greek
mythol.) - L. Dactyti, 'the Dactyls', fr. Gk.
Ll.ixTu).o~. lit. 'Fingers', pl. of llix'l"JAOt; (see
prcc. word); so called because they were ten
in number.
dactylic, adj., pertammg to, or consisting of,
dactyls. - L. dactylicus, fr. Gk. 1l'!X'l"JALx6~.
'pertaining to a dactyl', fr. ~-:i.Y.7'JJfJ~. See dactyl
and -ic.
Derivative: dactylic, n., a dactylic verse.
dactylio-, combining form meaning 'finger ring'.
- Gk. ~OCX":"J),~'J-, fr. ~'!X":"J),v:,~, 'finger ring,
signet', fr. ll-:i.x":"JAo,. See dactyl.
dactylioglyph, n., an engraver of rings. - Gk.
llocx'l"J).~'JYA'J?'J~, 'an engraver of gems for finger
rings', fr. ll'!X":''JAL'l:;, 'finger ring', and -y)-'J?'l:;,
fr. y).J<pE~v. 'to carve, engrave'. Sec dactylio- and
glyph.
dactyliography, n .. the study of gem engraving.Compounded of dactylio- and Gk. -yp'!<p(i, fr.
yp-:i.?E~\1, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives: dactyliograph-er, n., dactyliographic, adj.
dactyliomancy, n., divination by means of a finger
ring. - Compounded of dactylio- and Gk.
(J.ct~n[i, 'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
Dactylis, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) - ModL.,

396

dactylo-

fr. Gk. lkix-ru:Aoc;, 'finger' (see dactyl); so called

from the digitate spikes.
dactylo-, before a vowel dactyl-, combining form
meaning 'finger' or 'toe'. - Gk. ~<Xx-ru:Ao-,
8<Xx-ru:A-, fr. 8&.x-ru:Aoc;, 'finger; toe'. See dactyl.
dactylogram, n., fingerprint.- Compounded of
dactylo- and Gk. yp&.[J.[J.<X, 'that which is written'.
See -gram.
dactylography, n., 1) dactylology; 2) the study of
fingerprints. - Compounded of dactylo- and
Gk. -yp<Xcp!a, fr. yp&.cpe~v. 'to write'. See -grapby.
dactyloid, adj., resembling a finger. - Gk.
8<Xx.-ru:Aoe~81Jc;, 'fingerlike', fr. 8&.x-ru:Aoc;, 'finger',
and -oe~~-ljc;, 'like', fr. e!8oc;, 'form, shape'. See
dactyl- and -oid.
dactylology, n., the art of communicating ideas
by signs made with the fingers. - Lit. 'the study
of the fingers', fr. dactylo- and Gk. -:Aoyloc, fr.
-A6yor;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
dactyloscopy, n., identification by means of
fingerprints. - Compounded of dactylo- and
Gk. -crx6mov, fr. crx.o1te"Lv, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scopy.
Dacus, n., a genus of flies, the olive fly (entomol.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. Mxo<;, 'any animal, the bite
of which is dangerous', lit. 'a biting animal',
rei. to 8&.xvm, 'to bite', M~, 'biting', 8'ijy(J.<X, 'a
biting', 81)xTI]<;, 'biter', fr. I.-E. base *denk-,
'to bite', whence also or. da.Sati (for *d1Jfaiti),
'bites', ON. tong, OE. tang, tange, 'tongs'. See
tongs and cp. the second element in carpodacus,
Tridacna, Demodex, Mixodectes.
dad, daddy, n., father. - A child's word. Cp.
W. tad, dad, Ir. daid, Co. tat, 'father', hendat,
'grandfather', Czech tat a, Russ. tata, Lith.
tetis, tete, 'father', OPruss. thetis, 'father, old
man', Ir. daid, Co. tat, W., Bret. tad, tat, 'father',
Alb. tali:, 'father', L. tara, 'father', Gk. dTa,
'father', T!r:oc, -rs-r-rx, '0 father, daddy', -roc-rx:A(~eLv, 'to flatter', ModGk. 8<X8iic;, 'father', 01.
tiita/.1, 'father, son', which all are of childish
origin.
Dada, n., an artistic movement characterized by
incoherence and the love of paradoxes (art and
lit.) - F. dada, prop. a child's word meaning
'horse, hobby horse, hobby'. This word was
chosen in 1916 by Tristan Tzara, a Romanianborn poet and editor in Paris (1896-1963), to
designate this artistic movement.
Dadaism, n., Dada.- F. dadalsme, formed from
prec. word with suff. -isme (see -ism).
Dadaist, n., an adherent of Dada': rn. -F. dadaisle, formed fr. Dada with suff. -iste (see -ist).
dado, n., a part of the pedestal. - It. dado, 'die,
cube, pedestal', fr. L. datus, 'given', pp. of dare,
'to give'. See date, 'point of time', and cp.
die, 'cube'.
Derivative: dado, tr. v.
daduchus, dadoucbos, n., torchbearer in the Eleusian mysteries.- L. diiduchus, fr. Gk. 3~3ou;xot;,
'torchbearer', which stands for *3~3o-6;xot; and

is compounded of 8<Xt<;, 8~<; (gen. 8oct8oc;, resp.

8q:86c;), 'torch', and ~eLv, 'to hold, have'. The
first element is rel. to 8ocleLv (for *lkif1eLv), 'to
blaze, burn', and cogn. with 01. duniJti, 'bums',
diiva/.1, 'conflagration', Oir. doim, 'I singe, bum'.
Cp. the first element in Deianira. For the second
element see hectic.
daedal, adj., ingenious, skillful.- L. daedalus, fr.
Gk. 8ocl~<XAO<;, 'cunningly made', fr. 8<XL8illeLv,
'to work cunningly or skillfully', which stands
for *8ocL-80CALeLv and is formed with reduplibase *del-, *dol-, 'to split, cut,
cation of
carve', which appears in Ol. dalati, 'splits,
bursts', diilayati, 'causes to burst, splits open',
dalam, 'part, piece', L. doliire, 'to hew with an
ax', dolium, 'a very large jar'. See dole, 'grief',
and cp. Daedalus, dal and the second element in
logodaedaly. Cp. also tale. The word daedal was
first used in English by Spenser.
daedalian, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, the
work of Daedalus. - See Daedalus and -ian.
Daedalus, n., the mythical artist, father of Icarus
and builder of the Cretan labyrinth.- L., fr. Gk.
ll.oc(8<X:Aoc;, lit. 'the cunning worker'. See daedal.
daemon, n. - L., fr. Gk. 8ocL(J.Wv. See demon.
daemonic, adj.- Late L. daemonicus, fr. L. daemon. See daemon and -ic.
daffodil, n. - Du. de affodil, 'the asphodel', fr.
OF. affrodile, a var. of asfodile, fr. L. asphodelus. See the, def. art. and asphodel.
datlodilly, datladilly, datladowndilly, datlydowndilly, n., a daffodil. - Poetic and dial. variants
of prec. word.
daft, adj., foolish (dial.) - ME. dafte, 'meek;
stupid', fr. OE. (ge)d.efte, 'mild, gentle', rel. to
gedafen, gedefe, 'suitable', Goth. gadaban, 'to
be fit'. See deft. For sense development cp. silly,
simple.
Derivatives: daft-ly, adv., daft-ness, n.
dag, n., a kind of long pistol formerly used. Of uncertain origin.
dagesh, n.- See daghesh.
dagger, n.- F. dague (whence also MDu. dagge,
Dan. daggert, G. Degen), fr. OProven.;. daga,
a word of Celtic origin. Cp. Gael. dag, dager,
'dagger'.
Derivatives: dagger, tr. v., dagger-ed, adj.
daggle, tr. v., to make wet by sprinkling; to
draggle.- Formed with frequent. suff. -le from
dial. E. dag, 'to sprinkle with water, to wet',
fr. dial. E. dag, 'mist, drizzling rain', which is a
Scand. loan word. Cp. ON. dogg, 'dew', and
see dew.
dagbesh, dagesh, n., dot in a letter denoting the
reduplication of a consonant or the harder pronunciation of the consonants b, g, d, k, p, t
Medieval
(Hebrew and Aram. gram.) Heb., fr. Syriac diighish, active participle of
d~ghash, 'he pricked, pointed'.
Derivative: daghesh, dagesh, tr. v.
dago, n., a name given contemptuously to Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians. - From cor-

397

,.

'

I.-E.

i
i

I
, I
l

ruption of the Sp. PN. Diego, equivalent to

E. James.
dagoba, n., a Buddhist shrine.- Singhal. diigaba,
fr. Pali dhiitugabbha, fr. 01. dhdtugarbha/.1, which
is compounded of dh&tu/.1, 'layer, ingredient',
and garbha/.1, 'womb, interior'. 01. dhiitub,
derives from the stem of dadhtiti, 'he puts,
places', fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, 'to place'; see do, v.
01. garbha/.1 is a derivative of I.-E. base *gwelbh*gwolbh-, 'womb; young of an animal', whence
also Gk. 8e:AqJ~, 8o:Acp6~, 'womb', Goth kalbo,
OE. cealf, 'calf'; see calf.
Dagon, n., the main god of the Philistines. - L.,
fr. Gk. ll.ocywv, fr. Heb. Dagon, which prob.
derives fr. Heb. diig, 'fish'.
daguerreotype, n., an early kind of photograph.F. daguerreotype, a hybrid coined fr. the name
of(Louis) Daguerre (1789-1851), inventor of the
process, and F. type, fr. Gk. nmor;, 'blow,
mark, impression'. See type, -type.
Derivatives: daguerreotype, tr. v., daguerreotyper, n., daguerreotyp-ist, n., daguerreo-typ-y, n.
dab, n., a large hewing knife (India). - Hind.
diio, fr. OI. d&tram, 'sickle', from the stem of
d&ti, dydti, 'cuts, separates, divides', da-yate,
'divides, participates, destroys', fr. I.-E. base
*dii-, *diii-, *df-, *dt-, 'to cut off, separate, divide, distribute', whence also diitar-, 'reaper,
mower', ditih, 'division', Gk. lh[ecr&oc~, 'to divide, distribute; to feed on', 8ocl(J.wv, 'god,
goddess', lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and words there referred
to.
dahabiah, dahabeab, n., a sailing boat used on
tht' Nile. - Arab. dhchc!Jty~", lit. 'th~ g'>lde~
one', fern. of dhahabt, fr. dhahab, 'gold', which
is rel. to Heb. ziih&bh, Aram.-Syr. d~habh,
dahiibh&, 'gold', Heb. tziihiJbh, 'gleaming, yellow', Arab. $lihiba, 'was reddish yellow', li$habu,
'reddish yellow'.
Dahlia, n., name of a genus of Mexican plants
.of the family Compositae. - ModL., named
by the Spanish botanist Antonio Jose Cavanilles
(1745-1804) in 1791 after the Swedish botanist,
Anders Dahl, a pupil of Linnaeus. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Dail Eireann, n., the lower house of the Parliament of the Irish Free State. - Lit. 'assembly
of Ireland', fr. Ir. diiil, 'assembly', and Eireann,
gen. of Eire, 'Ireland'. Cp. Erin.
daily, adj. - ME. daili, fr. OE. dzglic, fr. dzg,
'day'. See day and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivatives: daily, n. and adv., daili-ness, n.
daimio, daimyo, n., a feudal prince of Japan. Jap., lit. 'a great name', fr. Chin. dai, 'great',
and mio, myo, 'name'.
dainty, n.- ME. deintee, fr. OF. daintie, deintie,
'pleasure, delicacy', fr. L. dignitiitem, ace. of
dignitiis, 'greatness, rank, dignity'. See dignity,
which is a doublet of dainty.
Derivatives: dainty, adj., dainti-ly, adv., dainti
ness, n.

Dalbergia

daira, n., formerly, estates of the Egyptian khedive.- Arab. dti'ira11 (in vulgar pronunciation
dayra), 'circle, enclosure', prop. fern. partie.
of d&ra, 'he moved in a circle, went about',
which is rel. to diir, 'house', orig. 'buildings surrounding a court', daur, 'circumference', dahr,
'long time, age', Heb. diir (n.), 'circle, ball', diir
(v.), 'to dwell', orig. 'to move in a circle', dor,
'generation', Mishnaic Heb. mtidhiJr, 'dwelling
place', Aram. dur, 'to dwell', mtdhor, mtdhtir,
'dwelling place', diir, 'generation', Akkad. duru,
'wall, fortress', also 'duration, eternity', diiru,
'everlasting'. Cp. next word.
daira, n., a large kind of Oriental tambourine. Fr. dayra, vulgar Arab pronunciation of d&'irah,
'circle, tambourine'. See prec. word.
dairy, n. - ME. deierie, formed with suff. -erie
fr. deie, 'dairymaid', fr. OE. dzge '(female)
breadmaker', lit. 'kneader of dough', fr. diig,
'dough'. Cp. ON. deigja, Swed. deja, 'dairymaid', which derive fr. ON. deig, resp. Swed.
deg, 'dough', and see dough. Cp. also the second
element in lady. For the ending see -ery.
Derivative: dairy-ing, n.
dais, n., a raised platform in a hall. - ME. deis,
deys, fr. OF. deis, dois, 'table; platform' (whence
F. dais, 'canopy'), fr. VL. discus, 'table', fr. L.
discus, 'quoit, dish, disc'. See dish, disk and
cp. desk.
daisy, n. - ME. daies eie, fr. OE. d.eges ege,
dzges eage, lit. 'day's eye' (see day and eye); so
called because it opens its flower in the morning.
Daisy, fern. PN. - Orig. used as a pet name for
Margaret, F. marguerite being identical in
meaning v:ith E. daisy.
daitya, n., a demon (Hindu mythol.) - OI. daitya-, lit. 'a daughter of Diti', a metronymic
formed fr. Diti, an aphetic form of Aditi. See
Aditi.
daiva, n., the second form of marriage (India).
OI. daivab, 'marriage rite', lit. 'peculiar to the
gods, divine', fr. deva/.1, 'god'. See deva and
cp. Devi.
dak, n. - A var. of dawk.
Daksha, n., one of the Prajapatis, a son ofBrahma (Hindu mythol.) - OI. Dlik$a/.l, lit. 'able,
apt, clever, competent, intelligent', rei. to dak$ina/.l, dak$inli/.l, 'the able one' (i.e. 'the milch
cow'), and cogn. with Gk. 8E~L6<;, 'on the right
hand', L. dexter, of s.m. See dexter.
dal, also dhal, dhall, n., split pea (India). -Hind.
diil, fr. OI. dalati, 'bursts, splits', rel. to OI.
dalam, 'piece', fr. I.-E. base *del-, *dol-, 'to
split, cut, carve', whence L. do/tire, 'to chip, cut
out', dolium, 'a large jar, vessel'. See dole,
'grief', and cp. words there referred to. For the
sense development of Hind. diil, 'split pea', fr.
01. dalati, 'bursts, splits', cp. E. split pea.
Dalai Lama, the Grand Lama of Tibet. - Lit.
'the Ocean Lama', fr. Mongolian dalai, 'ocean',
and Tibetan blama, lama, 'lama'. See Lama.
Dalbergia, n., a genus of trees of the pea family

dale

(bot.) - ModL., named after the Swedish

physician Nils Dalberg (1736-r 820). For the
ending see suff. -ia.
dale, n., valley.- ME., fr. OE. dad, rei. to OS.,
Du., Goth. dal, ON. dalr, OHG., MHG., G. tal,
'valley', and cogn. with OSiav. dolu, 'pit' (do)
dolii, 'down, downward', Russ. dol, 'valley', Gk.
&&;,IX!LO.:;, 'inner room', -!M:Ao.:;, 'dome, round
chamber, circular vault', and the second element in o<p-.S1X:A[.L6.:;, 'eye', lit. 'vault of the eye'.
All these words are traceable to I.-E. *dhol-,
'something bent', 'convex or concave silrface'.
Cp. dell, dollar. Cp. also thalamus, ophthalmo-.
dale, n., spout, trough.- Fr. ON. d;ela, 'gutter',
prob. through the medium of MF. ( = F.) dalle,
'gutter; slab (of marble)'. Cp. dalle.
dalesman, n., one who lives in a valley.- Compounded of dale, 'valley', and man.
daleth, n., name of the 4th letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. - Heb. ddleth, pausal form of deleth,
'door', which is rei. to Ugar. dl, Akkad. daltu,
'door'; so called in allusion to the ancient Hebrew form of this letter. Cp. delta. For the form
cp. aleph, lamedh, samekh.
Dalibardia, n., a genus of American plants (bot.)
- ModL., named after the French botanist
Thomas-Fran.;:ois Dalibard (1703-79). For the
ending see suff. -ia.
dalle, n., a slab. --- F., fr. ON. d;e/a, 'gutter'. Cp.
dale, 'spout, trough'.
dalliance, n.- ME. daliance, fr. dalien, 'to chat'.
See next word and -ance.
dally, intr. v., 1) to sport; 2) to trifle; 3) to waste
time. - ME. dalien, 'to chat', fr. OF. dalier, 'to
converse, talk, chat', which is of uncertain
origin. Derivatives: dalliance (q.v.), dally-ing,
adj., dally-ing-ly, adv.
Dalmatian, adj., pertaining to Dalmatia; n., one
of the inhabitants of Dalmatia. - Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Dalmatia, name of the country
on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. Cp. dalmatic.
Dalmatian, n., a large white colored dog with
black spots. - Short for Dalmatian dog; so
called from its alleged place of origin.
dalmatic, adj., a vestment worn by deacons, bishops, etc. --- Fr. L. Dalmatica (sci I. tunica or
vestis), 'garment made of Dalmatian wool'. See
Dalmatian, adj., and -ic.
dal segno, musical direction to return to the sign.
- It., lit. 'from the sign'. The first word is contracted from da, 'from', and the def. article il
(fr. L. ilium, ace. of ille, 'that one'). See da capo
and ille. The second word derives fr. L. signum,
'sign'. See sign and cp. al segno.
daltonism, n., color blindness. - Named after
the English chemist and physicist John Dalton
( 1766-1844), who first described it in 1794. For
the ending see suff. -ism.
dam, n., an earth bank built to obstruct the water
of a river.- ME. dam, fr. MDu. dam, damm
(Du. dam), which is rei. to ON. dammr, 'dam',

399

398
MHG. tam, G. Damm, and to OE.for-demman,
Goth. faur-dammjan, 'to stop up', and prob.
cogn. with Gk. (Td-:) &e[.L&:AIX, 'foundations,
lowest part', fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, 'to place'. See
do, v., and cp. theme.
Derivative: dam, tr. v., to obstruct by a dam,
damm-er, n.
dam, n., a female parent.- ME. dam, dame, fr.
OF. dame. See dame.
dam, n., the name of a former copper coin in
India. - Hind. dam.
Dama, n., the genus of the fallow deer. - L.
diima, damma, 'fallow deer', prob. a Celtic loan
word. Cp. Oir. dam, 'ox', dam allaid, 'stag'
(prop. 'wild ox'), W. dafad, 'sheep', and see doe.
damage, n.- ME., fr. OF. damage (F. dommage),
fr. VL. *damnaticum, fr. L. damnum, 'harm,
loss'. See damn and subst. suff. -age. F. dammage was prob. influenced in form by a confusion with L. dominus, 'lord, master'.
Derivatives: damage, tr. and intr. v., damag-er,
n., damage-able, adj., damage-abl-y, adv., damage-able-ness, n.
daman, n., a small rabbitlike mammal (Procavia
syriaca), the cony of the English version of the
Bible (see e.g. Lev. 11 :s). - Arab. damdn Isra'fl, 'sheep of Israel'.
damascene, n., damson plum. - Lit. 'plum of
Damascus', fr. L. Damascena (scil. prima),
'plums of Damascus', neut. pl. of Damascenus,
'of Damascus', fr. Damascus. See damask and
-ene and cp. damson.
damascene, tr. v., to ornament metals with inlaid
patterns in gold or silver. -Fr. L. Damascenus,
'of Damascus'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: damascen-ed, adj., damascen-er, n.
damask, n., a woven figured fabric. - Orig.
'textile manufactured in Damascus', fr. It. damasco, fr. L. Damascus, fr. Heb. Dammeseq,
name of the ancient city situated on the river
Amanah ( = Gk. Xpuaopp6ii~. now called Nahr
Barada). Cp. damascene, damaskeen, damase,
damassin.
Derivative: damask, adj. and tr. v.
damaskeen, tr. v., to damascene.- F. danzasquiner, from the early French adjective damasquin,
'of Damascus', fr. It. damasco. See prec. word.
damasse, adj., woven like damask; n., a damasse fabric. - F., prop. pp. of damasser, 'to
damask', fr. damas, 'damask', fr. Damas,
French name of Damascus, fr. L. Damascus.
See damask.
damassin, n., a kind of damask.- F., fr. damas,
'damask'. Sec prec. word.
dame, n., a noble lady. - ME. dame, Jr. OF.
( = F.) dame, fr. L. domina, 'the mistress of a
household', fern. of dominus, 'lord', prop. 'owner of the house', and rei. to domus, 'house'. For
the form cp. tribunus, fr. tribus, 'tribe'. Dominus
is only indirectly rei. to domiire, 'to tame' (sec
dome and cp. dominate); but was directly influenced in meaning by it. See Walde-Pokorny,

'

.I

.1

i
l

"i

VWIS., I, 787. Cp. dam, 'female parent', beldam(e), belladonna, duenna, madam, madame,
demijohn, grandam.
dammar, n., a resin used for making varnish. Malay damar.
damn, tr. v., to condemn; intr. v., to say 'damn',
to swear.- ME. damnen, fr. OF. damner, dampner (F. damner), fr. L. damnare, 'to injure, cause
loss, condemn', fr. damnum, 'harm, loss', which
stands for *dap-nom and orig. meant 'expenditure', and is rei. to daps, 'sacrificial feast, banquet', and cogn. with Gk. a1X1t'<i'fll, 'cost, expenditure', a<1t'nW, 'to devour', 01. dapayate, 'he
shares', and prob. also with Toch. A tap-, 'to
eat'. All these words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base
*dap-, a -p-enlargemcnt of I.-E. base *da-,
*dai-, *dl-, *d~-. 'to cut off, separate, divide,
distribute', whence 01. diiti, dydti, 'cuts, separates, divides', dd-yate, 'divides', Gk. a1Xe:a3-0(t,
'to divide, distribute; to feed on', a{)(L[.LWV, 'god,
goddess', lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and cp. damage, condemn,
indemnify. Cp. also the first element in dapifer.
Derivatives: damn, n., damnable (q.v.), damnation (q.v.), damnatory (q.v.), damn-ed, adj.,
damn-er, n., damn-ing, adj., damn-ing-ly, adv.,
damn-ing-ness, n.
damnable, adj. - ME., fr. Late L. damnabilis,
'worthy of condemnation, damnable', fr. damnare. See damn and -able.
Derivatives: damnabil-ity, n., damnable-ness, n.,
damnabl-y, adv.
damnation, n., condemnation. -OF. ( = F.), fr.
L. damnationem, ace. of damnatio, 'condemnation', fr. damnatus, pp. of damnare. See damn
and -ation and cp. condemnation.
damnatory, adj., condemnatory. - L. damnatorius, fr. damnatus, pp. of damnare. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ory and cp. condemnatory.
damnify, tr. v., to cause damage. - OF. damnifier, fr. Late L. damnificare, fr. L. damnificus,
~njurious, hurtful', which is compounded of
damnum, 'harm, loss', and -ficiire, fr. facere, 'to
make do'. See damn and -fy and cp. indemnify.
Derivative: daminific-ation, n.
Damocles, n., a courtier of Dionysius I, tyrant of
Syracuse.- Dor. Gk. ~ii[.Lox:l-i)t;, corresponding
to Ion. ~lJIJ.OXAijt;. The name lit. means 'fame of
the people', and is compounded of aijiJ.Ot; (Dor.
aii[.Lot;), 'people', and x:Aeo.:; (Dor. J<Aefot;), 'fame'
(see demos and loud). - Sword of Damocles is
used to denote an imminent danger, in allusion
to the banquet at which Dionysius seated Damocles so that a sword was suspended over his
head by a single hair.
damoiseau, n., a young nobleman who has not
yet been made a knight. - OF., fr. earlier danwisel, fr. VL. *dominicellus, dimin. of L. dominus, 'lord'. See damsel and words there referred to.
damosel, n. -An archaic var. of damsel.
damourite, n., hydromica (mineral.) - Named

danalite

after the French chemist A. Damour (I 8o8- I 902 ).

For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
damp, n.- MDu. ( = Du.), 'vapor', rei. to Dan.
damp, OHG., MHG. damph, tamph, G. Damp/,
of s.m., ON. dampi, 'dust', and in gradational
relationship to MHG. dimpfen, 'to smoke', OE;
dimme, dim, 'dark, obscure'. See dim and cp.
dump, 'sadness'. Cp. also dank.
Derivatives: damp, adj. and tr. v., damp-en, tr.
and intr. v., damp-er, n., damp-ish, adj., damp-ly,
adv., damp-ness, n.
damsel, n., a girl.- ME. dameisele, fr. OF. dameisele, damoiselle, 'a woman of noble birth'
(whence F. demoiselle, 'young lady'), fr. VL.
*dominicella, dimin. of L. domina, 'mistress'
(see dame), fern. of dominus, 'master, lord'. See
dominus, dome, 'building', and cp. damoiseau,
demoiselle, doncella, donzella, mademoiselle. For
the ending see suff. -el.
damson, n., a small, purple plum. - ME. damasin (plumme), prop. '(plum) of Damascus'. Cp.
L. Damascena pruna, 'plums of Damascus', and
see damascene, n.
Dan, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) son of
Jacob and Bilhah; b) the tribe descended from
him. - Heb. Dan, lit. 'he who judges', rei. to
Heb. din, 'to judge', Aram. dun, din, Syr. din,
Ugar. dn, Akkad, danu, ofs.m., Heb. and Aram.
din, 'judgment', dayydn, Akkad. dayiinu, 'judge',
Aram. mtdhindh, 'district, province' (whence
Heb. m~dhindh, Syr. m~dhittd, of s.m., Arab. madfna". 'city'), orig. 'district of jurisdiction', Heb.
miidh&n, 'strife, contention'. Cp. Daniel, Dinah.
Cp. also DanaUs.
Dan, n., a title of honor equivalent to Master. OF. dan, fr. L. dominus, 'lord, master'. F. dom
(an ecclesiastic title) also derives fr. L. dominus
(through the medium of It. don, short form of
donna). See dominus, dome, 'building', and cp.
Dom, domine, dominie, domino, donna.
Danae, n., daughter of Acrisius and mother of
Perseus (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk . .:\iXvi1),
lit. prob. meaning 'she who judges', and rei. to
~IXVIX6t;. See DanaUs.
Danaid, n., one of the Danaides. -See Danaides.
Danaidean, adj., pertaining to the Danaides. Formed fr. Danaides with suff. -an.
Danaides, Danaids, n. pl., the fifty daughters of
Danaiis, king of Argos, who-with the exception of Hypermnestra-killed their husbands, at their father's command. For this
crime they were condemned to draw water perpetually with vessels that had no bottoms
(Greek mythol.)- L. Danaides, fr. Gk . .:\tXviXtae:.;,
'daughters of Danatis', fr. ~IXvtX6.:; 'Danatis'.
See Danalis.
danaite, n., a cobaltic arsenopyrite (mineral.) Named after the chemist J.Freeman Dana, of
Boston (d;ed in 1827). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
danalite, n., a reddish mineral. - Named after
the American mineralogist James Dwight Dana

Danaiis

(I8I3-95). For the ending see combining form

-lite.
Danaus, n., a king of Argos, who commanded his
fifty daughters, the Danaides, to murder their
husbands on the wedding night (Greek mythol.)
- L. Danaus, fr. Gk. ~Otvoc6~; (whence the pl.
~ocvocol, 'the Danaiins', i.e. 'descendants or subjects of Danaiis', whence 'the Greeks', in general), which prob. derives fr. Heb.-Phoen. Diin,
and lit. means 'one who judges'; see Dan, PN.,
and cp. Danae, Danaides. This etymol. is corroborated by the fact that the myth of Belus
and the Danaides "records the early arrival in
Greece of Helladic colonists from Palestine"
(quoted from Robert Graves, 'The Greek
Myths', I, p. 203, Penguin Books). For other
Greek mythological names of Hebrew origin
cp. Cadmus, Niobe. - According to Kretschmer, Glotta 24, I5 If., the Danaiins are identical
with the men of Tanaus, king of the Scythians,
who allegedly came to Argos in the I 5th cent.
B.C.E. and became blended with the Greeks.
Kretschmer also assumes that there is a relationship between Tanaus and the river names Tanais
and L. Diinubius (whence F. and E. Danube),
and Dtinu-, name of an Indo-Iranian people.
See Frisk, GEW., I, p.347 s.v. ~ocvoco( and cp.
Albert Camoy, Dictionnaire etymologique de
Ia mythologie greco-romaine, p.42 s.v. *Danaos. - Cp. Danae, Danaides.
dance, intr. and tr. v. - ME. dancen, dauncen,
fr. OF. dancer (F. danser), prob. borrowed fr.
Frankish *dintjan, 'to move to and fro', which
is rei. to Du. deinzen; cp. danseuse. Cp. It. danzare, OProven<;. dansar, Sp. danza~, Port. danc;ar, Du. dansen, G. tanzen, 'to dance', which
derive fr. OF. dancier.
Derivatives: danc-er, n., danc-er-ess, n., dancing, n.
dance, n. -ME. daunce, fr. OF. dance, fr. dancier. See dance, v.
dancetty, dancette, adj., indented (her.) - Fr. F.
danrhe, 'indented', pp. of dancher, fr. OF. denchier, fr. VL. *dentiiire, 'to provide with teeth',
fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See denti-.
dandelion, n., a weed with yellow flowers. - F.
dent de lion, 'lion's tooth', fr. L. dentem, ace. of
dens, 'tooth', de, 'from, away from', and /eonem,
ace. of leo, 'lion'; see denti-, de- and lion. The
plant was so called from its indented leaves. Cp.
Leontodon.
dander, intr. v., to stroll, wander about. --Cp.
dandle.
dander, n., temper, anger. -Of uncertain origin.
dandiacal, adj., resembling a dandy. - Formed
fr. dandy on analogy of hypochondriacal and
other adjectives ending in -iacal.
Dandie Dinmont terrier, n.- Named after Dandy
Dinmont, a farmer in Scott's Guy Mannering,
who possessed a special breed of terriers.
dandify, tr. v., to cause to resemble a dandy; to
dress up. - Compounded of dandy and -fy.

400

Derivative: dandijic-ation, n.
dandle, tr. and intr. v.- Of imitative origin. Cp.
It. dondolare, 'to dandle, swing', which is also
imitative, and F. dandiner, ofs.m., which derives
fr. OF. dandin, 'small bell', a word of imitative
origin.
Derivative: dandi-er, n.
dandruff, dandriff, n. - The first element of this
compound is of uncertain origin. The second
derives fr. ON. hrufa, 'scab', which is rei. to
OHG. hru/, ru/, G. Rufe, MDu. rove, of s.m.,
ON. hrjufr, OE. hreo/, 'rough, scabby, leprous',
and cogn. with W. crawen, 'crust', Lith. kraupits, 'rough', Lett. kraiipa, 'scab'.
Derivative: dandruff-y, adj.
dandy, n., a fop. - Fr. Dandy, a var. of St. Andrews. The name Andrews u!t. derives fr. the
Greek PN. 'Av3peii~. which is rei. to &v3pe:i:o~.
'manly', both being derivatives of &v~p, gen.
&.v3p6~;, 'man'. See andro-.
Derivatives: dandy, adj., and the hybrids dandyish, adj., dandy-ism, n.
dandy, dandi, n., I) a boatman; 2) a hammock
(Anglo-lnd.) - Hind. tfiinr}f, rjanrjf, fr. tfiinrj,
r}ant!, 'staff, stick, wand, oar', fr. OI. da~;~rjd/J,
of s.m., which is of uncertain etymology.
dandy, dandi, n., a Sivaitic mendicant. - Of the
same origin as prec. word ; so called from the
small wand carried by him.
dandy, n. - Corruption of dengue.
Dane, n., a native of Denmark. - ~E. Dan, fr.
ON. Danir (pl.), lit. 'Lowlanders', which is rei.
to MLG. denne, 'lowland, wooded vale, den',
OE. denn, 'lair of a wild beast, den'. See den.
i'or sease dev::lopme:tt cp. Pvle.
Derivatives: Dan-ish, adj. and n.
Danegeld, n., an annual land tax (English hist.)ME., lit. 'tribute paid to the Danes', fr. Dane,
gen. pl. of Dan, 'Dane', and geld, 'payment, tribute', fr. OE. gield, of s.m. See Dane and yield.
Danelaw, also Danelagh, n., Danish law prevailing in the northeastern part of England held
by the Danes during the Danish Conquest. OE. Dena lagu, 'Danes' law'. See Dane and law.
danger, n. ~- ME. danger, 'power, difficulty, resistance, jurisdiction', fr. OF. danger, 'power,
domination' (whence F. danger, 'danger'), fr.
VL. *dominiiirium, 'power', which derives fr.
dominus, 'master, lord'. The change of L. o to a
in OF. danger is due to the influence of L. damnum, 'damage'. See dominate and dome, 'building', and cp. dominion, dungeon.
Derivatives: danger-ous, adj., danger-ous-ly,
adv., danger-ous-ness, n.
dangle, intr. v., to hang loosely.- Of Scand. origin. Cp. Dan. dangle, Swed. dang/a, 'to swing
about, dangle', which stand in gradational relationship to Dan dingle, Swed. and Norw.
ding/a, of s.m. Cp. also adangle.
Derivatives: dqngle, n., dangl-er, n., dangl-ing,
adj., dangl-ing-ly, adv.
Daniel, masc. PN., the hero of the Book of Da-

401

a arK

Russ. dobryj, dobry, Czech and Slovak dobry,

niel (Bible). - Heb. Dani'!l, lit. 'God is my
'good', OS!av. debelu, 'thick', dial. Russ. debOlyj,
judge', rei. to Akkad. Diinilu. For the first ele'strong, powerful',OPruss. debikan, 'large, great'.
ment see Dan, PN., for the second see El.
Derivatives: dapper-ly, adv. dapper-ness, n.
dank, adj., moist, damp. -ME. danke, of Scand.
dapple, n., a spot on the skin of an animal. origin; cp. Swed. dank, 'moist place', diinka,
Prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. depil/, 'a spot,
'to moisten', which are rei. to OS. dunkar,
dot, a dog with spots above the eyes'.
OFris. diunk, 'dark', ON. dokkr, Du. danker,
Derivatives: dapple, adj. and tr. and intr. v.,
OHG. tunkal, dunkal, MHG. tunkel, G. dunkel,
dappl-ed, adj.
of s.m., and to OHG., MHG. damph, MDu.,
dapple-gray, dapple-grey, adj. - A blend of
Du. damp, 'vapor'. See damp.
apple-gray and dapple.
Derivatives: dank-ish, adj., dank-ish-ness, n.,
darbies, n. pl., handcuffs (slang) .. - Prob. shortdank-ly, adv., dank-ness, n.
ened fr. Father Darby's bands, in which phrase
danseuse, n., a female dancer. -F., fern. of danDarby (prop. phonetic spelling of Derby) refers
seur, 'dancer', fr. danser, 'to dance'. See dance, v.
to a usurer of this name.
danta, n., a tapir.- Sp. and Port. danta, 'tapir',
fr. Sp. de anta, short for pie/ de anta, '(of) Darby and Joan, an old, happy married couple.
- First referred to in the Gentleman's Magabuckskin', fr. de, 'of, from', and anta, 'elk, tapir,
zine of I735, V. I 53.
buckskin', fr. Arab. lam(, 'antelope', the 1 of
dare, intr. and tr. v.- ME. dar, 'I dare' (in the
which was mistaken for the article and consepast tense dorste, durste), fr. OE. ic dearr, 'I
quently dropped.
dare' (in the past tense dorste), rei. to OHG. tar,
Dantesque, adj., resembling Dante or his style. 'I dare', Goth. ga-daursan, 'to dare', preterite
Formed with suff. -esque from the name of the
ga-dars, 'dared', fr. I.-E. base *dhars-, *dhers-,
poet Dante (I265-I32I).
'to dare, be courageous', whence also 01.
Danthonia, n., a genus of plants, the wild oat
dhtir$afi, 'dares', dhuu/J, 'courageous', Avestic
grass (bot.)- ModL., named after the French
darshi-, darshita-, 'bold', Gk . .&ocpao~, .&pci.ao~,
botanist Etienne Danthoine. For the ending see
Att. .&ci.p"o<;, 'courage, audacity', .&oc"au<;, .&pocau<;,
suff. -ia.
'bold, audacious', .&apadv, Att . .&ocppdv, 'to be,
dap, intr. and tr. v., to fish by allowing the bait
bold', Lith. dn~su, dristu, dristi, 'to dare', drqsus,
to dip into the water. - Prob. of imitative ori'courageous', and possibly also L. in-festus,
gin. Cp. dab, 'to strike gently'.
'disturbed, molested, infested, unquiet', and
Derivative: dap, n.
Toch. B tsir, A tsra$i, 'strong, powerful'. Cp.
Daphne, n., a nymph (who was turned into a
thersitical, thrasonical, infest, manifest.
laurel) (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. ~occpv"fl, fr.
Derivatives: dare, n., dar-ing, n. and adj., darMcpv"t), 'laurel'. See next word and cp. Daphnis.
ing-ly, adv.
Daphne, n., a genus of plants of the mezereon
dargah, also durgah, n., the shrine of a Mohamfamily (bot.) -Gk. McpVI), 'laurel', rei. to Permedan saint in India. - Hind. dargiih, fr. Pers.
gamene 'Aoccpv"fl, Thessalian Socu:x,voc, of s.m.; bordargiih, lit. 'royal gate'. Pers. dar, 'door, gate',
rowed-together with L. laurus, 'laurel'-from
is rei. to Avestic dvar~m (ace. sing.) ,'gate,
a language of Asia Minor. Cp. prec. word and
court', OPers. duvarayii-, 'at the door', and to
laurel. Cp. also Daucus.
or. dvdra/J, 'door'. See door and cp. the first
Daphnean, adj., pertaining to Daphne.- Formed
element in durbar and in durwaun.
fr. Daphne with suff. -an.
Thtphnis, n., a shepherd in Sicily, the inventor of daric, n., an ancient Persian gold coin.- Fr. Gk.
~iipe:Lx6~, also written ~iXpLx6~, ~iXpL:x_6~. fr.
pastoral songs (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk.
~iipdo~, 'Darius', hence lit. meaning 'of, or
~occpvL~, which is rei. to McpvL~, 'bayberry', fr.
pertaining to, Darius'. See next word and -ic.
M<pv"t), 'laurel'. See Daphne.
Darius, masc. PN.- L. Darius, fr. Gk. ~iXpE~o~,
dapifer, n., a servant waiting at table. - L., 'a
fr. OPers. Diirayava(h);1sh (whence also Heb.
bringer of meat', compounded of daps, gen.
Diirytiwesh), a compound lit. meaning 'he who
dapis, 'sacrificial feast, banquet', lit. 'expense',
firm the good'. The first element of this
holds
element
first
The
carry'.
bear,
'to
andfero,ferre,
compound derives from the stem of OPers.
is rei. to L. damnum (for *dap-nom), 'harm,
diirayiimiy, 'I hold', fr. I.-E. base *dher(e)-, 'to
loss', orig. 'expenditure', and cogn. with Gk.
hold'; see firm, adj., and cp. the second element
30t7tOCV"fl, 'cost, expenditure'. See damn. For the
in aumildar and in words there referred to. The
second element in daplfer see -fer.
element in OPers. Diiraya-va(h)ush
second
'agile,
daper,
ME.
smart.
neat;
adj.,
dapper,
means 'the good', and is related to Avestic
strong', fr. MDu. ( = Du.) dapper, 'strong,
valihu, vohu, Ol. vtisu/J, 'good'. Cp. prec. word.
valiant, brave', which is rei. to ON. dapr, 'dedark, adj. - ME. deork, derk, darke, fr. OE.
jected, sad', Dan. tapper, 'brave', OHG. tapfar,
deorc, rei. to OHG. tarchanjan, 'to hide, con'heavy, weighty', MHG. tapfer, dapfer, 'thick,
ceal', MHG. terken, 'to make dark, soil', and
weighty', Late MHG. and G. tapfer, 'brave', fr.
cogn. with Lith. darga, 'rainy weather', and
I.-E. base *dheb-, 'thick, heavy, strong', whence
prob. also with Oir. derg, 'red'.
also Toch. A tiippo, 'worth, force', OSiav. dobru,

<larKie

Derivatives: dark, n., dark-en, tr. and intr. v.,

dark-en-er, n., dark-en-ing, n., dark-ish, adj.,
dark-ish-ness, n., dark-ly, adv., dark-ness, n.,
dark-some, adj., dark-some-ness, n.
darkle,intr. v., I) to appear dark; 2) to grow dark;
tr. v., to obscure. - Back formation fr. darkling, which was mistaken for a pres. part.
darkling, adv., in the dark. - Formed fr. dark
with suff. -ling. Cp. darkle.
Derivative: darkling, adj.
darky, darkey, n., a Negro (colloq.) - Formed
fr. dark with suff. -y.
darling, n. and adj. - ME. derling, fr. OE. dearling, formed fr. deore, 'dear', with suff. -ling.
See dear and -ling.
Derivatives: darling-ly, adv., darling-ness, n.
darn, tr. v. - From earlier dern, fr. dial. F. derner, darner, 'to patch', fr. OF. derne, 'a piece',
fr. Bret. darn, of s.m. (whence F. dame, 'a slice of
fish'), fr. I.-E. base *dere-, *der-, 'to tear, divide,
flay', whence also 01. dfl.uiti, 'cleaves, bursts',
Gk. 8pe:LV, 'to flay', 8pfLoc, 8op&, 'skin', Mpm~,
'tearing, flaying, separation', OE. teran, 'to
tear'. See tear, 'to rend', and cp. derma, dartars.
Derivatives: darn, n., darn-er, n., darn-ing, n.
darn, tr. v. - Euphemism for danm.
darnel, n., a poisonous weed; called also rye
grass. - ME. dernel, darnel, fr. dial. F. darnelle,
a word compounded of an unknown first element and OF. neel/e (F. nielle), 'cockle', fr. VL.
nige/la, 'a black-seeded plant', prop. fern. of L.
nige/lus, 'blackish', fr. niger, 'black'. See Negro
and cp. niello.
daroga, darogha, n., governor (Anglo-Ind.) Hind. diiroghiih, fr. Pers. diiroghah, 'superintendant'; which is pro b. of Mongolian origin.
darrein, adj., last (law). - OF. darrein, derrain,
fr. earlier dererain, fr. VL. *deretriinus, fr. L.
di!retro, 'from behind' (whence also F. derriere,
'behind'), fr. de, 'from, away from', and retro,
'back'. See de- and retro- and cp. demier
ressort.
darshana, n., any of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. - or. darianal;, lit. 'demonstrati on',
rei. to daddrsa, 'I have seen', drs-, 'sight, 'fiew',
dfsya-, 'visible', fr. I.-E. base *derk-, *drk-, 'to
see, look at', whence also Gk. 8tpxe:a.&oct, 'to
look at', op:ixcuv, 'dragon', lit. 'the sharp-sighte d
one'. See dragon and cp. words there referred to.
darso, n., a hybrid grain sorghum. - Formed
from the initials of dwarf. red and sorghum.
dart, n., a pointed weapon. - ME. dart, fr. OF.
dart, dard (F. dard), fr. Frankish *darop, 'dart',
which is rei. to OE. darop, OHG. tart, ON. darrapr, 'dart'. OProvcni;. dart is of the &ame origin
as OF. dart, It. and Sp. dardo are OProveni;.
loan words.
Derivatives: dart, intr. and tr. v., darter (q.v.),
dart-ing, adj., dart-ing-ly, adv., dart-ing-ness, n.
dartars, n., a kind of mange affecting esp. the
chin of lambs. - F. dartre, 'eruption of the
skin, blotch, herpes, tetter', fr. Gaulish L. der-

402

bita, 'tetter', which is rei. to W. darwyden,

MBret. daroueden, ModBret. dervoeden, of
s.m. See tetter and cp. dartre. Cp. also dam.
darter, n., I) one who, or that which, darts; 2) the
name of various fishes. -Formed from the verb
dart (see dart, n.) with agential suff. -er.
dartle, intr. v.- Formed from the verb dart (see
dart, n.) with freq. suff. -Ie.
dartos, n., the contractile layer beneath the skin
of the scrotum (anat.)- Medical L., fr. Gk.
8ocp't"6~, 'flayed', in anatomy: 'separated by
avulsion' [first used by Rufus (cca. Ioo C.E.)
fcir a tunica surrounding the testicles]. Gk. oocpT6~
is verbal adj. of otpe:L'I, 'to flay', in anatomy:
'to separate by avulsion'; which is cogn. with
Goth. dis-tairan, OE. teran, 'to tear'. See tear,
'to rend', and cp. darn, dartars, derma.
Derivatives: darto-ic, dart-oid, adjs.
dartre, n., a name for various skin diseases. F. See dartars.
dartrous, adj., pertaining to dartre. -A hybrid
coined fr. dartre and -ous, a suff. of Latin origin.
darwan, n. - See durwaun.
Darwinian, adj., pertaining to Charles Robert
Darwin (I809-82) or his theories. For the ending
see suff. -ian.
Darwinism, n., the theory of the origin of species
propounded by Charles Robert Darwin. - See
prec. word and -ism.
darzee, n., a tailor. -Hind. darzi, 'tailor'. See
Druse.
dash, tr. and intr. v. - ME. dasshen, of Scand.
origin. Cp. Swed. daska, Dan. daske, 'to beat,
strike', Swed., Dan. dask, 'a blow'.
Derivatives: dash, n., dash-er, n., dash-ing, adj.,
dash-ing-ly, adv., dash-y, adj.
Dashahara, n., the 'ten days festival' (Hindu religion).- 01. ddsaharii, lit. 'that which takes away
ten (sins)', fr. dtisa, 'ten', and harii, fern. of hara,
'that which takes away', from the stem of htirati,
'brings, carries, takes away, robs'. OI. ddfa is
cogn. with Gk. otxO', L. decem, Goth. taihun,
OE. tien, ten, 'ten'; see ten. 01. htirati derives
fr. I.-E. base *gher-, 'to seize, take', whence also
Gk. :x_e:Lp, 'hand'; see chiro- and cp. the second
element in vihara.
dasi, n., a female slave; a concubine (Hinduism).
- Hind., fr. OI. cMsi-, 'female slave', which is
rei. to diisal;, 'demon, enemy, barbarian, slave,
servant', and prob. also to dtisyu}J, 'demon,
enemy of the gods, barbarian', diisydl;, 'bondage, servitude'. Cp. the second element in
devadasi.
Dasipbora, n., a genus of plants of the family
Rosaceae (bot.)- ModL., irregularly formed fr.
Gk. ooccru~. 'thick with hair, hairy, bushy', and
-q>6po~, 'bearing', which is rei. to q>eptt'l, 'to
bear'. See dasy- and -phore. The exact form of
the word should have been Dasyphora.
dastard, n., a coward. - ME., prob. formed
with the pejorative suff. -ani fr. dast, which is
equivalent to dased, pp. of dasen, 'to daze'. See

403

daze and cp. ON. da!str, 'out of breath,

exhausted'.
Derivatives: dastard-ly, adj., dastard-li-ness, n.
dasy-, combining form meaning 'thick, hairy,
rough'.- Gk. oocau-, fr. ooc~. 'thick with hair,
hairy, bushy, thick, dense, rough'; which stands
for *dqsus and is cogn. with L. densus, 'crowded, dense'. See dense and cp. the first element
in Dasiphora.
Dasylirion, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.)- ModL., compounded of dasy- and Gk.
:Adpto'l, 'lily'. See lily and cp. words there
referred to.
dasymeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
density of gases. - Compounde d of dasy- and
Gk. fLt't"po'l, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Dasypus, n., a genus of armadillos (zoo/.) ModL., fr. Gk. oocaU7tOU~, 'a hare', lit. 'the
hairy-footed animal', fr. dasy- and 7tOU~, gen.
7to06~. 'foot'. See dasy- and -pod.
Dasystephana, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of dasyand Gk. a-rtq>ocvo~. 'crown'. See stephanos.
dasyure, n., any of small marsupial mammals of
Australia. - Compounde d of dasy- and Gk.
oup&, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-'.
data, n. - PI. of datum (q.v.)
date, n., a given point of time. - ME., fr. OF.
( = F.) date, fr. ML. data (sci!. littera) (whence
also It., Provenc., Sp. data), lit. '(letter) given',
prop. fern. pp. of L. dare, 'to give'. This term
derived fr. L. datum (neut. pp. of dare), the first
word used in letters to indicate the place and
time of writing as e.g. datum Romae prfdie
Ka/endiis Maiiis, 'given (i.e. written) at Rome
on the last day of April'. L. dare is rei. to dos,
'marriage portion, dowry', do-num, 'gift', dono,
doniire, 'to give as a present', fr. I.-E. base *dO-,
*dt-, 'to give', whence also 01. dd-dii-ti, 'gives',
Avestic dadiiiti, of s.m., 01. dd-tar-, dii-tar-,
'giver', dii-trdm, 'gift', Gk. lll-ocu-fLL, 'I give',
llw-nop, ocu-TI)p, oo-TI)p, 'giver'' ow-pov, llwrlv1], OW~, 'gift', 86-aL~, 'a giving; gift', Oo--r6~
(verbal adj. of lll-llcu-fLt), 'given', OSlav. dati, 'to
give',da-ru, 'gift', da-ni, 'tax', dami, 'I shall give',
Lith. duomi, 'I give', OPruss. diist, 'gives', Arm.
ta-m, 'I give', tu-r, 'gift', Alb. r'Ja-sc, 'I gave'.
Cp. add, addendum, anecdote, antedate, antidote, apodosis, condone, dado, dation, dative,
die, 'cube', donation and words there referred
to, dose, dosimeter, dosology, dot, 'marriage
portion', dower, dowry, edit, irredenta, postdate, reddendum, reddition, render, rendition,
sacerdotal, ~ubdititious, surrender, tradition,
traitor, treason. Cp. also mandate, command,
commend, countermand, demand. Cp. also the
second element in vend.
Derivatives: date, tr. and intr. v., dat-able, adj.,
dat-er, n., dat-ing, n.
date, n., fruit of the palm tree. - OF. date (F.
dalte), fr. OProvenc. datil (or fr. It. dattero), fr.

L. dactylus, fr. Gk. 8::bcru:Ao~, 'date', which is

of Sem. origin. Cp. Heb. deqel, Aram. diqld,
Syr. deqld, Arab. dtiqal, 'date palm', and Heb.
Diq/dh, name of a region in Arabia, rich in date
palms (see Gen. 10: 27 and I Chron. I :21 ). The
form of Gk. o:Xx-ru:Ao~, 'date', was influenced
by a folk-etymological association with Mx-ru:Ao~, 'finger', suggested by the finger! ike shape
of the date.
dation, n., the act of giving (law). - L. datio,
gen. -onis, 'a giving', fr. datus, pp. of dare, 'to
give'. See date, 'point of time', and -ion.
Datisca, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL., of
unknown origin.
dative, adj. and n. - L. dativus (casus), loan
translation of Gk. llo't"tx~ (7t't"wm~). 'the dative
case'; fr. dativus, 'pertaining to the act of
giving', fr. datus, pp. of dare, 'to give'. See date,
'point of time', and -ive.
Derivatives: dativ-al, adj., dative-ly, adv.
datolite, n., a translucent calcium borosilicate
(mineral.) - Formed from the stem of Gk.
OOC't"ELaltocL, 'to CUt in tWO, divide, distribute',
and :Allto~. 'stone'. Gk. lloc-re:La.&ocL prob. derives
fr. I.-E. base *dt-t-, a +enlargeme nt of base
*diii-, *dl-, *dt-, 'to cut off, separate, divide,
distribute', whence 01. dati, dyati, 'cuts, separates, divides', dd-yati!, 'divides', Gk. otxle:altoct,
'to divide, distribute; to feed on', llocLfLcu'l, 'god,
goddess', lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and -lite.
datum, n., something given or assumed. - L.
datum, neut. pp. of dare, 'to give'. See date,
'point of time', and cp. data.
Datura, n., a genus of plants of the potato family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Hind. dhatiirii, fr. 01. dhattiiral;, dhustiiral;, 'thorn apple', which is cogn.
with the second element in OE. dweorge-dwost/e,
'penny royal', and possibly also with L. festiica,
'stalk, stem, straw'. See festuca.
daub, tr. and intr. v. - ME. dauben, fr. OF.
( = F.) dauber, 'to plaster', fr. L. dealbiire, 'to
whiten, whitewash, plaster', fr. de- and albiire,
'to whiten', fr. a/bus, 'white'. See alb.
Derivatives: daub, n., daub-er, n., daub-ery, n.,
daub-ing, n., daub-ster, n., daub-y, adj.
dauberite, n., basic uranium sulfate (mineral.) Named after H. Dauber, who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
daubreeite, daubreite, n., a hydrous bismuth oxychloride (mineral.) - Named after the French
mineralogist Gabriei-Aug uste Daubree (181496). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
daubreelite, n., a chromium iron sulfide (mineral.)
- Named after Daubn?e. See prec. word and
the combining form -lite.
Daucus, n., a genus of plants, the carrot (bot.)L. daucus, daucum, fr. Gk. oocuxoc;, oocuxov, 'a
kind of parsnip', which is rei. to Thessalian Gk.
8ocu:x_vct, Gk. Mq>VYJ, 'laurel'. See Daphne.
daughter, n. - ME doghter, dohter, fr. OE. dohtor, dohter, rei. to OS. dohtar, ON. dottir,

caunt

OFris., Du. dochter, OHG., MHG. tohter, G.

Tochter, Goth. daUhtar, 'daughter', and cogn.
with OI. duhitfi, Avestic dugedii-, duydar-, Toch.
A ckiicar, B tkiicer, Arm. dustr, Gk . .&uyaTI)p,
OS!av. dusti, OPruss. duckti, Lith. dukte,
'daughter'.
Derivatives: daughter-hood, n., daughter-ly, adj.,
daughter-li-ness, n.
daunt, tr. v. -ME. daunten, fr. OF. danter, donter (F. dompter), fr. L. domitiire, 'to tame, subdue', freq. of domiire (pp. domitus), 'to tame,
subdue, vanquish, conquer', lit. 'to accustom
to the house', fr. domus, 'house'. See dome,
'building', and cp. indomitable. Cp. also tame.
Derivatives: daunt-er, n., daunt-ing, adj., daunting-ly, adv., daunt-ing-ness, n., dauntless (q.v.).
dauntless, adj.- Formed fr. the ME. noun daunt,
fr. daunten (see daunt) with suff. -Jess; first used
by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: dauntless-ly, adv., dauntless-ness,n.
dauphin, n., the title of the eldest son of the king
of France. - F., lit. 'dolphin', translation of
L. Delphinus, lit. 'dolphin', orig. a name borne
by Guigo IV, count of Vienne (died in 1142)
and by his successors. The name Delphinus was
chosen in allusion to the three dolphins represented in the coat of arms of the lords above
mentioned. Hence the province owned by them
came to be known as Delphlniitus in Latin
(whence F. Dauphine). See dolphin.
dauphine, n., a dauphiness. -F. dauphine, fern.
of dauphin. See dauphin.
dauphiness, n., the wife of a dauphin. - Formed
fr. dauphin with suff. -ess.
davenport, n., a kind of writing desk. -So called
from the name of its first maker.
David, masc. PN.; in the Bible, the second king
of Israel and Judah, the writer of the Psalms.
- Heb. Diiwfdh,lit. 'beloved, friend', rei. to dOdh,
'beloved, uncle', and to dudhii'lm, 'mandrake',
prop. 'love-exciting (plant)'. Cp. dudaim.
daviesite, n., a lead oxychloride (mineral.) Named after Thomas Davies, of the Mineralogical Dept. of the British Museum (1837-91).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
davit, n., a projecting piece of vessel for suspending or lowering a boat. - OF. daviet, daviot
(whence F. davier, with change of suff.), dimin.
of the PN. David; so called in allusion to the
slaying of Goliath. See David and cp. -et.
davy, n., safety lamp.- Shortened fr. Davy lamp;
named after its inventor, the English chemist
Sir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829).
davy, n. (slang). - Short for affidavit.
Davy lamp.- Sec daly, 'safety lamp'.
daw, n., a kind of crow, a jackdaw.- ME. dawe,
rei. to OHG. tiiha, MHG. tiihe, also tiihe/e,
tii/e, tole (diminutives of tiihe), G. Dohle; cp.
OPruss. doacke, 'starling', ML. tacu/a, It. laccola, 'jackdaw', which are German loan words.
dawdle, intr. and tr. v., towaste(time).- Perhaps
a var. of dial. E. daddle, 'to walk unsteadily'.

404

Derivatives: dawdl-er, n., dawdl-ing, n.

dawk, dak, n., transport by relays of men and
horses, mail (Anglo-Ind.) - Hind. cjiik, 'post,
mail'.
dawn, intr. v. --ME. dawening, of Norse origin;
cp. Swed. and Dan. dagning, 'a dawning', fr.
dag, 'day'. Cp. also OE. dagian, 'to dawn', fr.
da!g, 'day', Du. dagen, 'to dawn', fr. dag, 'day',
G. tagen, 'to dawn', fr. Tag, 'day', and see day.
Derivatives: dawn, n., dawning (q.v.)
dawning, n. - ME. dawening. See prec. word
and subst. -ing.
dawsonite, n., a basic aluminum sodium carbonate (mineral.) - Named after the Canadian
geologist Sir John William Dawson (r8651951). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
day, n. - ME. dai, dei, fr. OE. dii!g, rei. to
ON. dagr, OS.,Dan., Swed., Du. dag, Goth. dags,
OHG. tag, MHG. tac, G. Tag, 'day', orig.
'burning heat', fr. I.-E. base *dhegwh-, *dhog"'h-,
'to burn', whence also 01. ddhati, 'bums', nidiighdb, 'heat, summer', Avestic daiaiti, 'burns',
Toch. A tsiik-, B tsak-, 'to burn', tsiik-, 'to shine,
glow', L. fovea (for *dhogwheyo), fovere, 'to
warm, keep warm',favilla (for*fovilla), 'embers'.
Gk. -recppii (for *dhegwhrii), 'ashes', OPruss.
dagis, 'summer', Lith. diigas, 'burning, harvest',
daga, 'harvest', degu, degti, OSlav. iegr, iesti,
'to burn', Alb. djek, 'I burn', Mlr. daig (gen.
dega), 'fire, pain, disease'. Cp. also Arm. dag,
'impressive' (orig. sense prob. 'fiery'), W. deifio,
Bret. devi, 'to burn'. L. dies, 'day', is not
cognate. Cp. daisy, dawn, and the second element in Jandtag, Reichstag, Rigsdag, Riksdag.
Cp. also favor, febrile, fever, foment, fomes,
tephrite.
daydream, n., a reverie. - Coined by John Dryden (1631-1700).
Derivatives: daydream, intr. v., daydream-er, n.,
daydream-y, adj.
daze, tr. v. - ME. dasen, 'to stupefy', fr. ON.
dasa in dasa-sk, 'to become weary', lit. 'to
weary oneself' (-sk being the ON. reflexive suff.,
cp. bask, busk), which is rei. to dasa, 'to lie idle',
dasi, 'an idle man'. Cp. dazzle, dastard.
Derivatives: daze, n., daz-ed, adj., daz-ed-ly,
adv., daz-ed-ness, n.
dazzle, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. daze with
freq. suff. -!e.
Derivatives: dazzle, n., dazzl-er, n., dazzl-ingly, adv.
DDT,n., a very strong insecticide.- Formed from
the initials of the chemical name dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane.
de, prep. meaning 'from'.- See pref. de-.
de-, pref. meaning: 1) down; 2) away from; 3) utterly, completely; 4) the negation or reversal
of the notion expressed in the primary word. Fr. L. de, 'from, away from, down from, out of,
on account of, concerning, according to', either
directly or through the medium of OF. de-, F.
de-. L. de derives fr. I.-E. *de, whence also Olr.

405

di, de, OW. di, ModW. y, Co. the, 'down from',

'away from'. For derivatives of rei. I.-E. *de and
*do see to and cp. words there referred to. Cp. the
first elemt in deteriorate, dupe and the second
element in ci-devant, ibidem, tandem. - Sometimes E. de- comes fr. F. de-, fr. OF. des-,
fr. L. dis- ; see dis-.
deacon, n.- ME. deken, diacne, fr. OE. diacon, fr.
Late L. diiiconus, fr. Gk. St&Kovo~, 'servant, minister of a church', which is rei. to ty-Kovdv, 'to
be quick and active, to hasten', &-Kovl-r(, 'without effort', fr. Greco-L. base *ken-, 'to toil, strive,
exert oneself', whence also L. coniiri, 'to attempt, try, endeavour'. See conation and cp.
diaconal and the second element in ratiocinate,
larceny, tirocinium, vaticinate.
Derivatives: the hybrid words deacon-ess, n.,
deacon-hood, n., deacon-ry, n., deacon-ship, n.
dead, adj.-- ME. dede, deade, deed, fr. OE. dead,
'dead', rei. to OS. dod, Dan. dod, Swed. dod,
OFris. diid, MDu. doot, Du. dood, OHG. tot,
tod, MHG. tot, G. tot, ON. dau/Jr, Goth. daups,
'dead'. fr. Teut. participial base *dau-pa, *dauda, 'dead', formed with participial suff. -pa, -da
( = I.-E. suff. -*to), fr. Teut. base *dau-, 'to die',
which corresponds to I.-E. base *dhew-, *dheu-,
*dhow-, *dhou-, 'to pine away, die'. Fr. *dhweian enlargement of this base, derive Arm. di,
'dead body, corpse', Olr. dith, 'end, death',
OSlav. daviti, Russ. davit', 'to choke, suffocate'.
Cp. death, die, dwindle. Cp. also funeral. For
the formation of Teut. adjectives from past
partici;=~les cp. cold, loud, old, sad.
Derivatives: dead, adv. and n., dead-en, tr. and
intr. v., dead-en-er, n., dead-en-ing, n., deadly
(q.v.), dead-ness; n.
deadly, adj. - ME. deed/ich, fr. OE. dead/fc,
formed fr. dead, 'dead' with suff. -lie. See dead
and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: deadli-ness, n.
deadly, adv. - ME. deed/iche, fr. OE. deadllce,
formed fr. dead, 'dead', with suff. -/fee. See
dead and adv. suff. -ly.
deaf, adj. - ME. dee[, de[, fr. OE. deaf, rei. to
OS. do[, ON. daufr, OFris. diif, Du. doof, 'deaf',
OHG. toub, MHG. toup, 'deaf, stupid', G. taub,
Goth. dau[f, 'deaf, insensate', and cogn. with
Gk. -rucp-A6~ (dissimil. fr. *.&ucp-A6~), 'blind',
Olr. dub, dubh (for *dhubu), 'black; ink', fr. I.-E.
base *dheu-bh-, 'to fill with smoke, to cloud,
darken; to be dull, dumbordeaf'.Cp. dove.Cp.
also dumb, which derives from a nasalized form
of base *dheu-bh-. Cp. base *dheu-p-, which
appears in 01. dhupab, 'smoke'. The bases
*dheu-bh-, *dheu-p-, are enlargements of base
*dheu-, 'to fly about like dust, to smoke'. See
thio- and cp. duffer. Cp. also stove.
Derivatives: deaf-en, tr. and intr. v., deaf-ening, adj. and n., deaf-ish, adj., deaf-ly, adv.,
deaf-ness, n.
deal, n., part, share. - ME. dee/, fr. OE. 61,
rei. to ON. deild, OS., OFris. del, Du.

debarrass
dee/, OHG., MHG., G. teil, Goth. dails,
part, share', and cogn. with OSlav. delu, of
s.m., deliti, 'to share, divide'. Cp. dole, 'a small
portion', and the second element in ordeal and
in fardel.
Derivative: deal, v. (q.v.)
deal, tr. and intr. v., to distribute. - ME. delen,
fr. OE. dlilan, 'to share, divide', fr. d:1, 'part,
share'. Cp. OS. de/ian, ON. deila, OFris. de/a,
Du. de/en, OHG. teilan, MHG., G. lei/en,
Goth. dai/jan, 'to share, divide', which derive
from the respective nouns, and see prec. word.
Derivatives: deal-er, n., deal-ing, n.
deal, n., a plank of fir. - MDu. dele, 'board,
plank'. See thill.
Derivative: deal, adj., made of deal.
dealt, past tense and pp. of deal.
deaminate, tr. v., to remove the amino radical
(NH2 ) (chem.) - Formed fr. de-, amino- and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: deaminat-ion, n.
dean, n. - ME. deen, dene, fr. OF. deien (F.
doyen), fr. L. deciinus, 'one set over ten persons',
in Eccles. L. 'a superior set over ten monks', fr.
decem, 'ten'. See ten and cp. decimal. Cp. also
doyen, which is a doublet of dean.
Derivatives: dean, intr. v., dean-ery, n., deaness, n., deanship, n.
dean, n., a valley. -A var. of dene, 'valley'.
dear, adj. - ME. dere, fr. OE. deore, diere, rei.
to OS. diuri, ON. dyrr, OFris. diOre, MDu. dure,
Du. duur, OHG. tiuri, MHG. tiure, G. teuer,
'dear'. Cp. darling, dearth, endear.
Derivatives: dear, n., adv. and interj., dear-ly,
adv., dear-ness, n., dear-y, dear-ie, n. (colloq.).
dearborn, n., a kind of four-wheeled carriage. Named after its inventor, either the American
Henry Dearborn (I 751-1829) or one of his sons.
dearth, n. - ME. derth, derthe, 'dearness', fr.
dere, 'dear'. See dear and subst. suff. -th.
death, n. - ME. deeth, deth, fr. OE. dea/J, rei.
to OS. doth, ON. dau/Ji, Dan. dod, Swed. dOd,
OFris. diith, ODU. dot, dOd, Du. dood, OHG.
tOd, MHG. tot, tOd, G. Tod, Goth. daupus,
'death', fr. Teut. *dau-, 'to die'. See die, dead.
Derivatives: death-less, adj., death-less-ly, adv .,
death-less-ness, n., death-/ike, adj., death-ly, adj.
debacle, debacle, n., a complete rout. - F. delxicle, 'a breaking up (of ice); downfall, collapse,
disaster', fr. debticler, 'to break up' (said of ice);
'to unfasten, unbar (a door)', formed fr. pref.
di- (see de-) and bticler, 'to bar, fasten', fr.
OProvenc;. baclar, fr. VL. *bacculiire, lit. 'to bar
with a ~taff', fr. VL. *bacculum, corresponding
to L. baculum, 'a staff'. See baculus, bacillus.
debar, tr. v. - F. debarrer, 'to unbar', fr. OF.
desbarer, formed fr. des- (see de-) and barrer,
'to bar'. See bar and cp. disbar.
debark, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. de- and
bark, 'a kind of sailing ship'. Cp. disembark.
Derivatives: debark-ation, n., debark-men!, n.
debarrass, tr. v., to disembarrass. - F. debar-

debase

rasser, for *desembarrasser. See de- and embarrass and cp. disembarrass.
debase, tr. v. - Formed fr. de- and the obsolete
verb base, 'to abase'. See base, adj., and cp. abase.
Derivatives: debas-ed, adj., debase-ment, n.,
debas-er, n., debas-ing, adj.
debatable, adj. -- OF. debattable, debatable
(F. debattable), fr. debatre (F. debattre). See debate and -able.
debate, tr. and intr. v. - ME. debaten, fr. OF.
debatre, 'to fight, combat' (whence F. debattre,
'to discuss, debate, agree'), formed fr. de- and
batre (F. battre), 'to beat, strike', fr. Late L.
battere, fr. L. battuere, of s.m. See batter, 'to
beat violently', and cp. combat.
Derivatives: debate, n. (q.v.), debat-er, n., debating, n. and adj., debat-ing-ly, adv.
debate, n. -ME. debat, fr. MF. (=F.) debat,
'dispute, strife, debate', fr. debattre. See debate, v.
debauch, tr. v., to lead astray, corrupt.- OF. debaucher, 'to leave work, be idle' (whence F. debaucher, 'to turn somebody away from his work;
to entice away, lead astray'). The orig. meaning
of OF. debaucher was 'to rough down timber'.
It is a hybrid coined fr. de-, a pref. of Latin
origin (see de-), and OF. bale, bauch, bau (F.
bau), 'beam', fr. Frankish *balk, which is rei.
to OHG. balko, OE. balca, 'ridge between furrows'; see balk and cp. ebauchoir. The sense of
OF. debaucher underwent the following phases of
development; 'to rough down timber; to split,
cleave; to separate; to turn somebody away
from his work or from his duty; to entice away;
to lead astray'.
Derivatives: debauch, n., debauch-ed, adj., debauch-ed-ly, adv., debauch-ed-ness, n., debauchee
(q.v.), debauch-er, n., debauch-ery, n., debauchmelll, n.
debauchee, n., a debauched person. - F. debauchf'. pp. of debaucher, 'to entice away, to
lead astray'. See debauch and -ee.
debenture, n., certificate of indebtedness. - L.
debenrur, 'they are owing', passive pres. 3rd
person pl. of debere, 'to owe'; see debt. The certificate was so called because its text originally
began with the words debentur mihi ('there are
owing to me').
Derivative: debelllur-ed, adj.
debile, adj., weak. - F. debile, fr. L. debilis,
'weak, infirm, disabled', which stands for *debel-is, lit. 'without strength', fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and a der;vative of
base *bel-, 'strong; strength', whence also 01.
bdlam. 'strength. force. bdl~viin. 'stronger,'
bdli,~thab, 'the strongest', Gk. ~e);t'fwv, ~eAnpo~.
'better', [3).. ':'Lcrw~. ~e!- -;:x-;o;, 'best'. (The " in
these adjectives arose from earlier *f3e/-fwv etc.
on analogy of the comparatives and superlatives of other synonymous adjectives ending in
-Tepo~. resp. -Toc't'o~, as e.g. cp&pnpo~. 'better,
braver', cptpToc't'o~. 'best, bravest'.) OSlav. bol;'tj'( (for *bolji), 'greater', bo/je (adv.), 'more,

406

rather', bolshe, 'more, larger', derive from the

same base; see Bolshevik.
debilitate, tr. v., to render weak.- L. debilitiitus,
pp. of debilitiire, 'to lame, cripple, maim,
weaken', fr. debilis. See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: debilitat-ed, adj.
debilitation, n. - F. debilitation, fr. L. debilitiitionem, ace. of debilitiis. See debility and -ation.
debility, n., weakness.- F. debilite, fr. L. debilitiitem, ace. of debilitiis, 'a laming, crippling,
weakening', fr. debilis. See debile and -ity.
debit, n., an entry of debt in an account. - L.
debitum, 'that which is owing', neut. pp. of
debere, 'to owe'. See debt.
Derivative: debit, tr. v.
debonair, also debonnaire, adj., genial, affable;
gay. -ME. debonaire, fr. OF. de bonaire (F.
debonnaire), 'of good race', fr. de-, bon, 'good'
and aire, 'place, extraction', fr. L. iirea, 'a vacant
piece of ground, an open space'. See bonus
and area.
Derivatives: debonair-ity, n., debonair-ly, adv.,
debonair-ness, n.
Deborah, fern. PN.; in the Bible, a prophetess
and judge in Israel.- Heb. Dtbhortih, lit. 'bee',
rei. to Syr. debb6rd, 'wasp', debb6rithti, 'bee',
Aram. dibb6rith&, Arab. zunbiir, dabbilr, 'bee',
from the Sem. base d-b-r-, meaning 'to hum,
buzz', whence also dibMr, 'he spoke', diibh&r,
'word, thing'.
debouch, intr. v., to flow out, emerge. - F. deboucher, 'to uncork, open; to empty itself' (said
of rivers), formed fr. de- and bouche, 'mouth',
fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal and cp. disembogue, embouchure.
debouchment, n. ~- F. debouchement, fr. debaucher. See prec. word and -ment.
debridement, n., the excision of damaged tissue.
-F., lit. 'unbridling', fr. debrider, 'to unbridle',
fr. de- (see de-) and bride, 'bridle', fr. MHG.
bride/. See bridle and -ment.
debris, debris, n., rubbish. - F. debris, 'remains,
waste, rubbish', fr. OF. debriser, 'to break
down, shatter', fr. de- (see de-) and briser, 'to
break', fr. VL. brisiire, 'to break', a word of
Gaul ish origin; cp. Ir. brissim, 'I break'. See
bruise and cp. frustum. Cp. also next word.
debruise, tr. v., to cross a charge with an ordinary
(her.)- OF. debruisier, 'to shatter'. See de- and
bruise and cp. debris.
Derivative: debruis-ed, adj.
debt, n.- ME. dette, fr. OF. ( = F.) dette, fr. L.
debita, neut. pl.-but mistaken for fern. sing.
-of debitus, pp. of debere, 'to owe, be under
obligation', contracted fr. *de-habere, fr. deand habere, 'to have'. See habit and cp. debit,
debenture, debtor, devoir, due, duty, endeavor.
The insertion of the letter b in debt is due to the
imitation of the spelling of the Latin etymon.
In ME. the word is spelled correctly without b.
Cp. doubt.

407

debtor, n. - ME. dettur, fr. OF. detor, dettor,

detur, dettur, fr. L. debit6rem, ace. of debitor,
fr. debitus, pp. of debere. See prec. word and
agential suff. -or.
debunk, tr. v., to expose the false claims of (U.S.
slang). - Coined by the American writer William E. Woodward (I874-1950), fr. de- and
bunk.
Derivatives: debunk-er, n., debunk-ing, n., debunk-ment, n.
debut, debut, n., first appearance in public. F. debut, fr. debuter, 'to play first; to make one's
first appearance', fr. de- (see de-) and F. but,
'aim, goal', used in the sense of 'playground'
(see butt, 'aim'); introduced into English by
Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773).
Derivatives: debut, intr. v., debutant(e), (q.v.).
debutant(e), debutant(e), n., one who makes a
debut.- F. debutant, fern. debutante, pres. part.
of debuter. See prec. word.
deca-, before a vowel dec-, pref. meaning 'ten'.Gk. llexoc-, fr. llexoc, 'ten', cogn. with 01. ddsa,
L. decem, Goth. taihun, OE. lien, ten, 'ten'.
See ten and cp. decade, decem-.
decachord, n., a harp with ten strings. - Gk.
llextizopllo~;, 'ten-stringed', fr. llexoc, 'ten', and
zopll~, 'string'. See chord.
decad, n., the number ten. - See decade.
decadal, adj., pertaining to ten; consisting of
groups of ten. - See decade and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: decadal-ly, adv.
decade, n., r) a group of ten things; 2) a period
of ten years. - F. decade, fr. L. decas, gen.
decadis, fr. Gk.llexti~;, gen.llexci.llo<;, 'the number
ten; a group of ten', fr. llexoc. See deca-.
decadence, decadency, n., deterioration, decay.
- F. decadence, fr. ML. decadentia, 'a falling
down', fr. *decadi!re, 'to fall down', fr. de- and
L. cadi!re, 'to fall'. See cadence and cp. decheance. For the ending see suff. -ence, resp. -ency.
Cp. also decay, deciduous.
Derivative: decadent-ly, adv.
decadent, adj., 1) deteriorating; 2) pertaining to
the decadents. - Back formation from prec.
word; coined by Thomas Carlyle (I79s-r88I).
For the ending see suff. -ent.
Derivative: decadent-ly, adv.
decadent, n., one of a French literary school
about the end of the 19th cent.- F. decadent,
back formation fr. decadence (see decadence);
so called after the verse of Verlaine; "Je suis
!'empire a Ia fin de Ia decadence" ("I am the
empire established at the end of decadence").
See prec. word.
decagon, n., a ten-sided plane figure (geom.) Ult. fr. Gk. llextiywvov, 'decagon', lit. 'having
ten angles', fr. llexoc, 'ten', and -ywvo~. neut.
-ywvov, from the stem of ywv(ii, 'angle'. See
deca- and -goo and cp. uadecagoo, adj.
Derivative: decagon-al, adj.
deagnun, decagramme, n. -F. d/cogramme, lit.
'ten grams'. See deca- and -gram.

Decapod a

decalcification, n., the process of removing lime.

- Formed fr. de- and calcification.
decalcify, tr. v., to remove lime from bones and
other substances.- Formed fr. de- and calcify.
decaliter, decalitre, n. - F. dtkalitre, lit. 'ten
liters'. See deca- and liter.
Decalog, Decalogue, n., the Ten Commandments.
- Gk. llexci.:Aoyo<;, prop. ~ llexti/-oyo<; (sci!.
~([3/-o<;), '(the book) consisting of ten words',
fr. earlier ot llE:x<X Mym, 'the ten words', fr.
llexoc, 'ten', and )..6yo<;, 'word'. See deca- and
logos.
Decameron, n., a collection of 100 tales by Boccaccio, supposed to be told during ten days. It. Decamerone, fr. Gk. llexoc, 'ten', and ~f.ttp<i,
'day'. See deca- and hemero- and cp. ephemere.
Derivative: Decameron-ic, adj.
decamerous, adj., having ten parts (said of a
flower). - Compounded of Gk. llexoc, 'ten',
and fLEpo<;, 'part'. See deca-, mero- and -ous.
decameter, decametre, n.- Lit. 'ten meters'. See
deca- and meter, 'unit of length'.
decamp, intr. v., to break up a camp; to run
away. - F. decamper, 'to break up a camp; to
run away', fr. de- (see de-) and camp, 'camp', fr.
L. campus. See camp. For sense development
cp. scamper.
decampment, n.- F. decampement, fr. decamper.
See prec. word and -ment.
decan, n., the ruler of ten parts of a zodiacal sign
(astrol.) - L. deciinus, 'one set over ten', fr.
decem, 'ten'. See decimal and cp. dean, doyen.
Derivative: decan-ate, n.
decanal, adj., pertaining to a dean. - Formed
fr. Eccles. L. deciinus, with adj. suff. -al. See
dean and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: decanal-ly, adv.
decanate, n., deanery. -Eccles. L. deciiniitus, fr.
deciinus. See prec. word and subst. suff. -ate.
decangular, adj., having ten angles (geom.) A hybrid coined fr. Gk. lllxoc, 'ten', and L. angulus, 'angle, corner'. See deca- and angular.
decani, n., decanal; said of the south side of the
choir where the dean sits. - Gen. of Eccles. L.
deciinus, hence lit. 'of the dean'. See decanal.
decant, tr. v., to pour off gently. - F. decanter,
fr. ML. decanthiire, 'to pour from the edge of a
vessel', fr. de- and ML. canthus, 'edge of avessel', fr. L. cantus, canthus, 'the iron ring round
a carriage wheel'. See cant, 'a slope'.
Derivatives: decantat-ion, n., decant-er, n.
decapitate, tr. v., to behead. - Late L. decapitiitus pp. of decapitiire, 'to cut off the head', fr.
de- and L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital,
adj.
decapitation, n. - Late L. decapitiitio, gen. -6nis,
fr. decapitiitus, pp. of decapitiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
decapod. adj., pertaining to the Decapoda; n.,
a member of the Decapoda. - See next word.
Decapoda, n. pl., an order of crustaceans (zoo/.)
- ModL., lit. 'having ten feet', fr. Gk. llexcc,

decapodal

'ten', and rrou~;, gen. rro/16~;, 'foot'. See decaand -poda.

decapodal, decapodous, adj., having ten feet. Formed fr. Gk. llex1X, 'ten', rrou,;, gen. rro/16,;,
'foot', and adj. suff. -al, resp. -ous.
decarbonate, tr. v., to deprive of carbon dioxide
or carbonic acid.- Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix), carbon and verbal
suff. -ate.
decarbonize, v., to deprive of carbon. - Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix),
carbon- and -ize.
Derivatives: decarboniz-ation, n., decarbonizer, n.
decarch, n., a commander of ten men; a decurion.
- Gk. lle:xiipx1J,;, compounded of llexiX, 'ten',
and -iipx1J<;, fr . .Xpx6<;, 'leader, chief, ruler'. See
deca- and -arch.
decarchy, n., a government of ten.- Gk. 8eK1Xpxlii, fr. lle:xiipx1J,;. See prec. word and -archy.
decastich, n., a poem of ten lines. - Gk. lle:x&o"nxo,;, 'containing ten lines', fr. llexiX, 'ten', and
crlxo~;, 'row, line, rank'. See deca- and stichk:.
decastyle, n., a portico with ten columns (arch.)
-Compounded of deca- and Gk. a.U:Ao~;, 'pillar'.
See style, 'gnomon'.
decasyllabic, adj., having ten syllables. - See
deca- and syllabic.
Derivative: decasyllabic, n., a line of ten
syllables.
decas:tllable, n., a line of ten syllables. - Compounded of deca- and syllable.
decathlon, n., an athletic contest consisting of ten
different events. - Compounded of Gk. llexiX,
'ten', and ~%:Ao,;, ~%1-ov, 'contest'. See deca- and
athletic and cp. pentathlon.
decatize, tr. v., to cause to uncurl by means of hot
water or steam. - A hybrid formed with -ize,
a suff. of Greek origin, fr. F. decatir, 'to take the
gloss off (a woolen cloth), to sponge', fr. de- (see
de-) and catir, 'to press, gloss', fr. VL. *coiictlre, a derivative of L. coiictus, pp. of cogere,
'to press', prop. 'to drive together'. See cogent
and -ize.
Derivative: decatiz-er, n.
decay, intr. v. - ONF. decair, corresponding to
OF. dechair, decheeir (F. dechoir), 'to fall off,
decay', fr. VL. *decadere, refashioned (after VL.
*cadere) fr. L. decidere, 'to fall off, fall down'.
See de- and cadence and cp. deciduous, escheat.
Derivatives: decay, n., decay-ed, adj.
decease, n.- ME. deces, fr. OF. deces (F. deces),
'decease, death', fr. L. decessus, 'departure,
death', fr. decess-(um), pp. stem of decedere, 'to
go away, depart'. See de- and cease and cp.
predecessor.
Derivatives: decease, intr. v., deceas-ed, adj.
deceit, n. - ME. deceite, fr. OF. deceite, prop.
fern. of deceit, pp. of deceveir. See next word
and cp. receipt.
Derivatives: deceit-ful, adj., deceit-ful-ly, adv.,
deceit-ful-ness, n.

408

deceive, tr. and intr. v. - OF. deceivre, a collateral form of deceveir (F. decevoir), 'to deceive',fr. L. decipere, 'to beguile, deceive, elude',
fr. de- and capere, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'.
See captive and cp. apperceive and words there
referred to. For the change of Latin d (in ctipere) to i (in de-cipere) see abigeat and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: deceiv-abil-ity, n., deceiv-able, adj.,
deceiv-able-ness, n., deceiv-abl-y, adv., deceiver, n., deceiv-ing, adj., deceiv-ing-ly, adv.
decelerate, tr. v., to decrease the velocity of;
intr. v., to decrease in velocity.- Formed on
analogy of accelerate fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this pref.) and celertitus, pp. of celeriire,
'to hasten'.
Derivatives: decelerat-ion, n., decelerat-or, n.
decem-, combining form meaning 'ten'. - L.
decem-, fr. decem, 'ten', which is cogn. with
Gk. /16(01:, 'ten'. See deca- and cp. December,
decemvir. Cp. also deci-.
December, n. - L. December, 'the tenth month',
fr. decem, 'ten' (see decem-); so called because
the Roman year began with March.
Derivatives: December-ish, adj., December-ly,
adj., Decembr-ist, n. (Russ. hist.)
decemvir, n., 1) a member of a council often men
(Roman hist.); 2) a member of an authoritative
body of ten men. - L., back formation fr. the
pl. decem viri, 'ten men.' See decem- and virile
and cp. duumvir, triumvir, centumvir.
decemviral, adj. - L. decemviriilis, 'pertaining to
the decemvir(s)', fr. decem viri. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -al.
decemvirate, n., I) office of the decemvirs; 2) an
authoritative body of ten men. - L. decemviriitus, 'the office of a decemvir'. See decemvir
and subst. suff. -ate.
decency, n. - L. decentia, fr. decens, gen. -entis,
'becoming, seemly, decent'. See decent and -cy.
decennary, n., a period of ten years.- Formed
with subst. suff. -ary fr. L. decennis, 'of ten
years'. See decennium.
decenniad, n., a period of ten years. - See decennium and -ad.
decennial, adj. -Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
decennis, 'of ten years'. See next word and cp.
undecennial.
decennium, n., a period of ten years. - L., 'a
period of ten years', fr. decennis, 'of ten years',
fr. decem, 'ten', and annus, 'year'. See decemand annual and cp. decennary, decenniad. For
the change of Latin ti (in annus) to e (in decennis, dec-ennium) see accent and cp. biennial.
decent, adj. - L. decens, gen. -entis, becoming,
seemly, fitting, proper, decent', pres. part. of
decet, decere, 'to be seemly or fitting', rei. to
decus, gen. decoris, 'ornament, grace, splendor,
glory, honor, dignity', dignus (for *dec-nos),
'suitable, becoming, proper' (lit. 'decorated,
splendid'), dexter (for *dexi-teros), 'on the right
side' (lit. 'on the becoming or fitting side'), do-

409

cere, 'to teach' (orig. 'to cause somebody toreceive something'), discere, 'to learn'; fr. I.-E.
base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take, receive, accept;
acceptable, becoming, good', whence also 01.
dak$ati, 'is apt, proper, pleasing', dak:fa/;, 'able,
apt, clever; competent, intelligent', dak:jinal;,
dak$inal;, 'on the right hand; southern', dti$fi,
'he honors', Gk. Bxe:cr%01:L, Att. Bexe:cr%1XL, 'to
take, accept, receive, receive hospitably, hold',
lloxe:L'v, 'to seem good, to seem, think, believe',
lloxe:ue:w, 'to watch closely', 86~01: (for *86x-a01:),
'notion; opinion; honor, glory', B6y(J.IX, 'that
which one thinks true, opinion, doctrine, decree',
86xL(J.O,;, 'tried, assayed, genuine', Mxo,;, a wooden beam' (lit. 'that which holds the roof'), lle:~L6,;,
'on the right', BLBiiO"Ke:Lv, 'to teach', Mir. dech,
the best'. Cp. Adoxa, choledoch, condign, Cymodoce, dainty, Daksha, decorate, decorous, deign,
dexter, diadoche, Diadochi, didactic, dignify,
dignity, diksha, Diplodocus, disdain, docent,
Docetism, docile, docimasy, docimology, Docoglossa, doctor, doctrine, document, dogma, doxastic, doxology, heterodox, orthodox, pandect,
paradox, synecdoche.
Derivatives: decent-ly, adv., decent-ness, n.
decentralize, tr. v. -Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and centralize.
Derivative: decentraliz-ation, n.
deception, n. - F. deception, fr. Late L. deceptionem, ace. of deceptio, 'a deceiving, deception', fr. L. deceptus, pp. of decipere, 'to deceive'.
See deceive and -tion.
deceptive, adj. -F. deceptif (fern. deceptive), fr.
ML. deceptfvus, fr. L. deceptus, pp. of decipere,
'to deceive'. See deceive and -ive.
Derivatives: deceptive-ly, adv., deceptive-ness, n.
decem, tr. v., to decree.- F. decerner, fr. L. decernere, 'to decide, determine', pp. decretus.
See decree and cp. concern, discern, secern.
decheance, n., forfeiture. - F., 'fall, downfall,
forfeiture', fr. ML. decadentia, 'a falling down'.
Sl;e decadence.
dechristianize, tr. v.. to deprive of its Christian
character. - Formed fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this prefix) and christianize.
Derivative: dechristianiz-ation, n.
deci-, combining form used in the metric system
to denote one tenth of a given unit, in contradistinction to deca-, which is used to mean 'ten
times as much' (as the given unit). - F. deci-,
arbitrarily formed fr. L. decimus, 'the tenth', fr.
decem, 'ten'. See decimal and cp. deca-.
decibel, n., a unit for measuring the loudness of
sounds. - Compounded of deci- and bel and
lit. meaning 'the tenth part of a bel'.
decide, tr. and intr. v. -F. decider, fr. L. decidere, 'to decide, determine, settle', prop. 'to cut
off', fr. de- and caedere, 'to cut, hew, lop',
whence caementum (for caid(s)mentom), 'rough
stone, stone chippings'. See cement. For the
change of Latin ae (in caedere) to i (in de-cUkre)
see acquire and cp. words there referred to.

decimalist

Derivatives: decid-ed, adj., decid-ed-ly, adv.,

decid-ed-ness, n., decid-er, n., decid-ing-ly, adv.
decidua n., that part of the mucous membrane
of the uterus, which is cast off at parturition
(anal.) - Medical L., short for membrana
decidua, 'the membrane that falls off', fern. of
L. deciduus, 'falling off'. See next word.
deciduous, adj., I) falling off at a certain season
or stage of growth, etc.; 2) shedding leaves annually (said of trees). - L. deciduus, 'falling
off', fr. decidere, 'to fall off', fr. de- and cadere,
'to fall'. See cadence and cp. decadent. For the
change of Latin ti (in cddere) to i (in de-cidere)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: deciduous-ly, adv., deciduous-ness,
n.
decigram, decigramme, n.- F. decigramme, 'the
tenth part of a gram', a hybrid coined fr. deci-,
and Gk. ypoc[J.(J.IX, 'that which is written'. See
-gram.
decile, decil, n., the aspect of two planets when
distant from each other 36 degrees (i.e. one
tenth of the zodiac). -F. decile, formed fr. L.
decem, 'ten', with the suff. -ile (on analogy of
the Latin neut. adjectives quintile, sextile). See
decem and -ile.
deciliter, decilltre, n. - F. decilitre, 'the tenth
part of a liter', a hybrid coined fr. deci- and
Gk. 1-fTpii, 'a pound'. See liter.
decillion, n., I) in the United States and France,
a thousand raised to the eleventh power (i.e.
I followed by 33 zeros); 2) in England and Germany, a million raised to the tenth power (i.e. I
followed by 6o zeros). - Formed fr. L. decem,
'ten' (see decem-), on analogy of million (q.v.)
Cp. billion and words there referred to.
Derivatives: decillion-th, adj. and n.
Decima, fern. PN.- L., fern. of decimus, 'tenth'.
See Decimus.
decimal, adj. - ML. decimtilis, 'pertaining to a
tenth part', fr. L. decimus, earlier form decumus, 'the tenth', fr. I.-E. *dek~mos, whence also
01. dasarruil;, Avestic das 11ma-, Olr. dechmad,
'the tenth'. Cp. also I.-E. *dektl'-tos, whence
Gk. BexocTo~, Goth. tai-hunda, OHG. zehando,
ON. tiundi, OE. teogooa, teooa, OSiav. des(!tii,
Lith. desilillas, Lett. desmitais, OPruss. dessimts,
Toch. A .Skiint, B skante, skanee, 'the tenth'.
For the corresponding cardinal numbers, from
which these ordinal numbers derive, see ten.
Cp. tithe. Cp. also dean, decan, Decimus, decuman, Decumaria, dime, doyen, and the second
element in dozen, duodecimo.
Derivatives: decimal, n., decimalism (q.v.), decimalist (q.v.), decimalize (q.v.), decimal-ly, adv.
decimalism, n., the use of the decimal system. A hybrid coined fr. decimal and -ism, a suff. of
Greek origin.
decimalist, n., an advocate of the decimal system.
- A hybrid coined fr. decimal and -ist, a suff.
of Greek origin.

decimalize

decimalize, tr. v., to reduce to the decimal system.

-A hybrid comed fr. decimal and -ize, a suff. of
Greek origin. Derivative: decimaliz-ation, n.
decimate, tr. v.- L. decimiitus, pp. of decimiire,
'to select by lot every tenth man for punishment,
to decimate', fr. decimus, 'tenth'. See decimal
and verbal suff. -ate.
decimation, n. - L. decimiitio, gen. -onis, fr.
decimiitus, pp. of decimiire, 'to decimate'. See
prec. word and -ion.
decimeter, decimetre, n.- F. decimetre, lit. 'ten
meters', a hybrid coined fr. deci- and Gk. !J.tTpov,
'measure'. See meter, 'unit of length'.
Decimus, masc. PN. - L., 'the tenth', a name
given to the tenth child in a family, fr. decem,
'ten'. See decimal and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also Decima. For sense cp. Sextus, Septimus.
decipher, tr. v.- Formed fr. de- and cipher on
analogy of F. dechiffrer. Derivatives: decipherable, adj., decipher-er, n., decipher-ment, n.
decision, n.- F. decision, fr. L. decisionem, ace.
of decisio, 'decision, settlement', fr. decisus, pp.
of decidere, 'to decide, determine, settle'. See
decide and -ion. Derivative: decision-al, adj.
decisive, adj. - ML. decisivus, fr. L. decisus, pp.
of decidere. See decide and -ive.
Derivatives: decisive-ly, adv., decisive-ness, n.
deck, tr. v., I) to cover (obsol.); 2) to cover with
ornaments, to adorn. - MDu. decken (Du. dekken), 'to cover'. See thatch.
deck, n., covering (obsol.) - MDu. decke, dek,
(Du. dek), 'roof, covering', fr. deck en, 'to cover'.
See deck, v., and cp. next word.
deck, n., covering of a ship. - Shortened fr. G.
verdeck (whence also Du. overdek, later dek),
lit. 'covering' (see for- and thatch and cp. deck,
v.), and prop. a loan translation of Olt. ( = It.)
coperta or MF. couverte. That E. deck is not a
LG. or Du. loan word, as suggested by most
lexicographers, is proved by the fact that the E.
word appears first in I513, whereas Du. overdek and dek occur for the first time in I 599,
resp. I675. See Friedrich Kluge, Seemannssprache, Halle, I 911, p. I 77.
deckle, n., in papermaking, I) a wooden frame
serving to keep the paperpulp from spreading
beyond a desired size; 2) a deckle edge. -G.
Deckel, 'lid, cover', dimin. of Decke, 'cover',
which is rei. to E. thatch (q.v.) See also dimin.
suff. -le.
declaim, tr. and intr. v.- Fr. earlier dec/arne, fr.
L. dicliimiire, 'to practice speaking aloud, declaim', fr. de- and cliimiire, 'to call, cry out'.
See claim and cp. next word.
Derivative: declaim-er, n.
declamation, n. - F. declamation, fr. L. dicliimiitionem, ace. of decliimiitio, 'practice in speaking, declamation', fr. decliimiitus, pp. of dicliimiire. See prec. word and -ion.
declamatory, adj.- L. dicliimiitorius, 'pertaining
to the practice of speaking, declamatory, rhetorical', fr. dicliimiitus, pp. of dicliimiire. See

410

prec. word and adj. suff. -ory.

declarant, n., one who makes a declaration (law).
- F. declarant, fr. L. decliirantem, ace. of decliiriins, pres. part. of decliiriire. See declare
and -ant.
declaration, n. - F. declaration, fr. L. decliiriiti6nem, ace. of decliiriitio, 'an exposition, declaration', fr. decliiriitus, pp. of decliiriire. See
declare and -ation.
declarative, adj. - L. decliiriitfvus, 'serving for
explanation', fr. decliiriitus, pp. of decliiriire. See
declare and -ative.
Derivative: declarative-ly, adv.
declaratory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. decliiriitus, pp. of decliiriire. See declare.
declare, tr. and intr. v. - F. declarer, fr. L. decliiriire, 'to make clear, to make evident, to manifest, declare', fr. de- and cliiriire, 'to make
clear', fr. cliirus, 'clear'. See clear.
Derivatives: declar-able, adj., declar-ed, adj.,
declar-ed-ly, adv., declar-ed-ness, n., declar-er, n.
declass, tr. v., to degrade from one's class. Formed on analogy of F. declasser. See next
word.
declasse, adj., declassed. - F., pp. of declasser,
'to degrade', fr. de- (in the privative sense of
this prefix) and classer, 'to class'. See de- and
class and cp. prec. word.
declension, n.- OF. declinaison (F. declinaison),
fr. L. decliniitionem, ace. of decliniitio, 'a bending aside', fr. decliniitus, pp. of decliniire, 'to
bend aside, decline'. See decline and cp. declination, which is a doublet of declension.
Derivative: declension-al, adj.
declinable, adj. - F. declinable, fr. L. decliniibilis, 'that which can be declined', fr. decliniire.
See decline, v., and -able.
declination, n.- OF. declinacion (F. declinaison),
fr. L. decliniitionem, ace. of decliniiti6. See declension and -ation.
declinator, n., an instrument for measuring declination. - Formed with agential suff. -or fr.
L. decliniitus, pp. of decliniire. See decline.
declinatory, adj., pertaining to declination. ML. decliniitorius, fr. L. decliniitus, pp. of decliniire. See decline, v., and the adj. suffixes -ate
and -ory and cp. declivity.
decline, intr. and tr. v.- ME. declinen, fr. MF.
( = F.) decliner, fr. L. decliniire, fr. de- and
-cliniire. See clinical and cp. incline, recline.
Derivatives: declin-ed, adj., declin-er, n.
decline, n. - ME., fr. MF. (=F.) dec/in, back
formation fr. decliner. See decline, v.
declinometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
declination of the magnetic needle (phys.) A hybrid coined fr. L. decliniire, 'to decline',
and Gk. ~Tpov, 'measure'. See declination and
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
declivitous, adj., having a downward slope. See next word lUld -ous and cp. declivous.
declivity, n., a downward slope. - F. diclivite,
fr. L. dec/ivitiitem, ace. of declivitiis, 'a sloping

411

place, declivity', fr. declivis, 'sloping downward', fr. de- and clivus, 'slope, hill'. See clivus
and -ity.
declivous, adj., having a downward slope. - See
prec. word and -ous and cp. declivitous.
declutch, intr. v., to disengage a clutch. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and clutch.
decoct, tr. v., to prepare or extract by boiling.L. decoctus, pp. of decoquere, 'to boil down',
fr. de- and coquere, 'to cook, boil'. See cook
and cp. concoct.
decoction, n. - F. decoction, fr. L. decocti6nem,
ace. of decoctiO, 'a boiling down', fr. decoctus,
pp. of decoquere. See prec. word and -ion and
cp. concoction.
decode, v., to translate from a code into ordinary
language. - See de- and code.
Decodon, n., a genus of plants, the swamp loosestrife (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'having ten teeth',
compounded of Gk. 8x~. 'ten', and 68wv, gen.
686noc;, 'tooth'; so called in allusion to the
ten-toothed calyx. See deca- and odonto-.
decollate, tr. v., to behead. - L. decolliitus, pp.
of decolliire, 'to behead', lit. 'to cut off from
the neck', fr. de- and collum, 'neck'. See collar
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. collet. Cp. also
decollete.
Derivatives: decollat-ed, adj., decollation (q.v.)
decollation, n., the act of beheading.- F. decollation, fr. L. decolliitionem, ace. of decolliiti6,
fr. decolliitus, pp. of decolliire. See prec. word
and -ion.
decollete, adj., leaving the neck and shoulders
bare. - F., pp. of decolleter, 'to uncover the
neck and shoulders', fr. de- (see de-) and collet,
dimin. of col, cou, 'neck'. See collet and cp.
decollate.
decolor, decolour, tr. v., to decolorize.- Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
color, v.
decolorant, n., a substance that removes color. L. decol6riins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of deco!Oriire. See next word and -ant.
decoloration, n., removal of color. - L. deco!Oriitio, 'a discoloring,' fr. deco/oriitus, pp. of
decoloriire, 'to deprive of color, discolor', fr.
de- and co!Oriire, 'to color'. See color, v., and
-ation.
decolorize, decolourize, tr. v., to remove the color
of, to bleach. - A hybrid coined fr. L. decoloriire (see decolor) and -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin. The correct form is decolor.
Derivatives: decolo(u)riz-ation, n., decolo(u)rizer, n.
decompose, tr. and intr. v., to separate into components; to rot. - F. decomposer, 'to decompose, rot, decay', fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and composer. See de- and compose.

Derivatives: decompos-ed, adj., decompos-er, n.

decomposite, adj., compounded more than once.

decrement

- Late L. decompositus, 'formed from a compound', fr. de- (with intensive force) and L. compositus, pp. of componere, 'to put together'. See
composite and cp. decompound.
Derivative: decomposite, n.
decomposition, n., the act of decomposing.
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and composition. Cp. decompose.
decompound, tr. v., to compound more than
once; adj., compounded more than once; n.,
a decomposite.- Formed fr. de- (with intensive
force) and compound.
decorate, tr. v. - L. decoriitus, pp. of decoriire,
'to decorate, adorn, embellish; to honor, distinguish', fr. decus, gen. decoris, 'ornament,
grace, splendor'. See decent and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: decorat-ed, adj., decoration (q.v.),
decorat-ive, adj., decorat-ive-ly, adv., decOIative-ness, n., decorat-or, n.
decoration, n. - Late L. decoriiti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
L. decoriitus, pp. of decoriire. See prec. word
and -ion.
decorous, adj., proper, dignified. - L. dec6rus,
'becoming, fitting, seemly', fr. decus, gen. decoris, 'ornament, dignity'. See decent and cp.
decorate, decorum. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
L. -us, see -ous. The word decorous was introduced into English by Henry More (1614-87),
philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.
Derivatives: decorous-ly, adv., decorous-ness, n.
decorticate, tr. v., to strip off the bark, to flay. L. decorticiitus, pp. of decorticiire, 'to bark', fr.
de- (in the privative sense of this prefix), and
cortex, gen. corticis, 'rind, bark'. See cortex and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: decorticat-ion, n., decorticat-or, n.
decorum, n., that which is proper. - L. decorum,
'that which is seemly', prop. neut. of the adj.
decorus. See decorous.
decoy, n., a lure; a bait.- Formed from Du. de,
def. article, and kooi, 'cage', fr. L. cavea. 'excavated place, cavity, enclosure.' See the, def.
art., and cage.
Derivative: decoy, v.
decrease, intr. and tr. v. - Fr. AF. decreiss-,
pres. part. stem of decreistre, corresponding to
OF. descreistre, descroistre (F. decroitre), fr.
VL. discrescere, for L. decrescere, 'to grow less,
grow shorter, decrease, diminish'. See de- and
crescent.
Derivatives: decrease, n., decreas-ing-ly, adv.
decree, n. - ME. decree, fr. OF. deere, decret
(F. decret), fr. L. decretum, 'decision, decree,
ordinance', prop. neut. of decretus, pp. of decernere, 'to pronounce a decision, decide, determine', fr. de- and cernere, 'to separate, sift,
distinguish, discern, understand, decide'. See
certain and cp. decretal, decem, discern, secem.
Derivatives: decree, intr. and tr. v., decre-er, n.
decrement, n., decrease; diminution.- L. deerementum, 'diminution, decrease', fr. decrescere.

decremeter

See decrease and cp. increment. For the ending

see suff. -ment.
decremeter, n., an instrument for measuring
the dampening of electric waves. - Shortened
for decrement meter. See prec. word and meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
decrepit, adj., feebled by age. - F. decrepit, fr.
L. decrepitus, 'very old, infirm, decrepit', lit.
'noiseless', fr. de- and crepitus, 'a rattling, creaking, clattering, a noise', fr. crepiire [pp. stem
crepit-(um)], 'to rattle, crack, burst', which is of
imitative origin. See crepitate and cp. craven.
Derivatives: decrepit-ly, adv., decrepit-ness, n.
decrepitate, tr. v., to heat salt or mineral so as
to cause crackling; intr. v., to crackle. - ML.
decrepitiitus, pp. of decrepitare, which is prob.
formed fr. de- (in the priv. sense of this prefix)
and L. crepitare, 'to rattle, creak, crackle', freq.
of crepare. See crepitate and cp. decrepit.
Derivative: decrepitat-ion, n.
decrepitude, n., the state of being decrepit.
F. decrepitude, fr. L. decrepitus, 'very old, infirm, decrepit'. See decrepit and -ude.
decrescendo, adj., and adv., gradually decreasing
in loudness; n., a gradual decrease in loudness.
- It., compounded of de- and crescendo.
decrescent, adj., growing smaller.- Compounded of de- and crescent.
decretal, adj., pertaining to a decree. - Late L.
decreta/is, 'pertaining to a decree', fr. L. decretum. See decree and adj. suff. -al.
decretal, n., a papal decree. - F. decnitale, fr.
ML. decretale, prop. neut. of Late L. decretdlis,
used as a noun. See decretal, adj.
decretalist, n., one learned in the decretals. See prec. word and -ist and cp. next word.
decretist, n., the same as decretalist. -See prec.
word.
decretive, adj., having the force of a decree. Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. decretum. See
decree.
decretory, adj. - L. decret6rius, 'pertaining to a
decree or decision', fr. decretum. See decree and
adj. suff. -ory.
decrial, n. --Formed fr. decry with subst. suff. -al.
decrustation, n., the act of removing a crust. Formed with suff. -ion fr. L. decrustatus, pp. of
decrustiire, 'to peel off, split off', fr. de- and
crustiire, 'to cover with a crust', fr. crusta,
'crust'. See crust.
decry, tr. v.- See de- and cry, v., and cp. descry.
decuman, adj., large, immense (said of waves). L. decumiinus, also decimiinus, 'of, or pertaining to, the tenth', fr. decumus, decimus, 'the
tenth' (see decimal and -an); so called from
the idea that every tenth wave was large.
Decumaria, n., a genus of vines (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. decumiirius, also decimarius, 'pertaining
to the tenth part', fr. decumus, decimus, 'tenth,
a tenth part', fr. decem, 'ten' (see decimal and
cp. decuman); so called in allusion to its often
1o-merous flowers.

413

412

decumbence, decumbency, n. -Formed fr. next

word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
decumbent, adj., lying down; lying on the ground
(bot.)- L. decumbens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of
decumbere, 'to lie down', fr. de- and -cumbere
(found only in compounds), nasalized form of
cubare, 'to lie down, recline'. See cubicle and
cp. accumbent and words there referred to.
Derivative: decumbent-ly, adv.
decuple, adj., tenfold. - F. decuple, fr. L. decup/us, 'tenfold', formed fr. decem, 'ten', on
analogy of duplus, 'double' (lit. 'twofold'), fr.
duo, 'two'. See decem- and -fold and cp. ply,
'to bend', and words there referred to.
Derivatives: decuple, n. and tr. v.
decurion, n., an officer in the Roman army, commanding a company of ten men. - L. decurio,
gen. -onis, 'chief of a company of ten', fr. decuria, 'a company of ten men'. See decury.
decurrence, decurrency, n. - Formed fr. decurrent with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
decurrent, adj., running downward. - L. decurrens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of decurrere, 'to
run down', fr. de- and currere, 'to run'. See current, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: decurrent-ly, adv.
decursive, adj., running downward. - ModL.
decursivus, fr. L. decursus, pp. of decurrere. See
prec. word and -ive.
Derivative: decursive-ly, adv.
decury, n., a division or company of ten men. L. decuria, fr. decem, 'ten'. See decem- and cp.
decurion. Cp. also dicker, 'a set of ten', and
century.
decussate, tr. and intr. v., to cross or divide in
the form of an X. - L. decussatus, pp. of decussare, 'to divide crosswise (in the form of an
X)', fr. decussis (for decem asses), 'ten asses;
the number ten; the symbol X, as representing
ten'. See decem- and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: decussat-ed, adj.
decussate, adj., crossed, shaped like an X. - L.
decussatus. See decussate, v.
decussation, n. - L. decussiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'intersecting of two lines crosswise', fr. decussatus,
See decussate, v., and -ion.
dedicate, tr. v. - L. dedicatus, pp. of dediciire,
'to affirm, declare, announce, dedicate, consecrate', fr. de- and diciire, 'to proclaim, dedicate',
which is rei. to dicere, 'to say, tell'. See diction
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: dedicat-ee, adj., dedication, dedicative (qq.v.), dedicat-ory, adj., dedicat-ori-ly, adv.
dedicate, adj., dedicated. - L. dedicatus, pp. of
dedicare. See dedicate, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
dedication, n. - OF. dedication (F. dedication),
fr. L. dedicationem, ace. of dediciiti6, 'dedication, consecration', fr. dedicatus, pp. of dediciire.
See dedicate, v., and -ion.
Derivative: dedic(ltion-al, adj.
dedicative, adj. - Late L. dediciitivus, fr. L. dediciitus, pp. of dediciire. See dedicate, v., and -ive.

i
.

deduce, tr. v. - L. deducere, 'to lead or bring

down, deduct, derive, trace down', fr. de- and
ducere, 'to lead'. See duke and cp. deduct.
Derivatives: deduc-ible, adj., deduc-ibil-ity, n.,
deduc-ible-ness, n., deduc-ibl-y, adv.
deduct, tr. v.- L. deductus, pp. of deducere. See
prec. word.
deduction, n. - L. deducti6, gen. -6nis, 'a leading
away; deduction, diminution; reasoning', fr.
deductus, pp. of deducere; see deduce and -ion.
As a term of philosophy, L. deducti6 was first
used by Anicius Manlius Severinus (cca. 480524) as a loan translation of Aristotle's &rroxywyfj, lit. 'a leading away', fr. &m:iye:Lv, 'to lead
away'.
deductive, adj. - L. deductfvus, 'derivative', fr.
deductus, pp. of dediicere. See deduce and -ive.
Derivative: deductive-ly, adv.
deed, n. - ME. dede, fr. OE. diM, rei. to OS. dad,
ON. diio, OFris. dede, ded, Du. daad, OHG.,
MHG. tiit, G. Tat, 'deed, act', Goth. ga-deps,
'a putting, placing, adoption', fr. I.-E. *dhe-ti-,
whence also Lith. delis, 'load, burden', and the
second element in OSlav. blago-di!ti, 'good
deed, favor'; cp. I.-E. *dht-ti-, whence 01.
-(d)hitil; (only in compounds), 'a placing', Gk.
-&~crL~, 'a placing, setting', Late L. con-diti-6, 'a
founding' (fr. L. conditus, pp. of condere). I.-E.
*dhe-ti- and *dhl-ti- are derivatives of base
*dhe-, *dht-, 'to put, place; to do, make'. See
do, v., and cp. thesis.
deem, tr. v. - ME. demen, fr. OE. deman, 'to
judge, condemn, think, believe', rei. to ON.
d(l!ma, OFris. dema, OS. adomian, Du. doemen,
OHG. tuomen, Goth. -domjan (only in compounds). Cp. doom and -dom.
deemer, n., one who deems. -- OE. demere, fr.
deman. See prec. word and agential suff. -er.
deemster, n., judge. - ME. demestre, 'judge', fr.
demen. See deem and -ster- and cp. doomster,
dempster.
Derivative: deemster-ship, n.
deep, adj. - ME. deop, dep, deep, fr. OE. deop,
rei. to OS. diop, OFris. diap, Du. diep, OHG.
tiof, tiuf, MHG., G. tie/, ON. dj1ipr, Dan. dyb,
Swed. djup, Goth. diups, 'deep', fr. Teut. base
*deupa-, 'deep', corresponding to I.-E. base
*dheubh-, *dhubh-, whence L~h. dubus, 'deep,
hollow', duobe, 'pit', Lett. dubens, 'bottom',
OSlav. diino (for *dhubrw-), Czech, Slov., etc.
drw, 'bottom', orr. domain (for *dhubni-), 'deep',
domun (for *dhubno-}, 'world', W. dwfn, 'deep'.
Cp. depth, dip, dive, dope, dopper.
Derivatives: deep, n. deep, adv. (q.v.), deep-en,
v., deep-en-er, n., deep-e'l-ing, adj. deep-en-ingly, adv.
deep, adv. - ME. depe, fr. OE. deope, 'deep'
(adv.), 'deeply', fr. deop, 'deep'. See deep, adj.
deer, n. - ME. dere, deer, fr. OE. deor, 'a wild
animal', rei. to OS . .iior, ON. dyr, OFris. diar,
Du. dier, OHG. tior, MHG., G. tier, 'animal ,
Goth. dius, 'wild animal'; orig. 'a breathing

defeasance

being', and cogn. with OSlav. duchii, 'breath,

spirit', dusa, 'soul', Lith. dvasas (masc.), dvasia,
(fern.), 'spirit', Lett. dvasa, 'breath, odor',
dvesele, 'breath, soul, life'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. *dheus-, *dhous-, *dhwos-, *dhewls-, *dhwls-, 'to breathe', which are enlargements of base *dheu-, 'to fly about like dust,
to smoke'. See thio- and cp. words there referred to. For sense development cp. L. animal,
'animal', lit. 'a living being', fr. anima, 'air,
breath of life, soul', Gk. ~iJ>ov, 'animal', lit. 'a
living being', Heb. l;ayyii", 'animal, beast', lit.
'a living being'; cp. animal, zoo-.
deface, tr. v., to mar. - ME. defacen, fr. OF.
desfacier, 'to disfigure', fr. L. dis- and VL. facia
(for L. facies), 'face'. See dis- and face and cp.
efface.
Derivatives: deface-able, adj., deface-ment, n.,
defac-er, n., defac-ing, adj., defac-ing-ly, adv.
de facto, in actual fact, the opposite of de jure. L. de facto, 'in fact', fr. de, 'from, down from,
according to', and abl. of factum, 'deed, act,
fact'. See de- and fact.
defalcate, intr. v., to embezzle. - ML. defalciitus, pp. of defalciire, 'to cut off with a sickle'.
whence fig. 'to deduct', fr. de- and L. falx, gen.
fa/cis, 'sickle'. See falchion and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: defalcation (q.v.), defalcat-or, n.
defalcation, n., embezzlement. - ML. defalcatio, gen. -onis, fr. defalciitus. See prec. word
and -ion.
defamation, n., calumny, aspersion. - ME. diffamacioun, fr. OF. diffamation, fr. L. diffiimationem, ace. of diffamatio, fr. diffiimatus, pp. of
diffiimare. See defame and -ation.
defamatory, adj., tending to defame. -- ML. dif/iimiitorius, 'tending to defame', fr. L. diffiimatus, pp. of di.ffamare. See next word and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivative: defamatori-ly, adv.
defame, tr. v., to calumniate, asperse. - ME.
de/amen, diffamen, fr. OF. dijj'amer, fr. L. diffa
miire, 'to spread an evil report, defame', fr.
dis- and fiima, 'report, rumor'. See fame.
Derivatives: defam-ed, adj., defam-er, n. defam-ing-ly, adv.
default, n. - ME. defaulte, defaute, fr. VL. *defallita, pp. of *defallere (whence F. defaillir, 'to
be wanting'), used as a noun, fr. de- and L. fallere, 'to deceive'. See fail and cp. fault. Cp.
OProven~. defauta, defaulta, which are the exact
equivalents of OF. defaute. In MF. and ModF.,
defaut, 'default, blemish', a collateral form,
superseded the ancient form defaute. (Cp. also)
OProven~. defaut, a collateral form of defauta.
default, intr. and tr. v. - ME. defauten, fr. defaute. See default, n.
Derivatives: default-ant, adj., default-er, n.
defeasance, n., the act of making null and void
(law).- OF. defesance, 'undoing', fr. defesant,
desfesant, pres. part. of defaire, desfaire, 'to
undo'. See defeat, v., and -ance.

defeasible
defeasible, adj., capable of being made null and
void. - AF., 'capable of being annulled', fr.
AF. defaire, which corresponds to OF. defaire,
desfaire, 'to undo'. See defeat, v., and -ible and
cp. feasible.
Derivatives: defeasibil-ity, n., defeasible-ness, n.
defeat, tr. v.- OF. defeit, defait (F. defait), pp. of
defaire, desfaire (F. defaire), 'to undo', fr. VL.
*disfacere (corresponding to L. deficere), fr. disand L. facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp.
defect.
defeat, n. - Formed fr. defeat, v., on analogy
of F. defaite, 'defeat', which derives fr. defaire,
'to undo'.
defeatism, n. - Formed on analogy of F. defaitisme, which derives fr. defaite. See defeat,
n., and -ism.
defeatist, n., an adherent of defeatism. -F. defaitiste, fr. defaite. See prec. word and -ist.
defeature, tr. v. -OF. deffaiture, desfaiture, fr.
desfaire, 'to undo'. See defeat, v., and -ure.
defecate, tr. and intr. v. - L. defaecatus, pp. of
defaecare, 'to cleanse from dregs, defecate', fr.
de- andfaex, gen.faecis, 'dregs, lees'. See faeces
and verbal suff. -ate.
defecation, n. - Late L. defaecatio, gen. -onis,
fr. L. defaeciitus, pp. of defaecare. See prec.
word and -ion.
defect, n. - L. defectus, 'a failing, failure', fr.
defectus, pp. of deficere, 'to forsake, desert,
abandon, revolt; to remove oneself, withdraw;
to be wanting, fail', fr. de- and facere (pp. factus), 'to make do'. See fact and cp. deficit. For
the change of Latin ii (in factus) to e (in dejectus) see accent and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: defect, intr. v., defect-ib/e, adj.,
defect-ibil-ity, n., defection (q.v.), defective (q.v.),
defective-ly, adv., defective-ness, n., defector,
(q.v.)
defection, n. - L. defectio, gen. -onis, 'failure,
deficience, desertion', fr. defectus, pp. of deficere.
See prec. word and -ion.
defective, adj. - F. defectif (fern. defective), fr.
Late L. defectlvus, 'imperfect, defective', fr. L.
defectus, pp. of deficere. See defect and -ive.
Derivatives: defective, n., defective-ly, adv., defective-ness, n.
defector, n., one who defects. - L. defector, 'one
who revolts, a rebel', fr. defectus, pp. of deficere,
'to be wanting, fail; to remove oneself, withdraw'. See defect and agential suff. -or.
defence, n. - The British spelling of defense.
defend, tr. and intr. v. -- ME. defenden, fr. OF.
defendre (F. defendre), fr. L. defendere, 'to ward
off, keep away, defend, guard, protect', fr. deand -fendere (found only in compounds), 'to
thrust, strike', fr. I.-E. base *g"hen-, 'to strike',
whence also 01. hanti, 'he strikes, kills', pl.
ghnanri, 'they strike, kill', Hilt. kuenzi, 'he
strikes, kills', kunonzi, 'they strike, kill', Arm.
gan, gen. gani, 'a beating, thrashing', jnem, '1,

414

beat, strike', Gk . .&dve:w (for *ghwen-yein),

'to strike', cp6vo~ (for *ghwonos), 'murder', Alb.
gail, 'I hunt', OSlav. ien(!, gunati, 'to drive',
Lith. genu, giiiti, 'to drive', geniil, geniti, 'to cut
off branches', Olr. gonim, 'I strike, kill', guin,
'a wound', ON. gunnr, gu/Jr, OE. guo, 'war,
battle', guofana, 'banner'. Cp. defense, fend, offend, offense. Cp. also phoenix, the first element
in gonfanon, Gunther, and the second element
in Bellerophon, Tisiphone, Triphasia and
Edith. Derivatives: defendant (q.v.), defend-er, n.
defendant, adj., defending; n., the accused party
(law). - F. defendant, pres. part. of defendre,
fr. L. defendere. See defend and -ant.
defenestration, n., the act of throwing out of a
window. - Formed fr. pref. de-, L. fenestra,
'window' (see fenestra) and suff. -ation. Cp.
fenestration.
defense, defence, n. - ME. defense, defence, fr.
OF. defense (F. defense), fr. VL. defensa (corresponding in sense to L. defensio), 'defense',
prop. fern. pp. of L. defendere, used as a noun.
See defend and -ce.
Derivatives: defense-less, defence-less, adj., defense-less-ly, defence-less-ly, adv., defense-lessness, defence-less-ness, n.
defensible, adj.- Late L. dejensibilis, a collateral
form of L. dejensiibilis, 'defensible', fr. dejensiire, 'to defend diligently', freq. of defendere
(pp. defensus), 'to defend'. See defend and -ible
and cp. defense.
Derivatives: defensibil-ity, n., defensible-ness,
n., defensibl-y, adv.
defensive, adj. - F. defensif (fern. defensive), fr.
ML. dejensivus, fr. L. defensus, pp. of defendere.
See defend and -ive.
Derivatives: defensive, n., defensive-ly, adv.,
defensive-ness, n.
defensor, n. - L. defensor, 'a defendor', fr. dejensus, pp. of defendere. See defend and agential
suff. -or.
defensory, adj.- ML. dejensorius, fr. L. defensus,
pp. of defendere. See defend and adj. suff.
-ory.
defer, intr. v., to delay, postpone. - ME. differen, fr. OF. differer (F. differer), fr. L. differre,
'to carry in different directions, spread abroad,
scatter, disperse; to defer, delay'. See differ.
Derivatives: defer-ment, n., deferr-ed, adj., deferr-er, n.
defer, intr. v., to submit. - F. dejerer, 'to yield,
comply, pay deference', fr. L. deferre, 'to carry
or bring down, grant, allot, offer', fr. de- and
ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and
cp. confer and words there referred to.
deference, n. - F. dejerence, fr. deferer. See defer, 'to submit', and -ence.
deferent, adj., 1) carrying away or down; 2) pertaining to the ductus deferens (anat.) - L. deferens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of dcfcrre. See
defer, 'to submit'. and -ent.
deferential, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.

415

L. deferens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of deferre.

See defer, 'to submit'.
Derivative: deferential-ly, adv.
defervescence, n., r) a cooling down; 2) disappearance of fever (med.) - Formed with suff.
-ce fr. L. defervescens, gen. -entis. See next
word and cp. effervescence.
defervescent, adj., pertaining to defervescence;
n., a remedy causing defervescence (med.)- L.
defervescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of defervescere, 'to cease boiling', fr. de- andfervescere,
'to become boiling hot', inchoative of fervere,
'to boil'. See fervescent.
defeudalize, tr. v., to deprive of feudal character.
- Compounded of de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and feudalize.
defiance, n. -ME. deffiance, defiaunce, fr. OF.
defiance, deffiance, fr. defier, desfier. See defy
and -ance.
defiant, adj.- F. defiant, pres. part. of defier. See
defy and -ant.
Derivatives: defiant-ly, adv., defiant-ness, n.
deficiency, n.- Late L. deficientia, 'the wanting,
want', fr. deficiens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -cy.
deficient, adj. - L. deficiens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of deficere, 'to be wanting', fr. de- and
facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. defect,
deficit. For the change of Latin ii (in fiicere) to
i (in de-ficere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: deficient, n., deficient-ly, adv.
deficit, n., lack, shortage. - F. deficit, fr. L. deficit, 'it is wanting', 3rd pers. sing. pres. of deft cere. See deficient.
defilade, tr. and intr. v., to protect (the lines)
from enfilading fire. - Formed with suff. -ade
fr. F. defiler, 'to unthread'. See defile, 'to march
in files', and cp. enfilade.
defilading, n., the art of constructing fortifications so as to protect from enfilading fire. Formed fr. prec. word with subst. suff. -ing.
defile, tr. v., to make foul. - ME. defoulen, 'to
trample under foot, crush, insult', fr. OF. defoler, defouler, of s.m., fr. de- (see de-) andfoler,
fouler (F.fouler), 'to tread, trample down, crush,
full'; see full, 'to cleanse'. The verb defile was
influenced in form and meaning by foul and
the verb file, 'to make foul'.
Derivatives: defil-ed, adj., defil-ed-ness, n., defile-ment, n., defil-er, n., defil-ing-ly, adv.
defile, intr. v., to march in files. -F. defiler, 'to
march in files', lit. 'to unthread, unstring', fr.
de- (see de-) and file, 'row', fr. L.fi/um, 'thread'.
Cp. OProvent;. and OSp. desfilar, Sp. deshilar,
Port. desfiar, 'to march in files', and see file,
'thread'.
defile, n., a narrow passage. -F. defile, 'a narrow passage', prop. 'a passage in which troops
can march in files', orig. pp. of defiler, 'to march
in lines', used as a noun. See prec. word. For
the loss of the French pp. suff. -e in English

defloration
loan words cp. costive and words there referred to.
define, tr. v. ~ OF. definer, fr. L. de (see II~)
and finlre, 'to set limits to, to end, finish', fr.
finis, 'limit, boundary, end'. (F. de/inir comes
fr. L. definlre, 'to set limits to; to determine,
define'.) See finish.
Derivatives: defin-able, adj., de/in-abil-ity, n.,
defin-ed, adj., defin-ed-ly, adv., dejine-ment, n.,
defin-er, n., definite (q.v.), definition (q.v.),
definitive, adj. (q.v.), definit-ize, tr. v., definit-ization, n., definitor, n. (q.v.)
definite, adj. - L. definitus, pp. of definlre, 'to
define'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: definite-ly, adv ., definite-ness, n.
definition, n. - OF. (F. definition), fr. L. definltionem, ace. of definltio, 'a limiting, defining;
definition', fr. definltus, pp. of definlre. See define. L. definltio is prop. a loan translation of
Gk. opLO"[L6~. which derives fr. op1:eLv, 'to
bound, mark out, determine', fr. ISpo~. 'border,
boundary'. Derivative: definition-al, adj.
definitive, adj. - OF. definiti/, fern. definitive
(F. definitif, fern. definitive), fr. L. definltlvus,
'explanatory, definitive', fr. defini"tus. See definite and -ive.
Derivatives: definitive-ly, adv., definitive-ness, n.
definitor, n., an officer charged with the supervision of ecclesiastical property. - Eccles. L.,
fr. L. definitus, pp. of definire. See define and
agential suff. -or.
deHagrate, tr. and intr. v., to bum up suddenly.
- L. defiagriitus, pp. of deflagriire, 'to bum up,
be consumed by the fire', fr. de- and flagriire,
'to bum'. See Hagrant and verbal suff. -ate.
deflagration, n. - L. deflagriitio, gen. -onis, fr.
defiagriitus, pp. of deflagrare. See prec. word
and -ion.
deflagrator, n., a device for causing deflagration.
- Formed with agential suff. -or fr. L. deflagriitus, pp. of deflagriire. See deflagrate.
deflate, tr. v., to remove the air from. - Adapted
in a new sense fr. L. defliitus, pp. of defoire, 'to
blow off', fr. de- and fliire, 'to blow'. See Hatns
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: deflat-ion, n., deflat-ion-ary, adj.
deflect, tr. and intr. v. - L. deflectere (pp. deflexus), 'to bend aside or downward', fr. deand flectere, 'to bend'. See flex, v.
Derivatives: deflect-ed, adj., deflection (q.v.),
deflect-ive, adj., deflector (q.v.)
deflection, deflexion, n. - Late L. deflexio, gen.
-onis, 'a bending aside or downward', fr. L. deflexus, pp. of deflectere. See prec. word and -ion.
deflorate, adj., having shed its pollen (bot.) Late L. defloriitus, pp. of defloriire. See next
word and adj. suff. -ate and cp. deflower.
defloration, n., the act of deflowering. -Late L.
def/Oriitio, gen. -onis, fr. defloratus, pp. of defloriire, 'to deprive of flowers (also figuratively,
'to deprive of virginity'), fr. de- and L.flos, gen.
floris, 'flower'. See flower and -ation.

deflower

deflower, tr. v., to deprive of virginity. - ME.

d"fioren, fr. OF. desflorer (F. deflorer), fr. Late
L. di/l6riire. See prec. word.
defluent, adj., flowing downward .- L. defluens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of defluere, 'to flow down
or downward', fr. de- and fluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
defoliate, 1) adj., deprived of leaves; 2) tr. v., to
deprive of leaves. - Late L. defoliiitus, pp. of
defoliiire, 'to deprive of leaves', fr. de- and L.
foliatus, 'leaved, leafy'. See foliate, adj.
Derivative: defoliat-ion, n.
deforest, tr. v., to disafforest. - Formed fr. deand forest. Cp. afforest, disafforest, disforest.
Derivatives: deforest-ation, n., deforest-er, n.
deform, tr. v. - F. deformer, fr. L. deformare,
'to deform, disfigure', fr. de and formiire, 'to
form, shape'. See form, v.
Derivatives: deform-ed, adj., deform-ed-ly, adv.,
deform-ed-ness, n., deform-er, n.
deformation, n.- F. deformation, fr. L. diformiiti6nem, ace. of deformati6, 'a deforming, disfiguring', fr. diformiitus, pp. of diformiire. See
prec. word and -ation.
deformity, n., r) the condition of being deformed;
2) ugliness. - OF. deformite, fr. L. diformitiitem, ace. of deformitiis, 'deformity, ugliness',
fr. diformis, 'misformed, misshaped', fr. deand forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n., and
-ity.
defraud, tr. v., to cheat. -OF. defrauder, fr. L.
defraudare, 'to defraud, cheat', fr. de- an.d fraudare, 'to cheat', fr. fraus, gen. fraudis, 'deceit,
fraud'. See fraud.
defray, tr. v., to pay. - F. defrayer, 'to pay
costs', fr. de- (see de-) and VL. *fredum, 'fine,
cost', fr. Frankish *frifJu, lit. 'peace'; see affray.
The original meaning of defray was 'to appease,
pacify' (for sense development cp. pay).
Derivatives: defray-al, n., defray-er, n., defrayment, n.
deft, adj., dexterous. - ME., fr. OE. (ge)drefte,
'mild, gentle', rei. to gedafen, gedife, 'suitable',
Goth. gadaban, 'to be fit', ON. dafna, 'to grow
strong', Du. deftig, 'important, relevant', fr.
I.-E. base *dhabh-, 'to become, be suitable',
whence also L. faber, 'forger, smith', OSlav.
dobru, 'fine, good', doba, 'opportunity ', podoba,
'ornament', Lith. dobinti, 'to adorn', dabnus,
'graceful'. Cp. daft. Cp. also fabric, forge.
Derivatives: deft-ly, adv., deft-ness, n.
defunct, adj., dead. - L. defunctus, pp. of defungor, difungi, 'to finish, have done with, perform, depart, die', fr. de- andfungi(pp .fiinctus),
'to be engaged in, discharge, perform, execute,
do'. See function.
Derivative: defunct, n.
defy, tr. v. - F. defier, fr. OF. desfier, defier
(F. defier), fr. VL. *disfidiire, *difluliire (whence
also It. diffidare), fr. dis- and VL. *fidiire, 'to
trust, have confidence in', fr. L. jldus, 'trusty,
faithful'. See faith, fidelity. OF. defier, difier orig.

416

meant 'to renounce one's faith', whence arose

the meanings 'to distrust' and 'to challenge'.
degeneracy, n. - Formed fr. degenerate, adj.,
with suiT. -cy.
degenerate, intr. v. - L. degeneratus, pp. of degeneriire, 'to degenerate', lit. 'to depart from
one's race', fr. de- and genus, gen. generis, 'birth,
descent; race'. See genus and verbal suiT. -ate.
Derivatives: degeneration (q.v.), degenerat-ive,
adj.
degenerate, adj. and n. - L. degeneriitus, pp. of
degeneriire. See degenerate, v.
degeneration, n. - F. degeneration, fr. L. degeneriitus, pp. of degeneriire. See degenerate, v., and
suff. -ation.
deglutition, n., the act of swallowing. - F. deglutition, fr. L. deglutitionem, ace. of deg/iititi6, 'a swallowing down', fr. deglutitus, pp. of
degliitire, 'to swallow down', fr. de- and glutire,
'to swallow'. See glut, 'to swallow', and -ion.
deglutitory, adj., pertaining to deglutition .- See
prec. word and adj. suiT. -ory.
degradation, n. -F. degradation, fr. Late L. degradati6nem, ace. of degradiitio, 'deposition
from one's rank', fr. degradiitus, pp. of degradiire. See degrade and -ation.
degrade, tr. v., to reduce to a lower status; intr.
v., to degenerate .- OF. degrader (F. degrader),
fr. Late L. degradiire, 'to deposit from one's
rank', fr. de- and L. gradus, 'a step, pace, stage,
degree'. See grade and cp. degree.
Derivatives: degrad-ed, adj., degrad-ed-ly, adv.,
degrad-ed-ness, n., degrad-ing, adj., degrad-ingly, adv., degrad-ing-ness, n.
degras, n., fat recovered by dressing skins with
fish oil. --F., formed fr. de- (see de-) and gras,
fern. grasse, 'fat', fr. L. crassus, 'thick', whence
also It. grasso, Rum. gras, OProven9., Catal.
gras, Sp. graso, Port. graxo, 'fat'. See crass.
degree, n. - ME. degre, fr. OF. degret, later
degre (F. degre), which is usually derived fr.
Late L. *digradus, lit. 'a step down', fr. Late L.
degradiire, 'to deposit from one's rank', in VL.
prob. meaning also 'to descend', fr. de- and L.
gradus, 'degree'. It is more probable, however,
that OF. degret, degre was formed from the
prep. de (see de-) and L. gradus. See grade and
cp. degrade.
degression, n., a going down; decrease. - L. digressio, gen. -6nis, 'a going down', fr. degressus,
pp. of degredi, 'to go down', fr. de- and gradi
(pp. grassus), 'to take steps, to walk'. See grade
and -ion. For the change of Latin a (in grtidi)
to i (in de-grissus) see congress and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also digression.
degressive, adj. - Formed with suiT. -ive fr. L.
degressus, pp. of degredi. See prec. word.
Derivative: degressive-ly, adv.
degringolade, n., a precipitate breakdown .- F.
degringolade, 'tumble, downfall', fr. degringoler,
'to tumble down', fr. tM- (see de-) and earlier
F. gringoler, which is prob. borrowed fr. Du.

417

kringelen, 'to roll, twist', fr. kringel, 'a circle',

dim in. of kring, 'circle, ring'. See cringle and -ade.
degust, tr. and intr. v., to taste (rare). - L. degusttire, 'to taste, try', fr. de- and gustiire, 'to
taste, enjoy'. See gust, 'relish', and cp. disgust.
degustation, n. - Late L. digustati6, gen. -6nis,
fr. L. degustatus, pp. of degustare. See prec. word
and -ation.
deha, n., the body (Hinduism). - 01. dehab,
'body', lit. 'that which is formed', rei. to dlhmi,
'I smear, anoint', dehf, 'rampart, dam, dike',
Avestic daiza, 'wall', pairi-dtzeza, 'enclosure',
and cogn. with Goth daigs, OE. diig, 'dough'.
See dough and cp. paradise.
dehisce, intr. v., to gape, burst open. - L. dihiscere, 'to split open, gape, yawn', fr. deand hiscere, inchoative of hiiire, 'to yawn'.
See hiatus.
dehiscence, n., the act or process of bursting
open. - Formed fr. next word with suiT. -ce.
dehiscent, adj., bursting open.- L. dehiscens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of dehiscere. See dehisce and
-ent.
dehors, prep., out of, outside (law). -F., fr. VL.
deforis, fr. de- and L. foris, 'out of doors'. See
forum and cp. the first element in forisfamiliate.
dehort, tr. v., to dissuade (rare). - L. dihortiiri,
'to dissuade', fr. de- and hortiiri, 'to urge, incite'. See hortation.
dehortation, n., dissuasion .- L. dehortiiti6, gen.
-oms, fr. dehortiitus, pp. of dehortari. See prec.
word and -ation.
dehumanize, tr. v., to make inhuman.- Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
humanize.
Derivative: dehumaniz-ation, n.
dehydrate, tr. v., to remove water from a substance.- Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and hydrate.
Derivative: dehydrat-ion, n.
dehydrogenize, tr. v., to deprive of hydrogen. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and hydrogenize.
Derivatives: dehydrogeniz-ation, n., dehydrogeniz-er, n.
dehypnotize, tr. v., to arouse from the hypnotic
state. - Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and hypnotize.
Deianira, n., the daughter of Oeneus and wife of
Heracles (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. ~7Jc
ve:tpoc, lit. 'destroyer of her husband', fr. IH,-co~,
'hostile', and ocv-i)p, 'man, husband'. The first
element is rei. to Gk. 87Jcow, 'I cut down, slay',
8oct, 'in battle', 3oct-q>pwv, 'proved in battle',
3oc[e:Lv, 'to blaze, bum up', llio~, 'torch', 3:iJ6;,
'combustible, dry'. For the second element see
andro-.
deicide, n., the killer of a god. - Late L. deicida,
compounded of L. deus, 'god', and -cida, 'killer'. See deity and -cide, 'killer'.
deicide, n., the killing of a god. - ModL. deicidium, compounded of L. deus, 'god', and

-cidium, 'killing'. See deity and -cide, 'killing'.

deictic, adj., demonstrating, proving directly. Gk. 3e:r.x-rtx6~, 'able to show', fr. 3e:tx-r6~,
'shown', verbal adj. of 3e:txvuvocL, 'to show',
which is cogn. with L. dicere, 'to say, tell'. See
diction and -ic and cp. apodictic, epideictic. Cp.
also hygrodeik.
deiflc, adj., deifying. - F. deifique, fr. L. deificus, 'who makes one a god', which is compounded of deus, 'god', and -ficus, fr. -ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact
and -ic.
deification, n., the act of making a god; the state
of being made a god. - See deify and -ation.
deiform, adj., having the form of a god.- ML.
deiformis, compounded of L. deus, 'god', and
forma, 'form, shape'. See deity and form, n.
deify, tr. v., to make a god of. - F. deifier, fr.
Late L. deificare, which is compounded of L.
deus, 'god', and -ficiire, 'to make', fr. -ficus, fr.
facere, 'to make, do'. See deity and -fy.
deign, intr. and tr. v., to condescend. - ME.
deinen, deignen, fr. OF. degnier, deignier (F.
daigner), fr. VL. *dignare, fr. L. digntiri, 'to
deem worthy', fr. dignus, 'worthy'. Cp. It. degnare, OProven9. denhar, Catal. denyar, Sp.
defiar, which all derive fr. VL. *dignare, and see
dignity. Cp. also dainty, condign, dignify, disdain.
deipno-, combining form meaning 'dining'. Gk. 3e:mvo-, fr. 3EL1t'Jov, 'dinner', of unknown
origin.
deipnosophist, n., one learned in the art of dining. - Gk. 3e:mvoaoq>L<n~~. compounded of
8e:rJtVov, 'dinner', and aorptaTI]~. 'a learned
man', fr. aocp6~. 'skilled, clever, wise'. See deipno- and sophist. ~ELJtVoaorpw:ocl (pl.) is the title
of a work by Athenaeus.
Derivative: deipnosophist-ic, adj.
deism, n., the belief that God has created the
world but has no immediate relation with it. F. deisme, a hybrid coined by Pascal (1623-62)
fr. L. Deus, 'God', and -isme, a suiT. of Greek
origin. See deity and -ism.
deist, n., an adherent of deism. - F. deiste, a
hybrid word. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: deist-ic, deist-ic-al, adjs., deist-ical-l)', adv.
deity, n. - ME. deite, fr. OF. deite (F. deite),
fr. Late L. deitiitem, ace. of deittis, 'divine nature', which was coined by Augustine on analogy of Gk. -&e:6Ttj~, 'divine nature', fr. L. deus,
'god', fr. OL. deivos (whence also L. divus,
'divine'), which is cogn. with Ol. devdb, 'god',
devt, 'goddess', Avestic daeva-, 'demon', Lith.
dievas, Lett. dievs, OPruss. deiwas, deiws, Oir.
dm (gen. de), OW. duiu, MW. duw, OCo. duy,
MCo. dew, 'God', OHG. Zio, Zio, ON. Tyr,
OE. Tiw, name of the Teutonic war god, Gk.
lli:oc;, 'divine', Ze:U~. gen. ~tfo~, ~t6~, 'Zeus', 01.
dydu/:r, 'heaven, god of Heaven', Dydu$pitd,
'heavenly father', L. Diespiter, Jupiter, 'Jupiter'.

418

All thes..: words come fr. *deyew(o)-, 'shining',

which derives fr. I.-E. base *dei- *deya- *didya-, 'to shine', whence also 01. df-de-ti, 'shines:
diva, 'by day', di-vasa~, 'heaven; day', Arm. tiv,
'day', Gk. 3E:oc-ro, 'seemed', 3iiAoc;;, Homeric 3E:EAoc;;
(for *31-EAoc;;), 'visible, clear', L. dies, Olr. die,
W. dyw, 'day', Olr. in-diu, W. he-ddyw,'today'.Cp.
Adelia, adelo-, adieu, adjourn, Bhumi Devi, daiva,
deiform, deify, deodand, deodar, devadasi, Dewali,
dial, Diana, diary, dies non, diet, 'assembly', Diosma, Dis, dismal, diurnal, diuturnal, diva, Dives, divine, Dorothea, Dyaus, eudiometer, joss, journey,
Jove, jovial, Jupiter, Lent, meridian, prie-dieu,
quotidien, sojourn, Tuesday, Zenobia, Zeus.
deject, tr. v., to cast down. - L. dejectus, pp. of
dejicere, 'to throw down, drive off, lower, let
down; to humble', fr. de- and jacere (pp. jactus), 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and cp.
words there referred to. For the change of Latin
ii (in jactus) toe (in de-jlctus) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
dejecta, n. pl., excrements. - L., neut. pl. of dejectus, pp. of dejicere. See prec. word.
dejection, n. - OF. (F. dejection), fr. L. dejectionem, ace. of dejectio, fr. dejectus, pp. of dejicere. See deject and -ion.
dejeuner, n., breakfast. - F. dejeuner, 'breakfast', from the verb dejeuner, 'to break the fast',
fr. OF. desjuner, shortened form of desjejuner
(see haplology), which derives fr. VL. disjejunare,
'to break the fast', fr. dis- and L. jejunus, 'fasting'. See jejune and cp. dine, dinner. For sense
development cp. E. to breakfast, lit. 'to break
the fast'.
Derivative: dejeuner, intr. v.
de jure, by right, rightfully; the opposite of de
facto. - L. de jure, 'by right', fr. de, 'from,
down from, according to', and abl. of jus,
'right'. See de- and jus.
delaine, n., a material made of wool, or of wool
and cotton. - F. de Iaine, 'of wool', fr. L. de,
'from', and lana, 'wool'. See de- and lanate.
delate, tr. v., to inform against. - L. delatus,
'brought or carried down' (used as pp. of deferre, 'to bring or carry down, to indict, inform
against'), formed fr. de- and latus, 'born, carried' (used as pp. offerre, 'to bear, carry'), which
stands for *tliitos, fr. *t/-, zero degree of I.-E.
base *tel-, to/-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', tolerare, 'to bear, support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and words
there referred to.
delation, n., information against a person. - L.
de/iitio, gen. -6nis, 'denunciation, accusation',
fr. dctarus, 'brought or carried down'. See prec.
word and -ion.
delator, n., an informer.- L. delator, fr. de/atus,
'brought or carried down'. See delate and
agential suff. -or.
delay, tr. and intr. v . to defer. postpone.- ME.
delaif!n, fr. OF. delaier, fr. de- and laier, 'to let,
leave'. Originally the verb laier occurred only

in those forms of the present, in which the radical was stressed, and in the future. These forms
prob. derive from the respective forms of OF.
laissier, 'to let, leave', and were influenced in
their conjugation by that of faire, 'to do'. (See
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 176 s.v. delai.) OF.
laissier (whence F. laisser) derives fr. L. laxare,
'to unloose, relax', fr. laxus, 'loose'. See lax
and cp. relay.
Derivatives: delay, n., delay-age, n., delay-er, n.,
delay-ing-ly, adv.
del credere, a phrase expressing the obligation of
an agent who guarantees the solvency of a buyer
(law). -It., lit. 'of trust'. Del is contracted from
the prep. de, 'of' (fr. L. de), and the def. art.
il (fr. L. ilium, ace. of ille, 'that one'). See deand ille. It. credere derives fr. L. credere, 'to
believe'. See creed.
dele, v., typographic direction to blot out a letter,
a word, etc. - L. dele, imper. sing. of de/ere,
'to destroy; wipe out, blot out, efface'. See
delete.
delectable, adj., delightful.- OF. (F. detectable),
fr. L. delectabilis, 'delightful', fr. delectare, 'to
delight'. See next word and -able.
Derivatives: delectabil-ity, n., delectable-ness,
n., delectabl-y, adv.
delectation, n., delight, enjoyment.- OF. delectation (F. delectation), fr. L. delectiiti6nem, ace.
of delectiitio, 'a delighting, pleasure, amusement', fr. delectatus, pp. of delectare, 'to delight,
charm, amuse', freq. of delicere, 'to entice',fr.
de- and lacere, 'to entice', which is cogn. with
laqueus, 'noose snare'. See lace, n., and cp.
words there referred to.
delectus, n., a collection of passages for translation.
- L. delectus, 'choice, selection', fr. delectus,
pp. of deligere, 'to pick out, choose, select', fr.
de- and Iegere, 'to choose; to read'. See lecture.
delegacy, n. - Formed fr. delegate, n., with
suff. -cy.
delegate, n. - L. delegatus, pp. of delegare, 'to
send, assign, delegate, transfer', fr. de- and Iegare, 'to send with a commission, appoint as a
deputy'. See legate.
delegate, adj., delegated. - L. delegatus, pp. of
de/egare. See delegate, n.
delegate, tr. v. - L. delegatus, pp. of delegiire.
See delegate, n.
delegation, n.- L. delegatio, gen. -oms, 'assignment, delegation', fr. delegatus, pp. of delegiire.
See delegate, n., and -ion.
delete, tr. v., to erase. - L. deletus, pp. of de/ere,
'to efface, abolish, obliterate, destroy', which is
prob. a back formation from de-levi (misinterpreted as dele-vi), perf. of de-linere, 'to besmear',
fr. de- and linere, 'to daub, smear' (applied esp.
to the wax on the writing table). Accordingly
the orig. meaning of de/ere prob. was 'to wipe
out'. See liniment and cp. slime. Cp. also dele,
dellble.
deleterious, adj., harmful. - ML. deleterius, fr.

419

Gk. 8'1)A't)TIJpLoc;;, 'noxious', fr. 3r,A't)TIJp, 'destroyer', fr. 3'1)Ae:~cr%ocL, 'to hurt, damage', which
is cogn. with Toch. A talo, B talliiwo, 'miserable,
wretched', Lett. de/it, 'to wear out, worry, harass'. These words prob. meant orig. 'to cut,
split', whence 'to hurt by cutting', and derive
fr. I.-E. base *del-, *dol-, 'to split, cut, carve',
whence also L. do/are 'to hew with an ax'. See
dole, 'grief', and words there referred to. For
the ending see suff. -ous. The word deleterious
was introduced into English by the physician
Sir Thomas Browne (16o5-82).
Derivatives: deleterious-ly, adv., deleteriousness, n.
deletion, n. - L. deletio, gen. -onis, fr. deletus,
pp. of de/ere. See delete and -ion.
delft, also delf, n., glazed earthenware. - Prop.
earthenware of Delft (formerly De/f), name of
a town in Holland. The name lit. means 'canal'
and is cogn. with E. delve (q.v.)
Delia, fern. PN. - L. Delia, orig. epithet of the
goddess Artemis, lit. 'Delian', from her birthplace Delos. See Delian.
Delian, adj., pertaining to the island of Delos
in the Aegean Sea. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. De/ius, fr. Gk . .1-i)Awc;;, fr. .l'ijJ.oc;;, 'Delos'.
Cp. prec. word.
deliberate, adj.- L. deliberiitus, pp. of deliberiire,
'to think over, take counsel about, reflect, determine', which prob. means lit. 'to weigh in
one's mind', and derives fr. original *de-librare,
which is formed fr. de- and libra, 'scales; that
which is weighed; a pound'. See libra and adj.
suff. -ate and cp. equilibrium. L. deliberiire was
influenced in form by liberiire, 'to make free'.
Derivatives: deliberate-ly, adv., deliberateness, n.
deliberate, intr. and tr. v. - L. deliberatus, pp.
of delfberare. See delib~rate, adj., and verbal
suff. -ate.
deliberation, n. - ME. deliberacioun, fr. MF.
( = F.) deliberation, fr. L. deliberationem, ace. of
de/iberiiti6, 'deliberation, consideration', fr. deliberiitus, pp. of deliberare. See deliberate, v. and
adj., and -ion.
deliberative, adj. - L. deliberiitivus, 'pertaining
to deliberation', fr. deliberatus, pp. of deliberiire.
See deliberate, adj., and -ive.
Derivatives: deliberative-ly, adv., deliberativeness, n.
delible, adj., capable of being deleted. - Fr. earlier deleble, fr. L. delebi/is, 'that which can be
blotted out', fr. de/ere. See delete. De/ible was
influenced in form by the many adjectives ending
in -ible (fr. L. ibi/i,;).
delicate, adj., 1) dainty; 2) fine. - L. delicatus,
'delightful, charming, voluptuous', pp. of *delicare, rei. to de/icere, 'to allure, entice, delight'
(whence the freq. delectare) and to deliciae, 'allurement, charm, delight'. See lace and cp.
delectation, delicious, delight. The derivation of
delicatus, fr. *deliciatus, a supposed derivative

of de/iciae, is erroneous. See Walde-Hofmann,

LEW., I, p. 336.
Derivatives: delicate, n., delicate-ly, adv., delicate-ness, n., delica-cy, n., delicatessen (q.v.)
delicatessen, n. pl., cooked foods. - G. Delikatessen (pl.), fr. F. delicatesse, 'delicacy', fr. delicat, 'delicate', fr. L. de/iciitus. See prec. word.
delicious, adj. -OF. delicieus (F. de/icieux), fr.
VL. deliciosus, fr. L. deliciae (gen. -arum), 'allurement, charm, delight, pleasure', fr. *delaquiae, which is formed fr. de- and laqueus,
'noose, snare'. See lace and cp. delicate and
words there referred to. Cp. also luscious. For
the change of Latin ii in liiqueus to i in de-lfciae
see abigeat and cp_ words there referred to.
Derivatives: delicious-ly, adv., delicious-ness, n.
delict, n., an offense against the law. - L. delictum, 'fault, offense, transgression', prop. neut.
pp. of delinquere, 'to fail, be wanting, transgress, offend', fr. de- and linquere, 'to leave'.
See relinquish and cp. delinquent, relict, derelict.
delight, tr. and intr. v. - ME. deliten, fr. OF.
de/iter, 'to delight', fr. L. delectare, 'to delight,
charm, amuse'. See delectation and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: delight-ed, adj., delight-ed-ly, adv.,
delight-ed-ness, n., delight-er, n., delight-ing,
adj., de/ight-ing-ly, adv.
delight, n. - ME. de/it, fr. OF. de/it, fr. de/iter,
'to delight'. See delight, v.
Derivatives: delight-ful, adj., delight-ful-ly, adv.,
delight-ful-ness, n., delight-some, adj.
Delilah, n., the mistress of Samson, who betrayed Samson (Judges, chapter 16). - Heb.
Dtli/dh, lit. 'delicate, languishing, amorous',
from the base of d-1-1, 'to hang down, to languish', whence also dal, 'low, poor, thin', dalltih,
'hair; thrum' (lit. 'that which hangs down');
rei. to Akkad. dalti/u, 'to be weak or humble',
Arab. ddlla, 'he was low or pliant', taddlda/a,
'it hung down, dandled', Ethiop. dahl/, 'hanging curls'.
delimit, tr. v., to mark the limits of. - F. delimiter, fr. L. delimitare, 'to mark out, limit', fr.
de- and limitiire, 'to limit'. See limit, v., and cp.
next word.
delimitate, tr. v., to delimit. - L. de/imitatus,
pp. of delimitiire. See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate.
delimitation, n. - L. delimitiiti6, gen. -onis, fr.
de/imitiitus, pp. of delimitiire. See delimitate
and -ion.
delineate, tr. v., to sketch.- L. delineatus, pp. of
delineare, 'to sketch out', formed fr. de- and
linea, 'line'. See line and verbal suff. -ate.
delineation, n. - Late L. delineiiti6, gen. -onis,
'a sketch', fr. L. delineatus, pp. of delineare. See
prec. word and -ion.
delinquency, n. - L. delinquentia, 'a fault, crime,
delinquency', fr. de/inquens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of delinquere, 'to fail, be wanting, transgress, offend'. See delict and -ency.

delinquent
delinquent, adj.- L. delinquens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of delinquere. See prec. word and -ent.
Derivatives: delinquent, n., delinquent-ly, adv.
deliquesce, intr. v., to become liquid. - L. deliquescere, 'to melt away, dissolve', fr. de- and
liquescere, 'to become liquid'. See liquescent.
deliquescence, n. - Formed with suff. -ce fr. L.
deliquescens, gen. -entis. See next word.
deliquescent, adj., deliquescing. - L. deliquescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of deliquescere. See
deliquesce and -ent
delirious, adj. - Formed fr. delirium with suff.
-ous.
Derivatives: delirious-ly, adv., delirious-ness, n.
delirium, n., a violent mental excitement. - L.
delirium, 'madness, delirium', fr. delfriire, 'to
turn aside from the furrow', whence arose the
meanings 'to deviate, to become deranged,
crazy or delirious', fr. de- and lira, 'the earth
thrown up between two furrows, furrow'. L.
lira stands for *leisii and is cogn. with Goth.,
OHG. leisa (in wagenleisa), 'track of carriage
wheels', MHG. Ieise, geleis, G. Geleise, Gleis,
'track', and also with Goth. lais, 'I know',
laisjan, OE. lii!ran, 'to teach', OE. leornian, 'to
learn' (fr. Teut. base *lais-, 'to learn, know,
teach', orig. 'to follow or find the track'). See
learn and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
lirella.
delitescence, delitescency, n. - Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
delitescent, adj., latent (said of symptoms of a
disease). - L. de/itescens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
of delirescere, 'to lie hidden, be concealed', fr.
de- and latescere, 'to hide oneself, lie hidden',
inchoative of latere, 'to lie hidden'. See latent.
For the change of Latin ii (in liitescere) to i'
(in de-litescere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
deliver, tr. v. -OF. delivrer (F. detivrer), 'to set
free', fr. VL. de/Jberiire, of s.m., fr. de- and lfberiire, 'to set free', fr. lfber, 'free'. See liberal and
cp. liberate.
deliverance, n. - OF. delivrance (F. delivrance),
fr. delivrer. See prec. word and -ance.
delivery, n. - OF. delivree, prop. fern. pp. of
delivrer, 'to set free, to deliver', used as a noun.
See deliver and cp. livery.
dell, a small valley.- OE., rei. to MLG., MDu.
delle, MHG., G. delle, telle and to E. dale,
'valley' (q.v.)
Della Cruscan, I) adj., pertaining to the Accademia della Crusca (established in 1582 for the
sake of purifying the Italian language); 2) n., a
member of the Accademia della Crusca.
Della Robbia, also Della Robbia ware, a kind of
terra-cotta ware made in Florence by Luca della
Robbia (died in 1482), his family or his pupils.
Delphian, adj., Delphic. - See next word and
-ian.
Delphic, adj., 1) pertaining to Delphi; pertaining
to the oracle in Delphi. - L. Delphicus, fr. Gk.

421

420
6e)-qm(6~, 'of, or pertaining to, Delphi', fr.
6e}-tpm, 'Delphi'.
Delphinidae, n.pl., a family of toothed whales
(zoo!.) - ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L.
delphinus, 'dolphin'. See dolphin.
Delphinium, n., a genus of plants, the larkspur
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 8ef.tpf'llm'll, 'larkspur',
fr. 8ef.tpf~, gen. 8eAtpL'IIo~, 'dolphin' (see dolphin); so ca11ed from the shape of its flowers,
which resemble a dolphin.
delta, n., I) name of the 4th letter of the Greek
alphabet; 2) triangular area formed at the mouth
of some rivers, as of the Danube. - Gk. 8ef.-r<X,
fr. Heb.-Phoen. diileth; see daleth. The <X was
added because a Greek word cannot end with
a -r; cp. alpha and words there referred to.
deltafication, n., the formation of a delta. Formed fr. delta and -fication.
deltaic, adj., forming a delta. - Formed fr. delta
with suff. -ic.
deltoid, adj., delta-shaped, triangular. - Gk.
8eA-roet8f,~. compounded of 8tf.-r<X and -oet8f,~
'like', fr. dllo~ 'form, shape'. See delta and -oid.
deltoid, n., the large muscle covering the shoulder
joint (anat.) - From deltoid, adj.; so called
from its triangular shape.
delubruQ!, n., a shrine, a sanctuary (Roman antiq.)- L. deliibrum, 'temple, shrine, sanctuary',
a derivative of de/uere, 'to wash off, cleanse',
originally meaning 'place for washing (near the
sanctuary)'. Deillbrum prob. stands for *delu-dhlom or *de-lu-dhrom, fr. de, 'away from',
the stem of luere, 'to wash', and a suff. denoting
place (cp. polhlbrum, p6/iibrum, 'wash basin',
for *po-lu-dhlom or *p6-lu-dhrom). See de- and
lave.
delude, tr. v., to deceive, beguile. - L. deliidere,
'to mock, deceive, play false', fr. de- and liidere,
'to play'. See ludicrous and cp. delusion. Cp. also
allude and words there referred to.
Derivatives: delud-ing, adj., delud-ing-ly, adv.
deluge, n., the great flood, flood. -F. deluge, fr.
L. diluvium, 'a flood, inundation', fr. dfluere, 'to
wash away', fr. di- 'apart', and luere, 'to wash,
lave, cleanse'. See lave and cp. diluvium.
Derivative: deluge, tr. v.
delundung, n., a mammal of the Malay Archipelago, pertaining to the civet family. -Native
name.
delusion, n., the act of deluding; a mistaken belief. - L. deliisi6, gen. -6nis, 'a deceiving', fr.
de/usus, pp. of deliidere. See delude and -ion and
cp. allusion and words there referred to.
delusive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
de/usus, pp. of deliidere. See delude and cp. allusive and words there referred to.
Derivatives: delusive-ly, adv., delusive-ness, n.
delve, tr. and intr. v., to dig (archaic). - ME.
delven, fr. OE. de/fan, 'to dig, burrow', rei. to
OS. de/15an, Du. dehen, MHG. telbcn, 'to dig',
and cogn. with Lith. delba, 'crowbar', Russ.
do/bit', Czech dlabati, Pol. dlubac, 'to chisel',

!II

'

I
I1

Russ. doloto, Czech dldto, Pol. dl6to (for *dolbto), 'chisel'. Cp. delft.
delve, n., a hollow. - OE. gedelf, 'ditch, trench',
rei. to delfan. See delve, v.
dem-, form of demo- before a vowel.
demagnetize, tr. v.- Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and magnetize.
Derivatives: demagnetiz-ation, n., demagnetizer, n.
demagogic, demagogical, adj. - Gk. 81)(J.<Xywytx6,:;, 'fit for a popular leader', fr. 81JJ.L<X"(wy6,:;, 'a
popular leader'. See next word and suff. -ic,
resp. also -al.
Derivative: demagogical-ly, adv.
demagogue, n. - Gk. 81JJ.L<Xywy6~, 'a popular
leader, leader of the mob', compounded of
8~J.Lo~, 'district, country, land, people', and
&ywy6~. 'leading'. Gk. 8~J.LO~, Dor. 8iiJ.Lo~ stand
for *da-mos and are cogn. with Oir. diim, 'followers, troop'. Both Gk. 8~[1.0<;, 8ii(J.O~, and Olr.
diim orig. meant 'part, division', and are derivatives of I.-E. base dii-m-, an -m-enlargement
of base *da-, *dai-, 'to divide', whence Gk.
8<Xlecr~<XL, 'to divide, distribute', 8<XlJ.LW'II, 'god,
goddess', lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and cp. words there referred to. Gk. &ywy6~, 'leading', derives fr.
&yEt 'II, 'to lead'; see -agogue.
Derivatives: demagogic (q.v.), demagog-ism, n.,
demagogu-ery, n., demagogy (q.v.)
demagogy, n.- Gk. 81J[L<Xywylii, 'leadership of
the people', fr. 81J[L<X"(wy6~. See demagogue and
-y (representing Gk. -lii).
demand, tr. v. - F. demander, 'to ask, request',
fr. L. demandare, 'to give in charge, entrust,
commit', in VL., 'to ask, request, demand', fr.
de- and mandare, 'to give in charge, enjoin'.
Cp. It. domandare, OProven~., Catal., Sp. demandar, 'to ask, request', and see mandate.
Derivatives: demand-er, n., demand-ing, adj.,
demand-ing-ly, adv.
demand, n. - F. demande, fr. demander. See demand, v.
demandant, n., plaintiff (law). - F., 'asking, requesting', pres. part of demander. See demand,
v ., and -ant.
demarcate, tr. v. - Back formation fr. demarcation.
demarcation, n. - F. demarcation, fr. Sp. demarcaci6n, fr. demarcar, 'to mark out the boundary', fr. de- and marcar, 'to mark', fr. marca,
'mark', fr. MHG. marke. See mark, 'sign', and
-ation. The word was first used of the linea de
demarcacion ('demarcation line') established in
1493 by Pope Alexander VI, in order to divide
the New World between the Spaniards and the
Portuguese.
demarch, n., I) (in ancient Greece) a ruler of a
deme; 2) (in modern Greece) a mayor. - Gk.
8f,J.Locpzo<;, lit. 'chief of the people', fr. 8~[J.o<;,
'people', and &px6.;, 'chief, ruler'. See deme and
-arch.

demersal
demarche, n., proceeding, course of action. F., lit. 'gait, walk, bearing', fr. de- (see de-) and
marcher, 'to walk'. See march, 'walk, advance'.
dematerialize, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. de(in the privative sense of this prefix) and materialize.
Derivative: dematerializ-ation, n.
deme, n., a township in ancient Greece.- Gk.
8~J.Lo~. 'district, country, land, people'. See
demos.
demean, tr. v., to conduct (oneself).- ME. demeinen, demenen, fr. OF. demener, 'to guide,
conduct' (whence F. se demener, 'to struggle'),
fr. de- and mener, 'to lead', fr. VL. minare,
'to drive (cattle)', prop. 'to drive by threatening'
(whence also It. menare, 'to lead'), fr. L. miniiri,
'to threaten' (whence Rum. miinii, 'to threaten').
See minatory and cp. menace, promenade.
demean, tr. v., to debase. -Formed fr. de- and
mean, 'low'.
demeanor, demeanour, n. -Formed fr. ME. demeanure, 'behavior', with change of suff. due
to the influence of nouns ending in -or, -our.
See demean, 'to behave', and -or (representing
OF. -our, -or).
dement, tr. v., to cause to become mad. - L. dementiire, 'to drive mad, craze', fr. demens, gen.
dementis, 'mad, raving, crazy', lit. 'out of one's
mind', fr. de- and mens, gen. mentis, 'mind'.
See mental, 'pertaining to the mind', and cp.
dementia.
Derivatives: dement-ed, adj., dement-ed-ly, adv.
dementi, n., an official denial.- F., prop. pp. of
dementir, 'to give the lie to, contradict', used
as a noun, fr. de- (see de-) and mentir (fr. L.
mentfri), 'to lie'. See mendacious.
dementia, n., a form of insanity. - L. dementia,
'insanity, madness', lit. 'a being out of one's
mind', fr. demens, gen. -entis, 'mad, raving,
crazy'. See dement.
demerit, n., want of merit, ill desert. - OF. demerite (F. demerite), 'blame, demerit', fr. VL.
demeritum, 'fault', fr. pref. de-, taken in a privative sense (see de-), and meritum, 'desert, reward, merit'; see merit. In contradistinction to
VL. demeritum, 'fault', classical L. demeritum
means 'merit, desert'. This contrast of meaning
finds its explanation in the fact that classical
L. demeritum prop. is the neut. pp. of demerere,
demererf, 'to merit, deserve', in which the pref.
de has intensive force; cp. next word.
demerit, tr. v., to merit, deserve (archaic). - F.
demeriter, 'to deserve ill', fr. demerit e. See prec.
word.
demeritorious, adj., blameworthy. - Formed
with suff. -orious fr. VL. demeritllm, 'fault'. See
demerit, n., and cp. meritorious.
demersal, adj., sunk to the bottom (said of the
eggs of fish). -Formed with adj. suff. -al from
the obsolete verb demerse, 'to immerse', fr. L.
demersus, pp. of demergere, 'to submerge', fr. deand mergere, 'to plunge, immerse'. See merge.

demesne
demesne, n., I) possession (of land) as one's own
(law); 2) an estate kept by the owner for his
own use.- ME. demein, fr. AF. demeine, demesne (with silent s), fr. OF. demaine, demeine
(whence also F. domaine, 'domain, estate'), fr.
L. dominicus, 'pertaining to the lord', fr. dominus, 'lord, master'. See domain. The sin demesne
is pro b. due to an erroneous association of this
word with OF. maisniee, mesnee, 'household',
fr. VL. *mansionata, fr. L. miinsio, gen. -onis,
'habitation' (see mansion).
Demeter, n., the goddess of agriculture in Greek
mythology. -Gk. L'1w~-rY)p, Dor. Gk. L'1~[L&TY)p,
lit. 'earth-mother', fr. a&, Doric equivalent of
Gk. yii, 'earth', and [L&TY)p, Doric equivalent of
Gk. [L~TY)p, 'mother'. See geo- and mother and
cp. next word.
Demetrius, masc. PN. - L. Demetrius, fr. Gk.
L'1Y)[L~-rpw~, lit. 'son of Demeter', fr. L'1Y)[Lf,TY)p.
See Demeter.
demi-, pref. meaning 'half'.- F. demi, 'half', fr.
VL. dimedius, a blend of L. medius, 'middle',
and dimidius, 'half'. This latter is a back formation fr. dimidiatus, 'halved', pp. of dimidiiire,
'to halve', fr. dis-, di-, and medius, 'middle'.
OProven9. demeg, 'half', also derives fr. VL.
dimedius. See di-, 'apart', and cp. medium.Cp.
also dimidiate, demy and talmi gold.
demigod, n., a deified hero. -~ Lit. 'half god', a
hybrid coined fr. demi- and god.
demijohn, n., a large bottle covered with wickerwork_- Alteration of F. dame-jeanne, for Dame
Jeanne, 'Lady Jane', a name used humorously
to denote a bottle; see dame and Jane. The alteration of F. dame to demi in English demijohn
is due to a confusion with F. demi, 'half' (see
demi-).
demilune, n_, I) a half-moon, crescent; 2) acrescent-shaped outwork. - F. demi-lune, 'halfmoon', fr. demi, 'half', and tune (fr. L. !Una),
'moon'. See demi- and June.
demimonde, n., a class of women of doubtful
social standing. - F. demi-monde, lit. 'halfworld', coined by Alexandre Dumas fils in
1855. who used it as the title of one of his most
successful social comedies. For the etymology
of F. d('fni see demi-. F. monde derives fr. L.
mundus, 'world'. See mundane.
demirep, n., a woman of doubtful reputation
(slang). - Shortened fr. demi-reputation, in
which demi is used in the sense given to it in F.
demi-monde. See prec. word and reputation.
demise, n_, 1) transference of an estate by death;
hence also 2) death. - AF .. prop. fern. pp. of
OF. - AF. demetre (whence F. demettre, pp.
demis, fern_ demise), 'to send away, dismiss'.
See demit.
Derivatives: demise, tr. and intr. v., demis-able,
adj.
demisemiquaver, n., an English term for a thirtysecond note (music). - Lit. 'the half of a semiquaver'. See demi- and semiquaver.

423

422

demission, n. - F. demission, fr. L. demissionem,

ace. of demissio, 'a sending down or away', fr.
demissus, pp. of demittere. See next word and
-ion.
demit, tr. and intr. v., to resign. - Orig. 'to
dismiss', fr. L. demittere 'to send down or away',
fr. de- and mittere (pp. missus), 'to send'. See
mission and cp. demise, dismiss.
demiurge, n., I) in some ancient Greek states, a
magistrate; 2) in Platonic philosophy, the
Maker of the world. - Gk. aY)[LLOUpy6~. 'one
who works for the people, skilled workman,
maker, creator, the Creator of the visible world',
COmpounded of i3~[LLO;, 'pertaining tO the
people', and ~pyov, 'work'. Gk. il~[LLO~ derives
fr. 3'ij[Lo;, 'people'; see demos. For the second
element see ergon.
demiurgic, demiurgical, adj., pertaining to a
demiurge; creative. - Gk. aY)[LLOUpyLx6c;, fr.
aY)[LLOupy6c;. See prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
demivolt, n., a half turn with the forelegs raised
(mam?ge).- F. demi-volte, fr. demi, 'half', and
volte, 'a leap'. See demi- and vault, 'to leap',
and cp. volt, 'a turning movement'.
demo-, before a vowel dem-, combining form
meaning 'people, population, deme'. - Gk.
aY)[LO, i3Y)[L, fr. 3'ij[LO<;, 'district, COUntry, land,
people'. See demos.
demobilize, tr. v.- Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and mobilize.
Derivative: demobiliz-ation, n.
democracy, n. - F. democratie, fr. ML. democratia, fr. Gk. a"I][LOXptx-rl~. 'democracy, popular
government', lit. 'ru)e of the people', fr. a'ij[LO<;,
'people', and -xpcx7[~. fr. xp:ho<;, 'strength,
power, rule'. See demos and -cracy.
democrat, n. -F. democrate, back formation fr.
democratie. See prec. word.
democratic, adj. - F. democratique, fr. ML. democraticus, fr. Gk. i31][LOXptx-rLx6<;, 'pertaining
to democracy', fr. aI)[LOXpor-rl~. See democracy
and -ic.
Derivative: democratic-al-ly, adv.
democratism, n_ - See next w0rd and -ism.
democratize, tr. v. - F. democratiser, fr. democratie. Cp. Gk. ar,[LOY.ptx7l~EL~. 'to be on the democratic side', and see democrat and -ize.
Derivative: democratiz-ation, n.
Demodex, n., a genus of arachnids, the face mite
(zoo!.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. aY)[L6c;,
'fat', and a+,;, 'worm'. The first element is cogn.
with Alb. {)jam:, 'fat, bacon', and prob. also
with Arm. tam-uk, 'moist, wet'. The second element lit. means 'biter'. and is rei. to aoc;,
'biting'. See Dacus.
Demogorgon, n., a terrible deity (Greek mythol.)
- Late L., first mentioned by Lactantius (or
Lutatius) Placidus on Statius. The first element
in the name of this deity is of uncertain origin.
The second element certainly derives fr. Gk.
yopy6.;, 'terrible'. See Gorgon.
demography, n., statistics of births, marriages,

;1-~
.

diseases, deaths, etc. - Coined fr. demo- and

Gk. -ypcx<plii, fr. yp<X<peLv, 'to write'. See demtr
and -graphy.
Derivatives: demograph-ic, demograph-ic-a/,
adjs., demograph-ic-al-ly, adv., demograph-ist, n.
demoiselle, n., 1) a damsel (archaic); 2) a small
crane of N. Africa; the Numidian crane.- F.
fr. OF. dameiselle, damoiselle, fr. VL. *dominicella, dirnin. of domina, 'mistress, lady', fern.
of L. dominus, 'lord', fr. domus, 'house'. See
dome and cp. dame. Cp. also damsel, damoiseau,
doncella, donzella; cp. also Don.
demolish, tr. v. - Fr. OF. demo/iss-, pres. part.
stem of demolir (F. demolir), 'to pull down,
overthrow, destroy, demolish', fr. L. demolfri,
'to throw or pull down, overthrow, demolish',
fr. de- and molirf, 'to construct', fr. moles, 'mass,
heap'. See mole, 'mound', and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: demolish-er, n., demolish-ment, n.
demolition, n. - F. demolition, fr. L. demolitionem, ace. of demotitio, 'a pulling down', fr. demolitus, pp. of demolfri. See prec. word and -ion.
demon, n. - L. daemon, 'a spirit', in Eccles. L.
'an evil spirit', fr. Gk. 3cxlt-tcuv, 'god, goddess',
lit. 'a divider, distributor (of men's destinies)',
which is rei. to 3cx(e:cr-&etL, 'to divide, distribute;
to feed on', 8et(~, acxl't"Y), acxLTO<;, 'meal, banquet', 8etwuvcxL, 'to give a banquet or feast',
acxt~eLv, 'to cleave asunder, rend, divide', 3'ij[Lo<;,
'district, country. land, people', fr. I.-E. base
*dti-, *dtii-, *df-, *de-, 'to cut off, separate, divide, distribute', whence also OE. tid, 'time',
lima, 'time, date', prop. 'division of time'. See
tide and cp. demagogue, deme, democracy, demos. Cp. also eudaemonic, pandemonium, geodesy. Cp. also dab. For a derivative of *d~-t-,
a +enlargement of base *d~-. see datolite.
demon-, form of demontr before a vowel.
demonetization, n. - F. demonetisation, fr. demonetiser. See next word and -ation.
demonetize, tr. v., to deprive of monetary value.
- F. demonhiser, fr. de- (used in the privative
sense of this prefix), and monetiser. See de- and
monetize.
demoniac, demoniacal, adj., possessed by a demon.- Late L. daemoniacus, fr. Gk. 3txL[LO'ILtxx6~, 'possessed by a demon', fr. 3etL[L6VLO<;, 'of, or
pertaining to, a demon', fr. 8etl!Lcuv. See demon.
Derivative: demoniacal-ly, adv.
demonic, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
a demon. - Late L. daemonicus, fr. Gk. 3etL[Lovi.X6c;, 'possessed by a demon', fr. 30tl[LcuV.
See demon and -ic.
demonism, n., belief in demons. - Gk. 3etL[LoWJ[L6.;, 'a being possc.-ssed by a demon', fr.
i3(X([LCU\I. See demon and ism.
demonist, n., an adherent of demonism. - See
prec. word and -ist.
demonize, tr. v., I) to convert into a demon;
2) to subject to the influence of a demon. ML. daemoniziire, fr. L. daemon, fr. Gk. 30t(!Loov.
See demoo and -ize.

demotic
demono-, demon-, combining form from Gk.
aetl[LCU'I, gen. a(X([LO'IOc;, 'demon'.- See demon.
demonolatry, n., the worship of ghosts. - Compounded of demono- and -AOt-rpdii, -Aoc-rp(ii,
fr. Aoc-rpdii, 'hired labor, worship'. See -Iatry.
demonology, n., the study of popular beliefs in
demons. - Compounded of demono- and Gk.
-Aoy(ii, fr. -A6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: demonolog-ic, adj., demonolog-ica/-/y, adv., demoiWlog-ist, n.
demonstrable, adj. - L. demonstrabilis, 'that
which can be pointed out or demonstrated', fr.
demonstrare. See demonstrate and -able.
Derivatives: demonstrabil-ity, n., demonstrable.ness, n., demonstrabl-y, adv.
demonstrate, tr. and intr. v. - L. demonstratus,
pp. of demons/rare, 'to point out, indicate, show,
demonstrate', fr. de- and monstrare, 'to show,
point out'. See monster and verbal suff. -ate.
demonstration, n. - L. demonstratio, gen. -onis,
'a pointing out, showing, demonstration', fr.
demonstratus, pp. of demonstrare. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivatives: demonstration-al, adj., demonstrationist (q.v.)
demonstrationist, n., one who takes part in a demonstration. - See prec. word and -ist.
demonstrative, adj.- F. demonstratif(fem. demonstrative), fr. L. demonstrativus, 'pointing out,
demonstrating', fr. demonstratus, pp. of demonstrare. See demonstrate and -ive.
Derivatives: demonstrative-ly, adv., demonstrative-ness, n.
demonstrator, n. - L. demonstrator, 'one who
points out or demonstrates', fr. demonstratus, pp.
of demonstrare. See demonstrate and agential
suff. -or.
demoralize, tr. v. - F. demoraliser, fr. de (in the
privative sense of this pref.) and moraliser, 'to
moralize'. See de- and moralize.
Derivatives: demoraliz-ation, n., demoraliz-er, n.
demos, n., the common people; the mob.- L.,
fr. Gk. 3'ij[Loc;, 'district, country, land, people',
which stands for *damos, lit. 'a division of the
people', and is cog111. with Olr. dam, 'followers',
fr. I.-E. base *da-, *dtii-, 'to cut off, separate,
divide', whence also Gk. 3oclt-tcuv, 'god, goddess',
lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's destinies)'. See
demon and cp. deme, demtr, demotic, endemic,
epidemic, pandemic, and the first element in
Damocles, demagogue, democracy.
Demosthenic, adj., pertaining to. or resembling,
Demosthenes (384-322); eloquent.- L. Demosthenicus, fr. Gk. L'1Y)[LO<:r&e\nx6c;, fr. L'11J[LO<:r&'1Y)~,
'Demosthenes' .
demotic, adj., I) popular; 2) specif. designating
the popular form of the ancient Egyptian writing, as distinguished from hieratic. - Gk.
3Y)!LOTI.X6<;, 'pertaining to the people, popular',
fr. 3ij(Lo.;, 'people'. See demos and -ic.

dempster

dempster, n., a judge. -ME. demestre, formally

fern. of de mere, 'deemer, fr. demen, 'to judge'.
See deem and cp. deemster, doomster.
demulcent, adj., soothing; n., a soothing substance. - L. demulcens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
of demulcere, 'to stroke down, to soften', fr.
de- and mulcire, 'to soften, appease', fr. I.-E.
base *melk-, which is rei. to *melg-, 'to milk'
(the original meaning of both bases was 'to
stroke, rub, squeeze'). See milk and cp. emulgent, emulsify, Mulciber. For the ending see
suff. -ent.
demur, intr. v., to object. - OF. demorer, demurer, demourer, 'to linger, tarry' (whence F.
demeurer, 'to remain, stay, reside, live'), fr. L.
dimorari, 'to linger, loiter, tarry', fr. de- and
morari, 'to delay', fr. mora, 'hesitation, delay'.
See moratory.
Derivatives: demur, n., demurrage (qq.v.), demurr-able, adj., demurrer (q.v.), demurr-ing-ly,
adv.
demur, n., objection.- OF. demor, fr. demorer.
See demur, v.
demure, adj., 1) sober; 2) affectedly modest. Fr. OF. de (bons) murs, 'of (good) manners', fr.
de, 'of, from' (fr. L. de) and murs (whence F.
mtEurs), 'manners', fr. L. mores, pl. of m6s,
'manner, custom, conduct, behavior'. See deand moral.
Derivatives: demure-ly, adv ., demure-ness, n.
demurrage, n., undue delay of a ship, a railroad
car, etc. - OF. demorage, demurage, demourage, 'delay', fr. demorer. See demur, v., and
-age.
demurrer, n., a pleading by a party that the opposite party should not be allowed to proceed
(law). - OF. demorer, 'to linger, tarry'; see
demur, n. For the subst. use of the infinitive
in legal terminology cp. attainder and words
there referred to.
demy, n., a size of paper.- Elliptical use of demy
paper, lit. 'paper folded in half', fr. F. demi,
'half'. See demi-.
demyship, n., a scholarship at Magdalen College,
Oxford, which had originally half the value of
a fellowship. - A hybrid coined fr. F. demi,
'half' (see demi-), and suff. -ship (fr. OE. -scipe).
den, n. - ME., fr. OE. denn, 'lair of a wild
beast', rei. to MLG. denne, 'lowland, wooded
vale, den', OE. denu, 'valley', OFris. dene,
'down', OHG. tenni, MHG., G. tenne, 'threshing floor', and to ON. Danir, 'the Danes', lit.
'lowlanders' (see Danes), and prob. cogn. with
01. dluinu}J, 'sandbank'. Cp. dene, 'valley', denehole. Cp. also thenar.
denarius, n., an ancient Roman silver coin. L. denarius, short for denarius nummus, 'the
coin containing ten (asses)', from deniirius,
'containing ten', and nummus, 'coin'. Deniirius
derives fr. deni, 'ten each', which stands for
*dec-noi, fr. decem, 'ten'. (Cp. sini, 'six each',
fr. sex-noi.) The denorius was so called because

425

424
it originally contained ten asses. See ten and
cp. decem-, decimal. Cp. also denary, denier,
dinar.
denary, n., tenfold. - L. denarius, 'containing
ten'. See prec. word and -ary.
denationalize, tr. v. - F. denationaliser, fr. de(used in the privative sense of this prefix) and
nationaliser. See de- and nationalize.
Derivative: denationaliz-ation, n.
denaturalize, tr. v.- Formed fr. de- (used in the
privative sense of this prefix) and naturalize.
Derivative: denaturaliz-ation, n.
denature, tr. v.- F. denaturer, fr. de- (used in the
privative sense of this prefix) and nature. See
de- and nature.
Derivative: denatur-ation, n.
dendr-, form of dendro- before a vowel.
dendriform, adj., shaped like a tree. - A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. 3sv3pov, 'tree', and L. forma,
'form, shape'. See dendro- and form, n. The
correct form is arhoriform, in which both elements are of Latin origin.
dell(lrite, n., a mineral with markings resembling
a tree (mineral.)- Formed withsubst. suff. -ite
fr. Gk. 3tv3pov, 'tree'. See dendro-.
dendritic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a
dendrite. - See prec. word and -ic.
Dendrium, n., a genus of plants of the heath
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 3ev3p(ov, dimin. of 3v3pov, 'tree'. See dendro- and -ium.
dendro-, dendri-, before a vowel dendr-, combining form meaning 'tree'. - Gk. 3e:v3po-,
3ev3pt-, 3e:v3p-, fr. 3ev3pov, 'tree', for *3v3pe:fov,
which is dissimilated fr. *3tp3pe:fov, and is cogn.
with 3p\ic;, 'an oak; a tree', 3pG[J-6c;, 'forest', Mpu,
'stem, tree, beam, spear', fr.I.-E. base *derew(o)-,
*drew(o)-, 'tree, wood', whence also Goth. triu,
OE. trio, triow, 'tree'. See tree and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element
in Epidendrum, Liriodendron, Oxydendrum,
Phoradendron, rhododendron.
Dendrobates, n., a genus of American frogs of
the family Ranidae (zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
3ev3po~ot:-re:Lv, 'to climb trees', which is compounded of 3ev3pov, 'tree', and ~ot:-r6c;, 'accessible', verbal adj. of ~ot:(vm, 'to go'. See dendro- and -bates.
Dendrobium, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) ModL., compounded of dendro- and Gk. (3to<;,
'life'. See bio-.
Dendrocolaptidae, n.pl., a family of South American birds (ornithol.) - ModL., formed with
suff. -idae fr. dendro- and Gk. xoAIX.rrre:tv, 'to
hew, cut, peck', which is rei. to x6Aot:cpo<;, 'a
blow with the fist', fr. base *qo/ii-, 'to strike,
cut'. See coup and cp. words there referred to.
dendroid, adj., shaped like a tree. - Gk. 3e:v8poe:~Tjc;, 'treelike', compounded of 3S'I3pov,
'tree', and -o~:~lj~. 'like', fr. e:!IIO<;, 'form shape'.
See deodro- and -oid.
deodroUte, n., a fossil plant. - Lit. 'tree stone'.
See deodro- and -lite.

-I

-I

denouncement

Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this

dendrology, n., the study of trees.- Compoundprefix) and nitrate.
ed of dendro- and Gk. -:t..oy(oc, fr. -:A6yo~, 'one
Derivatives: denitrat-ion, n., denitrat-or, n.
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
denitrify, tr. v., to remove nitrogen or nitrates
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
from. - Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
Derivatives : dendrolog-ic, dendrolog-ic-al, adjs.,
of this prefix) and nitrify.
dendrolog-ist, n.
denizen, n., an a.lien admitted to certain rights
dendrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
of citizenship, a naturalized citizen. - AF.
height and diameter of trees. - Compounded
deinzein (corresponding to OF. denzein, deinof dendro- and Gk. [J.hpov, 'measure'. See
zein), lit. 'one living within', fr. AF. deinz (cormeter, 'poetical rhythm'.
responding to OF. deenz, deeinz, F. dans),
dene, n., a small valley. - ME. dene, fr. OE.
'within; in', fr. Late L. deintus, 'within', fr. L.
denu, 'valley', rei. to OE. denn, 'lair of a wild
de, 'from', and intus, 'within', which is formed
beast'. See den and cp. denehole.
fr. in, 'in', with adv. suff. -tus, and suff. -ein, fr.
dene, n., a sandy tract of land. - Prob. in graL. -aneus. Cp. Gk. tn6c;, 'within', fr. ev, 'in',
dational relationship to OE. dun, 'hill'. See
and see in, prep., and -aneous.
down, 'hill'.
Derivative: denizen, tr. v.
Deneb, n., the star at: in the constellation Cygnus.
denominate, tr. v. - L. denominatus, pp. of
- Arab. dluinab (in vulgar pronunciation dhedinominiire, 'to name specifically, denominate',
neb ), short for dluinab ad-dajaja", 'the tail of the
fr. de- and nominare, 'to give a name to, to
hen'. Arab. dhdnab is rel. to Heb. zdruibh, Aram.
name', from nomen, gen. nominis, 'name'. See
dunb&, dinbti, Ethiop. zanb, Akkad. zibbatu,
nominate.
'tail'.
denomination, n. --OF. denominacion (F. denoDenebola, n., the star ~ in the constellation Leo.
mination), fr. L. denominiitionem, ace. of denomi-Arab. dhdnab al-(dsad), 'the tail of the (lion)'.
natio (in classical L. used only in the sense of
See prec. word.
'metonymy'), fr. denominiitus, pp. of denomidenegate, tr. v., to deny (obsol.) - L. denegiitus,
nare. See prec. word and -ion.
pp. of denegiire, 'to deny'. See deny and verbal
Derivatives: denomination-al, adj., denominasuff. -ate.
tion-al-ly, adv., denomination-al-ism, n., denoDerivative: de negat-ion, n.
mination-al-ize, tr. v.
denehole, n., one of the ancient caves found in
denominative, adj. - Late L. denominativus, fr.
Kent and Essex. - Compounded of dene, 'valL. denominatus, pp. of denominare. See denoley', and hole.
minate and -ive.
dengue, n., an infectious tropical disease charDerivatives: denominative, n., denominative-ly,
acterized by high fever, rash and severe pains
adv.
in the head, back and joints. - Sp., lit. 'stiffdenominator, n.- ML., fr. L. denominatus, pp. of
ness', fr. Swahili dinga, 'cramplike seizure'; indenominiire. See denominate and agential suff. -or.
fluenced in form by Sp. dengue, 'prudery'. The
denotation, n. - Late L. denotatio, gen. -onis, 'a
Negroes of the West Indies altered this word
marking or pointing out', fr. L. denotatus, pp. of
into dandy, whence dandy fever.
denotare. See denote and -ation.
denial, n. -Formed fr. deny with subst. suff. -al.
denotative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
denier, n., one who denies. - Formed fr. deny
denotiitus, pp. of denotare. See next word.
with agential suff. -er.
Derivatives: denotative-ly, adv., denotativedenier, n., a French coin. - F., fr. L. denarius,
ness, n.
whence also Olt. danaio, It. daruiro, denaro,
denote, tr. v. - F. denoter, fr. L. denotare, 'to
Proven9. denier, dinier, Sp. dinero, Port. dimark or point out, indicate', fr. de- and notare,
nheiro. See denarius.
'to mark, note, observe'. See note, v.
denigrate, tr. v., to blacken; to sully; to defame.
denouement, n., unraveling of a plot; final revel- L. denigriitus, pp. of denigrare, 'to blacken
ation in a play, etc. - F., lit. 'an unknotting,
thoroughly; to defame', fr. de- and nigrare, 'to
untying', fr. denouer, 'to untie, unravel', fr. debe black, to blacken', fr. niger, 'black'. See
(see de-) and nouer, fr. L. nodiire, 'to fill or
Negro and verbal suff. -ate.
furnish with knots', fr. nodus, 'knot'. See node
Derivatives: denigrat-ion, n., denigrat-or, n.
and -ment.
denim, n., a coarse cotton drill. -Fr. F. de Nimes, 'of Nimes', in serge de Nimes, 'serge of denounce, tr. v. - OF. denoncier, denoncer (F.
dinoncer), fr. L. deniintiiire, 'to make an official
Nimes'; so called after Nimes, a city in southern
announcement of, announce, declare; to threatFrance, where it was first made.
en, denounce', fr. de- and niintiare, 'to announDenis, masc. PN. - F. Denis, fr. L. Dionysius,
ce, declare, report, narrate; to inform against,
fr. Gk . .1wv6aw~. 'of Dionysos'. See Diodenounce', fr. niintius, 'messenger, envoy'. See
nysius
nuncio and cp. denunciate.
Denise, fern. PN.- F., fern. of Denis. See prec.
denouncement, n. -OF. denoncement, fr. denonword.
cer. See prec. word and -ment.
denitrate, tr. v., to remove nitric acid from. -

dense

dense, adj. - L. densus (whence also F. dense),

'thick, thickly set, crowded, dense', cogn. with
Gk. 3<Xcru~ (for *diJSUs), 'thick, with hair, hairy,
bushy, thick, dense'. Cp. dasy-.Cp. also condense.
Derivatives: dense-ly, adv., dense-ness, n.
densimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
density of a substance. - A hybrid coined fr.
L. densus, 'dense', and Gk. !le't"pov, 'measure'.
See dense and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
density, n. - F. densite, fr. L. densitiitem, ace.
of densitiis, 'thickness, density', fr. densus. See
dense and -ity.
dent, n., depression. - A dialectal var. of dint.
dent, n., a toothlike projection; an indentation.
- F., fr. L. dentem, ace. of dens, 'tooth'. See
denti- and cp. indentation.
dentagra, n., I) toothache; 2) a tooth forceps.A Medical Latin hybrid coined fr. L. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth', and Gk. &ypii, 'a catching, seizure'. For the first element see denti-, for the
second see chiragra. The correct word would be
odontagra, fr. Gk. Mwv, gen. o36v..o~, 'tooth',
and &ypii.
dental, adj. - ML. dentiilis, 'pertaining to a
tooth or teeth', fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'.
See denti- and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: dental, n., a dental sound, dentalize
(q.v.), dental-ly, adv.
dentalize, tr. v., to make dental. - A hybrid
coined fr. ML. denttilis (see prec. word) and
-ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivative: dentaliz-ation, n.
Dentaria, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Late L. dentarius,
'pertaining to the teeth', fr. L. dens, gen. dentis,
'tooth'. See denti-.
dentate, adj., having a toothlike projection. L. dentiitus, 'toothed, dentate', fr. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth'. See denti- and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: dentat-ed, adj., dentat-ion, n.
dentato-, combining form meaning 'dentate'. Fr. L. dentiitus. See prec. word.
denteUe, n., lace. - F., lit. 'a little tooth', dimin.
of dent, 'tooth', fr. L. dentem, ace. of dens,
'tooth'. See denti- and cp. dentil.
denti-, before a vowel dent-, combining form
meaning 'tooth'. - L. denti-, dent-, fr. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth; point, spike', which is cogn.
with Gk. o3C:>V, gen. o36v..o~, Goth. tunpus, OE.
top, 'tooth'. See tooth and cp. words there referred to.
denticle, n., I) a small tooth; 2) a small projection; 3) a dentil.- L. denticulus, 'a small tooth',
dirnin. of dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See dentiand -cle.
denticuJar, adj., resembling a small tooth. Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. denticulus. See denticle.
denticulate, adj., having small toothlike projections. - L. denticuliitus, 'furnished with small
teeth', fr. denticulus. See deatide and adj. suiT.

-ate.

426

Derivatives: denticulat-ed, adj., denticulat-ion, n.

dentiform, adj., tooth-shaped. - Compounded
of denti- and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See
form, n.
dentifrice, n., toothpowder. - F. dentifrice, fr.
L. dentifricium, 'powder for rubbing the teeth',
fr. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and the stem of
frictire, 'to rub'; see denti- and friction. L. dentifricium was coined by Pliny. The word dentifrice was introduced into French by the surgeon
Ambroise Pare (I5I7'?-I59<>).
dentigerous, adj., having teeth. - Lit. 'bearing
teeth', compounded of denti-, the stem of gerere,
'to bear', and suff. -ous. See gerent.
dentil, n., one of a series of square blocks projecting like teeth (archit.) - ME. dentil/e, fr.
OF. dentille, lit. 'a small tooth', dimin. of dent,
fr. L dentem, ace. of dens, 'tooth'. See denti- and
cp. dentelle.
dentilingual, adj., pronounced with the point of
the tongue against the teeth (said of consonants,
esp. of the sounds of th in thin and this). -See
denti- and lingual.
dentimeter, n., an instrument for measuring
teeth.- A hybrid coined fr. L. dens, gen. dentis,
'tooth', and Gk. f.Lhpov, 'measure'. See dentiand meter, 'poetical rhythm'. The correct form
would be odontometer, fr. Gk. 03wv, gen. o36v't"o~, 'tooth', and !le't"pov, 'meter'.
dentine, also dentin, n., a calcareous substance
forming the chief mass of a tooth (anat.) Formed with suff. -ine, -in, fr. L. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth'. See denti-.
dentiphone, n., an instrument placed against the
teeth to enable the deaf to hear. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and Gk.
<pwv~. 'sound'. See denti- and phone. The correct
form would be odontophone, fr. Gk. Mwv, gen.
036v..o~, 'tooth', and <pwv~. 'sound'.
dentist, n. - F. dentiste, a hybrid coined fr. L.
dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and Gk. suff. -t<J"t'ij~.
See denti- and suff. -ist.
Derivative: dentist-ry, n.
dentition, n., the cutting of teeth; teething. - L.
dentitio, gen. -onis, 'teething', fr. dentit-(um),
pp. stem of dentire, 'to cut teeth, to teethe'. See
denti- and -ion.
dentoid, adj., tooth-shaped. - A hybrid coined
fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and Gk. -oetlllj~
'like', fr. d3o~. 'form, shape'. See denti- and
-oid. The correct form is either odontoid or dentiform. (In the former both elements are of
Greek, in the latter, of Latin origin).
denture, n., a set of teeth, esp. a set of false teeth.
-F., fr. dent, 'tooth'. See dent, 'toothlike projection', and -ure.
denudation, n. - F. denudation, fr. L. deniitliitionem, ace. of deniidati6, 'a laying bare', fr.
deniidatus, pp. of deniidare. See denude and
-ation.
clenudatiYe, adj. -Formed with sutf. -lYe fr. L.
deniidtltw, pp. of deniidare. See next word.

427

denude, tr. v., to lay bare. - L. denudiire, 'to lay

bare, strip; to uncover, expose', fr. de- and nildare, 'to make naked; to expose', fr. nudus,
'naked'. Sec nude.
denunciate, tr. v., to denounce.- L. denuntiiitus,
pp. of denuntiiire. See denounce and verbal suff.
-ate.

denunciation, n. - L. deniintititi6, gen. -6nis, fr.

denuntititus, pp. of deniintitire. See prec. word
and -ion.
denunciative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr.
L. deniintiiitus, pp. of denuntitire. See denunciate.
Derivative: denunciative-ly, adv.
denunciatory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. deniintiiitus, pp. of deniintitire. See denunciate.
deny, tr. v.- ME. denien, fr. F. denier, fr. L. denegtire, 'to deny, reject, refuse' (whence also It.
dinegare, Provenc;., Sp., Port. denegar), fr. deand negiire, 'to say no, to deny, refuse'. See
negate.
deodaml, n., a thing that had caused the death of
a human being and was therefore forfeited to
the Crown, to be used for pious purposes (English law).- ML. deodandum, fr. L. De6 dandum,
'to be given to God', from the dative of Deus
and the neut. gerundive of dare, 'to give'. See
deity and date, 'point of time'. For the use of
Latin gerundives in English cp. agenda and
words there referred to.
deodar, n., a kind of cedar. - Hind., lit. 'divine
tree', fr. 01. devaddru, fr. diva!;, 'divine' and
ddru, 'wood, tree'. See deity and tree.
deodorant, adj. and n. -See deodorize and -ant.
deodorize, tr. v., to remove the odor of.- Formed
fr. de- (used in the privative sense of this prefix), L. odor, 'smell', and -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin. See odor.
Derivatives: deodoriz-ation, n., deodoriz-er, n.
deontology, n., the science of moral duty. Coined by the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) in 1826 fr. Gk. Uov, gen.
3iov..oc;, 'that which is needful', neut. pres.
part. of 3Ei:, 'it is necessary, it behoves one',
and -Aoy('X, fr. -Myoc;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. Gk. 3Ei: is the third person of Mw, 'I am
in need of, I need', which prob. stands for
*3EJcrw, and is rei. to 3EJw, 3EJOfJ.'X~, 'I am
wanting, I am deficient', and cogn. with 01.
d6$al;z, 'want, need'. Cp. deutero-. For the second
element see -logy.
Derivatives: deontolog-ical, adj., deontolog-ist, n.
deoxidize, tr. v., 1) to remove oxygen from: 2) to
reduce from the state of an oxide (chem.) Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and oxidize.
Derivatives: deoxidiz-ation, n., deoxidiz-er, n.
deoxygenate, tr. v., to remove oxygen from
(chem.) - Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix), oxygen and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: deoxygenat-ion, n.

dephlogisticated air

depart, intr. and tr. v. - ME. departen, 'to depart; to go away', fr. OF. departir (F. departir),
'to divide, distribute', se departir, 'to separate
oneself', fr. de- (see de-) and partir, 'to divide,
separate', se partir, 'to separate one~elf, leave',
fr. L. partfre, 'to divide', fr. pars, gen. part is,
'part'. See part, n. and v., and cp. OProvenc;.
d~partir, and Sp. despartir, It. spartire, 'to divide, distribute' (these latter derive fr. L. dispartfre, of s.m.).
department, n.- ME., fr. OF. departement (F.
departement), fr. departir. See depart and -ment.
Derivatives: department-al, adj., departmentalism, departmental-ize, tr. v., department-al-ly,
adv., departure (q.v.)
departure, n. - OF. departeiire, fr. departir. See
depart and -ure.
depasture, tr. v., to pasture. - Formed fr. deand pasture.
Derivatives: depastur-age, n., departur-ation, n.
depauperate, tr. v., to make poor. - ML. depaupertitus, pp. of depaupertire, 'to make poor', fr.
de- and L. pauper, 'poor'. See pauper and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: depauperat-ion, n.
depauperate, adj., depauperated.- ML. depauperiitus, pp. of depauperiire. See depauperate, v.
depauperize, tr. v., to free from paupers or from
poverty. - Formed fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this prefix) and pauperize.
Derivative: depauperiz-ation, n.
depeche, n., a dispatch. - F., fr. depecher, 'to
dispatch', fr. OF. despeechier (shortened fr. *desempechier), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and -peechier
(F. -pecher) in empeechier (F. empecher), 'to
hinder', fr. L. impediciire, 'to catch in a trap',
fr. pedica, 'shackle, fetter', fr. pes, gen. pedis,
'foot'. See dis- and pedal and cp. impeach. E.
dispatch (q.v.) is not related to depeche.
depend, intr. v. - OF. dependre (F. tfependre),
fr. VL. dependere, corresponding to L. dependere, 'to hang from, hang down; be dependent
on', which is formed fr. de- and pendere, 'to
hang, be suspended, float, hover, depend on'.
See pendant.
Derivatives: depend-able, adj., depend-abil-ity,
n., depend-able-ness, n., depend-abl-y, adv., dependence (q.v.), dependent (q.v.), depend-er, n.,
depend-ing, adj., depend-ing-ly, adv.
dependence, also dependance, n. - F. dependance, fr. dependant, pres. part. of dependre. See
prec. word and -ence.
dependency, n. - See prec. word and -cy.
dependent, adj. - F. dependant, pres. part. of
dependre, "to depend'. See depend and -ent.
dependent, dependant, n. - Fr. prec. word.
dephlogisticate, tr. v., to deprive of phlogiston.
-Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix), phlogistic and verbal suff. -ate.
dephlogisticated air. - A name given to oxygen
by its discoverer, the English clergyman and
chemist Joseph Priestley (1733-18o4).

dephosphorize

dephosphorize, tr. v., to remove phosphorus from.

- Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix), phosphorus and suff. -ize.
Derivative: dephosphoriz-ation, n.
depict, tr. v., to portray; to describe. - L. depictus, pp. of depingere, 'to portray, paint,
sketch, describe', fr. de- and pingere, 'to paint,
color, decorate, embellish, embroider'. See
picture.
Derivatives: depict-er, depict-or, n., depiction
(q.v.), depicture (q.v.).
depiction, n.- Late L. depictio, gen. -onis, 'paint
ing, description', fr. L. depictus, pp. of depingere. See prec. word and -ion.
depicture, tr. v., to depict. -Formed with suff.
-ure fr. L. depictus, pp. of depingere. See depict,
picture.
deplenish, tr. v., to remove the furniture from.Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and OF. pleniss-, pres. part. stem of
plenir, 'to fill', fr. L. plenus, 'full'. See full, adj.,
and verbal suff. -ish, and cp. plenum, replenish.
Cp. also next word.
deplete, tr. v., to empty. - L. depletus, pp. of
di!plere, 'to empty out, draw off, exhaust', fr.
de- and pli!re, 'to fill', whence plenus, 'full'. See
full, adj., and cp. prec. word. Cp. also complete,
replete.
Derivatives: deplet-ion, n., deplet-ive, deplet-ory,
adjs.
deplorable, adj.- F. deplorable ,fr. deplorer, 'to deplore', fr. L. di!ploriire. See next word and -able.
Derivatives: deplorabil-ity, n., deplorable-ness,
n., deplorabl-y, adv.
deplore, tr. v. -F. deplorer, fr. L. deploriire, 'to
weep bitterly, moan, bewail, lament', fr. deand ploriire, 'to cry out; to wail, lament', which
is of imitative origin. Cp. explore, implore.
Derivative: deplor-er, n.
deploy, tr. and intr. v., to spread out, extend
(mil.)- F. deployer, 'to unfold', fr. L. displiciire,
'to unfold'. Sec display, which is a doublet of
deploy.
Derivative: deploy, n.
deployment, n. -F. deploiement, 'unfolding', fr.
dep/oyer. Sec prcc. word and -ment.
deplume, tr. v., to pull the feathers of, to unplume. - F. deplumer, pluck, unplume', fr.
ML. deplumare, fr. de- and L. pluma, 'feather,
down'. See plume and cp. unplume.
depolarize, tr. v., to deprive of polarity. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and polarize.
Derivative: depolariz-ation, n.
depolish, tr. v., to destroy the polish of. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and polish.
depone, tr. and intr. v., to dep.ose.- L. dep6nere,
'to lay down, put aside, deposit', in ML. also
'to testify', fr. de- and ponere, 'to put, place,
set up; to appoint; to propose'. See position and
cp. words there referred to.

428

deponent, adj., said of verbs that are passive in

form but active in meaning (Latin and Greek
grammar). - L. deponens, gen. -enlis, lit. 'putting down or aside', pres. part. of deponere; see
prec. word and -ent. These verbs are called deponent, because they have 'put aside', part of
their conjugation, i.e. the active voice. L.
deponens is prop. a loan translation of Gk.
&:rrolknx6~, fr. &:rron.&.Svor;L, 'to put away'.
Derivative: deponent, n., a deponent verb.
deponent, n., one who makes a deposition under
oath. - See depone and deponent, adj.
depopulate, tr. and intr. v. - L. depopuliitus, pp.
of depopuliirf, 'to lay waste, ravage, destroy',
fr. de- and populiirf, 'to lay waste, destroy', lit.
'to overrun with an army', fr. populus, 'people',
also used in the sense of 'army'. See people,
populate. For the sense development of L. populiirf, 'to lay waste', fr. populus, 'people', cp. G.
verheeren, 'to lay waste', fr. Heer, 'army'.
depopulation, n. - L. depopuliiti6, gen. -onis, 'a
laying waste', fr. depopuliitus, pp. of depopuliirf.
See prec. word and -ion.
deport, tr. v., to expel, exile. - F. deporter, fr.
L. deportiire, 'to carry off or away', fr. de- (see
de-) and portiire, 'to carry'. See port, 'to carry'.
deport, reflexive v., to behave. - OF. deporter
(F. deporter), 'to behave', fr. de- (see de-) and
porter, 'to carry', fr. L. portiire. See port, 'to
carry'.
deportment, n., behavior. -OF. deportement, fr.
deporter. See deport, 'to behave', and -ment.
depose, tr. v.- F. deposer, fr. de- (see de-) and
poser, 'to place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: depos-able, adj., depos-al, n., depos-er, n.
deposit, tr. v. - L. depositus, pp. of dep6nere,
'to lay down, entrust', fr. de- and ponere, 'to
place'. Sec depone.
Derivatives: deposit-arion, n., deposit-ee, n.
deposit, n. - L. depositum, 'something laid
down', neuter of depositus, pp. of deponere. See
prec. word and cp. depot, which is a doublet
of deposit.
depositary, n., I) a person with whom something
is left for safekeeping; 2) a depository. - Late
L. depositiirius, 'one who receives a deposit',
fr. L. depositus, 'laid down, deposited'. See
deposit, v., and subst. suff. -ary.
deposition, n. - OF., fr. L. depositionem, a~. of
depositi6, 'a laying down, depositing', fr. dipositus, pp. of deponere, 'to lay down'. See deposit and -ion.
Derivative: deposition-al, adj.
depositor, n. - Late L. depositor, 'one who deposits', fr. L. depositus, pp. of deponere. See
deposit and agential suff. -or.
depository, n., a place where something is deposited. - ML. depositorium, 'a place where
something is deposited', fr. L. depositus, pp. of
deponere. See deposit, v., and subst. suff. -ory.

429

depot, n., I) a storehouse; 2) a railroad station.F. depot, fr. OF. depost,lit. 'a place where something is deposited', fr. L. depositum. See deposit, n.
depravation, n., corruption. -F. depravation, fr.
L. depraviiti6nem, a~. of depraviitio, 'a perverting, distorting' fr. depraviitus, pp. of depraviire. See next word and -ion.
deprave, tr. v., to corrupt. - L. depraviire, 'to
pervert, corrupt, distort, disfigure', fr. de- and
pravus, 'crooked, perverted, vicious, wicked'.
See pravity.
Derivatives: deprav-ed, adj., deprav-ed-ly, adv.,
deprav-ed-ness, n., deprav-er, n.
depravity, n.- Formed fr. deprave on analogy
ofpravity.
deprecate, tr. v., 1) to seek to avert by prayer
(archaic); 2) to disapprove of.- L. depreciitus,
pp. of depreciirf, 'to avert by prayer, to pray
for, intercede for', fr. de- and preciiri, 'to ask,
beg, pray, request'. See pray and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. imprecate.
Derivatives: deprecating-ly, adv., deprecation,
deprecative, deprecatory (qq.v.).
deprecation, n., disapproval. - F. deprecation,
fr. L. depreciitionem, ace. of depreciitio, 'an
averting by prayer, intercession', fr. deprecatus,
pp. of depreciirf. See prec. word and -ion.
deprecative, adj., deprecatory. - F. deprecatif
(fern. deprecative), fr. Late L. depreciitivus, fr.
L. depreciitus, pp. of depreciirf. See deprecate
and -ive. Derivative: deprecative-ly, adv.
deprecatory, adj., deprecating. - Late L. depreciit6rius, fr. L. depreciitus, pp. of depreciirf. See
deprecate and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: deprecatori-ly, adv., deprecatoriness, n.
depreciable, adj. - See next word and -able.
depreciate, tr. and intr. v., I) to lower the price
of; 2) to belittle, disparage. - L. depretiiitus,
pp. of depretiiire, 'to lower the price of, undervalue, depreciate', fr. de- and pretiiire, 'to prize,
value', fr. pretium, 'price, value'. See price and
cp. appreciate. Cp. also dispraise, disprize.
Derivatives: depreciat-ing-ly, adv., depreciation, n., depreciat-ive, adj., depreciat-ive-ly, adv.,
depreciat-or, n., depreciat-ory, adj., depreciatori-ness, n.
depredate, tr. and intr. v., to plunder. - L. depraediitus, pp. of depraediiri, 'to plunder, pillage', fr. de- and praediiri, 'to plunder', fr.
praeda, 'booty, plunder'. See prey and verbal
suff. -ate.
depredation, n., plundering.- F. depredation, fr.
L. depraediiti6nem, ace. of depraediiti6, 'a plundering', fr. depraediitus, pp. of depraediiri. See
prec. word and -ion.
depredator,n.,a plunderer.- Late L. depraediitor,
'plunderer', fr. depraediitus, pp. of depraediirf.
See depredate and agential suff. -or.
depress, tr. v. - OF. depresser, Cr. Late L. *depressiire, freq. of L. deprimere (pp. depressus),

deraign

'to press down, weigh down, plant deep, dig

deep, depress', fr. de- and premere, 'to press'.
See press, v., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: depress-ant, adj. and n., depress-ed,
adj., depress-ible, adj., depress-ing, adj., depressing-ly, adv., depress-ing-ness, n., depression
(q.v.), depress-ive, adj., depress-ive-ly, adv., depress-ive-ness, n., depress-or, n.
depression, n. - L. depressio, gen. -6nis, 'a pressing down', fr. depressus, pp. of deprimere. See
prec. word and -ion.
deprivable, adj. - See deprive and -able.
deprivation, n. - ML. depriviitio, gen. -6nis, fr.
depriviire. See deprive and -ion.
deprive, tr. v.- OF. depriver, fr. ML. depriviire,
fr. de- and L. priviire, 'to bereave, deprive, rob'.
See private.
Derivatives: deprive-men!, n., depriv-er, n.
de profundis, name of the 130th psalm. - L.,
'out of the depths'; so called from the first
words of the Latin version, rendering Heb. mimma'iimaqqfm. See de- and profound.
depside, also depsid, n., any of a group of compounds formed by the condensation of two
molecules of a phenolic acid (chem.)- G. Depsid,
coined by the German chemist Emil Fischer
(I852-1929) fr. Gk. 3~<jle:Lv, 'to tan', an s-enlargement of 3scpe:Lv, 'to knead, soften', which is
prob. cogn. with. Arm. top'em, 'I strike, beat',
Serbo-Croatian depiim, depati, 'to thrust, strike',
Pol. deptac, 'to tread'. For the ending see chem.
suff. -id.
depth, n.- Formed fr. deep on analogy of length.
Cp. ON. dypt, dypo, Du. diepte, Goth. diupipa,
'depth'.
depurate, tr. v., to free from impurities. - ML.
depuriitus, pp. of depuriire, 'to purify thoroughly', fr. de- and pfiriire, 'to purify', fr. plirus,
'clean, pure'. See pure and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: depurat-ion, n., depurat-ile, adj ..
depurat-or, n., depurat-ory, adj.
deputation, n. -- See next word and -ation.
depute, tr. v. - F. deputer, fr. L deputiire, 'to
cut off, prune; to esteem, consider', in Late L.,
'to destine, allot', fr. de- and putiire, 'to trim,
prune, lop, clean, cleanse; to think over, consider, reckon, count'. See putamen and cp. putative and words there referred to.
deputize, tr. v., to appoint as a deputy; intr. v.,
to act as a deputy. - Formed fr. deputy with
suff. -ize.
deputy, n.- F. depute, prop. pp. of deputer, used
as a noun. - See depute and -y (representing
OF. -e, F. -e).
deracinate, tr. v., to tear out by the roots. -Fr.
F. deraciner, fr. de- (see de-) and racine, 'root', fr.
Late L. riidicina, dimin. of L. riidix, gen. riidicis,
'root' (see radix and verbal suff. -ate); intro
duced into English by Shakespeare. Cp. Rum.
riidiCina, 'root', which also derives from La,e
L. riidfcfna. Derivative: deracinat-ion, n.
deraign, tr. v., to vindicate. - OF. deraisnier,

430

derail

'to tell, teach; to vindicate, justify', fr. de- and

raisnier, 'to speak, plead, instruct', fr. VL.
*rationiire, 'to reason', fr. L. ratio, 'reckoning,
calculation, reason'. See reason and cp. arraign, 'to call to account'.
derail, tr. v., to cause to run off the rails;
intr. v., to run off the rails. - F. derai/ler, fr.
de- (see de-) and rail, 'rail'. See rail, 'bar'.
derailment, n. - F. deraillement, fr. derail/er.
See prec. word and -ment.
derange, tr. v., 1) to disarrange; 2) to make insane. - F. deranger, fr. OF. desrengier, a hybrid coined fr. des- (fr. L. dis, 'apart, asunder')
and OF. rengier, rangier (F. ranger), 'to put
into line', a word of Teut. origin. See dis- and
range and cp. arrange.
derangement, n. -F. derangement, fr. deranger.
See prec. word and -ment.
derate, tr. v., to reduce the rates of. - Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
rate, 'amount'.
Derby, n., a horse race held annually at Epsom.Named after the 12th Earl of Derby.
derby, n., a bowler hat. - Of uncertain origin.
Derceto, n., the same as Atargatis. - L. Derceto, fr. Gk. lltpxeTw, shortened fr. 'A't'O(pycht~.
See Atargatis.
derelict, adj., abandoned; n., something abandoned. - L. derelictus, 'wholly forsaken', pp.
of derelinquere, 'to forsake wholly, resign, relinquish'. See de- and relinquish and cp. relict.
Derivatives: dereliction (q.v.), derelict-ly, adv.,
derelict-ness.
dereliction, n., the act of abandoning. - L. derelictio, gen. -on is, 'an abandoning, forsaking',
fr. derelict us, pp. of derelinqu<'re. See prec. word
and -ion.
deride, tr. v., to mock. - L. deridere, 'to laugh
at, scorn, mock', fr. de- and ridcre, 'to laugh'.
See risible and cp. next word.
Derivative: derid-er, n.
derision, n., the act of deriding: contempt.- F.
derision, fr. L. derisionem, ace. of derisio, fr.
derisus, pp. of deridere. See prec. word and -ion.
derisive, adj., expressing derision. - Formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. derisus. pp. of deridere. See
deride.
Derivatives: derisie-ly, adv., derisive-ness, n.
derivate, adj. - L. deri<'iitus, pp. of deriviire. See
derive and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: derirate, n., derirate-ly, adv.
derivation, n.- F. deriration, fr. L. derhiitionem,
ace. of deriiitio, a leading off, turning off;
etymology, derivation'. See derive and -ation.
Denvatives: deriration-al, adj., deriration-ist, n.
derivative, adj. and n. - F. deriratif (fern. derivati<e), fr. Late L. deri<'iitivus, fr. L. derlviitus.
See derivate and -ive.
derive, tr. and intr. v.- OF. deriver (F. deriver),
fr. L. deririire, 'to change the course of a river',
in Late L. used also in the sense of 'to derive';
fr. de- and rivus, 'a small stream'. Accordingly

the word prop. means 'to draw away a word

from its source'. See rivulet.
Derivatives: deriv-able, adj., deriv-abl-y, adv.,
deriv-ahil-ity, n., deriv-al, n., derivate (q.v.),
derivation (q.v.), derivative (q.v.), deriv-ed, adj.,
deriv-ed-ly, adv., deriv-ed-ness, n., deriv-er, n.
-derm, suff. meaning 'skin, covering', as in blastoderm.- Fr. Gk. llE:p[LO(, 'skin'. See derma and
cp. pachyderm.
derma, also derm, n., skin, esp. the layer of the
skin below the epidermis (anat.) - ML. derma,
fr. Gk. 3Ep[LO(, 'skin', formed with suff. -[LO( (see
-m), from the stem of 3pttv, lldpetv, 'to flay'
(whence also llipO(~, llspo~, 3ppt~, llop&., 'skin',
Mpcrt~. 'tearing, flaying, separation'), which is
cogn. with Goth. dis-tairan, 'to tear to pieces',
OE. reran, 'to tear'. See tear, 'to rend', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also adermia, ecderon, endermic, epidermis, exodermis, hypodermis, leucoderma, pachyderm, taxidermy,
xeroderma.
dermal, adj., pertaining to the skin. -A hybrid
formed fr. Gk. ll:fp[L:x, 'skin' (see prec. word),
with -al, a suff. of Latin origin.
dermat-, form of dermato- before a vowel.
dermatalgia, n., pain in the skin (med.)- Medical L., compounded of dermat- and -O(Aylix, fr.
/};).yo~, 'pain'. See -algia.
dermatic, adj., pertaining to the skin. - Gk.
3tp!J.O('t'tx6~, fr. ll:fp[LO(, gen. ll:fp[Lno~. 'skin'. See
derma and -ic.
dermatitis, n., inflammation of the skin below the
epidermis (med.) - Medical L., formed with
suff. -itis fr. Gk. llip[LO(, gen. ll:fp[LO(-:o~, 'skin'.
See derma.
dermato-, before a vowel dermat-, combining
form meaning 'of, or pertaining to, the skin'.Gk. llep[LO(-:o-, lltp[LO('t'-, fr.ll:fp[LO(, gen. 3p[LO('t'O~,
'skin'. See derma.
Dermatobia, n., a genus of botflies (entomol.) ModL., lit. 'living under the skin', compounded
of dermato- and Gk. ~lo~, 'life' (see bio-); so
called because the larvae of this genus live
under the skin of animals and man.
dermatography, n., anatomical description of the
skin. - Compounded of dermato- and Gk.
-yp:x9li, fr. ypi9m, 'to write'. See -graphy.
dermatoid, adj., resembling skin.- Compounded
of dermat- and Gk. -oetllf,~. 'like', fr. dSo.;,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
dermatology, n., the study of the skin. -Compounded of dermato- and Gk. -}.oyli, fr. -A6yo.;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: dermatolog-ical, adj., dermatologist, n.

dermatosis, n., any disease of the skin (med.) Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr. Gk. ll:fp].LO(,
gen. ll:fp[L~'t'o~. 'skin'. See derma.
Dermestes, n .. a genus of voracious beetles (entomol.)- ModL., fr. Gk. llep[LlJOTIJ~. 'a worm
that eats skin', which is compounded of Gk.

431

3p[LO(, 'skin', and the stem of E:cr%letv, 'to eat'.

For the first element see derma. Gk. icr%letv is
a back formation fr. Ecr%t, 'eat!', imper. of
Elletv, 'to eat', which is cogn. with Goth. itan,
OE. etan, 'to eat'. See eat and cp. words there
referred to.
dermic, adj., pertaining to the skin. -Irregularly
formed fr. Gk. lltP[LO(, 'skin'; see derma. The
regular form is dermatic.
dermis, n., the derma. - Medical L., back formation fr. epidermis (q.v.)
dermo-, combining form, of the same meaning as
dermato- (anat.) - Gk. 3ep(.LO- (as in 3ep(.L61t't'epo~, 'with membranous wings', Sep(.L67tTUAov,
'leather cushion'), a short form for llep(.LIX't'O-.
See dermato-.
Dermochelys, n., a genus of turtles (zoo/.) ModL., compounded of dermo- and Gk. )(tAO<;,
'tortoise'. See Chelonia.
dem, adj., hidden, secret (archaic). - ME. derne,
fr. OE. derne, dierne, 'concealed, secret, dark',
rei. to OS. derni, OFris. dern. OHG. tarni, of
s.m., OHG. tarnjan, MHG. tarnen, 'to conceal,
hide' (whence G. Tarnkappe, 'cloak of invisibility'). F. ternir, 'to tarnish, to dull', is a Teut. loan
word; see tarnish.
demier ressort, last expedient. - F., lit. 'last resort', F. dernier, 'last', is a contraction of OF.
derrenier, which is formed on analogy of premier, 'first', fr. OF. derrain, 'last'. See d;lrrein.
For the etymology of F. ressort, 'resort', see
ressort, n.
derogate, tr. v., to reduce the value of, detract
from; intr. v., to detract.- L. derogiitus, pp. of
derogiire, 'to take away, detract from, diminish;
to disparage', fr. de- and rogiire, 'to ask, beg,
entreat'. See rogation and cp. abrogate.
derogation, n.- F. derogation, fr. L. derogiiti6-.
nem, ace. of derogiitio, fr. derogiitus, pp. of
derogiire. See prec. word and -ion.
derogatory, adj. - Late L. derogiitorius, fr. L.
derogiitus, pp. of derogiire. See derogate and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivatives: derogatori-ly, adv., derogatoriness, n.
derrick, n., a device for lifting weights. -Named
after Derrick, a hangman at Tyburn Prison in
London, who lived about the beginning of the
17th cent.
Derivative: derrick, tr. and intr. v.
derring-do, n., desperate courage. - This noun
owes its existence to an error. Spenser mistook
the words dorryng don in Chaucer's Troi/us,
v. 834, for a noun. The equivalents of these two
words are in reality daring do (i.e. 'daring
to do').
derringer, n., a short-barreled pistol. - Named
after its inventor Henry Derringer, an American.
Derris, n., a genus of vines of the pea family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. Uppt<;, 'skin; leather
covering', which is rei. to lltp].LOC, 'skin'. See
derma.

descry

dervish, n., a Mohammedan mendicant monk.Turk. derwish, fr. Pers. diirwesh, 'beggar; poor'.
Cp. Avestic driyu-, fern. driwl-, 'poor'.
descant, n., song, melody (music). - ONF. descant, descaunt, corresponding to OF. deschant
(F. dechant), fr. ML. discantus, fr. dis- and L.
cantus, 'song, melody'. See cant, 'slang of beggars'.
descant, intr. v., 1) to play or sing a descant; to
sing; 2) to comment (on or upon).- Partly fr.
descant, n., partly fr. ONF. descanter [corresponding to OF. deschanter (F. dechanter)], fr.
ONF. descant.
Derivative: descant-er, n.
descend, intr. and tr. v. -F. descendre, fr. L. descendere, 'to come down, descend, sink', fr. deand scandere, 'to climb'. See scan and cp. ascend, condescend. For the change of Latin d
(in scdndere) toe (in de-scendere) see accent and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: descendant, descendent (qq.v.),
descend-er, n., descendible (q.v.), descend-ing,
adj., descend-ing-ly, adv.
descendant, adj., descending (rare). - F. descendant, pres. part of descendre. See prec. word and
-ant.
Derivative: descendant, n., an offspring.
descendent, adj., descending. - L. descendens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of descendere. See descend and -ent.
descension, n. - OF., fr. L. descensionem, ace.
of descensio, 'a going down, descending', fr.
descensus, pp. of descender~. See descend and
-ion and cp. ascension.
descensive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
descensus, pp. of descendere. See descend and
-ive and cp. ascensive.
descent, n. - F. descente, formed fr. descendre,
'to descend', on analogy of nouns like OF.
pente, 'slope' (fr. pendre, 'to hang'), vente,
'sale' (fr. vendre, 'to sell'). See descend and cp.
ascent.
Deschampsia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) ModL., named after the French botanist Loiseleur Deslongchamps (1774-1849). For the ending see suff. -ia.
describe, tr. v. - L. describere, 'to write down,
copy; to sketch, represent, describe', fr. de- and
scribere, 'to write'. See scribe and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also nondescript.
Derivatives: describ-able, adj., describ-abil-ity,
n., describ-abl-y, adv.
description, n. - F., fr. L. descriptionem, ace. of
descriptio, 'representation, description, copy'.
fr. descriptus, pp. of describere. See describe
and -ion.
descriptive, adj. - Late L. descriptivus, 'containing a description', fr. L. descriptus, pp. of describere. See describe and -ive.
Derivatives: descriptive-ly, adv., descript-iveness, n.
descry, tr. v., to discern. - OF. descrier (F. de-

desecrate

crier), 'to proclaim, decry', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-)

and crier (fr. L. quiritare), 'to cry'. See dis- and
cry and cp. decry.
desecrate, tr. v., to deprive of sacredness. - A
blend of de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and consecrate (q.v.) (L. desacrare, desecriire means 'to consecrate'.) Cp. OF. dessacrer,
'to desecrate', which is formed fr. pref. des- (fr.
L. dis-) and sacrer (fr. L. sacriire), 'to consecrate'.
Derivative: desecrat-ion, n.
desensitize, tr. v.- Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and sensitize.
Derivatives: desentiz-ation, n., desensitiz-er, n.
desert, intr. v., to leave one's duty. - OF. deserter (F. deserter), fr. VL. desertare, freq. of
deserere (pp. desertus), 'to put down', hence 'to
leave, forsake, abandon, desert', lit. 'to put
down', fr. de- and serere, 'to put in a row, join
together'. See series.
Derivatives: desert-ed, adj., desert-ed-ly, adv.,
desert-ed-ness, n., desert-er, n., desertion (q.v.)
desert, adj., uninhabited, waste. - OF. desert
(F. desert), fr. L. desertus, 'deserted; desert,
waste' (whence also It. diserto, OProven9. dezert,
Sp. desierto), pp. of deserere. See desert, v.
Derivative: desert-ness, n.
desert, n., wilderness. - OF. desert (F. desert),
fr. Late L. desertum, 'a desert place, desert' (cp.
the classical L. pl. deserta, 'deserted places, deserts'), neut. of L. desertus, pp. of deserere, used
as a noun; the It., OProven9. and Sp. correspondences are identical in form with the respective adjectives. See desert, adj.
desert, n., merit. -ME. deserte, fr. OF. deserte,
prop. fern. pp. of deservir, used as a noun,
fr. VL. *deservita, corresponding to L. deservita, fern. pp. of deservire. See deserve.
desertion, n. - F. desertion, fr. L. desertionem,
ace. of deserti6, 'a forsaking, abandoning,
deserting', fr. desertus, pp. of deserere. See
desert, 'to leave', and -ion.
deserve, tr. and intr. v. - OF. deservir (F. dessenil), fr. L. deservire, 'to serve diligently, take
care of, be devoted to', fr. de- and servire, 'to
serve'. See serve and cp. desert, 'merit'.
Derivatives: deserv-ed, adj., deserv-ed-ly, adv.,
deserv-ing, adj., deserv-ing-ly, adv.
deshabille. - See dishabille.
desiccate, tr. v., to dry up; intr. v., to become
dried up. - L. desiccatus, pp. of desiccare, 'to
dry up completely', fr. de- and sicciire, 'to make
dry, drain', fr. siccus, 'dry'. See siccative and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desiccat-ion, n., desiccat-ive, adj.,
desiccat-or, n.
desiderate, tr. v., to feel a desire for. - L. desideratus, pp. of desiderare, 'to feel the want of,
wish for, long for, desire'. See desire and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desideration (q.v.), desiderat-ive,
adj.

432
desideration, n. - L. desideriiti6, gen. -6nis, fr.
desideriitus, pp. of desiderare. See prec. word
and -ion.
desiderative, n., a desiderative verb (gram.) Short for desiderative verb. See desiderate.
desideratum, n., something lacking. - L., lit.
'something desired', neut. pp. of desiderare. See
desiderate.
design, tr. and intr. v. -F. designer, fr. L. designiire, 'to mark out, trace out, designate, point
out, appoint', fr. de- and signare, 'to mark'.
See sign, v.
Derivatives: design-ed, adj., design-ed-ly, adv.,
design-ed-ness, n., design-er, n., design-ing, n.
and adj., design-ing-ly, adv.
design, n. - Earlier F. desseing (now spelled
dessein), fr. desseigner (now dessiner), fr. It.
disegnare, 'to draw, sketch; to plan', fr. L. designare. See design, v. Modern French differentiates between dessein, 'design, plan, scheme',
and dessin, 'drawing, sketch'.
designate, tr. v.- L. designatus, pp. of designare.
See design, v., and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: designation (q.v.), designat-ive, adj.,
designat-or, n., designat-ory, adj.
designate, adj. - L. designiitus, pp. of designare.
See designate, v.
designation, n. - L. designatio, gen. -6nis, 'a
marking out, designating', fr. designatus, pp. of
designare. See design, v., and -ation and cp.
prec. word.
desilverize, tr. v., to remove silver from. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and silverize.
desinence, n., ending, suffix. - F. desinence, fr.
ML. desinentia, 'ending', fr. L. desinens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of desinere, 'to cease, end, terminate', fr. de- and sinere, 'to set down; to
leave, let'. See site and -ence and cp. desition.
desipience, n., folly. - L. desipientia. fr. desipiens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
desipient, adj., foolish. - L. desipiens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of desipere, 'to be foolish', fr. de- and
sapere, 'to taste, know, be wise'. See sapient.
For the change of Latin a (in sapiens) to i (in
de-sipiens) see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
desirable, adj. - F. desirable, formed fr. desirer
after L. desiderabilis. See desire, v., and -able.
Derivatives: desirabil-ity, n., desirable-ness, n.,
desirabl-y, adv.
desire, tr. v. - F. desirer, 'to wish for, long for,
desire', fr. L. desiderare, 'to feel the want of,
wish for, long for, desire' (whence also It. desiderare, OProven9. dezirar), ong. 'to expect
from the stars', fr. de- and sidus, gen. sideris,
'star'. See sidereal and cp. consider.
Derivatives: desire n. (q.v.), desir-ed, adj., desired-ly, adv., desir-ed-ness, n., desir-er, n., desirous
(q.v.)
desire, n. -OF. desir (F. desir), fr. desirer. See
desire, v.

433

''

desirous, adj. - OF. desiros, desireus (F. desireux), fr. VL. desider6sus, fr. L. desideriire. See
desire, v., and -ous.
Derivatives: desirous-ly, adv., desirous-ness, n.
desist, intr. v., to stop. - OF. desister (F.
desister), fr. L. desistere, 'to stand aside
or apart, leave off, cease', fr. de- and sistere, 'to
cause to stand still, put, place; to stand still,
stand', from the reduplicated base of stiire,
'to stand'. See assist and cp. words there referred to.
desistance, n., the state of desisting. - Formed
fr. prec. word with suff. -ance.
desition, n., cessation of being, ending
Formed with suff -ion fr. L. desitus, 'a ceasing',
fr. desitus, pp. of desinere, 'to cease'. See desinent.
desk, n. - ME. deske, fr. ML. desca, 'a desk,
table', fr. L. discus, 'a quoit, a disk; a table'.
See dish and cp. dais, disk.
Derivative: desk, tr. v.
desm-, form of desmo- before a vowel.
desma, n., a sponge spicule (zoo/.)- ModL., fr.
Gk. 81fcr[J.<X, 'a bond'. See desmo-.
desman, n., either of two molelike mammals
(Myogale moschata, resp. Myogale pyrenaica).
- Swed. des man, 'musk'.
Desmanthus, n., a genus of plants of the mimosa
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
lltcr[J-1), 'bundle', and &v&o<;, 'flower'. See desmoand anther and cp. the first element in Desmodium and the second element in Teleodesmacea.
desmid, n., an alga of the family Desmidiaceae
(bot.)- ModL. Desmidium (name of the genus)
as if fr. Gk. *ll~cr[J.lllwv, dimin. of ll~cr[J-6<;,
'band, bond, chain' (see desmo-); so called
because it sometimes occurs in chains.
Desmidiaceae, n. pl., a family of algae (bot.) ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. ModL.
Desmidium. See prec. word.
desmo-, before a vowel desm-, combining form
meaning 'bond'. - Gk. ll~cr[J.O, llecr[J.-, fr.
ll~cr[J-6<;, 'band, bond', rei. to lllfcr[J.<X, of s.m.,
ll!fcr[J-1), 'bundle', 8m<;, 'a binding', fr.lllfeLv, 'to
bind', whence also lleTI), 'torch', lit. 'sticks,
bound together' (prop. fern. verbal adj. of lle~w.
'to bind'), the second element in Kp~-lle-[J.vov,
'headdress', 1M-Il1]!J.<X, 'band or fillet', (m:6-ll1][J.<X,
'a sandal' (lit. 'that which is bound under'), fr.
I.-E. base *de(i)-, *d'-, 'to bind. See diadem and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also desma,
desmid, syndesmo-.
Desmodium, n., a genus of plants, the tick trefoil
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. llecr[J-6<;, 'band, bond',
and suff. -w6r,<;, 'like' (see desmo- and -ode); so
called in allusion to the connected joints of
the pods.
desmoid, adj., ligamentous. - Compounded of
Gk. llecr[J-6<;, 'band, bond', and -oeLil~<;. 'like',
fr. dllo:;, 'form, shape'. See desmo- and -oid.
Desmoncus, n., a genus of trees of the palm family
(bot.) - Compounded of Gk. llea[J-6<;, 'band,

bond', and llyxo<;, 'bend, curve, hook, barb'.

See desmo- and onco-, 'barb, hook'.
Desmoscolex, n., a genus of marine worms (helminthology).- ModL., compounded of llea[J-6<;,
'band, bond', and crxw:A1]~. 'worm' (see desmoand scolex); so called from the globular head.
desolate, adj., 1) lonely; 2) deserted; 3) laid waste.
- L. desoliitus, pp. of desolare. See desolate, v.
Derivatives: desolate-ly, adv., desolate-ness, n.
desolate, tr. v., r) to make desolate; 2) to lay
waste. - L. desoliitus, pp. of des6liire, 'to leave
alone, forsake, abandon, make solitary', fr.
de- and s6liire, 'to make lonely', fr. solus, 'alone,
lonely'. See sole, 'alone', and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desolat-ing, adj., desolat-ing-ly,
adv., desolation (q.v.), desolat-or, n.
desolation, n. - F. desolation, fr. Eccles. L. des6liiti6nem, ace. of desoliitio, fr. L. desolatus, pp.
of des6lare. See desolate, v., and -ion.
despair, intr. v. - ME. despeiren, desperen, fr.
OF. despeir-, pres. sing. stem of desperer, 'to
despair', fr. L. desperare, 'to lose all hope,
despair', fr. de- and sperare, 'to hope', fr. spes,
'hope', which prob. is cogn. with OSlav. spej(!,
speti, 'to be successful', spechu, 'endeavor, aspiration', Lith. speju, speti, 'to have time; to be
quick enough'. These words prob. derive fr.
I.-E. base *spe(i)-, *spi!-, 'to draw, stretch,
spread, extend, swell; to be successful'. See
prosperous and cp. desperado, desperate, Esperanto.
Derivatives: despair, n., despair-er, n., despairing, adj., despair-ing-ly, adv., despair-ing-ness, n.
despatch, tr. v.- A var. of dispatch. The spelling
with e is erroneous; it was introduced by
Johnson.
desperado, n., a desperate criminal. - OSp., pp.
of desperar, 'to despair', fr. L. desperiire. See
despair and -ado.
desperate, adj.- L. desperatus, pp. of desperare.
See despair and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desperate-ly, adv., desperate-ness,n.
desperation, n -ME. desperacioun, fr. MF. desperation, fr. L. desperiiti6nem, ace. of desperiiti6,
'despair, hopelessness', fr. desperiitus, pp. of
desperiire. See despair, v., and -ation.
despicable, adj.- Late L. despicabilis, 'contemptible, despicable', fr. L. despicari, 'to despise,
disdain', rei. to despicere, 'to look down upon;
to despise, disdain', fr. de- and specere, spicere,
'to look at'. See species and -able and cp. next
word.
Derivatives: despicabil-ity, n., despicable-ness,
n., despicabl-y, adv.
despise, tr. v. - ME. despisen, fr. OF. despis-,
pres. part. stem of de spire, 'to despise', fr. L.
despicere, 'to look down upon, despise, disdain', fr. de- and specere, spicere, 'to look at'.
See species and cp. prec. word. Cp. also next
word.
despite, n.- ME. despit, fr. OF. despit (F. depit),
fr. L. despectus, 'a looking down; a despising,

despite

scorn, contempt', fr. despectus, pp. of despicere.

See prec. word and cp. spite.
Derivatives: despite, prep., despite-ful, adj., despite-ful-ly, adv., despite-ful-ness, n.
despite, adj.- Shortened fr. orig. 'in despite of'.
Cp. in spite of
despoil, tr. v., to plundet. - ME. despoilen, fr.
OF. despoilier, despui/ier (F. depouil/er), 'to despoil', fr. L. despo/iare, 'to rob, despoil, plunder', fr. de- and spoliare, 'to rub, plunder, pillage, spoil', lit. 'to strip of clothing', fr. spolium,
'skin stripped from an animal; arms taken from
an enemy; prey, booty'. See spoil, n., and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: despoil-er, n., despoil-ment, n.
despoliation, n., plundering. - Late L. despoliati6, gen. -6nis, 'a robbing, desporting, plundering', fr. L. despoliatus, pp. of despo/iare. See
prec. word and -ation and cp. spoliation.
despond, intr. v., to lose hope and courage.- L.
despondere, 'to promise, pledge, give up, yield,
lose courage, despond', fr. de- and spondere, 'to
engage oneself, promise'. See spouse.
Derivatives: despond-ence, n., despond-ency, n.,
despondent (q.v.), despond-er, n., despond-ing,
adj., despond-ing-ly, adv.
despondent, adj. -- L. despondens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of despondere. See prec. word and
-ent.
despot, n., tyrant. - OF. despot (F. despote), fr.
Gk. 3ecrmS-r1)c;, 'master, ruler, tyrant', which
stands for orig. *dems-pota, and prop. means
'lord of the house' and is equivalent to 01.
ddm-pati/:1, 'lord of the house'. The first element
stands in gradational relationship to Gk. 3w[Loc,
L. domus, 'house': see dome, 'building'. The
second element is rei. to Gk. :rr6mc; (for *:rr6nc;),
'husband', and cogn. with OJ. pdti/:1, 'master,
husband', L. polis, 'able, powerful', patens,
'able, mighty, powerful'. See potent and cp. possess, possible, power, puissant.
Derivatives: despotic (q.v.), despot-ism, n., despot-is!, n.
despotic, despotical, adj., pertaining to a despot;
tyrannical.- F. despotique, fr. Gk. 3ecr:rro-r~x6c;,
'inclined to tyranny, despotic', fr. 3ecr:rr6T1)c;. See
prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivatives: despotical-ly, adv., despotical-ness,
n.
desquamate, intr. v., to peel off (med.) - L. desquamatus, pp. of desquamare, 'to scale off, peel
off', fr. de- and squama, 'scale'. See squama and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. esquamate.
Derivatives: desquamat-ion, n., desquamat-ive,
adj., desquamat-ory, adj.
dessert, n., a course of fruit, sweet~. etc., served
at the end of dinner.- F., lit. 'removal of what
has been served at table', fr. desservir, 'to remove what has been served', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-,
'apart, asunder'), and serrir, 'to serve' (fr. L.
servfre). See dis- and sene.
destination, n. - L. destinati6, gen. -6nis, 'pur-

434

pose, design', fr. destinatus, pp. of destinare.

See next word and -ation.
destine, tr. v. - ME. destenen, fr. OF. ( = F.)
destiner, 'to fix, determine, destine, purpose', fr.
L. destinare, 'to make firm, fasten; to intend,
devote, destine', which stands for *de-stan-are
fr. de- and *sta-n, -n-enlargement of I.-E. bas~
*sta-, *stl-, 'to stand'. See state and cp. next
word and obstinate. For the change of Latin a
(in *stiinare) to i (in de-stlnare) see abigeat and
cp. words there referred to.
destiny, n. - ME. destinee, fr. OF. destinee (F.
destinee), lit. 'that which is destined', fern. pp.
of destiner. See prec. word.
destitute, adj., needy, deprived. - L. destitutus
pp. of destituere, 'to set down; to forsake'
abandon, desert; to disappoint', fr. de- and
statuere, 'to cause to stand, place, set up'.: See
statute and cp. constitute and words there referred to. For the change of Latin a (in stiituere)
to i (in de-stltuere) see abigeat and cp. words
there referred to.
destitution, n. - F. destitution, fr. L. destituti6nem, ace. of destituti6, 'a forsaking, deserting',
fr. destitutus, pp. of destituere. See prec. word
and -ion.
destour, destoor, dustoor, n., a Parsee high priest.
- Pers. dastur, 'ruler, rule, custom', fr. Pahlavi
dast6biir, 'ruler, minister, a Parsec high priest'.
destrier, n., a war horse (archaic).- OF., fr. VL.
*dextrarius, 'led by the right hand', fr. *dextrare, 'to lead by the right hand, to lead, ~uide',
fr. L. dextra (short for dextra manus, 'right
hand'), fern. of dexter, 'right, on the right hand'.
See dexter.
destroy, tr. v.- ME. destroien, destruien, fr. OF.
destruire (F. dtitruire), fr. VL. *destrugere
(whence also It. distruggere), refashioned fr. L.
destruxf( = destruc-sf)and destruc-tus, past tense
resp. pp. of L. destruere, 'to pull down, destroy,
ruin', which is formed fr. de- and struere 'to
pile up, build, construct'. See structure and cp.
destruction, construct.
Derivatives: destroy-able, adj., destroy-er, n.,
destroy-ing-ly, adv.
destructible, adj. - Late L. destructibilis, fr. L.
destructus, pp. of destruere. See destroy and -ible.
Derivatives: destructibil-ity, n., destructibleness, n.
destruction, n. - L. destructio, gen. -6nis, 'a pulling down, destruction', fr. destructus, pp. of
destruere. See destroy and -tion and cp. construction.
destructive, adj. - OF. ( = F.) destruct if (fern.
destructive), fr. Late L. destruclfvus, fr. L.
destructus, pp. of destruere. See destroy and -ive.
Derivatives: destructive-ly, adv., destructiveness, n.
destructor, n. - L. destructor, 'a destroyer', fr.
destructus, pp. of destruere. See destroy and
agential suff. -or.
desuetude, n., disuse. - F. desuetude, fr. L. de-

435
suetud6, 'disuse, discontinuance of a habit', fr.
desuetus, pp. of desuescere, 'to give up the use
of, to disaccustom', fr. de- and suescere, 'to
become used or accustomed'. See custom and
cp. words there referred to.
desulfurize, tr. v., to remove sulfur from. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and sulfurize.
Derivatives: desulfuriz-ation, n., desulfuriz-er,
n.
desultory, adj., jumping from one thing to another; unmethodical. - L. desultorius, 'belonging to a leaper; superficial, desultory', fr.
desultor, leaper' (used of a performer in the
Roman circus, who leaped from one horse to
another), which stands for *de-sa/tor and is rei.
to desilfre, 'to leap down', fr. de- and sa/ire, 'to
leap, spring, jump', whence the freq. sa/tare,
'to leap, jump, dance'. See salient and adj. suff.
-ory. The change of a (in siiltiire) to u (in
de-suitor) is due to the Latin phonetic law according to which in the unaccented and closed
radical syllable of the second element of compounds, a, followed by I and another consonant, becomes u. Cp. exult, insult, result, subsultory, inculcate.
Derivatives: desultori-ly, adv., desultori-ness, n.
desynonymize, tr. v., to deprive of synonymous
character. - Formed fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this prefix) and synonymize.
Derivative: desynonymiz-ation, n.
detach, tr. v. - F. deracher, 'to detach, untie',
fr. OF. destachier, lit. 'to untack, disjoin', fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-, 'apart, asunder') and tache,
'nail, hook'. See dis- and attach and cp. words
there referred t{). Cp. also staccato.
Derivatives: detach-ed, adj., detach-ed-ly, adv.,
detach-ed-ness, n., detach-er, n., detachment (q .v .).
detachable, adj. -Formed from the verb detach
with suiT. -able; first used by Jeremy Bentham
(1748-1832).
Derivatives: detachabil-ity, n., detachable-ness,
n., detachabl-y, adv.
detachment, n. - F. detachement, fr. deracher.
See detach and -ment.
detail, tr. v.- F. derail/er, 'to cut in pieces, divide
up; to relate in detail', fr. de- and tailler, 'to
cut', fr. L. tiiliiire, 'to split, cut'. See tailor.
detail, n. - F. detail, lit. 'a cutting in pieces, a
dividing up', fr. detailler. See detail, v.
Derivatives: detail-ed, adj., detail-er, n.
detain, tr. v.- Late ME. deteynen, fr. OF. detenir (F. dhenir), fr. L. derinere, 'to hold off,
keep back, retain', fr. de- and tenere, 'to hold,
keep', Or. detenir was intluenced in form by
tenir (fr. VL. *tenfre). Cp. Proven.;:., Sp. detener, Catal. detenir and sec tenable. Cp. also
detention, detinue. Cp. also abstain and words
there referred to.
Formed from
detainer, n., one who detains.
prec. word with agential suff. -er.
detainer, n., a detaining in one's possession (law).

oeterm1nam

- AF. detener (corresponding to OF. detenir),

'to detain'. For the subs!. use of the infinitiveesp. in legal terminology-cp. attainder and
words there referred to.
detect, tr. v. - L. di!tectus, pp. of detegere, 'to
uncover, discover, disclose, reveal, detect', fr.
de- and Iegere, 'to cover'. See tegument.
detection, n. - L. detectio, gen. -onis, 'an uncovering, detecting', fr. delectus, pp. of detegere. See prec. word and -ion.
detective, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
detectus, pp. of detegere. See prec. word.
detective, n. - Shortened fr. detective policeman.
See detective, adj.
detector, n.- L. detector, 'uncoverer, revcaler',
fr. delectus, pp. of detegere. See detect and
agential suff. -or.
detent, n., a catch.- F. detente, lit. 'a loosening,
slackening, relaxation,' and prop. subst. use of
the fern. pp. of detendre, 'to loosen, slacken,
relax', fr. OF. destendre (fr. L. dis-, 'apart,
asunder') and tendre, 'to stretch' (fr. L. tendere).
See dis- and tend, 'to move in a certain direction', and cp. distend. Cp. also next word.
detente, n., a relaxing in the political situation.
-F. See prec. word.
detention, n. - L. detenti6, gen. -onis, 'a holding
off, keeping back', fr. detentus, pp. of detinere.
Sec detain and -ion.
deter, tr. v., to frighten, discourage. - L. dererrere, 'to frighten from, discourage from, prevent', fr. de- and terrere, 'to frighten'. See terrible and cp. deterrent.
Derivative: defer-ment, n.
deterge, tr. v., to cleanse. - F. deterger, fr. L.
detergere, 'to wipe off, wipe away, cleanse', fr.
de- and tergere, 'to rub, wipe off'. Sec terse
and cp. detersion.
detergence, detergency, n. "- Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
detergent, adj., cleansing; n., a cleansing agent.
- F. detergent, fr. L. detergentem, ace. of detergens, pres. part. of detergere. See deterge and
-ent.
deteriorate, tr. v., to make worse: intr. v., to become worse. - Late L. deteriliriitus, pp. of di!terioriire, 'to make worse', fr. L. deterior, 'lower,
inferior, worse, meaner', fr. *de-ter, 'lower',
comparative of de, 'down from'. See de-,-ther
and verbal suff. -ate.
deterioration, n.- F. deterioration. fr. deteriorer,
fr. Late L. deterioriire. See prec. word and -ion.
deteriorative, adj. --Coined by Jeremy Bentham
(1748-1832) fr. deteriorate and suff. -ive.
determinable, adj. - Late L. d{tenniniibilis, 'that
which has an end', fr. L. di!terminiire. See determine and -able.
Derivatives: detaminabfe-ness, adj., determinabl-y, adv.
determinant, adj. --- L. determincins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of determiniire. See determine and -ant.
Derivative: determinant, n.

determinate
determinate, adj., I) definite; 2) decided; 3) resolute. - L. determiniitus, pp. of determiniire. See
determine and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: determinate, n., determinate-ly,
adv., determin-ate-ness, n.
determination, n. - L. determiniiti6, gen. -6nis,
'conclusion, boundary', fr. determiniitus, pp. of
determiniire. See determine and -ation.
determinative, adj.- F. determinati/(fem. determinative), fr. L. determiniitus, pp. of determiniire. See next word and -ive.
Derivatives: determinative, n., determinative-ly,
adv., determinative-ness, n.
determine, tr. v. - OF. determiner (F. determiner), fr. L. determiniire, 'to bound, limit, prescribe, determine', fr. de- and terminiire, 'to mark
off by boundaries, mark, limit, define, terminate', fr. terminus, 'boundary, limit'. See term.
Derivatives: determin-ed, adj., determin-ed-ly,
adv., determin-ed-ness, n., determin-er, n.
determinism, n., the doctrine that the action of
a man is determined by motives independent of
his will. - F. determinisme, fr. G. Determinismus, which is prob. a back formation of Praedeterminismus, 'predeterminism'; introduced
into English by Sir William Hamilton (I7881856), who applied it to the doctrine of Hobbes. See prec. word and -ism.
determinist, n., a believer in determinism. - See
prec. word and-ist. Derivative :determinist-ic, adj.
deterrence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
deterrent, adj. - L. deterrens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of deterrere. See deter and -ent.
Derivative: deterrent, n.
detersion, n., the act of cleansing. - L. detersi6,
gen. -6nis, 'a wiping off, a cleansing', fr. detersus, pp. of detergere. See deterge and -ion.
detersive, adj., cleansing, detergent. - F. detersif (fern. detersive), fr. L deter sus, pp. of detergere. See deterge and -ive.
Derivatives: detersive, n., a detergent, detersive-ly, adv., detersive-ness, n.
detest, tr. v., to hate. - F. detester, fr. L. detestiiri, 'to curse while calling a deity to witness; to execrate, abominate; to ward off', fr.
de- and testiiri, 'to be a witness, bear witness,
testify', fr. testis, 'witness'. See testament and
cp. attest, contest.
detestable, adj. - F. detestable, fr. L. detestii
bilis, 'execrable, abominable', fr. detestiiri. See
detest and -able.
Derivatives: detestabil-ity, n., detestable-ness, n.,
detestabl-y, adv.
detestation, n. - F. detestation, (r. L. detestiitionem, ace. of detestiiti6, 'execration, detestation', fr. detestiitus, pp. of detestiiri. See detest
and -ation.
dethrone, tr. v.- Formed fr. pref. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and throne. Cp. F.
ditroner, fr. de- (fr. L. de) and trone, 'throne'.
Derivative: dethrone-ment, n.

436

detinue, n., wrongful detention of personal property (law). - OF. detenue, 'detention', prop.
fern. pp. of detenir, 'to detain', used as a noun.
See detain and cp. continue, retinue.
detonate, intr. and tr. v. - L. detoniit-(um), pp.
stem of detoniire, 'to thunder down, thunder
forth', fr. de- and toniire, 'to thunder'. See
thunder, n., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: detonat-ing, adj., detonat-ive, adj.,
detonat-or, n.
detour, detour, n., a degression. - F. detour, 'a
turning away, shift, evasion', fr. detourner, 'to
tum away', fr. de- (fr. L. de) and tourner, 'to
turn'. See de- and tour.
Derivative: detour, intr. v.
detract, tr. and intr. v., to take away. - L. detractus, pp. of detrahere, 'to draw off, draw away, pull down', fr. de- and trahere, 'to pull,
draw'. See tract.
detraction, n. - F. detraction, fr. L. detracti6nem, ace. of detracti6, 'a drawing off', fr. detractus, pp.- of detrahere. See prec. word and -ion.
detractive, adj.- OF. detractif(fem. detractive),
fr. L. detractus, pp. of detrahere. See detract and
-ive.
Derivatives: detractive-ly, adv., detractive-ness,
n.
detrain, tr. v., to set down from a railroad train;
intr. v., to alight from a railroad train. Formed fr. de- and the noun train.
detriment, n., loss, harm, damage. - F. detriment, fr. L. detrimentum, 'a rubbing off; a loss,
damage, defeat, detriment', fr. detritus, pp. of
deterere, 'to rub down, rub away, wear away',
fr. de- and terere, 'to rub, grind, wear away',
See throw and -ment and cp. trite, detritus, intertrigo.
Derivatives: detriment, tr. v., detriment-al, adj.,
detriment-al-ity, n., detriment-al-ly, adv., detriment-al-ness, n.
detrital, adj., composed of detritus. -- See detritus and adj. suff. -a!.
detrited, adj., worn away.- Set detritus and -ed.
detrition, n., wearing down by friction. -Formed
with suff. -ion fr. L. detritus, pp. of deterere. See
detriment.
detritus, n., fragments of rocks, etc., worn away
by friction. - L detritus, 'a rubbing away', fr.
detritus, pp. of deterere. See detriment.
de trop, too many, too much.- F. See de- and
troppo.
detrude, tr. v., to thrust away.- L. detriidere, 'to
thrust down, thrust away', fr. de- and triidere,
'to thrust, push', fr. I.-E. base treud-, 'to press,
push', whence also Goth. us-priutan, 'to vex',
OE. preotan, 'to weary, vex, annoy'. See threat
and cp. intrude and words there referred to.
detruncate, tr. v., to shorten by cutting off a part.
- L. detrunciitus, pp. of detrunciire, 'to lop,
cut off', fr. de- and trunciire, 'to cut off'. See
truncate, v.
detruncation, n. - L. detrunciiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a

437

:1

II

cutting off', fr. detrunciitus, pp. of detrunciire.

See prec. word and -ion.
detrusion, n., the act of thrusting away. - Late
L. detrusi6, gen. -6nis, 'a thrusting away', fr.
detriisus, pp. of detriidere. See detrude and -ion
and cp. intrusion and words there referred to.
deuce, n., a card or die with two spots. -Fr. F.
deux, fr. OF. deus, fr. L. duos, icc. of duo, 'two';
see dual. Since two is the lowest, hence the
losing, throw at dice, the word deuce in a figurative sense denotes also 'ill-luck; devil'.
Derivatives: deuc-ed, adj. and adv., deuc-ed-ly,
adv.
deuter-, form of deutero- before a vowel.
deuteragonist, n., an actor taking the second part
in a drama. - Gk. 8eu't'epocywv~cr't1!<;, compounded of 8eu'l'epo<;, 'second', and &ywv~cr'l"fJ<;,
'combatant; actor'. For the first element see
deutero-, for the second see agonist and cp. words
there referred to.
deuterium, n., the isotope of hydrogen of atomic
weight or mass 2; heavy hydrogen (chem.) ModL., coined fr. deuter- and suff. -ium.
deutero-, before a vowel deuter-, combining form
meaning 'second'.- Gk. 8eu't'epo-, 8eu't'ep-, fr.
8e{m:po<;, 'second', orig. 'that which falls short
of something', formed with the comparative
suff. -npo<; from the stem of 3eue~v, 3euecr~cx~,
'to be wanting, be deficient', which is rei. to
3e~v. 'to be in need of, to need'; see deontology.
For the etymology of the Greek comparative
suff. -'t'epo<; see -ther and cp. words there referred to.
deuteron, n., also deuton, the nucleus of an atom
of deuterium. - ModL., coined fr. deuterium,
resp. deuterium.
Deuteronomy, n., name of the sth book of the
Pentateuch. - Late L. Deuteronomium, fr. Gk.
~Eu't'epov6[LtoV, 'second law', a name due to the
erroneous rendering of Heb. mishnih hattortih
hazzt!th (Deut. 17: 18) by the Septuagint into
3eu't'epov6[LWV '!'Ou'!'o, lit. 'this second law'. The
real meaning of the Hebrew words quoted is
'a copy of this law'. ~eu't'epov6fJ.W" is compounded of 8e{JTepo<;, 'second', and vo[LO<;, 'law'.
See deutero- and nomo-.
deuto-, before a vowel deut-, shortened form of
deutero- resp. deuter-.
deuton, n. - See deuteron.
deutoplasm, n., yolk (bioi.)- Coined from deutoand plasm, on analogy of protoplasm.
Deutzia, n., a genus of shrubs (bot.) - ModL.,
named after the Dutchman Johann van der
Deutz ( I743-84). For the ending see suff. -ia.
deva, n., a deity (Hinduism). - 01. deva/:1, 'god',
rei. to devt, 'goddess', Avestic daeva-, 'demon',
and cogn. with Gk. 8~o<;, 'divine', Ze)<;, gen.
~~6<;, 'Zeus', OL. deivos (whence L. deus), 'god'.
See deity and cp. next word, daiva, Devi and
the second word in Bhumi Devi.
devadasi, n., a dancing girl in a Hindu temple. Hind., fr. 01. devadiisi, 'slave girl of a god', fr.

devil
deva/:1 'deity', and diisf, 'slave girl'. See deva and
dasi. For sense development cp. Gk. 1ep63ouAo<;, 'temple slave' (see hierodule).
devaluate, tr. v. - See de- and valuation.
Derivative: devaluat-ion, n.
Devanagari, n., the Old Indian alphabet. - 01.
devaniigarf, lit. 'the divine city script'. See deva
and Nagari.
devastate, tr. v., to lay waste. - L. deviistiitus,
pp. of deviistiire, 'to lay waste, devastate', fr.
de- and viistiire, 'to make empty, lay waste', fr.
viistus, 'empty, waste, desert'. See waste, adj.
and v., and verbal suff. -ate. Derivatives: devastat-ing-ly, adv., devastat-ive, adj.
devastation, n. - F. devastation, fr. L. deviistiitus, pp. of deviistiire. See prec. word and -ion.
develop, tr. and intr. v. -F. developper, fr. OF.
desveloper, which is prob. formed fr. pref. des(fr. L. dis-, 'apart, asunder'), and a blend of
ML. faluppa, 'fiber, straw, ball of corn', and L.
volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and cp. envelop.
Derivatives: develop-able, adj., develop-er, n.,
develop-ment, n., develop-ment-al, adj.
devest, tr. v., to deprive of a right (law). -OF.
devestir (F. devetir), fr. VL. devestire, fr. de- and
L. vestire, 'to clothe', fr. vestis, 'garment'. See
vest and cp. divest.
Devi, n., I) any goddess; 2) the mother goddess,
the goddess par excellence (Hindu mythol.) 01. devf, 'goddess', rei. to deva/:1, 'god', Avestic
daeva-, 'demon'. See deva and cp. the second
word in Bhumi Devi.
deviate, intr. and tr. v. - Late L. deviiit-(um),
pp. stem of deviiire, 'to turn from the straight
road, go aside', fr. de- and L. via, 'way'. See
devious. Derivative: deviat-ion, n.
device, n. -A blend of ME. devis, 'intention, invention', and ME. devise, 'design, plan', which
derive fr. OF. devis, 'division, intention, plan;
coat of arms, emblem; last will, testament'
(whence F. devis, 'estimate'), resp. fr. OF. devise,
of s.m. (whence F. devise, 'device, emblem'),
which both derive fr. OF. deviser, 'to divide,
distri- bute; to put in order'. See devise.
Derivatives: device-ful, adj., device-ful-ly, adv.,
device-ful-ness, n.
devil, n. - ME. devel, fr. OE. deofol, deoful, fr.
Eccles. L. diabolus, fr. Eccles. Gk. a~oc[joAo<;,
'devil', fr. Gk. 3d[3oAo<;, 'slanderer', fr. a~oc
[3Ue~v. 'to throw across; to attack; to calumniate, slander', fr. a~ (see dia-) and [jMw,
'to throw'. See ballistic and cp. diablerie, diabolic, Eblis. Cp. also It. diavolo, Proven<;., F.,
Catal. diable, Sp. diablo, Port. diabo, Goth.
diabaulus, which all derive fr. Eccles. L. diabolus. OHG. tiufal (whence MHG. tiuvel, G.
Teufel, prob. also MDu. diivel, Du. duivel, OS.
diu'lJal, ON. djofull, Dan. dj;eve/, Swed. djiivul)
is a Goth. loan word.
Derivatives: devil-dom, n., devil-ish, adj., devilish-ly, adv., devil-ish-ness, devil-ism, n., devilment, n., devil-ry, n.

devious
devious, adj., roundabout, circuitous. - L. devius, 'off the high road, out of the way, devious',
fr. de- and via, 'way'. See via and cp. deviate.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: devious-ly, adv., devious-ness, n.
devise, tr. v. - OF. deviser, 'to divide, distribute; to put in order; to chat' (F., 'to chat, gossip'), fr. VL. *devlsiire, formed with vowel dissimilation fr. *divlsiire, freq. of L. dividere, 'to
divide'. See divide and ep. device.
Derivatives: devise, n. (q.v.), devis-able, adj.,
devis-al, n., devis-ee, n., devis-er, n., devis-or, n.
(law).
devise, n., the act of devising; a will (law).- OF.
devise, 'division; will, testament', fr. deviser, 'to
divide, distribute'. See devise, v.
devitalize, tr. v., to deprive of vitality. -Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
vitalize. Derivative: devitaliz-ation, n.
devitaminize, tr. v., to deprive of vitamins. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix), vitamin and suff. -ize.
Derivative: devitaminiz-ation, n.
devitri!ication, n. - Sec next word and -fication.
devitrif~, tr. v., to deprive of glassy character. Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and vitrify.
devoid, adj., completely void.- ME., short form
of de voided, pp. of devoiden (whence the obsolete
E. verb devoid), fr. OF. desruidier, desvoidier,
'to empty out' (whence F. devider), fr. des- (fr.
L. dis-, 'apart, asunder') and vuidier, oidier, 'to
empty'. Sec dis- and void.
devoir, n., task, duty. - F., prop. subst. use of
the infinitive devoir, 'to owe', fr. OF. dereir, 'to
owe', fr. L. debere. See debt and cp. endeavor.
devolute, tr. v., to devolve. - L. devohitus, pp.
of devolvere. See devolve.
devolution, n. - ML. demhiti<i, gen. -(Jtris, fr. L.
derohitus, pp. of d,,olrere. Sec next \vord and-ion.
devolw, tr. and intr. v. - L. devohere, 'to roll
down, tumble down: to have recourse to', fr.
de- and mh-ere, 'to roll, roll along, turn about'.
Sec volute.
Devon, n., one of a breed of cattle, orig. raised
in Deron, a county in England.
Devonian, 1) adj., of Devonshire in England: pertaining to, or designating, a geological period;
2) n., an inhabitant or native of Devonshire. Formed \'.ith suff. -ian fr. Deron, shortened form
of Dei'Onshire.
devote, tr. v. - L. den5tus, pp. of dei'Orere, 'to
vow. to devote (to a deity). to sacrifice oneself,
to promise solemnly', fr. de- and rorere, 'to
VO\\ . See vote, ,ow and cp. devoat.
Derivatives: demt-ed, adj., deroted-ly, adv.,
devoted-ness, n., devot-ee, devote-men!, n.,
devot-cr, n., derotion (q.v.)
devotion, n. - OF. (F. devotion), fr. L. devutivnem, ace. of de'<Jti6, 'a devoting, consecrating;
devotion', fr. devorus, pp. of devovere. See devote and -ion.

438
Derivatives: devotion-al, adj., devotion-al-ly,
adv., devotion-al-ity, n., devotion-ate, adj., and
the hybrids devotion-al-ism, n., devotion-al-is!, n.
devour, tr. v.- ME. devouren, fr. OF. devorer (F.
devorer), fr. L. devoriire, 'to swallow, gulp down,
devour; to read eagerly', fr. de- and voriire, 'to
swallow greedily, swallow up, devour'. See
voracious and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: devour-er, n., devour-ing, adj., devour-ing-ly, adv.
devout, adj. - ME. devot, devout, fr. OF. devot
(fern. devote), fr. L. devotus, pp. of devovere, 'to
vow, devote'. See devote.
Derivatives: devout-ly, adv., devout-ness, n.
dew, n. --- ME. deu, deau, dew, fr. OE. deaw, rei.
to OS. dou, OFris. diiw, MDu. dau, OHG.,
MHG. tou, G. Tau, ON. dogg, 'dew', and cogn.
with OI. dhavate, dhdvati, 'runs, flows', dhiiutfb,
'a spring, a stream', Gk. &eEL\1 (for *&efEw),
'to run, flow; to move quickly, whirl', &o6~ (for
*&of6;), 'quick, active', &ocX~EL\1, 'to move
quickly. Cp. daggle, dhobi.
Derivatives: dew, tr. v., dew-less, adj., dew-y,
adj., dew-i-ly, adv., dew-i-ness, n.
Dewali, n., a Hindu autumnal festival. - Hind.
divii/i, fr. or. dipiivalf, dipiilf, lit. 'row of lamps,
illumination', fr. dipab, 'lamp', and iivall, iilf,
'row'. The first element derives from a -p-enJargement of I.-E. base *dei-, *deyii-, *df-, *dyii-,
'to shine', whence 01. divam, 'heaven; day'. See
deity.
dewan, n., minister of finance, chief officer in India. - Arab. and Pcrs. diwdn; see divan. The
orig. sense of Pers. dfw{/fl was 'register', whence
developed the senses 'register of accounts; department of accounts: ministry of finance;
minister of finance'.
dewanee, dewany, n., the office of a dewan. Hind. diwiinf, fr. Pers. dfwiinf, fr. diwiin. See
prec. word.
Dewitt. dewitt, tr. v., to lynch. - After the
brothers Cornelis and Jan De Witt, Dutch
statesmen, murdered by a mob in 1672.
dexiocardia, n., an abnormal condition in which
the heart is on the right side (anat.)- Medical
L., compounded of Gk. lle;tl,:;, 'on the right
hand', and z:x~lll:i, 'heart'. See dexter and
cardiac.
dexter, adj., on the right-hand side.- L. dexter,
'on the right hand', whence arose the meanings
'skillful, favorable, propitious, fortunate'; cogn.
with Gk. oE;L-:-ep0;, 'on the right hand', and with
OI. dak.yinab, dak~"inab, 'on the right hand,
southern. skillful', Avestic dashina-, 'on the
right hand', Gk. ae;L0;, 'on the right hand,
fortunate, clever', OSlav. desnu, Lith. desinas,
on the right hand', Lith. ddine, 'the right
hand', Goth. taihswa, OHG. zeso, 'on the right
hand', Olr. dess, 'on the right hand, southern',
W. delreu, Co. dyglrow, 'on the right hand', Gaul.
Dexsiva, 'goddess of fortune', Alb. djafJ-te, 'on
the right hand'. All these words are prob. deriva-

439

II

tives of I.-E. base *dek-, 'to take, receive,

accept; acceptable, becoming, good', whence
also L. decere, 'to be fitting or seemly'. See
decent and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
ambidexter. L. dexter and Gk. 8e~LTep6:; were
formed fr. base *dek- with the compar. suff.
-ter, -terus, resp. -Tepa~, and orig. meant 'that
which is in the better or more favorable direction'. For the compar. suff. see -ther and cp.
words there referred to. For the sense development of L. dexter, Gk. 8e~Lnp6t;, 8e~L6t;, etc.,
cp. Heb. yiimfn, 'right hand, south', Arab.
yciman, 'right hand, south', ytimana, 'he was
happy' (see Yemen).
Dexter, masc. PN. - L., 'on the right hand, fortunate'. See prec. word. For sense development
cp. Benjamin.
dexterity, n., 1) skill; 2) cleverness.- F. dexterite, fr. L. dexteritiitem, ace. of dexteritiis,
'readiness, skillfulness, prosperity', fr. dexter.
See dexter and -ity.
dexterous, dextrous, adj., skillful, adroit, quick.Formed with suff. ous- fr. L. dexter. See dexter.
Derivatives: dext(e)rous-ly, adv., dext(e)rousness, n.
dextrad, adv., to the right side. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. dextra, 'right hand', fern. of dexter
(see dexter), and -ad, a suff. of Greek origin.
dextral, adj., pertaining to the right hand. Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. dextra (short
for dextra manus), 'right hand', fern. of dexter.
See dexter.
Derivatives: dextral-ity, n., dextral-ly, adv.
dextrin, dextrine, n., a soluble gummy substance
made from starch (chem.)- F. dextrine, coined
by the French physicist Jean Baptiste (17741862) and the French chemist and pharmacist
Jean-Fran9ois Persoz (1805-68) in 1833 (in Annales de Chimie et de Physique) fr. L. dexter,
'on the right hand' (see dexter), with chem. suff.
-ine; so called by them because it turns the plane
of polarization of light to the right.
dextro-, combining form meaning 'to the right'.
-Fr. L. dexter, 'to the right hand'. See dexter.
dextrocardia, n., the same as dexiocardia. - A
Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. dexter, 'right',
and Gk. xocp8(ri, 'heart'. The correct form is
dexiocardia (q.v.), in which both elements are of
Greek origin.
dextrorse, adj., twining from left to right (bot.)
- L. dextriirsus, 'toward the right side, to the
right', contraction of dextrovorsus, dextroversus, lit. 'turned toward the right', fr. dexter,
right', and vorsus, versus, pp. of vortere, vertere, 'to turn'. See dexter and version and cp.
sinistrorse.
dextrose, n., starch sugar (chem.) -See dextrin
and subst. suff. -ose.
dextrous, adj. - See dexterous.
dey, n., the governor of Algiers (before the French
conquest in 1830).- Turk. diii, prop. 'maternal uncle'.

di-

dhak, dhawk, n., an East Indian bushy tree

(Buteafrondosa).- Hind. dhiik.
dhal, n. - A var. spelling of dal.
dhan, n., property, wealth, treasure, price, gain.
- Hind., fr. 01. dhtinam, 'booty, possession,
property', rei. to dtidhiiti, 'puts, places'. See do,
v., and cp. the second element in stridhana.
Dhanvantari, n., the physician of the gods in
Hindu mythology. - 01., Dhanvantarib, lit.
'passing through the bow of dhanvanab, a
circle', compounded of dhtinva(n)-, 'bow', and
ttirati, 'passes through, crosses over'. The first
element is perh. cogn. with OS. danna, OHG.
tanna, MHG., G. tanne, 'fir', OS. dennia, Du.
den, 'pine'. The second element derives fr. I.-E.
base *ter-, 'to pass beyond, cross over', whence
also Gk. TEPfl-IX, 'boundary, end limit', L. terminus, 'boundary line, boundary, limit'. See
term and cp. words there referred to.
dharma, n., law, right, justice (Hinduism).- 01.
dharrmi, dlu:irma/;1, rei. to dhiirtiyati, 'holds', and
to Avestic diirayeiti, of s.m., and cogn. with L.
firmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable, strong'. See firm,
adj., and cp. adharma, dhama.
dharmashastra, dharmasastra, n., book of laws
(India). - 01. dlu:irma5iistrab, compounded of
dharma, 'law' (see dharma), and siistrtib, 'teaching, precept, instruction, textbook'. See shastra.
dharmsala, dhurmsala, n., a resting place (India).
- Hind. dharmsiilii, fr. OI dharmasiilii, lit. 'a
pious building'. See dharma, and cell.
dhama, dhuma, n., a mode of demanding justice
by fasting while sitting at the debtor's door
(India). - Hind. dharnii, fr. 01. dhiirtiyati,
'holds'. See dharma.
dhobi, dhoby, dobyie, n., a washerman (Anglolnd) - Hind. dhobf, fr. 01. dhdvati, 'washes
off, washes', which is prob. orig. identical with
dhdvati, 'runs, flows'. See dew.
dhole, n., the wild dog of India (Cuon javanicus).
- Of uncertain origin.
dhoni, dhony, n., a small fishing vessel (India). Hind. 1/onf, fr. OI. dr01;i, 'a trough', which is rei.
to dru, 'wood', drurruib, 'tree'. See dinghy.
dhoti, dhotee, dhoty, n., a loincloth worn by
Hindus. - Hind. dhoti.
dhow, n., an Arabian kind of vessel. - Prob. rei.
to Persian dav, 'running', which is rei. to 01.
dlu:ivate, dhiivati, 'runs, flows', and cogn. with
Gk. &eLv (for *&tfc:Lv), 'to run', ON. dogg,
OE. deaw, 'dew'. See dew and cp. dhobi. Arab.
daw ('a kind of vessel') is an Indian loan word.
dhurrie, dhurry, n., an Indian cotton fabric. Hind. dari.
dhyana, n., meditation (Hinduism). - 01. dhyiina/;1, 'thought', rei. to dhyiiti, dhyciyati, 'thinks,
meditates, fancies', Avestic diiy-, 'to see', 01.
dhyiiman-, 'thought', and cogn. with Gk. cr'iif.L(t,
'sign'. See semantics.
di-, pref. meaning 'apart, asunder'. - L., form
of dis- before b, d, g, 1, m, n, r, v.
di-, pref. meaning 'two, double, twice', used esp.

di-

in chemistry to denote two atoms, molecules,

radicals, equivalents, as the case may be. Gk. a~-. fr. Ill<;, 'twice', which stands for *dwis
and is rei. toOL. dvis (whence L. bis), and cogn.
with 01. dvih, Avestic bish, MHG. zwis, 'twice',
Goth. twis-, 'in two, asunder', ON. tvistra, 'to
divide'. See dis- and cp. two, twi-. Cp. also bi-,
bis, dia-, dicho-, disso-, dvaita, dvandva, dysand the second element in sapsago.
di-, form of dia- before a vowel.
dia-, before a vowel di-, pref. meaning 'through;
thoroughly, entirely, utterly'.- Gk. a~ot-, fr. I>Lii,
'through, throughout', which pro b. stands for
a~cr& and was formed (on analogy of (LE't'li,
'after') fr. Ill<;, 'twice', hence orig. meant 'divided
in the middle'. See di-, 'two, double, twice'.
diabase, n. (petrogr.)- F., coined by the French
mineralogist Alexandre Brogniard (I770-I847)
in I807 to name what is now called diorite. The
name was meant to signify 'a rock with two
bases', and should really have been dibase (fr.
di-, 'two', and base, n.)- In the above sense
the name was given up by Brogniard himself.
It is now applied to an igneous rock consisting
of augite and feldspar, in the sense of Gk. a~&
~occrt<;, 'a crossing over, passage through', fr. llt&
(see dia-) and ~tim<;, 'base' (see base, n.); so
called in allusion to the line of cleavage.
diabetes, n., a disease characterized by excessive
discharge of urine (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk.
lltoc~~n;<;, lit. 'that which causes a going
through', fr. llt& (see dia-) and -~~TIJ<;, 'that
which goes, moves or flows', from the stem of
~oclve:tv, 'to go'. See base, n. and cp. adiabatic.
The disease was called lltoc~~TIJ<; by Aretaeus
the Cappadocian, a physician, who lived in
Alexandria in the second century C.E., in allusion to the excessive urination.
diabetic, adj., pertaining to, or having, diabetes.
- See prec. word and -ic.
diablerie, n., devilry. - F., fr. diable, 'devil', fr.
Eccles. L. diabolus,fr. Eccles. Gk. lldf3o"Ao<;, 'devil'.
See devil. For the etymology of F. -erie see -ery.
diabol-, form of diabolo- before a vowel.
diabolic, diabolical, adj., pertaining to devils, devilish. - F. diaholique, fr. Eccles. L. diaholicus,
fr. Eccles. Gk. 8toc(3o).~x6<;, 'devilish', fr. St&~o"Ao<;, 'devil'. See devil and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: diabolical-ly, adv.
diabolism, n., devil worship; devilishness. Formed with suff. -ism fr. Eccles. Gk. St&~o"Ao<;,
'devil'. See devil.
diabolize, tr. v., to render diabolical. - Formed
with suff. -ize fr. Eccles. Gk. lldf3o"Ao~, 'devil'.
See devil and cp. prec. word.
diabolo-, before a vowel diabol-, combining form
denoting the devil. - Fr. Eccles. Gk. lld~o"Ao<;,
'devil'. See devil.
diacaustic, adj., pertaining to a caustic curve
caused by refraction. - Formed fr. dia- and
caustic.
Derivative: diacaustic, n., a diacaustic curve.

440

diachylon, n., a plaster made of olive oil and lead

oxide. - ModL., fr. Gk. 8tlixu"Aov, neut. of
Stlixu"Ao<;, 'juicy', fr. IM (see dia-) and xuA6<;,
'juice'. See chyle.
diacid, adj., able of combining with two molecules of a monobasic acid (chem.) - A hybrid
coined fr. di-, 'two' (fr. Gk. St-), and acid (fr.
L. acidus, 'sour').
diaconal, adj., pertaining to a deacon or deacons.
- Late L. diiiconiilis, fr. diiiconus. See deacon
and adj. suff. -al.
diaconate, n., the office of a deacon. - Eccles.
L. diiiconiitus, fr. Late L. diiiconus. See deacon
and subst. suff. -ate.
diacoustic, adj., pertaining to the refraction of
sounds. - Formed fr. di- (form of dia- before
.
a vowel) and acoustic.
diacoustics, n., that part of acoustics which deals
with the refraction of sounds. - Formed fr.
di (form of dia- before vowels) and acoustics.
diacritic, adj., distinguishing; n., a diacritical
mark. - Gk. 8tocxptnx6<;, fr. Stocxpfve:w, 'to
separate one from another', fr. llt& (see dia-)
and xpfve:w, 'to separate, decide, judge'. See
critic.
Derivatives: diacritic-al, adj., diacritical-ly, adv.
diactinic, adj., capable of transmitting the actinic
rays of light. - Formed fr. di- (form of disbefore vowels) and actinic.
Diadelphia, n., a class of plants in the Linnaean
system (bot.) - ModL., prop. 'plants, the
stamens of which are united into two bundles',
lit. 'like two brothers', fr. di-, 'two', and Gk.
&.lle:"A<p6<;, 'brother'. See adelpho- and -ia.
diadelphous, adj., I) having filaments united by
two bundles; 2) pertaining to the class Diadelphia.- Formed fr. di-, 'two', Gk. cille:"Acp6<;,
'brother', and suff. -ous. See prec. word.
diadem, n., crown; fillet. - OF. diademe (F. diademe), fr. L. diadema, fr. Gk. 8t&lllJ(Lot, 'band,
fillet, royal headband', fr. 8toclle:i:v, 'to bind
on either side', fr. lltci (see dia-) and lldv, 'to
bind', fr. I.-E. base *de(i)-, *dt-, 'to bind',
whence also 01. dy-ati, 'binds', dJ-man, 'band,
bond', Alb. del, 'sinew, tendon', duai, 'sheaf'.
See desmo- and -rna and cp. anadem. Cp. also
Aditi, Aditya.
Derivatives: diadem, tr. v., diadem-ed, adj.
diadoche, n., succession. - Gk. 8tocllox~. 'succession', rei. to 8t&lloxo~, 'succeeding, successor',
in gradational relationship to lltocllxe:cr&ott, 'to
succeed', lit. 'to receive one from another', fr.
lltri (see dia-) and lltxe:cr&oct, 'to take, accept,
receive', fr. I.-E. base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take, receive, accept ; acceptable, becoming, good',
whence also L. decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'.
See decent and cp. words there referred to.
Diadochi, n.pl., the successors of Alexander the
Great; hence also successors (in general). ModL. Diadochi, fr. Gk. llvillo:x.ot, pl. of 8vi8oxoc;, successor'. See prec. word.
diadochokinesia, diadochokinesis, n., the normal

441

power of performing alternating movements

(med.) - Medical L., compounded of Gk.
8tcilloxo~, 'succeeding', and xf'lllJcrL<;, 'motiori'.
See prec. word and kinesis.
diadochokinetic, adj., pertaining to diadochokinesia. - See prec. word and kinetic.
diaeresis, dieresis, n., 1) the division of one syllable into two; 2) a mark (usually two dots)
placed over the second of two consecutive vowels to indicate that they are to be pronounced
separately. - Late L. diaeresis, fr. Gk. lltoclpc:cr~<;, 'division into parts, separation of a
diphthong into two syllables', fr. lltoclpe:tv, 'to
divide', fr. llt- (see di-, form of dia- before a
vowel) and oclpe:i:v, 'to take'. See heresy and cp.
aphaeresis, synaeresis.
diagnose, tr. v. - Back formation fr. diagnosis.
diagnosis, n., determination of the nature of a
disease. - Medical L., fr. Gk. 8t&yvwcrL~, 'a
distinguishing, discerning, determining, decision', lit. 'a knowing thoroughly', from the stem
of StotyLyvwcrxe:w, 'to distinguish, discern, determine', lit. 'to know thoroughly', fr. lltci(seedia-)
and ytyvwcrxe:~v, 'to learn, know'. See gnome,
'maxim', and cp. gnosis.
diagnostic, adj., pertaining to diagnosis. - Gk.
lltocyvwcr't'tx6<;, 'able to distinguish', fr. Stocyvwcr't'O~, 'to be distinguished', verbal adj. of 8tocytyvwcrxew. See diagnosis and -ic.
Derivatives: diagnostic n., diagnosticate (q.v.),
diagnostic-ian, n.
diagnosticate, tr. v., to diagnose. - A hybrid
formed fr. Gk. 8tocyvwcr-nx6<; (see prec. word)
and -ate, a suff. of Latin origin.
Derivative: diagnosticat-ion, n.
diagonal, adj.- L. diagoniilis, fr. Gk. 8trXywvLo<;,
'from angle to angle', fr. lld (see dia-) and
ywvlii, 'an angle'. See gon- and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: diagonal, n., diagonal-ly, adv.
diagram, n., 1) a sketch, plan; 2) a chart. - F.
diagramme, fr. L. diagramma, fr. Gk. 8t&ypot(L(Lot,
'something marked out by lines, a geometrical
figure', fr. Stocyp&cpew, 'to mark out by lines,
draw out'. See diagraph and -gram.
diagrammatic, adj., pertaining to a diagram. Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. lltriypot(L(Lot, gen.
lltocypli(L{Lot't'o<;. See prec. word.
Derivative: diagrammatic-al-ly, adv.
diagrammatize, tr. v., to make a diagram of, to
diagram. - Formed with suff. -ize fr. Gk. lldYPOC!L(Lot, gen. 8tocypfi.fi.OC't'o~. See diagram.
diagraph, n., an instrument for drawing plans,
maps, etc. - F. diagraphe, fr. Gk. lltocypli<pe:w,
'to mark out by lines, draw out', fr. lld (see
dia-) and yp<pe:Lv, 'to scratch, draw, write'. See
-graph and cp. diagram.
dial, n.- ME., fr. ML. diiilis, 'daily', fr. L. dies,
'day'. See dies non and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: dial, tr.v., dial(l)-er, n., dial(l)-ing,
n., dialist (q.v.).
dialect, n.- F. dialecte, fr. L. dialectus, fr. Gk.

dialogue

lld"Ae:x't'o<;, 'talk, discourse, conversation, speech,

language; the language of a country, dialect', fr.
8tot"Aye:cr.&oct, 'to converse, talk with, discuss',
middle voice of 8toc"Aye:Lv, 'to pick out, choose',
fr. Stci (see dia-) and "Aye:tv, 'to pick out,
reckon, count, tell, say, speak', which stands in
gradational relationship to A6yo<;, 'word, speech,
discourse, account'. See logos and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: dialect-al, adj., dialect-al-ly, adv.,
dialectic (q.v.), dialectician (q.v.)
dialectic, adj. - L. dialecticus, fr. Gk. StotAEK't'Lx6~, 'skilled in discourse', fr. Stli"Ae:x't'o~. See
dialect and -ic.
dialectic, n., the art of discussion. -OF. ( = F.)
dialectique, fr. L. dialectica (sci!. ars), fr. Gk.
Stoc"Ae:xnx~ (sci!. 't'EXVlJ), 'the art of discussion
by question and answer', fern. of lltoc"Aexnx6<;,
'skilled in discourse'. See dialectic, adj.
Derivatives: dialectic-al, adj., dialectic-al-ly, n.
dialectician, n. -F. dialecticien, fr. dialecte. See
dialect and -ician.
dialectology, n., the study of dialects. - See dialect and -logy.
Derivatives: dialectolog-ical, adj., dialectologist, n.
dialist, n., a maker of dials. -- A hybrid coined
fr. dial, a word of Latin origin, and suff. -ist {fr.
Gk. -tcr~<;).
Dialister, n., a genus of parasitic bacteria (bacterial.) - ModL., formed fr. dia- and Gk. u"Atcr~p, 'filter', which is rei. to fi:Al), 'slime, mud',
and cogn. with OI. siira/:1, 'intoxicating drink',
surii, 'brandy', Lith. sula, Lett. sula, 'sap',
OPruss. sulo, 'curdled milk', OHG. sullen,
MHG. siiln, G. suhlen, OE. sy/jan, sylian, 'to
make muddy or dirty'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *sii-1-, enlargement of base seu-,
'to rain; sap', whence Gk. ee:Lv, 'to rain', UE't'6<;,
'rain'. See hyeto-.
diallage, n., a dark green laminated variety of
pyroxene (mineral.) - F., fr. Gk. lltoc"A"Aocyi;,
'change', from the stem of 8toc"AA&crcre:tv, 'to
change', which is formed fr. St& (see dia-) and
li"AA&crcre:~v, 'to change', fr. &A"Ao<;, 'another'.
See else, and cp. allo-, alias. Cp. also hypallage,
allagite. The mineral was so called in allusion
to the irregular planes of fracture.
diallelon, n., definition in a circle (logic). - Gk.
St' ci"AA~"Awv, 'through one another'. See dia- and
allelo-.
dialogic, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
a dialogue. - ML. dialogicus, 'pertaining to a
dialogue', fr. Gk. lltri"Aoyo<;. See dialogue and -ic.
Derivative: dialogic-al-ly, adv.
dialogist, n., I) speaker in a dialogue; 2) a writer
of a dialogue. - Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk.
lld"Aoyo<;. See next word.
dialogue, also dialog, n., -F., fr. L. dialogus, fr.
Gk. lld"Aoyo~, 'conversation, dialogue', fr. Stat
Akye:cr&ott, 'to converse'. See dialect and cp. the
second element in monologue.

dialyse

Derivatives: dialogue, dialog, intr. and tr. v.,

dialogu-er, n.
dialyse, v. -See dialyze.
dialysis, n., separation of crystalloids from colloids (chem.) - L., 'separation', fr. Gk. 8tci/.um~, 'separation, dissolution', fr. 8ta:Metv, 'to
part asunder, break off, dissolve', fr. 3toc (see
dia-) and Metv, 'to loose, loosen'; see -lysis.
The word dialysis was introduced into chemistry
by the Scottish chemist Thomas Graham (r8os6<)), the discoverer of this process, in r86r.
dialytic, adj., pertaining to dialysis. - Gk. 8tct/.unx6c;, 'able to dissolve', fr. 8tcil.uToc;, 'dissolved', verbal adj. of 3tctf.uetv, 'to dissolve'.
See prec. word and -ic.
dialyze, also dialyse, tr. v. (chem.)- Back formation fr. dialysis.
Derivative: dialyz-er, dialys-er, n.
diamagnetic, adj., tending to take a position at
right angles to the direction of the magnetic
current. - Formed fr. dia- and magnetic.
Derivative: diamagnetic-al-ly, adv.
diamagnetism, n. - Formed fr. dia- and magnetism. See prec. word.
diamantiferous, adj., yielding diamonds. - F.
diamantifere. See diamond and -ferous and cp.
diamondiferous.
diameter, n. - OF. diametre (F. diametre), fr.
L. diametros, fr. Gk. 3tocfLETpoc; (sci!. ypctfL[L~),
lit. 'a diametralline'. See dia- and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: diametr-al, adj., diametrical (q.v.)
diametric, diametrical, adj. - Gk. 8tctfLETptx6c;,
'diametrical', fr. 3tci[Le:Tpoc;. See diameter and
-ic.
Derivative: diametrical-ly, adv.
diamine, also diamin, n., a double amine (chem.)
- Formed fr. di-, 'double', and amine.
diamond, n. - ME. diamant, diamaunt, fr. OF.
diamant, fr. Late L. diamantem, ace. of diamiis,
which is a blend of Gk. &.M[Liic;, 'adamant, diamond',lit. 'unconquerable' and 3t01:<pctv~c;. 'transparent'. See adament and diaphanous.
Derivatives: diamond, adj. and tr. v., diamonded, adj., diamondize (q.v.)
diamondiferous, adj., yielding diamonds. - A
hybrid coined fr. diamond and L.ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See diamond and -ferous and cp. diamantiferous.
diamondize, tr. v., to ornament with diamonds.
-A hybrid coined fr. diamond and -ize, a suff.
of Greek origin.
Diana, n., the goddess of the moon and of hunting in Roman mythology; identified with the
Greek Artemis. - L., earlier Diviiina. According to Kretschmer the name means 'belonging
to *Diviii, the goddess of the moon' (lit. 'she
who illuminates'), fr. dius, 'divine', which stands
for *diwios and is rei. to divus, 'god, divine',
deus, 'god'. See deity.
Dianthera, n., a genus of plants, the water willow
(bo(.) - ModL., lit. 'having two anthers', fr.

442

di-, 'two', and Gk. &.vlh)p6c;, 'flowery', fr. &v&oc;,

'flower'. See anther.
Dianthus, n., a large genus of herbs, the pink and
the carnation (bot.) - ModL., coined by Linnaeus fr. Gk. At6c;, gen. of Ze:uc;, 'Zeus', and
&v&oc;, 'flower'. Accordingly the word lit. means
'flower of Zeus'. See Zeus and anther.
diapason, n., the total range of a voice or instrument (music). - L. diapason, 'the whole octave', fr. Gk. 8tOI:rtiXcr&v, for 8ta rtiXcr&v (short for
3ta rtiXcrwv xop3&v O'UfL<p<Uv[iX), 'concord through
all of the notes, the octave', fr. 8toc, 'through',
and fern. pl. gen. of rtiic;, 'all'. See dia- and pan-.
diapedesis, n., the oozing of blood from the onruptured vessel walls into the tissues (med.) Medical L., fr. Gk. 8tct1t'f)8'r)crtc;, 'a leaping
through', fr. 3tct7t'r)3iiv, 'to leap through', fr. 3tci
(see dia-) and 7t'r)3iiv, 'to leap'. See pedesis.
diaper, n.- ME. diaper, diapery, fr. OF. diapre,
fr. earlier diaspre (whence F. diapre, 'diapered,
variegated'), fr. ML. diasprum (whence also It.
diaspro, OProven9. diaspre, Sp. diaspero, Port.
diaspero, diaspro), 'jasper', fr. L. iaspis, fr. Gk.
tctcrm~, 'jasper', ult. fr. Heb. yiishtpheh (see
jasper). ML. and Romance di- (in diasprum etc.)
is merely an inexact transliteration of j in L.
jaspis (for L. iaspis). Cp. obsolete E. diasper =
E. jasper.
diaper, tr. v. - Partly fr. OF. diasprer (F. diaprer), fr. diaspre, 'diaper', partly fr. diaper, n.
(q.v.)
Derivative: diaper-ing, n.
diaphanous, adj., transparent.- ML. diaphanus,
fr. Gk. 3tOI:<pOI:v~c;, 'transparent', fr. 8tct<p01:lve:tv, 'to
show through', fr. 8tci (see dia-) and <pct(ve:tv, 'to
show'. See phantasm and suff. -ous.
Derivatives: diaphanous-ly, adv., diaphanousness, n.
diaphoresis, n., perspiration (med.)- Late L., fr.
Gk. 8tct<p6p1)mc;, 'evaporation, perspiration', fr.
8tct<popetv, 'to spread abroad, disperse, to dissi
pate by evaporation or perspiration', prop. 'to
carry through', fr. 3toc (see dia-) and <pope:'tv, freq.
of <pepe:tv, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry',
and cp. -phore. Cp. also adiaphorous.
diaphoretic, adj., promoting perspiration. - Late
L. diaphoreticus, fr. Gk. 8LOI:<pop7Jnx6c;, fr. 8tct<pope:Iv. See prec. word and -ic.
diaphragm, n., 1) muscular partition between the
thorax and abdomen; 2) a vibrating membrane.
- Late L. diaphragma, fr. Gk. 3toc<ppcty(.Lct, 'partition, barrier; muscle which divides the thorax
from the abdomen', fr. 3too:<ppa:yvuvctt, 8tiX
<ppoccrcre:tv, 'to divide off, barricade', fr. 8tci (see
dia-) and <ppctyvuvctt, <ppcicrcretv, 'to enclose,
fence round', which is cogn. with L. farcire, 'to
stuff', frequens, gen. -entis, 'thronged, pressed
together'. See farce, 'to stuff, cram', and cp.
frequent.
Derivatives: diaphragm, tr. v., diaphragm-a/,
adj.
diapbragmatic, adj., pertaining to the diaphragm.

443

Formed with suff. -ic fr. 3toc<ppctYfLOI:, gen.

3t01:<pp&yfLctToc;. See prec. word.
Derivative: diaphragmatic-al-ly, adv.
diaphysis, n., r) the shaft of a long bone (bot.);
2) an abnormal prolongation of the axis of
inflorescence (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. 3toc<pucr~c;.
.-I

;,.\

.~

.l

'germination; division; point of separation;

spinous process of the shinbone', lit. 'a growing
between', fr. a~ct<pue:cr&ott, 'to grow between', fr.
3toc (see dia-) and <pue:tv, 'to bring forth, produce, make to grow'. See physio- and words there
referred to and cp. esp. apophysis, epiphysis.
Derivative: diaphysi-al, adj.
Diaporthe, n., a genus of sac fungi (bot.) ModL., fr. Gk. 3~a:rtop.&e:Lv, freq. of 3tctrtep.&ew,
'to destroy utterly'' fr. a~& (see dia-) and rtep.&e:tv,
'to destroy', which is of uncertain origin.
diarchy, n., government by tworulers.-Formed
fr. di-, 'two', and -archy. Cp. triarchy, tetrarchy,
heptarchy.
diarial, adj., pertaining to a diary.- Formed fr.
diary with adj. suff. -al.
diarist, n., one who keeps a diary. -A hybrid
coined fr. diary, a word of Latin origin, and
suff. -ist (fr. Gk. -~cr~c;).
Derivative: diarist-ic, adj.
diarrhea, diarrhoea, n., excessive evacuation of
the bowels. - Late L. diarrhoea, fr. Gk. s~&p
po~ct. fr. 3tctppe'tv, 'to flow through', fr. 3d (see
dia-) and pe:Lv, 'to flow'. See rheo- and cp.
-rrhea.
Derivatives: diarrhe-al, diarrhoe-al, diarrhe-ic,
diarrhoe-ic, adjs.
diarthrosis, n., articulation (anat.)- Medical L.,
fr. Gk. 3Locp&pwcrtc;, 'articulation', fr. 8L01:p%poGv,
'to divide by joints, articulate', fr. 3d (see dia-)
and &p&pouv, 'to connect by a joint', fr. &p&pov,
'joint'. See arthro- and -osis.
diary, n., a daily record. - L. diarium, 'a daily
allowance', later used also in the sense 'diary',
fr. dies, 'day'. See dial and subst. suff. -ary.
Diasia, n., an annual festival in honor of Zeus
Meilichios at Athens (Greek religion). - Gk.
Adm<X (pl.), lit. 'festival of Zeus', fr. ALoe;, gen.
of Zd~. See Zeus.
diaskeuasis, n., revision, recension. - ModL, fr.
Gk. 3LxcrxeJoc~eLv, 'to prepare for oneself, revise, edit', fr. 3L~ (see dia-) and crxeu~~e:tv. 'to
prepare, make ready, to furnish with something',
fr. crxe:Goc;, a vessel, an implement', which is of
uncertain etymology. Cp. parasceve. For the
ending see suff. -asis.
diaskeuast, n., a reviser. - Gk. SLoo:crxe:uoo:cr-ri;<;,
'a reviser, editor', fr. 3~00:0'Y.E'J~~ELV. See prec.
word and -ast.
Diaspora, n., the Dispersion, the Jews scattered
among the Gentiles after the Babylonian captivity. - Gk. 8Lxcr:ropi, 'a scattering about, dispersion', fr. 3LOI:cr:-;dp&Lv, 'to scatter about,
distribute', fr. 8Loc (see dia-) and crrtdp&tv, 'to
scatter'. See spore and cp. next word.
diaspore, n., native aluminum hydroxide (HA102 )

diatom

(chem.) - Gk. 3totcrrtop&, 'a scattering about'

(see prec. word); so called in allusion to its
strong decrepitation before the blowpipe.
diastaltic, adj., extended (said of intervals) (Greek
music). - Gk. 3tctcr-:ctATtx6~, 'serving to distinguish', fr. 3tOI:crTEAAe:tv, 'to put asunder,
separate, divide, expand, dilate; to distinguish,
define', fr. 3d (see dia-) and crTei.Aetv, 'to make
ready, set in order, arrange, equip, dispatch,
send', which stands in gradational relationship
to crToA~, 'equipment, garment'. See stole, 'along
garment', and cp. diastole.
diastase, n., 1) an amylase; 2) an enzyme (biochemistry). - F., fr. Gk. a~ocO'TIXO"L<:;, 'separation', fr. at\O'TOCVXL, 'to separate', lit. 'to stand
apart', fr. 8toc (see dia-) and crT&.vctt, 'to stand';
see state. Diastase lit. means 'a separating substance'. It was introduced into French in this
sense by Payen and Persoz in 1833.
diastatic, adj., having the properties of diastase.
- Gk. 3t<XcrTctTtx6~. 'separating, disintegrating', fr. 3toccrTctToc;, 'divisible', verbal adj. of
8ticrTcivot~. 'to separate'. See prec. word and -ic.
diastole, n., dilatation of the heart (med.)- Gk.
8totcrToA~, 'drawing asunder, dilatation; distinction, difference', fr. 8txcrTii.Ae:tv. See diastaltic and cp. systole.
diastyle, n., a colonnade in which the interval
between each pair of columns equals three times
the diameter of one column (archit.) - L. diastjilos, fr. Gk. 3Loccrw/.oc;, 'having the space of
three diameters between the columns', fr. 3d
(see dia-) and crTul.o<;, 'a pillar'. See style,
'gnomon', and cp. words there referred to.
diatessaron, n., a harmony of the four gospels.
- Gk. 3L<X ncrcr~pwv, 'by four', fr. 8L~, 'through,
by means of, by', and gen. of Tecrcrxpe:;, 'four'.
See dia- and tessera.
diathermancy, n., the property of transmitting
radiant heat. - F. diathermansie, formed with
suff. -cy from the stem of Gk. 8tct&&p[LctlveLv, 'to
warm through', fr. St~ (see dia-) and &e:p[Lxlve:tv,
'to warm, heat'. See therm and cp. athermancy.
diathermanous, adj., transmitting radiant heat.Formed fr. dia- the stem of Gk. &e:pfL<Xlve:tv, 'to
warm, heat' (fr. &epfL1), 'heat', see therm) and
-ous.
diathermic, adj., diathermanous. -Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. 3d&&pfLo<;, 'thoroughly warm',
fr. dia- and &epfLY,, 'heat'. See therm.
diathermy, n., application of heat in the tissues
of the body by means of high-frequency electric
currents. - Medical L. diathermia, coined by
Nagelschmidt in 1908 fr. dia- and -thermy.
diathesis,n., bodily constitution which makes susceptible to disease (med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk.
3d&e:crt<;, 'a placing in order, arrangement, disposition, physical condition', fr. a~oo:n&evoo:L, 'to
place separately, arrange, manage', fr. 3d (see
dia-) and -.L&evoo:L, 'to put, place'. See theme and
cp. thesis and words there referred to.
diatom, n., any of microscopic unicellular algae

diatomaceous

(bot.) - Gk. ~LIXTO[LO~, 'cut through', verbal

adj. of ~~ocTe[Lve:Lv, 'to cut through', fr. ~~&. (see
dia-) and 't"~[Lv<:Lv, 'to cut'. See tome and cp.
words there referred to.
diatomaceous, adj., pertaining to, or containing,
diatoms. - Formed fr. Gk. ~LaTo[La~. 'cut
through' (see prec. word), and suff. -aceous.
diatomic, adj., consisting of two atoms (chem.)
-Compounded of di-, 'two', atom, and -ic.
diatonic, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of, the
standard major or minor scale, without chromatic variations (music). - F. diatonique, fr. L.
diatonicus, fr. Gk. ~LocTO'JLX6~, fr. ~LIXTO'Ja<;, 'extending; pertaining to the diatonic scale', fr.
~Loc-rd'Je:L'J, 'to stretch out', which is formed
fr. ~d (see dia-) and -rd'Je:Lv, 'to stretch'. See
tonic.
diatribe, n., a bitter criticism. - F. diatribe, fr.
L. diatriba, 'a learned disputation', fr. Gk. ~~a
-rpLf31), 'a wearing away', esp. 'a wearing away
of time, amusement, pastime, occupation, labor', fr. 8Loc-rptf3e:L'J, 'to rub or wear away, to
wear away time, to spend time', fr. ~~&. (see
dia-) and 't"ptf3m, 'to rub'. See tribulation.
Derivative: diatribe, intr. v.
diazo-, before a vowel diaz-, combining form denoting compounds in which two nitrogen atoms
are united with one hydrocarbon radical (chem.)
- Coined fr. di-, 'two', and azo-.
dib, n., knucklebone; a game with knucklebones.
- Pro b. fr. obsol. dib, a weakened form of dab,
'to strike lightly'.
dibasic, adj., having two atoms of hydrogen replaceable by bases (chem.) - Formed fr. di-,
'two', and basic.
dibber, n. - See next word.
dibble, also dibber, n., a pointed implement for
making holes. - Formed with instrumental
suff. -le fr. obsolete dib, 'to strike lightly'. See
dib, 'knucklebone'.
Derivative: dibble, tr. v.
dibbuk, n., the soul of a dead sinner that attaches
itself to the body of a living man (Jewish folklore). - Mishnaic Heb. dibbiiq, 'a joining, attachment', fr. dibbdq, 'he joined together', fr.
Heb. diibhdq, 'he clung, cleaved, kept close to,
attached himself', which is rei. to Aram.-Syriac
d'bhdq, d'bhiq, Arab. ddbiqa, of s.m.
dicast, n., a judge (Greek antiq.)- Gk. ~Lxoccr't"1)~.
'a judge', fr. ~Lx:i~e:Lv, 'to judge', fr. ~lxr,,
custom, usage, order right', which is rei. to ~eLx
"'JV:XL, 'to show', fr. I.-E. base *dei'k-, 'to show,
point out', whence also L. dicere, 'to say, tell'.
See diction and cp. the second element in
Eurydice.
dicastery, n., the body of dicasts (Greek antiq.)Gk. ~Lxo:cr-:+,pwv, 'a court of justice, the court',
fr. ~Lxo:cr't"1)~. See prec. word.
dice, n. - Pl. of die.
Derivatives: dice, tr. v., dic-er, n., dic-ing, n.
Dicentra, n., a genus of plants of the family Fumariaceae (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'having two

444
spurs', fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. x~-rpov, 'spur'.
See center.
dich-, form dicho- befote a vowel.
dichlamydeous, adj., having calyx and corolla
(bot.)- Formed with suff. -ous fr. Gk. x"A.x[l-6~,
gen. x"Aa[Lu~a~, 'mantle, cloak'. See chlamys.
dicho-, before a vowel dich-, combining form
meaning 'in two, asunder'. - Gk. ~~xa-, ~~x-.
fr. ~lxo:, 'in two, asunder, apart from, separately', which is rei. to ~(~, 'twice'. See di-, 'two',
and cp. disso- and the first element in dittography.
dichogamous, adj., characterized by dichogamy
(bot.) - See next word and -ous.
dichogamy, n., maturation of the stamens and
pistils at different times (bot.) - Compounded
of Gk. atxo:, 'in two, apart', and y&.p.a<;, 'marriage'. See dicho- and -gamy.
dichotomous, adj., branching in pairs (bot.)
See next word and -ous.
Derivative: dichotomous-ly, adv.
dichotomy, n., division into two parts; branching
in pairs (bot.) - Compounded of dicho- and
Gk. -Ta[LliX, 'a cutting of'. See -tomy.
Derivative: dichotom-ic, adj.
dichroic, adj. characterized by dichroism. -See
next word and -ic.
dichroism, n., the property of certain crystals to
exhibit different colors when viewed from different angles (crystallogr.) - Formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. 8lxpoa<;, 'two-colored', fr. ~~- (see
di-, 'two') and xpw<;, gen. xpw":6~ (Ion. xpo6~).
'skin; color of the skin, color'. See chrome.
dichromatic, adj., having two colors. - Formed
fr. di-, 'two', and chromatic.
dichromic, adj., able to distinguish only two of
the three primary colors. - Formed with suff.
-ic fr. Gk. ~lxpw[La<;, 'two-colored', fr. ~~- (see
di-, 'two') and xpwp.o:, 'color'. See chrome.
dick, n., fellow. - Fr. Dick, short for Dickon,
Dickens, popular forms of Richard. Cp.
dickens.
dick, n. (in the phrase to take one's dick) (slang).
- Short for declaration.
dickens, n., the devil. - From the name Dickens,
alteration of Dickon, a popular form of Richard.
Cp. dick, 'fellow'.
dicker, n., the number ten; esp. ten hides; a set
of ten things. - Rei. to MLG. deker, MHG.
techer, decher, G. Decher, 'set often things'; fr.
L. decuria, 'a company of ten', which was fr.
decem, 'ten', on the analogy of centuria, 'a
division of a hundred things of one kind' (from
centum, 'a hundred'). See decem-, deca- and
cp. decury.
dicker, intr. and tr. v., to haggle. - Fr. prec.
word. The original meaning of the verb was 'to
haggle about the price of ten hides'.
Dicksonia, n., name of a genus of ferns of the
polypody family (bot.) - ModL., named after
the English botanist James Dickson (17381822). For the ending see suff. -ia.
dicky, dickey, n., 1) a donkey; 2) a small bird;

445
3) a false shirt front. - Fr. the PN. Dick. See
dick, 'fellow'.
dicky, adj., shaky (slang). - Prob. of the same
origin as prec. word.
diclinous, adj., having the androecium and the
gynoecium in separate flowers (bot.) - Lit.
'having two beds', fr. Gk. ~~-.'two', and x'Atv'l),
'bed'. See eli- 'two', clinic and -ous.
dicotyledon, n., a plant with two cotyledons (bot.)
-Formed fr. di-, 'two', and cotyledon.
Dicotyledones, n. pl., one of the two subclasses of
angiospermous plants (bot.) - ModL. See prec.
word.
dicotyledonous, adj., 1) having two cotyledons;
2) pertaining to the Dicotyledones (bot.)- See
di-, 'two', cotyledon and -ous.
dicoumarin, also dicoumarol, n., a white crystalline compound used as an anticoagulant (med.)
-Formed fr. di-, 'two, double', and coumarin.
For the ending of dicoumarol see suff. -ol.
dicrotic, adj., doubly pulsating (so that two beats
of the artery correspond to one of the pulse
(med.)- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. 8lxpo-ro~,
'double beating', fr. 81- (see di-, 'two, double'),
and the stem of xpo-rei:v, 'to beat, strike'. See
Crotalus.
dicrotism, n., dicrotic condition. - See dicrotic
and -ism.
Dicruridae, n. pl., a family of birds, the drongo
(ornithol.)- ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
Gk. ~[xpaor;, 8lKpau~. 'forked', and aup&, 'tail'.
The first element prob. meant orig. 'two-horned', and stands for *~[-xpaf-ar;, a compound
formed fr. 8t- (see di-, 'two') and a word rei.
to xepocr;, 'horn' (see cerato-). For the seond
element see uro-, 'tail'.
Dictamnus, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) - L. dictamnus. See dittany.
dictaphone, n., a phonographic instrument for
recording and reproducing. - A hybrid coined
fr. L. dictiire, 'to dictate', and Gk. cpwv~, 'sound,
voice'. See dictate and phone, 'speech, sound'.
dictate, tr. and intr. v. - L. dictatus, pp. of dietare, 'to say often, pronounce repeatedly, dictate (for writing)', freq. of dicere (pp. dictus),
'to say'. See diction and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
dictum, dight, ditty, indict.
dictate, n. - L. dictatum, 'something dictated',
neut. pp. of dictare. See dictate, v.
dictation, n. - ML. dictatio, gen. -onis, fr. L.
dictatus, pp. of dictare. See dictate, v., and -ion.
Derivative: dictation-a/, adj.
dictator, n. - L. dictator, fr. dictatus, pp. of dietare. See dictate and agential suff. -or.
dictatorial, adJ. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. dictiitorius, fr. dictator. See prec. word.
Derivatives: dictatorial-ly, adv., dictatorialness, n.
diction, n. -- L. dictio, gen. -onis, 'a saying,
speaking, speech, diction', fr. dictus, pp. of dicere, 'to say, tell, mention, relate, affirm', orig.
'to show', rei. to dicare, 'to proclaim, dedicate,

didactic

consecrate, devote', and to Oscan deikum,

deicum, 'to speak', fr. I.-E. base *dei'k-, *dik-,
'to show, point out', whence also L. digitus,
'finger' (lit. 'pointer'), the second element in L.
jii-dex, 'judge' (lit. 'he who shows or teaches
justice'), in-dex, forefinger, index' (lit. 'pointer'),
and 01. disati, 'shows', diSii, 'direction', desal),
'region', Hitt. tekkushami, 'I show', Gk.
8etKvuvtXL, 'to show', ~lx'l), 'custom, usage, order, right', Goth. ga-teihan, 'to announce', OE.
teon (for *tih-an), 'to accuse', tacen, tacn, 'sign,
token', tiican, 'to show, teach'. Cp. teach and
words there referred to. Cp. also abdicate, addict,
apodictic, benediction, benison, condition, contradict, dedicate, deictic, dicast, dictate, dictionary, dictum, dight, digit, ditto, edict, endeictic,
epidictic, fatidic, index, indicate, indicia, indict,
indite, interdict, judge, judicial, juridical, jurisdiction, malediction, malison, paradigm, policy,
'document', preach, preconize, predicate, predict,
soi-disant, swadeshi, syndic, valediction, verdict,
veridical, vindicate.
dictionary, n. - ML. dictioniirium (whence also
F. dictionnaire), prop. 'a book of sayings', fr. L.
dictio, gen. -onis, 'a saying'. See prec. word and
subst. suff. -ary.
dictograph, n., a telephonic instrument, used for
transmitting conversations, etc. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. dictum, 'a saying, word', and Gk.
-ypoccpa~, fr. ypli<:pELV, 'to write'. See next word
and -graph.
dictum, n., a saying, maxim, proverb. - L., lit.
'something said', neut. pp. of dlcere, 'to say'.
See diction.
diety-, form of dictyo- before a vowel.
Dictynidae, n. pl., a family of spiders (zoo!.)
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. SlK'ruov,
'net', lit. 'that which is thrown or cast', fr.
~~xEi:v, 'to throw, cast', whence also ~lcrxor; (dissimilated fr. *~[K-crxor;), 'quoit, dish'. See dish
and cp. next word. Cp. also the second element
in Eriodicytion.
Dictynna, n., a Cretan goddess (Greek mythol.)
- L., fr. Gk. lllx'!Uwo:, lit. 'she who is associated with a net', fr. lllx":lJav (see prec. word); so
called because when, being pursued by Minos,
she had thrown herself into the sea, fishermen
rescued her in a net.
dictyo-, before a vowel diety-, combining form
meaning 'net'. Gk. OLX":ua-, o~x":u-, fr.
~(K-ruo", 'net'. See Dictynidae.
did, past tense of do. - ME. dude, dide, fr. 0.
dyde, fr. don. See do.
Didache, n., a Christian treatise of the second
century (eccles.)- Gk. ~~~.xzf;, 'teaching', from
the stem of ~~:icrxELv, 'to learn'. See didactic.
didactic, adj., used for teaching; instructive. Gk. ~~~:XX'l"(X0t;, 'skilled in teaching', fr. a~lhx
T0<;, 'taught', pp. of ~~~occrxe:Lv, 'to teach', prob.
dissimilated fr. *~~-a.xx-crxe:(\1 and cogn. with L.
discere (for *did'k-skere), 'to learn', fr. I.-E. base
*dek-, 'to take, receive, accept; acceptable, be-

didapper

coming good', whence also L. decere, 'to be

fitting or seemly'. See decent and cp. docile. Cp.
also autodidact.
didapper, n., the small grebe or dabchick. - Late
ME. dydoppar, for dive dapper (which occurs in
Shakespeare). Cp. OE. dufedoppa, 'pelican', and
see dive and dip. Cp. also dap, dabchick.
diddle, tr. v., to swindle. -Back formation from
Jeremy Diddler, name of a swindling character
ir. James Kenney's farce Raising the Wind (I 803).
Etymologically, the name Diddler is prob. connected with OE. dydrian, 'to deceive'.
diddle, intr. v., to move up and down, or to and
fro. - Prob. of imitative origin. Cp. dial. E.
didder, 'to tremble'.
Didelphia, n., the group of marsupials (zoo!.) ModL., lit. 'having a double uterus', fr. di- 'two,
double', and Gk. 8e)..cpu~, 'womb, uterus', which
is rei. to &8e)..cp6~, 'brother', lit. 'from the same
womb'. See adelpho and -ia.
Dido, n., foundress and queen of Carthage. L. Dfd6, fr. Gk. Si:8w, of Phoen.-Heb. origin.
The name prob. means 'beloved'. Cp. Heb. dodh,
'beloved, father's brother', dodhfm, 'love'. Cp.
also David.
dido, n., a trick; a caper (U.S., colloq.)- Of uncertain origin.
didrachma, didrachm, n., an ancient Greek silver
coin, a two-drachma piece'.- Late L. didrachma, fr. Gk. 8(8pO(zp.o~, 'a two-drachma piece',
fr. s~- (see di-, 'two') and 8pO(xfL'iJ, 'drachm'. See
drachma.
didymium, n., name of a rare metal (chem.) ModL., coined by its discoverer, the Swedish
chemist Carl Gustav Mosander (I797-1858), fr.
Gk. 8l8u!L0,, 'twin', which is formed fr. a~-.
(rei. to 3[~, 'twice'), and -il'JfLO~ (rei. to Mo,
'two'); see di and dual. Mosander thought that
this metal consisted of one single clement and
called this alleged element didymium, 'the twin
element', because it is always found associated
with another element, the lanthanum. Cp. neodymium, praseodymium, tetradymite, tridymite,
Cp. also epididymis.
die, n, cube.- ME. dee, fr. OF. de (F. de), fr. L.
datus, pp. of dare, 'to give', used as a noun. Cp.
Tt., Sp., Port. dado, OProven9. dat, 'die', and see
date, 'point of time'. Cp. also dado.
die, intr. v. - ME. dien, deyen, fr. ON. deyja,
rei. to Dan. de, Swed. do, 'to die', OFris. deja,
'to kill', OS. d6ian, OHG. touwen, Goth. diwans,
'mortal', fr. Teut. base *dau-, 'to die'. See dead
and cp. words there referred to.
dielectric adj., nonconducting (e/ectr.)- Formed fr. di- (form of dia- before a vowel) and
electric.
Derivative: dielectric, n.
Diervilla, n., a genus of plants, the bush honeysuckles (bot.)- ModL., named by the botanist
Tourneville in honor of N. Dit?reville, a surgeon, who brought this plant from Canada to
Tourneville in 1699.

446
Diesel engine, also diesel, n. -- Named after its
inventor Rudolf Diesel (I858-19I3).
Derivatives: dieselize, tr. v., diesel-iz-ation, n.
Dies irae, name of a Medieval Latin hymn, ascribed to Thomas of Celano, who lived in the first
half of the thirteenth cent. - Lit. 'the day of
wrath'; so called from the first two words of the
hymn. See dies non and ire.
diesis, n., I) the Pythagorean scmitone in ancient
Greek music; 2) the difference between a major
and a minor semitone (ratio 125: 128); 3) the
sign sharp(#) (music).- L., fr. Gk. 8lEcrt~, 'a
quarter tone', lit. 'a letting through', fr. 8Lrz~O(L, 'to send through', fr. a~-. form of SL<X before a vowel (see dia-) and levO(L, 'to send',
which stands for *yi-ye-nai, and is cogn. with
L.jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and
cp. aphesis.
dies non, a day on which no legal business is
carried on. - L. dies non (juridicus), lit. 'a not
juridical day'. L. dies, 'day', derives fr. I.-E.
base *dei-, *deyii-, *df-, *dyii-, 'to shine'. See
deity and cp. dial, diary, diet, 'assembly', diurnal, diuturnal, journal, and the second element
in hodiernal, meridian, Midi, quotidian. For L.
non, 'not', see non-.
diet, n., a parliamentary assembly.- ML. dieta,
'an appointed day' (whence also F. diete, 'parliamentary assembly), fr. L. dies, 'day' (see dies
non): prop. a loan translation of G. Tag, 'day',
in the sense of 'parliamentary assembly'. For
sense development cp. landtag and words there
referred to.
diet, n., fare, food. - ME. diete, fr. OF. diete
(F. diete), fr. L. diaeta, 'mode of living', fr. Gk.
SlO(I.TO(, 'the office of an arbiter; mode of living;
dwelling, abode', back formation fr. SLO(~Tiiv,
'to maintain, support', which is formed fr. SL(form of Sd before a vowel') and <XLO'O( (for
*<XhkO(), 'share, lot, destiny'. See dia- and etio-.
Derivatives: diet, tr. v., to prescribe a diet, dietary, adj., diet-er, n.
dietetic, also dietetical, adj., pertaining to diet.- Gk. 3L<XL-r~nx6~, 'of, or pertaining to, diet',
fr. lll<XLTO(. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: dietetical-ly, adv., dietet-ics, n.
dietician, dietitian, n., an expert in dietetics. Formed fr. diet, 'fare, food', on analogy of
phys-ician.
dif-, assimilated form of dis- before f
differ, intr. v. - F. differer, fr. L. differre, 'to
carry away, scatter, disperse, protract, delay,
differ', fr. dis- and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See
bear. 'to carry'.
difference, n. - F. difference, fr. L. differentia,
'diversity, difference', fr. differens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
Derivative: difference, tr. v.
different, adj. - F. different, fr. L. dijferentem,
ace. of differens, pres. part. of differre. See differ
and -ent.
Derivatives: different-ly, adv., different-ness, n.

447

'i;

differentia, n., a distinguishing attribute or characteristic (logic). - L. See difference.

differential, adj. - ML. differentia/is, fr. L. d;j..
ferentia. See difference and adj. suff. al.
Derivatives: differential, n., differential-ly, adv.
differentiate, tr. and intr. v. - ML. differentiaIus, pp. of differentiiire, which was formed fr.
L. differentia. See difference and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: differentiat-ion, n.
difficile, adj., difficult. -F., fr. L. difficilis, 'difficult'. See difficult, difficulty.
difficult, adj. - Back formation fr. difficulty.
difficulty, n. - ME. difficultee, fr. OF. difficulte
(F. difficulte), fr. L. difficultiitem, ace. of diffi
cultiis, 'difficulty, distress, poverty', formed fr.
difficilis, 'difficult', on analogy offacultiis, 'capability, power'. Difficilis is formed fr. dis- and
facilis, 'easy'; see facile and cp. faculty. For the
change of Latin ii (in fiicilis) to i (in dif-ficilis)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
diffidence, n. - L. diffidentia, 'want of confidence, distrust, diffidence', fr. diffidens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -ce.
diffident, adj. - L. dif[fdens, gen. -entis, pres.
part of diffidere, 'to distrust, be diffident, despair', fr. dis- and fidere, 'to trust'. See fidelity
and -ent.
Derivatives: diffident-ly, adv., diffident-ness, n.
diffluence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
diffluent, adj., tending to melt or dissolve, liquid.
- L. diffluens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of diffluere, 'to flow away, melt away', fr. dis- andfiuere,
'to flow'. See fluent and cp. words there referred to.
difform, adj., I) differing in form; 2) of irregular
form. - ML. difformis, fr. dis- and L. forma,
'form, shape'. See form, n., and cp. deform.
Derivatives: difform-ed, adj., difformity (q.v.)
difformity, n. - F. difformite, fr. ML. difformitiitem, ace. of difformitiis, fr. difformis. See prec.
word and -ity.
diffract, tr. v., to break into parts. - L. diffractus, pp. of diffringere, 'to break in pieces, to
shatter', fr. dis- and frangere, 'to break'. See
fraction.
Derivatives: diffraction (q.v.), diffract-ive, adj.,
diffract-ive-ly, adv., diffract-ive-ness, n.
diffraction, n. - ModL. diffracti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. L. diffractus, pp. of diffringere. See prec.
word and -ion.
diffuse, adj., spread, scattered. - L. diffusus, pp.
of diffundere. See diffuse, v.
Derivatives: diffuse-ly, adv., diffuse-ness, n.
diffuse, tr. and intr. v., to spread, scatter. - L.
diffusus, pp. of diffundere, 'to pour forth, spread
about', fr. dis- andfundere, 'to pour, melt'. See
fuse, 'to melt'.
Derivatives: diffus-ed, adj., diffus-ed-ly, adv.,
diffus-ed-ness, n., diffus-er, n., diffus-ible, adj.,
diffus-ibil-ity, n., diffus-ible-ness, n., diffusion
(q.v.)

digestive

diffusiometer, n., an instrument for measuring

the rate of diffusion of liquids or gases. - A
hybrid coined fr. L. diffusio and Gk. [L!hpov,
'measure'. See diffusion and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
diffusion, n. - L. diffusio, gen. -6nis, 'a pouring
forth, spreading about', fr. diffusus, pp. of diffundere. See diffuse, v., and -ion.
dig, tr. and intr. v. - ME. diggen, fr. F. diguer,
'to make a dike, to dam, excavate; to spur (a
horse)', fr. digue, 'dike, dam'. See digue.
Derivatives: dig, n., digg-er, n., digg-ing, n.
digamist, n., one who marries for the second time
(in contradistinction to bigamist, which denotes
a man who has two wives or a woman who has
two husbands at the same time).- See digamy
and -ist.
digamma, n., the letter f, sixth letter of the original Greek alphabet, corresponding to, and
pronounced like, the Semitic waw (i.e. approximately like an Englis!l w). The letter digamma
was later disused. - Gk. Sly(l([L[L(l(, formed fr.
SL- and y&[LfL(l(, lit. 'two gammas' (see di-, 'two',
and gamma); so called from its shape (f), which
resembles two gammas set one above the other.
digamous, adj., married for a second time. Late L. digamus, fr. Gk. SlyO([LO~, fr. IlL- (see di-,
'two') and y&[Lo~, 'marriage'. See -gamy and
-ous.
digamy, n., second marriage (in contradistinction
to bigamy, which denotes the state of having
two wives or husbands at the same time).- Late
L. digamia, fr. Gk. s~rO(fLLii, 'a second marriage',
fr. 8L- (see di-, 'two') and y&fLo~, 'marriage'.
See -gamy and cp. monogamy, bigamy, polygamy.
digastric, adj., having two swollen ends (said of
muscles) (anat.)- Lit. 'having two bellies', fr.
di- 'two', and yotaTI]p, gen. yotaTp6~, 'belly'.
See gastric.
digest, tr. v., 1) to arrange systematically; 2) to
prepare (food in the stomach) for assimilation;
intr. v., to be digested. - L. digestus, pp. of digerere, 'to carry apart, distribute, divide, spread
about', fr. di-, 'apart', and gerere, 'to carry'.
See gerent.
Derivatives: digest, n. (q.v.), digest-ed, adj.,
digest-ed-ly, adv., digest-ed-ness, n., digest-er,n.,
digestible (q.v.), digestion (q.v.), digestive (q.v.)
digest, n., a collection; a summary.- L. dfgesta,
'a digested collection of writings', lit. 'digested
things', pl. neut. of digestus, pp. of digerere.
See digest, V.
digestible, adj. - F., fr. Late L. digestibilis, fr.
digestus, pp. of digerere. See digest, v., and -ible.
Derivatives: digestibil-ity, n., digestible-ness, n.,
digestib/-y, adv.
digestion, n. - F., fr. L. digesti6nem, ace. of
digesti6, 'a dividing of food, digestion', fr. digestus, pp. of digerere. See digest, v., and -ion.
Derivative: digestion-a/, adj.
digestive, adj. pertaining to digestion. - F. di-

dight

gestif (fern. digestive), fr. Late L. digestlvus,

'pertaining to digestion', fr. L. digestus, pp. of
digerere. See digest, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: digestive-ly, adv., digestive-ness, n.
dight, tr. v., to adorn (poetic). - ME. dihten, fr.
OE. dihtan, 'to dictate, guide, compose, set in
order', fr. L. dicttire, 'to dictate' (whence also
OHG. diht6n, tiht6n, 'to write, compose', MHG.
tihten, G. dichten, 'to write poetry'). See dictate, v.
digit, n., I) a finger or toe; 2) any figure from o to
9. - L. digitus, 'finger, toe', prob. dissimilated
fr. orig. *dic-itus, prop. 'pointer', fr. I.-E. base
*deik-, 'to show', whence also OE. ttihe, tti, 'toe'.
See diction and cp. toe. Cp. also interdigitate,
dital, and the second element in hallux.
digital, adj., pertaining to the fingers. - L. digittilis, fr. digitus. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
digitalin, n., an extract obtained from the foxglove
(chem.) - See next word and chem. suff. -in.
Digitalis, n., I) a genus of plants of the figwort
family, the foxglove (bot.); 2) (not cap.) a
medicine obtained from the purple foxglove. ModL., coined by the German botanist Leonhard Fuchs (I 50 I -66) in I 542 fr. L. digittilis,
'pertaining to the fingers' (see digital), as a loan
translation of G. Fingerhut, 'thimble; foxglove'
(so called in allusion to the finger-shaped corollas).
Digitaria, n., a genus of plants, the finger grass
(bot.)- ModL., fr. L. digitus, 'finger'. See digit
and the suffixes -ar and -ia.
digitate, adj., having separate fingers or toes. L. digit titus, 'having fingers or toes', coined by
Pliny fr. digitus, 'finger'. See digit and adj. suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: digitat-ed, adj., digitation (q.v.)
digitation, n., a fingerlike process. - Medical
L., formed fr. L. digittitus. See prec. word and
-ion.
digitigrade, adj., walking on the toes (zoo/.) F., compounded of L. digitus, 'finger, toe', and
grad/, 'to walk', which is rei. to gradus, 'step'.
See digit and grade.
diglot, adj., bilingual. - Gk. SLyAwn-o~, fr. s~
(see di-, 'two') and y'Aw-r--:-x, y)..wcrcrrt., 'tongue'.
See gloss, 'interpretation'.
diglyph, n., a projecting tablet with two grooves
(archit.) - Gk. SlyAu<po~, 'doubly indented',
fr. s~- (see di-, 'two') and yA~<p&~v, 'to carve'.
See glyph and cp. triglyph.
dignification, n. - ML. dignifictiti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. dignifictitus, pp. of dignifictire. See next word
and -ation.
dignify, tr. v., - OF. dignifier, fr. ML. dignifictire, formed fr. L. dignus, 'worthy', and -fictire,
fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See dignity and -fy.
Derivatives: dignifi-ed, adj., dignifi-ed-/y, adv.,
dignifi-ed-ness, n.
dignitary, n. - Formed with suff. -ary. fr. L.
dignitiis. See next word.
dignity, n. - OF. dignete (F. dignite), fr. L. dig-

448
nittitem, ace. of dignitiis, 'worth, merit, desert,
authority, rank, power', fr. dignus, 'suitable, fit,
becoming, proper, worthy', which stands for
*dec-nos and is rei. to L. decere, 'to be fitting
or seemly'. See decent and -ity and cp. dainty,
deign, condign, indign.
digraph, n., a group of two letters representing
a single sound. - Formed fr. di-, 'two', and
yprt.<p~, 'a writing', fr. yp&<pe:~v. 'to write'. See
-graph.
digress, intr. v. - L. digressus, pp. of digredf,
'to step aside, depart, deviate, digress', fr. di-,
'apart', and gradf, 'to step, walk', which is rei.
to gradus, 'step'. See grade. For the change of
Latin a(in gradl) to e (in di-gressus) see congress.
Derivatives: digression (q.v.), digress-ive, adj.,
digress-ive-ly, adv., digress-ive-ness, n., digressory, adj.
digression, n. - L. dlgressi6, gen. -6nis, 'a going
away, departing', fr. digressus, pp. of digredl.
See prec. word and -ion and cp. degression.
Derivatives: digression-a/, digression-ary, adjs.
digue, n., a dike.- F., 'dike, dam' (whence also
It. diga, Sp., Port. dique), fr. MDu. dijc (Du.
dijk), 'dike'. See dike and cp. dig.
dihedral, adj., having two plane faces.- Formed
fr. di- 'two', and Gk. i!Spii, 'scat; base, side,
face'. See sedentary and cp. -hedral.
Derivative: dihedral, n.
dik-dik, n., a small antelope of North East Africa.
- Abyssinian native name.
dike, also dyke, n. - ME. dik, fr. OE. die. See
ditch, which is a doublet of dike.
dike, dyke, tr. v. - Fr. dike, dyke, n. Cp. OE.
dician.
Derivative: dik-er, dyk-er, n.
diksha, n., initiation preceding certain ceremonies (Hinduism). - 01. dikJd (for *didk-sti),
'initiation', rel. to daksa/J, 'apt, clever', dtl,l'fi, 'he
honors', fr. I.-E. base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take,
receive, accept; acceptable, becoming, good',
whence also L. decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'.
See decent and cp. words there referred to.
dilacerate, tr. v ., to tear to pieces. - L. dilacertitus, pp. of dilacertire, fr. di-, 'asunder', and
laceriire, 'to tear to pieces, to rend'. See
lacerate.
dilaceration, n. - L. dllacertiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
tearing to pieces', fr. dilacertitus, pp. of dilacertire. See prec. word and -ion.
dilantin, n., a drug used in the treatment of
epilepsy. - Short for diphenyl-hydantoin-sodium.
dilapidate, tr. v., to ruin partially, squander,
waste; intr. v., to fall into decay. - L. di/apidtitus, pp. of dilapidtire, 'to throw away, squander, waste', lit. 'to scatter like stones', fr. di-,
'apart, asunder', and lapidiire, 'to throw stones
at', fr. lapis, gen. /apidis, 'stone'. See lapidary
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: dilapidat-ed, adj., dilapidation(q.v.).
dilapidation, n. - L. dflapidiiti6, gen. -onis, a

449

, I

squandering, wasting', fr. di/apidtitus, pp. of dilapidtire. See prec. word and -ion.
dilatable, adj. - Formed witQ. suff. -able fr. L.
diltittire. See dilate.
Derivatives: dilatabil-ity, n., dilatable-ness, n.,
dilatabl-y, adv.
dilatate, adj., dilated, enlarged. - L. diltittitus,
pp. of diltittire. See dilate, 'to become wider',
and adj. suff. -ate.
De:ivatives: dilatation (q.v.), dilatat-ive, adj.
dilatation, n. - OF. dilatation, fr. Late L. diltittiti6nem, ace. of diltittiti6, 'a widening, enlargement, extending', fr. L. di/tittitus, pp. of
diltittire. See next word and -ion.
dilate, intr. v., to become wider; tr. v., to make
wider. - F. di/ater, fr. L. di/tittire, 'to widen,
enlarge, extend'. fr. di-, 'apart', and /titus,
'broad'. See latitude.
Derivatives: dilate, adj., dilat-ant, adj. and n.,
dilat-ancy, n., dilatate (q.v.), dilat-ed, adj.,
di/at-er, n., dilat-ion, n., dilat-ive, adj., dilator
(q.v.), dilatory (q.v.)
dilate, tr. v., to delay (obsol.) - F. dilater, fr.
Late L. diltittire. See dilatory.
Derivative: dilat-ion, n.
dilatometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
dilatation of a substance. - A hybrid coined
fr. L. diltittire, 'to widen, enlarge', and Gk.
fll;-rpov, 'measure'. See dilate, 'to become wider',
and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
dilator, n., a delayer.- L. diltitor, fr. di/titus, pp.
of differre. See next word and agential suff. -or.
dilatory, adj., causing delay.- Late L. diltit6rius,
'dilatory', fr. L. dilator, 'a delayer', fr. diltitus
(used as pp. of di./ferre ,'to defer, delay'), fr. di- and
/titus (used as pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'),
which stands for *t/titos, fr. *tf-, zero degree of
I.-E. base *tel-, *to!-, 'to bear, carry', whence
L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', tolertire, 'to bear,
support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and words
there referred to.
Derivatives: dilatori-ly, adv., dilatori-ness, n.
dilemma, n., a choice between two unpleasant
alternatives; a quandary. - Late L., fr. Gk.
SLA'Ji!J.!J.'X, 'a double proposition, dilemma', fr.
s~- (see di-, 'two') and 'A'ijiJ.iJ.rL, 'assumption', lit.
'something received, something taken for
granted'. See lemma and cp. trilemma.
dilemmatic, dilemmatical, adj., pertaining to a
dilemma. -Formed with suff. -ic, resp. -ic and
-al, fr. Gk. SlA'l')!J.iJ-0!, gen. s~AlJiJ.iJ.rL't'O~. See next
word.
dilettante, n., a superficial amateur. - It., pres.
part. of di/ettarsi, 'to take delight in', reflexive
of dilettare, 'to delight', fr. L. di!lecttire, 'to delight'. See delight and cp. delectation.
Derivatives: dilettante, n. and intr. v., dilettantism, n., dilettant-ist, n.
diligence, n., assiduity.- F., 'diligence, application; haste, speed, dispatch', fr. L. df!igentia,
'attentiveness, carefulness, diligence', fr. di/igens,
gen. -entis. See diligent and -ce.

dime

diligence, n., a public stagecoach.- F., short for

earlier carrosse de diligence, 'coach of speeds'.
See prec. word.
diligent, adj. - F., fr. L. diligens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of diligere, 'to value highly, love',
which stands for *dislegere and orig. meant 'to
pick out, select', fr. dis- and Iegere, 'to pick
out, choose; to read'. See lecture and -ent and
cp. predilection. For the change of Latin i (in
Iegere) to i (in di-/igere) see abstinence and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: diligent-ly, adv., diligent-ness, n.
dill, n.- ME. dile, dille, fr. OE. dile, rei. to OS.
di//i, MDu., Du. dille, Swed. dill, Dan. diid.
OHG. ti/li, til/a, MHG. tille, dille, G. Dill.
dilly, n., a small tree, Mimusops sieberi.- Aphetic for sapodilla.
dillydally, intr. v. - Antiphonic reduplication
of dally.
diluent, adj., diluting. - L. diluens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of diluere. See next word and -ent.
Derivative: diluent, n., a diluting agent.
dilute, tr. v., to thin, weaken. - L. dilutu~. pp.
of diluere, 'to wash away, dissolve, dilute', fr.
di-, 'apart, asunder', and /uere, 'to wash'. See
lave and cp. deluge, diluvian.
Derivatives: dilut-ed, adj., dilut-ed-ly, adv.,
dilut-ed-ness, n., dilut-ion, n.
dilute, adj., diluted. -- L. dilutus, pp. of dlluere.
See dilute, v.
Derivatives: dilute-(v, adv., dilute-ness, n.
diluvial, adj., pertaining to the flood.- Late L.
dfluviti/is, fr. L. diluvium. See diluvium and adj.
suff. -al.
diluvialist, n., an adherent of diluvianism. Formed with suff. -ist fr. Late L. diluvitilis. See
prec. word.
diluvian, adj., pertaining to the flood. -Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. diluvium. See diluvium.
diluvianism, n., the theory that many geological
phenomena are due to the Deluge. - Formed
with suff. -ism fr. L. diluvium. See next word.
diluvium, n., an accumulation of sand and gravel
(geol.) - L. diluvium, 'flood, deluge', fr. diluere,
'to wash away' fr. di-, 'apart', and luere, 'to
wash, lave, cleanse'. See lave and cp. deluge.
The accumulation of sand was formerly attributed to the Deluge, whence its name diluvium.
dim, adj. - ME. dimm, dim, fr. OE. dimme,
dimm, 'dark, obscure; unknown; wicked', rel.
to ON. dimmr, OFris. dim, OHG., MHG. timber, 'dark, black, somber', and prob. cogn.
with Gk . .&iJ.Epo~. 'grave, austere', U&!J.&pwm~.
'of grave countenance', Mlr. dem, 'black, dark'.
Cp. damp, dump.
dime, n., the tenth part of a dollar. - ME. dime,
fr. OF. disme, dime (F. dime), 'a tenth part,
tithe', fr. L. decima, fern. of decimus, 'the tenth',
fr. decem, 'ten'. Cp. It. decima, OProven9. desrna, 'a tenth part', which derive fr. L. decima, and
OProven9. desmo, Sp. diezmo, of same meaning,
which come fr. L. decimus. See decem-, decimal.

amens1on
dimension, n. - F., fr. L. dlminsiiinem, ace. of
dlmensiii, 'a measuring'. fr. dlmensus, pp. of
dlmetirl, 'to measure out', fr. di-, 'apart', and
mitirl, 'to measure'. See measure and -ion.
Derivatives: dimension-al, adj., dimension-ality, n., dimension-al-ly, adv.
dimensionless, adj.- Formed fr. dimension and
-less; first used by Milton.
dimerous, adj., having two parts. -Formed fr.
di-, 'two', Gk. [Lipo<;, 'part' (see mero-), and sutf.
-ous (fr. L. -iisus). See mero-.
dimeter, n., a verse consisting of two measures
(prosody). - Late L. dimeter, fr. Gk. IH[Lc:-rpo<;,
'(a verse) having two measures', fr. IlL- (see di-,
'two') and iJ.i:'tpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
dimidiate, adj., divided into halves. - L. dlmidiiitus, 'halved', pp. of dimidiiire, 'to divide into two equal parts', which stands for *dismediiire and lit. means 'to go through the middle', fr. dis- and medium, 'middle', neut. of
medius, 'middle'. L. dimidius, 'half', is back
formation fr. dimidiiire. See medium and adj.
sutf. -ate and cp. demi-. For the change of Latin
e (in medius) to i (in di-midiiire) see abstinent
and cp. words there referred to.
dimidiation, n., divisiun into halves. - Late L.
dimidiiitiii, gen. -iinis, 'a halving', fr. L. dimidicltus, pp. of dimidiclre. Sec prec. word and
-ion.
diminish, tr. and intr. v. - A blend of earlier E.
diminue (fr. OF. diminuer, fr. L. diminuere), 'to
reduce', and E. minish (q.v.) For the pref. see
di-, 'apart'. Cp. diminution.
Derivatives: diminish-ed, adj., diminish-er, n.,
diminish-ing-/y, adv.
diminuendo, adj. and adv., diminishing, growing
softer (music).- It., fc. pres. part. of diminuire,
which is formed-with change of conjugationfr. L. diminuere, earlier di!minuere, 'to diminish'.
See next word.
diminution, n. - F., fr. L. diminutiiinem, ace. of
dimimltiii, 'a decrease, lessening, diminishing',
fr. earlier demimlrio, fr. demim/tus, pp. of deminuere, 'to lessen, diminish', fr. de- and minuere, 'to make smaller, to lessen, diminish'.
See minute, n., and -ion and cp. diminish.
diminutive, adj.- OF. ( = F.) diminutif(fem. diminutive), fr. L. diminiithus, fr. earlier deminiitivus, 'diminutive', fr. deminiitus, pp. of deminuere. See prec. word and -ive.
Derivatives: diminutil-al, adj., diminutire-/y,
adv., diminuthe-ness, n.
dimissory, adj.- Late L. dimissorius, 'pertaining
to sending away', fr. dimi"u>, pp. of dimillere,
'to send away, dismiss', fr. di-, 'apart', and mittere, 'to send'. See dismiss and adj. sutf. -ory.
dimity, n., a thin cotton fabric.- It. dimiti, pl. of
dimito, 'a kind of strong cotton', fr. ML. dimitum, fr. Gk. 8t[LL-:rJ:, 'of double thread; dimity', fr. 8L- (see di-, 'apart'), and [LL-ro.;, 'warp
thread, thread', which is of uncertain etymo-

450
logy. It is perh. cogn. with Hitt. mitish, 'string,
chord'. Cp. mitosis, samite.
dimorph, n., one of the two forms of a dimorphous substance. - Back formation fr. dimorphous.
dimorphic, adj., dimorphous. -See dimorphous
and -ic.
dimorphism, n., the property of existing in two
distinct forms. - See next word and -ism.
dimorphous, adj., existing in two distinct forms.
- Gk. SliJ.opcpo~, 'two-formed', fr. SL- and
[J.Opcp-1), 'form, shape'. See di-, 'double', and
morpho-.
dimple, n. - ME. dympull, rei. to OHG. tumphilo, 'a whirlpool' (whence MHG. tiimpfel, G.
Tiimpel, 'pool'), and to MLG. diimpelen, Du.
dompelen, 'to plunge'; prob. from the nasalized
form of the Teut. base *dup-, 'to be deep'. Cp.
Lith. dumbU, dupti, 'to sink', and see deep.
Derivatives: dimple, v., dimpl-y, adj.
din, n. - ME. dine, fr. OE. dyne, 'noise, a loud
sound', rei. to ON. dynr, OS. done, Dan. don,
Swed. dan, MLG., MHG. don, 'noise', from the
I.-E. imitative base *dhwen-, *dhun-, 'to sound,
roar', whence also 01. dhunil;., 'roaring', dhwinati, 'roars, resounds'.
din, tr. and intr. v.- ME. dinien, fr. OE. dynnan,
dynian, rei. to ON. dynja, OS. dunian, 'to make
a loud noise', and to OE. dyne, 'noise, a loud
sound'. See din, n.
Dinah, fern. PN.; in the Bible, Jacob's daughter
by Leah.- Heb. Dlmi", lit. 'judgment', fr. din,
'to judge'. See Dan, PN.
dinanderie, n., decorated articles of brass.- MF.
( = F.) fr. OF. dinandier, 'worker in brass',
formed with -ier, a sutf. denoting trade or
occupation, fr. Dinand (now Dinant ), a town in
Belgium, famous for its brasswork. For the ending see the suffixes -ier and -ery.
dinar, n. -Arab. dlndr, fr. Late Gk. S)')vctpLov, fr.
L. denarius. See denarius and cp. denier.
dine, intr. and tr. v. - ME. dinen, fr. OF disner
(F. diner), 'to dine', orig. 'to breakfast', fr.
*desjuner, shortened form of desjejuner (see
haplology), which derives fr. VL. *dis)ijiiniire,
'to break the fast', fr. dis- and L. )ijiinus, 'fasting'. See jejune and cp. dinner, dejeuner.
Derivatives: din-er, n., din-ing, n.
ding, tr. v., to beat. - ME. dingen, dengen, fr.
ON. dengja, 'to hammer, beat', which is ret. to
OHG. tangol, 'hammer', MHG. tengeln, G. denge/n, 'to hammer, beat'; prob. of imitative
origin. Cp. next word. Cp. also dangle, dint.
ding, intr. and tr. v., to sound. - Of imitative
origin.
Derivative: ding, n.
ding-dong, n., adj., v. and adv. - Of imitative
origin. Cp. prec. word.
dinghy, n., a small boat.- Hind. fjengi, 'a rowing
boat', a collateral form of tfnngi, prob. fr. 01.
dnh;am, 'a trough', which is rei. to dru-, 'wood',
drumtil;., 'tree', and cogn. with Gk. Spu.:;, gen.

451

I1

Spuo.;, 'an oak; a tree', Goth. triu, OE. trio,

treow, 'tree'. See tree and cp. dryad. Cp. also
dhoni.
.
dingle, n., a small valley. - ME. dingel, 'a hollow', of uncertain origin.
dingle-dangle, adv. and n. - A blend of dingdong and dangle.
dingo, n., the Australian wild dog, Canis dingo.
- Native name.
dingy, adj., dirty; dark. - Prob. related to dung.
For the softening of the hard g cp. stingy.
Derivatives: dingi-ly, adv., dingi-ness, n.
clinic, clinical, adj., pertaining to vertigo (med.)Formed with sutf. -ic, resp. also -al, fr. Gk.
S'tvo.;, 'a whirling, vertigo'. See dinus.
dinky, adj., dainty. - Cp. Scot. and Northern
dial. dink, denk, 'neat'; of uncertain origin.
dinner, n. - ME. diner, fr. F. diner, 'dinner',
prop. the infinitive diner, 'to dine', used as a
noun. See dine.
Derivatives: dinner-y, dinner-less, adjs.
dino-, combining form meaning 'fearful'.- Gk.
8c:tvo-, fr. 8c:Lvo~ (for *Sfe:t-vo.;), 'fearful', rei.
to Se:lSoo (for *3e-3foL-~), 'I fear', Sl:o.; (for
*3fc:'t-o~). 'fearful, terrible, powerful, mighty,
marvelous', Se:LA6~ (for*8fc:L-A6~), 'cowardly, and
possibly cogn. with L. dirus, 'fearful'. See dire.
Dinobryon, n., a genus of flagellates (bioi.) ModL., compounded of Gk. 3i:vo~, 'a whirling', and ~poo\1, 'moss'. See dinus and bryo-.
Dinoceras, n., a genus of extinct ungulates (paleonto/.) - ModL., compounded of dino- and
Gk. xtpor:~, 'horn'. See cerato-.
Dinoflagellata, n. pl., an order of flagellates
(bioi.)- A ModL. hybrid coined fr. Gk. 3!\lo<;,
'a whirling', and L. flagellum, 'whip'. See dinus
and flagellum.
Dinomis, n., a genus of recently extinct birds resembling an ostrich. The New Zealand Moa
belonged to this genus (paleontoi.)-Mod L., lit.
'a frightful bird', compounded of dino- and
Gk. ISpvL<;, 'bird'. See omitho-.
dinosaur, n. any member of the Dinosauria. See next word.
Dinosauria, n. pl., a group of extinct Saurian reptiles (pa/eontol.) - ModL., lit. 'frightful lizards', compounded of dino- and Gk. a~opii:,
a~\ipo~, 'lizard'. See sauro-.
Derivatives: dinosaurian, adj. and n.
dinotbere, n., any member of the genus Dinotherium. - See next word.
Dinotberium, n., a genus of extinct elephantlike
animals (paleontol.) - ModL., lit. 'the frightful
animal', compounded of dino- and Gk. &Tjp,
-lh)plov, 'wild beast, animal'. See therio-.
dint. n., a force. - The original meaning was
'blow, stroke'; ME. dint, dunt, dent, fr. OE.
dynt, which is rei. to ON. dyntr, dyttr, and to
E. ding, 'to beat' (q.v.) Cp. dent, 'depression'.
dint, tr. v., to mark with a dint. -ME. dinten,
fr. OE. dyntan, 'to beat, strike', fr. dynt, 'blow,
stroke'. See prec. word.

Dionysia

dinus, n., vertigo (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk.

Sivo.;, 'a whirling, rotation, vertigo', which is
rel. to 3f'o11), 'a whirling', atvioo, 3!\lc:ooo, 'I make
whirl or spin round', 8t'ole:ufL~, 'a whirling
round', 8lc:[L~L, 'I hasten away', and prob. cogn.
with 01. diyati, 'flies, hovers', Lett. diet, 'to
dance', Oir. dian, 'swift, rapid'. Cp. dinic and
the second element in scotodinia.
diocesan, adj., pertaining to a diocese. - F. diocesain, fr. diocese. See next word and -an.
Derivative: diocesan, n.
diocese, n., district under a bishop's jurisdiction.
- ME. diocise, fr. OF. diocise (F. diocese), fr.
ML. diocesis, dissimilated fr. L. dioecesis, fr.
Gk. Swb<1JO'L~, 'administration, control', fr. 8L&:
(see dia-) and olxc:i:v, 'to inhabit, possess; to
manage, govern', fr. o!xo~. 'house'. See economy and cp. next word. Cp. also L. parochia,
dissimilated fr. L. paroecia, fr. Gk. 7t~pmxlii:
(see parish).
Diodia, n., a genus of plants of the madder family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 8lo3o<;, 'a thoroughfare', fr. 3Lct, 'through', and oM<;, 'way' (see
dia- and odograph). The name prop. denotes
plants growing by the wayside.
dioecious, adj., having the male and female reproductive organs in separate individuals (bioi.)
- A hybrid formed fr. di-, 'two', Gk. olxl<i,
'house' (see diocese), and sutf. -ous (fr. L. -osus).
Diomedes, n., son of Tydeus and Deipyle, one
of the Grecian chiefs in the Trojan war (Greek
mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. ~LOIJ.-f:8YJ~, lit. 'advised by
Zeus', fr. ~L6.;, gen. of Ze:o.;, 'Zeus', and [L'ij8o<;,
'counsel, plan, device, cunning'. For the first
element see Zeus. The second element is rei. to
[L-i)Se:a-&~L, 'to devise, resolve, advise', [Li8e:a-&~L,
'to be mindful of, give heed to, think on', [LE:8oo..,,
[Le;Seoo\1, 'guardian, ruler' (prop. pres. part of
the ancient verb [Lt3e:Lv, 'to protect, rule over'),
[LE3L[LVO~, 'a measure', fr. I.-E. base mld-, 'to
measure, limit, consider', which is a-d-enlargement of base me-, 'to measure'. See meditate
and cp. Andromeda and words there referred
to.
Dion, masc. PN.- Short for Dionysius.
Dionaea, n., a genus of insectivorous plants of
the sundew family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
~LWVI), a name of Aphrodite. See next word.
Dione, n., I) the mother of Aphrodite; 2) Aphrodite (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. ~..WVI), lit.
'pertaining to Zeus', fr. ~L6<;, gen. of Zeo.;. See
Zeus and cp. prec. word and the first element in
Diomedes.
dionise, n., a kind of precious stone. - OF., fr.
ML. dionysia, fr. L. dionysias, fr. Gk. 8Lowad<;,
fr. ~L6wao.;, 'Dionysus', the name of the god
of wine in Greek mythology; see Dionysus. The
stone was supposed to have the power of preventing intoxication, whence its name. Cp.
amethyst.
Dlonysia, n. pl., festivals held in honor of Dionysus (Greek religion).- L., fr. Gk. ~LovOaLor.,

Dionysiac

(sci!. tep&), fr. ~t6vucro~, 'Dionysus'. See Dionysus.

Dionysiac, adj., pertaining to Dionysus or the
Dionysia. - L. Dionysiacus, fr. Gk. ~wvucrtoc
x6~, fr. ~t6vuao~, resp. ~tovuatoc. See Dionysus,
resp. Dionysia.
Dionysian, adj., pertaining to Dionysus. - See
Dyonysus and -ian.
Dionysius, masc. PN. - L., fr. Gk. ~wvuaw~,
lit. 'pertaining to Dionysus', fr. ~t6wao~. See
Dionysus and cp. Denis, Dion.
Dionysus, Dionysos, n., son of Zeus and Semele,
the god of wine, orig. the god of vegetation
(Greek mythol.); identified with the Roman
god Bacchus. - L., fr. Gk. ~t6wao~, a name
of uncertain origin. Cp. Dionysius and dionise.
Dioon, n., a genus of plants of the family Cycadaceae (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. di- and
Gk. ij)ov, 'egg'. See oo-.
diopside, n., a variety of pyroxene (mineral.) Formed fr. di-, 'two', and o~L~, 'sight, appearance'. See -opsis.
dioptase, n., a mineral consisting of hydrous copper silicate. - Formed fr. di- (form of diabefore a vowel) and the stem of 07tTIX~ew,' to see',
which is rei. to 07tTo~, 'seen; visible'. See next
word.
dioptric, adj., pertaining to the refraction of
light.- Gk. ~L07tTptx6~, 'pertaining to the use
of the optical instrument called ~L07tTptx, fr. ~L-,
form of ~LIX- before a vowel (see dia-), and the
stem of 07tT6~. 'seen; visible', o1tnx6~, 'pertaining to sight'. See optic and cp. catadioptric,
catoptric, scioptric.
Derivative: dioptric-al-ly, adv.
dioptrics, n., that part of optics which deals with
the refraction of light. - See prec. word and
-ics and cp. catoptrics.
diorama, n., a scenic representation in which a
picture is seen through an aperture. - Formed
fr. di- (form of dia- before a vowel) and Gk.
!JpiiJ.IX, 'that which is seen, View, Sight', fr. opiiv,
'to see'. See cosmorama and cp. words there
referred to.
diorite, n., an igneous rock (petrogr.) - F.,
formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. ~wp[~et\1, 'to
divide by limits, separate', fr. ~L-, form of ~LIX
before a vowel (see dia-), and op[~etv, 'to mark
by boundaries, to limit'. See horizon.
Dioscorea, n., a genus of plants, the yam (bot.)
- ModL., named after the Greek naturalist
Dioscorides.
Dioscoreaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.) ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
dioscoreaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Dioscuri, n. pl., Castor and Pollux, the twin sons
of Zeus (Greek mytho/.)- Gk. ~tocrxc.;pm, Att.
and poetic ..'..t0crxr,pm, lit. 'the sons of Zeus',
fr. .lL;,~. gen. of ZE~~. 'Zeus', and XGUpot, xopot,
pl. of xoupo~, xl,poc;, 'boy, son'. F01 the first
element see Zeus. The second element derives

453

452
fr. I.-E. base *leer-, 'to grow'; see Cora, create.
Diosma, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) - ModL., irregularly formed fr. 8ioc;,
'divine', and ocrfLlj, 'odor'. For the first element
see deity, for the second see osmium.
Diospyros, n., a genus of plants of the ebony
family (bot.) - L., name of a plant, fr. Gk.
~t6G7ttipo~, lit. 'wheat of Zeus', fr. ~t6~, gen.
of Zg,Jc;, 'Zeus', and 7tUp6c;, 'wheat'. For the
first element see Zeus, for the second see
pyrene and cp. words there referred to.
diota, n., a vessel with two ears (Greek and Roman
antiq.)- L., fr. Gk. ~LcuToc;, 'two-eared', fr. ~t
(see di-, 'two') and ouc;, gen. WToc;, 'ear'. See
oto-.
dioxide, also dioxid, n., a compound containing
two atoms of oxygen and one of a metal (chem.)
-Formed fr. di-, 'two', and oxide.
dip, tr. and intr. v. - ME. dippen, duppen, fr.
OE. dyppan, 'to dip, immerse; to baptize', rei.
to ON. deypa, 'to dip', Dan. dyppe, 'to dip',
debe, 'to baptize', Swed. doppa, 'to dip, immerse', dopa, 'to baptize', OS. dopian, OFris.
depa, MLG. ddpen, MDu. dopen, Du. dopen,
OHG. toufan, toufen, MHG. toufen, toufen, G.
taufen, Goth. daupjan, 'to baptize', lit. 'to dip',
prop. a loan translation of Gk. ~IX7tT(~etv, 'to
dip, plunge'; in Eccles. Gk., 'to baptize'; rei.
also to OE. deop, 'deep', and prob. also to
OHG. tupfen, MHG. tupfen, tiipfen. G. tiipfen,
'to dab', orig. prob. 'to dip'.
Derivatives: dip, n., dipp-er, n., dipp-ing, n.
diphtheria, n., an infectious disease characterized by the formation of a false membrane in
the air passages. - Medical L., fr. F. diphtherie, coined by the French physician Pierre
Bretonneau (1778-r862) fr. Gk. ~trp&ipi, 'prepared hide, leather, membrane', which is of uncertain origin; it is possibly rei. to Gk. ~trpetv,
~ttjletv, 'to soften'. The disease was so called
by Bretonneau because it is characterized by
the formation of a false membrane. For the
ending of diphtheria see Ist suff. -ia. Cp. dufter.
Derivatives: diphtheri-al, diphther-ic, diphtherit-ic, adjs.
diphtheroid, adj., of the nature of diphtheria. Compounded of diphthera and Gk. -oetll+,~.
'like', fr. dllo~. 'form, shape'. See -oid.
diphthong, n., union of two vowels pronounced
in one syllable. - F. diphthongue, fr. Late L.
diphthongus, fr. Gk. 8lrp&c.yyo;, 'having two
sounds', fr. ~t- (see di-, 'two'), and rp&6yyoc;,
'sound, voice, vowel', which is rei. to <;>&&(fLtx,
'sound, voice, speech', tp&eyyea&~t. 'to speak
loud; to praise, sing'. Cp. monophthong,
triphthong.
Derivatives: diphthong, tr. and intr. v., diphthong-al, adj., diphthong-al-ly, adv., diphthongize, tr. and intr. v., diphthong-iz-ation, n.
diphy-, combining form meaning 'double'.- Gk.
8t<pu1jc;, 'twofold, double', lit. 'of double nature', fr. 8t- (see cU-, 'two') and the stem of

&

<puetv, 'to bring forth, produce, make to grow',

whence also <pumc;, 'nature'. See physio- and
cp. Diphyes.
Diphyes, n., a genus of hydrozoans (zoo/.) ModL., fr. Gk. ~tq)\)1)~. 'twofold'. See diphy-.
DiphyUeia, n., a genus of plants of the barberry
family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'having double
leaves', fr. di-, 'double', and Gk. <pu/..Aov, 'leaf'.
See phyllo-. For the ending see 2nd suff. -ia
diphyUous, adj., having two leaves (bot.) Formed fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. qlUMov, 'leaf'.
See -phyllous and cp. prec. word.
dip!-, form of diplo- before a vowel.
Diplacanthus, n., a genus of fishes (paleontol.} ModL., lit. 'having two spines', fr. dipl- and
&xtx11&oc, 'spine (see acantho-); so called in allusion to the two spines between the pectoral
fins.
Dipladenia, n., a genus of plants of the dogbane
family (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'having two glands',
fr. dipl- and &~7)'1, 'gland' (see adenoid}; so called
in allusion to the two nectar glands. For the
ending see 2nd suff. -ia.
diplegia, n., paralysis of both arms and both
legs (med.) - Medical L., formed fr. di-,
'double', and Gk. 7tA7)y/), 'stroke', from the
stem of TCA.1jcrcrew, 'to strike', which is cogn.
with L. p/iiga, 'stroke, injury, plague'. See
plague and cp. monoplegia.
diplex, adj., pertaining to sending two messages
simultaneously over the same line (radio). A hybrid coined fr. Gk. ~L- (see di-, 'two') and
L. suff. -plex, '-fold' (see plicate). The word dip/ex has been arbitrarily coined to differentiate
it from duplex (q.v.)
diplo-, before a vowel dip!-, combining form
meaning 'double'. - Gk. ~t7t"Ao-, 8m"A-, fr.
8m"A6o~, 8m"Aou~. 'twofold, double', formed fr.
8t- (see di-, 'two') and *pi-, zero degree of base
*pel-, '-fold'. Cp. Gk. 8t-7t"Acicrw~. 'double', and
see ply, 'to bend'. Cp. also diploma, anadiplosis. Cp. also double.
diploblastic, adj., having two germ layers (bioi.)
- Compounded of diplo- and Gk. ~A.txaT6c;,
'bud, sprout, shoot'. See -blastic.
diplocardiac, adj., having the heart double (as
Compounded of
birds and mammals). diplo- and cardiac.
Diplodocus, n., a genus of gigantic dinosaurs
(paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of diploand Gk. llox6<;, 'beam, bar', lit. 'that which
holds the roof', fr. I.-E. base *dek-, dok-, 'to
take, receive, accept'. See decent and cp. words
there referred to.
diploe, n., the cancellou~ bony tissue between the
tables of the skull (anat.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
8m"A67), 'fold, doubling; cancellous substance
between the double plates in the bones in the
skull', prop. fern. of the adj. 8mA6o~, 8m/-ouc;,
'twofold, double'. See diplo-.
diploic, adj., pertaining to diploe.- Formed fr.
prec. word with suff. -ic. Cp. diploetk.

dipsosis

diploetic, adj., diploic (anat.) - An incorrect

var. of diploic. The Gn;ek adjectival suff.
-7)Ttx6c; derives from nouns ending in -7)atc;
(see e.g. exegesis and exegetic); since, however,
there is no such Greek word as ~mA67)at<;,
there can be no Greek adjective of the form
8m"Ao7)nx6c; either. See diploic.
diploma, n. - L. diploma, fr. Gk. ~LTCAWIJ.IX,
'anything double, folded paper, license', fr. ~L
TCA.ouv, 'to bend double, to double', fr. ~m/-6o<;;,
~m/-ou<;, 'double'. See diplo- and -oma and cp.
double.
Derivatives: diploma, tr. v., diplomacy (q.v.),
diplomat (q.v.), diplomatic (q.v.), diplomat-ist,
n., diplom-at-ize, intr. v.
diplomacy, n.- F. diplomatie, fr. diplomate; introduced into English by Edmund Burke (172997). See diplomatic and -cy.
diplomat, diplomate. - F. diplomate, back formation fr. diplomatique in agent diplomatique,
'diplomatic agent'. See next word.
Derivative: diplomate, tr. v.
diplomatic, adj. - F. diplomatique, fr. ModL. diplomaticus, formed with suff. -icus fr. diploma,
fr. Gk. ~t7tAWfLIX. See diploma and -atic.
Derivatives: diplomatic-a!, adj., diplomatic-ally, adv., diplomat-ics, n.
diplopia, n., double vision (med.) - Medical L.,
compounded of ~mMo~. 8m/-ou<;, 'double', and
-w7tlii, from w<ji, gen. w1t6<;, 'eye'. See diplo
and -opia.
Derivative: diplop-ic, adj.
Diplotaxis, n., a genus of plants of the family
Brassicaceae (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'doubly arranged' (see diplo- and taxis); so called in allusion to the biserrate seeds.
dipnoan r) adj., pertaining to the Dipnoi; 2) n.,
a dipnoan fish. - See next word and -an.
Dipnoi, n. pl., a group of fishes (ichthyol.) ModL., fr. Gk. ~lmc.t, pl. of ~(mooc;, 'doubly
breathing', fr. ~t- (see di-, 'two') and -moo;, fr.
7tvo+,, 'breath', which is rei. to metv, 'to breathe',
whence also meGfLtx, 'breath'. See pneuma.
dipolar, adj., having two poles (as a magnet, etc.)
- Formed fr. di- 'two', and polar.
Dipsacaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (but.) ModL., formed fr. Dipsacus with suff. -aceae.
dipsacaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Dipsacus, n., a genus of plants, the teasels (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. ~(<}txxo<;, 'teasel', rei. to 8lytx,
'thirst', 8tYi'iv, 'to thirst'; so called in allusion
to the water contained in the cup-shaped bases
of the leaves. See dipsosis.
dipsomania, n., a morbid periodic craving for
alcoholic liqueurs (med.) - Medical L., compounded of Gk. llltjloc, 'thirst', and wxvli, 'madness'. See next word and -mania.
Derivative: dipsoman-iac, adj.
dipsosis, n., excessive thirst caused by disease
(med.)- Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr.
Gk. 8ltjJo!, 'thirst', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. prec. word and adipsia.

Diptera

Diptera, n. pl., an order of insects, the flies (entomol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 8bt't'E:pot, neut. pl. of
8bt"re:po~;, 'having two wings', fr. 8t- (see di-,
'two') and 1t'Te:p6v, 'feather, wing'. See pteroand cp. next word.
dipteral, adj., I) having two wings (said of insects); having two peristyles (archit.)- Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. 8lTCTe:po~;, 'having two
wings; having a double peristyle'. See prec.
word.
11ipterous, adj., I) belonging to the order Diptera
(entomol.); 2) two-winged (bot.)-Gk. 8lTCTe:po~.
See Diptera. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-o~, see suff. -ous.
Dipteryx, n., a genus of trees of the pea family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. TC't'epu~,
'wing', which is rei. to 1t't'&p6v, 'feather, wing'.
See ptero-.
diptote, n., a noun having only two cases (gram.)
-Late L. diptota (pl.), fr. Gk. 8lTCTW'l'ot, pl. of
8[TCTWTov, prop. the neut. of the adj. Bl=wo~,
'having only two cases', fr. ilt- (see di-, 'two')
and 1t'Too't'6~. 'fallen', verbal adj. of TCl1t't'e:Lv, 'to
fall', which stands for TCtTCTe:tv, fr. *pt-, zero
degree of I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, to fall'. See
feather and cp. symptom and words there referred to.
diptych, n., I) a two-leaved tablet used by the ancients for writing; 2) picture or carving on two
panels hinged together. - Late L. diptycha, fr.
Gk. illTCTU:f.ot, neut. pl. of iltTCTUXo~, 'doublefolded, doubled', fr. 8t- (see di-, 'two') and
*TCTu!;, gen. TC7UX6~. 'fold', layer', which is rei.
to TCTucrcre:Lv, 'to fold'. Cp. triptych, polyptych.
Dirca, n., a genus of plants of the mezereon family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. Dirce, fr. Gk. ~lp>e1J,
name of a fountain near Thebes.
Dircaean, adj., pertaining to the fountain Dirce;
poetic. -Formed with suff. -aean fr. L. Dirce.
See prec. word.
dire, adj., dreadful. - L. dirus, 'fearful, awful,
ill-omened, horrible, terrible', of uncertain origin. It possibly derives fr. I.-E. base *dwei-, 'to
be afraid, fear', whence also Gk. 8e:L8w (for
*8e-8fot-ot), 'fear', 8io~ (for *8fei-o~), 'fearful, terrible. powerful, mighty, marvelous',
ile:tA6~ (for *ilfe:LA6~), 'cowardly', ile:Lv6~ (for
*ilfe:L\If)~). 'fearful', 01. dvi${i, 'hates', dvi$a/:l,
'hatred', Avestic dvaHJii-, 'threat, menace', and
prob. also Arm. erknim, 'I fear'. Cp. dino-,
dinosaur.
Derivatives: direful (q.v.), dire-ly, adv.
direct, tr. and intr. v. - L. directus, pp. of dirigere, 'to put into a straight line, set in order,
draw up, aim, drrect, guide', fr. di-, apart', and
regere, 'to keep straight, direct'. See regent and
cp. dress, which is a doublet of direct. Cp. also
dirge, dirigible, droit, adroit, maladroit.
direct, adj. - ME., fr. F. direct, fr. L. directus,
'straight, direct', pp. of dirigere. See direct, v.
Derivatives: direct, adv., direct-ly, adv., directness, n.

454

direction, n. - F., fr. L. directionem, ace. of

directio, 'a making straight, aiming, directing',
fr. directus, pp. of dirigere. See direct, v., and
-ion.
Derivatives: direction-al, adj., directional-ly,
adv.
directive, adj. - ML. directivus, fr. L. directus,
pp. of dirigere. See direct, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: directive, n., directive-ly, adv., directive-ness, n.
directoire, n., the French Revolutionary Government of I79599. -F., fr. ML. directorium. See
directory, n.
director, n. - AF. directour, equivalent to F.
directeur, fr. Late L. directorem, ace. of director,
fr. directus, pp. of dirigere. See direct, v. and
agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: director-ial, adj., director-ial-ly,
adv.
directorate, n. - Formed fr. prec. word with
subst. suff. -ate.
directory, adj. - Late L. directorius, 'that which
directs', fr. L. directus, pp. of dirigere. See direct, v. and adj. suff. -ory.
directory, n. - ML. directorium, prop. neut. of
Late L. directorius, used as a noun. See prec.
word and subst. suff. -ory.
directress, n. - See director and -ess.
directrix, n. - ModL., formed with suff. -trix
fr. director, on analogy of L. victrix, 'victress'
(fr. victor).
direful, adj., dire.- Formed on analogy of dreadful. See dire and -ful.
Derivatives: direful-ly, adv., direful-ness, n.
dirge, n., lament. - Fr. L. dirige, 'direct', the
first word of the antiphon sung in the Roman
Catholic Office of the dead, adopted from the
Vulgate rendering of Ps. 5:9, which begins with
dirige, a word translating Heb. haysluir (lit.
'make even'). L. dirige is the imper. of dirigere,
'to direct, guide'. See direct, v.
Derivative: dirge, tr. and intr. v.
dirhem, n., a weight and a silver coin used in
various Mohammedan countries. - Arab. dirham, fr. Gk. ilpotzfL-1). See drachma.
dirigible, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -ible
fr. L. dirigere, 'to direct, guide'. See direct, v.
diriment, adj., rendering null and void (law). L. dirimens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of dirimere,
'to separate, divide, interrupt, destroy', fr. di-,
'apart', and emere, 'to buy', orig. meaning 'to
take, receive'. Accordingly dirimere lit. means
'to take away'. The form of the verb should
properly be *disimere (fr. dis- and emere); the
change of s to r is due to rhotacism. See exempt
and -ent.
dirk, n., a short dagger.- Fr. earlier durk, dork,
rei. to G. Dolch, 'dagger'; of uncertain origin.
The spelling dirk is arbitrary. It is based on
Johnson's authority. Du., Dan., Swed. dolk are
German loan words.
Derivative: dirk, tr. v.

455

ft

dirndl, n., a kind of dress. - G. Dirndl, short

for Dirndlkleid, fr. Dirndl, dimin. formed fr.
Dirne, 'girl' (now meaning 'low woman, wench,
hussy'), and Kleid, 'dress'. Dirne derives fr.
MHG. dierne, 'maid' fr. OHG. thiorna, which
is rei. to OS. thiorna, ON. perna, Dan. terne,
MLG. derne, MDu. dierne, 'maidservant', Du.
deern(e), 'girl, wench, hussy', and to OE pegn,
'thane, man, servant'. See thane.
dirt, n. - Metathesized fr. ME. drit, fr. ON.
dritr, 'excrement', which is rei. to ON. drita, OE.
dritan, 'to void excrement', and cogn. with
Serb. driskati, dial. Russ. dristat', 'to have
diarrhea', Maced. Gk. 3otpilotlveL\I, 'to soil, defile'.
Derivatives: dirt, tr. v., dirt-y, adj. and tr. v.,
dirt-i-ly, adv., dirt-i-ness, n.
Dis, also Dis pater, a Roman underworld god,
equivalent to Greek Pluto. - L. Dis, fr. dis,
contracted form of dives, 'rich', prop. loan
translation of Gk. IlAouToov, 'Pluto', which lit.
means 'rich, wealthy' (fr. TCAouTo~. 'riches'). L.
dives is rei. to divus, 'divine, god', and orig.
meant 'favored by the gods'. For sense development cp. OSlav. bogatu, 'rich', fr. bogu, 'God'.
See deity and cp. Dives.
dis-, pref. of Latin origin denoting I) separation;
2) removal; 3) negation, deprivation, undoing,
reversal. - L. dis-, meaning r) 'apart, asunder';
2) 'away from'; 3) 'utterly, completely'; 4) 'un-'
(in the privative sense of this prefix), derived
fr. I.-E. *dis-, 'apart, asunder', whence also Alb.
ts-, a privative pref. (e.g. in tsk'ep, 'to rip, undo'), OE. te-, OS, ti-, to, OHG. zi, ze- [later
zir- (a compound of the prefixes zi- and -ir),
whence MHG., G. zer-, 'asunder']. I.-E. *disis a secondary form of *dwis-, which appears in
01. dvif,, Avestic bish, Gk. ill~ (for *dwis), OL.
dvis (whence L. bis), MHG. zwis, 'twice', Goth.
twis-, 'in two, asunder', ON. tvistra, 'to divide'.
Cp. di-, 'apart, asunder'. Cp. also di-, 'two', and
words there referred to. Cp. also de-.
disability, n. - Formed with suff. -ity from the
obsolete adj. disable, fr. dis- and able.
disable, tr. v.- Formed fr. dis- and the adjective
able.
Derivatives: disabl-ed, adj., disable-ment, n.
disabuse, tr. v., to undeceive. - Form<:d fr. disand abuse.
disaccord, n. - Formed fr. dis- and accord, n.
disaccord, intr. v.- ME. disacorden, fr. OF. desacorder, desaccorder (F. desaccorder), fr. des(fr. L. dis-) and acorder, accorder. See dis- and
accord, v.
disaccustom, tr. v. - OF. desacostumer (F. desaccoutumer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and acostumer
(F. accoutumer). See dis- and accustom.
disadvantage, n. - ME. disavauntage, fr. F. desavantage, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and avantage. See
dis and advantage.
Derivatives: disadvantage, tr. v., disadvantageous, adj., disadvantage-ous-ly, adv., disadvantage-ous-ness, n.

disaster

disaffect, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and affect, v.

Derivatives: disaffect-ed, adj., disaffect-ed-ly,
adv., disaffect-ed-ness, n., disaffect-ion, n.
disaffirm, tr. v., to reverse (law). - Formed fr.
dis- and affirm.
Derivatives: disaffirm-ance, n., disaffirm-ation,n.
disafforest, tr. v. - ML. disafforestiire. See disand afforest and cp. deforest, disforest.
Derivatives: disafforest-ation, n.
disagree, intr. v. - F. desagreer, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and agreer. See dis- and agree.
Derivatives: disagreeable (q .v. ), disagree-ment, n.
disagreeable, adj. - F. desagreable, fr. des- (fr.
L. dis-) and agreable. See dis- and agreeable.
Derivatives: disagreeabl-y, adv., disagreeableness, n.
disallow, tr. v. - OF. desalouer, 'to blame', fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-) and alouer, 'to allow'. See disand allmv.
Derivative: disallow-ance, n.
disanniil, tr. v., to annul completely. - Formed
fr. dis-, in the sense 'utterly, completely', and
annul.
Derivatives: disannull-er, n., disannul-ment, n.
disappear, intr. v.- Formed fr. dis- and appear.
Derivatives: disappear-ance, n., disappear-er, n.
disappoint, tr. v. - OF. desapointier (F. desappointer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and apointier (F.
appointer), 'to appoint'. See dis- and appoint.
Derivatives: disappoint-ed, adj., disappoint-edly, adv., disappoint-er, n., disappoint-ing, adj.,
disappoint-ing-ly, adv., disappoint-ing-ne~s, n.,
disappoint-ment, n.
disapprobation, n. - Formed fr. dis- and approbation.
disapprobative, adj. -Formed fr. dis- and approbative.
disapprobatory, adj.- Formed fr. dis- and approbatory.

disapprove, tr. and intr. v.- Formed fr. dis- and

approve.
Derivatives: disapprov-al, n., disapprov-er, n.,
disapprov-ing-ly, adv.
disarm, tr. and intr. v.- ME. desarmen, fr. MF.
(=F.) desarmer, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and armer,
'to arm'. See dis- and arm, v.
disarmament, n.- Formed fr. prec. word on analogy of armament.
disarrange, tr. v. -Formed fr. dis- and arrange.
Derivative: disarrange-ment, n.
disarray, tr. v. - Formed on analogy of OF.
desareer, fr. dis- and array, v.
Derivative: disarray, n.
disarticulate, tr. v., to disjoint.- Formed fr. disand articulate, v.
Derivative: disarticulat-ion, n.
disassociate, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and associate, v. Cp. dissociate.
Derivative: disassociat-ion, n.
disaster, n., misfortune, calamity. - F. desastre,
fr. It. disastro (but with the substitution of the
F. prefix des- for It. dis-). It. disastro is a back

disastrous

formation from disastrato, 'born under an ill

star', from the pejorative pref. dis-, fr. L. dis(see dis-), and L. astrum, 'star'. See Aster.
disastrous, adj. -F. desastreux (fern. desastreuse), fr. It. disastroso, 'ill-starred', fr. disastro.
See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: disastrous-ly, adv., disastrousness, n.
disavow, tr. v.- ME. disavouen, fr. OF. desavouer (F. desavouer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and avouer,
'to own, acknowledge, avow'. See dis- and avow.
Derivatives: disavow-al, n., disavow-er, n., disamw-ment, n.
disband, tr. v.- Earlier F. desbander (F. debander), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and band, 'band'. See
dis- and band, 'troop'.
Derivative: disband-ment, n.
disbar, tr. v., to expel from the bar.- Formed
fr. dis- and bar, 'rod of metal'. Cp. debar.
Derivative: disbar-ment, n.
disbelief, n. - A hybrid coined fr. dis-, a pref.
of Latin origin, and the Teut. word belief.
disbelieve, tr. and intr. v. - A hybrid coined fr.
dis- and the Teut. word believe. See prec. word.
Derivatives: disbeliev-er, n., disbeliev-ing-ly,
adv.
disbench, tr. v., 1) to deprive of a bench; 2) to
deprive a bencher of the membership of an Inn
of Court. - Formed fr. dis- and bench. Cp.
bencher.
disbranch, tr. v. -Formed fr. dis- and branch.
disbud, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and bud.
disburden, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and burden.
disburse, tr. and intr. v. -- Fr. earlier disbourse,
fr. OF. desbourser, which is formed fr. des- (fr.
L. dis-) and bourse. See dis- and bourse. E. disburse was assimilated in form to Late L. bursa.
Denvatives: disburse-ment, n., disburs-er, n.
disc, n. - See disk. The spelling disc is used esp.
in zoology.
discalceate, adj., unshod, barefooted (said of
members of religious orders). - L. discalceiitus,
'un5hod, barefooted', fr. dis-, and calceiitus, pp.
of calceiire, 'to furnish with shoes', fr. calceus,
'shoe'. See Calceolaria and adj. suff. -ate and cp.
calceate.
discalced, adj., discalceate.- Formed fr. dis- and
calced. Cp. prec. word.
discard, tr. v. - Lit. 'to throw a card away', fr.
dis- and card.
Derivatives: discard, n., discard-er, n.
discern, tr. v., to distinguish. - F. discerner, fr.
L. discernere, 'to separate, set apart, divide,
distribute; to distinguish, perceive, discern, understand, decide, judge', fr. dis- and cernere, 'to
separate, sift, distinguish, discern, understand,
decide'. See certain and cp. concern, decem,
secern. Cp. also discreet.
Derivatives: discern-er, n., discernible (q.v.),
discern-ing, adj., discern-ing-ly, adv., discernment, n.
discernible, adj. - F. discernable, fr. discerner.

456

The English word was refashioned after L. discernibilis. See discern and -ible.
Derivatives: discernible-ness, n., discernibl-y,
adv.
discerp, tr. v., to tear to pieces. - L. discerpere,
'to tear to pieces, rend', fr. dis- and carpere, 'to
pluck, gather'; see carpel. For the change of
Latin d (in cdrpere) to i (in dis-cirpere) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
discerptible, adj. - Formed with suff. -ible fr.
L. discerptus, pp. of discerpere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: discerptibil-ity, n., discerptible-ness,
n., discerptibl-y, adv.
discerption, n. - L. discerptio, gen. -onis, 'a tearing to pieces, rending', fr. discerptus, pp. of discerpere. See discerp and -ion.
discharge, tr. _and intr. v. - ME. dischargen, deschargen, fr. OF. deschargier, descharger (F. decharger), 'to unload, unlade, discharge', fr. VL.
*discarriciire, fr. dis- and *carriciire, 'to put
a load on'. See charge, v.
Derivatives: discharge, n., discharg-er, n., discharg-ing, n.
disciple, n. - ME., fr. OE. discipul, fr. L. discipulus, 'pupil, disciple', fr. *dis-cipere, 'to seize
mentally', fr. dis- and capere, 'to catch, seize,
take hold of, take, receive'. See captive. For the
change of Latin d (in cdpere) to [(in dis-cipulus)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Folk etymology has associated L. discipulus
with discere, 'to learn', although derivatively the
two words are not related.
disciplinable, adj. - Late L. discipllniibilis, fr.
L. disciplina. See discipline and -able.
Derivatives: disciplinabil-ity, n., disciplinableness, n.
disciplinary, adj. - ML. discipliniirius (whence
also F. disciplinaire), fr. L. disciplina. See next
word and -ary.
Derivatives: disciplinar-ian, adj. and n.
discipline, n. - ME., fr. F., fr. L. disciplina,
instruction, teaching. learning, knowledge,
science', fr. discipulus. See disciple and subst.
suff. -ine.
Derivative: disciplin-al, adj.
discipline, tr. v. - F. discipliner, fr. ML. disci
pliniire, 'to teach', fr. L. disciplina. See discipline, n.
discipular, adj., pertaining to a disciple. Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. discipu/us. See
disciple.
disclaim, tr. and intr. v. - AF.-OF. disclamer,
desclamer, fr. dis-, des- (fr. L. dis-) and clamer,
'to call, cry out, claim'. See dis- and claim and
cp. declaim.
disclaimer, n., one who disclaims. - Formed fr.
prec. word with agential suff. -er.
disclaimer, n., denial of a claim (law). - AF.
disclamer, desclamer, inf. used as a noun; see
disclaim. For the subst. use of the infinitive in
legal terminology see attainder and cp. words
there referred to.

457

disclamation, n., the act of disclaiming. - ML.

discliimiiti6, fr. discliimiitus, pp. of discliimiire.
See disclaim and -ation.
disclose, tr. v.- ME. desclosen, disclosen, fr. OF.
desclos- pres. stem of desclore (F. dec/ore), fr.
des (fr. L. dis) and clore, 'to shut, close' (fr. L.
claudere). See dis- and close, adj.
Derivatives: disclos-ed, adj., disclos-er, n., disclosure (q.v.)
disco-, before a vowel disc-, combining form
meaning 'disk'.- Gk. 3~crxo-, 3unc-, fr. 3(crxoc;;,
'quoit, disk'. See disk.
discobolus, n., a discus thrower. - L., fr. Gk.
3~crxo~6:Aoc;;, 'a quoit thrower', fr. 3(crxoc;;, 'quoit,
discus', and -~6:Aac;;, 'thrower of', which stands
in gradational relationship to ~&A:A.:~v. 'to throw'.
See disco- and ballistic.
discoid, adj., having the form of a disk. - Gk.
3Lcrxa.:~31Jc;;, 'resembling a quoit', fr. 3(crxoc;;,
'quoit, disk', and -o.:~l>-i)c;;, 'like', fr. d3oc;;, 'form,
shape'. See disco- and -oid.
discolor, discolour, tr. and intr. v. - OF. descolorer (F. decolorer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
coloriire, 'to color'. See dis- and color, v.
Derivatives: discolo(u)r, n., discolo(u)r-ation, n.
discomfit, tr. v. - ME. discomfiten, fr. OF. descon/it, 'defeated', pp. of desconfire (F. deconfire),
'to defeat', fr. VL. disconficere, fr. dis- and L.
conficere, 'to put together, make ready, prepare,
bring about, accomplish, produce, consume'.
See confect and cp. comfit.
discomfiture, n. - OF. descomfiture (F. deconfiture), fr. desconfire. See prec. word and -ure.
discomfort, tr. v. - OF. desconforter (F. deconforter), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and conforter. See
dis- and comfort, v.
discomfort, n. - OF. desconfort (F. deconfort),
fr. desconforter. See discomfort, v.
discomfortable, adj. - OF. desconfortable. See
discomfort and -able and cp. comfortable.
discommode, tr. v., to inconvenience. - Formed
fr. dis- and L. commodiire, 'to make fit, accomodate', fr. commodus, 'fit, suitable, convenient'.
See dis- and commode.
discommodity, n., inconvenience. - Formed fr.
dis- and commodity.
discommon, tr. v., to deprive of the character of
a common.- Formed fr. dis- and common, n.
discompose, tr. v.- Formed fr. dis- and compose.
Derivatives: discompos-ed, adj., discompos-edly, adv., discompos-ing, adj., discompos-ing-ly,
adv., discompos-ure, n.
disconcert, tr. v. - Obsol. F. disconcerter (corresponding to F. deconcerter). See dis- and
concert.
Derivatives: disconcert-ed, adj., disconcert-edly, adv., disconcert-ed-ness, n., disconcert-ing,
adj., disconcert-ing-ly, adv., disconcert-ing-ness,
n., disconcert-ion, n., disconcert-ment, n.
disconnect, tr. v., to disjoin, separate. -Formed
fr. dis- and connect.
Derivatives: disconnect-ed, adj., disconnect-ed-

discourage

ly, adv., disconnect-ed-ness, n., disconnection

(q.v.), disconnect-ive, adj., disconnect-or, n.
disconnection, disconnexion, n. - Formed fr.
dis- and connection, connexion.
disconsolate, adj., inconsolable, sad. - ML. disconsoliitus, fr. dis- and L. consoliitus, pp. of consoliiri, 'to console, comfort'. See console, v., and
adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: disconsolate-ly, adv., disconsolateness, n.
discontent, n., want of content. - Formed fr.
dis and content, n.
discontent, tr. v., to dissatisfy. -Formed fr. disand content, v.
Derivatives: discontent-ed, adj., discontent-edly, adv., discontent-ed-ness, n., discontent-ing,
adj., discontent-ment, n.
discontinuance, n. - AF., fr. OF. (= F.) discontinuer. See discontinue and -ance.
discontinuation, n.- F., fr. discontinuer. See next
word and -ation.
discontinue, tr. and intr. v. - F. discontinuer, fr.
ML. discontinuiire, fr. dis- and L. continuiire, 'to
join together, unite, continue'. See continue.
Derivatives: discontinu-er, n., discontinu-ity, n.,
discontinu-ous, adj., discontinu-ous-ly, adv., discontinu-ous-ness, n.
discord, n.- ME. descord, discord, fr. OF. descorder, discorder. Cp. OF. discorde, sometimes
descorde (F. discorde), fr. L. discordia, 'discord', fr. discors, gen. discordis. See discord, v.
discord, intr. v. - ME. descorden, discorden, fr.
OF. descorder, discorder (F. discorder) (the form
discorder was refashioned after the Latin), fr.
L. discordiire, 'to be at variance, differ, disagree' (whence also It. discordare, OProvenc;.
descordar), fr. discors, gen. discordis, 'discordant, disagreeing, at variance', fr. dis- and cors,
gen. cordis, 'heart'. See cordate and cp. scordato. Cp. also accord, concord.
discordance, n. - OF. descordance (F. discordance), fr. descordant. See next word and -ce and
cp. concordance.
discordant, adj.- OF. descordant (F. discordant),
pres. part. of descorder (F. discorder). See discord, v., and -ant.
Derivatives: discordant-ly, adv., discordantness, n.
discount, n.- 16th cent. F. descompte, fr. ML.
discomputus (whence also It. disconto), fr. disand L. computiire, 'to count'. See count, v.
discount, tr. and intr. v. -OF. descompter, desconter(F.decompter), fr. 16th cent. F. descompte.
See discount, n.
Derivative: discount-able, adj.
discountenance, tr. v., to discourage, disapprove.
- Formed fr. dis- and countenance. Cp. F. decontenancer.
discourage, tr. v. - OF. descoragier, descouragier (F. dicourager), fr. des- (fr. L. dis) and
carage (F. courage). See dis- and courage and
cp. encourage.

discouragement

Derivatives: discouragement (q.v.), discourag-er,

n., discourag-ing, adj., discourag-ing-ly, adv.
discouragement, n.- OF. descouragement (F. decouragement), fr. descouragier. See prec. word
and -ment.
discourse, n. - F. discours, fr. L. discursus, 'a
running to and fro', in Late L., 'a conversation,
discourse', fr. discurs-(um), pp. stem of discurrere, 'to run to and fro', fr. dis- and currere, 'to
run'. See course.
Derivatives: discourse, intr. and tr. v., discourser, n., discoursive (q.v.).
discoursive, adj., 1) pertaining to discourse; 2) rational; 3) discursive. - Formed from prec.
word with suff. -ive. Cp. discursive.
Derivatives: discoursive-ly, adv., discoursiveness, n.
discourteous, adj., impolite, rude. - Formed fr.
dis- and courteous. Cp. F. discourtois.
Derivatives: discourteous-ly, adv., discourteousness, n.
discourtesy, n. - Formed fr. dis- and courtesy.
Cp. F. discourtoisie.
discover, tr. v.- OF. descovrir, descouvrir (F. decouvrir), fr. Late L. discooperire, fr. dis- and L.
cooperire, 'to cover wholly'. See cover.
Derivatives: discover-able, adj., discover-ability, n., discover-abl-y, adv., discover-er, n., discovert (q.v.), discovery (q.v.)
discovert, adj., not covert, unmarried (prop. not
protected by a husband) (law).- OF. descovert,
descouvert (F. decouvert), 'uncovered', prop. pp.
of descovrir, descouvrir. See prec. word and cp.
covert.
discovery, n. - Formed fr. discover on analogy
of recovery.
discredit, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and credit.
Derivatives: discredit, n., discredit-able, adj.,
discredit-abl-y, adv.
discreet, adj., prudent. -~OF. ( = F.) discret, fr.
L. discri!tus, pp. of discernere, 'to separate, set
apart, discern'. See discern and cp. discrete. Cp.
also decem, secern.
discrepancy, n., difference. - OF. discrepance,
fr. L. discrepantia, 'discordance, discrepancy',
fr. discrepiins, gen. -antis. See next word and -cy.
discrepant, adj., different. - L. discrepiins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of discrepiire, 'to sound differently, differ, vary', fr. dis- and crepiire, 'to
rattle, crack, break with a crack, burst'. See crepitate and -ant.
Derivative: discrepant-ly, adv.
discrete, adj., separate. - L. discretus, pp. of
discernere. See discreet, which is a doublet of
discrete.
Derivatives: discrete-ly, adv., discrete-ness, n.
discretion, n. - OF. descrecion, discrecion (F.
discretion), fr. L. discretionem, ace. of discreti6,
'separation, discrimination, discernment', fr.
discretus, pp. of discernere. See discreet and -ion.
Derivatives: discretion-al, adj., discretion-al-ly,
adv., discretion-ary, adj., discretion-ari-ly, adv.

458
discriminant, adj., discriminating. - L. discriminiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of discriminiire.
See next word and -ant.
discriminate, intr. and tr. v. - L. discriminiitus,
pp. of discriminiire, 'to divide, separate, distinguish, distribute, apportion', fr. discrimen, gen.
discriminis, 'interval, distinction, difference,
turning point, critical moment, decision', from
the stem of discernere (pp. discretus), 'to separate, set apart, discern'. See discern and cp.
crime, criminate, incriminate, recriminate.
Derivatives: discriminat-ing, adj., discriminating-ly, adv., discrimination (q.v.), discriminative, adj., discriminat-ive./y, adv., discriminat-ory,
adj.
discrimination, n. - Late L. discriminiiti6, gen.
-onis, 'the contrasting of opposite thoughts', fr.
L. discriminiitus, pp. of discriminiire. See prec.
word and -ion.
discrown, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and crown.
disculpate, tr. v., to exculpate. - ML. disculpiitus, pp. of disculpiire, 'to free from blame', fr.
dis- and L. culpiire, 'to reproach, blame', fr.
culpa, 'fault, blame'. See culpable and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. exculpate.
Derivatives: disculpat-ion, n., disculpat-ory, adj.
discursion, n. - Late L. discursi6, gen. -onis, 'a
running to and fro', fr. L. discurs-(um), pp. stem
of discurrere. See next word and -ion.
discursive, adj., 1) running to and fro (rare);
2) rambling.- F. discursif(fem. discursive), fr.
discurs-(um), pp. stem of discurrere, 'to run to
and fro'. See discourse and -ive and cp. discoursive.
Derivatives: discursive-ly, adv., discursive-ness,
n.
discus, n., a disk. - L., fr. Gk. lllcrxo~. 'quoit,
disk'. See disk.
discuss, tr. and intr. v. - L. discussus, pp. of discutere, 'to shake violently, shatter, dash to pieces, scatter, disperse', in Late L. 'to discuss',
fr. dis- and quatere, 'to shake, wield, brandish,
strike, shatter'. See quash, 'to annul', and cp.
concuss, concussion, percuss, percussion.
Derivatives: discuss-er, n., discuss-ible, adj., discussion (q.v.), discuss-ive, adj.
discussion, n. -OF. ( = F.), fr. L. discussionem,
ace. of discussi6, 'a shaking', in Late L. 'discussion', fr. discussus, pp. of discutere. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivative: discussion-a!, adj.
disdain, tr. v. - ME. disdaynen, fr. OF. desdeignier, desdeigner (F. dedaigner), fr. VL. *disdigniire, corresponding to L. dedigniiri. 'to disdain', prop. 'to reject as unworthy'. Cp. It.
sdegnare, Oproven~Y. desdenhar, Sp. desddiar,
'to disdain', and see dis- and deign.
Derivative: disdain-er, n.
disdain, n.- ME. disdayn, fr. OF. desdeign, desdain (F. dedain), fr. desdeignier. See disdain, v.
Derivatives: disdain-ful, adj., disdain-ful-ly,adv.,
disdain-ful-ness, n.

459

disease, n. - ME. disese, desese, fr. OF. desaise,

lit. 'lack of ease', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and aise,
'ease'. See dis- and ease.

disease, tr. v. - ME. disesen, fr. OF. desaaisier,

fr. desaise, 'disease'. See disease, n.
Derivative: diseas-ed, adj.
disembark, tr. and intr. v.- F. desembarquer, fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-) and embarquer, 'to embark'. See
dis- and embark.
Derivative: disembark-ation, n.
disembarrass, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and embarrass, on analogy of F. desembarrasser. Cp.
debarrass. Derivative: disembarrass-men!, n.
disembody, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and embody.
Derivative: disembodi-ment, n.
disembogue, tr. and intr. v., to flow into the sea,
lake, etc.; to empty. - Sp. desembocar, fr. des(fr. L. dis-) and embocar, 'to put or enter into
the mouth', fr. em-, assimilated form of en-, 'in',
and boca, 'mouth', fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See in-,
'in', and buccal, and cp. debouch.
disembosom, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. disand embosom and lit. meaning 'to cast from
the bosom'.
disembowel, tr. v., to remove the bowels from. Formed fr. dis- and embowel.
diseme, n., a syllable of two times (pros.) - See
next word.
disemic, adj., having the length of two times
(pros.) - Formed with suff. -ic fr. Late L.
disemus, 'dissyllabic', fr. Gk. llla-t)[.I.O~, fr. llL(see di-, 'two'), and cr'ij[.Loc, 'sign'. See semantics
and cp. words there referred to.
disenchant, tr. v.- F. desenchanter, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and enchanter, 'to enchant, bewitch'. See
dis- and enchant;
Derivatives: disenchant-er, n., disenchant-ment,

n.
disencumber, tr. v. - F. desencombrer, fr. des(fr. L. dis-) and encombrer, 'to obstruct, encumber'. See dis- and encumber.
disenfranchise, tr. v., to disfranchise. - Formed
fr. dis- and enfranchise. Cp. disfranchise.
Derivative: disenfranchise-ment, n.
disengage, tr. v. - Formed fr. dis- and engage.
Derivatives: disengag-ed, adj., disengage-ment, n.
disfavor, disfavour, n. - Formed fr. dis- and
favor, favour.
Derivative: disfavo(u)r, tr. v.
disfigure, tr. v. - OF. desfigurer (F. defigurer),
fr. VL. *disfiguriire, fr. dis- and L. figiiriire, 'to
form, fashion', fr. figiira, 'form, shape'. See
figure, n.
Derivatives: disfigur-ation, n., disfigure-ment,
n., disfigur-er, n.
disforest, tr. v., to disafforest. - Formed fr. disand forest. Cp. deforest, disafforest.
disfranchise, tr. v., to deprive of a franchise. Formed fr. dis- and franchise. Cp. disenfranchise.
Derivative: disfranchise-ment, n.
disgorge, tr. v., to throw out from the throat. -

dishonest

OF. desgorger (F. degorger), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-)

and gorge, 'throat'. See dis- and gorge.
disgrace, n. - F. disgrace, fr. It. disgrazia, fr.
dis- (fr. L. dis-) and grazia, 'grace', fr. L. gratia,
'favor, kindness, charm'. See dis- and grace, v.
Derivatives: disgrace-ful, adj., disgrace-ful-ly,
adv., disgrace-ful-ness, n.
disgrace, tr. v. -F. disgracier, fr. disgrace. See
disgrace, n.
disgruntle, tr. v., to make discontented. Formed fr. dis- and grnntle, freq. of grunt.
Derivatives: disgruntl-ed, adj., disgruntle-ment, n.
disguise, tr. v.- ME. desguisen, desgisen, degisen,
fr. OF. desguisier, desguiser (F. deguiser), fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-) and OF. ( = F.) guise. See disand guise.
Derivatives: disguise, n., disguis-ed, adj., disguis-ed-ly, adv., disguis-ed-ness, n., disguis-er, n.
disgust, tr. v. - Earlier F. desgouster (F. degoilter), 'to disgust', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
gouster (F. goilter), 'to taste', fr. L. gustiire, of
s.m. See gust, 'relish', and cp. degust.
Derivatives: disgust-ed, adj., disgust-ed-ly, adv.,
disgust-ed-ness, n., disgust-er, n., disgust-ing,
adj., disgust-ing-ly, adv., disgust-ing-ness, n.
disgust, n. -Earlier F. desgoust (F. degoilt), fr.
desgouster. See disgust, v.
Derivatives: disgust-ful, adj., disgust-ful-ly, adv.,
disgust-ful-ness, n.
dish, n. - ME. disch, fr. OE. disc, 'dish, plate,
bowl', rei. to ON. diskr, 'dish', OS. disk, 'table',
OHG. tisc, 'dish; table', MHG., G. tisch,
'table', fr. L. discus, 'quoit', in Late L. 'dish'
(so called because of its shape), fr. Gk. lllcrxo~,
'quoit, disk', which is dissimilated fr. *lllx-crxo~
and prop. means 'that which is thrown', from
the stem of llLxe"Lv, 'to throw, cast', whence also
ll!xTuov, 'net'. Cp. dais, desk, disc, discus and
the second element in oftish. Cp. also Dictynidae,
Dictynna, dictyo-.
Derivatives: dish, tr. and intr. v., dish-ed, adj.,
dish-er, n.
dishabille, also deshabille, n., negligee, undress.
-F. deshabille, prop. pp. of deshabiller, 'to undress', used as a noun, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
habiller, 'to dress'. See dis- and habiliment. For
the loss of the French pp. suff. -e in E. deshabille
cp. costive and words there referred to.
disherison, n., the act of disinheriting (archaic).
-Fr. earlier disheriteson, fr. OF. desheriteison,
fr. desheriter, 'to disinherit', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-)
and heriter, 'to inherit', fr. L. hereditiire, 'to inherit'. See heredity and cp. disinherit.
dishevel, tr. v. - Back formation fr. disheveled.
disheveled, dishevelled, adj., disarranged; untidy;
tousled.- Formed with suff.-ed fr. OF.deschevele, 'disheveled', fr. ML. discapilliitus, 'stripped
of hair', fr. dis- and L. capillus, 'hair'. In F.
echevele, 'disheveled'' the pref. des- has been replaced by the pref. e- (fr. L. ex-, 'out of, from';
see 1st ex-). See capillary.
dishonest, adj. - ME. dishoneste, fr. OF. des-

dishonesty

honeste (F. deshonnete), fr. VL. dishonestus (corresponding to L. dehonestus), fr. dis- and L.
honestus. See honest.
Derivative: dishonest-ly, adv.
dishonesty, n.- OF. deshoneste (F. deshonnetete),
fr. deshoneste, adj. See prec. word and cp.
honesty.
dishonor, dishonour, n.- OF. deshonor (F. deshonneur), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and honor. See disand honor, n.
dishonor, dishonour, tr. v. -OF. deshonorer (F.
deshonorer), fr. Late L. dishonoriire, 'to dishonor', fr. dis- and L. honoriire, 'to honor'. See
honor, v.
Derivatives: dishono(u)r-able, adj., dishono(u)rable-ness, n., dishono(u)r-abl-y, adv.
dishorse, tr. and intr. v. - A hybrid coined fr.
dis-, a pref. of Latin origin, and the Teut. word
horse.
disinherit, tr. v., to deprive of the right to inherit. - Formed fr. dis- and inherit, in the now
obsolete sense 'to make one's heir'. Cp. disherison.
Derivative: disinherit-ance, n.
disject, tr. v., to scatter, disperse. - L. disjectus,
pp. of disicere (less correctly disjicere), 'to throw
asunder, scatter', fr. dis- andjiicere, 'to throw'.
See jet, 'to spirt forth'. For the change of Latin
ii (in jiicere) to e (in dis-jectus) see accent and
cp. words there referred to.
disjecta membra, scattered members. - See disject and member.
disjoin, tr. v.- OF. desjoindre (F. disjoindre, dejoindre), fr. L. disjungere, 'to disjoin, disunite,
separate', fr. dis- and jungere, 'to join'. See join
and cp. disjoint, disjunct, disjunction.
disjoint, adj. - OF. desjoint (fr. L. disjiinctus),
pp. of de~joindre. See prec. word and cp. disjunct, conjoint.
Derivatives: di~joint-ed, adj., disjoint-ed-ly, adv.,
disjoint-ed-ness, n.
disjunct, adj. - L. disjiinctus, pp. of disjungere.
See disjoin.
disjunction, n. - L. disjiinctio, gen. -6nis, 'separation', fr. disj1inctus, pp. of di~iungere. See disjunct and -ion and cp. junction, conjunction.
disjunctive, adj. - L. disjiinctivus, 'placed in opposition', fr. disjiinctus, pp. of disjungere. See
disjoin and -ive and cp. conjunctive, subjunctive.
Derivatives: disjunctive, n., disjunctive-ly, adv.
disk, also disc, n. (the latter spelling is used especially in zoology). - L. discus, 'quoit, disk',
fr. Gk. 8axo~. See dish and cp. words there
referred to.
dislikable, adj. - Formed from the verb dislike
with suff. -able; first used by Carlyle. Cp. adoptable, affordable, forgettable.
dislike, tr. v. - A hybrid coined fr. dis- (fr. L.
dis-) and like, 'to be fond of' (fr. OE. gelician).
Cp. the verb mislike, in which both elements
are Teutonic.
Derivative: dislike, n.

460
dislocate, tr. v., I) to put out of joint; 2) to upset.
- ML. dislociitus, pp. of dislociire, 'to put out
of place', fr. dis- and lociire, 'to put, place', fr.
locus, 'place'. See locate.
dislocation, n. - ML. dislociitio, gen. -onis, fr.
dislociitus, pp. of dislociire. See prec. word and
-ion.
dislodge, tr. v. -OF. deslogier, desloger (F. delager), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and logier, loger, 'to
lodge'. See dis- and lodge, v.
Derivative: dislodg-ment, n ..
disloyal, adj. -OF. desloial (F. deloyal), fr. des(fr. L. dis-) and loial (F. loyal).- See dis-and
loyal.
Derivatives: disloyal-ly, adv., disloyalty (q.v.),
and the hybrid noun disloyal-ist, n.
disloyalty, n.- OF. desloiaute (F. deloyaute), fr.
OF. desloial. See disloyal and -ty and cp.
loyalty.
dismal, n., a period of dies mali, or 'unlucky
days' ; adj., I) gloomy; dreary; 2) miserable. ME. dysmal, fr. OF. dis mal, 'evil, or unlucky,
day', fr. L. dies mall, 'evil, unfortunate days'.
See deity and mal-.
Derivatives: dismal-ly, adv., dismal-ness, n.
dismantle, tr. v. - OF. desmanteler (F. demanteler ), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and manteler, 'to cover
with a mantle', fr. mantel, 'mantle'. See dis- and
mantle.
Derivatives: dismantle-ment, n., dismantl-er, n.
dismay, tr. v., to discourage. - ME. dismayen,
fr. OF. *desmayer, *dismayer (occurri!lg only in
the form of the pp. dismaye), a collateral form of
esmayer, 'to trouble, disturb, frighten' (whence
OF. esmais, esmoi, F. emoi, 'anxiety'), fr. VL.
*exmagiire, 'to remove the power from', a hybrid coined fr. L. pref. ex-, 'out of, from', and
Teut. *magan, 'to be able'. See dis- and the
auxiliary verb may. Cp. It. smagare, 'to weaken,
dismay, discourage', smagarsi, 'to be discouraged', OProven~. esmagar, esmaiar, 'to trouble',
Port. esmagar, 'to crash', which all derive fr.
VL. *exmagiire. Sp. desmayar, 'to be dispi1ited',
is an OF. loan word.
Derivatives: dismay, n., loss of courage, dismayed, adj., dismay-ed-ness, n.
dismember, tr. v.- OF. desmembrer (F. demembrer), fr. VL. dismembriire (corresponding to L.
demembriire), 'to dismember', fr. dis- and membrum, 'member'. See member.
Derivatives: dismember-ed, adj., dismember-er,
n., dismemberment (q.v.)
dismemberment, n. - OF. desmembrement (F.
demembrement), fr. desmembrer. See prec. word
and -ment.
dismiss, tr. v.- Formed, with change of suffix
di- to dis-, f~. L. dimissus, pp. of dimittere, 'to
send apart, send away', fr. di-, 'apart', and mittere, 'to send'. See mission.
Derivatives: dismiss-al, n., dismiss-ible, adj.,
dismiss-ion, n., dismiss-ive, adj.
disnature, tr. v.- OF. desnaturer (F. denaturer),

461
fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and nature. See dis- and
nature.
disobedience, n. - OF. desobedience, fr. VL.
*disoboedientia (corresponding to L. inoboedientia), fr. *disoboediens, gen. -entis. See disand obedience.
disobedient, adj.- OF. desobedient, fr. VL. *disoboedientem, ace. of *disoboediens, which corresponds to L. inoboediens, 'disobedient'. See
dis- and obedient and cp. next word.
Derivative: disobedient-ly, adv.
disobey, tr. and intr. v. - F. desobeir, fr. VL.
*disoboedfre, corresponding to L. inoboedire,
'to disobey'. See dis- and obey.
disoblige, tr. v. - F. desobliger, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and obliger, 'to oblige'. See dis- and oblige.
Derivatives: disoblig-er, n., disoblig-ing, adj.,
disoblig-ing-ly, adv.
disorder, n. - Formed fr. dis- and order, on
analogy of F. desordre.
Derivatives: disorder, tr. v., disorder-ed, adj.,
disorder-ed-ly, adv., disorder-ed-ness, n., disorder-ly, adj., n. and adv., disorder-li-ness, n.
disorganization, n. - F. desorganisation, fr. desorganiser. See next word and -ation.
disorganize, tr. v.- Coined by Edmund Burke
(I729-97) fr. dis- and organize, on analogy of
F. desorganiser.
Derivatives: disorganization (q.v.), disorganizer, n.
disparage, tr. v., to belittle. - OF. desparagier
(F. deparager), orig. 'to marry below one's
rank', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and parage, 'equality
of rank', fr. VL. *pariiticum, fr. L. par, 'equal'.
See dis-, pair and verbal suff. -age.
Derivatives: disparag-er, n., disparag-ing, adj.,
disparag-ing-ly, adv.
disparagement, n.- OF. desparagement, fr. desparagier. See prcc. word and -ment.
disparate, adj., unequal. - L. dispariitus, pp. of
dispariire, 'to part, separate', fr. dis- and pariire,
'to prepare'. See pare and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: disparate-ly, adv., disparate-ness,n.
disparity, n., inequality. - F. disparite. See disand parity.
dispart, tr. and intr. v., to divide, separate. OF. despartir (F. departir), fr. L. dispartire, a
collateral form of dispertire, 'to divide, distribute', fr. dis- and partire, 'to divide', fr. pars,
gen. partis, 'part'. See part, v., and cp. depart.
dispart, n., the difference between the semidiameters at the breech of a gun and at its muzzle.
- Fr. prec. word.
dispatch, despatch, tr. v. - Sp.-Port. despachar,
'to hasten, speed', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and VL.
*pactiire, 'to fasten, fix', freq. of L. pangere (pp.
pactus), 'to make firm, fasten', which is rei. to
pacisci, 'to make a treaty', piix, gen. piicis,
'peace'. See dis- and pact and cp. words there
referred to. The correct spelling is dispatch. The
spelling despatch is due to an error in Johnson's
Dictionary. Cp. It. dispacciare, 'to dispatch',

d isplacency
which is formed fr. dis- and VL. *pactiiire, fr.
L. pactus, pp. of pangere (see above). F. depicher, 'to dispatch', is not related to Sp.-Port.
despachar, but derives fr. dis- and L. -pediciire
(in impediciire), 'to catch in a trap', fr. pedica,
'shackle, fetter' (see depeche).
Derivatives: dispatch, n. (q.v.), dispatch-er, n.
dispatch, despatch, n. - Sp.-Port. despacho, fr.
despachar. See prec. word.
dispel, tr. v.- L. dispel/ere, 'to drive away, scatter', fr. dis- and pellere, 'to push, drive'. See
pulse, 'throb', and cp. appeal and words there
referred to.
Derivative: dispell-er, n.
dispensable, adj. - ML. dispensiibilis, fr. L. dispensiire. See dispense and -able.
Derivatives: dispensabil-ity, n., dispensableness, n.
dispensary, n.- Prop. 'a place where medicines
are weighed out'. See dispense and subst. suff.
-ary.
dispensation, n. - F., fr. L. dispensiitionem, ace.
of dispensiitio, fr. dispensiitus, pp. of dispensiire.
See next word and -ation.
Derivative: dispensation-al, adj.
dispense, tr. v.- OF. ( = F.) dispenser, fr. L. dispensiire, 'to weigh out, pay out, distribute; to
manage, regulate, control, impart', freq. of dispendere (pp. dispensus), 'to weigh out', fr. disand pendere, 'to weigh out, pay out; to consider,
ponder'. See pension and cp. spend. Cp. also
spence.
Derivatives: dispensable (q.v.), dispens-er, n.
dispeople, tr. v.- OF. despeupler (F. depeupler),
fr. des- (fr. L. dis-), and peupler, 'to people,
populate', fr. peuple, 'people'. See dis- and
people.
disperse, tr. and intr. v. - F. disperser, fr. L.
dispersus, pp. of dispergere, 'to scatter, disperse', fr. dis- and spargere, 'to sprinkle, scatter,
disperse, divide'. See sparse and cp. asperse.
For the change of Latin a (in spargere) to e
(in di-spergere, di-spersus) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: dispers-al, n., dispers-ed-ly, adv.,
dispers-ible, adj., dispers-ibil-ity, n., dispersion
(q.v.), dispers-ive, adj., dispers-ive-ly, adv.,
dispers-ive-ness, n.
dispersion, n. - F., fr. L. dispersionem, ace. of
dispersio, 'a scattering', fr. dispersus, pp. of dispergere. See prec. word and -ion.
dispirit, tr. v., to discourage. - Formed fr. disand spirit.
Derivatives: dispirit-ed-ly, adv., dispirit-edness, n.
displace, tr. v. -OF. desplacer (F. deplacer), fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-), and placer, 'to place'. See disand place, v.
Derivatives: displace-ment, n., displac-er, n.
displacency, n. - ML. displacentia (for L. displicentia), 'dissatisfaction', fr. dis-, L. placere,
'to please'. See displease and -ency.

display

display, tr. v. - OF. despleier (F. deployer), 'to

unfold', fr. L. displiciire, 'to unfold, scatter',
fr. dis- and pliciire, 'to fold'. See ply, 'to bend',
and cp. plicate. Cp. also deploy.
Derivatives: display, n., display-ed, adj., display-er, n.
displease, tr. v. - OF. desplaisir, fr. VL. *displacere, corresponding to L. displicere, 'to displease', fr. dis- and placere, 'to please'. See
please.
Derivatives: displeas-ed, adj., displeas-ed-ly,
adv., displeas-ing, adj., displeas-ing-ly, adv.
displeasure, n. - OF. desplaisir (F. deplaisir),
infinitive used as a noun. See prec. word and
cp. pleasure.
Derivative: displeasure, tr. v.
displume, tr. v., to deprive of feathers. - OF.
desplumer (F. deplumer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
plume, 'feather'. See dis- and plume and cp.
deplume, unplume.
disport, n., diversion; amusement (archaic). ME., fr. OF. desport, fr. (se) desporter. See disport, v.
disport, intr. and tr. v., to amuse (oneself). OF. (se) desporter 'to seek amusement', lit. 'to
carry oneself in the opposite direction', fr. des(fr. L. dis-) and porter (fr. L. portiire), 'to carry'.
See port, 'to carry', and cp. sport, which is a
doublet of disport.
Disporum, n., a genus of plants of the lily-of-thevalley family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. di-,
'two', and (mop&, 'seed' (see spore); so called
in allusion to the two ovules in each cell.
dispose, tr. and intr. v. - OF. ( = F.) disposer,
fr. L. disponere (pp. dispositus), 'to dispose',
which was Gallicized after F. poser, 'to put,
place'. See next word and cp. compose and words
there referred to. See also pose, 'to place'.
Derivatives: dispos-able, adj., dispos-abil-ity, n.,
dispos-able-ness, n., dispos-al, n., dispos-ed, adj.,
dispos-ed-ly, adv., dispos-ed-ness, n., disposer, n.
disposition,n.- ME.,fr. MF. ( = F.)disposition, fr.
L. dispositionem, ace. of dispositio, 'arrangement,
management disposition', fr. dispositus, pp. of
disponere, 'to place here and there, arrange,
dispose', fr. dis- and ponere, 'to put, place'. See
position.
Derivatives: disposition-al, adj., disposition-ed,
adj.
dispositive, adj.- F. dispositi/(fem. dispositive),
formed with suff. -ive fr. L. dispositus, pp. of
disponere. See dispose.
dispossess, tr. v. -OF. despossessier, despossesser, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and possessier, possesser,
'to possess'. See dis- and possess.
Derivatives: dispossess-ion, n., dispossess-or, n.,
dispossess-ory, adj.
dispraise, tr. v., to disparage; to blame. - OF.
despreisier, despreiser, despriser, fr. VL. *dispretiiire, corresponding to L. depretiiire, 'to
undervalue, depreciate, disregard, make light

463

462
of'. See dis- and depreciate and cp. next word.
Derivative: dispraise, n.
disprize, tr. v., not to prize, to despise. - OF.
despriser. See prec. word.
disproof, n. - Formed fr. dis- and proof, on
analogy of disprove.
disproportion. - F. See dis- and proportion.
Derivatives: disproportion, tr. v., disproportional, adj., disproportion-al-ity, n., disproportional-ly, adv., disproportion-ate, adj., disproportionate-ly, adv., disproportion-ate-ness, n.
disprove, tr. v. - OF. desprover, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and pruver, prover (F. prouver), 'to prove'.
See dis- and prove and cp. words there referred to.
disputable, adj. - L. disputiibilis, fr. disputiire.
See dispute and -able.
Derivatives: disputabil-ity, n., disputable-ness,
n., disputabl-y, adv.
disputant, adj. and n. - L. disputiins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of disputiire. See dispute and -ant.
disputation, n. - L. disputiitio, gen. -onis, 'argument, debate, dispute', fr. disputiitus, pp. of disputiire. See dispute and -ation.
disputatious, adj. - See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: disputatious-ly, adv., disputatiousness, n.
disputative, adj. - Late L. disputiitivus, 'pertaining to a dispute', fr. L. disputiitus, pp. of disputiire. See next word and -ive.
Derivatives: disputative-ly, adv., disputativeness, n.
dispute, tr. and intr. v. - ME. desputen, disputen,
fr. OF. desputer, disputer (F. disputer), fr. L.
disputiire, 'to reckon up, calculate, examine, investigate, discuss, dispute', fr. dis- and putiire,
'to cut, trim, prune, lop, clean, cleanse; to think
over, consider, reckon, count'. See putative and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: dispute, n., disput-er, n.
disquisition, n., inquisition; examination. - L.
disquisftio, gen. -on is, 'a search into, an inquiry',
fr. disquisftus, pp. of disquirere, 'to inquire carefully', fr. dis- and quaerere (pp. quaesftus), 'to
seek'. See query and -ition. For the change of
Latin ae (in quaesitus) to f (in dis-qufsftus) see
acquire and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: disquisition-a!, adj.
disrate, tr. v ., to reduce to a lower rating.
Formed fr. dis- and rate, 'amount'.
disrupt, tr. v. - Back formation fr. disruption.
disruption, n. - L. disruptio, diruptio, gen. -onis,
'a breaking asunder', fr. disruptus, diruptus, pp.
of disrumpere, dirumpere, 'to break to pieces,
break asunder, sever', fr. dis-, resp. di, 'apart',
and rumpere, 'to break, burst, tear'. See rupture
and -ion.
disruptive, adj.'- Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
disruptus, pp. of disrumpere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: disruptive-ly, adv., disrupti~e-ness,

n.
cliss-, form of disso- before a vowel.

dissect, tr. v., to cut apart. -

L. dissectus, pp. of

,,

'

~.

t.
'

.~ i

disseciire, 'to cut to pieces', fr. dis- and seciire,

'to cut; to cut off'. See section.
Derivatives: dissect-ed, adj., dissect-ing, adj.;
dissection (q.v.), dissect-ive, adj., dissect-or, n.
dissection, n.- L. dissectio, gen. -onis, 'a cutting
to pieces', fr. dissectus, pp. of disseciire; see prec.
word and -ion. The term dissection was introduced by the English philosopher, Baron Verulam Francis Bacon (156r-r626).
Derivative: dissection-a!, adj.
disseize, disseise, tr. v., to deprive of seizing or
possession (law). -OF. dessaisir, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and saisir, 'to seize'. See dis- and seize and
cp. next word.
disseizin, disseisin, n., the act of disseizing (law).
- Formed fr. dis- and seizin. Cp. prec. word.
dissemble, tr. and intr. v.- Fr. earlier dissimule,
fr. OF. dissimuler, 'to dissemble', fr. L. dissimuliire (see dissimulate); influenced in form by
assemble, resemble.
Derivative: dissembl-er, n.
disseminate, tr. v., to spread, scatter abroad. L. disseminiitus, pp. of disseminiire, 'to scatter
seed, to spread abroad', fr. dis- and seminiire,
'to sow', fr. semen, gen. seminis, 'seed'. See dis-,
semen and verbal suff. -ate.
dissemination, n. - L. disseminiitio, gen. -onis, 'a
scattering of seed, a sowing', fr. disseminiitus,
pp. of disseminiire. See prec. word and -ion.
disseminator, n.- Late L. disseminator, 'one who
scatters seed', fr. L. disseminiitus, pp. of disseminiire. See disseminate and agential suff. -or.
dissension, n., disagreement. - F., fr. L. dissensionem, ace. of dissensio, 'difference of
opinion, disagreement, dissension', fr. dissensus, pp. of dissentire. See dissent and -ion.
dissent, intr. v., to disagree. - L. dissentfre, 'to
differ in sentiment, disagree, be unlike', fr. disand sentfre, 'to perceive by the senses, to feel'.
See sense and cp. assent, consent, resent.
Derivatives: dissent, n., dissent-er, n., dissenting, adj., dissent-ing-ly, adv.
dissentient, adj., dissenting. - L. dissentiens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of dissentire. See dissent
and -ient and cp. sentient.
dissepiment, n., a partition, enclosure. - L. dissaepimentum, 'a partition', lit. 'that which separates', fr. dissaepire, 'to part off, separate, divide', fr. dis- and saepire, 'to hedge in, fence in,
enclose'. See septum and -ment.
dissert, tr. v., to dissertate (rare). - L. dissertus,
pp. of disserere, 'to examine, argue, discuss,
discourse on', fr. dis- and serere, 'to join, bind
together, connect'. See series and cp. assert, insert. Cp. also next word.
dissertate, intr. v., to discourse, discuss. - L.
dissertiitus, pp. of dissertiire, 'to discuss, argue,
debate', freq. of disserere (pp. dissertus). See
prec. word and verbal suof. -ate.
dissertation, n. - L. dissertiitio, gen. -onis, fr.
dissertiitus, pp. of dissertiire. See prec. word and
-ion.

dissipate

disserve, tr. v., to serve ill. -Formed fr. dis- and

serve, on analogy of F. desservir.
disservice, n., ill service. - Formed fr. dis- and
service, on analogy of F. desservice.
dissever, tr. v., to sever, separate. - AF. deseverer, corresponding to OF. dessevrer, desseverer, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and severer, 'to separate'. See dis- and sever.
disseverance, n. -OF. dessevrance, fr. dessevrer.
See dissever and -ance and cp. severance.
dissidence, n., dissent. - L. dissidentia, 'diversity, contrariety', fr. dissidens, gen. -entis, pres .
part. of dissidere. See next word and -ce.
dissident, adj., dissenting; n., a dissenter. - L.
dissidens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of dissidere, 'to
sit apart, be remote from, be divided, be at
variance, be unlike', fr. dis- and sedere, 'to sit'.
See sedentary. For the change of Latin e (in
sedere) to i (in dis-sidere) see abstinent and cp.
words there referred to.
dissilient, adj., bursting open (bot.) - L. dissiliens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of dissilire, 'to leap
asunder, burst asunder', fr. dis- and sa/ire, 'to
leap'. See salient and cp. resilient, transilient.
For the change of Latin ii (in siilire) to i (in dissilfre) see abigeat and cp. words there referred
to.
dissimilar, adj. - Formed fr. dis- and similar,
on analogy of F. dissimilaire.
Derivatives: dissimilar-ity, n., dissimilar-ly, adv.
dissimilate, tr. v. - Formed with verbal suff.
-ate fr. L. dissimilis, 'unlike, different', on analogy of assimilate. See dis- and similar.
Derivatives: dissimilat-ion, n., dissimilat-ive, adj.
dissimilitude, n. - L. dissimilitiido, 'unlikeness',
fr. dissimilis, 'unlike', fr. dis- and simi/is, 'like'.
See similar and -tude and cp. prec. word.
dissimulate, tr. v., to conceal, dissemble. - L.
dissimuliitus, pp. of dissimuliire, 'to disguise,
hide, conceal, keep secret', lit. 'to pretend that
a thing is not such as it really is', fr. dis- and
simuliire, 'to imitate, assume, pretend'. See
simulate and cp. dissemble.
dissimulation, n.- OF. ( = F.), fr. L. dissimulii~
tionem, ace. of dissimiiliitio, 'a concealing, disguising, dissimulation', fr. dissimuliitus, pp. of
dissimuliire. See prec. word and -ion.
dissipate, tr. v., I) to scatter: 2) to squander; intr.
v., I) to disappear; 2) to engage in frivolous
pleasures. - L. dissipiitus, pp. of dissipiire, 'to
scatter, disperse; to destroy; to squander', fr.
dis- and -sipiire, -supiire, 'to throw', fr. I.-E.
base sup-, *swep-, 'to throw, swing, shake',
whence also Lith. supu (supau), supti, 'to swing,
rock', OSlav. siip(J, suti, 'to strew', and its iterative sypati, 'to shale', ra-sypati, 'to scatter',
svepiti S{', 'to be shaken about, be tossed,
agitated'. For the ending see verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: dissipat-ed, adj., dissipat-ed-ly,adv.,
dissipat-ed-ness, n., dissipat-er, n., dissipation
(q.v.), dissipat-ive, adj., dissipator (q.v.)

dissipation

dissipation, n. - L. dissipiiti6, gen. -oms, 'dispersion, destruction', fr. dissipiitus, pp. of dissipiire. See prec. word and -ion.
dissipator, n. - L. dissipiitor, 'a disperser, destroyer', fr. dissipiitus, pp. of dissipiire. See dissipate and agential suff. -or.
disso-, before a vowel diss-, combining form
meaning 'double'.- Gk. 8tcmo-, lhcrcr-, fr. 8tcrcr6c;, corresponding to Att. 8LT't'oc;, 'double',
which stand for *8tx-16c;, and are rel. to Blxa,
'in two, asunder', 8(c;, 'twice'. See di-, 'two', and
cp. dicho- and the first element in dittography.
dissociable, adj. - L. dissociiibilis, 'separating,
dividing, incompatible', fr. dissociiire. See dissociate and -able.
Derivatives: dissociabil-ity, n., dissociableness, n.
dissocial, adj., unsocial. - Formed fr. dis- and
social.
dissociate, tr. v., to separate. - L. dissociiitus,
pp. of dissociiire, 'to disjoin, disunite, to set at
variance', fr. dis- and sociiire, 'to associate,
unite', fr. socius, 'companion'. See dis- and sociable and cp. disassociate.
Derivatives: dissociation (q.v.), dissociat-ive,adj.
dissociation, n. - L. dissociiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'separation', fr. dissociiitus, pp. of dissociiire. See
prec. word and -ion.
dissogeny, n., reproduction in two different periods of maturity in the same individual (zoo/.)
- Lit. 'double reproduction'. See disso- and
-geny.
dissoluble, adj.- L. disso/Ubilis, 'that whic'' can
be dissohred', from the stem of dissolvere. See
dissolve and cp. soluble.
Derivatives: dissolubil-ity, n., dissoluble-ness, n.
dissolute, adj. - L. dissolutus, pp. of dissolvere.
See dissolve.
Derivatives: dissolute-ly, adv., dissolute-ness, n.
dissolution, n. - L. dissoluti6, gen. -6nis, 'a dissolving, destroying, interruption, dissolution',
fr. dissolutus, pp. of disso/vere. See dissolve and
-tion.
Derivative: dissolution-a/, adj.
dissolvable, adj. - Formed fr. dissolve with suff.
-able. Cp. dissoluble.
Derivatives: dissolvabil-ity, n., dissolvable-ness,
n.
dissolve, tr. and intr. v. - L. dissolvere (pp. disso/utus), 'to loosen, disunite, dissolve, separate,
abolish, destroy', fr. dis- and sollere, 'to loosen,
untie, dissolve'. See solve and cp. absolve, resolve.
Derivatives: dissolv-er, n., dissolv-ing, adj.
dissolvent, adj. and n. - L. dissolvens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of dissolvere. See prec. word and -ent.
dissonance, n.- F., fr. Late L. dissonantia, 'dissonance', fr. L. dissoniins, gen. -antis, pres. part.
of dissoniire. See dissonant and -ce and cp. sonance and words there referred to.
dissonant, adj. - F., fr. L. dissonontem, ace. of
dissoniins, pres. part. of dissoniire, 'to disagree in

465

464

sound; to disagree, differ', fr. dis- and soniire,

'to sound'. See sonant and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivative: dissonant-ly, adv.
dissuade, tr. v.- L. dissuiidere, 'to advise against,
oppose by argument, dissuade', fr. dis- and
suiidere, 'to advise, recommend, persuade'. See
suasion and cp. assuage, persuade.
dissuasion, n. - L. dissuiisi6, gen. -6nis, 'an advice to the contrary', fr. dissuiisus, pp. of dissuiidere. See prec. word and -ion.
dissuasive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
dissuiisus, pp. of dissuiidere. See dissuade.
Derivatives: dissuasive-ly, adv., dissuasiveness, n.
dissyllabic, adj., having two syllables. -F. dissy/labique, formed with suff. -que fr. L. disyl/abus, 'dissyllabic', fr. Gk. 8tcruMa~oc;, fr. 8L(see di-, 'two'), and cruM.<X~~. 'syllable'. See syllable and cp. syllabic. Cp. also disyllabic, which
is the etymologically correct spelling.
Derivative: dissyllabic-al-ly, adv.
dissyllable, n., a word consisting of two syllables. - Formed fr. di-, 'two', and syllable.
See prec. word.
dissymmetric, dissymmetrical, adj., r) asymmetrical; 2) symmetrical in opposite directions.Formed fr. dis- and symmetric, resp. symmetrical.
dissymmetry, n., r) absence of symmetry, asymmetry; 2) symmetry in opposite directions. -Formed fr. dis- and symmetry.
distaff, n. - ME. distaf, dysestaf, fr. OE. distzf,
a compound lit. meaning 'a bedizened staff.'
The first element of this compound is rel. to
MLG. dise, LG. diesse, 'a bunch of flax on a
distaff', and to E. dizen, bedizen. The second
element is identical with OE. stzf, 'staff'. See
staff.
distain, tr. v. - ME. disteinen, fr. OF. disteindre
(F. dereindre), 'to take the color out of', fr. VL.
*distingere, fr. dis- and L. tingere, 'to dye'. Cp.
It. stingere, Sp. desteiiir, and see tinge. Cp. also
stain, which is a doublet of distain.
distal, adj., remote from the center of the body
(anat.) - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. distiire, 'to stand apart', on analogy of words like
central, proximal, etc. See distant.
Derivative: distal-ly, adv.
distance, n. - F., fr. L. distantia, 'distance, remoteness', fr. distiins, gen. -antis. See distant
and -ce.
Derivative: distance, tr. v.
distant, adj.- F., fr. L. distantem, ace. of distiins,
pres. part. of distiire, 'to stand apart, be remote,
separate or distant', fr. di- 'apart', and stiire,
'to stand'. ,See state and -ant and cp. distal,
equidistant.
Derivatives: distant-ly, adv., distant-ness, n.
distemper, tr. v., to disturb. - OF. destemprer,
'to put out of order', fr. M L. distemperiire, of
s.m., fr. dis- (in the privative sense of this prefix), and L. temperiire, 'to mingle in due pro-

1
I

portion, combine properly, moderate, regulate',

fr. tempus, gen. temporis, 'time'. See temper and
cp. distemper, 'to coat with distemper'.
Derivative: distemper, n., disorder.
distemper, tr. v., to coat with distemper (painting). -OF. destemprer, later, with metathesis,
destremper, 'to mix' (whence F. detremper, 'to
dilute, dissolve, moisten, weaken, soften'), fr.
ML. distemperiire, 'to mingle in exact proportion', fr. dis- (in the sense 'completely') and L.
temperiire. See distemper, 'to disturb', and cp.
tempera. Cp. also distemper, 'to disturb'.
Derivatives: distemper, a method of painting,
tempera, distemper-er, n.
distend, tr. v., to expand. - L. distendere, 'to
stretch out, swell out, extend', fr. dis- and tendere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to move in a certain
direction', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: distend-er, n.
distensible, adj. - Formed with suff. -ible fr.
Late L. distensus, a collateral form of L. distentus, pp. of distendere. See prec. word.
Derivative: destensibil-ity, n.
distension, n., the same as distention. - Late L.
distensi6, gen. -6nis, fr. distensus, collateral form
of L. distentus, pp. of distendere. See distention
and cp. distensible.
distention, n., expansion. - L. distenti6, gen.
-6nis, 'a stretching out', fr. distentus, pp. of distendere. See distend and -ion and cp. distension.
disthene, n., cyanite (mineral.)- F. disthene, lit.
'having two forces', fr. Gk. 8t- (see di-, 'two')
and o--&evoc;, 'strength' (see sthenia); so called in
allusion to its different electrical properties in
two different directions.
distich, n., a group of two lines (pros.) - L. distichon, fr. Gk. 8lo-TLXOV, neut. of Blcrnxoc;, 'of
two rows, two-ranked', fr. 8t- (see di-, 'two')
and o-Tlxoc;, 'order, row, line, rank; verse',
which is rei. to cr't'dxe:Lv, 'to go, march in order'.
See acrostic and cp. words there referred to.
Distichlis, n., a genus of grasses, the spike grass
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 8[crnxo~, 'of two
rows, two-ranked'. See prec. word.
distichous, adj., arranged in two rows (bot.)- L.
distichus, fr. Gk. 8lcrTLXoc;, 'of two rows'. See
distich. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc;,
L. -us, see -ous.
Derivative: distichous-ly, adv.
distill, distil, tr. and intr. v. - OF. ( = F.) distiller, fr. L. destilliire, later distil/lire, 'to drip,
trickle down, distill', fr. de-, resp. di-, 'apart'
and stilliire, 'to drop, trickle', fr. stilla, 'drop'.
See still, 'to distill', and cp. still, 'vessel'. Cp.
also instill.
Derivatives: distill-able, adj., distillate (q.v.),
distillation (q.v.), distill-atory, adj., distill-ed,
adj., distill-er, n., distill-ery, n., distill-ing, n.
distillate, n., a product of distillation. - L. destflliitus, distilliitus, pp. of destilliire, distilliire, 'to
drip down'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
distillation, n. - F., fr. Late L. distrlliitionem,

distrain

ace. of distilliiti6, fr. L. distilliitus, pp. of distillure. See distill and -ation.
distinct, adj. - L. distinctus, 'separate, distinct,
decorated, adorned', pp. of distinguere. See distinguish and cp. contradistinct. Cp. also F. distinct, which also derives fr. L. distinctus.
Derivatives: distinct-ive, adj., distinct-ive-ly,
adv., distinct-ive-ness, n., distinct-ly, adv., distinct-ness, n.
distinction, n. - F., fr. L. distincti6nem, ace. of
distincti6, 'separation, division, distinction, discrimination', fr. distinctus, pp. of distinguere.
See prec. word and -ion.
distingue, adj., having an air of distinction.- F.,
'distinguished', pp. of distinguer, fr. L. distinguere. See distinguish.
distinguish, tr. and intr. v. - Formed with verbal
suff. -ish fr. L. distinguere, 'to separate, distinguish, discriminate; to decorate, adorn; to mark
by pauses, punctuate' (gram.), fr. dis- and I.-E.
base *steig-, 'to prick, stick, pierce', whence
also L. instinguere, 'to incite, impel', instigiire,
'to goad'. See stick, v., and cp. words there referred to. The suff. -ish in the verb distinguish
(as well as in extinguish, adnwnish, astonish) is
due to the influence of the numerous verbs in
which this suff. is the equivalent of OF. and
F. -iss-, and ultimately goes back to the Latin
inchoative suff. -iscere; see verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: distinguish-able, adj., distinguishabil-ity, n., distinguish-able-ness, n., distinguishabl-y, adv., distinguish-ed, adj., distinguish-edly, adv., distinguish-er, n., distinguish-ing, adj.,
distinguish-ing-ly, adv.
distort, tr. v. - L. distortus, pp. of distorquere,
'to turn different ways, twist, distort', fr. disand torquere, 'to turn, twist, bend'. See torque
and cp. contort, extort, retort.
Derivatives: distort-ed, adj., distort-ed-ly, adv.,
distort-ed-ness, n., distort-er, n.
distortion, n.- L. distorti6, gen. -6nis, 'a distorting, distortion', fr. distortus, pp. of distorquere.
See distort and -ion.
Derivatives: distortion-al, adj., distortionist(q.v.)
distortionist, n., an acrobat who twists his body.
- See distortion and -ist and cp. contortionist.
distract, tr. v. - L. distractus, pp. of distrahere,
'to pull apart, separate by force, tear to pieces;
to perplex, distract', fr. dis- and trahere, 'to
draw, pull'. See tract, 'region', and words there
referred to and cp. esp. distrait, distraught,
strass, 'refuse of silk'.
Derivatives: distract-ed, adj., distract-ed-ly,
adv., distract-er, n., distract-ible, adj., distractibil-ity, n., distract-ing-ly, adv., distraction (q.v.),
distract-ive, adj., distract-ive-/y, adv.
distraction, n. - L. distracti6, gen. -6nis, 'a pulling apart, separating', fr. distractus, pp. of
distrahere. See distract and -ion.
distrain, intr. v., to levy a distress upon (law). ME. distreinen, fr. OF. destraindre, fr. L. distringere, 'to draw asunder, stretch out; engage,

OIStralnt:

detain', fr. di-, 'apart', and stringere, 'to draw

tight, to draw, bind or press together'. See
stringent and cp. strain, v. Cp. also distress,
district.
Derivatives: distrain-ee, n., distrain-ment, n.,
distrain-or, n., distraint (q.v.)
distraint, n., the act of distraining. - OF. destrainte, prop. fern. pp. of destraindre. See prec.
word.
distrait, adj., absent-minded. - F., fr. L. distractus, pp. of distrahere. See distract and cp.
next word.
distraught, adj., perplexed, bewildered: - ME.
distrauhte, altered fr. distract, fr. L. distractus.
See prec. word.
distress, n.- ME. destress, distresse, fr. OF. destrece, destrecce (F. detresse), fr. VL. *districtia,
'narrowness, distress', fr. L. districtus, pp. of
distringere. See distrain, and cp. district. Cp. also
OProvenc;. destreissa, 'distress', which is of the
same origin.
Derivatives: distress-ful, adj., distress-ful-ly,
adv., distress-ful-ness, n.
distress, tr. v. -OF. destresser, fr. VL. *districtiiire, fr. *districtia, 'distress'. See distress, n.
Derivatives: distress-ed, adj., distress-ed-ly, adv.
distress-ed-ness, n.
distributable, adj. - Irregularly formed fr. L.
distrihiitus, pp. of distribuere. (The suff. -able
should be added to the Latin present stemand not to the past participle stem-of the
respective verb.) See next word.
distribute, tr. and intr. v. - L. distrihUtus, pp. of
distribuere, 'to divide, distribute', fr. dis- and
tribuere, 'to assign, allot, bestow, give, grant'.
See tribute and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: distributable (q.v.), distribut-ed,
adj., distribut-ed-ly, adv., distribut-er, n., distribution (q.v.), distributive (q.v.)
distribution, n. -F., fr. L. distribiiti6nem, ace. of
distribiiti6, 'a division, distribution', fr. distribiitus, pp. of distribuere. See prec. word and
-ion.
Derivative: distribution-al, adj.
distributive, adj. - F. distributif (fern. distributive), fr. Late L. distribiitivus, 'apportioning,
distributive', fr. L. distributus, pp. of distribuere.
See distribute and -he.
Derivatives: distributive-ly, adv., distributiveness, n.
distributor, n. - L., fr. distribiitus, pp. of distribuere. See distribute and agential suff. -or.
district, n. - ML. districtus, prop. pp. of L. distringere, 'to draw asunder, stretch out; to engage,
detain', fr. di-, 'apart', and stringere, 'to draw'.
See distrain and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: district, tr. v.
distrophy, n., defective nutrition (med.) - Medical L. distrophia, fr. dys- and Gk. Tpo<p-1), 'nourishment'. See -trophy.
distrust, n. - A hybrid coined fr. L. dis-, 'apart'
(see dis-) and trust, a word of Scand. origin.

466
The etymologically correct form is mistrust, in
which both elements are Teutonic.
Derivatives: distrust, tr. v., distrust-ful, adj.,
distrust-ful-ly, adv., distrust-ful-ness, n.
disturb, tr. v. - ME. destorben, destourben, fr.
OF. destorber, desturber, destourber, fr. L. disturbiire, 'to drive asunder, separate by violence,
disturb, frustrate', fr. dis- and turbiire, 'to confuse, bewilder', fr. turba, 'uproar, confusion,
crowd'. See turbid and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: disturbance (q.v.), disturb-er, n.,
disturb-ing-ly, adv.
disturbance, n. - OF. destorbance, desturbance,
fr. destorber, desturber. See prec. word and
-ance.
disulfate, also spelled disulphate, n., I) a salt of
disulfuric acid; 2) a bisulfate (chem.)- A hybrid coined fr. Gk. at- (see di-, 'two') and L.
su/pur, sulphur, sulfur. See sulfate.
disulfide, also spelled disulphide, n., a compound
in which two atoms of sulfur are united with
another element or radical (chem.) - A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. at-, (see di-, 'two') and L. sulpur,
sulphur, sulfur. See di-, 'two', and sulfide.
disuse, tr. v.- Formed on analogy of OF. desuser, fr. dis- and the verb use. Cp. misuse, v.
disuse, n. - Formed fr. dis- and the noun use.
Cp. misuse, n.
disyllabic, adj. - The etymologically correct
spelling for dissyllabic (q.v.)
disyllable, n. - The etymologically correct spelling for dissyllable (q.v.)
dital, n., a fingerkey by which, in a harp guitar,
the pjtch can be raised a semitone (music). Formed with suff. -al fr. It. dito, 'finger', fr. L.
digitus. See digit and cp. digital.
ditch, n. - ME. dich, fr. OE. die, rei. to ON.
diki, 'dike, ditch', OS., OFris., MLG, dik, MDu.
dijc, Du. dijk, MHG. dich, G. Deich, 'dike',
MHG. tich, G. Teich, 'pond' (F. digue, 'dike,
dam', is a Dutch loan word). These words prob.
meant orig. 'something cut out', and derive fr.
I.-E. base *dheig-, 'to cut out', whence also L.
figere, 'to fix, fasten, drive in', Lith. diegiu,
diegti, Lett. diegt, 'to prick, sting', Lith. dygstu,
dygti, Lett. digt, 'to sprout, germ', Lith. dygus,
'pointed', dyglys, 'thorn', OPruss. deicktas,
'place', orig. 'point' (for sense development cp.
point) See dike, which is a doublet of ditch.
See also dig, finis, fix.
Derivatives: ditch, tr. and intr. v., ditch-er, n.,
ditch-ing, n.
ditheism, n., belief in the existence of two gods.
- Formed fr. di-, 'two', and theism.
dithionic, adj., pertaining to a compound that
contains twd atoms of sulfur (chem.)- Formed
fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. -&ei:ov, 'sulfur'. See thioand -ic and cp. thionic.
dithyramb, n., I) in ancient Greece, a song in
honor of Bacchus; 2) any wildly emotional
song. - L. dithyrambus, fr. Gk. 81-lhJp!XIL~oc;,

467

'poem in honor of Bacchus', a loan word of

pre-Hellenic origin. Cp. triumph. Cp. also iamb.
Derivative: dithyramb-ic, adj.
ditriglyph, n., a space between two columns of
the Doric style (archil.)- Formed fr. di-, 'two',
and triglyph.
ditrochee, n., a double trochee (pros.) - L. ditrochaeus, fr. Gk. atTPOX!Xtoc;, 'a double trochee', fr. at- (see di-, 'double') and TPOX!Xtoc;,
'trochee'. See trochee.
dittamy, n. - The same as dittaoy (q.v.)
dittander, n., I) the Cretan dittany; 2) the European pepperwort. - See next word.
dittany, n., an aromatic plant (bot.) - ME. defane, detany, fr. OF. ditain, ditame, dictam(m)e
(F. dictame), fr. L. dictamnum, fr. Gk. aLxT!XfLIIOV,
which derives perh. fr. ~LxTIJ, name of a
mountain in Crete. Cp. Dictamnus, dittamy,
dittander.
ditto, n., the same (lit. the foresaid). - It., form
used in Tuscany for literary It. detto, 'that which
has been said (before)', pp. of dire, 'to say', fr.
L. dicere, 'to say'. See diction and cp. dictum.
dittography, n., the unintentional repetition of a
letter or letters in writing. - Compounded of
Gk. atTioc;, Att. var. of atcrcr6c;, 'double, twofold', and -yp!X<pLii, fr. yp&.<pe:tv, 'to write'. For
the first element see disso- and cp. words there
referred to, for the second see -graphy.
Derivative: dittograph-ic, adj.
dittology, n., a twofold reading or interpretation.
- Compounded of Gk. atn6c;, 'double, twofold', and -).oy(ii, fr. -Myoc;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See prec. word and -logy.
ditty, n., a short song.- ME. dite, ditee, fr. OF.
ditie, dire, fr. L. dictiitum, 'anything dictated',
prop. neut. pp. of dictiire, 'to say often, pronounce repeatedly', freq. of dicere (pp. dictus),
'to say'. See diction and cp. dictate, dight.
Derivative: ditty, tr. and intr. v.
diuresis, n., excessive excretion of urine (med.) Medical L., fr. Gk. *lltoup"l)crtc;, 'urination', fr.
awupdv, 'to pass urine', fr. at&., 'through', and
oupdv, 'to make water', fr. oupov, 'urine'. See
dia-, urine and -esis, and cp. next word.
diuretic, adj., increasing, or tending to increase
the secretion of urine. - Late L. dureticus, fr.
Gk. a~oup1)T~x6c;, 'pertaining to urine', fr.
atoupciiv, 'to pass urine'. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: diuretic, n., a diuretic drug. diuretic-al-ly, adv., diuretic-at-ness, n.
diurnal, adj., daily. - L. diurniilis, 'diurnal', fr.
diurnus, 'daily', which is formed fr. di-(es), 'day',
with -urnus, an adj. suff. denoting time. This
suffix is a contraction of orig. *ri-nos, which
derives fr. Gk. -ptv6c;, a suff. of the same meaning. (Cp. e.g. Gk. xe~fL!:pw6c; = L. hibernus,
'wintry'.) See dies non and adj. suff. -al and cp.
next word. Cp. also journal, which is a doublet
of diurnal. Cp. also journey, adjourn, sojourn.
For the suff. cp. nocturnal, modern.

divergence
Derivatives: diurnal-ly, adv., diurnal-ness, n.
diutumal, adj., of long duration. -Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. diuturnus, 'of long duration,
lasting' (on analogy of diurnus, 'daily'), fr. diu,
'by day; a long time, a long while', which is rei.
to dies, 'day'. See dies non. For the suff. see
prec. word.
diuturnity, n., long duration.- L. diuturnitiis, fr.
diuturnus. See prec. word and -ity.
diva, n., a prima donna. -It., fr. L. diva, 'a goddess', fern. of divus, 'divine'. See divine.
divagate, intr. v., to wander about. - L. dilagiitus, pp. of divagiiri, 'to wander about', fr. di-,
'apart', and vagiiri, 'to wander, ramble'. See
vagary and verbal suff. -ate.
divagation, n., a wandering about. - L. divagiitus, pp. of divagiiri. See prec. word and -ion.
divalence, n., bivalence (chem.) - Formed from
next word with suff. -ce.
divalent, adj., bivalent (chem.)- A hybrid coined
fr. Gk. llt-, 'two, double', and L. va/ens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of valere, 'to have power'. See
di-, 'two', and -valent. The correct form of the
word is bivalent, in which both elements are of
Latin origin.
divan, n., I) in Oriental countries, a council of
state; 2) a court of justice; 3) a large low sofa.
-Turk. diwiin, fr. Pers. diwiin, 'a royal court;
a council of state', whence on the one hand, 'a
convenient seat, couch', and on the other 'a
register, an account book; a collection of poems'
(whence also Arab. diwdn, It. divano, F. divan,
etc.); rei. to Pers. debir, dibir, 'writer'. Cp. dewan, dewanee, diwan, douane, aduana.
divaricate, intr. and tr. v:, to branch, diverge. L. diviiriciitus, pp. of diviiriciire, 'to stretch
apart, spread asunder', fr. di-, 'apart', and viiriciire, 'to .spread the legs apart, to straddle', fr.
viiricus, 'with bent feet, with feet spread apart,
straddling', fr. viirus, 'bent, knock-kneed', fr.
I.-E. base *wa-, 'to bend, turn, twist', whence
also L. varius, 'different, changing, varying,
various'. See various and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. prevaricate.
divaricate, adj., divergent. - L. diviiriciitus, pp.
of diviiriciire. See divaricate, v.
Derivatives: divaricate-ly, adv., divaricate-ness,
n., divaricat-ion, n., divaricat-or, n.
dive, intr. v. - ME. diven, duven, fr. OE. dyfan,
'to immerse', a weak transitive verb, causative
of OE. dtifan, a strong intransitive verb meaning
'to sink, plunge, dive'; rei. to ON. dj!fa, 'to dip',
and to E. dip, deep, doYe (qq.v.)
Derivatives: dive, n., div-er, n.
diverge, intr. v., to move or be in different directions. - ModL. divergere, 'to go in different
directions, to separate', fr. di- and L. vergere,
'to bend, incline, tum'. See Yerge, 'to bend',
and cp. converge.
Derivatives: divergence, divergent (qq.v.), diverg-ing, adj., diverg-ing-/y, adv.
diYergeace, divergency, n. - ModL. divergentia,

divergent

469

468

fr. divergens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce

base *widh-, lit. means 'to place apart'. See
resp. -cy.
with and do, v.
divergent, adj. - ModL. divergens, gen. -entis,
Derivatives: divide, n., divid-ed, adj., divid-edpres. part. of divergere. See diverge and -ent and
ly, adv., divid-ed-ness, n., dividend (q.v.), dividcp. F. divergent.
er, n., divid-ing-ly, adv.
Derivative: divergent-ly, adv.
dividend, n. - F. dividende, fr. L. dividendum,
divers, adj. - ME. divers, diverse, fr. OF ( = F.)
'that which is to be divided', neut. of dividendus,
divers, fr. L. diversus, 'different, opposite, congerundive of dividere, 'to divide'. See divide. For
trary, various', pp. of divertere, 'to tum or go
other Latin gerundives used in English cp.
in different ways'. See divert.
agenda and words there referred to.
diverse, adj. - A var. of prec. word.
divi-divi, n., a small tree of S. America and W.
Derivatives: diverse-ly, adv ., diverse-ness, n.
India (Caesalpinia coriaria).-Sp. dividivi, from
diversification, n. - See diversify and -ation.
native name.
diversiform, adj., differing in form. - Formed
dividual, adj., separate, divisible.- Formed with
fr. L. diversus, 'different', and forma, 'form,
adj. suff. -al fr. L. dividuus, 'separate, divisible',
shape'. See diverse and form, n.
fr. dividere, 'to divide'. See divide and cp. indiversify, tr. v., to give variety to.- F. diversifier,
dividual.
lit. 'to make diverse', fr. ML. diversificare,
Derivative: dividual-ly, adv.
which was formed fr. L. diversus, 'different' and
divination, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. diviniitionem,
-/icare, fr. Jacere, 'to make, do'. See diverse
ace. of diviniitio, 'the power of foreseeing, diviand -fy.
nation, prediction', fr. divinatus, pp. of divinare.
Derivatives: diversifi-ed, adj., diversifi-er, n.
See divine, v., and -ation.
diversion, n. - ML. diversio, gen. -onis, fr. L.
divine, adj. - ME. devine, divine, fr. OF. devin,
diversus, pp. of divertere. See divert and -ion.
fr. L. divinus, 'pertaining to a deity' (whence
Derivative: diversion-a/, adj.
also It., Sp. divino, Proven9. devin, Port. adidiversity, n. - OF. diversite (F. diversite), fr. L.
vinho), fr. OL. deivinus, fr. deivos (whence L.
diversitiitem, ace. of diversitiis, 'difference, condeus), 'a god'. See deity.
trariety, contradiction', fr. diversus, 'different'.
Derivatives: divine, n. (q.v.), divine-ly, adv.,
See diverse and -ity.
divine-ness, n.
divert, tr. v. - ME. diverten, fr. OF. ( = F.) didivine, n. - OF. ( = F.) devin, 'soothsayer', fr.
vertir, fr. L. dfvertere, 'to turn or go in different
VL. *devinus, dissimilated fr. L. divinus, 'diways, part, separate', fr. di-, 'apart', and vertere,
vine'. See divine, adj.
'to turn'. See version and cp. divorce.
divine, tr. and intr. v. - ME. divinen, devinen,
Derivatives: divert-ing, adj., divert-ing-ly, adv.,
fr. OF. ( = F.) deviner, fr. VL. *devinare disdivert-ing-ness, n.
similated fr. VL. diviniire, 'to foresee, fo;etell,
diverticulum, n., a blind process of the intestinal
divine',lit. 'to be inspired by a god', fr. L. divinus,
canal (anal.) - L. deverticulum, diverticulum,
'divine'. Cp. OProven9. devinar, endevinar, It.
'byroad, bypass', fr. devertere, dfvertere, 'to turn
indovinare, Sp. adivinar, 'to foretell, divine,
away, turn aside (something)', fr. de-, resp. di-,
guess', and see divine, adj.
'apart', and vertere, 'to turn'. See divert.
Derivatives: diviner (q.v.), divin-ing, n.
Derivatives: diverticul-ar, diverticul-ate, didiviner, n. - ME. devinour, fr. OF. devineor, fr.
verticul-ated, adjs.
L. diviniitorem, ace. of divlniitor, 'soothsayer,
Dives, n., the rich man in the parable Luke
diviner', fr. diviniitus, pp. of diviniire. See divine,
16:19-31. - L. dives, 'rich', rei. to dfvus, 'div., and agential suff. -or.
vine'. Dives orig. meant 'favored by the gods'.
divinity, n. - OF. devinite (F. divinite), fr. VL.
For sense development cp. OSiav. bogatu,
*devinitiitem, ace. of *devinitiis, formed with
'rich', fr. bogu, 'god'. See divine and cp. Dis.
vowel dissimilation fr. L. divinitiis, 'godhead,
divest, tr. v., to deprive. - Fr. earlier devest, fr.
divinity', fr. divinus. See divine, adj., and -ity
OF. desvestir (F. devetir), fr. ML. disvestfre, diand cp. deity.
vestlre, fr. dis-, and L. vestire, 'to clothe', fr.
divinize, tr. v., to deify. - F. diviniser, fr. L.
vest is, 'garment'. See vest and cp. devest, invest.
divinus, 'divine'. Sec divine, adj., and -ize.
Derivatives: divestiture (q. v.), divest-ment, n.
Derivative: diviniz-ation, n.
divestiture, n.- Formed fr. divest on analogy of divisi, adj., a direction for the players to divide
investiture.
themselves into two groups (music). - It., pl.
divide, tr. and intr. v. - ME. deviden, dividen,
of diviso, 'divided', fr. L. divisus, pp. of dividere.
fr. L. dividere, 'to force apart, separate, divide',
See divide~
fr. di-, 'apart', and I.-E. base *widh-, 'to separdivisible, adj. - Late L. divisibilis, fr. L. divisus,
ate', whence also L. vidua, Goth. widuwo, OE.
pp. of dividere. See divide and -ible.
widewe, 'widow'. See widow and cp. divisi, diDerivatives: divisibil-ity, n., divisible, n., divisvision; device, devise, individual. I.-E. base *widhible-ness, n., divisibl-y, adv.
is probably compoundoo of base *wi-. 'apart,
division, n. - ME. devisioun, divisioun, fr. OF.
asunder', and base *dhe-, 'to place'. Ace :dingly
devisiun, division (F. division), fr. L. divisionem,

I
-1

I
It

Il:
-~

11

aocent

smoke', whence also L.furere, 'to rage, be mad'.

ace. of divisio, 'a division, separation', fr. divi
See fury and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
sus, pp. of dividere. See divide and -ion.
also doze.
Derivatives: division-al, adj., division-al-ly, adv.,
Derivatives: dizzy, tr. v., dizzi-ly, adv., dizzidivision-ary, adj.
ness, n.
divisive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
do, tr., intr. and auxil. v.- ME. don, fr. OE. don,
divisus, pp. of dividere. See divide.
rei. to OS. duan, 0 Fris. duii, 0 Du. duon, Du. doen,
Derivatives: divisive-ly, adv., divisive-ness, n.
OHG., MHG. tuon, G. tun, 'to do', fr. WTeut.
divisor, n. - L. divisor, 'divider', fr. divisus, pp.
base *do-, 'to do', orig. 'to put, place', correspondof dividere. See divide and agential suff. -or.
ing to I.-E. base *dho-, *dhe-, *dhl-, 'to put,
divorce, n.- ME., fr. F. divorce, fr. L. divortium,
place; to do, make', whence also 01. dtidhiiti,
'a separation, dissolution of marriage, divorce',
'puts, places', dhitil), 'the act of placing', dhiifr. divortere, divertere, 'to tum different ways'.
ttir-, 'creator', dhtitar-, 'founder, originator',
See divert.
Toch. A tii-, las-, tiis-, B tes-, 'to place', Hitt.
divorce, tr. v. - F. divorcer, fr. divorce. See didiii-, te-, 'to place', te!J!Ji, 'I place', Arm. dnem,
vorce, n.
'I place', aor. ed, 'he placed', Gk. n-&evcn, 'to
Derivatives: divorce-able, adj., divorc-ee, n.,
put, place, set', -&emc;, 'a placing, setting', -&~X"IJ,
divorce-ment, n., divorc-er, n., divorc-ive, adj.
'case in which to put something', -&11-oc, 'that
divot, n., a piece of turf cut out with the club
which is placed', .&e!J.tc;, 'right, decree', -&c:cr!J.6c;,
in making a stroke. - Of uncertain origin.
'law, rule, precept',lit. 'that which is laid down',
divulgate, tr. v., to make public. - L. divulgatus,
&"IJtLWV, &w11-6c;, 'heap', -&e!J.c:&:t..oc (pl.), Homeric
pp. of divulgiire. See divulge and verbal suff.
&c:tLd:f..toc (pl.), 'foundation', L.facere, 'to make,
-ate.
do', -dere in ab-dere, 'to hide, conceal', con-dere,
divulgation, n. - Late L. divulgiitio, gen. -onis,
'to found, establish', per-dere, 'to lose, throw
'a publishing', fr. L. divulgatus, pp. of divulgare.
away, ruin', OS!av. di!j(J, deti, 'to place, lay',
See next word and -ation.
Lith. deti, Lett. dit, 'to place, put', OSlav.
divulge, tr. v., to make known; to disclose.- L.
o-denii, 'clothed, dressed', Gael. dede, 'placed'.
divulgiire, 'to spread among the people, publish,
Cp. ado, deed, deem, doff, -dom, don, v., doom,
make known', formed fr. di-, 'apart, asunder',
dout, dup. Cp. also theme and words there
and vulgare, 'to make known, spread abroad',
referred to. Cp. also fact and words there refr. vulgus, 'the great mass, the multitude,
ferred to. Cp. also abdomen, abscond, condiment,
people'. See vulgus.
Consus, dagoba, dam, 'an earthbank', family,
Derivatives: divulge-ment, n., divulg-ence, n.,
fetial, hoard, perdition, recondite, sacerdotal,
divulg-er, n.
samadh, samadhi, sconce, 'a metal bracket',
diwan, n.- A var. of dewan.
stridhana. Cp. also the second element in creed
diwani, n.- A var. of dewanee.
and in jubilate, and the third element in divide
dixie, also dixy, n., a kind of mess tin (slang). and in Ormazd.
Hind. degchi, 'a small kettle', fr. Pers. degcha,
Derivatives: do, n., do-able, adj., do-er, n., dodimin. of deg, 'pot', which is rei. to Pahlavi deg,
ing, n.
'pot', Arm. dez, 'heap', and to OI. d~hmi, 'I
do, n., a syllable used in solmization to denote
smear, anoint', fr. I.-E. base *dheig"h-, *dhoig"h-,
the first tone of the diatonic scale (mus.).
*dhigh-, 'to form out of clay, to knead, form'.
doab, n., a track of land between two rivers in
See dough and cp. next word.
India. - Pers.-Hind. doiib, lit. 'two waters', fr.
dizdar, disdar, n., the warden of a castle.- Pers.
do, 'two', and iib, 'water'. The first element is
dizdiir, 'holder of a castle', fr. diz, 'castle', and
rei. to 01. dvtiu, dvti, Avestic dva, 'two'; see
-dar, 'holder, possessor'. The first element is
two. The second element is rei. to 01. tipal;,
rei. to OPers. didii, 'castle', Avestic daeza,
aptil;, Avestic iip-, 'water'; see amnic.
'wall', Arm. dez, 'heap'; see prec. word and cp.
doat, v. - See dote.
the second element in paradise. For the second
dobbin, n., name for a farm horse. - Fr. PN.
element see aumildar and cp. words there reDobbin, dimin. of Dob, a variant of Rob, which
to.
ferred
is a dimin. of Robert (q.v.)
dizen, tr. v., 1) to put flax on a distaff (obsol.);
doblon, n., an obsolete Spanish gold coin. - Sp.
2) to bedizen. - ME. disen, fr. MLG. dise, 'a
doblon. See doubloon.
bunch of flax on a distaff'. See distaff and cp.
dobra, n., any of several former Portuguese coins.
bedizen.
- Port. dobra, lit. 'double', fr. dubrar, 'to
dizzy, adj. - ME. dusi, disi, fr. OE. dysig, 'fooldouble', fr. L: dupliire, 'to double' (see douish', rei. to LG. diisig, 'dizzy', dusel, 'dizziness',
ble, v.); so called because it was orig. the double
Du. duizelen, 'to be dizzy', duizelig, 'dizzy',
of the johannes.
OHG. dusig, tusig, MHG. dusec, 'foolish',
MLG. dore, MDu. dor, MHG. tore, 'fool, deaf dobson, n., the hellgrammite. - Of uncertain
origin.
person', G. Tor, 'fool', OE. dwi!is, MLG. dwas,
docent, adj., teaching. - L. docens, gen. -entis,
Du. dwaas, 'foolish'. All these words prob. depres. part. of docere, 'to teach'. See docile and -ent.
rive fr. I.-E. base *dhewls-, *dhwls-, 'to breathe,

uo;ent

470

docent, n., 1) short for privatdocent; 2) lecturer

dock, n., place for prisoner at his trial in a crimin general. - See prec. word and cp. privatinal court.- Fiero. dok, docke, 'cage'.
docent.
dock, n., the common name of various species
Docetae, n. pl., a heretical sect (Eccles. hist.) of the genus Rumex.- OE. docce, rei. to MDu.
Eccles. L., fr. Gk. ~OX1)TCXL See next word.
docke-blaederen, G. Dockenbliitter, 'dock (the
Docetism, n., heresy of the Docetae, who held
plant)', and to E. dock, 'fleshy part of a tail'
that the body of Jesus was a phantom (Eccles.
(q.v.) Cp. the second element in burdock,
hist.) - Formed with suff. -ism fr. Eccles. L.
hardock.
Docetae, fr. Gk. ~OX1)-rcx, lit. 'believers', fr.
dock, n., solid, fleshy part of an animal's tail.8oxe:~v. 'to seem, have the appearance of, think,
From an imitative, expressive base, appearing
believe', whence oo~cx (for oox-acx), 'opinion,
also in ON. dokkr, 'tail', dokka, 'bundle; girl',
glory', ooyiJ.cx, 'that which one thinks true,
Fris. dok, 'bundle, knot', MLG. docker, Swed.
opinion, decree'. See dogma.
docka, Dan. dukke, 'doll', OHG. tocka, toccha,
doch-an-doris, n., a stirrup cup. - Gael. deochMHG. tocke, of s.m., G. Docke, 'small column,
an-doruis, lit. 'drink of the door', fr. deoch,
bundle, skein, doll, smart girl'. Cp. dock, the
'drink', an, 'the', doruis, gen. of dorus, 'door'.
plant.
Gael. dorus derives fr. OCelt. *dvorestu-, which
dock, tr. v., to cut off, curtail.- Fr. prec. word.
is cogn. with Gk. Mpii, L. [ores (pl.), 'door',
docket, n., a memorandum. - Of uncertain
OE. dor, 'door, gate'. See door.
origin.
dochmiac, adj., pertaining to the dochmius. Derivative: docket, tr. v.
Gk. BoxfL~cxx6<;, fr. 06x11-wc;. See next word.
dockize, tr. v., to build docks (in a river or in a
Derivative: dochmiac-al, adj.
harbor). -A hybrid coined fr. dock, 'enclosure
dochmius, n., a foot of five syllables (pros.) for ships', and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
L., fr. Gk. 86XiJ.LO<;, lit. 'across, aslant', fr.
Docoglossa, n., a suborder of marine gastropods,
BoxiJ.6c; (prob. assimilated fr. *8cxxiJ.6c;), 'slantthe limpets (zoot.) - ModL., compounded of
wise, sideways'; cogn. with 01. jihnui/.z, 'slantGk. 8ox6c;, 'beam', and y).waacx, 'tongue'; so
ing, slantwise', which prob. stands for iiihnui-,
called in allusion to the beam/ike teeth, apa form assimilated fr. orig. *diihma-.
pearing on the lingual ribbon. The first element
docile, adj. - F., fr. L. docilis, 'easily taught,
is rei. to Gk. 8bte:a&cx~. Att. 8xe:a&cx~. 'to
docile', fr. docere, 'to teach, inform', orig. 'to
take, receive', fr. I.-E. base *dek-, *dok-, 'to
cause somebody to receive something', fr. I.-E.
take, receive, accept; acceptable, becoming,
base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take, receive, accept; acgood', whence also L. decere, 'to be seemly or
ceptable, becoming, good', whence also L.
fitting'; see decent and cp. words there referred
decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'. See decent and
to. For the second element see gloss, interwords there referred to and cp. esp. docent. For
pretation'.
the ending see suff. -ile.
doctor, n. - L. doctor, 'teacher, instructor', fr.
Derivative: docile-ly, adv.
doctus, pp. of docere, 'to teach'. See docile and
docility, n. - F. docilite, fr. L. docilittitem, ace.
agential suff. -or and cp. doctrine, document.
of docilitiis, fr. docilis. See prec. word and -ity.
Derivatives: doctor, tr. and intr. v., doctor-al,
docimasy, n., a judicial inquiry into the character
adj., doctorate (q.v.), doctor-ess, n., doctor-ial,
of aspirants for office or citizenship (Greek anadj., doctor-ly, adj.
tiq.) - Gk. 8oxLIJ.cxalii, 'assay, proving, examdoctorate, n. - ML. doct6rtitus, fr. L. doctor.
ination', from the stem of 8oxLIJ.ci~e:Lv, 'to assay,
See doctor and subst. suff. -ate.
prove, test', fr. oox~IJ.O<;, 'assayed, proved, gendoctrinaire, n., an impractical person; adj., im
uine', prop. 'accepted', in gradational relationpractical. - F., orig. 'adherent of doctrines',
ship to 8txa&a:L, 'to take, accept, to receive
forrned fr. doctrine with suff. -aire. See doctrine
hospitably', and cogn. with L. decere, 'to be
and adj. suff. -ary.
seemly or fitting'. See decent and cp. words there
doctrine, n. - F., fr. L. doctrina, 'teaching, inreferred to.
struction', fr. doctor, 'teacher'. See doctor and
docimology, n., a treatise on the art of assaying
subst. suff. -ioe (representing L. -ina). Cp. inmetals, etc.-- Compounded of Gk. 8oxLIJ.iJ, 'a
doctrinate.
test' (fr. 86xLIJ.O<;, 'assayed, proved, genuine'),
Derivatives: doctrinaire (q.v.), doctrin-al, adj.,
and -Aoy(ii, fr. -A6yc.c;, 'one who speaks (in a
doctrin-al-ly, adv., doctrin-ar-ian, adj., doctrin\:CJtain manner); one who deals (with a certain
ar-ian-ism, n., doctrin-ar-ian-ist, n., doctrin-ary,
tupic)'. See prec. word and -logy.
adj., doctrin-ari-ly, adv., doctrinar-ity, n., docdock, n., enclosure for the repairing and loading
trin-ism, n., doctrin-ist, n.
of ships. - MLG. and MDu. docke (whence
document, n. -'-- OF. ( = F.), fr. L. documentum,
Du., Norw. dok, G. Dock). Prob. borrowed fr.
'lesson, example, pattern, proof', fr. docere, 'to
Late 1.. *ductia, 'aqueduct', fr. L. ducere, 'to lead,
teach'. See docile and -ment and cp. doctor,
conduct'. See duct and cp. douche, conduit.
doctrine.
Derivative: duck, tr. v., to bring (a ship) into
Derivatives: document-al, adj., document-ary,
a dock, dock-age, n., dock-er, n., dockize (q.v.)
adj., document-ari-ly, adv., documentation (q.v.)

dogmatist

471

documentation, n. - Late L. documenttiti6, gen.

-onis, fr. L. documentum. See prec. word and
-ation.
dodder, n., any of the parasitic plants of the
genus Cuscuta. - ME. doder, rei. to MLG.
doder, dodder, 'dodder', OS. dodro, 'yolk', OE.
dydring, Du. dooier, OHG. totoro, MHG. toter,
tuter, G. Dotter, 'yolk', and prob. also to next
word. The dodder was prob. named from the
color of its flower clusters which resembles that
of yolk.
dodder, intr. v., to shake, quaver. - Rel. to dial.
Norw. dudra, 'to quaver'. Cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: dodder-er, n., dodder-y, adj.
doddered, adj., having lost the branches through
age or decay.- Prob. from dial. dod, 'to poll',
fr. ME. dodden.
dodeca-, before a vowel dodec-, pref. meaning
'twelve'.- Fr. Gk. 8w8Xcx, 'twelve', shortened
fr. 8uw8Xcx, fr. Mo, 'two', and 8btcx, 'ten'; cp.
01. dvadasti, Avestic dvadasa-, L. duodecim,
Umbr. desenduf, 'twelve'. See dual and decaand cp. duodecim-.
dodecagon, n., a plane figure with twelve angles
and twelve sides (geom.) - Gk. 8w8xciywvov,
lit. 'having twelve angles', fr. 8w8Xcx, 'twelve',
and ywvlii, 'comer, angle'. See dodeca- and
-gon.
dodecahedron, n., a solid figure with twelve faces
(geom.) - Gk. 8w8Xci8pov, lit. 'having twelve
faces', fr. 8w8Xcx, 'twelve', and ~8pii, 'seat,
chair, bench; side, face'. See dodeca- and
-hedral.
dodecasyllabic, adj., having twelve syllables. See dodeca- and syllabic.
dodecasyllable, n., a word of twelve syllables. See dodeca- and syllable.
Dodecatheon, n., a genus of plants of the primrose family (bot.)- L. dodecatheon, 'primrose',
fr. Gk. 8w8XtX-ltov, a name coined by Pliny fr.
8w8Xcx, 'twelve', and &e:6c;, 'god'; see dodecaand theo-. Dodecatheon prop. denotes the plant
that is under the care of the twelve greater gods.
dodge, intr. v., to move to and fro; tr. v., to
elude. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: dodge, n., dodg-er, n., dodg-ery, n.,
dodg-y, adj., dodg-i-ly, adv., dodg-i-ness, n.
dodo, n., an extinct large bird. - Port. doudo,
lit., 'stupid'.
doe, n., femaleofthefallo wdeer.- ME. do, fr. OE.
dti (whence Dan. daa), prob. a Celtic loan word;
cp. Co. da, 'fallow deer', Olr. dam, 'ox', dam
altaid, 'stag' (prop. 'wild ox'), W. dofad, 'sheep',
which are prob. cogn. with Gk. 8cxiJ.ciA1)<;, 'young
steer', 8oriJ.ciA1), 8ciiJ.cx.l.~c;, 'young cow, heifer' (L.
damma, diima, 'fallow deer, buck, doe', is prob.
borrowed fr. Celtic); cp. Dama. These animal
names are prob. connected with I.-E. base
*domti-, 'to tame' and orig. denoted 'tamed
animals'; see tame.
doff, tr. v.- Contracted fr. do and off. Cp. don,
v. dout. dup.

dog, n.- ME. dogge, fr. OE. docga, of uncertain

origin; F. dogue, Du. dog, Dan. dogge, Swed.
dogg, 'mastiff', are E. loan words. Cp. doggerel.
Derivatives: dog, tr. v., dogg-ed, adj., dogg-edly, adv., dogg-ed-ness, n., dogg-ery, n., dogg-y,
adj., dogg-i-/y, adv., dogg-i-ness, n., dogg-ish,
adj., dogg-ish-ly, adv., dogg-ish-ness, n.
dogaua, n., a customhouse in Italy. - It., fr.
Arab. diwdn, fr. Pers. diwlin, 'register, office;
council; customhouse; collection of books'. See
divan and cp. aduana, douane.
dogaressa, n., wife of the doge. -It., formed fr.
doge with suff. -essa. See doge and -esse.
dogate, n., the office of a doge.- F. dogat, fr. It.
dogato, fr. L. duciitus, 'military leadership,
command', fr. dux, gen. ducis, 'leader'. See
doge and subst. suff. -ate.
dogbane, n., also dog's bane, a perennial plant. So called because it was supposed to be poisonous to dogs.
dogJcrry, n. -Compounded of dog and berry,
prop. 'berry fit for dogs'.
Dogberry, n., a blundering constable or official.
-Fr. Dogberry, a self-satisfied, blundering constable in Shakepeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
Derivatives: Dogberry-dam, n., Dogberry-ism, n.
doge, n., the chief magistrate of the republics of
Venice and Genoa.- F., fr. Venetian It. doge,
fr. L. ducem, ace. of dux, 'leader'; see duke. In
literary Italian L. ducem became duce. Cp.
dogaressa, dogate.
dogger, n., a kind of fishing boat.- ME. doggere,
of uncertain origin.
doggerel, n., bad poetry. - Prob. a derivative of
dog, used contemptuously. Cp. dog rime, dog
Latin.
Derivative: doggerel, adj.
dogma, n., a tenet. - L., fr. Gk. MyiJ.cx, gen.
86yiJ.cx-ro<;, 'that which one thinks true, opinion,
doctrine, decree', fr. Box~v, 'to seem, have the
appearance of, think, believe', whence also
86~cx (for Mx-acx), 'opinion, glory', fr. I.-E. base
*dek-, *dok-, 'to take, receive, accept; 1acceptable, becoming, good', whence also L. decere,
'to be seemly or fitting'. See decent and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see suff.

-rna.
dogmatic, also dogmatical, adj., 1) pertaining to a
dogma; 2) opinionated.- Late L. dogmaticus,
fr. Gk. 8oyiJ.cx-r~6c;, 'pertaining to doctrines', fr.
Gk. MyiJ.cx, gen. 86yiJ.cx-roc;. See dogma and -ic,
resp. also -al.
Derivatives: dogmatic-al-ly, adv., dogmat-ics, n.,
dogmatism, dogmatist, n., dogmatize (qq. v.)
dogmatism, n., dogmatic assertion of opinion. F. dogmatisme, fr. ML. dogmatismus, fr. L. dogma, gen. -atis, fr. Gk. 86yfLcx, gen. -cx-ro<;. See
dogma and -ism.
dogmatist, n., a dogmatic person. - F. dogmatiste, fr. ML. dogmatista, fr. Gk. 8oyJ:J.cx>La-rijc;,
from the stem of 8oy!Lcx-rl1;~v. See dogmatize
and -1st.

aogmat1ze

dogmatize, intr. v ., to speak or write dogmatica lly;

tr.v., to express dogmatic ally.- F. dogmatiser,
fr. ML. dogmatizare, fr. Gk. 8oyf.Locl'l~e:tv, 'to
lay down an opinion', fr. Myf.LOC, gen. Myf.LOC-ro<;.
See dogma and -ize.
Derivative s: dogmatiz-ation, n., dogmatiz-er, n.
doily, also doiley, doyly, n., an ornamenta l napkin. -Named after Doily or Dayley, a London
draper, who flourished in the early years of the
18th cent.
doit, n., a coin of trifling value. - MDu. duit,
deyt, doyt (Du. duit), rei. to G. Deut, Dan. dejt,
ON. pveit(i), 'a coin of trifling value'. The orig.
meaning of these words was 'a piece cut off'.
They are rei. to ON. pveita, 'to hew'. See
thwaite and cp. whittle.
doited, adj., stupid (Scot.)- Of uncertain origin.
dolabriform, adj., shaped like an axe (bot. and
zoo/.) - Formed fr. L. do/iihra, 'mattock,
pickax', and forma, 'form, shape'. The first element lit. means 'an instrument for hewing', and
is formed fr. L. do/are, 'to hew' (with I.-E. instrumental suff. *dhro-); see dole, grief'. For
the second element see form, n.
dolce, adj., sweetly (musical direction). - It., fr.
L. dulcis, 'sweet'. See dulcet.
dolce far niente, delightful idleness. - It., lit.
'sweet doing nothing'. For the first word see
dolce. It. fare, far, 'to do', derives fr. L. facere,
whence also F. faire; see fact. It. niente, 'nothing', comes fr. Late L. nee entem, lit. 'not a
being', fr. L. nee, 'neither, nor', and entem, ace.
of ens, 'being', pres. part. of esse, 'to be'. See ens,
entity. Cp. OProven~. nien, OF. neient, noient,
nient (F. m?ant), 'nothing', which also derive fr.
Late L. nee entem.
doldrums, n.pl., dullness. - Perh. rei. to dull.
dole, n., a small portion.- ME. dol, fr. OE. dal,
'part, portion', rei. to diil, of s.m. See deal,
'part'.
dole, usually dole out, tr. v., to deal out. - Fr.
prec. word.
dole, n., grief (archaic and poet.)- ME., fr. OF.
dol, doe/, deol (F. deuil), 'sorrow, grief, mourning', fr. Late L. dolus, 'sorrow (whence also It.
duolo, OProven~. dol, 'sorrow, grief', Sp. due/o,
'sorrow, grief; mourning') , fr. L. do/ere, 'to
suffer pain, grieve, be afflicted, deplore, lament',
fr. I.-E. base *del-, *dol-, 'to split, cut, carve',
whence also 01. dalati, splits, bursts', daltiyati,
'causes to burst', dalam, 'part, piece', Arm. tal,
'impression , sign', Gk. lb:(8oc:J..o<;, 'cunningly
made', ooctoille:tv, 'to work cunningly or skillfully', L. dolium, 'a very large jar, vessel', do/are,
'to hew with an ax', Russ.dolja , 'part', Lith.da/is,
'part, destiny', Lith. da/iju, dalyti, Lett. dalit,
'to divide', ON. tal, OE. talu, 'number' (prop.
'incision in the tally'), Olr. de/b, 'figure, form',
Toch. A talo, B talliiwo, 'miserable, wretched'.
The original meaning of L. do/ere was 'to be
tom'. For sense developme nt cp. E. heart
rending. Cp. condole, dolabriform, dole, 'guile',

472
dolent, dolente, Doliolum, dolium, dolor, dolorous, indolent. Cp. also daedal, dal, deleterious,
taal, tale, talk, toll, Zoll.
Derivative s: dole-ful, adj., dole-ful-ly, adv., doleful-ness, n.
dole, n., guile. - L. dolus, 'guile, deceipt, deception', cogn. with or borrowed fr. Gk. M:J..o<;,
of s.m.; fr. I.-E. base *del-, 'to aim at', which
is prob. identical with base *del-, 'to split, cut,
carve'. See dole, 'grief', and cp. dolerite, dolose,
sedulous, subdolous.
dolent, adj., sorrowfu l.- F., fr. L. dolentem, ace.
of do/ens, pres. part. of do/ere, 'to suffer pain'.
See dole, 'grief', and -ent.
Derivative : dolent-ly, adv.
dolente, adj., sorrowful (musical direction).
It., pres. part. of do/ere, fr. L. do/ere. See prec.
word.
dolerite, n., a coarse form of basalt (petrogr.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. ooAe:p6<;,
'deceptive', fr. M:J..o<;, 'deceipt' (see dole,
'guile'); so called because easily confused with
diorite. Cp. dolose.
dolicho-, before a vowel dolich-, combining form
meaning 'long'. - Gk. 8o:J..txo-, 8o:J..tx-, fr.
8o:J..tx6.;, 'long', rei. to E:v-oe::J..e:xl).;, 'continued ;
constant', and cogn. with 01. dirghd/J, 'long',
Aves tic darega-, Hitt. daluga-, 'long', Hilt. dalugashti, 'length', L. in-dulgere, 'to indulge', lit., 'to
be long-suffering', Goth. tulgus, 'firm, steadfast',
OE. tulge, 'firmly', OS. tulgo, 'very, much',
OSiav. dlugu, 'long', Lith. ilgas, Lett. ilgs,
OPruss. ilgi, of s.m. Cp. indulge. For connection
with L. longus see long, adj.
dolichocephalic, also dolichocephalous, adj., having a relatively long head.- Lit., 'long-head ed',
fr. Gk. oo:J..txo<;, 'long', and KE:q>OCAlJ, 'head'; see
dolicho- and cephalic, resp. -cephalous. The term
dolichocephalic was introduced into anthropology by the Swedish anatomist and anthropologist Anders Adolf Retzius (1796-186o).
Dolicholus, n., the same as Rhynchosia (bot.) A ModL. hybrid coined fr. Gk. 3o:J..t:x:6<;, 'long'
(see dolicho-), and the Latin dimin. suff. -olus
(see -ole). The correct form is Do/ichidium,
which is formed fr. llo:J..tx6.; with the Greek
dimin. suff. -(lltov (see -idium).
Dolichos, n., a genus of vines (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk.lloA~x6~. 'long; name of a kind of pulse'.
See dolicho-.
Doliidae, n. pl., a family of mollusks (zoo!.) ModL., formed fr. Dolium with suff. -idae.
Doliolum, n., a genus of tunicates (zoo/.) ModL., fr. L. doliolum, 'a small cask', dimin. of
da/ium. See dolium.
dolium, n., a ve'?' large cask or jar. - L. dalium,
rei. to do/are, 'to hew', fr. I.-E. base *del-, *dol-,
'to split, cut, carve'. See dole, 'grief', and cp.
the first element is dolabriform.
Dolium, n., a genus of large mollusks (zoo/.) ModL., fr. L. da/ium. See prec. word.
Doll, fern. PN.- A shortened form of Dorothy.

473

dome

doll, n., a child's toy. - Fr. prec. word.

animal is so called in allusion to the womb of
Derivative s: doll-ish, adj., doll-ish-ly, adv., doll~
the female. For the etymology of 3e::J..q>u<; see
ish-ness, n., dolly (q.v.)
adelpho-. Cp. dauphin, Delphinium.
dollar, n. - LG. dater, fr. G. Taler, abbreviatio n
dolt, n., a stupid fellow. -ME. dult, lit. 'dulled',
of Joachimstaler, fr. Joachimstal (lit. 'Valley of
fr. dul, 'dull'. See dull and verbal suff. -t.
Joachim') in Bohemia; so called from the piece
Derivatives: dolt-ish, adj., dolt-ish-ly, adv., doltof money first coined there in 1519. Cp. Du.
ish-ness, n.
daalder, Dan., Swed. daler, It. tal/ero (whence
dom, n., I) a title once given to certain Roman
Hung. taller), which all are German loan words,
Catholic dignitaries ; 2) a Portuguese title equiand see taler. For the etymology of G. Tal see
valent to the Spanish title don. - Port. dom,
dale.
which, like Sp. don, It. donno, derives fr. L.
dollop, n., a coarse lump. - Of unknown origin.
dominus, 'master, lord', orig. 'master of a house',
dolly, n., I) pet name for a doll; 2) name for
fr. domus, 'house'. See dome, 'building', and cp.
various devices suggestive of a doll. - Formed
dominus and words there referred to.
fr. doll with dimin. suff. -y.
-dom, suff. denoting I) dignity, rank or position,
Derivative : dolly, tr. v.
as in kingdom, earldom; 2) state or condition,
dolly, n., an offering of fruit, flowers, etc. (India).
as in freedom; 3) members of a group collect- Hind. tfiili, lit. 'branch, basket, tray, that
ively, as in officialdom. -ME., fr. OE. -dam,
which is offered on a tray', fr. OI. dtiru-, 'piece of
fr. dam, 'judgment, authority'; rei. to OS. -dam,
wood, wood, wooden implement ', which is rei.
ON. domr, MDu. -doem, Du. -dom, OHG.,
to dru-, 'wood', drumdb, 'tree'. See tree and cp.
MHG. -tuom, G. -tum. See doom.
dryad. Cp. also dinghy.
domain, n. - F. domaine, 'domain, estate', fr.
Dolly Varden, a fantastic style of woman's dress.
OF. demaine, fr. L. dominium, 'property, right
- From a character in Dickens's Barnaby
of ownership' , fr. dominus, 'master, lord'. See
Rudge (1841).
dome, 'building', and cp. dominus and words
dolman, n., a long Turkish robe; a kind of jacket
there referred to. F. 'domaine was influenced in
worn by hussars.- F., fr. G. Dolman, fr. Hung.
form by ML. domanium, 'domain, estate',
dolmdny, fr. Turk. dalaman, the red cloak of the
which itself derives fr. OF. demaine.
Janizaries.
domanial, adj., pertaining to a domain. - F., fr.
dolmen, n., a large flat monument al stone. - F.,
ML. domiinium. See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
lit. 'a table of stone', fr. Bret. tao!, to/, 'table',
dome, n., a building, palace. - F. dome, fr. It.
a loan word fr. L. tabula, 'board, plank' (see
duomo, 'a cathedral church', fr. L. domus,
table), and Bret. maen, men, 'stone', which is
'house' (in domus Dei, 'house of God'), whence
rei. to W. maen, Co. men, 'stone'. Cp. the first
dominus, 'master, lord',lit. 'master of the house',
element in menhir.
do mare, 'to tame', lit. 'to accustom to the house'.
dolomite, n., a kind of rock (mineral. andpetrogr .)
L. domus is cogn. with Gk. ll6f.Lo~, OI. ddma/J,
-Named after the French geologist and miner'house', Gk. owf.Loc (prob. for *dom-w), 'house,
alogist Deodat de Dolomieu (I750-I80I ). For
chief room, housetop', OSiav. domu, 'house',
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
doma, 'at home', domov, 'home', Arm. tun prob.
Derivatives: dolomit-ic, adj., dolomit-ize, tr. v.,
for *da(m)-m, 'house', the first element in Gk.
dolomit-iz-ation, n.
lle:cr-rr6TI)<; (for *dems-pota), 'despot', lit. 'lord
dolor, dolour, n., grief, mourning. -OF. dolor,
of the house', ll&-rre:llov (for *dw-pedom),
dolur, dolour (F. dou/eur), fr. L. do/6rem, ace. of
'ground about a house', and in Lith. dim-stis
dolor, 'pain, distress, grief, affliction', fr. do/ere,
(for *dw-sto-), 'estate, yard', and the second
'to suffer pain'. See dole, 'grief'.
element in Gk. ev-llov (fr. v, 'in', and *dom),
doloroso, adj., sorrowful (musical direction). 'within', lit. 'in the house'; fr. I.-E. *dlm-,
It., fr. L. do/6r6sus. See dolorous.
*diJm-, *dw-. *dm-, 'house'. These words posDolores, fern. PN.- Sp., shortened fr. Maria de
sibly meant orig. 'building', and are cogn. with
los Dolores, lit. 'Mary of the sorrows', pl. of
Gk. lle[J.e:tv, 'to builq'. Cp. tame, timber. Cp.
dolor, fr. L. dolor, 'pain, sorrow'. See dolor and
also adamant, belladoytna, dam, 'a female parcp. Mercedes.
ent', dama, dame, darqoiseau, damsel, dan, title,
dolorous, adj. - OF. dolorous, do/eros, doloreus
danger, daunt, demesQe, demijohn, despot, dia(F. douloureux), fr. Late L. do/6riJsus, 'painful,
mond, doe, dom, domain, domestic, Domicella,
sorrowful', fr. L. dolor. See dolor and -ous.
domicile, dominate, domineer, Do111inic, dominDerivative s: dolorous-ly, adv., dolorous-ness, n.
ion, domino, dominus, don, 'title', donjon, duenna,
dolose, adj., with evil intent (law). - L. do/6sus,
dungeon, endo-, duomo, Hippodamia, indomi'deceitful', fr. dolus. See dole, 'guile', and cp.
table, madam, madame, major-domo, vidame.
dolerite.
Cp. also toft.
dolphin, n. -ME. delphin, delfyn, fr. OF. dau/Derivatives: dome, tr. and intr. v., dom-ed, adj.
phin, dalftn (F. dauphin), fr. ML. da/finus, fr. L.
dome, n., cupola.- F. dOme, fr. OProven():. doma,
delphinus, delphin,fr. Gk. llc::J..<pf.;, gen. 8c:Aq>~vo~.
fr. Gk. llwf.Loc, 'house, chief room, housetop'. See
'dolphin', which is rei. to SeA<pu<;, 'womb'; the
dome, 'building'.

domesday

domesday, n.- Ancient form of doomsday.

Domesday (Book), the record of the Great Inquest of the lands of England made by the order
of William the Conqueror in 1086. - OE.
domesd;eg, lit. 'day of judgment'. See doomsday.
domestic, adj.- F. domestique, fr. L. domesticus,
'pertaining to the house, private', fr. domus,
'house, home'; see dome, 'building'. The form
domesticus is enlarged fr. *domestis, which was
formed on analogy of agrestis, 'pertaining to
land' (fr. ager, 'land').
Derivatives: domestic, n., domestic-al-ly, adv.,
domestic-ity, n.
domesticable, adj. - ML. domesticabilis, fr.
domesticare. See next word and -able.
domesticate, tr. v., to tame. - ML. domesticatus,
pp. of domesticare, 'to tame', lit. 'to make domestic', fr. L. domesticus. See domestic and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: domesticat-ion, n.
domett, n., a kind of cloth, of which the warp is
cotton and the weft woolen. - Of unknown
origin.
domic, domical, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
a dome. - Formed fr. dome with suff. -ic, resp.
also -al.
Domicella, n., a genus of parrots (ornithol.) ModL., dimin. of L. domus, 'house'. See dome,
'building'.
domicile, n., home.- F., fr. L. domicilium, 'dwelling, abode', prob. formed fr. *domi-coliom,
lit. 'house to dwell in', fr. domus, 'house', and
the stem of co/ere, 'to till (the ground), to dwell,
inhabit'. See dome, 'building', and colony.
Derivatives: domicile, v., domiciliary (q.v.),
domicili-ate, v., domiciliat-ion, n.
domiciliary, adj. - ML. domiciliarius (whence
also F. domiciliaire), fr. L. domicilium. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ary.
dominance, dominancy, n. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
dominant, adj. and n.- F., fr. L. dominans, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of dominari. See next word
and -ant.
Derivative: dominant-ly, adv.
dominate, tr. and intr. v. - L. dominatus, pp. of
dominari, 'to rule, reign, dominate', fr. dominus,
'master, lord'. See dominus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: domination (q.v.), dominat-ive, adj.,
dominator (q.v.)
domination, n.- F., fr. L. dominationem, ace. of
dominatio, 'lordship, dominion, domination',
fr. dominatus, pp. of dominari. See prec. word
and -ion.
dominator, n. - F. dominateur, fr. L. dominiit6rem, ace. of dominator, 'ruler', fr. dominatus, pp.
of dominarf. See dominate and agential suff. -or.
domineer, intr. v.- Du. domineren, fr. F. domiMr, fr. L. dominiirf, 'to rule' (see dominate);
first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: domineer-ing, adj., domineer-Ingly, adv.

474

Dominic, masc. PN.- L. dominicus, 'pertaining

to a lord', fr. dominus. See dominus.
dominical, adj. - ML. dominicalis, 'pertaining
to a master or lord', fr. L. dominicus, of s.m.,
fr. dominus. See dominus and adj. suff. -al.
Dominican, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -an
fr. ML. Dominicanus, fr. Dominicus, Latinized
name of Domingo de Guzman (Santo Domingo),
the founder of this order of monks. For the
origin of the Latin name Dominicus see Dominic.
dominie, n., I) a schoolmaster (Scot.); 2) a clergyman. - L. domine, voc. of dominus, 'master,
lord'. See dominus.
dominion, n.- Obsol. F. dominion, fr. ML. dominionem, ace. of dominio, corresponding to L.
dominium. See next word and -ion.
dominium, n., ownership (law).- L., 'property,
right of ownership, domain', fr. dominus. See
dominus and cp. condominium. Cp. also danger,
dungeon.
domino, n., a robe with hood. - F., fr. VL.
domino, dat. or abl. of dominus, 'lord, master'.
See dominus.
Derivative: domino-ed, adj.
domino, n., name of the game played with 28
pieces of bone or ivory. - F., fr. It. domino,
'master, lord', fr. L. dominus (see next word);
prob. so called because he who has first disposed his pieces becomes 'the master'. Cp.
prec. word.
dominus, n., master. - L., 'master, lord', lit.
'master of the house', formed with -nus (for
I.-E. *-no-), a suff. denoting ownership or relation, fr. domus, 'house'. See dome, 'building', and
cp. dame, damoiseau, demoiselle, dom, dominate,
domineer, Dominic, dominie, dominion, domino,
don, 'a title', Dona, Dona, donzella, duenna. Suff.
no- appears also in Gk. Ko[po:vo~, 'ruler, commander' (fr. *>ta(piX, 'army'). For the suff. cp.
also tribune.
don, n., a Spanish title. - Sp., fr. L. dominus,
'lord'. See dominus and cp. dom.
Derivative: donnish (q.v.)
don, tr. v. - Contracted fr. do and on. Cp. doff,
dout, dup.
Dona, n., a Portuguese title corresponding to Sp.
Doiia. - Port., fr. L. domina. See next word.
Doiia, n., a Spanish title given to a married
woman. - Sp., 'lady, madam', fr. L. domiiiJl,
'mistress', fern. of dominus, 'master, lord'. See
dominus and cp. dame and words there referred to.
Donald, masc. PN.- Prob. fr. Gael. Domhna/1,
lit. 'world ruler'.
donate, tr. v. - Back formation fr. donation.
Cp. orate. ,
donation, n. - F., fr. L. donationem, ace. of
donatio, 'a presenting, giving', fr. donatus, pp.
of donare, 'to present, bestow, donate', fr.
donum, 'gift, present, offering, sacrifice', which
is rei. to Umbr. dunu(m), and cogn. with 01.
ddnam, of s.m., OSlav. danl, 'tribute', Lith.

475

duonis, 'gift', Olr. dan, 'gift, endowment, talent',

W. dawn, 'gift', fr. I.-E. base *do-nom, 'gift, a
collateral form of *do-rom, whence Arm. tur,
Gk.llwpav, OS. daru, 'gift', darovati, 'to present'.
All these words ultimately derive fr. I.-E. base
*do-, *d-, 'to give'. See date, 'point of time',
and cp. donee, donor. Cp. also Dorus, the first
element in Dorothea and the second element in
pardon and in Eudora, Fedora, Fructidor, Isidore, Messidor, Theodore. For the ending see
suff. -ion.
Donatist, n., an adherent of a sect which arose in
the Christian Church of N. Africa in the 4th
century. - ML. Donatista, formed with suff.
-ista (see -ist) from the name of Donatus of
Casae Nigrae, leader of this sect. For the etymology of the name Donatus see prec. word.
Derivatives: Donatist, Donatistic, adjs.
donative, n., an official gift, donation. - L. donativum, 'official gift, gratuity', fr. donatus, pp. of
donare. See donation and -ive.
donatory, n., a donee. - ML. doniitorius, 'one
who receives a gift', fr. L. donatus, pp. of doniire.
See donation and -ory.
doncella, n., I) a wrasslike fish; 2) name_ of
timber trees in W. Indies. -- Sp., lit. 'damsel',
fr. VL *dominicella, dimin. of L. domina, 'mistress'. See damsel and cp. words there referred
to.
done, adj.- ME. doon, fr. OE. gedon, pp. of don.
See do, v.
donee, n., he who receives a gift. - OF. done
(F. donne), pp. of doner (F. donner), 'to give',
fr. L. doniire, 'to present, bestow, donate'. See
donation and -ee.
donga, n., a ravine. --- A Zulu word.
donjon, n., the keep of a castle. - OF. ( ~ F.),
fr. VL. *dominionem, ace. of *dominio, fr. L.
dominium, 'domain'. See dungeon, which is a
doublet of donjon.
donkey, n. - A double diminutive, formed fr.
the adj. dun, 'dark, brown', with the suffixes -k
and -(e)y, but influenced in form by the word
monkey.
donkey's years. - Corrupted fr. donkey's ears,
with reference to the long ears of this animal.
donnisb, adj., resembling a university don; pedantic. - Formed from the noun don with adj.
suff. -isb.
Derivative: donnish-ness, n.
donor, n. - AF. donour, corresponding to OF.
doneur (F. donneur), fr. L. doniitorem, ace. of
donator, 'giver, donor', fr. donatus, pp. of donare.
See donation and agential suff. -or.
donna, n., an Italian title given to a lady. - It.,
fr. L. domina. See dame and cp. Madonna. Cp.
also Doiia, duenna.
donzel, n., squire, page (archaic). - It. donzello,
fr. VL. *dominicello, dimin. of L. dominus,
'master, lord'. See damoiseau and cp. next word.
donzeUa, n., damsel. -It., fr. VL. *dominicella,
dimin. of L. domina, 'mistress'. See doncella.

dopper

doob, n., a creeping grass (Cynodon dactylon)

(India). - Hind. diib, fr. OI. diirva, 'a kind of
millet grass', which is cogn. with MLG. tarwe,
ME. tare, 'vetch, darnel'. See tare, 'vetch, darnel'.
doolie, dooly, dhooly, n., a covered litter (East
Indies). - Hind. r;Joli, fr. rj.o/na, 'to swing', fr.
01. dolii, 'swinging' which is rei. to andoltiyati,
'swings, seesaws', a word derived fr. *an-do/a,
'swing, seesaw, litter'; of Austroasiatic origin.
Cp. landau.
doom, n. - ME. dom, fr. OE. dom, rei. to OS.,
OFris. dom, ON. domr, OHG. tuom, Goth.
doms, 'judgment, decree', fr. I.-E. base *dhom-,
whence also OJ. dhtiman-, 'law', Gk. -&wfL6~.
'heap', -&EfLL~, 'law', Lith. doml, 'attention'. I.-E.
*dhom- is an enlargement of base *dho- *dhe*dh1-, 'to put, place'. See do, v., and c~. dee0:
and -dom. Cp. also duma, theme.
Derivative: doom, tr. v.
doom palm. - F. doum, fr. Arab. dawm, daum,
diim, 'a large Egyptian palm tree'.
doomsday, n., the day of the Last Judgment. OE. domesd;eg, 'day of judgment', fr. domes,
gen. of dom, 'doom, judgment', and d:eg, 'day'.
See doom and day ana cp. Domesday (Book).
Doomsday Book. - See Domesday (Book).
doomster, n., judge. -A var. of deemster, dempster; influenced in form by doom.
door, n. - ME. dore, dure, fr. OE. dor, 'door,
gate', duru, 'door', rei. to OS. duru, ON. dyrr,
Dan. der, Swed. dorr, OFris. dure, dore, OHG.
turi, MHG., G. tiir, 'door', OHG., MHG., G.
tor, Goth. daur, 'gate', and cogn. with OJ.
dvtiral; (nom. pl.), dural;, dural; (ace. pl.},
'door', duro~:~a-, 'dwelling, home', Avestic dvarm
(ace. sing.), 'gate, court', OPers. duvaraya-,
'at the door', Toch. B twere, Arm. durk' (pl.),
dufn (sing.), Gk. &upiX, 'door', &up[~. 'window',
7to:poc&upiX, 'side door, wicket', 7tp6&upov, 'front
door, doorway, porch', Alb. den:, pl. diier, 'door,
house', L. /ores (pl.), 'door', for as, 'out of doors,
out', forls, 'out at the doors, out of doors',
OSiav. dviri, 'door', dvoru, 'courtyard', Lith.
durys, Lett. duris, durvis, OPruss. dauris, 'door',
W., Co., OBret. dor, Olr. dorus, OCo. darat,
'door'. Cp. dargah, dehors, doch-an-doris, durbar, durwaun, foreclose, foreign, forisfamiliate,
forjudge, hors de combat, bors d'oeuvre, Thyrididae, thyroid.
dopatta, also dooputty, n., a garment for women.
-Hind. do-paf!a, lit. 'of double breadth'.
dope, n., a thick liquid.- Fr. Du. doop, 'a dipping, liquid, sauce', fr. dopen, 'to dip'. See
dip and cp. dopper.
Derivatives: dope, tr. v.,dop-er, n. dop-ing-/y, adv.
Doppelganger, n., the phantasm or counterpart
of a living person, a double ganger. -G., lit.
'a double walker'. See double, gang and agential
suff. -er and cp. doubleganger.
dopper, n., a S. African Dutch baptist. - Du.
doper, lit. 'dipper', fr. dopen, 'to dip'. See dip
and cp. dope.

dopplerite

476

dormy, adj., being ahead as many holes as there

dopplerite, n. - G. Dopp/erit; named in 1849
remain to be played (golf). - F. dormi, pp. of
after the German physicist Christian Johann
dormir, 'to sleep'. See dormant.
Doppler (1803-53). The G. suff. -it represents
Doronicum, n., a genus of plants. - ModL., fr.
Gk. - tT"f)~; see subst. suff. -ite.
Arab. dardnaj, darilnaj.
dor, n., a droning insect, the dorbeetle.- ME.
Dorothea, Dorothy, fern. PN.- L. Dorothea, fr.
dare, fr. OE. dora, 'bumblebee', rel. to MLG.
Gk. Llwpo.&E:Ii, fern. of LlwpO.&e:o.;, lit. 'gift of
dorte, 'drone', from the I.-E. imitative base
God', fr. llwpov, 'gift', and &e:6.;, 'God'. See
*dher-, 'to hum, buzz, murmur'. See drone.
donation and 1st theism and cp. doll, dolly. Cp.
Dora, fern. PN.- A shortened form of Doroalso Theodora, and the second element in Euthea, Dorothy.
dora, Isidore. In the form Dorothy, the name was
dorado, n., a large fish of the genus Coryphaena.
taken over from Latin through the medium of
- Sp., prop. pp. of dorar, fr. L. deauriire, 'to
F. Dorothee.
gild', fr. de- and auriire, 'to gild', fr. aurum,
dors-, form of dorso- before a vowel.
'gold'. See aureate and cp. ElDorado and dory,
dorsal, adj., pertaining to, or situated on or near,
'a seafish'.
the back.- F., fr. ML. dorsiilis, corresponding
Dorcas society, meeting of ladies to make garto L. dorsuiilis, 'of the back', fr. dorsum, 'the
ments for the poor. -From Dorcas, name of a
back'. See dorsum.
woman (mentioned in Acts IX, 36-41). The
dorsi-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
name derives from Gk. 3opx&:~. 'gazelle', which
the back', or 'on the back'. - L. dorsi-, fr. doris rel. to llop~. gen. 3opx6~. of s.m., and was
sum, 'back'. See dorsum.
altered (owing to a popular connection with
dorso-, before a vowel dors-, combining form
3E:pxO!J.CXL, 'I see, regard', see dracon), fr. orig.
meaning 'pertaining to the back'. - L. darso-,
~opx&:.;, resp. ~op~. which is cogn. with W.
dors-, fr. dorsum, 'back'. See next word.
iwrch, Co. yorch, 'roebuck'.
dorsum, n., the back.- L., of uncertain origin.
dorian, n. - See durian.
The derivation of this word by the ancients fr.
Dorian, adj., pertaining to Doris or the ancient
L. *devorsum, 'that which is turned away', is
inhabitants of Doris. - Formed with suff. -an,
folk etymology ..Cp. dorsal, doss, dosser, dossier,
fr. L. Dorius, fr. Gk. Llwpw~. fr. Llwpl~. 'Doris',
endorse, extrados, parados, reredos. The L. word
name of a district in Central Greece, named
dorsum was introduced into anatomy by the
after Llwpo~, 'Dorus', the ancestor of the DoriBelgian anatomist Andreas Vesalius (1514-64).
ans. See Dorus.
dorter, dortour, n., the dormitory of a monastery.
Derivative: Dorian, n.
- OF. dortour, fr. L. dormitorium. See dormiDoric, adj., pertaining to Doris or the Dorians.
tory.
- L. Doricus, fr. Gk. LlwpLxo<;, fr. Llwp[.;. See
Dorus, n., the legendary ancestor of the Dorians.
prec. word.
- L. Dorus, fr. Gk. Llwpo~, a word rei. to llwpov,
Dorize, tr. and intr. v., to make or become Doric
'gift', which is cogn. with OS!. daru, 'gift', daroor Dorian. - Gk. Llwp(~e:w, 'to imitate the
vati, 'to present', and with L. donum, 'gift'. See
Dorians, to speak Doric Greek', fr. Llwpl.;,
donation and cp. Dorothy, Eudora.
'Doris'. See Dorian and -ize.
dory, n., a seafish, Zeus faber.- F. doree, 'dory',
Dorking, n. - Short for Dorking fowl, from
lit. 'the gilded one', fern. of dare, fr. L. deauriitus,
Dorking, name of a market town in Surrey,
'gilded'. See dorado.
England.
dory, n., a light kind of boat. -From Honduran
dormancy, n.- Formed fr. next word with suff.
native name.
-cy.
dory-, combining form meaning 'spear'. - Fr.
dormant, adj., 1) sleeping; 2) inactive. - ME.,
Gk. 36pu (gen. 36pocTo<;), 'stem, tree, beam, shaft
fr. OF. ( = F.) dormant, pres. part. of dormir,
of a spear, spear', rei. to 3pu.;, gen. 3pu6.;, 'oak,
'to sleep', fr. L. dormire, of s.m., which is cogn.
tree', and cogn. with 01. ddru, wood, piece of
with OSlav. dremati, 'to sleep, doze', and with
wood, spear', and cogn. with OE. treo, treow,
Gk. !:3poc&ov (II aor.), 'I slept', later form
'tree, wood'. See tree and cp. words there re!:hp&ov, whence the new formation 3ocp&&:vw,
ferred to. Cp. also dryad and the second element
'I sleep', 01. drdti, drdyati, drdyate, 'sleeps'. Cp.
in Echinodorus.
dormer, dormitory, dormouse, dormy, dorter. For
dosage, n., administration of medicine in doses.
the ending see suff. -ant.
-Formed fr. dose with suff. -age.
Derivative: dormant, n.
dose, n., amount of medicine taken at one time.
dormer, n., dormer window.- OF. dormeor, fr. L.
-F., fr. ML. dosis, fr. Gk. MaL<;, 'a gift', from
dormitorium, 'sleeping room', fr. dormit-(um),
the stem of' 3L36vocL, 'to give', fr. I.-E. base *do-,
pp. stem of dormire, 'to sleep'. See prec. word
*dt-, 'to give', whence also L. dare, 'to give'.
and subst. suff. -ory and cp. next word.
See date, 'point of time', and cp. donation, dot.
dormitory, n.- L. dormitorium. See prec. word.
'marriage portion'. Cp. also apodosis, dosimeter.
dormouse, n., a small rodent.- Perh. meaning lit.
dosology.
'sleeping mouse', and formed fr. OF. dorm-, stem
Derivatives: dose, tr. and intr. v., dos-er, n.
of dormir, 'to sleep' (see dormer), and E. mouse.

dough

dosimeter, n., an instrument for measuring doses.

- Compounded of Gk. MaL<;, 'a gift', and
!J.eTpov, 'measure'. See dose and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
dosimetry, n., the measurement of doses. - See
prec. word and -metry.
Derivatives: dosimetr-ic, adj., dosimetr-ic-ian,
n., dosimetr-ist, n.
dosology,n., the science of doses. -Compounded
of Gk. MaL<;, 'gift', and -/.oy(li, fr. -A6yo.;, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See dose and -logy.
doss, n., a bed (slang). - Prob. fr. F. dos, 'back',
fr. VL. dossum, fr. L. dorsum. See dorsum.
Derivative: doss, intr. v., to go to bed.
dossal, n., a cloth for the back of a chancel. Eccles. L. dossiile, assimilated fr. L. dorsiile,
prop. neut. of the adj. dorsiilis, 'pertaining to the
back', used as a noun. See dorsum.
dosser,n., I)adossal; 2) a pannier. -OF.dossier,
fr. VL. *dossiiirium, fr. VL. dossum, 'back', assimilated fr. L. dorsum. See dorsal and cp.
dossier.
doss house, a cheap lodging house. - See doss,
'bed', and house.
dossier, n., a collection of documents. - F., fr.
dos, 'back', fr. VL. dossum. See dosser.
dot, n., a spot.- OE. dott, 'head of a boil, speck,'
rel. to Norw. dot, 'lump, small knot', Du. dot,
'knot, small bunch, wisp', OHG. tutta, 'nipple',
MHG. tiitel, 'point', OE. dyttan, 'to shut, stop'
(whence dial. E. dit, 'to shut, stop'). Cp. dottle.
Derivatives: dot, tr. v., to mark with a dot, dotted, adj., dott-er, n., dott-y, adj.
dot, n., marriage portion. -F., fr. L. dotem, ace.
of dos, 'marriage portion', from the base of do,
dare, 'to give'. See date, 'point of time', and
cp. dower.
dotard, n., a foolish old person.- ME., formed
fr. daten (see dote, v.) with suff. -ard.
dote, n., marriage portion. - F. dote, a var. of
dot. See dot, 'marriage portion'.
dote, doat, intr. v., to be foolish. - ME. daten,
dotien, fr. MLG. doten, 'to be foolish rave',
which is rel. to MDu. daten, 'to doze, be childish' [whence OF. re-doter, later ra-doter (F.
radoter ), 'to drivel']. Cp. dotterel.
Derivatives: dot-age, n., dot-ard, n., dot-ing,
adj., dot-ing-ly, adv.
dotterel, n., a kind of plover. - Formed fr. dote,
'to be foolish', with dimin. suff. -ere/. For the
suff. cp. cockerel (fr. cock), pickerel (fr. pike).
dottle, n., plug of tobacco remaining in the pipe.
- Formed fr. dot, 'a spot', with dimin. suff.
-le.
douane, n., a customhouse.- F., fr. Arab. diwtin,
fr. Pers. diwiin, 'register, office;council;customhouse; collection of books'. See divan and cp.
aduana, dogana.
double, adj.- ME., fr. OF. double, fr. L. duplus,
'twofold, double', lit. 'twice folded', formed fr.
du- (fr. duo), 'two', and *pi-, zero degree of base

*pel-, '-fold', and cogn. with Gk. 3Ht/.6o.;, 3L1t'Aau.;, 'double'. See dual and ply, 'to bend', and
cp. plicate. Cp. also decuple, diploma, doblon,
dobra, Doppelganger, doubloon, duple, duplex,
duplicity, and the second element in centuple,
multiple, simple, treble, triple, triplex, quadruple,
quadruplex, quintuple, sextuple, septuple. Cp.
also fold, -fold.
Derivatives: double, adv., n., double, v. (q.v.),
double-ness, n., doubl-y, adv.
double, tr. and intr. v, - ME. daub/en, fr. OF.
(= F.) doubler, fr. L. dup/iire, 'to double', fr.
duplus. See double, adj.
Derivatives: doubl-er, n., doubl-ing, n.
double-entendre, n., a word of double meaning.
- Obsol. F. (for F. double entente), lit. 'a twofold meaning', fr. double, 'double', and entendre,
'to hear; to understand, mean'. See double, adj.,
and entente.
doubleganger, n., a counterpart of a living person.
-Anglicized form of Doppelganger.
doublet, n.- ME. dobbelet, 'a garment', fr. OF.
doublet, lit. 'something doubled', formed fr.
double with the dimin. suff. -et. See double, adj.
doubloon, n., an obsolete Spanish gold coin. F. doublon, fr. Sp. dob/6n, augment. of dab/a,
name of an ancient Spanish gold coin, lit. 'double', fr. L. dupla, fern. of duplus, 'double'. See
double, adj., and -oon and cp. doblon, dobra.
doublure, n., lining.- F., 'lining', lit. 'doubling',
fr. doubler, 'to double'. See double, adj., and
-ure.
doubt, intr. and tr. v. - ME. duten, douten, fr.
OF. duter, douter (F. douter), fr. dubitiire, 'to
be uncertain in opinion, to doubt', freq. formed
fr. OL. dubiire, of s.m., fr. dubius, 'doubting,
uncertain, doubtful'; a derivative of duo, 'two'.
See dual and cp. dubious, redoubtable. The b in
E. doubt was inserted later owing to an 'etymological' spelling. L. dubitiire orig. meant 'to
have to choose between two things'. For sense
development cp. G. Zweifel, 'doubt', fr. zwei,
'two'.
Derivatives: doubt, n. (q.v.), doubt-ful, adj.,
doubt-ful-ly, adv., doubt-ful-ness, n., doubt-ing,
adj., doubt-ing-ly, adv., doubt-less, adj.
doubt, n. - ME., fr. OF. dute, doute (F. doute),
fr. douter, 'to doubt'. See doubt, v.
douce, adj., sober, gentle (Scot.) - The orig.,
now obsolete, meaning is 'sweet'. It is borrowed
fr. F. douce, fern. of doux, 'sweet, gentle', fr. L.
dulcis. See dulcet and cp. next word and dolce.
douceur, n., gentleness; tip; bribe.- F. douceur,
'sweetness; favor', fr. doux, fern. douce, 'sweet':
see prec. word. The word douceur was introduced into English by Horace Walpole.
douche, n., a jet of water. - F., fr. It. doccia,
'douche', fr. It. doccione, 'conduit, lead-pipe,
tube', fr. L. ductionem, ace. of ductio, 'a leading', fr. ducere, 'to lead'. See duct, duke.
Derivative: douche, tr. and intr. v.
dough, n. - ME. dog, dogh, dah, fr. OE. dag,

doughty

rei. to ON. deig, Dan deig, Swed. deg, MLG.

dech, MDu. deech, Du. deeg, OHG., MHG.
teic, G. Teig, Goth. daigs, 'dough', digan, 'to
knead', fr. I.-E. base *dheigh-, *dhoigh-, *dhigh-,
'to form out of clay, to knead, form', whence
also 01. dthmi, 'I smear, anoint', dehab, 'body',
lit. 'that which is formed', deht, 'rampart, dam,
dike', Avestic daeza, 'wall', pairi-daeza, 'enclosure' (whence Gk. 7t<Xp<i3e:Lcro<;, 'enclosed
park'), OPers. didii, 'castle', Toch. A tsek-,
tsaik-, B tsik-, 'to form', tseke, 'statue', Arm.
dez, 'heap, pile', dizanem, 'I heap up, pile up',
Gk. Tdxo.;, To"ixo.; (dissimilated fr. *&e:i:xo.;,
*&o"ixo.;), 'wall' (orig. 'clay wall'), 3-Lyy<ive:Lv, 'to
touch', Thracian -3(~0!, 'castle', L. fingere, 'to
form, shape, fashion', figura, 'form, shape', figulus, 'potter', Oscanfeihuss, 'the walls', ORuss.
deza, 'baker's trough', Lith. dieiti, dyzti, 'to
cudgel, thrash' (lit. 'to knead thoroughly'}, Oir.
digen, 'firm, solid' (orig. 'kneaded into a compact mass'). Cp. also the metathesized forms:
Lith. iiediiu, iiesti, 'to form, build', OSlav.
ziid(J, zidati, 'to build', zidu, 'wall'. Cp. dairy,
duff, 'pudding', and the second element in lady.
Cp. also deha, dixia, dizdar, effigy, faint, feign,
fictile, fiction, fictitious, figure, thigmo-, the first
element in Tichodroma, thixotropy and the
second element in paradise.
Derivatives: dough, tr. and intr. v., dough-y,
adj., dough-i-ness, n.
doughty, adj. - ME. dohti, duhti, fr. OE. dohtig,
fr. earlier dyhtig, 'able, fit, useful, valiant', rei.
to MHG. tuhtec, G. tuchtig, of s.m., OE. dugan,
'to avail, be of use, be strong', ON., OFris. duga,
Du. deugen, OHG. tugan, MHG. fttgen, G. taugen, Goth. dugan, of s.m., OE. dugujJ, 'power,
rule, majesty; virtue, happiness', OHG. tugundi, 'ability', MHG. tugem, 'skill, worthiness,
virtue', G. Tugend, 'virtue', and cogn. with Gk.
't'E:UX&LV, 'to make ready', TUYX<iV&LV, 'to happen, be at a place', Te:uxo.;, 'tool, implement',
later 'book', WX7J 'fortune, fate, providence',
Hitt. tukka-, 'to fall to a person's share', Ir.
dual (for *dhughlo-), 'becoming, fit', duan (for
*dhuglmii), 'poem', Lith. daug, 'much', Russ.
duiij, d'uiij, 'strong, robust'. All these words
prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *dheugh-, 'to be fit,
be of use, prosper'. Cp. dow, 'to be able', Tyche,
and the second element in Pentateuch.
Derivatives: dought-y, adj., dought-i-ly, adv.,
dought-i-ness, n.
Douglas, masc. PN. - Orig. only a river name,
fr. Gael. dub(h)glas, 'dark blue'.
Douglas spruce, a N. American coniferous tree.
- Named after the Scottish botanist David
Douglas (1798-1834).
Doukhobors, n. pl. - See Dukhobors.
down palm. - See doom palm.
dour, adj., hard, stern (Scot.)- L. durus, 'hard'.
See dure.
Derivatives: dour-ly, adv., dour-ness, n.
douse, dowse, tr. v., to plunge into water.- Prob.

478
fr. obsol. douse, 'to strike', which is prob. of
LG. origin. Cp. MDu. dossen, Du. doesen, 'to
strike'.
Derivative: dous-er, n.
dout, tr. v., to put out, extinguish.- Contracted
fr. do and out. Cp. doff, don, v., dup.
dove, n. - ME. dove, douve, duve, fr. OE. dufe(only in compounds}, rei. to OS. duba, ON.
dufa, Swed. duva, Dan. due, MLG., MDu. duve,
Du. duif, OHG. tuba, MHG. tube, G. Taube,
Goth. -dubO (only in compounds), 'dove', orig.
'the dark-colored bird', fr. I.-E. base *dheubh-,
*dhubh-, 'to fill with smoke, to darken', whence
also Oir. dub, Jr. dubh, 'dark-colored'. See deaf
and cp. dumb, typhlo-. Cp. also Taube. For sense
development cp. Gk. 7tEA&LO!, 'wood pigeon',
.
fr. 7tt'AL6<;, 'grayish black'.
dovetail, n., a joint made to fit a tenon into a
corresponding mortise. - Lit. 'that which resembles a dove's tail'; so called in allusion to
the shape of the tenon.
Derivatives: dovetail, tr. and intr. v., dovetailed, adj., dove-tail-er, n.
dow, n., a dah (India).- A var. of dah.
dow, intr. v., to be able. - OE. dugan, 'to avail,
be of use, be strong', See doughty.
dowager, n., a widow holding a jointure. - OF.
douagiere, douagere (F. douairiere), fern. of douagier (earlier F. douairier), 'pertaining to a
dower', fr. douage (F. douaire), 'dower'. The
word lit. means 'a woman who has received a
dower'. See dower and the suffixes -age and -er
and cp. endow.
dowdy, adj., not fashionable.- Lit. 'ill-dressed',
fr. earlier dowd, of s.m.; rei. to duds (q.v.)
Derivatives: dowd-i-ly, adv., dowd-i-ness, n.,
dowdy-ish, adj.
dowel, n., a headless pin or peg for fastening together pieces of wood, etc. - ME. dowle, prob.
fr. MLG. dove/, which is rei. to OHG. (gi)tubi/i,
MHG. rube/, G. Dobel, 'peg, pin, plug'; formed
with instrumental sutf. -1 from Teut. base *dub-,
'to strike' (whence also LG. dubben, 'to strike'),
corresponding to I.-E. base *dheubh-, *dhubh-,
'to strike', whence Gk. rucpo~ (dissimilated fr.
*&ucpo;), 'wedge, peg'. Lith. ditbelis, 'peg', is a
Teut. loan word. Cp. dub, 'to make a knight'.
Derivative: dowel, tr. v.
dower, n., an endowment. - ME. dowere, fr.
OF. ( = F.) douaire, fr. ML. dotiirium, fr. L.
dotiire, 'to endow, portion', which derives fr.
dos, gen. dotis, 'marriage portion', from the
base of do, dare, 'to give'. See date, 'point of
time', and cp. dot, 'marriage portion'. Cp. also
dowager, dowry.
Derivatives: dower, tr. v., dower-less, n.
dowitcher, n., the gray snipe.- Of N. American
Indian origin.
dowlas, n., a coarse kind of calico. - From Daoulas (also spelled Doulas), a town near Brest
in Brittany.
clown, n., soft plumage. - ME. downe, doun, fr.

479

Dracontium

doxy, n., opinion, doctrine (colloq.) - Back

ON. dunn, which is rei. to MLG. dune (whence
formation from words ending in -doxy (as
G. Daune), fr. I.-E. base *dheu-, 'to fly about
like dust, whirl, shake', whence also ON. dyja, heterodoxy, orthodoxy, etc .. ) See prec. word.
'to shake', Lith. duje, 'down', duja, 'particle of doxy, n., a wench; a mistress (slang).- Of unknown origin.
dust; very fine flour; fine rain, drizzle', and
doyen, n., senior member. - F., fr. OF. deien,
01. dhuni1ti, 'shakes, moves'. See thio- and cp.
fr. L. deciinus, 'one set over ten persons'. See
down, 'hill'.
dean.
Derivative: downy (q.v.)
doze, intr. and tr. v.- OfScand. origin. Cp. ON.
down, n., hill. - ME. doun, fr. OE. dun, 'hill'
diisa, 'to doze', Dan. dese, 'to make drowsy',
rei. to MDu. dunen, Du. duin (G. Dune, F. dune,
dos, 'drowsiness', desig, 'drowsy', which are rei.
It. and Sp. duna are Dutch loan words), fr.
to OE. dysig, 'foolish'. See dizzy.
I.-E. base *dheu-, 'to shake'; hence down orig.
Derivatives: doze, n., doz-y, adj., doz-i-ly, adv.,
meant 'something cast up'. See down, 'soft
doz-i-ness, n.
plumage'. See also dun, 'hill', and cp. words
dozen, n. - OF. dozaine, dosaine, douzaine (F.
there referred to.
douzaine), fr. douze, 'twelve', fr. L. duodecim,
Derivatives: down, adv. (q.v.), downy (q.v.)
'twelve', fr. duo, 'two', and decem, 'ten'. See
down, adv., to, or in, a lower place. - Aphetic
duodecim-.
for adown, fr. OE. of-dune, a-dune, prop. meandrab, n., a dirty woman; a slattern. - Of uning 'from the hill, downhill', fr. of-, a-, 'off,
certain origin. Cp. Ir. drobog, Gael. drabag, 'a
from', and dune, dat. of dun, 'hill'. See down,
dirty woman'.
'hill'.
Derivative: drab, intr. v., to associate with
Derivatives: down, adj., prep. tr. v. and n.
drabs.
downward, adv. - OE. adunweard. See down,
drab, n., 1) a kind of cloth of brownish-yellow
adv., and -ward.
color; 2) a brownish-yellow color. - F. drap,
Derivative: downward, adj.
'cloth', fr. Late L. drappus, fr. Gaulish *drappo-.
downwards, adv. - Formed fr. prec. word with
See drape and cp. drabbet.
adv. gen. sutf. -es, -s. See -wards.
Derivatives: drab, adj., drab-ly, adv., drabdowny, adj., covered with, or resembling, down.
ness, n., drabb-ish, drabb-y, adjs.
Formed fr. down, 'plumage', with adj.
Draba, n., a genus of plants of the family Brassutf. -y.
sicaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 8p&[:l7), name
Derivatives: downi-ly, adv., downi-ness, n.
of a kind of cress.
downy, adj., resembling downs, undulating.
drabbet, n., a coarse linen material. - Formed
Formed fr. down, 'hill', with adj. suff. -y.
fr. drab, 'cloth', with sutf. -et.
Derivative: downi-ness, n.
dowry, n. - ME. dowerie, fr. OF. douaire. See drabble, tr. v., to make wet and dirty; to draggle;
intr. v., to become draggled.- ME. drabelen,
dower.
drab/en, fr. LG. drabbeln, 'to splash in water';
dowse, v.- See douse.
prob. of imitative origin.
dowse, intr. v., to seek water by the aid of a
Dracaena, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
divining rod. - The word prob. meant origin(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. 3p&KorLviX, 'she-dragon',
ally 'to dip or plunge into water', and is identical
fern. of 8p&x.wv. See dragon.
with douse.
drachm, n., a drachma. - See dram.
Derivative: dows-er, n.
drachma, n., 1) an ancient Greek coin; 2) an
doxastic, adj., pertaining to opm10n. - Gk.
ancient Greek weight. - L., fr. Gk. 3pO!X(.I.i).
3oE;O!crnK6<;, 'forming an opinion, conjecturing',
See dram and cp. didrachma.
from the verbal adj. stem of 3oE;&~e:Lv, 'to think,
Draco, n., name of a constellation between the
imagine, to form an opinion', fr. 361';0!, 'notion;
Great and Little Bear. - L. draco, 'dragon'.
opinion; honor, glory', which stands for36K-O'O!
See dragon.
and derives fr. 6oKe:i:v, 'to seem good, to seem,
Dracocepbalum, n., a genus of plants, the dragon
think, believe' (whence also 86y(.I.O!, 'that which
head (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
one thinks true, opinion, doctrine, decree'), fr.
3p&x.wv, 'a dragon', and Ke:cpO!'A'f), 'head' (see
I.-E. base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take, receive, accept;
dragon and cephalic); so called in allusion to
acceptable, becoming, good', whence also L.
the form of the corolla.
decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'. See decent and
draconian, adj., also draconic, 'pertaining to a
cp. dogma, the first element in doxology and the
dragon'. -See Draco and -ian, resp. -ic.
second element in heterodox, orthodox, paradox.
Draconian, Draconic, also draconian, draconic,
doxology, n., a hymn of praise. - Eccles. L.
adj., severe, harsh. - Lit. 'in the manner of
doxologia, fr. Eccles. Gk. 3oE;o'Aoy{~. 'praise,
Draco', fr. L. Draco, fr. Gk. tlp&:Kwv, the Athenlaudation', which is compounded of Gk. 86~0!,
'glory', and -'Aoyl~. fr. -Myo<;, 'one who speaks
ian legislator, who codified his laws in 621
B.C.E. For the meaning of this name in Greek
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
see dragon.
certain topic)'. See prec. word and -logy. Cp.
Dracontium, n., a genus of plants of the arum
also next word.

aracuncu1us
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. dracontium, 'a kind
of plant, the dragon wort', fr. Gk. 8pa.x6vnov,
of s.m., fr. 8p&xwv, gen. 8p&:xov-.oc;, 'dragon'.
See dragon.
dracunculus, n., I) the Guinea worm; 2) a fish;
3) (cap.) a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.) - L., 'a small serpent; a kind of fish;
the plant tarragon', dimin. of draco, 'dragon'.
See dragon and -culus.
draff, n., dregs.- ME. draf, 'dregs', rei. to ON.
draf, 'refuse', Dan., Norw. drav, Swed., MLG.,
MDu., Du. draf, OHG. trebir, MHG., G. treber,
'draff', and possibly also to OHG. truobi,
MHG. triiebe, G. triib, 'dull, sad'; fr. I.-E. base
*dhrebh-, 'to make firm, curdle', whence also
Russ. drob, droba, 'dregs, lees', Lith. drimbu,
dribti, 'to fall in clots', drebiu, drebti, 'to blot,
blur', drebnUs, 'fat', Gk. -.pE:cpe~v, 'to make solid,
thicken, congeal, curdle; to nourish' (lit. 'to
make thick'), .&p6fL~oc; (a nasalized enlargement
of base *dhrebh-), 'lump, clot', .&p6fL~Wcr~c;. 'coagulation'. Cp. drivel. Cp. also thrematology,
threpsology, threptic, thrombo-, thrombosis,
trophic.
Derivative: draff-y, adj.
draft, n. - ME. draht, draught, fr. OE. dragan,
'to draw'. See drag, draw, and cp. draught.
Derivatives: draft, draught, tr. v. and adj., drafter, draught-er, n., draft-ing, draught-ing, n.,
draft-y, draught-y, adj.
drag, tr. and intr. v. - ME. draggen, fr. OE.
dragan or ON. draga, 'to draw'. See draw and
cp. draggle. Cp. also droshky.
Derivatives: drag, n. (q.v.), dragg-er, n., dragging, adj., dragg-ing-ly, adv., dragg-y, adj., draggi-ly, adv., dragg-i-ness, n.
drag, n.- Fr. prec. word. The various meanings
of this noun are all traceable to the original
meaning, 'that which drags or is dragged'. Cp.
drogue.
draggle, tr. and intr. v. -Formed from the verb
drag with freq. suff. -Ie. Cp. drawl.
Derivative: dragg-/y, adv.
dragoman, n., guide and interpreter. - F. dragoman, drogman, fr. It. dragomano, fr. MGk.
8pocym)fLa.voc;, fr. targumdn, Egypt. pronunciation of Arab. tarjumdn, fr. Aram. turghtmanJ, ult.
fr. Akkad. targumanu, 'interpreter'. See Targum.
dragon, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. draconem, ace.
of draco, 'a kind of a serpent; dragon', fr. Gk.
8p&:xwv, which prob. means lit. 'the sharpsighted one', and is rei. to 8E:pxecr.&a.~, 'to look
at', fr. I.-E. base *derk-, *drlc-, 'to see, look at',
whence also 01. dad-, 'to see', da-darsa, 'I have
seen', dariaui/:1, 'visible', drs-, 'seeing, sight',
Avestic darshti-, 'sight', Alb. drill; (for *drlctii-),
'light', Goth. (ga)tarhjan, 'to make distinct',
OE. torht, 'bright', OHG. zoraht, 'clear', Olr.
derc, 'eye', W. drych, 'aspect', drem, Bret.
dremm (for *drfc-smii), 'face'. Cp. darshana,
Dracaena, Dracontium, dracunculus, dragoon,
drake, 'dragon', rancle, tarragon.

cream

480

Derivatives: dragon-ess, n., dragonet (q.v.), dragonnade (q.v.)

dragonet, n., I) a little dragon; 2) a small marine
fish. - OF., dimin. of dragon. See dragon
and -et.
dragonnade, n., persecution of the French protestants during Louis XIV; military attack on
the civil population.- F., fr. dragon, 'dragoon'.
See dragon and -ade.
dragoon, n.- F. dragon, 'dragon, dragoon, carbine'; so called from its resemblance to the fire
breathing dragon of the fable. See dragon.
Derivatives: dragoon, tr. v., dragoon-age, n.,
dragoon-er, n.
drail, tr. and intr. v., to drag or trail; to draggle.
- A blend of drag and trail.
Derivative: drail, n.
drain, tr. and intr. v. - ME. draynen, fr. OE.
drehnigean, dreahnian, drehnian, 'to strain', lit.
'to dry out', and rei. to OE. dryge, 'dry'. See dry.
Derivatives: drain, n., drain-age, n., drain-ed,
adj., drain-er, n.
draisine, n., a dandy horse. - F. draisine, draisienne, fr. G. Draisine, named after its inventor,
Baron Karl von Drais of Saverbrun near Mannheim (died in 1851).
drake, n., the male of the duck. - ME. drake,
rei. to LG. driike and to the second element in
OHG. anutrehho. (This latter stands for *anuttrahho, a compound, the first element of which
is cogn. with L. anas, 'duck'; see Anas.) ME.
and LG. driike and the second element in OHG.
*anut-trahho are of imitative origin and mean
'drake'. (Cp. Alamannic riitsch, riitscher, 'drake',
from the verb ratschen, 'to rattle'.) Accordingly
OHG. anutrehho (whence MHG. antrech, G.
Enterich) is tautological and lit. means 'duckduck'.
drake, n., dragon. - ME., fr. OE. draca, fr. L.
draco, 'dragon'. See dragon.
dram, n., a weight. -OF. drame (F. drachme),
fr. L. drachma, 'drachma', fr. Gk. 8pa.xfL'f), 'an
Attic weight; a silver coin', lit. 'a handful', rei.
to 8pa.YfL'f), 'handful', 8p&y!J.a., 'a sheaf', lit. 'as
much as one can grasp, a handful', from the
stem of 8poccrcrecr.&a.~ (for *8pocz-crecr.&a.~). 'to
clutch, grasp, seize'; cogn. with Arm. trc;ak,
'faggot', perh. also with OSiav. po-dragu,
'border', OHG. zarga, 'border, edge, frame',
ON. targa, OE. targe, 'shield, buckler'. Cp.
drachma, Drassidae. Cp. also targe, 'shield'.
drama, n. - Late L., fr. Gk. 8pii!J.:x, 'deed, act,
action represented on the stage, drama', fr.
8piiv, 'to do, accomplish', which is rei. to 8pa.lvtw,
'to be ready to do', and cogn. with Lith. darau,
daryti, Lett. darit, 'to make, do'. Cp. drastic.
For the ending see suff. -rna.
dramatic, adj. - Late L. driimaticus, fr. Gk.
8piXfLOCT~x6c;, 'dramatic', fr. 8pii!J.a., gen. 8p&!J.a.To~,
'drama'. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: dramatic-al-ly, adv.
dramatis personae, the characters in a play.- L.

.1

dramatist, n., a writer of plays. - Formed with

suff. -ist fr. Gk. 8piifLa., gen. 8p&fLa.To~. 'drama'.
See drama.
dramatize, tr. v., to make into a drama. - See
dramatist and -ize and cp. F. dramatiser.
Derivatives: dramatiz-ation, n., dramatiz-er, n.
dramaturge, n., a dramatist. - F., fr. Gk. 8piXfLOCToupy6c;, 'a maker of plays, dramatist', which
iscompoundedof8piifLa., gen. 8p&fLa.To~, 'drama',
and ~pyov, 'work'. S~ drama and work and cp.
ergon and words there referred to. The word
dramaturge was introduced into French in I 668
by the poet Jean Chapelain (I595-I674).
dramaturgy, n., composition and production of
plays.- G. Dramaturgie, fr. Gk. 8pii!J.a.ToupyliX,
'dramatic composition', fr.8piXfLa.Toupy6c;, 'maker
of plays'. See prec. word and- y (representing
Gk. -lii). Dramaturgie was introduced into
German by the German critic and dramatist
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing(I729-81)in his Hamburgische Dramaturgie (1767-69).
Derivatives: dramaturg-ic, adj., dramaturg-ist, n.
drank, past tense of drink. - ME. dranc, fr. OE.
dranc, fr. drincan, 'to drink'. See drink.
drape, tr. v. - F. draper, 'to cover with cloth,
drape', fr. drap, 'cloth', fr. Late L. drappus,
which is prob. of Gaulish origin and ult. derives fr. I.-E. *dre-p-, 'to tear off', whence also
OI. driipi/:1, 'mantle, garment'. Lith. driipanos
{pl.), 'linen, women's linen, undergarment' (the
original meaning prob. was 'a piece torn off'),
Gk. 8pE:m:~v. 'to pluck', Russ. drapati, drjtipati,
Pol. dropac, Serbo-Croat. drdpati, 'to scratch,
tear'. I.-E. *dre-p- is a -p-enlargement of base
*der-, 'to flay', whence Gk. 8E:petv, 'to flay',
8pfLoc, 'skin'. See derma and cp. drab, 'a kind
of cloth', trap, 'clothes'. Cp. also the first element in drepanoid.
drape, n.- Partly fr. F. drap, partly fr. drape, v.
draper, n. - ME., fr. AF. draper, which corresponds to OF., F. drapier, fr. drap, 'cloth'.
See drape, v., and agential suff. -er.
drapery, n.- OF. ( = F.) draperie, fr. draper, 'to
cover with cloth, drape'. See drape, v., and
-ery.
Derivative: drapery, tr. v.
Drassidae, n. pl., a family of spiders (zoo/.) ModL., lit., 'seizers', formed with suff. -idae fr.
Gk. 8poccrcrtcr.&a.~ (for *8pocx-cr~cr.&cr~). 'to clutch,
grasp, seize'. See dram.
drastic, adj., having a strong effect. - Gk. 8pa.cr-.~x6~. 'active, efficient, violent', fr. 8pa.cr-.6~,
'done', verbal adj. of 8piXv, 'to do, accomplish'.
See drama and -ic.
Derivative; drastic-al-ly, adv.
drat, interj. - Fr. od rot, which is aphetic for
God rot.
draught, n. - See draft.
draughts, n., the British name for the game of
checkers. - Pl. of prec. word.
Dravidian, adj., pertaining to a race in Southern
India or to the languages spoken by them. -

Formed with suff. ian fr. 01. Driivir/a/:1, name of

a region in Southern India.
draw, tr. and intr. v. - ME. drahen, drawen,
fr. OE. dragan, 'to draw', rei. to ON. draga, 'to
draw', OS. dragan, OFris. draga, drega, MDu.
draghen, dreghen, OHG. tragan, MHG., G.
tragen, 'to bear, carry', Goth. ga-dragan, 'to
pull, draw', and perh. cogn. with L. trahere,
'to pull, draw'. See tract, 'region', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also drag, draggle,
drail, drawl, dray, dredge, 'dragnet'. Cp. also
droshky.
Derivatives: draw, n., draw-ee, n., draw-er, n.,
draw-ing, n.
Drawcansir, n., bully, braggart.- Named after
a character in George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of
Buckinham's The Rehearsal (1672). According
to the OED. the name was coined from (the
phrase) 'draw a can of liquor'.
drawing room. - Abbreviation of withdrawing
room; orig. name of the room into which the
ladies would withdraw at the end of dinner. See
withdraw.
drawl, intr. and tr. v. - Prob. freq. of draw;
cp. Du. dra/en, 'to be slow', fr. dragen, 'to
draw'. Cp. draggle.
Derivatives: drawl, n., drawl-er, n., drawl-ing,
adj., drawl-ing-ly, adv., drawl-ing-ness, n.,
drawl-y, adj.
drawn, pp. of draw. - ME. drawen, fr. OE. dragen, fr. dragan, 'to draw'. See draw.
dray, n., a strong cart used for carrying heavy
loads. - ME. dreie, fr. OE. drll!ge, 'a dragnet',
lit. 'that which is drawn', fr. dragan, 'to draw'.
Cp. ON. draga, pl. drogur, 'timber carried on
horseback trailing along the ground', Swed.
drag, 'sledge, dray', and see draw.
dray, n., a squirrel's nest.- See drey.
dread, tr. and intr. v. - ME. dreden, prob.
aphetic for adreden, fr. OE. iidrtedan, var. of
andriidan, 'to fear', which is rei. to OS. antdriidan, OHG. in-lriitan, 'to fear'.
Derivatives: dread, n., dread, adj. (q.v.), dreaded, dread-ful, adjs., dread-ful-ly, adv.
dread, adj.- ME., prop. pp. of dread, v.
dreadnought, n. and adj. - Lit. 'dreading nothing'; compounded of dread, v., and nought.
dreadnought, n., largest type of battleship. - So
called from the name of the first such battleship,
launched in 1906.
dream, n. -ME. dreem, dreme, rei. to OS. dram,
ON. draumr, Norw. draum, Dan. drem, Swed.
dram, OFris. driim, Du. droom, OHG., MHG.
troum, G. Traum, 'dream'. These words prob.
derive fr. Teut. *drauma (for *draugma-), and
lit. mean 'deception, illusion, phantom', and,
accordingly, are rei. to ON. draugr, OS. gidrog,
MDu. gedroch, OHG. gitrog, MHG. getroc,
'phantom, ghost', OS. bi-driogan, 'to deceive',
OHG. triogan, 'to lie', MHG. triegen, G.
triigen, 'to deceive' (whence Trug, 'deception').
Derivatives: dream, intr. and tr. v., dream-er,

Ult::dl

n., dream-ful, adj., dream-ful-ly, adv., dream-fulness, n., dream-less, adj., dream-less-ly, adv.,
dream-less-ness, n., dream-like, adj., dream-y,
adj., dream-i-ly, adv.
drear, adj. (poet.) - Shortened fr. dreary.
dreary, adj. - ME. dreri, dreori, fr. OE. dreorig,
'bloodstained, gory; sad, sorrowful', fr. dreor,
'gore, blood'; rei. to OHG. trurac,MHG. trurec,
G. traurig, 'sad, sorrowful', OHG. triiren, 'to
lower the eyes; to mourn, lament; MHG. truren, G. trauern, 'to mourn, lament', and to OE.
dreosan, 'to fall, sink, become slow, become inactive', OS. driosan, Goth. driusan, 'to fall',
MHG. tror, 'dew, rain'. Cp. drowse, drizzle.
Derivatives: drear-i-ly, adv., drear-i-ness, n.
dredge, n., a dragnet. - From the stem of OE.
dragan, 'to draw'. See draw.
Derivative: dredge, tr. v., to gather with a
dredge; intr. v., to use a dredge.
dredge, tr. v., to sprinkle. - Orig. 'to sprinkie
with flour', fr. obsol. dredge, 'sweetmeat', fr.
ME. dragie, drage, fr. OF. dragie, dragee (F.
dragee), 'sugarplum, sugar almond', which derives fr. L. tragemata (pl.), 'dessert, confectionery', fr. Gk. pocr-fif-Loc't'oc, pl. of "P<iY'Jf-LOC, 'sweetmeat, dessert, confectionery', fr. Gk. pocye'Lv,
II. aor. of Tpwyetv, 'to gnaw, nibble'. See trout
and cp. tragic, troglodyte.
dredge, n., a mixture of grain sown together. OF. dragie (F. dragee), 'fodder, provender', fr.
Gaulish-L. *dravociita, fr. L. dravoca, 'bur'.
See tare, 'a creeping grass', and cp. doob.
dredger, n., a boat used for dredging.- Formed
fr. dredge, 'dragnet', with agential suff. -er.
dredger, n., a metal box for sprinkling flour, etc.
-Formed fr. dredge, 'to sprinkle', with agential suff. -er.
dree, tr. v., to endure (archaic.) - ME. dreen,
fr. OE. dreogan, 'to work, suffer, endure', rei.
to ON. drygja, 'to do, accomplish', Goth. driugan, 'to serve as a soldier', and cogn. with
OSlav. drugii, 'friend', Lith. draugas, draiigalas,
'friend, comrade', Lett. drdugs, 'friend', OPruss.
draugiwaldiinen (ace.), 'coheir'. Cp. drudge.
dreg, n. - ME., fr. ON. dregg, which is rei. to
OE. drif!st, dif!rst, dif!rste, 'dregs, lees', OHG.
trestir, MHG., G. trester, 'grapeskins, husks',
and cogn. with Gk. paxu~. 'rough', Alb. dra,
(for *dhroghii), 'dregs of oil'; OLith. drages,
OPruss. dragios, OS!av. droidi}r, 'lees'. See trachea and cp. dross.
Derivatives: dregg-ish, adj., dregg-y, adj., dreggi-ly, adv., dregg-i-ness, n.
drench, tr. v. - ME. drenchen, fr. OE. drencan,
'to give to drink', for *drank-jan, causative of
drincan, 'to drink'. Cp. ON. drekkja, Swed.
driinka, Du. drenken, G. triinken, Goth. dragkjan, 'to give to drink', and see drink.
Derivatives: drench, n. (q.v.), drench-er, n.,
drench-ing-/y, adv.
drendl, n. - ME. drench, fr. OE. drenc, 'a drink,
potion', fr. drencan, 'to give to drink'. Cp.

482

OS., MLG.,Du.drank, OHG.,MHG.,G.trank,

and see drench, v.
Drepanis, n., name of a genus of birds (zoot.) ModL., fr. Gk. Spe1tocvl~. a kind of bird, prob.
'the swift', fr. Spe1t<iVl), 'sickle'; so called from
its sickle-shaped wings. See next word.
drepanoid, adj., sickle-shaped. - Compounded
of Gk. Spe1t&VlJ, 'sickle, reaping hook', and
-o&tS-1)<;, 'like', fr. &i:So~, 'form, shape'. The
first element is rei. to 8pt1t&tv, 'to pluck'; see
drape. The second element derives fr. Gk. !8o~,
'form, shape'; see -oid.
dress, tr. and intr. v. - ME. dressen, 'to direct,
prepare; to dress', fr. OF. ( = F.) dresser, fr.
VL. *directiiire, fr. L. directus, pp. of dirigere,
'to put into a straight line; to direct, guide'. See
direct, v., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: dress, n., dresser (q.v.), dress-ing,
n., dress-y, adj., dress-i-ly, adv., dress-i-ness, n.
dresser, n., one who dresses.- Formed fr. dress,
v., with agential suff. -er.
dresser, n., cupboard. - F. dressoir, fr. dresser.
See dress, v.
drew, past tense of draw. - ME. drew, fr. OE.
dreow, fr. dragan, 'to draw'. See draw.
drey, also dray, n., a squirrel's nest. - Of uncertain origin.
dribble, intr. v., to fall in drops; tr. v., to let fall in
drops. - Freq. of the verb drib, an obsolete
var. of drip. For the ending see suff. -le.
Derivatives: dribble, n., dribbl-er, n.
driblet, n., a small amount. - Dimin. of the obsolete noun drib. See prec. word and -et.
drift, n. -ME. drift, formed with suff. -t fr. OE.
drifan, 'to drive'. Cp. ON. drift, 'snowdrift',
Dan., Swed., Du. drift, G. Tri/t, 'pasturage,
drove, flock'. See drive and cp. adrift. Drift
stands to drive as gift stands to give, rift to rive,
shrift to shrive, thrift to thrive.
Derivatives: drift, intr. and tr. v., drift-age, n.,
drift-er, n., drift-ing, n., and adj., drift-ing-ly,
adv., drift-y, adj.
drill, tr. and intr. v., to bore. - Du. dril/en, 'to
bore; to train (soldiers)', fr. I.-E. base *ter, 'to
tum, to bore by turning', whence also OE.
pyre/, 'hole'. See thrill.
drill, n., an instrument for boring. - Partly fr.
Du. dril, drille, 'an instrument for boring' (fr.
dril/en, 'to bore'), partly fr. drill, 'to bore'.
drill, tr. v., to train (soldiers, etc.)- Du. drillen,
'to train', identical with the verb dril/en, 'to
bore' (see drill, 'to bore'). For sense development cp. MLG. drillen, 'to tum, roll'.
Derivative: drill, n., the act of training (soldiers, etc.).
drill, n., a small furrow. -Fr. obsol. drill, 'rill',
which is of llncertain origin.
Derivative: drill, tr. v., to sow in drills.
drill, n., a kind of coarse twilled cotton. - Fr.
earlier drilling, corruption of G. Drillich, fr.
MHG. dril(i)ch, from the OHG. adjective dri/ich,
'threefold', alteration of L. trilix, gen. -licis,

a rene

483

'woven with three sets of leashes, triply twilled',

fr. ter, 'three times', and licium, 'a thread of the
web', which is rei. to obliquus, 'slanting, side~
long'. See tri- and oblique and cp. twill.
drill, n., a baboon of Western Africa. - Native
name. Cp. mandrill.
drilling, n., the act of a person who drills. Formed from the verb drill with subst. suff.
-ing.
drilling, n. - Original, but now obsolete form
of drill, 'twilled cotton'.
drink, tr. and intr. v. - ME. drinken, fr. OE.
drincan, rei. to OS. drinkan, OFris. drinka, Du.
drinken, OHG. trinkan, MHG., G. trinken,
ON. drekka, Dan. drikke, Swed. dricka, Goth.
drigkan, 'to drink'. Cp. drench, drunken, drown.
Derivatives: drink n., drink-able, adj., drink-er,
n., drink-ing, n.
drip, intr. and tr. v.- ME. drippen, fr. OE. dryppan, rei. to MLG., Du. druipen, MHG. triipfen,
Dan. dryppe, lit. 'to fall in drops'. Cp. OHG.
trio/an, MHG., G. triefen, 'to drop, drip', OE.
droppian, 'to drop', and see drop. Cp. also
dribble.
Derivatives: drip, n., dripp-ing, n. and adj.,
dripp-y, adj.
drive, tr. and intr. v.- ME. driven, fr. OE. drifan,
rei. to ON. drifa, Dan. drive, Swed. driva, OS.
dri'lian, Du. drijven, OHG. triban, MHG. triben,
G. treiben, Goth. dreiban, 'to drive'. Cp. drift,
drove, n.
Derivative: drive, n., driv-er, n., driv-ing, n. and
adj., dl'h-ing-/y, adv.
drivel, intr.v., 1) to slaver; 2) to talk foolishly.ME. drevelen, drive/en, dravelen, fr. OE. dre/fian,
'to slobber'; prob. ret. to draft', (q.v.) Cp. drool.
Derivatives: drivel, n., drive/(1)-er, n., drivel(l)ing-ly, adv.
driven, adj., prop. pp. of drive. - ME. driven,
fr. OE. drifen, 'driven', pp. of drifan, 'to drive'.
See drive.
drizzle, intr. and tr. v. - Freq. of ME. dresen,
'to fall', fr. OE. dreosan. See dreary and freq.
suff. -le and cp. drowse.
Derivatives: drizzle, n., drizzl-y, adj.
drogher, n., a kind of vessel.- Du., now spelled
droger, lit. 'drier', whence 'a vessel for drying
herrings', fr. drogen, 'to dry', fr. droog, 'dry'. See
dry and agential suff. -er.
drogue, n., a small buoy attached to the end of a
harpoon line. - Prob. rei. to drag, n. Cp. dial.
E. drug, 'to drag'.
droit, n., legal right. - F. droit, 'right' (n.), fr.
droit, 'right' (adj.), fr. L. directus, pp. of dirigere, 'to put into a straight line, direct'. Cp.
OProvem;. dreich, dreit, dret, Catal. dret, Sp.
derecho, Port. dereito, It. diritto, dritto, 'right',
which all derive fr. L. directus. See direct, v.
and adj., and cp. adroit, maladroit.
droll, adj., 1) amusingly odd; n., a droll person,
funny, droll, odd. - F. drole, 'funny, droll,
odd', from the noun dro/e, 'a funny fellow', fr.

earlier F. drolle, fr. MDu. droll, 'an odd little

fellow'.
Derivatives: droll, v., droll-ish, adj., droll-ishness, n., droll-y, adv., droll-ness, n.
drollery, n. - F. drolerie, fr. dr6/e. See prec.
word and -ery.
-drome, combining form lit. meaning 'running,
course', as in aerodrome. - Gk. -8pof-Loc;, fr.
Sp6f-Lo<;, 'a running, course, race, racecourse'.
See dromedary.
dromedary, n.- OF. dromedaire (F. dromadaire),
fr. Late L. dromediirius (came/us), fr. dromas,
gen. -adis, 'running', fr. Gk. 8pof-L&<;, gen. -oc8oc;,
of s.m., which is ret. to 8pocfLEi:V, 'to run',
8eSpof-Loc, 'I ran', 8p6fLo<;, 'a running, course,
race, racecourse', fr. I.-E. base *drem-, 'to run',
whence also 01. drtimati, 'runs'. Base *drem- is a
collateral form of base *drii-, 'to move quickly, to
run', whence 01. drtiti, 'runs, hastens', Gk. &1to8t8p&crxetv, 'to run away' (with reduplication of
base *Sp<i-), 8piXcrfL6c;, 'a running away, flight',
lt.8piicr-roc;, 'not inclined to run away', 'A8p&crntoc, 'Nemesis', lit. 'from whom there is no
escape', and prob. also ON. titra, OHG. zittaron, 'to tremble'. Cp. Adrastea, -drome,
Dromiacea, Dromiceius, dromond, and the
second element in anadromous, Boedromion,
catadromous, hippodrome, lampadedromy, Ioxodromic, palindrome, prodrome, syndrome. Cp.
also teeter. - The change of a to e in Late L.
dromedarius is due to the influence of Latin
words ending in -ediirius, as essediirius, 'a fighter
in a British or a Gallic war chariot' (see essedum), verediirius, 'post boy, courier' (fr. veredus,
'a swift horse'). F. dromadaire-with a instead of e-has been refashioned after Gk.
8pofL&c;.

Dromiacea, n., a group of crabs (zoo/.)- Formed

with suff. -acea fr. Gk. 8pof-Llocc;, 'crab', lit.
'runner', rei. to 8p6fLo<; 'a running, course',
Spocf-Ldv, 'to run'. See prec. word.
Dromiceius, n., the genus of ratite birds, the emu
(ornithol.) - ModL., fr. 8pof-Loci:oc;, 'running
fast, swift', fr. Sp6fLo<;, 'a running, course'. See
dromedary and cp. prec. word.
dromond, n., a large fast-sailing ship of the Middle
Ages.- OF. dromon, dromont, fr. Late L. dromonem, ace. of drom6, 'a fast-sailing vessel', fr.
Gk. 8p6f-Lwv, of s.m., lit. 'a runner', fr. 8p6f-Loc;,
'a running, course'. See dromedary.
-dromous, combining form meaning 'running', as
in catadromous. - Gk. -8pof-Loc;, fr. 8p6f-Lo<;, 'a
running, course'. See -drome. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -o<;, see suff. -om.
drone, n., the male of the honeybee. - ME. drane, fr. OE. driin, drii?n, ret. to OS. driin, dreno,
MLG. drone (whence Dan. drone, G. Drohne),
MDu. driine, OHG. treno, MHG. Irene, 'drone',
and cogn. with Gk. -ltpwviXE;, 'drone', the second
element in T&V-Itp-i)VIJ, 'a kind of wasp', and in
&v-&p-i)Vl), 'wild bee', -ltpljvo<;,' dirge', from the
I.-E. base *dhrln-, 'to hum, buzz, murmur'.

arone
whence also OI. dhrdnati, 'resounds', Mlr. dresacht (for *drensacht), 'to cry' (said of a swan)
(L. drensiire, of s.m., is a Celtic loan word). Cp.
threnttic, Anthrenus, Tenthredinidae. Base
*dhrln- is an enlargement of the imitative base
*dher-, whence Gk. &pe:~cr&<X~ (for *&pefe:cr&<X~),
'to cry aloud, shriek', &poe:~v, of s.m., &p6oc;,
&pouc;, 'noise, murmur', .&puA.oc;, 'murmur',
&6pu~oc;, 'noise', OE. dream, OS. drom, MDu.
droom, 'musical sound, melody'. Cp. dor.
drone, intr. v., to make a monotonous humming
sound; tr.v., to utter in a dull monotonous tone.
- Rel. to-and prob. even derived fromdrone, n. Cp. the rel. words MLG. dronen
(whence Du. dreunen, G. drohnen), Dan. drone,
Swed. drona, Norw., Icel. drynja, 'to roar',
Goth. drunjus, 'sound'.
Derivative: dron-ing-ly, adv.
drongo, n., any of various crow like birds of the
family Dicruridae. - Malagasy.
drool, intr. v., to drivel; n., to talk foolishly
(U.S. Slang)- Fr. drivel.
Derivative: drool, n.
droop, intr. v., to sink, hang down; to fail; tr.v.,
to let sink or hang down. - ME. droupen, fr.
ON. drupa, 'to droop, sink', which is rel. to
ON. dropi, OE. dropa, 'drop'. See next word.
Derivatives: droop-er, n., droop-ing, adj., drooping-ly, adv., droop-ing-ness, n.
drop, n.- ME. drope, fr. OE. dropa, 'drop', rei.
to OS. Jrupv, ON. dropi, MLG. troppe, Du.
drop, OHG. tropfo, MHG. tropfe, G. Tropfen,
'drop', OE. dreopan, OS. driopan, ON. drjupa,
OFris. driiipa, Du. druipen, OHG. triofan,
MHG., G. triefen, 'to drop, drip'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *dhrUb-, whence also
Oir. drucht (for *drupt), 'dewdrop'. Cp.-with
-bh formative element-Gk . .&pu7tT&~v. 'to break
to pieces, break small, crush', and-with -pformative element-Lett. drupu, drupt, 'to crumble to pieces'. Cp. drip. Cp. also the second element in Cladrastis and in lithontriptic.
drop, tr. and intr. v. - OE. dropian, fr. dropa,
'drop'. See drop, n.
Derivatives: dropp-er, n., dropp-ing, n.
droplet, n. - Formed fr. drop, n., with dimin.
suff. -let.
dropsy, n. - ME. dropsie, aphetic for ME. idropsie, ydropsie, fr. OF. idropisie (F. hydropisie),
fr. L. hydropisis, fr. Gk. u~pw<jl, 'dropsy', which
is formed from u~wp, 'water', and suff. -w<jl, lit.
'-eyed'. See hydro- and -ops and cp. hydropsy,
which is a doublet of dropsy.
Derivatives: drops-ical, adj., drops-ical-ly, adv.
Drosera, n., a genus of plants, the sundew (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. ~pocre:p6c;, 'dewy', fr. ~p6croc;,
'dew', which is of uncertain origin; so called
because the glands of the leaves exude drops
of a fluid resembling dewdrops.
Droseraceae, n.pl., the sundew family (bot.) ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
droseraceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.

484

droshky, also drosky, n. - Russ. droiki (pl.),

dimin. of drogi (pl.), 'wagon', rel. to doroga,
(which corresponds to Pol. drdga, Czech drdha),
'way', and cogn. with Norw. drag, 'drawing
rope', and with ON. draga, 'to draw'; see drag,
draw. For the relationship between Russ. drogi,
'wagon', and doroga, 'way', cp. E. wain and
wagon, which are related to way.
drosometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
quantity of dew. Compounded of Gk.
~p6croc;, 'dew', and [Lhpo'J, 'measure'. See Orosera and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
dross, n., refuse. - ME. drosse, fr. OE. dross,
'dregs, dirt', rel. to drosna (pl.), 'dregs', MDu.
droesen(e), Du. droesem, OHG. truosana,
MHG. drusene, G. Drusen, 'husks, dregs', and
to E. dreg (q.v.) Cp. druse.
Derivatives: dross, tr. v., dross-er, n., dross-y,
adj., dross-i-ness, n.
drought, n. - ME. drougth, drugthe, fr. OE.
drugao, drugoo, rel. to OE. drugian, 'to dry,
wither', dryge, 'dry', and to Du. droogte,
'drought'. See dry.
Derivative: drought-y, adj.
drove, n., a number of cattle, or other animals,
driven; a herd. - ME. drof, drove, fr. OE. drii/,
dri/, 'drove, herd, crowd, band', rei. to drifan,
'to drive'. See drive.
Dirivative: dro-ver, n.
drove, past tense of drive. - ME. dro/, fr. OE.
drii/, 'drove', fr. drifan, 'to drive'. See drive.
drown, intr. and tr. v. - ME. drunen, drounen,
corresponding to OE. *drunian. Cp. ME. drunknen, fr. OE. druncnian, 'to become intoxicated;
to be drowned'. Cp. also ON. drukna, 'to be
drowned', G. ertriinken, 'to drown', ertrinken,
'to be drowned', and see drink.
Derivatives: drown-er, n., drown-ing-ly, adv.
drowse, intr. and tr. v. - OE. drusian, drilsan,
'to become languid, to be slow or sluggish', rel.
to dreosan, 'to fall, sink'. See dreary.
Derivatives: drowse, n., drows-y, adj., drows-ily, adv., drows-i-ness, n.
drub, tr. v., to beat with a stick; intr. v., to stamp.
- The orig. meaning was 'to bastinado'; prob.
fr. Arab. rjarb, 'a beating (with a stick)', fr.
l}iiraba, 'he beat, struck'.
Derivatives: drub, n., drubb-er, n., drubb-ing, n.
drudge, intr. and tr. v. - ME. druggen, prob. fr.
OE. dreogan, 'to work, suffer, endure'. See dree.
Derivatives: drudge, n., drudg-ery, n., drudging-ly, adv.
drug, n. - ME. drogge, drugge, fr. F. drogue, fr.
MLG. droge fate, 'dry casks', i.e. 'goods in
packing cases', in which phrase droge was mistaken to be the name of the contents. See E.
Gamillsche'g, Etymologisches Worterbuch der
franzosischen Sprache, 1918, p. 327. For the
etymology of MLG. droge see dry.
Derivatives: drug, tr. and intr. v. drugg-er, n.,
druggery (q.v.), drugget (q.v.), druggist (q.v.),
drugg-y, adj.

485

I"

it

I
i4

.I
::i'

;cj
:j

"

druggery, n., 1) drugs; 2) a place for selling drugs.

- F. droguerie, fr. drogue. See drug and -ery.
drugget, n., a coarse woolen fabric.- F. droguei,
fr. drogue, 'drug; worthless stuff, trash'. See drug.
druggist, n. -F. droguiste, a hybrid coined fr.
drogue and -iste, a suff. of Greek origin. See
drug and -ist.
druid, n., an ancient Celtic priest or soothsayer.
-F. druide, fr. L. pl. druides (Caesar), druidae
(Cicero), fr. OCelt. druid, which stands for
*dru-wid, and is compounded of *daru-, *dru-,
'oak', and *wid-, 'know', hence lit. meaning
'they who know the oak'; so called in allusion
to their practices with the mistletoe. Cp. Pliny,
16, 249. For the first element see tree and cp.
dryas, Drusilla, for the second see vision.
Derivatives: the hybrids druid-ess, n., druid-ic,
druid-ic-a/, adjs., druid-ism, n., druid-ry, n.
drum, n.- Prob. fr. LG. trumme or MDu. tramme, 'drum'; cp. Du. trom, trammel, Dan. tramme, MHG. trume, trumme, trumbe, G. Trommel,
Dan. tromme, Swed. trumma, 'drum'; of imitative origin. Cp. trombone, trommel, trump,
'trumpet'.
Derivatives: drum, intr. and tr. v., drumm-er, n.,
drumm-y, adj.
drum, n. - See drumlin.
drumble, n., a sluggish person. - A var. of
dumble, which itself is a dial. var. of dummel.
Derivative: drumble, intr. v., drumbl-er, n.
drumlin, n., a small hill consisting of glacial drift
(geo/.) -Fr. drumling, dimin. of drum, 'ridge'
(cp. 2nd drum), fr. Gael. and Ir. druim, 'back,
ridge', which is rei. to Olr. druimm, W. trum,
of s.m.
Drummond light.-- Named after the Scottish
engineer Thoms Drummond (I 797- I 840 ).
drunk, adj. - ME. drunke, alter. of drunken, fr.
OE. druncen, 'drunk', fr. drincan, 'to drink';
prop. pp. of drink.
Derivatives: drunk, n., drunk-ard, n., drunken
(q.v.), drunk-ery, n.
drunken, adj. - ME., fr. OE. druncen, 'one who
has drunk, intoxicated'; prop. old pp. of drink.
Cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: drunken-ly, adv., drunken-ness, n.
drupe, n., stone fruit (bot.) - F., fr. L. drupa,
druppa (sci!. oliva), 'an overripe (olive)', fr. Gk.
~pu1t1ti, which is shortened fr. ~pu-7te:1t'!)c;, 'ripened on the tree', said especially of olives. See
dryad and pepsin.
Derivatives: drup-aceous, adj., drupe/ (q.v.),
drupeo/e (q.v.), drupi-ferous, adj.
drupel, drupelet, n., a little drupe. - Formed fr.
prec. word with the dimin. suffixes -el, resp. -el
and -et.
druse, n., a cavity in a rock lined with crystals
(geol.) - G. Druse, 'druse, geode; sediment,
husks, dregs', rei. to OE. drosna, 'dregs', dross,
'dregs, dirt'. See dross.
Druse, n., member of a Mohammedan sect. Arab. duraz, pl. of darazl, 'Druse'. Named after

dub

the founder of the sect, Ismail ad-Darazi, 'the

tailor' (I Ith cent.) Cp. darzee, 'tailor'.
Drusilla, fern. PN. - L. Drusilla, fern. dimin. of
L. Drusus, a surname frequently occurring in
the Livian gens, for earlier Drausus, which is
prob. a Celtic word and lit. means 'strong'. Cp.
OCelt. *daru-, *dru-, 'oak; strong', and see druid.
dry, adj. - ME. dry, drie, fr. OE. dryge, 'dry',
rei. to MLG. droge, droge, MDu. druge, droghe,
Du. droog, OHG. trucchan, MHG. trucken,
trocken, G. trocken, 'dry', ON. draugr, 'dry
wood', OE. driigao, drugoo, 'drought'. Cp.
drain, drogher, drought, drug.
Derivatives: dry, n., dry-ish, adj., dry-ly, adv.,
dry-ness, n.
dry, tr. and intr. v. - ME. dryen, drien, fr. OE.
drygan, fr. dryge, 'dry'. See dry, adj.
Derivative: dry-er, n.
dryad, n., a forest nymph. - L. dryas (pl. dryades), fr. Gk. ~pucic; (pl. ~puci8e:c;), fr. ~pu~, gen.
~pu6c;, 'oak; tree', which is rei. to 8pu[L6c;, 'oakwood; wood', Mpu, 'stem, tree, beam, shaft of
a spear, spear', ~ev~pe:ov, ~E:v~pov (dissimilated
fr. *~E:p-~pe:f-ov), 'tree', fr. I.-E. base *derew(o)-, *drew(o)-, 'tree, wood', whence also OE.
treo, treow, 'tree, wood'. See tree and cp. dendro-,
dory-, the first element in druid and the second
element in deodar, germander, hamadryad.
dryasdust, n., a dry, pedantic man.- Compounded of the words dry as dust.
Derivative: dryasdust, adj., dry and pedantic.
dual, adj., composed of two. - L. duiilis, 'containing two', fr. duo, 'two', which is cogn. with
Gk. ~uo, OE. tfi, 'two'. Sec two and adj. suff. -al
and cp. deuce, double, doubt, dozen, dubious,
duel, duet, duplex.
Derivatives: dual, n., dualin (q.v.), dual-ism, n.,
dual-ist, n., dualist-ic, adj., duality (q.v.), dualize
(q.v.), dual-ly, adv., dual-ness, n.
dualin, n., an explosive made of sawdust, nitroglycerin and potassium nitrate (chem.) --Formed with chem. suff. -in fr. L. duiilis, 'containing
two' (see prec. word); so called in allusion to
the two substances added to nitroglycerin.
duality, n., the quality of being dual. - F. dualite, fr. Late L. duiilitiitem, ace. of duiilitiis, 'the
number two', fr. L. duiilis. See dual and -ity.
dualize, tr. v., to make, or regard as, dual. Formed with suff. -ize fr. L. duii/is. See dual.
Derivative: dualiz-ation, n.
dub, tr. v., to make a knight. - OE. dubbian, 'to
knight', rei. to ON. dubba, 'to equip, adorn;
to knight', LG. dubben, 'to strike'; see dowel.
OF. adober (also spelled aduber, adouber), 'to
dub' [whence F. adouber, 'to touch (a piece of
chess)], is a Teut. loan word.
Derivatives: dubb-er, n., dubb-ing, n.
dub, tr. and intr. v., to thrust; n., a thrust.- Pro b.
of imitative origin.
dub, n., a pool, a puddle. - Of uncertain origin.
dub, n., a small copper coin (India). - Telugu
rjabbu.

dubash
dubash, dobash, n., an Indian interpreter. Hind. dubhiishiyii, dobiishi, lit. 'a man of two
languages',fr.du, do, 'two', and bhiisha, 'language'. The first element derives fr. OI. dvii; see
two. The second element comes fr. 01. bhii$ii,
'language', which is rei. to bhii$ate, 'speaks,
talks'. See beUow.
dubber, n., a large vessel. - Pers. dabbah. Cp.
Mahri dabara.
dubiety, n., doubtfulness.- L. dubietiis, 'doubt,
uncertainty', fr. dubius. See next word and subst.
suff. -ty.
dubious, adj.- L. dubiosus, 'doubtful', fr. dubius,
'vacillating; doubtful', which prob. stands for
I.-E. *du-bhw-iyo-s and lit. means 'being double,
of double nature', fr. du-, stem of L. duo, 'two'
(see dual), and I.-E. base *bhu-, 'to be', which
prob. appears also in the second element of L.
probus, 'good, serviceable', and superbus,
'haughty, proud'. See be and future and cp.
doubt. Cp. also prove and superb. Cp. also Gk.
l'lt<;>u-f)~. 'of double nature or form', which is
formally the exact equivalent of L. dubius.
Derivatives: dubious-ly, adv., dubious-ness, n.
dubitable, adj. - L. dubitiibilis, 'doubtful', fr.
dubitiire. See next word and -able.
Derivative: dubitabl-y, adv.
dubitate, intr. v., to doubt.- L. dubitiitus, pp. of
dubitiire, 'to be uncertain in opinion, to doubt'.
See doubt, v ., and. verbal suff. -ate.
dubitation, n. - F., fr. L. dubitiitionem, ace. of
dubitiitio, 'a wavering in opinion, uncertainty',
fr. dubitiitus, pp. of dubitiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
dubitative, adj. - L. dubitiitlvus, 'doubtful', fr.
dubitatus, pp. of dubitare. See dubitate and -ive.
Derivative: dubitative-ly, adv.
ducal, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a duke.
- F. ducal, fr. Late L. duciilis, 'pertaining to a
leader', from the stem of L. dux, gen. ducis,
'leader'. See duke and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: ducal-ly, adv.
ducat, n., name of several coins. - OF. ( = F.),
fr. It. ducato, of s.m., from 6o1xet~ (fr. 6ou~,
grecization of L. dux, 'leader'), surname of the
emperor Constantine X of the Byzantine Empire (1059-67), which was impressed upon the
gold coins struck during his reign. This name
was confused later with It. ducato, 'duchy, dukedom', fr. duce, 'duke', fr. L. ducem, ace. of dux,
'leader' (see duke).
ducatoon, n., name of various former silver coins.
- F. ducaton, fr. It. ducatone, augment. of ducato. See ducat and -oon.
duce, n., a leader. - It., 'leader, chief', fr. L.
ducem, ace. of dux. See duke and cp. duchess.
Duchesnea, n., a genus of plants, the Indian
strawberry. - ModL., named after the French
botanist Antoine-Nicolas Duchesne ( 17471827).
duchess, n., the wife of a duke. - F. duchesse,
fern. of due, 'duke'. See duke and -ess and cp.

486

It. duchessa, OProvenc;. duquessa, duguessa, Sp.

duquesa, Port. duqueza, 'duchess'.
duchy, n.- OF. duchee, fr. VL. *ducitiitem, ace.
of *ducitiis, from L. dux, gen. ducis, 'leader'.
See duke. F. duche is not derived fr. OF. duchee.
but fr. VL. duciitus, lit. 'leadership' (fr. L. dux,
gen. ducis), whence also It. dogato, OProvenc;.
ducat, dugat, Sp. and Port. ducado.
duck, n., the bird.- ME. duk, duke, fr. OE. duce,
'duck', lit. 'the diving bird'. See next word and
cp. duckling.
duck, intr. and tr. v., to dive. - ME. douken,
duken, rei. to OFris. duka, MLG. duken, Du.
duiken, OHG. -tuhhan (only in compounds),
MHG. tuchen, G. tauchen, 'to dive', MHG.
tucken, tucken, G. duck en, 'to stoop, duck, dive',
and to OE. duce, 'duck'. See prec. word and cp.
duiker.
Derivative: duck, n., the act of ducking; a sudden plunge.
duck, n., a cotton or linen cloth. - Du. doek,
'linen cloth', rei. to OS., OFris. dok, ON. dukr,
Swed. duk, Dan. dug, OHG. tuoh, MHG. tuoch,
G. Tuch, 'piece of cloth'.
ducker, n., one who or that which ducks. Formed from the verb duck with agential suff.
-er.
ducker, n., one who raises or hunts ducks. Formed fr. duck, the bird, with agential suff. -er.
ducking, n., the act of one who or that which
ducks. - Formed from the verb duck with
subst. suff. -ing.
ducking, n., the hunting of ducks. - Formed
from duck, 'the bird', with subst. suff. -ing.
duckling, n., a young duck. - Formed fr. duck,
the bird, with the double dimin. suff. -ling.
duct, n. - L. ductus, 'a leading, conducting, conduit', fr. ductus, pp. of ducere, 'to lead, conduct'.
See duke and cp. aqueduct, oviduct, ventiduct,
viaduct.
Derivative: duct-less, adj.
ductile, adj.- F., fr. L. ductilis, 'that which may
be led or conducted; that which may be hammered', fr. ducere. See prec. word and -ile.
Derivatives: ductile-ly, adv., ductile-ness, n.,
dictil-ity, n.
duct of Steno, duct of the parotid gland (anal.)Named after its discoverer, the Danish anatomist Nicolas Stensen (latinized into Nicolaus
Steno) (1638-t687).
ductor, n., one who, or that which, leads.- L.,
fr. ductus, pp. of ducere. See duct and agential
suiT. -or.
dud, n., a shell that fails to explode. - Prob. fr.
duds, 'cast-off clothes, rags', taken in the wider
sense as 'anything useless'. See duds.
dudaim, n., a variety of melon. - He b. dudhii'{m
(pl.) (Gen. 30: 14), 'mandrake', prop. 'loveexciting (plant)', fr. sing. *dUdtiy, rei. to d6dh,
'beloved, uncle'. Cp. David.
dude, n., a dandy (U.S. Slang).- Of uncertain
origin.

487

dudeen, dudheen, n., a small tobacco pipe. - Ir.

duidin, dimin. of dUd, 'pipe'. For the ending see

suff. -een.
Dudelsack, n., bagpipe. - G., fr. Czech dudy,
'bagpipe', fr. Serbian duduk, 'pipe', ult. fr. Turk.
duduq, 'pipe', which is prob. of imitative origin.
For the second element in Dudelsack see sack.
dudgeon, n., 1) a wood, prob. boxwood, used for
handles of daggers (obsol.); 2) hilt of a dagger.
- ME. dogeon, fr. AF. digeon; of uncertain
origin.
dudgeon, n., anger.- Of unknown origin.
duds, n. (pl.), cast-off clothes, rags. -ME. dudde,
'clothes', rei. to ON. duoi, 'swaddling clothes',
duoa, 'to wrap up'. Cp. dud. Cp. also dowdy.
due, adj. - ME., fr. OF. deu (F. du), fr. VL.
*debutum, for L. debitum, 'that which is due,
debt, duty', prop. neut. pp. of debere, 'to owe'.
See debit, debt, which are doublets of due, and
cp. duty.
Derivatives: due, adv. and n., due-ness, n., duly, adv.
duel, n. - F., fr. L. duel/urn, archaic form of
bellum, 'war' (see bellicose), used in ML. in the
sense of 'fight between two persons', from a
fancied connection with L. duo, 'two'.
Derivatives: duel, intr. and tr. v., duell-er, n.,
duell-ing, n., duellist (q.v.)
duellist, n. - F. duelliste, a hybrid coined fr. L.
duellum and -iste, a suff. of Greek origin. See
duel and -ist.
Derivative: due/list-ie, adj.
duenna, n., an elderly woman; a chaperon. Sp. dueiia, fr. L. domina, 'mistress'. See dame.
duet, n.- F., fr. It. duetto, 'duet', dimin. of due,
'two', fr. L. duo; see duo and -et and cp. tercel,
quartet, quintet, sextet.
Derivatives: duet, intr. v., duett-ist, n.
duff, n., boiled suet pudding.- Dialectal pronunciation of dough.
duff, tr. v., to fake; to cheat.- Prob. back formation fr. duffer.
duffel, duftle, n., a thick woolen cloth with a
thick nap. - Du. duffel, fr. Duffel, a town near
Antwerp.
Derivative: duffel, adj.
duffer, n., a fool. - Prob. fr. Scot. dowfart,
formed with pejor. suff. -art, fr. dowf, 'stupid',
lit. 'deaf', fr. ON. daufr, 'deaf'. See deaf and
-ard.
dufrenite, n., a hydrous iron phosphate (mineral.)
- F. dufrenite, named after the French mineralogist Pierre Armand Petit DufreMy (17921857). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dufrenoysite, n., a lead arsenic sulfur compound
(mineral.) - F. dufrinoysite, named after DufreMy. See prec. word.
dufter, n., a bundle of sheets of paper (India). Hind. daftar, fr. Pers. daftar, 'record, office', fr.
Arab. dtiftar, fr. Gk. l'lLcp-&ipci, 'skin, parchment, thin paper'. See diphtheria and cp. next
word and duftery.

dulcet
dufterdar, n., the head native revenue officer. Hind. daftardiir, fr. Pers. daftardiir, lit. 'holder
of records', formed fr. daftar, 'record, office',
with suff. -diir, 'holder, possessor'. For the first
element see prec. word. For the second element
see aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
duftery, n., a servant in an Indian office.- Hind.
daftari, fr. Pers. daftari, 'office keeper', fr. daftar, 'record, office'. See dufter.
dug. - Past tense and pp. of dig.
dug, pap, teat. - Rei. to Dan. da!gge, Swed.
diigga, 'to suckle', fr. I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, 'to
suckle'. See fecund and cp. words there referred to.
Malay
dugong, n., a cetaceous mammal. duyung, Javanese duyung.
duiker, n., a small horned antelope of S. Africa.
- S. Afr. Du., lit. 'diver', fr. Du. duiken, 'to
dive'. See duck, 'to dive'.
dukan, n., priestly blessing; prop. the platform
in the Temple on which the priests pronounced
the blessing (Jewish religion).- Mishnaic Heb.
dukhdn, 'platform', lit. 'place to stand on', rei.
to Arm. dUkh (masc.), dukhta (fern.}, 'place'.
Cp. Arab. dukkan, 'platform'.
duke, n. - ME. due, duk, fr. F. due, fr. OF. due,
ace. of dues, fr. L. dux, gen. ducis, 'leader, conductor, chief, commander', fr. ducere, 'to lead,
conduct, guide, draw', fr. OL. doucere, fr. I.-E.
base *douk-, *deuk-, 'to pull, draw', whence
also Gk. l'lettl'lUcrcre:cr&ett (for *l'lett-Mx;e:cr&ett), 'to
drag', Alb. nduk, 'I pluck', MW. dygaf, 'I draw',
OE. teon, 'to draw', and prob. also Hitt. tuhhushzi, 'he takes', tuhkantish, 'first leader'. See
tow, 'to draw'. and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also abducent, abduct, adduce, adduct, andouille, aquaduct, conduce, conduct, conn, deduce, deduct, endue, dock for ships, dogaressa,
dogate, doge, douche, ducat, ducatoon, duchess,
duchy, duct, educate, educe, educt, eduction, induce, induction, introduce, introduction, produce,
product, production, redoubt, reduce, reduction,
redult, ridotto, seduce, seduction, subduce, subduct, subdue, superinduce, traduce, traducian,
traduction, ventiduct, viaduct.
Dukhobors, n. pl., the name given by the Russian Orthodox Church to a nonconformist
sect. -Russ. duchobortsy, lit. 'spirit fighters', fr.
duch, 'spirit', and bortsy, pl. of borets, 'wrestler,
fighter'. The first element is rei. to OS!av. duchii,
'spirit, breath', duJa, 'soul', and cogn. with Lith.
dvasid, 'spirit', Lett. dvaJa, 'breath, odor', Goth.
dius, 'wild animal', orig. 'a breathing being',
OE. deor, 'a wild animal'; see deer. The second
element is rei. to borot'sja, 'to wrestle', borba,
'wrestling', and cogn. with L. ferire, 'to strike',
forare, 'to bore, pierce', fr. I.-E. base *bher-,
'to cut, bore', whence also OE. borian, 'to bore';
see bore, v., and cp. words there referred to.
dulcet, adj., sweet. - Refashioned after L. du/cis fr. OF. doucet, 'sweetish, sweet' (whence F.
doucet, 'demure, mild'), formed with dimin.

Dulcie

suff. -et fr. L. dulcis, 'sweet; pleasant, charming', which stands for *d/kwis and is cogn. with
Gk. yA.uxu<;; (for *3A.ux-u<;;), 'sweet'. Cp. billetdoux, dolce, dolce far niente, douce, Dulcie, dulcify, dulcimer, Dulcinea, glucinum, edulcorate,
glucose, glyceria, glycerine, glyco-, licorice,
Polydeuces.
Dulcie, fern. PN. -Lit. 'sweet', fr. L. dulcis. See
prec. word.
dulcification, n. - See next word and -ation.
dulcify, tr. v., to sweeten. - L. dulcificare, fr.
dulcis, 'sweet', and -ficare, fr. facere, 'to make,
do'. See dulcet and -fy.
dulcimer, n., an old musical instrument. - OF.
doulcemele, also (with dissimilation) doulcemer,
fr. L. dulce melos, 'a sweet tune'. See dulcet and
melody.
Dulcinea, n., sweetheart, worshiped by her lover.
- From the name of Don Quijote's mistress in
Cervantes' celebrated work. The name lit.
means 'sweet', fr. L. dulcis. See dulcet.
dull, adj. - ME. dulle, dull, fr. OE. dyl, an unrecorded parallel form of OE. dol, 'foolish,
presumptuous', rei. to OE. dwellan, 'to lead
astray', dwala, dwela, gedwola, 'error', gedwelan,
'to err', OE. dwolma, 'chaos', OS., OFris.,
MLG., MDu., Du. dol, OHG., MHG., to/, G.
toll, 'mad, furious', OHG. gitwelan, 'to be perplexed', MLG. dwal, Goth. dwals, 'foolish', Du.
dwalen, 'to roam, wander, err', and cogn. with
Olr. OCo., W., Bret. dall (for *dhwafno-),
'blind', Olr. cliias-dall, deaf', lit. 'troubled with
regard to one's sight, resp. hearing', Lith. dulineti, 'to fool around', Lett. duls, 'half-mad',
Gk. &oA6<;; (for *&foA6<;;, 'mud; the dark juice
of the cuttle fish', &oA6e~v, 'to make muddy',
&o:Aep6<;;, 'muddy, dirty; troubled'. All these
words are derivatives of I.-E. base *dhwel-,
'muddy, gloomy, dim, dull'. Cp. doldrums, dolt,
dwale, dwell. Base *dhwel- is an -/-enlargement
of base *dheu-, 'to fly about like dust'. See thioand cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: dull, tr. and intr. v., dull-ard, n.,
dull-ish, adj., dull-ness, n., dul-ly, adv.
dulocracy, also doulocracy, rule of slaves. Compounded ofGk. 3ouA.o<;;, 'slave', and -xpo:rl<X,
'rule'. The first element stands for *Me:A.o<; and
derives fr. Aegean doero, 'slave'. The second
element comes fr. Gk. xpxTa<;;, 'strength, power,
rule'. See -cracy and cp. the second element in
hierodule.
dulse, n., an edible seaweed. - Ir. and Gael.
duileasg.
duma, n., the former Russian national assembly.
- Russ., lit. 'thought', of Teut. origin. Cp.
Goth. doms, 'judgment', and see doom.
dumb, adj. - OE. and ME., rei. to ON. dumbr,
'dumb', Dan., Swed. dum, 'dull, stupid', Du.
dom, 'stupid', OHG. 111mb, 'dumb, stupid',
MHG. tump, G. dumm, 'stupid', Goth. dumbs,
'dumb'. The orig. meaning of all these words
was 'dumb'. They derive fr.I.-E. base *dhumbh-,

488
a nasalized form of base *dhubh-, 'to fill with
smoke, to cloud, darken; to be dull, dumb or
deaf'. See deaf and cp. dummy, Cp. also stove.
dumbcow, tr. v., to browbeat (Anglo-Ind.) Hind. dhamkana, 'to chide, threaten'.
dumbfound, tr. v. - A blend of dumb and confound.
dumdum, n., bullet with soft nose, expanding on
contact.- From the place name Dumdum (near
Calcutta); the name lit. means 'hill, mound,
battery', and is cogn. with Pers. diimdamii,
ofs.m.
dummy, n., a model. - For dumb-y. See dumb
and adj. suff. -y. The orig. meaning of dummy
was 'a dumb creature'. For primitive sense and
formation cp. blacky, whity.
Derivative, dummy, v.
dummy, adj., silent. - For dumb-y. See prec.
word.
dumontite, n., a hydrated phosphate of uranium
and lead (mineral.)- Named after the Belgian
geologist Andre-Hubert Dumont (1809-57). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dumose, dumous, adj., bushy. - L. dumosus, 'full
of thornbushes', fr. dumus, 'thornbush, bramble', fr. OL. dusmus, which prob. stands for
*dfts-mos and is cogn. with MHG. zus-ach,
'bush', OHG. zir-zuson, 'to tug, pull, dishevel',
ME. -tousen, -tusen (in compounds), of s.m. See
touse and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see adj. suff. -ose, resp. -ous.
Derivative: dumos-ity, n.
dump, n., a thick ill-shaped lump. -Back formation fr. dumpy.
dump, tr. and intr. v., to let fall, to plunge. A Scand. loan word; cp. Dan. dumpe, Norw.
dumpa, 'to fall down suddenly', which are of
imitative origin.
Derivatives: dump, n., dump-er, n., dump-ing, n.
dump, n., sadness, melancholy. - Rei. to G.
Damp/, 'steam, vapor', dump/, 'hollow, gloomy,
musty', Dan. dump, 'dull', and to E. damp (q.v.)
Derivatives: dump-ish, adj., dump-ish-ly, adv.,
dump-ish-ness, n.
dumpling, n., a round pudding. - Formed fr.
dump, 'a lump', with the double dimin. suff. -ling.
dumpy, adj., short and thick. - Prob. of imitative origin. Cp. dump, 'a lump'.
Derivatives: dumpi-ly, adv., dumpi-ness, n.
dumpy, adj., sulky. - Formed fr. dump, 'sadness', with adj. suff. -y.
dun, adj., dark brown. - ME. dunn, donn, fr. OE.
dunn, rei. to OS. dosan, OE. dosen, 'chestnutbrown' (said of the color of a horse), OHG.
dosan, tusin, 'pale yellow', and cogn. with Mlr.
dunn, Gael. donn, 'brown, dark', W. dwnn,
'brownish'; formed fr. I.-E. base *dhus- with
suff. *-no. For other enlargements of the same
base cp. L. fuscus, 'dark',furvus, 'dark, brown,
swarthy', and OE. dose, dox, 'dusk'. See dusk
and fuscous and cp. donkey. Cp. also the fir~t
element in Duncan.

489

Derivatives: dun-ness, n., dunn-ish, adj., dunn-y,

adj.
dun, tr. v., to demand with insistence the payment of a debt. - Denominated from the name
of Joe Dun, a London bailiff famous for catching defaulters.
Derivative: dun, n., a creditor who demands the
payment of a debt.
dun, n., a hill; a hill fortress.- Ir. and Gael. dun,
'hill, hill fort, fortress'. See town and cp. down,
'hill', dune, and the second element in Merlin.
Duncan, masc. PN.- A name of Gaelic origin,
compounded of donn, 'brown' (see dun, 'dark
brown'), and ceann, 'head'.
dunce, n., a stupid person. -A contemptuous
appellative formed from the name of John Duns
Scotus by the followers of St. Thomas Aquinas
in ridicule of the disciples of the former. John
Duns Scotus was born in the village of Duns in
Scotland, whence his name. According to my
opinion, the sense development of the word
dunce from Duns, 'of Duns'.- is prob. due to an
awkward pun made on the word Scotus
('Scotchman'), which was interpreted as Sottus
('stupid, foolish'; see sot).
dundasite, n., a lead aluminum carbonate (mineral.)- Named after Dundas in Tasmania. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dunder, n., the lees or dregs of cane juice ( W. Indies). - Corrupted fr. Sp. redundar, 'to overflow', fr. L. redundare. See redundant.
dunderhead, n., a stupid person. - Of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: dunderhead-ed, adj.
Dundreary whiskers, often shortened to dundrearies, n. pl. - So called from the form of
whiskers worn by E.A.Sothern (1826-81) in the
role of Lord Dundreary in Tom Taylor's Our
American Cousin.
dune, n., sand hill formed by the wind.- F., fr.
ML. duna, fr. MDu. dunen. See down, 'hill'.
Derivative: dun-a/, adj.
dung, n. - ME. dunge, fr. OE. dung, rei. to
OFris. dung,OHG.tunga, MHG.tunge,G.Dung,
and to ON. dyngja, 'dung, heap, women's apartment'. These words are traceable to T.-E. base
*dhengh-, 'to cover', whence also Lith. defigti,
'to cover', 01. dingim, 'I press'. For sense development it should be considered that according to Tacitus (in Germania, chapter 16), the
Germans used to cover their houses with mud
to protect them against the cold.
Derivatives: dung, intr. and tr. v., dung-er, n.,
dung-y, adj.
dungaree, n., a coarse kind of cotton fabric. Hind. dungri, from the name of a village now
forming one of the quarters of Bombay.
dungeon, n. - ME. donjon, dongeon, fr. OF.
( = F.) donjon, 'keep of a lord's castle', fr. VL.
*dominionem, ace. of *dominio, fr. L. dominium,
'domain'. See dominion and cp. donjon, which
are both doublets of dungeon.

duodenum

Derivatives: dungeon, tr. v., dungeon-er, n.

duniwassal, n., a gentleman among the highlanders in Scotland. - Gael. duine uasal, lit.
'a noble man', fr. duine, 'man', and uasal,
'noble', lit. 'high, exalted'. For the first element
see chthonian. The second element is rei. to Oir.
uasal, W. uchel (for *oup-selo-), 'high, noble',
Gael. os, Olr. os, uas (for *oup-su-), 'above,
over'; see hypsi-.
dunk, v., to dip.- G. tunken, fr. MHG. tunken,
dunken, fr. OHG. dunkon, fr. earlier thunkon,
'to dip'; cogn. with L. tinguere, tingere, Gk.
Tyye:~v, 'to moisten'. See tinge and cp. Dunker.
Dunker, n., one of a sect of German Baptists in
America who administer baptism only by triple
immersion, also called Dippers. - G. Tunker,
lit. 'dipper', fr. tunken, 'to dip'. See prec. word
and agential suff. -er.
dunlin, n., a kind of sandpiper.- Formed fr. dun,
'dark brown', with the double dimin. suff. -ling.
dunnage, n., loose packing of material to protect
cargo (naut.) - Of unknown origin.
dunstable, n., a straw hat or its plait. - From
Duns table in Bedfordshire, England, where such
hats were made originally.
dunstable, adj., plain, direct. - So called from
Dunstable Road, an even road leading from
Dunstable to London.
duo, n., a duet (music). - It. duo, lit. 'two', archaic form of due, fr. L. duo, 'two'. See dual
and cp. duo-.
duo-, combining form meaning 'two'. -Fr. L.
duo, 'two'. See dual.
duodecim-, combining form meaning 'twelve'.L. duodecim, 'twelve', fr. duo, 'two', and decem,
'ten'. See duo- and decem- and cp. dozen. Cp.
also dodeca-.
duodecimal, adj., pertaining to twelve; pertaining
to a system of numbers the base of which is
twelve. -Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. duodecim, 'twelve'. See duodecim-.
Derivative: duodecimal, n.
duodecimo, the size of a book in which each page
is the twelfth part of the printer's sheet, abbreviated into 12mo.- L., abl. of duodecimus,
'twelfth', fr. duodecim. See duodecim- and cp.
twelvemo, sixteenmo.
duodenary, adj., in twelves; increasing by twelves.
- L. duodenarius, 'containing twelve', fr. duodeni, 'each twelve'. See duodenum and adj. suff.
-ary.
duodenitis, n., inflammation of the duodenum
(med.) - A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. duodenum and -itis, a suff. of Greek origin.
duodeno-, combining form, meaning 'referring to
the duodenum'.- See next word.
duodenum, n., the first part of the small intestine
leading from the stomach to the jejunum (anatomy). - ML. duodenum, coined by Gerard of
Cremona (died in I 187), the translator of the
Canon Avicennae, fr. L. duodenl, 'twelve each',
fr. duo, 'two', and deni, 'ten each'' which is rei. to

duologue

decem, 'ten' (see duodecim-, dozen); prop. loan

translation ofGk. 3w3exctl~ocx't'\J)..ov, 'duodenum',
lit. 'twelve fingers long'; so called by the Greek
physician Herophilus (cca. 353-cca 280. B.C.E.)
from its alleged length of 12 fingers breadth.
The rendering of Gk. 3w3ex<Xa<ix't'U)..ov into ML.
duodenum (see above) is incorrect. The correct
Latin rendering would be duodecim digitorum,
'of twelve fingers; twelve fingers long'.
duologue, n., a dialogue between two persons. A hybrid coined fr. L. duo, 'two', and Gk. Myo<;,
'word, speech, discourse'. See dual and -Iogue.
duomo, n., a cathedral in Italy. - It., fr. L. domus, 'house'. See dome.
dup, tr. v., to open. -Contracted of do and up.
Cp. doff, don, v., dout.
dupe, n., a person who is easily misled.- F. dupe,
fr. de huppe, i.e. the agglutination of the prep. de
(see de-) with huppe, 'hoopoe', fr. L. upupa,
'hoopoe', a word of imitative origin. See hoopoe.
Derivatives: dupe, tr. v., dup-able, adj., dup-ability, n., dup-ery,
duple, adj. - L. dup/us, 'double'. See double and
cp. next word.
duplex, adj., twofold, double. _ L., 'twofold,
double', cogn. with Gk. 3bt:A<Xf;, 'twofold,
double'; compounded of L. duo, 'two' (resp.
Gk. 3t-, 'twice, double'), and -plex (resp. Gk.
-7tAcxf;), '-fold'. See double, adj., and cp. triplex.
Derivatives: duplex, n. and tr. v.
duplicate, adj., I) double; 2) corresponding
exactly.- L. dupliciitus, 'doubled', pp. of dupliciire, 'to double; to enlarge', fr. duplex, gen.
duplicis. See prec. word and adj. suft'. -ate and
cp. conduplicate.
Derivative: duplicate, n., an exact copy.
duplicate, tr. v., I) to double; 2) to make an exact
copy of. - L. dupliciitus, pp. of dupliciire. See
duplicate, adj.
Derivatives: duplication (q.v.), duplicat-ive, adj.,
duplicator (q.v.)
duplication, n. - F., fr. L. dupliciitionem, ace. of
dup/iciitio, 'a doubling', fr. dup/iciitus, pp. of
dup/iciire. See duplicate, v., and -ion.
duplicator, n. - L., 'a doubler', fr. dup/iciitus,
pp. of dup/iciire. See duplicate, v., and agential
suff. -or.
duplicity, n., double-dealing. - F. duplicite, fr.
Late L. dup/icitiitem, ace. of duplicitas, 'doubleness', fr. L. duplex, gen. duplicis. See duplex and
-ity and cp. triplicity.
durability, n. - F. durabilite, fr. Late L. diiriibilitiitem, ace. of duriibilitiis, fr. L. duriibilis. See
next word and -ity.
durable, adj., enduring. -F. durable, fr. L. duriibi/is, 'lasting', fr. duriire, 'to harden; to continue,
last', fr. durus, 'hard'. Seedure, 'hard', and-able.
Derivatives: durable-ness, n., durabl-y, adv.
durain, n., a constituent of coal. - Formed fr.
L. durus, 'hard' (see dure, adj.), with suff. -ain,
on analogy of fusain.
duralumia, n., a strong alloy of aluminum with

490

copper, manganese and magnesium. - Prop.

name of an aluminum alloy first made at Duren
in Germany. The word duralumin is a compound
of Durum in Marcodurum, ancient name of
Duren, and of aluminum (q.v.)
dura mater, the tough outer membrane, which
surrounds the brain and the spinal chord (anal.)
- ML., shortened fr. dura mater cerebri, 'hard
mother of the brain', loan translation of Arab.
umm al-dimdgh a:j-Jaffqah, lit. 'thick mother of
the brain'. (In Arabic, the words 'father',
'mother' and 'son' are often used to denote
relationship between things). See dure, 'hard',
and mater, mother, and cp. pia mater.
duramen, n., the hard wood in the center of the
tree trunk, the heartwood (bor.)- L. duriimen,
'hardness; a hardened vinebranch', from the
stem of duriire, 'to harden'. See dure, v., and
-men.
durance, n., r) duration; 2) imprisonment.- OF.
durance, 'duration', fr. durer, 'to endure', fr.
L. duriire, 'to harden; to continue, last', fr.
durus, 'hard'. See dure, adj., and -ance.
durangite, n., a sodium aluminum fluoarsenate
(mineral.) - Named after Durango in Mexico.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
duration, n.- Obsol. ~-. fr. Late L. duriitionem,
ace. of duriitio, 'a hardening; duration', fr. L.
duriitus, pp. of duriire. See dure, v., and -ation.
durbar, n., a state levee; government of a native
state (India). - Hind. darbiir, fr. Pers. darbiir,
fr. dar, 'door, gate', and biir, 'court'. Pers. dar
is rei. to Avestic dvartm (ace. sing.), 'gate,
court', OPers. duvarayii-, 'at the door', and to
01. dvdral;r (nom. pl.), 'door'. See door and cp.
the first element in dargah and in durwaun.
durdenite, n., a hydrous ferric tellurite (mineral.)
- Named after H. S. Durden, of San Francisco.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dure, adj., hard; severe (archaic).- F. dur, fern.
dure, fr. L. durus, 'hard, rough, rude', prob.
dissimilated fr. *dru-ros, for *dreu-ros, and lit.
meaning 'as hard as wood', fr. I.-E. base *derew(o)-, *drew(o)-, *dru-, 'tree, wood', whence
also Gk. 3pii<;, 'oak, tree', 86pu, 'stem, tree, beam,
shaft of a spear, spear', 01. dru-, 'wood, wooden
vessel', cMru, 'wood', OE. treo, triow, 'tree,
wood'. See tree and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also dour, durable, durain, duralumin, dura
mater, duramen, durance, duration, duress, during, endure, indurate, obdurate, perdure.
dure, intr. v., to last (obsol. or poetic).- F. durer,
fr. L. diiriire, 'to harden; to continue, last', fr.
durus, 'hard'. See dure, adj.
duress, n., 1) imprisonment; 2) compulsion. ME. duresse, fr. obsol. F. duresse, fr. L. diiritia,
'hardness, severity, austerity', fr. durus. See
dure, adj., and -ess.
durgah, n. - See dargah.
durian, dorian, n., fruit of the tree Durio zibethinus. - Malay diirian, fr. diiri, 'thorn'; so
called from its prickly rind. - Cp. Durio.

491
during, prep. - Prop. pres. part. of the verb
dure; used in imitation of the Latin ablative
absolute.
Durio, n., a genus of trees in Asia. - Fr. Malay
durian. See durian.
durmast, n., a European oak (quercus sessiliflora). - A compound, the first element of
which is of unknown origin. For its second element see mast, 'acorns'.
durra, n., the Indian millet.- Arab. dhura".
durst, past tense of dare. - OE. and ME. dorste.
See dare.
durwaun, darwan, n., a doorkeeper (Anglo-Ind.)
- Pers. darbiin, darwiin, compounded of dar,
'door, gate', and -biin, resp. -wan, 'keeper,
guardian'. For the first element see durbar, for
the second see ban, 'governor'.
dusk, adj. - ME. dusk, dosk, fr. OE. dose, dox,
'dusk', rel. to Swed. duska, 'to be misty', OS.
dosan, 'chestnut brown', OHG. tusin, 'yellow',
and cogn. with L. fuscus (for *dhus-qo-), 'dark';
furvus (for *dhus-wo-), 'dark, brown, swarthy',
01. dhusaral;r, 'dust-colored'. Cp. dun, 'dark
brown', fuscous.
Derivatives: dusk, n. and tr. and intr. v., duskish, adj., dusk-ish-ly, adv., dusk-ish-ness, n.,
dusk-y, adj., dusk-i-ly, adv., dusk-i-ness, n.
dust, n. -ME., fr. OE. dust, rel. to ON. dust,
'dust', Dan. dyst, 'milldust', OHG. tunst, tunist,
'storm, breath', MHG. tunst, G. Dunst, 'vapor',
fr. I.-E. base *dhewls-, *dhwens-, *dhiis-, 'to fly
about like dust', whence also 01. dhvamsati,
'falls to dust', Toch. B taur, A tor, 'dust', A twe,
B tweye, of s.m. For other derivatives of the
above base see thio- and words there referred to.
Derivatives: dust, tr. and intr. v., dust-er, n.,
dust-ing, verbal n., dust-less, adj., dust-y, adj.,
dust-i-ly, adv., dust-i-ness, n.
dustoor, n. -A var. of destour.
Dutch, adj. and n.- MDu. duutsc, dutsch, 'Hollandish, Dutch' (whence Du. duits, 'German'),
rel. to OS. thiudisk, OHG. diutisc, 'belonging to
the people' (whence MHG. tiutsch, G. deutsch,
'German'), Goth. piudisko, 'in a heathen way'.
OS. thiudisk, OHG. diutisc, and Goth. piudisko
derive fr. OS. thioda, resp. OHG. diot, Goth.
piuda, 'people', which are rel. to OFris. thiiide,
ON. jJjoiJ, OE. peod, 'people'; fr. Teut. base
*peudo-, corresponding to I.-E. base teutii-,
'people', whence Olr. tuoth, 'people', W. tud,
'country', Bret. tud, 'people', OLith. and Lett.
rauta, 'people', OPruss. rauto, 'country', Lith.
Tauta, 'Germany', Oscan touto, 'community',
Umbrian tuta, Iota, ofs.m. Cp. Teuton, Theobald,
Theodoric and the second element in Plattdeutsch. For sense development cp. Lett.
duteous, adj., dutiful. - Formed with suff. -ous
fr. OF. duete, 'duty' (see duty); first used by
Shakespeare.
Derivatives: duteous-ly, adv., duteous-ness, n.
dutiable, adj.- Formed fr. duty with suff. -able.
duty, n. - ME. duete, fr. AF. diP!te, fr. du, cor-

awme

responding to OF. deu, F. du, fr. VL. *debutus

(for L. debitus), pp. of L. debere, 'to owe'. See
due and -ty.
Derivatives: dutiable (q.v.), duti-ful, adj., dutiful-ly, adv., duti-ful-ness, n.
duumvir, n., one of two officials having the same
public function. - L., name of various magistrates; back formation from the archaic gen.
pl. duum virum, '(one) of the two men'. See dual
and virile and cp. triumvir, decemvir.
duumviral, adj. - L. duumviralis, 'pertaining to
the duumvirs', formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-iilis (see adj. suff. -al).
duumvirate, n. - L. duumviriitus, 'the office of a
duumvir'. See prec. word and subst. suff. -ate.
dvaita, n., dualism (Hindu philos.)- 01. dvaita-,
fr. dvi-, 'two' (in compounds), which is rel. to
Avestic bi-, and cogn. with Gk. 3t-, OL. dvi-,
L. bi-, OE. twi-. See di-, 'two', and cp. next
word.
dvandva, n., a copulative compound; dualism.01. dvariuivd-, lit. 'pair, couple', reduplication
of dvd, 'two', which is rel. to Avestic dva and
cogn. with Gk. Mo, L. duo, 'two'. See dual and
cp. prec. word.
dwale, n., the deadly nightshade. - Of Scand.
origin. Cp. Dan. dvale, Swed. dvala, 'stupor,
deep sleep', which are rei. to dwala, dwe/a, gedwola, 'error', dwe/ian, 'to lead astray'. See
dwell.
dwarf, n. - ME. dwergh, dwetf, fr. OE. dweorh,
rel. to OS. gidwerg, ON. dvergr, Swed. dviirg,
Dan., Du. dwerg, OFris. dwerch, OHG. getwerg,
twerg, MHG. getwerc, twerc, zwerc, G. Zwerg;
of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: dwarf, adj. and tr. and intr. v.,
dwarf-ish-ly, adv., dwarf-ish-ness, n., dwarf-y,
adj.
dwell, intr. v. - ME. dwellen, fr. OE. dwellan,
'to lead astray, deceive; to hinder; to wander,
go astray; to tarry', rei. to ON. dvelja, 'to delay;
to tarry', OHG. twa/jan, 'to hinder, delay', OE.
dwolian, 'to stray, err', dwa/a, dwela, gedwola,
'error', gedwe/an, 'to err', and to E. dujl, dwale
(qq.v.) For the sense development of E. dwell
(fr. OE. dwe/lan, 'to tarry'), cp. F. demeurer, 'to
remain, stay, lodge, reside, live'.
Derivatives: dwell, n., dwell-er, n., dwell-ing, n.
dwindle, intr. v. - Dimin. of next word. The
verb dwindle was first used by Shakespeare.
dwine, intr. v., to waste away (archaic and dial.
Brit.) - ME. dwinen, fr. OE. dwinan, 'to languish, waste away, vanish', rel. to ON. dvina,
MDu. dvinen, Dan. tvine, of s.m., Du. verdwijnen, 'to waste away, vanish', and cogn. with
Arm. di, 'dead body, corpse', Olr. dith, 'end,
death'; fr. I.-E. nase *dhwei-, enlargement of
base *dhew-, *dheu-, 'to pin~ away, die', whence
Goth. diwans, 'mortal', and, with vowel gradation, OS. doian, ON. deyja, 'to die', Goth.
daups, 'dead'. See dead and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: dwindl-er, n.

aydy-, combining form meaning 'two'.- Gk. 8u-,

fr. Mo, 'two', which is cogn. with L. duo, 'two'.
See dual.
dyad, n., two units regarded as one.- Late L.
dyas, gen. dyadis, fr. Gk. 8u&.<;, gen. 8u&8o<;, 'the
number two', fr. 8uo, 'two'. Seedy- and -ad.
dyadic, adj., pertaining to a dyad. - Gk. 8uoc8tx6<;, 'pertaining to two', fr. 8u&.<;, gen. 8u&.8o<;.
See prec. word and -ic.
Dyak, n., one of the aborigines of Borneo. Malay, lit. 'savage'.
dyarchy, n. - See diarchy.
dye, n. - ME. deh, deih, die, fr. OE. deag, deah,
'dye, color'; prob. cogn. with Lett. diikans,
'dark-colored'.
dye, tr. and intr. v. - ME. deyen, dyen, fr. OE.
deagian, fr. deag. See dye, n.
Derivatives: dy-er, n., dye-ing, n.
dying, adj. and n. - Formed from the verb die
with suff. -ing.
Derivative: dying-ness, n.
dyke, n. - See dike.
dyna-, combining form meaning 'power'. Shortened fr. Gk. Mvocru<;, 'power'. See dynamic.
dynameter, n., an instrument for measuring the
magnifying power of telescopes. Compounded of dyna- and Gk. !J-E-rpov, 'measure'.
See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: dynametr-ic, dynametr-ic-al, adjs.
dynamic, adj. - F. dynamique, coined by the
German philosopher and mathematician, Baron
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) fr.
Gk. 8uvoc!J-tx6<;, 'powerful', fr. Mvoc!J-t<;, 'might,
power', which is rei. to 8uvoc!J-OCL, 'I am able,
I am worth', 8uvoc-r6<;, 'strong, able'; of uncertain origin. Cp. dyna-, dynamite, dynamo-,
dynasty. For the ending see suff. -ic. The word
dynamic was introduced into English by Jeremy
Bentham (1748-1832).
Derivatives: dynamic, n., dynamic-al, adj., dynamic-al-ly, adv., dynamics (q.v.), dynam-ism,
n., dynam-ist, n., dynamite (q.v.)
dynamics, n., that branch of physics which deals
with the action of force on bodies. - See prec.
word and -ics.
dynamite, n. - A name given by the Swedish
chemist Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833-96) in
1867 to the explosive invented by him, fr. Gk.
Mvot!J-t<;, 'power'. See dynamic and subst. suff.
-ite.
Derivatives: dynamite, tr. v., dynamit-er, n.,
dynamit-ic, dynamit-ic-a/, adjs., dynamit-ic-ally, adv., dynamit-ism, n., dyniamit-i.st, n.
dynamo- combining form meaning 'power'
(electr.) - Formed fr. Gk. 8uvoc!J-L<;, 'power'
(see dynamic). The -o in dynamo- (for dynami-)
is due to the analogy of combining forms like
baro-, thermo-, etc., in which the o represents
Greek o.
dynamo, n., a machine that converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy. - Orig. called

492
by its inventor, the German engineer Werner
von Siemens (1816-92), Dynamo-elektrische
Maschine ('dynamo-electric machine'). This
name was later shortened by him into DynamoMaschine ('dynamo-machine'). The name dynamo-machine was shortened in England (in
1882) into dynamo. See dynamo-.
dynamometer, n., an_ instrument for measuring
power. - Compounded of dynamo- and Gk.
!J-e-rpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: dynamometr-y, n., dynamometr-ic,
dynamometr-ic-a!, adjs.
dynast, n., a ruler. - L. dynastes, fr. Gk. 8uv&.crT1J<;, 'ruler', from the stem of Mvoc!J-oct, 'I am
able, I am worth'. See dynamic.
dynastic, adj. - Gk. 8uvoccr-rtx6<;, 'pertaining to
a ruler', fr. 8uv&.GT1J<;. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: dynastic-al-ly, adv.
dynasty, n. - F. dynastie, fr. Gk. 8uvoccr-reUi,
'power, lordship', fr. 8uv&crT1J<;. See dynast and
-y (representing Gk. -d<i).
dyne, n., unit of force in the C.G.S. system (phys.)
- F., fr. Gk. Mvoc!J-t<;, 'power'. See dynamic
and cp. neutrodyne.
dys-, pejorative suff. used esp. in the senses 'hard
to, difficult at, slow of'; the opposite of the pref.
eu-.- Gk. 8ucr-, meaning 'hard, bad, ill', cogn.
with the suffixes OI. du$-, Avestic dush-, dui-,
of s.m., Arm. t- (negative pref.), Goth. tuz-,
OHG. za-, zi-, zu-, zar-, zir-, zur-, MHG., G.
zer-, 'apart, asunder', ON. tor-, 'difficult, hard',
Oir. do-, du-, 'bad, ill', OS. to-, te-, ti-, OE. to-,
te-, tor-, 'apart, asunder', and perh. also with
OL. dvis (whence L. bis), 'twice'. See dis-.
dysacousia, dysacousis, dysacusia, n., a condition
in which sounds cause discomfort (med.) Medical L., fr.dys- and Gk. &xoucrt<;, 'a hearing',
fr. &:xouw (for *&.xoucr1w), 'I hear'. See acoustic
and cp. words there referred to.
dyschroa, dyischroia, n., discoloration of the skin
(med.) - Medical L., formed fr. dys- and Gk.
xp6ii, resp. xpot&, 'color'. See -chroia.
dyscrasia, n., an ill state of the body (med.) Medical L., formed fr. dys- and xpiicrt<;, 'a
mixing, blending'. See crater a11d cp. crasis.
For the ending see suff. -ia.
dysenteric, adj., 1) pertaining to dysentery; 2)
having dysentery. - L. dysentericus, fr. Gk.
8ucrtv-r<:ptx6<;, 'pertaining to dysentery', fr.
8ucrenepliX. See next word and -ic.
dysentery, n., inflammation of the large intestine.
- OF. dissenterie (F. dysenterie), fr. Medical
L. dysenteria, fr. Gk. 8ucrtvnplii, 'dysentery',
which lit. means 'bad intestines', and was coined
by the Greek physician Hippocrates fr. 8ucr(see dys-) and lvn:poc, 'intestines'. See enteric.
dysgenic, adj., detrimental to the hereditary
constitution of the race; opposite to eugenic.Formed fr. dys- and -genic. Cp. eugenic.
dyslogistic, adj., unfavorable. -A blend of dysand eulogistic.
Derivative: dyslogistic-al-ly, adv.

493

dyspepsia, n., disturbed digestion (med.) - L.,

fr. Gk. 8ucr1t'eljllii, 'indigestion', lit. 'bad digestion', fr. 80cr1t'E1t'To<;, 'hard to digest', fr. 8ucr- (see
dys-) and 1t'E1t't'6<;, 'cooked', verbal adj. of
1tecrcre~v, 1t't1t't'ELv, 'to cook, to digest'. See pepsin and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
dyspeptic, adj., pertaining to, or suffering from,
dyspepsia. - Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
8ucrm:1t'-ro.;, 'hard to digest'. See prec. word and
-ic and cp. peptic and words there referred to.
dysphoria, n., mental anxiety; a general feeling
of indisposition. - Formed with suff. -ia fr.
Gk. Mcrq)Qpo.;, 'hard to bear', fr. 8ucr- (see dys-)
and the stem of (jltpe:w, 'to bear, carry'. See
bear, 'to carry', and cp. euphoria. For the ending
see suff. -ia.
dyspnea, dyspnoea, n., difficult breathing (med.)
- L. dyspnoea, fr. Gk. Mmtvotoc, 'difficulty in
breathing', fr. Mcr1t'Voo.;, 'breathing with difficulty', fr. 8ucr- (see dys-) and 1t'VOlJ, 1t'Vo~lj,
'breath'. See pneuma and cp. eupnea.
dysprosia, n., dysprosium oxide (chem.) - See
next word.
dysprosium, n., name of an element (chem.) ModL., coined fr. Gk. 8ucr7tp6m-ro.;, 'hard to

dysuria

get at', fr. Sua- (see dys-) and 7tp6crt-ro<;, verbal

adj. of 7tp6crEt!J-t, 'I go in', fr. 7tp6<;, 'toward, to'
(see pros-), and d!J-t, 'I go', which is cogn. with
OI.Imi, L. eo, 'I go'. See itinerate and cp. words
there referred to. This element was so called,
because it was hard to reach.
Dyssodia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 8ucrw8l<i, 'an ill
smell', fr. 8ucrw81J<;, 'ill-smelling', fr. 8ucr- (see
dys-) and ll~m, 'to smell', whence bcr!J-1}, 'smell,
odor' (see osmium and cp. hyposmia, parosmia);
so called from the ill smell of the leaves. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
dystocia, n., difficult parturition (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. 8ucr-rox.[ii, 'painful delivery', fr.
8ucr- (see dys-) and -r6xo.;, 'childbirth, parturition'. See -tocia.
dystrophy, dystrophia, n., defective nutrition
(med.) - Medical L. dystrophia, fr. dys- and
Gk. -rpo(jl~, 'nourishment'. See trophic and cp.
atrophy, hypertrophy.
dysuria, n., painful urination (med.) - Late L.,
fr. Gk. 8ucroup(<i, fr. 8ucr- (see dys-) and o\ipov,
'urine'. See urine and -ia.
Derivative: dysur-ic, adj.

4'1;)

E
I

e-, form of L. ex- before voiced consonants.

- See 1st ex-.
each, adj.- ME. adc, elc, eche, fr. OE. file, which
is short for ii-gelic, 'ever alike', and is rei. to
OFris. e/lik, elk, Du. elk, OHG. iogilih, MHG.
iegelich, G. jeglich, 'each, every'. See aye, 'ever',
and like, adj. and adv., and cp. ilk.
eager, adj. - ME. eger, egre, 'sharp, eager', fr.
AF. egre, corresponding to OF. ( = F.) aigre,
'sour, acid; harsh, bitter, rough', fr. L. iicrem,
ace. of iicer, 'sharp, pointed, piercing; acute,
ardent, zealous'. See acrid and cp. agrito and
the second element in vinegar. Cp. also ear
of corn. Derivatives: eager-ly, adv.,eager-ness,n.
eagle, n. - ME. eg/e, fr. OF. eg/e, aigle (F.
aigle), fr. L. aquila, 'eagle', whence also It.
aquila, Rum. acerii, Proven9. mgla, Sp. aguila,
Port. aguia, of S.m. See aquiline.
Derivative: eaglet (q.v.)
eaglet, n., a young eagle. - Formed fr. eagle
on analogy of F. mglette, dimin. of aigle,
'eagle'. See prec. word and -et, -ette.
eaglewood, n., agalloch. - Loan translation of
F. bois d'aigle, fr. Port. aguila, 'aloewood', fr.
Gk. &y<i'A'Aoxov, 'aloe, aloewood'; see agalloch.
French bois d'aigle arose from a confusion of
Port. aguila, 'aloewood', with Port. dguia, Sp.
aguila, 'eagle' (see eagle).
eagre, n., a tidal wave; a bore. - Lit. 'water
borer', fr. OE. ea, 'water', and gar, 'spear'. See
aquatic and gore, 'to pierce'.
ean, tr. and intr. v.- A var. of yean (q.v.)
Derivative: ean-ling (cp. yeanling).
ear, n., the organ of hearing. - ME. ere, fr. OE.
eare, rei. to ON. eyra, Swed. i.ira, Dan. ore,
OS., ODu., OHG. ora, Ofris. eire, Du. oor,
MHG. ore, G. Ohr, Goth. auso, and cogn. with
Gk. ou~. gen. WTO~ (for *olicro~. resp. *oumxTo~).
L. auris (for *ausis), Avestic ushi, 'both cars',
OSlav. ucho (gen. usese, dual usi), Lith. ausis,
Lett. tiuss, OPruss. ausins (ace. pl.), Olr. au, o,
'ear', Arm. unkn (for *uson-qo-m), Alb. ves,
'ear'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *au-,
'ear'. Cp. aural, 'pertaining to the car', auricle,
auscultation, orillion, ormer, oto-, oyer, oyez.
Cp. also acroama.
Derivatives: ear-ed, adj., earing (q.v.)
ear of corn, n. ~ ME. ere, ear, fr. OE. eare, rei.
to Du. aar, OHG. ehir, ahir, MHG. eher, G.
Ahre, ON. ax, Goth. ahs, 'ear of corn', fr. Teut.
*ahiz, corresponding to I.-E. *akos-, whence L.
acus, 'chaff, husk', Gk. &xocrTf,, 'barley', lit. 'the
awny one', fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'to be sharp or
pointed', whence also L. iicer, 'sharp, pointed'.
See acrid and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: ear-ed, adj.
ear, tr. v., to plow (archaic or obsol.) - ME.

erien, fr. OE. erian, rei. to OS. erian, ON. erja,

OFris. era, OHG. erien, Goth. arjan, fr. I.-E.
base *arii-, 'to plow', whence also L. ariire, 'to
plow'. See arable.
earing, n., rope by which the upper corners of
a sail are fastened to the yard (naut.) - For
ear-ring. See ear, 'organ of hearing', and ring, n.
earl, n., a title of nobility. - ME. erl, fr. OE.
earl, 'man, warrior, chief, nobleman', rei. to
ON. jar!, 'chief, nobleman', OS., OHG. er/,
'man'. Cp. jarl.
earl, tr. v., to pledge (Scot.)- Rei. to ME. erles,
erres, 'earnest money', fr. OF. erres, fr. L. arra.
See earnest, 'pledge', and cp. words there referred to.
earldom, n. - ME. erldom, fr. OE. earldom, fr.
earl. Sec prec. word and -dom.
early, adv. - ME. erliche, erfi, fr. OE. firlfce,
'early', compounded of fir, 'before', and suff.
-lice. See ere and adv. suff. -ly.
Derivatives: early, adj., earli-ness, n.
earn, tr. v. - ME. ernien, ernen, fr. OE. earnian,
'to deserve, earn', rei. to OHG. arnen, arnon,
'to reap', OE. ern, OHG. aran, arn, G. Ernte,
'harvest', Goth. asans, 'harvest, summer', ON.
ann (for *aznu), 'work in the field', and cogn.
with OSlav. jeseni, Russ. osen', OPruss. assanis,
'autumn'.
Derivatives: earn-er, n., earning, n. (q.v.)
earnest, n., seriousness. - ME. ernest, fr. OE.
eornost, rei. to OS., OHG., ernust, 'struggle',
MHG. ernest, 'struggle; earnest', G. Ernst,
'earnest, seriousness', Goth. arniba, 'safely', ON.
jarna, 'fight, combat', ern, 'able, fit, vigorous',
orig. 'able to fight'. Cp. Ernest.
Derivatives: earnest, adj., earnest-ly, adv., earnest-ness, n.
earnest, n., pledge. - ME. ernest, ernes, apparently fr. OF. erres, 'earnest money', fr. L. arra,
arrha, 'pledge', shortened fr. arrabo, arrhabo,
fr. Gk. &pp<X~wv, 'earnest money', fr. Heb.
'eriibhfin, 'pledge, surety', fr. 'iirdbh, 'he pledged'. Cp. arras, arrha, aries, earl, 'to pledge'.
earning, n. - OE. earnung, fr. earnian, 'to deserve, earn'. See earn and subst. suff. -ing.
earth, n. - ME. eorthe, erthe, fr. OE. eoroe, rei.
to OS. ertha, ON.jOro, Dan., Swed.jord, OFris.
erthe, MDu. eerde, aerde, Du. aarde, OHG.
erda, MHG .. G. erde, Goth. airjJa, and cogn.
with Mlr. -ert (in compounds), 'earth'; fr.
I.-E. base *er-t, a +enlargement of base er-,
'earth', whence OHG. ero, 'earth', Gk. epii,
'earth', epii~e: (for *epiicr-8E, cp. Dor. epiicr8e),
'to earth', epii~ (prop. gen. of epii), 'of earth'.
Fr. base er-w-, a -w-enlargement of base *er-,
derive ON. jorvi, 'sandbank', W., Co. erw,
'strip of land', OBret. ero, 'furrow'. Cp. the

first element in aardvark, aardwolf.

Derivatives: earth, tr. and intr. v., earth-ed,
adj., earthian (q.v.), earth-less, adj., earth-/ike;
adj., earth-ly, adj., earth-li-ness, n., earth-y,
adj., earth-i-ness, n.
earthian, n., an inhabitant of the earth. - A
hybrid coined fr. E. earth and suff. -ian (fr. L.
-iiinus).
earwig, n. - ME. erwigge, fr. OE. earwicga,
'earwig', fr. eare (see ear, organ of hearing) and
wicga, 'insect, beetle', lit. 'the runner', rei. to
MLG. wiggen, Norw. vigga, dial. E. wig, 'to
move to and fro', and to E. wiggle (q.v.)
ease, n. - ME. ese, fr. OF. eise, aise, 'empty
space, comfort, ease' (whence F. aise, 'ease,
comfort, convenience, leisure'), fr. adjacens,
'that which lies near', pres. part of adjacere, 'to
lie near'; cp. OProven9. aize (whence It. agio,
Port. azo), 'occasion', which is of the same origin. See adjacent (which is a doublet of ease)
and cp. disease. Cp. also agio, adagio.
Derivatives: ease, tr. v., ease-ful, adj., ease-fully, adv., ease-ful-ness, n., ease-less, adj., easy
(q.v.)
easel, n. - Du. ezel, 'ass, easel', fr. MDu. esel;
rei. to OE. esol, OS. esi/, OHG. esil (MHG., G.
esel), 'ass', fr. L. asinus, of s.m. See ass and cp.
asinine. For sense development cp. onager, in
the sense of 'catapult', and horse, in the sense of
'wooden structure bearing rough resemblance
to a horse'.
easement, n. - OF. aisement, 'ease', fr. aisier,
'to ease', fr. aise. See ease and -ment.
east, n. -ME. east, est, fr. OE. east, 'in the east'
(whence OE. eastan, 'from the east'), rei. to Du.
oost, oosten, OHG. ostan, MHG. osten, G. Ost,
Osten, 'east', OHG., OS. ostar, 'to the east', ON.
austr, 'from the east', fr. Teut. austa-, 'east',
which is rei. to I.-E. ausos, 'dawn', whence 01.
U$tl~, Gk. ltw~, Homeric Gk. ~w~ (for *iiusos),
Lith. ausra, 'dawn', L. auster, 'south', aurum (for
ausom), 'gold,' lit. 'the reddish metal', aurora
(for *ausosa), 'dawn'. Cp next word and the first
element in Ostrogoth. Cp. also aureate, aurora,
Auster, austral, eo-, Eos.
Derivatives: east, adj. and "adv., easter-ly, adj.,
eastern (q.v.), east-ward, adv.
Easter, n. - ME. ester, estern, fr. OL easter,
eastre, 'Easter', fr. OE. Eastre (usually in the pl.
Eastron), a Teutonic goddess of spring (orig.
the goddess of dawn); rei. to OHG. ostarun,
MHG. osteren, G. Ostern, 'Easter', and to E.
east (q.v.)
easterling, n., a native of an Eastern country. Formed fr. eastern with suff. -ling. Cp. MLG.
osterlink, Du. oosterfink.
eastern, adj. - ME. esterne, fr. OE. easterne, fr.
east. See east and -ern.
Derivatives: Eastern, n., eastern-er, n.
easting, n., easterly departure (naut.)- Formed
fr. east with subst. suff. -ing.
easy, adj. - ME. aisie, fr. OF. aisie (F. aise),

ebb

prop. pp. of aisier, 'to ease', fr. aise, 'ease'. See

ease and -y (representing OF. -e, -ie, F. -e).
Derivatives: easy, adv., n. and v.
eat, tr. and intr. v.- ME. eten, fr. OE. etan, rei.
to ON. eta, Swed. iita, Dan. ii!de, OFris. eta,
ita, MDu., Du. eten, OHG. eJJan, MHG. e33en,
G. essen, Goth. itan, fr. I.-E. base *ed-, 'to eat',
whence also OI. tidmi, 'I eat', Arm. utem, Gk.
!8w, L. edo, earlier Lith. emi (for *edmi), Lith.
edu, Lett. fmu, 'I eat', oPruss. fst, 'to eat', fdis,
'eating', OSlav. jamr (for *imi), 'I eat', Olr.
esse, 'eaten', W. esu, ysu (for *ed-tu), 'to devour', Hitt. edmi, 'I eat', ed, 'eat!', adanzi, 'they
eat', adanna, 'food'. Cp. comedo, comestible,
dent, Dermestes, edestin, edible, esculent, esurient, etch, fret, 'to consume', nestitherapy,
obese, odonto-, -odynia, ort, prandial, Samoyed.
Cp. also tooth.
Derivatives: eat-able, adj., eat-able-s, n. pl.,
eata-bil-ity, n., eat-able-ness, n., eater (q.v.),
eating, verbal n. and adj.
eater, n. - OE. etere, fr. etan, 'to eat'. See prec.
word and agential suff. -er.
Eau de Cologne, cologne. - F., lit. 'water of
Cologne'. See eau de vie and cologne.
eau de vie, brandy.- F. eau-de-vie, lit. 'water of
life', fr. L. aqua, 'water', de, 'from, away from',
and vita, 'life'. See aquatic, de- and vital. For
sense development cp. aqua vitae, usquebaugh
and whisky.
ea~es, n. pl., the edge of a roof. ME. evese
(pl. eveses), fr. OE. efes, 'eaves, brim, border',
rei. to ON. ups, upse, OHG. obasa, obisa, 'porch,
hall, roof', MHG. obese, obse, 'eaves', dial.
G. Obsen, Obsten, 'porch', Goth. ubizwa,
'porch', OHG. obana, 'from above', G. oben,
'above', and to E. over, up. Derivatively, eaves
is a singular. It was mistaken for a plural because of the confusion of the final s in OE. efes
with the plural suffix. From the alleged plural
eaves the singular eave was formed. - Cp.
next word.
eavesdrop, intr. v. - Formerly eavesdrip, fr. OE.
yfesdrype, 'drip from eaves'. See eaves and drip.
To eavesdrop orig. meant 'to stand under
droppings from the eaves of a house', whence
arose the meaning 'to listen to a conversation
secretly' (lit. 'under the eaves', i.e. 'near the
window or door'.
Derivatives: eavesdropp-er, n., eal'esdropp-ing, n.
ebauchoir, n., sculptor's boaster; roughing chisel.
- F. ebauchoir, fr. ebaucher, 'to rough out,
sketch out', orig. 'to rough out timber', fr. bau,
bauch, bale, 'beam', fr. Frankish *balk; cp.
OHG. balko, 'beam', OE. bafca, 'ridge between
furrows'. See balk and cp. debauch.
ebb, n. - ME. ebbe, fr. OE. ebba, rei. to OS.
ebbiunga, OFris. ebba, MLG., MDu., Du. ebbe
[whence MHG. ( = G.) ebbe, Dan., Swed. ebb,
iibb, F. ebe]. These words prob. stand in gradational relationship to ON. ofugr, Goth. ibuks,
'backwards', and to E. of (q.v.)

ebb

4'10

Eburna, n., a genus of marine gastropods, the

ebb, intr. v. - ME. ebben, fr. OE. ebbian, fr.
ivory shell.- ModL., fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory',
ebba, 'ebb'. See ebb, n.
fr. ebur, 'ivory'. See ivory.
Ebenaceae, n.pl., the ebony family (bot.) eburnated, adj., hard like ivory (med.) - Formed
ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. L. ebenus.
with suff. -ed fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory'. See prec.
See ebony.
word.
Ebenezer, masc. PN.; in the Bible, name of a
eburnation, n., an increase in the density of bone,
stone raised by Samuel in memory of the victory
cartilage or tooth (med.) - Formed with suff.
over the Philistines (I Sam. 7 : 12). - Heb.
-ation fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory'. See Eburna.
ebhen 'her, 'stone of help', fr. ebhen, 'stone',
eburnean, adj., pertaining to, made of, or resemand 'her, 'help'. The first word is rei. to Aram.
bling, ivory. - Formed with suff. -an fr. L.
ebhen, in the emphatic state abhnti, Ugar. 'bn,
eburneus, 'ofivory', fr. ebur, 'ivory'. SeeEburna.
Akkad. abnu, Ethiop. eben, 'stone'. The second
eburnine, adj., ebumean. - Formed with suff.
word derives fr. 'iiztir, 'he helped', and is rei.
-ine fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory'. See Eburna.
to Aram.-Syr. 'addr, 'he helped', Arab. 'tidhara,
ec-, pref. meaning 'out of'. - Gk. E:x.-, fr. ex.,
'he excused, exculpated; he helped, aided'. Cp.
'out of'. See 2nd ex-, and cp. ecto-.
Azariah, Ezra.
ecarte, n., a French card game for two persons,
Eblis, n., the prince of the fallen angels (Arabian
played with 32 cards.- F., lit. 'discarded', pp.
religion). - Arab. Iblfs, aphetic for Gk. 8Lcl.of ecarter, 'to discard', fr. e- (fr. L. e, 'out of'),
~o:Ao.;, 'slanderer', in Eccles. Gk. 'devil'. It is
and carte, 'card'. See card for playing and cp.
very probable that Gk. 8Lcl.~o:Ao.; came into
Arabic through the medium of Syriac and that
skat.
ecbatic, adj., expressing mere result; the opposite
the first syllable of the Greek word was misof telic (gram.) - Gk. E:x.~<Xnx.6.;, fr. E:x.~<XT6<;,
taken for the Syriac genitive particle di and sub
'coming to pass', verbal adj. of E:x~<XL"VEL"V, 'to
sequently dropped. See devil.
go out, come out, result', fr. E:x (see ec-) and
ebon, n., ebony (poetic). - ME. eban, fr. L. ebe~<XLVEL"V, 'to go'. See base, n., and -ic.
nus. See ebony.
ecbolic, adj., causing abortion (med.)- Formed
ebonist, n., a worker or dealer in ebony. with suff. -ic fr. Gk. E:x.~o:A-1), 'a throwing out,
Formed fr. ebony with suff. -ist.
abortion', fr. ex~cl.HEL'J, 'to throw OUt', fr. EX.
ebonite, n., vulcanite. -Formed fr. ebony with
(see ec-) and ~&:A:Am, 'to throw'. See ballistic
subst. swff. -ite.
and cp. words there referred to.
ebonize, tr. v., to stain wood, so as to make it
ecce homo, 'behold the man' (see John 19:5).resemble ebony.- Formed fr. next word with
L. ecce, 'behold', prob. stands for *ed-ce, which
suff. -ize.
is compounded of the adverbial particle *ed
ebony, n. - OF. ebaine (F. ebene), fr. L. ebenus
and the demonstrative particle -ce, for which
(whence also OHG., MHG. ebinus, G. Ebensee he. For the etymology of L. homo, 'man',
holz), fr. Gk. k:~e"Vo<; (whence also AraboPersian abnils), fr. Egypt. hebni (whence also
see human.
eccentric, adj. - F. excentrique, fr. ML. excenHe b. pl. hobhnim, Ezek. 27: I 5).
tricus, 'out of the centre', fr. Gk. ~xx.E"VTpo<;,
Derivatives: ebony, adj., ebonist, ebonite, ebon'out of the centre', fr. ex. (see ec-) and xenpo'l,
ize (qq.v.)
'point, prickle, spike, oxgoad'. See center.
ebriety, n., drunkenness. - F. ebriete, fr. L.
Derivatives: eccentric, n., eccentric-al-ly, adv.,
ebrietiitem, ace. of ebrietiis, 'drunkenness, fr.
eccentric-ity, n., eccentr-ing, adj.
ebrius, 'drunk, intoxicated', which is of uneccentro-, combining form meaning 'eccentric'.
certain origin. Cp. inebriate and sober.
- GK. E:xxE"VTpo-, fr. ~x.enpo<;, 'out of the
ebrious, adj., inclined to excessive drinking. L. ebrius. See prec. word and cp. brio. For E.
centre'. See prec. word.
ecchymosis, n., extravasation of blood (med.) -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Medical L., fr. Gk. E:x;t,;Jf!.WOL<;, 'bruise, extraebullience, ebulliency, n. -Formed fr. next word
vasation', lit. 'a pouring out', fr. exzG!J.oi:ia~<XL,
with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
'to pour out, extravasate', fr. E:x (see ec-) and
ebullient, adj., boiling up, exuberant. - Lit.
'bubbling over', fr. L. ebulliens, gen. -entis, pres.
zG!J.6<;, 'juice'. See chyme and -osis.
ecelesia, n., I) assembly of citizens in ancient
part. of ebullire, 'to boil up, bubble over', fr. -e
Athens; 2) a church. - L. ecc/esia, 'assembly
and bullire, 'to boil, bubble'. See boil, v.
of the people', in Eccles. L., 'church', fr. Gk.
ebullioscope, n., an instrument for indicating the
E:xxAr,aii, 'an assembly of citizens', in Eccles.
boiling point of liquids.- A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. 'church', fr. exl<A7JTO~, 'called out, sumL. ebullire, 'to boil up', and Gk. -crx6mo"V, fr.
moned', verbal adj. of txx<XAEt"V, 'to call out,
crxortEt"V, 'to look at, examine'. See prec. word
summon forth', fr. E:-.< (see ec-) and X.<XAEt"V, 'to
and -scope.
call, summon'. See calends and cp. words there
ebullition, n., the act of boiling up; sudden outreferred to. Cp. also Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus.
burst. - L. ebullitio, gen. -onis, 'a bubbling
ecclesiast, n., member of an ecclesia.- Gk. E:xover', fr. ebullit-(um), pp. stem of ebullire. See
ebullient and -ition.
xA7)0"L<XaT-I)c;. See next word.

497
Ecclesiastes, n., name of one of the 5 Scrolls of
the Hagiographa, corresponding to Heb. Qoheleth (Bible). - L. ecclesiastes, fr. Gk. exx.:A7)0"L<XaT-i).;, 'speaker in an assembly', fr. E:xx:A7)al<i,
'assembly'; see ecclesia and -ast. (For the meaning of ex.xA7JO"L<XaT-i).; cp. Plato, Gorgias, 452e;
the usual rendering as 'preacher', is erroneous.)
Accordingly, ex.X.A7)0"LIXO"T~<;. the translation of
qoheleth in the LXX, is the exact rendering of
this Hebrew word, which derives fr. qiihdl,
'assembly'.
ecclesiastic, adj., pertaining to the church; ecclesiastical.- F. ecc/esiastique, fr. Eccles. L. ecclesiasticus, fr. Gk. exx:A7JcrL<XO"TLx.6~, 'pertaining
to the assembly or the ecclesia', fr. E:xx:A7Jal<i.
See ecclesia and -ic and cp. Ecclesiastes.
Derivatives: ecclesiastic, n., ecclesiastic-al, adj.,
ecclesiastic-al-ly, adv., ecclesiastic-ism, n.
Ecclesiasticus, n., name of the Jewish apocryphal
work more generally known as the Book of
Jesus, the son of Sirach. - Eccles. L. Ecclesiasticus, lit. 'pertaining to the church', fr. Gk.
ex><.A7JO"L<XaTLx6.;, 'pertaining to the assembly', fr.
E:xx.:A7Jal<i; so called because of its frequent use
in the churches. See ecclesia and cp. Ecclesiastes.
ecclesio-, combining form for ecclesia.
ecclesiology, n. - Lit. 'study of the church';
compounded of ecclesio- and Gk. -:Aoy(ii, fr.
-:A6yo.;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: ecclesiolog-ic, ecclesiolog-ic-al,
adjs., ecclesiolog-ic-a/-/y, adv., ecclesiolog-ist, n.
eccrinology, n., the study of secretions (physiol.) - Compounded of Gk. exxpt"VEW, 'to
secrete', and -Aoy(ii, fr. -A6yo.;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. The first element is formed fr.
ex (see ec-), and xpt'IEL'J, 'to separate'. See
crisis. For the second element see -logy.
ecderon, n., the outer part of the skin (anat.) Coined by Huxley fr. ec- and Gk. 8epo~. 'skin',
which is rel. to 8epfi.<X, 'skin'. See derma and
cp. enderon. Derivative: enderon-ic, adj.
ecdysis, n., the act of shedding (zoo!.) - Gk.
~!Sum.;, 'getting out, putting off, shedding',
fr. E:xMew, 'to get out of, put off, shed', fr. ex
(see ec-) and 8uEL"V, 'to enter; to put on'. See
adytum and cp. endysis.
echelon, n., steplike forl]lation of troops (mil.)
- F. echelon, fr. echelle, 'ladder', fr. L. scala,
'ladder'. See scale, 'measure'.
Echeneis, n., a genus of fishes, the remora (ichthyol.)- ModL., fr. L. echeneis, 'remora', fr.
Gk. ezEVt)tc;, lit. 'ship-detaining', compounded
of &zew, 'to have, hold', and v<Xu~, gen. vr,6c;,
'ship'(seehecticand naval); so called in allusion
to its alleged power of detaining a ship.
echidna, n., an Australian egg-laying mammal.
- L., 'adder, viper', fr. Gk. ~XL8'~<X, prop. fern.
of an adj. *xL8vo<;, 'viperlike', fr. ~1<;, 'viper',
which is cogn. with Norw. igle, OHG. ega/a,

eclampsia

MHG. egele, G. Ege/, 'leech', and with L. anguis,

'serpent, snake'. See anguine and cp. Echium.
echinate, adj., set with prickles. - See echinus
and adj. suff. -ate.
echinite, n., a fossil echinus. - See echinus and
subst. suff. -ite. Derivative: echinit-al, adj.
echino-, combining form meaning 'prickly, spiny'.
-Gk.E:zL"Vo-,fr. ezi:"Vo<;, 'hedgehog'.Seeechinus.
Echinochloa, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) ModL., lit. 'hedgehog grass', fr. echino- and
Gk. zA67J, Dor. z:A6ii., 'grass', which is rei. to
z:Awp6.;, 'greenish yellow'. See choler and cp.
chlorine.
Echinocystis, n., a genus of plants, the wild
balsam-apple (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
echino- and Gk. x.uaTL<;, 'bladder' (see cyst); so
called in allusion to its prickly fruit.
Echinodermata, n. pl., a phylum of sea animals
with a spiny shell, including the starfishes and
the sea urchins (zoo/.)- ModL., lit. '(having a
spiny skin', compounded of echino- and Gk.
8epfi.<XTIX, pl. of 8ep!J.oc, 'skin'. See derma.
Echinodorus, n., a genus of herbs (bot.)- ModL.,
compounded of echino- and 86pu, 'spear'. See
dory-.
Echinops, n., a genus of plants, the globe thistle
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'resembling a hedgehog',
fr. echino- and Gk. -w~. lit. '-eyed', fr. w~, gen.
C:m6<;, 'eye'. See -ops.
echinus, n., sea urchin, pl. echini. - L., fr. Gk.
E:z~"Vo<;, 'hedgehog, sea urchin', prob. formed
fr. ezLc;, 'viper' (see echidna), with suff. -t"Vo<;;
cogn. with Arm. ozni, OSlav. jeii, Lith. eiys,
Lett. ezis, OE. igel, ME. if, OS., OHG., MHG.,
G. ige/, Du. egel, 'hedgehog'.
Echium, n., a genus of plants, the viper's bugloss
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ezLo"V, lit. 'viper's
plant', fr. eozL<;, 'viper'. See echidna.
echo, n. - L. echo, fr. Gk. iJzw, 'sound, noise;
echo', rei. to iJz~, 'noise', iJzEi:'~, 'to resound',
fr. Gk. base *f<XX- (whence also t~zeL"V, 'to resound'), corresponding to I.-E. *wiig-, 'to
sound', whence OI. vagnu~, 'sound', L. viiglre,
'to cry'. Cp. catechize, vagitus.
Derivatives: echo, tr. and intr. v., echo-er, n.,
echo-ic, adj., echo-ism, n., echo-ist, n., echo-ize,
intr. v.
eclair, n., a kind of light long cake filled with
cream.- F., lit. 'lightning', back formation fr.
eclairer, 'to light, illuminate', fr. VL. *excliiriiire (whence also OProvem;:. esclairar), corresponding to L. excliiriire, 'to light up, illumine',
fr. 1st ex- and cliiriire, 'to make clear', fr. cliirus,
'bright, clear'. See clear and cp. words there
referred to.
eclampsia, n., a convulsive attack (med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. eoxA<XiJ.<liL~, 'a shining forth', fr.
E:x:A~f1.7tEt"V, 'to shine forth', fr. E:x. (see ec-) and
NXfL7tEL"V, 'to shine'. See lamp and -ia. The word
eclampsia was introduced into medical termi
nology by the French pathologist Fran.;oisBoissier de Ia Croix de Sauvages (17o6-67).

-----r--eclamptic, adj., pertaining to eclampsia. - See

prec. word and -ic.
eclat, n., brilliancy, applaus e.- F., 'burst, crash,
~lap; shiver, splinter; brightnes s', back formatIOn fr. F. eclater, 'to burst, split, shiver; to explode; to cry out, exclaim; to shine, sparkle,
flash', fr. OF. esclater, 'to break, burst', prob. fr.
Frankish slaitan, 'to rend, tear', which is rei.
to OHG. sli3an, OE. slitan, of s.m. See slit and
cp. slate, 'piece of rock', and slate, 'to censure'.
eclectic, adj., selecting doctrines from various
philosoph ic systems. - Gk. ex:A~-rtxo~;, 'picking out, selecting', fr. ex:A~-ro~;, verbal adj. of
ex:AE:yetv, 'to pick out, select', fr. ex (see ec-),
and AE:yetv, 'to pick out, choose; to tell, say,
speak'. See lecture and -ic and cp. eclogue.
Derivativ es: eclectic, n., an eclectic philosoph er,
eclectic-al-ly, adv., eclectic-ism, n.
eclipse, n. -OF. eclipse (F. eclipse), fr. L. eclipsi~, fr. Gk. E'x:Aettjn~;, 'a leaving out, forsaking,
failure; eclipse', fr. ex:Aebtetv, 'to leave out,
forsake, cease; to be eclipsed', fr. ex (see ec-)
and :Aebtetv, 'to leave', which is cogn. with L.
linquere, 'to leave'. See relinquish and cp. ellipse.
Derivativ es: eclipse, tr. v., eclips-er, n.
ecliptic, adj., I) pertaining to an eclipse; 2) pertaining to an ecliptic. - L. eclipticus, 'pertaining to an eclipse', fr. Gk. ex:Aemnxo~;, fr.
ex:Ad7teLv. See prec. word and -ic.
ecliptic, n., apparent annual path of the sun. Fr. L. linea ecliptica, 'the ecliptic', fr. eclipticus,
'pertainin g to an eclipse'. The ecliptic was so
called because it was supposed that eclipses of
the sun and moon take place on the great circle
forming the apparent annual path of the sun.
eclogue, n., a short poem of pastoral character .
- F. eclogue, eglogue, fr. L. ecloga, fr. Gk.
E:>:-:Aoy~. 'a choice, selection', fr. E:xAE:yeLv, 'to
pick out, select'. See eclectic.
eclosion, n., the process of hatching of a chicken
from an egg, or of an insect from a pupa case
(zoot.) - F. eclosion, 'a breaking forth, hatching', lit. 'an opening', fr. eclos, pp. of eclore, 'to
be hatched, to open' (said of an egg), fr. VL.
*exclaudere, 'to shut out, exclude, drive out';
'to hatch out' (tr.), refashion ed (after L. claudere, 'to shut, close'), fr. L. excluaere, of s.m.
See exclude and -ion.
eco-, oeco-, combinin g form meaning 'environment'. - Gk. obw-, fr. olxo<;, 'house'. See
economy.
ecology, oecology, n., that branch of science which
deals with animals and plants in relation to their
environm ent. - G. Okologie, coined by the
German biologist Ernst Heinrich Haeckel
(I 834-19 19) fr. Gk. o1xo- (see eco-) and -),oyt~. fr.
-A6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivativ es: ecolog-ic, ecolog-ic-a/, adjs., ecologic-al-ly, adv., ecolog-ist, n.
economic, adj. - F. economique, fc. L. oeconomicus, 'pertainin g to economy ; orderly, me-

4'11:1

thodical', fr. Gk. oxovo(J.tx6~;, 'economi cal', fr.

o1xava(J.(~. See next word and -ic.
Derivatives: economic-al, adj., economic-al-ly,
adv., econom-ics, n.
economy, n.- L. oeconomia, 'the managem ent of
a househol d', fr. Gk. a1xava(J.(<X, of s.m., fr.
a1xavo(J.o<;, 'the manager of a household ,
steward', which is compoun ded of alxa~;, 'house,
dwelling, place to live in', and -VO(J.o~;, 'managing'. Gk. o!xa~; (dial. fai:xa~;), is rei. to a1x(<X,
Gortynic Gk. faLx(~, 'house', and cogn. with
L. vfcus, 'district', vfcinus, 'near, neighbori ng',
Goth. weihs, OE. wic, 'dwelling, village'. See
vicinage, wick, 'village', and cp. androecium,
autooecious, diocese, dioecious, ecumenical, monoecious, oecist, oecus, parish, paroecious, perioeci. Gk. -V6(.La~; stands in gradation al relationship to vE:(J.etv, 'to deal out, distribute, allot'. See Nemesis and cp. nomad.
ecru, adj., of the yellowish color of unbleache d
linen. - F. ecru, formed with pref. e- fr. L.
cruaus, 'raw' (whence also It., Sp. crudo,
OProven;. cru, crut). See crude. The pref. e- in
ecru derives fr. L. e, 'out of' (see e-), but has
here only intensive force.
ecstasy, n. - OF. extasie (F. extase), fr. Late
L. ecstasis, fr. Gk. E'xcr-rtXcrL<;, 'removal from
the proper place, displacem ent', lit. 'a standing
outside oneself', from the stem of E~Lcr-rocvtXL,
'to put out of place, derange; to stand aside
from', fr. t~, 'out of' (see 2nd ex-) and 1cr-rtfvtXt,
'to place; to stand'. See state.
ecstasy, tr. v. - F. extasier, fr. extase. See
ecstasy, n.
ecstatic, adj., pertainin g to, or causing, ecstasy.
- Gk. excrTtXnx6<;, 'unstable' , fr. l:xcr-rtXcrL<;. See
prec. word and -ic. Derivativ e: ecstatic-al-ly, adv.
ect-, form of ecto- before a vowel.
ectasia, n., the same as ectasis. - Medical L.
See next word.
ectasis, n., dilation of a tubular vessel (med.) Late L. ectasis, 'a stretching out', fr. Gk. ~
TtXCJt~, fr. ixTelve:Lv, 'to stretch out', fr. &x (see
ec-) and n(ve:tv, 'to stretch'. See tasimeter and
cp. atelectasis, entasia, entasis, epitasis, protasis.
ecthlipsis, n., the suppressi on of a consonan t. Late L., fr. Gk. !:x3Xt<jiL<;, 'a squeezing out', fr.
El<-&:Af{)etv, 'to squeeze out', fr. x (see ec-) and
-&:Aff)e:w, 'to press, crush'. See thlipsis.
ecto-, before a vowel ect-, combinin g form
meaning 'outside, external'. - Att. and Ion.
Gk. ExTa-, txT-, fr. El<6.;, 'outside', formed fr.
x., 'out of', with suff. -6<;, on analogy of l;v-.61;,
'inside' (fr. v, 'in'). The regular form should
have been &xM~. Cp. Locrian ex_-&6<; = Att.
and Ion. El<T6<;, and see ec-.
ectoblast, n., the outer membran e of a cell (bioi.)
- Compoun ded of ecto- and Gk. {):AtXcrT6<;,
'sprout'. See -blast.
ectoderm, n., the outer investing membran ce of
a cell (bioi.) - Lit. 'outer skin', coined by the
German physician Robert Remak (I8J5-65) fr.

4YY

I
..

ecto- and Gk. 8pfLtX, 'skin'. See derma and

cp. endoderm, mesoderm.
-ectomy, combinin g form denoting 'surgical removal', as in appendectomy, gastrectomy. - Gk.
-~af.Ll<X, 'a cutting out of', fr. exTa(J.~. 'a cutting
out, excision', fr. f:xTE:(J.vetv, 'to cut out', fr.
ex (see ec-) and Tg(J.VELV, 'to CUt'. See -tomy.
ectopia, n., morbid displacement of an organ or
another part of the body (med.)- Medical L.,
formed with suff. -ia fr. Gk. E'x-ra1ta<;, 'away
from a place', fr. ex (see ec-) and -r67ta~. 'place'.
See topic. Derivative: ectop-ic, adj., out of place.
Ectopistes, n., a genus of pigeons, the wanderin g
pigeon (ornitho l.)- ModL., fr. Gk. txTo7tL~ew,
'to remove from a place', fr. E'xTo7ta~. See prec.
word and -ist.
ectoplasm, n., the external layer of a protoplas m
in a cell (bioi.) - Compoun ded of ecto- and
plasm. Cp. endoplasm.
ectro-, combinin g form denoting congenital absence (med.)- Fr. Gk. itx-rpwcrtc;, 'miscarria ge',
fr. exnTpWCJXELV, 'to miscarry' , fr. ex (see ec-)
and npw=eL v, 'to wound, hurt, injure'. See
throw and cp. words there referred to.
ecu, n., an old French silver coin. - F., fr. OF.
escu, fr. L. scutum, 'shield'. See scutum and cp.
escudo. The coin was called ecu ('shield') from
the coins issued under Louis IX, which had the
shield of France as device.
ecumenic, ecumenical, adj., general, universa l.Late L. oecumenicus, fr. Gk. a1xoufLEVLx6<;, 'open
to the whole world', fr. atxau(J.V'I) (sci!. ylj),
'the inhabited world', fem. of the pass. pres.
part. of otxe:I\1, 'to inhabit'~ fr. o!xac;, 'house,
abode, dwelling'. See economy and -ic. For the
use and force of the passive suff. *-menos in
English words of Greek and Latin origin see
alumnus and cp. words there referred to.
Derivativ es: ecumenical-ly, adv., ecumenic-ity, n.
eczema, n., inflamma tory disease of the skin
(med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. itx~e(J.tX, prop.
'somethin g thrown out by heat', fr. h (see ec-)
and ~(J.:x, 'that which is boiled', fr. I.-E. base
*yes-, 'to boil, seethe'. See yeast and cp. the
first element in zeolite and the second element
in apozem.
eczematous, adj., of the nature of eczema. Formed with suff. -ous fr. Gk. E:x~E(J.tX, gen.
tx~i(J.tXTac;. See prec. word.
-ed, 1) pp. suff. of weak verbs in English; 2) used
also to form adjectives: a) from nouns, as in
cultured; b) fro~ other adjectives ending in -ate
(derived from L. pp.s in -iitus), as in foliated,
dentated. - ME. -ed, fr. OE. -ed, -od, -ad,
formed from the thematic vowel -e-, resp. -oor -a-, and -t, the pp. ending of weak verbs,
which is rei. to ON. -pr, G. -t, Goth. -ps, Teut.
*-do, correspon ding to I.-E. *-to, whence OI.
-td/:1, Gk. -T6c;, L. -tus. Cp. the final -din cold,
dead, loud, old, sad and suff. -t. Cp. also adj.
suff. -ate.
-ed, suff. of the past tense of weak verbs in Eng-

!ish. - ME. -ede-, -de, fr. OE. -ede, -ode, -ade,

formed from the thematic vowel -e-, resp. -aor -a-, and -de, past ending of the 1st pers. of
weak verbs, which is rei. to the correspon ding
endings ON. -pa, OHG. -ta, G. -te, and prob.
also to OE. -(e)d, pp. ending of weak verbs. See
-ed, pp. suff.
-ed, suff. forming adjectives from nouns, with
the sense 'possessed of, character ized by', as in
bearded, toothed. - OE. -ede, rei. to OS. -6di.
edacious, adj., devouring, voracious. - Formed
with suff. -ous fr. L. ediix, gen. ediicis, 'voracious, gluttonou s', fr. edere, 'to eat'. See eat.
Derivativ es: edacious-ly, adv., edacious-ness, n.
edacity, n., voracity. - L. ediicitiis, 'voracity,
gluttony', fr. ediix, gen. ediicis. See prec. word
and -ity.
Edam cheese, often shortened to Edam, edam, n.
- From Edam, name of a village in Holland,
where this cheese was originally made.
edaphic, adj., pertaining to the condition of the
soil rather than to climate (plant ecology). Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. ltatXq:>a<;, 'soil;
floor', which was probably dissimilated fr.
*elltXq:>a<; and is rei. to ella<;, 'seat, base, foundation', fr. stem *ea- ( = I.-E. *sed-), 'to sit',
and cogn. with L. sedere, 'to sit'. See sedentary
and cp. next word.
edaphology, n., the study of soils. - Compoun ded of Gk. 1:/ltXq:>ac;, 'soil', and -:Aaylix, fr. -A6ya<;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See edaphic and
-logy.
Edda, n., orig. name of the book written by
Snorri Sturluson (died in 1241); later used to denote ancient Icelandic poems in general. -ON.,
fr. 6or, 'spirit, mind; passion, song, poetry', rei.
to OE. wop, 'sound, melody, song', and cogn.
with Olr. fiiith, 'poet', W. gwawd, 'poem', L.
viites, soothsaye r, prophet, seer'. See vates and
cp. words there referred to.
eddy, n., whirlpool ; current of air.- ME. ydy,
prob. fr. ON. ioa, 'whirlpoo l', lit. meaning 'that
which rebounds or flows back', fr. ON. pref.
io-, 'again', which is rei. to OE., OS. ed-, OHG.
et-, it-, Goth. ip, 'and, but, however', and cogn.
with L. et, 'and'. See et. Derivative: eddy, intr. v.
ede-, form of edea- before a vowel.
edea, n. pl., the external genitals. - Fr. Gk.
tXt/loitX, 'privy parts, pudenda' , prop. neut. pl.
of tXtlloio<;, 'bashful, shamefac ed', lit. 'having
a claim to regard', fr. tX18C::.c;, 'shame, bashfulness, reverence', fr. the stem of tXtllecr111XL,
'to be ashamed, fear, show a sense of regard,
respect', which pro b. stands for *tXtcr/lecr111XL, fr.
I.-E. *aiz-d-, whence also 01. it}i (for *izd!), 'I
honor', Goth. aistan, 'to fear'. I.-E. *aiz-d- is
a-d-enlar gement of base *a is-, 'to honor, respect',
whence OHG. era, MHG. ere, G. Ehre, 'honor',
ON. eir, 'grace', OE. iir, 'honor, dignity, benefice,
prosperity , help, kindness, mercy'. Cp. the first
element in Eric.

501

edelweiss, n., a small Alpine plant bearing white

flowers.- G. Edelwei.P, compounded of edel,
'noble', and wei.P, 'white'. For the first element
see atheling, for the second see white.
edema, oedema, a swelling (med.)- Medical L.,
fr. Gk. ota't)(J.<X, 'a swelling', fr. otaiiv, otaerv, 'to
swell', which is cogn. with Arm. aitnum, 'I
swell', aitumn, 'a swelling', L. aemidus (for
*aidmo-dos or *aidsmo-dos), 'swelling', ON.
eista (for *oid-s-to-), 'testicle', eitill, 'swelling',
eitr, 'poison', OE. ator, attar, of s.m., and prob.
also with OS!av. jadu, 'poison', jadra (pl.),
'bosom'. See atter and cp. the first element in
Oedipus and the second element in myxedema.
Derivatives: edem-ic, oedem-ic, edemat-ous,
oedemat-ous, also edemat-ose, oedemat-ose, adjs.
Eden, n., in the Bible, the garden in which ~dam
and Eve first lived; Paradise.- Heb. 'Edhen,
name of the region in which lay the Paradise
(see Gen.2:8, 10, 15, etc.) The name is usually
explained as 'the place of delight', and derived
fr. Heb. 'Mhen, 'dainty, delight'; cp. Edna. U.
Cassuto in his Commentary on the Book of
Genesis, Part One, From Adam to Noah, The
Hebrew University, Jersusalem, 1961, pp. 107108, explains the name Eden-with reference
to the meaning of the base 'dn in Ugariticas 'a place that is well watered throughout'.
Derivative: Eden-ic, adj.
edenite, n., a variety of aluminous amphibole
(mineral.)- Named after Edenville, New York.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Edentata, n. pl., a group of placental mammals
including the armadillo, sloth, anteater, .etc.
(zoo/.) - ModL., neut. pl. of L. identatus,
'toothless', pp. of edentare, 'to render toothless', fr. e- and dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See
dental.
edentate, adj., 1) toothless; 2) pertaining to the
Edentata. - L. identatus, 'toothless'. See prec.
word.
Derivative: edentate, n., one of the Edentata.
edeo-, before a vowel ede-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the genitals'.- Fr. Gk.
<XLao(<X, 'privy parts, pudenda'. See edea.
edestin, n., formerly, a globulin found in various
edible seeds; now, a globulin found in hemp
seed (biochem.)- Formed with chem. suff. -in
fr. Gk. E:aea-r6<;, 'eatable' ,fr. gae~v. 'to eat'. See eat.
Edgar, masc. PN.- OE. Eadgar, compounded
of ead, 'wealth, prosperity, happiness', and gar,
'spear'. The first element is rei. to OS. od, OHG.
*ot, the second element in MHG. klein6t
(whence G. Kleinod, 'jewel, gem', lit. 'little
wealth'), ON. auor, Goth. auda-, 'possession,
property, prosperity, wealth', OE. eadig, OS.
Odag, ON. auoigr, OHG. otag, Goth. audags,
'rich'. Cp. the first element in Edith, Edmund,
Edward, Edwin, and the second element in allodium. For the second element in Edgar see
gar and cp. words there referred to.
edge, n.- ME. egge, fr. OE. ecg, 'edge; sword',

rel. to OS. eggia, ON. egg, Dan. eg, OS. eggia,

MDu. egghe, Du. eg, egge, OHG. ecka, egga,
MHG. ecke, egge, G. Eck, Ecke, 'edge, point',
ON. eggja, 'to provoke', fr. I.-E. base *ak-,
'sharp, pointed', whence also 01. asri/:1, 'edge',
Gk. &x~, 'point', &xpo<;, 'sharp', L. iicer, 'sharp,
bitter'. See acrid and words there referred to
and cp. esp. egg, 'to urge'. Cp. also the first
element in Egbert.
Derivatives: edge, tr. v., edg-ing, n., edg-ing-ly,
adv., edg-y, adj., edg-i-ness, n.
edible, adj. - Late L. edibilis, 'eatable', fr. L.
edere, 'to eat'. See eat and cp. comedo, comestible,
esculent, obese.
Derivatives: edibil-ity, n., edible-ness, n.
edict, n. - L. edictum, 'proclamation, ordinance,
edict', prop. neut. pp. of edfcere, 'to declare,
publish, ordain, decree', fr. e- and dicere, 'to
say'. See diction.
Derivatives: edict-al, adj., edict-al-ly, adv.
edification, n. - L. aedi/iciiti6, gen. -onis, 'a
building, structure', fr. aedificiitus, pp. of aedificiire. See edify and -ation.
edifice, n., a building. - F. edifice, fr. L. aedificium, 'a building', from the stem of aedificiire.
See next word.
edify, tr. v. - ME. edifien, fr. F. edifier, fr. L.
aedificiire, 'to erect a building, to build', fr.
aedes (or aedis), 'a building, sanctuary, temple',
orig. 'a place with a hearth', and -ficiire, fr.
facere, 'to make, do'. L. aedes derives fr. I.-E.
base *aidh-, 'to burn', whence also Gk. <XHl-e~v.
'to burn', <XWpii, 'the clear sky, fair weather',
<XE&~p, 'the upper, purer air, ether', t&<Xp6<;,
'clean, pure, clear', 01. inddhi, 'bursts into
'flame', Mha/:1, idhmdl), 'wood for burning',
OE. ad, OHG. eit, 'funeral pile, fire', Olr. aed,
'fire', W. aidd, 'heat, zeal'. Cp. aedile, Aethusa,
Aludel, estival, estuary, ether, Ethiop, oast. For
the second element in edify see -fy.
Derivatives: edifi-er, n., edify-ing, adj., edifying-ly, adv., edify-ing-ness, n.
edingtonitc, n., a hydrous aluminum barium silicate (mineral.) - Named after its discoverer,
Mr. Edington of Glasgow. For the ending see
subs!. suff. -ite.
edisonite, n., a variant of rutile (mineral.) Named after the American inventor Thomas
Alva Edison (1847-1931). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
edit, tr. v.- Back formation fr. editor (q.v.)
Edith, fern. PN. - OE. Eadgyth, compounded
of ead, 'wealth, prosperity, happiness', and guo,
'war'. For the first element see Edgar and cp.
words there referred to. OE. gao is rei. to OHG.
gund-, ON. gunnr, guor, 'war', and cogn. with
Gk. &e:lve:tv, 'to strike', <p6vo<;, 'murder', L.
-fendere, 'to thrust, strike'. See defend and cp.
the words there referred to.
edition, D. - F. edition, fr. L. editi6nem, ace. of
editio, 'a bringing forth, publishing', fr. edere,
'to give out, bring forth, publish', formed fr. e-

and -dere, which derives fr. diire, 'to give'. See

e- and date, 'point of time'.
editor, n.- L., 'one who brings forth, publishes',
fr. editus, pp. of edere. See prec. word and
agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: editor-ial, adj., and n., editor-ially, adv.
editress, n., a female editor. - See prec. word
and -ess.
Edmond, Edmund, masc. PN.- OE. Eadmund,
lit. 'rich protector', compounded of ead, 'prosperity, happiness', and mund, 'hand, protection'.
For the first element see Edgar. The second element is rel. to ON. mund, OHG. munt, 'hand,
protection', and cogn. with L. manus, 'hand'.
See manual and cp. mound, 'a heap of earth'.
Cp. also the second element in Osmond, Raymond, Sigismund.
Edna, fern. PN. - Gk. 'Eav<X, fr. Heb. 'ednd",
'delight', which is rei. to 'Mhen, 'delight', hit/:1'adden, 'he luxuriated', 'adhln, 'voluptuous',
ma'tidhannfm, 'dainties', Aram. 'adden, 'he
charmed, delighted', Arab. ghddan, 'luxury'.
Cp. Eden.
educable, adj. - See next word and -able.
educate, tr. v. - L. educiitus, pp. of educiire, 'to
bring up, rear, educate', rei. to educere, 'to lead
out, bring out; to bring up, rear, raise', fr. eand diicere, 'to lead'. See duke and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. educe.
Derivatives: educat-ed, adj., education (q.v.),
educat-ive, adj., educator (q.v.)
education, n. - L. educiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a bringing up, education', fr. educatus, pp. of educiire.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: education-al, adj., education-al-ly,
adv., educational-ism, n., education-al-ist, n.,
education-ist, n.
educator, n.- L., 'bringer up, rearer', fr. educiitus, pp. of educare. See educate and agential
suff. -or.
educe, tr. v., to infer, deduce; to separate from
a compound (chem.)- L. educere, 'to lead out,
bring out; to bring up, rear, raise'. See educate.
educible, adj. - See prec. word and -ible.
educt, n., 1) that which is educed; 2) something
separated from a compound (chem.) - L.
eductum, neut. pp. of ediicere. See educe.
eduction, n. - L. educti6, gen. -onis, 'a moving
out, going out', fr. eductus, pp. of educere. See
educe and -ion.
~ulcorate, tr. v., to render sweet; to free from
acid. - ML. edulcoriitus, pp. of edulcorare, 'to
render sweet', fr. e- and L dulcor, 'sweetness',
from the stem of dulcis, 'sweet'. See dulcet and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: edulcorat-ion, n., edulcorat-ive,
adj., edulcorat-or, n.
Edward, masc. PN. - OE. &dweard, compounded of ead, 'wealth, prosperity', and
weard, 'guardian'. For the first element see Edgar, for the second see ward, 'one who guards'.

effective
Edwardian, adj., 1) pertaining to Edward; 2) specif., pertaining to any of the Edwards, Kings of
England. - Formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-ian.
Edwin, masc. PN.- OE. Eadwine, compounded
of ead, 'wealth, prosperity', and wine, 'friend'.
For the first element see Edgar. The second element is rei. to OE. wine, ON. vinr, 'friend', and
to OE. winnan, 'to strive, struggle, fight'; see
win and wish and cp. the first element in Winfred and the second element in Baldwin.
-ee, suff. formed fr. AF. ( = F.) pp. suff. -e, fr.
L. -iitus. See adj. suff. -ate. The suff. is used esp.
in legal terminology. In sense, suff. -ee is correlative to the agential suff. -or (cp. donor and
donee, advisor and advisee, etc.)
eel, n.- ME. ele, fr. OE. lei, rei. to ON. iii/, OS.,
OHG., MHG. iii, G. Aal.
Derivative: eel-y, adj.
eelfare, n., the passage of young eels up a river.
- Compounded of eel and fare, 'passage,
journey'.
eelpout, n., 1) any of a group ofblennylike fishes;
2) the burbot.- OE. ielepute. See eel and pout,
the fish.
e'en, adv. - Contraction of the adverb even.
e'en, n. - Contraction of the noun even.
-een, dimin. suff. of Irish origin as in dudeen.Ir. -in.
e'er, adv. - Contraction of ever.
-eer, agential suff. - Fr. -ier, fr. L. iirius. Cp.
the subst. suffixes -ary, -er, -ier, -yer.
eerie, eery, adj., 1) timid; 2) weird.- ME. eri,
'timid', fr. OE. earg, earh, ;erg, 'inert, cowardly,
miserable', rei. to ON. argr (also metathesized
into ragr); 'unmanly, voluptuous', Dan. arrig,
arg, Swed. arg, 'malicious', OFris. erg, MDu.
arch, erch, Du. erg, 'bad', OHG. arag, arg,
MHG. arc, arg, 'cowardly, avaricious', G. arg,
'bad, wicked'. Finn. arka, 'cowardly', is a Teut.
loan word.
Derivatives: eeri-ly, adv., eeri-ness, n.
ef-, pref.- Assimilated form of Ist ex- before!
efface, tr. v. - F. effacer, fr. OF. esfacier, 'to
wipe out, destroy', lit. 'to remove the face', fr.
es- (F. e-), 'out', and VL. facia (for L. facies),
'face'. See e- and face and cp. deface.
Derivatives: efface-able, adj., efface-ment, n.
effect, n. - OF. effect (F. effet), fr. L. effectus,
'accomplishment, performance', fr. effectus, pp.
of efficere, 'to execute, accomplish, produce',
fr. 1st ex- and facere (pp. factus), 'to make, do'.
See fact and cp. feckless. For the change of
Latin ti (in factus) to e (in ef-jectus) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: effect, tr. v., effective (q.v.), effectual (q.v.), effectuate (q.v.)
effective, adj. - F. effect if (fern. effective), fr. L.
effectfvus, 'productive, effective', fr. efj'ectus, pp.
of efficere. See effect and -ive.
Derivatives: effective, n., effective-ly, adv.,
effective-ness, n.

effectual
effectual, adj. - F. effectuel, fr. Late L. effectuiilis, fr. L. effectus. See effect and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: effectual-ly, adv., effectual-ness, n.
effectuate, tr. v. - Formed on analogy of F.
effectuer fr. L. effectus. See effect and verbal
suff. -ate. Derivative: effectuat-ion, n.
effeminacy, n. - Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
effeminate, adj. - L. effeminiitus, 'womanish,
effeminate', pp. of ejfeminiire, 'to make womanish, to enervate', formed fr. 1st ex- and [emina,
woman'. See feminine and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: effeminate, n., effeminate-ly, adv.,
effeminate-ness, n.
effeminate, tr. and intr. v. - L. effeminiitus, pp.
of effeminiire. See prec. word and verbal suff.
-ate.
effendi, n., a Turkish title of respect; sir. Turk. efendi, 'master', fr. MGk. &tpbiTI) (read
ajendi), voc. of &tpvTI)<; (read ajendis), fr. Gk.
ao&ev'n)<;, 'an absolute master or ruler'. See
authentic.
efferent, adj., conveying outward (physiol.)- L.
efferens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of efferre, 'to
carry out or away; to spread abroad', fr. 1st
ex- and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to
carry', and -ent and cp. afferent.
effervesce, intr. v., to give off bubbles of gas. L. effervescere, 'to boil over, effervesce, ferment', fr. 1st ex- and fervescere, 'to begin to
boil, to bubble', inchoative of fervere, 'to be
hot'. See fervent and -esce.
effervescence, effervescency, n. - Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
effervescent, adj. - L. effervescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of effervescere. See effervesce and -ent.
effervescive, adj., tending to effervesce. - See
effervesce and -ive.
effete, adj., exhausted, worn out. - L. effetus, 'that has brought forth young; exhausted,
worn out', fr. 1st ex- and fetus, 'that has brought
forth', fr. L. base *je-, corresponding to I.-E.
*dhe(i)-, 'to suckle'. See fecund and cp. fetus.
Derivative: effete-ness, n.
efficacious, adj., effective. - Formed with suff.
-ous from L. efficiix, gen. -iicis, 'powerful, efficacious', fr. efficere, 'to execute, accomplish,
produce'. See effect.
Derivatives: efficacious-ly, adv., efficaciousness, n.
efficacy, n., effectiveness.- L. efficiicia, 'efficacy,
efficiency', fr. efficiix, gen. efficiicis. See prec.
word and y- (representing L. -ia).
efficiency, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
efficient, adj. - F., fr. L. efficientem, ace. of efficiens, pres. part. of efficere, 'to execute, accomplish, produce'. See effect and -ent. For
the change of Latin i1 (in /deere) to r (in eftrcere) see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: efficient-ly, adv.
efligy, n., portrait, image. - F. effigie, fr. L.

502

effigies, 'likeness, portrait, image', fr. effingere,

'to form, fashion; to portray', fr. 1st ex- and
fingere, 'to shape, form'. See figure and cp.
words there referred to. Derivative: effigy, tr. v.
effloresce, intr. v., to come into flower. - L. efflorescere, 'to blossom, spring up', fr. 1st exand florescere, 'to begin to blossom', fr. flos,
gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower and cp. florescent.
efflorescence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce. See florescence.
efflorescent, adj. - L. efflorescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of efflorescere. See effloresce and -ent.
effluence, n., a flowing out. - Formed fr. effluent
with suff. -ce.
effluent, adj., flowing out. - L. effluens, gen.
-en tis, pres. part. of effluere, 'to flow out', fr.
1st ex- and fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
affluent. Cp. also the next two words.
Derivative: effluent, n.
effluvium, n., exhalation, emanation. - L., 'a
flowing out, outlet', fr. effluere, 'to flow out', fr.
1st ex- andfluere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
effluent, efflux.
efflux, n., the process of flowing out. - L. efjfuxus, pp. of effluere. See prec. word.
Derivative: efflux-ion, n.
effort, n. -F., fr. OF. esforz, back formation fr.
esforcier, esforcer, 'to force, reinforce' (whence
F. s'efforcer, 'to exert oneself'), fr. VL. exforttiire, prop. 'to show strength', fr. 1st ex- and
L. fortis, 'strong'. See fort and cp. sforzando.
Derivatives: effort-less, adj., effort-less-ly, adv.
effrontery, n. impudence.- F. effronterie, fr. effronte, 'shameless, bold', fr. VL. *effrontiitus, fr.
1st ex- and L. frons, gen. frontis, 'forehead,
brow; front'. See front and -ery.
effulge, tr. and intr. v., to shine forth. - L. effulgere, 'to shine forth', fr. 1st ex- and fulgere,
'to shine'. See fulgent.
effulgence, n., radiance; brightness. - Formed
from next word with suff. -ce.
effulgent, adj., radiant; brilliant. - L. effulgens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of effulgere. See effulge.
Derivative: effulgent-ly, adv.
effuse, tr. and intr. v., 1) to pour forth; 2) to
spread. - L. effiisus, pp. of effundere, 'to pour
forth, spread abroad', from 1st ex- and fundere,
'to pour forth, shed'. See fuse, 'to melt'.
Derivatives: effusion (q.v.), effus-ive, adj., effusive-ly, adv., effus-ive-ness, n.
effuse, adj., 1) poured out; 2) spread out (said of
a flower). - L. effiisus, pp. of effundere. See
effuse, v.
effusion, n. - L effiisio, gen. -onis, 'a pouring
forth; profusion', fr. effiisus, pp. of effundere.
See effuse, v., and -ion.
eft, n., a newt (archaic.) - ME. evete, efte, fr.
OE. efeta, 'lizard', a word of uncertain origin.
Cp. newt.
eft, adv., again (archaic). -ME., fr. OE. z/t, eft,
'afterward, a second time, again', rei. to zftan,
'behind'. See aft.

503

eftsoons, eftsoon, adv., forthwith, soon afterward (archaic). - ME. eftsone(s), fr. OE. eftsana, which is compounded of eft (see prec.
word) and sona, 'immediately'. See soon.
Egbert, masc. PN. - OE. Ecgbeorht, compounded of ecg, 'edge, sword', and beorht, 'bright'.
For the first element see edge, for the second
see bright.
egeran, n., a var. of vesuvianite (mineral.) Named after Eger (now Cheb) in Bohemia.
Egeria, n., a fountain nymph, adviser of Numa
Pompilius, the second king of Rome (Roman
mythol.) - L. Egeria, a name of Etruscan
origin.
egest, tr.v., to discharge from the body. - L.
egestus, pp. of egerere, 'to bring out, carry out',
fr. e- and gerere, 'to carry'. See gerent and words
there referred to and cp. esp. ingest.
Derivatives: egestion (q.v.), egest-ive, adj.
egestion, n. - L. egestio, gen. -onis, 'a carrying
out', fr. egestus, pp. of egerere. See prec. word
and -ion.
egg, n. -ME. egg, egge, fr. ON. egg (Dan. :g,
Swed. iigg), rei. to OE. zg, ME. ei, Crimean
Goth. ada (for *addja), OS., MLG., MDu., Du.,
OHG., MHG., G. ei, and cogn. with OSlav.
aje, jaje, ajice, ajice, 'egg', Russ. jajco, W. wy,
OCo. uy, Bret. ui, Arm.ju (gen.juoj), Gk. i;)ov, L.
ovum, ofs.m. All these words pro b. mean lit. 'that
which pertains to the bird', and are cogn. with
01. vi?!, L. avis, 'bird'. Cp. the second element
in kidney. Cp. also augur, auspice, aviary, aviation, oo-, oval, ovary, ovum, the first element in
ostrich and the second element in pettitoes.
Derivatives: egg, tr. v., egg-er, n., egg-fer, n.
egg, tr. v., to incite, urge on.- ME. eggen, fr.
ON. eggja, 'to goad on, incite', fr. egg, 'edge'.
See edge.
egger, n., one who incites. -Formed fr. egg, v.,
with agential suff. -er.
egger, n., one who collects eggs. - Formed fr.
egg, n., with agential suff. -er.
egger, n., any of various moths. - Pro b. formed
fr. egg, n., with suff. -er.
eglantine, n., the sweetbrier. -F. eglantine, 'dog
rose' (the flower), fr. eglantier, 'dog rose' (the
bush), fr. OF. aiglent, 'dog rose' (the bush), fr.
fr. VL. *aquilentus, 'rich in prickles', irregularly
formed fr. L. aculeus, 'spine, prickle', dimin.
of acus, 'needle'. See acus and -ine (representing L. -Ina).
eglestonite, n., a mercury oxychloride (mineral.)
- Named after the mineralogist Prof. Thomas
Eglesron, of Columbia University in New York
(1832-1900). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ego, n . - L., '1', cogn. with OE. ic, '1'. See I,
personal pron.
egoism, n., self-interest; selfishness.- F. egofsme, formed with suff. -isme fr. L. ego. See prec.
word and -ism.
egoist, n. - F. egofste, formed with suff. -iste
fr. L. ego. See ego and -ist.

eidoDerivatives: egoist-ic, egoist-ic-al, adjs., egoistic-al-ly, adv.

egotism, n., I) excessive use of the pronoun I;
speaking much of oneself; 2) self-conceit. Formed fr. L. ego, T (see ego), with suff. -ism;
first used by the English poet Joseph Addison
( 1672-1719). The intrusive t is due to the analogy of nepotism, in which word the t is organic
(fr. L. nepos, gen. nepotis, 'grandson').
egotist, n. - See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: egot1'st-ic, egotist-ic-a/, adjs., egotist-ic-al-ly, adv.
egotize, intr. v., to exhibit egotism (rare). - See
egotism and -ize.
egregious, adj., 1) orig. prominent, distinguished;
2) flagrant; infamous. - L. egregius, 'distinguished, excellent', lit. 'chosen out of a herd',
fr. e, 'out of', and grex, gen. gregis, 'herd, flock'.
See gregarious and cp. aggregate. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Deriv<!tives: egregious-ly, adv., egregious-ness, n.
egress, n., 1) the act of going out; 2) exit.- L.
egressus, 'a going out'. fr. egressus, pp. of egredf,
'to go out, come forth, digress; to surpass, exceed', fr. e- and gradi, 'to step, walk, go'. See
grade, congress.
egression, n. - L. egressio, gen. -onis, 'a going
out', fr. egressus, pp. of egredi. See prec. word
and -ion.
egret, n., any of various herons. - ME. egrete,
fr. F. aigrette, fr. OProven<;. aigreta, 'heron',
fr. aigron, of s.m., which is of Teut. origin. See
heron and cp. aigrette.
Egretta, n., a genus of herons (ornithol.) ModL. See prec. word.
egueiite, n., a hydrous iron phosphate containing
calcium and aluminum (mineral.) - Named
after Eguel, in French Sudan. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Egyptian, adj.- F. egyptien, fr. Egypte, fr. Gk.
Atyu=o~. 'the river Nile; Egypt', fr. Amarna
lfikupta~. corresponding to Egyptian !fa(t)-ka
pta?!, one of the names of Memphis, the ancient city of Egypt. Cp. Copt. Cp. also gitano,
gypsy.
Egyptology, n., the study of Egyptian antiquities.
-Compounded of Gk. Atyurr't'o<;, 'Egypt', and
-:Aoy!ii, fr. -A6yo~. 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See Egypt and -logy. Derivative: Egyptolog-ist, n.
eh, interj. - Imitative. Cp. F. eh, G. ei.
eider, n., duck of the genus Somateria. - Fr.
Ice!. zoar (pron. aioiir), gen. of zor, whence also
OSwed. eider (Swed. ejder), Du. eider, G. Eider.
eidetic, adj., pertaining to the faculty of projecting images; vivid (psycho/.) - G. eidetisch,
coined by the German psychologist Erich
Jaensch (1883-1940) fr. Gk. dlhJnx6~. 'pertaining to images, pertaining to knowledge', fr.
d81')a~. 'knowledge', fr. d8ot;, 'form, shape'.
See eido- and -lc.
eido-, combining form meaning 'image, figure'.

eidograph
- Gk. E13o-, fr. e:I3oc;, 'form, shape', which
stands for *feT3oc; and lit. means 'that which
is seen', from the stem of l3dv, 'to see'. See
idea and words there referred to and cp. esp.
kaleidophone, kaleidoscope.
eidograph, n., an instrument for the copying of
drawings on the same or on a larger or smaller
scale. -Compounded of eido- and Gk. -yp<Xtpoc;,
fr. yp&:tpeLv, 'to write'. See -graph.
eidolon, n., a phantom. - Gk. d3wlov, 'image,
phantom'. See idol.
eight, adj. and n. - ME. eighte, eihte, fr. OE.
eahta, rei. to OS. ahto, ON. iitta, Swed. dtta,
Dan. otte, OFris. ahta, Du. acht, OHG. ahto,
MHG. ahte, G. acht, Goth. ahtau, 'eight', and
cogn. with OI. a$/li, O${du, Avestic ashta, Toch.
A okiit, B okt, Arm. ut' (for *opto), Gk. ox't"c!>,
Alb. teu: (for *okto-t), L. octo, OSlav. osmi (refashioned after the ordinal number osmu, 'the
eighth'), Lith. astuoni, Oir. ocht n-, W. wyth,
Bret. eiz, 'eight'. All these words prob. derive fr.
I.-E. *okto(u), an old dual form, orig. meaning
'twice four' (Tetradic system of reckoning!).
The rr in Elian Gk. orrTw, and the form of
Arm. ut' (for *opto-) is due to the analogy of
I.-E. *septw- (whence Gk. E:=&:, etc.), 'seven'.
Cp. also Rum. opt, 'eight' (fr. L. octo), influenced in form by 'iapte, 'seven'. The n in Olr.
ocht n- is due to the analogy of secht n-, 'seven'.
Cp. octa-, octant, octave, octet, octillion, octo-,
October, octopus, octoroon, octuple, utas.
eighteen, adj. and n. - ME. eightetene, eightene,
eihtene, fr. OE. eahtatyne, eahtatene, fr. eahta,
'eight', and -tyne, -tene, '-teen' (see eight and
-teen); rei. to OS. ahtotian, Du. achttien, OHG.
ahtozehan, MHG. ahtzehen, G. achtzehn, ON.
iittjiin, iitjiin, Swed. adertdn, Dan. atten, 'eighteen'.
eighteenth, adj. and n. - Formed fr. eighteen
with numeral suff. -th on analogy of tenth. Cp.
OE. eahtateooa, which was formed fr. eahtatyne,
'eighteen', after teooa, 'tenth'; see tithe. Cp. also
ON. iittjiindi, iitjiindi, 'eighteenth'.
eighth, adj. and n. - ME. eightethe, eihtithe, fr.
OE. eahtooa, rei. to OS., OHG. ahtodo, OFris.
achta, MHG. ahtode, ahtede, ahte, G. achte,
Goth. ahtuda, ON. iitti, 'eighth'. See eight and
numeral sutf. -th. Derivative: eighth-ly, adv.
eightieth, adj. and n. - Formed fr. eighty with
numeral suff. -th on the analogy of tenth.
eighty, adj. and n.- ME. eigteti, fr. OE. (hund)eahtatig, rei. to OHG. ahtozug, G. achtzig,
'eighty'. See hundred, eight and -ty, sutf. denoting
multiples of ten.
eikon, n.- See icon.
Eileen, fern. PN.- A name of Celtic origin (cp.
Ir. Eibh/in); influenced in form by the name
Helen.
Einsteinian, adj., pertaining to the Jewish physicist Alben Einstein (1879-1955) or his theory
of relativity. For the ending see -ian.
einsteinium, n., a radioactive element produced

504

espec. by bombardment of plutonium with

neutrons (chem.)- ModL., named after Albert
Einstein. See prec. word and chem. suff. -ium.
eirenicon, n.- See irenicon.
eisel, eisell, n., vinegar (archaic). - OF. aissil,
aisil, fr. VL. acetulum, dimin. of L. acetum,
'vinegar'. See acetum.
eisteddfod, n., annual assembly of Welsh bards.
- W., 'session', fr. eistedd, 'to sit' (fr. sedd,
'seat'), and bod, 'to be'. The first element is
cogn. with L. sedere, 'to sit'; see sedentary. The
second element is rei. to Oir. buith, 'to be',
and cogn. with OE. beon, 'to be'; see be.
either, adj., pron., conj. and adv.- ME. aither,
either, fr. OE. lighwifoer, ligoer, 'each of two,
both', for *a-gi-hwifoer, which is formed fr. a,
'ever', pref. gi- (forge-) and hwil!oer, 'whether'.
See aye, 'ever', pref. y- and whether and cp.
neither. Cp. also Du. ieder, OHG. eogiwedar,
iowedar, MHG. iegeweder, ieweder, ieder, G.
jeder, 'either, each, every'.
ejaculate, tr. v., to exclaim. - L. ejaculiitus, pp.
of ejaculiiri, 'to throw out, shoot out', fr. e- and
jaculiiri, 'to throw, hurl, cast', fr.jaculum, 'dart,
javelin', from the stem of jacere, 'to throw'. See
jet, 'to spirt forth .
Derivatives: ejaculat-ion, n., ejaculat-ory, adj.
eject, tr. v. - L. ejectus, pp. of eicere (less correctly ejicere), 'to throw out, cast out', fr. eand jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth'.
For the change of Latin ii (in jactus) to e (in
e-jictus) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: eject, n. (q.v.), ejection (q.v.),ejective, adj., ejective-ly, adv., eject-ment, n., ejector, n.
eject, n., representation of another's mind as a
copy of one's own (psycho!.) - L. 'something
thrown out', fr. L. ejectus, pp. of eicere. See
eject, v.
ejectamenta, n. pl., things thrown 011t from a
volcano in eruption.- L., 'things thrown out',
neut. pl. of ejectus, pp. of eicere. See eject, v.
ejection, n. - L. ejectio, gen. -onis, 'a throwing
out', fr. ejectus, pp. of eicere. See eject, v., and
-ion.
eka-, combining form used in chemistry to denote next in order (said of a chemical element).
- OI. tka/:1, 'one', rei. to Avestic aeva-, OPers.
aiva-, and cogn. with Cypr. Gk. oifo~, Gk. oioc;,
'alone', fr. I.-E. *oi-wos-, 'one'; cp.-with suff.
-nos-Gk. olv6c;, otvf), 'the ace (on dice)', L.
iinus, 'one', OE. iin, 'one'. See one and cp. uni-.
eke, adv., also (arch.) - ME. ec, eke, fr. OE.
eac, rei. to OS., ODu. ok, ON., Goth. auk,
OFris. iik, OHG. ouh, MHG. ouch, G. auch,
'also', and to the verb eke (q.v.)
eke, tr. v., to increase. - ME. eken, fr. OE.
eacian, ecan, iecan, 'to increase', rei. to OS.
okian, ON. auka, OFris. iika, OHG. ouhhon,
Goth. aukan, fr. I.-E. base *aweg-, aug-, 'to
grow, increase', whence also L. augere, 'to in-

sos
crease'. See auction and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also eke, adv. and ekename.
ekebergite, n., a variety of wernerite (mineral.) Named after the Swedish traveler A. G. Ekeberg, who analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
ekename, n., a nickname (obsol.)- Compounded
of eke, v., and name. Cp. nickname.
El, n., Hebrew name for God.- Heb. El, 'God',
of uncertain etymology; possibly related to e/,
'strong' (cp. e.g. Gen. 31:29 yesh {tel yiidt, 'it
is in my power'). Cp. Elohim. Cp. also the first
element in the PN.s Eleazar, Eliezer, Elihu,
Elijah, Elishah, Elizabeth, and the second element in Babel, bethel and in the PN.s Daniel,
Emmanuel, Ezekiel, Gabriel, Gamaliel, Ishmael,
Israel, Joel, Michael, Nathaniel, Raphael,
Samuel.
-el, suff., as in hovel. - OE. -el, -eta, -ele. Cp.
-le, suff. representing OE. -el, -eta, -ele.
-el, dimin. suff. of French origin. - 1) OF. -e/
(F. -eau), fr. L. -ellus (as in tunnel); OF. -ele,
-e!le (F. -elle), fr. L. -ella (as in chapel). See -le,
suff. of French origin.
-el, suff. representing OF., F. -el, fr. L. -a/is, as
in vowel (fr. L. vociilis). Cp. adj. suff. -al.
elaborate, adj., worked out in detail. - L. elaboriitus, pp. of elaboriire, 'to exert oneself', lit.
'to work out', fr. e- and laboriire, 'to work'. See
labor, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: elaborate-ly, adv.;elaborate-ness,n.
elaborate, tr. v., to work out in detail. - L. elaboriitus, pp. of elaboriire. See elaborate, adj.
Derivatives: elaborat-ive, adj., elaborat-or, n.
elaboration, n. - L. elaboriitio, gen. -onis, 'persevering labor'; fr. etaboriitus, pp. of elaboriire.
See elaborate, adj., and -ion.
Elaeagnaceae, n. pl., the oleaster family (bot.) ModL., formed fr. Eleagnus with suff. -aceae.
elaeagnaceous,adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
Elaeagnus, a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL., fr.
Gk. EA<X(<Xyvo~, name of a Boeotian plant, compounded of E:l<X[!i, 'olive tree', and &yvoc;, 'the
agnus castus'. See elaio- and agnus castus.
Elaeis, n., a genus of palms (bot.) - ModL., fr.
Gk. l::A<X(iX, 'olive tree'. See elaio-.
elaeo-, latinized form of elaio-.
elaio-, combining form meaning 'olive oil'. Fr. Gk. ~A<XLov, 'olive oil, oil', for *~AocLfov, rei.
to EA<XLiX (for *E::AocL"<X), 'olive tree'; pro b. of
Cretan origin. See oil and cp. olive. Cp. also the
second element in Thymelaeaceae.
elan, n., impetuosity, vigor.- F., 'spring, bound,
impetus', fr. earlier elans, fr. etancer, 'to throw',
fr. e- (for earlier es-, fr. L. ex, 'out of') and ML.
lanceiire, 'to throw', orig. 'to throw a lance',
fr. L. lancea, 'lance'. See 1st ex- and lance and
cp. launch, v.
elance, tr. and intr. v., to throw; to lance (poetic).
- F. elancer. See prec. word.
eland, n., a large S. African antelope. - S. Afr.
Du. eland, 'elk, eland', fr. Du. eland, 'elk', fr.

elate
early G. elend, elen ( = G. Elentier), fr. Lith.
elnis, 'hind; elk', fr. OLith. ellenis, which is rei.
to OSlav. jeleni, 'stag, hart', /ani (for *olnia),
'hind', andcogn. with W. elain, 'hind', Arm. eln,
of s.m., Gk. f;)..A6c; (for *:Av6~;), 'young deer,
fawn', and possibly also with Toch. A yiil,
'antelope, gazelle'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *eln-, -n-enlargement of base *el-,
'brown'. A -k-enlargement of the same base
appears in elk (q.v.) See also lamb and cp. next
word. Cp. also elaphine.
Elaphebolion, n., name of the 9th month of the
Attic Greek calendar (corresponding to the
second half of March and first half of April). Gk. 'EA<Xtp7J~OALwv, lit. 'month in which the Elaphebolia were held', fr. 'E:Aoctp7J~OAL<X (sci!. lep&:),
lit. 'feast of the shooting of deer', fr. EA<X<p7J~6:Aoc;,
'shooting deer', a compound of ~octpoc;, 'deer',
and -~6:Aoc;, 'throwing, shooting', which stands
in gradational relationship to ~&:AAeLV, 'to throw'.
See next word and ballistic.
elaphine, adj., pertaining to the red deer. Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr. Gk. ~<X<poc;,
'deer', which stands for *elIJbhos and is rei.
to e)..A6c;, 'young deer, fawn'. See eland, the first
element in next word and the second element in
Boselaphus, tragelaphus.
Elaphodus, n., a genus of small deer in China
(zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Gk. tA<XtpW37Jc;, 'deerlike',
formed fr. ~Aoc<po~, 'deer', with suff. -w37Js, 'like'.
See elaphine and -ode, 'like'.
Elapinae, n. pl., a sub-family of venomous snakes
(zoo!.) - ModL., formed with suff. -inae fr.
ModL. E/aps, the type genus, fr. Gk. ~Ao\jJ, a
var. of ~AAo\jJ. See ellops and cp. elops.
elapse, intr. v., to pass (said of time). -- L. e/apsus, pp. of elabi, 'to slip away, glide away, pass,
disappear', fr. e- and labi, 'to slide, glide'. See
lapse.
elasmo-, combining form meaning 'lamelliform'.
- Gk. tA<X<!]J.O, fr. tloca]J.6<;, 'a metal plate', fr.
tlii-v, 'to drive, strike'. See next word and cp.
the second element in xanthelasma.
elastic, adj., springy, - ModL. elasticus, fr. Gk.
:Aocanx6~, fr. tliiv, 'to drive', strike', which is
rel. to E::Aocuve:Lv, of s.m., and to ~Altov, 'I came,
arrived' (used as the aor. of ~PXOIJ.<XL, 'I come,
arrive'), and possibly cogn. with Arm. elanem,
'I go forth'. Cp. elasmo-, elater, elaterium and
the second element in Oestrelata and xenelasia.
Derivatives: elastic, n., elastic-ian, n., elast-icity, n., e/ast-ic-ize, tr. v., elast-ic-iz-er, n.
elastin, n., an albuminoid forming the basic constituent of elastic tissue (biochem.)- See prec.
word and chem. sutf. -in.
elastometer, n., an instrument for measuring
elasticity. - See elastic and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
elate, tr. v., to uplift. - L. eliitus, 'uplifted, exalted' (used as pp. of efferre, 'to bring out, carry
out; to raise, lift up'), fr. e- and /titus (used as
pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands for

elate
*tliitos, fr. *t/-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-,
*to!-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tollere, 'to lift
up, raise', toleriire, 'to bear, support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and words there referred to.
Derivatives: elat-ed, adj., elat-ed-ly, adv., elated-ness, n.
elate, adj., elated. - L. eliitus. See prec. word.
elater, n., an elastic filament serving to disperse
the ripe spores (bot.) - Gk. tAOtTIJp, 'driver',
fr. e)..iiv, 'to drive'. See elastic.
elaterite, n., an elastic bitumen (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. eAOt'r"f]p,
'driver' (see prec. word); so called because of
its elasticity.
elaterium, n., a purgative substance obtained
from the squirting cucumber. - L., fr. Gk.
tAOtTIJp~ov, 'squirting cucumber; drug prepared
from the squirting cucumber', prop. neut. of
the adjective tAOtTIJp~oc;, 'driving', used as a noun,
fr. tAiiv, 'to drive'. See elastic and cp. elater.
Elatinaceae, n. pl., the waterwort family (bot.) Formed fr. next word with suff. -aceae.
elatinaceous, adj. -See prec, word and -aceous.
Elatine, n., a genus of plants, the waterwort (bot.)
- L. elatine, name of a plant, fr. Gk. eAtXTLVYJ,
prop. fern. of eA&nvoc;, 'pertaining to the fir',
used as a noun, fr. eA&TIJ, 'fir', which prob.
stands for *el-1}-tii and is cogn. with Arm. elevin,
cedar', Russ, jalovec, 'gin'.
elation, n., elatedness. - L. eliitio, gen. -onis, 'a
lifting up; transport, passion; exaltation', fr.
eliitus, 'uplifted, exalted'. See elate and -ion.
elbow, n.- Prop. 'bend of the ell'; ME. elbowe,
fr. OE. e!nboga, 'elbow', rel. to ON. olnbogi,
MDu. el/enb6ghe, Du. elleboog, OHG. elinbogo,
el/inbogo, MHG. el/enboge, G, Ellenbogen, Ellbogen. See ell and bow, 'anything bent'.
Derivatives: elbow, tr. v., elbow-ed, adj., elbower, n., elbow-y, adj.
elchee, n., an ambassador. - Turk. flchi, prop.
'representative of a tribe', fr. il, 'tribe'.
eld, n., old age (archaic.) - ME. elde, fr. OE.
yldo, eldo, 'old age', fr. ald, eald, 'old'. Cp.
OHG. alti, elti, ON. elli, 'old age', and see old.
elder, n., a shrub or a tree of the genus Sambucus.
- ME. eldre, el/er, ellerne, fr. OE. ellern, ellen,
rei. to OS. elora, MLG. eire, a/re, OHG. elira
(whence G. Eller), erila (whence G. Erie), and
to E. alder and elm (q.v.)
elder, adj., older; n., an older person. - ME.
elder, fr. OE. eldra (fern. and neut. eldre), compar. of aid, eald, 'old'. See old.
Derivatives: elder-ly, adj., elder-li-ness, n., eldership, n.
eldest, adj. - ME. eldest, fr. OE. e/dest(a), ieldest(a), super!. of aid, eald, 'old'. See old and -est.
El Dorado, an imaginary country or city abounding in gold. - Sp. el dorado (pais), lit. 'the
gilded land', fr. el, masc. def. article (fr. L. ille,
'that'), and dorado, pp. of dorar, 'to gild', fr. L.
deauriire, 'to gild'. See ille and dorado.
Eldred, masc. PN.- OE. EaldrM, lit. 'great in

506
counsel', fr. eald, 'old; great', and riid, 'counsel'.
See old and read.
eldritch, adj., uncanny. - A collateral form of
Scot. elphrish, which prob. derives fr. elph, 'elf'.
See elf.
Eleanor, Elinor, fern. PN.- OF. Elienor, Alienor,
fr. OProveno;;. Alienor, a var. of Leonore (q.v.)
Cp. Ella.
Eleatic, adj., pertaining to the philosophers Xenophanes, Parmenides and Zeno, who lived in
Elea. - L. Eleiiticus, fr. Elea, fr. Gk. 'E)..eii,
name of an ancient Greek colony in Italy (now
called Velia). For the ending see suff. -ic.
Eleazar I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, Aaron's
son and successor as high priest. - Late L.,
fr. Gk. 'EAeOt~.ip, 'EAe:&~Otpoc;, fr. Heb. El'iizt'ir,
lit. 'God has helped'. For the first element see
El, for the second see Ebenezer. Cp. Lazarus.
elecampane, n., name of a plant. - OF. enule
campane, fr. ML. enula campiina. The first word
derives fr. L. inula, 'elecampane'; see Inula.
The second word is prob. a later form for L.
campiinea, fern of campiineus, 'pertaining to the
field', fr. campus, 'field'; see camp.
elect, tr. and intr. v. -- L. electus, pp. of eligere,
'to pick out, choose', fr. e- and Iegere, 'to gather,
collect, pick out, choose, read'. See lecture and
words there referred to and cp. esp. elegant.
elect, adj.- L. electus, pp. of eligere. See elect, v.
Derivative: elect, n.
election, n. -OF. (F. election), fr. L. electionem,
ace. of electio, 'choice, selection', fr. electus, pp.
of eligere. See elect, v., and -ion.
Derivatives: election-ary, adj., electioneer (q.v.)
electioneer, intr. v., to work for the success of a
candidate in an election. - Coined fr. election
by the British statesman Edmund Burke (I72997). For the ending see suff. -eer.
Derivatives: electioneer, n., electioneer-er, n.,
electioneer-ing, n.
elective, adj. -F. electi/ (fern. elective), fr. L.
electus, pp. of e/igere. See elect, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: elective-ly, adv., elective-ness, n.,
e/ectiv-ity, n.
elector, n. - L. elector, 'chooser, selecter', fr.
electus, pp. of e/igere. See elect, v., and agential
suff. -or. Derivatives: elector-al, elector-ial, adjs.,
elector-ate, n.
Electra, n., daughter of Agamemnon (Greek
mythol.) - L. Electra, fr. Gk. 'HMxTpii, which
lit. means 'shining, brilliant', and is rei. to
i)Ml<Twp, 'the beaming sun'. See electric.
electress, n. - See elector and -ess.
electric, adj. - ModL. electricus, lit. 'resembling
amber'; coined by the English physicist William
Gilbert (154o-I6o3) in 16oo to denote substances which share the quality of amber (inasmuch as they attract other substances when
rubbed), fr. L. e/ectrum, 'amber', fr. Gk. i\Ml<-.pov, of s.m., which is rei. to i)AixTwp, 'the
beaming sun', and possibly cogn. with 01. ulkd
'firebrand, meteor'. Cp. Electra.

507
Derivatives: electric, n., electric-al, adj., electrical-ly, adv., electric-ian, n., electric-ity, n., electri-fy, tr. v., electri-fi-er, n., electri-fic-ation, n.,
e/ectr-ize, tr. v., electr-iz-ation, n., electr-iz-er, n.
electricity, n. - Formed fr. electric with suff.
-ity; first used by the English physician Sir
Thomas Browne (I6o5-1682) in I646.
electro-, combining form meaning 'electric; electricity'. - Fr. Gk. 1j)..;;x-.pov, 'amber'. See
electric.
electrocute, tr. v. - Formed fr. electro- on analogy of execute, the ending of which was mistaken for a suff. Derivative: electrocut-ion, n.
electrode, n., a conductor by which an electric
current enters or leaves another medium (phys.)
- Coined by the English physicist and chemist
Michael Faraday (1791-I867) fr. electro- and
Gk. 6B6c;, 'way'. See odograph and cp. anode
and cathode.
electrolier, n., a support for electric lamps, resembling a chandelier. - Formed fr. electric
on analogy of chande-lier. Cp. gaselier.
electrolysis, n., decomposition by electricity(phys.
and chem.)- Compounded of electro- and Gk.
AOcr~c;. 'a loosing, loosening, setting free; dissolution', fr. AOc:w, 'to loose, loosen, set free; to
dissolve'. See -lysis. The word electrolysis was
introduced by Faraday (see electrode) at the
suggestion of Rev. William Whewell.
electrolyte, n., substance decomposed by electrolysis. - Compounded of electro- and -lyte.
Like the preceding word, this one was also introduced by Faraday at the suggestion of William Whewell.
Derivatives: electrolyt-ic, electrolyt-ic-a/, adjs.,
electrolytic-al-ly, adv.
electrolyze, tr. v., to decompose by electricity.Back formation fr. electrolysis.
Derivatives: electrolyz-ation, n., electrolyz-er, n.
electromotion, n., motion by electricity. - A
hybrid coined fr. electro- and motion (fr. L.
m6ti6).
electromotive, adj., pertaining to electromotion.
- See prec. word and -ive.
electron, n., I) electrum; 2) unit of negative electricity. - ModL., fr. Gk. 7,).;;x-:pov, 'amber'.
See electric and cp. next word.
electrum, n., an alloy of gold and silver. - L.
elect rum, 'amber', fr. Gk. Y,AO<Tpov. See electron.
electuary, n., a medicine formed into a pasty mass
by a combination with honey or sirup. - Late
L. electuiirium, fr. Gk. exAc:~xT6v, neut. verbal
adj. of txAdx_c:Lv, 'to lick out', fr. ex (see ec-) and
Aelzc:w, 'to lick'. See lick and subst. suff. -ary.
eleemosynary, adj., I) charitable; 2) dependent
on charity. - ML. e/eemosyniirium, fr. L. e/eemosyna, 'alms', fr. Gk. eAE:Y)fLOmJVt), 'pity, mercy'. See alms.
Derivatives: eleemosynary, n., e/eemosynari-ly,
adv., eleemosynari-ness, n.
elegance, n. - F. elegance, fr. L. clegantia, fr.
elegiins, gen. -antis. See elegant and -ce.

elephantiac
elegancy, n. - See prec. word and -cy.
elegant, adj. - F. elegant, fr. L. elegantem, ace.
of elegiins, 'choice, tasteful, elegant', a collateral
form of eligens, pres. part. of e/igere, 'to choose,
pick out'. See elect, v., and -ant.
elegiac, adj., I) pertaining to the elegiac meter;
2) used for elegies; 3) mournful.- Late L. elegiacus, fr. Gk. e)..c:yc:w:x6c;, 'elegiac', fr. E:Aeyc:[ii.
See elegy.
elegize, tr. v., to lament in an elegy; intr. v., to
compose an elegy. - See next word and -ize.
elegy, n.- F. e/egie, fr. L. elegia, fr. Gk. l;)..eydii,
'elegy', which is short for e)..c:ydii ciJ3-f), 'an elegiac song', E:Aeydii being the fern. of eAc:ye~oc;,
'elegiac', fr. n.c:yoc;, 'song of lament', which is
prob. of Phrygian origin. Cp. elogium.
element, n.- OF (F. element), fr. L. elementum,
'first principle, element'. Of the many etymologies suggested, the most probable is that
which derives the word elementum fr. *e/epantum, 'ivory letter', an ancient Latin loan word
fr. Gk. E:Ae<ptxVTOt, ace. of eAe<piic;, 'elephant;
ivory'. The change of *e/epantum to elementum
is pro b. due to Etruscan influence. See elephant.
Derivatives: element-al, adj. and n., element-ary,
adj., element-ari-ly, adv., element-ari-ness, n.
elemi, n., a fragrant raisin.- Sp. elemi, fr. VArab.
elemt, corresponding to Arab. al-liiml.
elenchus, n., a refutation. - L., fr. Gk. ~Aenoc;
(masc.), 'disproof, argument by refutation',
which is rel. to ~Aeno~ (neut.), 'blame, disgrace',
eHnc:~v. 'to disprove; to disgrace', and possibly
cogn. with Lett. langiit, 'to disgrace, abuse'. Cp.
next word.
elenctic, adj., serving to disprove.- Gk. E:'AeyxT~x6~. 'fond of cross-questioning, critical', fr.
eAe'(XC:~V. See prec. word and -ic.
Eleocharis, n., a genus of plants, the spike rush
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'delight of the marsh',
compounded of Gk. e'"A.o~, 'marsh', and x_&p~c;.
'grace, delight'. The first element is cogn. with
01. saras-, 'pond'. For the second element see
Charis.
elephant, n. - ME. elifaunl, olifaunt, fr. OF. oli-fant (F. elephant), fr. L. elephantus, fr. Gk.
eAe<pic; (gen. -txVToc;). The first element of Gk.
e'A-e<piic; appears also in Hamitic e{u, 'elephant',
whence prob. Pers. p-i/, Arab. ph-il, Mishnaic
Heb. p-i/, of s.m. The second element is an
Egyptian loan word. Cp. MEgypt. yb, 'elephant', whence Yebu (Heb. Yebh), original
name of the island Elephantine; cp. also the
second element in Heb. shen-habbfm, 'ivory',
lit. 'tooth of the elephant', and 01. {bha/:1, 'elephant'. See ivory and cp. Eburna. Cp. also
element.
Derivatives: elephantiac (q.v.), elephantiasis
(q.v.), e/ephant-ic, adj., elephantine (q.v.), elephant-aid, e/ephant-ous, adjs.
elephantiac, adj., one who has elephantiasis.- L.
e/ephantiacus, rei. to elephantiasis. See next
word.

elephantiasis

508

elephantiasis, n., a chronic diseal!e of the skin

elevat-ed-ness, n., elevation (q.v.), elevator (q.v.),
characterized by the thickening of certain parts
elevat-ory, adj.
of the body, esp. the legs. - L., fr. Gk. tAe:elevation, n. - F. elevation, fr. L. eleviitionem,
q;>O!:">rrtO!:m~, fr. tAecpii:;, gen. -O!:VTO~, 'elephant'.
ace. of eleviitio, 'a raising, lifting', fr. eleviitus,
See elephant and -iasis. According to Aretaeus
pp. of eleviire. See prec. word and -ion.
tAe:q;>O!:V't"tO!:<n<; prop. means 'disease characterized
elevator, n. - Late L. elevator, 'one who raises
by a skin resembling that of an elephant'.
or lifts', fr. L. eleviitus, pp. of eleviire. See eleelephantine, adj., I) of an elephant; 2) like an
vate and agential suff. -or.
elephant, clumsy. - L. elephantinus, 'pertaineleven, adj. and n.- ME. elevyn, en/even, fr. OE.
ing to the elephant', fr. elephantus, 'elephant',
endleofan, endlufon, endlyfon, rei. to OS. ellecp. Gk. tAe:q;>ocv-rLvoc;, 'of ivory', fr. tAeq;>iic;, gen.
'Oan, ON. ellifu, Dan. elve, Swed. elva, OFris.
-01:v-roc;, 'elephant'. See elephant and -ine (reandlova, elleva, Du. elf, OHG. einlif, MHG.
presenting Gk. -tvoc;).
einlif, eilif, eil/, G. eilf, later elf, Goth. ain/if.
Elephantopus, n., a genus of plants (bot.) These words are formed fr. Teut. *ain-, 'one',
ModL., lit. 'the elephant's foot', compounded
and I.-E. base *fiqw-, 'to be left over', whence
of Gk.l:Acpiic;, gen. -(XVTO<;, 'elephant', and rrouc;,
also Gk. Ae:(rre:Lv, 'to leave behind, leave', L.
'foot'. See elephant and -pod.
linquere, of s.m. Accordingly eleven prop.
Elephas, n., the genus of elephants. - L. elemeans 'one left over (after ten)'; cp. Lith.
phiis, a secondary form of elephantus, fr. Gk.
vienuolika, 'eleven' (lit. 'one left over'), dvylika,
tAE:cpiic;. See elephant.
'twelve' (lit. 'two left over'). For the first eleEleusine, n., a genus of grasses, the goose grass,
ment see one, for the second see loan. Cp. twelve.
the yard grass (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. 'EAe:ucrt~.
eleventh, adj. and n. - Formed fr. eleven with
gen. -i:voc;, 'the town of the cult of Demeter'.
numeral suff. -th on analogy of fourth. Cp. OE.
See next word.
endleofta, endlyfta, which is rei. to OS. ellifto,
Eleusinian, adj., pertaining to Eleusis.- Formed
ON. ellifti, Dan. elvte, OFris. andlofta, ellefta,
with suff. -an fr. L. Eleusinius, fr. Gk. 'EAe:uDu. elfde, OHG. einlifto, MHG. eilifte, eilfte,
crfvwc;, 'pertaining to Eleusis', fr. 'EAe:ucrfc;, gen.
G. elfte, 'eleventh'.
-i:voc;, town of the cult of Demeter, the goddess
elf,n. -OE. ad/, ylf, rei. to ON. alfr, OS., MLG.
of harvests. Cp. prec. word.
at/, MHG., G. alp, 'incubus'. The connection
eleuther-, form of eleuthero- before a vowel.
of these Teut. words with L. a/bus, 'white', is
eleutherarch, n., chief of an (imaginary) society
due to folk etymology. See alp, 'a demon', and
(lit. 'chief of the free'). - Compounded of
and cp. Alfred, Aubrey, eldritch, oaf, Oberon,
eleuthero- and Gk. -<px1Jc;, 'leader of'. See
Oliver. Cp. also the first element in erlking.
-arch.
Derivatives: elfin (q.v.), elf-ish, adj., elf-ish-ly,
Eleutherian, adj., delivering (epithet of Zeus). adv., elf-ish-ness, n., elf-kin, n.
Formed with suff. -an fr. Gk. tAe:u-&eptoc;, 'reelfin, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, elves; n.,
leaser, deliverer', fr. tAe:u-&e:poc;, 'free'. See
I) an elf; 2) a child. - Coined by Spenser fr.
eleuthero-.
prec. word. For the ending see adj. suff. -in.
eleuthero-, before a vowel eleuther-, combining
Eli, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, a high priest
form meaning 'free'. - Gk. tAe:u-&e:po-, eAe:uof Israel and teacher of Samuel. - Heb. 'Elf,
-&e:p-, fr. tAe:u-&e:poc;, 'free', fr. I.-E. base *leulit. 'high', from the base of 'iilti 11 , 'he ,went up,
dheros, whence also L. liber, 'free'. This base
ascended', which is rei. to Aram. - Syr. 'ali,
derives fr. base *leudho-, *leudhi-, 'people';
Ugar. 'ly, Arab. 'aid, Akkad. elii, 'he went up,
accordingly Gk. tAe:u-&e:poc; and L. fiber orig.
ascended', Heb., Aram. 'a/, Arab. aid, 'on,
meant 'belonging to the people', hence 'of legal
upon'. See aliyah and cp. Alenu.
descent'. See liberal and cp. words there reElias, masc. PN.- Gk. 'EAliic;, fr. Heb. E/iyii".
ferred to.
See Elijah.
eleutheromania, n., a frantic zeal for freedom.elicit, tr. v., to draw forth, provoke.- L. elicitus,
Compounded of eleuthero- and mania.
pp. of e/icere, 'to draw forth, elicit', fr. e- and
Derivative: eleutheromani-ac, adj.
lacere, 'to entice, allure', which is rei. to laqueus,
eleutheropetalous, adj., having free petals (bot.)'a noose, snare', de/iciae, 'delight, charm'. See
Compounded of eleuthero- and -petalous.
lace and cp. delicious, delight. For the change
eleutherophyllous, adj., having free leaves (bot.)
of Latin d (in lricere) to i (in e-licere) see abigeat
- Compounded of eleuthero- and -phyllous.
and cp. words there referred to.
eleutherosepalous, adj., having free sepals (bot.)
elide, tr. v., to leave out. - L. elidere, 'to strike
- Compounded of eleuthero- and -sepalous.
out', fr. e- and laedere, 'to hurt, injure'. See
elevate, tr. v., to raise. - L. eleviitus, pp. of elelesion. For the change of Latin ae (in /aedere)
viire, 'to raise, lift; to lighten, alleviate', fr. eto i (in e-lidere) see acquire and words there
and le1iire, 'to lighten, alleviate; to raise, lift',
referred to and cp. esp. collide.
fr. /el'is, 'light'. See lever and verbal suff. -ate
eligibility, n.- Formed fr. eligible with suff. -ity.
and cp. Levant, alevin, alleviate.
Cp. F. eligibilite.
Derivatives: elevat-ed, adj., elevat-ed-ly, adv.,
eligible, n. - F. eligible, fr. L. eligere, 'to pick

509

out, choose', fr. e- and Iegere, 'to gather, collect, pick out, choose; to read'. See lecture and
-ible and cp. elect, v. For the change of Lati 1
e (in Iegere) to i (in e-ligere), see abstinent and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: eligibility (q.v.), eligible-ness, n.,
eligibl-y, adv.
Elihu, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the name of
several personages, amongst whom the most
famous is found in the Book of Job (see chapters 32-37); he is the youngest of the four men
who visited Job. - Heb. P.!ihii, lit. 'He is my
God'. For the first element see El. Heb. hii,
'he', is rei. to Aram.-Syr. hii, Arab. hUwa,
Ethiop. we'tii, Akkad. shii, 'he'.
Elijah, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, name of the
great prophet also known as the Tishbite. Heb. Eliyytih, lit. 'The Lord is God'. For the
first element see El and words there referred to
and cp. esp. Joel. For the second element in
Elijah cp. the second element in hallelujah,
Hezekiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Matthew, Matthias,
Nehemiah, Obadiah, Zachariah, Zephaniah.. Cp.
also Elias, a shortened form of Elijah.
eliminable, adj. - See eliminate and -able.
eliminant, adj., promoting elimination (med.) L. eliminiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of eliminiire.
See next word and -ant.
eliminate, tr. v., I) to remove; 2) to exclude. L. eliminiitus, pp. of eliminiire, 'to turn out of
doors, banish', fr. e- and limen, gen. liminis,
'threshold, entrance'. See limen and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: eliminat-ion, n., eliminat-or, n.,
eliminat-ory, adj.
Elishah, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, an Israelite
prophet, disciple and successor of Elijah. Heb. P.lishii', lit. 'God is salvation', fr. El, 'God',
and yesha', 'salvation'. For the first element see
El and cp. words there referred to. The second
element is rei. to y<shii'dh, 'salvation, deliverance, welfare, prosperity', hoshfa', 'he saved'.
See hosanna and cp. the first element in Isaiah
and the second element in Joshua.
elision, n. - L. elisio, gen. -onis, 'a striking out,
elision', fr. elisus, pp. of elidere, 'to strike out'.
See elide and -ion and cp. collision.
elisor, n., a person appointed to return a jury
(law). - OF. elisour (F. eliseur), from the stem
of elire (F. e/ire), 'to choose'. See next word.
elite, n., a choice part. - F., fr. OF. eslite, fern.
of eslit, pp. of eslire (F. elire), 'to choose', fr.
L. tlectus, pp. of eligere. See elect and cp.
prec. word.
elixir, n., 1) a substance supposed to prolong life;
2) a substance supposed to change all metals
into gold. - ML., fr. Arab. al-iksir, which is
formed fr. Arab. a/-, 'the', and Gk. ~~pwv, 'dry
medicinal substance, cataplasm', fr. !;1)p6.;, 'dry'.
See serene and cp. xero-.
Elizabeth, r) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the name
of the wife of Aaron.- Late L. Elisabeth, fr.

ellipse

Gk. 'EAe:lcr01:[3e:-&, 'EAlcrot[3e:-r, fr. Heb. lfshebha',

lit. 'God is an oath'. For the first element see El.
The second element is rei. to shivedh, fern. sheva',
'seven', and to nishba', 'he swore', orig. 'he
bound himself by the sacred number seven'. See
Shabuoth and cp. the second element in Bathsheba. Cp. also Elsa.
Elizabethan, adj., pertaining to the age of Queen
Elizabeth I. - First used by Carlyle, instead of
Elizabethian, which was coined by Coleridge.
See prec. word and -ian, resp. -an.
elk, n., the largest existing deer. - ON. elgr,
rei. to OE. eolh, OHG. elaho, MHG. elhe, G.
Elch; Gk. aAK1) and L. alces, 'elk', are Teut.
loan words. The above Teut. words are cogn.
with 01. fsal), fsyal), 'buck of the antelope',
Russ. losii, Czech los, etc., 'elk'. These words
derive fr. I.-E. base *elk-, a -k-enlargement of
base *el-, 'brown'. For derivatives of *eln-,
-n-enlargement of base *-el-, see eland and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also Alces and the
first element in hellebore.
Elkanah, n., I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, name
of the father of the prophet of Samuel.- Heb.
Elqiintih, lit. 'God has created or acquired'. For
the first element see El. Heb. qiinti11 , 'he created
or acquired', from which derive qinydn, 'thing
acquired, acquisition', and miqne 11 , 'cattle', is
rei. to Aram.-Syr. q<na, 'he acquired', Arab.
qdnii, 'he acquired, procured', and prob. also
to Akkad. qanii, 'to gain, acquire'. Cp. Cain.
ell, n. - ME. ellen, eln, fr. OE. eln, rei. to OS.,
OHG. elina, ON. oln, Du. el, elle, MHG. elene,
ele, G. Elle, Goth. aleina, fr. I.-E. base *o/enii,
whence also OI. aratnil), 'elbow, ell', Gk. wAEv'IJ,
'elbow', L. ulna, 'elbow, ell', Oir. ui/e (gen.
uilenn), W. and Co. elin (for *olinii), 'elbow',
01. iiQib (for *6/ni), 'part of leg above the knee',
Arm. oln, 'dorsal vertebra, spine, shoulder',
uln, 'spine, shoulder', OSiav. /anita (for *olnita),
'cheek'. Cp.-with -g-enlargement-Lith. a/kune, 'elbow', Lith. uolektis, OSiav. /aktlti, 'ell',
Alb. IErE, Gheg lanE, 'the arm from the elbow
to the hand'. Cp. elbow. Cp. also alnage, ulna
and the first element in linchpin.
Ella, fern. PN. - Fr. earlier Ela, Ala, fr. OHG.
Alia, a name derived fr. OHG. a/, 'all', ala(as the first element of compounds), 'entirely,
quite'; see all. Quite frequently the name Ella
appears as the diminutive or pet form of
Eleanor.
-ella, dimin. suff. - L. -ella, fern. of -el/us.
ellagic, adj., rei. to the acid C 14 H 6 0 8 (chem.) F. el/agique, coined by the French chemist
Henri Braconnot (178I-1855) fr. el/ag, anagram
of galle, 'gallnut' (see gall, 'gallnut'), and -ique;
so called by him because it was first obtained
from oak galls.
Ellen, fern. PN. - An earlier form of Helen.
ellipse, n., one of the three conic sections (geom.)
- Back formation fr. L. ellipses, pl. of ellipsis,
'want, defect, omission, ellipse', fr. Gk. fAAe:Lo/L<;,

ellipsis

'a falling short, defect', fr. E:ne:lrre:Lv, 'to fall

short of, fail, omit', fr. E:v (see en-) and Adrre:Lv,
'to leave, forsake, be behind', which is cogn.
with L. linquere, 'to leave'; see relinquish and
cp. eclipse. The Pythagoreans used the word
~Me:L<jn~; if the base of a figure, that was to be
constructed so that it should be equal in area
to a given figure of different shape, fell short of
the base of the original figure. Apollonius of
Perga, 'the Great Geometer', who lived in the
3rd cent. B.C.E., applied the term ~Me:L~L~ for
the first time to denote the ellipse (in his Conica,
I I3), in reference to the circumstance that the
square on the ordinate is equal to a rectangle
whose height is equal to the abscissa, applied
to the parameter, but falling short of it; see
parabola and cp. hyperbola.
ellipsis, n., omission of one or more words (gram.)
- L., fr. Gk. eMEL~Lt;, 'a falling short, defect'.
See prec. word.
ellipsoid, n., a solid figure, all plane sections of
which are ellipses or circles; adj., pertaining to,
or resembling, an ellipsoid (geom.) - Lit.
'ellipse-shaped'. See ellipse and -oid and cp.
elliptoid.
Derivative: ellipsoid-al, adj.
elliptic, elliptical, adj., I) pertaining to, or shaped
like, an ellipse; 2) pertaining to, or characterized, by an ellipsis. - Gk. EAAe:mnx6~, 'pertaining to the ellipse', fr. eMe:L~n<;, 'ellipse'. See
ellipse and -ic.
Derivatives: elliptic-al-ly, adv., elliptic-al-ness,
n., elliptic-ity, n.
elliptoid, adj., resembling an ellipse. -See ellipse
and -oid and cp. ellipsoid.
ellops, n., 1) a serpent; 2) a kind offish.- Gk.
E!no<jl, 'fish; serpent', assimilated fr. *E:v-Am~.
lit. 'scaly', fr. E:v, 'in' (see 2nd en-), and Aorrlt;,
a collateral form of Aml~. 'scale', which is rei. to
AETCELv, 'to peel'. See leper and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also elops, Elapinae.
elm, n. - ME., fr. OE., rei. to Dan. elm, ON.
almr, Swed., Norw. aim, OHG. elme, elm, ilme
(G. Ulme is a Latin loan word), and cogn. with
Olr. !em, 'elm'. See alder, elder.
Derivative: elm-y, adj.
elocution, n., I) style of speaking in public; 2) the
art of speaking in public. - L. elocutio, gen.
-on is, 'a speaking out, utterance', fr. elocutus,
pp. of eloquf, 'to speak out', fr. e- and loquf, 'to
speak'. See loquacious and -ion and cp. eloquent,
locution.
Derivatives: elocution-ary, adj., elocution-er, n.,
elocution-ist, n.
eloge, n., a eulogy; a funeral address. - F.,
'praise', fr. earlier eulogie, fr. ML. eulogium;
influenced in form by a confusion with L. elogium. See eulogy and cp. next word.
elogium, n., I) inscription on a tombstone; 2) a
funeral address. - L., 'a short saying, maxim,
inscription on a tombstone', fr. Gk. ~M)'e:tov
(!J-hpov), 'distich consisting of a hexameter and

emasculate

510

a pentameter (the usual meter of the elegy)',

neuter of EAEYE~O~, 'of the elegy', fr. eAsyo~.
'elegy', but influenced in form by Gk. e:OAoytix,
'praise'. See elegy and cp. eulogy. Cp. also prec.
word.
Elohim, n., one of the names of God in the Bible.
- Heb. Elohfm, pl. of f6ah, 'God', of uncertain etymology; possibly enlarged fr. El.
See El. Cp. Aram. Eltih, in the emphatic state
Eliihti, Syr. Alliihti; Arab. Jltih, with the article,
Al/tihu (see Allah).
eloign, eloin, tr. v., to remove to a distance.- F.
eloigner, fr. OF. esloignier, fr. Late L. exlongiire,
elongiire, 'to remove, keep aloof', which is
formed fr. L. ex, e, 'out of' (see e-), and Ionge,
'far off', adv. of longus, 'long'. See long, adj.,
and cp. elongate.
elongate, tr. v., to make long; intr. v., to extend.
- L. elongiitus, pp. of elongiire, 'to prolong,
protract', formed fr. e- and longus, 'long'. See
long and verbal suff. -ate and cp. eloign.
elongate, adj., long and thin.- L. elongiitus, pp.
of elongiire. See elongate, v.
elongation, n., I) a lengthening; extension; 2)
something elongated. - ML. e/ongiitio, gen.
-onis, fr. L. elongiitus, pp. of elongiire. See elongate, v., and -ion.
elope, intr. v., to run away (said esp. of lovers).
- AF. aloper, fr. ME. !open, 'to run', fr. Du.
!open, which is rei. to ON. hlaupa, OHG.
h/oujj"an, louffan, MHG. loufen, G. laufen, OE.
hleapan. See leap, and cp. lope, interloper, landloper.
Derivative: elope-ment, n.
elops, n., 1) formerly, a sea fish; 2) (cap.) a genus
of fishes, the chiro (ichthyol.)- ModL., fr. Gk.
E!Ao<jJ, a var. of EAAo<jl. See ellops.
eloquence, n. - F. eloquence, fr. L. eloquentia,
'eloquence', fr. eloquens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce.
eloquent, adj., fluent, forceful. - F. eloquent, fr.
L. eloquentem, ace. of eloquens, pres. part of
eloquf, 'to speak out, pronounce', fr. e- and
/oquf, 'to speak'. See loquacious and -ent and cp.
elocution.
Derivatives: eloquent-ly, adv., eloquent-ness, n.
Elsa, fern. PN.- G., dimin. of Iisabet, fr. Late
L. Elisabeth. See Elizabeth.
else, adj. - ME. elles, fr. OE. el/es, neut. gen.
of adj., used as an adv. in the sense of 'otherwise', rei. to Goth. aljis, 'other', OHG. eli-lenti,
el-lenti, OS. eli-lendi, OE. el-lende, 'in a foreign
land', MHG. ellende, G. elend, 'unfortunate,
wretched', ON. elja, 'rival' (fern.), lit. 'the
other', and to the first element in OHG. ElisiiJJO (whence G. Elsafi, 'Alsace'), 'inhabitant of the other bank of the Rhine', and cogn.
with Toch. A iilya-k, B alye-k, 'somebody else',
Gk. &no~ (for *&A1o~;), L. a/ius, Arm. ail, Olr. aile,
W., Co. aile, 'other'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *ali-os, 'other', which is an enlargement of base *ali-, 'there, beyond'. Cp. adulte-

rate, v., agio, alias, alibi, alien, allactite, allagite,

allelo-, Allemanni, allo-, Allobroges, allotrio-,
Alsatia, alter, altercate, altruism, ataunt, aubain,
catall~tctic, diallage, hypallage, parallactic,
parallel, subaltern, synallagmatic, trophallaxis,
ulterior, ultra.
elucidate, tr. v., to make clear. - L. eliicidiitus,
pp. of elucidiire, 'to enlighten', fr. e- and /ucidus,
'clear, bright, shining', lit. 'full of light'. See
lucid and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: elucidat-ion, n., elucidat-ive, adj.,
elucidat-or, n., elucidat-ory, adj.
elude, tr. v., I) to avoid cleverly; 2) to evade.L. e/Udere, 'to delude, deceive, cheat, frustrate''
orig. 'to win from one at play', fr. e- and /Udere,
'to play'. See ludicrous and cp. elusion, elusive.
Cp. also allude, delude.
Elul, n., name of the sixth Jewish month. - Heb.
Elal, fr. Akkad. uliilu, e!Ulu, 'harvest, harvest
time', lit. 'the time when the produce of the
land is brought in', rei. to Aram. 'iiltil, 'he
brought in', iilaltti, 'that which is brought in,
produce, harvest', Heb. '61, 'yoke', Akkad. allu,
ullu, 'yoke, chain', Arab. ghti/la, 'he put in,
thrust in', ghull, 'iron ring round a prisoner's
neck at which his hands are tied'.
elusion, n. - ML. elfisio, gen. -onis, fr. L. elusus,
pp. of eludere. See elude and -ion and cp. allusion, delusion, illusion.
elusive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
elusus, pp. of eludere. See elude and cp. allusive, delusive.
Derivatives: elusive-ly, adv., elusive-ness, n.
elusory, adj. - ML. eliisorius, fr. L. eliisus, pp.
of e!Udere. See elude and adj. suff. -ory and cp.
illusory.
Derivative: elusori-ness, n.
elution, n., washing, purification (chem.) - L.
elutio, gen. -onis, 'a washing out', fr. elutus, pp.
of eluere, 'to wash out, wash off, clean', fr. eand luere, 'to wash'. See lave and -ion and cp.
alluvion and words there referred to.
elvan, n., quartz porphyry.- Co. elven, 'spark'.
elver, n., a young eel.- The same as eelfare.
Elvira, fern. PN. - Sp., of Teut. origin.
elvisb, adj. - Formed fr. elf with adj. suff. -ish.
Cp. elfish.
Elymus, n., a genus of plants, the wild rye, the
lymegrass(bot.)-ModL .,fr. Gk.eAuf.Lo~. 'a kind
of plant; millet'; which is of unknown origin.
Elysia, n., a genus of sea slugs (zoo!.) - ModL.,
fr. L. Elysium. See Elysium.
Elysian, adj., pertaining to Elysium. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Elysius, 'of Elysium', fr.
Elysium. See next word.
Elysium, n., the abode of the happy souls after
death (Greek mythol.) - L. Elysium, fr. Gk.
'HMcnov (short for 'H:AuaLov rre:8(ov, 'Elysian
plain'), a pre-Greek word of unknown origin.
See Frisk, GEW., p. 633.
elytral. adj., pertaining to an elytron. - See
elytron and adj. suff. -al.

elytro-, combining form denoting connection

with, or relation to, the vagina. - Fr. Gk. eAu-rpov, 'sheath, case'. See next word.
elytron, n., one of the hardened wings in the
Coleoptera and some other insects (entomol.)ModL., fr. Gk. ~Au-rpov, 'sheath, case', fr.
eMe:w, dAue:w, 'to roll round', which stands for
*fe:Avue:Lv or *tfe:Aue:w, fr. I.-E. base *welu-, 'to
bend, tum, twist, roll', whence also L. volvere,
'to roll'. See volute and cp. hemielytron. Cp.
also epulis, parulis.
Elzevir, adj., pertaining to the Elzevirs, a Dutch
family of printers, or to books printed or
published by them.
Derivative: Elzevir, n., a book printed by the
Elzevirs.
em, n., I) the letter m; 2) anything shaped like
an m; 3) unit of measure of printed matter;
orig. space occupied by the printed letter m.
em-, assimilated form of en- before b, m, p. Cp.
im.. , 'in'.
emaciate, tr. v., to cause to become excessively
lean; intr. v., to become excessively lean. L. emaciiitus, pp. of emaciiire, 'to make lean
to waste away', fr. e- and maciiire, 'to mak~
thin', fr. macies, 'thinness', which is rei. to
macer, 'thin'. See meager and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: emaciat-ed, adj., emaciat-ion, n.
emanant, adj., that which emanates. - L. emiiniins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of emiiniire. See
next word and -ant.
emanate, intr. v. - L. emiiniitus, pp. of emiiniire,
'to flow out, arise, proceed, emanate', fr. eand miiniire, 'to flow, run', which prob. derives
fr. I.-E. *mii-no-, 'moist, wet', whence also Mlr.
moin, 'moor, swamp', W. mawn, 'turf'.
Derivatives: emanation (q.v.), emanat-ive, adj.
emanation, n. - Late L. emiiniitio, gen. -onis, 'a
flowing out, emanation', fr. L. emiiniitus, pp. of
emiiniire. See emanate and -ion.
emancipate, tr. v., to make free. - L. emancipiitus, pp. of emancipiire, 'to declare a person
free and independent, to give from under one's
own authority into that of another', fr. e- and
mancipiire, 'to make over as property, to transfer property', fr. manceps, gen. ipis, 'purchaser,
contractor, owner', which stands for *mancap-s, lit. 'one who takes by hand', fr. manus,
'hand', and capere, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'.
See manual and captive and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. mancipate.
Derivatives: emancipat-ive, adj., emancipat-or,
n., emancipat-ory, adj., emancipat-ress, n.(rare).
emancipation, n. - L. emancipatio, gen. -onis,
'the releasing of a son from paternal authority',
fr. emancipiitus, pp. of emancipiire. See prec.
word and -ion and cp. mancipation.
emancipationist, n., an advocate of emancipation. - A hybrid coined fr. prec. word and -ist,
a suff. of Greek origin.
emasculate, tr. v. I) to castrate; 2) to weaken.L. emasculiitus, pp. of emasculiire, 'to emascu-

emasculate
late, castrate', fr. e- and musculus, 'male; manly'.
See masculine and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: emasculat-ion, n., emasculat-ive,
emasculat-ory, adjs.
emasculate, adj., 1) emasculated; 2) effeminate.L. emasculiitus, pp. of emasculiire. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ate.
embalm, tr. v.- OF. ( = F.) embaumer, fr. em-,
en-, 'in', and baume, 'balm'. See em- and balm.
Derivatives: embalm-er, n., embalm-ment, n.
embank, tr. v.- Formed fr. em- and bank, 'edge
of a river'.
Derivative: embank-ment, n.
embargo, n. - Sp., 'seizure, embargo', fr. embargar, 'to impede, restrain, seize, embargo', fr.
VL. *imbarriciire, 'to impede', formed fr. Jst
im- and *barra, 'bar, barrier'. See bar, 'rod of
metal', and cp. embarrass.
Derivative: embargo, tr. v.
embark, tr. and intr. v.- F. embarquer, fr. VL.
*imbarciire, fr. im- and L. barca, 'a small boat,
bark'. See em- and bark, 'a kind of ship', and
cp. disembark.
Derivatives: embark-ation, n., embark-ment, n.
embarras de richesse, embarrassment caused by a
surplus of riches. - F.; see next word. The
phrase is now replaced in French by embarras
du choix (lit. 'embarrassment of choice').
embarrass, tr. v. - F. embarrasser, fr. Sp. embarazar, fr. It. imbarazzare, a derivative of imbarrare, 'to impede, bar, embarrass', fr. im- and
barra, 'bar'. See em- and bar, 'rod of metal', and
cp. embargo. Cp. also disembarrass, debarrass.
Derivatives: embarrass-ing-ly, adv., embarrassment (q.v.)
embarrassment, n. - F. embarrassement, fr. embarrasser. See prec. word and -ment.
embassage, n., embassy (archaic). - See next
word and -age.
embassy, n. -OF. ambassee, fr. It. ambasciata,
'embassy' (whence also F. ambassade), fr.
OProven9. ambaissada (whence also Sp. embajaJa), fr. OProven". *ambaissa, 'service',
which is a Teut. loan word. Cp. Goth. andbahti,
OE. ambiht, OS. ambaht, ON. embztti, OHG.
ambaht(i), MHG. ambeht, 'service, office', G.
Amt, 'office'. The Teut. words themselves are of
Celtic origin, and lit. mean 'a going or driving
around'; cp. Gaul.-L. ambactus, 'servant', lit.
'one going around'. See ambages and cp. ambassador, amt.
embattle, tr. v., to prepare for battle. - OF. embataillier, fr. em-, 'in', and bataille, 'battle'.
See em- and battle.
Derivative: embattl-ed, adj.
embattle, tr. v., to provide with battlements. See em- and battlement.
embay, tr. v., 1) to shelter as in a bay; 2)toform
into bays. - Formed fr. em- and bay, 'inlet'.
Derivatives: embay-ed, adj., embay-ment, n.
embed, tr. v. - Formed fr. em- and bed.
embellish. tr. v., to adorn. - ME. embe/lisshen,

512

fr. OF. ( = F.) embe/liss-, pres. part. stem of

embellir, 'to beautify', fr. em- and bel, 'beautiful'. See beauty and verbal suff. -ish and cp.
beau, belle.
Derivatives: embellish-er, n., embellish-ment, n.
ember, n.- ME. emer, aymer, fr. OE. iimerge,
'embers, ashes', rei. to ON. eimyrja, OHG. eimuria, MHG. eimer, G. Ammern, 'embers', ON.
ysja, 'fire', usli, OE. ysle, 'glowing ashes, embers', fr. I.-E. base *eus-, 'to burn', whence also
L. urere, 'to bum'. See combust and cp. words
there referred to.
ember days, twelve days of the year, three in each
season, set aside for fasting and prayers (Roman
Catholic and Anglican Church).- ME. ymber,
fr. OE. ymbren, prop. 'recurring days', fr. ymbryne, 'a circuit', lit. 'a running around', compounded of ymb, 'round', and ryne, 'a running,
course'. OE. ymb is cogn. with Gk. &fL<pl, 'round
about', L. ambo, 'both'; see ambi-. OE. ryne
is rei. to OE. rinnan, 'to run'; see run.
embergoose, n., the loon.- Norw. imbre, 'loon',
pro b. fr. imbredage, name of the days in the week
before Christmas; so called because the bird
appears on the coast in the days before Christmas. Norw. imbredage derives fr. ON. imbrudagar, ymbrudagar, 'ember days', fr. OE. ymbren, of s.m. See ember days.
Emberiza, n., a genus of birds, the bunting (ornithol.)- ModL., fr. Swiss G. Emmeritz, which
is rei. to dial G. Emmerling and to G. Ammer,
'bunting'. See yellowhammer.
embezzle, tr. v., to appropriate by fraud.- OF.
embesi/lier, 'to ill-treat', fr. em-, 'in' (see em-)
and besillier, 'to torment', which is derived by
Skeat from the OF. pref. bes- (fr. L. bis-, used
in a pejorative sense). - I suggest that OF.
beser derives fr. OHG. bi33an, equivalent of
OE. bitan, 'to bite, sting'. See bite and cp. bezzle.
Derivatives: embezzle-ment, n., embezzl-er, n.
embitter, tr. v. - Formed fr. em- and bitter.
Derivatives: embitter-er, n., embitter-ment, n.
emblaze, tr. v., to emblazon, embellish. Formed fr. em- and blaze, 'to make known'.
emblaze, tr. v., to set ablaze. - Formed fr. emand blaze, 'to bum with flame'.
emblazon, tr. v., to adorn with heraldic devices,
etc. - Formed fr. em- and blazon.
Derivatives: emblazon-ment, n., emblazon-ry, n.
emblem, n., a visible symbol. - L. emblema, fr.
Gk. ~J-I.~A"Y)!J.X, 'insertion',lit. 'something thrown
in', fr. &JJ.~x:Me:w, 'to throw in, insert', fr. v
(see 2nd en-) and ~xAM:w, 'to throw'. See ballistic and cp. periblem, problem, symbol.
Derivatives: emblem, tr. v., emblemat-ic, emblemat-ic-a!, adjs., emblemat-ic-al-ly, adv., emblemat-ic-al-ness, n., emblem-at-ist, n., emblemat-ize, tr. v.
emblement, n., usually in the pl.: emblements,
crop; profits of a crop (law). - OF. emblaement, emblavement, 'land sown with wheat', fr.
emb/oer (F. emblaver), 'to sow with wheat', fr.

513

ML. imbladiire,fr. im-(seeim-,'in')andb/ada, 'the

yield of a land', fr. Frankish *bliid- (whence also
F. ble, 'wheat, corn'), which is rei. to OE. blatd,
'flower, fruit, harvest'. See blade and -ment.
emblic, n., name of an East Indian tree. - ML.
emblica, fr. amleg, Egyptian pronunciation of
Arab. amlaj, fr. Pers. iimleh, ultimately fr. 01.
iimlak, whence also Malay maliika, 'emblic',
which latter, according to Malay tradition, appears also in the name of the peninsula Malakka.
See Devic's Supplement to Littre's Dictionary.
P-33
,.
embody, tr. and intr. v.- Formed fr. em- and
body.
Derivative: embodi-ment, n.
embog, tr. v. - Formed fr. em- and bog.
embolden, tr. v. - Formed fr. em-, bold and
verbal suff. -en.
embolic, adj., pertaining to an embolus or an
embolism (med.) - See embolus, embolism,
and -ic.
embolism, n., 1) intercalation of a day or days in
the calendar, as in a leap year; 2) the time intercalated; 3) in med., obstruction of a blood vessel
by an embolus.- Late L. embolismus, 'insertion,
interposition', fr. Gk. &J-1.{30/-tO'!J-6~, fr. l:tJ-{3&:Mm,
'to throw in, insert'. See emblem and -ism.
Derivatives: embolism-a!, embolism-ic, embolism-ic-a!, adjs.
embolus, n., something inserted (calendar, mech.
and med.) - L., fr. Gk. l:fL{3o/-o~, 'stopper,
wedge', fr. l:J-1.{3&Me:w. See prec. word and cp.
next word.
emboly, n., invagination (embryo!.) - Gk. EJ-1.
{3oA1), 'a throwing in, putting in, insertion', fr.
l:tJ-{3&:Me:w, 'to throw into'. See emblem and cp.
embolism.
embonpoint, n., stoutness. -F., fr. en bon point,
'in good condition', euphemism for 'stoutness'.
See 1st en-, bonus and point, n.
embosom, tr. v. - Formed fr. em- and bosom.
emboss, tr. v.- Formed fr. em- and boss, 'protuberance'.
Derivatives: emboss-er, n., emboss-ment, n.
embouchure, n., mouth of a river; mouthpiece.
-F., fr. emboucher, 'to put to one's mouth; to
sound (a wind instrument)', fr. em- and bouche,
'mouth'. See buccal and -ure and cp. debouch.
embow, tr. v., to bend into a bow; to vault.Formed fr. em- and bow, 'anything bent'.
Derivative: embow-ed, adj.
embowel, tr. v.- Formed fr. em- and bowel. In
the sense 'to disembowel', the pref. em- has
been confused with OF. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out of'.
embower, lr. v., to enclose in, or as in, a bower.
- Formed fr. em- and bower, 'cottage'.
embrace, tr. v. - ME. embracen, fr. OF. embracer (F. embrasser), lit. 'to take into one's
arms', fr. em- and OF. braz (F. bras), 'arm', fr.
L. brachium. See brace, 'clasp'.
embracer, n., one who embraces. - Formed fr.
prec. word with agential suff. -er.

eme
embracer, also embraceor, n., one who attempts
to corrupt a jury (law).- OF. embraseor, embraceur, 'instigator, corrupter', fr. embraser, 'to
set on fire, instigate', fr. em- and breze (F.
braise), 'wood embers, live coals'. See braze,
'to solder', and cp. embrasure.
embracery,n., the attempt to corrupt ajury(/aw).
- Formed from prec. word with suff. -y (representing OF. -ie).
embranchment, n., a branching off. - Formed
fr. em-, branch and -ment.
embrangle, tr. v., to confuse. - A blend of embroil and brangle.
embrasure, n., window opening, splay (archit.) F., fr. embraser, 'to splay', prop. the same word
as embraser, 'to fire, set on fire'; see embracer,
'one who attempts to corrupt the jury', and
-ure. For the sense development of F. embrasure
it should be borne in mind that this word orig.
denoted an opening from which the gun was
pointed.
Derivative: embrasure, tr. v.
embrocate, tr. v., to moisten with a lotion (med.)
- ML. embrociitus, pp. of embrociire, 'to moisten', fr. Gk. l:!J.{3pox_1), 'lotion, fomentation', fr.
l:J-1.{3pexe:tv, 'to steep, foment', fr. v (see 2nd
en-) and {3pexe:tv, 'to water, wet', which is rei.
to ~pox_-f), {3pox_e:T6<;, 'rain'. See Brechites and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: embrocat-ion, n.
embroider, tr. and intr. v. - ME., fr. em- and
broider.
Derivatives: embroider-er, n., embroider-y, n.
embroil, tr. v., to confuse. ~ F. embrouiller, 'to
embroil, confuse, confound'. See em- and broil,
'to confuse', and cp. imbroglio. Cp. also embrangle.
Derivatives: embroil, n., embroil-er, n., embroilment, n.
embrown, tr. v., to make brown. - Coined by
Milton fr. em- and brown. Cp. empurple.
embryo, n. (bioi.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. l!J.{3puov,
'a new-born lamb; embryo, fetus', lit. 'that
which grows in the body', fr. v (see 2nd en-)
and {3pue:tv, 'to be full, to swell'. See bryo-.
Derivatives: embryon-al, adj., embryon-ic, adj.,
embryon-ic-al-ly, adv., embryon-y, n.
embryo-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
an embryo'. See prec. v.ord.
embryogeny, n., formation and development of
an embryo. - Compounded of embryo- and
-geny.
embryology, n., the science of the formation and
development of the embryo. - Compounded
of embryo- and Gk. -Aoy[li, fr. -).6yo<;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'.
emcee, n., master of ceremonies; tr. v., to act as
master of ceremonies for (colloq.) - Coined
fr. M.C., abbreviation of Master of Ceremonies.
erne. n., uncle (dial.) -ME., fr. OE. earn, rei. to
OFris.lm, MLG. /jme, Du. oom, OHG., MHG.

;;;JI.J

oheim, G. Oheim, Ohm, 'uncle', which stand for

W. Teut. *awahaim-, lit. 'he who dwells with the
grandfather'. The first element is cogn. with L.
avus, 'grandfather', avunculus, 'the mother's
brother, maternal uncle'; see uncle. For the
second element see home. Cp. oom.
emeer, n. -A var. of emir.
emend, tr. v., to correct. - L. emendiire, 'to correct, improve, emend', fr. e- and menda, 'defect,
blemish'. See amend.
emendation, n.- L. emendiitio, 'correction, emendation', fr. emendiitus, pp. of emendtire. See
prec. word and -ation.
emendatory, adj., pertaining to emendation. Late L. emendtitorius, fr. L. emendiitus, pp. of
emendiire. See emend and -atory.
emerald, n., a bright-green precious stone. ME. emeraude, fr. OF. esmera/de, esmeraude (F.
emeraude), fr. L. smaragdus (whence also It.
smeraldo, Sp. esmera/da), fr. Gk. O"(L<ipet.ySo<;;,
[L&pet.ySo.;, 'emerald', which is of Sem. origin.
Cp. Heb. biireqeth, Akkad. barraqtu, 'emerald',
lit. 'something flashing', a derivative of Heb.
biirtiq, resp. Akkad. birqu, 'lightning', which are
rei. to Aram. btraq, barqti, Arab. barq, 'lightning', Heb. btirtiq, Aram. btraq, Arab. btiraqa,
Ethiop. bartiqa, 'it flashed, glistened', Akkad.
bartiqu, 'to flash'. Cp. OI. marakatam, Pers.
zumurrud (whence Turk. ziimriid, whence Russ.
izumrud), 'emerald', which are also Sem. loan
words. Cp. also smaragd, which is a doublet of
emerald. Cp. also Esmeralda.
Derivative: emerald, adj.
emeraldine, n., a dark green dye. - Formed fr.
prec. word with suff. -ine (representing Gk.- t'voc;).
emerge, intr. v., to rise from a fluid, to appear. L. emergere, 'to come forth, come up, rise, extricate oneself', fr. e- and mergere, 'to dip, immerse, plunge'. See merge and words there referred to and cp. esp. emersion.
emergence, n. - Late L. emergentia, fr. L. emergens, gen. -entis. See emergent and -ce.
emergency, n. - Late L. emergentia. See prec.
word and -cy.
emergent, adj., emerging. - L. emergens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of emergere. See emerge and
-ent.
Derivatives: emergent, n., emergent-ly, adv.
emeritus, adj., retired, but retaining one's title.L. emeritus, 'a veteran; a soldier who has
served his time', prop. pp. of emereri, 'to obtain
by service, earn, deserve', fr. e- and mereri, 'to
earn, gain, acquire, deserve'. See merit.
emerods, n., hemorrhoids (archaic.) - OF. emmeroides. See hemorrhoids.
emersion, n. - L. emersus, pp. of emergere. See
emerge and -ion.
emery, n., a hard variety of corundum. - OF.
emeril (F. emeri), fr. It. smeriglio, fr. MGk.
crJ.Lijpt, fr. Gk. O"(J.Uptc;, 'emery powder', which is
prob. borrowed fr. Heb. shtimtr, 'adamant;
emery'; see Jer.17: 1, Ezek.3:9, Zech. 7:12. See

Encyclopaedia Biblica by Cheyne and Black,

I, 63-64. Cp. Amyris, moray, Muraena. - E.
smear is not cognate.
Derivative: emery, tr. v., to cover, or rub, with
emery.
Emery, also spelled Emmery, masc. PN.- Prob.
fr. OF. Aimeri, fr. OHG. Amalric, Amelric
(whence also G. Emmerich), lit. 'work ruler', fr.
amal, 'work', and Teut. *rik-, 'ruler'. For the
first element cp. the first element in Milicent.
The second element is related to OHG. rihhi,
'powerful, rich'. See rich and cp. words there
referred to.
emesis, n., vomiting (med.) - Medical L., fr.
Gk. l[L&cnc;, 'vomiting', fr. t).L&tv. See next word.
emet-, form of emeto- before a vowel.
emetic, adj., causing vomiting. - L. emeticus,
fr. Gk. t(L&TLx6c;, 'provoking sickness', fr.
lp.eoc;, 'vomiting', fr. &p.&tv, 'to vomit, throw
up', which stands for *fep.dv, fr. I.-E. base
*wem-, 'to spit, vomit', whence also L. vomere,
'to vomit'. See vomit and cp. Emys.
Derivative: emetic, n., a substance that causes
vomiting.
emeto-, before a vowel emet-, combining form
meaning I) vomiting; 2) emetic (med.) - Fr.
Gk. !:(L&Toc;, 'vomiting'. See emetic.
emeute, n., a riot.- F., 'riot', fr. VL. *exmovita,
fern. pp. of *exmovere, 'to eet in motion', used
as a noun, fr. Ist ex- and movere, 'to move'.
See move.
-emia, -aemia, suff. denoting a certain, usually
diseased, condition of the blood, as in hydremia,
leukemia (med.) - Gk. -et.Lp.lii, fr. et.Tp.et., gen.
et.(Let.Toc;, 'blood'. See hemal and -ia.
emiction, n., urination. - Formed fr. e- and
mictus, pp. of mingere, 'to make water'. See
micturition.
emigrant, adj. - L. emigrtins, gen. -antis, pres.
part. of emigrtire. Sec next word and -ant.
Derivative: emigrant, n.
emigrate, intr. v. - L. emigrtitus, pp. of emigrtire, 'to move away, remove, emigrate', fr. eand migriire, 'to move, migrate'. See migrate.
Derivatives: emigration (q.v.), emigrat-ive, emigrat-ory, adjs.
emigration, n. - Late L. emigriitio, gen. -onis,
fr. L. emigriitus, pp. of emigrtire. See prec. word
and -ion.
emigre, n., an emigrant; specif., a person compelled to leave France during the French Revolution.- F., pp. of emigrer, 'to emigrate', fr.
L. emigriire. See emigrate.
Emil, Emile, masc. PN.- G. Emil, fr. F. Emile,
fr. L. Aemilius, name of a Roman gens, fr. aemulus, 'imitating, rivaling', fr. aemultiri, 'to
strive to equal'. See emulate and cp. Emilia.
Emilia, Emily, fern. PN. - F. Emilie, fr. L. Ae
milia, fern. of Aemi/ius. See prec. word.
eminence, n. - L. eminentia, 'prominence, eminence', fr. iminens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.

1
.

'I

eminent, adj., I) high; 2) exalted.- L. eminens,

gen. -entis, pres. part. of eminere, 'to stand out,
project; to be eminent', fr. e- and I.-E. base
*men-, 'to stand out, project'. See mount, 'hill,
mountain' and -ent and cp. imminent, prominent.
Derivative: eminent-ly, adv.
emir, n., I) an Arabian prince; 2) a title given
Mohammed's descendants through his daughter
Fatima.- Arab. amir, 'commander', fr. amara,
'he commanded'. See amoraim and cp. ameer,
admiral, omrah.
emissary, n. and adj. - L. emissiirius, 'one sent
out', fr. emissus, pp. of emittere. See emit and
-ary.
emission, n. - L. emissio, gen. -onis, 'a sending
out', fr. emissus, pp. of emittere. See emit and
-ion.
emissive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
emissus, pp. of emittere. See next word.
Derivative: emissiv-ity, n.
emit, tr. v., I) to send out; 2) to utter; 3) to issue.- L. emittere, 'to send out, send forth, let
out, emit', fr. e- and mittere, 'to send'. See mission.
Emma, fern. PN. - G., fr. Erma, contracted
from names beginning with Erm- (e.g. Ermentrud, q.v.) Cp. Irma.
Emmanuel, masc. PN. - Gk. 'EfJ.fJ.<XVOU~A, fr.
Heb. 'lmmiinillil, lit. 'God is with us'. See Immanuel.
emmenic, adj., capable of menstruation (med.)
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. ~fJ.(L)jVet., 'the menses', fr. tv (see 2nd en-), and (L~v, gen. f1.YjV6~,
'month'. See meno-, and cp. catamenia.
emmenology, n., that part of medicine which
treats of menstruation. --Compounded of Gk.
Z(L(J.YjVIX, 'the menses', and -),oy[ii, fr. -A6yo~.
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See emmenic and
-logy.
Emmentaler cheese, often shortened to emmentaler, n. - G. Emmenta/er Kiise, 'Emmentalcr
cheese', prop. 'cheese of the valley of the Great
Emmen, in Switzerland'. The second clement in
Emmentaler derives fr. G. Tal, 'valley'; see dale.
emmer, n., amclcorn.- Dial. G. Emmer, a var.
of Amelkorn. See amelcom.
emmet, n., an ant (archaic). - ME. emete, emte,
fr. OE. limete, 'ant'. See ant.
emmetropia, n., the normal refractive condition
of the eye (med.) - Medical L., compounded
of Gk. EfJ.(LETpo~. 'in measure', and w<)i, gen.
wrr6c;, 'eye'. The first element is formed fr.
iv, 'in' (see 2nd en-), and [L.hpov, 'measure';
see meter, 'poetical rhythm'. For the second element see -opia.
Derivative: emmetrop-ic, adj.
emodin, n., a compound obtained from rhubarb
(chem.)- Formed with chem. suff. -in fr. ModL.
(Rheum) imOdi, 'Turkey rhubarb', lit. 'rhubarb
of the Himalaya', fr. Gk. 'H[Lw36.;, 'the Himalaya'.

........ t"''"''-''"'

emollient, adj., softening, soothing. - L. emolliens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of imollire, 'to
soften, soothe', fr. e- and mol/ire, 'to soften',
fr. mol/is, 'soft'. See mollify and -ent.
Derivative: emollient, n., a soothing medicine.
emolument, n., gain; salary, fees. - L. emolumentum, 'gain, profit, advantage', orig. 'miller's
fee for grinding', fr. emolere, 'to grind out', fr.
e- and molere, 'to grind'. See meal, 'edible
grain', and -ment.
emotion, n. - F. emotion, formed fr. emouvoir,
'to move, stir up (a passion), to affect, touch',
orig. 'to set in motion', after the relation of F.
motion (see motion) to mouvoir, 'to move'. F.
emouvoir derives fr. OF. esmovoir, fr. VL. *exmovere, which corresponds to L. emovere, 'to
move out, move away; to stir up, agitate'. See
e-, resp. 1st ex-, and move.
Derivatives: emotion-al, adj., emotion-al-ism,
n., emotion-al-ist, n., emotion-al-ity, n., emotional-ize, tr. v., emotional-ly, adv.
emotive, adj., causing emotion.- Formed with
suff. -ive fr. L. emotus, pp. of emovere, 'to move
out, remove'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: emotive-ly, adv., emotive-ness, n.,
emotiv-ity, n.
empanel, impanel, tr. v. -OF. empaneller. See
em- and panel.
Derivative: empanel-ment, n.
empathy, n., sympathetic understanding of another person or an object (psycho{.) - Gk.
&[Lrr&.&eLet., 'affection, passion', fr. &p.rret.&~<;;. 'in
a state of emotion, much affected', fr. E:v (see
2nd en-) and rr&&oc;, 'feeling' (see -pathy); used
as a loan translation of G. Einfiihlung, which
was coined by the German philosopher Rudolf
Hermann Lotze (I8J7-8I) in Mikrokosmus
(I858), fr. ein, 'in, into', and Fiihlung' 'feeling'.
emperor, n. - OF. empereor (F. empereur), fr.
L. imperiitorem, ace. of impertitor, 'ruler, commandor, emperor', fr. imperii/us, pp. of impertire, 'to command', fr. 1st im- and pariire,
'to prepare'. See pare and cp. imperative, imperator, empire, empress.
Empetraceae, n. pl., the crowberry family (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. Empetrum with suff.
-aceae.
empetraceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
Empetrum, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. E:p.rrETpov, 'sea heath', prop. fern. of
the adj. i!p.rrepoc;, 'growing on rocks', used
as a noun, fr. &v, 'in' (see 2nd en-), and rr<hFi,
'rock'. See petro-.
emphasis, n., stress. - L., fr. Gk. EfJ.?et.O"L<;;, 'outward appearance; reflection; significance, emphasis', fr. EfL?~lvetv, 'to exhibit, display, indicate', which is formed fr. iv, 'in' (see 2nd
en-), and tpet.lveLv, 'to show'. See phantasm and
cp. phase. Cp. also emphatic.
Derivative: emphas-ize, tr. v.
emphatic, adj., I) expressed with emphasis;
2) clear, definite. - Gk. l!J.q:>et.nx6c;, 'expres-

empnysema

516

'to undertake', fr. L. im-, 'in', and prehendere,

sive, forcible', prop. 'exhibited, displayed', fr.
prendere, 'to take'. See em- and prehensile and
E[L<pct[vELv. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: emphatic-al-ly, adv.
cp. enterprise, impresa. The word emprise was
emphysema, n., a condition caused by the abfirst used in English by Spenser.
emption, n., purchase. - L. emptio, gen. -onis,
normal presence of air in the lungs or of gas
'a buying, purchase', fr. emptus, pp. of emere,
in the body tissues (med.) - Medical L., fr.
'to buy'. See exempt and -ion and cp. preGk. [Ltpikl)[Lct, 'inflation', fr. E[Lcpucriiv, 'to blow
in', fr. ev (see 2nd en-), and cpucriiv, 'to blow',
emption, redemption.
fr. cp;:Jcra, 'wind, blast, bladder', from the. I.-E.
empty, adj. - ME. emtie, empti, fr. OE. li!metig,
li!mtig, 'vacant, free, idle', formed with suff. -ig
imitative base *pu-, *phil-, 'to blow, swell'
(whence E. -y) fr. li!metta, 'leisure'. This latter
whence also L.pustula, 'blister, pimple, pustule'.
See pustule and cp. Physalia, Physeter. For the
is formed fr. priv. li!- and the stem of (ge)mot,
'meeting'. See moot, meet. For the excrescent p
ending see suff. -rna.
cp. glimpse, sempstress, etc.
empire, n. --F., fr. OF. empirie, fr. L. imperium,
Derivatives: empty, n. and tr. and intr. v., emp'command, authority; sovereignty, dominion,
empire', which is rei. to imperare, 'to command'.
ti-er, n., empti-ness, n.
empurple, to make purple. - Coined by Spenser
See emperor.
empiric, I) adj., derived from, or guided by, ex- fr. em- and purple. Cp. embrown.
perience or experiment; 2) n., one of an ancient
empyema, n., accumulation of pus in a cavity of
the body (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. E[L7tU1J
Greek sect of physicians who relied only upon
experience. - L. empiricus, fr. Gk. t[Lrre:Lptx6c;,
fLO!:, 'suppuration', fr. E[Lrrue:~v. 'to suppurate',
fr. v (see 2nd en-) and miov (for *rrucrov),
'experienced', fr. ~[Lrre:tpoc;, 'experienced', fr. v
(see 2nd en-) and rreTpiX, 'trial, experiment'. See
'matter'. See pus and -rna.
pirate and -ic and cp. metempiric.
Derivative: empyem-ic, adj.
empyreal, adj., I) heavenly, sublime; 2) formed
Derivatives: empiric-al, adj., empiric-al-ly, adv.,
from pure fire.- Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
empiric-ism, n., empiric-ist, n.
emplacement, n. I) a placing in position; 2) (mil.)
ML. empyrius, empyreus, fr. Gk. E[LrrUptoc;,
a platform for guns. - F. emplacement, 'place,
~[Lrrupoc;, 'fiery', fr. ev, (see 2nd en-) and mip,
situation', formed fr. en, 'in', and placer, 'to
gen. rrup6~. 'fire'. See pyre and cp. empyreuma.
place', fr. place, 'place'. See em-, place and
empyrean, adj., empyreal. - See prec. word
-ment.
and -an.
emplane, tr. v., to embark on an airplane. Derivative: empyrean, n., the highest heaven.
Formed fr. em- and plane, 'airplane'.
empyreuma, n., the odor of organic substances
employ, tr. v.- F. employer, fr. L. impliciire, 'to
burned in close vessels (chem.) - ModL., fr.
infold, involve, include'. See imply, which is a
Gk. t[L1t'UpU[LIX, 'a live coal covered with ashes',
doublet of employ. Derivatives: employ-ed, adj.,
fr. t[Lrrupe:ue:tv, 'to set on fire', fr. !![Lrrupo~. See
empyreal and -rna.
employee (q.v.), employ-er, n., employ-ment, n.
employ, n.- F. emploi, 'employ, employment',
empyreumatic, adj. - Formed with suff. -ic fr.
back formation fr. employer. See employ, v.
Gk. t[L1t'Upe:u[Lct, gen. t[Lrrupe:u[La:To<;;. See prec.
employee, employe, n. - F. employe, 'employed,
word.
pp. of employer. See employ, v., and -ee.
emu, n., a large bird of Australia. - Shortened
empoison, tr. v. -F. empoisonner. See em- and
fr. Port. ema di gei, 'crane of the ground'; so
poison.
called because the emu cannot fly. Port. ema is
emporium, n., a trading place; a center of trade.
a loan word fr. Moluccan erne.
emulate, tr. v., to try to equal or surpass. - L.
- L., fr. Gk. t[Lrr6ptov, 'a trading place,
aemuliitus, pp. of aemuliiri, 'to strive to equal,
market', prop. neut. of E[Lrr6ptoc;, 'pertaining
to trade', used as a noun, fr. !![Lrropoc;, 'traveler;
vie with, emulate,' fr. aemulus, 'striving to
equal, rivaling', which stands in gradational
trader, merchant', fr.v (see 2nd en-), and rr6p<-<;,
'passage, way, road', which stands in gradational
relationship to imitiiri, 'to copy, imitate', imago,
'representation, likeness, image'. See image,
relationship to rrdpe:tv (for *rrp-Ltv), 'to pierce,
cross, traverse, go through'. See fare, 'to prosimitate and verbal suff. -ate and cp. emulous,
per', and cp. words there referred to.
Emil, Emilia. Cp. also even, adj.
Derivatives: emulation (q.v.), emulat-ive, adj.,
empower, tr. v. - Formed fr. em- and power.
empress, n.- ME. emperesse, fr. OF. emperesse,
emulative-ly, adv., emulator (q.v.), emulat-ory,
fern. of empereor, 'emperor'. See emperor and
adj.
-ess.
emulation, n. - L. aemulatio, gen. -Onis, fr.
empressement, n., zeal, eagerness.- F., fr. s'emaemuliitus, pp. of aemuliiri. See prec. word and
presser, 'to be eager, be ardent', fr. em- and
-ion.
presser, 'to press'. See press, v., and -ment.
emulator, n. - L. aemuliitor, fr. aemuliitus, pp.
emprise, emprize, n., enterprise, adventure (arof aemuliiri. See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
chaic). -OF. emprise, prop. fern. pp. of ememulgent, adj., draining, purifying (applied to
prendre, used as a noun, fr. VL. *imprendere,
renal vessels). - L. emu/gens, gen. -entis, pres.

517

..

part. of emulgere, 'to milk out, drain out'. See

milk and -ent and cp. emulsify, emulsion.
Derivative: emulgent, n., I) renal vessel; 2)
(pharm.) a medicine exciting the flow of bile.
emulous, adj., trying to equal or surpass another.
- L. aemulus. See emulate. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: emulous-ly, adv., ,emulous-ness, n.
emulsify, tr. v., to convert into an emulsion.L. emu/sus, pp. of emulgere. See emulgent and
-fy. Derivatives: emulsifi-able, adj., emulsifi-ability, n., emulsifi-er, n.
emulsion, n., a milky fluid. - ModL. emulsio,
gen. -onis, fr. L. emu/sus, pp. of emulgere. See
emulgent and -ion and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: emulsion-ize, tr. v.
emulsive, adj. - Formed fr. L. emu/sus, pp. of
emulgere. See emulgent and -ive.
emunctory, adj., excretory; n., any organ of the
body carrying off waste. - Late L. emiinctorium, 'a pair of snuffers', fr. L. emunctus, pp. of
emungere. 'to blow the nose', fr. e- and mungere, 'to blow the nose'. See mucus and -ory.
Emys, n., a genus of turtles (zoo/.) - ModL., fr.
Gk. E[Luc;, gen. E[Lu8oc;, 'fresh water turtle',
which is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands
for *fe:[Luc; and is a derivative fr. I.-E. base
*wem-, 'to spit, vomit', whence also Gk. t[Le:Lv,
'to vomit', and is so called from the bubbles
emitted by the animal under the water. See
emetic and cp. the second element in Chrysemys.
en, n., I) the letter n; 2) anything resembling the
letter n .
en- (em- before p, b, m), pref. meaning 'in, into'.
-OF., F. en-, em-, fr. L. in-, -im;; see 1st in-.
This pref. is often used to form verbs from
English nouns, in which case the pref. en- means
'to put into' (cp. embay, embed, enshrine). It
is also added to English adjectives and nouns
to form causative verbs (cp. embitter, enable,
ennoble, enslave).
en- (em- before p, b, m; el- before I; er- before
r), pref. meaning 'near, at, in'. - Fr. Gk. ev,
'in', which is cogn. with L. in. See 1st in- and
cp. prec. pref. Cp. also Gk. .;, d<;; (for ev~).
'into', lcrw, Ion. e:rcrw (for *lvcrw), 'in, within',
and see eso-, esoteric.
-en, suff. forming the plural of some nouns, as
in brethren, children, oxen. - ME. -en, fr.
OE. -an.
-en, the pp. ending of many strong verbs, as in
broken, spoken, written. - ME., fr. OE. -en,
cogn. with OI. -na.
-en, old fern. suff. - OE. -en as in wylfen, 'shewolf', fyxen, 'she-fox'; rei. to G. -in. Cp. vixen.
-en, suff. forming adjectives from nouns, meaning 'made of', as in golden, woolen, oaken. ME., fr. OE., rei. to OS., ON. -in, OHG. -in, G.
-en, Goth. -eins, and cogn. with L. -inus, Gk.
-ivo~. Cp. adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus,
resp. Gk. -tvo~).

encaenia
-en, suff. forming verbs from adjectives and
nouns, as deepen, darken; lengthen, strengthen.
- ME. -en, -ien, fr. OE. -nian.
enable, tr. v. -Formed fr. rst en- and able.
Derivatives: enabl-er, n., enabl-ing, adj.
enact, tr. v., to make into an act. - Formed fr.
Ist en- and act. Derivatives: enact-ion, n., enactive, adj., enact-ment, n., enact-or, n.
Enaliosauria, n. pl., a group of extinct gigantic
marine reptiles (paleontol.) ModL., lit.
'marine lizards', compounded of Gk. v0.to<;,
'of the sea', and cra:upo~, 'lizard'. The first element is formed fr. EV (see 2nd -en) and &A<;;,
gen. OC).6~ (fern.), 'sea'. See halieutic. For the
second element see sauro-.
enam, n., land exempt from rent or with favorable rent (Hindu law). - Hind. in'iim, borrowed, through the medium of Persian, fr.
Arab. in' am, 'benefit, favor', inf. of an'ama, 'he
granted a favor, favored', IV (i.e. causative)
form of rui'ima, 'was easy or pleasant', which is
rei. to Heb. nii'lm, 'was pleasant or lovely',
nii'fm, 'pleasant, lovely'. Cp. the Hebrew PN.s
Na'iimdh, Na'iimdn, No'omf, which all derive
from the stem of the verb nii'em, and see
Naaman, Naomi.
enamdar, n., holder of an enam (India). - Hind.
in'amdiir, fr. Pers. inamdiir, a hybrid coined fr.
Arab. in'dm (see prec. word) and Pers. -dar,
'holder, possessor'. See aumildar and cp. words
there referred to.
enamel, tr. v. - ME. enamelen, fr. AF. enamayller, fr. Ist en- and amayl, fr. OF. esmail (F.
email), which is a Teut. loan word. Cp. OHG.
smelzen, OE. me/tan, 'to melt', and see melt,
smelt.
Derivatives: enamel, n., enama/(1)-er, n., enamel(1}-ing, verbal n.
enamor, enamour, tr. v.- OF. enamourer, fr. 1st
en- and amour, 'love', fr. L. amorem, ace. of
amor. See amorous.
Derivatives: enamo(u)r-ed, adj., enamo(u)r-edness, n.
enanthema, n., an eruption on a mucous membrane (med.) - Medical L., fr. 2nd en- and
Gk. &v-lh)[Lot, 'efflorescence', fr. &v&oc;, 'flower'.
See anther and cp. exanthema.
enantio-, combining form meaning 'opposite'.Gk. SvOI:\I't"LO-, fr. evo:v..-(o<;;, 'opposite'' fr. v (see
2nd en-), and ciV"Tloc;, 'opposite', fr. cin(, 'over
against, opposite'. See anti-.
enantiopathy, n., allopathy. - Fr. Gk. eva:vTtorriX-lH}~. 'of COntrary properties', fr. SvOI:V't"LO~,
'opposite', and mi&oc;, 'suffering'. See enantioand -pathy and cp. allopathy, homeopathy.
enarthrosis, n., a ball-and-socket joint (anat.) Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr. Gk.
lva:p&poc;, 'jointed', fr. v (see 2nd en-) and
&p&pov, 'joint'. See arthro-, and cp. arthritis.
en bloc, in a lump. - F., fr. en, 'in', and bloc,
'block, lump'. See ut en- and block.
encaenia, n., annual ceremony of the dedication

518

en cage

of a church; also annual ceremony at the University of Oxford, in commemoration of the

founders and benefactors.- L., 'a dedication',
fr. Gk. yx.cdvtcx, 'feast of dedication', lit. 'feast
of renovation', fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and x.cxtv6<;,
'new'. See recent and cp. kainite and words
there referred to.
encage, tr. v., to shut up in, or as in, a cage. Formed fr. 1st en- and cage.
encamp, intr. and tr. v. -Formed fr. 1st en- and
camp. Derivative: encamp-ment, n.
encase, tr. v., to put into a case. - Formed fr.
1st en- and case, 'chest'. Cp. enchase.
Derivative: encase-ment, n.
encash, tr. v. -Formed fr. 1st en- and cash.
Derivative: encash-ment, n.
encarpus, n., an ornament consisting of a festoon
of fruits, leaves, flowers, etc. - ModL., fr. Gk.
fyx.cxprro<;, 'containing fruit', fr. ev (see 2nd
en-) and x.cxprr6<;, 'fruit'. See carpel.
encaustic, adj., burnt in; prepared by heat. Lit., 'burnt in'; fr. Gk. l:yx.cxucrnx.6<;, fr. ~y
x.cxucrTo<;, verba) adj. of eyx.cx[e:w, 'to burn in', fr.
ev (see 2nd en-)and x.cxle:tv, 'to bum'. See caustic.
encaustic, n. - L. encaustica, fr. Gk. eyx.cxucrTtx.~
(sci I. TEXV"I)), 'encaustic art', fern. ofeyx.cxucrnx.6<;.
See caustic, adj.
-ence, suff. forming abstract nouns denoting
action, process, state, or quality. - L. -entia,
either directly or through the medium of F.
-ence. L. -entia derives fr. -ens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. suff. of the verbs of the second and third
conjugations. See -ent and -ce and cp. -ance.
Cp. also -ency.
enceinte, adj., pregnant (said of a woman). F., fr. Late L. incincta (whence also It. incinta,
OProven~. encencha), lit. 'without a girdle', fr.
L. priv. pref. in- and cincta, fern. of cinctus, pp.
of cingere, 'to gird'. See in-, 'not', and cincture.
enceinte, n., enclosure of a fortress. - F., fern.
pp. of enceindre, 'to gird, surround', fr. L. incingere, of s.m., which is formed fr. in-, 'in', and
cingere, 'to gird'. See cincture and cp.prec. word.
Enceladus, n., a hundred-armed giant, who fought
against the gods; Zeus hurled Mount Etna upon
him (Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. 'Eyx.e)..cxoo~.
Encelia, n., a genus of plants, the brittlebush
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. eyze)..e:LOV, 'a little eel',
dimin. of ~yze:)..u~, 'eel'; so called in allusion
to the shape of the seeds. Gk. ~yze:)..u~ is of
uncertain origin. It possibly means, 'the snakelike fish', and is a blend of Gk. l:zt<;, 'viper',
and the I.-E. base appearing in L. anguis,
'snake'. See anguine and cp. the first element in
Enchelycephali, For sense development cp. L.
anguilla, 'eel', prop. 'the snakelike fish', fr. anguis, 'snake' (see Anguilla).
encephalic, adj., pertaining to the brain. Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. Eyx.e<pcxA.o<;, 'brain',
which is short for 6 !-LUEAO~ Eyx.e<pcxAo<;, lit. 'the
marrow within the head', from the adj. Eyx.t(jlCXAo~, 'that which is within the head', fr. ev

519

(see znd en-) and x.e:<pcxA~, 'head'. See cephalic

and cp. encephalon, anencephalic.
encephalitis, n., inflammation of the brain (med.)
- Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
eyx.e<pcx:Ao~, 'brain'. See prec. word and cp.
next word.
encephalon, n., the brain (anal.)- Medical L.,
fr. Gk. eyx.e<pcx:Ao~, 'brain'. See encephalic and
cp. metencephalon, rhinencephalon.
enchain, tr. v. - OF. enchainer (F. enchainer),
VL. *incateniire, fr. 1st in- and L. cateniire, 'to
chain', fr. catena, 'chain'. See chain.
Derivative: enchain-men!, n.
enchant, tr. v., to bewitch; to charm. - OF.
( = F.) enchanter, fr. L. incantiire, 'to chant a
magic formula, bewitch, enchant', fr. 1st enand chanter, 'to sing, fr. L. cantiire. See cant,
'slang of beggars', and cp. accent, chant, disenchant, incantation.
Derivatives: enchant-er, n., enchant-ing, adj.,
enchant-ing-ly, adv., enchantment (q.v.), enchant-

ress, n.
enchantment, n. - OF. ( = F.) enchantement, fr.
enchanter. See enchant and -ment.
enchase, tr. v. - F. enchasser, fr. 1st en- and
chasse, 'box, case, frame'. See chase, 'frame',
and cp. encase, casement.
Enchelycephali, n. pl., an order of Apodes, the
common eels (ichthyol.) ModL., compounded of Gk. ryxe::Au<;, 'eel', and x.e:<pcx:Af,,
'head'. See Encelia and cephalic.
enchiridion, n., a handbook. - Late L., fr. Gk.
t1:(,(Etp[iltov, 'handbook', prop. neut. Of eyze:tp[OLO~, 'that which is held in the hand', used as
a noun, fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and xe:tp, 'hand'. See
chiro-.
enchondroma, n., a cartilaginous tumor (med.)Medical L., coined by the German physiologist
and anatomist John Miiller (1801-58) fr. Gk.
~yxovopo<;, 'cartilaginous', and suff. -oma. Gk.
E:yzovilpo<; is formed fr. ev (see 2nd'en-) and
x6vopo~. 'corn, grain, groat; cartilage'. See
chondro-.
enchorial, adj., pertaining to a country; native:
said esp. of demotic writing. -A hybrid formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. eyzwpto~, 'of the
country, domestic, native', fr. ev (see 2nd en-)
and xwpi, 'place, land, country'. See chori-.
enchymatous, adj., distended by infusion (bioi.)
- Formed with suff. -ous fr. Gk. frxufLcx, gen.
eyz.Jf.Lcx":o~, 'filling (of a vessel), infusion', fr.
E:n:e:~v. 'to pour in', fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and xe:Lv,
'to pour'. See chyme and -ma and cp. collenchyma, mesenchyma, parenchyma, prosenchyma,
sclerenchyma.
encina, n., a spe~ies of live oak (Quercus agrifolia). - Sp., fr. Late L. ilicina, 'holm oak'
(whence also It. elcina, Catal. alsina, Port. enzinha), prop. fern. of ilicinus, 'of a holm oak',
used as a noun, fr. L. i/ex, gen. -ilicis, 'holm
oak'. See ilex.
encircle, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en- and circle.

Derivatives: encircle-ment, n., encircl-er, n.

enclasp, tr. v. - Lit. 'to take into one's clasp',
fr. 1st en- and clasp.
enclave, tr. v., to enclose within alien territory.F. enclaver, fr. VL. *incliiviire, 'to lock with a
key' (whence also OProven~. enclavar, 'to put
in, enclave', Rum. incheia, 'to close'}, fr. L. in
(see in-, 'in') and cliivis, 'key'. See clavicle and
cp. clef.
Derivatives: enclave, n. (q.v.), enclave-ment, n.
enclave, n., a territory enclosed by the territory
of a foreign country. - F., fr. enclaver. See
enclave, v. and cp. exclave.
enclitic, adj., dependent on the preceding word
(said of a word which has no accent but forms
a mere suffix to the preceding word). - Late
L. encliticus, fr. Gk. eyx.:Amx.6<;, 'throwing its
accent back', lit. 'leaning on', from the verbal
adj. stem of eyx.:Atve:tv, 'to bend, lean on', fr.
ev (see 2nd en-) and x.:Atve:tv, 'to lean'. See
clinical and cp. proclitic.
Derivative: enclitic-al-ly, adv.
enclose, inclose, tr. v. - OF. ( = F.) enclos,
fern. enclose, pp. of enclore, 'to enclose', fr. VL.
*inclaudere, refashioned (after claudere, 'to shut,
close') fr. L. includere, 'to shut in, enclose'. See
include.
enclosure, n.- OF., fr. enclos, pp. of enclore. See
prec. word and -ure.
encloud, tr. v., to envelop in a cloud.- Formed
fr. 1st en- and cloud.
encomiast, n., one who writes or utters an encomium. - Gk. t'(KWfLL:Xcr~<;, 'one who praises', fr. t1:yx.wf.Lt&~e:tv, 'to praise', fr. E:yx.wf.Ltov,
'panegyric, encomium'. See encomium.
encomiastic, adj., pertaining to an encomium or
encomiast. - Gk. E:yx.wfLLCXcrTtx.6~. fr. l:yx.wfLLCXcr~~- See prec. word and -ic.
encomium, n., panegyric, eulogy; praise. - L.,
fr. Gk. t'(KWfLLOII, 'panegyric, eulogy', fr. ev
(see znd en-) and KWfLO<;, 'banquet, revelry; an
ode sung at festivities'. See comedy.
encompass, tr. v.- Formed fr. 1st en- and compass.
Derivatives: encompass-er, n., encompass-ment ,n.
encore, interj. used in the sense 'again'. - F.,
'again, still, yet', fr. L. hanc ad horam, 'to this
hour'. L. hanc is ace. of haec, fern. of hie, 'this';
see hodiemal and cp. haecceity. For L. ad, 'to,
toward', see ad-. L. horam is ace. of hora,
'hour'; see hour. It. ancora, 'again, still, yet',
is a French loan word.
Derivative: encore, n. and tr. v.
encounter, tr. and intr. v. - OF. encontrer, 'to
meet', fr. VL. *incontriire, fr. L. in (see in-, 'in')
and contra, 'against, opposite'. See contra- and
cp. counter, v.
encounter, n. - OF. encontre, fr. encontrer. See
encounter, v.
encourage, tr. v. - OF. encoragier (F. encourager), fr. 1st en-, and courage, 'courage'. See
courage and cp. discourage.

end

Derivatives: encourage-ment, n., encourag-er,

n., encourag-ing, adj., encourag-ing-ly, adv.
encrimson, tr. v., to make crimson. - Formed
fr. 1st en- and crimson.
encrinite, n., a fossil crinoid (paleont.)- Formed
fr. 2nd en- and Gk. x.plvov, 'lily'. See crinoid.
encroach, intr. v., to trespass.- ME. encrochen,
fr. OF. encrochier, 'to catch in a hook', fr. 1st
en- and croc, 'hook'. See crochet and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: encroach-er, n., encroach-ment, n.
encrust, incrust, tr. v. - F. incruster, fr. L. incrustiire, 'to cover with a crust', fr. in-, 'in' and
crusta, 'crust'. See crust and cp. F. encrouter,
'to incrust; to plaster (walls)', which is a doublet
of incruster.
Derivative: encrust-ment, n.
encumber, tr. v., 1) to hinder; 2) to burden. OF. ( = F.) encombrer, 'to block up, obstruct',
fr. 1st en- and combre, 'things thrown down,
abatis', fr. VL. combrus. See cumber.
Derivatives: encumber-er, n., encumber-men/, n.
encumbrance, n. - OF. encombrance, fr. encombrer. See prec. word and -ance.
Derivative: encumbranc-er, n.
-ency, suff. denoting quality or state. - Fr. L.
-entia (either directly, or through the medium
of F. -ence), hence derivatively identical with
-ence (q.v.) Cp. -ancy.
encyclic, encyclical, adj., circular, general. Late L. encyclicus, for L. encyclius, fr. Gk.
eyx.ux.ALO<;, 'in a circle, circular', fr. ev (see 2nd
en-) and x.ux.Ao~, 'circle'. See cycle and -ic,
resp. also -al.
encyclic, encyclical, n., an encyclical letter, esp.
one sent by the Pope to all the bishops. - See
encyclic, adj.
encyclopedia, encyclopaedia, n. - Late L. encyclopaedia, fr. inexact Gk. eyx.ux.AOITCXtodi, for
t1:yx.ux.:Ato<; rrcxtod<i, 'circular education, general
education', lit. 'training in a circle'. See encyclic and pedo- and cp. cyclopedia.
Derivatives: encyclop(a)edi-ac, encyclop(a )edi-

ac-al, encyclop(a)edi-al, encyclop(a)edi-an, encyclop(a)ed-ic, encyc/op(a)ed-ic-al, adjs., encyclop(a)ed-ic-al-ly, adv., encyclop(a)ed-ism, n.,
encyclop(a)ed-ist, n., encyclop(a}ed-ize, tr. v.
encyst, tr. v., to enclose in a cyst. -Formed fr.
2nd en- and cyst.
Derivatives: encyst-ation, n., encyst-ment, n.
end, n. - ME. ende, fr. OE, ende, rei. to OS.
endi, OFris. enda, ODu. ende, Du. einde, ON.
endir, endi, 'end', OHG. anti, enti, 'top, forehead, end', MHG., G. ende, Goth. andeis, 'end'.
All these words orig. meant 'the opposite side',
fr. I.-E. base *anta-, *anti-, 'opposite, in front
of, before', whence also OI. tintal;r, 'end, border,
boundary', Toch. A antus, 'end', Hitt. hanti,
'opposite', hantezzi, 'the first', Oir. etan (for
*ant-otW-), 'forehead', L. antiae, 'the hair growing on the forehead, forelocks', ante, 'in front
of, before', Gk. &.vrl, 'against'. See aDte-, aDti-

end

and cp. antiae and the second element in

Vedanta.
Derivatives: end-er, n., end-ing, n., endless (q.v.)
end, intr. and tr. v.- OE. endian, fr. ende, 'end'.
See end, n.
end-, form of endo- before a vowel.
Endamoeba, n., a genus of parasitic amoebae
(zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of end- and
amoeba.
endanger, tr. v.- Formed fr. rst en- and danger.
endaortic, adj., pertaining to the interior of the
aorta. - Compounded of end-, aorta and -ic.
endear, tr. v. - Formed fr. rst en- and dear.
Derivatives: endear-ing, adj., endear-ing-ly, adv.,
endear-ment, n.
endeavor, endeavour, intr. v.- ME. endever, fr.
1st en- and dever, 'duty'; see devoir. Accordingly
ME. endever lit. means 'in duty', and is used
elliptically for 'to be in duty, to do one's duty'.
Cp. F. se mettre en devoir de faire que/que chose,
'to set about doing something'.
Derivatives: endeavo(u)r, n., endeavo(u )r-er, n.
endeictic, adj., serving to demonstrate. - Gk.
iv8e:txnx6c;, fr. iv8e:txvuvcxt, 'to show, point
out, demonstrate', fr. iv (see 2nd en-) and
8etxvuvcxt, 'to show', which is cogn. with L. dicere, 'to say, tell'. See diction and -ic and cp.
apodictic.
endemic, adj., prevalent in a particular region or
group.- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. iv8'f)[J.toc;,
~8:rJ[J.Oc;, dwelling in a place, native', fr. iv (see
2nd en-) and S'ij[J.oc;, 'people'. See demos and cp.
epidemic.
Derivatives: endemic, n., endemic-al-ly, adv.,
endemic-ify, n., endem-ism, n.
endemiology, n., the study of endemic diseases.
- Compounded of Gk. iv81)[J.toc; (see prec.
word) and -).oy(<i, fr. -A6yoc;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See -logy. Cp. epidemiology.
endermic, adj., acting through the skin (med.)Formed fr. 2nd en- and Gk. 8ep[J.ot, 'skin'. See
derma and -ic and cp. epidermic.
endive, n., a kind of chicory used in salads. F., fr. ML. endivia, fr. MGk. ~~ov (pronounce cndibo), fr. Gk. hTII~tot (pl.), ult. fr.
Egypt. tybi, 'January'; so called because this
plant grows in Egypt in the month of January.
L. intubus and intybum, 'endive', also derive fr.
Gk. hTII~tot.
endless, adj. - ME. endelees, fr. OE. endeleas,
which is compounded of ende, 'end', and leas,
'devoid of'. See end, n., and -less.
Derivatives: endless-ly, adv., endless-ness, n.
endo-, before a vowel also end-, combining form
meaning 'within'.- Gk. h8o-, h8-, fr. ~8ov,
'within', lit. 'in the house', fr. iv (see 2nd en-) and
the base of 86[.1-oc;, 'house'. See dome, 'a building'.
endocardial, adj., r) situated within the heart;
2) pertaining to the endocardium (anat.) - Lit.
'within the heart', fr. endo- and Gk. xcxp3(ii,
'heart'. See canlio-.

520

endocarditis, n., inflammation of the endocardium (med.)- Medical L., coined by the French
physician Jean Bouillaud (1796-r88I) about
I835 from next word and suff. -itis.
endocardium, n., the serous membrane lining the
cavities of the heart (anat.) - Medical L. See
endocardial and cp. epicardium, pericardium.
endocarp, n., the inner wall of the pericarp (bot.)
See endo- and carpel and cp. epicarp,
pericarp.
endocrine, adj., secreting internally (said of certain glands (physiol.) - Compounded of endoand Gk. xpf'.letv, 'to separate'. See critic.
endoderm, n., the epithelium lining the alimentary
canal. -Lit. 'inner skin', coined by the German
physician Robert Remak (I 8 I 5-65) fr. endo- and
derm. Cp. ectoderm, mesoderm.
Derivative: endoderm-ic, adj.
endodontitis, n., inflammation of the pulp of a
tooth called also pulpitis (med.) - Medical L.,
coined fr. end-, odont- and suff. -itis.
endogamy, n., marriage within the tribe or clan
(anthropol.) - Lit. 'in-marriage'; compounded
of endo- and -gamy. Cp. exogamy.
Derivatives: endogam-ic, endogam-ous, adjs.
Endogenae, n. pl., an obsolete name of the Monocotyledones (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'growing within' (see endo- and -gen); so called because the
stems were erroneously supposed to grow from
within. Cp. Exogenae.
endogenous, adj., growing from within (bioi.)See prec. word and -genous and cp. exogenous.
endolymph, n., the fluid in the labyrinth of the
ear (anat.) - Compounded of endo- and lymph.
endomorph, n., a crystal enclosed in another
(mineral.) - Compounded of endo- and Gk.
tJ.OP<tJ~, 'form, shape'. See morpho-.
Derivative: endomorph-ic, adj.
endoparasite, n., an internal parasite (as e.g. a
tapeworm). - Compounded of endo- and
parasite.
endoplasm, n., the inner layer of protoplasm in
a cell (bioi.) - Compounded of endo- and
plasm. Cp. ectoplasm.
endoplast, n., the nucleus of a protozoan (bioi.)Compounded of endo- and -plast. Cp. ectoplast.
endopleura, n., the inner integument of a seed
(bot.) - Compounded of endo- and pleura.
endorse, indorse, tr. v. - Fr. earlier endosse, fr.
OF. ( = F.) endosser, lit. 'to put on the back of',
fr. en- (see Ist en-) and VL. dossum, assimilated
form of L. dorsum, 'back'; see dorsal and cp.
dosser, dossier. E. endorse was assimilated in
form to ML. indorsiire.
Derivatives: endors-ee, n., endorse-ment, n., endors-er, n.
endosarc, n., the endoplasm (zoo/.)- Compounded of endo- and Gk. cr<ip~. gen. crcxpx6~. 'flesh'.
See sarco-.
endoscope, n., an instrument for examining the
interior of cavities in the body (med.) - Coined
by its inventor Desormeaux in 1852 fr. endo-

521

and Gk. -ax6mov, fr. axom:'tv, 'to look at,

examine'. See -scope.
endoskeleton, n., the internal skeleton of vertebrates, in contradistinction to the exoskeleton
of invertebrates, crustaceans, etc. (zoo!.) Compounded of endo- and skeleton. The term
endoskeleton was introduced into science by the
English anatomist Sir Richard Owen (I804-92).
Cp. exoskeleton, splanchnoskeleton.
Derivative: endoskelet-al, adj.
endosmosis, n., inward osmosis (physiol.)
Compounded of end- and osmosis. Cp. exosmosis.
endosperm, n., nutritive matter formed in the embryo sac of seed plants (bot.) - Compounded
of endo- and sperm.
endospore, n., the inner layer of a spore (bot.,
zoo/. and bacteriol.)- Compounded of endoand spore.
endosteum, n., the lining of the medullary cavity
in bones (anat.) - Medical L., compounded of
end- and Gk. bcrd:ov, 'bone'. See osteo-.
endostosis, n., bone formation beginning in the
substance of a cartilage (anat.) - Medical L.,
lit. 'bone increase from within', compounded of
endo- and -ostosis. Cp. exostosis.
endothecium, n., the inner lining of the cavity of
an anther (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'inner case', fr.
endo- and Gk . .&-l)x1J, 'case'. See theca and cp.
exothecium.
endothelium, n., a tissue which lines internal
cavities of the body (anal.)- Medical L., compounded of endo- and Gk. &rj).lj, 'teat, nipple'.
See thely- and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: endotheli-al, adj.
endow, tr. v. -OF. ( = F.) endouer, fr. 1st enand douer, 'to bestow, endow', fr. L. d6tiire, 'to
endow', prop. 'to provide with a dowry', fr. d6s,
gen. d6tis, 'marriage portion, dowry'. See dower,
dowry.
Derivatives: endower, n., endow-ment, n.
Endromis, n., a genus of moths, the Kentish glory
(entomol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. e111)potJ.!~, gen.
h8po[J.(I)o~, 'a thick cloak worn by runners' fr.
iv (see 2nd en-) and 8p6[J.o<;, 'running course,
race'; see dromedary. The genus was called Endromis in allusion to the hairy body.
endue, indue, tr...v., I) to put on (a garment}; 2} to
invest; 3} to endow. - ME. endewen, fr. OF.
enduire, fr. L. inducere, 'to lead into', fr. in,
'in', and ducere, 'to lead' (see in-, 'in', and duke};
influenced both in form and sense by a confusion with L. induere, 'to put on' and with E.
endow.
endure, tr. and intr. v. - OF. endurer, fr. L. indiiriire, 'to make hard, harden', fr. in-, 'in', and
diiriire, 'to make hard, harden', fr. durus, 'hard'.
See dure, adj., and cp. indurate.
Derivatives: endur-able, adj., endur-abil-ity, n.,
endur-able-ness, n., endur-abl-y, adv., endurance, n., endur-ant, adj., endur-er, n., endur-ing,
adj., endur-inz-/y, adv., endur-ing-ness, n.

enface

Endymion, n., a beautiful youth loved by the

Greek moon goddess Selene (Greek mythol.} L., fr. Gk. 'EvSu[J.trov, lit. prob. 'Diver, Plunger',
fr. h8Uetv, 'to enter into, sink into', fr. e\1 (see
2nd en-) and Metv, 'to enter into, sink into,
plunge into, dive; to set' (prop. 'to dive into
the sea'; said of the sun and stars). According
to the opinion of several scholars Endymion was
orig. worshiped as a solar deity and his name
is a personification of the Setting Sun Sinking
into the Sea. See adytum and cp. Anadyomene.
endysis, n., the act of developing a new coat of
hair, etc. (bioi.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ~l)ucrt<;, 'a
putting on', fr. hSue:tv, 'to enter into; to put
on', fr. iv (see 2nd en-} and Me:tv, 'to enter;
to put on' (lit. 'to enter into'). See adytum and
cp. ecdysis, ependyma. Cp. also prec. word.
-ene, suff. used to form names of unsaturated
hydrocarbons (chem.) - Gk. -T)VI}. fern. patronymic suff.
Eneas, masc. PN. - L. Aeneas, fr. Gk. Atvd<ic;,
lit. 'praiseworthy', fr. ocYvo~, 'tale, story, saying;
praise'. See enigma.
enema, n., injection of a fluid into. the rectum
(med.) - Late L., fr. Gk. !:ve[J.ot, 'injection,
clyster', fr. e\lte\lott, 'to throw in, send in'. fr. Ev
(see 2nd en-) and !evcxt, 'to send, throw,
project', which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn.
with L. jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt
forth', and cp. words there referred to.
enemy, n. - OF. enemi (F. ennemi), fr. L. inimicus, 'hostile, unfriendly; an enemy', fr. in-,
'not', and amicus, 'friend'. Cp. It. nemico, Proven9. enemic, Catal. enamic, Sp. enemigo, Port.
inimigo, which all derive fr. L. inimicus, and
see amicable. Cp. also enmity, inimical.
energetic, adj. - Gk. hepY1JTtx6<;, 'able to act
upon', fr. hepye't11, 'to work, be strenuous, act
upon', fr. he:py'f)~. later form of ivepy6~. 'at
work, active'. See energy and -ic.
Derivatives: energetic-s, n. pl., energetic-al-ly,
adv., energet-ic-ist, n., energet-ist-ic, adj.
energumen, n., a demoniac; a fanatic. - Late L.
energiimenos, 'one possessed of the devil', fr.
Gk. tvepyou[J.evoc;, pass. pres. part. of hepye~~~.
'to act upon'. See energy. For the suff. see alumnus and cp. words there referred to.
energy, n. - Late L. energia, fr. Gk. evepyetcx,
'energy, efficiency', which was formed by Aristotle fr. hepy'f)~. later form of hepy6c;, 'at
work, active', fr. h (see 2nd en-) and lpyov,
'work'. See ergon and cp. allergy, anergy.
Derivatives: energ-ic, adj. (rare), energ-ize, tr.
and intr. v., energ-iz-er, n.
enervate, tr. v. - L. enerviitus, pp. of enerviire,
'to enervate, weaken', fr. e- and nervus, 'nerve,
sinew'. See nerve and verbal suff. -ate.
enervate, adj.- L. enerviitus, pp. of enerviire. See
enervate, v.
enervation, n.- L. enerviiti6, gen. -6nis, fr. enerviitus, pp. of enerviire. See enervate, v., and -ion.
enlace, tr. v., to write (print, etc.) on the face (of

enfeeble

a document). -Formed fr. Ist en- and face.

enfeeble, tr. v. - OF. enfeblir, fr. ISt en- and
feble, 'feeble'. See feeble.
enfeoff, tr. v., to invest with a fief. - AF. enfeoffer, corresponding to OF. enfeffer, enfieffer.
See 1st en- and feoff, fief.
Derivative: enfeoff-ment, n.
Enfield riOe. - So called from the factory in Enfield in Middlesex, England, where it was first
manufactured.
enfilade, n., gunfire sweeping from flank to flank.
- F., fr. enfiler, 'to thread (a needle); to enfilade', fr. 1st en- and fil, 'thread'. See file,
'collection of papers', and -ade and cp. filament,
profile.
Derivative: enfilade, tr. v.
enfold, tr. v. -Formed fr. 1st en- and fold.
enforce, tr. v. - OF. enforcier, enforcer (F. enforcir), 'to strengthen', fr. VL. *infortiiire, 'to
make strong', fr. in- 'in', and fortis, 'strong'.
See force. Derivatives: enforce-able, adj.,
enforc-ed-ly, adv ., enforcement (q. v .), enforc-er, n.
enforcement, n. - OF., fr. enforcer. See prec.
word and -ment.
enfranchise, tr. v., to admit to citizenship.- OF.
enfranchiss-, pres. part. stem of enfranchir, fr.
1st en- andfranchir, 'to set free', fr.franc, fern.
franche, 'free'. See franchise.
Derivatives: enfranchis-er, n., enfranchise-ment,

n.
engage, tr. and intr. v. -F. engager, fr. 1st enand gage, 'pledge'. See gage.
Derivatives: engag-ed, adj., engage-ment, n.,
engag-er, n., engag-ing, adj., engag-ing-ly, adv.
engender, tr. v. - F. engendrer, fr. L. ingeneriire,
'to implant, produce, engender', fr. in-, 'in', and
generiire, 'to produce, engender'. See ingenerate, v.
Derivatives: engender-er, n., engender-ment, n.
engine, n. - OF. engin, 'skill; invention; machine, engine', fr. L. ingenium, 'nature, natural
disposition, talent, ability', fr. in-, 'in', and the
stem of gignere (perf. genui), 'to beget'. See
genus and cp. genius, ingenious.
Derivatives: engineer (q.v.), engin-ery, n.
engine, tr. v. - Partly fr. OF. enginier, 'to contrive, invent', fr. ML. ingeniiire, fr. L. ingenium,
partly directly fr. engine, n.
engineer, n.- Formed fr. engine with suff. -eer.
Derivatives: engineer, tr. and intr. v., engineering, n.
England, n. - OE. Eng/a land, lit. 'land of the
Angles'; see next word and land. For the contraction of OE. Eng/a land into England see
haplology.
Derivative: England-er, n.
English, adj. and n. - OE. Eng/isc, Aenglisc,
'English', fr. Engle, Angle, name of a Teutonic
tribe that settled in Britain, prop. 'the people
coming from Angul'. See Angle and adj. suff. -ish.
Derivatives: English, tr. v., English-ry, n.
engorge, tr. v.- F. engorger, 'to obstruct, block;

522
to congest' (med.) See 1st en- and gorge.
Derivative: engorge-ment, n.
engrail, tr. v., 1) to indent (her.); 2) to adorn.ME. engrailen, fr. OF. engresler (F. engreler),
fr. rst en- and gresle (F. grele), 'hail', fr. gre/er,
'to hail', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: engrail-ed, adj., engrail-ment, n.
engrain, tr. v., 1) to ingrain; 2) to grain in imitation of wood. - ME. engreynen, lit. 'to dye
in grain', fr. OF. ( = F.) en graine, 'in grain',
fr.en, 'in'(see rst en-),andgraine, 'seed of plants;
cochineal; scarlet grain', fr. L. grana, pl. of granum, 'grain, seed', which was mistaken for a fern.
singular. The French language differentiates
between grain (fr. L. granum), 'grain, berry'
and graine (fr. L. griina), 'seed of plants'.
Cp. also It. and Sp. grana, 'grain', grana, 'seed
of plants; cochineal; scarlet grain', and see
grain. Cp. also ingrain, which is a var. of engrain.
engrave, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en- and grave,
'to carve'.
Derivatives: engrav-ed, adj., engrave-ment, n.,
engrav-er, n., engrav-ing, n.
engross, tr. v., to write in large letters.- AF. engrosser, fr. F. en grosse, 'in large letter', fr. en,
'in' (see rst en-), and grosse, 'large writing',
prop. fern of gros, 'big, bulky, thick', fr. Late
L. grossus. See gross.
Derivatives: engross-ed, adj. engross-ment, n.
engross, tr. v., to monopolize, absorb. - The
orig. meaning was 'to buy up the whole of a
commodity'; fr. F. acheter engros, 'to buy wholesale', fr. en gros, 'in a bulk; wholesale', fr. en,
'in' (see 1st en-), and gros, 'big, bulky, thick', fr.
Late L. grossus. See gross and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: engross-ed, adj., engross-ed-ly, adv.,
engross-ing, adj., engross-ing-ly, adv., engrossing-ness, n., engross-ment, n.
engulf, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en- and gulf.
Derivative: engulf-ment, n.
engyscope, n., a kind of microscope (optics). Compounded of Gk. zyy{!c,, 'near', and -crx6mov,
fr. crxorre:'Lv, 'to look at, examine'. The first element is prob. formed fr. v (see 2nd en-) and
*y{lii, 'hand', and lit. means 'that which is at
hand'. Cp. tyy\JY), 'surety, security, bail', prop.
'pledge put into one's hand', which is prob.
also formed fr. v and *y{lii. Gk. *y{lii is cogn.
with Avestic gava, 'both hands'. Both these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *geu-, 'to bend, curve,
arch'; see cove and cp. words there referred to.
For the sense development of Gk. tyy{lr,, 'near',
lit. 'at hand', cp. L. comminus, 'close at hand',
which is formed fr. OL. com ( = L. cum), 'with',
and manus, 'hand'; cp. also E. at hand, G. vorhanden, 'existing', lit. 'before the hands', and
Heb. 'a/ yad, 'next to, near', lit. 'on, or by, the
hand'. For the second element in engyscope see
-scope. Cp. telengyscope.
enhance, tr. v., to raise, increase. - ME. enhauncen, fr. AF. enhauncer, prob. a corruption

523
of OF. enhaucer, fr. VL. *inaltiiire, 'to raise',
fr. in-, 'in, upon', and *altiiire, 'to raise', fr. L.
altus, 'high'. See rst en- and alt and cp. hance,
hawser.
Derivatives: enhanc-ed, adj., enhance-ment, n.,
enhanc-er, n.
enharmonic, n., pertaining to tones derived from
different degrees, but practically of the same
pitch (mus.) - Late L. enharmonicus, fr. Gk.
ev1Xpfi.OVLK6C,, tv1Xpf1.0VL6C,, 'musical, harmoniOUS,
enharmonic', fr. v (see 2nd en-) and &pfJ.ovlii,
'harmony'. See harmony.
Derivatives: enharmonic, n., enharmonic-al-ly,
adv.
Enid, fern. PN.- W., lit. 'soul' or 'purity'.
enigma, n., a riddle, puzzle. - L. aenigma, fr.
Gk. octvLyfJ.oc, gen. octvlyfJ.ocTor,, 'dark saying,
riddle', fr. octvlcrcrecr&ocL, 'to speak darkly, speak
in riddles', fr. oc!vor,, 'tale, story, saying; praise;
proverb; riddle', which is of unknown origin.
Cp. Eneas.
Derivatives: enigmatic(al) (q.v.), enigmat-ist, n.,
enigmat-ize, tr. v.
enigmatic, enigmatical, adj., 1) pertaining to an
enigma; 2) puzzling. - Late L. aenigmaticus
(whence also F. enigmatique), fr. aenigma, gen.
aenigmatis, fr. Gk. ortvLyfJ.oc. See prec. word and
-ic, resp. also -al.
enigmatographer, n., a maker of enigmas. -See
next word and agential suff. -er.
enigmatography, n., the art of making enigmas. - Compounded of Gk. octvLYfl.IX, gen.
IXMYfl.IXTor,, 'riddle', and -ypiX~loc, fr. yp&:~eLv, 'to
write'. See enigma and -graphy.
enisle, tr. v., 1) to place on an island; 2) to make
an island of. - Formed fr. Is! en- and isle.
enjambment, n., the running over of a sentence
into the next verse. - F. enjambement, fr. enjamber, 'to skip over', fr. I st en- and jambe, 'leg'.
See jamb and -ment.
enjoin, tr. v., r) to command; 2) to prohibit. ME. enjoignen, fr. F. enjoign-, stem of enjoindre,
'to enjoin, charge, direct', fr. L. injungere, 'to
join, attach; to charge, impose upon', fr. in-,
'in' and jungere, 'to join'. See join and cp. injunction.
Derivatives: enjoin-er, n., enjoin-ment, n.
enjoy, tr. v. - ME. enjoyen, fr. OF. enjofr, 'to
enjoy', fr. 1st en- andjofr (F.jouir), fr. VL. *gaudire, formed (with change of conjugation) fr. L.
gaudere, 'to rejoice, be glad'. Cp. OProven~.
jauzir (fr. VL. *gaudire), It. godere (fr. L. gaudere), 'to rejoice', and see joy.
Derivatives: enjoy-able, adj., enjoy-able-ness, n.,
enjoy-abl-y, adv., enjoy-er, n., enjoy-ment, n.
enlace, tr. v. - F. enlacer, fr. L. inlaqueiire, illaqueare, 'to ensnare, entangle', fr. in-, 'in' and
L. laqueus, 'noose, snare'. See lace.
Derivative: enlace-ment, n.
enlarge, v.- ME. enlargen, fr. OF. enlargier, enlarger, fr. 1st en- and large, 'broad, wide'. See
large.

enormous

Derivatives: enlarg-ed, adj., enlarg-ed-ly, adv ..

enlarg-ed-ness, n., enlarge-ment, n., enlarg-er, n ..
enlarg-ing-iy, adv.
enlighten, tr. v.- Formed fr. Isten-andlighten.
Derivatives: enlighten-ed, adj., enlighten-ed-ly,
adv., enlighten-ed-ness, n., enlighten-ing, adj.,
enlighten-ing-ly, adv., enlighten-ment, n.
enlist, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. rst en- and
list, 'roll, catalogue'.
Derivatives: enlist-er, n., enlist-ment, n.
enliven, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en-, life (cp. the
plural lives) and verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: enliven-er, n., enliven-ing, adj., enliven-ing-ly, adv.
en masse, in a mas~. by the bulk, as a whole. F., fr. en, 'in', and masse, 'mass'. See rst enand mass, 'quantity, size'.
enmesh, tr. v.- Formed fr. 1st en- and mesh (q.v.)
Derivative: enmesh-ment, n.
enmity, n. - ME. enemyte, fr. OF. enemistie, fr:
VL. *inimfcitiitem, ace. of *inimicitas, corresponding to L. inimfcitia, 'enmity, hostility',
fr. inimfcus, 'enemy'. See enemy and -ity and
cp. amity.
ennea-, combining form meaning 'nine'. - Fr.
Gk. tvviiX, 'nine', which stands for *E:vvefoc.
*vfiX-, and is cogn. with 01. nciva, L. novem.
Goth. niun, OE. nigon, 'nine'. See nine and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also ennead.
enneacontahedron, n., a polyhedron with ninety
faces. - Compounded of Gk. *E:we&:xovTIX,
'ninety', and ~3poc, 'side, face'. *' Ewe&:xoniX is
erroneously formed fr. E:wiiX, 'nine'; the correct
form is E:vev~xov-roc. See ennea- and -hedron.
For the suff. -xoVTIX (in *E:wdxovTIX, E:vEV+,xov-riX) see penteconta-.
ennead, n., a group of nine things. - From Gk.
vve&:~. gen. E:we:&:3o~. 'a group of nine', fr. E:vveiX.
See ennea- and -ad.
Derivative: ennead-ic, adj.
ennoble, tr. v.- F. ennoblir. See 1st en- and noble.
Derivatives: ennoble-ment, n., en nobl-er, n., ennobl-ing, adj., ennobl-ing-ly, adv.
ennui, n., weariness, boredom. - F., fr. OF.
enui, back formation fr. enuier (F. ennuyer). See
annoy, v. and n.
Enoch, masc. PN. ; 1) the eldest son of Cain;
2) the father of Methuselah (Bible). - Late L.
Enoch, fr. Gk. 'Evwx, fr. Heb.lfiinJkh, lit. 'dedicated, consecrated', fr. /:liindkh, 'he dedicated,
consecrated', whence also /:liinukkd", 'dedication', consecration'. See Hanukkah.
enorm, adj., 1) abnormal (obsol.); 2) enormous;
outrageous (archaic). -F. enorme, fr. L. encjrmis, 'irregular, unusual, enormous, immense', fr.
e nt5rma, 'out of rule', fr. e, 'out of' (see e-), and
norma, abl. of norma, 'rule, pattern'. See norm.
enormity, n. - F. enormite, fr. L. enormitatem,
ace. of enormitiis, 'hugeness, vastness', fr. en6rmis. See prec. word and -ity.
enormous, adj. - Formed with suiT. -ous fr. L.
enormis. See enonn.

Enos

Derivatives: enormous-ly, adv., enormous-ness, n.

Enos, masc. PN.; in the Bible, son of Seth. Gk. 'Evwc;, fr. He b. Enash, lit. 'man', rei. to He b.
nashlm, 'women', ish (for insh), 'man', Arab.
ins (coil.), 'men, people', and prob. also to
Arab. anisa, 'he joined, was friendly', Akkad.
eneshu, to unite, join (intr.)
enough, adj. - ME. inogh, enogh, enouh, fr. OE.
genoh, rei. to OS. gin6g, ON. gnogr, Swed. nog,
Dan. nok, OFris. en6ch, Du.genoeg, OHG. ginuog(i), MHG. genuoc, G. genug, Goth. ganohs,
'enough', OE. geneah, OHG. ginah, Goth.ganah,
'it suffices', fr. I.-E. base *enek-, *nek-, *Qk-, 'to
reach, attain, carry', whence also 01. asn&ti,
Avestic ashnaoiti, 'reaches, arrives at', 01. nasati, Avestic nasaiti, 'reaches', 01. arttfa/:1,
'portion, part', Avestic qsa-, 'party', Hitt. nakish,
'heavy', nikzi, 'rises', ninikzi, 'lifts, raises', Gk.
t\1-tyXE'i:v, 'to bear, carry', aL'l)Vi1:Xl)c;, Att. aLOC\IE
xl)c;, 'continuous, unbroken' (which are pro b. a
contraction of *aLot1JVEKijc; and lit. mean 'capable of being Carried through', fr. aLa, 'through',
and tveyxE'i:v, 'to carry'), ilyxoc;, 'bulk, size, mass,
body', L. nancisci (for na-n-c-isci), perf. nactus
sum, 'to reach, obtain', OS!av. nes(!, nesti, Lith.
nesu, nesti, Lett. nesu, nest, 'to bear, carry',
Lith. nastd, 'burden', and perh. also Toch. A
ents-, B erik-, 'to seize, take'. Cp. onco-, 'bulk,
size'.
Derivatives: enough, n. and adv.
enounce, tr. v., r) to state publicly; 2) to utter.F. enoncer, fr. L. enuntiare, 'to divulge, disclose,
report, say, declare', fr. e- and nuntiiire, 'to announce, declare', fr. nuntius, 'messenger'. See
nuncio and cp. enunciate. Cp. also announce
and words there referred to.
Derivative: enounce-ment, n.
enow, adj. n. and adv., enough. - ME. inowe;
an archaic var. of enough.
en passant, by the way. - F., lit. 'in passing', fr.
en, 'in' and passant, pres. part. of passer, 'to
pass'. See rst en-, pass and -ant.
enquire, enquiry. - See inquire, inquiry.
enrage, tr. and intr. v. - OF. ( = F.) enrager,
formed fr. rst en- and rage, 'rage, fury'. See
rage.
Derivatives: enrag-ed, adj., enrag-ed-/y, adv.,
enrag-ed-ness, n.
enrapt, adj., enraptured. - Formed fr. rst enand rapt; introduced by Shakespeare.
enrapture, tr. v.- Formed fr. rst en- and rapture.
Derivative: enraptur-er, n.
enravish, tr. v. - Formed fr. rst en- and ravish.
enregister, tr. v.- F. enregistrer, 'to enter into a
register', fr. rst en- and registre. See regmer.
Derivatives: enregistr-ation, n., enregistr-y, n.
enrich, tr. v. - F. enrichir, formed fr. rst enand riche, 'rich'. See rich.
Derivatives: enrich-er, n., enrich-ing, adj., enrich-ing-!y, adv., enrich-ment, n.
enroll, enrol, tr. v.- ME. enrol/en, fr. OF. enroller (F. enroler), 'to enter into a roll, enroll',

525

524
which is formed fr. rst en- and OF. rolle (F.
role). See roll, v. and n., and cp. role.
Derivatives: enroll-ed, adj., enroll-er, n., enrollment (q.v.)
enrollment, enrolment, n. - F. enrO/ement, fr.
enroler, to enroll'. See enrol and -ment.
en route, on the way.- F., fr. en, 'in, on', and
route, 'road, way, route'. See rst en- and route.
ens, n., being; entity (philos.)- Late L. ens (gen.
entis), back formation fr. est, 'is'. See esse and
cp. entity and the third word in dolce far niente.
ensample, n., an example (archaic.) - ME. ensample, 'fr. OF. ensample, a var. of essample,
fr. orig. example, exemple. See example and
cp. sample.
ensanguine, tr. v., to stain with blood.- Formed
fr. 1st en- and L. sanguis, gen. sanguinis, 'blood'.
See sanguine.
ensconce, tr. v., to conceal.- The original meaning was 'to cover with a fort'. See rst en- and
sconce.
ensemble, n., the whole.- F., 'together', fr. L.
insimul, 'at the same time', which is formed fr.
in-, 'in', and simul, 'at the same time, together'.
See simultaneous and cp. assemble.
enshrine, tr. v. - Formed fr. ist en- and shrine.
ensiform, adj., sword-shaped. - Compounded
of L. ensis, 'sword', and formo, 'form, shape'.
The first element stands for *IJsis and is cogn.
with 01. asi/:1, 'sword, butcher's knife'. For the
second element see form, n.
ensign, n., r) a flag; 2) in the United States Navy,
a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. OF. ( = F.) enseigne, fr. L. insignia, pl. of insigne, 'mark, sign, badge of office', prop. neut.
of insignis, 'remarkable, noted, distinguished',
but mistaken in Vulgar Latin for a fern. sing.
noun. L. insignis is formed fr. in- 'in', and signum, 'mark, sign'; see sign and cp. insignia. Cp.
also It. insegna, OProvenc;. ensenha and OSp.
ensena, which all derive fr. L. insignia.
Derivative: ensign-cy, n.
ensign, tr. v., to distinguish.- OF. ensignier, enseignier, 'to point out, indicate, teach' (whence
F. enseigner, 'to teach'), fr. VL. *insignare,
corresponding to L. insignire, 'to mark, distinguish', fr. in-, 'in' and signum, 'mark, sign'.
See sign, n., and cp. prec. word.
ensilage, n., the preservation of food in a silo. F. See next word and -age and cp. silage.
Derivative: ensilage, v.
ensile, tr. v., to preserve (food) in a silo.- F. ensiler, fr. 1st en- and silo, fr. L. sirus. See silo.
enslave, tr. v. - Formed fr. rst en- and slave.
Derivatives: enslave-ment, n., enslav-er, n.
ensnare, tr. v.- Formed fr. rst en- and snare.
Derivatives: ensnare-ment, n., ensnar-er, n.,
ensnar-ing-ly, adv.
enstatite, n., a magnesium silicate (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &~adrtjc;,
'adversary'; so called in allusion to its refractory nature. Gk. tvaTocTI)c; derives from the stem

'I

of iv[OT'l)(..l.t, 'I stand in; I oppose', fr. ev (see

2nd en-) and tOTI)fLL, 'I cause to stand; I stand',
fr. I.-E. base *sta-, 'to stand', whence also L.
stare, 'to stand'. See state and cp. histo-.
ensue, tr. and intr. v. - OF. enseu, pp. of ensuivre, 'to follow, ensue', fr. VL. *insequere, corresponding to L. insequi, 'to follow, strive after',
fr. in-, 'in', and sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and
cp. sue, suit, suite.
Derivatives: ensu-ing, adj., ensu-ing-ly, adv.
ensure, tr. v. - AF. enseurer, formed fr. rst
en- and OF. seur (whence F. siir), 'sure'. See
sure and cp. insure.
Derivative: ensur-er, n.
-ent, adj. and subst. suff. denoting an agent or
an instrument. -OF. and F. -ent, fr. L. -entern, ace. of -ens, pres. part. suff. of verbs pertaining to the II and III conjugation. See -ant
and cp. -ence, -ency.
entablature, n., a horizontal structure composed
of cornice, frieze and architrave and supported
by columns (archit.)- MF., fr. It. intavolatura,
fr. intavolare, fr. in- (fr. L. in) and tavola (fr. L.
tabula, 'board, plank, table'). See in-, 'in', table
and -ure.
Derivative: entablatur-ed, adj.
entablement, n., platform on which a statue
stands. - F., fr. VL. intabuliimentum, fr. in-,
'in', and L. tabulamentum, 'boarding, flooring',
fr. tabula, 'table'. See table and -ment.
entail, tr. v., I) to bestow as a heritage; 2) to involve.- Formed fr. Ist en- and AF. tail, 'limitation, limit of ownership', fr. OF. taillier (F.
tailler), 'to cut'. See tail, tailor.
Derivatives: entail, n., entail-er, n., entail-ment, n.
entangle, tr. v. ~ Formed fr. rst en- and tangle
(q.v.)
Derivatives: entangl-ed, adj., entangl-ed-/y, adv.,
entangl-ed-ness, n., entangl-er, n., entangl-ing,
adj., entang/-ing-ly, adv.
entasia, n., tonic spasm (med.) - Medical L.,
fr. Gk. ~TotaL<;, 'a stretchi'lg, straining'. See
next word and -ia.
entasis, n., convexity in the shaft of a column
(archil.) - ModL., fr. Gk. !:vrotat<;, 'a stretching', fr. tv-.dveLv, 'to stretch or strain tight',
fr. tv (see 2nd en-) and n(vELv, 'to stretch,
strain'. See tasimeter and cp. ectasis and words
there referred to.
entelechy, n., actuality as opposed to potentiality
(philos.) - L. entelechia, fr. Gk. tvTEAtX&Lot,
'full reality', coined by Aristotle fr. b.rre::l..l)c;,
'complete', and l:xe:Lv, 'to have'. The first
element is formed fr. tv (see 2nd en-) and
-.ei-o~. 'end, perfection'; see tele-. For the etymology of l:xe:Lv see hectic.
entellus, n., name of the long-tailed monkey of
the East-Indies. - Named after Entellus, a
Sicilian hero, a pugilist, mentioned in the Aeneid (V, 387 fo!l.). The name is prob. related to
Entella, a town in Sicily (now called Rocca
d'Entella).

enthetic

entelodont, n., any animal that pertained to the

extinct genus Elotherium. - Compounded of
Gk. tvn:l..l)c;, 'complete, fullgrown', and oawv,
gen. M6v-.oc;, 'tooth'. See entelechy and -odont.
entente, n., an understanding. -F., 'understanding, agreement, skill, judgment', prop. fern. pp.
of entendre, 'to hear, understand, intend, mean',
used as a noun. F. entendre orig. meant 'to
direct one's attention'. It derives fr. L. intendere,
'to stretch out, extend; to direct'. See intend.
enter, tr. and intr. v.- ME. entren, fr. OF. (=F.)
entrer, fr. L. intrare, 'to enter' (whence also Rum.
intra, It. entrare, OProvenc;. entrar, intrar, Catal.,
Sp., Port. entrar), formed fr. intra, 'within'; see
intra- and cp. enter-, entre-, entrance, entrant,
entree, entry. For sense development cp. OE.
innian, 'to enter', fr. inne, 'therein'. -There is
no connection between L. intriire and trans,
'across, over'.
enter-, combining form in words of French origin, corresponding to F. entre-, fr. L. inter,
'among, between'. - See inter, prep., and cp.
entre-.
enter-, form of entero- before a vowel.
enteric, adj., pertaining to the intestines. - Gk.
tvnpLx6c;, 'intestinal', first used by Aristotle;
formed fr. ~vnpot (pl.), 'intestines', fr. I.-E.
enter-, compar. of *en-, 'in', whence also L.
inter, 'among, between'. See inter, prep., and
-ic and cp. entero- and the second element in
archente~on, Coelenterata, dysentery, exenterate,
lientery, mesentery, parenteric.
enteritis, n., inflammation of the intestines (med.)
- Medical L., coined by the French pathologist Franc;ois-Boissier de Ia Croix de Sauvages
(I 706-67) about r 750 fr. Gk. l:v-.Epot, 'intestines'.
See prec. word and -itis and cp. peritonitis.
entero-, before a vowel sometimes enter-, combining form denoting the intestines. - Gk.
&ne:po-, tvTe:p, fr. t\ITEpot, 'intestines'. Sec enteric.
enterotomy, n., incision of the intestines.- Compounded of entero- and Gk. -TOiJ.(iX, 'a cutting
of', fr. TOJ-LlJ, 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
enterprise, n.- OF. (=F.) entreprise, 'an undertaking', prop. fern. pp. of entreprendre, 'to
undertake', used as a noun, fr. VL. *interprendere, fr. inter- and L. prehendere, prendere,
'to take, seize'. See prehensile and cp. entrepreneur.
Derivatives: enterpris-er, n., enterpris-ing, adj.,
enterpris-ing-ly, adv.
entertain, tr. and intr. v.- F. entretenir, fr. entre
(see entre-, enter-) and tenir, 'to hold', fr. L.
tenere. Cp. OProven~;. entretenir, Sp. entretener,
It. intrattenere, 'to entertain', and see tenable.
Derivatives: entertain-ed, adj., entertain-ing,
adj., entertain-ing-ly, adv., entertain-ing-ness, n.,
entertain-ment, n.
enthetic, adj., introduced from without (said of
diseases). - Gk. tv-ll-n1.X6.;, 'fit for implanting',
fr. Mnoc;, 'that which can be introduced or

enLnra11

implanted', Verbal adj. of E~TL-lJ-e~etL, 'tO put in,

introduce, implant', which is formed fr. ~(see
2nd en-) and -rL.&e~etL, 'to put, place'. See theme
and -ic and cp. epenthetic, hypothetic, parenthetic, prosthetic, synthetic.
enthrall, enthral, tr. v., to enslave.- Lit. 'to hold
in bondage', fr. 1st en- and thrall.
Derivatives: enthrall-er, n., enthrall-ing, adj.,
enthrall-ing-ly, adv., enthral(l}-ment, n.
enthrone, tr. v.- Formed fr. 1st en- and throne.
Derivatives: enthrone-ment, n., enthron-ize, tr.
v., enthron-iz-ation, n.
enthuse, tr. v., to make enthusiastic; intr. v., to
become enthusiastic (colloq.)- Back formation
fr. enthusiasm.
enthusiasm, n., 1) inspiration; 2) zeal, fervor.Gk. ~.&oumetcr[J.6~, 'divine inspiration', fr. ev.&oucnoc~e:w, 'to be divinely inspired', fr. e:~-.&e:o~.
'divinely inspired', fr. e~ (see 2nd en-) and .&e:6~.
'god'. See theo-.
enthusiast, n. - Gk. &v.&oucrLoccr-r~~. 'a person inspired', fr. tV-lJ-OUC!LOC~EL~, 'tO be divinely inspired'.
See prec. word.
enthusiastic, adj. - Gk. ~.&oumoccr-rLKo~, 'inspired', fr. ~.&oumoccr~~. 'a person inspired'. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: enthusiastic-a!, adj., enthusiastical-ly, adv.
enthymeme, n., a syllogism in which one premise
is omitted (logic). - L. enthymema, fr. Gk.
i~&6f1.1JJ.I.OC, 'thought, argument', lit. 'a keeping in
mind', fr. e:~&lif.t.dcr.&IXL, 'to keep in mind, consider, reflect', which is formed fr. v (see 2nd en-)
and &G!J.6~. 'spirit, mind, soul'. See thyme, thio-.
enthymematic, enthymematical, adj., pertaining
to an enthymeme. - Gk. v.&li!J.1JJ.I.IXTLK6~, fr.
ev&6!J.1)J.I.OC, gen. E:v&G!J.~J.I.OCTO~. See prec. word
and -ic.
entice, tr. v. - ME. entisen, fr. OF. enticier, 'to
stir up (fire); to excite, incite', fr. VL.*intftiare,
'to stir up (fire)', fr. in-, 'in', and L. tftio, gen.
-onis, 'a burning brand, a firebrand'. L. titio
is of uncertain origin. Cp. F. tison, 'a firebrand'
(fr. L. tffionem, ace. of tftio), and attiser, 'to stir
up a fire, provoke' (fr. VL. *ad-titiare).
Derivatives: enticement (q.v.), entic-er, n., entic-ing, adj., entic-ing-ly, adv., entic-ing-ness, n.
enticement, n. - OF. enticement, fr. enticicr. See
prec. word and -ment.
entire, adj. - ME. enter, fr. OF. ( = F.) entier,
fr. L. integrum, ace. of integer, 'whole, undiminished, entire', lit. 'untouched'; see integer. The OF. form entier (beside the regular
form entir) is due to the substitution of the
suff. -ier for the ending of this word, which was
mistaken for a suff.
Derivatives: entire-ly, adv., entire-ness, n., entirety (q.v.)
entirety, n.- AF. entiertie, corresponding to OF.
entierete, fr. L. integritatem, ace. of integritiis,
'completeness, soundness, integrity'. See integrity and cp. prec. word.

;u.t

entitle, tr. v. - AF. entit/er, corresponding to

OF. entite/er, entituler (F. intituler), fr. 1st enand L. titulus, 'title'. See title and cp. intitule,
which is a doublet of entitle.
entity, n. (philos.), 1) being, existence, 2) the real
thing.- ML. entitiis (whence also F. entite), fr.
Late L. ens, gen. entis, 'a thing', prop. back
formation fr. L. esse, 'to be', and serving as
pres. part. of this verb. The formation of a pres.
part. of L. esse was esp. necessary to render the
Greek philosophical term -ro ov, 'that which is'
(&v is neut. of &v, pres. part. of e:!viXL, 'to be').
See esse and cp. essence. Cp. also ens and the
third word in dolce far niente.
ento-, combining form meaning 'within, inside,
inner'.- Gk. evTo-, fr. ~-r6~. 'within, inside',
cogn. with L. intus, 'within', fr. I.-E. *en-tos,
fr. *en, 'in' and adverbial suff. -tos, denoting
the origin. For the first element see 2nd en-.
For the second element cp. 01. i-td/:1, 'from
here', L. cael-itus, divin-itus, 'from heaven'.
entomb, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en- and tomb.
Derivative: entomb-ment, n.
entomic, adj., pertaining to insects. - Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. l:v-roJ.I.IX, 'insects'. See entomo-.
entomo-, combining form meaning 'insect, insecti-', Gk. eVTOJ.I.O-, fr. l:v-roJ.I.o~, 'cut up, cut in
pieces', used in pl. neut. ( = ~VTOJ.I.OC, sci!. ~<;>oc)
in the sense of 'insects', lit. 'animals cut in');
so called by Aristotle, Historia animalium,
487a 33 because their body is divided into segments; EVTOJ.I.O~ derives from evTeJ.I.VEW, to
cut in', which is formed fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and
-re!J.ve:w, 'to cut'; see tome. Cp. L. insecta, 'insects' (fr. inseciire, 'to cut into'), which is a loan
translation of Gk. E:v-ro!J.IX (see insect).
entomology, n., the study of insects. - F. entomologie, which is compounded of entomo- and
Gk. -:Aoyl<i, fr. -A6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (wit~ a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
entomophagous, adj., feeding on insects. - Compounded of entomo- and Gk. -qlciyo~, 'eater of'.
See -phagous.
entomophilous, adj., fertilized by insects.- Compounded of entomo- and Gk. qll:Ao~, 'loved, beloved'. See -philous.
Entomostraca, n. pl., a subclass of crustaceans
(zoo/.) - Compounded of entomo- and Gk.
ocr-rpiXKov, 'oyster shell'. See entomo- and ostracon.
entomotomy, n., dissection of insects. - Compounded of entomo- and Gk. -TO(J.L<i, 'a cutting
of', fr. TOJ.I.~, 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
Derivative: entomotom-ist, n.
entopbyte, n., a vegetable parasite living within
the body of an animal or another plant (bot.)
-Compounded of ento- and Gk. ~-.6v, 'plant'.
See -phyte.

Derivative: entophyt-ic, adj.

entotic, adj., pertaining to the interior of the ear.

Compounded of Gk. ev-r6~, 'within', and

to the ear'. See ento and otic.
entourage, n., 1) surroundings; 2) circle of followers.- F., fr. entourer, 'to surround', fr. 1st
en- and tour, 'tum, circuit'. See tour and -age
and cp. tournure, detour.
entozoa, n. pl., internal parasites, esp. intestinal
worms. - ModL., compounded of ento- and
~{j>IX, pl. of ~<;>ov, 'animal'. See zoo-.
Derivatives: entozo-a/, adj., entozo-an, adj. and
n., entozo-ic, adj.
entr'acte, n., interval between two acts; interlude. - F., formed fr. entre, 'between', and
acte, 'act'. See entre- and act and cp. interact.
entrails, n. pl., the internal organs; specif., the
intestines.- ME. entrail/e, fr. OF. entrail/e (in
F. only in pl.), fr. VL. intriilia (occurring in the
Reichenau Glosses, dating from the end of the
8th cent.), which is formed-with change of
suff.-fr. L. interiinea, neut. pl. of interiineus,
'that which is within', fr. inter, 'between,
among'. See inter, prep., and cp. enteric,entero-.
entrain, tr. and intr. v., to put or go aboard a
train. - Formed fr. 1st en- and the noun train.
entrain, tr. v., to draw on or along. - F. entrainer, fr. 1st en- and trainer, 'to draw'. See
train, v.
entrammel, tr. v., to put into trammels. Formed fr. 1st en- and trammel.
entrance, n., the act of entering. - OF., fr. entrer. See enter and -ance.
entrance, tr. v., to put into a trance.- Formed
fr. I st en- and trance.
Derivatives: entrance-ment, n., entranc-ing, adj.,
entranc-ing-ly, adv.
entrant, adj., entering; n., one who enters.- F.
entrant, pres. part. of entrer, 'to enter'. See
enter and -ant.
entrap, tr. v.- OF. entraper, 'to catch'. See 1st
en- and trap, 'mechanical device for catching
animals'. Derivative: entrapp-er, n.
entre-, combining form in French loan words,
corresponding to English enter-.- Fr. F. entre,
'between, among', fr. L. inter, of s.m. See 1st
enter-.
entreat, tr. and intr. v. - ME. entreten, fr. OF.
entraiter, 'to treat', fr. 1st en- and trailer, 'to
treat'. See treat.
Derivatives: entreat-ing, adj., entreat-ing-ly, adv.
entreaty, n.- Formed fr. entreat on analogy of
treaty.
entree, entree, n., r) entrance, right to enter;
2) a course of meal. - F. entree. See entry.
entremets, n., side dish, extra dish.- F., fr. entre
mets, 'between dishes'. See 1st entre- and mess.
entrench, intrench, tr. v. - Lit. 'to surround
with entrenchments'; formed fr. 1st en- (resp.
in-, 'in') and trench.
Derivatives: entrench-er, n., entrench-ment, n.
entrep6t, n., a warehouse. - F., fr. L. interpositum, 'that which is placed between', neut. pp. of
interponere. See Inter- and position and cp. depot.
w-rLK6~, 'pertaining

I
I

.I

envelop

entrepreneur, n., one who manages an undertaking. - F., fr. entreprendre, 'to undertake', fr.
VL. interprendere. See entreprise.
entresol, n., a story between the ground floor and
the first floor. - F., formed fr. 1st entre- and
sol, 'ground, earth', fr. L. so/um, 'the lowest
part of a thing; the floor of a room', whence
solea, 'sole of a sandal, sandal'. See sole, 'the
under surface of the foot'.
entropy, n., measure of the waste thermal energy
(phys.)- G.Entropie,formed on analogyofG.
Energie, 'energy', fr. 2nd en- and -rpo7dj, 'a turning, turn, change', first used in 1850 by the
German physicist Rudolf Julius Emmanuel
Clausius (1822-88). See trope and-y (representing Gk. -l<i).
entrust, intrust, tr. v. - Formed fr. rst en- (resp.
in-, 'in') and trust .
entry, n. - F. entree, prop. fern. pp. of entrer,
'to enter', fr. L. intriire. Cp. It. entrata (fern. pp.
of entrare), OProven-;. intrada (fern. pp. of intrar), Sp. entrada (fern. pp. of entrar) and see
enter. Cp. also entree.
entwine, tr. v. -Formed fr. 1st en- and twine.
entwist, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en- and twist.
Entyloma, n., a genus of parasitic fungi (bot.) ModL., fr. 2nd en- and Gk. TUACUJ.I.IX, 'callus', fr.
-rU:Ao~, 'a swelling'. See tyloma.
enucleate, tr. v., 1) to remove the kernel from the
husk; 2) to make clear; 3) (surg.) to remove (a
tumor, etc.) from its sac.-- L. enucleiitus, pp. of
enucleiire, 'to take out the kernel, clear from
the husk, enucleate', fr. e- and nucleus, 'nut,
kernel'. See nucleus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: enucleat-ion, n.
enucleate, adj., having no nucleus. - L. enucfeiitus, pp. of enucleiire. See enucleate, v.
enumerate, tr. v. - L. enumeriitus, pp. of enumeriire, 'to reckon up, count over, enumerate',
fr. e- and numeriire, 'to count, number', fr.
numerus, 'number'. See number and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: enumeration (q.v.), enumerat-ive,
adj., enumerat-or, n.
enumeration, n. - F. enumeration, fr. L. enumeriitionem, ace. of enumeriitio, 'a counting up',
fr. enumeriitus, pp. of enumeriire. See prec. word
and -ion.
enunciate, tr. v., 1) to announce; 2) to pronounce.
- L. eniintiiitus, pp. of eniintiiire, 'to divulge,
disclose, report, say, declare', fr. e- and niintiiire, 'to announce, declare'. See enounce.
enunciation, n. - L. eniintiiitio, gen. -onis, 'enunciation, declaration', fr. eniintiatus, pp. of eniintiiire. See prec. word and -ion and cp. annunciation, denunciation, pronunciation.
enuresis, n., incontinence of urine (med.) Medical L., fr. Gk. E:voupe:i:v, 'to make water in',
fr.l:v (see 2nd en-) and oupe'Lv, 'to make water'.
See urine.

envelop, tr. v. - ME. envelupen, fr. OF. enveloper (F. envelopper), which is prob. formed fr.

envelope

1st en- and a blend of ML. faluppa, 'straw, ball

of com', and L. volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and
cp. develop.
Derivative: envelop-ment, n.
envelope, n.- F. enve/oppe, back formation fr.
envelopper. See prec. word.
envenom, tr. v., 1) to put poison on or in; 2) to
embitter. -ME. envenimen, fr. OF. envenimer,
fr. 1st en- and venim, 'venom'. See venom.
enviable, adj.- Formed fr. envy with suff. -able.
Derivatives: enviable-ness, n., enviabl-y, adv.
envious, adj. - OF. envieus, fr. L. invidi6sus,
'full of envy, envious', fr. invidia, 'envy'. See
envy, n., and -ous and cp. invidious, which is a
doublet of envious.
Derivative: envious-ly, adv., envious-ness, n.
environ, tr. v., to surround. -F. environner, 'to
surround', fr. environ, 'round about', fr. 1st enand viron, 'a going round, circuit', fr. virer, 'to
tum round'. See veer.
environment, n., surroundings.- Formed fr. environ with suff. -ment; introduced by Thomas
Carlyle (17951881) to render G. Umgebung.
Derivative: environment-al, adj.
environs, n. pl., outskirts. - F., fr. environ,
'round about'. See environ.
envisage, tr. v., I) to face; 2) to visualize.- F.
envisager, 'to face, consider, contemplate', fr.
rst en- and visage, 'face' (see visage); prob. introduced into English by John Keats (I795I82I).
envoy, n., a postscript to a poem or to a prose
composition. - OF. envoy (F. envoi), 'a sending', back formation fr. OF. envoiier (F. envoyer), 'to send', fr. VL. *inviiire, of s.m., lit.
'to put on the way', fr. in-, 'in' and L. via, 'way'.
See via and cp. voyage, invoice.
envoy, n., a messenger. - F. envoye, pp. of envoyer, 'to send'. See prec. word.
envy, n.- OF. ( = F.) envie, fr. L. invidia, 'envy,
jealousy', fr. invidere, 'to look askance at, look
maliciously at, cast an evil eye upon, to envy,
grudge', fr. in-, 'in', and videre, 'to see'. See
vision and cp. envious. For sense development
cp. Avestic nipashnaka-, 'envious' (cogn. with
L. speci6, 'I look at, behold'}, OSlav. zavideti,
'to envy' (fr. videti, 'to see') and Lith. pa-vydeti,
'to envy' (rei. to veizdeti, 'to see, to look at').
envy, tr. v.- F. envier, fr. VL. invidiiire, 'to envy', fr. L. invidia. See envy, n.
enwind, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en- and wind,
'to tum' (q.v.)
enwomb, tr. v.- Formed fr. 1st en and womb
(q.v.)
enwrap, tr. v. - Formed fr. 1st en and wrap
(q.v.)
enzootic, adj., prevailing in a certain area (said
of diseases affecting animals) and correspond
ing to endemic diseases in man. - F. enzootique, fr. 2nd en- and Gk. ~i;)o~. 'animal'. See
zoo- and -ic and cp. epizootic.
Derivative: enzootic, n., an enzootic disease.

528

enzyme, n., a chemical ferment (biochem.) G. Enzym, coined by the German physiologist
Wilhelm Kiihne (1837-1900) in 1878 fr. MGk.
~v~tifLot;, 'leavened', fr. Gk. tv (see 2nd en) and
~OfL'!J, 'leaven'. See zymosis.
Derivatives: enzym-atic, enzym-ic, adjs.
eo-, combining form meaning 'dawn'. - Gk.
Tjw-, fr. Tjwt;, 'dawn', which stands for *iius6s
and is cogn. with OE. east, 'in the east'. See
east and cp. words there referred to.
eoan, adj., pertaining to the dawn. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. lous, fr. Gk. Tji;)ot;, 'of the
dawri, pertaining to the dawn', fr. Tjwt;. See eoand -an.
Eoanthropus, n., a prehistoric type of man, the
Piltdown man (anthropol.) - ModL., lit. 'man
of the dawn', compounded of eo- and Gk.
5~17pwreot;, 'man'. See anthropo-.
Eocene, adj., pertaining to the earliest division
of the Tertiary period (geol.) - Compounded
of eo- and Gk. xo:w6t;, 'new'. See kainite.
Derivative: Eocene, n., the Eocene period.
Eohippus, n., the progenitor of the horse (paleonto!.) - ModL., lit. 'horse of the dawn
(period)'; compounded of eo- and Gk. trereot;,
'horse'. See hippo.
eolith, n., a rude stone implement. - See next
word.
eolithic, adj., pertaining to the age preceding the
paleolithic Age (geol.) - Compounded of eoand Gk. Al&o~. 'stone'. See litho-.
Eomecon, n., a genus of Chinese plants of the
poppy family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
eo- and Gk. fL~xwv, 'poppy'. See meconium.
eon, n. - A variant of aeon.
Eos, n., the goddess of dawn in Greek mythology; identified with the Roman Aurora. - L.
Eos, also Eos, fr. Gk. 'Hw<;, lit. 'dawn'. See eo-.
eosin, eosine, n., a rose-colored dye (chem.) Formed with chem. sulf. -in, -ine fr. Gk. Tjw~.
'dawn'. See eo-.
-eous, adjectival sulf. meaning 'of the nature of'.
- L. -eus as in /igneus, 'of wood, wooden' (fr.
lignum, 'wood', see ligneous). Cp. -ous.
ep-, form of epi- before a vowel.
epact, n., the excess of the solar year over 12
lunar months (chronol.) - F. epacte, fr. Late
L. epacta, 'an intercalary day', fr. Gk. t7tO:K't'o:(
(scil. ~fdpo:~}, 'intercalary days', fern. pl. of
trco:x't'6~, 'added, intercalated', verbal adj. of
&reci.ye:~v. 'to bring forward, add, intercalate', fr.
&m (see epi-) and Ciye:w, 'to lead', which is cogn.
with L. agere, 'to drive, set in motion, lead'. See
agent, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
eparch, n., 1) governor of an eparchy; 2) bishop
of an eparchy. - Gk. ~reo:pxo~, 'commandor,
governor', fr. &rel (see epi) and &px6~, 'leader,
chief, ruler'. See -arcb.
eparchy, n., subdivision of a province in modem
Greece. -- Gk. t1to:;:;.:lii, 'office of an eparch,
province', fr. f:7tetpxo~. See prec. word and Y
(representing Gk. -l&).

529

epaulement, n., breastwork serving as protection

from flanking fire (fort.) - F. epaulement,
'shoulder piece, breastwork', fr. epauler, 'to
support with the shoulder, to make an epaulement', fr. epaule, 'shoulder'. See next word and
-ment.
epaulet, also epaulette, n., a shoulder ornament.
-F. epaulette, dimin. of epaule, 'shoulder', fr.
OF. espalle, espalde, fr. L. spatula, spathula, 'a
broad piece' (later 'shoulder'), dimin. of spatha,
'a broad wooden instrument, a broad, two
edged sword', fr. Gk. an-c&'1), 'a broad flat
sword'. See spade and cp. epauliere, epee, espa
lier, pauldron, pawl, 'bar'. For the ending see
the suffixes -et, -ette.
epauliere, n., shoulder piece worn on uniforms.
- F., 'shoulder strap; shoulder plate (armor)',
fr. epaule, 'shoulder', fr. OF. espauliere. See
prec. word.
epee, n., sword.- F., fr. L. spatha. See epaulet.
epeiric, adj., covering continents or parts of
them - said of seas (geol.) - Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. 1\m:tpo<;, 'mainland', which
stands for *&ree:p-1o<; (cp. Dor. &ree:tpo~, Aeol.
&ree:ppot;, of s.m.), and is cogn. with OE. 6/er,
OFris. over, Du. oever, MHG. uover, G. Ufer,
'shore'.
ependyma, n., the lining membrane of the ventricles of the brain and the canal of the spinal
cord (anat.) - Medical L, fr. Gk. &rev8ufLo:,
'upper garment', fr. &ree:vMe:~v, 'to put on
over', fr. trel (see epi) and tvMe:w, 'to put on
(clothes)' (whence ~8ufLo:, 'garment'); see en
dysis. Considering the fact that this membrane
consists of a single layer ( = 'garment'), endyma
would be a more befitting name than ependyma,
since this latter lit. denotes a garment worn over
another garment.
Derivative: ependym-al, adj.
ependymitis, n., inflammation of the ependyma
(med.) - Medical L., formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -itis.
ependymoma, n., diseased condition of the ependyma (med.) - Medical L., formed fr. ependyma with suff. -oma,
epenthesis, n., insertion of a letter or a syllable
in a word (gramm.) - Late L., fr. Gk. tre11&e:cr~<;, 'insertion', fr. t1tEV't'L&tvo:L, 'to insert',
fr. ire( (see epi-) and tvn&Ello:~, 'to put in', fr.
tv (see 2nd en-) and ..~.a-tva:~. 'to put, place'.
See theme and cp. thesis and words there referred to.
epenthetic, adj., of the nature of, or pertaining
to, epenthesis. - Gk. m:v&enx6~, fr. tree:vn.sivo:t, 'to insert'. See prec. word and -ic.
epergne, n., an ornamental centerpiece. - F.
epargne, 'a saving', fr. epargner, 'to save', fr.
OF. espargnier, a word of Teut. origin. Cp. OS.
sparon, OHG. spar6n, sparen, 'to save, spare',
and see spare. OProven~. esparnhar and It.
risparmiare, 'to save', are also Teut.loan words.
epexegesis, n., an added explanation. - Gk.

ephialtes
ree:~1)Y7Jm~, 'a detailed account, explanation',
fr. eree:~7Jye:i:cr&o:t, 'to recount in det1lil', fr. t7t(
(see epi-) and e~'!JYEi:cr&o:~, 'to explain'. See exegesis.
epexegetic, epexegetical, adj., explanatory.- See
prec. word and exegetic, exegetical.
eph-, form of epi- before an aspirated vowel.
ephah, epha, n., a Hebrew grain measure.- Heb.
ephli", prob. fr. Egypt. 'pt (whence Coptic
uoipe, oipe, LXX Greek o[t:pd, o!t:pl}.
ephebe, n., an ephebus.- See ephebus.
ephebic, adj., pertaining to the ephebi. - Gk.
et:p'l)~tx6~, fr. lt:p'l)~O<;. See next word and -ic.
ephebus, n., a citizen between 18 and 20 years
(Greek hist.)- L., fr. Gk. f:t:p'l)~O~, 'a youth', fr.
ere( (see epi-) and 1\~'1), 'youth, early manhood'.
See Hebe.
Ephedra, n., a genus of desert shrubs of the jointfir family (bot.) - L. ephedra, 'horsetail', fr.
Gk. tt:p8piX, prop. fern. of ~t:pe8po~, 'sitting
upon', used as a noun, fr. ere( (see epi-) and
~8piX, 'seat'. See -hedron.
ephelis, n., a freckle. - Gk. ~t:p'l)AL~ (in the pl.
et:pljA~8e~), 'freckle', fr. em (see epi-) and 1\ALO<;,
'sun'. See hello- and cp. words there referred to.
Ephemera, n., the genus of the Ephemerida (entomol.)- ModL., fr. Gk. et:p~fle:pov, 'dayfiy',
prop. neut. of tt:p~fLepo<;, 'lasting but a day,
short-lived', used as a noun, fr. t7tL (see epi-)
and ~fLEp&, 'day'. See hemero-.
ephemeral, adj., living only for a day; shortlived, fleeting. - Lit. meaning 'of one day';
formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. tt:pl)fLepo~. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: ephemeral-ity, n., ephemeral-ly,
adj., ephemeral-ness, n.
ephemerid, n., any of the Ephemeridae. - See
next word.
Ephemeridae, n. pl., an order of insects, the May
fly (entomol.) - ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. Gk. et:pljfLepov, 'dayfly'. See Ephemera.
ephemeris, n., 1) a diary (obsol.); 2) an astronomical calendar.- Gk. et:p'l)fLEpl~, 'diary; calendar',
fr. t<:pl)fLe:pot;, 'lasting but a day'. See Ephemera.
ephemeron, n., 1) an ephemerid; 2) anything
transitory. - Gk. et:p~fLEpov, neut. of tt:p~[J.epo:;,
'lasting but a day'. See Ephemera.
ephetae, n. pl., a court of 51 members, which
tried cases of homicid~ in ancient Athens. ModL., fr. Gk. tt:pE't'o:~, pl. of tt:p&TIJ~, from the
stem of tt:prbo:t, 'to send to, send against, impose upon', fr. trel (see epi-) and !Ello:t, 'to send,
throw', which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn.
with L. jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth',
and cp. words there referred to.
Ephialtes, n., a giant slain by Apollo (Greek mytho/.) - L., fr. Gk. 'Et:pdATijt;, of uncertain
origin. The explanation of the ancients that the
name derives from the verb tt:pcii.Ae:cr&o:t, 'to
leap upon', is prob. folk etymology. See Frisk,
GEW., pp.5o8-509
epbjaltes, n., a nightmare.- Orig. (cap.) denot-

eph1pp1um
ing a demon supposed to cause nightmares, and
identical with prec. word.
ephippium, n., the pituitary fossa (anat.) - L.
'saddle cloth, caparison', fr. Gk. t<pLTtmov, prop.
neut. of the adj. ecp[ Ttmo~, 'for putting on a horse',
fr. tTtL (see epi-) and tmm.;, 'horse' (see hippo-);
so called from its shape.
epbod, n., a Jewish priestly garment. - Heb.
ephMh, whence iipluidh, 'he girded on the
ephod'. Cp. Akkad. epattum, pl. epadiitum,
'garment'.
ephor, n., one of a body of magistrates in various
ancient Dorian states, esp. in Sparta, where a
body of five ephors was annually chosen. - L.
ephorus, fr. Gk. ~<popo<;, 'overseer, guardian',
the same as tTt[oupo<;, fr. t7tL (see epi-) and
oopo~. 'watcher, guard', prop. 'seer, overseer',
which is rei. to opOCv, 'to see', and cogn. with
OE. w~r, 'aware, cautious'. See ware, 'alert'.
Derivatives: ephor-a/, adj., ephor-a/-ty, n.,
ephor-ate, n., ephor-ic, adj.
ephphatha, interj., lit. 'be opened' (see Mark
7: 34). - Gk. t<pcpoc3-&, corrupt transliteration of
Ararn. ethpatta/;1, 'be opened!', imper. Ethpa'al
of p<ta/;1, 'he opened', which is rel. to Heb.
piitha/;1, Arab. fata/;la, 'he opened', Akkad. pitii,
patii, 'to open'.
Ephraim, r) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible; a) the
younger son of Joseph; b) the tribe descended
from him, whence c) the Kingdom of Israel. Late L., fr. Gk. 'Ecppoctfl, fr. Heb. Ephrayim,
a derivative of piirti", 'was fruitful', which is rei.
to Heb. and Aram. p<ri, Aram.-Syr.pera, 'fruit'.
See Gen.41: 52 and cp. Hos. 13:25.
Ephydra, n., a genus of brine flies (entomol.) ModL., fr. Gk. icpuSpii, fern. of ~cpu8po~. 'living
on the water', fr. btL (see epi-) and uScup,
'water'. See hydro-.
epi-, before a vowel ep-, before an aspirate eph-,
pref. meaning 'on, beside, among, above, anterior'. In chemistry this pre f. denotes relation
of some kind to a specified compound. - Gk.
em-, err-, ecp-, fr. err[, 'on, upon; up to, over,
after; at; beyond, besides', cogn. with 01. api,
'also, besides', Avestic aipi, 'also; to, toward',
Toch. -pi, Arm. ev, 'also, and', and in gradational relationship to Gk. 6m- in om3-e(v), Ion.
and Att. omaih:(v), 'after, behind', L. ob, 'toward, against, in the way of; about; before; on
account of; instead of'. Cp. ob- and words there
referred to. Cp. also the first element in bias,
bishop. For Teut. cognates see even, 'evening'.
epiblast, n., the outer layer of the embryo (bioi.)
- Compounded of epi- and Gk. ~J.ocm-6.;, 'bud,
sprout, shoot'. See -blast.
Derivative: epiblast-ic, adj.
epic, adj. - L. epicus, fr. Gk. h:tx6~, 'epic', fr.
~1to<;, 'word, song', in pl., 'epic poetry'. See
epos and -ic and cp. epopee.
Derivatives: epic, n., epic-a!, adj., epic-al-ly, adv.
epicardium, n., the visceral layer of the pericardium (anat.) - Medical L., fr. epi- and Gk.

.)3U

xocp8[ii, 'heart'. See cardio- and cp. endocardium, pericardium.

Epicarides, n. pl., a group ofsmall crustaceans
parasitic on shrimp (zoo!.) - ModL., lit. 'those
(living) on shrimps', fr. epi- and Gk. xiipE.;, gen.
xiip[So<;, 'shrimp, prawn'. See Caridea.
epicarp, n., the outermost layer of a pericarp
(bot.)- See epi- and carpel and cp. endocarp,
pericarp.
epicedium, n., a funeral hymn, dirge. - L. epicedium, fr. Gk. emx1)8e:tov, 'a dirge, elegy', prop.
neut. of the adjective E.mx1)8e:w<;, 'funeral', used
as a noun, fr. eTt[ (see epi-) and x-ij8o<;, 'sorrow',
which is rei. to Dor. xiiSo~, of s.rn., and cogn.
with Goth. hatis, OE. hete, 'hatred'. See hate
and cp. acedia.
epicene, adj., of common gender (gramm.) - L.
epicoenus, fr. Gk. eTtLXOLvo~. 'common, promiscuous', fr. em (see epi-) and XOt\16<;, 'common'. See coeno-.
epicenter, epicentre, n., the area of the earth's
surface immediately above the center of an
earthquake (seismol.) - Gk. errExe:v-rpo~, 'on
the center', fr. tTt[ (see epi-) and xv-rpov, 'center'. See center.
epicentrum, n., an epicenter.- ModL. See prec.
word.
epichorial, adj., pertaining, or restricted, to a
country or a district. - Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. Gk. emxwpw~, 'in, or of, the country',
fr. ETt[ (see epi-) and xwpii, 'country'. See
enchorial.
epicondyle, n., a surface or process above a condyle (anat.) - Orig. used to denote 'the lateral
epicondyle of the humerus'. The name is erroneous. It was coined by the French anatomist
and surgeon Franc;ois Chaussier (1746-1828) fr.
epi- and condyle. The correct form should have
been paracondyle (in accordance with the meaning of Gk. rrocpti, 'beside', in contradistinction
to eTti, which means 'on, upon'). See Joseph
Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica, pp. 200-201.
A similar erroneous anatomical term (also
coined by Chaussier) is epitrochlea (q.v.)
Epicrates, n., a genus of nonpoisonous boas
(zoo!.) - ModL., fr. Gk. emxp~TI;~. 'having
mastery, superior', fr. e7t[ (see epi-) and xp&-ro~,
'strength, power'. See -cracy.
epicure, n., one given up to sensual enjoyment.
- L. Epiciirus, fr. Gk. 'ETt[xoupo~, Greek philosopher said to have regarded sensual enjoyment
as the highest good.
Epicurean, adj., pertaining to Epicurus; n., a
follower of Epicurus. - Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Epiciireus, fr. Gk. 'Emxoupe:w~, 'pertaining to Epicurus', fr. 'Err(xoupo~. See prec. word.
Epicureanism, n., 1) the doctrine of Epicurus;
2) epicurism. - See epicure and -ism.
epicurism, n., addiction to sensual enjoyment.See epicure and -ism.
epicycle, n., a circle whose center moves along
the circumference of another and larger circle.

531
- Late L. epicyclus, fr. Gk. eTtLXUXAO~, fr. e;r[
(see epi-) and xuxl.o~. 'circle'. See cycle.
Derivative: epicyi:l-ic, adj.
epicycloid, n., the curve traced by a point on the
circumference of a circle that rolls upon the
outside of the circumference of another circle.
- Compounded of epicycle and Gk. -oeL81)~,
'like', fr. d8o~. 'form, shape'. See -oid.
Derivative: epicycloid-al, adj.
epideictic, adj., serving to display or exhibit. -Gk.
emile:Lxnx6~, 'for displaying', fr. tm8e:txvuvocL,
'to show off, display', fr. err( (see epi-) and
ile:Lxvuvoct, 'to show'. See deictic and cp. apodictic.
epidemic, epidemical, adj., prevalent among many
people in a community at the same time. - F.
epidemique, fr. epidemie, 'epidemic (n.)', fr. ML.
epidemia, fr. Gk. imSIJIJ.Lii [for em81J!J.Lii (v6ao~).
'(disease) prevalent among the p~ople'], fern. of
emil-IJf.LtO<;, 'among the people', fr. en[81)f.LO~, 'at
home, current, prevalent', fr. eTt[, 'among' (see
epi-), and 8-ijf.Lo~. 'people'. See demos and -ic,
resp. also -al, and cp. endemic.
Derivatives: epidemic, n., epidemic-al-ly, adv.,
epidemic-al-ness, n., epidemic-ity, n.
epidemiology, n., the study of epidemics. -Compounded of Gk. tTtL8-IJ!J.tO~, 'prevalent among
the people', and -:1-oylii, fr. -A6yo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See epidemic and -logy
and cp. endemiology.
Derivatives: epidemiolog-ic-al, adj., epidemiolog-ist, n.
epidemy, n., an epidemic (rare). - F. epidemie,
fr. ML. epidemia. See epidemic.
Epidcndrum, also Epidendron, n., a genus of
American orchids (bot.) -- ModL., formed fr.
epi- and Gk. 8evo3pov, 'tree'. See dendro-.
epidermal, epidermic, adj., pertaining to the skin.
- See epidermis and -al, resp. -ic.
epidermis, n., the outer skin (anat.) - Late L.,
fr. Gk. E:moe:p!J.l~. 'the outer skin', lit. (that
which is) on the skin', fr. b (see epi-) and
Sfp!J.~. 'skin' (sec derma); first used by the English philosopher Francis Bacon (ls6r-I626).
epididym-, form of epididymo- before a vowel.
epididymis, n., mass at the back of the testicle
(anat.) - ModL., lit. 'that which is on the
testicle', fr. Gk. e;:L8L8Jf.LL~. a name prob.
coined by the Greek anatomist Herophilus
(about 300 B.C. E.) fr. bl (see epi-) and Sliluf.LO~,
'testicle', prop. an adjective meaning 'double,
twofold, twin'. See didymium.
Derivative: epididym-al, adj.
epididymectomy, n., removal of the ep1d1dymis.
- Compounded of the prec. word and Gk.
-e:x-rofLlii, 'a cutting out of', fr. ix-rof.Lf., 'a cutting out'. See -ectomy.
epididymitis, n., inflammation of the epididymis
Medical L., formed fr. epididymis with
(mcd.)
suff. -itis.
epididymo-, before a vowel epidldym-, combining

form meaning 'pertaining to the epididymis.'~

See epididymis.
epidote, n., a complex silicate of calcium, aluminum and iron, of a yellowish-green color
(mineral.) - F. epidote, a name coined by the
French mineralogist Rene-Just Haliy (1743!822), from the stern of Gk. bn8t86vocr., 'to
give besides, increase', fr. E:Tt(, 'besides' (see
epi-) and 8Lil6voct, 'to give' (verbal adj. ilo-r6~.
'given', see antidote); so called by him because
two of the sides of the parallelogram serving
asthe base of this mineral are much longer than
the other two sides. Derivative: epidot-ic, adj.
Epigaea, n., a genus of plants of the heath family
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'growing on the ground',
fr. epi- and Gk. yoc~oc. yij, 'earth'. See Gaea.
epigastric, adj., on or above the stomach (anat.)
- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. E:my&cr":pta~,
'above the belly', fr. eTt[ (see epi-) and yocaTI)p,
'belly'. See gastro- and cp. hypogastric, mesogastric.
epigastrium, n., the epigastric region of the body
(anat.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. E.myci.a:pov, "that
which is above the belly', prop. neut. of hny&a-rpLo~, 'above the belly', used as a noun. See
prec. word and cp. hypogastrium, mesogastrium.
epigenc, adj., I) growing on the surface of the
earth (geol.); 2) foreign (said of crystals).- F.
epigene, fr. Gk. &mye:v-1)~. 'growing on or after'.
See epi- and -gene.
epigenesis, n., the theory that each germ or embryo is an entirely new creation (bioi.) Formed fr. epi- and genesis.
epigeous, adj., I) growing on or near the ground;
borne above ground after germination (said of
cotyledons).-- Gk. E:Tt[ye:w~, 'on or of the e:~rth',
fr. iTt[ (see epi-), and yij, 'earth'. Sec Gaea. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o~, see -ous.
epiglottic, adj., pertaining to the epiglottis. ~
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. b:l'(i.<'""'"''~ See
next word.
epiglottis, n., the triangular cartilage at 1he base
of the tongue, which closes the opcnmg of the
windpipe during swallowing (anat.) - Gk.
&;.nyl.cuTTL;, 'valve which covers the lar~nx. epiglottis', lit. '(that which is) upon the wngue',
fr. e1tl (see epi-), and yl.wn::J., 'tongue. See
glottis.
epigone, n., 1) one of the succeeding gener:~tion;
esp. applied to the sons of the 'Se,en against
Thebes' in Greek mythology; whence 2) an inferior imitator of a great man.- L. Epigouf, "the
son of the Seven who went against Thebes'. fr.
Gk. 'Edyovr,l, lit. 'born after', pl. of 1;,-;;:'.v<J:,
fr. e;:LylyvEcr{b.L, w be born af1er", fr. i:;:\ (>ee
epi-) and ylyvEa3-:tL, 'to be born'. Sec genus.
epigram, n., a terse, witty statement in prose or
verse. - F. epigramme, fr. L. epigramma, fr.
Gk. e;rlypOCf.LtJ.OC, gen. -yp&!J.!.I.OC-:o;, inscriplion;
epigram', lit. 'something written on'. fr. b-:lyp&<pe:tv, 'to write upon', fr. ETtL (see epi-) and
ypci.q>tv, 'to write'. See gramme and cp. epigraph.

epigrammatic

epigrammatic, adj.- Late L. epigrammiiticus, fr.

L. epigramma, gen. -grammatis, 'epigram'. See
prec. word and -atic.
Derivatives: epigrammatic-a/, adj., epigrammatic-al-ly, adv.
epigrammatism, n., the use of epigrams. Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk. tTt(ypot(:L(:Lot, gen.
-yp&[L[Lot't'oc;. See epigram.
epigrammatist, n., a maker of epigrams. - Late
L. epigrammatista, fr. Gk. l:mypot!J.!J.Dt't'tO''t'f)c;,
'writer of epigrams, epigrammatist', fr. tmypot!J.!J.ot't'l~e:tv, 'to write epigrams', fr. ETtL ypot!J.!J.Dt.
See epigram and -ist and cp. next word.
epigrammatize, tr. v., to express in an epigrammatic form; intr. v., to write epigrams.- Gk.
tmypot!J.!J.Dt't'L~e:tv, 'to write epigrams', fr. tTt(ypot!J.[J.Dt. See epigram and -ize.
epigraph, n., an inscription. - Gk. tmypotc:p-Tj,
'inscription', fr. emyp&c:pe:w. See epigram.
Derivatives: epigraph, tr. v., epigraph-er, n.,
epigraph-ic, epigraph-ic-a!, adjs., epigraph-ic
al-ly, adv., epigraph-ist, n., epigraph-y, n.
epilepsy, n., a chronic nervous disease characterized by convulsions. - OF. epi/epsie (F. epilepsie), fr. Late L. epi/epsia, fr. Gk. tmA.Tjljllii,
'liability to seizure, epilepsy', rei. to tmA.o~~J.
[3&ve:w, 'to lay hold of, seize, attack', fr. tTt( (see
epi-) and the future stem ofA.ot!J.f3&ve:w, 'to take,
grasp, seize'. See lemma and cp. words there
referred to.
epileptic, adj. r) pertaining to epilepsy; 2) affected with epilepsy. -F. epileptique, fr. Late
L. epi/epticus, fr. Gk. emA.Tj1t't'tx6c;, 'subject to
epilepsy, epileptic', fr. tTtLATjTt't'oc;, 'suffering
from epilepsy', verbal adj. of emA.ot!J.f3&ve:tv. See
prec. word and -ic. Derivative: epileptic, n.
epilogist, n., writer or speaker of an epilogue. See next word and -ist.
epilogue, epilog, n., speech at the end of a play. F. epilogue, fr. L. epilogus, fr. Gk. t1tlA.oyoc;,
'peroration; concluding part of a play', lit. 'a
saying in addition', fr. tTttJ.eye:w, 'to say in addition'. fr. ETtL (see epi) and A.eye:tv, 'to say,
speak'. See lecture and cp. logos.
Derivative: epilogue, tr. v.
Epimedium, n., a genus of plants of the barberry
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. epimedion, fr. Gk.
tm~J.iJStov, name of a plant, possibly 'barrenwort', fr. tTt( (see epi-) and !LiJStov, name of a
plant (Campanula); so called because of its re~mblance to the plant !J.Tj8tov.
Epimetheus, n., the brother of Prometheus (Greek
mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. 'Em!J.Tj.&eUc;, lit. 'afterthinker', fr. tm (see epi-) and *I:L'i"f&oc;, corresponding to Dor. *[J.ii&oc;, 'care', fr. I.-E.
*nuidh-, a var. of men-dh, enlargement of base
men-, 'to think'. See mathematical and cp.
Prometheus.
epinasty, adj., increased growth of the upper surface of an organ, causing that organ or part of
it to bend downward (plant physiol.) - G. Fpinastie, formed fr. epi- and Gk. votO"t'6c;, 'pressed

532
close, compact', verbal adj. of v&crcre:tv, 'to press
close', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivative: epinast-ic, adj.
epinicion, n., an ode in honor of a victor. ModL., fr. Gk. tmvfxwv, 'song of victory'
(short for ~cr!Lot tmvfxtov), neut. of tmvfxwc;,
'of victory', fr. tTt( (see epi-) and vfxTj, 'victory'.
See Nicholas.
epiotic, adj., pertaining to the upper ear. Formed fr. epi- and Gk. wnx6c;, 'of, or pertaining to, the ear'. See otic.
epipastic, adj., having the qualities of, or serving
as, a dusting powder (med.) - Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. tTtbtotmoc;, 'sprinkled over',
verbal adj. of tTtm&crcre:tv, 'to sprinkle over', fr.
tTt( (see epi-) and Tt&crcre:tv, 'to besprinkle', which
is of uncertain origin.
Epiphany, n., a festival held January 6, commemorating the first manifestation of Jesus to the
Gentiles (eccles.) - OF. epiphanie, fr. Late L.
epiphania, neut. pl., fr. Late Gk. tmc:p&vtot,
prop. neut. pl. of the adj. l:mc:p&vto<;;, 'appearing,
manifest', used as a noun, fr. tmc:potv-Tjc;, of s.m.,
fr. l:mc:pot(ve:tv, 'to show forth, display, make
manifest', which is formed fr. tTt[ (see epi-) and
c:pot(ve:tv, 'to bring to light, show'. See phantasm and cp. theophany, tiffany.
epiphany, n., manifestation of a divine being.Gk. tmc:p&ve:tot (neut. pl.), 'coming into light,
appearance, manifestation', fr. tmc:potvijc;. See
prec. word.
Epiphegus, n., a genus of parasitic herbs of the
broomrape family (bot.) - ModL., lit. '(that
which grows) on the oak', fr. epi- and Gk. c:p7jy6c;,
Dor. c:piiy6c;, 'oak'. See beech and cp. the first
element in Phegopteris.
epiphora, n., an overflow of tears (med.) - L.,
fr. Gk. tTttcpop&, 'persistent flow of tears', lit.
'a bringing upon', fr.bnc:pepe:w, 'to bring upon',
fr. tTt( (see epi-) and c:pepe:w, 'to bear, carry'.
See bear, 'to carry', and cp. -phore.
epiphysis, n., process on a bone (anat.)- Medical
L., fr. Gk. tTt(c:puat<;;, 'outgrowth, excrescence;
epiphysis', fr. l:mc:pue:cr-0-ott, 'to grow on', fr. eTt(
(see epi-) and c:pue:a&ott, 'to grow', pass. of 't''Je:tv,
'to bring forth, produce, make to grow'. See
physio- and cp. apophysis, diaphysis.
epiphyte, n., any non-parasitic plant growing on
another plant (bot.) - Lit. 'growing on a
plant', fr. epi- and -phyte. Cp. prec. word.
epiphytic, adj., of the nature of an epiphyte (bot.)
- See prec. word and -ic.
epiploitis, n., inflammation of the epiploon(med.)
-Medical L., formed fr.next word with suff. -itis.
epiploon, n., the great omentum (anat.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. tTt(TtJ.oov, 'omentum', which
stands for tn(-TtJ.ofov. For the prefix see epi-.
Gk. -nJ.ofov in em-nA.ofov derives fr. I.-E.
base *pel-, 'skin', whence also Gk. r.i:A[.Lot, 'sole
of foot or shoe', L. pellis, 'hide, skin', OE. filmen, 'membrane'. See feU, 'hide', and cp. words
there referred to. The explanation of Galen and

533

I
I

epitasis

Oribasius that ~TtbtJ.oov derives fr. tmTtAe:tv,

'to swim or sail against' (quoted by Joseph
Hyrtl, Onomatologia Anatomica, p. 204), and
that the omentum is so called because it seems
'to swim over the intestines', is folk etymology.
episcopacy, n., church government by bishops.Formed with suff. -acy fr. Eccles. L. episcopus.
See next word.
episcopal, adj., pertaining to, or governed by,
bishops.- Eccles. L episcopiilis, 'episcopal', fr.
L. episcopus, 'an overseer', in Eccles. L.,
'bishop'. See bishop.
Derivative: episcopal-ly, adv.
episcopalian, adj., pertaining to bishops or to
episcopacy. - See prec. word and -ian.
Derivative: episcopalian-ism, n.
episcopalism, n., the doctrine that authority resides in a body of bishops and not in any individual. -Formed with suff. -ism fr. Eccles.
L. episcopiilis. See episcopal.
episcopate,n., 1) the office or dignity of a bishop;
2) the whole body of bishops. - Eccles. L.
episcopiitus, 'dignity of a bishop', fr. episcopus,
'bishop'. See episcopal and subst. suff. -ate.
episio-, combining form denoting 'relation to
the vulva'.- Fr. Gk. tTtfcrtov, eTtfcre:tOV, 'public
region', which is of unknown origin.
episiotomy, n., the cutting of the tissues of the
pudenda (obstetrics). - Coined by Braun in
1857 fr. episio- and Gk. -TO!J.Lii, 'a cutting of',
fr. 't'O[LTJ, 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
episode, n. - Gk. tTte:ta68wv, 'addition, episode', prop. neut. of the adjective tTte:ta68to~.
'coming in besides, adventitious', fr. btl, 'at,
on, in addition to' (see epi-), e:!c;, ec; (for
'into', rei. to !v, 'in'; see 2nd en-) and oM,;,
'way (see odograph).
Derivatives: episod-ic, episod-ic-al, adjs., episodic-al-ly, adv.
epispastic, adj., causing blistering of the skin
(med.) - Gk. emcrTtotO''t'tx6c;, 'drawing in', fr.
eTt(crTtotcr't'oc;, 'drawn in', verbal adj. of emcrTtiiv,
'to draw in', fr. t7t( (see epi-) and 0'7tiiv, 'to
draw'. See spasm and cp. spastic.
Derivative: epispastic, n., an epispastic agent.
epistaxis, n., bleeding of the nose (med.) Medical L., lit. 'dropping', fr. Gk. tmcr't'li~e:tv,
'to let fall in drops upon', fr. em (see epi-) and
crTii~e:tv, 'to drop'. See stacte.
epistemic, adj., pertaining to knowledge. Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. tmcr't1)!J.Tj, 'knowledge, understanding', fr. eTtLO"t'ot!J.ott, 'I understand, know', lit. 'I stand upon', fr. tm (see
epi-) and taTot!J.ott, 'I stand'. See state. For sense
development cp. E. understand.
epistemology, n., the theory of knowledge. Coined by the Scottis hphilosopher James Frederick Ferrier (r8o8-64) in hislnstitutesofMetaphysics (1854), fr. Gk. tmO"t'Tj[J.7J, 'knowledge,
understanding', and -J.oy(ii, fr. -A.6y<><;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See epistemic and -logy.

eve;,

Derivatives: epistemolog-ic-al, adj., epistemologic-al-ly, adv., epistemolog-ist, n.

episternum, n., the interclavicle (zoo/.)- ModL.,
lit. '(bone) upon the chest', formed fr. epi- and
sternum.
epistle, n., letter.- OF. epistle, epistre (F. epitre),
fr. L. epistola, fr. Gk. ~mcrToATj, 'a letter', lit.
'something sent, message', fr. tmcr't'eAJ.e:w, 'to
send to; to order, command', fr. tn(, 'upon, to'
(see epi-), and cr't'eAAe:w, 'to set in order, arrange, equip, make ready, send out'. See stall
and cp. stele. For the sense development of Gk.
ema't'OATJ, 'something sent, letter', cp. Akkad.
shipru, shipir, 'message, letter, document', fr.
shapiiru, 'to send'.
epistler, n., epistoler. - Formed fr. epistle with
agential suff. -er.
epistolary, adj., pertaining to epistles. - F. epistolaire, fr. L. epistoliiris, 'epistolary', fr. epistola.
See epistle and adj. suff. -ary.
epistoler, n., the priest who reads the Epistle at
the Eucharistic service (eccles.)- F. epistolier,
fr. L. epistoliiris, 'one celebrated for his letters',
fr. epistola, 'letter'. See epistle and agential
suff. -er.
epistrophe, n., repetition of the same word at the
end of successive clauses or sentences (rhet.) Late L., fr. Gk. l:mcr't'poc:pTj, 'a turning about',
fr. emaTpeqle:tv, 'to tum about', fr. t7t(, 'upon,
to' (see epi-), and O''t'pec:pe:w, 'to tum'. See
strophe and cp. apostrophe and words there
referred to.
epistropheus, n., name of the second vertebra
(anal.) - Gk. tmcrTpoc:pe:Uc;, 'that which causes
to tum', fr. tmaTpec:pe:w, 'to cause to turn, to
tum about'. See epistrophe. The name is inexact, because it is the first cervical vertebra that
turns about the alveolar process of the second
vertebra, and indeed, originally epistropheus was
the name of the first vertebra. See Joseph Hyrtl,
Onomatologia anatomica, pp. 59-61.
Derivative: epistrophe-al, adj.
epistyle, n., an architrave (archit.) - L. epistylium, fr. Gk. tm0'1'6A.tov, fr. tn( (see epi-) and
cr-rUA.oc;, 'pillar, column'. See style, 'gnomon',
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also next
word.
Epistylis, n., a genus of protozoans (zoo/.) ModL., formed fr. epi- and Gk. cr-rUJ.oc;, 'pillar,
column'. See prec. word.
epitaph, n., inscription of a tomb. - L. epi
taphium, fr. Gk. tm't'lic:pLov, 'a funeral oration',
prop. neut. of the adj. tm't'lic:ptoc;, 'over a tomb',
used as a noun, fr. tm (see epi-) and 't'lic:poc;,
'tomb'. See cenotaph.
Derivatives: epitaph, tr. and intr. v., epitaph-er,
n., epitaph-ic, adj., epitaph-ist, n.
epitasis, n., that part of the play in which the
main action is developed, leading to the catastrophe.- ModL., fr. Gk. tmTotO'~, 'a stretching Upon Or OVer', fr. Cmml'E:LV, 'tO stretch
Upon Or OVer', fr. tm (see epi-) and 't'e:LVELV, 'tO

epithalamium

stretch'. See tasimeter and cp. ectasis and

words there referred to.
epithalamium, n., a bridal song. - L., fr. Gk
emfhA&fLto\1, 'a bridal song', fr. e7tl, 'at' (see epi-),
and %xA'XfLO~, 'bridal chamber'. See thalamus.
Derivatives: epithalami-a!, epithalam-ic, adjs.
epithelio-, before a vowel epitheli-, combining
form, meaning 'pertaining to the epithelium'.See next word.
epithelium, n., cellular tissue forming the outer
layer of the mucous membrane in animals (anat.)
- Medical L., coined by the Dutch anatomist
Fredrik Ruysch (1638-1731). The word lit.
means 'that which is above the nipple', fr. epiand Gk. &r,:l..~, 'nipple'. See thely- and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: epitheli-al, adj., epithel-ize, tr. v.,
epithel-iz-ation, n., epithet-aid, adj.
epithet, n., a descriptive name for a person or
thing. - L. epitheton, fr. Gk. i1tl%e~ov, 'something added', neut. verbal adj. of E:rrtn&E:vcu,
'to add something to', fr. E:rr[, 'on, to' (see epi-),
and ~dHnt, 'to put, place'. See theme and cp.
words there referred to.
epithetic, epithetical, adj., 1) pertaining to an
epithet: 2) full of epithets. - Gk. bdl-enx6<;,
'added'. fr. hl&e-ro<;, verbal adj. of bt-rt&E:viXt.
See prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: epithetic-al-ly, adv.
epitomator, n., an epitomist. --- ML., fr. L. epitomtll!ls, pp. of epitomclre, 'to abridge, epitomize', fr. epitome. See next word and -ator.
Derivative: epitomator-y, adj.
epitome, n., a summary. - L. epitome, 'abridgment', fr. Gk. E:mTOfL~, 'abridgment', lit. 'a cutting into', fr. l:mTE[.LVEtv, 'to make incisions
into. cut into, cut short, abridge', fr. l:rcl (see
epi-) and -:-~-tvew, 'to cut'. See tome.
Derivatives: epitom-ist, n., epitom-ize, tr. v.
epitrite, n., a foot consisting of three long syllables and one short (pros.) - L. epitritos, fr.
Gk. l:n:t-:-pt-ro,, 'containing an integer and one
third; in the ratio of four to three (I~ = ~ =
4: 3)"; formed fr. b[ (see epi-) and ~pl-ro<;,
'third'. See trito-.
epitrochlea, n., the medial condyle of the humerus (anat.) -- ModL., fr. F. epitrochler:, a name
formed erroneously by the French anatomist and
surgeon Fran<;ois Chaussier (1746-I828), fr.
epi- and trochlea. In this name the meaning of
Gk. b:t, 'on', is confused with that of rr1Xp&,
'beside'. The same confusion of the meanings
of Gk. b[ and :":IXp& led to Chaussier's coining
the word epicondl'!e (q.v.)
Derivative: epitrochle-ar, adj.
epizeuxis, n., repetition of a word or words for
the sake of emphasis (rhet.)- Late L., fr. Gk.
E:ttl~E'J;t<;. lit. 'a joining or fastening together',
fr. E:rrt~E'J~IV'JVIXt, 'to join to', fr. b[ (see epi-)
and ~E'J'(VUV'Xt, 'to JOke, join'. See zygo- and cp.
zeuxite.
epizoon, n., an external parasite (zoot.)- ModL.,

534

formed fr. epi- and ~i}iov, 'animal'. See zoo-.

epizootic, adj., I) parasitic on other animals;
2) (of diseases) prevalent temporarily among
animals (corresponding to epidemic diseases in
man). - See prec. word and cp. enzootic.
epoch, n.- Late L. epocha, fr. Gk. &rrox~. 'check,
cessation, stoppage, pause; epoch of a star;
fixed point in time, epoch', fr. brsxetv, 'to keep
back, withhold, stop, pause', fr. E:ttl (see epi-)
and exetv, 'to hold, have, possess'. See hectic
and cp. apocha.
Derivatives: epoch-al, adj., epoch-al-ly, adv.,
epoch-ism, n.
epode, n., a kind of lyric poem.- L. epodos, fr.
Gk. &mp06c;, 'part of an ode sung after the strophe
and antistrophe; burden, refrain', prop. the adjective emrM~, 'singing to or over', used as a
noun, which is rei. to l:1r~Setv, 'to sing to',
a word formed fr. E:tt[, 'upon, to' (epi-), and
~Setv, 'to sing'. See ode and cp. words there referred to.
eponym, n., a real or mythical person from whom
a family, tribe or nation derives its name. Gk. E:m0vufLoc;. See next word.
eponymous, adj., giving name to a family, tribe
or nation. - Gk. E:rrwvufLoc;, 'given as a name,
giving one's name to (a thing or person)', fr.
E:ttl, 'upon, to' (see epi-) and llvufL'X, dialectal
form of ilvot-tiX, 'name'. See name and cp. words
there referred to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
G k. -oc;, see sulf. -ous.
epopee, n., an epic poem. - F. epopee, fr. Gk.
E:ttorrol~'X, 'an epic poem; epic poetry', fr. b:o7tot6c;, 'an epic poet', which is compounded of
e1roc;, 'word; poetry', and tto~e'Lv, 'to make,
produce, create'. See epos and poet.
epoophoron, n., parovarium (anat.) - Medical
L., compounded of ep-, Gk. 06v, 'egg', and the
stem of cpspetv, 'to bear, carry'. See oo- and
-phore and cp. parovarium.
epopt, n., one initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries; one initiated into any secret system. Gk. E:rr6rrrr,<;, 'seer, beholder', formed fr. l::-:l
(see epi-) and the stem orr-, 'to see', whence also
6r.-r6c;, 'seen; visible', 61r-rtxoc;, 'pertaining to
the eyes or sight'. See optic and cp. words there
referred to.
epos, n., a primitive epic poem.- L., fr. Gk. E:rroc;,
'word, speech, tale, song, heroic poetry', rei.
to Cypr. Gk. fzr.o<;, of s.m, Gk. ily (for* f6~).
'voice', Ocrcro: (for *f6x~cx), ~voice, tale', Ev-oT:ij,
'crying, shouting, voice', ebov (for *e.."c:tc:ov,
fr. *E:-."e:-urr-ov), 'I spoke', and cogn. with L.
vox. gen. vocis. 'voice'. See voice and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also epyllion and the second element in cacoepy, orthoepy.
epris (fern. eprise), adj., enamored. - F., pp.
of eprendre, fr. OF. esprendre, 'to seize, kindle',
fr. es- (fr. L. ex) and prendre, 'to take', fr. L.
prehendere, prendere, 'to grasp'. See Ist ex- and
prehensile.
epsilon, n., the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet

535

I
I
fj

(c:, E).- Gk. it <j.D.6v, 'a mere or bare e'; so

called in contradistinction to the diphthong IXt,
which is pronounced in Medieval and Modern
Greek exactly like c: ( = e). See psilo- and cp.
upsilon.
Epsom salts, hydrated magnesium sulfate. - So
called because it was first prepared from the
water of the mineral springs of Epsom, Surrey,
England.
epulis, n., any tumor of the gum (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. errou:l..lc;, 'gum boil', fr. ttl
(see epi-) and oo:l..ov, 'gum'. See ulitis.
epyllion, n., a short epic. - Gk. e7tU).).tov, dimin.
of e:11:oc;. See epos.
equability, n. - L. aequiibilitiis, 'equality, equability', fr. aequiibilis. See next word and -ity.
equable, adj., I) uniform; 2) even; serene.- L.
aequiibilis, 'equal, uniform, equable', fr. aequiire,
'to make equal', fr. aequus, 'equal'. See next
word and -able.
Derivatives: equable-ness, n., equabl-y, adv.
equal, adj. - L. aequiilis, 'even, level, smooth,
equal, like', fr. aequus, 'level, equal, like', which
is of uncertain origin. Cp. adequate, aequor,
coequate, equation, equator, equilibrium, equinox,
equitable, equity, equivocal, iniquity.
Derivatives: equal, tr. and intr. v., equality (q.v.),
equal-ize, tr. v., equal-iz-ation, n., equal-iz-er, n.
equality, n. - OF. equalite (F. egalite), fr. L.
aequiilitiitem, ace. of aequiilitiis, 'equality, uniformity', fr. aequiilis, 'equal'. See equal and -ity.
equanimity, n., calmness. - F. equanimite, fr. L.
aequanimitiitem, ace. of aequanimitiis, 'evenness of mind, calmness', fr. aequanimus, 'evenminded, calm', which is compounded of aequus,
'even, level', and animus, 'soul, spirit, mind'.
See equal, animus and -ity.
equate, tr. and intr. v. - L. aequiitus, pp. of aequiire, 'to make level or equal', fr. aequus. See
equal and verbal sulf. -ate.
equation, n. - L. aequiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'an equalizing', fr. aequiitus, pp. of aequiire. See prcc.
word and -ion.
Derivatives: equation-al, adj., equation-al-ly, adv.
equator, n. ~- Late L. aequiitor, 'one who or that
which equalizes', used in the sense of (circulus)
aequator diei et noctis, 'equalizer of day and
night', fr. L. aequiitus, pp. of aequiire. See
equate and agential sulf. -or.
Derivative: equator-ial, adj. and n.
equerry, n., 1) originally, an officer in charge of
the horses of a prince; 2) esp. in England, a
personal attendant of the king, queen or another member of the Royal family.- F. ecurie,
'stable', fr. OF. escuerie, escuyrie, orig. 'office
of a squire', later 'place for the squires and their
horses', fr. escuyer (F. ecuyer), 'squire, riding
master', orig. 'shield bearer', fr. VL. scutiirius
(but classical L. scutiirius means 'shield maker'),
fr. L. scutum, 'shield'. See escutcheon and -y
(representing OF. -ie) and cp. esquire. E. equerry
was influenced in form by an association with

equinox

L. equus, 'horse', to which, however, it is not

related.
equestrian, adj., I) pertaining to horsemen or
horsemanship; 2) n., horseman.- Formed with
suff. -ian fr. L. equester (fern. equestris, neut.
equestre), 'pertaining to a horseman', from
equus, 'horse'. See equine.
equestrienne, n., a horsewoman; a female performer on horseback. - Formed from prcc.
word with the F. fern. sulf. -ienne.
equi-, combining form meaning 'equal'. - L.
aequi-, fr. aequus, 'equal'. See equal.
equiangular, adj., having only equal angles.
Compounded of equi- and angular.
Derivative: equiangular-ity, n.
Equidae, n. pl., the horse family (zoo!.)- ModL.,
formed with sulf. -idae fr. L. equus, 'horse'. See
equine.
equidistance, n., equal distance. - F. equidistance, fr. equidistant. See next word and -ce.
equidistant, adj., equally distant. - F. equidistant, fr. Late L. aequidistantem, ace. of aequidistiins, which is compounded of L. aequus,
'equal', and distiins, 'distant'. See equal and
distant. Derivative: equidistant-ly, adv.
equilateral, adj., having all sides equal.- Late L.
aequilateriilis, compounded ofL. aequus, 'equal',
and latus, gen. lateris, 'side'. See equi- and
lateral.
equilibrate, tr. and intr. v., to balance.- Late L.
aequilibriitus, pp. of aequilibriire, 'to balance',
compounded of L. aequus, 'equal', and libra,
'balance'. See equilibrium and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: equilibrat-ion, n., equilibrat-ive, adj.
equilibrist, n., one skilled in balancing, esp. a
ropedancer. - F. equilibriste, a hybrid coined
fr. equilibre, 'equilibrium, balance' (fr. L. aequilibrium) and sulf. -iste (fr. Gk. -tcr-r~c;). See next
word and -ist.
equilibrium, n., balance. - L., 'even balance',
compounded of aequus, 'equal', and libra,
'balance'. See equi- and libra.
equimultiple, n., one of the products obtained
by multiplying two or more numbers by the
same number. - Compounded of equi- and
multiple.
equine, adj., pertaining to a horse. - L. equinus,
'pertaining to horses', fr. equus, 'horse' (whence
equa, 'mare'), fr. I.-E. ekwos, 'horse', whence
also OI. dsvab, Avestic aspa-, Tach. A yuk,
B yakwe, Osset.jiifs, Gk. l:mro<;, dial. Gk. lxxo<;,
Gael. epo-, Oir. ech, 'horse', OLith. esva, Lith.
asvti, 'mare', OE. eoh (for *ehv), OS. ehu- (in
ehuscalc), ON. jar, 'horse', Goth. ailva-tundi,
'thorn', lit. 'horse tooth'. Cp. Asvins, hippo- and
the first element in Equisetum. For the ending
see sulf. -inc (representing L. -inus).
equinoctial, adj. and n. - L. aequinoctiiilis, fr.
aequinoctium. See equinox and -ial.
equinox, n. - F. equinoxe, fr. L. aequinoctium,
'the time of equal days and nights', lit. 'equal
night', fr. aequus, 'equal', and nox, gen. noctis,

equip

'night'. See equal and night and cp. nocti-, nocturnal.

equip, tr. v., to furnish, fit out, provide. - F.
equiper, 'to fit out, furnish, equip', orig. 'to fit
out a ship', fr. OF. esquiper, which is of Teut.
origin. Cp. ON. skipa, 'to fit out a ship', fr.
skip, 'ship', and see ship.
Derivatives: equipage (q.v.), equip-ment, n.
equipage, n.- F. equipage, fr. equiper. See prec.
word and -age.
equipoise, n., balance, equilibrium. - A hybrid
coined fr. equi- and poise. Derivative: tr. v.
equipollence, n., equality of force. - Formed
from next word and suff. -ce.
equipollent, adj., equal in force.- F. equipollent,
fr. L. aequipol/entem, ace. of aequipo/lens, 'of
equal value or force', compounded of aequus,
'equal' (see equi-), and pollens, gen. po//entis,
pres. part. of po/lere, 'to be powerful, to be able'.
equiponderant, adj., of equal weight. - See next
word and -ant.
equiponderate, tr. v., to counterbalance. - ML.
aequiponderiitus, pp. of aequiponderiire. See
equi-, ponder and verbal suff. -ate.
equipotential, adj., having equal potential force.
- Compounded of equi- and potential.
Equisetum, n., the horsetail (bot.) - L. equisaetum, equisetum, 'the horsetail', fr. equus,
'horse', and saetum, 'bristle'. See equine and
seta and cp. the second element in Catasetum,
Trisetum.
equitable, adj., just; fair.- F. equitable, fr. equite. See equity and -able.
Derivatives: equitable-ness, n., equitabl-y, adv.
equitant, adj., having bases which overlap each
other (said of leaves). - L. equitiins, gen. -antis,
'riding', pres. part. of equitiire, 'to ride', fr.
eques, gen. equitis, 'horseman', fr. equus,
'horse'. See equine and -ant.
equitation, n., horsemanship.- F. equitation, fr.
L. equitiitionem, ace. of equitiiti6, 'riding', fr.
equitiit(-um), pp. stem of equitiire. See prec.
word and -ion.
equity, n. -OF. equite (F. equite), fr. L. aequitiitem, ace. of aequitiis, 'equality, conformity,
symmetry, fairness', fr. aequus, 'level, equal'.
See equal and -ity.
equivalence, n. - F. equivalence, fr. ML. aequivalentia, fr. Late L. aequivalens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
equivalent, adj., I) equal; 2) having the same
valence (chem.)- F. equivalent, fr. Late L. aequivalentem, ace. of aequivalens, pres. part. of
aequivalere, 'to have equal force of value',
which is compounded of L. aequus, 'equal',
and valere, 'to be well, to be strong'. See equal
and valiant and cp. -valent.
Derivative: equivalent, n., I) something equivalent; 2) (chem.) equivalent weight.
equivocal, adj., dubious, ambiguous.- Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Late L. aequivocus, 'of
equal voice, of equal significance, ambiguous,

536

equivocal', which is compounded of L. aequus,

'equal', and the stem of vox, gen. v6cis, 'voice'.
See equal and vocal and cp. equivoque. Late L.
aequivocus is prop. a loan translation of Gk.
<'>t.u!JYu[J.o<;, 'having the same name; equivocal,
ambiguous'.
Derivatives: equivocal, n., equivocal-ly, adv.,
equivocal-ness, n.
equivocate, intr. v., to use ambiguous terms. ML. aequivociitus, pp. of aequivociire, 'to call
by the same name', fr. Late L. aequivocus. See
prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: equivocation (q.v.), equivocat-or, n.
equivocation, n. - ML. aequivociiti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. aequivociitus, pp. of aequivociire. See prec.
word and -ion.
equivoque, n., an equivocal term, a pun. - Late
L. aequivocus, 'of equal voice, ambiguous'
(whence also F. equivoque, adj., 'ambiguous',
equivoque, n., 'ambiguity'). See equivocal.
equoid, adj., resembling a horse (zool.) - A
hybrid coined fr. L. equus, 'horse', and Gk.
-oe:tll~<;, 'like', fr. e:!llo<;, 'form, shape'. See
equine and -oid. The correct form is hippoid, in
which both elements are of Greek origin.
Equus, n., the typical genus of the horse family
(zool.) - L. equus, 'horse', whence equinus,
'pertaining to horses'. See equine.
-er, suff. used to form nouns denoting an agent
as in hatter, ruler, teacher.- ME. -ere, -er, fr.
OE. -ere, rei. to OS. -eri, ON. -ari, Dan., Du. -er,
OHG. -iiri, ari, -eri, MHG. -ere, G. -er, Goth.
-areis, fr. OTeut. *-iirjo-z, which derives fr. L.
-iirius. See adj. suff. -ary and cp. -yer. Cp. also
agential suff. -or. In some cases ME. -ere, -er
comes fr. MF. -ere, fr. L. -iit6rem, ace. of -iitor;
see -ator and cp. agential suff. -or.
-er, a suff. denoting a person or a thing connected
with something. -OF. -er, -ier, fr. L. -iirius (if
connected with persons as in butler, grocer);
or -iirium (if connected with things 8.\i in laver).
See adj. suff. -ary and cp. prec. suff.
-er, suff. meaning 'receptacle for', as in garner,
larder.- ME. -er, fr. AF. -er (corresponding to
OF., F. -ier), fr. L. -iirium. See-ary, 'a place for'.
-er, suff. forming the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs. - ME. -er, -ere, fr. OE.
-ra (in adjectives), -or (in adverbs), rei. to ON.
-ri, -ari (in adjectives), -r, -ar (in adverbs), Du.
-er, OHG. -iro, -oro (in adjectives), -or (in adverbs), MHG., G. -er, Goth. -iza, -oza (in adjectives), -is, -os (in adverbs), and cogn. with
L. -ior, Gk. -(wv, 01. -iyas. Cp. -ior. Cp. also
super!. suff. -est.
-er, a suff. forming French infinitives, used in
English (esp. in law terms) to express the action
denoted by the verb. - OF. -er or -re, fr. L.
-iire, resp. -ere, pres. inf. suff. of the first, resp.
the third conjugation. Cp. e.g. attainder, disclaimer, rejoinder.
-er, suff. forming frequentative verbs as flicker,
glimmer,patter.- ME. -ren, -rien, fr. OE. -rian.

537

era, n.- Late L. aera, 'era', fr. L. aera, 'counters; items of calculation, money', pl. of aes,
'brass'. See ore.
eradiate, intr. and tr. v., to emit light.- Formed
fr. e- and radiate.
eradiation, n., emission of light. - Formed fr. eand radiation.
eradicable, adj. - See next word and -able.
eradicate, tr. v., to root out. - L. eriidiciitus, pp.
of eriidiciire, 'to root out', fr. e- and riidix, gen.
riidicis, 'root'. See radix and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: eradicat-ion, n., eradicat-ive, adj.,
eradicat-or, n.
Eragrostis, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
compounded of piiv, 'to love', and &ypwan<;,
'grass'. For the first element see erotic, for the
second see Agrostis.
Erantbemum, n., a genus of plants of the family
Acanthaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. i]p&v-&e:fLOV, 'a camomile-like plant', which is compounded of ~p. 'spring', and &'II~EfLOV, 'flower'.
The first element is a contraction of ~o:p, fr.
orig. *Hao:p, and is cogn. with L. ver, 'spring';
see vernal and cp. Eryngium. For the second
element see anther.
Eranthis, n., a genus of plants, the winter aconite
(bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. ~p.
'spring', and &v~o<;, 'flower'. See prec. word.
erase, tr. v., to rub out. - L. eriisus, pp. of eriidere, 'to scratch out, scrape off', fr. e- and
riisus, pp. of riidere, 'to scrape, scratch'. See
raze.
Derivatives: eras-ed, adj., eras-er, n., eras-ion,
n., eras-ure, n.
Erasmus, ma~c. PN. - L., lit. 'beloved', rei. to
Gk. ip&cr[J.w~. 'lovely, pleasant', fr. ipii'll, 'to
love', See erotic and cp. Erastus.
Erastian, adj., pertaining to, or in accordance
with, the teachings of Thomas Erastus, a Swiss
physician (r524-83), follower of Zwingli. For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative: Erastian-ism, n.
Erastus, masc. PN. - L., lit. 'beloved', fr. Gk.
po:a-r6~, verbal adj. of ipii'll, 'to love'. See erotic
and cp. Erasmus.
Erato, n., the Muse that presided over lyric
poetry (Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. 'Epo:-rw, fr.
po:-r6~, 'loved, beloved', verbal adj. of ipiiv, 'to
love'. See erotic and cp. Erasmus, Erastus.
erbium, n., a rare metallic element (chem.) ModL., coined by the Swedish chemist Karl
Gustaf Mosander (I797-I858), the discoverer
of this element (in I843), from the name of the
Swedish town Ytterby, on analogy of many
other element names ending in -ium. Cp. terbium, ytterbium, yttrium.
ere, adv., prep. and conj. - ME. er, fr. OE. iir,
'soon, before (in time)', adv., prep. and conj.;
prop. an adv. in the compar.; rei. to OS.,
OFris., OHG., MHG. er, Du. eer, G. eher, 'earlier', ON. iir, 'early', Goth. air, 'early', compar.
airis, 'earlier', and cogn. with Avestic ayar',

erethism

'day', Gk. ~pt [for *&(;)e:pt], 'early, in the

morning', Homeric i]tpto<;, 'early, at daybreak",
Gk. &pta-rov, 'breakfast'. Cp. early, erst, or,
'before'. Cp. also the first element in Erigenia,
Erigeron, aristology.
Erebus, n., a place of nether darkness leading
from Earth to Hades (Greek mythol.) - L., fr.
Gk. wEpe~o<;, fr. Heb. 'erebh, 'sunset, evening'.
See maarib and cp. Europe.
Derivative: Ereb-ian, adj.
Erecbtbeum, Erecbtbeion, n., a temple on the
acropolis of Athens. - L. Erechtheum, fr. Gk.
'Eptx_~e:w'll, called after 'Epex.~e:u<;, 'Erechtheus',
the legendary founder of Athens. See next word.
Erecbtbeus, n., a king said to have founded
Athens (Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. 'Epex.~e:uc;,
lit. 'the Shaker (of the Earth)', fr. pex.~e:tv,
'to rend, break, shatter, shake', fr. I.-E. base
*rekp-, 'to pull, tug, drag, pester', whence also
OJ. rak$aS, 'goblin, evil spirit', lit. 'damage,
causer of damage', Avestic rashah, 'damage',
rashayeiti, 'damages'. Cp. prec. word. Cp. also
rakshasa.
Erecbtites, n., a genus of plants, the fireweed
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ipex~ht~, 'groundsel'.
erect, adj., upright. - L. erectus, 'upright, lofty,
elevated', pp. of erigere, 'to set up, put straight,
erect, raise', fr. e- and regere, 'to keep straight,
lead, direct, rule, govern'. See regent and cp.
direct, v., and words there referred to.
erect, tr. v., to raise, set up. - Back formation
fr. erect, adj.
Derivatives: erect-er, n., erect-ive, adj., erector, n.
erectile, adj. - F. erectile, fr. erectus, pp. of erigere, 'to set up, erect'. See erect, adj., and -ile.
erectility, n. - F. erectilite. See prec. word and
-ity.
erection, n.- L. erectio, gen. -onis, 'a setting up,
erecting', fr. erectus, pp. of erigere. See erect,
adj., and -ion.
erem-, form of eremo- before a vowel.
eremite, n., hermit. - ME. eremite, fr. Eccles.
L. eremita. See hermit.
eremitic, eremitical, adj., pertaining to an eremite. - See prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
eremo-, before a vowel erem-, combining form
meaning 'lonely, solitary'.- Gk. EP7JfLO, tp7)fL,
fr. lp7)fLO<;. See hermit and cp. eremite.
erepsin, n., an enzyme in the small intestine (biochem.) - Coined by the German pathologist
Julius Friedrich Cohnheim (I839- I884), on analogyofpepsin,fr. Gk. l;pme:a.&o:t, 'to feed upon',
which is cogn. with L. rapere, 'to seize'. See
rapid and chem. suff. -in.
erethism, n., irritability (physiol.)- F. erethisme,
fr. Gk. &pe~La[L6<;, 'irritation', fr. tpe.W~ew,
ipe.&ew, 'to rouse, stir, irritate', formed with
-dh-enlargement from I.-E. base er-, or-, 'to
set in motion, stir up, raise', whence also Gk.
bpvWotr., 'to rouse, start, chase', L. oriri, 'to
rise'. See orient, n. and -Ism.

Eretz Yisrael
Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. - Heb. Eretz
Yisra'til, 'the land of Israel'. See Amhaarez and
Israel.
erg, n., the unit of energy in the C.G.S. system
(physics).- Fr. Gk. ~pyov, 'work'. See ergon.
ergasia, n., the total functions of an individual.
- ModL., fr. Gk. ~pyo:cr(Ci, 'work', fr. tpy&:l;ecrB-o:~, 'to be busy, to work', fr. ~pyov, 'work';
see ergon. The word ergasia was introduced into
psychiatry by the American psychiatrist Adolf
Meyer (1866-1950).
ergo, adv., therefore. - L. ergo, prob. standing
for *e rego, 'from the direction', fr. e, 'out of'
(see e-), and *regum, a noun formed from the
stem of regere, 'to direct', and meaning 'direction'. Cp. ergii, 'opposite, toward', and see regent.
ergon, n., work (in terms of heat). - ModL., fr.
Gk. !:pyov (dial. fpyov), 'work'. See work and
cp. erg. Cp. also allergy, alurgite, anergy, argon,
chirurgeon, demiurge, dramaturge, dramaturgy,
energumen, energy, ergasia, exergue, George,
georgic, liturgy, metallurgy, Panurge, surgeon,
synergetic, telergy, thaumaturge, theurgy. Cp.
also organ, orgy.
ergosterol, n., an alcohol, C 18 H 44 0, occurring esp.
in ergot and yeast (biochem.) - Compounded
of ergot and sterol.
ergot, n., a disease of cereals caused by a fungus
(pathol.) -F., fr. OF. argos, argot, lit. 'a cock's
spur'; of unknown origin.
ergoted, adj., infected with ergot. - Formed fr.
ergot with suff. -ed.
ergotin, ergotine, n., an extract of ergot (pharm.)
- Formed fr. ergot with chem. suff. -in.
ergotism, n., disease contracted by eating ergoted
grain. - A hybrid coined fr. ergot and -ism,
a suff. of Greek origin.
ergotize, tr. v., to infect with ergot. -A hybrid
coined fr. ergot and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivative: ergotiz-ation, n.
Erianthus, n., a genus of plants, the woolly bear
grass (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'wool grass', fr. Gk.
tp~ov, 'wool', and iv&o~. 'flower'. See erio- and
anther.
Eric, masc. PN. -ON. Eirikr. Cp. Dan. and
Swed. Erik, G. Erich, lit. 'honored ruler', compounded of Teut. *aiza-, 'honor' and *rik-,
'ruler'. Teut. *aiza- derives fr. I.-E. base *ais-,
'to honor'; see edea. For the second element see
rich and cp. words there referred to.
Erica, n., the genus of heaths (bot.)- ModL., fr.
L. erice, 'heath', fr. Gk. epdxr,, p(x1j, of S.m.,
which pro b. stands for f&pe(xi and is cogn.
with Olr. froech (for vroiko-s), 'heath', Lith.
viriis, Russ. veres, of s.m. Cp. brier, 'heath'.
Cp. also Hypericum.
Ericaceae, n.pl., the heath family (bot.)- ModL.,
formed fr. Erica with suff. -aceae.
ericaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Erigenia, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. Yjp~yeve~o: ([em.),
'early-born', compounded of ~pL, 'early, in the

538

morning', and -yevELo:, fr. yEV-, stem ofy(yvecrB-o:t, 'to become, be born'. See ere and genus.
Erigeron, n., a genus of plants, the daisy fleabane
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. Yjp~yepwv, 'groundsel',
which is compounded of 'Jipt, 'early' and yepwv,
'an old man' (see Erigenia and geronto-); so
called in allusion to the hoariness of some
species.
erikite, n., a silicate and phosphate of cerium,
lanthanum, etc. (mineral.) - Named after Erik
the Red, discoverer of Greenland. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Erin, n.", ancient (now poetic) name oflreland. OE. Brinn, dat. of Eriu (whence Ir. Eire), 'Ireland'. Cp. Dail Eireann, Erse, Irish, Hibernian.
erinite, n., a basic copper arsenate of emeraldgreen color (mineral.) - Named after Erin,
'Ireland'. See prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
Erinys, n., one of the three avenging spirits,
Alecto, Tisiphone and Megaera (Greek mythol.)
- L., fr. Gk. 'EpTv6c;, which is of uncertain
origin. It possibly means lit. 'the angry spirit',
and is rei. to Arcadian eptvetv, 'to be angry',
and to Gk. bptvetv, 'to raise, stir, excite', ~pt~,
'strife, discord', fr. I.-E. *erei-, enlargement
of base *er-, 'to set in motion, stir up', whence
Gk. bpvuvo:~, L. orirf, 'to rise'. See orient, n.,
and cp. erethism, Eris, eristic.
erio-, combining form meaning 'wool'. - Gk.
ep~o-, fr. ~ptov, 'wool', rei. to Homeric and Ion.
dpo<;, 'wool' (fr. *~pfo~, which was prob. dissimilated fr. *fpfo~). Gk. &pf,v, Gortyn. fo:pf,v,
'ram', and cogn. with 01. urii, 'sheep', ura~:~ab,
'ram, lamb', ura-bhrab, 'ram', Arm. gafn,
'lamb', L. vervex, 'wether' (prop. 'wool bearer'). Cp. Iresine. Cp. also berger and the first
element in Arnoseris.
Eriocaulaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the pipe
wort family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. Eriocaulon with suff. -aceae.
eriocaulaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
Eriocaulon, n., a genus of plants, the pipewort
(bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. ~pwv,
'wool' (see erio-), and xo:uA6~, 'stalk' (see cauline); so called from the wool at the base of
the stalk.
Eriodictyon, n., a genus of the waterleaf family
(bot.}- ModL., lit. 'woolen net', fr. erio- and
Gk. 8(x-ruov, 'net'. See Dictynidae.
Eriogonum, n., a genus of plants of the buckwheat family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
erio- and Gk. y6vu, 'knee'. See -gon and cp.
words there referred to.
erionite, n., a zeolitic silicate (mineral.}- Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. lpwv, 'wool' (see
erio-); so called from its woolly appearance.
Eriophorum, n., a genus of plants, the cotton
grass (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. pw<p6po~. 'woolbearing', fr. l:pwv, 'wool', and -<p6po<;, 'bearing,
carrying'. See erio- and -phore.
Eris, n., the goddess of discord in Greek mythology. - L., fr. Gk. ~EpL<;, lit. 'strife, discord',

539

fr. I.-E. *erei-, enlargement of base *er-, 'to set

in motion, stir up'. See Erinys and cp. next word.
eristic, adj., controversial. - Gk. l:p~crnx6~,
'connected with strife', fr. e!p~c;, 'strife, debate,
discord'. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: eristic, n., a controversialist.
erlking, n., a spirit who does mischief, esp. to
children (German and Scandinavian mythology).
-G. Erlkonig, coined by Herder as translation
of Dan. elle(r)konge, fr. elve(r)konge; see elf and
king. The word ellerkonge lit. means 'king of
the elves', but was mistaken by Herder and by
Goethe for 'king of the alder' (cp. G. Eller,
Erle, 'alder', and see elder, alder).
Ermentrud, Ermentrude, Ermyntrude, fern. PN.
- OHG. Ermentrudis, lrmintrud, compounded
of ermin, 'whole, universal', and triit, driit
(whence MHG. triit, G. traut), 'beloved, dear'.
For the first element cp. Irma. For the second
element see true and cp. the second element in
Astrid, Gertrude.
ermine, n., a kind of weasel. - OF. ermine (F.
hermine), femin. of OF. ermin, hermin, which
prob. derives fr. L. Armenius, 'Armenian', used
in the sense of Armenius mus, lit. 'Armenian
mouse' ,fr. Armenia, fr. G k. 'Ap[J.Evl:X, 'Armenia'.
Derivatives: ermine, adj. and tr.v., ermin-ed,
adj., ermine-s, n.pl. (her.), ermin-ois, n. (her.)
-ern, sutf. denoting direction. - OE. -erne, rei.
to OHG. -rani (in nordaruni, 'northern').
erne, also ern, n., a sea eagle. - ME. ern, arn, fr.
OE. earn, 'eagle', rei. to ON. orn, MDu. arent,
OHG., aro, arn. MHG. arn, G. Aar, Goth. ara,
'eagle', and cogn. with Gk. l.lpv~~. 'bird',
OSiav. orilii, Lith. ere/is, Bret., Co. er, W. eryr,
Olr. ilar, 'eagle' (dissimil. fr. *erir-), Hitt.
harash, haranash, 'eagle'; cp. Akkad. arii, erii,
'eagle'. See ornitho- and cp. a rend, the first element in Arnold and the second element in
allerion.
Ernest, masc. PN. - F. Ernest, of G. origin.
Cp. OHG. Ernust, whence G. Ernst. The name
lit. means 'earnestness'. See earnest, 'earnestness', and cp. next word.
Ernestine, fern. PN. - Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ine.
erode, tr. v., to eat into, wear away.- F. eroder,
fr. L. erodere (pp. erosus), 'to gnaw away, consume, fr. e- and rodere, 'to gnaw'. See rodent
and cp. corrode. Derivative: erod-ed, adj.
erodent, adj., causing erosion. - L. erodens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of erodere. See prec. word
and -ent.
Erodium, n .. a genus of plants of the geranium
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. l:p~8L6~. 'heron',
so called in allusion to the shape of the fruit
resembling the beak of the heron. Gk. ~p~8~6~
stands in gradational relationship to L. ardea,
'heron', ON. arta, 'creek duck' (whence the
dimin. ertla, 'wagtail'), Serb. and Croat. roda,
'stork'. Cp. Ardea.
erogenous, adj., productive of sexual desire. -

error
Compounded of Gk. ~pwc;, 'love, desire', and
yev-, the stem of yevvliv, 'to beget, bring forth,
generate, produce'. See erotic and -genous.
Eros, n., the god of love in Greek mythology. L., fr. Gk. "Epw~. personification oHpw<;, 'love',
which is rei. to l:pliv, 'to love'. See erotic.
erosion, n.- F. erosion, fr. L. erosionem, ace. of
erosio, 'a gnawing away', fr. erosus, pp. of erodere. See erode and -ion.
erosive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. erasus, pp. of erodere. See erode.
erotic, adj., of sexual love. - Gk. spwnx6~,
'caused by love; referring to Jove', fr. l:pw~. gen.
E:pw-.o~, 'love. sexual desire', rei. to spliv, E:picrB-o:t, 'to love', which is of uncertain etymology.
Cp. Erasmus, Erastus, Erato, Eros, the first element in Eragrostis and the second element in
pederasty. For the ending see suff. -ic.
Derivatives: erotic, n., erotica, n.pl. (ModL.).
erotic-al, adj., erot-ic-al-ly, adv .. erot-ic-ism, n.,
erot-ism, n.
eroto-, combining form, used in the sense of
erotic. - See prec. word.
erotomania, n. - ModL., fr. Gk. spw-.o(.lct\llii,
EpWf1.0:Vl6i, 'mad love', Which iS formed fr. zpw~,
'love', and !J.ctvli, 'madness, frenzy'. See erotic
and mania.
err, intr. v.- ME. erren, fr. F. errer, 'to wander',
fr. L. erriire (for *ersiire), 'to wander, stray
about. miss the right way, wander from the truth,
err, mistake', which is cogn. with Goth. air::eis,
'astray, going astray', airzjan, 'to lead astray,
deceive', OHG. inon, MHG., G. irren, 'to err.'
Cp. erratic, error, aberration, inerrable. Cp. also
It. errare. OProvem;., Catal., Sp. and Port.
errar, which all derive fr. L. eniire.
Derivative: err-ing, adj.
errand, n. -~ ME. erande, fr. earlier arende, fr.
OE. ii!rende, 'a message', rei. to OS. iirundi, ON.
erendi, Dan. ;erende, Swed. iirende, OFris.
erende, OHG. iirunti, message'.
errant, adj., wandering, roving. - F., pres. part.
of OF. errer, 'to journey, march, wander', fr.
VL. *iteriire, fr. L. iter, 'journey'. See itinerate
and cp. arrant. Cp. also eyre. OF. errer in the
above sense was confused with OF. and F. errer,
'to err', fr. L. erriire: see err.
erratic, adj., irregular. - F. erratique, fr. L. erriiticus, wandering, straying about, roving', fr.
erriitus, pp. of erriire. 'to wander, stray about,
rove'. See err and -ic. Derivative: erratic, n.
erratum, n. (pl. errata), an error in writing or
printing. - L., neut. pp. of erriire, 'to err'.
See err.
erroneous, adj. - L. erroneus, 'wandering, straying, roving'. See err. For E. -ous, as equivalent
to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: erroneous-ly, adv ., erroneous-ness ,n.
error, n. - L. error, a wandering, straying about,
missing the right way, wandering from the
truth, error', rei. to erriire, 'to wander, stray
about'. See err.

ersatz
ersatz, n., a substitute. - G., lit. 'replacement',
fr. ersetzen, 'to replace', fr. OHG. irsezzen, fr.
pref. ir-, unaccented equivalent ofpref. -ur, and
setzen, 'to set'. See a-, intensive pref., and set, v.
Erse, n., pertaining to Scottish or Irish Gaelic. A var. of Irish.
Derivative: Erse, n., Scottish or Irish Gaelic.
erst, adv., formerly (archaic).- ME. erest, erste,
fr. OE. li!rest, 'soonest, earliest' (rei. to OS.
and OHG. erist, MHG. erst, G. erst); superl.
of rer, 'soon, before (in time)'. See ere and cp.
early. Compound: erst-while, adv.
erubescence, n., process of becoming red. - L.
erubescentia, 'a blushing', fr. erubescens, gen.
entis. See next word and -ce.
erubescent, adj., reddening, blushing. - L. erubescens, gen. -entis, pres part. of erubescere,
'to grow red, blush', fr. e- and rubescere, 'to
grow red', inchoative of rubere, 'to be red'.
See rubric and -escent and cp. rubescent.
eruct, tr. and intr. v., to belch. - F. eructer, fr.
L. eructiire, 'to belch forth'. See next word.
eructate, intr. v., to belch.- L. eructiitus, pp. of
eructiire, 'to belch forth', fr. e- and ructiire, 'to
belch', frequentative formed fr. (e)ructus, pp. of
(e)riigere, to belch', from the I.-E. imitative
base *reug, 'to belch', whence also Lith. rugiu,
rugti, 'to belch', Gk. tpuy}j, 'eructation', Arm.
orcam, 'I belch'. The letter o in Arm. orcam (for
*o-rucam) and E in Gk. tpuy}j are prosthetic
and due to the influence of the initial r; cp. Gk.
t-pu.&p6t;, 'red', which is cogn. with L. ruber,
'red', and see erysipelas.
eructation, n. - L. eructiitio, gen. -onis, 'a belching forth', fr. eructatus, pp. of eructiire. See
prec. word and -ion.
erudite, adj., learned. - L. eruditus, pp. of erudire, 'to polish, instruct', lit. 'to bring out of
the rough', fr. e- and rudis, 'rough'. See rude.
Derivatives: erudite-ly, adv., erudite-ness, n.
erudition, n. - L. eruditio, gen. -onis, 'instruction, education', fr. eruditus, pp. of erudire. See
prec. word and -ion.
erupt, intr. v. - L. eruptus, pp. of erumpere, 'to
break out, burst', fr. e- and rumpere, 'to break
forth'. See rupture.
eruption, n. - L. eruptio, gen. -onis, 'a breaking
out', fr. eruptus, pp. of erumpere. See prec. word
and -ion.
eruptive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
eruptus, pp. of erumpere. See erupt.
Derivatives: eruptive, n., eruptive-ly, adv.
Ervum, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.)- L. ervum, 'the bitter vetch', which, together with Gk. opo~ot;, 'the bitter vetch',
tpe~tv-IK>t;, 'chick-pea', OS. eriwit, erit, MDu.
erwete. OH6. arawei3 (MHG. arwi3, iirwi3,
G. Erbse), 'pea', of s.m., prob. derives from an
unknown, pe;rh. non-Indo-European, language.
Cp. arvejon, Orobanche.
-ery, suff. denoting 1) things collectively, as in
finery; 2) place where something is produced,

540

as in bakery; 3) business, trade, occupation, as

in archery, surgery; 4) behavior, conduct, as in
foolery. - OF. or F. -erie, a suff. compounded
of OF. or F. -ier (fr. L. -iirius) and OF. or F. -ie
(fr. L. -ia). See -er, suff. denoting connectedness,
and -y (representing OF. or F. -ie) and cp. -ry.
Eryngium, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. l)puyywv, dimin. of l]puyyot; (fern.),
'sea holly, eryngo', rei. to l]puyyot; (masc.),
'goatsbeard'; prob. derived fr. ~p, contracted
form of ea:p, 'spring', and lit. meaning 'spring
flower'; see Frisk, GEW., p. 644. See Eranthemuui and cp. Aruncus.
eryngo, n., a plant of the genus Eryngium. Gk.l]puyyot;, 'sea holly, eryngo'. See prec. word.
Erysibe, n., a genus of powdery mildews (bot.) ModL., fr. Gk. tpuaf(37j, 'mildew', which is
prob. rei. to l:pu-&p6t;, 'red', l:puabrEI..a:t;, 'erysipelas'. See erysipelas.
Erysimum, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) - L., fr. Gk. tpumfLov, 'hedgemustard', fr. tpUEtv, 'to draw, drag', fr. base
*fEpu-, 'to draw', whence also !pufLa:, 'fence,
guard', puTI)p, 'one who draws'.
erysipelas, n., an acute inflammatory disease of
the skin. - Gk. l:pua(m:A.o:t;, lit. 'red skin', fr.
tpu.&p6t;, 'red', and -m:A.a:t;, 'skin' (used only in
compounds), which is cogn. with L.pellis, 'skin'.
Gk. pu-&p6t; is cogn. with L. ruber, rufus, 'red',
rubere, 'to be red', Goth. raups, OE. read, 'red'.
The initial t in tpu.&p6t; is prosthetic and due
to the circumstance that the Greek never begins
a word with r. (Initial p in Greek words is the
equivalent of I.-E. sr- or *wr-.) See red and cp.
Erysibe, Erysiphe, Erythroniwn. For the second
element in erysipelas see fell, 'hide'.
Erysiphe, n., a synonym of Erysibe (bot.) ModL., short for *Erysisiphe (see haplology);
compounded of tpuat- (for tpu-&p6t;), 'red', and
afcpwv, 'tube'. See prec. word and siphon.
erythema, n., redness of the skin (med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. tpU-&7jfLa:, 'redness of the skin',
fr. l:pu-&a:(vew, 'to make red', dye red', fr. epci.&Ew, of s.m., which is rei. to tpu.&p6c;, 'red'.
See erysipelas and -rna.
erythro-, before a vowel erythr-, combining form
meaning 'red'. - Gk. tpu-&po-, pu.&p-, fr.
l:pu-&p6t;, 'red'. See erysipelas.
erythrocyte, n., a red blood cell.- Compounded
of erythro- and -cyte.
Erytbronium, n., a genus of plants, the dog'stooth violet (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. epu-&pot;,
'red'. See erytbro-.
&au, n., the son of Isaac and Rebecca (Bible). Late L. Esau,fr. Gk. 'Hacxu, fr. Heb. 'Esdw, prob.
meaning lit. 'hairy', and rei. to Arab. d'thii,
'hairy'. See Gen.25:25.
escadrille, n., a small naval squadron. - F., fr.
Sp. escuadrilla, dimin. of escuadra, 'square,
squad, squadron', fr. escuadrar, 'to square', fr.
VL. *exquadrtire. See square and cp. squad,
squadron.

541
escalade, n., the act of scaling the walls of a fortified place by means of ladders. - F., fr. It.
scalata, prop. fern. pp. of sea/are, 'to climb by
means of a ladder', fr. scala, 'ladder'. See scale,
'measure', and -ade.
Derivatives: escalade, tr. v., escalad-er, n.
esc:il.ator, n., a moving staircase.- ModL. See
escalade and agential suff. -or.
Escallonia, n., a genus of South American shrubs
(bot.)- ModL., named after its discoverer, the
18th cent. Spanish traveler Escallon. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Escalloniaceae, n. pl., a family of shrubs. ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
escalloniaceous, adj. - Formed fr. &callonia
with suff. -aceous.
escalop, escallop, n., scallop shell; scallop.- OF.
escalope, 'shell'. See scallop.
Derivative: excal(l)op-ed, adj. (her.)
escapade, n., a wild prank. - F., fr. Sp. escapada, 'escape', prop. fern. pp. of escapar, 'to
escape'. See next word and -ade.
escape, intr. and tr. v.- ME. escapen, fr. ONF.
escaper, which corresponds to OF. eschaper (F.
echapper), 'to escape', orig. 'to throw off the
cowl', fr. VL. *excappiire (whence also Ruman.
scapa, It. scappare, OProven9., Catal., Sp. escapar, Port. escappar), formed fr. 1st ex- and Late
L. cappa, 'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak'.
Derivatives: escape, n., escapement (q.v.),
escap-er, n.
escapement, n. - Formed on analogy of F.
echappement from escape with suff. -ment.
escarbuncle, n. (her.) - OF. (F. escarboucle), fr.
L. carbunculus, 'a small coal; a bright, reddish
kind of precious stone', dimin. of carbo, gen.
-onis 'coal'. See carbon and cp. carbuncle.
escarp, n., a steep slope. - F. escarpe, fr. It.
scarpa, prob. derived fr. Goth. *skrapa, which
is rei. to MHG. schrof, 'crag'. Cp. scarp, n.
escarp, tr. v., to make into an escarp.- F. escarper, fr. escarpe. See escarp, n.
escarpment, n., wide grounci formed into an escarp.- F. escarpement, fr. escarper. See prec.
word and -ment.
-esce, suff. forming inchoative verbs. - L. -esc6,
-escere, cogn. with Gk. -ax-w, -ax-Etv, OI. -ccha,
Avestic -sa-; cp. OI. gdcchati, Avestic jasaiti,
'goes', Gk. (3&axw, 'I go'; OI. prcchdti, Avestic
p'r1saiti, 'asks', corresp. to L. poscere (for
*porc-scere), 'to demand, desire', OHG.forscon
(MHG. vorschen, G. forschen), 'to search, inquire'. Cp. verbal suff. -ish. Cp. also -escency,
-esceot.
-escence, suff. forming abstract nouns from adjectives ending in -escent. - See -escent and -ce.
-esceocy, suff. denoting incipiency. - See the
suffixes -esceot and -cy.
-esceot, suff. forming adjectives and nouns from
verbs and meaning 'beginning to; beginning to
be in the condition expressed by the verb'.L. -esdns, gen. -entis, pres. part. suff. of verbs

escort
into -escere; meaning 'to begin to ... . See
-esce and -ent.
eschalot, n. - See sballot.
eschar, n., a dry crust on a bum (med.) - Late
L. eschara, fr. Gk. tax&p~. 'hearth; scar from
a bum'. See scar, 'mark on the skin'.
escharotic, adj., causing an eschar; caustic. Late L. escharoticus, fr. Gk. eaxa:pw-rtx6~, fr.
tax&p~. See prec. word and -ic.
eschatology, n., the doctrine of the last things.Lit. 'the study of the last things', fr. Gk. eaxa:-rot;,
'furthest, remotest, last', and -J..oy(~, fr. -J..6yoc;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one
who deals (with a certain topic)'. Gk. !axa:-rot;
is a derivative of e~ (Boeotian &t;), 'out of'; see
2nd ex-. For the second element see -logy.
Derivatives: eschatolog-ical, adj., eschatologist, n.
escheat, n., the reverting of the land to the king
or another lord of the fee. - ME. eschete, fr.
OF. escheoite, prop. fern. pp. of escheoir (F.
echoir), fr. VL. *excadere, 'to fall out', fr. 1St
ex and cadere, corresponding to L. cadere, 'to
fall'. See cadence and cp. cheat, decay.
Derivative: escheat, intr. and tr. v.
eschew, tr. v., to shun, avoid.- ME. eschewen,
eschuen, fr. OF. eschiuver, eschiver, eschever,
'to shun', fr. Frankish *skiuhan, which is rei.
to OHG. sciuhen, 'to avoid, escape', MHG.
schiuhen, G. scheuen, 'to fear, shun, shrink from',
MHG. schiech, G. scheu, 'shy, timid'. It. schivare,
'to avoid, shun, protect from' (whence F. esquiver,
'to avoid, dodge'), derives fr. It. schivo, 'shy,
bashful', which is a loan word fr. WTeut. *skiu,
'shy'. See shy and cp. skew, which is a doublet
of eschew.
Derivatives: eschew-al, n., eschew-er, n.
Escbscboltzia, n., a genus of herbs of the Papaveraceae.- ModL., named after the German
botanist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz
(1793-1831). For the ending see suff. -ia.
esclandre, n., a scandal, scandalous scene. - F.,
fr. OF. escandle, fr. earlier escandele, fr. L. scandalum. See scandal and cp. slander.
esclavage, n., necklace. - F., lit. 'slavery', fr.
esc/ave, 'slave'. See slave and -age.
escoba, n., tropical American mallow. - Sp.,
'broom,' fr. L. scopa, 'twig, shoot; broom,
besom,' which is rei. to sciipus, 'shaft, beam',
fr; I.-E. base *skiip-, *skop-, 'shaft, thin branch',
whence also shaft, 'stem, stock', and scepter
(qq.v.) Cp. also scopa.
escooson, n. (archil.) - OF. escoinson (F. ecoinron, ecoinson), 'jamb of doors or windows'. See
scuncheon, which is a doublet of esconson.
F.&corial, n., a palace built in the 16th century
by Philip II of Spain, NW. of Madrid. - Sp.,
prop. 'a place where a mine has been exhausted',
fr. escoria, 'dross, scoria', fr. L. scoria, of s.m.
See scoria and adj. suff. -al.
escort, n., a person or persons accompanying another or others for protection, courtesy, etc.-

escritoire

F. escorte, fr. It. scoria, fr. scorgere, 'to show,

to guide', fr. VL. *excorrigere, fr. 1st ex- and
L. corrigere, 'to make straight, set right'. See
correct, adj.
Derivative; escort, tr. v.
escritoire, n., a writing desk.- OF. (F. ecritoire),
fr. Late L. scriptorium, 'place for writing', prop._
neut. of the Latin adjective scriptorius, 'pertaining to writing', fr. scrip/us, pp. of scrfbere,
'to write'. See scribe and cp. scriptorium, which
is a doublet of escritoire.
escrow, n., a written engagement (law). -OF.
escroe, escroue, 'roll of papers'. See scroll.
escudo, n., 1) name of various Spanish and Portuguese gold and silver coins: 2) the gold monetary unit of Portugal. - Sp. and Port. escudo,
fr. L. scutum, 'shield'. See scutum and cp.
escutcheon.
esculent, adj., eatable; edible. - L. esculentus,
'good to eat, eatable', fr. esca, 'food', fr. *edsqii (cp. Lith. eska, 'appetite'), fr. I.-E. base *ed-,
'to eat'. See cat.
escutcheon, n., a shield on which a coat of arms
is depicted (her.) - ONF. escuchon, corresponding to OF. escuson, F. ecusson, fr. VL.
*scutionem, ace. of *scutio, fr. L. scLitum, 'shield'.
See scutum and cp. scutcheon, escudo. For the
collateral forms escutcheon and scutcheon cp.
espy, spy; esquire, squire; estate, state.
Esdras, n., either of two apocryphal books ascribed to Ezra. - Gk. "Eailpi~. fr. Heb. 'E:::rd.
See Ezra.
-ese, suff. used to form adjectives or nouns -denoting 'names of nations or their language' (cp.
Portuguese, Chinese, etc.) -- OF. -eis (F. -ois)
fr. L. -ensis.
-ese, suff. used in chemistry to denote an enzyme that accelerates synthetic action. - Suggested as a collateral form of -ase (q.v.)
-esis, suff. denoting process of action. - ModL.,
fr. Gk. -~m~. formed fr. E-stern verbs. Cp. -asis,
-osis, -iasis.
eskar, esker, n., deposit left by a subglacial
stream (geol.)- fr. ei.1cir, 'a ridge'.
Eskimo, n. and adj. - N. American Indian
eskimantsik, 'caters of raw flesh', a name given
by the Algonquians to the N. American Indian
tribes living in the Arctic and Greenland. Cp.
Husky.
Esmeralda, fern. PN. -- Sp., lit. 'emerald'. See
emerald.
eso-, combining form meaning 'within'. - Fr.
Gk. iiaw ([on. diJ'w), 'in, within', which
stand for *sviJ'w and are rel. to .1:.;, d<; (for
tv~J. 'into', and to tv, 'm'. See 2nd en-.
Esocidae, n. pl., a family of fishes (ichthyol.) ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. esox, gen.
esocis, 'a kind of fish' (prob. 'salmon'), a word
of Gaulish origin. Cp. OCo., MBret. ehoc, Jr.
eo (gen. iach), 'salmon'.
esophag-, form of esophago- before a vowel.
esophageal, oesophageal, adj., pertaining to the

542

esophagus.- See esophagus and adj. suff. -al.

esophago-, before a vowel esophag-, pertaining
to the esophagus. - Fr. Gk. o!aocp&:yo~. Sec
next word.
esophagus, n., the gullet (anat.) - Medical L.,
fr. Gk. otaocp&:yo~, 'the gullet', which prob.
means lit. 'bearer of food', and is compounded
of o'(crcu, 'I shall carry' (used as future of <pepELv,
'to bear, carry'), a word ofunknownetymology,
and <pctyE'Lv, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
esoteric, adj., intended for the initiated only,
secret. - Gk. eaw-re:pLx6~. lit. 'pertaining to
those within', fr. eaw-ripcu, 'more within', compar. of iiaw, 'within'. See eso- and cp. exoteric.
For the etymology of the compar. suff. -ter see
-ther and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: esoteric, n., esoteric-al-ly, adv., esoteric-ism, n.
espadon, n., a long two-handed sword. - F., fr.
It. spadone, augment. of spada, 'sword', fr. L.
spada. See spade and cp. words there referred to.
For the It. augment. suff. -one see -oon.
espagnolette, n., bolt for a casement window. F., fr. espagnol, 'Spanish' (fr. Espagne, 'Spain'),
and dimin. suff. -ette.
espalier, n., a trellis or framework on which fruit
trees are trained flat. - F., fr. It. spa/liera, fr.
spalla, 'shoulder', fr. L. spatula, 'broad piece',
whence also F. epaule, 'shoulder. See epaulet
and cp. epauliere.
Derivative; espalier, tr. v.
esparto, n., also esparto grass. - Sp. esparto, fr.
L. spar tum, fr. Gk. am:ip7;v, 'rope, cable;
Spanish broom; esparto', which is rei. to
crn:&:p-rot;, 'Spanish broom; esparto', and to
an:e:i:pot, 'coil, twist', and prob. cogn. with Lith.
spar/as, 'band'. See spire, 'spiral', and cp.
Spartina, Spartium.
especial, adj.- ME., fr. OF. especial (F. special),
fr. L. speciiilis. See special, which i~ a doublet
of especial.
Derivatives: especial-ly, adv., efpecial-nen, n.
Esperanto, n. - Fr. Esperanto, pseudonym of
Dr. Lazarus Ludwig Zamenhof (1859-1917), inventor of this language, fr. Sp. esperanza, "hope',
fr. esperar, 'to hope', fr. L. speriire. See despair
and -ance.
Derivatives; Esperant-ic, adj., Esperan!-11m, n.,
Esperant-ist, n. and adj.
espial, n. -OF. espiaille, fr. espier, 'to spy'. Sec
espy and su bst. suff. -al.
espionage, n.- F. espionnage, 'spying, fr. npion,
'spy', fr. It. spione. Sec espy and -age.
esplanade, n., a level place; esp. one servmg as a
promenade. --- F., fr. it. spianata, 'leveling; esplanade', prop. subst. use of the fern. pp. of
spianare, 'to level', fr. L. expliiniire, 'to flatten,
level', whence also explain (q.v.)
espousal, n. - OF. espousailles (F. epousailles),
fr. L. sponsiilia, 'betrothal, espousal' (whence
also OProvem;. espozalha, OSp. esposayas, Sp.
esponsales), prop. neut. pl. of the adjective spon-

543

siilis, 'pertaining to betrothal', fr. sponsus, pp.

of spondere, 'to engage oneself, promise'. See
spouse and subst. suff. -al and cp. spousal.
espouse, tr. v. - OF. espouser (F. epouser), fr.
L. sponsiire, 'to betroth, espouse', freq. of spondere (pp. sponsus), 'to engage oneself, promise'.
See prec. word and cp. spouse.
Derivative: espous-er, n.
espressivo, adv., with expression (musical direction). - It., 'expressive', fr. espresso, fr. L. expressus, 'distinct', lit. 'expressed', pp. of exprimere. See express, adj., and -ive.
esprit, n., spirit, wit. - F., fr. L. spiritus. See
spirit.
esprit de corps, spirit of attachednessanddevotion
to a body of persons associated. - F., lit.
'spirit of the body'. See prec. word, de- and corps.
espy, tr. v.- ME. espien, fr. OF. espier(F. epier),
fr. Frankish *spehon, which is rei. to OHG.
spehon, 'to spy'. See spy, v.
esquamate, adj., having no scales (zoo!. and bot.)
-Formed fr. e- and L. squiimiitus, 'scaly', fr.
squiima, 'scale'. See squama and cp. desquamate.
-esque, suff.- F., fr. It. -esco, borrowed fr. Teut.
-isk. See adj. suff. -ish.
esquire, n. - ME. esquier, fr. OF. escuyer, esquier (F. ecuyer), 'squire, equerry', orig. 'shieldbearer', fr. VL. scii.tiirius, 'shield bearer' (but
classical L. scii.tiirius means 'shield maker'), fr.
L. scutum, 'shield'. See equerry and cp. squire.
esquisse, n., first sketch.- F., fr. It. schizzo. See
sketch.
ess, n., 1) the letter s; 2) anything shaped like
the letter s.
-ess, suff. forming feminine nouns, as in countess,
hostess. - ME. -esse, fr. OF. ( = F.) -esse, fr.
Late L. -issa (whence also It. -ezza, Sp., Port.
-esa), fr. Gk. -Lcraot, which-in classical Greekoccurs only in [3otcrlAtaaot, 'queen' (fr. [3otcrtAe:U<;,
'king'). However, in later Greek, several other
nouns were formed on analogy of [3otcrLALaG<X
(cp. e.g. n:otvll6xtaaot, 'female innkeeper', fr.
n:otv&oxe:u<;, 'innkeeper').
-ess, suff. forming nouns of quality from adjectives, as in duress. - ME. -esse, fr. OF. ( = F.)
-esse, fr. L. -itia, whence also It. -ezza, Proven~ .
Sp., Port. -eza. Cp. the subst. suffixes -ice, -ise.
essay, tr. and intr. v.- OF. essaier (F. essayer),
fr. VL. *exagiiire, 'to weigh', fr. L. exagium, 'a
weighing', fr. exigere, 'to weigh, measure, examine', lit. 'to drive out', fr. 1st ex- and agere, 'to
drive'. See agent and cp. assay.
essay, n. - OF. ( = F.) essai, fr. essaier. See essay, v.
essayist, n., a writer of essays.- A hybrid coined
fr. essay, n., and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivatives; essayist-ic, essayist-ic-a/, adjs., essayist-ic-al-ly, adv.
esse, n., being, actual existence. - L. esse, 'to
be', fr. I.-E. base *es-, 'to be', whence also L.
es-t, 'is', 01. dsmi, Hitt. esmi, Arm. em, Gk.
Et(Ll, Lesb. and Thessal. i(L(LL, Dor. -i)(Ll, Alb.

estaDIIsn

jam, OSlav.jesmi, Lith. esmi, Olr. am, Goth. im,

OE. eom, earn, am, 'I am', 01. smd~, Gk. ea[J.~V,
Ion. d[.!.v, Dor. e:![J.~. Lith. esme, OSlav. jesmu,
L. sumus, 'we are' (L. sum, 'I am', has been
formed on analogy of the pl. sumus). Cp. absence, absent, -ent, entity, essence, essential, interest, presence, present, prosit. Cp. also am, art,
are, is, sin, 'transgression', sooth. Cp. also etymology, etymon, heteroousian, homoiousian,
homoousian, onto-, sattwa, suttee, swastika.
essence, n.- F., fr. L. essentia, 'being or essence
of a thing', fr. essent-, pres. part. stem of esse,
'to be'; prop. loan translation of Gk. oua(ii,
'essence'. See esse and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see suff. -ence.
Essene, n., a member of an ancient Jewish sect of
ascetics, first appearing in history in the 2nd
century B.C.E.- L. Esseni(pl.), 'theEssenes',
fr. Gk. 'Ecrcr-~voL Most scholars derive this word
from Heb. tz~nu'fm, 'the m6dest ones', or from
Heb. bashii'lm, 'the silent ones'. It is more probable, however, that Gk. 'Ecr<nJvol derives fr.
Syr. basin, pl. absolute state of basi, 'pious'; cp.
the pl.emphaticstate ~asayyd, whence the parallel
Greek form 'Eacrot~o~. This etymology gains in
probability by the fact that Philo (in Quod omnis probus liber sit, 1 3) identifies the Essenes
with the 'Pious' (-rwv 'Eaaot(w\1 ~ oa(wv ='of
the Essenes or the Pious').
Derivatives; Essen-ian, adj., Essen-ian-ism, n.,
Essen-ic, Essen-ic-al, adjs., Essen-ism, n., Essenize, tr. v.
essential, adj. - ML. essentiiilis, 'essential', fr.
L. essentia. See essence and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives; essential-ity, n., essential-ly, adv.
essonite, also, more correctly, hessonite, n., cinnamon stone (mineral.) - Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Gk. ~acrwv, 'inferior to', compar. of
-fjx<X, 'slightly, a little, slowly, faintly'; which is
prob. cogn. with L. segnis, 'slow, tardy, sluggish'. The cinnamon stone was so called in allusion to its being less hard than true hyacinth
and some other minerals.
-est, suff. forming the superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs. - ME., fr. OE. -ost, -est,
rei. to ON. -astr, -str, OHG. -isto, -osto, G. -est,
Goth. -ists, -osts, and cogn. with Gk. -La-ro~.
OI. -i~tha; formed orig. from the compar. suff.
through the addition of a suff. beginning with t.
See compar. suff. -er and cp. Anchistea, Calista,
Callisto, kakistocracy, protista.
-est, -st, suff. of the second person singular indicative of English verbs (as in doest, dost, diddest, didst, etc.) - ME., fr. OE. -ast, -est, -st,
rei. to OHG. -i~>l, -6>1, -est, G. -est, -st, Goth. -is,
-os -ais, ON. -r, -ar, -ir, and cogn. with Gk.-~. L.
-s, 01. -si, second person sing. endings of verbs.
establish, tr. v. - ME. establissen, fr. OF. establiss-, pres. part. stem of establir (F. etablir), fr.
L. stabi/ire, 'to make firm or stable', fr. stabilis,
'firm, stable'. See stable, adj., and verbal suff.
-ist and cp. stablish.

establishmentarian
Derivatives: establish-ed, adj., establish-ment, n.,
establishmentarian (q.v.)
establishmentarian, n., adherent of the principle
of an established church. - Formed fr. establishment (see prec. word) with suff. -arian.
estacade, n., a dike of stakes in the sea or river.
-F., fr. Sp. estacada, fr. estaca, 'stake', which
is of Teut. origin. See stake, and -ade and cp.
stockade.
estafette, n., a courier, esp. a mounted one. F., fr. It. staffetta, 'small stirrup; courier', dimin.
of staffa, 'stirrup', which is of Teut. origin.
Cp. G. Stapfe, 'footstep', and see E. step. For
the ending see suff. -ette.
estate, n. - ME. estat, fr. OF. estat (F. etat), fr.
L. status, 'condition, state'. See state.
esteem, tr. v. - ME. estemen, fr. OF. ( = F.) estimer, fr. L. aestimare, fr. OL. aestumare, 'to
value, appraise', which is denominated fr. *aistemos, lit. 'one who cuts the ore', fr. aes, gen.
aeris, 'ore', and I.-E. base *tern-, 'to cut', whence
also Gk. -rEfLVe:tv, 'to cut'. For the first element
see ore, for the second see tome.
Derivative: esteem, n.
Estella, fern. PN. - Sp., lit. 'star', fr. L. stella.
See star and cp. Stella, stellar.
ester, n., any compound ether (chem.) - G. Ester, coined by the German chemist Leopold
Gmelin (1788-I853) in I848 from the abbreviation of Essigiither, which is compounded of
Essig, 'vinegar', and Jfther 'ether'. Essig derives
fr. MHG. e33ich, fr. OHG. e33ih, fr. *atecum,
metathetized form of L. acetum, 'vinegar'
(whence Goth. akeit); see acetum. For the second element see ether.
Esther, I) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, wife of the
Persian king Ahasuerus.- Gk. 'Ecr&~p, fr. He b.
Estlr, fr. Pers. sitareh, 'star', which is rei. to
Avestic and OI. star-, and cogn. with Gk. acr~p,
L. stella, 'star'. See star.
Estheria, n., a genus of branchiopod crustaceans.
- Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -ia.
esthe'iia, aesthesia, n., sensibility. - ModL. aesthesia, fr. Gk. cx(cr&ljcrtc;, 'perception, sensation',
from the stem of cxtcr&civof.Lcxt. See esthete and
-ia and cp. anesthesis.
esthesia-, aesthesia-, combining form meaning
'pertaining to perception'.- Fr. Gk. a(cr&ljcrtc;.
See prec. word and cp. kinesthesia, pallesthesia.
esthete, also aesthete, n. - Gk. atcr&lj~.;. 'one
who perceives', from the stem of atcr&cX.vof.LcxL
(for *&.ftcr-&-cX.vof.Lcxt), 'I perceive', aor. atcr&!1cr&at, shortened fr. *&.ftcr-%-cr&cxt, rei. to atw
(for *&.f(w), 'I hear', lit. 'I perceive by the ear',
and cogn. with L. audio (for awis-d-i6), 'I hear',
fr. I.-E. base *awei-, 'to perceive'. See audible
and cp. esthesia, anesthesia, anesthetic, coenesthesis.
esthetic, aesthetic, adj. - Gk. atcr&ljnK6<;, 'perceptive', fr. cxtcrlhrr6.;, 'sensible, perceptible',
verbal adj. of otta&civotJ.Ctt. See esthete and cp.
kinesthetic.

.)4)

544

Derivatives: (a)esthetic-al-ly, adv., (a)estheticism, n.

esthetics, aesthetics, n. - G. Asthetik, coined
by A.G.Aiexander Baumgarten (I7I4-62) about
1750 fr. Gk. cx!cr&1JnK6c;, 'perceptive' (see prec.
word), to denote that branch of science which
deals with beauty.
estimable, adj.- F., fr. L. aestimabilis, 'valuable,
estimable', fr. aestimare. See esteem and -able.
Derivatives: estimab-ly, adv., estimable-ness, n.
estimate, tr. and intr. v. - L. aestimatus, pp. of
aestifl}are, 'to value, appraise'. see esteem, v.,
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: estimate, n., estimating-ly, adv.,
estimation (q.v.), estimat-ive, adj., estimator (q.v.)
estimation, n. - OF. ( = F.) estimation, fr. L.
aestimiiti6nem, ace. of aestimati6, 'money value
of a thing, valuation', fr. aestimatus, pp. of aestimare. See prec. word and -ion.
estimator, n.- L. aestimator, 'valuer, appraiser',
fr. aestimatus, pp. of aestimiire. See estimate and
agential suff. -or.
estival, aestival, adj., pertaining to summer. F. estival, fr. L. aestivalis, 'pertaining to summer', fr. aestivus, of s.m., fr. aestus, 'heat',
which is rei. to aestiis, gen. aestiitis, 'summer', lit. 'hot season', fr. I.-E. base *aidh-, 'to
burn', whence also L. aedes, 'a building,
sanctuary, temple'. See edify and words there
referred to and cp. esp. estuary.
estivate, aestivate, intr. v., I) to spend the summer; 2) to spend the summer in a dormant condition. - L. aestiviitus, pp. of aestfvare, 'to
spend the summer', fr. aestfvus. See prec. word
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: (a)estivat-ion, n.
estoile, n., a star with six or eight points (her.)OF. estoile (F. etoile), fr. L. stella, 'star'. See
stellar.
estop, tr. v., to bar; (law), to bar by estoppel.AF. and OF. estoper (F. etouper), 'to stop', fr.
L. *stuppare, 'to stop with flax or tow' (whence
also It. stoppare, OProven~. estopar), Fr. L.
stuppa, stiipa, 'the coarse part of flax, tow'. See
stop.
estoppel, n., preclusion of a statement or claim
because it is contrary to a previous statement
or claim (law).- OF. estoupail, 'stopper, bung',
fr. estoper. See prec. word and subst. suff. -el.
estovers, n. pl., necessaries granted by law;
specif. wood for a tenant, alimony for a wife.OF. inf. estover, e:;tovoir, 'to be necessary', used
as a noun; of uncertain origin; cp. stover. For the
subst. use of the infinitive in law terms see attainder and cp. words there referred to.
estrade, n., a platform. -F., fr. Sp. estrado, fr.
L. stratum, 'something spread out', neut. pp. of
sternere, 'to spread out, cover'. See stratum and
cp. words there referred to.
estradiol, n., a crystalline estrogenic hormone
C,.H,.O, (biochem.)- Coined fr. estrus, pref.
dl-, and -ol, a suff. denoting alcohol.

'J

estrange, tr. v. - OF. estrangier, estranger, 'to

alienate', fr. VL. *extraneare, 'to treat as a
stranger', fr. L. extraneus, 'stranger'. See
strange.
Derivatives: estrang-ed-ness, n., estrange-ment,
n., estrang-er, n.
estrangelo, n., a type of Syriac cursive writing
Syr.
characterized by rounded letters. estrange/a, fr. Gk. cr-rpoy-yOA.oc;, 'twisted, round'.
See stringent and cp. words there referred to.
estray, n., a strayed animal (law). - AF. estray,
fr. OF. estraier, 'wandering, stray, lost'. See
stray, n.
estreat, n., true extract, copy.- AF. estrf!!, fr.
OF. estraite, fr. L. extracta, prop. fern. of extractus, pp. of extrahere, 'to draw out'. See
extract.
estrP!)('I'!ent, L., .;-ast.., cmnmitted by a tenant for
life in lands, woods or houses to the damage of
the reversioner (law). -OF., 'waste, ravage',
fr. estreper, 'to waste', fr. L. exstirpiire, 'to
pluck out by the stem or root, extirpate'. See
extirpate and -ment.
estriol, n., a crystalline estrogenic hormone
C, 8 H 240 3 (biochem.) - Coined fr. estrus and
-ol, a suff. denoting alcohol.
estrogen, n. 1 a substance producing estrus (biochem.)- Coined fr. estrus and -gen.
estrogenic, adj., producing estrus (biochem.) Coined fr. estrus and -genic.
estrone, n., a female sex hormone; theelin (biochem.) - Coined fr. estrus and suff. -one.
estrus, oestrus, n., I) a vehement desire, frenzy;
2) the sexual heat of female mammals. - L.
oestrus, 'gadfly; frenzy', fr. Gk. oYmpoc;, 'gadfly; sting; frenzy', which is cogn. with Lith.
aistra, 'violent passion', and prob. also with
L. ira, 'anger'. See ire and cp. the first element
in Oestrelata.
estuary, n., broad mouth of a river. - L. aestuiirium, 'a tideplace, an estuary', fr. aestus, 'heat,
fire, the ebb and flow of the sea, tide', rei. to
aestus, 'heat'. See estival.
esurience, esuriency, n.- Formed fr. next word
with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
esurient, adj., hungry; greedy. - L. esuriens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of esurire, 'to desire, to
eat, be hungry', a desiderative verb formed fr.
esus, pp. of edere, 'to eat'. See eat. For the desiderative suff. -urfre cp. Abiturient and words
there referred to.
Derivative: esurient-ly, adv.
et, conj. meaning 'and'. - L.; cogn. with 01.
dti, Avestic aiti, 'over, beyond', Gk. lh1, 'yet,
still, besides, moreover', Gaul. eti, 'also, moreover', Goth. ip, 'and, but, however', OE., OS.
ed-, ON. io-, OHG. et-, it-, 'again'. Cp. eddy.
-et, subst. suff. of orig. diminutive force.- OF.
and F. -et, prob. of Etruscan origin. In French,
the suff. always had and still has diminutive
force. For the feminine form of this suff. see
-ette. Cp. -let.

-et, an infix used in chemistry (as in phen-etidine), to denote the presence ofthe ethyl radical.
- Short for ethyl.
eta, n., name of the seventh letter of the Greek
alphabet.- Gk.1j-ra, fr. earlier 1jnc (see Theodor Noldeke, Beitriige zur semitischen Sprachwissenschaft, Strassburg, I9<J4, p. 124), fr. Heb.
/:zeth; see cheth. The ~ was added because a
Greek word cannot end with a -r; cp. alpha and
words there referred to.
etacism, n., the pronunciation of Gk. eta (i.e. the
letter 1J) as e i.e. like a in English ale; called the
Erasmian pronunciation. - Formed fr. eta
with suff. -ism. Cp. itacism.
etage, n., stage.- F., 'abode, stage; story, floor',
also 'rank', fr. VL. *staticum, for L. statio, 'station, onst, r-,side:tce', lit. ':;_ ~tanding', fr. stare,
'to stand'. See state and cp. stage, 'platform'.
etagere, n., cabinet. -F., fr. etage, 'shelf'. See
prec. word.
etamine, n., a dress fabric of cotton, worsted or
silk. - F. etamine, fr. OF. estamine, fr. VL.
*staminea, fern. of the Latin adj. stamineus,
'made of threads', fr. stamen, gen. stiiminis
'warp in the upright loom, thread'. See stamen.
etape, fl., I) a halting place for troops; 2) a day's
march. - F., 'stage of journey, halting place,
distance between two halting places', fr. OF.
estaple, fr. MDu. staple, 'storehouse'. See staple.
etat, n., state. -F., fr. L. status, prop. 'mode of
standing'. See state and cp. words there referred to.
etatism, n., state socialism.- F. etatisme, formed
fr. etat, 'state', with suff. -isme. See prec. word
and -ism.
Etat Major, the staff of the army. - F. etatmajor, fr. etat, 'state', and L. major, 'greater'.
See etat and major, adj.
et cetera, 'and other things'. - L., fr. et, 'and'
(see et), and neut. of ceteri, 'the others', which
is formedfr. I.-E. pron. pref. *ce-, 'there; behold'
(see he), and I.-E. etero-, 'the other', whence
also Umbr. etro-, 'another', Avestic a-tiira-,
'one of the two, this', Alb. jdten, jatn, 'the
other', OSlav. jeterii, iterii, 'some, one'.
etch, tr. and intr. v., to engrave with acid.- Du.
etsen, 'to etch', fr. G. iitzen, 'to corrode', fr.
MHG. atzen, etzen, fr. OHG. azzon, prop. 'to
feed, bait', causative of e33an, 'to eat'. See eat.
Derivatives: etch, n., etch-er, n., etch-ing, verbal n.
Eteocles, n., son of Oedipus and Jocasta, and
king of Thebes (Greek mythology). - L., fr.
Gk. 'E-re:oxA.7jc;, lit. 'of true fame', compounded
of he:6~. 'true, real, genuine', and Y.Aeo~. 'fame'.
The first element is rei. to &-ruf.Loc;, 'true' ; see
etymon. The second element is rei. to xA.u-r6.;,
'famous', and cogn. with L. in-clutus, in-clytus,
of s.m., OE., OS. hiUd, 'loud'. See loud.
eternal, adj. - L. aeterntilis, fr. aeternus, 'everlasting, eternal', contracted fr. OL. aeviternus,
fr. *aeviter, an adverb formed fr. aevum, 'age'.

:J4/

See aeon and adj. sulf. -al and cp. age and words
there referred to. Cp. also next word.
Derivatives: eternal-ly, adv., eternal-ness, n.
eterne, adj., eternal (poetic). - OF., fr. L. aeternus. See eternal.
eternity, n.- ME. eternite, fr. F. eternite, fr. L.
aeternitiitem, ace. of aeternitiis, fr. aeternus.
See eternal and -ity.
eternize, tr. v., to render eternal. - F. eterniser,
a hybrid coined fr. L. aeternus (see eternal} and
-ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
etesian, adj., annual (said of periodical winds).Formed with sulf. -an fr. L. etesiae, fr. Gk. tTijcrlcx~, 'periodic winds that prevail in the Aegean',
lit. 'annual (winds}', fr. hf]moc;, 'annual',fr. hoc;
(dial. fE:Toc;), 'year', which is cogn. with L. vetus,
'old'. See veteran and cp. the second element in
trieteric.
-eth, archaic ending of the third person singular
of the present indicative, as knoweth. - ME.
-eth, -th, fr. OE. -ep, -ap, -p, rei. to ON. -io, -eo,
oo-, OHG. -it, -et, -ot, G. -t, Goth. -ip, -aip-,
-eip-, -op-, and cogn. with L. -t, Gk. TL, OI. -ti,
third person sing. pres. indic. endings.
-eth, suff. forming ordinal numbers, as in fortieth. - See -th, suff. forming ordinal numbers.
Ethan, masc. PN. - Heb. Ethtin, fr. ethdn,
'strong, permanent, perennial, ever-flowing'
(said of a river), which is rei. to Arab. wtitana,
'was perpetual', wdtin, 'anything permanent'.
Ethel, fern. PN. --- Not directly fr. OE. k:Oelu,
which is rel. to ;eiJe/e, 'noble', but back formation fr. names like Etheldred, Ethelinda (qq.v)
Ethelbert, masc. PN. - OE. /EJelbryht, lit.
'bright through nobility', fr. ;eoele, 'noble', and
beorht, 'bright'. For the first element see atheling, for the second see bright. Cp. Albert, which
derives- through the medium of French- fr.
OHG. Adalbert, the exact equivalent of OE.
/EOelbryht, and cp. words there referred to.
Etheldred, fern. PN. - OE. k:Oeloryo, lit. 'of
noble strength', compounded of ;eiJele, 'noble',
and oryo, 'strength'. For the first element see
atheling. The second element is rei. to ON.
pruor, 'strength', ON. pro-ask, 'to thrive',
proskr, 'strong', OHG. triuwen, 'to blossom,
flourish', trouwen, 'to grow', MHG. druo, 'fruit'.
Ethelinda, fern. PN. - Formed fr. OE. ;eoele,
'noble', and /indi, 'a serpent'. For the first
element see atheling and cp. the two prec. words.
The second element is rei. to OHG. lind, lint,
'serpent', OHG. lindwurm, MHG.lintwurm (renewed in G. Lindwurm), 'dragon', ON. linnr
(for *linpr), 'serpent', lit. 'the lithe animal', fr.
I.-E. base tent-, 'flexible', whence also ON.,
OE. lind, 'linden tree', lit. 'the tree with pliant
bast', OE. lfoe, OHG. /indi, 'soft, mild, gentle'.
See lithe and cp. linden.
ether, also aether, n., 1) the upper regions of
space; 2) (chem.), a colorless liquid used as an
anesthetic. - L. aether, fr. Gk. cxl-91jp, 'the
upper, purer air, ether', which, together with

a:r-3-piX, 'the clean sky, fair weather', derives fr.

cxf&e:~v, 'to bum', fr. I.-E. base *aidh-, 'to bum',
whence also L. aedes, 'a building, sanctuary,
temple'. See edify and words there referred to
and cp. esp. Aethusa, Ethiop; cp. also hypaethral. As a chemical term, the word aether was
coined by August Sigmund Frobenius (in 1730),
the discoverer of this liquid.
ethereal, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. aethereus, fr. Gk. cxt-!H:pwc;, 'pertaining to
ether', fr. cxt.&~p. See prec. word.
Derivatives: ethereal-ity, n., ethereal-ize, tr. v.,
ethereal-iz-ation, n., ethereal-ly, adv., etherealness, n.
etherification, n. - See ether and -fication.
etherify, tr. v., to change into ether.- See ether
and -fy.
ethic, n., ethics. - F. ethique, fr. L. ethica, fr.
Gk. -ij.&Lx~ (scil. Tix_v'l)), 'moral art', fern. of
-ij.&Lx6c;, 'moral'. See ethical.
ethic, adj., ethical (now rare). - See ethical.
ethical, adj., relating to morality; moral. Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. -ij.&~x6c;, 'pertaining to morals, moral', fr.-ti.&oc;, 'habit ,custom, usage, disposition, character, moral', rei.
to ~.&oc; (for *crfe:.&oc;), 'custom, usage', l:.&(~e:w,
'tn, accustom', e:rw.&cx, (for *ae-crfw.&-cx), 'I
am accustomed', and cogn. with OI. svadhd,
'custom, peculiarity', L. sodiilis (for *swedhiilis),
'fellow, companion', suescere, 'to become accustomed', Goth. sidus, OHG. situ, MHG. site,
G. Sitte, MDu. sede, Du. zede, ON. sior, Dan.
s;ed, OS. sidu, 'custom, habit, usage'. The orig.
meaning of all these words was 'property, peculiarity'. They are traceable to I.-E. *swedh-,
'a compound base lit. meaning 'to make one's
own', formed from the reflexive base *swe-, 'his,
her, its, one's', and *dhe-, 'to make, do'. See
sui- and theme and cp. ethos, cacoethes, ethnic.
Cp. also custom and words there referred to.
Derivatives: ethical-ity, n., ethical-ly, adv., ethical-ness, n.
ethicize, tr. v., to make ethical.- See ethic, adj.,
and -ize.
ethico-, combining form expressing relation to
ethics.- Fr. Gk. -ij.&LX6~, 'pertaining to morals'.
See ethical.
ethics, n., the science of morality.- See ethic, n.,
and -ics.
Etbiop, n., an Ethiopian.- L. Aethiops, fr. Gk.
At.&loojl, which prob. means lit. 'burnt face', fr.
a:t-3-E~v. 'to bum' and llojl, 'eye, face'. See ether
and optic. Cp. Gk. cxt.&oojl, 'fiery-looking'.
Ethiopia, n. - L. Aethiopia, fr. Gk. At.&~o7tliX,
'Ethiopia', fr. A(.&(o<}. Sec prec. word and rst-ia.
Derivatives: Ethiopi-an, adj. and n.
ethmoid, ethmoidal, adj., sievelike; pertaining to
a bone or bones forming part of the septum and
walls of the nasal cavity (anat. and zoo/.)- Gk.
iJ~fl.OL8~~. 'like a sieve', compounded of -i).&(L6~,
'sieve' and -otll!ljc;, 'like', fr. !8oc;, 'form,
shape'. The first element derives fr. 7)-3-Ei:v, 'to

sift', which is cogn. with Lith. sietas, OSlav.

sito (for *sei-to-), 'sieve', W. hid/, ON. siild (for
*se-tlo), 'sieve', Alb. sos, 'I sift'. For the second
element see -oid.
Derivative: ethmoid, n., and ethmoid bone.
ethnarch, n., governor of a nation or province. Gk. l:.&vocpx'fi~, 'ruler of the people', compounded of e-&vo~. 'people' and -ocpx.1J~. 'leader'.
See ethnic and -arch.
ethnarehy, n., the office of an ethnarch. - Gk.
HJ-vxpx_liX, fr. E:&vocFX'IJ~ See prec. word and Y
(representing Gk. -li).
ethnic, adj., related to a race. - L. ethnicus, fr.
Gk. e&v~x6~. fr. Wvoc;, 'nation, race' (in Eccles.
Greek the plural e&v-'l means 'the heathens,
gentiles'). Gk. it&voc; prob. stands for *crH.&voc;
and orig. meant 'one's own'. It is rei. to e.&o~
(for *crfe&od, 'custom, usage'. See ethical and
cp. ethnos.
Derivatives: ethnic-al-ly, adv., ethnic-ism, n.
ethno-, combining form meaning 'race'. - Fr.
Gk. mvoc;, 'nation, race'. See ethnic.
ethnography, n., the description of races.- Compounded of ethno- and Gk. -yFo:rpli, fr. yp:Xrp~~v.
to write'. Sec -graphy.
ethnology, n., the study of races.- Compounded
of ethno- and Gk. -f-oyli, fr. -f-6yo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. Sec -logy.
Derivatives: ethnolog-ic, ethnolog-ic-al, adjs.,
ethnolog-ic-al-ly, adv., ethnolog-ist, n.
ethology, n., 1) the science of character; 2) the
study of customs. - L. etlwlogia, fr. Gk. );&oi.oyli, 'description of character', which is compounded of 'ij&oc;, 'custom', and -i.oyli, fr.
-i,oyrjc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'; see next
word and -logy. In the sense 'science of character' the word ethology was introduced by the
English philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-73).
Derivatives: etholog-ic, etholog-ic-al, adjs.
ethos, n., the moral atmosphere of a people or a
community.- Gk. );lJ-o~, 'habit, custom, usage,
disposition, character, moral'. Sec ethical.
ethrog, n., the citron (Citrus medica), one of the
'Four Species' of plants used in the celebration
of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth).- - Mishnaic Hebrew cthr6g, fr. Pers. tunmj (whence also
Arab. turunj, titrunj. Cp. toronja.
ethyl, n., a hydrocarbon radical, C 2 H 5 (chem.) - Coined by the Swedish chemist Ji:ins Jakob
Berzelius (1779-1848) in 1840 fr. Gk. a:Uh:p. 'the
upper air', and \J):y;, 'stuff'_ See ether and -yl.
-etic, adj. suff. meaning 'pertaining to; of the
nature of'. - Gk. -s-:lx6;, formed from stems
ending in -e-:- through addition of suff. -tx6~;
see -ic. Gk. adj. suff. -e-:tx6c; corresponds to
nouns ending in -e:crL<;. Cp. e.g. Gk. &eT~x6c;
(see thetic), which is rei. to -&crt<; (see thesis).
etio-, also actio-, aitio-, combining form denoting
cause or causation. - Gk. cxlno-, fr. cxhliX,
'cause, origin; occasion', which derives either

fr. cxhw<;, 'causing, occasioning', or - like

ar't'toc; - directly fr. *cxho~. 'share, lot' (whence also atTiw, 'I ask for, demand'), which is rei.
to cx!crcx (for et:hl<X), 'share, lot, destiny', cx'l.vufLO:l,
'I take', 1;o:~'t'o~, 'picked, choice', a\mo<;, 'auspiciOUf, opportune', and cogn. with Avestic aeta-,
'share, lot, due', Oscan aeteis (gen.), 'of somebody's part', Toch. B ai-, 'to give' (lit. 'to allot').
Cp. diet, 'fare'.
etiolate, tr. and intr. v., to blanch, esp. through
the absence of light (bot.) - Fr. F. hiole, pp.
of t?tioler, 'to blanch', which prob. derives fr.
eteule, 'a stalk', fr. OF. esteule, fr. L. stipula,
'stubble'; see stipule and verbal suff. -ate. Accordingly the orig. meaning of F. hioler seems
to have been 'to become like straw'.
Derivatives: etiolat-ed, adj., etiolat-ion, n.
etiology, aetiology, n., the science of causes. Late L. aetiologia, fr_ Gk. cxkwf-oy[i, 'an inquiring into causes', fr. alTwl.oyerv, 'to inquire
into causes', fr. cxt-:[i, 'cause' and -f-oyliX, fr.
-Myo~, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See etioand -logy.
Derivatives: (a)etiolog-ic-al, adj., (aktiolog-ical-ly, adv., (a)etiolog-ist, n.
etiquette, n., conventional rules of social beha\ior. - F. etiquette, fr. OF. estiquier, estiquer,
'to stick on, attach', fr. Du. stikken, 'to stitch'.
which is rei. toG. sticken, 'to embroider', steche1t,
'to stab, prick, puncture'. Sec stitch and cp.
ticket, which is a doublet of etiquette.
etna, n., a device for boiling water. -- Fr. Mt.
Etna, fr. Phoen. alttlmi, 'furnace', which prob.
derives fr. Akkad. atunu, ulllnu, whence also
Aram. atttin, attiind, Syr. attrlnid, of s.m.; cp.
Arab. atttin, Ethiop. ctijn, of s.m., which arc
Syriac loan words. Cp. Etncan.
Etnean, adj., pertaining to Etna. --Formed \\ith
suff. -an fr. L. Aetncus, fr. Gk. At-:vo:Ioc;, fr.
At-:vr,, 'Etna', fr. Phoen. alllltui, furnace'. Sec
prec. word.
Etonian, n., a student of Eton College (i.e. the
college at Eton, England). For the ending sec
suff. -ian.
Etrurian, adj. and n., Etruscan. -- Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Etnlria, a name of uncertain
etymology.
Etruscan, adj. and n.- Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Etruscus, 'Etruscan', fr. Etnlria. See prec.
word.
Etta, fern. PN. - Orig. used only as dimin. of
Henrietta.
-ette, suff. used to form nouns which may or may
not have diminutive force. - F. -erte, fern. of
-et. Sec -et.
etude, n., study (music). - F., fr. L. studium.
See study.
etui, n., a small case.-- F. etui, fr. OF. estui, back
formation fr. estuier, estoier. 'put in, put aside,
spare', fr. VL. estudiiire, fr. L. studere, 'to
study; to care for'; see Meyer-Lubke, REW.,

549
No. 8325. See study and cp. prec. word. Cp.
also tweezers.
etymologic, etymological, adj. - L. etymologicus,
fr. Gk. hu!J.o).oytx6~, 'pertaining to etymology',
fr. ew!J.o).oy[<i. See etymology and -ic, resp.
also -al. Derivative: etymological-ly, adv.
etymologicon, n., an etymological dictionary.Gk. E'l"U!J.OAoyLx6v, neut. of E'l"U!J.OAoytx6c:;, used
as a noun. See prec. word.
etymology, n.- F. etymologie, fr. L. etymologia,
fr. Gk. lw!J.OAoyl<i, 'etymology', prop. 'the
study of the true sense of a word', compounded
of e-ru11-ov, 'the true sense of a word according
to its origin' (prop. neut. of ~W!J.oc:;, 'true') and
-).oyl<i, fr. -A6yoc:;, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See next word and -logy.
Derivatives: etymolog-ist, n., etymolog-ize, intr.

v., etymolog-iz-ation, n.
etymon, n., primitive word. -Gk. ~W!J.OV, 'the true
sense of a word', neut. of ~w!J.oc:;, 'true, real,
actual', enlarged fr. he:6c:; (for *he:f6c:;), 'true'.
This latter derives fr. h6c:;, 'true' (whence also
.t... r(~~tv, 'to exarr:ine, test', prop. 'to establish
as true'), which prob. stands for *i:-r6c:;, fr. I.-E.
*se-t6-s), hence lit. means 'that which is', and
is cogn. with 01. satya/J (for *sl}t-y6-), Goth.
stmjis, OE. soiJ, 'true'. See sooth and words
there referred to.
eu-, combining form meaning 'good, well'.- Fr.
Gk. di, 'well', prop. neut. of Me:;, 'good', which
is cogn. either with Hitt. ashshush, 'good', ormore probably-with OJ. vasu/J, Avestic vohu-,
'good', Ir. feb (fr. I.-E. *wesw-a), 'excellence'.
Eu- is the opposite of dys-.
eucaine, n., name of two synthetic alkaloids
called alpha-eucaine and beta-eucaine.- Coined
fr. eu- and the second and third syllable of
cocaine.
eucairite, n., a copper silver selenide (mineral.)Swed. eukairit, formed with suff. -it (representing Gk. -h-r,c:;; see subst. suff. -ite) fr. Gk.
e:Uxotlpwc;, adv. of e:uxottpoc:;, 'seasonable, opportune', fr. e:o, 'well' (see eu-), and xotLp6c:;, 'the
right season, the right time' (see kairine). The
mineral was so called because it was found by
the Swedish chemist Baron Jons Jakob Berzelius
(I 779- I 848) soon after the discovery of selenium.
Eucalyptus, n., a genus of plants of the myrtle
family (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'well covered',
coined by the French botanist L'Heritier de
Brutelle (1746-I8oo) in I788 fr. eu- and Gk.
XIXAU7t-r6c:;, 'covered', verbal adj. of xotM7t-re:Lv,
'to cover, conceal' (see calyptra); so called in
allusion to the cap covering the bud.
Eucharis, n., a genus of the plants of the amaryllis family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. e:u;(<XpLc:;,
'pleasant, agreeable', fr. e:o, 'well', and xcipLc:;,
'favor, grace'. See next word.
Eucharist, n. (eccles.), I) communion; 2) its consecrated elements. - OF. eucariste (F. eucharistie), fr. Eccles. L. eucharistia, fr. Gk. e:Uxrr.-

ptcs-rl<i, 'thankfuliiess, gratitude', fr. e:uxcipLcr-roc:;,

'pleasant, agreeable', fr. e:uxotpE~e:Lv, 'to render
thanks', fr. e:o (see eu-) and xcipLc:;, 'favor, grace'.
See Charis and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: eucharist-ic, eucharist-ic-a/, adjs.,
eucharist-ic-al-ly, adv.
Euchite, n., one of a medieval sect that flourished
in the 4th cent., whose members believed in the
saving power of perpetual prayer; applied also
to various other sects that shared this belief. Eccles. L. euchita, fr. Gk. e:ux-f), 'vow, wish,
prayer', which is cogn. with OI. vaghat-, 'one
who 6ffers a sacrifice', L. vovere, 'to vow'. See
vote and cp. next word.
euchology, n., prayer book. - Eccles. Gk. e:uxo).6ymv, compounded of Gk. e:ux-f), 'prayer', and
-A6ymv, fr. AEye:LV, 'to tell, say, speak'. See
prec. word and -logy.
euchre, n., a card game. - Of unknown origin.
Derivative: euchre, tr. v.
euclase, n., a brittle green silicate of beryllium
and aluminum (mineral.) - Lit. 'that which
breaks easily'; formed fr. eu- aud Gk. xMmc:;,
'a breaking', from the stem of x).Civ, 'to break' .
See clastic and cp. words there referred to.
Euclea, n., a genus of plants of the ebony family
(bot.)-ModL., lit. 'glorious', fr. e:ux).e:(a, 'glory',
fr. e:Ux).e:~c:;. 'famous, glorious', which is formed
fr. e:o (see eu-) and x).eoc:;, 'fame' (see Eteocles);
so called in allusion to the beautiful foliage.
Euclid, euclid, n.- Short for Euclid's geometry,
i.e. geometry based on the treatise of Euclid,
the great Greek mathematician who lived about
300 B.C.E. (The name lit. means 'renowned',
and is rei. to e:ux).e:1jc:;, 'renowned', prop. 'of
good report', fr. e:o, 'well', and x).eoc:;, 'fame';
see prec. word.)
Derivative: Euclid-ean, Euclid-ian, adj.
eudaemonic, eudaemonical, adj., producing happiness. - Gk. e:U.3ot(!J.OV(X6~. 'conducive to happiness', fr. e:u.3otl!J.WV, 'fortunate, happy', lit.
'blessed with a good genius', fr. e:o (see eu-) and
8otl!J.WV 'god'. See demon and cp. pandemonium.
eudaemonics, n., that branch of ethics which deals
with happiness. - See prec. word and -ics.
eudaemonism, n., that system of ethics which
makes the moral value of actions dependent
upon their relation to happiness. - Gk. e:U.3ot(!J.OV(CS!J.6c:;, 'a thinking happy', fr. ru.3ot~!J.OVL~LV,
'to think happy', fr. e:U.3otl!J.WV. See eudaemonic
and -ism.
eudiometer, n., an instrument for the volumetric
measuring of gases. - Coined by the English
clergyman and chemist Joseph Priestley (I733I804) fr. Gk. e:u.3w~, 'fine, dear' (~aiJ e~p. of air
and weather), and 11-e-rpov, 'measure'. The first
element stands for *e:U-8Lfo~ and lit. means
'having a good day', fr. e:o, 'well', and .3i:o~
(for *.3Ef!o<;), 'divine'. Cp. OI. su-diva/J, 'having
a fine day', which is the equivalent of Gk. e:U.3~o~.
See eu- and deity. For the second element see
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.

Derivatives: eudiometr-ic, eudiometr-ic-al, adjs.,

eudiometr-ic-al-ly, adv.

1I

Eudora, fern. PN. - L., fr. Gk. Eu.3cilp<i, lit.

'generous', fern. of e:Mwpo~. fr. eo (see eu-) and
.3&pov, 'gift'. See donation.
Eudorina, n., a genus of flagellates (bioi.) ModL., formed with suff. -ina fr. Gk. e:u.3wpo~,
'generous'. See prec. word.
Eugene, masc. PN.- F. Eugene, fr. L. Eugenius,
fr. Gk. EuyEvLo~. fr. e:uye:v~c:;. 'well born'. See
eugenic and cp. Eugenia.
Eugenia, fern. PN.- L., fr. Gk. Euye:vl<i,lit. 'nobility of birth', rei. to EuybJLoc:;. See prec. word.
eugenic, adj., improving the human race; pertaining to the improvement of the human race.
- Gk. e:Uye:v-f)~. 'well born', fr. e:o (see eu-) and
yevo~ 'race, descent, gender, kind', See genus
and cp. Eugene, Eugenia.
eugenics, n., the study of the improvement of the
human race by selection of the parents. Coined by Sir Francis Galton (r822I9II) in
r883 from the adjective eugenic. For the ending
see -ics.
Euglandina, n., a genus of snails (zoo!.) - A
ModL. hybrid coined fr. eu-, L. glans, gen.
glandis, 'acorn' (see gland), and suff. -ina.
euhemerism, n., theory of Euhemerus, a Sicilian
Greek philosopher of about 300 B.C.E. Formed with suff. -ism fr. L. Euhemerus, fr.
Gk. Eu-f)!J.epoc:; (a name lit. meaning 'bright,
happy', fr. e:O, 'well' and 1J!J.ep<i, 'day').
Derivatives: euhemerist-ic, adj., euhemerist-ical-ly, adv.
euhemerist, n., one who believes in the theory of
Euhemerus. - See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: euhemerist-ic, adj., euhemerist-ica/-fy, adv.
euhemerize, tr. v., to interpret (myths) according
to euhemerism. - See euhemerism and -ize.
Eulalia, fern. PN. - L., fr. Gk. EuAotA[<i, fr.
e:uAotAo~, 'sweetly speaking', fr. e:o (see eu-) and
AotAE<i, 'talk, chat, speech', fr. AotA6c:;, 'talkative,
loquacious'. See Lalage and cp. the second
element in mogilalia, paralalia. Cp. also lull.
eulogium, n., eulogy.- Late L., fr. Gk. ru).oyl<i.
See next word.
eulogy, n., high praise. - Gk. e;,)).oy[ti, 'good
language; praise, eulogy', lit. 'a speaking well',
fr. e:O (see eu-) and -Aoylti, fr. -A6yoc:;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy and cp. elogium.
Derivatives: eu/ogi-ous, adj., eulog-ism, n., eulogist, n., eulog-ist-ic, eulog-ist-ic-a!, adjs., eulogize, tr. v., eulog-iz-ation, n., eulog-iz-er, n.
eulysite, n., a granular kind of peridotite (mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk.
e;,)).ucr(<i, 'dissolubility', fr. e:U).u-ro~, 'easily dissolved, soluble', fr. e:O (see eu-) and ).u-r6c:;,
'loosened, solved; dissolved', verbal adj. of
).Ue:Lv, 'to loose, loosen, set free; to dissolve'.
See -lysis and cp. words there referred to.
Eumenides. n. pl., the Erinyes (Greek mythology).

euphemist

- L., fr. Gk. Eu(J.evl.3ec:;, lit. 'the Well-Minded

Ones', a euphemistic nlme of the Erinyes, fr.
e:u!J.e:v-f)c:;, 'well-minded, kind', fr. e:o (see eu-)
and 11-evo~. 'life, soul, spirit', which is cogn.
with OI. manyate, 'thinks', L. mens, 'mind,
reason, thought', monere, 'to remind'. See mind
and cp. mental, 'pertaining to the mind'.
Em~ectes, n., a genus of snakes, the anaconda
(zoo!.) - ModL., lit. 'the good swimmer', fr.
e:o (see eu-) and Gk. v-f)xTI)c:;, 'swimmer', fr.
v-f)xe:Lv, 'to swim', which is cogn. with Gk. vciew,
L. niire, 'to swim'. See natation.
Emiice, fern. PN. - L., fr. Gk. Euvtx1J, lit.
'victorious', fr. ro (see eu-) and vtx1J, 'victory'.
See Nike and cp. Nicholas.
em~omy, n., the condition of being governed by
good laws. - Gk. e:Uvo!J.l<i, 'good order', fr.
e:ilvo(J.oc:;, 'under good laws, well ordered', which
is compounded of e:O (see eu-) and v611-oc:;, 'law'.
See -nomy.
em~ucb, n. L. eunuchus, fr. Gk. e:Uvouxo~, lit.
'guardian of the bed', fr. e:Uv-f), 'couch, bed',
which is of uncertain etymology, and the base
of ltxe:Lv, 'to hold, have'. See hectic and cp.
the second element in Ophiuchus.
Euonymus, n. - See Evonymus.
euosmite, n., a fossil resin.- Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Gk. e:uocr11-o~. 'sweet-smelling', fr.
e:o (see eu-) and bcr(J-1), 'smell, odor' (see osmium);
so called because it yields an aromatic odor
when burned.
Eupatorium, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. e:U7tot-r6pLOv,
Agrimonia Eupatorium, named after Eupator
Mithridates, who first used it for medicinal
purposes.
eupepsia, n., good digestion (med.) - Medical
L., fr. Gk. ru1te:~l<i, fr. e:u1te:1t-ro~. 'easy of digestion', fr. e:0 (see eu-) and 7te:7t-r6c:;, 'cooked',
verbal adj. of 1tecrcre:w, 1te1t-re:Lv, 'to cook'. See
pepsin and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
eupeptic, adj., having good digestion; promoting
digestion. - Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
eum:1t-ro.;. See prec. word and cp. peptic and
words there referred to.
Euphemia, fern. PN. - L., fr. Gk. Eu<p"fl!J.L<i, lit.
'speech of good omen, good repute', fr. e:o (see
eu-) and <p-f)!J."fl, 'prophetic saying, saying, speech'.
See next word.
euphemism, n., substitution of a mild word or expression for a harsh or vulgar one (rhet.) Gk. eU<p1J!J.LO"!J.6~. 'use of an auspicious word for
an inauspicious one', fr. eU<p1J!J.L~ecr1totL, 'to use
auspicious words', fr. ru<p1J(J.L<i, 'use of words
of good omen', fr. e:O (see eu-) and <p-f)!J."fl, 'prophetic saying, saying, speech' which is cogn.
with L. fiima, 'talk, report'. See fame and -ism
and cp. prec. word.
euphemist, n. - See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: euphemist-ic, euphemist-ic-a!, adjs.,
euphemist-ic-al-ly, adv.

euphemize
euphemize, tr. v., to express euphemistically;
intr. v., to use euphemisms.-Gk.e:utp"t)!l:~e:cr,&e>:L,
'to use auspicious words'. See euphemism and
-ize.
Derivative: euphemiz-er, n.
euphone, n., a free-reed organ stop giving a sweet
tone (music). - Gk. e:lltpwvo~, 'sweet-voiced'.
See euphony.
euphonium, n., a small brass instrument (music).
- ModL., fr. Gk. e:lltpwvo~, 'sweet-voiced'. See
next word.
euphony, n., pleasantness of sound. -F. euphonie, fr. L. euph6nia, fr. Gk. e:utpwvlii, 'sweetness
of voice', fr. e:lltpwvo~, 'sweet-voiced', fr. e:o (see
eu-) and tpwv~, 'sound, tone, voice'. See phone
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: euphon-ic, euphon-ic-a[, adjs.,
euphon-ic-al-ly, adv., euphon-ic-al-ness, n., euphoni-ous, adj., euphoni-ous-ly, adv., euphonious-ness, n.
Euphorbia, n., a genus of African plants. ModL., fr. L. euphorbeum, name of an African
plant. Sec euphorbium.
Euphorbiaceae, n. pl., a family of African plants.
- Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
euphorbiaceous, adj. - Sec prec. word and
-aceous.
euphorbium, n., a gum resin derived from Euphorbia resinifera. - ModL., fr. L. euphorbeum, fr.
Gk. e:ucp6p~wv. named after E0cpop~o<;, Euphorbus, a Greek physician. (The name lit. means
well nourished', fr. e:i'i, 'well' and rpop~~. 'pasture, nourishment', which is rei. to <;JEp~e:Lv,
'to feed'.)
euphoria, n., the sense of well-being (psycho!.)Medical L., fr. Gk. e:ucpvpli, '\vell-being', lit. 'a
bearing well', fr. e:ucpopo~. 'easy to bear, easily
born', fr. so (see eu-) and the stem of t(Epe:Lv,
'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry' and cp.
dysphoria. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Euphrasia, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family (bot.)
ModL. See next word.
euphrasy, n., name of a plant.- ML. euphrasia,
fr. Gk. e:ucppcrLi, 'delight', fr. e:)?p:.:lve:Lv, 'to
delight'. fr. e:) (see eu-) and 9p+,v, gen. <;Jpe:v6;,
'mind'. See phrenetic and -y (representing Gk.
-li).
euphroe, also uphroe, n., a block of wood perforated to receive the cords of an awning.- Du.
juffrollll', 'young woman; pulley', rei. to OFris.
jung[rou11e, OHG. jungfroull'a, MHG.juncvrou
(l\e), 'young woman, girl', G. Jungfrau, 'maid,
\irgin: spinster'. See young and frow.
Euphrosyne, n., 1) one of the three Graces (Greek
mythol.); 2) fern. PN.- L., fr. Gk. E)?pocn)vr,,
lit. 'mirth, merriment', fr. e:IJ9pwv, 'cheerful,
merry', lit. 'of a good mind', fr. e:o (see eu-) and
?P+.v. gen. 9pe:v6:;, 'mind'. See phrenetic and cp.
Sophronia. Cp. also prec. word.
euphuism, n., the affected style used by John Lyly
in his Euphues. - Formed with suff. -ism fr.
Euphues, a name coined by the English writer

550

John Lyly (1554?-r6o6) in 1578 fr. Gk. e:u<pu~~.

'well-grown, excellent', fr. e:i'i (see eu-) and the
stem of <pUe:Lv, 'to bring forth, produce, make
to grow'. See physio- and cp. words there referred to.
euphuist, n., one characterized by euphuism. See euphuism and -ist.
Derivatives: euphuist-ic, euphuist-ic-a!, adjs ..
euphuist-ic-al-ly, adv.
eupnea, eupnoea, n., normal breathing (med.) Medical L. eupnoea, fr. Gk. ethtvoLx, 'easy
breathing', fr. e:ll1t'Voo~, 'breathing well', fr. e:~
(see eu-) and 7t'lo-Yj, 1t'VOL~, 'breath'. See pneuma
and cp. dyspnea.
Eurafrica, n., Europe and Africa taken together.
- A blend of Europe and Africa.
Derivative: Eurafric-an, adj. and n.
Eurasia, n., Europe and Asia taken together. A blend of Europe and Asia.
Derivative: Eurasi-an, adj. and n.
eureka, interj., the exclamation attributed w
Archimedes when he discovered a method to
determine the purity of the gold in King Hiero's
crown; hence exclamation of triumph. - Gk.
e:llpr,ze>:, 'I have found', perf. of e:uplcrxe:Lv, 'to
find'. Sec heuristic.
eurythmic, adj. - See eurhythmic.
euripus, n., a strait.-- L., fr. Gk. Eilpi7':o~, 'strait'.
fr. e:i:i (see eu-) and [iLrrf,, 'rush, impetus', which
is rel. to pfrr-rs~v, 'to throw, hurl', and cogn.
with Fris. wriJ,we, MLG., MDu. wril'en, OHG.
riban, MHG. riben, G. rrib!'n 'to rub'; see
Hofmann, EWG., p. 299 s.v. ptrr-:w. Cp. ribald.
Euroclydon, n., a stormy wind.- New Testament
Gk. e:upox):)ll{v'l (Acts 27: 14) fr. Ei:ipo<;, 'southeast wind', and x/c)llwv, 'wave' (from the stem
of z),)~e:t'l, 'to dash against, break over, inundate'); prob. a false reading for e:upxxu/..wv.
Grecization of Late L. Euraqui/6, 'northeast
wind', fr. L. Eurus, 'eastwind', and Aquil<i.
'north wind'. See Eurus and Aquilo.
Europa, n., a daughter of Agenor, king of Phoenicia (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. E)pC:);-:~.
See Europe.
Europe, n.- L. Europa, fr. Gk. Eupw7nJ, 'Europa:
Europe', which is prob. of Semitic origin. Cp.
Akkad. erebu, 'to enter, go in; to go down, set'
(said of the sun), ereb shamshi, 'sunset', Heb.
'erebh, '?unset, evening': see Heinrich Lewy.
Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen.
Berlin, 1895, pp. 139-140. Accordingly E)pw;-:-r,
orig. meant 'the Region of the Setting Sun'. Cp.
Hesychius, who renders Eup(:);-:-r, with the words
zwpx -IT,c 3)cre:w: ( = 'the Land of the Setting
Sun'). Cp. also Gk. "Epe:~o:;, 'place of nether
darkness', which derives fr. Heb. 'erebh. See
maarib and cp. Erebus. The form Eupw=, (as if
the name meant e:)p-w=,, 'broad face') is due
to the natural tendency of the Greeks to Grecize
words foreign to their language. For the sense
development of Gk. Eupw1t'l) from a Semitic
word meaning 'sunset, evening', cp. Asia.

551

European, adj. and n. -F. europeen, fr. L. Europaeus, fr. Gk. Eupcumx'i:o~, 'European', fr. Eupw1t'l), 'Europe'. See prec. word and -an.
Derivatives: European-ism, n., European-ize,
tr. v., European-iz-ation, n.
europium, n., name of a rare metallic element
(chem.)- ModL., named by its discoverer, the
French chemist Eugene Demar.yay (I852-I903)
in I896 after the continent Europe. For the ending of europium see suff. -ium.
Eurus, n., I) the god of the southeast wind (Greek
mythol.); 2) hence the southeast wind. L., fr. Gk. Eopo~, which possibly stands for
*Eocr-po:; and orig. meant 'the singeing wind',
fr. e:ue:Lv (for *eucre: tv), 'to singe', which derives
fr. I.-E. base *eus-, 'to burn'; see combust. The
change of the rough spirit (in e:Ue:tv) to the
smooth one (in Eopo~) is prob. due to the influence of atupii, 'air'. Cp. the first element in
Euroclydon.
eury-, combining form meaning 'wide'. - Gk.
e:upu-, fr. e:Upu~, 'wide', which is cogn. with 01.
uru~, 'broad, wide', varas-, 'breadth, width'. Cp.
the first element in next word.
Eurydice, n., the wife of Orpheus (Greek mythol.)
- L., fr. Gk. Eupu8Lx't), lit. 'wide justice', fr.
e:ipu~. 'wide', and llbt"t), 'right, custom, usage,
law; justice'. For the first element see eury-,
for the second see dicast.
eurythmic,eurhythmic,adj.,harmonious.-Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. e:Upu.&[LL~. 'rhythmical
order', fr. e:upu-9-fLo~, 'rhythmical', fr. e:o (see eu-)
and pu.&[L6:;, 'rhythm'. See rhythm.
eurythmics, eurhythmics, n., the art of expressing
musical harmony by bodily movements. - See
prec. word and -ics.
eurythmy, eurhythmy, n., harmonious proportion.
- L. eurythmia, fr. Gk. e:Upu.&[LL~. See eurythmic and -y (representing Gk. -Lii).
eusol, n., an antiseptic solution for wounds.
(pharm.)- Lit. 'a good solution'; coined fr. euand the first three letters of the word solution.
Eustace, masc. PN.- OF. Eustace (F. Eustache),
fr. Late L. Eustachius, fr. Gk. Eucr't'ctXLo:;, lit.
'fruitful', fr. e:O (see eu-) and cr't'ocxu<;, 'ear (of
grain)', which is a derivative of I.-E. base
*stengh-, 'to be pointed', whence also E. sting
(q.v.) Cp. Stachys. The name Eustachius should
not be confused with Eustathius, which comes
fr. Gk. EU(f't'ct&7]~. 'stable'.
Eustachian, adj., pertaining to Eustachio or to
the Eustachian tube. - Formed with suff. -an
from the name of the Italian physician Bartolomeo Eustachio (1524?-1574), the discoverer
of the air passage connecting the eardrum
cavity with the pharynx.
eutectic, adj., of the greatest fusibility.- Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &\Ynjx-ro:;, 'easily melted',
fr. ro (see eu-) and TI)K'r6<;, 'melted', verbal adj.
of T'l)xeLv, 'to melt', which is cogn. with L. tabes,
'a wasting away'. See tabes and cp. eutexia.
Derivative: eutectic, n., a eutectic substance.

evaluate
Euterpe, n., the Muse of music (Greek mythology).
- L., fr. Gk. Eu,p1t'1J, lit. 'pleasing well', fr
e:O (see eu-) and -reprre:Lv, 'to delight, please'.
See Terpsichore.
eutexia, n., the quality of melting at a low temperature (physics). - ModL., fr. Gk. e:l>TIJ~li,
'fusibility', which is rei. to e:uTI)X't'o~, 'easily
melted'. See eutectic.
Euthamia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. e:u&f)[Lwv, 'harmonious, pretty', lit. 'well placed', fr. e:O (see
eu-) and the base of n-9-evatL, 'to put, place'. See
theme and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
euthanasia, n., an easy and painless death. Gk. e:U-&atve>:crl~. 'easy death', fr. e:o (see eu-)
and .&ocve>:-ro:;, 'death'. See thanato- and -ia and
cp. athanasy.
Euxine, adj., pertaining to the Euxine ( = Black
Sea). - L. Pontus Euxinus, fr. Gk. II6v't'o:;
Ell~e:Lvo~, 'the hospitable sea', euphemized fr.
II6v-ro<; "A~mo~, 'the Axine', lit. 'the inhospitable sea', in which name "A~e:Lvo~ is perh. a
popular alteration of a name like *A~e:vri~.
metathesis of' Acrze:vri~, 'Acrzatvri~, Septuagintal
rendering of Heb. Ashk 1naz, a people mentioned
in Gen. ro: 3 and I Chr. 1:6. Accordingly
Axine orig. would have meant 'the Ashkenaz
Sea'. See Ashkenaz.
Eva, fern. PN. (Bible). - See Eve.
evacuant, adj., promoting evacuation, purgative
(med.) - L. evacuiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of
evacuiire. See next word and -ant.
Derivative: evacuant, n., a purgative agent.
evacuate, tr. v., r) to withdraw troops from a
place; 2) to promote evacuation (med.) - L.
evacuiitus, pp. of evacuare, 'to empty out, purge',
formed fr. e- and vacuus, 'empty'. See vacant
and verbal suff. -ate.
evacuation, n. - F. evacuation, fr. Late L. evacuiiti6nem, ace. of evacuiiti6, 'an evacuating', fr.
L. evacuiitus, pp. of evacuiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
evade, tr. v., to avoid.- L. eviidere, 'to go out;
to escape', fr. e- and viidere, 'to go', which is
rei. to vadum, 'a shallow', and cogn. with OE.
wadan, 'to wade'. See wade and cp. vade mecum.
Cp. also evasion, invade, invasion, pervade, pervasion.
Evadne, I) the wife of Capaneus, one of 'the
Seven before Thebes' (Greek mythol.); 2) fern.
PN. - L., fr. Gk. EM8'1"1), a word of uncertain
origin.
evaginate, tr. v., to tum (a tube) inside out. L. eviiginiitus, pp. of eviiginiire, 'to unsheathe',
fr. e- and viigina, 'sheath'. See vagina and verbal
suff. -ate.
evagination, n. -Late L. eviiginiiti6, gen. -6nis,
'a spreading out, extending', fr. L. eviiginiitus,
pp. of eviiginiire. See prec. word and -ion.
e'fllluate, tr. v. - F. evaluer. See e-, value and
verbal suff. -ate, and cp. valuation.

Evan
Derivative: evaluat-ion, n.
Evan, masc. PN. - W., lit. 'young'. Cp. W. iau,
'young', ieuanc, 'young man', ieuaf, 'youngest',
MW. ieu, 'younger', Olr. oa, oam, 'younger,
youngest'. These words are cogn. with L.
juvenis, 'young, young man', Goth. juggs, OE.
geong, 'young'. See young and cp. juvenile.
evanesce, intr. v., to vanish.- L. eviinescere, 'to
pass away, vanish', fr. e- and viinescere, 'to pass
away', which is an inchoative verb formed from
the adjective viinus, 'vain'. See vain and -esce.
evanescence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
evanescent, adj. - L. eviinescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part of eviinsescere. See evanesce and -ent.
Derivative: evanescent-ly, adv.
evangel, n., the gospel.- ME. evangile, fr. OF.
evangile (F. evangile), fr. Eccles. L. evangelium,
'gospel', fr. Gk. eoa.yyei..Lov, 'reward of good
tidings; gospel', fr. e:Myyei..o~, 'bringing good
news', fr. !U (see eu-) and &yyei..o~. 'messenger'.
See angel.
Derivatives: evangelic (q.v.), evangel-ic-ily, n.,
evangelist (q.v.), evangelize (q.v.)
evangel, n., evangelist. - Gk. !O&yyei..oc;, 'bringing good news'. See prec. word.
evangelic, evangelical, adj. - Eccles. L. evangelicus, fr. Gk. e:oa.yye:i..Lx6c;, fr. !Oa.yyei..wv. See
evangel, 'gospel', and -ic, resp. also -al.
Evangeline, fern. PN. - F. Evangeline, ult. fr.
Gk. !Oa.yyl:i..Lov, 'good news'. See evangel,
'gospel', and -ine (representing L. -ina).
evangelist, n. - F. evange/iste, fr. Eccles. L.
evangelista, fr. Gk. !Oa.yye:I.LcrTijc;, fr. !Oa.yye:).(~e:cr.&a.L. See next word and -ist.
Derivatives: evangelist-ic, adj.
evangelize, tr. and intr. v. - OF. evangeliser, fr.
Eccles. L. evangeliziire, fr. Gk. !Oa.yye::A(~e:a~a.L,
'to bring good news, to preach glad tidings', fr.
!Oa.yye:f..Lov. See evangel, 'gospel', and -ize.
Derivatives: evangeliz-ation, n., evangeliz-er, n.
evanisb, intr. v., to vanish. - OF. esvanir (F.
evanouir). See e- and vanish.
Derivative: evanish-ment, n.
evansite, n., a basic aluminum phosphate (mineral.) - Named after Brooke Evans, of England, who brought it from Hungary. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
evaporate, intr. and tr. v. - L. evaporiitus, pp. of
evaporiire, 'to disperse in vapor', fr. e- and vapor,
'steam, vapor'. See vapor and verbal suff. -ate.
evaporation, n. - F. evaporation, fr. L. evap6riitionem, ace. of evaporiitio, 'an evaporating', fr.
evaporiitus, pp. of evaporiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
evaporative, adj. -Late L. evaporiitivus, 'tending
or apt to evaporate' , fr. L. evaporiitus, pp. of
evaporiire. See evaporate and -ive.
evasion, n. -F. evasion, fr. L. eviisionem, ace. of
eviisio, 'a going out; escape', fr. eviisus, pp. of
eviidere. See evade and -ion and cp. invasion,
pervasion.

553

552
evasive, adj.- F. evasif(fem . evasive), fr. L. eviisus, pp. of eviidere. See evade and -ive.
Derivatives: evasive-ly, adv., evasive-ness, n.
eve, n., I) evening; 2) time immediately preceding
an event. - ME. eve; a variant of even,
'evening'.
Eve, 1) fern. PN; 2) in the Bible, the wife of
Adam.- Late L. Eva, fr. Heb. Hawwtfh, lit.
'a living being', from the base of bawd = bayd,
'he lived'. See Gen. 3:20. Heb. biiyd~>, 'he lived',
is rei. to Aram.-Syr. (layd, 'he lived', Ugar. (lwy
((lyy),. 'to live', Arab. (layyii, 'he lived', Heb.
(layyfm, Aram. l;zayyfn, (layyi, Arab. l;zaydn,
'life'. Cp. Eva. Cp. also ave.
evection, n., irregularity of the moon's motion
in its orbit (astron.) - L. evectio, gen. -onis: 'a
going upward', fr. evectus, pp. of evehere, 'to
carry out', fr. e- and vehere, 'to carry, convey'.
See vehicle and -ion.
Evelina, Evelyn, fern. PN.- I) Dimin. of Eve;
2) fr. OHG. Ave/ina, fr. A vi.
Evelyn, masc. PN.- Prob. fr. prec. word.
even, n., evening (poet.) - ME. eve, e~en, fr. OE.
iifen, rei. to OS. ii'Oand, ON. aptann, Dan. aften, OFris. evend, Du. avond, OHG. iiband,
MHG. iibend, G. Abend, and cogn. with Gk.
om- in il1t~(v), Ion. and Att. ilmcr~e:(v),
'after, behind', olji, 'late in the day, at even',
t1t!, 'upon, after'; hence even(ing) lit. means
'the hinder' ( = latter) part of the day'. See epiand cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the
second element in Halloween.
even, adj. -ME. even, fr. OE. efen, efn, 'level,
even', rei. to OS. e'lJan, OFris. even, Du. even,
effen, OHG. eban, MHG., G. eben, ON. jafn,
Dan. ja:vn, Goth. ibns, fr. Teut. base *e'lJna-,
which possibly corresponds to I.-E. *im-no-, enlargement of base *im-, whence L. im-itiiri, 'to
represent, copy, imitate'. See imitate and cp.
anent.
Derivatives: even, n., adv. and tr. v., even-er, n.,
even-ly, adv., even-ness, n.
evening, n. - ME., fr. OE. ii!fnung, 'evening',
prop. verbal n. fr. ii!fnian, 'to become evening',
fr. ii!fen, 'evening'. See even, 'evening', and -ing,
suff. forming verbal nouns, and cp. morning
(fr. morn).
evensong, n.- ME., fr. OE. iifensang, compound ed of iifen, 'evening', and sang, 'song'. See
even, 'evening', and song.
event, n.- OF. event, fr. L. eventus, 'occurrence,
event', fr. event-(um), pp. stem of evenire, 'to
come forth, happen, occur', fr. e- and venire,
'to come'. See come and cp. venue, 'arrival'.
eventful, adj. -Compou nded of event and -ful;
first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: eventful-ly, adv., eventful-ness, n.
eventide, n. - ME., fr. OE. iifentid, compound ed
of ii!fen, 'evening', and tid, 'time'. See even,
'evening', and tide.
eventration, n., protrusion of the abdominal
viscera (med.) - F. eventration, formed fr. e-

(see e-), L. venter, gen. ventris, 'belly' (see venter,

'abdomina l cavity'), and suff. -ation.
eventual, adj. - Fictive L. eventuiilis (whence
also F. eventuel), fr. L. eventus. See event and
adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: eventual-ity, n., eventual-ly, adv.
eventuate, intr. v., to tum out, result.- Formed
fr. event with verbal suff. -ate.
ever, adv. - ME. ever, fr. OE. ii!fre, prob. rei.
to OE. ii, 'always, ever'. See aye, 'ever', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also the first element in every and the second element in never.
Everard, masc. PN.- OF. Everart, ofTeut. origin. Cp. OHG. Eburhard (= G. Eberhard,
Ebert), lit. 'strong as a boar', fr. ebur, 'boar',
and hart, 'hard'. See aper and hard.
Evemia, n., a genus of lichens of the family Usneaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. !Oe:pvi]c;,
'sprouting well', fr. eU (see eu-) and t!pvot;,
'young sprout, twig, shoot', which is cogn. with
Norw. runne, rune, 'branch', ON. renna, 'to
shoot up', fr. I.-E. base *er-, *or-, 'to stir, move',
whence also L. oriri, 'to rise'. See orient and cp.
words there referred to.
eversion, n.- F. eversion, fr. L. eversionem, ace.
of eversio, 'a turning out, overthrowing', fr.
eversus, pp. of evertere, 'to tum out, twist, overthrow', fr. e- and vertere, 'to tum'. See version.
evert, tr. v., 1) to overthrow (archaic); 2) to tum
inside out. - L. evertere. See prec. word.
every, adj.- ME. everilk, everich, everi, lit. 'ever
each', fr. OE. ii!fre, 'always, ever', and iilc,
'each'. See ever and each.
evict, tr. v., to dispossess by law. - L. evictus,
pp. of evincere, 'to overcome completely, vanquish; to recover one's property'. See evince.
eviction, n. -Late L. evictio, gen. -onis, 'recovery
of one's property', fr. L. evictus, pp. of evincere.
See prec. word and -ion.
evidence, n. -F. evidence, fr. L. evidentia, 'clearness, distinctness', fr. e;;idens, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce.
evident, adj. - F. evident, fr. L. evidentem, ace.
of evidens, 'apparent, visible, clear, evident',
formed fr. e- and videre, 'to see'. See vision
and -ent.
Derivatives: evident-ial, adj., evident-ial-ly, adv.,
evidenti-ary, adj., evident-ly, adv.
evil, adj. -ME. evil, eve[, ivel, uvel, fr. OE. yfel,
yfil, rei. to OS. u'lJil, OFris., MDu. eve!, Du.
euvel, OHG. ubi!, MHG., G. iibel, Goth. ubils,
'evil'. These words are prob. rei. to up, above,
over (qq.v.) Accordingly, the orig. meaning of
OE. yfel, etc., seems to have been 'going upward', hence 'going beyond, transgressing'.
Derivatives: evil, n. and adv., evil-ly, adv.
evil-starred. adj. - Coined by the English poet
Alfred Tennyson (I809-92) fr. evil, star and adj.
suff. -ed. Cp. ill-starred.
evince, tr. v., I) to show; 2) to exhibit.- L. evincere, 'to overcome completely, vanquish; to
succeed in proving, demonstra te', fr. e- and

L.'f'U11f111 ... _.

vincere, 'to vanquish'. See vincible and cp. evict.

Derivatives: evinc-ible, adj., envinc-ibl-y, adv.,
envinc-ive, adj.
evirate, tr. v., to castrate. - L. eviriitus, pp. of
eviriire, 'to deprive of manhood', fr. e- and vir,
'man'. See virile and verbal suff. -ate.
eviration, n., castration. - L. eviriitio, gen. -onis,
'a depriving of manhood', fr. eviriitus, pp. of
eviriire. See prec. word and -ion.
eviscerate, tr. v., to disembow el.- L. evisceriitus,
pp. of evisceriire, 'to disembowel', lit. 'to remove
the viscera from', fr. e- and viscera, 'the inner
parts of the body'. See viscera and cp. viscerate.
Derivative: eviscerat-ion, n.
evitable, adj., avoidable. - L. evitiibilis, 'avoidable'; fr. evitiire, 'to avoid', fr. e- and vitiire,
'to seek to escape, to avoid', which seems to be
a contraction of *vi-itiire, 'to go out of the
way', fr. via, 'way', and itiire, freq. of eo, ire,
'to go'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., II, p.8o5
s.v. vito. See via and itinerate.
evocation, n., an evoking. - L. evociitio, gen.
-onis, 'a calling out, summoning', fr. evociitus,
pp. of evociire. See evoke and -ation.
evocative, adj., tending to evoke. - Late L. evociitivus, 'pertaining to summonin g', fr. L. evociitus, pp. of evociire. See evoke and -ative and
cp. vocative.
Evodia, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. e:ow8lii, 'sweet smell,
fragrance', fr. !Ow8"flt;, 'sweet smelling, fragrant',
formed fr. r;U (see eu-) and the stem of il~m.
'to smell', whence also ocrf.LiJ, 'smell, odor'. See
odor and cp. osmium. For the ending see suff.
-ia.
evoke, tr. v., to call forth. - F. evoquer, fr. L.
evociire, 'to call out, summon', fr. e- and vociire,
'to call', from vox, gen. vocis, 'voice'. See voice.
evolute, n., a curve which is the locus of the center of curvatures of another curve (geom.) L. evolutus, pp. of evolvere. See next word and
cp. involute.
evolution, n. - L. evoliitio, gen. -onis, 'an unrolling (of a scroll), an opening (of a book)', fr.
evoliitus, pp. of evolvere, 'to unroll, unfold', fr.
e- and volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: evolution-a!, adj., evolution-al-ly,
adv., evolution-ary, adj., evolutionism (q.v.),
evolutionist (q.v.)
evolutionism, n., the theory of evolution. Formed with suff. -ism fr. L. evoliitio, gen. -onis.
See prec. word.
evolutionist, n., one who believes in the theory of
evolution. - Formed with suff. -ist fr. L. evoliitio, gen. -onis. See evolution.
evolve, tr. v., I) to unfold; 2) to develop gradually.
- L. evolvere. See evolution.
Evonymus, n., a genus of plants, the spindle tree
(bot.)- ModL., lit. 'of good name', fr. Gk. !U
(see eu-) and ISw~ta. dialectal form of ISvo~ta.,
'name'; see onomato-. The name is euphemistic,

eVUlSIOn

in allusion to the poisoning quality of this

genus.
evulsion, n., the act of plucking out. - L. evulsio, gen. -onis, 'a pulling or plucking out', fr.
evulsus, pp. of evellere, 'to pull out, pluck out',
fr. e- and vel/ere, 'to pull off, pluck off'. See
vellicate and -ion and cp. convulse, revulsion,
vulsellum.
ewe, n. - ME. ewe, fr. OE. eowu, fern. of eow,
'sheep', rei. to MDu. ooye, ooy, Du. ooi, OHG.
ouwi, ou, 'sheep', OE. eowestre, OHG. awist,
Goth. awistr, 'sheepfold', OE. eowde, OHG.
ewit, Goth. awepi, 'flock of sheep', and cogn.
with 01. civib, Gk. lll:t;, Att. ott;, Argive 15ft<;, L.
avis, Lith. avis, Lett. avs, 'sheep', Lith. iivinas,
Lett. auns, OPruss. awins, 'ram', OSiav. ovinii,
'ram', ovica, 'ewe', Oir. oi, 'sheep', W. ewig,
'hind', and possibly cogn. with Arm. hoviv,
'shepherd'. Cp. ovine.
ewer, n., a wide-mouthed water pitcher. - ME.,
fr. AF. ewiere, ewer, corresponding to OF.
aiguiere (F. aiguiere), fr. OProven~. aiguiera,
'water vessel', fr. VL. aquaria, lit. 'pertaining to,
or containing, water' (cp. L. viis aquarium,
'water vessel'), fr. L. aqua, 'water'. See aquatic
and cp. aquarium. Cp. also sewer.
ex, prep. meaning 'out of' and used in various
phrases of Latin origin. See 1st ex-.
ex- pref. occurring in words of Latin origin used
in the senses: 1) out of, from; 2) upward;
3) completely, entirely; 4) to remove from, deprive of; 5) without; 6) former (said of previous
holders of office or dignity). Before f, ex becomes ef-; before all voiced consonants (as
b, d, g, etc.) ex- becomes e-. - L. ex-, from the
prep. ex, 'out of, from', which is cogn. with
Gk. t~, bt, 'out of' (see 2nd ex-), Arm. i, 'from',
pref. y- (as in y-afnem, 'I rise'), Gaul. ex, Oir.
ess-, ass-, OPruss. esse, Lith. is, OSlav. is-, izlpref.), iz (prep.) Cp. extraneous, strange.
ex- pref. occurring in words of Greek origin and
meaning 'out of'.- Gk. t~, bt, 'out of'. The
former is used before vowels and is rendered
in English by ex-; the latter appears before consonants and is transliterated ec-. For the etymology of Gk. &~. bt see 1st ex-. Cp. ec-, ectoand the first element in eschatology.
ex-, form of exo- before a vowel.
exacerbate, tr. v., to render worse, aggravate. L. exacerbiitus, pp. of exacerbiire, 'to exasperate, irritate, grieve, afflict', fr. 1st ex- and acerbiire, 'to make harsh or bitter; to aggravate',
fr. acerbus, 'harsh to the taste, bitter; sour'. See
acerb and verbal pref. -ate and cp. acerbate.
exacerbation, n. - Late L. exacerbiitio, gen.
-onis, 'exasperation', fr. L. exacerbiitus, pp. of
exacerbiire. See prec. word and -ion.
exact, adj., 1) accurate; 2) precise. - L. exiictus,
'precise, accurate', pp. of exigere, 'to demand,
require', lit. 'to drive out or forth', fr. Ist exand agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead; to do,
act'. See agent, adj., and cp. act. Cp.also assay

554

essay, examen, examine, exigent, exiguous,

exility.
Derivatives: exact-ly, adv., exact-ness, n.
exact, tr. v., to demand. - L. exiictus, pp. of
exigere. See exact, adj.
Derivatives: exact-ing, adj., exact-ing-ly, adv.,
exact-ing-ness, n., exaction (q.v.), exactitude
(q.v.)
exaction, n. - ME. exaccioun, fr. MF. ( = F.)
exaction, fr. L. exiictionem, ace. of exiictio 'a
demanding, requisition', fr. exiictus, pp. 'of
exigere. See exact, adj., and -ion.
exactitUde, n. - F., fr. exact, fr. L. exiictus, pp.
of exigere. See exact, adj., and -ude.
exactor, n. - L., 'a demander', fr. exiictus, pp.
of exigere. See exact, adj., and agential suff. -or.
exaggerate, tr. and intr. v. - L. exaggeriitus,
pp. of exaggeriire, 'to heap up; to magnify, exaggerate', formed fr. 1st ex- and agger, 'heap,
pile, dam, dike, mound, rampart'. See agger
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: exaggerat-ed, adj., exaggerat-ed-ly,
adv., exaggerat-ing, adj., exaggerat-ing-ly, adv.,
exaggeration (q.v.), exaggerat-ive, adj., exaggerat-ive-ly, adv., exaggerat-ive-ness, n.,exaggerator (q.v.), exaggerat-ory, adj.
exaggeration, n. - L. exaggeriitio, gen. -onis, 'a
heaping up; an exaggeration', fr. exaggeriitus,
pp. of exaggeriire. See prec. word and -ion.
exaggerator, n. - L., fr. exaggeriitus, pp. of exaggeriire. See exaggerate and agential suff. -or.
exalt, tr. v., to raise, lift up; 2) to praise, extol.OF. ( = F.) exalter, fr. L. exaltiire, 'to raise,
exalt', fr. 1st ex- and altus, 'high'. See alt and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: exalt-ation, n., exalt-ed, adj.,
exalted-ly, adv., exalted-ness, n., exalt-er, n.
exam, n.- Colloq. abbreviation of examination.
examen, n., examination. - L. exiimen. See
examine.
examinant, adj. and n. - L. exammans, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of exiiminiire. See examine
and -ant.
examination, n. - F., fr. L. exiiminiitionem, ace.
of exiiminiitio, 'a weighing, examination', fr.
exiiminiitus, pp. of exiiminiire. See next word
and -ation.
Derivative: examination-a/, adj.
examine, tr. v. - OF. ( = F.) examiner, fr. L.
exiiminiire, 'to weigh; to consider, ponder; to
test, examine', fr. exiimen (gen. exiiminis), 'the
tongue of a balance; a weighing examination',
which stands for ex-ags-men, and is formed fr.
Ist ex- and ago, agere, 'to drive; to act'; the
orig. meaning of exiimen was 'driving of the
balance out of its equilibrium'. See agent, adj.,
and cp. exact, adj., and words there referred to.
Derivatives: examin-ative, adj., examin-atory,
examin-atori-al, adjs., examin-ee, n., examin-er,
n., examin-ing, adj., examin-ing-/y, adv.
example, n. - OF. example (F. exemple), fr. L.
exemplum, lit. 'something taken out of a larger

555

quantity', fr. rst ex- and emere, 'to take'. See

exempt and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also exemplar, exemplify, sample, ensample. For
the inserted -p- in exemplum (for *ex-em-/om)
cp. L. amp/us, 'large' (see ample).
Derivative: example, tr. v.
exanimatc, adj., 1) inanimate; 2) spiritless.- L.
exanimiitus, pp. of exanimiire, 'to deprive of air
or breath; to deprive of life; to terrify', fr. 1st
ex- and anima, 'breath of air, air, breath, soul,
life'. See animus and adj. suff. -ate.
exanthema, n., an eruption, esp. one accompanied by fever (med.) ~ Late L., fr. Gk.
i!;&v&t;[LOC (gen. E:~ocv&~[LOCTO~). 'eruption', lit. 'a
bursting forth into flower', fr. e:;ocv&eiv, 'to
burst forth into flower', fr. s~ (see znd ex-) and
&v&dv, 'to bloom', fr. &v&o~, 'flower'. See
anther and -rna.
Derivatives: exanthemat-ic, exanthemat-ous,
adjs. (this latter is a hybrid).
exarch, n., 1) the governor of a province in the
Byzantine Empire; 2) a bishop of the Eastern
Church, standing in rank below a patriarch and
above a metropolitan. - Late L. exarchus, fr.
Gk. E:!;ocpzo~. fr. e:; (see 2nd ex-) and &pz6~,
"leader, chief, ruler'. See -arch and cp. words
there referred to.
exarchate, n., the office or dignity of an exarch.
- ML. axarchiitus, fr. Late L. exarchus. See
prec. word and subs!. sulf. -ate.
exasperate, tr. v., to make angry; to provoke. L. exasperiitus, pp. of exwperiire, 'to make
rough, irritate, provoke', fr. rst ex- and asperare, 'to make rough, to excite', fr. asper, 'uneven, rough'. See asperity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: exaJperat-ed, adj., exwperat-ed-ly,
adv., exasperat-ing, adj., exasperat-ing-ly, adv.,
exasperation (q.v.)
exasperation, n.- L. exasperiitio, gen. -6nis, 'exasperation, bitterness', fr. exasperiitus, pp. of
exasperare. See prec. word and -ion.
excambion, n., exchange of land (Scot. law) ML. excambium. See rst ex- and cambium and
cp. exchange.
ex cathedra, with authority. - L., lit. 'from the
chair'. See ex and cathedra.
Derivative: ex cathedra, adj., authoritative.
excavate, tr. v.. to dig out. -- L. excaviitus, pp.
of excaviire, 'to hollow out', fr. 1st ex- and
caviire, 'to hollow, hollow out', fr. carus, "hollow'. See c:>ve, 'hollow space', and verbal sulf.
-ate.
Derivatives: excavation (q.v.), exca1-ator, n.,
excav-ator-ial, adj.
excavation, n. - L. excaviitio, gen. -onis, a hollowing out', fr. excaviitus, pp. of excaviire. See
prec. word and -ion.
exceed, tr. and intr. v. - ME. exceden, fr. MF.
( = F.) exceder, fr. L. excedere, 'to go away, go
beyond, depart; surpass, excel', fr. 1st ex- and
cedere, 'to go, go away, yield, withdraw'. See
cede and cp. excess.

excerpt1on
Derivatives: exceed-er, n., exceed-ing, adj. and
adv., exceed-ing-ly, adv.
excel, tr. and intr. v. - F. exceller, fr. L. excel/ere, 'to rise, raise oneself, distinguish oneself.
surpass, excel', fr. 1st ex- and-ce//ere(usedonly
in compounds), 'to rise' (whence the pass. part.
celsus, 'high'), fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to rise, be
elevated'. See column and cp. words there referred to.
excellence, n. - F., fr. L. excel/entia, superiority, excellence', fr. excel/ens, gen. -en tis. See excellent and -ce.
excellency, n. - F. excellence. See prec. word
and -cy.
excellent, adj. - F., fr. L. excel/entem, ace. of
excel/ens, pres. part. of excel/ere. See excel
and -ent.
Derivatives: excellent-ly, adv., excellent-ness.
excelsior, adj. and interj., higher (used as a
motto). - L., 'higher, compar. of excelsw.
'high', which is prop. the pp. of excel/ere. See
excel and compar. suff. -ior.
except, tr. v., to exclude; intr. v . to object. ME. excepten, fr. MF. ( = F.) excepter, fr. L.
exceptiire, 'to take out, take up', freq. of excipere
(pp. exceptus), 'to take out', fr. 1st ex- and
capere (pp. captus), 'to take'. See captive and
cp. excipient. For the change of Latin ii (in
captus) toe (in ex-ceptus, exc(rptiire) see accem
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: except, prep. (q.v.), excepting, prep.
(q.v.), exception (q.v.), except-ive, adj., exceprive-/y, adv., except-ive-ness, n.
except, prep., excluding ... - L. excep/6, ablative
of exceptus (followed by a subst. in the ablative; the so called ablative absolute construction).
See except, v.
Derivative: except, conj.
excepting, prep., except. - Prop. pres. part. of
the verb except.
exception, n. - ME., fr. AF. excepcioun, cor
responding to OF. excepcion, exception (F. ex
ception), fr. L. excepti6nem, ace. of exceptio.
'an exception, restriction', fr. excepflls, pp. of
excipere. See except, v., and -ion.
Derivatives: exception-able, adj., exceptiollable-ness, n., exception-abl-y, adv., exception-al.
adj., exception-al-ity, n., exception-al-ly, adv ..
exception-al-ness, n.
excerpt, tr. v., to pick out, select.- L. excerptus.
pp. of excerpere, 'to pick out, choose, select.
extract', fr. 1st ex- and carpere, 'to pick, pluck.
gather'. See carpel andcp. scarce. For the change
of Latin a (in ciirpere) to e (in ex-cerpere) see
accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: excerpt-ible, adj., excerption (q.v.).
excerpt-ive, adj., excerpt-or, n.
excerpt, n., something excerpted; a passage from
a book, etc. - L. excerptum, 'an extract, selection, excerpt', prop. neut. pp. of excerpere, used
as a noun. See excerpt, v.
excerption, n. - L. excerptio, gen. -onis, 'an ex-

excess

556

tract', fr. excerptus, pp. of excerpere. See exexcite, provoke, call urgently', freq. of c1ere
cerpt, v., and -ion.
(pp. citus), 'to set in motion'. See cite and cp.
excess, n.- ME. exces, fr. OF. exces (F. exces),
words there referred to.
fr. L. excessus, 'a going beyond, departure', fr.
Derivatives: excit-ed, adj., excit-ed-ly, adv., exexcessus, pp. of excedere. See exceed.
cit-ed-ness, n., excite-ment, n., excit-er, n., excitDerivatives: excess-ive, adj., excess-ive-ly, adv.,
ing, adj., excit-ing-ly, adv.
excess-ive-ness, n.
exclaim, intr. and tr. v. -F. exclamer, fr. L. exexchange, n. - ME. eschaunge, eschange, fr. AF.
cliimdre, 'to call or cry out, call or cry aloud',
eschaunge, which corresponds to OF. eschange,
fr. rst ex- and cliimiire, 'to call, cry out, claim'.
(F. echange), fr. eschangier. See exchange, v.
See claim, v., and cp. next word.
exchange, tr. and intr. v. -OF. eschangier (F.
Derivatives: exclaim-er, n., exclaim-ing-ly, adv.
echanger), 'to exchange', fr. VL. *excambiiire,
exclamation, n. - F., fr. L. excliimiiti6nem, ace.
'to exchange' (whence also It. scambiare, Rum.
of exciamiiti6, 'a calling or crying out', fr. exschimba, OProven". escambiar), fr. Ist ex- and
cliimiitus, pp. of excliimiire. See exclaim and
Late L. cambiiire, 'to exchange'. See cambium
-ation.
and cp. change. Cp. also excambion.
exclave, n., part of a country separated from the
Derivatives: exchange-able, adj., exchange-abilmain part and enclosed by foreign territory. ity, n., exchange-abl-y, adv., exchang-er, n.
A blend of rst ex- and enclave.
exchequer, n., department of revenues; treasury.
exclude, tr. v. - L. exclildere, 'to shut out, re- ME. escheker, lit. 'chessboard', fr. OF.
move, separate; to drive out; to hinder, preeschequier (F. echiquier), fr. ML. scacciirium.
vent', fr. rst ex- and claudere, 'to shut, close'.
See check, 'a sudden stop', and cp. checker.
See close, adj. and cp. eclosion and sluice. For
Derivative: exchequer, tr. v.
the change of Latin au (in claudere) to ii (in exexcide, tr. v., to cut out. - L. excidere (pp. excliidere) see accuse and cp. words there recisus), 'to cut out', fr. rst ex- and caedere (pp.
ferred to.
caesus), 'to cut'. See cement and cp. excise, 'to
Derivatives: exclud-er, n., exclud-ing-ly, adv.
cut out'. For the change of Latin ae (in caedere,
exclusion, n. - L. exclilsi6, gen. -6nis, 'a shutting
caesus) to 1 (in ex-cidere, ex-cisus) see acquire
out', fr. excliisus, pp. of excliidere. See exclude
and cp. words there referred to.
and -ion.
excipient, n., one who receives. - L. excipiens,
Derivatives: exclusion-ary, adj., exclusion-er, n.,
gen. -entis, prep. part. of excipere, 'to take out'.
exclusion-ism, n., exclusion-ist, n.
See except, v., and -ient.
exclusive, adj. - ML. excliisivus, fr. L. excliisus,
excise, tr. v., to cut out. - L. excisus, pp. of expp. of excliidere. See exclude.
cidere, 'to cut out', fr. r st ex- and caedere (pp.
Derivatives: exclusive-ly, adv., exclusive-ness,
caesus), 'to cut'. See excide, v.
n., exclusiv-ity, n.
excise, n., duty. - Prob. fr. MDu. excijs, fr.
Excoecaria, n., a genus of plants of the spurge
ODu. accijs, fr. OF. aceis, 'tax, duty', fr. VL.
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. excaeciire, 'to
*accensus, fr. ad- and L. census, 'a register,
make blind', fr. rst ex- and caecus, 'blind'. See
census'. See censor, census.
cecity.
Derivatives: excise, tr. v., to levy a tax or duty
excogitate, tr. v., to think out. - L. excogitiitus,
on, excis-able, adj.
pp. of excogitiire, 'to find out by thinking', fr.
excision,n., 1) a cutting out or off; 2) excommunrst ex- and cogitiire, 'to think'. See cogitate.
ication. - L. excisi6, gen. -6nis, 'a cutting out
Derivatives: excogitation (q.v.), excogitat-ive,
destruction', fr. excisus, pp. of excfdere. See ex~
adj.
cise, 'to cut out', and -ion.
excogitation, n. - L. excogittitio, gen. -onis, 'a
excitable, adj. - Late L. excitiibilis, 'inciting,
thinking out', fr. excogitiitus, pp. of excogitiire.
animating', fr. L. excitiire. See excite and -able.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: excitabil-ity, n., excitable-ness, n.
excommunicate, tr. v. - Eccles. L. excommiiexcitant, adj., tending to excite. - L. excitiins,
nictitus, pp. of excommiiniciire, 'to excommunigen. -antis, pres. part. of excitiire. See excite
cate', fr. rst ex- and L. commiinictire, 'to comand -ant.
municate'. See communicate.
excitation, n. - F., fr. L. excitiiti6nem, ace. of
Derivatives: excommunication (q.v.), excomexcitiitio, 'a rousing, stirring', fr. excitiitus, pp.
municat-ive, adj., excommunicat-or, n. (fr. ML.),
of excitiire. See excite and -ation.
excommunicat-ory, adv.
excitative, adj. - F. excitat1/ (fern. excitative),
excommunicate, adj., excommunicated. - Ecfr. L. excitiitus, pp, of excitiire. See excite and
cles. L. excommiiniciitus, pp. of excommiiniciire.
-ative.
See excommunicate, v.
excitatory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
excommunication, n. - Eccles. L. excommiinifr. L. excitiitus, pp. of excitiire. See next word.
ciitio, gen. -6nis, fr. excommiiniciitus, pp. of exexcite, tr. v. - F. exciter, fr. L. excitiire, 'to
commiiniciire. See excommunicate, n., and -ion.
rouse, raise, stir up, excite, incite, stimulate',
excoriate, tr. v., 1) to flay; 2) to denounce.- L.
fr. rst ex- and citiire, 'to put into quick motion,
excoriiitus, pp. of excoriiire, 'to strip off', fr.

557

Ist ex- and corium, 'hide, skin, leather'. See

corium and verbal suff. -ate and cp. scourge.
Derivative: excoriat-ion, n.
excorticate, tr. v., to strip off the bark or shell
from. - Late L. excorticiitus, pp. of excortictire, 'to strip off the bark from', fr. 1st ex- and
L. cortex, gen. corticis, 'bark, rind'. See cortex
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: excorticat-ion, n.
excrement, n., waste matter discharged from the
body.- F. excrement, fr. L. excrementum, 'refuse', lit. 'what is sifted out', prop. neut. pp. of
excernere, 'to sift out', which is formed fr. rst
ex- and cernere, 'to separate, sift, distinguish,
discern, understand, decide'. See certain and
-ment and cp. excrete, recrement. Cp. also decem, discern.
Derivatives: excrement-al,excrement-itious, adjs.
excrescence,n., 1) a natural appendage; 2) an abnormal outgrowth. - Formed fr. excrescent
with suff. -ce.
excrescency, n., I) the state of being excrescent;
2) excrescence (rare). - Formed from next
word with suff. -cy.
excrescent, adj., growing out. - L. excrescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of excrescere, 'to grow
out', fr. rst ex- and crescere, 'to grow'. See
crescent.
excreta, n. pl., waste matter eliminated from the
body.- L. excreta, neut. pl. of excretus, 'sifted
out', pp. of excernere. See excrement and cp.
excrete, excretion.
excrete, tr. v., to eliminate from the body.- L.
excretus, pp. of excernere, 'to sift out'. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: excret-ion, n., excret-ive, adj., excret-ory, adj.
excruciate, tr. v., to torture. - L. excruciiitus,
pp. of excruciiire, 'to torment, torture, rack',
fr. rst ex- and cruciiire, 'to crucify', fr. crux,
gen. crucis, 'cross'. See cross, n., and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. crux, crucify.
Derivatives: excruciat-ing, adj., excruciat-ing-ly,
adv., excruciation (q.v.)
excruciation, n. - L. excruciiiti6, gen. -6nis,
'torment, torture', fr. excruciiitus, pp. of excruciiire. See prec. word and -ion.
exculpable, adj. - See next word and -able.
exculpate, tr. v., to free from blame.- Formed
fr. rst ex- and L. cu/piitus, pp. of cu/piire, 'toreproach, blame', fr. culpa, 'blame, fault'; cp.
ML. exculpiire. See culpable and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. disculpate.
Derivatives: exculpat-ion, n., exculpat-ory, adj.,
exculpatori-ly, adv.
excurrent, adj., running out; radiating from the
central axis. - L. excurrens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of excurrere, 'to run out, run forth', fr.
rst ex- and currere, 'to run'. See current and
cp. excursus.
excurse. intr. v., to make an excursion; to digress. - Back formation fr. exwrsus.

execute
excursion, n. - L. excursio, gen. -onis, 'a running
forth, sally, attack, inroad, excursion', fr. excursus, pp. of excurrere. See prec. word and
-ion.
Derivatives: excursion-a!, excursion-ary, adjs.,
excursion-ism, n., excursion-ist, n., excursionize, tr. and intr. v.
excursive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
excursus, pp. of excurrere. See excurrent.
Derivatives: excursive-ly, adv., excursive-ness,n.
excursus, n., a treatise appended to a work. L., 'a running out', fr. excursus, pp. of excurrere.
See excurrent.
excuse, tr. and intr. v. - ME. escusen, excusen,
fr. OF. escuser, excuser (F. excuser), fr. L. excilsiire, 'to discharge, dispense, excuse', formed
fr. rst ex- and causa, 'cause, lawsuit', which
stands for *caud-tii- and is rei. to ciidere, 'to
strike, beat'. See cause and cp. accuse, recusant,
recuse. For the change of Latin au (in causa)
to ii (in ex-ciisiire) see accuse and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: excus-able, adj., excus-abil-ity, n.,
excus-able-ness, n., excus-abl-y, adv., excus-al,
n., excus-er, n., excus-ing-ly, adv., excus-ive,
adj.
excuse, n. -OF. escuse, excuse (F. excuse), fr.
escuser, excuser. See excuse, v.
.exeat, n., holiday granted for a few days to boys
at public schools (Eng.)- L., 'let him go out',
3rd pers. pres. subjunctive of exire, 'to go out',
which is formed fr. Ist ex- and ire, 'to go'. See
itinerate and cp. exit, exeunt.
execrable, adj., abominable. - ME., fr. L. exsecriibilis, execriibilis, 'execrable, accursed, detestable', fr. exsecriiri, execriiri. See next word
and -able.
Derivatives: execrable-ness, n., execrabl-y, adv.
execrate, tr. v., 1) to curse; 2) to abhor; intr. v.,
to curse. - L. exsecriitus, execriitus, pp. of ex
secriiri, execrtirf, 'to curse, execrate, detest', fr.
rst ex- and sacriire, 'to set apart as sacred, consecrate', from the stem of sacer, 'holy, sacred'.
See sacred. For the change of Latin ii (in siicer}
to e (in ex-secriiri) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: execration (q.v.), execrat-ive, adj.,
execrat-ive-ly, adv., execrat-ory, adj.
execration, n. - L. exsecriitio, execriitio, gen.
-onis, 'curse, execration', fr. exsecriitus, execriitus, pp. of exsecriiri, execriiri. See prec. word
and -ion.
executancy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
executant, n., one who executes or performs; a
performer, esp. a musical performer -F. executant, pres. part. of executer, 'to execute'. See
next word and -ant.
execute, tr. v.- OF. executer, back formation fr.
executeur (see executor) and execution (see next
word).
Derivatives: execut-ed, adj., execut-er, n., exe-

execution

cution (q.v.), execut-ive, adj. and n., execut-ively, adv., execut-ive-ness, n., executor (q.v.),
execut-ry, n.
execution, n.- OF. execucion, execution (F. execution), fr. L. exseciitionem or execiiti6nem, ace.
of exseciiti6, execiiti6, 'a carrying out, performance', fr. exseciitus, execiitus, pp. of exsequi,
exequi, 'to follow to the end, pursue, carry out,
perform, execute', fr. 1st ex- and sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and cp. prec. word, exequatur,
exequies, sue. For the ending see suff. -ion.
executor, n. - ME. executour, fr. OF. executeur
(F. executeur), fr. L. exseciitorem, execiitorem,
ace. of exseciitor, executor, 'carrier out, performer', fr. exseciitus, execiitus, pp. of exsequi,
exequf. See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: executorial, executory (qq.v.)
executorial, adj.- ML. execiitoriii!is, fr. Late L.
execiitorius. See next word and -ial.
executory, adj., pertaining to administration. Late L. exseciitorius, exec1lt6rius, 'executive',
fr. L. exseCIItus, execiitus, pp. of exsequi, exequi.
See execution and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivative: execut-ory, n.
executrix, n., a woman executor. -- ML., fern. of
L. exec1itor. See exceutor and -trix.
exedra, n., an outdoor seat or bench (Greek antiq.) - - L., fr. Gk. ~~pi, 'a covered walk before the house, furnished with seats; seat,
bench', fr. 1:~ (see 2nd ex-) and 1:/lpi, 'seat'. See
-hedron and cp. words there referred to.
exegesis, n., explanation, interpretation, esp. of
the Riblc. - Gk. i~f.r~m~. 'explanation, interpretation', fr. E:~r,yt';!J.:u, 'I explain, interpret', fr. 1:~ (see 2nd ex-) and -ljysr;!J-XL (Dor.
iysr;!J.<XL), 'I lead, guide' (orig. prob. 'I track
down the way'), later sense: I suppose, believe',
fr. I.-E. base *s(/g-, *s'g-, 'to track down, trace,
seek', whence also L. siigire, 'to perceive quickly
or keenly', S(/gus, 'presaging, predicting, prophetic', scif{ax, 'sagacious', Goth. s(Jkjan, OE.
secan, 'to seek'. Sec seek and cp. sagacious. Cp.
also epexegesis, cynegetics, hegemony.
exegete, n., one skilled in the interpretation of
the Riblc. - Gk. i~'f)rr,-ri;~. 'interpreter, commentator'. lit. 'leader, guide', fr. E;~r,yso!J.(H. See
prec. word.
~xegetic, exegetical, adj., pertaining to, or of the
nature of, exegesis; explanatory.-- Gk.I:;1JY'fJ
-:tzl,,, 'explanatory', fr. E:~r,yr,-:r,;. Sec prec.
word and -ic, re~p. also -at.
Derivative: exegetical-ly, adv.
exegetics, n., the science of Bible interpretation.
- See prcc. word and -ics.
exemplar, n., 1) a person or thing worthy of imitation; model; pattern. - ME. exemplaire, fr.
OF. ( = F.) exemplaire, fr. L. exemplum, 'example' (see example and subst. suff. -ary). The
English word was refashioned after L. exemplar, 'pattern, model'. Cp. sampler.
Derivative: exemplar-y, adj.
exemplification, n.- AF., fr. ML. exempliftciiti6,

558

gen. -on is, fr. exemplificiitus, pp. of exemplificiire.

See next word and -ation.
exemplify, tr. v., to show by example. - ME.
exemplijien, fr. ML. exemplificiire, 'to illustrate',
formed fr. L. exemplum, 'example', and -ficiire,
fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See example and -fy.
Derivative: exemplifi-er, n.
exempt, tr. v., to free.- F. exempter, fr. exempt,
'free', fr. L. exemptus, pp. of eximere, 'to take
out, take away', fr. 1st ex- and emere, 'to take,
buy', fr. I.-E. base *em-, 'to take', whence also
OSlav. imr, ifti, 'to take' (orig. *im(J, cp. vuzim(J, 'I take away'), imami, imej(J, imeti, 'to
have', Lith. imu, imti, OPruss. imt, 'to take',
Olr. -em (only in compounds as in ar-fo-emat,
'they take'); cp. 01. yamati, 'holds, subdues',
from the enlarged base *yem-. Cp. example, and
words there referred to. Cp. also adeem, adempt,
ademption, assume, assumption, consume, consumption, diriment, eximious, exon, Irredentista,
peremptory, pome, pre-emption, premium, presume, presumption, presumptuous, prompt, ransom, redeem, redemption, resume, resumption,
Sejm, sumption, sumptuary, sumptuous and the
second element in vintage. For the sense d..:velopment of L. emere, 'to take; to buy', cp. Heb.
liiqd/:1, 'he took; he bought'. In the latter sense
Heb. liiqa/:1 occurs very rarely in the Bible (see
e.g. Prov. 31 :16), but quite frequently in
Mishnah and Talmud.
exempt, adj., free. - F., fr. L. exemptus, pp. of
eximere. Sec exempt, v.
exemption, n. - F., fr. L. exemptionem, ace. of
exemptio, 'a taking out', fr. exemptus, pp. of
eximere. Sec exempt, v., and -ion.
exenterate, tr. v., to disembowel. -- L. exenteriitus, pp. of exenteriire, fr. Gk. l:i;evTepll;eLv, 'to
disembowel', which is formed fr. e:; (sec 2nd
ex-) and E:v-rep<Jv, 'intestine'. See enteric and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: exenterat-ion, n.
exequatur, n., official recognition of a consul by
the government of the country to which he is
accredited. -- L. exsl'quiitur, 'he may perform
(his task)', also spelled exequatur, 3rd pers.
sing. of subj. pres. fr. exsequl, exequi, 'to carry
out, perform'. See execute.
exequial, adj., pertaining to funerals. - L. exsequiiilis, also spelled exequiiilis, 'pertaining to
funerals', fr. exsequiae, exequiae, 'funeral procession'. Sec next word and adj. suff. -at.
exequy, n., now usually in the pl., 1) funeral rites;
2) funeral procession. - OF. exequies, fr. L.
exsequiiis, also spelled exequiiis, ace. of exsequim, exequiae (pl.), 'funeral procession, fr.
exsequi, exequl, 'to follow to the end; to follow
to the grave'. Sec execute and cp. obsequies.
exercise, n.- ME., fr. OF.(= F.) exercice, fr.
L. exercitium, 'exercise', fr. exercere, 'to drive
(animals) out of an enclosure', whence 'to drive
on, drill, train, practice', fr. 1st ex- and arcere,
'to enclose', fr. area, 'chest, box'. See ark and

.),)'I

cp. coerce. Cp. also askari, lascar and the second element in seraskier. For the change of
Latin ii (in iircere) to e (in ex-ercere) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
exercise, tr. and intr. v.- L. exercere. See exercise, n.
Derivatives: exercis-able, exercis-ed, adjs., exercis-er, n.
exercitation, n. - L. exercitiiti6, gen. -6nis, lit. 'a
setting in motion; exercise, practice', fr. exercitiitus, pp. of exercitiire, 'to exercise frequently',
freq. of exercere (pp. exercitus). See exercise, n., and -ation.
exergue, n., space on a coin between the bottom
of the design and the rim. - F., fr. ML. exergum, lit. '(space) outside the work', a word
coined fr. Gk. i!;, 'out of' and epyov, 'work'.
See 2nd ex- and ergon.
exert, tr. v., to put into action. - L. exsertus,
also spelled exertus, pp. of exserere, exerere, 'to
stretch out, thrust out', fr. I st ex- and serere,
'to put in a row, join together, connect, combine'. See series and cp. exsert.
Derivatives: exert-ion; n., exert~ive, adj.
exeunt, v., they go out (of the stage). - L., 3rd
pers. pl. pres. indicative of exire, 'to go out',
which is formed fr. 1st ex- and ire, 'to go'. See
itinerate and cp. exit, exeat.
exfoliate, intr. v., to come off in scales. -L.exfoliiitus, pp. of exfoliiire, 'to strip of leaves', fr.
rst ex- and foliiitus, 'leaved, leafy', fr. folium,
'leaf'. See folio and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
foliate.
Derivatives: exfoliat-ion, n., exfoliat-ive, adj.
exhalation, n. - L. exhiiliiti6, gen. -onis, 'exhalation, vapor', fr. exhiiliitus, pp. of exhiiliire.
See next word and -ation.
exhale, tr. v., to breathe out; intr. v., to emit
breath or vapor. -F. exhaler, fr. L. exhiiliire,
'to breathe out', fr. 1st ex- and hiiliire, 'to
breathe', which prob. stands for *an-sliire, fr.
I.-E. base an-, 'to blow, breathe'. See animus
and cp. inhale, halitus, halitosis. Cp. also anbelation.
exhaust, tr. and intr. v. - L. exhaustus, pp. of
exhaurire, 'to draw out, exhaust', fr. Ist exand haurlre, 'to draw out (water), drain, breathe',
which is prob. cogn. with Gk. (7!Up) cxiSt~v, 'to
light (a fire)' (for cxua1e:w), and with ON. ausa,
'to scoop (water}', austr, 'the act of scooping',
but 01. gluisati, 'consumes', is not cognate. Cp.
haurient, haustellum, haustorium.
Derivatives: exhaust, n., exhaust-ed, adj., exhaust-ed-ly, adv., exhaust-ed-ness, n., exhaustible, adj., exhaust-ibl-ity, n., exhaust-ing, adj.,
exhaust-ing-ly, adv., exhaust-ion, n., exhaustive
(q.v.)
exhaustive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
exhaustus, pp. of exhaurire (see prec. word);
first used by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832).
Derivatives: exhaustive-ly, adv., exhaustiveness, n.

exigency

exheredate, tr. v., to disinherit. - L. exherediitus,

pp. of exherediire, 'to disinherit', fr. rst ex- and
heres, gen. heredis, 'heir'. See heir and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. inherit.
exhibit, tr. and intr. v., to show, display.- L.
exhibitus, pp. of exhibere, 'to hold out, display,
exhibit', fr. Ist ex- and habere, 'to have, hold'.
See habit and cp. inhibit. For the change of
Latin ii (in habere) to i (in ex-hibere) see abigeat
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: exhibition (q.v.), exhibit-ive, adj.,
exhibit-ive-ly, adv., exhibitor (q.v.), exhibitory, adj.
exhibition, n. - OF. exhibicion (F. exhibition),
fr. L. exhibiti6nem, ace. of exhibiti6, 'a holding
out', fr. exhibitus, pp. of exhibere. See prec.
word and -ion.
exhibitor, n. - Late L., 'one who holds out,
a giver', fr. L. exhibitus, pp. of exhibere. See
exhibit and agential suff. -or.
exhilarant, adj., exhilarating. - F., fr. L. exhilarantem, ace. of exhilariins, pres. part. of exhilariire. See next word and -ant.
exhilarate, tr. v., to cheer; to stimulate.- L. exhilariitus, pp. of exhilariire, 'to gladden, make
merry, exhilarate', fr. 1st ex- and hilariire, 'to
make cheerful, make merry', fr. hilaris, 'cheerful, merry'. See hilarious and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: exhilarat-ed, adj., exhilarat-ing,
adj., exhilarat-ing-ly, adv., exhilaration (q.v.),
exhilarat-ive, exhilarat-ory, adjs.
exhilaration, n. - Late L. exhilariiti6, gen. -onis,
'a gladdening', fr. L. exhilariitus, pp. of exhilariire. See prec. word and -ion.
exhort, tr. and intr. v., to advise earnestly. ME. exhorten, fr. L. exhortiiri, 'to exhort, encourage, stimulate', fr. Ist ex- and hortiiri, 'to
incite, encourage, urge'. See hortation and cp.
words there referred to.
exhortation, n. - L. exhortiiti6, gen. -onis, 'encouraging, exhortation', fr. exhortiitus, pp. of
exhortiirf. See prec. word and -ation.
exhortative, adj. - L. exhortiitivus, 'pertaining
to or containing exhortation', fr. exhortiitus,
pp. of exhortiiri. See exhort and -ive and cp.
hortative.
exhortatory, adj. - Late L. exhortiitorius, 'pertaining to exhortation', fr. L. exhortiitus, pp. of
exhortiiri. See exhortation and adj. suff. -ory.
exhumation, n. - ML. exhumiitio, gen. -6nis,
'unearthing', fr. exhumiitus, pp. of exhumiire.
See next word and -ation.
exhume, tr. v., to dig out of the earth, disinter. F. exhumer, fr. ML. exhumiire, 'to unearth', fr.
rst ex- and L. humus, 'earth'. See humus and
cp. words there referred to.
exigeant, adj., exacting, demanding. -F., pres.
part. of exiger, 'to exact, demand', fr. L. exigere.
See exigent and -ant.
exlgence, n., exigency. - F. See next word and
-ce.
exigency, n., state of urgency.- ML. exigentia,

exigent

'urgency', fr. L. exigens, gen. -entis. See next

word and -cy.
exigent, adj., requiring immediate action, urgent. - L. exigens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of
exigere, 'to demand, require; to weigh, measure', lit. 'to drive out or forth', fr. 1st ex- and
agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead; to do, act'.
See agent, adj., and -ent and cp. exigeant, exiguous, exact, examine, assay, essay.
Derivative: exigent-ly, adv.
exigible, adj., capable of being exacted.
Formed with suff. -ible fr. L. exigere (see prec.
word), whence also F. exigible, of s.!'n. See
exigent.
exiguity, n., scantiness. - L. exiguitiis, 'smallness, scantiness', fr. exiguus. See next word and
-ity.
exiguous, adj., scanty. - L. exiguus, 'small,
scanty, petty', fr. exigere. See exigent and cp.
exi!i!y. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
suff. -ous.
Derivatives: exiguous-ly, adv., exiguous-ness, n.
exilarch, n., head of the Jewish exiles in Babylonia (Jewish hist.) - A hybrid coined fr. L.
exilium, 'exile', and Gk. &px6c;, 'leader, chief,
ruler'. See next word and -arch.
exile, n., banishment.- ME., fr. OF. (= F.),
exil, fr. L. exilium, exsilium, 'banishment, exile',
fr. exul, exsul, 'a banished person, wanderer',
which is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands
for *eks-al-s and is formed fr. 1st ex- and I.-E.
base *til-, 'to wander about', whence also Gk.
&:1-iicr.&cu, 'to wander about', L. al-uciniiri, 'to
wander in mind' (see hallucinate). The spelling
exsu/, exsilium is due to a confusion with L.
solum, 'soil', from which the ancients derived
exilium and exul, but with which these words
have nothing in common. Nor is there any
connection between L. exilium and exsilfre, 'to
spring forth'.
exile, n., a banished person. - Fr. prec. word.
exile, tr. v., to banish.- OF. exilier (F. exiler),
fr. L. exiliiire, exsiliiire, fr. ex ilium, exsilium. See
exile, 'banishment'.
exilian, exilic, adj., pertaining to the exile of the
Jews in Babylonia. -Formed with suff. -ian,
resp. -ic, fr. L. exilium. See exile, 'banishment'.
exility, n., slenderness. - L. exilitiis, 'smallness,
thinness, meagerness, slenderness', fr. exilis,
'small, thin, meager, slender', which prob.
stands for *ex-dg-slis and is rei. to exiguus,
'small, scanty, petty'. See exiguous and -ity.
eximious, adj., choice, excellent. - L. eximius,
'select, choice', lit. 'taken out', fr. eximere, 'to
take out, take away', fr. 1st ex- and emere, 'to
take, buy'. See exempt, v. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: eximious-ly, adv., eximious-ness, n.
exinanite, tr. v., to make empty (obsol.) - L.
exiniinitus, pp. of exiniinfre, 'to empty, make
empty', fr. 1st ex- and iniinis, 'empty'. See Iuane.
exlnanltlon, n., r) the action of emptying; 2) ex-

560

haustion.- L. exiniinftio, gen. -onis, 'an emptying, exhausting', fr. exiniinitus, pp. of exiniinire.
See prec. word and -ion.
exist, intr. v. - F. exister, fr. L. exsistere, existere, 'to stand forth, appear, exist', fr. 1st exand sistere, 'to cause to stand still, to put, place;
to stand still, stand', from the reduplicated base
of stiire, 'to stand'. See assist and cp. words
there referred to.
existence, n. - OF. ( = F.) existence, fr. ML.
existentia, fr. L. existens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce.
existent, adj., existing.- L. existens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of existere. See exist and -ent.
existential, adj., pertaining to existence. - ML.
existentiiilis, fr. existentia. See existence and -ial.
Derivatives: existential-ly, adv., existentialism
(q.v.)
existentialism, n., a system of philosophy based
on the tenet that everybody in general exists as
an individual. - Orig. used to translate G.
Existenzphilosophie, lit. 'philosophy of existence'; see prec. word and -ism. The term 'existence' is used here in the special sense given to
it by the Danish philosopher S0ren Aabye
Kierkegaard (1813-55), who is the originator of
existentialism.
existentialist, n., an adherent of existentialism.
- See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: existentialist, existentialist-ic, adjs.
exit, v., he goes out (of the stage). - L., 3rd
pers. pres. indicative of exire, 'to go out', which
is formed fr. rst ex- and ire, 'to go'. See itinerate and cp. exeat, exeunt.
exit, n., a going out, departure. -- L. exitus, 'a
going out, egress, departure', fr. exitus, pp. of
exire, 'to go out'. See prec. word.
ex-libris, n., a bookplate giving the name of the
owner of the book.- L., 'from the books of .. .',
fr. ex, 'out of, from', and abl. pl. of fiber,
'book'. See rst ex- and library.
exo-, before a vowel ex-, pref. meaning 'outer,
outside'.- Gk. f~w, 'outside', fr. ~~. 'out of'.
See 2nd ex-.
exoderm, n. - The same as exodermis.
exodermis, n., the outer layer in roots (bot.) ModL. exodermis, formed fr. exo- and Gk.
Sepf.1.1X, 'skin'. See derma and cp. words there
referred to.
exodus, n., going out, departure. - L., fr. Gk.
~~ol>o~, lit. 'way out', fr. ~ (see 2nd ex- and
686~, 'way'. See odograpb and cp. words there
referred to.
ex officio. - L., 'by virtue of an office', formed
fr. ex, 'out of', and abl. of officium, 'service;
office'. See 1st ex- and office.
exogamy, n., marriage outside the tribe or clan
(anthropol.) - Lit. 'outside marriage'; compounded of exo- and -gamy. Cp. endogamy.
Derivatives: exogam-ic, exogam-ous, adjs.
Exogenae, n.pl., the Dicotyledones (bot.) ModL., lit. 'growing outside' (see exo- and

561

-gen); so called in allusion to the annual rings

of the stem. Cp. Endogenae.
exogenous, adj., growing from outside (bioi.)See prec. word and -genous and cp. endogenous.
exomis, n., a garment worn by the poor classes
and slaves (Greek antiq.)- Gk. ~~c.>[J.(t;, 'a garment without sleeves or with one sleeve', lit.
'that which leaves the shoulder bare', fr. ~(see
2nd ex-) and c':i[J.oc;, 'shoulder'. See omo-,
'shoulder-'.
exomphalos, n., umbilical hernia (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. ~6fJ.q>IXAo~, 'a prominent navel',
fr. t~ (see 2nd ex-) and b[J.<p1XA6c;, 'navel'. See
omphalo-.
exon, n., one of four officers commanding the
Yeomen of the Guard. - Corruption of F.
exempt, 'an underofficer', lit. 'free'. See exempt,
adj. and v.
exonerate, tr. v., to free from blame. - L. exoneriitus, pp. of exoneriire, 'to unload, free from
a burden, lighten', fr. 1st ex- and oneriire, 'to
load, freight, overload, oppress', fr. onus, gen.
oneris, 'load, burden, weight'. See onus and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. onerous. Derivatives:
exoneration (q.v.), exonerat-ive, adj.
exoneration, n. - Late L. exoneriitio, gen. -6nis,
'an unloading, lightening', fr. L. exoneriitus,
pp. of exoneriire. See prec. word and -ion.
exophthalmic, adj., pertaining to, or affected
with, exophthalmos. - See next word and -ic.
exophthalmos, exophthalmus, n. abnormal protrusion of the eyeball (med.)- Medical L., fr.
Gk. t~6<pl}1XA(J.O<;, 'with prominent eyes', fr. t~
(see 2nd ex-) and bq>.&IXA(J.6c;, 'eye'. See ophthalmo- and cp. lagophthalmos.
exorable, adj., susceptible of being moved by
entreaty.- L. exoriibilis, 'easily moved by entreaty', fr. exoriire, 'to move by entreaty, persuade', fr. 1st ex- and 6riire, 'to pray'. See oration
and -able and cp. inexorable.
exorbitance, exorbitancy, n.- Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
exorbitant, adj., excessive; extravagant. - Late
L. exorbitiins, gen. -antis, lit. 'out of the track',
pres. part. of exorbitiire, 'to go out of the track,
deviate', fr. 1st ex- and orbita, 'wheel track, rut'.
See orbit and -ant. Derivative: exorbitant-ly, adv.
exorcise, exorcize, tr. v., to drive out an evil spirit
by ritual charms. - F. exorciser, fr. Late L.
exorciziire, fr. Gk. t~opx(~e:w, 'to bind by an
oath; to banish an evil spirit', fr. e~ (see 2nd
ex-) and bpx(~e:tv, 'to make to swear', fr. opxoc;
(for *a6pxo~). 'an oath', lit. 'a limitation, binding, obligation', in gradational relationship to
pxoc; (for *crepxoc;), 'enclosure, hedge, fence',
and prob. cogn. with L. sarcire, 'to patch,
mend'. See sartorial and -ise, ize.
exorcism, n. - Late L. exorcismus, fr. Gk. e~op
xtcr[J.6c;, 'binding by an oath; banishment of an
evil spirit', fr. t~opxL~e:tv. See prec. word and
-Ism.
exorcist, n. - Late L. exorcista, fr. Gk. ~op-

expansion

xtcr-rljc;, 'exorcist', fr. t~opxL~e:tv. See exorcise and

-ist.
exordium, n., beginning. - L. exordium, 'beginning of a web, beginning of a speech, beginning
(in general)' fr. exordiri, 'to lay the warp, begin
a web, begin', fr. 1st ex- and ordiri, 'to lay a
warp, begin', which is rei. to ordo, 'a straight
row, order'. See order and cp. ornament.
exoskeleton, n., the skeleton of invertebrates in
contradistinction to the skeleton of vertebrates
(zoo!.) - Compounded of exo- and skeleton.
The term exoskeleton was introduced into science
by the English anatomist Sir Richard Owen
(1804-92). Cp. endoskeleton, splanchnoskeleton.
Derivative: exoskelet-al, adj.
exosmosis, also exosmose, n., outward osmosis.
- Compounded of 3rd ex- and osmosis. Cp.
endosmosis.
exosmotic, adj.- See prec. word and -otic.
exosphere, n., the outermost part of the earth's
atmosphere.- Compounded of exo- and sphere.
exostosis, n., a bony outgrowth from the surface
of a bone (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. e~6cr
-roocrtc;, lit. 'bone increase from without', fr. ~~oo
(see exo-) and -6aToocrtc; (see -ostosis). Cp. endostosis.
exoteric, also exoterical, adj., external. - Late
L. ex6tericus, fr. Gk. ~~wnptx6c;, 'external', fr.
e~oo-repoo, 'more outward', compar. of S:~oo. 'outside'. See exo- and cp. esoteric. For the etymol.
of the com par. suff. -tero see -ther and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: exoterical-ly, adv., exoteric-ism, n.
exothecium, n., the outer covering of an anther
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'outer case', fr. exo- and
Gk. &f)x1), 'case'. See theca and cp. endothecium.
exotic, adj., foreign. - L. exoticus, fr. Gk. ~~oo
-rtx6<;, 'foreign, exotic', lit. 'from the outside',
fr. lt!;oo, 'outside'. See exo- and -ic.
Derivatives: exotic-al-ly, adv., exotic-ness, n.
expand, tr. and intr. v., to spread out. - L. expandere, 'to spread out, unfold, expand', fr.
Ist ex- and pandere, 'to spread out, extend',
which is rei. to L. patere, 'to be open', patulus,
'extended'. See fathom and cp. expanse, expansion, spandrel, spawn. Derivatives: expanded, adj., expand-ed-ly, adv., expand-ed-ness, n.,
expand-er, n., expand-ing-ly, adv.
expanse, n., an extendec space. - L. expiinsum,
neut. pp. of expandere, 'to spread out', used as
a noun. See prec. word.
expansible, adj. - Formed with suff. -ible fr. L.
expiinsus, pp. of expandere. See expand.
Derivatives: expans-ibil-ity, n., expans-ibleness, n., expans-ibl-y, adv.
expansile, adj. - Formed with suff. -ile fr. L.
expiinsus, pp. of expandere. See expand.
expansion, n. - Late L. expiinsio, gen. -onis, 'a
spreading out, expansion', fr. L. expiinsus, pp.
of expandere. See expand and -ion. Derivatives:
expansion-a/, expansion-ary, adjs., expansionism, n., expansion-ist, n., expansion-ist-ic, adj.

expansive

expansive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.

exptinsus, pp. of expandere. See expand.
Derivatives: expansive-ly, adv., expansive-ness,
n., expansiv-ity, n.
ex parte, from one side only.- L., formed fr. ex,
'out of', and abl. of pars, 'part'. See 1st ex- and
part, n.
expatiate, intr. v., to speak or write at length. L. exspatititus, expatiiitus, pp. of exspatitiri,
expatitiri, 'to spread out, extend; to digress, expatiate', fr. 1st ex- and spatitiri, 'to spread out; to
walk about, go along' (whence also It. spaziare,
'to walk about'), fr. spatium, 'space, room'. See
space and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: expatiat-ion, n., expatiat-ory, adj.
expatriate, intr. v., to exile. - ML. expatrititus,
pp. of expatritire, 'to expel from one's native
land', formed fr. Isi ex- and L. patria, 'fatherland, native land', fr. pater, gen. patris, 'father'.
See father and cp. pater. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: expatriat-ion, n.
expatriate, adj., exiled; n., an exile. - ML. expatrititus. See expatriate, v.
expect, tr. and intr. v.- L. exspecttire, expectiire,
'to look out for, await; to desire, hope', fr. 1st
ex- and specttire, freq. of specere, spicere, 'to
look at attentively, get sight of'. See species and
cp. aspect and words there referred to.
expectance, expectancy, n.- Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
expectant, adj., expecting. - F., fr. L. exspectantem, expectantem, ace. of exspecttins, expecttins, pres. part. of exspecttire, expecttire. See
expect and -ant.
expectation, n. - L. exspecttitio, expecttitio, gen.
-onis, 'an awaiting, expectation', fr. exspecttitus, expecttitus, pp. of exspectiire, expectare.
See expect and -ation.
expectative, adj. - ML. expectativus, fr. L. exspectiitus, expectiitus, pp. of exspectare, expectiire. See expect and -ive.
expectorant, adj., causing expectoration; n., an
expectorant medicine. - L. expectoriins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of expectortire. See next word
and -ant.
expectorate, tr. and intr. v., to spit up, spit. L. expectoriitus, pp. of expectorare, 'to drive
from the breast', fr. Ist ex- and pectus, gen.
pectoris, 'breast, chest'. See pectoral and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: expectorat-ion, n.
expedience, n. - F. expedience. See expedient
and -ce.
expediency, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
expedient, adj., suitable; convenient. - OF.
(F. expedient), fr. L. expedientem, ace. of expediens, pres. part. of expedire, lit. 'to free the
feet from fetters', hence 'to extricate, disengage, set free; to make ready', fr. ex, 'out of'
(see 1st ex-), and pedis, 'fetter', prop. 'chain

S62
for the feet', which is rei. to pedica, 'shackle,
fetter', compes, 'fetter', and cogn. with Gk.
rr8"1), 'fetter', fr. I.-E. *pld-, *pod-, 'foot'. See
foot and cp. fetter. Cp. also pedal, impede,
impeach.
Derivatives: expedient, n., expedient-ial, adj.,
expedient-ial-ly, adv., expedient-is!, n., expedient-ly, adv.
expedite, tr. v., to speed up. - L. expeditus, pp.
of expedire. See prec. word.
Derivative: expedit-er, n.
expedi~e, adj., 1) unimpeded, free; 2) prompt.L. expeditus, pp. of expedire. See expedient.
Derivatives: expedite-ly, adv., expedite-ness, n.
expedition, n. - F. expedition, fr. L. expeditionem, ace. of expeditio, 'an enterprise against the
enemy', fr. expeditus, pp. of expedire. See expedient and -ion.
Derivatives: expedition-ary, adj., expeditionis!, n.
expeditious, adj., speedy, prompt.- Formed fr.
L. expeditus 'disengaged, ready, prompt', pp. of
expedire. See expedient and -ious.
Derivativ.e5.: expeditious-ly, adv., expeditiousness, n.
expel, tr. v. - L. expel/ere, 'to drive out or
away', fr. 1st ex- and pellere, 'to push, drive,
strike'. See pulse, 'throb', and cp. compel and
words there referred to. Cp. also expulsion.
expellant, expellent, adj., serving to expel; n., an
expelling medicine. - L. expel/ens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of expel/ere. See prec. word and
-ant, resp. -ent.
expend, tr. and intr. v.- L. expendere, 'to weigh
out money, pay down', fr. 1st ex- and pendere,
'to cause to hang down, suspend; to weigh'.
See pendant and cp. expense. Cp. also spend,
which is a doublet of expend.
expenditure, n. - Coined by the British statesman Edmund Burke (1729-97) from prec. word
and suff. -ore.
expense, n. - ME., fr. AF., fr. L. expensa, fern.
pp. of expendere, used as a noun. See expend and
cp. speiss, which is a doublet of expense.
expensive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
expensus, pp. of expendere. See expend.
Derivatives: expensive-ly, adv., expensive-ness, n.
experience, n.- F. experience, fr. L. experientia,
'trial, proof, experiment, experience', fr. experiens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of experiri, 'to
try, prove, test', fr. Ist ex- and the base of
peritus, 'experienced', which is rei. to periculum,
'trial, experiment, risk, danger'. See peril and
cp. words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ence.
Derivatives: experience, v., experienc-ed, adj.,
experienc-er, n.
experiential, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. experientia. See prec. word.
Derivatives: experiential-ism, n., experientialis!, n., experiential-ly, adv.
experiment, n.- OF., fr. L. experimentum, 'trial,

S63
proof, test', fr. experiri. See experience and
-ment.
Derivatives: experiment, intr. v., experiment-al,
adj., experiment-al-ism, experiment-al-ist, n.,
experiment-al-ize, intr. v., experiment-al-ly, adv.
experiment-ation, n., experiment-alive, adj., experiment-ed, adj., experiment-ee, n., experimenter, n., experiment-ize, intr. v.
expert, n. - F. expert, n., fr. OF. expert, adj.
See prec. word.
expiable, adj. - F., fr. expier, fr. L. expiiire.
See expiate and -able.
expiate, tr. v., to atone for. - L. expiiitus, pp. of
expiare, 'to make amends or atonement for', fr.
1st ex- and piiire, 'to appease by sacrifice, atone
for', fr.pius, 'devout, reighteous'. See pious and
verbal suff. -ate.
expiation, n. - L. expiiitio, gen. -onis, 'satisfaction, atonement, expiation', fr. expiiitus, pp. of
expiiire. See prec. word and -ion.
expiatory, adj. - Late L. expiiitorius, fr. L. expiatus, pp. of expiiire. See expiate and adj.
suff. -ory.
expiration, n. - L. exspiriitio, expiratio, gen.
-onis, fr. exspiriitus, expiriitus, pp. of exspiriire,
expiriire. See expire and -ation.
expiratory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. exspiriitus, expiriitus, pp. of exspiriire,
expiriire. See next word.
expire, intr. and tr. v. - F. expirer, fr. L. exspiriire, expiriire, 'to blow out, breathe out,
exhale, breathe one's last, die', fr. Ist ex- and
spiriire, 'to breathe'. See spirit and cp. aspire
and words there referred to.
Derivatives: expir-er, n., expir-ing, adj., expiring-ly, adv., expir-y, n.
explain, tr. and intr. v. - L. expliiniire, 'to make
plain', fr. planus, 'plain'. See plain, adj., and cp.
next word. Cp. also esplanade.
Derivatives: explain-able, adj., explain-er, n.,
explain-ing-{y, adv.
explanation, n. - L. explanatio, gen. -onis, 'a
making plain', fr. explantitus, pp. of expliiniire.
See prec. word and -ation.
explanative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
explanatus, pp. of explaniire. See explain.
explanatory, adj. - Late L. explaniitorius, fr L.
expltintitus, pp. of expltinare. See explain and
adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: explanatori-ly, adv., explanatoriness, n.
expletive, adj. - Late L. explitivus, 'serving to
fill out', fr. L. expletus, pp. of explere, 'to fill
out', fr. 1st ex- and plere, 'to fill'. See plenum
and -ive.
Derivatives: expletive, n., expletive-ly, adv., expletive-ness, n.
explicable, adj. - L. explictibilis, 'that may be
explained', fr. expliciire. See next word and
-able.
explic:ate, tr. v.- L. explictitus, pp. of expliciire,
'to unfold, uncoil, unroll, unfurl, spread out,

explosive

explain, expound'. fr. 1st ex- and pliciire, 'to

fold'. See ply, 'to bend', and cp. explicit.
explication, n. - L. expliciitio, gen. -onis, 'an unfolding, expounding, exposition, explanation',
fr. expliciitus, pp. of expliciire. See prec. word
and -ion.
explicative, adj. - L. expliciitivus, 'pertaining to
an exposition', fr. expliciitus, pp. of expliciire.
See explicate and -ive.
Derivative: explicative-ly, adv.
explicator, n. - L. explicator, 'an expounder,
explainer', fr. L. expliciitus, pp. of expliciire.
See explicate and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: explicator-y, adj.
explicit, v., here ends. - Prob. abbreviation
of L. explicitus est (tiber), '(the book or roll) has
been unrolled'. See explicit, adj.
explicit, adj. - F. explicite, fr. L. explicitus, a
var. of explicatus, pp. of expliciire. See explicate
and cp. exploit.
Derivatives: explicit, tr. v., explicit-ly, adv., explicit-ness, n.
explode, intr. and tr. v. - L. explaudere, expl6dere, 'to drive off (the stage) by clapping',
fr. 1st ex- and plaudere, 'to clap the hands'. See
plaudit and cp. explosive, implode, implosion.
Cp. also appland. The change of the Latin
diphthong au to 6 is due to dialectal influence;
cp. suffocate.
exploit, n. - ME. espleit, esploit, 'success', fr.
OF. espleit, esploit (F. exploit), fr. L. explicitum,
neut. of explicitus, used as a noun. See explicit, adj.
exploit, tr. v. - F. exploiter, fr. OF. espleitier,
esploitier, 'to exploit', fr. L. explicitus. See exploit, n.
Derivatives: exploit-able, adj., exploit-age, n.,
exploit-ative, adj., exploit-er, n., exploit-ure, n.
exploitation, n.- F., fr. exploiter, 'to exploit', fr.
exploit, 'exploit', fr. L. explicitum, neut. pp. of
explicare. See exploit, n., and -ation.
exploration, n. - L. expl6riiti6, gen. -onis, 'examination, exploration', fr. exploriitus, pp. of
expl6rare. See next word and -ation.
Derivative: exploration-at, adj.
explore, tr. and intr. v. - F. explorer, fr. L. expl6rare, 'to search out, examine, explore. Exp!Orare was orig. a hunting term, which meant
'to shout out (the game)', i.e. 'to elicit the game
through the shouts of the beaters and the cries
of the dogs'. The verb expl6riire is formed fr.
1st ex- and plorare, 'to cry out, wail, lament',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. deplore, implore.
Derivatives: explor-er, n., explor-ing, adj., explor-ing-ly, adv.
explosible, adj. - Formed with suff. -ible fr. L.
explosus, pp. of expl6dere. See explode.
Derivative: explos-ibil-ity, n.
explosion, n. - L. explosio, gen. -onis, 'a driving
away by clapping', fr. exp!Osus, pp. of exp/6dere. See explode and -ion.
explosive, adj. - Formed with suff. -lve fr. L.

exponent

expl6sus, pp. of explodere. See explode and -ive.

Derivatives: explosive, n., explosive-ly, adv., explosive-ness, n.
exponent, adj. and n.- L. exponens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of exponere, 'to set out, expose, exhibit, explain', fr. rst ex- and ponere, 'to put,
place'. See position and cp. words there referred to.
exponential, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. exponens, gen. -entis. See prec. word.
export, tr. v. - L. exportiire, 'to carry out', fr.
rst ex- andportiire, 'to bear, carry, convey'. See
port, 'to carry'.
Derivatives: export, n., export-er, n.
exportation, n. - F., fr. L. exportiitionem, ace.
of exportiiti6, 'a carrying out, exportation', fr.
exportiitus, pp. of exportiire. See prec. word,
and -ation.
expose, tr. v.- F. exposer, fr. rst ex- and poser,
'to put, place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also expose.
Derivatives: expos-a!, n., expos-ed, adj., exposed-ness, n.
expose, n., exposure. -F., prop. pp. of exposer,
used as a noun. See prec. word.
exposition, n. - F., fr. L. expositi6nem, ace. of
expositi6, 'a setting or showing forth', fr. expositus, pp. of exp6nere. See exponent and -ion.
expositive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
expositus, pp. of exponere. See exponent.
Derivative: expositive-ly, adv.
expositor, n.- Late L., 'expounder', fr. L. expositus, pp. of exponere. See exponent and
agential suff. -or.
expository, adj. - ML. exposit6rius, fr. L. expositus, pp. of exp6nere. See exponent and adj.
suff. -ory.
ex post facto, retrospectively. - L., lit. 'from
that which is done afterward'. See 1st ex-, postand fact.
expostulate, intr. v., to remonstrate. - L. expostuliitus, pp. of expostu/iire, 'to demand vehemently', fr. 1st ex- and postuliire, 'to demand'.
See postulate.
Derivatives: expostulat-ing, adj., expostulat-ingly, adv., expostulation (q.v.), expostu/at-ive, adj.,
expostulat-ive-ly, adv., expostulat-or, n., expostulat-ory, adv.
expostulation, n. - L. expostu/iiti6, gen. -onis, fr.
expostuliitus, pp. of expostuliire. See prec. word
and -ion.
exposure, n. - Formed fr. expose with suff. -ure,
on analogy of enclosure (fr. enclose) and other
nouns in -ure.
expound, tr. and intr. v. - ME. expoune(n), expounde(n), fr. OF. espondre, fr. L. exp6nere; see
exponent. The current ME. form was expoune,
corresponding to the finite forms of the OF.
verb (cp. e.g. 3rd pers. pl. esponent). However,
beside expoune, the form expounde, derived
from the inf., also appears quite early. Finally
expounde prevailed, whence the English form

565

564

expound. On the analogy of expound, fr. L. exp6nere, ME. compoune, compone (fr. L. componere) became E. compound, and ME. propane
(fr. L. prop6nere) became E. propound. Cp. F.
pondre, 'to lay eggs', fr. L. p6nere, 'to lay'.
express, adj.- OF. expres (F. expres), fr. L. expressus, pp. of exprimere, 'to press or squeeze
out, imitate, copy, describe, express'. fr. rst
ex- and premere, 'to press'. See press, v., and
cp. espressivo.
Derivatives: express, n., express-ly, adv.
express, adv. - OF. expres (F. expres), fr. L.
express, 'expressly', adv. of expressus; see express, adj.
express, tr. v.- ME. espressen, fr. OF. espresser,
expresser (F. exprimer), fr. L. ex (see rst ex-)
and pressiire, freq. of premere, 'to press'; see
press, v.
Derivatives: express-er, n., express-ible, adj.,
expression (q.v.), express-ive, adj., express-ively, adv., express-ive-ness, n.
expression,n. -F., fr. L. expressionem, ace. of expressi6, 'a pressing or squeezing out; an expression', fr. expressus, pp. of exprimere. See
express, adj., and -ion.
Derivatives: expression-a/, adj., the hybrid
words expression-ism, n., expression-ist, n., and
expression-ist-ic, adj.
exprobrate, tr. v., to censure.- L. exprobriitus,
pp. of exprobriire, 'to make a matter of reproach,
accuse of something disgraceful, upbraid', fr.
1st ex- and probrum, 'a shameful act'. See opprobrium.
exprobration, n., censure. - L. exprobriiti6, gen.
-6nis, fr. exprobriitus, pp. of exprobriire. See
prec. word and -ion.
expropriate, tr. v. - ML. expropriiitus, pp. of
expropriiire, 'to deprive of one's own' (whence
F. exproprier), fr. 1st ex- and L.proprius, 'one's
own'. See proper and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
appropriate.
Derivatives: expropriat-ion, n., expropriat-or, n.
expugn, tr. v., to take by storm.- OF. expugner,
fr. L. expilgniire, 'to take by storm', fr. 1st exand piigncire, 'to fight', fr. pugna, 'fight'. See
pugnacious and cp. impugn, oppugn, repugnant.
expugnable, adj. -OF., fr. L. expugniibilis, 'that
may be taken by storm', fr. expugniire. See prec.
word and -able.
expulsion, n.- L. expulsi6, 'a driving out', fr. expulsus, pp. of expe/lere, 'to drive out'. See expel and -ion.
expulsive, adj.- F. expulsif(fem. expulsive), fr.
ML. expulsivus, fr. L. expu/sus, pp. of expel/ere.
See expel and -ive.
expunction, n., obliteration.- Late L. expuncti6,
gen. -6nis, fr. L. expunctus, pp. of expungere.
See next word and -ion.
expunge, tr. v., to obliterate.- L. expungere, 'to
prick out, blot out, erase (by putting dots above
or below)', fr. rst ex- and pungere, 'to prick,
puncture'. See pungent and cp. point.

II

exterior

See ex and temporal, 'pertaining to time'.

expurgate, tr. v., to remove obscene passages
extempore, adj.
Derivative:
exof
pp.
expurgiitus,
L.
etc.)book,
a
(from
extemporize, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. L.
purgiire, 'to purge out, cleanse, purify', fr. rst
ex tempore (see prec. word) and suff. -ize.
ex- and purgiire, 'to cleanse, purify'. See purge
Derivatives: extemporiz-ation, n., extemporiz-er,
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. spurge.
n.
Derivatives: expurgation (q.v.), expurgat-ive,
extend, tr. and intr. v. - ME. extenden, fr. L.
adj., expurgat-or, n., expurgat-ory, adj., exextendere, 'to stretch out', fr. rst ex- and tenpurgat-ori-al, adj.
dere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to move in a certain
expurgation, n. - L. expurgiiti6, gen. -onis, fr.
direction', and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
and
expurge
See
expurgiire.
of
pp.
expurgiitus,
also standard.
-ation.
Derivatives: extend-ed, adj., extend-ed-ly, adv.,
exquisite, adj., excellent. - L. exquisitus, 'choice,
extend-ed-ness, n., extend-er, n.
excellent, exquisite', prop. pp. of exquirere, 'to
extensible, adj. - Formed with suff. -ible fr. L.
search out thoroughly', fr. rst ex- and quaerere,
extensus, a collateral form of extentus, pp. of
'to search for'. See query and cp. words there
extendere. See extend.
referred to.
Derivatives: extens-ibil-ity, n., extens-ibleDerivatives: exquisite-ly, adv., exquisite-ness, n.
ness, n.
exsanguinate, tr. v., to render bloodless (med.)extension, n. - L. extensi6, gen. -6nis, 'a stretchL. exsanguiniitus, 'bloodless', fr. 1st ex- and
ing out, extension', fr. extensus, a collateral form
sanguis, gen. sanguinis, 'blood'. See sanguine.
of extentus, pp. of extendere. See extend and -ion.
Derivative: exsanguinat-ion, n.
Derivative: extension-al, adj.
exsanguine, adj., bloodless. -Formed fr. rst exextensive, adj. - Formed withrff. -ive fr. L.
and sanguine. Cp. L. exsanguis, 'bloodless'.
extensus, a collateral form of xtentus, pp. of
exscind, tr. v., to cut out, extirpate. - L. ex.
extendere. See extend.
and
ex1st
fr.
extirpate',
out,
tear
scindere, 'to
Derivatives: extensive-ly, adv., extensive-ness,n.
scindere, 'to cut, split, cleave'. See scissile.
extensometer, n., an instrument for measuring
exsiccate, tr. v., to dry up. - L. exsicciitus, pp.
minute degrees of deformation caused by tenof exsicciire, 'to dry up', fr. rst ex- and sicciire,
sion, twisting, etc. - The word orig. denoted
'to make dry, drain', fr. siccus, 'dry'. See sican instrument for measuring extension. It is
cative and cp. desiccate.
a hybrid coined fr. L. extensus (see extension)
Derivatives: exsiccat-ion, n., exsiccat-ive, adj.,
and Gk. tJ.t't'pov, 'measure' (see meter, 'poetical
exsiccat-or, n.
rhythm').
exsert, to thrust out (bot.)-~ Modern formation
extensor, n., a muscle serving to stretch out a
fr. L. exsertus, pp. of exserere, 'to stretch out'.
limb or part of it, contrasted with flexor (anat.)
See exert.
- Medical L., short for musculus extensor, fr.
Derivatives: exsert-ed, adj., exsert-ion, n.
Late L. extensor, 'stretcher', fr. L. extensus. See
exstipulate, adj., without stipules (bot.) - See
extension and agential suff. -or.
1st ex- and stipulate, adj.
extent, n. - ME. extente, fr. AF. extente, corexsuccous, adj., dry.- L. exsuccus, 'sapless', fr.
responding to OF. estente, fr. Late L. extenta,
succulent.
See
juice'.
'sap,
1st ex- and succus,
fern. pp. of extendere, 'to stretch out'. See extend.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff.
extenuate, tr. v., r) orig. to make thin; hence
-ous.
2) to diminish, lessen (a fault). - L. extenuiitus,
extant, adj., existing. - L. exstiins, extiins, gen.
pp. of extenuiire, 'to make thin, diminish, les-antis, pres. part. of exstiire, extiire, 'to be exfr. rst ex- and tenuis, 'thin'. See tenuis,
sen',
and
exrst
fr.
out',
tant, exist, be', lit. 'to stand
thin and verbal suff. -ate.
stare, 'to stand'. See state and -ant.
Derivatives: extenuat-ing, adj.,extenuation(q. v.),
extasy, n. - See ecstasy.
extenuatory (q.v.)
extemporal, adj., extemporaneou s. - L. exextenuation, n. - L. extenuiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
temporiilis, 'extemporary, extemporaneou s. See
thinning out, lessening, diminution', fr. ex tenuiiextempore and adj. suff. -al.
tus, pp. of extenilare. See prec. word and -ion.
extemporaneous, adj., unpremeditate d; offhand.
adj. - L. extenuiitorius, 'extenuatextenuatory,
See
tempore.
ex
L.
fr.
,
extemporiineus
- ML.
ing', fr. extenuiitus, pp. of extenuiire. See exextempore and -aneous.
tenuate and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: extemporaneous-ly, adv., extempexterior, adj. - L., compar. of exter, exterus,
oraneous-ness,n.
'on the outside, outward, external, foreign,
extemporary, adj., extemporaneou s. - See exstrange', which itself is compar. of ex, 'out
-ary.
suff.
adj.
and
tempore
of, from'. See 1st ex- and cp. extra. Cp. also
Derivatives: extemporari-ly, adv., extemporariexternal, extraneous, extreme, extremity, exness, n.
trinsic, stranger. For the compar. suff. -terus see
extempore, adv., without preparation. - L. ex
-tber and cp. words there referred to. For the
tempore, 'at the moment', lit. 'out of the time'.
compar. suff. -ior see -lor.
fr. ex, 'out of, from', and abl. of tempus, 'time'.

exterminable

Derivatives: exterior, n., exterior-ity, n., exterior-ize, tr. v., exterior-ly, adv., exterior-ness,n.
exterminable, adj. -Late L. exterminiibilis, 'that
may be destroyed', fr. L. exterminiire. See next
word and -able.
exterminate, tr. v. - L. exterminiitus, pp. of exterminiire, 'to drive beyond the boundaries',
whence 'to drive away, destroy', formed fr. 1st
ex- and terminiire, 'to limit', fr. terminus, 'boundary, limit'. See term and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. terminate.
Derivatives: extermination (q.v.), exterminative, adj., exterminator (q.v.), exterminat-ory, adj.
extermination, n. - Late L. exterminiitio, gen.
-onis, 'destruction', fr. L. exterminiitus, pp. of
exterminiire. See prec. word and -ion.
exterminator, n. - Late L., fr. L. exterminiitus,
pp. of exterminiire. See exterminate and agential
suff. -or.
extern, adj., external. - F. externe, fr. L. externus, 'outward, external', fr. exterus. See exterior and cp. external. Cp. also intern.
extern, n., a day scholar. - F. externe, n., fr.
extern, adj. See prec. word.
external, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
externus. See extern.
Derivatives: external, n., external-ity, n., external-ly, adv., external-ism, n., external-ist, n., external-ist-ic, adj., external-ize, tr. v., external-ization, n.
exterritorial, adj.- Formed fr. 1st ex- and territorial. Cp. extraterritorial.
Derivatives: exterritorial-ity, n., exterritorially, adv.
extinct, adj., 1) extinguished; 2) no longer existing. - L. exstinctus, extinctus, pp. of exstinguere, extinguere. See extinguish.
Derivatives: extinction (q.v.), extinct-ive, adj.
extinction, n. - L. exstincti6, extinctio, fr. exstinctus, extinctus, pp. of exstinguere, extinguere.
See next word and -ion.
extinguish, tr. v. - L. exstinguere, extinguere,
'to put out (fire), quench, extinguish', fr. 1st exand I.-E. steig-, 'to prick, stick, pierce', whence
also L. lnstinguere, 'to incite, impel', instigiire,
'to goad'. See stick, v., and cp. words there
referred to. For the use of the suff. -ish in extinguish see distinguish.
Derivatives: extinguish-able, adj., extinguish-ed,
adj., extinguish-er, n., extinguish-ment, n.
extirpate, tr. v., to destroy completely. - L. exstirpiitus, extirpiitus, pp. of exstirpiire, extirpiire,
'to pluck out by the stem or root', fr. stirps,
gen. stirpis, 'stock, stem, root, scion'. See stirps
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: extirpation (q.v.), extirpat-ive, adj.,
extirpator (q.v.)
extirpation, n. - L. exstirpiitio, extirpiitio, gen.
-onis, lit. 'an uprooting', fr. exstirpiitus, extirpiitus, pp. of exstirpiire, extirpiire. See prec.
word and -ion.
extirpator, n. - L. exstirpiitor, extirpator, 'up-

566

rooter', fr. exstirpiitus, extirpiitus. See extirpate

and agential suff. -or.
extol, extoll, tr. v., to praise. - L. extol/ere, 'to
place on high, raise, elevate, exalt', fr. 1st exand tol/6, tollere, 'to lift up, raise', which stands
for *tjno, fr. I.-E. *tf-, zero degree of base *tel-,
*to/-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. toleriire, 'to
bear, support'. See tolerate.
extort, tr. v., to get by threats, force, etc. - L.
extortus, pp. of extorquere, 'to twist out, wrench
out, extort', fr. 1st ex- and torquere, 'to twist
win~'. See torque and cp. contort, distort, retort:
Derivatives: extort-er, n., extortion (q.v.), extortive (q.v.)
extortion, n. - L. extortio, gen. -onis, 'a twisting
out, extortion', fr. extortus, pp. of extorquere.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: extortion-ary, extortion-ate, adjs.,
extortion-er, n.
extortive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
extortus, pp. of extorquere. See extort.
extra, adv. - L. extrii, adv., on the outside,
without, except', for *exterii (short for exterii
parte, 'on the outside'), abl. sing. of extera, fern.
of exterus, 'on the outside, outward, external',
whence the compar. exterior, 'outer, exterior'
(see exterior); rei. to Umbr. ap-ehtre, 'from
without', and cogn. with Olr. echtar, W. eithr,
'on the outside, without', Olr. s-echtair, anechtair, 'from without'.
Derivative: extra, n.
extra-, pref. - Fr. extra, adv.
extracanonical, adj., not included in the canonical books. - Formed fr. extra- and canonical.
extracranial, adj., outside of the skull.- Formed
fr. extra- and cranial.
extract, tr. v. - L. extractus, pp. of extrahere,
'to draw out', fr. 1st ex- and trahere, 'to draw'.
See tract, v., and cp. the verb abstract and words
there referred to.
Derivatives: extract, n. (q.v.), extract-able, adj.,
extraction (q.v.), extract-ive, adj., extract-or, n.
extract, n. - L. extractum, neut. of extractus,
pp. of extrahere, 'to draw out'; see extract, v.
As a legal term, E. extract represents L. extracta, the fern. of extractus (see above). Cp.
estreat.
extraction, n.- F., fr. ML. extractionem, ace. of
extractio, 'the act of extracting', fr. L. extractus,
pp. of extrahere. See extract, v., and -ion.
extradite, tr. v. - Back formation fr. extradition.
extradition, n. - F., fr. L. ex, 'out of', and
triiditi6, gen. -onis, 'a delivering up, surrender'.
See 1st ex- and tradition.
extrados, n., the exterior surface of an arch
(archit.) - F., a hybrid coined by the French
dramatist and journalist Thomas Comeille
(1625-1709) in 1694 fr. extra and F. dos, 'back',
fr. L. dorsum. See dorsal and cp. intrados.
extramundane, adj., beyond the material world.
-Formed fr. extra- and muodane.

567

exuoeran~e

base *treik-, 'to turn, twist', which is rel. to

extramural, adj., outside the walls. - Formed
base *tereq-, of s.m., whence torquere, 'to turn,
fr. extra- and mural.
twist'. See torque and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
extraneous, adj., external, foreign.- L. extraneus,
trica, intricate.
'external, strange'. See extra- and cp. strange.
Derivative: extricat-ion, n.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
extrinsic, adj., external. -F. extrinseque, fr. L.
Derivatives: extraneous-ly, adv., extraneousextrinsecus, 'from without, from abroad',
ness, n.
formed fr. exter, 'outer', and secus, 'beside, by,
extraordinary, adj. - L. extriiordiniirius, 'out of
along'. For the first element see extra-, exterior.
the common order, extraordinary', fr. extra orL. secus orig. meant 'following'; and is rei. to
dinem, 'outside the (common) order', fr. extrii
sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and cp. second.
(see extra) and ordinem, ace. of ordo, 'order'.
Cp. also intrinsic.
See ordinary.
Derivatives: extrinsic-a!, adj., extrinsical-ity, n.,
Derivatives: extraordinari-ly, adv., extraordiextrinsical-ness, n., extrinsical-ly, adv.
nari-ness, n.
extro-, pref. formed fr. extra-, on the analogy
extraterritorial, adj., exterritorial.- Formed fr.
of the pref. intra-.
extra- and territorial. Cp. exterritorlal.
extrorse, adj., turned outward (bot.) - F., fr.
Derivative: extraterritorial-ity, n.
Late L. extrorsus, 'in an outward direction',
extravagance, extravagancy, n. - F. extracontraction of extra, 'on the outside', and vervagance, fr. extravagant. See next word and -ce,
sus, 'turned', pip. of vertere, 'to turn'. See extraresp. -cy, and cp. extravaganza.
and version and cp. introrse, retrorse, introextravagant, adj., prodigal, wasteful., n., an
verse, prose.
extravagant person. - F., fr. ML. extriivaganDerivative: extrorse-ly, adv.
tem, ace. of extriivagiins, pres. part. of extriiextroversion, n., 1) the condition of being turned
vagiiri, 'to wander outside (the limits)', fr.
inside out (med.); 2) also extraversion, interest
extra- and L. vagiiri, 'to wander, ramble, roam
directed to external things; the opposite of inabout'. See vagary and -ant.
troversion (psycho!.) - Formed fr. extro- (resp.
Derivatives: extravagance (q.v.), extravagant-ly,
and version.
extra-)
adv., extravagant-ness, n.
extroversive, also extraversive, adj., pertaining or
extravaganza, n., a fantastic musical or nontending to extroversion; the opposite of intromusical composition. - It. estravaganza, straversive (psycho/.) - Formed with suff. -ive fr.
vaganza, lit. 'extravagance', fr. estravagante,
extro- (resp. extra-) and L. versus, pp. of verstravagante, 'extravagant', fr. ML. extriivagantere, 'to turn'. See version.
tem (see prec. word); influenced in form by
extrovert, tr. v., 1) to turn outward; 2) also
extravagance (q.v.)
extravert; intr. v., to turn one's interest toward
extravagate, intr. v., to rove. - ML. extriiexternal things; the opposite of intra vert
vagiitus, pp. of.extriivagiiri. See extravagant and
(psycho/.) - Formed fr. extro- (resp. extra-)
verbal suff. -ate.
and L. vertere, 'to turn'. See version. The term
Derivative: extravagat-ion, n. (obsol.)
extrovert was introduced into psychology by
extravasate, tr. v., to force out of the proper vesthe Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (1875sels, as blood; intr. v., to ooze out into sur1961). Cp. introvert, v.
rounding tissues, as blood (pathol.) - Formed
extrovert, also extravert, n., one characterized by
fr. extra- and L. viis, 'vessel'. See vase and verbal
extroversion; the opposite of introvert (psycho!.)
suff. -ate.
-Fr. extrovert, v.
Derivative: extravasat-ion, n.
extrude, tr. v., to push out; intr. v., to protrude.extreme, adj.- OF. (F. extreme), fr. L. extremus,
L. extrUdere, 'to thrust out, drive away', fr. 1st
'outermost, utmost, extreme', superl. of exter,
ex- and trUdere, 'to thrust, push, shove', which
exterus, 'on the outside, outward, external,
derives fr. I.-E. base *treud-, 'to press, push',
foreign, strange'. See exterior.
whence also Goth. us-priutan, 'to vex', OE.
Derivatives: extreme, n., extreme-ly, adv., expreotan, 'to weary, vex, annoy', preatian, 'to
treme-ness, n., extrem-ism, n., extrem-ist, n.
press, aftlict, threaten'. See threat and cp. thrust.
extremity, n. -OF. extremite (F. exmimite), fr.
Cp. also intrude and words there referred to.
L. extremitiitem, ace. of extremitiis, 'the end of
extrusion, n. - ML. extriisi6, gen. -onis, fr. L.
a thing', fr. extremus. See extreme and -ity. In
extriisus, pp. of extriidere. See prec. word and
the sense of 'hands or feet', L. extremitiis was
-ion and cp. intrusion and words there referred to.
first used by the translator Gerard of Cremona
extrusive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
(died in 1187).
extriisus, pp. of extrUdere. See extrude and cp.
extrk:able, adj. - See next word and -able.
intrusive, obtrusive, protrusive.
extrk:ate, tr. v. - L. extriciitus, pp. of extriciire,
exuiJenlnCe, exuberancy, n., luxuriance. - F.
'to disentangle, extricate', formed fr. ISt ex- and
exuberance, fr. L. exiiberantia, 'superabundance,
tricae (pl.), 'trifles, stuff; perplexities, wiles,
exuberance', fr. exuberiins, gen. -antis. See next
tricks', which is of uncertain origin. It meant
word and -ce, resp. -cy.
perb. orig. 'twisted ways', and derives fr. I.-E.

exuDerant

exuberant, adj., lavish, luxuriant.- F. exuberant,

fr. L. exiiberantem, ace. of exiiberiins, pres. part.
of exiiberiire, 'to come forth in abundance,
grow luxuriantly', fr. Ist ex- and iiberiire, 'to be
fruitful', from the adjective iiber, 'fruitful' ,which
derives from the noun iiber, 'udder'. See
uberous.
Derivatives: exuberant-ly, adv ., exuberant-ness,n.
exuberate, intr. v., to be exuberant; to abound.
- L. exiiberiitus, pp. of exiiberiire. See prec.
word and verbal suff. -ate.
exudate, n., exuded substance. - L. exsiidiitum,
exiidiitum, neut. pp. of exsiidiire, exiidiire. See
exude and adj. suff. -ate.
exudation, n. - Formed with suff. -ion fr. L.
exsiidiitus, exiidiitus, pp. of exsiidiire, exiidiire.
See next word.
exude, intr. and tr. v., to ooze. - L. exsiidiire,
exiidiire, 'to sweat out', fr. 1st ex- and siidiire,
'to sweat', fr. siid<Jr, 'sweat', which is cogn. with
OE. swiit, 'sweat', swiitan, 'to sweat'. See sweat
and cp. sudation.
exult, intr. v., to rejoice greatly. - F. exulter,
fr. L. exsu/tiire, exultiire, 'to leap about, leap
for joy, triumph', which stands for ex-saltiire
and is freq. of exsilire, 'to leap out, spring out,
leap up, start up', fr. 1st ex- and sa/ire, 'to leap,
spring, jump', whence the freq. saltiire, 'to leap,
jump, dance'. See salient and cp. saltant. For
the change of Latin ii (in siiltiire) to u (in exsU/tiire, ex-u/tiire) see desultory and cp. words
there referred to.
exultancy, n. - L. exsultantia, exultantia, fr. exsultiins, exultiins, gen. -antis. See next word
and -cy.
exultant, adj. - L. exsultiins, exultiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of exsultiire, exultiire. See exult
and -ant. Derivative: exultant-ly, adv.
exultation, n. - F., fr. L. exsultiiti6nem, exu/tiiti6nem, ace. of exsultiiti6, exultiiti6, 'a leaping
about', fr. exsultiit-(um), exultiit-(um), pp. stem
of exsultiire, exultiire. See prec. word and -ion.
exuviae, n. pl., cast skins of animals. - L., 'that
which is stripped off, clothing, equipments',
from the stem of exuere, which stands for *exowere, 'to pull or strip off', fr. 1st ex- and
*-owere, earlier -ewere, fr. I.-E. base *ew-, 'to
put on', whence also OSlav. ob-uj(l, ob-uti, 'to
put on shoes', Lith. aunit, aiiti, 'to put on
shoes', aviit, aveti, 'to wear shoes', Arm. aganim, 'I put on something', Avestic ao{}ra-,
'footgear', OPruss. auclo, 'halter', Lith. auk/l,
'bandage for the foot, anklet', Lett. auk/a, 'thin
cord'. Cp. indusium, induviae, omentum. For
derivatives of base *w-es, 'to clothe', an enlargement of base ew-, see vest, n., and wear,
'to carry on the body'. Derivatives: exuvi-al, adj.,
axuvi-ate, intr. v., to cast the skin, exuviat-ion, n.
eyalet, n., formerly, a province of the Ottoman
Empire; now called vijgfet. --Turk., fr. Arab.
iydla 11 , 'government', prop. inf. of the verb dla,
'was at the head of', whence dwwal, 'first'.

eyas, n., a nestling; a young hawk taken from

the nest. - F. niais, 'nestling' (the modern
French meaning is 'silly, simple'), fr. VL.
*nidiicem, ace. of *nidiix, 'nestling', fr. nidus,
'nest'; see nidus. The English form arose from
a misdivision of a nias into an eyas. For similar
misdivisions cp. adder and words there referred to.
eye, n. - ME. eige, eye, eie, fr. OE. eage, rei. to
OS. 6ga, OFris. iige, ON. auga, Swed. oga, Dan.
eie, OFris. iige, MDu. 6ghe, Du. oog, OHG.
ouga, MHG. ouge, G. Auge, Goth. aug6, 'eye',
fr. I.-E. base *oq"'-, 'to see; eye', whence also
OI. ak$i, gen. ak$~(1. 'eye', ak$d[!, 'die', fk$afe.
'sees', Tach. A ak, B ek, 'eye', Arm. akn, gen,
akan, 'eye, opening, hole', Gk. ISxxoc;, 'eye',
IScrcre; (for oqw;.), 'the two eyes', llcrcre;cr-&IXL, 'to
see, look at, presage', orri), 'opening, hole',
IS'f!OtJ.IXL, 'I shall see'' on--r6.;, 'seen; visible.'
ISrt-rLx6c;, 'pertaining to sight', Alb. sii, 'eye', L.
oculus, 'eye', OSlav. oko, 'eye', okno, 'window',
Lith. akis, 'eye'. Fr. *oq"'-, collateral form of
base *oqw-, derive Gk. i:llji, gen. wn-6.:;, 'eye,
face', and the second element in L. atr6x,
'cruel, fierce', ferox, 'wild, savage', vel6x, 'swift,
quick'. Cp. eyelet, ogle and the second element
in daisy, walleyed, window. Cp. also ocular,
omma, optic, ullage, the first element in ophthalmo- and the second element in antler. Cp. also
the second element in atrocious, ferocious,
velocity. Derivatives: eye, tr. v., ey-ed, adj.
eyelet, n. - ME. oilet, fr. MF. ( = F.) adllet,
dimin. of rzil, 'eye', fr. L. oculus; influenced in
spelling by eye (q.v.)
eyot, n., a small island.- ME. eyt, fr. OE. igeoo,
dimin. of eg, ig, ieg, 'island'. See island and cp.
the second element in Scandinavia. The ending
of the word eyot was influenced by the French
dimin. suff. -ot.
eyre, n., journey, circuit; circuit court. ~ ME.,
fr. OF. eire, 'journey, way', fr. L. iter, of s.m.
See itinerate and cp. errant.
eyrie, eyry, n. - Variants of aerie, aery.
Ezekiel, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) name
of one of the great prophets of Israel; b) the
Book of Ezekiel. - Late L. Ezechiel, fr. Gk.
'It~EXL~A, fr. Heb. P(lezqi/, lit. 'God strengthens'. The first element derives fr. (liiztiq, 'he
was strong; he strengthened', whence (liizdq,
'strong', bezeq, ~zqd",(ldzeq,bozqJ", 'strength',
Mishnaic Heb. (liiziiqd", 'taking hold of; presumption; usucaption'. Heb. (liiztiq is rei. to
Aram.-Syr. (liiztiJJ, 'he was strong', Arab. /;ldzaqa, 'he bound, squeezed', Akkad. eshqu,
'strong', isqu, 'possession'. Cp. Hezekiah. For
the second element in the name Ezekiel see El.
Ezra, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) name of
a celebrated scribe of the 5th century B.C.E.;
b) the Book of Ezra.- Late L., fr. Reb. 'Ezrci,
abbrevation of Azarydh(ii), lit. 'God has helped'. See Azariah and cp. Esdras. For similar
abbreviations cp. Jesse and Micah.

II
I

fabulosity', fr./iibulosus. See next word and -ity.

fa, n., a syllable used in solmization to denote
adj. - L. fiibulosus, 'fabulous', fr.
fabulous,
(mus.)
scale
diatonic
the fourth tone of the
fiibula. See fable and -ous.
Fabaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the pea
Derivatives: fabulous-ly, adv., fabulous-ness, n.
family (bot.) - Formed with suff. -aceae fr.
f~de, n., the front of a building.- F., fr. earModL. Faba, the type genus, fr. L.faba, 'bean',
lier facciate, fr. It. facciata, lit. 'face (of a
from the I.-E. child's word *bhabhii, 'bean', lit.
fr. faccia, 'face', fr. VL. facia, fr. L.
building)',
the
of
reduplication
prop.
'something swelling',
facies. See next word and -ade.
child's word *bha-, 'something swelling'. See
face, n.- F., fr. VL.facia (whence also It.faccia,
bean and cp. Fabian.
OProven~. fassa), fr. L. facies (whence also Sp.
fabaceous, adj., pertaining to the Fabaceae (bot.)
haz), 'face', orig. 'a making, shaping', fr.facere,
- L. fabiiceus, 'consisting of beans', fr. faba.
'to make, do', See fact and cp. fa~de, facet,
-ous.
and
See prec. word
facetious, deface, efface, superficies, surface,
Fabian, adj., dilatory, cautious. - L. Fabiiinus,
volta-face. For the formation of L. facies, 'face',
from the name of the Roman general Quintus
fr. facere, 'to make', cp. L. species, 'sight, ap'De=
(
Fabius Maximus, surnamed Cunctator
pearance', fr. specere, 'to look at'; for the sense
layer'). -{The Latin name Fabius is rei. to faba,
development of facies, 'face', fr. facere, 'to
For
Fabaceae).
see
etymology
whose
for
'bean',
make', cp. F. figure, 'face', fr. L. figiira, 'figure,
the ending see suff. -an.
appearance'. The orig. meaning of L. facies.Fabian, masc. PN. - L. Fabiiinus, a derivative
easily be derived from the meaning of the
may
of Fabius. See Fabian, adj.
compound superficies, 'surface', which lit.
fable, n., a story. - OF. ( = F.), 'fable, story,
means 'superstructure '.
tale', fr. L. fiibula, 'narrative, account, tale,
Derivatives: face, tr. and intr. v., fac-ed, adj.,
story', lit. 'that which is told', rei. to fiiri, 'to
fac-ing, adj. and n., fac-ing-ly, adv.
speak, tell, foretell', fama, 'talk, report, rumor,
facet, n., 1) surface of a cut gem; 2) aspect.~ F.
saying, tradition, reputation', fiicundus, 'elofacette, dimin. of face. See face and -et, -ette.
quent', fateri, 'to confess', fr. I.-E. base *bhii-,
Derivatives: facet, tr. v., facet-ed, adj.
referred
there
words
and
fame
See
'to speak'.
facetiae, n. pl., 1) witticisms; 2) books of a
to and cp. esp. fabulous, confabulate, affable,
coarse character. ~ L., pl. of facetia. See next
fib, ineffable.
word.
to
v.,
tr.
fables;
fable, intr. v., to write or tell
facetious, adj., joking. - F. facetieux (fern. fainvent. -OF. fabler, fr. L. fabuliiri, 'to speak,
cetieuse), fr. facetie, fr. L. facetia, 'jest, witn.
fable,
See
fiibula.
fr.
talk',
ticism' (pl. facetiae, 'witty sayings, witticisms,
Derivatives: fabl-ed, adj., fable-ist, n., fabl-er,
pleasantry'), fr.facetus, 'elegant, fine, facetious',
n., fabl-ing, n.
which is of uncertain origin. It is perh. rei. to
metrical
French
fabliau, n., a short medieval
fax, gen.facis, 'torch', whence the dimin.facula,
story. -- F., fr. Picard fabliau, fr. OF. fable/,
'torch'. See facula and -ous.
fableau, masc. dimin. of fable, 'fable, story, tale'.
Derivatives: facetious-ly, adv.,facetious-ness, n.
See fable, n.
facia, n. - See fascia.
fabric, n.- F.fabrique, fr. L. fabrica, 'workshop
facial, adj., of, or pertaining to, the face. - F.,
of an artisan, building, fabric', fr. faber, gen.
fr. ML. faciiilis, fr. L. facies. See face and adj.
fabri, 'workman, artisan, artificer, forger,
suff. -al.
to
corresponding
*fab-,
base
L.
smith', from
Derivative: facial-ly, adv.
I.-E. base *dhabh-, 'to become or be suitable',
facient, n., an agent. - Lit. 'a maker, doer', fr.
whence Arm. darbin, 'smith', OSlav. dobru,
L. faciens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of.facere, 'to
'fine, good', doba, 'opportunity', Lith. dabinti,
make, do'. See fact.
'to adorn', dabnits, 'graceful'. Cp. daft, deft,
-facient, suff. meaning 'making, causing to beforge.
come' (as calorifacient, 'making heat', liquefabricate, tr. v.- L. fabriciitus, pp. of fabriciirf,
facient, 'causing to become liquefied'). - L.
'to frame, construct, build', fr. fabrica. See
-faciens, fr. faciens, pres. part of facere. See
prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
prec. word.
fabrication, n. - L. fabriciiti6, gen. -onis, 'a
facile, adj., easy. - F., fr. L. facilis, 'easy', lit.
framing', fr. fabriciitus, pp. of fabriciiri. See
'feasible', fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See fact
fabric and -ion.
and -ile.
fabulist, n. - F. fabuliste, fr. L. fiibula. See fable
Derivatives: facile-ly, adv., facile-ness, n.
and -ist.
facilitate, tr. v., to make easy. -F. faciliter, fr.
fabulosity, n. - F. fabu/osite, fr. L. fiibu/6siIt. facilitare, fr. facilita, 'facility', fr. L. facilitiitem, ace. of fiihulositiis, 'fabulous invention,

facility

tiitem. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.

Derivative: facilitat-ion, n.
facility, n.- F.facilite, fr. L.facilitiitem (whence
also It. facilitd, OProven9. facilitat, Sp. facilidad), ace. of faci/itiis, 'easiness, ease, fluency,
willingness, readiness', fr. facilis. See facile
and -ity.
facinorous, adj., wicked, criminal (rare). - L.
facinor6sus, 'criminal, atrocious', fr. [acinus,
gen. facinoris, 'deed', esp. 'wicked deed, crime,
villainy', fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See fact. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
facio-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the face, facial'.- Fr. L.facies, 'face'. See face.
facsimile, n., an exact copy. - L. fac simile,
'make like', fr. fac, imper. of facere, 'to make',
and neut. of simi/is, 'like'. See fact and similar.
Derivatives: facsimile, adj. and tr. v., facsimilist, n., facsimil-ize, tr. v.
fact, n. - L. factum, 'deed, act', lit. 'something
done', neut. pp. of facere, 'to make, do; to perform, accomplish; to act', fr. I.-E. base *dho-,
*dhe-, *dht-, 'to put, place; to do, make, construct'. See do and theme and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also feat (which is a doublet of
fact) and the words fa~de, facient, facile, facilitate, facility, facinorous, facsimile, faction, -faction, factor, factory, factotum, factual, affair,
affect, affettuoso, artifact, artifice, benefaction,
benefactor, benefice, benefit, calefacient, comfit,
confect, confection, counterfeit, defaced, defeat,
defect, deficient, deficit, deific, difficult, discomfit, dolce far niente, efface, effect, efficacious,
efficient, face, fashion, feasance, feasible, feature, fecit, feckless, fetish, -fy, infect, Iabefaction, magnificent, malefic, maleficence, malfeasance, manufacture, misfeasance, munificent,
office, orifice, perfect, pontiff, prefect, proficient,
refection, rifacimento, satisfaction, savoir-faire,
somnifacient, Spinifex, suffice, sufficient, superficial, surface, surfeit.
faction, n., a party or clique. - F., fr. L. [actionem, ace. of /actio, 'a making, doing; party'
(lit. 'persons acting together'), fr. factus, pp.
of facere, 'to make, do, act'. See fact and -ion
and cp. fashion, which is a doublet of faction.
Derivative: faction-al, adj.
-faction, suff. forming nouns meaning 'a making
into something' and corresponding to verbs in
-fy (fr. L. facere). - Fr. L. [actio, 'a making,
doing; party'. See prec. word and cp. -fication.
factious, adj., addicted to faction; seditious.- L.
factiosus, fr.factio, 'faction'. See faction and -ous.
Derivatives: factious-ly, adv., factious-ness, n.
factitious, adj., artificial. - L. facticius, 'made
by art, artificial', fr. factus, pp. of facere, 'to
make, do'; introduced into English by Sir
Thomas Browne (I6o5-82) in I646. See fact
and -ous and cp. fetisb, which is a doublet of
factitious.
Derivatives: factitious-ly, adv.,factitious-ness, n.
factitive, adj. - ModL. factitivus, fr. L. factus,

570

pp. of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and -ive.

Derivative: factitive-ly, adv.
factor, n.- F. facteur, 'maker, agent', fr. L. factorem, ace. of factor, 'maker, doer, performer',
fr. factus, pp. of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact
and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives:factor, tr. v.,factor-ial, adj. and n.,
factor-ial-ly, adv.
factory, n.- ML.factoria, fr. L.factor. See prec.
word and -y (representing L. -ia).
factotum, n., a man hired to do all kinds of work;
handy man. - ML., lit. 'one who does everything;, fr. L. fac tatum, 'do everything', fr. fac,
imper. of facere, 'to do', and tatum, neut. of
totus, 'all'. See fact and total.
factual, adj., pertaining to facts. - Formed fr.
fact on analogy of actual.
Derivatives: factual-ly, adv., factual-ness, n.
factum, n., a statement of facts, a fact (law). L., prop. neut. pp. of facere. See fact.
facula, n., one of the bright spots on the disk of
the sun. - L. facula, 'a little torch', dimin. of
fax (OL. faces), 'torch', which is of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: facul-ar, facul-ous, adjs.
facultative, adj.- F. facultatif(fem. facultative),
'optional, facultative', fr. faculte, 'option,
faculty'. See next word and -ive.
faculty, n. --OF. faculte (F. faculte), fr. L. facultiitem, ace. of facultiis, 'capability, power', fr.
*fakli-tiis, fr. L. faci/is, 'easy'. See facile and
-ty and cp. difficulty.
fad, n., a whim, craze. - Perh. a back formation
fr. F. fadaise, 'trifle, nonsense, stuff', fr. OProveno;. fadeza, 'stupidity, foolishness', fr. fat,
'stupid', fr. L. fatuus. See next word.
Derivatives: fadd-ish, adj., fadd-ish-ness, n.,
fadd-y, adj., fadd-i-ness, n., fadd-ism, n., faddist, n.
fade, adj., I) pale, wan (archaic); 2) insipid. F., 'insipid, tasteless, dull', fr. OF. fade, fr.
VL. *fatidus, a blend of L. fatuus, 'tasteless;
stupid, foolish', and vapidus, 'that has lost its
vapor, flat, flavorless, insipid'. L. fatuus prob.
meant orig. 'blunt, obtuse', and is a derivative
of the I.-E. base *bhat-, 'to beat, strike'. See
batter, 'to beat', and cp. beat and words there
referred to. Cp. also fad, fatuous, infatuate. For
the etymology of vapidus see l'apid.
Derivatives: fade-less, adj., fade-less-ly, adv.,
lad-y, adj.
fade, intr. v., I) to lose freshness; to languish;
2) to disappear gradually; tr. v., to cause to
fade. - OF. fader, fr. fade. See fade, adj.
Derivatives: fad-ed, adj., fad-ed-ly, adv., fading, adj., fad-ing-ly, adv., fad-ing-ness, n.
faecal, faeces. - See fecal, feces.
faerie, faery, n., fairyland. - Former spellings
of fairy.
fag, tr. v., to weary, exhaust; intr. v., to labor,
toil. - According to Skeat, possibly a corruption of flag, 'to droop'.

r-a1asna

571

fag, n., the loose end of anything, esp. of a cloth.

- Of uncertain origin.
fag, n., cigarette (slang). - Back formation fr.
fag end.
Fagaceae, n. pl., the beech family (bot.) Formed fr. Fagus with suff. -aceae.
fagaceous, adj. (bot.) - See prec. word and
-aceous.
fag end.- Fr. fag, 'the loose end of anything'.
Fagopyrum, n., a genus of plants of the buckwheatJamily (bot.) - A ModL., hybrid coined
fr. L. fagus, 'beech' (see beech), and Gk. 7Np6c;,
'wheat' (see pyrene and cp. words there referred to). The correct form would be Phegopyrus, fr. Gk. cp7Jy6c;, 'oak' (see beech) and 7Np6c;,
'wheat'. Cp. Nothofagus.
fagot, faggot, n., a bundle of sticks used for fuel.
- F. fagot, prob. fr. VL. *facus, a back formation fr. Gk. cpocxd.oc;, 'bundle', a word of
uncertain origin, the ending of this word having
been mistaken for the Latin dimin. suff. -ellus.
Cp. It. fagotto, OProveno;. fagot, which also
derive fr. Gk. cpocxe:l-oc;. Cp. fagotto.
Derivatives: fag(g)ot, tr. and intr. v., fag(g)oting, n.
fagotto, n., bassoon (music). - It., 'bassoon',
prop. 'bundle'. See faggot.
Fagus, n., a genus of trees, the beech (bot.) L. fagus, 'beech'. See beech and cp. words there
referred to.
Fahrenheit, n., a type of thermometer. - Named
after the inventor of the mercurial thermometer,
the German physicist Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit
(1686-1736).

faience, n., a fine kind of painted and glazed

porcelain. - F. faience, shortened fr. original
vaisselle de Faience ('vessel of Faenza'), fr.
Faenza, name of a town in Italy.
fail, n., failure. - ME. faille, /aile, fr. OF.
faille, [aile, fr. faillir. See fail, v.
fail, intr. and tr. v.- ME.faillen,failen, fr. OF.
( = F.) faillir, fr. VL. fa/lire, corresponding to
L.fallere, 'to deceive'. See false and cp. faucet,
fault.
Derivatives: fail-ing, n., failing, prep. (q.v.)
failing, prep. - Prop. pres. part. of the verb fail.
failure, n. - Orig. jailer, fr. AF. fai/er, which
corresponds to F. faillir; infinitive used as a
noun. See fail, v.
fain, adj., I) glad; 2) compelled; 3) willing, eager.
- ME. fain, 'joyful', fr. OE. fzgen, 'glad, rejoicing', rei. to OS. fagan ON. feginn, 'glad',
OS., OHG. fagin6n, Goth.faginon, 'to rejoice',
OE. ge[eon, OHG. gifehan, 'to rejoice', ON.
fiiga, 'to adorn'. Cp. fawn, 'to act in a servile
manner'.
Derivatives: fain, adv., gladly, fain, v. (q.v.)
fain, intr. v., to rejoice. - OE. fzgnian, 'to rejoice', fr. fzgen. See fain, adj.
fainaigue, intr. v., to revoke at cards. - Of uncertain origin.
faineaat, adj., idle; n., an idler. - F. faineant,

'idler', altered by popular etymol. fr. OF. faignant, feignant, pres. part. of faindre, feindre, 'to
feign', often used in OF. in the sense 'to be
idle'. Faignant was changed by folk etymology
to faineant as though it denoted one who 'does
nothing', fr. faire, 'to do', and neant, .,nothing'.
See feign.
faint, adj. - ME. faint, feint, 'weak', fr. OF.
feint, 'soft, weak, sluggish', prop. pp. ofjeindre,
'to feign'. See feign.
Derivatives: faint, intr. v., faint, n., faint-ish,
adj., faint-ly, adv., faint-ness, n., faints ~q.v.)
faints, also feints, n. pl., the impure spirit which
comes last in the distillation of whisky. -From
prec. word.
fair, n., a gathering of buyers. - ME. faire, fr.
OF. faire (F. foire), fr. VL. feria (whence also
It. fiera, OProveno;. feira, fiera), fr. L. [eriae,
'holidays, festivals', fr. OL. [esiae, which is rei.
to L. festus, 'solemn, festive, joyous'. See feast
and cp. fane, ferial.
fair, adj., beautiful. - ME. fair, fayer, faiger,
fr. OE.fzger, rei. to OS.fagar, ON.fagr, OHG.
[agar, 'beautiful', Goth. fagrs, 'fit', ON. fiiga,
'to adorn', MLG., Du., MHG. vegen, 'to
sweeep', and cogn. with Lith. puosiu, 'I decorate'. Cp. feague.
Derivatives: fair, adv., fair-ly, adv., fair-ness, n.
fairy, n.- ME. faierie, 'enchantment, fairy', fr.
OF. faerie (F. [eerie), 'enchantment', fr. fae
(F. fee), 'fairy'. See fay, 'fairy'.
Derivatives: fairy, adj., fairy-dam, n., fairyhood, D., fairy-ism, n., fairy-like, adj.
fairy tale. -Loan translation of F. conte de fe.
faith, D. - ME. feith, fr. OF. feid, fei (F. foi),
fr. L. fidem, ace. of fides, 'trust, belief'. See bid
and cp. fidelity and words there referred to.
Derivatives: faith-ful, adj., faith-ful-ly, adv.,
faith-ful-ness, n., faith-less, adj., faith-less-ly,
adv., faith-less-ness, n.
Faith, fern. PN. - From prec. word.
fake, tr. v., I) to counterfeit; 2) to alter, to tamper
with; intr. v., to practice faking (colloq.) Perh. a var. of feague.
Derivatives: fake, n., fak-er, n., fak-er-y, n.
fakir, n., a Moslem or Hindu ascetic beggar. Arab. faqlr, fr. f0jura, 'he was poor'.
Falange, n., the Fascist party in Spain. - Sp.
Falange (Espaiiola), '(Spanish) Phalanx', fr.
falange, 'phalanx', fr. L.phalanx,gen.phalangis,
fr. Gk. cpiliy~, gen. cp&Acxyyoc;. See phalanx.
Falangista, n., a member of the Falange. - Sp.
Falangista, formed fr. Falange (see prec. word)
with -ista, fr. L. -ista (see -ist). The formation
of the name is erroneous. It should be Falangita,
fr. Gk. cpAcxyytTl)c;, 'soldier in a phalanx', fr.
cpiliy~.

Falasba, n., one of a tribe of dark-skinned Jews

in Abyssinia. - Ethiop., lit. 'exiled, wanderer,
immigrant', fr. faldsa, 'he wandered', which is
rei. to Syr. p 1ldsh, 'he broke through', Akkad.
paliishu, 'to dig a hole'.

572

falbala, n., flounce, frill. - F., prob. an alteration of Franco-Proven9. far bella, 'fringe, lace',
which is prob. of imit. origin. Cp. furbelow.
falcate, adj., curved like a sickle. - L. falciitus,
'sickle-shaped, curved', fr. falx, gen. fa/cis,
'sickle', prob. a back formation fr. falcula, 'a
sickle' (which, however, was mistaken for the
dimin. of falx), fr. Ligurian *dalklii, whence also
Sicil. Z<Xyx)."l), the ancient name of Messina, lit.
'the hook-shaped town' (rei. to ~<Xyx).ov, 'sickle'). SeeM. N. Niedermann, Essais d'etymologie
et de critique verbale latines, Neuchatel, 1918,
pp. 17 If. Cp. falchion, falcon, falcula, falx. For
the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: falcat-ed, adj.
ralchion, n., 1) a short curved sword; (poet.) any
sword.-ME./auchoun, fr. OF.fauchon, fr. VL.
*falcionem, ace. of *falcio, dimin. of L. falx,
gen. fa/cis, 'sickle'. See prec. word and suff. -ion.
falciform, adj., sickle-shaped. - Formed fr.
L. falx, gen. fa/cis, 'sickle', and forma, 'form,
shape'. See falcate and -form.
falcon, n. - ME. faucoun fr. OF. ( = F.) faucon,
fr. Late L. falconem, ace. of falco, prop. 'the
bow-legged (animal)', and identical with L.
fa/co, -onis, 'bow-legged', fr. falx, gen. fa/cis,
'sickle', for which see falcate. For sense development cp. Gk. &pmJ, 'sickle; kite'. OHG.falcho
(MHG. va/ke, G. Falke), MDu. valke (Du. valk),
ON: falki, are Latin loan words. Cp. gerfalcon.
Derivatives: falcon, intr. v., falconer, n. (q.v.)
Falcon, n., the typical genus of falcons (ornithol.)
- L. fa/co. See falcon.
falconer, n. - ME. fauconer, fr. OF.falconier,
fauconier (F. fauconnier), fr. faucon. See falcon.
falcula, n., a sharp-pointed claw (zoo/.) - L.,
'sickle'. See falcate.
Derivatives: falcul-ar, falcul-ate, adjs.
falderal, also folderol, n., 1) a refrain in old
songs; 2) a trifle. - Perh. of imitative origin.
faldstool, n., a folding stool. - OE. faldestoel,
fr. ML. faldistolium, fr. OHG. faldstuol, which
is compounded of fa/dan, 'to fold', and stuol,
'stool, chair'. See fold and stool and cp. fauteuil.
Falemian, adj., pertaining to the ager Falernus
('Falemian field') in Italy, or to the wine grown
in it. - Formed with suff. -ian fr. L. Falernus,
'Falemian', fr. Faleril, name of the capital of
the Falisci. Cp. next word.
Faliscan, adj., pertaining to the Falisci, a people
of ancient Etruria. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Falisci, 'the Faliscans', which is rei. to Falerii, name of the capital of the Falisci. Cp.
prec. word.
fall, intr. v. - ME. fallen, fr. OE. feallan, rei. to
ON., Swed. falla, Du. val/en, OHG. /allan,
MHG. vallen, vain, G. fallen, Dan. fa/de and
prob. cogn. with Arm. p'ul, 'downfall', p'lanim,
'I fall down', Lith. puolu, pulti, Lett. puo/u, pu/t,
'to fall', OPruss. aupallai, 'finds' (orig. 'falls
upon'). All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*phol-, 'to fall'. Cp. feU, tr. v.

Derivatives: fall, n. (q.v.}, fall-ing, verbal n.

and adj.
fall, n. -Fr. fall, v. In the sense of 'autumn',
fall is short for 'the season of the falling leaves'.
fallacious, adj. - L. falliiciosus, 'deceitful, deceptive, fallacious', fr. falliix, gen. falliicis,
'deceitful'; fr. fal/ere, pp. fa/sus, 'to deceive'.
See false and -acious.
Derivatives :fallacious-ly, adv ..fallacious-ness, n.
fallacy, n. - L. falliicia, 'deceit, artifice, stratagem', fr. falliix, gen. falliicis. See prec. word
and-y (representing L. -ia).
fallal, n., a bit of finery.- An invented word.
fallalery, n., valueless finery. - Formed from
prec. word with suff. -ery.
fallen, pp. of fall. - ME. fallen, fr. OE. feallen,
'fallen', fr. feallan, 'to fall'. See fall, v.
fallible, adj. - Late L. fallibilis, fr. L. fallere,
'to deceive'. See false and -ible.
Derivatives: fallibil-ity, n., fallible-ness, n. fallibl-y, adv.
Fallopian, adj., discovered or described by Gabriel Fallopius (in Italian Gabriele Fallopio),
the celebrated Italian anatomist (1523-62).
Fallopian tubes, the oviducts of mammals. - So
called because they were discovered and first
di:scribed by Fallopius. See prec. word.
fallow, adj., brownish yellow. - OE. fealo, gen.
fealwes, 'dull-colored, yellow, yellowish red,
brown', rei. to OS. falu, ON. folr, MDu. vatu,
vale, Du. vaal, OHG. falo, MHG. val, valwer,
G. fahl, !alb, fr. I.-E. base *pel-, 'dark-colored,
gray', whence also OJ. palita/.1, 'gray', pii!J{iub
(for *piiln-du-), 'whitish, pale', Arm. a/ik',
'waves; white beard', a/evor, 'gray', Gk. 7te:At6<:;
(prob. for *7te::At-f6<:;), 'livid', 7te:At't"V6t:;, Ion.
7te::At8v6<:;, 'gray', 1te:M6<:;, (for *11:e:A16~ or *7te:Av6~). 'dark-colored, dusky', 7te::A~py6<:;, 'stork'
(for *11:e::Aocf -ocpy6<:;), 'stork', lit. 'the blackish
white bird', 7tll-e:toc, 'pigeon', lit. 'the darkcolored bird', 7to:At6<:; (prob. for *7tol-t-f6~).
'gray', L. pal/ere, 'to be pale', pallor, 'paleness',
pul/us, 'dark-colored, blackish gray, dusky',
pa/umbes, 'wood pigeon', lit. 'the dark-colored
bird', OSlav. plavu, Lith. palvas, 'sallow', pi/kas, 'grey', pilve, 'mud, mire', peli!, 'mouse',
OPruss. poa/is, 'pigeon', Mlr. liath, W. 1/wyd,
'gray'. Cp. appall, favel, pale, adj., pall, v., pallid, pallor, Pelargonium, Pellaean, peristeronic,
Pleiad, polyomyelitls.
fallow, n., land plowed, but left unsown. - ME.
fa/we ,fa/ow, fr. OE.fea/g,fealh, 'harrow', rei. to
OHG. fe/ga, of s.m., MHG. va/gen, ve/gen, 'to
plow up', and cogn. with Gaul. olka (for *po/kii-), whence Late L. olea, 'land fit for plowing'.
I.-E. *polkii- lit. means 'something turned', and
derives fr. base *pel-, 'to tum', whence also Gk.
1t6:Ao<:;, 'pivot (on which something turns)'. For
other derivatives of base *pel- see colony. Cp.
felly.
Derivatives: fallow, adj. and tr. v.
false, adj. - ME. fals, f1. OF. fals, fern. false

573

(F. faux, fem.fausse), fr. L.falsus, pp. offallere,

'to deceive', which is of uncertain etymology.
It is perh. cogn. with Gk. <p"l)/..6<:; or <p'ij:Ao~,
'deceitful', <p7JA66l~ Dor. <p~A66l, 'I deceive',
<p-f]A6l!J.IX, 'deception', <p-f]"A6lat~, 'deceit'. Cp. fail,
fallacy, faucet, fault.
Derivatives: false, adv., false-hood, n., false-ly,
adv., false-ness, n., falsify (q.v.), fals-ity, n.
falsetto n., an artificial voice (mus.) - It.,
dimin. of fa/so, 'false', fr. L. fa/sus. See prec.
word.
falsificate, n. - Late L. falsificiitus, pp. of falsificiire. See falsify and adj. suff. -ate;
Derivatives: falsification (q.v.), falsificat-or, n.
falsification, n. - F., fr. Late L. fa/sificiitionem,
ace. of falsificiitio, fr. falsificiitus, pp. of falsificiire. See next word and -ion.
falsify, tr. v. -F. falsifier, fr. Late L. falsificiire,
'to falsify'. See false and -fy.
Derivative: falsifi-er, n.
falsity, n. - OF. falsete (F. faussete), fr. Late
L.falsitiitem, ace. offalsitiis, 'falsity, falsehood',
fr. L. fa/sus. See false and -ity.
falter, intr. v., to waver. - ME. fa/teren, of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: falter, n., falter-ing, adj., faltering-ly, adv.
falx, n., a sickle-shaped structure (anat.} - L.
falx, 'sickle'. See falcate.
Fama, n., the personification of rumor in Roman
mythology.- L. See fame.
fame, n. - F. fame, fr. L. fiima, 'talk, report,
rumor, tradition, reputation, lit. 'saying', from
the stem offor,fiiri, pp.fiitus, 'to speak', rei. to
fateri, 'to confess', fiibula, 'narrative, account,
tale, story', fiis, 'divine law' (lit. 'utterance'), fr.
I.-E. base *bhii-, 'to speak, tell, say', whence
also or. bhanati, 'speaks', Arm. bay, gen. bayi,
'word, term', bay, 'he said', ban, gen. bani,
'word, speech, judgment', Gk. <p"l)fLL, 'I say',
<p-i)fL"I), Dor. <pd~, 'voice, report, rumor', <p<Xn<:;,
'saying, speech, report', OSiav. baj(!, bajati, 'to
talk, tell', basni, 'fable, tale, charm', OE. boian,
'to boast', ON. bon, OE. ben, 'prayer, request'.
Cp. phone, 'speech sound'. Cp. also abandon,
affable, aphasia, aphemia, apophasis, ban, 'to
prohibit', ban, 'edict', bandit, banish, bifarious,
blame, blaspheme, boon, confabulate, confess,
defamation, defame, euphemism, fabulous, fa.
mous, fascinate, fate, infamous, infamy, infant, infantry, multifarious, nefarious, -phasia,
-phemia, Polyphemus, preface, prefatory, profess, prophet, trifarious.
Derivatives: fame, tr. v., fam-ed, adj.
familiar, adj. -OF. ( = F.) familier, fr. L. familiiiris, 'pertaining to a household, domestic',
dissimilated fr. *familiii-lis, fr. familia, 'household'. See family and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: familiar, n., familiar-ism, n., familiarity (q. v .), familiar-ize, tr. v ., familiar-ization, n., familiar-iz-er, n., familiar-ly, adv.
familiarity, n. - F. familiarite, fr. L. familiiiri-

fancy
tiitem, ace. of familiiiritiis, fr. familiiiris. See
familiar and -ity.
family, n.- L.fami/ia, fr.famulus, fr. OL.famul,
'servant', which is of uncertain origin. It possibly means lit. 'belonging to the house', and
derives fr. I.-E. base *dh~-mo-, 'house', whence
also 01. dMman, 'seat, house', Gk. -&"octfL6<:;
(Hesychius), 'house'. Base *dht-mo- is an enlargement of base *dhe-, 'to put, place; to do,
make'. See do and fact and cp. famulus and the
second element in forisfamiliate.
Derivatives: famili-al, adj.,familiar (q.v.)
famine, n. - F., fr. VL. *famina, fr. L. fames,
'hunger', which is of uncertain origin. For the
ending see -ine (representing L. -ina). Cp.
next word.
famish, tr. and intr. v.- Formed on analogy of
synonymous verbs in -ish fr. L. fames, 'hunger'.
See prec. word.
Derivative: famish-ing, adj.
famous, adj. - OF. fameus (F. fameux), fr. L.
fiimosus, 'much talked of, renowned', fr. fiima.
See fame and -ous.
Derivatives: famous-ly, adv., famous-ness, n.
ramulus, n., attendant, esp. on a magician. L., 'servant'. See family.
fan, n., an instrument for winnowing.- ME., fr.
OE. fann, fr. L. vannus, 'winnowing fan'. See
van, 'winnowing fan'.
Derivatives: fan, tr. and intr. v., to winnow,
fann-er, n., fann-ing, n.
fan, n., an enthusiastic supporter of any sport,
esp. of base-ball (U.S. Slang).- Shortened fr.
fanatic.
fana, n., nullification of the will of the individual
before the divine will (an important principle
of Sufism).- Arab. fanli', 'disappearance', inf.
of faniya, 'he passed away, disappeared', rei. to
Heb. piind", Aram.-Syr. ptna, 'he turned', He b.
piintm, 'face', liphnt, 'in front of, before' Ethiop.
fanawa, 'he sent away'.
fanam, n., a small coin formerly in use in India.
- Formed, through the medium of Arabic, fr.
Tamil pa!Jam, 'money', fr. OI. pa!JQ/.1, lit. 'bet,
wager', from the stem of paJJate,'barters, purchases'. The change of p to f is due to the
Arabic, whose alphabet has no p. OI. pa!JQte
stands for *prJJate, fr. *p/JJate, fr. I.-E. base
*pel-, 'to sell, purchase, barter, gain', whence
also Gk. 7t6lAe:i'l, 'to sell'. See monopoly.
fanatic, n. and adj. - L. fiiniiticus, 'pertaining
to a temple, inspired, enthusiastic', fr. fiinum,
'temple'. See fane and -atic.
Derivatives: fanatic-al, adj., fanatic-al-ly, adv.,
fanatic-al-ness, n., fanatic-ism, n., fanatic-ize, tr.
and intr. v.
fancier, n. - Lit., one who fancies'; formed from
next word with agential suff. -er.
fancy, n.- ME. fantsy, contraction of fantasy.
See fantasy.
Derivatives: fancy, adj. and tr. v., fanci-ful,
adj., fanci-ful-ly, adv., fanci-ful-ness, n.

fandangle

fandangle, n., a fantastic ornament. - Prob.

formed from next word.
fandango, n., a lively Spanish dance. - Sp., of
uncertain origin; perh. assimilated fr. *fadango,
a supposed derivative of/ado, name of a popular
song and dance in Portugal, which derives fr.
L. fiitum, 'fate, destiny' (see fate), and was so
called because the fado describes poetically the
destiny of the players.
fane, n., temple (poet.) - L. fiinum, fr. earlier
/as-nom, 'a consecrated place', which is rei. to
Oscan /iisnu, ace. fiisnam, 'temple'. See fair,
'gathering of buyers' and feast and cp. profane.
For the disappearance of the original s in L.
/iinum cp. L. pon6 (for *posin6, *posno), dinumero
(for *disnumero), 'I count up, enumerate', and
many other compound verbs with pref. di- (for
dis-).

fanfare, n., a flourish of trumpets. - F., of imitative origin.

fanfaronade, n., 1) a fanfare; 2) a boasting talk.F. fanfaronnade, fr. Sp. fanfarronada, 'boast,
brag', fr. fanfarron, 'blusterer, swaggerer', dissimi!. fr. Arab. farftir, 'babbler', which is of
imitative origin. For the ending see suff. -ade.
fang, n., a long pointed tooth. - ME., lit. 'that
which catches or seizes', fr. OE. fang, 'a catching, seizing', from the now dial. fang, 'to catch,
seize, take', fr. ME.fangen, fr. earlier fongen,fon,
fr. OE. jon, of s.m., rei. to ON. fanga, OFris.
fangia, MLG., MDu., Du. vangen, G. fangen,
ON., OFris.fa, OS., OHG., Goth.fiihan, MHG.
viihen, for Teut. *fanxan, 'to catch, seize, take',
fr. I.-E. base *pank-, a nasalized form of base
*piik-, *piig-, 'to make firm, to fix', whence L.
piicfsci, 'to covenant, make a treaty, agree, stipulate', piix, gen. piicis, 'peace'. See pact and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also vang, infangthief, outfangthief, newfangled.
Derivatives: fang-ed, adj., fang-less, adj.
Fanny, fern. PN. - Dimin. of Frances (q.v.)
fanon, n., a maniple.- ME.fanoun, fr MF. (=F.)
/mum, fr. Frankish *fano, rei. to OS.fano, Goth.
fana, 'piece of cloth', OHG. fano, MHG. van(e),
G. Fahne, 'flag, standard'. See pane and cp.
panel, vane and the second element in gonfalon.
fan-tan, a Chinese gambling game. - Chin.
fantasia, n., an instrumental composition free in
form (mus.)- It., fr. L. phantasia. See fantasy.
fantassin, n., an infantry soldier. - F., fr. It.
fantaccino, fr. /ante, 'boy; infantry soldier',
which is aphetic for infante. See infant and cp.
fantoccini.
fantast, n. - ML. phantasta, fr. Gk. qxwr~O"'rij.;,
'one who is fond of display, a boaster', fr.
cpotv-r<X~e:tv, 'to make visible'. See phantasm.
fantastic, adj.- OF. ( = F.), fr. ML. /antasticus,
fr. Late L. phantasticus, fr. Gk. qxwr~CJTtx6c;,
'able to present to the mind', fr. q>~v-r~O"'rijc;. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: fantastic-al, adj., fantastic-al-ity,
n., fantastic-al-ly, adv., fantastic-al-ness, n.

574

fantasy, phantasy, n. - OF. fantasie (F. fantaisie), fr. L. phantasia, fr. Gk. q>~v-.~cr(ii, 'look,
appearance, imagination, image', fr. cp~v-.&~e:tv,
'to make visible'. See phantasm and -y (representing Gk. -ii) and cp. fancy.
Derivative: fantasy, tr. and intr. v.
fantoccini, n. pl., puppets; a puppet show.
It., pl., dimin. of fantoccio, 'puppet', dimin. of
/ante, 'child'. See infant and cp. fantassin.
far, adv. and adj. - ME. fer, feor, fr. OE. feorr,
adv. and adj., rel. to OS. ferr, fer, ON. fjarre,
OFris. fer, fir, Du. ver, OHG. ferro, MHG.
verre, adv., OHG. ferrana, MHG. verrene,
verne, 'from afar', G. fern, adj. and adv., Goth.
fairra, adv., fr. I.-E. base *per-, 'through,
across, beyond', whence also 01. ptira/.1, 'farther, remoter, ulterior', partil), 'beyond' (adv.),
Toch. A parne, parnamfie, 'outer, exterior',
Hitt. parii (a postpos.), 'outside of', Arm. heti,
'far, remote', Gk. m\pii, 'across, beyond',
rre:p~'ioc;, 'being or dwelling beyond', L. per,
'through', Oir. ire, 'farther, that is beyond',
and prob. L. perperam, 'wrongly, falsely' (for
*per-peram, 'beyond'). See fare, 'to prosper',
and cp. fore, adv. Cp. also para-, 'beside', per,
Perean, peri-, pro-.
Derivatives: far, adj. ,far, tr. v. (fr. OE.feorran).
farad, n., the unit of electric capacity. -Named
after the English physicist Michael Faraday
(179I-I867).
faradic, adj., pertaining to induced electrical currents.- Lit. 'pertaining to Faraday'. See prec.
word and -ic.
farandole, n., a dance of Proven9. origin. - F.,
fr. Proven9. farandoulo.
farce, n., a light comedy. - F., 'stuffing, forcemeat; farce; practical joke', fr. OF. farce, 'stuffing', fr. VL. *farsa, fern. of *farsus, pp. of L.
farcire, 'to stuff, cram', which is of uncertain
etymology. It is perh. rei. to L. frequens, gen.
-tis, 'crowded, constant', and cogn. with Toch.
A prakiir, B priikre, 'firm, solid', Gk. cpp<Xcrcre:tv
(for *cpp&x1e:tv), 'to press', Mir. bare, gen. biiirce,
'fortress' (but Lith. bruku, 'I press into', is not
cognate). Cp. frequent. Cp. also Phragmites,
cataphract, diaphragm, infarct.
Derivatives: farceur (q.v.), farc-ic-al, adj., farcic-al-ity, n., farc-ic-al-ly, adv.,farc-ic-a/-ness, n.
farce, tr. v., to stuff, season. - ME. farcen, farsen, fr. OF. farsir (F. farcir), fr. L. farcire, 'to
stuff, cram'. See farce, n., andcp. force, 'to stuff'.
Derivative: farc-ing, n.
farceur, n., a joker. - F., fr. farce. See farce, n.
farcy, n., a disease of horses. - F. farcin, fr. L.
farcimen, 'sausage; a disease of horses', fr.
farcire, 'to stuff, cram'. See farce, v. and n.
Card, n., paint for the face (archaic). - F. fard,
'paint', fr. larder, 'to paint', prob. fr. Frankish
*farwidhon, 'to dye' (cp. OHG. farawen, of
s.m., fr. farawa, 'appearance, color', whence
MHG. varwe, of s.m., G. Farbe, 'color'.
Derivative: fard, tr. v.

farthingale

575

fardel, n., a bundle; a burden. - OF. fardel

(F. fardeau), dimin. of farde, fr. Arab. farda",
in vulgar pronunciation ftirde, 'package'.
fardel, n., the fourth part. - Haplologic contraction of OE. jeorila ~1. 'fourth part'. See
fourth and deal, 'to distribute', and cp. farl.
Cp. also firkin.
fare, intr. v., to prosper. - ME. faren, 'to go,
travel', fr. OE. faran, rei. to OS., OHG., Goth.
faran, ON., OFris. fara, Du. varen, MHG. varn,
G. fahren, of s.m., fr. Teut. base *far-, which
corresponds to I.-E. *per-, 'to pass over',
whence 01. piparti, 'brings over', piirtiyati, 'carries over', Gk. rr6po~, 'passage, way', rrope:ue:tv,
'to bring, carry, convey', 1tepiiv, 'beyond',
rrepiiv, 'to press through', rre:pe:tv (for *rrtple:tv),
'to penetrate', rre:ip~. Lesb. rrE:pp~ (for *rrE:p1~).
'trial, attempt', ~1-'--rre:tpo~, 'experienced, skillful',
L. peritus, 'experienced', experiri, 'to pass
through, experience',perfcu/um, 'danger',portus,
'harbor', portiire, 'to carry', Arm. hordan, 'to
go away', Alb. pruva, prura, 'he brought, led'.
Cp. far, fere, ferry, firk, ford, fUhrer, the first
element in Ferdinand, and the second element
in fieldfare, welfare and in chaffer, gaberdine.
Cp. also apeiron, emporium, experience, expert,
opportune, per, peril, peroneal, porch, pore,
Porpita, port, 'to carry (a rifle)', port, 'harbor',
port, 'gate', porter, portico.
Derivatives: fare, n. (q.v.), far-er, n.
fare, n., passage, transportation. - ME., fr. OE.
faru, 'journey, expedition, baggage', rei. to
OE. faran, 'to go, travel'. See fare, v.
farewell, interj.- Orig. written in two words/are
well. See fare, v., and well, adv., and cp. welfare.
Derivatives: farewell, n. and adj.
farina, n., meal, flour. -- L. farina, 'ground meal
or flour', for *farrina, fr.far, gen. farris, 'coarse
grain, corn, meal', which is cogn. with ON.
barr, OE. here, 'barley', Goth. barizeins, 'of
barley', and prob. also with Russ. bor', 'a kind of
millet', Oir. bairgen, W., Co., Bret. bara, 'bread',
OSlav. bra~ino, 'food', Russ. bOroJno, 'rye meal'.
Cp. farrage, confarreation. Cp. also barley, bam,
barton.
farinaceous, adj., containing meal; resembling
meal. - Late L. fariniiceus, fr. L. farina. See
farina and -aceous.
farinose, adj., yielding farina; resembling farina.
-Late L.farinosus, fr. L.farina. See farina and
adj. suff. -ose.
-Carious, combining form meaning -'fold'.- L.
-forius. See bifarious and cp. words there referred to.
Carl, n., a thin cake of oatmeal. - The orig.
meaning was 'the fourth part (of a cake); contracted fr. fardel, 'the fourth part' (q.v.)
farm, n. - ME. ferme, 'rent, lease', fr. MF.
(= F.) ferme, 'lease', fr. ML.firma, 'fixed payment', fr. L.firmiire, 'to strenghten, fix, establish',
fr. firmus, 'strong, fixed, firm'. See firm, adj.
Derivatives: farmer (q.v.), farm-ing, n.

farmer, n. - ME. fermour, fr. AF. fer~er, corresponding to F. fermier, fr. ML. firmiirius'
fr.firma. See prec .word and agential suff. -er. In
some meanings, the noun farmer derives directly
from the noun farm.
faro, n., a gambling game at cards. - So called
because the picture of the Egyptian Pharooh
was formerly represented on one of the cards.
See Pharaoh.
far-off, adj., remote. - Fr. far, adv., and off;
first used by Shakespeare.
farouche, adj., shy, wild. - F., 'wild, fierce, savage', fr. OF. faroche, fr. forasche, fr. Late L.
forasticus, 'foreign, strange', whence developed
the sense of 'fierce, wild'. Late L. forasticus
derives fr. L.foriis, 'out of doors, out', which is
related to L. foris, 'outside'. See door and cp.
foreign, forisfamiliate, dehors.
farraginous, adj., forming a medley. - Formed
with suff. -ous fr. L. farrago, gen. -ginis. See
next word.
farrago, n., a medley.- L.famigo, 'mixed fodder',
fr. far, gen. farris, 'coarse grain, corn, meal'.
See farina and cp. prec. word.
farrier, n., 1) one who shoes horses; a blacksmith;
2) (archaic) a veterinary surgeon. - ME. ferrour, fr. OF. ferrier, fr. L. ferranus, 'blacksmith', fr. ferrum, 'iron', fr. *fersom, a word
of Sem. origin. Cp. Heb.-Phoen. barzet, Syr.
parz~lti, Akkad. parzillu, 'iron'. According to
my opinion, the loss of the Sem. ending -el,
resp. -illu is prob. due to its having been mistaken for the Latin dimin. suff. -ellus, -illus and
consequently dropped. It is very probable that
the Etruscans who coming from Asia Minor
settled in Etruria, served as mediators, a supposition rendered probable by the circumstance
that in Europe, iron appears for the first time
in Etruria. Cp. ferro-. Cp. also brass, brazen.
Derivatives: farrier, intr. v., farrier-y, n.
farrow, n., a litter of pigs. -- OE. fearh, 'young
pig', rei. to OHG. farh, farah, 'pig', farhili(n),
MHG. verhe/in, G. Ferkel, 'little pig', and cognate with L. porcus, 'pig'. See pork and cp. the
second element in aardvark.
Derivatives: farrow, adj. and tr. and intr. v.
farther, adj. and adv., compar of far. -A blend
of ME. ferrer, compar. of fer, 'far', and further.
See far and cp. forth and farthest.
Derivative: farther, adv.
farthest, adj. and adv. -A blend of furthest and
farther.
farthing, n., the fourth part of a penny. - ME.
ferthing, fr. OE. feorilung, lit., 'a little fourth',
fr. OE. jeoroa, 'fourth', fr. /eower, 'four'. See
four and subst. suff. -ing and cp. fourth.
farthingale, n., a hooped petticoat. - ME. vardingale, fr. OF. verdugale (F. vertugade, vertugadin), fr. Sp. verdugado, 'hooped; hoopskirt',
fr. verdugo, 'young shoot of a tree; hoop for
a ring', fr. verde, 'green', fr. L. viridis, 'green'.
See Yiridity.

fasces

fasces, n. pl., a bundle of rods containing an ax,

carried before Roman magistrates, as a symbol
of authority. - L. fasces, 'bundles', pl. of
fascis, prob. cogn. with Mlr. base, 'neckband',
W. baich, 'load, burden', OBrit. bascauda, 'rinsing bowl of brass', Maced. Gk. ~&crxwL (pl.),
'bundle of wood', OE. b;est, 'inner bark of the
linden tree'. See bast and cp. basket. Cp. also
fascia, fascicule, Fascism, fess.
fascia, n., band; a horizontal part of the architrave (archit.) - L., 'band, fillet, bundle', fr.
fascis, 'bundle'. See prec. word.
fasciate, fasciated, adj., bound with a band;
grown together.- L. fasciiitus, pp. of fasciiire,
'to bind with a band, to swathe', fr./ascia. See
prec. word and the adj. suffixes -ate and -ed.
Derivatives: fasciate-ly, adv., fasciate-ly, adv.,
fasciat-ion, n.
fascicle, n., 1) a small bunch (bot.); 2) an installment of a book published in parts. - L.
fasciculus, 'a small bundle, a bunch', dimin. of
fascis. See fasces and cp. fascicule.
fascicular, adj., pertaining to a fascicle. Formed with suff. -ar, fr. L. fasciculus. See
prec. word.
fasciculate, adj., fascicular. - See prec. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: fasciculat-ed, adj., fasciculate-ly,
adv., fasciculat-ion, n.
fascicule, n., fascicle.- L. fasciculus. See fascicle.
fascinate, tr. v., to attract, charm. - L. fascinatus, pp. of fasciniire, 'to enchant, bewitch,
charm', fr. fascinum, 'charm, witchcraft', which
was prob. borrowed fr. Gk. ~&crxavo~, 'sorcerer', but was later formally associated with L.
fori, 'to speak', or with L. fascis, 'bundle'. Gk.
[3&crxavo~ (whence ~acrxa(ve;Lv, 'to bewitch'),
prob. derives from a Northern-possibly
Thracian-equivalent of Gk. <p&crxe;Lv, 'to say',
fr. I.-E. *bht-sko-, pres. tense enlargement of
base *bhii-, 'to speak', whence Gk. !p'l)f.L(, 'I say',
9-fJf.L'IJ, 'a voice, report', L. /iima, 'report, rumor,
tra<!ition, reputation',/iiri, 'to speak'. See fame
and verbal suff. -ate. L. fascinum is not related
to L. fascis, 'bundle'. See Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, 459, and Frisk, GEW., I, 223-224. For
the sense development of Gk. [3&crxavo~, 'sorcerer', ~acrxa(ve:Lv, 'to bewitch', from a base
meaning 'to speak', cp. G. besprechen, 'to speak
of; to charm', fr. sprechen, 'to speak'.
Derivatives: fascinat-ed, adv., fascinat-ed-ly,
adv., fascinat-ed-ness, n., fascinat-ing, adj.,
fascinat-ing-ly, adv., fascination (q.v.), fascinative, adj., fascinat-or, n.
fascination, n.- L./ascim1ti6, gen. -6nis, fr./asciniitus, pp. of fasciniire. See prec. word and -ion.
fascine, n., a bundle of sticks used to fill ditches,
etc. - F., fr. L. fascina, 'a bundle of sticks,
fagot', fr.fascis, 'a bundle'. See fasces and subst.
suff. -ine.
Fascism, n. - It. /ascismo, formed fr. fascia,
'bundle; political group, organization', fr. L.

576
fasces, 'bundle', with suff. -ismo ( = L. -ismus).
See fasces and -ism.
Fascist, n. - It. fascista, formed fr. fascia with
suff. -ista (representing Gk. -Lcr-d)c;). See prec.
word and -ist.
Derivatives :fascist ,fascist-ic, adjs.,fascist"ic-ally, adv.
fash, tr. and intr. v., to worry. - OF. fascher
(F. /iicher), fr. VL. *fasticiire (whence also
OProven9. fastic, 'disgust', fastigos, 'disdainful'), alteration of *fastidiiire, fr. L.fastidire, 'to
feel.disgust, to loathe', fr. fastidium, 'distaste,
disgust'. See fastidious.
Derivative: fash, n.
fashion, n.- ME./aciun,fasoun,fassoun, fr. OF.
faron,/aceon ( = F./aron), fr. L.facti6nem, ace.
of /actio, 'a making; a faction', fr. factus, pp. of
facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. faction,
which is a doublet of fashion.
Derivatives: fashion, tr. v., fashion-able, adj.,
fashion-able-ness, n.,fashion-abil-ity, n.,fashionabl-y: adv.,Jashion-ed, adj.,Jashion-er, n., fashion-i.st, n., fashion-ize, tr. v.
fast, adj., fixed, established, firm ; swift. - ME.
fast, fr. OE. f;est, rei. to ON. fastr, OS., ODu.
fast, Dan., Swed., Du. vast, OFris. fest, OS.,
OHG. festi, MHG. vest, veste, G./est, fr. I.-E.
base *past-, 'firm', whence also Arm. hast, 'fast,
firm', and OI. pastyam, 'dwelling place', orig.
'a firm, established place'. Cp. fast, 'abstinence
from food'. Cp. also avast.
Derivatives: fast, adj. and adv., fasten (q.v.),
fast-ish, adj., fastness (q.v.)
fast, intr. v., to abstain from food.- ME. fasten,
fr. OE. f;estan, 'to abstain from food', rel. to
ON. fasta, OHG. fasten, MHG. vasten, G. fasten, Goth. (ga)fastan. These verbs orig. meant
'to hold firmly'. They are related to the adjective
fast (q.v.)
Derivatives: fast, n., fast-er, n., fast-ing, n. and
adj., fast-ing-ly, adv.
fasten, tr. and intr. v. - ME. fastnen, festnen,
fr. OE. f;estnian, 'to fasten, fix; to conclude
(peace); to ratify', fr. f;est, 'fix'. See fast, adj.,
and verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: fasten-er, n., fasten-ing, n.
fasti, n. pl., a chronological register of events.L. Jasti, 'a day on which courts could be held,
a calendar', pl. of fiistus, orig. 'a day on which
it is allowed to speak', rei. to fiis, 'divine law'
(lit. 'utterance'),/iiri, 'to speak, to utter'. See fame.
fastidious, adj., hard to please. - L. fastidi6sus,
'full of disgust, disdainful', fr. fastidium, 'distaste, squeamishness, loathing', which is a haplologic contraction of *fasti-tidium, fr. /astus,
gen. -us, 'pride, haughtiness, arrogance', and
taedium, 'weariness, tediousness'. The first element of this compound is of uncertain origin.
It is perh. rel. to the first element in L. fastigium,
'gable, end'; see next word and cp. fasb. For the
second element see tedium, for the ending see
suff. -ous.

;}If

Derivatives :fastidious-ly, adv .,fastidious-ness, n.

fastigiate, adj., rising toward a point.- Formed
with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. fastigium, 'gable end,
top, summit; highest degree', which prob.
stands for *farstigium, and lit. means 'driving
to the top'. The first element of this compound
is cogn. with 01. bhuti/;1, 'point, spike', OE.
byrst, ON., OHG. burst, 'bristle', OE. brord,
'prickle, top, germ', Oir. barr, 'top, summit,
spear, foliage, tuft', W., Co. bar, Bret. barr,
'summit', Mlr. brat, 'prick, prickle', OSlav.
briizda, 'bridle, rein', OE. b;ers, bears, 'barse'.
See bur and cp. fastuous. Cp. also bar, 'maigre',
barse, bass, 'perch', beard, 'device for cleaning',
bristle. The second element in L. fastigium is rel.
to agere, 'to drive'. See agent and cp. the second
element in castigate and in words there referred to.
fastness, n. - ME. fastnesse, fr. OE. f;estnes, fr.
f;est, 'fast'. See fast, adj., and -ness.
fastuous, adj., proud, arrogant, ostentatious. F. fastueux (fern. fastueuse), fr. L. fastu6sus, a
collateral form of fast6sus, 'proud, haughty,
arrogant', fr. fastus, gen. -iis, 'pride, haughtiness, arrogance'. See fastigiate and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: fastuous-ly, adv., fastuous-ness, n.
fat, adj.- ME.fatt,/at, fr. OE./:itt, contraction
of flitted, pp. of/littian, 'to fatten', rei. to ON.
feitr, OFris. fatt, Jet, MLG., MDu., Du. vet,
OHG. Jei3it, MHG. vei3(e)t, G. feist, 'fat' (G.
fett, 'fat', is a LG. loan word). These adjectives
are prop. pps. of Teut. *faitian, 'to feed, fatten'
(appearing in ON. feita, OHG. Jei3en), fr. I.-E.
base *poid-, *pfd-, 'to abound in water, milk,
fat, etc.', whence also Gk. 7t"L/1Ue;Lv, 'to gush
forth', 1t"L8a~, 'spring, fountain', 7tt81)e:L<;, 'rich
in springs'. Base *poid-, *p/d-, is a-d-enlargement of base *poi-, *pf-, 'sap, juice; to abound
in sap or juice, etc.', whence OI. payate, 'swells,
exuberates', payas-, 'water, milk', Lith. pienas,
'milk'. Cp. OI. pitu/;1, 'juice, sap, resin, drink',
ptvan, 'fat, fatty', piva/;1 'fat, grease', Gk. m-ru~.
'the pine tree', 1tfwv, 'fat, wealthy', n"Lap, 'fat,
tallow', 7tL!JZAlj, 'fat', nLcraa (for *nbqa), 'pitch',
L. pinguis, 'fat', pituita, 'slime, phlegm, viscous
moisture', L. pix, 'pitch', opimus, 'fat, fertile,
rich', which also derive from enlargements of
base *poi-, *pl-. Cp. pay, 'to coat with pitch',
pimelosis, pinguid, pip, pitch, 'a resinous substance', pituitary and the second element in
propionic. Cp. also pine, the tree, and words
there referred to.
Derivatives: fat, n., fat, v. (q.v.), fat-less, adj.,
fat-ling, n., fat-lU?ss,n.,/att-eQ, tr.v.,fatt-ish,adj.,
fatt-ish-ness, n., fatt-y, adj., fatt-i-ly, adv., fatti-ness, n.
fat, tr. and intr. v.- ME. fatten, fr. OE./zttian,
'to grow fat', fr./tett, 'fat'. See fat, adj.
fat, n., vessel. - ME. fat, fr. OE. faet; a var. of
vat (q.v.) Cp. fettle.
fatal, adj.,- OF. ( = F.) fatal, fr. L. fotiilis, 'or-

dained by fate', fr. fiitum, 'fate'. See fate and

adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: fatal-ism, n., fatal-ist, n., fatal-istic, adj., fatal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv., fatality (q.v.)
fatality, n. -F. fatalite, fr. VL. /iitiilitiitem, ace.
of fiitiilitiis, 'fatal necessity', fr. L. /iitiilis. See
prec. word and -ity.
fata morgana, mirage. - It. ; a name orig. given
to the mirages that are often to be seen in the
streets of Messina. The name lit. means 'the
fairy Morgana'; Morgana itself derives fr. Arab.
marjdn, 'pearl', used also as a female name, and
is to be explained from the Arabic popular
belief which ascribes mirages to the work of the
sorceress Marjdn. See fairy and margaric,
marguerite.
fate, n.- ME., fr. OF. fate, fr. L.fiitum, 'oracle,
fate, destiny', lit. 'that which is spoken', neut.
pp. of for, fiiri, 'to speak; to foretell', used as
a noun, rel. to fiima, 'report, rumor, tradition,
reputation'. See fame and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also fandango and the second element in Boniface, mauvais.
Derivative: fat-ed, adj.
fateful, adj. -- Coined by the English poet
Alexander Pope (1688-1744) fr. fate and -ful.
Derivatives: fateful-ly, adv., fateful-ness, n.
father, n. - ME. fader, fr. OE. f;eder, rei. to OS.
fadar, ON. fa/Jir, Dan., Swed. fader, OFris.
feder, Du. vader, OHG.fater, MHG., G. vater,
Goth. fadar (occurring only 6nce), and cogn.
with 01. pitar-, Toch. Apiicar, B pacer, Arm.
hayr, Gk. 1ta-d)p, L. pater, Oir. athir, 'father'.
All these words are traceable to pa, a child's
word for 'father'. Cp. pater, 'father'. Cp. also
expatriate, impetrate, Jupiter, padre, parricide,
patriarch, Patrician, patrimony, patron, pattern,
pere, perpetrate, repair, 'to resort', repatriate.
Derivatives :father, tr. v.,Jather-hood; n., fatherland (q.v.), father-less, adj., father-ly, adj.,
father-/i-ness;-n.
fatherland, n. - Loan translation of_ G. Vaterland, which itself is a loan translation of L.
patria (sci!. terra), 'native land', lit. 'father's
land'.
fathom, n. - ME. fadme, fathme, 'fathom, the
outstretched arms', fr. OE. f;eom, 'the outstretched arms, embrace, bosom, fathom', rei.
to ON.fa/Jmr, 'embrace, bosom', OFris.fethem,
'thread', OS. fathmos (pl.), 'the outstretched
arms, fathom', OHG. fadum, /adam, MHG.
vadem, vaden, G. Faden, 'thread', Dan. favn,
Norw., Swed.famn, 'fathom', fr. Teut. *fajJ-ma,
'embrace', corresponding to I.-E. *pet-tmii,
whence-with the regular loss ot the initial pOW. etem, W. eda/, 'thread'; fr. I.-E. base *pet-,
'to spread', which occurs also in Gk. lttraw{JVaL,
'to spread out', ma:Aov, 'leaf', L. patere, 'to
be open', patera, 'a broad fiat dish used in
offerings', patulus, 'extended, open', passus (for
*pat-tus), 'step, pace', pandere, 'to spread out',
Lith. petjs, OPruss. pettis, 'shoulder'. Cp. fother,

Tatnom

'a weight'. Cp. also expand, expanse, pace,

pan, 'a broad vessel', pandiculation, pandy,
passage, passim, passport, paten, patent, patera,
patibulary, patina, patio, patulous, petal, petalon,
Petasites, petasus, sur- pass, trespass.
Derivatives:fathom, tr. v. (q.v.),/atlzom-age, n.,
fathom-er, n., fathom-less, adj., fathom-less-ly,
adv., fathom-less-ness, n.
fathom, tr. v. - ME. /admen, fathmen, fr. OE.
f;eomian, 'to embrace, surround, envelop', fr.
f;eom. See fathom, n.
fatidic, fatidical, adj., prophetic. - L. flitidicus,
'predicting future events, prophetic, prophesying', compounded of fatum, 'prophecy, fate,
destiny', and dicere, 'to say, tell'. See fate and
diction.
fatigue, n. - F., back formation fr. fatiguer, 'to
fatigue', fr. L. fatlgare, 'to weary, tire, vex,
worry', fr. *fati-agos, */ati-igos, 'driving toward
exhaustion', fr. *fati, 'exhaustion, weariness',
and agere, 'to drive'. *Fa-ti, the first element of
this compound is rei. to af-fatim (whence with
back formation fatim), 'sufficiently' (lit. 'to
weariness'). For the second element see agent,
adj., and cp. the second element in castigate and
in words there referred to. Cp. also indefatigable.
fatigue, tr. v. -- F. fatiguer. See fatigue, n.
Derivatives: fatigue-less, adj., fatigu-ing, adj.,
fatigu-ing-ly, adv.
fatuity, n., silliness, foolishness.- F. fatuite, fr.
L. fatuitalem, ace. of fatuitas, 'foolishness,
folly', fr. fatuus. See next word and -ity.
fatuous, adj., silly, foolish. - L. fatuus, 'foolish,
silly, simple; tasteless'. See fade and cp. infatuate. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
Derivatives: fatuous-ly, adv., fatuous-ness, n.
faubourg, n., outskirts, suburb.- ME. faubourg,
fabour, fr. MF. faux bourg (F. faubourg), fr.
OF. forsbourc, lit. 'that which is outside of the
town', fr. OF. pref. fors, 'outside' (fr. L. /oris)
and bourc, 'town'; see forum and borough. The
change of OF. forsbourc to F. faubourg (MF.
faux bourg), lit. 'a false town', is due to folk
etymology; the suburb was looked upon as a
not genuine town.
faucal, adj., pertaining to the upper part of the
throat. - Formed with adj. suff. -a! fr. L.
fauces, 'the upper part of the throat', which is
of uncertain origin. Cp. suffocate.
fauces, n. pl., the cavity at the back of the mouth,
leading to the pharynx (anat.) - L. See prec.
word.
faucet, n., a tap for drawing liquid.- F. fausset,
'vent plug, fr.fausser, "to make false, to falsify',
fr. Late L. falsiire, fr. L. fa/sus. See false and -et.
faucitis, n., inflammation of the fauces (med.)A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. fauces and -itis,
a suff. of Greek origin.
faugh, intcrj.; an cxclarnu.ion of disgust or
abhorrence. - Imitative.
faujasite, n., a na,; .o..~rn, calcium and aluminum

578

silicate (mineral.) - Named after the French

geologist Barthelemy Faujas de Saint-Fond
(174I-I8t9). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fault, n. - ME. faute, fr. OF. ( = F.) faute, fr.
VL. *fallita, fern. pp. of fallere, 'to deceive, disappoint; to fail'; see fail, v., and cp. default.
The I in fault is intrusive and was originally
mute in pronunciation; its insertion into the
word is due to the influence of L. fallere. For
the insertion of the I cp. vault.
Derivatives: fault, intr. v., fault-ful, adj., faultful-ly, adv., fault-ing; n., fault-less, adj., faultless-ly, adv., fault-y, adj., faulti-ly, adv., faulti-ness, n.
faun, n., one of a class of deities represented with
horns, pointed ears and goat's feet. - L. Faunus. See fauna.
Fauna, n., sister of Faunus (Greek mythol.) See next word.
fauna, n., a collective name for the animals of a
certain region or time. - ModL., fr. L. Fauna
g~ddess of fruitfulness in Roman mythology:
stster of Faunus. These names are of uncertain
origin. They are perh. cogn. with Gk . .&rxuvo~
(Hesychius), 'wild beast', Illyr. ~cxuvo~. Daunus
(name of a fabulous king said to have reigned
in a part of Apulia), fr. I.-E. *dhau-no-, 'wild
beast, strangler', enlargement of base *dhau-, 'to
strangle', whence OSlav. davlj(J, daviti, 'to
strangle', Goth. af-dau-ips, 'maltreated'. Cp.
faun, Faunus, Fauna. Cp. also avifauna. Cp. also
Thos. The name fauna was introduced into
zoology by the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (Karl von Linne (1707-78); cp.flora.
Derivatives: faun-al, adj., pertaining to the fauna; faun-ist, n., a student of fauna, faun-ist-ical-ly, adv.
faunology, n., zoogeography. -A hybrid coined
fr. fauna and Gk. -:Aoy[<i, fr. -Myo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Faunus, n., an Italian deity of agriculture identified later with Pan. - L. See Fauna, f~una.
fauteuil, n., an armchair. - F., fr. OF. faldestoel, faldestueil, faudeteuil, fr. Frankish *faldistol, which is rei. to OHG. faldstuol. See faldstool. lt.faldistorio, 'faldstool', OProven~.falde
stol, 'armchair, chorister's desk, lectern', and
Sp. facistol, 'chorister's desk, lectern', are also
Teut. loan words.
faux pas, a mistake, blunder. - F., lit. 'false
step'. See false and pace.
fa vel, adj., fallow (said of a horse). - OF. Javel,
fauvel, fr. WTeut. *falwa, whence also OF.
falve (f. fauve), OProven9. falp, It. falbo, 'fallow, tawny'. Cp. OHG. falo, 'fallow, tawny,
pale', and see fallow, adj.
Derivative: Javel, n.
favonian, adj., pertaining to the west wind. L. Favonianus, fr. Favonius, 'west wind'. See next
word.
Favonius, n., personification of the west wind

579

(Roman mythol.)- L. Favonius, 'west wind', dissimilated fr. *fovonius, lit. 'the warming wind',
fr. fovere, 'to warm'. Cp. fa villa, 'glowing ashes',
which stands for */ovilla, hence is of the same
base. See foment and cp. Foehn. Favonius is not
rei. to L. favere, 'to favor'.
favor, favour, n. - ME. favor, favour, fr. OF.
favor, favour (F. faveur), fr. L. favorem, ace. of
favor, 'good will, inclination, favor', coined by
Cicero from the stem of L. favere, 'to be inclined toward, be favorable, befriend', which is
prob. cogn. with OSlav. govej(J, gow!ti, Czech.
hoveti, 'to indulge, spare'.
favor, favour, tr. v. - OF. favorer, fr. favor, favour, 'favor'. See favor, n.
Derivatives: favo(u)r-ed, adj., favo(u)r-ed-ly,
adv.,favo(u)r-ed-ness, n.,/avo(u)r-er, n.,favo(u)ring, adj., favo(u)r-ing-!y, adv.
favorable, favourable, adj. - F. favorable, fr.
L. favorabilis, 'favored, in favor', fr. favor. See
favor, n., and -able.
Derivatives: favo(u)rable-ness, n., favo(u)rabl-y,
adv.
favorite, favourite, adj. - F. favori (fern. favorite), fr. It. favorito, pp. of favorire, 'to favor',
fr. favore, fr. L. favorem. See favor, n.
Derivative: favo(u)rit-ism, n.
favose, adj., resembling a honeycomb. - L.
favosus, fr. favus, 'honeycomb'. See next word
and adj. suff. -ose.
favus, n., a skin disease caused by a parasitic
fungus (med.) - L. favus, 'honeycomb', of
uncertain origin; so called in allusion to the
depressions left on the scalp.
fawn, n., a young deer. - ME. foun, fr. OF.
feon, faon, 'the young of an animal', esp. 'a
young deer' (whence F. faon, 'a young deer'),
fr. VL. *jetonem, ace. of *jeto, fr. L. fetus, 'an
offspring'. Cp. OProven~. fedon, 'lamb', and see
fetus.
Derivatives: fawn, adj., fawn-colored; fawn,
intr. and tr. v., to give birth (to a fawn).
fawn, intr. v., to act in a servile manner, cringe.
-ME. faunen, 'to rejoice, flatter', fr. OE. fagenian, fagnian, fahnian, collateral forms of OE.
j:genian, j:gnian, 'to rejoice', fr. fagen, resp.
fzgen, 'glad'. See fain.
Derivatives: fawn-er, n., fawn-ery, n., fawn-ingly, adv., fawn-ing-ness, n.
fay, tr. and intr. v., to join, to fit. - ME. fegen,
feien, fr. OE. jegan, 'to join', rei. to OS. fogian,
OFris.fogia, MDu. voeghen, Du. voegen, OHG.
fuogen, MHG. viiegen, G. fiigen, 'to join, fit,
unite', and cognate with 01. pas-, pdsa-, 'cord,
rope', Gk. m;yvuva.L, 'to fix, make firm, L.
pacisci, 'to covenant, make a treaty, agree, stipulate', pax, gen. pacis, 'peace'. See pact.
fay, fairy.- OF. fae (F.fee), fr. VL. fat a, 'goddess of fate', fr. L.fatum, 'fate', prop. neut. pp.
of fari, 'to speak'. Cp. It. fat a, OProvem;. fada,
Sp. hada, 'fairy', and see fairy. Cp. also fata
morgana.

Tea~

Fay, fern. PN. -- Either fr. ME. fei, fr. OF. fei
(F. foi), 'faith' (see faith and cp. Faith), or identical with fay, 'fairy'.
feague, tr. v., to whip, beat (obsol.) - Prob. fr.
Du. vegen, or G. fegen, 'to sweep'. See fay, v.,
and cp. fake.
feal, adj., faithful. - OF. feat, a collateral form
of feeil, fr. L. fide lis, 'faithful'. See fidelity and
cp. next word.
fealty, n. - OF. fealte, feelte, fr. L. fidelitiitem,
ace. of fidelitas, 'fidelity'. See fidelity, which is
a doublet of fealty.
fear, n. - ME. Jere, Jeer, fr. OE. f<r, 'sudden
danger, calamity', rei. to OS.far, 'ambush', ON.
far, 'harm, distress, deception', Du. gevaar,
'danger', OHG.fara, MHG. vare, 'ambush, evil
intent', MHG. geviire, 'treachery', G. Gefahr,
'danger', and cogn. with Gk. n:e;~pcx, 'trial,
attempt, experience', E:iJ.-n:e:Lpo~, 'experienced',
L. periculum, 'trial, experiment, risk, danger'.
See peril and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also afeard.
Derivatives: fear-ful, adj.,fear-ful-ly, adv.,fearful-ness, n.,/ear-less, adj.,fear-less-ly, adv.,fearless-ness, n., fear-some, adj., fear-~ome-ly, adv.,
fear-some-ness, n.
fear, tr. and intr. v. - ME. feren, 'to frighten;
to be afraid', fr. OE. /firen, 'to alarm, terrify',
fr. f<r, 'sudden danger'. Sec fear, n.
Derivatives: fear-er, n., fear-ing-ly, adv.
feasance, n., the doing of a condition, duty (law).
- AF. fesance, corresponding to OF. ( = F.)
faisance, which derives fr. OF., F. faisant, pres.
part. of faire, 'to make, do', fr. L. facere. See
fact and cp. malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance.
feasible, adj., that can be done.- ME.faisible, fr.
OF. faisible, fr. fais-, irnperf. stern of faire, 'to
make, do', fr. L. facere. See prec. word and
-ible.
Derivatives: feasibil-ity, n., feasibl-y, adv.
feast, n. - OF. feste (F. fete), 'festival, feast',
fr. VL. jest a (sci!. dies), 'festival, feast, holiday',
fern. of the Latin adjective festus, 'solemn, festive, joyous'; which is rei. toOL. fesiae (whence
L. fi!riae), 'holidays, festivals',fanum (for */asnom), 'a consecrated place'. Cp. It. festa, OProven~., Catal., Port. festa, Sp. fiesta, 'feast, holiday', and see fane, feria. Cp. also festival, festive, festoon, Festus, fete. The above Latin
words derive fr. I.-E. base *dhes- ( = L. *fi!s-,
*jas-), 'holy', whence also Gk. &e:6~, 'god', 01.
dhi$1Jya/.l, 'pious, devoted'. See 1st theism and
cp. words there referred to.
feast, intr. and tr. v.- ME.fesren, fr. OF. fester
(F. fi!ter), fr. feste, 'festival, feast'. See feast, n.
feat, n., a deed. -ME. fair ,Jet, fr. OF. fait, Jet
(F. fait), fr. L. factum, 'deed', neut. pp. of
facere, 'to make, do', used as a noun. See fact,
which is a doublet of feat, and cp. feat, adj.,
and feature.
feat, adj., neat, dexterous (archaic). - ME. fete,

feather

fr. OF. fait, Jet, 'made', fr. L. factus, pp. of

facere. See feat, n.
Derivative: feat-ly, adv.
feather, n. - ME. /ether, fr. OE. feoer, rei. to
OS. fethara, ON. fjoor, Swed. fjader, Norw.
fjer, Dan. fj<er, MLG., MDu. vedere, veder
Du. veder, veer, OHG. fedara, MHG. vedere,
veder, G. Feder, fr. Teut. *fejJ(a)r6-, corresponding to I.-E. *petrii-, zero degree *pterii-,
'wing; feather', whence 01. pdtram, 'wing,
feather; leaf', Hitt. pittar, 'wing', Gk. ;cnp6v,
'feather; wing', TCTepu~, 'wing', OSlav. pero (for
*ptero), 'feather', Arm. t'ir (for *pter-), 'flight',
OW. eterin, 'bird', atar, 'birds', and the
second element in L. acci-piter, 'hawk'; fr.
I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, fall upon, fall', whence
also OI. pdtati, 'flies, descends', patdyati, 'flies',
Gk. mhe:alt~L, 'to fly', 7tOT~, 7t6TI)fi.IX, 'flight',
7tOTOCfL6~, 'river', lit. 'something flowing, running', ;cf;cTe:Lv, 'to fall' (formed fr. orig. *;crTCTe:Lv on analogy of pf;cTe:Lv, 'to throw, cast'),
L. petere, 'to fall upon, rush at, attack, assail;
to seek, ask, request', penna (OL. pesna; for
pet-s-nii), 'feather', Olr. en, gen. eoin (for *petnos), ModW. edn, OBret. etn, 'bird'. Cp. Accipiter, appetence, appetite, aptote, asymptote,
compete, diptote, fern, helicopter, hippopotamus,
impetigo, impetus, malabathrum, Mesopotamia,
pen, 'feather, pennate, pennon, peripeteia, peripteral, perpetual, Petaurista, petition, petulant,
pinion, 'distal segment of a bird's wing', potamo-, propitious, pteno-, pteridium, Pteris, ptero-,
pterygium, ptomaine, ptosis, repeat, repetition,
symptom, talipot, triptote.
feather, tr. and intr. v. - ME. fetheren, fr.
OE. gefioerian, fr.feoer, 'feather'. See feather, n.
Derivative: feather-ed, adj., feather-let, n.
feature, n.- ME. feture, 'shape, form, feature',
fr. Of-. failure, feture, 'fashion, shape, form',
fr. L. /acl[ira, 'something made', fr. factus, pp.
of ji1cere, 'to make, do'. See fact and -ure.
Derivatives: feature, tr. v., feature-less, adj.
febri-, combining form meaning 'fever'. -- L.
febri-, fr. febris, 'fever'. See fever.
febrifugal, adj., dispelling fever. - See next word
and adj. suff. -al.
febrifuge, n., a remedy for allaying or removing
fever (med.) -- F. febrifuge, lit. 'driving fever
away', fr. L. febris, 'fever', and fug-iire, 'to put
to flight', fr. Jug-ere, 'to flee'. See fever and
fugitive and cp. feverfew.
Derivative: febrifug-al, adj.
fl'brile, adj., 1) pertaining to fever; z) feverish;
3) caused by fever. - F. febrile, fr. Late L. febri/is, 'pertaining to fever', fr. L. febris, 'fever'.
See fever and -ile.
Derivative: febril-ity, n.
February, n.- L. Februiirius, 'the month of purification', fr. februiire, 'to purify, expiate', fr. februum, 'means of purification', which is of uncertain origin. For the ending see suff. -ary.
feeal, faeeal, adj., pertaining to feces. - Formed

580

with adj. suff. -a! fr. L. faeces. See feces.

feces, faeces, n. pl., excrement. - L. faeces, pl.
of faex, 'dregs, sediment'; of uncertain origin.
Cp. fecula, feculent, defecate.
fecit, v., he (or she) made (it). - L., 3rd pers.
sing. perf. of facere, 'to make' .. See fact.
feckless, adj., I) ineffective; 2) thoughtless. Scot., short for effectless. See effect and -less.
Derivatives: feckless-ly, adv., feckless-ness, n.
fecula, n., starch. - L. faecula, 'burnt tartar,
salt of tartar', dimin. formed fr. faex, gen. faecis, 'dregs'. See feces. For the ending see suff.
-ule.
feculence, n. - F. feculence, fr. L. faeculentia,
'dregs, lees', fr. faeculentus. See next word and
-ce.
feculent, adj., muddy; foul. - F. feculent, fr.
L. faeculentus, 'abounding in dregs', fr. faeces.
See feces and -ent.
fecund, adj., fruitful. - F. jecond, fr. L. fecundus, 'fruitful, fertile', which is rei. to fe-nus,
'proceeds, increase', lit. 'that which is produced',
fe-liire, 'to suck', fe-mina, 'a woman', fi-lius,
(for *fe-lios), 'son', fr. Latin base *fe-, corresponding to I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *dhl!(i)-,
*dht-, 'to suck, suckle'. See filial and cp. words
there referred to. For the suff. -cundus in L. jecundus cp. fii-cundus, 'eloquent' (fr. fiirf, 'to
speak'), irii-cundus, 'irascible' (fr. ira, 'anger'),
ju-cundus, 'pleasant' (fr. juviire, 'to help, aid,
delight'), rubi-cundus, 'reddish' (fr. rubere, 'to
be red'), vere-cundus, 'shamefaced' (fr. vererf,
'to observe with awe, revere'). Cp. jocund, rubicund, verecund.
fecundate, tr. v., to make fecund; to impregnate.
- L. jecundiitus, pp. of fecundiire, 'to make
fruitful, fertilize', fr. fecundus. See prec. word
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: fecundat-ion, n., Jecundat-ive, adj.,
fecundator (q.v.), fecundat-ory, adj.
fecundity, n., fruitfulness.- L. fecunditiis, 'fruitfulness, fertility', fr. fecundas. See fecund and
-ity.
federal, adj. - F. federal, from L. foedus, gen.
foederis, 'league, treaty, covenant', which stands
in gradational relationship to fidere, 'to trust',
/idefis, 'true, faithful, sincere'. See fidelity and
cp. federate, confederate. For the ending see
adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: federal, n., federalism (q.v.), federalist (q.v.), federal-ize, tr. v.,federa/-iz-at ion, n.,
federal-ly, adv., federal-ness, n.
federalism, n., the principle of federal union. Coined by the English statesman and author
Edmund Burke (1729-97) fr. federal and suff.
-ism.
federalist, n., an adherent of federalism. Coined by Edmund Burke fr. federal and suff,
-ist. See prec. word.
federate, tr. v., to unite into a league or federation. - L. foederiitus, pp. of foederiire, 'to
establish by treaty', fr. foedus, gen. foederis,

581

'treaty'. See federal and verbal suff. -ate.

Derivatives: federat-ion, n., federation-ist, n.,
federat-ive, adj., federat-ive-ly, adv.
federate, adj., leagued; confederate.- L.foederiitus, 'leagued together, allied', pp. of foederiire.
See federate, v.
Fedora, fern. PN. - F. Fedora, fern. of Russ.
Fedor, fr. Gk. 8e:68wpo~,lit. 'gift of God', which
is compounded of &e:6<;, 'god', and 8wpov, 'gift'.
See Theodore.
fedora, n., a kind of soft felt hat. - So called
from Fedora, a play written by Victorien Sardou
in r88z. For sense development cp. trilby.
fee, n., cattle; property; money (obsol.)- ME.
feoh, fr. OE. feoh, 'cattle, money, property,
wealth', rei. to OS. Jehu, ON. fe, Dan. f<e,
Swed. fa, OFris. /iii, Du. vee, OHG. feho, fihu,
MHG. vihe, vich, G. Vieh, 'cattle', Goth.faihu,
'money, fortune', and cogn. with 01. ptisu,
paiu, pasul;l, Avestic pasu-, L. pecii, 'cattle',
pecus, gen. pecoris, 'cattle', pecus, gen. pecudis,
'a single head of cattle', peciinia, 'money, property', Umbr. pequo, Lith. pekus, OPruss. pecku,
'cattle', fr. I.-E. base *peku-, 'the woolly animal', whence 'sheep, cattle, property, money'.
This base is an enlargement of base *pek-, 'to
pluck (wool or hair); hairy, woolly', whence
01. pdk$man, 'eyebrows, hair', Pers. pashm,
'wool', Arm. asr, gen. asu, 'sheep's wool, fleece',
Gk. mbw~, ;c6xo~, Aeol. ;cixxo~. 'uncombed
wool, fleece', Gk. ;cixew, Att. ;ce:xTetv, 'to
comb, shear', Gk. xnl~. gen. KTe:v6<; (for
*pkten-), 'comb', L. pexus, 'woolly', pectere,
'to comb, shear', pecten, 'comb', pectus, gen,
pectoris, 'breast', Toch. A passam, B pa~'cane
(dual.), 'the breasts' (prop. 'the hairy part of
the body'), OE. feax, OS., OHG. fahs, 'hair',
ON. fax, 'mane', OE. feohtan, 'to fight' (orig.
'to pluck, pull, scuffle'). Cp. fee, 'estate', fight,
and the first element in fellow. Cp. also cteno-,
pashm, paxwax, Pecora, pecten, pectinate, pectoral, peculate, pecuniary, impecunious, peignoir,
pekin, 'a civilian', petto, poitrel, and the second
element in paraj,et.
Derivative: fee, tr. v., to pay a fee to.
fee, n., estate. - AF. fee, fie, fr. OF. feu, fieu,
/iu, fr. ML. feum, fevum, a word of Teut. origin; cp. Goth. faihu, 'property', OHG. fihu,
'cattle'. See fee, 'cattle, money', and cp. feu,
feud, 'estate', fief, feodary, feoffee.
feeble, adj. - ME. feble, fr. OF. feble (F. faible),
formed, with dissimilation, fr. L. flebi/is, 'lamentable, doleful, mournful', lit. 'to be wept
over', fr. flere, 'to weep', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. It. fievole, OProven9. feble, 'weak',
which also derive fr. L. flebilis. Cp. also foible.
Derivatives: feeble-ness, n., feebl-ish, adj.,
feebl-y, adv.
feed, tr. and intr. v.- ME.feden, fr. OE.jedan,
rei. to OS. f6djan, ON. f~oa, OFris. feda,
OHG. fuotan, Goth. f6djan, 'to feed', Goth.
/Ode ins, OE. foda, 'food'. See food.

felicitate

Derivatives: feed, n., feed-er, n., feed-ing, adj.,

feed-y, adj.
feel, tr. and intr. v. - ME. Jelen, fr. OE. felan,
rei. to OS. gi-f6lian, OFris. fela, MDu., Du.
voelen, OHG. fuolen, MHG. vue/en, G. fiihlen,
'to feel', ON.falma, 'to grope', and prob. cogn.
with 01. ii-sphiilayati, 'he causes to collide,
strikes', Gk. tjlocMew, 'to pluck, twitch the harp,
play on a stringed instrument', tji&J..fLoc, 'tune
played on a musical instrument', tJ!~:AfJ-6~. 'a
plucking, twitching of the harp', later 'song,
psalm', tji~J..TI)p, 'harper', \jJocJ..TI)pwv, 'stringed
instrument, harp', \jJ~J..wp8loc, 'a singing to the
harp', \jJ1)Nx(j)OCW, 'I feel or grope about' (compounded of *\jJocJ..oc, 'a twitching', and &(\'ocw, 'I
touch'), L. palpiire, 'to touch softly, stroke', palpitiire, 'to move quickly', palpebra, 'eyelid', lit.
'that which moves quickly'. All these words
prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *(s)phll-, *(s)phiil-,
'to strike softly'. Cp. palp, palpable, palpebra,
psalm, psalter, psaltery, and the first element in
Pselaphidae.
Derivatives: feel, n., feel-er, n., feel-ing, n. and
adj., feel-ing-ly, adv.
fehmgericht, n. - See vehmgericht.
feign, tr. and intr. v. - ME. feinen, fr. OF.
( = F.) feign-, pres. part. stem of feindre, fr. L.
fingere, 'to form, shape, invent', fr. I.-E. base
*dheigh-, 'to form, shape'. See dough and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: feign-ed, adj., feign-ed-ly, adv.,
feign-ed-ness, n.
feint, n., something feigned; pretence. - F. feinte, fern. of feint, 'something feigned', pp. of
feindre. See prec. word.
feint, adj., feigned (obsol.) - F. feint, pp. of
feindre. See feint, n., and cp. faint, which is a
doublet of feint, adj.
feint, intr. v., to make a feint.- F. feint, pp. of
feindre. See feint, n.
feldspar, n., any of a group of crystalline minerals. - G. Feldspat, compounded of Feld, 'field',
and Spat, 'spar'. See field and spathic and cp.
next word. The form feldspar is due to the influence of spar, 'a nonmetallic element'.
feldspathic, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of,
feldspar. - Formed with suff. -ic fr. G. Feldspath, now spelled Feldspar. See prec. word.
Felicia, fern. PN. - L., from felix, gen. je/icis,
'happy'. See felicity and cp. Felicity, Felix.
felicide, n., the killing of a cat. - Compounded
ofjeles, 'cat', and -cfdium, 'a killing', fr. caedere,
'to kill'. See felid and -cide, 'killing'.
felicific, adj., making happy. - L. felfci/icus,
'making happy', fr. felix, gen. jelicis, 'fruitful;
auspicious, happy', and -ficus, from the stem
of -ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make,
do'. See felicity and -fie and cp. next word.
felicify, tr. v., to make happy (rare).- Formed fr.
L.felix, gen.felfcis, 'fruitful; happy', and -ficiire,
fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See prec. word and -fy.
felicitate, tr. v.- VL.felicitiitus, pp. ofjelicitiire,

felicitous

't_o_r~~d.er ~ap~y, felicitate', fr. L. fellcitiis, gen.

/ehcrtatrs, frUitfulness, happines s', fr. felix
'
gen .. -leis. See felicity and verbal suff. -ate.
~e~IVahves: felicitat-ion, n., felicitat-or, n.
fehcJtous, adj., happy (rare). - Formed fr.
felicity with suff. -ous.
Derivati ve: felicitous-ly, adv.
felicity, n., happiness, blissfulness. -OF. felicite
~F. (e!icite), fr. L. jelicitiitem, ace. of frlicitiis,
f~~~~ful~es~; happiness, felicity', fr. felix, gen.
/ehcrs, fruitful; auspicious, happy', which is
:el~ ~o fe:cun~us, 'fruitful, fertile', fi-lius (for
fe-lros), son, fr. L. base *je-, correspo nding
to I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *dh'(i)-, *dhl-, 'to suck,
suckle'. Sec filial and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see suff. -ity.
Felicity, fern. PN.- Fr. L. felfcitas, 'happine ss'.
See prec. word.
felid, n., an animal pertainin g to the cat family.
- See next word.
Felidae, n. pl., the cat family (zoo/.) - ModL
~ormed with suff. -idae fr. L. feles, 'cat', which
IS of uncertain etymolo gy. It is perh. cogn.
with W. hele, 'marten' . Cp. felicide.
feline~ ~dj., pertainin g to the cat family (zoo/.)_
L. felr~us, fr.fe/es, 'cat'. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -me.
felinity, n., the quality of being feline. _ See
feline and -ity.
Felix, masc. PN. --- L., lit. 'happy'. See felicity
and cp. Felicia, Felicity. For sense developm ent
co. Ashl'l'.
fell, n., hide, skin.- OE., rei. to ON.fjal l 'skin'
OIIG. fel, MHG. vel, G. Fell, 'hide: skin-:
Goth. filf (only in derivatives and compou nds
as e.g. ftffeins, 'leathern ', fmira-jifli, 'foreskin '):
L. pcfhs (for *pef-ni>), 'hide, skin, leather' fr
'), .
I.-E. base *pef-. 'skin' ' whence also Gk .'T':E::,tJ..C(,
*;-;i),-~cx)
for
(prob.
;-;ncx
shoe',
or
sole of foot
'wooden bowl, milk pail' (the orig. meanin~
prob. was 'a vessel made of skin'), and the
second ele_ment in lpJcr(-;- ;Eh;, 'erysipelas', and
Lnh. pfeH'. 'a fine, thin layer of skin'. Cp. film
an_d the first _element in veldtshoen. Cp. also
e_plploon, erysipelas, paillasse, pall, 'claok', pehsse, pell, pellagra, pellicle, pella, Peltandr a
peltry, pilch, pillion, plaid, surplice, l'ropeltid ae:
fell, n., rocky hill. - ME. fell, fr. ON. fiall
'mounta in,' which is rei. to OHG. felis (masc.):
Jef1sa (fern.), MHG. 1efs, G. Fe/s, 'stone rock'
and c~g~. ~ith Gk. ;-;i)),'J. (for *;-;i).cr7.), :stone.:
01. pa.)a~Iab, 'stone, rock', Oir. aff (for *palsas), 'stone'. Cp. felstone.
fell, tr. v., to cause to fall. - ME. /elfen fr OE
feflan, rei. to ON. fef/a, Swed. /iii/a, Da~. j;pfde:
OFns. /iifla, MDu., Du. 1eflen, OHG. jellan,
MHG. vel/en, G. fallen; causativ e of OE. feaflan, etc., 'to fall'. See fall, v.
Derivatives: fell-er, n., fell-ing, n.
cruel. - ME Jl''el , fr OE Jlr.el, 'fi erce,
fell, adj.,
,
cruel, fr. OF. fel (nom.), fr. VL /el/6, 'felon'.
See felon.

582
fell, past tense of fall. _ ME. J'"ell' fr OE Jr.-eoll'
~ II' f feallan, 'to fall'. See fall v
e r.
.
t:eIIah, n. pl. fellahin, an Egyptian' peasant
or
la~rer.- Arab.falldiJ, in vulgar pronunc iation
fella/:1, 'plowma n', fr. fala/:Ia, 'he cleft tilled the
gro_und' (in this latter sense, borrow; d fr. Aramaic); rei. to Heb. piild/:1, 'he cleft' Aram -Syr
P~lti/:1, 'he tilled ,the ground; he ser~ed' (when~
the _noun polf:Ian, 'work, service', esp. 'divine
sefV!~'), ~e.b. pela/:1, 'cleavag e' (whence the
meamng s mtllstone, slice of fruit').
fellm:, n. -See felly.
fellow, n.- MEJ~Iaghe,/elawe, fr. OE.jeola ga,
jelagl, partner, compan ion', from
f~.
felag, compani onship', lit. 'laying down of
~oney', fr. fe, 'cattle, money', and lag, 'a laymg'. See fee, 'money', and lay 'to place'
Derivatives :fellow, tr. v., and ach., fellow-s hlp, n.
felly, felloe, n., the rim of a spoked wheel ME. /eli, felwe, felow, fr. OE. felg, felge, rei. to
OS. felga, MLG., MDu. vefge, Du. velg, OHG.
felga, felaga, MHG. velge, G. Feige. These
words are -k-enlargements of I.-E. base *qwef'to turn'. See wheel and cp. cycle. Cp. als~
fallow, n.
felo-de-se, ? one who commits suicide. Ang!o-La~m fel(l)o-de se, lit. 'one guilty concernmg ~1mself'. See next word de- and sui.
felon, adJ., cruel, criminal ; n., a criminal . ME~, fr. OF. felon (F. felon), fr. Caroling ian L.
fellonem, ace. of feflo (the pl. /ellones occurs in
the Capi~u!aries of Charles the Bald), prob. of
Teut. ongm and lit. meaning 'whipper (of
slaves)'; cp. OHG. fillen, 'to whip', Cp. prec.
and next word.
felon, n., a painful swelling of the finger. _ The
same word as the preceding.
felonry, n., the class of felons. _ Formed fr

felon, 'crimina l', with sutf. -ry.

felon,
See
ji!lon.
fr.
jelonie,
F.
f~lony,_ n. ~law). cn~mal , and suff. -y (represen ting OF. and
F. -re).
Derivatives: feloni-ous, adj., felonious-ly, adv.,
/elonrous-ne.u, n.
felsite, n. (petrogr.) - A hybrid var. of felstone

For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.

Derivative: /elsit-ic, adj.
felstone, n., an igneous rock containi ng quartz
and feldspar (petrogr.) - Altered fr. G. Felsstei~, lit. 'stone of a rock', fr. Fels, 'rock', and
Stem, 'stone'. See fell, 'rocky hill', and stone.
fel~, n. - OE. rei. to OS. ftlt, OHG. filz, MHG.
vl!z, G. Filz, fr. Teut. *felri-, 'somethi ng beaten'.
The same base appears in the second element
of OE. an-filte, OHG. ana-falz; see anvil. The
base is prob. not cognate with L. pellere 'to
strike' (see Walde-H ofmann, LEW., II, p. 77).
Cp. felter, filter.
Derivatives: felt, tr. and intr. v., felt-ed, adj.,
felt-er, n., felt-ing, n., felt-y, adj.
fetter, tr. v. - OF. feltrer (F. feutrer), fr. feltre
(F. feutre), 'felt', fr. ML. feltrum, fiitrum,'f elt,

or-:.

583

strainer of felt', See filter.

felucca, n., a small coasting vessel used in the
Mediterr anean. - It. feluca, fr. Arab. fulk,
'ship', rei. to falak, 'circle', from the base of
fa/aka, 'was round'; rei. also to Heb. pelekh,
'spindle' . See S. Fraenke l, Die aramiiischen
Fremdw orter im Arabisch en, p. 2I2.
female, n. and adj. - ME. femele, feme/le, assimilated in ending to male, fr. OF. femelle, fr.
L. feme /Ia, dimin. of jemina, 'woman ; female
animal'. See feminine and cp. fimble.
Derivati ves: femal-ity , n., female-ly, adv., female-ness, n.
feme, n., wife. - ME., fr. OF. feme (F. femme),
fr. L. jemina, 'woman' . See feminine.
feme covert, a married woman (law). - OF.
feme coverte. For the first word see prec. word.
OF. coverte (F. couverte) is the feminine of
covert (couvert), 'covered '. See covert.
feme sole, an unmarri ed woman (law). - For
the first word see feme; the second comes fr.
OF. sole, 'alone', fr. L. sola, fern. of solus,
'alone'. See sole, 'alone'.
feminality, n., the quality or state of being female.- Formed with suff. -ity fr. the rare adjective feminal, fr. OF. feminal, 'female'. See
feminine and adj. suff. -al.
femineity, n., the quality or state of being feminine; womanliness. - Formed with suff. -ity
fr. L. jemineus, 'pertaini ng to a woman, womanish', fr. femina. See next word.
feminine, adj.- OF. feminin (F. feminin), fr. L.
jemininus, 'feminin e', fr. femina, 'woman' , orig.
a middle pres. part. meaning 'she who suckles',
fr. L. base *je-, correspo nding to I.-E. base
*dhe(i)-, *dhl(i)-, *dhf-, 'to suck, suckle',
whence also L. fe-cundus, 'fruitful' , fe-liire, 'to
suck', fe-lix, 'fruitful; auspicious, happy',
filius (for *je-lios), 'son'. See filial and adj. suff.
-ine and cp. effeminate. For the middle and passive part. suff. -meno- see alumnus and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivati ves: feminine-ly, adv., feminine-ness, n.,
feminin-ism, n., feminin-ity, n., femin-ism,n.,
femin-ist, n., feminity (q.v.)
feminity, n., the quality or state of being feminine. - OF. feminite, fr. L femina, 'woman' .
See feminine and -ity.
feminize, tr. v., to render feminine; intr. v., to
become feminine. - A hybrid coined fr. L.
femina, 'woman ' (see feminine), and -ize, a suff.
of Greek origin.
Derivati ve: feminizat-ion, n.
femme de chambre, 1) a lady's maid; 2) a chambermaid . -See feme, de- and chamber.
feiiiOnll, adj., pertainin g to the thigh. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L.femur , gen.fenw ris. See
next word.
femur, n., I) the thighbon e; 2) the thigh (anat.) L., 'thigh', of uncertai n origin.
feu. n., flat marshy land. - ME. fen, fr. OE.
fenn, rei. to OS.feni, ON.fen, OFris.fe nne,fene ,

feoff

Du. veen, OHG.fe nna, G. Fenn, 'marsh', Goth.

fani, 'mud', and cogn. with Gaul. anam, Mlr.
an, 'water', 01. palika/:1, 'bog, marsh, mud'.
Derivati ve: fenn-y, adj.
fence, n. - Aphetic for defence.
Derivati ves: fence, intr. and tr. v., fence-less,
adj., fenc-er, n., fenc-ing, n.
fencible, n., soldier enlisted for home service
only (hist.) - Aphetic for defencible.
fend, tr. and intr. v. - Aphetic for defend. Cp.
forfend.
Derivati ves: fend-er, n., fend-er-less, adj.
fenestella, n., a small window. - L. dimin. of
fenestra, 'window '. See next word and -ella.
fenestra, n., a small opening in a bone (anat.) L., 'window ', prob. fr. Etruscan *fnes-tra;
-(s)tra is an Etruscan suff. (cp. the L. words
aplustre, 'the carved stem of a ship with its
ornamen ts', genista, 'the plant broom', and
lanista, 'trainer of gladiato rs'; see aplustre,
Genista, lanista). L. fenestra is not cogn. with
Gk. <pctlve:Lv, 'to shine' (see phantasm), as suggested by most lexicographers.
Derivati ves: fenestr-al, adj., fenestr-ate, adj.,
fenestr-at-ed, adj., fenestration (q.v.), fenestrule
(q.v.)
fenestration, n., I) arrangem ent of windows in a
building (archit.); 2) the state of being perforated (zoo!. and bot.) - See fenestra and
-ation and cp. defenestration.
fenestrule, n., a small opening (zoo/.) - L.
fenestrula, dimin. of fenestra, 'window '. See
fenestra and -ule.
Fenian, n. and adj. -A blend of Olr. jeinne, pl.
of fiann, name of a band oflrish warriors , and
Olr. Fene, name of the ancient inhabita nts of
Ireland.
Derivative: Fenian-ism, n.
fenks, n., refuse of whale's blubber. - Of unknown origin.
fennec. n., a small African fox. - Arab. fcinak,
in vulgar pronunc iation fenek.
fennel, n., a plant of the parsley family (Foeniculum vulgare ).- OE. fenol, ftnul, fr. OF. fenoil
(F. fenouil), fr. VL. *jenuc(u)lum, fr. L. feniculum, dimin. of jenum, 'hay', which prob.
means lit. 'produce , yield', fr. Latin base *je-,
'to suck, suckle, produce , yield', whence also
fe-nus, 'proceed s, increase', fe-mina, 'woman ';
see feminine. The fennel was so called in allusion
to its smell which reminds that of hay. Cp. next
word.
fenugreek, n., a leguminous plant. - ME. fenugrek, fr. MF. ( = F.) fenugrec, fr. L. jenugraecum, for fenum Graecum, lit. 'Greek hay.
See fennel and Greek and cp. finochio and the
second element in sainfoin.
feofl', tr. v., to invest with a fee.- ME.feof fen,
fr. AF. feoffer, correspo nding to OF. feffer,
fieffer (F. fieffer), Cr. OF. fieu, fief (F. fief),
'fee'. See fee, 'estate', and cp. fief, enfeoff.
Derivati ves: feoff-rrumt, n., feoffor (q.v.)

feoffee

feoffee, n., a person to whom a feoffment is

granted. - ME. feoffe, fr. AF. feoffe, pp. of
feoffer. See prec. word and -ee.
feoffor, feoffer, n.- ME.feoffor, fr. AF. feoffour,
fr. feoffer. See feoff and agential suff. -or, resp.
-er.
-fer, Latin subst. suff. denoting the agent, as in
conifer. - From the stem of L. ferre, 'to bear,
carry', which is cogn. with OE. beran, 'to bear'.
See bear, 'to carry', and cp. -ferous (which is the
adj. suff. corresponding to the subst. suff. -fer).
feral, adj., wild, savage, untamed. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. fera (scil. bestia), 'a wild
animal', fern. of ferus, 'wild'. See fierce and cp.
ferocious.
feral, adj., funereal, deadly. - L. foriilis, 'funereal, deadly, fatal', prob. meaning lit. 'pertaining to the feast of the souls', fr. *dhwesii, 'soul,
spirit, ghost', and rei. to Lith. dviise, 'spirit',
dvasia, 'breath, soul'. See deer and adj. suff. -al.
ferash, farasb, n., a menial servant. -Hind. farriish, fr. Arab. farrtish, prop. 'one who spreads
carpets', fr. Iarsh, 'rug, carpet', from the stem
of ftirasha, 'he spread out', which is cogn. with
Heb. piirtiS, Aram.-Syr. ptras, 'he spread out',
Akkad. pariishu, 'to fly', lit. 'to spread one's
wings'.
ferberite, n., a basic ferrous tungstate (mineral.)
-Named after Rudolph Ferber, of Gera, Germany. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fer de lance, a large poisonous snake of South
America and Mexico (Bothrops atrox). - F.,
'iron of a lance, lance head' fr. fer (fr. L. ferrum), 'iron', de (fr. L. de), 'from', and lancea,
'lance' (see ferro-, de- and lance); so called in
allusion to its shape.
Ferdinand, masc. PN.- F., a compound ofTeut.
origin. The first element is prob. a derivative
of Teut. *faroi, an abstract noun formed from
base '*far-, 'to fare, travel'; see fare, 'to prosper'. The second element is rei. to Goth. -nanjJjan, in ana-nan/Jjan, 'to risk, venture', OE. neoan,
OS. niioian, OHG. nendmt, 'to risk, venture'.
fere, n. (archaic) I) a companion; 2) a husband
or wife.- ME. Jere, aphetized fr. OE.gefora,
which is formed fr. ge- (see y-) and -/era, from
the base of faran, 'to go, travel'. Cp. OHG. giferto (whence MHG. geverte, G. Gefdhrte),
'companion', formed fr. gi- and faran, 'to go,
travel', and see fare, v.
feretory, n., a shrine, reliquary. - ME. fertre,
'shrine, bier', fr. OF. fiertre, fr. L. feretrum, 'a
litter, bier', fr. Gk. <pEpTpov, a derivative of
<pEpEtv, 'to carry', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to bear,
carry', whence also OE. beran, 'to bear, carry',
biir, 'bier'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. bier.
ferganite, n., a hydrated uranium vanadate
(mineral.)- Named after Fergana in Turkestan.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Fergus, masc. PN.- Olr. Fer-gus, lit. 'man's ability', fr. fer, 'man', and gus, 'ability, excellency,
strength, inclination'. The first element is cogn.

584

with L. vir, 'man'; see virile. The second element

derives fr. Celtic *gustu-, 'choice', fr. I.-E. base
*geus-, *gus-, 'to taste'; see choose.
fergusonite, n., a niobate and tantalate of yttrium, erbium etc. (mineral.) - Named after
Robert Ferguson (I799-I865), of Raith (Scotland). For the ending sefl subst. suff. -ite.
feria, n. (pl. feriae), I) pl., feast days, holidays;
2) (eccles.) a weekday. - Late L. foriae (pl.),
'days of rest, holidays, festivals', fr. OL. fosiae
(see rhotacism), rei. to festus, 'solemn, festive,
festal'. /iinum, 'temple'. See fair, n., and cp.
words there referred to.
ferial, adj., I) pertaining to holidays; 2) (eccles.)
pertaining to weekdays. - OF., fr. ML. foridiilis, fr. L. foriae. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
ferine, adj., wild. - L. ferinus, 'pertaining to
wild animals', fr. ferus, 'wild'. See fierce and
adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
Feringbee, n., a name used in India for the European.-Pers. Farangi, fr. Arab. Faranjf, which
was formed with the ethnic suff. -lfr. OF. Franc,
'Frank'. See Frank.
fermata,n., a pause (mus.)- It., 'stop, pause; halting place', fr. fermare, 'to fasten; to stop; to
resolve', fr. fermo, 'strong, fastened', fr. L.
/irmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable, strong'. See
firm, 'solid'.
ferment, n. - F., fr. L. fermentum, 'substance
causing fermentation', fr. I.-E. base *bher-,
'to boil up, seethe'. See barm and cp. fervent.
Cp. also fry, 'to cook in fat'. For the ending
see suff. -ment.
ferment, tr. and intr. v.- F.fermenter, fr. L.fermentiire, 'to ferment', fr. fermentum. See ferment, n.
Derivatives: ferment-able, adj., ferment-abil-ity,
n., ferment-arian, n., fermentation (q.v.), ferment-ative, adj., ferment-ative-ly, adv., fermentative-ness, n., ferment-er, n., ferment-itious, adj.,
ferment-ive, adj., ferment-or, n.
fermentation, n. - L. fermentiitio, gen. -ionis, fr.
fermentiire, 'to ferment'. See ferment, v. and n.,
and -ation.
fermium, n., a radioactive element produced by
nuclear bombardment in a cyclotron (chem.)ModL., named after the Italian physicist Enrico
Fermi (I90I-54). For the ending of fermium
see chem suff. -ium.
fermorite, n., an arsenate, phosphate and fluoride
of calcium and strontium (mineral.) - Named
after Lewis Leigh Fermor (died in I954),
director of the Geological Survey of India. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fern, n. - ME. fern, fr. OE. /earn, rei. to OS.
farn, MDu. varn, varen, Du. varen, OHG. farn,
MHG. varn, G. Farn, Farnkraut, and cogn.
with 01. par~-m, 'feather', Lith. paptirtis, 'fern',
Lett. paparnite, Russ. ptiporot', Gaul. ratis (for
*pratis), Olr. raith, of s.m., Gk. rnp~, 'fern',
wu:p6v, 'feather'. See featlkr.

S8S
Derivatives: fern-ed, adj., fern-ery, n., fernlike, adj.
fernandinite, n., a hydrous calcium vanadyl vanadate (mineral.) - Named after Eulagio E. Fernandini, from whose vanadium deposit it was
first obtained. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ferocious, adj., fierce. - Formed with suff. -ous
fr. L. ferox, gen. ferocis, 'wild, savage, untameable, bold', prop. 'wild-looking', fr. ferus,
'wild', and -ox, gen. -ocis, 'looking'. For the
etymology of L. ferus see fierce. The second
element in L. fer-ox, 'wild', is cogn. with Gk.
~o/. gen. w~6c;, 'eye, sight'. See eye and cp. -ops.
Cp. also the second element in atrocious,
velocity.
Derivatives: ferocious-ly, adv., ferocious-ness, n.
ferocity, n., fierceness. -F. ferocite, fr. L. ferocitiitem, ace. of ferocitiis, 'fierceness', fr. ferox,
gen. ferocis. See ferocious and -ity.
Feronia, n., an ancient Italian goddess identified
later with Juno. - L. Feronia, of Etruscan
origin.
Feronia, n., a genus of trees of the family Rutaceae ( = the rue family). - ModL., from preceding word.
-ferous, adj. suff. meaning 'bearing, having, containing, producing, yielding', as in coniferous,
ferriferous. - Prop. formed fr. L. -fer, 'bearing,
producing' (see -fer), and suff. -ous.
ferrate, n., a salt of ferric acid (chem.) - See
ferro- and chem. suff. -ate.
ferreous, adj., pertaining to, or containing, iron.
- L. ferreus, 'made of iron, iron', fr. ferrum,
'iron'. See ferro-. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
L. -us, see -ous.
ferret, n., a small animal of the weasel family. ME. feret, foret, fr. OF. *fuiret, *furet, fr. VL.
*furittus (whence also It. furetto), lit. 'a little
thief', fr. L. fur, 'thief'. (Cp. OF. fuiron, furon,
'ferret', fr. VL. *furionem, ace. of *furio, enlarged fr. Late L. furo, 'thief', fr. L. fur.) See
furtive.
Derivatives: ferret, tr. and intr. v., to hunt (rabbits) with ferrets, ferret-y, adj.
ferret, n., a kind of ribbon. - It. fioretti, 'floss
silk', pl. of fioretto, dimin. of fiore, 'flower', fr.
L. florem, ace. of flos, 'flower'. See flora and
cp. floret.
ferret, n., the iron used to try the molten glass.-F., dimin. offer, 'iron', fr. L. ferrum. See ferro-.
ferri-, combining form meaning 'iron'. - L.
Jerri-, fr. ferrum, gen. Jerri, 'iron'. See ferro-.
ferric, adj., of iron. - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. L. ferrum, 'iron'. See ferro-.
ferriferous, adj., yielding iron. - Compounded
of ferri- and -ferous.
ferro-, combining form meaning 'iron'. - L.
fe"o-, fr. ferrum, 'iron'. See farrier and cp.
ferret, 'iron used for trying', ferruginoqt.
ferrotype, n., a photograph taken on a thin iron
plate. - Compounded of ferro- and type.
ferrous, adj., pertaining to, or containing, iron.

fervescent

- Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. ferrum, 'iron'.

See ferro-.
ferruginous, adj., I) containing iron; 2) rustcolored. - L. ferrugineus, ferriiginus, fr. ferrugo, gen. -ginis, 'rust; rust color', fr. ferrum
'iron'. See ferro- and -ous.
ferrule, n., a metal ring or cap on the end of
a stick, etc. - A blend of L. ferrum, 'iron' (see
ferro-), and earlier E. verrel, which derives fr.
OF. virelle, viral, fr. L. viriola, 'a little bracelet',
dimin. of viriae, 'bracelet', a word of Celtic
origin. Cp. Olr./iar, 'bent, crooked', and see wire.
Derivative: ferrul-ed, adj.
ferry, tr. and intr. v. - ME. ferien, 'to carry,
transport', fr. OE. ferian, rei. to ON. ferja, 'to
pass over, to ferry', and to OE. faran, 'to go,
travel'. See fare, 'to prosper', and cp. words
there referred to.
ferry, n. - Fr. ferry, v. Cp. ON. ferja, Swed.
flirja, Dan. /lrge, MDu. vere, Du. veer, MHG.
vere, ver, vere, G. Fiihre, 'a ferry'.
fertile, adj. - OF. fertil, fr. L. fertilis, 'fruitful,
fertile', fr. ferre, 'to bear, carry, produce', which
is cogn. with OE. beran, 'to bear'. See bear, 'to
carry', and -ile.
Derivatives: fertile-ly, adv., fertile-ness, n., fertility (q.v.), fertil-ize, tr. v., fertil-iz-able, adj.,
fertil-iz-ation, n., fertil-iz-er, n.
Fertile Crescent, a semicircle of fertile land extending from Palestine and Phoenicia around
the Euphrates-Tigris valley to the Persian Gulf
(Ancient hist.) - Coined by the American archaeologist and historian James H. Breasted
(!865-1935).
fertility, n. - F. fertilite, fr. L. fertilitiitem, ace.
of fertilitiis, 'fruitfulness, fertility', fr. fertilis.
See fertile and -ity.
ferula, n., the giant fennel. - L., 'the giant fennel; branch, staff, rod', which prob. stands for
*fes-olii and is rei. to festuca (for fes-tuca)
'stalk, straw, rod'. Cp. ferule, fescue, Festuca;
cp. also furl. The association of L. Jerula with
ferire, 'to ~trike, smite', is folk etymology.
ferule, n., a rod for punishing children. - L.
Jerula, 'the giant fennel; branch, staff, rod'. See
prec. word.
Derivative: ferule, tr. v.
fervency, n. - OF. fervence, fr. L. fervere. See
next word and -cy.
fervent, adj., I) hot; 2) deeply earnest; ardent. L. fervens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of fervere, 'to
boil, glow, foam', fr. I.-E. base *bheru-, enlarged form of *bher-, 'to boil, seethe', whence
also L. defrutum, 'must'. See barm and -ent and
cp. ferment.
Derivatives: fervent-ly, adv., fervent-ness, n.
fervescence. n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
fervescent, adj., growing hot. - L. fervescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of fervescere, 'to become
hot', inchoative of fervere. See fervent and
-e8cellt.

fervid

fervid, adj., I) very hot; 2) vehement. - L. fervidus, 'glowing, burning, fiery, vehement, impetuous, violent', fr. fervere. See fervent and
adj. suff. -id. Derivatives: fervid-ity, n., fervidly, adv.,fervid-ness, n.
fervor, fervour, n., 1) intense heat; 2) ardor. OF. fervor (F. ferveur), 'fervor', fr. L. fervorem,
ace. of fervor, 'violent heat', fr. fervere. See fer
vent and -or.
Fescennine, also fescennine, adj., scurrilous, obscene. - L. Fescenninus, 'of Fescennia', fr.
Fescennia, a city in ancient Etruria.
Derivative: fescennin-ity, n.
fescue, n., I) teacher's pointer (rare); 2) a kind
of tall meadow grass used as pasture. - ME.
festu, 'bit of straw', fr. OF. festu (F. ftitu), fr.
VL. festucum, fr. L. festuca, 'stalk, straw, rod',
which prob. stands for *fes-tuca and is rei. to
Jerula, 'the giant fennel; branch, staff, rod'. See
ferula and cp. Festuca.
fess, fesse, n., a white horizontal band drawn
across the center of an escutcheon (her.) ME. fesse, fr. OF. faisce, !esse, fr. L. fascia, 'a
band'. (F. fasce is formed directly from L.
fascia.) See fascia, fasces.
festal, adj., of a feast. -OF., formed with adj.
suiT. -al fr. feste (F. fete), 'feast'. See feast.
Derivative: festal-ly, adv.
fester, n., a small sore discharging pus; a pustule.
- ME. festre, fr. OF. festre, fr. L. fistula, 'pipe,
tube; sort of ulcer, fistula'. See fistula.
fester, intr. v., to form pus; to suppurate. ME. festren, fr. festre, n. See fester, n.
festival, adj. -- ME., fr. OF. festival, fr. ML.
]estivalis, fr. L. ]estivus. See next word and adj.
suiT. -al.
Derivatives: festim/, n., festival-ly, adv.
festive, adj.- L. festivus, 'festive, joyous, gay',
fr. ]estum, 'holiday, festival', fr. ]estum, neut. of
the adj.festus, 'festive'. See feast and -ive.
Derivatives: festive-ly, adv., festive-ness, n.
festivity, n. - OF. festivite, fr. L. festivitatem,
ace. of ]estivitas, 'festivity, joy, merriment', fr.
[estivus. See prec. word and -ity.
festoon, n., a garland.- F. feston, fr. It. festone,
lit. 'a festive ornament', fr. festa, 'feast', fr. VL.
[esta (sci!. dies), 'festival, feast, holiday'. See
feast and -oon. Derivatives: festoon, n., festoonery, n.,festoon-y, adj.
Festuca, n., a genus of plants, the fescue grass
(bot.) - L. festuca, 'stalk, straw'. See fescue.
Festus, masc. PN. - L., lit. 'solemn, festive, joyous'. See feast and cp. festive.
fetal, foetal, adj., pertaining to a fetus. -- See
fetus and adj. suiT. -al.
fetation, foetation, n., formation of a fetus. Formed with suiT. -ion fr. L. ]etiitus, pp. of
]etiire, 'to produce offspring', fr. fetus, 'a bringing forth; offspring'. See fetus.
fetcb, tr. and intr. v. - ME. fecchen, fr. OE.
feccan, earlier fetian, 'to fetch, bring', rei. to
OE,fatian, of s.m., obsol. E. jet, 'to fetch', ON.

586

feta, 'to find one's way', OHG. sih faJJon, 'to

mount, climb', MHG. sih va33en, 'to go, travel',
OE. fot, 'foot'. See foot and cp. fetlock, fetter.
Derivatives :fetch, n.,Jetch-er, n.,fetch-ing, adj.,
fetch-ing-ly, adv.
fetch, n., an apparition, specter; a double. Of unknown origin.
fete, n., a festival. - F., fr. OF. feste, 'festival,
feast'. See feast and cp. words there referred to.
The word fete was introduced into English by
Horace Walpole (1717-97).
fete, tr. v.- F. Jeter, 'to celebrate; to entertain,
feast', fr. fete. See fete, n.
fetial, adj., pertaining to the fetiales; pertaining
to declarations of war or treatises of peace. L. fetiiilis. See next word.
fetial, n., one of a college of twenty priests whose
duty it was to act as heralds and maintain the
laws of war. - L. fetiiilis, 'pertaining to the
fetiales', fr. *fetis, fr. I.-E. *dhe-ti-s, 'statute,
treaty', fr. base *dhe-, *dht-, 'to put, place;
to do, make', whence also L. facere, 'to make,
do'. See fact and -ial.
fetialis, n., a fetial. - See prec. word.
feticide, foeticide, n., the act of destroying a fetus.
-Compounded of L. [etus, 'a bringing forth;
offspring', and -cidium, 'killing', fr. caedere, 'to
kill'. See fetus and -cide, 'killing'.
fetid, foetid, adj., having a bad smell. - L. fetidus, written also foetidus, 'having an ill smell',
fr. [etere ,foetere, 'to have an ill smell, to stink',
which is prob. rei. to fi-mus, 'dung', suf-fire, 'to
fumigate', and possibly also to fumus, 'smoke'.
See fume and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also the second element in asafetida.
Derivatives: fetid-ity, n., fetid-ly, adv., fetidness, n.
fetish, n., an object worshiped. - F. feriche, fr.
Port. feitiro, fr. L. factfcius, 'made by art', fr.
facio, facere, 'to make'. See fact and cp. factitious. Derivatives: fetish-ism, n., fetish-ist, n.,
fetish-ist-ic, adj.
fetlock, n., I) part of a horse's leg where a tuft
of hair grows; 2) the tuft.- ME.fetlak,jytlok,
lit. 'lock of the foot', rei. to MHG. viJJeloch,
G. Fij3/och, and to ON. fit, 'the webbed foot
of a water bird',fet, 'pace, step', ON. fotr, OE.
jot, 'foot'. See foot and lock and cp. fetch, fetter.
Derivative: fetlock-ed, adj.
feto-, foeto-, combining form meaning 'fetus'.See fetus.
fetor, foetor, n., an offensive smell.- L. foetor,
fetor, 'offensive smell, stench', fr. foetere,fetere.
See fetid and -or.
fetter, n., a shackle. - ME. feter, fr. OE. fetor,
rei. to OS. feteros (pl.), MDu. veter, OHG. feJ
Jara,feJJera, MHG. ve33er, ON.fjoturr, Swed.
fjiitter, and cogn. with Gk. rciaYJ, 'fetter', 1r&8v,
'to bind with fetters', L. peda, 'footstep', pedica,
'shackle, fetter', impedire, 'to entangle, ensnare,
hinder, detain', expedire, 'to extricate, disengage'.
All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base

587
*ped-, 'foot'. See foot and cp. fret, 'ornament'.
Cp. also expedient, impede.
Derivatives: fetter, tr. v., fetter-er, n., fetterless, adj.
fettle, tr. v., to put in order, arrange. - ME.
fetlen, 'to gird up', fr. OE. fete/, 'girdle, belt',
rei. to ON. feti/1, 'strap, brace', MLG. vetel,
OHG. feJJil, MHG. veJJel, G. Fessel, 'fetter,
chain', to OE. fatian, OHG. [a336n, 'to seize,
hold', and to E. vat (q.v.); confused with OE.
fetor, OS. feteros, etc. 'fetter' (see prec. word).
Derivatives: fettle, n., fettl-er, n., fettl-ing,
verb. n.
fetus, foetus, n., unborn offspring. - L fetus,
foetus, 'a bringing forth, offspring', rei. to jemina, 'a woman', lit., 'she who suckles', fe-liire,
'to suck', je-cundus, 'fruitful, fertile', je-nus,
'proceeds, increase', lit. 'that which is produced', fi-lius (for *fe-lios), 'son', lit. 'a suckling', fr. Latin base *je-, corresponding to
I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *dhl(i)-, *dhf-, 'to suck,
suckle'. See filial and cp. words there referred to.
fetwa, n. - See futwa.
feu, n., a fief. -OF. feu, fieu, fiu, fr. ML. feum,
fevum, a word of Teut. origin. See fee, 'estate',
and cp. feud, 'fief'.
Derivatives: feu, tr. v., feuar (q.v.)
feuar, n., a person holding a feu (Scot. law). A hybrid coined fr. feu and -ar, a suff. of Latin
origin. Cp. liar.
feud, n., enmity.- ME. fede, feide, fr. OF. fede,
fr. OHG. fehida (MHG. vede, G. Fehde), 'contention, quarrel, feud', which is rei. to OE.
fiihO(o), 'feud, enmity', MDu. vede, vete, (Du.
vete), of s.m., OE. [ah, 'hostile'. See foe.
Derivative: feud-al, adj.
feud, n., a fief. - ML. feudum, fr. feum, a word
of Teut. origin; cp. Goth. faihu, 'property',
OHG. fihu, 'cattle', and see fee (in both senses)
and cp. infeudation. The d in ML. feudum is
prob. due to the influence of the word allodium (q.v.)
Derivatives: feudal (q.v.), feudatory (q.v.)
feudal, adj., I) pertaining to land held in feud;
2) pertaining to feudalism. -OF., fr. ML. feudiilis, fr. feudum. See feud, 'fief', and adj. suiT.
-al.
Derivatives: feudal-ism, n., feudal-ist, n., feudalist-ic, adj.,feudal-ity, n.,feudal-ize, tr. v.,feudaliz-ation, n., feudal-ly, adv.
feudatory, adj. and n. -A collateral form of obsolete feudatary, fr. ML. feudatiirius, fr. feudum,
'fief'. See feud, 'fief', and adj. suffixes -ate and
-ory. Derivatives: feudatori-al, adj.
feu de joie, public bonfire. -F., lit. 'fire of joy'.
F. feu derives fr. L. focus, de, 'of, from', comes
fr. L. de, 'from, away from', joie derives fr. L.
gaudia, pl. of gaudium, 'joy'. See focus, deand joy.
feuille morte, adj. and n., filemot. - F. feuille
morte, 'dead leaf'. See memot.
feuilleton, n., 1) part of a French newspaper de-

fey

voted to criticism, etc.; 2) installment of a serial

story printed in a newspaper.- F., orig. a 'leaflet added to the newspaper', dimin. of feuille,
'leaf', fr. L. folium, of s.m. See foil, 'leaf of
metal'.
Derivatives: feuilleton-ism, n., feuilleton-ist, n.,
feuilleton-ist-ic, adj.
fever, n. - ME. fevre, fevere, fr. OE. fefor,fefer,
rei. to MLG. vever (whence Dan. and Swed.
Ieber), OHG. fiebar (whence MHG., vieber, G.
Fieber), fr. L. febris, 'fever' (whence also It.
febbre, Rum. febra, OProven9 febre, F. fievre,
OSp. hiebre, Sp. fiebre, Port. febre), which is
rei. to L. fovere, 'to warm, keep warm',favilla
(for *!ovilla), 'embers', fr. I.-E. base *dog"'h-.
*deg"'h-, 'to burn', whence also Goth. dags, OE.
d<eg, 'day', orig. 'burning heat'. See day and
cp. next word and febrifuge, febrile. Cp. also
foment.
Derivatives: fever, tr. and intr. v.,fever- ed, adj.,
fever-ish, adj., fever-ish-ly, adv., fever-ish-ness,
n., fever-ous, adj., fever-ous-ly, adv.
feverfew, n., a plant of the aster family. - OE.
fefetfuge, fr. Late L. febnfuga, fr. L. febnfugia,
lit. 'driving fever away', fr. febris, 'fever', and
fug-iire, 'to put to flight', fr. fug-ere, 'to flee';
so called for its alleged medicinal properties.
See prec. word and fugitive and cp. febrifuge.
few, adj.-- ME. fewe, fr. OE. feawe, pl. of jea,
rei. to OS. fiih, ON. fiir, Dan. faa. Swed. fd,
'few', OFris. [e, OHG. fao, [6, foh, 'little',
Goth. fawai (pl.), 'few', and cogn. with L.
paucus, 'few, little' (for *pau-qos), pau/lus (later
spelled paulus), 'little' (for *pauc:slo-s), pauper,
'poor' (prob. for *pauc(o)-pars,' lit. 'he who
acquires little'), and cogn. with Gk. rrocupo~,
'few, little', rrocic;, gen. rrnoo~. 'child', 7t<7JAO~,
'foal', L. p1jber, pubes, 'grown up, adult', puer,
'child, boy', puella, 'girl', putus, 'boy', pu/lus,
'a young animal', Oscan pu-klu, 'child', OI.
p6tah, a young animal', putra/:1, 'son', Avestic
pu&ra-, 'son, child', OSiav. puta, putica, 'bird',
Lith. put_'tis, 'young animal, young bird', Lett.
putns, 'bird', Alb. pel'c, 'mare', OE. fola, Goth.
fula, 'foal'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*piiu-, *p'u-, *pu-, 'small, little, few, young'.
Cp. foal. Cp. also catchpole, encyclopedia, orthopedic, parvi-, paucity, Paul, paulo-postfuture, pauper, polecat, poltroon, pony, pool (in
gambling), poor, poult, poulter, poultry, poverty,
puberty, pubes, pubescent, pubis, pucelle, puerile,
puerperal, pullet, Punchinello, pupa, pupil,
'scholar', pupil of the eye, puppet, puppy,
pusillanimous, putti and the second clement in
Rajput. Cp. also the second element in semper.
Derivatives: few, n., fe'><-ness, adj.
fey, adj., fated; doomed to die. - ME. feie, fr.
OE.fiige, rei. to OS.fegi.feg, ON.feigr, OFris.
fai, OHG. feigi, 'doomed to die', MDu. vege,
Du. veeg, 'about to die', MHG. veige, 'doomed
to die; timid, coward', Dan. feig, Swed. feg,
G. feig, 'cowardly', and to OE. fiih, 'hostile',

fez

fr. I.-E. base *peik-, 'evil-minded, treacherous,

hostile'. See foe and cp. feud, 'enmity'.
fez, n., a red felt cap with a long black tassel.Fr. Fez, a town in Morocco.
fiacre, n., a French hackney cab. - F:, fr. the
Hotel St. Fiacre, rue St. Antoine, Paris, where
carriages were first hired (since I640). Fiacre is
the French form of the name of the Celtic saint
Fiachra.
fiance, fern. fiancee, n., a betrothed person. F., pp. of fiancer, 'to affiance, betroth'. See
affiance.
fiar, n., a person in whom a fee simple is vested
(Scot. law).- See feuar.
liars, n. pl., prices of grain, fixed every February
for the coming year (Scot.) - OF. fuar, fuer,
'price' (whence F. fur, 'proportion'), fr. Late
L. forum, 'price', fr. L. forum, 'market, public
place'. See forum.
fiasco, n., a complete failure. - It., lit. 'bottle',
in the phrase far fiasco, 'to make a bottle; to
fail'. This sense development is prob. due to
the fact that the Venetian glass-makers used
only perfectly flawless material for the articles
manufactured by them. If in the course of their
work the glass showed any flaw, they set it aside
to make of it a fiasco, a common bottle or
flask. Accordingly far fiasco came to denote
not only 'to make a bottle', but 'to fail in one's
work or plans'. For the etymol. of It. fiasco
see flask.
fiat, n., an authoritative command. - L. fiat,
'let it be done', 3rd person sing. subj. pres. of
fieri, 'to be done, to become', rei. to L. fui,
'I have been'. See be and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the second element in ratafia.
fib, n., a mild lie.- Prob. fr. earlier fibble-fable,
anti phonic reduplication of fable.
Derivatives: fib, intr. v., fibb-er, n., fibb-ery, n.
fiber, fibre, n.- F.fibre, fr. L.fibra, 'fiber', which
is of uncertain origin. It stands perh. for I.-E.
*gwhis-rii and is rei. to filum, 'thread', which
stands for *gwhis-lom. See file, 'a collection
of papers.
Derivatives: fibril (q.v.), fibrilla (q.v.), fibrin
(q.v.), fibro-, combining form,fibroid(q. v.),fibroin, n.,fibroma (q.v.),fibrosis (q.v.),fibr-ous, adj.,
fibr-ous-ly, adv., fibr-ous-ness, n.
fibriform, adj., fiberlike. - Compounded of L.
fibra, 'fiber', and forma, 'shape, form'. See
fiber and form, n.
'
fibril, n., a small fiber. - Back formation fr.
ModL. fibrilla. See next word.
fibrilla, n., a fibril.- ModL., 'fibril', dimin. of
L. libra, 'fiber'. See fiber.
Derivatives: fibrill-ar, fibrill-ary, adjs.,fibri/1-ate,
intr. v., fibrill-at-ed, adj., fibrill-ation, n., fibri/1ed, fibrill-ose, fibrill-ous, adjs.
fibrin, n., a coagulable fibrous protein found in
blood (biochem.) - Coined fr. L. fibra (see
fiber) and chem. sutf. -In. The term fibrin was
introduced by the Swiss anatomist and physic-

588

legist Albrecht von Haller (I708-77) and adopted by Alexander Schmftlt (I83I-94) about 1870.
fibrinogen, n., a protein in the blood, which produces fibrin (biochem.) - A hybrid coined by
Alexander Schmidt (see prec. word) fr. fibrin
and Gk. -yevf)~. 'born of, produced by'. See -gen.
Derivatives: fibrinogen-ic, fibrinogen-ous, adjs.
fibroid, adj. and n. -A hybrid coined fr. L. fibra
(see fiber) and Gk. -oeL3ij~. 'like', fr. e!3o~, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
fibroin, n., an albuminoid, forming the chief constitue.nt in natural silk. - F. fibrofne, formed
fr. L. fibra (see fiber) with suff. -ine (see chem.
suff. -lne, -in).
fibroma, n., a benign fibrous tumor (med.) - A
Medical L. hybrid coined by Verneuil fr. L. fibra
(see fiber) and -oma, a suff. of Greek origin.
fibrosis, n., abnormal formation of fibrous tissue
(med.)- A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L.fibra
(see fiber) and -osis, a suff. of Greek origin.
fibula, n., I) a clasp; 2) the outer bone of the leg
(anat.) - L. fibula, 'clasp, buckle, brooch',
haplologic contraction of VL. *fivibula, for
*figwe-bula, fr. VL. *fivere, a collateral form of
L.figere, 'to stick, fasten, fix'. See ditch and cp.
fix. Cp. also infibulate.
Derivative: fibul-ar, adj.
-fie, adj., suff. meaning 'making, causing'.- L.
-ficus (mostly through the medium of F. -fique),
formed from the stem of -ficere, unstressed form
offacere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. -ficate,
-fy. The suff. -fie is connected with the primary
word by the thematic vowel -i- (cp. e.g. aur-ific, color-i-fic).
-ficate, verbal suff. meaning 'to make, cause'. L. -ficiitus, pp. suff. of verbs in -ficiire. See -fie
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. -fy.
-fication, subst. suff. denoting a making or causing. - F. -fication, fr. L. -ficiiti6nem, ace. of
-ficiiti6, fr. -ficiitus. See -ficate and -ion.
ficelle, adj., string-colored. - F., 'string, thread,
cord', fr. VL. *filicella, a double dimin. derived
fr. L. filum, 'thread'. See file, 'collection of
papers'.
fichu, n., a kind of small triangular garment
worn by women round the neck. - F., 'neckerchief', popular pp. of ficher, 'to fix' (influenced
in form by a coarser synonym), fr. VL. *!I!Jiciire, a derivative of L. figere, 'to fix'. See fix.
fickle, adj.- ME. fikel, fr. OE. fico/, 'deceitful',
rei. to OE. be-fician, 'to deceive', OE. fiicen, OS.
fokan, OHG.feihhan, 'deceit, fraud, treachery',
OE.fiih, 'hostile', OHG.fehan, 'to hate', fr. I.-E.
base *peig-, 'evil-minded, treacherous, hostile',
whence also L. piget, 'it irks, troubles, displeases', piger, 'reluctant, averse, lazy'. Cp. the
collateral base *peik-, whose derivatives see
under feud, 'enmity', fey and foe.
Derivatives: fickle-ness, n., fickl-y, adv. (rare).
ficoid, adj., resembling a fig. - A hybrid coined
fr. L. jzcus, 'fig', and Gk. -oeL3ij~, 'like', fr.
dSo~, 'form, shape'. See Ficus and -oid.

589

fiend

-ity and cp. affidavit, auto-da-re, beadle, bona

tictile, adj., capable of being molded, plastic. fide, confederate, confide, defy, diffident, feal,
L. fictilis, 'made of clay, earthen', fr. fictus, pp.
fealty, federal, fideicommissum, fiducial, fiduof fingere, 'to form, shape, invent'. See next
ciary, infidelity, mala fide, perfidy.
word and -ile.
fidget, intr. v., to move restlessly; tr. v., to cause
fiction, n. - F., fr. L. ficti6nem, ace. of ficti6, 'a
to fidget.- Dial. E. fidge, 'to move restlessly',
forming, shaping', fr. fictus, pp. of fingere, 'to
fr. ME. fiken, 'to fidget, hasten', fr. ON.fikjask
form, shape'. The original meaning of this verb
(ref!. v.), 'to desire eagerly'.
was 'to knead'. It derives fr. I.-E. base *dheigh-,
Derivatives: fidget, n., fidget-er, n., fidget-ing,
*dhoigh-, *dhigh-, 'to knead, form out of clay,
adj., fidget-ing-ly, adv., fidget-y, adj., fidget-i-ly,
form, shape', whence also OE. diig, 'dough'; see
adv., fidget-i-ness, n.
dough and -ion. For the change of the concrete
fidibus, n., a paper spill for lighting pipes. - G.,
meaning to the abstract cp. L. comprehtmdere,
pro b. from facetious interpretation of the word
'to seize, grasp; to comprehend, understand'
fidibus in Horace, Odes I 36: Et ture et fidibus
(see comprehend).
juvat pliiciire . . . de6s ('It pleases to appease
Derivatives: fictionist (q.v.), fiction-al, adj.,
the gods with incense and lyre'); ture abl. of
fiction-al-ly, adv.
tus, 'smoke', was taken humorously, in the
fictionist, n., a writer of fiction. - A hybrid
sense of 'tobacco-smoke', and fidibus was acformed fr. fiction with -ist, a suff. of Greek
cordingly explained as 'spill for lighting the
origin.
pipe'. Fidibus is the pl. ablative of L. fides, 'gut
Derivative: fictionist-ic, adj.
string, stringed instrument, lyre', which is cogn.
fictitious, adj., I) imaginary; 2) false. - L.
with Gk. crcp(8e~ (Hesychius), 'sausage'. The
ficticius, 'counterfeit, feigned, not genuine',
word fidibus was introduced into English by
fr. fictus, pp. of fingere. See fiction and -itious.
the American poet Henry Wads worth LongDerivatives: fictitious-ly, adv., fictitious-ness, n.
fellow (1807-82) in 1829.
fictive, adj., imaginary; feigned. - F. fictif
(fern. fictive), fr. L. fictus, pp. of fingere. See fiducial, adj., I) based on faith; 2) like a trust.L. juiuciiilis, 'reliable', fr. fiducia, 'trust, faith',
fiction and -ive.
fr. fidere, 'to trust'. See fidelity and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: fictive-ly, adv.
fiduciary, adj., I) of a trustee; 2)held in trust; n.,
Ficus, n., a genus of trees, the fig. - L. ficus,
a trustee. - L. fidiiciiirius, 'relating to a thing
'fig tree, fig.' See fig.
held in trust', fr. fidiicia. See prec. word and
tid, n., a bar of wood used as support (naut.)adj. suff. -ary.
Of uncertain origin.
fie, interj. - ME. fi, fr. OF. fi; imitative. Cp.
fiddle, n. - ME. fithele, fr. OE. fioele, rei. to
L. fi.
ON. fiola, MDu. vedel(e) [Du. ve(d)el], OHG.
fief, also feoff, n., land held in fee. - OF. feof,
fidufa (MHG. videle, G. Fiedel). These words
fief, fr. feudum, 'fief'. See feud, 'a fief'.
probably derive fr. VL. vitula, name of a
field, n. - ME. feld, fild, fr. OE. feld, rei. to OS.,
stringed instrument, which is of uncertain
OFris., OHG. feld, MHG. velt, G. Feld, Du.
origin. It is possibly a back formation fr. L.
veld, 'field', and to ON. fold, 'earth', OE. fo/de,
vituliiri, 'to exult, be joyful', which prob. stands
OS. folda, of s.m. Cognates outside Teut. are
for vi-tuliiri and orig. meant 'to lift up one's
Lett. pliitit, 'to flatten', Olr. liithar, 'distrivoice in joy', fr. *vi, exclamation of joy (cp.
bution', Mlr. liithair, 'surface'. All these words
Gk. euor, exclamation used in the cult of Dioderive fr. I.-E. *pelii-to , enlargement of
nysus) and tu/6, a secondary form of tol/6, 'I
base *pelii-, 'fiat, plain', whence L. planus, 'fiat,
raise'. See tolerate and cp. words there referred
level', OSiav. polje, 'field'. See plain, adj., and
to. Cp. also viol.
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also veld and
Derivatives :fiddle, v.,fiddler (q.v.),fiddl-ing, adj.
the first element in feldspar. Cp. also Pole.
fiddle-faddle, intr. v., to trifle. - Antiphonic
Derivatives: field, tr. and intr. v., fte/d-er, n.
reduplication of fiddle.
fieldfare, n., a kind of thrush. - ME. feldefare,
fiddler, n.- OE.fioelere, fr,fioele. See fiddle and
fr. OE. feldefare, lit. 'field goer'. See field and
agential suff. -er.
fare, 'to prosper'.
fiddley, n., the iron framework round the deck
fiend, n. - ME., fr. OE. feond, 'enemy, foe', lit.
opening that leads to the stokehole of a steam'hater', rei. to ON. fjiindi, OHG. jumt (MHG.
ship (naut.) - Of uncertain origin.
vient, G. Feind), Goth. fijands; prop. pres. parfideicommissum, n. (law). - L., lit. '(something)
ticiples of OE. ]eon, jeogan, resp. ON. fjii,
entrusted to faith', fr. fidei, dat. of fides, 'faith',
OHG. fien, Goth. fijan, 'to hate'; fr. I.-E. base
and neut. pp. of committere, 'to join together;
*pei-, *pi-, 'to blame, revile', whence also Goth.
to entrust'. See faith and commit.
faian, 'to blame', 01. pfjati, 'reviles, scorns'.
fidelity, n.- F. fidelite, fr. L. fidelitiitem ace. of
For mode of formation cp. friend.
fidelitiis, 'faithfulness, fidelity', fr. fide/is, 'true,
Derivatives: fiend-ful, adj., fiend-ful-ly, adv.,
faithful', fr. fides, 'faith, confidence, belief',
fiend-ish, adj., fiend-ish-ly, adv., fiend-ish-ness,
which is rei. to foedus, 'compact, treaty', and
n., fiend-like, fiend-ly, adjs., fiend-li-ness, n.
cogn. with OE. biddon, 'to ask'. See bid and

fierce

fierce, adj. - ME. fers, fiers, fr. OF. fers, fiers,

nom. of fer, fier, 'wild, ferocious' (whence F.
fier, 'proud'), fr. L. ferus, 'wild', fr. I.-E. base
*g'"lr-, 'wild, wild animal', also Gk . .&~p. whence
Lesbian <:p~p, Thessal. <:pc:(p, 'wild beast', OSlav.
zveri, Lith. :iveris, 'wild beast', OPruss. swirins
(ace. pl.), 'wild beasts'. Cp. feral, 'wild', ferocious. Cp. also theralite, theriac, therio-, treacle.
Derivatives: fierce-ly, adv., fierce-ness, n.
fieri facias, name of writ issued by a sheriff concerning the sum for which judgment has been
obtained (law). - L., 'cause it to be done'. See
fiat and fact.
fiery, adj. - Formed fr. fire with adj. suff. -y,
Derivatives: fieri-/y, adv., fieri-ness, n.
fife, n.- F. fifre, 'fife, fifer', fr. Swiss G. pfifer,
'fifer', fr. MHG. pfife (G. Pfeife), 'fife; pipe',
fr. VL. *pipa, 'tube, pipe', back formation fr.
*pipiire, 'to pipe'. See pipe and cp. peep, 'to chirp'.
Derivatives: fife, intr. and tr. v., fif-er, n.
fifteen, adj. and n. ---ME. fiftene, fr. OE.fiftyne,
fiftene, which is formed fr. fif, 'five', with suff.
-tyne, -tene, '-teen' (see five and -teen); rel. to
OS. fiftein, ON. fimtiin, Dan., Norw. femten,
Swed. femton, OFris.fiftine, Du. vijftien, OHG.
finfzehan, MHG. viinfzehen, fiinfzehen, G. fiinfzehn, Goth. jimftaihun, 'fifteen'.
fifteenth, adj. and n. - Formed fr. fifteen with
numeral suff. -th on the analogy of tenth. Cp.
ME. fiftethe, fr. OE. fifteooa, 'fifteenth', which
was formed fr. fiftyne, 'fifteen', on the analogy
of teooa, 'tenth'; see tithe, n. Cp. also ON.
fimmtiindi, Dan. femtende, Swed. femtonde,
OFris. fiftuda, Du. vijftiende, OHG. fin/tazehanto, G. fiinfzehnte, Goth. fimftataihunda, 'fifteenth'.
fifth, adj. and n.- ME. fiji he, formed on the
analogy of fourthe, 'fourth'-fr. ME. fifte,
'fifth', fr. OE. fifta, fr. fij; 'five' (see five and
numeral suff. -th); rel. to OS.fifto, ON. fimmti,
Dan., Swed., Norw. femte, Du. vijfde, OHG.
fimfto, funfto, MHG. viinfte, G. fiinfte, Goth.
fimfta.
fiftieth, adj. and n. - Formed fr. fifty with numeral suff. -th on analogy of tenth. Cp. OE. fiftigooa, fr. fiftig, 'fifty'. Cp. also ON. fimmtugande, Swed. femtionde, 'fiftieth'.
fifty, adj. and n. -- ME., fr. OE. fiftig, which is
formed fr. OE./1/, 'five', with -tig, 'ten' (see five
and -ty, suff. denoting multiples of ten); rel.
to OS. fiftich, ON. fimm tigir, Swed. femtio,
Norw. femti, OFris. fiftich, fiftech, Du. vijftig,
OHG. fimf:.ug, MHG. fiimfzec, fiinfzec, G.
{iinfzi~:, Goth. fimf ti~tius, 'fifty'.
fig, n., the fruit.- OF. ( = F.) figue, fr. OProven~. jiga, fr. VL. *fica, fr. L. ficus, 'fig tree,
fig', which prob. derives fr. Phoen.-Hcb. pagh,
phagh (pl. paggfm, phaggim), 'half-ripe fig'. Cp.
Ficus, the first element in ficoid and the second
element in beccatico, capritication, comfrey.
fig, tr. v., to dress. - A var. of feague.
Derivative: fig, n., dress; condition.

590

fight, tr. and intr. v. - ME. fehten, fr. OE. feohtan, rel. to OFris. fiuhta, OS., OHG. fehtan,
Du. vechten, MHG. vehten, G. fechten, fr. I.-E.
base *pek-, 'to pluck out (wool or hair)', whence
also Gk. rt~XELV, Att. rtc:x-rdv, 'to comb, shear',
x-rd~, gen. xnv6~ (for *pkten-), 'comb', L.
pecten, gen. -inis, of s.m., pectere, 'to comb'.
For sense development cp. Lith. pesti, 'to pluck
out', su-si-pesti, 'to fight, scuffle', which are of
the same base. See fee, 'cattle', and cp. pecten.
Derivativcs:fight, n. (q.v.),fight-er, n.,fight-ing,
adj., fight-ing-ly, adv.
fight, n. - ME. fiht, fr. OE. feoht, fr. feohtan,
'to fight'. See fight, v.
figment, n., r) something imaginary. 2) invented
story. - L. figmentum, 'formation; fiction;
figure', rel. to figura, 'shape, figure', lit. 'something shaped', fr. fingere, 'to form, shape'. See
fiction and -ment and cp. figure.
Derivative: figment-a/, adj.
figurant (masc.), figurante (fern.), n., a ballet
dancer.- F., prop. masc., rcsp. fern., pres. part.
of figurer, 'to figure, shape', fr. L. figuriire, fr.
figura, 'shape, figure'. See figure, n., and -ant.
figurate, adj. - L. figuriitus, pp. of figuriire. See
prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
figuration, n. - F., fr. L. figuriiti6nem, ace. of
figuriiti6, 'a forming, ~haping', fr. figuriitus, pp.
of figuriire. See prcc. word and -ion.
figurative, adj. - F. figuratif (fern. figurative), fr.
Late L. figuriitlvus, 'figurative', fr. L. figllriitus,
pp. of figllriire. See figurate and -ive.
Derivatives: figurative-ly, adv.,figurathe-ness, n.
figure, n.- F., fr. L. fig1ira, 'form, shape, figure;
nature, species', rei. to fingere, 'to form, shape'.
Sec fiction and -ure.
figure, tr. and intr. v.- F. figurer, fr. L.fig!lriire,
'to form, shape', fr. figura. See figure, n., and
cp. configure, disfigure, prefigure, transfigure.
Derivative: figur-ed, adj.
figurine, n., a small figure; a statuette. - F., fr.
It. figurina, dimin. of figura, fr. L. figura. See
figure, n., and -ine (representing L. -in us).
fig wart, a condyloma. - Cp. OE.fic, MHG. vic,
veig, 'the piles', fr. L. ficus, 'fig tree, fig; the
piles' (see fig, n.); so called from its shape.
Filago, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. L. filum, 'thread'. See file,
'collection of papers'. Cp. Gifola.
filament, n., a fine thread, fiber.- F., fr. ModL.
filiimentum, fr. Late L. /iliire, 'to spin'. See file,
'collection of papers', and -ment.
Derivatives: filament-ary, filament-eel, filamentous, adjs.
Filaria, n., a genus of nematode worms (zoo/.)ModL., lit. 'threadlike', fr. filum, 'thread'. See
file, 'collection of papers'.
filariasis, n., a disease caused by Filaria (med.)A Medical Latin hybrid coined fr. Filaria (fr.
L. filum) and -iasis, a suff. of Greek origin.
filature, n., the reeling of silk from cocoons. F., fr. Late L. fi/iitus, pp. of filiire, 'to spin', fr.

591

filum, 'thread'. See file, 'collection of papers',

and -ure.
filbert, n., the hazelnut. - Fr. dial. F. noix de
filbert, lit. 'nut of Philibert'; so called because
the day of St. Philibert (Aug. 22) fell in the
nutting season. The name Philibert derives fr.
OHG. Filuberht and lit. means 'very bright'.
See bright and cp. the second element in Albert
and in names there referred to.
filch, tr. v., to steal.- Of unknown origin.
Derivatives: filch-er, n., filch-ery, n., filch-ing,
adj., filch-ing-ly, adv.
file, n., r) a collection of papers; 2) a line, row.
- In some senses fr. F. file, 'row', fr. filer, 'to
spin', fr. Late L. filiire, 'to spin' (whence also
It.fi/are, OProven~.filar, Sp. hilar, 'to spin'), fr.
L. filum, 'thread', in some fr. F.fil, 'thread' (fr.
L. filum). L. filum stands for I.-E. base *gwhislom and is cogn. with Arm. jil, 'sinew, string,
line', Lith. gysla, 'vein, sinew', Lett. dzisla,
'vein', OPruss. pette-gislo, 'vein of the back',
OSlav. :iila, 'vein'. L. f!lnis, 'rope, line, cord',
is not cognate. Cp. Filago, filament, Filaria,
filigree, ficelle, enfilade, profile, purfle. Cp. also
hilum, nihil.
Derivative: file, tr. v., to arrange in a file.
file, tr. v., to march in file; tr. v., to cause to
march in file. - F. filer, fr. Late L. [flare, 'to
march in file', fr. L. filum, 'thread'. See file, 'a
collection of papers', and cp. defile, 'to march
in file'.
file, n., a tool of steel. - ME. file, fr. OE. feo/,
fil, rei. to OS., OHG. fila, OSwed. /iii, MDu.,
MHG. vile, Du. vijl, G. Feile, and prob. cogn.
with 01. pimsdti, 'hews out, carves', L. pingere,
'to paint'. See paint and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: file, tr. v., to rub with a file, fil-er,
n., fil-ing, n.
file, tr. v., to make foul, to defile (archaic or dial.)
- ME. fi/en, fulen, fr. OE. -fylan (occurring
only in compounds), fr. f!ll, 'foul'. See foul and
cp. defile, 'to make foul'.
filemot, adj., of the color of a dead leaf. - Corruption of F. feuil/e morte, 'dead leaf', fr.
feuil/e, 'leave' (fr. L. folia), and morte, fem. of
mort, 'dead', pp. of mourir, 'to die'. See folio and
mortal and cp. feuille morte. Cp. also feuilleton.
filial, adj.- VL.filiiilis, 'filial', fr. L./ilius, 'son',
assimilated fr. *felios, orig. 'a suckling', rel.
to fo-liire, 'to suck', fe-cundus, 'fruitful, fertile',
fo-mina, 'woman', lit., 'she who suckles', fe-lix,
'fruitful; auspicious, happy',fo-tus, n., a bringing forth; offspring', fe-tus, adj., 'pregnant,
breeding, fruitful', fo-nus, 'proceeds, increase',
lit. 'that which is produced', fr. L. base *fo-,
corresponding to I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *dht(i)-,
*dhl-, 'to suck, suckle, produce, yield', whence
also OI. dluiyati, 'sucks', dhiiyai), 'nourishing',
dhiirU/:1, 'sucking', Gk . .&-tJ-A~, 'mother's breast,
teat, nipple', &ij-)..~, 'female, fruitful', Homeric &ij-a-9-at~, 'to suck, milk', Gk . .&Tj-vLov

Filix
(Hesychius), 'milk', OSlav. doj(J, dojiti, 'to
suckle', dojilica, 'nurse', dett 'child', deva, ~vir
gin', Lith. deli!, 'leech', Lett. deju, det, 'to suck',
d/s, 'son', dilit, 'to suckle', OPruss., dadan,
'milk', Goth. dadd_jan, 'to suckle', OSwed.
dceggja, OHG. tiien, of s.m., OHG. tila, 'female
breast', Olr. dinu, 'lamb', denaim, 'I suck', Bret.
denaff, of s.m., Mir. del, 'teat, nipple'. Cp.
affiliate, dug, 'teat', effeminate, effete, epithelium,
fecund, felicity, female, feminine, fennel, fenugreek, fetus, Fitz-, thely-, the first element in
hidalgo and the second element in sainfoin.
Derivatives: filial-ity, t.., filial-ly, adv.
filiate, tr. v., to adopt as a son or daughter; to
affiliate. - ML. filiiitus, pp. of filiiire, 'to have
a child', fr. L. filius, 'son',fflia, 'daughter'. See
filial and verbal suff. -ate and cp. affiliate.
filiation, n., the act of filiating; affiliation. - F.,
fr. ML. fi!iiiti6nem, ace. of ffliiitio, fr. filiiire.
See prec. word and -ion.
filibeg, n., a kilt. - Gael. feileadh beag, fr.
foileadh, 'kilt', and beag, 'small'.
Filibranchia, n., an order of bivalve mollusks
(zoo/.) - A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. filum,
'thread', and Gk. f3P~YXLOV, 'gill'. See file, 'collection of papers', and branchia.
filibuster, n., 1) freebooter, pirate; 2) one who
obstructs political action by wasting (lit. 'pirating') the time of Congress by talking (U.S.A.)
- Sp.filihustero, 'freebooter', pro b. fr. r6th cent.
E. flibutor (whence also F. jlibustier), a var. of
freebooter (q.v.)
Derivatives: filibuster, intr. and tr. v., filibusterer, n., filibuster-ism, n., filibuster-ous, adj.
filicide, n., one who kills his son or daughter. Compounded of L.fi/ius, 'son', or [ilia, 'daughter', and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See
filial and -cide, 'killer'.
filicide, n., the act of killing one's son or daughter.
- Compounded of L. filius, 'son', or [ilia,
'daughter', and -cidium, 'killing', fr. caedere, 'to
kill'. See filial and -cide, 'killing'.
filigrain, filigrane, n., filigree (archaic). - F., fr.
It. fi/igrana, fr. L. filum, 'thread', and granum,
'grain'. Sec file, 'collection of papers', and
grain, and cp. next word.
Derivative: filigran-ed, adj.
filigree, n., ornamental work of fine wire.
Corrupted fr. filigrane.
Derivatives: filigree, tr. v ., filigre-ed, adj.
Filipendula, n., a genus of plants of the rose
family (bot.)- ModL., compounded ofL.fi/um,
'thread', and pendulus, 'hanging' (see next word);
so called in allusion to the roots. Cp. next word.
filipendulous, adj., suspended by a thread. Compounded of L.filum, 'thread', andpendulus,
'hanging', fr. pendere, 'to hang'. See file, 'a collection of papers', pendant and -ous, and cp.
prec. word.
Filix, n., a genus of ferns of the family Polypodiaceae (bot.) - L. filix, gen. -icis, 'a fern', of
uncertain origin.

till

fill, tr. and intr. v. - ME. fillen, Julien, fr. OE.

Jyllan, rei. to OS.fulljan, ON., Swed.fy/la, Dan.
fyl.ie, OFris. fella, Du. vullen, OHG. Julien,
MHG., G. jUlien, Goth. fulljan, 'to fill', and to
E. full, adj. (q.v.)
Derivatives: fill-er, n., filling, n. and adj., filling-ly, adv., fill-ing-ness, n.
fill, n., a full supply. - ME. fille, fr. OE. fyllo,
rei. to OE. fyllan, 'to fill'. Cp. ON.fyllr, OHG.
ful/i, 'abundance', Goth. ufar-fullei, 'superabundance', and see fill, v.
fille de chambre, chambermaid. - F., fr. L. /ilia,
'daughter', de, 'from, away from', and camera,
'vault, arched roof'. See filial, de-, and chamber.
fillet, n. - F. filet, dimin. of fil, 'thread, fr. L.
filum. See file, 'collection of papers', and -et.
Derivatives: fillet, tr. v., fillet-er, n., fillet-ing, n.
fillip, tr. and intr. v. and n. -Of imitative origin.
Cp. flap, flip, flippant, flop.
fillister, n., a plane for grooving. -Of unknown
origin.
fillowite, n., a hydrous phosphate of manganese.
iron, sodium, etc. (mineral.) - Named after
A.N. Fillow of Branchville, Connecticut. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
filly, n., a female foal.- ME. fillie, fr. ON.fylja,
fern. of foli, 'foal'. See foal and cp. words there
referred to.
film, n.- ME.filme, fr. OE. filmen, 'membrane',
rei. to OFris. filmene, 'skin', OE. fell, 'hide,
skin'. See fell, 'hide', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: film, intr. and tr. v., film-ic, adj.,
film-y, adj., film-i-ly, adv., film-i-ness, n.
filoselle, n., floss silk. - F., fr. dial. It. filosello,
'cocoon of the silkworm; floss silk', a blend of
*folisello, 'a little bag', and fifo, 'thread'. It.
*folisello derives fr. VL. *follicellus, fr. L. folliculus, 'a little bag', dimin. of follis, 'a pair of
bellows; a bag'; see follicle. It. fifo comes fr.
L. filum, 'thread'; see file, 'a collection of
papers'.
filter, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) filtre, fr. ML.
filtrum, 'a strainer of felt', fr. Teut. *felti-, 'felt'.
See felt and cp. felter.
filter, tr. and intr. v. - ML. filtriire, fr.filtrum.
See filter, n., and cp. filtrate.
Derivatives: filter-able, adj., filter-abil-ity, n.,
filter-able-ness, n., filter-er, n., filter-ing, n.
filth, n. - ME. filthe, fulthe, fr. OE.fyld, rei. to
OHG. fiilida. 'filth'. See foul and subst. suff. -th.
Derivatives: filth-y, adj., filth-i-ly, adv., filth-iness, n.
filtrable, adj. - See filtrate and -able and cp.
filterable.
filtrate, tr. and intr. v., to filter. - ML. filtriitus,
pp. of filtriire. See filter, v., and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: filtrate, n., filtrat-ion, n.
fimble, n., the male hemp plant; its fiber. MDu. fimele (cp. the variants femele, femeel,
fumeel), fr. F. (chanvre) /emelle, lit. 'female

593

hemp'; now used to denote the male hemp. See

female.
fimbria, n., fringe, border. - L., 'fiber, fringe'.
See fringe.
fimbriate, adj., fringed.- Formed with adj. suff.
-ate fr. L. fimbria. See prec. word.
Derivative: fimbriat-ed, adj.
Fimbristylis, n., a genus of plants of the sedge
family (bot.) - A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L.
fimbria, 'thread, fringe' (see fimbria), and stylus,
fr. Gk. cr-rii).[c;, 'pillar', which is rei. to cr-rii).oc;,
'pillar' (see style, 'gnomon'). The correct form
would be Lomatostylis, in which both elements
are of Greek origin (see loma).
fin, n. - ME. finne, fr. OE. finn, rei. to MLG.,
MDu. vinne, Du. vin (G. Finne is a LG. loan
word), and possibly cogn. with L. spina, 'thorn,
spine'. See spine.
Derivatives: fin, tr. and intr. v., finn-ed, adj.
finable, adj. - Formed with suff. -able fr. fine,
'to punish by a fine'.
final, adj.- ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) final, fr. Late
L.finiilis, 'pertaining to boundaries, concluding,
final', fr. L. finis, 'limit, boundary, extremity,
end'. See finis and adj. suff. -al and cp. next
word. Cp. also finial.
Derivatives: final, n., finalism, finalist (qq.v),
finality (q.v.), final-ly, adv.
finale, n., close, conclusion. - It., fr. Late L.
finiilis, 'concluding', fr. L. finis. See final.
finalism, n., teleology. - Formed with suff.
-ism fr. L. finiilis. See final.
finalist, n., an adherent of finalism. - Formed
with suff. -ist fr. Late L. finiilis. See final.
finality, n. - F. finalite, fr. Late L. finiilitiitem,
ace. of finiilitiis, 'the state of being final', fr.
/iniilis. See final and -ity.
finance, n.- ME.finaunce, fr. OF. ( = F.)finance,
fr. finer, 'to pay, &ettle a debt', orig. 'to settle
any dispute', fr. ML. /iniire, a collateral form
of L. finire, 'to put an end to, finish', fr.finis,
'end'; see finis and cp. fine, 'end'. For sense
development cp. Gk. -r).oc;, 'end', pl. -rAl),
'services due; dues exacted by the state; financial
means'. For the ending see suff. -ance.
Derivatives: finance, tr. and intr. v., financial
(q.v.), financier (q.v.), financ-ist, n.
financial, adj. - Coined by the British statesman
Edmund Burke (1729-1797) fr. finance and
suff. -ial.
Derivatives: financial-ist, financial-ly, adv.
financier, n. - F., fr. finance. See finance and
-ier.
Derivatives: financier, v., financier-y, n.
finch, n. - ME. finch, fr. OE. fine, rei. to Du.
vink, OHG.finco,fincho, MHG. vinke, G. Fink;
of imitative origin; cp. Gk. crmnoc;, 'chaffinch',
<rnli;~X (for *crJtlY-!~X), of s.m., <rnll;;e:Lv (for
*crmy-!e:Lv), 'to chirp, pipe', which are also
imitative. Cp. also splnk.
Derivatives: finch-ed, adj., finch-ery, n.
find, tr. and intr. v.- ME. /inden, fr. OE. findan,

finical, finicking, finicky, adj., over-fastidious.rei. to OS. findan,fithan, ON., Swed.finna, Dan.
,
Related to fine, adj.
finde, MDu., Du. vinden, OHG. findan, fintan,
Derivatives: finical-ity, n., finical-ly, adv., finiMHG. vinden, G.finden,Goth.fin]!an. The orig.
cal-ness, n.
meaning of these words was 'to come upon', fr.
finis, n., end, close, conclusion. - L. finis, 'limit,
I.-E. base *pent-, 'to go, pass; path, bridge',
boundary, extremity, end', of uncertain origin;
whence also OHG. fendeo, 'pedestrian', 01.
possibly standing for *fig-snis, 'something
panthii/:1, 'path, way', Avestic,pantd, 'way', Arm.
fixed, firmly set', fr. figere, 'to fix, fasten'. See
hun, gen. hni (for *ponti), 'way, ford', Gk.
ditch and cp. fix. Cp. also final, fine, 'end', fine,
1r6v-roc;, 'open sea', 1t1hoc; (for *pl}tos), 'trodden
'delicate', finance, finial, finical, finish, finite,
way, path', 1r1X-r&w, 'I step', L.pons, gen. pontis,
affine, affinity, confine, define, definition, in'bridge', OSlav.p{ltl, 'path',p(!ta, 'heel', OPruss.
finite, refined, superfine, trephine.
pintis, 'way, road'. For sense development cp.
finish, tr. and intr. v. - OF. feniss- (F. finiss-),
Hitt. wemiya, 'to find', lit. 'to come upon',
pres. part. stem of OF. fenir (F. finir), fr. L.
OSlav. na-iti, 'to find', fr. iti, 'to go', and L. infinire, 'to set limits to, bound, enclose, detervenire, 'to find', lit. 'to come upon', fr. in, 'in,
mine, fix, end, finish', fr. finis. See prec. word
on', and venire, 'to come'. Cp. pad, 'road',
verbal suff. -ish.
and
ponceau,
pons,
peripatetic,
also
Cp.
paddle, path.
Derivatives: finish, n., finish-er, n., finish-ing, n.
'culvert', pontifex, pontiff, pontoon, punt, 'river
finite, adj.- L.finitus, pp. offinire, 'to set limits
boat'. Cp. also sputnik.
to, bound, end, finish'. See finish and adj. suff.
Derivatives: find, n., find-able, adj., find-er, n.,
-ite.
find-ing, n.
Derivatives: finite-ly, adv., finite-ness, n.
fine, n., end, conclusion.- ME.fine,fin, fr. OF.
(= F.) fin, 'end, settlement', fr. L. finis. See finis. Finn, n., a native of Finland. - OE. Finnas, 'the
Finns'.
fine, n., a sum paid as penalty. -Lit., 'a sum
Derivatives: Finn-ic, Finn-ish, adjs.
paid as final settlement', fr. fine, 'end, confinnan haddock, also finnan, n., smoked haddock.
clusion'.
- So called from Findon, a fishing village in
Derivative: fine, tr. and intr. v., to punish by
Scotland.
a fine.
finny, adj., 1) having fins; 2) abounding in fish
fine, adj., delicate. - OF. fin, fr. VL. *finus, fr.
(poet.) - Formed fr. fin with adj. suff. -y.
L. finis, 'limit, boundary, end', also used in the
finochio, n., the sweet fennel. - It. finocchio, fr.
sense of 'the highest'. See finis and cp. fine,
VL. fenuc(u)lum, fr. L. feniculum, dimin. of
'end', finite.
fenum, 'hay'. See fennel and cp. fenugreek.
Derivatives: fine, intr. v., adv., and n., fine-ly,
fiord, fjord, n., a narrow arm of the sea.- Norw.
adv., fine-ness, n., finery (see next word), finfiord, fr. ON. fjoriJr (whence also E. firth,
ish, adj.
frith); rei. to ford (q.v.)
finery, n., an elaborate adornment.- Lit. 'somefiorin, n., a sort of meadow grass.- Ir.fiorthann,
thing that is fine'; see fine, adj., and -ery.
'a sort of grass'.
finery, n., hearth for making cast iron, mallefiorite, n., a kind of opal (mineral.) - Named
able. - F. finerie, fr. fin, 'fine, delicate'. See
after Santa Fiora, Italy. For the ending see
fine, adj., and -ery and cp. refinery.
subst. suff. -ite.
finesse,n., 1) delicacy; 2) artfulness.- F., fr.fin,
fir, n.- ME. firre, fr. Dan. fyr, which is rei. to
'fine'. See fine, adj., and 2nd -ess.
ON., Swed. Jura, Norw. furu, OS. furie, OHG.
Derivative: finesse, intr. and tr. v.
foraha, forha, MHG. vorhe, G. Fohre, 'fir',
finger, n.- OE., rei. to OS., OHG. fingar, ON.
OHG. fereheih, 'mountain oak', fr. I.-E. base
fingr, Du., MHG. vinger, G. Finger, Goth.
*perqw(o )-,whence also 01. parakatii/:1, 'the holy
figgrs; prob. rei. to five and cogn. with Arm.
tree', Hind. pargiii, 'the evergreen oak', L.
fig
Bulletin
in
Meillet
A.
See
fifth'.
'the
hinger-ord,
quercus, 'oak'. Cp. alcornoque, cork, Quercus.
de Ia societe de linguistique, 1928, 29, 36.
I.-E. *perqw(o)-, 'oak', developed over 'oak
Derivatives: finger, tr. and intr. v., finger-ed,
forest' into 'wooded mountain', in Goth. fairadj., -finger-ed, combining form, fingering (q. v.),
guni, 'mountain', OE. fiergen-, 'wooded mounfinger-less, adj., fingerling (q.v.), finger-y, adj.
tain', OCelt. Perkuniii, whence Gk. 'ApxuvLIX
fingering, n., the act of using the fingers (esp.
15pl],' OpxuvLo~ 3pi:ifL6c;, L. Hercynia silva, Hermus.) - Formed fr. finger, v. (see prec. word)
cynius saltus, 'Hercynian forest'. See Hercynia.
with -ing~ suff. forming verbal nouns.
Derivative: firr-y, adj.
fingering, n., a fine woolen yarn. - Earlier finfire, n.- ME. fire,fir,fur,fyr, fr. OE.fyr, rei. to
gram, corrupted fr. F./in grain, lit. 'fine grain'.
OS., OFris. fiur, ON. fiirr, fyrr, MDu., Du.
See fine, adj., and grain. For a similar corvuur, OHG. jiur, MHG. viur, viuwer, G. Feuer,
ruption cp. grogram.
'fire', and cogn. with Tech. A p01;, B pwiir,
ftngerling, n., a small object. - Formed fr.
'fire', Arm. hur, 'fire, torch', Gk. 7tUp, Umbr.
finger with dimin. suff. -ling.
pir, 'fire', C'ZJ!l;h pyf, 'hot ashes'; fr. I.-E. base
ftnial, n., an ornament at the apex of a spire,
*pewor-, *piiwer-, 'fire'. Compare, with -n for
&Jble, etc. (archit.) - A var. of fiDaL

594

-r, Goth./6n , gen.funin s, ON.funi, and OPruss.

panno, 'fire'. Cp. also, with -r in the nom. and
-n in the gen., Hitt. paiJ~ur, gen. paiJIJuenash,
'fire'. Cp. also pyre.
Derivatives: fire, tr. and intr. v., fire-less, adj.,
fir-ing, n.
firkin, n., a small cask. - Fr. earlier ferdekyn,
fr. Du. vierdekijn, dimin. of vierde, 'fourth',
which is rei. to E. fourth (q.v.) For the ending
see suff. -kin. Cp. fardel, 'fourth part'. The firkin
was so called because it orig. contained a
quarter of a barrel.
firm, adj.- ME.ferm e, fr. OF.(= F.)ferme, fr.
L. firmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable, strong', rei.
to Jere, fermi!, 'nearly', prob. also to fretus,
'relying on', fr. I.-E. base *dher(e)-, 'to hold,
support', whence also 01. dhiirdyati, 'he holds,
supports' , dhdral}a/), 'holding', dhdrmal}, 'custom, law', Avestic diirayeiti, 'he holds, supports', OPers. diirayiimiy, 'I hold', Gk . .&piivo~,
'bench', .&pljvu~. 'footstool ', .&p6vo~, 'seat', Ion.
.&p~cracr.&a:t (aor.), 'to sit down', possibly also
.&epa:I)J and .&e:p&muv, 'servant, attendant '. Cp.
firm, n., firmament, affirm, confirm, infirm, farm,
frenum, refrain, v. Cp. also therapeutic, throne,
thorax, dharma, dharna, the first element in
Darius and the second element in aumildar and
in words there referred to.
Derivativ es: firm, adv. and tr. and intr. v.,
firm-ly, adv., firm-ness, n.
firm, n., partnersh ip. - It. firma, 'confirma tion,
signature ', fr. firmare, fr. L. firmiire, 'to make
firm or steady, to strengthen, confirm', fr.
firmus. See firm, adj.
firmament, n. - L. firmiimentum, 'strengthening,
support; the sky fixed above the earth, the firmament', fr. firmiire. See firm, v., and -ment.
Derivative: firmament-a/, adj.
firman, also firmaun, n., a decree issued by an
Oriental sovereign. - Turk. fermiin, fr. Pers.
Jarman, 'order, decree, passport' (rei. to farmiidan, 'to order'), fr. OPers. framiinii, which
is rei. to OI. pramiil}a/:1, 'measure, scale, standard, rule'; fr. I.-E. *pro-, 'before, forward, for',
and *me-, 'to measure'. See pro- and meditate
and cp. matra and the second element in vimana.
firn, n., last year's snow, neve (phys. geogr.) G. Firn, lit. 'last year's (snow)', fr. Swiss G. firn,
'of last year', fr. MHG. virne, 'old', fr. OHG.
firni, of s.m., which is rei. to OE. fyrn, 'old',
Goth. fairns, 'of last year, old', and cogn. with
Lith. pernai, 'last year', Lett. pern-s, 'old', Gk.
7ttpucrt, 'a year ago, last year', 01. parut, 'of
last year', purd, 'before, formerly', puriil}dl},
'former'. See fore, adv., and per and cp. next
word.
first, adj. - ME. first, firste, fr. OE. fyrst, rei. to
OS., OHG. Jurist, ON. fyrstr, Dan ferste,
OFris.fer est, 'first', OFris.fer sta, MDu. vorste,
Du. vorst, OS., OHG. furisto, MHG. forste,
G. Furst, 'prince'. These words are prop. superlatives formed fr. I.-E. *prJ-, 'before', whence

OI. purd, 'before, formerly'. See prec. word.

Derivatives: first, n. and adv., firstling (q.v.),
first-ly, adv., first-ness, n.
firstling, n. - Formed fr. first with suff. -ling,
prob. on analogy of G. Erstling or Du. eersteling.
firth, n., a narrow inlet of the sea; estuary. ME., fr. ON. jjoror. See fiord and cp. Crith.
fisc, n., state treasury .- F., fr. L. fiscus, 'woven
basket, purse; treasury', which stands for *bhids-ko-s, fr. I.-E. base *bheidh-, 'to bind, twist',
whence also L. fidelia (for *bhidesliti), 'clay vessel' (orig. 'anything tied up together') , Gk.
7tl.&o<;; (dissimilated fr. *qJl.&o~), 'winejar', ON.
bioa, 'milk pail'. Cp. confiscate. Cp. also pithos.
Cp. also besom.
fiscal, adj., financial. - F., fr. Late L. fiscalis,
'relating to the treasury, fiscal', fr. L. fiscus. See
prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: fiscal, n., fiscal-ly, adv.
fischerite, n., a basic aluminum phosphat e (mineral.) - Named after the German naturalist
Gotthelf Fischer von Waldheim (1771-1853).
For the ending see subst. sutf. -ite.
fish, n., an aquatic animal. - ME. fisch, fr. OE.
fisc, rei. to OS., OFris., OHG. fisc, ON. fiskr,
Dan., Swed. fisk, MDu. vise, Du. vis, MHG.
vise, visch, G. Fisch, Goth. fisks, 'fish', and
cogn. with L. piscis, Oir. iasc, gen. eisc (for
*piska), 'fish', Russ. piskar', 'groundli ng'. Cp.
Pisces, piscatory, piscina, and the second element in grampus and in porpoise.
Derivatives: fish, v. (q.v.), fish-ery, n., fish-y,
adj., fish-i-ly, adv., fish-i-ness, n.
fish, intr. and tr. v., to catch fish. - ME. fisk en,
fischen, fr. OE. fiscian, fr. fisc, 'fish'; rei. to
ON.fiska , OHG.fisc on, G.fischen , Goth.fisk 6n,
'to fish'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: fisher (q.v.), fish-ing, n.
fish, n., a counter used in games. -F. fiche, 'peg,
mark, counter', back formation fr. ficher, 'to
thrust in, drive in', fr. VL. *figiciire (whence also
It. ficcare, OProven~. ficar, Sp. hincar, 'to
thrust in, drive in', fr. L. figere, 'to fix, fasten,
attach, affix'. See fix and cp. fitche.
fisher, n. - ME. fischere, fr. OE. fiscere, fr. fisc,
'fish'. See fish, 'an aquatic animal', and agential
suff. -er.
fissi-, combinin g form meaning 'divided '.- Fr.
L. fissus, pp. of findere, 'to cleave'. See next
word.
fissile, adj., capable of being cleft. - L. fissilis,
'that which may be cleft or split', fr. fissus, pp.
of findere, 'to cleave, split', which is cogn. with
01. bhindtti, 'splits, cleaves', OE. bitan, 'to bite'.
See bite and cp. fistula. Cp. also the second element in bifid, trifid, quadrifid, multifid, palmatifid.
Derivative: fissil-ity, n.
fission, n. - L. fissio, gen. -6nis, 'a cleaving', fr.
fissus, pp. of findere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivativ e: fission, tr. and intr. v.
fissiparous, adj., reproduci ng by fission. -Com-

595

fr. fit, 'paroxysm ', and the adj. full. The word
pounded of fissi- and L. -parus (in viviparus,
was reintroduced after 1800.
'bringing forth its young alive'). See -parous.
Derivatives: fitful-ly, adv., fitful-ness,~ , ,
fissure, n. _F., fr. L. fissura, 'a cleft', fr. fissus,
Fitz-, first element in PNs., and meanmg son
pp. of findere. See fissile and :ure.
(esp of illegitimate descendants). - AF., fr.
Derivatives: fissure, tr. and mtr. v., fissur-ed,
OF .. fiz (pronoun ced fits), fr. earlier fils (cp. F.
fissur-y, adjs.
fils), fr. L.filius, 'son'. See filial.
fist, n. - ME. Just, fist, fr .. OE.fyst, rei. to OS.,
five, adj. and n. - ME. fif, fr. OE. fif, rei. to
OHG., MHG. Just, OFns. fest, MDu. vuust,
OS. fif, ON. fimm, Dan., Swed., Norw. fern,
Du. vuist, G. Faust, and cogn. with OSlav.
OHG. fun/, fin/, MHG., G. fonf, Goth. fimf,
p~sti, Russ. piasti, 'fist': Cp ..foist.
.
fr. I.-E. *penqwe (with assimilation of qw .~o
Derivatives: fist-ed, adj., fistlc (q.v.), fist-y, adj.
initial p); cogn. with OI. paiica, Toch. ~pan,
fistic, adj., pertaining to boxing (colloq.) - A
B pic, Arm. hing (in sense of the phonetic law
hybrid coined fr. fist and -ic, a suff. of Greek or
according to which k preceded by a nasal s~und
Latin origin.
becomes g), Gk. ntVTE, Aeol. ne~J.= L. qumque
Derivatives: fistic-al, adj.
(with assimilation of initia_l p in the first sylla~le
fisticuff, n., a cuff with the fist.- Compoun ded
to initial qw in the followmg syllable (~ q~
of fist and cuff.
que-), Alb. pese, Gheg p~se, O~lav. p~tl: L~th.
Derivativ e: fisticuff, tr. v
.
penke, OW. pimp, Oir. c6ic (with assimilatiOn
fistula, n., l) a pipe or tube; 2) a long ~muous
as in L. quinque). Cp. cinq(ue), kantar, ken?,
pipelike ulcer. _ L., 'pipe, tube, fistula, prob.
Panchata ntra, panchayat, penta-, pundl. a
a diminutive formed fr.fid-, the stem of findere,
beverage', quinary, quinque-. Cp. also finger.
'to cleave split'. See fissile.
fives, n., a ball game played by two or four perfistular, adJ., fistulous. - L. fistuliiris, fr. fistula .
sons. - Pl. of five.
,
,
See prec. word and -ar. .
. .
.
fix, tr. and intr. v. - ME. fixen, fr. fix, fixed,
fistulous, adj., I) tubelike; 2) contamm g tu~hke
fr. OF. fix (F. fixe), 'fixed'' fr. L. fixus, pp. of
parts; 3) pertaining to a fistula. - L. fistulosus,
figere, 'to fix, fasten'. See ditch and cp. finis.
'pipe-sha ped'' fr. fistula. See fistula and -ous.
Cp. also fibula, afficbe, affix, antefixa, confix,
fit, n., division of a song (archaic). - ME. fitte,
crucifix,
infix, transfix, palafitte.
.
fr. OE. fitt, 'song, poem', rei. to OS. fit!ea,
Derivativ es:fix, n. (colloq.), fix-able, adj., fixate
'division of a poem', OHG. fizza, MHG. Vltze,
(q.v.), fixation (q.v.), fix-ed, adj.,fix-e d-ly, adv.,
'list of cloth' (whence G. Fitze, 'skein'), ON.
fix-ed-ness, n., fix-er, n., fix-ing, n. (the pl.,
fitja 'to knit together' ' ME. fitten, 'to array',
'equipme nt', is colloq.)
and' cogn. with Gk. 7te~a: (for *7te3-r,a:), .'foot,;
.
fixate, tr. and intr. v. _ Back formatiOn fr.
extremity, end, border', 7tOO~, gen. 7tOa6~. foot
fixation.
See foot and cp. fit, v
.
,
Derivative: fixat-ive, adj.
fit, tr. and intr. v., to suit. - ME. fi.tten, to ~~
fixation, n. - ML. fixiitio, gen. -6nis, fr. L.
ray, arrange'' rei. to MDu. vitten, to fit,, sUit'
fixiitus, pp. of fixiire, freq. of f!gere (pp. fixus),
ON. fitja, 'to knit together', OE. fitt, song,
'to fix, fasten'. See fix and -at1on.
poem'. See fit, 'division of a song'.
.
.
fixity, n. - Formed with suff. -ity fr. L. fixus,
Derivatives: fit-ment, n., fitt-er, n., fitt-mg, adj.
'fixed'. Cp. F. fixite and see fix. . .
and n. fitt-ing-ly, adv ., fitt-ing-ness, n.
fixture, n. - Fr. earlier fixure, which IS form~
fit, adj.'_ ME. fyt, prob. fr. fi_tten, 'to array'
with suff. -ure fr. L. fixus, 'fixed' (see fix); m(see fit, v.); influenced in meanmg ~Y ~ confufluenced in form by the false analogy ~f mixtu~e
sion with ME. fete, 'well done, fittmg , fr. L.
(rei. to mix), in which, however,, th~ t I~ orgamc
factus (see feat).
(it represents L. t in mixtus, mixed , PP of
Derivatives: fit-ly, adv ., fit-ness, n.
miscere, 'to mix').
.
.
fit, n., fitness. - Fr. fit, v.
fizgig, n., 1) a flirtatious girl; 2) a kmd ?f ~OISY
fit, n., sudden attack of sickness; paroxys~.
firework. - Compoun ded of fizz and gig, any_ ME., fr. OE. fitt, conflict', of uncertam
thing whirling'.
. . .
. .
origin.
fizz, intr. v., to hiss. - Of nrutatlve o~gm. ~P
fitch, n. - A dial. var. of vetcb.
.
ON. fisa 'to break wind'' Dan. fise, to foist,
fitcb n. a fitchew or its fur.- MDu.fiss e, v1sse,
fizzle',
fisten, 'to break wind', and E. fitch,
vis~he.' prob. related to vies, 'stinking' , and to
'fitchew'.
E. fizz (q.v.) Cp. fitchew.
.
Derivatives: fizz, n., fizz-y, adj.
fitche, adj., pointed at its lower end (her.)-. F.
fizzle, intr. v. - Formed fr. fizz with freq. suff.
fiche, 'fixed'' pp. of ficher. See fisb. 'counter:
-le.
fitdaet. n., a fitchew or its fur. - Formed with
Derivativ e: fizzle, n.
dimin. suff. -et fr. fttdl, 'fitchew'.
Qonl. - See fiord.
lltchew, n., the polecat or its fur. - ME., fr.
flllbbergast, tr. v., to astound (colloq. )- A blend
OF. ficlrau, fr.
Picardfiche ux' correspon ding,.ato
.. _ ... _,.,
of flabby and agbut.
MDu. fisse, visse. See lltdl. ....,..._..
fltfal. adj., irregula r._ Coined by shakespe are flabby, adj., limp; lackin3 firmneiiS. weak.- Fr.

G.

rlaDellate

earlier flappy, which is formed fr. flap, n., with

suff. -y.
Derivatives: flabbi-ly, adv., flabbi-ness, n.
flabellate, adj., fan-shaped. - L. fliibelliitus,
pp. of fliibelliire, 'to fan', fr. flabellum. See
flabellum and adj. suff. -ate.
flabelliform, adj., fan-shaped. - Compounded
of L. fliibellum, 'a small fan', and forma, 'form,
shape'. See next word and form, n.
flabellum, n., 1) a fan used in religious ceremonies; 2) a fan-shaped organ (zoot.) - L.
fliibellum, 'a small fan', dimin. of fliibrum,
'breeze', from the stem offliire, 'to blow', which
is cogn. with OE. bliiwan, 'to blow'. See blow,
'to puff', and cp. flatus and words there referred to.
flaccid, adj., flabby.- F.flaccide, fr. L.flaccidus,
fr. flaccus, 'flabby', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: flaccid-ity, n., flaccid-ness, n., flaccid-ly, adv.
flag, intr. v., to droop. - Of uncertain origin.
Cp. flag, 'ensign'. Cp. also fag, 'to weary'.
flag, n., an aquatic plant; esp. a plant of the
genus Iris.- ME.flagge, rei. to Du. vlag, Dan.
flag, 'iris'.
flag, n., piece of cloth used as an ensign, etc. Late ME. flagge, rei. to Dan. flag, Swed. flagg,
'flag', and perh. also to E. flag, 'to droop'.
Derivative: flag, to put a flag on.
flag, n., paving stone, flagstone. - ON. flaga,
'slab of stone', of uncertain origin. It possibly
means lit. 'flake', and is rei. to ON. flaki,
'flake'. See flake, 'a thin piece', and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: flag, tr. v., to pave with flagstones,
flagg-ing, n., flaggy (q.v.)
flagellant, n., one who scourges; esp., one who
scourges himself for a religious purpose; adj.,
given to flagellation.- L.flagelliins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of flagelliire. See flagellate, v., and
-ant.
flagellate, tr. v., to scourge, whip, flog. - L.
flagel/iitus, pp. of flagel/iire, 'to scourge'. See
flagellum and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: flagellation (q.v.),flage/lat-ory, adj.
flagellate, adj., 1) furnished with flagella; 2) shaped like a flagellum. - L. flagelliitus, pp. of
flagelliire. See flagellate, v.
flagellation, n., a scourging, a beating, a flogging. - L. flage/liitio, gen. -onis, 'a scourging',
fr. flagelliitus, pp. of flagelliire. See flagellate,
v., and -ion.
flagelliform, adj., shaped like a flagellum. ~om pounded of L. flagellum, 'whip', and forma,
form, shape'. See next word and form, n.
flagellum, n., a long whiplike process (med.) L., 'whip', dimin. of flagrum, 'whip, scourge,
lash', fr. *fliigere, 'to whip' (whence the frequentativefliigitiire, 'to whip, decry; to demand passionately'); cogn. with ON. blak, 'a blow',
blaka, blakra, 'to strike, beat the wings, flutter',
and with Lith. blaskyti, 'to throw hither and

596

thither'. Cp. flail, which is a doublet of flagellum. Cp. also flagitious, flog.
flageolet, n., kidney bean.- F., borrowed fr. It.
fagiuolo, 'bean', fr. VL. *fabeolus, which is a
blend of L. faba, 'bean' (see fabaceous), with
phaseolus, dimin. of phase/us, fr. Gk. <p&.<TI)I.o~,
'a kind of bean'. The form flageolet is due to
the influence of flageolet, 'wind instrument'
with which it was associated because of the
flatulent property of beans. For the ending see
suff. -et.
flag~olet, n., a small wind instrument. - F., dimin. of OF. flageol, flajol, 'pipe', fr. VL. fliibeolum, a derivative of L. flare, 'to blow'. See
flabellum and cp. flute.
flaggy, adj., drooping.- Formed with adj. suff.
-y fr. flag, 'to droop'.
flaggy, adj., abounding in the plants called flags.
-Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. flag, 'an aquatic
plant'.
flaggy, adj., pertaining to flagstone. - Formed
with adj. suff. -y fr. flag, 'flagstone'.
flagitious, adj., extremely wicked; scandalous.L. fliigiti6sus, 'shameful, disgraceful', fr. jlagitium, 'shameful deed, shame', fr. fliigitiire, 'to
whip, decry; to demand passionately', freq. of
*fliigere, 'to whip' (a verb of which flagrum,
'whip', is a derivative). The verbfliigitiire stands
to *fliigere as agitiire, 'to put in constant motion', stands to agere, 'to move'. See flagellum
and -ous.
Derivatives: flagitious-ly, adv., flagitious-ness, n.
flagon, n. - ME. flakon, fr. OF. ( = F.) flacon,
fr. VL. flasconem, ace. of fiasco, augment. of
flascus, a collateral form of flasca, 'bottle'. See
flask and cp. -oon.
flagrancy, n. - L. flagrantia, 'a burning, a vehement desire' fr. flagriins, gen. -antis, pres.
part. of flagriire. See next word and -cy.
flagrant, adj., glaring. - L. flagriins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of flagriire, 'to blaze, glow, burn',
which stands in gradational relationship to L.fulgere, 'to shine', and is cogn. with Gk. <pAiyew, 'to
burn, scorch', OE. bhec, 'black'. See black and
-ant and cp. flambe, flambeau, flamboyant, flame,
flammule, conflagrate, deflagrate, fulgent, fulgurant, PbJegethon, phlegm.
Derivatives: flagrant-ly, adv., flagrant-ness, n.
flail, n., an implement for threshing grain by
hand. - ME., fr. OF. flaiel (F. fleau), fr. L.
flagellum, 'scourge' (whence also OProvenc;:.
flagel). See flagellum.
Derivative: flail, tr. v.
flair, n., aptitude. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) flair.
'odor', fr. flairer, 'to smell', orig. 'to emit an
odor', fr. VL. *flagriire, dissimilated fr. L. fragriire, 'to emit fragrance'. See fragrant.
flajolotite, n., a hydrous iron antimonate (mineral.)- Named after the French chemist Flajolot, by whom it was first analyzed. For the
ending see subst. suff. -lte.
Oak, n., anti aircraft shell. - Formed from the

597

initials of G. F/ieger-Abwehr-Kanone, lit. 'gun

warding off fliers'.
flake, n., a thin, flat piece; a film. - ME., of
Scand. origin. Cp. OS. flaka, 'sole of the foot',
Norw. flak, 'disk, floe', Swed. flake, 'plate',
which are rei. to MDu. viae, Du. vlak, 'flat,
level', OHG. flah, MHG. vlach, G. flach, of
s.m., in gradational relationship to MDu.
vlocke, Du. vlok, OHG. floccho,flocko, MHG.
vlock, vlocke, G. Flocke, 'flake', and cogn.
with Lett. plauki, 'snowflakes', plaukas, 'fibers',
L. plaga, 'a flat surface, district, region'. See
plagal, and cp. also flake, 'rack for storing
goods', flag, 'paving stone', flaw, 'defect', fluke,
'flatfish'.
flake, n., a rack for storing goods. - ME. flake,
fleke, fr. ON. flaki, rei. to Du. vlaak, 'paling,
hurdle', and to Swed. flake, 'plate'. See flake,
'a thin, flat piece'.
flam, n., sham, trick. - Shortened fr. flimflam.
flam, n., a drumbeat. - Of imitative origin.
flambe, adj., decorated by irregularly splashed
glaze. - F., pp. of flamber, 'to singe, blaze', fr.
OF. flambe, 'flame', which is a back formation
fr. flamble. See next word.
flambeau, n., a large torch.- F., fr. OF. flamble,
'flame', fr. L. flammula, 'a little flame', dimin. of
flamma, 'flame'. See flame, n., and cp. prec. word.
flamboyance, flamboyancy. n. - Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
flamboyant, adj., characterized by flamelike
tracery (archit.) - F., pres. part. of flamboyer,
'to flame', fr. OF. flambe. See flambe and -ant.
Derivative: flamboyant-ly, adv.
flame, n. - ME. flamme, fr. OF. flame, /Iamme
(F.flamme), fr. L.flamma, 'blaze, flame', which
stands for *flagma and is rei. to flagriire, 'to
blaze, glow, burn'. See flagrant and cp. words,
there referred to. Cp. also flimmer and the second element in oriflamme.
flame, intr. v. - ME. flamen, fr. OF. flamer, 'to
flame' (whence F. flammer, 'to singe'), fr. L.
flammiire, 'to flame', fr. flamma. See flame, n.
Derivatives: flam-ed, adj., flam-er, n., flam-ing,
adj., flam-ing-/y, adv., flam-y, adj.
flamen, n., a priest devoted to the service of one
particular deity (Roman mythol.) - L. jlamen,
which prob. stands for *bhliidmen, and is cogn.
with Goth. blotan, 'to worship', ON. biota, OE.
blotan, OHG. bluoi)an, 'to sacrifice'.
flamenco, n., dancing style of the gypsies of Andalusia. - Sp., 'Flemish; gypsy', fr. MDu.
Vliiming. See Fleming.
flamingo, n. - Port. flamingo, fr. Sp. flamenco,
fr. Provenc;:. flamenc (whence also F. flamant,
'flamingo'), lit. 'flame-colored', fr.flama, 'flame',
fr. L. flamma (see flame), and -enc, a suff. of
Teut. origin (see-ing, 'pertaining to'); so called
in allusion to the color of its feathers. See
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p.252 s.v. jlamant.
Cp. Gk. cpoLvLx6rn-cpo<;, 'flamingo', lit. 'redfeathered'.

flask

flammable, adj., inflammable. - Formed with

suff. -able fr. L. flammiire, 'to flame'. See flame,
v., and cp. inflammable.
Derivative: flammabil-ity, n.
flan, n., a kind of pastry. -See flawn.
flancb, n., either of two segments of a circle on
either side of the shield (her.) - OF. flanc,
flanche, 'flank, side'. See flank and cp. flange.
ftllnerie, n., idleness; idling.- F., lit. 'a strolling,
loafing, sauntering', fr. flcmer, 'to stroll, loaf
saunter', prob. a Scand. loan word. Cp. Norw.
flana, flanta, 'to gad about'.
ft3neur, n., loafer.- F., fr.fliiner. See prec. word.
flange, n., a projecting rim or edge.- OF. flanc,
flanche, 'flank, side'. See next word and cp.
flancb. Derivatives: flange, tr. v., to furnish
with a flange, flang-er, n.
flank, n. - ME. flanke, fr. OF. ( = F.) flanc, fr.
Frankish *hlanka, which is rei. to OHG.
(h)lanca, MHG.lanke, 'hip, joint', MHG.linken,
G. lenken, 'to bend, turn, lead', fr. I.-E. base
*qleng-, 'to bend'; see lank and link, n., 'ring
of a chain', and cp. flancb, flange, flinch, flunkey.
OProvenc;:. flanc, It. fianco, and G. Flanke are
French loan words.
Derivatives: flank, tr. and intr. v., flank-er, n.
flannel, n., adj. - W. gwlanen, 'flannel', fr.
gwliin, 'woo!', which is cogn. with L. liina,
'wool', OE. wu/1, 'wool'. See wool and cp.
lanate.
Derivatives: flannel, tr. v., flannel-ette, n.,
flannel-ed, adj., flannel-ly, adv.
flap, tr. and intr. v., to move up and down. ME. /Iappen, of imitative origin. Cp. Du. flappen, 'to flap'. Cp. also fillip, flip, flippant, flop.
Cp. also flabby.
Derivatives: flap, n. (q. v.), flapp-er, n.
flap, n.- ME.flap,flappe, fr.flappen. See flap, v.
flare, intr. v. and n.- Of uncertain origin; possibly a blend of flame and glare.
Derivative: flar-ing, adj., flar-ing-ly, adv.
flash, intr. and tr. v., - ME. flasken, flaschen,
'to splash', of imitative origin.
Derivative: flash, n. and adj., flash-er, n. flashing, n. and adj., flash-ing-ly, adv., flash-y, adj.,
flash-i-ly, adv., flash-i-ness, n.
flask, n., bottle. - OF. flasque, 'bottle for powder', fr. ML. /Iasca, of Teut. origin. Cp. OE.
jlasce, flaxe, ON., Swed., Norw., OHG. flaska,
Dan. flaske, MDu. flasce, Du. fles, MHG.
vlasche, G. Flasche, 'bottle'. The original
meaning of these Teut. words prob. was 'a
bottle plaited round; case bottle', fr. I.-E.
*plok-sko-, 'a plaited vessel', fr. base *plek-,
'to plait', whence also Gk. 7tMxe:Lv, 'to plait',
7tAox1j, 'network', L. p/iciire, 'to fold, bend',
OE. fleohtan, 'to braid, plait'; see ply, 'to bend'.
Cp. It. fiasco, fiascone, F. flacon, 'case bottle,
bottle', which derive fr. ML. fiasco (resp. its
acc.flasconem), augment. off/ascus, a collateral
form of flasca (see above). Cp. fiasco, flagon, Oasket.

flask

flask, n., either of the plates forming the sides

of the trail of a gun carriage. - F. flasque,
'cheek (of a gun carriage)', rei. to Wallonflache,
fr. G. flach, 'fiat'. See flay.
flasket, n. - OF. flasquet, dimin. of flasque,
'bottle'. See flask, 'bottle', and -et.
flat, adj., level.- ME., fr. ON.jlatr, whence also
Swed.flat, Dan. /lad, 'flat'; rei. to OS. flat, OHG.
jlaz, 'flat, level', OE.flet, OS.fletti, OHG.jlezzi,
'floor', fr. I.-E. base *plet-, *plet, *pliit-, 'spread
out, broad; whence also Gk. rtA.oc-tU.:;, 'broad,
flat'. See place and cp. plantar, platy-. Cp. also
flat, 'floor'. Cp. also flatter.
Derivatives: flat, adv., flat, n., a flat surface,
flat, tr. and intr. v., to flatten (rare), flat-ling,
adv. and adj., flat-ly, adv., flat-ness, n., flatt-en,
adj., flatt-ing, n., fiatt-ish, adj.
flat, n., floor. - ME. flet, fr. OE. /let, 'ground,
floor'. See flat, adj.
flatter, n., one who or that which flattens. Formed fr. flat, 'to flatten', with agential suff.
-er.
flatter, tr. v., to court, cajole. - ME. jlateren,
fr. OF. /later (F. flatter), 'to smooth, caress,
flatter', fr. Frankish *flat, 'fiat, level', which is
rei. to OHG. flaz, 'flat, level', See flat, adj.
Derivatives: flatter-er, n., flatter-ing, adj., flatter-ing-ly, adv., flattery (q.v.)
flattery, n.- ME.flaterie, fr. OF.jlaterie (F./latterie), fr. OF.jlater. See flatter and-y (representing F. -ie).
flatulence, flatulency, n. - F. flatulence, fr.
flatulent. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
flatulent, adj., windy; vain. - F., fr. L. fliitulentus, fr. i'atus. See next word and -ent.
Derivatives: flatulent-ly, adv., flatulent-ness, n.
flatus, n., a puff of wind; accumulation of gas
in the stomach or bowels. - L. fliitus (scil.
ventris), 'blowing (of the stomach)', fr. fliitus,
pp. of /liire, 'to blow', which is cogn. with OE.
bliiwan, 'to blow'. See blow, 'to puff', and cp.
afflatus, conftate, deflate, flabellum, flageolet,
'wind instrument', inflate, perflation, reftate,
sufftate. Cp. also soffione, souffle. Cp. also flavor.
flaunt, intr. v., to make an ostentatious display;
tr. v., to display ostentatiously.- Prob. a blend
of flout and vaunt.
Derivatives: flaunt, n., jlaunt-er, n., flaunt-ing,
adj., flaunt-ing-ly, adv., flaunt-y, adj., flaunt-i-ly,
adv., flaunt-i-ness, n.
flautist, n., flute player. - It. flautista, a hybrid
coined fr. Late L. flauta, 'flute', and -isla, fr. Gk.
- Lcr-rlj.:;. See flute and -ist and cp. flutist.
flavedo, n., yellowness of the skin. - Medical L.,
fr. L. /liivus, 'yellow'. See flavescent.
Flaveria, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. fliivus, 'yellow'. See next word.
flavescent, adj., turning yellow, yellowish. - L.
fliivescens, gen. fliivescentis, pres. part. of fliivescere, 'to become yellow', inchoative verb
formed fr. fliivus, 'yellow', which is rei. to L.
fulvus, 'reddish-yellow', and cogn. with OE.

598
bliiw, 'blue'. See blue and -escent and cp. fulvous.
Cp. also flavedo, Flaveria, Flavia, Flavius,
flavine.
Flavia, fern. PN. - L. Fliivia, fern. of Fliivius.
See Flavius.
flavin, also flavine, n., I) a complex ketone
C,oH.N40 2 (chem.); 2) an artificial yellow dyestuff obtained from quercitron bark. -Formed
with chem. suff. -ine fr. L. fliivus, 'yellow'. See
Havescent.
Flavius, masc. PN. - L. Fliivius, name of a
Roman gens, rei. to fliivus, 'yellow'. See flavescent and cp. Flavia.
flavone, n., a colorless crystalline compound,
C, 5 H 100 2 (chem.)- Formed with suff. -one fr.
L. fliivus, 'yellow'. See flavescent.
flavor, flavour, n. - ME. flavor, fr. OF. flaor,
flaur, fleiir, 'smell, odor, scent' (whence F.
fleurer, 'to smell, be fragrant'), fr. VL. *fliitorem,
ace. of *fliitor, lit. 'that which blows', fr. L.
/liitus, pp. of fliire, 'to blow', which is rei. to
OE. bliiwan, 'to blow'. See blow, 'to puff', and
cp. flatus. Cp. Olt. fiatore, 'a bad odor', which
also derives fr. VL. *fliitorem. The insertion of
the v in flavor is due to the influence of savor.
Derivatives: jlavo(u)r, tr. v., jlavo(u)r-ed, adj.,
jlavo(u)r-ing, n., flavo(u)r-less, flavo(u)r-ous,
adjs.
flaw, n., crack, defect, fault, blemish. - ME.
flaw, flawe, jlai, prob. of Scand. origin. Cp.
Swed. flaga, 'flaw, crack, flake', ON. flaga,
'slab of stone', and see flag, 'paving stone'.
Derivatives: flaw, tr. v., to make a flaw in (q.v.),
flaw-less, adj., flaw-less-ly, adv ., flaw-less-ness, n.
flaw, n., a sudden gust of wind.- Of Scan d. origin. Cp. Dan., Norw. jlage, Swed. jlaga, 'gust
of wind'. These words prob. derive fr. Teut.
base *flah-, which corresponds to I.-E. base
*pliiq-, *pliig-, 'to strike', whence Gk. rtA.~crcrELv,
rt:/.:Y)yvuvocL, 'to strike'. See plague.
Hawn, n., a kind of pie. - OF. flaon (F. flan), fr.
Frankish *jlado, which is rei. to OHG. jlado,
'offering cake', MHG. vlade, 'a broad thin
cake', G. Fladen, 'fiat cake', Du. via, 'baked
custard'. All these Teut. words are derivatives
of I.-E. *p/et-, *plet-, *pliit-, 'spread out', broad,
fiat', whence also Gk. rtA.oc-tU.:;, 'broad, flat'. See
place and cp. flat, 'level', flat, 'floor'. It.fiadone,
'honeycomb', OProvent;:. flauzon, 'fiat cake',
are Teut. loan words.
flax, n. - ME. flax, fr. OE. fleax, rei. to OS.
jlas, OFris.flax, OHG., MHG.flahs, G. Flachs,
fr. Teut. base *fleh-, corresponding to I.-E. base
*plek-, 'to weave, plait', whence Gk. 7t).txe:Lv,
'to plait', L. p/ectere, 'to plait, braid, intertwine'. See ply, n., 'to bend', and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: flax, adj., flaxen (q.v.), _ffax-y, adj.
flaxen, adj. - OE. jleaxen, fr. fleax. See flax and
adj. suff. -en.
Hay, tr. v., to strip off the skin of.- ME. /lean,
/fan, fr. OE. flean, rei. to ON.jla, OHG.jlahan,

599

'to flay', and cogn. with Lith. ptesiu, plesti, 'to

tear'.
Derivative: jlay-er, n.
flea, n. - ME. fie( e), fr. OE. jlea(h), rei. to ON.
flo, MDu. vlo, Du. vlo, OHG., MHG. jloh,
G. Floh, and prob. also to OE. fleon, 'to flee';
see flee. Accordingly flea would lit. mean 'the
jumping animal'.
Hearn, n., a lancet used for opening veins (surg.)
- OF. flieme, fr. VL. *fletomus (whence also
OFris./lieme, MDu. vlime(Du. vlijm), OHG ./liotuma(MHG. vliete, G. Fliete), fr. Late L.phlebotomus, fr. Gk. cpA.e:~aT6tJ.OV (short for cpA.e:~o
T6[J.o\l crtJ.LA.lov), 'lancet', neut. of cpA.E~aT6tJ.o<;,
'opening veins'. See phlebotomy. F. flamme,
'Hearn', was influenced in form by F. flamme,
'flame'.
Heche, n., an arrow; a spire (archil.) - F., 'arrow', prob. fr. Frankish *fliugica, which is rei. to
OLG. fliuca, MDu. vliecke, of s.m. See BlochWartburg, DELF., p. 254, s.v. fleche. It. freccia,
OProvent;:. jlec(h)a and Sp. flecha, 'arrow', are
Teut.loan words. Cp. fletcher. Cp. also parfleche.
fleck, n., spot, freckle. - MDu. vlecke (Du.
vlek), rei. to ON. flekkr, OHG. flee, fleccho,
MHG. vlec, vlecke, G. Fleck, and cogn. with_
L. plaga, 'a fiat surface; district, region'. See
plagal and cp. words there referred to. For the
Dutch origin of the English word see Bense,
Dictionary of the Low Dutch Element in the
English Vocabulary, p.99.
Derivatives: fleck, tr. v., jlecker (q.v.), fleckless (q.v.)
Hecker, tr. v., to fleck. - Formed fr. fleck with
freq. suff. -er.
fleckless, adj.- Formed fr. fleck with suff. -less;
first used by Tennyson.
flection, flexion, n. - F., fr. L. flexionem, ace. of
flexio, 'a bending, turning', fr. flexus, pp. of
flectere. See Hex, v., and -ion.
fled, past tense and pp. of flee. - ME. fledde,
fr. fie on, fleen, 'to flee'. See flee.
fledge, tr. and intr. v. - From the obsol. adj.
fledge, 'fledged', fr. OE. -flycge (in unflycge, 'not
yet fledged'), which is rei. to MDu. vlugge, Du.
vlug, LG .flii.gge (whence G. fliigge ), OHG. flucki,
MHG. vlii.cke, 'fledged', and to E. fly (q.v.)
Derivatives: fledg-ed, adj., fledge-less, adj.,
fledge-ling, n., jledg-y, adj.
flee, intr. and tr. v. - ME. jleon, fleen, fr. OE.
/leon (for *fleohan), rei. to OS., OHG. fliohan,
ON. fliija, fljija, Dan., Swed. fly, OFris. jlia,
Du. vlieden, MHG. vliehen, G. fliehen, Goth.
pliuhan, 'to flee'. Cp. flea. Cp. also flight, 'the
act of fleeing'.
fleece. n., the wool of a sheep.- ME. flees, fr.
OE. jleos, flies, rei. to MDu. v/uus, Du. vlies,
MHG. vlius, G. V/ies, and prob. cogn. with
L. p/uma, 'feather, down', Lith. plunksna,
'feather', OPruss. plauxdine, 'feather bed', Lith.
pluskos (pl.), 'tufts of hair', Lett. pluskas (pl.),
of s.m. Cp. plume.

fleur-de-lis

Derivatives: fleece, tr. v., fleec-ed, adj., fleec-er,

n., fleec-y, adj., fieec-i-ly, adv., fleec-i-ness, n.
fleer, intr. v., to jeer, sneer. - ME. flerien, ot
Scand. origin; cp. Norw. /lira, dial. Dan. /lire,
'to giggle, titter'.
fleet, intr. and tr. v., to pass swiftly.- ME.jleten,
fleoten, fr. OE. fleotan, 'to float', rei. to OE.
flotan, 'to float', ON. flj6ta, Swed. flyta, Dan.
flyde, 'to flow, float', OS. fliotan, OFris. fliiita,
'to flow', MLG. vleten, MDu., Du. vlieten,
OHG.jlio33an, 'to flow, float', MHG. vlie3en,
G. flieflen, 'to flow', and cogn. with Lith. p/Qdau,
plf1sti, 'to overflow', I..ett.pliidl, 'flood'. All these
words are -d-enlargements of I.-E. base *p/eu-,
'to flow, run, swim'. See flow and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also lead, 'a heavy metal'.
Derivative: fleet-ing, adj.
fleet, adj., swift.- Rei. to, or derived from, ON.
jljotr, 'swift' (fr.fljota, 'to flow, run'). See fleet, v.
Derivatives: fleet-ly, adv., fleet-ness, n.
fleet, n., a number of ships. - ME. flete, fleote,
'a fleet', fr. OE. fleot, 'ship, vessel', lit. 'that
which floats or glides', rei. to fleotan, 'to float'.
See fleet, v., and cp. next word.
fleet, n., a creek. - OE. fleot, 'mouth of a river,
bay, sea, ship, vessel', derivatively identical
with prec. word.
Fleming, n., I) a native of Flanders; 2) a native
of Belgium who speaks Flemish. - MDu. Vliiming (Du. Vlaming), rei. to Vlaemisch, 'Flemish', fr. Vliim-, which appears also in Du.
Vlaanderen, 'Flanders'. Cp. next word. Cp. also
flamenco. For the ending see-ing, suff. meaning
'pertaining to'.
Flemish, adj. - MDu. Vlaemisch (whence Du.
Vlaams), fr. Vliim-. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ish.
Hench, Hense, flinch, tr. v., to strip the blubber
from a whale. - Dan. flense, of s.m.
flesh, n. - ME. flesch, fr. OE. fliisc, rei. to OS.,
OFris. jlesk, MLG. vlees, vleis, Du. vlees,
OHG. jleisc, MHG., G. jleisch, 'flesh', ON.,
Dan. flesk, 'pork, bacon'. The ultimate origin
of these words is uncertain.
Derivatives: flesh, tr. v., flesh-er, n., fleshings,
n. pl., fleshly (q.v.), flesh-ment, n., flesh-y, adj.
fleshly, adj. - ME. fleschlich, fr. OE. fofsclic,
fr. flli!sc, 'flesh'. See flesh and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: fleshli-ness, n.
fletch, tr. v., to provide (an arrow) with a feather;
to feather.- Back formation fr. ftetcber.
fletcher, n., one who makes arrows. - OF.
jlechier, fr. fleche (F. fleche), 'arrow'. See Heche.
Fletcherism, n., the practice of chewing one's
food thoroughly. - So called after the American nutritionist Horace Fletcher (1849-I919),
who advocated this practice. For the ending see
suff. -ism.
fleur-de-Iis, n., the iris. - F., lit. 'flower of lily'.
Fleur derives fr. L. florem, ace. of flos, 'flower',
de comes fr. L. de, 'from, away from', and lis,
orig. a plural, derives fr. L. /ilium, 'lily'. See

fleuret
flower, de- and lily and cp. flower-de-luce.
fleuret, n., a small flower. - F. fleurette, dimin.
of fleur, 'flower'. See flower and the suffixes -et,
-ette, and cp. floret.
'
fleuron, n., a flowerlike ornament.- F., augment.
of fleur, 'flower'. See flower and -ooo.
fleury, adj., sprinkled with fleurs-de-lis (her.)
F. fleuri, 'flowery, florid; covered with
flowers', pp. of fleurir, 'to flower, blossom'. See
flourish.
flew, pp. of fly. - ME. flew, fr. OE. fleah, fr.
fleogan, 'to fly'. See fly.
flews, n. pl., the hanging chaps of bloodhounds.
- Of unknown origin.
flex, tr. and intr. v., to bend. - L. flexus, pp. of
flectere, 'to bend', which-according to Ernout-Meillet, DELL., p. 352-is perh. a popular
collateral form of plectere, 'to plait, braid, intertwine'. See ply, n., 'to bend', and cp. flection,
flexible, circumflex, deflect, inflect, reflect, retroflex.
flexibility, n. - F. flexibilite, fr. Late L. flexibilittitem, ace. of flexibilittis, fr. L. flexibilis. See
next word and -ity.
flexible, adj. - F., fr. L. flexibilis, 'that may be
bent, pliant', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere. See flex
and -ible.
Derivatives: flexible-ness, n., flexibl-y, adv.
flexile, adj., flexible. L. flexi/is, 'pliant,
flexible', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere. See flex
and -ile.
Derivative: flexil-ity, n.
flexion. - See flection.
flexor, n., a muscle that bends a joint; contrasted
with extensor (anal.) - Medical L., short for
musculus flexor, 'a bending muscle', formed
with agential sutf. -or fr. L. flexus, pp. of flectere. See flex.
flexuose, adj., flexuous. - L. flexuosus, 'full of
turns, tortuous, flexuous', fr. flexus, 'a bending', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere. See flex and adj.
sutf. -ose.
Deri 1ative: flexuos-ity, n.
flexuous, adj., I) full of windings; 2) wavering. L. flexuosus. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: flexuous-ly, adv., flexuous-ness, n.
flexure, n., a bending or turning. - L. flexura,
'a bending, turning', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere.
See flex and -ure.
flibbertigibbet, n., a chatterer. - An invented
word.
flick, n., a light blow; tr. v., to strike.- Prob.
of imitative origin.
flicker, intr. v., to flutter. -ME. flikeren, fr. OE.
flicorian, 'to flutter, waver', rei. to OE. flacor,
'fluttering', ON. flokra, MDu. flockeren, OHG.
flagaron, flogaron, 'to flutter', MHG. vlackern,
G. flack ern, 'to flare, flicker'. These verbs prob.
meant orig. 'to beat with the wings', and are
rei. to dial. E. flack, 'to !lap, strike'. See prec.
word.
Derivative: flicker, n., the act of fluttering.

601

600

flicker, n., one who or that which flicks. Formed fr. flick with agential suff. -er.
flicker, n., a woodpecker of N. America. - Lit.
'the striking bird', hence prop. identical with
prec. word.
flier, flyer, n. -Formed fr. fly, v., with agential
sutf. -er.
flight, n., the act of flying. - ME. fliht, fr. OE.
flyht, rei. to OE. fleogan, 'to fly'. Cp. LG. flugt
(whence G. Flucht), MLG., Du. vlucht, 'flight
of birds', OE. flyge, OS. fllugi, ON. flugr,
OHG. flug, MHG. vluc, G. Flug, 'flight', and
see fly, v. Cp. also next word. For the ending
see subst. sutf. -t.
Derivatives:/light-y, adj., flight-i-ly, adv.,flighti-ness, n.
flight, n., the act of fleeing. - ME. fluht, fliht,
fr. OE. fleoh-, stem of /leon (for *fleohan), 'to
flee', rei. to OS., OHG. fluht, OFris. flecht, Du.
vlucht, MHG. vluht, G. Flucht, 'the act of fleeing' (see flee); confused with prec. word.
flight, intr. v., to fly in a flock; tr. v., to shoot
birds flying in a flock. - Fr. flight, 'the act
of flying'.
flimflam, n., humbug. - Antiphonic reduplication of flam, 'sham, trick', fr. obsol. flamfew,
'gewgaw, trifle', fr. OF.fanfelue (F.fanfreluche),
'trifle, bauble', fr. ML. famfaliica, corruption
ofGk.7to[J.q>6:Au~. 'air bladder', lit. 'water bubble'.
See pompholyx. Cp. It. fanfaluca, 'trifle', which
also derives fr. ML. fanfaliica.
ftimmer, intr. v., to glitter, glimmer. - Prob. a
blend of flame and glimmer. Cp. G. flimmern.
flimsy, adj., I) thin; 2) weak. - Formed with
metathesis fr. film. For the insertion of the
letter s before the sutf. -y cp. clumsy.
Derivatives: flimsi-ly, adv., flimsi-ness, n.
flinch, intr. v., to shrink back. - OF. flainchir,
flenchir, 'to turn, bend', prob. of Teut. origin.
Cp. MHG. linken, G. lenken, 'to bend, turn,
lead', and see flank, lank, link, 'ring of a chain'.
Derivatives: flinch, n., flinch-er, n., fiinch-ingly, adv.
flinch, v. -A var. of Hench.
flinders, n. pl., fragments.- ME.flenderis, prob.
ofScand. origin. Cp. Norw.fiindra, 'a thin piece,
splinter', which is rei. to Norw. /linter, 'a little
piece', and to Du. fienter, 'piece, fragment', and
pro b. also to OE. flint, 'flint, rock'. See flint.
Flindersia, n., a genus of Australian timber trees.
- ModL., named after the English navigator
Matthew Flinders (1774-I8I4). For the ending
see sutf. -ia.
fling, tr. and intr. v. - ME. ftingen, flengen, 'to
rush', ofScand. origin. Cp. ON.fiengja, 'to flog',
Dan.fienge, dial. Swed./liinga, 'to slash', which
are of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: fling, n., fling-er, n., fiing-y, adj.
flinkite, n., a basic manganese arsenate (mineral.)
Named after the Swedish mineralogist
Gustaf Flink (I849-I93I). For the ending see
subst. sutf. -ite.

flock

ftix, n., down; fur. -Of uncertain origin.

Hint, n. - ME., fr. OE. flint, cogn. with Gk.
float, intr. and tr. v.- ME.fioten,fiotien, fr. OE.
7tA!v.&o<;, 'brick', Olr. slind, 'brick', fr. I.-E. base
*splind-, *splid-, 'to split, cleave', OSiav. plinuta, fiotian, rei. to ON. fiota, MDu. v!Oten, Du. vlotten, and to OE. fieotan, 'to float'; OE. fiotian
plita, Lith. plytii, Lett. plite 'brick', are Greek
was influenced in form by OF.fioter (F.flotter),
loan words. Cp. plinth. Cp. also Hinders. Cp.
'to float'. See fleet, v., and cp. float, n.
also splint, splinter, split.
Derivatives :float, n. (q.v.),jloat-er, n.,fioat-ing,
Derivatives: flint, adj., flint-y, adj., flint-i-ness, n.
n. and adj., float-ing-ly, adv., fioat-y, adj., floatflip, tr. and intr. v., to move with a jerk, tap, whip.
ation (q.v.)
-Of imitative origin. Cp. flap, fillip, flippant, flop.
float, n. - ME. flote, 'ship, fleet', fr. OE. fiota,
Derivative: flip, n., the act of flipping.
lit. 'that which floats', rei. to ON. /loti, Dan.
flip, n., a drink consisting of beer, egg, sugar. flaade, MDu. vlote, Du. vlot, OHG., MHG. v/03,
Lit. 'beaten up; whipped', derived fr. flip, v.
G. FlojJ, 'float, raft', and to OE. flotian, 'to
flippancy, n. - Formed from next word with
float'. F. /lotte, It. fiotta, 'fleet', are Teut. loan
sutf. -cy.
words. G. Flotte, 'fleet', has been reborrowed fr.
flippant, adj., frivolous; disrespectful.- Coined
F. fiotte. See float, v., and cp. flotilla, flotsam.
from the verb flip in imitation of French present
Derivatives: floatage (q.v.)
participles and adjectives in -ant. For a similar
floatage, n., flotage.- Formed fr. float, n., with
formation cp. blatant.
sutf. -age. Cp. flotage.
Derivatives: flippant-ly, adv., flippant-ness, n.
floatation, n., flotation. - Formed fr. float, v.,
flipper, n., a broad flat limb adapted for swimwith sutf. -ation. Cp. flotation.
ming.- Formed from the verb flip with agential
floccillation, n., picking at bedclothes in delirium
sutf. -er.
(med.) - Formed with sutf. -ation fr. L. fioccus,
flirt, tr. and intr. v.- OF. fieureter ( = F. confer
'flock of wool'. See flock of wool.
des fleurettes), 'to talk sweet nonsense, to flirt',
floccose, adj., woolly. - L. fioccosus, fr. fioccus,
fr. OF.fieurete (F.fleurette), 'little flower; cour'flock of wool'. See flock of wool, and adj.
teous flattery', dimin. of fteur, 'flower', fr. L.
sutf. -ose.
fiorem, ace. of fios, of s.m. See flower.
Derivative: fioccose-ly, adv.
Derivatives: flirt, n., flirt-ation, n., flirt-ation-a!,
floccule, n., detached mass of wool. - See
adj., flirt-atious, adj., flirt-atious-ly, adv., flirtflocculus.
atious-ness, n., flirt-ish, adj., flirt-ish-ness, n.,
flocculence, n. - Formed fr. flocculent with sutf.
jlirt-y, adj.
-ce.
flit, intr. v., I) to move rapidly; 2) to flutter. flocculent, adj., resembling wool, flocky. ME. ftitten, fiutten, 'to carry away, go away',
Formed fr. flocculus with sutf. -ent.
fr. ON. flytja, 'to cause to flit', which is the
Derivative: fiocculent-ly, adv.
weak grade of fijota, 'to float'. See fleet, v., and
ftocculose, adj., minutely floccose. - See floccp. words there referred to.
culus and adj. sutf. -ose.
Derivative: flit, n.
ftocculous, adj., flocculose. - See next word and
flitch, n., side of bacon. - ME. fiicche, fr. OE.
-ous.
fiicce, 'flitch of bacon', rei. to ON.fiikki, Norw.
flocculus, n., I) a small tuft of wool or woolly
fiika, MLG. vlicke, 'piece of flesh', ON. jlfk,
substance; 2) a small lobe on the lower side of
'tip, patch rag', and cogn. with Lith. plysti, 'to
the cerebellum (anat.); 3) cloudlike mass of
tear', plaisinti, 'to cause to burst', Lett. plaisa,
vapors in the solar atmosphere. - ModL.,
'cleft, gap'; not rei. to flesh.
dimin. of L. fioccus, 'flock of wool'. See next
Derivative: flitch, tr. v.
word.
ftite, ftyte, intr. v., to quarrel ; tr. v., to quarrel
floccus, n., tuft of wool or hair. - L., 'lock or
with, to scold. - ME. fiiten, fr. OE. jlftan, 'to
flock of wool', which prob. stands for *bhlokos
contend, struggle, quarrel', rei. to OHG. /lf3an,
and is cogn. with OHG. blaha, MHG. blahe,
'to strive', OHG ., MHG./lfJ, 'contest, diligence',
G. Blahe (dial. Blache), OSwed. blan, bla, earG. Flei/J, Du. vlijt, 'diligence, industry'.
lier Dan. blaa, Dan. blaar, 'tow, hards', ON.
Hiting, ftyting, n., I) a scolding; 2) an abusive
bl<1tja, Dan. ble, 'sheet'. Cp. flock of wool,
speech. - ME. jilting. See prec. word and -ing,
floccule, floss.
suff. forming verbal nouns.
flock of wool. - ME. flocke, fr. OF. floc, fr. L.
flitter, intr. v., to flutter. - Freq. of flit. Cp.
fioccus. See prec. word.
flutter.
Derivatives: flock, tr. v., to fill with flocks,
Hittermouse, n., bat (dial.) - Lit. 'a fluttering
fiock-y, adj.
mouse'. See prec. word and mouse and cp.
flock of sheep, n. - ME., fr. OE. fiocc, rei. to
OHG. fledarmiis (MHG. fiedermiis, G. FlederON. fiokkr, 'crowd, troop, band', Dan. flok,
ITUlUS), 'bat', which is compounded of ftedaron,
Swed. flock, MLG. vlocke, 'crowd, flock', of
'to flutter', and mils, 'mouse'. Cp. the equivalent
uncertain origin.
Du. vledermuis, v/eermuis.
Derivative: flock, intr. v., to crowd together;
Hiner, n., a small and cheap motorcar (U.S.
tr. v., to bring together (rare).
Slang).- An invented word.

floe

floe, n., a field of floating ice.- Norw.fio, 'layer',

fr. ON. flo; rei. to Hag, 'stone' (q.v.)
Floerkea, n., a genus of plants, the false mermaid (bot.) - ModL., named after the German
botanist Heinrich Gustav Florke (I764-I835).
flog, tr. v., to beat; to whip.- Prob. corrupdon
of L. fiage/liire, 'to scourge'. See flagellum.
Derivatives: flogg-ing, n., fiogg-ing-ly, adv.
flood, n. - ME. fiod, fr. OE. fitJd, 'a flowing,
flow, stream, flow of tide, tide', rei. to OS.,
OFris. fi6d, ON. fioo, Dan., Swed. fiod, MDu.
vloet, vloed, Du. vloed, OHG., MHG. fiuot, G.
Flut, Goth. fiodus and to ON. fioa, 'to flood',
and cogn. with Gk. rr).we:w, 'to float, swim',
ITAw't'6<;, 'floating, navigable'. These words derive fr. I.-E. base *plou-, a gradational variant
of *pleu-, 'to flow, swim'. See flow and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: flood, tr. and intr. v.,fiood-ed, adj.,
flood-ing, n.
floodometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
height of floods. - A hybrid coined fr. flood
and Gk. fl'hpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
floor, n. - ME. /for, fr. OE. fior, rei. to MDu.,
Du. vloer, ON. fior, fiorr, Norw. fior, 'floor of
a cow stall', MHG. vluor, G. Flur, 'field, meadow, plain, floor', fr. I.-E. base *pliiros, *p/iira,
whence also Olr. liir (for *pliir), W. 1/awr, Bret.
leur, 'ground, floor. This base is an enlargement of base *p(e)lii-, 'spread out, broad, flat',
whence L. pliinus, 'level, fiat'. See plain, adj.,
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives:fioor, tr. v.,fioor-er, n.,fioor-ing, n.
flop, intr. v., to fall down suddenly; tr. v., to
throw with a sudden thud. - Orig. an antiphonic variant of flap (q.v.) Cp. flump,
Derivatives :flop, n. and adv.,fiopp-y, adj.,fioppi-ly, adv., flopp-i-ness, n.
Flora, I) Roman goddess of flowers; 2) fern. PN.
- L. Flora. See next word.
flora, n., plants of a region or period.- L. FlOra,
name of the goddess of flowers, fr. fios, gen.
flOris, 'flower'. See flower and cp. floral, Floreal.
The name flora was introduced into botany by
Linnaeus; cp. fauna.
floral, adj., I) pertaining to a flora; pertaining
to flowers.- L. Floriilis, 'pertaining to Flora',
fr. Flora. See Flora and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: floral-ly, adv.
Floreal, n., name of the 8th month of the French
revolutionary calendar (lasting from April 20th
to May 19th).- F. Florea/, lit. 'the month of
flower'; a word coined by Fabre d'Eglantine in
I 793 from L. fioreiilis, 'pertaining to flowers', fr.
fios, gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower and adj. suff.
-al.
Florence, fern. PN.- L. Florentia, fern. of Florentius, lit. 'blooming', fr. /forens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of fiorere, 'to flower, flourish', fr. fios,
gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower and -ence and
cp. florence.

602
florence, n., a kind of woven material (esp. of
silk). - Orig. 'anything made in Florence
(Italy)', fr. L. F!Orentia, 'Florence', lit. 'bloom'
(whence It. Fiorenze, later contracted into Firenze, and F. Florence), fr. /forens, gen. -entis.
See prec. word and cp. Florentine.
Florentine, adj., pertaining to the city of Florence, Italy. - L. Florentfnus, 'of Florence', fr.
Florentia. See florence and adj. suff. -ine.
florescence, n., a blooming, blossoming. Formed from next word with suff. -ce. Cp. efflorescence, inflorescence.
florescent, adj., blooming, blossoming. - L.
fiorescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of fiorescere,
'to begin to flower', inchoative of fiorere, 'to
flower, flourish', from fios, gen. floris, 'flower'.
See flower and -escent and cp. efflorescent, inflorescent.
floriculture, n., the cultivation of flowers. Formed on analogy of agriculture, fr. L. fios,
gen. floris, 'flower', and cultura, 'a cultivating,
culture'. See flower and culture.
Derivatives: floricultur-al, adj., fioricultur-al-ly,
adv., fioricultur-t:~t, n.
floret, n., a small flower. -OF. fiorete (F. fieurette), dimin. of OF. /for (F. fieur), fr. L. fiorem,
ace. of /los, 'flower'. See flower and -et and cp.
fleuret.
Derivative: fioret-ed, adj.
floriate, floriated, adj., decorated with floral ornaments. - Formed with adj. suff. -ate (resp.
also -ed), fr. L. fios, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
flower.
Derivative: fioriat-ion, n.
florid, adj., full of flowers.- L.fioridus, 'abounding in flowers', fr. fios, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
flower and adj. suff. -id.
Derivatives: florid-ity, n., florid-ly, adv., floridness, n.
Florideae, n. pl., an order of algae (bot.) ModL., fr. L. fioridus, 'abounding in flowers'.
See prec. word and -idae.
floriferous, adj., bearing flowers.- Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. fiorifer, 'bearing flowers', from
fios, gen. floris, 'flower', and fero, ferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See Hower and -ferous.
florilegium, n., I) a collection of flowers; 2) an
anthology. - ModL., formed on analogy of
Gk. &:v3-o).oy(ii (cp. anthology) fr. L. fiori/egus,
'flower-culling', fr. /los, gen. floris, 'flower', and
Iegere, 'to gather, collect'. See Hower and lecture.
florin, n., I) orig. a gold coin issued in Florence
in I252; 2) name of various European gold and
silver coins. - ME., fr. OF., fr. It. fiorino, fr.
fiore, 'flower', fr. L.jWrem, ace. offios, 'flower';
so called because gold coins issued at Florence
had originally the figure of a lily (the badge of
the city) stamped upon them; see flower, n. OF.
florin was influenced in form by Latin /forem.
Horist, n.- Formed on analogy of F. fieuriste,
from L. fios, gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower
and -ist.

603

fluctuant

shen, fr. OF. floriss-, pres. part. stem of fiorir,

-florous, combining form meaning 'having (a
fr. VL. *florfre, corresponding to fiorere, 'to
certain number of) flowers, as uniflorous, multiblossom, flourish', fios, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
fiorous. - Formed fr. L. fios, gen. floris,
n., and verbal suff. -ish and cp. fleury.
flower,
-ous.
and
Hower),
(see
'flower'
Derivatives: flourish, n., flourish-ing, adj.,
Horuit, n., period at which a person flourished. flourish-y, adj.
L., 'he flourished', pret. of fiorere, 'to flower,
flout, tr. and intr. v., to mock, jeer. - Fr.
flourish', fr. fios, gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower.
ME. flout en, 'to play the flute'. For sense deflory, adj. - A variant of fleury.
velopment cp. the related MDu. fiuyten, Du.
floscule, n., a floret. -F., fr. L. fiosculus, 'a little
fiuiten, 'to play the flute; to jeer'. See flute.
flower', dimin. of fios, gen. floris, 'a flower'.
Derivatives: flout, n.,fiout-er, n.,fiout-ing-ly, adv.
See flower and -cole.
flow, intr. v. - ME. fiowen, fr. OE. fiowan, rei.
Derivatives: fioscul-ar, fioscul-ous, adjs.
to Du. vloeien, 'to flow', ON. fioa, 'to deluge',
Hoss, n., I) the rough outside silk of a silkworm's
flood', OHG.fiouwen, 'to rinse, wash', fr. I.-E.
cocoon; 2) waste fiber of silk; 3) soft silk used
base *p/eu-, 'to flow, swim', whence also 01.
in embroidery.- Orig. used as an adj. in floss
pldvate, 'navigates, swims', pliivdyati, 'causes to
silk, translation of the Old French phrase soye
swim, overflows', Toch. B plewe, 'ship', Arm.
fiosche (F. soie/foche), lit. 'soft silk'. OF.fiosche
luanam, 'I wash', helum, 'I pour', Gk. rr).6vw,
derives fr. OF. floc, 'a small tuft of wool', fr.
'I wash', rr:Mw (for *rr).efw), 'I sail, go by sea,
Hoccus.
See
fioccus.
L.
swim', L. pluere, 'to rain', pluvia, 'rain', OSlav.
Derivative: floss-y, adj.
plov(J, pluti, 'to flow, navigate', Lith. pi/it, pilti,
flotage, n., I) the act of floating; 2) anything that
'to pour out', plduju, plduti, 'to swim, rinse'.
floats. -- See floatage.
See pluvial and cp. Heet, v., adj. and n., Hit,
Hotant, adj., floating in water; flying (her.) float, flood, flutter, fly, v. and n. Cp. also paludal,
OF. fiotant (F. /fottant), pres. part. of /later
Plynteria, pneumo-, pulmo-, pyelo-. I.-E. base
(F. flatter), 'to float'. See Hoat, v., and -ant.
*pleu-, 'to flow', is ult. identical with base
flotation, n., I) the act of floating; 2) the act of
*pele-, *pie-, 'to fill'. See full, adj., and words
floatation
fr.
Altered
starting a business.
there referred to and cp. esp. plutocracy.
under the influence of F. flotation, 'floating',
Derivatives: flow, n., flow-ing, adj., flow-ing-ly,
/fottaison, 'water line'. Cp. flotsam.
adv.
flotilla, n., a small fleet. - Sp., dimin. of fiota,
flower, n. - ME. flour, fr. OF. flour, /fur, fior
'fleet', which is of Teut. origin. See float, n.,
(F. fieur), fr. L. fiorem, ace. of fios, 'flower', fr.
and cp. words there referred to.
I.-E. base *bhlo-, *bhle-, *bhlii-, 'to blossom,
flotsam, n., floating wreckage. - AF. fioteson,
flourish', whence also Mlr. bliith, W. blawd,
'flotsam', corresponding to OF. fiotaison, 'a
'bloom, flower', OE. blowan, 'to flower, bloom'.
floating' (whence F. fiottaison, 'water line'), fr.
See blow, 'to flower', and cp. blade, blood,
/foter (F. flatter), 'to float'; see float, v., and cp.
blossom. Cp. also cauliflower, defloration,
bloom,
influenced
was
flotsam
of
flotation. The ending
deflower, effloresce, ferret, 'ribbon', fleuret,
by the Scand. suff. -sam. Cp. jetsam.
fleur-de-Iis, flirt, Flora, flora, floral, Floreal,
flounce, intr. v., to move jerkily; to plunge: to
Florence, Florentine, florescent, floret, Horid,
flounder. - Prob. borrowed from Scand. Cp.
florin, flour, flourish, millefiori, Phyllis, phyllo-.
dial. Swed. fiunsa, 'to plunge', Norw. /funsa,
The meaning 'to blossom, flourish', denoted by
'to hurry', which are of imitative origin; pro b.
base *bhl6-, *bhle-, *bhlii-, is secondary. The
influenced in form by bounce.
meaning of this.base is 'to blow, to swell'.
orig.
n.
flounc-ing,
Derivative:
See blow, 'to puff', and cp. words there reflounder, n., one of several edible flatfishes. ferred to.
OF. fiondre, of Scan d. origin. Cp. Swed., Norw.
Derivatives: flower, v ., flower-ed, adj., flower-er,
fiundra, Dan. fiynder, ON. fiyora, 'flatfish',
n., flower-ing, adj., flower-y, adj.
which are rel. to MLG. v!undere, MHG. v/uon., iris. - Corruption of fleur-deflower-de-luce,
LG.
a
is
s.m.,
of
Plunder,
(G.
der, 'flounder'
lis (q.v.)
loan word), and cogn. with Gk. r.:Aocru.:;, 'flat,
floweret, n., a little flower. - Dimin. of flower.
wide, broad', L. planta, 'sole of the foot'. See
Cp. fleuret, floret.
place and cp. plaice. Cp. also Hat.
flown, pp. of fly.
flounder, intr. v., to struggle in an awkward manHu, n., influenza (colloq.) - Shortened fr. inner.- Prob. a blend of founder and blunder.
fluenza.
Derivatives: flounder, n., flounder-ing, adj.,
flucti-, combining form meaning 'wave'. - L.
flounder-ing-ly, adv.
flucti-, fr. fiuctus, 'wave', fr. fiuct-(um), archaic
flour, n. -A var. of flower, orig. identical also
pp. stem of fiuere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
in meaning with it, but later used only in the
fluctuate.
figurative sense as 'flower (i.e. the finest part)
fluctuant, adj., undulating (rare). - L. fiuctuiins,
of the meal'.
gen. -antis, pres. part. of fiuctuiire. See next
Derivatives: flour, tr. v., flour-y, adj.
word and -ant.
flourish, intr. and tr. v. - ME. florisshen, /luris-

fluctuate

fluctuate, intr. v., to move like a wave; to undulate. - L. fliictuiit-(um), archaic pp. stem of
/liictuiire, 'to move like a wave', fr. fliictus,
'wave'. See flucti- and verbal suff. -ate.
fluctuation, n. - L. fliictuiitio, gen. -onis, 'a wavering motion, fluctuation', fr. fliictuiit-(um),
archaic pp. stem of fliictuiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
flue, n., formerly, a chimney; now, a channel for
the passage of smoke, etc. - Of uncertain
origin.
flue, n., fluff. - ME. fluwe, fr. Flemish vluwe, fr.
F. velu, 'hairy, shaggy', fr. Late L. villiitus, corresponding to L. villosus, 'hairy'. See velours
and cp. flue, 'fishing net', which is derivatively
identical with flue, 'fluff'. Cp. also fluff.
Derivative: flue-y, adj.
flue, n., the fluke of an anchor or a harpoon. Cp. fluke, 'broad end of the arm of an anchor'.
flue, n., a kind of fishing net. - ME., fr. Flem.
vluwe. See flue, 'fluff'.
fluellite, n., aluminum fluoride (mineral.) - A
blend of ftu(orine) and (wav)ellite.
fluency, n.- Formed from next word with suff.
-cy.
fluent, adj. - L. fluens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
ofjluere, 'to flow', whencejliimen, 'river'; cogn.
with Gk. q>At>m, 'to boil over, bubble up',
q>Adv, 'to abound', fr. I.-E. *bhleu-, enlargement of base *bhel-, *bhle-, 'to blow, swell'.
See blow, 'to puff', and -ent and cp. affluent,
afflux, circumftuent, confluent, deftuent, diffluent,
flimflam, floss, fluid, flume, fluor, fluorescence,
fluorine, flush, 'number of cards', Flustra,
fluvial, flux, influence, influenza, influx, mellifluent, reflux, superfluous. Cp. also phello- and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: fluent-ly, adv., fluent-ness, n.
fluff, n., soft down. - Pro b. rei. to flue, 'fluff'.
Derivatives: fluff, tr. and intr. v., fluff-y, adj.,
fluff-i-ly, adv., fluff-i-ness, n.
ftugelman, n. fugleman. - G. Fliigelmann, 'file
leader, fugleman', lit. 'man on the wing'. See
fugleman.
fluid, adj. - F. fluide, fr. L. fluidus, 'flowing,
fluid', fr. fluere. See fluent and adj. suff. -id.
Derivatives: fluid, n., fluid-al, adj., fluid-al-ly,
adv., fluid-ly, adv., fluid-ness, n., fluidity (q.v.),
fluidize (q.v.)
ftuidify, tr. v., to make fluid.- See fluid and -fy.
fluidity, n., fluid state or quality. -See fluid and
-ity and cp. F. fluidite.
fluidize, tr. v., to make fluid.- A hybrid coined
fr. L. fluidus (see fluid) and -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin. The correct form isjluidify, in which both
elements are Latin.
fluke, n., I) flounder, flatfish; 2) a flat parasitic
worm. - ME. floke, fluke, fr. OE. floc, 'flatfish', rei. to ON. /loki, of s.m., and in gradational relationship to Norw. flak, 'disk, floe'. See
flake, 'a thin, flat piece' (q.v.), and cp. next word.
Hoke, n., part of an anchor.- Prob. figurative

604
use of prec. word (q.v.) The broad end of the
arm of an anchor was compared with a flatfish.
fluke, n., a lucky accidental stroke at billiards
or other games. - Of unknown origin.
fluky, adj., infested with flukes. - Formed with
adj. suff. -y fr. fluke, 'flatfish; a flat parasitic
worm'.
fluky, adj., lucky. - Formed with adj. suff. -y
fr. fluke, 'accidental stroke'.
Derivatives: fluki-ly, adv., fluki-ness, n.
flume, n., artificial water course. - ME., fr.
OF. flum, 'river', fr. L. /lumen, 'river', from the
stem 'or fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent.
flummery, n., I) a soft jellylike food made from
the husks of oats; 2) empty compliments; nonsense. - W. llymru, 'sour oatmeal jelly boiled
with the husks'.
flummox, tr. v., to confound (slang).- Prob. rei.
to OE. flummocks, 'to maul, mangle', and, together with it, of imitative origin.
Hump, tr. v., to move or fall heavily, to plump;
n., the act of Humping. - Prob. a blend of
flop and plump.
flung, past tense and pp. of fling. - ME. flungen,
fr. flingen. See fling.
flunky, flunkey, n., a lackey. - Prob. meaning
lit. 'the man at the side', and rei. to flank. Cp.
F. flanquer, 'to be at the side of, to flank', fr.
flanc, 'side'.
Derivatives: flunkey-dom, n., flunkey-ish, adj.,
flunkey-ism, n.
fluo-, combining form indicating the presence of
fluorine (chem.) - Short for F. fluor, 'fluorine'.
See next word.
fluor, n., a mineral containing fluorine, fluorite.
- ModL., fr. L. fluor, 'a flowing', fr. fluere, 'to
flow'. See fluent and -or and cp. fluorine.
fluoresce, intr. v. - Back formation fr. fluorescence.
fluorescence, n. (physics). - Formed with suff.
-escence (on analogy of opalescence, phosphorescence) fr. fluor(spar). The word fluorescence
was coined by the English mathematician and
physicist, Sir George Gabriel Stokes (I 8 I9- I 903)
in I852 in allusion to the circumstance that he
noticed this phenomenon first in fluorspar.
fluorescent, adj.- See prec. word and -ent.
ftuoric, adj., pertaining to fluorine (chem.)
Formed with suff. -ic fr. fluor.
ftuorine, n., name of a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogen family (chem.)- Coined
by the English chemist Sir Humphry Davy
(I778-I829) fr. fluor with chem. suff. -ine (on
analogy of brom-ine, chlor-ine, iod-ine). The
element was so called by him because it was
found first in fluorspar.
ftuorite, n., fluorspar (mineral.) - Formed fr.
ftuor with subst. suff. -ite.
ftuoro-, combining form denoting either I) fluorine or 2) fluorescence. -See fluor.
Huoroscope, n., an instrument for observing
ftuorescence.- A hybrid coined fr. L.fluor and

60S

Gk. -crx67tLov, fr. axom:tv, 'to look at, examine'. See fluor and -scope.
Derivative: fluoroscop-y, n.
fluorspar, n., fluorite. - Lit. 'fluor used as a
spar'. See fluor and spar, and cp. G. Fluftspat.
Cp. also feldspar, feldspathic.
flurry, n., I) a gust of wind; 2) agitation.- Pro b.
a blend of obsol. jlurr, 'to whir' (which is of
imitative origin), and hurry.
Derivative: flurry, tr. v.
flush, intr. and tr. v., to start up suddenly. ME. fluschen, of imitative origin.
flush, n., a flock of flushed birds.- Fr. prec. word.
flush, intr. v., I) to rush (said of blood); to flow
suddenly; 2) to blush; tr. v., I) to cleanse with
a sudden flow of water; 2) to make red; 3) to
excite. - A blend of flash and blush.
Hush, adj. and adv., full to overflowing. - Fr.
prec. word.
Derivatives: flush, tr. v., to fill up, flush-ness, n.
flush, adj., even, level. - Prob. identical with
prec. word and orig. applied to a river running
full, hence level with its banks.
flush, n., a number of cards of the same suit.F. flux, lit. 'flux, flow', fr. L. /luxus. See flux.
Derivative: flush, adj., consisting of cards of
the same flush.
flushing, n., a kind of coarse cloth. - From
Flushing (VIissingen), seaport in Holland.
fluster, tr. v., to confuse with drink; to confuse;
intr. v., to be confused. - Prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. Ice!. flaustr, 'bustle' ,jlaustra, 'to bustle';
which are prob. imitative.
Derivatives: fluster, n., fluster-y, adj.
Flustra, n., a genus of marine Polyzoa (zoot.) ModL., coined by Linnaeus fr. L. /lustra (pl.),
'the usual calm of the sea', which prob. stands
for *flugs-tra and derives fr. fluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
flute, n. - ME. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaute,
fleiite (F. flute), fr. OProven~. jlaur, which is
pro b. a blend ofOProven~.flaujol, 'flageolet', and
laiit, 'lute'. See flageolet and lute, 'a musical instrument'. It. flauto and Sp. flauta are OProven~.
loan words. Cp. flout.
flute, intr. v.- ME. flout en, floiten, fr. OF. flaiiter, fleuter (F. fluter), fr. OF. jlaiite, fleiite,
'flute'. See flute, n.
Derivatives: flut-ed, adj., flut-er, n., flut-ing, n.,
flut-y, adj.
flutist, n. - A hybrid coined fr. ftute and -ist,
a suff. of Greek origin. Cp. flautist.
flutter, intr. v., to flap the wings; tr. v., to move
quickly. - ME. floteren, fr. OE. floterian, 'to be
tossed by waves, to flutter', freq. of flotian, 'to
float'. See float, v.
Derivatives: flutter, n., flutter-er, n., flutter-ing,
adj., flutter-ing-ly, adv., flutter-y, adj.
Huvial, adj., pertaining to a river. - L. fluviiilis,
fr. fluvius, 'river', which is rei. to fluere, 'to
flow'. See Ouent and adj. suff. -aL
f.uviatic, adj., fluvial. - L. fluviiiticus, 'pertaining

foam

to a river', fr. fluvius. See prec. word and 2nd

-atic.
fluviatile, adj., fluvial.- F., fr. L. fluviiitilis, 'pertaining to a river', fr.fluvius. See ftuvial and -ile.
ftuvio-, combining form meaning 'river'.- Fr.
L. fluvius. See fluvial.
flux, n., I) a flowing; 2) a continuous change.ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) flux, fr. L. fluxus, 'a flowing, flow, flux', fr. fliixus, pp. of fluere, 'to
flow'. See fluent and cp. flush, 'a number of
cards', afflux, conflux, efflux, influx, reflux.
Derivatives :flux, v. ,jluxible (q. v.),jlux-ibil-ity, n.
ftuxible,adj., I) fluid; 2) capable of being melted.
-OF., fr. Late L. fluxibilis, 'fluid', fr. L. /luxus,
pp. of fluere, 'to flow'. See flux and -ible.
fluxion, n., I) a flowing; 2) a continuous change.
- F., fr. L. fliixionem, ace. of fliixio, 'a flowing', fr. fliixus, pp. of fluere. See flux and -ion.
Derivatives: fluxion-al, fluxion-ary, adjs.
fty, intr. and tr. v.- ME.flegen,jlien, fr. OE.fleogan, rei. to OS., OHG.fliogan, ON.fljiiga, Swed.
flyga, earlier Dan. flyge, Dan. flyve, OFris.
fliiiga, MDu. vlieghen, Du. vliegen, MHG.
vliegen, G. fliegen, 'to fly', Goth. us-flaugjan, 'to
cause to fly', and cogn. with Lith. p/aukiu,
plaukti, 'to swim'; fr. I.-E. base *pleuq-, 'to
move forward (by swimming, running or flying)',
enlargement of *pleu-, 'to flow, swim'. See flow
and cp. fledge, flight, 'the act of flying', fowl.
Derivatives: fly, n., the act of flying, fly, adj.
(q.v.), fly-ing, adj. and n.
fly, n., a two-winged insect. - ME. flege, flie,
fr. OE. fleoge, flyge, rei. to OS. fliega, ON.,
Swed. fluga, Norw. fljuge, earlier Dan. fluge,
Dan. flue, MDu. vlieghe, Du. vlieg, OHG.flioga,
fliuga, MHG. vliuge, vliege, G. Fliege, 'fly', lit.
'the flying (scil. insect)', fr. OE. fleogan etc.,
'to fly'. See fly, v.
fly, adj., agile; knowing, sharp (slang). -Fr. fly, v.
flyte, ftyting. - See ftite, fliting.
foal, n.- ME.fole,fr.OE.fola,rel. toOS.,OHG,
folo, ON. foli, OFris. fola, MHG. vole, G.
Fohlen, Goth. fula, and cogn. with Gk. 7tw"Ao~,
'foal', Arm. ul (for *polon), 'kid', Alb. pel'e,
'mare', L. pullus, 'a young animal', fr. I.-E. base
*pbul-, *ptuf-, *pul-, 'young animal', prop.
-[-enlargement of I.-E. base *pJu-, *plu-, *p/1-,
'small, little, young, few'. See few and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also filly.
Derivatives: foal, tr. v., foal-y, adj.
foam, n.- ME. fame, fome, fr. OE. fiim, rel. to
OHG., MHG. veim, G. Feim, and cogn. with
01. phena/;1, L. pumex, 'pumice', spiima, 'foam',
OSlav. pena, 'foam', Lith. spaine, 'a streak of
foam', OPruss. spoayno, 'foam'. Cp. pumice,
spume.
Derivatives: foam, v. (q.v.), foam-y, adj., foami-ly, adv., foam-i-ness, n.
foam, intr. v. - ME. famien, fomen, fr. fame,
fome, 'foam'. Cp. OE. fiiman, 'to foam', and
see foam, n.
Derivative: foam-er, n.

fob

fob, tr. v., to cheat (archaic). - Prob. fr. G.foppen, 'to jeer at, make a fool of, hoax'. Cp. fub
and fop.
fob, n., a little pocket. - Prob. fr. G. Fuppe, 'a
pocket', a dialectal word used in Livonia.
focal, adj. - Formed fr. focus with adj. suff. -al.
Cp. bifocal, confocal.
Derivatives: focal-ize, tr. v., focal-iz-ation, n.,
focal-ly, adv.
focimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
distance of the focus. - A hybrid coined fr.
L. focus, 'hearth', and Gk. !J.hpov, 'measure'.
See focus and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivative: focimetr-y, n.
fo'c'sle. - Phonetic spelling of forecastle.
focus, n., a point at which rays of light, heat,
etc., meet. - ModL., fr. L. focus, 'hearth' (in
VL., 'fire'), which is of uncertain origin. It is
perh. cogn. with Arm. bosor, 'red', boc, 'flame'.
The word focus was introduced into mathematics by Kepler in I 6o4. Cp. curfew, foyer, fuel,
fusil, 'musket', feu de joie.
Derivatives: focus, tr. and intr. v., focus-er, n.
fodder, n. - ME. fader, fr. OE. fodor, from the
stem of foda, 'food', rei. to ON. f60r, Dan.,
Swed. fader, \1Du. voeder, Du. voe(de)r, OHG.
fuotar, MHG. vuoter, G. Futter. See food.
Derivatives: fodder-er, n., fodder-less, adj.
foe, n.- ME. fo, fa, fr. OE. fag, fiih, 'hostile',
rei. to OHG.fehan, 'to hate', gi-foh, MHG. gevech, 'hostile', Goth. faih, 'deception', bi-faih,
'envy, covetousness', OE. f:eho(o), 'feud, enmity', fiige, 'doomed to die, fated'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *peik-, 'evil-minded,
treacherous, hostile', whence also 01. pisunal;,
'malicious', piciicdl;, 'demon', Lith. piktas,
'wicked, angry', pykti, 'to become angry', peikti,
'to blame', OPruss. paikemmai, 'we deceive';
cp. feud, 'enmity', fey. Cp. the related base
*peig-, whence L. piger, 'reluctant, averse, lazy',
piget, 'it irks, troubles, displeases', OE. fiicen,
OS. fokan, OHG. feihhan, 'deceit, fraud, treachery' ; see fickle.
Foehn, Fohn, n., a warm dry wind blowing down
the valleys of the Alps. - MHG. fanne, fr.
OHG. phonno, fr. VL. *faonius, fr. L. favonius,
'west wind'. See Favonius.
foeman, n., foe, enemy. - ME. fomon, fr. OE.
fiihman. See foe and man.
Foeniculum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.) - L. foeniculum, faeniculum, 'fennel'. See fennel.
foetal, adj. - See fetal.
foetation, n. - See fetation.
foeticide, n. - See feticide.
foetus, n. - See fetus.
fog, n., coarse grass, aftermath. - ME. fogge,
prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. Norw. fogg, 'long
grass in a moist hollow', which is rei. to OE.,
OS. fiiht, MLG., MDu. vucht, Du. vocht,
OHG. fiiht(i), MHG. viuhte, G. feucht, 'moist,
damp', and cogn. with 01. parika}J, 'mud, mire',

606

and pro b. also with Arm. zanganem (for *z-hanganem), 'to knead'.
Derivative: fog, tr. v., to leave the grass
standing.
fog, n., mist. - Dan. fog, 'spray, shower, drift
of snow', rei. to ON. fok, of s.m., fjuk, 'snowstorm', fjuka, 'to be driven by the wind'.
Derivative: fog, tr. v., to envelop into a fog,
to befog.
foggage, n., the right of pasturing cattle on fog
(law). -A hybrid coined fr. fog, 'coarse grass',
and -age, a suff. of Latin origin.
fogger, n., a man employed to place fog signals
on railroad. - Formed fr. fog, 'mist', with
agential suff. -er.
foggy, adj., misty. -Formed with adj. suff. -y
fr. fog, 'mist'.
Derivatives: foggi-ly, adv., foggi-ness, n.
foggy, adj., pertaining to, or abounding in, the
grass called fog. - Formed with adj. suff. -y
fr. fog, 'coarse grass'.
fogy, fogey, adj., an old dull fellow. - Of uncertain origin.
foible, n., a weak point in one's character. OF., 'weak' (F. faible), dissimil. fr. L. flebilis,
'lamentable' (see feeble, which is a doublet of
foible). The word orig meant 'the weakest part
of a sword blade', in contradistinction to its
strongest part, called forte.
foil, n., I) a leaflike space in the tracery of a window; 2) a leaf of metal. - OF. foil, fuil, fr. L.
folium, 'leaf'. Cp. F.feuille, 'leaf', fr. L./olia, pl.
of folium (but mistaken for fern. sing.), and see
folio. Cp. also the second element in trefoil,
quatrefoil, cinquefoil, milfoil, counter/oil.
Derivatives: foil, tr. v., to furnish with foils,
foil-ing, n.
foil, tr. v., I) to trample (a hunting term); 2) to
baffie.- ME.foilen, 'to tread under one's foot,
to trample', irregularly formed fr. OF. foler,
fuler, fouler, of s.m., fr. VL. *fulliire, 'to full
(cloth)'. See full, 'to thicken cloth'.
foil. n., trail of an animal. -Fr. foil, 'to trample'.
foil, n., a small sword used in fencing.- Orig.
'that which is used to baffie (scil. the opponent)',
fr. foil, 'to baffie'.
foiling, n., decoration with foils.- Formed with
subst. suff. -ing fr. foil, 'space in the tracery of
a window'.
foiling, n., trail of a deer. - Formed with subst.
suff. -ing fr. foil, 'trail of an animal'.
foin, intr. v., to thrust with a sword (archaic). ME. /oinen, fr. OF. foisne, foine (F. fouine),
'fish spear', fr. L. fuscina, 'a trident', which is
of uncertain origin.
foison, n., abundance, plenty (archaic). - OF.
( = F.) faison, fr. L. fiisionem, ace. of fusio, 'a
pouring out'. See fusion, which is a doublet of
faison.
foist, tr. v., to palm off; to put in surreptitiously.
- MDu. vuisten, 'to take in the fist', fr. vuist,
'fist'. See fist.

607

fold, tr. and intr. v., to double. - ME. fa/den,

/olden, fr. OE. /ealdan, rei. to ON. falda,
Dan. folde, Swed. /(ilia, MLG. vaiden, MDu.
vouden, Du. vouwen, OHG. /aldan, MHG. valden, valten, G. fallen, Goth. fa/pan, and cogn.
with OI.puta/:1, 'fold, pocket', Alb. pal's, 'fold',
Mlr. aft, 'a joint'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. *pel-to-, enlargement of base *pel-, 'to
fold'. See ply, n. and v., artd -fold, and cp. plait.
Cp. also the first element in faldstool, fauteuil.
Derivatives :fold, n. (q.v.),/old-er, n.,fold-ing,n.
fold, n., a folding; anything folded.- ME.feald,
fold. See prec. word.
fold, n., pen for sheep. -ME. fold, fr. OE. falod,
falud,/ald, rei. to Dan. fold, 'pen for sheep', Du.
vaalt, 'a dung pit'. Cp. the second element in
pinfold.
Derivative: fold, to keep (sheep) in a fold.
-fold, suff. - ME., fr. OE. -feald, rei. to OS. -fald,
ON. -faldr, OHG., MHG, G. -fait, Goth. -/alps,
and cogn. with Gk. -rr(XATo<;, -rrAcb:no<;, and -rrM<;,
-rrMo<;, Att. -1\'AOU<; (in &-rrM<;, &-rr).6o<;, resp.
Att. &-rrAou<;, 'simple, single', llL-rrA6<;, llL-rrA6o<;,
resp. Att. llL-7tAOU<;, 'double', etc.), and L. -plus
(in sim-p/us, 'simple, single', du-plus, 'double',
etc.) See fold, v., and cp. haplo-. Cp. also simple,
double.
folding, n., the act of folding. - Formed fr. fold,
'to double', with -ing, suff. forming verbal
nouns.
folding, adj., that which folds or is folded. Formed fr. fold, 'to double', with part. suff. -ing.
folding, n., the act of enclosing or keeping sheep
in a fold. - Formed from the verb fold, 'to
keep (sheep) in a fold' (see fold, 'pen'), with
-ing, a suff. forming verbal nouns.
foliaceous, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of,
leaves. - L. foliiiceus, 'leafy', fr. folium, 'leaf'.
See folio and -aceous.
foliage, n. - Altered fr. F. feuillage, fr. feuille,
'leaf', fr. L. folia, 'leaves', pl. of folium, but
mistaken for a fern. sing. E. foliage was influenced in form by L. folium. See folio and -age
and cp. foil, 'space in the tracery of a window'.
foliar, adj., pertaining to leaves.- Formed with
suff. -ar fr. L. folium, 'leaf'. See folio.
foliate, adj., I) having leaves; 2) resembling
leaves. - L. foiiiitus, 'ieafy', fr. folium, 'leaf'.
See folio and adj. suff. -ate and cp. defoliate,
exfoliate, perfoliate.
foliate, tr. v., I) to beat into a leaf; 2) to furnish
with foils; futr. v., to split into laminae or
leaves. - L. foliiitus. See prec. word.
Derivatives: foliat-ed, adj., foliat-ion, n.
foliature, n., foliage. - L. foliiitura, fr. foliiitus,
'leafy'. see foliate, adj., and -ure.
folio, n., I) a leaf of a book; 2) a sheet of paper
once folded. - Abl. of L. folium, 'leaf', which
prob. stands for I.-E. *bholYom, and is cogn. with
Gk. ~u~J.ov (for *bhu/Yom), 'leaf', Gael. bile (for
*bhe/Yom), 'leaflet, blossom'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. base *bh/6-, *bhle-, 'to blossom',

folliculitis

properly 'to swell'. See blow, 'to flower', blow,

'to puff', and cp. foliage, foil, 'leaf of me' J',
feuilleton, filemot, and asperifoliate, bifoliate,
Caprifoliaceae, defoliate, exfoliate, perfoliate,
portfolio, Trifolium. Cp. also phyllo-. Cp also
blade.
Derivatives: folio, adj. and tr. v.
foliole, n., leaflet (bot.); a small organ resembling
a leaf (zoo/.) - F., fr. L. foliolum, dimin. of
folium, 'leaf'. See folio and dimin. suff. -ole.
foliose, adj., leafy. - L. foliosus, fr. folium. See
folio- and adj. suff. -ose
folium, n., 1) a leaf; 2) a thin layer. - L. See
folio-.
folk, n.- ME., fr. OE.folc, 'people, crowd', rei.
to ON., Dan., Swed., OFris.folk, MLG., MDu.
vole, Du. vo/k, OHG. folc, MHG. vole, G.
Volk, 'people', fr. Teut. *fulka-, which prob.
meant orig. 'host of warriors'. The above words
are rei. to OE.ge-fy/ce, ON.fylki, 'troop, army',
and prob. cogn. with Alb. plogu, 'heap, crowd'.
For the orig. meaning of Teut. *fulka- cp. Lith.
pu/kas, 'heap, troop', OSlav. p!Uku (for *pulkU),
'host of warriors', which are traceable to Teut.
*fulka-. The orig. meaning of the above Teut.
words shows that they cannot be connected
etymologically with Gk. 7tA'ij&o<;, 'multitude', L.
plebs, 'people; mob', populus, 'people', as is
done by most linguists. Cp. the first element in
Volkslied, Volksraad.
folkland, n., land held by customary right (Engl.
Hist.) - OE. folcland. See folk and land.
folklore, n., the traditional customs, beliefs and
tales of a people. -Coined by the English antiquary William John Thomas (I80J-85) in 1846
for earlier popular antiquities. See folk and lore.
folklorist, n., an expert in folklore. - A hybrid
coined fr. folklore and -ist, a suff. of Greek
origin.
folkmote, folkmoot, n., general assembly of a
town or shire in Anglo-Saxon England. Modem rendering of OE. folcmot, folcgemot,
lit. 'people's meeting'. See folk and moot.
follicle, n., I) a small sac, cavity or gland (anat.);
2) a seed vessel (bot.) - F. follicule, 'a little
bag', fr. L. folliculus, of s.m., dimin. of follis,
'a leather sack; a pair of bellows, moneybag,
wind cushion, stomach'. L. follis stands for
*bhol-nis or *bhf-nis and is a derivative of base
*bhel-, 'to swell'. See bull, 'male of the ox', and
cp. belly and words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -cle.
follicular, adj., pertaining to a follicle.- L.folliculiiris, 'pertaining to a little bag', fr.folliculus.
See follicle and adj. suff. -ar.
folliculate, adj., consisting of a follicle or follicles. - Formed fr. L. folliculus (see follicle)
with adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: folliculat-ed, adj.
folliculitis, n., inflammation of follicles (med.) A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. folliculus (see
follicle) and -His, a suff. of Greek origin.

folliculosis

ouo

miviloxo~. 'all-receiving', compounded of 1tii.v,

folliculosis, n., abnormal development of the
everything', and the stem of Mxecr.&a:~, 'to
'all,
hybrid
L.
Medical
A
lymph follicles (med.)
receive hospitably, entertain'. Cp. Sp. alf6ndega,
coined fr. L. folliculus (see follicle) and -osis,
which derives fr. Arab. a/-, 'the', and fitnduq,
a suff. of Greek origin.
'inn', and see pandect. Cp. also fonda, fondaco.
follow, tr. and intr. v. - ME. folewen, foluwen,
font, n., receptacle for baptismal water- ME.,
folwen, folgen, fr. OE. folgian, also fylgan, rei.
fr. OE. font, 'baptismal font', fr. L. fons, gen.
to OS. folgon, OFris. /olgia, fulgia, ON., Norw.
fontis, 'spring, fountain', in Eccles. Latin 'bapfylgja, Swed. folja, Dan. felge, MDu. volghen,
tismal font'. See 1st fount.
Du. volgen, OHG. folgen, MHG. volgen, G.
font, n., set of type of one size (typogr.) - F.
folgen, 'to follow', and perh. cogn. with W.,
fonte, 'a casting', prop. the fern. pp. of fondre,
Co. ol (for I.-E. *polgh-), 'track of the foot',
'to cast, melt', used as a noun. See found, 'to
'successor'.
olafiad,
after',
'behind,
of,
ar
W.
cast', and cp. fount, 'font'.
Derivatives: follow, n., follower (q.v.), followfontal, adj., I) pertaining to a fountain; 2) baping, adj. and n.
tismal.- Late L. fontalis, fr. L. f6ns, gen. jonfollower, n. - ME. folwere, fr. OE. folgere, fr.
tis, 'fountain'. See Ist fount and adj. suff. -al.
folgian, 'to follow'. See prec. word and agential
fontanelle, n., membranous space befontanel,
suff. -er.
tween the bones of the skull of a baby or a
folly, n. - ME. folie, fr. OF. ( = F.), folie fr.
young animal (anat.) - F. fontanelle, transOF. fol (F. fou, fol), 'fool'. See fool and-y (repformation of OF. fontenelle, fr. Medical L. fonresenting OF. -ie).
tanel/a, prop. the latinized form of the dimin.
foment, tr. v., 1) to treat with warm water; 2) to
F. fontaine, 'fountain'. See fountain and
of
/omenL.
fr.
fomenter,
F.
stir up, stimulate.dimin. suff. -el, resp. -elle.
tare, 'to foment', fr. /omentum, contraction
food, n. - ME. fode, fr. OE. foda (whence
of *fovimentum, 'a warm application, poultice',
OE. fodor, 'fodder'), rel. to Goth. fodeins,
fr. fovere, 'to warm, keep warm', which stands
'food', fodjan, 'to feed', and cogn. with Gk.
for *dhogweyo, prop. a causative form lit.
'to feed', fr. I.-E. *pat-, *ptt-,
Tta:-re:icr-&01:~,
*dhegwh-,
base
I.-E.
fr.
burn',
to
cause
'I
meaning
-t-enlargements of base *pa-, 'to tend, keep,
*dhogwh-, 'to bum'. See day and cp. words there
pasture, feed, guard, protect', whence also Mesreferred to. For the ending see suff. -ment.
sapian lt'OI:\16~. 'bread', L. pa-bulum (for *paDerivatives: foment, n., foment-er, fomentdhlo-m), 'food, fodder', pa-nis, 'bread', pa-scere
ation, n.
(pp. pa-stus), 'to graze, pasture, feed', pa-stor,
abof
capable
substance
porous
a
fomes, n.,
'shepherd', lit. 'feeder', OSlav. pas(J (for pasorbing contagious germs.~ L.fomes, 'kindling
sko), pasti, 'to feed, tend (the flock)', Toch. A
wood, touchwood, tinder', rei. to /omentum,
pas-, B pask-, 'to feed, tend (the flock)', Hitt.
'a warm application, poultice'. See foment.
palJ!Jshi, 'I keep, tend, protect'. Cp. feed, fodder,
fond, n., foundation.- F. fond (now fonds), fr.
forage, foster, fother, v. Cp. also appanage, combasis,
'bottom,
fundus,
L.
fr.
fons,
OF. fonz,
panion, company, impanate, pabulum, panda,
foundation'. See fund and cp. the second elepanetela, panification, pannage, pannier, pantler,
ment in plafond.
pantry, pascual, pastern, pastille, pastor, pasture,
fond, adj., infatuated; loving.- ME.fonned, 'inrepast. - Related, and equivalent in meaning,
fatuated', pp. of fonnen, 'to make a fool of',
to I.-E. base *pa-, is base *po-, *poi-, *pf-,
fr. jon, fonne, 'fool, foolish', which is of unwhence 01. pdti, 'he guards, protects', go-pcil;z,
certain origin. Cp. fondle, fun. Derivatives:
'shepherd', payitl;z, 'guarding, protecting', Gk.
fondle (q.v.), fond-ly, adv., fond-ness, n.
lt'OL{J.~II, 'shepherd', rrwU, 'flock of sheep', lt'W{J.OI:,
fonda, n., hotel, inn. - Sp., fr. Arab. fitnduq. See
'lid, cover', Lith. piemuo, 'shepherd'. Cp. the
fonduk.
2nd element in llkapala and in satrap. Cp. also
See
fitnduq.
Arab.
fr.
fondaco, n., inn. - It.,
ban, 'governor'. and words there referred to.
fonduk and cp. prec. word.
fool, n., a jester," dupe.- ME. fol, fr. OF. fol
fondant, n., a kind of sweetmeat that melts easily
(F. fou, fol), 'fool', fr. L. follis, 'bag, bellows,
in the mouth.- F., prop. pres. part. of fondre,
ball filled with air', in VL. 'empty-headed per'to melt', fr. L. fundere, 'to pour'. See found,
son, fool'. See follicle. Derivatives: fool, intr.
'to establish', and -ant and cp. fondue.
and tr. v.,foo/-ery, n.,fool-ing, n.,fool-ish, adj.,
fondle, tr. and intr. v.- Formed with freq. suff.
adv., fool-ish-ness, n.
fool-ish-ly,
adj.
fond,
fr.
of',
fond
be
'to
fond,
obsol.
-le fr.
fool, n., dish consisting of crushed fruit, milk and
Derivative: fondl-ing, n.
cream. - Fr. prec. word in its colloquial sense
fondue, n., a dish made of melted cheese, eggs,
'a trick, a joke'. For sense development cp.
butter, etc. - F., prop. fern. of fondu, pp. of
trifle, 'a thing of small value; a sweet dish'.
fondre, 'to melt'. See fondant.
adj., foolishly bold; rash.- ME./olfoolhardy,
N.
in
inn,
an
also
warehouse,
a
1)
n.,
fonduk,
herdi, fr. OF. fol hardi. See fool, 'jester', and
Africa.- Arab. funduq, fr. Mishnaic Heb. punhardy.
ddq, or Aram.pundtqd, fr. Gk. Tta:vlloxe:i:ov, 'inn',
Derivatives:foo/ha rdi-/y, adv.,foolhardi-ness, n.
lit. 'a place for the reception of everybody', fr.

OUT

foolscap, n., a size of writing paper. - So called

because it formerly bore a fool's cap as watermark.
foot, n. - ME. jot, fr. OE. jot, rei. to OS. jot,
ON. fotr, Swed. jot, Dan. /od, Du. voet, OHG.
juo3, MHG. vuo3, G. Fuft, Goth.fotus, 'foot', and
cogn. with 01. pii.t, ace. pii.dam, 'foot', Avestic
pad-, 'foot', Toch. Ape, B pai, 'foot', Apef!l, B
paine, 'both feet', Arm. ot-n, 'foot', ot-k', 'feet',
Dor. Gk. rrw~, Att. rrm)~ (formed on analogy of
oo~. 'ear'), gen. rroil6~. L. pes, gen. pedis, 'foot',
01. padam, 'step, track', Arm. het, gen. hetoy,
'track, footmark', Gk. rre3'1), 'fetter', rre:8ii.11, 'to
bind with fetters', m\llo11, 'ground, earth', L.peda,
'footstep',pedica, 'shackle, fetter', impedire, 'entangle, ensnare', expedire, 'to extricate, disengage', Lith. peda, 'footstep, trace', OSlav.podii,
'loft', Russ. pod-oshva, 'sole of foot'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *pod-, *pld-, 'foot'.
Cp. fetch, fetlock, fetter, fit, 'part of a song'. Cp.
also antipodes, apod, babouche, biped, breviped,
caliber, cap-a-pie, charpoy, expedient, expedite,
inipeach, impede, impedimPnta, Ly-::opo:lium,
millepede, multiped(e), octopus, oppidan, palmiped, pawn (in chess), parallelepiped, pajama,
pedal, pedate, -pede, pedesis, pedestal, Pedetes,
pedicel, pedicle, pedigree, pedology, 'the study of
soils', peduncle, peon, pes, petiole, pew, Peziza,
pie, 'a small coin', piepoudre, pilot, podagra,
podal, podium, podo-, pug, 'footprint', puy, seerpaw, Taliped, Tarsipes, teapoy, trapezium, triped,
tripos, vamp, 'front part of the foot', velocipede.
Cp. also pejorative, pessimism.
Derivatives: foot, tr. and intr. v., foot-ed, adj.,
foot-er, n., foot-ing, n., foot-less, adj.
footeite, n., a hydrous copper oxychloride (mineral.) - Named after A. E. Foote of Philadelphia (died in I895). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
footfall, n. - First used by Shakespeare.
footle, intr. v., to trifle. - Formed with suff. -le
fr. dial. E. footer, 'to trifle', which is rei. to
footy (q.v.)
Derivative: footl-ing, adj., trifling, paltry.
footpad, n., a highway robber on foot. - Compounded of foot and pad, 'pathway'.
Derivatives: footpad, intr. v., footpadd-ery, n.
footy, adj., mean; paltry (dial. English). - F.
foutu, pp. of foutre, 'to thrust, to deal blows',
se /outre, 'to care nothing', fr. OF. /outre, 'to
copulate with', fr. L. futuere, of s.m., orig. 'to
strike, thrust', which is rei. to confutare, 'to
repress a boiling liquid; to suppress, check, disprove'. See confute and cp. footle.
fooz.le, tr. and intr. v., to bungle. - Cp. Bavarian
G. fuseln, 'to work quickly and badly'; of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: foozle, n., fooz/-er, n.
fop, n., a dandy. - ME. fop, foppe, 'fool', fr.
Du. foppen, fr. G. foppen, 'to jeer at, make a
fool of'. Cp. fob, fub.
Derivatives: fop-ling, n., fopp-ery, n., fopp-ish,

IVIU~dl

adj., /fopp-ish-ly, adv., fopp-ish-ness, n.

for, prep. - ME., fr. OE. for, fore, 'before (prep.
and adv.), for, on account of', rel. to OS. fur,
/uri, 'before', Du. voor, 'for, before', OHG. fora,
'before', juri, MHG. vur, G. fUr, 'for', Dan.
for, 'for', fer, 'before' (prep. and adv.), Swed.
for, 'for', fore, 'before', Goth. faitr, 'for', /aura,
'before (adv. and prep.), for'. See fore, adv.,
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: for, conj.
for-, pref. - OE., replacing earlier jlr-, fer-, rei.
to ON. for-, Du. ver-, OHG. fir-, /ar-, MHG.,
G. ver-, Goth. faitr-, fair-, fra-, and cogn. with
Gk. lt'OI:poc-, =p~-. L. per-, prae-, pro-, OSlav.
pre-, Lith. per-. See for and words there referred
to and cp. the first element in fret, 'to eat away'.
forage, n., fodder. - ME., fr. OF. forage, forrage, fourage (F. /ourrage), fr. OF. forre, fuerre
(F. feurre), 'fodder, straw', fr. Frankish */Odr,
which is rei. to OHG. fuotar, OE. fodor, 'fodder'. See fodder and -age and cp. foray. Cp.
also fore!.
forage, tr. and intr. v. - F. fourrager, fr. fourrage. See forage, n.
forager, n. - ME., fr. OF. foragier, forragier,
collateral forms of forrageur (whence F. fourrageur), 'forager'. See forage, n. and v., and
agential s uff. -er.
foralite, n., marking found in rocks (geol.)
- A hybrid coined from the stem of L. forare,
'to bore', and Gk. )..~o~, 'stone'. See foramen
and -lite.
foramen, n., a small orifice, aperture. - L.
foramen, 'hole, opening', fr. forare, 'to bore,
pierce, through', which is cogn. with OE. borian,
'to bore'. See bore, v., and -men.
foraminate, adj., perforated. - L. /oraminatus,
'bored, pierced through', fr. foramen, gen. fortiminis, 'hole, opening'. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ate. Derivative: foraminat-ed, adj.
Foraminifera, n. pl., an order ofrhizopods (zoo/.)
- ModL., lit. 'bearing holes', compounded of
L. foramen, gen.foraminis, 'hole, opening', and
ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See foramen and -fer.
foraminiferal, foraminiferous, adj., containing
Foraminifera; pertaining to the Foraminifera.
- See prec. word and adj. suff. -al, resp. -ous.
foraminous, adj., having foramina.- L.foraminosus, 'full of holes', fr. foramen, gen. foraminis,
'hole, opening'. See foramen and -ous.
foray, tr. and intr. v., to raid, ravage.- ME. /orrayen, back formation fr. forreier, 'forayer'. See
forayer.
foray, n., a raid. - ME. forrai, fr. /orrayen. See
foray, v.
forayer, n.- ME. /orreier, 'forager', fr. OF. farrier, fr. forrer, forer, 'to forage', fr. forre, fuerre,
'fodder'. See forage, v., and agential suff. -er.
forbade, forbad, past tense of forbid.
forbear, n.- See forebear.
forbear, tr. and intr. v., to refrain from.- ME.
forheren, fr. OE. forheran, 'to endure, suffer;

610
to restrain from', formed fr. for- and beran, 'to
bear'. See bear, 'to carry'.
Derivatives: forbear-ance, n., forbear-er, n.,
forbear-ing, adj., forbear-ing-ly, adv.
forbesite, n., a hydrous nickel cobalt arsenate
(mineral.) - Named after the English geologist
David Forbes (1828-76), who first analyzed it.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
forbid, tr. v. - ME. forbeden, fr. OE. forbeodan,
rei. to Du. verbieden, OHG. farbiotan, MHG.,
G. verbieten, Goth. faurbiudan, 'to forbid'. See
for- and bid.
Derivatives: forbidd-ance, n., and forbidd-en,
adj., forbidden-ly, adv., forbidden-ness, n., forbidd-er, n.,forbidd-ing, adj.,forbidd-ing-ly, adv.,
forbidd-ing-ness, n.
forbore, past tense of forbear.
forby, forbye, prep., near, next to; adv. 1) aside;
2) past; 3) besides.- ME.forbi, fr. for-, fore-,
'fore-', and by, 'by'. Cp. G. vorbei, 'along, by,
past, over', and see fore- and by.
force, n., strength. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) force,
'strength, force, power', fr. VL. fortia, prop.
neut. pl. of L. fortis, 'strong', but mistaken for
a fern. sing. noun. See fort and cp. rinforzando.
Derivatives: force-ful, adj., force-ful-ly, adv.,
force-ful-ness, n., force-less, adj.
force, tr. v., to compel.- F. forcer, fr. VL. *fortiiire, fr. fortia. See force, n.
Derivatives: forc-ed, adj., forc-ed-ly, adv., forced-ness, n.,forc-er, n.,forcible (q.v.),forc-ing, n.
force, n., waterfall. -- ON. fors, foss, whence
Swed. fors, Dan. fos, of s.m., Swed. for sa, frusa,
'to gush forth'.
force, tr. v., to stuff, farce. - A var. of farce.
force majeure, irresistible force. - F., lit.
'superior strength'. See force, 'strength', and
major, adj.
forcemeat, n., minced meat. - Compounded of
force, 'to stuff', and meat.
forceps, n., a pair of pincers used in surgery. L., 'pair of tongs, pincers', contracted fr.
*formi-caps, fr. formus, 'hot', and capere, 'to
catch, seize, take, hold'. See warm and captive
and cp. forfex. For the change of Latin a (in
ciipere) to e (in for-ceps) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
forcible, adj.-OF., fr.forcc. See force, 'strength',
and -ible.
Derivative: forcibl-y, adv.
forcipate, adj., resembling a forceps.- Formed
with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. forceps, gen. forcipis,
'a pair of tongs'. See forceps.
forcipated, adj., forcipate. - Formed fr. prec.
word with suff. -ed.
Forcipulata, n. pl., an order of starfishes (ichthyol.) - ModL., lit. 'resembling a small forceps'. See next word.
forcipulate, adj., resembling a small forceps. ModL. forcipuliitus, fr. forcipulus, dimin. of
L. forceps, gen. forcipis. See forceps and cp.
prec. word.

ford, n. - ME., fr. OE. ford, rei. to OS. ford,

OFris. forda, OHG. furt, MHG. vurt, G. Furt,
'ford', and cogn. with L. portus, 'harbor' (orig.
'entrance, passage'), OW., Co. rit, W. rhyd
'ford' (cp. the Gallo-L. place name Augusto~
ritum, lit. 'Ford of Augustus), and to OE. faran,
'to go'. See fare, 'to prosper', and cp. fiord,
firth, frith. Cp. also port, 'harbor'.
Derivatives: ford, tr. v., ford-ing, n.
fordo, tr. v., to undo (archaic). - ME. Jordon,
fr. OE. Jordon, fr. for- and don, 'to do'. See do, v.
fore, adv.- ME. fore, fr. OE.fore, 'before (prep.
and adv.), for, on account of', rei. to OS.,
OHG. fora, OFris. fara, fore, 'before' (adv. and
prep.), MLG., MHO. vore, vor, G. vor (prep.
and adv.), 'before', Goth. faura, 'before' (adv.
and prep.), ON. fyrr, 'before' (adv.), fyrir, 'before' (prep.), and cogn. with OI. purd, 'before,
formerly', purti!z, 'in front, before', Aves tic para,
paro, 'before', para, 'beyond', pra-, 'before, forward, forth', Hitt. parti-, 'on, forth', Gk. mipo.:;,
'before', mxp&, 'from beside, against, beyond',
7tEpl, 'around, about, toward', 7tp6, 'before',
L. pro, 'before, for, on behalf of, instead of'
prae, 'before', per, 'through', OSlav. prefixe~
pro-, par-, 'through, for', Lith. pra, OPruss.
pro, pra, 'through, for', OS!av. pra-dedu, 'greatgra~dfather', pravu, 'right', Olr. ar, air, 'before , Jr. pref. pro-, OBret. prefixes ro- ruMBret., Bret. pref. ra-, W. pref. ry-, Gallo-L:
place name Armorica, which stands for Aremor-ica and lit. means 'before the sea'. All these
words derive from I.-E. *per-, *pr-. See for,
for-, para-, per, peri-, pre-, preter-, 1st and 2nd
pro-, and cp. far, fare, 'to prosper', fim, first,
ford, former, forth, further. Cp. also arpent, experience, experiment, expert, firman, paradise,
pardao, parallel, Perean, peregrine, peril, peroneal, pilgrim, poligar, pore, 'opening', porrect,
port, 'harbor', port, 'gate', port, 'to carry', post,
'stake', Prajapati, Prakrit, prakriti, Pralaya,
pram, 'a kind of boat', prana, priest, primary,
prime, prior, proceres, procerity, prodigal, prone,
prose, proso-, protero-, proto-, province, prow,
'fore part of a ship', prowess, Purana, and the
second element in reciprocal.
Derivatives: fore, adj. and n.
fore, interj. (golf). -Short for before.
fore-, prefix meaning 'before' (in place, rank or
time). - ME., fr. OE. See fore, adv.
forebear, forbear, n., ancestor. - Formed fr.
fore, be and agential suff. -er.
forecastle, n., the forward part of the upper deck
(naut.) - Formed fr. fore- and castle.
foreclose, tr. v., to exclude.- ME. forclosen, fr.
OF.forc/os, pp. of fore/ore, 'to exclude', fr. OF.
fors (F. hors), 'outside', and OF.(= F.) clare,
'to close'. The first element derives fr. L. foris,
'outside'; see door and cp. foreign and words
there referred to. For the second element see
close, adj.
forefront, n. -A hybrid coined fr. fore, adj., a

611

Teutonic word (see fore, adv.), and front, a

word of Latin origin.
foreground, n. - Formed fr. fore- and ground;
first used by the English poet John Dryden
(I6JI-I700). Cp. Du. voorgrond.
forehead, n. - ME. forheved, fr. OE. forheafod.
See fore- and head.
oreign, adj. - ME. foreine, fr. OF. ( = F.) farain, fr. Late L. foriinus, 'residing outside', fr. L.
foriis, outside'. See door and cp. foreclose, forest,
forfeit, forisfamiliate, forjudge. Cp. also dehors,
hors de combat, hors d'oeuvre. The spelling of
the word foreign was influenced by an erroneous
association with reign.
Derivatives: foreign-er, n., foreign-ism, n.,
foreign-ly, adv., foreign-ness, n.
fore!, forrel, n., a kind of parchment used for
book covers. - ME. fore!, fr. OF. forrel (F.
fourreau), 'sheath', dimin. of OF. fuerre (F.
feurre), 'fodder, straw'. See forage, n.
foremost, adj. - OE. formest, frymest, a superlative of forma, 'first', which stands for for-ma
and itself is a super!. of fore; see fore, adv. OE.
forma is rei. to OE. fram, 'forward; from', ON.
framr, 'excellent', OS. forma, ON. frum- (in
compounds), Goth. fruma, 'first', OS., OHG.
fruma, 'advantage, profit', MHG. vrum, 'zealous, able', G. fromm, 'pious, devout', and cogn.
with Gk. 7tp6iJ.o<;, 'foremost man', L. primus,
Lith. pirmas, 'first'. For the etymology of the
double super\. suff. appearing in OE. formest
see after-most. The change of e (in OE. formest)
to o (in E. foremost) is due to an erroneous association with most. Cp. -most and words there
referred to. Cp. also first, former, frame, from,
frow, furnish. Cp. also prandial, prime, prow,
'the bow of a ship'.
forensic, adj., pertaining to the law courts. L. forensis, 'pertaining to the forum, pertaining
to public speaking', fr. forum, 'public place'.
See forum.
Derivative: forensic-al-ly, adv.
foreordain, tr. v.- A hybrid coined fr. fore, adv.,
and ordain, a word of Latin origin.
Derivative: foreordain-ment, n.
foreordinate, tr. v. -See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: foreordinat-ion, n.
foresee, tr. v. - ME. forseen, foreseen, fr. OE.
foreseon, fr. fore- and seon, 'to see'. See see.
Derivatives: foresee-ing, adj., foresee-ing-ly,
adv., for se-er, n.
foreship,n., the front part of a ship (obsol.)- ME.
foreship, fr. OE. forscip. See fore, adv. and ship.
foresight, n.- ME.foresiht. Cp. G. Vorsicht and
see fore, adv., and sight.
Derivative: foresight-ed, adj.
forest, n. - ME., fr. OF. forest (F. foret), fr.
ML. forestis (silva), 'the outside (unfenced)
wood', a term occurring in the Capitularies of
Charlemagne and denoting the royal forest.
The term orig. meant 'the forest depending on

the king's court of justice'. ML. forestis derives

fr. L.forum, 'public place', used in its ML. sense
'court of justice'. G. Forst and It. foresta are
French loan words. See forum and cp. afforest,
deforest, disafforest, disforest.
Derivatives: forest, tr. v., forest-age, n., forestal, adj., forest-ation, n.
forestall, tr. v. - ME. forsta/len, fr. OE. foresteal/, 'a waylaying, ambush, assault', lit. 'a
standing before another', fr. fore- and OE.
steal/, 'the act of standing'. See stall.
Derivatives: forestall, n., forestall-er, n.
forester, n. - ME., fr. OF. forestier, fr. forest.
See forest and agential suff. -er.
forestry, n. - OF., fr. forestier, 'forester'. See
prec. word and -y (representing F. -ie).
foreword, n.- Loan translation of G. Vorwort.
See fore, adv., and word.
forfeit, n., that which is forfeited; hence a fine,
a penalty.- ME. forfet, 'crime', fr. OF. forfait,
'crime, crime punishable by fine, fine', prop.
pp. of forfaire, 'to transgress', fr. ML. forisfacere, lit. 'to act outside (sci!. outside the law)',
fr. L. foris, 'outside'. See foreclose and fact.
forfeit, adj., lost, given up, as a forfeit. - OF.
forfait, pp. of forfaire. See forfeit, n.
forfeit, tr. v., to lose the right to.- ME. forfeten,
'to transgress' fr. forfet. See forfeit, n.
forfeiter, n.- ME. forfetour, fr. ML. forisfactor,
'one who acts outside (the law)', fr. forisfactus,
pp. of forisfacere. See forfeit, n., and agential
suff. -er.
forfeiture, n., the act of or forfeiting. -ME. forfeture. See forfeit and -ure.
forfend, tr. v., to ward off (archaic). - ME. forfenden, 'to protect, prohibit', a hybrid coined
fr. for- and fend (fr. L. defendere, 'to ward off').
forfex, n., a pair of scissors. - L., 'a pair of scissors; claw (of a crab)', a var. of forceps, 'a pair
of tongs, pincers'. The ace. forcipem gave,
through metathesis, the form forpicem and this
latter was assimilated intoforficem, whence arose
(through back formation) the nom. forfex. See
Brandis, De aspiratione Latina, Diss. Bonn
1881, pp.32 If.
forficate, adj., shaped like scissors (zoo/.) Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. forfex, gen. forficis. See prec. word.
forgave, past tense of forgive. - OE. forgeaf, fr.
forgiefan. See forgive.
forge, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) forge, fr. L.
fabrica, 'workshop of an artisan, building,
fabric'. See fabric.
forge, tr. and intr. v.- ME.forgen, fr. OF.forgier
(F. forger), fr. L. fabriciiri, 'to frame, construct,
build', fr. fabrica. See forge, n., and cp. fabricate.
Derivatives: forge-able, adj., forg-er, n., forgery, n.
forge, tr. and intr. v., to haul (a ship) slowly. Of uncertain origin.
forget, tr. and intr. v. - ME. forgeten, forgiten,
fr. OE. forgietan, forgitan, rei. to OS. fargetan,

forget-me-not
OFris. ur-ieta, Du. vergeten, OHG. firge:J:Jan,
MHG. verge33en, G. vergessen, 'to forget'. See
for- and get.
Derivatives: forget-ful, adj., forget-ful-ly, adv.,
forget-ful-ness, n., forgett-er, n., forgett-ing-ly,
adv.
forget-me-not, n. - Loan translation of OF. ne
m'oubliez mie (F. ne m'oubliez pas). Cp. Du.
vergeet-mij-nietje, G. VergijJmeinnicht, Swed.
forgiitmigej, Hungarian nefelejcs, Czech and
Slovak nezabudka, 'forget-me-not', which are
also direct or indirect loan translations of the
French.
forgettable, adj. - Formed fr. forget with suff.
-able; first used by Carlyle. Cp. adoptable, affordable, dislikeable.
forgive, tr. and intr. v.- ME.forgeven,forgiven,
fr. OE. forgiefan, forgifan, rei. to Du. vergeven,
G. vergeben. See for- and give.
Derivatives: forgiv-able, adj., forgiveness (q.v.),
forgiv-ing, adj., forgiv-ing-ly, adv., forgiv-ipgness, n.
forgiveness, n. -ME. forgivenesse, fr. OE. forgifenness,/orgifeness, fr.forgifen, pp. offorgiefan,
'to forgive'. See prec. word and -ness.
forgo, tr. v., to give up. - ME. forgon, fr. OE.
forgan, 'to go over, pass over, forgo, neglect'.
See f;~r- and go.
forgot, past tense of forget.
forgotten, pp. of forget.
forisfamiliate, v., to emancipate (a son) by giving
him his share of the estate (law). - ML. forisfamiliatus, pp. offorisfamiliare, fr. L.foris, 'outside', and familia, 'family'. See door, family and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. foreign and words there
referred to.
Derivative: forisfamiliat-ion, n.
forjudge, tr. v., to expel or dispossess by a judgment. - ME. forjugen, fr. OF. forjugier, forjuger, which is compounded of OF. fors, 'outside' (fr. L. foris), and jugier, juger, 'to judge'.
See forum and judge, v.
Derivatives: forjudg(e)-ment, n., forjudg-er, n.
fork, n. - ME. forke, fr. OE. forca, which, together with ON.forkr, derives fr. L. furca (either
directly or through the medium of ONF.forque,
the equivalent of OF.furche, F.fourche), 'fork'.
The etymology of L. /urea is uncertain. Cp.
bifurcate, bifurcation, carfax, fourcbee, fourchette, furca, furcate, furcula, trifurcate.
Derivatives: fork, v., fork-ed, adj., fork-ed-ly,
adv.,fork-ed-ness, n., fork-y, adj.,fork-i-ness, n.
forlorn, adj., I) quite lost; abandoned; 2) wretched. -ME. for/oren, fr. OE. for/oren, pp. of OE.
forleosan, 'to lose', which is rei. to OS.farliosan,
OFris. urliasa, MDu. l'erliesen, Du. verliezen,
OHG. virliosan, MHG. verliesen, G. verlieren,
Goth. fra/iusan, 'to lose'. See for- and lose and
cp. lorn and next word.
Derivatives: forlorn-ly, adv., forlorn-ness, n.
forlorn hope, 1) a group of soldiers selected for
a very dangerous mission; hence 2) a desperate

612

enterprise.- Lit. 'a lost troop', fr. Du. verloren

hoop. See forlorn and heap, n.
form, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) forme, fr. L.
forma, 'form, shape, figure, outline, plan, pattern', prob. borrowed fr. Gk. !J.Opcp-1), 'form,
shape' (through the medium of the Etruscans).
The intermediate form was prob. *morma. For
the dissimilation of m-m into f-m cp. Gk. !J.UP!J.ll~
'ant', with L. formica, 'ant', and Gk. !J.OpfLcil,
'bugbear, hob, goblin', with L.formido, 'dread,
terror'. The connection of L. forma with ferire,
'to .. beat, cut', suggested by Fick and others is
justly rejected by Hofmann in Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, p. 530. See morpho- and cp. formal,
formula and conform, deforp1, inform, v., inform, adj., perform, reform, transform, uniform.
Derivatives: formless, adj., formless-ly, adv.,
formless-ness, n.
form, tr. and intr. v.- ME.formen, fr. OF-fourmer (F. former), fr. L.formare, 'to form, shape',
fr. forma. See form, n.
form-, combining form meaning 'formic' (chem.)
-Shortened fr. formic.
-form, suff. meaning 'having the fqrm of' as in
cordiform, dentiform; synonymous with -morphous. - F. -forme, fr. L. -formis, fr. forma,
'form, sha9e'. See form, !1.
formal, adj. - L. formiilis, 'of a form, of a set
form, formal', fr. forma, 'form, shape'. See
form, n., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: formal-ism, n., formal-ist, n., formal-ist-ic, adj., formal-ize, tr. and intr. v., formal-iz-ation, n.,formal-iz-er, n.,formality (q.v.),
formal-ly, adv., formal-ness, n.
formaldehyde, n., a colorless compound used as
a deodorant (chem.) - Compounded of formand aldehyde.
formalin, n., an aqueous solution of formaldehyde
(chem.) - Formed from the abbreviation of
formaldehyde and chem. suff. -in.
formality, n. - F. formalite, fr. L. forma/is. See
formal and -ity.
formant, n., any of the elements determining the
quality of a vowel (phonetics). - F., pres. part.
of former, 'to form'. See form, v., and -ant.
format, n., shape and size of a book. -- F., fr.
It. formato, 'form, figure', fr. L. formatus,
'formed', pp. of formare. See form, v.
formation, n. - F., fr. L. formiitionem, ace. of
formati6, 'a forming, shaping', fr.formiitus pp.
of formare. See form, v., and -ation.
Derivative: formation-al, adj.
formative, adj. - F. formatif (fern. formative), fr.
L. formatus, pp. of formare. See form, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: formative, n., formative-ly, adv.,
formative-ness, n.
former, n., one who forms.- Formed fr. form,
v., with agential suff. -er.
former, adj., preceding in time, previous. - ME.
formere, comparative, back formation fr. formest. See foremost.
Derivative: former-ly, adv.

613

formic, adj., I) of, or pertaining to, ants; 2) pertaining to, or designating, a colorless acid,
HC02 H (chem.) - Contraction of *formic-ic,
fr. L. formica, 'ant', dissimilated fr. *mor-mica,
fr. orig. *vormica; cogn. with 01. vamrt- (/em.)
vamrdQ (masc.), 'ant', valmt-kab ,'anthill',
Avestic maoiri-, Arm. mr]iun, Gk. fLOPfL'IJ~,
OS!av. mraviji (for *morvi), Olr. moirb (for
*morvi), W. myrion, ON. maurr, 'ant'. See pismire and cp. myrmeco- and the second element
in chloroform. For the contraction of *formic-ic
into formic see haplology.
Formica, n., the genus of ants (entomol.)- L.;
see prec. word.
Derivatives:formicary (q.v.),formic-ate, intr.v.,
formic-ate, adj., formication (q.v.), formic-ative,
adj., Formicidae (q.v.)
formicary, n., an ant's nest.- ML.formicarium,
fr. L. formica, 'ant'. See formic and subst. suff.
-ary.
Derivative: formicari-an, adj., pertaining to
ants' nests.
formication, n., a morbid sensation resembling
that caused by ants creeping over the skin (med.)
- L. formicatio, gen. -onis, 'an irritation of the
. skin resembling the crawling of ants', fr. formicat-(um), pp. stem of formicare, 'to craw Hike
ants', fr. formica, 'ant'. See formic and -ation.
Formicidae, n. pl., the family of ants (zoo/.) ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L. formica,
'ant'. See formic.
formicide, n., substance used for killing ants. Contraction of *formici-cide, fr. L formica,
'ant', and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See
formic and -cide, 'killer'. For the contraction of
*formici-cide into formicide see haplology.
formidable, adj., causing fear. - F., fr. L.
formidabilis, 'causing fear, terrible', fr. formidare, 'to fear, dread', fr.formido, 'terror', which
is prob. cogn. with Gk. fLOp!J.cil, 'bugbear, hobgoblin'. Cp. mormo. For the dissimilation of
m-m to f-m see form, n.
Derivatives: formidabil-ity, n., formidable-ness,
n., formidabl-y, adv.
formula, n.- L., 'a small form, formula', dimin.
of forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
formular,adj., I) formal; 2)formulary.- Formed
fr. L. formula (see prec. word) with suff. -ar.
Derivatives: formular-ize, tr. v., to formulate,
formulariz-ation, n.
formulary, adj., pertaining to formulas. - See
formula and adj. suff. -ary.
formulary, n., a collection of formulas. -F. formulaire, fr. formule, fr. L. formula. See formula.
formulate, tr. v.- See fonnula and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: formulat-ion, n.
formulism, n., excessive reliance on formulas. Formed fr. formula with suff. -ism; first used by
Thomas Carlyle (I79SI88I).
formulist, n., a believer in formulas. - Formed
fr. formula with suff. -1st.
Derivative: formulist-ic, adj.

Forsythia
formulize, tr. v., to formulate.- Formed fr. formula with suff. -ize.
Derivative: formuliz-ation, n.
formyl, n., the radical of formic acid. - Coined
fr. combining form form- and suff. -yl.
Fornax, n., the goddess of ovens in Roman mythology.- L., personification offorniix, 'oven'.
See furnace.
foment, prep., opposite to (provincial). Formed fr. fore, adv., and anent.
fornicate, intr. v., to commit fornication. - ML.
fornicatus, pp. of fornicari, 'to commit whoredom', fr. fornix, gen. fornicis, 'arch, vault;
brothel', which derives fr. fornus, 'oven', later
used in the general sense of 'vault, arch'; see
furnace and cp. fornix. Brothels were called
fornices, i.e. 'arches', because prostitutes used
to gather 'under the arches' of certain buildings
of ancient Rome.
fornicate, adj., arched; having arched appendages (bot.) - L. fornicatus, 'arched, vaulted',
fr. fornix, gen. fornicis. See prec. word.
Derivative: fornicat-ed, adj.
fornication, n., sexual intercourse by an unmarried person. - OF., fr. Late L. fornicationem,
ace. of fornicati6, fr. fornicatus, pp. of fornicarf .
See fornicate and -ion.
fornicator, n., a person who fornicates. - ME.
fornicatour, fr. Late L. fornicator, fr. fornicatus,
pp. of fornicari. See fornicate and agential
suff. -or.
fornicatress, n. - See fornicator and -ess.
fornix, n., an arch or vault; specif., the vault of
the cranium (anat.) - L., 'arch, vault'. See
fornicate, adj. and v.
forrel, n. - See forel.
forsake, tr. v.- ME. forsaken, 'to forsake', fr.
OE. forsacan, 'to oppose, refuse', fr. for- and
OE. sacan, 'to contend, dispute', fr. sacu, 'dispute, quarrel'. See sake.
forsaken, pp. of forsake. - OE. forsacen, pp. of
forsacan. See forsake.
Derivatives: forsaken-ly, adv., forsaken-ness, n.
forsook, past tense of forsake. - OE. forsoc,
past tense of forsacan. See forsake.
forsooth, adv. - ME. for soth, fr. OE. fors61J,
'for a truth'. See for and sooth.
forspent, adj., exhausted. - Pp. of obsol. forspend, fr. ME. forspenden, fr. OE. forspendan,
'to squander'. See for- and spend.
forswear, tr. and intr. v. - ME. forswerien, fr.
OE. forswerian, 'to renounce, forswear; to
swear falsely', rei. to G. verschworen, 'to forswear, abjure', sich verschworen. 'to conspire'.
See for- and swear.
forsworn, pp. of forswear. - OE. forsworen, pp.
of forswerian. See prec. word.
Derivative: forsworn-ness, n.
Forsythia, n., a genus of shrubs of the olive
family (bot.) - ModL., named after William
Forsyth (1737-18o4), who brought the shrub
from China. For the ending see suff. -Ia.

fort

fort, n.- F. fort, 'stronghold, fort', from the adjective fort, 'strong', fr. L.fortis, 'strong', which
is rei. to OL. forctus, dial. horctus, horctis,
'good'; pro b. fr. I.-E. base *bhergh-, 'high, to
raise'. See borough and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also force, 'strength', fortalice, forte,
fortress, comfort, counterfort, sforzando.
fortalice, n., a small fort.- Orig. 'a fortress', fr.
OF. fortelece, corruption of forteresse. See
fortress.
forte, n., a strong point. - F. fort, 'strong', See
fort. For the addition of the e at the end cp.
locale, morale.
forte, adj., loud; adv., loudly (mus.) - It., lit.
'strong', fr. L. fortis. See fort.
Derivative: forte, a loud passage.
forte-piano, loud and then soft '(mus.) - See
prec. word and piano, adj.
fortepiano, orig. name of the pianoforte.
forth, adv. and prep.- ME., fr. OE. foro, rei. to
OS. foro, Du. voort, MHG. vort, G. fort, and
to E. fore, adv. Cp. afford, further.
forthwith, adv. - ME. forth with, fr. OE. foro
mid. See forth and with.
fortieth, adj. and n. - Formed fr. forty with
numeral suff. -th on the analogy of tenth. Cp.
OE. feowertigooa, 'fortieth', fr. feowertig, 'forty'. Cp. also ON. fertugonde, fertugande, Swed.
fyrationde, fyrtionde, Dan. fyrretyvende, 'fortieth'.
fortification, n. - F., fr. Late L. fortificiitionem,
'a strengthening, fortifying', fr. fortificiitus, pp.
offortificiire. See fortify and -ion.
fortify, tr. v. -- F. fortifier, fr. Late L. fortifictire,
'to strengthen', lit. 'to make strong', formed fr.
L. fortis, 'strong', and -ficiire, fr. facere, 'to
make, do'. See fort and -fy.
Derivatives: fortifi-er, n., fortify-ing, adj., /ortify-ing-ly, adv.
fortissimo, adj. and adv., very loud (mus.) It., super!. of forte, 'loud', lit. 'strong'. See
forte, adj.
Derivative: fortissimo, n., a very loud passage.
fortitude, n., courage in endurance. - F., fr. L.
fortit1ldinem, ace. of fortiflldo, 'strength, courage', fr. fortis, 'strong'. See fort and -tude.
fortnight, n. - Shortened fr. fourteen nights. Cp.
sennight, which is contracted fr. seven nights.
Derivative: fortnight-ly, adv.
fortress, n. - ME. fortresse, fr. OF. ( = F.)
forteresse, 'strong place, stronghold', fr. VL.
*fortaricia, fr. L. fortis, 'strong'. See fort and
cp. fortalice.
Derivative: fortress, tr. v.
fortuitism, n., the doctrine that natural phenomena are the result of chance. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. fortuitus (see fortuitous) and -ism,
a suff. of Greek origin.
fortuitist, n., an adherent of fortuitism. - A
hybrid coined fr. L. fortuitus (see next word)
and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
fortuitous, adj., happening by chance; accidental.

614

- L.fortuitus, 'casual, accidental', prob. a blend

of *fortiitus and *fortitus, fr. */ortii =forte, 'by
chance', prop. abl. of [ors, 'chance', which is
rei. to fortuna, 'chance, fate'. See fortune. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous. The
word fortuitous was introduced into English by
Henry More (I6I4-I687), philosopher of the
English Platonist school.
Derivatives: fortuitous-ly adv.,Jortuitous-ness, n.
fortuity, n., chance. - Contraction of *fortuitity; formed with suff. -ity fr. L. fortuitus. See
fortuitous. For the contraction of *fortuit-ity into fortuity see haplology.
fortunate, adj. - L. fortuniitus, pp. of fortuniire,
'to make prosperous', fr.jortuna. See next word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: fortunate, n., fortunate-ly, adv.,
fortunate-ness, n.
fortune, n. - ME., fr. F. fortune, fr. L. fortiin(l,
'chance, fate, good luck', fr. /ors, gen. fortis,
'chance', which stands in gradational relationship toferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry'
and cp. fortuitous.
Derivative: fortune-less, adj.
fortune, tr. v. - ME. fortunen, fr. OF. fortuner,
fr. L. fortiiniire, 'to make fortunate', fr. fortuna.
See fortune, n.
forty, adj. and n.- ME.fourti, fr. OE.feowertig,
which is formed fr. OE. feower, 'four', with -tig,
'-ty' (see four and -ty, suff. denoting multiples
of ten); rei. to OS. fiwartig, fiartig, OFris. fiuwertich, fiortig, Du. veertig, OHG. fiorzug,
MHG. vierzic, G. vierzig, ON. fjorir tigir,
Swed. fyratio, fyrtio, Norw. fyrti, Dan. fyrretyve, Goth. fidwor tigjus, 'forty'.
forum, n., I) a market place, esp. the market
place in Rome; 2) a law court; 3) an assembly
for public discussion.- L., 'public place, market
place, market', prob. meaning lit. 'a place
fenced by planks', and rei. to forus, 'plank,
board' (fr. I.-E. *bhoros, 'something cut, ~ec
tion'), and to VL. *barra, 'beam, rafter', a word
of Gaulish origin. See bar, 'rod', and cp.
forensic, affeer, fiars, triforium.
forward, adv. - ME. foreward, forward, fr. OE.
foreweard, /orweard, formed fr. fore, for, 'before', and -weard, '-ward'. See fore, adv. and
-ward,
Derivatives:for ward, adj., n. and tr. v.,forwarder, n., forward-ing, n., forward-ness, n.
forwards, adv. - ME. forewardes. See prec.
word. For suff. -es in ME. foreward-es, see adv.
suff. -s.
forwearied, adj., tired out, exhausted (obsol. or
archaic). - ME. forweried, pp. of forwerien, 'to
weary out', fr. for- and weri, 'weary'. See weary
and -ed, pp. suff.
forwhy, adv., why; conj., because (archaic). ME. forwhi, fr. OE. for hwy, 'because', fr. for,
'for', and hwy, instrumental of hw~Pt, 'what'. See
for and what.
fonrom, adj., worn out (archaic).- Formed fr.

615

foulard

stretched arms, embrace, bosom, fathom'. See

for- and worn, pp. of wear, 'to carry on the
fathom.
body; to last'.
fother, tr. v., to cover (a sail) with oakum, rope
fossa, n., pit, cavity (anat.) - L., 'ditch'. See
yarn, etc. - MDu. voederen (Du. voeren), rei.
next word.
to OHG.fotar,Juo tar, 'a cover, coverlet', MHG.
fosse, n., ditch, moat.- F., fr. L. fossa, 'ditch',
vuoter, 'lining, case, sheath', G. Futter, 'lining',
prop. short for fossa terra, 'earth dug', fr. fossa,
Goth. fodr, 'sheath of a sword', and cogn. with
'dug', fern. pp. of fodere, 'to dig', fr. I.-E. base
OI.pdtram, 'receptacle, container', Hitt.paddar,
*bhedh-, *bhod-, 'to dig, pierce'. See bed and
'basket', fr. I.-E. *piit-, *pot-, 'a +enlargecp. fossette, fossil and the second element in
ment of base *pii-, *po-, 'to protect'. See food
calaboose.
and cp. fur.
fossette, n., a dimple .. - F., dimin. of fosse. See
Fothergilla, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
prec. word and -ette.
named after the English physician Dr.John
fossick, intr. v., to search for gold in old workFothergill (I7I2-8o).
ings; tr. v., to dig out.- Prob. fr. dial. E. jusfoudroyant, adj., stunning, dazzling. -F., pres.
sock, fossick, 'to bustle about', fossick, 'a
part. of foudroyer, 'to thunderstrike', fr. foudre
troublesome person'.
(fern.), 'lightning, thunder, thunderbolt', fr. L.
Derivative: fossick-er, n.

fulgur. See fulgurant.

fossil, n., petrified Temains of an animal or plant
dug out of the earth; adj., pertaining to, or of fougasse, n., a small mine (mil.)- F., formed,
with change of suffix, fr. fougade, fr. It. fogata,
the nature of, a fossil.- F. fossile, fr. L. fossilis,
prop. subst. use of fern. pp. of fogare, 'to put
See
fodere.
of
pp.
'dug out, dug up', fr. fossus,
to flight, chase', fr. foga, 'flight', fr. L. fuga,
fosse and -ile.
of s.m. See fugitive.
prec.
See
fossils.containing
adj.,
fossiliferous,
fought, past tense and pp. of fight. - ME. fauht,
word and -ferous.
fr. OE. feaht, 'fought', past tense of feohtan, 'to
fossilize, tr. v., to change into a fossil; intr. v.,
fight'. See fight, v.
-ize.
and
fossil
See
to become fossilized. foughten, old pp. of fight. - ME. foughten, fr.
Derivative: fossiliz-ation, n.
OE.fohten, pp. of feohtan, 'to fight'. See fight, v.
fossilology, n., former name of paleontology. foujdar, n., an officer; a criminal judge (India).A hybrid coined fr. L. fossilis, 'dug out, dug up',
Hind. fawjdiir, fr. Pers. fawjdiir, a hybrid lit.
and Gk. -J.oylii, fr. -A6yoc;, 'one who speaks
meaning 'a holder of military force', coined fr.
a
(with
deals
who
one
(in a certain manner);
Arab.fauj, 'band, troop, military force', and the
certain topic)'. See fossil and -logy.
Pers. suff. -diir, 'holder, possessor'. See aumildar
fossorial, adj., digging.- Formed with adj. suff.
and cp. words there referred to.
-al fr. L. fossorius, 'fit for digging', fr. foss us,
foujdary, also foujdarry, n., a criminal court. pp. of fodere. See fosse.
Hind. fawjdiiri, fr. fawjdiir. See prec. word.
foster, n., food, nourishment (obsol.)- ME., fr.
foul, adj. - ME. foul, fr. OE. ful, rei. to OS.,
OE. fostor, foster, 'feeding; food', rei. to ON.
OFris., MLG., OHG., MHG. /iii, ON. full,
fostr, 'the bringing up (of a child)', and to OE.
Dan., Swed., Norw. fu!, MDu. vuul, Du. vuil,
foda, 'food'. See food.
G. faul, Goth. juts; formed with suff. -Ia fr.
foster, tr. v., to nourish. - ME. fostren, fr. OE.
base *fii- (whence also ON. fuinn, 'foul,
Teut.
'feeding;
fostrian, 'to nourish', fr. fostor,foster,
rotten'), corresponding to I.-E. base *pu-,
food'. See foster, n.
whence 01. pilyati, 'rots, stinks', pilti/J, 'foul,
Derivatives: foster-age, n., foster-er, n., fosterrotten', Arm. hu, 'purulent blood', Gk. 7tiJ6c;,
ling (q.v.)
'first milk after the birth', w3ov or n-0ov, 'disfoster, n., forester. - Contraction of forster,
from a sore; matter', n-0-&e:~v, 'to cause
charge
-er.
suff.
forester. See forest and agential
to rot', L. pus, 'matter', putere, 'to stink', puter,
foster brother, n.- OE. fostorbroaor. See foster,
putridus, 'foul, rotten', Lith. pilviu, pilti, 'to rot',
'food', and brother.
patiai, 'matter', Mlr. othrach, 'dung'. Cp. filth,
foster father,- OE.fostorf~Pder. See foster, 'food',
defile, 'to pollute', foumart. Cp. also empyema,
and father.
purulent, pus, pustule, putanism, putois, Pufosterling, n. - OE. fostorling. See foster, 'food',
torius, putrid, pyaemia, pyo-, Pythium, supand -ling.
purate.
foster,
See
fostormodor.
OE.
foster mother, n.
Derivatives: foul, adv. and n., foul, v. (q.v.),
'food', and motber.
foully (q.v.), foulness (q.v.).
foster sister, n. - OE. fostorsweostor. See foster,
foul, intr. and tr. v. - OE. julian, 'to become
'food', and sister.
foul, to rot', fr. ful. See foul, adj.
fostress, n. - See foster, 'food', and -ess.
n., I) a thin textile of silk; 2) a handfoulard,
cart'a
foaor,
OE.
weight.
load,
a
n.,
fotber,
kerchief made of this material. - F., prob.
load', rei. to OS.fother, MDu. voeder, Du. voer,
formed, with change of suff., fr. OProven~.
OHG. fuodtu, MHG. vuoder, G. Fuder [whence
'fulled', fr. VL. *ful/iire, 'to full'. See full,
foulat,
grain
and
hogshead'),
'tun,
(masc.),
foudre
F.
'to thicken (cloth)'.
dational relationship to OE. f;pdm, 'the out-

foully

foully, adv. - ME., fr. OE. fullice, 'in a foul

manner'. See foul, adj., and adv. suff. -ly.
foulmouthed, adj., speaking foully or obscenely.Formed fr. foul, 'filthy', and pp. of mouth, v.
(see mouth); first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: foulmouthed-ly, adv., foulmouthedness, n.
foulness, n.- ME. foulnesse, fr. OE. /illness, fr.
/iii, 'foul'. See foul, adj., and -ness.
foumart, n., polecat. - ME. fulmart, fulmard.
fr. OE.ful, 'foul', and meariJ, 'marten'. See foul,
adj., and marten. E. foumart was influenced in
form by F. marte, 'marten'.
found, tr. and intr. v., to establish.- ME. faunden, fr. OF.funder,fonder(F.fon der), 'to found',
fr. L. fundiire, 'to found', lit. 'to lay the bottom
of', fr. fundus, 'bottom'. See fund and cp. fond,
'foundation'.
found, tr. v., to cast. -F. fondre, fr. L. fundere,
'to pour, melt', fr. I.-E. base *ghu-d-, 'to pour',
whence also Goth. giutan, OS. giotan, OFris.
giata, OE. geotan, OHG. gio3an, MHG. gie3en,
G. gieften, ON. gjota, Swed. gjuta, Dan. gyde, 'to
pour': cp. ingot, and gut. Base *ghu-d-, is a -denlargement of base *ghu-, 'to pour', for the
derivatives of which see chyle. Cp. circumfuse,
confound, confuse, diffuse, effuse, funnel, fuse! oil,
fusible, fusion, futile, infundibulum, infuse, infusion, interfuse, profuse, refound, refund, refuse,
ruse, rush, v., transfuse. Cp. also geyser.
found, adj., provided, equipped, with. - Prop.
pp. of find.
foundation, n. - F. fondation, fr. L. fundiitionem,
ace. of fundiitio, 'a founding', fr. fundiitus, pp.
of fundiire. See found, 'to establish', and -ation.
Derivatives: foundation-a/, adj., foundation-ally, adv., foundation-ary, adj., foundation-er, n.,
foundation-less, adj.
founder, n., one who founds something. -Formed fr. found, 'to establish', with agential suff. -er.
founder, n., one who casts metal or glass. Formed fr. found, 'to cast', with agential suff.
-er. Cp. F. /ondeur.
founder, intr. and tr. v., to sink. - OF. fondrer,
'to fall to the bottom', fr. fond, 'bottom', fr. L.
fundus. Cp. F. effondrer, 'to dig deeply', s'ef/ondrer, 'to break in', fr. OF. fondrer, 'to sink
to the bottom', and see found, 'to establish'.
founder, n., inflammation in the foot of a horse.
-Fr. founder, 'to sink'.
foundling, n. - ME. foundling, fundling, fr. funden, pp. of linden, 'to find'. Cp. Du. vondeling,
G. Findling, and see find and -ling.
foundress, n., a female founder. - Fern. of
founder. For the ending see suff. -ess.
foundry, n. - F. fonderie, fr. fondre, 'to cast'.
See found, 'to cast', and -ry.
fount, n., fountain. - F. font, fr. L. fontem, ace.
of fons, 'spring, fountain', which is cogn. with
01. dhtinvati, 'flows, runs', dluinu-tar-, 'running,
flowing'. Cp. next word and font, 'receptacle for
baptismal water'.

616

fount, n., the British equivalent of font. - F.

fonte. See font, 'set of type of one size'.
fountain, n.- OF.(= F.) fontaine, fr. Late L.
fontiina, prop. fern. of fontiinus, 'pertaining to
a spring', used as a noun, fr. L.fons, gen.fontis,
'spring'. See font, 'receptacle', and cp. fontanel.
four, adj. and n. - ME. feower, /ower, foure,
four, fr. OE. feower, rei. to OS. fiuwar, fiwar,
OFris.fiuwer,fior, Du. vier, OHG. fior, MHG.,
G. vier, ON.fjorir, Dan. fire, Swed.fyra, Norw.
fire, Goth.fidwor, 'four', and cogn. with OI. catvdrab, Avestic i'a{}wiiro, Pers. i'atviir, Toch. A
stwar, B stwer, Arm. cork', Gk. 't'ecrcrcxpe:~, Att.
't'eTicxpe:~, Ion. ncrcre:pe:~, Aeol. rr[crupe:~, rreO'Upe:~. L. quattuor, Oscan petora, Umbr. petur-,
OSlav. i'etyre, Lith. keturi, Olr. cethir, W. petguar, pedwar, 'four'. (Alb. kater is a loan word
fr. L. quattuor.) All these words derive fr. I.-E.
base *qwetwor-, 'four'. Cp. fardel, 'fourth part',
farthing, firkin, forty. Cp. also cadre, cahier,
carfax, carillon, cater, 'four at cards or dice',
charpoy, quadrant, quadrate, quadri-, quadrille,
quadroon, quarantine, quarrel, 'arrow, bolt',
quarry, 'a place for excavating stones', quart,
quatrain, quaternion, quire of paper, squad,
square, tessara-, tetarto-, tetra-, tetrakis-, te
trarch, trapezium, trocar.
fourchee, fourche, adj., forked, divided (her.) F.fourchee, fern. of fourche, 'forked', fr.Jourche,
'fork'. See fork. Since the adj. mostly refers to
a cross (F. croix, a fern. noun), the fern. form
of the adjective is preferred to the masculine.
fourchette, n., a fork or something resembling a
fork. - F., dimin. of fourche, 'fork'. See fork
and -ette.
fourfold, adj. and adv. - ME. fourfold, fr. OE.
feowerfeald, fr. feower, 'four', and -feald, '-fold'.
See four and -fold.
fourgon, n., a baggage waggon. - F., of uncertain origin.
Fourierism, n., a system for the reorganization of
society. - Named after the French socialist
Fran'Yois-Marie-Charles Fourier (1772-1837).
For the ending see suff. -ism.
fourteen, adj. and n. - ME. fourtene, fr. OE.
jeowertyne, feowertene, which is formed fr.
/eower, 'four', with suff. -tyne, -tene, '-teen' (see
four and -teen); rei. to OS./iertein, ON. fj6rtiin,
Dan. fjorten, Swed. fjorton, OFris. fiuwertfne,
Du. veertien, OHG.fiorzehan, MHG. vierzehen,
G. vierzehn, Goth. fidwortaihu;t, 'fourteen'.
fourteenth, adj. and n. - Formed fr. fourteen
with numeral. suff. -th on the analogy of tenth. Cp.
ME.fourtethe, fr. OE.feowerteooa, 'fourteenth',
which was formed fr. feowertyne, 'fourteen', on
the analogy of teooa, 'tenth'; see tithe, n. Cp.
ON. fjortiindi, Dan. fjortende, Swed. fjortonde,
Du. veertiende, G. vierzehnte, 'fourteenth'.
fourth, adj. - ME. fourthe, formed-under the
influence of ME foure, four, 'four'-fr. OE.
jeorda, 'fourth', which is rei. to OS. fiortho,
ON.jiorde, Dan., Swed.fjerde, Du. vierde, OHG.

617

frail

fr. L.friictus, 'broken', pp. offrangere. See next

fiordo, MHG., G. vierte, 'fourth', and cogn. with
word and -ile.
01. caturthd/:1, Toch. A start, Gk. 't't't'cxp't'o~,
fraction, n.- ME., fr. OF.fraccion,fraction (F.
Thpcx't'o~, L. quiirtus, OS!av. i'etvritu. Olr. cefraction), fr. L. /riictionem, ace. of friictio, 'a
thramad, MW. pedweryd, 'fourth'. See four and
breaking', fr. L. friictus, pp. of frangere, 'to
numeral suff. -th and cp. fardel, 'fourth part',
break', fr. I.-E. base *bhreg-, 'to break\ whence
and firkin. Cp. also quart.
also Goth. brikan, OE. brecan, 'to break'. See
Derivatives: fourth, n., fourth-ly, adv.
break and -ion and cp. fractile, fractious, fracfovea, n., a small pit (anat. and bot.) - L., rei.
ture, fragile, fragment, frail, frangible, diffract,
to favissae, 'underground reservoirs'; of unfritter, 'a fragment', infract, infringe, irrefracertain, possibly Etruscan, origin.
gable, refract, refractory, refrain, n., suffrage,
foveola, n., a small fovea. - ModL., dimin. of
and the second element in chamfer, naufragous,
-ole.
and
word
prec.
See
L. fovea.
ossifrage, osprey, septifragal.
fowl, n.- ME. foghel,fugel,/owel,/oule , fr. OE.
Derivatives: fraction-al, adj., fractional-ly, adv.,
fugal, 'bird', rei. to OS. fugal, ON., Dan. fugl,
fraction-ary, adj., fractionate (q.v.), fractionize
Swed. fagel, OFris. fugel, MDu. voghel, Du.
(q.v.)
vogel, OHG. foga/, MHG., G. vogel, Goth.
fractionate, tr. v., to separate into fractions
fugls, 'bird, fowl', prob. fr. Teut. *fug-la-, dis(chem.) - See fraction and verbal suff. -ate.
similated fr. *flug-la-, and lit. meaning 'flyer',
fractionize, tr. v., to separate into fractions. fr. Teut. base *flug-, 'to fly', corresponding to
See fraction and -ize.
I.-E. base *pleuq-, 'to move forward (by swimDerivative: fractioniz-ation, n.
ming, running or flying)'. See fly, v.
fractious, adj., peevish, irritable. - A blend of
fowl, intr. v. - ME. foulen, fr. OE. fuglian, 'to
fraction (in the now obsolete sense 'dissension')
catch birds', fr. fugal. See fowl, n.
and factious.
fowler, n. - ME. fugelere, fr. OE. fugelere, fr.
Derivatives: fractious-ly, adv., fractious-ness, n.
fugol, 'bird'. See fowl, n., and agential suff. -er.
fracture, n. - F., fr. L. friictura, 'a breach,
fowlerite n., a variant of rhodonite (mineral.)
fracture', fr. friictus, pp. of frangere, 'to break'.
- Named after Samuel Fowler (1779-1844) of
See fraction and -ore.
New Jersey. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative: fracture, tr. and intr. v.
fowling, n. - ME. foulinge, fr. foulen. See fowl,
fraenum, n. - See frenum.
v., and -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
Fragaria, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
fox, n. - ME., fr. OE. fox, rei. to OS. vohs,
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. friigum, 'strawberry',
MLG., MDu., Du. vos, OHG., MHG. fuhs,
which is of uncertain origin.
G. Fuchs, 'fox', ON.foa, MLG. vohe, vo, OHG.
fragile, adj. - F., fr. L. fragilis, 'easily broken,
foha, MHG. vohe, G. Fohe, Goth. fauho,
brittle', fr. frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and
'vixen'; pro b. fr. I.-E. base *puq-, *peuq-,
-ile and cp. frail, adj., which is a doublet of
'bushy, shaggy', whence also 01. piiccha/:1, 'tail',
fragile.
Russ. and Pol. puch, 'woolly hair'. Accordingly
Derivatives: fragile-ly, adv., fragile-ness, n.
fox prob. means lit. 'the bushy-tailed animal'.
fragility,n.-ME./ragi/i te,fr. MF.(= F.)fragiliFor sense development cp. Lith. uodegis, 'fox',
te, fr. L.fragilitiitem, ace. offragilitiis, 'brittleness,
lit. 'tailed', fr. uodega, 'tail'. Cp. vixen. Cp. also
fragility', fr. fragilis. See prec. word and -ity and
the first element in Bovista.
cp. frailty, which is a doublet of fragility.
Derivatives: fox, v., fox-y, adj., fox-i-ly, adv.,
fragment, n. -F., fr. L. fragmentum, from the
fox-i-ness, n.
stem of frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and
foxglove, n. - ME. foxes glove, fr. OE. foxes
-ment.
g/6fa. See fox and glove.
Derivatives: fragment-al, adj., fragment-al-ly,
foyer, n., lobby in a theater. - F., orig. 'fireadv., fragment-ary, adj., fragment-ari-ly, adv.,
place', fr. L. fociirium, 'fireplace', prop. neut.
fragment-ari-ness, n.
of the adj. fociirius, 'pertaining to a fireplace',
fragrance, n., sweetness of smell. - OF., fr. L.
used as a noun, fr. focus, 'hearth, fireplace'. See
fragrantia, fr. fragriins, gen. -antis. See next
focus and subst. suff. -ary.
word and -ce.
fra, n., title of a friar.- It., abbreviation of /rate,
fragrant, adj., sweet-smelling. - L. fragriins,
'brother'. See Crate.
gen. -antis, pres. part. of fragriire, 'to emit frafracas, n., noisy dispute; brawl. - F., fr. It.
grance, smell sweetly', which is cogn. with MHG.
fracasso, 'a crash', back formation fr. fracasbr:l!hen, 'to smell', MDu. bracke, OHG. braccho,
sore, 'to break in pieces', fr.fra-, 'among', which
'hound, setter'. Cp. brach. Cp. also flair. For
is aphetic for L. infrii, 'below', and It. cassare,
the ending see suff. -ant.
'to break', fr. L. quassiire, 'to shake'. See infra
Derivatives: fragrant-ly, adv., fragrant-ness, n.
and quasb, 'to make void'.
frail, n., rush basket for figs, raisins, etc. - ME.
fracted, adj., having a part displaced as if broken
fraiel, fr. OF. frael,/reel, 'rush basket for fruit',
(her.) - Formed with suff. -ed. fr. L. friictus,
which is of uncertain origin.
'broken', pp. of frangere. See fraetion.
frail, adj., fragile. - ME. freile, frele, fr. OF.
fractile, adj., fragile. - Formed with suff. -ile

frailty

fraile,frele (F.frele), fr. L. fragilis. See fragile.

frailty, n. - ME. frelete, freilte, fr. OF. frai/ete,
fr. L. fragilitiitem, ace. of fragilitas. See fragility.
fraise, n., I) a ruff for the neck; 2) a palisade consisting of pointed stakes (fort.); 3) a tool for
enlarging holes. - F. fraise, fr. !raiser, 'to
ruffle; to enlarge a hole', fr. OF. frese, 'laced,
plaited', fr. Frankish *frisi, 'curling', which is
rel. to OFris. frisle, 'curl'. See frizzle and cp.
frieze, 'to curl'.
fraise, tr. v., to enlarge a hold (in a stone).- F.
fraiser. See fraise, n.
frambesia, framboesia, n., the yaws, a tropical
skin disease. - Medical L., fr. F. framboise,
'raspberry', fr. Frankish *brambasi, which is
rel. to Du. braambezie, 'blackberry'. See
bramble, berry and -ia. F. framboise was influenced in form by F. fraise, 'strawberry'.
frame, tr. and intr. v.- ME. framien, framen,
'to be profitable; to frame', fr. OE.framian, 'to
avail, be profitable', fr. OE. fram, 'vigorous,
bold', orig. 'going forward', fr. fram, 'forward;
from', which is rel. to OE. forma, Goth.fruma,
'first', OE. fremman, 'to further'. See from and
cp. foremost and words there referred to.
Derivatives: frame, n., frame-less, adj., fram-er,
n., fram-ing, n.
franc, n., name of two old French coins, one of
gold and the other of silver; now the monetary
unit of France. - F., from the ML. legend on
the first coin: Francorum rex ('king of the
Franks'). See Frank.
Frances, fern. PN.- Fr. OF. Franceise (F. Franraise), fern. of OF. Franceis (F. Franrois). See
Francis.
franchise, n., I) orig., freedom from servitude;
hence 2) a privilege granted; 3) the right to
vote. - ME., fr. OF. franchise, 'freedom', fr.
franc, fern. franche, 'free'. See frank, adj.,
and -ise.
franchise, tr. v., to enfranchise.- OF.franchiss-,
pres. part. stem of franchir, 'to free', fr. franc,
fern. franche, 'free'. See franchise, n., and cp.
enfranchise.
Francis, fern. PN.- OF. Franceis (F. Franrois),
fr. Late L. Franciscus, lit. 'Frankish' whence
'French', which is of the same origin as E. frank
(q.v.) Cp. Frances.
Franciscan, adj., pertaining to St. Francis of
Assisi. - See next word.
Franciscan, n., a friar of the Franciscan order.Formed with suff. -an fr. Franciscus, ML. name
of St. Francis of Assisi (II 82-1226), who established this order.
francium, n., name of a chemical element. ModL., coined by the French chemist Mlle.
Marguerite Perey (I909- ) on analogy of the
names of many chemical elements ending in
-ium fr. Francia, Latinized name of France, her
native land.
franckeite. n., a complex sulfide (mineral.) -

618

Named after the German mining engineers Carl

and Ernest Francke. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Franco-, combining form meaning I) Frankish;
2) French.- Fr. ML. Francus, 'a Frank'. See
Frank.
francolin, n., name of various genera of partridges.- F., fr. It. franco/ina, which is of uncertain etymology.
francolite, n., a variety of apatite (mineral.) Named after Wheal Franco in Devonshire. For
the ending see combining form -lite.
Francophile, Francophil, n., a friend of France
or the French. - Compounded of Franco- and
Gk. cp(:Ao~, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Francophobe, n., one who fears or hates France
or the French. - Compounded of Franco- and
Gk. -cp6~o~, fr. cp6~o~, 'fear'. See -phobe.
Francophobia, n., fear or hatred of France or the
French. - Compounded of Franco- and Gk.
-cpo~lii, 'fear of', fr. cp6~o~, 'fear'. See -phobia.
franc-tireur, n., a sharpshooter of the irregular
infantry.- F., lit. 'free shooter', fr.franc, 'free',
and tireur, 'shooter', fr. tirer, 'to draw; tc>
shoot'. See frank, adj., and tire, 'to pull'.
frangible, adj., breakable; fragile. -OF., fr. L.
frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and -ible.
Derivatives: fragibil-ity, n., fragible-ness, n.
frangipane, frangipani, n., a kind of pastry cream.
- From the Italian family name Frangipani.
frank, adj. - OF. ( = F.) franc, 'free', fr. ML.
Francus, 'Frank', fr. Frankish *Frank, 'a Frank'
(rel. to OHG. Franko, OE. Franca, of s.m.),
whence also F. France, orig. 'the land of the
Franks'. In the territory formerly called Gaul
the Franks were looked upon as the free nation
par excellence (whence the sense development
of F. franc). Cp. franc, franchise, Franco-, Frank,
French. Cp. also frankalmoign, franklin.
Derivatives: frank-ly, adv., frank-ness, n.
Frank, n., member of a West Teutonic people.OHG. Franko, rel. to OE. Franca. See frank,
adj.
frank, tr. v., to free (whence to frank a letter, lit.
'to exempt a letter from charge'). - Fr. frank,
adj.
frank, n., signature showing that a letter is free
of charge. - Fr. prec. word.
frankalmoign, frankalmoigne, frankalmoin, n.,
perpetual tenure of land by a religious corporation.-AF.frankealmoigne, lit. 'free alms'.
AF. franke is fern. of frank, which corresponds
to OF. franc. See frank, adj. AF. almoigne corresponds to OF. almosne, F. aumone. See alms.
Frankenstein, n. - Name of hero in a novel by
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (I 8 I 8), who creates
a monster which kills him.
frankincense, n. - OF. franc encens, fr. franc,
'free' (here used in the sense of 'pure'), and
encens, 'incense'. See frank, adj., and incense.
franklandite, n., sodium calcium borate (mineral.)
- Named after the English chemist Sir Edward

619

Frankland (1825-99). For the ending see subst.

suff. -ite.
franklin, n., a small landowner. - ME. frankelein (cp. ML. franchiliinus), formed fr.frank,
'free', and -Zein, a suff. of Teut. origin (occurring
also in ME. chamberlein, 'chamberlain'). See
frank, adj., and -ling.
franklinite, n., a magnetic oxide of iron (mineral.)
- Named after Franklin Furnace in New Jersey, where it was discovered. For the ending see
su bst. suff. -ite.
frankpledge, n., a system by which the members
of a tithing were made responsible for one another's behavior. - AF. franc plege, lit. 'free
pledge', mistranslation of OE. frioborh, 'peace
pledge', in which the first element was confused
with OE. freo, 'free'. See belfry and pledge.
frantic, adj., r) insane (archaic); 2) frenzied;
furious.- ME.frenetike.frantik, fr. OF.frenetique (F. frenetique), fr. L. phreneticus, fr. Gk.
cppe:vinx6~, 'mad, delirious, frantic'. See phrenetic.
Derivatives: frantic-al-ly, frantic-ly, adv., frantic-ness, n.
frap, tr. v., to bind firmly (naut.) - OF. fraper
(F. frapper), 'to strike; to bind firmly, trap',
prob. of imitative origin. Cp. next word.
frappe, adj., iced, frozen (said of beverages). F., pp. of frapper, 'to strike'. See prec. word.
Frasera, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.)- ModL., named after the Scottish
botanist John Fraser, (I750-I8I I).
frass, n., refuse or excrement left by insect larvae.- G. Frass, 'a devouring', in gradational
relationship to G. fressen, 'to devour'. See fret,
'to eat away'.
frate, n., a friar. - It., 'brother', fr. L. friitrem,
ace. of friiter. See next word.
frater, n., a brother; hence I) a friar (obsol.); 2) a
comrade. - L. friiter, 'brother'. See fraternal
and cp. words there referred to.
frater, also fratery, fratry, n., refectory of a monastery (hist.) - ME. fraitour, fr. OF. freitor,
which is aphetic for refreitor, refraitor, refeitor,
fr. ML. refectorium, 'refectory'. See refectory.
fraternal, adj., brotherly. - ML. friiterniilis, fr.
L. friiternus, 'brotherly', fr. friiter, 'brother',
which is cogn. with OE. brooor, 'brother'. See
brother and adj. suff. -al and cp. fra, frate,
frater, 'comrade', friar.
Derivatives: fraternal-ism, n., fraterna!-ity, n.,
fraternal-ly, adv.
fraternity, n. - ME. fraternite, fr. OF. fraternitee, fraternite (F. fraternite), fr. L. friiternitiitem, ace. of friiternitiis, 'brotherhood', fr.
friiternus, 'brotherly'. See prec. word and -ity
and cp. confraternity.
fraternize, intr. and tr. v.- F. fraterniser, fr. L.
friiternus, 'brotherly'. See fraternal and -ize.
Derivatives: fraterniz-ation, n., fraterniz-er, n.
fratery, n. - See frater, 'refectory'.

frazil

fratricidal, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.

fratricide (in either sense).
fratricide, n., a person who kills his own brother.
- F., fr. L. friitricida, 'a brother-slayer', which
is compounded of friiter, gen. friitris, 'brother',
and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See fraternal and -cide, 'killer'.
fratricide, n., the act of killing one's own brother. - F., fr. L. friitricidium, 'the killing of a
brother', which is compounded of friiter, gen.
friitris, 'brother', and -cidium, 'killing', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See fraternal and -cide, 'killing'.
fratry, n.- See frater, 'refectory'.
Frau, n., in Germany, a woman; a married
woman.- G. Frau, 'woman, wife', fr. MHG.
vrouwe, 'lady, mistress', fr. OHG. frouwa. See
province and cp. Fraulein, frow.
fraud, n., deceit; trickery.- ME., fr. OF. ( = F.)
fraude, fr. L. fraudem, ace. of fraus, 'deceit,
guile', fr. I.-E. base *dhreu-, *dhru-, 'to deceive',
whence prob. also OI. dhruti/:1, 'deception',
dharta/:1, 'cunning, fraudulent, deceptive', dharvati, dhwirati, 'injures' (prop. 'injures through
cunning'). Cp. fraudulent, defraud. Cp. also
frustrate.
fraudulence, n. - OF. See next word and -ce.
fraudulent, adj., using fraud; based on fraud. ME., fr. OF., fr. L. fraudulentus, 'cheating, deceitful', fr. fraus, gen. fraudis. See fraud.
Derivatives: fraudulent-ly, adv., fraudulentness, n.
fraught, adj., laden; filled.- ME., pp. offrahten,
fr. MDu. vrachten, fr. vracht, 'load, cargo',
fr. OFris., whence also Dan. fragt, Swed. frakt,
of s.m.; fr. Teut. *fra-aihti, which is compounded of pref. fra- meaning 'for-' (see for-),
and the stem of OE. iigan, Goth. aigan, 'to
possess'. See owe and cp. freight.
Fraulein, n., I) in Germany, an unmarried woman;
a title corresponding to E. Miss. - G., fr.
MHG. vrouwelfn, dimin. of vrouwe, 'woman'.
See Frau.
Fraunhofer lines, the dark lines in the spectrum
(phys.) - Named after the German physicist
Joseph von Fraunhofer (I 787- I 826).
fraxinella, n., a perennial plant, the dittany. A ModL dimin. formed fr. L. fraxinus, 'ash
tree' (see Fraxinus); so called in allusion to the
leaves resembling those of the ash tree.
Fraxinus, n., a genus of plants of the olive family
(bot.) - L. fraxinus, 'the mountain ash', for
*far(a)g(s)nos, lit. 'the white tree', fr. I.-E. base
*bhereg-, 'to shine, be white'. See birch.
fray, n., tumult, brawl. - ME. frai, aphetic for
affrai. See affray, n. and v.
fray, tr. v., to frighten.- ME.fraien, aphetic for
affraien. See affray, v., and cp. prec. word.
fray, tr. and intr. v., to wear out by rubbing. F. frayer, 'to rub against', fr. OF. freiier, fr. L.
friciire, 'to rub'. See friction.
Derivative: fray-ing, n.
frazil, n., ice crystals at the bottom of a river. -

frazzle

Can. F. frasil, 'snow floating in water'; rei. to

F. fraisil, 'cinders', which derives fr. VL. *faellis, 'that which pertains to a firebrand', short
for scoria *facilis, 'cinders of a firebrand', fr.
L. fax, gen. fads, 'torch, firebrand'; see facula
and -ile. The r in frasil, fraisil is intrusive and
due to the influence ofF .fraiser, 'to plait, ruffle'.
frazzle, tr. and intr. v., to fray; to reduce to tatters. - A blend of fray, 'to wear out by rubbing', and G. faseln, 'to separate the fibers, to
ravel out', which is rei. to G. Faser, 'thread,
fiber, filament', OE. fres, 'fringe', and to obsol.
E. feaze, 'to unravel'.
freak, n., whim. - Of uncertain origin. Possibly
fr. ME. frek, 'bold, quick', fr. OE. free, 'gluttonous, greedy, bold, dangerous', which is rel.
to ON. frekr, 'greedy, rough, severe', OHG.
freh, 'untamed, covetous, avaricious', MHG.
vrech, 'bold, daring', G.frech, 'bold, impudent',
Goth. -friks (in faihufriks, 'covetous, avaricious'). These words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base
*preg-, 'greedy, violent, impetuous, bold',
whence also W. rhewidd (for *pragio-), 'lasciviousness', Pol. pragnqc, 'to crave for'. Cp.
fresh, obtrusive'.
freak, tr. v., to streak. - Prob. a blend of freak,
'whim, fancy', and freckle; coined by Milton.
freakish, adj. - Formed fr. freak, n., with adj.
suff. -ish; first used by Henry More (1614-1687},
philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.
Derivatives: freakish-ly, adv., freakish-ness, n.
freckle, n., a small brownish spot on the skin. Dimin. formed fr. ME. frecken, fr. ON. freknur (pl.), 'freckles' (whencefreknottr, 'freckled',
Dan. fregne, Swed. friigne, 'freckle'), which is of
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with Gk.
7ttpxo<;, m:pxv6<;, 'spotted; dusky'. See perch,
name of a fish.
Derivatives: freckl-ed, freckl-y, adjs.
Frederic, Frederick, masc. PN.- F. Frederic, fr.
G. Friedrich, fr. OHG. Fridurih, lit. 'peaceful
ruler', compounded ofOHG.fridu, 'peace', and
rihhi, 'powerful, rich'. See friend and rich and
cp. the second element in Geoffrey.
Frederica, fern. PN. - Fern. form of Frederic
(q.v.) Cp. F. Frederique, fr. Frederic.
fredricite, n., a variety of tennantite (mineral.)
- Named after the Fredrik shaft in Falu,
Sweden. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
free, adj. - ME. freo, fre, fr. OE. freo, fri, rei.
to OS., OHG., MHG. vri, G. frei, Du. vrij,
Goth. freis, 'free', OE. freogan, freon, Goth.
frijon, 'to love', OE. freod, 'affection, friendship', friga, 'love', freodryhten, 'noble lord',
OE. friiJu, OS. frithu, 'ON. friiJr, OFris. frethu,
OHG. fridu, MHG. fride, G. Friede, 'peace',
OE,freo, OS,fri, 'wife', ON. Frigg, name of the
wife of Odin (lit. = 'beloved, loving; wife'),
MLG. vrien, 'to take to wife', Du. vrijen, G.
freien, 'to woo'. The primary sense of all these
words was 'beloved, friend; to love'. In English
freo, etc., this sense developed into 'free'. (The

620

terms 'beloved' and 'friend', were applied, as a

rule, to the free members of the clan and in contradistinction to slaves.) For sense development
cp. L. liberi, which unites the meanings 'free'
(pl.) and 'children'. The above Teut. words are
cogn. with 01. priyti/;1, 'own, dear, beloved',
priyate, 'loves', OSlav. prijati, 'to help', prijate/ji, 'friend', W. rhydd (for *prijos), 'free'. Cp.
affray, defray, fray, 'tumult', fresh, 'obtrusive',
friend, Frigg, frith, 'brushwood', the first element in filibuster, Frederic, Friday, and the
second element in belfry, Geoffrey, Godfrey,
Humphrey, Winfred. Derivatives: free, adv.,
free, v. (q.v.), free-ly, adv., free-ness, n.
free, tr. v. - ME. freen, fr. OE. freogan, freon,
'to free', fr. frio. See free, adj.
freeboot, intr. v.- Back formation fr. freebooter.
Derivative: freeboot-ing, n.
freebooter, n., a plunderer; a pirate. - Loan
translation of Du. vrijbuiter, 'plunderer, robber', fr. vrijbuiten, 'to plunder, rob', fr. vrijbuit,
'plunder', lit. 'free booty'. See free, adj., and
booty and cp. filibuster.
Derivative: freebooter-y, n.
freedom, n. - ME. fredom, fr. OE. freodom. See
free, adj., and -dom.
freeman, n. - ME. freoman, fr. OE. freoman.
See free, adj., and man.
freemason, n. - For free mason. He was called
free owing to a confusion with F,frere, 'brother'
(in the term frere maf-on, 'brother mason'). F.
franc-maron, 'freemason', is a loan translation
of E. freemason.
Derivatives: freemason-ic, adj., freemason-ry, n.
Freesia, n., a genus of plants of the iris family
(bot.)- ModL., named after the German physician Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese (17951876). For the ending see suff. -ia.
freeze, intr. and tr. v. -ME. freosen, fresen, fr.
OE. freosan, rei. to ON. frjosa, OHG. friosan,
MHG. vriesen, G. frieren, 'to freeze', Goth.
frius, 'frost', fr. Teut. base *!reus-, which corresponds to I.-E. *preus-, *prus-, a base uniting
the opposite meanings 'to freeze', and 'to bum',
whence, on the one hand, 01. pru$vd, 'hoarfrost', L. pruina (for *pruswina, *pruwina),
'hoarfrost', OCo. reu, Bret. reo, W. rhew (for
I.-E. *preusos), 'frost', and, on the other, 01.
pru$(a/;l, 'burnt', Alb. pru, 'burning coals,
glowing fire', L. priina, 'a live coal', prurire,
'to itch'. Cp. frost. Cp. also pruinose, prurient.
Derivatives: freeze, n., freez-er, n., freez-ing,
adj., freez-ing-ly, adv.
freight, n.- ME,freyght,freyte,freite , fr. MDu.
vrecht, a secondary form of MDu. ( = Du.)
vracht. See fraught. Derivatives: freight, tr. v.,
freightage (q.v.), freight-er, n.
freightage, n., freight. - A hybrid coined from
prec. word and -age, a suffix of ult. Latin origin.
fremitus, n., a palpable vibration (med.) - L., 'a
murmur', fr. fremit-(um), pp. stem of [remere,
'to roar, resound, munnur', fr. I.-E. base

621

*bhrem-, a variant of base *brem-, whence Gk.

~p6fLo~. 'any loud noise'. See bromo-.
Crenate, adj., having a frenum (anat. and zoot.)
- Fr. L. freniitus, pp. of freniire, 'to bridle,
curb', fr. frenum, 'bridle, curb'. See frenum and
adj. suff. -ate.
French, adj. and n. - ME. Frenkisch, Frensch,
fr. OE. Frencisc, fr. Franca, 'Frank'. See Frank.
Derivative: French-ness, n.
Frenchification, n. (colloq.)- See Frenchify and
-ation.
Frenchify, tr. v., to make French; intr. v., to
become French (colloq.) - A hybrid coined fr.
French and -fy, a suff. of Latin origin.
frenetic, adj., frantic.- See phrenetic.
frenulum, n., a small frenum (anat. and zoo!.) ModL., dimin. of frenum, 'bridle, curb, ligament'. See next word and -ule.
Derivative: frenul-ar, adj.
frenum, also, less exactly, fraenum,n., a small ligament supporting or checking the movements of
any organ. - L. frenum, fraenum, 'bridle, curb,
bit', pro b. standing for *fre-nom, 'something
to hold with', fr. I.-E. base *dher(e)-, 'to hold,
support', whence also L. firmus, 'firm, strong'.
See firm, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: fren-al, adj., frenate (q.v.)
frenzy, n., wild excitement. - ME. frenesye, fr.
OF. frenesie, fr. ML. phrenesia, fr. Late L.
phrenesis, fr. pseudo-Gk. cppev7J<:r~~ (back formation from the Late L. adj. phreneticus, corruption of Gk. cpp'1Inx6~, 'suffering from the inflammation of the brain'), corresponding to
Gk. cppE:'Ii-rt<;, 'inflammation of the brain', fr.
cpp~v, gen. cpp'16<;, 'midriff, heart, mind'. See
phrenetic.
Derivatives: frenzi-ed, adj., frenzi-ed-ly, adv.
frequence, n. - F. frequence, fr. L. frequentia.
See next word and -ce.
frequency, n. - L. frequentia, 'a crowding,
crowd', fr.frequens. See frequent, adj., and -cy.
frequent, adj. - F. frequent, fr. L. frequentem,
ace. of frequens, 'crowded, repeated, constant',
which is rel. to far cere, 'to stuff, cram'. See
farce, and -ent.
Derivatives: frequent, v. (q.v.),Jrequent-ly, adv.,
frequent-ness, n.
frequent, tr. v.- F. frequenter, fr. L.frequentiire,
'to resort to frequently, to frequent', fr.frequens.
See frequent, adj.
Derivatives: frequent-able, adj., frequentation
(q.v.), frequent-er, n.
frequentation, n. - F. frequentation, fr. L. frequentiitionem, ace. of frequentiiti6, fr. frequentiitus, pp. of frequentiire. See frequent, v., and
-ation.
frequentative, adj. - F. frequentatif (fern. -ive),
fr. Late L. frequentiitlvus, 'that which denotes
the repetition of an act', fr. L. frequentiitus, pp.
of frequentiire. See freq.-t, v., and -ive.
fresco, n. - It., lit. 'fresh'. See fresh, 'newly
made', and cp. alfresco.

freyalite

fresh, adj., newly made; cool.- ME. fresch, fr.

OF. fres, freis, fern. fresche (whence F. frais,
fern. fraiche), 'fresh', fr. Teut. *frisk- (whence
also It., Sp., Port. fresco, OProvem;. fresc); cp.
OE.fersc [whence ON.ferskr (Dan.fersk, Swed.
farsk)], OFris. fersk, MLG. versch, Du. vers
(Dan., Swed., Norw. frisk are MLG. loan
words), OHG. frisc, MHG. vrisch, G. frisch,
'fresh' [MLG., MDu. vrisch (Du. fris), are borrowed fr. MHG. vrisch]. These Teut. words are
prob. cogn. with OSlav. presi'nu (for *praiskino-),
'fresh' (whence Lith. priskas, 'sweet; unleavened'). Cp. afresh, refresh. Cp. also fresco, frisk.
Derivatives: fresh, n., fresh-en, tr. and intr. v.,
fresh-en-er, n., fresh-ly, adv., fresh-ness, n.
fresh, adj., obtrusive, impudent (slang). - G.
frech, 'impudent', fr. OHG. freh, 'covetous,
avaricious', rel. to OE.frec, 'gluttonous, greedy,
bold' (see freak, 'whim'); influenced in form,
but different in origin, from fresh, 'new'.
freshet, n., a stream of freshwater; a flood.Formed fr. fresh, 'newly made', with suff. -et.
fret, tr. v., to eat away; intr. v., to gnaw (into,
on or upon); to be worn away. -ME. freten,
fr. OE.fretan, 'to eat up, dev0ur'; which stand~
for fr-etan, fr. pref. fr- (fr. Teut. *fra-) and OE.
etan, 'to eat'; rel. to Du. vreten, OHG,fre33an,
MHG. vre33en, G. fressen, Goth. fra-itan, of
s.m. See for- and eat and cp. frass.
Derivatives: fret, n., the act of fretting; worry,
anxiety; fretful (q.v.)
fret, n., ornament. - ME. frete, fret, fr. MF.
frete, frette (F. frette), 'interlaced work, iron
hoop, ferrule', fr. OF,frete, frette, pro b. derived
fr. Frankish *fetur, which is rei. to OE. fetor,
OHG. fe33ara, 'fetter'. See fetter.
fret, tr. v., to ornament. - ME. fretten, fretien,
fr. MF. freter, fretter (F. fretter), 'to decorate
with interlaced designs, to bind with a ring or
with a ferrule', fr. OF. freter, fr. frete. See prec.
word.
Derivative: frett-ed, adj.
fretful, adj. - Formed fr. fret, 'the act of fretting' (see fret, 'to eat away' and -ful}; first used
by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: fretful-ly, adv., fretful-ness, n.
fretty, adj., interlaced (her.) - ME. frette, fr.
MF. frete, frette pp. of freter, fretter. See fret,
'to ornament', and-y (representing OF. -e, MF.,
F. -i).
Freudian, adj., pertaining to, or agreeing with,
the theories of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Frey, n., the god of the crops and fertility in
Norse mythology. - ON. Freyr. See next
word.
Freya, n., the goddess of love and beauty in
Norse mythology.- ON. Freyja, rei. to Freyr,
and to OE.frea, 'lord', OS.frua, MDu. vrouwe,
'woman, wife'. See frow.
freyalite, n., a radioactive silicate of thorium,
cerium, etc. (mineral.) - Named after Freya,

friable

goddess of love in Norse mythology. See prec.

word and -lite.
friable, adj. - F., fr. L. friiibilis, 'crumbling', fr.
friiire, 'to crumble, rub away', which is prob.
cogn. with 01. bhrfl:uinti, 'they hurt, damage',
Avestic pairi-brln 6nti, 'they cut round about',
OSiav. britva, 'razor', Russ.-Church Slav. briju,
briti, 'to shear'. L. friiire is rei. to friciire, 'to
rub'. See friction and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also frivolous. For the ending see suff. -able.
Derivative: friabil-ity, n., friable-ness, n.
friar, n. - ME. frere, fr. OF. frere, freire (F.
frere), fr. L. friitrem, ace. of friiter, 'brother'.
See fraternal.
Derivative: friar-y, n., a convent of friars.
fribblc, intr. v., to trifle. - Pr.ob. of imitative
origin; influenced in meaning by an association
with frivolous.
Derivatives: fribb/e, n.,fribbl-er, n.,fribbl-ery, n.
fricandeau, n., stew of veal.- F., back formation
fr. fricasser, 'to fricassee', which was erroneously supposed to derive from base fric- and suff.
-asser. For the real etymology of this verb sec
next word.
fricassee, n., a dish made of meat stewed in
gravy. - F. fricassee, fr. fricasser, 'to fricassee,
fry', compounded of the verbs frire, 'to fry', and
casser, 'to break'. See fry, 'to cook with fat',
and quash, 'to make void', and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: fricassee, tr. v.
fricative, adj., produced by forcing the breath
through a narrow opening between the lips,
teeth, etc. (said of a consonant). - ModL.
friciitfvus, fr. L. friciitus, pp. of friciire, 'to rub'.
See friction and -ative.
Derivative: fricative, n., a fricative consonant.
friction, n. -F., fr. L. fricti6nem, ace. of fricti6,
'a rubbing', fr. [rictus, pp. of friciire, 'to rub',
which is rei. to friiire. Sec friable and -ion and
cp. 3rd fray, fry, 'spawn of fishes', affricate and
the second clement in dentifrice.
Derivatives: friction-al, adj., friction-al-ly, adv.,
friction-less, adj.
Friday, n. -- ME. fridai, fr. OE. friged<g, lit.
'the day of the goddess Frig', fr. Frlge, gen. of
Frlg, which corresponds to ON. Frigg, name
of the wife of Odin (sec Frigg), and dxg, 'day',
rei. to ON. frijiidagr, Dan., Swed. Fredag,
OFris. frlgendei, friadei, fredei, MLG., MDu.
vrfdach, Du. vrijdag, OHG. frlatag, MHG. vrftac, G. Freitag; prop. a loan translation of L.
Veneris dies, 'the day of Venus, Friday' (whence
It. venerdi, Rum. vineri, OF. rendresdi, F. vendredi, Proven\;. dil'enres, Sp. l'iernes), itself a
loan translation of Gk. 'Aq;;poohr,~ i;!J.sp'i, 'the
day of Aphrodite'; ON. Frigg, was considered
as the goddess of love. ror the second element
in OE. frigedil'g see day.
friedelite, n., a mangane:;e silicate (mineral.) Named after the French mineralogist Charles
Friedel (1832-99). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.

622
friend, n. - ME. freond, frend, fr. OE. freond,
'friend, lover', rei. to ON. frxndi, OS., OFris.
friund, Du. vriend, OHG., MHG. friunt, G.
Freund, Goth. frij6nds, 'friend'. All these nouns
are prop. pres. participles and orig. meant
'loving' (so e.g. OE. freond is the pres. part. of
OE. freogan,freon, 'to love', and Goth. frij6nds
the pres. part. of Goth. fry6n, 'to love'). They
are rei. to OE. !reo, 'free'. See free, adj., and
cp. words there referred to. For the participial
origin of the noun friend cp. fiend.
Derivatives: friend, tr. v. (rare), friend-less, adj.,
friend-less-ness, n., friendly (q.v.)
friendly, adj. - ME. frendly, fr. OE. freondlfc.
See friend and adj. suff. -Iy.
Derivatives: friendli-ly, adv., friendli-ness, n.
friendly, adv. (rare). - ME. frendly, fr. OE.
freondlfce. See friend and adv. suff. -ly.
friendship, n. - ME. frendship, fr. OE. freondscipe. See friend and -ship.
frieseite, n., a silver iron sulfide (mineral.) Named after F. M. von Friese. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Friesian, adj. and n. -A var. spelling of Frisian.
Friesic, adj., Frisian. - See Frisian and -ic.
Friesish, adj. - See Frisian and adj. suff. -ish.
frieze, n., a kind of woolen cloth. - F. frise, rei.
to friser, 'to curl, friz:<'. See frizz, 'to curl'.
frieze, tr. v., to .cover with a nap, to trim. F. friser, 'to curl, frizz'. See prcc. word.
frieze, n., an ornamented band (archit.) - F.
frise, fr. ML. frisium, a collateral form of frigium, phrygium, 'fringe', lit. 'Phrygian, related
to Phrygia'. Cp. L. Phrygiae vestes in the sense
of 'embroidered garments' (Virgil, Aen. 3,483).
Cp. also It. fregio, equivalent of F. frise.
frigate, n., a fast sailing vessel. -F. fregate, fr.
It. fregata, fr. Neapolitan fregate, pro b. fr. Gk.
&<ppocx-:o~, 'unfenced; not decked' (said of
ships), fr. oc- (see priv. pref. a-) and <ppoccrcrtw,
'to fence, enclose', which is cogn. with L. fareire, 'to stuff'. See farce, 'to stuff, cram'.
Frigg, n., the wife of Odin, the goddess of heaven
and of love in Norse mythol. - ON., prop.
subst. use of a fern. adj. lit. meaning 'beloved,
loving; wife'. See free and cp. Friday.
fright, n. - - ME. fryght, fryhte, fyrhte, fr. OE.
fyrhto, fryhto, rei. to OS. forhta, OFris. fruchte,
OHG.forhta,forahta, MHG. vorhte, G. Furcht,
Goth. jaurhtei, 'fear'. These words pro b. derive
fr. I.-E. *prk-, 'to fear; fright', whence also
Toch. A piirsk-, prask-, B piirsk-, priisk-, 'to
fear', A praski, B prosko, 'fear, fright'.
Derivatives: fright, v. (q.v.), fright-en, tr. v.,
fright-en-ed, adj., fright-en-ed-ly, adv., fight-ened-ness, n., fright-en-er, n., fright-en-ing, adj.,
fright-en-ing-ly, adv., fright-ful, adj., fright-fully, adv., fright-ful-ness, n.
fright, tr. v., to frighten. - ME. frigten, fr. OE.
fyrhtan, 'to frighten', rel. to OE. forhtian, 'to
fear', OS.forahtian, OFris. fruhtia, OHG.forahtan, furihten, MHG. viirhten, G. fiirchten, Goth.

623
faurhtjan, 'to fear', OE.forht, OS., OHG.foraht,
Goth. fauhrts, 'fearful', and to OE. fyrhto,
fryhto, 'fear, fright'. See fright, n.
frigid, adj., very cold. - L. frigidus, 'cold', fr.
frigus, 'cold, frost', from the stem of frigere, 'to
be cold', which is rei. to L. rigidus, 'hard, stiff,
rough, severe', rigere, 'to be stiff', and cogn.
with Gk. p~yo~ (for *crp~yo~), 'cold'. Cp. rigid
and the first element in rhigolene. Cp. also refrigerate, refrigerator and the second element in
sang-froid.
Derivatives: frigidity (q.v.), frigid-ly, adv.,
frigid-ness, n.
frigidity, n.- F.frigidite, fr. Late L.frigiditiitem,
ace. of frigiditiis, 'the cold', fr. L. frigidus. See
frigid and -ity.
frigorific, adj., causing cold. - F.frigorifique, fr.
Late L. frlgorificus, 'cooling', which is compounded of L. frigus, gen. frigoris, 'cold', and
-ficus, 'making', from the stem of -ficere, un~ stressed form of facere, 'to make, do'. See
frigid and -fie.
frijole, n., bean.- Sp.frijo/,frejol, fr. L. phaseolus,
phase/us, 'kidney bean'_. See Phaseolus.
frill, n., a ruffle. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: frill, tr. and intr. v., frill-ed, adj.,
fri/1-ery, n., frill-ing, n., frill-y, adj.
Frimaire, n., name of the 3rd month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
November 21st to December 20th). - F., lit.
'the month of frost'; a hybrid coined by Fabre
d'Eglantine in 1793 from F. frimas, 'frost, hoarfrost', a word of Teut. origin, and F. suff. -aire
(fr. L. -iirius). See rime, 'hoarfrost', and adj.
suff. -ary.
fringe, n., a border of loose threads. - ME.
frenge, fr. OF. fringe, frenge, fr. VL. *frimbia,
metathesis of L. fimbriae (pl.), 'border, edge,
fringe', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. fimbria.
Derivatives: fringe, tr. v., fring-ed, fring-y,
adjs.
Fringilla, n., a genus of birds of the finch family
(ornithol.) - L., 'the chaffinch', fr. L. frigere,
'to squeak, squeal', which is of imit. origin. Cp.
Gk. <ppuy().r;c; (a metathesized form of orig.
*'PP~Y'.J).o;), a kind of bird, dial. Russ. bergtez',
'goldfinch', Czech brhel, 'golden oriole'. 01.
bhfligli, 'a large black bee', is not related.
Fringillidae, n.pl., the finch and sparrow family
(ornithol.) - ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. fringilla. See prec. word.
frippery, n., tawdry finery. - F. friperie, fr. OF.
freperie, fr. frepe, ferpe, felpe, 'fringe, old garment', ult. fr. ML. fa!uppa, 'fiber, trifle'.
frisette, n., a fringe of curled hair worn on the
forehead.- F., 'little curl', fr. friser, 'to curl'.
See frizz, 'to curl', and -ette.
friseur, n., a hairdresser. -- F., fr. friser, 'to curl'.
See prec. word.
Frisian, adj. and n., belonging to the tribe Frisii.
- Fr. L. Frisii, a name of Teut. origin, lit.
meaning 'curly-headed'. Cp. OFris. frisle, 'curly

frizz

hair', and see frizz, 'to curl'. For the ending see

suff. -ian. Cp. Friesian.

frisk, adj., lively.- OF.(= F.)frisque, fr. MDu.
vrisch, 'fresh', which is rei. to OHG. frisc, OE.
fersc, 'fresh'. See fresh, 'newly made'.
Derivatives: frisk, intr. v ., to leap in a lively
manner; tr. v., 1) to move in a playful manner;
2) (slang) to search (a person), esp. for concealed weapons, frisk-y, adj., frisk-i-ly, adv.,
frisk-i-ness, n.
frisket, n., a light frame of iron attached to the
tympan (printing).- F. frisquette, of uncertain
origin.
frit, n., material for glass-making. - F. fritte,
fr. frite, fern. pp. of frire, 'to fry'. See fry, 'to
cook in fat'.
frit fly, a small fly. -Of uncertain origin.
frith, n., a narrow arm of the sea, inlet; a firth. A var. of firth.
frith, n., enclosure; wooded land, brushwood.ME., fr. OE. friou, 'peace, security' (cp. OE.
friogeard, 'enclosure, court'). For sense development cp. MHG. vride, 'enclosure', G. einfriedigen, 'to fence in, enclose', Friedhof, 'cemetery',
which are rei. to G. Friede, 'peace'. See free and
cp. words there referred to.
Fritillaria, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. fritillus, 'dicebox' (so
called from the markings on the petals), which
is rei. to fritinnfre, 'to twitter'; of imitative origin. The dice box was called fritillus in allusion
to the rattle of dice.
fritillary, n., 1) any plant of the genus Fritillaria;
2) any butterfly of the genus Argynnis. - See
prec. word and -ary.
fritter, n., a slice of fruit fried in butter. - F.
friture, 'something fried', fr. frit, pp. of frire,
'to fry'. See fry, 'to cook in butter'.
fritter, n., a fragment.- OF. fraiture, freture, 'a
breaking', fr. L. friictilra, fr. friictus, pp. of frangere, 'to break'. See fraction.
fritter, tr. v., to waste. - Fr. prec. word.
Derivative: fritter-er, n.
frivol, intr. and tr. v. - Back formation fr.
frivolous.
frivolity, n. - F. frivolite, fr. frivole. See next
word and -ity.
frivolous, adj., trifling. - L. frivolus, 'brittle,
crumbling; silly', prob. rei. to friiire, 'to crumble, rub away'. See friable. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: frivolous-ly, adv., frivolous-ness, n.
frizz, friz, tr. and intr. v., to curl.- F.friser, 'to
curl, dress the hair', a word of Frisian origin.
Cp. OFris. frisle, 'curly hair', and the name
Frisian, which lit. means 'curly-headed'. Cp.
also frieze, 'woolen cloth', frieze, 'to trim',
frizzle, 'to curl'.
Derivatives: friz(z), n., frizz-y, adj., frizz-i-ly,
adv., frizz-i-ness, n., frizz-ly, adj.
frizz, tr. and intr. v., to fry or sear with a sizzling noise; to sizzle. - or imitative origin.

frizzle

624

frondesce, intr. v., to put forth leaves. - L. fronfrizzle, tr. and intr. v., to curl.- Formed fr. frizz,
descere, inchoative of frondere, 'to put forth
'to curl', with freq. suff. -Ie.
leaves', fr. frons, gen. frondis, 'leafy branch,
Derivatives: frizzle, n., frizzi-er, n.
foliage'. See frond and -esce.
frizzle, tr. and intr. v., to fry thoroughly.
frondescence, n. - Formed from next word
Formed fr. frizz, 'to sizzle', with freq. suff. -Ie.
with suff. -ce.
fro, adv., away; backward. - ME. fra, fro, fr.
frondescent, adj. - L. frondescens, gen. -entis,
ON. frii, which is rel. to OE. /ram, 'from'. See
pres. part. of frondescere. See frondesce and
from.
-ent.
frock, n. - ME. frok, /roc, fr. OF. froc, 'cowl',
frondiferous, adj., bearing fronds. - L. frondifer,
fr. Frankish *hroc, which is rel. to ON. rokkr,
'bearing leaves', compounded of frons, gen.
OE. rocc, OFris. rokk, OS., Du. rok, OHG. roc,
frondis, 'leafy branch, foliage', and ferre, 'to
roch, MHG. roc, G. Rock, 'coat'. These words
bear, carry'. See frond and -ferous.
derive fr. I.-E. base *rug-, 'to spin', whence also
frondose, adj., bearing fronds. - L. frondosus,
Olr. rucht, 'jacket'. See rock, 'distaff', and cp.
'leafy', fr.jrons, gen. frondis. See frond and adj.
rocbet, 'ecclesiastical vestment'.
suff. -ose.
Derivative: frock, tr. v., to cover with a frock.
front, n. - ME., fr. OF. (= F.) front, fr. L.
froe, n., a wedge-shaped cleaving tool. - Prob.
frontem, ace. of frons., 'forehead, brow, counshortened from the adjective froward and orig.
tenance; the forepart of anything', prob.
meaning 'turned away'. Cp. frommard, frommeaning lit. 'that whkh projects', and standing
ward, dial. equivalents of /roe.
for I.-E. *bhron-t-, fr. base *bhren-, 'to project,
frog, n., a small tailless amphibian. - ME.
stand out', whence also Mlr. broine, 'prow of
frogge, fr. OE. frogga, rel. to OE. /rose, frox,
a ship', lr. brainech, Co. brenniat, 'watchman
ON. froskr, Dan., OHG. frosk, MDu. vorsc,
at the prow of a ship'. For the sense developDu. vors, MHG. vrosch, G. Frosch, 'frog'.
are
and
'hopper'
ment of L. frons, 'forehead', from a base meanlit.
mean
prob.
words
These
ing 'to project', cp. OSlav. celo, 'forehead',
cogn. with 01. prdvate, 'hops', and with Russ.
which is cogn. with L. excel/ere, 'to rise, stand
prygat', 'to hop, jump', pryg, 'a jump'; see
out'. Cp. affront, confront, effrontery, fronfrolic. For sense development cp. Westphalic
tispiece.
hopper, Alemanic hopzger, 'frog', lit. 'hopper'.
Derivatives: front, adj. and tr. and intr. v.,
frog, n., a loop on a belt for receiving a sword,
front-age, n.,front-ag-e r, n.,frontal (q.v.),/rontetc. - Of uncertain origin.
ing~ n., front-less, adj., front-less-/y, adv., frontfrog, n., a horny pad in a horse's hoof. -Of unless-ness, n.
certain origin. Cp. frusb.
frontal, n., a band worn on the forehead.- OF.
frolic, adj., merry. - MDu. vrolyc (also frolic,
frontel (F. fronteau), fr. Late L. frontiile, 'an
vroilic; Du. vrolijk), fr. MDu. vro; rei. to OS.frii,
ornament for the forehead', fr. L. frons, gen.
fro, fra(h)o, OFris. fro, OHG. frao, fro, MHG.
frontis. See front.
fro, G. froh, 'joyful, glad', G. frohlich, of s.m.,
frontal, adj., pertaining to the front; pertaining
ON. friir, 'swift', ME. frow, 'hasty', and cogn.
to the forehead.- ModL. frontalis, fr. L.jrons,
with 01. pravdl;, 'fluttering', prdvate, 'he leaps
amphibian'.
gen. frontis. See front and adj. suff. -at and cp.
tailless
small
'a
frog,
Cp.
up'.
prec. word.
Derivatives: frolic, n. and intr. v.,frolick-er , n,
frontier, n., - OF. frontier (F. /rontiere), from
frolic-(v, adv., frolic-ness, n., fro/ick-y, frolicthe adjective frontier, 'facing, neighboring', fr.
ful, frolic-some, adjs.,frolic-some-ly, adv., frolicfront, 'forehead, forepart'. Cp. It. frontiera, Sp.
some-ness, n.
frontera, and see front.
from, prep. - ME., fr. OE. fram, from, rei. to
Frontignac, n., a kind of muscat grape and wine
OS., OHG., Goth. /ram, 'from, away', orig.
made from it. - A blend of Frontignan in the
'forward', ON. frii, 'from', /ram, 'forward', OE.
Department of Herault, and cognac.
forma, Goth. /ruma, 'first', OHG. fruma, 'adfrontispiece, n., an illustration facing the title
vantage', MH G. frum, 'zealous, able', G. fromm,
page of a book. -F. frontispice, fr. ML. fron'pious, devout', OE. friimian, 'to avail, be proftispicium, 'a front view', fr. L.jrons, gen.frontis,
itable', fremman, 'to further'. See foremost and
'forehead, forepart', and specere, spicere, 'to
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also fro.
look at'. See front and species. The spelling
frond, n., a leafiike organ, foliage. - L. frons,
frontispiece is due to a confusion with piece.
gen. frondis, 'leafy branch, foliage'; possibly
frontlet, n., a band worn on the forehead.- OF.
cogn. with ON. brum, 'leaf buds'.
frontelet, dimin. of fronte/ (F. fronteau). See
Derivative: frond-age, n.
front and -let.
Fronde, n., name of a party in France during the
fronto-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
minority of Louis XIV. - F., fr. L. funda,
the forehead, frontal'.- Fr. L.frons, gen./ron'sling; casting net; purse', which is of uncertain
tis, 'forehead, forepart'. See front.
origin. It is perh. cogn. with, or derived from,
fronton, n., a pediment (archit.) - F., fr. It.
Gk. acpcv36V7j, 'sling'; seespbendooe. L.funda was
frontone, which is formed fr.fronte, 'front, foreinfluenced in form by L. fundere, 'to pour, shed'.

625

part', with augment. suff. -one. See front and

cp. -oon.
frore, adj., frosty; frozen (archaic).- ME./rozen,
fr. OE./roren, pp. offreosan, 'to freeze'. See freeze.
frost, n. -ME. forst, frost, fr. OE. forst, frost,
rel. to OS., OHG./rost, MHG. vrost, ON. frost,
Du. vorst, fr. Teut. *frus-ta, an abstract noun
formed with +formative element fr. Teut. base
*/reus-, 'to freeze'. See freeze.
Derivatives: frost, tr. and intr. v., frost-ed, adj.,
frost-er, n., frost-ing, n., frost-y, adj., frosti-ly,
adv., frosti-ness, n.
froth, n. - ME.frothe, fr. ON.froi'Ja, rei. to OE.
iifreoi'Jan, 'to froth up', and cogn. with 01.
pr&thati, 'pants, snorts'.
Derivatives: froth, intr. and tr. v., froth-y, adj.,
froth-i-ly, adv., froth-i-ness, n.
frou-frou, n., a rustling. - F., of imitative origin.
frounce, tr. and intr. v., to wrinkle, curl. - ME.
frouncen, 'to wrinkle', fr. OF. froncier (F. froncer ), fr. fro nee, 'a wrinkle', fr. Frankish *hrunkja,
'wrinkle', which is rel. to ON. hrukka, OHG.
runza, 'wrinkle'. See ruck, 'crease', wrinkle, and
cp. flounce, 'strip of material'.
frounce, n., a wrinkle, curl.- OF. ( = F.)fronce,
fr. OF. froncier. See frounce, v.
frow, n., a Dutch woman; a woman. - ME.
frowe, fr. MDu. vrouwe (Du. vrouw), rel. to
OHG. frouwa, MHG. vrouwe, G. Frau, OS.
frua, 'woman, wife', ON. Freyja, name of the
goddess of love in Norse mythology, OE. /rea,
OHG. fro, Goth. frauja, 'lord'. See province
and cp. Frau, Fraulein, Frey, Freya. Cp. also
the second element in euphroe.
froward, adj., perverse. - Lit. 'turned away';
formed fr. fro, with suff. -ward. Cp. froe.
Derivatives: froward-ly, adv., froward-ness, n.
frown, intr. and tr. v. - ME. frounen, fr. OF.
froignier, 'to knit one's brows' (whence F. renfrogner, of s.m.), fr. Gaulish *frogna, 'nostril'.
Cp. W. ffroen, 'nose'.
Derivatives: frown, n., frown-ing, adj., frowning-ly, adv.
frowsty, adj., musty (dial. English).- See frowzy.
Derivatives: frowsti-ly, adv., /rowsti-ness, n.
frowzy, also frousy, adj., musty. -Of uncertain
origin; prob. rei. to frowsty.
Derivatives: /rowzi-ly, adv., frowzi-ness, n.
froze, past tense of freeze.
frozen, pp. of freeze.
Fructidor, n., name of the 12th month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
August r8th to Sept. r6th).- F., lit. 'the month
of fruit'; a hybrid coined by Fabre d'Eglantine in 1793 from L. fructus, 'fruit", and Gk.
i1wpov, 'gift'. See fruit and donation and cp. the
second element in Messidor, Thermidor.
fructiferous, adj., bearing fruit. - Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. fructifer, 'fruit-bearin g', which
is compounded of fructus, 'fruit', and ferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See fruit and -ferous.
fruc:tificatioo, n. - L. frikti/iciitiO, gen. -6nis,

'bearing of fruit', fr. fructificiitus, pp. of /ructificiire. See next word and -ation.
fructify, intr. v., to bear fruit; tr. v., to make
productive. - F. fructifier, fr. L. fructi.ficiire,
'to bear fruit', which is compounded of fructus,
'fruit', and -ficiire, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See

fruit and -fy.

fructose, n., fruit sugar (chem.) - Formed with
subst. suff. -ose fr. L. fructus, 'fruit'. See fruit.
fructuous, adj., fruitful. - OF., fr. L. fructuosus,
'abounding in fruit, fruitful', fr. fructus. See
fruit and -ous.
Derivatives :fructuous-ly, adv., fructuous-ness, n.
frugal, adj., thrifty. - L. frugiilis, 'pertaining to
fruit; thrifty, temperate, frugal', fr. frugi, 'useful, fit, proper', prop. dat. of frux, 'fruit', which
is rel. to frui, 'to enjoy', fructus, 'fruit'. See
fruit and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: frugality (q.v.), frugal-ly, adv.,
frugal-ness, n.
frugality, n., frugalness, thrift. - F. frugalite, fr.
L. frugiilitiitem, ace. of frugiilitiis, 'thriftiness,
temperance, frugality', fr. frugtilis. See prec.
word and -ity.
fruit, n. - ME. fruit, fr. OF. fruit, fr. L. fructus,
'enjoyment, the means to enjoyment, produce,
fruit', fr. fruor, 'I enjoy', which stands for
*frugwor, *fruwor, for *frugor, and is cogn.
with OE. brucan, 'to enjoy'. See brook, v., and
cp. Fructidor, fructify, frugal, frumentaceous,
and the second element in tutti-frutti, usufruct.
Derivatives: fruit, intr. and tr. v., fruit-age, n.,
fruit-ari-an, n. and adj., fruit-ari-an-ism, fruit-ed,
adjs., fruiterer (q.v.), fruitery (q.v.), fruit-ful,
adj., fruit-ful-ly, adv., fruit-ful-ness, n., fruit-y,
adj., fruit-i-ness, n., fruit-ing, n., fruit-ist, n.,
fruit-ive, adj., fruit-less, adj., fruit-less-ly, adv.,
fruit-less-ness, n., fruit-let, n.
fruiterer, n., one who deals in fruit. - Formed
with agential suff. -er fr. obsol. fruiter, a loan
word fr. F. fruitier, 'fruiterer', fr. fruit, 'fruit'.
See fruit. Accordingly the suff. -er in fruiterer
is redundant. Cp. caterer, poulterer, sorcerer,
upholsterer.
fruitery, n. - F. /ruiterie, 'fruit loft'. See fruit
and -ery.
frumentaceous, adj., made of, or resembling,
wheat or other grain. - Late L. frumentiiceus,
'of com or grain', fr. L. frumentum (for */rugmentum or *frug-smentum), 'corn, grain', which
is formed from the stem of frugi, 'useful, fit.
proper'. See frugal and -aceous.
frumenty, n., a kind of food made of wheat
boiled in milk. - OF. frumentee, fr. L. frumentum, 'corn, grain'. See prec. word.
frump, tr. and intr. v., to flout. -Of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: frump, n., /rump-ery, n., frump-ish,
adj., frump-ish-ly, adv., frump-ish-ness, n.,
frump-y, adj., frump-i-ly, adv., frump-i-ness, n.
frusb, n., a horny pad in a horse's foot. - See
frog, 'a horny pad'.

frustrate

frustrate, adj., frustrated (archaic). - L. frustriitus, pp. of frustriiri, 'to deceive, disappoint',
fr. friistra, 'uselessly, in vain', which prob. derives fr. "fraud-trom, fr. fraus, gen. fraudis,
'deceit, guile'. See fraud and adj. suff. -ate. For
the change of dtr to str cp. L. claustrum, 'bolt,
bar', which stands for *claud-trom (see claustra/).
frustrate, tr. v., to make vain, to thwart. L. frustriitus, pp. of frustriiri. See frustrate, adj.
Derivatives: frustrat-er, n., frustration (q.v.),
frustrat-ive, frustrat-ory, adjs.
frustration, n. - L. frustriitio, gen. -onis, 'deception, disappointment', fr. friistriitus, pp. of
frustriiri. See frustrate, adj., and -ion.
frustule, n., the shell of a diatom (bot.)- F., fr.
L. frustulum, 'a small piece', dimin. of frustum.
See next word and -ule.
frustum, n., the lower part of a solid figure formed
when the top of a cone is cut off parallel to the
base. - L., 'piece', fr. I.-E. "bhrus-to-, fr. base
*bhreus-, 'to break, crush, crumble', whence
also OE. brysan, 'to bruise'. See bruise.
frutescent, adj., shrubby. - Incorrectly formed
for *fruticescent, fr. L. frutex, gen. fruticis, 'a
bush'. See next word and -escent.
frutex, n., a shrub. - L., 'shrub, bush'; of uncertain origin. Cp. frutescent, fruticose. L. Frutis,
name of Venus, is not related to L. frutex (see
bride).
fruticose, adj., bushy, shrubby. - L. fruticosus,
'full of shrubs or bushes', fr.frutex, gen.fruticis.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ose.
fry, tr. v., to cook in fat; intr. v., to be cooked
in fat. - ME. frien, fr. frire, fr. L. frigere, 'to
roast, parch, fry', which is cogn. with 01.
bhrjjati, 'roasts', bharjanab, 'roasting' (part.);
ModPers. birishtan, 'to roast', Gk. <pp6yetll, 'to
roast, bake', Lith. birgelas, 'small beer', Lett.
blrga, 'vapor, smoke', OPruss. au-birgo, 'owner
of a cook shop'. All these words derive fr. I.-E.
*bher(e)g-, "bhrig-, *bhrug-, enlargements of
base *bher-, 'to boil, seethe'. See brew and cp.
fervent. Cp. also fricandeau, fricassee, frit,
fritter, 'piece of fruit'.
Derivatives: fry, n., 'fried food', fry-er (also
fri-er), n.
fry, n., I) young fish; 2) young, offspring. - ME.
fri, 'seed, offspring', prob. fr. AF. frie, fry,
which corresponds to OF. froi (F. frai), 'spawn',
fr. freier, froier, 'to rub, spawn', fr. L. friciire,
'to rub'. See friction.
fub, tr. v., to cheat. - G. foppen, 'to jeer at,
make a fool of'. See fob.
fubsy, adj., plump, squat (Colloq. Engl.) - Of
uncertain origin.
Fuchsia, n., a genus of plants of the evening primrose family (bot.) - ModL., named after the
German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (I50I-I566).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
fuchsin, fucbsiae, n., a variety of rosaniline
(minerarogy). - Formed fr. Fucbsia with suff.

626
-in, resp. -ine; so called in allusion to its color,
which resembles that of fuchsia.
fucoid, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, seaweed; n., a seaweed. - A hybrid coined fr.
L. fucus, 'rock lichen', and Gk. -oe:tll'i)~. 'like',
fr. e:IIlo~, 'form, shape' (see Focus and -oid).
The correct form would be phycoid (fr. Gk.
cpuxo.:;, 'seaweed', and -oetll'i).:;, 'like').
Focus, n., I) a genus of algae; 2) (not cap.) any
plant of this genus (bot.) - L. fucus, 'rock
lichen', fr. Gk. <puxo.:;, 'seaweed; red paint,
rouge', fr. Heb. pukh, 'antimony, S'tibium, lye,
paint'. Cp. the second element in Zygophyceae.
fuddle, tr. v., to render confused.- Of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: fuddle, n., fuddle-ment, n.
fudge, tr. v., to fake. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: fudge, n.
fuel, n.- OF.fouaille,juaille, fr. Late L.focii/ia,
neut. pl. of fociilis, 'pertaining to the hearth',
fr. L. focus, 'hearth'. See focus and cp. focal.
Derivatives: fuel, tr. and intr. v., fue/(1)-er, n.,
fue/(1)-ing, n.
fugacious, adj., fleeting. - Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. fugiix, gen. fugiicis, 'apt to flee,
transitory', fr. fugere. See fugitive and cp.
fougasse.
'

Derivatives: fugacious-ly, adv.,fugacious-ness, n.

fugacity, n. - Late L. fugiicitiis, fr. L. fugiix,
gen. fugiicis, 'apt to flee, transitory'. See prec.
word and -ity.
fugal, adj., pertaining to a fugue (mus.) Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. It. fuga. See fugue.
Derivative: fugal-ly, adv.
-fuge, combining form meaning 'that which
drives away (something)', as in febrifuge, vermifuge. - F., fr. L. fugus, 'fleeing away' (used
in Modem Latin in the sense 'causing to flee,
putting to flight'), fr. L. fugere. See fugitive.
fugient, adj., fleeing. - L. fugiens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of fugere, 'to flee'. See fugitive and
-ent.
fugitive, adj. -OF. ( = F.) fugitif(fem.fugitive),
fr. L. fugitivus, 'running away, fleeing, fugitive',
fr.fugit-(um), pp. stem offugere, 'to flee', which
is cogn. with Gk. cpe:uym, 'to flee', Lith. bligstu,
bUgti, 'to be frightened', fr. I.-E. base *bheug-,
'to flee', which prop. meant originally 'to bend
one's course away from a place', and is identical
with base "bheug(h)-, 'to bend', whence OI.
bhujdti, 'bends, thrusts aside', Goth. biugan,
'to bend', OE. bugan, 'to bow down, stoop;
to bend, turn; to flee'. See bow, 'to bend', and
cp. fougasse, fugacious, fugue, centrifugal, Cimifuga, feverfew, heliofugal, lucifugous, refuge, refugee, subterfuge. Cp. also apopbyge, hypopbyge, pbygoid.
Derivatives: fugitive, n., fugitive-ly, adv., fugitive-ness, n.
fug]e, intr. v. -Back formation fr. fugleman.
fugleman, also fugelman, n., I) a well-drilled soldier placed in front of a company to serve as a

627
model; hence 2) a leader, guide.- Dissimilated
fr. G. Fliigelmann, 'file leader, fugleman', lit.,
'man on the wing' (of a regiment), fr. Fliigel,
'wing' and Mann, 'man'. G. Fliigel is rei. to
fiiegen, 'to fly'; see fly, v. For the second element
in fugleman see man.
fugue, n. (mus.)- F., fr. It. fuga, 'flight, escape;
ardor', fr. L. fuga, 'a fleeing, flight; swiftness,
speed', from the stem of fugere, 'to flee'. See
fugitive.
fuguist, n., a composer of fugues. - A hybrid
coined fr. It. fuga (see prec. word) and -ist, a
suff. of Greek origin.
fiihrer, fuehrer, n., a title applied chiefly to the
leader of the German nazis. - G. Fuhrer,
'leader', fr. fiilzren, 'to lead', fr. MHG. viieren,
'to lead, drive', fr. OHG. fuoren, 'to set in
motion, lead', prop. a causative of OHG.faran,
'to go, travel', which is rei. to OE. f(JIan, of
s.m. See fare, v. and agential suff. -er.
Fuirena, n., a genus of plants, the umbrella grass
(bot.) ModL., named after the Danish
physician and botanist Jorgen Fuiren (I 581!628).

-ful, adj. suff. meaning 'full of'.- See full, adj.

fulcrum, n., the support on which a lever turns.
- L., 'bedpost', fr. fulcire, 'to prop', which is
cogn. with Gk. cpc0.K1J~. 'beam', cpoc:Aocy~, 'trunk,
log, line of battle, battle array', OE. balca,
'ridge'. See balk, n., and cp. words there referred to.
fulfill, fulfil, tr. v. - ME. fulfil/en, fr. OE. fullfyllan, 'to fulfill', lit. 'to fill full', fr. ful, 'full',
and fyl/an, 'to fill'. See full, adj., and fill.
Derivatives: fulfill-er, n., fulfil(l)-ment, n.
fulgent, adj., shining. - L. fulgens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of fulgere, 'to shine', rei. to fulgur,
'lightning', fulmen (for *fulg-men), of s.m.,
f/agriire, 'to blaze, glow, burn'. See black, and
cp. effulgent, refulgent, fulminate. Cp. also
flagrant. For the ending sec suff. -ent.
Derivatives: fu/gent-/y, adv., fu/gent-ness, n.
fulgid, adj., glittering, shining. - L. fulgidus, fr.
ji(/gi're, 'to shine'. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -id.
Fulgora, n., a genus of insects, the lantern fly
(entomol.) - L., name of the goddess of lightning, rei. tofu/gus, gen.fulguris, 'lightning'. See
fulgent and cp. next word.
fulgurant, adj., flashing. - L. fulguriins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of fulguriire, 'to lighten', fr.
fulgur, 'lightning', which is rei. to fu/gere, 'to
shine'. See fulgent and -ant and cp. foudroyant.
fulgurite, n., glassy substance produced by the
passage of lightning (geol.) ~- A hybrid coined
fr. L. fulgur, 'lightning' (see fulgent), and -ite,
a suiT. of Greek origin.
fulham, also fullam, fullom, n., a loaded die. -~
From Fulham in London, formerly a resort of
crooks.
Fulica, n., a genus of birds, the true coot (ornithol.) - L. fulica, 'coot', lit. meaning 'having

a white spot (sci!. on the head)', and cogn. with

Gk. cpoc/..6~. 'white'. See full, 'to thicken'.
fuliginous, adj., sooty. - Late L. fUliginosus, fr.
L. fuligo, gen. fuliginis, 'soot'; cogn. with 01.
dhulib, 'dust', dlzulikii, 'fog', Lith. dtilis, 'fog,
vapor', fern. pl. dulkes, 'dust', Lith_ dulsvas,
'smoke-colored'.
Derivatives: fuliginous-ly, adv., fuliginousness, n.
full, adj. - ME., fr. OE. full, rei. to OS. full,
OFris. ful, ON. fullr, Swed. full, Dan. fuld,
OHG.jol, MHG. vol, G. vall, Goth. fulls, full',
and cogn. with OSiav. pliimt, Lith. pilnas, Olr.
liin, W. /lawn, Bret. leun, L. plenus, 01. piin:uib,
'full', Avcstic p'rena-, 'full', fr. I.-E. base *pfn6-,
'filled, full'. This base is a participial derivative
of base *pete-, *pie-, 'to fill', whence Gk. n/..1)-&e:tv, 'to be full', m[.J.r.Aocvoct, 'to fill', 7tA'~P'1J~,
'full', L. plere, 'to fill'. Cp. also OE. fela,feala,
feola, OFris. felo, fel, OS., OHG. filu, MHG.
vii, G. vie/, Goth. filu, 'much', OI. punib, Gk.
rto:Au~, 'much', L. plUs, 'more', Lith. pilus, Olr.
il, 'plenty'. E. folk is not cognate. Cp. fill. Cp.
also flow. Cp. also accomplish, complement,
complete, comply, deplete, expletive, implement,
maniple, manipulate, plebeian, pleio-, Pleistocene, plenary, plenty, plenum, pleonasm, pierome, plethora, plethysmograph, plural, plus,
plutarchy, plutocracy, poly-, replenish, replete,
replum, supplement, supply, terreplein.
Derivatives: full, n., tr. and intr. v. and adv.,
ful-ly, adv., ful(l)-ness, n.
full, tr. v., to thicken (cloth). - ME. julien, fr.
OE.jullian, 'to whiten, full', fr. OF.foler,fouler
(F.jouler), 'to tread, trample on, to full', fr. VL.
*fulliire, fr. L. ful/6, 'fuller', which is of uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with Gk. cpocM~.
'white', ME. balled, 'bald', orig. 'white'. See
bald and cp. words there referred to. Proven.;.,
Catal. folar, Sp. hollar, 'to full', also derive fr.
VL. *fulliire. Cp. foil, 'to baffle', foulard.
Derivative: full-ing, n.
fuller, n., one who fulls. - ME., fr. fullere, fr.
L. ful/6, 'a fuller'. See full, 'to thicken (cloth)'.
fuller, n., a grooving tool. - Formed fr. full, 'to
make full' (see full, adj.), with agential suff. -er.
fulmar, n., an arctic sea bird resembling a gull.
~-Compounded of ON. full, 'foul', and mar,
'sea mew'. See foul, adj., and mew.
fulminant, adj., fulminating.- L.fulminiins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of fulminiire. See next word
and -ant.
fulminate, intr. v., to explode; tr. v., to cause to
explode; to denounce. - L. fulminiitus, pp. of
fulminiire, w lighten, to hurl lightnings', fr.
fulmen, gen. fulminis, 'lightning', which stands
for *jiJ(g-men and is rei. to fulgere, 'to shine'. See
fulgent and verbal suff. -ate and cp. fulmine.
Derivatives: fulminat-ing, adj .,fulmination (q.v. ),
fulminatory (q.v.)
fulminate, n., a salt of fulminic acid (chem.) See fulminic and chem. suff. -ate.

fulmination

628

fulmination, n. - L. fulminiitio, gen. -oms, fr.

fumus, 'smoke, steam, vapor', and agere, 'to set
fulminiitus, pp. of fulminiire. See fulminate v.,
in motion, drive, lead; to do, act'. See fume, n.,
and -ion.
and agent, adj., and cp. the second element in
fulminatory, adj. -F. fulminatoire, fr. fulminer,
castigate and in words there referred to.
'to fulminate', fr. L. fulminiire. See fulminate
Derivatives: fumigation (q.v.), fumigat-or, n.,
and adj. suff. -ory.
fumigat-ory, adj.
fulmine, intr. and tr. v., to fulminate (rare). fumigation, n.- OF. (=F.), fr. L.fumigiitionem ,
F. fulminer, fr. L. fu!miniire. See fulminate, v.
ace. offumigtitio, 'a smoking', fr.fumigiitus, pp. ,
fulminic, adj., pertaining to the acid CNOH
of fumigtire. See prec. word and -ion.
(chem.) - Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. fulmen,
fumitory, n., a plant formerly used as an antigen. fulminis, 'lightning' (see fulminate); so
scorbutic.- ME., fr. OF.fumeterre, lit. 'smoke
called in allusion to its forming highly explosive
of the earth', compounded of fume, 'smoke',
salts.
and terre, 'earth', fr. L. terra. See fume, n., and
fulminous, adj., resembling lightning. - Formed
terra.
with suff. -ous fr. L. fulmen, gen. fulminis, 'lightfumous, adj., smoky. - L. fum6sus, 'full of
ning'. See fulminate, adj.
smoke, smoky', fr. fum us. See fume, n., and -ous.
fulsome, adj., cloying; disgusting; offensive. Derivative: fumous-ly, adv.
Formed fr. full, adj., and -some; influenced in
fumy, adj., full of fumes; vaporous. -Formed
meaning by ME. ful, 'foul'.
fr. fume, n., with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: fulsome-ly, adv., fulsome-ness, n.
Derivatives: fumil-y, adv., Jumi-7ess, n.
fulvous, adj., reddish yellow, tawny. - L. fulvus,
fun, n. - Fr. obsol. E. fun, 'to trick', fr. ME.
cogn. with L. /favus, 'yellow'. See ftavescent.
Jon, fonne, 'a fool', fr. fonnen, 'to make a fool
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
of'. See fond, adj.
fumade, fumado, n., a smoked and salted pilDerivatives: fun, intr. v., to cause fun, funny
(q.v.)
chard.- Sp. fumado, 'smoked', fr. L. fumiitus,
pp. of /ilmiire, 'to smoke'. See fume.
funambulist, n., a ropewalker.- A hybrid coined
fumarole, n., a hole in a volcano whence fumes
fr. L.funis, 'rope', and ambuliire, 'to walk', and
issue. - F. fumerole, Frenchified fr. It. fumaGk. suff. -LO"t"-1)~. See funicular, amble and -ist.
ruolo, fr. Late L. fumiiriolum, 'a smoke hole',
Funaria, n., a genus of mosses (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. /ilmiirium, 'a smoke chamber for aging
fr. Late L. funiirius, 'pertaining to a rope', fr. L.
wine', fr. fumus. 'smoke'. See fume.
fiinis. See funicle and cp. prec. word.
fumatorium, n., a place for smoking or fumigatfunction, n. - OF. function (F. fonction), fr. L.
ing. - ModL., fr. L. fumiitus, pp. of fumiire, 'to
functionem, ace. of functi6, 'performance, exesmoke'. See fume and -orium.
cution', fr. functus, pp. of fungi, 'to perform,
fumatory, adj., pertaining to smoking; n., fumaexecute, discharge', which is cogn. with OI.
torium. - See prec. word and adj., resp. subst.,
bhundkti, bhuiijati, 'enjoys, consumes', bh6gal;,
suff. -ory.
'enjoyment'. Cp. fungible, defunct, perfunctory.
fumble, intr. v., to grope about; tr. v., to handle
For the ending see suff. -ion.
awkwardly. - Of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed. and
Derivatives: function, intr. v., function-a/, adj.,
dial. Norw. fumla, which are rei. to Du.fommefunction-al-ly, adv., function-ary, adj., functionlen, 'to grope'. The orig. meaning of these words
ate, intr. v.
was 'to rub'. They are prob. of imitative origin.
fund, n., stock of money. - F. fond, 'bottom,
Derivatives: fumble, n., fumbl-er, n., fumbl-ing,
foundation, basis', fr. L. fundus, 'bottom piece
n. and adj., fumbl-ing-ly, adv.
ofland, farm', which is metathesized fr. *fudnos
fume, n.- OF. fum, fr. L.fiimus, 'smoke, steam,
and cogn. with OI. budhnd/.1, Gk. rru.&iJ.-IJv, 'founvapor', whence also It. fumo, OProven~. fum,
dation, bottom', OE. botm, 'lowest part, depth,
Sp. humo. L. fumus is cogn. with OJ. dhumd/.1,
bottom'. See bottom and cp. found, 'to establish',
'smoke', OSlav. dymil, Lith. di'imai, Lett. dumi
fond, 'foundation', founder, 'to sink', profound,
(pl.), OPruss. dumis, 'smoke', Mir. dumacha,
fundament, latifundium.
'fog', Ir. dumhach, 'foggy', Gk. &u11-6~, 'spirit,
Derivatives :fund, tr. v.,/und-ed, adj.,/und-ing, n.
mind, soul'; these words derive fr. I.-E. *dhtifundament, n. - ME. fondement, fr. OF. ( = F.)
mo-s, fr. base *dheu-, 'to fly about like dust',
fondement, fr. L. fundiimentum, 'foundation',
whence also 01. dhunJti, 'shakes'. See thio- and
fr. fundiire, 'to lay the bottom, found'. See fund
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also fumigate,
and -ment.
perfume, sfumato.
Derivatives: fundament-al, adj. and n., fundafume, intr. and tr. v. - F. fumer, fr. L. fumiire,
mental-ism, n., fundamental-ist, n., fundament'to smoke', fr. fumus. See fume, n.
al-ly, adv.
Derivatives: fum-ed, adj., fum-er, n., fum-ing,
funebrial, adj., funereal. - Formed with adj.
adj., fum-ing-/y, adv.
suff. -al fr. L. funebris, 'pertaining to a funeral',
fumigate, tr. v., to disinfect with fumes. - L.
which stands for *funesris, fr.funus, gen.funeris,
fumigiitus, pp. of fumigtire, 'to smoke, fumi'funeral'. See funeral, n.
gate', lit. 'to cause to smoke', compounded of funeral. adj., pertaining to a funeral. - ML.

629
filneriilis, fr. L.funus, gen.filneris. See funeral,n.
funeral, n., a burial. -OF. funeraille (F. funerailles), fr. ML. fiineriilia, 'funeral rites', fr. L.
funus, gen. funeris, 'burial, funeral', which
pro b. stands for *dhewenos, 'that which pertains
to death', fr. I.-E. base *dhew-, *dheu-, 'to die',
whence also Goth. dau];s, 'dead', diwans,
'mortal'. See dead and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also funebrial.
funerary, adj., pertaining to a funeral. - L.
funeriirius, fr. funus, gen. funeris, 'burial, funeral'. See funeral, n., and adj. suff. -ary.
funereal, adj., pertaining to a funeral; mournful.
-Coined by Pope fr. L. fiinereus, fr.funus, gen.
funeris. See funeral, n.
Derivative: funereal-ly, adv.
fungible, adj., capable of being used in place of
another (law). - ML. fungibilis, fr. L. fungi,
'to perform, execute, discharge'. See function,
and -ible.
Derivative: fungible, n., a fungible thing.
fungicide, n., a substance that kills fungi.
Compounded of fungus and L. -cida, 'killer', fr.
caedere, 'to kill'. See -cide, 'killer'.
fungiform, adj., having the form of a fungus.Compounded of fungus and forma, 'form,
shape'. See form, n.
fungoid, adj., resembling a fungus. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. fungus, 'mushroom', and Gk.
-oe:LI>-1)~. 'like', fr. dl>o~, 'form, shape'. See
fungus and -oid.
fungosity, n., a fungoid excrescence. -Formed
fr. fungus with suff. -ity.
fungous, adj., spongy. - L. fungosus, 'spongy,
fungous', fr. fungus. See fungus and -ous.
fungus, n., 1) any of a group of plants including
mushrooms, molds, mildews, etc.; 2) (med.) a
spongy morbid growth. - L., 'mushroom', fr.
Att. Gk. crc:p6yyo~. corresponding to Gk. mr6y-.
yo~. 'sponge'. For the change of Gk. crc:p to fin
Latin cp. L. fides, 'gut string; lyre, lute' (if it
derives fr. Gk. crc:pil>e:~, 'sausage'). Cp. sponge.
Derivative: fungus-y, adj.
funicle, n., a small cord. - L. funiculus, dimin.
of funis, 'rope', which prob. stands for *dhunis and is cogn. with Gk. &w[!.LY~. &wiJ.L~, 'rope,
cord'. Cp. Funaria and the first element in
funambulist. For the ending see suff. -cle.
funicular, adj., pertaining to a rope or cord. Formed with adj. suff. -ar fr. L. filniculus, 'a
small rope'. See prec. word.
funk, n., cowardice, panic (colloq.) - Perh. fr.
Flemish fonck, 'perturbation'.
Derivatives: funk, intr. and tr. v., funk-y, adj.,
funk-i-ness, n.
funnel, n. - ME. fonel, fr. OProven~. founhil,
enfounhi/, ft. Late L. fundibulum, short for L.
infundibulum, 'funnel', lit. 'instrument for pouring into', fr. infundere, 'to pour into', fr. in-,
'in', andfundere, 'to pour'. See found, 'to cast',
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: funnel, intr. and tr. v.

furibund

funny, adj., amusing. -Formed with adj. suff.

-y from the noun fun.
Derivatives:funni-/y, adv.,funni-men t, n.,funniness, n.
funny, n., a small rowboat. - Prob. fr. prec.
word.
fur, n.- ME.forre,furr e, 'fur', orig. 'covering',
fr. furren, 'to cover'. See fur, v.
fur, tr. v. - ME. furren, fr. OF. forrer (F. fourrer), 'to cover', fr. OF. fuerre, forre, 'sheath,
case, covering' (whence OF. furrel, F. fourreau,
of s.m.), fr. Frankish *fodr, which corresponds
to OHG. fotar, fuotar, 'a cover, coverlet'. Cp.
It. fodera, 'covering, lining, sheathing', which
is also a Teut. loan word, and see fother.
Derivatives: furr-ed, adj., furri-er, n., furri-er-ed,
adj., furri-ery, n., furr-ing, n., furr-y, adj., furri-ly, adv., furr-i-ness, n.
furan, furane, furfuran, furfurane, n., a colorless
liquid, C 4 H 40 (chem.) - Formed fr. L. furfur,
'bran' (see furfur), with suff. -an, resp. -ane.
furbelow, n., a flounce.- Folk-etymological corruption of Franco-Proven~. farbella, 'fringe,
lace' (whence also F. falbala), which is of imitative origin. Cp. falbala.
Derivative: furbelow-ed, adj.
furbish, tr. v., to polish.- ME.forbischen , fr.OF.
forbiss-, furbiss- (F. fourbiss-), pres. part. stem
of forbir (F. fourbir), 'to polish, burnish, furbish', which is ofTeut. origin; cp. OHG.furban,
MHG. fiirben, 'to polish'. It. forbire and
OProven~. forbir are of the same origin and
meaning as OF. forbir.
furca, n., a fork; a process resembling a fork
(zoot.) - L. See fork and cp. next word.
furcate, adj., forked.- ML.furciitus, fr. L.furca,
'fork'. See fork and adj. suff. -ate and cp. bifurcate.
Derivatives: furcate, intr. v., furcat-ion, n.
furcula, n., the clavicular bone of a bird, the wishbone (zoot.) - L., 'a forked prop', dimin. of
furca, 'fork' (see fork); so called from its
forked shape.
furfur, n., dandruff, scurf. - L., 'bran, scurf',
of uncertain origin. It stands perh. for *for-for,
and was formed by reduplication and vowel
gradation fr. I.-E. base *gher-, 'to rub', whence
Gk. x_6vl>po~ (dissimilated fr. orig. *xp6vl>po~).
'com, grain, groat', OE. grindan, 'to grind'. See
grind and cp. chondro-.
furfuraceous, adj., scurfy.- Late L. furfurticeus,
'resembling bran', fr. L. furfur. See furfur and
-aceous.
furfural, n. - The same as furfurol.
furfuran, furfurane, n.- The same as furan, furane.
furfurol, n., a volatile oil, C 5H 40 2 (chem.) Compounded of L. furfur, 'bran', and oleum,
'oil' (see furfur and -ol, 'oil'); so called because
it is easily obtained by distilling bran.
furibund, adj., furious (rare). - L. furibundus,
'raging, furious', fr. furere, 'to rage, be mad'.
See fury.

Furies

Furies, n. pl., the three avenging spirits Alecto,

Tisiphone and Megaera; the Erinyes (Greek and
Roman mythol.) - L. Furiae, pl. of Furia, personification of furia, 'fury'. See fury.
furious, adj. - OF. furieus (F. furieux), fr. L.
furiosus, 'full of rage or madness', fr. furia. See
fury and -ous.
Derivative s: furious-ly, adv., furious-ness, n.
furl, tr. v., to roll up.- F. ferler, 'to furl', of uncertain origin. It derives perh. fr. OF. [erie,
'branch, staff, rod', fr. L. Jerula. See ferule.
'
Derivative s: furl, n., furl-er, n.
furlong, n., a measure of distance equal to 220
yards. - ME. fur lang, furlong, fr. OE. fur lang,
'length of a furrow', compound ed of furh, 'furrow', and lang, 'long'. See furrow and long, adj.
furlough, n., leave of absence. - Earlier E. furlojf. fr. Du. verlof, which is formed fr. ver-,
'for-' and !of, 'leave, permission ', and is rei.
to MLG. vorlof, 'leave, permission ', Late MHG.
verlouben, 'to permit', G. Verlaub, 'leave, permission'. See for- and leave.
Derivative s: furlough, tr. v., furlough-ed, adj.
furmety, n. - Sec frumenty.
furnace, n. - ME.fornei s,fornais, fr. OF.fornai s
(a collateral form of fornaise, whence F. fournaise), fr. L. forniicem, ace. of forniix, 'furnace,
oven', fr. fornus (also furnus), 'oven', which is
rei. to L. formus and cogn. with Gk. &epiJ.6~.
OE. wearm, 'warm'. Sec warm and cp. Fornax,
fornicate, Furnarius, hornito. Cp. also therm.
Derivatives: ji1rnace, tr. v., ji1rnac-er, n.
furnacite, n., a lead copper chrom-arsc natc (mineral.) -Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.[urnax,
erroneous form for L. forniix, 'furnace' (see
furnace); so called after the colonial governor
Lucien Fourneau (fr. fourneau, 'furnace').
Furnariidae, n. pl., a family of South American
ModL.,
birds, the ovenbirds (ornitho!.) formed with suff. -idae fr. Furnarius (q.v.)
Furnarius, n., the type genus of birds of the family
Furnariidae (ornitho/.) - ModL., fr. L. furlllirius, 'baker', fr. ji1mus. 'oven'. See furnace
and 2nd -ary.
furnish, tr. and intr. v. - OF. forniss-, furniss(F. fourniss-), pres. part. stem of fornir, furnir
(F. fournir), fr. orig. *ji~rmir (cp. AF. ji~rmir),
fr. OHG. [rumjan, 'to do, execute, provide',
which is rei. to OE. jiemman. 'to further'. See
from, frame and verbal suff. -ish and cp. veneer.
Cp. also perform.
Derivative s: furnish, n., furnish-ed, adj., furnisher, n., furnish-ing, n., fitrnish-ment, n.
furniture, n. - F. foumi/ure, fr. fournir, 'to furnish'. See prec. word and -ore.
furor, n., 1) craze, rage; 2) general enthusias m.L. furor, 'rage, madness', fr. [urere, 'to rage,
be mad'. See fury.
furore, n., furor (2nd sense). -It., fr. L.ji~rorem,
ace. of furor. See prec. word.
furrow, n. - ME. forow, forgh, furgh, fr. OE.
furh, rei. to ON. for, 'furrow, drainage ditch',

630

Dan. Jure, Swed. fara, MDu. vore, Du. voor,

OFris. furch, OHG. [uruh, furh, MHG. [urch,
G. Furche, 'furrow', fr. I.-E. base *prk-, whence
also L. porca, 'ridge between two furrows'
(whence porculetum, 'a field divided into beds'),
Gaui.-L. *rica, 'furrow' (whence F. raie, OProvem;. rega), Olr. -rech (in compound s), W. rhych,
'furrow', OBret. rec, 'I plow'. Cp. furlong. Cp.
also porcate.
Derivative s: furrow, tr. v., furrow-ing, n.
further, adj. - ME. farther, further, fr. OE.
jimJra, fr. furoor, 'further', adv.; rei. to OS.
furthor, 'further', adv., OHG. furdir, MHG.
viirder, G.fiirder, 'further', adv., and to OHG.
fordar, MHG., G. vorder, 'forward, foremost',
and cogn. with Gk. rrp6"t"epo~, 'former'. See forth
and -ther and cp. furthest. Cp. also farther.
further, adv. - ME. forthere, furthere, fr. OE.
furoor, foroor, compar. of foro. See further, adj.
further, tr. v. - ME. forthren, furthren, fr. OE.
fyroran, 'to advance, further, promote', rei. to
MLG. vorderen, OHG.furd iran, MHG. viirdern,
G.fiirdern, ofs.m., and to OE.[urora , 'further'.
See further, adj., and cp. afford.
Derivative s: further-ance, n., further-er, n.
furthest, adj. and adv. -Super!. formed on analogy of the comparativ e further. Cp. far,
farthest.
furtive, adj., stealthy. - F. furtif (fern. furtive),
fr. L. furtfvus, 'stolen; concealed, secret', rei. to
furtum, 'theft', fr. fur, 'thief', which is cogn.
with Gk. <pwp, 'thief', prop. 'he who carries
(things) away', and stands in gradationa l relationship to L. ferre, 'to bear, carry'. Sec bear,
'to carry', and -ive, and cp. ferret, 'the animal',
furuncle, and the first element in Phoradendron.
For sense developme nt cp. 01. bhdra/:1, 'robbery',
and MPers. burt, 'stolen', which are from the
same base.
Derivatives: furtive-ly, adv., furtive-ness, n.
furuncle, n., a boil.- L.[iirunculus, 'a petty thief;
a boil, furuncle', dimin. of fur, 'thief'. See prec.
word and -cle.
furuncular, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ar fr.
L. furunculus. See prec. word.
furunculosis, n., condition marked by being affected with furuncles (med.) - A hybrid coined
fr. L. furunculus (see furuncle) and -osis, a suff.
of Greek origin.
furunculous, adj. - Formed with suff. -ous fr.
L. furunculus. See furuncle.
fury, n. - F. furie, fr. L. fi~ria, 'rage, madness',
fr. [ur6, [urere, 'to rage, be mad', which prob.
stands for *dhus6 and is cogn. with Gk. {)'3EL~,
Lesb. &\nELv,Gk. &ut.X~ew, 'to rage', .a-ura:, &uL.X~.
'bacchante ', Gk. -&GeLv, 'to ~acrifice', prop. 'to
cause to smoke'. See thio- and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also Furies, furor.
furze, n., a spiny evergreen plant; also called
whin or gorse. - ME. firse, fr. OE. fyrs, cogn.
with Gk. 'lt'i)p6c;, 'com, wheat', OSlav. pyro,
'spelt', Russ. pyrej, Czech pyr, 'couch grass',

631

Lith. piirai (pl.), 'wheat'. Cp. pyrene, 'stone of

a drupelet'.
Derivative s: .furz-ed, adj., furz-ery, n., furz-y,
adj.
fusain, n., fine charcoal used in drawing. -F.,
'the spindle tree, charcoal made from spindle
wood', fr. L. fiisus, 'spindle'. See fuse, 'tube'.
Fusarium, n., a genus of imperfect fungi (bot.) ModL., fr. L. ]usus, 'spindle'. See fuse, 'tube'.
fuscous, adj., dark-colo red.- L.fuscus (fr. *dhusqo-), 'dark, swarthy', rei. to L. furvus (fr. *dhuswo-), 'dark, brown, swarthy', and cogn. with
01. dhusara/:1, 'dust-color ed', OE. dose, dox,
'dusk'. See dusk and cp. infuscate, obfuscate.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
fuse, tr. and intr. v., to melt, dissolve. - L.fiisus,
pp. of fundere, 'to pour, melt'. See found, 'to
cast', and cp. infuse, profuse, refuse, transfuse.
Cp. also fuse, 'tube', and words there referred to.
Derivative s: fusible (q.v.), fus-ing, n.
fuse, n., a tube filled with explosive material. It. fuso, 'spindle', fr. L. fiisus, of s.m., which
prob. derives fr. fiisus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'.
See fuse, v., and cp. fusain, Fusaria, fusee, fuselage, fusil (her.), Fusus. For sense developme nt
cp. Gk. a<p6v8u:Ao.;, 'spindle, circular whorl,
vertebra', which is rei. to a<pev86v'1), 'sling'.
fusee, n., I) a kind of wooden match; 2) a conical
wheel of a clock or watch, on which the chain
is wound ; 3) a flare used as a railroad signal;
4) a bony growth on a horse's leg.- F.fusee,
'spindleful ', fr. ML,fusiita , fr. L.fiisus, 'spindle'.
See prec. word.
fuselage, n., the body of an airplane. - F., fr.
fusil, 'spindle', fr. OF. fuse/ (F. fuseau). See
fusil (her.) and -age.
fusel oil, an oily liquid of unpleasant odor (chem.)
-G. Fuse/, 'a bad liquor', fr. L.[iisilis, 'molten,
liquid', fr. fiisus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'. See
found, 'to cast'.
fusibility, n. - F. fusibilite, fr. fusible. See next
word and -ity.
fusible, adj., that which can be fused. - F., fr.
L. fiisus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'. See fuse, 'to
melt', and -ible.
Derivatives: fusible-ness, n., fusibl-y, adv.
fusiform, adj., spindle-sha ped. - Compound ed
of L. fiisus, 'spindle', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See fuse, 'tube', and form, n.
fusil, n., a flintlock musket. - F., 'musket, gun,
rifle', orig. 'steel for striking sparks', fr. OF.
[oisil, fuisil, fr. VL. *foci/is (sci!. petra), '(stone)
producing fire' (whence also It. fucile, OProven~. fozil, 'musket, gun, rifle'), fr. L. focus,
'hearth'. See focus.
Derivative : fusil-ly, adv.
fusil, n., a lozengelike figure (her.) - OF. fuse/
(F.fuseau) , 'spindle', dimin. formed fr. L.[iisus,
'spindle'. See fuse, 'tube'.
fusfl, fusile. adj., molten, ft.uid. - L. fo.silis, fr.
fosus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'. See fOUDII, 'to
cast', and -De and cp. fuae, 'to melt'.

Fusus

fusilier, fusileer, n., a soldier belonging to one

of those British regiments that were formerly
armed with fusi!s. - Orig. 'a soldier armed
with a fusil'; F. fusilier, fr. fusil. See fusil,
'musket', and -ier, -eer.
fusillade, n., rapid and continuous fire fram many
firearms. - F., fr. fusi/ler, 'to shoot', fr. fusil.
See fusil, 'musket', and -ade.
Derivative : fusillade, tr. v.
fusion, n. - L. fiisio, gen. -onis, 'a pouring out',
fr. fiisus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'. See found,
'to cast', and cp. fuse, 'to melt'. Cp. also foison,
which is a doublet of fusion.
Derivative s: fusion-al, adj., fusion-ism , n.,
fusion-ist, n.
fuss, n., bustle. - Prob. of imitative origin.
Derivative s: fuss, intr. and tr. v., fuss-y, adj.,
fuss-i-ly, adv., fuss-i-ness, n.
fust, n., I) the shaft of a column (archit.); 2) a
strong moldy smell. - OF.fust (F.fut), 'shaft,
cask', fr. L. fiistis, 'stick, staff, cudgel, club',
whence also It. Justo, 'stem, stalk, trunk',
OProven.;. fust, 'staff, cask'. L. [iistis corresponds to Gaul. *biistis, 'trunk of a tree'
(whence OProven.;. bust, of s.m.). For Teut.
cognates of L. [iistis see bush and cp. words
there referred to. E. beat is not cognate. Cp.
fustian, fustigate.
Derivative s: fust-y, adj., moldy, fust-i-ness, n.
fustanella, n., a short skirt of stiffened linen.- F.
fustanelle, fr. It. fustane/la, dimin. of fustagno,
fr. ModGk. <poua-rtivL, fr. ML. fustiineum. See
next word and -ella.
fustian, n., thick cloth of cotton.- Orig. 'a coarse
cloth of cotton', fr. ME. fustyane, fr. OF. fustaigne, fustaine (F. futaine), fr. ML. fiistiineum,
translation of Septuagint Greek :Alvot ~u:Atvot,
'cotton of wood', i.e. 'tissue of cotton coming
from a tree'. Fiistiineum is prop. an adjective
formed from L. fiistis, 'stick, staff'; see fust.
For sense developme nt cp. G. Baumwolle, 'cotton', lit. 'wool of a tree', and the explanatio n of
ML. xylinum ( = Gk. ~UALvov) as /tina de /ign6,
'wool coming from wood'. Arabic fushtdn is a
Romance loan word. The usual derivation of
fustian fr. Fosttit, name of a suburb of Cairo, is
untenable. Cp. fustanella.
Derivative : fustian, adj.
fustic, n., the wood of a Mexican tree (Chlorophora tinctorio) and the yellow dye it yields. Sp. fustoc, fr. Arab. fltstuq, fr. Pers. pistah. See
pistachio.
f.mfgate, tr. v., to cudgel. - L. fiistigiitus, pp.
of fiistigtire, 'to cudgel', which is formed on
analogy of castlgiire, 'to chastise', fr. fiistis,
'staff, cudgel', and agere, 'to set in motion,
drive, lead; to do, act'. See fust and agent and
cp. castigate and the compound words there
referred to.
Derivative s: fustigat-ion, n., fustigat-or, n.,
fustigat-ory, adj.
Faaas, n., a genus of marine snails (zool.) - L.

futchel
/usus, 'a spindle' (see fuse, 'tube'); so called in
allusion to the spindle-shaped shell.
futchel, futcbell, n., a timber supporting the shafts
of a carriage. - Of unknown origin.
futharc, futhorc, n., the runic alphabet. - So
called from the first six letters /, u, jJ ( = th), a
(oro), r, c.
futile, adj., I) vain; 2) trifling.- F., fr. L. fotilis,
'that which easily pours out; brittle; worthless',
rei. to futis, 'pitcher', fr. base *ghu-, 'to pour'.
See found, 'to cast', and -ile.
Derivatives: futile-ly, adv., futile-ness, n.
futility, n. - F. futilite, fr. L. futilitiitem, ace. of
futilitiis, 'worthlessness', fr. futilis. See futile
and -ity.
futtock, n., one of the crooked timbers of a ship.
- Prob. corrupted fr. foot hook.
future, adj. - OF. ( = F.) futur, fern. future, fr.
L. foturus, 'about to be', used as fut. part. of
esse, 'to be'. See be and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: future, n., future-less, adj., futurity, n.
futurism, n., a modem movement in art, literature
and music, emphasizing originality.- It. futu-

632

rismo, lit. 'the movement considering the future';

coined by its founder, the Italian poet and
writer Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (I876-1944)
in I909 fr. L. futurus, 'future', and suff. -ismo
(fr. L. -ismus). See future and -ism.
fu~~st, n., an a~herent of futurism; adj., pc;rtammg to futunsm or futurists. - See prec.
word and -ist.
futwa, also fetwa, n., a judicial sentence pronounced by a mufti. - Arab. fatwd, fr. ftitii,
'he decided, declared'. Cp. mufti.
fuzz, -n., light particles or fibers. - Prob. back
formation fr. fuzzy.
fuzzy, adj., covered with fuzz; fluffy. - LG.
fussig, 'weak, loose, spongy'; rei. to Du. voos,
'spongy'.
Derivatives: fuzzi-ly, adv., fuzzi-ness, n.
-fy, suff. meaning 'to make into'. - F. -fier, fr.
L. -ficiire, fr. -ficus, fr. -ficere, unstressed form
of facere, 'to make, do'. See -fie, -fication.
fyJfot, n., the swastika. - Prob. for fill- foot and
orig. denoting the device that fills the foot of
a painted window.
fytte, n. -A var. of fit, 'division of a song'.

G
gebher, 'man', and El, 'God'. Heb. gebher
gab, intr. v., to chatter. - Of imitative origin.
derives from the base of the verb giibhtir, 'was
Cp. gabble.
strong', whence also gibbdr, 'strong, mighty;
Derivative: gab, n., idle talk.
hero', g 1bhfr, 'lord', g 1bhlrdh, gtbhereth, 'lady,
gabardine, n. - See gaberdine.
queen', g 1bhurdh, 'strength, might'. Cp. the
gabble, intr. v., to chatter, talk rapidly; tr. v.,
related words: Aram.-Syr.g1bhtir,'was mighty',
to utter rapidly. - Freq. of gab. Cp. gobble, 'to
g 1bhtir, gabhrd, 'man', Syr. gabbdr, 'hero',
make the noise of a turkey'.
Arab. jabr, 'a strong, young man', jabbdr,
Derivatives: gabble, n., gabbl-er, n.
'tyrant', Akkad. gapru, 'strong', Ethiop. gabtira,
gabbro, n., a basic igneous rock (geol.) - It.
'he acted'. For the first element cp. gibbar, for
(Tuscan), fr. L. glaber, 'bare, smooth, bald'.
the second see El.
See glabrous.
gaby, n., a foolish person. - Prob. related to
gabelle, n., I) a tax levied in certain countries;
gape and assimilated in form to baby.
2) specif. a tax on salt levied in France before
gad, interj. - Used as a var. of God.
the Revolution of I789.- F., 'tax on salt', fr.
Gad, n., in the Bible: 1) son of Jacob and Zilpah;
It. gabella, fr. Arab. qabdfah, 'tax', lit. 'receipt',
2) the tribe descended from him. - Heb. Giidh,
fr. qtibala, 'he received, accepted', which is rei.
fr. giidh, 'fortune', which is rei. to Aram.-Syr.
to Heb. qibbil, 'he received, accepted'. See
gaddd, Arab. jadd, of s.m. See the explanation
cabal.
of the name in Gen. 30: 11.
gaberdine, gabardine, n., a long, loose gown;
specif. a gown worn esp. by Jews in the Middle gad, intr. v., to rove about.- Perh. back formation fr. obsol. gadling, 'companion', fr. ME.
Ages.- Sp. gabardina, lit. 'pilgrims frock', fr.
gadeling, fr. OE. g;edeling. See gather.
MHG. wallevart (G. Wa/lfahrt), 'pilgrimage',
gad, n., a bar, rod.- ME. gad, gadd, 'a goad',
which is compounded of MHG. wallen (fr.
fr. ON. gaddr, 'spike, sting, nail'. See yard,
OHG. walton), 'to roam, wander', and OHG.,
'unit of length', and cp. gadfly.
MHG. vart, 'journey', fr. OHG. faran, 'to go'.
gaddi, guddy, guddee, n., a cushion serving as a
The first element is rei. to OE. weallian, 'to
throne, a throne (India). -Hind. gaddf.
wander', OHG. wadal, wadol, MLG. wade/, OE.
gadfly, n.- Lit. 'a goading fly', compounded of
waool, 'full moon', and prob. also to OHG.
gad, 'bar', and fly, n.
wadal, MHG. wade{, wedel, G. Wedel, 'tail,
gadget, n., any small ingenious device. - Of unduster, fan'. For the second element see fare, v.
certain origin.
gabion, n., a basket of wickerwork. - F., fr. It.
Gadidae, n. pl., a family of fishes (ichthyol.) gabbione, augment. of gabbia, fr. L. cavea, 'an
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. gadus, 'cod'.
excavated place, cavity, cage'. See cage.
See Gadus.
Derivatives: gabion, tr. v., gabion-ed, adj.
gadoid, adj., pertaining to the family Gadidae.gabionade, n., embankment made with gabions
A hybrid coined fr. ModL. gadus, 'cod', and
(fort.) - F. gabionnade, fr. gabionner, 'to cover
Gk. -oEL8i).;, 'like', fr. d8o.;, 'form, shape'. See
with gabions', fr. gabion. See prec. word
Gadus and -oid and cp. prec. word.
and -ade.
gadolinia, n., gadolinium oxide (chem.)- ModL.,
gabionage, n., gabions (taken in a collective
named by the French chemist Paul-Emile Lecoq
sense).- F. gabionnage, fr. gabionner. See prec.
de Boisbaudran (1838-I912); so called by him
word and -age.
because it was discovered in the mineral gadogable, n., the triangular upper part of a wall at
linite. For the ending of gadolinia see -ia.
the end of a ridged roof. - ME., fr. OF. gable,
gadolinite, n., a silicate of iron, yttrium, cerium,
fr. ON. gafl, which is rei. to MDu. ghevel, Du.
erbium, beryllium, etc. (mineral.) - Named
gevel, OHG. gibil, MHG. gibe/, G. Giebel,
after its discoverer, the Finnish mineralogist
Goth. gibla, 'gable', OHG. gibilla, OS. gibillia,
Johan Gadolin (I76o-1852). For the ending see
'skull', OE. gafol, OS. gafala, Du. gaffe/, OHG.
su bst. suff. -ite.
gabala, MHG. gabele, gabel, 'pitchfork', G.
gadolinium, n., a rare metallic element (chem.)
Gabel, 'fork', for I.-E. *ghebhtl, whence also
- ModL. See gadolinia. For the ending of
Olr. gabul, 'forked twig, fork', W. gafl, 'fork',
gadolinium see suff. -ium.
Toch. A spiil-, 'head', Gk. XEq>a:A.-1), 'head'. See
Derivative: gadolin-ic, adj.
cephalic and cp. game.
gadroon, also spelled godroon, n., a kind of fluting;
Derivatives: gabl-ed, adj., gablet (q.v.)
a notched molding. - F. godron, 'gadroon',
gablet, n., a small gable-shaped ornament.
orig. written goderon, formed with dimin. suff.
Formed fr. gable with dimin. suff. -et.
-eron, fr. gockt, 'bowl, cup, mug; fold, crease',
Gabriel, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, name of an
which derives fr. MDu. codde, 'cylindriformpiece
angel.- Heb. Gabhri'il, lit. 'man of God', fr.

Gadus

of wood'. For change of meaning cp. G. Humpen, 'piece of wood', later used in the sense of
'goblet, hanap'.
Gadus, n., the genus of codfishes (ichthyol.) ModL., 'cod', fr. Gk. y&:lloc;, 'a kind of fish',
which is of uncertain origin.
Gaea, Gaia, n., the earth as a goddess (Greek
mythol.) - Gk. rctroc, personification of yoc'i:oc,
'earth', a collateral form of yij, Dor. yii, Cypr.
~a, 'earth'; of uncertain origin. Cp. geo-, Epigaea, epigeous.
Gaekwar, Gaikwar, n., title of the Marathi rulers
of Baroda, India.- Marathi Giiekvii{i, lit. 'cowherd', fr. 01. gdu/:1, gen. go/:1, 'ox'. See cow and
cp. gaur, Gautama, the first element in gopura
and the second element in nilgai.
Gael, n., a Scottish or Irish Celt. -Gael. Giiidhea/, corresponding to Ir. Gaedheal. Cp. L.
Gallus, 'a Gaul' (see Gallic). Cp. also Goidelic.
Derivatives: Gael-ic, adj. and n.
gaff, n., a fishing hook. -F. gaffe, fr. OProvenc.
gaf, which is prob. of Gothic origin.
Derivative: gaff, tr. v., to strike with a gaff.
gaff, n., place of amusement for the lowest classes
(English Slang). - Prob. fr. prec. word and
orig. denoting a place where fish are gaffed.
gaffer, n., an old man, esp. an old rustic. Corrupted fr. grandfather. Cp. gammer.
gafHe, n., a lever for bending a crossbow. - Du.
gaffe/, 'fork', rei. to OE. gafol, 'pitchfork'. See
gable.
gag, tr. and intr. v. - ME. gaggen, 'to choke,
strangle', imitative of the sound of choking.
Derivatives: gag, n., gagg-er, n., gagg-ery, n.
gage, n., pledge, security.- ME., fr. OF.guage,
gage (F. gage), fr. Frankish wadi, 'pledge',
which is rei. to Goth. wadi, OE. wedd, 'pledge'.
It. gaggio and Sp. and Port. gage are French
loan words. See wage and cp. wed. Cp. also the
second element in mortgage.
gage, tr. v., to offer as pledge. - F. gager, fr.
gage. See gage, 'pledge', and cp. engage.
gage, n., a variety of plum. - See greengage.
gage, n. - See gauge.
gageite, n., a hydrous silicate of magnesium,
manganese and zinc (mineral.)- Named after
R. B. Gage of Trenton, New Jersey. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
gaggle, intr. v., to cackle. - Of imitative origin.
Cp. Du. gage len, gaggelen, 'to cackle, chatter',
G. gackern, 'to gaggle'; cp. also ON. gaggl,
'flock of geese', and E. giggle.
Derivative: gaggle, n., a flock of geese.
gahnite, n., a pure zinc aluminate, ZnA120 4 (mineral.) - Named after the Swedish chemist and
mineralogist Johan Gottlieb Gahn (1745-1818).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Gaia, n. - See Gaea.
gaiety, n. - F. gaiete, fr. gai, 'gay'. See gay
and -ty.
Gaillardia, n., a genus of plants of the family
Carduaceae (bot.) - ModL., named after the

634

French botanist Gaillard de Charontonneau

in 1788. For the ending see suff. -ia.
gaily, also spelt gayly, adv. - Formed fr. gay
with adv. suff. -ly.
gain, tr. v., to earn; to win; intr. v., to profit.F. gagner, fr. OF. gaaignier, 'to win', fr. Frankish *waidanjan, 'to provide oneself with food',
which is rei. to OHG. weida, 'pasture, grazing,
food; pasture land', weidai!On, 'to search for
food, to hunt', OE. wiip, 'hunting', ON. vei/Jr,
'hunting; catch of fish', fr. I.-E. base *wei-,
'to strive after', whence also L. veniiri, 'to hunt'.
See venery, 'hunting'.
Derivatives: gain-er, n., gain-ing, n.
gain, n., profit.- F., fr. OF. gaain, fr. gaaignier.
See gain, v.
Derivatives: gain-ful, gain-less, adjs.
gainly, adj., shapely; comely. - Formed with
adj. suff. -ly fr. obsol. E. gain, 'graceful, suitable,
kindly', fr. ME. gayn, geyn, 'direct, ready, convenient', fr. ON. gegn, of s.m, See again.
gainsay, tr. v., to contradict. - ME. geinseien,
lit. 'to say against', fr. ON. gegn, 'against'
(which is rei. to OE. gegn-, gean-, 'against'), and
ME. seggen, seien, 'to say'. See again and say, v.
gainst, prep. - Aphetic for against.
gait, n., manner of walking.- ME. gate, 'a way'.
See gate, 'passage'.
Derivatives: gait, tr. v., gait-ed, adj.
gaiter, n., covering for the lower leg.- F. guetre,
prob. fr. Frankish wrist, 'instep', which is rei.
to MHG. riste, 'back of the hand; instep', and
to OE. wrist. See wrist.
Derivative: gaiter-ed, adj.
gala, n., festival; celebration. - F., fr. Sp. gala
(in vestido de gala, 'robe of state'), fr. Arab.
khil'a", 'robe of honor presented by oriental
rulers to their favorites'. Cp. gallant and words
there referred to.
Derivative: gala, adj., festive.
galact-, form of galacto- before a vowel.
galactagogue, adj., promoting the secretion of
milk. - Lit. 'leading milk'; compounded of
galact- and Gk. <Xyooy6c;, 'leading', fr. &ye:tv, 'to
lead'. See -agogue.
Galactla, n., a genus of plants, the milk pea
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. y&:Aoc, gen. y&:>.ocx't'oc;,
'milk'. See next word.
galactic, adj., pertaining to the Milky Way
(astron.) - Gk. yoc>.ocx-:-tx6c;, 'milky', fr. y&:Aoc,
gen. y&:AocxToc;, 'milk', which is cogn. with L.
lac (for *glac-t), 'milk'. See lacteal, adj., and
-ic and cp. galaxy and the second element in
Omithogalum. Cp. also lactic, lettuce.
galacto-, before a vowel galact-, combining form
meaning 'milk'.- Fr. Gk. y&:Aoc, gen. y&:AocxToc;,
'milk'. See prec. word.
galactometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the purity of milk. -Compounded of galactoand Gk. (d-rpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm', and cp. lactometer.
plactonie, adj., pertaining to a crystalline acid,

635

CH,OH(CHOH)4 C0 2 H (chem.) - Coined fr.

combining form galact- and suff. -onic. Cp.
talose.
galactophorous, adj., conveying milk. - Compounded of galacto- and Gk. -<p6po:;, 'bearing'.
See -phorous.
galactopoietic, adj., producing milk. - Compounded of galacto- and Gk. 7tm'I)Ttx6:;, 'capable of making, productive'. See -poietic.
galactorrhea, galactorrhoea, n., an excessive flow
of milk. - Compounded of galacto- and Gk.
-ppo(iX, 'flow, flowing'. See -rrhea.
galactose, n., a crystalline sugar (chem.) Formed fr. galact- with subst. suff. -ose. Cp.
tagatose.
Galago, n., a genus of African lemurs (zoot.) ModL., from native African name.
galangale, n. - See galingale.
Galanthus, n., a genus of plants, the snowdrop
(bot.)- ModL., lit. 'milk flower', fr. Gk. y&:J..oc,
'milk', and &v,&oc;, 'flower'. See galactic and
anther.
galantine, n., veal, chicken or other meat, boned
and served cold.- F., fr. ML. galatfna, assimil.
fr. gelatfna, fr. L. geliitus, 'frozen', pp. of geliire,
'to cause to freeze', fr. gelii, 'frost'. See jelly.
galanty show, pantomime produced by throwing
shadows of puppets on a wall or screen. - It.
galante, 'gallant'. See gallant.
Galatea, n., a sea nymph in Greek mythology. -L., fr. Gk. roc>.&:n:toc.
galatea, n., a cotton fabric of superior quality
used for children's sailor suits. - So called
from Galatea, name of a British warship. For
the origin of this name see prec. word.
Galatian, adj., pertaining to Galatia, in Asia
Minor. -Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Galatia,
fr. Gk. rocAOCTLiX, 'Galatia'.
Galax, n., a genus of plants of the family Diapensiaceae (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. yxJ..oc, 'milk'.
See galactic and cp. Galactia, galax)".
galaxy, n., the Milky Way. - F. galaxie, fr. L.
galaxiiis, fr. Gk. yocJ..oc!';ii:; (sci!. x)x).o:;), 'the
Milky Way' (lit. 'the Milky Circle'), fr. y-i>.oc,
gen. yocA:xwro:;, 'milk'. Sec galactic.
galbanum, n., a bad-smelling gum resin. - L.,
fr. Gk. zry;l.~xYr,, fr. Aram. balbdn, fr. Heb.
belb'mi", 'galbanum', fr. J;elebh, 'fat', which is
rei. to Aram.-Syr. [lelbd, Arab. [lilb, 'fat'. Cp.
jaundice.
gale, n., an aromatic shrub. - ME. gawel, fr.
OE. gage/, 'sweet gale', rei. to Du., MHG., G.
gage/, 'sweet gale'; of uncertain origin.
gale, n., a strong wind. - Of uncertain origin.
It is perh. rei. to Dan.gal, 'furious', and to Norw.
galen, of s.m. (this latter is often used of the
weather), and also to OE. galan, 'to sing', giellan,
'to scream, cry'. See yell and cp. the last element
in nightingale.
gale, n., a periodical payment of rent (rare).Contraction of gavel, 'tribute'.
galea, n., a helmet-shaped structure (zoot. and

Galinsoga

bot.) - L., 'helmet', borrowed fr. Gk. yocAE1J,

Att. yoc>.'ij, 'weasel, polecat, marten'. The phases
of sense development seem to have been:
1) weasel; 2) weasel's skin or hide; 3) leather;
4) helmet made of leather. Gk. yry;A'1) is prob.
cogn. with 01. giri/:1, girikii, 'mouse', L. glis,
'dormouse', Cp. galley. Cp. also Glires, loir.
galeated, adj., covered with a helmet-shaped
structure. - L. galeiitus, pp. of gale1re, 'to
cover with a helmet', fr. galea. See galea and
adj. suff. -ate and -ed.
galeeny, n., a guinea fowl (dial..)- Sp.gallina
(Morisca), '(Moorish) hen', fr. L. gallfna, 'hen'.
See gallinaceous.
galeiform, adj., helmet-shaped. - Compounded
of L. galea, 'helmet', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See galea and form, n.
Galen, n., a physician (facet.) - See Galenic.
galena, n., native lead sulfide. - L., first mentioned by Pliny. Galena is a foreign, prob.
Etruscan, word, and has nothing in common
with Gk. yx>.~v'l), 'calmness of the sea'. See
A.E.Emout in Bulletin de Ia societe de linguistique 30, 92.
galenic, galenical, adj., pertaining to galena. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: galenic-al, adj.
Galenic, Galenical, adj., pertaining to Galen (L.
Galenus, fr. Gk. rocA1Jv6~), the celebrated Greek
physician (lived about 1 30-200).
Galeopsis, n., a genus of plants, the hemp nettle
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. yoc>.[a<jn:;, which is compounded of yocJ..tov, 'bedstraw', and oyt:;, 'appearance'. See Galium and -opsis.
gali, galee, n., abuse (India). - Hind. giili, fr.
01. g1/ib, 'execration', which is of uncertain
origin.
Galilean, n., adj., of Galilee. - Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Galilaeus, 'Galilean', fr. Galilaea,
'Galilee'. See next word.
Galilee, name of the northern province of western Palestine.- L. Galilaea, fr. Gk. roc>.t>.oc[iX,
fr. Hcb. Haggiilfl, lit. 'the district', shortened fr.
G'lil haggoyim, 'the District of nations' (Is.
8: 23), Haggiilfl was the name of a district in the
hill country of Naphtali (see Josh. 20:7 and
21: 32). and it was only at a relatively later period
that it began to denote the territory of Palestine
north of the Emek Jezreel (Esdraelon). For the
etymology of He b. giiltl, 'district', see gelilah.
galimatias, n.,jargon. --F., 'nonsense, gibberish',
prob. a deformation of Late L. ballimathia, 'indecent songs'. For the etymology of this latter
word ~ee Du Cange, Glossarium mediae et intimae latinitatis, s.v. balme.
galingale, n., an aromatic root of the ginger
family. - OF. galingal, formed-through the
medium of MGk. yocHyyx and ML. galangafr. Arab. khalanjdn, fr. Pers., ult. fr. Chin. KoJeung-keung, lit. 'mild ginger from the region
ofKao'.
Galinsoga, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,

galiot
named after the Spanish botanist Mariano
Martinez de Galinsoga (died in 1797).
galiot, galliot, n., a small swift galley. - F.
galiote, fr. OF. galie. See galley.
galipot, gallipot, n., resinous substance of certain
pines.- F. galipot, of unknown origin.
Galium, n., a genus of plants, the bedstraw (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. y&.Awv, 'bedstraw', coined by
Dioscorides fr. y&.ft.oc, 'milk' (see galactic); so
called by him because used in place of rennet.
For the ending see suff. -ium.
gall, n., bile. - ME. galle, gawle, fr. OE. gealla,
galla, rei. to ON. gall, OS., OHG. galla, MHG.,
G. galle, and cogn. with Gk. xoft.Tj, L.fel, fr. I.-E.
base *ghel-, 'to shine; yellow, yellowish green,
green'. See choler and cp. words there referred to.
gall, n., gallnut.- F. galle, fr. L. galla, 'gallnut',
prop. 'a globulous excrescence', fr. I.-E. base
*gel-, 'to form into a ball'. See glebe, globe,
and cp. ellagic.
gall, n., sore (esp. on horse). - ME. galle, fr.
OE. gealla, 'sore place', fr. L. galla, 'gallnut',
whence also Du. gal, MLG., MHG., G. galle,
'a sore place'. See gall, 'gallnut'.
Derivatives: gall, tr. v., to make sore, to abrade,
gall-ing, adj., gall-ing-ly, adv., gall-ing-ness, n.
gallant, adj., brave; noble. - F. galant, fr. Sp.
galante, fr. galdn, shortened form of galano,
'gallant', fr. gala. See gala and cp. galanty show,
gallimaufry, gallivant, galloon, regale, 'feast'.
Derivatives: gallant, n. and tr. and intr. v.,
gallant-ly, adv.
gallantry, n. - F. galanterie, fr. galant. See
gallant and -ry.
galleass, n., a large three-masted galley. - F.
ga/easse (also ga/eace), fr. It. galeazza, augment.
of galea, 'galley'. See galley.
galleon, n., a large ship formerly used esp. by
the Spaniards. - Sp. ga/eon, formed fr. ML.
galea, 'galley', with augment. suff. -on. See
galley and -oon.
gallery, n. - F. ga/erie, fr. It. galleria, which is
of uncertain origin.
Derivative: galleri-ed, adj.
galley, n. - ME. galei, galeie, fr. OF. galie, fr.
ML. galea, fr. Byzant. Gk. yoc/J.fi., which derives
fr. Late Gk. yocft.(fi., name of a seafish, and ult.
fr. Gk. yocft.b], 'weasel'. See galea and cp. galiot,
galleass, galleon, gallipot.
galliambic, n., name of a meter in Greek and
Roman prosody. - Formed with suff. -ic fr.
L. galliambus, 'a song of the priests of Cybele',
fr. Gk. yocMLOCfL~o~. which is compounded of
rocMO~, 'priest of Cybele' (a name related to
roc)..)..o~. a river of Phrygia, whose water caused
madneSS), and YocfL~O~, 'iambus'. See iambus.
Derivative: galliambic, adj.
galliard, adj., gay.- OF. ( = F.)gaillard, 'strong,
vigorous, merry', of uncertain origin.
galliard, n., a lively dance of the 16th cent. Fr. prec. word.
gallic, adj., pertaining to, or obtained from, galls.

636

- Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. galla, 'gallnut'.

See gall, 'gallnut'.
gallic, adj., pertaining to, or containing, gallium.
- See gallium and -ic.
Gallic, adj., pertaining to Gaul or the Gauls. L. Gallicus, fr. Gallus, 'a Gaul'. Cp. Gael, galosh.
Gallican, adj., pertaining to the Roman Catholic
Church in France. - L. Galliciinus, 'pertaining
to Gaul', fr. Gallicus. See Gallic and -an.
Derivatives: Gallican-ism, n., Gallican-ist, n.
Gallice, adv., in French.- L., 'in Gallic', adv.
of G.allicus. See Gallic.
Gallicism, also spelled gallicism, n., a French
idiom (used in another language).- See Gallic
and -ism.
Gallicize, also spelled gallicize, tr. and intr. v., to
make French, to Frenchify.- See Gallic and
-ize.
Galliformes, n. pl., an order of birds including
the common domestic fowl (ornithol.)- ModL.,
compounded of gallus, 'cock', and forma,
'form, shape'. See gallinaceous and form, n.
galligaskins, n. pl., loose breeches. - OF. garguesque, metathesis of greguesque, fr. It. grechesca, prop. fern. of grechesco, 'Grecian', fr.
Greco, 'Greek'; influenced in form by galley and
Gascony. See Greek and -esque.
gallimaufry, n., a medley.- F. galimafree, 'hash,
ragout', a compound, whose first element is
related to OF. galer, 'to make merry, to live
well', which is of uncertain origin; the second
element is identical with Picard mafrer, 'to eat
much', which is borrowed fr. MDu. ma./felen,
of s.m.
gallinacean, adj., gallinaceous. - See next word
and -acean.
gallinaceous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
the domestic fowls. L. galliniiceus, 'of
domestic fowls', fr. gal!fna, 'hen', fr. gallus,
'cock', which is prob. a loan word from alanguage of Asia Minor. Cp. galeeny, gallinazo, gallinule, Gallus. For the ending see suff. -aceous.
gallinazo, n., a vulture. - Sp. gallinaza, 'vulture', formed with augment. suff. -aza fr. gallina, 'hen', fr. L. gallina. See prec. word.
gallinule, n., water hen, moor hen.- L. gallfnula,
'chicken', dimin. of gal!fna. See gallinaceous
and -ule.
Gallio, n., a careless official; an easy-going person. - From Gallio, name of a Roman proconsul (mentioned in Acts, XVIII, 17).
galliot, n. - A var. spelling of galiot.
gallipot, n., a pot for holding medicines. - Compounded of galley and pot. The orig. meaning
was 'pot shipped in a galley'.
gallipot, n. -A var. spelling of galipot.
gallium, n., a rare metallic element (chem.) ModL., coined by the French chemist PaulEmile Lecoq de Boisbaudran (1838-1912), the
discoverer of this element, from L. Gallia, the
former name of France (cp. GaUic, Gaul). The
name gallium may also be an allusion to his

637
name Lecoq (lit. 'the cock' = L. gallus). For the
ending of gallium see -ium.
gallivant, intr. v., to gad about.- A playful derivative of gallant.
gallnut. -See gall, 'gallnut'.
Gallo-, combining form meaning, 1) Gallic;
2) French.- Fr. L. Gallus, 'a Gaul'. Cp. Gallic.
galloglass, gallowglass, n., a heavily armed retainer of an Irish chief. - lr. galloglach, lit. 'a
foreign soldier', fr. gall, 'foreigner', and oglach,
'servant, soldier', fr. Oir. oclach, 'youth', which
derives fr. Oir. oac, 'young'. See young.
gallon, n., a measure equal to 4 quarts. - ME.
galoun, fr. AF. galon, corresponding to OF.
jalon, 'a liquid measure', and rei. to OF.jale, 'a
bowl', which is of uncertain origin. F. gallon,
'gallon', is an English loan word.
galloon, n., a braid used for trimming. - F.
galon, fr. ga/onner, 'to lace, braid the hair',
which is prob. rei. to F. gala, 'festivity'. See gala
and cp. gallant.
gallop, intr. and tr. v. -F. galoper, fr. Frankish
*wa/a hlaupan, 'to run well'. The first element is
rei. to OHG. wala, we/a, wola, OE. wei, 'well';
see well, adv. The second element is rei. to
OHG. hlau.ffan, loufan, 'to run'; see leap. Cp.
galop, wallop.
Derivatives: gallop, n., gallop-er, n., ga/lop-ingly, adv.
gallopade, n. - F., fr. ga/oper, 'to gallop'. See
prec. word and -ade.
Gallophile, Gallophil, n., a friend of France or
the French. - Compounded of Gallo- and Gk.
tplft.o~, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Gallophobe, n., one who fears or hates France or
the French.- Compounded of Gallo- and Gk.
-tpo~o~, fr. tpo~o~, 'fear'. See -phobe.
Gallophobia, n., fear or hatred of France or the
French. - Compounded of Gallo- and -tpo~lfi.,
'fear of', fr. tp6~o~, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Galloway, n., a small horse. - Orig. meaning
'horse bred in Galloway, Scotland'.
gallows, n.- ME. galowes, galwes (pl.), fr. OE.
gea/ga, rei. to OS., OHG. galgo, ON. galgi,
OFris. ga/ga, MHG. ga/ge, 'gallows; cross', G.
Galgen, 'gallows', Goth. ga/ga, 'cross', and to
ON. gelgja, 'pole, perch', and cogn. with Arm.
ja/k, 'twig', Lith. ialga, Lett. ia/ga, 'pole, perch'.
Gallus, n., a genus of birds, the common domestic
fowl and the jungle fowl. - L. gallus, 'cock'.
See gallinaceous.
galop, n., a quick dance. - F. galop, fr. galoper.
See gallop.
Derivative: galop, intr. v.
galore, adv., in abundance.- Ir. go leor, 'to sufficiency, enough'.
galosh, n., an overshoe. - OF. ( = F.) galoche,
fr. VL. gallicula, dimin. formed fr. L. solea
Gallica, 'Gaulish sandal'. Gal/ica is fern. of Ga/licus, 'Gaulish' (see Gallic). VL. gallicula was
influenced in form by L. ca/igulo, 'a small
military boot'.

gam bade

galumph, intr. v., to prance about in a self-satisfied manner.- Coined by Lewis Carrol (penname for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), as the
blend of gallop and triumph.
galuth, n., the Diaspora (Jewish history). - Heb.
galflth, 'exile', fr. giildh, 'he uncovered, removed;
he departed; he went into exile, was deported',
whence also Heb. gold", 'exile, exiles', giflayan,
'tablet'. Cp. Aram. g~lii, 'he revealed, uncovered; he departed, went into exile', Arab. jdlii,
'he made clear, revealed, disclosed; he ousted,
removed; he went away, departed, left', djlii,
'emigrated', Ethiop. tag/ega/a, 'he was led into
exile', which are related to Heb. gii/d". Cp. also
golah.
galvanic, adj., caused by, or producing, an electric
current. - See next word and -ic.
Derivative: galvanic-al-ly, adv.
galvanism, n., 1) current electricity; 2) that branch
of physics which deals with electric currents;
3) treatment of disease by electricity.- F. galvanisme, from the name of the Italian physicist
Luigi Galvani (1737-98), who discovered and
first described it. For the ending see suff.
-ism.
galvanist, n. - See prec. word and -ist.
galvanize, tr. v. -See galvanism and -ize.
Derivative: galvaniz-ation, n.
galvano-, combining form used for galvanic or
galvanism.
Galwegian, adj., pertaining to Galloway; n., a
native of Galloway.- Formed fr. Galloway on
analogy of Norwegian (fr. Norway). For the
ending see suff. -ian.
gam-, form of gamo- before a vowel.
Gamaliel, masc. PN. - L., fr. Gk. rocfLOCAt~ft., fr.
Heb. Gamlf' il, lit. 'reward of God', compounded of giimal, 'he dealt out to; he rewarded', lit.
'he dealt fully with', and El, 'God'. From the
base of giimtil derive g<mal, 'recompense,
taghmfil, 'benefit'. Cp. Aram. g<mdl, 'he dealt
out to, rewarded', Arab. jdmala, 'he collected',
jamula, 'he was beautiful', kdmula, 'he was complete, perfect', Akkad. gitmalu, 'perfect', which
are rei. to Heb. giimdl. For the second element
in the name Gamaliel see El.
gamashes, n. pl., a kind of legging (archaic). F. gamaches, fr. ModProven.;. gamacho, fr.
OProven.;. galamacha, fr. Sp. guadamaci, fr.
Arab. ghadamasf, lit. '(leather) from Ghadames
(a town in Tripolis)'.
gamb, gambe, n., an animal's leg or shank; used
esp. in heraldry.- Dial. F. gambe, corresponding to F. jambe, fr. ML. gamha, 'leg', fr. Late
L. camba, gamba, 'fetlock; hoof; leg', borrowed
fr. Gk. xocfLrrfJ, 'a turn, bend, joint', which is
cogn. with L. campus, 'field'. See camp and cp.
gamba, gambol, gammon, 'ham', jamb.
gamba. n., an organ stop (mus.) - Orig. an abbreviation ofvlola da gamba (q.v.); fr. It. gamba,
'leg', fr. ML. gamba. See prec. word.
gambade, n., gambado. - F. See next word.

638

gambado

gambado, n., gambol, caper. - Sp. gambada, fr.

It. gambata, 'gambol'. See gambol.
gambado, n., a long legging or gaiter. - It. gamba, 'leg'. See gamb and cp. prec. word.
gambe, n. - See gamb.
gambeson, n., a medieval military garment of
defense. -- OF. gambaison, gambeson, fr. gambais, wambais, fr. Frankish *wamba, 'stomach,
belly'. Cp. OHG., Goth. wamha and see womb.
gambier, n., the extract of the shrub Uncaria
gamhir. - Malay gambir.
gambit, n., opening move in chess in which the
first player risks a pawn to gain an advantage
later. - F., fr. Sp. gambito, fr. Arab. janbf,
'lateral', fr. janh, 'side' (whence janaba, 'he put
aside'), which is rei. to Aram.-Syr. gabh, gahbti,
'side', Heb. ganabh, Aram.-Syr. g'ntibh, 'he
stole', lit. 'he put aside', Heb. ganndhh, 'thief'.
Cp. gonnof.
gamble, intr. and tr. v. - Dial. ME. gammlen,
gamblen, fr. ME. gamenen, fr. OE. gamenian,
'to play', fr. gamen, 'sport, game, amusement'.
See game, n.
Derivatives: gamble, n., gambl-er, n., gamblesome, adj., gambl-ing, n.
gamboge, n., a gum resin. - ModL. gambogium,
fr. Cambodia, a region (now a state) in Indochina, fr. native Kamhuja, which was named
after Kamhu, the founder of the Khmer race.
gambol, n., a skipping, a caper. - Earlier gamhold, gambalde, formed, with change of suff., fr.
F. {;ambade, fr. It. gambata, fr. gamha, 'leg',
fr. ML. gamba. See gamb.
Derivative: gambol, intr. v.
gambroon, n., a twilled cloth. - Fr. Gambroon,
Gombroon, now Bandar Abbas, name of a town
on the Persian Gulf. Cp. gombroon.
game, n., sport, play. - ME. gamen, game, fr.
OE. gamen, 'sport, game, amusement', rcl. to
Orris. game, OS., ON., OHG. gaman, Dan.
gamen, Swcd. {;amman, 'merriment'. Cp. gamble,
gammon, 'backgammon' .
Derivatives: game-some, adj., game-some-ly,
adv., game-some-ness, n.
game, intr. and tr. v., to play. - ME. gamenen,
fr. OE. gamenian, 'to play, jest, joke', fr. gamen.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: game-ster, n.
game, adj., plucky, courageous. -Fr. gamecock.
Derivatives: game-ly, adv., game-ness, n.
game, adj., lame, crippled. -Of uncertain origin.
gamecock, n. - Prop. 'cock (bred) for fighting'.
Gamelion, n., name of the 7th month of the Attic
Greek calendar (corresponding to the second
half of January and first half of February). Gk. I'rxtn;:Atw'' lit. 'month of marriages', fr.
'(:XILIjl.tfJ;, 'bridal, nuptial', fr. yoqLELV, 'to
marry'. See gamo-.
gamene, n., the common sort of Dutch madder.Inexact spelling of Du. gemean (18th century),
whence Du. gemeen, 'common', which is rei.
l to OE. gemiine (whence ME. mene, E. mean),

Goth. gamains, OHG. gimeini (whence MHG.,

G. gemein); see Bense, Dictionary of the Low
Dutch Element in the English Vocabulary,
p. I !7. The above words are formed fr. Teut.
pref. ge- (see y-), and I.-E. base *mei-, 'to
change'. See common, adj., and cp. words there
referred to.
gamete, n., a germ cell (bioi.)- ModL. gametes,
fr. Gk. yrx[LtT"I]~. 'husband', or yrx[LET-f), 'wife',
fr. yot[Ldv, 'to marry'. See gamo-. The name
gamete was introduced into science by the
Austr.ian biologist Gregor Johann Mendel
(1822-84)-

gamin, n., a street Arab.- F., of unknown origin.

gamma, n., name of the 3rd letter of the Greek
alphabet. - ME., fr. L. gamma, fr. Gk. y&:[L[Lot,
for *yci[LAQ(, fr. Heb.-Phoen. glmel, lit. 'camel';
see gimel and cp. gammadion, gamut. For the
form cp. Heb. gamdl, Aram. gamld, 'camel'.
gammacism, n., difficulty in the pronunciation of
the guttural consonants. - ModL. gammacismus, formed on analogy of Late L.lambdacismu s,
etc., fr. G k. y&[L[LQ(. See prec. word and -ism.
gammadion, n., a figure formed by four capital
gammas. - MGk. yrx[L[L&ihov, dimin. of Gk.
y&[L[LQ(. See gamma.
Gammarus, n., a genus of crustaceans. - ModL.,
fr. L. cammarus, gammarus, 'sea crab, lobster',
fr. Gk. XcX[L[Lrxpo~. See Cambarus and cp. Homarus.
gammer, n., an old woman. - Corrupted fr.
grandmother. Cp. gaffer.
gammon, n., backgammon .- ME. gamen, 'game'.
See game, n.
gammon, n., ham; the lower end of the side of
a bacon. - ONF. gambon (corresponding to
F. }ambon), fr. ONF. gambe (corresponding to
F. jambe), 'leg'. See gamb.
Derivative: gammon, tr. v., to make bacon of.
gammon tr. v., to fasten (a bowsprit) to the stem
of a ship. - Of uncertain origin.
gammon, n., nonsense, humbug. - ME. gamen,
'game', fr. OE. gamen. See game, 'sport, play'.
Derivative: gammon, tr. and intr. v., to hoax.
gamo-, combining form meaning 1) sexual union
(bioi.); 2) union of parts (bot.)- Fr. Gk. y[Lo~,
'marriage', whence YQ(fLELV, 'to marry, take to
wife'; fr. I.-E. base *gem-, 'to marry'. See bigamy
and cp. words there referred to.
-gamous, combining form meaning 'marrying',
as in monogamous, heterogamous. - Formed
with suff. -ous fr. Gk. y&:fLo~, 'marriage'. See
gamo-.
gamp, n., a large umbrella.- From the umbrella
of Mrs. Sarah Gamp in Dickens's Martin
Chuzzlewit.
gamut, n., range of musical sounds from gamma
(the lowest) to ut (the highest). - Coined by
Guido d'Arezzo fr. gamma, a name given by
him to the lowest note of the old ( = medieval)
scale, and ut, name of the highest tone of that
scale.

639
gamy, also gamey, adj., having the flavor of
game.- Formed fr. game, n., with adj. suff. -y.
-gamy, combining form meaning 'marriage,
union', as in heterogamy, polygamy. - Gk.
-yQ([L(iX, fr. y&:fLo~, 'marriage'. See gamo-.
gander, n. - ME. gandre, fr. OE. ganra, gandra,
rei. to Du. gander, MLG. ganre, Bavarian
gander, 'gander'. See goose and cp. gannet.
ganef, n. - See gonnof.
gang, intr. v., to go, walk (dial.) - OE. gangan.
See next word.
gang, n., a group of people; a band.- ME. gang,
'going; passage', fr. OE. gang, 'going, passage,
channel', rei. to OS., OFris., Dan., Du., OHG.,
MHG., G. gang, ON. gangr, Swed. gdng, Goth.
gagg, 'the act of going', verbal nouns to OE.
gangan, ON. ganga, Goth. gaggan, etc., 'to go'.
These words derive fr. I.-E. base *ghengh-,
*ghongh-, 'to step', whence also 01. janghii,
'shank', Avestic zanga-, 'ankle', Lith. zengiu,
'I stride, step'. The above words are not related
to E. go. Cp. gangue and the second element
in Doppelgiinger.
Derivative: gang-er, n.
gauge, tr. v., to protect a fishing line by twisting
wire round it. - Of unknown origin.
Derivative: gang-ing, n.
gangliated, adj., having ganglia.- Formed with
the adj. suff. -ate and -ed, fr. yQ(yy).(o"V. See
ganglion.
gangliform, adj., having the form of a ganglion.
- A hybrid coined fr. Gk. yrxyy:Alo'IJ (see ganglion) and L. forma, 'form, shape' (see form, n.)
ganglion, n., swelling, excrescence; center of
cavity; nerve center. - Medical L., fr. Gk.
yrxyy:A(ov, 'encysted tumor on a tendon'. According to Galen the proper sense of the word
is 'anything gathered into a ball' ('conglobatus').
The word yrxyy).lo"V pro b. stands for *yQ(y:A-tov
and is a loan word from Heb. galgal, 'anything
round; a wheel', from the base of giilal, 'he
rolled', gi/ge/, of s.m.; see gelilah. For the dissimilation of the first l in galgd/ to n in Gk.
yotyy).(ov cp. E.-F. gonfalon, gonfanon, 'flag'.
Derivatives: ganglion-ary, adj., ganglion-ate,
tr. v., ganglion-ic, adj.
gangrene, n., mortification; decay. - L. gangraena, fr. Gk. y&yypottvcx, lit. 'that which eats
away', formed through reduplication fr. ypiiv,
yprx(tLv, 'to gnaw, eat', whence also yp&.a-n<;,
'green fodder'. See gastro-.
Derivatives: gangrene, tr. and intr. v., gangrenous, adj.
gangster, n., member of a gang of roughs or
criminals. - Formed fr. gang with suff. -ster.
gangue, n., the matrix in which valuable metals
or minerals occur. - F. gangue, fr. G. Gang,
'a going, walking, passage, vein (of ore)'. See
gang.
gangway, n. - OE. gangweg, 'road', fr. gang,
'going, way, passage', and weg, 'way'. See gang
and way.

Gaon

ganister, n., a hard siliceous rock. - Dial. G.

Ganster, rei. to MHG. g(a)neist(e), fr. OHG.
gneisto, 'spark'. Cp. OPruss. knaistis, 'a burn
ing', and see gneiss.
ganja, gunja, n., the Indian hemp (Cannabis sativa,
formerly called Cannabis Indica).- Hi.nd. gt!ja,
fr. 01. gaftjii.
gannet, n., the solan goose. - OE. ganot, 'sea
bird, gannet', rei. to Du. gent, OHG. ganna330,
ganzo, 'gander'. See gander, goose.
ganoid, adj., r) smooth (said offish scales); 2) pertaining to the Ganoidei. - F. ganofde, com
pounded of Gk. y&vo<;, 'brightness, brilliance,
splendor', and -OEL8~<;, 'like', fr. d8o.;;, 'form,
shape'. The first element stands for y&-vo<; and
is rei. to y&wJLrxL (for y&-vu-JLrxL), 'I am glad,
I rejoice', yrxlw (for *y&f1w), 'I rejoice'. See
gaud, 'ornament', and cp. the first element in
Ganymede. For the second element see -oid.
gantang, n., a weight in the Malay Archipelago.
- Malay gantang.
gantlet, also spelled ganntlet, n., a former mili
tary punishment in which the offender was compelled to run between two files of men who struck
him with switches, clubs, etc., as he passed. Formed under the influence of ganntlet, 'glove',
fr. earlier gantlope, fr. Swed. gatlopp, lit. 'a run
ning down a lane', a compound of gata, 'lane',
and lopp, 'a running, course', which is rei. to
Swed. lopa, 'to run'. The first element is rei. to
ON. gata, 'road'; see gate, 'passage'. For the
second element see leap.
gantlet, n., a glove. - See gauntlet.
gantry, also gauntry, n., 1) a wooden frame for
barrels; 2) a spanning framework.- OF. gan
tier, chantier (F. chantier), 'timber yard', fr. L.
cantherius, 'a gelding; trellis; rafter', fr. Gk.
xc.:v&rj).Lo<;, 'pack ass'. Cp. chantier, sbanty.
Ganymede, n., a beautiful boy, cupbearer to Zeus
(Greek mythol.)- L. Ganymedes, fr. Gk. rQ(vu
JL~87J<;, lit. 'rejoicing in his virility', compounded
of y&W[LQ(L, 'I am glad, rejoice', and fL~8e!l
(pl.), 'counsels, plans, cunning'. For the first
element see ganoid. The second element is rei.
to JL~8e;cr&Q(L, 'to devise, resolve, advise', JLl:8w'V,
fLtill:w"V, 'guardian, ruler' (prop. pres. part of the
ancient verb fll8eLv, 'to protect, rule over'), JLE'
8e;cr&Q(t, 'to be mindful of, give heed to, think
on', JLE8LJLVO<;, 'a measure', fr. I.-E. base *mld-,
'to measure, limit, consider', which is a -d-en
largement of base *me-, 'to measure'. See
meditate and cp. Andromeda and words there
referred to. Cp. also catamite.
gaol, gaoler, gaoleress. See jail, jailer, jaileress.
Gaon, n., a title given to the heads of the two
Babylonian academies of Sura and Pumbedita
(Jewish hist.)- Heb. gii'iJn, prob. meant as an
abbreviation of gtiJn Ya'akobh, 'the pride of
Jacob' (Ps. 47: 5). Heb. ga'iJn, 'exaltation, pride,
excellence', derives from the stem of gii'tih,
'rose', whence also ge, ge'~, 'proud',ga'awtfio,
'pride, majesty', ge'fith, 'majesty'. Cp. Aram.

640
gap

gtti, ethgii'e, Syr. ethgii'f, 'was proud' .

Deriva tive: Gaon-ic, adj.
gap, n.- ME. gap, fr. ON. gap, 'chasm , abyss',
rei. to ON. gapa, 'to gape'. See next word.
Deriva tive: gapp-y, adj.
gape, intr. v.- ME. gapen, fr. ON. gapa, whence
also Swed. gapa, Dan. gabe; rei. to Du. gapen,
MHG. , G. gaffen, 'to gape, stare'. The ultimat e
origin of these words is unknow n. Cp. prec.
word. Cp. also gasp.
Deriva tives: gape, n., gap-er, n.
gar, n., any of certain fishes having an elonga te
body and spearli ke jaws; called also garfish,
garpi ke.- ME., fr. OE. giir, 'spear', rei. to ON.
geirr, OS., OHG., MHG. ger, G. Ger, 'spear'.
See goad and cp. gore, 'a triangu lar piece of
land', and words there referre d to. Cp. also the
first elemen t in Gerald, Gerard , Gertrud e, Gervais, and the second elemen t in Edgar, Oscar,
Roger.
garage , n.-F. , orig. meanin g 'a place for storing
someth ing', fr. garer, 'to make safe, protect ',
fr. Franki sh *war6n, 'to guard', which is rei. to
OHG. biwar6n, of s.m. See ware, 'alert', and -age.
Deriva tive: garage, tr. v.
garb, n., costum e, style. - MF. garbe (F. galbe),
'gracef ul curb; graceful outline ', fr. It. garbo,
'grace', which is of Teut. origin. Cp. OHG.
gar(a)wi, 'dress, equipm ent, prepar ation', and
see gear.
Deriva tive: garb, tr. v.
garb, n., represe ntation of a sheaf of wheat (her.)
- ONF. garbe, corresp onding to OF. jarbe,
F. gerbe, 'sheaf' , fr. Franki sh *garba, which is
rei. to OS. gar15a, OHG. garba, MDu. garve, Du.
garf, MHG. , G. garbe, 'sheaf' , lit. 'that which is
gathere d up or togethe r', fr. I.-E. base *gherebh-, *ghrebh-, 'to seize'. OProven'<. and Sp.
garba, 'sheaf' , are also Teut. loan words. See
grab, 'to seize', and cp. gerbe.
garbag e, n. - Perh. a blend of OF. gar be, 'sheaf'
(see garb, 'sheaf') , and garble, 'to sift'. Accord ingly the original meanin g of garbage would
have been 'things sifted'. For the ending see
suff. -age.
Deriva tive: garbage, intr. v.
garble, tr. v., to select improp erly; to misquo te.
- OF. garbeller, grabeller, 'to garble spices,
to sift', fr. Sp. garbillar, 'to garble, sift', fr.
Arab. gluirbala, 'he sifted', fr. ghirbtil, 'sieve',
ult. fr. Late L. cribel/um, dimin. of L. cribrum,
'sieve', which is rei. to cernere, 'to distinguish,
separat e, sift'. See cribriform.
Deriva tives: garble, n., garbl-er, n., garbl-ing, n.
garboa rd, n., in shipbu ilding, the planks or plates
next to the keel. - Obsol. Du. gaarboord, fr.
garen, contrac tion of gaderen, 'to gather' , and
board, 'board' . See gather and board, 'plank' .
garbure , n., a soup of bacon and cabbag e. F., 'soup of bacon, cabbag e, fat and ryebre ad',
rei. to Sp. garbias, a kind of ragout ; of unknow n
origin.

garce, n., a measur e of capacit y in India. Telugu giirisa (cp. Tamil karisai), fr. OT. gdrfyas,
'very heavy', super!. of gurub, 'heavy, weighty,
venera ble', which is cogn. with Gk. [3cxpu.;, L.
gravis, 'heavy' . See grave, 'weigh ty', and cp.
guru.
ve case
gar~on,n.-F., 'boy, waiter' , orig. objecti
of OF. gars (this latter is still used as a provincial word, pronou nced gii); prob. fr. Franki sh
*wrakjo, which is rei. to the OHG. PN. Wracchio and to OS. wrekkio, OHG. recko, 'a banish ed person, exile', MHG. , G. recke, 'renow ned
warrio r, hero', and to E. wretch (q.v.) Cp. gossoon. Cp. also gasket.
gardan t, adj., having the head turned toward the
spectat or (her.; said of animals). -F., 'watching, looking at', pres. part. of garder, 'to keep,
watch, guard, protect , defend'. See guard, v.,
and -ant and cp. guardant.
garden, n. - ME. gardin, fr. ONF. gardin (correspon ding to OF. and F. jardin), derived fr.
ONF. gart (corres pondin g to OF. jart), fr.
Franki sh *gardo, 'garden ', which is rei. to OS.
gardo, OFris. garda, OHG. garto, MHG. garte,
G. Garten, 'garden ', Goth. garda, 'fold', ON.
gariJr, 'enclos ure, court, yard', OE. geard, 'enclosure, piece of land, yard'. See yard, 'enclosure', and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
jardiniere and the second elemen t in kindergarten.
Cp. also It. giardino, Sp. jardin, 'garden ', which
are borrow ed fr. F. jardin.
Deriva tives: garden, intr. v., garden-ed, adj.,
garden-er, n., garden-ing, n.
Gardenia, n., genus of trees and shrubs. ModL. , named after the Americ an botanis t
Alexan der Garden (1730-91). For the ending see
suff. -ia.
garefowl, n., the great auk. - ON. geirfugl, fr.
geirr, 'spear', andfug l, 'bird'. See gar and fowl.
garfish, n., a pikelike fish. -ME. garfish, fr. OE.
giir, 'spear', and fisc, 'fish'. See gar and fish.
Gargan tuan, adj., resembling, or remind ing of,
Gargan tua; very large. - From Gargantua,
name of the hero in Rabela is' satirical romanc e.
This name comes fr. Sp. garganta, 'gullet' ,
which is a derivative of the imitativ e base
*garg-; see next word. For the ending of gargantuan see suff. -an.
garget, n., 1) inflamm ation of the throat in cattle
and swine; 2) inflamm ation of the udder in
cows, etc.- ME. gargate, 'throat ', fr. OF. gargate, from the imitative base *garg-, which appears also in gargle, gargoyle (q.v.) Cp. prec.
word. Cp. also goglet.
Derivative: garget-y, adj.
gargle, intr. and tr. v.- F.gargouiller, 'to gurgle,
dabble , paddle ', fr. gargouille, 'throat ', from the
imitative base *garg-. See prec. word and cp.
next word and gurgle. Cp. also jargon, 'confus ed
speech'.
Deriva tive: gargle, n., a liquid used for gargling.
gargoyle, n., a grotesq ue waters pout represe nting

641

a human or animal figure. - OF. gargouille,

'throat , watersp out, gargoyle', compo unded of
the imitativ e base *garg- (see garget) and goule,
Wester n dial. form of gueule, 'mouth ', fr. L.
gula. See gullet.
garibal di, n., a kind of blouse worn by wome n.Named after the Italian patriot Giusep pe Garibaldi (1807-1882); so called because it resembles
the red shirts worn by Gariba ldi and his
followers.
garish, adj., showy; glarin g.- Possibly rei. to ME.
gauren, 'to stare', which is of uncerta in origin.
Deriva tives: garish-ly, adv., garish-ness, n.
garland, n., a wreath of flowers, leaves, etc. ME., fr. OF. garlande, which is rei. to OProveny. and Catal. garlanda and to OProve n9.
guirlanda, It. ghirlanda (whence F. guirlande),
Sp. and Port. guirnalda; of uncerta in, possibl y
Teut., origin.
Deriva tive: garland, tr. v.
garlic, n. - ME. garlek, fr. OE. garleac, compounde d of giir, 'spear', and leac, 'leak' (see
gar and leak); so called in allusio n to the spearlike leaves.
garment, n.- ME. garnement, fr. OF. garniment,
garnement (F. garnement), fr. OF. garnir, 'to
fortify; to provide , furnish, adorn'. See garnish
and -ment.
Deriva tive: garment, tr. v.
garner, n. -ME . garner, gerner, fr. OF. gernier,
gerner, metathesized fr. OF. ( = F.) grenier, fr.
L. griiniirium, 'granar y', whence also Rum.
griinar, It. granaio, OProven9. granier, Catal.
graner, Sp. granero (whence Port. granel). See
granary , which is a double t of garner. For the
ending see suff. -er (in the sense 'recept acle for').
Derivative: garner, tr. v.
garnet, n., I) a hard silicate minera l of various
colors; 2) a deep red color. - ME. gernet,
metathesized fr. OF. (= F.) grenat, fr. ML.
p6mum griiniitum, 'pomeg ranate' , lit. 'seeded
apple'; so called from its res0mblance to the
seeds of a pomeg ranate; cp. G. Granat and
see grain. Cp. also grenade, pomegranate.
garnierite, n., a hydrou s nickel magne sium silicate (mineral.) - Named after the French geologist Jules Garnier (died in I904), the discoverer
of the New Caledo nian nickel ores. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
garnish, tr. v., I) to adorn; 2) to decora te (food).
- ME. garnisshen, fr. OF. ( = F.) garniss-,
pres. part. stem of OF. garnir, 'to fortify; to
provide , furnish, adorn' (F. garnir, 'to provide ,
furnish, adorn, trim, line, mount' ), fr. Teut.
*warnjan, 'to provide , furnish ', whence also
OProven'<. garnir, It. guarnire, Catal. gornir,
Sp. and Port. guarnecer. Cp. OHG. warn6n, 'to
take head', and see warn and verbal suff. -ish.
Deriva tives: garnish, n., garnish-ee, n., adj. and
tr. v., garnish-ing, n., garnish-ment, n.
garnitu re, n. - F., fr. garnir. See prec. word
and -ure.

garotte , n. - See garrote .

garran, n. - See garcon.
garret, n., attic. - ME. garite, fr. OF. garite,
'watcht ower, place of refuge' (whence F. guerite,
'sentry box, turret, watcht ower'), fr. OProve n9.
garida, 'watcht ower', fr. garir, 'to protect ',
which is rei. to OF. garir, guerir, 'to protect ,
defend ' (whence F. guerir, 'to cure, heal'), and
to It. guarire, 'to cure, heal'. These words are
traceab le to Teut. *warjan, 'to protect , defend '.
See weir and cp. next word.
Deriva tive: garret-eer, n.
garrison, n.- OF. garison, warison, 'protec tion'
(whence F. guerison, 'cure, healing'), fr. garir,
'to protect '. See garret and cp. warison, which
is a double t of garrison. F. garnison, 'garriso n',
which has influenced the sense develo pment of
E. garrison, derives fr. OF. garnison, 'provis ion;
muniti ons', fr. garnir, 'to provide, furnish '; see
garnish.
Deriva tive: garrison, tr. v.
garcon, garran, n., a small breed of horse.
Gael. gearran.
garrot, n., the goldeneye (a kind of duck) .- F.,
of uncerta in origin.
garrote , garrott e, n., an instrum ent used for
execution in Spain and Portug al. - Sp. garrote, 'club, bludgeon, stick, cudgel, garrote ',
fr. F. garrot, 'rackin g stick', fr. OF. guaroc,
'shaft of the cross-b ow' (with change of suff. -oc
to -ot, owing to the identical pronun ciation of
these suffixes in later French). OF. guaroc is
back format ion fr. garokier, 'to garrote ,
strangl e', fr. Franki sh *wrokkan, 'to twist',
which is rei. to MDu. wroken, 'to twist'.
Derivatives: garrot(t)e, tr. v., garrot(t)-er, n.
garrulity, n., talkati veness .- F. garrulite, fr. L.
garru/itiitem, ace. of garrulitiis, 'chatte ring,
loquac ity', fr. garrulus. See garrulous and -ity.
garrulous, adj., talkative. - L. garrulus, 'chattering, talkativ e', fr. garrfre, 'to chatter , talk',
from the I.-E. imitativ e base *gar-, *ger-, 'to
cry'. See Clil"e and words there referre d to, and
cp. esp. Germa n and the first elemen t in Gerygone. For E. -ous, as equiva lent to L. -us, see
-ous.
Derivatives: garrulous-ly, adv., garrulous-ness, n.
garry, n. - A var. of gbarri.
garter, n. - ONF. gartier (corres pondin g to
OF. jartier, whence F. jarretiere, of s.m.), fr.
ONF. garet, 'bend of the knee', from a Gaulis h
base *garr-, meanin g 'leg' (cp. W. garr, Bret.
gar, 'ham, shinbo ne'), whence also Sp., Port.
garra, 'claw'.
Deriva tive: garter, tr. v.
garth, n., enclose d space, garden (archaic). ME., fr. ON. gariJr, 'enclosure, court, yard'.
See yard, 'enclos ure', and cp. garden.
gas, n. - First used in its usual sense by the
Belgian chemis t Van Helmo nt (1577-I 644). The
word is not his inventi on, althoug h he says that
it suggested itself by Gk. x;am; (see chaos). The

Gascon

word gas was used for the first time by Paracelsus (died in I54I), who named the air by it.
Derivatives: gas, tr. v., gaseity, gaseous, gasser,
gassy (qq.v.)
Gascon, n., 1) a native of Gascony ( = F. Gascogne); 2) (not capit.) a braggart.- F., fr. VL.
*Wasco, fr. L. Vasco, sing. of Vasciines, name
of the ancient inhabitants of the Pyrenees. See
Basque and cp. next word.
gasconade, n., boastful talk; brag. - F. gasconnade, 'boastful talk, bravado', fr. Gascon, 'inhabitant of Gascony'; so called from the proverbial boastfulness of the Gascons. - See
prec. word and -ade.
Derivatives: gasconade, intr. v., gasconad-er, n.
gaseity, n., gaseousness. - Formed fr. gas with
suff. -ity.
gaselier, n., a chandelier for burning gas. Formed fr. gas on analogy of chande-lier. Cp.
electrolier.
gaseous, adj. - Formed fr. gas with suff. -eous.
Derivative: gaseous-ness, n.
gash, tr. v., to cut deeply. - Fr. earlier garsh,
fr. ME. gar sen, fr. OF. garser, jarser, 'to incise'
(whence F. gercer, 'to chap, crack, cleave'), fr.
VL. *charissiire, fr. earlier *charassiire, fr. Gk.
z(l(p:Xcrcretv, 'to engrave, incise', whence X~XP~XK
~p, 'graving tool, mark engraved, impress,
character'. Sec character.
Derivative: gash, n.
gasification, n. - A hybrid coined fr. gas and
-fication.
gasiform, adj. - A hybrid coined fr. gas and L.
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
gasify, tr. v. - A hybrid coined fr. gas and -fy.
Derivatives: gasifi-able, adj., gasifi-er, n.
gasket, n., a piece of rope (naut.)- F. garcette,
dimin. of garce, 'wench', femin. to gar9on, 'boy';
used only in a figurative sense. See gar~n.
gasoline, gasolene, n. - A hybrid coined fr. gas,
-ol (fr. L. oleum, 'oil') and chem. suff. -ine,
resp. -ene.
gasometer, n. - - A hybrid wined fr. gas and Gk.
[J.Z"tp(;\1, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
gasp, intr. and tr. v. - ME. gaispen, gaspen, 'to
yawn', fr. ON. geispa, 'to yawn', whence also
Swcd. giispa, Dan. gispe, 'to gasp'. ON. geispa
is prob. formed by metathesis fr. *geip-sa and
is rei. to ON. gapa, 'to gape'. Cp. LG. gapsen,
'to gasp', and see gape.
Derivatives: gasp, n., gasper (q.v.), gasp-ing,
adj., gasp-ing-ly, adv.
Gaspar, masc. PN. - Of Persian origin; lit.
'treasure holder'. See Jasper.
gasper, n., 1) one who gasps; 2) a cheap cigarette
(British Slang).- Formed fr. gasp with agential
suff. -er.
gasser, n., one who or that which gasses. Formed fr. gas with agential suff. -er.
gassy, adj., I) full of, or containing, gas; 2) like
gas.- Formed fr. gas with adj. suff. -y.
gastaklite, n., a variety of glaucophane (mineral.)

642

- Named after Professor Bartolomeo Castaldi.

For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
gastero-, before a vowel gaster-, combining form
meaning 'stomach' or 'belly'.- Gk. y~Xcr-re:po-,
y~Xcr-rep-, identical in meaning with y~Xcr-rpo-,
y~Xcr-rp-. See gastro-.
gasteropod, n., any of the Gasteropoda. - See
next word.
Gasteropoda also Gastropoda, n. pl., a class of
mollusks including the snails, slugs, etc. (zoology).- ModL., lit. 'having a foot in the ventral
surface'; compounded of Gk. y~XcrTijp, gen.
y(l(cr-rp6.;, 'belly', and 1tau.;, gen. 1tall6.;, 'foot'.
See gastro- and -pod.
gastrectomy, n., the surgical removal of part of
the stomach. - Compounded of gastr- and
Gk. -e:x-ra[J.liX, 'a cutting out of', fr. ix-ro[J.~, 'a
cutting out'. See -ectomy.
gastric, adj., pertaining to the stomach. Formed with suff. -ic, fr. Gk. y~XcrTijp, gen.
y~Xcr-rp6.;, 'stomach'. See gastro- and cp. digastric, epigastric, hypogastric, mesogastric.
gastritis, n., inflammation of the stomach (med.)
- Medical L., coined by the French pathologist
Fran'>ois-Boissier de Ia Croix de Sauvages
(1706-67) fr. Gk. y~Xcr"t"f)p, gen. y~Xcr-rp6.;, 'stomach' (see gastro-), and suff. -itis.
gastro-, before a vowel gastr-, combining form
meaning 'stomach' or 'belly'. - Gk. y~Xcr-rpo-,
y~Xcr-rp-, fr. y~XcrTijp, gen. y(l(cr-rp6.;,'stomach, belly,
womb', which is dissimilated fr. *yp(l(crTijp anp
lit. means 'eater, devourer', fr. ypiiv, 'to gnaw,
eat', whence also yp&cr-rt.;, 'green fodder', y:Xcr-cpt<; (dissimilated fr. *yp&cr-rpt.;), 'pot-bellied;
glutton'; prob. cogn. with 01. grasati, 'eats,
devours'. See cress and cp. gangrene.
gastrocnemius, n., the largest muscle of the calf
of the leg (anat.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. y~Xcr
-rpaKVl)[J.liX, 'the calf of the leg', which is compounded of yMTijp, gen. y~Xcr-rp6.;, 'belly', and
xvf)[J.l), 'part between knee and ankle, leg,
shank'. For the first element see gastro-, for
the second see cnemial.
Derivatives: gastrocnemi-al, gastrocnemi-an,
adjs.
gastrology, n., I) the sciences of the structure,
functions and diseases of the stomach; 2) gastronomy. - Gk. y(l(cr-rpo"Aoylii, title of the
Greek Almanach des Gourmands, a poem written by Archestratus, a contemporary of Aristotle; compounded of y(l(crTI]p, gen. y(l(O"'tp6<;,
'stomach', and -"Aoylii, fr. -Myo<;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See gastro- and -logy.
Derivatives: gastrolog-er, n., gastrolog-ist, n.
gastronome, n. - F., back formation fr. gastronomie. See gastronomy.
gastronomer, n. - See next word and agential
suff. -er.
gastronomy, n., the act or science of caring for
the stomach, i.e. cookery. - F. gastronomie,
fr. Gk. y~Xcr-cpavoi:J.(ii, another name for y~Xa-

,!>d.UIIllt:::L

-rpo"Aoy(ii (see gastrology); formed fr. y~Xcr-c~p,

gen. y(l(O"'tp6.;, 'stomach', on analogy of &.a-rpo\IO[J.(ii, 'astronomy' (fr. &.crTijp, 'star'). See gastroand -nomy.
Derivatives: gastronom-ic,gastronom-ic-al, adjs.,
gastronom-ic-al-ly, adv., gastronom-ist, n.
gastroscope, n., an instrument for examining the
interior of the stomach. - Compounded of
gastro- and Gk. -ax6mov, fr. axo7te:tll, 'to look
at, examine'. See -scope.
gastroscopy, n., examination of the interior of
the stomach. - Compounded of gastro- and
Gk. -axoiT(iX, fr. crxoiTe:t\1, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scopy.
gastrotomy, n., an incision into the stomach. Compounded of gastro- and Gk. --ro[J.(iX, 'a
cutting of', fr. -roi:J.~, 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
gastrula, n., a form of embryo (embryo!.) ModL., dimin. of L. gaster, 'belly; a big-bellied
vessel', fr. Gk. y:Xcr-rpii, 'the lower part of a
vessel resembling a paunch; a vase with a bulging belly', fr. y~XcrTijp, gen. yM-rp6.;, 'belly';
see gastro- and -ule. The name gastrula was
coined by the German biologist Emil Heinrich
Haeckel (1834-I919).
Derivatives: gastrul-ar, gastrul-ate, adjs., gastrul-ation, n.
gate, n., opening, entrance. - ME. gate, gat,
fr. OE. gaet, gat, geat, 'gate', rei. to ON., OS.,
OFris., Du. gat, 'an opening', and prob. also
to gate, 'passage' (q.v.) Cp. gait, gantlet.
Derivatives: gate, tr. v. (British), to confine to
the college grounds, galeage (q.v.), gat-ed, gateless, adjs., gating (q.v.)
gate, n., passage. - ME., fr. ON. gata, 'way,
path, road' (whence also Norw., Swed. gata,
Dan. gade), rei. to Goth. gatw6, OHG. ga33a,
MHG. ga33e, G. Gasse, 'street'. Finn. katu,
Lett. galva, 'street', are Teut. loan words. Cp.
gate, 'opening'.
gateage, n., the use of gates. - A hybrid coined
fr. gate, 'opening', and suff. -age.
gather, tr. and intr. v. - ME. gaderen, fr. OE.
gaderian, g<edrian, 'to gather, collect, store up',
rei. to OFris. gaderia, gadria, MLG. gadderen,
MDu., Du. gaderen, of s.m., MHG. gatern, 'to
unite', OE. g<ed, 'companionship', OE. gada,
ge-gada, MHG. gate, ge-gate, 'companion', Du.
gade, 'spouse', G. Gatte, 'husband', and to OE.
g<edeling, OS. gaduling, OHG. gatuling, Goth.
gadi/iggs, 'companion', which are prop. diminutives of Teut. *gad-, 'companion'. See good
and cp. gad, 'to rove about', together.
Derivatives: gather-er, n., gather-ing, n.
gating, n., confinement to college.- Formed fr.
gate, 'opening', with -ing, suff. forming verbal
nouns.
Gatling gun. - Named after its inventor Richard
Jordan Gatling (18I8-1903).
gauche, adj., left-handed; awkward, tactless. F., fr. gauchir, 'to tum aside, flinch', a blend of
OF. guenchir, 'to turn aside, slant, swerve', and

OF. gauchier, 'to full'. OF. guenchir derives fr.

Frankish *wankjan, which is rei. to OHG. wankon, ON. vakka, 'to stagger, totter'; see wink
and cp. wince. OF. gauchier is a derivative of
Frankish *walkan, 'to full'; see walk.
Derivatives: gauche-ly, adv., gauche-ne_5s, n.
gaucherie, n., awkwardness, tactlessness. - F.,
fr. gauche. See prec. word and -ery.
gaucho, n., a cowboy. - Sp., prob. fr. Araucanian cauchu, 'wanderer'.
gaud, n., ornament. - ME. gaude, prob. fr. OF.
gaudir, 'to make merry, rejoice', fr. VL. *gaudire, corresponding to L. gaudere, 'to rejoice',
which stands for *gawidere and is cogn. with
Gk. y~Xw (for *ytif1w), 'I rejoice, exult', n.&ew,
Dor. yii.&ew (for *yiife:.&iw), 'I rejoice', y~Xupo;,
'exulting, superb', y~Xupii~, Ion. y~Xupl)~, 'braggart', &y~Xupo.;, 'proud', Mlr. giiaire, 'noble'. Cp.
joy, rejoice. Cp. also Gaura, the first element in
ganoid, Ganymede, and the seond element ir:
Origanum.
Derivative: gaud, tr. v.
gaud, n., ornamental bead (hist.) - Prob. fr. L.
gaudium, 'joy', fr. gaudere, 'to rejoice'. See gaud,
'ornament'.
Derivatives: gaud-y, adj., gaud-i-ly, adv., gaudi-ness, n.
gaudy, n., feast, entertainment. - L. gaudium,
'joy, delight, occasion of joy', fr. gaudere, 'to
rejoice'. See gaud, 'ornament'.
gauffer.- Sec golfer.
gauge, gage, tr. v., I) to measure; 2) to estimate.
- ONF. gauger, corresponding to OF. and F.
jauger, fr. jauge, 'gauging rod', fr. Frankish
*galgo, prop. 'pole for measuring', and rei. to
ON. gelgja, 'pole, perch', OHG. galgo, 'gallows; cross'. See gallows.
Derivatives: gauge, n. (q.v.), the hybrid gaugeable, adj., gaug-er, n.
gauge, gage, n.- ON F. gauge, corresponding to
OF. and F. jauge. See gauge, v.
Gaul, n., I) name of an ancient country of W.
Europe; 2) one of the natives of Gaul; 3) (used
facetiously) a Frenchman. - F. Gaule, 'the
country of Gaul', fr. Gallia, fr. Gallus, 'a Gaul'.
See Gallic.
Derivatives: Gaul-ish, adj. and n.
gault, n., a heavy clay (dial. English).- Cp. ON.
gald, 'hard snow', Norw. gald, 'hard ground'.
Derivatives: gault, tr. and intr. v., gault-er, n.
Gaultheria, n., a genus of plants, the aromatic
wintergreen (bot.) - ModL., named after the
Canadian botanist Jean-Fran9ois Gau/thier (also
spelled Gaultier, Gautier) (cca. 1708-56). For
the ending see suff. -ia.
gaunt, adj., thin; lean.- ME., prob. of Scand.
origin. Cp. Norw. gand, 'a thin stick; a tall and
thin man'.
Derivatives: gaunt-ness, n., gaunt-y, adj.
gauntlet, n., a glove. - ME. gantelet, fr. MF.
(=F.) gantelet, double dimin. of gant, 'glove',
fr., OF. want, guant, gant, fr. Frankish wanth,

gauntlet

which is rel. to MDu. want, 'mitten', ON. vottr

(for *vantr), 'glove', Dan. vante, 'mitten'. These
words prob. stand in gradational relationship
to E. wind, 'to turn'. For sense development cp.
G. Gewand, 'garment', which is rel. to wenden,
'to turn', winden, 'to wind, twist, turn', and to
E. wind, 'to turn'. It. guanto, Sp. guante, 'glove',
are French loan words.
Derivative: gauntlet-ed, adj.
gauntlet, n. - See gantlet.
gauntry, n. - See gantry.
gaur, gour, n., the wild ox Bos gauros.- Hind.
gaur, fr. OI. gaurd/:1, 'white, yellowish; the Bos
gaurus', fr. gdu/:1, gen. gob, 'ox, bull, cow'. See
Gautama.
Gaura, n., a genus of American plants (bot.) ModL., fr. Gk. yo:upo~, 'exulting, superb'. See
gaud, 'ornament'.
gauss, n., the C.G .S. unit of intensity of the magnetic field. -Named after the German mathematician Karl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855).
gaussage, n., the intensity of a magnetic field expressed in gausses. - Formed fr. gauss with
suff. -age.
gaussbergite, n., a kind of lava (petrogr.) - So
called from Gaussberg, a mountain in Kaiser
Wilhelm II Land, Antarctica, a name compounded of Gauss, name of the ship used by the
German Antarctic Expedition, and of G. Berg,
'mountain'. See borough and subst. suff. -ite.
Gautama, n., the name of many sages, also surname of Buddha. - 01. Gotama/:1, prop. a
patronymic meaning lit. 'descendant of the
greatest ox', and super!. of gdub, gen. go/:1,
'ox, bull, cow'. See cow and cp. gaur, the first
element in Gaekwar and in gopura and the second element in nilgai.
gauze, n., a very fine fabric of silk, cotton etc. F. gaze, fr. Gaza, a town in Palestine, famous
for the very fine transparent tissues fabricated
there.
Derivatives: gauz-y, adj., gauz-i-ly, adv., gauzi-ness, n.
gavage, n., forced feeding (med.) - F. gavage,
fr. gaver, 'to gorge, to feed forcibly', a Picard
loan word, rei. to Proven!Y. gava, 'crop (of a
bird)', prob. ofGaulish origin. Cp. gavotte. For
the ending see suff. -age.
gave, past tense of give. - ME. gave, past tense
of ghen, 'to give'. See give.
gavel, n., tribute (obso/.) - ME., fr. OE. gafol,
'tribute', rel. to MDu. gavel, MHG. gaffe/,
'society, guild', and to OE. giefan, 'to give'. See
give and cp. gavelkind and gale, 'rent'.
ga~el, n., a small mallet. - Of uncertain origin.
gavelkind, n., a kind of tenure (law). - ME.
gavelkynde. See gavel, 'tribute', and kind, n.
gavial, n., crocodile of the Ganges. - F., corrupted fr. Hind. ghariyii/.
F., fr. OProven~.
~avotte, n., a lively dance. zavoto, fr. gavot, 'inhabitant of the Alps' (hence
-:avoto lit me.:.ns 'dance of the inhabitants of

644
the Alps'). Cp. OProven9. gavach, 'boor, mountaineer' (whence F. gavache, 'coward, dastard').
Both OProven9. words derive fr. OProven9.
gava, 'crop (of a bird)'. See gavage.
gawk, n., an awkward person. - Of uncertain
origin; perh. fr. obsol. E. gaw, 'to stare', fr. ME.
gawen, fr. ON. gii, 'to heed', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: gawk-y, adj. and n., gawk-i-ness, n.
gay, adj. - F. gai, prob. fr. Frankish *giihi,
which is rei. to OHG. giihi, MHG. giich, 'rapid,
impetuous', G. jiih, 'rapid, sudden; steep, precipitous'. OProven9. gai and It. gaio are
French loan words. Cp. the second element in
nosegay.
Gaylussacia, n., a genus of plants, the huckleberry (bot.) - ModL., named after the French
chemist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac (I778-r8so).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
gaze, intr. v. - ME. gasen, of Scand. origin.
Cp. dial. Swed. gasa, 'to stare, gaze'; of uncertain origin.
gazebo, n., turret, balcony. - Facetious formation fr. gaze after L. videbo, 'I shall see'.
gazelle, n. - F., fr. ghazi!l, N. African pronunciation of Arab. ghazal.
gazette, n., newspaper. - F., fr. It. gazzetta, of
s.m., fr.gazzetta, name of the smallest Venetian
coin, said to have been paid for the perusal of the
manuscript newspaper issued by the Venetian
Government once a month. It. gazzetta, 'coin',
is prob. a dimin. formed fr. L. gaza, 'treasure',
fr. Gk. y.X.~o:, which is of Persian origin. See
genizah and cp. next word.
Derivatives: gazette, tr. v., gazetteer (q.v.)
gazetteer, n., I) a journalist; 2) a geographical
dictionary.- F. gazettier (now spelled gaze tier),
lit. 'one who writes in a gazette', fr. gazette. See
prec. word and -eer.
Derivative: gazetteer, tr. v.
gazogene, n., an apparatus for fabricating aerated
water.- F. gazogene, a hybrid coined fr. gaz,
'gas', and combining form -gene. See gas and
-gen.
ge-, combining form meaning 'earth'.- See geo-.
gear, n., equipment, harness, tackle.- ME. gere,
prob. fr. ON. gervi, 'apparel', which is rel. to
OE. gearwe, OS. garewi, OHG. garawf, garwf,
'clothing, dress', OE. gearwian, OS. garuwian,
gerwean, OHG. garawen, gariwen, 'to make
ready', MHG. gerwen, G. gerben, 'to tan', ON.
gorva, Dan. gjore, 'to make', OE. gearo, gearu,
OS. garo, ON. gorr, OHG. garo, garawer,
MHG., G. gar, 'ready, prepared'. See yare, and
cp. garb, 'style'.
Derivatives: gear, tr. and intr. v., gear-ing, n.,
gear-less, adj.
gecko, n., a kind of house lizard.- Malay gekoq,
imitative of its cry.
gedanite, n., a variety of amber (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gedanum, the
Latin name of Danzig.

645

gedrite, n., a variety of antophyllite (mineral.)F. gidrite, named after Gedre, in the French Pyrenees. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
gee-gee, n., a horse (colloq.) - Reduplication of
gee, a child's word for 'horse', fr. gee a word
of command to a horse.
geezer, n., an old fellow. - Dial. alteration of
guiser (q.v.)
Geg.enschein, n., counterglow, a faint luminous
light seen opposite the sun's direction (astron.)
-G., formed fr. gegen, 'against, counter', and
Schein, 'shine, light, appearance'. See again
and shine.
gehenna, n., hell. - Eccles. L., fr. Gk. yer;;wo:,
fr. Heb. Ge Hinn6m, 'the Valley of Hinnom',
shortened fr. Ge Ben-Hinn6m, 'the Valley of the
Son of Hinnom', a valley SW. and S. of Jerusalem, where children were sacrificed to Moloch.
gehlenite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate,
Ca3 AI2 Si2 0 10 (mineral.) - Named by the German chemist Johann Nepomuk Fuchs (17741856) after his colleague A. F. Geh/en (17751815). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
geikelite, n., magnesium titanate (mineral.) Named after Sir Archibald Geikie, director of
the Geological Survey of Great Britain (18351924). For the ending see combining form -lite.
geikia, n., a toothless reptile from the New Red
Sandstone of Scotland (paleontol.) - ModL.,
named after Sir Archibald Geikie. See prec.
word.
geikielite, n., magnesium titanate, MgTi03
(mineral.) - Named after Sir Archibald Geikie.
See geikelite and subst. suff. -ite.
geisha, n., a Japanese professional singing and
dancing girl. - Jap., composed of gei-sha, lit.
'artistic person'.
gelada, n., an Abyssinian ape. -A native name.
gelatin, gelatine, n., animal jelly. - F. gelatine,
fr. It. gelatina, fr. gelata, 'jelly', fr. L. geliita,
fern. pp. of geliire, 'to freeze, stiffen'. See gelid
and chem. suff. -in, -ine and cp. jelly.
gelatiniform, adj. - Formed fr. gelatin and L.
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
gelatinize, tr. v., to change into gelatin; intr. v.,
to be changed into gelatin. - A hybrid coined
fr. gelatin and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
gelatinoid, adj.- A hybrid coined fr. gelatin and
Gk. -oe:tiH;~. 'like', fr. e:tllo~, 'form, shape'. See-oid.
gelatinous, adj.- F.ge/atineux (fern. gelatineuse),
fr. gelatine. See gelatin and -ous.
Derivatives: gelatinous-ly, adv., gelatinousness, n.
gelation, n., freezing. - L. ge/iitio, gen. -onis,
'freezing', fr. ge/iitus, op. of ge/iire, "to freeze'.
See gelid and -ion.
geld, tr. v., to castrate; to spay. - ME. gelden,
fr. ON. ge/da, 'to geld', fr. ON. geldr, 'barren',
which is rei. to OSwed. galder, Swed. gall, Dan.
gold,Norw.gjeld,M LG.gelde,OE.giel de,MHG.
galt, G. galt,ge/t, 'barren', and prob. also to OE.,
OHG. galan, 'to sing', OE. giellan, 'to scream,

geloto~

cry'. Accordingly, ON. geldr, etc., prob. meant

originally 'enchanted, bewitched'. See yell and
cp. gale, 'a strong wind', and the last element
in nightingale.
geld, n., payment, tax (English history). - OE.
geld, gield, gild, 'payment', rei. to OS. geld,
OHG., MHG. ge/t, 'payment, contribution',
Du., G. geld, 'money', ON. gjald, 'payment',
Goth. gild, 'tribute, tax', and to E. yield (q.v.)
Cp. the second element in Danegeld.
gelding, n., a castrated animal. - ON. geldingr,
fr. ge/dr, 'barren'. See geld, 'to castrate', and
subst. suff. -ing.
Gelechia, n., a genus of moths, the pink bollworm (entomol.) - ModL., formed with suff.
-ia fr. G k. '(t)AEX.~~. 'sleeping on the earth',
fr. y'lj, 'earth', and 'Aex.o~, 'bed'. For the first
element see geo-. The second element is cogn.
with OE. licgan, 'to lie'; see lie, 'to recline'. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
Gelechiidae, n. pl., a family of moths (entomol.)
- ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
gelid, adj., freezing, frosty. - L. gelidus, 'icy,
frosty', formed-prob. on analogy of calidus,
'warm'-fr. gelii, 'frost'; which is rei. to g/acies, 'ice', fr. I.-E. base *gel-, 'to freeze, be cold',
whence also Gk. ye:'Ao:vllp6~, 'cold', OE. cald,
ceald, 'cold'. See cold and cp. words there referred to. For the ending see adj. suff. -id.
Derivatives: gelid-ity, n., gelid-ly, adv., gelidness, n.
gelignite, n., a high explosive. - Formed from
the abbreviation of gelatin, L. ignis, 'fire' (see
igneous), and subst. suff. -ite.
gelilah, n., the wrapping up of the Scroll of the
Law (Jewish liturgy). - Heb. gttifa", 'a rolling
up', fr. giildl, 'he rolled, unfolded', rei. to Aram.
gtfal, galU/, of s.m., Heb. gifgi!l, Aram. galgi!l,
'he rolled away', Heb. gal, Aram. gal, gallti,
'heap, wave, willow', Akkad. gil/u, 'wave', Heb.
gullah, 'basin, bowl', Akkad. gullatu, 'a vessel',
Heb. giild/, Aram. galM, galftfi! (pl.), g'liild,
Arab. jdllah, 'dung', He b. giilil, 'cylinder; district', Haggiilil, 'Galilee', gilhllfm (pl.), 'idols',
ga/gdl, 'wheel, whirlwind', Aram. ga/gd/, gilgtfa, 'wheel', Mishnaic Heb. galgdl (hii'dyin),
Aram. gafgtfd (dt'enti), Akkad. gaggultu, 'apple
of the eye', Heb. gu/g6/eth, Aram. gulgtiltd,
giigaltd, Akkad. gu/gul/u, Arab. jd/ajah, jumjumah, 'skull'. Cp. Megilloth. Cp. also Galilee,
Golgotha and the second element in Abigail.
Cp. also ganglion.
gelo-, combining form meaning 'laughter'.- Fr.
Gk. ye:f..w~, 'laughter'. See geloto-.
geloscopy, n., divination by laughter. - Compounded of gelo- and Gk. -m<07tLii, fr. crxo;-;e:~v,
'to look at, examine'. See -scopy.
geloto-, combining form meaning 'laughter'. Gk. yE:f..w-ro-, fr. ye:f..w~, gen. yti:).w-ro~, 'laughter',
rei. to ye::f..iv, 'to laugh', yoc):r,v6~. 'calm, serene',
yoU.i]VI), 'stilness of wind and wave', and cogn.
with Arm. calr, gen. calu, 'laughter, ci-calim,

Gelsemium

646

gemmate, adj., having buds. - L. gemmiitus,

'I laugh'. Cp. gelo-, Aglaia, Aglaspis, glenoid.
'provided with buds', pp. of gemmare, 'to put
Cp. also clean.
forth buds', fr. gemma, 'bud'. See gemma and
Gelsemium, n., a genus of plants, the yellow
adj. suff. -ate.
jessamine (bot.) - ModL., fr. gelsomino, the
gemmate, intr. v., to bud. - L. gemmatus, 'proItalian name of the jessamine. See jasmine,
vided with buds'. See prec. word.
jessamine. For the ending see Ist -ium.
Derivative: gemmat-ion, n.
gem, n., precious stone. - ME. gemme, fr. MF.
gemmiferous, adj., I) yielding gems; 2) bearing'
( = F.) gemme, 'precious stone', fr. L. gemma,
buds (bot. and zoo/.) - Compounded of gemma
'precious stone; bud'. See gemma.
and -ferous.
Derivative: gem, tr. v.
gemmiparous, adj., producing buds (bioi.) Gemara, n., commentary on the Mishnah (toCompounded of gemma and -parous.
gether with which it forms the Talmud). gemmule, n., a small gemma or bud. - L. gemAram. g'marii, emphatic state of g<mdr, 'commula, 'a little bud', dimin. of gemma. See gemma
pletion; learning', fr. g'mar, 'he finished, comand -ule.
pleted; he learned completely; he learned',
gemmy, adj., full of gems. - Formed fr. gem
which is rei. to Heb. giirruir, 'he ended, comwith adj. suff. -y.
pleted', and to Arab. jammara, 'he collected,
Derivatives: gemmi-/y, adv., gemmi-ness, n.
assembled'.
Gemonies, n. pl. (Roman antiq.)- L. Gemoniae,
gematria, n., explanation of the sense of a word
shortened fr. Gemoniae scalae, steps on the
by substituting for it another word, so that the
Aventine Hill down which the bodies of exenumerical value of the letters constituting either
cuted criminals were dragged to be thrown into
word is identical. - Mishnaic Heb. gimatriyyd,
the Tiber. The name is pro b. of Etruscan origin;
metathesis of Gk. *ypoq.J.iJ.ctTd&, 'play upon
its connection with L. gemere, 'to sigh, groan',
letters', fr. ypttiJ.iJ.IX, gen. yp&iJ.iJ.IXTo<;, 'letter', lit.
is folk etymology.
'that which is written'. See -gram, -graph.
gemot, n., a meeting (English hist.)- OE. gemot,
gemel, n., one of a pair of bars (her.) - OF.
'meeting'. See moot, 'meeting', and cp. hallmoot,
(whence F. gemeau, jumeau), 'twin', fr. L. gewitenagemot.
mellus, dimin. of geminus. See Gemini and cp.
gemsbok, n., a South African antelope. - Du.,
next word and gimbal.
rei. to G. Gemsbock, lit. 'the male of the chagemellus, n., name of either of two small muscles
mois', fr. Du. gems (resp. G. Gemse), 'chamois',
(anat.) - L., 'twin'; in the modern, anatomical
and bok (resp. G. Bock), 'buck'. The first elesense, it is a loan translation of F. les jumeaux,
ment is a loan word fr. L. camox, 'chamois',
'the twins', a name coined by the French
which itself is a loan word from an Indo-Eurosurgeon Ambroise Pare (died in I590). See
pean language spoken by the ancient inhabigemel.
tants of the Alps. This word derives fr. I.-E.
geminate, adj., found in pairs. - L. geminiitus,
base kem-, 'hornless', whence also Gk. KtiJ.tt<;,
pp. of geminiire, 'to double, repeat', fr. geminus.
'young deer, gazelle'. See hind, 'female of the
See Gemini and adj. suff. -ate.
deer', and cp. chamois. For the second element
geminate, tr. v., to double. - See prec. word.
in gemsbok see buck.
gemination, n. - L. geminiitio, gen. -onis, 'a
-gen, combining form used in the senses: I) somedoubling', fr. geminiitus, pp. of geminare. See
thing produced; 2) something that produces as
geminate, adj., and -ion.
in oxygen, hydrogen. The second sense is moGemini, n. pl., I) the constellation of Castor and
dern; it was introduced by the French chemist
Pollux; 2) the third sign of the Zodiac.- L.,
Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier (in his Traite de
'twins', specif. 'the constellation Castor and
Chimie, published in I789).- F. -gene, fr. Gk.
Pollux'; pro b. cogn. with OI. yafllfib, Avestic
-ye:v-Tj<;, 'born of, produced by', from the stem of
y'mo, 'twin', Mlr. emon (masc.), emuin (fern.),
yrw?iv, 'to beget, bring forth, generate, pro'pair of twins'. These words possibly derive fr.
duce'. See genus and cp. words there referred to.
I.-E. base *gem-, 'to press', whence also Gk.
gena, n., the cheek (zoo/.) - L., 'cheek'. See
YEiJ.tW, 'to be pregnant, to be full of', Mlr.
chin and cp. words there referred to.
geme/, W. gefyn, 'fetter'. Gk. yociJ.dv, 'to marry',
genappe, n., a smooth worsted yarn.- Fr. Geis not cogn. with L. geminus. Cp. gemel, trinappe, a town in Belgium; so called because
geminous.
first made at Genappe.
gemma, n., 1) a bud (hot.); 2) a budlike growth
gendarme, n., an armed policeman. - F. gens
(zoot.)- L., 'bud; precious stone', possibly for
d'armes, 'men at arms', lit. 'men of arms'. F.
*gembh-ma, fr. I.-E. base *gembh-, 'to cut to
gens, 'men', is the plural of gent, 'nation,
pieces', whence also Lith. zemba, iembeti, 'to
people', fr. L. gentem, ace. of gens, 'race, nasprout', iembiu, iembti, 'to cut to pieces',
tion, people'; F. de, 'from, of', comes fr. L. de,
OSiav. Zfbp, 'I tear to pieces', pro-zrbati, 'to
'from, away from'; F. amres derives fr. L. arma,
sprout, shoot forth', Ol. jambhate, jabhate,
'weapons'. See gens, de- nd ann, n.
snaps at', jdmbha(l, 'tooth', OE. camb, 'comb'.
gendarmerie, n., gendarmes collectively. - F.
See comb and cp. gem, gemmule.

647

See prec. word and -ery.

gender, n. - ME. gendre, fr. OF. gendre (F.
genre), fr. L. genus, gen. generi's, 'sort, kind,
class; sex, gender'. See genus and cp. genre,
which is a doublet of gender.
Derivative: gender-less, adj.
gender, tr. v., to engender (Biblical and archaic).OF. gendrer, fr. L. generare, 'to engender', fr.
genus, gen. generis. See prec. word and cp.
engender.
gene, n., a hypothetical agent transmitted from
parent to offspring (bioi.). - See -gen.
-gene, combining form, identical in meaning and
origin. with -gen (q.v.)
genealogical, adj. -- Formed with adj. sutf. -al
fr. Gk. ye:veoc'AoyLx6~, 'of genealogy', fr. ye:vtoc'Aoyl&. See next word and -ic.
Derivative: genealogical-ly, adv.
genealogy, n.- ME. genealogie, fr. OF. genealogie (F. genealogie), fr. Late L. genea/ogia, fr.
Gk. ye:vecx'Aoy[&, 'account of a family, making
of a pedigree, genealogy', fr. yeveocMyo<;, 'maker
of a pedigree, genealogist', which is formed fr.
ye:ve&, 'descent', and -Myo<;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See genus and -logy,
Derivatives: genealogical (q. v.), genealog-ist,
n., genea/og-ize, v.
gener, n., son-in-law. - L., prob. fr. *gerneros
(the n being due to the influence of words like
gens, 'nation', genitor, 'parent, creator'), fr.
I.-E. base *gem-, 'to marry'; cogn. with Gk.
y&iJ.~po<;, 'son-in-law, brother-in-law, father-inlaw', and with Gk. ycxiJ.e:"iv, 'to take to wife, to
marry'. See bigamy and cp. words there referred to.
generable, adj., capable of being generated. L. generiibilis, 'that which has the power of generating', fr. generare. See generate and -able.
general, adj.- OF. (F. general), fr. L. generalis,
'of a specific kind; relating to all, general', fr.
genus, gen. generis, 'sort, kind, class'. See genus
and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: general, n., generality (q.v.),
general-ize, tr. and intr. v., general-ly, adv.
general, n. - OF. (F. general), fr. general, adj.
See general, adj.
generalissimo, n., supreme military commander.
-It. super!. of generate, 'general', fr. generale,
adj., 'general', fr. L. generalis. See general, adj.
and n.
generality, n.- F. genera/ire, fr. L. generiilitatem,
ace. of genera/itas, 'generality', fr. generalis. See
general, adj., and -ity.
generate, tr. v. - L. generiitus, pp. of generiire,
'to beget, bring forth, produce, generate', fr.
genus, gen. generis, 'birth, descent, race'. See
genus and verbal suff. -ate and cp. gender, v.,
engender.
Derivatives: generation (q.v.), generat-ive, adj.,
generative-ly, adv., gelll!rative-ness, n., generator (q.v.)

genetiC

generation, n. - L. gen?riiti6, gen. -onis, 'a generating, generation', fr. L. generatus, pp. of
gen?rare. See generate and -ion.
generator, n., I) a p!rson who or a thing that
generates; 2) an apparatus for producing steam
or gas; 3) an apparatus for changing mechanical
into electrical energy; a dynamo. - L., 'engenderer, producer, generator', fr. generatus,
pp. of generiire. See generate and agential suff.
-or.
generatrix, n., a point, line or surface that generates a line, surface or solid (geom.) - L., 'she
that generates', fern. of generator. See prec.
word and -trix.
generic, adj., pertaining to a genus, kind or class.
-Formed with suff. -ic fr. L.genus, gen. generis,
'sort, kind, class'. See genus.
Derivatives: generic-al-ly, adv., generic-atness, n.
generosity, n. - F. generosite, fr. L. generositiitem, ace. of gener6sitiis, 'nobility, excellence,
magnanimity', fr. generosus. See next word
and -ity.
generous, adj. -- F. genereux (fern. genereuse),
fr. L. generosus, 'of noble birth, noble, excellent, magnanimous', fr. genus, gen. generis,
birth, descent, origin'. See genus and -ous.
Derivatives: generous-ly, adv., generous-ness, n.
genesis, n., 1) (cap.) the first book of the Pentateuch; 2) origin, cre:1tion.- L., fr. Gk. yzvemc,
'birth, descent, origin', which i-; rei. to ytvo~.
'birth, descent, race', yeve:&, yzvt~, yeve-r~. of
s.m., yeve'T-Tjp, 'father', fr. I.-E. base *gen-,
*gene-, 'to beget, produce'. s~e genus and cp.
word; there referrej to.
-genesis, combining form meaning 'origination,
generatio:1, formation', as in biogenesis, pathogenesis. - Fr. L. genesis, fr. Gk. yzvecr~~- See
pre:. word.
genet, n., a small civetcat; also its fur. - OF.
genete, genette (F. genette), fr. Sp. gineta, fr.
Arab. jarnai(.
genethliac, adj., p~rtaining to thd casting of nativities; pertaining to a birthday. - L. genethliacus, fr. Gk. ye:ve&'ALocx6~. 'pertaining to birth,
pertaining to nativity', fr. ye:vi&'Aw:;, 'of one's
birth', fr. ye:v&A.'fl, 'birth', which is rei. to
yive:crL<;, 'birth, descent, origin'. See genesis.
genethliacon, n., a birthday ode. - Gk. yeve&I.Locxov, prop. neut. of the adjective yevdt'ALocxo:;,
'pertaining to a birthday', used as a noun. See
prec. word.
genethlialogy, n., the art of casting nativities;
astrology. - Gk. ye:vt&'ALi'Aoyli, 'casting of
nativities, astrology', fr. ye:ve&A.Lii.0yu<;, 'caster
of nativities', which is compounded of ye:vi&'ALO<;, 'of one's birth', and -Myo~. 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See genethliac and -logy.
genetic, adj., pertaining to genesis. - A modern
word formed fr. genesis on analogy of Greek
adjectives ending in -&TLx6<;, which correspond

-genetic
to nouns ending in -e:crt~. See suff. -etic.
Derivatives: genetic-al-ly, adv., genetics (q.v.)
-genetic, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
genesis or generation', as in biogenetic. - See
prec. word.
genetics, n., that branch of biology which deals
with heredity.- Coined by the English biologist and geneticist William Bateson (I86I-I926)
fr. genetic and suff. -ics.
genetrix, n., a mother. - L. genetrix, genitrix,
'a mother', lit. 'she that bears', fern. of genitor,
'parent, father'. See genitor and -trix.
geneva, n., gin (liquor). - Earlier Du. genever
(now jenever), fr. ON. genevre (F. genievre), fr.
L. juniperus, 'juniper'. See juniper and cp. gin,
'liquor'.
Genevieve, fern. PN.- F. Genevieve, fr. Late L.
Genovefa, which is prob. of Celtic origin.
genial, adj., mild, kindly. - L. geniiilis, 'pertaining to birth or generation; nuptial, festival;
pleasant', fr. genius, 'tutelary spirit'. See genius
and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: geniality (q.v.), genial-ize, tr. v.,
genial-ly, adv., genial-ness, n.
genial, adj., pertaining to the chin. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. y&ve:tov, 'chin', which
is related to ytvu~. 'the lower jaw, cheek, chin',
and cogn. with L. gena, 'cheek', Goth. kinnus,
'cheek', OE. cinn, 'chin'. See chin and cp. words
there referred to.
geniality, n. - Late L. geniiilitiis, 'festivity,
pleasantness ', fr. L. geniiilis. See genial, 'mild',
and -ity.
genic, adj., pertaining to a gene (bioi.) - See
gene and -ic.
-genic, combining form meaning 'producing', as
in endogenic, eugenic. - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. nouns ending in -gen or -geny.
geniculate, geniculated, adj., having knots or
joints.- L. geniculiitus, 'having knots or joints',
fr. geniculum, 'little knee; knot on the stalk of
a plant', dimin. of genii, 'knee'. See genu and
the suff. -cule, and -ate, resp. also -ed.
Derivatives: geniculat-ed, adj., geniculate-ly,
adv., geniculation, n.
geniculum, n., a small kneelike structure (anat.)
- L., 'little knee'. See prec. word.
genie, n., ajinni.- F.genie, fr. L.genius, 'tutelary
spirit' (see genius); confused in sense with jinni.
genio-, pertaining to the chin (anat.) - Gk.
ye:ve:to-, fr. y&ve:tov, 'chin'. See genial, 'pertaining
to the chin'.
Genista, n., a genus of plants, the woad waxen
(bot.)- L. genista, 'broom', a foreign word, as
proved by its ending. -ista. The var. genistra
points to Etruscan origin. See fenestra and cp.
Herbig, Indogerman ische Forschungen , 37,
I7I ff.
genital, adj., I) pertaining to reproduction ;
2) pertaining to the reproductive organs. - L.
genitiilis, 'pertaining to generation or birth',
fr. genitus, pp. of gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring

648

forth, produce'. See genus and adj. suff. -al and

cp. congenital. Cp. also genesis.
genitalia, n. pl., the genitals. - L. genitalia (scil.
membra), 'genitals', neut. pl. of genitiilis. See
prec. word.
genitals, n. pl., the reproductive organs. Formed from genital.
genitive, adj. and n. - Fr. L. (casus) genitivus, '
lit. 'the case expressing origin', fr. genitlvus,
'pertaining to birth or generation', fr. genitus,
pp. of gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring forth' (see
genus and -ive and cp. Gentoo). L. casus genitivus is prop. mistranslatio n of Gk. ye:vtx-~
(wrwm~). 'the case expressing race or kind', fr.
y&vo~, 'race, kind' (see genus). For the Latin
mistranslatio n of another Greek case name see
accusative.
Derivatives: genitiv-al, adj., genitive-ly, adv.
genito-, pertaining to the genitals. - Fr. L. genitus, pp. of gignere. See genital.
genius, n.- L., 'tutelary spirit; inclination', orig.
'generative power', for *gen-yos, fr. I.-E. base
*gen-, 'to beget, produce'. See genus and cp. king.
genius loci, the tutelary of a place. - See prec.
word and locus.
genizah, n., storeroom of a synagogue in which
Hebrew books are preserved. - Mishnaic Heb.
gtnfzdh, 'hiding place', fr. gandz, 'he saved; he
hid', rei. to Biblical Heb.gtnazfm (pl.), 'treasury'
(in the Bible the word occurs only in the construct
state pl. ginzi); borrowed fr. Pers. ganj, 'treasure', whence also Aram. gtnaz, 'he saved',
ginzd, gazz&, 'treasure', Arab. jtinaza, 'he covered up'. Cp. Arm. ganj, Gk. y<Xt,:oc (whence L.
giiza), and Hung. kincs, 'treasure', which are
also Persian loan words. Cp. also gunge. Cp.
also gazette and the first element in Gaspar,
Jasper.
genocide, n., exterminatio n of an ethnic group. Lit. 'killing a tribe'; a hybrid coined fr. Gk.
yi:vo~, 'race, tribe', and L. -cidere, fr. caedere,
'to kill'; see genus and -cide, 'killing'. The correct word would be genticide, in which both
elements are of Latin origin. The word genocide
was introduced by Raphael Lemkin in his Axis
Rule in Occupied Europe, I 944, p. 19. See Encyclopedia Britannica, Book of the Year I949, p.J86.
-genous, suff. forming adjectives meaning I) 'generating, producing, yielding', as in erogenous;
2) 'produced by', as in autogenous. - Compounded of the suffixes -gen and -ous.
genre, n., I) kind, sort; 2)style.- F., fr. L. genus,
gen. generis, 'sort, kind, class'. See genus and cp.
gender, n., which is a doublet of genre.
genro, n., the elder statesmen of Japan. - Jap.,
lit. 'first elders'.
gens, n., a tribe, clan (Roman hist.) - L. gens,
gen. gentis, 'race, clan, nation, people', rei. to
genus, gen. generis, 'birth, descent, origin, race,
sort, kind, class'. See genus and cp. genteel,
gentile, gentle, Gentoo, gentry, jaunty. Cp. also
the first element in gendarme.

649

genteel, adj., well-bred. - Re-adopted in the

16th cent. fr. F. gentil, which appears first in
English under the form gentle (q.v.) See also
gens and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: genteel-ly, adv., genteel-ness, n.,
genteel-ism, n.
gentian, n., any plant of the genus Gentiana.
-OF.(= F.) gentiane, fr. L. gentiiina, a word
of prob. Illyrian origin (the suff. -iin frequently
occurs in Illyrian words). The connection with
the Illyrian king Gentius, suggested by Pliny,
is folk etymology. See Walde-Hofm ann, LEW.,
I, P-592.
Gentiana, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.
See prec. word.
Gentianaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.) ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
See prec. word and
gentianaceous, adj., -aceous.
gentile, adj., not Jewish; n., a non-Jew. - F.
gentil, fr. L. genfflis, 'belonging to the same gens
(stock); heathen, pagan, non-Jew', fr. gens, gen.
gentis, 'race, clan'. See gens and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: gentil-ic, adj. and n., gentil-ish,
adj., gentil-dom, n., gentil-ism, n.
gentilicious, adj. (obsol.), pertaining to a gentile.
- See prec. word and -ous.
gentilitial, adj., pertaining to a gens; peculiar to
a nation. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
genti/fcius, 'pertaining to a gens', fr. gentilis.
See gentile.
gentility,n., I) gentle birth; 2) politeness. - OF.
gentilite (F. gentilite), fr. L. gentilitiitem, ace. of
gentflitiis, 'relationship of those who belong to
a gens', fr. gentflis. See gentile and -ity.
gentle, adj., r) well-born; 2) honorable; 3) respectable. - OF. gentil, 'of good family, noble'
(whence F. gentil, 'nice, graceful, pleasing, fine,
pretty'), fr. L. gentflis, 'belonging to the same
gens'. See gentile and cp. genteel.
Derivatives: gentle, n., gentle-ness, n., gently
(q.v.)
gentleman, n. - Compounde d of gentle, in the
sense of 'well-born', and man.
Derivatives: gentleman-hood, n., gentleman-like,
adj., gentleman-ly, adj., gentleman-li-ness, n.,
gentleman-ship, n.
gentlewoman, n. - Compounde d of gentle, in the
sense of 'well-born', and woman. Cp. gentleman.
Derivatives: gentlewoman-hood, n., gentlewoman-like, adv., gentlewoman-ly, adj., gentlewoman-li-ness, n.
gently, adv.- Formed fr. gentle with adv. suff.
-ly.
Gentoo, n., a Hindu; a Telugu; the Telugu
language. - Corruption of Port. gentio, 'a gentile', fr. L. genitfvus, 'pertaining to generation',
fr. genitus, pp. of gignere, 'to beget'. See genus
and cp. genitive, gens, gentile.
gentrice, n., noble birth; gentry (archaic). -

ME., fr. OF. genterise, a var. of gentelise, 'nobility', fr. gentil. See gentle and cp. next word.
gentry, n. -ME., 'nobility', prob. back formation
fr. prec. word, the ending of which was mistaken
fort he plural suff. -s. For similar back formations
cp. pea and words there referred to.
genu, n., the knee (anat.) - L. genu, cogn. with
01. jtinu, Gk. y6vu, Goth. kniu, OE. cneo,
'knee'. See knee, and cp. geniculate, genuflect,
-gon.
Derivative: genu-a!, adj.
genuflect, intr. v., to bend the knee. - ML.
genuf/ectere, 'to bend the knee', fr. L. genu,
'knee', and flectere, 'to bend'. See prec. word
and flex.
Derivatives: genuflection (q.v.), genuflect-ory,
adj.
genuflection, genuflexion, n. - F. genuflexion,
fr. ML. genuflexionem, ace. of genuflexio,
'bending of the knee', fr. genuflex-(um), pp.
stem of genuflectere. See prec. word and -ion
and cp. flection, flexion.
genuine, adj. - L. genufnus, 'innate, native, natural', back formation fr. ingenuus, 'native, freeborn, upright' (the ending was influenced by
adulter-Inus, 'born of adultery, bastard, counterfeit'), fr. I.-E. base *gen-, 'to beget; to be born'.
See next word and cp. ingenuous.
Derivatives: genuine-ly, adv., genuine-ness, n.
genus, n., a class; a kind, sort. - L., 'birth,
descent, origin, race, sort, kind, class; sex,
gender', fr. I.-E. base *gen-, *gene-, *f:eno-,
*f:n-, 'to beget, bear, bring forth; produce',
whence also L. gens, 'race, clan, nation, people',
gignere (for gi-gn-ere), 'to beget, bear, bring
forth, produce', nasci(for *gniisci), 'to be born',
niitus, gniitus, 'born', niitio, 'birth, breed, race,
people, nation', niitura, 'birth, nature', Gk.
y&va~. 'race, descent, gender, kind', yl yve:cr&oct,
(for y!-yve:-cr&oct), 'to be born, become, happen', ytv&crL~, 'origin, source, birth, race, descent', ye:ve:<i, ye:ve:1), ye:v&-rlj, 'birth', ye:ve:Tf,p,
ye:vhwp, ye:vE:TI]c;, 'begetter, father, ancestor',
yov&u~. 'father, ancestor', yov1), 'that which is
begotten, offspring; that which generates, seed,
semen; genitals; the act of generawon; race,
family', y6vo~. 'that which is begotten, child,
offspring; procreation; race, birth, descent;
seed, semen; genitals', -Y"'J't'oc; (in compounds) ,
'born', yvw't'6c;, 'kinsman, brother', 01. jdnati,
'begets, bears', janitdr-, 'begetter, father', jdniman-,jdnman-, 'birth',jdnab ,'race',jiitdb , 'born',
jiitib, 'birth, family', jiiiitib, 'kinsman', Avestic
zizan 1nti, 'they bear', zaz 1nti, 'they beget', ziita-,
'born', Arm. cnanim (aor. cnay), 'I bear; I am
born', Lett. znuols, 'son-in-law, brother-in-la w',
Lith. gentis, 'kinsman', Olr. ro-genar, 'I was
born', W. geni, 'to be born'. Cp. Antigone, archegonium, benign, cognate, congener, connate,
degenerate, engine, epigone, Erigenia, eugenic,
-gen, gendarme, gender, gene, genealogy, gener,
general, generate, gener-ation, generous, genesis,

-geny
genetic, genial, 'mild', genie, genital, genitive, genius, genre, gens, genteel, gentile, gentility, gentle,
gentleman, Gentoo, gentry, genuine, -geny, genyo-, germ, german, germane, germen, germinal,
Gerygone, gingerly, gonad, gonidium, gonorrhea,
-gony, heterogeneous, homogeneous, indigene,
indigenous, ingenuous, innate, lphigenia, Jataka,
jaunty, kin, kinchin, kind, n., kind, adj., kindred,
king, malign, mirza, miscegenation, nascent,
natal, nation, native, nature, nevus, oogonium,
perigonium, Prajapati, primogeniture, progeny,
shahzada, Telegonus, ultimogeniture.
-geny, suff. denoting 'genesis, origin, production',
as in biogeny, embryogeny. - F. -genie, fr. Gk.
-yE'IIeLcc, fr. -yevTjc;, 'born, produced'. See -gen
and -y (representing Gk. -lii, -<:Let:).
genyo-, combining form denoting the lower jaw.
- Fr. Gk. yvuc;, 'the lower jaw', which is rei.
to yeveLov, 'chin'. See genial, 'pertaining to the
chin', and cp. genio-.
geo-, combining form meaning 'earth'. - Gk.
yc:w-, fr. "(ii, 'the earth', rei. to Dor. Gk. yii,
Homeric yccrcc, Cyprian ~ii, 'the earth'; of unknown origin. Cp. Gaea, apogee, Epigaea, epigeous, George, georgic, hypogeum, perigee.
geocentric, adj., having the earth as center. Compounded of geo-, and centric. Cp. heliocentric.
Derivatives: geocentric-al-ly, adv., geocentricism, n.
geocronite, n., a lead antimony sulfide (mineral.)
-Compounded of geo-, Gk. Kp6voc;, 'Cronus'here used in its alchemistic sense 'lead'-and
subst. suff. -ite. Cp. Saturn, which is the Roman
equivalent of Cronus and is used in alchemy in
the same sense, and see Cronus.
geode, n., a rounded stone having a hollow center
lined with crystals. - F. geode, fr. L. geOdes,
fr. Gk. yecil1h)c;, 'earthlike', fr. "(ii, 'earth', and
-wa't)c;, 'like'. See geo- and -ode, 'like', and cp.
geoid.
geodesic, adj., pertaining to geodesy.- See geodesy and -ic.
geodesist, n., a student of geodesy. - See next
word and -ist.
geodesy, n., the science of determining the shape
and size of the earth.- Gk. yewaocLo-tii, 'division
of the earth', compounded of yew- (see geo-) and
the Stem Of acc(ecr&txL, 'to divide'. See demon.
geodetic, geodetical, adj., geodesic. - See geodesic.
Derivative: geodetical-ly, adv.
geodic, adj., pertaining to a geode. -See geode
and -ic.
Geoffrey, masc. PN. - OF. ( = F.) Geoffroi, fr.
ML. Galfridus, Gaufridus, a compound traceable to OHG. gewi, gouwes (MHG. gou, gou,
G. Gau), 'district', which is perh. cogn. with
Arm. gav-af, 'region', and to OHG. fridu,
'peace', for which see free and cp. words there
referred to.
geoguostic, adj., pertaining to geognosy. -

650

Formed fr. geo- and Gk. yvwcr-nx6c;, 'pertaining

to knowing', fr. yvwcrT6c;, later form of yvwT6c;,
'known', verbal adj. of yLyvcilcrxeLv, 'to know'.
See gnosis, and -ic and cp. next word.
geognosy, n., that part of geology which deals
with the structure of the earth. - F. geognosie,
lit. 'the knowledge of the earth', fr. Gk. yew(see geo-) and yvwmc;, 'knowledge'. See gnosis
and cp. prec. word.
geogony, n., the science of the genesis of the
earth. - Compounded of geo- and -gony.
geographic, adj., geographical.- See next word.
geogri.phical, adj. - L. geographicus, fr. Gk.
yewypcccpLx6c;, 'pertaining to geography', fr.
yewypoccplii. See next word, -ic and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: geographical-ly, adv.
geography, n.- F. geographie, fr. L. geographia,
fr. Gk. yewypcccplii, 'geography', lit. 'description
of the earth', fr. yewypoccpoc;, 'earth-describing',
which is compounded of yew- (see geo-) and
-ypoccplii, fr. ypoccpm, 'to write'. See -graphy and
cp. anthropogeography, phytogeograph, zoogeography.
geoid, n., a geometrical solid nearly identical
with the figure of the earth. -G. Geoid, coined
by the German geodesist Johann Benedikt Listing
(1808-82) in 1872 fr. Gk. yc:oeLaTjc;, 'earthlike',
which is compounded of "(ii, 'the earth', and
-oeLaTjc;, 'like', fr. daoc;, 'form, shape'. See geoand -oid and cp. geode.
geology, n. - ModL. geologia, 'the study of the
earth' (to be distinguished fr. ML. geologia,
which was used in the sense of 'the study of
earthly things', esp. applied to law); compounded of geo- and Gk. -'Aoylii, fr. -A6yoc;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: geolog-ic, geolog-ic-al, adjs., geolog-ic-al-ly, adv., geolog-ist, n., geolog-ize, intr.
and tr. v.
geomancy, n., divination by means of figures;
orig. divination by means of figures formed by
handfuls of earth.- F. geomancie, fr. ML. geomantia, which is compounded of geo- and Gk.
fLOCVTelii, 'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
geomantic, adj., pertaining to geomancy. - See
prec. word and mantic.
geometer, n. - L. geometres, geometra, fr. Gk.
yewfLtTp't)c;, 'land measurer, geometer', which is
compounded of yew- (see geo-) and fL&Tpc:'tv, 'to
measure', fr. fL'hpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
geometric, adj.- Gk. yewfLc:TpLx6~, 'of geometry,
geometrical', fr. yewfL&Tp(ii. See geometry and -ic.
Derivatives: geometric-al, adj., geometrical-ly,
adv.
geometrician, n. - Formed fr. geometry with
suff. -ician.
Geometridae, n. pl., a family of moths (entomol.)
- ModL., formed with suff. -idae, fr. L. ge6metres, geometra, 'measurer of the earth' (see
geometer); so called because the larvae owing

651

to their bending and twisting motion appear as

if they were measuring the ground.
geometrize, intr. v., to study geometry; tr. v., to
work out by geometrical methods. - Formed
from next word with suff. -ize.
geometry, n.- F. geometrie, fr. L. geometria, fr.
Gk. yc:wfLtTplii, 'geometry', lit. 'measurement of
the earth', fr. yewf1.'t'p1)c;. See geometer and -y
(representing Gk. -lii).
Geonoma, n., a genus of American palms of the
family Arecaceae (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. yewVOfLO<;, 'one who distributes land; one who receives a portion of distributed lands, colonist',
which is compounded of yc:w- (see geo-) and
-v6f1.oc;, fr. VEfLELv, 'to deal out, distribute'. See
geo- and Nemesis and cp. gnome, 'a dwarfish
person'.
geophagy, n., the practice of eating earth.- Lit.
'eating of earth'; compounded of geo- and Gk.
-cpocylii, 'eating of'. See -phagy.
Derivative: geophag-ist, n.
geophone, n., instrument for detecting sounds
passing underground. - Compounded of geoand Gk. cpwvTj, 'sound'. See -phone.
geophysics, n., the physics of the earth. - Compounded of geo- and physics.
Derivative: geophysic-al, adj.
geoponic, adj., pertaining to agriculture. - Gk.
yew7tovLx6c;, 'pertaining to a husbandman', fr.
yew1t6voc;, 'husbandman', which is compounded
of yew- (see geo-) and 1t6voc;, 'toil, labor', whence
1tovdv, 'to toil, work hard', 1t'OV't)p6c;, 'painful,
distressed; bad, worthless'. Gk. 1t6voc; stands in
gradational relationship to 7tev't)c;, 'poor', 1tevlii,
'poverty', 7tevecr&ocL, 'to work for one~ living,
to toil, labor'. Cp. Ponera and the second element in Melipona, leucopenia.
geoponics, n., agriculture. - See prec. word and
-ics.
George, masc. PN. - F. George(s), fr. Late L.
Georgius, fr. Gk. yewpy6c;, 'husbandman', which
is compounded of "(ii, 'earth', and the base of
&pyo11, 'work'. See geo- and ergon and cp.
georgic.
Derivatives: Georgi-an, adj. and n.
georgette, n., a thin silk crepe. - F., named after
Mme. Georgette de Ia Plante, a French dressmaker.
Georgian, adj., pertaining to any of the four
Georges, kings of England. - See George and
-ian.
Georgian, adj., pertaining to the country of Georgia in the Caucasus. - Formed fr. Georgia
with suff. -an.
Georgiana, Georgina, fern. PN. - Fern. derivatives of George (q.v.)
georgic, adj., relating to agriculture. - L. georgicus, fr. Gk. yc:wpytx6c;, 'of husbandry, agricultural', fr. yewpy6c;, 'husbandman'. See
George and -ic.
geotropic, adj., pertaining to geotropism. - See
next word and -tropic.

gerent
geotropism, n., tendency to grow toward the
center of the earth (biol.) - Coined by the
German botanist Albert Bernhard Frank (18391900) in 1868 fr. geo-, Gk. Tporrf), 'a turning',
and suff. -ism. See trope, tropism, and cp. heliotropism and words there referred to.
gephyr-, form of gephyro- before a vowel.
Gephyrea, n., a class of marine worms (zoo/.)ModL., fr. Gk. yecpupoc, 'bridge'. See gephyro-.
gephyro-, before a vowel gephyr-, combining
form meaning 'bridge'. - Fr. Gk. yecpupoc,
'bridge', which is pro b. cogn. with Arm.
kamurJ, 'bridge'.
ger, n., a proselyte to Judaism. - Heb. ger, lit.
'sojourner', from the stem of giir, 'to sojourn',
rei. to Arab. jiir, Ethiop. gor, 'neighbor', Aram.
giyyora, Syr. giyyurd, 'proselyte'. Cp. the first
element in Gershom.
gerah, n., 1j2oth of a shekel (Hebrew antiq.)Heb. gerdh, 'bean; the I/2othpartoftheshekel',
rei. to Akkad. girii, 'I/20 of a shekel', and to
Heb. gargar, Aram. garg'ra, 'berry', Arab. jarjar, 'bean', Akkad. gurgurru, gingirru, name of
a plant. Cp. Gigartina.
Gerald, masc. PN. -OF. Giralt, Giraut (cp. F.
Geralde, Geraud, Giraud), introduced into England by the Normans; fr. OHG. Gerwald, lit.
'spear wielder', compounded of ger, 'spear', and
-wald, from the base of waltan, 'to rule', which
is rei. to OE. wealdan, of s.m. For the first element see gar and cp. Gerard, for the second
see wield.
Geraldine, fern. PN. - Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ine.
Geraniaceae, n. pl., the geranium family (bot.)ModL., formed fr. Geranium with suff. -aceae.
geraniaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Geranium, n., a genus of plants, the cranesbill
(bot.) - L. geranion, geranium, 'cranesbill', fr.
Gk. yepci.vLov, of s.m., fr. yepocvos, 'crane', which
is cogn. with L. griis, OE. cran, 'crane'; so called
because the fruit resembles a cranesbill. See
crane and cp. words there referred to:
Gerard, masc. PN.- OF. Gerart (F. Gerard), of
Teut. origin; cp. OHG. Gerhard, lit. 'strong
with the spear', compounded of ger, 'srear',
and hart, 'hard'. For the first element see gar
and cp. Gerald; for the second see hard.
Gerardia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after the English botanist John Gerarde
(1545-1612). For the ending see suff. -ia.
geratology, n., the study of decadence, esp. in
groups of animals approaching extinction. Lit. 'the study of old age', compounded of Gk.
"(iipocc;, gen. yf)poc"os. 'old age', and -Aoyii, fr.
-'A6yo:;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. Seegeronto- and -logy.
gerbe,gerb,n., a wheat sheaf.- F.gerbe. See garb.
gerent, n., one who rules, governs. - L. gerens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of gerere, 'to bear, carry,
produce, show, manifest, manage, rule, govern,

gerfalcon

accomplish, perform, do', of uncertain origin;

not connected with ON. kasta, 'to cast' (see
cast). Cp. gest, jest and the second element in
armigerent, belligerent, vicegerent, claviger,
Globigerina, Peltigera. Cp. also gerund, gestation, gesticulate, gesture, agger, congestion, digest, egest, exaggerate, ingest, progestion, register, registration, registry, res gesta, suggest.
gerfalcon, gyrfalcon, n., a large falcon of the
northern regions. - ME. gerfaucon, fr. OF.
gerfalc, gerfauc, gerfaucon (F. gerfaut), of Teut
origin; cp. ON. geirfalki, MHO. girfalc, gerfalc. The first element of these Teut. words is
prob. related to Du. gier, OHG., MHG. gir,
G. Geier, 'vulture'; see lammergeier. For the
second element see falcon.
gerhardtite, n., a basic copper nitrate (mineral.)
- Named after the French chemist CharlesFrederic Gerhardt (1816-56). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
geriatrics, n., that part of medicine which deals
with the diseases of old age. - Coined by I. L.
Nascher (1863-1944) in 1914 fr. Gk. ytpwll, 'an
old man', and tti't"pLoc, 'a healing'. See gerontoand -iatric. The correct form would have been
gerontiatrics.
germ, n. - F. germe, fr. L. germen, 'sprig, offshoot, bud, germ', dissimilated from *gen-men
and cogn. with 01. janman-, 'birth, origin'; fr.
I.-E. base *gen-, 'to beget, bear' (see genus and
cp. german, germen, germinate). For a similar
dissimilation of the consonants nm to rm, cp.
L. carmen, 'song', which derives from the stem
of canere, 'to sing'.
Derivative: germ, intr. v.
german, adj., having the same parents. - ME.,
fr. OF. germain, fr. L. germiinus, 'having the
same parents' (said of brothers or sisters),
'genuine', lit. 'of the same seed', fr. germen,
'bud, germ'. See germ and cp. hermandad.
German, n. and adj.- L. Germiinus, 'German',
prob. of Celtic origin and orig. meaning 'noisy',
from the I.-E. imitative base *giir-, 'to shout,
cry', whence also W. garm, Olr. giiirm, 'shout,
cry'. See care and cp. garrulous.
Derivatives: Germanic (q.v.), German-ism, n.,
German-ist, n., German-ist-ic, adj., German-ize, tr.
and intr. v., German-iz-ation, n., German-iz-er, n.
germander, n., any plant of the genus Teucrium
(bot.) - ME. germaunder, fr. OF. germandree,
fr. ML. germandra, fr. earlier gamandria, fr.
MGk. x~f.La:v8puoc, fr. Gk. xa:f.La:(8pu.;, 'germander', lit. 'tree on the ground', fr. XGtf.LGt:(, 'on the
ground', and 8pu.;, 'oak tree, tree'. See chamaeand dryad.
germane, adj., relevant, appropriate.- A var. of
german. Cp. human and humane, urban and
urbane.
Derivatives: germane-ly, adv., germane-ness, n.
Germanic, adj. - L. Germiinicus, 'pertaining to
the Germans or Germany', fr. Germiinus. See
German and -ic.

652

Derivative: Germanic, n.
germanite, n., a copper iron germanium sulfide
(mineral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
germanium; so called because it contains germanium.
germanium, n., name of a rare metallic element
(chem.) - ModL., coined by its discoverer, the
German chemist Klemens Alexander Winkler
(1838-1904) in 1886 after Germiinia, the Latin
name of his country. See German and -ium.
Germano-, combining form meaning 'German'.
- See German.
Germanophile, Germanophil, n., a friend of Germany or the Germans; adj., friendly to Germany
or the Germans. - Compounded of Germanoand Gk. cp("Ao.;, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Germanophobe, n., one who fears or hates Germany or the Germans. - Compounded of
Germano- and Gk. -cp6~o.;, fr. cp6~o<;, 'fear'. See
-phobe.
Germanophobia, n., fear or hatred of Germany or
the Germans.- Compounded of Germano- and
Gk. -cpo~(ti, fr. cp6~o.;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Germantown, germantown, n., a small, fourwheeled, covered wagon. - Orig. a wagon
made at Germantown in Pennsylvania.
germen, n., germ (now used only figuratively). L. germen, 'bud, germ'. See germ.
germicide, adj., destroying germs; n., a substance
destroying germs. - Compounded of germ and
L. -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See -cide,
'killer'.
Derivative: germicid-al, adj.
germinal, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
a germ. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
germen, gen. germinis, 'bud, germ'. See germ
and cp. germen.
Derivative: germinal-ly, adv.
Germinal, n., name of the 7th month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
March 21st to April 19th).- F., lit. 'the seed
month'; coined by Fabre d'Eglantine in 1793,
fr. L. germen, gen. germinis. See prec. word.
germinant, adj., germinating. - L. germiniins,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of germiniire. See next
word and -ant.
germinate, intr. and tr. v. - L. germiniitus, pp.
of germiniire, 'to sprout, bud', fr. gern1en, gen.
germinis, 'sprig, offshoot, bud, germ'. See germ
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: germination (q.v.), germinat-ive,
adj., germinative-ly, adv., germinal-or, n.
germination, n. - L. germiniitio, gen. -onis, 'a
sprouting forth, budding', fr. germiniitus, pp. of
germiniire. See prec. word and -ion.
germon, n., the albacore (Germo a/alunga).
F., of unknown origin.
geront-, form of geronto- before a vowel.
gerontic, adj., pertaining to old age. - Gk. ye:pov't"tx6.;, 'pertaining to an old man', fr. yipwv,
gen. yepoV't"o.;, 'old man'. See geronto- and -ic.
geronto-, before a vowel geront-, combining form

653

meaning 'old man'. - Gk. ye:povw-, ye:pov't"-,

fr. yepwv, gen. yepov't"o<;, 'old man', rei. to
ye:pott6.;, 'old', yijpa:<;, 'old age', YIJpa:Aeo.;, 'old',
y!:pot.;, 'gift of honor, gift, present', ypa:u.;, 'old
woman; wrinkled skin', fr. I.-E. base *ger(e)-,
'to become ripe, grow old', whence also 01.
jarri, jaras-, 'old age', jarati,jlryati, 'makes old,
grows old', jarimlin-, 'old age', jiirab, 'growing
old', jiriJab, 'old', Avestic zaurvan, 'old age',
ModPers. zar, 'old man', Arm. cer, 'old; old
man'. Formally Gk. yepw11 represents a pres.
part. and is the exact equivalent of 01. jarant-,
Ossetic ziirond, 'old man'. See corn, 'grain', and
cp. Ageratum, caloyer, geratology, geriatrics,
gerusia, progeria. Cp. also Zoroaster. For the
participial suff. (01. -ant, Gk. -w\1 (for *-ov't")
see -ant.
gerontocracy, n., rule of old men.- Compounded of geronto- and Gk. -xpet't"Loc, 'rule of', fr.
xpoc't"o.;, 'strength, power, rule'. See -cracy.
gerontology, n., study of the phenomena of old
age. - Compounded of geronto- and Gk.
-"Aoyltt, fr. -"A6yo.;, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See -logy.
-gerous, combining form meaning 'bearing, carrying, producing', as in lanigerous.- Formed
on analogy of -ferous fr. Latin adj. suff. -ger,
from the stem of gerere, 'to bear, carry, produce'. See gerent.
gerrymander, tr. v., to divide (a county, etc.) into
electoral divisions so as to gain advantage for
one's own party. - Formed from the name of
Elbridge Gerry, governor of Massachusetts,
U.S.A., and the ending of salamander.
Derivative: gerrymander, n.
gersdorffite, n., a nickel sulfarsenide (mineral.) Named after von Gersdor.IJ, proprietor of the
mine where it was found. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Gershom, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the firstborn son of Moses.- Heb. Gertsham, a derivative of the base of giirash (Qal), girlish (Pi'el),
'he drove out, cast out', hence lit. meaning
'exile'. The explanation of the name 'I have
been a sojourner in a foreign land' (Ex. 2:23;
18: 3) indicates that Moses chose for his son
such a current name (cp. Gertsh&n, name of a
son of Levi), as might also be interpreted as a
compound of the words ger, 'a sojourner' (see
ger), and shiim, 'there', thus commemorating
the fact that at the time of his first son's birth
Moses was a sojourner in a foreign land (cp.
the Septuagint rendering of the name: P1)pcrocf.L,
which is the transliteration of ger shiim, a sojourner there'). Heb. giirash, gerlish is rei. to
Aram. glrash (Pe'al), giirlsh (Pa'el), 'he divorced', and pro b. also to Arab. jashara, 'he sent
beasts to pasture [for sense development cp.
Heb. mighrdsh, 'pasture land', orig. 'place of
(cattle) driving', fr. giirlish, 'he drove out'].
Gertrude, fern. PN.- F., fr. OHG. Geretrudis,

~..:~es<apo

Geredrudis, compounded of ger, 'spear', and

trut, drut (whence MHG trut, G. traut), 'beloved,
dear'. For the first element see gar and cp.
Gerald, Gerard, Gervais. For the second element
see true and cp. the second element in Astrid,
Ermentrud.
gerund, n., verbal noun used for all cases of the
infinitive but the nominative (Latin grammar).
- L. gerundium, fr. gerundum = gerendum,
'that which is to be done', fr. gerere, 'to bear,
carry, accomplish, do'. See gerent.
Derivatives: gerund-ial, adj., gerund-ial-ly, adv.
gerundive, adj., pertaining to the gerund; n.,
verbal adj., formed from the stem of the gerund
and expressing necessity, fitness, etc. (Latin
grammar). - L. gerundivus, fr. gerundium. See
prec. word and -ive.
Derivatives: gerundiv-al, adj., gerundive-ly, adv.
gerusia, n., council of the elders; spec. the senate
of Sparta and other Dorian cities. - L. gerusia,
fr. Gk. ye:poucr(ti, Att. form of y<:pov't"Lti, 'council of the elders', fr. yepwv, gen. yepov't"o<;, 'old
man'. See geronto-.
Gervais, Gervas, Gervase, masc. PN. - F. Gervais, fr. OHG. Gervas, lit. 'serving with one's
spear', fr. gi!r, 'spear', and the Celtic base *vas-,
meaning 'servant'. For the first element see gar
and cp. Gertrude and words there referred to.
For the second element see vassal.
Gerygone, n., a genus of small Australian singing
birds (ornithol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. Y1Jpuy6VI),
fern. of Y1Jpuy6vo<;, 'born of sound', compounded
of yijpu.;, 'voice, sound', and -y611o.;, 'born of',
from the stem of y(YIIe:cr~a:t, 'to be born'. See
garrulous and genus and cp. gono-.
Gesneria, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after the Swiss naturalist Konrad von
Gesner (1516-65). For the ending see suff. -ia.
gesso, n., plaster of Paris. - It., fr. L. gypsum,
'plaster, gypsum'. See gypsum.
gest, n., an exploit, a deed (archaic).- F. geste,
lit. 'something done', fr. L. gesta, 'deeds, acts',
neut. pl. of gestus, pp. of gerere, 'to bear, carry,
produce, do'. See gerent and cp. jest, which is a
doublet of gest. Cp. also res gestae.
Gestalt, n., an organized whole in which all elements affect one another, the whole being more
than the simple sum of its elements; a configuration (psychology). - G., 'shape, form,
figure, configuration', fr. MHG. gestalt, 'appearance, quality', prop. pp. of MHG. stel/en,
'to place; to fashion' (whence G. stellen, 'to
place'). See stall. The term Gestalt was introduced into psychology by the German philosopher Christian von Ehrenfels (1859-1932) in
1890.
Gestalt psychology, the psychology of a school
founded about 1912 by M. Wertheimer, K.
Koffka and W. Kohler and based on the concept of Gestalt or 'organized whole'; configurationism. - See prec. word.
Gestapo, n., the German secret state police under

gestate

0)4

Geum, n., a genus of plants, the avens (bot.) the Nazis. - From the abbreviation of Geheime
L. 'geum, 'the herb bennet, avens'.
Staatspolizei, lit. 'secret state police'.
gewgaw, n., a toy, a specious trifle. - Of ungestate, tr. v., to carry in the womb during pregcertain origin.
nancy. - L. gestiitus, pp. of gestiire, 'to carry,
geyser, n. - Ice!. Geysir, name of a geyser in
carry about', intensive of gerere (pp. gestus),
Iceland, lit. meaning 'the gusher', fr. geysa, 'to
'to carry'. See gerent and verbal suff. -ate.
gush', which is rei. to ON. gjosa, 'to gush', freq.
gestation, n., 1) the act of carrying in the uterus,
of gjota, 'to pour'. See found, 'to cast', and cp.
pregnancy; 2) the period of gestation. - L.
gust, 'blast of wind'.
gestiiti6, gen. -onis, 'a carrying about', fr. geDerivatives: geyser-ic, adj., geyserite (q.v.)
stiitus, pp. of gestiire. See prec. word and -ion.
geyserite, n., a variety of opal (mineral.)
gestatorial, adj., used for carrying about (apFormed fr. prec. word with subst. suff. -ite.
plied to the chair in which the Pope is carried
gharry; gharri, garry, n., cart, carriage (Angloon certain occasions.) -Formed with adj. suff.
Indian). - Hind. giiri.
-al fr. L. gestiitorius, 'that which serves for
ghastly, adj., horrible. - ME. gastly, fr. OE.
carrying', fr. gestus, pp. of gerere, 'to carry'. See
giistlic, 'spiritual', fr. giist, 'spirit'. See ghost and
gestate and adj. suff. -ory.
adj. suff. -ly and cp. aghast.
gesticulate, intr. v., to make gestures; tr. v., to
Derivatives: ghastli-ly, adv., ghastli-ness, n.
indicate by gesticulating. - L. gesticuliitus, pp.
ghat, ghaut, n., a mountain pass; a landing place
of gesticuliiri, 'to make pantomimic gestures',
(India). - Hind. ghii(, fr. 01. ghatta/:1, 'landing
fr. gesticulus, 'gesticulation, gesture', dimin. of
place, bathing place', which is of uncertain
gestus, 'gesture', lit. 'carriage, posture', fr. gesetymology.
tus, pp. of gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See gerent
ghazi, n., among Mohammedans, a warrior
and verbal suff. -ate.
fighting against infidels. - Arab. ghiizl, prop.
Derivatives: gesticulation (q.v.), gesticulat-ive,
partie. of ghdzii (stem gh-z-w), 'he made war'.
adj., gesticulat-ive-ly, adv., gesticulator (q.v.),
Cp. razzia.
gesticulat-ory, adj.
Gheber, Ghebre, n., a member of the Persian sect
gesticulation, n. - L. gesticuliiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
of fireworshipers. - F. guebre, fr. Pers. giibr,
pantomimic motion, gesticulation', fr. gesticu'fireworshiper'; not borrowed fr. Arab. ktifir,
liitus, pp. of gesticuliiri. See prec. word and -ion.
'unbeliever' (as most lexicographers would have
gesticulator, n. - L., fr. gesticuliitus, pp. of
it), but a native Persian word. Cp. giaour.
gesticuliiri. See gesticulate and agential suff. -or.
ghee, n., boiled butter (India). - Hind. ghi, fr.
gesture, n. - ML. gestura, 'behavior, conduct',
or. ghrtam, 'clarified butter, ghee', which is
fr. L. gestus, pp. of gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See
cogn. with Mir. gert, 'milk', and prob. rei. to
gercnt and -ure.
or. jigharti, 'besprinkles'.
Derivatives: gesture, intr. and tr. v., gestur-er, n.
gherkin, n., a small cucumber. - Fr. Du. gurken
get, tr. and intr. v. - ME. geten, fr. ON. geta,
(pl. of gurk, but mistaken for a singular),
'to reach, get', rei. to OE. -gitan, -gietan (only
shortened form of a(u)gurk(je); rei. to EFris.
in compounds, as be-gitan, begietan, 'to get,
augurke, G. Gurke, Dan. agurk, Swed. gurka.
beget', for-gietan, 'to forget'), fr. I.E. base
These words are traceable to a Slavic source (cp.
*ghe(n)d-, 'to clasp, seize, reach, attain, hold',
Pol. ogorek, Russ. ogun!c, etc.). The Slavic words
whence also Gk. z:xvll&:vE~v. 'to hold, contain',
themselves derive fr. Late Gk. &yyoupLov,
L. -hendere in prehendere, 'to grasp, seize, lay
'watermelon', which is a loan word fr. Pers.
hold of', hedera, 'ivy', lit. 'the clasping plant',
angiirah. Cp. anguria.
praeda (for *praiheda), 'prey', Alb. fbi, gen,
ghetto, n., the Jews' quarter in a city. - It., perGheg g(!j, 'I find', W. gannu, 'to hold, contain',
haps aphetic for borghetto, dimin. of borgo, 'a
genni, 'to be held, contained', and per h. also
small market town, borough', which is of Teut.
OSlav. gadati, 'to guess, suppose'. Cp. beget, fororigin. See borough.
get, guess. Cp. also apprehend, apprentice, apprise,
Ghibelline, n., an adherent of the emperor in
comprehend, comprise, depredate, emprise, entermedieval Italy (opposed to the Papal party; see
prise, entrepreneur, epris, Hedera, impregnable,
Guelph). - It. Ghibellino, fr. G. Waiblinger,
impresa, impresario, lierre, misprision, predanamed after Waib/ingen, a castle of the Hohentory, pregnant, 'with child', prehensile, presa,
staufen family in the valley of the Rems River
prey, prison, purpresture, pry, 'to raise', rein Wiirttemberg, Germany.
prehend, reprehensible, reprisal, reprise, surprise.
Denvative: Ghibelline, adj.
Derivatives: get, n. (lit. 'something got'), gett-er,
ghost, n. - ME. gast, gost, fr. OE. giist, 'breath,
n., gett-ing, n.
spirit, soul, life', rei. to OS. gest, OFris. jest,
Geullah, n., the benediction which follows the
giist, MDu. gheest, Du. geest, OHG., MHG.,
Shema in the morning and evening service
G. geist, 'spirit, ghost', OE. g'i!stan, 'to frighten,
(Jewish liturgy). - Heb. gt'ulldh, 'redemption',
alarm', fr. I.-E. base *gheizd-, 'to frighten; to
from the ~tern of gii'ril, 'he has redeemed': so
be angry', whence also 01., hel/al;l, 'wrath',
called because it ends with the words "who has
hif/ati, 'excites, vexes', Avestic zoizdishta-, 'the
redeemed Israel". Cp. goel.

most abominable'. Base *gheizd is a-d-enlargement of base *gheis-, whence Avestic zaesha-,
'horrible', z6ishnu-, 'shuddering', Goth. usgais-jan, 'to frighten', ON. geiski, 'fright, terror',
geis-ka-fullr, 'terrible'. Cp. aghast, ghastly. Cp.
also the second element in zeitgeist.
ghostly, adj. - ME. gostly, fr. OE. giistlic, 'spiritual'. See ghastly.
Derivatives: ghost-li-ly, adv., ghost-li-ness, n.
ghoul, n., an evil demon who robs graves and
feeds on the dead. -Arab. ghiil, fr. ghiila, 'he
took suddenly'. Cp. Algol.
Derivatives: ghoul-ish, adj., ghoul-ish-ly, adv.
ghurry, n., clepsydra, clock, watch, space of time,
hour (India). - Hind. ghari, fr. 01. ghatikii,
'water jar, pot' (serving as a water clock), fr.
ghata/:1, of s.m., which is of uncertain origin.
ghyU, n., a ravine. -AN. Engl. dialectal var.
of gill, 'ravine'; introduced into English by the
English poet William Wordsworth (rno-1850).
giant, n.- ME. geant, fr. OF. geant (F. geant),
fr. earlier jaiant, fr. VL. *gagantem, ace. of
*gagiis, assimilated vr. L. gigas, 'a giant', fr.
Gk. y(y&~. 'a giant', fr. rLy&~. 'any of the sons
of the Earth and Tartarus', which is prob. a
pre-Hellenic word. Cp. gigantic.
Derivatives: giant, adj., giant-ess, n., giantism
(q.v.), giant-/ike, adj.
giantism, n., pathological condition characterized
by abnormal tallness (med.)- A hybrid formed
from prec. word with -ism, a suff. of Greek origin. The correct form is gigantism (q.v.)
giaour, n., a term applied by the Turks to all nonMohammedans. - Turk. giaur, 'infidel', fr.
Pers. gaur, a variant of giibr, 'fireworshipper'.
See Gheber.
gib, n., a tomcat. - From Gib, pet form of the
name Gilbert.
gib, n., a hook. - Of uncertain origin.
gibbar, n., a finback whale (ob~ol.)- F., fr. Arab.
jabbtir, 'giant, tyrant', which is rei. to He b. gibbdr,
'strong, mighty; mighty man, hero'. See Gabriel.
gibber, intr. v., to speak unintelligibly.- Of imitative origin. Cp. jabber.
gibberish, n., unintelligible talk. - Formed from
prec. word with adj. suff. -ish.
gibbet, n., gallows. - ME. gibet, fr. OF. ( = F.)
gibet, 'gallows; a bent stick', dimin. of OF.
gibe, 'staff, stick', which is perh. ofTeut. origin;
see Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p.281 s.v. gibet.
Cp. jib, 'the projecting arm of a crane'.
Derivative: gibbet, tr. v.
gibbon, n., a small, long-armed ape.- F., a name
of Indian origin brought to Europe by the
Marquis Joseph-Fran~ois Dupleix (1697!763},
governor-general of the French possessions in
India (1742-54).
gibbose, adj., gibbous. - See gibbous.
gibbosity, n.- F. gibbosite. See next word and
-ity.
gibbous, adj. - L. gibbosus, 'humpbacked', fr.
gibbus, 'hump', which is of uncertain origin. It

is possibly a loan word fr. Heb. gibb~n, 'humpbacked'; see Heinrich Lewy, Die semitisr.hen
Fremdworter im Griechischen, p. 71. - l~eb.
gibb!n is rei. to Heb. gabhnon, 'peak, summit', Talmudic Heb. gabhnun, 'humpbacked',
Mishnaic Heb. gabhfn, Aram.-Syr. gtbhipti, 'eyebrow', Arab. jabfn, 'side of the forehead'.
Derivatives: gibbous-ly, adv., gibbous-ness, n.
gibe, jibe, intr. v., to sneer. - Prob. rei. to Du.
gijbe/en, 'to sneer', and possibly also to ON.
geip, 'idle talk', geipa, 'to talk nonsense'.
Derivatives: gibe, jibe, n., gib-ing-ly, adv.
giblets, n. pl., edible internal parts of poultry. ME. gibelet, fr. OF. gibelet, 'game' (whence F.
gibelotte, 'ragout, stew'), formed fr. *giberet,
dimin. of OF. ( = F.) gibier, 'game', a var. of
OF. gibiez, fr. Frankish *gabaiti, 'the act of
hunting with falcons', which is rei. to OHG.
bei3an, 'to fly a falcon', lit. 'to cause to bite'
(whence MHG. gebei3e = Frankish *gabaiti)
fr. bi33an, 'to bite'. See bite.
Gibraltar, n., name of the Rock at the western
entrance to the Mediterranean. - Fr. Arab.
jabal (in vulgar pronunciation jebel) al Ttiriq,
'mount of Tariq', named after Tariq, the Moslem invader of Spain who landed there in 711.
See javali and cp. Bible.
gibraltar, n., American name of a hard ('rocky')
candy. - Named after the fortress Gibraltar.
See prec. word.
gibus, n., an opera hat. - F., named after its inventor, a Parisian hatmaker, who lived in the
rst half of the 19th century.
gid, n., a brain disease of sheep. - Back fl'rmation fr. giddy.
giddy, adj.- ME. gidy, 'mad', fr. OE. gydig, 'insane', orig. 'possessed by a god', fr. Teut. base
*gud-, 'god'; see god. For sense development cp.
Gk. ~&Eo~, 'full of the god, inspired by a god'
(see enthusiasm). Cp. gid.
Derivatives: giddy, tr. and intr. v., giddi-ly, adv.,
giddi-ness, n.
Gideon, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, a hero and
judge of Israel. - Heb. Gidh'on, lit. 'feller',
from the stem of giidhd', 'he cut off, hewed,
felled', which is rei. to Aram. gtdhti', Arab.
jcida'a, of s.m.
gidya, n., an Australian tree. - A native name.
gieseck.ite, n., a variety of pinite (mineral.) Named after Sir Charles Giesecke, who brought
it from Greenland. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Gifola, n., a genus of plants, the cotton rose (bot.)
- ModL., anagram of Filago, the name of a
related genus.
gift, n. - ME., fr. ON. gift, gipt, which is rei.
to OE. gift (whence ME. yift), OS., Du. gift
OFris. jefte, MLG. gifte, MDu. gh1jte, Goth.
-gifts (in compounds), OHG., MHG. gift, 'gift;
poison', G. Gift (neut.), 'poison', Mit-gift (fern.),
'dowry'; prop. verbal nouns formed fr. ON.
gefa, OE. gifan, giefan ,etc., 'to give'. See give.

gig

656

I9II). For the ending see suff. -ian.

Deriva tives: gift, tr. v., gift-ed, adj.
ine, n., a membe r of the religious order
Gilbert
of
gig, n., a light two-wheeled carriage. - Prob.
founde d by St. Gilber t in the 12th century. For
Scand. origin and lit. meanin g 'a whippi ng top'.
the ending see sutf. -ine (repres enting L. -fnus).
aside,
tum
'to
Cp. Dan. gig, 'top', ON. geiga,
te, n., a variety of damou rite (mineral.) gilberti
waver', which are prob. of imitativ e origin. Cp.
after Davies Gilbert (1767-I839). For
Named
fizgig, whirligig.
see subst. suff. -ite.
ending
the
suff.
with
gigantean, adj., gigantic. - Forme d
n.- See guild.
gild,
s,
giganti
gen.
gigiis,
fr.
us,
gigante
L.
-an fr.
gild, tr. v. - ME. gilden, fr. OE. gyldan , fr. OE.
'giant'. See giant.
gold, 'gold'. Cp. ON. gylla, 'to gild', fr. ON.
gigantic, adj. - Forme d with suff. -ic, fr. L.
goll, 'gold', and see gold.
gull,
giant.
See
'giant'.
s,
gigas, gen. giganti
tives: gild-ed, adj., gild-er, n., gild-ing, n.
Deriva
.
n.
c-ness,
Deriva tives: gigantic-al-ly, adv., giganti
Giles, masc. PN; often used to denote a simplegigantism, n., abnorm al tallness. __:_ See giant
minded farmer . - OF. Gil(l)es (F. Gilles), fr.
and -ism and cp. giantism.
L. Aegidius, fr. aegis. See aegis.
giganto-, combin ing form meanin g 'giant'. - Gk.
n., a waistco at. - F., fr. Sp. jileco, gi/eco
gilet,
See
'giant'.
c;,
ylyrx.v-ro
gen.
y~yrx.v-ro-, fr. ylya<;,
moder n Sp. form is chaleco), fr. Algeria n
(the
giant.
Arab. jaleco, 'coat of Christi ans in Mooris h
gigantomachy, gigantomachia, n., the war becaptivi ty', ult. fr. Turk. yelek.
(Greek
giants
the
tween the Olymp ian gods and
n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL. ,
Gilia,
mythol .) - Gk. ytyrx.v-ro!Lrx.xta, 'battle of the
named in 1794 after the Spanis h botanis t Felipe
giants' , compo unded of ylyac;, gen. ylyrx.v-roc;,
Luis Gil.
.
-machy
'giant', and fL&xll. 'battle' . See giant and
gill, n., the organ of respira tion in fishes. - ME.
,
ModL.
(bot.)
algae
red
of
genus
a
n.,
na,
Gigarti
gile, gille, from Scandi navian ; cp. ON. giO/nar
fr. Gk. ylyrx.p-rov, 'grapes tone', prob. fr. Aram.
(pl.), 'jaws', Swed. giil, 'gill, jaw', Dan. g;.elle,
gighartd, 'kernel , stone', which is rel. to Aram.
'gill', which are cogn. with Gk. xe:Tho~. 'lip',
gerah.
See
grain'.
gargtrJ , 'berry,
, 'lip, jaw'. Cp. chilo-.
x.e:AOVlJ
origin.
e
giggle, intr. v. and n.- Of imitativ
Deriva tive: gill-ed, adj.
iscoin,
silver
litan
Neapo
a
of
name
n.,
,
gigliato
gill, n., a small measure. - ME. gille, gylle, fr.
sued by Charle s II of Anjou. - It., fr. giglio,
OF. gille, gel/e, fr. L. gillo, gello, 'coolin g vessel',
'lily', a word formed with dissimi lation fr. L.
which is prob. of Sem. origin. Cp. Heb. gullah,
fr.
ated
assimil
was
part,
its
/ilium, which, for
'oilcan ', Arab. gulla", 'earthe n pitcher '.
Gk. A.&lp~ov, 'lily'. See lily.
gill, ghyll, n., a ravine (Scot. and dial. Engl.) gigolo, n., a paid male dancin g partner . - F.,
ME. gille, gylle, fr. ON. gil, 'a narrow valley,
fr.
hop',
to
,
shanks
fr. gigoter, 'to move the
which is rel. to MLG. gil, 'throat ', OHG.
glen',
gigue, 'shank, fiddle', which is of Teut. origin.
', OE. giilan (for *gailjan), 'to
'hernia
gil,
See gigue.
'. Cp. goal.
impede
hinder,
',
mutton
of
gigot, n., leg of mutto n.- F., 'leg
also Jill, I) fern. PN.; 2) girl sweetheart. Gill,
Cp.
(q.v.)
gigue
E.
also
whence
gigue,
fr. OF.
Abbrev iation of Gillian, resp. Jillian, fr. L.
prec. word.
Juliana. See next word and cp. jilt.
gigue, n., I) a stringe d instrum ent; 2) a kind
, fern. PN.- Fr. F. Ju/iane, fr. L. Juliana,
Gillian
quick
'a
jig,
E.
fr.
wed
reborro
of dance. - F.,
of Julianus, lit. 'of Julius'. See Julian,
fern.
OF.
fr.
ed
dance' (q. v.), which itself was borrow
Juliana .
giguer, 'to move the shanks , hop, dance', fr.
a, n., a genus of plants, the Indian physic
Gilleni
words.
prec.
two
the
gigue, 'shank ; fiddle'. Cp.
- ModL. , named after the Germa n
(bot.)
Gila monster, a kind of venom ous lizard .- From
botanis t Arnold Gill (latinized into Gi/lenius),
Gila, name of a river in Arizon a.
who wrote on horticu lture in I627. For the
ert
Gilbert , masc. PN. -A blend of OF. Guilleb
ending see suff. -ia.
(whence F. Guilbert) and OF. Gilebert (whence
n., a male attenda nt on a Highla nd chief.
gillie,
origin.
Teut.
of
are
F. Gilbert). Both OF. names
l. gille, giolla, 'boy, servan t'.
-Gae
OF. Guillebert derives fr. OHG. Williberht, lit.
n. -Alte red fr. ME. gilofre, fr. OF.
wer,
gillyflo
beraht,
and
'will',
willa,
'a bright will', fr. willio,
(F. girofle), 'clove', fr. L. carygirofre
gilofre,
comes
t
'bright '; see will and bright. OF. Gileber
xocpu6qmllov, 'dove tree', which
Gk.
fr.
n,
ophy/lo
fr. Gisilbe rt,lit. 'a bright pledge ', fr. OHG. gisil,
of xocpJo'l, 'nut', and cpuAA.ov,
unded
compo
is
Olr.
(cp.
word
'pledge ', which is a Celtic loan
and phyllo- and cp. Caryocareen
See
'leaf'.
gia/1, W. gwystl, 'pledge '), and fr. OHG. beraht,
eae.
phyllac
'bright '.
gilt, n., gildin g.- Prop. pp. of gild, used as a noun.
gilbert, n., name of the C.G.S. unit of magne togimbal, n., a device consist ing of a pair of rings.
motive force (electr.) - Named after the Eng- Fr. earlier gimmal , fr. OF. gemel (whence F.
Gilbert
William
st
lish physician and physici
), 'a twin'. See gemeL
jumeau
( 1544-16o3).
ck, n., a tawdry , useless thing .- Of ungimcra
Engthe
of
style
the
ling
resemb
adj.,
ian,
Gilbert
known origin.
lish author Sir William Schwen ck Gilber t (1836-

657

Deriva tives: gimcra ck, adj., gimcra ck-ery, n.

gimel, n., name of the 3rd letter of the Hebrew
alphab et. - Heb. gimel, rel. to gamtil, 'camel'
(whence Gk. x&fLlJAo~, L. came/us, 'camel' ); so
called in allusion to the ancien t Hebrew form
of this letter represe nting the neck of a camel.
See camel and cp. gamma.
gimlet, gimblet, n., a small tool for boring holes.
- ME. gymelo t, fr. MF. guimbelet, gimbel et
(F. gibelet ), fr. MDu. wimmelkijn, dimin. of
wimmel, 'auger, drill'; see wimble. The dimin.
suff. -et in OF. guimbelet, etc., is the exact rendering of the Dutch dimin. suff. -kijn (see -kin).
Cp. wimble.
Deriva tives: gimlet, tr. v., gimlet- y, adj.
gimmal, n.- See gimbal.
gimmer, n., she lamb. - ON. gymbr, 'ewe lamb
of one year'. See chimera.
gimmick, n., a secret device (slang). - Of uncertain origin.
gimp, n., orname ntal materia l used for trimmi ng
women 's dresses, furnitu re, etc. - F. guimpe,
fr. OF. guimple, wimple, fr. OHG. wimpal. See
wimple and cp. guipure.
gin, n., liquor. -Abbr eviati on of geneva (q.v.)
gin, n., machi ne.- ME., aphetic for engine (q.v.)
gin, tr. and intr. v., to begin (poetic). - ME.
ginnen, aphetic for begirmen, fr. OE. beginnan,
'to begin'. See begin.
gin, n., an aborigi nal Austra lian woman . - A
native name.
ginete, n., a horsem an. - Sp. ginete, jinete, fr.
Arab. Zandtah, in VArab. pronun ciation Zenita ,
Zenite , name of a great Berber tribe, famous
for its horsem en, many of whom served the
sultans of Granad a. For the change of Arab. z
to Sp. g cp. giraffe.
gingal, n. - See jingal.
gingeli, n. - See gingili.
ginger, n. - ME. gingevir, gingivere, fr. OE.
gingiber, fr. OF. gingibre, gingembre (F. gingembre), fr. L. gingiber, zingiber, fr. Gk. ~~y
y(['c:p~c;, fr. Pali siligivera-, fr. 01. srngavera-,
'ginger ', lit. 'hornli ke', fr. sriigam, 'hom', and
vera, 'body'; so called in allusio n to the homlike shape of the root. See hom and cp. Zingiber.
Deriva tives: ginger, tr. v., ginger-y, adj.
gingerly, adj., wary; adv. warily .- Of uncerta in
origin; possibly formed with sutf. -ly fr. OF.
'of
gen~or, gensor, 'prettie r', compa r. of gent,
noble birth, noble, gentle, pretty', fr. L. genitus,
'born', pp. of gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring
forth'. See genus.
gingham, n., a kind of striped cotton or linen. F. guingan, fr. Malay ginggang, 'striped ', used
as a noun in the sense of 'striped cotton' .
gingili, also gingeli, n., sesame seed (India). Hind. jinJali, fr. Arab. juljultin, 'sesame seed'.
For the corrup tion of this Arabic word in Hind.
cp. Sp. aljonjo!i, ajonjoli, 'sesame seed', fr.
Arab. al-ju/ju/iin, 'the sesame seed'.
gingiva, n., gum (anal .)- L. gingiva, 'gum', of

uncerta in origin; possibly meanin g lit. 'something round' , and cogn. with Gk. yoy-r)A.o~,
'round ', y6yypo~. 'tuberc ular growth on trees;
sea eel, conger ', lit. 'someth ing round' ; not
cogn. with E. chew. Cp. conger.
gingival, adj., pertain ing to the gums .- ,Forme d
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. gingiva, 'gum'. See
prec. word.
gingivitis, n., inflamm ation of the gums (med.) A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. gingiva (see
gingiva) and -itis, a suff. of Greek origin.
ginglymoid, adj., resembling a hinge joint (anat.)
- Gk. y~yy>.ufLoe:~a~~. 'having the shape of a
hinge joint', lit. 'like a hinge', fr. ylyy>.ufLo~.
'hinge', and -oe:~a~~. 'like', fr. c:!3oc;, 'form,
shape'. See next word and -oid.
ginglymus, n., a hinge joint (anat.) - Medical
L., lit. 'hingelike joint', fr. Gk. y[yy).u!Lo~.
'hinge' , which is of unknow n origin. The name
yyy>.ufLo<; was introdu ced into anatom y by
Hippoc rates and denote d originally the roll-like
part of the bone of the upper arm. See Joseph
Hyrtl, Onoma tologia anatom ica, p.238.
ginkgo, n., an orname ntal tree of Japan and
China. - Jap. gingko .
ginseng, n., a Chines e medical plant. - Chin.
jen-shen.
Giottesque, adj., in the style of Giotto di Bondone, an Italian painter who lived about I300.
For the ending see suff. -esque.
gipsy, n.- See gypsy.
giraffe, n. - F. girafe, It. girajfa, fr. Arab.
zardfa", which is prob. of African origin. The
circum stance that Arab. z has becom e g (pronounc edj) proves that the word came into the
Europe an languages throug h the medium of the
Italians.
girandole, n., I) a kind of firework; 2) a water jet;
3) a kind of earring . - F., fr. It. girandola,
dimin. of giranda, 'a revolving jet', fr. L. gyrandus, gerundive of gyrare, 'to turn round in a
circle, revolve'. See gyrate and cp. next word.
For other Latin gerundives or their derivatives
used in English cp. agenda and words there
referred to.
girasol, girasole, n., I) the sunflower; 2) the fire
opal. - It. girasole (whence also F. girasol), lit.
'turnin g toward the sun', fr. girare, 'to rotate,
turn' (fr. L. gyrare), and sole (fr. L. so/em, ace.
of sol), 'sun'. See gyrate and Sol and cp. Jerusalem, artichoke. For sense develo pment cp.
heliotrope, and It. tornaso/e (see turnsole).
gird, tr. v., to encircle. - ME. girden, gerden,
etc., fr. OE. gyrdan , rel. to OS. gurdian, ON.
gyriJa, OFris. gerda, OHG. gurtan, gurten,
MHG. gurten, giirten, G. giirten, Goth. bigairdan, uf-gairdan, 'to gird', ON. gjoro, MHG. ,
G. gurt, Goth. gairda, 'girdle' , and to OE. geard,
ON. garor, 'hedge, enclosure'. See yard, 'enclosure ', and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also girdle, girt, girth.
gird, intr. v., lo gibe. tavnr. ---- The original

girder

658

in Late Gk. gid). It is very probable that Latin

meaning was 'to strike'; fr. ME. girden, gerden,
was influenced in form by the pronunciation
git
etc., 'to strike, cut through', which is of uncertain
mentioned.
origin. Cp. gride.
gittern, n., an obsolete musical instrument reDerivative: gird, n., a taunt, gibe.
sembling a guitar.- ME. giterne, fr. OF. guigirder, n., a wooden or steel beam. - Formed
terne, fr. L. cithara, fr. Gk. xt&&.piX. See either.
with agential suff. -er fr. gird, 'to encircle'.
gittern, intr. v. (obsol.)
Derivative:
1
Derivative: girder-age, n.
give, tr. and intr. v. - ME. given, of Scand. origirder, n., one who gibes or taunts. - Formed
gin; cp. ON. gefa, Dan. give, Swed. gifva, giva,
with agential suff. -er fr. gird, 'to gibe, taunt'.
which are rei. to OE. giefan, gifan, OS. ge'lian,
girdle, n., belt.- ME. girdil, gerdel/e, gurdel, fr.
OFris. jeva, MDu. gheven, Du. geven, OHG.
gordel,
Swed.
OE. gyrdel, rei. to ON. gyroill,
MHG., G. geben, Goth. giban, 'to give',
geban,
OFris. gerdel, MLG. gordel, Du. gordel, OHG.
Goth. gabei, 'riches', gabeigs, gabigs, 'rich', fr.
gurtil, gurtila, MHG., G. gilrtel, 'belt', and to
I.-E. base *ghab(h)-, 'to take, hold, have; to
OE. gyrdan, 'to gird'. See gird, 'to encircle', and
give', whence also Oir. gaibim, 'I take', gabal,
instrumental suff. -le. Derivative: girdle, tr. v.
'the act of taking', Lith. gabenti, 'to remove',
girdle, n.- A var. of griddle.
L. habere, 'to have, possess' and prob. also OI.
girl, n.- ME. gurle, gurl, gerle, gerl, 'boy, girl',
gtibhasti/:1, 'hand'. See habit and cp. gavel, 'tribrei. to LG. gore, gar, 'a child'; of uncertain
ute', gift. Derivatives: giv-er, n., giv-ing, n.
origin. Derivatively, the -1 in girl is identical
given, pp. of give.
with dimin. suff. -el.
gizzard, n., the muscular stomach of a bird. Derivatives: girl-hood, n., girl-ish, adj., girl-ishME. giser, fr. OF. gezier, giser, gisier, gusier
ly, adv., girl-ish-ness, n.
(F. gesier), fr. L. gizeria, 'cooked entrails of
giron, n. - See gyron.
poultry', which is prob. a Punic-Phoen.-Heb.
Girondist, n., a member of the moderate republoan word. Cp. Heb. g~zarfm, construct state
lican party in France (1791-93). - F. Giron'pieces of sacrificed animals', pl. of gezer,
gizrl,
Gironde,
fr.
-ist)
(see
diste, formed with suff. -iste
cut, a piece', from the stem of gaztir,
'anything
name of a department in Southwestern France;
'he cut, divided', in Mishnaic Heb. 'he circumso called because the leaders of the party were
cised; he decided, decreed', rei. to Aram.-Syr.
deputies of that department.
gtzar, 'he cut, split, circumcised; he decided, degirt, past tense and pp. of gird.
creed', Arab. jazara, Ethiop. gazara, 'he cut,
girt, n., measure around something. - A var. of
slaughtered'. In L. gigeria, a collateral form of
girth.
gizeria, z has been assimilated to the preceding
girth, n.- ME. gerth, fr. ON. gjOro, 'girdle'. See
g. The final din gizzard is due to a confusion of
gird, 'to encircle'.
this word with words ending in -ard; cp, the
Derivative: girth, tr. v., to gird.
final d in hazard, mallard, scabbard.
carried
shaft
long
a
gisarme, n., battle-ax with
glabella, n., the space between the eyebrows
by foot soldiers in the Middle Ages. - ME.,
(anat.) - Medical L., prop. fern. of the adj.
fr. OF., fr. OHG. getisarn, lit. 'weeding iron',
glabellus, 'without hair, smooth', used as a
fr. getan, 'to weed', and isarn, 'iron' (see iron).
noun. This latter word is the dimin. of glaber,
OF. gisarme was influenced in form by OF.
which see next word.
for
arme, 'weapon' (see arm, 'weapon').
glabrous, adj., bald; smooth. - Formed with
gismondite, n., a hydrous calcium aluminum silisuff. -ous. fr. L. glaber, 'without hair, smooth,
cate (mineral.) - Named after the Italian minbald', which stands for *ghladh-ros, and is cogn.
eralogist Carlo Giuseppe Gismondi (1762-1824),
with OE. gl!Ed, 'bright, glad'. See glad and cp.
who first analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
gabbro.
suff. -ite.
glace, adj., having a smooth surface.- F., pp.
gist, n., essence, pit, main point of a matter. of glacer, 'to freeze; to glaze', fr. glace, 'ice'.
OF. giste (F. gite), 'lying place, resting place',
See next word and cp. glacier.
fern. pp. of OF. gesir (F. gesir), 'to lie', used as
glacial, adj., pertaining to ice; icy. -F., fr. L.
a noun, fr. VL. jacita, fern. pp. of L. jace6,
glacialis, 'icy', fr. glacies, 'ice', prob. formed
jacere, 'to lie'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and cp.
on the analogy of acies, 'sharp edge, point', fr.
agist. Cp. also joist.
orig. *gla-gies, fr. I.-E. base *gel-, 'to freeze',
Egiptano,
fr.
'gypsy',
Sp.,
gitano, n., a gypsy.also L. gelii, 'frost'. See gelid and adj.
whence
'l:.gyptian', fr. Egipto, fr. L. Aegyptus, 'Egypt'.
suff. -al and cp. glace, glacier, glacis.
See gypsy.
glacialist, n., one who supports the glacial theory.
gith, n., 1) any plant of the genus Nigella; 2) the
- See prec. word and -ist.
com cockle. - OE. gijJ-corn, fr. L. git (later
tr. v., to freeze. - L. glaciiitus, pp. of
glaciate,
sativa',
Nigella
plant
forms gitti, gitte), 'the
'to turn to ice', fr. glacies. See glacial
glaciare,
which is prob. a Punic loan word, and ult.
and verbal suff. -ate.
derives fr. Heb. gadh, 'coriander'. In an addition
Derivative: Glaciat-ion, n., the act or process
to Dioscurides 3,63 it is mentioned that the
of freezing.
Africans call the coriander yo(3 (pronounced

659

glacier, n., mass of ice moving slowly down a

mountain slope or valley.- F., fr. glace, 'ice',
fr. VL. glacia (whence also OProvent;. glassa,
It. ghiaccia), corresponding to L. g!acies, 'ice'.
See glacial and -ier and cp. glance, 'to glide off'.
glaciology, n., the study of glaciers. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. glacies, 'ice', and Gk. -).oyliX, fr.
-).6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
glacial and -logy.
Derivatives: glaciolog-ical, adj., glaciolog-ist, n.
glacis, n., a gentle slope; an external slope (fort.)
- F., fr. OF. glacier, 'to slip', fr. L. glaciare,
'to make or tum into ice', fr. glacies. See
glacial.
glad, adj. - ME., fr. OE. giiEd, 'bright; glad,
cheerful', rei. to ON. glaor, 'smooth, bright,
glad', Dan., Swed. glad, 'glad, joyful', OS. gladmod, 'glad', OFris. gled, Du. glad, 'slippery',
OHG., MHG. glat, 'shining, smooth', G. glatt,
'smooth', fr. I.-E. *ghltdho-, 'bright, smooth',
whence also L. glaber (for *ghladh-ros), 'smooth;
bald', OSlav. gladukii, Lith. glodus, glodnus,
'smooth', OPruss. glosto, 'whetstone'. Cp.
glade. Cp. also glabrous.
glad, tr. v., to gladden (archaic). - ME. gladien,
fr. OE. gladian, fr. gl<ed. See glad, adj.
gladden, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. glad, adj.,
with verbal suff. -en.
glade, n., an open space in a forest. - Rel. to
glad, adj., in its orig. sense 'bright, clear', hence
glade means lit. 'a bright, clear place'. For sense
development cp. E. clearing; cp. also F. clairiere,
'glade', fr. clair, 'clear, bright', and G. Lichtung,
'clearing, glade', fr. Licht, 'light'.
Derivative: glad-y, adj.
gladiate, adj., sword-shaped (bot.) - Formed
with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. gladius, 'sword'. See
next word.
gladiator, n., a Roman swordsman who fought
in the arena for the entertainment of spectators.
- L. gladiator, 'swordsman, fighter', fr. gladius, 'sword', of Celtic origin. Cp. Olr. claid-eb,
W. cleddyf, Co. clethe, Bret. kleze, 'sword'; fr.
I.-E. base *qelad-, 'to strike, beat', whence also
Mir. claidim, 'I dig', caill (for *caldet), 'forest',
Gk. xM3o<;, 'young branch or shoot', lit.,
'branch lopped off', OE. holt, 'copse, wood;
timber'. See holt and cp. gladius, gladiolus,
glaive. Cp. also halt, 'lame'.
Derivatives: gladiatori-al, gladiatori-an, adjs.
gladiolus, n., 1) (cap.) a genus of plants of the
iris family; 2) any plant of this genus.- L., 'a
small sword', dimin. of gladius, 'sword' (see
prec. word and -ole); so called by Pliny from
the swordlike leaves.
gladius, n., 1) the swordfish; 2) the pen of a
cuttlefish. - L., 'sword'. See gladiator.
gladly, adv. - ME., fr. OE. gl!Edlice. See glad,
adj., and adv. suff. -ly.
gladness, n. - ME. gladnesse, fr. OE. g/zdnes.
See glad, adj., and -ness.

glandular

gladsome, adj. - ME. g/adsum. See glad, adj.,

and -some.
Gladstone bag, also gladstone. - Named after
the English statesman William Ewart Gladstone
(1809-98).
Gladys,fem. PN.- W. Gwladys, pro b. Welshified
fr. L. Claudia. See Claudia.
Glagolitic, adj., pertaining to the ancient Western
Slavic alphabet.- A hybrid coined fr. OSlav.
glagolii, 'word', and -itic, a suff. of Greek origin.
OSlav. glagolii is cogn. with ON. kalla, 'to
shout, sing', OE. ceallian, 'to call'. See call.
glair, n., white of egg. - ME. g/eyre, fr. OF.
( = F.) glaire, fr. VL. *cliiria (ovi), 'white part
(of an egg)', fr. L. clarus, 'bright, clear'. See
clear, adj.
Derivatives: glair, tr. v., glair-eous, glair-y, adjs.,
glair-i-ness, n.
glaive, n., sword; spear. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.)
glaive, a blend of L. gladius, 'sword', and clava,
'knotty branch, cudgel, club', which is rei. to
clavus, 'nail'. See gladiator and close, adj.
glamour, glamor, n., magic; alluring charm. Corruption of grammar, used in the sense of
gramarye; popularized by Sir Walter Scott
(17711832).
Derivatives: glamo(u)r, tr. v., glamo(u)r-ous,
adj., glamo(u)r-ous-ly, adv., g!amo(u)r-y, adj.
glance, intr. and tr. v., to glide off obliquely; to
flash; to look quickly. - ME. glacen, fr. OF.
glacier, 'to slip, slide', fr. glace, 'ice'; see glacier.
The word glance was prob. influenced both in
form and meaning by ME. glenten, 'to shine'
(see glint). Cp. glissade. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: glance, n., a gliding off obliquely;
a flashing; a quick look.
glance, n., a lustrous metallic sulfide (mineral.)Du. glans, 'brightness, luster'. See next word.
glance, tr. v., to polish (metal). - Prob. fr. Du.
glanzen, 'to gleam, polish', fr. MDu. t?lansen,
'to gleam', fr. glans, 'brightness', fr. MHG. glanz
(whence G. Glanz), fr. Late OHG. glanz, of s.m.,
fr. OHG. glanz, adj., 'bright', which is rei. to
ME. glenten, 'to shine'. See glint.
gland, n. - F. glande, fr. L. glandem, ace. of
glans, 'acorn' (used in the sense of L. glandula,
'gland', dimin. of glans), which is cogn. with
Gk. [3&Ao:vo<;, Arm. kalin (gen. kalnoy), OSlav.
iel{Jdi, 'acorn', Lith. gile, Lett. (d)zile, OPruss.
gile, 'oak; gland'. Cp. next word and the second
element in Euglandina and in Juglans. Cp. also
the first element in balaniferous and the second
element in myrobalan. Cp. also valonia.
Derivatives: glandz~ferous, adj., glandi-form, adj.
glanders, n. pl., a contagious disease of horses,
mules, etc., characterized by the S'Welling of the
glands beneath the lower jaw. - OF. glandres
(pl.), fr. L. glandulae (pl.), 'glands of the throat'.
See glandule.
Derivatives: glander-ed, glander-ous, adj.
gla!Miular, adj., consisting of, or pertaining to,
glands.- Fr. L. glandula. See next word and -ar.

glandule
glandule, n., a small gland.- F., fr. L. glandula,
'gland of the throat', dimin. of gliins, gen. glandis, 'acorn'. See gland and -ule.
Derivatives: glandul-ar (q.v.), glanduli-ferous,
adj., glandul-ous, adj. (q.v.), glandul-os-ity, n.
glandulous, adj., glandular. - F. glanduleux (fern.
glanduleuse), fr. L. glandulosus, 'full of glands,
glandulous', fr. glandula. See prec. word and
-ous.
Derivative: glandulous-ness, n.
glare, intr. v. - ME. glaren, 'to shine', rei. to
MDu. and MLG. glaren, 'to glow', and to
next word.
Derivatives: glare, n., glar-ing, n., glar-ing-ly,
adv.
glass, n. - ME. glas, gles, fr. OF. glii!s, rel. to
OS. glas, g/es, ON. gler, Dan. glar, MDu., Du.
glas, 'glass', OHG., MHG. glas, 'amber, glass',
G. Glas, 'glass', OE.-gliir, 'amber', and cogn.
with L. glaesum, glesum, 'amber', Olr. glass,
green, blue, gray', W. glas, 'blue', Mlr. g/aisin,
woad', fr. I.-E. base *ghles-, *ghlts-, 'to shine,
glitter', which is an enlargement of base *ghel-,
*ghel-, *ghle-, 'to gleam, glimmer; to be green
or yellow'. Cp. glare, glaze, glow. Cp. also gleam
and words there referred to. Cp. also yellow.
Derivatives: glass, tr. v., glass-ful, adj., glass-y,
adj., glass-i-ly, adv., glass-i-ness, n.
Glassite, n., an adherent of the teachings of John
Glas(s) (1695-1773), the founder of a Scottish
sect. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
glauberite, n., a sodium calcium sulfate (mineral.)
- Named after the German physician and
chemist Johann Rudolf Glauber (16o4-68). Cp.
next word. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Glauber's salt, sodium sulfate. - Named after
J.R.Glauber . See prec. word.
glaucescent, adj., somewhat glaucous. - See
glaucous and -escent.
Glaucidium, n., a genus of small owls (ornithol.)
- ModL., dimin. formed fr. Gk. y:AocG~, gen.
y:Aocux6~, 'owl', which seems to be a hypocoristic abbreviation of y:Aocuxw:n:L~, '(the bird) with
the gleaming eyes', fr. y:Aocux6~. 'gleaming,
bright', and w<j;, gen. w1t6~, 'eye, face'. See glaucous, -opia and -idiom.
Glaucium, n., a genus of plants of the poppy
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. y:Aocuxtov, 'juice
of the horned poppy', fr. y:Aocux6~ (see glaucous); so called from the color of its foliage.
glaucoma, n., an eye disease (med.) - Medical
L., fr. Gk. y:Aocuxwfi.oc, fr. y:A(Xux6~. See glaucous
and -oma.
glaucomatous, adj., pertaining to glaucoma. Formed with suff. -ous fr. y'Aocuxw(.UX, gen.
y'Aocuxw[J.(XTO,. See prec. word.
Glauconia, n., a genus of snakes, the burrowing
snake (zoo/.) - ModL., fr. y:Aocux6~. See glaucous and cp. next word. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
glauconite, n., a dull-green silicate (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. y:Aocvx6~

660

(see glaucous); so called from its color. Cp.

prec. word.
glaucous, adj., bluish green.- L. g/aucus, fr. Gk.
y:Aocux6~. 'gleaming, bright; gray, bluish green',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. Glaucidium,
Glaucium, glaucoma, Glauconia, Glaucus, Glaux.
Derivative: glaucous-/y, adv.
Glaucus, n., a fisherman of Boeotia, changed into'
a sea god (Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. r:Aocux6~,
fr. y:Aocux6~, 'bluish green', so called in allusion
to the glaucous color of the sea. See prec. word.
Glaucus, n., a genus of mollusks (zoo/.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. y:Aocux6~, 'bluish green' (see glaucous);
so called in allusion to their color.
Glaux, n., a genus of plants of the primrose family
(bot.)- L. glaux, name of a plant, fr. Gk. y:Aocu~,
'the milk vetch', which is prob. rel. to y:Acxux6~.
'gleaming, bright; bluish green'. See glaucous,
and cp. Glaucidium, Glaucium.
glaze, tr. v., to furnish with glass; intr. v., to
become glassy.- ME. glasen, fr. glas, 'glass',
fr. OE. glll!s. See glass.
Derivatives: glaze, n., glaz-er, n., glazier (q.v.),
glaz-ing, n., glaz-y, adj., glar-i-ly, adv., glazi-ness, n.
glazier, n. - Formed fr. glaze with suff. -ier.
Derivative: glazier-y, n.
gleam, n., a beam of light. - ME. glem, gleam,
fr. OE. gliim, 'brightness, splendor', rel. to OS.
glfmo, of s.m., MHO. glim, 'spark', OHG. gleimo, MHG. gleime, 'glowworm', lit. 'the gleamer', MHO., G. glimmen, 'to glimmer, glow', and
to ON. g/jii, 'to shine, glitter', fr. I.-E. base
*gh/ei-, 'to shine, glitter, glow; to be warm',
whence also Gk. :;(ALELV, 'to become warm',
z:Atocp6~, 'warm', :;(ALcxLvE~v, 'to warm', Olr. gle,
W. g/oew, 'bright, clear'. Base *ghlei- is an
enlargement of base *ghel-; *ghel-, *ghle-, 'to
gleam, glimmer'. See glass and cp. glee, glimmer, glimpse, glisten, glister, glitter.
Derivatives: gleam-y, adj., gleam-i-ly, adv.,
gleam-i-ness, n.
gleam, intr. v. - ME. glemen, fr. glem. See
gleam, n.
glean, tr. v., to gather after the reapers; intr. v.,
to gather what is left after the reapers. - ME.
glenen, fr. OF. g/ener (F. g/aner), fr. Late L.
gleniire (whence also OProven<;. glenar}, a word
occurring in the Salic Law; of Celtic origin;
cp. Olr. do-g/inn, 'he collects, gathers'.
Derivatives: glean, n. (q.v.}, glean-er, n., gleaning, n.
glean, n., something gleaned. - OF. glene, fr.
Late L. glena, fr. gleniire. See glean, v.
glebe, n., soil; land; field.- L. g/eba, fr. earlier
glaeba, 'clod, soil, land', in gradational relationship to globus, 'ball, sphere', and cogn. with Lith.
glebys, 'armful; clue, ball', g/Obiu, globti, 'to
embrace, support', Lett. g/iibt, g/ebt, 'to protect', Polish glubic, 'to press', Czech hlobiti, 'to
fasten with tags', OHG. kliiftra, MHO. k/tifter,
G. Klafter, 'fathom' ,lit. 'the outstretched arms',

661

OE. clyppan, OFris. kleppa, 'to embrace, love',

fr. I.-E. base *gelebh-, *glebh-, 'to roll up into
a ball, compress', which is an enlargement of
base *gel-, of s.m. See clamp, 'a device for
fastening', and cp. globe. Cp. also gall, 'gallnut'.
Glecoma, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. y:A~zwv, ~A'ijzwv, 'pennyroyal'; of unknown origin.
glede, n., the common kite.- ME., fr. OE. glida,
'kite', lit. 'the gliding (bird)', rei. to ON. gleoa,
'kite', and to OE. glidan, 'to glide'. See glide.
Gleditsia, n., a genus of plants, the honey locust
(bot.)- ModL., named after the German botanist Johann Gottlieb Gleditsch (1714-86). For
the ending see suff. -ia.
glee, n., joy; mirth. - ME. gle, gleo, fr. OE.
gliw, gleo, 'mirth, jest; music minstrelsy', fr.
ON. gly, of s.m., which is rei. to glja, 'to shine'.
See gleam and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: glee-ful, adj., glee-ful-ly, adv.,
glee-ful-ness, n.
gleed, n., a live coal (dial.)- ME. g/ede, fr. OE.
gled, 'live coal; flame, fire', rei. to ON. gloo,
Du. gloed, OHG., MHG. gluot, G. Glut, 'glowing fire', and to OE. glowan, 'to glow'. See glow
and cp. words there referred to.
gleek, n., an old card game (obsol.)- OF. glic,
fr. earlier ghelicque, fr. MDu. ghelijc (whence
Du. gelijk), 'equal', which is rei. to OE. gelic,
'similar, equal'. See like, adj. The game is so
called because it is three cards of the same rank
that form a gleek.
gleemaiden, n., a female minstrel (archaic). OE. g/eo-mll!gden, 'female minstrel'. See glee
and maiden.
gleeman, n., a minstrel (archaic). - OE. gleoman, 'minstrel, jester'. See glee and man.
gleesome, adj., gleeful, merry. - Compounde d
of glee and 1st -some.
Derivatives: gleesome-ly, adv., gleesome-ness, n.
gleet, n., morbid discharge from the urethra
(med.) - ME. glet, g/ette, fr. OF.-MF. glete,
'slime, filth' (whence F. g/ette, 'litharge'), fr. L.
glrtem, ace. of glfs, 'sticky, glutinous ground',
which is a back formation fr. glittus, 'sticky',
suggested by the analogy of the related gli1s,
gen. gliitis. See glue.
gleg, adj., quick of perception (Scot.) - ME.,
fr. ON. gloggr, 'clear-sighted, clear, distinct',
rei. to OS., OHG. glau, 'clever', OE. g/eaw,
'clever, wise', Goth. glaggwo, 'exactly', glaggwaba, g/aggwuba, 'carefully', ON.gluggi, g/uggir,
'loophole, light', Swed., Norw. glugga, 'to look
at, lie in wait, lurk', OE. glowan, 'to shine, glow'.
See glow.
glen, n., a narrow valley.- ME., fr. Gael. gleann,
'mountain valley, glen', which is rei. to Mlr.
glenn, glend, W. glyn, of s.m. Cp. the next two
words.
Glengarry cap or Glengarry bonnet, also glengarry. - Named after a valley in Invernessshire (Scotland), lit. glen of the river Garry.

gnrnorm

Glenlivet, Glenlivat, n., a kind of whisky. Named after Glenlivet (or Glenlivat) in Scotland; so called from the place where it was first
manufactured. The name lit. means 'the glen of
the Liver (a tributary of the Avon)'.
glenoid, adj., having the form of a shallpw cavity
(anat.) -Gk. YA1JVOELa~~. 'resembling the socket
of a joint', compounded of y:A~II'IJ, 'eyeball;
socket of a joint', and -oEta-f)~. 'like', fr. daa~,
'form, shape'. The first element is prob. rel. to
yEM:i:v (Hesychius), 'to shine, be bright', yE:Aiiv,
'to laugh', ye:Afi.v'f)~. 'smiling, joyful'. For the
first element see geloto-, for the second see -oid.
glib, adj., I) smooth; 2) fluent. - The orig.
meaning of this word was 'slippery'. It is of
Dutch origin. Cp. Du. glibberen, 'to slide', glibberig, 'slippery', glibber, 'jelly'.
Derivatives: glib-ly, adv., glib-ness, n.
glide, intr. v. - ME. glj,den, fr. OE. glidan, rel.
to OS. glidan, OFris. glida, MLG. glfden, Du.
glijden, OHG. glitan,"MHG . gliten, G. gleiten,
'to glide'. Dan. glide, Swed. glida, are borrowed
fr. MLG gliden. Cp. glede, glissade.
Derivatives: glide, n., glid-er, n., glid-ing-ly, adv.
gliff, intr. and tr. v., to glance, glimpse; n., a
glimpse. - Of uncertain origin.
glim, n., r) a light, as a lamp ; 2) an eye (slang). Rei. to gleam, glimmer.
glimmer, intr. v.- ME. glemeren, glimeren, 'to
shine', rei. to Du. glimmeren, MHG., G. glimmen, G. glimmern, 'to shine dimly, glimmer',
G. Glimmer, 'a faint glow', and to OE. gliim,
'brightness, splendor'. See gleam and cp.
glimpse.
Derivatives: glimmer, n., glimmer-ing, n. and
adj., glimmer-ing-ly, adv., glimmer-y, adj.
glimpse, tr. and intr. v. - Formerly glimse, fr.
ME. g/imsen, fr. Teut. base *glim-, whence also
gleam, glim, glimmer (qq.v.) For the excrescent
p cp. empty, sempstress.
Derivatives: glimpse, n., glimps-er, n.
glint, intr. v. - ME. glenten, 'to shine', rei. to
dial. Swed. gianta, glinta, 'to shine', OHG. g/anz,
'bright', fr. I.-E. base *gh/endh-, 'to shine',
whence also OSlav. glrdati, 'to see'. See glance,
'to polish'.
Derivative: glint, n.
glioma, n., a tumor of the brain, spinal chord,
etc. (med.) - Medical L., lit. 'glue tumor',
coined by the Gdrman pathologist Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902), fr. Gk. y:Alfi., 'glue', and suff.
-w[J.C. See glue and -oma and cp. the second element in neuroglia.
gliomatosis, n., disease characterized by glioma
(med.) - Medical L. See prec. word and -osis.
gliomatous, adj., pertainidg to gliomata (med.)
- See glioma and -ous.
Glires, n. pl., a synonym of Rodentia (zoo/.) L. gllres, pl. of g[fs, 'dormouse', cogn. with OI.
giril;z, 'mouse', Gk. rrrJl:TJ, Att. ycx:A'ij, 'weasel,
polecat, marten'. See galea.
glirlform, adj., resembling the Rodentia (zoo/.)

glirine
- Compounde d of L. glis (see prec. word) and
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
glirine, adj., pertaining to the Rodentia (zoo/.)Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr. L. glis, gen. gliris,
'dormouse'. See Glires.
glissade, n., a sliding down a slope of snow. F., formed with suff. -ade fr. F. g/isser, 'to slip,
glide, slide', which is a blend of OF. glier, 'to
glide', and OF. glacer, of s.m. OF. glier derives
fr. Frankish *glidan, which is rei. to OHG.
glitan, 0. glidan, 'to glide'; see glide. OF. glacer
comes fr. glace, 'ice', fr. L. glaciis; see glacial.
Derivatives: glissade, intr. v., glissad-er, n.
glisten, intr. v., to glitter. - ME. glisnen, g/istnen, fr. OE. glisnian, rei. to OE. glisian and to
OFris. gfisa, 'to shine', fr. I.-E. base *ghleis-,
enlargement of base *ghel-, *ghli-, 'to gleam,
glimmer'. See glass and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: gli~ten, n.
glister, intr. v. - ME. glistren, glisteren, prob.
fr. LG. glisten, which derives fr. I.-E. base
*ghleis-, 'to gleam, glimmer'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: glister, n., glister-ing-ly, adv.
glitter, intr. v. - ME. gliteren, fr. ON. glitra;
rei. to OE. glitenian, OS. glitan, OHG. gli33an,
MHG. gli3en, G. gleiften, MHG., G. glitzern,
Goth. glitmunjan, 'to glitter, glisten', fr. I.-E.
*ghleid-, *ghlid-, whence also Gk. J(Atowv,
)(A~Oo<;, 'ornament', )(Ato~, 'luxury, delicacy'.
I.-E. *ghleid- is a dental enlargement of base
*ghlei-, 'to shine, glitter, glow; to be warm'. See
gleam and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: glitter, n., glitter-ing, adj., glittering-ly, adv., glitter-y, adj.
gloaming, n., twilight. - ME., fr. OE. gl6mung,
'twilight', fr. glom, of s.m., which is rei. to OE.
glowan, 'to glow'. See glow.
gloat, intr. v., to gaze with malicious joy. -ON.
glotta, 'to smile scornfully', rei. to MHG., G.
glotzen, 'to stare, gloat'. Cp. glout.
Derivatives: gloat, n., gloat-er, n., gloat-ing, adj.
gloat-ing-ly, adv.
global, adj., spherical. - Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. globus. See globe.
globate, adj., spherical. - L. globiitus, pp. of
globiire, 'to make into a globe', fr. globus. See
next word and adj. suff. -ate.
globe, n. - F., fr. L. globus, 'a round body, ball,
sphere', in gradational relationship to L. glaeba,
gleba, 'clod, soil, land'. See glebe and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also globose, globule, conglobate and the second element in hemoglobin.
Globigerina, n., a genus of Foraminifer a (zoo/.)
- ModL., compounded of L. globus, 'a round
body', and gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See globe
and gerent.
globose, adj., spherical. - L. g/obOsus, 'round as
a ball, spherical', fr. globus. See globe and adj.
suff. -ose.
Derivatives: globose-ly, adv., globose-ness, n.,
globos-ity, n.

662
Globularia, n., a genus of plants, the globe daisy
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. globulus, 'a little ball'.
See globule.
globule, n., a very small spherical body; a drop.
- F., fr. L. globulus, 'a little ball', dimin. of
globus. See globe and -ule.
Derivatives: globul-ar, adj., globuli'n (q.v.), glo'
bulous (q.v.)
globulin, n., a protein substance (biochem.) Coined by the Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848) from L. g/obu/us (see prec.
word) and chem. suff. -in.
globulite, n., a variety of crystallite (mineral.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. globulus. See
globule.
globulous, adj., globular. - F. g/obuleux (fern.
g/obuleuse), fr. globule. See globule and -ous.
Derivative: globulous-ness, n.
glochidiate, adj., barbed (bot.) - Formed with
adj. suff. -ate fr. Gk. y}.wz<;. See next word.
glochidium, n., larva of fresh-water mussel (zoo/.)
- ModL., dimin. of Gk. y}.wxf<;, 'point of an
arrow; projecting point'. See gloss, 'interpretation', and -idium.
glockenspiel, n., a percussion instrument (mus.)
-G. Glockenspiel, lit. 'play of bells', fr. Glocke,
'bell', and Spiel, 'a play'. See clock and spiel, and
cp. the second element in bonspiel, krlegspiel.
glomerate, tr. v., to roll up, accumulate. - L.
glomeriitus, pp. of g/omeriire, 'to make into a
ball, gather into a round heap', fr. glomus, gen.
g/omeris, 'a round heap, ball, clue', fr. I.-E.
*gle-m-, a collateral form of base *gleb(h)-,
'to make into a ball, press together', enlarged
fr. base *gel-, of s.m. See clamp, 'a device for
fastening', and verbal suff. -ate and cp. Glomerella, glomerulus, agglomerate, conglomerate. Cp.
also glebe, globe.
glomerate, adj., rolled up, accumulated. - L.
glomeriitus, pp. of g/omeriire. See prec. word.
glomeration, n., accumulatio n; ball. - L. g/omeriitio, gen. -onis, fr. g/omeriitus, pp. of glomerare. See glomerate, v., and -ion.
Glomerella, n., a genus of fungi (bot.)- ModL.,
a dimin. formed fr. glomus, gen. g/omeris, 'ball'.
See glomerate, v., and -ella and cp. next word.
glomerulus, n., a capillary tuft (anat.) - Medical
L., coined by Schumlansky fr. L. glomus, gen.
glomeris, 'ball' (see glomerate), and dimin. suff.
-ule.
gloom, intr. v., to look sullen.- ME. g/oumen,
g/oumben, 'to look sullen, be gloomy', rei. to
MLG. glum, 'turbid', glomen, 'to make turbid',
LG. gliiren, Du. g/uren, 'to leer'; not rei. to OE.
glom, 'twilight'. Cp. glower, 'to lour', glum.
Derivatives: gloom, n., gloom-y, adj., gloo-mi-ly,
adv., gloom-i-ness, n.
Gloria, n., the great doxology in Christian liturgy.
- L. ; so called from the first word of the text,
which begins "Gloria in excelsis Deo" ("Glory
be to God on high"). See glory.
glorification, n. - Late L. glorificiitio, gen. -onis,

663

glosses', which is compounded of y}.wcrao- (see

fr. g/orificiitus, pp. of glorificiire. See next word
glosso-) and -yp&<po<;, fr. yp&<pe:tv, 'to write' (see
and -ation.
-grapher).
fr.
glorify, tr. v.- ME. glorifien, fr. F. glorifier,
glossology, n., the science of language (obsol.)Late L. glorificiire, 'to glorify', which is formed
Compounde d of glosso- and Gk. -}.oyloc, fr.
fr. L. glOria, 'glory', and -ficiire, fr. facere, 'to
-}.6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain JTianner);
make, do'. See glory and -fy.
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy
Derivative: glorifi-er, n.
and cp. glottology.
L.
fr.
F.,
gloriole, celestial crown, aureole. Derivatives: glosso/og-ical, adj., glossolog-ist, n.
gloriola, 'a small glory', dimin. of gloria. See
n., the cutting out of the tongue
glossotomy,
glory and -ole.
Compounde d of glosso- and Gk.
(surg.)
glorious, adj.- OF. glorious (F. glorieux), fr. L.
--ro!J.lii, 'a cutting of', fr. "''Ofl.~ 'a cutting'. See
gloriosus, 'glorious, famous', fr. gloria. See
-tomy.
glory and -ous.
glottis, n., the opening between the vocal cords
Derivatives: glorious-ly, adv., glorious-ness, n.
of the larynx (anat.) - Att. Gk. y}.wnl~. 'the
glory, n.- ME. glorie, fr. OF. g/orie (F. g/oire),
mouth of the windpipe', fr. y}.wnoc, 'tongue'.
fr. L. gloria, 'glory, fame, renown, praise',
See gloss, 'interpretatio n', and subst. suff. -id
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. gloriole.
cp. epiglottis.
and
Derivative: glory, intr. v.
glotto-, combining form meaning 'language' .gloss, n., interpretation. - L. glossa, 'an antiAtt. Gk. y}.w-r"''o-, fr. y'Awnoc, 'tongue; lanquated or foreign word that requires explanguage'. See gloss, 'interpretatio n'.
ation', hence also 'explanation, note', fr. Gk.
glottology, n., the science of language (obsol.)y}.wcrcroc, Att. y}.wnoc, 'tongue, speech', which
It. glottologia, coined by the Italian comparative
stands for *y}.wx-~oc, prop. 'that which is prophilologist Graziadio Isaia Ascoli (1829-1907)
jected', and is rei. to y}.wzl<;, 'a projecting point',
glotto- and Gk. -}.oyloc, fr. -}.6yo<;, 'one who
fr.
Cp.
'thorn'.
glogii,
OSlav.
with
cogn.
and perh.
(in a certain manner); one who deals
speaks
glottis, epiglottis, and gloze, 'a note'. Cp. also
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy and cp. glosthe second element in monoglot, diglot, triglot,
sology.
polyglot, and in bugloss, Cynoglossum, Docoglout, intr. v., to frown, scowl (archaic). - ME.
glossa, Hippoglossus, hypoglossus, Odontoglosglouten, prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. glotta,
sum, Ophioglossum, Pangloss, Salpiglossis,
'to smile scornfully', and see gloat.
Tachyglossus, Triglochin.
glove, n. - ME. g/ofe, glove, fr. OE. glof, 'palm
Derivative: gloss, tr. v., to write glosses to.
of the hand', rei. to ON. glofi. Both these words
gloss, n., polish. - Rei. to obsol. Du. gloos, 'a
are a contraction of Teut. *ge-lof, fr. pref. ge
glowing', MHG. glosen, Norw. glosa, 'to glow',
(see y-) and */of-, 'palm of the hand', whence
glow
See
s.m.
of
g/owan,
OE.
to
also
b.
and pro
ON. loft, Goth. /ofa and (with vowel gradals::>
and cp. gloze, 'to shine'.
ation) OHG.laffa, 'palm of the hand; oar blade'.
Derivative: gloss, tr. and intr. v., to polish.
These words are cogn. with Lith. /opa, 'claw',
glossary, n., a collection of glosses; a partial
/Opeta, 'shovel, spade'; waterlily', Lett. /epa,
dictionary. - L. g/Ossiirium, 'vocabulary of
liipusta, liipsta, 'shovel, spade'. OPruss.
'paw',
formed
glossary',
words,
foreign
or
antiquated
Russ./apa, 'paw', Iopata, 'shovel'.
'spade',
/opto,
with suff. -iirium, fr. glossa. See gloss, 'interCp. loof, aloof, luff, laveer.
pretation', and subst. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: glove, tr. v., glov-er, n.
Derivative: glossari-al, adj.
glow, intr. v. - ME. g/owen, fr. OE. g/Vwan, rei.
glossator, n., a writer of glosses. - ML., formed
to OS. gloian, ON. gloa, OHG. gluoen, MHG.
with suff. -ator fr. L. glossa. See gloss, 'interg/iiejen, G. gliihen, 'to glow', fr. I.-E.
gliien,
pretation'.
*ghlou-, enlargement of base *ghel-, *ghel-, 'to
glossic, n., a phonetic system invented by Alexgleam, glimmer'. See glass and cp. words there
ander John Ellis (1814-90). -Coined by A.J.
referred to. Cp. also gleg, gloaming.
Ellis fr. Gk. y}.waaoc, 'tongue'. See gloss, 'interDerivatives: glow, n., g/ow-iug, adj., glow-ing-ly,
-ic.
and
pretation',
adv.
glossitis, n., inflammation of the tongue (med.) glower, intr. v., to lower; to scowl. - Cp. LG.
Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
gliiren, Du. gluren, 'to leer', see gloom.
y}.waaoc, 'tongue'. See gloss, 'interpretatio n'.
Derivatives: glower, n., glower-er, n., glowerg)osso-, combining form denoting the tongue. ing, adj., glower-ing-ly, adv.
gloss,
See
'tongue'.
y'Awcrcroc,
fr.
Gk. y}.(J)acro-,
Gloxinia, n., a genus of tropical plants (bot.)'interpretatio n'.
ModL., named after Benjamin Peter Gloxin,
glossograph, n., an instrument for recording the
an 18th century German botanist and physician.
Comspeaking.
in
movements of the tongue
For the ending see suff. -ia.
pounded of~ and Gk. -ypocqx>c;, fr. ypci<petv,
gloze, intr. v., to shine, blaze (Scot.)- See gloss,
'to write'. See -graph.
'to polish'.
glossographe r, n., a writer of glosses.- Formed
Derivative: gloze, a blaze.
with suff. -er fr. Gk. y).(J)aaoypciqx>c;, 'a writer of

gloze

gloze, n., I) a note (obsol.); 2) flattering speech;

flattery (archaic). - OF. glose, fr. ML. gl6sa,
a var. of L. glossa, 'a word that requires explanation'. See gloss, 'interpretation'.
gloze, intr. v., I) to make glosses (obsol.); 2) to
flatter (archaic). - ME. glosen, fr. OF. gloser,
fr. glose. See gloze, n.
glucase, n., maltase, i.e. an enzyme capable of
converting maltose into glucose (chem.) Formed fr. gluc(ose) with suff. -ase.
glucina, n., another name for beryllia (chem.)ModL., coined by the French chemist NicolasLouis Vauquelin (1763-I829) in I798 fr. Gk.
y:Auxu~, 'sweet' (see glyco-); so called by him
in allusion to the sweet taste of some of its salts.
glucinum, also glucinium, n., another name for
beryllium (chem.) - ModL. See prec. word.
glucose, n., a sugar, C6 H 120 6 (chem.) - F. glucose, fr. misspelling of Gk. y:Ae:uxo~, 'must,
sweet wine', which is rei. to Gk. y:Auxu~, 'sweet'.
See glyco- and subst. suff. -ose.
glucoside, also spelled glycoside, n., a group of
compounds yielding glucose (chem.)- Formed
from prec. word with suff. -ide.
glue, n.- ME., fr. OF.(= F.) glu, 'birdlime',
fr. Late L. glutem, ace. of glus, fr. L. gluten, of
s.m., which derives fr. I.-E. base *gleit-, 'to
glue, paste', whence also Lith. glitus, 'sticky,
glutinous, smooth', glytus, 'smooth, even',
glitas,glitis, 'slime, mucus', OE. clioan, 'to adhere
to', clioa, 'plaster', clioe, 'bur'. I.-E. *gleit- is a
+enlargement of base *glei-, 'to glue, paste,
stick together'. Port. grude, 'paste', is of the
same origin as OF. g/u. See clay and cp. gluten.
Cp. also gleet. Cp. also cloth.
Derivatives: glue, tr. v., glue-y, adj.
glum, adj., gloomy; sullen. - MT. gloumen,
g/oumben, 'to look sullen, gloomy'. See gloom,
v., and cp. grum. Derivatives: glum-ly, adv.,
glum-ness, n.,glumm-y, adj.
glume, n., a bract of grasses. - L. gluma, 'husk,
hull', for *glubh-smii, from the stem of g!Ub6,
glubere, 'to peel, shell', which stands for
*gleubh6 and is cogn. with Gk. yMcpe:w, 'to hollow out, engrave, carve', y:AucpE~, 'notch', OE.
cleofan, 'to cleave'. See cleave, 'to split', and
cp. glyph.
glumous, adj., bearing glumes. - Formed from
prec. word with suff. -ous.
glut, tr. v., to swallow. - OF. glotir, glutir, fr.
L. gluttire, 'to swallow, gulp down', fr. I.-E.
base *glu-, 'to swallow', whence also L. inglu-vies, 'crop, maw; gluttony, voraciousness',
Russ. glot, 'draft, gulp'. glottit', 'to gulp, swallow', OSlav. po-g/ustati, 'to gulp, swallow
down'. Base *gl-u is a -u-enlargement of base
*gel-, 'to swallow', whence OHG. ceole, 'throat',
L. gula, 'throat'. See gullet, and cp. glutton,
deglutition, ingluvies.
Derivative: glut, n., a swallow, gulp.
glut, tr. v., to feed to satiety; intr. v., to eat to
satiety. - ME. glotten, fr. OF. glut, glout,

664

'gluttonous', back formation fr. glotir, glutir,

'to swallow, gulp down'. Cp. OF. glototer, 'to
eat greedily', freq. of glotir, and see glut, 'to
swallow'.
Derivatives: glut, n., the act of glutting; full
supply, glutt-ing, adj., glut-ing-ly, adv.
gluteal, adj., pertaining to the muscles of the but-1
tocks. - Formed from next word with adj
suff. -al.
gluteus, n., any of the three large muscles of the
buttocks (anal.) - Medical L. glutaeus, gluteus, .fr. Gk. y:Aou-r6.;, 'rump', in the Pl. 'buttocks', which is cogn. with MHG. kloz, 'lump.
ball', Du. kloot, 'ball, testicle', OE. cleat.
'wedge'. See cleat, and cp. words there referred to.
gluten, n., a viscid albuminous substance made
from wheat flour. - L. gluten, 'glue'. See glue.
glutinous, adj., of the nature of glue, sticky. L. glutin6sus, 'gluey, viscous, tenacious', fr.
gluten, gen. glutinis, 'glue'. See glue and -ous
and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: glutinous-ly, adv., glutinous-ness, n.
glutton, n., I) a gormandizer; 2) a carnivorous
mammal (Gulo luscus); wolverine.- ME. gloton, glutun, fr. OF. gloton, gluton (F. glouton),
fr. L. glutt6nem, ace. of glutt6, 'glutton, gormandizer', fr. gluttire, 'to swallow, gulp down':
see glut, 'to swallow'. In the sense of 'wolverine',
glutton is the loan translation of G. Vielfraft.
'gormandizer; wolverine', fr. vie!, 'much', and
fressen, 'to devour'. The name Vielfrap itself
arose from an erroneous translation of earlier
Norw.fje/dfross, 'wolverine', lit. 'mountain car,
fr. fje!d, 'mountain', and fross, 'tomcat; bear
(cp. ON.fross, 'tomcat; bear'), but folk etymology identified Norw. fjeldfross with MHG.
vil/efras (G. Vie/fraft), lit. 'much devourer.
(ModNorw. fjeldfras, in its turn, shows the influence of G. Vielfraft.) Derivatives: glutton-ize,
intr. and tr. v., glutton-ous, adj., gluttony (q.v.)
gluttony, n. - ME. glotonie, fr. OF. glotonie.
glutonie, fr. OF. gloton, gluton. See glutton and
-y (representing OF. -ie).
Glyceria, n., a genus of grasses, the manna grass
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. y:Auxe:p6~. 'sweet', fr.
y:Auxu.;, 'sweet' (see glyco-); so called in allusion
to the taste of its grain.
glyceride, n., a compound of glycerol and organic
acids (chem.)- Formed fr. glycer(in) with suff.
-ide.
glycerin, glycerine, n. (chem.) - F. glycerine,
coined by the French chemist Michel-Eugene
Chevreul (1786-I889) fr. Gk. y:Auxe:p6c;, 'sweet'.
fr. y:Auxuc;, 'sweet'. See glyco- and chem. suff.
-in, -ine.
glyco-, combining form meaning 'sweet'.- Gk.
y:Auxo-, fr. y:Auxu<;, 'sweet', assimilated to the
following x from orig. *SJ.ux-u<;, and cogn. with
L. dulcis (for *dJkwis), 'sweet'. See dulcet and
cp. glucinum, glucose, licorice.
glycogen, n., a carbonhydrate found in the liver

gnome

665

of animals (chem.) - Coined by the French

physiologist Claude Bernard (1813-78) in I848
from Gk. y:Auxu.;, 'sweet' (see glyco-), and -gen.
glycol, n., an alcoholic liquid, regarded as intermediate between glycerin and ethyl alcohol,
C 2 HiOH)2 (chem.) - Formed fr. glyc(erine)
and (alcoh)ol. Derivative: glycol-ic, adj.
glyconic, adj., pertaining to a monoacid, C6 H 120 7
(chem.)- See glycose and -onic.
Glyconic, also Glyconian, adj., denoting a form
of classical meter or verse.- Formed with suff.
-ic fr. Gk. rMxwv, name of a Greek lyric poet.
For the ending see suff. -ic, resp. -ian.
glycose, n., glucose.- F. See glucose.
glycoside, n., glucoside. - See glucoside.
glycosuria, n., a form of diabetes in which glucose
is excreted in the urine (med.) - Medical L.,
compounded of glucose and Gk. -oup(oc, 'diseased condition of urine'. See -uria.
Glycyrrhiza, n., a genus of plants, the licorice
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. y:AuxuppL~<X, lit. 'sweet
root' (see licorice); so called in allusion to the
taste of its root.
glyph, n., a vertical channel or groove. - F.
glyphe, fr. Gk. yJ..ucp-1), 'a carving' fr. y:Aucpe:Lv,
'to hollow out, engrave, carve', which is cogn.
with L. glubere, 'to peel, shell', OE. cleofan, 'to
cleave'. See cleave, 'to split', and cp. glume. Cp.
also glyptic and the second element in anaglyph,
dactylioglyph, hieroglyph, petroglyph, triglyph.
glyphic, adj., pertaining to carving or sculpture.
- Gk. y:AucpLx6.;, 'pertaining to carving', fr.
y).ucp-1). See glyph and -ic.
glyphograph, n., an etched plate made by glyphography. - See next word and -graph.
glyphography, n., process by which a raised plate
suitable for printing is made from an etching. Compounded of Gk. y:Aucp-1), 'carving' and -ypoccp[!X, 'writing', fr. ypoccpe:Lv, 'to write'. See glyph
and -graphy. Derivative: glyphograph-ic, adj.
glyptic, adj., pertaining to carving. - Gk. y:Au7tnx6.;, 'pertaining to carving', fr. y:Au1t-r6.;, 'engraved, carved; fit for carving', verbal adj. of
yM9e:Lv. See glyph and -ic.
Glyptodon, n., a genus of extinct gigantic mammals (paleontol.)- Compounded of Gk. y:Au7t-r6.;, 'engraved', verbal adj. ofyMcpe:Lv, and oSwv,
gen. o86noc;, 'tooth'' See prec. word and odonto-.
glyptograph, n., an engraved gem.- Compounded of Gk. y:Au1t-r6c;, 'engraved', verbal adj. of
yMcpe:Lv, 'to engrave', and -ypoccpoc;, fr. ypoccpe:LV,
'to write'. See glyptic and -graph.
glyptography, n.,. the art or process of gem engraving. - See prec. word and -graphy.
Gnaphalium, n., a genu~ of plants, the cudweed
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. gnaphalium, 'cudweed',
fr. Gk. yvoccpillLov, of s.m., fr. yvoccpocMov,
'flock of wool', fr. yv&7t-re:Lv, 'a collateral form
of xvchr-.ew, 'to card', which is cogn. with W.
cnaif, Olr. cnae, 'fleece', and prob. also with
Lith. knabeti, 'to peel', ON. hneppa, 'to squeeze,
pinch, rob', OE. hmeppan, 'to strike', Dan.

nappe, Swed., Norw. nappa, 'to pinch'.

gnar, gnarr, intr. v., to snarl. -Of imitative origin. Cp. MHG. gnarren, knarren, G. knarren,
'to creak, rattle', G. knurren, Du. knorren, Dan.
knurre, 'to snarl, growl', which all are of imitative origin. Cp. knar.
gnarl, intr. v., to snarl. - Formed from prec.
word with frequent. suff. -/.
gnarled, adj., knotted. - A var. of knurled,
'knotted', fr. knurl (q.v.); first used by Shakespeare.
gnash, tr. v.- ME. gnasten, 'to gnash the teeth',
rei. to ON. gnastan, 'a gnashing', gnista, of
s.m.; of imitative origin. Cp. G. knistern, 'to
crackle'. Derivatives: gnash, n., gnash-ing, n.
gnat,n.- ME., fr. OE. gmett, rei. to LG.gnatte,
in gradational relationship to MLG. gnitte,
'gnat', G. Gnitze, 'gnat' and prob. also to OE.
gnagan, 'to gnaw'. See gnaw.
gnathic, adj., pertaining to the jaw. -Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. yv<X.&o.;, 'jaw, cheek', which
is cogn. with Lith. itindas, 'jaw', and prob.
stands in gradational relationship to Gk. yevu.;,
'the lower jaw, cheek, chin', ytve:Lov, 'chin'. See
genial, 'pertaining to the chin', and cp. words
there referred to.
gnathism, n., relative projection of the lower jaw
(a term of craniometry). - See prec. word and
-ism.

gnathitis, n., inflammation of the jaw or cheek

(med.) - Medical L. See gnathic and -itis.
-gnathous, combining form lit. meaning '-jawed',
as in orthognathous, prognathous (a term of
craniometry). - See gnathic and -ous.
gnaw, tr. and intr. v. - ME. gnawen, fr. OE.
gnagan, rei. to OS. gnagan, ON., Swed. gnaga,
Dan. gnave, MDu., Du. knagen, OHG. gnagan, nagan, MHG. gnagen, nagen, G. nagen.
Outside Teut. cp. the second element in A vestic
aiwi-ynixta, 'gnawed, nibbled, eaten'. Cp. nag,
'to worry'. Cp. also gnat.
Derivatives: gnaw-er, n., gnaw-ing, n. and adj.,
gnaw-ing-ly, adv.
gneiss, n., a composite rock consisting of feldspar, quartz, mica and hornblende. -G., rei.
to OHG. gneisto, MHG. g(a)neist(e), ON.
gneisti, OE. gniist, 'spark'. Cp. OPruss. knaistis,
'a burning', and see ganister.
gnome, n., a fabulous dwarfish person. - F., fr.
ModL. gnomus, a word coined by the SwissGerman physician and alchemist Paracelsus
(died in I 54 I) prob. fr. Gk. yvW]Ll), 'intelligence'
(see next word; gnomes were supposed to be
intelligent people) or perh. fr. Gk. *Y7JV6]Lo<;,
'inhabitant of the earth', formed on the analogy
of .&!XA.<Xcraov6]Lo<;, 'inhabitant of the sea'. See
Geonoma.

Derivative: gnom-ish, adj.

gnome, n., a moral maxim. - Gk. yvW]Ll), 'a
means of knowing; mind, judgment, intelligence; maxim, opinion', from the base of
')'lyvWmu:Lv, 'to know, perceive, understand'. See

gnomic

can, aux. v., and cp. gnomon, gnosis. Cp. also

prec. word.
gnomic, gnomical, adj., pertaining to gnomes,
Gk. yvcu[Ltx6~.
sententious, aphoristic. 'suited to maxims', fr. yv6>[Ll) See prec. word
and -ic, resp. also -al.
gnomon, n., index on a sundial. - L. gnomon,
fr. Gk. yv6>[Lcuv, 'judge, indicator', lit. 'one that
knows', rei. to yv6>[Ll), 'mind, judgment, maxim,
opinion'. See gnome, 'maxim', and cp. the
second element in pathognomonic and in
physiognomy.
gnomonic, adj., pertaining to a gnomon. - L.
gnomonicus, fr. Gk. yvcu[LOVtx6~. fr. yv6>[LWV. See
prec. word and -ic.
gnosis, n., knowledge, especially that claimed by
the Gnostics. - ModL. gnosis, fr. Gk. yvwcn~,
'knowledge', from the base seen also in yv6>[Ll),
'mind, judgment; maxim, opinion'. See gnome,
'maxim', and cp. diagnosis, prognosis.
gnostic, adj., pertaining to knowledge. - Gk.
yvwcrTtx6~. 'of knowing', fr. yvwcrT6~. 'known,
perceived, understood', a later collateral form
of yvwT6~, verbal adj. of yLyv6>crxeLv, 'to know'.
See gnosis and -ic and cp. next word. Cp. also
diagnostic, prognostic.
Gnostic, n., a member of the sect of Gnostics;
adj., pertaining to Gnosticism. -Late L. Gnosticus, fr. Gk. yvwcrnx6~. 'Gnostic, member of
a religious sect of the 2nd cent.', lit. 'knowing'.
See prec. word and cp. Mandaean.
Derivative: Gnostic-ism, n.
gnu, n., a large S. African antelope. - Fr. gnoo,
the word by which the German traveler Georg
Forster (1754-1794) rendered Kaffir ngu (in his
book 'A Voyage Around the World', I, p.8J).
go, intr. v.- ME. gon, fr. OE. giin, rei. to OS.,
OFris., MLG. giin, Dan. gaa, Swed. gd, MDu.
gaen, Du. gaan, OHG., MHG. giin, gen, G.
gehen, Crimean Goth. geen, 'to go', fr. I.-E.
base *ghe-, *ghei-. The same base appears reduplicated in 01. jihite (for *ghi-ghe-te), 'goes
away', ja-hii-ti (for *ghe-ghe-ti), 'leaves, abandons', Gk. xLx&vw (for *ghi-ghe-no), xlxl)fLL
(for *ghi-ghe-mi), 'I reach, meet with', Avestic
zaziimi, 'I dismiss'. Base *ghe-, *ghei-, 'to go',
is identical with base *ghi-, *ghii-, 'to lack, be
in want of' (prop. 'to go without'), whence Gk.
x'ij-ro~, 'want, need', XOtTdv, 'to want, be in
need of, long for, desire', x'ijpo~. 'bereaved of',
L. heres, 'heir'; see heredity and cp. chori-. Cp.
ago.
Derivatives: go, n., that which goes, go-er, n.,
go-ing, n.
goad, n.- ME. gode, fr. OE. giid, 'point, sting,
goad, arrow', rei. to Lombard gaida, 'spear',
and cogn. with 01. heti!z, 'missile, projectile',
hdyati, himiti, 'pushes on, hurls', Avestic zaena-,
'weapon', Gk. XOt~oc;, 'shepherd's staff', Gaul.L. gaesum, 'a long heavy javelin', Oir. gae,
'spear', OE. giir, 'spear', Du. gese/, OHG.
geisila, MHG. geisel, G. GeiPel, 'whip, lash'.

. '

666

All these words are traceable to I.-E. base *ghei-,

'to drive on, push on'. Cp. gore, 'a triangular
piece of land', and words there referred to.
Derivative: goad, tr. v.
goaf, n., the open space from which the coal has
been extracted (dial. E.) - ME. golf, 'heap of
sheaves placed in a barn', fr. ON. golf, 'floor,
apartment, division'.
goal, n.- ME. go!, 'limit, boundary', prob. fr.
OE. *giil, 'hindrance', whence gtelan, 'to hinder'; see gill, 'ravine'. For sense development
cp. L. meta, 'end, boundary; goal'.
goat, n.- ME. goat, gote, fr. OE. giit, rei. to OS.
get, ON., Norw. geit, Swed. get, Dan.gjed, MDu.
gheet, Du. geit, OHG., MHG. gei3, G. Geip,
Goth. gaits, 'goat', fr. I.-E. base *ghaido-, 'kid,
goat', whence also L. haedus, 'kid, young goat'.
Derivatives: goatee (q.v.), goat-ish, adj., goatish-ly, adv., goat-ish-ness, n., goat-ling, n.,
goat-ly, adj.
goatee, n., a man's beard resembling a goat's
beard.- Formed from prec. word with suff. -ee.
Derivative: goate-ed, adj.
gob, n., a mouthful of saliva; a lump of slimy
substance. - OF. gobe, 'a mouthful, a lump'
[whence F. gobe, gobbe, 'fattening ball (for
poultry); poisoned ball (for a dog)'], of Celtic
origin; cp. lr. gob, 'mouth', Gael. gob, 'beak'.
Cp. gobbet, gobble, 'to eat greedily', goblet.
gob, n., a sailor in the navy (slang). - Perh. lit.
'a lump', and orig. identical with prec. word.
gobang, also goban, n., a Japanese game resembling checker. - Japan. goban, corruption of
Chinese k'i-p'an, 'checkerboard' .
gobbet, n., a piece of flesh; a lump of food (archaic or rare). - ME. gobet, ft. OF. gobet,
dimin. of gobe, 'a mouthful, a lump'. See gob, 'a
mouthful', and dimin. suff. -et and cp. goblet.
gobble, tr. and intr. v., to eat greedily.- Formed
with freq. suff. -le fr. F. gober, 'to gulp down,
swallow', fr. OF. gobe, 'a mouthful, a lump'.
See gob, 'a mouthful'.
gobble, intr. v., to make the characteristic noise
of a turkey cock. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
gabble.
Derivative: gobble, n., the noise made by a
turkey cock.
gobble, n., a successful putt into the hole (a term
of golf). - Prob. fr. gobble, 'to eat greedily'.
gobbledegook, gobbledygook, n., the overinvolved, pompous talk of Qfficialdom (slang). Coined by Maury Maverick (1895-1954), a U.S.
public official.
gobbler, n., one who eats greedily. - Formed fr.
gobble, 'to eat greedily', with agential suff. -er.
gobbler, n., a turkey cock.- Formed fr. gobble,
'to make the noise of the turkey cock', with
agential suff. -er.
Gobelin, adj., pertaining to tapestry produced at
the Gobelin looms; resembling such tapestry.
- Named after the French dyers Gilles and
Jehan Gobelin, who established near Paris a

667
factory of tapestry (about the middle of the
fifteenth century).
Derivative: Gobelin, n., a Gobelin tapestry.
gobi, n., lenticular mass of deposits (geol.) Mongolian gobi, 'desert'. Cp. the Gobi Desert,
which is a pleonasm, because gobi means the
same as English desert.
gobiid, adj., pertaining to the Gobiidae. -See
next word.
Gobiidae, n. pl., the family of fishes constituted
by the gobies (ichthyol.)- ModL., formed with
suff. -idae fr. L. gobius, a kind of fish. See goby.
goblet, n.- ME. gobelet, fr. OF. ( = F.) gobelet,
'goblet, cup', fr. OF. gobel, of s.m., orig. identical with OF. gobel, 'mouthful', dimin. of gobe.
See gob, 'a mouthful', and -et.
goblin, n., an evil spirit. - F. gobelin, formed fr.
ML. cobiilus, fr. Gk. x6~ii:t..oc;, 'rogue, knave;
an evil spirit', which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
kobold, cobalt.
Derivative: goblin-ry, n.
goby, n., a small marine fish.- L. gobius, fr. Gk.
xw~L6c;, which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
Gobiidae, gudgeon, the fish.
God; god, n. - ME., fr. OE. god, rei. to OS.,
Du. god, OHG., MHG. got, G. Gott, ON. guo,
Dan., Swed. gud, Goth. gup, for Teut. *guiJa-,
which is prob. a participial formation (cp. cold,
loud, old) meaning 'the invoked being', and
corresponds to I.-E. ghu-to-m, fr. base *ghu-,
'to invoke', whence 01. hu-ta-, 'invoked' (epithet
of lndra), pp. of havate, 'invokes', which is rei.
to A vestic zavaiti, of s.m., Gk. XOtux&o[LOtL, 'I
boast', OSlav. zov(J, zuvati, 'to call'. Cp. bigot,
giddy, good-by, gossip.
Derivatives: goddess (q. v. ), god-like, adj., god-ly,
adj., god-li-ness, n.
goddess, n. - ME. godesse, goddesse, a hybrid
coined fr. god and -esse, a suff. of ult. Gk. origin. See god and -ess.
Godetia, n., a genus of plants of the evening primrose family (bot.) - ModL., named after the
Swiss botanist Charles-H. Godet (1797-1879).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
Godfrey, masc. PN. - OF. Godefrei (F. Godefroi), fr. OHG. Godafrid (G. Gottfried), lit. 'the
peace of God', fr. OHG. got, 'God', and fridu,
'peace'. See god and free and cp. the first element in Frederic and the second element in
Geoffrey.
godown, n., a warehouse; a store (Anglo-Ind.)Anglicized fr. Malay godong, 'warehouse',
which prob. derives fr. Telugu giifatigi, fr. Tamil
kiifatigu, prop. 'a place where things lie', fr. kilju,
'to lie'. For sense development cp. G. Lager,
'storehouse, warehouse, store', lit. 'a place
where things lie', fr. liegen, 'to lie'.
godsend, n., that which comes unexpectedly, as
if sent by God.; a welcome event.- For God's
send, in which send derives fr. ME. sande, sonde,
'that which is sent, message', fr. OE. sand, fr.
sendan, 'to send'. See send.

go1a

goel, n., next of kin; redeemer; avenger of blood

(Hebrew antiq.)- Heb. go'il, 'redeemer', active
part. of gii'al, 'he has redeemed', whence gt'ulla", 'redemption'. See Geullab.
goff, n., a stupid fellow (now dial.)- ME. gaffe,
prob. fr. F. goffe, 'awkward', fr. It. gpffo, of
s.m., which is of uncertain origin. Cp. goof.
goffer, tr. v., to plait, flute. - F. gaufrer, 'to
figure (cloth, leather or velvet)', fr. gaufre,
'honeycomb, waffle', fr. Frankish *wafel, which
is rei. to MDu. wiifel, 'wafer'. See wafer and cp.
gopher, 'a rodent'.
Derivatives: gaffer, n., goffer-er, n., goffer-ing, n.
goggle, intr. v.- ME. gogelen, prob. formed with
freq. suff. -le fr. the imitative base *gog-. Cp.
jog, joggle.
Derivatives: goggle, n. and adj., goggl-ed, adj.,
goggl-y, adj.
goggler, n., name of a fish (Trachurops crumenophthalmus). - Formed from prec. word with
agential suff. -er.
goglet, also guglet, n., a waterbottle. - Corruption of Port. gorgoleta, 'a narrow-mouth ed
vessel out of which the water guggles', which is
rei. to gorgo/ejar, 'to drink by draughts or
gulps', an alteration of gargarejar, 'to gargle',
fr. L. gargariziire, from the imitative base
*garg-. See garget.
goi, goy, n., a gentile, a non-Jew. - Heb. goy,
'people, nation' (in Mishnaic and Modern
Hebrew, also 'gentile'), pl. goyfm. Cp. goyim.
Goidelic, adj., pertaining to the Gaelic language.
-Formed with suff. -ic fr. Olr. Goidel, 'Gael'.
See Gael.
goiter, goitre, n. - F. goitre, fr. OF. goitron,
'throat', fr. VL. *gutturionem, ace. of *gutturio,
fr. L. guttur, 'throat'. See guttural.
Derivatives: goiter-ed, goitr-ed, adj., goitrous
(q.v.)
goitrous, adj. pertaining to, or affected with,
goiter.- F. goitreux (fern. goitreuse), fr. goitre.
See goiter and -ous.
gola, n., a storehouse for grain.- Hind. golii, prop.
'a round house', fr. go/, 'round'; so called from
the usual form of such storehouses.
golah, n., Diaspora, galuth (Jewish hist.) - Heb.
gold", 'exile; exiles', fr. giildh, 'he uncovered,
removed; he departed; he went into exile, was
deported'. See galuth.
Golconda, n., a mine of wealth. - From Golconda, the old capital of the kingdom of The
Deccan in India, a famous center of the diamond trade.
gold, n.- ME., fr. OE. gold, rei. to OS., OFris.,
OHG. gold, MHG. golt, G. Gold, MDu. gout,
Du. goud, ON. gull, go//, Swed. gull, Dan. guld,
Goth. gulp. 'gold', and cogn. with OSlav. zlato
(for *zol-to), Russ. zoloto, Lett. zelts, 01. hiraQyam,Avestic zaranya-, 'gold'.Ail these words are
traceable to I.-E. base *ghel-, *ghel-, 'to shine;
yellow', and orig. meant 'the yellow metal'. See
yellow and cp. gild, guilder, gulden. Cp. also zloty.

golem

Derivatives: gold, gold-en, adjs.

golem, n., an artificial man; an automaton. Heb. giJ/em (in Ps.139: r6), 'embryo', fr. giildm,
'he wrapped up; folded'.
golf, n., a game of Scottish origin.- Of uncertain
origin. It derives perh. fr. MDu. calf, calve (Du.
kolf), 'club for striking balls', which is rei. to
ON. kolfr, 'clapper of a bell; a kind of bolt',
OHG. kolbo, MHG. kolbe, G. Ko/ben, 'mace,
club'.
Derivatives: golf, intr. v., golf-er, n.
Golgotha, n., calvary. - Greek transliteration
of Aram. gulgiiltd, 'skull' ( = Heb. gu/giJ/eth),
the name given to a hill near Jerusalem (so called
in reference to its shape); cp. Calvary. For the
etymology of Aram. gu/gultd see gelilah.
goliard, n., jester, buffoon, poet.- OF. goliard,
goliart, 'glutton; buffoon', fr. gale (whence F.
gueule), 'mouth', fr. L. gula. See gullet and -ard.
Goliath, n., a giant. - Late L. Goliath, fr. Heb.
Golydth, name of a Philistine giant killed by
David (see I Sam., chapter 17).
golliwog, n., r) a grotesque doll; 2) a grotesque
person. - Coined by the portrait painter and
illustrator Florence K. Upton (died in 1922).
The word was prob. modeled on polliwog.
golosh, n.- A var. of galosh.
goluptious, adj., luscious. - Facetiously formed
on the analogy of voluptuous.
gomasta, gomastah, gomashta, n., a native agent
or factor (India). - Pers. gumiishtah, 'appointed'.
gombeen, n., usury (Irish-English)- lr. gaimbin,
'interest', fr. Late L. cambium, 'exchange', fr.
cambiiire, 'to exchange'. See cambium and cp.
words there referred to.
gombroon, gomroon, n., a kind of white semiFr. Gombroon (now Bandar
porcelain. Abbas), name of a town on the Persian Gulf.
Cp. gambroon.
gomer, n., a measure. - L. gomor, Gk. y6fLop,
fr. Heb. 'iJmer. See omer.
gomer, a conical chamber. - Named after its
inventor.
gomeral, gomerel. n., a fool.- Of unknown origin.
gomphosis, n., an immovable union of bony parts
in the body (anat.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. y6fLcpwn<;, 'a bolting together', fr. yofLcpouv, 'to
fasten with bolts', fr. y6fLcpO<;, 'bolt', which is
cogn. with OE. ciimb, 'comb'. See comb and
-osis and cp. agomphious.
Gomphrena, n., a genus of plants of the family
Amaranthaceae (bot.) - Altered fr. L. gromphaena, name of a kind of amaranth.
gomroon, n. - See gombroon.
gomuti, n., a palm growing in the Archipelago
(Arenga saccharifera). - Malay gumuti.
gon-, form of gono- before a vowel.
-gon, combining form meaning 'having (such and
such) a number of angles', as in trigon, pentagon.
- Gk. -y<o>vo.;, from the stem of y<o>vl<i, 'angle,
comer', which is rei. to y6w, 'knee', and cogn.

668
with 01. jdnu, Goth. kniu, OE. cneo 'knee'. See
knee and cp. gonio-, gonion, gony-. Cp. also
agonic, Coregonus, diagon, diagonal, Eriogonum,
isogonic, orthogonal.
gonad, n., a reproductive gland (bioi.) - Formed
with suff. -ad fr. Gk. yovlj, 'that which is begotten; offspring; that which generates, seed,
semen; genitals; the act of generation; race,
family'. See gono-.
gondola, n., a narrow boat used in the canals of
Venice. - It., fr. Friaul. gondola, 'to waver,
vacillate', which is prob. of imitative origin. It
is not connected with L. gandeia, 'a kind of
African ship'.
Derivative: gondola, intr. v.
gondolet, n., a small gondola. - It. gondoletta,
dimin. of gondola. See prec. word and -et.
gondolier, n., one who rows a gondola. - F., fr.
It. gondoliere, fr. gondola. See gondola and -ier.
gone, adj., lost; prop. pp. of go. - ME. gon,
fr. OE. giin, pp. of OE. giin, 'to go'. See go.
Derivatives: gone-ness, n., goner (q.v.)
goner, n., one ruined, lost (slang). - Formed fr
gone with suff. -er.
gonfalon, n., an ensign.- OF. (= F.), formed
with dissimilation from gonfanon (q.v.)
gonfalonier, n., one who bears the gonfalon. F., fr. gonfalon. See prec. word and -ier.
gonfanon, n., a gonfalon.- F., fr.OHG. gundfano
(cp. OE. gu/Jfana, ON. gunnfani),lit. 'banner of
war', fr. gund, gunt, 'war', and fano, 'flag, banner'. The first element is rei. to OE. guo, ON.
guor, gunnr, 'war', fr. I.-E. base *gwhen-, 'to
strike', whence also Gk. ~dvs:w, 'to strike', L.
di-fendere, 'to ward off, keep away, defend,
guard, protect'; see defend and cp: the first element in Gunther. The second element is rei. to
OE., Goth. fana, 'cloth', and cogn. with L. pannus, 'piece of cloth'; see pane, 'sheet of glass,
and cp. fanon. Cp. also gonfalon.
gong, n. - Malay gong, of imitative origin. Cp.
gum-gum.
Derivative: gong, intr. v.
Gongorism, n., an artificial, affected style. Prop. 'a style resembling that of the Spanish
poet Luis de Gongora y Argote (156I-I627)'.
For the ending see suff. -ism.
Goniatites, n., a genus of cephalopods (paleonto/.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ywvl<i, 'angle' (see -goo);
so called from the angular sutures.
gonidium, n., an asexual reproductive spore(bot.)
- ModL., formed with suff. -idium fr. Gk.
y6vo.;, 'that which is begotten, offspring'. See
gono-.
gonio-, combining form meaning 'angle, comer'.
- Gk. ywvto-, fr. y<o>v(<i, 'angle, comer'. See
-goo.
goniometer, n., an instrument for measuring
angles.- F. goniometre, fr. Gk. ywvl<i, 'angle',
and tJ.hpov, 'measure'. See gonio- and meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
gooiometry, n., the measurement of angles. -

669
F. goniometrie. See prec. word and -metry.
Derivatives: goniometr-ic, goniometr-ic-al, adjs.,
goniometr-ic-al-ly, adv.
gonion, n., the point at the angle on either side
of the lower jaw (cranial.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
ywv(<i, 'angle, corner'. See -gon.
gonitis, n., inflammation of the knee (med.) Medical L., formed fr. Gk. y6vu, 'knee', with
suff. -itis. See -gon.
-gonium, combining form denoting a mother cell
(bioi.) - ModL. -gonium, fr. Gk. -y6vo~, 'begetting, producing; born of', fr. y6vo.;, 'that
which is begotten, offspring'. See gono-.
gonnardite, n., a zeolite (mineral.)- Named after
the French mineralogist Ferdinand Gonnard,
who first analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
gonnof, gonnoph, also ganef, n., a thief. - Yiddish
ganef, fr. Heb. ganndbh (in Modern Heb. pronunciation ganndv), 'thief', fr. giindbh, 'he
stole'. See gambit.
gono-, before a vowel goo-, combining form
meaning 'sexual, reproductive'. - Gk. yovo-,
yov-, fr. y6vo~. 'that which is begotten, child,
offspring; procreation; race, birth, descent;
seed, semen; genitals', or fr. yov~, 'that which
is begotten, offspring; that which generates,
seed, semen; genitals; the act of generation;
race, family'. See genus and cp. gonad, gonidium,
-gonium, -gony.
gonococcus, n., the micro-organism that causes
gonorrhea (bacterial.) - Medical L., coined
by the German physician Albert Ludwig Sigmund Neisser (1855-I9I6) in 1882 fr. gono- and
Gk. x6xxo~. 'kernel, berry'. See coccus.
Gonolobus, n., a genus of plants, the anglepod
(bot.) - ModL., compounded of the stem of
ywvl<i, 'angle' and J.o~6.;, 'pod' (see gonio- and
lobe). The genus is so called from the shape of
the fruit.
gonophore,n., I) elongation of the axis of a flower
above the perianth (bot.); 2) one of the generative buds containing the reproductive elements
in Hydrozoa (zoo/.) - Compounded of gonoand -phore.
gonorrhea, gonorrhoea, n. (med.) - Late L. gonorrhoea, fr. Gk. yov6ppota:, which is compounded of y6vo<;, 'seed, semen', and po(<i,
'flux', fr. ps:'Lv, 'to flow'. See gooo- and -rrhea.
Derivative: gonorrhe-al, gonorrhoe-a/, adj.
gony-, combining form denoting the knee.- Fr.
Gk. y6vu, 'knee', rei. to ywvl<i, 'angle, comer'.
See -goo.
-gooy, combining form meaning 'generation,
genesis, origination', as in cosmogony, geogony.
- L. -gonia, fr. Gk. -yovl<i, fr. y6vo<;, 'that
which is begotten, offspring'. See gooo- and
cp. -geny.
good, adj. - ME. good, fr. OE. gOd, rei. to OS.,
OFris. god, ON. gofJr, Dan., Swed. god, Du.
goed, OHG, MHG. guot, G. gut, Goth. gojJs,
'good'. The original meaning of these words was

gopura

'fit, adequate, belonging together'. They stand

in gradational relationship to OE. gada, gegada, 'companion',gaderian,gll !drian, 'to gather,
collect, store up'; see gather and cp. the first
element in gospel. Cognates outside Teutonic
are OSlav. godu, 'pleasing time', godt'n,u, 'pleasing', goditi, 'to be pleasing'.
Derivatives: good, n., good-ly, adj., good-li-ness,
goodness (q.v.), goody (q.v.)
good-by, good-bye, interj. and n. - Contraction
of God be with ye.
goodness, n. - ME. goodnesse, fr. OE. godnes,
fr. god, 'good'. See good and -ness.
goody, n., sweetmeat, bonbon. - Formed fr.
good with adj. suff. -y.
goody, n., civility applied to a woman of humble
station. - From goodwife.
goody, also goody-goody, adj., affectedly pious,
sanctimonious. - Formed fr. good with adj.
suff. -y.
goof, n., a stupid person (U.S. Slang).- Of uncertain origin; possibly a var. of goff.
Derivatives: goof-y, adj., goof-i-ly, adv., goofi-ness, n.
googly, adj. (a term of cricket). - Of uncertain
origin.
googol, n. -A var. of gugal.
goon, n., a ruffian. -Fr. Alice the Goon, a subhuman character in the comic strip Thimble
Theatre by the American cartoonist Elzie Crisler
Segar (1894-1938).
gooroo, n. - A var. of guru.
goorul, n.- A var. of goral.
goosander, n., the merganser. - Prob. formed fr.
goose on analogy of bergander (q.v.)
goose, n. - ME. gos, goos, fr. OE. gas, rei. to
OFris., MLG. gos, ON. glis, OHG., MHG., G.
gans, 'goose', and cogn. with 01. harhsdi) (masc.),
harhsi (fern.), 'goose, swan', Dor., Boeot. Gk.
x.&v, Gk. x~v, L. iinser (for *hiinser), Lith. iqsis,
OPruss. sansy, 'goose', Oir. geiss, 'swan'.
OSlav. gusr, 'goose', and Sp. ganso, 'gander,
goose', are Teut. loan words. Cp. gander, gannet, gosling and the first element in goosander,
goshawk, gossamer. Cp. also anserine, Chen.
Derivatives: goos-ish, goos-y, adjs.
gooseberry, n. - Prob. fr. G. Krausbeere or
Kriiuse/berre, which are rei. to MDu. croesel,
'gooseberry'. These words prop. mean 'curly
berry', and derive fr. G. kraus, resp. MDu.
croes, 'crispy, curly; cp. ME. crous, 'curly'. E.
gooseberry owes its form to an association with
goose (as if it were a compound of goose and
berry). Cp. F. grosei/le, It. grossularia and Sp.
grosella, 'gooseberry', which are Dutch loan
words. Cp. also Grossularia.
gopher, n., a burrowing rodent. - F. gaufre,
'waffle, honeycomb' (see golfer); so called in
allusion to its burrows.
gopherwood, n. -He b. gopher, name of the wood
of which Noah's ark was made. See cypress.
gopura, n., a pyramidal tower above the entrance-

670

go rat
gate of a Hindu templ e.- 01., 'city gate', lit.
'cow city', fr. gdub, gen. gob, 'ox, bull, cow', and
puram, 'city'. Gopura prob. denoted orig. that
part of the city (usually the suburb) , in which
cattle breedin g was practice d. For the first element see cow and cp. Gautam a and words there
referred to, for the second element see policy,
'method of governm ent'.
goral. goorul, n., the Himala yan goat antelop e. Hind. gural, goral.
Gordian, adj., pertaini ng to Gordius, king of
Phrygia or to the knot tied by him. For the
ending see suff. -ian.
Gordonia, n., a genus of plants of the tea family
(bot.) - ModL., named after James Gordon, a
London nursery man (1728-91). For the ending
see suff. -ia.
gore, n., 1) dirt (obsol.); 2) clotted blood .- ME.,
fr. OE. gor, 'dung, dirt', rei. to ON. gor, 'cud',
Swed. gorr, 'dirt', OHG., MHG. gor, 'dung',
Du. goor, 'foul, dirty', OE. gyre, 'dung', Norw.
gyrja, 'mud, mire'.
gore, n., a triangul ar piece of land. -ME. gare,
gore, fr. OE. gara, 'a triangu lar piece of land',
lit. 'a spearsh aped piece of land', fr. OE. gar,
'spear', which is rei. to ON. geirr, OS., OHG.,
MHG.g er,G,G er,ofs.m . See goad and cp. gore,
'to pierce'. Cp. also gar, and words there referred
to. Cp. also auger, garlic, gyron, the first element
in gerfalcon, and the second element in eagre,
'a tidal wave'.
gore, to pierce. - Fr. OE. gar, 'spear'. The orig.
meanin g was 'to pierce with a spear'. See prec.
word.
gorge, n.- OF. (= F.), fr. VL. gurga, 'whirlpool, abyss', fr. L. gurges, gen. gurgitis, of s.m.
See voracious and cp. gorgeous, gorget, disgorge, regorge. Cp. also gurgitation.
Derivat ives: gorge, intr. and tr. v., gorg-ed, adj.
gorgeous, adj. - OF. gorgias, 'finely dressed,
luxurio us', formed from the name of Gorgias,
a Greek sophist and rhetoric ian (about 483375), who took pleasur e in showing off his
luxury.
Derivatives: gorgeous-ly, adv., gorgeous-ness, n.
gorget, n., a piece of armor defending the throat.
- OF. gorgete, dimin. of gorge, 'throat' . See
gorge and -et.
Derivat ive: gorge t-ed, adj.
Gorgon, n., one of the three sisters in Greek
mythology who had the power to turn to stone
all who looked upon them. - L. Gorgo, fr. Gk.
r6pyw, fr. yopy6~, 'terrible ', which is of uncertain etymology. It is per h. cogn. with Olr. garg,
'rough, fierce, wild', OSlav. groza, Russ. grozti,
Pol. groza, Czech hrliza, 'horror '. Cp. Demogorgon.
gorgoneion, n., represe ntation of the head of a
Gorgon , esp. that of Medusa . - ModL., fr.
Gk. ropy6ve tov, fr. ropy<!>. See prec. word.
Gorgonian, adj., pertaini ng to, or resembl ing, a
Gorgo n.- Formed fr. Gorgon with suff. -ian.

Gorgonzola, n., a kind of Italian cheese. - Short

for Gorgonzola cheese; so called from a village
near Milan.
gorilla, n. - An African word quoted by the
Punic navigat or Hanno in his Periplus (about
450 B.C.E.)
gormandize, n., indulgence in good eating and ,
drinking . - F. gourmandise, 'glutton y, greediness', fr. gourmand, 'glutton '. See gourmand.
Derivat ives: gormandize, intr. v., gormandiz-er,

n.

gorse,. n., furze. - ME. gorst, fr. OE. gorst, rei.

to OS., OHG. gersta, MDu. gherste, Du. gerst,
MHG., G. gerste, 'barley' , and cogn. with L.
hordeum, 'barley' . See Hordeum.
gory, adj., I) covered with blood; bloody; 2) characterized by much bloodsh ed. - Formed fr.
gore, 'clotted blood', with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: gori-ly, adv., gori-ness, n.
goshawk, n., a kind of large hawk. - ME. goshawke, fr. OE. goshafoc, compou nded of gos
and hafoc, lit. 'goose hawk'. See goose and hawk.
goshenite, n., a variety of beryl (mineral.) Named after Goshen in Massac husetts. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
goslet, n., a very small goose. - Formed with
suff. -let fr. ME. gos, 'goose'. See goose.
gosling, n., a young goose. - Formed fr. ME.
gos, 'goose', with dimin. suff. -ling.
gospel, n. - ME. godspel, gospel, fr. OE. godspell, lit. 'the good message', fr. god, 'good', and
spell, 'narrati ve, story, saying, message' (see
good and spell, 'charm' ). Gospel is prop. a loan
translat ion of Eccles. L. evangelium (see evangel).
gospelize, tr. v., to evangelize. - A hybrid
formed fr. gospel with -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin.
gospeler, gospeller, n.- OE. godspellere, 'evangelist', fr. godspel. See gospel and agential suff. -er.
gospodar, n. - See hospodar.
gossamer, n., a filmy cobweb. - ME. gossomer,
gosesomer, lit. goose summer; so called because
it appears early Novemb er, at the time when
geese are in season. See goose and summer.
Derivatives: gossamer-ed, gossamer-y, adjs.
gossip, n., 1) godpare nt (obsol. or dial.); 2) one
given to idle talk; 3) idle talk. - ME. godsib,
gossib, fr. OE. godsibb, 'sponso r', fr. god, 'God',
and sibb, 'relation ship'. See god and sib.
Derivatives: gossip, intr. v., gossip-y, adj.
gossoon, n., a boy. - Corrup tion of F. garron,
'boy'. See gar~on.
Gossypium, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. gossypion, 'the
cotton tree', which is of uncerta in origin.
got, past tense and pp. of get. - ME. past tense
gat, pp. geten, goten, fr. geten, 'to get'. See get.
Goth, n., membe r of an East Teutoni c people. Late L. Gothi (pl.), fr. Gk. r6-r~t. r&&oL, fr.
Gut-, the first element in Gothic Gut-piuda, 'the
Gothic people' . For the second elemen t in Gutpiuda see Teuton. Cp. Jocelin. Joyce.

671

Gothamite, n., a simplet on. - Formed fr.

Gotham , name of a village in England , whose
inhabit ants were proverb ial for their stupidit y.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite. Cp. Abderite.
Gothic, adj. - F. gothique, fr. Late L. Gothicus,
fr. Gothus, 'Goth'. See Goth and -ic.
Derivat ives: Gothic, n., Gothic-al-ly, adv.,
Gothic-ism, n., Gothic-ist, n., Gothic-ize, tr. and
intr. v.
gouache, n., a method of painting with watercolors mixed with gum and honey. -F., fr. It.
guazzo, orig. meanin g 'a place where there is
water', derived fr. L. aquatio, 'the act of watering', fr. fUJUatus, pp. of fUJUarf, 'to bring water
for drinkin g, fr. aqua, 'water'. See aquatic.
Gouda, n., also Gouda cheese. - Named after
the town of Gouda in Holland .
gouge, n., a tool for making grooves. - F., 'a
hollow chisel', fr. Late L. gubia (for *gulbia),
of s.m., which is of Celtic origin; cp. Olr. gulban,
'prick, prickle' , Mlr .gulba,W. gylfin, OCo. geluin,
'beak'. These words are prob. cogn. with Gk.
y:Aa<pe:tv, 'to hollow out, hew, carve', y:Aot<pup6c;,
'hollow ed out, hollow' , Bulg. glob, 'eyesoc ket',
Slovenic gl6bati, 'to hollow out, to gnaw'.
OProven<;. goja and Sp. gubia, 'gouge', also
derive fr. L. gubia. Cp. gudgeon, 'a pivot'.
Derivat ives: gouge, tr. v., goug-er, n.
goulard, n., a solution oflead subace tate.- Short
for Goulard's extract or Goulard' s cerate; named
after Thomas Gou/ard, a French surgeon of the
18th cent.
goulash, n., a stew made of beef or veal, flavored
with paprika . - Fr. Hung. gulyas (hus), lit.
'(meat) of a herdsm an', fr. gulya, 'herd'.
gour, n. -A var. of gaur.
Goura, n., a genus of pigeons, the crowne d pigeon
(ornithol.) - ModL., from native name in
New Guinea , fr. Javanes e gora, lit. 'great noise';
so called in allusion to the moanin g cries with
which the male calls the female; gora is rei. to
the verb gheroq, 'to low, moan, snore'.
gourami, n., a large fish of the Malay Archipe lago. - Malay gurameh.
gourd, n., the fruit of cucurbi taceous plants. F. gourde, fr. OF. cohourde, courde, fr. L. cucurbita, 'gourd; pumpki n'. See cucurbit.
gourde, n., the moneta ry unit of Haiti. - F.
gourde, prop. fern. of the adjective gourd, 'numb,
stiff, heavy', fr. L. gurdus, 'dull', which is of
Iberian origin. Accord ingly gourde prop. denotes 'a heavy or thick coin'. Cp. next word.
gourdy, adj., swollen in the legs (veter.) - OF.
gourdi, 'benum bed, swollen', pp. of gourdir,
fr. gourd, See prec. word and -y (represe nting
F. -i).
gourma nd, n., one very fond of eating. - F., of
uncerta in origin; not connect ed with gourmet.
Cp. gorman dize, n.
Derivat ives: gourmand-er, n., gourmand-ery, n.
gourme t, n., a connois seur in eating and drinking. - F., 'gourme t, epicure ', fr. OF. gromet,

gown

groumet, gourmet, 'servant , page; wine merchant's assistant, shopbo y'; of uncerta in ori~in.
F. gourmet was influenced in meanin g br F.
gourmand. Cp. groom.
gout, n. - OF. goute (F. goutte), 'drop; gout',
fr. L. gutta, 'drop', which is prob. cqgn. with
Arm. kat', kat'n, 'drop', kit', kt'an, 'milk' (see
Ernout- Meillet , DELL., p. 286 s.v. gutta). This
disease was ascribed to the influence of the
drops of certain fluids in the body (whence the
sense develop ment of OF. goute). Cp. gutter.
Derivat ives: gout-y, adj., gout-i-ly, adv., gout-iness, n.
gout, n., taste.- F., fr. L. gustus. See gust,'ta ste',
and cp. gusto.
govern, tr. and intr. v. -OF. governer (F. gouverner), fr. L. gubernare, 'to steer or pilot a
ship; to govern' , a loan word introdu ced through
the medium of the Etrusca ns fr. Gk. xu~e:pviiv,
which is often compar ed with, but prob. not
related to, OI. kubarab, 'pole, beam, tiller', Lith.
kumbryti, 'to govern' , kumbras, 'tiller'. Cp.
gubernatorial. Cp. also cybernetics.
Derivat ives: govern-able, adj., governabil-ity, n.,
governable-ness, n., governabl-y, adv., governing, adj., governor (q.v.)
governail, n., 1) a rudder; 2) govern ment.- OF.
governail (F. gouvernail), fr. L. gubernaculum,
'rudder ', fr. guberniire. See prec. word.
governance, n. - OF. gouvernance. See govern
and -ance.
governess, n. - Shorten ed fr. ME. governeress,
fr. OF. go(u)verneresse. See govern and -ess and
cp. governor.
Derivat ive: governess, tr. and intr. v.
government, n. - OF. government (F. golllernement), fr. governer, 'to govern' , fr. L. gubemiire.
See govern and -ment.
Derivat ives: government-al, adj., gover,;ment-al/y, adv., and the hybrid nouns government-alism, government-al-is!.
governor, n.- OF. governeiir ( = F. gouverneur),
fr. L. gubernatorem, ace. of gubernator, 'steersman, pilot, ruler, governo r', fr. gubernatus, pp.
of guberniire. See govern and agentia l suff. -or.
Derivat ives: governor-ate, n., governor-ship, n.
gowan, n., the daisy (Scot. )- Fr. obsol. gowlan,
go/an (whence dial. E. go/land), 'a gold-co lored
flower', which is rei. to gold (q.v.)
Derivat ive: gowan-y, adj.
gowk, n., I) cuckoo ; 2) a fool. - ME. goke,
gowk, fr. ON. gaukr, 'cuckoo ', rei. to OE. geac,
OS. gak, gok, MLG. gok, MDti. gooc, OHG.
gauh, MHG. gouch, G. Gauch, cuckoo '; of
imitative origin. Cp. cuckoo.
Derivat ives: gowk, intr. v., to stare foolishly,
gowk-ed, adj., foolish, gowk-ed-ly, adv., gowked-ness, n.
gown, n., a loose robe; a woman 's dress. - ME.
goune, fr. OF. gone, goune, fr. Late L. gunna,
'fur', pro b. a word adopted from a languag e of
the Apenni ne or the Balkan Peninsu la. W. gwn,

gowpen
'gown', is a loan word fr. ME. goune.
Derivative: gown, tr. and intr. v.
go.vpen, n., the hollow of the hand; a handful or
double handful (Scot. and dial.) - ON. gaupn,
'the hollow of the hand', rei. to OHG. goufana,
of s.m., OE. geap, 'open, wide', gropan, 'to
swallow', ON. gaupa, 'lynx', Norw. gop,
'ravine'.
goyim, pl., gentiles; all non-Jewish nations. Heb. goyim, pl. of goy, 'people, nation'. See goi.
Graafian follicle, Graafian vesicle (anat.) Named after the Dutch anatomist Regnier
de Graaf (I64I-73).
grab, tr. and intr. v., to seize suddenly. - MDu.
grabben, rei. to OS. garva, MDu. garve, OHG.
garba, 'sheaf', lit. 'that which is gathered up or
together', fr. I.-E. base *gherebh-, *ghrebh-, 'to
seize'' whence also or. grbhr;z/iti, grhQtlti, 'seizes''
OSlav. grabiti, 'to seize, rob', Lith. grebiu, grebti,
'to rake'. Cp. garb, 'sheaf', grabble.
Derivatives: grab, n., a sudden grasp, grabber, n.
grab, n., a kind of vessel used in the Indian
ocean. - VArab. ghrab, fr. Arab. ghurdb,
'raven; galley', of imitative origin. Cp. Heb.
'orlbh, Aram. 'orbhd, Syr. 'urbhd, Akkad. aribu,
'raven', which all are imitative.
grabble, intr. v., to grope; tr. v., to seize.- Du.
grabbelen, freq. of MDu. grabben. See grab,
'to seize', and freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: grabbl-er, n., grabbl-ing, n.
grace, n.- ME., fr. MF. (= F.) grace, fr. OF.
grace, fr. L. gratia, 'favor shown to another,
kindness, loveliness, charm; thanks, thankfulness, gratitude', fr. gratus, 'beloved, pleasing,
dear, agreeable; grateful', fr. I.-E. base *gwer-,
'to praise, welcome', whence also 01. gmdti,
gr!Jitl, 'sings, praises, announces', g/r, gird/:1,
'praise, song', gurti/:1, of s.m., gurtd/:1, 'welcome',
Avestiv gar-, 'to praise', Lith. giriu, girti, 'to
praise, celebrate', Lett. dziFties, 'to boast',
OPruss. girtwei, 'to praise', girsnan, 'praise,
reputation'. Cp. gracious, grateful, gratify,
gratis, gratuitous, gratulate, agree, congratulate, disgrace, ingrate, ingratiate, mauger.
Derivatives: grace, v. (q.v.), grace-ful, adj.,
grace-ful-ly, adv., grace-ful-ness, n., grace-less,
adj., grace-less-ly, adv., grace-less-ness, n.
grace, tr. v.- OF. gracier, fr. grace. See grace,n.
Grace, fern. PN. - Lit. 'favor, grace', fr. L.
gratia. See grace, n.
Gracilaria, n., a genus of algae (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. L. gracilis, 'slender'. See gracile.
gracile, adj., 1) slender; 2) gracefully slender. L. gracilis, 'slender, thin, slight, meager', dissimilated fr. *cracilis, rei. to cracens, 'slender',
and prob. cogn. with OJ. krsd/:1, 'thin, weak',
Avestic ktrtsa-, 'lean, meager', Lith. kdrftu,
karsti, 'to be very old, to age', Lett. karst, karst,
'to grow old, ripen'. Cp. Gracilaria. For the ending of grac-ilis cp. habilis, 'handy, supple, suitable', fr. habere, 'to have, hold' (see able).

672
Derivatives: gracile-ly, adv., gracile-ness, n.,

gracil-ity, n.
gracious, adj. - OF. gracious (F. gracieux), fr.
L. gratiosus, 'enjoying favor, agreable, obliging',
fr. gratia. See grace, n., and suff. -ous.
Derivatives: gracious-ly, adv., gracious-ness, n.
grackle, n., any of various birds of the starling
family. - L. graculus, 'the jackdaw', of imi-
tative origin; cp. croak, v., and words there
referred to.
gradatim, adv., gradually. - L., 'step by step',
formed fr. gradus, 'step, degree', with the suff.
-atim. This suff. was formed on analogy of L.
statim, 'immediately' (prop. ace. of the ancient
noun sta-ti-s, 'a standing'), and was used to
form adverbs. Cp. literatim, seriatim, verbatim.
gradate, intr. and tr. v. - Back formation fr.
gradation.
gradation, n., 1) a scale of degrees; 2) the act of
arranging in degrees; 3) (philology) ablaut. L. gradatio, gen. -onis, 'that which goes up or
down by degrees; staircase; gradation', fr.
gradus, 'step, degree'. See grade and -ation.
Derivatives: gradation, tr. v., gradation-al, adj.
grade, n., a degree. - F., fr. L. gradus, 'step,
degree; stage, position; that on which one
steps, a stair', rei. to grad!, 'to step, walk, go',
and cogn. with Lith. gridiju, gridyti, 'to go, wander', OSiav.gr~d(_},grfsli, 'to come', Oir. in-greinn,
do-greinn, 'he pursues', prob. also with Avestic
aiwi-gtrt(jmahi, 'we begin'. Cp. -grade, gradatim, gradation, gradient, gradin, gradual, graduate, gradus, aggress, congress, degrade, degree, degression, digression, egress, grail, 'book
for the use of the choir', Grallatores, gree,
'superiority', gressorial, ingredient, ingress,
progress, regress, retrograde, retrogress, transgress.
Derivatives: grade, tr. and intr. v., grad-ed, adj.,
grad-er, n.
-grade, combining form denoting 'mode of walking', as in digitigrade, plantigrade .- F. -grade,
fr. L. -gradus, 'stepping, walking, going', from
grad!, 'to step, walk, go'. See grade.
Gradgrind, n., a hard utilitarian. - Character in
Charles Dickens' Hard Times.
Derivatives: Gradgrind-ian, Gradgrind-ish, adjs.
gradient, adj., walking, capable of walking. L. gradiens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of gradi, 'to
step, walk, go'. See grade and -ent.
gradient, n., degree of inclination; grade. See
prec. word.
Gradientia, n. pl., an order of Amphibia; also
called Caudata (zoo/.) - ModL., fr. L. gradientia, neut. pl. of gradiens, 'walking, going',
pres. part. of gradi. See gradient, adj.
gradin, gradine, n., a series of steps rising one
upon another. - F. gradin, fr. It. gradino,
dimin. of grado, fr. L. gradus, 'step'. See
grade, n.
gradometer, n., an instrument for measuring
grades. - A hybrid coined fr. L. gradus, 'step,

(J/;j

degree', and Gk. !Ji-rpov, 'measure'. See grade

and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
gradual, adj.- ML. gradualis, fr. L. gradus. See
grade and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: gradual, n. (q.v.), gradual-ity, n.,
gradual-ness, n., gradual-ly, adv.
gradual, n., I) an antiphon; 2) a book for the use
of the choir (eccles.) - ML. graduale, prop.
neut. of the adjective gradua/is (see prec. word),
used as a noun; so called because the antiphon
was sung originally from the steps (L. gradus) of
the altar. Cp. grail, 'book for the use of the choir'.
graduate, n. - ML. graduatus, fr. L. gradus,
'step, degree'. See grade and adj. sutf. -ate.
Derivative: graduate, tr. and intr. v.
graduation, n. - ML. graduatio, 'raising to a
degree', fr. L. gradus, 'step, degree'. See grade
and -ation.
gradus, n., a dictionary of prosody, used as an
aid for writing Greek or Latin verses. - L.,
short for 'gradus ad Parnassum', 'steps to Parnassus'. See grade.
Graecism, Graecize, Graeco-. - See Grecism,
Grecize, Greco-.
Graf, n., a German title of nobility equivalent to
F. comte (whence E. count) and to E. earl. See grave, 'a count'.
graffito, n., ancient writing scratched on rocks,
walls, etc.- It., dimin. of graffio, 'a scratching',
fr. graffiare, 'to scratch', which prob. derives
fr. grafio, 'a writing style', fr. L. graphium, of
s.m., fr. Gk. ypot<p(ov. See next word.
graft, n. - ME. grajfe, graff, fr. OF. grafe, a collateral form of grefe, 'pencil; a shoot for grafting' (whence F. greffe, 'a shoot for grafting'),
fr. L. graphium, 'a writing style', fr. Gk. ypot<p(ov,
ypo:<pe:~ov; so called from the resemblance of
the shoot to a pointed pencil. See -graph and cp.
archaic E. graff (which is the original form of
graft). Cp. also graffito, greffier.
Derivatives: graft, v., graft-er, n., graft-ing, n.
graham bread. -Named after Sylvester Graham,
an American advocate of temperance (I7941851).

grahamite, n., a bituminous mineral (mineral.} Named after J.A and J.L.Graham , in whose
mine it was discovered. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
grail, also graal, n., according to medieval legend
the platter used by Jesus at the Last Supper. OF. graa/, grael, fr. ML. gradalis, 'cup, platter',
fr. VL. "cratalis, fr. *criitus, 'a mixing bowl',
fr. L. crater, fr. Gk. xpiiTI)p. See crater.
grail, n., book for use of the choir (eccles.) OF. grael, fr. ML. gradale, a collateral form of
graduiile. See gradual, n.
grain, n., seed, com.- F., fr. L. granum, 'grain,
seed, small kernel'. See com, 'grain', and cp.
garner, garnet, gram, 'chick-pea', granadilla,
granary, grange, granilla, granite, granule, grenade, grenadier, greaadine, eagrain, filigrane,
pomegranate, grogram. Cp. also gravy.

Derivatives: grain, intr. and tr. v., grain-ed, adj.,

grain-er, n., grain-ing, n., grain-y, adj.
grain, n., branch, prong of a fork. - ON. grein,
'branch, fork', whence also Dan. and Swed.
gren, 'branch'.
graith, tr. v., to make ready (Scot. and dial. E.)
-ME. greithen, fr. ON. greioa, 'to mak~ ready',
fr. greior, 'ready', which is rei. to OE. gerzde,
rzde, of s.m. See ready.
graith, adj., ready; direct, exact.- ON. greior,
'ready'. See graith, v.
graith, n., I) readiness (obsol.); 2) apparatus,
equipment (Scot.); 3) material (Scot.)- ON.
greioi, fr. greior, 'ready'. See graith, v.
Grallatores, n. pl., the wading birds (ornithol.)ModL., fr. L. gra/liitores, 'stilt-walkers', pl. of
gra/lator, fr. gra/lae, 'stilts', assimilated fr.
*grad-/ae, from the stem of gradi. 'to walk, go'.
See grade.
grallatorial, adj., pertaining to the Grallatores.
- See prec. word and -ial.
gralloch, n., offal of a deer. - Gael. grealach,
'intestines'.
gram, n., the chick-pea; the horse gram.- Port.
griio, 'grain',fr.L.g ranum. See grain, 'seed, com'.
gram, gramme, n., the metric unit of weight. F. gramme, fr. Late L. gramma, fr. Gk. yp&fLfLO!:,
'that which is written; written character, letter;
a small weight'. See -gram.
-gram, combining form denoting 'something
written', as in anagram, cardiogram, diagram.Gk. -ypotfLfLOI: (rarely -ypo:fLfLOV), fr. ypcXfLfLCC, gen.
ypcXfLfLOI:Toc;, 'that which is written; a written
character, letter', from the stem of ypci<pe:~v. 'to
write'. See -graph.
grama (grass), pasture grass belonging to the
genus Boute/oua. - Sp. grama, a kind of grass,
fr. L. griimen, 'grass'. See gramini-.
gramarye, gramary, n., magic (archaic). - ME.
gramarye, grammarie, 'grammar; magic', fr.
OF. gramaire, grammaire, 'grammar', esp. 'Latin grammar', whence arose the meanings 'an
obscure, unintelligible book; book of spells,
magic'. Cp. F. grammaire, 'grammar', differentiated from grimoire, 'book of spells, black
book; unintelligible language', which both derive from OF. gramaire. See grammar and cp.
glamour.
gramercy, interj., exclamation expressing I)
thanks; 2) surprise. - F. grand-merci, 'great
thanks'. See grand and mercy.
gramicidine, gramicidin, n., a crystalline antibiotic obtained from a soil bacterium. - Coined
by the bacteriologist Rene Jules Dubos, of the
Rockefeller Institute (born in 1901), in I940 fr.
gram- (in gram-positive), Ist -cide and chem. suff.
-ine-, -in.
gramineous, adj., resembling grass; pertaining to
the family of grasses. - L. gramineus, 'of grass,
grassy', fr. gramen, gen. graminis, 'grass'. See
gramini-. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.

gramini-

gramini-, combining form meaning 'grass'.- Fr.

L. griimen, gen. griiminis, 'grass', which prob.
stands for *ghras-men and is cogn. with OE.
grres, 'grass'. See grass and cp. grama (grass).
graminiferous, adj., bearing grass.- Compounded of gramini- and -ferous.
graminivorous, adj., feeding on grass. - Compounded of gramini- and -vorous.
grammalogue, n., a word represented by a logogram.- Compounded of Gk. ypatJ.tJ.IX, 'letter',
and ).6yo~, 'word'. See -gram and -Iogue and cp.
logogram.
grammar, n. - ME. gramere, grammere, fr. OF.
gramaire, grammaire (F. grammaire), fr. L.
grammatica, fr. Gk. ypctfL!J.IXnx.lj (sci!. 'tiz.v"IJ),
'grammar', orig. 'the art of reading and writing
letters'. rpiX!J.fLIX"t"LK'ij is prop. fern. Of the adj.
ypctfLfLIXTLK6~, 'knowing one's letters; knowing
grammar', fr. ypli(J.(J.ct, gen. yp&(J.!J.IXTO~, 'letter',
lit. 'that which is written', from the stem of
ypoccpe:L'II, 'to write'. See -graph and cp. gramarye,
grammatical.
grammarian, n., a student of, or an expert in,
grammar. - ME. gramarien, fr. OF. gramarien
(F. grammairien), fr. OF. gramaire (F. grammoire), 'grammar'. See prec. word and -ian.
grammatical, adj. - L. grammaticiilis, fr. grammaticus, 'pertaining to grammar', fr. Gk. ypoctJ.(J.IXTLK6~, 'knowing one's letters; knowing grammar'. See grammar.
Derivatives: grammatical-ly, adv., grammaticalness, n.
grammaticaster, n., a petty grammarian. - ME.,
fr. L. grammaticus, 'grammarian', fr. grammaticus, 'pertaining to grammar'. See prec.
word and -aster.
grammaticize, tr. v., to make grammatical; intr.
v., to discuss points of grammar.- See grammatical and -ize.
gramme, n. - Sec gram.
Gramophone, n., trademark used for a type of
phonograph. - Coined by its inventor Emile
Berliner (1851-1929) fr. Gk. ypoc!J.tJ.IX, 'something
written', and <pwvlj, 'sound, voice'. See -gram
and phone, 'speech sound', and cp. phonograph.
gram-positive, adj., holding the purple dye when
stained by Gram's method; said esp. of bacteria.
- So called after the Danish physician Hans
Christian Joachim (1853-1938).
grampus, n., a cetacean (Grampus griseus). - Fr.
earlier graundepose, altered-after grandCr. ME. graspeys, grapeys, fr. OF. craspeis,
graspeis, lit. 'fat fish', fr. L. crassum piscem, ace.
of crassus piscis. See crass and Pisces.
granadilla, n., the fruit of certain kinds of passion
flower. - Sp., dimin. of granada, 'pomegranate'. See pomegranate.
granary, n., a storehouse for grain. - L. griiniirium, 'granary', fr. granum, 'grain, seed, small
kernel'. See grain, 'seed, corn', and subst. suff.
-ary and cp. gamer, which is a doublet of
granary.

674

grand, adj., great. - ME. grant, fr. OF. grant,

grand (F. grand), fr. L. grandem, ace. of grandis,
'large, tall, fullgrown, great, lofty, powerful',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. grandee, grandiose, aggrandize, and the first element in gramercy.
Derivatives: grand, n., grand-ly, adv., grand'
ness, n.
grandam, grandame, n., a grandmother; an old
woman. - AF. graund dame, 'grandmother',
corresponding to OF. grand dame. See grand
and dame.
granddaughter, n. - Formed on analogy of
grandmother.
grandee, n., nobleman of the highest rank in
Spain and Portugal. - Anglicized form of Sp.
grande, 'nobleman of the first rank', from the
adj. grande, 'great', fr. L. grandem. See grand
and -ee.
grandeur, n. - F., 'greatness', fr. grand, 'great'.
See grand.
grandfather, n.- A hybrid coined fr. grand and
father on analogy of F. grand-pere.
grandiloquence, n. - Formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
grandiloquent, adj. - Formed with suff. -ent fr.
L. grandiloquus, 'speaking loftily, bombastic',
fr. grandis, 'great, lofty', and /oqul, 'to speak'.
See grand and loquacious.
Derivative: grandiloquent-ly, adv.
grandiose, adj., grand, imposing, impressive. F., fr. It. grandioso, fr. grande, 'great', fr. L.
grandem. See grand and adj. suff. -ose.
Derivatives: grandiose-ly, adv., grandios-ity, n.
grandmother, n.- A hybrid coined fr. grand and
mother on analogy of F. grand-mere.
grandparent, n., grandson etc. - Formed on analogy of grandfather.
grange, n. -ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) grange, fr. VL.
*griinica, fr. L. griinum, 'grain'. See grain, 'seed,
com'.
granger, n., a farm steward. - OF. grangier, fr.
grange. See grange and -er (representing OF.
-ier).
grangerism, n., the practice of grangerizing. See next word and -ism.
grangerize, tr. v ., to illustrate a book by the addition of prints, engravings, etc. - Lit. 'to illustrate a book in the manner in which James
Granger's 'Biographical History of England'
(I769) was illustrated.
Derivatives: grangeriz-ation, n., grangeriz-er, n.,
grangerism (q.v.)
graniferous, adj., producing grain. - Formed
with suff. -ous fr. L. griinifer, 'grain-bearing', fr.
griinum, 'grain', and the stem of ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See grain, 'seed, com', and -ferous.
granilla, n., the refuse of cochineal. - Sp., dimin. of grana, 'cochineal', rei. to grana, 'grain',
fr. L. griinum. See grain, 'seed, com'.
granite, n. - F., fr. It. granito, lit. 'grainy', pp.
of granire, 'to make grainy', fr. grana, 'grain',

675

fr. L. granum. See grain, 'seed, corn', and cp.

prec. word.
Derivative: granit-ic, adj.
granitiform, adj., shaped like granite. - Compounded of granite and -form.
granivorous, adj., feeding on grain. - Compounded of L. griinum, 'grain', and voriire, 'to
devour'. See grain, 'seed, corn', and -vorous.
granny, also grannie, n., a familiar form of grandmother. - Formed from the first syllable of
grandam and dimin. suff. -y, resp. -ie.
granophyre, n., a porphyritic igneous rock (petrogr.) - G. Granophyr, formed from the first
syllable of Granit and the second syllable of
Porphyr. See granite and porphyry.
Derivative: granophyr-ic, adj.
grant, tr. v.- ME. grant en, fr. OF. granter, a collateral form of craanter, creanter, fr. VL. *eredenture, 'to promise', fr. L. credens, gen. credentis,
pres. part. of credere, 'to believe'. See creed and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: grant, n. (q.v.), grant-able, adj.,
grant-ee, n., grant-er, n., grant-or, n.
grant, n. - ME. grant, fr. granten. See grant, v.
granular, adj. - Formed with suff. -ar fr. Late
L. griinulum. See granule.
granulate, tr. and intr. v. - Formed with verbal
sutf. -ate fr. Late L. griinulum. See granule.
Derivatives: granulat-ed, adj., granulat-ion, n.,
granulat-ive, adj., granulat-or, n.
granule, n., a small grain. - Late L. griinulum,
'small grain', dimin. of L. granum, 'grain'. See
grain, 'seed, corn', and -ule.
granuliform, adj. - Sec prce. word and -form.
granulose, adj., granular. - Formed with adj.
sutf. -ose fr. Late L. grc/nu!um. See granule.
granulose, n., part of starch convertible into
sugar. - Formed with subst. sutf. -ose, fr. Late
L. grtinufum. Sec granule.
granulous, adj., granular. -- Formed with sutf.
-ous fr. Late L. grtinulum. See granule and cp.
granulose, adj.
grape, n. - OF. grape, grappe, 'hook; a bunch
of grapes' (whence F. grappe, a bunch of
grapes'), fr. OF. craper, graper, 'to seize with a
hook: to gather grapes', which is of Teut. origin. Cp. MDu. crappe, OHG. krtipfo, 'a hook',
G. Krapfen, 'fritter', OHG. krampho. 'an iron
hook'. OF. grapin, 'hook' (whence F. grappin,
'grapnel, hook'),derives fr.OF.grape.Cp. OProven\:., Sp. grapa, It. grappa, 'hook', which arc
also Teut. loan words. See cramp, 'a bent piece
of iron', and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also agraffe.
Derivative: grap-y, adj.
graph, n., a diagram.- Abbreviation of graphic
formula. See -graph.
-graph, combining form meaning I) 'something
written', as in autograph; 2) 'something that
writes', as in telegraph. - F. -g1aphe, fr. Gk.
-ypa:cpoc:;, fr. ypoccp~L'II, 'to scratch, engrave, draw,
paint, write, inscribe', which is cogn. with OE.

graphometer

ceorfan, 'to cut, engrave, tear'. See carve and

cp. graph, -graphia, graphite, grapho-, -graphy,
graffito, graft. For the sense development of
Gk. ypoc<pe:Lv cp. E. write; cp. also Heb. kiitdbh,
'he wrote', k'thiJbeth, 'tattooing', Arab. kdtaba
(in its original sense), 'he sewed together' (in
the sense 'he wrote', Arab. kataba is a Hebrew
or Aramaic loan word), S. Arab. miktab, 'awl'
(see ketubah).
grapheme, n., I) a letter of an alphabet; 2) the
sum of all letters representing one phoneme. Gk. yp&cp1JfJ-CX, 'letter', fr. yp&rpe:Lv, 'to write'. See
-graph and cp. the second element in phoneme
and in words there referred to. Cp. also Gk.
ypoc(J.(J.ct, 'letter', from the stem of ypx<peLv (see
-gram).
Derivatives: graphem-ic, adj., graphem-ic-af-~v,
adv.
-grapher, combining form; the English equivalent
of Greek words in -ypoccpoc:;, denoting 'a person
who writes', as in lexicographer, telegrapher.See -graph and agential sutf. -er and cp. -graphy.
-graphia, combining form identical in meaning
with -graphy; used esp. to form terms in the
sphere of abnormal psychology.
graphic, adj. - L. graphicus, fr. Gk. yp:x9Lx6;,
'pertaining to writing or drawing', fr. ypcitpew,
'to write'. See -graph and -ic.
Derivatives: graphic-a!, adj., graphic-al-ly, adv.,
graphics (q. v.)
graphics, n., the art of drawing. - Sec graphic
and -ics.
graphite, n., a form of carbon, black lead, plumbago (mineral.) - G. Graphit, coined by the
German mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Werner (I750-1817) in I789 fr. Gk. ypoc<p<:Lv, 'to
write'; so called by him because this mineral i-;
used for making pencils. See -graph and subst.
suff. -ite.
Derivatives: graphite, tr. v., graphit-ic, adj.
grapho-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to,
or used for, writing', as in graphology. - Gk.
ypcx9o-, fr. ypxcpe:Lv, 'to write'. See -graph.
graphology, n., the study of handwriting. - F.
graphologie, coined by Abbe Jcan-Hippolyte
Michon (I8o6-8I) in I868 fr. Gk. yr;-J:?m. 'to
write', and -Aoyii, fr. -:..6yo;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See grapho- and -logy.
Derivatives: grapho/og-ic, grapholog-ic-al, adjs.,
grapholog-ist, n.
graphomania, n., a morbid desire for writing. Compounded of grapho- and Gk. fJ-:XVLi, 'madness, frenzy'. See mania.
graphomaniac, n., one sutfenng from graphomania. - See prec. word and maniac.
graphometer, n., surveyor's instrument for measuring angles. - F. graphometre, coined by the
French engraver Philippe Danfrie (I 535- I 6o6)
in I597 fr. Gk. ypx'f'W, 'to write', and fJ-t;y,v,
'measure'. See grapho- and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.

graphophone

grapbophone, n., an instrument for sound recording. - Lit. 'that which writes the sounds'; compounded of grapbo- and Gk. q>oov1j, 'sound,
voice'. See phone, 'speech sound'.
-grapby, combining form denoting: 1) processes
of writing, drawing, representing, recording, as
in phonography; 2) names of descriptive sciences, as in geography. - F. or G. -graphie, fr.
L. -graphia, fr. Gk. -ypa:q>l&, 'description of',
fr. yp<iq>ew, 'to write'. See -graph and -y (representing Gk. -loc), and cp. -grapbia.
grapnel, n., a small hook. -ME. grapenel, dimin. formed fr. OF. grapin, 'hook'. See grape.
Derivative: grapnel, tr. v.
grapple, n., grappling iron, grapnel. - OF. *grapelle, dimin. of grape, 'hook'. See grape and cp.
prec. word.
Derivatives: grapple, tr. and intr. v., grappl-er,
n., grappl-ing, n.
grapsoid, adj., pertaining to the genus Grapsus
(zoo/.) - Lit. 'resembling a crab'. See Grapsus and -oid.
Grapsus, n., a genus of crabs (zoo/.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. ypocr.j.toc"Lor;, 'crab', which is of uncertain
origin; it is prob. not connected with It. gravosta, ravosta, OHG. krebi3, OE. crabba, 'crab'.
graptolite, n., a fossil zoolite bearing markings
resembling writing (paleontol.) - ModL. Graptolithus, lit. 'a stone with engraving', fr. Gk.
ypa:1t-r6c;, 'engraved, written, painted' (verbal
adj. of yp&.q>ew), and :At&or;, 'stone'. See -graph
and -lite.
Derivative: graptolit-ic, adj.
grasp, tr. and intr. v.- ME. graspen, metathesized fr. grapsen, 'to grope', from the stem of
OE. griipian, 'to touch, feel, grope'. Cp. LG.
grapsen, 'to grasp', MDu. grapen, 'to seize,
grasp', and see grope. Cp. also grip, gripe.
Derivatives: grasp, n., grasp-er, n., grasp-ing,
adj., grasp-ing-ly, adv., grasp-ing-ness, n.
grass, n. - ME. gras, gres, gers, fr. OE. gr;es,
g;ers, rei. to ON., OS., Du., OHG., MHG., G.,
Goth. gras, Dan. grzs, Swed. griis, 'grass', and
prob. cogn. with L. griimen (for ghras-men),
'grass', fr. I.-E. base *ghros-, 'young shoot,
sprout'. This base is an -s-enlargement of base
*ghro-, 'to grow', whence OE. growan, ON.
groa, 'to grow'. Enlarged by suff. -n, base *ghr6appears in OE. grene, ON. gr~nn, 'green'. See
grow and green and cp. grama (grass), gramini-,
graze (in both senses).
Derivatives: grass, tr. v., grass-less, adj., grasslike, adj., grass-y, adj.
grass widow, a woman separated from her husband. - Orig. 'a discarded mistress'; cp. Du.
grasweduwe, G. Strohwitwe (fr. Stroh, 'straw'),
'grass widow' (in modern sense); prob. so called
in allusion to a bed of grass or straw.
grass widower, a man separated from his wife.Cp. Swed. griisiink, griisiinker, griisenkling,
'grass widower', and see prec. word.
grate, tr. and intr. v., to scrape, rub. - ME.

676

graten, fr. OF. grater (F. gratter), 'to scratch,

scrape', fr. Teut. *kratton (whence also It. grattare, OProven;;. gratar). Cp. OHG. krazzon,
'to scratch, scrape', and see scratch. Cp. also
regrate, regrater.
Derivatives: grat-er, n., grat-ing, n. and adj.,
grat-ing-ly, adv.
grate, n., a frame of metal bars. - ME. grate,
fr. ML. griita, 'lattice' (whence also It. grata,
'grate, gridiron'), fr. L. criitis, 'wickerwork,
hurdle'. See crate and cp. graticule, griddle,
hurdle.
Derivative: grate, tr. v., to furnish with a grate.
grateful, adj. - Formed with suff. -ful from obsol. grate, 'agreable, thankful', fr. L. griitus,
'agreable, grateful', whence gratia, 'kindness,
loveliness'. See grace, n., and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: grateful-ly, adv.
graticule, n., a design divided into squares. - F.,
fr. ML. griiticula, 'gridiron', dimin. of griita.
See grate, 'frame of metal bars', and -cule.
gratification, n. - L. griitificiitio, gen. -onis,
'obligingness, complaisance', fr. griitificiitus,
pp. of griitificiiri. See next word and -ation.
gratify, tr. v., to please.- F. gratifier, fr. L. gratificiire, a collateral form of gratificiiri, 'to do
favor to, to oblige, gratify', formed fr. griitus,
'agreeable, grateful', and -ficiire, fr. facere, 'to
make, do'. See grace, n., and -fy.
Derivatives: gratifi-ed, adj., gratifi-ed-ly, adv .,
gratifi-er, n., gratify-ing, adj., gratify-ing-ly, adv.
gratin, n., light crust over a dish.- F., 'burnt
part; bread crumbs', fr. OF. grater (F. grafter),
'to scrape, scratch', of Teut. origin. See grate,
'to scrape'.
gratinate, tr. v., to cook until a crust is formed.Formed with verbal suff. -ate fr. F. gratiner,
'to prepare a dish with bread crumbs', fr. gratin.
See prec. word.
Gratiola, n., a genus of plants, the hedge hyssop
(bot.) - ML., dimin. formed fr. L. gratia,
'kindness, loveliness' (see grace, n., and -ole);
so called in allusion to its supposed medicinal
properties.
gratis, adv., for nothing; freely.- L. griitis, contraction of griitiis, 'out of favor; without reward, for nothing, gratuitously', abl. pl. of
gratia, 'favor, kindness'. See grace, n.
Derivative: gratis, adj.
gratitude, n. - F., fr. Late L. griititUdo, 'thankfulness, gratitude', fr. griitus, 'beloved, pleasing,
dear, thankful'. See grace, n., and -tude.
gratuitous, adj., given for nothing; free. - L.
gratuitus, 'that which is done without pay, spontaneous, gratuitous', formed - on analogy of
fortuitus, 'casual' - fr. gratus, 'pleasing, agreeable'. See grace, n. For the ending see fortuitous.
Derivatives: gratuitous-ly, adv., gratuitous-ness,
n.
gratuity, n., gift; tip.- F. gratuite, fr. ML. gra-

gravure

677

tuitiitem, ace. of griituitas, 'free gift', fr. L.

griituitus. See prec. word and -ity.
gratulate, tr. v., to congratulate. - L. griituliitus,
pp. of gratuliiri; 'to manifest joy, congratulate',
contracted fr. *grati-tulari, 'to bring something
agreeable', compounded of gratus, 'pleasing,
agreeable', and tu/6 = fero, 'I bring'. See grace,
n., and tolerate and cp. congratulate. Cp. also
L. opitulor, 'I help, aid, assist', lit. 'I bring help',
fr. ops, gen. opis, 'help, assistance', and tulo =
fero, 'I bring'.- For the contraction of *gratitulor into griitulor see haplology.
gratulation, n., congratulation. - L. griitulatio,
gen. -onis, 'manifestation of joy, congratulation'. fr. griituliitus, pp. of griituliiri. See prec.
word and -ion.
gratulatory, adj., congratulatory.- Late L. gratulatorius, 'pertaining to congratulation', fr. L.
gratulatus, pp. of gratu/iiri. See gratulate and
adj. suff. -ory.
gravamen, n., a grievance. - Late L. gravamen,
'trouble, physical inconvenience', fr. graviire,
'to burden, aggravate', fr. gravis, 'heavy'. See
grave, 'weighty', and -men.
grave, tr. and intr. v., to engrave. - ME. graven,
fr. OE. grafan, 'to dig, carve', rei. to ON. grafa,
Dan. grave, Swed. griiva, OFris. greva, Du.
graven, OHG. graban, MHG., G. graben, Goth.
graban, 'to dig, carve', fr. I.-E. base *ghrebh-,
*ghrobh-, 'to scratch, scrape', whence also
OSiav. greb{J, greti, 'to dig', pogreb{J, pogreti,
'to bury', Lett. grebju, grebt, 'to scrape, hollow
out'. Cp. grave, 'mound, tomb', graven, engrave. Cp. also groove, grub, 'to dig'.
Derivative: grav-er, n.
grave, n., mound, tomb. - ME., fr. OE. gr;ef,
rei. to OS. graf, OFris. gref, OHG., MHG., G.
grab, 'grave, tomb', OE. grafu, ON. grof, 'cave;
grave', Goth. graba, 'ditch', OE. grafan, 'to
dig, carve', and cogn. with OSiav. grobU, 'grave,
tomb'. See grave, 'to engrave'.
Derivative: grave-less, adj.
grave, tr. v., to clean (the wooden hull of a ship)
of grass, etc. - OF. grave (F. greve), 'strand
of sand, sandbank'. See gravel and cp. Graves.
grave, adj., weighty.- F., fr. L. gravis, 'heavy,
weighty; troublesome, painful, grievous, hard;
important, honorable', which is cogn. with 01.
guru/:!, 'heavy, weighty' (compar. gdriyas-;
superl. gdri$!ha/:t), Avestic gouru- (only in compounds), 'heavy, weighty', Gk. ~&.por;, 'weight',
~a:pu.;, 'heavy', ~pf&ew, 'to be laden with', ~pi:&U.;,
'heavy', ~pi.Q(p6r;, 'strong', Goth. kallrus, 'heavy',
Lett. gruts, 'heavy'. Cp. gravedo, gravid, gravity,
grief, grieve, grievous, aggravate, aggrieve, ingravescent. Cp. also baro-, bary, Briareus, brute,
centrobaric, charivari, garce, guru, isobar.
grave, n., a count; used esp. of the counts of
Nassau. - MDu. griive (whence Du. graaf),
'count', rei. to OHG. griivo (whence MHG.
griive, G. Graf), MLG. greve (whence ON.
greifi, Dan., Swed. greve), 'count'. The orig.

meaning of these words seems to have been

'judge'; cp. Goth. ga-grefts, 'decision'. Cp. -grave
and words there referred to. Cp. also Graf.
-grave, suff. meaning 'ruler'.- Fr. grave, 'count'.
Cp. burgrave, landgrave, margrave, palsgrave.
gravedo, n., cold in the head (med.)- U gravedo,
'heaviness of the limbs, cold in the head', lit.
'heaviness', fr. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave,
'weighty'~

gravel, n.- ME. gravel, fr. OF. gravele, gravelle,

'gravel, sand, beach, strand' (whence F. gravelle, 'gravel', a medical term), dimin. of OF.
grave (F. greve), 'strand of sand, sandbank',
which is of uncertain, possibly Celtic, origin.
Cp. W. gro, 'coarse gravel', Bret. grouan, Co.
grow, 'gravel'. Cp. also grave, 'to clean (the hull
of a ship)', grit, groats, grout.
Derivatives: gravel, tr. v., gravel-ly, adj., gravelli-ness, n.
graven, adj., carved (archaic).- ME. graven, fr.
OE. grafen, prop. pp. of grafan, 'to dig, carve'.
See grave, 'to dig, carve'.
graveolent, adj., having a rank smell. - L. graveolens, gen. -entis, 'strong-smelling', prop. grave
olens, fr. grave, neut. of gravis, 'heavy', and
pres. part. of olere, 'to smell'. See grave, weighty', olfactory and -ent.
graves, n. pl. - A var. of greaves.
Graves, n., wine from the Graves district of the
Gironde in the SW. of France. - The name
Graves lit. means 'gravelly place'. See grave,
'to clean (the hull of a ship)'.
Graves' disease. - Named after the Irish physician Robert James Graves (1796-1853).
graveward, adv. and adj., gravewards, adv., toward the grave. - Compounded of grave and
-ward, resp. -wards.

gravid, adj., being with child; pregnant. - L.

gravidus, 'loaded; pregnant', fr. gravis, 'heavy'.
See grave, 'weighty'.
Derivatives: gravid-ly, adv., gravid-ness, n.
gravidity, n. - L. graviditiis, 'pregnancy,' fr.
gravidus. See prec. word and -ity.
gravimeter, n., an instrument for measuring
specific gravity.- F. gravimetre,a hybrid coined
fr. L.gravis, 'heavy', and Gk. fll-rpov, 'measure'.
See grave, 'weighty', and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
gravitate, intr. v. - ModL. gravitatus, pp. of
gravitiire, coined by Sir Isaac Newton (16421727) fr. L. gravitiis, 'weight'. See gravity and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: gravitation (q.v.), gravitat-ive, adj.
gravitation, n. - ModL. gravitiitio, gen. -onis,
coined by Newton. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: gravitation-a/, adj., gravitation-ally, adv.
gravity, n.- F. gravite, fr. L. gravitatem, ace. of
gravitiis, 'weight, seriousness', fr. L. gravis,
'heavy'. See grave, 'weighty', and -ity.
gravure, n. - Short for photogravure. Cp. beliogravure, rotogravure.

gravy
gravy, n.- ME. graue (pronounced grave), from
misreading of OF. grane, 'a dish powdered with
grains', lit. 'grained', fr. ML. griiniitus, pp. of
griinare, 'to grain', fr. L. granum, 'grain'. See
grain, 'seed, corn'.
gray, grey, adj. - ME. gray, grey, fr. OE. gr:ig,
rei. to ON. grar, Dan. graa, Swed. gra,
OFris. gre, MDu. grii, Du. grauw, OHG. griio,
MHG. grii, G. grau, 'gray', and cogn. with L.
riivus, 'gray'. See roan, 'chestnut-colored', and
cp. grizzle, 'gray', and words there referred
to.
Derivatives: gray, grey, n. and tr. and intr. v.,
gray-ish, adj., gray-ly, adv., gray-ness, n.
graylag, greylag, n., the gray goose. - Short for
gray lag goose, i.e. 'the gray lagging goose' (see
lag, adj., and goose); so called because it is late
in migrating.
grayling, n., a freshwater fish. - Formed fr. gray
with suff. -ling.
graze, tr. and intr. v., to feed on grass. - ME.
grasen, fr. OE. grasian, fr. gra>s, 'grass'. See
grass and cp. next word.
Derivative: graze, n., pasturage.
graze, tr. v., to touch slightly. - Formed from
prec. word and orig. used in the sense 'to touch
the (grassy) ground' (said of bullets that touched
the ground and rebounded). Cp. G. grasen, 'to
feed on grass' (fr. Gras, 'grass'), which is used
also in the above mentioned military sense.
Derivative: graze, n., a slight contact.
grazier, n., one who grazes cattle. - Formed fr.
graze, 'to feed', with agential suff. -ier.
grazioso, adj., graceful (musical direction). - It.,
fr. L. grcltiosus. See gracious.
grease, n. - ME. gresse, grese, fr. OF. gresse,
graisse (F. graisse), fr. VL. *crassia, 'thickness,
fatness', fr. L. crassus, 'thick, fat'. Cp. Olt.
grascia, OProven<;. graissa, Catal. graxa, Port.
graixa, 'fat', It. grasce (pl.), 'victuals' [Sp.graso,
fat', n., is formed fr. graso, 'fat', adj., a collateral form of craso, fr. L. crassus]. and see
crass. Cp. also degras.
Derivatives: grease, tr. v., greas-er, n., greas-y,
adj., greas-i-ly, adv., greas-i-ness, n.
great, adj. - ME. great, gret, greet, grete, fr.
OE. great, rei. to OS. grot, OFris. griit, Du.
groat, OHG., MHG. gr63, G. gross, 'great'. The
original meaning of these adjectives was prob.
gross-grained, coarse'. Cp. ON. grautr, 'groats',
E. greot, 'grit, sand, dust, gravel', and sec grit,
coarse sand', and words there referred to.
Derivatives: great, n., great-en, v., great-ly, adv.,
great-en (tr. and intr. v.), great-ness, n.
greave, n., armor for the leg. - ME. greve, fr.
OF. greve, 'shin; greave', fr. Port. greba, fr.
Egypt. Arab. gaurab, corresponding to Arab.
jaurab, 'stocking, apparel for the leg'.
Derivative: greav-ed, adj.
greave, n., sediment of melted tallow. - LG.
greven (pl.), rei. to OHG. griobo (MHG., G.
griebe); of uncertain origin.

678

greve, n., a diving bird. -F. grebe, of doubtful

origin.
Grecian, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Craecia, 'Greece', fr. Graecus, 'Greek'. See
Greek.
Grecism, Graecism, n. - F. grecisme, fr. ML.
Graecismus, fr. L. Graecizare, 'to imitate thy
Greeks'. See next word and -ism.
Grecize, Graecize, tr. v., to make Greek; intr. v.,
to imitate the Greeks. - F. greciser, fr. L.
Graeciziire, 'to imitate the Greeks', fr. Gk.
*rpl;(n<l~etv, fr. rpoctx6~, 'Greek'. See Greek
and -ize.
Greco-, Graeco-, combining form denoting the
Greeks.- Fr. L. Craecus, 'Greek'. See Greek.
greed, n. - Back formation fr. greedy.
greedily, adv.- ME. gredi/iche, OE. gr:idiglfce,
fr. gr:idig, 'greedy', and -!fee, 'like'. See greedy
and adv. suff. -ly.
greediness, n. - ME. gredinesse, fr. OE. gr:idignes, formed fr. gr:idig, 'greedy', with suff. -nes.
See greedy and -ness.
greedy, adj. - ME. gredy, fr. OE. gr:idig, rei. to
OS. griidag, 'greedy', ON. griior, 'greed, hunger', ON. griiougr, Dan. graadig, Du. gretig,
OHG. griitag, 'greedy', Goth. gredus, 'hunger',
gredags, 'hungry', and perh. cogn. with 01.
gfdhyati, 'is greedy', gardhab, 'greed'. Cp.
greed.
Greek, n.
OE. Crecas, Crecas, (pl.), 'the
Greeks', fr. L. Graecus, 'Greek', fr. rpcnx6~. 'inhabitant of rpoc~oc (Graia) in Boeotia', a name
orig. given by the Latins to Greek colonists
coming from Graia and settling at Cumae in
southern Italy, but later applied to.every Greek.
[The Greeks reborrowed rpoctx6~ in this new
sense from the Latins: Aristotle was the first
Greek to use rp:xtxol (the pl. of rpoctx6~) in the
sense of "E).J.r,ve~ (i.e. 'Hellenes, Greeks').] Cp.
Grecian, grego, Gringo, and the second element
in fenugreek and in galligaskins.
Greek, adj. - ME. Grec, fr. F. grec, fr. L.
Craecus, 'Greek'. See Greek, n.
green, adj. - ME. grene, fr. OE. grene, rei. to
OFris. grene, OS. groni, ON. gnrnn, Dan. gren,
Swed. gran, Du. groen, OHG. gruoni, MHG.
gruene, G. griin, 'green'. These adjectives are
-n-enlargements of I.-E. base *ghro-, 'to grow'.
See grow and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: green, n., green, v. (q.v.), green-ish,
adj., green-ish-ness, n., green-ly, adv., greenness, n., greenth (q.v.), green-y, adj.
greengage, n., a variety of plum.- Compounded
of green and the surname of the English botanist
Sir William Gage (died in 1820), who was the
first to cultivate this fruit in England.
greening, n., a green variety of apple. - MDu.
groeninc. See green and -ing, 'related to'.
greenling, n., a fish, called also rock trout.
Formed fr. green with suff. -ling.
greenockite, n., cadmium sulfide (mineral.)
Named in 1841 after the English soldier Charles

679

Murray Cathcart (1783-1859), styled Lord

Greenock (1807-43), who discovered it. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
greenovite, n., manganese titanite (mineral.) Named by the French geologist Ours-PierreArmand-Petit Dufrenoy (1792-1857) in 1840
after the English geologist George Bellas
Greenough (1778-1855). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
greet, tr. v., to salute. - ME. greten, fr. OE.
gretan, 'to address, approach, visit, greet', rei.
to OS. grotian, OFris. greta, Du. groeten, OHG.
gruo3en, MHG. griie3en, G. grii.fJen, 'to salute,
greet', fr. Teut. base *grotjan, orig. 'to cause to
speak', whence also OE. gretan, gr:itan, 'to
weep, bewail'. See next word.
Derivatives: greet-er, n., greet-ing, n., greet-ingly, adv.
greet, intr. v., to weep; tr. v., to bewail (archaic
or dial.) - ME. greten, graten, fr. OE. gretan,
gr:itan, 'to weep, bewail', rei. to OS. gratan,
ON. grata, Dan. gr:ede, Goth. gretan, greitan,
'to weep', ON. gr{]!ta, 'to cause to weep, cry'.
The orig. sense of all these verbs was 'to sound,
speak, shout'. They derive from I.-E. base
*ghred-, 'to sound, clash, speak loudly', whence
also 01. hrddate, 'it sounds, rustles'. See greet,
'to salute', and cp. regret.
Derivatives: greet-er, n., greet-ing, n.
greffier, n., registrar. - F., 'clerk of the court,
registrar', fr. ML. graphiiirius, fr. L. graphium,
'a writing style'. See graft and -ier.
gregarious, adj., pertaining to a flock; living in
flocks. - L. gregiirius, 'pertaining to a flock',
fr. grex, gen.gregis, 'flock', fr.l.-E. base *gre-g-,
partial reduplication of base *gere-, *ger-, 'to
gather together, assemble', whence Gk. &:ydpetv, 'to assemble', &:yop&, 'assembly; place of
assembly', ocyupt~, 'assembly', tiyjpTI)o;, 'beggar', OSlav. griisti (for *gr-s-ti-), 'handful',
Lith. gurgulys, 'chaos, confusion', gurguole,
'crowd, mass', and Gk. 'd: yocpyocpoc (Hesychius),
'crowd, plenty' and possibly also 01. ga~uifl
(for *gr~-). 'herd, troop, company'. Cp. aggregate, congregate, egregious, segregate. Cp. also
agora, allegory, category, panegyric, paregoric.
Cp. also cram.
Derivatives: gregarious-ly, adv., gregariousness, n.
grego, n., a short cloak. - Port. Grego or Sp.
Griego, 'Greek', fr. L. Graecus. See Greek.
Gregorian, adj. - Lit. 'pertaining to Gregory',
fr. Late L. Gregoriiinus, fr. Gregorius. See next
word and -an.
Gregory, masc. PN.- Late L. Gregorius, fr. Gk.
rpl)y6ptoo;, fr. ypi)yopoo;, 'watchful', which is
rei. to lyp-frropa:, second perfect of ~ytlpttv, 'to
awaken', fr. I.-E. base *ger-, 'to be awake',
whence also 01. jiigarti, 'he is awake', Avestic
ii-garayeiti, 'wakes up, arouses'.
Gregory powder. - Named after the Scottish
physician James Gregory (1753-1821).

gride

greisen, n., a crystalline rock consisting of quartz

and mica (petrogr.)- G., fr. greijJen, 'to cleave,
split'.
gremial, adj., pertaining to the lap or bosom. Late L. gremiiilis, fr. L. gremium, 'lap, bosom',
fr. I.-E. base *grem-, 'to press, squeeze, whence
also OE. crammian, 'to cram, stuff'. See cram,
v., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: gremial, n., a bishop's apron.
gremlin, n., a mischievous imp. -A word coined
in the time of World War II.
grenade, n., a small bomb. - F., fr. It. granata,
'pomegranate; grenade', fr. VL. (pomum) granatum, 'pomegranate', lit. 'an apple having many
grains', fr. L. pomum, 'fruit' (in VL. 'apple'),
and granum, 'grain'. See grain, 'seed, corn', and
-ade and cp. garnet, pomegranate.
grenadier, n., a member of a special regiment or
corps. - F., orig. 'a soldier for throwing grenades', formed fr. grenade. See grenade and -ier.
grenadin, grenadine, n., carnation.- F. grenadin,
fr. grenade, 'pomegranate'. See grenade and
-in, -inc.
grenadine, n., fine woolen fabric. - F., fr. grenade, 'pomegranate'. See prec. word.
Gresham's law, the tendency for inferior currency to drive the superior one out of circulation. - So called after the English financier Sir
Thomas Gresham (about 1519-79), who explained this theorem to Queen Elizabeth.
gressorial, adj., adapted for walking (zool.) Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. ModL.gressorius,
'pertaining to walking', fr. L. gressus, pp. of
gradi, 'to walk, go'. See grade.
Grevillea, n., a genus of Australian trees (bot.)Modl., named in 1809 after the Rt. Hon.
Charles Francis Greville (1749-1809).
grew, past tense of grow. - ME. greu, fr. OE.
gri'ow, past tense of growan, 'to grow'. See grow.
grey, adj. - See gray.
greyhound, n., a tall and slender dog. - ME.
grihond, grehund, grehounde, fr. OE. grighund,
rei. to ON. greyhundr, fr. grey, 'dog' ,and hundre,
'hound' (see hound). The word is not related
to grey.
gribble, n., a small marine crustacean. - Prob.
in gradational relationship to grub; formed with
dimin. suff. -le.
grid, n., a grating or gridiron. -Back formation
fr. gridiron, the ending of which was mistaken
for the noun iron.
griddle, n., a shallow frying pan. - ME. gredil,
gridell, fr. AF. gridil, fr. OF. gredil, a var. of
grail, graile, fr. Late L. *criiticulum, fr. L. criiticula, 'fine hurdle work, small gridiron', dimin.
of cratis, 'hurdle'. See crate and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also grill, grille, gridiron.
Derivative: griddle, tr. v., griddl-er, n.
gride, tr. and intr. v., to cut, pierce; to grate.Metathesized fr. gird. 'to strike' (now 'to taunt,
gibe').

Derivative: gride, n., a grating noise.

gridelin
gridelin, n., a grayish violet color. -F. gris-delin, gridelin, lit. 'gray of flax', i.e. 'flax gray'. For
the etymology of gris see grizzle, adj.; de, 'from,
of', comes fr. L. de, 'away from, from' (see
de-); lin, 'flax, linen', derives fr. L. linum (see
linen).
gridiron, n. - ME. gredirne, gridirne, folketymological variants of ME. gredire, gridire
(due to a confusion of the ending -ire with ME.
iren, 'iron'). ME. gredire, gridire are altered fr.
ME. gredil, gridell, 'griddle'. See griddle and
cp, andiron.
grief, n. - ME. grief, gref, greve, fr. OF. grief,
gref, fr. grever, 'to burden'. See grieve.
Derivative: grief-less, adj.
grievance, n. - ME. grevance, fr. OF. grevance,
fr. grever, 'to burden'. See grieve and -ance.
grieve, tr. and intr. v. - ME. greven, fr. OF.
grever, 'to burden, oppress; aggravate' (whence
F. grever, 'to burden, wrong, encumber'), fr.
L. graviire, 'to charge with a load, burden, weigh
down, oppress', fr. griivis, 'heavy'. Cp. It. gravare, Sp. gravar, 'to load, burden', OProven9.
grevar, 'to vex', which all derive fr. L. graviire.
See grave, 'weighty', and cp. grief.
Derivatives: griev-ed, adj., griev-ed-ly, adv.,
griev-er, n., griev-ing-ly, adv.
grievous, adj. - ME. grevous, fr. OF. grevos,
grevous, 'heavy, hard, toilsome'. See grief and
-ous.
Derivatives: grievous-ly, adv., grievous-ness, n.
griff, n., a narrow glen (North. Engl.) - Of uncertain origin.
griff, n., a claw.- F. griffe. See next word.
griffe, n., an ornament resembling a claw. -F.
griffe, 'claw', fr. griffer, 'to seize', which is prob.
borrowed fr. OHG. grifan, 'to seize'. See
gripe and cp. griffonage.
griffin, griffon, gryphon, n., a mythical animal.ME. griffon, fr. OF. grifoun (F. griffon), fr. Late
L. gryphus (whence also It., Sp. grifo, OHG.,
MHG. grif, G. Greif, 'griffin'), fr. Gk. yp6<jl,
gen. ypu1't'6~. which was prob. borrowed from
the Semites through the medium of the Hittites.
Cp. Heb. k~riibh, 'a winged angel', Akkad.
kiiribu, epithet of the bull-colossus, lit. 'one who
blesses', and see cherub. Cp. also the second element in hippogriff. The connection of Gk. yp6<jl,
'griffin', with ypu1't'6~. 'curved, hooked, hooknosed', is folk etymology.
griffin, n., in India, a new corner (Anglo-Ind.) Of uncertain origin.
Griffith, masc. PN. - Fr. W. Gruffydd, which
prob. derives fr. L. Rufus, fr. rufus, 'red'. See
rufous, Rufus.
griffon, n. - A var. of griffin, 'mythical animal'.
griffon, n., a sporting dog. - Prob. fr. prec.
word.
griffonage, n., scrawl, scribble. - F. griffonnage,
fr. griffonner, 'to scrawl, scribble', fr. griffer,
'to seize'. See griffe and -age.
griffon vulture, n., a large species of vulture (Gyps

680

fulvus). - Fr. griffon, 'mythical animal'. Cp.

G. Greif, 'griffin; condor'.
grig, n., I) a lively person; 2) (obsol. or dial.) a
small eel; 3) (obsol. or dial.) a cricket. - Prob.
of imitative origin. Cp. Du. kriek, 'cricket', and
E. cricket, the insect.
grill, n., a gridiron. - F. grit, a var. of grille, fr.
OF. grille, fr. earlier graflle, greflle, fr. L. criiticula, 'fine hurdle work, gridiron'. See griddle
and cp. words there referred to.
grill, n., the act of grating. - From grille (q.v.)
grill, tr. and intr. v., to broil on a grill.- F. griller, fr. grit, whence E. grill, 'gridiron' (q.v.)
Derivative: grill, n., the act of grilling.
grillage, n., a framework of crossbeams used to
form a foundation in marshy soil.- F., 'frame',
fr. grille, 'fine hurdle work'. See grille and -age.
grille, n., ornamenta l metal grating. - F., 'metal
grating; frame', fr. L. criiticula, 'fine hurdle
work, gridiron'. See grill, 'gridiron'.
grilse, n., salmon on its return to the river for the
first time. - Prob. metathesis of OF. grisle,
'grayish', fr. gris, 'gray'. See grizzle, 'gray'.
grim, adj. - ME., fr. OE. grimm, grim, 'cruel,
fierce, terrible, severe', rei. to OS., OFris., OHG.,
MHG., G. grimm, ON. grimmr, Swed. grym,
'fierce, furious', Dan. grim, 'ugly', OS. grimmag, Du., OHG., G. grimmig, MHG. grimmec,
'fierce, furious', MDu. grimmen, grimmelen, 'to
grumble', and in gradational relationship to OE.,
OS., OHG., MHG. gram, 'angry, fierce', ON.
gramr, Dan. gram, 'angry', G. gram, 'averse
to', Gram, 'grief, sorrow'. These words are traceable to I.-E. base *ghrem-, 'to give a hollow
sound, to thunder', whence also Gk. xpe:p.l~e:tv,
'to neigh', xp6p.ctSoc;, 'a crashing sound', OSlav.
viizgrimi!ti, 'to thunder', gromii, 'thunder', Russ
gremet', 'to thunder', Lith. gramu, grameti, 'to
fall into the deep with a rumbling sound',
grumu, grumiti, 'to thunder'. Cp. grum, grumble.
Cp. also pogrom.
Derivatives: grim-ly, adv., grim-ness, n.
grimace, n., distortion of the face. - F., 'wrinkle,
wry face; sham, humbug, cant', fr. MF., prob.
fr. OSp. grimazo,Ii t. 'mask', formed with pejor.
suff. -azo (fr. L. -iiceus), fr. Goth. *grima, which
may be inferred fr. OE. grima, 'mask, helmet,
ghost, specter', ON. grima, MDu. grime, 'soot;
mask'. These latter words lit. mean 'blackened
face', and are rei. to MLG. grimet, 'striped
black', MLG. grime, 'dirt'. Cp. grime.
Derivatives: grimace, intr. v., grimac-er, n.,
grimac-ing-ly, adv.
grirnalldn, n., a cat, a she-cat.- Fr. earlier grayrna/kin (cp. Graymalkin in Shakespeare's Macbeth), which is compounded of gray and malkin,
dimin. of ME. Malt, Mault, 'Maud'. See
malkin.
grime, n., dirt.- Flemish grijm, fr. MDu. grime,
'soot; mask'. See grimace and cp. begrime.
Derivatives: grim-y, adj., grim-i-ly, adv., grimi-ness, n.

681
grime, tr. v., to soil. - ME. grimen, fr. Flem.
grijmen, fr. grijm. See grime, n.
Grimm's law.- Named after the German philologist Jacob Grimm (I785-1863), who was the
first to describe this law in a comprehensive,
generalizing manner.
ME.
~in, intr. and tr. v., to smile broadly. grennen, grinnen, fr. OE. grennian, 'to grin', rei.
to ON. grenja, 'to howl', ON. grina, Dan. grine,
Swed. grina, 'to grin', Du. grienen, 'to sniffie,
blubber, whine', OHG. grinan, MHG. grinen,
'to grumble, growl, snarl', G. greinen, 'to cry,
whine', MHG. grinnen, 'to grate, creak', OHG.
grennan, 'to mutter', MHG . grennen, 'to snarl',
and to OHG. granon, 'to grunt', MHG. grannen,
'to grunt, wail', OE.griinian, 'to groan, murmur'.
See groan. OF. grignier, grigner, It. digrignare,
'to gnash the teeth', and Proven9. .grinar, 'to
grunt', are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives: grin, n., grinn-er, n., grinn-ing, adj.,
grinn-ing-ly, adv.
grind, tr. and intr. v. - ME. grinden, fr. OE.
grindan, cogn. with L. frendere, 'to gnash the
teeth', Gk. x6vSpo~ (dissimilated fr. *xp6vSpoc;),
'com, grain', Alb. grundc, 'bran,., Lith. grendu,
grrsti, 'to scrape, scratch'; fr.I.-E. *ghren-d(h)-,
enlargement of base *ghren-, 'to rub', whence
Gk. xpctlve:Lv, 'to touch slightly'. Base *ghrenitself has been enlarged fr. I.-E. base *gher-,
'to rub', whence Gk. xtpctSoc;, 'gravel'. Fr.
base *ghrli-, *ghri-, another enlargement of
base *gher-, derives Gk. xptew, 'to anoint with
oil, smear'. Cp. grist, 'corn for grinding', ground,
'bottom'. Cp. also chondro-, chrism, chrome,
furfur.
Derivatives: grind, n., grinder (q.v.), grind-ing,
n. and adj., grind-ing-ly, adv.
grinder, n.- ME. grindere, fr. OE. grindere, fr.
grindan, 'to grind'. See grind and agential
suff. -er.
Gringo, n., Mexican contemptuous name for an
Englishman or an American of the U.S.- Sp.
gringo, corruption of griego, 'Greek', fr. L.
Graecus. See Greek.
griotte, n., morello (cherry). - F., fr. earlier
agriote, fr. Proven!;. agriota, fr. agre, 'sour', fr.
L. acer. See acrid and cp. words there referred to.
grip, n., a grasp, clutch. - ME., fr. OE. gripe,
fr. gripan, 'to gripe', rel. to ON. gripr, OFris.
gripe, OHG., MHG. grif, G. Griff, 'grasp, hold;
claw; handle'. See gripe.
grip, tr. v., to grasp, clutch.- ME. grippen, fr.
OE. grippan, rei. to OHG. gripfen, griffen, 'to
rob', and to OE. gripan, 'to seize'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: gripp-er, n., gripp-ing, adj., gripping-ly, adv., gripp-ing-ness, n.
grip, n., trench (dial. English)- OE. gripe, grype,
rei. to MLG. griippe, of s.m., MLG. gropen, 'to
hollow out', Swed. gropa, grypa, 'to cut out',
OE. gropa, 'pot'.
gripe, tr. v., to grasp. - ME. gripen, fr. OE.

gnt

gripan, 'to seize', rei. to OS. gripan, ON. gripa,

Dan. gribe, Du. grijpen, Goth. greipan, OHG.
grifan, MHG. grifen, G. greifen, 'to seize', fr.
I.-E. base *ghrfb-, whence also Lith. griebiu,
griibti, 'to seize', Lett. griba, 'will', gribet, 'to
wish, will, want'. F. gripper, 'to seize;, griffer,
'to seize', griffe, 'claw', are Teut. loan words.
Cp. griffe, griffonage, grip, 'a grasp', gripple,
grasp, grope.
Derivative: gripe, n.
grippe, n., influenza .- F., prob. fr. Russ. chrip,
'hoarseness', which is of imitative origin.
gripple, adj., griping (dial.) - ME. gripe/, fr.
OE. gripul, fr. gripan, 'to seize'. See gripe.
gripsack, n., a handbag. - Compound ed of gril\,
:
v., and sack.
grisaille, n., a kind of painting in gray. -F., fr.
:.
gris, 'gray'. See grizzle, ~gray'.
Griselda, fem."PN. - It., fr. G. Grishilda, Grise Ide, fr. OHG. grisja hilda, 'gray battle maid'.
The first element derives fr. OHG. gris, 'gray';
see grizzle, 'gray'. The second element comes fr i
OHG. hildi, 'battle'; cp. the second eJement
in Clothilda, Kriemhild.
grisette, n., a French working girl. - F., prop.
'a girl wearing a gray gown', fr. grisette, 'a gray
gown', fr. gris, 'gray', fr. Frankish *gris, 'gray'.
See grizzle, 'gray'.
griskin, n., the lean part of a pork loin (Engl.) Lit. 'a little pig', formed with suff. -kin fr. ME.
grys, grice (whence archaic E. grice, 'a little
pig'), fr. ON. griss, 'a young pig', lit. 'a gray
animal', rel. to Du. grijs, 'gray'. See grizzle,
'gray', and cp. prec. word.
grisly, adj., terrible. - ME. grislich, grisly, fr.
OE. grislic, 'terrible', formed with suff. -lie (see
adj. suff. -ly) from the stem of OE. a-grisan, 'to
shudder, fear', which is rei. to MLG. grisen,
gresen, Du. griezelen, OHG. griison, MHG.
griisen, G. grausen, MHG. griuseln, 'to shudder,
fear', MLG. greselik, MDu. griselijk, Du.
griezelig, OHG. grisen/ih, G. gruselig, 'terrible'.
Cp. gruesome.
Derivative: grisli-ness, n.
grison, n. a South-American mammal. - F.
grison, 'grayish, gray-haired', fr. gris, 'gray'. See
grizzle, adj.
grist, n., I) grain for grinding; 2) grain that has
been ground. - ME., fr. OE. grist, 'grinding;
com to be ground', from the root of OE. grindan, 'to grind'. See grind and cp. gristle.
grist, n., size of rope. - Of uncertain origin;
perh. rei. to gird, 'to encircle'.
gristle, n., cartilage. -ME. gristil, fr. OE. gristle,
rei. to OFris., MLG. gristel, and to OE. grost,
MHG. gruschel, 'cartilage', and prob. also to
OE. grist, 'grinding'. See Ist grist.
Derivatives: gristl-y, adj., gristl-i-ness, n.
grit, n., coarse sand, gravel. - ME. grete, fr. OE.
greot, 'grit, sand, dust, gravel', rei. to OS. griot,
OFris. grit, ON. grjot, 'rock, stone', OHG.
grio;s, MHG. grie;s, grii;s, G. Griejl, 'grit, sand,

grit

gravel', and cogn. with Lith. grudas, Lett.

grtiuds, 'corn, kernel', Lith. graudus, 'brittle',
grudiiu, grusti, 'to stamp', OSiav. gruda, 'clod',
fr. I.-E. *ghreud-, a -d-enlargement of base
*ghreu-, 'to grind, pulverize, crush'. Cp. W.
gro, 'coarse gravel', Bret. grouan, Co. grow,
'gravel', which derive from the unenlarged form
of the base. L. riidus, 'rubbish', is not cognate
with the above words. Cp. grit, 'coarsely ground
grain'. Cp. also gravel, groats, grout, 'coarse
meal', gruel, and the first element in gromweU.
Cp. also great.
Derivatives: grit, tr. v., to cover with grit; intr.
v., to make a grating sound, gritt-y, adj., gritt-ily, adv., gritt-i-ness, n.
grit, n., coarsely ground grain. - OE. grytt,
rei. to MLG. griitte, gorte, Du. gort, OHG.
gruzzi, MHG., G. griitze, 'peeled grain, groats'.
These words originally meant 'that which is
coarsely ground', and derive fr. I.-E. *ghreud-,
'to grind, crush'. See grit, 'coarse sand'.
grivet, n., a monkey of N. East Africa. - F., of
unknown origin. Cp. vervet.
grizzle, adj., gray. - ME. grise/, fr. OF. grise/,
dimin. of gris, 'gray', fr. Frankish *gris, 'gray',
which is rei. to OS., OFris., gris, MDu., Du.
grijs, OHG. gris, 'gray', MHG gris 'gray, grayhaired', grise, 'old man' (whence G. Greis, 'old
man'), ON. griss, Dan., Swed. gris, 'young pig'
(prop. 'the gray animal'). Sp., Port. gris, It.
griso, grigio, 'gray', are Teut. loan words. Cp.
grilse, grisaille, grisette, griskin, grison, the first
element in Griselda and the second element in
ambergris. - The above Teut. words are pro b.
rei. to OE. grfig, 'gray', and its equivalents in
the other Teut. languages; see gray.
Derivatives: grizzle, tr. v., to make gray;
intr. v., to become gray; grizzle, n., the color
gray, grizzl-y, adj.
grizzle, intr. v., to grin (Engl.) - Of uncertain
origin.
groan, intr. and tr. v. - ME. gronen, fr. OE.
griinian, 'to groan, murmur', rei. to ON. grenja,
'to howl', OE. grennian, 'to grin'. See grin.
Derivatives: groan, n., groan-er, n., groan-ing,
n. and adj., groan-ing-ly, adv.
groat, n., a small coin. - ME. groat, fr. MDu.
( = Du.) groot, 'great, big', used as a noun in
the sense of 'a thick (coin)'. See great and cp.
words there referreed to. For sense development cp. gross, name of coins, and groschen.
groats, n. pl., hulled oats. - ME. grotes, fr. OE.
grot, 'particle, atom', rei. to greot, 'grit'. See
grit, 'coarse sand', and cp. groat.
grobian, n., a rude, boorish person. -G. Grobian, fr. facetious L. grobiiinus, fr. G. grob,
'coarse, rough', which iscogn. with E. gruff(q.v.)
grocer, n. - ME. grosser, fr. OF. grossier, fr.
ML. grossiirius, 'one who sells wholesale',
which is formed fr. Late L. grossus, 'great, thick,
gross', with Latin suff. -iirius. See gross, adj., and
-ier and cp. F. vendre en gros, 'to sell wholesale'.

682
grocery, n.- ME. grosserie, fr. OF. grosserie, fr.
grossier, 'grocer'. See grocer and -y(representing
OF. -ie).
grog, n., alcoholic drink diluted with water. Shortened fr. Grogram, nickname of Admiral
Edward Vernon (1684-1757), who used to wear
a grogram cloak (see grogram); the drink was
so called because he was the first to order dilution of sailor's rum.
Derivatives: grog, tr. v., grogg-ery, n. (U.S.),
grogg-y, adj., grogg-i-ness, n.
grogram, n., a coarse kind of cloth made of silk
or of silk and mohair .- Corruptio n of F. gros
grain, 'coarse grain'. See gross, adj., and grain
and cp. grog. For a similar corruptio n cp.
fingering, 'a fine woolen yarn'. For the change
of final n to m cp. also pilgrim and venom.
groin, n., the fold between the abdomen and the
thigh. - Formed (pro b. on analogy of loin) fr.
earlier grine, fr. ME. grynde, fr. OE. grynde,
'abyss' (which may have meant also 'depression,
hollow'), a word rei. to OE. grund, 'bottom'.
See ground, n., 'bottom'.
Derivatives: groin, tr. v., groin-ed, adj., graining, n.
grommet, grommet, n., ring of a rope (naut.) OF. gromette (whence, with metathesis, F.
gourmette, 'curb of a bridle'); of uncertain
origin.
gromwell, n., any plant of the genus Lithospermum.- OF. gromil (F. gremil), compoun ded of
OF. gres (F. gres), 'sandston e', and mil, 'millet'.
The first element derives fr. Frankish *griot,
which is rei. to OHG. grio3, 'grit, gravel'; see
grit, 'coarse sand'. For the second element see
millet.
groom, n. - ME. grome, grom, orig. 'boy', fr.
OF. grome, gromet, groumet, gourmet, 'servant,
page'. See gourmet and cp. the second element
in bridegroom.
Derivatives: groom, tr. v., groom-er, n.,groom -y,
adj.
groove, n., a furrow. - ME. groof. grofe, fr.
MDu. groeve (Du. groef), 'trench, channel,
groove', which is to related Du. groeve, 'furrow,
pit', ON. grof. Norw. grov, 'brook, river bed',
OHG. gruoba, MHG. gruobe, G. Grube, 'pit,
ditch', Goth. groba, 'pit, cave', OE. grzf. 'cave,
grave', grafan, 'to dig, carve'. See grave, 'to engrave', grave, 'tomb'.
Derivatives: groove, tr. v., groov-ed, adj.,
groov-er, n., groov-ing, n., groov-y, adj., groovi-ness, n.
grope, intr. and tr. v. - ME. gropien, gropen, fr.
OE. griipiml, 'to touch, feel', fr. griip, 'a grasp,
clutch', which stands in gradational relationship
to OE. gripan, 'to clutch'. See gripe.
Derivatives: grop-er, n., grop-ing-ly, adv.
grosbeak, n., any of various finches. - F. grosbec, lit. 'large beak'. See gross, adj., and beak.
groschen, n., a small silver coin, formerly current
in Germany. - G., fr. Czech gros, name of a

683

coin, fr. ML. (deniirius) grossus, lit. 'a thick

coin', fr. L. grossus, 'thick'. See gross, adj., and
cp. gross, name of various coins.
gross, adj., big.- ME. groos, grose, fr. OF. gros,
'thick', fr. L. grossus, of s.m., which is cogn.
with Olr. bres, Mlr. bras, 'big', Co. bras, 'thick'.
Cp. grocer, grogram, grosbeak, engross (in both
senses).
Derivatives: gross, n. (q.v.), gross, tr. v., grossen, tr. and intr. v., gross-er, n., gross-ly, adj.,
gross-ness, n., gross-i-fy, tr. and intr. v., gross-ification, n.
gross, n., bulk, mass. - Fr. L. grossus, 'thick'.
See prec. word.
gross, n., twelve dozen.- Fr. F. Ia grosse (douzaine), 'the great dozen', fr. gros, fern. grosse,
'big'. See gross, adj.
gross, n., name of various coins (obsol.) - Lit.
'something thick', partly fr. F. gros, 'thick',
partly fr. It. grosso, of s.m., which both derive
fr. L. grossus, 'thick'. See gross, adj., and cp.
groschen.
grossulaceous. - Contracti on of grossulariaceous (q.v.)
grossular, adj., belonging to the gooseberry. ModL. grossu/iirius, fr. Grossularia (q.v.)
Grossularia, n., a genus of plants of the gooseberry family (bot.) - ModL., fr. F. grosei/le,
'gooseberry', fr. MDu. croesel, 'gooseberry'.
See gooseberry.
Grossulariaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the
gooseberry family (bot.) - ModL., formed
from prec. word with suff. -aceae.
grossulariaceous, adj., pertaining to the gooseberry family. -- See prec. word and -aceous.
grot, n., a grotto. - F. grotte, fr. It. grotta. See
grotto.
grotesque, adj., fantastic. - F. grotesque, fr. It.
(pittura) grottesca, 'grotc~que painting', orig.
'painting (found) in a grotta', fr. grotta, 'crypt,
cave'. See grotto and -esque.
Derivative: grotesque-ly, adv., grotesque-ness, n.
grotto, n., a cave. - It. grotta, fr. VL. crupta, fr.
L. crypta, fr. Gk. xp>JrtT~, short for xpJrrrlj
Y.:xfL:lpi, 'a hidden vault'. See crypt.
grouch, intr. v., to be sulky. - Prob. fr. ME.
grouchen, 'to grumble'. See grudge.
Derivatives: grouch, n., grouch-y, adj., grouchi-ly, adv., grouch-i-ness, n.
ground, n., bottom. - ME. ground, fr. OE. grund,
rei. to OS., OFris., Dan., Swed. grund, Du.
grond, OHG., MHG. grunt, G. Grund, 'ground,
soil, bottom', ON. grunn, 'a shallow place',
grund, 'field, plain', grunnr, 'bottom', Goth.
grundu- in grundu-waddjus, 'foundati on wall'.
These words prob. derive fr. I.-E. *ghrn-tu-,
'sandy soil', fr. base *ghren-, 'to rub', whence
also Gk. xp(([VeLV, 'to touch slightly'. A
-d(h)-enlargement of base *ghren- appears in OE.
grintian, 'to grind'. See grind and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also groin.
Derivatives: ground, intr. and tr. v., groundage

(q.v.), ground-ed, adj., grounder (q.v.), grounding, n.

ground, adj., reduced to particles by grinding .Prop. pp. of grind.
groundage, n., fee for letting a ship in a port. A hybrid formed fr. ground, n., with -agf, a suff.
'
of ult. Latin origin.
grounder, n., a ball moving along the ground
(basebal l).- Formed fr. ground, n., with agential suff. -er.
groundless, adj.- ME. groundeles, 'bottomle ss',
fr. OE. grundleas. See ground, n., and -less.
Derivatives: groundless-ly, adv., groundlessness, n.
groundling, n., 1) a fish that lives near the bottom;
2) a spectator in the pit of a theater; hence 3) an
uncritical person. - The original meaning of
this word is 'that which lives on, or is near to,
the ground. It is formed fr. ground, n., with suff.
-ling, 'pertainin g to.
groundsel, n., any plant of the genus Senecio. ME. groundeswele, fr. OE. grundeswelge, fr.
earlier gundeswelge, lit. 'pus swallower', fr. gund,
'pus', and swelgan, 'to swallow'; so called in
allusion to its use in making poultices. OE. gund
is rei. to OHG. gunt, 'pus', Goth. gund, 'cancer', dial. Norw. gund, 'scurf, scab', and possibly cogn. with Gk. X((\IMA'Y) (dissimilated fr.
*xwAtJA'Y)), 'swelling, tumor'. For OE. swe/gan
see swallow, v.
groundsel, n., threshold, sill. - Compoun ded of
ground and sill.
group, n. - F. groupe, fr. It. gruppo, 'group',
orig. 'cluster, packet, knot', fr. OProven9.
grop, 'knot', which derives fr. Teut. *kruppa,
'a rounded lump or mass'. See crop.
Derivatives: group, tr. and intr. v., group-ed, adj.
group-ing, n.
grouper, n., any of various fishes. - Port. garupa,
of uncertain, possibly Am. Indian, origin.
grouse, n., a game bird. - Of unknown origin.
grouse, intr. v., to grumble. - Prob. of imitative
origin; cp. Gk. ypu, 'a grunt', ypu~~t\1, 'to
grunt, grumble', L. grundire, grunnfre, OE.
grunian, 'to grunt', which all are of imitative
origin. Cp. grunt. Cp. also grouch, grudge,grutch.
Derivative: grous-er, n.
grout, intr. and tr. v., to dig with the snout. Of uncertain origin. Cp. rout, 'to dig with the
snout'.
grout, n., coarse meal (archaic ).- ME., fr. OE.
griit, 'coarse meal, grains of meal', rei. to
MLG. griit, 'dregs', and cogn. with Lith. grudas,
Lett. grtiuds, 'corn, kernel'. See grit, 'coarse
sand.
grout, n., coarse mortar. -A special use of prec.
word.
Derivatives: grout, intr. and tr. v., to fill up
with cement, grout-ing, n.
grove, n.- ME., fr. OE. griij; 'grove, copse', rei.
to OE. griifa, 'grove, thicket, brushwoo d',
Norw. greivla, 'to branch out'.

grovel

grovel, intr. v., 1) to lie flat on the ground; 2) to

behave abjectly. - Coined by Shakespeare
through back formation fr. obsol. E. grovelling,
fr. ME. grufelinge, 'on the face', which was mistaken for a pres. part., whereas it is formed fr.
ME. (on) grufe (fr. ON. a griifu), 'on the face,
prone', with adv. suff. -ling. ON. griifa, 'proneness', is rei. to ON. gryfa, 'to bend over'.
Derivatives: grovel(l)-er, n., grovel(l)-ing, adj.
and adv., grove/(1)-ing-ly, adv.
grow, intr. and tr. v. - ME. growen, fr. OE.
growan, rei. to ON. groa, OFris. groia, Du.
groeien, OH G. gruoen, MHG. gruejen, 'to grow',
fr. I.-E. base *ghro-, 'to grow'. See grass, green,
and cp. gramini-.
Derivatives: grow-er, n., grow-ing, n. and adj.,
grow-ing-ly, adv.
growl, intr. and tr. v. - Prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives: growl, n., growl-er, n., growl-ery, n.
grown, pp. of grow.
growth, n. -Formed with subst. suff. -th fr. grow,
on analogy of ON. grooi, 'growth' (fr. ON.
groa, 'to grow').
groyne, n.- A var. of groin.
grub, tr. and intr. v., to dig up. - ME. grobben,
grubben, rei. to OHG. grubilon, MHG. griibilen, 'to dig, search, investigate', G. grubeln,
'to rack one's brains, meditate, ponder', and to
OHG. graban, OE. grafan, 'to dig, carve'. See
grave, 'to engrave'.
Derivatives: grub, n., grubber (qq.v.), grubb-y,
adj., grubb-i-ness, n.
grub, n., the larva of an insect. - ME. grubbe,
lit. 'digger', fr. grubben, 'to dig'. See grub, n.
grubber, n., one who or that which grubs. ME. grubbare. See grub, 'to dig', and agential
suff. -er.
grudge, intr. and tr v.- Fr. dial. grutch, fr. ME.
grochen, gruchen, 'to murmur, grudge', fr. OF.
groucier, grouchier, which is of Teut., ult. imitative, origin. Cp. OHG. grunnizon, 'to grunt',
and see grunt.
Derivatives: grudge, n., grudg-ing, adj., grudging-ly, adv.
gruel, n., thin broth made by boiling oatmeal in
water.- OF. (F. gruau), 'oatmeal, grits, groats',
dimin. of OF. gru, fr. Frankish *griit, which is
rei. to Du. grut, OHG. gruzzi, 'groats'. See grit,
'coarsely ground grain'.
gruesome, adj., horrible. -Formed with Ist suff.
-some fr. dial. E. grue, 'to shudder', which is
prob. of LG. origin. Cp. MLG. griiwen, 'to
shudder', grusam, 'gruesome', which are rei.
to MDu. gn~wen, grouwen, Du. gruwen, OHG.
ingriien, MHG. griiwen, G. grauen, 'to shudder',
MDu. griiwel, MHG. griuwel, griul, G. Greuel,
'horror, terror', and to MLG. grisen, gresen,
etc., 'to shudder'. Cp. Du. gruwzaam, MHG.
griiwesam, griisam, G. grausam, 'cruel', and see
grisly. Dan. grue, 'to dread', gruelig, 'dreadful,
terrible', are LG. loan words.
Derivatives: gruesome-ly, adv.,gruesome-ness, n.

685

684

gruff, adj., surly.- MLG. or MDu. (= Du.)grof,

rei. to OHG. gerob, grob, MHG. gerop,grop, G.
grob, 'coarse, rough', OHG. hriob, riob, OE.
hreof, ON. hrjiifr, 'rough, scabby', and prob.
cogn. with Lith. kraupits, 'rough', Lett. k'raiipa,
'scab, scurf', W. crawen, Co. crevan, 'crust'.
Derivatives: gruff-ish, adj., gruff-ly, adv., gruffness, n., gruff-y, adj., gruff-i-ly, adv., gruff-iness, n.
gruiform, adj., cranelike. - See next word.
Gruiformes, n. pl., the order of the cranes (ornithol.).,.... Formed fr. L. griis, gen. gruis, 'crane',
and forma, 'form, shape'. See crane and form, n.
grum, adj., morose. - Prob. a blend of glum
and grim.
grumble, intr. and tr. v. - F. grommeler, fr.
MDu. grommelen, freq. ofgrommen, 'to grumble'
(see freq. suff. -le), which stands in gradational
relationship to MDu. grimmen, grimmelen, 'to
grumble', and to OE. grimm, grim, 'cruel,
fierce, terrible, severe'. See grim and cp. words
there referred to. The b in grumble is intrusive.
Cp. ramble.
Derivatives: grumble, n., grumbl-er, n., grumbling, adj., grumbl-ing-ly, adv.
grume, n., a clot of blood; a viscous fluid. - Obsol. F. grume, 'clot' (whence F. grumeau, a dimin.), fr. L. griimus, 'a little heap, hillock',
which is cogn. with OE. cruma, 'crumb'. See
crumb.
grummet, n.- See grommet.
grumose; adj., consisting of granules (bot.) Formed with adj. suff. -ose fr. L. griimus, 'a
little heap'. See grume.
grumous, adj., 1) containing grume; clotted;
2) grumose. - Formed with suff. -ous fr. L.
griimus. See prec. word.
Derivative: grumous-ness, n.
grumpy, adj., irritable, peevish. -Formed with
adj. suff. -y fr. obsol. grump, 'ill humor', which
is rei. to grum, grumble, grim.
Derivatives: grumpi-ly, adv., grumpi-ness, n.
Mrs. Grundy, a name denoting a prudish and
excessively conventional woman. - A character
of the comedy Speed the Plough ( 1 798) by
Thomas Morton, often referred to in the phrase
'What will Mrs. Grundy say?'
Derivatives: Grundy-ism, n., Grundy-ist, n.
grilnerite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.) Named after the German mineralogist E. L.
Gruner, who analyzed it. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
grunt, intr. and tr. v. - ME. grunten, fr. OE.
grunnettan, freq. of grunian, 'to grunt', rei. to
Dan. grynte, OHG. grunnizon, MHG., G. grunzen, 'to grunt'; of imitative origin. Cp. L. grundire, grunnire, 'to grunt', which is also imitative.
Cp. also grouse, 'to grumble', and words there
referred to. Cp. also gumard.
Derivatives: grunt, n., grunt-ing, adj., grunt-ingly, adv.
gruntle, intr. v.- Freq. of grunt. Cp. disgruntle.

grutch, intr. v., to grudge (dial. English). - ME.

gruchen, 'to murmur, grudge'. See grudge.
Derivative: grutch, n.
Gruyere, n. - Short for Gruyere cheese, so called
fr. Gruyere, a town in Switzerland, where it was
originally made.
Gryllidae, n. pl., a family of insects, the crickets
(zool.) - ModL., formed fr. Gryllus with suff.
-idae.
Gryllus, n., the typical genus of the crickets. L. gril/us, gryllus [whence also OHG. grillo,
(MHG., G. grille), 'cricket'], fr. Gk. ypo/..Ao.;,
'an Egyptian dance; a performer in such a dance;
comic figure, caricature'.
gryphon, n. - See griffin, 'a mythical animal'.
grysbok, n., a small grayish S. African antelope.
- S. Afr. Du., fr. Du. grijsbok, lit. 'gray buck',
fr. grijs, 'gray', and bok, 'buck'. See grizzle,
'gray', and buck.
guacharo, n., a South-American night bird. Sp. gudcharo, fr. guacho, 'orphan', fr. Quechua
wd(Jcha, 'poor; orphan', dim. of walJ, 'strange,
foreign'.
guaco, n., a South American climbing plant. - Sp., borrowed from a native language spoken
in Central or South America.
guaiacol, n., a colorless liquid.- Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ol.
guaiacum, n., 1) any of tropical American trees
of the genus Guaiacum; 2) resin from any of
these trees. - ModL., fr. Sp. guayaco, from
a Haitian word.
guan, n., any of large gallinaceous birds of Central and South America.- Sp. guan, from W.
Indian native name.
guana, n. - A var. of iguana.
guanaco, n., a kind of large wild llama. - Sp.,
fr. Quechua Jmanaco, huanacu.
guano, n., a manure consisting of the dung of sea
birds. - Sp., fr. Quechua huanu, 'dung'.
Derivative: guano, tr. v., to manure with guano.
guarana, n., a paste made from the seeds of the
Brazilian climbing plant Paullinia cupana. Port. and Sp. guarana, fr. Tupi guarana.
guarantee, n.- Formed fr. guaranty, on analogy
of other legal terms ending in -ee.
Derivative: guarantee, tr. v.
guarantor, n.- See guaranty and agential suff. -or.
guaranty, n. - OF. guarantie, garantie, corresponding to ONF. warantie. See warranty,
which is a doublet of guaranty.
guard, tr. and intr. v. - OF. guarder, garder (F.
garder), 'to keep, watch over, guard, protect,
defend', corresponding to ONF. warder. See
ward, v., which is a doublet of guard, v.
Derivatives: guard-ed, adj., guard-ed-ly, adv.
guard-ed-ness, n., guard-er, n.
guard, n.- OF. guarde, garde (F. garde), 'watching, keeping, custody'. See ward, 'the act of
guarding', which is a doublet of guard, n.
guardant, adj., the same as gardant (her.) - F.
gardant, pres. part. of garder. See gardant.

guerdon

guardian, n. - ME. gardein, fr. AF. gardein,

corresponding to OF. ( = F.) gardien, which
was formed with change of suff. fr. OF. gardenc,
fr. garder. See guard, v., and -ian, and cp.
warden, which is a doublet of guardian.
guarinite, n., a calcium titanium silicate (mineral.)
-Named after Professor G. Guarini of Naples.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
guameri, n. - Short for Guarneri violin, prop. a
violin made by members of the Guarneri family
at Cremona in Italy. Cp. amati and Stradivarius.
guava, n., a tree of the genus Psidium. - Sp.
guayaba, 'fruit of the guava tree', guayabo, 'the
guava tree', fr. Tupi guajava.
gubernatorial, adj., pertaining to a governor.Formed with suff. -ial fr. L. guberniitor, 'steersman, pilot, ruler, governor', fr. guberniitus, pp.
of guberntire, 'to steer, direct, conduct, govern'.
See govern, governor.
guddee, guddy, n. - Variants of gaddi.
gudgeon, n., a small freshwater fish of the carp
family.- ME. gojon, fr. F. goujon, fr. L. g6bi6nem, ace. of gobio, a collateral form of gobius,
fr. Gk. xw~16.; 'gudgeon', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. goby.
gudgeon, n., a pivot. - ME. gojone, fr. OF.
gojon (F. goujon), 'dowel', dimin. of gouge, 'a
tool for making grooves, a hollow chisel'. See
gouge and -on.
guelder rose, n.- Lit. 'rose of Gelderland', from
the name of a province in Holland. Cp. F. rose
de Gueldre, of s.m.
Guelph, Guelf, n., a member of the papal party
in Italy during the Middle Ages. - It. Guelfo,
fr. ML. Gue/phus, fr. MHG. Welf, name of the
ancestor of a family of princes. The name derives
fr. OHG. Hwelp, orig. a nickname meaning
'whelp, cub'. See whelp.
Derivative: Guelph-ic, Guelf-ic, adj.
Guendolen, fern. PN. -A var. ofGwendolin(q.v.)
guenon, n., any of a genus of long-tailed African
monkeys.- F., 'she-monkey, monkey', of uncertain origin.
guepard, n., the cheetah.- F. guepard, fr. earlier
gapard, shortened fr. It. gattopardo, lit. 'catleopard'. See cat and pard and cp. leopard. Cp.
also F. chat-pard, 'mountain cat', lit. 'catleopard'.
guerdon, n., a reward.- ME., fr. OF. guerredon,
guerdon, fr. ML. widerdonum, which is a blend
of OHG. widarlon, 'recompense' and L. donum,
'gift'. OHG. widarlon lit. meant 'return gift',
fr. widar, 'against', and !on, 'reward, gift'. The
first element is rei. to OE. wioer, 'against', wio,
'against, opposite'; see withers, with. The second
element is rei. to OE. lean, 'reward', fr. I.-E.
base *!au-, 'to gain, enjoy', whence also L.
lucrum, 'gain, profit, advantage'; see lucre. For
the et!-:.:nology of L. donum see donation.
guerdon, tr. v., to reward.- ME. guerdonen, fr,
OF. guerredonner, guerdonner, 'to recompense.
reward', fr. guerdon. See guerdon, n.

guereza

686

Frankish *wftan, 'to show' (whence also OProvguereza, n., an Abyssinian monkey. - From naen<;. guidar, guizar). Cp. OS. wisian, ON. visa,
tive name.
Dan. vise, Swed., Norw. visa, OFris. wisa,
guerilla, n. - See guerrilla.
MDu. wfsen, Du. wijzen, OHG., MHG. wfsen,
Guernsey, n., name of a breed of cattle. ~- So
weisen, 'to show, point out', OE. witan, 'to
G.
of
Island
the
on
reared
orig.
because
called
see'. See wise, adj. and n., wit, v., and cp. guise.
Guernsey.
Cp. also guidone, guy, 'rope', Guy.
Guernsey lily. - This flower was discovered in
guide, n. - F., fr. OProven~,:. or It. guida, 'guide,
Japan by Kaempfer, the Dutch botanist. Its
leader', fr. OProven~,:. guidar, 'to lead'. See
name is due to the circumstance that the ship
guide, v.
which brought the first specimens of this plant
guidon, n., 1) a small flag or pennant; 2) an ofto Europe was wrecked on the coast of Guernficer carrying such a flag. - F., fr. It. guidone,
sey, in whose soil some of the bulbs germinated.
'standard', fr. guida, 'guide'. See guide, n. and v.
guerrilla, also guerilla, n., 1) irregular warfare;
guige, n., a long leather strap serving to fasten the
2) a person who engages in irregular warfare. shield to the neck. - OF. guiche, guige, fr.
Sp. guerrilla, lit. 'little war', dimin. of guerra,
Frankish *wipig, 'withe, wickerwork', which
'war', fr. OHG. werra, 'war' (whence also Port.,
is rei. to OHG. wfda, 'willow', OE. wioe, 'withe',
Proven<;., It. guerra, F. guerre). See war.
wioig, 'willow'. See withy.
guess, tr. and intr. v. - ME. gessen, 'to think,
guild, gild, n., an association for mutual aid. believe', prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. Dan. gisse,
ME. gilde, fr. ON. gildi, 'payment, contribution,
Swed., Norw. gissa, 'to guess', which are rei.
fraternity', which is rei. to ON. gjald, 'payment'.
to MLG., MDu. and G. gissen, of s.m., and
See geld.
ult. to ON. geta, 'to get; to guess'. See get.
Derivative: guild-ry, n.
Derivatives: guess, n., guess-er, n.
guilder, n., a Dutch coin. - Altered fr. Du.
guest, n.- ME. gest, fr. ON. gestr, which is rei.
gulden, lit. 'golden'. See gold and cp. gulden.
to OE. gil.'st, giest, OFris. jest, OS., Du. gast,
guile, n., cunning. - ME. guile, gile, fr. OF.
OHG. gast, gesti, MHG. gast, geste, G. Gast,
guile, which is of Teut. origin. See wile and cp.
Goth. gasts, 'guest', orig. 'stranger', and cogn.
beguile.
with L. hostis, 'stranger; enemy', hospes (for
Derivatives: guile-ful, adv., guile-ful-ly, adv.,
hosti-potis), 'host, guest', orig. 'lord of stranguile-ful-ness, n., guile-less, adj., guile-less-ly,
gers', OSlav. gosti, 'guest', and perh. also with
adv., guile-less-ness, n.
Gk. 1;vo~, Ion. ;e:~Jo~. Dor. ;:tv,=o~, 'stranger,
guillemot, n., a seabird of the auk family. -F.,
guest'. Cp. host, 'landlord, guest', host, 'army',
dimin. of PN. Guillaume, 'William'. For sense
hospital, hostile, hotel, xeno-.
development cp. jay, martin, mart let, which all
Derivatives: guest, tr. and intr. v., guest-less,
are traceable to proper names.
adj.
guilloche, n., an ornament formed by two or
Gueux, n. pl., the patriot nobles of the Nethermore bands. - F. guillocht\, formed from Guillands (hist.) -~F., lit. 'beggars', fr. earlier *gueu
loche, a PN. altered fr. Guillot, which is a pet
(to be inferred from the fern. gueue), prob. fr.
form of Guillaume, 'William'. See William. For
Du. guit, 'rogue, rascal'.
sense development cp. F. guillaume, 'rabbetof
puff';
breath,
'a
Orig.
talk.foolish
guff, n.,
plane' (fr. Guillaume). Cp. also guillemot and
imitative origin. Cp. next word.
words there referred to.
guffaw, intr. v., to laugh loudly; n., a loud
guilloche, tr. v., to ornament with guilloche. laughter. - Of imitative origin.
F. guillocher, fr. guillochis. See guilloche, n.
gugal, googul, n., an aromatic gum resin; bdeln., an instrument for beheading. guillotine,
gtlggulu.
01.
fr.
guggul,
giigal,
Hind.
lium. F., named after the physician Joseph-Ignace
guggle, intr. v., to gurgle. -Of imitative origin.
Guillotin (I738-I8I4), who recommended its
Cp. gurgle.
adoption by the National Convention in I 789.
guglet, n. - A var. of goglet.
His aim in inventing this machine was to make
guhr, n., an earthy deposit. - Dial. G., 'earthy
the execution of those condemned as swift and
deposit', lit. 'fermentation', from the stem of
painless as possible.
G. giiren, 'to ferment' (tr.), fr. MHG. jesen, 'to
guillotine, tr. v., to behead with a guillotine. ferment' (intr.), fr. OHG. jesan, of s.m. See
F. guillotiner, fr. guillotine. See guillotine, n.
yeast and cp. the second clement in kieselguhr.
guilt, n., the fact of having committed a wrong.
guidage, n., r) guidance: 2) fee for guidance lnh-ME. gult, gilt, fr. OE. gylt, 'guilt, crime, debt,
sol.) - A hybrid coined fr. guide and -age, a
fine'; of unknown origin.
suff. of Latin origin.
Derivatives: guilt-less, adj., guilt-less-ly, adv.,
guidance, n. - A hybrid coined fr. guide and
guilt-less-ness, n., guilt-y, adj., guilt-i-ly, adv.,
-ance, a suff. of Latin origin.
guilt-i-ness, n.
guide, tr. v. - ME. guiden, guyden, gyden, fr. F.
guimpe, n. - See gimp.
guider, 'to guide, lead, conduct', refashionedguinea, n., I) a former English gold coin; a sum
after the noun guide-fr. OF. guier (whence
of 2 I shillings. - From Guinea, a country in
ME. gyen), 'to guide, lead', which derives fr.

gum

657

W. Africa; so called because first coined in

1663 from gold brought from the Guinea coast.
guinea pig, n. - The guinea pig comes from
Brazil and owes its name to the circumstance
that it was brought to England by Guinea men,
i.e. ships trading between England, Guinea and
South America.
Guinevere, fern. PN. - W. Gwenhwyvar, lit.
'white cheeked'. See Gwendolin(e), gwyniad.
guipure, n., any of various kinds of laces. -F.,
fr. OF. guiper, 'to cover with silk', fr. Frankish
wlpan, 'to cover with silk', which is rei. to Du.
wippen, OHG. wifan, MHG. wifen, G. weifen,
'to wind, reel', and cogn. with L. vibriire, 'to
move rapidly to and fro, shake, brandish, agitate'. See vibrate and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see suff. -ure.
guise, n., I) manner, fashion; 2) appearance;
3) disguise. - ME. guise, gise, fr. OF. ( = F.)
guise, which is borrowed fr. Teut. *wisa, 'manner' (whence also OProven~,:. guiza, It., Sp.,
Port. guisa). See wise, n., which is a doublet of
guise, and cp. disguise.
guiser, n., a mummer (Engl. and Scot.)- Formed
fr. guise with agential suff. -er.
guitar, n., a stringed musical instrument. - F.
guitare, fr. Sp. guitarra, fr. Arab. qftdrah, fr.
Gk. x~IMp&, fr. Pers. sihtiir. See either and cp.
gittem, zither.
Derivative: guitar-ist, n.
gula, n., the upper throat (zoo/.) - L., 'throat'.
See gullet.
Derivative: gul-ar, adj.
gulch, n., a deep ravine. - Prob. fr. dial. E.
gulch, 'to swallow greedily', fr. ME. gulchen,
which is of imitative origin.
gulden, n., formerly, a German and Dutch silver
coin (orig. a gold coin).- Du. and G. gulden,
shortened fr. Du. gulden /lorijn, 'a gold coin'.
See gold and cp. guilder.
gules, n., the color red; adj., red.- ME. goules,
fr. OF. goules, gueu/es (F. gueules), 'gules',
prop. 'neckpieces of (red) fur', pl. of gole,
gueule (F. gueule), 'throat', fr. L. gu/a, 'throat'.
See gullet.
gulf, n. - ME. gou/f, golf, fr. It. golfo, fr. Gk.
x6).7to~, 'bosom, lap, bay, gulf, womb', for
*qo/pos, dissimilated fr. *qwolpos, 'something
vaulted', fr. I.-E. base *qwe/p-, 'to vault',
whence also ON. hva!f, OE. hwea/f, OHG. walbo,
MHG. walbe, MLG. welve, OHG. gi-welbi, G.
Gewolbe, 'vault, arch', ON. hve/fa, 'to vault',
OE. ii-hwie/fan, 'to cover with a vault; to overwhelm', OS. bi-hwelbian, MDu., Du. welven,
OHG., MHG. we/ben, G. wolben, 'to vault',
Goth. lvi/f-trjom (dat. pl.), 'coffin'. See whelm
and cp. colpo-.
Derivatives: gulf, tr. v., gu/f-y, adj.
gulix, n., a kind of fine linen. - Fr. Guliche,
former name of the town Jiilich in Western
Prussia.
gull, n., an unfledged bird (now dial.) - ME.

go/l, prob. rei. to ME. gull, 'yellow', fr. ON.

.
gulr, 'yellow'. See yellow.
gull, tr. v., to deceive. - Prob. fr. prec. wo1;J.
Derivatives: gull, n., a dupe, gull-ish, adj., gu/1ish-/y, adv., gull-ish-ness, n.
gull, n., a long-winged, web-footed aquatic bird.
- ME. gull, of Celtic origin. Cp. Co. gul/an,
gwilan, W. gwylan, Bret. gwelan (whence F.
goeland), 'gull'.
gullet, n., the throat. - ME. golet, fr. OF. golet,
gou/et, dimin. of gole, goule, 'throat' (whence
F. gueule, 'mouth of some animals'), fr. L. gula,
'throat', which derives fr. I.-E. base *gel-,
*gwef- (this latter is prob. a blend of the bases
*gel- and *gwer-), 'to swallow, devour', whence
also L. gluttire, 'to swallow, gulp down, devour',
OE. ceole, OHG. kela, MHG. kel, G. Kehle,
ON, kjijlr, 'throat', OSlav. glutii, 'gullet', Oir.
gelim, 'I eat up, devour', W. gel, 'leech', and
pro b. also Gk. 8eAc:ocp (for *8e).e:focp), 'bait, lure'.
See glut, 'to swallow', and cp. glutton, gula,
gully, gulosity. Cp. also goliard. For the deJivatives of base *gwer- see voracious and cp. gurgitation and words there referred to.
gullible, adj., easily deceived.- A hybrid coined
fr. gull, 'to deceive', and suff. -ible.
Derivative: gullibil-ity, n.
gully, n., a small ravine. - Altered fr. gullet.
Derivative: gully, tr. v.
gulosity, n., gluttony (rare).- Late L. gulosittis,
fr. L. gulosus, 'gluttonous', fr. gu/a. See gullet,
adj. suff. -ose and suff. -ity.
gulp, tr. and intr. v.- ME. gulpen, go/pen, glubben, of imitative origin. Cp. Du. gu/pen, 'to
gulp, guzzle', Swed., Norw. g/upa, 'to swallow,
devour', which are also imitative. Cp. also OE.
gie/pan, 'to boast', OHG.gelph, 'outcry', MHG.
gelfen, 'to boast', and see yelp.
Derivatives: gulp, n., gulp-ing-ly, adv., gulp-y,
adj.
gum, n., flesh in which the teeth are set.- ME.
gome, fr. OE. goma, 'palate' (pl. goman, 'jaws'),
rei. to ON. gomi, 'palate', gomr, 'gum', Swed.
gom, 'palate', Dan. gumme, 'gum', OHG. goumo, MHG. goume, G. Gaumen, 'palate', and
cogn. with Lith. gomurys, 'palate', Lett. giimurs, 'windpipe, trachea', fr. I.-E. base *ghou-,
*gheu-, *gh~u-, 'to gape', whence also Gk. xcioc;
(for *xcifoc;), 'gulf, chasm, abyss, the rude unformed mass', xocGvo~, 'gaping', XtXO"fLOC, 'chasm,
gulf'. The above base is rei. to base *ghei-, *ghi-,
'to gape, yawn'. See yawn and words there referred to.
gum, n., a viscid substance. - ME. gomme, fr.
OF. ( = F.) gomme, fr. VL. gumma, fr. L. cummi, gummi, fr. Gk. x6[.L[.L~. ult. fr. Egypt. (cmj-t.
Cp. gumma.
Derivatives: gumm-y, adj., gumm-i-ness, n.
gum, tr. and intr. v., to fasten with gum. - F.
gommer, fr. gomme. See prec. word.
Derivatives: gumm-ed, adj., gumm-er, n., gumming, n.

688
gumbo

and garget, gargle, gargoyle, gorge, gurge,

gumbo, gombo, n., the okra plant. -From native
gurges.
name in Angola.
gurgle, intr. v., to flow with a bubbling sound.gum-gum, n., a bowl of iron used as a musical
Prob. fr. OF. gorguler, fr. L. gurguli6, 'gullet'
instrument in India and S. Africa. - Prob. pl.
[whence MLG., Du. gorge[, OHG. gurgula
of Malay gong. See gong.
(MHG., G. gurgel), 'throat'], which is dissimigumma, n., a soft tumor, characteristic of tertiary
lated fr. *gurgurio, is rel. to gurges, 'whirlpool',
syphilis. - Medical L., fr. L. gummi. See gum,
and cogn. with 01. gargarafi, 'whirlpool', OHG.
'a viscid substance'.
querchala, querka, 'throat, gullet', ON. kverk,
gummatous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a
'crop, maw'. See prec. word.
gumma. - Formed with suff. -ous fr. Medical
Derivative: gurgle, n., a gurgling sound.
L. gumma, gen. gummatis. See gumma.
n., a small marine fish of the family
gurnard,
gum,
See
gum.gummiferous, adj., producing
OF. gornard, gornart, formed with
Triglidae.'a viscid substance', and -ferous.
metathesis fr. OF. gronir, grognir, fr. L. grungum mogador, Morocco gum.- So called from
nire, 'to grunt'. See grunt and -ard. The fish is
Mogador, a seaport in Morocco, whence it is
so called because it emits a grunting sound
exported.
when drawn out of the water.
gum;
resembling,
or
to,
gummous, adj., pertaining
gurnet, n.- A var. of gurnard.
gummy.- L. gummosus, 'gummy', fr. gummi.
gurry, n., a little fort (India). - Hind. garhi,
See gum, 'a viscid substance', and -ous.
'a fort'.
gumption, n., shrewdness, common sense (colguru, also gooroo, n., a teacher, a priest (India).
loq.) - Orig. Scot.; of uncertain origin.
- Hind. guru, fr. 01. guru!~, 'heavy, weighty,
gun, n. - ME. gunne, gonne, prob. from the fern.
venerable; teacher', which is cogn. with Gk.
PN. Gunne, shortened from the name Gunhild,
~ocpu<;, L. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave, 'weighty',
which was applied to a war engine (in 1330-31).
cp. garce.
and
For sense development cp. the gun names
gush, intr. v. - ME. guschen, prob. of imitative
Mons Meg, Big Bertha, etc.
origin.
Derivatives: gun, intr. v., gunnage (q.v.), gunnDerivatives: gush, n., gush-er, n., gush-ing, adj.,
er, n., gunn-ery, n., gunn-ing, n.
gush-ing-ly, adv., gush-ing-ness, n., gush-y, adj.
gunge, n., a storehouse; a market (India). n., a piece of chain mail at the armpit. gusset,
Hind. ganj, fr. 01. gaiijafi, 'treasury', which is
F., 'armpit; fob pocket', dimin. of gousse, 'pod,
an Iranian loan word. Cp. Pers. gan], 'treasure',
husk', which is of unknown origin. For the endand see genizah.
ing see suff. -et.
gunja, n.- A var. of ganja.
Derivative: gusset, tr. v.
gunnage, n., number of guns carried by a warn., a sudden blast of wind. - ON. gustr,
gust,
ship. - A hybrid coined fr. gun and -age, a
'gust, blast', formed with suff. -t from gus-,
suff. of Latin origin.
weak grade of gjosa, 'to gush'. See geyser.
gunnel, n., a kind of blenny. - Of uncertain
Derivatives: gustful (q.v.), gust-y, adj., gusti-ly,
origin.
adv., gust-i-ness, n.
gunwale.
of
gunnel, n. - A var.
gust, n., relish. - L. gustus, 'tasting, taste'. See
Gunnera, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
choose and cp. gout, gustation, gusto, degust,
named after the Norwegian botanist Johan
disgust, ageustia, ragout.
Ernst Gunnerus (1718-73).
Derivative: gustful (q.v.)
gunter n. - Shortened fr. gunter rule, scale,
n., the act of tasting. - L. gustati6,
gustation,
mathematicEnglish
the
after
named
resp. rig;
'a tasting', fr. gustiitus, pp. of gus-onis,
gen.
ian Edmund Gunter (1581-1626).
tiire, 'to taste', fr. gustus. See prec. word and
Gunther, Gunter, masc. PN. - OHG. Gundhard,
-ation.
lit. 'bold in war', fr. gund, 'war', and harti, hart,
gustative, adj., pertaining to the sense of taste.'hard, strong, bold'. For the first element see
Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. gustiitus, pp. of
gonfanon, for the second see hard.
See gustation.
gustiire.
gnp, n., gossip (India).- Hind. gap, fr. Pers. gap,
gustative-ness, n.
Derivative:
'prattle, gossip'.
gustative. - Formed with suff.
adj.,
gustatory,
gurge, n., a whirlpool (rare). - L. gurges. See
-ory fr. gustiitus, pp. of gustiire. See gustation.
next word.
Gustavus, masc. PN.- Latinized form of Swed.
gurges, n., a spiral representing a whirlpool (her.)
Gu-staf, a name compounded of two elements.
- L. gurges, 'whirlpool'. See next word.
The first element is of uncertain origin, the
with
Formed
liquid.
boiling
a
n.,
gurgitation,
second means 'staff' (see staff).
suff. -icn fr. L. gurgitiitus, pp. of gurgitiire, 'to
gustful, adj., windy. - Compounded of gust, 'a _
surge, flood', fr. gurges, gen. gurgitis, 'whirlblast of wind', and -ful.
pool, gulf'; fr. base *gurg-, which is formed
gustful, adj., tasty. - Compounded of gust,
with defective reduplication fr. I.-E. base
'relish', and -ful.
*gwer-, 'to devour'. See voracious and -ation and
Derivatives: gustfu/-ly, adv., gustfu/-ness, n.
cp. ingurgitate, regurgitate. Cp. also next word

689

gymnasiarcn

Derivative: guttura/iz-ation, n.
gusto, n., taste; keen relish. -It., fr. L. gustus,
gutturo-, combining form meaning guttural.
'tasting, taste'. See gust, 'taste'.
Fr. L. guttur, 'throat'. See guttural.
gut, n., the alimentary canal; the intestines. -.
gutty, adj. -See gutte.
ME. gut, gutte, fr. OE. guttas (pl.), 'entrails',
gutty, n., a gutta-percha ball. - Formed from
rei. to MDu. gote, Du. goat, G. Gosse, 'gutter,
the abbreviation of gutta-percha and su.ff. -y.
drain', ME. gate, 'channel, stream', and in gradguy, n., a rope. -OF. guie, 'a guide', fr. guier.
ational relationship to OE. giotan, 'to pour'.
See next word.
See found, 'to cast', and cp. words there referred
guy, tr. v., to guide with a guy. - OF. guier, 'to
to. Cp. also guttie.
guide'. See guide.
Derivative: gut, tr. v.
Guy, masc. PN.- F., rel. to It., Sp., Port. Guido,
gutta, n., in the Doric entablature, one of a series
lit. 'leader' ; of Teut. origin. See guide, n. and v .,
of ornaments, attached to the lower side of the
and cp. guy, 'rope'.
mutules. - L., 'drop'. See gutter.
guy, n,, r) a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes; 2) a
gutta, n., the principal constituent of guttagrbtesquely dressed person. - From the name
percha (chem.)- See gutta-peicha.
of Guy Fawkes, the ill-famed conspirator. For
gutta-percha, n., a rubberlike substance formed
the etymology and meaning of this PN. see
from the juice of various Malaysian trees. Guy.
Lit. 'gum of the gutta-percha tree', fr. Malay
Derivative: guy, tr. v., to make fun of.
getah, 'gum, balsam', and pircha, name of the
guzzle, intr. and tr. v., to drink greedily. -OF.
tree yielding this gum; influenced in form by
gosillier, gosi/ler, 'to go down the gullet; to
L. gutta, 'a drop'.
vomit; to chatter', fr. gosillier, 'throat, gullet',
guttate, adj., 1) resembling drops; 2) spotted as
which prob. derives fr. OF. ( = F.) gosier, of
if with drops. - L. guttiitus, pp. of guttiire, 'to
s.m., which derives fr. Gaul.-L. geusiae, 'gullet';
drop', fr. gutta, 'drop'. See gutter and adj. suff.
influenced in form by F. gorge, 'throat'.
-ate and cp. guttt\ which is a doublet of guttate.
Derivatives: guzzle, n., guzzl-er, n.
gutte, guttee, gutty, adj., sprinkled with drops
gweduc, n., a large edible clam.- N. American
(her.) - AF. gutte, corresponding to F. goutte,
Ind.; lit. 'dig deep'.
'sprinkled with drops', fr. L. guttiitus, pp. of
Gwen, fern. PN. - Dimin. of Gwendoline.
guttiire. See prec. word.
Gwendolin(e), also Gwendolen, Gwendolyn, fem.
gutter, n. - ME. goter, gotere, fr. OF. gutiere,
PN.- A compound of Celtic origin; the first
goutiere (F. gouttiere), 'gutter, spout (of water),
element is Bret. gwenn, 'white'. See next word.
channel; groove', fr. gute, goute (F. goutte),
gwyniad, n., a fish of the salmon family. - Lit.
'drop', fr. L. gutta, 'drop'. See gout, and cp.
'white (fish)', a hybrid formed with suff. -iad
gutta, 'ornament', guttate, gutte, guttula. OF.
W. gwyn, 'white', which is rei. to Bret. gwenn,
fr.
form
fern.
the
prop.
is
-iere)
(F.
-iere
subst. suff.
Co. guyn, Olr. find, Gael., lr. fionn, Gaul.
of the adj. suff. -ier (fr. L. -iirius). See -ier.
vindo-, 'white', fr. Celtic *vindo-, 'visible;
Derivatives: gutter, tr. and intr. v., gutter-ing, n.
'shining; white', a nasalized form of *vid-, 'to
guttiferous, adj., producing drops.- Compoundsee', whence Olr. fiss, Gael., Jr. fios, 'knowled of L. gutta, 'drop', and the stem of ferre,
edge', fr. I.-E. base *weid-, *woid-, *wid-, 'to
'to bear, carry'. See gutter and -ferous.
see; to know', whence also L. videre, 'to see'.
guttiform, adj., drop-shaped. -Compounded of
See vision and cp. winter and words there reL. gutta, 'drop', and forma, 'form, shape'. See
ferred to. Cp. also Guinevere, Gwendolin(e).
gout and form, n.
gybe, v.- A var. of jibe, 'to swing round'.
guttie, intr. and tr. v., to gormandize. -Formed
Gygis, n., a genus of terns (ornithol.) - ModL.,
fr. gut wit freq. suff. -le.
fr. Gk. yUY7)~. name of a water bird, which is
Derivative: gutti-er, n.
prob. of imitative origin.
guttula, n., a small droplike spot (bot. and zoo/.)
gyle, n., 1) amount of beer produced at one brew- L., 'a small drop', dimin. of gutta. See gutter.
ing; 2) fermenting wort; 3) fermenting vat. Derivatives: guttul-ar, guttul-ate, adjs.
ME., fr. MDu. ghijl, ghij/e (Du. gijl), 'ferment',
guttural, adj., pertaining to the throat. - F., fr.
from the verb ghijlen, 'to ferment', whence F.
ML. gutturiilis, fr. L. guttur, 'throat', which prob.
,
gui/ler, of s.m.
stands for *gutur and derives fr. I.-E. base
gymkhana, n., display of athletic sports (orig.
*gwet-, *geut-, *gilt-, 'to vault', whence also OE.
Anglo-Indian). - A blend of Hind. gend-khiina,
cwiJ, 'belly, womb', Goth. qijJus, 'stomach,
'ball house' (fr. gend, 'ball', and khiina, 'house"),
belly, womb', ON. kvinr, 'belly'. See bowel and
and E. gymnastics (q.v.)
adj. suff. -al and cp. botulism. Cp. also goiter.
gymn-, form of gymno- before a vowel.
Derivatives: guttural-ity, n., guttural-ly, adv.,
gymnasial. - Formed fr. gymnasium with adj.
guttural-ness, n., gutturalism, gutturalize (qq.v.)
suff. -al.
gutturalism, n., tendency to gutturalize. - See
gymnasiarch, n., at ancient Athens, a superguttural and -ism.
intendent of athletic training. - L. gymnasiargutturalize, tr. v., to pronounce gutturally.
chus, fr. Gk. yu!J.Vata(ocpxo<;, which is compounded
See guttural and -ize.

gymnasium

690

gymnosperm, n., a plant that has its seeds naked

of yu!J.v&crtov, 'gymnasium', and &.p:x:6.;, 'leader,
(i.e. not enclosed in an ovary). - ModL. gymchief, ruler'. See next word and -arch.
nospermus, fr. Gk. ytl!J.v6crrre:p!J.O<;, 'having naked
gymnasium, n., I) a building equipped for gymseeds', compounded of yu!Lv6<;, 'naked', and
nastics; 2) in Germany and some other councrmfp[LIX, 'seed'. See gymno- and sperm and cp.
tries, a secondary school for students. - L., fr.
angiosperm.
Gk. yu!J.vcX.crtov, 'gymnastic school, school', fr.
gymnospermous, adj., having the seeds not enyu!J.vcX.~e:tv, 'to practice gymnastic exercises', lit.
closed in an ovary.- See prec. word and -ous.
'to train naked', fr. yu!Lv6<;, 'naked'; so called
Gymnotus, n., a genus of fishes, the electric eel
because the athletes trained naked. See gymno-.
(ichthyol.) - ModL. Gymn6tus, contraction of
gymnast, n., one who teaches gymnastics. - Gk.
Gymnonotus, which is compounded of Gk. yu!J.yu!J.voccr't"'i)<;, 'trainer of athletes', fr. yu!J.v&~e:tv.
v6<;, 'naked', and vwTo<;, 'the back'; so called beSee prec. word and -ast.
cause of the absence of the dorsal fin. See gymgymnastic, also gymnastical, adj., pertaining to
no- and noto-. The contraction of Gymno-notus
physical exercises. - L. gymnasticus, fr. Gk.
into Gymnotus is due to haplology. (Cp. Gymyu!J.voccrTtx6<;, 'pertaining to, or fond of, gymnonoti, which is formed without such contracnastic exercises', fr. yu!J.vcX.~e:LV. See prec. word
tion).
and -ic, resp. also -al.
gyn-, form of gyno- before a vowel.
Derivatives: gymnastics (q.v.), gymnastic-al-ly,
gynaeceum, n., I) apartment for women (Greek
adv.
antiq.); 2) the pistils of a flower collectively (bot.)
gymnastics, n., physical exercises. - See prec.
- L. gynaeceum, fr. Gk. yuvoctxe:'Lov, 'women's
word and -ics.
apartment', prop. neut. of the adjective yuvoctgymno-, before a vowel gymn-, combining form
xe:'Lo<;, 'pertaining to a woman; womanly, femeaning 'naked'. - Gk. yu!J.VO-, ru!Lv-, fr.
minine,' used as a noun, fr. yuvlj, gen. yuvoctx6<;,
yu!J.v6<;, 'naked', cogn. with 01. nagnal;z, L.
'woman'. See gyneco-.
nudus, Goth. naqaps, OE. nacod, 'naked'. See
gynaeco-.- See gyneco-.
naked and cp. nude.
gynandrous, adj., having the gynoecium and anGymnocladus, n., a genus of plants, the Kentucky
droecium united in a column (as in orchids). coffee tree (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
Gk. y{Jva;vopo<;, 'of doubtful sex', fr. yJv-Yj,
gymno- and Gk. x'AcX.oo<;, 'branch'. See clado-.
'woman', and &v-f)p, gen. &.vop6<;, 'man'. See
Gymnoconia, n., a genus of rusts (bot.)- ModL.,
gyneco- and andro- and cp. androgynous. For
compounded of gymno- and Gk. x6vt<;, 'dust',
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o<;, see -ous.
which is cogn. with L. cinis, 'ashes'. See cinerary
gynarchy, n., government by a woman or women.
and cp. conio-, conidi-. For the ending see suff.
-Compounded of gyn- and Gk. -ocpxl<i, 'rule'.
-ia.
See -archy.
Gymnodontes, n. pl., a group of fishes (ichthyol.)
gynec-, form of gyneco- before a vowel.
- ModL., compounded of gymno- and Gk.
gynecium, n. - See gynoecium.
ooJ.v, gen. o06V't"O~, 'tooth'. See odonto-.
gyneco-, before a vowel gynec-, combining form
Gymnonoti, n.pl., an order of fishes including the
meaning 'woman'. - Gk. yuvoctxo-, yuvor:tx-,
electric eel and allied forms (ichthyol.)- ModL.
fr. yuv-f), gen. yuvoctx6<;, 'woman', rei. to BoeoGymnonoti, compounded of gymno- and Gk.
tian f3a;v&, fr. I.-E. *gwuna, *gwena, 'woman',
vw-ro<;, 'the back', which is cogn. with L. nates,
whence also 01. gnd, gand, 'wife of a god, god'rump'; so called in allusion to the absence of
dess', jtinil;, 'wife', Goth. qin6, 'woman, wife',
the dorsal fin. See noto- and cp. nates. Cp. also
qens, 'woman', OE. cwen, 'woman, wife, queen'.
the second element in Gymnotus.
See quean and cp. queen. Cp. also agynary, anGymnophiona, n., an order of Amphibia (zoo!.)
drogynous, misogyny, monogynous.
- ModL., compounded of gymno- and Gk.
gynecocraey, gynaecocracy, n., government by a
oqn6veo<;, 'pertaining to, or like, a serpent', fr.
woman or women.- Gk. yuvoctxoxpctTt<i, comll<pt<;, 'serpent'. See ophidian.
pounded of yuv-f), gen. yuvoctx6;, 'woman', and
Gymnorhina, n., a genus of birds, the piping crov.
-xpoc--:l<i, 'rule of', fr. xpcho<;, 'strength, power,
(ornithol.) - ModL., prop. 'having naked nosrule'. See gyneco- and -cracy.
trils', compounded of gymno- and Gk. pf~,
gynecocrat, gynaecocrat, n., an adherent of gynegen. piv6~, 'nose'. See rhino- and cp. next word.
cocracy. - See prec. word and -crat.
gymnorhinal, adj., having naked nostrils (said of
Derivatives: gynecocrat-ic,gynecocrat-ic-al, adjs.
crows). - See prec. word and rhinal.
gynecology, gynaecology, n., the study of diseases
gymnosophist, n., member of a sect of philopeculiar to women. - Compounded of gynecosophers in ancient India, who walked naked. and Gk. -)..oyl<i, fr. -Myo<;, 'one who speaks (in a
L. gymnosophistae (pl.), fr. Gk. Y'J!J.VOcro<ptcr-ra;l
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
(pl.), which is compounded of yu!J.v6<;, 'naked',
topic)'. See -logy.
and the pl. of cro<ptcr.-1;<;, 'philosopher'. See
Derivatives: gynecolog-ic, gynecolog-ical, adjs.,
gymno- and sophist.
gynecolog-ist, n.
gymnosophy, n., the doctrine of the gymnogyniatrics, n., the treatment of diseases peculiar to
sophists. - See prec. word and -sophy.

691

women. -Compounded of Gk. yuv-f), 'woman',

and t<iTptx6<;, 'pertaining to healing'. See gynecoand -iatric.
gyno-, combining form, equivalent to gyneco-. Fr. Gk. yuv~, 'woman'. See gyneco-.
gynobase, n., the flat enlargement of the receptacle of a flower bearing the gynoecium (bot.)Compounded of gyno- and base, n.
gynocracy, n., gynecocracy. -Compounded of
gyno- and -cracy. Cp. gynecocraey.
gynoecium, gynecium, n., the pistils of a flower
collectively (bot.) - ModL., usually explained
as compounded of Gk. yuv-f), 'woman', and
o!xo.;, 'house' (see gyno- and economy), but in
reality a corruption of gynaeceum (taken in its
second meaning). This corruption was suggested
by the ending -oecium in androecium.
-gynous, combining form meaning I) 'female', as
in polygynous; 2) 'having female organs or pistils', as in androgynous (bot.)- Gk. -yuvo<;, fr.
yuvlj, 'woman'. See gyneco- and -ous.
gyp, n., a male college servant (at Cambridge
or Durham). - Of uncertain origin; possibly
short for gypsy.
Gypaetus, n., a genus of birds, the lammergeier
(ornithol.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. yoljl,
gen. -yUrr6<;, 'vulture', and &e:T6<;, 'eagle'. See
Gyps and aeto-.
Gyps, n., a genus of birds, the griffon vulture (ornithol.)- ModL., fr. Gk. y6\jl, gen. yi3TC6<;, 'vulture', rei. to yU1t'YJ, 'cave, den, hole', fr. I.-E.
*geu-p-, a -p-enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend,
curve, arch'. See cove, 'a small bay', and cp.
gyre.
gypseous, adj., I) containing gypsum; 2) resembling gypsum. - L. gypseus, 'of gypsum', fr.
gypsum. See gypsum and -ous.
gypsiferous, adj., producing gypsum. - See
gypsum and -ferous.
Gypsophila, n., a genus of plants of the pink
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
yuljlo<;, 'chalk, gypsum', and tplAe:tv, 'to love'.
See gypsum and philo-.
gypsous, adj. - A var. of gypseous.
gypsum, n. - L., fr. Gk. y{J\jlo<;, 'chalk', of Sem.
origin. Cp. Arab. jibs, Mishnaic Heb. gebhes,
gephes, 'plaster, mortar, gypsum', which prob.
derive fr. Akkad. ga$$U (whence also Aram.
ga$$tl, whence Arab. }a.y$, ji$$, }u$,~, qa$$, qi$$),
'gypsum'. - Cp. gesso.
gypsy, gipsy, n. - Fr. earlier gypcian, aphetized
fr. still earlier Egypcian, 'Egyptian, gypsy', fr.
OF. Egyptien (F. Egyptien), fr. L. Aegyptianus,
'Egyptian'. See Egyptian and cp. gitano. Cp.
aiso gyp.
Derivatives: gypsy, intr. v., gypsy-ish, adj.
gyr-, form of gyro- before a vowel.
gyral, adj., moving in a gyre or circle.- Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. gjrus. See gyre.
Derivative: gyral-ly, adv.
gyrate, intr. v., to revolve. - L. gjratus, 'circular', pp. of gjriire, 'to tum round in a circle',

gyve

fr. gjrus. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.

Derivatives: gyrat-ion, n., gyrat-ion-al, gyratory, adjs.
gyre, n., a circular motion. - L. gyrus, fr. Gk.
"(Up~. 'circle, ring', which is rei. to '(Up6.;,
'rounded, curved', and cogn. with Arm. kor,
'crooked', kurn, 'the back', Lith. gurnas, 'hip,
ankle, bone', Norw. kaure, 'a curly lock of hair',
Swed. kura, Dan. kure, 'to squat', MLG. ktiren,
'to lie in wait', G. kauern, 'to squat, cower'. All
these words are derivatives of I.-E. *geu-r-, an
-r-enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend, curve,
arch'. See cove, 'a small bay', and cp. cower.Cp.
also gyrus, the first element in girandole, virelai,
and the second element in autogiro, circumgyrate,
helicogyre. Cp. also Gyps.
gyre, intr. v., to gyrate. - L. gjrare, 'to turn
round in a circle', fr. gyrus. See gyre, n.
gyrfalcon, n.- A var. of gerfalcon.
gyro-, combining form meaning 'circle, circular,
spiral'. - Gk. "(Upo-, fr. "(Upo<;, 'circle'. See
gyre, n.
gyrocompass, n., a compass with gyroscope. Compounded of gyro and -compass.
gyrograph, n., an instrument for recording revolutions of a wheel, etc. - Compounded of
gyro- and Gk. -ypoc<po<;, fr. ypoctp~tv, 'to write'.
See -graph.
gyromancy, n., divination by walking in a circle
till one falls from dizziness (the prognostic being
made from the place or direction of the fall). Compounded of gyro- and Gk. !J.Ot:Voo:~(<i, 'oracle,
divination'. See -mancy.
gyron, also giron, n., an ordinary of triangular
form (her.) - F. giron, orig. 'piece of cloth of
triangular shape', fr. Frankish *gairo-, of s.m.,
which is rei. to OHG. ger, OE. gar, 'spear'.
See gore, 'a triangular piece of land'.
gyronny, adj., divided into gyrons (her.) - F.
gironne, fr. giron. See prec. word and -y (representing F. -e).
gyroplane, n., a flying machine furnished with
rotating horizontal planes. - Compounded of
gyro- and plane, 'airplane'.
gyroscope, n., a heavy rotating wheel, having its
axis free to turn in any direction.- Compounded of gyro- and Gk. -crx6mov, fr. axo,-;s\v, 'to
look at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivative: gyroscop-ic, adj.
gyrostat, n., a modified form of a gyroscope. Compounded of gyro- and G k. O"Toc--:6<;, 'placed;
standing'. See static and cp. aerostat, and words
'
there referred to.
Derivatives: gyrostat-ic, adj., gyrostatics (q.v.)
gyrostatics, n., that branch of dynamics which
deals with rotating bodies. - Compounded of
gyro- and statics.
gyrus, n., a convolution between grooves (anal.)
- L. gjrus, 'circle'. See gyre, n.
gyve, n. (usually pl.: gyves), shackle. - ME.
gives, gyves (pl.), of uncertain origin.

693

H
ready', fr. Gaulish-VL. *bflia, 'stump, trunk'
ha, interj. - This imitative word occurs in most
[whence also F. bille, 'billet (of timber')]; inlanguages.
fluenced both in form and meaning by the word
Habakkuk, n., 1) the eighth in the order of the
habit (see next word). See billet, 'stick, log', and
Twelve Prophets; 2) the Book of Habakkuk
cp. dishabille. For the ending see suff. -ment.
(Bible). - Heb. lfiibhaqqtlq, prob. from the
Derivatives: habiliment-a!, habiliment-ary, habase of hiibhdq, 'he embraced'. Cp. Akkad. !Jambiliment-ed, adjs.
baqiiqu, name of a garden plant, Arab. /:labaq{q,
habilitate, tr. v., to clothe; to equip. - ML.
name of a plant in Yemen ('the basil').
habilitiitus, pp. of habilitiire, 'to make fit', fr.
habanera, n., a Cuban dance imported from
habilitiis, 'suitability, fitness', fr. habilis, 'suitAfrica. - Sp. (danza) habanera, 'Havanan
able, fit, proper'. See habile and verbal suff. -ate
dance', fern. of habanera, 'Havanan', formed fr.
and cp. rehabilitate.
Habana, 'Havana', with suff. -era fr. L. -iirius;
Habiru, also Habiri, n., a name used to denote
see adj. suff. -ary.
various groups of invaders of Palestine, menhabdalah, n., ceremony terminating formally sabtioned in the Tell ei-Amarna letters from the
baths and festivals. - Mishnaic Heb. habh19th and 18th centuries B.C. E.- Akkad. !fadiildh, 'separation, distinction, division', verbal
biru, which is prob. a blend of the plur. partie.
noun of hiblulfl, 'he divided, separated, set apart,
of base h-b-r, 'to pass, wander' (corresponding
distinguished', rei. to Mishnaic Heb. biidhdl,
to Heb. 7abhdr, Arab. 'dbara, etc.), and of Heb.
'he separated, divided', Aram. b~dhal, 'he was
'ibhrt, 'Hebrew', which itself derives from the
separated, he abstained', Arab. bddala, 'he
stem of Heb. 'iibhdr; see Hebrew. Since there is
changed, substituted', Heb. btdhll, 'tin; dross',
no 'ayin in the Akkadian, this letter is usually
lit. 'that which is separated' (sci!. from the
rendered in Akkad. PN .s of Hebrew origin by
metal).
precious
!J. Cp. Akkad. !fumri c~ Heb. 'Omrt, Akkad.
tabeas corpus, n., a writ commanding the pro!Japaru = Heb. 'iiphiir, "dust', Akkad. !Jullu =
uuction of the detained person before the judge
Heb. '61, 'yoke', Akkao. zuru!J = Heb. z<nja',
(law). - L. 'have thou the body'. L. habeas is
'arm'.
the second person sing. of the pres. subj. of
habit, n., practix, custom; dress.- ME. habit,
habere, 'to have'; see habit. For the etymology
abit, fr. OF. habit, abit (F. habit), fr. L. habitus,
of L. corpus, 'body', see corpus.
'condition, state, habit, dress', fr. habere, 'to
Habenaria, n., a genus of plants, the rein orchis
have, hold, possess', se habere, 'to h: constitut(bot.) -- ModL., fr. L. habena, 'thong, rein',
ed, be in a condition', fr. I.-E. base *ghab(h)-,
which stands for habe-na, fr. habere, 'to hold,
'to seize, take, hold, have', whence also
to have'; habena prop. means 'that by which
Oir. gaibim, 'I take, hold; I have', gabiil, 'the
something is held'; see habit. The genus is so
act of taking', W. gafael, 'the act of holding
called in allusion to the shape of the spur.
fast', Lith. gabana, 'armful', gabenti, 'to remove',
habendum, n., part of a deed that defines the
gobti (with vowel gradation), 'to wrap up', Goth.
estate which the grantee is to have (law). - L.,
gabei, 'riches,' gabeigs, 'rich', Goth. giban, OE.
'to be had', neut. gerundive of habere, 'to have'
gifan,giefan, 'to give'. Goth. haban, OE. habban,
(see habit); so called because it begins in Latin
'to have', are not cogn. with L. habere. L. habitus
with the word habendum. For other Latin gerunis prop. a loan translation of Gk. i:~~~. 'condives used in English cp. agenda and words
dition, habit', fr. ~XEIV, 'to have'. Cp. give. Cp.
there referred to.
also able, adhibit, binnacle, cohabit, debt, due,
haberdasher, n., a seller of small wares. - ME.
duty, exhibit, Habenaria, habendum, habile, hahaberdassher, formed with agential suff. -er fr.
bilitate, habitat, habitual, havior, inhabit, inhibit,
AF. hapertas, name of a material, which is of
malady, prebend, prohibit.
unknown origin.
habit, tr. v., to dwell, inhabit. - ME. habiten,
Derivative: haberdasher-y, n.
'to inhabit', fr. F. habiter, fr. L. habitiire, 'to inhabergeon, n., a short coat of mail.- ME. hauhabit, dwell, reside', prop. 'to have frequently',
hagnun, fr. OF. haubergeon. dimin. of hauberc.
freq. of habere (pp. habitus), 'to have'. See habit,
See hauberk and -on.
n., and cp. inhabit. Cp. also binnacle.
habile, adj., able; ready. - F. habi/e, fr. L. hahabitable, adj. -ME., fr. F. habitable, fr. L. habilis, 'that which may be easily handled, suitbitiibi/is, 'habitable', fr. habitiire. See habit, v.,
able, fit, proper'. See able, which is a doublet
and -able.
of habi/e, and cp. next word.
Derivative;,: habiwbility, n., habitable-ness, n.,
habiliment, n., an article of clothmg; in the pl.,
habitabl-y, adv.
dress. - F. habillement, 'clothing', fr. habiller,
habitant, n., inhabitant. - F., pres. part. of ha'to dress', fr. OF. abiller, 'to fit out, make

biter, 'to inhabit, dwell'. See habit, v., and suff.

-ant and cp. inhabitant.
habitat, n., natural location of an animal or
plant.- L., 'it dwells', Jrd person sing. pres. of
habitiire, 'to dwell'. See habit, v.
habitation, n., I) the act of inhabiting; 2) a dwelling place.- ME. habitacioun, fr. F. habitation,
fr. L. habitiiti6nem, ace. of habitiiti6, 'a dwelling,
inhabiting, habitation,' fr. habitiitus, pp. of habitiire. See habit, v., and -ation.
Derivatives: habitation-a!, adj.
habitual, adj. - ML. habituiilis (whence also F.
habitue!), fr. L. habitus. See habit and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: habitual-ly, adv., habitual-ness, n.
habituate, tr. v., to accustom. - Late L. habituiitus, pp. of habituiire, 'to bring into a habit
or condition' (whence also F. habituer), fr. habitus. See habit, n., and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
habitue.
Derivative: habituat-ion, n.
habitude, n., custom, habit. - F., fr. L. habitudinem, ace. of habitiido, 'condition, habit', fr.
habitus. See habit, n., and -ude.
habitue, n., one who habitually visits a place. F., pp. of habituer, 'to habituate'. See habituate.
habro-, combining form meaning 'graceful'. Gk. oc~po-, fr. oc~p6~. 'graceful, delicate, pretty';
rei. to &~pii, 'a favorite slave', which is borrowed fr. Aram. /:labhrd, 'companion; female
companion', from the stem of /:labber, 'he joined',
which is rel. to Heb. /:liibhdr, 'he joined, was
joined; he charmed', l;iibhlr, 'companion',
/:llibher, l)ebhrd, 'company', Ethiop. l)abdra, 'he
bound', Akkad. ebru, 'companion', ubburu, 'to
bind, ban'. See H. Lewy, Die semitischen Frcmdworter im Griechischen, p. 68, and Muss Arnolt, Semitic Words in Greek and Latin, in
Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. XXIII, p.65.
hachure, n., a short line used in shading.- F., fr.
hacher, 'to cut'. See hatch, 'to engrave', and -ure.
Derivative: hachure, tr. v.
hacienda, n., a large estate, ranch. - Sp., 'landed
estate', fr. earlier facienda, fr. L. facienda,
'things to be done', neut. pl. gerundive offacere,
'to do'. See fact. For other words traceable to
Latin gerundives cp. agenda and words there
referred to.
hack, tr. and intr. v., to chop, cut.- ME. hack en,
fr. OE. -haccian (only in compounds), rei. to
OFris. harkia, Du. hakken, OHG. hacch6n,
MHG., G. hacken, 'to chop, cut', ami prob. also
to OE. haca, 'bolt'. See hook and cp. hack, 'cutting tool', and the second element in nuthatch.
Derivative: hack, n., the act of hacking.
hack, n., a cutting tool.- Fr. hack, 'to cut'. Cp.
Dan. hakke, 'mattock', G. Hacke, 'pickax, hatchet, mattock, hoe'.
hack, n., board on which a hawk's meat is placed.
- OE. hll!c, 'grating; gate'. See hatch, 'door'.
Derivative: hack, tr. v., to put on a hack.

hadro-

hack, n., a horse Jet out on hire. - Fr. hackney.

Derivative: hack, tr. v., to let out on hire; intr.
v., to ride on a hack.
hackamore, n., a halter, esp. for breaking horses.
- Folk-etymological alteration of Sp. jdquima,
'headstall of a halter', fr. Arab. shakffnah, 'bit
of a bridle; curb, restraint'.
hackberry, n. - A var. of hagberry.
hackbut, n., a kind of harquebus. -OF. ( = F.)
haquebute, fr. MDu., hakebusse. See harquebus.
hackery, n., an Indian bullock cart (India). Corruption of Hind. chakra, 'cart', fr. OI.
cakrd/:1, 'wheel'. 'ee cycle and words there referred
to and cp. esp. chukker.
hackle, n., I) a comb for dressing flax; 2) one of
the long feathers on the neck of a cock. - ME.
hekele, 'an instrument for cleansing and carding
flax or hemp'. See hatchet, n., and cp. heckle.
Derivatives: hackle, v., hackl-er, n.
hackney, n., a horse or carriage let out on hire.
- ME. hakene, hakenei, fr. Hackney, a town
in Middlesex, renowned for its horses. Cp. hack,
'a horse let out on hire'. F. haquenee, 'an ambling nag', is an English loan word.
Derivative: hackney, tr. v.
had, past tense and pp. of have. - ME. hadde,
had, fr. habben, 'to have'. See have.
haddock, n., a small fish related to the cod. ME. haddok, hadok, of unknown origin. Gael.
adag and OF. hadot, F. haddock, are English
loan words.
hade, n., the inclination of a vein from the vertical
(geol.) - Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: hade, intr. v., to incline from the
vertical.
Hades, n., the lower world. - Gk. "A11l'1]~. also
'Atil'l)~. 'the god of the lower world, Pluto', a
name of uncertain origin. It meant perh. orig.
'invisible', fr. *ocfLIIe:i:v, 'to make invisible', fr.
&- (see priv. pref. a-) and tlle:Lv, 'to see', which
is cogn. with L. videre, 'to see'; cp. Gk. &tll1)1.o~,
'making unseen', which is of the same origin.
See vision and cp. words there referred to.
Hadith, n., the whole of Mohammedan traditions
(Islam). -Arab. /:ladfth, 'tradition', rei. to the
adjective /:ladfth, 'new, young', /:lddatha, 'it happened, occurred', /:lddutha, 'was new, was young',
/:fdddatha, 'he told, related', and to He b. /:liiddsh,
'new'. See Rosh Hodesb.
hadj, n., pilgrimage to Mecca. - Arab. /:fajj, 'pilgrimage', fr. /:fdjja, 'he went on a pilgrimage',
which is rei. to Heb. J;iighdgh, 'he made a pilgrimage, celebrated a feast', /:lagh, 'a festival
gathering, a feast'. See Haggai and cp. next
word.
hadji, hajji, n., a Moslem who has made his pilgrimage to Mecca.- Arab. /:liijjl, fr. /:liijj, part.
of /:fdjja, 'he went on a pilgrimage'. See prec.
word.
hadro-, combining form meaning 'thick.- Gk.
oc8po-, fr. &:8p6<; (for sadros), 'thick, stout; fullgrown, ripe', which stands for &:8-po-<; and is

Hadromerina

694

G. Heft, 'handle', lit. 'that which holds', fr.

rei. to &.ihv6~ (for *sadinos); 'crowded', lit.
Teut. base *haf-, whence also E. have, heave,
sato
fill,
one's
'to
'thick', <io'l)v (for *saden),
heavy (qq.v.) Cp. heft, n.
tiety', and cogn. with L. saris, 'enough', OE.
Derivative: haft, tr. v., to supply with a haft.
sil!d, 'sated, satisfied'. See sad and cp. the first
haftarah, n. - See haphtarah.
element in Adephaga.
hag, n., a witch; a repulsive old woman.- ME.
Hadromerina, n., a group of sponges (zoo/.) hagge, hegge, fr. OE. hii!gtesse, 'witch', rel. to
ModL, compounded of hadro-, Gk. [Lpo~.
MDu. haghetisse, Du. heks, OHG. hagzusa,
'part' (see 1st mero-), and suff. -ina.
hagazussa, hagzissa, MHO. hecse, hiixe, G.
hadrosaur, n., any reptile of the genus HadroHexe, 'witch'. The first element of OE. hii!gsaurus. - See next word.
tesse, etc., is rel. to OE. haga, hii!g, OHG. hag,
Hadrosaurus, n., a genus of extinct dinosaurian
'hedge'; the second element is rei. to Norw.
reptiles (paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of
tysja, 'fairy; crippled woman', Gaul. dusius,
hadro- and Gk. aocupo~, 'lizard'. See sauro-.
'demon', Co. dus, diz, 'devil', Lith. dvasia,
haecceity, n., thisness; individuality (scholastic
'spirit', OE. dust, 'dust', fr. I.-E. base *dhewls-,
phifos.) - ML. haecceitiis, fr. L. haecce (res),
*dhus-, 'to fly about like dust, to smoke, be
'this (thing)', with better spelling haece, fern.
scattered, vanish'. Accordingly, OE. hil!g-tesse,
of hice (hicce), intensive form of hie (fern. haec,
etc. orig. meant 'woman of the hedge'. For the
neut. hoc), 'this'. See hodiernal and cp. encore,
first element of these words see hedge and cp.
langue d'oc. For the ending see suff. -ity.
hagberry, hagfish, haggard, for the second see
haem-. - See hem-.
thio- and cp. words there referred to.
Haemanthus, n., a genus of plants of the amaDerivatives: hagg-ish, adj., hagg-ish-ly, adv.,
ryllis family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
hagg-ish-ness, n.
Gk. ocLfLOC, 'blood', and &v&o<;, 'flower'. See
hag, n., a notch.- ON. hOgg, 'a cutting, hewing',
hemal and -anthus.
from the stem of hoggva, 'to cut, hew'. See hag,
haemat-, haemato-, haemo-. - See hemat-, he'to hew'.
mato-, hemo-.
hag, tr. v., to hew, cut.- ME. haggen, of Scand.
haematinon, n., a hard red glass. - L. haemaorigin. Cp. ON. hiiggva, 'to cut, hew', which
tinus, 'blood-colored, blood-red', fr. Gk. oc![Lriis rei. to OE. heawan, 'to cut, strike, hew'. See
-.l.vo;, fr. IXL[LIX, gen. ocrfLIXTO<;, 'blood'. See hemal
hew and cp. haggis, haggle.
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
Haganah, n., defense force of Jewish settlers in
Haemodoraceae, n. pl., the bloodwort family
Palestine during the British mandate. After the
(bot.) - ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr.
proclamation of independence it was incorhaemo-, and Gk. 1>wpov, 'gift', fr. I.-E. base
porated into the Army of Israel. - Heb. ha*do-, 'to give', whence also L. donum, 'gift'. See
ghanndn, lit. 'defence', verbal noun of heghen, 'he
donation.
covered, defended', Hiph'il ( = causative) of
haemodoraceous, adj. - See prec. word and
of s.m., whence miighin, 'shield' (lit. 'that
giindn,
-aceous.
which covers'), gan, ganrzdn, 'garden' (lit. 'enhalf, n., a lagoon separated from the open sea
closure'; for sense development cp. L. hortus,
by a sandy bar, as esp. along the Baltic coast
E. garden); rei. to Akkad. ganiinu, 'to cover',
of Eastern Germany. - G., fr. LG. haf, fr.
ganunu, 'chamber' (whence Ararn. gtnand,
MLG. haf, 'sea', which is rei. to ON., Swed.
'bridal chamber'), Arab. jdnna, 'he covered',
haf, Dan. hav, OFris. hef, OE. :,;ef, wnich all
Aram. m'ghinnii, Arab. mijdnn, 'shield', Aram.
mean 'sea'. The primitive sense of these words
ginnii, ginn 1 thd, Syr. gann'thd (whence Arab.
was 'the rising one'. They are rei. to heave and
Ethiop. ganat), 'garden'.
jdnnan,
to have, haven (qq.v.)
Hagar, n., Sarah's Egyptian handmaid (Bible). hafiz, n., a Mohammedan who knows the Koran
Heb. Hiighdr, prob. rei. to Arab. hdjara, 'he
by heart. - Pers., fr. Arab. hdfi:;, 'watch, guard;
fled, emigrated', hijra\ 'flight, emigration'. See
one who knows the Koran by heart', prop. part.
hegira.
of hdfi;a, 'he watched, kept, protected, learned
hagberry, also hackberry, n.- Of Scand. origin.
by heart', rei. to Heb./Jiiphhz, 'he delighted in,
Cp. Dan. hii!ggebil!r, ON. heggr, Swed. hiigg,
desired', /Jtphetz, 'delight, pleasure, desire;
'the bird cherry tree'. Dan hii!ggebil!r, lit.
business matter', in Mishnaic Hebrew 'thing,
means 'hedge berry'. See hedge and berry and
object' (lit. 'that in which one takes delight'),
cp. hag, 'witch'.
Aram. hephtzd, 'thing, object'. Cp. Hephzibah.
hagfish, n., a marine cyclostome (Myxine glutihafnium, n., name of a rare element (chem.) nosa).- Compounded of hag, 'witch', and fish.
ModL., coined by the Dutch chemist Dirk
haggadah, haggada, n., 1) rabbinical teaching of
) and the Hungarian chemist
Coster ( 1889an edifying character; popular lecture; the oppo) in 1923 fr. HafGeorge de Hevesy (1885site of halakah; 2) the narrative of the Exodus
nia. the Latin name of Copenhagen. For the endread at the Seder on the first two nights of Passing see suff. -ium.
over; 3) the book containing this narrative and
haft, n., handle.- ME., fr. OE. hii!ft, rei. to ON.
the ritual of the Seder.- Talm. Heb. haggiidJulh,
hepti, Du. heft, hecht, OHG. hefti, MHO. hefte,

695

'narration, exposition', verbal n. of He b. higgidh,

'he narrated, related, declared, expounded', from
higgtdh hakkiitilbh, maggtdh hakkiitilbh ('the
verse expounded', resp. 'the verse expounds'),
the usual term introducing haggadic interpretations. Higgtdh is a Hiph'il ( = causative) form
of the Semitic base n-g-d, 'to rise', whence 'to be
conspicuous'. From this base are derived Heb.
neghedh, 'in front of, before, in sight of', niighfdh,
'leader' (lit. 'he who is in front'), Aram.-Syr.
n'ghadh, 'he led; he dragged', Aram. niighodhd,
Syr. niighUdhd 'leader, ruler', Arab. ndjada, 'he
conquered; was conspicuous', najd, 'high land',
ndjuda, ndjida, 'was courageous', najid, 'nobleminded'. For the sense development of these
words cp. He b. nasi, 'prince, chief', lit. 'one
lifted up', fr. niisd, 'he lifted'.
Derivatives: haggad-ic, haggad-ic-al, adjs., hag
gad-ist, n., haggad-ist-ic, adj.
Haggai, n., 1) a prophet who lived about 500
B.C.E., the tenth in the order of the Twelve
Prophets; 2) the Book of Haggai (Bible). Heb.lfaggdy (whence Gk. 'Ayyoc"io~. L. Aggaeus), lit. 'festal, born on a feast day', fr. Heb.
/Jagh, 'a festival gathering, a feast', from the stem
of /Jiighdgh, 'he made a pilgrimage, celebrated a
feast', which is rei. to Syr. /Jaggf, 'he made a
pilgrimage, celebrated a feast', Aram.-Syr.
}Jaggti, 'a feast', Arab. /Jdjja, 'he went on a pilgrimage'. Cp. hadj, hadji.
haggard, n., an untamed hawk; adj., hard to tame
(said of a hawk).- MF. ( = F.) hagard, 'a haggard', which is of Teut. origin and orig. meant
'(a bird) of the hedge', i.e. 'a wild, untameable
(bird)'. Cp. ME. hagger, 'wild; an untamed
hawk, haggard', and see hedge and -ani. Cp.
also hag, 'witch'.
haggard, adj., harassed. - From prec. word.
The orig. meaning was 'wild-looking'.
Derivatives: haggard-ly, adv., haggard-ness, n.
haggis, n., a Scottish dish made of the lungs,
heart, liver, etc., of a sheep or calf. - ME.
hagese, hageys, hagas, 'a kind of pudding', pro b.
fr. haggen, 'to hew'. See hag, 'to hew'.
haggle, tr. v, to mangle; intr. v., to bargain in a
mean way. - Freq. of hag, 'to cut' (q.v.) For
the ending see freq. suff. -le. Cp. higgle.
Derivatives: haggle, n., haggl-er, n.
hagi-, form of hagio- before a vowel.
hagiarchy, n., government by men in holy orders.
-Compounded of hagi- and Gk. -ocp;:li, 'rule',
fr. ci.px6~. 'leader, chief, ruler'. See -archy.
hagio-, before a vowel hagi-, combining form
meaning 'holy, sacred'. - Gk. &.yw-, &.y~-. fr.
<iyt6<;, 'holy, sacred', ""hich is rei. to &~ea%oct
(for *&nea~t), 'to stand in awe of, to revere',
&yoc:;, 'sacrifice, expiation', &.yl~E~v, 'to hallow',
<iyvo<;, 'holy, chaste', and prob. cogn. with 01.
ydjati, 'reveres (a god) with sacrifices, worships',
yajas-, 'worship', yajiiii{l, 'worship, sacrifice',
OPers. a-yadana 'temple'. Cp. the second element in Trisagion. Cp. also Yajna.

hail
hagiocracy, n., government by persons considered
holy. - Compounded of hagio- and Gk.
-xpocT[i, 'rule of', fr. xpriTo<;, 'strength, power,
rule'. See -cracy.
Hagiographa, n. pl., the third and last division
of the Hebrew Bible. - L., fr. Gk. &.'yt6ypocq~oc
(~~~Aloe), lit. 'sacredly written (books)'; see
hagio- and -graph. Since all the 3 parts of the
Hebrew Bible are sacred books ( = kithbhe
haqqtidesh in Hebrew), the word Hagiographa
denoting the third division of the Bible can only
be meant as an abbreviation of TOe &'Mrx. [3t~A[oc
&.yt6ypoc<poc, i.e. 'the other sacred books'. Cp. the
rendering of Hebrew k'thubhtm (name of the 3rd
division of the Bible, lit. 'writings') by the
grandson of Sirach with the words -roc &'Moe
rrchp~oc ~~~Aloe ('the other books of the fathers')
and TOe Aomdc Twv ~~~).(wv ('the remaining books').
Derivatives: hagiographer (q.v.), hagio-graphic, hagio-graph-ic-al, adjs.
hagiographer, n., r) a writer of any of the Hagiographa; 2) a writer of lives of the saints. Formed with agential suff. -er fr. ML. hagiographus, 'a writer of holy things'. See prec.
word.
hagiography, n., the saints' lives.- Compounded
of hagio- and Gk. -ypocq~[iX, fr. ypd:q~Ew, 'to
write'. See -graphy.
hagiolater, n., a worshipper of saints. - Compounded of hagio- and -later.
hagiolatry, n., the worship of saints. - Cornpounded of hagio- and Gk. A'XTpEli, 'service,
worship'. See -latry.
hagiology, n., the study of the lives of the saints.
- Compounded of hagio- and Gk. -).oy[iX, fr.
-Myo~. 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hagiolog-ic, hagiolog-ic-a/, adjs.,
hagiolog-ist, n.
hagioscope, n., an opening in a church to enable
the worshippers in the side aisle to see the altar.
Compounded of hagio- and Gk. -crx6mov, fr.
axorrE"iv, 'to look at, examine'. See -scope.
hagride, tr. v., to ride a~ a hag does, to oppress.Compounded of hag, 'witch', and ride; esp.
used in the pp. hagridden.
ha ha, interj. imitative of laughter or surprise.
ha-ha, n., a sunk fence, usually visible only when
one is close to it. - F., prob. from the interjection luJ ha, expressing the surprise of him
who faces suddenly such a fence.
haiduk, heiduck, n., a brigand or bandit among
the Balkan Slavs; a Hungarian lackey. - G.
Heiduck, fr. Hung. hajduk, pl. of hajdu, but
mistaken for a singular. Hung. hajdu is prob.
a Joan word fr. Turk. haidud, 'brigand'.
haik, haick, n., a piece of cloth worn by Arabs.Arab. IJayk, fr. btlka, 'he wove'.
hail, n., small pellets or masses of ice. - ME.
hagel, hawel, hail, fr. OE. hagol, h<gl, 'hail', rei.
to OS., OHG. hagal, ON., Dan. hag/, Du.,
MHO., G. hagel, 'hail'. These words prob.

hail

derive fr. I.-E. base kaghlo-, 'pebble', whence

also Gk. XcXXA1J~, 'round pebble'.
Derivative: hai/-y, adj.
hail, intr. v., to shower down (said of hail); tr. v.,
to pour down like hail. - ME. hagelen, hawelen,
hailen, fr. OE. hagalian, fr. hagol, 'hail'. See
prec. word.
hail, interj.- Short for original "be thou hail!",
fr. obsol. adj. hail, 'sound, healthy', fr. ME.
hail, heil, of s.m., fr. ON. heill, 'whole, healthy'.
See whole and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also hale, 'healthy', and the second element
in wassail.
Derivatives: hail, to greet (q.v.), hail, n., greeting.
hail, tr. and intr. v., to greet. -ME. hailen, 'to
greet', lit. 'to say "hail", fr. hail, heil, interj. See
hail, interj.
hailstone, n. - ME., fr. OE. hagolstiin, rei. to
ON. haglsteinn, Du. hagelsteen, MHG., G.
Huge/stein. See hail, 'pellets of ice', and stone.
hair, n.- ME. her, heer, hare, fr. OE. hiir, rei.
to OS., ON., OHG., MHG. hiir, Dan. hor,
Swed. hdr, OFris. her, Du., G. haar, 'hair'.
These words are cogn. with Lith. serys, 'bristle',
and with the second element in OI. kapucchala-,
'hair on the hind part of the head'. E. hair was
influenced in form by a confusion with ME.
haire, 'haircloth', fr. OF. ( =F.)haire, fr. Frankish
harja, which is rei. to OE. hiire, OHG. hiirra,
'haircloth', and further to OE. hiir, 'hair'.
Derivatives: hair-ed, hair-less, hair-like, hair-y,
adjs., hair-i-ness, n.
hake, n., any of several marine fishes of the genus
Merluccius. - ME. hake, related to OE. haca,
'hook', hacod, ha>ced, 'pike (fish)', OS. hact,
MLG. heket, OHG. hachit, hechit, MHG. hechit,
hecht, G. Hecht, of s.m., and to OE. hok, 'hook'.
See hook.
hakeem, hakim, n., in Mohammedan countries,
a physician.- Arab. bakfm, lit. 'wise', from the
stem of l)tikuma, 'he was wise', whence also
l)tikam, 'judge', l)ikma", 'wisdom, science', i)tikkama, 'he was a physician', l)ukm, 'judgment,
sentence', rei. to Heb. l)iikhtim, 'he was wise',
l)iikhdm, 'skillful, learned, wise', l)okhmd",
'wisdom', Aram.-Syr. /:uikham, 'he was wise'.
See hokhmah and cp. next word.
hakenkreuz, n., swastika; used as the emblem of
Nazism.- G. Hakenkreuz, lit. 'hook-cross'. See
hook and cross, n.
hakim, n., in Mohammedan countries, a judge,
ruler. - Arab. i)dkim, prop. part. of l)tikuma,
'he was wise'. See hakeem.
halakah, also halachah, n., oral law; rule prescribed by oral law (Jewish religion). - Mishnaic Hebrew hii/iikhdh, 'rule, practice, tradition',
lit. 'something to go by', fr. Heb. hiiltikh, 'he
went', which is rei. to Aram. hiiltikh, hakh, hallikh, 'he went', Akkad. aliiku, 'to go', Arab.
hti/aka (used euphemistically), 'he perished',
Heb. hl/ekh, 'traveler', lullikhiP', 'a going', mo-

696
hiildkh, 'a going', tahiiliikhd", 'procession'.
halalcor, halalcore, n., a person of the lowest
class, a scavenger (India). - Hind., fr. Arab.Pers. l)aliil-khor, 'one to whom all food is lawful', a hybrid coined fr. Arab. l)aldl, 'that which
is allowed or lawful', and Pers. khor, 'eating'.
Arab. !)aid/ derives fr. l)tilla, 'he unknotted, untied, undid', which is rei. to Heb. l)i/Ul, 'he
profaned', hiM/, 'he began', Aram.-Syr. l)allil,
abel, 'he profaned', Heb. 1)61, 'profaneness,
commonness', l)iilfliih, 'far be it'.
halation, n., a term of photography.- Lit. 'a
halolike appearance', irregularly formed fr. halo
with suff. -ation.
halberd, halbert, n., a kind of battle-ax. - ME.
halberd, fr. MF. ( = F.) hallebarde, fr. MHG.
helmbarte (whence G. Hellebarde), lit. 'an ax
with a long handle', fr. helm, halm, 'handle', and
barte (fr. OHG. barta), 'ax'. It. alabarda, Sp.
and Port. a/abardo, 'halberd', are also borrowed
fr. MHG. helmbarte. See helm, 'handle', and
beard.
halberdier, n., soldier armed with a halberd. MF. ( = F.) hallebardier, fr. hallebarde. See
prec. word and -ier.
halcyon, n., kingfisher.- L. a/cyon, also halcyon,
fr. Gk. ciAxuwv, incorrectly spelled &.Axuwv, 'kingfisher', which is of uncertain origin. The form
&.Axuwv (with the rough spirit) arose from a confusion with Gk. &Ac;, 'salt; sea'. L. alcido, 'kingfisher', is a loan wordfr. Gk. ocAxuwv(with change
of Gk. suff. -wv to L. suff. -ido). Cp. next word.
Cp. also Alcedinidae.
Halcyone, n., daughter of Aeolus, who, when
widowed, threw herself into the sea and became
a kingfisher. - L. Halcyone, Alcyone, fr. Gk.
'AAxu6v1J, fr. &.Axuwv. See prec. word.
hale, adj., sound, healthy. - ME. hale, hal, fr.
OE. hiil, 'whole, uninjured, healthy', rei. to ON.
heill, of s.m. See whole and cp. hail, interj.
Derivative: hale-ness, n.
hale, tr. v., to haul. - ME. halien, halen. See
haul.
Haleoia, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) - ModL., named after the German botanist Johann Hafen. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
Halesia, n., a genus of plants of the storax family
ModL., named after the English
(bot.) physiologist Stephen Hales (I677-1761). For
the ending see suff. -ia.
half, n. - ME., fr. OE. heaif. See half, adj.
half, adj. - ME. half, fr. OE. healf, 'side, half',
rei. to ON. hal[r, OS., OFris., MDu., Du. half,
Dan., Swed., halv, OHG., G. halb, MHG. ha/p,
Goth. halbs, 'half', and to the nouns OS. halba,
ON. haifa, MDu. halve, OHG. halba, MHG.
halbe, Goth halba, 'side'. The original meaning of
these words was '(something) divided'. They are
cogn. with 01. kjpttil;l, 'arranged', kalpati, 'is
arranged', kalpQyati, 'arranges, allots', L. scalpere, 'to cut, carve, scrape'. See shelf, 'slab of

697
wood', and cp. words there referred to. The
original meaning of OE. healfwas 'side'. This
meaning is still alive in behalf (q.v.) Cp. halve,
helve.
Derivative: half, adv.
half joe, name of a Portuguese gold coin. - Short
for half johannes, fr. johannes, name of a gold
coin struck in honor of King Johannes V of
Portugal. Cp. johannes.
bali-, combining form meaning 'salt' or 'the sea'.
- Gk. &.A~-, fr. &Ac;, gen. &.M.; (masc.), 'salt';
(fern.) 'sea'. See halieutic.
Haliaeetus, n., a genus of eagles (ornithol.) ModL., fr. Gk. &.A~et(e:wc;, &.A~&.e:-.oc;, 'sea eagle',
prob. 'osprey', which is compounded of &).c;,
gen. &.A6c; (fern.), 'sea' and et!e:-r6c;, &e:-.6<;, 'eagle'.
See halieutic and aeto-.
halibut, holibut, n., the largest species of flatfish.
-ME. halybutte, compounded of haly, 'holy',
and but, butte, 'flatfish' (cp. LG. hil/igbutt, hillebutt, Du. heilbot, G. Heilbutt); so called because
usually eaten on holy days. See holy and butt,
'flatfish', and cp. turbot.
Halicore, n., a genus of aquatic mammals, the
dugong (zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
&).c;, gen. &.Me; (fern.), 'sea', and x6p1J, 'maiden'.
See halieutic and Cora.
halidom, n., a holy thing (.:Jbsol. or archaic). ME., fr. OE. hiiligdom, 'holiness, relic, sanctuary', formed fr. hiilig, 'holy', with suff. -dom.
See holy and -dom.
halieutic, halieutical, adj., pertaining to fishing.
- L. halieuticus, fr. Gk. OtAte:unx6c;, 'pertaining
to fishing', fr. &.Ate:ue:tv, 'to fish', fr. &).c;, gen.
&.Me; (fern.), 'sea', which stands for *sal- (cp.
Gk. ~, L. sex, 'six'; Gk. hn&, L. septem,
'seven', etc.), whence also L. siil, gen. siilis,
'salt; sea'. See salt and cp. bali-, halo-, the first
element in Haliaeetus, Halicore, alurgite, and
the second element in aphthitalite, Enaliosauria.
halieutics, n., the art of fishing. -- See prec. word
and -ics.
haliography, n., description of the sea. -- Compounded of bali-, 'sea', and Gk. -ypet<pliX, fr.
yp&<pe:~v. 'to write'. See -graphy.
Haliotis, n., a genus of univalve shells (zoo/.) ModL., lit. 'ear of the sea', fr. Gk. &Ac;, gen.
&.M<; (fern.), 'sea', and OU<;, gen. WT6c;, 'ear'; SO
called because of the resemblance to the ear.
See halieutic and oto-.
haliplankton, n., oceanic plankton. - ModL., fr.
Gk. &.AbtAa:yx-.ov, neut. of &.AbtAocyx-.oc;, 'seawandering', which is compounded of &Ac;, gen.
&.A6c; (fern.), 'sea', and 7tAa:yx-.6c;, 'wandering',
verbal adj. of 1tA&~e:w, 'to wander'. See halieutic
and plankton.
halite, n., rock salt (mineral.) - Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. &Ac;, gen. &.A6~ (masc.),
'salt'. See halieutic.
halitosis, n., offensive breath. -A hybrid coined
fr. L. hiilitus, 'breath' (see next word), and
-osls, a suff. of Greek origin.

hallow

halitus, n., breath, exhalation. - L. hiilitus,

'breath', rei. to hiiliire, 'to breathe'. See exhale.
hall, n. - ME. halle, hal, fr. OE. heal/, hall, rei.
to OS., OHG. hal/a, MHG., G. halle, Du. hal,
ON. hall, 'hall', and to OE. hell, Goth. halja,
'hell', fr. I.-E. base kef-, 'to hide, 1conceal',
whence also OE., OS., OHG. helan, OFris. he/a,
MDu. helen, Du. (ver)helen, MHG. heln, G.
hehlen, 'to conceal', 01. sdlii, 'hut, house, hall,
stable', siilal), 'hedge, enclosure, wall', Gk. xetA~&.
'hut, nest', xocAuf31J, 'hut, cabin', xetAU7tTe:tv, 'to
cover, hide, conceal', Olr. cuile, 'cellar ,magazine',
L. cella, 'store room, granary; cell', celiire, 'to
hide, conceal', occulere, 'to cover, conceal'. See
cell and words there referred to and cp. esp.
hell, Valhalla.
hallah, n., I) a kind of cake used in offerings;
2) priest's share of the dough; 3) twisted bread
used at the Sabbath meals (Jewish religion). Heb. l)allli", 'cake',prob. meaning lit. 'perforated
(cake)', fr. l)illil, Pi'el of /:liiltil, 'he pierced, perforated', whence also /:la!Mn, 'window', l)iilt/,
'pipe', l)iiltil, 'pierced; slain'; rei. to Syr. /:liiltl,
'hollow', l)ii/6/d, 'a cave', Arab. khat/a, 'he perforated', Ethiop. ~allat, 'a (hollow) reed'.
hallel, n., psalm of praise especially applied I) to
the group of Psalms I 13- I I 8, called the Egyptian
Halle/; 2) to Psalm 136, called the Great Hallet.
- Heb. hall!/, 'praise, song of praise', prop. inf.
used as a noun fr. hill!/, 'he praised', whence the
nouns hiltiil, mahii!dl, tthilld", 'praise'; rei. to
Aram.-Syr. hal/11, 'he praised', Arab. hdlla, 'he
shouted', hdllala, ahtilla, 'he praised (in worship)', Aram. hilliild, 'marriage song', Akkad.
aliilu, 'to shout for joy'. All these words are of
imitative origin, with the primary sense 'to trill'.
Cp. next word. Cp. also Hillel, Tehillim.
hallelujah, halleluia, interj. and n.- Heb. halltfuydh, 'praise ye the Lord', compounded ot
halttfti, pl. imper. of hi/Ill, 'he praised', and the
shortened form of the Tetragrammaton. See
prec. word and Elijah and cp. alleluia.
halliard, n. -- See halyard.
hallmoot, n., the court of the lord of a manor
(English hist.) - ME. halimot, lit. 'hall meeting', fr. hal, 'hall', and -imot, fr. OE. gem6t,
'meeting'. See hall and moot, 'meeting', and cp.
gemot, witenagemot.
hallo, halloa, interj., n. and intr. and tr. v. Variants of hollo.
halloo, tr. and intr. v., to incite dogs by shouting
'halloo'.- ME. halowen, fr. OF. halloer, which
is of imitative origin.
Derivatives: halloo, interj. and n.
hallow, n., now only in All-hallows.- OE. hiilga,
'a holy person', fr. hiilig, 'holy'. See holy and
cp. Halloween.
hallow, tr. v. - ME. halowen, fr. OE. hiilgian,
'to hallow', fr. hiilig, 'holy'. Cp. OS. helag6n
(fr. hilag), OHG. heilagon (fr. heiklg), and see
holy.
baUow, v.- A var. of halloo.

Halloween
Halloween, n. - Shortened fr. all hallow e'en.
See hallow, n., and even, 'evening'.
Hallowmas, n., the Church festival of Allhallows. - Shortened fr. All hallow mass. See
hallow, n., and mass.
Hallstatt, adj., pertaining to the period of prehistoric civilization in Europe, during whtch
iron was introduced. - From Hallstatt, a village in Austria, where various implements belonging to this period were found.
hallucinate, tr. v., to affect with visions. - L.
halluciniitus, pp. of halluciniiri, more correctly
altlciniiri, 'to wander in mind, dream', borrowed
fr. Gk. &A-6e~v, Att. &A.-Oc:Lv, 'to wander in
mind', which is rei. to &A-1), 'ceaseless roaming',
&:A.-iia%cxL, &:A.-cdvc:Lv, 'to wander about', &A.eo<;, ~A.-e6<;, 'distraught, foolish, roaming
about', &:A.-'iJTIJ<;, 'wanderer, vagabond'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *iii-, 'to wander
about', whence also Lett. al-uot, 'to wander
about'. Cp. Alastor, aleatory, Aleochara. Cp.
also amble. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
The ending -ciniiri in aluciniiri is prob. due to
the influence of viiti-ciniirf, 'to prophesy', used
also in the meaning 'to rave'.
Derivatives: hallucination (q.v.), hallucinat-ive,
hallucinat-ory, adjs.
hallucination, n., a vision without reality. - L.
halliiciniitio, gen. -onis, 'a wandering of mind,
dreaminess', fr. halliir.iniitus, pp. of ha/luciniiri.
Sec prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: hallucination-al, adj.
hallux, the first digit on the hind leg of a mammal;
the great toe of man; the hind toe of birds (anat.)
- Medical L., a blend of L. allux and hal/us,
which both mean 'the great toe'.- These Latin
words prob. stand for original *hal(o)-doik-s,
and lit. mean 'the great digit'. The first element
of this compound is cogn. with OSlav. go/emu,
great, high', W. gallu, Co. gallos, 'power'; the
second element is rei. to L. digitus, 'finger',
whence digit (q. v.) See J. S. Schmidt, Die Pluralbildungen der indogermanischen Neutra, Weimar, 1889, p. 183.
Derivative: halluc-a/, adj.
halm, n. - See haulm.
halma, n., a game played on a board of 256
squares, with pieces moved or jumped from one
corner to the opposite. - Gk. otA[J.ct, 'a leap',
from the stem of &AA.ea&ctL, 'to leap', which is
cogn. with L. satire, 'to leap'. See salient and -rna.
halo, n., 1) a circle of light surrounding the sun
or the moon; 2) radiance surrounding a head
- F .. fr. L. halo, ace. of ha/6s, fr. Gk. CiA.w<;,
'threshing floor; disk of the sun or of the moon',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. halation,
Haloa.
Derivative: halo-ed, adj.
halo-, combining form meaning 1) 'salt; 2) sea'.
- Gk. OCAO-, fr. &A.<;, gen. ocM<; (masc.), 'salt';
(fern.) 'sea'. See halieutic.
Haloa, n., ancient Greek festival of harvest in

698
honor of Demeter. - Gk. 'AA&cx or 'AA(i)ct,
prop. 'threshing festival', fr. &Aw<;, 'threshing
floor'. See halo.
halogen, n., any of the four chemical elements
chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine. - Lit. 'saltproducer', coined by the Swedish chemist Baron
Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848) fr. Gk. &A.<;,
gen. &A6.; (masc. ), 'salt', and ye:vviiv, 'to produce'. See halo- and -gen.
Derivative: halogen-ous, adj.
haloid, adj., resembling salt. - Compounded of
halo- .and Gk. -oc:L3~<;, 'like', fr. d3o.;, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
halomancy, n., divination by means of salt. Compounded of halo- and Gk. [J.ctv-rdii, 'oracle,
divination'. See -mancy.
halometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
planes and angles of salt crystals.- Compound
ed of halo- and Gk. [!ihpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
halophilous, adj., growing in salt water (said of
plants and animals). - Lit. 'salt-loving'; compounded of halo- and Gk. -<pLAo<;, fr. <p!A.o.;,
'friend'. See -philous.
halophyte, n., a plant growing naturally in a soil
impregnated with salt. -Compounded of haloand Gk. <pu-r6v, 'plant'. See -phyte.
Haloragidaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.)
- A ModL. hybrid formed with suff. -aceae fr.
halo- and Gk. poc~, gen. pcty6.;, 'berry', which is
cogn. with L. racemus, 'cluster of grapes'. See
raceme.
haloragidaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
halse, tr. v. (obsol.), 1) to conjure; 2) to greet.
- ME. halsen, 'to adjure, conjure; to greet',
fr. OE. hii/sian, 'to adjure, observe omens,
exorcise', fr. hiil, 'whole, healthy'. Cp. OHG.
hei/is6n, 'to adjure, predict', ON. heilsa, 'to
greet', and see hail, 'to greet'.
halt, adj., lame. - ME. halt, fr. OE. healt, halt,
rei. to OS., OFris. halt, ON. haltr, OHG. halz,
Goth. hafts, 'lame', and cogn. with Russ. koldyka, 'lame', koldykat', 'to limp, go lame', fr.
I.-E. *qelii-d-, enlargement of base *qel(ii)-, 'to
break', whence Gk. x6A.o.;, 'docked, curtailed',
xoA.o~6<;, of s.m., lit. 'broken'. See holt, 'small
wood', and ep. words there referred to.
halt, intr. v., to be lame.- ME. halten, fr. OE.
healtian, haitian, fr. healt, halt, 'lame'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: halt, n., lameness, halt-ing, adj.,
halt-ing-ly, adv., halt-ing-ness, n.
halt, n., stoppage.- F. halte, fr. G. Halt, in haltmachen, where halt is prop. the imper. of halten, 'to stop, halt', a word rel. to E. hold (q.v.)
halt, intr. v., to stop; tr. v., to make (troops)
halt. - Shortened fr. make halt, the literal rendering of G. haltmachen. See prec. word.
halter, n., a rope for leading a horse.- ME. he/fter, helter, halter, fr. OE. h;eifter, ha!lftre, rel. to
MDu. halfter, halchter, Du. halster, OS. haliftra,

699

OHG. halftra, MHG., G. halfter, 'halter', and

to OE. helma, 'rudder'. See helm, 'tiller'.
halukkah, n., support of the Jewish poor of the
Holy Land with funds collected abroad. Heb. baluqq[JI, 'division, distribution', from the
stem of biiltiq, 'he divided, apportioned, assigned', whence also beleq, belqdh, 'part, portion', ma{zaMqeth, 'division, course' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew: 'difference of opinion, controversy'),
rei. to Aram. /:liikiq, 'he divided', biiltiq, 'field',
(!elqd, (lulqd, 'portion', Arab. f:!tilaqa, 'he measured'.
halutz, also chalutz, fern. halutzah, aalutzah, n.,
Jewish pioneer immigrant to Israel. - Heb.
(lalfttz, passive partie. of (!iildtz, 'he equipped
for war', rel. to Syr. /:liilitzti, 'energetic, vigorous, Akkad. !Jaf~u, 'fortification'.
halve, tr. v. - ME. halven, fr. half See half.
halyard, halliard, haulyard, n., a rope for hoisting
sails. - ME. halier, hallyer, lit. 'that which
hales or hauls'. See haul. The ending in hal-yard
is due to a confusion with the noun yard; cp.
lanyard.
ham, n., the inner or hinder part of the knee; the
thigh of an animal (anal.) - ME. hamme, fr.
OE. hamm, rel. to ON. hom, MLG., MDu.,
MHG., dial. G. hamme, Du. ham, OHG. hamma,
and cogn. with Gk. xv'i)[!'Y), 'part between knee
and ankle', Olr. cniiim, 'bone'. Cp. the first
element in hamshackle. Cp. also cnemial.
Denvative: hamm-y, adj.
ham, n., a hamlet, village, town; used as a suff.
in place names (now dial. Engl.) - OE. hiim,
'dwelling, home'. See home.
hama-, combining form meaning together with;
at the same time with. - Gk. &[!ex,' together
with'. See same.
hamadryad, n., a wood nymph in Greek mythology. - L. Hamadryas, gen. -adis, fr. Gk.
'AiJ.ct3puoct;, chiefly in pl. 'A[J.ct3puoc3e.;, 'hamadryads', i.e. 'nymphs whose life depended on
that of particular trees', lit. 'those being together with trees', fr. &[!ct, 'together with', and
i:lp;:i:~, gen. 3puoc3o<;, 'nymph whose life depended on that of her tree', fr. 3p::i<;, gen. 3p'J6t;,
'oak, tree'. See hama- and dryad.
hamal, also hammal, hummaul, n., a burden bearer
in Turkey. - Arab. /:lamm&l, 'porter', fr. /:leimala, 'he carried'.
Hamamelidaceae, n. pl., a family o: plants (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. Hamamel;s with suff.
-aceae.
hamamelidaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Hamamelis, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. <XwxiJ.'Y)Al<;, 'a kind of medlar', which is
compounded of &iJ.:t (see hama-) and iJ.'ijA.ov,
'apple, fruit'. See Malus, 'the genus of apple
trees'.
hamartiology, n., that part of theology which
deals with sin. - Compounded of Gk. OCiJ.ctp-r(i, 'sin', and -)..oy(i. The first element derives

nammer
from the stem of &:[!cxp-rocvc:Lv, 'to miss the mark,
fail of one's purpose, err, sin', which is of uncertain origin (for sense development cp. Heb.
biitd' 'he sinned', prop. 'he missed the mark');
cp. Nemertinea. The second element comes fr.
-Myo.;, 'one who speaks (in a certaintmanner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'; see -logy.
hamburger, n., I) ground beef; 2) cooked patty
of ground beef; 3) sandwich made of such a
patty. - Short for Hamburger steak; named
after Hamburg in Germany.
hame, n., either of the two curved pieces lying
round the collar of a horse. - ME. hame, fr.
OE. hama, 'cover, skin', rei. to MDu. hamme,
Du. haam, 'collar of a horse', ON. hamr, 'skin,
covering', OHG. hamo, of s.m., OHG. hemidi,
'shirt', and cogn. with 01. siimu/ytih, 'woolen
shirt'; fr. I.-E. base *kam-, *kem-, 'to cover'.
See heaven and cp. chemise.
hamesucken, n., assaulting of a person in his own
dwelling house.- ME. hamsoken, fr. OE. hiims6cn, compounded of hiim, 'home', and s6cn,
'attack', which is rei. to ON. sokn, of s.m., and
to OE. secan, 'to seek; to try to get, attack'. Cp.
OFris. hiimsekenge, 'attack on a house', G.
Heimsuchung, 'visitation', and see home and
seek.
hametz, also chametz, n., leavened food; forbidden during Passover (Jewish religion). Heb. l;liimitz, 'that which is leavened', from the
stem of the verb l;liimitz, 'was sour, was leavened', which is rei. to Aram. /:lama', of s.m. (passive part. l;lamfa', 'leavened'), Arab. /:rdmw;la,
'was sour'.
Hamite, n. - Lit. a descendant of Ham', formed
with subs!. suff. -ite from the name Ham, fr.
Heb. lfiim, son of Noah.
Derivative: Hamit-ic, adj.
Hamites, n., a genus of extinct cephalopods
(paleontol.) - ModL., fr. L. hiimus, 'hook'. See
hamulus and subst. suff. -ite.
hamlet, n., a small village. - ME. hamelet, fr.
MF. hamelet, dimin. of hamel (whence F. hameau), itself a dimin. of OF. ham, fr. Frankish
*haim, 'home', which is rei. to OHG. heim, OE.
hiim, 'home'. See home and the dimin. suffixes.
-eland -et.
hammal, n. - See hamal.
hammam, n., a Turkish bath. -Arab. l;lammdm,
'bath', fr. /:lamma, 'became hot, was warm',
which is rel. to Heb. /:lam, Aram.-Syr. /:lam,
/:liinuim, of s.m., Heb. /:lOm, 'heat', /:lam, 'hot',
f:wmmiih, 'heat; sun' (poet.), /;uJmmtin, 'sun pil
lar', Akkad. emmu, 'hot', ummu, 'heat'.
hammer, n.- ME. hamur, hamer, fr. OE. hamor,
hamer, rei. to OS., OHG. hamur, hamar, ON.
hamarr, Dan. hammer, Swed. hammare, MDu.,
Du., MHG. hamer, G. Hammer, 'hammer',
orig. 'stone hammer'; cogn. with 01. lisman-,
'stone; rock; sky', Avestic asman-, ofs.m., Gk.
OCXf!WV, '(stone) anvil', Lith. akmuo, OSlav.
kamy, 'stone'. All these words are traceable to

hammock
I.-E. base ak-, 'sharp, pointed'. See acrid and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: hammer, tr. and intr. v., hammer-ed,
adj., hammer-er, n., hammer-ing, n. and adj.
hammock, n., a swinging bed or couch, usually
made of canvas. - Sp. hamaca (whence also
F. hamac), of Caribbean origin. Cp. Yukuna
hamaca, Taino amaca, 'net for sleeping'.
hammock, n. - A var. of hummock.
hamose, hamous, adj., hooked. - Formed with
adj. suff. -ose, resp. -ous, fr. L. hiimus, 'hook'.
See hamulus.
hamotzi, n., name of the benediction over bread
(Jewish liturgy). - Heb. hammatzf, 'he who
brings forth'; so called from the first of the concluding words of the benediction. The word
hammatzf is formed from the article ha-, 'the',
and matzf, 'bringing forth', part. Hiph'il of
yiitzd, 'he went out', for whose etymology see
Asia.
hamper, tr. v., to impede. - ME. hampren, of
uncertain origin.
hamper, n., things that are important for a ship
but are in the way at certain times. - Fr. hamper, 'to impede'.
hamper, n., a large basket. -A var. of hanaper.
Derivative: hamper, tr. v., to put into a hamper.
hamshackle, tr. v., to fasten (an animal) by binding the head to a foreleg; hence, to bind, to impede. - The orig. meaning prob. was 'to tie by
the hams or legs'. See ham, 'thigh', and shackle.
hamster, n., a ratlike rodent.- G., fr. MHG., fr.
OHG. hamustro (cp. OS. hamustra), fr. OSlav.
chnmestoru; for the first element cp. Russ.
chomiak, 'hamster', for the second cp. Lith.
staras, of s.m.
hamstring, n. - Compounded of ham, 'thigh',
and string, n.
Derivative: hamstring, tr. v.
hamulus, n., a process resembling a small hook
(anal.)- L. hiimulus, 'a small hook', dimin. of
hiimus, 'hook', which is prob. cogn. with Gk.
XettJ.6~ (Hesychius), 'hooked, crooked'. Cp.
Hamites, hamose.
hamza, hamzah, n., the sign of the glottal stop(')
in Arabic grammar. - Arab. hamzah, 'compression' (viz. of the upper part of the windpipe), fr. hamaza, 'he compressed'.
hanap, n., a medieval goblet.- F. See next word.
hanaper, n., a case for holding documents (archaic). - OF. hanapier, 'a basket for holding
a goblet', fr. hanap, 'goblet', fr. Frankish *hnap
(whence also ML. hanappus, OProven~. enap,
It. nappo), which is rel. to OE. hmepp, OS.
hnapp, ON. hnappr, MLG., MDu., Du. nap,
OHG. hnapf, MHG., G. nap/, 'cup, bowl'. Cp.
prec. word and hamper, 'a large basket'. The
first a in OF. hanap is an auxiliary vowel, which
arose from the tendency of facilitating the pronunciation of the consonants hn- at the beginning of the word. Cp. harangue.
hance, n., the haunch of an arch. - Prob. fr.

700

AF. haunce, corresponding to OF. hauce (F.

hausse), 'a raising, rise', fr. haucer (F. hausser),
'to raise'. See enhance.
hancockite, n., a complex silicate containing aluminum, calcium, iron, lead and other metals
(mineral.)- Named after E. P. Hancock of Burlington, New Jersey. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
hand, n. - ME., fr. OE. hand, hond, rei. to OS.,
Swed., OFris., Du., G., hand, ON. hond, Dan.
haand, MDu., OHG., MHG. hant, Goth. handus, '.hand'. These words prob. stand in gradational relationship to OE. hentan, 'to try to
seize, attack, seize', ON. henda, 'to grasp', Goth.
-hinpan (used only in compounds), 'to seize',
and orig. meant 'the grasper'. Cp. hunt and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: hand, tr. v., hand-ed, adj., handle
(q.v.), handy (q.v.)
handcuff, n. - Compounded of hand and cuff, n.
Cp. OE. hondcops, 'a pair of handcuffs'.
handful, adj.- ME., fr. OE. handful!. See hand
and -ful.
handgrlp, n. - ME., fr. OE. handgripe, 'a grasp
of the hand'. See hand and grip.
handicap, n. - For hand in cap, orig. a kind of
lottery game, in which the forfeit money was
held in the hand in a cap.
Derivatives: handicap, tr. v., handicapp-er, n.
handicraft, n. - Altered (on analogy of handiwork) fr. handcraft, fr. OE. handcr1ft, 'skill of
the hand, handicraft'. See hand and craft.
handiwork, n. - ME. handiwerk, fr. OE. handgeweorc, compounded of hand and geweorc,
'work' (in a collective sense), fr. weorc, 'work'
(see hand and work); the i in handiwork is the
regular English equivalent of OE. ge-; see y-.
handkerchief, n. - Compounded of hand and
kerchief. Etymologically the word contains a
contradiction, since kerchief denotes a covering
for the head, fr. OF. couvrecheJ, couvrechie/, lit.
'cover-head'. Cp. neckerchief.
handle, tr. v. - ME. hand/en, fr. OE. hand/ian,
'to touch with the hands; to handle; to treat',
rei. to ON. hiindla, 'to seize, capture; to treat',
Dan. handle, 'to trade, deal; to act', Swed.
hand/a, 'to trade', OFris. handelia, hondelia, 'to
seize, handle', Du. handelen, 'to trade, deal;
to act', OHG. hantalan, 'to touch with the
hands', MHG., G. handeln, 'to bargain, trade,
deal; to act'. See hand and verbal suff. -le.
handle, n. - ME. handele, fr. OE. handle; lit.
'that which is held b:;. the hand', fr. hand. See
hand and instrumental suff. -le.
handless, adj. - ME. handles. See hand and
-less.
handling, n.- ME. handlinge, fr. OE. handlung,
formed fr. hand/ian with suff. -ung. See handle,
v., and -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
handsel, hansel, n., a gift made as a token of luck
(archaic). - ME. handsale, hansel, fr. ON.
handsa/, 'the closing of a bargain by joining

701

hands', lit. 'hand sale'. Cp. Dan. handsel, Swed.

handsol, and see hand and sale.
handsome, adj. - ME. handsom, lit. 'easy to
handle, treatable', compounded of hand and
Ist -some. Cp. MDu. handsaem (Du. handzaam),
'treatable', which is the exact etymological
equivalent of E. handsome.
Derivatives: handsome-ly, adv., handsomeness, n.
handy, adj. -The original meaning was 'done
by the hand'; formed fr. hand with suff. -y (representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: handi-ly, adv., handi-ness, n.
hang, tr. and intr. v. -Prop. a blend of three
related verbs: 1) ME. hon, fr. OE. han (for
*hohan), tr. v., to cause to hang; to execute by
hanging'; rei. to OS., OHG., Goth. hiihan, tr.
verbs, MHG. hiihen, tr. and intr. v.; 2) ME.
hangen, hongen, fr. OE. hangian, intr. and tr. v.;
rei. to OS. hangan, ON. hanga, OFris. hangia,
hongia, OHG. hangen, MHG. hangen, G. hangen, hiingen, intr. verbs, Dan. h<nge, Swed.
hiinga, Du. hangen, intr. and tr. verbs; 3) ME.
hengen, hingen, fr. ON. hengja, 'to cause to
hang', causative of hanga; rei. to OHG., MHG.
hengen, G. hiingen, tr. verbs. All these words
derive fr. Teut. *hanhan, corresponding to I.-E.
base *kenq-, *konq-, 'to waver, be in suspense',
whence Hitt. gang-, kank-, 'to hang', 01. sarikate, 'wavers', L. cunctiiri, 'to delay'. Cp. cunc
tation. Cp. also hangar, hank, hanker, hinge.
Derivatives: hang, n., hang-er, n., hang-ing, n.
and adj.
hangar, n., a shed for airplanes and airships. F., 'shed', prob. cogn. with ML. angarium, 'a
shed for shoeing horses', and ult. traceable to
OHG. hang ian, 'to hang'; see hang. Accordingly hangar orig. denoted a place where horses
were suspended for the sake cf being shod. See
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 301 s.v. hangar.
hangnail, n. - Alter-::d fr. agnail. Folk etymology
explained this word as the compound of hang
and nail.
hanif, n., a faithful Moslem. - Arab. l)anff, fr.
A ram. l)iintph, 'hypocrite, heathen, heretic',
which is rei. to Heb. l)iintph (verb), 'he was
wicked', hel)enfph, 'he polluted' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew: 'he was hypocritical, he flattered'),
biintph (adj.), 'wicked, profane, impious', !uinupptl11, 'profaneness, wickedness, impiety', Akkad. !Janpu, 'ruthlessness', !Janiipu, 'to exercise
ruthlessness toward'.
hank, n., a coil or skein of yam. - Prob. of
Scand. origin. Cp. ON. honk, 'coil, hank',
hanki, 'hasp, clasp', Swed. hanka, 'to tie up',
Dan. hank, 'handle', which are rei. to MLG.
hank, 'handle', OHG., MHG. henken, 'to hang'
(tr.), whence G. Henkel, 'handle'. OHG., MHG.
henken is a collateral form of hengen. (G. hiingen and henken are differentiated in sense; the
former means 'to cause to hang, to hang', the
latter, 'to execute by hanging'). See hang.

hap
hank, tr. v., to form into hanks.- ME. hanken,
fr. ON. hanka, 'to coil', fr. honk, 'coil'. See
hank, n.
hanker, intr. v., to long for or after. - Flem.
hankeren, 'to long for', rei. to Du. honkeren,
hunkeren, intensive and freq. of hangen, 'to
hang'. See hang.
Derivatives: hanker, n., hanker-er, n., hankering, verbal n., hanker-ing-ly, adv.
hanky-panky, n., jugglery, hocus-pocus. Coined on analogy of hokey-pokey (q.v.)
Hannah, 1) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the mother
of the prophet Samuel. - Heb. lfannli", lit.
'graciousness', from the stem of l)iinan, 'he was
gracious, showed favor', whence also ben,
'favor, grace', l)inndm, 'for nothing, gratuitously', l)anntm, 'gracious', t ~/;linnd", ta/:liinfin, 'supplication for favor'; rei. to Aram. !uinan, Syr.
/;lan, Arab. ~)anna, 'was favorable, merciful',
Akkad. ji!Jnanuni, 'he has mercy on me', jenninunu, 'he has mercy on us'. Cp. the first element in the Punic PN.lfannibha'al, 'Hannibal',
lit. 'my favor is with Baal'. Cp. also Ann, Jane,
Jenny, Joanna, John.
Hansard, n., official reports of the Parliament at
Westminster. - So called fr. Luke Hansard
(1752-1828) and his descendants, printers of
these reports.
Derivative: Hansard-ize, tr. v., to confront (a
member of Parliament) with his former statements as recorded in Hansard.
Hansa, n., medieval guild of merchants.- MF.
hanse, fr. MLG. hanse, 'merchants' guild', fr.
OHG. hansa, 'troop of warriors', which is rei.
to Goth. hansa, 'troop, company, multitude',
OE. has, 'attendants, retinue'. Finn. kansa,
'people, society', Russ.-Karelian kania, 'synagogue' are Teut. loan words.
Hanseatic, adj., pertaining to the Hansa.- ML.
Hanseaticus. See prec. word and -atic.
hansom, n., also hansom cab, a light, covered
hackney carriage. - Named after its inventor
Joseph Aloysius Hansom (!803-82), a famous
English architect.
Hanukkah, also Chanukkah, n., the Feast of
Dedication (Jewish religion).- Heb. /;lanukkti 11 ,
'dedication', consecration', fr. l)iinakh, 'he dedicated, consecrated, trained up', which is denominated fr. l)ekh (for */;link), 'palate', and
orig. meant 'to rub the palate of a child with
chewed dates'. Cp. Arab. l)anak, 'palate'
(whence l)annaka, 'he rubbed the palate of a
child', l)anaka, 'he taught, instructed'), which
is rei. to Heb. l)ekh (see above). Heb. /;liinfkh,
'trained, experienced', Mishnaic Heb. /;linnekh,
'he dedicated, inaugurated; he accustomed' (in
ModHeb. 'he brought up, educated'), /:linnftkh, 'inauguration; accustoming' (in ModHeb.
'education'), are derivatives of l)iintikh. Cp.
Enoch.
hap, n., chance.- ME. happe, hap, fr. ON. happ,
'good luck', which is rei. to OE. geh3ep, 'fit, con-

702

hap
venient', Swed. lzampa sig, 'to occur, happen',
and cogn. with OSlav. kobu, 'fate, foreboding,
omen', Oir. cob, 'victory'. Cp. happy, perhaps.
hap, intr. v., to happen. - ME. happen, fr. hap,
'chance'. See prec. word and cp. happen.
hap, tr. v., to snap, seize (obsol.) - F. happer, a
Teut. loan word of imitative origin. Cp. Du.
happen,'tosnap; to bite', G. Happen,'a mouthful'.
hapax legomenon, a word occurring only once. Gk. &1toc~ :Aq6!J.e:vov, 'once said'. Gk. &-7toc~,
'once', is a compound word whose first element
corresponds to I.-E. s~-, 'one'; the second is
rei. to Gk. ID)yvuvoc~. 'to make firm or fast', and
cogn. with L. pangere, 'to join, make firm'; see
haplo- and pact. Gk. :Ae:y6!J.e:vov is neut. pass.
pres. part. of :Aeye:w, 'to say'; see lecture. For
the Greek pass. suff. -!J.e:vo~ see alumnus and cp.
words there referred to.
haphazard, n.- Compounded of hap, 'chance',
and hazard.
Derivatives: haphazard, adj., haphazard-ly, adv.,
haphazard-ness, n.
haphtarah, also spelled haftarah, n., a portion of
the Prophets read in the synagogue, immediately
after the reading of the Torah, on Sabbaths,
feasts and fasts. - Mishnaic Heb. haph(iirdh,
lit. 'conclusion', short for hap(hiirdh b'niibht',
'conclusion with a prophet(ic portion)', verbal
noun of hiphtir, 'he concluded', also 'discarded,
dismissed', Hiph'il of Bib!. He b. piifar, 'he broke
through, split, separated, removed' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew: 'he discharged, acquitted; he exempted'), rei. to Arab. fcitara, 'he cleft, split; he
created', Ethiop. fa tara, 'he created', Aram.Syr. p'far, 'he departed', Akkad. pafiiru, 'to
break through', ip(iru, 'ransom'.
hapless, adj. - Formed with suff. -less fr. hap,
'chance' (taken in the now obsol. sense 'good
luck').
Derivatives: hapless-ly, adv., hapless-ness, n.
haplo-, combining form meaning 'simple, single,
simply, once'. - Fr. Gk. ocr.:A6oc;, ocr.:Aouc;,
'simple, single', compounded of oc- (fr. I.-E.
sm-), 'one, together', and -r.:A6-oc;, '-fold',
which is cogn. with L. -plus, -plex, of s.m. For
the first element see same and cp. words there
referred to; for the second see ply, 'to bend',
and cp. -fold. Cp. aplome, Aplopappus, hapax
legomenon, hexapla, tetrapla.
haplography, n., copyist's error consisting in
writing only once a letter or letters that should
have been written twice. - Compounded of
haplo- and Gk. -ypoc<pl:X, fr. ypci9e:w, 'to write'.
See -grapby.
haplology, n., contraction of a word through the
omission of one of two adjacent similar syllables. - Compounded of haplo- and Gk. -:Aoyla,
fr. -:A6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
-logy. The following words owe their form to haplology: amphora, Anthrenus, Artamus, calamint,

'fourth part', fastidious, fibula, formic, formicide, gratulate, Gymnotus, hirundine, homily,
-itous, Lentibulariaceae, limitrophe, megaron,
mineralogy, monomial, nuncio, onomancy, pacifism, pacifist, palmistry, procuress, pulmotor,
quercitron, stipend, surgery, symbology, Tagetes,
tragicomedy, viper, volumeter.
haply, adv., by chance (archaic). - Formed fr.

hap, 'chance', with adv. suff. -ly.

happen, intr. v. - ME. happenen, hapenen, hapnen, fr. happen, 'to happen'. See hap, 'to happen', and verbal suff. -en.
Derivative: happen-ing, n.
happy, adj.- Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. hap,
'chance' (taken in the now obsol. sense 'good
luck').
Derivatives: happi-ly, adv., happi-ness, n.
Hapsburg, n., also Habsburg. - G. Habsburg,
from the castle of Habsburg or Habichtsbwg on
the Aar in Switzerland, lit. 'hawk's castle'. See
hawk and burgh.
hapteron, n., a special organ by which certain
plants are fixed to rocks (bot.) - ModL., fr.
Gk. &7t-re:LV, 'to touch, fasten'. See hapto-.
haptic, pertaining to the sense of touch. - Gk.
oc7t-r~x6c;, 'able to seize or touch', fr. oc1t-:6~.
'tangible', fr. &1t-rew, 'to touch, fasten'. See
hapto-.
hapto-, combining form denoting contact. - Fr.
Gk. &7t't'E~v. 'to touch, fasten; to kindle'. See
apsis and cp. words there referred to.
hara-kiri, n., suicide by disembowelment. Vulgar Jap., lit. 'belly cutting', fr. hara, 'belly',
and kiri, 'to cut'.
harangue, n., a formal speech. - ME. arang,
fr. MF. arenge, harangue (F. harangue), prob.
fr. It. aringare, 'to harangue', fr. aringo, 'public
place for assemblies and horse races', fr. Goth.
*hriggs (pronounced *hrings), 'circle'; see
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p.301 s.v. harangue.
Cp. OE., OHG. hring, 'circle, ring', and see
ring, n. The first a in harangue is an auxiliary
vowel with the aim of facilitating the pronunciation of the consonants hn at the beginning of
the word. Cp. hanaper.
harangue, tr. and intr. v. -F. haranguer. fr. harangue. See harangue, n.
Derivative: harangu-er, n.
haras, n., a stud farm (archaic).- OF. hara:: (F.
haras), 'stud', prob. fr. Arab. faras, 'horse', the
change of/to h being prob. due to Gascon influence. Arab.faras (whencefdris, 'horseman') is rei.
to Heb. piirdsh, Ethiop. paras, 'horse'. Heb.
piirdsh, Aram. piinish, Syr. parriishd, 'horseman'. Cp. harridan.
harass, tr. v., to trouble, worry. - F. harasser,
fr. OF. harer, 'to set dogs on', fr. hare, cry to
set dogs on, which is of imitative origin.
Derivatives: harass-er, n., harass-ment, n.
harbinger, n., a forerunner.- Formed-with insertion of n-fr. ME. herbergeour, fr. OF. herbergeor, 'provider of lodging', fr. herbergier
Erysiphe,fardel,
England,
calamitous, cardamom,

703

(whence F. heberger), 'to provide lodgings for',

fr. herberge, 'lodging, shelter', fr. Frankish
*heriberga, 'lodging, inn', orig. 'army shelter',
which is rei. to OHG., OS. heriberga, OFris.,
MLG. herberge, 'lodging, inn'. Cp. OProvem;.
alberga (whence F. auberge) and It. albergo, 'inn',
and see next word. Then in harbinger is intrusive.
Cp. messenger, passenger, porringer, scavenger.
harbor, harbour, n. - ME. hereberge, herberwe,
prob. fr. ON. herbergi, fr. MLG. herberge, 'lodging, inn', orig. 'army shelter', fr. MLG. here,
'army', and the stem of bergen, 'to protect, defend, shelter'. The first element is rei. to OE.
here, OHG. heri, 'army'; see harry and cp. prec.
word. For the second element see bury and cp.
borrow. Cp. the first element in arriere-ban and
the second element in Walter. For the change of
ME. e (in hereberge, herberwe) to E. a (in harbor)
cp. arbor, 'a shady retreat', carve.
harbor, harbour, tr. and intr. v. - ME. herebergen, herberwen, fr. hereberge, herberwe. See
harbor, n.
Derivatives: harbo(u)r-er, n.
hard, adj. - ME. hard, fr. OE. heard, rei. to
hearde (adv.), 'extremely', OS., Du. hard, ON.
har/Jr (adj.), 'hard', ON. har/Ja (adv.), 'very',
Dan. haard, Swed. hdrd, 'hard', OHG. harto
(adv.), 'extremely, very', harti, herti (adj.),
'hard', MHG. harte (adv.), 'very', herte (adj.),
'hard', G. hart, Goth. hardus, 'hard', fr. I.-E.
base *qar-, 'hard'. Fr. I.-E. *qret-, *qrt-, a
+enlargement of base *qar-, derive Gk. xp&-:o~, Ion. x&p-ro~, Aeol. xp<f-ro~, 'strength', Gk.
xpoc-ru~, 'strong'. Cp. hardy, -ard, arditi, and the
second element in Bernard, Everard, Gerard,
Gunther, Leonard, Reynard. Cp. also acratia,
-cracy, the first element in Epicrates, pancratium.
Cp. I.-E. *quar-q-, whence 01. karkata/;1, 'crab',
karkara/;1, 'rough, hard', Gk. xocpxlvo~, 'crab',
L. cancer (dissimilated fr. *carcro-), 'crab, ulcer,
cancer'. See cancer and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: hard, adv. (q.v.), hard, n., harden
(q.v.), hardly (q.v.), hardship (q.v.), hardy (q.v.)
hard, adv. - ME. harde, fr. OE. hearde, 'extremely', rei. to ON. haroa (adv.), 'very', OE.
heard, adj., 'hard'. See hard, adj.
harden, tr. and intr. v.- ME. hardnen, fr. hard.
See hard, adj., and verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: harden-er, n., harden-ing, n.
hardly, adv.- ME., fr. OE. heardlice. See hard,
adj., and adv. suff. ly.
hardness, n. - ME. hardnesse, fr. OE. heardnes.
See hard, adj., and -ness.
hardock, n., burdock. - Compounded of OE.
hiir, 'gray, hoary' (see hoar), and dock, 'the
plant'.
bards, n. pl. - See hurds.
hardship, n. - ME. hardscipe. See hard, adj.,
and -ship.
hardy, adj. - ME. hardi, fr. OF. ( = F.) hardi,
'bold, daring, fearless', prop. pp. of hardir, 'to

harlequinade
make bold', fr. Frankish *hardjan, 'to harden',
which is rei. to OHG. herten, OFris. heda,
O.N. heroa, O.S. herdian, OE. hierdan, Goth.
ga-hardjan, 'to harden', OHG. harti, herti, OE.
heard, 'hard'. See hard, adj., and cp. foolhardy.
Derivative: hardy, tr. v., to make hardy;'intr. v.,
to become hardy.
hardy, n., blacksmith's short chiseL -Formed
fr. hard, adj., with suff. -y.
hare, n. - ME. hare, fr. OE. hara, rei. to ON.
heri, Dan., Swed. hare, OFris. hasa, MDu. hase,
Du. haas, OHG. haso, MHG., G. hase, 'hare'.
These words lit. denote the gray animal, and
are rei. to OE. hasu, OHG. hasan, 'gray', ON.
hiiss (for *haswa-), 'grayish brown', and cogn,
with 01 . .Sa.Sa/;1, Afghan soe, OPruss. sasins, W.
ceinach, 'hare', L. ciinus (for *cas-nos), 'gray,
hoary, white', cascus, 'old' (orig. 'gray', whence
'gray with age'). For sense development cp.
Russ. serjak, 'gray hare', fr. siryj, 'gray'. Cp.
harrier, hound used for hunting hares'. Cp. also
canescent.
hare, tr. v., to frighten (obsol.) - Rei. to harry.
Cp. the first element in harmn-scarum.
harem, n., women's section in an Oriental house.
-Arab. /;larfm, 'sacred, forbidden', fr.luirama,
'he forbade', /;!aruma, 'was forbidden', rei. to
Ethiop. /;larama, 'he prohibited from common
use, he devoted to God', Heb. he/;lirfm, 'he
banned, devoted to destruction, excommunicated', Mrem, 'person or thing devoted to destruction'. See herem and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also harmattan, ihram, Moharram.
haricot, n., ragout, meat.- F., fr. OF. harigotzr,
'to cut in pieces'; of unknown origin.
haricot, n., kidney bean. - F., fr. Nahuatl ayacotli; influenced in form by F. haricot, 'ragout'.
hark, tr. and intr. v., to listen. - ME. herkien,
herken, intensive form of the v. hear (to which
it stands in the same relationship as talk to tell
and lurk to lower); rei. to OFris. harkia, herkia,
MLG., MDu. horken, OHG. horechen, MHG.
horchen, G. horchen, 'to hearken, listen'. Cp.
hearken.
harken, v.- A var. of hearken.
harl, harle, n., fiber of flax or hemp.- ME. her/e,
'fiber', rei. to MLG. herle, harle; of uncertain
origin.
bar!, tr. v., to drag; intr. v., to drag oneself along
(Scot.) - ME. harlen, of uncertain origin.
Harlequin, n., 1) a leading character in pantomime; 2) (not cap.) a clown, buffoon. - F.
harlequin (whence It. arlecchino), fr. OF. Hellequin, Hierlekin, 'leader of a demon troop called
maisnie Hellequin, maisnie Hierlekin. The name
is traceable to Herrequin, the count of Boulogne,
whose sudden death in 882 was regarded as a
fit punishment for his wickedness (he had
waged war against his uncle). See Kluge-Mitzka,
EWDS., p.289, s.v. Harlekin. F. arlequin was
reborrowed fr. It. arlecchino.
harlequlnade, n., a piece in which the Harlequin

harlot
plays a leading part. -F. arlequinade, fr. arlequin. See prec. word and -ade.
harlot, n. ~ ME. harlot, heriot, 'vagabond', fr.
OF. harlot, heriot, arlot, 'lad, vagabond', which
is rei. to OProven9. arlot, Sp. arlote, 'vagabond',
It. arlotto, 'hedge priest'; of uncertain origin.
Derivative: harlot-ry, n.
harm, n. - ME. hearm, herm, harm, fr. OE.
hearm, rei. to OS. harm, ON. harmr, OFris.
herm, OHG. haram, harm, MHG., G. harm,
'grief, sorrow, harm', and cogn. with Pers.
sharm, 'shame', OSiav. sramu (metathesized fr.
*sormu), of s.m.
Derivatives: harm, v. (q.v.), harm-ful, adj., harmful-ly, adv., harm-ful-ness, n., harm-less, adj.,
harm-less-ly, adv., harm-less-ness, n.
harm, tr. v. - ME. hermen, harmen, fr. OE.
hearmian, 'to injure, harm', fr. hearm. See
harm, n.
harmal, harmala, harmd, n., the wild rue (Peganum harmala). ~ ModL., fr. Gk. &:p[J.ocA&., fr.
Arab. /:uirmal, 'rue'.
harmattan, n., a dry wind, charged with dust,
blowing from the Sahara to the Atlantic coast.
~ Sp. harmatdn, fr. Fanti haramata, fr. Arab.
f.rariim, 'a forbidden thing', used in the sense of
'an evil thing', from the stem of /.rdrama, 'he forbade', /.rdruma, 'was forbidden'. See harem.
Harmonia, n., the wife of Cadmus in Greek mythology. ~ L., fr. Gk. 'Ap[J.ov(ii, lit. 'concord'.
See harmony.
harmonic, adj. - L. harmonicus, fr. Gk. &:p[J.o~~~x6c;, 'fitting, harmonious; skilled in music', fr.
&:p[J.ov(ii. See harmony and -ic.
Derivatives: harmonic-a!, adj., harmonic-al-ly,
adv., harmonics (q.v.)
harmonica, n., an instrument consisting of a
series of glasses (mus.) ~ Fr. L. harmonica, fern.
of harmonicus; see prec. word. The name harmonica was given to this instrument by its inventor Benjamin Franklin (he spelled it armonica).
harmonicon, n., a small mouth organ (mus.) -~
ModL., fr. Gk. &:p[J.0\1Lx6v, neut. of &:p[J.0\1Lx6c;.
See harmonic.
harmonics, n., the science of musical harmony.
See harmonic and -ics.
harmonious, adj. - F. harmonieux (fern. harmonieuse), fr. harmonie, fr. L. harmonia. See
harmony and -ous.
Derivatives: harmonious-ly, adv., harmoniousness, n.
harmoniphon, harmoniphone, n., an obsolete wind
instrument (mus.) ~ Compounded of Gk.
<ip[J.ov(ii, 'harmony', and -<pwvoc;, 'sounding', fr.
q:>w11+,, 'sound, voice'. See harmony and phone,
'speech sound'.
harmonist, n. ~ See harmonize and -ist.
Derivatives: harmonist-ic, adj., harmonist-ic-ally, adv.
harmonium, n., a small reed organ (mus.) ModL., coined by the French organ maker

704
Alexandre-Fran9ois Debain (1809-77) fr. L.
harmonia. See harmony.
harmonize, tr. and intr. v. ~ F. harmoniser,fr.
harmonie. See harmony and -ize.
Derivatives: harmoniz-ation, n., harmoniz-er, n.
harmonometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the harmonic relations of musical sounds. F. harmonometre. See harmony and meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
harmony, n. ~ME. harmonie, fr. F. harmonie, fr.
L. harmonia, fr. Gk. &p[J.o\l(ii, 'a fittingtogether,
joining, proportion, concord, agreement, musical harmony', which is rei. to &p[J.6~e:Lv, 'to fit
together, adapt, accomodate', &p11-6c;, 'a joining', fr. I.-E. base *ar-, 'to join'. See arm, 'the
upper limb', and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also Harmonia, harmoni~, harmonicon,
harmonium.
harness, n. ~ ME. harneis, herileis, fr. OF. harneis, herneis, harnes (F. harnais), fr. ON. *hernest, 'provisions for the amiy'. The first element is rei. to OE. here, OHG. heri, 'army'; see
harry and cp. won:l.s there referred to. The second element is re.l. to OE. nest, 'provisions',
and to OE., OS., OHG. nerian, MHG. nerigen,
nern, G. niihren, Goth. nasjan, 'to nourish' ,lit. 'to
cause to recover', fr. OE. genesan, resp. OS.,
OHG., ginesan, MHG., G. genesen, Goth.
ganisan, 'to recover'; see nostalgia. MHG. harnll?st, harnas (whence G. Harnisch), 'harness,
armor', is reborrowed fr. OF. harnais.
harness, tr. v. ~ ME. harneisen, fr. harneis. See
harness, n.
Derivatives: harness-ed, adj., harness-er, n.,
harness-ry, n.
haro, interj. ~ A var. of harrow, interj.
Harold, masc. PN. - OE. Harald, Harold, fr.
ON. Haraldr, fr. Teut. *Hariwald, lit. 'ruler of
the army', compounded of *harja (whence ON.
herr, OE. here, etc.), 'host, army', and *waldan
(whence ON. valda, OE. wea/dan, etc.), 'to rule'.
For the first element see harry and cp. harbor,
for the second element see wield. Cp. herald,
Walter.
harp, n. ~ ME. harpe, fr. OE. hearpe, rei. to
ON. harpa, Du. harp, OHG. harpfa, MHG.
harphe, harfe, G. Harfe. These words lit. mean
'an instrument plucked with the crooked fingers', and are rei. to ON. herpask, 'to contract
(one's fingers)', and cogn. with Russ. korobit',
'to bend', Gk. xp&iJ-(3oc;, 'shriveled'. It., OProven9., Catal., Sp., Port. arpa are Teut. loan
words. See rumple, v., and cp. arpeggio and
the first element in harpsichord.
harp, intr. v. ~ ME. harpien, fr. OE. hearpian,
'to play the harp', fr. hearpe. See harp, n.
harpagon, n., a grappling hook.- L. harpago, fr.
harpaga, 'hook', fr. Gk. &:prr<XYI), 'hook; rake',
from the stem of &prr<X~e:Lv, 'to grasp, seize; to
plunder'. See harpy and cp. next word.
Harpagon, n., the chief character in Moliere's
I'Avare, the typical miser.~ F., fr. L. harpago,

70S

'grappling hook', whence, figuratively, 'a rapacious person'. See prec. word.
Harpalus, n., a genus of beetles (entomol.) ModL., fr. Gk. &pnoci..E:oc;, 'attractive, pleasant;
devouring, greedy', formed with dissimilation
fr . .XJ..rroci..E:o~ and rel. to &/..ma-roc;, &1..7tVLO'TO<;,
'sweetest, loveliest' (superl. of obsol. &Arro<;,
&1..7t\lo~). fr. I.-E. *wjp-, zero degree of base
*welp-, whence Gk. ~J..rr(c;, 'hope'. Base *wei-pis a -p-enlargement of base *wei-, 'to will, wish,
hope, choose', whence L. vo/6, velle, 'to will,
wish'. See voluntary.
harper, n.- ME. harpere, fr. OE. hearpere, fr.
hearpe. See harp, n., and agential suff. -er.
harpings, n. pl., the stout wales round the bow
of a vessel (naut.) ~ Rei. to harpoon.
harpist, n., a harper.~ A hybrid coined fr. harp
and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
harpoon, n., a barbed spear used against whales,
etc. - Fr. earlier E. harpon, prob. fr. Du. harpoen, fr. MDu. harpoen (whence also earlier G.
Harpon, G. Harpune), fr. OF. harpon, 'clamp,
grappling iron, harpoon' (whence F. harpon,
'harpoon'), fr. OF.(= F.) harpe, 'claw', fr. OF.
(= MF.) harper, 'to seize, grapple', which is
pro b. of Teut. origin. Cp. ON. herpask, 'to contract (one's fingers)', and see harp. F. harpon
was influenced in meaning by an association
with Late L. harpe (fr. Gk. &pl"C1J), 'sickle', with
which, however, it is not connected.
Derivatives: harpoon, tr. v., harpoon-er, n.
harpsichord, n., a keyboard stringed instrument,
forerunner of the piano (mus.)- Earlier harpsechord, fr. obsol. F. harpechorde, fr. It. arpicordo, which is compounded of arpa, 'harp', and
corda, 'string, chord'. See harp and chord.
harpy, n., 1) any of several rapacious monsters in
Greek mythology; 2) a rapacious person.
~ F. harpie, fr. L. harpjiia, fr. Gk. &prrmocL
(pl.), lit. 'snatchers', which is rel. to &pl"C1J,
'sickle', ocprr<X~e:Lv, 'to snatch, seize', &pmxYI),
'hook; rake', &prroc~, 'rapacious', pro b. fr. I.-E.
base *srep-, srp-, 'to seize, rob', whence also
OSlav. srupu, 'sickle', Russ. serp', Lith. sirpe,
of s.m. Base *srep-, *srp- is prob. rei. to base
*rep-, whence Gk. epbt-re:a&oct, 'to pluck off',
L. rapere, 'to seize and carry off'. See rapid and cp.
sarmentose.
harquebus, also arquebus, n., an early form of
firearm. ~ F. arquebuse, harquebuse, fr. MDu.
hakebusse (Du. haakbus), fr. hake, 'hook', and
busse, 'box, tube, gun', hence lit. meaning 'hook
gun'. Cp. G. Hakenbuchse and see hook and
box, 'case'. Cp. also hackbut. The alteration of
the Dutch word into F. arquebus, It. arcobugio
is due to a confusion of the first element of the
word with F. arc, resp. It. arco (see arc). The
second element in F. arque-buse owes its form
to the influence of F. buse, 'buzzard' (see buzzard), taken in a figurative sense to denote a
weapon; the ending of It. arcobugio is due to a
confusion with It. bugio, 'hole'.

harsh
Derivative: arquebus-ier, harquebus-ier, n.
harridan, n., a disreputable old woman. - Prob.
formed with change of suffix fr. F. haridelle, 'a
worn-out horse, a jade; a tall gaunt woman',
which is prob. rei. to F. haras, 'stud'. See haras.
harrier, n., a hound used for hunting hares. Formed fr. hare, n., with suff. -ier.
harrier, n., any of the hawks of the genus Circus.
~Lit. 'that which harries'. See harry and -ier.
Harriet, also Harriot, fern. PN. ~E. equivalent
of F. Henriette, fern. dimin. of Henri. See
Henrietta.
Harrisbuck, n., also Harris buck, the sable
antelope. ~ Named after the engineer William
Cornwallis Harris (1807-48), who first described it.
Harrisia, n., a genus of cacti. ~ ModL., named
after William Harris (186o-1920), a Jamaican
botanist. For the ending see suff. -ia.
harrisite, n., a plutonic rock (petrogr.) - So
called from Harris, on the Isle of Rum in the
Hebrides. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
harrow, n., an agricultural implement. - ME.
haru, han~e, rei. to ON. harfr, herfi, 'harrow',
and to OE. hil?rfest, OHG. herbist, 'harvest'. See
harvest.
Derivatives: harrow, tr. v., harrow-er, n., harrow-ing, n. and adj., harrow-ing-ly, adj., harrowing-ness, n.
harrow, tr. v., to harry (archaic).~ OE. hergian.
See next word.
harry, tr. v., 1) to ravage; 2) to harass. - ME.
harien, herien, fr. OE. hergian, 'to ravage, lay
waste', rel. to ON. herja, 'to make a raid, to
plunder', OHG. herion, MHG. hem, 'to ravage,
plunder', OHG. firherion, MHG. verhern, 'to
destroy by war', G. verheeren, 'to destroy'.
These words lit. mean 'to afflict with, or destroy
by, an army', being denominated fr. OE. here,
resp. ON. herr (whence Dan. hll?r, Swed. hiir),
OHG. hari, heri, MHG. her, G. Heer, 'host,
army', which are rei. to OS., OFris. heri, Du.
heir, Goth. harjis, of s.m. These latter words
orig. meant 'that which pertains to war', and
are cogn. with Lith. kiiras, 'war, quarrel', kiire,
'war', kiirias, 'host, army', OPruss. karjis,
'army', OSlav. kara, 'strife', Mir. cuire, 'troop',
OPers. kiira, 'host, army', Gk. xo(pocvoc;, 'ruler,
leader, commander' (prop. 'leader of an army',
fr. *xoi:poc, for *x6p~oc, 'army'). Cp. prec. word.
Cp. also the first element in arriere-bao, harbinger, harbor, harness, Harold, herald, Herbert,
beretoga, heriot, Herman, hership, and the
second element in Lothario, Oliver, Walter.
Harry, masc. PN. ~ F. Henri. See Henry.
harsh, adj. ~ ME. harsk, of Scand. origin. Cp.
Dan., Norw., harsk, Swed. hiirsk, 'rancid',
which are rei. to MLG., G. harsch, 'harsh,
rough, raw'; fr. I.-E. base *qars-, 'to scrape,
scratch, rub', whence Lith. kadiu, kai'Sti, 'to
comb', OSlav. krasta (for *korsta), Russ.
korosta, 'itch', MLG. harst, 'rake', L. carrere,

hart

706

Hasidim, also Chassidim, n. pl., 1) adherents of

'to card (wool)', carduus, 'thistle', 01. ka$ali
the religious party that arose in opposition to
'acid,
ka$aya/:z,
scratches',
'rubs,
(for *kar$ati),
Hellenism and flourished during the time of the
sharp', ku${ha/:z, 'leprosy'. Cp. card, 'machine for
Maccabean wars; it urged steadfast faith and
combing', and words there referred to.
the strict observance of the ritual laws; 2) adDerivatives: harsh-ly, adv., harsh-ness, n.
herents of the religious movement called Hasidhart, n., a male deer.- ME. hert, heort, fr. OE.
ism, founded by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer Baal
Swed.
Dan.,
hjortr,
ON.
to
rei.
heort,
heorot,
Shem Tobh about 1750 (Jewish hist.)- Heb.
hjort, OS. hirot, OFris., Du. hert, OHG. hiru3,
/:zasidhfm, lit. 'pious ones', pl. of i)iisfdh, 'kind,
hir3, MHG. hir3, G. Hirsch, 'deer, stag, hart',
pious', from the stem l:z-s-d, 'to be kind', whence
ON. hrutr, 'ram', and cogn. with W. carw, Co.
also hith/:zassidh, 'he showed himself kind' (in
carow, L. cervus, 'deer'. All these words derive
MedHeb.: 'he pretended to be pious'), /:zesedh,
fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'the uppermost part of the
'piety, kindness, lovingkindness, mercy', /:zasibody, head, horn, top, summit', and lit. mean
dlul", 'stork', lit. 'the pious bird' (so called in
'the horned animal'. See horn and cp. cervine.
allusion to its love to its young); rei. to Aram.
Cp. also hurt, rother.
/:zisdd, 'piety, kindness, mercy', /:zasfdhuthd,
hartal, n., cessation of all work, esp. a sign of
'piety, kindness'. Cp. prec. word. Cp. also the
protest.- Hind. hartal, for hattal, fr. 01. hattal:z,
second element in Bethesda.
'market', and talal:z, 'lock, bolt'.
Hasidism, also Chassidism, n., the movement of
hartebeest, hartbeest, n., a large S. African antethe Hasidim (Jewish hist.) - See prec. word
hart
Du.
of
compounded
lope. - S. Afr. Du.,
and -ism.
(an earlier collateral form of hert), 'deer, stag',
Haskalah, n., Jewish movement which arose in
and beest, 'beast', fr. MDu. beeste, bees/, fr.
Eastern Europe about the middle of the 18th
OF. beste. See hart and beast.
cent. with the aim of acquainting the Jews of
hartshorn, n., ammonium carbonate. - Lit.
Eastern and Central Europe with the languages
hart's horn; so called because orig. obtained
and cultures of the nations of Western Europe.
from antlers of hart.
- ModHeb. haskalti11 , 'enlightenment ', prop.
harum-scarum, adj., reckless (colloq.) - Faceta new meaning of haskald11 , 'understanding ,
ious formation from the verbs hare and scare.
consideration', occurring in the Midrash, prop.
haruspex, n., an ancient Roman soothsayer. a verbal noun of Biblical Heb. hiSktl 'was atL., for haru-spex, 'inspector of the entrails'. The
tentive, had understanding, considered; was
first element is rei. to L. hernia, 'rupture', and
successful, prospered', Hiph'il ( = causative
cogn. with Gk. xoplllj, 'gut', OE. gearn, 'yarn'.
form) of sakhdl, 'was prudent'. whence Slkhel,
See yarn and cp. hernia and chord. For the se'insight, prudence, understanding' , Mishnaic
cond element see species.
Reb. histakkil, 'he looked at attentively, obharvest, n. -ME. hervest, harveste, 'autumn', fr.
served closely, considered', Aram. askil, Syr.
OE. hiErfest, of s.m., rei. to OS. hervist, OFris.
sakkil, 'he taught', BibI. Aram. histakkdl, Aram.
Du. herf~t, OHG. herbist, MHG. herbest,herbst,
istakkdl, 'he looked at attentively'. As a techG. Herbst, 'autumn', ON. haust, Dan. hnst,
nical term in the sense 'enlightenment ', the
Swed. host, 'harvest', fr. I.-E. *qarpistos, prop.
word haskald11 was introduced by the Jewish
superl. meaning 'the most suitable (season) for
orientalist and writer Judah Jeiteles (1773-1838)
harvesting', formed with superl. suff. -istos fr.
in 1832.
I.-E. base *(s)qerp-, 'to cut; to pluck', whence
haslet, harslet, n., edible viscera of an animal. also OI. krpa1Ja/:z, 'sword', Gk. X1Xp7t6~. 'fruit'
ME. hastelet, hastlet, fr. OF. hastelet (F. lulte(lit. 'that which is plucked'), L. carpere, 'to
lette). The original meaning was 'something
suff.
super!.
and
carpel
pluck, cull, gather'. See
roasted on a spit', fr. haste, 'a spit', fr. L. hasta,
-ist and cp. harrow, n.
'a spear'. See hastate and -et. The r in harslet is
harvest, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hervesten, fr.
due to the influence of OHG. harst, 'gridiron'.
hervest. See prec. word.
hasp, n., a clasp. - ME. haspe, hespe, fr. OE.
Derivatives: harvest-er, n., harvest-ing, n.
hiEsp, hiEpse, rei. to ON. hespa, Dan. haspe,
hash, tr. v., to chop (meat, etc.) into small pieces.
Swed. haspe, hasp, Norw. hasp, MLG., MDu.,
-Earlier hache, fr. F. hacher, 'to hack, chop',
MHG., G. haspe, OHG. haspa, 'hasp, hook',
engrave'.
'to
hatch,
See
hatchet'.
'ax,
fr. hache,
and cogn. with L. capsa, 'chest, box'. See case,
Derivative: hash, n., dish of chopped cooked
'box'. E. hasp is not cognate with L. cuspis
meat.
(see cusp).
hashish, n., an intoxicating drink made from
hasp, tr. v. - ME. haspen, fr. OE. hiEpsian, fr.
hemp. - Arab. l:zashtsh, 'hemp', prop. 'dried
hiEpse. See hasp, n.
Cp.
grass'.
'dried
/:ztishash,
Heb.
to
grass', rei.
hassock, n., a small cushion used as a footstool.
assassin.
- ME. hassok, 'a large tuft of grass', fr. OE.
Hasideans, Hasidacans, also Assideans, Chassihassuc, hassoc, of uncertain origin.
deans, n. pl., the party of the Hasidim (in sense
Derivative: hassock-y, adj.
no. I)- Formed with suff. -anfr. Gk. 'Aar.81Xi:o~,
basta, n., 1) symbolic position of the hands in
fr. Heb. /Jiisfd/m, 'pious ones'. See next word.

707

dancing; 2) a cubit (rneasure). - 01. hdsta/:z,

'hand; trunk of an elephant', rei. to Avestic
zasta-, OPers. dasta- (whence Pers. diist), 'hand',
and cogn. with Lith. pazaste, 'armpit'. Cp. hath
and the second element in abdest.
hastate, adj., spearlike; resembling the head of a
spear (bot.)- L. hastatus, 'armed with a spear',
fr. hasta, 'shaft, spear', which is cogn. with
Goth. gazds, 'goad', OE. gierd, geard, 'rod,
stick, yard'. See yard, 'unit of length', and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivative: hastate-ly, adv.
baste, n. - ME. hast, haste, fr. OF. haste (F.
hate), fr. Frankish *haifst, 'violence', which is
rei. to OE. h:!ist, 'violence, fury', OFris. hast,
'haste', OHG. heisti, OFris. haste, OE. h:!iste,
'violent', OHG. heiftig, of s.m., ON. heipt (for
*heift), heifst, 'war, hatred', Goth. haifsts,
'struggle, strife'. Du. haast (whence MLG. hast,
whence G., Dan., Swed. hast), 'haste, hurry', is
borrowed fr. OF. haste.
Derivatives: haste-ful, adj., haste-ful-ly, adv.
haste, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hasten, fr. OF.
haster (F. hater), fr. haste. See haste, n.
hasten, intr. and tr. v. - Formed from prec.
word with verbal suff. -en.
hasty, adj. - ME. hasti, fr. OF. hasti, a var. of
hastif, fr. haste (see haste, n.). The ending -i
was confused in English with suff. -y (representing OE. -ig). For the loss of OF. final f cp. F.
jo/i (fr. OF. jolif) and see jolly.
Derivatives: hasti-ly, adv., hastiness, n.
hat, n. - ME., fr. OE. hiEtt, hiEt, rei. to Fris.
hat, ON. hattr, hottr, 'hat, hood', and to E.
hood (q.v.)
Derivatives:ha t, tr. v., hatful, adj.,hat-less, adj.,
hatt-er, n., hatt-ery, n., hatt-ing, n.
hatch, n., door, wicket. - ME. hacche, hecche,
fr. OE. h<Pc, 'hatch, grating; gate', rei. to
MLG., MHG. heck, Du. hek, 'fence; gate'. Cp.
hack, 'board', heck, 'frame'.
hatch, tr. and intr. v., to produce (young) from
eggs by incubation. - ME. hacchen, rei. to
MHG., G. hecken, to hatch, breed', OHG.
hegidruosa, MHG. hegedruos, 'testicle', MHG.,
G. hagen, 'bull kept for breeding', and cogn.
with Lett. kakale, 'membrum'.
Derivatives: hatch, n., hatch-er, n., hatch-ing, n.
hatch, tr. v., to engrave. - F. hacher, 'to hack,
chop' fr. hache, 'ax, hatchet'. See hatchet.
hatcbel, n., a comblike implement for cleaning
flax or hemp. - ME. hechele, a var. of hekele,
rei. to Du. hekel, MHG. hache!, heche!, G.
Heche/, 'hatchet. hackle'. Swed. hiickla. Dan.
hegle, 'to hackle', from r. Teut. base meaning 'to
sting', whence also OHG., MHG. hecchen,
hecken, 'to sting'; in gradational relationship
to ON. haki, OE. haca, 'hook'. See hook and cp.
hackle and heckle, which are variants of hatchel.
hatcbel, tr. v. - ME. heche/en, fr. ME. heche/;
rei. to Du. hekelen, G. hecheln. See hatcbel, n.
Derivative: hatchel(l}-er, n.

haugh
hatchet, n., a small ax. - ME. hachet, fr. OF.
( = F.) hachette, dimin. of hache, 'ax, hatchet',
fr. Frankish *hapja, 'sickle', which is rei. to
OHG. happa, 'sickle'; prob. derived fr. I.-E.
base *(s)qap-, *(s)qip-, *(s)qiJp-, 'to cut', whence
also Gk. xo1t~, 'knife', Lith. kaplys, Utt. kaplis, 'hatchet', Lith. kapone, Lett. kapans, 'chopping knife'. See capon and cp. hash, hatch, 'to
engrave'. Cp. also the second element in
quebracbo.
hatching, n. - Formed fr. hatch, 'to engrave',
with -ing, a suff. forming verbal nouns.
hatchment, n., an escutcheon. - From earlier
atcheament, alteration of achievement.
hate, n.- ME. hete, hate (the second form is due
to the influence of the verb hate, see next word),
fr. OE. hete, rei. to OS. heti, ON. hatr, Swed.
hat, Dan. had, OFris. hat, MDu. hate, Du. haat,
OHG., MHG. ha3, G. HajJ, Goth. halt's, fr.
I.-E. base *kad-, 'ill-humor, hatred', whence
also Avestic sadra-, 'grief, sorrow, calamity',
Gk. x'ijllo~, Dor. xiillo~, 'care; trouble, sorrow',
Gk. X1Jile:ue:Lv, 'to take charge, tend', Mlr. caiss,
W. cas, Bret. kas, Co. cueth, 'pain, anger'. Cp.
hatred, heinous. Cp. also acedia, epicedium.
Qerivatives: hate-ful, adj., hate-ful-ly, adv., hateful-ness, n.
hate, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hatien, haten, fr. OE.
hatian, rei. to OE. hete, 'hate', and to OS. hat6n,
ON., Swed., Norw. hata, OFris. hatia, Du.
haten, OHG. ha336n, ha33en, MHG. ha33en,
G. hassen, Goth. hatan, 'to hate'. See hate, n.
Derivative: hat-er, n.
hath, hauth, n., a cubit. -Hind. hath, 'a cubit',
lit. 'the hand', fr. OI. hdsta/:z, 'hand'. See basta.
Hathor, n., the goddess of love and joy in Egyptian mythology. - Gk. 'A&(o)p, fr. Egypt. lfetlfert, lit. 'the house above'.
Derivative: hathor-ic, adj.
hatred, n. - ME. hatereden, hatered, compounded of hate, n., and OE. r:!iden, 'rule, condition'
(fr. r:Edan, 'to advise, discuss, rule, guess, read'),
used as a subst. suff. See read and cp. the second
element in kindred.
hatter, n.- Formed fr. hat with agential suff. -er.
hauberk, hawberk, n., a medieval piece of armor.
- ME. hauberc, fr. OF. halberc, hauberc (F.
haubert), fr. Frankish *halsberg, which is rei.
to OHG. halsberc, halsberge, lit. 'neck cover',
fr. hals, 'neck', and bergan, 'to cover, protect'.
Further Teut. equivalents are MDu. halsberch,
OE. healsbeorg, ON. halsbjorg. See hawse and
bury and cp. habergeon.
hauchecornite, n., nickel and bismuth sulfide
Named after W. Hauchecorn.
(mineral.) For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hauerite, n., manganese disulfide (mineral.)- G.
Hauerit, named after the Austrian geologist
Franz von Hauer (1822-1899). The ending -it
goes back to Gk. -tTIJ~; see subst. suff. -ite.
haugb, n., flat ground in the valley of a river. ME. holch, hawk, rei. to OE. heath, 'corner,

haughton ite

708

piece', fr. MF. houscot, prob. fr. MDu. *hatsand to OE. hot, 'cave, hollow, opening', holh,
kate, 'clothing of the neck', which is com'cave'. See hole and cp. hollow.
pounded of hats, 'neck', and kate, 'coat, clothhaughtonite, n., a variety of biotite (minera l.)ing', which is rel. to OHG. chozza, 'a coarse
Fellow
,
Haughton
Named in I878 after Samuel
coat'. See collar and coat. Folk etymolog y conof Trinity College, Dublin. For the ending see
verted houscot into hausse-col, i.e. 'that which
subst. suff. -ite.
raises the neck'.
with
Formed
haughty, adj., proud; arrogan t.haustellum, n., in certain insects, a proboscis
adj. suff. -y fr. OF. ( = F.) haut, 'high' (whence
adapted for sucking blood or juices of plants.archaic E. haught)fr . L. altus, 'high'; influenced
ModL., fr. L. haustus, pp. of haurire, 'to draw
in form by OHG. hoh, 'high'. See alt and cp.
(water), to drain'. See haurient.
hauteur.
haustorium, n., a small sucker of a parasitic plant
Derivativ es: haughti-ly, adv., haughti-ness, n.
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. haustus, pp. of haurire.
haul, tr. and intr. v.- ME. halien, halen, haulen,
See prec. word and -orium.
fr.
haul',
draw,
pull,
'to
fr. OF.(= F.) haler,
hautboy, n., an oboe. - F. hautbois, fr. haut,
ODu. ( = Du.) halen, which is rel. to OS. halon,
'high' and bois, 'wood'. See haughty and bush,
ON. hala, OFris. halia, OHG. halOn, halon,
'shrub', and cp. oboe, tallboy.
draw,
'to
MHO. haln, holn, holen, G. holen,
hauteur, n., haughtin ess.- F., 'height, altitude;
haul; to fetch', OE. geholian, 'to obtain'. These
haughtiness, arrogance ', formed fr. haut, 'high',
Teut. words possibly derive from an I.-E. base
with suff. -eur. See haughty and -or, -our.
*kal-, 'to draw, pull', whence also Gk. x&:!.w~,
hautefeuillite, n., magnesium calcium phosphat e
'rope'. Cp. hale, 'to haul', the first element in
(mineral.) - Named after the French chemist
halyard, and the second element in keelhaul.
Paul-Gab riel Hautefeuille (1836-1902). For the
Derivatives: haul, n., haul-age, n., haul-er, n.
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
OE.
fr.
halm,
ME.
stalk.
haulm, balm, n.,
Havana, n., Havana cigar. -Name d after Hahealm, 'straw, stem of grass', rel. to OS., Dan.,
vana, the capital of Cuba. Cp. habanera.
Swed., Du., OHG., MHO., G. halm, ON.
n. - A var. of habdalah.
havdalah,
stem',
'stalk,
halmr, and cogn. with L. culmus,
have, tr. v. -ME. habben, haven, fr. OE. habGk. xoc).oq.to~, 'reed'. See cu!m or.d cp. words
ban, 'to hold, possess, have', rel. to ON. hafa,
there referred to. Cp. also the second element in
OS. hebbjan, OFris. habba, hebba, OHG. haben,
marram.
MHO., G. haben, Goth. haban, 'to have', and
hanche,
ME.
fr.
hanch,
-Earlier
hip.
n.,
haunch,
OE. hebban, etc., 'to lift, raise', fr. Teut. base
to
Teut.
fr.
hanche,
haunche, fr. OF. ( = F.)
*haf, 'to hold, have', correspon ding to I.-E.
*hanka; cp. MDu. hanke, 'haunch'.
*qap-, 'to seize, hold, contain', whence L. caDerivatives: haunch-ed, adj., haunch-ing, n.
'to catch, seize, take hold of'. (The above
pere,
haunt, tr. v., to visit, frequent. - ME. haunten,
Teut. words are not cogn. with L. habere, 'to
fr. OF. ( = F.) hanter, which is of Teut. origin.
have'.) See captive and cp. haff, haft, haven,
Cp. ON. heimta, 'to bring home, fetch', which
havoc, hawk, the bird, heave, heavy, behavior,
derives fr. h"imr, 'homelan d', and OE. hiimettan,
behoof, hobnob.
and
'home',
ham,
fr.
comes
'to shelter', which
havelock, n., a light covering for cap and neck.
see home. Cp. hamlet.
- Named after Sir Henry Havelock (I 795-1857).
Derivatives: haunt, n., haunt-ed, adj., haunt-er,
n. - ME. havene, fr. OE. hxfen, hxfene,
haven,
adv.
-ly,
n., haunt-ing, n. and adj., haunt-ing
rei. to MLG. havene (whence G. Hafen), MHO.
haurient, also hauriant, adj., with the head in
habene, ON. hofn, Dan. havn, 'haven'. These
chief; said of a fish (her.) - L. hauriens, gen.
words lit. mean 'receptacle', and derive fr. I.-E.
-entis, pres. part. of haurfre, 'to draw out
base *qap-, 'to seize, hold, contain', whence also
-ent
and
exhaust
See
breathe'.
drain,
to
(water),
have and heave (qq.v.) Cp. haft'.
and cp. haustellum, haustorium.
haver, n., one who has (rare).- Formed fr. have
hansen, n., a large kind of sturgeo n.- G., 'sturwith agential suff. -er.
geon', fr. MHO. hiise(n), fr. OHG. hiiso. See
haver, intr. v., to talk foolishly. -Of unknown
huso.
origin.
hausmannite, n., manganese oxide (mineral.) Derivative: haver, n., foolish talk.
Named after the German mineralogist J.F. L.
haver, n., the oat; oats (dial. E.) - ME. haver,
Hausmann ( 1782- I 859). For the ending see subst.
of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. hafri, Dan. ha~re,
suff. -ite.
Swed. hafre, which are rei. to MDu. havere, Du.
Hausmannize, tr. and intr. v., to reconstru ct a
OS. ha'Dero, OHG. habaro, MHO. habere,
haver,
streets.
its
widening
and
ing
straighten
city by
Hafer is a LG. loan word). Cp.next
(G.
haber
GeorgesProp. 'to follow the example of Baron
word.
Eugene Haussmann (1809-91), who was prefect
haversack, n., <olrii~r's hag for provision. -F.
of Paris between 1853 and 1870 and during this
..~p-_.-:k, -,-,dllet', fr. G. Habersack,
havresa.
tion.
period much contribut ed to its beautifica
lit. 'a sack for oats'. See haver, 'oats', and
For the ending see suff. -ize.
sack, 'bag'.
hausse-col, n., a piece of armor. - F., 'neck

709

hazard

hawker, n., an itinerant vendor. - LG. hoker

havildar, n., a noncomm issioned native officer
(whence also G. Hoker), rel. to Du. heuker, 'recorrespon ding to a sergeant. -Hind. /:lavildiir,
holding
'one
lit.
r,
tailer' (see huckster); influenced in form by
(lawiiladii
(lwiildiir,
Pers.
fr.
prec. word.
an office', a hybrid coined fr. Arab. l;rawala",
hawse, n., I) part of a ship's bow containin g the
'charge, office', and the Persian suff. -dar, 'holwords
cp.
and
hawseholes; 2) the hawseholes. - ME. halse,
aumildar
See
'.
der, possessor
fr. ON. hals, 'neck; part of a ship's bow', which
there referred to.
is rel. to OS., OFris., LG., Du., OHG., MHO.,
havior, haviour, n., behavior (archaic). - ME.
G., Goth. hals, OE. heals, 'neck', and cogn.
haviour, 'possession', fr. earlier havour, fr. OF.
with L. col/us (for *co/sus), 'neck'. See collar and
aveir (F. avoir), 'possessio n', prop. infinitive
possess',
have,
'to
cp. the first element in hauberk and in hausse-col.
habere,
L.
fr.
noun,
a
used as
hawser, n., a large rope used for mooring, towing,
see habit, n. The h is due to a confusion with
etc. (naut.)- Fr. earlier halser, lit. 'hoister', fr.
ME. haven, E. have, with which the word havior
behavior.
Cp.
ME. halsen, 'to raise, lift, hoist', fr. OF. halcier,
has nothing in common.
haucier (F. hausser ), fr. VL. *altiiire, 'to raise,
havoc, n., destruction, devastat ion.- OF. havot,
lift', fr. L. altus, 'high'. See alt and agential suff
'seizure; plunder', faire havot, 'to take hold of',
-er and cp. hance, enhance.
rei. to haver, 'to seize, grasp, grab', hef, 'a hook',
hawthor n,n.- ME. hawethorn, fr. OE. haguporn,
havee, 'a handful'; of Teut. origin. Cp. OHG.
hxgporn, compoun ded of haga, 'enclosure,
haben, 'to hold, have', heffan, 'to raise, heave',
hedge', and porn, 'thorn', hence lit. meaning
and see have, heave. For the change of final -t
apricot
cp.
havoc)
'hedge thorn', i.e. 'thorns used for making hedE.
(in
-c
to
havot)
(in OF.
ges'; rei. to ON. hagporn, MHO. hagendorn,
(from orig. apricock), bat (fr. ME. bakke) and
hagedorn, G. Hagedorn, 'hawthorn '. See haw,
milk (in the sense of 'milt of fishes').
n.
,
'enclosure', and thorn.
havock-er
.,
v
Derivatives: havoc, tr.
hay, n., grass mown. - ME. haye, hey, fr. OE.
haw, n., enclosure. - ME. hawe, fr. OE. haga,
hieg, hig, heg, rei. to OS. hoi, ON. hey, Dan. he,
'hedge; hawthorn ', rel. to ON. hagi, hage, pasSwed. ho, Norw. hey, OFris. hii, he, MDu. hoy,
ture', OS. hago, Du. haag, OHG., MHO. hac,
hooy, Du. hooi, OHG. houwi, hewi, MHO.
hages, G. Hag, 'hedge', and in gradation al rehouwe, hou, G. Heu, Goth. hawi, 'hay', lit. 'that
lationship to OE. hecg, 'hedge'. See hedge and
which is to be cut', or 'that which is cut'. Cp.
cp. next word, and the first element in hawbay,
heawan, 'to cut', and see hew.
haggard,
OE.
'witch',
hag,
also
Cp.
thorn.
Derivative: hay, tr. v., to supply with hay.
'hedge', and the first element in hagberry.
hay, n., a kind of country-dance. - OF. haye,
haw, n., berry of the hawthorn . - OE. haga,
berry'.
of uncertain origin.
'hedge
lit.
ge,
perh. short for *haguberi
hay, n., a hedge (archaic). - ME. hai, hei, a
See prec. word.
blend of OE. hege, 'hedge', and F. haie, of s.m.
haw, n., the nictitating membran e of a horse,
F. haie is a loan word fr. Frankish *hagja, which
dog, etc. - Of unknown origin.
is rei. to OHG. hegga, OE. hege, 'hedge', OE.
haw, intr. v., to hesitate in speech. -Imitati ve;
of s.m. See hedge and cp. the first element
hecg,
haw'.
sound
lit. 'to make the
in haybote, hayward.
Derivative: haw, n., hesitation in speech.
haybote, n., the right of the tenant to take thorns
hawk, n., any bird of the falcon family. - ME.
or wood for repairing his hedge or fence. havec, hauk, fr. OE. heafuc, heafoc, hafoc, rel.
Compoun ded of hay, 'hedge', and bote (qq.v.)
to OS. ha15uc, ON. haukr, Swed. hok, Dan. heg,
habuh,
, n., a variety of chabazite (mineral.) OHG.
haydenite
havik,
MLG. havec, MDu., Du.
Named after the American dentist Horace H.
MHO. habech, G. Habicht, 'hawk', and cogn.
Hayden (1769-1844), who discovered it. For the
with Russ. kobec, a kind of falcon. These words
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lit. mean 'seizer'. They derive fr. I.-E. *gabh-, a
hayward, n., an officer appointed for the inspecvar. of base *qap-, 'to seize', whence have and
tion of hedges and fences. - ME. heiward,
heave. Cp. the first element in Hapsburg and
compoun ded of hei, 'hedge' and ward. See hay,
the second element in goshawk. L. accipiter,
'hedge', and ward, 'one who guards'.
'hawk', is not cognate with the above words.
hazard, n., I) a game played with dice; 2) chance;
Derivatives: hawk, tr. v., to hunt animals by
3) risk. - OF. ( = F.) hasard, fr. Sp. azar, 'unmeans of trained hawks, hawker (q.v.), hawkfortunate throw at dice, unforeseen accident',
ing, n.
usually derived fr. Arab. al-zahr (pronoun ced
hawk, n., a small square board for holding mor'the die'. This derivation is rightly
origin.
az-zahr),
unknown
tar.- Of
doubted by most lexicographers (see e.g.Devic's
hawk, intr. v., to clear one's throat. - Of imiSupplement to Littrc~'s Dictionna ire de la langue
tative origin.
francaise, s.v. hasard, and Skeat's Etymological
hawk, tr. v., to offer for sale.- Back formation
Dictionar y, s.v. hazard), owing to the fact that
fr. hawker, 'vendor'.
the word zahr does not occur in the dictionaries
hawker, n., a falconer. - Formed fr. hawk, the
of Classical Arabic. According to my opinion
bird, with agential suff. -er.

hazard

Sp. azar derives fr. Arab. ydsara, 'he played at

dice'; z is the regular Spanish equivalent of
Arabic s. -The din OF. hasard (whence E.
hazard) is due to a confusion of the ending -ar
with suff. -ard (see -ard).
Derivatives: hazard, v. (q.v.), hazard-ous, adj.
(cp. F. hasardeux), hazard-ous-ly, adv., hazardous-ness, n., hazard-ry, n.
hazard, tr. v.- F. hasarder, fr. hasard. See prec.
word.
haze, n., fog, mist. - Prob. back formation
fr. hazy.
Derivative: haze, tr. v., to make hazy; intr. v.,
to become hazy.
haze, tr. v., to harass. - OF. haser, 'to vex, irritate', of unknown origin.
hazel, n. - ME. hasel, fr. OE. h;esel, hisl, rei.
to ON., Norw. has/, Dan., Swed. hassel, MLG.,
MDu. hasel, Du. hazelaar, OHG. hasal, MHG.,
G. hasel, 'hazel', and cogn. with L. corulus,
cary/us (for *kozulus), 'hazel, filbert tree', Olr.,
OCo., W., Bret. call (for *cos/a-), 'hazel', perh.
also with OLith. kasulas, 'a hunting spear' (so
called because it was usually made of hazel
wood). Cp. Corylus.
Derivatives: hazel, hazel-ed, hazel-ly, adjs.
hazing, n., the act of harassing. - Formed fr.
haze, 'to harass', with -ing, suff. forming verbal
nouns.
hazy, adj., characterized by haze.- Of unknown
origin. Cp. haze, 'fog'.
Derivatives: hazi-ly, adv., hazi-ness, n.
hazzan, chazzan, also spelled hazan, ehazan, n.,
Jewish cantor. - Mishnaic Heb. and Aram.
/Jazzdn, 'superintendent, officer', later 'cantor',
prob. borrowed fr. Akkad. !Jaziinu, !Jazannu,
'chief magistrate of a town' (cp. Aram. fJazziin~
miithd, 'superintendents of the town', Talmud
Babha Metzi'a, 93b). It is very probable, however, that Akkad. !Jaziinu was borrowed from a
WSem. language and that the word orig. meant
'overseer', from a verb meaning 'to see'; cp.
Heb.fJiizdh, Aram./Jazd, 'he saw'. (In Akkadian,
the verb !Jazii, 'to see', docs not occur; if it had
existed, !Jaziinu might be its derivative.) If Akkad. haziinu is a WSem. loan word, then Heb.
and Aram. /Jazzdn were reborrowed from Akkadian. See Heinrich Zimmern, Akkadische
Fremdworter als Beweis fiir babylonischen
KultureinfluB, Leipzig, 1917, p.6, Note 3.
he, nom. sing. of the 3rd pers. masc. pron. ME. he, fr. OE. he [fern. heo, hio, neut. hit; pl.
(for all genders) hi, hie], rei. to OS., OFris. hi!,
hi, MDu. he, hi, Du. hij, OHG. he, 'he', Goth.
neut. hita (ace.), 'it', masc. himma (dat.) (in
himma daga, 'on this day'), masc. hina (ace.)
(in und hina daga, 'until that day'), and to the
first element in OE. heodzg, OS. hiudu, OFris.
hiude, MDu. hiiden, OHG. hiutu, MHG. hiute,
G. heute, 'today' (for the second element, which
appears in its full form only in OE. heo-dzg,
see day); fr. Teut. base *hi-, corresponding to

710

I.-E. base *ki-, 'this one', whence also Hitt. ki,

'this', Gk. e-xe'L, 'there', Ion. Gk. xd-vo~.
Aeol. x'ij-vo~, Gk. e-xe'L-vo~. 'that person or
thing', rri)f.LEpov, 'today' (for *xt&f.Lepov, lit.
'this day', fr. I.-E. *kyo-, 'this', and Gk.iJf.L&pii,
'day'), L. cis, citer, citrii, 'on this side', ce- and
-ce, emphatic particles meaning 'here, there',
OSlav. si, Lith. sis, 'this'. Cp. him, her, it, hence,
here, hither. Cp. also cede, cis-, citra-, cy-pres,
et cetera, hodiernal, sic.
he, n., name of the 5th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. - Heb. he, probably meaning 'lattice
window'.
head, n. - ME. heved, hed, fr. OE. hiafod, rei.
to OS. hii'Oid, ON. hofuo, Dan. hoved, Swed.
huvud, OFris. hiived, hiifd, MDu. h6vet, hooft,
Du. hoofd, OHG. houbit, houpit, MHG. houbet,
houbt, houpt, G. Haupt, Goth. haubip, 'head',
and cogn. with 01. kaput-, 'head' (in kapucchalam, 'hair of the hind part of the head'), L.
caput, 'head'. See capital, adj.
Derivatives: head, v., head-ed, adj., head-er, n.,
head-ing, n., head-y, adj., head-i-ly, adv., headi-ness, n.
-head, a rare collateral form of suff. -hood.
headless, adj. - ME. hevedles, hedles, fr. OE.
hi!afodleas. See bead and -less.
headlong, adv. -ME. hedling, formed with adv.
suff. -ling fr. hed, 'head'; see head. The form
headlong(for *headling) is due to folk-etymological association with -long (cp. sidelong).
headman, n. - ME. hevedman, hedman, fr. OE.
heafodman, fr. heafod, 'head', and man, 'man'.
See head and man and cp. ON. hofuosmaar,
Swed. huvudman, OHG. houbitman, MHG.
houbetman, 'headman, leader, chief', G. Hauptmann, 'captain'. Cp. also hetman.
heal, tr. and intr. v.- ME. helen, fr. OE. hiilan,
rei. to OS. he/ian, ON. hei/a, OFris. he/a, Du.
heelen, OHG., MHG., G. heilen, Goth. ga-hai/jan, 'to heal'. These verbs lit. mean 'to make
whole', and are denominated fr. OE. hiil, 'whole',
resp. its equivalents in the other Teut. languages. See whole and cp. hale, 'healthy'.
Derivatives: heal-er, n., heal-ing, n. and adj.,
heal-ing-ly, adv.
heald, n., a heddle. - ME. he/de, fr. OE. hefeld.
See heddle.
health, n.- ME. he/the, fr. OE. hii/0, lit. 'wholeness', formed fr. hiil, 'whole', with suff. -o. See
heal and substantial suff. -th. For sense development cp. Heb. slui/Om, 'completeness,
wholeness, health, peace', fr. shiiMm, 'was complete, was safe'.
Derivatives: health-ful, adj., health-ful-ly, adv.,
health-ful-ness, n., health-y,adj., health-i-ly, adv.,
health-i-ness, n.
heap, n.- ME. heap, heep, hepe, 'troop, heap',
fr. OE. heap, 'troop, band, multitude', rel. to
OS. hOp, MLG. hupe, Du. hoop, OHG. hiifo,
hou/, MHG. hufe, houfe, G. Haufe, 'heap', fr.
I.-E. base *qeu-p-, 'to bend, arch, vault', whence

711

heather

herd, MHG. hert, G. Herd, 'hearth', fr. Teut.

also OSlav. kupu, Lith. kaitpas, 'heap'. kupra,
base *her-, corresponding to I.-E. base *ker-,
'hump'. See cup and cp. hive and hope, 'troop'.
'to singe, bum, glow', whence also Goth. hauri,
Cp. also howitzer, Skupshtina.
'coal', ON. hyrr, 'fire', 01. kiif)ayati, kiilayati,
heap, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hepen, fr. OE. hi!a'singes', OSlav. kurj(J, kuriti s~. 'to smoke',
pian, 'to heap', fr. heap. See heap, n.
Lith. kuriu, kurti, Lett. kuru, kurt, '1!0 heat',
Derivative: heap-er, n.
Lith. kdrftas, 'hot', kai'Stis, ~heat', Lett. karsts,
hear, tr. and intr. v.- ME. heren, fr. OE. hieran,
'hot', karst, 'to grow hot', and prob. also L.
hOra,
Swed.
heyra,
ON.
to
rei.
heran,
hyran,
carbo, 'coal, charcoal'; see carbon. Cp. cremate.
Dan. hare, OS. h6rian, OFris. hera, h6ra, Du.
heat, n. - ME. hete, Fr. OE. fiiitu, h:Eto, rei. to
horen, OHG. h6ran, h6rren, MHG. hQ!ren, G.
OS. hittia, ON. hiti, Dan. hede, Swed. hetta,
/Wren, Goth. hausjan, fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeu-,
OFris. hete, Du. hitte, OHG. hizzea, hizza,
*(s)qeu-, 'to look at, observe, perceive', whence
heizi, MHG., G. hitze, 'heat', OE. hiioa, 'hot
also 01. kavi/;t, 'wise', Gk. xoe'Lv, 'to mark, perweather', Goth. heito, 'fever', and to OE. hiit,
ceive, hear', and prob. also &xoue:tv (with copul.
etc., 'hot', see hot. It. izza, 'wrath, anger', is a
pref. &-),'to hear'. See show and cp. hark, hearTeut. loan word.
ken. Cp. also acoustic.
heat, tr. and intr. v.- ME. heten, fr. OE. h:Etan,
Derivatives: hear-er, n., hear-ing, n.
'to heat', fr. h:Etu, 'heat'. See heat, n.
heard, past tense and pp. of hear.- ME. herde,
Derivatives: heat-ed, adj., heat-ed-ly, adv., heatfr. OE. herde, fr. heran, 'to hear'. See hear.
er, n., heat-ing, n.
hearken, intr. and tr. v. (the latter is archaic). heath, n.- ME. heth, fr. OE. hiio, 'heath (land);
ME. herknien, herknen, fr. OE. heorcnian,
heath (the plant), heather', rel. to OS. hi!tha,
hyrcnian, rei. to OFris. harkia, herkia and to
ON. heior, Dan. hede, Swed. hed, 'heath', OHG.
(q.v.)
E. hark
heida, 'heather', MHG., G., Du. heide, 'heath;
Derivative: hearken-er, n.
heather', Goth. ha(pi, 'field', and cogn. with
hearse, n. - ME. herce, herse, fr. MF. herce
Gaulish ceto- in Gaulish-Latin place names like
(F. herse), 'harrow; portcullis; triangular frame
Citobriga, etc., and with Oir. ciad, OW. coif,
for holding candles', fr. L. hirpicem, ace. of
W. coed, OCo. cuit, Bret. coet (for *kaito-),
hirpex, 'harrow', fr. Samnite hirpus, 'wolf';
'wood, forest', but L. biicetum, 'cow pasture',
so called in allusion to the teeth of the harrow,
is not cognate. Cp. heathen, heather.
which resemble the teeth of a wolf. Samnite
Derivative: heath-y, adj.
hir-pus is rel. to L. hir-cus, 'he-goat'. Both these
heathen, n. - ME. hethen, fr. OE. hiioen, adj.
words are prob. rei. to L. hir-siitus, 'shaggy,
and n., rei. to OS. hi!thin, adj., ON. heioinn, adj.,
prickly, bristly'. See hirsute and cp, rehearse.
OFris. hi!then, adj., MDu. heidijn, heiden, Du.
Derivative: hearse, tr. v.
heiden, n., OHG. heidan, MHG. heiden, adj.,
heart, n. - ME. herte, hert, fr. OE. heorte, rei.
OHG. heidano, MHG. heiden, G. Heide, n.,
to OS. herta, ON. hjarta, OFris. herte, hirte,
'heathen', Goth. haiPn6, 'heathen woman'.
ODu. herta, Du. hart, OHG. herza, MHG.
words prob. meant orig. 'dwelling on the
These
cogn.
and
'heart',
hairt6,
Goth.
Herz,
G.
herze,
heath'. See prec. word and cp. hoyden.
with Hitt. kardiash (gen.), 'of the heart', Arm.
Derivatives: heathen, adj., heathenish (q.v.),
sirt (for *kerdi-), Gk. x;xp/3lii, poet. xijp, L. cor
heathenism, heathenize, heathenry (qq.v.)
(gen. cordis), OSlav. srUdice, Russ. serdce,
heathendom, n. - ME., fr. OE. hiioendom, 'pa'heart', Lith. sirdls, 'heart', OPruss. seyr (for
ganism', fr. hiioen. See prec. word and -dom.
'heart',
croidhe,
Ir.
cride,
Olr.
siran,
ace.
*kerd),
heathenesse, n., heathenism (archaic). - ME.
W. craidd, 'heart; center', Bret. kreiz, 'middle',
hethenesse, fr. OE. hiioennes, lit. 'heathenness'.
OSlav. srldd, Russ. seredd, 'middle', Avestic
See heathen and -ness.
z~r~&lya-, 'middle'. For sense development cp.
heathenish, adj-. - OE. hiioenisc, rei. to OHG.
Heb. lebh, 'heart', and lebh yiim, 'the midst (lit.
heidanisc, G. heidnisch, 'heathenish'. See heathen
the heart) of the sea', li!bh lui'efdA, 'the midst
and adj. suff. -ish.
of the terebinth', Akkad. libbu, 'heart; middle'.
Derivatives: heathenish-ly, adv., heathenishCp. cordate, cordial, core, accord. accordion,
ness, n.
codling, 'a variety of apple', courage. coocord,
heathenism, n.- A hybrid coined fr. heathen and
discord, miwrkord, record. Cp. also cardiac,
-ism, a suff. of Greek origin.
cardio-, carditis. endocardium, epicardium, periheathenize, tr. v., to render heathen; intr. v., to
cardium. L. credere, 'to believe', is not related
become heathen.- A hybrid coined fr. heathen
to L. cor, 'heart' (see creed).
and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivatives: heart, tr. and intr. v., heart-ed, adj.,
heathenry, n. - A hybrid coined fr. heathen and
heart-ed-ly, adv., heart-en, tr. and intr. v., heart-ry, a suff. of L.-F. origin.
en-er, n., heart-y, adj., heart-i-ly, adv., heart-iheather, n., a plant of the heath family.- ME.
ness,n., heart-less, adj., heart-less-ly, adv., hearthather, hadder, possibly derived fr. heth, 'heath,
less-ness, n.
heather'. See heath.
~ n.- ME. herth, fr. OE. heortJ, rel. to OS.,
Derivative: heather-y, adj.
OFris. herth, MDu. hert, Du. haard, OHG.

heaume

heaume, n., a kind oflarge helmet.- F., fr. OF.

helme, fr. Frankish *helm, which is rei. to OHG.
helm. See helmet.
heave, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hebben, heven, fr.
OE. hebban, 'to lift, raise', rei. to OS. hebbian,
ON. hefja, Du. heffen, OHG. heffan, MHG.
heben, heven, G. heben, Goth. hafjan, 'to lift,
raise', and to OE. habban, etc., 'to hold, possess, have'. See have and cp. heavy. Cp. also
heddle.
Derivatives: heave, n., heav-er, n.
heaven, n. -ME. heovene, hevene, heven, fr. OE.
heofon, hefon, rei. to OS. he'lJan, LG. heben,
heven, ON. himinn, Goth. himins, OS., OHG.
himil, OFris. himel, himul, MDu., Du. heme!,
MHG. hime/, G. Himmel, 'heaven, sky'. These
words pro b. derive fr. Teut. base *hama(n)-, fr.
I.-E. base *kem-, Team-, 'to cover'. See chemise
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: heaven, tr. v., heaven-ish, adj.,
heaven-ish-ly, adv., heavenly (q.v.)
heavenly, adj. - ME. hevenly, fr. OE. heofon/ic.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: heavenli-ness, n.
heavenly, adv. (archaic).- ME. hevenly, fr. OE.
heofon/ice, fr. heofonlic. See heaven and adv.
suff. -ly.
heavily, adv.- ME. hevily, fr. OE. hefiglice. See
heavy and adv. suff. -ly.
heaviness, n. - ME. hevinesse, fr. OE. hefigness.
See heavy and -ness.
Heaviside layer, n., a layer of ionized air from
about 6oto 100 miles above the earth.- Named
after the English physicist Oliver Heaviside
(1850-1925).
heavy, adj. - ME. hevy, fr. OE. hejig, rei. to OS.
he'lJig, OHG. hebig, hevlg, LG. hevig, ON.
hofugr, hofigr, 'heavy', and to OE. hefe, 'weight',
hebban, 'to lift, raise'. See heave and -y (representing OE. -ig).
heavy, adv., heavily. - ME. hevy, fr. OE. hefige,
fr. hefig. See heavy, adj.
hebdomad, n., a group of seven things; a week.
- L. hebdomas, gen. -adis, fr. Gk. &~8o[J.~, gen.
-ci8o~, fr. 1!~8o(Lo~, 'seventh', which is formed
with suff. -[J.O~, fr. t7IToc, 'seven'. See hepta- and
-ad and cp. seventh. The Greek suff. -(LO~ forms
ordinal numerals and is cogn. with 01. -nuih,
Hitt. -ma, L. -mus, OLith. and OPruss. -mas,
Ir. -mad (cp. e.g. 01. saptarrui/:1, Hitt. shiptama,
L. septimus, OLith. sekmas, OPruss. septmas,
Ir. sechtmad, 'seventh'.
hebdomadal, adj., occurring every seventh day,
weekly. - Late L. hebdomadalis, fr. L. hebdomas, gen. -adis. See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
hebdomadary, adj., hebdomadal.- ML. hebdomadiirius, fr. L. hebdomas, gen. -adis. See hebdomad and adj. suff. -ary.
Hebe, n., the goddess of youth in Greek mythology.- L., fr. Gk. "H~'1), nameofthegodde ssof
youth, fr. i)~'1), 'youth, strength of youth', which
prob. stands for I.-E. *yegt"ii-, whence also

712

Lett. jiga, 'strength, understanding, intellect',

Lith. nuo-jegii, 'power, ability'. Cp. ephebus.
hebe-, combining form denoting puberty or the
pubes. - Fr. Gk. -1]~7], 'youth, pubescence, puberty, the pubes'. See prec. word.
hebephrenia, n., adolescent insanity (med.) Medical L., coined by the German psychiatrist
Ewald Hecker in I87I fr. Gk. -1]~7], 'youth,
puberty', and q>p~v, gen. q>pEv6~, 'mind'. See
Hebe, phrenetic and -ia.
Derivative: hebephren-ic, adj.
hebetate, tr. v., to make blunt or dull. - L. hebetiitus, pp. of hebetiire, 'to make blunt or dull',
fr. hebes, gen. hebetis, 'blunt', whence also
hebere, 'to be blunt or dull'; of uncertain origin.
hebetude, n., dullness. - F., fr. L. hebetudinem,
ace. of hebetud6, 'dullness', fr. hebere. See prec.
word and -ude.
Hebraic, adj. - Late L. Hebriiicus, fr. Gk.
'E~pot:tx6~, fr. 'E~pocro~, 'Hebrew'. See Hebrew
and -ic.
Derivative: Hebraic-al-ly, adv.
Hebraism, n. - Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
'E~pocro~. See prec. word.
Hebraist, n. - Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk.
'E~pocro~. See Hebraic.
Derivatives: Hebraist-ic, adj., Hebraistic-al-ly,
adv.
Hebraize, tr. and intr. v. - Gk. i:~poct~Ew, 'to
speak Hebrew' (whence also F. hebrafser), fr.
'E~pocro~. See next word and -ize.
Hebrew, n. and adj.- ME. Ebreu, fr. OF. Ebreu,
Ebrieu (F. Hebreu), fr. L. Hebraeus, fr. Gk.
'E~poc'Lo~, fr. Aram. 'ibhray, 'ebhray, fr. Heb.
'ibhrf, 'Hebrew', lit. 'he who came from across
(the River)', fr. 'tbher, 'region across, side',
from the stem of 'iibhar, 'he passed across or
over', which is rei. to Aram.-Syr. 'iibhdr, Arab.
'abara, 'he passed across', Akkad. eberu, 'to
pass over', Heb. 'ebhrtih, 'fury, anger' (lit. 'overflow'), Mishnaic Heb. 'iibhertih, 'transgression,
sin' (for 5ense development cp. E. transgression),
Heb. ma'iibhtir, ma'iibhiirdh, 'ford, pass. Cp.
Habiru. Cp. also averah.
Hecate, also Hekate, n., an ancient Greek goddess, daughter of the Titan Perseus and Asteria
(Greek mythol.) - L. Hecate, fr. Gk. 'ExciTIJ,
shortened fr. txtx.TI)~6).o~, which was regarded
already by the ancients as an enlarged form of
tx1J~6).o~ and accordingly explained as 'fardarting, far-shooting'. See Hecuba.
hecatomb, n., a sacrifice of a hundred oxen
(Greek antiq.) - F. hecatombe, fr. Gk. exoc't'.)(L~'IJ, which is compounded of ~cH6v, 'a
hundred', and the stem of (3ou~, 'ox'. Gk. t1:xoc>6v is formed fr. bl, 'one', or fr. &- (fr. I.-E.
sm-, 'one'), and *xocT6v (fr. I.-E. *ktl'tom,
'h~ndred'). Accordingly exoc>6v lit. means 'one
hundred' (cp. 01. sa-hdsram, 'one thousand').
See heno- and bundrell For the second element
in Gk. txoc't'6!Lf3'1l see borine.
Hecatombaeoo. n., name of the Ist month of the

713

Attic Greek calendar (corresponding to JulyAugust). - Gk. 'Exoc't'O(L~tx.L6lv, lit. 'the month
in 'which ~xocT6[L~tx.L (i.e. a hundred oxen) were
sacrificed at Athens'. See prec. word.
hecaton-, combining form meaning 'a hundred'.
- Gk. See hecatomb.
heck, n., frame for holding the warp threads. Dial. var. of hatch, 'door' (q.v.) Cp. hack,
'board'.
heckelphone, n., baritone oboe (mus.) - G.
Heckelphon, a hybrid coined fr. Wilhelm
Heckel, name of the inventor, who introduced
it in I905, and Gk. q>wv~, 'sound, voice'. See
phone, 'speech sound'.
heckle, tr. v., I) to hackle; 2) to embarrass the
speaker with questions. - ME. hekelen, fr.
hekele, 'an instrument for cleansing and carding
flax or hemp'. See hatchel and cp. hackle.
Derivatives: heck-ler, n., heckl-ing, n.
beet-, form of hecto- before a vowel.
hectare, n., a surface measure containing IOO
ares.- F., lit. 'a hundred ares', a hybrid coined
in I795 by a decree of the French National Convention fr. Gk. ~xcxT6v, 'a hundred', and L.
area, 'a vacant piece of ground'. See hecto- and
are, 'a square unit'.
hectic, adj., I) consumptive; 2) feverish. - F.
hectique, fr. Late L. hecticus, fr. Gk. tx't'Lx6~,
'habitual; consumptive', formed with suff.
-Lx6~, fr. exT6~, 'that which one may have' (in
the neut. pl. Toc &xd;, 'the qualities of substances'), verbal adj. of ~XELv, 'to have, hold,
possess' (whence also S:~t~, 'being in a certain
condition, state of mind'). See scheme and -ic
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Hector,
apocha, cachexy, cleruch, daduchus, Ecbeneis,
entelechy, epoch, eunuch, Ophiochus, pleonexia,
Stylochus.
Derivatives: hectic, n., hectic-a/, adj., hectic-ally, adv.
hecto-, before a vowel beet-, combining form
meaning 'a hundred'. - F. hecto-, hect-, arbitrarily shortened fr. Gk. &xocT6v, 'a hundred'
(see hecatomb); introduced by the French National Convention.
hectocotylize, tr. v., to change into a hectocotylus. - See next word and -ize.
Derivative: hectocotyliz-ation, n.
hectocotylus, n., one of the tentacles of the males
of certain cephalopods.- ModL. name coined
by the French naturalist, Baron Georges-Uopold-Chretien-Frederic-Dagobert Cuvier (orig.
meant to denote a supposed parasite); compounded of hecto- and Gk. xo-rUA7J, 'anything
hollow, a cup'. See cotyledon.
hectogram, n., weight of 100 grammes.- F. hectogramme, coined fr. hecto- and F. gramme,
'gram', fr. Gk. yp&:(L(Ltx., 'that which is written'.
See gram.
hectograph, n., a device for multiplying a writing.
-Compounded of becto- and Gk. -ypocq>oc;, fr.
yp&:q~e:Lv, 'to write'. See -graph.

hederaceous

Derivatives: hectograph, tr. v., hectograph-ic,

adj., hectograph-y, n.
hectoliter, hectolitre, n., measure of woo liters.
- F. hectolitre, coined fr. hecto- and F. litre.
See liter.
hectometer, hectometre, n., measure of IOO
meters. - F. hectometre, coined fr. hecto- and
F. metre, 'meter'. See meter, 'measure of unit'.
Hector, n., I) in Homer's Iliad, the eldest son of
Priam and Hecuba, and the greatest Trojan
hero; 2) masc. PN. - L., fr. Gk. "Ex>wp, fr.
~xTwp, 'holder, stayer', agent noun formed fr.
'tx.Etv, 'to have, hold, possess'. See hectic.
hector, n., blusterer, bully. - Fr. prec. word.
Derivative: hector, tr. and intr. v.
Hecuba, n., principal wife of Priam and mother
of Hector.- L., fr. 'Exci~7J, prob. short for *&xcx~6).o~ (whence through metrical lengthening
Ex7J~6).oc;), which is of uncertain origin and
meaning. It possibly means lit.-as explained already by the ancients-'far-dart ing, farshooting', fr. &xcic;, 'far, afar, far off', and
-~6).o~, 'thrower. Gk. xcic; stands for *crfE-xci~,
'by or for himself', which contains the base of
the reflexive pronoun (see sui-) and the suff.
-x&:c; (appearing also in &:v8poc-xcic;, 'man by
man'), and is cogn. with 01. eka-safr, 'single'.
Gk. -~6).oc;, 'thrower', is rei. to ~cii..AEtv, 'to
throw, cast'; see ballistic. - Cp. Hecate.
heddle, n., (a term of weaving). - Formed with
metathesis fr. OE. hefeld, hefe/, hebeld, hebe/,
'thread for weaving', for orig. *haf-ild, from the
root of OE. hebban, 'to lift, raise'. Cp. MLG.
hevelt, ON. hafald, 'heddle' and see heave. Cp.
also heald.
Derivative: heddle, tr. v.
hedenbergite, n., a calcium iron pyroxene (mineral.) - Named after the Swedish chemist
M. A. Ludwig Hedenberg. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Hedeoma, n., a genus of plants, the mock pennyroyal (bot.)- ModL., altered fr. Gk. -1)8uocr(Lov,
'the mint', prop. neut. of the adj. -1)8Uocr(Lo~,
'sweet-smelling, fragrant', which is compounded
of ~au~. 'sweet', and ocr(L~, 'scent, odor'; so
called in allusion to the fragrant blossoms. See
hedonic and osmium.
beder,cheder, n., Jewish school for little children.
-Yiddish kheyder, fr. Heb. /:Ieder, lit. 'room',
rei. to Punic /:1-d-r, 'sepulchral vault', /:1-d-r-t,
'chamber in the sanctuary', Arab. /:ridr, 'sanctuary', and prob. also to Ethiop. khadara, 'he
dwelled'.
Hedera, n., a genus of woody vines of the ginseng family (bot.)- L. hedera, 'ivy', prob. lit.
'the clasping plant', which possibly derives fr.
I.-E. base *ghed-, 'to clasp, reach, attain, hold',
whence also L. praeda (for *prai-heda), 'prey',
prehendere, 'to grasp, seize, take hold of'. See
prehensile and cp. Herre.
bederaceous, adj., pertaining to ivy. - L. hederiiceus,fr .hedera, 'ivy'. See prec. word and -aceous.

hederal

Derivative: hederaceous-/y, adv.

hederal, adj., pertaining to ivy. -Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. hedera, 'ivy'. See Hedera.
hederated, adj., crowned with ivy. - Formed
with suff. -ed fr. L. hederatus, fr. hedera, 'ivy'.
See Hedera.
hederic, adj., pertaining to ivy.- Formed with
suff. -ic fr. L. hedera, 'ivy'. See Hedera.
hedge, n.- ME. hegge, fr. OE. hecg, rel. to MDu.
hegge, Du. heg, OHG. hegga, MHO. hegge,
hecke, G. Heeke, 'hedge', ON. heggr, 'the bird
cherry (tree)', prop. 'a tree used for making
hedges'. and in gradational relationship to OE.
haga, OS. hago, 'hedge', fr. I.-E. base *qagh-,
'to encompass, enclose', whence also L. caulae
(prop. a dimin. of *cava, fr. orig. *qaghii), 'a
hole, sheepfold, enclosure', Gaul. caio, 'circumvallation', W. cae, 'fence, hedge', Co. ke, 'hedge'.
Cp. haw and words there referred to. Cp. also
inchoate, quay.
hedge, tr. and intr. v. - ME. heggen, fr. hegge,
'hedge'. See hedge, n.
Derivatives: hedg-er, n., hedg-ing, n., hedg-y,
adj.
hedonic, hedonical, adj., pertaining to pleasure.Gk. 1)8ovLx6c;, fr. 1)8ov1j, 'pleasure', fr. 1)8Uc;,
'sweet', which stands for *swiidu, 'sweet', and
is cogn. with L. suavis (for *suadvis), 'sweet',
OE. swete, 'sweet, pleasant'. See sweet and -ic
and cp. the first element in Hedychium and the
second element in Moneses.
hedonism, n., the doctrine that pleasure is the
chief good (philos.) - Formed with suff. -ism
fr. Gk. 1)8ov1j, 'pleasure'. See hedonic.
hedonist, n., an adherent of hedonism. - See
prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: hedonist-ic, adj., hedonist-ic-al-ly,
adv.
-hedral, combining form used to form adjectives
from nouns ending in -hedron, as in hexahedral.
- See -hedron and adj. suff. -al.
-hedron, combining form used to form nouns
with the meaning 'having a certain number of
faces' (said of geometrical solid figures), as in
hexahedron, polyhedron. - Gk. -e:8pov, fr. f:8pii
(for *sedra-), 'seat; base, side, face', from the
stem of f:~e:a-&cu, 'to seat oneself, to sit down',
which stands for *sezesthai and is cogn. with
L. sedere, 'to sit'. See sedentary and cp. Epbedra,
exedra, Sanhedrin, holohedral.
Hedwig, fern. PN. - G., fr. OHG. Haduwig, a
compound of two words which both mean
'strife, struggle'.
Hedychium, n., a genus of plants of the Zingiberaceae family (bot.)- ModL., compounded
of Gk. 1)8uc;, 'sweet', and )(Lwv, 'snow'. See
hedonic and chiono-.
Hedysarum, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 1)8oocxpov, 'the sainfoin', compounded of -1)3&;, 'sweet', and acipov,
'broom; sweepings', which is rel. to Gcx(pc,v,
'to sweep, clean'. See bedoDk: and syrma.

714

heed, tr. and intr. v. - ME. heden, heeden, fr.

OE. hedan, rei. to OS. hodian, OFris. hoda,
OHG. huotan, MHO. hueten, G. huten, 'to
guard, watch', which are denominated fr. OS.
hOd, resp. OFris. hOd, OHG. huota, MHG.
huote, G. Hut, 'protection, care', OE. hod,
'hood'. See hood.
heed, n.- ME. hede, fr. heden. See heed, v.
Derivatives: heed-ful, adj., heed-ful-ly, adv.,
heed-ful-ness, n., heed-less, adj., heed-less-ly,
adv., heed-less-ness, n.
heehaw, n., r) the bray of a donkey; 2) a guffaw;
intr. v., r) to bray like a donkey; 2) to guffaw.Imitative.
heel, n., the hind part of the foot. - ME. hele,
heele, fr. OE. hiila, hela, contracted fr. OE.
*h6hila, dimin. of OE. hoh, 'heel'; rei. to ON.
luell, OFris. hel, he/a, Du. hie/. See hock, 'joint',
and dimin. suff. -le.
Derivatives: heel, tr. v., to furnish with heels;
intr. v., to move one's heel, heel-er, n.
heel, intr. v., to lean to one side (said of ships).ME. heiden, heelden, hie/den, fr. OE. he/dan,
hie/dan, 'to lean, incline, bend down', rei. to
MLG., MDu. heiden, Du. he/len, of s.m., OE.
heald, ON. hallr, OHG. hald, 'inclined', heiden,
'to bow', OHG. halda, MHG., G. halde, 'slope,
declivity', OE., OS., OFris., OHG., MHO., G.
hold, ON. hollr, Goth. hulps, 'gracious, friendly',
lit. 'inclined', OE. hyldu, hyld, ON. hylli (for
*hylpi), OS. huldi, OFris. helde, MLG., Du.
hulde,OHG. huldi, MHG. hulde,G. Huld, 'favor,
grace'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base kef-,
'to bend, incline', whence also Lith. sa/is, 'side,
region'. Cp. hilding. For derivatives of base
*klei-, an enlargement of base *kel-, see clinical.
Derivative: heel-ing, n.
heft, n., r) the act of heaving (dial.); 2) weight;
importance (colloq.)- Formed from the stem
of heave (q.v.); heft stands to heave as weft
stands to weave. Cp. haft.
Derivatives: heft, tr. v., r) to lift; 2) to try (the
weight of something) by lifting; 3) to weigh,
heft-y, adj., muscular.
Hegelian, adj., pertaining to the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (I77DI8JI). For the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivatives: Hegelian, n., an adherent of Hegel
or his philosophy, Hegelian-ism, n., the philosophy of Hegel.
hegemonic, adj., pertaining to hegemony; leading. - Gk. 1)ye:iJ.OVLX6c;, 'related to a leader',
fr.Tjye:iJ.WV, gen.Tjye:iJ.6voc;. See next word and -ic.
Derivative: hegemonic-al, adj.
begemony, n. - Gk. 7JYEfLOVlii, 'leadership', fr.
Tjye:iJ.WV, gen. ~YEiJ.6voc;, 'leader', fr. ~ye:ia-&cx,
(Dor. &:ye:ia-&cxL), 'to lead', orig. prob. 'to track
down the way', fr. I.-E. base *sag-, *stg-, 'to
track down, trace, seek', whence also L. siigire,
'to perceive quickly or keenly', sagus, 'presaging, predicting, prophetic', sdgiix, 'sagacious', Goth. sokjan, OE. secan, 'to seek'. See

715

seek and Y (representing Gk. -tii) and cp.

hegumen. Cp. also exegesis and words there
referred to.
hegira, n., the flight of Mohammed from Mecca
(in 622).- Arab. hijran, 'flight', fr. hdjara, 'he
fled, emigrated'. Cp. Hagar.
hegumen, n., the first official in a monastery of an
Orthodox Eastern Church.- ML. hegumenus,
fr. Gk. TjyouiJ.evoc;, lit. 'leading', pres. part. of
Tjye:ia-&IXL, 'to lead'. See hegemony. For the suff.
-~J.e:voc; see alumnus and cp. words there referred to.
heifer, n. - ME. hayfare, fr. OE. heahfore, of
uncertain origin.
heigh, interj. -Imitative.
heigh-ho, interj. - Imitative.
height, n. -ME. heighthe, heighte, fr. OE. hiehiJu,
heahOu, hehOu, 'height', rel. to ON. h~EiJ, Dan.
hoide, Swed. hojd, Du. hoogte, OHG. h6hida,
Goth. hauhijJa, 'height', and to OE. heah, 'high'.
See high and subst. suff. -t.
Derivative: height-en, tr. and intr. v.
heinous, adj., hateful. - ME. heynous, fr. OF.
hatneus (F. haineux), 'full of hatred', fr. hafne
(F. haine), 'hatred', fr. OF. (=F.) hafr, 'to hate',
fr. Frankish *hatjan, which is rei. to OHG.
ha336n, ha33en, OE. hatian, 'to hate'. See hate,
v. and n. For the ending see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: heinous-ly, adv., heinous-ness, n.
heintzite, n., a hydrous magnesium potassium
borate (mineral.) - G. Heintzit, named after
the German chemist Wilhelm Heinrich Heintz
(I8I?-8o). The ending -it goes back to Gk. -fTI)c;;
see subst. suff. -ite.
heir, n. - ME., fr. OF. heir, eir (F. hair), fr.
VL. *herem (whence also OProven.;. er, 'heir'),
for L. heredem, ace. of heres, 'heir', pro b. a
compound meaning 'he who obtains that which
is left'. The first element of this compound
derives fr. I.-E. base *ghe(i)-, 'to lack, be empty;
to yawn', whence also OI. jahiiti, 'leaves, abandons, gives up', jihite, 'goes away', Gk. z'ijpoc;,
'bereaved of', )(IXtVELV, 'to gape, yawn', )("ijToc;,
'lack, want'. See go and cp. chori. The second
element is *ed-. It is prob. formed from the
preposition *e, 'beside, close by' (which stands
in gradational relationship to prep. *6, 'close,
by', appearing in OI., Avestic a-, 'toward'; see
agama, 'Indian scripture'), and base *do-, 'to
give'. See date, 'point of time'. Cp. heredity,
heritage, exheridate, inherit.
Derivatives: heir, tr. v., heirdom (q.v.), heirloom
(q.v.)
heinlom, n. - A hybrid coined fr. heir and suff.
-dom (fr. OE. -dam).
heirloom, n.- A hybrid coined fr. heir and loom
(this latter is here used in the original, now
obsol., sense 'tool, implement, piece of furniture').
heirship, n. - A hybrid formed fr. heir with suff.
-ship (fr. OE. -scipe).
hejlra, n. - See hegira.

Helicon

helcosis, n., ulceration (med.) - Medical L., fr.

Gk. ~/..xw<nc;, fr. ~/..xoc;, 'festering wound, sore,
ulcer', which is cogn. with L. ulcus. See ulcer
and -osis.
held, past tense and pp. of hold. - ME. }reid, fr.
OE. heold, fr. healdan, haldan. See hold:
Helen, fern. PN. - L. Helena (prob. through the
medium of F. Helene), fr. Gk. 'EMv"l), which
prob. derives fr. ~/..tv"l) (Hesychius), 'torch of
reeds', a collateral form of 1:Mv7J, of s.m. These
words, which have also the meaning 'bundle of
reeds', prob. derive from the stem of e:L/..dv,
Att. e:1/..dv, 'to roll, turn, twist'. See volute and
cp. Helenus, Helle.
Helenium, n., a genus of plants, the sneezeweed
(bot.) - L. helenium, 'elecampane', fr. Gk.
~/..~vLov, which is of uncertain origin. It possibly derives fr. ~/..oc;, 'marsh, marsh meadow',
and was so called because it grows in humid
places. Gk. ~/..o.:; stands for *selos and is cogn.
with 01. saras-, 'pond'. Cp. Helonias.
Helen of Troy, the beautiful sister of the Dioscuri,
and wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta (Greek
mythol.) - See Helen.
Helenus, n., a soothsayer, son of Priam, king of
Troy (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. "E/..e:vo.:;,
which is rei. to 'E/..ev1J. See Helen.
heliacal, adj., pertaining to the sun. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. 1)/..~1Xx6c;, 'of the sun',
fr. ~/..w.:;, 'sun', which stands for *sawe/ios and
is cogn. with L. sol (pro b. fr. sawel-, through
*sawol, *swot), 'sun'. See Sol and cp. helio-,
anthelion, aphelion, ephelis, Heliothis, parhelion,
perihelion.
heli-, form of helio- before a vowel.
Helianthemum, n., a genus of plants, the rock
rose (bot.) - ModL., compounded of heli- and
Gk. &v#o.:;, 'flower'. See anther.
Helianthus, n., a genus of plants, the sun flower
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'sun flower', coined by
Linnaeus fr. Gk. f,/..wc;, 'sun', and &v&oc;,
'flower'. See heliacal and -anthus.
belie-, form of helico- before a vowel.
helical, adj., having the form of a spiral.
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. helix, gen.
helicis, 'coil, spiral'. See helix.
Derivative: helical-ly, adv.
helico-, before a vowel belie-, combining form
meaning 'spiral'. - Gk. 1:),Lxo-, 1:/..~x-, fr. f:/..~~.
gen. f:/..Lxoc;, 'spiral'. See helix.
helicogyre, n., a kind of helicopter. - Com
pounded of helico- and Gk. yGpoc;, 'circle, ring'.
See gyre.
helicoid, adj .. spiral. - Gk. 1:ALXOE~8+,c;, 'of spiral
form', compounded of EAt~, gen.lhxo.:;, 'spiral',
and -oe:t81jc;, 'like', fr. d8oc;, 'form, shape'. See
helical and -oid.
Derivative: helicoid, n., a screwlike surface.
Helicon, n., a mountain in Boeotia sacred to the
Muses. - L., fr. Gk. 'E)..Lxwv (Boeotian fe:ALxwv), lit. 'the tortuous mountain', fr. EAt~, gen.
EAtxoc;, 'spiral'. See helix.

helicopter

716

Gk. "H/..Loc;, personification of -1)/..Loc;, 'sun'. See

helicopter, n. - F. helicoptere, compounded of
helio-.
Gk. &/..1~, gen. &/..Lxo<;, 'coil, spiral', and 1tn:p6v,
helioscope, n., a device for observing the sun
'wing'. See helix and ptero-.
without injury to the eyes (astron.) - F. heliohelicotrema, n., the opening connecting the two
scope, compounded of helio- and Gk. -ax6mov,
fr.
L.,
Medical
(anal.)
cochlea
the
scalae in
axo1te:iv, 'to look at, examine'. See -scope.
fr.
F. helicotreme, a word coined by the French anaDerivatives: helioscop-ic, adj., helioscop-y, n.
tomist Gilbert Breschet (1784-1845) fr. Gk.
heliosis, n., injury caused to the body by exl/..1~, gen. ~/..Lxo<;, 'spiral', and '<P7ifL(l(, 'that
posure to the sun (med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk.
which is bored through, hole'. Accordingly heli1)/..lwmc;, 'exposure to the sun', fr. 1)/..LOucr-&ctL, 'to
the
(of
cochlea
the
in
'hole
means
cotrema lit.
be exposed to the sun', fr. -1)/..Loc;. See heliacal
ear)'. For the etymology of the first element see
and -osis.
helix. The second element is rel. to 't'L-'t'piiv, 'to
heliostat, n., an instrument for reflecting the rays
rub, grind, pierce', 't'e:[pe:Lv, 'to rub away, wear
of the sun in one direction.- ModL. heliostata
away', fr. I.-E. base *ter-, 'to rub, tum, twist',
or F. hiliostat, compounded of Gk. -1)/..Loc;, 'sun',
'to
]Jriiwan,
OE.
rub',
'to
terere,
L.
also
whence
and cr't'o:'t'6c;, 'placed, standing'. See heliacal and
throw'. See throw. For the ending see suff. -rna.
static and cp. aerostat and words there referred to.
helio-, before a vowel heli-, combining form deDerivative: heliostat-ic, adj.
-1)/..LOc;,
fr.
1)/..L-,
noting the sun. - Gk. 1)/..Lo-,
heliotherapy, n., treatment of disease by sun'sun'. See heliacal.
light. - Compounded of helio- and -therapy.
heliocentric, adj., pertaining to the sun as the
n., a genus of moths, the bollworm
Heliothis,
center. - Compounded of helio- and centric.
(zoo/.) - ModL., irregularly formed fr. Gk.
Cp. geocentric.
1)/..Lw't'Lc;, 'the dawn', prop. fern. of the adjective
Derivative: heliocentric-ism, n.
~/..LWTI)<;, meaning 'of the sun', fr. -1)/..LOc;. See
heliochrome, n., photograph in natural colors. heliacal.
'color'.
XPWfLct,
Gk.
and
helioof
Compounded
heliotrope, n., orig. a plant that turns to the sun;
See chrome.
now any plant of the borage family, with fragDerivatives: heliochrom-ic, adj., heliochrom-y, n.
rant purple or white flowers. - F. heliotrope,
sun
the
from
fly
to
heliofugal, adj., tending
fr. L. heliotropium, fr. Gk. 'i)/..LO't'p6mov, 'helio(astron.) - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. -Yj/..Loc;, 'sun',
trope', lit. 'that which turns toward the sun',
-iilis
suff.
L.
and
flee',
from,
fly
'to
fugere,
L.
fr. -Yj/..1oc;, 'sun', and -'t'po7toc;, 'turning', fr.
(see helio-, fugacious and adj. suff. -al). The
't'p7te:Lv, 'to tum'. See helio- and trope.
correct form would be solifugal, in which both
heliotropic, adj., characterized by heliotropism.
elements are of Latin origin.
- See next word and -tropic.
heliogram, n., a message conveyed by helioDerivative: heliotropic-al-ly, adv.
Gk.
and
helioof
Compounded
graph.
heliotropism, n., tendency of a plant to tum toyp&fLfLIX, 'that which is written'. See -gram.
ward the sun's rays. - Compounded of helio-,
heliograph, n., 1) an instrument for taking photoGk. 't'p67toc; or 't'porri), 'a turning', and suff. -ism.
measurfor
instrument
graphs of the sun; 2) an
See trope, tropism and cp. geotropism, hydrotroing the intensity of sunlight. - Compounded
pism, hygrotropism, nyctitropism, orthotropism,
of helio- and Gk. -yp(l(qJoc;, fr.yp<XqJe:Lv, 'to write'.
se/enotropism.
See -graph.
Heliotropium, n., a genus of plants, the tumsole
Derivatives: heliograph, tr. v., heliograph-ic, adj.,
(bot.) - ModL. See heliotrope.
heliograph-y, n.
heliotype, n., picture produced by heliotypy. heliogravure, n., photoengravin g. - F. hilio
Compounded of helio- and type.
gravure, a hybrid coined fr. Gk. -Yj/..Loc;, 'sun',
heliotypography, n., a process of photoengravin g.
and gravure, 'engraving', a word of Teut. origin.
- Compounded of helio- and typography.
See Helios and gravure.
n., process in which prints are made
heliotypy,
heliology, n., the study of the sun.- Compoundfrom a gelatin film exposed under a negative. ed of helio- and Gk. -/..oyla, fr. -/..6yoc;, 'one
See heliotype and subst. suff. -y.
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
Heliozoa, n. pl., an order of protozoans (zoo/.)deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
ModL., lit. 'sun animals', fr. helio- and ~<T>ct, pl.
heliometer, n., an instrument for determining the
of ~wov, 'animal'. See zoo-.
angular distance between two stars (astron.) Deri~atives: heliozo-an, adj. and n.
F. heliometre, orig. 'instrument for measuring
n., name of a gaseous element (chem.) helium,
belloof
the diameter of the sun'; compounded
MOdL., fr. Gk. -Yj/..Loc;, 'the sun'; so called by
and Gk. fL&'t'pov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
the English astronomer Sir Joseph Norman
rhythm'.
Lockyer (1836-1920) and the English chemist
Derivative: heliometr-y, n.
Sir Edward Frankland (1825-99), because it was
Heliopsis, n., a genus of plants, the oxeye (bot.)
observed by them in the spectrum of the
first
illjiLc;,
Gk.
and
heliof
- ModL., compounded
sun (in 1868, during an eclipse). See heliacal
'sight, appearanCe'. See -opsis.
and -ium.
Hellos, n., the sun god in Greek mythology.-

717

helix, n., spiral line. - L., fr. Gk. !/..1~ (for

*fe/..1~), 'spiral, coil', from the stem oU:/..lcrcrtL\1
(for *fe:/..bc1e:w), 'to tum about, wind, roll',
fr. I.-E. base *we/-, 'to bend, tum, twist, roll'.
See volute and words there referred to and cp.
esp. Helicon, helminth.
hell, n.- ME. helle, fr. OE. hell, rel. to OS. hellja,
ON. he/, OFris. helle, hille, Du. he/, OHG. hellia, hella, MHG. helle, G. Holle, Goth. haifa,
'hell', lit. 'that which hides', fr. I.-E. base kel-,
'to hide, conceal', whence also OE. heal/, hall,
'hall'. See hall.
Derivatives: hell-ish, adj., hell-ish-ly, adv., hell-

ish-ness, n.
hellbender, n., a large aquatic salamander. Formed fr. hell, bend, v., and agential suff. -er.
Helle, n., the daughter of Athamas and Nephele,
who was drowned in the strait which was called
the Hellespont (now = the Dardanelles) after
her. - L., fr. Gk. "EM1J, which is of uncertain
origin. It possibly means 'the bright one', and
is rei. to ~/..&VI), 'torch of reeds'. See Helen.
hellebore, n.- F., fr. L. helleborus, fr. Gk. ~)..)..
~opoc;, which prob. means lit. 'eaten by fawns',
and is compounded of ~)..)..6<; (i)..)..6c;), 'fawn',
and stem ~pw- (whence ~~~pwm<e:Lv), 'to eat'.
For the first element see elk, for the second see
voracious.
helleborine, n., name of an orchidaceous plant. L. helleborine, fr. Gk. ~)..)..e:~op(v1J, lit. 'a plant
resembling hellebore', fr. ~)..)..~opoc;. See hellebore and -ine (representing Gk. - tV1J).
Helleborus, n., a genus of plants, the hellebore
(bot.) - ModL. See hellebore.
Hellen, n., son of Deucalion and eponymous
ancestor of the Greeks. - Gk. "EM1JV, 'Hellen'
(whence the pl. "EM1Jve:c;, 'descendants of Hellen; Greeks'), of uncertain origin : possibly
standing for "E/..-/..r,v and lit. meaning 'seizer,
taker', and rei. to ~/..-e:iv, 'to take', i:"Awp,
!/..wpwv, 'prey, booty'. See sell and cp. Hellenize. Cp. also counsel.
Hellene, n., Greek. - Gk. "EM1JV. See prec.
word.
Hellenic, adj., Greek. -Gk. 'En1JvLx6c;, 'Greek',
fr. "EM1Jve:~, 'Greeks'. See Hellen and -ic.
Hellenism, n., I) a Greek phrase or idiom; 2)
Greek culture; 3) adoption of Greek culture.
- Gk. 'EM1JvLcrfL6c;, imitation of the Greeks,
Hellenism', fr. 'EM'l]vl~m. 'to speak Greek,
make Greek' (see Hellenize); introduced in 1836
by the German historian Johann Gustav Droysen (1808-84) as a term denoting the development of Greek culture from Alexander the Great
to the end of antiquity.
Hellenist, n., 1) an admirer of Greek culture; 2) a
Greek Jew. - Gk. 'EM1JvLcrfL6c;, 'one who uses
the Greek language', esp. 'Greek Jew', fr. 'E/../..r,vl~e:Lv. See next word.
Derivative: Hellenist-ic, He/lenist-ic-al, adjs.,
Hel/enist-ic-al-ly, adv.
Hellenize, tr. v., to make Greek in character;

helointr. v., to adopt the Greek speech, customs,

etc. - Gk. 'EM'l]v(~tLV, 'to speak Greek, make
Greek, Hellenize', fr. "EM'l]Vt~. 'Greeks'. See
Hellen and -ize.
Derivatives: Helleniz-ation, n., Helleniz-er, n.
Helleno-, combining form meaning 'Greek-'. 'EM1JVO-, fr. "EM1Jve:c;, 'Greeks'. See Hellen.
heller, n., name of a small coin formerly current
in Germany and Austria. - G. Heller, fr.
MHG. hal/er, heller, short for Haller pfenninc,
i.e. 'pfennig coined at Hall (in Swabia)'. For
sense development cp. dollar. For the ending
see agential suff. -er.
hellhound, n., 1) a dog of hell, such as Cerberus;
2) a demon. - ME. hellehund, fr. OE. helle
hund, lit. 'hound of hell'. See hell and hound.
hello, interj.- A var. of hallo.
helm, n., tiller; steering wheel of a vessel. - ME.
he/me, fr. OE. helma, 'rudder', rei. to OHG.
helmo, 'tiller', MHG. halm(e), helm, G. Helm,
'handle of an ax, helve', and to E. helve and
halter (qq.v.)
helm, n., helmet (poet.)- ME., fr. OE. helm. See
helmet. Derivative: helm-ed, adj.
helmet, n.- OF., dimin. of he/me (F. heaume),
'helmet', fr. Frankish *helm, which is rei. to
OHG., MHG., G., OFris., OS., OE. helm, ON.
hjalmr, Goth. hilms. These words prob. meant
orig. 'cover, protection', and derive fr. I.-E.
base ket-, 'to cover, hide, conceal', whence also
OE. he/an, etc., 'to conceal'. See hall and cp.
the second element in Anselm, Kenelm, William. Cp. also It. elmo, OProven9. elm, Sp.
yelmo, 'helmet', which also are Teut. loan words.
Derivative: helmet-ed, adj.
helminth, n., a parasitic worm. - Gk. tAfLLc;
(later form i:"AfLLvc;), gen. lAfLLv&o;, for *.Fi/..fLLvc;,
lit. 'that which rolls or twists'. rei. to e/..[crcre:L\1
(for fe:/..lx1e:1v ), 'to wind, roll', EAL~ (for f&/..L~).
'spiral'. See helix and cp. the second element
in nemathelminth. Derivative: helminth-ic, adj.
helminth-, form of helmintho- before a vowel.
helminthiasis, n., a disease caused by the presence of parasitic worms in the body (med.)Medical L., fr. Gk. EAfLLV-&Liiv, 'to suffer from
worms', fr. 1:/..fLL<;, gen. &A{.Ltv-&oc;. See helminth
and -iasis.
helmintho-, before a vowel helminth-, combining
form meaning 'worm' (med.) - Gk. ~AfLLv-&o-,
EAfLLV-&-, fr. &/..fLL~, gen. 1:/..fLL'i-&oc;, 'worm'. See
helminth.
helminthology, n., the study of worms (esp. of
Compounded of helparasitic worms). mintho- and Gk. -/..oy(ii, fr. -/..6yo~. 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
helmless, adj., having no helm (said of a vessel).
- See helm, 'tiller', and -less.
helmless, adj., having no helmet. - See helmet
and -less.
helo-, combining form meaning 'marsh'. - Gk.
i:ko-, fr. &oc;, 'marsh'. See Helenlum.

helo-

helo-, combining form meaning 'nail'. - Gk.

~/..o-, fr. f,/..o~ ( = Dor. &/..o~), 'nail', which is rei. to
Aeol. foc/..Am (pl.), written yoc/..Am (Hesychius),
'nails', and prob. cogn. with L. vallus, 'stake,
pale', vallis, 'valley', fr. I.-E. base *wal-, *we!-, 'to
bend'. See vale, 'valley', and cp. words there
referred to.
Heloderma, n., a genus of lizards (zoo!.) ModL., compounded of helo-, 'marsh', and
derma.
Helonias, n., a genus of plants of the family
Melanthaceae (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'a marsh
plant', fr. Gk. ~/..o~, 'marsh'. See Helenium.
Helot, n., 1) one of the original inhabitants of Laconia, made serfs by the Spartans (Greek hist.);
2) (not cap.) a serf. - L. Helotes, fr. Gk.
Ert..w'l'E~, which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
stands for *7;/..w't'E<;, fr. *,1;-Fe:t..-w-rEc;, lit. 'captives
(sci!. of the Spartans)', and is rei. to Gk.
oc/..(crxEcr~cx~ (for *fcx/..(crxecr&cx~), 'to be taken
captive', fr. I.-E. base *wei-, 'to seize, take,
steal', whence also L vel/ere (for *we/sere), 'to
pluck, pull, twitch', volnus, vulnus, 'wound'. See
vellicate and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: helot-age, n., helot-ism, n., helotry, n.
help, tr. a.1d i:ltr. v. -- ME. he/pen, fr. OE. helpan, rei. to OS. he/pan, ON. hjalpa, Dan. hjiE/pe,
Swed. hjiilpa, OFris. helpa, MLG., MDu., Du.
he/pen, OHG. he/fun, MHG., G. he/fen, Goth.
hi/pan, 'to help', and cogn. with Lith. selpiit,
selpti, 'to help, support', pa-salpa, 'support'.
Derivatives: help, n. (q.v.), help-er, n., helping, n.
help, n.- OE. help (fern. and masc.), helpe (fern.),
fr. he/pan, 'to help', rei. to ON. hjulp, Dan.
hjiElp, Swed. hjiilp, OFris. helpe, Du. hulp, OHG.
he/fa, hi/fa, MHG. helfe, hi!fe, G. Hi/fe. See
help, v.
Derivatives: help-ful, adj., help-ful-ly, adv.,
help-ful-ness, n., help-less, adj., help-less-ly, adv.,
help-less-ness, n.
helpmate, n., a companion; esp. applied to a
wife. - Corruption of helpmeet.
helpmeet, n., a helpmate. - From a misunderstanding of the English rendering of Heb. 'her
k~neghdJ in Gen. 2: I 8 and 20 'an help meet for
him'. See help, n. and meet, 'suitable'.
helter-skelter, adv . in haste and confusion.
Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: helter-skelter, adj. and n.
helve, n., handle of an ax. - ME. hilve, helve,
fr. OE. hie!/, helfe, rei. to OS. he/vi, MDu. he!/,
helve, OHG. halb, MHG. halp, 'handle of an
ax, helve', OHG. helmo, 'tiller', and cogn. with
Lith. kilpa, 'stirrup', kdlpa, 'traverse of a sledge'. Cp. halter and helm, 'tiller'.
Derivative: helve, tr. v.
Helvella, n., a genus of sac fungi (hot.)-- ModL.,
fr. L. helvella, 'a small potherb', dimin. formed
fr. helvus, 'light bay'. See yellow and -ella and
cp. next word.

718

helvite, n., a yellow mineral. - Formed with

subst. suff. -ite fr. L. helvus, 'light bay'. See
yellow and cp. prec. word.
hem, n., edge, border.- ME. hemm, hem, fr. OE.
hemm, hem, rei. to ON. hemja, 'to bridle, curb',
Dan. hemme, Swed. hiimma, 'to stop, restrain',
OFris. hemma, 'to hinder', MDu., MHG., G.
hemmen, 'to hem in, stop, hinder', and to OE.
hamm, 'enclosed pasture land'.
hem, tr. v. - ME. hemmen, fr. OE. hemman, fr.
hem, 'edge, border'. See hem, v.
Derivative: hemm-er, n.
hem, n., interjection and intr. v. - Imitative.
hem-, form of hemo- before a vowel.
hemal, haemal, adj., pertaining to blood. Formed with adj. sutf. -al fr. Gk. cxtf.tcx, 'blood',
which possibly stands for *sai-men and is cogn.
with OS. sem, ON. seimr, MDu. seem, Du.
zeem, OHG., MHG., G. seim, 'virgin honey'.
The original meaning of both Greek cxtfl.IX and
these Teut. words seems to have been 'a viscid
liquid'. Cp. -emia.
hemat-, form of hemato- before a vowel.
hematic, haematic, adj., pertaining to blood, of
the color of blood. - Formed with sutf. -ic
fr. Gk. cxtf.too:, gen. cxtf.tcx-ro~, 'blood'. See hemal.
hematin, hematine, haematin, haematine, n., the
coloring matter of hemoglobin (biochem.) Formed with chem. suff. -in, resp. -ine, fr. Gk.
cxtf.tcx, gen. IXLfl.IX't'o~, 'blood'; see hemal.
hematite, haematite, n., an ore of iron (mineral.}
- L. haematites, fr. Gk. cx[fJ.IX'l'fTI)~;, 'blood like',
used in the sense of /..(.&o~; cx[fLIX't'fTI)~, 'a red
iron ore', fr. C~.tfL::<, gen. IXLfl.IX'l'O~, 'blood'. See
hemal and subst. ,utf. -ite.
Derivative: hematit-ic, adj.
hemato-, haemato-, before a vowel hemat-, haemat-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
blood'. - Gk. cxlfLIX't'o-, cxlfLIX't'-, fr. oo:tf.tcx, gen.
cx'ifLIX'l'O!;, 'blood'. See hemal.
hematocele, haematocele, n., a tumor containing
blood (med.) - Compounded of hemato- and
Gk. x~/..1), 'tumor'. See -cele.
hemato-crystallin, haemato-crystallin, hemoglobin in a crystalline condition. -- See hematoand crystalline.
hematocyte, haematocyte, n., a blood cell. Compounded of hemato- and Gk. xu-ro~, 'a hollow vessel'. See -cyte.
hematoidin, haematoidin, n., an iron free yellowish
pigment (biochem.) - Coined by the German
pathologist Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902) fr.
hemato-, -oid and chem. sutf. -in.
hematology, n., the science of the blood (med.)
- Compounded of hemato- and -logy.
Derivatives: hematolog-ic adj., hematolog-ist, n.
berner-, form of hemero- before a vowel.
hemeralopia, n .. I) day blindness; 2) night blindness. - Medical L., fr. Gk. -l)f.tepi/..w~. 'blind
by day', compounded of T.f.ttpii, 'day', &J..oo:o~;,
'blind', and w<jl (gen. wr:o~;), 'eye'. For the etymology of Gk. -lJf.tl:pii see hemero-. Gk. &/..oo:6~;

719

prob. means lit. 'not seeing', and is formed fr.

&-(see priv. pref. a) and the stem of/..oce:w, 'to see',
which is cogn. with 01. ltisati, 'shines, beams'.
For the etymology of Gk. w<jl see -opia. Cp.
nyctalopia. Derivative: hemeralop-ic, adj.
hemero-, before a vowel berner-, combining form
meaning 'day'.- Gk. ~f.te:po-, ~fl.Ep-, fr. ~f.tl:pii,
'day', which is rei. to 1if.too:p of s.m., and cogn.
with Arm. aur (fr. *amur), 'day'. Cp. ephemeral,
hemeralopia, Mcsembryanthemum.
Hemerocallis, n., a genus of plants, the day lily
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ~fl.Epoxcxlli~, 'a kind
of lily~, which is compounded of ijf.tl:pii, 'day'
and xoc/..Ao~, 'beauty' (see hemero- and calo-);
so called because its flowers blossom only one
single day.
hemi-, pref. in words of Greek origin, meaning
'half'.- Gk. ~[!.~-. for *semi-, cogn. with 01.
stimi, 'half', L. semi-, OE. slim-, OHG. stimi-,
'half'. See semi-.
-hernia, haemia. - Variants of -emia.
hemialgia, n., pain involving only one side of
the body (med.) - Medical L., compounded of
hemi- and Gk. -cx/..yii, fr. 0!/..yo~, 'pain'. See-algia.
hemicrania, n., a periodical headache, usually on
one side of the head only.- Late L. hemicrania,
fr. Gk. ~fl.~Xpiiv(ii, 'pain on one side of the
head', which is compounded of ~fl.~- (see hemi-)
and xpii\lto\1, 'head, skull'; see cranium. Cp. migraine, megrim.
hemicycle, n., semicircle. - F. hemicycle, fr. L.
hemicyclus, fr. Gk. ~[J.~xux/..wv, 'semicircle',
prop. neut. of the adjective ~f.t~xux/..w~, 'semicircular', fr. ijfl.~- (see hemi-) and xux/..o~, 'circle'.
See cycle.
hemielytron, hemielytrum, n., one of the fore
wings of certain insects (entomol.) - ModL.,
compounded of hemi- and elytron.
hemin, haemin, n., the hydrochloride of hematin
(biochem.) - Formed with chem. suff. -in fr.
Gk. cxtfl.oo:, 'blood'. See hemal.
hemiplegia, n., paralysis of one side of the body
(med.) - Medical L., compounded of hemiand Gk. -7tA'IJy(ii, fr.r:/..1)-rfl, 'stroke'. See -plegia.
Derivative: hemipleg-ic, adj.
Hemiptera, n. pl., an order of insects, the bugs
(entomol.) - ModL., compounded of hemiand Gk. r:-rEp6v, 'wing'. See ptero-.
hemipterous, adj., pertaining to the Hemiptera.
- See prec. word and -ous.
hemisphere, n., half of the surface of a sphere
a sphere; esp. half of the surface of the earth. F. hemisphere, fr. L. haemisphaerium, fr. Gk.
T,~ucr<poo:(p~ov, which is compounded of ~fl.~ (see
hemi-) and a<pcx'Lpcx, 'ball, globe, sphere'. See
sphere.
hemispherical, adj. - See hemi-, spheric and adj.
sutf. -al.
hemistich, n., half of a poetic line. - L. hemistichium, fr. Gk. ~fl.~a-r(:x,~o\1, 'half line, half
verse', compounded of i)fLI (see hemi-) and
a-rl:x,o~, 'row, line, rank; verse', which is related

hemp

to cr-rd:x.e~\1, 'to go, march in order'. See acrostic

and cp. words there referred to.

hemlock, n. - ME. humlok, hemlok, fr. OE.
hymlic, hymlice, hemlic, of uncertain origin.
hemo-, haemo-, before a vowel hem-, haem-, combining form meaning 'blood'. - Gk~ cx!f.to-,
oo:!w, fr. oo:tf.tcx, 'blood'. See hemal and cp.
hemato-.
hemoglobin, haemoglobin, n., the coloring matter
of the red blood corpuscles (biochem.)- Shortened by the German chemist Ernst Felix Immanuel Hoppe-Seyler (1825-95) fr. earlier haematoglobulin, fr. haemato- (in the sense of
haematin) and globulin.
hemophilia, haemophilia, n., tendency to bleeding
(med.) - Medical L., coined by the German
physician Johann Lucas Schonlein (1793-1864)
in 1828 fr. haemo- and Gk. qn.J..tii, 'friendship',
here used in the sense of 'tendency to'. See
philo-.
hemoptysis, haemoptysis, n., spitting of blood
(med.) - ModL., compounded of hemo- and
Gk. r:ruat~, 'spitting', fr. 1t't1)E~\I, 'to spit'. See
ptyalin.
hemorrhage, haemorrhage, n., bursting of a bloodvessel (med.) - Medical L. haemorrhagia, fr.
Gk. cx!f.toppcxy(ii, 'haemorrhage', which is compounded of cxif.to- (see hemo-) -ppcxytii, 'a bursting forth', fr. p1))"1u\lcx~, 'to break, burst'. See
-rrhagia.
Derivatives: hemorrhag-ic, hemorrhag-ic-a/, adjs.
hemorrhoidal, haemorrhoidal, adj. - F. hi:morr(h)ofdal. See next word and adj. sutf. -al.
hemorrhoids, haemorrhoids, n. pl., piles. - F.
hemorr(h)oides, fr. L. haemorrhoidae, fr. Gk.
cxif.toppot3E~ (<p/..t~e:~), '(veins) liable to discharge blood' (esp. used in the sense of 'hemorrhoids') pl. of cx!f.toppot~, fr. cxif1.6ppooc;, 'flowing
with blood', compounded of cx!f.to- (see hemo-)
and pl:e~v, 'to flow', which stands for *crpl:fe:~v.
See stream.
hemostasis, haemostasis, hemostasia, haemostasia,
n., stoppage of bleeding (med.) - Medical L.,
fr. Gk. cxtf1.6CJ't'IXcr~~. which is compounded of
cx!f.to- (see hemo-) and cr't'occr~~. 'standing, standing still'. See stasis.
hemostat, haemostat, n., anything that stops
hemorrhage; specif., an instrument used to
compress a bleeding vessel. - Fr. hemostatic.
hemostatic, haemostatic, adj., serving to stop
hemorrhage; styptic.- Compounded ofhcmoand Gk. a't'cxnx6~, 'causing to stand'. See static.
hemp, n. - ME., fr. OE. hiEnep, henep, rei. to
OS. hanap, ON. hampr, Swed. hampa, Dan.
hamp, MDu., Du. hennep, OHG. hanaf, MHG.
hanef, han/, G. Hanf(= Teut. *hanap). Cp. Gk.
xocwcx~~~ (whence L. cannabis), Arm. kanap',
Alb. kanep, Russ.-Church Slav. konoplja(whence
Lith. kaniipes), 'hemp'. All these words are
loan words from a foreign, possibly Scythian,
language. Cp. canvas, canvass. Cp. also sunn.
Derivative: hemp-en, adj.

hen
hen, n. - ME., fr. OE. hen, henn, rei. to
OFris. henn, MDu. henne, Du. hen, OHG. henna,
heninna, MHG., G. henne, 'hen', OE., OFris.,
Goth. hana, OS., OHG. hano, ON. hani, Dan.,
Swed., MLG., MDu. hane, Du. haan, MHG.
hane, han, G. Hahn, 'cock'. These words lit.
mean 'the singing bird', and are cogn. with L.
canere, 'to sing'. For sense development cp. the
cogn. Gk. -lj'(-xcxv6.;, (Hesychius) 'cock', lit.
'singer of the dawn'. See cant, 'slang of beggars',
and words there referred to and cp. esp.
chanticleer.
Derivative: henn-ery, n.
henad, n., a unit, monad (Platonic philosophy ).Gk. vii.;, gen. iv&3o.;, formed fr. f:v, neut. of
d.;, 'one', with suff. -ci<;, gen. -ciao.;. See henoand -ad.
henbane, n. - Compounde d of hen and bane.
hence, adv. -ME. hennes (formed with adv. gen.
suff. -s fr. earlier henne), contracted later into
hens (written hence, in order to show that the s
has the voiceless sound), fr. OE. heonan, heonon;
rei. to OS. hinan, hinana, OHG. hinnan, hinniin,
hinana, MHG., G. hinnen, fr. Teut. pronominal
base *hi-. See he and cp. hinder, adj. For the
spelling with -ce cp. thence, whence.
henchman, n., 1) a page or squire; 2) a follower.ME. hengestman, henxtman, henksman, hencheman, 'groom, squire', formed fr. OE. hengest,
hengst, 'horse', and man, 'man', lit. 'a man attending on a horse'. The first element is rei. to
OFris. hengst, hanxt, Du. hengst, OHG. hengist,
MHG. hengest, hengst, G. Hengst, 'stallion'.
These words prob. mean lit. 'leaper, jumper',
fr. I.-E. base *kiiq-, whence also Gk. Kl)xle:Lv,
'to gush forth', Lith. sokti, 'to jump, dance',
:Sankus, 'quick, swift', MW., OCo. cassec, Bret.
kazek, 'a mare', lit. 'that which belongs to a
stallion'. For the second element see man.
hendeca-, combining form meaning 'eleven'. Gk. ~vlle:xcx, compounded of ~~~. neut. of e:!.;,
'one', and llixcx, 'ten'. See heno- and deca-.
hendecagon, n., a plane figure with eleven angles
and eleven sides. - Gk. ivllE:K.ciywvo.;, 'having
eleven angles'. See hendeca- and -gon and cp.
undecagon.
hendecasyllabic, adj., having eleven syllables. L. hendecasyllabus, fr. Gk. evllE:K.otaUMCX~O<;,
'having eleven syllables'. See hendeca- and
syllabic.
hendiadys. n., a figure of speech in which two
nouns joined by and are used instead of a noun
with an adjective. - ML. alteration of Gk. v
lld: llY)tV, 'one (thing) by means of two'. See
heno-, dia- and dual.
henequen, n., the fiber of the plant Agave rigida
sisalana. - Sp. henequen, jeniquen, fr. Taino
henequen.
henna, n., the shrub Lawsonia inermis and the
reddish dye made from its leaves. - Arab.
flinnd', 'henna', a name of Persian origin. Cp.
alkanet, Alkanna, oreanet.

720
heno-, combining form meaning 'one'. - Gk.
ivo-, neut. of de; (for *ef-t-c;), fr. lv (for *ef-t-),
'one', fr. I.-E. base *sem-, *sw-, 'one, together'.
See same and words there referred to andcp. esp.
hendeca-, hendiadys, henotic.
henotheism, n., a kind of polytheism in which one
god of the pantheon is raised over the rest. Coined by Friedrich Max Muller (I823-19oo),
professor of comparative philology at Oxford,
in his Lectures on the Origin and Growth of
Religion (1878), fr. heno- and Ist theism.
henotheist, n., an adherent of henotheism. -See
prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: henotheist-ic, adj.
henotic, adj., unifying; harmonizing . - Gk.
evwnx6.;, 'serving to unite', fr. evouv, 'to make
one, unite', fr. f:v, neut. of d.;, 'one'. See heno-.
Henrietta, fern. PN.- F. Henriette, fern. dimin,
of Henri. See next word and cp. Harriet. Cp.
also Etta.
Henry, masc. PN.- F. Henri, fr. Late L. Henricus, fr. G. Heinrich, fr. OHG. Heimerich, lit.
'the ruler of the house', fr. heim, 'house, home',
and rzhhi, 'ruler'. The first element is rei. to
OE. hiim, 'home'; see home. For the second
element see rich. Cp. Harry.
henry, n., the unit of inductance (electr.) Named after the American physicist Joseph
Henry (1797-1878).
bent, tr. v., to seize (archaic). - ME. henten, fr.
OE. hentan, 'to try to seize, to attack, seize',
which stands in gradational relationship to OE.
huntian, 'to hunt'. See hunt and cp. hint.
heortology, n., the study of feasts. - Compounded of Gk. eopri), 'feast, festival', and -Aoyloc, fr.
-A6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. The first
element is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands
for *fe:-fop-"~ and lit. means 'a kindly act (to
a deity)' and is rei. to E:pcxvo.; (for *fEpcxvo.:;),
'a meal to which everyone contributed his
share', and to 'ljpcx, ace. (for *fljpcx), in 'ljpcx
cpepe:Lv, 'to do a favor', &7tt-l)pot, 'pleasing gifts',
and cogn. with L. severus, 'serious, grave, strict,
austere'; see severe. For the second element see
-logy.
Derivative: heortolog-i-cal, adj.
hepar, n., I) the liver; 2) a liver-colored substance.
- ML., fr. Gk. 1j1t:xp, 'liver'. See hepatic.
heparin, n., an anticoagulan t obtained from the
livers of animals (pharm.) - Coined by the
American physiologist William Henry Howell
(186o-1945) and the American physician Luther
)(seetheartic le"Two
Emmett HoltJr.(I895 new factors in blood coagulation - Heparin
and Pro-antithro mbin" in American Journal
of Physiology, 47, 328, 1918), fr. Gk. 1j1tcxp
(gen. 1]7tcx-.o.;), 'liver' (see hepatic), and chem.
suff. -in. The correct form would have been
hepatin.
hepat-, form of hepato- before a vowel.
hepatic, adj., pertaining to the liver. - Gk.

721

herb

heptahedron, n., a solid figure with seven plane

-lj7totTL:K.6<;, 'of the liver', fr. 1j1tcxp, gen. 1}7totTo<;;,
faces (geom.) - Compounde d of hepta- and
'liver', fr. I.-E. base *ylqw-r(t), gen. yeqw-nes,
Gk. ~apa:, 'seat; base, side, face'. See -hedron.
whence also 01. yakrt, gen. yaknab, Avestic
heptamerous, adj., consisting of seven parts. ytikart, MPers.]akar, ModPers. ]igar, L. jecur,
Compounde d of hepta- and Gk. f-ttpo<;, 'part'.
OLith. jeknos, jekanas, Lith. jaknos (pl.), Lett.
See -merous.
heparin,
hepar,
Cp.
'liver'.
(pl.),
aknis
aknas,
heptarch, n., one of the rulers in a heptarchy. jecoral.
Compounde d of hept- and Gk. &px6.;, 'leader,
Hepatica, n., a genus of plants, the liverleaf (bot.)
chief, ruler'. See -arch.
hepatica,
L.
fr.
- ML. hepatica, 'liverwort',
heptarchy, n., government by seven persons.fern. of hepatic us, 'of the liver', fr. Gk.'lj7totTLX6<;,
Compounde d of hept- and Gk. -cxpz(&, 'rule'.
'of the liver', of s.m., fr. 1j1tcxp, gen. 1}7tcx-.o.;;,
See -archy.
'liver' (see prec. word); so called because the
Heptateuch, n., the first seven books of the Bible.
leaves of the plant resemble the liver.
- Late L. Heptateuchos, fr. Gk. E:mocTEU:;(O<:;
Hepaticae, n. pl., a class of plants, the liverworts.
(sci!. ~(~Ao<;), 'a book consisting of seven
- ModL., prop. pl. of prec. word.
which is compounded of E1t't'!i (see
volumes',
owing
lung
the
of
n
consolidatio
n.,
hepatization,
hepta-) and Twzo.:;, 'tool, implement', later,
to pneumonia (med.) - Lit. 'appearance of a
'book'. See Pentateuch and cp. Hexateuch,
liver' ; coined by the Italian physician Giovanni
Octateuch.
'lj7tcxGk.
fr.
(1682-1771),
Battista Morgagni
her, pers. pron. - ME. hire, here, hir, fr. OE.
-.t~e:Lv, 'to be like a liver', fr.1j1tcxp, gen. i\7totTO<;;,
hiere, hire, hyre, dat. heo, hio, 'she', fern. of he,
'liver'. See hepatic and -ize.
'he'. See he and cp. hers.
form
hepato-, before a vowel hepat-, combining
her, possessive pronominal adj.- ME. hire, here,
denoting the liver. - Gk.-lj7tcx-.o-, fr.1j1tcxp, gen.
hir, OE. hiere, hire, hyre, gen. of heo, hio. See
1}7tcx-.o.:;, 'liver'. See hepatic.
prec. word.
hephaestic, adj., pertaining to smiths; - hephaesHera, n., sister and wife of Zeus, queen of the
tic cramp, cramp caused by the excessive use
gods (Greek mythol.); identified by the Romans
of the hammer.- See next word and -ic.
with Juno.- L., fr. Gk. "Hpii, which stands for
Hephaestus, n., the god of fire and metal-worki ng;
*"Hpfoc, lit. means 'protectress', and is rei. to
mythol.)
(Greek
Vulcan
with
later
identified
-Vjpw<;, 'hero', orig. 'defender, protector'. See hero.
L., fr. Gk. "HcpotLO"Co<:;, a pre-Hellenic word of
Heracles, Herakles, n. - See Hercules.
uncertain origin.
Heracleum, n., a genus of plants, the cow parsHephzibah, fern. PN. (Bible).- Heb.lfephtzi bdh,
nip (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. ~pcxxAElii, name
lit. 'my delight is in her', compounded of
of a plant, prop. fern. of the adj. 'HpocxAe:Lo<:;,
'delight,
b/phetz,
fr.
delight',
'my
bephtzf,
'pertaining to Hercules', fr. 'HpcxxAlj<; (see Herpleasure, desire', which derives fr. biiphitz, 'he
cules). Accordingly Gk. -ljpcxxAdoc lit. means
delighted in, desired', and of biih, 'in her', fr.
'the flower dedicated to Hercules'.
bt-, 'in', with the fern. suff. of the 3rd person.
Heraclidae, n. pl., the descendants of Hercules.
See hafiz.
- L., fr. Gk. 'HpcxxAe:i3cxL, pl. of 'HpcxxA(3'1)<;,
Hepplewhite, adj., relating to the style introduced
'son or descendant of Hercules'. See Hercules
in England by the cabinetmake r George Heppleand patronymic suff. -id.
white (died in 1786).
herald, n., I) forerunner; 2) proclaimer .- ME.
hept-, form of hepta- before a vowel.
herald, heraud, fr. OF. heralt, heraut (F. heraut),
hepta-, before a vowel hept-, combining form
fr. Frankish *hariwald, a compound lit. meaning
i:mli,
fr.
em-,
E1t'Tot-,
Gk.
'seven'.
meaning
'officer of the army'. The first element is rei.
'seven', which stands for *septiJI and is cogn.
to OHG. heri, MDu., OE. here, 'host, army';
with L. septem, Goth. sibun, OE. seofon, 'seven'.
see harry. The second element is rei. to OHG.
See seven.
waltan, 'to rule'; see wield and cp. the suffix in
heptachord, n., I) a seven-stringed instrument;
spring-ald. Cp. the name Chariovolda,
spring-a/,
Gk.
(mus.)
tones
seven
of
system
2) diatonic
the Batavian chief, mentioned by Tacitus, and
1:7t-.li:;(op3o.;, 'seven-string ed'; compounded of
ON. Harald (see Harold), which are of the same
E:mti (see hepta-) and xopll~. 'chord'. See chord
as OF. heralt. It. araldo, Sp. hera/do,
etymology
and cp. words there referred to.
G. Herold, are French loan words.
heptad, n., a group of seven things.- Gk. E:mci<;,
Derivatives: herald, tr. v., herald-ic, adj., heraldgen. t7tTii3o.;, 'a group of seven', formed fr.
ic-al-ly, adv., herald-ry, n.
&1t-.ci, 'seven', with suff. -ci.:;, gen. -cillo.;. See
herapathite, n., quinine sulfato-perio dide (minhepta- and -ad.
eral.) - Named after the English chemist
heptagon, n., a plane figure with seven angles and
William B. Herapath (1795-1868). For the enseven sides (geom.) - Gk. tmciywvoc;, 'sevending see subst. suff. -ite.
cornered', compounded of t7tTci (see hepta-) and
herb, n. - ME. herbe, erbe, fr. OF. erbe (F. her-ywvo<;, from the stem of ywvt&, 'angle'. See
be), fr. L. herba, 'grass, herb', which is of un-goo.
certain origin. The spelling with h is due to the
Derivative: heptagon-al, adj.

herbaceous

722

should have been so called in allusion to the

influence of L. herba. Cp. yerba and the second
regular formation of the four leaves. Others exelement in contrayerva.
plain the name herba Paris as 'the herb of Paris',
Derivatives: herb-y, herb-less, adjs.
and see in it a reference to Paris, son of Priam
herbaceous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
of Troy. Cp. Paris.
herbs. - L. herbiiceus, 'grassy', fr. herba. See
herb Robert, n., a kind of geranium with red
herb and -aceous.
flowers (Geranium robertianum). - ME. herbe
herbage, n., herbs collectively. -ME. erbage, fr.
robert, fr. ML. herba Roberti, lit. 'Robert's
F. herbage, fr. ML. herbiiticum, fr. L. herba.
herb'. It was possibly to called after Robert
See herb and -age.
Duke of Normandy.
herbal, adj., pertaining to herbs. - ML. herHerculean, adj., I) pertaining to Herculus; 2)
biilis, fr. L. herba. See herb and adj. suff. -al.
(usunlly not cap.) having the strength of HerDerivatives: herbal, n. (q.v.), he.
cules; 3) (usually not cap.) very difficult, dangerherbal, n., a treatise on herbs. - ML. herbiile,
ous. -Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Hercules.
prop. neut. of the adjective herbiilis, used as
See next word.
a noun. See herbal, adj.
Hercules, n., a hero, son of Zeus and Alcmene
herbarium, n., a collection of plants. - Late L.
(Greek mythol.)- L. Hercules, fr. earlier Herherbiirium, prop. subst. use of the neut. of the
e/is, fr. Gk. 'Hp<XxA.b).;, 'Hp<XxA.'ij.;, lit. 'glory of
adj. herbiirius, 'pertaining to herbs', fr. L. herba.
Hera', fr. "Hp<i, 'Hera', and xA.to.;, 'glory'. See
See herb and -arium and cp. herbary. Cp. also
Hera and loud and cp. Clio, cledonism, the first
arbor.
element in Clianthus and the second element in
herbary, n., I) herbarium; 2) a garden of herbs
Damocles, Eteocles, Euclea.
or vegetables. - Late L. herbiirium. See prec.
Hercynian, adj., designating, or pertaining to, the
word and subst. suff. -ary.
forest-covered mountains of ancient Germany.
herb bennet, a European herb with an astringent
- Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Hercynia(silva),
root, Geum urbanum. - ME. herbe beneit, fr.
Hercynius(saltus), 'Hercynian forest', which,
OF. herbe beneite, fr. L. herba benedicta, 'the
together with Gk. 'Apxuv~IX 5p7J, 'Opxuvw<;
blessed herb' (see herb and bennet); so called for
8pufL6<;, derives fr. OCeltic *Perkunyii, fr. I.-E.
its medicinal properties.
base *perq (o)-, 'oak; oak forest; wooded mounHerbert, masc. PN.- Not the direct derivative
tain'. See fir and cp. Quercus.
of OE. Herebeorht, but of its OHG. equivalent
hercynite, n., iron aluminate (mineral.) - So
Hariberct, through the intermediate Latinized
called because found at Ronsberg, in the Boform Herbert us, introduced into England by the
hemian Forest. See Hercynian. For the ending
Normans. OHG. Hariberct is compounded of
see subst suff. -ite.
hari, heri, 'host, army', and beraht, 'bright'. See
herd, n., a number of animals. - ME. heorde,
harry and bright and cp. the first element in
herd, fc. OE. heard, 'herd, flock', rei. to ON.
Herman.
hjoriJ, Dan., Swed. hjord, OHG. herta, MHG.
herbiferous, adj., bearing herbs. - L. herbifer,
herte, G. Herde, Goth. hairda, 'herd', and cogn.
compounded of L. herba, 'grass, herb', and
with 01. sdrdhab, 'herd, troop', OSlav. erMa,
ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See herb and -ferous.
'herd', Gk. x6p.&u.;, 'heap', xop.&uvt~v, 'to lift,
Herbivora, n. pl., a group of mammals (zoo/.) raise', MW. cordd, 'troop, family', Lith. kerdModL., lit. '(mammals) feeding on grass', comiius, 'shepherd' (derived fr. *kerdii, 'flock').
pounded of L. herba, 'grass, herb', and voriire,
These words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *kerdh-,
'to devour'. See herb and voracious.
kordh-, 'row, herd, troop'. Cp. herd, 'herdsherbivore, n., a herbivorous animal. - See prec.
man', herder.
word.
herd, n., herdsman, now used chiefly in comherbivorous, adj., feeding on grass.- See Herbipounds as cow-herd, shep-herd. - ME. heorde,
vora and -ous.
herde, fr. OE. hierde, hyrde, rei. to OS. hirdi,
herborist, n., I) a collector of plants; 2) a herON. hiriJir, Dan. hyrde, Swed. herde, MLG.,
balist. - F. herboriste, fr. earlier herboliste, fr.
MDu. herde, OHG. hirti, MHG. hirte, hirt,
herboliser. See herborize and -ist.
G. Hirt, Goth. hairdeis, 'herdsman, shepherd',
herborization, n.- F. herborisation, fr. herboriser.
and to OE. heard, 'herd, flock'. See herd, 'a
See next word and -ation.
number of animals'.
herborize, intr. v., to botanize (archaic). - F.
herd, tr. v., to put into a herd; intr. v., to flock
herboriser, fr. earlier herbo/iser, a hybrid coined
together. - ME. herdien, fr. herde, 'herd'. See
fr. L. herbula, a little herb', dimin. of herba,
herd, 'a number of animals'.
and -iser, a suff. of Greek origin. See herb
herder, n., one who herds, a herdsman. - Not
and -ize.
derived fr. the E. verb herd, but borrowed fr.
herb Paris, a liliaceous herb (Paris quadrifolia).
MDu. ( = Du.) herder, of s.m., fr. herde, 'herd'
- ML. herba paris, of uncertain origin. Some
(see herd, 'a number of animals'). See J. F.
scholars see in paris the gen. of L. piir, 'equal;
Bense, A Dictionary of the Low-Dutch Element
a couple, pair', and translate herba paris accordingly 'herb of a couple' (see pair). The herb
in the English Vocabulary, p. 142.

723

herderite, n., a beryllium and calcium fluophosphate (mineral.) - Named after Baron Siegmund A. W. von Herder (1776-1838), director
of the Saxon mines. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
herdic, n., a kind of cab with two or four wheels.
-Named after its inventor, the American Peter
Herdic (died in I888).
here, adv. - ME. her, fr. OE. her, rei. to OS.
her, hir, ON., Goth. her, Dan. her, Swed. hiir,
MDu., Du. hier, OHG. hiar, MHG., G. hier,
hie, 'here', fr. Teut. pron. base *hi-, corresponding to I.-E. *ki-, 'this; here'. See he and cp.
hither.
Derivative: here, n.
hereafter, adv. and n. - ME. here after, fr. OE.
hirl/ter. See here and after.
hereditable, adj., heritable. - ML. hereditiibilis,
fr. herediti'ire, 'to inherit', fr. heres, gen. heredis.
See heredity and -able and cp. heritable.
Derivative: hereditabil-ity, n.
hereditament, n., any property that may be inherited (law). - ML. hereditiimentum, fc. hereditiire. See prec. word and -ment.
hereditary, adj., I) derived from ancestors; 2)
passed down by heredity; 3) transmitted by
inheritance. - L. hereditiirius, 'relating to an inheritance, hereditary', fr. hereditiis, gen. hireditiitis. See next word and adj. suff. -ary and
cp. heritor.
Derivative: hereditari-ly, adv.
heredity, n., the transmission of bodily and mental
characters of parent to offspring.- F. hen!dite,
fr. L. hereditiitem, ace. of hireditiis, 'heirship',
fr. heres, gen. lzeredis, 'heir'. See heir and -ity.
Hereford, n., name of a breed of red and white
beef cattle. - So called because first bred in
Herefordshire in England.
herem, n., Biblical ban, excommunication. Heb. l;erem, 'person or thing devoted to destruction', rei. to he/:zerfm, 'he banned, devoted to
destruction, excommunicated', Aram. a/:ziirfm,
'he banned; excommunicated', Arab. /:zdrama,
'he forebade', /:zdruma, 'was forbidden', l:zarfm,
'sacred, forbidden', Ethiop. /:zardma, 'he prohibited from common use; he devoted to', Akkad. aariimu, 'to dedicate', aarimtu, 'a dedicated
woman, a female hierodule'. Cp. maranatha,
marrano. Cp. also harem and words there referred to.
heresiarch, n., a founder or leader of heresy. Eccles. L. haeresiarcha, fc. Late Gk. <Xlpe(n&.pzr,c,. See heresy and -arch.
heresiography, n., a treatise on heresies. - See
heresy and -graphy.
heresiologist, n., a student of heresies. - Formed
from next word with suff. -ist.
heresiology, n., the study of heresies. - Compounded of heresy and Gk. -A.oylii, fr. -A.6yoc,,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
heresy, n., unorthodox belief or doctrine. - ME.

herman dad

eresie, heresie, fr. OF. eresie, heresie (F. heresie),

fr. Late L. haeresis, fr. Gk. <Xlpecr~<;, 'a taking,
choosing, choice; sect, heresy', fr. <Xlpdcr.&IX~,
'to take for oneself', middle voice of <Xlpeiv,
'to take, choose', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. aphaeresis, diaeresis, synaeresis.
heretic, n., a person guilty of heresy. - ME.
heretike, fr. F. heretique, fr. Eccles. L. haereticus,
fr. Gk. <X!penx6.;, 'able to choose; heretical',
fr. 1X!pe't"6<;, 'to be chosen, that which may be
chosen', verbal adj. of <X!peiv. Sec prec. word
and -etic.
Derivatives: heretic-al, adj., heretic-al-ly, adv.,
heretic-al-ness, n.
hereticate, tr. v., to declare to be heretical. Eccles. L. haereticiitus, pp. of haereticiire, 'to
declare to be heretical', fr. haereticus, 'heretical'.
See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
heretoga, n., leader of an army (Old English hist.)
- OE. heretoga, compounded of here, 'host,
army', and -toga, 'leader', from the stem of
togian, 'to draw, drag', rei. to OS. heritogo,
ON. hertogi, OFris. hertoga, OHG. herizoho,
herizogo, 'leader of an army', prop. loan translations of Gk. crpocTI)A.&TIJ<;, 'leader of an army'
(fr. cr't"p<X-.6c;, 'army', and eJ.oc)vew, 'to drive,
draw'). See harry and tow, 'to draw', and cp.
herzog.
heriot, n., feudal due paid to the lord on the death
of a tenant (English law). - ME. heriet, heriot,
fr. OE. heregeatwa, heregeatwe, (pl.), 'military
equipments', which is compounded of here,
'host, army', and geatwa, geatwe (pl.), fr. earlier
getiiwe (pl.), 'apparatus, equipments, arms'. For
the first element see harry. The second element
is rei. to OE. tiiwian, 'to prepare'; see taw, 'to
prepare'.
heritable, adj., inheritable. - F. heritable, fr. heriter, fr. L. hereditiire. See hereditable and -able
and cp. inherit.
Derivatives: heritabil-ity, n., heritabl-y, adv.
heritage, n.- OF. eritage, heritage (F. heritage),
fr. eriter, her iter (F. heriter), 'to inherit', fr. ML.
hereditiire, fr. L. heres, gen. heredis, 'heir'. See
heir and -age and cp. heredity.
heritor, n., an inheritor; heir. - ME. heriter, fr.
OF. heritier (F. heritier), 'heir', fr. L. hereditiirius, 'relating to an inheritance' (whence also
OProven~. heretier, eretier, Sp. lteredero, Port.
herdeiro, 'heir'). See hereditary.
herma, n., pillar representing a head of the god
Hermes (Greek antiq.) - L. Herma, fr. Gk.
'EpfL'ij<;, 'Hermes; statue of Hermes'. See Hermes.
Herman, masc. PN. - G. Hermann, fr. OHG.
Hariman, lit. 'man of war, warrior', fr. hari, heri,
'host, army', and man, 'man'. See harry and
man and cp. the first element in Herbert.
hermandad, n., name of a league originally formed
against the violence of the nobles, organized
later as national police. - Sp. lit. 'brotherhood', fr. hermano, 'brother', fr. L. germiinus,
'having the same parents' (said of brothers or

724

hermaphrodism

sisters); see german, 'having the same parents'.

Sp. suff. -dad derives fr. L. -tiit- (nom. -tiis, gen.
-tiitis); see subst. suff. -ty.
F.
hermaphrodism, n., hermaphroditism. hermaphrodisme, fr. her11U1phrodite, fr. L.
hermaphroditus. See next word and -ism.
hermaphrodite, n., a person or animal having
both male and female sexual organs. - L. hermaphroditus, fr. Gk. tpfLtxcpp61li:-ro~, fr. 'EpfLtx
cpp61li:-roc;, the son of Hermes (=the male principle) and Aphrodite ( = the female principle).
See Hermes and Aphrodite.
Derivatives: her11U1phrodit-ic, adj., hermaphrodit-ism, n.
hermeneutic, adj., interpretative. - Gk. tp{L'IJ"
ve:u-rtx6c;, 'interpreting', fr. EpfL'IJVEUTI)c;, 'interpreter', fr. ~P{L'IJVEUe:tv, 'to interpret', fr. tpfL'IJVEU~,
'interpreter', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: hermeneutic-al-ly, adv., hermeneutics (q.v.)
hermeneutics, n., the science of interpretatio n.Gk. EP{L'IJVe:unx-1) (scil. -rexv'IJ), 'the art of interpretation', fern. of EPfL'IJVEUTtx6~, 'pertaining to
interpretation'. See prec. word and -ics.
Hermes, n., the son of Zeus and Maia, the god
of commerce and messenger of the gods in
Greek mythology; identified by the Romans
with Mercury.- L. Hermes, fr. Gk. 'EpfL'ij<;, of
uncertain origin. Cp. next word and herma,
Hermia, Hermione.
hermetic, adj. - ML. hermeticus, 'pertaining to
Hermes (Trismegistus)', fr. Gk. 'EpfL'ij<; Tpta{Leyta-roc;, 'Hermes thrice greatest', the Greek
name for the Egyptian god Toth, who is said
to have invented the art of making a glass-tube
airtight. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: hermetic-al-ly, adv.
Hermia, fern. PN. - Fern. name formed fr. L.
Hermes, fr. Gk. 'EpfL'ij<;. See Hermes and cp.
next word.
Hermione, fern. PN. - Gk. 'EpfLt6v'IJ, fr. 'EpfL'ij<;,
'Hermes'. See Hermes.
hermit, n. -ME. ermit, hermit, fr. OF. ermite,
hermite (F. ermite), fr. Eccles. L. eremita, fr. Gk.
EP'IJ!Lt't"'J<;, 'hermit', lit. 'he who lives in the
desert', fr. pwlti, 'desert', fr. ~P'IJfLO<;, 'solitary,
isolated', which prob. derives fr. I.-E. base
erl-, 'to separate, be rare', whence also L.
riirus, 'thin, loose'. See rare, 'thin', and cp.
eremite, which is a doublet of hermit.
Derivatives: hermit-age, n., hermit-ess, n.
hernia, n., protrusion of an organ or its part
through the containing cavity; rupture. - L.,
rei. to the first element in haruspex, 'diviner inspecting entrails', and to hira, 'emtpy gut'. See
yarn and cp. haruspex. Derivatives: herni-al,
herni-ate, herni-ated, adjs., herni-ation, n.
hemio-, combining form denoting the hernia. See hernia.
herniotomy, n., operation of cutting for strangulated hernia (med.)- A hybrid coined fr. hemioand --:r.11t-i, 'a cutting of', fr. 't'OfLTJ, 'a cutting'.

See -tomy.

hero, n.- MF. heroe, fr. heroe (F. heros), fr. L.

heroem, ace. of heros, 'hero', fr. Gk. -ljproc; (for
*ljprof-oc;), orig. 'defender, protector', rei. to
"Hpli (for *"Hpfli), 'Hera' (lit. 'tutelary goddess'), and cogn. with L. serviire, 'to save, deliver,
preserve, protect'. See conserve and cp. Hera.
Hero, n., priestess of Aphrodite in Sestos; loved
by Leander of Abydos (see Leander). - L.
Hero, fr. Gk. 'Hpw; of uncertain origin.
heroic, adj.- F. herofque, fr. L. heroicus, fr. Gk.
i)pro~x6c;, fr. -ljproc;, gen. -ljprooc;, 'hero'. See hero
and -ic. Derivatives: heroic, n., heroic-a!, adj.,
heroic-al-ly, adv., heroic-at-ness, n.
heroin, also heroine, n., a poisonous drug obtained from morphium. - G. Heroin, coined
by H. Dreser, who pro b. formed it fr. Gk.ljproc;,
'hero', and chem. suff. -in, resp. -ine.
heroine, n., a female hero. - L. her6lna, fr. Gk.
ljprotV'I], 'a heroine', fr. -ljproc;, 'a hero'. See hero
and -ine (representing Gk. -fv-1)).
heroism, n. - F. herolsme. See hero and -ism.
heron, n.- ME. heiroun, heroun, fr. OF. hairon,
heron (F. heron), fr. Frankish *haigiro, which
is rei. to OHG. heigir, heiger, heigaro, 'heron',
and to OE. higera, higere, 'magpie, woodpecker',
ON. hegri, heri, 'heron', Swed. hiiger, OHG.
hehara, MHG. heher, G. Hiiher, 'jay', OE. hriigra, Du. reiger, OHG. reigaro, MHG. reiger,
G. Reiher, 'heron', and cogn. with OSlav. kriku,
'cry, scream', kricati, 'to cry, scream', Lith.
kryksti, 'to shriek', W. cryg, 'hoarse', Gk.
xpL~etv, 'to creak, screech'. All these words are
of imitative origin. Cp. next word. Cp. also
aigrette, egret.
heronsew, n., heron. -ME. heronsewe, fr. OF.
heroncel, heronceau, 'a young heron', dimin.
of heron. See prec. word.
herpes, n., an inflammatory disease of the skin
(med.)- Gk. ep1t1J<;, 'shingles', lit. 'that which
creeps', fr. ~p7tEtV, 'to creep' (whence also tp7tE't'6V, 'creeping animal, reptile'); cogn. with L.
serpere, 'to creep'. See serpent and cp. reptile.
herpetic, adj., pertaining to herpes (med.) Formed fr. Gk. p1t1J~. gen. ~P1t'IJTO<;, 'shingles',
with suff. -ic. See prec. word.
herpetiform, adj., resembling herpes (med.) A hybrid coined fr. Gk. ~p1t1J<;, gen. Ep1t'IJ't'O~,
'shingles', and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See
herpes and form, n.
herpetiform, adj., like a reptile. - A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. ep7teT6V, 'creeping animal, reptile', and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See prec. word.
herpetology, the study of reptiles. -Compounded of Gk. l:prre:T6v, 'creeping animal, reptile',
and -"Aoyli, fr. -:A6yo.;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain form); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See herpes and -logy.
Derivatives: herpetolog-ic, herpetolog-ic-al, adjs.,
herpetolog-ic-al-ly, adv., herpetolog-ist, n.
Herr,n., lord, master; Mr. -G.,fr. MHG.herre,
fr. OHG. heriro, herro, which is derivatively

725

Hestia

Hesper, n. - See Hesperus.

compar. of OHG. her, 'noble', hence orig.
Hesperian, adj., Western. -Formed with suff.
meant 'nobler, superior'; cp. OS., ODu. herro,
prop.
-an fr. L. hesperius, fr. Gk. ea1tepmc;, 'western',
are
words
These
heer.
Du.
OFris. hera,
fr. Earre:poc; (for *fta7tepoc;), n., 'evening'; adj.,
loan translations of the ML. title senior (whence
of the evening, western', which is cogn. with
It. signore, F. seigneur, monsieur, Sp. senor,
L. vesper, 'evening'. See vesper.
Port. senhor), fr. L. senior, 'older'. See hoar and
Hesperides, n. pl., the three nymphs who guarded
cp. the second element in mynheer and in younker.
the golden apples which Gaea had given as a
herring, n.- ME. hering, fr. OE. mering, hiring,
wedding present to Hera (Greek mythol.)- L.,
rei. to OS., MLG. hering, OFris. hereng, MDu.
fr. Gk. 'Earre:pLile:.:;, lit. 'daughters of the west',
herinc, Du. haring, OHG. hiirinc, MHG. hrerinc,
pl. of the fern. adj. tam:plc;, 'western'; so called
G. Hering; prob. orig. meaning 'the gray fish',
because they dwelt at the western end of the
and rei. to OE. hiir, 'gray'. See hoar and subst.
world. See Hesperis.
suff. -ing and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: Hesperid-ian, adj.
hers, pron. -Earlier spelled her's, fr. ME. hires,
for hire's, formed with gen. suff. -s from the hesperidin, a crystalline glycoside, ~8 H 340 15
(chem.)- Formed from next word with chem.
possessive pronoun hire. See her and cp. ours,
suff. -in.
yours.
hesperidium, n., a many-celled fleshy fruit with
herse, n., portcullis. - F. See hearse.
a leathery rind, as the orange, lemon, etc. (bot.)
hership, n., a raid, foray (obsol.) - ME. heir- ModL., fr. L. Hesperides (see Hesperides); so
schip, fr. OE. here, 'army', and -scipe, '-ship'.
called in allusion to the golden apples of the
-ship.
See harry and
Hesperides. For the ending see suff. -ium.
Hertzian, adj. (e.g. Hertzian waves), discovered
Hesperis, n., a genus of plants of the family Brasby, or pertaining to, the German physicist
sicaceae (bot.) - L. hesperis, 'the damewort',
Heinrich Hertz (1857-94). For the ending see
fr. Gk. tam:p(.:;, prop. fern. of the adjective
suff. -ian.
l:cmeptoc;, 'of the evening; western', fr. la7tepoc;,
G.,
duke.
Austrian
or
German
Herzog, n., a
'evening'. See Hesperian and cp. Hesperides.
'duke', fr. MHG. herzoge, fr. OHG. herizoho,
Hesperornis, n., a genus of very large swimming
herizogo, 'leader of an army'. See heretoga.
birds from the Cretaceous of Kansas (paleHeshvan, n., name of the eighth Jewish month. onto/.)- ModL., compounded of Gk. Earre:poc;,
ModHeb. /:leshwdn, erroneously shortened fr.
'of the evening; western', and !Spvtc;, 'bird'. See
Mishnaic Heb. mar/:leshwdn. This latter was
Hesperian and ornitho-.
namely misdivided into 11U1r-beshwtin and the
Hesperus, also (poet.) Hesper, n., the evening
first 'element' so obtained was dropped (prob.
star, esp. Venus. - L. Hesperus, fr. Gk. ~aowing to an association with Heb. mar, 'bitter').
7tepoc;, short for ~arre:poc; ~a-ri)p, 'evening star'.
See Marheshvan.
See Hesperian.
hesitance, hesitancy, n. - L. haesitantia, 'stamHessian, adj., pertaining to Hesse in Germany.
mering', fr. haesitiins, gen. -antis. See next word
-Formed fr. Hesse = G. Hessen, a subdivision
and -ce, resp. -cy.
(formerly a grand duchy) in Germany. For the
hesitant, adj. - L. haesitiins, gen. -antis, pres.
ending see suff. -ian.
part. of haesitiire. See next word and -ant.
hessian, n., a coarse cloth of hemp or of hemp
Derivative: hesitant-ly, adv.
and jute. - Short for Hessian cloth. See prec.
hesitate, intr. and tr. v. - Fr. L. haesitiitus, pp.
word.
of haesitiire, 'to stick fast, to be uncertain, hesihessite, n., a silver telluride (mineral.) - Named
tate', freq. of haere6, haerere, 'to stick, cling',
after the Swiss chemist Henry Hess (1802-50)
which stands for *ghais-ey6 and is cogn. with
in Russia, who first analyzed it. For the ending
Lith. gaistu, gaiSti, 'to delay, tarry'. Cp. adhere
see subst. suff. -ite.
and words there referred to. For the ending see
hest, n., bidding, behest. - ME. hest, formed
verbal suff. -ate.
with excrescent t fr. hes, fr. OE. I!Zs, from
Derivatives: hesitat-er, hesitat-or, n., hesitation
the stem of hiitan, 'to bid'. See bight and cp.
(q.v.), hesitat-ing-ly, adv., hesitat-ive, adj.,
behest.
hesitat-ive-ly, adv., hesitat-ory, adj.
hestemal, adj., of yesterday.- Formed with adj.
hesitation, n.- F. hesitation, fr. L. haesitiiti6nem,
suff. -al fr. L. hesternus, 'of yesterday', which
ace. of haesitiiti6, 'irresolution, uncertainty,
stands for *hestrinos and is cogn. with 01.
hesitation', fr. haesitiitus, pp. of haesitiire. See
hyastana/:1, Gk. x.&eatvoc;, 'of yesterday'. L.
hesitate and -ion.
hesternus derives fr. heri, 'yesterday', as OJ.
besped, n., a funeral oration. - Mishnaic Heb.
hyastanll{r derives fr. OI. hya/:1, 'yesterday', Gk.
hespMh, fr. hisptdh, 'he delivered a funeral oraJ(-!h:aw6c; fr. x.&ec;, of S.m. See yester-.
tion', Hiph'il (=causative form) of Biblical Heb.
Hestia, n., the goddess of the hearth in Greek
siipluidh, 'he wailed, lamented', whence mispldh,
mythology. - Gk. 'Ea't'<i, fr. eaTta, 'hearth;
'wailing'; rei. to Aram.-Syr. stphadh, 'he wailed,
house, home, family', whence l:a-rr.av, 'to relamented', Akkad. sipdu, sipittu, 'mourning',
ceive at one's hearth'. See Vesta.
Ethiop. sadaphi (metathesis), 'dirge'.

hetaera
hetaera, hetaira, n., mistress. - ModL. hetaera,
fr. Gk. hoc[poc, 'female companion, courtesan',
fern. of hoc~po~, 'companion', fr. earlier e't'ocpo<;,
'companion', fr. a dental enlargement of I.-E.
*se-, a collateral form of base *swe-, 'his, her,
its; one's'. See sui and cp. sodality.
hetaerism, hetairism, n., concubinage. - Gk.
hoctptcr[L6<;, 'harlotry', fr. hoctp[~e:tv, 'to associate
with a courtesan, hetaera', fr. hoc[poc. See
hetaera and -ism.
hetero-, before a vowel heter-, combining form
meaning 'other, different'.- Gk. he:po-, he:p-,
fr. en:po<;, 'the other (of two); another, different', altered-under the influence of d<;, j!:en.
ltv6<;, 'one'-fr. earlier tX't'e:po<; (cp. Gk. <t-xoc't'6v,
'one hundred', fr. *&.-xoc't'ov, which was also influenced in form by *e:!<;, gen. tv6<;). Gk. <he:po~
The first element of
stands for I.-E. *sm-tero-.
0
this compound means 'one at one, together';
see same and cp. haplo-, hecatomb. The second
element is the comparative suffix; it is cogn.
with the suffixes in L. al-ter, Goth. an-par, OE.
6-Jer, 'other'. See -ther and cp. words there
referred to.
heterablastic, adj., developed from cells of another kind (bioi.) - Compounded of heteroand Gk. ~Aoccr't'6<;, 'bud, sprout, shoot'. See
-blastic and cp. homoblastic.
heterochromous, adj., of different colors. Compounded of hetero and Gk. XPN!l-:1(,
'color'. See chrome and -ous and cp. homo
chromous.
heteroclite, adj., irregular in declension (gram.)F. hheroclite, fr. Late L. heteroclitus, which is
compounded of hetero- and Gk. xl.t't'6<;, 'inflected', verbal adj. of xl.ive:tv, 'to bend, incline, inflect'. See clinical.
Derivatives: heteroclite, n., an irregular noun,
heteroclit-al, heteroclit-ic, heteroclit-ic-al, heteroclit-ous, adjs.
heterodont, adj., having teeth of different kinds
(as man and most mammals) (zoo!.) - Compounded of heter- and Gk. o3wv, gen. o36v't'o<;,
'tooth'. See odonto and cp. homodont.
heterodox, adj., 'lnorthodox.- Gk. he:p63o!;o~.
'holding opinions other than the right', compounded of E:-:-e:pr.l~, 'the other' (see hetero-), and
M;x, 'opinion', fr./)oxe:Iv, 'to think'. See decent
and dogma and cp. doxastic and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: heterodox-ly, adv., heterodoxness, n.
heterodoxy, n., the quality of being heterodox.Gk. he:prJ~'>!;l~. 'a taking one thing for another', fr. i:'t'e:p63o;o~. See heterodox and Y (representing Gk. -l~).
heterodyne, adj. (radio). - Coined by the Canadian physicist and radio technician Reginald
Aubrey Fessenden (1866-1932) in 1908 fr.
hetero- and -dyne.
heterogamous, adj., bearing flowers of sexually
two kinds (bot.)- Compounded of hetero- and

726

Gk. y&fLo<;, 'marriage', See -gamous and cp.

homogamous.
heterogamy, n. (bot.)- See prec. word and -gamy
and cp. homogamy.
heterogeneal, adj., heterogeneous. -See heterogeneous and adj. suff. al and cp. homogeneal.
heterogeneity, n., quality of being heterogeneous.
- F. heterogeneite, fr. ML. heterogeneitiis, fr.
heterogeneus. See next word and -ity and cp.
homogeneity.
heterogeneous, n., not homogeneous, disparate.ML. heterogeneus, fr. Gk. he:poye:11~<;, 'of different kind', fr. e-re:po~. 'another, different', and
ye11o<;, 'race, descent, gender, kind'. See hetero-,
genus and -ous and cp. homogeneous.
Derivatives: heterogeneous-ly, adv., heterogeneous-ness, n.
heterogenesis, n., 1) abiogenesis; 2) alternation of
generations (bioi.) - Coined by the French
anatomist Gilbert Breschet (1784-1845) fr.
hetero- and genesis. Cp. homogenesis.
heterogenetic, adj., pertaining to heterogenesis.Compounded of hetero- and -genetic. Cp.
homogenetic.
heterogeny, n., 1) heterogenesis; 2) a hetero
geneous collection. - Compounded of heteroand -geny. Cp. homogeny.
Derivatives: heterogen-ic, adj., heterogen-ic-ity,
n., heterogen-ist, n.
heterography, n., incorrect spelling. - Compounded of hetero- and Gk. -yp:o:<p[oc, fr. yp&<pe:w,
'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives: heterograph-ic, heterograph-ic-al,
adjs.
heterogynous, adj., having females of two kinds,
as the ants and bees. - Compounded of heteroand Gk. yJII~, 'woman'. See gyneco-.
heterologous, adj., containing different elements;
not corresponding. - Compounded of hetero
and Gk. A6yo~, 'word, speech, discourse; proportion'. See logos and -ous and cp. homologous.
heteromorphic, adj., differing in shape. - See
heteromorphous and -ic and cp. homomorphic.
heteromorphism, n., the quality of being heteromorphic. - See heteromorphous and -ism and
cp. homomorphism.
heteromorphous, adj., 1) heteromorphic; 2) of irregular shape.- Gk. he:p6fLop<po~. 'of different
form', fr. ~e:po~, 'another, different', and fLOp<p~,
'form, shape'. See hetero and -morphous and
cp. homomorphous.
beteromorphy, n., heteromorphism. - See prec.
word and -morpby.
heteronomous, adj., under the rule of another:
subject to, or having, different laws. - Compounded of hetero- and Gk. \IOfLO~, 'law'. See
nomo- and -ous and cp. autonomous.
Derivative: heteronomous-ly, adv.
heteronomy, n., subjection to theruleofanother;
subjection to different laws. - See prec. word
and nomy and cp. autonomy.
beteroousian, heterousian, adj., of different es

727

sence (Eccles. hist.) - Formed with suff. -an

fr. Gk. he:pooumo~, he:poucrLo<;, 'of different
essence', fr. ~'t'e:po<;, 'another, different' (see
hetero-), and oucr(oc, 'essence, substance', which
derives fr. oocroc, fern. Of Cil11, 'being', pres. part.
of d11oc1, 'to be'. See esse and cp. essence. Cp.
also homoiousian, homoousian.
Derivative: Heteroousian, Heterousian, n.
heterophyllous, adj., having different kinds of
leaves on the same plant (bot.) - Compounded
of hetero- and Gk. <pu)J..o\1, 'leaf'. See -phyllous.
heterosexual, adj., having sexual desire for those
of the opposite sex.- A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
~'t'e:po<;, 'the other, different', and L. sexus,
'sex'. See betero- and sexual and cp. homosexual.
Derivative: heterosexual-ity, n.
heterousian, n. - The same as heteroousian.
hetman, n., a Cossack commander.- Pol., fr.
G. Hauptmann, 'captain', lit. 'headman', fr.
Haupt, 'head', and Mann, 'man'. See head and
man and cp. headman. Cp. also ataman.
Heuchera, n., a genus of plants of the saxifrage
family (bot.)- ModL., named after the German botanist Johann Heinrich von Heucher
(1677-1747).
heulandite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (mineral.) - Named after the English mineralogist
Henry Heuland. Fortheendingsee subst. suff.-ite.
heuristic, adj., serving to discover or find out.G. heuri'stisch, fr. ModL. heuristicus, which was
formed with suff. -isticus (see -istic) from the
stem of Gk. e:6p!crxe:tll, Aor. clipo11, 'to find,
discover', which stands for *!fp(crxe:tv and is
cogn. with Olr. fuar, 'I have found', /rfth, 'was
found'. Cp. eureka, arytenoid.
Derivative: heuristic-al-ly, adv.
hew, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hewen, fr. OE. heawan, 'to cut, strike, hew', rei. to OS. hauwan,
ON. hoggva, Swed. hugga, Du. houwen, OHG.
houwan, MHG. houwen, G. hauen, 'to cut,
strike, hew', fr. I.-E. base *qiiu-, qtu., 'to
strike, beat', whence also Toch. B kaut-, A kot,
'to cleave, cut', OS!av. kov{J, kovati, Lith. ktiuju,
kduti, 'to beat, forge', Lett. kafiju, katit, 'to
beat', Lith. kovd, 'battle', L. ciulere (for caudere), 'to strike, beat'. Cp. hag, 'to hew', haggle,
hoe. Cp. also caudal, caudex, cause, codex, concuss, coward, incus.
Derivative: hew-er, n.
bewettite, n., a hydrous calcium vanadate (min
era/.) - Named after the American geologist
D. Foster Hewett (born in 1881). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
hewn, adj., prop. pp. of hew. - ME. hewen, fr.
OE. heawen, pp. of heawan, 'to hew'. See bew.
bexa-, before a vowel bex-, combining form
meaning 'six'. - Gk. ~a:-, ~-. fr. ~ 'six',
which is cogn. with L. sex, Goth. saihs, OE.
six, seox; see six. The a: in ~a:- is due to the
analogy of miX, 'seven'' lwm, 'nine'' 3bca:,
'ten'; cp. penta-, octa-.
llexadlonl, n., a diatonic series of six tones (Greek

hexathlon

and Medieval music). -Compounded of hexaand Gk. xop8~, 'chord'. See chord and cp.
words there referred to.
hexad, n., a group of six things. - Late L. hexas,
gen. hexadis, fr. Gk. It~&<;, gen. ~~&3o.;, ;a group
of six', fr. ~~- See hexa- and -ad.
hexagon, n., a plane figure with six angles and
six sides (geom.) - L. hexagonum, fr. Gk.
~&yCilvo<;, 'having six angles', which. is com
pounded of ~~oc- (see hexa-) and -yCilllo<;, from
the stem of YCil\l(oc, 'angle'. See -goo.
Derivative: hexagon-al, adj.
hexagram,n. -Compounded of hexa and -gram.
hexahedral, adj., having the form of a hexahedron.- See next word and adj. suff. -al.
hexahedron, n., a solid figure with six plane faces.
- Compounded of hexa- and liapoc, 'seat; base,
side, face'. See hedron.
hexamerous, adj., consisting of six parts in each
whorl (bot.) - Compounded of hexa- and Gk.
fLtpo<;, 'part'. See -merous.
hexameter, n., a verse of six metrical feet (pros.)
- L., fr. Gk. e~&fLe:'t'po<; (sci!. cr't'!xo<;), lit. '(a
verse) having six measures'; compounded of
e~~- (see hexa) and fLhpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm', and cp. tetrameter,
pentameter.
Derivatives: hexameter, adj., having six metrical
feet, hexametr-al, hexametr-ic, hexametr-ic-al,
adjs., hexameter.
hexapla, n., a book containing six versions in
parallel columns; specif., the Hexapla compiled
by Origen.- Eccles. L. hexapla, fr. Gk. e~oc7tA7.
neut. pl. of ~oc7tA6o<;, e~oc7tl.ou~. 'sixfold', fr.
e~a:- (see hexa-) and suff. -7tA6o~. '-fold', which
occurs also in &.1tA6o~, &.1tl.ou~, 'simple'. See
haplo- and cp. tetrapla.
hexapod, n., r) any six-footed insect; 2) any insect
of the class Hexapoda. - Gk. t~&7tou<;, gen.
e~&7t08o<;, 'six-footed', compounded of e~~- (see
hexa-) and 7toU<;, gen. 7toM~. 'foot'. See -pod.
Hexapoda, n., a class of six-footed insects (ento
mol.) - ModL. See prec. word.
hexastich, n., a stanza or poem consisting of six
verses or lines (pros.) - Gk. e~&cr't'LXO~, 'of six
lines', compounded of e~oc- (see hexa-) and
cr't'LXO<;, 'row, line, rank; verse'. See stichic and
cp. acrostic and words there referred to.
hexastyle, adj., having six columns in front. Gk. ~&<J't'iiAo~, 'having six columns', com
pounded ofe~oc- (see hexa) and cr-riil.o<;, 'pillar,
column'. See style, 'gnomon'.
Hexateuch, n., the first six books of the Bible, i.e.
the Pentateuch and the book of Joshua. -Compounded of hexa- and Gk. 't'ciixo~. 'tool, im
plement', later 'book'. See Pentateuch and cp.
Heptateuch, Octateuch.
Derivative: Hexateuch-al, adj.
hexathloo. n., an athletic contest in which each
competitor takes part in six events. - Formed
on analogy of pentathlon fr. hexa- and Gk.
&8-).ov, 'prize of contest'. See athlete.

hexavalent

hexavalent, adj., having a valence of six (chem.)

- A hybrid coined fr. Gk. ~~. 'six', and L.
valens, gen. valentis, pres. part. of valere, 'to
have power'; see hexa- and -valent. The correct
form is sexivalent, in which both elements are
of Latin origin.
bexode, adj., pertaining to a system of telegraphy
in which six messages can be transmitted simultaneously. - Compounded of Gk. ~~. 'six', and
o86c;, 'way'. See hexa- and odograph.
hexone, n., any of certain compounds containing
six atoms of carbon in the molecule (biochem.)
-Fr. Gk. ~~.'six'. See hexa-.
bey, interj. - Imitative. Cp. Du. and G. hei,
and E. bi.
heyday, interj. - Du. heida; the ending was influenced by day.
heyday, n., time of vigor. - Perh. lit. meaning
'high day', fr. ME. hey day. See high and day.
Hezekiah, 1) masc. PN; 2) in the Bible, any of
several persons, esp. a king of Judah, son of
King Ahaz. - Heb. l;;lizqiyyti", lit. 'the Lord
has strengthened', compounded of fziizdq, 'he
was strong, he strengthened', and the shortened
form of the Tetragrammaton. See Ezekiel and
Elijah.
hi, interj. - Imitative. Cp. hey.
hiatus, n., a gap, lacuna. - L., 'opening, aperture, gap', fr. hiiit-(um), pp. stem of hiiire, 'to
yawn'. See yawn and cp. dehisce.
hibemaculum, n., that which serves for protection
during winter (zoot.)- L. hiberniiculum, 'winter
residence', fr. hiberniire, 'to spend the winter'.
See hibernate and -culum.
hibernate, intr. v., to pass the winter.- L. hiberniit-(um), pp. stem of hiberniire, 'to pass the
winter, to winter', fr. hibernus, 'pertaining to
winter, wintry', which is rei. to hiems (gen. hiemis), 'winter', fr. I.-E. base *ghei-, *ghi-,
'winter; snow', whence also 01. himan, 'in
winter', hemantdl;r, 'winter,' himdl;r, 'winter',
Hitt. gimmanza, 'winter', Avestic zaya(n)-, zyd
(gen. zim6), 'winter', Arm. jiun, 'snow', jmetn,
'winter', Gk. J(tL!J.OC, 'winter, winter weather,
storm', J(E~tJ.wv, 'the season of winter', J(E~tJ.e:
p~v6c; 'wintry', J(Lwv (for *x~w!J.), 'snow', Alb.
Gheg dimtn, Tosk dimtrt, 'winter', OSlav. zima,
Lith. iiema, Lett. ziema, OPruss. sema, 'winter',
Olr. gaim (for Celtic *giamo-), Mlr. gem-red,
'winter', Gk. xttJ.ocpoc;, 'he-goat', x~tJ.ocp~. xt!J.OC~poc, 'goat' (lit. 'a goat one winter old'), Toch.
A cemiil, 'goat' (lit. 'a goat one winter old'), L.
bimus (contraction of *bi-himas), 'two years
old' (lit. 'two winters old'), trimus (contraction
of *tri-himos), 'three years old' (lit. 'three winters old'), ON. gymbr, 'a ewe one year (lit. one
winter) old'. Cp. chimera, chiono-, hiemal, the
first element in Chimaphila, Himalaya and the
second element in Hedychium, isocheime. Cp.
also gimmer, 'a she-lamb'.
Derivative: hibernat-ion, n.
Hibernian, adj., Irish. - Formed with suff. -an

728

fr. L. Hibernia (cp. Ptolemy's 'Ioue:pv!~) 'Ireland', fr. !verna, Juverna (cp. Gk. 'IN:pV1J,
'I&pV1J), fr. OCelt. *Iverin, whence also Olr.
Erin, Ir. Eire (see Erin); influenced in form by
L. hibernus, 'wintry' (see hibernate).
Derivatives: Hibernian, n., Hibernian-ism, n.,
Hibern-ic, Hibernic-al, adjs., Hibern-ic-al-ly,
adv., Hibern-ic-ism, n., Hibern-ic-ize, tr. v.
Hiberno-, combining form meaning 'Irish'. Formed fr. L. Hibernia, 'Ireland'; see prec.
word.
HibiscUs, n., a genus of plants, the rose mallow
(bot.) - L. hibiscum, ibiscum, later hibiscus,
ibiscus, 'marshmallow', prob. a Celtic loan
word. Gk. t~(axoc;, of s.m., is borrowed fr.
Latin.
hiccup, hiccough, n. and intr. and tr. v. - Fr.
earlier hickup; of imitative origin.
hie jacet, epitaph. - L., 'here lies'; so called
from the first words of Latin epitaphs.
hick, n., a rustic (Amer. Slang). - Fr. Hick, a
pet form of Richard.
hickory, n. - Aphetic for pokahickory from the
Virginian native name powcohiccora denoting
the product made from the pounded kernels.
hid, past tense of hide.- ME. hid, fr. OE. hydde,
past tense of hydan. See hide.
bidage, n., formerly, a tax paid for every hide of
land.- A hybrid coined fr. OE. higid, hid (see
hide, 'measure of land'), and -age, a suff. of
Latin origin.
hidalgo, n., a Spanish nobleman of secondary
rank. - Sp., fr. OSp. fidalgo, contraction of fijo
de a/go, lit. 'son of something; son of fortune',
fr. fijo, 'son' (fr. L. filius), de, 'from, of' (fr.
L. de, 'from, away from'), and a/go, 'something,
property, fortune' (fr. L. aliquod, something');
see Meyer-Liibke, REW., No. 345 and No. 3303.
For the origin of the above Latin words see
filial, de- and aliquot.
hidden, adj., prop. pp. of hide. - ME. hidden,
a new formation. Cp. OE. (ge)hydd, 'hidden',
and see hide, 'to conceal'.
Derivatives: hidden-ly, adv., hidden-ness, n.
hide, tr. and intr. v., to conceal. - ME. huden,
hiden, fr. OE. hydan, cogn. with Gk. xro&ew,
'to hide, conceal', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeudh-, 'to
cover, hide, conceal'. See custody and cp. next
word. Cp. also hoard, hose, house, huddle, hut.
hide, n., skin. - ME. hide, hude, fr. OE. hyd,
'skin', rei. to OS. hUd, ON. hiiiJ, Dan., Swed.
hud, OFris. hed, MDu. huut, Du. huid, OHG.,
MHG. hut, G. Haut, 'skin', lit. 'that which
covers', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeut-, 'to cover',
whence also Gk. x&roc;, 'skin, cover', axiYroc;,
'leather', L. cutis, 'skin', Lith. kidutas, 'husk',
OPruss. keuto, 'skin', W. cwd, 'scrotum', OFris.
hothan, OHG. hodo, MHG., G. hode, 'scrotum'.
Base *(s)qeu-t- is a collateral form of base
*(s)qeu-d-. See prec. word. See also cutis.
Derivative: hide, tr. v., to take the hide off;
to flog.

729
hide, n., a measure of land (Engl. history). ME. hid, fr. OE. hid, contraction of higid, orig.
'land (sufficient) to support a family', rei. to
higan, hiwan (pl.), 'members of a family', hiwen,
'family, household'. See home and cp. hind, 'farm
servant'. Cp. also bud, husk.
hideous, adj., very ugly. - ME. hidous, fr. OF.
hisdous, hidous (F. hideux), fr. OF. hisde, 'hideous', which possibly derives fr. L. hispidus,
'shaggy; prickly, bristly'; 'rough' (in a fig.
sense); see hispid and -eous. SeeR. Grandsaignes
d'Hauterive, Dictionnaire d'ancien fran~is,
p. 353 s.v. hisde, adj.
Derivatives: hideous-ly, adv., hideous-ness, n.
biding, n., flogging.- Formed fr. hide, 'to flog' (fr.
hide, 'skin'), with -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
hiding, n., concealment. - Formed fr. hide, 'to
conceal', with -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
hidrosis, n., excessive perspiration (med.) Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr. Gk.
t8pouv, 'to sweat', fr. t8p<i>c; :(for swidros),
'sweat, perspiration', which is rei. to l8oc;, (for
swidos), 'violent heat', fr. I.-E. base *sweid-,
swoid-, *swid-, 'to sweat', whence also L. sudiire (for swoidiire), OE. swiitan, 'to sweat'.
See sweat and cp. sudation.
hidrotic, adj., causing perspiration; sudorific
(med.) - Gk. t8poonx6c;, 'sudorific', fr .. t8pwc;,
gen. !8pwmc;, 'sweat'. See prec. word and -ic.
hie, intr. and tr. v., to hasten. - ME. highen,
hien, fr. OE. higian, 'to strive, hasten', which
is prob. cogn. with OI. Sighral;r 'quick, fast',
Russ. sigat', 'to leap'.
hiemal, adj., pertaining to winter; wintry. - L.
hiemiilis, 'of winter', fr. hiems, gen. hiemis,
'winter'. See hibernate and adj. suff. -al.
bier-, form of hiero- before a vowel.
Hieracium, n., a genus of plants, the hawkweed
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. !ep&xwv, name of a
plant, fr. ti:p<i~, gen. ti:p~xoc;, 'hawk', lit. 'the
swift (bird)', fr. tep6c;, 'quick, swift'. See hiero-.
hierarch, n., the chief of a religious group; high
priest. - ML. hierarchia, fr. Gk. te:pocp)('l)c;,
'leader of sacred rites, high priest', which is
compounded of1e:p6c;, 'holy, sacred', and -ocpx1Jc;,
'leader'. See hiero- and -arch.
hierarchic, hierarchical, adj., pertaining to a
hierarchy. - ML. hierarchicus, fr. hierarchio.
See next word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: hierarchical-ly, adv.
hierarchy, n., I) church government by priests;
2) graded system of officials, esp. of sacred persons. - F. hiirarchie, fr. ML. hierarchia, fr.
Gk. l.epocpz.l<i, 'office of a hierarch', fr. !e:papx1Jc;.
See hierarch and -y (representing Gk. -(~).
Derivatives: hierarch-al, adj., hierarch-al-ly,
adv., hierarchic (q.v.)
hieratic, adj., pertaining to sacred things; priestly. - L. hieriiticus, fr. Gk. l.ep~nx6c;, 'pertaining to a priest', fr. l.ep6c;, 'holy, sacred'. See
hiero- and -ic.
hiero-, before a vowel hier-, combining form

hierophantic

meaning 'holy, sacred'.- Gk. tepo-, tep-, fr.

!e:p6c;, 'holy, sacred', orig. 'filled with (divine)
force', and prop. identical with te:p6c;, 'strong,
lively, active, quick, swift', fr. I.-E. base *eis-,
'to set in quick motion, drive on, incite'. See ire
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Hieracium and the first element in Jerome.
Hierocbloe, n., a genus of plants, the holy grass
(bot.)- ModL., lit. 'holy grass', fr. hiero- and
Gk. )(A61), 'a young green shot'. See Chloe.
hierocracy, n., rule of sacred persons, hierarchy.
- Compounded of hiero- and Gk. -xpocT(~,
'rule of', fr. xpliToc;, 'strength, power, rule'.
See -cracy.
hierocratlc, hierocratical, adj., pertaining to, or
characterized by, hierocracy.- See prec. word
and -ic, resp. also -al.
hierodule, n., a temple slave in ancient Greece. Late L. hierodulus, fr. Gk. tep68ou:Aoc;, lit.
'temple slave', compounded of l.ep6c;, 'holy,
sacred' (see hiero-), and 8ou:Aoc;, 'slave', which
stands for *86e:/..oc; and derives fr. Aegean doero,
'slave'. Cp. the first element in dulocracy. For
sense development cp. devadasi.
hieroglyph, n., picture writing used by the ancient
Egyptians. - F. hieroglyphe: back formation
fr. hieroglyphique, fr. L. hieroglyphicus. See
next word.
hieroglyphic, adj., pertaining to hieroglyphs. - L.
hieroglyphicus, fr. Gk. !e:poy:Auq:>~x6c;, 'hieroglyphic', lit. 'pertaining to sacred carvings'
compounded of l.ep6c;, 'holy, sacred' (see hiero-),
and yMq:>e:w, 'to carve'. See glyph and -ic and
cp. anaglyph.
Derivatives: hieroglyphic, n., hieroglyphic-al.
ly, adv.
hierogram, n., a sacred character or symbol. Compounded of hiero- and Gk. yp&!J.!J.OC, 'that
which is written; a written character'. See -gram.
hierograph, n., a hierogram. - Compounded of
hiero- and Gk. -ypocq:>oc;, fr. ypocq:>e:w, 'to write'.
See -graph.
hierographic, adj., pertaining to sacred symbols.
- Gk. l.epoypocq:>Lx6c;, 'pertaining to sacred
writing', compounded of l.ep6c;, 'holy, sacred'
(see hiero-), and ypocq:>e:w, 'to write'. See graphic.
hierolatry, n., worship of saints. -Compounded
of hiero- and Gk. -/..ocTpe:(~. -AocTp!~. fr. AocTpe:lii,
'worship'. See -latry.
hierology, n., the sacred literature of a people.Compounded of hiero- and Gk. -:AoyUi, fr.
-:A6yoc;. 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
hierophant, n., an interpreter of religious mysteries. - Late L. hierophantes, fr. Gk. l.epoq:><iv't'l)c;, 'one who initiates into mysteries, hierophant', lit. 'one who shows sacred things', which
is compounded of l.ep6c;, 'holy, sacred' (see
biero-), and the stem of q:>oc(ve:w, 'to show'. See
phantasm.
hieropbantic, adj., pertaining to a hierophant or
his acts. - Gk. l&po~6c; 'pertaining to a

Hierosolymitan
hierophant', fr. lepoq>ocv-.r,c;. See prec. word and
-ic.
Derivative: hierophantic-al-ly, adv.
Hierosolymitan, adj., of Jerusalem; n., a native
of Jerusalem.- L. Hierosolymitiinus, fr. Hierosolyma, fr. Gk. 'le:pocro:AuiJ.ot, alteration of Heb.
Ylriishiilayim owing to a mistaken association
with Gk. [e:p6c;, 'holy', and :E6:I.Uf1-0L, name of
a people in Lycia. See Jerusalem. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite and suff. -an.
Hierosolymite, adj. and n., Hierosolymitan. See prec. word.
higgle, intr. v., to haggle.- A weakened form of
haggle.
Derivative: higgl-ing, n.
higgledy-piggledy, adv., in confusion; adj., confused; n., confusion. - Of uncertain origin.
high, adj. - ME. heigh, hegh, heh, hey, fr. OE.
heah, heh, rei. to OS. h6h, ON. hiir, Dan. hoi,
Swed. hog, OFris. hiich, MDu. hooch, Du. hoog,
OHG. h6h, MHG. h6ch, G. hoch, Goth. hauhs,
'high', ON. haugr, 'mound', MHG. houc, houges, OSwed. hugli, G. Hugel, 'hill', and cogn.
with Toch. A koc, B kauc, 'high', Lith. kaukas,
'boil, tumor', kaukard, kaukaras, 'hill', Lett.
kukurs, 'hump', Oir. ciiar, 'bent, crooked', 01.
kucati, kuficate, 'bends, twists' (intr.). All these
words are derivatives of I.-E. *qeu-q-, enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to bend', whence, with reduplication, L. caciimen (pro b. fr. orig. *kakud),
'tip, summit'. Cp. how, 'hillock', huckster, huge,
shock, 'group of sheaves', and the first word in
Hogen Mogen. Cp. also cacuminal, cubicle, cup.
Derivatives: high, n. and adv., highly (q.v.),
highness (q.v.)
highboy, n., a high chest of drawers. - A hybrid
formed fr. E. high and F. bois, 'wood'. See bush
and cp. hautboy. Cp. also tallboy, lowboy.
highfalutin, highfaluting, adj., bombastic; n.,
bombast. - Of uncertain origin.
highly, adv.- ME. heghly, hey/y, fr. OE. Malice,
formed fr. heah, 'high', with suff. -lice. See high
and adv. suff. -ly.
highness, n. - ME. heghnes, heynes, fr. OE.
heahnes, formed fr. heah, 'high', with suff.
-nes. See high and -ness.
bight, v., called, named (archaic).- ME. highte,
a blend of OE. hiitte, 'I am called, I was called',
passive pres. and past tense of hiitan, 'to call,
name, command', and OE. heht, 'called', active
past tense of the same verb; rei. to ON. heita,
MLG. heten, MDu., heeten, Du. heten, OHG.
hei3:;an, MHG. hei3en, G. hei,Pen, Goth. haitan,
'to call, be called; to command'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. *qeid-, *qoid-, a -d-enlargement
of *qi-, 'to set or be in motion'. See cite and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also behight, best,
behest.
high treason. - Loan translation of F. haute
trahison, whence also G. Hochverrat.
hijacker, n., robber who preys on bootleggers
(U.S. Slang).- Prob. fr. Hi Jack, words with

730

which the robber is supposed to bring his victim

to a sudden stop.
hijra, n. - See hegira.
hike, intr. v. - Pro b. a var. of hitch.
hilarious, adj., merry, gay. -Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. hilarus, hilaris, 'cheerful, gay', fr. Gk.
l:Aocp6c;, of s.m., which is rei. to *~A7)fi.L (for *cr(GA7)f1-L), 'I am gracious' (only in the imper.:
Homeric tA-~{h, Dor. t:Aockh, Aeol. ~).).oc.fh, 'be
gracious!'), tMaxOfl.lltL (for *crL-GAOC-GXOfJ.OCL), 'I
appease, propitiate, reconcile to myself', Lesbic t.Aococ;, Homeric ~).oc(f)oc;, Laconic f).7)foc;,
Att. t:Aewc;, 'propitious, gracious', and cogn.
with L. s6liiri, 'to comfort', salvus, 'whole, safe',
OE. sii/ig, gesiilig, 'happy, fortunate'. See silly
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Hilary,
exhilarate.
Derivatives: hilarious-ly, adv., hilarious-ness, n.
hilarity, n., merriment, gaiety. - F. hilarite, fr.
L. hilaritiitem, ace. of hilaritiis, 'cheerfulness,
gaiety', fr. hilaris. See prec. word and -ity.
Hilary, masc. PN.- Late L. Hilarius, lit. 'cheerful', fr. L. hilaris. See hilarious.
Hilda, fern. PN. - G., lit. 'battle maid', fr.
OHG. hildi, 'war, battle', which is rei. to OE.
hild, ON. hildr, of s.m., and prob. cogn. with
Mlr. ce/lach (for *celdach), 'war'. Cp. the first
element in Hildebrand, Hildegard and the second
element in Clothilda, Matilda.
Hildebrand, masc. PN.- OHG. Hildibrand, lit.
'battle sword', fr. hildi, 'war, battle' and branda
'sword'. See Hilda and brand.
Hildegard(e), fern. PN. - OHG. Hildegard, lit.
'protecting battle maid', compounded of hildi,
'war, battle', and *gard, 'to enclose, protect'.
For the first element see Hilda, for the second
see yard, 'enclosure', and cp. garden.
hilding, n., a base wretch; adj. base (archaic).Formed with suff. -ing fr. OE. hyldan, he/dan,
'to lean, incline, bend down'. See heel, 'to lean'.
hill, n. - ME. hi!, hul, hull, fr. OE. hyll, rei. to
MDu. hille, LG. hull, 'hill', ON. hallr, 'stone',
Goth. hal/us, 'rock', ON. holmr, OE. holm,
'rising land, island', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to rise,
be elevated', whence also 01. kiitam (for kultam), 'top, skull' (orig. 'elevation'), Gk. xo:Awv6c;,
xoAWVl), L. co/lis, 'hill', columen, 'top', columna,
'column'. See column and cp. holm. Cp. also
hillock.
Derivatives: hill, tr. v., hill-y, adj., hill-i-ness, n.
hillebrandite, n., a hydrous calcium orthosilicate
(mineral.)- Named after the American chemist
William Frances Hillebrand (1853-1925). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Hillel, masc. PN. - Heb. HilMI, fr. hilMI, 'he
praised', whence hallil, 'to praise'. See halleL
hillock, n. - Formed fr. hill with dimin. suff.
-ock.
hilsa, hilsah, n., a fish (Clupea i/isha). - Hind.
hilsii, fr. 01. iliia}).
hilt, n. - ME., fr. OE. hilt, hi/te, rei. to ON.
hjalt, OHG. helza, 'hilt', OS. helta, 'oar handle'

731

prob. also to OE. holt, 'wood'. See holt, 'small

wood'. Derivative: hilt, tr. v.
hilum, n., scar on a seed (bot.) - L. hilum, 'a
little thing, trifle'. The orig. meaning was perhaps 'a !itt!<' thread or fiber', in which case
hilum would be a var. ofjflum, 'thread'. See file,
'a collection of papers', and cp. nihil.
him, pers. pron.- ME., fr. OE. him, dat. of he.
See he.
Himalayas, n. pl. - 01. himalaya/:!, lit. 'abode of
snow', fr. hima/:1, 'snow', and iilaya/:1, 'abode'.
See hibernate.
Derivative: Himalay-an, adj.
himation, n., Greek garment worn over the chiton
(Greek antiq.) - Gk. t11-ocnov, for e:liJ.ocnov,
fr. df!.ot, 'a garment', which stands for *Hcrfi.IX, and is reJ. to eWU'JiltL (for *fecr-VUVIXL), 'to
clothe', and cogn. with L. vestis, 'garment,
clothes'. See vest and cp. Anemia, 'a genus of
plants'.
himself, pron. - ME., fr. OE. him selfum, dat.
sing. of he self See he and self.
hin, n., name of a liquid measure, the sixth part
of a bath (Bible). - Heb. hin, fr. Egypt. h3n,
h3nw.
hind, n., female of the deer. - ME. hinde, fr.
OE. hind, rei. to ON. hind, Du. hinde, OHG.
hinta, MHG. hinde, G. Hinde, Hindin, 'hind',
fr. I.-E. base *kern-, 'hornless', whence also 01.
sama/:1, 'hornless', Gk. XE:f!.stc;, 'young deer, gazelle', Lith. smulas, of s.m. Cp. gemsbok.
hind, n., a farm servant. - ME. hine, fr. OE.
hfna, gen. of hiwan (pl.), 'members of a family'.
See hide, 'measure of land'.
hind, adj., posterior. - ME., prob. back formation fr. hinder, adj., influenced in form by OE.
hindan, 'from behind'. Cp. behind.
hinder, adj., posterior. - ME. hindere, fr. OE.
hinder (adv.), 'behind', rei. to OHG. hintar,
MHG. hinter, hinder, G. hinter, Goth. hindar,
'behind' (prep.), ON. hindr- (in compounds, as
e.g. hindr-vitni, 'superstition'), orig. comparatives to OE. hine, 'hence'. See hence and -ther
and cp. hinder, v. Cp. also the first element in
hinterland.
hinder, tr. and intr. v., to prevent. - ME. hinderen, hindren, fr. OE. hindrian, rei. to ON.
hindra, Du. hinderen, OHG. hintar6n, MHG., G.
hindern, lit. 'to keep back', fr. OE. hinder, etc.,
'behind'. See hinder, adj.
Derivative: hinder-er, n.
Hindi, n., the language of Northern India. Hind. Hindi, formed with suff. -i (expressing
relationship) fr. Hind, 'India'. See Hindu.
Hindoo, Hindooism, Hindoostani. - See Hindu,
Hinduism, Hindustani.
hindrance, n. - A hybrid coined fr. hinder, v.,
and -ance, a suff. of Latin origin.
Hindu, also Hindoo, n., one of the Hindu race. Pers. Hindu, fr. Hind, 'India', fr. OI. Sindhu/:1,
'the river Indus; the region of the river Indus'.
See India and cp. words there referred to.

hi ppalectryon
Hinduism, also Hindooism, n., the religion of the
Hindus. - Formed fr. Hindu with suff. -ism.
Hindustani, also Hindoostani, n., the most important dialect of Western Hindi; adj., pertaining to Hindustan or Hindustani. 1 Hind.
Hindustani, formed with suff. -i (expressing
relationship) fr. Pers. Hindustiin, lit. 'the country
of the Hindus', fr. Hindu, 'Hindu', and stiin,
'place, country'. For the first element see Hindu.
The second element is rei. to Avestic stiina- (in
compounds), 'place', lit. 'a place where to
stand', from the stem of stii-, 'to stand', fr. I.-E.
base *stii-, 'to stand', whence also L. stiire, 'to
stand'. See state and cp. stand. Cp. also Afghanistan, Baluchistan, lit. 'place (i.e. land) of the
Afghans, resp. Baluchis'. Cp. also the second
element in bezesteen and in bostangi.
Derivative: Hindustani, n.
bing, n., asafetida.- Hind. hing, fr. 01. hingu/:1.
hinge, n. - ME. henge, lit. 'that on which the
door hangs', fr. hengen, 'to hang'. Cp. MLG.
henge, 'hinge', MDu. henge, 'hook, handle', Du.
hengsel, 'hinge', and see hang.
Derivatives: hinge, intr. and tr. v., hing-ed, adj.
hinny, n., offspring of a stallion and a she-ass. L. hinnus, fr. Gk. rwac; = ywr,~, which is of
uncertain origin.
hinny, intr. v., to neigh. - ME., fr. L. hinnire,
'to neigh', which is of imitative origin.
hint, n. - ME. henten, 'to seize, take', fr. OE.
hentan, which stands in gradational relationship
to OE. huntian, to hunt'. See hunt and cp. hent.
Derivatives: hint, v., hint-ing-/y, adv.
hinterland, n., land lying behind a coast district.
- G., compounded of hinter, 'behind', and
land, 'land'. See hinder, adj., and land.
hip, n., the haunch.- ME. hipe, hippe, hupe, fr.
OE. hype, rei. to Du. heup, OHG., MHG. huf,
G. Hiifte, Goth. hups, 'hip', fr. I.-E. base
*qeu-b-, 'to bend', whence also Gk. xJ~o~,
'hollow above the hip of cattle'. See cubicle and
cp. hive.
Derivative: hip, tr. v., to sprain the hip of.
hip, n., seed vessel of the dog rose. -ME. hepe,
hipe, fr. OE. heope, rei. to OE. hiopa, 'briar',
OS. hiopo, dial. Norw. hjupa, OHG. hiafo, hiufa,
MHG., G. hiefe, Du. joop, 'bramble', Dan.
hyben, 'hip', and cogn. with OPruss. kaiiubri,
'thorn'.
hip, n., melancholy.- For hyp, which is short for
hypochondria.
hip, interj. used in applauding (as in hip, hip,
hurrah). - Of imitative origin.
hipe, also hype, n., a kind of throw in wrestling.
- Of uncertain origin; perhaps rei. to hip,
'haunch'. Derivative: hipe or hype, tr. and
intr. v., to throw by means of a hipe.
hipp-, form of hippo- before a vowel.
hippalectryon, n., an imaginary animal combining the forms of the horse and the cock
(Greek antiq.)- Gk. lmtocAe:xTpuwv, compounded of mtoc;, 'horse' and <i:l.exTpuwv, 'cock'. See

hipped

732

ippogrifo, a hybrid coined fr. Gk. !7t7to~. 'horse'

hippo- and alectryomachy.
(see hippo-), and grifo, 'griffin'. See griffin, 'a
hipped, adj., having hips. - Formed with suff.
mythical animal'.
-ed fr. hip, 'haunch'.
hippoid, adj., resembling a horse (zoo/.) - Comhipped, adj., depressed. - Formed with suff. -ed
pounded of hippo- and Gk. -oe:t31)~. 'like', fr.
fr. hip, 'melancholy'.
e:!3oc;, 'form, shape'. See -oid and cp. equoid.
hippish, adj., somewhat depressed (colloq.) Hippolyte, n., an Amazon, daughter of Ares;
Formed with suff. -ish fr. hip, 'melancholy'.
taken prisoner by Theseus (Greek mythol.)hippo-, before a vowel hipp-, combining form
L., fr. Gk. 'l7t7tOAUTI), fern. of the name 'l7t7t6meaning 'horse'.- Gk. tmro-, brn-, fr. trmo~,
/..u-.oc;. See Hippolytus and cp. next word.
'horse', rel. to dial. Gk. rxxo~, for I.-E. *ekwos,
Hippolyte, n., a genus of prawns (zoot.)- ModL.,
whence also OI. dSv~. L. equus, 'horse'. See
named after the Amazon Hippolyte. See prec.
equine and cp. the second element in Eohippus,
word.
ephippium, Philip, Xanthippe.
Hippolytidae,n.,pl.,afamilyofpraw ns.-ModL.,
hippo, n. - Short for hippopotamus.
pl., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
Hippoboscidae, n. pl., a family of parasitic bloodsucking flies (entomol.) - ModL., formed with Hippolytus, PN., a son of Theseus (Greek mytho/.) - L., fr. Gk. '17t7t6"Au-.oc;, fr. L7t7t6/..u-.oc;,
suff. -idae fr. hippo- and Gk. ~6o::rxe:w, 'to feed'.
lit. 'letting horses loose', formed fr. !7t7toc;,
See botany.
'horse', and the stem of /..oe:w, 'to loose, let
hippocampus, n., sea horse. - L., fr. Gk. brn6loose'. See hippo-, and -lysis.
Xot!L7to~, compounded of !7t7t0~, 'horse' (see
bippopbagous, adj., eating horseflesh. - Comhippo-), and xoc!L7tO~, 'sea monster', which is
pounded of hippo- and Gk. -q>ocyoc;, 'eating',
possibly rel. to xoc!L7t7j, 'caterpillar'. Cp. the
from the stem of q>otye:L"v, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
first element in Campephagidae, Campephilus,
hippophagy, n., the practice of eating horseflesh.
Campodea.
-Compounded of hippo- and -q>Oty(ii, fr. -q>ocyoc;,
hippocras, n., a highly spiced wine.- ME. ypo'eating'. See -phagy.
cras, fr. OF. ipocras, ypocras (F. hypocras),
hippopotamic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
prop. fr. Hippocrates, the celebrated Greek
a hippopotamus. - See next word and -ic.
physician; so called because the wine was strainhippopotamus, n. - L., fr. Gk. L7t7to7t6Tot!Loc;, lit.
ed through a woolen bag named Hippocrates
'horse of the river', fr. f7t7tO<;, 'horse' and 7tosleeve. The French spelling hypocras is due to
Tot!L6c;, 'river'. See hippo- and potamo-.
a confusion with the numerous words beginning
Hipposelinum, n., a genus of plants, the lovage
with hypo-, fr. Gk. u7t6, 'under, below'.
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. l7t7toae:f..1vov, 'coarse
Hippocratic, adj., of, or pertaining to, the Greek
parsley', lit. 'horse parsley', fr. 17t7tO<;, 'horse',
physician Hippocrates (46o? - 357 B.C.E.) and ae:t..1vov, 'parsley'. See hippo- and parsley
Late L. Hippocraticus, fr. L. Hippocrates, fr.
and cp. the second element in Petroselinum.
Gk. 'I7t7toxp&:'t7)<;. For the ending see suff. -ic.
hippuric, adj., pertaining to the acid C.,H 9 N03
Hippocrene, n., a fountain on Mt. Helicon sacred
(chem.)- Compounded of Gk. L7t7toc;, 'horse',
to the Muses. - L., fr. Gk. 'l7t7toxpi)Vt), lit.
and oupov, 'urine' (see hippo-, urine and adj.
'horse's fountain', which is compounded of
suff. -ic). This acid was so called because it was
l7t7to<;, 'horse', and xpi)Vt), 'fountain'. See hippofirst found (by Rouelle) in the urine of horses.
and crenic. Derivative: Hippocren-ian, adj.
Hippodamia, n., daughter of Oenomaus, king of Hippuris, n., a genus of plants, the mare's tail
(bor.) - ModL., lit. 'horse's tail', fr. hippoPisa, who offered her to the suitor who should
and Gk. oop&, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-'.
defeat him in a chariot race (Classical mythol.)
Hiram, masc. PN. - Phoen.-Heb. lfirdm, prob.
- L., fr. Gk. 'l7t7to3oc!Le:tot, fr. l7t7t63ot!Lo~, 'tamer
aphetic for A(lirdm, lit. 'brother of the lofty',
of horses', which is formed fr. t7t7toc;, 'horse',
fr. t'J/:1{, construct state of a(l, 'brother', and ram,
and the stem of llot!Liiv, 'to tame'. See hippo- and
'high, lofty'. The first element is rel. to Aram.
tame and cp. adamant.
~. Ugar. 'h, Arab. cih, Ethiop. a!Jaw, Akkad.
hippodrome, n., r) in ancient Greece and Rome,
af!u, 'brother', Heb. aQath, Aram. al,uith, Syr.
a course for horse races; 2) a circus for eques(latluf, Ugar. '(It, Arab. uat, Ethiop. a!Jat, Aktrian performances. - F., fr. L. hippodromos,
kad. ahatu, 'sister'. For the second element in
fr. Gk. t7t7t63po!Loc;, 'race course', which is comAbira,;; see Abram.
pounded oft7t7toc;, 'horse', and 11P6!Loc;, 'course'.
Hiramite, n. (applied to Freemasons). - Lit.
See hippo- and dromedary. Derivatives: hippo'descendant of Hiram (king of Tyre)'. Formed
drome, intr. v., hippodrom-ic, adj.
fr. Hiram with subst. suff. -ite.
Hippoglossus, n., a genus of flatfishes, the halibut
bircarra, n., a messenger; a spy (India). - Pers.
(ichthyol.) - ModL., compounded of hippoharkiira, 'messenger, spy', compounded of har,
and Gk. y/..waaot, 'tongue'. See gloss, 'inter'every, all' (fr. OPers. haruva-), and kar, 'work,
pretation'.
business', fr. OPers. kar-, 'to make'. See corpus
hippogriff, also hippogryph, n., an imaginary
and cp. Sanskrit and words there referred to.
monster combining the forms of the horse and
hirclne, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a hethe fabulous griffin. - F. hippogrijfe, Cr. It.

733

historify

ongrn. Derivatives: hiss-er, n., hiss-ing, n.,

goat; of a rank smell.- L. hircinus, 'pertaining
hiss-ing-ly, adv.
to a he-goat', fr. hircus, 'he-goat', which is prob.
rel. to hirsutus, 'shaggy, prickly, bristly'. See hist, inter., hush.- Of imitative origin. Cp. bush,
whisbt, whist, interj.
hirsute and adj. suff. -ine and cp. hearse.
hist-, form of histo- before a vowel.
hire, n. - ME., fr. OE. hyr, 'hire, wages, usury,
histamine, n., an amine, C 5H 9N 3, occurring in ergot
interest', rel. to OS. hiira, huria, Dan. hyre,
and produced by the decomposition of histidine
Swed. hyra, 'hire, wages', OFris. here, MLG.,
(chem.) - Coined fr. histidine and amine.
MDu. hure, Du. huur, G. Heuer, 'hire, wages,
rent, lease'. The ulterior etymol. of these words histidine, histidin, n., an amino acid C6 H 9N 30 2
(chem.) - Coined fr. Gk. ta-.!ov, dimin. of
is unknown.
!a-.6.; (see histo-), and suff. -idine.
hire, tr. v. - ME. hiren, fr. OE. hyrian, rel. to
histo-, before a vowel bist-, combining form
Dan. hyre, Swed. hyra, OFris. hera, MLG.,
meaning 'tissue'. - Gk. ta-.o-, !a-.-, fr. la-.6c;,
MDu. huren, Du. huren, G. heuern, 'to hire,
'ship's mast; loom; warp, web', which stands
rent'. These verbs are prob. denominated fr.
for *ata-.6.; and lit. means 'that which causes to
OE. hyr, resp. its equivalents in the other Teut.
stand', fr. ta't7)!LL (for *a[-aTI)-!LL}, 'I make to
languages. See hire, n.
stand; I stand', fr. I.-E. base *sta-, 'to stand',
Derivatives: hir-er, n., hire-ling, n.
whence also Gk. aTi)!Lwv, 'the warp in the
hirple, intr. v., to walk lamely; to hobble (chiefly
loom', L. stiire, 'to stand', stamen, 'the warp
Scot.)- Of unknown origin.
in the loom'. See state and cp. anhistous, Actinbirrient, adj., snarling; trilled.- L. hirriens, gen.
istia. Cp. also stamen.
-entis, 'snarling,' pres. part. of hirrire, 'to snarl',
of imitative origin. Cp. hirundine. For the ending histogenesis, n., formation of organic tissue. Compounded ofbisto- and Gk. yeve:at.;, 'origin'.
see suff. -ent.
See genesis.
Derivative: hirrient, n., a trilled sound.
histogenetic, adj., pertaining to histogenesis. hirsute, adj., shaggy, bristly. - L. hir-sutus,
See prec. word and genetic.
'shaggy, prickly, bristly', rel. to hir-tus, 'rough,
shaggy, hairy', and in gradational relationship histology, n., the study of organic tissues. Compounded of histo- and -/..oy!<i, fr. -A6yo<;,
to horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle, shake,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one
shudder, shiver, tremble'. See horror and cp.
who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
hearse, hispid.
Derivatives: histolog-ic, histolog-ic-al, adjs.,
Derivatives: hirsute-ness, n., hirsut-ism, n.
histolog-ist, n.
hirsuties, n., excessive growth of hair.- ModL.
histolysis, n., dissolution of organic tissue. hirsuties, lit. 'shagginess', fr. L. hirsutus. See
Compounded of bisto- and Gk. /..um.;, 'a loosing',
prec. word.
fr. J.oetv, 'to loose'. See -lysis.
Hirtella, n., a genus of plants of the peach family
histolytic, adj., pertaining to histolysis. - See
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. hirtus, 'rough, hairy,
prec. word and -lytic.
shaggy'. See prec. word and -ella.
histone, n., any of a group of basic proteins
Hirudo, n., a genus of leeches (zoot.)- L. hirUdo,
(chem.)- Coined fr. Gk. !a-.6c; (see histo-) and
gen. hiriidinis, 'leech', of uncertain origin.
suff. -one.
birundine, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a
historian, n. - F. historien, fr. L. historia. See
swallow. - Contraction of *hirundin-ine (see
history and -an.
haplology), which is formed with adj. suff. -ine
historiated, adj., illustrated with figures of flowers
fr. L. hirundo, gen. -inis, 'swallow', fr. hirrire,
or animals, etc.- Formed with suff. -ed fr. ML.
'to snarl'. See hirrient.
historiatus, pp. of historiare, 'to narrate, depict;
his, pron.- ME., fr. OE. his, 'of him, his', gen. of
to paint', fr. L. historia, 'history'. See history
masc. he, 'he', and of neut. hit, 'it'. See he and it.
and adj. suff. -ate and cp. storiated. For sense
hisingerite, n., a hydrous ferric silicate (mineral.)
development cp. story, 'horizontal section of a
-G. Hisingerit, named after the Swedish chembuilding'.
ist Wilhelm Hisinger (1766-1852). The ending
historic, adj. - L. historicus, fr. Gk. tcs-.Qp~x6~,
-it goes back to Gk. - fTI)<;; see subst. suff. -ite.
'historical', fr. la-.op(ii, 'historical narrative'.
Hispania, n., the Latin name of the country now
See history and -ic. Derivatives: historic-al, adj.,
comprising Spain and Portugal. - L. Hispania,
historic-al-ly, adv., historic-ity, n.
'Spain', lit. 'the country of the Spaniards', fr.
historico-, combining form meaning 'historical'.
Hispanus, 'Spaniard', which is prob. of Iberian
-Fr. Gk. ta-.optx6c;. See historic.
origin. The i in (H)i-spania is prob. the Iberian
historied, adj., having a history. - See history
article. Cp. Spaniard, spaniel.
and -ed.
Hispanic, adj., Spanish. - L. Hispanicus, fr.
historiette, n., a short history, a short story. Hispania. See prec. word and -ic.
F., dimin. of histoire, 'history, story', fr. L.
hispid, adj., bristly.- L. hispidus, 'shaggy, prickly,
historia. See history and -ette.
bristly', prob. rel. to hirsutus, of s.m. See hirsute.
historify, tr. v., to treat in, or as in, history. Derivative: hispid-ity, n.
Formed fr. m.tory with suff. -fy.
hiss, intr. v. and n. - ME. hissen, of imitative

historiographer
historiographer, n., historian. - Formed with
sufL -er fr. earlier historiograph, fr. Late L. historiographus, fr. Gk. [cr-:opwypocrpo~, 'history
writer', which is compounded of lcr-roplii,
'history', and -ypocrpo~, fr. ypocrpEw, 'to write'.
See history and -graph.
historiography, n., the writing of history. - See
prec. word and -graphy.
Derivatives: historiograph-ic, historiograph-ic-al,
adjs., historiograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
history, n. - L. historia, 'narrative, story, narration, account', fr. Gk. lcrToplii, 'learning by
inquiry, knowledge obtained by inquiry; account of one's inquiries; narration, historical
narrative; history', fr. tcrnup (Boeot. FLcrnup),
'knowing, learned', which stands for *fl/1-:wp
and is rei. to oTIIx (for *foiiix), 'I know', dllov
(for *E:.F~IIov), 'I saw', t1lEiv (for *f~IIE1v), 'to
see', t&z'i. (pro b. for* .F~ascr'i.), 'look, semblance;
kind, nature, class, species', and cogn. with L.
videre, 'to see'. See vision and cp. idea and words
there referred to. Cp. also story, polyhistor.
histrionic, adj., pertaining to an actor.- Late L.
histri6nicus, 'pertaining to an actor', fr. histri6,
gen. -6nis, 'actor', fr. hister, 'actor', which is of
Etruscan origin.
Derivative: hUrionic-al-ly, adv.
hit, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hitten, fr. ON. hitta,
'to hit upon, meet with', whence also Dan. hitte,
Swed. hitta, 'to hit, find'.
Derivatives: hit, n., hitt-er, n.
hitch, tr. and intr. v., to move by jerks. - ME.
hytchen, 'to move, remove', rei. to dial. E. hike,
'to move with a jerk', Scot. hitch, 'a motion by
jerks'. Cp. hike.
Derivatives: hitch, n., hitch-er, n., hitch-y, adj.,
hitch-i-ly, adv., hitch-i-ness, n.
hithe, n., landing place, port (archaic or in place
names). - ME. hythe, fr. OE. h}th, 'landing
place', rei. to OS. huth, of s.m.
hither, adv. - ME. hider, hither, fr. OE. hider,
rei. to ON. heora (for *lziora), 'here', Goth.
hidre, 'hither'; formed from the Teut. demonstrative base *hi- (whence also he, here) with
the comparative suff. -ther. Cp. thither. Cp. also
cis-, citra-.
Derivative: hither, adj.
hitherward, also hitherwards, adv. - OE. hiderv,-eard. See hither and -ward, rcsp. -wards.
Hittite, n. - Formed with subs!. suff. -ite fr.
Heb. /fittt, 'Hittite' (pl. /jittfm), fr. Hitt. !Jatti.
hive, n. - ME. hive, fr. OE. h}f, rei. to ON.
hufr, 'hull of a ship', and cogn. with OI. kilpal;,
'hollow, pit, cave', Gk. z):-:-~. 'a kind of ship',
x>:zi.i,'>V, 'cup', L. cupa, 'tub, cask, vat'. See
cup and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: hile, tr. and intr. v.
hives, n., any of variom eruptive skin di'ieases.Of uncertain origin.
Hivite, n., one of an ancient tribe of Canaan dispossessed by the Israelites. - Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Heb. f:liwwf, lit. 'villager', fr.

735

734

bawwd 11 , 'tent-village, village', which prob. derives fr. base b-w-h, 'to gather', and is rei. to
Arab. l;dwa, 'he collected, gathered', l;iwa',
'circle of tents'.
ho, intcrj. - Imitative. Cp. whoa.
hoactzin, n. - Sec hoatzin.
hoar, adj. - ME. har, hor, fr. OE. hiir, 'gray,
gray-haired, old', rei. to ON. hiirr, of s.m., OS.,
OHG. her, 'distinguished, noble, glorious, excellent', MHG. her, 'distinguished, noble,
proud, gay, holy', G. hehr, 'exalted, august,
noble, sublime', Herr, 'lord, master', herrlich,
'glorious, excellent', fr. Tcut. base *haira, corresponding to T.-E. *koiro-; cp. Mlr. cfar, 'dark',
fr. base *keiro-, a vowel-gradation form of
*koiro-. Cp. Herr, herring, and the second clement in mynheer, younker. Cp. also hue.
Derivatives: hoar, n., and intr. and tr. v., hoar-y,
adj., hoar-i-ness, n.
hoard, n. - ME. hord, fr. OE. hord, rei. to OS.
hord, ON. hodd, OHG., MHG., G. hort, Goth.
huzd, 'treasure', lit. 'hidden treasure', fr. I.-E.
*quz-dho-. The first element in this base means
'hidden'; see hide, 'to conceal', and cp. words
there referred to. The second clement in *quzdho- means 'placed', fr. base *dhe-, *dh6-, 'to
place', whence also Gk. n.&zvo:~. 'to place',
OE. don, 'to do'. Seed,~ and cp. theme. Cp. also
treasure.
hoard, tr. and intr. v. - ME. horden, fr. OE.
hordian, fr. hord. See hoard, n.
Derivatives: hoard-er, n., hoarding (q.v.)
hoarding, n., the act of one who hoards.
Formed fr. hoar.!, , ., with -ing, suff. forming
verbal nouns.
hoarding, n., a temporary fence.- Formed with
subst. suff. -ing fr. obsol. E. hoard, fr. OF.
hourd, houri, hort, 'scaffold', which is of Tcut.
origin. Cp. OHG. hurd, 'hurdle', and sec
hurdle.
hoarhound, n. - Sec horehound.
hoarse, adj. - ME. hors, fr. earlier hos, fr. OE.
hiis, rei. to OS. lzes, ON. lziiss, Dan. h;es, Swcd,
hes, Du. hees, OHG. heisi, heis, MHG. heise,
heiser, earlier G. heisch, G. heiser, 'hoarse'.
These words prob. meant orig. 'dried out;
rough', and are rei. to OE. hiit, etc., 'hot'; see
hot. The insertion of the r in ME. hors is prob.
due to the influence of harsh.
Derivatives: hoarse-ly, adv., hoarse-ness, n.
hoatzin, hoactzin, n., a bird of S. America.- Sp.,
fr. Nahuatl uatzin.
hoax, n. and tr. v. - Fr. earlier hocus. Sec hocuspocus.
Derivative: hoax-er, n.
hob, n., 1) a rustic; a clownish lout: 2) a fairy.Fr. Hoh, a pet form of Robin. Cp. hobgoblin.
hob, n., projection at the side of a fireplace: peg.
- Of uncertain origin. Cp. hub.
hobble, intr. v., to go haltingly, to limp; tr. v.,
to cause to go haltingly. --'-- ME. hobelen; rei.
to Du. hobbelen, 'to rock from side to side',

-I

freq. of hobben, 'to toss, to rock'. Cp. hopple

and hobby, 'a small species of falcon'.
Derivatives: hobble, n., hobbler (q.v.), hobbling-ly, adv.
hobbledehoy, also hobbadehoy, hobbedehoy, n.,
a clumsy youth. - Of uncertain origin.
hobbler, n., one who, or that which, hobbles. Formed from the verb hobble with agential
suff. -er.
hobbler, n., a retainer who maintained a horse
for military service (Engl. hist.) - ME. hobler,
hobeler, a blend of OF. hobin, hobi, 'a small
horse' (sec hobby, 'a nag'), and OF. hobeler,
'to skirmish', fr. OF. hober, 'to bestir oneself;
shake, agitate', which is of Teut. origin. Cp.
Du. hobben, 'to toss', and sec hobble.
hobby, n., a small species of falcon. -ME. hobi,
hoby, fr. OF. hobet, dimin. of hobe, 'falcon'
(whence also F. hobereau, 'hobby; squirccn'),
fr. OF. hober, 'to bestir oneself'. Sec prec. word.
hobby, n., 1) a nag; 2) hobby horse; 3) favorite
occupation.- ME. hobin, 'nag', fr. OF. hobin,
hobi, 'a small horse', orig. 'the ambling animal',
fr. OF. hober, 'to bestir oneself'. Sec hobby,
'a species of falcon', and cp. aubin.
hobgoblin, n., 1) (cap.) Robin Goodfellow; 2) an
elf, goblin; 3) a bogey.- Compounded of hob,
'a kind of fairy', and goblin.
hobnail, n. - C::Jmpounded of hob, 'fairy', and
nail.
Derivative: hobnail-ed, adj.
hobnob, intr. v., to be on intimate terms. - A
var. of early ModE. hab nab, fr. OE. habban,
'to have', and nabban, contraction of ne habban,
'not to have'. Hence hohnob orig. meant 'have
or have not'. Sec have.
hobo, n., a tramp (American Slang).- Of unknown origin.
hobson-jobson, n., a festal excitement. - Corruption of Arab. ya Hasan! ya Husayn! '0
Hasan! 0 Husain!', cry of the Mohammedans
at the procession of the Moharram. Sec Yule
and Burnell, Hobson-Jobson, p. 419.
Hobson's choice, n. - So called after Thomas
Hobson (died in 1631 ), who had livery stables at
Cambridge and let out horses to customers on
the condition that they had to take the animal
standing in the stable nearest to the stable door.
hock, n., the joint in the hind leg of a horse. ME. hough, hoch, fr. OE. hoh, 'heel', rei. to the
first element in ON. hii-sin, OE. h6h-sinu, 'hock
sinew', OHG. hahsa, MHG. hahse, G. Hachse,
'hock', ON. h<11, OE. h:la, 'heel', and cogn.
with 01. kdk$a/;, kak$ii, Avestic kasha, 'armpit',
L. coxa, 'hip', Lith. kink a, kenkte, 'knee joint',
cinks/a, 'knee sinew', Olr. coss, 'foot'. Cp. hough.
Cp. also heel. Cp. also coxa. For the second
element in ON. hii-sin, OE. h6h-sinu, see sinew.
Derivative: hock, tr. v., to hamstring.
hock, n., white Rhenish wine. - Orig. 'wine of
Hochheim', abbreviation of obsol. hockamore,
'wine of Hochheim', fr. G. Hochheimer, fr.

hog

Hochheim, a village near Mainz in Germany.

Hockday, n., the second Tuesday after Easter..The first element in this compound is of unknown origin. It is not related to G. hoch, 'high'.
hockey, n. - Prob. fr. OF. hoquet, 'bent club,
shepherd's crook', formed with suff. -et fr. OF.
hoc, 'a hook', which is of Teut. origin (cp. OE.
hoc and sec hook); prob. so called because
played with clubs hooked slightly at the end.
hocus, n. and tr. v.- Short for hocus-pocus.
hocus-pocus, n., a conjurer's trick. - Sham L.
Cp. hoax, hokey-pokey.
hod, n., a portable trough for carrying mortar.
- MDu. hodde, 'basket', rei. to Frankish
*hotta (whence F. hotte, 'basket for the back')
and to dial. G. Hotte, 'basket for the back'.
hodden, n., a coarse woolen cloth. - Perh. fr.
Northern E. dial. form of holden, pp. of held,
hence lit. 'cloth held (at home)'. See hold.
Hodge, n., the agricultural laborer. - A popular
form of the name Roger.
hodgepodge, n.- A var. of hotchpotch (q.v.)
hodgkinsonite, n., a hydrous zinc manganese silicate (mineral.) -Named after H. H. Hodgkinson of Franklin Furnace, New Jersey. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hodiernal, adj., of this day. - Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. hodiernus, 'of this day', fr. hodie,
'today', which stands for hoc die, 'on this day',
fr. abl. of hie, 'this', and dies, 'day'. L. hie prob.
stands for hi-ce or he-ce, which is compounded
of the emphatic particle hi-, resp. he-, and the
demonstrative particle -ce. Particle hi-, he- is
cogn. with the emphatic particles: 01. gh.7,
'just, indeed, certainly', ha, 'of course, surely',
OI.hi, Avestic zi, 'for, because; surely, indeed',
Gk. -x~ (in ou-zl, p.~-zL, 'not', '11/XL-z~. 'yea,
verily'), OSlav. -go-, -ie (after a negation), Lith.
-gu, -gi. For the demonstrative particle -ce cp.
the second clement in L. istic, 'this', illic, 'that'.
See he and cp. haecceity, encore and langue
d'oc. For the second clement in L. hodie see
dies non.
hodograph, hodometer. - See odograph, odometer.
hoe, n. - ME. howe, fr. MF. ( = F.) houe, fr.
Frankish *hauwa, which is rei. to OHG. houwa
(MHG. houwe, G. Haue), 'hoe, mattock,pickax',
fr. OHG. houwan, which is rei. to OE. heawan,
'to cut, hew'. Sec hew.
hoe, tr. v. - ME. howwen, fr. howe. Sec hoe, n.
Derivative: ho-er, n.
hoernesite, n., a hydrous magnesium arsenate
(mineral.) - G. Hoernesit, named after the
Austrian paleontologist Moritz Hoernes (18521917). The ending -it goes back to Gk. -tTIJ~;
see subst. suff. -ite.
hog, n.- ME. hog, hogge, fr. OE. hogg, of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: hog, tr. and intr. v., hogg-ed, adj.,
hogg-ery, n., hogg-ish, adj., hogg-ish-ly, adv.,
hogg-ish-ness, n.

Hogarth ian

Hogarthian, adj., in the satirical manner of the

English painter and caricaturist William Hogarth (I 697- I 764).- For the ending see suff. -ist.
Hogen-Mogen, n., I) 'Their High Mightinesses',
i.e. the States-General of the United Provinces
of the Netherlands (obsol.); 2) the Dutch; a
Dutchman (used contemptuously). - Fr. Du.
Hoogmogendheden, 'High Mightinesses' (fr. hoog,
'high', and mogend, 'mighty'), title of the StatesGeneral in the Netherlands. See high, and may,
mighty.
hoicks, hoick, interj., a call to incite hounds. Of unknown origin. Cp. yoickshoiden, n. - See hoyden.
hoi polloi, the common people, the rabble.
Gk. of 1t'OMo, 'the many', pl. of 1t'OAU~. See
poly-.
boise, tr. v., to hoist (obsol.)- Late ME. hoise,
alter. of earlier hyce, hysse, fr. MLG. hissen or
MDu. hischen (Du. hijsen), 'to hoist' (whence
also G. hissen, F. hisser, It. issare, Sp., Port.
izar); possibly of imitative origin. Cp. next word.
hoist, tr. v., to raise, lift. -Alter. of boise, pro b.
due to a confusion with hoised, hoist, pp. of
hoise.
Derivatives: hoist, n., hoist-er, n., hoist-ing, n.
and adj.
boity-toity, adj., 1) giddy, flighty; 2) haughty,
arrogant; 3) petulant. - From the obsol. v.
hoit, 'to indulge in riotous gaiety', which is of
uncertain origin.
bokey-pokey, n., I) hocus-pocus; 2) cheap icecream sold in the streets. - Prob. altered fr.
hocus-pocus.
bokbmah, n., wisdom; (cap.), wisdom literature,
a division of ancient Hebrew writings. - Heb.
/.tokhmdh, 'wisdom', from the stem of /.tiikhdm,
'he was wise', whence also /.tiikMm, 'skillful,
learned, wise', rei. to Aram.-Syr. /.tiikluim, 'he
was wise', Arab. /.!Qkuma, 'he was wise', /.takfm,
'wise'. See hakeem.
bol-, form of bolo- before a vowel.
bolcad, n., a ship of burden (Greek antiq.) Gk. oAx.OO;, gen. o'Ax&llo~, 'ship of burden', lit.
'a ship that is towed', rei. to ~AxE tv, 'to draw'.
See Holcus and -ad and cp. bulk.
bolcodont, adj., having the teeth set in a continuous groove. - Compounded of Gk. II'Axo~.
'furrow', and the stem of ollwv, gen. Oll6v-ro~.
'tooth'. See next word and odonto-.
Holcus, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - L., a kind
of grass, fr. Gk. 6Ax.6~. adj., 'attractive', which is
rei. to 6Ax.6~. n., 'that which draws; a track made
by drawing, a furrow', and to ~Etv, 'to draw,
attract', fr. I.-E. base *selq-, 'to draw', whence
also L. sulcus, 'furrow, trench'. See sulcate and
cp. bolcad, bolcodont, bulk.
bold, tr. and intr. v. - ME. healden, halden, holden, fr. OE haitian, healdan, rei. to OS. haldan,
ON. halda, Dan. holde, Swed. lull/a, OFris.
halda, MLG. halden Du. houden, OHG. haltan,
MHG., G. halten, 'to hold', Goth. haltkm, 'to

736

tend' (orig. prob. 'to drive on'), fr. Teut. *hal/Jan, which is prob. a dental enlargement of
I.-E. base *que/-, 'to drive'. The phases of the
sense development of the above words prob.
were 'to drive on' (cattle, etc.); 'to tend' (cattle;
as in Goth. haldan); 'to hold' (cattle, etc.)'. For
other derivatives of I.-E. base *qel-, see celerity
and words there referred to. Cp. behold, halt,
'stoppage', bodden, bolt, 'lair of an animal'.
Derivatives: hold, n., hold-er, n., hold-ing, n.
bold, n., space in a ship below the lower deck,
in which cargo is stowed (naut.) - ME. ho/1,
fr. MDu. hool, hoi, 'hole; hold'. See bole.
holden, archaic pp. of the verb bold.
boldenite, n., a basic manganese zinc arsenate
(mineral.)- Named after the American mineral
collector Albert Fairchild Holden (1866-1913) ..
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hole, n. - ME., fr. OE. hoi, 'hollow place, hole'
(prop. neut. of the adj. hoi, 'hollow', used as a
noun), and OE. holh, 'hollow place, hole'; rei.
to OS., OFris., MDu., OHG., MHG. hoi, MDu.
hoof, ON. holr, G. hohl, 'hollow', Goth. us-hulon,
'to hollow out', prob. fr. I.-E. base *qaul-, *qui-,
'hollow, a hollowed thing', whence also Gk.
xocul6<;;, 'stem', L. caulis, co/is, 'stem, stalk'; see
cole.
Derivatives: hole, tr. and intr. v., hole-ly, adj.
Holi, Hoolee, Hooly, n., spring festival in honor
of Krishna (Hindu religion). - Hind. holi, fr.
01. holiikii, which is prob. of imitative origin.
holiday, n. - ME. holidei, fr. OE. hiiligd;eg, lit.
'a holy day'. See holy and day.
holily, adv. - ME., fr. OE. hiiliglice. See holy
and adv. suff. -ly.
holiness, n. - ME. holynesse, fr. OE. hiilignes.
See holy and -ness.
holism, n., the theory that regards nature as consisting of 'wholes' (phi/os.)- Coined with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. olo<;, 'whole, entire'. See bolo-.
Holland, n., the Netherlands. - Du. Holland, fr.
earlier Holt/ant, lit. 'wood land' (in allusion to
the important district with the center Dordrecht). MDu. holt, hout (Du. hout), 'wood', is
rei. to 1st E. holt (q.v.) For Du. land see land.
Cp. next word and Hollands.
hollandaise, n., a seasoned sauce made of yolk of
eggs and butter. - Short for F. sauce hollandaise, 'Dutch sauce'; hollandaise is the feminine
of hol/andais, 'Dutch', fr. Hollande, 'Holland'.
See prec. word.
hollandite, n., manganate of barium, manganese
and iron (mineral.)- Named after the English
geologist Sir Thomas Henry Holland (18681947), director of the geological survey of India.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Hollands, n., gin made in Holland. - Du. Hollandsch genever (now spelled Hollands jenever),
'Holland gin'. See Holland. The suff. -sch in
Hol/andsch corresponds to E. -ish (q.v.)
hollo, interj., n. and intr. and tr. v. -Imitative.
hollow, adj.- ME. holh, holwe, fr. holh, 'hole',

737

fr. OE. ho/h, 'hollow, place, hole'. See hole.

Derivatives: hollow, adv., n., v., hollow-ly, adv.,
hollow-ness, n.
holly, n. -ME. holi, holin, fr. OE. holegn, holen,
rei. to OS., OHG. hulis, huts, ON., hulfr, MDu.,
MHG. hu/s, Du., G. hulst, 'holly', and cogn.
with Mir. cuilenn, W. celyn, Gael. cuilionn,
'holly'. These words lit. mean 'the pricking
tree'. They derive fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to prick',
whence also OSlav. koljq, klati, 'to prick',
OS!av. klasi1, Russ. kolos, 'ear of com', lit. 'that
which pricks'. See Solmsen in Beitriige zur Geschichte der Deutschen Sprache und Literatur,
27, 366. -F. houx, 'holly', is a loan word fr.
Frankish *huls, 'which is rei. to OHG. huls,
'holly'. Cp. holm oak, hulver.
hollyhock, n., a plant of the mallow family. ME. holihoc, lit. 'holy mallow' compounded of
ME. holi, 'holy (see holy), and OE. hoc,
'mallow', which is of unknown origin.
holm, n., an island situated in a lake or river.OE., 'sea, island, hill', rei. to ON. holmr, 'island,
rising land', fr. I.-E. base *qe/-, 'to rise, be elevated'. See hill.
holmia, n., holmium oxide (chem.) - ModL.,
named by its discoverer the Swedish chemist
Per Teodor Cleve (1840-1905) in I879 after
Holmia, the Latin name of Stockholm, his
native city. For the ending see suff. -ia.
holmium, n., name of a metallic element (chem.)
- Coined by the French chemist Lecoq de Boisbaudran (1838-1912) in 1886 fr. prec. word. For
the ending see suff. -ium.
holm oak,- ME. holm, fr. OE. holen, 'holly'. See
holly.
bolo-, before a vowel hol-, combining form meaning 'whole, entire, complete'. - Gk. OAO-, oA-,
fr. lilo~, 'whole, entire', which stands for
*&Afo~. fr. I.-E. *sol-wos, whence also L. so/Ius
(for *solwos), 'whole, entire'. See safe and words
there referred to and cp. esp. the second element
in catholic.
holocaust, n., I) a burnt offering; 2) complete
destruction by fire; 3) a great destruction. F. holocauste, fr. L. holocaustum, fr. Gk. ol6xocucr't'ov, lit. 'a thing wholly burnt', neut. of the
adj. 6A6xocucr't'o~. which is compounded of lllo~.
'whole' (see bolo-}, and xocua't'6~, verbal adj. of
wx(etv (for *x&.f!Etv), 'to bum'. See caustic.
Derivatives: holocaust-a/, holocaust-ic, adjs.
holograph, n., a document written entirely by the
person from whom it proceeds. - Late L. holographus (whence also F. holographe), fr. Gk.
oA6ypoccpo~. 'written in full, written entirely by
the same hand', which is compounded of 1\).o~.
'whole' (see bolo-), and -ypo:cpo~. fr. ypticpEtv, 'to
write'. See -graph.
Derivatives: holograph-ic, holograph-ic-a/, adjs.
holohedral, adj., having the full number of faces
required by complete symmetry (said of crystals). - Compounded of bolo- and Gk. ~p~.
'seat; base, side, face'. See -hedral.

holt

holomorphic, adj., of symmetrical form. -Compounded of bolo- and Gk. tJ.Opcp~. 'form, shape',
See -morphic.
holophote, adj., an optical apparatus by which
all the light of a lighthouse lamp is utilized. Compounded of bolo- and Gk. cpw~. gen.' cpw't'6<;,
'light'. See photo-.
holophrasis, n., the expression of a whole phrase
in a single word (as in some agglutinative languages). - Compounded of bolo- and Gk.
cpp&cr~, 'speech, expression, phrase'. See phrase.
holophrastic, adj., pertaining to, or characterized
by, holophrasis. - Compounded of bolo- and
Gk. cppoccrnx6~. 'expressive', fr. cpp&~etv, 'to
point out, show, tell', whence also cppocat~. See
prec. word and -ic.
holophyte, n., a planLcapable of manufacturing
its own food. - Compounded of bolo- and Gk.
cpu't'6v, 'plant'. See phyto-.
Holosteum, n., a genus of plants, the jagged
chickweed (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. oA6anov,
used by Dioscorides for a plant. The word lit.
means 'wholly of bones', fr. &lo~, 'whole', and
oO"'t'ov, oO"'t'ouv, 'bone'. See bolo- and osteo-.
Holotburia, n., the genus of sea cucumbers (zoo/.)
- ModL., fr. L. holothuria (pl.), fr. Gk. oAo.3-ooptov, 'a kind of marine zoophyte'.
holpen, archaic pp. of help.
holster, n., leather case for a pistol. - Du., a collateral form of holfter, rei. to OHG. huluft,
MHG. hu/ft, 'cover, case, sheath', MHG. hulfter, 'quiver', G. Holfter, 'holster', OE. heolstor,
'that which covers, hiding place, concealment,
darkness', ON. hulstr, 'case, sheath', Goth.
hulistr, 'covering, veil', and to OE. he/an, 'to
conceal', fr. I.-E. base *kef-, 'to hide, conceal'.
See cell and cp. housing, 'covering'. The suff.
-tr, -str, in the above words is instrumental.
Derivatives: holster, tr. v., holster-ed, adj.
holt,n.,smallw ood.-OE.,rel. toOS.,ON.,Da n.,
Norw., OFris. holt, MDu. holt, hout, Du. hout,
OHG., MHG., G. holz, 'wood', and cogn. with
Gk. xA&Ilo~, 'young branch or shoot', L. clades,
'injury, mischief, disaster', Russ.-Church Slavic
k/ada, 'beam', kladivo, 'hammer', Mlr. c/aidim,
'I dig', caill (for *caldet), 'forest', W. clawdd,
Co. c/aud, 'ditch', Oir. claid-eb, W. cleddyf,
'sword' (L. g/adius, 'sword', is a Celtic Joan
word). All these words derive fr. I.-E. *qeliid-,
*qoliid-, *qliid-, *qjdo-, -d-enlargements of
base *qel(ii}-, *qol(ii}-, 'to strike, beat, break',
whence Gk. x),fiv, 'to break', xlTjpo<;, Dor.
x),fipo~. prop. 'little piece of wood lopped off
(used for casting lots)', hence 'a casting of Jots',
L. caliimitiis, 'damage, injury, loss, misfortune'
(with the primary meaning 'blow'), in-columis,
'unimpaired, uninjured', Lith. kalul, kalti, 'to
strike, forge', Lett. ka{u, kalt, 'to forge', OSlav.
ko/jQ, klati, 'to pierce, slaughter'. Cp. the second
element in clapholt and the first element in Holland. Cp. also halt, 'lame', hilt. Cp. also calamity,
clastic, claymore, Clematis, clergy, cleric, clerk,

holt

738

ness, n., home-ly, adj., home-li-ly, adv., homecolobium, coloboma, Colobus, coup, gladiator,
li-ness, n.
glaive, Procellaria. Cp. also the first element in
borneo-, homoeo-, combining form meaning 'simcolore.
ilar to'. - Gk. ilf.LOLO-, fr. ilf.LOLO<; (also Of.LO~o.;),
holt, n., retreat or lair of an animal. -A var. of
'like, resembling'' rei. to ow)~. 'one and the
hold, n. See hold.
same'. See homo- and cp. the second element
bolus-bolus, adv., all at once. - Sham Latin
in Ipomoea.
coined fr. whole and bolus.
homeomorphism, homoeomorphism, n., similarity
holy, adj. - ME. hali, holi, fr. OE. halig, rei. to
in form. - See next word and -ism.
OS. helag, ON. heilagr, Dan. helll'g, Swed. helig,
homeomorphous, homoeomorphous, adj., of simOFris., MDu. helich, Du. heilig, OHG. heilag,
ilar form. - Compounded of borneo- and
MHO. heilec, G. hei/ig, Goth. hailags, 'holy',
-morphous.
and to OE. hal, 'whole, healthy'. See whole and
homeopath, homoeopath, n., homeopathist. cp. hale, 'sound, healthy'. Cp. also halibut,
Back formation fr. homeopathy.
halidom, hallow, hollyhock. Cp. also Olga.
homeopathy, homoeopathy, n., a system of healing
hom-, form of homo- before a vowel.
based on the theory that a disease can be cured
homage, n.- ME., fr. OF. homage(F. hommage),
by medicines which in a healthy person would.
fr. ML. hominiiticum, 'vassal's service', fr. L.
produce symptoms similar to those of the dishomo, gen. hominis, 'man', which is rei. to
ease treated.- G. Homoopathie, coined by the
hiimiinus, 'human'. See human and -age and cp.
German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755the second element in bonhomie.
1843), the founder of homeopathy, fr. Gk.
homalo-, before a vowel homal-, combining form
Of.LOLo7rci{}ELIX, 'likeness in feeling, likeness in
meaning'even'. -Gk. Of.LctAo-, Of.LIXA-, fr. Of.LctA6~.
suffering', fr. ilfLoLo~, 'like', and -7r<i{}ELIX, 'feel'even, level, of like degree', fr. Of.L6~, 'one and
ing, suffering'. See homeo- and -pathy and cp.
the same', which is cogn. with L. simi/is, 'like'.
allopathy.
See homo- and cp. anomalo-.
Derivatives: homeopath-ic, adj., homeopath-icHomarus, n., a genus of crustaceans (zoo/.) al-ly, adv.
ModL., fr. F. homard, fr. ON. humarr, which
homer, n., a Hebrew measure of capacity. is cogn. with Gk. XcXf.Lf.Lctpo~, 'lobster'. See
Heb. /:!&mer, 'heap; measure', fr. /:ltimdr, 'he
Cambarus.
heaped, piled up', rei. to Akkad. imeru, 'a
hombre, n., a man. - Sp., fr. L. hominem, ace.
measure'.
of homo, 'man'. See homage.
homer, n., a homing pigeon. - Formed with
home, n. - ME. home, hoom, fr. OE. ham, rei. to
agential suff. -er from the verb home, 'to send
OS. hem, 'home', OFris. hem, ham, 'home, vilhomeward', fr. home, n. See home.
lage', ON. heimr, 'residence, world', heima,
Homer, rnasc. PN.- L. Homerus, fr. Gk. "Of.L7Je
'home', Swed. hem, Dan. hjem, MDu. heem,
po~, 'Homer', name of the alleged author of th,
heim, OHG., MHO., G. heim, 'home', Goth.
Iliad and the Odyssey, fr. ilf.L7Jpo~, 'hostage
haims, 'village', and cogn. with Gk. XWfl-7], 'vil(prop. 'companion'); 'blind' (prop. 'going with
lage', XOLf.LiiV, 'to lull, put to sleep', Lith. kdimas,
a companion') (whence Of.L7JPEUELV, 'to accomOPruss. caymis, 'village', OSlav. semija, Lith.
pany, go together with'), which is prob. formed
seimyna, Lett. saime, OPruss. seimins, 'domestic
fr. Of-LOG, 'together', and the stem of &p-{}pov,
servants', Olr. coim, coem, 'dear, beloved', OW.
'joint', &p-otp-[O"XELV, 'to join'. See homo- and
cum, ModW. cu, of s.m., L. -haemum (a Teut.
arm, 'upper limb'.
loan word) in Boihaemum, 'Bohemia', lit. 'home
Homeric, adj., pertaining to Homer or his poems.
of the Boi'; formed-with -m-formative element
- L. Homericus, fr. Gk. 'O!J-7]pLx6~, 'pertaining
-fr. I.-E. base *kei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence
to Horner', fr. "Of.L7Jpo~. See Homer and -ic.
also Goth. heiwa-frauja, 'master of a house', OE.
homesick, adj. - Back formation fr. next word.
hiwan (pl.), 'members of a family', hiwen, 'family,
Derivative: homesick-ly, adv.
household', OHG. hiwo, 'husband', hiwa, 'wife',
homesickness, n.- Loan translation of G. Heimhiun (pl.), 'married couple', ON. hiiin, 'married
weh, fr. Heim, 'home', and Weh, 'woe, pain'.
couple, household', OE. higid, hid, 'hide of
homestead, n.- OE. hiimstede, 'residence', cornland', lit. 'land (sufficient) to support a family',
pounded of ham, 'home', and stede, 'place'. See
OE. hiw-nFden, hi-red, 'family, household',
home and stead.
OHG., MHO. hi-rtit, G. Hei-rat, 'marriage',
orig. 'care of the hou~e (the second element of homeward, adv. and adj. - ME. hamward, fr.
OE. hiimweard. See home and -ward.
these latter words means 'advice, counsel'; see
homewards, adv.- OE. hiimweardes, formed fr.
rede, n.), and L. eMs, 'citizen'. See civil and
hiimweard with adv. gen. suff. Cp. OHG. heimcp. the first element in comedy. Cp. also ham,
wartes, G. heimwiirts, and see prec. word and
'hamlet', hamesucken, hamlet, haunt, Henry,
-wards.
hide, 'measure of land', hind, 'farm servant',
homey, also horny, adj., homelike (colloq.) Bohemia. Cp. also eme, oom.
Formed fr. home with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: home, adj., adv. and tr. and intr.
homicidal, adj., pertaining to homicide. - Late
v., home-less, adj., home-less-ly, adv., home-less-

739
L. homicldalis, 'pertaining to manslaughter', fr.
L. homicida. See next word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: homicidal-ly, adv.
homicide, n., manslayer.- F., fr. L. homicida,
'manslayer, murderer', which is compounded of
homi- (shortened for homini-, stem of homo, gen.
-inis, 'man') and -cfda, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to
kill'. See human and -cide, 'killer'.
homicide, n., manslaughter. - F., fr. L. homicidium, 'manslaughter', which is compounded
of homi- (shortened fr. homini-, stem of homo,
gen. -inis, 'man') and -cidium, 'killing', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See human and -cide, 'killing'.
homiletic, adj., pertaining to sermons or homiletics. - Gk. O[J.D-.7JTLx6~, 'conversable', fr.
OfLLA7JT6.;, verbal adj. of OfLD.dv, 'to be together
with, converse with', fr. O!J.U..6~, 'crowd, assembly'. See homily.
Derivatives: homiletic, n., homiletic-a/, adj.,
homiletical-ly, adv., homiletics (q.v.)
homiletics, n., the art of preaching. -See prec.
word and -ics.
homiliary, n., a book of homilies. - Eccles. L.
homfliarium, 'a book of homilies', fr. homflia.
See homily and -ary.
homilist, n., one who composes or preaches homilies. - See homily and -ist.
homilite, n., an iron calcium borosilicate (mineral.) - G. or Swed. homilit, formed fr. Gk.
Of.L'W:'Lv, 'to be together with, converse with'
with subst. suff. -it, which goes back to Gk.
-fTIJ~ (see homily and subst. suff. -ite); so called
in allusion to its association with erdrnannite
and meliphanite.
homily, n., sermon.- OF. omelie (F. home/ie),
fr. Eccles. L. homi/ia, fr. Gk. Of.LThl<i, 'converse,
meeting, assembly', fr. iltLD..o~, 'crowd, throng,
assembly', which is prob. a contraction of
*6~J-6-~J.D..o~, lit. 'a gathering together' (see
haplology). For the first element see homo-. The
second element is cogn. with OJ. mildti,
'meets', mela/:1, 'assembly', L. miles, gen. -itis,
'soldier', lit., 'one who marches in a troop';
see militia. Cp. homilite.
Derivatives: homil-ist, n., homil-ist-ic, adj.,
homi/-ize, intr. v. (rare).
homing, adj., bound for home (esp. used in the
term homing pigeon).- Formed with adj. suff.
-ing from the verb home, 'to send homeward',
fr. home, n. See home.
hominy, n., a meal made from maize. - Prob.
aphetic for Algonquian auhuminea, 'parched
com'.
homo, n., man - L. homo. See human.
homo-, before a vowel hom-, combining form
meaning 'one and the same, jointly'. - Gk.
Of.LO-, Of.L-, fr. Of.LO~ (for *somos), 'one and the
same, belonging to two or more jointly', rei. to
O[LO\i, 'together', and cogn. with 01. samd/:1,
'even, the same', L. simi/is, 'like', Goth. sama,
'the same', samana, 'together'. See same and
words there referred to and cp. esp. borneo-,

homologate

homalo-, hama-, the first element in Homer and

the second element in schorlomite.
homoblastic, adj., developed from cells of the
same kind (bioi.) - Compounded of homo- and
Gk. (3:ActcrT6~. 'bud, sprout, shoot'. See -blastic
'
and cp. heteroblastic.
homochromous, adj., of the same color.- Cornpounded of homo- and Gk. XPWf.LtX, 'color'. See
chrome and -ous and cp. heterochromous.
homodont, adj., having all the teeth of the same
form (zoo!.) - Compounded of hom- and the
stem of Gk. o3wv, gen. oa6vTo~. 'tooth'. See
odonto- and cp. heterodont.
homoeo-, a var. spelling of homeo-.
homogamous, adj., bearing flowers that do not
differ sexually (bot.)- Gk. Of.L6Yotf.Lo~, 'married
together', compounded of Of.LO- (see homo-) and
y&f.Lo~, 'marriage'. See -gamous and cp. heterogamous.
homogamy, n. (bot.)- See prec. word and -gamy
and cp. heterogamy.
homogeneal, adj., homogeneous. - See homogeneous and adj. suff. -al and cp. heterogeneal.
homogeneity, n., the quality of being homogeneous.- F. homogeneite, fr. ML. homogeneitatem,
ace. of homogeneitas, fr. homogeneus. See next
word and -ity and cp. heterogeneity.
homogeneous, adj., of the same kind, uniform.ML. homogeneus, fr. Gk. Of.LOYEV~~. 'of the same
kind or race', which is compounded of Of.LO- (see
homo-) and yevo~, 'race, descent, gender, kind'.
See genus and -ous and cp. heterogeneous.
Derivatives: homogeneous-ly, adv., homogeneous-ness, n.
homogenesis, n., reproduction in which the successive generations are alike. - Compounded
of homo- and genesis. Cp. heterogenesis.
homogenetic, adj., pertaining to homogenesis. Compounded of homo- and -genetic. Cp. heterogenetic.
homogenous, adj., having a common descent.Compounded of homo- and Gk. yevo~, 'race,
descent'. See genus and -ous.
homogeny, n., structural resemblance due to a
common ancestor. - Compounded of homoand -geny. Cp. heterogeny.
homograph, n., a word of identical spelling with
another, but different from it in origin and
meaning. - Compounded of bomo- and Gk.
-ypotcpo~, fr. yp&:cptm, 'to write'. See -graph.
Derivatives: homograph-ic, adj., homograph-y,n.
homoiousian, adj., of like essence. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. Gk.of.Lmo.Jmo~, 'of like essence',
fr. ilf.LOLO~, 'like' (see borneo-), and OUO'[i, 'essence', substance', which derives fr. oocroc, fern.
of wv, 'being', pres. part. of dvocL, 'to be'. See
esse and cp. essence. Cp. also homoow;ian and
heteroousian.
Derivative: Homoiousian, n.
homologate, tr. v., to approve (law). - ML.
homologiitus, pp. of homologare, fr. Gk. o[J.o:AoyE~v. 'to agree, gral)t, concede', fr. Of.L6:Aoyo.;,

homologatio n

'agreeing, of one mind'. See homologue.

homologation, n., approval (law). - See prec.
word and -ion.
homologize, tr. v., to make homologous; intr. v.,
to be homologous. - See next word and -ize.
homologous, adj., corresponding. - Gk. OtJ.6).oyo~, 'agreeing, of one mind', compounded of
O!J.O (see homo-) and ).6yo~, 'word, speech, discourse; proportion'. See logos. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -o~, see -ous. Cp. heterologous.
homologue, n., a homologuous thing. - F., fr.
Gk. O[J.6).oyov, neut. of o[J.6).oyo~, 'agreeing, of
one mind'. See prec. word.
homology, n., 1) quality of being homologous;
2) (bioi.) correspondence in the structure of
animal organs. - F. homologie, fr. Gk. O[J.o).oy(<X, 'agreement', fr. O!J.6).oyo~, 'agreeing'. See
prec. word and -y (representing Gk. -loc). As a
biological term, F. homologie was prob. used
first by the French naturalist Etienne-Geoffroy
St. Hilaire (1772-1844).
homomorphic, adj., of the same form.- Compounded of homo-, Gk. [J.Opq>lj, 'form, shape' (see
morpho-), and suff. -ic. Cp. heteromorphic.
homomorphism, n., resemblance of form. - See
prec. word and -ism and cp. heteromorphism.
homomorphous, adj., homomorp hic.- See homomorphic and -ous and cp. heteromorphous.
homomorphy, n., similarity of form. - See prec.
word and -morphy.
homonym, n., a homonymous word. - F. homonyme, fr. L.homonymu m, fr. Gk. O[J.WVUf!.OV, neut.
of O!J.WVU[J.O~, 'having the same name'. See next
word.
Derivatives: homonym-ic, adj., homonymous
(q.v.)
homonymous, adj., like in sound, but different
in meaning.- F. homonyme, fr. L. homonymus,
fr. Gk. otJ.wVU!J.o~, 'having the same name',
which is compounded of b!J.6~. 'the same' (see
homo-), and llvu!J.oc, dialectal form of llvo[J.oc,
'name'. See name and cp. onomato-.
Derivative: homonymous-ly, adv.
homoousian, homousian, adj., of the same essence
(Eccles. hist.) - Formed with suff. -ian fr. Gk.
Of!.001)<:no~, otJ.OUcrLo~. 'of the same essence',
which is compounded of Of-tO (see homo-) and
oucr(oc, 'essence, substance'. See bomoiousian and
cp. beteroousian.
Derivative: Homoousian, Homousian, n.
homophone, n., like in sound,. but differing in
origin and meaning. - F., fr. Gk. O!J.6q>wvov,
neut. of b!J..S9wvo~, 'having the same sound',
which is compounded of OtJ.O- (see ilomo-) and
q>wvlj, 'sound, tone, voice'. See phone, 'speech
sound'.
Derivatives: homophon-ic, homophon-ous, adjs.,
homophony (q.v.)
homophony, n., quality of being homophonic. F. homophonie, fr. Gk. O!J.Oq>wv(oc, 'unison', fr.
btJ.6q>wvoc;. See prec. word and -y (representing
Gk. -liX).

740

homoplast, n., a homoplastic part.- Compounded of homo- and Gk. 7tAIXO"'t'6c;, 'molded', verbal
adj. of 7tMcrcre:Lv, 'to mold'. See plastic.
homoplastic, adj., resembling in structure, but of
different origin. - Compounde d of homo- and
Gk. 7tAIXO"'t'LK6~, 'fit for molding', fr. 7tAIXO"'t'6c;.
See prec. word.
Homoptera, n. pl., an order of insects (entomol.)
- Compounde d of homo- and Gk. :wre:p&, pl. of
1tnp6v, 'wing'. See ptero-.
Derivatives: homopter-an, n., homopter-ous, adj.
homorganic, adj., lit., pertaining to the same
organs. - Compounde d of born- and organic.
homosexual, adj., having sexual desire for those
of the same sex. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
o[J-6~, 'one and the same', and L. sexus, 'sex'.
See homo- and sexual and cp. heterosexual.
Derivative: homosexual-ity, n.
homuncular, adj., pertaining to a homunculus. Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. homunculus. See
next word.
homunculus, n., a little man; a mannikin. - L.,
dimin. of homo, gen. hominis, 'man'. See homo
and -culus.
horny, adj., homelike (colloq.) - Formed fr.
home with adj. suff. -y.
hone, n., a whetstone .- ME. hoone, 'hone', fr.
OE. hiin, 'stone', rel. to ON. hein, 'hone', and
cogn. with 01. si-sii-ti, 'sharpens', SiiiJa/;r, 'whetstone', siital;r, 'sharpened, sharp', sitdl;r, of s.m.,
Avestic saeni-, 'pointed; point, top of a tree',
ModPers. siiyaCi, 'rubs', Arm. sur (for *ko-ro-),
'sharp', sur (gen. sroy), 'sword, knife', srem,
'I sharpen', Gk. x&voc;, 'pine cone, fir cone',
L. cos, gen. cotis, 'whetstone', catus, 'sharp',
Mlr. cath, 'wise, sage'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *ko(i)-, *ke(i)-, *kt(i)-, 'sharp,
whet; to sharpen, whet', whence also possibly
OJ. sikhii, 'top, point; tuft of hair', sikhartil;r,
'pointed; summit', sekharal;r, 'top, summit'. Cp.
cone and words there referred to. Cp. also sikbara. Base *ko(i)-, *ke(i)-, *kt(i)-, prob. developed fr. base *ak-, 'sharp'. See acrid.
Derivative: hone, tr. v., to sharpen.
honest, adj.- ME., fr. OF. honeste (F. honnete),
fr. L. honestus, 'honorable, worthy', fr. honos,
honor. See honor.
Derivatives: honest-ly, adv., honest-ness, n.
honesty, n. - ME. honeste, fr. OF. honeste (F.
honnetete), fr. L. honestiitem, ace. of honestiis,
'honor, honesty', fr. honestus. See prec. word
and-y (representing OF. -e, -ee).
honey, n.- ME. huniJ, honi, fr. OE. hunig, rel.
to OS. huneg, honeg, ON. hunang, Dan. honning,
Swed. honung, OFris. hunig, MDu. honich, honinc,
Du. honig, honing, OHG. honang, honag, MHG.
honec, honic, G. Honig, 'honey', and prob.
cogn. with OI. kiiiicanam, 'gold', Dor. Gk.
xv~x6c;, Gk. KVY)x6c;, 'pale yellow', xv'ijx6c;,
'safflower', OPruss. cucan ( = cuncan), 'brown',
W. canecon, 'gold'. Cp. Cnicus.
Derivative: honey-ed, honi-ed, adj.

741

honeycomb, n.- ME. hunicomb, fr. OE. hunigcamb. See honey and comb.
Derivative: honeycomb, tr. v.
honeysuckle, n. - ME. honisocle, hunisuccle,
formed with dimin. suff. -le fr. ME. honysouke,
fr. OE. hunig-siice, 'privet', lit. 'honey suck' (so
called because honey can be sucked from it).
See honey and suck.
hong, n., warehouse, factory. - Chin. hang,
'warehouse, factory', lit. 'a row (of houses)'.
honk, n., the cry of a wild goose; any sound resembling the cry of the wild goose. - Imitative.
Derivatives: honk, intr. and tr. v., honk-er, n.
honor, honour, n. - ME. honor, honour, fr. OF.
honor, honur (F. honneur), fr. L. honorem, ace.
of honos, honor, 'honor, dignity, office; reputation', which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
honesty, Honora.
honor, honour, tr. v. - ME. honouren, fr. OF.
honourer (F. honorer), fr. L. honoriire, 'to honor', fr. hon6s, honor. See honor, n.
Derivative: hono(u)r-er, n.
Honora, Honoria, fern. PN. - L. Honoria, fern.
of Honorius, lit. 'a man of reputation', fr. honos,
honor. Cp. Nora.
honorable, honourable, adj. - OF. honorable,
honurable (F. honorable), fr. L. honoriibilis,
'honorable', lit. 'that which procures honor', fr.
honos, honor. See honor, n., and -able.
Derivative: hono(u)rabl-y, adv.
honorarium, n., an honorary payment; gratuity.
- L. honorarium, short for honorarium donum,
'a present made on being admitted to an honor';
prop. neut. of the adjective honoriirius. See
next word.
honorary, adj. - L. honoriirius, 'pertaining to
honor, honorary', fr. honos, honor, 'honor'. See
honor, n., and adj. suff. -ary.
honorific, adj. - L. honorificus, 'that which does
honor, honorable', compounded of honos, honor,
'honor', and -ficus, 'making, doing', from the
stem of L. -ficere, unstressed form of facere. See
honor and -fie.
Derivative: honorific, n.
hooch, n., an alcoholic liquor. - Shortened fr.
hoochinoo.
hoochinoo, n., an alcoholic liquor made by the
Hoochinoo Indians of Alaska.
hood, n. - ME. hod, hood, fr. OE. hod, rei. to
OS., OFris. hod, MDu. hoet, Du. hoed, 'hat',
OHG.,MHG .huot,'helm et,hat',G.Hu t(masc.),
'hat', OE. ha!tt, 'hat', ON. hattr, hottr, 'hat,
hood'. These words lit. mean 'protection of
the head', and are rel. to OFris. htide, 'guard,
protection', OHG. huota, MHG. huote, 'guard,
protection', G. Hut (fern.), of s.m.; fr. I.-E. base
*kadh-, 'to guard, watch; to cover', whence also
L. cassis (for *kadh-tis), 'helmet'. Cp. bat, heed,
hoodie. Cp. also Cassis.
Derivative: hood, tr. v.
-hood, suff. denoting state or condition. - ME.

hoolock

-had, -hod, fr. OE. -hiid, fr. hiid, 'person, rank,

state, condition, nature'; rel. to OS., OFris.
-hed, MDu., OHG., MHG., G. -heft, Du. -heid,
suffixes denoting state or condition, and to
OHG., MHG. heit, 'person, rank, state, condition', OS. hed, 'position, dignity', ON. heior,
'honor, dignity', Goth. haidus, 'manner', and to
ON. heiiJ, 'clear sky', OE. hiidor, OHG. heitar,
MHG., G. heifer, 'clear, shining, cloudless', fr.
I.-E. base *(s)qait-, 'bright', whence also L.
caelum (for *caidslom, *caislom), 'sky, heaven'.
See celestial and cp. -head and the second element in Adelaide. Cp. also cheetah, chintz, chit,
chitty, 'a short letter'.
hoodie, boody, n., the hooded crow.- Lit. 'provided with a hood'. See hood and adj. suff. -y.
hoodlum, n., a young rowdy (colloq.) - Orig.
noodlum, coined by a newspaper reporter
through the inversion of Muldoon, name of the
leader of a gang of young ruffians in San Francisco. Owing to an error, the letter n was changed
by the compositor to h, whence arose the word
hoo'dlum. See Crowther's Encyclopedia of
Phrases and Origins, p. 56.
hoodoo, n. and tr. v.- A var. of voodoo.
hoodwink, tr. v. - Compounde d of hood, and
wink.
Derivatives: hoodwink, n., hoodwink-er, n.
hoof, n. - ME. hoof, fr. OE. h6f, rei. to OS.,
OFris. hof, ON. hofr, Dan. hov, Swed. hof, Du.
hoe[, OHG., MHG. huof, G. Huf, 'hoof', and
cogn. with 01. saphti/;, 'hoof', Avestic safa-,
'hoof of the horse'.
Derivatives: hoof, tr. v., hoof-ed, adj.
hook, n. - ME. hok, fr. OE. hOc, rei. to OFris.,
MLG. hok, MDu. haec, Du. hoek, 'angle, corner, hook', in gradational relationship to OE.
haca, 'bolt', OS. haco, 'hook', ON. haka, Dan.
hage, 'chin', Swed. hake, Du. haak, 'hook',
OHG. hiicko, hiiko, hiiggo, MHG. hiike, hiigge,
G. Haken, 'hook', and prob. cogn. with Russ.
kogot', 'claw'. Cp. hack, 'to chop', bake, hackle,
heckle, hatcbel, hockey, hooker, 'fishing vessel',
and the first element in backbut and in hakenkreuz. Cp. also the first element in arquebus.
Derivatives: hook, tr. and intr. v., hook-ed, adj.,
hook-ed-ness, n., hooker (q.v.), hook-y, adj.
hookah, booka, n., Oriental tobacco pipe with a
long flexible stem. - Arab. I)Uqqah, 'small tobacco box'.
booker, one who or that which hooks. -Formed
fr. book with agential suff. -er.
booker, n., a Dutch fishing vessel; an English or
Irish fishing boat. - Du. hoeker, fr. hoek,
'hook, fishhook'. See book and agential suff.
-er.
hooligan, n., a young ruffian. - Prob. fr. Hoolihan, Hooligan, name of an Irish family, whose
members were notorious hoodlums.
Derivative: hooligan-ism, n.
hoolock, n., the black gibbon (Hylobates hoolock). - Fr. hiilak, hulluk, native name in NE.

hoon

742

Derivatives: hope-ful, adj. and n., hope-ful-ly,

India, rei. to 01. Ulukal;t, 'owl', from an imitative
adv., hope-ful-ness, n., hope-less, adj., hope-lessbase meaning 'to wail'. Both the gibbon and the
ly, adv., hope-less-ness, n.
owl have the common feature that they arc
hope, n., a small bay. - ME. hope, fr. OE. hop
'wailing animals'.
(in compound s, as fenhop, 'a piece of land in a
boon, n., a gold pagoda (coin). - Hind. hun,
fen', morhop, 'piece of land in a marsh'), rei. to
prob. fr. Canarese honnu, 'gold'.
ON. hop, 'a small bay'. See hoop, 'circular band'.
hoondy, n.- A variant of hundi.
hope, n., troop. - Only in forlorn hope (q.v.)
hoop, n., a circular band. - ME. hop, fr. OE.
hopeite, n., a mineral; pro b. a hydrous zinc phoshop, rei. to OFris. hop, MDu., Du. hoep, 'hoop',
Lith.
with
cogn.
phate (mineral.) - Named after Professor
and
bay',
small
'a
hop,
ON.
Thomas C. Hope (1766-1844) of Edinburgh .
kabl, 'hook'. Cp. hope, 'a small bay'.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative : hoop, tr. v., to bind with a hoop.
hopl-, form of hoplo- before a vowel.
hoop, intr. v., to shout, whoop. - ME. houpen,
hoplite, n., a heavy-arm ed foot-soldier (Greek
fr. OF. houper, fr. interj. houp, call to dogs or
spelling
later
a
is
antiq.)- Gk. (mAtnJ<;, 'heavy armed', fr.ll7tAov,
which
whoop,
Cp.
horses.
'tool, weapon', fr. ~7t<:tv (for *crt7t<:tv), 'to be
of hoop.
about, busy oneself', which is cogn. with 01..
hooped, adj., having hoops. - Formed with suff.
sdpati, 'applies himself to, caresses, fondles',
-ed fr. hoop, 'circular band'.
The -A- in o7t-A-ov has instrument al force and
hooper, n., one who makes hoops. - Formed
band'.
'circular
lit. means 'that with which one busies himself'.
hoop,
fr.
-er
suff.
with agential
Cp. hoplo-, panoply, sepulcher. For the ending
hooper, n., the common wide swan. - Lit. 'the
see subst. suff. -ite.
hooping bird'. See hoop, 'to shout', and agential
hoplo-, before a vowel hopl-, combining form
suff. -er.
meaning 'armed, heavy-arm ed' (used esp. in
hoopoe, n., an Old World bird with a long curved
fr.
houpe,
E.
early
zoology). -Gk. (m)..o-,l:mA-, fr.ll7tAov, 'weapon'.
Fr.
crest.
large
bill and a
See hoplite.
F. huppe, fr. L. upupa, a word of imitative orihopper, n., one who, or that which, hops. gin; cp. Gk. ~1to<jl, 'hoopoe'. Cp. also dupe.
ME. hoppere. See hop, v., and agential suff. -er.
hoosegow, n., a jail (U.S. Slang). - Prob. fr. Sp.
hopper, n., a hop picker. - Formed fr. hop, 'a
juzgado, 'court of justice, tribunal', prop. pp.
plant', with agential suff. -er.
of juzgar, 'to judge', used as a noun, fr. L. judihopple, tr. v., to hobble; to fetter.- Formed fr.
dire, 'to judge'. See judge, v.
hop, 'to leap', with freq. suff. -le. Cp. hobble.
hoot, intr. and tr. v. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
Derivative : hopple, n.
ME. hoten, houten and Swed., Norw. huta, lit.
hopscotch, n., a children's game. -Compou nd'to utter the sound hut'. Cp. also F. huer, 'to
ed of hop, 'to leap', and scotch, 'an incision,
shouf, and see hue, 'an outcry'.
line' (see scotch, 'to cut').
Derivatives: hoot, n., hoot-er, n.
Horace, masc. PN. - F., fr. L. Horiitius, name
hop, intr. and tr. v., to leap. - ME. happen, hupof a Roman gens. Cp. Horatio.
pen, fr. OE. hoppian, 'to hop, dance', rei. to ON.,
Horae, n. pl., the goddesses of the seasons in
Swed. hoppa, Dan. hoppe, MLG., Du. huppen,
Greek mytholog y.- L., fr. Gk. '.Opott, fr. <1pott,
MHG., G. hiipfen, 'to hop', and perh. cogn. with
pl. of C:,pii, 'season; hour'. See hour.
Gk. xu~tcr-riv, 'to tumble'. 01. kubhanyul;t, 'danhoral, adj., pertaining to an hour or hours. cing'. Cp. Cybister. Cp. also hope, 'expectatio n'.
L. horiilis, fr. hora, 'hour'. See hour and adj.
Derivative: hop, n., the act of hopping.
suff. -al.
hop, n., plant of the hemp family. - Late ME.
horary, adj., pertaining to an hour or hours. hoppe, fr. MDu. hoppe (Du. hop), rei. to Late
ML. horiirius, fr. L. hora, 'hour'. See hour and
OHG. hopfo (MHG. hopfe, G. Hopfen), possuff. -ary.
adj.
'tassel'.
hupp,
Norw.
dial.
to
also
sibly
Horatian, adj., pertaining to the Roman poet
Derivative : hop, tr. v., to flavor with hops;
Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65-8 B.C.E.) - L.
intr. v., to gather hops.
hopian,
OE.
fr.
Horiitiiinus, 'of, or pertaining to, Horatius', fr.
hopen,
ope, tr. and intr. v.- ME.
Horiitius, 'Horace'. See Horace.
'to hope', rei. to OFris. hopia, MLG., MDu.,
Horatio, masc. PN.- L. Horiitius (see Horace);
Du. hopen, MHG., G. hoffen, 'to hope'. These
influenced in form by It. Orazio, which is of
words are prob. related to OE. hoppian, ON.,
the same origin.
Swcd. hoppa, etc., 'to hop', so that the orig.
horde, n., 1) a wandering tribe; 2) a multitude .meaning of OE. hopian, OFris. hopia, etc.,
F., fr. Turk. ordu, 'camp, army', fr. Tatar urdu,
would have been 'to leap with expectatio n'. See
(lit. 'something pitched up'), fr. urmak,
'camp'
leap'.
hop, 'to
'to strike'. Cp. Urdu.
hope, n., expectation . - ME. hope, fr. OE. hopa,
Derivative : horde, intr. v.
'hope', fr. hopian, 'to hope'. Cp. OFris., MLG.,
hordeaceous, adj., pertaining to barley. - L.
MDu. hope, Du. hoop, MHG. ho./Je, 'hope',
hordeiiceus, 'pertaining to barley', fr. hordeum,
which derive from the respective verbs. See
'barley'. See Hordeum and -aceous.
hope, v.

743

horribility

n., horn-ful, horn-less, horn-y, adjs., horn-iHordeum, n., a genus of grasses, the barley (bot.)
ness, n.
for
stands
prob.
which
'barley',
hordeum,
L.
hornblende, n. (mineral.) - G. Hornblende. See
*horzdeyom (I.-E. *ghrzdeyom) and is cogn.
hom and blende.
with OS., OHG. gersta, MDu. gherste, Du.
hornet, n.- ME. harnette, hernet, fr. OE. hyrnet,
gerst, MHG., G. gerste (for pre-Teut. *gherzrei. to OS. hornut, OHG. hornaJ, hornu;s, MHG.
dii-), 'barley', Gk. xpr (for *xpW), 'barley',
hornu3, horni3, G. Hornisse, MDu. huersel,
xpHl-1), pl. 'barley', sing. 'barleycorn ' (prob. for
hursel, horse/, Du. horzel, 'hornet', and cogn.
ghrzdii), Alb. dri{}, dri{h: (for ghrzd-), 'corn;
with L. criibro (for *criisro), OSlav. sruseni,
barley'. All these words prob. mean lit. 'the
'hornet', Lith. sirsuo, sire, 'wasp', sirsuonas,
*ghers-,
base
I.-E.
fr.
derive
and
bearded plant'
'hornet', Lett. sirsis, 'wasp', OPruss. sirsilis,
'to bristle', whence also L. horrere, 'to stand
'hornet', fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'the uppermost
on end, bristle', horror, 'bristling, roughness'.
part of the body, horn'; see horn. E. hornet
See horror and cp. crith, orgeat. Cp. also gorse.
was influenced in form by horn.
horehound, also hoarhound, n., name of a plant.
homing, n., the act of outlawing a person by
- ME. horehoune, fr. OE. hiirhune, which is
three blasts of hom (Scot. law). - Formed fr.
compound ed of hiir, 'gray' (see hoar), and hune,
hom with subst. suff. -ing.
'horehound ', a word of uncertain origin. The
hornito, n., an oven-shaped mound in volcanic
din horehound is excrescent. Cp. bound, 'ready',
regions emitting smoke and vapors (geol.) and words there referred to.
Sp., dimin. of horno, 'oven', fr. L. furnus. See
horiL.
fr.
horizon),
(F.
orizon
horizon, n.- OF.
furnace.
zon, fr. Gk. op[~wv (xuxAo<;), lit. 'bounding
horography, n., the art of constructin g instru(circle)', pres. part. of op[~!:lV, 'tO bound,
ments for marking the hours.- F. horographie,
which
border',
limit', fr. llpo~, 'boundary, limit,
compound ed of Gk. C:,pii, 'hour', and -ypot!plii,
prob. stands for* f6pfo<; and lit. means 'furrow',
fr. yp<ilf>EW, 'to write'. See hour and -graphy.
oupe:u<;,
Homeric
op<:u~,
Att.
to
and is rei.
horologe, n., a sundial; a clock, watch.- ME.,
'mule', lit. 'furrow drawer', and cogn. with L.
fr. OF. ( = F.) horloge, fr. L. horologium, fr.
urvus, 'furrow, marking a boundary line', Oscan
Gk. wpoA6ytov, lit. 'that which tells the hour', fr.
'to
*weru-,
base
uruvu, 'boundary' , fr. I.-E.
&pii, 'hour', and -A6yoc:,, 'telling, saying'. See
draw'' whence also Gk. epUElV (for *hpUEl'J),
hour and -Iogue.
'to draw, drag'. Cp. aorist, aphorism, diorite,
Derivatives: horolog-er, n., horolog-ic, horologPenthorum.
ic-a/, adjs., horolog-ist, n., horolog-y, n.
v.
tr.
horizon,
:
Derivative
n., the aggregate of points that are seen
horopter,
horizon,
L.
horizontal, adj. - F. horizontal, fr.
single when both eyes are directed on the sam<>
gen. horizontis, 'horizon'. See horizon and adj.
point (optics). - Compound ed of Gk. opo<;,
suff. -al.
'boundary, limit', and o1t't"i)p, 'one who looks'.
Derivatives: horizontal, n., horizontal-ity, n.,
For the first element see horizon. The second
adv.
ly,
horizontalis rei. to o1t-:6~, 'seen; visible', whence
element
which
hormone, n., endocrine gland secretion
o7t-rtx6<;, 'pertaining to the eyes or sight'. See
stimulates functional activity (physiol.) - Gk.
optic, adj.
op[L&v, 'that which urges or arouses', pres. part.
horoscope, n., a chart of the zodiacal signs used
of bp[Liiv, 'to set in motion, urge, stimulate', fr.
by astrologers. - F., fr. L. horoscopus, fr. Gk.
op[L-i). 'onset, impulse', fr. I.-E. base *ser-, 'to
wpocrx67to<;, 'nativity', lit. 'watcher of the hour';
*crop6<;},
(for
run, flow', whence also Gk. op6<;
compound ed of wpoc, 'hour', and crxor-::6~.
L. serum, 'watery fluid, whey'. See serum and
'watcher'. See hour and scope.
hormone
word
The
to.
cp. words there referred
Derivatives: horoscope, intr. and tr. v., horowas used by Hippocrate s to denote a vital
n., horoscop-ic, adj., horoscop-ist, n.,
scop-er,
applied
first
was
it
sense
modern
its
In
principle.
, n.
horoscop-y
Starby the English physiologi st Ernest Henry
horrendous, adj., dreadful. - L. horrendus, 'to
ling (1866-1927) in 1903.
be regarded with horror', gerundive of horrere,
horn, n.- ME., fr. OE. horn, rei. to ON., OFris.,
'to shudder, tremble'. See horror. For the gerOHG., MHG., G. horn, Du. horen, hoorn, Goth.
suff. cp. agenda and words there referundive
Galaxepot~,
Gk.
with
cogn.
and
haurn, 'horn'
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
For
to.
red
fr.
tian Gk. x<ipvov, L. cornu, 01. sffigam, 'hom',
-ous.
I.-E. base k:er-, 'the uppermost part of the body,
horrent, adj., bristling. - L. horren<, gen. -entis,
head, horn, top, summit', whence also L. cerepres. part. of horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle,
brum (prob. for k:erts-rom), 'brain'. See cerebrum
shake, shudder, tremble'. See horror and -ent.
secthe
and
hurt
hart,
also
Cp.
and cp. hornet.
horrescent, adj., expressing horror; shuddering .
ond element in krummhorn, waldhom. Cp. also
- L. horrescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of horcerato-, cervine, crio-, com, 'hardened skin', the
rescere, 'to shudder', inchoative of horrere. See
element
second
the
and
first element in ginger
horror and -escent.
in Capricorn, unicorn.
horribility, n.- ME. orriblete, horriblete, fr. OF.
Derivative s: horn, tr. v., horn-ed, adj., horn-er,

horrible

horriblete, fr. horrible. See next word and -ity.

horrible, adj. - ME., fr. OF. orrible, horrible
(F. horrible}, fr. L. horribilis, fr. horrere, 'to
shudder, tremble'. See horror and -ible.
Derivatives: horrible-ness, n., horribl-y, adv.
horrid, adj., repulsive, abominable. - L. horridus, 'bristly, prickly, rough, horrid, frightful',
fr. horrere. See horror and cp. ordure.
Derivatives: horrid-ly, adv., horrid-ness, n.
horrific, adj., horrifying. - Formed fr. L. horrificus, 'terrible, dreadful' (either directly or
through the medium of F. horrifique), lit.
'making the hair to stand on end', fr. horrere,
'to stand on end', and -ficus, from the stem of
-ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make, do'.
See horror and -fie.
horrification, n. - See next word and -ation.
horrify, tr. v.- Formed fr. L. horrificiire, lit. 'to
make the hair to stand on end' (on analogy of
E. verbs derived fr. L. verbs in -ficiire through
the medium of F. verbs in -fier). See horrific
and -fy.
horripilate, tr. v., to cause (the hair) to bristle;
intr. v., to bristle.- L. horripiliit (-um) pp. stem
of horripiliire, 'to bristle with hair, be shaggy',
compounded of horrere, 'to stand on end,
bristle', and pilus, 'hair'. See pile, 'hair', and
verbal suff. -ate.
horripilation, n., bristling of the hair.- L. horripilati6, gen. -6nis, fr. horripilat(-um), pp. stem
of horripiliire. See prec. word and -ion.
horror, n. - ME. horrour, fr. OF. orror, horror,
horrour (F. horreur), fr. L. horrorem, ace. of
horror, 'bristling, roughness, rudeness, shaking,
trembling', fr. horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle,
shake, shudder, shiver, tremble', fr. I.-E. base
*ghers-, 'to bristle', whence also L. hirsutus,
'shaggy, prickly, bristly', 01. luiNate, hfsyati,
'bristles', Avestic zarshayamna-, 'ruffling one's
feathers'. Base *ghers- is an enlarged form of
base *gher-, which appears in Gk. x~p, gen.
XYJp6.;, L. er (for *hers), gen. eris, 'hedgehog',
lit. 'the prickly creature'. See urchin and cp.
chersonese, -choerus, hideous, hircine, hirsute,
hispid, Hordeum and the second element in
Hypochaeris. Cp. also hearse.
horror-stricken, horror-struck, adj.- Compounded of horror and the pp. of strike.
hors de combat, out of the combat; disabled.F., lit. 'out of fight'. F. hors, 'outside', is a var.
of fors, which derives fr. L. [oris, 'outside' (see
door); F. de, 'of, from', comes fr. L. de, 'from,
away from' (see de-); for F. combat, 'combat,
fight', see combat.
bors d'oeuvre, an appetizer. - F. hors d'tzuvre,
'annexe, outwork, side-dish', lit. 'outside of the
work'. For hors see prec. word. F. d' in d'tzuvre
is the apostrophized form of de, 'of, from' (fr.
L. de, 'from, away from'); see de-. For the etymology of F. tzuvre see oeuvre.
horse, n. - ME. hors, fr. OE. hors, rei. to OS.
hros, ON. hross, OFris. hors, hars, MLG. ros,

744

ors. MDu. ors, Du. ros, OHG. hros, ros, MHG.

ros, ors, G. Ro.P, wich possibly meant orig. 'the
jumping animal', fr. Teut. *hrossa-, corresponding to pre-Teut. *qru-ta-s, participle of a
lost verb meaning 'to jump', from a dental enlargement of I.-E. base *(s}qer-, 'to leap, jump,
bound', whence also 01. kfirdati, 'leaps, hops'.
See Scarus and cp. cardinal, adj., and words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element
in walrus. F. rosse, OProven~. rosa, It. rozza,
'mare', are Teut. loan words. Derivatives:
horse, v. (q.v.), horse, adj., horsy (q.v.)
horse, tr. and intr. v.- ME. horsen, 'to provide
with a horse or with horses', fr. OE. horsian,
fr. hors. See horse, n.
horsfordite, n., a copper antimonide (mineral.) Named after the American chemist Eben Nor- .
ton Horsford (r8r8-93). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
horsy, adj., fond of horses. - Formed fr. horse
with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: hors-i-ly, adv., hors-i-ness, n.
hortation, n., exhortation. - L. hortatio, gen.
-oms, 'encouragement, exhortation', fr. hortatus, pp. of hortari, 'to urge, incite, instigate,
encourage, exhort', freq. of horior, gen. hor'ir'i,
'to urge, incite, encourage, exhort', fr. I.-E. base
*gher-, 'to desire', whence also OE. geornan,
giernan, 'to desire'. See yearn and -ation.
hortative, adj., pertaining to exhortation; exhortative. - L. hortativus, fr. hortatus, pp. of
hortar'i. See prec. word and -ive.
hortatory, adj., hortative. - L. hortatorius, 'encouraging', fr. hortiitus, pp. of hortari. See hortation and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivative: hortatori-ly, adv.
Hortense, fern. PN. - F. See Hortensia.
hortensia, n., the plant Hydrangea L. - ModL.,
named by the French botanist Commerson after
Hortense, wife of the chronometer maker Lepaute. Commerson, Lepaute and Hortense took
part in Bougainville's round-the-world voyage,
which lasted from 1766 to 1769, and it was in
the course of this voyage that Commerson found
this plant in China and gave it the above name.
For the etymology of the name Hortense see
next word.
Hortensia, fern. PN. - L. Hortensia, fern. of
Hortensius, the name of a Roman gens, rei. to
hortus, 'garden'. See next word.
horticulture, n., the cultivat:cn of gardens. - L.
horti cultura, 'cultivation of a garden'. Hortus
(gen. hort'i), 'garden', lit. means 'an enclosed
place'. It derives fr. I.-E. *ghor-to-, whence also
Gk. x6p-ro.;, 'enclosed place'. I.-E. *ghor-to- is
a dental enlargement of base *gherdh-, 'to enclose'. See yard, 'enclosure', and cp. cohort,
court, cortege, curtain, Hortensia, ortolan. Cp.
also garden and the first element in orchard.
For the second element see culture.
Derivatives: horticultur-al, adj., horticultur-ally, adv., horticultur-ist, n.

hostility

745
hortus siccus, a collection of dried plants; a herbarium.- L. 'dry garden', fr. hortus, 'garden',
and siccus, 'dry'. See prec. word and siccative.
Horus, n., name of the Egyptian hawk-headed
god.- L. Horus, fr. Egyptian Hor, lit. 'the highflying one'.
Hosackia, n., a genus of plants of the family
ModL., named after
Fabaceae (bot.) David Hosack (17691835), professor of botany
in Columbia College in New York City. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
hosanna, interj., an exclamation of praise to
God.- Gk. '!laocwoc, fr. Heb. hoslui' nii, 'save,
we pray'. Hoshd' is the Hiph'il imper. of stem
y-sh-' (this form of the imper. occurs Jer. 31: r6
and Psalms 86:2); whence also the nouns
yisha', ylshu'il", rtshu'il", 'salvation, deliverance, welfare'. This stem is rei. to Arab. wasi'a,
'was capacious'. Heb. nii is a particle of imitative origin, used esp. after the imper. to emphasize a request. Cp. h6sht'a" nna Psalms
II8:25, which is the lengthened form of h6slui'
na. In the Talmud, h6sha'nd (written as one
word) occurs as a noun denoting the willow
twigs used on the Feast of Tabernacles, whence
yom hosha'nd = 'the day of h6sha'na', i.e. the
seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Cp.
also the first element in Isaiah, Hosea, and the
second element in Elisha.
Derivatives: hosanna, n. and tr. v.
hose, n., article of clothing for the legs; stocking. - OE. hosa, rei. to OS., ON., OHG. hosa,
MHG. hose, 'covering for the leg', Dan. hose,
'stocking, hose', G. Hose, 'trousers', Du. hoos,
'waterspout'. These words lit. mean 'cover,
covering', and derive fr. I.-E. *qeus-, -s-enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to cover, hide'. See hide,
v., and cp. house. OF. hose (whence F. houseau)
and It. uosa, 'gaiter', are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives, hose, tr. v., hosier (q.v.)
Hosea, r) masc. PN; 2) in the Bible, the first in
the order of the Twelve Prophets; the Book of
Hosea. - Heb. BosMa', lit. 'salvation', fr.
stem y-sh-', 'to save'. See hosanna.
hosier, n. - Formed fr. bose with suff. -ier.
Derivative: hosier-y, n.
hospice, n. - F., fr. L. hospitium, 'inn, hospitality', fr. hospes, gen. hospitis, 'host; guest'. See
host, 'landlord'.
hospitable, adj. - Obsol. F. hospitable, fr. L.
hospitare, 'to receive as a guest', fr. hospes, gen.
hospitis, 'host; guest'. See host, 'landlord', and
-able.
Derivatives: hospitable-ness, n., hospitabl-y, adv.
hospital, n. - ME., fr. OF. hospital (F. /Wpital},
fr. Late L. hospitale, 'apartment for guests',
prop. neut. of the Latin adjective hospitiilis,
'pertaining to a host or guest', fr. hospes, gen.
hospitis, 'host; guest'. See host, 'landlord' and
cp. holltel and hotel, which are doublets of
hospital.
hospltaler, hospitaller, n., member of a religious

order formed for the care of the sick. - ME.

hospitaler, fr. OF. hospita!ier, fr. ML. hospitaliarius, 'one who cares for guests', fr. L. haspita/is. See hospital and -er (representing L.
-arius), and cp. hostler, which is a doublet of
'
hospitaler.
hospitality, n. - F. hospitalite, fr. L. hospitalitatem, ace. of hospitalitas, 'hospitality', fr. haspita/is. See hospital and -ity.
bospodar, n., prince (hist.) - Rum., fr. OSlav.
gospodi, 'lord, master'. See host, 'landlord'.
host, n., army.- ME. host, ost, fr. OF. host, ost,
'army', fr. L. hostis, 'stranger; enemy', in ML.
'army'; which is cogn. with Goth. gasts, OE.
g~st, giest, 'guest', orig. 'stranger'. See guest
and cp. host, 'landlord', host, 'consecrated
bread', hostile.
host, n., landlord. - ME. haste, host, fr. OF.
hoste (F. /Wte}, 'host; guest', fr. L. hospitem
(whence also It. ospite, Rum. oaspete, OProven~ .
Catal. oste, Sp. huesped, Port. hospede), ace.
of hospes, 'host; guest', which stands for *hostipot(i)s and orig. meant 'lord of strangers'. Cp.
OSlav.gospodi, 'lord, master', which also means
lit. 'lord of strangers' and is the exact equivalent
of L. hospes. The first element in L. hospes and
in OSlav. gospodi is cogn. with Goth. gasts,
OE. g<est, giest, 'guest'. See guest and cp. hospodar,hospital, host, 'army', hostage, hostel. The
second element is cogn. with L. potis, 'able',
patens, 'powerful'. See potent and cp. despot.
host, n., consecrated bread. - ME. oist, ost,
host, fr. F. oiste, hoiste (F. hostie), fr. L. hostia,
'sacrificial victim', which is prob. related to L.
hostis, 'stranger; enemy'. See host, 'army'.
Hosta, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.} - ModL., named after the Austrian
physician and botanist Nicolaus Thomas Host
(176I-1834).

hostage, n. - ME. ostage, hostage, fr. OF. ostage, hostage (F. otage), which is prob. a blend
of OF. ostage, hostage, 'lodging', fr. VL. *hospitaticum (fr. L. hospes, gen. hospitis, 'host,
guest', see host, 'landlord') and OF. ostage,
'hostage', fr. VL. *obsidiiticum, fr. Late L. obsidiitus, 'hostageship', which is formed with suff.
-iitus, fr. L. obses, gen. obsidis, 'hostage', fr. ob,
'at', and the stem of sedere, 'to sit'. See ob-,
sedentary and -age.
hostel, n., an inn. - ME. hostel, ostel, fr. OF.
hostel, ostel (F. /Wtel), fr. Late L. hospitale. See
hospital and cp. hoteL
hosteler, n. - ME. See hostler.
hostelry, n., an inn. - ME. hostelrie, fr. OF.
hostelerie (F. /Wtel/erie}, fr. hostel. See hostel
and -ry.
hostess, n. -OF. hostesse (F. /Wtesse), fr. haste.
See host, 'landlord', and -ess.
hostile, adj.- F., fr. L. hostilis, fr. hostis, 'enemy'.
See host, 'army', and -ile.
Derivatives: hostile-ly, adv., hostile-ness, n.
hostility, n.- F. hostilite, fr. L. hostilitiitem, ace.

hostler

746

'dogs', which seems to be metathesized fr.

of hostflitiis, 'enmity, hostility', fr. hostflis. See
*crmxxod~e<;, fr. Medean spcika. Cp. the second
prec. word and -ity.
element in dachshund, keeshond. Cp. also canaille,
hostler, n., one who takes care of horses at an
Canidae, canine, Canis, chenille, kennel, 'shelter
inn. - ME. hosteler, 'innkeeper', fr. OF. hosfor a dog', and the first element in cynanche,
telier (F. hotelier), fr. hostel. See hostel and
Cynanchum, quinsy, squinancy, scybalinn.
agential suff. -er and cp. hosteler, ostler, which
Derivatives: hound, tr. v., hound-er, n., houndare doublets of hostler.
ish, hound-y, adjs.
hot, adj. - ME. hat, hoot, hot, fr. OE. hiit, rei.
hound, n., projection at a masthead serving to
to OS., OFris. het, ON. heitr, Dan. hed, Swed.
support trestletrees, etc. (naut.) - ME. hun,
het, MDu., Du. heet, OHG., MHG. hei3, G.
prob. fr. ON. hiinn, 'knob, knob at the mastheifi, 'hot', Goth. heito, 'heat of the fever', fr.
end; bear's cub', which is prob. cogn. with
I.-E. base *qiii-, 'heat', whence also Lith. kaistu,
01. suncib, 'swollen', L. cavus, 'hollow, concave'.
kaisti, 'to grow hot', kaitrd, 'heat, glow', kaiSee cave, n.
trus, 'hot'. Cp. heat. Cp. also hoarse.
hounds-tongue, n., name of a plant.- OE. hundes
Derivatives: hot, adv. (q.v.), hot-ly, adv., hottunge. See hound, 'dog', and tongue.
ness, n.
hour, n. - ME., fr. OF. ure, ore, hore (F. heure),
hot, adv.- ME. hoote, fr. OE. hate, 'hotly', fr.
fr. L. hora, 'hour', fr. Gk. &pii., 'any limited
hiit, 'hot'. See hot, adj.
time, the time of day, hour, season spring, year',
Hotchkiss gun. - Named after its inventor B. B.
which is cogn. with Avesticjar~, 'year', OSlav.
Hotchkiss (1826-85).
jarii, 'spring', L. hornus (fr. *ho-yorinos), 'ofthis
hotchpot, n., a blending of properties for equal
year', Goth. jer, OE. gear, 'year'. See year and
division (law). - ME., fr. F. hochepot, fr. F.
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Horae,
hocher, 'to shake', and pot, 'pot'. See pot. The
horal, horary, the first element in horography,
first element is of Teut. origin; cp. MHG. hothorologe, horoscope, and the second element in
zen, Du. hotsen, 'to shake', LG. hotten, 'to
encore.
balance, rock'. For the second element see
Derivatives: hour-ly, adj. and adv.
pot.
houri, n., a nymph of the Moslem Paradise; (fig.)
hotchpotch, n., a stew of many ingredients. a seductive woman. - F., fr. Pers. biiri, fr.
Formed fr. preceding word, with assimilation
Arab. biir, pl. of cibwar, fern. (laurii', 'having
of the second element of the word to the first.
beautiful black eyes', fr. bciwira, 'had black
Cp. hodgepodge.
eyes', which is rei. to Heb. (liiwcir, Aram.-Syr.
hotel, n. - F. hotel, fr. OF. hostel, ostel, fr. Late
(lawdr, 'was white', Heb. bur, 'white stuff', Mri,
L. hospitiile. See hostel.
'white bread'. The -i in Pers. (!uri is a formative
Hottentot, n. and adj. - S. Afr. Du. hot en tot,
element serving to denote the singular.
lit. 'hot and tot'; so called from the clicks and
house, n. - ME. hus, hous, fr. OE. hus, rei. to
jerks in the native speech of the Cape of Good
OS.,ON.,OFris.,OHG. MHG,hiis,Du.huis,G.
Hope.
Haus, Goth. -hus (in the compoundgudhus, 'tempHottonia, n., a genus of plants, the featherfoil
le', lit. 'the house of God'); orig. 'shelter', fr.
(bot.) - ModL., named after the Dutch boI.-E. *qeus-, -s-enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to
tanist Peter Hotton (1649-1709). For the ending
cover, hide'. See bide, v. and cp. board, bose,
see suff. -ia.
but. Cp. also husk, the first element in husband,
Houdan, n., a French breed of domestic poultry.
busting and the second element in caboose.
-Named after Houdan, a town in the departbouse, tr. and intr. v.- OE. hiisian, 'to take into
ment Seine-et-Oise in France.
a house', fr. hiis, 'house'. See bouse, n.
bough, n., the hock (chiefly Scot.) - The orig.
bousecarl, n., member of the bodyguard of a
spelling of bock, 'joint in the hind leg of the
Danish or early English king or nobleman
horse'.
(hist.) - OE. hiiscarl, fr. ON. hiiskarl, which is
boughite, n., a variety of hydrotalcite (mineral.)
compounded of ON. hiis, 'house', and karl,
- Named after Franklin B. Hough (1822-85)
'man'. See bouse and churl.
of Somerville, New York. For the ending see
bouse!, n., the Eucharist (obsol.) - ME. husel,
subst. suff. -ite.
fr. OE. husel, 'the Eucharist', rei. to ON. hiisl,
bound, n., dog. - ME. hound, hund, 'dog', fr.
of s.m., Goth. hunsl, 'sacrifice', and pro b. cogn.
OE. hund, rei. to OS., Dan., Swed., OFris., G.
with Lith. svditas, OSlav. svrtu, OPruss. swints,
hund, ON. hundr, Du. hond, OHG., MHG. hunt,
'holy', Lett. svinet, 'to hallow, celebrate',
Goth. hunds. These words derive from a dental
Avestic sptnta-, 'holy'.
enlargement of I.-E. base kwon-, 'dog', whence
bousel, tr. v., to administer the Eucharist to. 01. svcin-, Vedic suvcin-, Avestic spa (gen. siino),
ME. huslen, fr. OE. hiislian, fr. hiisel, 'the
Medean spcika (whence Russ. sobcika), Toch. A
Eucharist'. Cp. ON. hiisla, 'to administer the
ku, 'dog', Arm. shun (gen. shan), Gk. xuwv, L.
Eucharist', Goth. hunsljan, 'to sacrifice', which
canis, Lith. suo (gen. sunes), Olr. cii (gen. con),
also are denominatives, and see housel, n.
W. ci, Bret., Co. ki, 'dog', and perh. also Russ.
housewife, n. - ME. houswi/, fr. hous, 'house',
suka, 'bitch'. Cp. Gk. mm8~ (Hesychius),

747

'

huckster

and wif, 'woman, wife'. See house and wife and

cp. hussy.
Derivatives: housewife-ly, adj., housewife-ry, n.
housing, n., the act of taking into a house. Formed fr. bouse, v., with -ing, suff. forming
verbal nouns.
housing, n., an ornamental covering for a horse.
- Formed with subst. suff. -ing fr. obsol. house,
'housing', fr. OF. houce (F. housse), 'horsecloth, housing', fr. Frankish *hulftia (whence
also ML. hultia), which is related to OHG.
huluft, 'case, sheath'. See bolster.
Houstonia, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.)- ModL., named after the English
botanist William Houston (1695-I733). For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Houyhnhnm, n., one of a race of noble horses (in
(Swift's Gulliver's Travels). - Coined by Swift
to suggest the whinnying sound made by
horses.
hovel, n., a small hut. - ME. hovel, hovyl, of
uncertain origin.
Derivative: hmel, tr. v.
boveler, hoveller, n., coast boatman. - Of uncertain origin.
hover, intr. v.- ME. hoveren, formed with freq.
suff. -er fr. hoven, 'to hover,' which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: hover, n., hover-er, n., hover-ing,
n. and adj., hover-ing-ly, adv.
bow, adv. -ME. hou, hu, fr. OE. hU, 'how', rei.
to OS. hwo, hu, OFris., MDu. hu, Du. hoe,
'how', OHG. hwio, wio, MHG., G. wie, Goth.
haiwa, 'how', and cogn. with Lith. kai, 'how',
fr. I.-E. pronominal base *qwo-, *que-. See who
and cp. words there referred to.
how, n., a mound; hillock. - ME., fr. ON.
haugr, 'mound', which is rei. to OE. heah,
'high' See high.
howardite, n., a meteorite (petrogr.) - Named
after the English meteorologist Luke Howard
(1772-1864). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
howbeit, conj. - Compounded of how, be and it.
howdah, n., a seat for riding on an elephant. Hind. haudah, fr. Arab. haudaj, 'litter for riding
on a camel'.
howitzer, n., a kind of short cannon.- Du. houwitser, fr. G. Haubitze, fr. MHG. haufeniz, haufniz, borrowed fr. Czech houfnice, 'catapult', fr.
Czech houf 'heap, crowd', which is a loan
word fr. MHG. hufe, 'heap'. See heap.
bowl, intr. and tr. v. - ME. houlen, fr. MDu.
hUlen, huylen (Du. huilen), which is rei. to Dan.
hyle, Norw. hyla, MHG. hiuweln, hiulen, G.
heulen, 'to howl', and to OHG. hiwil6n, 'to rejoice' (prop. 'to shout with joy'), huwila, 'owl'
(lit. 'the screeching bird'); of imitative origin.
Derivatives: howl, n., howl-er, n., howl-ing, adj.
and n., howl-ing-ly, adv.
bowlet, n., owl; owlet.- A blend of F. hulotte,
'owlet', and E. owlet. F. hulotte itself is a blend
of Teut. *ul- 'owl' (cp. OE. ule, 'owl', and see
0

owl), and OF. huer, 'to hoot' (said of an owl),

which is of imitative origin.
howlite, n., a calcium borosilicate (mineral.) Named after the Canadian mineralogist Henry
How(diedin 1879). Fortheendingseecombining
form -lite.
hoy, interj., an exclamation to call attention. Imitative; cp. Du. and Dan. hui and E. ahoy.
Derivative: hoy, tr. and intr. v.
hoy, n., a small vessel or barge (naut.) - ME.,
fr. MDu. hoey (obsol. Du. heu), 'hoy'. Cp.
Flem. hui, 'hoy'.
Hoya, n., a genus of plants of the milkweed
family; the honey plant (bot.)- ModL., named
after the English horticulturist Thomas Hoy
(died in 1821).
boyden, boiden, n., a romping girl. - Prob. fr.
Du. heiden, 'a heathen; a rustic'. See heathen.
Derivative: hoyden-ish, hoiden-ish, adj.
bsien, n., subdivision of a department in China.
-Chin.
bub, n., the central part of a wheel. - Prob. a
var. of bob, 'projection'.
hubba, n., a grain (used as a weight). - Arab.
(!abba", 'a grain', noun of unity fr. babb, 'grain'.
Cp. the first element in Abelmoscbus.
hobble-bubble, n., a hookah in its primitive form.
-Imitative; formed through reduplication on
bubble.
hubbub, n., uproar; turmoil. - Of Irish, imitative, origin. Cp. Olr. abu, a war cry, Gael. ubub,
an exclamation of contempt.
Hubert, masc. PN.- F., fr. OHG. Hugubert, lit.
'bright-minded', fr. hugu, 'mind', and beraht,
'bright'. See hug and bright and cp. Hugh.
hiibnerite, n., a manganese tungstate (mineral.)Named in 1865 after the German mineralogist
Adolph Hubner, who analyzed it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hubris, n., insolence, arrogance. - Irregular
(for hybris), fr. Gk. i.J~pL,, 'wanton violence,
riotousness, insolence; outrage', which is prob.
a compound whose first element is identical
with u-, the equivalent of OJ. ut, 'up, out',
Goth., OE. ut, 'out'; see out. The second element of this compound is of uncertain origin.
hubristic, adj., insolent, arrogant. - Irregular
form (for hybristic), fr. Gk. u~pLO""":LX6,, 'insolent,
wantonly', fr. u~pL~. See prec. word and -istic.
Derivative: hubristic-al-ly, adv.
buckaback, n., a cotton fabric used esp. for
towels. - Of uncertain origin.
bubshi, bubshee, n., a Negro (India). - Pers.
f:labshf, fr. Arab. f:/abashf, 'an Abyssinian',
formed with gentilic suff. -f fr. f:labashah,
'Abyssinia', fr. f:labash, 'Abyssinians'. Cp.
Abyssinia.
huckleberry, n. - Prob. altered fr. hurtleberry,
a dial. form of wbortleberry (q.v.)
huckster, n. - ME. hokester, hukster, fr. MDu.
hokester, hoekster, fern. of hoeker (whence Du.
heuker), fr. hoken, hoeken, 'to bear on the back,

bud

748

Derivatives: huggermugger, n., adj. and v.

squat', which is rel. to ON. hUka, 'to crouch,
Hugh, masc. PN. - ONF. Hugues (ace. Hugon),
squat', ON. hoka, hokra, MHO. hiichen, G.
rei. to OF. Hue (ace. Huon), of Teut. origin;
hocken, of s.m. These words derive fr. I.-E.
cp. OHG. Hugi, which is rei. to OHG. hugu,
*qou-g-, *qii-g-, enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to
'mind, soul, thought'. See hug and cp. next
bend'. For the ending see suff. -ster. Cp. hawker,
word.
hunker. Cp. also I.-E. *qeu-q-, whence Goth.
Hugo, masc. PN.- ONF. Hugon, ace. of Hugues.
hauhs, OE. heah, 'high' (see high).
See prec. word.
Derivatives: huckster, intr. v., huckster-ess,
Huguenot, n., French protestant of the I 6th and
huckstr-ess, n., huckster-y, n.
qth centuries. - F., fr. earlier eiguenot, fr.
bud, n., the husk of nuts, etc. - ME. hudde,
MHG. eitgen63e (G. Eidgenosse), 'confederate',
of uncertain origin.
which is compounded of eit (G. Eid), 'oath', and
huddle, tr. and intr. v.- Pro b. rei. to ME. huden,
gen63e (G. Genosse), 'comrade'. For the first
hiden, 'to hide'. See hide, 'to conceal', and freq.
element see oath. The second element derives
suff. -le.
fr. OHG. gin63o, 'comrade', which is rei. to
Derivatives: huddle, n., huddl-er, n., huddl-ing,
OS. ginot, OE. geneat, OFris. niit, ON. nautr,
adv.
'companion, comrade', Goth. niutan, 'to reach,
Hudibrastic, adj., resembling the style of Samuel
attain', OE. neotan, 'to enjoy', neat, 'ox, cow'.
Butler's "Hudibras"; mock-heroic.- Formed
See neat, 'an animal of the ox family'. F. Huguefr. Hudibras on analogy of fantastic, etc.
not was influenced in form by the name of Hugues
Hudsonia, n., a genus of plants of the rockrose
Besanij:on, a Genevan party leader.
family (bot.)- ModL., named after the English
botanist William Hudson (I7JD-9J). For the Huldah, 1) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, name of a
prophetess. - Heb. Jfuldti", lit. 'weasel', rei.
ending see suff. -ia.
to Heb. Mledh, Aram.-Syr. buldci, Arab. khuld,
hue, n., color. - ME. hew, hewe, fr. OE. hiw,
'mole', from a base meaning 'to dig, to hollow
hiew, 'form, shape, appearance; color', rel. to
out' (cp. Heb. /.liiltidh, hel;rltdh, 'he dug, underON. hy, 'bird's down', Swed. hy, 'skin, commined').
plexion', Goth. hiwi, 'form, appearance', OE.
hulk, n., a heavy ship. - ME. hu/ke, 'ship', fr.
hiiwen, 'bluish gray, blue', prob. also to OE.
OE. hulc, 'a light ship', fr. ML. holcas [whence
hiir, 'gray' (see hoar), and prob. cogn. with
also OF. hulque, MLG. ho/k, MDu. hulc (Du.
OSlav. sivu, 'gray'. Lith. syvas, 'white', OPruss.
hulk), OHG. holcho (MHG. holche, hUlk), G.
sywan, 'gray', 01. syiivas, 'blackish brown'.
Holk, Hulk)], fr. Gk. oAxrl.;, gen. oAxri.Bo.;, 'a
Derivatives: hue, tr. and intr. v., to color, hu-ed,
ship of burden', lit. 'a ship that is towed'. See
hue-less, adjs., hue-less-ness, n.
Holcus and cp. holcad.
hue, n., an outcry. - ME., fr. OF. hu, fr. huer,
hulking, adj., unwieldy. -Formed with adj. suff.
'to cry out, shout', which is of imitative origin.
-ing fr. dial. E. hulk, 'to be wieldy', fr. hulk,
Cp. hoot. Cp. also howlet.
'a heavy ship', taken in the sense of 'an unDerivatives: hue, intr. v., to cry out, hu-er, n.
wieldy person'.
huff, tr. v., I) to hector, bully; 2)toanger; intr. v.,
bull, n., husk, pod, shell. - ME. hul, hule, hole,
1) to bluster; 2) to become angry. -The orig.
fr. OE. hulu, fr. Teut. base *hul-, 'to cover',
meaning was 'to puff, blow'; of imitative origin.
weak grade of base *he/-, of s.m., whence OE.
Derivatives: huff, n., huff-ish, adj., huff-ish-ly,
he/an, 'to conceal'. Cp. Du. huts, OHG. hu/sa,
adv., huff-ish-ness, n., huff-y, adj., huff-i-ly, adv.,
MHG., G. hii/se, 'hull', OHG. hulla, MHO., G.
huff-i-ness, n.
hiille, 'a covering', which also derive from Teut.
hug, tr. v., to embrace closely. - Of uncertain
hul-. See cell and cp. hall, hell.
origin; perh. fr. ON. hugga, 'to soothe, comDerivative: hull, tr. v., to remove the husk of.
fort', which is rei. to ON. hyggja and huga, OE.
hull, n., the body of a ship. - Figurative use of
hycgan, OS. huggian, OFris. hugia, OHG. hugprec. word. Cp. L. carina, 'keel of a ship', orig.
gen, hukken, Goth. hugjan, 'to think', and to
'shell of a nut', F. coque, 'shell (of walnuts,
OE. hyge, ON. hugr, OS. hugi, OFris. hei, OHG.
other fruits, eggs, etc.); hull of a ship'. Cp. a hull.
hugu, Goth. hugs, 'mind, soul; thought'. Cp.
Derivative: hull, tr. v., to strike or pierce the
Hugh and the first element in Hubert.
hull of a ship.
Derivatives: hug, n., hugg-ing-ly, adv.
hullabaloo, n., uproar. -Of imitative origin.
huge, adj. -ME. huge, hoge, shortened fr. OF.
hulled, adj., deprived of the husk. - Formed
ahoge, 'high', fr. a hoge, 'on high', fr. a, 'to, at,
with suiT. -ed fr. bull, 'husk'.
on' (see a) and hoge, 'hill, high place', which
hulled, adj., having a hull (said of a ship). is of Teut. origin; cp. ON. haugr, 'mound',
Formed withsuff. -ed fr. hull, 'the bodyofaship'.
OS wed. hug/i, 'hill', and see high. Cp. also how,
buller, n., a machine for hulling grain.- Formed
'a mound'.
with agential suff. -er fr. hull, 'to remove the
Derivatives: huge-ous, adj., huge-ous-ly, adv.,
husk of'. See bull, husk.
huge-ous-ness, n., hug-y, adj.
buggennugger, adv., secretly.- Fr. earlier hucker bullo, interj. - Imitative.
hulsite, n., a hydrous iron magnesium tin borate
mucker; of unknown origin.

749

humility

humble, adj.- ME. humble, umble, fr. OF. ( = F.)

(mineral.)- Named after Alfred Hulse Brooks
humble, fr. L. humilem, ace. of humilis, 'low,
of the U.S. Geological Survey (18711924). For
base, humble', lit. 'on the ground', fr. humus,
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
'earth, ground, soil'. See humus and words there
hum, interj. -Imitative. Cp. hum, v.
referred to and cp. esp. humiliate, humility.
hum, v., to utter an inarticulate sound. - ME.
Derivatives: humble, tr. v., humble-Iiess, n.,
hummen, of imitative origin. Cp. G. hummen,
humbl-er, n., humbl-ing, n., humbl-y, adv.
of s.m. Cp. also hem, interj., bumblebee, humbumblebee, n., a bumblebee. - ME. humbyl-bee,
drum, hummingbird.
a compound whose first element is rei. to Dan.
Derivatives: hum, n., humm-er, n., humm-ing,
humle, humlebi, Swed., Norw. hum/a, MDu.
adj. and n., humm-ing-ly, adv.
hummel, home/, hommel, Du. hommel, OHG.
hum, n., a hoax; tr. v., to humbug (both colloq.)
humbal, MHO. humbel, hummel, G. Hummel,
- Short for humbug.
'bumblebee', prop. 'the humming bee'. See hum,
human, adj. - ME. humayne, fr. OF. (= F.)
'to utter an inarticulate sound', and freq. suff.
humain, fr. L. hiimiinus, 'human', fr. homo, gen.
-le, and cp. Czech lmel, Pol. czmiel, OPruss.
-inis, 'man', which is rei. to humus, 'earth', hence
camus, Lith. kamiine, 'bumblebee', which are
prop. means 'earthly being', and is cogn. with
also of imitative origin. For the second element
Toch. B saumo, OLith. zmuo (ace. zmuni), Lith.
in ME. humbyl-bee see bee.
zmogus (ace. zmog/l), OPruss. smoy, 'man, male
humble pie, pie made of the umbles of a deer. person', smiini, 'person', smonenawino, 'man',
For umble pie, 'pie made of umbles'. Cp. umble
Goth., OE. guma, 'man'; see bridegroom. All
pie, umbles and see numbles. The h in humble
these words lit. mean 'earthly being'. For sense
pie is due to a confusion of umble with humble,
development cp. Heb. iidcim, 'man', which
'low'.
derives fr. iidiimd", 'ground' (see Adam). See
humbug, n., a hoax. - Of uncertain origin.
humus and cp. humane. Cp. also homage, homDerivatives: humbug, tr. and intr. v., humbuggbre, homo, homunculus, humble, omber, ombre,
er, n., humbugg-er-y, n.
and the first element in homicide. Cp. also the
humdrum, adj. and n. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
first element in duniwassal.
hum, 'to utter an inarticulate sound'.
Derivatives: human, n., humanist (q.v.), humanihumeral, adj., pertaining to the shoulder.- Late
tarian (q.v.), humanity (q.v.), human-ize, tr. and
L. humeriilis, fr. L. humerus. See humerus and
intr. v., human-iz-ation, n., human-ly, adv.,
adj. suff. -al.
human-ness, n.
humero-, combining form meaning 'humeral;
humane, adj. - Prop. identical with, and rehumeral and' (anat.)- L. humero .. , fr. humerus.
presenting an earlier spelling of, human (q.v.),
See humerus.
from which it was later differentiated in meanhumerus, n., the bone of the upper arm (anat.)ing. For a similar differentiation in form and
L. (h)umerus, 'shoulder', fr. I.-E. *omesos; cogn.
meaning of orig. one and the same word cp.
with 01. tirilsa/:1, Toch. A es, B iintse, Arm. us
german and germane, urban and urbane.
(gen. usoys), Gk. cT:.!J-o.; (for *omsos, less
Derivatives: humane-ly, adv., humane-ness, n.
probably for *omsos), 'shoulder', Umbr. uze,
humanism, n. - Formed after humanist fr.
onse, 'in the shoulder', ON. iiss, Goth. ams,
human and suff. -ism.
amsa, 'shoulder'. Cp. omo-, 'shoulder-', and
humanist, n. - F. humaniste, fr. It. umanista,
words there referred to.
which was coined by the Italian poet Lodovico
humid, adj. - F. humide, fr. L. (h)iimidus, 'moist,
Ariosto (1474-1533) fr. umano (fr. L. hiimanus;
wet', fr. (h)iimere, 'to be moist or wet'. See
see human) and suff. -isto (fr. Gk. -ta-rl).;; see -ist).
humor.
Derivatives: humanist-ic, humanist-ic-a/, adjs.,
Derivatives: humid-ly, adv., humid-ness, n.
humanist-ic-al-ly, adv.
humidify, tr. v., to render humid. - See humid
humanitarian, adj. and n. - Formed with suff.
and -fy.
-arian fr. L. hiimiinitiis. See next word.
humidity, n.- F. humidite, fr. L. (h)umiditiitem,
Derivative: humanitarian-ism, n.
ace. of (h)iimiditiis, 'moisture, wetness', fr.
humanity, n. -F. humanite, fr. L. humiinitiitem,
(h)umidus. See humid and -ity.
ace. of humiinitiis, 'human nature, humanity',
humiliate, tr. v. - Fr. L. humiliiitus, pp. of humifr. humiinus, 'human'. L. hiimiinitiis is loan
liiire, 'to humble', fr. humilis. See humble and
translation of Gk. qltAo:v&pw7tUi, lit. 'love of
verbal suff. -ate.
mankind'. See human and -ity.
Derivatives: humiliat-ing, adj., humiliat-ing-ly,
humanize, tr. and intr. v. - F. humaniser, fr. L.
adv., humiliat-or, n., humiliat-ory, adj.
humiinr.s, 'human'. See human and -ize.
humiliation, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) humiliaDerivative: humaniz-ation, n.
tion, fr. L. humiliiitionem, ace. of humiliiiti6,
humanoid, adj., of human character (anthropol.)
'humbling, humiliation', fr. humiliiitus, pp. of
-A hybrid coined fr. L. hiimiinus, 'human', and
humiliare. See prec. word and -ion.
Gk. -oe:t8~.;, 'like', fr. e:l8o.;, 'form, shape'. See
humility, n. - ME. humilite, fr. F. humi/ite, fr.
human and -old.
L. humilitiitem, ace. of humilitiis, 'lowness, inDerivative: humanoid, n.

hummaul
significance' (in Eccles. L. 'lowness, meekness'),
fr. humilis, 'low'. See humble and -ity.
hummaul, n. - A var. of hamal.
hummingbird, n. - So called from its humming
sound.
hummock, n., I) a knoll, hillock; 2) pile of ice
in an icefield. - Dimin. of hump. See -ock and
cp. hillock, which is a dimin. of hill.
Derivative: hummock-y, adj.
humor, humour, n.- ME. humor, humour, umor,
umour, fr. OF. humor, umor (F. humeur), ti. L.
(h)iim6rem, ace. of(h)tlmor, 'fluid, moisture', rei.
to (h)tlmere, 'to be moist, wet', (h)tlmidus, 'moist,
wet'. Hiimor stands for *ug"mor-, fr. I.-E. base
*iigw-, *wegw-, 'wet, moist, to sprinkle', whence
also Gk. uyp6~. 'wet, moist', Arm. oyc, 'fresh',
ON. vokr, 'moist, damp', 01. uk,1dti, 'sprinkles',
uk$dn-, 'ox', Goth. atihsa, OE. oxa, 'ox', and
pro b. also Olr. fiial (for *wog"'/o-), 'urine'. The
correct spelling of the above Latin words is
iimor, iimere, iimidus. The spelling with initial
h is due to folk etymology, which associated
these words with L. humus, 'earth'. Cp. humid,
hygro-, ox, udograph, odometer, L'lex, uliginose,
uxorious, wake, 'track left by a moving ship'.
Derivatives: humo(u)r, tr. v., humo(u)r-less,
humo(u)r-some, adjs., humoral, humoresque, humorist, humorous (qq.v.)
humoral, adj., pertaining to the humors of the
body (archaic). - See humor and adj. suff. -al.
humoralism, n., an obsolete doctrine which attributes all diseases to the state of the humors
of the body. -See prec. word and -ism.
humoralist, n., an adherent uf humoralism. See humoral and -ist.
humoresque, n., a humorous or fanciful composition.- G. Humoreske, 'humorous sketch'.
See humor and -esque.
humorist, humourist, n. - F. humoriste, fr. It.
umorista, capricious', fr. ML. htlmorista, which
prop. denoted an adherent of 'humorism', i.e.
the doctrine that diseases are due to the change
of 'humors' in the body. See humor and -ist.
Derivative: humo(u)rist-ic, adj.
humorous, adj. - L. (h)iim6r6sus, 'moist', fr.
(h)tlmor. See humor and -ous.
Derivatives: humorous-ly, adv., humorousness, n.
hump, n., a rounded protuberance. - Of LG.
origin. Cp. MLG. hump, 'bump, hunch', Du.
homp, 'lump, chunk', Norw. hump, 'knoll'.
These words derive fr. I.-E. base *qumb-, 'to
bend, curve', whence also 01. kumbhdb, 'pot,
jar', Gk. l6:L~~ 'the hollow of a vessel. cup.
boat'. See cymbal and cp. chime, 'set of bells'.
Derivatives: hump, tr.v., hump-ed, adj., hump-y,
adj., hump-i-ness, n.
humpback, n. - Compounded of hump and back.
Derivative: humpback-ed, adj.
humph, interj. expressing doubt or contempt.
- Imitative.
Derivatives: humph, intr. v. and n.

750

Humphrey, masc. PN. - OE. HunfriJ, prob.

formed fr. Tcut. *hun, 'strength', and OE. friJu,
'peace' (see free); influenced in form by names
like Geoffrey, which, though also ofTeut. origin,
came into English through the medium of
French.
humpty-dumpty, n., a short or dumpy figure. Fr. Humpty-Dumpty, hero of a nursery rhyme.
The name pro b. arose through the reduplication
of Humpty, a pet form of Humphrey. Cp. Ernest
Weekley's Etymological Dictionary s.v.
Humulus, n., a genus of vines, the hop (bot.) ModL., fr. ML. humulus, 'hop', which, together
with ON. humli (OSwed. humbli, Dan., Swed.
hum/e), OE. hymele, Frankish *humilo (whence
F. houblon), ModGk. XOU[LZAt, 'hop', is traceable to OSlav. *chumell (contracted into chme/i),
which itself seems to be of Finnish-Tatar origin.
Cp. Finnish humala, Vogul qumlix, 'hop'.
humus, n.- L., 'earth, ground, soil' (cp. Oscan
huntrus, 'tho>e below' (ace.), Umbr. hutra,
hondra, 'below'), for *homos, fr. I.-E. *ghom-,
whence also Gk. x~f.l~t, 'on the ground', Lith.
ieme, Lett. zeme, OPruss. same, semme, OSlav.
zeml}a, 'earth'. L. humilis, 'low', and homo,
'man', are rei. to humus. See chthonian and cp.
homage, human, humble, humiliate, exhume,
inhume.
Hun, n. - Late L. Hiini, Hunni, Chunni (pl.), rei.
to Gk. O.:.iwot (pl.), 'the Huns', OS., OHG.
Hiini, Hiin, MHG. Hiune, 'Hun'. Cp. MHG.
hiune (whence G. Hiine), 'giant', orig. 'a Hun'.
Derivative: Hunn-ish, adj.
hunch, n., I) hump; 2) a thick piece.- Prob. altered fr. hump. For a similar alteration cp.lunch,
which prob. derives fr. lump. Cp. hunk.
Derivative: hunch, tr. v.
hundi, n., a bill of exchange (India). - Hind.
humji, hum/avi, fr. or. hw;l}ikii, fr. hw;cj.ate,
collects'.
hundred, n. -- ME. hondred, honderd, fr. Late
OE. hundred, prob. fr. ON. hundraJ (whence
also Dan. hundrede, Swed. hundrade, hundra),
lit. 'the number of hundred', fr. Teut. *hunda-,
'hundred' (seen also in OE., OS., Goth. hund,
OHG. hunt), and -rao, 'reckoning, number',
(seen in Goth. ra]Jjo, 'a reckoning, account,
number', ga-rapjan, 'to count', see reason); cp.
OS. hunderod (whence MLG., MHG., G. hundert, MDu. hondert, honderd (Du. honderd).
Teut. *hunda-, 'hundred', corresponds to I.-E.
*kmto-, which appears in OJ. satdm, Avestic
sat~m [OS!av. siito (Russ. sto), is prob. an
Iranian loan word], Toch. A kant, B kante,
kante, Gk. i:-x~-:6v, L. centum, Lith. sitiuas,
Lett. simts, Olr. cet, W. cant, Bret. kant, Co.
kans, 'hundred'. I.-E. *kmto-, 'hundred', orig.
meant 'ten tens', fr. *k:'tt-, 'ten', which also
appears in the Latin ending -ginti, -gintii
(in viginti, 'twenty', trigintii, 'thirty', quadriigintii, 'forty', etc.), in the Greek ending -xov-rcx
(in 't'pt&xov-.cx, 'thirty', -.e:aacxp&xov't'<X, 'forty',

751

etc.), and in L. decem, 'ten', which stands for

*(d)kmtom); see decad, decimal, ten. Accordingly hundred prop. means 'the great ten'. Cp.
cent, centenary, century, hecatomb, sotnia. Cp.
also the second element in thousand.
Derivatives: hundred, adj., hundreder (q.v.),
hundred-fold, adj., hundreth (q.v.)
hundreder, hundredor, n., the chief officer of a
hundred (his!.) - ML. hundredarius. See hundred and -er (representing L. -iirius).
hundredth, adj. and n.- Formed fr. hundred with
numeral suff. -th.
hung. - Past tense and pp. of hang.
hunger, n. - ME., fr. OE. hungor, rel. to OS.,
OHG. hungar, ON. hungr, OFris., MHG., G.
hunger, Du. hanger, Goth. hiihrus(for *huuhruz),
'hunger', and cogn. with Gk. x&:yxcxvo>;, 'dry',
lit. 'burning', xeyxe:w, 'to starve, to hunger',
Lith. kanka, 'suffering', keiikti, 'to pain, ache';
fr. I.-E. base *kenk-, h;k-, 'to burn, be dry,
pain'.
hunger, intr. v.- ME. hungren, hingren, fr. OE.
hyngran; influenced in form by the noun. Cp.
OS. gi-hungrean, ON. hungra, OFris. hungeria,
OHG. hunger6n, hungiren, Goth. huggrjan, 'to
hunger', and see hunger, n.
hungry, adj. - ME., fr. OE. hungrig, fr. hungor,
'hunger'. See hunger, n., and -y (representing
OE. -ig).
Derivatives: hungri-ly, adv., hungri-ness, n.
hunk, n., a large lump (esp. of bread) - Cp.
Flem. hunke, which is prob. rel. to Du. homp,
'lump, chunk'. See hump and cp. hunk.
hunker, intr. v., to squat, crouch (dial., esp.
Scot.)- Perh. of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. hoka,
hokra, 'to crouch, squat', and see huckster.
hunks, n., a niggard, miser. - Of uncertain
origin.
hunt, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hunten, fr. OE. huntian, in gradational relationship to OE. hentan,
'to try to seize, to attack, seize', Goth. -hinpan
(used only in compounds), 'to seize'. See hand
and cp. hent, hint.
Derivatives: hunt, n., hunt-er, n., hunt-ing, adj.
and n., huntress (q.v.)
huntress, n. - Formed fr. hunter with suff. -ess.
huppah, n., the bridal canopy (Jewish religion)Heb. l:zuppdh, 'canopy', orig. 'bridal chamber',
lit. 'that which encloses', from the stem of /:ziiphdph, 'he enclosed, surrounded, covered', vhich
is rei. to Arab. bdffa, 'he surrounded', l:zifdf,
'side or border of something' (lit. 'that which
surrounds').
hurdle, n. - ME. hirdel, hurdel, fr. OE. hyrdel,
rei. to Du. horde, OHG. hurd, MHG. hurt,
hiirde, G. Hiirde, 'hurdle, fold pen', and to
ON. huro, Goth. haurds, 'door' (orig. 'door of
wickerwork'), and cogn. with L. criitis, 'hurdle,
wickerwork', Gk. x&:p-r<XAv<;, 'a kind of basket',
xup-.o>;, XUpTI), xup-.(<i, 'wickerwork', XpO't'WVl'j,
'excrescence on trees', OPruss. corto, 'enclosure', Mlr. ceirtle, 'clew', 01. knuitti, 'spins',

hurt

crtati, 'binds'. All these words derive fr. I.-E.

base *qeriit-, *qert-, 'to twist together, wc.~ye,
plait'. See crate and cp. words there referred' to.
Cp. also grate, 'frame', griddle, hoarding.
Derivatives: hurdle, tr. and intr. v., hurdl-er, n.
hurds, also bards, n. pl., refuse of flax or fiemp.ME. herdes, fr. OE. heordan (pl.), rel. to OE.
-heoriJ (only in compounds), ON. haddr, 'hair
on a woman's head', Du., OFris., MLG., MDu.
hide, Du., G. hede, 'hurds', fr.I.-E. base *qes-,
'to scrape, scratch, comb', whence also Gk.
xeaxe:ov (for *xecr-xe:cr-ov), Russ. ceska, Czech
pa-ces, 'tow, oakum', OSlav. ces(!, cesati, 'to
comb'.
hurdy-gurdy, n., an obsolete musical instrument.
- Of imitative origin.
hurl, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hurlen, horlen, hourlen, prob. an -/-enlargement of the Teut. imitative base *hurr-. Cp. LG. hurreln, 'to toss',
and see hurry. Cp. also burly-burly.
Derivatives: hurl, n., hurl-er, n., hurley (q.v.)
hurley, n., I) game of hurling; 2) stick used in the
game. - Formed fr. hurl with suff. -ey.
burly, n., uproar, tumult.- Back formation fr.
hurly-burly.
burly-burly, n., turmoil; uproar.- From earlier
hurling and burling, which was formed through
reduplication fr. hurling, verbal noun of hurl,
used in the now obsol. sense 'commotion'.
hurrah, interj. - Imitative. Cp. Dan., Swed.,
Norw., G. hurra, Du. hoera. Cp. also huzza.
Derivative: hurrah, n. and v.
hurricane, n. - Sp. huracan, fr. Taino hurakan,
fr. Maya hunraken, 'Charles's Wain', lit. 'or.~
legged (giant)'. Since the dangerous cyclonic
storms usually rose in the sign of Charles's
Wain, Maya hunraken became identical with
'evil spirit', and finally obtained the meaning
of hurricane. F. ouragan, It. uragano, Du. orkaan (whence G. Orkan), 'hurricane', are all
traceable to Taino hurakdn. E. hurricane (fr. Sp.
huracdn) was influenced in form by hurry.
hurry, tr. and intr. v. - Formed from the Teut.
imitative base *hurr-, 'to move with haste',
whence also OSwed. hurra, 'to whirl round',
dial. Swed. hurr, 'haste, hurry', MHG. hurren,
'to move with haste'. Cp. hurl. Cp. also Hurry.
Derivatives: hurry, n., hurri-ed, adj., hurri-ed-ly,
adv., hurri-ed-ness, n.
hurry-scurry, hurry-skurry, n., intr., v., and adv.
- Compounded of hurry and scurry.
hurst, n., wood, copse (used esp. in PlaceNames). - ME. hurst, fr. OE. hyrst, 'wood,
copse', rel. to OS. hurst, 'thicket', MDu. horst,
hurst, 'underwood', Du. horst, 'thicket; eyrie',
OHG. hurst, 'thicket', MHG. hurst, hiirste,
'bushes, shrubbery', G. Horst, 'thicket, shrubbery; eyrie', dial. Norw. rust, 'thicket'.
hurt, tr. and intr. v. - ME. hurten, hirten, 'to
push, dash; to injure', fr. OF. hurter (F. heurter), 'to strike against', OF. hurter, orig. meant
'to butt or toss like a ram'. It derives fr. Fran-

hurter
kish *hurt, 'ram', which is rei. to ON. hrutr,
'mm'; see hart. OProvenfY. urtar, It. urtare, 'to
strike against', are French loan words.
Derivati ves: hurt, n., hurter (q.v.), hurt-ful, adj.,
hurt-ful-ly, adv., hurt-ful-ness, n.
hurter, n., one who, or that which, hurts. Formed from the verb hurt with the agential
suff. -er.
hurter, n., shoulder on the axle of a wheel. OF. hurtoir, fr. hurter. See hurt and agential
suff. -er.
hurtle, intr. and tr. v. - ME. hurt/en, freq. of
hurten. See hurt and freq. suff. -le.
Derivati ve: hurtle, n.
hurtlebe rry, n. - See wbortleberry.
husband, n. - ME. husbonde, 'master of a house,
husband ', fr. OE. husb6nda, 'master of a house',
fr. ON. husb6ndi, 'househo lder; husband ',
which is shortene d fr. husbuandi, a word lit.
meaning 'dwelling in the house', compou nded
of ON. hils, 'house', and bilandi, 'dwellin g',prop.
pres. part. of bila, 'to dwell'. See house and
bond, 'serf'.
Derivati ves: husband, tr. v., husband-age, n.,
husband-er, n., husband-less, adj., husband-ly,
adj. and adv., husband-li-ness, n., husband-ry, n.
hush, tr. and intr. v.- Back formatio n from the
obsolete adj. husht (fr. ME. husht), a word of
imitative origin, which, however , was regarded
as the past participl e of a verb (i.e. husht was
misdivid ed into hush-t and identified with hushed, whence arose the verb hush). Cp. wbisht,
whist, interj., and bist.
Derivati ves: hush, n. andinter j., hush-ing-ly, adv.
hushaby, intr. v., imper. - Prob. a blend of hush
and lullaby.
husk, n. - Late ME. huske, fr. MDu. huuskijn,
huusken, 'little house; husk of fruit', dimin. of
huus, 'house'. See bouse and -kin.
Derivati ves: husk, tr. v., husk-ed, adj., husk-er,
n., husky (q.v.)
husky, adj., 1) aboundi ng in, or resembling,
husJrs; 2) dry as husks; dry in the throat, hoarse.
- Formed fr. husk with adj. suff. -y.
Derivati ves: husk-i-ly, adv., husk-i-ness, n.
Husky, n., I) an Eskimo; 2) an Eskimo dog;
3) the Eskimo language . - Prob. corrupti on
of Esky, a slang abbrevia tion of Eskimo.
huso, also hose, n., the great sturgeon . - ML.,
fr. OHG. hilso (MHG. hilse, hilsen, G. Hausen),
which is rei. to ON. hauss, 'skull, cranium '
(whence dial. Norw. huse, 'skull of fish'); fr.
I.-E. base *(s)qeu-, 'to cover, hide'. See sky and
cp. hausen. Cp. also the first element in isinglass.
hussar, n. - G. Husar, fr. Hung. huszdr, fr.
Serbo-C roatian gusar, husar, 'pirate, bandit',
fr. It. corsaro, 'pirate', lit. 'runner', fr. ML. cursiirius, fr. L. cursus, 'a running, course, voyage'.
See corsair.
hussif, n. - Contrac tion of ME. houswif. See
housewife.

752

Hussite, n., a follower of John Huss, the Bohemian reformer (burnt in I4I5). - For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hussy, n.- Contrac ted fr. housewife (q.v.)
hosting, n., usually in the pl. hustings, a court
held in London ; a platfor m.- OE. hilsting, fr.
ON. hus]Jing, lit. 'house assembly ', fr. hils,
'house, and ping, 'thing; assembly '. See house
and thing, 'assembl y'.
hustle, tr. and intr. v. - Metathe sized fr. Du.
hutselen, freq. of hutsen, 'to shake', which is
prob. of imitative origin. Cp. 2nd rustle, 'to act
energetically'.
Derivati ves: hustle, n., hustle-ment, n., hustler, n.
hut, n. - F. hutte, fr. MHG. hiitte or fr. OHG.
hutta [OS. hutta, Dan. hytte, Swed. hytta, Fris., .
MLG., MDu. hutte (Du. hut) and Sp. huta are
borrowe d fr. HG.], which is rei. to OE. hydan,
'to hide'. See hide, 'to conceal' , and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also cuddy, 'cabin'.
Derivati ve: hut, tr. and intr. v.
hutch, n., I) a chest or box for storage; 2) a coop
or case for small animals; 3) a hut, hovel; 4) a
mining trough; 5) a truck; 6) a measure . ME. huche, fr. OF. ( = F.) huche, 'bin, kneading
trough', fr. ML. hutica, which is of uncertai n
origin.
Derivati ve: hutch, tr. v.
hutchinsonite, n., sulfarsenite of thallium , copper,
silver, etc. (mineral.) - Named after the English mineralo gist Arthur Hutchinson(1866-I937).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hutment, n., I) housing in huts; 2) a camp of
huts. - A hybrid coined fr. hut and -ment, a
suff. of French-L atin origin.
buzoor, n., a respectfu l title of address used by
natives (India). - Arab. burjar (pronou nced in
India buziir), 'presenc e', prop. infin. of (ui(iara,
'he was present'.
huzza, interj. (archaic). - Of imitative origin.
Cp. G. hussa and E. hurrah.
Derivati ves: huzza, intr. and tr. v. and n.
hyacinth, n., 1) a fabulous flower suppose d to
have sprung from the blood of Hyacinth us
(Greek mythol.); whence 2) among the ancients ,
a precious stone of blue color; now, a red or
brownis h variety of zircon. -F. hyacinthe, fr.
L. hyacinthus, a kind of flower, the jacinth', fr.
Gk. u~w&ot;, 'wild hyacinth , bluebell' , fr. earlier *fcixw&o~, a pre-Hell enic word. Cp. Hyacinthus. Cp. also jacinth, Vaccinium.
hyacinthine, adj., resembli ng the hyacinth in
color. - L. hyacinthinus, fr. Gk. ucx.xl11&L11o~.
fr. Mx~11&o~. See hyacinth and -ine (represen ting
Gk. -i:11o~).
Hyacinth us, n., a beautifu l youth, beloved and
slain by Apollo (Greek mytholo gy).- L. Hyacinthus, fr. Gk. 'YcixLII.&o~. See hyacinth.
Hyacinth us, n., a genus of plants of the lily family,
the hyacinth (bot.) - ModL., fr. hyacinthus.
See hyacinth.

753

Hyades, n. pl., a group of stars near the Pleiades

(astron.) - L. Hyades, fr. Gk. 'Yci8e:.;, lit. 'the
rain-brin gers', fr. llELII, 'to rain' (see hyeto-); so
called because the wet weather begins when
they set.
Hyaena, n., the typical genus of the hyena family.
- L. hyaena. See hyena.
hyal-, form of byalo- before a vowel.
hyalin, n. - See hyaline, n.
hyaline, adj., glassy; transpa rent.- L. hyalinus,
fr. Gk. uocALIIo.;, 'glassy', fr. !lcx.:Ao~. 'alabaste r,
crystal, amber', prop. 'a transpar ent stone', later
'glass', which prob. stands for *sualo-. Cp. L.
suali-ternicum, 'a kind of reddish amber', which,
accordin g to Pliny 37, 33, is of Scythian , i.e.
North Europea n, origin. See Boisacq, DELG.,
p.996, s.v. ilcx.Ao<;, and Walde-H ofmann, LEW,
II, 6II, s.v. sualiternicum. For the ending see
suff. -ine (represen ting Gk. -tvo~).
hyaline, n., I) somethin g glassy, as the smooth
sea or the clear sky; 2) (in this sense spelled also
hyalin) a substanc e forming the walls of hydatid
cysts. -See hyaline, adj.
hyalite, n., a colorless variety of opal (mineral.)
- G. Hyalit, coined by the German geologist
and mineralo gist Abraham Gottlob Werner
(I750-I8 I7) in I794 fr. Gk. 6cx.:Ao~, 'glass', and
suff. -it (represen ting Gk. - t't"l)~). See hyaline,
adj., and subst. suff. -ite.
hyalitis, n., inflamm ation of the vitreous humor
of the eye (med.) - Medical L., formed fr. Gk.
!lcx.:Ao~ (see hyaline, adj.), with suff. -itis.
hyclo-, before a vowel byal-, ccmbini ng form
meaning 'glassy, transpar ent'. - Gk. ucx.:Ao-,
ucx.:A-, fr. !lcx.:Ao~. 'glass'. See hyaline, adj.
hyaloid, adj., glassy, transpar ent; n., the hyaloid
membra ne (anat.) - Gk. ucx.Aoe:L8-i)~. 'resembling glass, glassy, transpar ent', compou nded
of (lcx.:Ao~, 'crystal, glass', and -oe:L8-f)<;, 'like',
fr. d81l~, 'form, shape'. See hyaline, adj., and
-oid.
Hyhanthus, n., a genus of plants, the green violet
(bot.) - ModL., compou nded of Gk. u~6~.
'humpba cked', which is of uncertai n origin, and
ctll&o.;, 'flower' (see anther); so called in allusion
to the dorsal gibbosity.
hybrid, n., I) a mongrel ; anything of mixed origin; 2) in linguistics, a word compou nded of
elements from different language s, as sociology.
- L. hybrida, hibrida, 'offsprin g of a tame sow
and a wild boar, mongrel ', fr. Gk. u~pl.;, gen.
*)~pl8o~. which is prob. of the same origin as
L. iber, 'mule' [cp. t~1Jp, rendered by Hesychius
as x.e:pacx.L"611 TL &l)po11 ('a land animal') ], but
was assimila ted in Greek to u~pL~. 'wanton
violence, insolence'. Cp. "Y~pL~ as the name of
a dog (Xenoph on, Cyneget icus 7,5). Gk. u~p.;
in the above sense is not identical with u~pl~.
a night bird of prey. See Walde-H ofmann,
LEW., I, 665-666 s.v. hybrida.
Derivati ves: hybrid, adj., hybrid-ism, n., hybridist, n., hybridize (q.v.)

Hydrasti s

hybridize, tr. and intr. v., to cause to produce

hybrids. - Formed from prec. word with suff.
-ize.
Derivati ves: hybridiz-able, adj., hybridiz-ation,
n., hybridiz-er, n.
hydat-, form of bydato- before a vowel. ,
hydatid, n., a cyst or sac in the body of man or
animals, containi ng a watery fluid (med. and
zool.) - Gk. Mcx.T(~, gen. Mcx.Tl8o~, 'a watery
vesicle', fr. tl8wp, gen. Mcx.To~, 'water'. See
hydro- and -id.
bydato-, before a vowel hydat-, combini ng form
meaning 'water'. - Gk. u8cx.TO-, Mcx.T-, fr. il8wp,
gen. !l8cx.To~, 'water'. See hydro-.
hydr-, form of hydro- before a vowel.
Hydra, n., I) a nine-hea ded water-se rpent killed
by Hercules (Greek mythol.); 2) (not cap.) a
manifold evil; 3) a southern constella tion; 4) any
of fresh-water animals constitut ing the genus
Hydra (zool.) - L. hydra, fr. Gk. u8pii, 'water
serpent', fr. il8wp, 'water', whence also (l8po~, of
s.m., tw8pl~. 'otter', 01. udrQb, 'an aquatic
animal', Avestic udra, 'otter', OE. ottor, otor,
'otter'. See water and cp. Hydrus. Cp. also otter.
hydracid, n., an acid that contains hydroge n. A hybrid coined fr. bydr- and L. acidus, 'sour,
acid'. See acid and cp. oxyacid.
hydraem ia, n. - See hydremia.
hydragogue, adj., having the property of removing water or serum from the body (med.) F., fr. L. hydragogus, fr. Gk. Mpcx.ywy6~. 'leading
water', which is compou nded of il8wp, 'water'
(see. hydro-), and ocywy6.;, 'leading' . fr. Ciye:L\1,
'to lead'. See -agogue.
Hydrang ea, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
compou nded of bydr- and Gk. &yye:ro11, 'vessel,
receptac le' (see angio-); so called in allusion to
the shape of the capsules.
Hydrang eaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.)ModL., formed fr. Hydrang ea with suff. -aceae.
bydrangeaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
hydrant, n., a pipe with a spout for drawing
water. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. il8wp, 'water'
(see hydro-), and -ant, a suff. of Latin origin.
bydranth, n., one of the zooids in colonial Hydrozoa (zoo/.) - Compou nded of hydr- and
Gk. Ci11&ot;, 'flower'. See anther.
hydrargyriasis, hydrargyrism, hydrargyrosis, n.,
chronic mercuria l poisonin g (med.) - Medical
L., formed fr. hydrargyrum with suff. -iasis, resp.
-ism or -osis.
bydrargyric, adj., pertainin g to mercury . - See
hydrargyrum and -ic.
hydrargyrum, n., mercury . - ModL., fr. L. hydrargyrus, fr. Gk. Mpcipyupo~ '(artificially prepared) quicksilv er', which is compou nded of
il8wp, 'water', and &pyupo;, 'silver'. See bydrand argyro-.
Hydrasti s, n., a genus of plants, the orangero ot
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. il8wp, 'water'. See
hydro-.

hydrate

hydrate, n., a compound formed by the union of

water with another substance (chem.) - A
hybrid coined by the French chemist JosephLouis Proust (I754-1826) about r8oo fr. Gk.
G8wp, 'water' (see hydr-), and -ate, a chem. suff.
of Latin origin.
Derivatives: hydrate, tr. and intr. v., hydration, n.
hydraulic, adj., r) pertaining to, or operated by,
water; 2) pertaining to hydraulics. - L. hydraulicus, fr. Gk. ()8po:uAL~, 'water organ',
which is compounded of ()8wp, 'water', and
o:uM~, 'pipe, tube, flute'. For the first element
see hydro-. The second element is cogn. with L.
alveus, 'a hollow, cavity', alvus, 'belly'; see
alveolus and -ic.
Derivatives: hydraulic-al-ly, adv., hydraulics
(q.v.)
hydraulics, n., science dealing with liquids in
motion. - See prec. word and suff. -ics.
hydrazine, hydrazin, n., a colorless liquid base
N 2 H 4 (chem.)- Coined fr. hydr-, az- and chem.
suff. -ine, resp. -in.
hydremia, hydraemia, n., excessively watery state
of the blood (med.)- Medical L., compounded
ofhydr- and Gk. o:!11-o:, 'blood'. See hemal and -ia.
Derivative: hydrem-ic, hydraem-ic, adj.
hydria, n., a kind of water jar (Greek and Roman
antiq.)- L., fr. Gk .:,apt&, 'waterpot', fr. G8wp,
'water'. See hydro-.
hydric, adj., containing hydrogen (chem.) Formed with suff. -ic fr. hydr- (short for
hydrogen).
hydride, n., a compound of hydrogen with another
element (chem.) - Formed with suff. -ide fr.
hydr- (short for hydrogen).
hydro-, before a vowel hydr-, combining form
meaning 'water', used to denote I) water in
general; 2) a hydrophyte (hot.); 3) the presence
of hydrogen (chem.); 4) short for hydroid (zoo!.)
- Gk. v8po-, v8p-, fr. G8wp, 'water'. See water
and words there referred to and cp. esp. hydria,
anhydrous, dropsy, Ephydra, klepsydra.
hydro, shortened form of I) hydropathic; 2) hydroairplane; 3) hydraulic power. -See hydro-.
Hydrobates, n., a genus of birds, the true stormy
petrel (ornithol.) - ModL, compounded of
hydro- and Gk. [Hn;~. 'threading on', from the
stem of (3-:dveLv, 'to go, walk'. See -bates.
hydrobromic, adj., pertaining to, or designating,
an acid, HBr (chem.) - Coined by the French
chemist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac (I778-I850)
fr. hydro- (short for hydrogen) and bromic.
hydrocarbon, n., a compound of hydrogen and
carbon (du:m.)- Compounded of hydro- (short
for hydrogen) and carbon.
hydrocele, n., an accumulation of serous fluid;
esp. dropsy of the scrotum (med.) - L., fr.
Gk. ~1;?''"-~i:r,, ~hich is compounded of ;)8t.)p,
'water' (see hydro-), and xf,)-fJ, 'tumor'. See -cele.
hydrocephalic, adj., pertaining to hydrocephalus.
- See hydrocephalus and -ic.

754

hydrocephalous, adj., affected with hydrocephalus. - See next word and -ous.
hydrocephalus, n., an accumulation of serous
fluid in the cranian cavity (med.)- Medical L.,
fr. Gk. Mpoxe<piXA0\1, 'water in the head', which
is compounded of ()8wp, 'water' (see hydro-),
and xe<po:A+,, 'head'. See cephalic.
Hydrocharis, n., a genus of plants of the frogbit
family (hot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. u8poxo:p-i)~. 'delighting in water', which is compounded of 68wp,
'water', and the stem of xo:(peLv, 'to rejoice',
whence also xapL<;, 'favor, grace'. See Charis.
Hydrocharitaceae, n. pl., the frogbit family (bot.)
- ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
hydrocharitaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
hydrochloric, adj., pertaining to, or designating,
an acid, HCl (chem.)- F. hydrochlorique, coined
by the French chemist Louis-Joseph Gay-Lussac
(I778-r85o) in 1814 fr. hydro- (short for hydrogen) and chlorique. See chloric.
Hydrochoerus, n., the genus consisting of the
capybara (zoo!.) - ModL., compounded of
hydro- and Gk. xorpo~, 'pig'. See -choerus.
Hydrocotyle, n., a genus of plants, the water
pennywort (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
hydro- and Gk. xoTDA1), 'a flat cup' (see cotula,
cotyledon); so called in allusion to the cupshaped leaves of some species.
hydrocyanic, adj., pertaining to, or designating, an
acid, HCN (also called prussic acid) (chem.) F. hydrocyanique, coined by the French chemist
Louis-Joseph Gay-Lussac (1778-I85o) in I8I5
fr. hydro- (short for hydrogen) and cyanique.
See cyanic.
hydrodynamic, adj., pertaining to hydrodynamics.
- Compounded of hydro- and dynamic.
hydrodynamics, n., the dynamics of fluids. - See
prec. word and -ics.
hydrofluoric, adj., pertaining to, or designating,
an acid, a compound of hydrogen and fluorine,
HF or H 2 F 2 (chem.) - Coined by the English
chemist Sir Humphrey Davy (I778-I829) about
I814 fr. hydro- (short for hydrogen) and fluoric
and adopted by the French chemist Louis-Joseph Gay-Lussac (1778-I85o).
hydrofoil, n., a kind of boat that travels through
the water on wings or 'foils'.- A hybrid coined
fr. hydro- and foil, a word of Latin origin.
hydrogen, n., name of a gaseous element (chem.)
- F. hydrogene, lit. 'producing water', coined
by the French chemist Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier (I743-94), in I787 fr. Gk. u8wp, 'water',
and the stem of y~>wiv, 'to beget, bring forth,
generate, produce'. See hydro- and -gen.
Derivatives: hydrogen-ate, tr. v., hydrogenation, n., hydrogen-ator, n., hydrogenize, tr. v.,
hydrogen-ous, adj.
hydrograph, n., a hydrographic chart. - Compounded of hydro- and Gk .. -ypo:<po~, fr. yp<i<peLv,
'to write'. See -graph.

755

hydrographer, n., one versed in hydrography.See prec. word and agential suff. -er.
hydrography, n., description of the waters of the
earth. - F. hydrographie, compounded of
hydro- and Gk. -ypo:<p[a, fr. yp<i<pew, 'to write'.
See -graphy.
Derivatives: hydrograph-ic, hydrographic-al,
adjs., hydrograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
hydroid, adj., resembling the hydra (zoo!.) Compounded of Gk. 68pa, 'water serpent', and
-oeLB+,<;, 'like', fr. d8o~. 'form, shape'. See hydra
and -oid.
Derivative: hydroid, n., an animal resembling
the hydra.
hydrokinetic, adj., pertaining to the motion of
fluids. - Compounded of hydro- and kinetic.
hydrokinetics, n., the kinetics of fluids. - Compounded of hydro- and kinetics.
Hydrolea, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
formed fr. hydro- and -ol (fr. L. oleum, 'oil').
hydrology, n., the study of water. - Compounded of hydro- and Gk. -)-oy[fi, fr. -Myo~, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hydrolog-ic, hydrolog-ic-a/, adjs.,
hydrolog-ist, n.
hydrolysis, n., decomposition of a compound
through the addition of water (chem.) - Compounded of hydro- and Gk. Men~, 'a loosing,
loosening, setting free; dissolution'. See -lysis.
hydrolytic, adj., pertaining to hydrolysis (chem.)
- Compounded of hydro- and Gk. -)-unx6~,
'loosing'. See -lytic.
hydrolyze, tr. v., to subject to hydrolysis (chem.)
- Back formation fr. hydrolysis.
hydromancy, n., divination by means of water.
- F. hydromancie, fr. L hydromantia, fr. Late
Gk. u8pOiJ.<l.VTda, 'divination by water', fr. Gk.
!)8wp, 'water', and 11-o:v-rda, 'oracle, divination'.
See hydro- and -mancy.
hydromedusa, n., a coelenterate produced by budding from a hydroid (zoo/.) - Modl. hydromedusa. See hydro- and medusa.
Hydromedusae, n. pl., a subclass of Hydrozoa
(zoo!.) - Modl., pl. of hydromediisa. See prec.
word.
hydromel, n., a liquor consisting of honey and
water. - L. hydrome/i, fr. Gk. u8p6iJ.EAL, which
is compounded of 68wp, 'water', and iJ.EAL,
'honey'. See hydro- and melliferous.
hydrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
specific gravity of liquids. - Compounded of
hydro- and Gk. iJ.E-:p')V, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: hydrometr-y, n., hydrometr-ic,
hydrometric-a/, adjs.
hydropath, n., a hydropathist. -- Back formation
fr. hydropathy.
hydropathy, n., water cure; hydrotherapy (med.)
-Coined by Vincenz Priessnitz (I799-I85I) in
I 825 fr. hydro- and -pathy on analogy of homeopathy, allopathy.

hydrosphere

Derivatives: hydropath-ic, hydropath-ic-a/, adjs.,

hydropath-ist, n.
hydrophane, n., a variety of opal which becomes
transparent when immersed into water (mineral.)- Compounded of hydro- and Gk. -<pcxv-1]<;,
from the stem of <po:[veLv, 'to show'. See -phane.
hydrophobia, n., rabies. - L, fr. Gk. u8po<pof3[Ci,
'horror of water', which is compounded of
68wp, 'water', and -<pof3[Ci, 'fear of', fr. <p6f3o<;,
'fear'; so called because aversion to water is
a symptom of this disease. See hydro- and
-phobia.
hydrophobic, adj. - L. hydrophobicus, fr. Gk.
u8porpof3LXO~, 'of hydrophobia', fr. ul>po<po(3[fi.
See prec. word and -ic.
hydrophone, n., 1) an instrument used to detect
the sound of water flowing through a pipe: 2) an
instrument for detecting the sound made by
submarines.- Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
<pwv-1], 'sound, voice'. See phone, 'speech sound'.
Hydrophyllaceae, n. pl., the waterleaf family(hot.)
- ModL., formed fr. Hydrophyllum with suff.
-aceae.
hydrophyllaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Hydrophyllum, n., a genus of plants of the waterleaf family (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'waterleaf', compounded of hydro- and Gk. <pu)-)-ov, 'leaf'. See
phyllo-.
hydrophyte, n., a plant that grows in water and
in wet soiL - Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
<pu't'6v, 'plant'. See -phyte.
Derivative: hydrophyt-ic, adj.
hydropic, adj., dropsicaL - ME. ydropike, fr.
OF. idropique, fr. L. hydropicus, fr. Gk. u8pwmx6<;, 'suffering from dropsy', fr. ()l>pwy, gen.
IJ8pwrro<;, 'dropsy'. F. hydropique and E. hydropic have been refashioned after L. hydropicus.
See dropsy and -ic.
Derivative: hydropic-al-ly, adv.
hydroplane, n. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. 1)8wp,
'water' (see hydro-), and plane, 'airplane' (ult. fr.
L. planus, 'level, flat')
Hydropotes, n., a genus of deer (zoo/.)- Modl.,
fr. Gk. Ullporr6rr,~. 'water drinker', which is
compounded of i)8wp, 'water' (see hydro-) and
rr6n;<;, 'drinker', fr. I.-E. base *p6(i)-, 'to drink'.
See potion and cp. Poterium.
hydropsy, n., dropsy.- ME. idropisie, ydropisie.
fr. OF. idropisie. See dropsy.
hydroscope, n., an instrument for examining objects at considerable depths from the surface
of the sea. - Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
-crx6mov, fr. crxorre~v, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scope and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: hydroscop-ic, hydroscop-ic-al, adjs.
hydrosome, also hydrosoma, n., the entire body
of a hydroid colony. -Compounded of hydroand Gk. <J(;'>tJ.o:, 'body'. See soma, 'the body of
an organism'.
hydrosphere, n., I) the water on the surface of
the earth; 2) the aqueous vapor of the atmo-

hydrostat

sphere. - Compounded of hydro- and Gk.

()'(pot:ipot:, 'ball, globe, sphere'. See sphere.
hydrostat, n., a device indicating the height of
water in a boiler or reservoir. - Compounded
of hydro- and Gk. aTIXT6c;;, 'placed, standing'.
See static and cp. aerostat and words there
referred to.
hydrostatic, hydrostatical, adj., pertaining to
hydrostatics. - Compounded of hydro- and
Gk. O'TIXT~x6c;;, 'causing to stand', fr. aTIXT6c;;,
'placed, standing'. See static.
hydrostatics, n., that branch of physics which
deals with liquids in equilibrium. - See prec.
word and -ics.
hydrotherapeutic, adj., pertaining to hydrotherapeutics.- Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
.&sp1X'lt'Etn~x6c;;, 'inclined to serve; able to cure'.
See therapeutic.
hydrotherapeutics, n., that part of therapeutics
which deals with water cure. - See prec. word
and -ics.
hydrotherapy, n., treatment of disease by means
of water. - Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
.&spiX'lt'diX, 'a waiting on, service'. See therapy.
hydrothermal, adj., pertaining to heated water.Compounded of hydro- and thermal.
hydrotropic, adj., characterized by hydrotropism.
- See next word and -ic.
hydrotropism, n., tendency to grow organs either
toward or away from moisture (bioi.)- Compounded of hydro-, Gk. -.poTI""ij, 'a turning', and
suff. -ism. See trope and tropism and cp. heliotropism and words there referred to.
hydrous, adj., containing water. - A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. 68wp, 'water' (see hydro-), and
suff. -ous (fr. L. -osus).
hydroxide, n., a compound containing hydroxyl
(chem.)- Compounded ofhydr(ogen), ox(ygen)
and suff. -ide.
hydroxy-, combining form indicating the presence
of the hydroxyl radical (chem.) - Formed fr.
hydr(ogen) and oxy(gen).
hydroxyl, n., the univalent group or radical OH
containing hydrogen and oxygen (chem.) Formed fr. hydr(ogen), ox(ygen) and suff. -yl.
Hydrozoa, n. pl., a class of coelenterates (zoo!.)
- ModL., coined by the English zoologist and
biologist Sir Richard Owen (I804-92) in I843
fr. hydro- and Gk. ~cj>IX, pl. of ~cj>ov, 'animal'.
See zoo-.

Derivatives: hydrozo-an, adj. and n.

Hydrus, n., I) a fabulous water serpent; 2) a
southern constellation; the Water Snake (asIron.)- L., 'water serpent; the constellation of
the Water Serpent', fr. Gk. 68po~ 'water serpent', which is rei. to MpiX, of s.m. See Hydra.
hyena, hyaena, n. - L. hyaena, fr. Gk. 61X~VIX,
'hyena', lit. 'sow' formed with the fern. suff.
-::uvx, fr. uc;;, gen. u6;, 'swine'; see sow, 'female
pig'. The hyena was so called in allusion to its
bristly mane. For sense development cp. Hungarian sertes, 'hog, swine', lit. 'the bristly ani-

756

mal', fr. serte, sorte, 'bristle'. For the meaning

of the Gk. suff. -IX~VIX cp. Gk. ASIX~VIX, 'lioness',
fern. of J..swv, 'lion', AUXIXWIX, 'she-wolf', fern.
of ).uxoc;;, 'wolf'.
hyeto-, before a vowel hyet-, combining form
meaning 'rain'. - Gk. Gs-.o-, Ge-.-, fr. Gs-.6~;,
'rain', for *suwet6s, from the stem of ds~v (for
*suwein), 'to rain'; prob. cogn. with Toch. A
swase, B swese, 'rain', B suwarrz, 'they rain',
Alban. si, 'rain', 01. suniJti, 'squeezes', siJma/;1,
'soma' (lit. 'a sappy plant'), Olr. suth, 'juice,
milk', OE. seaw, OHG. sou, 'sap', fr. I.-E. base
*seu-, 'sap, juice; to squeeze, press; to rain,
flow'. Cp. Hyades. Cp. also soma, 'a plant',
sura, 'fermented sap of plants', and the second
element in Dialister. For derivatives of bases
*seu-q-, *seu-g-, 'to suck; sap', enlargements of
base *seu-, see suck and cp. words there referred to.
hyetograph, n., a chart showing the annual rainfall.- Compounded ofhyeto- and Gk. -yp1X<poc;;,
fr. yp&<pe~v, 'to write'. See -graph.
hyetography, n., that branch of meteorology
which deals with the distribution of rain .
Compounded of hyeto- and Gk. -ypot:<plii, fr.
yp<i~c~v, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives: hyetograph-ic, hyetograph-ic-al,
adjs., hyetograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
hyetology, n., that branch of meteorology which
deals with the precipitation of snow, rain, etc.
- Compounded of hyeto- and Gk. -J..oy(iX, fr.
-J..6yoc;;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative: hyetolog-ical, adj.
Hygeia, Hygea, Hygia, n., the goddess of health
in Greek mythology. - L. Hygea, Hygia, fr.
Gk. 'iy(s~IX, 'Yys(ii, 'personification of uy(E~IX,
uyslii, 'health', fr. uyL~<;;. 'healthy'. See next
word.
hygiene, n., the science of health. - F. hygiene,
fr. Gk. uy~c:~v6v, neut. of uy~c:w6c;;, 'pertaining
to health, healthful', but used by Aristotle also
as a noun in the' sense of 'health', fr. uy~~c;;,
'healthy', which stands for su-gwiyes and lit.
means 'living well', fr. I.-E. *su- (Gk. U-), 'well',
whence also OI. su-, OPers. hu, Olr. su-, so-,
'well' (cp. sundari), and gwiyes, 'living', enlargement of *gwi-, 'to live', whence also Gk. [3Loc;;,
'life'. See bio- and cp. words there referred to.
L. vegere, 'to be lively, vigorous, to thrive,
flourish', vegetus, 'lively, vigorous', are not
cognate with Gk. uy~~c;;. As a formative element,
u- was replaced later by c:U- (see eu-).
Derivatives: hygien-ic, adj., hygien-ic-al-ly, adv.,
hygien-ics, n., hygien-ist, n.
hygro-, before a vowel hygr-, combining form
meaning 'moist, humid'.- Gk. uypo-, uyp-, fr.
uyp6c;;, 'wet, moist, humid', rei. to L. (h)iimor,
'fluid, moisture'. See humor and cp. words there
referred to.
hygrodeik, n., wet and dry. bulb hygrometer. Lit., 'that which shows moisture', fr. hygro-

hymenopterous

757

and Gk. 8e~xvuvoc~, 'to show', which is cogn.

with L. dicere, 'to say'. See diction and cp.
deictic.
hygrograph, n., an instrument for recording automatically the variations in atmospheric humidity. - Compounded of hygro- and Gk. -ypot:cpoc;;, fr. yp&<pe~v, 'to write'. See -graph.
hygrology, n., the science that treats of humidity.
- Compounded of hygro- and Gk. -J..oy(ii, fr.
-J..6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
hygroma, n., a cystic tumor containing serum
(med.)- Medical L., formed fr. Gk. uyp6c;;, 'wet,
moist', with suff. -<U[LIX. See hygro- and -oma.
hygrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
humidity of the atmosphere.- Compounded of
hygro- and Gk. [L~Tpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
hygrometry, n., that branch of physics which
deals with humidity (esp. with that of the atmosphere). - Compounded of hygro- and Gk.
-[LETplii, fr. [L&-.pov, 'measure'. See -metry.
Derivatives: hygrometr-ic, adj., hygrometr-ic-ally, adv.
hygroscope, n., an instrument showing variations
in the humidity of the atmosphere. - Compounded ofhygro- and Gk. -ax6mov, fr. axom:rv,
'to look at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivative: hygroscop-ic, adj.
hygrotropism, n. - Coined by Theodore Horace
Savory on analogy of heliotropism, etc. See
hygro-, trope and -ism.
Hyksos, n. pl., a dynasty of Egyptian Kings
called the Shepherd Kings.- Gk. 'Yxawc;, 'shepherd kings', fr. Egypt. /fiq shasu, 'ruler of
nomads'.
hyl-, form of hylo- before a vowel.
Hyla, n., a genus of amphibians, the tree frog
or tree toad (zoo!.) - ModL., fr. Gk. tiJ..1),
'wood, forest'. See hyle.
Hylas, n., a beautiful youth, companion of Hercules (Greek mytho/.)- L. Hyliis, fr. Gk. "YAiic;,
prob. meaning 'of the woods', fr. Gk. tiJ..1). See
hyle.
hyle, n., matter, substance. - Gk. tiJ..1), 'wood,
forest, material, matter', of uncertain origin. Cp.
Hyla, Hylas, hylic, -yl, -ethyl, methylene, ylem.
hylic, adj., material, corporeal (philos.) - ML.
hylicus, fr. Gk. GALx6c;;, 'pertaining to matter,
material', fr. UA1). See prec. word and -ic.
hylicism, n., materialism. - See hylic and -ism.
hylicist, n., a materialist. - See hylic and -ist.
hylo-, before a vowel hyl-, combining form meaning I) wood, forest; 2) matter. - Gk. GAo-,
GA-, fr. tlJ..1). See hyle.
Hylobates, n., the genus of the gibbons (zoo!.) ModL., fr. Gk. OJ..o~ti't'1)c;;, 'wood walker', which
is compounded of !lJ..1), 'wood' (see hylo-), and
~tiT1)c;;, 'treading on', from the stem of [jocLwLv,
'to go, walk'. See -bates.
hylopbagous, adj., eating wood (zoo/.) - Gk.
oJ..oqxiyoc;, compounded of tlJ..7j, 'wood' (see

hylo-), and -cp&yoc;, 'eater of', from the stem of

<piXyeiv, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
hylotheism, n., the doctrine that the material universe is God. - Compounded of hylo- and
theism, 'belief in a personal God'.
hylozoic, adj., pertaining to hylozoism'. - See
next word and -ic.
hylozoism, n., the doctrine that all life is derived
from matter.- Compounded ofhylo-, Gk. ~w-f),
'life' (see zoo-) and suff. -ism.
hylozoist, n., a believer in hylozoism. -See prec,
word and -ist.
Derivatives: hylozoist-ic, adj., hylozoist-ic-al-ly.
adv.
hymen, n., the virginal membrane. - Gk. U[L~V,
'skin, membrane', prob. fr. I.-E. *syu-men, lit.
'tie', hence cogn. with 01. syaman-, 'tie, band',
syutcl/;1, 'sewed', L. suo, suere, 'to sew', fr. I.-E.
base *syu, su-, *siw, 'to sow'; see sew and cp.
suture, sutra. The word hymen orig. denoted
any membrane. In its present specific meaning
it was first used by Vesalius in I550. Cp. hymn.
Derivative: hymen-al, adj., pertaining to the
hymen.
Hymen; n., the god of marriage in Greek mythology.- L. Hymen, fr. Gk. 'i[L~V, fr. 'i[L~V w,
'i[L~VIX~
etc., refrain of the song sung at the
marriages of the ancient Greeks. Cp. next word
and hymn.
hymen-, form of hymeno- before a vowel.
hymeneal, adj., pertaining to marriage.- Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. hymenaeus, fr. Gk.
U[L~VIX~oc;;, 'wedding or bridal song', fr. 'Y[L-

w,

vocto<;,anenlargedformof'i[L~v,thegodHymen.

See prec. word.

hymeno-, before a vowel hymen-, combining form
meaning 'membrane'. - Gk. U[LEVO-, U[LEV-, fr.
U[L~V, gen. U[LSvoc;, 'membrane'. See hymen,
'membrane'.
Hymenocallis, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
Gk. U[L~V, gen. U[Ltvoc;;, 'membrane' and xillo<;,
'beauty'. See hymen, 'membrane', and calo- and
cp. the second element in Hemerocallis.
Hymenophyllaceae, n. pl., the filmy fern family
(bot.) - ModL., formed fr. Hymenophyllum
with suff. -aceae.
hymenophyllaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Hymenophyllum, n., a genus of ferns (bot.) ModL., compounded of Gk. U[L~V, gen. U[LSvO<;;,
'membrane' and cpu).).ov, 'leaf'. See hymen,
'membrane', and phyllo-.
Hymenoptera, n., the highest order of insects (entomol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. U[LEV6'lt'Tepoc;, 'membrane-winged', which is compounded of U[L~V,
gen. u(Livo<;, 'membrane', and 'lt'TEp6v, 'wing'.
See hymen, 'membrane', and ptero-.
hymenopterous, adj., pertaining to the Hymenoptera. Gk. U[LEV6'1t'TEpoc;;, 'membranewinged'. See prec. word. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o<;, see -ous.

hymn

hymn, n.- ME. ymne, fr. OF. ymne (F. hymne),

fr. L. hymnus, fr. Gk. 6[-LVO~, 'a song in praise
of gods or heroes', orig. 'a wedding song', and
prob. rei. to 'Y[.L-i)v, 'the god of marriage'. See
Hymen and cp. Polyhymnia.
Derivatives: hymn, tr. and intr. v., hymn-al, adj.,
and n., hymn-ic, adj., hymn-ist, n.
hymnary, n., a hymnal.- ML. hymniirium, fr. L.
hymnus. See prcc. word and subst. suff. -ary.
hymnody, n., I) singing of hymns; 2) hymns collectively. - Gk. 6[-Lvc:plltoc, 'singing of hymns',
fr. U[.LV(p86~, 'singing hymns', which is compounded of 6[-Lvo~. 'hymn', and ~8-lj, 'song'. See
hymn and ode.
Derivative: hymnod-ist, n.
hymnographer, n., I) a writer of hymns; 2) one
who writes about hymns. - Formed with
agential suff. -er fr. Gk. U[J.Voypcitpo~, 'composer
of hymns', which is compounded of 6[-LVO~,
'hymn', and -ypcitpo~, fr. ypcitpe!v, 'to write'. See
hymn and -graph.
hymnography, n., I) composition of hymns;
writing about hymns. - See prec. word and
-graphy.
hymnology, n., I) the study of hymns; 2) the composition of hymns; 3) hymns collectively. Gk. U[.LVOAoy[oc, 'the singing of hymns', compounded of Gk. 6[-L~O~, 'hymn' (see hymno-),
and Gk. -Aoy[oc, fr. -A6yo~. 'one who speaks (in
a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hymno/og-ic, hymnolog-ic-al, adjs.,
hymno/og-ist, n.
hyo-, combining form denoting the hyoid bone
(anat.) - Fr. Gk. uo-, short for UOE!Il+,<;. See
hyoid.
hyoid, adj., designating a bone at the base of the
tongue (anat. and zoo/.) - F. hyoide, fr. Gk.
uoeto+,~. 'shaped like the Greek letter l", which
stands for 'J-oeto+,; and is compounded of the
letter l' and -oeti1+,c;, 'like', fr. di1o;, 'form,
shape': see -oid. The letter was called later u
psi/on (lit. 'mere or simple y'). See ypsilon.
Derivative: hyoid, n., the hyoid bone.
hyoscine, hyoscin, n., a poisonous alkaloid (clrem.)
- See Hyoscyamus and chem. suff. -in(e).
Hyoscyamus, n., a genus of plants, the henbane
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. uocrxuetfLO<;, 'henbane',
compounded of 0;, gen. uo<;, 'hog, pig', which
is cogn. with L. s1/s (see sow, 'female pig'), and
of X'J:X[.LO~, 'bean', a word of foreign origin. The
name prop. means 'poisonous to swine'. Cp.
hyoscine.
hyp-, form of hypo- before a vowel.
hypaethral, hypethral, adj., open to the sky (orchit.)- Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. lrypaethrus, fr. Gk. ():r:xtltpoc;, 'under the open sky',
which is formed fr. )r:6 (see hypo) and :x1&f;p,
'sky. ether'. See ether.
hypallage, n., a figure of speech which consists
in the reversion of the syntactic relation between
two words (rhet.)- L., fr. Gk. umx'AAetrfl, 'inter-

758

change, exchange, substitute', from the stem of

U7t<XMtXcrcrELV, 'to exchange', Which is formed fr.
urr6 (see hypo-), and &.:Moe;, 'other'. See else and
cp. allo-, alias. Cp. also diallage, allagite.
hyper-, pref. of Greek origin, generally equivalent
to super- and over-. It usually denotes excess;
abnormal excess (in terms of medicine); abnormally great power of sensation (in terms of
physiology and pathology); the highest in a
series of compounds (chem.) Hyper- is the opposite of hypo-. - Gk. urrep-, fr. urrip, 'over,
above, beyond', cogn. with 01. upari, L. super,
'over, above, beyond', fr. I.-E. base *uper-,
*uperi-, 'over, above, beyond,' which is prop. a
comparative from base *upo-, 'from below;
turning upward, upward; up, over, beyond',
whence also Gk. urr6, 'under'. See over and cp.
Hyperion, hypo-. Cp. also super-.
hyperacusis, n., an abnormally acute sense of
hearing (med.) - Medical L., formed fr. hyperand Gk. &.xoucrt<;, 'a hearing', fr. &xoue:!~ (for
*&xoucr~ct~). 'to hear'. See acoustic and cp.
words there referred to.
hyperalgesia, hyperalgesis, n., an abnormally excessive sensitiveness to pain. - Medical L.,
formed fr. hyper- and Gk. otAy1JcrL<;, 'sense of
pain', fr. &Aydv, 'to feel pain'. See -algia.
Derivative: hyperalges-ic, adj.
hyperbatic, adj., pertaining to hyper baton.- Gk.
urre:p~cxnx6~, fr. urrip~r.cro~. See hyperbaton and
-ic.
hyperbaton, n., an inversion of the natural order
of words for the sake of emphasis (rhet.)- L.,
fr. Gk. {mep~o:rov, neut. of udp~!X't"O<;, 'transposed', verbal adj. of urre:p~cx[ve:L~, 'to go over',
which is formed fr. urrsp (see hyper-) and ~cx[
~e:t~, 'to go'. See base, n.
hyperbola, n., one of the three conic sections
(geom.) - ModL., fr. Gk. urre:p~oA-Ij, 'a throwing beyond, overshooting; excess', fr. urrep~i:Me:tv, 'to throw over or beyond, overshoot;
to exceed', fr. urrip (see hyper-) and ~ine:t~,
'to throw, shoot'; sec ballistic. The Pythagoreans used the word .J:rep~o).~ if the base of a
figure, that was to be constructed so that it
should be equal in area to a given figure of different shape, 'exceeded' the base of the original
figure. Apollonius of Perga, 'the Great Geometer', who lived in the 3rd cent. B.C.E., applied the term ~:rep~o).+, for the first time to denote the hyperbola (in his Conica, I, I2), in
reference to the circumstance that the square
on the ordinate is equal to a rectangle whose
height is equal to the abscissa, applied to the
parameter, but overlapping (lit. 'exceeding') it;
see parabola and cp. ellipse.
hyperbole, n., exaggeration (rhet.) - L., fr. Gk.
u:re:pf3o).+,, 'excess, exaggeration'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: hyperbol-ism, n., hyperbol-ist, n.,
hyperbol-ize, tr. and intr. v.
hyperbolic, hyperbolical, adj. - L. hyperbolicus

759

fr. Gk. U7tEp~OALX6<;, 'excessive'. fr. urre:p~oA-Ij.

See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: hyperbolic-al-ly, adv.
Hyperborean, n., a fabulous people living beyond
the north wind (Greek mythol.)- Late L. hyperboreiinus, fr. L. hyperboreus, fr. Gk. um:p~6peo.;,
'pertaining to the region far north', fr. urrip,
'over, beyond' (see hyper-) and ~opE:oc.;, 'north
wind'. See Boreas.
hypercatalectic, adj., having an additional syllable at the end of the verse (pros.) - Late L.
hypercatalecticus, fr. Gk. urrepxo:TciA1)X't"o.;, 'left
off beyond', which is formed fr. urrE:p (see hyper-), and xo:To:).-ljye:t~, 'to leave off, stop'. See
catalectic.
hypercritic, n. - Compounded of hyper- and
critic.
Derivatives: hypercritic-al, adj., hypercritic-ally, adv., hypercritic-ism, n., hypercritic-ize, tr.
and intr. v.
hyperdimensional, adj., pertaining to a space of
more than three dimensions. - A hybrid coined
fr. Gk. urrE:p, 'over, beyond', L. dimensio, 'measuring' and L. suff. -iilis; see hyper-, dimension
and adj. suff. -al. The correct form would be
superdimensional, in which both elements and
the suff. are of the same (i.e. Latin) origin.
hyperemia, hyperaemia, n., increase of blood in
any part (med.)- Medical L., formed fr. hyperand Gk. o:![.L<X, 'blood'. See hemal and -ia.
Hypericaceae, n. pl., the St.-John's-wort family
(bot.)- ModL., formed fr. Hypericus with suff.
-aceae.
hypericaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
Hypericum, n., a genus of plants, the St.-John'swort (bot.) -- L., fr. Gk. UrtEpELXOV, urrE:ptxov,
'St.-John's-wort', which is compounded ofurr6,
'under, among' and epdX1), ep(X1), 'heath,
heather'. See hypo- and Erica.
Hyperion, n., a Titan, the son of Uranus and
Gaea; identified later with Apollo (Greek mytho!.) - L. Hyperi6n, fr. Gk. 'Yrre:ptwv, lit. 'he
who looks from above', fr. urtE:p, 'above'. See
hyper-.
hyperkinesia, hyperkinesis, n., abnormally excessive muscular movement (med.) - ModL.,
formed fr. hyper- and xtV1Jm<;, 'movement', fr.
xtvetv, 'to move'. See kinesis.
hypermeter, n., a hypercatalectic line (pros.) Gk. urrep[.LE't'po.;, 'going beyond the meter,
beyond measure', fr. urrE:p, 'over, beyond', and
!J.hpov, 'measure'. See hyper- and meter, 'poetical rhythm', and cp. next word.
Derivatives: hypermetr-ic, hypermetr-ic-al, adjs.
hypermetropia, n., farsightedness, the opposite of
myopia. - Medical L., compounded of Gk.
urrE:pf.Le:Tpoc;, 'beyond measure', and w<.jl, gen.
wmSc;, 'eye'. See prec. word and -opia.
Derivative: hypermetrop-ic, adj.
hyperopia, n., hypermetropia (med.) - Medical
L., formed fr. hyper- and Gk. w<.jl, gen. wrr6.;,
'eye'. See -opia and cp. prec. word.

hypnology

Derivative: hyperop-ic, adj.

hyperosmia, n., an abnormally acute sense of
smell (psycho!.) - ModL., formed fr. hyper-,
Gk. ocr[J.-1), 'smell, odor' (see osmium), and suff.
-ia. Cp. hyposmia.
Derivative: hyperosm-ic, adj.
hyperostosis, n., outgrowth of bony tissue (med.)
- Medical L., formed fr. hyper-, Gk. orniov,
oa't'ou~. 'bone' (see osteo-), and suff. -osis. Cp.
ostosis and words there referred to.
hypersensitive, adj., excessively sensitive (med.)
- A hybrid coined fr. Gk. urrep (see hyper) and
sensitive, a word of Latin origin. The correct
form would be supersensitive, in which both
elements are of Latin origin.
Derivative: hypersensitive-ness, n.
hyperspace, n., a space of more than three dimensions. - A hybrid coined fr. Gk. urrE:p (see
hyper-) and space (fr. L. spatium). The correct
form would be superspace, in which both elements are of Latin origin.
hypertrophy, n., excessive development of an
organ (med.)- Medical L. hypertrophia, formed
fr. hyper- and Gk. -'t'potp(oc, fr. Tpotp-1), 'food,
nourishment'. See trophic and cp. atrophy,
dystrophy.
Derivatives: hypertrophy, intr. v., hypertroph-ic,
hypertrophi-ed, adjs.
hypha, n., one of the threadlike elements in the
shallus of a fungus (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
utp-1), 'web', which is rei. to \Jtpo.;, 'web', U(jl!XL~EL~,
'to weave', fr. I.-E. base *webh-, 'to weave',
whence also OE. wefan, 'to weave'. See weave.
hypheme, n., a hyphened compound word. Coined fr. hyph(en) and (phon)eme.
hyphen, n., a short line (-)joining parts of a word.
- L., fr. Gk. utpev, 'together, in one, as a single
word', fr. utp' ~v, which stands for urro ~v. lit.,
'under one'. For the first element sec hypo-;
for bJ which is the neut. of de;, 'one', see heno-.
Derivatives: hyphen, tr. v., hyphen-ate, tr. v.,
adj. and n., hyphen-at-ed, adj., hyphen-ic, adj.,
hyphen-ism, n., hyphen-ize, tr. v., hyphen-ization, n.
hypo-, form of hypno- before a vowel.
hypnagogic, adj., inducing sleep.- Compounded
of hypo-, Gk. &ywy6;, 'leading' (sec -agogue),
and suff. -ic.
hypnic, adj., inducing sleep.- Gk. u:rvtx6~, 'pertaining to sleep', fr. \Jmo;. See hypno- and -ic.
Derivative: hypnic, n., a soporific.
hypno-, before a vowel hypo-, combining form
meaning 'sleep'. - Gk. umo-, urrv-, fr. 6moc;,
'sleep', which ~tands for *sup-na-5 and is cogn.
with 01. svapna/:1, 'sleep, dream', L. somnus (for
swepnos or swopnos), 'sleep'. See somnolent and
cp. Hypnos.
hypnoid, adj., resembling hypnosis.- Compounded of hypn- and Gk. -oe:t~-1)~. 'like', fr. d8o~,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
hypnology, n., the study of (hypnotic) sleep. Coined by James Braid (1795-1861) fr. hypno-

hypnophobia
and -'Aoyloc, fr. -Myoc;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hypnolog-ic, hypnolog-ic-al, adjs.,

hypnolog-ist, n.
hypnophobia, n., a morbid fear of falling asleep.
- Compounded of hypno- and Gk. -cpo[jloc,
'fear of', fr. cp6[joc;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Hypnos, Hypnus, n., the god of sleep in Greek
mythology; identified with Somnus. - Gk.
'Tm10c;, personification of \l7tvoc;, 'sleep'. See
hypno-.
hypnosis, n. - ModL., coined fr. Gk. u1tvo\iv,
'to put to sleep', and suff. -osis. Gk. u1tvo\iv
derives fr. urtvoc;, 'sleep'. See hypno- and cp.
hypnotism.
hypnotic, adj.- L. hypnoticus, fr. Gk. u7tvwnx6c;,
'inclined to sleep', fr. U7t'IIOUV, 'to put to sleep',
fr. urtvoc;, 'sleep'. See hypno- and -otic.
Derivatives: hypnotic, n., hypnotic-al-ly, adv.
hypnotism, n. - Coined by James Braid of
Manchester (I795I86I) fr. hypnotic and suff.
-ism. Cp. hypnosis.
hypnotist, n. - Coined fr. hypnotic and suff. -ist.
Derivative: hypnotist-ic, adj.
hypnotize, tr. v. -Coined fr. hypnotic and suff.
-ize.
Derivatives: hypnotiz-ation, n., hypnotiz-er, n.
hypo, n., sodium hyposulfite. - Short for hyposulfite.
hypo-, before a vowel hyp-, suff. of Greek origin
generally equivalent to sub- and under-. It
unites the following meanings: under, below,

in a lower position; in a lesser degree; slightly,

gradually, somewhat; secretly. In terms of medicine it is used to denote an abnormal decrease;
in psychology it expresses a deficient power of
sensation; in chemistry it indicates the lowest of
a series of compounds.- Gk. u7to-, u7t-, fr. u1t6,
'under, below, from below', cogn. with 01. upa,
'near, under, up to, on', L. sub (for *sup-),
'under'. See sub- and cp. hyper-. Cp. also hyphen,
hypsi-, anthypophora.
hypocaust, n., space in the floor of a building in
an ancient Roman house filled with hot air
from the furnace. - L. hypocaustum, fr. Gk.
u7t6xOtuaTov, lit. 'burnt below', which is formed
fr. u1t6 (see hypo-) and neut. ofxOtuc:JT6c;, 'burnt',
verbal adj. of xOt(~tv (for *x<if-~tv), 'to bum'.
See caustic.
Hypochaeris, n., a genus of plants, the eat's ear
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. u7to;t:mp(c;, 'swine's
succory', which is formed fr. u1t6 (see hypo-) and
xo~po~. 'young pig'. See -choerus.
hypochondria, n., morbid depression of spirits,
L. hypochondria, gen.
melancholy (med.) -orum, 'the soft part of the body from the ribs
to the groin, the abdomen', fr. Gk. u7tO;t:6v3ptOt,
of s.m., prop. neut. pl. of the adjective un:ox6v3ptoc;, 'that which is below the cartilage (of
the breastbone)', formed fr. un:6 (see hypo-) and
:x;6v3poc;, 'granule. gristle, cartilage'. See griod.

760
gristle. The abdomen was thought to be the
seat of hypochondria, whence the name of this
morbid condition.
hypochondriac, adj., and n. - F. hypochondriaque, fr. ML. hypochondriacus, fr. Gk. un:o;.:ov3ptOtx6c;, 'pertaining to the abdomen', fr. un;ox6v3ptOt. See prec. word.
Derivative: hypochondriac-al, adj.
hypocoristic, adj., pertaining to pet names; endearing. - Gk. u7t0xoptanx6c;, 'pertaining to a
pet name, diminutive', fr. u7t0xop(~e:a&Ott, 'to call
by a pet name', lit. 'to use childish language',
formed fr. un:6 (see hypo-) and XOp(~e:a&ocL, 'to
caress', fr. x6poc; (for *x6pfoc;), 'a child', which
derives fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'to grow'. See create
and cp. Cora, Corinna.
hypocrisy, n. - ME. ipocrisie, fr. OF. ypocrisie,
fr. Eccles. L. hypocrisis, fr. Gk. un:6xptmc;, 'an
acting on the stage; hypocrisy', from the stem
of un:oxpfve:a&Ott, 'to answer, pretend, play a
part', fr. u1t6 (see hypo-) and xpfve:a&Ott, 'to dispute', middle voice of xpfve:tv, 'to judge'. F.
hypocrisie and E. hypocrisy have been refashioned after the Latin form of the word. See
critic and cp. words there referred to.
hypocrite, n. - ME. ipocrite, ypocrite, fr. OF.
ipocrite, ypocrite (F. hypocrite), fr. Eccles. L.
hypocrita, fr. Gk. U7tOXptTI]c;, 'an actor, pretender, hypocrite', fr. U7toxp fve:a&Ott. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: hypocritic-al, adj., hypocritic-al-ly,
adv.
hypoderma, n., a tissue of cells beneath the epidermis (bot.) - Medical L., formed fr. hypoand Gk. 3pfLOt, 'skin'. See derma.
hypodermic, adj., pertaining to the parts under
the skin. - See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: hypodermic, n., a hypodermic injection, hypodermic-al-ly, adv.
hypodermis, n., the layer of tissue that lies beneath the cuticle of arthropods (zoo/.) Medical L. See hypoderma.
hypogastric, adj., pertaining to the lower part of
the abdomen (anat.) - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. U7toy<iaTpwc;, 'pertaining to the lower
belly', fr. un:6 (see hypo-) and yOtaTijp, gen.
yOtaTp6c;, 'belly'. See gastric and cp. epigastric,
mesogastric.
hypogastrium, n., the lower part of the abdomen
(anat.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. un:oyctaTptov, 'the
lower belly (from the navel downward)', prop.
neut. of the adjective u7tOyctaTptc.c;, 'pertaining
to the lower belly', used as a noun. See prec.
word and cp. epigastrium, mesogastrium.
hypogeal, hypogean, adj., subterranean. Formed with adj. suff. -al, resp. -an, fr. Gk. y'ij,
'earth'. See geo-.
hypogene, adj., formed beneath the earth's surface.- Formed fr. hypo- and -gene. Cp. epigene.
hypogeous, adj., subterranean. - L. hypogeus,
fr. Gk. un:6yctoc;, 'underground, subterranean',
which is formed fr. un:o- (see hypo-) and Gk.

hypothetical

761

y'ij, 'earth'. Cp. next word. For E. -ous,

as equivalent to Gk. -oc;, see suff. -ous.
hypogeum, hypogaeum, n., the underground part
of a building (ancient archit.) - L., fr. Gk.
un;oye:LO<;, \m6yOtto<;, 'underground, SUbterranean'. See prec. word.
hypoglossitis, n., inflammation of parts under the
tongue (med.)- Medical L., formed fr. next
word with suff. -itis.
hypoglossus, n., the hypoglossal nerve (anat.)Medical L., lit. 'that which is under the tongue',
incorrect formation fr. hypo- and Gk. y'AwaaOt,
'tongue' ; see gloss, 'interpretation'. The correct
form would have been hypoglotticus, fr. Gk.
y'AwTnx6c;;, 'pertaining to the tongue', fr. y'AwTTOt, y'AwaaOt, 'tongue'.
Derivative: hypogloss-al, adj.
hypophosphate, n., a salt of hypophosphoric acid
(chem.)- Formed fr. hypo- and phosphate.
hypophosphite, n., a salt of hypophosphorous
acid (chem.)- Formed fr. hypo- and phosphite.
hypophosphoric, adj., pertaining to the acid
Formed fr. hypo- and
H 4 P2 0 6 (chem.) phosphoric.
hypophosphorous, adj., pertaining to the acid
H 3 P02 (chem.)- Formed fr. hypo- and phosphorous.
hypophyge, n., a hollow molding, esp. beneath
Doric capitals (archit.) - ModL., fr. Gk. u7tocpuyiJ, lit. 'refuge', from the stem of un:ocpo:uye:tv,
'to withdraw', lit. 'to flee from under', fr. u1t6
(see hypo-) and cpo:uyo:tv, 'to flee', which is cogn.
with L. fugere, 'to flee'. See fugitive.
hypophysis, n., I) the pituitary body (anat.); 2) a
part of the embryo (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk.
un:6cpumc;, 'offshoot, outgrowth', fr. u1t6 (see
hypo-) and cpuatc;, 'nature, natural growth'. See
physio- and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: hypophysi-al, adj.
hypopituitarism, n., diminished activity of the
pituitary body (med.) - Formed fr. hypo-,
pituitary and suff. -ism.
Hypopitys, n., a genus of parasitic plants of the
Indian-pipe family (bot.) - ModL., lit. '(growing) under pine trees', fr. hypo- and Gk. 7tLTuc;,
'pine tree'. See pituitary.
hyposcope, n., a form of altiscope, attached to a
rifle or the like. -Formed fr. hypo- and Gk.
-ax6mov, fr. axo1te:~v. 'to look at, examine'. See
-scope.
hyposmia, n., a weakening of the sense of smell
(med.)- Medical L., formed fr. hypo- and Gk.
OG[.L~. 'smell, odor'. See osmium and cp. hyperosmia.
hypostasis, n., substance, reality (philos.) - L.,
fr. Gk. u7t6a-rOtatc;, 'substance, subsistence,
underlying nature, essence', from the stem of
UcpLGTOta&OtL, 'to stand under, subsist', which is
formed fr. u1t6 (see hypo-) and taTOta&Ott, 'middle
voice of !GTcivOtt, 'to cause to stand'. See state
and cp. substance, subsistence.
hypostatic, bypostaticaJ, adj., pertaining to a
yOt~Ot,

hypostasis. - Gk. U7toaTOtnx6c;, fr. U7tOc:JTOtatc;.

See prec. word and static.
Derivatives: hypostatical-ly, adv., hypostat-ize,
tr. v., hypostat-iz-ation, n.
hypostyle, adj., having pillars to support.the roof
(archil.) - Gk. U7t6a-rii'Aoc;, 'resting ori. pillars',
formed fr. u1t6 (see hypo-) and GT\i'Aoc;, 'pillar'.
See style, 'gnomon'.
hyposulfite, n., 1) a thiosulfate; 2) a salt of hyposulfurous acid (chem.) - Formed fr. hypoand sulfite.
hyposulfurous, adj., pertaining to or designating
a dibasic acid, H 2S2 0 4 (chem.)- Formed fr.
hypo- and sulfurous.
hypotaxis, n., dependence (esp. of clauses) (gram.)
ModL., fr. Gk. U7tOTOt~Lc;, 'subjection',
lit. 'a placing under', from the stem of u7to't'ctaae:w, 'to place under', which is formed fr. U7t6
(see hypo-) and Tciaae:tv, 'to arrange, array,
post, place, appoint'. See taxis and cp. parataxis.
hypotenuse, n., the side of a right-angled triangle
opposite the right angle. - F. hypotenuse, fr.
L. hypotenusa, fr. Gk. un:on(vouaOt [short for
~ -ri)v op&ljv ywv(~v U7tOTe:(vouaOt 7tA<:Up&, 'the
side subtending (lit. 'stretching under') the
right angle'], fern. of un:onlvwv, pres. part. of
U7tonlve:tv, 'to stretch under, subtend', fr. u1t6
(see hypo-) and -re:(ve:w, 'to stretch', which is
cogn. with L. tendere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to
move in a certain direction', and cp. words
there referred to.
hypothec, n., security given to a creditor over a
debtor's property without transfer of possession
or title (law). - F. hypotheque, fr. Late L. hypotheca, fr. Gk. \mo.&~x7J, 'a deposit, pledge,
mortgage', from the stem of un:oTt&lvOtL, 'to put
under, lay down, pledge', which is formed fr.
un:6 (see hypo-) and n&lvOtt, 'to put, place'.
See thesis.
hypothecary, adj., pertaining to a hypothec. Late L. hypotheciirius, 'pertaining to a hypothec', fr. hypotheca. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ary.
hypothecate, tr. v., to pledge as security without
transferring possession or title; to mortgage.ML. hypotheciitus, pp. of hypotheciire, 'to
pledge', fr. Late L. hypotheca. See hypothec and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: hypothecation (q.v.), hypothecat-

or, n.
hypothecation, n. - ML. hypothiciitio, gen. -onis,
fr. hypothiciitus, pp. of hypothicare. See prec.
word and -ion.
hypothesis, n., a supposition. - ModL., fr. Gk.
urt6&e:at<;, 'foundation, supposition', lit. 'a
placing under', from the stem of un:oTI.&lvOtt,
'to put under, lay down', fr. un:6 (see hypo-) and
TL&lvOtL, 'to put, place'. See thesis.
hypothesize, intr. and tr. v.- Formed from prec.
word with suff. -ize.
bypotbetical, hypothetic, adj. - L. hypotheticus,

Hypoxis

fr. Gk. ur.o3-emt6~, 'hypothetical', fr. (m6&e-ro~,

verbal adj. of (mon&evcxt. See hypothesis and
-ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: hypothetical-ly, adv.
Hypoxis, n., a genus of plants, the star grass
(bot.) - ModL., coined fr. hyp- and Gk. o~u~,
'sharp' (see oxy-); so called in allusion to the
base of the capsule.
hypsi-, before a vowel hyps-, combining form
meaning 'on high'.- Gk. ur.j;t-, ur.j;-, from 6r.j;t,
'alcft. on high', which stands for 6r.-m, is rei.
to 6r.j;o~ (for 6ot-cro~), 'height', and cogn. with
L. sus (for *sup-s) in the expressionsusque deque,
'both up and down', and with Olr. 6s, uas (for
*oup-su-), 'above, over', iiasal (for *oup-selo-),
'high, noble', OSlav. vysokii (for *iip-soko-),
'high'. All these words are ult. cogn. with Gk.
urt6,' under', L. sub, of s.m. See hypo- and cp.
hypso-. Cp. also the second element in duniwassal.
hypso-, combining form denoting height. - Gk.
ur.j;o-, from 61jJo~. 'height'. See hypsi-.
hypsography, n., a scientific description of the
form of the earth's surface. - Compounded of
hypso- and Gk. -ypcx<pLii, fr. yp&cpe:tv, 'to write'.
See -graphy.
Derivatives: hypsograph-ic, hypsograph-ic-a/,
adjs.
hypsometer, n., an instrument for measuring altiCompounded of hypso- and Gk.
tudes. fLETpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
hypsometry, n., the measuring of altitudes. See prec. word and -metry.
Derivatives: hypsometr-ic, hypsometr-ic-al, adjs.,
hypsometr-ic-al-ly, adv., hypsometr-ist, n.
hypsophobia, n., a morbid fear of high places. Compounded of hypso- and Gk. -<po[3Lii, 'fear
of', fr. cp6~o~, 'fear'. See -phobia.
hypsophyll, n., a leaf below the sphorophylls
(bot.) - ModL. hypsophyllum, lit. 'high leaf',
formed fr. hypso- and Gk. cpullov, 'leaf'. See
phyllo- and cp. cataphyll, sporophyll. ModL.
hypsophyllum is prop. a loan translation of G.
Hochblatt, fr. hoch, 'high', and Blatt, 'leaf'.
Derivative: hypsophyll-ary, adj.
Hyraroidea, n. pl., an order of ungulates (zoo/.)
- ModL., compounded of Gk. \)pcx~, 'shrew
mouse' and -oe:t8+,~, 'like', fr. d8o~, 'form,
shape', See next word and -oid.
hyrax, n., any animal of the genus Procavia. Gk. iJpcx~, 'shrewmouse', for *surak-s, cogn.
with L. s6rex (for *sworak-s), of s.m. See Sorex.
byson, n., a kind of China tea. - Chin. hsi-chun,
lit. 'blooming spring'.
hyssop, n., name of a plant.- ME. ysope, fr. OF.
( = F.) hysope, hyssope, fr. L. hys6pus, hyss6pus,
fr. Gk. 6crcrwrtoc;, an aromatic plant, fr. Heb.
ezJbh, 'hyssop', which is rei. to Akkad. ziipu,
Syr. zuphii, Arab. zilfii, Ethiop. azobh, of s.m.
Hyssopus, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) - L. See hyssop.
byster-, form of bystero- before a vowel.

762

hysterectomy, n., excision of the uterus (surg.)Compounded of hyster- and Gk. -tbnofLtiX, 'a
cutting out of', fr. x-rofL1), 'a cutting out, excision'. See -ectomy.
hysteresis, n., the lagging in the magnetic force
behind the magnetizing force (magnetism). Gk. ucr-rt!:p1Jm~, 'shortcoming, deficiency', fr.
ucr-repe:Lv, 'to be behind, come late, lag', fr.
6cr-re:l?ov, 'later'. See hysteron proteron.
hysteria, n.- Medical L., fr. Gk. ucr-repii, 'womb',
which is rei. to 6cr-rpo~ (Hesychius), 'belly,
womb', and cogn. with Maced. oSe:po~ (Hesychius), of s.m., OI. udaram, 'belly', L. uterus,
'womb'; see uterus and -ia. Hysteric disturbances, which most frequently occur in women,
were ascribed erroneously to the influence of
the womb and were for this reason called hys~
teria, 'disease of the womb'.
hysteric, more frequently hysterical, adj. - L.
hystericus, fr. Gk. ucr-re:ptx6~, 'pertaining to the
womb', fr. ucr-rtpii. See prec. word and -ic, resp.
also -al.
Derivatives: hysteric, n., hysterics, n. pl., hysteric-al-ly, adv.
hysteritis, n., inflammation of the womb (med.)
- Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
ucr-repii, 'womb'. See hysteria.
hystero-, before a vowel hyster-, combining form
denoting I) the womb; 2) hysteria. - See
hysteria.
hysteron proteron, a figure in which the order of
words, phrases, or clauses is reversed (rhet.) Late L., fr. Gk. 6cr-re:pov, rtp6-re:pov, 'the latter
(is put) as the former'. Gk. 6cr-re:pov is neut.
of 6cr-re:poc;, for I.-E. *ud-tero-s (whence also OI.
uttarafz, 'the higher, upper, latter, later'), which
isformedfr. base *ud-, 'up, out, away', with compar. suff. *-ter. See out and -ther and cp. the first
element in Hystrix. For the etymology of proteron see protero-.
hysteropexy, n., the operation of fixing the uterus
to the wall of the abdomen (surg.) - Medical
L. hysteropexia, compounded of hystero- and
Gk. rrij~Lc;, 'a making firm, fastening', which
derives from the stem of 1t1)yvuvcxL, 'to join,
make firm'. See -pexy.
hysterotomy, n. (surg.), I) the Caesarian section;
2) the operation of cutting into the uterus. Compounded of hystero- and Gk. -TofLl!X, 'a
cutting of', fr. TO[-Llj, 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
Hystrix, n., a genus of porcupines (zoo/.) - L.,
fr. Gk. 6cr-rpL~, 'porcupine', which is of uncertain origin. It is perh. compounded of ucr-,
'upward, up to', fr. I.-E. *ud-, 'up' (whence also
Gk. ucr-npoc;, 'the latter', see hysteron proterun),
and &pL~, gen. -rprx.6c;, 'hair' (see tricho-). Accordingly Gk. 6cr-rpL~ would lit. mean 'having the
hair turned upward'.
Hystrix, n., a genus of plants, the bottle brush
grass (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. iJcr-rp~, 'porcupine' (see prec. word); so called in allusion to
the bristly spikes.

I
I, pers. pron. -ME. ich, i, fr. OE. ic, rei. to OS.,
OFris., Du. ik, ON. ek, Norw. eg, Dan. jeg,
Swed. jag, OHG. ih, MHG., G. ich, Goth. ik,
'I', and cogn. with OI. aham, Avestic aztm,
OPers. adam, Hitt. ilk, Arm. es, Gk. &yw, dial.
Gk. eywv, L. ego, VL. eo (whence It. io, Rum.
eu, OF. jou, F. je, OProven<;., Catal., Port. eu,
Sp. yo), OSiav. azu, jazu, Russ., Pol., Czech,
Slovakja, OLith. es, Lith. c:ls, Lett. es, OPruss. as,
'I'. Cp. ego, egoism, egotism.
i-, pref. representing in-, 'not', before gn in
words of Latin origin, as in ignore.
-ia, suff. used to form 1) names of countries;
2) names of diseases; 3) names of alkaloids;
4) names of flowers from the name of the discoverer or introducer. - L. -ia, or Gk. -W,
usually forming abstract nouns of feminine
gender. L. -ia and Gk. -lii are compounded of
a thematic or connective i, resp. t, and the fern.
suff. -a, resp. -ex.
-ia, pl. suff. used to form names of classes and
orders in botany and zoology. - 1) L. -ia, pl.
sutf. of nouns ending in the sing. in -ium or -e;
2) Gk. -tcx, pl. suff. of nouns ending in the sing.
in -Lov. L. -ia and Gk. -to:t are compounded of a
thematic or connective i, resp. t, and the neut.
pl. suff. -a, resp. -;x.
-ial, suff. forming English adjectives from Latin
adjectives in -is or ius. - L. -iii/is (neut. -iii/e)
which consists of a thematic or connective i and
suff. -i.ilis (see adj. suff. -al). Cp. e.g. E. celestial
formed fr. L. caelestis, 'heavenly', and E. senatorial, formed fr. L. seni.itorius, etc.
iamb, n., a metrical foot consisting of a short
syllable followed by a long one (pros.) - F.
iambe, fr. L. iambus, fr. Gk. tCXfL~oc;, which is a
loan word of pre-Hellenic origin. See Frisk,
GEW., I, p. 704 s.v. hfLf3oc;. Cp. the second
element in choliamb, choriamb, galliambic. For
the form and meaning of the word h:J.f3'Jt; cp.
ilL&)pocfL~oc; and ,'tpl'XfLf3oc; (see dithyramb,

triumph).
iambic, adj., pertaining to, or made up of, iambs;
n., I) an iamb; 2) an iambic. -F. iambique, fr.
L. iambicus, fr. Gk. !o:tfLf3Lx6c;, fr. hfLf3oc;. See
prec. word and -ic.
iambus, n., an iamb. - L. iambus. See iamb.
-ian, suff.; used to form adjectives from PN.'s
and-to a Jesser degree-from common nouns.
- L. -ii.inus (directly, or through the medium
of F. -ien); it consists of the vowel i (which
may be thematic or connective) and suff. -anus.
See -an.
Iapetus, n., one of the Titans, son of Uranus and
Ge, and father of Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoetius (Greek mythol.) - L.,
fr. Gk. 'I&rtuo~. which is perh. of Sem. origin

and rei. to Heb. Yepheth, name of the youngest

of the three sons of Noah; see Japheth. See
D. S. Margoliouth in Hastings, Dictionary of
the Bible, II, p. 549.
-iasis, suff., used to indicate I) a process (as in
odontiasis); 2) a morbid condition (as in eleMedical L., fr. Gk. -(cxcrtc;,
phantiasis). formed from the aorist of verbs ending in -Locw,
which often express bodily or mental disease.
Cp. e.g. :Aocpuyydw, 'I have a sore throat',
o8ont&w, 'I have toothache'.
iatric, also iatrical, adj., medical.- Gk. tii-rptx6c;,
'healing', fr. tii-rp6c;, 'physician', fr. !iicr&cxt, 'to
heal', which prob. stands for *!cr&1e:cr&cxL and
is rei. to !cxlve:Lv (for *!cr&vl<=tv), 'to refresh,
invigorate', fr. I.-E. base *eis-, 'to set in quick
motion', whence also Gk. !e:p6c;, 'holy, sacred',
orig. 'filled with (divine) force', and prop. identical with !e:p6c;, 'strong, lively, active, quick,
swift'. See hiero- and -ic and cp. ire. Cp. also
Jasione, Jason, 'leader of the Argonauts', the
first element in Jatropha and the second element
in pediatric.
-iatrics, combining form denoting 'treatment of
Gk.
disease', as in geriatrics, gyniatrics. !:X-rpLxlj (scil. -:ey_vr,), 'surgery, medicine'. See
prec. word and -ics.
iatro-, combiniag form meaning 1) physician;
2) medicine. - Gk. tiipo-, fr. !!Xp6c;, 'physician'. See iatric.
iatrology, n., the study of medicine. - Compounded of iatro- and Gk. -:Aoylii, fr. -A6yoc;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
-iatry, combining form meaning 'medical treatment'. - F. -iatrie, fr. Gk. ti-rpdi, 'healing,
medical treatment', fr. !ii-rp6c;, 'physician',
(whence also !!X-:pe:-Jzw, 'to treat medically').
See iatric.
Iberia, n., the ancient name of the Spanish peninsula. - L. Hiberia, Iberia, 'Spain', prop.
'country of the Hiberes or /heres', fr. Gk.
"If3r,pe:c;, 'the Spaniards', also name of an ancient
Asiatic people near the Caucasus. Cp. next
word.
Derivatives: Iheri-an, adj. and n.
Iberis, n., candytuft. - L. (quoted by Pliny), fr.
Gk. !f!r,pl;, 'pepperwort', lit. 'the Iberian plant',
fr. ''Jf3r;pz~. See prec. word.
ibex, n., the wild goat of the Alps. - L. ibex,
'a kind of goat, chamois', loan word fr. an
I.-E. language spoken in the Alps.
ibidem, adv., in the same place. - L., formed fr.
ibi, 'there', and the particle of identity -dem.
The adv. ibi is rei. to Umbr. ife, 'there, thither',
and cogn. with 01. i-hd, Avestic it5a, 'here', Gk.
t&iiyVij~, 'native, lawfully begotten, legitimate'

-ibility

(lit. 'here born'). All these words derive fr.

I.-E. *i-dha, *i-dhe, from the pronominal base
*i-; see idem and cp. the second element in alibi;
cp. also ubiety. The particle -dem in ibidem
derives fr. I.-E. *dl; see de- and cp. tandem.
-ibility, subst. suff. expressing ability, capacity,
fitness. - L. -lbilitiis, forming nouns from adjectives ending in -fbi/is. See -ible and -ity and
cp. -ability.
ibis, n., a large wading bird. - L. ibis, fr. Gk.
!~t<;, fr. Egypt. hib.
-ible, adj. suff. expressing ability, capacity, fitness. - L. -ibilis or -ibilis (either directly or
through the medium of F. -ible), compounded
of i (stem vowel of the 4th conjugation), resp. i
(stem vowel of the 3rd conjugation) and -bilis.
See -ble and cp. -able.
-ic, adj. suff. meaning 'pertaining to; of the
nature of'. It is still in use to form adjectives
I) from PN.'s (as in Slavonic, Napoleonic, etc.);
2) from nouns ending in -ist (see -istic). In chemistry, suff. -ic is used to denote a higher valence
of the element indicated in the adjective than is
expressed by suff. -ous. Cp. nitric acid (HN03
with nitrousacid(HN02 ) . - 1) Gk. -tx6~: either
directly, or through the medium of L. -icus, or
through the medium of F. -iqw~ and L. -icus. 2) L. -icus, a native suff. (as in civicus, classicus):
either directly (as in civic) or through the medium of F. -ique (as in classic). Cp. subst. suff.
-ic and suff. -atic.
-ic, subst. suff. used to form names of arts and
sciences (as music, logic, rhetoric). - Gk. -txf)
(short for -tx-1) -rxv1J, 'the art of'), fern. of -tx6<;.
Cp. e.g. E. music, fr. Gk. fl.Oumxf) (sci!. -rexv1J),
lit. 'musical art'. See adj. suff. -ic. Another way
of forming names of arts and sciences in Greek
was to use -txoc, the neut. pl. ending of adjectives in -tx6<;; see -ics.
-ical, adj. suff. compounded of the suffixes -ic
and -al.
Icarian, adj., pertaining to Icarus. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. /carius, fr. Gk. 'Ixocpto<;, 'of
Icarus', fr. "lxocpo<;. See next word.
Icarus, n., the son of Daedalus (Greek mytho/.)L. Icarus, fr. Gk. "lxocpo<;, 'Icarus', a name of uncertain origin.
ice, n. - ME. is, fr. OE. is, rei. to ON. iss, OS.,
OFris., MLG., OHG., MHG. is, Dan., Swed.
is, Du. ijs, G. Eis. Outside Teut. cp. Avestic
isav-, 'frosty', aexa-, 'ice', Afghanic asai, 'frost'.
Cp. iceberg, icicle, Isold.
Derivatives: ice, adj. and tr. v., ic-ing, n., icy
(q.v.)

-ice, suff. forming concrete and abstract nouns.

-ME. -ice, -ise, fr. OF. (F.) -ice fr. L. -itium (as
precipice, fr. OF. precipice, fr. L. praecipitium;
hospice, fr. OF. hospice, fr. L. hospitium). Cp.
the next two suffixes and subst. suff. -6e.
-ice, suff. forming nouns denoting dependence,
attachedness.- OF., F. -ice, fr. L. -icius, -ilius (as
novice, fr. OF. novice, fr. L. novicius, novitius).

764

-ice, suff. forming abstract nouns denoting quality, condition or function. - OF., F. -ice, fr. L.
-itia (as avarice, fr. OF. avarice, fr. L. aviiritia).
iceberg, n., a floating mass of ice. - Fr. Du. ijsberg (lit. 'mountain of ice'), with substitution
of E. ice for Du. ijs (see ice); cp. Dan. isbjerg,
Swed., Norw. isberg, G. Eisberg. For the etymology of the second element of these words
see borough and cp. barrow, 'mound'.
icebone, n., the aitchbone. - Rei. to OS., MLG.
isben, Dan. isben, MDu. isebeen, Du. ijsbeen,
OHG. ispein (G. Eisbein). The first element
in these compound words is borrowed fr. L.
ischia (pl.), fr. Gk. -riX tcrxloc, pl. of -ro tcrxlov,
'the hip joint'. See sciatic. For the second
element in icebone see bone.
Icerya, n., a genus of scale insects (entomol.)
- ModL., of unknown origin.
iclmeumon, n., I) the mongoose; 2) the ichneumon fly. - L., fr. Gk. !xve:uf.!.wv, lit. 'tracker',
fr. !xvwe:tv, 'to track, trace, hunt', fr. rxvo<;,
'track, footprint' (see ichno-); so called because
it digs up the eggs of the crocodile.
iclmite, n., a fossil footprint (paleontol.) Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. txvo<;,
'track, footprint'. See ichno-.
ichno-, combining form meaning 'track, trace,
footprint'. - Gk. txvo-, fr. rxvo<;, 'trace, footprint', of uncertain origin. It derives perh. fr.
I.-E. *ei-gh, 'to go', whence also Gk. arxof.!.oct,
'I go away', olxvew, 'I go, I come', Arm. i}anem
(aor. 3rd person sing. e}), 'I go down, descend',
Lith. eiga, 'going, course', Olr. oegi, 'guest'.
I.-E. *ei-gh- is an enlarged form of base *ei-,
'to go', whence Gk. df.!.t, L. eo (for *eio), 'I go'.
See itinerate.
ichnography, n., the art of making ground plans.
- F. ichnographie, fr. Late L. ichnographia, fr.
Gk. txvoypoc<Jl(ii, which is formed fr. ichno- and
-ypoc<Jllii, fr. ypci<jlttv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives: ichnograph-ic, ichnograph-ic-al,
adjs., ichnograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
iclmolite, n., a fossil footprint (paleontol.) Compounded of ichno- and Gk. J..(.&o<;, 'stone'.
See -lite.
iclmology, n., the study of fossil footprints. Compounded of ichno- and Gk. -J..oy(ii, fr.
-A6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain maDIIer);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative: ichnolog-ic-a!, adj.
ichor, n., an ethereal fluid supposed to flow in
the veins of the gods (Greek mythol.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. txwp, 'ichor; watery fluid', of uncertain,
prob. foreign, origin.
ichthus, n. - See ichthys.
icbthyo-, before a vowel icbthy-, combining form
meaning 'fish'.- Gk. tx.&uo-, tx.&u-, fr. tx-lhJ~.
'fish', which is cogn. with Arm. jukn, 'fish',
Lith. iuvis, Lett. zuvs, OPruss. suckans (pl. ace.),
ofs.m.
ichthyography, n., a treatise on fishes. - Lit. 'a
description of fishes', formed fr. ichthyo- and

765

Gk. -ypoc<JlLOC, fr. ypoc<jlttv, 'to write'. See -graphy.

Derivative: ichthyograph-ic, adj.
ichthyoid, adj., resembling a fish. - Gk. tx.&uoe:tllf)~. compounded of tx-lhJ~. 'fish' (see ichthy-)
and -oe:tllf)~. 'like', fr. e:!llo~, 'form, shape'. See
-oid.
ichthyolatry, n., the worship of fishes. - Compounded of ichthyo- and Gk. -J..oc-rpe:lii, -Aoc-rp(ii
fr. Aoc-rpdii, 'worship'. See -latry.
ichthyolite, n., a fossil fish. - Compounded of
ichthyo- and Gk. J.(.&o<;, 'stone'. See -lite.
ichthyology, n., that branch of zoology which
deals with fishes. - Compounded of ichthyoand Gk. -Aoy(ii, fr. -J.6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in
a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: ichthyolog-ic, ichthyolog-ic-al, adjs.,
ichthyolog-ic-al-ly, adv., ichthyolog-ist, n.
ichthyophagous, adj., eating fish. - Gk. tx.&uo<JlOCyo<;, compounded of tx.&6~. 'fish' (see ichthy-),
and <Jlocyo<;, fr. 'JlOCYt~v, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
Ichthyomis, n., a genus of toothed birds (paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of ichthy- and
Gk. lipvt<;, 'bird'. See omitho-.
Ichthyosauria, n. pl., an order of Mesozoic reptiles (paleontol.) - ModL., formed from next
word with suff. -ia.
Ichthyosaurus, n., the chief genus of Ichthyosauria (paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of
ichthyo- and Gk. crocupo<;, 'lizard'. See -saurus.
ichthyosis, n., a scaly disease of the skin (med.)Medical L., lit. 'fish disease', coined by the English physician Robert Willan (1757-I812) in r8or
fr. Gk. txM<;, 'fish' and suff. -wen<;. See ichthyoand -osis.
ichthys, ichthus, n., early Christian symbol in the
form of a fish.- Gk. tx-lhJ~;, 'fish'. See ichthyo-.
-ician, suff. denoting a person skilled in a specified
art or science, as in musician. -F. -icien, a suff.
compounded of -ique (whence E. -ic or -ics)
and -ien (whence E. -ian). Cp. e.g. E. logician,
fr. F. logicien, which is formed from the noun
logique (whence E. logic) and suff. -ien (E. -ian).
icicle, n. - ME. isikel, fr. OE. is, 'ice' (see ice)
and gicel, 'icicle', which is rei. to ON. jokull,
'icicle', jaki, 'broken ice', and cogn. with Olr.
aig, 'ice'. Cp. jokull.
-icity, subst. suff. denoting quality. - F. -icite,
fr. L. -icittitem, ace. of -icittis, which is nothing
but suff. -tiis added to adjectives ending in -icus
or in -ex, gen. -icis. (Cp. e.g. simplicity, fr. L.
simplicittis, fr. simplex, gen. simplicis.) Cp.
-acity. In many cases -icity is merely suff. -ity
added to adjectives ending in -ic (cp. electric,
electricity).
icon, n., an image, esp. sacred portrait of a saint.
- L. icon, fr. Gk. e:lxwv, gen. ztx6vo<;, 'likeness,
image, portrait, picture, statue', rei. to lmxw<;,
Att. dxw~. similar, like, reasonable', ~otxe:,
'is like, is fit', (xe:Ao~, 'like', and possibly cogn.
with Lith. i-vykti, 'to occur, come true', paveiks/as, 'example'. Cp. aecidium.

-ics

iconic, adj., I) pertaining to an icon; 2) conventional. - Late L. iconicus, fr. Gk. e:!xovtx6<;,
'pertaining to an image', fr. dxwv,gen.dx6vo~,
'image'. See icon and adj. suff. -ic.
icono-, combining form denoting an image, an
icon. - Gk. e:!xovo-, fr. e:!xwv, gen. 'e:tx6vo~,
'likeness, image'. See icon.
iconoclasm, n., the destruction of images. Compoundedoficono-and Gk. XAOCCJfl.OC, 'a breaking', fr. xAiiv, 'to break', fr. I.-E. base *qel(ii)-,
*qol(ti)-, 'to strike, beat'. See calamity and cp.
clastic and words there referred to.
iconoclast, n., a destroyer of images. - ML.
iconoclastes, compounded of icono- and Gk.
-XAOCCJn)<;, 'breaker', fr. xAiill. See prec. word.
Derivatives: iconoclast-ic, iconoclast-ic-a!, adjs.,
iconoclast-ic-al-ly, adv., iconoclast-ic-ism, n.
iconography, n., the study of portraits.- ML. iconographia, fr. Gk. dxovoypoc'jl(ii, 'sketch, description', which is compounded of dxwv, gen.
e:!x6vo<; (see icono-) and -ypoc<jl(ii, fr. ypoc<jlttv,
'to write'. See -graphy.
iconolatry, n., the worship of images. -Compounded of icono- and Gk. -Aoc-rpdii, -Aoc-rp(ii,
fr. J.oc-rpe;(ii, 'worship'. See -latry.
iconology, n., the study of icons.- Compounded
of icono- and Gk. -Aoy(ii, fr. -A6yo<;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
iconomachy, n., hostility to icons as objects of
devotion. - Gk. e:!xovof.!.ocx(oc, 'war against
images', compounded of dxwv, gen. dx611o<;,
'image' (see icono-), and f1.cXX1J 'battle'. See
-machy.
iconostasis, n., in the Greek Church, a screen on
which the icons are placed, separating the sanctuary from the rest of the church. - ModL., fr.
ModGk. e:txov6a-roccn:;, which is compounded
of Gk. dxwv, gen. dx6vo<;, 'image' (see icono-),
and a-r<Xat<;, 'standing, position'. See state.
icosahedron, n., a polyhedron with twenty planes
(geom.)- Gk. dxoaoce:llpov, 'a body with twenty
surfaces', compounded of dxom, 'twenty', and
ltllpii, 'seat; side, face, base'. See icosi- and
-hedron.
icosi-, before a vowel icos-, combining form
meaning 'twenty'. - Gk. dxom-, dxoa-, fr.
e:txom, 'twenty', rei. to Dor. fLxoc-rt and cogn.
with 01. vi,Sati/:1, L. vigintf, 'twenty'. See
vicenary.
-ics, suff. used to form names of arts and scien
ces. - Formally this suff. is nothing but the
plural of suff. -ic ( = "ic-s"). It was formed in
imitation of Gk. -txoc (neut. pl. of the adj. suff.
-tx6<;), used to form names of arts and sciences
in Greek. Cp. e.g. Gk. -riX fl.OC&!Jfl.ocnxi (neut. pl.
of fl.OC&!Jf1.<XTtx6<;, 'mathematical'), which was
Anglicized into 'mathematics' (meant as mathematic-s, i.e. pl. of mathematic). Another way of
forming names of arts and sciences in Greek
was the subst. use of -tx-1) (fern. of -tx6~),
shortened fr. -tX-1) TExvtl, 'the art of'; the cor-

icteric

responding English form is -ic. From the suffixes

-ic and -ics the former was used exclusively till
the end of the I 5th cent. (Cp. arithmetic, logic,
magic, music, rhetoric, which all go back to the
time before ISOO.) Since the second half of the
I 6th century, thesuff. -ics has been generally used
to form new names of sciences in English. Orig.
a plural, the suff. -ics is now usually construed
as a singular.
icteric, icterical, adj., affected with jaundice. L. ictericus, fr. Gk. 1xep~w\~, 'jaundiced', fr.
txepo~. See icterus and -ic, resp. also -al.
Icteridae, n. pl., a family of American oscine
birds, the oriole (ornithol.) - ModL., formed
from next word with suff. -idae.
icterus, n., jaundice (med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk.
'ixspo~. 'jaundice; oriole' (lit. 'a yellowish
bird'), which is pro b. rei. to 1x~~o~. 'kite', and
is cogn. with Arm. qin, 'kite', possibly also with
01. syend/.1, 'eagle, falcon'.
Icterus, n., a genus of American oscene birds,
the oriole (ornithol.)- ModL., fr. Gk. 'ixspo~.
'jaundice; oriole'. See prec. word.
ictic, adj., I) of the nature of a blow; 2) pertaining
to the ictus. -Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. ictus,
'blow'. See ictus.
ictus, n., verse stress (pros.) -- L. ictus, 'a blow,
stroke; metrical stress', fr. ictus, pp. of /cere,
'to strike'; cogn. with Gk. cdzf.tf., 'point of a
spear, spear' (which stands for aiksma), Lith.
iesmas, Lett. iesms, 'roasting spit', OPruss. aysmis (which prob. stand for aiksmos). Cp. the
first element in Aechmophorus.
icy, adj. - OE. fsig, fr. is, 'ice'. See ice and -y
(representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: ici-ly, adv., ici-ness, n.
id, n., inherited instinctive energies (psychoanalysis). - L. id, 'it', neut. of is, 'he' (see idem);
used as the translation of G. es, 'it', in Freud's
Das lch und das Es.
id, n., a hypothetical unit of germ plasm (bioi.)Coined by the German biologist August Weismann (1834-1914) from the first two letters of
ldioplasma. See idioplasm.
-id, adj. suff. denoting state or condition. - L.
-id(us), either directly or through the medium
of F. -ide.
-id, patronymic subst. suff. meaning 'daughter
of'. - L. -is, gen. -idis, fr. Gk. -[;, gen. -[or,;,
fern. patronymic suff. (cp. Nereid, fr. Gk.
:\r,pr,t;, gen. -tor,;, 'daughter of Nereus'; see
Nereid). This suff. is used also in astronomy,
where it is added to names of constellations and
serves to name meteors that appear to radiate
in showers from the respective constellation. Cp.
e.g. Andromedid, i.e. the meteor which appears
to radiate from the constellation Andromeda.
Cp. next suff.
-id, subst. and adj. suff. used in zoology to indicate members of a family, as in felid. ModL. -idae, pl. of -ides, fr. Gk. -[oIJ~, masc.
patronymic suff. (lit. 'son or descendant of').

767

766
Cp. prec. suff. Cp. also -ida, -idae, Ido.
-id, suff. in nouns from Greek, as in chrysalid,
pyramid; in botany, denoting a member of a
family (as in orchid). - Gk. -[~, gen. -[ilo~,
either I) directly or 2) through the medium of
L. -is, gen. -idis; 3) through the medium of F.
-ide, fr. L. -is, gen. -idis.
-id, suff. used in chemistry.- A var. of -ide.
Ida, fern. PN. - ML., fr. OHG. Ida, which IS
prob. related to ON. io, 'labor'.
-ida, pl. suff. used to form names of zoological
groups, classes, orders, as in Arachnida. ModL. neut. pl. suff. See zoo!. suff. -id and
-ida e.
-idae, pl. subst. suff. used to form the names of
families in zoology. - L., pl. of -ides, fr. Gk.
-lor.<;. masc. patronymic suff. See zoo!. suff. -id.
Idalia, n., a surname of Aphrodite (Greek mytho/.) - L. Idalia, fern. of Ida/ius, 'of, or pertaining to', ldalium, fr. ldalium, name of an
ancient town in Cyprus, sacred to Aphrodite,
fr. Gk. ~IMALO~.
-idan, suff. used to denote a member of the group
indicated by the suff. -ida (zoo/.) - Compounded of the suffixes -ida and -an.
idant, n., a hypothetical unit of germ plasm (bioi.)
-G., arbitrarily coined by August Weismann
fr. id, 'unit of germ piJsm', and suff. -ant. ld-ant
is supposed to mean 'an aggregation of ids'.
ide, n., a freshwater fish. - Swed. id.
-ide, suff. used to form names of compounds of
two elements (chem.) - Back formation fr.
oxide, in which the ending -ide was taken for a
suffix.
idea, n. - Late L. idea, fr. Gk. tili:ii, 'form,
kind, sort, nature, class, species, opinion, notion, idea, ideal form'. The original, prePlatonic meaning is 'look, semblance'. 'IilE:ii
pro b. stands for *ftlltcrii and derives fr. toe~~
(for *ftod~). 'to see', which is rei. to otilct. (for
*fo'i6-x), 'I know', doo~ (for i!ftBo~). 'I saw',
doo<; (for *fet:ar,<;), 'form, shape', lit. 'that
which is seen', dowAc.~. 'image, phantom',
~cr-:wp, Boeot. flcrwp (for .=[o-:wp), 'knowing,
learned', lcrop[ii, 'learning, knowledge', and
cogn. with L. videre, 'to see'. See vision and cp.
eido-, eidograph, eidolon, Hades, idol, idolatry,
idyll, iso-, kaleidophone, kaleidoscope, -oid.
Derivative: idea-ed, idae-'d, adj.
-idea, suff. used to form names of groups, classes
and orders (zoo!.) - ModL. Cp. suff. -ida.
ideal, adj. - F. ideal, fr. Late L. ideiilis, fr. idea.
See idea and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: ideal, n., ideal-ism, n., ideal-ist, n.,
ideal-ist-ic, adj., ideal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv ., ideal-ity,
n., ideal-ize, tr. and intr. v., ideal-iz-ation, n.,
idealiz-er, n., ideal-ly, adv., ideal-ness, n.
ideate, tr. and intr. v., to form an idea.- Formed
fr. idea with verbal suff. -ate.
idem, pron., the same. - L. Idem (masc.), eadem
(fern.), idem (neut.), 'the same'. This latter
stands for id-em, which is compounded of id,

II
I

'it' (neut. of is, 'he') and the emphatic particle

-em. The first element derives fr. I.-E. pronominal base *i-, whence also L. i-ta, 'so', i-bi,
'there', i-terum, 'again', Umbr. itek, 'so', OJ. i-ti,
'so, thus', itthli, 'here, there', ittham, 'so, thus',
it, emphatic particle, ayam, 'he', iyam, 'she',
Goth. is, 'he', ita, 'it', OHG., MHG. er, 'he', e3,
'it', G. er, 'he', es, 'it'. Throughamisdivisionof
L. id-em into i-dem, the fern. eadem (fr. ea-dem)
and the masc. idem(fr. is-dem)havebeenformed.
For the emphatic particle -em in id-em cp. it-em
'just so, in like manner' (fr. ita, 'so'), aut-em,
'however', quid-em, 'indeed, certainly' (fr. quid,
'what'). Cp. 01. idam (neut.), 'this', which
corresponds exactly to L. idem. See WaldeHofmann, LEW., I, 671 s.v. idem. Cp. id, 'instinctive energies', identic, identify, identity. Cp.
also item, iterate, the first element in ilk and
the second element in cestui and in interim.
identic, adj. - ML. identicus, formed from the
stem of Late L. identi-tiis, 'identity'. See identity
and -ic.
Derivatives: identic-a/, adj., identic-al-ly, adv.,
identic-al-ness, n.
identification, n. - See next word and -ation.
identify, tr. v. - Late L. identificare, formed
from the stem of identitiis, 'identity', and L.
-ficiire, fr. -ficus, fr. -ficere, unstressed form of
facere, 'to make, do'. See identity and -fy.
identity, n. --- F. identite, fr. Late L. identitiitem,
ace. of identitiis, 'identity', lit. 'sameness', fr. L.
idem, 'the same'; see idem and -ity. Late L.
identitas is prop. a loan translation of Gk. ocu6'1]~. 'identity', which is formed with suff. -TI)~
( = L. -tas), fr. 1"CI.'J1"6, contraction of ,c. ct.tn6,
'the same' ( = L. idem).
ideo-, combining form meaning 'idea'. - F.
ideo-, fr. Gk. toE:ii, 'form, idea'. See idea.
ideogram, n., symbol used in writing. - Compounded of ideo- and Gk. yp:ifL[.tct., 'that which
is written, a written character, letter". See -gram.
ideograph, n., an ideogram. -Compounded of
ideo- and Gk. -yp:x9o~, fr. yp:itpet~, 'to write'.
See -graph.
Derivatives: ideograph-ic, ideograph-ic-a/, adjs.,
ideographic-al-ly, adv., ideograph-y, n.
ideology, n.- F. ideologie, coined by the French
philosopher Destutt de Tracy (1754-I836) fr.
Gk. tilii, 'idea', and -Aoy[i, fr. -A6yo~. 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: ideolog-ic-al, adj., ideolog-ic-al-ly,
adv., ideolog-ist, n.
Ides, also ides, n. pl., the fifteenth day of March,
May, July, October; th;: thirteenth of the other
months (Roman calendar). - F., fr. L. idiis,
which is prob. of Etruscan origin.
-idine, -idin, suff. used in chemistry to denote a
compound which is related to another compound. - Compounded of the chemical suffixes -ide and -ine, resp. -in.
idio-, combining form meaning 'one's own;

idiotic

separate, distinct'.- Gk. til~o-, fr. to~o~, 'one's

own, private, personal, separate, distinct', .~or
*flllto~. fr. earlier *fMil~o~ (cp. Argive *rhell~ecrToc~. corresponding to Gk. tiltwTI)~. 'a private person'), for I.-E. *swed-yos, fr. base
*swed-, 'separate, set apart', whence als'o L. sed,
'but', sed, se, 'without', ult. from I.-E. reflexive
base *swe-, *se-. See se- and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also idiom, idiot.
idiohlast, n., a cell that differs from the surrounding cells in form or contents (bot.) Coined by the German embryologist Oskar
Hertwig (I849-1922) fr. idio- and Gk. f3Act.crT6~,
'bud, sprout, shoot'. See -blast.
idiocy, n.- Formed with suff. -cy fr. idiot. The
original spelling of the word was idiotcy. Later
the t was dropped on analogy of words like
prophecy (from prophet), etc.
idiom, n. - F. idiome, fr. L. idi6ma, fr. Gk.
tillw[.tct., 'peculiarity', esp. 'peculiarity in a language', fr. to~oUfLct.~, 'I make my own', fr. til~o~,
'one's own'. See idio- and -rna.
idiomatic, adj. - L. idi6maticus, fr. Gk. tatw[.tct.nx6~, fr. 1aiw[.tct., gen. 1atwf1.ct.To~. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ic.
Derivatives: idiomatic-al-ly, adv., idiomatic-alness, n.
idiomorphic, adj., having its proper form. Compounded of idio- and Gk. f.tOptp-/j, 'form,
shape'. See -morphic.
idiomorphous, adj., having its own form. - Gk.
ta~6[.toptpo~. compounded of raw~. 'one's own',
and f.tOptp-/j, 'form, shape'. See idio- and
-morphous.
idiopathy, n., a primary disease i.e. a disease not
caused by another disease. - Gk. towmi.&e~ct.,
'a disease having its own origin, compounded
Of taw~, 'one's OWn', and -rroc.&E~IX, fr. rroc.&o~,
'suffering'. See idio- and -pathy.
Derivatives: idiopathic, adj., idiopathic-al-ly,
adv.
idioplasm, n., that kind of protoplasm which is
supposed to be the physical basis of inheritance
(bioi.)-- G. Idioplasma coined by the botanist
Karl Wilhelm von Niigeli (1817-I901) in I884
fr. idio- and Gk. rrA&:cr[.tct., 'something molded'.
See plasma and cp. id, 'unit of germ, plasm',
idant.
idiosyncrasy, n., 1) temperament peculiar to an
individual; 2) mannerism.- Gk. til~O<>'Jyxplicrli,
'a peculiar temperament', lit. 'a proper blending
together', compounded of taLO~, 'one's own,
proper', cru~. 'with', and xp&cr~~. 'a blending'.
See idio-, syn- and crasis.
idiosyncratic, adj., pertaining to, or characterized
by, idiosyncrasy. - See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ic.
idiot, n.- F. idiot, fr. L. idiota, fr. Gk. to~WTI)~.
'private person, one not holding office, layman,
an ignorant', fr. ta~o~. See idio- and cp. idiocy,
idiom.
idiotic, adj. - L. idioticus, 'uneducated, ignor-

idiotism

ant', fr. Gk. t8wrnx6c:;, fr. t8LwnJc:;. See prec.

W'Jrd and adj. suff. -ic.
Derivatives: idiotic-al-ly, adv., idiotic-al-ness,

n.
idiotism, n., idiom (obso/.)- F. idiotisme, fr. L.
idiotismus, fr. Gk. t8LwTLCI'!J.6c:;, 'the way of a
private person', fr. tBLwrlt;eLv, 'to use common
language', fr. t8Lw'l"')c:;. See idiot and -ism.
-idium, dimin. suff. - ModL., fr. Gk. -l8wv.
idle, adj. -ME. ide/, 'empty; idle', fr. OE. ide/,
'empty, desolate, useless, vain, idle', rel. to OS.
ida/, OFris. ide/, 'emtpy, worthless', ODu. idil,
Du. ijdel, 'idle, vain', OHG. ita/, 'empty, useless',
MHG. itel, G. eitel, 'vain, useless; mere, pure'.
The basic meaning of these words is 'empty' ;
they are not cogn. with Gk. aJ&e:w, 'to bum', L.
aedes, 'a building, temple'.
Derivatives: idle, intr. and tr. v., idl-er, n., idleship, n., idl-ing, n., idl-y, adv.
Ido, n., an artificial language, prop. a simplified
and improved form of Esperanto devised in
1907 by a committee under the leadership of the
Frenchman Baudouin de Courtenay. - Fr.
Esperantic -ido, 'offspring', a suff. representing
L. -ida, fr. Gk. -l81]c:; (as in llp~ot:!J.L81]c:;, 'son,
descendant, of Priam', etc.). Cp. -idae.
idol, n. - ME. idole, fr. OF. ( = F.) idole, fr. L.
idolum, fr. Gk. e(8wJ,.ov, 'image, phantom;
idol', which is rei. to d8oc:;, 'form, shape'. See
idea and cp. idolum, eidolon.
Derivatives: idol-ize, tr. v., idoliz-ation, n.,
idoliz-er, n.
idolater, n., a worshiper of idols. - F. idolatre,
fr. Late L. idololatres, fr. Gk. d8wJ,.oJ,.~:hp1Jc:;,
'idol-worshiper', compounded of d8wJ,.ov,
'idol', and -MTp1J;, 'worshiper', which is rei. to
J,.tnpdii, 'worship'; see idol and -later. For the
contraction of Late L. idololatres into F. ido/atre
see haplology.
idolatress, n., a female idolater. - Formed fr.
prec. word with suff. -ess.
idolatrous, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
idolatry. - Formed fr. idolater with suff. -ous.
Derivative: idolatrous-ly, adv.
idolatry, n., worship of idols. - OF. idolatrie
(F. idolatrie), fr. Late L. idololatria, fr. Gk.
d8wJ,.o).cxTp(ii, 'worship of idols, idolatry',
which is compounded of et8wJ,.ov, 'idol', and
-Aot:"t'pdii, -Aot:"t'ptii, fr. A-npdii, 'worship'. See
idol and -latry. For the contraction of Late L.
idololatria into OF. idolatrie see idolater.
idolum, n., I) an idea; 2) a fallacy. - Late L.
ido/um, fr. Gk. e!8wJ,.ov, 'image, phantom, idea'.
Sec idol.
idoneous, adj., suitable, fit. - L. idoneus, 'fit, becoming, suitable', of uncertain origin. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff. ~us.
Derivative: idoneous-ness, n.
idrialin, n., a crystalline compound (chem.) See next word and chem. suff. -in.
idrlalite, n., a mineral whose main constituent
part is idrialin (mineral.) - Named after Idria,

768
a mining city in N. Italy. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
idyl, idyll, n. - L. idyllium, fr. Gk. dMAALov, 'a
little picture', whence 'a short descriptive poem',
dimin. of d8oc:;, 'form, shape'. See idea and cp.
idol.
Derivatives: idyl(l)-er, n., idyl(l}-ist, n., idyl(l)ize, tr. v., idy/(1}-ic, adj., idy/(1}-ic-al-ly, adv.,
idyl(l)-ic-ism, n.
-ie, dimin. suff., as in birdie, dearie; frequently
spelled -y.
-ier, suff. denoting occupation. - I) OF. or F.
-ier, fr. L. -iirius, as in cattier, financier, etc.;
2) added to English words as inglazier,graizier,
hosier, etc. See -ary and -eer and cp. -yer. Suff.
-ier is of the same origin and meaning as agential
suff. -er.
if, conj. - ME. gif, if, fr. OE. gi/, rei. to OS. ef,
ON. ef, if. OFris. gef. ef, ief. 'if', OHG. ibu, uba,
oba, 'if', MHG. oba, ob, G. ob, Du. of, 'if,
whether', Goth. ibai (interrogative particle). All
these conjunctions are prob. traceable to the
dative of a noun meaning 'doubt', and orig.
meant 'on condition that'. (Cp. ON. if, 'doubt',
OHG. iba, 'doubt, condition'.)
igloo, iglu, n., a snowhut. - Eskimo igdlu,
'snowhouse'.
Ignatius, masc. PN. - L. lgniitius, a collateral
form of Egniitius. Gk. 'Iyvci.noc:; is borrowed
from Latin. Cp. Inigo.
igneous, adj., fiery. - L. igneus, 'of fire, fiery', fr.
ignis, 'fire', which is cogn. with OI. agni/:r,
OSiav. ogni, Lith. ugnis, Lett. uguns, 'fire'. Cp.
Agni, gelignite. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L.
-us, see suff. -ous.
ignescent, adj., emitting sparks of fire. - L.
ignescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of ignescere,
'to take fire', formed with inchoative suff. -escere
fr. L. ignis, 'fire'. See igneous and -escent.
ignis fatuus, phosphorescent light seen hovering
over swamps, will-o'-the wisp; delusion.- L.,
lit. 'foolish fire'. See prec. word and fatuous.
ignite, tr. v., to set on fire; intr. v., to take fire.L. ignitus, pp. of ignire, 'to set on fire', fr. ignis.
See igneous.
Derivatives: ignit-able, adj., ignit-er, n., ignition, n.
ignivomous, adj., vomiting fire. - Late L. ignivomus, compounded of L. ignis, 'fire', and vomere, 'to vomit'. See igneous and vomit.
ignoble, adj., I) of low birth; 2) base; 3) dishonorable.- F., fr. L. ignobilis, 'unknown, undistinguished, obscure', fr. i- and OL. gnobilis
(L. nobilis), 'known. famous, renowned, noble'.
See noble.
Derivatives: ignoble-ness, n., ignobl-y, adv.
ignominious, adj., disgraceful, dishonorable, contemptible.- F. ignominieux(fem. ignominieuse),
fr. L. ignominiosus, 'disgraceful, shameful', fr.
ignominia. See next word and ~us.
Derivatives: ignominious-ly, adv., ignominiousness, n.

769
ignominy, n., disgrace, dishonor.- F. ignominie,
fr. L. ign6minia, 'disgrace, dishonor', lit. 'without a name', fr. i- and nomen, gen. nominis,
'name'. See name and cp. nominal.
Derivative: ignominious (q.v.)
ignoramus, n., an ignorant person. - L. ign6riimus, 'we do not know'. See ignore.
ignorance, n. - F., fr. L. ignorantia, 'want of
knowledge', fr. ignoriins, gen. -antis, pres. part.
of ignoriire. See ignore and -ance.
ignorant, adj. - F., fr. L. ign6rantem, ace. of
ignoriins, pres. part. of ignoriire. See ignore
and -ant.
Derivatives: ignorant, n., ignorant-ly, adv.
ignoration, n., the act of ignoring. - L. ign6riitio,
gen. -onis, fr. ignoriitus, pp. of ign6riire. See
ignore and -ation.
ignore, tr. v. - F. ignorer, fr. L. ignoriire, 'not
to know, to have no knowledge of, to be ignorant', fr. *in-gno-rus, 'not knowing' (cp. the
gradational variant igniirus, of s.m.); formed
fr. i- and I.-E. suff. *gno-, 'to know', whence also
OL. gnoscere, L. noscere, 'to know', L. n6tus,
'known', Gk. yLyvwCI'KELV, 'to know', yvw6c:;,
'known'. See know and cp. noble, note. Cp. also
gnome, 'a maxim', gnosis, gnostic.
iguana, n., a large tropical American lizard. Sp., fr. Caribbean iwana, ihuana, iuana. Cp.
guana and leguan.
lguanidae, n. pl., a family of lizards (zool.) ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
Iguanodon, n., a genus of dinosaurs (paleontol.)
- A hybrid coined fr. iguana and Gk. o8Wv,
gen. o86voc:;, 'tooth'. See odonto-.
ihleite, n., a hydrous ferric sulfate (mineral.) Named in I876 after Ihle, superintendent of
mines in Mugrau, Bohemia. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
ihram, n., the dress consisting of two white cloths
worn by Mohammedan pilgrims to Mecca. Arab. i/:rrdm, 'prohibition, interdiction', prop.
inf. of al)rama, 'he prohibited, interdicted', 4th
conjugation of l;uirama, 'he prohibited'. See
harem.
il-, assimilated form of in-, 'in', before 1, as in
illumine.
il-, assimilated form of in-, 'not', before 1, as
in illegal.
-il, suff. - A var. of -ile.
ilang-ilang, n., also ylang-ylang, a tree of the
Philippines, Malaysia, etc. ( Canagium odcratum).
- Tagala, lit. 'flower of flowers'.
-ile, also -il, adj. suff. denoting ability or capacity. - L. -ilis (either directly or through the
medium of OF. or F. -if, fern. -i/e).
ile-, combining form. - See ileo-.
ileac, adj., pertaining to the ileus. - See iliac,
'pertaining to the ileus'.
ileitis, n., inflammation of the ileum (med.) Medical L., formed fr. ileum with suff. -itis.
ileo-, ile-, combining form denoting the ileum.
-See ileum.

illation

ilesite, n., a hydrous manganese zinc iron sulfate

(mineral.) - Named after the metallurgist
M. W.Iles of Denver (died in 1890), who analyzed it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ileum, n., the lower part of the small intestine
(anat.) - L. ileum, 'groin, flank'. See iiium.
ileus, n., colic (med.) - L. ileos, ileus, 'a severe
kind of colic', fr. Gk. eD.e6.;, J,.e6c:;, of s.m.,
orig. 'a winding, twisting', fr. e!J,.tw, 'I wind,
roll up tight', which stands for *feA-vtw, fr.
I.-E. base *wei-, 'to bend, tum, twist, roll'. See
volute and cp. words there referred to.
ilex, n., 1) the holm oak; 2) (cap.) a genus of
plants, the holly (bot.) - L. i/ex, prob. a preIndo-European word.
iliac, adj., pertaining to the ilium. -F. iliaque,
'pertaining to the ilium', fr. L. iliacus, fr. ilia,
pl. of Ilium. See ilium.
iliac, also ileac, adj., pertaining to the ileus. F. iliaque, fr. L. ileus, 'colic'; confused with
iliaque, 'pertaining to the ilium'. See ileus and
cp. prec. word.
Diad, n., Greek epic poem attributed to Homer
telling of the siege of Troy. - L. !lias, gen.
lliadis, fr. Gk. ~IALci.~, gen. ~IAL<i8oc:;, 'the Iliad',
short for ~~J,.~&;c:; n:ot1JcrLc:;, lit. 'poem treating of
Ilium', fr. 1Aw~ IJ,.wv, 'Ilium, Troy', prop.
'city of Ilus', fr. TIJ,.oc:;, 'Ilus', founder of Ilium.
For the ending see suff. -ad.
ilio-, combining form meaning I) 'of the ilium';
2) 'iliac and'. -Fr. L. ilium. See ilium.
-ility, a suff. denoting ability. - F. -ilite, fr. L.
-ilitiitem, ace. of -ilitiis; formed from adjectives
ending in -ile, -il, -able, -ible, as in fragility,
civility, capability, sensibility.
ilium, n., one of the broad upper bones of the
pelvis (anat.) - L. ilium (also ile and ileum),
usually pl. ilia, 'groin, flank', prob. cogn. with
Gk. LALet, explained by Hesychius as !J.6pLot:
yuvcx~xeiet (female genitals), possibly also with
Pol. jelito, 'gut, sausage'; pl. 'intestines'. Cp.
ileum, iliac, 'pertaining to the ilium', jade,
'nephrite'.
ilk, adj., the same (obsol.); n., family, kind (colloq.)- ME. i/ke, ilk, fr. OE. ilea, 'the same',
which prob. stands for *i-lica, fr. i-, 'the same'
(from the pronominal base *i-, whence also
Goth. is, 'he'), and OE. gelic, 'like'. See idem
and like, adj., and cp. each.
ill, adj. -ME. ille, ill, fr. ON. illr, 'ill, bad', of
uncertain origin.
lllaqueate, tr. v., to ensnare. - L. illaqueiitus,
pp. of illaqueiire, 'to take in a snare, ensnare',
formed fr. in-, 'in', and laqueiire, 'to ensnare',
fr. laqeus, 'noose, snare', which is rei. to /acere,
'to entice'. See lace and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. lliiclum.
Illation, n., inference; that which is inferred. L. illiitio, 'deduction', lit. 'a carrying or bringing in', fr. illiitus, 'brought in' (used as pp. of
inferre, 'to bring in'), fr. in-, 'in', and latus,
'born, carried' (used as pp. of ferre, 'to bear,
4

770

illative

carry'), which stands for *tliitos, fr. *tf-, zero

degree of I.-E. base *tel-, *to!-, 'to bear, carry',
whence L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', toleriire, 'to
bear, support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and
words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ion.
illative, adj., pertaining to an illation, inferential.
- Late L. illiitivus, fr. L. illiitus, 'brought in'.
See prec. word and -ive.
Derivative: illative-ly, adv.
illaudable, adj., not laudable. - L. illaudiibilis,
fr. in-, 'not' and laudiibilis, 'praiseworthy,
laudable'. See laudable.
Derivatives: illaudabl-y, adv.
ille, pron., that one, he. - L., altered-prob.
under the influence of is, 'he', iste, 'this, that'fr. OL. o/lus, olle, 'that one, he', which is rei.
to Oscan ulleis, 'his' (corresponding to L. illius,
gen. of i//e), and to L. ol-im, 'formerly', ul-tra,
'on the other side, beyond', prob. also to a/-ius,
'another', and cogn. with OSiav. /ani, Czech
/oni, Pol loni (for *o/nei), 'last year' (lit. 'in
that year'), Olr. oll, 'large, wide, ample', lit.
'beyond (measure)'. The personal pronouns:
It. eg/i, ella, 'he, she', Rum. el, ea, Proven~. el,
i/a, F. il, e/le, Catal. ell, ella, Sp. el, ella, Port.
e/le, ella, 'he, she', and the defin. articles: It.
i/, lo, Ia, Rum. -le, Proven~. lo, le, Ia, F. /e, Ia,
Sp. e/, /o, Ia, Port. o, a, 'the', all derive fr. L. i//e,
'he', resp. ilia, 'she'. See else, ultra and cp. Ia,
alarm, alfresco, Algernon, aUigator, al segno,
dal segno, del credere, El Dorado, lagniappe,
langue d'oil, lierre, !ingot, louver, postil.
illegal, adj. - F. illegal, fr. ML. i/ligiilis, 'unlawful, illegal', which is formed fr. in-, 'not',
and L. ligiilis, 'pertaining to law, legal'. See
legal.
Derivatives illegal-ity, n., illegal-ly, adv., illegalness, n.
illegible, adj.- Formed fr. in-, 'not', and legible.
Derivatives: illegibil-ity, n., illegible-ness, n.,
illegibl-y, adv.
illegitimacy, n. - Formed fr. illegitimate with
suff. -cy. Cp. legitimacy.
illegitimate, adj. - Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
legitimate.
Derivatives: illegitimate, n. and tr. v., illegitimat-ion, n.
illiberal, adj. - F. illiberal, fr. L. i//iberii/is, 'unworthy of a freeman, ungenerous', which is
formed fr. in-, 'not', and liberii/is, 'pertaining
to a freeman, pertaining to freedom'. See
liberal.
Derivatives: illiberal-ity, n., illiberal-ly, adv.,
illiberal-ness, n.
iUicit, adj., not lawful. - F. illicite, fr. L. i//icitus, 'not allowed, unlawful, illegal', which is
formed fr. in-, 'not', and licitus, 'allowed, lawful'. See licit.
Derivatives: illicit-ly, adv ., illicit-ness, n.
Illicium, n., a genus of trees of the magnolia
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. L. illicium, 'allure-

ment', lit. 'that which entices or allures', fr. in-,

'in', and lacere, 'to entice'; see lace and cp.
illaqueate. For the change of Latin ii (in liicere)
to i (in il-licere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred t:>.
illinition, n., a smearing in or on. - Formed
with suff. -ition fr. L. il/inire, a later var. of i/linere, 'to besmear', fr. in-, 'in', and /inire, a later
var. of linere, 'to smear, daub'. See liniment
and -ion.
illinium, n., an element of the rare-earth group,
now called promethium (chem.) - ModL.,
coined in 1926 by the American chemist B. Smith
Hopkins, of the University of Illinois, from the
name of the State of Illinois. For the ending see
suff. -ium.
illiteracy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
illiterate, adj. - L. illiteriitus, 'unlearned, ignorant', fr. in-, 'not', and literiitus, 'learned'. See
literate.
Derivatives: illiterate, n., illiterate-ly, adv., illiterate-ness, n.
ill-starred, adj. - Coined fr. ill, star and -ed.
Cp. evil-starred.
illth, n. - Coined by the English author and art
critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) in 186o (see
Unto this Last, IV, 126) fr. ill and subst. suff. -th
on the analogy of wealth. Cp. coolth.
illude, tr. v., to !ll'Xk (:J'Ys:Jl.); tc tr:ck. - L. ;;.
/iidere, 'to play with, sport with, mock at; to
deceive', fr. in-, 'in', and liidere, 'to play'. See
ludicrous and cp. allude and words there referred to.
illume, tr. v. -Shortened fr. illumine.
illuminant, adj., illuminating. - L. illiiminiins,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of illiiminiire. See next
word and -ant.
illuminate, tr. v. - L. i//iiminiitus, pp. of illiiminiire, 'to make light, illuminate', fr. in-, 'in',
and lumen, gen. liiminis, 'light'. See luminous
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. allumette, limn.
Derivatives: illuminat-ed, adj., illuminat-ing,
adj., illuminat-ing-ly, adv., illumination (q.v.),
illuminat-ive, adj., illuminator (q.v.)
illuminati, n. pl., I) persons professing to possess
superior enlightenment; 2) (cap.) name of
various sects.- L., lit. 'enlightened',pl.ofil/iiminiitus, pp. of illiiminiire. See prec. word.
illumination, n. - F., fr. L. il/iiminiitionem, ace.
of i/liiminiitio, 'a lighting up; enlightening', fr.
il/iiminiitus, pp. of illiiminiire. See illuminate and
-ion.
illuminator, n. - Eccles. L. illuminator, 'an enlightener' (in ML. also 'illuminator of books'),
fr. L. illiiminiitus, pp. of illiiminiire. See illuminate
and agential suff. -or.
illumine, tr. v., to illuminate. - F. il/uminer, fr.
L. il/iiminiire. See illuminate.
muminism, n., the doctrines of the Illuminati. F. i/luminisme, fr. L. illuminiire. See IDuminati
and -Ism.

771

Jlluminist, n., a believer in Illuminism. -Formed

with suff. -ist fr. L. illiiminiire. See Illuminati.
illusion, n. -F., fr. L. illiisionem, ace. of illusio,
'a mocking, jesting', in Eccles. L. 'deception,
illusion', fr. il/iisus, pp. of illiidere, 'to play with,
sport with, mock at; to deceive'. See illude and
-ion and cp. allusion and words there referred to.
Derivatives: illusion-al, adj., illusion-ary, adj.,
illusion-ed, adj., illusion-ism, n., illusion-ist, n.
illusive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. il/iisus, pp. of illiidere, 'to play with, sport with,
mock at; to deceive'. See illude, and cp. allusive
and words there referred to.
Derivatives: illusive-ly, adv., illusive-ness.
illusory, adj. - Late L. illiisorius, 'ironical', fr.
L. i!liisus, pp. of illiidere. See illusion and adj.
suff. -ory and cp. elusory.
Derivatives: illusori-ly, adv., illusori-ness, n.
illustrate, tr. v. - L. illiistriitus, pp. of illiistriire,
'to make light, light up, enlighten, illustrate,
render illustrious', fr. in-, 'in', and /iistriire, 'to
illuminate'. See luster, 'brilliance', and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: illustration (q.v.), illustrat-ive, adj.,
illustrat-ive-ly, adv., illustrator (q.v.)
illustration, n. - F., fr. L. illiistriitionem, ace. of
i!liistriiti6, 'an en1 ;ghtening', fr. il!!;s:riit:J.;, ~p.
of i/liistriire. See illustrate and -ion.
Derivative: illustration-al, adj.
illustrator, n. - L. illiistriitor, 'an enlightener',
fr. illiistriitus, pp. of illustriire. See illustrate and
agential suff. -or.
illustrious, adj. - L. illiistris, 'light, bright, brilliant; clear; famous', prob. back formation fr.
illiistriire. See illustrate and -ous.
Derivatives: illustrious-ly,adv., il/ustrious-ness,n.
Illyrian, adj., pertaining to Illyria, an ancient
country extending along the NE. shore of the
Adriatic. - Formed with suff. -an fr. L. 1//yria,
fr. Gk. 'IA:Auploi, which is short for Tj :x:6lpoi Tj
'IA:Aup(oi, 'the Illyrian country', 'IA:Aup(oi being
the fern. of 'Illupto~, 'Illyrian'.
Derivative: Illyrian, n., 1) an inhabitant of 11lyria; 2) the language of the Illyrians.
ilmenite, n., a mineral compounded of iron,
titanium and oxygen (mineral.) - Named after
the limen Mountains in the Ural. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
ilvaite, n., an iron calcium silicate (mineral.) Named after L. /Iva, name of the island now
called Elba, where it was found. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
llysanthes, n., a genus of plants, the false pimpernel (bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk.
tA6~. 'mud, mire', and <Xv&o~, 'flower'. The first
element is cogn. with OSlav. i/ii, 'mud, mire'.
For the second element see anther.
im-, assimilated form of in-, 'in', before b, m,
p, as in imbibe, immanent, impart. In some English words im- alternates with em- (q.v.)
im-, assimilated form of in-, 'not', before b, m,
p, as in imbecile, immature, impatient.

imbed

image, n. -F., fr. OF. imagene, fr. L. imiiginem,

ace. of imiig6, 'representation, likeness, picture,
image, appearance, idea', from the stem of
imitiiri, 'to copy, imitate'. See imitate.
Derivatives: image, tr. v., image-able, adj.,
imagery (q.v.)
'
imagery, n., use of figurative language. - ME.
imagerie, fr. OF. imagerie, fr. imagier, 'painter'
(whence obsol. E. imager), fr. image. See prec.
word and -ery.
imaginable, adj. - Late L. imiiginiibilis, fr. L.
imiiginiirf. See imagine and -able.
Derivatives: imaginable-ness, n., imaginabl-y,
adv.
imaginal, adj., pertaining to the imago of an
insect. - Formed with suff. -al fr. L. imiigo,
gen. imiiginis. See image.
imaginary, adj. - L. imiiginiirius, 'that which
exists only in appearance, imaginary', fr. imiig6,
gen. imiiginis. See image and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: imaginari-ly, adv., imaginari-ness, n.
imagination, n. - ME., fr. L. imiiginiiti6nem,
ace. of imiiginiitio, 'mental image, fancy', fr.
imiiginiitus, pp. of imiiginiirf. See imagine and
-ation.
Derivative: imagination-a!, adj.
imagir.ative, aJj. - OF. imaginalif (Iem. imaginative), fr. Late L. imiiginiitivus, 'imaginative',
fr. L. imiiginiitus, pp. of imiiginiiri. See next word
and -ive.
Derivatives: imagf;1ative-ly, adv., imaginativeness, n.
imagine, tr. and intr. v. - ;.fE., fr. MF. (=F.)
imaginer, fr. L. imiiginiiri, 'to picture to oneself,
imagine', fr. imago, gen. -inis; see image. L.
imiiginiiri is prop. a loan translation of Gk.
qJcxv-rci~Ecr.&cu, 'to become visible, imagine'. See
image. Derivative: imagin-er, n.
imago, n., the final stage of an insect (entomol.)L. imiigo, 'picture'. See image.
imam, also imaum, n., I) the leading priest in a
Moslem mosque; 2) religious leader oflslam.Arab. irrulm, 'leader', lit. 'one who precedes', fr.
timma, 'he preceded'.
imamah, n., the office or dignity of an imam. Arab. irruima", fr. imdm. See prec. word.
imaret, n., in Turkey, an inn. -Turk., fr. Arab.
'irrulra", 'pious institution, hospice', fr. 'timara,
'he lived'.
imbecile, adj., mentally feeble; n., a mentally
feeble person. - F. imbecile, fr. L. imbici/lus,
'weak, feeble', which prob. stands for *imbacci!los and lit. means 'without a staff, without
support', fr. in-, 'not', and hacillum, 'a small
staff', dimin. of baculum, 'staff'. See bacillus
and cp. debacle.
Derivative: imbecile-ly, adv.
imbecility, n. - F. imbecil/ite, fr. L. imbici/litiitem, ace. of imbicillitiis, 'weakness, feebleness', fr. imbicillus. See prec. word and -ity.
imbed, tr. v.- Formed fr. lm-, 'in', and bed; var.
of embed.

imbibe

imbibe, tr. v., to drink in.- F. imbiber, fr. L. imbibere, 'to drink in', fr. in-, 'in', and bibere, 'to
drink', whence bibulus, 'drinking readily'. See
bibulous and cp. beverage. Cp. also imbrue.
Derivatives: imbib-er, n., imbibition (q.v.)
imbibition, n.- F., fr. L. imbibit-(um), pp. stem
of imbibere, 'to drink in'. See prec. word and
-ition.
imbitter, tr. v., obsol. var. of embitter.
imbrex, n., a roof tile (Roman antiq.) - L. See
next word.
imbricate, adj., overlapping like tiles (zool. and
bot.)- L. imbriciitus, 'covered with tiles', pp.
of imbriciire, 'to cover with tiles; to form like
a tile', fr. imbrex, gen. imbricis, 'a hollow roof
tile to lead off the rain', fr. imber, gen. imbris,
'rain', which stands for *mbhros and is cogn.
with Gk. 1)11-~PO~, 'rain', or. abhram, 'cloud,
atmosphere', Avesticawr 11m, 'cloud', OI. ambha/:1,
'water', Arm. amb, amp, 'cloud', ump, 'drink',
and also with L. nebula, 'mist'. See nebula and
cp. ombro-. Gk. &<pp6~, 'foam', is not cognate
with L. imber, but with Arm. p'rp'ur, 'foam'.
imbricate tr. v., to lay so as to overlap; intr. v.,
to overlap. - L. imbriciitus, pp. of imbriciire.
See imbricate, adj.
Derivatives: imbricat-ed, adj., imbricat-ion, n.,
imbricat-ive, adj.
imbroglio, n., a confused situation; perplexity.It., fr. imbrogliare, 'to entangle, confuse, emb;oil', which prct. deri:es fr. MF. ( = F.) embrouiller. See embroil.
imbrue, tr. v., to stain, soil. - ME. embrowen,
embrewen, fr. OF. embevrer, embreuver, 'to give
to drink, to moisten', fr. VL. *imbiberiire, 'to
give to drink', which is formed fr. in-, 'in', and
L. bibere, 'to drink'. See bibulous and cp. imbibe.
imbrute, tr. v., to make like a brute; intr. v., to
sink to the level of a brute. - Formed fr. in-,
'in', and brute.
imbue, tr. v., to saturate. - L. imbuere, 'to wet,
moisten, stain, taint; to accustom, inure, initiate', of uncertain origin.
imburse, tr. v., to put into one's purse or a purse.
(rare). - VL. imbursiire (whence also F. embourser}, fr. in-, 'in', and Late L. bursa, 'leather
bag'. See burse and cp. bursar, reimburse.
imide, imid, n., a compound of the bivalent radical NH united to a bivalent acid radical (chem.)
- Coined through alteration of amide, amid.
imido-, combining form meaning 'containing the
bivalent radical NH united to a bivalent acid
radical' (chem.) - Fr. prec. word.
imidogen, n., the bivalent radical NH (chem.) Coined fr. imido- and -gen.
imine, imin, n., a compound containing the bivalent radical NH united to a bivalent hydrocarbon radical (chem.)- Coined through alteration of amine, amin.
imino-, combining form meaning 'containing the
bivalent radical NH united to nonacid radicals'
(chem.) - Fr. prec. word.

772

imitable, adj. - F., fr. L. imitiibilis, 'that which

may be imitated, imitable', fr. imitiiri. See next
word and -able.
Derivatives: imitabil-ity, n., imitable-ness, n.
imitate, tr. v. - L. imitiitus, pp. of imitiiri, 'to
represent, copy, imitate, counterfeit', rei. to
im-iig6, 'representation, likeness, picture, image,
appearance, idea', and in gradational relationship to aemulus, 'striving to equal', aemuliiri,
'to strive to equal'. See image and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. emulate. Cp. also even, adj.
imitation, n.- F., fr. L. imitiitionem, ace. of imitiitio, 'imitation', fr. imitiitus, pp. of imitiiri. See
prec. word and -ion.
imitative, adj. - L. imitiitivus, fr. imitiitus, pp.
of imitiiri. See imitate and -ive.
Derivatives: imitative-ly, adv., imitative-ness, n.
immaculacy, n.- Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
immaculate, adj., spotless; pure. - L. immaculiitus, 'unstained', fr. in-, 'not', and maculiitus,
'spotted, stained', pp. of maculiire, 'to make
spotted, to stain; to defile', fr. macula, 'spot,
mark'. See macula and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: immaculate-ly, adv., immaculateness, n.
immane, adj. (archaic), r) monstrous, huge; 2) inhuman; cruel.- L. immiinis, 'monstrous, enormous, huge', lit. 'not good', fr. in-, 'not' and
OL. miinus, 'good', which is rei. to miines, 'the
gods of the LlwerWorld', lit. 'the good gods', a
euphemistic term. See manes.
Derivatives: immane-ly, adv., immane-ness, n.
immanence, immanency, n. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
immanent, adj., indwelling; inherent. - Late L.
immanens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of immanere,
'to dwell in, remain in', fr. in-, 'in', and L. manire, 'to remain, stay'. See remain and -ent.
Derivatives: immanent-a{, adj., immanent-ly,
adv.
immanity, n., monstrosity, enormity. - L. immiinitiis, 'monstrous', fr. immiinis. See immane
and -ity.
Immanuel, masc. PN. - Heb. 'Immiinu'll, lit.
'God (is) with us'. This name is compounded
of 'immdnu, 'with us' (which is formed fr. 'im,
'with', with the pronominal suff. of the rst
person pl.), and El, 'God'. Heb. 'im derives fr.
stem '-m-m, 'to join, be united', whence also
'am, 'people'. See Amhaarez. For the second
element in the name Immanuel see El. Cp. Emmanuel, Manuel.
immarcessible, adj., unfading, imperishable. Late L. immarcescibilis, 'unfading', fr. in-, 'not',
and marcescibilis, 'withering', fr. L. marcescere,
'to wither, pine away'. See marcescent and -ible.
Derivatives: immarcessible-ness, n., immarcessibl-y, adv.
immaterial, adj. - ML. immateriiilis, fr. in-,
'not', and Late L. m1teriiilis, 'of matter;
material'. See materiaL

773

Derivatives: immaterial-ism, n., immaterial-ist,

n., immaterial-ity, n., immaterial-ize, tr. v., immaterial-ly, adv., immaterial-ness, n.
immature, adj. - L. immaturus, 'unripe, untimely, immature', fr. in-, 'not', and maturus,
'ripe, mature'. See mature.
Derivatives: immatur-ity, n., immature-ly, adv.,
immature-ness, n.
inrmeasurable, adj. -Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
measurable. Cp. immensurable.
Derivatives: immeasurabil-ity, n., immeasurableness, n., immeasurabl-y, adv.
immediacy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
immediate, adj.- ML. immediiitus, fr. in-, 'not',
and Late L. mediiitus, pp. of mediiire, 'to divide
in the middle, to halve'. See mediate, v., and cp.
intermediate.
Derivatives: immediate-ly, adv., immediateness, n.
immedicable, adj., incurable.- L. immediciibilis,
'incurable', fr. in-, 'not', and mediciibilis,
'curable'. See medicable.
inrmemorable, adj., not memorable. - L. immemorabilis, fr. in-, 'not', and memoriibilis,
'remarkable, memorable'. See memorable.
immemorial, adj., extending beyond memory.ML. immemoriiilis, fr. in-, 'not', and L. memoriiilis, 'of memory'. See memorial.
Derivative: immemorial-ly, adv.
immense, adj.- F., fr. L. immensus, 'immeasurable, boundless, vast, immense', fr. in-, 'not',
and mensus, 'measured', pp. of metior, metiri,
'to measure'. See measure, mete.
Derivatives: immense, n., immense-ly, adv., immense-ness, n., immensity (q.v.)
inrmensity, n. - F. immensite, fr. L. immensitiitem, ace. of immensitiis, 'immeasurableness,
immensity', fr. immensus. See prec. word and
-ity.
immensurable, adj.- F., fr. Late L. immensuriibilis, 'immeasurable', fr. in-, 'not', and mensuriibilis, 'measurable'. See mensurable.
Derivatives: immensurabil-ity, n., immensurableness, n.
immerge, tr. v., to immerse; intr. v., to plunge.L. immergere, 'to plunge into'. See next word.
immerse, tr. v., to plunge into. - L. immersus,
pp. of immergere, 'to plunge into', fr. in-, 'in',
and mergere, 'to dip, immerse, plunge'. See
merge and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: immers-ed, immers-ible, adjs., immersion (q.v.)
inrmersion, n. - Late L. immersi6, gen. -6nis, 'a
plunging into', fr. L. immersus, pp. of immergere.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: immersion-ism, n., immersion-ist, n.
immigrant, adj. and n. - L. immigrans, gen. -antis, pres. part. of immigriire. See next word and
-ant.
immigrate, intr. and tr. v.- L. immigriit-(um),
pp. stem of immigriire, 'to go or remove into',

1m moralism

fr. in-, 'in', and migriire, 'to remove (from one

place to another)'. See migrate.
Derivatives: immigrat-ion, n., immigrat-ory, adj.
imminence, inrminency, n. - Late L. imminentia,
fr. L. imminens, gen. -entis. See next word and
-ce, resp. -cy.
imminent, adj.- L. imminens, gen. imminentis,
pres. part. of imminere, 'to hang over, project
over; to threaten, be imminent', fr. in-, 'in', and
I.-E. base *men-, 'to stand out, project'. See
mount, 'hill, mountain', and -ent and cp. eminent, prominent.
Derivatives: imminent-ly, adv., imminent-ness,n.
inrmission, n., injection. - L. immissio, gen.
-onis, 'a sending in, introduction', fr. immissus,
pp. of immittere. See next word and -ion.
immit, tr. v., to send in; to inject.- L. immittere,
'to send in, introduce', fr. in-, 'in', and mittere,
'to send'. See mission.
immitigable, adj. - Late L. immitigiibilis, 'not
mitigable', fr. in-, 'not', and L. mitigiire, 'to
make soft, mitigate'. See mitigate and -able.
immobile, adj. - F., fr. L. immobilis, 'immovable', fr. in-, 'not', and mobilis, 'movable'. See
mobile.
immobility, n. - F. immobilite, fr. L. immobilitatem, ace. of imm6bilitiis, 'immovableness', fr.
immobilis. See prec. word and -ity.
immobilize, tr. v. - F. immobiliser, fr. L. immobilis. See immobile and -ize.
Derivative: immobiliz-ation, n.
immoderate, adj. - L. immoderiitus, 'without
measure; intemperate, unrestrained', fr. in-,
'not', and moderiitus, pp. of moderiire, 'to moderate'. See moderate, adj.
Derivatives: immoderate-ly, adv., immoderateness, n.
immoderation, n. - L. immoderiitio, gen. -onis,
'want of moderation, excess', fr. immoderiitus.
See prec. word and -ion.
immodest, adj. - L. immodestus, 'unrestrained,
immoderate', fr. in-, 'not', and modestus,
'measured, moderate; modest'. See modest.
Derivative: immodest-ly, adv.
immodesty, n. - L. immodestia, 'immoderate
conduct', fr. immodestus, 'immoderate'. See
prec. word and Y (representing L. -ia).
inrmolate, tr. v., to kill (a sacrificial victim), to
sacrifice. - L. immoliitus, pp. of immoliire, 'to
sacrifice', lit. 'to sprinkle (the sacrificial victim)
with meal', fr. in-, 'in', and mala, 'mealstone;
meal'. See molar, 'grinding' and verbal suff. -ate.
immolation, n. - L. immoliitio, gen. -6nis, 'a
sacrificing', fr. immoliitus, pp. of immoliire. See
prec. word and -ion.
inrmoral, adj.- Formed fr. in-, 'not', and moral.
Derivatives: immoral-ity, n., immoral-ly, adv.
immoralism, n., moral indifference; immorality.
- G. Immoralismus, coined by the German
philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844
1900) fr. F. (=E.) immoral (see prec. word) and
suff. -ismus, fr. L. -ismus. See -ism.

immoralist

immoralist, n., an advocate of immoralism.

See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: immoralist, immoralist-ic, adjs.
immortal, adj. - L. immortiilis, 'deathless, undying, immortal, everlasting', fr. in-, 'not', and
mortiilis, 'mortal'. See mortal and cp. immortelle.
Derivatives: immortal, n., immortality (q.v.),
immortalize (q.v.)
immortality, n. - F. immortalite, fr. L. immortiilitdtem, ace. of immortolitas, 'immortality', fr.
immortiilis. See prec. word and -ity.
immortalize, tr. v.- Formed with suff. -ize fr. L.
immortiilis. See immortal.
Derivative: immortaliz-ation, n.
immortelle, n., any of various flowers which preserve their shape and color even after being
dried.- F., fern. of immortel, 'immortal', used
as a noun. See immortal.
immovable, adj. - Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
movable.
Derivatives: immovabil-ity, n., immovable-ness,
n., immovabl-y, adv.
immune, adj., 1) free from obligation, exempt;
2) protected from a certain disease. - L. immrmis, 'exempt from public service, free from
taxes; exempt, free', formed fr. in-, 'not', and
-m1inis, from the stem of mlinia (pl.), 'duties,
services', which is rei. to L. com-munis, 'common'. See common, adj.
immunity, n.- F. immunite, fr. L. immiinitdtem,
ace. of imm1initiis, 'exemption from public
service', fr. imm1inis. See prec. word and -ity.
immunize, tr. v. - Formed with suff. -ize fr. L.
imm1/nis. See imune.
Derivative: immuniz-ation, n.
immuno-, combining form meaning 'immune, immunity'. - Fr. L. immiinis. See immune.
immunology, n., that branch of science which
deals with immunity. - A hybrid coined fr.
immuno- and Gk. -'Aoy1ii, fr. -"A6yo~, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: immunolog-ic, immunolog-ic-al,
adjs., immunolog-ist, n.
immure, tr. v., to shut up. - Lit. 'to shut up
within walls', fr. ML. immliriire, fr. in-, 'in', and
L. m1/rus, 'wall'. See mural.
Derivatives: immur-ation, n., immure-ment, n.
immutability, n. - L. immiitiibilitiis, fr. immiitiibilis. See next word and -ity.
immutable, adj.- L. imm1/tiibilis, 'unchangeable',
fr. in-, 'not', and m1itiibilis, 'changeable', fr.
m1itiire, 'to change'. See mutable.
Derivatives: immutable-ness, n., immutabl-y,
adv.
imp, n., a little devil.- ME. impe, fr. OE. impa,
'shoot, graft; young tree', fr. impian, 'to graft'.
See imp, v.
Derivatives: imp-ish, adj., imp-ish-ly, adv., impish-ness, n.
imp, tr. v., I) to graft, engraft; 2) to repair (a

774

wing).- ME. impen, fr. OE. impian, 'to graft',

fr. VL. *imputiire [whence also OHG. impfon
(MHG., G. impfen), F. enter], fr. Late L. impotus, 'graft', a word occurring in the Salic
Law, fr. Gk. ~f.Lq;u-ro~. 'implanted', verbal adj.
of e[Lq;Oe:Lv, 'to implant', which is formed fr. ev
(see 2nd en-) and q;oe:w, 'to bring forth, produce'. See phyto-.
impact, tr. v., to press firmly.- L. impactus, pp.
of impingere, 'to strike against'. See impinge.
impact, n., a striking together; collision; the
force of a collision.- L. impactus, fr. impactus,
pp. of impingere. See impact, v.
impaction, n. - L. impactio, gen. -onis, 'a striking
against', fr. impactus, pp. of impingere. See impact, v., and -ion.
impair, tr. v., to make worse; to damage.- ME.
empeiren, fr. OF. empeirier, earlier form of empirier (F. empirer), fr. VL. *impej6riire, 'to make
worse', fr. in-, 'in', and L. pejor, 'worse'. See
pejorative.
Derivatives: impair-er, n., impair-ment, n.
impale, tr. v., to fix on a stake.- F. empaler, fr.
ML. impdliire, 'to fix on a stake', fr. in-, 'in',
and L. piilus, 'stake'. See pale and cp. empale.
impalement, n. - F. empalement, fr. empaler.
See prec. word and -ment.
impanate, adj., present in the consecrated bread
(Christian theol.)- Eccles. L. impiiniitus, pp. of
impiiniire, 'to embody in bread', fr. in-, 'in', and
L. piinis, 'bread'. See pastor and cp. panification.
For the ending see adj. suff. -ate.
impanation, n. - ML. impiiniitio, gen. -onis, fr.
Eccles. L. impiiniitus, pp. of impiiniire. See prec.
word and -ion.
impanel, tr. v.- A var. of empanel.
impark, tr. v. - OF. emparquer, fr. pare. See
im-, 'in', and park.
Derivative: impark-ation, n.
impart, tr. v.- OF. empartir, fr. L. impartire, 'to
share with another, impart, communicate',
which is formed fr. in-, 'in', and partire, 'to
divide, distribute', fr. pars, gen. parris, 'part'.
See part, n.
Derivatives: impart-ation, n., impart-ment, n.
impartible, adj., indivisible (said of an estate). Late L. impartibilis, fr. im-, 'not', and partibilis,
'divisible'. See part, n., and -ible.
Derivatives: impartibil-ity, n., impartibl-y, adv.
impartible, adj., capable of being imparted.
Formed fr. impart with suff. -ible.
Derivative: impartibil-ity, n.
impasse, n., blind alley. - F., formed fr. in-,
'not', and passer, 'to pass'. See pass, v.
impassibility, n. -Late L. impassibilitiis, fr. impassibilis. See next word and -ity.
impassible, adj. - Late L. impassibilis, 'incapable of passion', fr. in-, 'not', andpassibilis. See
passible.
Derivatives: impassible-ness, n., impassibl-y,
adv.
impassioa, tr. v. - It. impassionare, 'to fill with

775

passion', fr. in (fr. L. in, see in-, 'in')andpassione

(fr. L. passionem, ace. of passio), 'passion'. See
passion.
Derivatives: impassion-ed, adj., impassion-ed-ly,
adv., impassion-ed-ness, n.
impassionate adj., free from passion.- Formed
fr. in-, 'not', and passionate.
impassive, adj.- Formed fr. in-, 'not', and passive.
Derivatives: impassive-ly, adv., impassiv-ity, n.
impaste, tr. v., to cover with paste. - It. impastare, fr. in (fr. L. in, see in-, 'in'), and pasta,
'paste'. See paste.
impasto, n., laying on of colors thickly (painting).
- It., fr. impastare. See prec. word.
impatience, n. - ME. impacience, fr. OF. impacience, impatience (F. impatience), fr. L. impatientia, fr. impatiens, gen. -entis. See impatient and -ce and cp. patience.
Impatiens, n., a genus of plants, the balsam (bot.)
- L., 'impatient' (see next word): so called in
allusion to the circumstance that the pods burst
when touched.
impatient, adj. - ME. impacient, fr. OF. impacient, impatient (F. impatient), fr. L. impatientem, ace. of impatiens, 'impatient', fr. in-,
'not', and patiens, 'suffering, patient', pres. part.
of patf, 'to suffer'. See patient.
Derivatives: impatient-ly, adv., impatient-ness,n.
impawn, tr. v., to put in pawn. - Formed fr.
in-, 'in', and pawn, 'pledge'.
impayable, adj., that cannot be paid. - F.,
formed fr. in-, 'not', and payable. See payable.
impeach, tr. v., to accuse.- ME. empechen, fr.
OF. empescher, empeechier (F. empecher), 'to
prevent, hinder, impede', fr. Late L. impediciire,
'to entangle', fr.in-, 'in', and L.pedica, 'shackle,
fetter'. See impede and cp. depkhe.
Derivative: impeach-able, adj., impeach-ment, n.
impearl, tr. v., to form into pearls or pearl-like
drops.- Formed on analogy of F. emperler fr.
in-, 'in', and pearl.
impeccable, adj., I) not liable to sin; 2) faultless.
- Late L. impecciibilis, 'impeccable', lit. 'not
liable to sin', fr. in-, 'not', and L. pecciire, 'to
sin'. See peccant and -able.
Derivatives: impeccabil-ity, n., impeccabl-y, adv.
impeccant, adj., sinless. - See prec. word and
-ant.
impecuniosity, n.- See next word and -ity.
impecunious, adj., habitually without money;
poor. - Formed fr. in-, 'not', L. peciinia,
'money', and suff. -ous. See pecuniary.
impedance, n., the apparent resistance in an alternating electric current. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ance.
impede, tr. v., to obstruct.- L. impedire, 'to entangle, ensnare, shackle, hinder, impede', lit.
'to put the feet into fetters', fr. im-, 'in', and
*pedis, 'fetter', prop. 'chain for the feet', which
is rei. to pedica, 'shackle, fetter', compes, 'fetter', and cogn. with Gk. ~. 'fetter', fr. L-E.

Imperfect

base pld-, *pOd-, 'foot'. See foot and cp. fetter.

Cp. also pedal, expedient, impeach.
Derivatives: imped-er, n., imped-ible, adj., imped-ibil-ity, n., impediment (q.v.)
impediment, n., hindrance. - L. impedimentum,
lit. 'that by which one is impeded', fr. 'impedire.
See impede and -ment.
Derivatives: impediment-a/, adj., impedimentary, adj.
impedimenta, n. pl., traveling equipment. - L.,
'traveling equipage, luggage, baggage', lit. 'that
by which one is impeded (on a journey)', pl. of
impedimentum. See prec. word.
impel, tr. v. - L. impel/ere, 'to push, strike
against; to drive forward, urge on; incite, instigate', fr. in-, 'in', and pel/ere, 'to drive'. See
appeal and pulse, 'throb', and cp. impulse.
Derivative: impel/-ent, adj.
impend, intr. v., I) to hang over; 2) to be about
to happen.- L. impendere, 'to hang over; to
impend, be imminent, threaten', fr. in-, 'in',
and pendere, 'to hang'. See pendant.
impendence, impendency, n.- Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
impendent, adj., impending.- L. impendens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of impendere, 'to hang over'.
See impend and -ent.
impenetrable, adj. - ME. impenetrabel, fr. MF.
( = F.) impenetrable, fr. L. impenetrabilis, 'that
cannot be penetrated; unyielding',, fr. in-, 'not',
and penetriibilis. See penetrable.
Derivatives: impenetrabil-ity, n., impenetrableness, n., impenetrabl-y, adv.
impenetrate, intr. v., to penetrate deeply. Formed fr. in-, 'in', and penetrate.
Derivative: impenetrat-ion, n.
impenitence, impenitency, n. - L. impaenitentia,
fr. impaenitens, gen. -entis. See next word and
suff. -ce, resp. -cy, and cp. penitence.
impenitent, adj.- L. impaenitens, gen. -entis, 'not
repenting', fr. in-, 'not', andpaenirens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of paenitere, 'to repent'. See
penitent.
Derivatives: impenitent, n., impenitent-ly, adv.,
impenitent-ness, n.
imperative, adj.- L. imperiitivus, 'pertaining to,
or proceeding from, a command', fr. imperiitus,
pp. of imperiire, 'to command'. See emperor
and -ive.
Derivatives: imperative, n., imperativ-al, adj.,
imperative-ly, adv., imperative-ness, n.
imperator, n. - L., 'commander-in-chief, general, commander; emperor', fr. imperiitus, pp.
of imperiire, 'to command'. See emperor.
Derivatives: imperator-ial, adj., imperator-ially, adv.
imperceptible, adj.- F., fr. ML. imperceptibilis,
fr. in-, 'not', and Late L. perceptibilis. See perceptible.
Derivatives: imperceptibil-ity, n., imperceptibleness, n., imperceptibl-y, adv.
imperfect, adj. -ME. imperftt, imparfit, fr. MF.

imperfection

F.) imparfait, fr. L. imperfectus, 'unfinished,

incomplete', fr. in-, 'not', and perfectus, 'finished, completed'; see perfect. E. imperfect was remodeled after L. imperfectus.
Derivatives: imperfect, n., imperfect-ly, adv.,
imperfect-ness, n.
imperfection, n.- F., fr. Late L. imperfectionem,
ace. of imperfectio, 'imperfection', fr. L. imperfectus. See prec. word and -ion.
imperial, adj. - ME. emperial, imperial, fr. OF.
emperial, imperial (F. imperial), fr. L. imperiiilis,
'pertaining to the empire; pertaining to the emperor', fr. imperium. See imperium and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: imperial, n., imperial-ism, n., imperial-ist, n., imperial-ist-ic, adj., imperial-ize, tr.
v., imperial-ly, adv.
imperious, adj., commanding, dominating, domineering; imperative. - L. imperiosus, 'possessed of power, mighty, powerful; domineering,
tyrannical', fr. imperium. See imperium and -ous.
Derivatives: imperious-ly, adv., imperiousness, n.
imperium, n., supreme power; empire; right of
jurisdiction.- L., 'command, order; dominion,
empire', from the stem of imperiire, 'to command'. See imperator and cp. empire.
impermeable, adj. - F. impermeable, fr. Late L.
impermeiibilis, fr. im-, 'not', and permeiibilis.
See permeable.
Derivatives: impermeabil-ity, n., impermeableness, n., impermeabl-y, adv.
impersonal, adj. - Late L. impersoniilis, formed
fr. in-, 'not', and personiilis, 'personal'. See
personal.
Derivatives: impersonal-ity, n., impersonal-ly,
adv.
impertinence, n. - F. impertinence, fr. ML. impertinentia, fr. Late L. impertinens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
impertinent, adj. - F., fr. Late L. impertinentem,
ace.of impertinens, 'not belonging, not pertinent',
fr. in-, 'not', and L. pertinens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of pertinere, 'to pertain'. See pertinent.
Derivatives: impertinent-ly, adv., impertinentness, n.
imperturbable, adj. - Late L. imperturbiibilis,
'that cannot be disturbed', fr. in-, 'not', L. perturbiire, 'to confuse, disturb', and suff. -iibilis.
See perturb and -able.
Derivatives: imperturbabil-ity, n., imperturbableness, n., imperturbabl-y, adv.
impervious, adj., not allowing passage. - L. impervius, 'that cannot be passed through', fr. in-,
'not', and pervius. See pervious.
Derivatives: impenious-ly, adv., imperviousness, n.
impetiginous, adj., afflicted with impetigo. Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. impetigo, gen.
-iginis. See next word.
impetigo, n., a pustular disease of the skin (med.)
- L. impetigo, 'eruption of the skin', from im(=

776

petere, 'to rush at, assail, attack; to seek', fr.

in-, 'in', and petere, 'to rush at, attack'. See
petition.
impetrate, tr. v., to obtain by entreaty.- L. impetriitus, pp. of impetriire, 'to accomplish, obtain, procure', fr. in-, 'not', and patriire, 'to
bring about', a verb formed fr.pater, gen.patris,
'father'; see father and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
perpetrate. For the change of Latin a(in patriire)
to e (in im-petriire) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
impetration, n. - L. impetriitio, gen. -onis, 'an
obtaining by entreaty', fr. impetriitus, pp. of impetriire. See prec. word and -ion.
impetrative, adj.- L. impetriitivus, 'obtained by
entreaty', fr. impetriitus, pp. of impetriire. See
impetrate and -ive.
impetuosity, n. -F. impetuosite, fr. ML. impetuositiitem, ace. of impetuositiis, fr. Late L. impetu6sus. See next word and -ity.
impetuous, adj., vehement, violent. - F. impetueux (fern. impetueuse), fr. Late L. impetu6sus,
'impetuous, violent', fr. L. impetus, 'attack'. See
next word and -ous.
Derivatives: impetuous-ly, adv., impetuousness, n.
impetus, n., the force with which a body moves.
- L., 'attack, assault, onset, impulse, violence,
vigor, force, ardor, passion', fr. in-, 'in', and
petere, 'to rush at; to seek'. See petition.
lmpeyan pheasant. - Named by the English ornithologist John Latham (174o-1837) in 1787
after Sir Elijah and Lady lmpey, who tried to
naturalize this bird in England. For the ending
see suff. -an.
impi, n., an organized body of Kaffir warriors.
-Zulu.
impiety, n.- F. impiete, fr. L. impietiitem, ace. of
impietiis, 'want of reverence', fr. impius, 'impious'. See impious and -ty and cp. piety.
impinge, intr. v., to strike against; to infringe
upon. - L. impingere, 'to drive or strike against', fr. in-, 'in', and pangere, 'to drive in,
fasten, fix; to settle, determine'; see pact. For
the change of L. ti (in ptingere) to i (in impingere) see contingent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: impinge-ment, n.
impious, adj. - L. impius, 'irreverent, wicked,
impious', fr. in-, 'not', and pius, 'dutiful, pious'.
See pious.
Derivatives: impious-ly, adv ., impious-ness, n.
implacsoility, n. - Late L. impliiciibilitiis, fr.
L. impfaciibilis. See next word and -ity.
implacable, adj. - F., fr. L. impliiciibilis, 'unappeasable', fr. in-, 'not', and pliiciibi/is, 'easily
appeased'. See placable.
Derivatives: implacable-ness, n., implacabl-y, adv.
implacental, adj., having no placenta (applied to
a group of mammals including the marsupials).
- Formed fr. in-, 'not', placenta and adj.
suff. -al.

777

implant, tr. v.- F. implanter, fr. in-, 'not', and

planter, fr. L. plantiire, 'to plant'. See plant.
Derivatives: implantation (q.v.), implant-er, n.
implantation, n.- F., fr. implanter, 'to implant'.
See prec. word and -ation.
implead, tr. v., to sue at law. - OF. emplaidier,
fr. em- (fr. L. im-) and plaidier, 'to plead'. See
in-, 'in', and plead.
implement, n., a tool. - Late L. implementum, 'a
filling up', fr. L. imp/ere, 'to fill up'. See next
word and -ment.
Derivatives: implement, tr.v., implement-ation,n.
impletion, n., a filling; the state of being full. Late L. impleti6, gen. -6nis, 'a filling up, fulfillment', fr. L. impletus, pp. of implere, 'to fill up',
fr. in-, 'in', and OL. plere, 'to fill' (in classical
Latin the verb plere is used only in compounds).
See full, adj. and cp. plenum. For the ending
see -ion.
implicate, adj., intertwined, entangled. - L. impliciitus, pp. of impliciire. See implicate, v.
Derivatives: implicate-ly, adv., implicate-ness, n.
implicate, n., something implied. - L. impliciitum, neut. pp. of impliciire, used as a noun. See
implicate, v.
implicate, tr. v., to envelop, infold; to imply.L. impliciitus, pp. of impliciire. See imply and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: implicat-ive, adj., implicat-ive-ly,
adv., imp/icat-ory, adj.
implication, n. - L. impliciitio, gen. -onis, 'interweaving, entanglement', fr. impliciitus, pp. of
impliciire. See implicate v., and -ion.
Derivative: implication-a/, adj.
implicit, adj.,- F. implicite, fr. L. implicitus, pp.
of impliciire. See implicate, v.
Derivatives: implicit, n., implicit-ly, adv., implicit-ness, n.
Implode, intr. and tr. v., to burst inward. Formed fr. in-, 'in', and L. plaudere, pl6dere, 'to
clap'. See plaudit and cp. explode and words
there referred to.
imploration, n. - L. imp/6riitio, gen. -onis, 'a beseeching for help', fr. impl6riitus, pp. of impl6riire. See next word and -ation.
implore, tr. v. - L. imploriire, 'to invoke with
tears, beseech, implore', fr. in-, 'in', and pl6riire,
'to cry out, wail, lament', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. deplore, explore.
Derivatives: implor-er, n., implor-ing, adj., implor-ing-ly, adv., implor-ing-ness, n.
implosion, n.- Formed fr. implode on the analogy of the ratio explode: explosion.
implosive, adj. -Formed fr. implode on the analogy of the ratio explode: explosive.
Derivative: implosive-ly, adv.
impluvium, n., rainwater tank in the atrium of the
ancient Roman house. - L., fr. impluere, 'to
rain into', fr. in-, 'in', and pluere, 'to rain'. See
pluvial and cp. compluvium.
imply, tr. v. -OF. emp/ier, fr. L. impliciire, 'to
infold, involve, intangle', fr. in-, 'in', and pli-

impossibility

ciire, 'to fold'. See ply, 'to bend', and cp. plicate.
Cp. also implicate, v., and employ, which are
doublets of imply.
Derivative: impli-able, adj.
impolite, adj. - L. impolltus, 'rough, unpolished,
inelegant', fr. in-, 'not', and politus, 'polished,
elegant'. See polite.
Derivatives: impolite-ly, adv., impolite-ness, n.
imponderable, adj., having no weight.- Formed
fr. in-, 'not', and Late L. ponderiibilis, 'that can
be weighed'. See ponderable.
Derivatives: imponderable, n., imponderabil-ity,
n., imponderable-ness, n., imponderabl-y,
adv.
impone, tr. v., to wager (obsol.) - L. imp6nere,
'to place into, lay upon; to impose', fr. in-, 'in',
and p6nere, 'to put, place'. See position and cp.
words there referred to.
imponent, adj., that imposes; n., one who imposes. - L. imp6nens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of
imponere. See prec. word and -ent.
import, tr. v. - L. importiire, 'to bring into; to
bring about, cause' (in Medieval Latin also 'to
be of importance'), fr. in-, 'in', and portiire, 'to
carry'. See port, 'to carry'.
Derivatives: import, n., import-able, adj., import-abil-ity, n., import-ation, n., import-er,
n.
importance, n.- F., fr. important. See next word
and -ce.
Important, adj. - F., fr. ML. importantem, ace.
of importiins, pres. part. of importiire, 'to be of
importance'. See import and -ant.
Derivative: important-ly, adv.
importunate, adj., troublesomely urgent. - ML.
importuniitus, pp. of importuniiri. See next word
and adj. suff. -ate.
importune, tr. v., to molest. - F. importuner, fr.
ML. importuniiri, 'to be troublesome', fr. L.
importunus, 'inconvenient, unsuitable', which
is formed fr. in-, 'not', and portus, 'port, harbor',
and orig. meant 'without a harbor', i.e. 'difficult of access'. See port, 'harbor', and cp.
opportune.
Derivative: importun-ate-ly, adv.
importunity, n. - L. importunitiis, 'unsuitableness, want of consideration', fr. importiinus.
See importune, v., and -ity.
impose, tr. and intr. v. - F. imposer, fr. L. imponere (pp. impositus), 'to impose', which was
Gallicized after F. poser, 'to put, place'. See
impone and cp. compose and words there referred to. See also pose, 'to place'.
Derivatives: impos-er, n., impos-ing, adj., imposing-ly, adv., impos-ing-ness, n.
imposition, n. - L. impositio, gen. -6nis, 'a laying
on, application (of a name to a thing)', fr. impositus, pp. of imp6nere, 'to impose'. See impone.
Derivative: imposition-a/, adj.
impossibility, n. - F. impossibilite, fr. L. impossibilitiitem, ace. of impossibilitiis, 'impossibility', fr. impossibilis. See next word and -ity.

impossible

impossible, adj.- OF.(= F.), fr. L. impossibilis,

'impossible', fr. in-, 'not', and possibilis, 'possible'. Sef" possible.
Derivative: impossibl-y, adv.
impost, n., tax, duty. - OF. impost (F. impot),
fr. L. impositus, pp. of imponere, 'to place upon',
fr. in-, 'in', and ponere, 'to place'. See position.
impost, n., upper part of a pillar.- F. imposte,
fr. It. imposta, fr. L. imposita, fern. pp. of imponere. See prec. word.
impostor, n.- F. imposteur, fr. Late L. impostorem, ace. of impostor, fr. impostus, a collateral
form of L. impositus, pp. of imponere, 'to impose
upon, deceive'. See imposition and agential
suff. -or.
impostume, imposthume, n., abscess.- OF. em
postume, formed-with change of suff.-fr. L.
apostima, fr. Gk. ocm)O"TI)!J-OC, lit. 'a standing
off'. See aposteme.
imposture, n.- F., fr. Late L. impostiira, 'deceit,
imposture', fr. impostus. See impostor and -ure.
impotence, impotency, n. - L. impotentia, 'inability', fr. impotens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce, resp. -cy.
impotent, adj. - L. impotens, gen. -entis, 'powerless, impotent'. See in-, 'not', and potent.
Derivatives: impotent-ly, adv., impotent-ness, n.
impound, tr. v., to shut up in a pound.- Formed
fr. in-, 'not', and pound, 'enclosure'.
impoverish, tr. v. -OF. empoveriss-, pres. part.
stem of empoverir, 'to render poor', fr. em-,
'im-', and povre (F. pauvre), 'poor'. See in-, 'in',
poor and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: impoverish-er, n., impoverishment, n.
imprecate, tr. v., to call down by prayer. - L.
imprectitus, pp. of imprectiri, 'to invoke on, call
down upon, imprecate', fr. in-, 'in', and prectiri,
'to ask, beg, pray, request'. See pray and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. deprecate.
Derivatives: imprecation (q.v.), imprecat-ory,
adj.
imprecation, n. - L. imprectitio, gen. -onis, fr.
imprectitus, pp. of imprectiri. See prec. word
and -ion.
impregnability, n. - See next word and -ity.
impregnable, adj., that cannot be taken. - F.
imprenable, fr. prendre, 'to take', fr. L. prehendere, prendere, 'to take'. See prehensile and
-able. The intrusive g in impregnable is prob.
due to next word.
Derivatives: impregnable-ness, n., impregnabl-y,
adv.
impregnate, adj., pregnant. - Late L. impraegntitus, 'pregnant', pp. of impraegntire, 'to render
pregnant'. See im-, 'in', and pregnant, 'with
child', and adj. suff. -ate.
impregnate, tr. v., to make pregnant. - Late L.
impraegntitus, pp. of impraegntire. See impregnate, adj.
Derivative: impregruzt-ion, n.
inmnlsa. n.. an emblem; the sentence accom-

778

panying an emblem. - It. impresa, 'undertaking; device', prop. fern. pp. of imprendere,
fr. VL. *impreizdere, 'to undertake', fr. L. in
(see in-, 'in') and prehendere, prendere, 'to take'.
See prehensile and cp. emprise, enterprise. Cp.
also next word.
impresario, n., the manager of an opera company, etc.- It., fr. impresa, 'undertaking'. See
prec. word.
imprescriptible, adj., inalienable. - Formed fr.
in-, 'not', and L.praescriptus, pp. ofpraescribere,
'to write beforehand, order, appoint'. See
prescriptible.
impress, tr. v., to imprint.- ME. impressen, fr.
OF. empresser, fr. L. impressus, pp. of imprimere, 'to press into, impress, imprint', fr. in-,
'in', and premere, 'to press'. See press, v., and
cp. imprint.
Derivatives: impress-ed, adj., impress-ed-ly, adv.,
impress-er, n., impress-ible, adj., impress-ibility, n., impression (q.v.), impress-ive, adj., impress-ive-ly, adv., impress-ive-ness, n.
impress, tr. v., to compel to serve in the army or
navy. - Formed fr. in-, 'in', and press, 'to
compel to serve'.
Derivative: impress-ment, n.
impression, n.- F., fr. L. impressionem, ace. of
impressio, 'impression', lit. 'a pressing into', fr.
impressus, pp. of imprimere. See impress, 'to imprint', and -ion.
Derivatives: impressionable (q.v.), impression-a/,
adj., impression-al-ly, adv., impression-ary, adj.,
impressionism (q.v.), impressionist (q.v.)
impressionable, adj.- F. impressionnable, fr. im
pressionner, 'to impress', fr. impression. See
prec. word and -able.
Derivatives: impressionabil-ity, n., impressionable-ness, n., impressionabl-y, adv.
impressionism, n.- F. impressionnisme, formed
on the analogy of next word fr. F. impression
and suff. -isme. See impression and -ism.
impressionist, n. - F. impressionniste, from the
phrase ecole impressionniste, coined by the
French critic Louis Leroy in 1874 to ridicule a
painting by Claude Monet, called ImpressionSunrise. For the ending see suff. -ist.
Derivatives: impressionist-ic, adj., impressionistic-al-ly, adv.
imprest, tr. v., to advance money.- Formed fr.
in-, 'in', and prest, 'an advance of money'. Cp.
It. imprestare, 'to advance money'.
imprest, n., advance of money. - Fr. prec. word.
Cp. It. impresto, of s.m.
imprimatur, n., license to print a book, etc. ModL. imprimatur, 'let it be printed', fr. L. imprimere (pp. impressus), 'to press into, impress,
imprint'. See impress.
imprimis, adv., in the first place. - L., for in
primis, 'among the first', whence 'chietly, especially', fr. in, 'in', and ab. pl. of prlmus, 'the
first'. See in-, 'in' and prilile, adj.
Imprint, tr. v . - ME. empreynten, fr. OF. em-

779

preinter, fr. empreinte, fern. pp. of empreindre,

'to impress, imprint', used as a noun. OF. empreindre derives fr. VL. *impremere (for L. imprimere), 'to impress, imprint'. See impress,
'to imprint'.
Derivatives: imprint-ed, adj., imprint-er, n.
imprint, n. - ME. empreynte, fr. OF. empreinte.
See imprint, v.
imprison, tr. v. - OF. emprisoner (F. emprisonner), fr. em-, en-, 'in', and prison. See im-, 'in',
and prison.
imprisonment, n. -OF. emprisonement (F. emprisonnement), fr. emprisoner. See prec. word
and -ment.
improbability, n. - Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
improbtibilis. See next word.
improbable, adj. - L. improbtibilis, 'not deserving
of approbation; objectionable', fr. in-, 'not', and
probtibilis, 'that may be proved; likely, probable'. See probable.
Derivatives: improbable-ness, n., improbabl-y,
adv.
improbity, n., want of probity. - L. improbittis,
'wickedness, dishonesty', fr. improbus, 'wicked,
vile, base, dishonest', fr. in-, 'not', and probus,
'good, proper, serviceable'. See probity.
impromptu, adv. and adj., extempore, offhand.F., fr. L. in promptii, 'in readiness', fr. in, 'in',
and abl. of promptus, 'readiness', fr. promptus,
pp. of promere, 'to take or bring out or forth'.
See in-, 'in', and prompt.
improper, adj.- F. impropre, fr. L. improprius,
'unsuitable, improper', fr. in-, 'not', and proprius, 'one's own, proper'. See proper.
Derivatives: improper-ly, adv., improper-ness, n.
impropriate, tr. v., to appropriate. - ML. improprititus, pp. of impropritire, 'to appropriate',
fr. in-, 'in', and L. proprius, 'one's own, proper'.
See proper and verbal suff. -ate and cp. appropriate.
impropriate, adj., impropriated. - ML. improprititus, pp. of impropritire. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: impropriat-ion, n., impropriat-or, n.
impropriety, n. - L. impropriettis (prob. through
the medium of F. improprietti), fr. improprius,
'improper'. See improper and subst. suff. -ty and
cp. propriety.
improve, tr. and intr. v. - AF. emprower, 'to
turn to profit', fr. OF. em, en, 'in, into', and
prou (n.), 'profit', fr. prou (adj.), 'valiant, brave'.
See in-, 'in', and prow, adj.
Derivatives: improve-ment, n., improv-er, n.,
improv-ing, adj., improv-ing-/.v, adv.
improvise, tr. and intr. v.- F. improviser, fr. It.
improvvisare, fr. improvviso, 'unforeseen', fr. L.
improvisus, 'unforeseen, unexpected', fr. in-,
'not', and provisus, 'foreseen', pp. of providere,
'to see beforehand'. See provide, provision and
cp. proviso.
Derivative: improvis-er, n.
imprudence, n. - L. impriidentill, 'lack of fore-

imputation

sight', fr. impriidens, gen. -entis. See next word

and -ce.
imprudent, adj. - L. impriidins, gen. -entis,
'not foreseeing, imprudent', fr. in-, 'not', and
priidins, gen. -entis, 'foreseeing'. See prudent.
Derivatives: imprudent-ly, adv., imprudentness, n.
impudence, impudency, n. - L. impudentia,
'shamelessness', fr. impudins, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
impudent, adj., shamelessly bold; insolent. - L.
impudens, gen. -entis, 'shameless, impudent', fr.
in-, 'not', and pudens, gen. -entis, 'ashamed,
bashful, modest', pres. part. of pudire, 'to be
ashamed'. See pudency and -ent.
Derivatives: impudent-ly, adv., impudent-ness,n.
impudicity, n., immodesty; shamelessness.- F.
impudicite, fr. impudique, 'shameless', fr. L.
impudicus, of s.m., fr. in-, 'not', and pudicus,
'bashful, modest', which derives fr. pudere,
'to be ashamed'. See pudency and the suffixes
-ic and -ity and cp. prec. word.
impugn, tr. v., to attack by arguments. - ME.
impugnen, fr. MF. ( = F.) impugner, fr. L. impiigntire, 'to attack, assail', lit. 'to fight with',
fr. in-, 'in', and piigntire, 'to fight', whence
piigna, 'fight'. See pugnacious and cp. expugn,
oppugn, repugnant. Derivatives: impugn-able,
adj., impugn-er, n., impugn-ment, n.
impuissance, n., weakness, want of power.- F.
See in-, 'not', and puissance.
impuissant, adj., weak, powerless. - F. See in-,
'not', and puissant.
impulse, n. - L. impulsus, 'pressure, shock; incitement, instigation', fr. impulsus, pp. of impel/ere. See impel.
Derivative: impuls-ive, adj.
impulsion, n.- F., fr. L. impulsionem, ace. of impulsio, 'a pushing against, external pressure', fr.
impulsus, pp. of impel/ere. See prec. word and
-ion.
impulsive, adj.- OF.(= F.) impulsif(fem. impulsive) or ML. impulsivus, fr. L. impulsus, pp.
of impe}lere. See impel and -ive.
Derivatives: impulsive-ly, adv., impulsive-ness,n.
impunity, n. - F. impunitti, fr. L. impiinittitem,
ace. of impiinitiis, 'freedom from punishment',
fr. impiinis, 'without punishment', fr. in-, 'not',
and poena, 'punishment, penalty'. See penal
and -ity.
impure, adj.- L. impiirus, 'unclean', fr. in-, 'not',
and piirus, 'clean, pure'. See pure.
Derivatives: impure-ly, adv., impure-ness, n.
impority, n. - F. impurete, fr. earlier impurite,
fr. L. impiirittitem, ace. of impiiritiis, 'uncleanness, impurity', fr. impiirus. See prec. word and
-ity.
imputable, adj. - ML. imputtibilis, fr. L. imputtire. See impute and -able.
Derivatives: imputabil-ity, n., imputable-ness, n.,
imputabl-y, adv.
imputation, n. - Late L. imputtitw, gen. -iinis,

imputative

'account, charge', fr. L. imputatus, pp. of imputare. See impute and -ation.
imputative, adj.- L. imputativus, 'charging', fr.
imputtitus, pp. of imputtire. See next word
and -ive. Derivatives: imputative-ly, adv.,
imputative-ness, n.
impute, tr. v. - F. imputer, fr. L. imputare, 'to
reckon, account, charge, ascribe', fr. in-, 'in',
and putare, 'to trim, prune, lop, clean, cleanse;
to think over, consider, reckon, count'. See
putative.
in, prep. - ME. in, fr. OE. in, rei. to OS., OFris.,
Du., OHG., MHG., G., Goth. in, ON. i, and
cogn. with Arm. i; y- and n- (before a vowel},
Gk. v, dial. tv, Homeric vl, OL. en, L. in,
Oscan en, Osco-Umbrian -en (postposition),
an- (before consonants), OPruss. en, Lith. i,
Lett. !, Oir. in, ini-, en-, OW., OBret. en, in,
Co., Bret. en, ModW. yn-, 'in', OSlav. on-, vi'm-,
vu-, Russ. v, vo, vn-, Alb. in (for *eny), 'as far
as'; fr. I.-E. *en, *IJ, *eni, 'in'. Cp. in-, 'in', inn,
inning, inter-, interior, into, intro-, ben, 'within',
denizen. Cp. also indigene and words there referred to.
in, adj.- Fr. prec. word.
in, adv.- ME. in, fr. OE. in, inn, inne, rei. to
the adverbs: OS. in, inn, ON. inn, OHG. in and
to OE. in, prep. See in, prep.
in-, pref. meaning in, into, toward, up, against,
as in inborn, incline. - E. in or L. in; see in,
prep. In words of Latin origin, in- becomes itbefore I, im- before b, m and p, ir- before r (see
il-, 'in', im-, 'in', ir-, 'in'). Cp. em-, en-.
in-, privative pref., as in inadvertence. - L. in-,
'not', cogn. with Goth., OE. un, 'not'; see un-,
priv. pref. L. in-, 'not', becomes i- before gn,
il- before 1, im- before b, m and p, ir- before r
(see i-, il-, 'not', im-, 'not', ir-, 'not').
in-, form of ino- before a vowel.
-in, suff. used in chemistry.- See -ine, suff. used
in chemistry.
-ina, a fern. suff. used to form titles (as czarina)
and names (as Georgina).- L. -ina, a fern. suff.,
as in reg-ina, 'queen' (fr. rex, gen. regis, 'king').
-ina, pl. suff. used to form names of groups of
animals (zoo/.) - ModL. use of L. -ina, neut.
pl. ending of adjectives in -inus; see adj. suff.
-ine. The neut. form is due to L. animalia, 'animals', a neut. noun in the pl., which is understood. Cp. -inae.
inaccessible, adj. - F., fr. Late L. inaccessibilis,
'unapproachable', fr. in-, 'not', and accessibilis.
See accessible.
Derivatives: inaccessibil-ity, n., inaccessibleness, n., inaccessibl-y, adv.
inadvertence, inadvertency, n. - ML. inadvertentia, fr. in-, 'not', and Late L. advertentia. See
advertence.
inadvertent, adj.- Back formation fr. inadverten<:e, inadvertency. For the ending see suff. -ent.
Derivative: inadvertent-ly, adv.
-inae. ol. suff. used to form names of subfamilies

780

(zoo/.)- ModL. use of L. -inae, fern. pl. ending

of adjectives in -inus. The feminine form is due
to L. bestiae, 'beasts', a feminine noun, which
is understood. Cp. -ina, suff. used in zoology.
inamorata, n., a female lover. - It. innamorata,
fern. of innamorato. See next word.
inamorato, n., a male lover. - It. innamorato,
pp. of innamorare, 'to fall in love', fr. in (fr. L.
in; see in-, 'in', and amore, 'love', fr. L. amorem,
ace. of amor. See amorous and cp. enamor.
inane, adj., I) empty (rare); 2) foolish.- L. intinis, 'empty, void; worthless, useless', of uncertain origin. Cp. exinanite.
Derivatives: inane, n., inane-ly, adv.
inanimate, adj.- Late L. inanimatus, 'lifeless', fr.
in-, 'not', and L. animatus, 'animate'. See animate.
Derivatives: inanimate-ly, adv., inanimate-ness,
n., inanimat-ed, adj., inanimat-ion, n.
inanition, n., emptiness; exhaustion, starvation.
- L. inaniti6, gen. -onis, 'emptiness', fr. intinitus, 'emptied', pp. of inanire, 'to empty', fr.
inanis. See inane and -ion.
inanity, n., emptiness; silliness; vanity. - L.
inanittis, 'emptiness; uselessness', fr. iniinis. See
inane and -ity.
inapt, adj., not apt.- Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
apt. Cp. inept, unapt.
Derivatives: inapt-ly, adv., inapt-ness, n.
inarticulate, adj. - Late L. inarticulatus, 'inarticulate, indistinct', fr. in-, 'not', and L. articulatus,
pp. of articulare. See articulate.
Derivatives: inarticulate-ly, adv ., inarticulateness, n.
inartificial, adj. - L. inartificialis, 'inartificial',
fr. in-, 'not', and artificialis, 'pertaining to art,
artificial'; see artificial. L. inartificialis is prop.
a loan translation of Gk. &Texvo<; (which is
formed fr. priv. pref. <i- and TtzVYJ, 'art').
Derivatives: inartificial-ity, n., inartificial-ly,
adv., inartificial-ness, n.
inaudible, adj. - L. inaudibilis, 'inaudible', fr.
in-, 'not', and audibilis, 'audible'. See audible.
Derivatives: inaudibil-ity, n., inaudible-ness, n.,
inaudibl-y, adv.
inaugural,adj.- F. See inaugurateandadj.suff. -aL
Derivative: inaugural, n.
inaugurate, tr. and intr. v. - L. inauguratus, pp.
of inaugurare, 'to take omens from the flight
of birds; to consecrate, inaugurate; to install',
fr. in-, 'in', and augurare, 'to examine omens,
to augur', fr. augur. See augur and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: inauguration (q.v.), inaugurat-ory,
adj.
inauguration, n. - L. inaugurati6, gen. -onis, 'a
beginning', fr. inauguratus, pp. of inaugurare.
See prec. word and -ion.
Inca, n., a king of ancient Peru; a member of the
royal family of ancient Peru. - Sp., fr. Quechua
inca, 'a noble, a prince'.
Derivatives: Inc-an, adj. and n.

781

incalescence, n. - Formed from next word with

suff. -ce.
incalescent, adj., increasing in heat. - L. incalescens, gen. -entis, 'growing hot', pres. part.
of incalescere, 'to grow hot', fr. in-, and calescere, 'to grow hot'. See calescent.
incandesce, tr. v., to cause to glow with heat;
intr. v., to glow with heat.- L. incandescere,
'to become hot, to glow', fr. in-, 'in', and candescere, 'to begin to glow'. See candescent.
incandescence, n. - Formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
incandescent, adj.- L. incandescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of incandescere. See incandesce and
-ent.
incantation, n., magic formula; magic, spell. L. incantatio, gen. -oms, 'enchantment', fr. incanttitus, pp. of incantare, 'to chant a magic
formula, to bewitch, enchant', lit. 'to sing in',
fr. in-, 'in', and canttire, 'to sing'. See cant,
'slang of beggars', and -ation and cp. enchant.
Derivative: incantation-al, adj.
incapable, adj. - F., fr. Late L. incapabilis, fr.
in-, 'not', and L. capabilis, 'capable'. See capable.
Derivatives: incapabil-ity, n., incapable-ness, n.,
incapabl-y, adv.
incapacity, n. - F. incapacite, fr. ML. incapiicitiitem, ace. of incapacittis, fr. Late L. incapax,
gen. -acis, 'incapable', fr. in-, 'not', and L.capax,
gen. -ticzs, 'capable'. See capacity.
incarcerate, tr. v., to imprison. - ML. incarceratus, pp. of incarceriire, 'to imprison', fr. in-,
'in', and L. career, 'an enclosed place; prison',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. cancel, chancel,
career. For the ending see subst. suff. -ate.
incarceration, n. - ML. incarcertiti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. incarcertitus, pp. of incarcerare. See prec.
word and -ion.
incarnadine, adj., flesh-colored. - F., fr. dial.
It. incarnadino, fr. It. incarnatino, 'flesh color',
fr. incarnato, 'incarnate'. See incarnate.
Derivative: incarnadine, tr. v.
incarnate, adj., invested with flesh. - L. incarntitus, pp. of incarniire, 'to make flesh', fr. car6,
gen. carnis, 'flesh'. See carnal and adj. suff. -ate.
incarnate, tr. v., to invest with flesh. - L. incarntitus, pp. of incarntire. See incarnate, adj.
incarnation, n. - F., fr. Late L. incarntitionem,
ace. of incarntitw, fr. L. incarntitus, pp. of incarntire. See incarnate, adj.
incendiary, adj., pertaining to arson. - L. incendiiirius, 'causing a fi.-e', fr. incendium, 'fire',
fr. incendere, 'to set fire to, kindle, bum', fr. in-,
'in', and candere, 'to shine, be white; to glow
with heat'. See candid and adj. suff. -ary and cp.
inceme. For the change of Latin ii (in ciindere)
to e (in in-cendere) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
IDCeiL'Ie, n., smoke of burning spices. - ME.
encens, fr. OF. ( = F.) encens, fr. Late L. indnsum, 'incense', lit. 'something burnt', neut.
pp. ofL. incendere. Seeprec. wordandcp. censer.

inchoate

incense, tr. v., to offer incense; to perfume with

incense. - ME. encensen, fr. OF. ( = F.) encenser, fr. encens. See incense, n.
incense, tr. v., to anger.- ME. encensen, fr. L.
incensus, pp. of incendere, 'to set fire to, kindle,
burn; to excite, irritate, anger'. See incense, n.
incensory, n., censer. - Eccles. L. incensorium,
fr. L. incensus, pp. of incendere. See incense, n.,
and subst. suff. -ory.
incentive, adj., tending to incite. - L. incentivus,
'setting the tune; inciting', fr. incentus, pp. of
incinere, 'to sound, sing', fr. in-, 'in', and canere,
'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars' and
-ive. For the change of Latin ii (in ciinere) to i
(in in-cintus) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: incentive, n., incentive-ly, adv.
incept, tr. v., 1) to begin; 2) to take in, ingest.L. inceptus, pp. of incipere, 'to take in hand,
begin', fr. in-, 'in', and capere, 'to catch, seize,
take, hold'. See captive. For the change of Latin
ii (in cdpere) to i (in in-ciptus) see accent and
cp. words there referred to.
inception, n. - L. incepti6, gen. -onis, 'a beginning, undertaking', fr. inceptus, pp. of incipere.
See prec. word and -ion.
inceptive, adj.- Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. inceptus, pp. of incipere. See incept.
Derivative: inceptive, n., an inceptive verb.
incertitude, n. - F., fr. ML. incertitiidinem, ace.
of incertitiido, fr. L. incertus, 'uncertain', fr. in-,
'not', and certus, 'sure, certain'. See certain and
-tude and cp. certitude.
incessancy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
incessant, adj., uninterrupted. - F., fr. Late L.
incessantem, ace. of incessans, 'unceasing', fr.
in-, 'not', and L. cessans, gen. -antis, pres. part.
of cessare, 'to cease'. See cease and -ant.
Derivatives: incessant-ly, adv., incessant-ness,n.
incest, n.- L. incestus, 'unchastity, incest', fr. in-,
'not', and OL. castus (gen. castU.s), 'chastity',
which is rei. to L. cast us, 'chaste'. See chaste.
For the change of Latin d (in cdstus) to i (in
in-cestus) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
incestuous, adj. - L. incestuosus, 'incestuous', fr.
incestus, 'unchaste', fr. in-, 'not', and castus,
'chaste'. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: incestuous-ly, adv., incestuousness, n.
inch, n., the twelfth part of a foot. - ME. inche,
inch, fr. OE. ynce, fr. L. uncia, 'the twelfth part (of
anything); the twelfth part of a foot, an inch:
the twelfth part of a pound, an ounce'. See
uncia and cp. ounce, 'the twelfth part of a pound',
which is a doublet of inch.
Derivative: inch, v., to move by inches.
inch, n., a small island (Scot.) - ME. inch, fr.
Gael. innis, 'island', rei. to Olr. inis, W. ynys,
Co. enys, Bret. enez, of s.m.
inchoate, adj., just begun. - L. inclwiitus, pp. of

782

inchoate

inchotire, more correctly spelled incohtire, 'to

begin', orig. 'to harness', fr. in, 'in', and cohum,
'a strap fastening the plowbeam to the yoke',
lit. 'that which holds or encloses', fr. I.-E. base
*qogh-, a gradational var. of *qagh-, 'to encompass, enclose'. See hedge and cp. words there
referred to. For the ending see adj. suff. -ate.
inchoate, tr. v., to begin. -Fr. L. inchotitus, pp.
of inchotire. See inchoate, adj. Derivatives:
inchoation (q.v.), inchoat-ive, adj. and n.
inchoation, n., beginning. - L. inchotitio, gen.
-onis, fr. inchotitus, pp. of inchotire. See inchoate
and -ion.
incidence, n.- F., formed fr. incident, adj. See
next word and suff. -ce.
incident, adj.- F. incident, fr. L. incidentem, ace.
of incidens, pres. part. of incidere, 'to fall
upon; to happen, occur', fr. in-, 'in', and cadere,
'to fall'. See cadence and suff. -ent. For the
change of Latin ii (in ciidere) to (in in-cidere)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: incident, n. (q.v.), incident-al, adj.
and n., incident-al-ly, adv., incident-al-ness, n.
incident, n.- F. See incident, adj.
incinerate, tr. v., to reduce to ashes. - L. incinertitus, pp. of incinertire, 'to reduce to ashes',
fr. in-, 'in', and cinis, gen. cineris, 'ashes'. See
cinernry and V"'rl>'ll suff -ate'.
Derivatives: incineration (q.v.), incinerat-or, n.
incineration, n. - F. incineration, fr. ML. incinertiti6nem, ace. of incinertitio, fr. L. incineriitus, pp. of incineriire. See prec. word and
-ion.
incipience, incipiency, n., beginning. - Formed
from next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
incipient, adj., beginning, initial. - L. incipiens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of incipere, 'to begin'. See
inceptive and -ent.
Derivative: incipient-ly, adv.
incipit, n., the opening words of a book, etc. L., '(here) begins', 3rd pers. sing. pres. of incipere. See prec. word.
incise, tr. v. - F. inciser, fr. L. incisus, pp. of incidere, 'to cut into, cut through, carve, engrave', fr. in-, 'in', and caedere, 'to cut'. See
cement and cp. words there referred to. For the
change of Latin ae (in caedere) to i (in in-cidere,
in-cisus) see acquire and cp. words there referred to.
incision, n.- F., fr. L. incisi6rrem, ace. of incisi6-,
'a cutting into, incision', fr. incisus, pp. of incidere, 'to cut into'. See prec. word and -ion.
incisive, adj. - ML. incisivus, fr. L. incisus, pp.
of incidere, 'to cut into'. See incise and -ive.
Derivatives_: incisive-ly, adv., incisive-ness, n.
incisor, n., a-front tooth.- ML. incisor, 'a cutting tooth', lit. 'that which cuts into', fr. L. incisus, pp. of incidere. See incise and agential
suff. -or.
incitation, n. - F., fr. L. incitiitionem, ace. of
incitiitio, 'an inciting', fr. incitiitus, pp. of incitiire. See next word and -ion.

incite, tr. v. - F. inciter, fr. L. incitiire, 'to put

into rapid motion, urge, encourage, stimulate,
rouse', fr. in-, 'in', and cittire, 'to set into quick
motion, excite, provoke, call urgently', freq. of
ciere (pp. citus), 'to set in motion'. See cite and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: incit-er, n., incite-ment, n., inciting-ly, adv.
incivility, n. - F. incivilite, fr. Late L. incivilittitem, ace. of incivilittis, fr. incivilis, 'not civil',
fr. in-, 'not', and L. civilis, 'pertaining to a
citizen, civil'. See civil and -ity.
incivism, n., neglect of civic duties. - F. incivisme, fr. in (fr. L. in-; see in-, 'not') and
civisme. See civism.
inclemency, n. - L. inclementia, 'rigor, harshness, roughness, severity', fr. inc/emens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -cy and cp. clemency.
inclement, adj.- L. inclemens, gen. -entis, 'harsh,
rough, severe', fr. in-, 'not', and clemens, gen.
-entis, 'mild, calm'. See clement.
Derivatives: inclement-ly, adv., inclement-ness, n.
inclinable, adj.- OF. enclinable, fr. encliner, incliner. See incline and -able.
inclination, n. - F., fr. L. inclintiti6nem, ace. of
inclintitio, 'a leaning, bending, inclining, inclination', fr. inclintitus, pp. of inc/intire. See
next word and -ation.
incline, tr. and intr. v. - ME. enclinen, fr. OF.
encliner, incliner (F. incliner), fr. L. inc/intire,
'to cause to lean, to bend, bow, incline', fr. in-,
'in', and -clintire (found only in compounds), 'to
bend'. See clinic and cp. decline, v.
Derivatives: incline, n., inclin-ed, adj., inclin-er,
n., inclin-ing, n. and adj.
inclinometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
inclination or dip of the magnetic needle. - A
hybrid coined fr. L. inclintire, 'to incline', and
Gk. f.Lt-rpov, 'measure'. See incline and meter,
'poetical rhythm', and cp. clinometer.
inclose, v. -See enclose.
include, tr. v.- L. incliidere, 'to shut in, shut up,
enclose, include, insert', fr. in-, 'in', and c/audere, 'to shut, close'. See close, adj., and cp. enclose. For the change of Latin au (in claudere)
to ii (in in-c/iidere) see accuse and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: includ-ed, adj., includ-ed-ness, n.
inclusion, n. - L. incliisio, gen. -onis, 'a shutting
up, confinement', fr. incliisus, pp. of incliidere.
See prec. word and -ion.
inclusive, adj. - ML. incliisivus, fr. L. incliisus,
pp. of inc/iidere. See include and -ive.
Derivatives: inclusive-ly, adv., inclusive-ness, n.
incogitable, adj., unthinkable. - ML. inc6gitiibi/is, fr. in-, 'not', and L. cogittibilis, 'conceivable, imaginable, thinkable'. See cogitable.
incognito, adv., adj. and n. -It. incognito, 'unknown', fr. L. incognitus, fr. in-, 'not', and cognitus, 'known', pp. of cogn6scere, 'to become
acquainted with, perceive, understand, know'.
See c:ognition and cp. inconDu.

783
income, n.- Lit. 'that which comes in', formed
fr. in, adv. (see in) and come.
incommensurable, adj.- ML. incommensiirtibilis,
fr. im-, 'not', and Late L. commensiirtibilis. See
commensurable.
Derivatives: incommensurable, n., incommensurabil-ity, n., incommensurable-ness, n., incommensurabl-y, adv.
incommode, tr. v. - F. incommoder, fr. L. incommodare, 'to cause inconvenience, be inconvenient, be troublesome', fr. incommodus,
'inconvenient, troublesome', fr. in-, 'not', and
commodus, 'suitable, convenient'. See commode.
incommodious, adj.- Formed on analogy of L.
incommodus (see prec. word) fr. in-, 'not', and
commodious.
Derivatives: incommodious-ly, adv., incommodious-ness, n.
incommodity, n.- F. incommodite, fr. L. incommodittitem, ace. of incommoditiis, 'inconvenience, disadvantage', fr. incommodus. See incommode and -ity.
incommutable, adj. - L. incommiittibilis, 'unchangeable', fr. in-, -not', and commiittibilis,
'changeable'. See commutable.
Derivatives: incommutabil-ity, n., incommutableness, n., incommutabl-y, adv.
incomparable, adj.- F., fr. L. incompartibilis, fr.
in-, 'not', and L. compartibilis. See comparable.
Derivatives: incomparable, n., incomparabil-ity,
n., incomparable-ness, n., incomparabl-y, adv.
incompatible, adj. - ML. incompatibilis, fr. in-,
'not', and ML. compatibilis. See compatible.
Derivatives: incompatible, n., incompatibil-ity,
n., incompatible-ness, n., incompatibl-y, adv.
incompetence, n. - F. incompetence, fr. incompetent. See next word and -ce.
Incompetent, adj. -F. incompetent, fr. Late L.
incompetentem, ace. of incompetens, 'insufficient', fr. in-, 'not', and L. competens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of competere, 'to strive together, be
suitable'. See competent.
Derivatives: incompetent, n., incompetent-ly,
adv., incompetent-ness, n.
incomplete, adj. - Late L. incomp/etus, 'incomplete', fr. in-, 'not', and L. completus, pp. of
camp/ere, 'to fill up'. See complete.
Derivatives: incomplete-ly, adv., incompleteness, n.
incomprehensible, adj. - L. incomprehensibilis,
'that cannot be seized; incomprehensible', fr.
in-, 'not', and comprehensibilis. See comprehensible.

Derivatives: incomprehensibil-ity, n., incomprehensible-ness, n., incomprehensibl-y, adv.

incondite, adj., badly constructed. - L. inconditus, 'unformed, uncouth, rude', fr. in-, 'not',
and conditus, pp. of condere, 'to put together'.
See condiment.
incoogruence, n. - Late L. incongruentia, 'incongtuity', fr. L. incongruens, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce.

incontinent

incongruent, adj. - L. incongruens, gen. -entis,

'incongruous, inconsistent', fr. in-, 'not', :tnd
congruens, gen. -entis, pp. of congruere, 'to
agree'. See congruent.
Derivative: incongruent-ly, adv.
incongruity, n. - ML. incongruittis, fr. L. incongruus. See next word and -ity.
incongruous, adj.- L. incongruus, 'incongruous,
inconsistent', fr. in-, 'not', and congruus, 'fit,
suitable, congruous'. See congruous.
Derivatives: incongruous-ly, adv., incongruousness, n.
inconnu, n., 1) an unknown person; 2) a large
food fish (Stenodus mackenzii).- F., 'unknown',
fr. in-, 'not', and connu, 'known', pp. of connaitre, 'to know', fr. L. cognoscere, 'to become
acquainted with, perceive, understand, know'.
F. connu goes back to OF. coneii, fr. VL. *cogneiitus, which corresponds to L. cognitus, pp. of
cognoscere. See cognition and cp. incognito.
inconsequence, n. - L. inconsequentia, fr. inconsequens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
inconsequent, adj.- L. inc6nsequens, gen. -entis,
'not logically connected', fr. in-, 'not', and consequens, gen. -en tis, pp. of consequi, 'to follow'.
See consequent.
Derivatives: inconsequent-ly, adv., inconsequentness, n., inconsequent-ial, adj., inconsequent-ially, adv., inconsequent-ial-ness, n.
inconsiderate, adj. - L. inconsideriitus, 'thoughtless, inconsiderate', fr. in-, 'not', and consideriitus, pp. of consideriire, 'to consider'. See
considerate.
Derivatives: incons:ierate-ly, adv., inconsid:rate-ness, n.
inconsideration, n. - Late L. inconsidertitio, gen.
-6nis, 'inconsiderateness', fr. L. inc6nsidertitus.
See prec. word and -ion.
inconsolable, adj. - L. inconsoltibilis, 'inconsolable', fr. in-, 'not', and c6ns6ltibilis, 'consolable'. See consolable.
Derivatives: inconsolabil-ity, n., inconsolableness, n., inconsolabl-y, adv.
Inconspicuous, adj. - L. inconspicuus, fr. in-,
'not', and conspicuus. See conspicuous.
Derivatives: inconspicuous-ly, adv., inconspicuous-ness, n.
inconstancy, n. - L. inconstantia, fr. inconstiins,
gen. -antis. See next word and -cy.
inconstant, adj.- F., fr. L. inconstiins, gen. -antis, 'inconstant, changeable, fickle', fr. in-, 'not',
and c6nstiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of c6nsttire,
'to stand firm'. See constant.
Derivatives: inconstant-ly, adv ., inconstantness, n.
incontinence, incontinency, n. - F., fr. L. incontinentia, fr. incontinens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce, resp. -cy.
incontinent, adj., not continent, incapable of
restraint. -F., fr. L. incontinentem, ace. of incontinens, 'incontinent', fr. in-, 'not', and conlinens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of continere, 'to

incontinent

784

incorrupt, adj. - L. incorruptus, 'unspoiled, unhold together'. See continent, adj.

corrupted', fr. in-, 'not', and corruptus, pp. of
immediately
adv.
incontinently,
also
incontinent,
corrumpere, 'to destroy, corrupt'. See corrupt.
(a.-chaic). -Fr. Late L. in continenti (scil. temDerivative: incorrupt-ly, adv.
pore), 'in continuous time', fr. in-, 'in', and abl.
incorruptible, adj. - F., fr. Late L. incorruptiof continens. See prec. word.
bilis, fr. in-, 'not', and corruptibilis. See corincontrovertible, adj. - Coined by Sir Thomas
ruptible.
Browne (r6o5-82), fr. in-, 'not', controvert and
Derivatives: incorruptibil-ity, n., incorruptiblesuff. -ible.
ness, n., incorruptibl-y, adv.
Derivatives: incontrovertibil-ity, n., incontroincorruption, n. - Late L. incorrupti6, gen. -6nis,
vertible-ness, n., incontrovertibl-y, adv.
'incorruptibility', fr. in-, 'not', and L. corrupti6,
inconvenience, inconveniency, n. - OF. incongen. -6nis, 'corruption'. See corruption.
venience (F. inconvenance), fr. Late L. inconincrassate, tr. and intr. v., to thicken. - L. invenientia, 'lack of consistency, incongruity', fr.
crassiitus, 'made thick', pp. of incrassiire, 'to
L. inconveniens, gen. -entis. See next word and
make thick', fr. in-, 'in', and crassus, 'thick'.
-ce, resp. -cy.
See crass and verbal suff. -ate.
inconvenient, adj.- F. inconvenient, 'unsuitable',
Derivative: incrassat-ion, n.
fr. L. inconvenientem, ace. of inconveniens,'unincrassate, adj., thickened.- L. incrassiitus, pp.
suitable', fr. in-, 'not', and conveniens, gen.
of incrassiire. See incrassate, v.
-en tis, 'suitable', pres. part. of con venire, 'to be
increase, intr. and tr. v. - ME. encresen, insuitable'. See convenient.
cresen, fr. AF. encress-, corresponding to OF.
Derivatives: inconvenient-ly, adv., inconvenientencreis-, encreiss-, pres. part. stem of encreistre,
ness, n.
encroistre, fr. L. increscere, 'to grow in or upon',
inconvertible, adj. - Late L. inconvertibilis, fr.
fr. in-, 'in', and crescere, 'to grow'. See crescent
in-, 'not', and convertibilis. See convertible.
and cp. increment.
inconvertiblen.,
,
Derivatives: inconvertibil-ity
Derivatives: increase, n., increas-able, adj., inness, n., inconvertibl-y, adv.
creas-ed-ly, adv., increase-ment, n., increas-er,
incorporiitus,
L.
incorporeal.
adj.,
incorporate,
n., increas-ing, adj., increas-ing-ly, adv.
'not embodied', fr. in-, 'not', and corporiitus.
incredibility, n.- L. incredibilitiis, 'incredibility',
See corporate.
fr. incredibilis. See next word and -ity.
incorporate, adj., united in one body.- Late L.
incredible, adj. - L. incredibilis, 'that cannot be
incorporiitus, 'incorporated', pp. of incorporiire,
believed', fr. in-, 'not', and credibilis, 'worthy of
'to provide with a body, incorporate', fr. in-,
belief'. See credible and cp. incroyable.
'in', and L. corporiire, 'to make into a body', fr.
Derivatives: incredible-ness, n., incredibl-y, adv.
corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. See corpus and
n. - F. incredulite, fr. L. increduliincredulity,
corporate.
adj. suff. -ate and cp.
tiitem, ace. of incredulitiis, 'disbelief', fr. inincorporate, tr. v., to form into a body, to form
credulus. See next word and -ity.
into a society; intr. v., to unite. -Late L. inincredulous, adj. - L. incredulus, 'unbelieving',
corporiitus, pp. of incorporiire. See prec. word.
fr. in-, 'not', and credulus, 'credulous'. See
Derivatives: incorporat-ed, adj., incorporat-ing,
credulous.
adj.,
adj., incorporation (q.v.), incorporat-ive,
Derivatives: incredulous-ly, adv., incredulousincorporat-or, n.
n.
ness,
incorporating.
of
act
the
n.,
incorporation,
increment, n., increase; growth. - L. incremenME. incorporacioun, fr. OF. incorporation, fr.
tum, 'growth, increase', fr. increscere, 'to grow
Late L. incorportiti6nem, ace. of incorportiti6,
in or upon', fr. in-, 'in', and crescere, 'to grow'.
incorSee
fr. incorportitus, pp. of incorporiire.
See increase and cp. decrement.
porate, 'united in one body', and -ion.
Derivatives: increment-al, adj., incrementincorporeal, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al
arion, n.
fr. L. incorporeus, 'incorporeal', fr. in-, 'not',
incriminate, tr. v. - ML. incrimintitus, pp. of inand corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. See corpus.
crimintire, 'to incriminate', fr. in-, 'not', and L.
Derivatives: incorporeal-ity, n., incorporeal-ly,
crimintire, crimintiri, 'to accuse one of a crime',
adv.
crimen, gen. criminis, 'crime'. See criminate.
fr.
inL.
fr.
-ity
suff.
incorporeity, n.- Formed with
Derivatives: incriminat-ion, n., incriminat-or, n.,
corporeus. See prec. word.
incriminat-ory, adj.
incorrect, adj. - L. incorrectus, 'uncorrected',
incroach, intr. v. -See encroach.
fr. in-, 'not', and correctus, pp. of corrigere, 'to
incroyable, n., name of a French fop or dandy
make straight, set right, correct'. See correct, adj.
in the period of the Directory (1795-99). -F.,
n.
incorrect-ness,
Derivatives: incorrect-ly, adv.,
'incredible', fr. OF. increable, fr. in-, 'not', and
incorrigible, adj. -F., fr. L. incorrigibilis, 'not to
OF. creire (F. croire), 'to believe', fr. L. credere
be corrected', fr. in-, 'not', and corrigibilis, 'cor(see creed and cp. incredible); so called in alrigible'. See corrigible.
lusion to their frequent use of the word in
Derivatives: incorrigible, n., incorrigibil-ity, n.,
croyable.
incorrigible-ness, n., incorrigibl-y, n.

785
incrust, tr. v. - F. incruster, fr. L. incrusttire,
'to cover with a crust or coat, incrust', fr. in-, 'in',
and crustiire, 'to cover with a crust', fr. crusta,
'crust'. See crust and cp. encrust.
incrustate, adj. - L. incrustiitus, 'covered with
a crust', pp. of incrustare. See prec. word and
adj. suff. -ate.
incrustation, n. - Late L. incrustati6, gen. -6nis,
'a covering with a crust', fr. L. incrustiitus, pp.
of incrustiire. See incrust and -ion.
incubate, tr. and intr. v. - L. incubiitus, pp. of
incubdre, 'to lie in or upon', fr. in-, 'in', and
cubiire, 'to lie down'. See cubicle and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. incumbent.
Derivatives: incubation (q.v.), incubat-ive, adj.,
incubator (q.v.), incubat-ory, adj.
incubation, n. - L. incubiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a lying
upon eggs', fr. incubiitus, pp. of incubdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
incubator, n.- Lit. 'one who or that which incubates', fr. L. incubiitor, fr. incubiitus, pp. of
incubiire. See incubate and agential suff. -or.
incubus, n., 1) an evil spirit supposed to lie on
sleeping persons; 2) a nightmare. - Late L.,
'nightmare', lit. 'what lies upon one', fr. incubiire.
See incubate and cp. succubus.
incudal, incudate, adj., pertaining to the incus
(anat.)- Formed with adj. suff. -al, resp. -ate,
fr. L. incus, gen. incadis, 'anvil'. See incus.
incudo-, before a vowel incud-, combining form
denoting the incus (anat.)- Fr. L. incus, gen.
incudis, 'anvil'. See incus.
inculcate, tr. v., to impress on the mind. - L.
incu/ctitus, pp. of inculciire, 'to impress or urge
upon', lit. 'to tread in', fr. in-, 'in', and calcare,
'to tread', fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'heel'. See Calceolaria and verbal suff. -ate and cp. recalcitrate.
For the change of Latin ii (in cii/ctire) to u (in
in-culciire) see desultory and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: inculcation (q.v.), inculcat-ive, adj.,
inculcat-or, n., inculcat-ory, adj.
inculcation, n. -Late L. inculciiti6, gen. -6nis, 'an
inculcating', fr. L. inculctitus, pp. of inculciire.
See prec. word and -ion.
inculpable, adj., not culpable. - Late L. inculptibilis, fr. in-, 'not', and L. culptibilis. See
culpable.
Derivatives: inculpabil-ity, n., inculpab/e-ness,n.,
inculpabl-y, adv.
inculpate, tr. v.- ML. inculpiitus, pp. of inculptire, 'to reproach, blame', fr. in-, 'in', and L. culpiire, 'to reproach, blame, censure', fr. culpa,
'blame, fault'. See culpable.
Derivatives: inculpat-ion, n., incu/pat-ive, adj.,
inculpat-ory, adj.
L. incultus, 'unincult, adj., uncultivated.
tilled, uncultivated, unpolished, rude, unadorned', fr. in-, 'not', and cultus, 'tilled, cultivated', pp. of co/ere, 'to till, cultivate'. See cult.
incumbency, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.

incus

incumbent, adj., obligatory. - L. incumbens, gen.

-entis, pres. part. of incumbere, 'to lie upon,
apply oneself to', fr. in-, 'in', and -cumbere (found
only in compounds), 'to lie'. See cubicle and cp.
accumbent and words there referred to.
Derivatives: incumbent, n. (q.v.), incumbent-ly,
adv.
incumbent, n., one who holds an ecclesiastical
benefice or any other office. - Fr. prec. word.
incunabula, n. pl., r) the first stages of anything;
2) books printed before the year 1500. - L.
inciiniibula (pl.), 'swaddling clothes; cradle;
childhood; origin, beginning', formed fr. in-,
'in', and cfinae, 'cradle', which stands for *koinii, 'a place to lie down in', and is cogn. with
Gk. ;co(TI), 'place to lie down in, bed', ;ce:icr.&a:~,
'to lie, to lie asleep', ;co~[Lfiv, 'to lull to sleep',
fr. I.-E. base *lcei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence
also L. civis, 'member of a community, citizen'.
See civil and cp. words there referred to. Cp.also
cunabula.
incur, tr. v. - L. incurrere, 'to run into, run toward, rush at', fr. in-, 'in', and currere, 'to run'.
See current, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
incurable, adj. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) incurable,
fr. Late L. inciiriibilis, fr. in-, 'not', and L.
ciiriibilis. See curable.
Derivatives: incurable, n., incurabil-ity, n., incurable-ness, n., incurabl-y, adv.
incuriosity, n. - Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
incuri6sus. See next word.
incurious, adj. -- L. inciiri6sus, 'careless, indifferent, negligent', fr. in-, 'not', and ciiri6sus,
'careful, diligent'. See curious.
Derivatives: incurious-ly, adv., incurious-ness, n.
incurrent, adj., running in. - L. incurrens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of incurrere. 'to run into'. See
incur and -ent.
incursion, n. -L. incursi6, gen. -6nis, 'an assault,
inroad, attack', fr. incursus, pp. of incurrere.
See incur and -ion.
incursive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
incursus, pp. of incurrere. See incur and -ive.
incurvate, adj., bent or curved inward. - L. incurviitus, pp. of incurviire, 'to bend, crook,
curve', fr. in-, 'in', and curvtire, 'to bend, crook,
curve'. See curve, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
incurvate, tr. and intr. v., to bend or curve inward. - L. incurvtitus, pp. of incurviire. See
incurvate, adj.
incurvation, n. - L. incurviiti6, gen. -onis, 'a
bending, curving', fr. incurviitus, pp. of incurviire. See incurvate, adj., and -ion.
incurve, tr. v., to bend or curve inward.- L. incurvtire. See incurvate, adj.
incus, n., the middle of three small bones in the
ear(anat.)-L. inciis, 'anvil', a name given to this
bone by the Belgian anatomist Andreas Vesalius (1514-64) because of its resemblance to
an anvil. L. incus derives from the stem of inciidere, 'to forge with a hammer', fr. in-, 'in',
and ciidere, 'to strike, beat', which is cogn. with

incuse

ON. hoggva, OE. heawan, 'to hew'. See hew and

cp. caudex.
incuse, adj., stamped in, impressed (esp. used in
numismatics). - L. incusus, pp. of incudere, 'to
forge with a. hammer'. See incus.
Derivative: incuse, n., impression (esp. on a
coin)
incuse, tr. v., to stamp (esp. on a coin). - L. inciisus, pp. of inciidere. See incuse, adj.
indaba, n., meeting, council (among S. African
tribes). - Zulu in-daba, fr. pref. in and daba,
'business, matter news'.
indagate, tr. v., to search out, investigate. - L.
indiigiitus, pp. of indiigiire, 'to trace out, track,
search, investigate', formed fr. ind(u)-, 'in', and
iig-, the lengthened form of the stem of agere,
'to drive'; orig. a hunting term used in the sense
'to drive (the game) in'. For the first element
see indigene, for the second see agent, adj., and
cp. ambages. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
indagation, n. - L. indiigiitio, gen. -onis, 'a
tracing out, investigation', fr. indiigiitus, pp. of
indiigiire. See prec. word and -ion.
indagator, n. - L. indiigiitor, 'tracker, investigator', fr. indiigiitus, pp. of indiigiire. See indagate and agential suff. -or.
indamine, indamin, n., any of a series of organic
bases containing the NH group (chem.) -G.
Indamin, prob. coined from the abbreviation of
ind(igo) and amin.
indebted, adj. - ME. endetted, pp. of endetten,
'to indebt, oblige', fr. OF. endetter, fr. en, 'in',
and delle, 'debt'. In ModE. L. in- has been
substituted for ME. and OF. en-. See rst en-,
in-, 'in', and debt.
Derivative: indebted-ness, n.
indecency, n. - L. indecentia, 'unseemliness, impropriety', fr. indecens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -cy.
indecent, adj. - L. indecens, gen. -entis, 'un-,
seemly, improper', fr. in-, 'not', and decens,
gen. -entis, 'becoming, fitting, seemly, proper'.
See decent.
Derivatives: indecent-ly, adv., indecent-ness, n.
indecision, n.- F. indecision, fr. in-, 'not', and
decision. See decision.
indeclinable, adj. - F. indeclinable, fr. L. indecliniibilis, fr. in-, 'not', and decllniibilis. See
declinable.
Derivatives: indeclinable-ness, n., indeclinabl-y,
adv.
indecorous, adj. - L. indec6rus, 'unbecoming,
unseemly, disgraceful, indecorous', fr. in-, 'not',
and dec6rus, 'becoming, fitting, seemly, proper'.
See decorous.
Derivatives: indecorous-ly, adv., indecorousness, n.
indecorum, n., lack of decorum.- L. indecorum,
'that which is not suitable', neut. of indec6rus.
See indecorous and cp. decorum.
indeed, adv.- Formed fr. in and deed.
Derivative: indeed, interj.

786

indefatigable, adj. - Obsol. F. indefatigable, fr.

L. indefatlgiibilis, 'that eannot be wearied', fr.
in-, 'not', and defatigtire, 'to tire, exhaust', fr.
de- and fatigiire, 'to weary'. See fatigue and
-able.
Derivatives: indefatigabil-Ity, n., indefatigableness, n., indefatigabl-y, adv.
indefinite, adj. - L. indefinitus, 'indefinite', fr.
in-, 'not', and definitus, pp. of definire, 'to limit,
define'. See definite.
Derivatives: indRfinite-ly, adv., indefinite-ness, n.
indelible, adj. - L. indelebilis, 'indelible, imperishable', fr. in-, 'not', and de/ere, 'to efface,
abolish, obliterate, destroy'. See delete and -ible.
Derivatives: indelibil-ity, n., indelible-ness, n.,
indelibl-y, adv.
indemnification, n. - See next word and -ation.
indemnify, tr. v. - Formed with suff. -fy fr. L.
indemnis, 'unhurt, uninjured', fr. in-, 'not', and
damnum, 'loss, injury'. See damn. For the change
of Latin ii (in damnum) to e (in in-demnis) see
accent and cp. words there referred to.
indemnity, n. -F. indemnite, fr. Late L. indemnitiitem, ace. of indemnitiis, 'security from
damage or loss, indemnity', fr. L. indemnis. See
prec. word and -ity.
indene, n., a hydrocarbon, C 9 H 8 , obtained from
coal tar (chem.)- Coined from the abbreviation
of indole and suff. -ene.
indent, tr. v., to notch; intr. v., to make out an
order with a counterfoil. - ME. endenten, 'to
notch', fr. OF. ( = F.) endenter, fr. ML. indenture, 'to furnish with teeth', fr. in-, 'in', and L.
dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See tooth and cp.
denti-.
Derivatives: indent, n., a notch; indenture, n.,
indent-ation, n., indent-ion, n., indenture (q.v.)
indent, tr. v., to make a dent, impress.- Formed
fr. in-, 'in', and dent.
Derivative: indent, n., a dent, indent-ation, n.
indenture, n., r) an indented document; 2) any
deed or contract; esp. 3) a contract of apprenticeship. - ME. endRnture, fr. OF. endenteiire,
endenture, fr. endenter. See indent, v., and -ure.
Derivatives: indenture, tr. v., indentur-ed, adj.
independence, n.- Formed fr. independent with
suff. -ce. Cp. F. independance.
independency, n. - Formed from next word
with suff. -cy.
independent. adj. - Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
dependent. Cp. F. independant.
Derivatives: independent, n., independent-ly,adv.
indeterminable, adj. - Late L. indeterminiibilis,
'that cannot be defined', fr. in-, 'not', and determiniibilis. See determinable.
Derivatives: indeterminable-ness, n., indeterminabl-y, adv.
indeterminate, adj. - Late L. indeterminiitus,
'undefined', fr. in-, 'not', and L. determintitus,
pp. of determiniire. See determinate.
Derivatives: indeterminate-ly, adv., indeterminate-ness, n., indeterminat-ion, n.

787

indeterminism, n., the doctrine that human will is

free (philos.) - Formed fr. in-, 'not', and determinism.
indeterminist, n., a believer in indeterminism. See prec. word and -ist.
index, n.- L. index, gen. indicis, 'a pointer, indicator; the forefinger; sign, mark, indication;
guide, witness, informer', rei. to indictire, 'to
point out, show'. See indicate.
Derivatives: index, tr. v., index-ed, adj., indexer, n., index-ing, n.
India, n.- L., fr. Gk. 'lvSW, fr. "lv8oc;, 'the river
Indus', fr. OPers. Hindu, fr. 01. sindhub, 'river',
spec. 'the river Indus', whence 'the region of
the river Indus'. Cp. Hindu, indigo, indium,
sandia, sendal, sindon. Cp. also the second element in Sapindus and in tamarind.
Derivatives: Indi-an, adj. and n.
ludic, adj., of, or pertaining to, India. - L. Indicus, fr. Gk. 'Iv8Lx6c;, fr. 'lvSliX. See prec. word
and -ic and cp. indigo.
indicate, tr. v. - L. indiciitus, pp. of indiciire, 'to
point out, show, indicate, declare', fr. in-, 'in',
and diciire, 'to proclaim, dedicate, consecrate',
which is rei. to dicere, 'to say, tell'. See diction
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. index, indicia,
indict.
Derivatives: indicat-ed, adj., indication (q.v.),
indicative (q.v.), indicator (q.v.), indicat-ory, adj.
indication, n. - F., fr. L. indiciitionem, ace. of
indictiti6, 'an indicating', fr. indiciitus, pp. of
indiciire. See prec. word and -ion.
indicative, adj.- F. indicatif(fem. indicative), fr.
L. indiciitlvus, fr. indiciitus, pp. of indictire. See
indicate and -ive.
Derivative: indicative-ly, adv.
indicative, n. - F. indicatif. See indicative, adj.
indicator, n. - Late L., 'one that points out or
shows', fr. L. indiciitus, pp. of indiciire. See indicate and agential suff. -or.
indicia, n. pl., indications. - L., pl. of indicium,
'information, discovery, disclosure; sign, mark',
fr. index, gen. indicis. See index.
indict, tr. v., to charge with a crime. - ME. enditen, 'to dictate, write down, accuse, indict',
fr. OF. enditer, 'to dictate, write down; to suggest, teach; to prescribe', fr. VL. *indictiire, 'to
declare, proclaim in writing', fr. in-, 'in', and
L. dictiire, 'to say often, declare, prescribe, dictate'. See dictate and cp. indite, which is a doublet of indict. Cp. also indicate, indicia.
Derivatives: indict-able, adj., indict-ee, n., indict-or, n., indict-ment, n.
indiction, n., r) the edict of a Roman emperor
establishing the valuation of a property for purposes of taxation at the beginning of every fifteen years; 2) a recurring cycle of fifteen years.
- L. indictio, gen. -6nis, 'declaration, appointment', esp. 'appointment of tax', fr. indictus,
pp. of indicere, 'to declare, appoint', fr. in-, 'in',
and-dicere, 'to say'. See diction and -ion and cp.
prec. word.

indign

Indies, n. pl. - Pl. of Indie, Indy, fr. L. India.

See India.
indifference, indifferency, n. - L. indifferentia,
'want of difference, similarity', fr. indifferens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
indifferent, adj. - L. indifferens, gen. -tntis, 'indifferent, similar; neither good nor evil', fr.
in-, 'not', and differens, pres. part. of differre,
'to differ'. See different.
Derivatives: indifferent, n., indifferent-ism, n.,
indifferent-ist, n., indifferent-ly, adv.
indigence, n. - L. indigentia, 'need, want, insatiable desire', fr. indigens, gen. -entis. See indigent and -ce.
indigene, n., a native. - F. indigene, fr. L. indigena, 'native', lit. 'born within (the tribe)',
fr. *indu-gena, fr. OL. indu, fr. earlier endo, 'in',
and the base of L. gignere, perf. genul, 'to beget'. OL. endo is formed fr. en, 'in', and -do,
'to'; it is cogn. with Hitt. anda, am/an, 'in, into,
within', Gk. l:v8Lvo:, 'entrails', Oir. inne (for
*en-d-io-), 'within' (but Gk. E:v8ov, 'within', is
formed fr. E:v, 'in', and the base of MfLo<;,
'house'; see endo-). See in-, 'in', and to and cp.
the first element in indagate, indigent, industry.
For the second element in L. indigena see genus.
indigenous, adj., native. - Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. indigena, 'native'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: indigenous-ly, adv., indigenousness, n.
indigent, adj., needy, poor. - F., fr. L. indigentem, ace. of indigens, 'needy', pres. part. of
indigere, 'to need, want, require', which is compounded ofOL. ind(u)-, 'in', and L. egere, 'to be
in need, be in want'. For the first element see indigene. The second element is prob. cogn. with
ON. ekla, 'want, lack', ekla, 'hardly', OHG.
eko-rodo, 'only', ekrodi, eccherode, 'thin, weak'.
For the change of Latin e (in egere) to i (in indigere) see abstinence and cp. words there referred to. L. egere is not cogn. with OE. acan,
'to ache', nor with the second element in L.
indi-gena, 'a native', and in ex-iguus, 'scanty,
small'.
indigested, adj. - Formed with suff. -ed fr. L.
indigestus, 'undigested; unarrangcd, confused',
fr. in-, 'not', and digestus, pp. of digerere, 'to
divide, distribute; to digest'. See digest, v.
indigestible, adj. - Late L. indigestibifis, 'indigestible', fr. in-, 'not', and digestibilis. See
digestible.
Derivatives: indigestibil-ity, n., indigestible-ness,
n., indigestibl-y, adv.
indigestion, n. - F., fr. Late L. indigesti6nem,
ace. of indlgestio, 'indigestion', fr. L. indigestw.
See indigested.
indigestive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
indigestus. See indigested.
indigo, adj., unworthy (ohsol.) -- ME. indigne,
fr. MF. ( = F.) indigne, fr. L. indignus, 'unworthy, undeserving', fr. in-, 'not', and dignus,
'worthy'. See dignity.

Indignant

indignant, adj. - L. indigniins, gen. -antis, pres.

part. of indigniiri, 'to be displeased at, to be
indignant', fr. in-, 'not', and dignus, 'worthy'.
See dignity and -ant.
Derivative: indignant-ly, adv.
indignation, n.- F., fr. L. indigniitionem, ace. of
indigniiti6, 'indignation, displeasure', fr. indigniitus, pp. of indigniiri. See indign and -ation.
indignity, n. - L. indignitiis, gen. -iitis, 'unworthiness, meanness, baseness', fr. indignus, 'unworthy'. See indigo and -ity.
indigo, n., a blue dye. - F., fr. Du. indigo, borrowed fr. Sp. indico, indigo, fr. L. indicum, 'indigo', fr. Gk. tv8tx6v, 'indigo', (short for 'Iv8txov
<p&p!J.a:xov, lit. 'Indian dye'), neut. of 'Iv8Lx6~,
'Indian'. See Indic.
indigotic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, indigo. - Irregularly formed fr. indigo with
suff. -ic.
indirect, adj. - Late L. indirectus (prob. through
the medium of F. indirect), fr. in-, 'not', and L.
directus. See direct, adj. and v.
Derivatives: indirect-ion, n., indirect-ly, adv.,
indirect-ness, n.
indiscreet, adj., not discreet; imprudent. - ME.
indiscrete, fr. F. indiscret (fern. indiscrete), fr. L.
indiscretus, 'unseparated, undivided, undistinguished; not distinguishing, indiscreet', fr. in-,
'not', and discretus, pp. of discernere. See
discreet and cp. next word.
Derivatives: indiscreet-ly,adv., indiscreet-ness,n.
indiscrete, adj., not consisting of distinct parts.L. indiscretus, 'unseparated'. See prec. word.
indiscretion, n. - F. indiscretion, fr. Late L. indiscreti6nem, ace. of indiscreti6, 'lack of discernment', fr. L. indiscretus. See prec. word and -ion
and cp. discretion.
indispensable, adj. - ML. indispensiibilis, fr. in-,
'not', and dispensiibilis. See dispensable.
Derivatives: indispensabil-ity, n., indispensableness, n., indispensabl-y, adv.
indisputable, adj. -Late L. indisputiibilis, fr. in-,
'not', and L. disputiibilis. See disputable.
Derivatives: indisputabil-ity, n., indisputableness, n., indisputabl-y, adv.
indissoluble, adj. - L. indissoliibilis, 'that cannot
be dissolved', fr. in-, 'not', and dissoliibilis. See
dissoluble.
Derivatives: indissolubil-ity, n., indissolubleness, n., indissolubl-y, adv.
indistinct, adj. - L. indistinct us, 'not distinct;
confused', fr. in-, 'not', and distinctus. See
distinct.
Derivatives: indistinct-ion, n., indistinct-ive, adj.,
indistinct-ive-ly, adv., indistinct-ive-ness, n., indistinct-ly, adv., indistinct-ness, n.
indite, tr. v., to write, put down in writing. ME. enditen, 'to dictate, write down'. See indict.
indium,n.,name of a rare metallic element(chem.)
- ModL., coined by its discoverers, the German chemists Ferdinand Reich and Theodor
Richter, in 1863, fr. L. indicum, 'indigo' (see

788
indigo); so called by them in allusion to its color
in the spectrum.
individual, adj. - ML. individuiilis, 'individual',
fr. L. individuus, 'undivided, indivisible', fr. in-,
'not', and dividuus, 'divisible', fr. dividere, 'to
divide'. See divide and adj. suff. -al and cp.
dividual. L. individuus was coined by Cicero to
translate Gk. &-ro11-o~, 'that cannot be cut, indivisible'.
Derivatives: individual, n., individual-ism, n.,
individual-ist, n., individual-ist-ic, adj., individualist-ic-al-ly, adv., individual-ity, n., individual-ize,
tr. v., individual-iz-ation, n., individualiz-er, n.,
individual-ly, adv.
individuate, tr. v., to individualize. - ML. individuiitus, pp. of individuiire, 'to individualize', fr.
L. individuus. See individual and verbal suff. -ate.
individuation, n. - ML. individuiiti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. individuiitus, pp. of individuiire. See prec.
word and -ion.
indivisible, adj.- Late L. indivisibilis, 'indivisible',
fr. in-, 'not', and divisibilis. See divisible.
Derivatives: indivisible, n., indivisibil-ity, n., indivisible-ness, n., indivisibl-y, adv.
Indo-, combining form meaning 'Indian'.- Fr.
Gk. 'lv86~, 'Indian', fr. 'Iv86~, 'the river Indus'.
See India.
indocile, adj. - F., fr. L. indocilis, 'that cannot
be taught', fr. in-, 'not', and docilis, 'docile'.
See docile.
indocility, n.- F. indocilite, fr. L. indocilitiitem,
ace. of indocilitiis, 'unteachableness', fr. indocilis. See prec. word and -ity.
indoctrinate, tr. v.- Formed fr. in-, 'in', L. doctrina, 'teaching' (see doctrine), and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: indoctrinat-ion, n., indoctrinat-or, n.
Indo-European, adj. and n.- Coined by the physician, physicist and Egyptologist Thomas
Young (1773-1829).
indole, indo!, n., a white crystalline compound,
C 8 H 7N, obtained by reduction from indigo
derivatives (chem.) - Coined from the abbreviation of ind(igo) and suff. -ol (for alcoh-ol).
indolence, n. - L. indo/entia, 'freedom from
pain, insensibility', fr. in-, 'not', and do lens, gen.
-entis; see next word and -ce. L. indo/entia is
prop. a loan translation. It was formed by Cicero
to render the Greek philosophical term ocmi.&eta:,
lit. 'impassibility', which was coined by Aristotle
from 7t&-&o~, 'suffering' (see apathy).
indolent, adj. - Late L. indo/ens, gen. -entis, fr.
priv. pref. in- and L. do/ens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
of do/ere 'to feel pain'. See dole, 'grief', and
-ent.
Derivatives: indolent, n., indolent-ly, adv.
indomitable, adj. - Late L. indomitiibilis, 'indomitable', fr. in-, 'not', domitiire, 'to tame', and
suff. -iibilis. See daunt, and -able.
Derivatives: indomitabil-ity, n., indomitableness, n., indomitabl-y, adv;
Indonesia, n., the East Indian Archipelago. -

789
Compounded of Indo- and Gk. v'ijao~, 'island',
which is prob. rei. to v-f)-xEtv, 'to swim', fr.
I.-E. base *snii-, 'to flow', whence also 01. sntfti,
'bathes' (intr.), L. niire, natiire, 'to swim'. See
natation and cp. the second element in Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia.
Derivatives: Indonesi-an, adj. and n.
indorse, tr. v. -A var. of endorse (q.v.)
Derivatives: indors-ation, n., indors-ee, n., indors-er, n., indorse-ment, n.
indoxyl, n., a yellow crystalline compound,
C.H7 NO (chem.) - Formed from the abbreviation of ind(igo) and (bydr)oxyl.
Indra, n., the god of the firmament in Hindu
mythology. - 01. [ndral), of uncertain origin.
indri, n., the short-tailed lemur (Indris brevicaudatus). - Malagasy; prop. an interjection
meaning 'behold!', but mistaken for the name
of the animal.
indubious, adj. - L. indubius, 'not doubtful, certain', fr. in-, 'not', and dubius, 'doubtful, dubious'. See dubious.
indubitable, adj. - L. indubitiibilis, 'that cannot
be doubted', fr. in-, 'not', and dubitiibilis. See
dubitable.
Derivatives: indubitable-ness, n., indubitabl-y,
adv.
induce, tr. v. -- L. indiicere, 'to lead in, bring in;
to introduce; to persuade', fr. in-, 'in', and diicere, 'to lead'. See duke and words there referred
to and cp. esp. andouille.
Derivatives: induc-ed, adj., induce-ment, n.,
induc-ible, adj.
induct, tr. v. - L. inductus, pp. of indiicere. See
induce.
inductance, n., the property of a circuit by virtue
of which induction occurs (elect.) - See prec.
word and -ance.
inductile, adj., not ductile. - Formed fr. in-,
'not', and ductile.
induction, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. inducti6nem,
ace. of inducti6, 'a leading in, introduction; a
mode of reasoning from the particular to the
general', fr. inductus, pp. of indiicere. See induce
and -ion. As a term of logic, L. inducti6 is a loan
translation of Gk. l:rcocywyfj, 'a bringing on or
in; induction', fr. e1t&yew, 'to bring on or in'.
inductive, adj. - Late L. inductivus, fr. L. in~
ductus, pp. of indiicere. See induce and -ive.
Derivatives: inductive-ly, adv., inducti~e-ness, n.
inductor, n.- L., 'one who stirs up or rouses', fr.
inductus, pp. of indiicere. See induce and agential
suff. -or.
indue, tr. v., to put on (a garment); to invest, endow. - A var. of endue.
indulge, tr. and intr. v. - L. indu/gere, 'to be
kind, yield, indulge in', orig. 'to be long-suffering, be bearing, be patient'; cogn. with 01.
dirg/uif:l, 'long', Gk. 8o).tx6~. 'long'. See dolicboand cp. indult.
~rivatives: indulg-er, n., indulg-ing, adj., indulg-ing-ly, adv.

111\,IUTidllli:O

indulgence, n.- Eitherfr. F. indulgence, or directly

fr. L. indulgentia, 'indulgence, gentleness, complaisance', fr. indulgens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ence.
Derivatives: indulgence, tr. v., indulgenc-ed, adj.
indulgent, adj. - L. indulgens, gen. -enfis, pres.
part. of indu!gere. See indulge and -ent.
Derivatives: indulgent-ly, adv., indulgent-ness,n.
induline, indulin, n., any of a group of blue black
and grayish aniline dyes (chem.) - Formed
from the abbreviation of ind(igo) and the suffixes -ule and -ine.
indult, n., an extraordinary dispensation granted
by the Pope. - L. indultum, 'indulgence, grace,
favor', prop. neut. pp. of indulgere. See indulge.
indurate, tr. and intr. v. - L. indiiriitus, pp. of
indiiriire, 'to make hard, harden', fr. in-, 'in',
and duriire, 'to make hard, harden', fr. diirus,
'hard'. See dure, adj., and verbal suff. -ate, and
cp. endure, obdurate.
Derivatives: indurat-ed, adj., induration (q.v.),
indur-at-ive, adj.
indurate, adj.- L. indiiriitus, pp. of indiiriire. See
Indurate, v.
induration, n.- F., fr. ML. indiiriitionem, ace. of
indiiriiti6, 'hardness (esp. ofheart)'. See indurate,
v., and -ion.
indusium, n., I) the covering of the sorus of a fern
(bot.); 2) a cuplike collection of hairs (bot.);
3) a case enclosing an insect larva (entomol.) L. indiisium, 'a tunic', fr. induere, 'to put on (a
garment)'. See induviae.
Derivatives: indusi-a/, indusi-ate, indusi-at-ed,
adjs.
industrial, adj. - ML. industria/is (partly through
the medium of F. industriel), fr. L. industria. See
industry and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: industrial-ly, adv.
Industrialism, n. - F. industrialisme, coined by
the comte de Saint-Simon (176o-1825) in his
work Catechisme des industriels, published in
1823 (pp. 163 If.), fr. industriel, 'industrial', fr.
industrie, 'industry'. See industrial and -ism.
industrialist, n. -F. industrialiste, coined by the
comte de Saint-Simon in 1823 fr. industriel. See
prec. word and -ist.
indus_trialize, tr. v.- F. industrialiser, fr. ML. in-dustriiilis. See industrial and -ize.
Derivative: industrializ-ation, n.
industrious, adj. - L. industriosus, 'diligent', fr.
industrius. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: industrious-ly, adv., industriousness, n.
industry, n.- F. industrie, fr. L. industria, 'diligence, industry', orig. fern. of industrius, 'diligent, industrious', used as a noun, fr. OL. indostruus, lit. 'building into', fr. indu, 'in', and
struere, 'to build, erect'. See indigene and
structure.
lnduviae, n. pl., leaves that remain attached to
the stem after withering (bot.) - L. induviae,
'clothes, garments', from the stem of induere,

-ine

'to put on (a garment)', which is formed fr.

ind(u)-, 'in', and -uere, for *-overe, earlier
*-evere, fr. I.-E. base *ew-, 'to put on'. For the
first element see indigene, for the second see
exuviae. Cp. indusium.
-ine, adj. suff. meaning 'of, pertaining to; of the
nature of, like'.- L. -inus (masc.), -ina (fern.),
-inurn (neut.), either directly or through the
medium of OF., F. -in (masc.), -ine (fern.) Cp.
e.g. canine (fr. L. caninus), saline (fr. L. salinus).
Cp. also adj. suff. -en.
-ine, adj. suff. meaning 'of the nature of, like'.L. -inus (masc.), -ina (fern.), -inurn (neut.), fr.
Gk. -Tvo~ (masc.), -tv"IJ (fern.), -Tvov (neut.) Cp. e.g. adamantine, fr. L. adamantinus, fr. Gk.
ciooc[L:Xntvo~.

-inc, suff. forming abstract nouns as in doctrine,

discipline, medicine.- F. -ine, fr. L. -ina.
-ine, suff. forming feminine common nouns. L. -ina, fr. Gk. -lV"I). Cp. e.g. heroine, fr. F.
heroine, fr. L. her6ina, fr. Gk. ~pwtv"IJ. Cp. 2nd
adj. suff. -ine.
-ine, also -in, suff. used in chemistry to form
1) names of alkaloids and bases (as cocaine,
aniline, etc.); 2) names of elements (as bromine,
chlorine, etc.)- F. -ine, fr. Latin adj. suff. -ina,
fern. of -inus. See 1st adj. suff. -ine.
-iRe, also -in, dimin. suff. - Fr. It. dimin. suff.
-ino, -ina, either directly or through the medium
of F. -ine. Cp. e.g. mandolin(e), fr. F. mandoline,
fr. It. mandolino.
-ineae, pl. suff. used to form names of subfamilies
of plants (hot.) - ModL., fr. L. -ineae, fern. pl.
of -ineus (as in griimineus, 'gramineous'). The
fern. form is due to L. plantae, 'plants', a fern.
noun in the pl., which is understood.
inebriant, adj., inebriating. - L. inebriiins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of inebriiire. See next word
and -ant.
inebriate, tr. v., to make drunk, intoxicate. L. inebriiitus, pp. of inebriiire, 'to make drunk,
inebriate', fr. in-, 'not', and ebriiire, 'to make
drunk', fr. ebrius, 'drunk'. See ebrious and
verbal suff. -ate.
inebriate, adj. - L. inebriiitus, pp. of inebriiire.
See inebriate, v.
inebriation, n. - Late L. inebriiiti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. L. inebriiitus, pp. of inebriiire. See inebriate,
v., and suff. -ion.
inebriety, n. - Prob. a blend of ebriety and
inebriation.
ineffable, adj.- F., fr. L. ineffiibilis, 'unutterable,
unpronounceable', fr. in-, 'not', and effiibilis,
fr. 1st ex- and fiiri, 'to say, speak'. See fable.
Derivatives: ineffabil-ity, n., ineffable-ness, n.,
ineffabl-y, adv.
inefficacious, adj. - Formed with suff. -ous fr. L.
inefficax, gen. -acis, 'inefficacious', fr. in-, 'not',
and efficax, gen. -iicis. See efficacious.
Derivatives: inefficacious-ly, adv ., inefficaciousness, n.
ineftkacy, n. -Late L. ine.fficiicia, fr. L. inefficiix,

790

gen. -iicis. See prec. word and -y (representing

L. -ia).
inelegance, inelegancy, n. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
inelegant, adj. - F. inelegant, fr. L. inelegantem,
ace. of inelegans, 'without taste, without judgment', fr. in-, 'r.ot', and elegiins, gen. -antis. See
elegant.
Derivative: inelegant-ly, adv.
ineluctable, adj., not to be avoided. - L. ineluctabilis, 'unavoidable, inevitable', fr. in-, 'not',
and eluctiiri, 'to struggle out of, to surmount',
fr. e- and luctiiri, 'to struggle, wrestle', which is
cogn. with Gk. J.uyo~, 'any pliant twig', ).uy[~e~v
'to twist, bend', OE. locc, 'lock'. See lock, 'tuft',
and cp. reluctance.
Derivatives: ineluctabil-ity, n., ineluctabl-y, adv.
inept, adj., 1) unfit; 2) foolish.- L. ineptus, 'unsuitable, improper, tactless', fr. in-, 'not', and
aptus, 'fitted, suited'. See apt and cp. inapt, onapt. For the change of Latin ii (in iiptus) toe (in
in-eptus) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: inept-ly, adv., inept-ness, n.
ineptitude, n. - L. ineptitud6, fr. ineptus. See
prec. word and -ude.
inequal, adj. - L. inaequiilis, fr. in-, 'not', and
aequiilis, 'equal'. See equal.
Derivatives: inequal-ly, adv., inequal-ness, n.
inequality, n.- Late L. inaequiilitas, 'unevenness,
inequality', fr. L. inaequalis. See prec. word
and -ity.
inerm, adj., unarmed; destitute of thorns (hot.)L. inermis, inermus. 'unarmed', formed fr. in-,
'not', and arma, 'arms'. See arm, 'weapon'.
For the change of Latin ii (in iirma) to e (in inermis, in-ermus) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
inerrable, adj., not erring; infallible. - L. inerrabilis, 'unerring', fr. in-, 'not', and errare,
'to err'. See err and -able.
Derivatives: inerrabil-ity, n., inerrable-ness, n.,
inerrabl-y, adv.
inerrancy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
inerrant, adj., not erring. - L. inerriins, gen.
-antis, 'not wandering', fr. in-, 'not', and errans,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of erriire, 'to err'. See
err and -ant.
Derivative: inerrant-ly, adv.
inert. adj., r) without inherent power to move or
resist; 2) inactive. - L. iners, gen. -ertis, 'unskilled; inactive, idle', fr. in-, 'not', and ars, gen.
artis, 'skill; art'. See art. For the change of Latin
ti (in tirs) toe (in in-ers) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: inert-ly, adv., inert-ness, n.
inertia, n., inertness; the tendency of matter to
remain at rest when at rest, and in motion when
moving. - L., 'unskillfulness; inactivity, idleness', fr. iners, gen. -ertis. See prec. word. The
word inertia was introduced into physics by the

Infarct

791

'
I

German astronomer and mathematician Johann

Kepler (IS7I-I6Jo).
inemdite, adj. - L. ineruditus, 'unlearned, illiterate, ignorant', fr. in-, 'not', and eruditus. See
erudite.
Derivatives: inerudite-ly, adv., inerudit-ion, n.
inestimable, adj. - F., fr. L. inaestimiibilis, 'that
cannot be estimated; inestimable, invaluable',
fr. in-, 'not', and aestimabilis. See estimable.
Derivatives: inestimabil-ity, n., inestimable-ness,
n., inestimabl-y, adv.
inevitable, adj. - L. inevitabilis, 'unavoidable',
fr. in-, 'not', and evitabilis. See evitable.
Derivatives: inevitabil-ity, n., inevitable-ness, n.,
inevitabl-y, adv.
inexorable, adj. - L. inex6rabilis, 'that cannot
be moved by entreaty, inexorable', fr. in-, 'not',
and ex6rabilis. See exorable.
Derivatives: inexorabil-ity, n., inexorable-ness,
n., inexorabl-y, adv.
inexperience, n. - F. inexperience, fr. Late L.
inexperientia, fr. in-, 'not', and L. experientia.
See experience.
Derivative: inexperienc-ed, adj.
inexpert, adj. -OF., fr. L. inexpertus, 'unpracticed, inexperienced', fr. in-, 'not', and expertus.
See expert.
Derivatives: inexpert-ly, adv., inexpert-ness, n.
inexpiable, adj. - L. inexpiiibilis, 'that cannot
be atoned for, implacable', fr. in-, 'not', and
expiiire, 'to make amends or atonement for'.
See expiable.
Derivatives: inexpiable-ness, n., inexpiabl-y, adv.
inexplicable, adj. - F., fr. L. inexpliciibilis, fr.
in-, 'not', and expliciibilis. See explicable.
Derivatives: inexplicabil-ity, n., inexplicableness, n., inexplicabl-y, adv.
inexplicit, adj. - L. inexplicitus, 'not to be unfolded, unexplained', fr. in-, 'not', and explicitus.
See explicit, adj.
Derivatives: inexplicit-ly, adv ., inexplicit-ness, n.
inexpugnable, adj. - F., fr. L. inexpiignabilis,
'not to be taken by assault', fr. in-, 'not', and
expugniibilis. See expugnable.
Derivatives: inexpugnabil-ity, n., inexpugnableness, n., inexpugnabl-y, adv.
inextricable, adj. - L. inextricabilis, 'that cannot be disentangled', fr. in-, 'not', and extricabilis. See extricable.
Derivatives: inextricabil-ity, n., inextricableness, n., inextricabl-y, adv.
Inez, fern. PN.- Sp., equivalent to Agnes (q.v.)
infaUibilism, n., the doctrine of the infallibility of
the Pope. - Formed with suff. -ism fr. ML. infal/ibilis. See infallible.
infallibilist, n., a believer in the infallibility of the
Pope. - Formed with suff. -ist fr. ML. infallibilis. See infallible.
infallibility, n.- ML. infallibilitas, fr. infal/ibilis.
See next word and -ity.
inflillible, adj.- ML. infallibilis, fr.ln-, 'not', and
Late L. fal/ibilis See fallible.
0

Derivatives: infallible-ness, n., infallibl-y, adv.

infamize, tr. v., to render infamous (archaic).Formed with suff. -ize fr. L. infiimis. See next
word.
infamous, adj. - ML. infamosus, fr. L. infiimis,
'ill spoken of, disreputable, notorious', fr. in-,
'not', and fama, 'talk, report, rumor'. See
famous.
Derivatives: infamous-ly, adv., infamous-ness, n.
infamy, n.- F. infamie, fr. L. infamia, 'bad repute, dishonor, infamy', fr. infiimis. See prec.
word and-y (representing F. -ie).
infancy, n. - L. infantia, 'early childhood', lit.
'inability to speak', fr. inftins, gen. -antis. See
infant and -cy.
infangthief, n., the right of a lord to try a thief
caught within his jurisdiction (Old English law).
- OE. infangenjJeof, fr. in (see in), fangen,
'taken' (pp. of Jon, 'to take'), and jJeof, 'thief'.
See fang and thief and cp. outfangthief.
infant, n.- OF.(= F.) enfant, fr. L. infantem,
ace. ofinfans, 'a young child, a babe', lit. 'that
cannot speak, not yet able to speak', fr. in-,
'not', and fans, gen. fantis, pres. part. of fiiri,
'to speak'. See fame.
Derivative: infant, adj.
infanta, n., any daughter of a king of Spain or
Portugal. - Sp. and Port., fern. of infante. See
infante.
infante, n., any son of a king of Spain or Portugal, except the heir to the throne. - Sp. and
Port., fr. L. infantem, ace. of infans, 'a young
child'. See Infant.
infanticidal, adj., pertaining to infanticide (in
either sense).- Formed fr. infanticide with adj.
suff. -al.
infanticide, n., one who kills an infant. -F., fr.
Late L. infanticida, compounded of L. infiins,
gen. -fan tis, and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'.
See prec. word and -cide, 'killer'.
infanticide, n., the killing of an infant; child
murder. -F., fr. Late L. infanticidium, compounded ofL. infiins, gen. -!antis, and -cidium,
'killing', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See infant and
-cide, 'killing'.
infantile, adj., childish.- L. infantilis, 'pertaining
to an infant', fr. infons, gen. -!antis. See infant
and -ile.
Derivatives: infantilism (q.v.), infantil-ity, n.
infantilism, n., abnormal persistence of childish
traits in an adult (med.) - See infantile and
-ism.
infantine, adj., childish.- F. infantin, fern. -ine,
var. of enfantin, fern. -ine, fr. enfant. See infant
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -!nus).
infantry, n. - F. infanterie, fr. It. infanteria, fr.
infante, 'infant, youth; servant; foot soldier',
fr. L. infantem, ace. of infans, 'a young child,
a babe'. See infant and -ry and cp. fantassin,
fantocdni. For sense development cp. uhlan.
iDfarct, n., a region of necrosis of tissue (med.) ML. infarctus, corresponding to L. infartus,

infatuate

pp. of infarcire, 'to stuff into', fr. in-, 'in', and

farcire, 'to stuff'. See farce, n.
Derivatives: infarct-ed, adj., infarct-ion, n.
infatuate, adj. - L. infatuiitus, pp. of infatuiire.
See infatuate, v.
infatuate, tr. v., to make foolish.- L. infatuiitus,
pp. of infatuiire, 'to make a fool of, infatuate',
fr. in-, 'in', and fatuus, 'foolish'. See fatuous
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: infatuat-ed, adj., infatuat-ed-ly,
adv., infatuation (q.v.)
infatuation, n. - Late L. infatuiitio, gen. -onis,
fr. L. infatuiitus, pp. of infatuiire. See prec. word
and -ion.
infect, tr. v., to taint; to corrupt. - L. infectus,
pp. of inficere, 'to put into, dip into; to stain,
taint; to infect', fr. in-, 'in', andfacere (pp.factus), 'to make, do'. See fact. For the change of
Latin a (in factus) toe (in in-fectus) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: infect-ed, adj., infect-ed-ness, n.,
infection (q.v.), infect-ious, adj., infect-ious-ly,
adv., infect-ious-ness, n., infect-ive, adj., infective-ly, adv ., infect-ive-ness, n.
infection, n. -F., fr. Late L. infectionem, ace. of
infectio, fr. L. infectus, pp. of inficere. See prec.
word and -ion.
infelicific, adj., causing unhappiness. - Formed
fr. L. infelix, gen. -icis, 'unfortunate, unhappy'
with suff. -fie. See infelicity and cp. felicific.
infelicitous, adj., unhappy. - See next word
and -ous.
Derivatives: infelicitous-ly, adv., infelicitousness, n.
infelicity, n. - L. infelicitiis, gen. -iitis, 'ill luck,
misfortune', fr. in/i?lix, gen. -icis, 'unfortunate,
unhappy', fr. in-, 'not', and felix, gen. -icis,
'fortunate, happy'. See felicity.
infer, tr. v., to imply.- L. inferre, 'to bring into,
carry in; to introduce; to deduce, infer', fr. in-,
'in',andferre, 'to bear,carry'. See bear, 'to carry',
and cp. confer and words there referred to.
inference, n. - ML. inferentia, fr. L. inferens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of inferre. See infer and
suff. -ence.
inferential, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ML. inferentia. See prec. word.
Derivative: infere' tial-ly, adv.
inferior, adj., lower.- L., 'lower in place, under,
nether', compar. of inferus. See infra and compar. suff. -ior.
Derivatives: inferior, n., inferior-ity, n., inferiorly, adv.
infernal, adj., pertaining to hell; devilish.- F.,
fr. L. inferniilis, 'pertaining to the lower regions',
fr. infernus, 'lying beneath, infernal', fr. inferus,
'lower'. See infra and cp. pr~. word.
Derivatives: infernal-ity, n., infernal-ly, adv.
inferno, n., hell. - It., fr. L. infernus, 'lying beneath, infernal'. See Infernal.
infertile, adj.- Late L. infertilis, 'unfruitful', fr.
in-, 'not, and L. fertilis. See fertile.

792
Derivatives: infertile-ly, adv., infertile-ness, n.
infertility, n. - F. infertilite, fr. Late L. infertilitiitem, ace. of infertilitiis, 'unfruitfulness', fr.
infertilis. See prec. word and -ity.
infest, tr. v., to harass. - F. infester, fr. L. infestiire, 'to trouble, disturb, molest', fr. infestus,
'disturbed, molested, infested, unquiet, hostile',
lit. 'seized', rel. to manifestus, 'evident', lit. 'that
which can be seized by the hand', and prob.
cogn. with 01. dluir$ati, 'dares', Gk . .&&:pao~.
.&p&:ao~, 'courage, audacity', OE. ic dearr, 'I
dare'. See dare and words there referred to and
cp. esp. manifest.
infestation, n. - Late L. infestiitio, gen. -onis,
'a troubling, disturbing, molesting', fr. L. infestiitus, pp. of infestiire. See infest and -ation.
infeudation, n., enfeoffment (Engl. law). - ML.
infeudiitio, gen. -onis, fr. infeudiitus, pp. of infeudiire, 'to enfeoff'. See in-, 'in', feud, 'fief', and
-ation.
infibulate, tr. v., to fasten, buckle (esp. the sexual
organs). - L. infibuliitus, pp. of infibuliire, 'to
close with a clasp', fr. in-, 'in', and fibula, 'clasp,
buckle, brooch'. See fibula and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: infibulat-ion, n.
infidel, adj. - F. in/idele, fr. L. in/ide/is, 'that
cannot be relied upon, faithless', fr. in-, 'not',
and fide/is, 'true, faithful'. See fidelity.
Derivative: infidel, n.
infidelity, n. - F. infidelite, fr. L. infidelitiitem,
ace. of infidelitiis, 'faithlessness', fr. in/ide/is. See
prec. word and -ity.
infinite, adj. - L. in/initus, 'boundless, unlimited,
endless', fr. in-, 'not', andfinitus, pp. of finire.
See finite. Derivatives: infinite, n., infinite-ly,
adv., infinite-ness, n.
infinitesimal, adj., immeasurably small. Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. ModL. in/initesimus, which was coined by the German philosopher and mathematician Baron Gottfried
Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) fr. L. infinitus
(see prec. word) on analogy of L. centesimus,
'the hundredth'.
Derivatives: infinitesimal, n., infinitesimal-ity, n.,
infinitesimal-ly, adv., infinitesimal-ness, n.
infinitive, adj. and n. - Late L. infinitivus, fr. L.
infinitus. See infinite and -ive.
Derivatives: infinitiv-al, adj., infinitiv-al-/y, infinitive-ly, advs.
infinitude, n., the state of being infinite.- Coined
by Milton fr. infinite and suff. -ude.
infinity, n. - ME. infinite, fr. OF. infinite (F. infinite), fr. L. infinitiitem, ace. of in/initiis,
'boundlessness, endlessness'. See infinite and
-ity. L. infinitiis is prop. a loan translation ofGk.
&.m:tpla, 'infinity', fr. be:tpo~, 'endless, infinite'.
infirm, adj. - ME. infirme, fr. L. infirmus, 'weak,
feeble, infirm, sick', fr. in-, 'not', and /irmus,
'strong, firm'. See firm, adj.
Derivatives: infirm-ly, adj., infirm-ness, n.
infirmary, n. - ML. in/irmiiria, 'hospital', lit. 'a
place for the infirm', fr. L. in/irmus; cp. Sp. en-

793
fermo (fr. L. infirmus), 'sick', enfermedad (fr. L.
infirmitiitem, ace. of infirmitiis), 'sickness'. See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ary.
Derivative: infirmar-ian, n.
infirmity, n. - ME. infirmite, fr. MF. ( = F.) infirmite, fr. L. infirmitiitem, ace. of in/irmitiis,
'weakness', fr. in/irmus. See infirm and -ity.
infix, tr. v.- L. infixus, pp. of infigere, 'to fix in',
fr. in-, 'in', andfigere, 'to fix, fasten'. See fix.
infix, n.- L. infixus, pp. of infigere. See infix, v.
inflame, tr. and intr. v.- ME. enflamen, fr. OF.
en/lamer, enflammer (F. enflammer), fr. L. inflammiire, 'to set on fire, kindle', fr. in-, 'in',
and flammiire, 'to flame', fr. flamma, 'flame'.
See flame. Derivatives: inflam-ed, adj., inflamed-ly, adv., inflam-ed-ness, n., inflam-ing, adj.,
inflam-ing-ly, adv.
inflammable, adj. - F., fr. L. inflammiire. See
inflame and -able.
Derivatives: inflammable, n., inflammabil-ity, n.,
inflammable-ness, n., inflammabl-y, adv.
inflammation, n. - F., fr. L. inflammiitionem,
ace.' of inflammiitio, 'a setting on fire', fr. inflammiitus, pp. of inflammare. See inflame and
-ation.
inflammatory, adj.- Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. inflammiitus, pp. of inflammiire. See' inflame and cp. F. inflammatoire.
Derivative: inflammatori-ly, adv.
inflate, tr. v. - L. infliitus, pp. of infliire, 'to blow
into, inflate; to pull up', fr. in-, 'in', and fliire,
'to blow'. See flatus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inflat-ed, adj., inflat-ed-/y, adv.,
inflat-ed-ness, n., inflat-er, n., inflation (q.v.),
inflat-or, n.
inflation, n. - L. infliitio, gen. -onis, 'a blowing
or puffing up, inflation', fr. infliitus, pp. of infliire. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: inflation-ary, adj., inflation-ism, n.,
inflation-ist, n. and adj.
inflect, tr. v. - L. inflectere (pp. inflexus), 'to
bend, curve; to change, alter, modulate', fr.
in-, 'in', andflectere, 'to bend'. See flex and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: inflect-ed, adj., inflect-ed-ness, n.,
inflection (q.v.), inflect-ive, adj.
inflection, inflexion, n. - L. inflexio, gen. -onis,
'a bending, inflection, modification', fr. inflectus, pp. of inflectere, 'to bend, curve'. See
inflect and -ion.
Derivatives: inflection-a/, inflexion-al, adj., inflection-al-ly, inflexion-al-ly, adv., inflection-less,
inflexion-less, adj.
inflexible, adj. - L. inflexibilis, 'inflexible', fr.
inflexus, pp. of inflectere. See inflect and -ible.
Derivatives: inflexibil-ity, n., inflexible-ness, n.,
inflexibl-y, adv.
inflict, tr. v. - L. inflictus, pp. of infligere, 'to
strike or dash against', fr. in-, 'in', and fligere
(pp.flictus), 'to strike'. See aftlict and cp. words
there referred to. Derivatives: inflict-er, n.,
infliction (q. v.), inflict-ive, adj.

infra

Infliction, n. - Late L. mflictio, gen. -onis, 'an

inflicting', fr. L. inflictus, pp. of infligere, 'to
strike or dash against'. See prec. word and -ion.
inflorescence, n., 1) a flowering; 2) arrangement
of flowers on an axis (bot.) - ModL. inflorescentia, fr. Late L. inflorescens, gen~ -entis.
pres. part. of infliirescere, 'to begin to blossom,
to put forth blossoms', fr. in-, 'in', and L. florescere, 'to begin to blossom'. See florescence.
inftorescent, adj., flowering. - Late L. inflorescens, gen. -entis. See prec. word.
inflow, n. - Formed fr. in-, 'in', and flow.
Derivatives: inflow-ing, adj. and n.
influence, n.- F., fr. Late L. influentia, 'a flowing
in', fr. L. influens, gen. -entis. See influent and
-ce and cp. influenza. Derivative: influence, tr. v.
influent, adj., flowing in; n., a tributary stream,
- L. influens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of influere,
'to flow in', fr. in-, 'in', and fluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
influential, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
Late L. influentia. See influence.
Derivative: influential-ly, adv.
influenza, n., an acute contagious disease. - It.,
lit. 'influence' (see influence). The disease was
so called because it was originally attributed to
the 'influence' of the stars.
Derivative: influenz-a/, adj.
influx, n., a flowing in. - Late L. infliixus, gen.
-its, 'a flowing in', fr. L. inflitx(um), pp. stem of
influere, 'to flow in', fr. in-, 'in', and fluere, 'to
flow'. See fluent.
influxion, n. - Late L. inflitxio, gen. -onis, 'a
flowing in', fr. L. inflitx-(um), pp. stem of influere. See prec. word and -ion.
inform, adj., without form, shapeless. - F. informe, fr. L. informis, 'unformed, shapeless', fr.
in-, 'not', and forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
inform, tr. and intr. v., to apprise, notify. ME. enformen, fr. OF. enformer (F. informer),
fr. L. informiire, 'to give form to, to shape', fr.
in-, 'in', and formiire, 'to form, shape'. See
form, v.
Derivatives: inform-a/, adj., informant (q.v.),
information (q.v.), inform-ed, adj., inform-ed-ly,
adv., inform-er, n.
informant, n. - L. informiins, gen. -antis, pres.
part. of informiire. See inform, v., and -ant.
information, n. - ME. enformacion, fr. OF. enformacion (F. information), fr. L. informiitionem,
ace. of informiitio, 'representation, outline,
sketch; idea, conception', fr. informiitus, pp. of
informiire. See inform, v., and -ation.
Derivatives: information-al, adj.
informative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
informatus, pp. of informiire. See inform, v.
Derivative: informative-ly, adv.
informatory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff.
-ory fr. L. informiitus, pp. of informiire. See
inform, v.
infra, adv., under, below. - L. infra, 'below
(adv.); below (prep.), under', fr. I.-E. *1Jdlrer-,

infrawhence also 01. adha/:1, 'below', tidharab, 'lower',

OE. under, 'under, among'. See under and cp.
inferior, infernal, inferno. Cp. also inter-, interior, intra-. Cp. also fracas.
infra-, pref. meaning r) below; 2) within.- L.
infrii-, fr. infrii. See prec. word.
infract, tr. v., to break, infringe. - L. infriictus,
pp. of infri'ngere, 'to break'. See infringe.
infraction, n., infringement. - L. infracti6, gen.
-6ni's, 'a breaking', fr. infriictus, pp. of infringere.
See infringe and -ion.
infra dig, colloquial abbreviation of L. infrii digni'tiitem, 'beneath the dignity of'.
mfraspinatus, n., name of one of the muscles of
the shoulder (anat.) - Medical L. (musculus)
infriispfniitus, a name coined by J. Riolan (in
Anthropograph ia, Book 5, chapter 24, quoted
by Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia Anatomica, pp.
501-503). The correct form of the name should
be musculus infrii spinam, lit. 'the muscle below
the backbone', fr. i'nfrii, 'below', and spina,
'spine, backbone'. See infra- and spine and cp.
supraspinatus.
infrequency, infrequence, n. - L. infrequentia,
'scantiness', fr. infrequens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -cy, resp. -ce.
infrequent, adj. - L. infrequens, gen. -entis, 'occurring seldom, unusual, uncommon, not frequent', fr. in-, 'not', and frequens, gen. -enti's.
See frequent.
Derivative: infrequent-ly, adv.
infringe, tr. v. - L. infringere, 'to break off, impair, destroy', fr. in-, 'in', and frangere, 'to
break'. See fraction and cp. words there referred
to. For the change of Latin a (in friingere) to i
(in in-fringere) see contingent.
Derivative: infringe-ment, n.
infructuous, adj., fruitless. - L. infructu6sus,
'unfruitful, fruitless, useless', fr. in-, 'not', and
fructu6sus, 'fruitful'. See fructuous.
Derivative: infructuous-ly, adv.
infundibulum, n., name of several funnel-shaped
organs (anat.) - L. infundibulum, 'funnel', fr.
infundo, -ere, 'to pour in', fr. in, 'in', and fundere, 'to pour' (see infuse). In the sense of 'the
funnel-shaped hollow in the brain', infundibulum
is a loan translation of Gk. xo&:Vl'), 'funnel,
funnel-shaped hollow in the brain', fr. xe"tv, 'to
pour'.
Derivatives: infundibul-ar, infundibul-ate, adjs.
infuriat.!, adj., infuriated. - It. infuriato, fr. ML.
infuriiitus, pp. of infuriiire, 'to madden', fr. L.
in furiii, 'in a fury', fr. in (see in-, 'in') and abl.
of furia (see fury). For the ending see adj. suff.
-ate.
Derivative: infuriate-ly, adv.
infuriate, tr. v.- ML. infuriiitus, pp. of infuriiire.
See infuriate, adj.
Derivative: infuriat-ion, n.
infuscate, adj., darkened with a brownish shade
(said of the wings of insects). - L. infusclitus,
'darkened', pp. of Infusctire, 'to darken', fr. in-,

794
'in', andfusctire, 'to make dark, to make swarthy', fr. fuscus. See fuscous and adj. suff. -ate.
infuse, tr. v. - L. in/usus, pp. of infundere, 'to
pour into; to wet, moisten', fr. in-, 'in', and
fundere, 'to pour'. See fuse, 'to melt' and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: infus-er, n., infus-ible, adj., infusi'bil-ity, n., infusion (q.v.)
infusion, n. - L. infusio, gen. -6nis, 'a pouring
into', fr. in/usus, pp. of infundere. See prec. word
and -ion.
Infusoria, n. pl., a class of Protozoa (zoo/.) ModL., lit. 'found in infusions', coined by
Ledermuller in 1763 fr. L. in/fisus, pp. of infundere, 'to pour into'. See infuse and the suffixes -ory and -ia.
Derivatives: infusori-al, adj., Infusori-an, adj.
and n.
-ing, suff. forming nouns from verbs (i.e. 'verbal
nouns'). - ME. -ing, fr. OE. -ing, -ung, rel. to
ON. -ing, Du. -ing, OHG., MHG., G. -ung.
-ing, suff. forming the present participle - ME.
-inge, -ing, altered fr. ME. -end, -and, -ind, fr.
OE. -ende, which is rei. to Du., G. -end, Goth.
-and, and cogn. with 01. -ant-, Gk. -wv (fern.
-ouO"IX, neut. -ov), L. -iins, -ens, -iens (from verbs
of the I, II and III, resp. IV conjugation). Cp.
the suffixes -ant, -ent.
-ing, suff. meaning 'pertaining to, related to;
descended from; resembling'; used to form
patronymics (as in atheling, king). - ME., fr.
OE. -ing, -ung, rel. to ON. -ingr, -ungr, OHG.
-ing, Goth. -iggs. Cp. adv. suff. -ling.
-ing, suff. occurring in place names. - Partly fr.
OE. ing, 'meadow' [rei. to ON. eng, engi, 'meadow' (whence Dan., Norw. eng, of s.m.)], as
in Reading, partly patronymic as in Buckingham
(see -ing, suff. meaning 'pertaining to').
lnga, n., a genus of plants of the mimosa family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Port. ingd, fr. Tupi ingd.
ingeminate, tr. v., to repeat. - L. ingeminiitus,
pp. of ingeminiire, 'to redouble, repeat, reiterate', fr. in-, 'in', and geminiire, 'to double', fr.
geminus, 'twin'. See Gemini.
ingenerate, adj., not generated. - Late L. ingeneriitus, fr. in-, 'not', and L. generiitus, 'engendered, produced, generated', pp. of generiire.
See generate.
ingenerate, tr. v., to generate within, to engender.
- L. ingeneriitus, pp. of ingeneriire, 'to engender, produce', fr. in-, 'in', and generiire. See
generate and cp. engender.
ingenious, adj., clever. - F. ingenieux (fern. ingenieuse), 'ingenious, clever', fr. L. ingeniosus,
'intellectual, clever', fr. ingenium, 'nature; disposition', lit. 'that which is inborn', fr. in-, 'in',
and I.-E. base *gen-, 'to beget, bear, bring forth,
produce'. See genus and -ous and cp. engine.
Derivatives: ingenious-ly, adv., ingenious-ness,n.
ingenue, n., an artless, naive girl. - F., fern. of
ingenu, 'ingenuous, artless; simple', fr. L. ingenuus. See ingenuous.

795
ingenuity, n., ingeniousness. - L. ingenuitiis (gen.
-tiitis), 'frankness, nobility', fr. ingenuus; see
next word and -ity. The English meaning of the
word is due to a confusion with ingenious.
ingenuous, adj.- L. ingenuus, 'native; freeborn,
noble; upright', fr. in-, 'in', and 1.- E. base *gen-,
'to beget, bear, bring forth, produce'. See genus
and cp. ingenue. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives; ingenuous-ly, adv., ingenuousness, n.
ingest, tr. v., to take Into the body. - L. ingestus, pp. of ingerere, 'to bring in, carry in',
fr. in-, 'in', and gerere, 'to carry'. See gerent and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: ingestion (q.v.), ingest-ive, adj.
ingestion, n. - L. ingestio, gen. -6nis, 'a pouring
in', fr. ingestus, pp. of ingerere. See prec. word
and -ion.
ingle, n., fire; fireplace.- Scot., fr. Gael. aingeal,
'fire', which is of uncertain origin.
inglorious, adj.- L. ingl6ri6sus, 'inglorious', fr.
in-, 'not', and glori6sus. See glorious.
Derivatives; inglorious-ly, adv ., inglorious-ness,n.
ingluvies, n., the crop (zoo/.)- L. ingluvies, 'crop,
maw', which stands for in-gluv-ies, fr. in-, 'in',
and I.-E. base *glu-, 'to swallow', whence also
L. gluttfre, 'to swallow, gulp down'. See glut
and cp. words there referred to.
ingot, n., a mass of unwrought metal. - ME.,
fr. OE. in (see in-, 'in') and goten, pp. of geotan,
'to pour'. See found, 'to cast', and cp. !ingot.
ingrain, tr. v., 1) to dye in grain; 2) to work into
the texture. -See engrain.
Derivative: ingrain-ed, adj.
ingrain, adj., dyed in grain; n., ingrain yarn,
carpet, etc. - Fr. in grain. Sec in, prep., and
grain.
Ingram, masc. PN. - Prob. fr. Latinized OHG.
Angilramnus or lngilramnus, lit. 'angel's raven',
fr. OHG. angil, 'angel', and hram, a collateral
form of hraban, 'raven'. See angel and raven
and cp. the second element in Bertram.
ingrate, adj., ungrateful. - OF. ingrat, fr. L. ingriitus, 'unpleasant; ungrateful', fr. in-, 'not',
and griitus, 'beloved, pleasing, dear, agreeable'.
See grace and cp. grateful.
ingratiate, tr. v., to commend to favor. - It. ingraziare, 'to bring into favor', fr. It. in grazia,
fr. L. in griitiam, 'into grace, into favor'. See
in-, 'in', grace, and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: ingratiat-ing, adj., ingratiat-ing-ly,
adv., ingratiat-ion, n., ingratiat-ory, adj.
ingratitude, n.- F., fr. L. ingriititudinem, ace. of
ingriititud6, 'ingratitude', fr. ingriitus. See ingrate and -ode.
ingravescence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
ingravescent, adj., gradually increasing in gravity.
- L. ingravescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of ingraviscere, 'to grow worse', fr. in-, 'in', and
gravescere, 'to become burdened, grow worse'.

inherence
an inchoative verb formed fr. gravis. See grave,
adj., and -escent.
ingredient, n., that which enters into a mixture;
component. - L. ingrediens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of ingredi, 'to go into, to enter', fr. in-,
'in', and gradi, 'to step, walk, go', fr. 'gradus,
'step'. See grade and -ent.
ingress, n., entrance. - L. ingressus, gen. -us,
'way in, entrance', fr. ingressus, pp. of ingredi.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: ingression (q.v.), ingress-ive, adj.,
ingress-ive-ness, n.
ingression, n., the act of entering. - L. ingressio,
gen. -6nis, 'a going into', fr. ingressus, pp. of
ingredi. See prec. word and -ion.
inguen, n., the groin (anat.) - L., 'groin, abdomen', fr. I.-E. *IJgwin, whence also Gk. &:a~v,
'gland'; cogn. with ON. okkr, 'a swelling', okkvinn, 'swollen'. Cp. adeno-.
inguinal, adj. - Medical L. inguiniilis, 'of the
groin', fr. L. inguen, gen. -inis. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -al.
inguino-, before a vowel inguin-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the groin'. - See inguen.
ingurgitate, tr. v., to swallow greedily. - L. ingurgitiitus, pp. of ingurgitiire, 'to pour in like a
flood; to flood, fill', fr. in-, 'in', and gurges, gen.
gurgitis, 'whirlpool, gulf'. See gurgitation and
cp. words there referred to.
ingurgitation, n. - L. ingurgitiiti6, gen. -6nis,
'immoderate eating and drinking', fr. ingurgitiitus, pp. of ingurgitiire. See prec. word and
-ion.
inhabit, tr. v. - ME. enhabiten, fr. OF. enhabiter,
fr. L. inhabitiire, 'to dwell in', fr. in-, 'in', and
habitiire, 'to dwell'. See habit, 'to dwell'.
Derivatives: inhabit-able, adj., inhabitancy, inhabitant, inhabitation (qq.v.)
inhabitancy, n.- Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
inhabitant, n.- ME. inhabitaunt, fr. AF. (=OF.)
enhabitant ( = pres. part. of enhabiter}, fr. L.
inhabitantem, ace. of inhabitiins, pres. part. of
inhabitiire. See inhabit and -ant and cp. habitant.
inhabitation, n., the act of inhabiting; the state
of being inhabited. - Late L. inhabitiitio, gen.
-onis, 'a dwelling, habitation', fr. L. inhabitiitus,
pp. of inhabitare. See inhabit and -ation.
inhalation, n. - Formed with suff. -ion fr. L. inhiiliitus, pp. of inhiiliire. See next word.
inhale, tr. v., to breathe in; intr. v., to inhale air.
- L. inhiiliire, 'to breathe upon', fr. in-, 'in',
and hii/iire, 'to breathe'. See exhale.
inhere, intr. v., to be an essential part; to be innate. - L. inhaerere, 'to cling or cleave to, be
closely connected with, inhere in', fr. in-, 'in',
and haerere, 'to stick, cling, hang, adhere'. See
hesitate and cp. adhere, cohere.
inherence, inherency, n. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.

inherent

inherent, adj., essential, innate. - L. inhaerens,

gen. -entis, pres. part. of inhaerere. See inhere
and -ent.
Derivative: inherent-ly, adv.
inherit, tr. and intr. v. - ME. enheriten, fr. OF.
enheriter, fr. Late L. inhereditiire, 'to appoint
an heir', fr. in-, 'in', and L. hereditiire, 'to inherit', fr. heres, gen. heredis, 'heir'. See heir and
cp. heredity. Cp. also disinherit.
Derivatives: inherit-able, adj., inherit-abil-ity,
n., inherit-able-ness, n., inherit-abl-y, adv., inheritance (q.v.), inherit-or, n., inherit-ress, n.
inheritance, n. - OF. enheritance, fr. enheriter,
'to inherit'. See inherit and -ance.
inhesion, n., inherence. - Late L. inhaesw, gen.
-6nis, 'a clinging to', fr. L. inhaesus, pp. of inhaerere. See inhere and -ion.
inhibit, tr. v., to prohibit; to check. - ME. inhibiten, fr. L. inhibitus, pp. of inhibere, 'to keep
back, curb, check, restrain', fr. in-, 'in', and
habere, 'to have, hold, possess'. See habit, n.
For the change of Latin t'i (in ht'ibere) to i (in
in-hibere) see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: inhibition (q.v.), inhibit-ive, adj.,
inhibitory (q.v.)
inhibition, n. - OF. inibicion, inhibicion (F. inhibition), fr. L. inhibiti6nem, ace. of inhibiti6, 'a
restraining', fr. inhibitus, pp. of inhibere. See
prec. word and -ion.
inhibitory, adj. - ML. inhibit6rius, fr. L. inhibitus, pp. of inhibere. See inhibit and adj.
suff. -ory.
inhospitable, adj. -OF., fr. ML. inhospitiibilis
(corresponding to L. inhospitiilis), 'inhospitable', fr. in-, 'not', and ML. hospitiibilis. See
hospitable.
Derivatives: inhospitable-ness, n., inhospitabl-y,
adv.
inhospitality, n. - F. inhospitalite, fr. L. inhospitiilitiitem, ace. of inhospitiilitiis, 'inhospitality', fr. in-, 'not', and hospitiilis, 'hospitable'.
See hospitality.
inhuman, adj. - L. inhumiinus, 'inhuman, savage,
cruel', fr. in-, 'not', and humiinus. See human.
Derivatives: inhuman-ly, adv., inhuman-ness, n.
inhumane, adj.- L. inhumiinus. See prec. word
and humane.
Derivative: inhumane-ly, adv.
inhumanity, n. - F. inhumanite, fr. L. inhumiinitiitem, ace. of inhiimiinitiis, 'inhuman conduct,
savageness', fr. inhiimiinus. See inhuman and-ity.
inhumation, n., burial.- Formed with suff. -ion
fr. L. inhumt'itus, pp. of inhumiire. See next word.
inhume, tr. v., to bury.- L. inhumiire, 'to bury',
lit. 'to put into the ground', fr. in-, 'in', and
humus, 'ground'. See humus and cp. exhume.
Derivative: inhum-er, n.
inial, adj., pertaini11g to the inion. - See inion
and adj. suff. -aL
Inigo, masc. PN. - Sp. liiigo, prob. altered fr. L.
Ignatius. See Ignatius.

796

inimical, adj.- Late L. inimiciilis 'hostile', fr. L.

inimicus, 'enemy', fr. in- 'not' and amicus, 'friend'.
See amicable and adj. suff. -al. and cp. enemy.
For the change of Latin t'i (in amicus) to i (in
in-imicus) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: inimical-ity, n., inimical-ly, adv.,
inimical-ness, n.
ioimitability, n. - Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
inimitiibilis. See inimitable.
inimitable, adj. - L. inimitiibilis, 'that cannot be
imitated', fr. in-, 'not', and imitiibilis. See imitable.
Derivatives: inimitable-ness, n., inimitabl-y, adv.
lniomi, n.pl., an order of teleost fishes (ichthyol.)
- ModL., formed fr. Gk. tvtov, 'nape', and
W!J-O~, 'shoulder'. See next word and omo-,
'shoulder-'.
inion, n., the nape. - ModL., fr. Gk. tvtov,
'nape', a derivative oft.; (gen. tv6.;), 'sinew,
tendon; muscle, fiber', which prob. stands for
*ft.; (gen. *ftv6~) and derives fr. I.-E. base
wei-, 'to bend, twist', whence also Gk. t-reii,
ddii (for *fet-reii), 'willow'. See withy and
cp. ino- and the fjrst element in Inodes and in
Iphigenia.
iniquitous, adj. - See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: iniquitous-ly, adv., iniquitous-ness,n.
iniquity, n., wickedness. - Fr. OF. iniquite (F.
iniquite), fr. L. iniquitiitem, ace. of iniquitiis, 'iniquity', fr. iniquus, 'unequal, uneven, unfair,
unjust', fr. in-, 'not', and aequus, 'equal, even'.
See equal. For the change of Latin ae (in aequus)
to i (in in-iquus) see acquire and cp. words
there referred to.
initial, adj., pertaining to, or indicating, the beginning. - L. initialis, 'initial, incipient', fr.
initium, 'beginning, origin', fr. init-(um), pp.
stem of inire, 'to go into, enter; to enter upon,
begin', fr. in-, 'in', and e6, ire, 'to go'. See itinerate and adj. suff. -al and cp. initiate.
Derivatives: initial, n. and tr. v., initial-ly, adv.
initiate, tr. v., to begin. - L. initiiitus, pp. of initi'iire, 'to begin, originate', fr. initium, 'beginning'. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
initiate, adj., initiated; begun.- L. initiiitus, pp.
of initiiire. See initiate, v.
Derivative: initiate, n.
initiation, n. - L. initiiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'participation in secret rites', fr. initiiitus, pp. of initi'iire.
See initiate, v., and -ion.
initiative, adj. - Fontl'"...d with suff. -ive fr. L.
initi'iitus, pp. of initi'iire. See initiate, v.
Derivatives: initiative, n., initiative-ly, adv.
initiator, n.- Late L., 'an originator', fr. L. initi'iitus, pp. of initi'iire. See initiate, v., and agential suff. -or.
initiatory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory fr.
L. initiiitus, pp. of initiiire. See initiate.
inject, tr. v.- L. injectus, pp. of inicere (less correctly injicere), 'to throw . in, fling in; to inspire', formed fr. in-, 'in', and jactus, pp. of

'

innuendo

797

jacere, 'to throw, fling, cast'. See jet, 'to spirt

forth'. For the change of Latin t'i (in jactus) to
e (in in-ji!ctus) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
injection, n. - L. injecti6, gen. -6nis, 'a throwing
in, an injection', fr. injectus, pp. of inicere. See
inject and -ion.
injector, n. - Formed with agential suff. -or fr.
L. injectus, pp. of inicere. See inject and agential
suff. -or.
injunction, n. - Late L. injuncti6, 'command, injunction', gen. -6nis, fr. L. injunctus, pp. of injungere, 'to join into, unite, attach to; to impose
upon, enjoin', fr. in-, 'in', andjungere, 'to join'.
See join and cp. junction, enjoin.
injunctive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
injunctus, pp. of injungere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: injunctive, n., injunctive-/y, adv.
injure, tr. v.- Back formation fr. injury.
Derivatives: injur-ed, adj., injur-ed-ness, n.
injurious, adj.- F. injurieux (fern. injurieuse), fr.
L. injuri6sus, 'unlawful, wrongful, harmful,
noxious', fr. injiiria. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: injurious-ly, adv., injurious-ness, n.
injury, n. - L. injuria, 'injury, wrong, violence,
injustice; insult; harm, damage', fr. in-, 'not',
and jus, gen. juris, 'right'. See jus and -y (representing L. -ia ).
injustice, n. - F., fr. L. injustitia, 'injustice', fr.
injiistus, 'unjust, wrongful, unreasonable, oppressive, excessive', fr. in-, 'not', and jiistus,
'just'. See just and cp. justice, unjust.
ink, n.- ME. enke, inke, fr. OF. enque(F. cncre),
lit. 'something burnt in', fr. Late L. encaustum,
fr. Gk.lyx.cxucr-rov, 'burnt in' (said of colors of
paintings, etc.), neut. verbal adj. of tyxcx!etv,
'to bum in'. See encaastic.
Derivatives: ink, tr. v., ink-er, n., ink-ish, adj.,
ink-less, adj., ink-y, adj., ink-i-ness, n.
inkling, n., a hint. - ME. inkling, 'a hint', fr.
ink/en, 'to hint at, hint', which is of uncertain
origin.
inlet, n., anything put in; an arm of the sea, etc.
-Formed fr. in, adv., and let, 'to leave'.
inly, adv., within, inwardly. - ME. inliche, inly,
fr. OE. in/ice, 'internally; sincerely'. See in and
adv. suff. -ly.
inmost, adj. - ME. innemest, fr. OE. innemest,
which stands for *inne-ma-est and is a double
superlative of inne, 'in'. The change of e (in OE.
innemest) to o (in E. inmost) is due to an erroneous association with most. See in, adv., and
-me. t and cp. words there referred to.
inn, n. - Orig. 'house, abode', fr. ME. inn, in,
fr. OE. inn, 'house, chamber', fr. inn, 'in', adv.
Cp. ON. inni, 'house, home', and see in, adv.
and prep.
innate, adj., inborn; natural. - ME. innat, fr.
L. inniitus, 'inborn', pp. of inniiscor, inniisci, 'to
be born in; to arise, originate, in', fr. in-, 'in',
and niiscor, niisci, 'to be born'. See natal and
adj. suff. -ate.

Derivatives: innate-ly, adv., innate-ness, n.

innavigable, adj. - L. inniivigiibilis, fr. in-, 'not',
and niivigiibilis. See navigable.
Derivatives: innavigabil-ity, n., innavigable-ness,
n., innavigab!-y, adv.
1
inner, adj. - ME., fr. OE. innera, compar. of
inne, 'within'; rei. to OHG. innaro, MHG. innere, G. inner, 'inner'. See in, adv. and adj., and
compar. suff. -er.
Derivatives: inner, n., inner-ly, adv., inner-ness, n.
innerve, tr. v. -Formed fr. in-, 'in', and nerve.
Derivatives: innervate, tr. v., innerv-at-ion, n.
inning, n., 1) a taking in; 2) (baseball) a numbered
round of play. - ME. inninge, fr. OE. innung,
lit. 'a taking in', fr. innian, 'to take in, put in',
fr. inn, 'in'. Cp. obsol. in, 'to take in', and see
in, adv. and prep.
innocence, n. - L. innocentia, 'harmlessness,
blamelessness, uprightness', fr. innocens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -ce.
innocent, adj. - L. innocens, gen. -entis, 'harmless, blameless, upright', fr. in-, 'not', and pres.
part. of noce6, nocere, 'to harm, hurt'. See
noxious and -ent and cp. nocuous, innocuous.
Derivative: innocent, n., innocent-ly, adv., innocent-ness, n.
innocuity, n. - P.;-ob. fr. F. innocuite, fr. L. innocuus. See next word and -ity.
innocuous, adj., harmless.- L. innocu-us, 'harmless', fr. in-, 'not', and the stem of nocere, 'to
harm, hurt'. See innocent. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: innocuous-ly, adv., innocuousness, n.
innominate, adj., unnamed. - Late L. innominiitus, 'unnamed', fr. in-, 'not', and L. n6miniitus,
pp. of n6miniire, 'to name', fr. nomen, gen.
nominis, 'name'. See nominal and adj. suff. -ate.
innominatum, n., the innominate bone (anat.)Medical L. (short for 6s inn6miniitum, 'the unnamed bone'), neut. of inn6miniitus (see prec.
word); so called by the Roman physician Claudius Galen (131201).
innovate, intr. v. - L. innoviitus, pp. of innoviire,
'to renew, alter', fr. in-, 'in', and noviire, 'to
make new', fr. novus, 'new'. See novel, adj., and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: innovation (q.v.), innovat-ive, innovat-ory, adjs.
innovation, n. - L. innoviiti6, gen. -onis, fr. innoviitus, pp. of innoviire. See prec. word and
-ion.

innoxious, adj., harmless. - L. innoxius, 'harmless; blameless, innocent', fr. in-, 'not', and
noxius, 'harmful'. See noxious and cp. innocent.
Derivatives: innoxious-ly, adv., innoxious-ness, n.
innuendo, n., an oblique hint. - L. innuendo, 'by
giving a nod, by intimating', abl. of the gerund
of inniiiO, innuere, 'to give a nod, to intimate',
lit. 'to nod to', fr. in-, 'in', and nuo, nuere, 'to
nod, wink'. See nutate.
Derivative: innuendo, intr. v.

Innuit, n., an Eskimo of Alaska. - Native name,

lit. meaning 'men'. Cp. Yuit.
innumerability, n. - L. innumeriibilitiis, fr. innumeriibilis. See next word.
innumerable, adj. - ME., fr. L. innumeriibilis,
fr. in-, 'not', and numeriibilis. See numerable.
Derivatives: innumerable-ness, n., innumerabl-y,
adv.
ino-, before a vowel in-, combining form meaning
'fibrous'. - Gk. tvo-, tv-, fr. t; (gen. tv6;),
'sinew, tendon; muscle, fiber'. See inion.
inobservance, n. - F., fr. L. inobservantia, 'inattention, negligence', fr. inobserviins, gen. -antis. See next word and cp. observance.
inobservant, adj. - L. inobserviins, gen. -antis,
'inattentive, negligent', fr. in-, 'not', and observiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of observiire. See
observant.
Derivatives: inobservant-ly, adv., inobservantness, n.
Inoceramus, n., a genus of extinct bivalve molusks (paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of
ino- and Gk. x:i:pc:q.LO;, 'earthen vessel'. See
ceramic.
inoculate, tr. v.- L. inoculiitus, pp. of inoculiire,
'to engraft an eye or bud from one tree into
another, to implant', fr. in-, 'in', and oculiire,
'to furnish with eyes', fr. oculus, 'eye; bud'. See
ocular and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inoculation (q.v.), inoculat-ive, adj.,
inoculator (q. v.)
inoculation, n. - L. inoculiiti6, gen. -6nis, 'an engrafting', fr. inoculiitus, pp. of inoculiire. See
prec. word and -ion.
inoculator, n. - L., 'engrafter', fr. inoculiitus, pp.
of inocu/iire. See inoculate and agential suff. -or.
lnodes, n., a genus of fan palms (bot.)- ModL.,
compounded of Gk. t;, gen. tv6;, 'fiber', and
-wa"fl;, 'like', fr. d8o;, 'form, shape'. See inoand -ode, 'like'.
inodorous, adj., odorless. - L. inod6rus, 'without smell', fr. in-, 'not', and odorus. See odorous.
Derivatives: inodorous-ly, adv., inodorousness, n.
inofficious, adj.- L. inoffici6sus, 'undutiful', fr.
in-, 'not', and officiosus. See officious.
Derivatives: inofficious-/y, adv., inofficiousness, n.
inogen, n., a hypothetical substance supposed to
exist in the muscles (physivl.) - Formed fr.
ino- and -gen.
inopportune, adj. - L. inopportunus, fr. in-, 'not',
and opportunus. See opportune.
Derivatives: inopportune-ly, adv., inopportuneness, n., inopportun-ity, n.
inordinate, adj.- ME. inordinat, fr. L. in6rdiniitus,
'disordered, not arranged', fr. in-, 'not', and
6rdiniitus, pp. of 6rdiniire, 'to set in order'. See
ordain and cp. ordinate.
Derivatives: inordinate-ly, adv., inordinateness, n.
inomate, adj. - L. inOrniitus, 'unadorned', fr.

799

798

lnnuit

in-, 'not', and 6rniitus, pp. of 6rniire, 'to adorn'.

See ornate.
inosite, n., inositol. - Coined fr. in- (form of
ino- before a vowel) and the subst. suffixes -ose
and -ite.
inositol, n., a white crystalline compound,
C 6 H 6(0H)6 (chem.)- Formed from prec. word
with suff. -ol (for alcohol).
inquest, n.- ME. enqueste, fr. OF. enqueste (F.
enquete), fr. VL. *inquaesita, fern. pp. of *inquaerere (remodeled after L. quaerere, 'to seek'),
for L. inquirere. See inquire and cp. conquest,
request. Cp. also It. inchiesta and OProven9.
enquesta, which also derive fr. VL. *inquaesita.
inquiet, adj. - L. inquietus, 'restless, unquiet',
fr. in-, 'not', and quietus. See quiet, adj.
Derivatives: inquiet-ly, adj., inquiet-ness, n.
inquietude, n. - F. inquietude, fr. Late L. inquietudinem, ace. of inquietud6, 'restlessness,
disquietude', fr. L. inquietus. See prec. word and
-ode and cp. quietude.
inquiline, n., an animal that lives in the abode of
another; a guest (zoo!.) - L. inquilfnus, 'inhabitant of a place which is not his own, lodger',
rei. to incola, 'inhabitant', co/ere, 'to till (the
ground), cultivate, inhabit'. See colony and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see suff.
-ine (representing L. -inus).
inquinate, tr. v., to defile.- L. inquiniitus, pp. of
inquiniire, 'to stain, pollute, defile', fr. in-, 'in',
and -quiniire, which is prob. rei. to cunire, 'to
defecate', and possibly also to caenum, 'filth,
dirt, mud, mire'. See obscene and verbal suff.
-ate.
inquire, enquire, tr. and intr. v. - ME. enquerre,
fr. OF. enquerre (F. enquerir), fr. VL. *inquaerere (remodeled after L. quaerere, 'to search into'), for L. inquirere, 'to seek after, search for,
inquire into', fr. in-, 'in', andquaerere(seequery).
E. inquire represents the learned spelling of the
I 5th cent., showing the influence of L. inquirere.
For the change of Latin ae (in quaerere) to i
(in in-quirere) see acquire and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: inquir-able, adj., inquir-er, n., inquir-y, n.
inquisite, inquisit, tr. and intr. v., to inquire into;
to investigate. - L. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere.
See prec. word.
inquisition, n. -OF. ( = F.), fr. L. inquisiti6nem,
ace. of inquisiti6, 'a searching for, an inquiring
into', fr. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere. See inquire
and cp. inquest.
Derivatives: inquisition, tr. and intr. v., inquisition-al, adj., inquisition-is!, n.
inquisitive, adj.- OF. inquisitif (fern. inquisitive),
fr. Late L. inquisitivus, 'making inquiry', fr. L. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere. See inquire and -ive.
Derivatives: inquisitive-ly, adv., inquisitiveness, n.

inquisitor, n. - OF. ( = F.) inquisiteur, fr. L. inquisitorem, ace. of inquisitor, 'searcher, exam-

-.:

~
':1!
~

iner', fr. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere. See inquire

and agential suff. -tor.
Derivatives: inquisitor-ial, adj., inquisitor-ial-ly,
adv., inquisitor-ial-ness, n.
insalubrious, adj., unhealthy. - Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. insalubris, 'unhealthy, unwholesome', fr. in-, 'not', and salubris. See salubrious.
insalubrity, n.- F. insalubrite, fr. insalubre, 'unhealthy, unwholesome', fr. L. insalubris. See
prec. word and -ity.
insane, adj. - L. insiinus, 'mad, insane, outrageous, excessive, extravagant', fr. in-, 'not', and
siinus. See sane.
Derivatives: insane-ly, adv., insane-ness, n.
insanitary, adj. - Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
sanitary.
Derivative: insanitari-ness, n.
insanity, n. - L. insiinitiis, fr. insiinus. See insane
and -ity.
insatiability, n.- L. insatiiibilitiis, fr. insatiiibilis.
See next word and -ity.
insatiable, adj. - F., fr. L. insatiiibilis, fr. in-,
'not', and satiiibilis. See satiable.
Derivatives: insatiable-ness, n., insatiabl-y, adv.
insatiate, adj. - L. insatiiitus, 'unsatisfied', fr.
in-, 'not', and satiiitus, 'satisfied', pp. of satiiire,
'to satisfy'. See satiate.
Derivatives: insatiate-ly, adv., insatiate-ness, n.
inscribe, tr. v.- L. inscribere, 'to write in or on
anything, inscribe', fr. in-, 'in', and scribere, 'to
write'. See scribe.
Derivatives: inscrib-able, adj., inscrib-able-ness,
n., inscrib-ed, adj., inscrib-er, n.
inscription, n. - L. inscriptio, gen. -6nis, 'a writing upon, inscription', fr. inscriptus, pp. of inscribere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: inscription-al, adj., inscription-ed,
adj.
inscriptive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
inscriptus, pp. of fnscrfbere. See inscribe.
Derivative: inscriptive-ly, adv.
inscrutable, adj. - Late L. fnscrutiibilis, fr. in-,
'not', and L. scrutiiri, 'to search, examine, investigate'. See scrutable.
Derivatives: inscrutabil-ity, n., inscrutable-ness,
n., inscrutabl-y, adv.
insect, n. - L. insectum (sci!. animal), lit. '(animal) cut into', neut. pp. of inseciire, 'to cut into',
fr. in-, 'in', and seciire, 'to cut' (see section); first
used in this sense (in the plural insecta) by Pliny,
Hist. nat., II, I, I, as loan translation of Gk.
MOfLtx, 'insects', lit. '(animals) cut in', from the
stem of brrEfLVELv, 'to cut in' (see entomo-).
insectarium, n., a place for keeping living insects.
- ModL., formed with suff. -arium fr. L. insectum, 'insect'. See prec. word.
insecticide, n., a substance for killing insects. Compounded of L. insectum and -cida 'killer'
fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See insect and -cid~ 'killer':
Derivative: insecticid-al, adj.
lnsectifOI'&, n. pl., an order of mammals living
on insects (zoo/.) - ModL., lit. 'insect-eaters',

inside

fr. L. insectum, 'insect', and voriire, 'to devour'.

See insect and voracious.
insectivore, n., an insect-eating animal. - F. ~<!!:
prec. word.
insectivorous, adj., living on insects. - See
Insectivora and -ous.
insectology, n., the study of insects. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. fnsectum, 'insect', and Gk. -:t..oyi<X,
fr. -A6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
insect and -logy. The correct form is entomology
(q.v.), in which both elements are of Greek origin.
insecure, adj., not safe. - ML. insecurus, fr. in-,
'not', and L. securus. See secure.
Derivatives: insecure-ly, adv., insecure-ness, n.
insecurity, n. - ML. insecuritiis, fr. insecurus
(see prec. word and -ity); introduced by Sir
Thomas Browne (16o5-82).
inseminate, tr. v., to implant; to impregnate. L. inseminiitus, pp. of inseminiire, 'to sow, implant', fr. in-, 'in', and semen, gen. seminis,
'seed'. See semen and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inseminat-ion, n.
insensate, adj., without sensation, inanimate. Late L. insensiitus, 'irrational, foolish', fr. in-,
'not', and sensiitus. See sensate, adj., and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: insensate-ly, adv., insensate-ness, n.
insensibility, n. - Late L. insensibilitiis, fr. L.
insensibilis. See next word and -ity.
insensible, adj. - L. insensibilis, 'that cannot be
felt, imperceptible, insensible', fr. in-, 'not',
and sensibilis. See sensible.
Derivatives: insensible-ness, n., insensibl-y, adv.
insensitive, adj.- Formed fr. in-, 'not', and sensitive.
Derivative: insensitive-ness, n.
inseparability, n. - Late L. insepariibilitiis, fr.
L. insepariibilis. See next word and -ity.
inseparable, adj. - L. insepariibilis, 'that cannot
be separated', fr. in-, 'not', and separiibilis. See
separable.
Derivatives: inseparable-ness, n., inseparabl-y,
adv.
insert, tr. v. - L. insertus, pp. of inserere, 'to put
in, bring in, graft, introduce, insert', fr. in-,
'in', and serere, 'to put in a row, join together,
connect, combine'. See series and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: insert-ed, adj., insert-er, n., inserting, n., insertion (q.v.)
insertion, n. - Late L. inserti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
putting in, grafting', fr. L. insertus, pp. of
inserere. See prec. word and -ion.
lnsessores, n. pl., in former terminology, an
order of birds, the Perchers (ornithol.)- ModL.,
fr. L. insess6res, 'besetters', lit. 'sitters on', pl.
of insessor, fr. insessus, pp. of insidere. See
insidious.
inside, n., adj., prep. and adv. - Formed fr. in,
adj., and side.
Derivative: insid-er, n.

insidious

insidious, adj., cunning, crafty. - F. insidieux

(fern. insidieuse), fr. L. insidiosus, 'cunning, artful, deceitful, insidious', fr. insidiae (gen. -iirum),
'ambush, stratagem, plot, snare', fr. insidere,
'to sit in or on', fr. in-, 'in', and sedere, 'to sit'.
See sedentary and cp. Insessores. For the change
of Latin e (in sedere) to i (in in-sidere) see abstinent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: insidious-ly, adv., insidious-ness, n.
insignia, n. pl., signs or badges of rank, office or
honor. - L., pl. of insigne, 'distinctive mark,
badge of office or honor', prop. neut. of the
adjective 'insignis, 'distinguished, noted, remarkable', used as a noun; formed fr. in-, 'in',
and signum, 'a mark, token, sign'. See sign and
cp. ensign.
insincere, adj. - L. 'insincerus, 'not genuine, not
pure, adulterated', fr. in-, 'not', and sincerus.
See sincere.
Derivatives: insincere-ly, adv., insincere-ity, n.
insinuate, tr. v., to introduce indirectly.- L. insinuiitus, pp. of insinuare, 'to wind oneself into,
ingratiate oneself', fr. in-, 'in', and sinuiire, 'to
wind, bend, curve', fr. sinus. See sine, n., and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. sinuate.
Derivative: insinuat-ing, adj., insinuat-ing-ly,
adv., insinuation (q.v.). insinuat-ive, adj., insinuat-ive-/y, adv., insinuat-ive-ness, n.
insinuation, n. - L. insinuiitio, gen. -onis, 'entrance through a narrow way; ingratiating oneself', fr. 'insinuiitus, pp. of insinuiire. See prec.
word and -ion.
insipid, adj., tasteless. - Late L. insipidus, 'tasteless', fr. in-, 'not', and L. sapidus. See sapid. For
the change of Latin a (in siipidus) to i (in insipidus) see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: insipid-ity, n., insipid-ly, adv., insipid-ness, n.
insipient, adj., foolish. - L. insipiens, gen. -entis,
'unwise, foolish', fr. in-, 'not', and sapiens, gen.
-entis, 'wise'. See sapient. For the change of
Latin ii (in sapiens) to i (in in-sipiens) see abigeat
and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: insipient-ly, adv.
insist, v. - L. insistere, 'to set foot on, stand,
tread on; to dwell upon; to begin', fr. in-, 'in',
and sistere, 'to cause to stand, put, place; to
stand still, stand', from the reduplicated base
of stiire, 'to stand'. See state. See also assist and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: insistence, insistency, insistent
(qq.v.)
insistence, insistency, n. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
insistent, adj. - L. insistens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of insistere. See insist and -ent.
Derivative: insistent-ly, adv.
insolate, tr. v., to expcse to the rays of the sun.L. insoliitus, pp. of insoliire, 'to place in the sun',
fr. in-, 'in', and sol, gen. so/is, 'sun'. See sol and
verbal suff. -ate.

800

insolation, n., exposure to the rays of the sun. L. insoliitio, gen. -onis, 'a placing in the sun',
fr. insoliitus, pp. of insoliire. See prec. word
and -ion.
L. 'insolentia, 'unusualness;
insolence, n. haughtiness, arrogance, insolence', fr. insolens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
insolent, n. - L. 'insolens, gen. -entis, 'unusual;
haughty, arrogant, insolent', fr. in-, 'not', and
pres. part. of so/ere, 'to use, be accustomed',
which is of uncertain origin. For the ending see
suff. -ent.
Derivatives: insolent-ly, adv., insolent-ness, n.
insolubility, n. - Late L. insolubilitiis, fr. L. inso/Ubi/is. See next word and -ity.
insoluble, adj. - L. inso!Ubilis, 'that cannot be
loosed; incontestable', fr. in-, 'not', and solubilis. See soluble.
Derivatives: insoluble-ness, n., insolubl-y, adv.
insomnia, n., sleeplessness.- L., 'want of sleep',
fr. 'insomnis, 'sleepless', fr. in-, 'not', and somnus,
'sleep'. See somnolent and -ia.
insouciance, n., indifference. - F., 'carelessness,
thoughtlessness, heedlessness', fr. insouciant.
See next word and -ce.
F., 'careless.
insouciant, adj., indifferent. thoughtless, heedless', fr. in-, 'not', and pres.
part. of soucier, 'to care, be anxious', fr. VL.
sollicitiire, 'to disquiet, trouble, disturb', altered fr. classical L. sollicitare, 'to stir, agitate,
move, excite', under the influence of excitus,
pp. of excire, 'to excite'. See solicit and -ant.
Derivative: insouciant-ly, adv.
inspan, tr. and intr. v., to harness. - Du. inspannen, fr. in-, 'in', and spannen, 'to span; to
join'. See span, v.
inspect, tr. v. - L. inspectus, pp. of inspicere, 'to
look into, look at, inspect, consider', fr. in-,
'in', and specere, spicere, 'to see, to look at,
behold'. See species and cp. words there referred to.
inspection, n. - L. inspectio, gen. -onis, 'a looking
into, inspection', fr. inspectus, pp. of fnspicere.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: inspection-a/, adj.
lnspective, adj. - Late L. inspectivus, 'considering, contemplative', fr. L. inspectus, pp. of inspicere. See inspect and -ive.
inspector, n. - L., 'inspector, examiner', fr. inspectus, pp. of inspicere. See inspect and agential
suff. -or.
Derivative: inspector-al, adj., inspector-ate, n.,
inspector-ial, adj.
inspectress, n. - See prec. word and -ess.
inspiration, n.- OF.(= F.) inspiration, fr. Late
L. inspiriitionem, ace. of inspiriitio, fr. L. inspiratus, pp. of inspiriire. See inspire and
-ion.
Derivatives: inspiration-al, adj., inspirationism,
inspirationist (qq.v.)
inspirationism, n., belief in divine inspiration. See prec. word and -ism.

801

I
~
'

~
!...

,l'

inspirationist, n., one who believes in divine inspiration. - See inspiration and -ist.
inspirator, n.- Late L. inspirator, fr. L. inspiratus.
See inspire and -ator.
inspiratory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. insp'iriitus. See next word.
inspire, tr. v. - ME. enspiren, inspiren, fr. OF.
enspirer, inspirer (F. inspirer), fr. L. inspiriire,
'to breathe into, blow upon; to inflame, inspire', fr. in-, 'in', and spiriire, 'to breathe'. See
spirit.
Derivatives: ir.spir-ed, adj., inspir-ed-ly, adv.,
inspir-er, n., inspir-ing, adj., inspir-ing-ly, adv.
inspissate, tr. and intr. v., to thicken. - L. inspissatus, pp. of inspissare, 'to make thick,
thicken', fr. in-, 'in', and spi5sare, 'to make thick
thicken', fr. spissus, 'thick, crowded, compact,
dense'. See spissated.
Derivative: inspissat-ion, n.
instability, n. -ME. instabilitee, fr. MF. ( = F.)
instabilite, fr. L. instabilitatem, ace. of instabilitas, 'unsteadiness', fr. instabilis. See next word
and -ity.
instable, adj. - F., fr. L. instabilis, 'unsteady',
fr. in-, 'not', and stabilis. See stable, adj., and
cp. unstable. Derivative: instable-ness, n.
install, instal, tr. v. - F. installer, fr. ML. instal/are, 'to introduce formally', fr. in-, 'in', and
stallum, 'stall, seat', fr. OHG. stall, stat, 'stand,
place, stable; stall'. See stalL
installant, n., an installer. - ML. installans, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of installare. See prec. word
and -ant.
installation, n. - ML. installiitio, gen. -onis,
'formal introduction', fr. installatus, pp. of insta/liire. See install and -ation.
installment, instalment, n. - Formed fr. install
with suff. -rnent.
instance, n. - F., fr. L. instantia, 'constancy,
perseverance, earnestness, urgency', prop. 'a
standing near, presence', fr. instans, gen. -antis.
See instant and -ce. Derivative: instance, tr. v.
instancy, n. - L. instantia. See prec. word and
-cy.
instant, adj. - L. instans, gen. -antis, 'present;
pressing, urgent', lit. 'standing near', pres. part.
of instare, 'to press upon, urge, insist', lit. 'to
stand in, stand upon, stand near', fr. in-, 'in',
and stare, 'to stand'. See state and -ant.
Derivatives: instant, n. (q.v.), instant-aneous,
adj., instant-aneous-ly, adv., instant-aneous-ness,
n., instant-ly, adv.
instant, n. - Fr. instant, adj. Cp. F. instant, n.,
in the same sense.
instanter, adv., immediateiy. - L., 'pressingly,
urgently', fr. instans, gen. -antis. See instant, adj.
instar, n., stage of an arthropod between successive molts (entomol.) - L., 'equivalent,
value; image, resemblance, form, figure', orig.
shortened form of the infinitive instdre, 'to
stand in' (said of the tongue of the balance when
it stands so that the balance is in the equi-

instruct

librium), whence instar came to denote 'equivalent, value', etc. See instant, adj. For the sense
development of L. instar cp. Gk. a't"1)fLL, 'I cause
to stand; I weigh' and aTocTI)p, 'balance', which
.
is rei. to EcrTI)fL\ (see stater).
instar, tr. v., to place as a star.- Formed fr. in-,
'in', and star.
instauration, n. ~~ I,. fnstauriiti6, gen. -oms, 'rr~
newal, restoration', fr. instauriitus, pp. of instcuriire, 'to renew, repeat, restore', fr. in-, 'in',
and -stauriire (f0und only in compounds), which
is prob. cogn. with Gk. crT:xup6~. 'pale, stake,
pole', ON. staurr, of s.m., ON. s(l'ri, OE. steor-,
'rudder, helm', OE. stferan, 'o steer, guide'.
Accordingly the orig. meaning of I . instauriire
prob. was 'to attach to a stake or post, to
fa3ten'. See steer, 'to direct', and cp. store, v.
and n., restaurant, restore.
instead, adv.- Formed fr. in-, 'in', and stead.
instep, n. -Formed fr. in-, 'in', and step.
instigate, tr. v., to urge on. - L. instigiitus, pp.
of instigare, 'to urge, stimulate, incite, goad,
instigate', fr. in-, 'in', and stigiire, 'to prick,
goad', fr. I.-E. base steig-, 'to prick, stick,
pierce', whence also OE. stician, 'to prick, goad,
stab'. See stick, v., and cp. instinct. For the
ending see verbal suff. -ate.
instigation, n. - L. instfgiiti6, gen. -onis, 'an
urging, incitement', fr. instigiitus, pp. of instigare. See prec. word and -ion.
instill, instil, tr. v. - L. instilliire, 'to pour in by
drops, drop in', fr. in-, 'in', and stillare, 'to drop,
trickle', fr. stilla, 'drop'. See still, 'to distill'.
Derivatives: instillation (q.v.), instill-er, n., insti/(1)-ment, n.
instillation, n. - L. instilliitio, gen. -onis, 'a dropping in', fr. instillatus, pp. of instilliire. See prec.
word and -ation.
instinct, n. - L. instinctus, gen. -us, 'instigation,
impulse', fr. instinctus, pp. of instinguere, 'to
incite, impel', which is rei. to instigiire. See
instigate.
Derivatives: instinct-ive, adj., instinct-ive-ly, adv.
instinct, adj. - L. instinctus, pp. of instinguere.
See instinct, n.
institute, n. - L. institutum, 'purpose, design,
plan', prop. neut. pp. of instituere, 'to put, fix,
set, plant, erect, establish, appoint', used as a
noun; formed fr. in-, 'in', and statuere, 'to cause
to stand, set up, establish, constitute'. See
statute. For the change of Latin if (in stiituere)
to i (in in-stituere) see abigeat and cp. words
there referred to.
institute, tr. v. - L. institutus, pp. of instituere.
See institute, n.
institution, n.- OF.(= F.) institution, fr. L. institutionem, ace. of institiitio, 'a disposition, arrangement, instruction, appointment', fr. institutus, pp. oflnstituere. See institute, v. and n.,
and -ion.
Derivative: institution-al, adj.
Instruct, tr. v. - ME. instructen, fr. L. instruc-

instruction

802

Derivatives: insulat-ed, adj., insulat-ing, adj.,

tus, pp. of instruere, 'to build, erect, construct;
insulat-ion, n., insulat-or, n.
to prepare, provide, furnish; to teach, instruct',
fr. in-, 'in', and struere, 'to pile up, build, con- insulin, n., an extract containing the active principle of the islets of Langerhans in the panstruct'. See structure and words there referred
creas (med.) - Formed fr. L. insula, 'island'
to and cp. esp. instrument.
(see inSular and chem. suff. -in); introduced by
Derivatives: instruction (q.v.), instruct-ive, adj.,
Banting, Best and Macleod in I92I. The name
instruct-ive-ly, adv., instruct-ive-ness, n., inwas suggested by the English physiologist Sir
structor (q.v.).
Edward Albert William Sharpey (I85D-I935).
instruction, n.- OF. ( = F.) instruction, fr. L. ininsult, n.- Either fr. MF. insult (F. insulte}, from
structionem, ace. of instructio, 'building, erecthe verb insulter or directly fr. Late L. fnsultus,
tion, construction; arrangement, disposition,
'a scoffing, reviling', lit. 'a leaping upon', fr.
teaching, instruction', fr. instructus, pp. of ininsilfre, 'to leap upon'; influenced in meaning
struere. See instruct and -ion.
by the verb insu/tare, 'to insult'. See insult, v.
Derivative: instruction-al, adj.
insult, tr. v. - F. insulter, fr. L. fnsultare, 'to leap
instructor, n. - L. instructor, 'preparer' (in
upon, spring at', used already by Cicero in the
ML. also 'teacher, instructor'), fr. L. instructus,
sense of 'to scoff, revile, insult', which stands
pp. of instruere. See instruct and agential suff. -or.
for *in-sa/tare and is freq. of insilire, 'to leap
instructress, n. - See prec. word and -ess.
upon, spring at', fr. in-, 'in', and sa/fre, 'to leap,
instrument, n. - L. instrumentum, 'utensil, tool,
spring, jump'. See salient and cp. saltant. For the
instrument, apparatus, furniture, provision,
change of Latin a (in sa/tare) to u (in in-su/tare)
supply', fr. instruere. See instruct and -ment.
see desultory and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: instrument, tr. v., instrument-al, inDerivatives: insult-er, n., insult-ing, adj., insultstrumentation (q.v.)
ing-ly, adv.
instrumental, adj. - F., fr. instrument, fr. L. ininsuperable, adj. - L. insuperabilis, 'that cannot
strumentum. See instrument and adj. suff. -al.
be passed over, unconquerable', fr. in-, 'not',
Derivatives: instrumental, n., instrumentalism
and superabilis. See superable.
(q.v.), instrumentalist (q.v.), instrumental-ity, n.
Derivatives: insuperabil-ity, n., insuperable-ness,
instrumentalism, n., the doctrine that the value
n., insuperabl-y, adv.
of a thing depends on experience; pragmatism
insupportable, adj. -Late L. fnsupportiibilis. See
(philos.) - See prec. word and -ism.
in-, 'not', and supportable.
instrumentalist, n., I) one who plays on a musical
Derivatives: insupportabil-ity, n., insupportableinstrument; 2) a believer in instrumentalism
ness, n., insupportabl-y, adv.
(philos.) - See instrumental and -ist.
insure, tr. v. -A var. of ensure.
instrumentation, n., I) arrangement of music for
Derivatives: insur-able, adj., insur-ance, n., insurinstruments; 2) the use of scientific instruments.
ant, n., insur-ed, adj., insur-er, n.
- F., fr. instrument, fr. L. instrumentum. See
insurgency, n. - Formed from next word with
instrument and -ation.
suff. -cy.
insufficiency, n. - Late L. insufficientia, fr. ininsurgent, adj. and n. - L. insurgens, gen. -entis,
sufficiens, gen. -entis. See next word and -cy.
pres. part. of fnsurgere, 'to rise up; to rise
insufficient, adj.- Late L. insufficiens, gen. -entis,
against, revolt', fr. in-, 'in', and surgere, 'to
'insufficient', fr. in-, 'not', and L. sufficiens, gen.
rise'. See surge and -ent and cp. insurrection. Cp.
-entis. See sufficient.
also assurgent.
Derivative: insufficient-ly, adv.
insurmountable, adj.- Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
insuftlate, tr.v., to blow in.- Late L. insufflatus,
surmountable, on analogy of F. insurmontable.
pp. of fnsufflare, 'to blow into or upon, breathe
Derivatives: insurmountable-ness, n., insurmouninto or upon', fr. in-, 'in', and L. suffliire, 'to
tabl-y, adv.
blow', fr. sub- and /fiire, 'to blow'. See blow,
insurrection, n. - ME. insurrecioun, fr. MF.
'to puff', and cp. inflate.
( = F.) insurrection, fr. Late L. fnsurrecti6nem,
insuftlation, n. - Late L. insufflatio, gen. -onis,
ace. of insurrectio, 'a rising up, insurrection',
'a blowing into or upon', fr. insufflatus, pp. of
fr. L. insurrectus, pp. of insurgere. See insurgent
insufflare. See prec. word and -ion.
and -ion.
insular, adj.- L. insularis, 'of, or pertaining to,
Derivatives: insurrection-al, adj., insurrectionan island, fr. insula, 'island'. See isle and cp.
al-ly, adv., insurrection-ary, adj., insurrectionwords there referred to. For the ending see
ist, n.
suff. -ar.
intact, adj.- L. intactus, 'untouched, uninjured,
Derivatives: insular-ism, n., insular-ity, n., inintact', fr. in-, 'not', and tactus, pp. of tangere,
sulor-ly, adv.
'to touch'. See tact and cp. Intangible.
insulate, tr. v., I) to make into an island; 2) to set
Derivatives: intact-ly, adv., intact-ness, n.
apart; to isolate.- L. insulatus, pp. of insulare,
'to insulate', fr. insula, 'island'. See isle and lntagllated, adj., carved in intaglio. - Formed
with suff. -eel fr. It. intagliato, pp. of intagliare.
verbal suff. -ate and cp. isolate, which is a douSee next word.
blet of insulote. Cp. also peoiasula.

803

intaglio, n., incised carving.- It., back formation

fr. intag/iare, 'to cut in, engrave', fr. in-, 'in',
and VL. *taliare, 'to cut', fr. L. talea, 'rod, stick,
bar'. See tailor and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: intaglio, tr. v.
intangible, adj.- ML. intangibilis, fr. in-, 'not',
and L. tangibilis. See tangible.
Derivatives: intangibil-ity, n., intangible-ness,
n., intangibl-y, adv.
intarsia, n., mosaic woodwork. -It. intarsio, fr.
intarsiare, 'to inlay', fr. in-, 'in', and tarsiare,
'to inlay', fr. tarsia, 'inlaid work, tarsia',fr.Arab.
tar#', 'inlaid work', inf. of rd$$a'a, 'he laid in'.
integer, adj. - L., 'undiminished, unhurt, unimpaired, whole, complete', lit. 'untouched', fr.
*entag-ros, fr. in-, 'not', and *tag-, the stem of
tangere, 'to touch'. See tangent and cp. intact,
intangible, integrity. Cp. also entire. For the
change of Latin a (in ta-n-gere) toe (in in-tlger)
see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: integr-able, adj., integr-abil-ity, n.
integral, adj., I) pertaining to a whole; 2) necessary to completeness; n., a whole. -ME.,
fr. Late L. integra/is, fr. L. ir,teger. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -al. The word integral was
introduced into mathematics by Jacques Bernouilli (I654-I705}, professor of mathematics
at the University of Basel.
Derivatives: integral-ity, n., integral-ly, adv.
integrant, adj., forming a whole. - L. integrans,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of integrare, 'to make
whole, renew', fr. integer. See Integer and -ant.
integrate, adj., composite; complete, whole. L. integratus, pp. of integrare. See next word.
integrate, tr. v., to form a whole.- L. integratus,
pp. of integrare, 'to make whole, renew', fr. integer. See integer and verbal suff. -ate.
integration, n. - L. integratio, gen. -onis, 'a renewing', fr. integratus, pp. of integriire. See integrate, v., and -ion.
integrity, n., wholeness, completeness; uprightness. - F. integrite, fr. L. integritatem, ace. of
integritiis, 'completeness, soundness, blamelessness', fr. integer. See integer and -ity.
integument, n., a covering. - L. integumentum,
'a covering', fr. integere, 'to cover', fr. in-, 'in',
and tegere, 'to cover'. See tegument.
Derivatives: integument, tr. v ., integument-al,
integument-ary, adjs., integument-ation, n.
intellect, n. - L. inte//ectus, gen. -iis, 'perception,
discernment, understanding', fr. intel/ectus, pp.
of intel/egere, intelligere, 'to understand, comprehend'. See intelligent.
intellection, n. - L. intel/ectio, gen. -onis, fr. intel/ectus, pp. of intel/egere, intel/igere. See prec.
word and -ion.
intellective, adj. -F. intellectif(fem. intellective),
fr. Late L. intelllctivus, 'pertaining to discernment', fr. L. intellect us, pp. of intellegere, intel/igere. See Intellect and -ive.
Deri\-ative: intellective-ly, adv.
intellectual, adj. - L. intellectuiilis. 'relating to

intendant

the understanding', fr. intellectus, pp. of intel/egere, intelligere. See intellect and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: intellectual, n., intellectualism(q.v.}
intellectual-ist, n., intellectuality (q.v.), intellectual-ize, v., intellectualiz-ation, n., intellectual1
ly, adv.
Intellectualism, n.- G. lntel/ektualismus, coined
by the German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm
Joseph von Schelling (1775-1854) in I803 fr.
Late L. intellectualis, 'relating to understanding',
and suff. -ismus. See intellectual and -ism.
intellectuality, n. - Late L. intel/ectualitas, 'understanding', fr. L. intellectualis. See intellectual
and -ity.
intelligence, n. - F., fr. L. intellegentia, intelligentia, 'power of discerning, power of under.standing, intelligence', fr. intellegens, intelligens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce and cp. intelligentsia.
Derivatives: intelligence, v., intelligenc-er, n.
intelligent, adj.- L. intel/egens, intelligens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of intel/egere, intelligere, 'to
understand, comprehend', fr. inter- and Iegere,
'to gather, collect; to pick out, choose; to read'.
See lecture and cp. intellect.
Derivatives: intelligent, n., intelligent-ly, adv.
Intelligential, adj. - Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. intel/egentia, intelligentia. See intelligence.
intelligentsia, n., the intellectual classes taken
collectively. -Russ. intelligentsiya, fr. It. intelligenzia, fr. L. intel/egentia, intelligentia. See
Intelligence.
intelligible, adj. - L. intel/egibilis, intelligibilis,
'that can be understood', fr. intel/egere, intelligere, 'to understand, comprehend'. See intelligent and -ible.
Derivatives: intelligibil-ity, n., intelligible-ness,
n., intelligibl-y, adv.
intemperance, n. - F. intemperance, fr. L. intemperentia, 'intemperateness, immoderation,
excess', fr. in-, 'not', and temperantia. See temperance.
Intemperate, adj. - L. intemperatus, 'intemperate, immoderate', fr. in-, 'not', and temperatus.
See temperate.
Derivatives: intemperate-ly, adv., intemperateness, n.
Intend, tr. v. - ME. entenden, fr. MF. ( = F.)
entendre, 'to direct one's attention' (now, 'to
hear'), fr. L. intendere, 'to stretch out, extend;
to direct, tum, bend, aim; to direct one's
attention, to apply oneself to, endeavor, intend',
fr. In-, 'in', and tendere, 'to stretch out'. See
tend, 'to move in a certain direction', and cp.
entente, superintend. Derivatives: intendant
(q.v.), intend-ed, adj., intendment (q.v.)
lnteodance, lntendancy, n. - F. intendance, fr.
intendant. See next word and -cy.
intendant, n.- F., back formation fr. surintendant, fr. ML. superintendentem, ace. of 'super
intenLMns. See superintendent.

intendment

intendment, n., 1) intention (archaic); 2) meaning

(law). - ME. entendement, fr. OF. ( = F.) en
tendement, 'understanding', fr. entendre. See in
tend and ment.
intense, adj. - F., fr. L. intensus, a collateral
form of intentus, 'stretched out, strained, bent,
tight', pp. of intendere, 'to stretch out, extend'.
See intend.
Derivatives: intense-ly, adv., intense-ness, n.
intensification, n. - See next word and -ation.
intensify, tr. v. - Formed with suff. -fy fr. L.
intensus, 'stretched out' (see intense); first used by
the English poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor
Coleridge (17721834).
Derivative: intensifi-er, n.
intension, n. - L. intensi6, gen. -6nis, 'a stretch
ing out, straining, effort', a collateral form of
intenti6, gen. 6nis, fr. intentus, pp. of intendere.
See intention.
Derivatives: intension-a/, adj., intension-al-ly,
adv.
intensity, n. -Coined by the English physicist
Robert Boyle (162791) fr. intense and suff. -ity.
intensive, adj. - F. intensif (fern. intensive), fr.
ML. intensivus, fr. L. intensus, a collateral form
of intentus, pp. of intendere. See intense and -ive.
Derivatives: intensive, n., intensive-ly, adv., intensive-ness, n.
intent, n., an intending; intention; purpose. ME. entent, fr. OF. entent, fr. L. intentus, gen.
-1/s, 'a stretching out, extending', fr. intentus,
pp. of intendere. See intend.
intent, adj., firmly fixed.- L. intentus, 'stretched
out, extended', pp. of intendere. See intend.
Derivatives: intent-ly, adv., intent-ness, n.
intention, n. - OF. entention, intention (F. intention), fr. L. intenti6nem, ace. of intenti6, 'a
stretching out, straining, exertion, effort, attention', fr. intentus, pp. of intendere. See intend
and cp. intension, which is a doublet of intention.
intentional, adj. - ML. intenti6nii/is, fr. L. intenti6, gen. -6nis. See prec. word and -al.
Derivatives: intentional-ity, n., intentional-ly,
adv.
inter, prep., among, between, occurring in Latin
phrases occasionally used in English, as inter
alia, 'among other things'. - L. inter, fr. I.-E.
*enter or *IJter, 'between, among', whence also
Oscan anter, Umbr. anter, ander-, 01. antar,
Avestic antart, OPers. antar, 'among, between',
OI. antara/:1, 'inner, interior', iintram, 'intestine',
Toch. B etsar, 'within', Arm. 1nder-k' (pl.), 'intestines', Gk. br;e:p(X (pl.), 'intestines', Alb.
nder, 'between, in', OSlav. qtru, 'between',
qtroba, 'entrails', jf{tro, 'liver', Olr. eter, etar,
etir, OW. ithr, Co. ynter, Bret. entre, 'among,
between', Goth. undar, OHG. untar, OE. under,
in the sense of 'among', ON. iorar (pl.), 'intestines'. I.-E. *en-ter, *IJter is compar. of en, 'in'.
See in, prep., and -tber and cp. enteric and words
there referred to. Cp. also enter, enter-, entrails,
entr'acte, entre-, interior.

804

inter, tr. v., to bury. - ME. enterren, fr. MF.

( = F.) enterrer, fr. VL. *interriire, 'to place in
the earth', fr. in-, 'in, into', and terra, 'earth';
see terra; influenced in form by VL. *interriire.
Derivative: inter-ment, n.
inter-, pref. meaning 'among, between'. - L., fr.
inter. See inter, prep.
interact, n., interval between two acts.- Formed
fr. inter- and act, n. on analogy of F. entr'acte
(see entr'acte).
interact, intr. v., to act on each other.- Formed
fr. inter- and act, v.
Derivatives: interact-ion, n., interact-ive, adj.
intercalary, adj., inserted in the calendar. - L.
interca/iirius or interca/iiris, fr. intercaliire. See
next word and adj. suff. -ary.
intercalate, tr. v., to insert (a day or a month)
in the calendar. - L. intercaliitus, pp. of intercaliire, 'to proclaim the insertion of an intercalary day', etc., fr. inter- and caliire, 'to call
out, proclaim'. See calendar and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: intercalation (q. v.), intercalat-ive,
intercalat-ory, adjs.
intercalation, n. - L. intercaliiti6, gen. -6nis, 'insertion of an intercalary day', fr. interca/iitus,
pp. of intercaliire. See prec. word and -ion.
intercede, intr. v., to plead on behalf of. - L.
intercedere, 'to go between, intervene, interpose, interfere', fr. inter- and cedere, 'to go,
depart'. See cede.
intercept, tr. v. - L. interceptus, pp. of intercipere, 'to seize while passing; to interrupt', fr.
inter- and capere {pp. captus), 'to catch, seize,
take hold of'. See captive. For the change of
Latin d (in captus) to e (in inter-ceptus) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: intercept-er, intercept-or, n., interception (q.v.), intercept-ive, adj.
interception, n. - L. intercepti6, gen. -6nis, 'a
seizing, taking away', fr. interceptus, pp. of intercipere. See prec. word and -ion.
intercession, n. - L. intercessi6, gen. -6nis, 'a
going between, intervention', fr. intercess-(um),
pp. stem of intercedere. See intercede and -ion.
Derivative: intercession-a!, adj.
intercessor, n. - L., 'one who intervenes', fr.
intercess-(um), pp. stem of intercedere. See intercede and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: intercessor-ia!, adj.
intercessory, adj, - ML. intercess6rius, fr. L.
intercess-(um), pp. stem of intercedere. See
intercede and adj. suff. -ory.
interchange, tr. and intr. v. - ME. entrechangen,
fr. OF. entechangier, fr. entre- (fr. L. inter-) and
changier, 'to change' (see inter- and change, v.),
remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: interchange-able, adj., interchangeabil-ity, n., interchange-able-ness, n., interchangeabl-y, adv.
interdlauge, n. - OF. entrechange, fr. entrechangier. See interchange, v.

Interlocution

805
intercolumniation, n., the space between two
columns (archit.) - Formed with suff. -atlon
fr. L. interco/umnium, 'the space between two
columns', fr. inter and columna. See column.
intercourse, n. - ME. intercurse, fr. OF. entrecours, 'exchange, commerce', fr. Late L. intercursus (gen. -U.S), 'a running between or amongst',
fr. L. intercursus, pp. of intercurrere, 'to run between or amongst', fr. inter- and currere, 'to
run' (see current, adj.); remodeled after L.
intercursus.
interdict, n. - ME. entredit, fr. OF. entredit, fr.
L. interdictum, 'prohibition, interdict', prop.
neut. pp. of interdfcere, 'to forbid, prohibit,
interdict', fr. inter- and dicere, 'to say'; see
diction. F. interdit and E. interdict have been
remodeled after L. interdictum.
interdict, tr. v. - ME. entrediten, fr. entredit,
'interdict'. See interdict, n.
interdiction, n. - L. interdicti6, gen. -6nis, 'prohibition, interdiction', fr. interdictus, pp. of
interdicere. See interdict, v. and n., and -ion.
interdictory, adj. - ML. interdict6rius, 'pertaining to an interdict', fr. L. interdictum. See
interdict, n., and adj. suff. -ory.
interdigitate, intr. v ., to interlock like the fingers
of the two hands. - Formed fr. inter-, L. digitus, 'finger' (see digit), and verbal suff. -ate.
interest, n.- ME., altered fr. earlier interess, fr.
AF. interesse, fr. ML. interesse, 'interest', prop.
subst. use of L. interesse, 'to be between, lie
between; to take part in; to import, be of interest', fr. inter and esse, 'to be'; see esse. The
alteration of earlier E. interess to interest is
prob. due to the influence of OF. interest
(when~.:e F. imeret), 'interest', a word derived fr.
L. interest, 'it imports, it is of interest', which
was, however, taken for a noun in the sense
of 'that which imports or is of interest'. Cp. G.
Interesse, 'interest', which also derives fr. ML.
interesse (see above).
interest, tr. v. - Fr. interess'd, pp. of earlier
English interess, 'interest'. See interest, n.
Derivatives: interest-ed, adj., interest-ed-ly, n.,
interest-ed-ness, n., interest-ing, adj., interest
ing-ly, adv., interest-ing-ness, n.
interfere, intr. v. - OF. s'entreferir, 'to strike
each other', fr. entre, 'between', and ferir (F.
ferir), 'to strike', fr. L. ferire, 'to strike, smite',
which stands in gradational relationship to
foriire, 'to bore, piece', and is cogn. with OE.
borian, 'to bore': see inter- and bore, v. E. interfere was remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: interfer-ence, n., interferent-ial,
adj., interfer-er, n., interfer-ing, adj., interfering-ly, adv., interfer-ing-ness, n.
interferometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the interference of light waves. - A hybrid
coined from interfere, a word of Latin origin,
and Gk. !Ltt-pov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
interfuse, tr. and intr. v. - L. interfU.sus, pp. of

interfundere, 'to pour between, flow between',

fr. inter- and fundere, 'to pour'. See found, 'to
cast', and cp. words there referred to.
interfusion, n. - L. interfiisi6, gen. -6nis, 'a flowing between', fr. interfiisus, pp. of interfundere.
1
See prec. word and -ion.
interglacial, adj., pertaining to, or occurring in,
a period between two glacial epochs. - Coined
by the Swiss naturalist Oswald Heer (1809-83)
in 1865 fr. inter- and glacial.
interim, n., meantime. - L. interim, adv., 'meanwhile', formed fr. inter, 'between' (see inter,
prep.), with adv. sutf. -im, which derives from
the pronominal base *i- (whence also is, ea, id,
'he, she, it'). Cp. OL. im, em ( = L. eum), 'him',
and see idem.
Derivative: interim, adj., temporary.
interior, adj. - L. interior, 'inner, within', compar. of *interus, 'on the inside, inward' (cp.
intra, 'within'), which itself is compar. of in,
'in'. See inter, prep., and -ior and cp. intra-,
intro-.
Derivatives: interior, n., interior-ly, adv.
interjacent, adj., lying between; intervening.
L. interjacens, gen. -entis, 'lying between', pres.
part. of interjacere, 'to lie between', fr. interand jacere, 'to lie', which orig. meant 'to cast
oneself down', fr. jaci6, jacere, 'to throw, cast,
hurl'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ent and cp.
adjacent and words there referred to. Cp. also
next word.
interject, tr. v. - L. interjectus, pp. of intericere
(less correctly interjicere), 'to throw between,
insert; to intersect', fr. infer- and jacere (pp.
jactus), 'to throw'. See prec. word. For the
change of Latin ii (injiictus) to e(in inter-ject us)
see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: interjection (q.v.), interject-ory, adj.
interjection, n.- F., fr. L. interjecti6nem, ace. of
interjecti6, 'a throwing between, insertion; interjection', fr. interjectus, pp. of intericere. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: interjection-al, adj., interjection-ally, adv., interjection-ary, adj.
interlace, tr. andintr. v.-ME.entrelacen ,fr. MF.
(= F.) entre/acer (see entre-, inter- and lace,
v.); remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: interlace, n., interlac-ed, adj., interlac-ed-ly, adv., interlace-ment, n., interlac-ery, n.
interlard, tr. v., to insert between, mix. - F.
entrelarder, 'to insert between' (see entre-, interand lard); remodeled after L. inter-.
interline, tr. and intr. v. - ME. enter/inen, fr.
ML. interlineiire, 'to interline', fr. inter- and L.
linea, 'line' (see line and cp. next word); remodeled after L. inter-.
interlinear, adj. - ML. interlineiiris, 'that which
is between the lines'. See inter- and linear.
interlineation, n. - Formed with sutf. -ation fr.
ML. interlineiitus, pp. of interlineiire. See
IDterline.

intertocudoo, n. -

L. interlociitio, gen. -onis, 'a

interlocutor

speaking between, interlocution', fr. interlociitus, pp. of inter/oqul, 'to interrupt in speaking',
lit. 'to speak between', fr. inter- and loqul, 'to
speak'. See loquacious and cp. locution.
interlocutor, n. - Formed with agential suff. -or
fr. inter/ociitus, pp. of inter/oqul. See prec. word.
interlocutory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. interlociitus, pp. of interloqul. See interlocution.
interlocutress, n. -See interlocutor and -ess.
interlocutrix, n., an interlocutress. - See interlocutor and -trix.
interlope, intr. v. - Back formation fr. interloper.
interloper, n., an intruder. - Fr. earlier entertoper, which is prob. a hybrid coined fr. enter(fr. L. inter-) and Du. Ioper, 'runner', fr. /open,
'to run'; see leap and cp. lope and words there
referred to. E. interloper was remodeled after
L. inter-.
interlude, n. - ME. enterlude, fr. ML. inter/iidium, 'interlude', fr. inter- and L. liidus, 'play'
(see ludicrous); remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: interlude, v., inter/ud-ial, adj.
intermediary, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ary
fr. L. intermedius. See next word.
Derivative: intermediary, n.
intermediate, adj. - ML. intermedititus, 'lying
between, intermediate', fr. L. intermedius, 'that
which is between, intermediate', fr. inter- and
medius, 'middle'. See medium and adj. suff. -ate
and cp. mediate, immediate. Cp. also intermezzo.
Derivatives: intermediate, intr. v., intermediately, adv., intermediat-ion, n., intermediat-or, n.
intermedium, n., an intermediate agent; medium.
- ModL., neut. of intermedius. See prec. word.
intermezzo, n., a short dramatic performance
between the acts of a play or opera. -It., fr.
L. intermedius. See intermediate.
interminable, adj. - Late L. intermintibilis (prob.
through the medium of F. interminable). See
in-, 'not', and terminable.
Derivatives: interminabil-ity, n., interminableness, n., interminabl-y, adv.
intermission, n. - L. intermissio, gen. -onis, 'a
breaking up, interruption', fr. intermissus, pp.
of intermittere. See next word and -ion.
intermit, tr. and intr. v., to interrupt.- L. intermittere, 'to leave off, break up, omit, neglect;
to cease, pause', fr. inter- and mittere, 'to send'.
See mission.
Derivatives: intermitt-ed, adj., intermitt-ed-ly,
adv., intermittent (q. v.), intermitt-ing, adj.,
intermitt-ing-ly, adv.
intermittence, n. - Formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
intermittent, adj. - L. intermittens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of intermittere. See intermit and -ent.
Derivative: intermittent-ly, adv.
intermix, tr. and intr. v. -Back formation fr.
intermixt, which derives fr. L. intermixtus,
'intermixed', but was mistaken for the pp. of

806

an English verb (i.e. intermix! was supposed to

have been formed from the verb intermix and
the pp. suff. -t). L. intermixtus is pp. of intermiscere, 'to intermix', lit. 'to mix among', fr.
inter-, and miscere, 'to mix'. See mixed and cp.
mix, admix, commix.
Derivative: intermix-ture, n.
intern, adj., internal (archaic). -F. interne, 'inward, internal, resident within', fr. L. internus,
'inward, internal', fr. *interus, 'on the inside,
inward'. See interior and cp. internal. Cp. also
extern.
intern, also interne, n., a resident physician in a
hospital. - F. interne, fr. interne, adj. See intern, adj.
intern, tr. v., to confine. - F. interner, fr. L. internus. See intern, adj.
Derivative: intern-ment, n.
internal, adj. - ML. internti/is, fr. L. internus.
See intern, adj., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: internal, n., internal-ity, n., internal-ly, adv., internal-ness, n.
international, adj.- Coined by Jeremy Bentham
(1748-1832) in 1780 fr. inter- and national.
Derivatives: international-ism, n., internationalist, n., international-ity, n., international-ize, tr.
v ., international-iz-ation, n., international-ly, adv.
International, n., any of several international
socialistic associations. - Orig. short for International Working Men's Association, which was
founded in London on September 28, r864. See
prec. word.
Interuationale, n., I) the same as International;
2) a socialist hymn written by Eugene Pottier
in 1871. - F., fern. of international. See international.
internecine, adj., deadly. - L. internecinus, 'deadly, murderous, destructive', fr. internectire, 'to
kill, destroy', fr. inter- and nectire, 'to kill', which
is rei. to nex, gen. necis, 'murder', nocere, 'to
harm, hurt', noxius, 'harmful, injurious'. See
noxious and cp. words there referred to.
internist, n. - Formed from the abbreviation of
intern(al, sci!. medicine), and suff. -ist.
internode, n., part between two nodes or joints.
- L. internodium, fr. inter- and nodus, 'knot'.
See node.
Derivative: internod-al, adj.
internuncial, adj., communicating between different organs of the body (said of nerves). Lit. 'acting as messenger between', formed fr.
L. interniintius, 'messenger' (see next word)
with adj. suff. -al. See Todd and Bowman, Phys.
Anat., 1845, I, 205.
internuncio, n., a papal ambassador of lesser
rank than a nuncio. - It. internunzio, fr. L.
interniintius, 'messenger, mediator', fr. interand niintius, 'messenger'. See nuncio.
interosseous, adj., situated between bones (anal.)
- Formed fr. L. inter ossa, 'between bones'.
See inter, prep., and os. Fortheendingseesuff.
-ous.

807

interosseas, n., name of certain muscles situated

between the bones of the metacarpus or metatarsus (anal.) - Medical L. See prec. word.
interpellate, tr. v. - L. interpelltitus, pp. of interpe/ltire, 'to interrupt in speaking', fr. inter- and
-pelltire (found only in compounds), fr. pe/lere,
'to drive'. See pulse, 'throb', and verbal suff.
-ate. The change from the 3rd conjugation {pel/ere) to the first (interpel/tire) is due to the iterative sense of the latter verb. Cp. appelltire, 'to
address, accost, call', which is formed fr. adand -pelltire and also has an iterative meaning
(see appeal, v.)
interpellation, n. - L. interpel/titi6, gen. -onis,
'an interruption in speaking', fr. interpelltitus,
pp. of interpel/tire. See prec. word and -ion.
interpolate, tr. v., to alter by inserting new or
false matter. - L. interpoltitus, pp. of interpoltire, 'to give a new form to, to polish, furbish; to change, vary; to falsify; to insert, interpolate'. The verb was orig. a fuller's term with
the meaning 'to scrape or polish between', and
is formed fr. inter- and po/lre, 'to smooth,
polish, furbish'; see polish. The change of conjugation fr. polfre to inter-poltire is due to the
iterative sense of the latter verb. See interpellate.
interpolation, n.- L. interpoltitio, gen. -onis, fr.
interpoltitus, pp. of interpoltire. See prec. word
and -ion.
interpolator, n. - L. interpoltitor, 'one who gives
a new form to things, polisher, furbisher', fr.
interpoliitus, pp. of interpo/tire. See interpolate
and agential suff. -or.
interpose, tr. v. - F. interposer, fr. inter- and
poser, 'to place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
words there referred to.
intel'position, n. - L. interpositio, gen. -onis, 'a
putting between, insertion', fr. interpositus,
pp. of interponere, 'to put between, insert',
fr. inter- and ponere, 'to put, place'. See
position.
interpret, tr. and intr. v. - OF. interpreter, fr.
L. interprettirl, 'to explain, expound', fr. interpres, gen. -pretis, 'an agent between two parties,
explainer, expounder', lit. 'mediator'. For the
first element see inter-. The second is rei. to L.
pretium, 'price, value'; see price and cp. words
there referred to.
interpretable, adj. - Late L. interprettibilis, fr.
L. interprettiri. See prec. word and -able.
Derivatives: interpretabil-ity, n., interpretableness, n., interpretabl-y, adv.
interpretation, n.- ME. interpretacioun, fr. MF.
(= F.) interpretation fr. L. interprettitionem,
ace. of interpretiitw, 'explanation, exposition',
fr. interprettitus, pp. of interprettirl. See interpret
and -ation.
Derivative: interpretation-al, adj.
interpretative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr.
L. interpretiitus. pp. of interpretiiri. See interpret.
D.mvative: interpretative-ly, adv.
illteipreter, n.- ME. interpretour, fr. OF. inter-

Intersperse

preteur, fr. Late L. interprettitorem, ace. of

interprettitor, 'explainer, interpreter', fr. L. interpre/titus, pp. of interprettirl, 'to explain, expound'. See interpret and agential suff. -er.
interpretive, adj., interpretative. - See interpet
and -ive.
r
Derivative: interpretive-ly, adv.
interpunction, n., punctuation. - L. interpunctio,
gen. -onis, 'a putting of points between, punctuation', fr. interpiinctus, pp. of interpungere,
'to put points between', fr. inter- and pungere,
'to prick'. See pungent and cp. point, n. and v.
For the ending see suff. -ion.
interregnum, n., time between two reigns. - L.
interregnum, 'the time between the death of one
king and the election of another', fr. inter- and
regnum, 'reign'. See reign.
interrogate, tr. v., to question.- L. interrogtitus,
pp. of interrogtire, 'to ask, question, inquire',
fr. inter- and rogtire, 'to ask, beg, entreat'. See
rogation and verbal suff. -ate.
interrogation, n. - L. interrogtitio, gen. -onis,
'question, inquiry', fr. interrogtitus, pp. ofinterrogiire. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: interrogation-al, adj.
interrogative, adj. - L. interrogtitivus, 'pertaining to a question', fr. interrogtitus, pp. of interrogtire. See interrogate and -ive.
Derivative: interrogative-ly, adv.
interrogatory, adj.- L. interrogtitorius, 'consisting of questions, interrogatory', fr. interrogtitus,
pp. of interrogtire. See interrogate and adj. stfT.
-ory.
interrupt, tr. v. - L. interruptus, pp. of interrumpere, 'to break up, break to pieces; to break
off, interrupt', fr. inter- and rumpere, 'to break'.
See rupture and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: interrupt-ed, adj., interrupt-ed-ly,
adv., interrupt-ed-ness, n., interrupt-ing, adj.,
interrupt-ing-ly, adv., interruption (q.v.), interrupt-ive, adj., interrupt-ive-ly, adv., interruptory, adj.
interruption, n. - L. interruptio, gen. -onis, 'a
breaking off, interruption, interval', fr. interruptus, pp. of interrumpere. See prec. word and
-ion.
intersect, tr. v., to cut across; intr. v., to cross
each other. - L. intersectus, pp. of intersectire,
'to cut asunder, intersect', fr. inter- and sectire,
'to cut'. See section and cp. words there referred to.
intersection, n. - L. intersectio, gen. -onis, 'a
cutting asunder, intersection', fr. intersect us,
pp. of intersectire. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: intersection-al, adj.
intersperse, tr. v., to scatter. - L. interspersus,
'strewn, sprinkled upon', fr. inter- and sparsus,
'scattered', pp. of spargere, 'to scatter'. See
~ For the change of Latin ti (in sptirsus)
to l (in inter-splrsus) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: interspers-al, n., interspers-ion, n.

interstice

interstice, n., an intervening space, interval. F., fr. L. interstitium, 'interstice. interval', lit.
'space between', fr. inter- and the stem of stiire,
'to stand'; rei. to intersistere, 'to stand between'.
See state and cp. solstice.
interstitial, adj., pertaining to an interstice. Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. interstitium.
See prec. word.
intertextnre, n., the act of interweaving. Formed with suff. -nre fr. L. intertextus, 'interwoven', pp. of intertexere, 'to interweave', fr.
inter- and texere, 'to weave'. See text and cp.
texture.
intertrigo, n., inflammation of the skin caused
by the friction of adjacent parts (med.) - L.
intertrigo, lit. 'a rubbing between', fr. *interterere, 'to rub between', fr. inter-, and terere, 'to
rub'. See throw and cp. terebra, trite, detriment.
interval, n. -F. intervalle, fr. L. intervallum, 'the
open space between two palisades; space between, interval', fr. inter- and vallum, 'a palisaded wall or rampart'. See vallum.
Derivative: intervall-ic, adj.
intervene, intr. v. - L. intervenire, 'to come between, come upon, intervene, interrupt', fr.
inter- and venire, 'to come'. See come and cp.
venue, 'arrival'.
Derivatives: interven-er, n., intervenient (q.v.)
intervenient, adj. - L. interveniens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of intervenire, 'to come between'. See
prec. word and -ent.
intervention, n. - Late L. interventio, gen. -onis,
'an interposition', fr. L. intervent-(um), pp. stem
of intervenire. See intervene and -ion.
Derivativeg: intervention-a!, adj., interventionist, n., one who favors intervention.
interview, n. - F. entrevue, fr. entrevoir, 'to see
imperfectly, to catch a glimpse of', s'entrevoir,
'to visit each other, to have a short interview',
fr. entre, 'between' (fr. L. inter) and voir, 'to
see' (fr. L. videre). See inter- and view.
Derivatives: interview, tr. v., interview-er, n.
intervolve, tr. v., to twist or coil (two things) together. - Formed fr. inter- and L. volvere, 'to
roll'. See volute.
interweave, tr. v. - A hybrid coined fr. interand weave.
interwind, tr. v., to wind together. - A hybrid
coined fr. inter- and wind, 'to turn'.
intestacy, n., the fact or state of one's dying intestate.- Formed from next word with suff. -cy.
intestate, adj., having made no will. - L. intestiitus, 'having made no will', fr. in-, 'not', and
testiitus, pp. of te.~tiiri, 'to witness; to make a
will'. See testament and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: intestate, n., a person who has died
intestate.
intestine, adj., I) inward; 2) domestic. - L. intestinus, 'inward, internal, intestine', altered
from *intustinus, on analogy of clandestinus,
'secret' (for which see clandestine), L. intestinus
prob. means lit. 'that which is within', and de-

808

rives fr. intus, 'on the inside, within', whence

also *interus, 'inward'. Cp. 01. antastyam, Gk.
,rr6cr.&w;, 'bowels', and see interior.
Derivatives: intestine, n. (q.v.), intestin-al, adj.
intestine, n., bowel, gut (anal.) - L. intestfnum,
'gut, intestine', prop. neut. of intestfnus, 'inward, internal'. See intestine, adj.
intima, n., the innermost coat of an organ (anat.)
- ModL., prop. fern. of L. intimus, 'inmost'.
See intimate, adj.
intimacy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
intimate, adj. -Fr. earlier intime, fr. F. intime,
fr. L. intimus, earlier intumus, 'inmost', prop.
super!. of L. in, 'in'. The form intimate is due
to the influence of L. intimiitus, pp. of intimiire.
See in, prep. and adv., and cp. intimate, v. Cp.
also interior. For the super!. suff. -tumus in intumus see aftermost and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: intimate, n., intimate-ly, adv., intimate-ness, n., intimate, v. (q.v.)
intimate, tr. v.- L. intimiitus, pp. of intimiire, 'to
put into, bring into, drive into, announce,
publish, make known', fr. intimus. See intimate, adj.
intimation, n. - L. intimiitio, gen. -onis, 'announcement, intimation', fr. intimiitus, pp. of
intimiire. See intimate, v., and -ion.
intimidate, tr. v. - ML. intimidiitus, pp. of intimidiire, 'to frighten, intimidate', fr. in-, 'in', and
L. timidus, 'timid'. See timid and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: intimidat-ion, n., intimidat-or, n.,
intimidat-ory, n.
intimity, n. - Formed with suff. -ity fr. L. intimus, 'inmost'. See intimate, adj.
intinction, n., dipping of the eucharistic bread
in the wine. - Eccles. L. intincti6, gen. -onis,
'a dipping in', fr. L. intinctus, pp. ofintingere, 'to
dip in', fr. in-, 'in', and tingere, 'to wet, moisten'.
See tinge and -ion.
intitule, tr. v., to give a title to. - OF. entitu/er,
intitt.!er (F. intituler), fr. Late L. intituliire, 'to
give a name to', fr. in-, 'in', and tituliire, 'to give
a title to, entitle', fr. L. titulus, 'title'. See title
and cp. entitle, which is a doublet of intitule.
into, prep. - ME., fr. OE. into, which is compounded of in, 'in', and to, 'to'. See in, prep.
and to.
intolerability, n. - Late L. intoleriibilitiis, fr. L.
intoleriibilis. See next word and -ity.
intolerable, adj. - F. intolerable, fr. L. intoleriibilis, 'that cannot be borne, insupportable', fr.
in-, 'not', and toferiibifis. See tolerable.
Derivatives: intolerable-ness, n., intolerabl-y, adv.
intolerance, n. - L. intolerantia, 'impatience, intolerance', fr. intoleriins, gen. -antis. See next
word and -ce.
intolerant, adj. - L. intoleriins, gen. -antis, 'impatient, intolerant', fr. in-, 'not', and toleriins,
gen. -antis. See tolerant.
Derivatives: intolerant-ly, adv ., intolerant-ness, n.

809

intonate, tr. v., to intone. - ML. intoniitus, pp.

of intoniire, 'to intone'. See next word.
Derivatives: intonat-ion, n., intonat-or, n.
intone, tr. and intr. v. - ML. intoniire, 'to intone', fr. L. intoniire, 'to thunder, make a noise,
resound', fr. in-, 'in', and toniire, 'to thunder,
resound', fr. tonus, 'tone'. See tone.
intoxicant, adj., intoxicating; n., an intoxicating
agent; specif. I) an intoxicating drug; 2) alcoholic liquor. - ML. intoxiciins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of intoxiciire. See next word and -ant.
intoxicate, tr. v., to make drunk. - ML. intoxiciitus, pp. of intoxiciire, 'to dip into poison',
fr. in-, 'in', and L. toxiciire, 'to poison', fr. toxicum, 'poison', fr. Gk. ro;Lx6'11 (sci!. qlcl:pf.L()(XO'II),
'arrow poison'. See toxic and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: intoxicat-ed, adj., intoxicat-ed-ly,
adv., intoxicat-ed-ness, n., intoxicat-ing, adj.,
intoxicat-ing-ly, adv., intoxicat-ion, n., intoxicat-ive, adj., intoxicat-or, n.
intra-, pref. meaning 'within, inside'. - L. intrii-,
fr. intrii, 'within, on the inside, inwardly', fr.
*interii (short for *interii parte, 'on the inside'),
abl. sing. of *intera, fern. of *interus, 'on the inside, inward'. See interior.
intractable, adj. - L. intractiibilis, 'not to be
handled, unmanageable, intractable', fr. in-,
'not' and tractiibilis. See tractable.
Derivatives: intractabil-ity, n., intractable-ness,
n., intractabl-y, adv.
intrados, n., the interior of an arch (archil.) F., a hybrid formed fr. intra- and dos, 'back',
fr. L. dorsum. See dorsal and cp. extrados.
intramural, adj., within the walls.- Formed fr.
intra- and L. miiriilis, 'pertaining to a wall', fr.
murus, 'wall. See mural.
intransigence, intransigency, n. - F. intransigeance, fr. intransigeant. See next word and -ce,
resp. -cy.
intransigent, adj., refusing to compromise; irreconcilable. - F. intransigeant, fr. Sp. intransigente, an adherent of the federalist republicans
in Spain (1873-74), who refused to compromise.
Sp. intransigente lit. means 'not coming to an
agreement'. It is formed fr. in-, 'not', and L.
triinsigentem, ace. of triinsigens, pres. part. of
triinsigere, 'to carry through, bring to an end,
come to an agreement'. See transact and -ent.
Derivatives: intransigent, n., intransigent-ism,
n., intransigent-is!, n., intransigent-ly, adv.
intransitive, adj. - Late L. intriinsitivus, 'intransitive', lit. 'that does not pass over (to another person)', fr. in-, 'not' and triinsitivus, 'that
may pass over'. See transitive.
Derivatives: intransitive, n., intransitive-ly, adv.,
intransitive-ness, n.
intrant, adj., entering; n., one who enters. - L.
intriins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of intriire, 'to
enter'. See enter and -ant.
intrench, tr. and intr. v. - See entrench.
Derivatives: intrench-er, n., intrench-ment, n.
intrepid, adj., fearless. - L. intrepidus, 'unshaken,

intromittent

undaunted', fr. in-, 'not', and trepidus, 'anxious,

alarmed'. See trepidation.
Derivatives: intrepid-ity, n., intrepid-ly, adv.,
intrepid-ness, n.
intricacy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
intricate, adj. - L. intriciitus, pp. of intriciire, 'to
entangle, perplex, embarrass', fr. in-, 'in', and
tricae (gen. triciirum), 'trifles, perplexities, tricks'.
See extricate.
Derivatives: intricate-ly, adv., intricate-ness, n.
intrigant, n., a man given to intrigue.- F., fr. It.
intrigante, pres. part. of intrigare. See intrigue, v.
and -ant.
intrigante, n., a woman given to intrigue. - F.,
fern. of intrigant. See prec. word.
intrigue, intr. v., to plot underhandedly. - F.
intriguer, fr. It. intrigare, 'to intrigue', fr. L.
intriciire. See intricate.
intrigue, n., an underhand plotting; an underhand plot.- F., fr. It. intrigo, fr. intrigare. See
intrigue, v.
intrinsic, adj., pertaining to the real nature of a
thing; inherent; essential.- F. intrinseque, fr.
L. intrinsecus, 'on the inside, inwardly', fr. inter,
'in the midst of, between, among', and secus,
'beside, by, along'. For the first element see
inter, prep. L. secus orig. meant 'following';
and is rei. to sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and
cp. second. Cp. also extrinsic.
Derivatives: intrinsic-al, adj., intrinsic-al-ly,
adv., intrinsic-al-ness, n.
intro-, pref. - L. intro, 'into the inside, within',
for *intero-, fr. *interus, 'on the inside, inward'.
See interior.
introduce, tr. v. - L. introdiicere, 'to lead in,
bring in; to introduce; to bring forward; to
institute, originate', fr. intro- and diicere, 'to
lead, conduct, guide'. See duke and cp. words
there referred to.
introduction, n. - F., fr. L. introductionem, ace.
of introductio, fr. introductus, pp. of introdiicere. See prec. word and -ion.
introductive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
introductus, pp. of introdiicere. See introduce.
Derivative: introductive-ly, adv.
introductory, adj.- Late L. introductorius, fr. L.
intr6ductus, pp. of intr6diicere. See introduce and
adj. suff. -ory.
introit, n. (eccles.) - F. intrort, lit. 'a going in',
fr. L. introitus (gen. -Us), fr. introitus, pp. of introire, 'to enter', formed fr. intro- and ire, 'to
go'. See itinerate.
intromission, n. - Formed with suff. -ion fr.
L. intromissus, pp. of intromittere, 'to let in'.
See next word.
intromit, tr. v., to cause to enter; to admit. L. intromittere, 'to send in, let in', fr. intro- and
mittere, 'to send'. See mission.
intromittent, adj. - L. intr6mittens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of intromittere. See prec. word and
-eat.

introrse
introrse, adj., turned inward (bot.)- L. introrsus,
'toward the inside, inward', contraction of introversus, which is formed fr. intro- and versus,
pp. of vertere, 'to tum'. See version and cp. introversion, introvert. Cp. also extrorse, retrorse,
prose.
introspect, intr. v. - L. introspectus, pp. of introspicere, 'to look into, look at', fr. intro- and
-spicere, fr. specere, spicere, 'to see, look at,
behold'. See species and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: introspect-ion, n., introspection-al,
adj., introspection-ism, n., itztrospection-ist, n.,
introspect-ive, adj., introspect-ive-ly, adv., introspect-ive-ness, n.
introversible, adj., capable of being introverted.
- Formed with suff. -ible fr. intro- and L. versus, pp. of vertere, 'to tum'. See version.
introversion, n., I)' the act of introverting; the
state of being introverted; 2) interest directed
inward; the opposite of extroversion (psycho!.)
-Formed fr. intro- and version.
introversive, adj., pertaining or tending to introversion.- Formed with suff. -ive fr. intro- and
L. versus, pp. of vertere, 'to tum'. See version.
introvert, tr. v., I) to turn inward; 2) intr. v., to
tum one's interest inward; the opposite of
extrovert (psycho!.)- Formed fr. intro- and L.
vertere, 'to turn'. See version. The term introvert was introduced into psychology by the
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (I875I96I). Cp. extrovert, v.
Derivatives: introvert, n., introvert-ive, adj.
introvert, n., one characterized by introversion;
the opposite of extrovert (psycho!.) - Fr. introvert, v.
intrude, tr. and intr. v.- L. intrUdere, 'to thrust
in', fr. in-, 'in', and trUdere, 'to thrust, push,
shove', which derives fr. I.-E. base treud-, 'to
press, push', whence also Goth. us-priutan, 'to
vex', OE. preotan, 'to weary, vex, annoy'. See
threat and c-p. thrust. Cp. also abstruse, detrude,
extrude, obtrude, protrude.
Derivatives: intrud-er, n., intrud-ing, adj., intrud-ing-ly, adv.
in~ion, n. - ME. intrusioun, fr. MF. ( = F.)
intrusion, fr. ML. intrilsionem, ace. of intrilsio,
'a thrusting in', fr. L. intrilsus, pp. of intrUdere.
See prec. word and -ion and cp. detrusion, ex~on, ~ion, protrusion.
in~ve, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
intrilsus, pp, of intrUdere. See intrude and cp.
extrusive, obtrusive, pro~ve.
Derivatives: intrusive-ly, adv., intrusive-ness, n.
intubate, tr. v., to insert a tube into a hollow
organ (med.) - Formed fr. in-, 'in', and L.
tubus, 'tube'. See tube and verbal suff. -ate.
intubation, n., insertion of a tube into a hollow
organ (med.) - See prec. word and -ion.
intuit, tr. and intr. v. -Back formation fr. intuition.
iDtuitioD, n.- ML. intuitw, gen. -6nis, fr. L. in-

811

810

tuitus, pp. of intuerl, 'to look at, regard, consider', fr. in-, 'in', and tueri, 'to look at, regard,
consider; to look after, preserve, defend'. See
tuition.
Derivatives: intuition-al, adj., intuition-al-ism,
n., intuition-al-ist, n., intuition-ism, n., intuitionist, n.
intuitive, adj. - ML. intuitivus, fr. L. intuitus,
pp. of intueri. See prec. word and -ive.
Derivatives: intuitive-ly, adv., intuitive-ness, n.,
and the hybrid nouns intuitiv-ism, intuitiv-ist.
intumesce, intr. v., to swell up.- L. intumescere,
'to swell up', fr. in-, 'in', and tumescere, 'to begin
to swell', inchoative of tumere, 'to swell'. See
tumid and -esce.
intumescence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
intumescent, adj. - L. intumescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part. of intumescere. See intumesce and
-ent.
intussusception, n., the reception of one part
within another (med.) - Lit. 'a taking in';
coined by the English surgeon and anatomist
John Hunter (1728-93) fr. L. intus, 'within' (see
intro-), and suscepti6, gen. -onis, 'a taking in
hand, acceptance', fr. susceptus, pp. of suscipere, 'to accept, undertake'. See susceptible
and -ion.
inola, n., elecampane; (cap.) a genus of plants of
the thistle family (bot.) - L. inula, formed with
metathesis fr. Gk. /.evto\1, 'elecampane'; see
Helenium. L. inula was influenced in form by L.
inuleus, 'fawn'.
inulin, n., a starchlike substance (chem.) Formed with chem. suff. -in fr. L. inula, 'elecampana' (see prec. word); so called because
it is obtained esp. from the roots of the plants
of the genus lnula.
inunction, n., the act of anointing.- L. inunctio,
gen. -onis, 'an anointing', fr. inunctus, pp. of
inunguere, 'to anoint', fr. in-, 'in', and unguere,
'to anoint'. See unction and cp. ointment.
inundant, adj., inundating. - L. inundiins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of inundiire. See next word
and -ant.
inundate, tr. v., to flood; to overflow. - L. inundiitus, pp. of inundiire, 'to overflow, run over,
inundate', fr. in-, 'in', and unda, 'wave'. See
undate.
inundation, n. - L. inundatio, gen. -onis, 'an
overflowing, inundating', fr. inundatus, pp. of
inundiire. See prec. word and -ion.
inurbane, adj. - L. inurbiinus, 'rustic, boorish,
unpolished', fr. in-, 'not', and urbiinus, 'polished,
refined', lit. 'of the city', fr. urbs, gen. urbis,
'city'. See urban, urbane.
Derivatives: inurbane-/y, adv., inurbane-ness, n.,
inurban-ity, n.
inure, tr. v., to accustom; intr. v., to take effect.
-Formed fr. in-, 'in', and obsol. E. ure, 'use,
work', fr. OF. ue11re (F. tJtU11re), fr. L. opera.
See open and cp. bors d'~

Invertebrata

lit. '(away) from the eyes'. See ab- and ocular.

Derivatives: inur-ed, adj., inur-ed-ness, n., inureDerivatives: inveigle-ment, n., inveigl-er, n.
ment, n.
invent, tr. v. - ME. inventen, fr. L. inventus, pp.
inurn, tr. v., to place in an urn.- Formed fr. in-,
of invenire, 'to find', prop. 'to come upon', fr.
'in', and urn.
in-, 'in', and venire, 'to come'. See come and cp.
inutile, adj., useless. - L. inuti/is, 'useless, unvenue, 'arrival'. For sense development l:p. Hitt.
profitable'' fr. in-, 'not', and uti/is, 'useful'. See
wemiya-, 'to find', prop. 'to come upon', OSlav.
utility.
na-iti,' to find', fr. na, 'on, upon', and iti, 'to go',
inutility, n. -F. inutilite, fr. L. inutilitiitem, ace.
OE. /indan, 'to find out', fr. I.-E. base *pent-,
of inutilitiis, 'uselessness', fr. inutilis. See prec.
'to go' (see find).
word and -ity.
Derivatives: invent-er, n., invent-ible, adj., ininvade, tr. v. -ME. invaden, fr. L. inviidere, 'to
venti-bil-ity, n., invent-ible-ness, n., invention
go into, enter upon; to assail, assault, attack,
(q.v.), inventor (q.v.), in11entory (q.v.)
invade', fr. in-, 'in', and 11iidere, 'to go, move',
invention, n. - ME. invencioun, fr. MF. ( = F.)
which is cogn. with ON. vaoa, OE. wadan, 'to
invention, fr. L. in11entionem, ace. of inventio,
wade'. See wade and cp. vade mecum and words
'invention', fr. in11entus, pp. of in11enire. See
there referred to.
prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: invad-er, n.
Derivative: invention-a/, adj.
invaginate, tr. v., to put into a sheath.- Lit. 'to
inventive, adj.- ME. inventif, fr. MF. (=F.)
insheathe', fr. in-, 'in', and L. vagina, 'sheath'.
inventif, fern. inventive, fr. L. inventus, pp. of
See vagina and verbal suff. -ate.
invenire. See invent and -ive.
Derivative: invaginat-ion, n.
Derivatives: inventive-ly, adv., inventive-ness, n.
invalid, adj., not valid. - L. invalidus, 'not
inventor, n. - L. inventor, 'one that finds out,
strong, infirm, weak, feeble', fr. in-, 'not', and
author, discoverer, inventor', fr. in11entus, pp. of
validus, 'strong'. See valid.
invenire. See invent and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: invalid-ity, n., in11alid-ly, adv.
inventory, n. - ML. inventorium, for Late L.
invalid, adj., infirm, sick. - F. inva/ide, fr. L.
inventiirium, 'list, inventory'. See invent and
invalidus. See prec. word.
subst. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: invalid, n. and tr. v., invalid-ate,
Derivative: inventory, tr. v.
tr. v., invalid-ation, n., invalid-hood, n., inllalidinveracity, n., lack of veracity. - Formed fr. in-,
ism, n.
'not', and veracity.
invar, n., an alloy of steel and nickel characterinverness, n., a kind of sleeveless cape, also Inized by a very small coefficient of thermal exverness cape. - Named after Inverness, a town
pansion. -Short for invariable.
in Scotland.
invasion, n.- F., fr. Late L. inviisionem, ace. of
inverse, adj. - L. inversus, pp. of invertere. See
inviisio, 'assault, attack', fr. L. inviis-(um), pp.
invert.
stem of inviidere. See in\'llde and -ion and cp.
Derivatives: inverse, n. and tr. v., invers-ed, adj.,
evasion.
invers-ed-ly, inverse-ly, advs., invers-ive, adj.
invasive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
inversion, n.- L. inversi6, gen. -onis, 'inversion',
inviis-(um), pp. stem of inviidere. See invade.
fr. inversus, pp. of invertere. See next word
invecked, adj., invected.- Formed with suff. -ed
and -ion.
fr. inveck, alteration of invect (fr. L. invectus),
invert, tr. v.- L. invertere, 'to tum upside down,
the t of which was mistaken for the pp. suff.
tum about, upset; to transpose, reverse', fr. in-,
See next word.
'in', and vertere, 'to tum'. See version.
invected, adj., bordered by a series of small conDerivatives: invert, n., invert-ed, adj., inllert-edvex semicircles or arcs (her.) - Formed with
ly, adv., invert-er, n., invert-ible, adj., invertsuff. -ed fr. L. invectus, 'carried in', pp. of inibil-ity, n., invert-ile, adj.
vehere. See inveigh.
invertase, n., a ferment converting cane sugar
invective, n., an abusive speech. - ML. invectiva
into fruit sugar (biochem.) - Coined by the
(sci!. 6rliti6), 'abusive speech', fern. of in11ectivus,
German chemist Emil Fischer (1852-1919) from
'abusive', fr. L. invectus, pp. of invehere. See
the stem of L. invertere, 'to tum about' (see
next word and -ive.
prec. word), and suff. -ase. The name in11ertase
inveigh, intr. v., to make a violent verbal attack.
was suggested by F. ferment in11ersi/ ('conver- L. invehi, 'to be carried on against', passive
ting ferment'), a name given to this ferment by
inf. of invehere, 'to carry in, bring in; to enter,
the French physiologist Claude Bernard
penetrate; to attack, inveigh against', fr. in-,
(1813-78).
'in', and vehere, 'to carry'. See vehicle and cp.
Invertebrata, n. pl., all animals excepting the
prec. word.
Vertebrata (zoo/.) - ModL. (short for anima/ia
Derivative: inveigh-er, n.
invertebrata), neut. pl. of invertebriitus, which
inveigle, tr. v., to entice, delude, seduce. -Fr.
is formed fr. in-, 'not', and L. 11ertebriitus, 'verearlier envegle, a11eug/e, fr. F. a11eug/er, 'to
tebrate'; see Vertebrata. The term goes back to
blind', fr. aveugle, 'blind', fr. ML. ab oculis, loan
the French word invertebre, which was coined
translation of Gk.lirro!LjL<i~w", 'without eyes',

invertebrate

by the French naturalist Baron Georges-Uopold-Chn\tien-Frederic-Dagobert Cuvier (I76918J2) in 1805 (in Leyons d'anatomiecomparee).
invertebrate, adj., having no backbone; pertaining to the Invertebrata. - ModL. invertebriitus. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: invertebrate, n.
invest, tr. v. - L. investire, 'to clothe, cover', fr.
in-, 'in', and vestlre, 'to clothe'. See vest, v. andn.
Derivatives: invest-ment, n., invest-or, n.
investigate, v. - L. investigiitus, pp. of investigiire, 'to trace out, to search after, inquire into',
fr. in-, 'in', and vestlgiire, 'to track out', fr. vestigium. See vestige and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: investigat-ing, adj., investigat-ingly, adv., investigation (q.v.), investigat-ive, adj.,
investigator (q.v.), investig-atory, adj.
investigation, n. -F., fr. L. investigiitionem, ace.
of investfgiitio, 'a searching into', fr. investigiitus,
pp. of investigiire. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: investigation-al, adj.
investigator, n. - L. investigator, 'he that searches into', fr. investigiitus, pp. of investigiire. See
investigate and agential suff. -or.
investiture, n., the ceremony of investing a person
with an office, authority, etc. - ML. investftura, fr. L. investitus, pp. of investire, 'to clothe'.
See invest and -ure.
inveteracy, n. -Formed from next word with
suff. -t'y.
inveterate, adj. - L. inveteriitus, 'kept for a long
time, of long standing, inveterate', pp. of inveteriire, 'to render old, give age to; to grow
old', fr. in-, 'in', and vetus, gen. veteris, 'old'.
See veteran and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inveterate, tr. v., inv.::.:rate-ly, adv.,
inveterate-ness, n.
invidious, adj., likely to cause ill will or envy. L. invidiosus, 'full of envy, envious', fr. invidia,
'envy'. See envy, n., and -ous, and cp. envious,
which is a doublet of invidious.
Derivatives: invidious-ly, adv., invidious-ness, n.
invigilate, tr. v., to keep watch over.- L. invigiliitus, pp. of invigiliire, 'to be awake, be watchful, watch over', fr. in-, 'in', and vigiliire, 'to
watch, be awake', fr. vigil, 'awake, wakeful'.
See vigil and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: invigi/at-ion, n., invigilat-or, n.
in\igorate, tr. v., to make vigorous. - Formed
fr. in-, 'in', L. vigor, 'strength' (see vigor), and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: invigorat-ing, adj., invigorat-ing-ly,
adv., invigorat-ing-ness, n., ir:igorat-ive, adj.,
invigorat-ive-ly, adv., invigorat-or, n.
invincible, adj. - F., fr. L. invincibilis, 'invincible, unconquerable', fr. in-, 'not', and vincibilis. See vincible.
Derivatives: invincibil-ity, n., invincible-ness, n.,
invincibl-y, adv.
inviolable, adj. - L. invioliibilis, 'invulnerable,
inviolable', fr. in-, 'not', and violiibilis. See
violable.

812

Derivatives: inviolabil-ity, n., inviolable-ness, n.,

inviolabl-y, adv.
inviolacy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
inviolate, adj., not violated. - L. invioliitus, 'unhurt, inviolate', fr. in-, 'not', and violiitus, pp.
of violiire, 'to violate'. See violate.
Derivatives: inviolate-ly, adv., inviolate-ness, n.
invisible, adj. - F., fr. L. invisibilis, 'invisible,
unseen', fr. in-, 'not', and visibilis. See visible.
Derivatives: imisible, n., invisibil-ity, n., invisible-ness, n., invisibl-y, adv.
invitant, n., one who invites. - F., pres. part. of
inviter, 'to invite'. See invite and -ant.
invitation, n. - L. invitiitio, gen. -onis, 'invitation', fr. invitiitus, pp. of invitiire. See invite
and -ation.
invitatory, adj., containing an invitation. - Late
L. invitiitorius, 'pertaining to invitation', fr. L.
invitiitus, pp. of invitiire. See invite and adj. suff.
-ory.
invitatory, n., invitation to take part in religious
worship. - ML. invitiitorium, fr. Late L. invitiitorius. See invitatory, adj.
invite, tr. v. - F. inviter, fr. L. invitiire, 'to invite, entertain, challenge', prob. formed fr. in-,
'in', and -vitiire, which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. envy.
Derivatives: invit-er, n., invit-ing, adj., invit-ingly, adv., invit-ing-ness, n.
invocation, n.- ME. invocacioun, fr. MF. ( = F.)
invocation, fr. L. invociitionem, fr. invociitus, pp.
of invociire, 'to invoke'. See invoke and -ation.
invocative, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ive
fr. L. invociitus, pp. of invociire. See invoke.
!,,vccator;;, :ldj. -- Forrr.cG. w;th adj. suff. ->Jry
fr. L. invociitus, pp. of invociire. See invoke.
invoice, n. - Fr. earlier invoyes, pl. of obsolete
invoy, 'anything sent', fr. F. envoy, now spelled
envoi, 'a sending', fr. envoyer, 'to send'. See
envoy.
Derivative: invoice, tr. v.
invoke, tr. v. - ME. invoken, fr. MF. ( = F.) invoquer, fr. L. invociire, 'to call upon, appeal to,
invoke, implore', fr. in-, 'in', and vociire, 'to
call'. See voice and cp. convoke, provoke.
involucre, involucrum, n., r) a covering (esp. a
membraneous one); 2) a group of bracts round
a cluster of flowers (bot.)- F. involucre, fr. L.
involucrum, 'wrapper, covering, envelope, case',
for *involu-clo-m, which is formed with instrumental suff. *-cla-m, *-cro-m, fr. involvere, 'to
wrap up, roll up'. See involve. The change of
suff. *-clo-m to *-cro-m is due to the dissimilatorial influence of the I in the preceding syllable.
involuntary, adj.- Late L. involuntiirius, 'involuntary', fr. in-, 'not', and L. voluntiirius. See
voluntary.
Derivatives: involuntari-ly, adv., involuntari
ness, n.
Involute, adj., I) involved, intricate; z) rolled up

-ious

813

in a spiral. - L. involutus, 'rolled up', pp. of

involvere, 'to roll up'. See involve.
involute, n., anything involved; esp., in geom.,
a curve traced by any point of a flexible and
inextensible thread, which is wound upon or
unwound from a given curve (this latter being
called the evolute). - Fr. involute, adj. Cp.
evolute.
involution, n., the act of involving or the state
of being involved. - L. invo/Utio, gen. -onis,
'a rolling up', fr. invo/Utus, pp. of involvere, 'to
roll up'. See next word and -ion.
involve, tr. v. - L. involvere, 'to roll up, wrap
up; to cover, envelop; to surround, entangle',
fr. in-, 'in', and volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and
cp. involucre.
Derivatives: involv-ed, adj., involv-ed-ly, adv.,
involv-ed-ness, n., involve-ment, n., involv-er, n.

invulnerable, adj. - L. invulneriibilis, 'invulnerable', fr. in-, 'not', and vulnertibilis. See vulnerable.
Derivatives: invulnerabil-ity, n., invulnerableness, n., invulnerabl-y, adv.
inward, inwards, adv. - ME. inward, resp. inwardes, fr. OE. innanweard, inneweard, inweard,
fr. innan, inne, inn, 'in', adv., fr. in, 'in', prep.
See in-, prep., and -ward, resp. -wardes.
inward, adj. - OE. innanweard, inneweard, inweard. See inward, adv.
Derivatives: inward-ly, adv., inward-ness, n.
inwardly, adv. -ME., fr. OE. inweardlice. See
inward, adv., and adv. suff. -ly.
inyala, n., an antelope of Central Africa (Tragelaphus angasi). - A Bantu name.
Io, n., the daughter of Inachus, beloved by Zeus,
and changed by Hera into a cow (Greek mythol.)
- L., fr. Gk. 'Iw, which is of uncertain origin.
iod, form of iodo- before a vowel.
iodic, adj., pertaining to iodine (chem.) - See
iodine and -ic.
iodide, also iodid, n., compound of iodine with
another element or radical (chem.)- See next
word and -ide.
iodine, n., name of a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogen family (chem.)- Formed
by the English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy
(1778-1829) fr. F. iode, 'iodine' (to make the
name of this element equal in ending to chlorine
and fluorine), which was coined by its discoverer, the French chemist Bernard Courtois
( 1777-I 838), in 18 II fr. Gk. !oeL81)~. 'like a
violet', fr. tov, 'violet', and -oeL8ij~. 'like', fr.
d8o~, 'form, shape'; so called by him from
the color of its vapor. See iolite and -oid. For
the ending see chem. suff. -ine.
iodism, n., iodine poisoning (med.) - See prec.
word and -ism.
iodize, tr. v., to treat or impregnate with iodine.
- See iodine and -ize.
iodo-, before a vowel iod-, combining form
mdming iodine. - Fr. ModL. iodum, fr. F.
iode. See iodiDe.

iodoform, n., a crystalline compound (chem.) A blend of iodine and chloroform.

iolite, n., a blue mineral. - G. lolit, coined by
the German geologist and mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Werner (I750-I8I7) in I8Io fr.
Gk. tov, 'violet', and ).(3-o~, 'stone'. dk. tov
is prob. a Mediterranean loan word. Cp. the
first element in Jantbine and the second element
in Leucojum. Cp. also violet. For Gk. ).(3-o~
see -lite, litho-.
:on, n., either of the two elements into which a
compound is decomposed through electrolysis.
- Gk. tov, neut. of tcu'l, 'going', pres. part. of
!tv(l(L, 'to go', fr. I.-E. base *i-, 'to go', whence
also L. ire, 'to go', iter (gen. itineris), 'a journey';
see itinerate. The word ion was introduced into
electricity by the English physicist and chemist
Michael Faraday (I791-1867); cp. anion, cation.
-ion, suff. forming nouns denoting state, condition or action. - L. -io, gen. -ionis (either
directly or through the medium of OF. and F.
-ion). Cp. -ation, -ition.
Ionian, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. lonius, fr. Gk. 'IwvLo~, 'Ionian', fr. vlcuv (gen.
"Icuvo~). contraction of 'I&cuv (gen. 'I&ovo~),
'Ionian', fr. orig. *'I&fcuv, whence Heb. Yiiwdn,
Ak.kad. liimanu, liivanu, Egypt. Y 1 vana, yt_
vanna, 'Greek'. Cp. also 01. Yavanah, OPers.
Yaunii, 'Greek', 01. yavanikii, 'Greek woman';
'curtain (in the theater)', lit. 'Greek (partition)'.
Ionic, adj.- L. lonicus, fr. Gk. 'IcuvLx6c;;, 'Ionic',
fr. "Icuv. See prec. word and -ic.
ionium, n., a radioactive element pertaining to
the uranium group (chem.) - ModL., formed
fr. ion with suff. -ium; so called in allusion to
its ionizing power.
ionize, tr. v., to separate into ions. -Formed fr.
ion with suff. -ize.
ionosphere, n., that part of the earth's atmosphere
which extends from the stratosphere to the
exosphere. - Compounded of ion and spbere.
-ior, suff. representing the Latin compar. ending
-ior, as in anterior, excelsior. - L. -ior, cogn.
with 01. -iyas, Gk. -lcuv, Goth. -iza, -oza, OE.
-ra (in adjectives), -or (in adverbs). See compar.
suff. -er.
-ior, suff. representing -or preceded by thematic
i, as in warrior.
iota, n., the 9th letter of the Greek alphabet. L., fr. Gk. troT()(, fr. Heb. yOdh; see yodb and
cp. jot. The ()( was added because a Greek word
cannot end with aT; cp. alpha and words there
referred to.
iotacism, n., I) excessive use of the Greek letter
iota; 2) Greek tendency to give the sound of
iota to other vowels. - Late L. iotacismus, fr.
Gk. lcuT(l(XL<Jf.l-6<;, 'doubling or repetition of the
Jetter troT()('. See prec. word and -ism and cp.
lambdaciSm, rlwtacism.
-ious, suff. standing for -i-ous, i.e. suff. -ous pre-

ceded by thematic i. - I) Fr. L. -iosus (either

directly or through the medium of OF. -ieus,

ipecac

F. -ieux); see e.g. delicious, religious. 2) Fr. L.

-ius; see e.g. conscious, dubious. See -ous.
ipecac, n. - Shortened fr. ipecacuanha.
ipecacuanha, n., the dried root of a S. American
plant (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) - Port., from a
Tupi compound lit. meaning 'a small emetic
tree.
lpbigenia, n., the daughter of Agamemnon and
Clytemnestra (Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk.
l<ptyeve:ta;, lit. 'mightily born' (i.e. a mighty
princess), compounded of !<pL, instrumental of
f~, 'sinew, tendon; muscle, fiber', and yevo~,
'race, descent'. For the first element see inion,
for the second see genus and cp. words there
referred to.
Ipomoea, n., a genus of plants, the morning glory
(bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. r~, gen.
bt6~, 'a kind of worm', which is possibly rei.
to [~a;cr~a;L, 'to press hard, oppress', and 11(1-oLo~.
'like'. See bomeo-.
ipse dixit, n., dictum. - L., 'he himself has said
it', originally translation of Gk. a;.:l'to.; ~<poc,
used by the disciples of Pythagoras when quoting their master. See next word and diction.
ipseity, n., selfhood. - Formed from L. ipse,
'himself', contraction of *is-pse, fr. is, 'he' (see
idem), and the emphatic particle -pse ( = Gk.
-~t). For the ending see suff. -ity. Cp. the second
element in solipsism.
ir-, assimilated form of in-, 'in', before r.
ir-, assimilated form of in-, 'not', before r.
Ira, masc. PN. (Bible) - Heb. 'Ird, lit. 'watchful', from the stem of 'iir, 'to awake, to rouse
oneself', rei. to Aram.-Syr. 'iir, 'to be awake',
Aram. 'ir, 'awake', Bibl.-Aram. 'ir, 'angel',
Arab. 'dra (base 'a-y-r), 'was awake', ghdra
(stem gh-y-r), 'he was jealous', Akkad. eru, 'to
be awake, to watch'.
irade, n., written decree of a Mohammedan ruler
formerly, a written decree of the Sultan of
Turkey. - Turkish, fr. Arab. irdda", 'will',
verbal noun of ardda, 'he wished, wanted to',
which is prop. causative of riida (base r-w-d), 'he
sought'.
Iran, n., Persia. - Pers. Iran, fr. OPers. ariya,
'noble', which is rei. to 01. drya(z, 'noble'. See
Aryan.
Derivatives: Iran-ian, adj. and n.
irascible, adj. - ME., fr. F. irascible, fr. L.
iriiscibilis, fr. iriisci, 'to be ~ngry', fr. ira. See
ire and -ible.
Derivatives: irascibil-ity, n., irascible-ness, n.,
irascibl-y, adv.
irate, adj. - L. iriitus, 'angry, enraged, violent,
furious', fr. ira. See ire and adj. suff. -ate.
ire, n., anger.- OF., fr. L. ira, 'anger', which
prob. stands for *eisii and is cogn. with Avestic
aeshma, 'anger', Gk. OLIJ.IX (for *olcr(J.C(), 'impetus', olcrrpo.;, 'gadfly', Lith. aistrd, 'violent
passion', fr. I.-E. base *eis-, 'to set in quick
motion, drive on, incite', whence also OI. i1ati,
i$,Ati, i3yati, 'sets in motion', i$tl{lydti, 'stirs up,

814

incites, urges on', i#rd/:1, 'iively, strong', Gk.

!a;(ve:Lv (for *tcrocv1e:Lv), 'to warm, heat, cheer,
refresh', ON. eisa, 'to hasten forward'. Cp. hiero-,
iatric, oestrum, perineum. Cp. also iron.
Derivatives: ire-ful, adj., ire-ful-ly, adv., ireful-ness, n.
Irene, fern. PN. - F. Irene, fr. L. Irene, fr. Gk.
Etp~V'IJ, lit. 'peace'. See next word.
irenic, irenical, adj., promoting peace. - Gk.
e:Ep'l]vtx6~, 'peaceful, peaceable', fr. dp~v'IJ,
'peace', a word of unknown etymology. Cp.
Irene.
Derivatives: irenical-ly, adv., irenic-ism, n.,
irenic-ist, n.
irenicon, n. - See eirenicon.
Iresine, n., a genus of plants of the amaranth
family (bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. e:!pe:mwvlJ, 'a
wreath of olive wound round with wool', fr.
e:!po.;, 'wool', which is rei. to ~ptov, 'wool' (see
erio-); so called in allusion to the woolly calyx.
Iridaceae, n. pl., the iris family (bot.) - ModL.,
formed fr. Iris with suff. -aceae.
iridaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
iridescence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
iridescent, adj., showing rainbowlike colors. Lit. 'rainbow colored', formed with suff. -escent
fr. L. iris, gen. iridis (fr. Gk. !pt.;, gen. fpt8o~).
'rainbow' (see iris).
Derivative: iridescent-ly, adv.
iridium, n., name of a silverwhite metallic element
(chem.)- ModL., coined by its discoverer, the
English chemist Smithson Tennant (I76I-Iiii5),
fr. Gk. Iptt;, gen. fpt8o~, 'rainbow' (see iris),
and suff. -ium; so called by him in allusion to
the varying color of its compounds.
Derivatives: irid-ate, n., irid-ious, adj., irid-ite,
n., irid-ize, tr. v., irid-iz-ation, n.
irido-, before a vowel irid-, combining form denoting the iris (of the eye). - Fr. Gk. !pt~, gen.
fpt8o.;. See next word.
iris, n., I) the rainbow; 2) the colored portion of
the eye. - L. iris, fr. Gk. !pt.;, 'the rainbow',
orig. form fiptt;, lit. 'something bent or curved',
fr. I.-E. base wei-, 'to bend, twist', whence also
Gk. hu.;, Aeol. fl"Nt;, 'the edge or rim of anything', he&, 'willow', L. viere, 'to bend, twist',
OE. wwig, 'willow'. See withy and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also orris, 'the Florentine
iris'.
Iris, n., the goddess of the rainbow in Greek mythology. - L. Iris, fr. Gk. '1ptt;, personification
of !pt.;, 'rainbow'. See prec. word.
Irish, adj. and n.- ME., fr. OE. [rise, fr. Iras,
'the Irish', which is rei. to OE. Eriu, 'Ireland'.
Cp. Erin, Erse. For the ending see adj. suff. -isb.
iritis, n., inflammation of the iris of the eye (med.)
- Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
!pt.;. See iris.
irk, tr. v., to vex, annoy. - ME. irken, yrken,
rei. to MHG. erken, 'to disgust'; of uncertain
origin.

815

Derivatives: irk-some, adj., irk-some-ness, n.

Irma, fern. PN.- A var. of Erma, .which is a
shortened form ofErmentrud (q.v.) Cp. Emma.
iron, n.- ME. iren, iron, fr. OE. ise(r)n, iren, rei.
to OS. isarn, ON. isarn, jiirn, OFris. iser(n),
MDu. lser, Du. ijzer, OHG. isarn, isan, MHG.
isern, iser, isen, G. Eisen, Goth. eisarn, isarn.
These words, as well as the Gaul. PN. Isarno- and
Olr. iarann, iarn, W. haiarn, OCo. hoern, 'iron',
are prob. Illyrian loan words, and orig. denoted
the 'strong' metal (in contradistinction to the
softer bronze). Cp. 01. i$ird/:l, 'vigorous, strong',
Gk. !e:p6.;, 'strong', and see ire.
Derivatives: iron, adj. and v., iron-er, n., ironing, n., irony (q.v.)
Iron Curtain. - Coined by Winston Churchill in
I946 (in a speech at Fulton, Mo., U.S.A.)
ironic, also ironical, adj. - Late L. ir6nicus, fr.
Gk. e:!pwvtx6~, 'dissembling', fr. e:tpwv, 'dissembler'. See irony and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: ironical-ly, adv.
ironmold, n.- Altered fr. iron mole by folk etymology, which associated this word with mold.
See iron and mole, 'spot'.
Derivative: ironmold, tr. and intr. v.
irony, n. - L. Ironia, fr. Gk. e:tpwvdiX, 'irony',
fr. e:~pwv, 'dissembler', for *FEp1wv, lit. 'sayer'
(i.e. one who speaks in order to hide his
thoughts), fr. e:tpw (for Ftp1w), 'I say, speak',
which is rei. to p~Twp, Aeol. fp~Twp, 'public
speaker, orator; rhetor', and cogn. with L.
verbum, 'word', Goth. waurd, OE. word, 'word'.
See word and cp. rhetor. Cp. also verb.
irony, adj. - Formed fr. iron with adj. suff. -y.
irradiance, irradiancy, n. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
irradiant, adj. - L. irradiiins, gen. -antis, pres.
part. of irradicire. See next word and -ant.
irradiate, tr. and intr. v. - L. irradiiitus, pp. of
irradicire, 'to illumine, cast forth rays, irradiate',
fr. in-, 'in', and radicire, 'to shine with rays'. See
radiate.
Derivatives: irradiat-ed, adj., irradiat-ive, adj.,
irradiat-or, n.
irradiation, n. - F., fr. Late L. irradiiiti6nem,
ace. of irradiiiti6, fr. L. irradicitus, pp. of irradiiire. See prec. word and -ion.
irrational, adj.- L. irrati6niilis, 'without reason,
irrational', fr. in-, 'not', and rationiilis. See
rational.
Derivatives: irrational, n., irrational-ism, n., irrational-ist, n., irrational-ist-ic, adj., irrationality, n., irrational-ize, tr. v., irrational-ly, adv.
irrecusable, adj., not to be refused. - Late L.
irreciisiibilis, 'not to be refused', fr. in-, 'not',
and L. reciiscire, 'to object to, decline, refuse'.
See recusant and -able.
Derivative: irrecusabl-y, adv.
irredenta, adj., unredeemed. - It., used esp. as
abbreviation of Italia irredenta, 'unredeemed
Italy'. See Irredentist.
Irredentism, n., the policy of the Irredentists. -

irreparable

A hybrid coined fr. It. irredenta (see next word)

and -ism, a suff. of Greek origin.
Irredentist, n., a member of an Italian political
party which demands the incorporation with
Italy of all Italian speaking regions neighboring
upon Italy. - It. Irredentista, a hybrid foimed
with -ist, a suff. of Greek origin, fr. (Italia) irredenta, 'unredeemed (Italy)', fr. in-, 'not' (fr. L.
in-, see in-, 'not'), and redenta, 'redeemed', fr.
L. redempta, fern. of redemptus, pp. of redimere,
'to redeem'. See redeem.
irrefragable, adj., that cannot be refuted. -Late
L. irrefragiibilis, fr. in-, 'not' and L. refragiiri,
'to oppose, resist', fr. re- and frag-, base of
frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and -able and
cp. next word.
Derivatives: irrefragabil-ity, n., irrefragableness, n., irrefragabl-y, adv.
irrefrangible, adj., I) that cannot be broken;
2) that cannot be refracted. - Formed fr. in-,
'not' and refrangible.
Derivatives: irrefrangibil-ity, n., irrefrangibleness, n., irrefrangib/-y, adv.
irrefutable, adj. - L. irrefiitiibilis, 'irrefutable',
fr. in-, 'not' and L. refutiibilis. See refutable.
Derivatives: irrefutabil-ity, n., irrefutable-ness,
n., irrefutabl-y, adv.
irregular, adj.- ME. irregu/er, fr. OF. irregu/er
(F. im?gulier), fr. ML. irreguliiris, fr. in-, 'not',
and L. regu/ciris. See regular.
Derivatives: irregular, n., irregularity (q.v.), irregular-ly, adv., irregular-ness, n.
irregularity, n. - F. irregularite, fr. ML. irreguliiritiitem, ace. of irregulciritiis, fr. irreguliir;s.
See prec. word and -ity.
irreligion, n., the lack of religion; the quality
of being irreligious. - Late L. irreligi6, gen.
-6nis, 'irreligion, impiety', fr. in-, 'not', and L.
religi6, gen. -6nis. See religion.
irreligious, adj.- Late L. irre/igi6sus, 'irreligious,
impious', fr. in-, 'not', and L. religi6sus. See
religious.
Derivatives : irreligious-ly, adv ., irreligiousness, n.
irremeable, adj., admitting of no return. - L.
irremeiibilis, 'from which one cannot return',
fr. in-, 'not', remecire, 'to go back, return', fr.
re- and meiire, 'to go, pass'. See meatus and cp.
permeate, conge.
irremediable, adj. - Late L. irremediiibilis, 'incurable, irremediable', fr. in-, 'not', and L. remediiibilis. See remediable.
Derivatives: irremediable-ness, n., irremediabl-y,
adv.
irremissible, adj. - Eccles. L. irremissibilis, 'unpardonable', fr. in-, 'not', and L. remissibilis.
See remissible.
Derivatives: irremissible-ness, n., irremissibl-y,
adv.
irreparable, adj. - F. irreparable, fr. L. irrepariibilis, 'irreparable, irrecoverable', fr. in-.
'not', and repariibilis. See reparable.

irreverenc e

Derivatives: irreparabil-ity, n., irreparable-ness,

n., irreparabl-y, adv.
irreverence, n. - L. irreverentia, 'want of reverence', fr. irreverens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
irreverent, adj. - L. irreverens, gen. -entis, 'disrespectful, irreverent', fr. in-, 'not', and reverens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of revereri, 'to stand in
awe of'. See reverent.
Derivative: irreverent-ly, adv.
irreverential, adj. - Formed with adj suff. -al
fr. L. irreverentia. See irreverence.
irrevocable, adj. - L. irrevociibilis, 'that cannot
be recalled, irrevocable', fr. in-, 'not', and revociibilis. See revocable. Derivatives: irrevocability, n., irrevocable-ness, n., irrevocabl-y, adv.
irrigate, tr. v., to water. - L. irrigiitus, pp. of
irrigiire, 'to conduct water to; to water, irrigate; to wet, moisten; to refresh, nourish',fr.
it-, 'in', and rigiire, 'to wet, moisten', which is
cogn. with Goth. rign, OE. regn, 'rain'. See
rain, n., and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: irrigation (q.v.), irrigat-ive, adj.,
irrigat-or n.
irrigation, n. - L. irrigiitio, gen. -onis, 'a watering, irrigating', fr. irrigiitus, pp. of irrigiire. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: irrigation-a!, adj., irrigation-is!, n.
irrigative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
irrigiitus, pp. of irrigiire. See irrigate.
irriguous, adj., moist, irrigated. - L. irriguus,
'watered, wet', from the stem of irrigiire. See
irrigate. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see suff. -ous.
irritable, adj. - L. irritiibilis, 'easily excited', fr.
irritiire, 'to excite'. See irritate, 'to anger', and
-able. Derivatives: irritabl-y, adv., irritabil-ity, n.
irritancy, n., the state of being irritating .- Formed fr. irritant, 'causing irritation', with suff. -cy.
irritancy, n., the act of rendering null and void
(law).- Formed fr. irritant, 'rendering null and
void', with suff. -cy.
irritant, adj., causing irritation. - L. irritiins,
gen. irritantis, pres. part. of irritiire, 'to excite,
stimulate'. See irritate, 'to anger', and -ant.
Derivative: irritant, n.
irritant, adj., rendering null and void (law). L. irritiins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of irritiire, 'to
make null and void'. See irritate, 'to make null
and void', and -ant.
irritate, tr. v., to anger. - L. irritiitus, pp. of
irritiire, 'to excite, stimulate, stir up, provoke',
prob. freq. of *ir-ri-re, 'to stir up, excite', fr.
in-, 'in', and I.-E. base *erei-, 'to set in motion,
stir up', whence also Gk. optvtLV, 'to raise,
stir, excite', opvuvctL, 'to rise', L. orior, oriri,
'to rise'. See orient and cp. rivulet. Cp. also run.
Derivatives: irritat-ing, adj., irritat-ing-ly, adv.,
irritation (q.v.), irritat-ive, adj., irritat-ory, adj.
irritate. tr. v., to make null and void (law). L. irr{tiitus, pp. of irritiire, 'to make void. invalidate', fr. irritus, 'invalid, void', formed fr.

817

816

ir-, 'not', and ratus, 'fixed', pp. of reor, reri, 'to

think, count'. See rate, 'amount', and verbal
suff. -ate. For the change of Latin ii (in riitus)
to i (in in-ritus, ir-ritus) see abigeat and cp.
words there referred to.
irritation, n. - L. irritiitio, gen. -onis, 'incitement, irritation', fr. irritiitus, pp. of irritiire, 'to
excite, stimulate'. See irritate, 'to anger', and
-ion.
irrupt, intr. v. --Back formation fr. irruption.
irruption, n. - L. irruptio, gen. -onis, 'a breaking
in, bursting in, irruption, invasion', fr. irruptus,
pp. of irrumpere, 'to break in, burst in', fr. in-,
'in', and rumpere, 'to break'. See rupture and-ion.
irruptive, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
irruptus, pp. of irrumpere. See prec. word.
Derivative: irruptive-ly, adv.
is, v., 3rd sing. pres. indic. of be.- Rei. to OHG.,
MHG., G., Goth. is-t, ON. es, er, 'is', fr. I.-E.
*es-ti, whence also OI. dsti, Gk. ecrTl, L. est,
Oscan-Umbr. est, Lith. lsti, OSlav. jesti, Oir.
is, 'is'. In English, the final twas kst. See esse
and cp. am, art, are and the 2nd element in yes.
is-, form of iso- before a vowel.
Isaac, I) masc. PN; 2) in the Bible, one of the
patriarchs, son of Abraham and Sarah and
father of Jacob and Esau. - Late L., fr. Gk.
'Icrct<Xx, fr. Heb. YitzMq, lit. 'he laughs', prop.
imperf. of tzii(uiq, 'he laughed', which is rei. to
Aram.-Syr. gtbfkh, Arab. l}dl;ika, 'he laughed'.
Isabel, fern. PN.- Sp. See Isabella.
isabelita, n., an angelfish. - American Sp., lit.
'little Isabella', dimin. of Isabel, 'Isabel'. See
prec. and next word.
Isabella, fern. PN.- Sp. Isabel, altered fr. Elizabeth (q.v.) Cp. next word.
isabella, n., a brownish yellow color. -Fr. prec.
word. Derivative: isabella, adj.
isabelline, adj., of the color isabella. - Formed
fr. prec. word with adj. suff. -ine.
isagoge, n., an introduction. - L. isagoge, fr.
G k. t!crctywy}), 'introduction', which is formed
fr. t!<;, 'into', and &:ywy-1), 'a leading, carrying',
fr. diytLv, 'to lead'. Gk. d<; stands for *ens and
is rei. to tv, 'in', and cogn. with L. in, 'in, into'.
See in, prep. Gk. diytLv is cogn. with L. agere,
'to set in motion, drive, lead'. See agent, adj.,
and cp. -agogue.
isagogic, adj., introductory. - L. isag6gicus, fr.
Gk. t!crocywyLx6<;, 'introductory', fr. dcrctywy}),
'introduction'. See prec. word and -ic.
isagogics, n., introduction; esp., introduction into the exegesis of the Bible. - See isagoge and
-ics.
Isaiah, I) masc. PN.; 2) name of the great Hebrew prophet whose activity extended from
about 738 to 70I B.C.E.; the Book of Isaiah. Heb. Ylsha'ydh, shortened fr. Y 1sha'ydirii, lit.
'salvation of the Lord'. The first element is rei.
to ylsha', ~shii'd", 'salvation, deliverance, welfare'; see hosanna. For the second element in
Isaiah see Elijah and cp. words there referred to.

-I.
l

I
~~
J

,.I

Derivatives: Isai-an, Isai-an-ic, adjs.

isanthous, adj., having regular flowers.- Formed
fr. Gk. (cro<;, 'equal', and &v&o;, 'flower'. See
iso-, anther, and -ous.
lsanthus, n., a genus of plants, the false pennyroyal (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'having regular
flowers' (see prec. word); so called in allusion
to the almost regular corolla.
isatin, n., a yellowish or reddish crystalline compound, CaH 50 2 N (chem.)- Formed with chem.
suff. -in fr. Gk. tcr<Xn<;, 'woad'. See next word.
lsatis, n., a genus of plants of the mustard family
(bot.)- L., fr. Gk. tcr<XTL<;, 'woad', which pro b.
stands for fLTcr<Xn; and is cogn. with L. vitrum,
'woad; glass', OE. wiid; 'woad'. See woad and
cp. vitreo-, vitriol.
isba, n., a hut. - Russian, fr. OSlav. istuba, a
Teut. loan word; cp. OHG. stuba, 'a heatable
room, bathroom' , and see stove.
isch-, form of ischo- before a vowel.
ischemia, ischaemia, n., local diminution of blood
(med.) - Medical L. ischaemia, fr. ischaemus,
'stopping blood', fr. Gk. (crx,cttfLO<;, which is
compounded of (crx,e:tv, 'to keep back', and
oci:x:fLoc, 'blood'. See ischo- and -emia.
ischi-, form of ischio- before a vowel.
ischiadic, adj., ischial. - L. ischiadicus, fr. Gk.
tcr:x:Loc8Lx6;, 'pertaining to the hip', fr. tcrxtov.
See ischium and cp. sciatic.
ischial, adj., pertaining to the hip. - Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. ischium. See ischium.
ischialgia, n., sciatica. - ModL., lit. 'pains in
the hip', compounded of Gk. tcrxlov, 'hipjoint',
and &:1-yoc;, 'pain'. See ischium and -algia.
ischiatic, adj., ischial.- ML. ischiaticus, altered
fr. L. ischiadicus. See ischiadic.
ischio-, before a vowel ischi-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the hip'.- Gk. tcr:x:w-,
tcr:x:L-, fr. tcrxlo~. See next word.
ischium, n., the seat bone (anat.) - L., fr. Gk.
tcrxlov, 'hipjoint', in pl. 'the hips', prob. formed
fr. tcr:x:L (Hesychius), 'loin', which is of uncertain
origin. It is prob. not cogn. with OI. sdkthi,
'thigh'; see Frisk, GEW., I, p. 74I s.v. tcrxlov.
Cp. ischiadic, sciatic, and the first element in
icebone.
ischo-, before a vowel isch-, combining form
meaning 'checking, suppression, deficiency'
(med.) - Gk. tcrxo-, tax-, fr. tcrxtL~, 'to keep
back, restrain, check, stop', reduplicated form
of ~tLv, 'to have, hold, possess'. See hectic
and cp. words there referred to.
-ise, suff. forming nouns denoting quality, condition or function. - OF. and F. -ise, fr. L.
-ilia, -itia, -itium, -icium. Suff. -ise is the regular
form for the ending of nouns formed in French
itself (e.g. in franchise, merchandise). French
and English nouns borrowed directly from
Latin are usually spelled -ice (as justice, service).
See the suffixes -ice and cp. 2nd -ess.
-lse, verbal suff. - See -lze.
-ish, adj. suff. - ME. -isch, -ish, -issh, fr. OE.

island

-isc, rei. to OS., OFris., OHG. isc, ON. -iskr,

Du., G. -isch, Goth. -isks, and cogn. with Gk.
-LO'l<6c;. Cp. -esque.
-ish, verbal suff. - ME. -ischen, -ishen, -issen, fr.
OF., F. -is, -iss-, occurring in the pres. part. and
some other forms of certain French verbs'in -ir,
and corresponding to the Latin inchoative suff.
-isc-. E.g. the E. verb finish derives fr. F. je finis,
'I finish', fr. VL. *finisco, an inchoative verb
formed fr. L. finio, 'I finish'. Cp. the verbs
abolish, cherish, furnish, polish, punish, etc.
Ishmael, n., son of Abraham and Hagar (Bible);
used in a figurative sense to denote an outcast
(see Gen. I6: 12) - Heb. Yishmii'il, lit. 'God
hears'. Heb. yishmd', 'he will hear', is imperf.
of shiimd', 'he heard'. SeeShema andcp. Simeon,
Simon. For the second element in the name
Ishmael see El and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: Ishmael-ite, n.
Isbtar, n., the chief goddess of the Assyrians and
Babylonians, the counterpart of the Phoenician
Astarte. - Akkad. Ishtar. See Ashtoreth.
Isbvara, Isvara, n., a title given to Siva (Hindu
mythol.) - OI. iivara(!, 'ruler, lord', fr. isa(!,
'owner, lord', fr. IS-, 'to have, possess', which
is rei. to Avestic is-, 'riches, fortune', isvan,
'well off, rich', fr. I.-E. base *aik-, 'to own',
whence Goth. digan, OE. iigan, 'to have, possess'. See owe and cp. Ixora.
Isiac, adj., pertaining to the Egyptian goddess
Isis or her cult. - L. lsiacus, fr. Gk. ~lcrLocx6c;,
fr. TlcrL<;. See Isis.
Isidore, masc. PN. - F., fr. L. lsidorus, fr. Gk.
~Icrl8wpoc;, lit. 'gift of Isis', compound ed of
'Im;, 'Isis', and 8wpov, 'gift'. See Isis and
donation.
isinglass, n., a gelatinous substance prepared
from the airbladders of certain fishes. - Corruption of obsol. Du. huizenblas, fr. MDu. huusblase, fr. huus, 'sturgeon', which is rei. to OHG.
hiiso, of s.m., and blase ( = Du. blaas), 'bladder', which is rei. to OHG. bliisa, of s.m.,
bliisan, 'to blow'. For the first element see huso,
for the second see blast and cp. bladder.
Isis, n., an Egyptian goddess, sister and wife of
Osiris. - L. Isis, fr. Gk. 'Imc;.
Islam, n. - Arab. isldm, 'submitting oneself to
God, surrender, obedience', infin. of dslama,
'he surrendered, submitted', IV ( = causative)
conjugation of sd/ima, 'he was safe'. See salaam
and cp. selamlik, Moslem, Mussulman. Cp. also
shalom. Derivatives: Islam-ic, adj., Islam-ism,
n., Is/am-ite, n.
island, n. - ME. iland, fr. OE. egland, ig/and,
ieg/and, 'island', which is compounded of eg, ig,
ieg, 'island', and land, 'land', and rei. to ON.
eyland, OFris. eiland, 'island'. The first element
of these words is rei. to OE. ea, 'water, river',
ON. ii, 'river', ey, 'island', Norw. ey, Swed. o,
Dan. e, 'island', MLG. oge, och, ouwe, ou, OHG.
alul, 'river', OHG. auwia, ouwa, MHG. ouwe,
'island, damp meadow', G. Aue, Au, 'meadow

isle

818

and zp6vo,;, 'time' (see chronic), and adj. suff.

watered by a brook, brook, a small island',
-al, resp. -ous.
Goth. alva, 'water, river', and cogn. with L. aqua,
isoclinal, isoclinic, adj., having the same inclin'water'. See aquatic and words there referred to
ation (magnetism).- Compounded of iso-, Gk.
and cp. esp. eyot. For the second element in
lU.tvw, 'to incline' (see clinic), and adj. suff.
island see land. The spelling of island was influ-al, resp. -ic.
enced by a confusion with isle.
isocracy, n., equal power. - Gk. laoxpot-r(ii,
Derivatives: island, tr. v., island-er, n.
'equality of power', compounded of 'Ccro;, 'equal',
isle, n., an island. - OF. isle (F. ile), fr. L. inand -xpot-r!ii, 'rule of', fr. xp&-ro~. 'strength,
sula, 'island', which is of uncertain origin. Folpower, rule'. See iso- and -cracy and cp. words
lowing the ancients, some modern philologists
there referred to.
derive L. insula fr. in salo, 'that which is in the
isocryme, n., a line connecting points on the
sea', fr. in, 'in', and abl. of salum, 'the open sea,
earth's surface at which the temperature is the
the high sea', which is cogn. with Mlr. sal (gen.
same during a specified coldest period of the
saile), 'sea'; cp. Gk. !:v-otf.o~, tv-&.J.w~, 'in the
year. - Compounded of iso- and Gk. xpufL6~
sea'. fr. tv, 'in'. and &I.e;, gen. oc).6~ (masc.), 'salt';
(for *xpua-fL6~}, 'frost', which is rei. to xpuo<;
(fern.), 'sea'. Cp. islet and insular, isolate, penin(for *xpuaoc;), 'frost', and cogn. with L. crusta,
sula.
'crust'. See crust and cp. cryo-.
islet, n., a very small island. - MF. islette (F.
Isoetaceae, n. pl., the quillwort family (bot.) ilette), dimin. of isle, 'island'. See prec. word
ModL., formed from next word with suff.
and -et.
-aceae.
-ism, subst. suff. denoting I) action; 2) state,
lsoetes, n., a genus of plants, the quillwort (bot.)
condition; 3) usage, characteristic; 4) doctrine.
- L. lsoetes, name of a plant mentioned by
- F. -isme, fr. L. -isma, fr. Gk. -tafLot, which is
Pliny, prob. denoting the houseleek, fr. Gk.
formed from the stem of verbs in -(~Etv. See
1aoE-rc;, name of an evergreen plant, prop.
-ize and -rna and cp. -ist.
neuter of !aoe:-rf,c;, 'that whose duration equals
ism, n., a doctrine or system (usually derisive).a year', fr. tao~. 'equal', and hoc;, 'year'. For
Back formation from words ending in -ism.
the first element see iso-, for the second see
Derivative: ism-y, adj.
veteran.
iso-, before a vowel is-, combining form meaning
isogenous, adj., of the same origin (bioi.)- Com'equal'.- Gk. tao-, ta-, fr. tao,;, 'equal', which
pounded of iso- and Gk. yEv-, the stem of
possibly stands for *fha-fo-~ (cp. Cretan
yewfiv, 'to beget, bring forth, generate, proftafo~, 'equal'), and is rei. to Gk. dilo~ (for
duce'. See -genous.
*fdiloc;), 'form, shape', liltii (pro b. for *ftiltaii),
isogonic, adj., having, or pertaining to, equal
'form, kind, nature'. See idea and cp. words
angles. - Compounded of iso- and Gk. yU>v(ii,
there referred to. Cp. also aniso-.
'angle, corner'. Sec -gon and -ic.
isobar, n., a line connecting places on the earth's
Derivative: isogonic, n.
surface having the same barometric pressure at
isolate, tr. v., to insulate.- Back formation from
a given time or for a given period (meteorol.) --the participial adjective isolated, fr. F. isole, fr.
Compounded of iso- and Gk. ~&poe;, 'weight'.
It. isolato, pp. of isolare, 'to isolate', fr. isola,
See baro-. Derivative: isobar-ic, adj.
'island', fr. L. Insula. See isle and verbal suff.
isobath, adj., having the same depth. - Gk.
-ate and cp. insulate, which is a doublet of
1ao~ot&+,c;, 'of equal depth', compounded of
isolate.
tao~. 'equal', and ~&-Soc;, 'depth'. See iso- and
isolation, n. - F., fr. isoler, back formation fr.
bathos. Derivative: isobath-ic, adj.
isote, fr. It. isolato. See prec. word and -ion.
isoccphalic, adj., having the heads of the prinIsold, fern. PN. - OF. !salt, lseut; of OHG.
cipal figures at about the same level (art). origin and lit. meaning 'ice rule', fr. OHG. is,
Gk. laoxt<potAoc;, 'like-headed', compounded of
'ice', and waltan, 'to rule'. For the first element
tao,;, 'equal', xe<potl.+,, 'head', and suff. -ic. Sec
see ice, for the second see wield and cp. words
iso- and cephalic.
there referred to.
Derivatives: isocephal-i~m, n., isocephal-y, n.
lsoloma, n., a genus of plants of the gesneria
isocheime, isochime, n., a line connecting places
family (bot.) - ModL., compounded of isoon the earth's surface having the same mean
and Gk. AwfLot, 'fringe, border'. See lorna and
winter temperature ( plzys_ geogr.} - Comcp. words there referred to.
pounded of iso- and Gk. ze~fLot, 'winter'. See
isomer, n., a compound 1somenc with one or
chimera and cp. words there referred to.
more compounds (chem.) - See isomeric.
Derivatives: isoch(e)im-al, isoch(e)im-ic, adjs.
isomeric, adj., compounded of the same elements
isochromatic, adj., having the same color (optics).
in the same proportion by weight, but differing
- Compounded of iso- and Gk. XPU>fUX-:tx6;,
in one or more properties (chem.) - Formed
'relating to color'. See chromatic.
after G. isomerisch, a word coined by the Swedisochronal, isochronous, adj., equal in time. ish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius (17791848)
Gk. la6zpovo.;, 'equal in time, contemporary,
fr. Gk. taofleplj.;, 'composed. of equal parts', fr.
regular', compounded of tao.;, 'equal' (see iso-),

819

' .

isotonic, adj., pertaining to, or having, equal

taoc;, 'equal', and !Ltpo<;, 'part'. See iso-, merotones.- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. !a6't'ovo<;,
and -ic.
'of level pitch', fr. tao.;, 'equal' and -:6vo<;,
isometric, adj., of the same measure; character'pitch of the voice, tone'. See iso- and tonic.
ized by equality of measure. - Formed with
isotope, n., one of two or more forms of an elesuff. -ic fr. Gk. !a6fLE't'poc;, 'of equal measure',
ment having the same properties and the. same
fr. tao<;, 'equal' and fL'hpov, 'measure'. See isoatomic number but different atomic weights. and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Lit. 'having the same place', compounded of
Derivatives: isometric, n., isometric-al, adj.,
iso- and Gk. -r61toc;, 'place' (see topic). The
isometric-al-ly, adv.
term isotope was introduced into chemistry by
isomorph, n. - See next word.
the English chemist Frederick Soddy (I 877- I 956)
isomorphic, isomorphous, adj., equal in form;
in 19I3 at the suggestion of Margaret Todd.
crystallizing in the same form. - Formed with
Derivatives: isotop-ic, adj., isotop-ism, n., isosuff. -ic, resp. -ous, fr. iso-, Gk. fLOp<plj, 'form,
top-y, n.
shape' (see next word), and suff. -ic, resp. -ous.
Israel, n. - L. Israel, fr. Gk. 'Iapot+,A, fr. Heb.
isomorphism, n., the property of being isomorYisra'el, lit. 'he contends with God', fr. sani",
phic. - G. Isomorphismus, coined by its dis'he fought, contended', and El, 'God'. The first
coverer, the German chemist Eilhardt Mitscherelement is rei. to Arab. sluira, 'he was angry',
lich (1794-1863) in I828 fr. iso-, Gk. fLOPqllJ,
in the III conj. 'he contended'. For the second
'form, shape' (see morpho-), and suff. -ismus
element see El.
(see -ism).
Israelite, n. - L. lsraelita, fr. Gk. 'Iapot'I]AfT1J<;,
-ison, subst. suff. of OF. origin, as in comparison,
'Israelite', fr. 'lapocljA. See prcc. word and subst.
orison, venison. This suff. represents r) OF.
suff. -ite.
verbs
of
suff.
pp.
-atus,
fr.
-aison (fr. L. ationem,
Derivatives: Israeli t-ic, adj., lsraelit-ish, adj.,
in -are); 2) OF. -eison (fr. L. -etionem, fr. -etus,
lsraelit-ism, n.
pp. suff. of verbs in -ere); 3) OF. -ison (fr. L.
Issachar, n., son of Jacob by Leah; a tribe of
-itionem or -itionem), fr. -irus or -itus, pp. suff.
Israel (Bible). - Gk. 'laa&zotp, fr. Heb. YiSsiiof verbs in -Ire, resp. -ere, -ere). Cp. the suffixes
khdr, which prob. stands for yesh siikhdr, 'there
itionem
L.
(fr.
-ition
and
-ation (fr. L. -iitionem),
is a reward'. See Gen. 30:18.
or -itionem), which are learned doublets of -ison.
issue, n.- ME., fr. MF. (=F.) issue, 'way out,
isopod, n., one of the Isopoda. - See next word.
exit', fr. OF. eissue, issue, prop. fern. pp. of
Isopoda, n., an order of crustaceans with seven
eissir, issir (MF. issir), 'to go out', fr. L. exlre,
pairs of usually similar legs (zoo!.) - ModL.,
of s.m. (whence also It. uscire, Rum. ie~i,
lit. 'equal-footed', fr. iso- and -pod.
OProven~. eissir, Catal. exir), fr. rst ex- and
isopolity, n., equality of rights of citizenship. ire, 'to go'. See itinerate.
Gk. lcro7toA~n(ii, 'equality of civil rights', fr.
issue, intr. and tr. v.- ME. issuen, fr. MF. issu,
lao7toAfT1J,;, 'one having equal civil rights',
pp. of issir. See issue, n.
which is compounded of tao.;, 'equal' (see iso-),
issu-able, adj., issu-ance, n., issueDerivatives:
city,
'fortified
7t6At<;,
fr.
'citizen',
7tOAfT1Jc;,
and
less, adj., issu-er, n.
city'. See policy, 'method of governing'.
-ist, suff. forming a) agent nouns from verbs in
isoprene, n., a colorless volatile liquid compound,
-ize (e.g. apologist, dramatist); b) nouns deC 5H 8 , obtained by the dry distillation of raw
noting the adherent of a certain doctrine, prinrubber (chem.)- Coined by the English chemist
or custom (e.g. socialist). - F. -isle, fr.
ciple
opyl)
pr(
fr.
o)
829-191
(I
Charles Hanson Greville
L. -isla, fr. Gk. -ta-rlj<;, which stands for -La--rlj<;
and suff. -ene. Cp. the second element in chloand is formed fr. -La- (ending of the stem of the
roprene and in neoprene.
verbs in -(~m) and agential suff. --rljc;. Cp.
isosceles, adj., having two equal sides (said of a
-ism, -ize. Cp. also -ast.
triangle). - L., fr. Gk. 1aocrxeA+,.;, 'equal-ister, suff.- OF. -istre, formed fr. original -iste,
legged', fr. tao<;, 'equal', and crxl:).oc;, 'leg'. For
on the false analogy of the word ministre (see
the first element see iso-, for the second see
minister). Cp. e.g. chorister, fr. choriste, fr.
scalene and cp. triskelion.
Eccles. L. chorista.
isothere, isotheral, n., a line connecting places on
isthmian, adj., pertaining to an isthmus; esp.
the earth's surface having the same mean sum(cap.) pertaining to the Isthmus of Corinth. mer temperature (phys. geogr.)- Compounded
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. isthmius, /sthmius,
of iso- and Gk. ~tpoc;, 'summer, harvest', which
Gk. ra&iJ-to;, "'a&iJ-!'1<;, 'Isthmian', fr. 'la&!1-6C::fr.
is rei. to .&epfL6c;, 'warm', ~eOflflll 'heat'. Sec
See isthmus and -ian.
therm.
isthmus, n., a narrow neck of land connecting
isotherm, n., a line connecting places on the
two larger portions of land. - L., fr. Gk.
earth's surface having the same mean temperla~fL6<;, 'neck of land, isthmus, any narrow pasature (phys. geogr.) - Compounded of iso- and
(as a proper name, 'the Isthmus of Cosage'
word.
prec.
cp.
and
therm
See
Gk . .&ip!L'IJ 'heat'.
which is of uncertain origin. It is perh.
rinth'),
Derivatives: isotherm-al, 1adj., isotherm-al-ly,
formed with suff. -&fLo, fr. e't!L~ Uvot~. 'to go'
adv., isotherm-ic, adj.

-istic

(cp. da-[--&fL1J 'entrance', 1:--&[L(X, 'a step, movement'). Cp. ON. eio, 'isthmus', and see itinerate.
-istic, adj. suff. - L. -isticus (often through the
medium of F. -istique), fr. Gk. -tanx6~, prop.
adj. suff. -tx6~; added to subst. suff. -ta-ri)~. See
-ist and adj. suff. -ic.
istle, n., fiber obtained from various tropical
plants. - Mexican Sp. ixtle, fr. Nahuatl ichtli.
Isurus, n., a genus of sharks (ichthyol.)- ModL.,
compounded of is- and Gk. oup&, 'tail'. See
uro-, 'tail-'.
it, pron. - ME. hit, it, fr. OE. hit, neut. of he,
'he'. Cp. OFris. hit, Du. het, Goth. hita, 'it', and
see he and words there referred to. Cp. also its.
Derivative: it, n.
itabirite, n., a kind of quartz (mineral.)- Named
after ltabira in Minas Geraes, Brazil. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
itacism, n., pronunciation of Gk. eta (i.e. the
letter 1)) as i (as in Modern Greek), in contradistinction to etacism. - Formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. ~-roc, name of the letter e. See etacism and cp. iotacism.
itacolumite, n., a kind of quartzite (mineral.) Named after Itacolumi, a mountain in Brazil,
where it occurs. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
Italian, adj. and n. - It. italiano, fr. Italia, fr. L.
Italia, fr. Vitelia (cp. Oscan Viteliit, 'Italy'),
which prob. meant orig. 'Land of cattle', and
is rei. to L. vitulus, 'calf'. See veal and -an.
Derivatives: Italianate, ltalianated (qq.v.), Italian-ism, n., ltalian-ity, n., Italianize (q.v.)
Italianatc, adj., rendered Italian. -It. italianato,
fr. italiano. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
Italianate, tr. v., to render Italian. - Back formation fr. Italianated.
Derivative: italianat-ion, n.
ltalianated, pp. adj., rendered Italian. - Formed
fr. It. italianato (see Italianate, adj.) with pp.
suff. -ed.
Italianize, intr. v., to play the Italian; to become
Italian; tr. v., to render Italian.- F. italianiser,
fr. italien, 'Italian', fr. It. italiano. See Italian
and -ize.
Derivatives: Italianiz-ation, n., Italianiz-er, n.
Italic, adj. - L. Italicus, from ltalia. See Italian
and adj. suff. -ic.
italic, n., Italic type of letters. - From prec.
word; so called because it was first used in an
Italian edition of Virgil, printed (in Venice)
by Aldus Manutius in 1501.
Italiot, Italiote, n., a Greek inhabitant of Italy.
- Gk. '1-roci.twr.:;, fr. 'hoc:Ali, fr. L. Italia. See
Italian.
Italo-, combining form meaning 'Italian and'.Fr. L. !talus, 'Italian'. See Italian.
itch, intr. v. - ME. yicchen, icchen, fr. OE.
giccan, rei. to MDu. jijken, Du. jeuken, OHG.
jucchen, MHG., G. jucken, 'to itch'.
itch, n. - ME. jicche, icche, fr. OE. gicce, fr.
giccan, 'to itch'. See itch, v.

820
821

Derivatives: itch-y, adj., itch-i-ness, n.

-ite, subst. suff. denoting 'origin' or 'relationship'
(as in Israelite, Canaanite, etc.). It is used also
to form names of minerals and fossils (as in
ammonite, dolomite, trilobite), chemical compounds (as in phosphite), explosives (as in
dynamite, lyddite), commercial products (as in
vulcanite). - F. -ite, fr. L. -fta, -ites, fr. Gk.
-f'r1)~ (fern. -1:-rt;), 'pertaining to'. Cp. -itis.
-ite, suff. forming adjectives, nouns and verbs
and representing Latin -ftus in past participles
of verbs ending in -ire and -i!re. Cp. e.g. polite
(fr. L. politus, pp. of polire); unite (fr. L. unit us,
pp. of unire); appetite (fr. L. appetitus, pp. of
appetae); composite (fr. L. compositus, pp. of
componere).
Itea, n., a genus of shrubs. - ModL., fr. Gk.
t'reii (pro b. for *fent!:ii), 'willow', which is rei.
to hu~, 'the edge or rim of anything round',
fr. I.-E. base *wei-, 'to bend, twist', whence also
OE. wioig 'willow'. See withy and words there
referred to and cp. esp. the second element in
Stomoisia.
item, adv., likewise.--- L., 'just so, in like manner, likewise, also', rel. to ita, 'so', itaque, 'and
so, accordingly, in like manner', itidem, 'so, just,
in like manner', idem (masc.), idem (neut.), 'the
same'. See idem and words there referred to and
cp. esp. iterate.
Derivatives: item, n. (q.v.), item, tr. v., itemize, tr. v.
item, n., detail; article. -- L. item, 'likewise';
see prec. word. The sense of the English noun
arose from the circumstance that the word item
was generally used to introduce all the sections
of a bill, except the first.
iterance, iterancy, n., the quality of being iterant.
- Formed from next word with suff. -ce, resp.
-cy.
iterant, adj., iterating. --- L. iteriins, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of iteriire. See next word and -ant.
iterate, tr. v., to do again, repeat. --- L. iteriitus,
pp. of iteriire, 'to do over a second time, repeat,
say again', fr. iterum, 'again', which stands for
i-terum and prop. is the neuter of *i-teros, comparative formed from the pronominal base *iwhence also 01. i-taraf:z, 'the other'. For other
derivatives of .he I.-E. pronominal base *i- see
idem, for the comparative suff. see -ther, for the
ending of iterate see verbal suff. -ate.
iteration, n.- L. iteriitio, gen. onis, 'repetition',
fr. itertitus, pp. of iteriire, 'to repeat'. See iterate
and -ion.
iterative, adj. - F. iteratif (fern. iterative), fr.
Late L. iteriitivus, fr. L. iteriitus, pp. of iteriire,
'to repeat'. See iterate and -ive.
Derivatives: iterative-ly, adv., iterative-ness, n.
ithyphallic, adj., pertaining to the phallus carried
in the Bacchic rites; obscene; pertaining to the
meter used in the Bacchic hymns. - L. ithyphallicus, fr. Gk. t&ucpa:A:Atx6~, 'ithyphallic', fr.
t.&ucpcxllo~, 'phallus carried erect in the Bacchic

rites', which is compounded of t&u<;, 'straight,

erect', and cp()(Af-6<;, 'phallus'. The first element
stands for *sidhus and is cogn. with OI. siidhUI;z,
'straight, direct, right', sfdhyati, 'succeeds', Arm.
a] (for *siidhyo-), 'right, just'. For the second
element see phallus. Cp. next word.
Derivative: ithyphallic, n., an ithyphallic.
Ithyphallus, n., a genus of fungi of the family of
the true stinkhorns (bot.) - ModL. See prec.
word.
-itic, suff. forming adjectives from nouns ending
in -ite or -itis. - L. -iticus, fr. Gk. -mx6<;.
See the suffixes -ite, -itis and -ic.
itinerancy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
itinerant, adj. - L. itineriins, gen. -antis, pres.
part. of itineriiri, 'to travel'. See itinerate and
-ant.
itinerary, adj. - L. itineriirius, 'pertaining to a
journey', fr. iter, gen. itineris, 'journey'. See
itinerate and -ary.
itinerary, n. - L. itineriirium, 'account of a journey', prop. neut. of the adjective itineriirius,
'pertaining to a journey', used as a noun. See
itinerary, adj.
itinerate, intr. v., to travel from place to place.L. itineriitus, pp. of itineriiri, 'to travel', fr. iter,
gen. itineris, 'a journey', which is cogn. with
Toch. Aytiir, Bytiirye, 'way', Hitt. itar, 'going',
way', fr. I.-E. base *ei-, 'to go', whence also
01. lmi, Gk. e:!fLt, L. eo (for *ei6), Lith. eiml,
eiti, OSlav. id(J, iti, 'to go', Oir. ethaim, 'I go'
(corresponding in form to L. ito, freq. of eo,
'I go'), possibly also Gk. (-%fLO(, 'a step, movement', e:ta-(-%fL1), 'entrance', possibly, also
t-a&fL6<;, 'neck of land, isthmus, any narrow
passage'. Cp. Abeona, abiturient, adit, ambit,
ambition, anion, cation, circuit, coeno-, coetus,
coition, coitus, comitia, commence, count, 'title
of nobility', dysprosium, errant, exeat, exeunt,
exit, eyre, ichno-, inevitable, initial, introit, ion,
issue, isthmus, jadoo, janitor, jaun, limit, obit,
obituary, perish, praetor, preterit, Rathayatra,
sedition, seditious, sudden, trance, transient,
transire, transit. Cp. also oath and the second
element in wide.
Derivative: itinerat-ion, n.
-ition, subst. suff. - F. -ition (or directly) fr. L.
-ftionem, ace. of -ftio, a suff. forming nouns of
action fr. -itus, or -itus, pp. suff. of verbs of the
4th, resp. 3rd Latin conjugation. See adj. suff.
-ite and cp. suff. -ation.
-itious, adj. suff. representing L. -icius, which is
added usually to past participles ending in -tus.
Cp. e.g.factitious, fr. L.facticius, 'made by art',
fr. factus, 'made', pp. of facere, 'to make'. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
-itious, adj. suff. representing L. -ftiosus, which is
formed fr. -ftio, gen. -onis, fr. -ftus, pp. suff.
Cp. e.g. ambitious, fr. L. ambitfosus, fr. ambftlo,
which is formed fr. ambitus, pp. of ambire, 'to
m round'. Se

!xi a

-itis, subst. suff. denoting diseases characterized

by inflammation.- ModL., fr. Gk.- 1:-rt~, prop.
fern. of the adjectival suff. -h1)~. 'pertaining to'
(see subst. suff. -ite), used with the feminine
noun v6ao<;, 'disease', either expressed or understood, as e.g. (v6ao<;) ve:cppi-rt~, 'disease of the
kidneys'. The generalization of suff. -it is is due
to Sauvages.
-itish, adj. suff., compounded of subst. suff. -ite
and adj. suff. -ish. Cp. e.g. Israelitish, which is
formed fr. Israelite, fr. Israel.
-ito!, a suff. used to form the names of certain
alcohols, as in inositol, mannitol (chem.)
Compounded of subst. suff. -ite and suff. -ol
(for alcohol).
-itous, adj. suff. - F. -iteux (fern. -iteuse), fr. L.
-itosus, contraction of *itiitosus, from nouns
in -itiis (gen. -ittitis); see -ity and -ous. Cp. e.g.
calamitous, fr. L. caliimitosus, contraction of
*caliimittitosus, fr. caliimitiis, gen. -iitis (see
calamitous). The contraction of L. *-itiitosus
to -itosus is due to haplology. In many cases
suff. -itous is formed directly from nouns
ending in suff. -ity.
its, adj.- For earlier it's; formed from the ptonoun it with s, the ending of the possessive case.
itself, pron. - Compounded of it and self.
-ity, suff. forming abstract nouns. - F. -ite, fr.
L. -itiitem, ace. of -ittis, which prop. consists of
thematic -i and suff. -ttis (see -ity). Cp. e.g. sincerity, fr. F. sincerite, fr. L. sincerittitem, ace.
of sincerittis, fr. sincerus, 'sincere'.
-ium, suff. used to form ModL. scientific names.
- L. -ium, fr. Gk. -(ov, frequently of diminutive force. Cp. e.g. geranium.
-ium, modern suff. used to form names of metallic
elements (chem.) - See prec. word and cp. e.g.
radium, sodium.
Iva, n., a genus of plants, the marsh elder (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gaulish ivos, whence also F. if,
'yew'. See yew and cp. uva.
Ivan, masc. PN. - Russ., fr. Gk 'l6l&w1J~ See
John.
-ive, suff. meaning 'tending to; of the quality of'.
- L. -ivus (mostly through the medium of F.
-if, fern. -ive).
ivory, n. - ME. ivorie, fr. OF. ivurie (F. ivoire),
fr. L. eboreus, 'of ivory', fr. ebur, 'ivory', borrowed fr. Egyptian iib, tibu, 'elephant, ivory',
prob. through the medium of the Phoenicians.
The same word appears in the second element
of Heb. shen-habbfm, 'ivory' (lit. 'tooth of the
elephant'), whence Yebu ( = He b. Yi!bh), original name of the island Elephantine; cp. also
01. ibhal;z, 'elephant', and the second element
in Gk. t:A-ecpii~, 'elephant'. Cp. eburnine,
elephant.
ivy, n.- ME. ivi, fr. OE. ifig, rei. to MLG. if-/of,
iw-lof, Du. ei-loof, OHG. ebah, eba-hewi, ebehewi, MHG. ebe-hou, ep-hou, G. Efeu.
Derivative: ivi-ed, adj.
Ixla. n .. a ~renus of olants (bo

I xi on

Gk. t~6~, 'mistletoe; birdlime', which stands

for *fL~6.; and is cogn. with L. viscum, of s.m.
See viscum.
lxion, n., king of the Lapithae in Thessaly, who
was tied to an ever-revolving wheel in Hades
for having sought the love of Hera (Greek mytho!.) - L. Ixion, fr. Gk. 'I~twv.
Ixodidae, n. pl., name of a family of acarids
(zoo!.) - ModL., formed fr. Ixodes, name of
the typical genus, fr. Gk. 1~<1>ll1)<;, 'like birdlime', which is compounded of t~6~, 'mistletoe;
birdlime', and -<J>ilr,~. 'like'. See Ixia, -ode, 'like',
and -idae.
Ixora, n., a genus of tropical plants of the
madder family (bot.) - ModL., fr. lsvara, a
title of Siva, fr. OI. isvarti{l, 'ruler, lord'. See
Ishvara.
Iyar, n., name of the second Jewish month. Heb. iyydr, a loan word fr. Akkad. aaru.
izar, n., I) the outer garment of Mohammedan
women covering the whole figure; 2) loincloth
(part of the ihram). - Arab. izdr, 'veil, cover-

822

ing', from the stem of tizara, tizzara, 'he girded,

encompassed', rei. to Heb. iiztir, 'he girded',
ezdr. 'waistcloth, girdle'.
izard, n., chamois inhabiting the Pyrenees. - F.
isard, of Basque origin; cp. Basque izar, 'star;
white spot on the forehead'; cp. also Berber
ichri, of s.m., which is a Basque loan word. The
spelling with dis prob. due to a confusion with
suff. -ard.
-ization, a suff. forming nouns fr. verbs ending
in -ize. - L. -iziiti6, gen. -onis, fr. -iziitus, pp.
suff. of verbs in -iziire. See -ize and -ation.
-ize, -ise, suff. forming verbs in one of the following senses; I) 'to act in a certain way' (as in
Attic-ize, philosoph-ize); 2) 'to treat in a certain way' (as in sympath-ize); 3) 'to make into'
(as in Christian-ize, civil-ize, Gallicize; 4) 'to
treat with' (as in chloral-ize). - F. -iser, fr.
Late L. iziire (whence also It. -izzare, Sp. -izar),
fr. Gk. -[~e:Lv, 'to act in a certain way'. Cp.
-ism, -ist.

J
i

jaal goat.- Heb. yii'll, 'wild goat', rei. to Aram.

yl'eld, Syr. ya'M, Arab. wa'al, wa'l, Ethiop.
we'lii, 'wild goat'. Cp. Jael.
jab, tr. v., to strike. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
job, 'to stab'.
Derivative: jab, n.
jabber, intr. and tr. v., to chatter. -Of imitative
origin. Cp. gibber.
Derivatives: jabber, n., jabber-er, n., jabber-ing,
adj., jabber-ing-ly, adv.
jabiru, n., a large stork of South America. - Sp.
jabiru, fr. Tupi jabiru.
jaborandi, n., the dried leaflets of S. American
shrubs ofthe genus Pilocarpus.- Port., fr. Tupi
yaborandi.
jabot, n., frill of a shirt. - F., 'crop, maw; frill
of a shirt', prob. rei. to F. gaver, 'to cram,
gorge', OProven,.. gava, 'crop, maw'. See jaw.
jacamar, n., an insectivorous bird of tropical
America. - F., erroneously formed by the
French naturalist, Comte Georges-Louis Leclerc Buffon (I707-88) fr. Tupi jacamti-ciri.
jacana, n., a S. American wading bird resembling
the rail.- Port. jarana, fr. Tupi yasana.
jacaranda, n., a tropical American tree. - Port.
jacaranda, fr. Tupi yacarandti.
jacinth, n. - ME. iacynth, iacinth, fr. OF. iacinthe (F. jacinthe), fr. L. hyacinthus, fr. Gk.
Mxw~o.;. See hyacinth.
Jack, masc. PN. - Familiar form of John, but
derived fr. OF. Jaques (F. Jacques), fr. Late L.
Jacobus, for earlier Jacobus, fr. Gk. fr. Heb.
Yaiiqdbh, 'Jacob'. See Jacob and cp. next word.
jack, n., I) fellow; 2) knave in playing-cards;
3) the male of certain animals; 4) a small flag;
5) the name of various machines, vessels and
devices.- Fr. prec. word. For the use of proper
names to form names of vessels cp. jeroboam,
toby.
jack, n., 1) a sleeveless coat; 2) a vessel for liquor.
- OF. jaque, 'sleeveless coat', fr. Jacques,
'Jack', a nickname given to the French peasant
in the 14th century, for this kind of garment
was used especially by the peasants of that era.
See Jack and cp. Bloch-Wartburg, DELF.,
p. 333 s.v. jaquette. Cp. also jacket. For sense
development cp. jacquerie.
jack, n., an East Indian tree (Artocarpus integrifo/ia). - Port. jaca, fr. Malayalam chakka,
lit. 'something round', fr. 01. cakrd{l, 'wheel,
circle', which is cogn. with Gk. x)x).o~. 'ring,
circle'. See cycle and words there referred to
and cp. esp. chukker, hackery.
jackal, n. - Turk. chagiil, fr. Pers. shaghiil, fr.
01. ~rgiiltib, lit. 'the howler'.
jackanapes, n., 1) a monkey (archaic); 2) an impertinent, conceited fellow, a coxcomb. - Fr.

Jack a Napes = Jacko' Napes, Jack of Napes, =

'a monkey from Naples (in Italy)'.
jackaroo, n., a new apprentice on a sheep farm
in Australia (slang). - A blend of Jack and
(kang)aroo.
jackass, n., a male ass. - Compounded of jack,
'male of animals', and ass.
Derivative: jackass, intr. v., to ride a jackass.
jackass copal, Zanzibar copal. - Corruption of
chakazi copal, fr. Zanzibar chakiizi, chakazzi.
jackdaw, n. - Compounded of jack, 'male of
animals', and daw.
jacket, n. - OF. jaquet (F. jaquette), dimin. of
jaque. See jack, 'a sleeveless coat', and -et.
jack rabbit, a long eared American hare. Short for jackass rabbit; so called in allusion
to its long ears. Cp. its earlier names mule-eared
rabbit, mule rabbit.
Jacksonia, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) - Named after the English botanist
George Jackson. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Jacob, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, one of the
patriarchs, son of Isaac and Rebecca and father
of the founders of the twelve tribes. - Late L.
Jacobus, fr. Gk. 'Mxw~o~. fr. Heb. Ya'aq&hh,
lit. 'one that takes by the heel', a derivative of
'iiqlbh, 'heel', whence 'iiqtibh, 'he followed nt
the heel, he overrer...~hed, circumvented', whi '
is rei. to Aram. 'iqM, Akkad. iqbu, 'heel; trace
mark', Arab. 'tiqib, 'heel', 'iqbah, 'mark, trace,
sign', 'aqaba, 'he followed (at the heel), succeeded'. Cp. Jack, jack, 'sleeveless coat', Jacobin, jacobus, jacquery, jakes, James.
Jacobin, n., r) a Dominican friar; 2) a member of
the political club of the Jacobins. - F., fr. ML.
Jacobinus, fr. L. Jacobus [see Jacob and -ine
(representing L. -inus)]. The Dominican friars
are so called because their first convent in Paris
was established in the rue St. Jacques ( = St.
James Street). As a political term, the word
Jacobin refers to the fact that (after Oct. 6, I 789)
the club of the Jacobins used to meet in the
monastery of the Jacobins in the rue St.
Honore.
Derivatives: Jacobin, Jacobin-ic, Jacobin-ic-al,
adjs., Jacobin-ic-al-ly, adv., Jacobin-ism, n., Jacobin-ize, tr. v., Jacobin-iz-ation, n.
jacobin, n., a kind of pigeon. - F. jacobine, fern.
form ofjucobin, 'Jacobin, Dominican'; so called
because the neck-feathers resemble a monk's
cowl.
Jacobite, n., an adherent of Jam..:s II after his abdication (English hist.) - Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Late L. Jacobus, 'Jacob, James'. For
the etymology of the name see Jacob. Cp. next
word.
Derivatives: jacobit-ica/, adj., Jacobit-ism, n.

824

jacobus

*gwem-, 'to go, to come'. See come and cp. the

first element in Juggernaut .
jaggery, n., coarse dark brown sugar.- Anglicized fr. Hind. jiigri, fr. 01. sarkarii, sarkara/:l,
'sugar'. According ly jaggery is prop. a doublet
of sugar (q.v.)
jaghire, jagheer, jagir, n., an assignmen t of land
as an annuity (India}. - Pers. jiigir, lit. 'placeholding', compound ed of jii, 'place', and gir,
'holding'.
jaghiredar, jagheerdar, jagirdar, n., the holder
of a jaghire (India) - Formed fr. prec. word
and the Persian suff. -diir, 'holder, possessor'.
See aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
jaguar, n.- Tupi yaguara, a name denoting any
larger beast of prey. In its modem zoological
sense ( = Felis onca) the name jaguar was first
used by the French naturalist Comte GeorgesLouis Leclerc Buffon (1707-88).
Jab, n., the Lord. - Heb. Yiih, shortened form
of the Tetragram maton. Cp. the second element in halleluyah. Cp. also the second element
in Elijah and in words there referred to.
jail, gaol, n. - ME. jaile, gail, fr. OF. jaiole (F.
geole), fr. VL. caveola, dimin. ofL. cmea, 'cage'.
See cage.
Derivative s: jail, gaol, tr. v., jail-er, gaol-er, n.
Jain, n., an adherent of a non-Brahm anic sect
in India. - Hind. Jaina, fr. 01. Jainal), 'of a
Buddha', fr. jina/:l, 'hero, saint', which is rei. to
jayati, 'conquers', jayal), 'victory', jindti, 'overcomes, subdues' ,jyti, jid, 'superior force' ,jytiyiin,
'mightier', jye~tha/:l, jye$fha/:l, 'mightiest' , and
cogn. with Gk. ~(<i, 'force, might, violence'.
Cp. the second element in Zenobia.
Derivatives: lain-ism, n., Jain-ist, n.
jakes, n., a privy (archaic). --- Fr. F. Jacques,
'Jack'. See Jack.
jalop, n., root of a Mexican plant (Exogonium
jalapa), used as a purgative .- F., fr. Sp. jalapa,
fr. Jalapa for Xalapa, a town in Mexico.
jalousie, n., a window shutter made with slats. F., lit. 'jealousy'. See jealousy.
Derivative: ja/ousi-ed, adj.
jalpaite, n., a cupriferous argentite (mineral.) Named after Jalpa in Mexico. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
jam, also jamb, tr. and intr. v., to press tightly.
- Prob. a variant of champ.
Derivative : jam, n., congestion ; crush.
jam, n., conserved fruit. - Prob. fr. jam, 'to press
tightly', and orig. meaning 'fruit pressed together'.
Jamaica. - Short for Jamaica rum.
jamb, n., sidepost. - F.jambe, fr. Late L. gamba,
'leg'. See gamb and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also enjambment.
jamb, v. - See jam, v.
jamboo, jambool, jambul, n., the Java plum; the
rose apple.- Hind. jambii, 'the rose apple', fr.
01. jambUI), jamb!JJ), whiCh is prob. of non
fr. I_ .. E_ base
ArYan origin.

jacobus, n., an English gold coin. - From Latin

Jacobus, 'James' (see Jacob); so called because
struck during the reign of James I.
jaconet, n., a kind of soft white cotton fabric. Corruption of Jagannath, name of a town in
Bengal, where it was first manufactu red. For
the meaning of the name see Juggernaut .
Jacquard, n. - Short for Jacquard apparatus,
Jacquard fabric, Jacquard loom, etc. Named
after the French inventor Joseph Jacquard
(1752-1834).
jacquerie, n., peasants' revolt, esp. revolt of the
French peasants in I 358. - F. jacquerie, prop.
'rising of peasants', fr. Jacques, a contemptu ous
name given by the nobles to the French peasant.
See jack, 'sleeveless coat' and -ery.
jactitation, n., restlessness (med.); assertion of a
false claim (law). - ML. jactitiiti6, gen. -6nis,
fr. jactitiitus, pp. of jactitiire, 'to toss about', fr.
L. jactus, pp. of jacere, 'to throw, cast, hurl'.
See jet. 'to spirt forth', and -ation.
jade, n., a kind of silicate. -F. le jade, fr. earlier
l'ejade, fr. Sp. (piedra de) ijada, 'stone for curing
pains in the side', a derivative of L. ilia, 'the
flanks'. See iliac.
jade, n., a worn-out horse.-- ME., fr. ON.jalda,
'mare', whence also dial. Swed. jiildii, 'mare'.
Derivative s: jade, tr. v., to make a jade of (a
horse); to make weary; intr. v., to become
weary; jad-ed, adj., jad-ed-ly, adv., jad-ed-ness,
n., jad-ish, adj., jad-ish-ly, adv., jad-ish-ness, n.
jadeite, n., a variety of jade (mineral. )- Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. jade, 'a kind of silicate'.
jadoo, jadu, n., conjuring, magic. - Pers.-Hind .
jiidu, fr. OI. yiitu/:l, 'magic, sorcery', prob. meaning lit. 'a going against', from the stem of ytiti,
ytite, 'goes, moves, proceeds; advances, marches
against (the enemy)', fr. I.-E. base *ya-, enlargement of base *ei-, 'to go'. See janitor and
cp. jaun and the second element in Rathayatra .
jaeger, n., a sharpshoot er. - G. Jager, 'hunter',
fr. jagen, 'to hunt', fr. MHG. jagen, fr. OHG.
jag6n, which is rei. to OFris. jagia, Du. jagen, 'to
hunt'. ON. jaga, 'to drive; to move to and fro',
orig. 'to hunt', is a MLG. loan word. Cp. yager,
yacht, yaw.
jaeger, n., a flannel coat. -Named after Jiiger,
professor at Stuttgart, who emphasize d the
hygienic value of flannel clothing.
Jael, n., the wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed
Sisera with a tent nail (Judges 4: 17-22). -- Heb.
Yii'/1, lit. 'wild goat'. See jaal goat.
jag, n., a tooth; a notch. - Pro b. of imitative
origin.
Derivative s: jag, tr. v., jagg-ed, adj., jagg-ed-ly,
adv., jagg-ed-ness, n., jagg-y, adj., jagg-er, n.
Jagannath , n. - See Juggernau t.
jagat, n., moving beings (Hinduism ).- Ol.jagat,
'moving', participial formation from the base
of OI. jigati, 'goes', Aor. agat, 'went', which is
cogn. with Lett. gilju, Gk. l~'ll" Dor. l~cxv.
'tn an.

825
jamboree, n., gathering (esp. of boyscouts). Of Hindu origin; introduced by Rudyard
Kipling (1865-1936).
James, masc. PN. - Late L. Jacifmus, altered
fr. Jacobus. See Jacob and cp. jimmy.
jamesonite, n., a lead antimony sulfide (mineral.)
- Named after Professor Robert Jameson of
Edinburgh (1774-1854), who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
jampan, also jompon, n., a kind of sedan (India).
-Bengali jhdpiin, fr. Hind. j!ipiin, jhappiin, fr.
j/Jp, 'a cover'.
Jane, fern. PN. - F. Jeanne, fr. OF. Jehane, Cr.
ML. Johanna, Joanna. See Joan and cp. Jean,
fern. PN. Cp. also demijohn, jenny.
Jane, n., a small Genoese coin.- OF. Jane, fr.
ML. Janua, 'Genoa'. Cp. L. Genua, whence It.
Genova, F. Genes.
Janet, fern. PN. - A dimin. of Jane (q.v.)
jangada, n., a kind of catamaran . - Port., fr.
Malayalam cai11ia{am, fr. OI. samghiita/:l, 'a
joining together of timber, union'.
jangar, n., a raft.- Port.jangada. Seeprec. word.
jangle, intr. and tr. v. -- ME.jangle n, 'to chatter,
quarrel', fr. OF. jangler, 'to chatter', which is
of Teut. origin. Cp. MDu. jangelen, Du. jengelen, 'to whine', dial. G. jangeln, 'to speak in
a whining manner', 'which are prob. imitative.
Cp. jingle.
Derivative s: jangl-er, n., jangl-ing, n.
jangle, n. - ME., fr. OF. jangle, fr. jangler. See
jangle, v.
Janissary, n. -See Janizary.
janitor, n., doorkeepe r, porter. - L., formed
with suff. -tor fr. janus, 'a covered passage, arcade', which is of uncertain origin. It is perh.
cogn. with 01. ydnab (masc.), 'path', (neut.),
'a going', ytiti, Avestic yiiiti, 'goes, travels',
Avestic yah-, 'crisis, decision', Toch. A yii, 'he
went', Hitt. iYa-, 'to walk, go', Lith. j6ju, joti,
Lett. jiiju, jiit, 'to ride', OSiav. jad(J, *jati
(whencejac hati), 'to travel'. The underlying base
*yii- represents an enlargeme nt of base *ei-,
'to go', for which see itinerate. Cp. January,
Janus. Cp. also jadoo, jaun and the second element in Rathayatra .
Derivative s: the nouns janitor-ess, janitr-ess,
janitr-ix (which all mean 'female janitor'),an d
the adj. janitor-ial.
Janizary, also Janissary, n. - Fr. janissaire, fr.
It. giannizzero, fr. Turk. yefii-cheri, lit. 'new
troops', name of the troops formed in 1362 from
slaves and prisoners of war, fr. yeiii, 'new', and
cheri, 'troops'.
jannock, adj., genuine, candid, frank (dial.) Of uncertain origin.
Jansenism, n., the doctrine of Comelis Jansen,
bishop of Ypres (1585-1638). For the ending
see s uff. -ism.
Jansenist, n., an adherent of Jansenism. - See
prec. word and -ist.
Derivative : jansenist-ic, adj.

jargon

Janthina, n., a genus of pelagic snails (zoo/.) ModL., fr. L. ianthinus, 'violet blue', fr. Gk.
l&v1hvo~, which is compound ed of to ... , 'violet',
and chr&o~, 'flower'. See iolite, anther and -ine
(representing Gk. - t'llo<;).
January, n. - L. Jiinuarius (mensis), 'tlie month
dedicated to Jiinus. See Janus and -ary.
Janus, n., ancient Italian god of doors and gates,
entrances and beginnings; represented with two
faces. - L. Jiinus, personification of janus,
'arched passage, arcade', whence jiinua, 'door'.
See janitor and cp. January.
Jap, adj. and n. - Colloquial abbreviatio n for
Japanese.
Japan, n. -Chinese Jih-pun (correspon ding to
Jap. Ni-pon), 'sunrise', formed fr. jih (resp. Jap.
ni), 'sun', and pun (resp. Jap. pon), 'origin'.
japan, n., a hard kind of varnish. - Fr. prec.
word; so called because this varnish was orig.
used in Japan.
Derivative : japan, tr. v., to lacquer with japan.
Japanese, adj. and n. - Formed fr. Japan with
suff. -ese.
Japanesque, adj., in the Japanese style. - A
hybrid formed fr. Japan with suff. -esque.
jape, intr. v., to joke, jest.- Prob. a blend of OF.
gaber, 'to mock', and OF. japer (F. japper), 'to
yelp'.
Derivatives: jape, n., jap-er, n., jap-ery, n.
Japheth, n., the youngest of the three sons of
Noah (Bible). - L Japheth, fr. Gk. 'lcx<pE:.&, fr.
Heb. Yepheth, lit. 'enlargeme nt' (see Gen.
9: 2.7), fr. Hiph'il ( = causative) form of stem
p-t-h (prop. p-t-y), 'to be wide, spacious', and
rei. to Aram.-Syr . plthii, plthi, 'was wide,
spacious', Bibl.-Aram. ptthiiy, Aram. puthyd,
Syr. plthiiyd, 'width'. Cp. Iapetus.
Derivatives: Japhet-ic, adj. and n., Japhet-ide,
adj. and n., Japheth-ite, adj. and n.
Japonic, adj., Japanese. - Formed with suff. -ic
fr. F. Japan, 'Japan'. See Japan.
japonica, n., the camelia; the Japanese quince.ModL., lit. 'Japanese, fr. Japonia, 'Japan'. See
Japan.
jar, intr. and tr. v., to make a harsh, creaking
noise. - Prob. of imitative origin. Cp. ajar,
'out of harmony', nightjar.
Derivative s: jar, n., a harsh noise, jarr-ing, adj.,
jarr-ing-ly, adv.
jar, n., a vessel of earthenwar e, glass or stone.F. jarre, fr. OProven<;. jarra, fr. Arab. jarrah,
'a large earthen vessel' (whence also Sp. jarra,
It. giarra).
Derivative : jar-fu/, adj.
jardin!Ue, n., an ornamenta l flower stand. - F.,
prop. fern. of jardinier, 'of the garden', fr. jardin,
'garden' (used as a noun, jardinier means 'gardener'). See garden and cp. Jordan almond.
jargon, n., confused speech. - OF., 'chatter,
warbling', from the same base as E. gargle. This
base means lit. 'to make noise with the throat'.
See gargle, gurgle.

jargon

Derivative: jargon-ize, intr. and tr. v.

jargon, also jargoon, n., a variety of zircon. F., fr. Port. zarciio, fr. Arab. zarqan, 'minium',
ult. fr. Pers. zarg1in, 'gold-colored', compound of
zar, 'gold' (see arsenic), and gun- 'color', which
is rei. to Avestic gaona-, 'color'. Cp. zircon.
jargonelle, n., an early variety of pear. - F.,
dimin. of prec. word; so called from its color.
jarl, n., a Scandinavian chieftain. - ON. jar!,
'a man of noble birth, chief'. See earl.
jarool, n., the tree Lagerstroemia reginae. Hind. jariil.
jarosite, n., a potassium iron sulfate (mineral.)Named after Barranco Jaroso, Almeria, Spain.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
jarrah, n., a eucalypt of Australia (Eucalyptus
marginata). - From Australian native name.
jarvey, n., a cabdriver. - From Jarvey or Jervis,
name of a Dublin driver who lived in the 18th
century.
jasey, also jazy, a wig, esp. a wig of worsted. Orig. the word meant a wig made of Jersey
yarn, jasey being a corruption of Jersey.
Jasione, n., a genus of plants, the sheep's bit
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. !occnwv'l), 'bindweed', fr.
(iim,:;, 'healing', fr. loccr&oct, 'to heal'. See iatric
and cp. Ist Jason.
jasmine, jasmin, n. - F. jasmin, fr. Arab. yasamfn, fr. Pers. yasemin. Cp. jessamine, Gelsemium.
Jason, n., son of Aeson and famous leader of the
Argonauts in Greek mythology. - L. Jason, fr.
Gk. 'l&crwv, which is prob. rei. to 1iicr&oct, 'to
heal'. See iatric and cp. Jasione.
Jason, masc. PN. - Gk. 'Eticrwv, Elticrwv, Grecized forms of He b. Ythoshi'ia', Yeshaa'; see
Joshua. The name Jason was in frequent use
among Hellenistic Jews, and it occurs occasionally in modern times; it should not be confused
with Jason, the equivalent of the Greek name
'I&crwv (see Jason, 'leader of the Argonauts'),
with which it is only connected inasmuch as the
latter influenced the Greek transliteration of
Hebrew Yeshaa'.
jasper, n., an opaque variety of quartz. - ME.
iaspre, fr. OF. jaspe, jaspre, fr. L. iaspis, fr. Gk.
roccrm,:;, 'jasper', which is of Sem. origin. Cp.
Heb. yash~ph!:", Akkad. yashupii, ashpii, 'jasper'.
Jasper, masc. PN.- A name of Persian origin.
Jas-per lit. means 'treasure holder'. The first
element of this compound name is traceable to
Pers.gan], 'treasure'. See genizah and cp. Gaspar.
Jataka, n., a birth story of Gautama Buddha. 01. jataka/:1, 'begotten by; birth', fr. jatd/:1,
'born; son, which is cogn. with L.gmitus, 'born',
Gk. -ynrro~ (in compounds), 'born', fr. I.-E.
base gen-, 'to beget, bear, bring forth, produce',
whence also L. gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring
forth', genus, 'birth, descent, origin'. See genus
and cp. words there referred to.
Jatropha, n., a genus of plants of the spurge
family (bot.)- ModL., inaccurately formed by
the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1717-

826
83) fr. Gk. 1iiTp6~, 'healer, physician' (see iatric),
and 't'potp~, 'food, nutrition' (see trophic).
jaun, n., a small palankin. - Bengali jan, yan,
fr. 01. ycfna/:1 (masc.), 'path', (neut.), 'a going'.
See janitor and cp. the second element in Rathayatra.
jaundice, n. -Formed with intrusive d fr. OF.
jaunice, jaunisse (F. jaunisse), fr. jaune, 'yellow',
fr. L. galbinus, 'greenish yellow', which is rei.
to galbanus, 'yellow', prop. 'having the color of
galbanum', fr. galbanum, name of a yellowish
gum resin. See galbanum and suff. -ice (representing L. -itia). For the so-called inorganic d
in jaundice cp. gender, sound, 'noise', thunder.
Deri:!!tive: jaundice, tr. v.
jaunt, intr. v., to make a short pleasure journey;
n., a short pleasure journey. - Of uncertain
origin.
jaunty, adj., careless, sprightly. - Earlier jantee,
janty, fr. F. gentil. See gentle.
Derivatives: jaunti-ly, adv., jaunti-ness, n.
jaup, intr. and tr. v., to splash (Scot. and N. of
England). - Of imitative origin.
javali, n., the collared peccary. - Amer. Sp.
javali,fr. Sp.jabafi, 'wild boar', fr. Arab.jabalt,
'pertaining to the mountains, inhabitant of
mountains', adj., formed fr. jabal, 'mountain',
which is rei. to Heb. g~bhiil, 'frontier, boundary', orig. 'earth wall or mountain serving as
boundary'. Cp. Bible and the first element in
Gibraltar.
javelin, n., a light spear. - F. javeline, of Gaul.
origin. Cp. Olr. gabul, W. gafl, 'fork', W. gaflach, 'feathered spear', and see gable.
Derivative: javelin, tr. v.
jaw, n. - ME. jawe, jowe, fr. OF. ( = F.) joue,
'cheek, jaw', fr. VL. *gauta, which is prob. a
contraction of *gavita, fr. *gabita, fr. pre-Latin
*gaba, 'gorge, jaw, goiter', whence also F. gaver,
'to cram, gorge', OProven.;. gava, 'crop, maw';
prob. influenced in form by jowl. Cp. jabot.
Derivative: jaw, intr. v., to talk (slang); tr. v.,
to scold (tr. v.)
jawab, n., an answer; a building corresponding
to, or imitating, another. - Hind. jawab, fr.
Arab. jawtib, 'answer', which is rei. to ajdba,
jdwaba, 'he answered'.
jay, n.- ME., fr. OF. iay, gay (F. geai), fr. Late
L. gaius, a word of imitative origin. The word
gaius arose from the attempt of rendering the
natural sound gau, gai made by this bird, but
was assimilated in form to the Latin PN. Gaius.
Cp. L. titus, 'blue rock', lUcius, 'pike' (see fuce),
which come from Latin PN's. Cp. also the
French bird names martinet, sansonnet, pierrot,
which all derive from PN's. Cp. also E. martin,
a kind of swallow.
jazeraot, n., armor made of small overlapping
metal plates.- ME. jesseraunt, fr. OF.jaseran,
jaserenc, jazerenc, fr. Sp. jacerina, fr. Arab.
Jazd'ir, 'Algerian', fr. ai-Jazd'ir, 'Algiers', lit.
'(the) islands', pl. of jazlra", 'island'.

827
jazz, n., I) a kind of syncopated music; 2) dance
to this music. - An Amer. Negro word of W.
African origin. Derivatives: jazz, tr. and intr.
v., jazz-er, n., jazz-y, adj.
jealous, adj. - ME. jalous, gelus, fr. OF. gelos
(F. jaloux), fr. ML. zelosus, fr. Late L. zelus,
'zeal'. See zeal and -ous and cp. zealous, which
is a doublet of jealous.
Derivatives: jealous-ly, adv., jealous-ness, n.
jealousy, n.- OF. gelosie (F. jalousie), fr. gelos,
'jealous'. See prec. word and -y (representing
OF. and F. -ie).
Jean, masc. PN. - The French equivalent of
John. Cp. jenneting.
Jean, fern. PN.- Equivalent of Jane.
jean, n., a strong cotton fabric. - OF. (= F.)
Genes, Genoa, city in Italy. Cp. Jane, 'a Genoese
coin'.
jeans, n. pl., trousers. - Fr. jean.
jecoral, adj., pertaining to the liver (anat.) Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. jecur, gen. jecoris, 'liver', which is cogn. with 01. yakrt, Gk.
~TCocp, 'liver'. See hepatic.
jeep, n., a small rugged automobile. - Prob.
contraction of gee pee, i.e. GP, the initials of
General Purpose (Car).
jeer, intr. and tr. v., to mock. - Of uncertain
origin. Derivative: jeer, n., derision.
jeers, n. pl., a combination of tackles for hoisting
and lowering the lower yards (naut.) -Of unknown origin.
Jeffersonia, n., a genus of plants, the twinleaf
(bot.)- ModL., named after Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), third president of the United
States of America. For the ending see suff. -ia.
jeffersonite, n., a variety of pyroxene (mineral.)
- Named after Thomas Jefferson. See prec.
word and subst. suff. -ite.
jehad, n.- See jihad.
Jehovah, n., an erroneous transliteration of the
Tetragrammaton, first used in 1518 by Peter
Gallatin, confessor of Pope Leo X; formed
through the addition of the vowel points of
Adoncfy, 'my Lord', to the consonants forming
the Tetragrammaton.
jehu, n., a fast, skillful driver. - Fr. Jehu, king
of Israel, with reference to II Kings 9: 20. "The
driving is like the driving of Jehu, the son of
Nimshi; for he driveth furiously".
jejune, adj., 1) barren; 2) dull, dry. - L. jejiinus,
'fasting, hungry; barren, unproductive', of
obscure origin. Cp. next word. Cp. also dejeuner, dine.
Derivative: jejune-ly, adv., jejune-ness, n.
jejunum, n., the second part of the small intestine
(anat.) - Medical L., fr. L. jejiinus, 'fasting'
(see prec. word), translation of Gk. v'ijcr't't~, a
name given to the second part of the small intestine by the Greek physician Claudius Galen
(cca, 13o-cca 200), because he thought it was
always found empty after death.
ieDY. n. - Fr. earlier gelly, fr. F. gelie, 'frost,

jeremiad

jelly', fr. L. gelata, fern. pp. of gelare, 'to freeze,

stiffen', used as a noun, fr. gelii, 'frost'. See gelid
and cp. gelatin, galantine.
Derivatives: jelly, tr. v., jelli-ed, adj.
jemadar, n., a native officer in the Indian army,
corresponding to the lieutenant in the English
army. - Hind. jama'diir, lit. 'the holder of a
body of men', fr. Pers. jamti'at, 'a body of
men', and -dar, 'holder, possessor'. The first
element is borrowed fr. Arab. jamd'ah, 'a body
of men, troop', fr.jdma'a, 'he gathered together'
whence also jum'ah, 'union; week', yaum aljum'ati, 'Friday', lit. 'the day of gathering'; cp.
jumma. For the second element see aumildar
and cp. words there referred to.
Jemima, 1) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, one of Job's
daughters. - Heb. Ytmftmih, lit. 'dove'; rei. to
Arab. yamdma", 'dove'.
jemmy, n., burglar's short crowbar. - Formed
fr. Jimmy, Jemmy, popular variants of James.
jennet, n., a small Spanish horse.- F. genet, fr.
Sp. jinete, 'a light horseman', fr. Arab. Zancftah
(in vulgar pronunciation Zentita), name of a
Berber tribe famous for its horsemen.
jenneting, n., a kind of early apple. - Formed
with subst. suff. -ing fr. F. Jeannet, dimin. of
Jean (see Jean, masc. PN.); so called because
supposed to be ripe about St. John's Day,
June 24.
jenny, n., a locomotive crane. - Dimin. form
of the name Jane.
jeopard, tr. v., to put in jeopardy. - Back formation fr. jeopardy.
Derivatives: jeopard-er, n., jeopard-ous, adj.,
jeopard-ous-ly, adv., jeopard-ous-ness, n.
jeopardy, n., hazard, danger. - ME. jeparti, juparti, fr. OF. jeu parti, 'split game, even game
or chance', fr. jeu, 'game' (fr. L. jocus, 'jest'),
and parti, pp. of partir, 'to divide' (fr. L. par tire,
of s.m., fr. pars, gen. partis, 'part'). See joke
and part, v. and n.
Derivatives: jeopard (q.v.), jeopard-ize, tr. v.,
jeopardy, tr. v.
Jephthah, n., a judge of Israel (Bible). - Gk.
'lecp&cie, fr. Heb. Yiphtd/:1, lit. 'God opens', imperf. of pathdl,r, 'he opened', whence petha/:1,
'opening, entrance, doorway', miphtd/:1, 'opening', maphtia/:1, 'key' (lit. 'opening instrument'),
rei. to Aram.-Syr. p~tha/:1, Arab. fdta/:la, Ethiop.
fatd/:la, 'he opened', Akkad. pitii, patii, 'to
open'.
jequirity, n., 1) the Indian licorice plant; 2) its
seeds (Abrus abrus), used in medicine. - F. jequirity, fr. Port. jequiriti, which is of uncertain.
possibly Indian, origin.
jerboa, n., a mouselike jumping rodent. ModL., fr. Arab. yarba'.
jereed, jerid, n., javelin used in Mohammedan
countries. - Arab. jarfd, which orig. meant 'a
Jeaftes!) palmbranch'.
jeremiad, n., lamentation, tale of woe. - F. jeremiade, fr. Jeremie, fr. Late L. Jeremias (see Jere-

S29

Jeremiah
miah and -ad); so called in allusion to the
Lamentations of Jer.emiah.
Jeremiah, I) masc. PN.; 2) the great Hebrew
prophet whose activity extended from 626 to
586 B.C.E.; the Book of Jeremiah. -Late L.
Jeremias, fr. Heb. Yirm 6yii", shortened fr.
Yirm 6ydhii, which is prob. compounded of
riimd", 'he cast, threw', and a shortened form
of the Tetragrammaton, and accordingly
means 'the Lord casts' or 'the Lord founds'.
For riimd" = 'he founded', see S. Kraus, Palestine Exploration Quarterly, I945, p. 23. Several
scholars explain Yirm'yd" in the sense of yarimyah, 'the Lord exalts', or of yariim-yah, 'the
Lord is exalted'. For the second element in the
name Jeremiah see Elijah and cp. words there
referred to.
Jeremy, n., a form of the name Jeremiah. - F.
Jeremie, fr. Late L. Jeremias. See Jeremiah.
jerk, tr. and intr. v., to move suddenly; n., a
Prob. of imitative
sudden movement. origin.
Derivatives: jerk-y, adj., jerk-i-ly, adv., jerki-nes.~, n.
jerk, tr. v., to dr;-' meat. -Anglicized fr. S. Am.
Sp. charquear, 'to dry meat', fr. Peruv. charqui.
See charqui.
jerkin, n., a jacket. - Of uncertain origin.
Jeroboam, name of two kings in Israel (Bible)Heb. Yarobh'dm, lit. meaning 'let the people increase', fr. yiirdhh, 3rd person sing. imperf. of
base r-b-b, 'to become many, to increase', and
'am, 'people'. For the first element see rabbi,
for the second see Ambaarez. See Martin Noth,
Die israelitischen Personennamen im Rahmen
der gemeinsemitischen Namengebung, 206, and
G. Buchanan Gray, Studies in Hebrew Proper
Names, 59.
jeroboam, n., a large wine bottle (slang).- From
prec. word, in allusion to I Kings, rr: 28 "a
mighty man in Israel", and I4: I6 "who made
Israel to sin".
Jerome, masc. PN. - F. Jerome, fr. L. Hieronymus, fr. Gk. 'Ie:p6Jvu!Lo~. lit. 'holy name',
compounded of !E:p6~. 'holy', and llvufL~X, dialectal form of ilvofL~X, 'name'. For the first element see hiero-, for the second see name and
cp. onomato-.
Jerry, masc. PN. - A popular form of Jeremy.
jerry, n., I) a machine for shearing cloth; 2)
chamber pot. - Fr. prec. word.
jerry-built, adj., built poorly; fiiiP~y. - The first
element of this word is prob. a blend of the
adjective jury, "temporary' (cp. jury-mast, juryrigged), and of the name Jerry.
Derivative: jerry-build-er, n.
jersey, n., a kind of knitted or woven garment. Named from one of the Channel Islands. Cp.
jasey.
Jerusalem, n.- Gk. 'Ie:pouaaU.ij!J., fr. Heb. Y'rushii/Qyim, lit. 'foundation of peace', fr. base of
yardh, 'he threw, cast', and shiil6m, 'peace'.

828
Heb. yard" in the above sense is rei. to Ethiop.
wardwa, 'he threw', ModArab. wiirra, of s.m.
For sense development cp. Akkad. nadu ushshe,
Gk. ~oc/J.e:cr.&~X~ &a-ru, L. fundamenta jacere, 'to
lay the foundations'. Cp. ShiiMm, the ancient
Heb. name of Jerusalem. Cp. also Aram. Yrush'ilm, Akkad. Ursalimmu .(in the Tell ElAmarna Tablets: Urusalim), Arab. Urfshalam,
Gk. 'Ie:poa6/..ufL~X, 'Jerusalem' (see Hierosolyma).
For the second element in Heb. Prushiildyim
see shalom.
Jerusalem artichoke. - Folk etymological alteration of It. girasole, 'sun flower'. See girasol.
Jeshurun, n., poetic name of Israel. - Heb.
Y'shuriln, prop. 'the righteous people', denominated fr. yashilr = yiishdr, 'straight, right,
upright', which derives fr. yiishdr, 'was smooth,
straight, right', whence also yOsher, 'straightness, uprightness', meshdr, 'evenness, uprightness, equity', mishdr, 'uprightness, level place,
plains'; rei. to Aram. meshrd, 'level place',
Arab. ydsara, 'was gentle, tractable, easy',
ydsar, 'tractable, easy', Akkad. esheru, 'to be
straight or right,' mesharu, 'justice'; cp. Sharon.
The defective writing of the first u in Pshurun
(with qubbiitz inst. of with shiireq) does not
affect its quantity, and is due to the tendency
to avoid the scriptio plena in two successive
syllables.
jess, n., a short strap fastened round the leg of
a hawk (falconry)- ME. ges, fr. OF. ges, gies,
pl. of get, giet (F. jet), 'a throwing', lit. 'that
which is thrown', fr. L. jactus, pp. of jacere, 'to
throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth'.
Derivative: jess, tr. v.
jessamine, n., jasmine. - MF. jassemin; a var.
of jasmine (q.v.)
Jesse, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, father of
David. - L., fr. Gk. 'Ie:cra~X(, fr. Heb. Yishdy,
which is of uncertain etymology.
Jessica, fern. PN. - Late L. Jesca (Gen. I I: 29),
fr. Gk. 'Ie:ax&: (Septuagint I.e.), fr. Heb. Yiskd".
name of a daughter of Haran.
jest, n. - Lit. 'a deed, exploit', fr. ME. geste,
jeste, fr. OF. geste, 'a deed, exploit', fr. L. gesta,
'deeds, acts', neut. pl. of gestus, pp. of gerere,
'to bear, carry, produce, perform, do', used as a
noun. See gerent and cp. gest, gestation, gesticulate, gesture, register.
Derivatives: jest, intr. v., jest-ee, n., jest-er, n.,
jest-ing, n. and adj., jest-ing-ly, adv.
Jesuit, n. - ModL. Jesuita, formed fr. Jesus
with suff. -ite.
Derivatives: Jesuit-ess, n., Jesuit-ic, adj., Jesuitic-al-ly, adv., Jesuit-ish, adj., Jesuit-ism, n.,
Jesuit-ist, n., Jesuit-ize, v., Jesuit-ry, n.
Jesus, n. - L. Jesus, fr. Gk. 'lrJaoli~, fr. Heb.
Yeshila', later form of Y 1hoshua'. See Josbua.
jet, n., a hard black mineral. - ME. jete, geet,
fr. OF. jayet (F. jalet, jais), fr ..L. gagatem, ace.
of gagiites, fr. Gk. yoty4nJc; (scil. /..r..&oc;), 'jet',
one of Gaga." (a town and river in Lvcia)'.

'I

The exact equivalent of L. gagiitem should have

been *jaie. The form jafet is due to change of
suffix.
Derivative: jet, adj., of the color of jet.
jet, intr. and tr. v., to spirt forth. -F. jeter, 'to
throw', fr. VL. jectiire, fr. L. jactiire, 'to throw,
toss, fling, hurl', freq. ofjacere, 'to throw, cast',
which is rei. to jacere, 'to lie', orig. 'to cast oneself down', and cogn. with Gk. l7J(.I.L, !ev~X~ (for
*yi-ye-mi, *yi-ye-nai), 'to send, throw', Hitt.
ijami, 'I make'. Cp. abject, adjective, adjacent,
amice, 'vestment', aphesis, aphetic, catheter, circumjacent, conjecture, deject, ejaculate, eject,
enema, ephetae, gist, inject, interject, interjection,
jactitation, jess, jetsam, jettison, jetty, joist, jut,
object, paresis, parget, project, reject, subjacent,
subject, superjacent, synesis, traghetto, trajectory.
Derivative: jet, n., stream, spirt.
Jethro, 1)masc.PN.; 2)in theBib/e,father ofZipporah, Moses' wife. - Heb. YithrO, collateral
form of Yether, lit. 'abundance', from base y-t-r,
'to be left over, remain', whence also yothlr,
'remainder, excess' (prop. partie. Qal), hothfr
(Hiph'i:l), 'he left over', yether, 'cord' (lit. 'that
which hangs over'), Aram.-Syr. yathrti, Arab.
wdtar, Ethiop. weter, 'bowstring', Heb. yithrdn,
'advantage, profit', Aram. yiithrand, 'gain'. Cp.
Martin Noth, Die israelitischen Personennamen
im Rahmen der gemeinsemitischen Namengebung, 193.
jetsam, n., goods thrown overboard to lighten a
ship. - AF. getteson, 'jetsam', corresponding
to OF. getaison, 'a throwing', fr. L. jactiitionem,
ace. of jactatio, of s.m., fr. jactiitus, pp. of jactiire, freq. of jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt
forth', and cp. next word. The ending of jetsam
was influenced by the Scand. suff. -sam. Cp.
flotsam.
jettison, n., the act of throwing goods overboard
to lighten a ship. - AF. getteson. See prec.
word.
jetton, n., a counter used in gambling.- F. jeton,
'mark, counter', fr.jeter, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to
spirt forth'.
jetty, n., I) projecting part of a building; 2) a
landing pier.- ME. jettey, fr. OF. getee, jetee,
prop. fern. pp. of geter, jeter (F. jeter), 'to
throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -y (representing OF. -e, -ee).
Derivative: jetty, tr. v.
jeu, n., play, game. -F., fr. L. joe us, 'jest, joke'.
See joke.
Jew, n. - ME. Gui, Jui, Jewe, fr. OF. giu, juiu
(F. juif), fr. L. Jiidaeus, fr. Gk. 'Iou3ar;~o~, fr.
Aram. Y'hudhaylii), fr. Heb. Y'hUdhl, 'Jew.
See Judaic and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: Jew-ess, n., Jew-ish, adj., Jewry
(q.v.)
jewel, n. - ME. jowel, juel, fr. OF. joiel, joel,
jouel,juel (F.joyau), fr. VL. *jociilis, 'that which
causes joy', fr. L. jocus, 'joy'. See joke and
cp. jeu.

jigger
Derivatives: jewel, tr. v., jeweler (q.v.), jewelry
(q.v.), jewel(l)-ing, n.
jeweler, jeweller, n. - ME. jueler, joweler, fr.
AF. jueler, corresponding to OF. juelier, fr. juel.
See prec. word and agential suff. -er and cp.
F. joaillier.
jewelry, jewellery, n. - ME. juelrie, jowelrie, fr.
OF. juelerie, fr. juelier. See prec. word and -ry,
resp. -ery, and cp. F. joaillerie.
Jewry, n. - OF. juierie (F. juiverie), fr. juiu,
'Jew'. See Jew and -ry.
jew's harp or jews' harp. - Cp. G. Judenharfe,
which is the exact equivalent of the English word.
Jew's harp is prob. a folk-etymological alteration
of the original name, which is unknown to us.
jezail, juzail, n., a big Afghan rifle. - Pers. jazail, prob. fr. Arab. jazd'il, broken plural of
jazll, 'big', used as a noun.
Jezebel, n., daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre,
and wife of Ahab, king of Israel (Bible); used
to denote a vicious woman. - Heb. lzebhel, a
name of uncertain origin and meaning.
jeziah, jezia, n., poll tax imposed by Mohammedan law on unbelievers.- Arab. jizya~>, fr.
Syr. g 1zithd, 'poll tax'. See Fraenkel, Die aramiiischen Fremdworter im Arabischen, p. 283,
and cp. Arthur Jeffery, Ph. D., The Foreign
Vocabulary of the Qur'an, pp.ror-102.
jhow, jow, n., a tamarisk used for rough basket
making (India). - Hind. jhiiii, fr. 01. jhiivu/.1,
jhiivuka/.1, 'Tamarix Indica', which is of uncertain origin.
jib, intr. v., to swing round (said of a sail, boom,
etc.)- Prob. a variant of jibe, 'to swing round".
jib, n., a triangular sail. - Prob. fr. prec. word
and orig. meaning 'that which swings from
side to side'.
jib, intr. v., to move restively sideways or backward. - Prob. from figurative use of jib, 'to
swing round'.
Derivative: jibb-er, n.
jib, n., projecting arm of a crane. - Prob. abbreviation of gibbet.
jibe, also gybe, intr. v., to swing round; tr. v., to
cause to swing round (said of a fore-and-aft
sail or its boom). - Obsol. Du. gijben, Du.
gijpen, rei. to Dan. gibbe, Swed. gippa. Cp. also
jib, 'to swing round'.
jibe, intr. v., to sneer. - See gibe.
jiffy, also jiff, n., a moment; an instant (colloq.)
- Of unknown origin.
jig, intr. and tr. v., to dance. - OF. giguer, 'to
move the shanks, hop, dance', fr. gigue, 'shank;
fiddle', fr. ODu.giga, 'stringed instrument, a kind
of violin', which is rd. to 0~. gfgju, late OHG.
giga, MHG. gige, G. Geige, 'violin', and to
ON. geiga, 'to move across'. Cp. gigolo, gigot,
gigue.
Derivatives:jig, n., lively dance, jigg-er, n.,jigger, tr. v.,jigg-ish, adj., jiggle (q.v.), jigg-y, adj.,
jigg-i-Mss, n.
jigger, n., a kind of mite. -A var. of chigger.

830

jiggered
jiggered, adj., a word used in oaths for the sake
of euphemism. - Of uncertain origin.
jiggle, intr. and tr. v. - Freq. of jig (q.v.) For the
ending see freq. suff. -le.
Derivative: jiggl-y, adj.
jihad, also jehad, n., religious war against unbelievers. - Arab. jihtid, 'contest, war', prop.
inf. of jtihada, 'he waged war', 3rd conjugation
of jahada, 'he applied himself to'.
Jill, fern. PN.- A variant of Gill.
jilt, n., a woman who casts off a lover after encouraging him.- Pro b. fr. obsol. Gillot, dimin.
of Gill (q.v.)
Derivatives: jilt, tr. v., jilt-ee, n., jitt-er, n.
Jim Crow, I) discrimination against Negroes
(colloq.); 2) a contemptuous name for a Negro
(slang). - From a Negro song with the refrain
'Wheel about and tum about and jump,
Jim Crow'.
jimmy, n., burglar's crowbar.- From a popular
form of the name James.
Derivative: jimmy, tr. v.
jimp, adj. (Scot. and dial. Engl.), I) slender;
2) scanty. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: jimp-ly, adv., jimp-ness, n.
Jimson weed, a poisonous weed (Datura stramonium). - For earlier jimson weed, Jimson
weed, refashioned from Jamestown weed, named
after Jamestown in Virginia.
jingal, also gingal, n., a musket of India, China,
etc. - Hind. janjiil.
jingle, intr. and tr. v.- ME. ginglen, of imitative
origin. Cp. jangle.
Derivatives: jingle, n., jingl-er, n., jingl-ing, n.,
jingl-ing, adj., jingl-ing-ly, adv., jingl-y, adj.
jingo, n., a chauvinist. - Pos:;ibly corruption of
Jainko, name of the supreme god of the Basques, from whom the word was brought into
England through the medium of the Basque
soldiers used by Edward I in his Welsh wars.
Derivatives: jingo, adj.,jingo-ish, adj.,jingo-ism,
n., jingo-ist, n., jingo-ist-ic, adj.
jinn, n. - Pl. of jinnee (q.v.)
jinnee, jinni, n., demon, spirit (Mohammedan
mythology). - Arab. jinnf (pl. jinn), 'spirit,
genie'; in English often confused with genie
(q.v.)
jinrikisha, jinricksha, n., a two-wheeled vehicle
drawn by a man, used in Japan and China. Jap., lit. 'manpower-vehicle', fr.jin, 'man', riki,
'power', and sha, 'vehicle'. The word is usually
shortened to ricksha(w).
jinx, n., hoodoo (slang). - See Jynx.
jirgah. n .. Afghan council of elders.- Pers.far}ra,
'a ring of men'.
jitney, n., a five-cent piece, a nickel. - Of uncertain origin.
jiu-jitsu. - See ju-jitsu.
jiva, n., life, the individual soul, vital energy
(Hinduism). - 01. jivti/.z, 'living, alive'; cogn.
with L. vivus, OE. cwicu, 'alive', Gk. (3(o~. 'life'.
See quid and cp. words there referred to.

joana, n., knowledge (Hinduism). - 01. jfiiina/.1,

'knowledge', from the stem of jiindti, 'he knows',
which is rei. to Avestic ziiniiiti, of s.m. and cogn.
with Gk. y~"(VWcrxE~v, OL. gnoscere, L. noscere,
OE. cniiwan, 'to know'. See can, aux. v., and cp.
words there referred to.
Joab, I) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, the chief captain of David's army. - Late L. Joab, fr. Gk.
'lw&~. fr. Heb. Yo'tibh, lit. 'the Lord is (his)
father'. For the first element cp. the PN's Joel,
John, Jonathan, Joshua, for the second see
Aboth and cp. words there referred to.
Joanna, fern. PN. - ML. Johanna, Joanna, fern.
form of ML. Johannes, Joannes. See John and
cp. Jean, fern. PN., Johanna.
job, n., piece of work. - Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: job, intr. v., to do odd jobs, etc;
tr. v., to hire or to let out for hire (a horse or
carriage), jobb-er, n., jobb-ery, n., jobb-ing, adj.
job, tr. v., to stab, to prod. - ME. jobben, apparently of imitative origin. Cp. jab.
Job, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) a man who
endured much suffering with faith and patience;
b) the Book of Job.- Late L. Job, Jobus, fr. Gk.
'Iw~, fr. Heb. lyyobh, which-according to
several scholars-lit. means 'treated as an
enemy, hated, persecuted', fr. iiyyabh, 'he was
hostile to', rei. to ebhii", 'enmity'. For the passive sense of the form of the word cp. yi/lodh,
'born'. Cp. Niobe. Others explain the name
lyyobh as rei. to Arab. dba, 'he returned', iydb,
'return', awwdb, 'repentant'; accordingly lyyobh
would mean 'the penitent one'. See J.Hastings,
A Dictionary of the Bible, II 66o-66r. Cp. the
first element in jobbernowl.
jobbernowl, n., a foolish person. -A compound
of F. jobard, 'fool', and ME. not, 'head'. F.
jobard is a derivative of OF. jobe, 'patient fool',
fr. Job, the great sufferer of the Bible whose
afflictions were increased by the reproachful
'consolations' of his friends. See Job. For the
second element see noll.
Jocasta, n., the wife of Laius and mother of Oedipus (Greek mythol.)- L., fr. Gk. 'lox&crnJ.
Jocelin, masc. PN.- A name with many variants
(cp. Joslin, Jose/in, Gosling, etc.), fr. OHG.
Gautelen, Gauze/en, fr. Gauta, lit. 'Goth'; see
Goth. The name was introduced into England
by the Normans. See The Oxford Dictionary
of English Christian Names, 2nd ed., pp. 16<}I70.

Joceline, fern. PN.- From prec. word.

Jocelyn, masc. and fern. PN. - See Jocelin.
jockey, n.- Dimin. of Scot. Jock, equivalent to
E. Jack (q.v.)
Derivatives:jockey, tr. and intr. v.,jockey-dom,
jockey-ship, n.
jocko, n., I) a chimpanzee; 2) any monkey.F., coined by the French naturalist, Count
Georges-Louis Leclerc Buffon (1707-88) from
native West African ncheko.
jocose, adj., merry; humorous. - L. jocosus, 'jo-

831

JOint

johannite, n., a hydrous uranium copper sulfate

case, humorous, facetious', fr.jocus, 'jest, joke'.
(mineral.) - G. Johannit, named after ArchSee joke and adj. suff. -ose.
duke Johann of Austria (1782-I859). The en(; <lg
Derivatives: jocose-ly, adv., jocose-ness, n.,
-it goes back to Gk. h"t)~; see subst. suff. -ite.
jocos-ity, n.
John, masc. PN. - ML. Johannes, fr. Late L.
jocuiar, adj., joking; humorous. - L. joculiiris,
Joannes, fr. Gk. 'Iw&w"t)~. fr. Heb. Yo/.liin4n, lit.
'jocular, facetious', fr. joculus, 'a little jest',
'the Lord is gracious'. For the first element see
dimin. of jocus, 'jest, joke'. See joke, -ule
Joab and cp. words there referred to. The second
and -ar.
element derives fr. /.liindn, 'he was gracious'. See
Derivatives: jocular-ity, n., jocular-ly, adv.,
Hannah and cp. Ivan, Jane, Jean, masc. and
jocular-ness, n.
fern. PN., jenneting, Jenny, Joan, Joanna,
jocund, adj., cheerful. - ME. jocunde, joconde,
Johnny.
fr. OF. jocond, fr. L.jOcundus, collateral form of
John Bull, the English nation personified.- Fr.
jiicundus, 'pleasant, agreeable, delightful', orig.
John Bull, a character representing the English
'useful', contraction of *juvicondos, fr. juviire,
nation in Arbuthnot's satire The History of
'to help, aid, assist'. See aid and cp. words there
John Bull (I712).
referred to. For the suff. cp. fecund. L. jocundus
Johnny, masc. PN. - Formed fr. John with
(fr. jiicundus) shows the influence of L. jocus,
dimin. suff. -y.
'jest, joke'.
Johnsonese, n., a pompous, inflated style. Derivatives: jocundity (q.v.), jocund-ly, adv.,
Prop. the style of Dr. Samue!Johnson ( I709-84).
jocund-ness, n.
For the ending see suff. -ese.
jocnndity, n. - L. jocunditiis, a collateral form
of jucunditiis, 'pleasantness', fr. jucundus. See Johnsonian, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
Dr. Samuel Johnson or his style. - See prec.
prec. word and -ity.
word and -ian.
jodhpurs, n. pl., riding breeches. -- Shortened fr.
Derivative: Johnsonian-ism, n.
Jodhpur breeches, fr. Jodhpur, name of a state
jobnstrupite, n., a complex silicate of cerium
in Rajputana (India).
and other metals (mineral.) - G. Johnstrupit,
Joe, masc. PN. -- Dimin. of Joseph.
named after Professor Frederik Johnstrup of
Joel, I) masc. PN.; 2) a) the second in the order
Copenhagen (died in 1894). The ending -it goes
of the Twelve Prophets; b) the Book of Joel
back to Gk. -tTIJ~; see subst. suff. -ite.
Heb.
fr.
'Jw~:1.,
Gk.
fr.
Joel,
L.
Late
(Bible).
join, tr. and intr. v. - ME. joinen, fr. OF.
Y 6' el, lit. 'the Lord is God'. See Elijah, in which
( = F.) join-, joign-, stem of joindre, 'to
the same two elements are contained, but in an
join', fr. L. jungere, 'to join, unite', which is
inverted order.
cogn. with 01. yundkti, 'he harnesses', yuktdb,
Joe Miller, I) a jestbook; 2) a stale joke. 'harnessed', Gk. ~euyvuv:x~, 'to yoke, harFrom Joseph Miller, name of a comedian (I684ness', Avestic yaoj-, yuj-, 'I harness', yuxta-,
I738), whose name was connected with a jest'harnessed', Lith. jimgiu, jimgti, 'to yoke'. All
book published in I739
these words are dervatives of I.-E. base *yeug-,
Joey, n., masc. PN. - Dimin. of Joe.
'to join, unite', enlargement of base *yeu-, of
joey, n., a young kangaroo. - Fr. native Auss.m., whence 01. ytiuti, yuvciti, 'he harnesses'.
tralian joe.
See yoke and cp. adjoin, adjunct, conjoin, conjog, tr. v., to push or shake slightly; to nudge;
joint, conjugal, conjugate, conjugation, conjunct,
intr. v., to move slowly. -Of imitative origin.
disjoin, disjoint, disjunct, injunction, jostle, joust,
Cp. shock, 'to collide'.
Jugatinus, juguiar, jugulate, junction, juncture,
Derivative: jog, n.
junta, junto, juxta-, rejoin, rejoinder, subjoin,
Formed fr. jog with freq.
joggle, tr. and intr. v.
subjugate, subjunctive, and the second element
suff. -le.
in quadriga. For a special ,se of base *yeu- in
jogee, n. -- A var. of yogi.
the sense 'to mix', see juice and cp. jube.
Johanna, fern. PN.- See Joanna.
Derivatives: join-ing, verbal n., and adj., joinJohannean, adj., Johannine. - Formed fr. Joing-ly, adv.
hannes with suff. -an. Cp. Johannine.
joinder, n., the act of joining (law). - F. joindre,
Johannes, masc. PN. - ML., fr. Gk. 'lw:iw'l~
'to join' (fr. L. jungere), used as a noun; see
See John and cp. next word.
join. For the subst. use of infinitives in law
johannes, n., a Portuguese gold coin. - ModL.,
terms see attainder. Cp. rejoinder.
named after King John V of i'ortugal. See
ME. joynour, fr. OF. joi;;neor, fr.
]Om~r, n.
Johannr;, anJ qJ. half joe.
joigner (F. joindre), 'to join'. See join and agenJohannine, adj., pertaining to John, esp. the
tial suff. -er.
apostle John. ~ Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr.
Derivative: joiner-y, n.
ML. Johannes. See Johannes, John.
joint, n. - OF. ( = F.) joint, 'a joint', fr. joint,
Johannisbergcr, n., a delicate white Rhine wine.
pp. of joindre. See joint, adj.
- G., prop. '(wine) of Johannisberg' in the
Derivatives: joint, tr. v., joint-ed, adj., joint-edRheingau in Germany. For the ending see
/y, adv., joint-ed-ness, n., joint-less, adj.
suff. -er.

joint

832

fr. y6min, 'dove, pigeon' (cp. Aram. yond, Syr.

joint, adj.- OF.(= F.), 'joined', fr. L.junctu s,
of s.m.); lit. 'the moaning one', rel. to
yaund,
prec.
cp.
P" of jungere, 'to join'. See join and
'he groaned , moaned, mourned '.
and",
Heb.
word.
I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, son of
n.,
,
Jonathan
Derivative: joint-ly, adv.
of David. - Heb. Yoniithtin,
friend
and
Saul
jointress, n., a woman who has a jointure. d fr. Yth6niithtin, lit. 'the Lord has
shortene
'one
jointer,
obsol.
fr.
-ess
suff.
with
Formed
given'. For the first element see Joab. For the
who holds a jointure '. See joint and -ess.
y of Heb. niithdn, 'he has given' see
etymolog
jointure, n., an estate settled on a wife at her
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
and
Nathan
juncjoining,
'a
,
junctura
L.
marriage. -F., fr.
.
Jonathan
Brother
See
ture', fr. functus, pp. of jungere, 'to join'.
wandering minstre l.- F. jongleur,
a
n.,
jongleur,
join and -ture.
'jongleu r; juggler', fr. OF. jogleor, fr. L. jocuDerivative: jointure, tr. v.
'jester, joker'. See juggler. The nasalizaliitor,
joist, n., any of the small timbers supporti ng the
F. jongleur (fr. OF. jogleor) is pro b. due
of
tion
OF.
fr.
gyste,
giste,
ME.
boards of a floor.of the OF. verb }angler, 'to
influence
the
to
giste (F. gite), 'stratum , bed (of mineral)', fr.
jangle).
(see
chatter'
L.
of
pp.
fern.
prop.
place',
'lying
VL. jacita,
jonquil, n., I) a variety of narcissus; 2) its bulb.jacere, 'to lie', orig. 'to cast oneself down', rel.
F. jonquille, fr. Sp. junquilla, dimin. of junco,
to jaci!re, 'to throw, cast'. See jet, 'to spirt
'rush', fr. L. }uncus, 'rush'. See Juncus.
forth', and cp. gist.
n., a rude suspension bridge in the Himajoola,
Derivati ve: joist, tr. v., to provide with joists.
(India). -Hind . jhulii, 'a swing'.
laya
base
I.-E.
fr.
joke',
'jest,
focus,
L.
n.
joke,
Jordan almond, n. - Transfor mation of ME.
*yek-, 'to speak', whence also Umbr. iuka, iuku,
jardyne almaunde, lit. 'garden almond' , fr. OF.
'request, prayer', MW. ieith, Bret. iez, 'lan'garden', and almande, 'almond '; see
Jardin,
desay,
'to
jehan,
OHG.
guage', OS. gehan,
e and almond. The change of ME. jarjardinier
clare; to confess', Du. biechten, OHG. bi-jehan,
Jordan is due to folk etymology.
to
dyne
verbal
the
and
confess',
'to
be-jehen,
MHG.
jordanite, n., a lead arsenic sulfide (mineral.) nouns OS. bi-gihto, Du. biecht, OHG., MHG.
G. Jordanit, named after Dr. Jordan of Saarbi-jiht, bi-giht, MHG. biht, G. Beichte, 'confesbriicken, German y. The ending -it goes back to
juggle,
jocular,
jewel,
jeu,
,
sion'. Cp. jeopardy
Gk. - kf)~; see subst. suff. -ite.
ju-ju.
n., a large drinking vessel or its contents
jorum,
n.,jok,
v.,jok-er
tr.
and
intr.
,
ves:joke
Derivati
- Lit. 'the vessel of Joram', fr. Heb.
(colloq.)
ing-ly, adv., jok-y, adj.
called in allusion to II Sam. 8:10,
so
YorJm;
jokull, jokull, n., mountai n covered with snow;
"And Joram brought with him
read:
we
where
icicle.
See
'icicle'.
l/,
snow mounta in.- Icel.joku
vessels of gold and vessels
ands
silver
of
vessels
jollification, n. -- See next word and -ation.
brass".
of
become
to
v.,
intr.
jolly;
make
to
v.,
jollify, tr.
joseite, n., a telluride of bismuth , containi ng
jolly (colloq .)- Compou nded of jolly and -fy.
some sulfur and selenium (mineral.) - Named
jollity, n., the quality or state of being jolly.after Sao Jose do Paraiso in Brazil. For the
fr.
jo/iete,
jolivete,
OF.
fr.
ME. jolivete, jo/ite,
see subst. suff. -ite.
ending
jolif, joli, 'merry, gay'. See next word and -ty.
1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the elder
Joseph,
joli,
jolif,
OF.
fr.
joli,
jolif,
ME.
jolly, adj.
son of Jacob by Rachel. - Late L. Joseph,
'merry, gay' (whence F. joli, 'pretty, fine, nice'),
Josephus, fr. Gk. 'Ic.:.crlj<p, fr. Heb. Yoseph (also
lit. 'festive', fr. ON. j6/, 'Christm as, yule'. See
Y'hiisiph, Ps. 81: 6), lit. 'adds, increases', Hiph'il
adjective
OF.
the
of
n
yule. For the formatio
= causative form) of yiisdph, 'he added', which
(
jo/if (fr. ON. }61) cp. OF. aisif, 'easy', fr. aise,
rel. to Aram. osiph, Syr. ausiph, 'he added,
is
'ease'.
d'. Cp. next word.
increase
adv.
i-ly,
Derivatives :jo/Iy, n., tr. v. and adv.,jo//
n., a woman's riding coat. - Prob. so
joseph,
jo//e
Dan.
fr.
b.
Pro
boat.
of
kind
a
boat,
jolly
called fr. Joseph's 'coat of many colors'. See
or Du. jol (see yawl); influenced in form by the
Gen. 37:3.
adj. jolly. The word boat, which is tautological,
fern. PN.- ModL., fr. L. Josephus. See
Josepha,
word.
foreign
the
was added to explain
cp. next word.
and
Joseph
on
jolt, tr. and intr. v., to jerk. - Prob. corrupti
e, fern. PN.- F. Josephine, fr. Joseph.
Josephin
jolt'.
'to
of jot,
See Joseph and -ine (representing L. -ina).
Derivatives: joll, n., jolt-er, n., }ult-;r, adj., joltite, n., a natural alloy of iron and nickel
josephin
i-ness, n.
l.)- Named after Josephine County in
(minera
and
jolt
of
nded
Compou
jolterhead, jolthead.
Oregon.
head; lit. 'one whose head has been jolted'.
Joshua, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, Moses'
jompon, n. - A var. of jampan.
successor and the leader of the Israelites into the
in
fifth
the
Bible,
Jonah, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the
Land of Canaan. - Heb. Y 1h6shOa', lit. 'the
3)
the order of the Twelve Prophet s; whence
Lord is salvation '. For the first element see Joab,
often used in the sense 'bringer of bad luck'. the second see ho!anna.
for
Yond",
Heb.
fr.
'Ic.:.v~.
Gk.
Late L. Jt'Jnils, fr.

jubilate

833

joss, n., an idol (Pidgin English). - Port. deos,

'a god', fr. L. deus. See deity.
josser, n., a felJow (slang) .- or uncertai n origin.
jostle, tr. and intr. v., to push roughl y.- Formed
fr. joust with freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: jostle, n., jostle-ment, n., jostl-er, n.
jot, n., the letter iota; a point. - L. i6ta, fr. Gk.
!wToc, the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet ,
fr. Heb. y6dh, name of the 10th letter of the
Hebrew alphabet . See yodh and cp. iota.
Derivatives: jot, tr. v., jott-er, n., jott-ing, n.,
jott-y, adj.
jot, tr. and intr. v., to jolt (now dial.)- Of imitative origin. Cp. jolt.
Jotham, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a)the
youngest son of Gideon; b) a king of Judah. Heb. Jothdm, lit. 'the Lord is perfect'. For the
first element of this name cp. Joab and words
there referred to. The second element derives
from the base of tiim, 'he was complet e', whence
also tom, 'completeness, integrity ', tiim, tiimim,
'complet e, sound', mtthom, 'soundne ss'. Cp.
Aram. t'mimd, Syr. tammimd, 'complet e, perfect', Arab. tdmma, 'he was complete'.
joule, n., unit of electrical energy (physics). Named after the English physicist James Prescott
Joule (1818-89).
jounce, tr. and intr. v., to jolt; n., a jolt.- Prob.
a blend of jump and bounce.
journal, adj., daily (archaic). - ME., fr. OF.
jornal, jurnal, journal (F. journal), 'daily', f-r.
L. diurniilis, 'diurnal' , fr. diurnus, 'daily'. See
diurnal, which is a doublet of journal and cp.
journey.
journal, n. --F., lit. 'a daily paper', fr. OF. }ornat, jurnal, journal, 'daily'. See journal, adj.
Derivati ves: journal-ese, n., journal-ism, n.,
journal-ist, n., journal-ist-ic, adj., journal-ize,
tr. and intr. v.
journey, n.- OF.jorn ee,jurne e,journe e (F. journee), 'day; day's work, day's journey' , fr. VL.
*diurniita, 'day, day's work', fr. L. diurnus,
'daily'. Cp. It. giornata, OProvenc;:. jornada and
see diurnal, adj. Cp. also journal, adj. and n.,
adjourn, sojourn. The ending -iita in diurniita is
prop. fern. pp. suff. See adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: journey, intr. v., journey-er, n.,
journey-ing, n.
joust, just, intr. v., to tilt.- ME. Justen, jousten,
fr. OF. joster,ju ster,jous ter (F.joute r), 'to joust,
tilt', fr. VL. *juxtiire, 'to approac h', fr. L.juxtii,
'near, close'. See juxta- and cp. juxtaposition.
joust, just, n., combat of two knights on horseback. - ME. juste. jouste, fr. OF. joste, juste,
jouste (F. joute), 'joust, tilt', fr. foster, juster,
}ouster. See joust, just, v.
Jove, n., Jupiter. - L. loris, fr. OL. Jovis, also
Diovis, used as the gen. (also nom.) of Jupiter.
See Jupiter and cp. next word. Cp. also the first
element in Juglans.
jovial, adj., cheery, merry. - F., fr. It. jovia/e,
lit. 'pertaini ng to Jupiter', whence arose the

meaning 'born under the planet Jupiter; joyful' (this planet having been regarded as the
source of joy), fr. L. Joviiilis, 'of Jupiter', fr.
Jovilff, of l!.m., fr. OL. Jovis, Diovis, 'Jupiter' .
See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: jovial-ity, jovial-ly, adv., jovial-

ness, n.

Jo'film, adj., 1) pertainin g to, or resembling,

Jupiter; 2) pertainin g to the planet Jupiter. See Jove and -ian.
jow, n. - A var. of jhow.
jowar, jowari, jowarree, n., millet, durra (India).
- Hind. jawiir, joiir, juiir, prob. fr. 01. yavaakiira-, 'of the nature of barley'.
jowl, n., jaw.- ME. chawl, chavel, cholle, fr. OE.
cea/1, 'jaw', rei. to MHG. kiver, kivel, G. Kiefer,
ON. kjaptr, 'jaw', and cogn. with Olr. gop, Jr.
gob, 'beak, mouth', Avestic zafart, 'mouth,
gullet'. Cp. chafer, 'beetle'.
joy, n.- ME.joye , fr. OF.joie ,joye (F.joie), fr.
L. gaudia, pl. of gaudium, 'joy' (but mistaken
for a fern. singular noun), which is rel. to gaudere, 'to rejoice'. See gaud and cp. enjoy. Cp.
also feu de joie, rejoice.
Derivati ves:joy, v. (q.v.),joy-ful, adj., joy-ful-ly,
adv., joy-ful-ness, n., joy-less, adj., joy-less-ly,
adv., joy-less-ness, n.
joy, intr. and tr. v., to rejoice. - OF. joir (F.
jouir), fr. VL. *gaudfre (whence also OProvenc;:.
jauzir), correspo nding to L. gaudere, 'to rejoice' (whence It. godere, of s.m.) See joy, n.
Joyce, fern. PN. -Earlie r Josse, Goce, etc., orig.
used both for men and women; of Celtic origin.
joyous, adj. - OF. joios, joious, joyous (F. joyeux), fr. joie, 'joy'. See joy and -ous.
Derivatives: joyous-ly, adv., joyous-ness, n.
jube, n., rood loft in a church. - F. jube, fr. L.
jube, 'bid thou', imper. of jubere, 'to bid, command', fr. OL. joubere, of s.m., orig. 'to set
in motion, stir', fr. I.-E. base *yeudh-, whence
also OI. yiidluiyati, 'involves in a fight', yudh-,
'fight', yudhnuil), 'warlike, warrior' , Avestic
yuilJyeinti, 'they fight', yaoshti-, 'activity, agility',
Arm. yuzem, 'I stir up', Gk. uafJ.tWJ (for *yudhs-mine), 'battle' (prop. 'turmoil '), Lith. judu,
judeti, 'to move trembling, to quarrel', L. juba,
'mane', lit. 'that which waves, flutters'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *yeu-dh-, 'to be
moved, to be shaken', which seems to be a
dental enlargem ent of base *yeu-, 'to mix, stir'.
The rood loft is called from the first word of a
Latin prayer, which was said from the gallery
above the rood screen.
jubilance, jubilancy, n. - Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
jubilant, adj.- L. jubi/iins, gen. -antis, pres. part.
of jiibiliire. See next word and -ant.
Derivative: jubilant-ly, adv.
jubilate, intr. v., to exult. - Fr. L. jubiliit-(um),
pp. stem of jubiliire, 'to shout for joy' (whence
prob.-th rough back formatio n-jiibilu m, 'wild
cry, shout of joy'), fr. I.-E. *yu-dhe-/os, lit. 'one

Jubilate

who makes yu', compounded of the imitative

base *yu-, 'to shout for joy, shout', and base
*dhe-, 'to place, make, do'. The first element
appears also in Gk. Lu-riJ, 'outcry', tuy[L6.;,
'shout of joy; cry of pain', tu~e:~v. 'to shout,
yell', Lith. yvas, 'owl', MHG. ju, juch, 'shout
of joy', juwen, juwezen, 'to jubilate', G. jauchzen, 'to shout for joy, exult'. Base *yu is rei. to
base *yo-, whence MHG.jodebi,j6len, 'to shout,
yodel'. See yodel, yowl and cp. jynx. For the
second element in jubilate see do and cp. fact,
theme. See also verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: jubilation (q.v.), jubilat-ory, adj.
Jubilate, n., name of the one hundredth psalm.L. jubilate, 'shout with joy', imper. pl. of jubilare, 'to shout with joy' (see prec. word); so
called from the introductory word of the Latin
rendering of the psalm.
jubilation, n. - L. jubilati6, gen. -onis, 'a shouting', fr. jubilatus, pp. of jubilare. See jubilate,
'to exult', and -ion.
jubilee, n. -F. jubite, fr. Late L. jubilaeus (sci!.
annus), '(year of) jubilee', fr. Gk. LW~7JArxLo.;,
'pertaining to a jubilee', fr. tw~71).o.;, 'jubilee',
fr. Heb. yobhtl, 'ram; ram's hom; rejoicing;
jubilee' (so called because the inauguration of
every fiftieth year was proclaimed through the
sound of the ram's horn on the Day of Atonement; see Lev. 25:9). Heb. yobhll is prop. the
partie. of stem y-b-1, 'to bear, conduct, lead',
hence lit. means 'leader, leading animal'. Cp.
Heb. hobhil, 'he lead, conducted', y'bhul, 'produce', yubhal, 'stream', Aram. obhil, Syr. aubMl,
'he lead, conducted'. L. jubilaeus (annus) was
influenced in form by a confusion of this word
with L. jubilare, 'to shout for joy'.
Judah, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible a) son of
Jacob by Leah; b) a tribe of Israel. - Heb.
Y'hUdhdh, prop. imperfect Hoph'al ( = passive
of the causative) of stem y-d-h (prop. y-d-y), lit.
'praised'; cp. the causative hodhti", 'he gave
thanks, praised, confessed', todhti", 'thanksgiving, thank-offering', Mishnaic He b. h6dha'tiJt,
'thanksgiving, confession', Aram. 6dhf, Syr.
audht, 'he gave thanks, praised, confessed',
Arab. istaitda, 'he confessed'. For the explanation of the name see Gen. 29: 35 and cp.
49: 8. Cp. next word and words there referred to.
Derivative: Judah-ite, n.
Judaic, adj., pertaining to the Jews; pertaining
to Judaism. - L. JUdaicus, fr. Gk. 'louilo((xo.;,
'Jewish', fr. 'louilcr.Lo.;, fr. Aram. Y'hUdhay(a),
'Jew', fr. Heb. Y'hUdhi, 'Jew', orig. meaning 'of
the tribe of Judah', fr. Y'hUdluih, 'Judah'. See
Judah and -ic and cp. Jew, Yiddish. Cp. also
Chueta.
Judaism, n. - Late L. jiidaiSmus, fr. Gk. loullocca[L6~, fr. 'Io;il:xLo~, 'Jew'. Cp. F. judaisme and
see prec. word and -ism.
Judaist, n. - See prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: Judaist-ic, adj.
judaize, tr. and intr. v. - Late L. jiidolziire, fr.

834

Gk. toulloct~e:w, fr. 'Ioullocro.;, 'Jew'. See Judaic

and -ize and cp. Judaism.
Derivatives: judaiz-ation, n., judaiz-er, n.
Judas, n.- L., fr. Gk. 'Iou8ii.;, fr. Heb. Y'hUdhdll.
See Judah.
Jude, masc. PN.- A variant of Judah.
judex, n., a judge. - L. See judge.
judge, n. - ME. juge, fr. OF. ( = F.) juge, fr. L.
jUdicem, ace. of judex, 'judge', which stands for
*jous-dik-s and orig. meant 'one who shows
right', fr. jus, 'right', and the stem of dicere, 'to
show, tell, say'. See jus and diction and cp. prejudice. Cp. also the second element in preach.
judge, tr. and intr. v.- ME.jugen, fr. OF.jUgier,
juger (F.juger), 'to judge', fr. L. judicare, ofs.m.,
fr. judex, gen. judicis. See judge, n., and cp.
adjudicate. Cp. also hoosegow.
judgmatic, judgmatical, adj., showing good judgment (colloq.) - A hybrid formed fr. judge, n.,
with the ending -rna tic (on analogy of dogmatic).
Derivative: judgmatic-al-ly, adv.
judgment, judgement, n.- ME.jugement, fr. OF.
( = F.) jugement, fr. juger, 'to judge'. See judge,
v., and -ment.
judicatory, adj., pertaining to judgment. - Late
L. judicatorius, 'pertaining to judgment', fr. L.
judicatus, pp. of judicare, 'to judge'. See judge,
v., and adj. suff. -ory.
judicatory, n., a court of justice. - Late L. judicatorium, prop. neut. of judicatorius, 'pertaining
to judgment', used as a noun. See prec. word.
judicature, n. - F., fr. ML. judicatura, fr. L.
judicatus, pp. of jUdicare, 'to judge'. See judge,
v., and -ore.
judicial, adj. - L. jUdicia/is, 'judicial', fr. jUdicium, 'judgment', fr. judex, gen. jUdicis, 'judge'.
See judge, n., and -ial.
Derivatives: judicial-ly, adv., judicial-ness, n.
judiciary, adj., pertaining to a court of justice. L. judiciarius, fr. jUdex, gen. judicis, 'judge'. See
judge, n., and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivative: judiciary, n., judges collectively.
judicious, adj., having sound judgment; wise.F. judicieux (fern. judicieuse), fr. L. jUdicium,
'judgment', See judge, n., and -ous.
Derivatives: judicious-ly, adv., judicious-ness, n.
Judith, fern. PN.- L., fr. Gk. 'Iou8l~, fr. Heb.
Y~hudfth, prop. fern. of Y 1hiidhf, 'Jewish; Jewess', fr. Y'hUdhtih, 'Judah'. See Judah.
judo, n., a modern form of jujitsu. - Jap. jiido,
fr. ju, 'soft', and do, 'road, way'.
jug, n., a vessel. -Fr. Jug, a pet form of Joan or
Judith; cp. joggins. For sense development cp.
jack, 'sleeveless coat'.
Derivatives: jug, tr. v., jug-ful, adj.
jug, n., note of a nightingale. - Of imitative
origin.
jugate, adj., having the leaflets in pairs (bot.) L. jugatus, 'connected', pp. of jugiire, 'to join,
connect', fr. jugum, 'yoke'. See yoke and cp.
next word and conjugate, subjugate.
Jugatinus, n., the god of marriage in Roman

835

mythology. - L. Jugiitinus, fr. jugatus, pp. of

jugiire, 'to join, connect'. See prec. word.
Juggernaut, also Jagannath, n., I) a title of Vishnu
or of Krishna (Hindu mythol.); 2) anything that
demands blind devotion or merciless sacrifice.
- Hind. Jaganniith, fr. OI. JaganndthaJ:z, 'lord
of the world', fr. jagat, 'world', and ndtha/;1,
'lord'. The first element lit. means 'mobile', and
is a participial formation from the base of OI.
jigiiti, 'goes'; see jagat. The second element is
rei. to niithtim, 'help', and derives fr. I.-E. base
na-, 'to help, be useful', whence also Gk.
OVLVIJ!J.t, 'I help, profit, benefit'. Cp. jaconet.
joggins, n., a simple person (slang).- Diminutive of Jug, which is a pet form of Joan. Cp.
jug, 'vessel', and muggins.
juggle, intr. and tr. v. - ME. jogelen, fr. OF.
jogler (F. jongler), fr. L. jocular!, 'to joke, jest',
fr. jocus, 'jest'. See joke and cp. jongleur.
Derivatives: juggle, n., juggler (q.v.), jugg/-ery,
n.,juggl-ing, n. and adj.,jugg/-ing-ly, adv.
juggler, n. - ME. jogelour, jog/ere, fr. OF. joglear (nom. jog/ere), fr. L. joculiitorem, ace. of
joculiitor, 'jester', fr.joculiiri. See prec. word and
agential suff. -er.
Juglandaceae, n., the walnut family (bot.) Formed from next word with suff. -aceae.
Juglans, n., a genus of trees, the walnut. - L.
juglans, 'walnut', contraction of Jovis glans,
which is a loan translation of Gk. 6Lo.; ~ci).ocvo<;,
'chestnut', lit. 'acorn of Jupiter'. See Jove and
gland.
Jugoslav, n. - A var. of Yugoslav.
Jugoslavia, n. - A var. of Yugoslavia.
jugular, adj., I) pertaining to the throat and neck
(anat.); 2) having the pelvic fins beneath the
throat under the pectoral (zoo/.); n., a jugular
vein.- ModL.juguliiris, fr. L.jugulum, 'collarbone, throat', which is rei. to L. jugum, 'yoke'.
See jugate and -ar.
jugulate, tr. v., to cut the throat of, strangle. L. juguliitus, pp. of jugulare, 'to cut the throat
of, kill, destroy', fr.jugulum. See prec. word and
verbal suff. -ate.
juice, n. - ME. juce, juse, fr. MF. ( = F.) jus,
fr. L. jiis, 'broth, soup', fr. I.-E. base *yus-,
whence also OJ. yii$-, 'broth', OSlav., Pol., etc.,
jucha, 'broth, soup', OPruss. iuse, 'broth, soup'.
Lith. jitle, 'fish soup', Gk. ~OfL1J 'leaven' (G.
Jauche, 'liquid manure', is a loan word fr. Pol.
jucha), ON. ostr, 'cheese'. Cp. verjuice. Cp. also
zyme. Base yiis- is an enlargement of base *yeu-,
'to mix', which represents properly a special use
of base *yeu-, 'to join, unite': see join and cp.
jube.
Derivatives: juice-less, adj., juic-y, adj., juic-i-ly,
adv., juic-i-ness, n.
ju-jitsu, ju-jutsu, n. - Jap. ju-jutsu, fr. ju, 'ten',
aQd juts, 'trick'. See Lokotsch, EW., No. 963.
ju-ju, n., charm, spell; ban.- Pro b. fr. F. joujou,
'toy', infantile reduplication of jouet, of s.m.,
fr.jouer, 'to play', fr. L.jociire, 'to jest'. Seejoke.

jumper

jujube, n., the fruit of the tree called zizyphus. F., fr. Late L. zizyphum, 'jujube', which together
with Late L. zizyphus, 'jujube tree', derives fr.
Gk. ~l~u<pov, 'jujube tree; jujube', which is of
unknown origin. Cp. Zizyphus.
julep, n., a sweet drink. -F., fr. OProveru;. julep
or fr. Sp. julepe, fr. VAr. juteb, corresponding
to classical Arab. jultib, fr. Pers. guliib, 'rose
water, julep', whichiscompoundedofg ul, 'rose',
and ab, 'water'. See rose and abdest.
Julia, fern. PN. - L. Juliii, fern. of Julius. See
Julius.
Julian, masc. PN.- L. Julianus, a derivative of
Julius. See Julius and -an.
Julian, adj., pertaining to Julius Caesar. - L.
Julianus, 'of, or belonging to, Julius Caesar'.
See prec. word and cp. the P~. Gill.
Juliana, fern. PN. - L. Juliana, fern. of Juliiinus,
lit. 'belonging to Julius'. See Julius and cp.
Julian.
julienite, n., a hydrous cobalt chloronitrate
(mineral.)- Named after the Belgian geologist
Henri Julien (died in I920). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
julienne, n., a kind of clear soup. - F., prop.
'soup made in the manner of Julien', an otherwise unknown cook. For the origin of the PN
see Julian.
Juliet, fern. PN.- It. Giulietta, dimin. of Giulia.
Cp. F. Juliette and see Julia and -et.
Julius, masc. PN. - L. Julius, name of a Roman
gens (Caius Julius Caesar was a member of this
gens). The name Julius is prob. a contraction
of *Jovilios, lit. 'poctaining to, or descending
from, Jupiter'. See Jove, Jupiter.
July, n. -ME. Jule, fr. OF. Jute (F. juillet), fr.
L. Julius (mensis), lit. 'month of Julius Caesar';
see Julius. It was orig. the fifth month of the
year and was therefore called Quintilis (fr. quintus, 'fifth'). It was renamed in honor of Julius
Caesar, who was born in this month.
jumble, tr. and intr. v., to mix up. - Prob. of
imitative origin.
Derivatives:jumble, n.,jumbl-er, n.,jumbl-y, adj.
jumble, n., a thin sweet cake. - Prob. fr. prec.
word.
jumbo, n., a large and clumsy animal or person.
- Fr. Jumbo, name of a very large elephant
exhibited by the American showman Phineas
Taylor Barnum (1810-91).
jumma, n., assessment (India). - Hind. prop.
'total assessment', fr. Arab. jam', 'assembly;
addition', fr. jama'a, 'he gathered together'. See
jemadar.
jump, intr. and tr. v. - Of uncertain, possibly
imitative, origin. Cp. jounce.
jump, n., a kind of jacket. - Corrupted-prob.
under tbe influence of jump, 'to leap'-fr. F.
juppe, variant of jupe, 'petticoat, skirt'. See jupon
and cp. jumper, 'blouse'.
jumper, n., one who, or that which, jumps. Formed fr. jump, v., with agential suff. -er.

jumper
jumper, n., a loose blouse or jacket. - Formed
fr. jump, 'a kind of jacket', with agential suff. -er.
Juncaceae, n. pl., the rush family(bot.)-ModL.,
formed fr. Juncus with suff. -aceae.
Junco, n., a genus of American finches (ornithol.)
- ModL., lit. 'rush bird', fr. Sp. junco, 'rush',
fr. L. juncus. See Juncos.
Juncoides, n., a genus of plants, the wood rushes
(bot.)- A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. juncus, 'a
rush', and Greek suff. -oe:~8~<;;, '-like', fr. e:I8oc;,
'form, shape'; see Juncos and -oid. The correct
form would be Thryoides (fr. Gk. ~puov, 'rush',
and -oe:~8~t;).
junction, n., a joining. - L. junctio, gen. -onis,
'a joining, uniting', fr. junctus, pp. of jungere,
'to join'. See join and -ion.
juncture, n., I) a, joining; 2) a critical point of
time.- L.junctura, 'a joining, uniting; a joint',
fr. junctus, pp. of jungere, 'to join'. See join
and -ure.
Juncos, n., a genus of plants, the rush (bot.) L. juncus, 'rush, bulrush', which stands for
*yoini-kos and is cogn. with Mir. iiin, 'reed',
and prob. also with ON. einir, Swed. en, 'juniper'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 727f. Cp.
jonquil, Junco, junk, 'bulrush', junk, 'old cable',
junket, and the first element in juniper.
June, n. - L. Junius (mensis), lit. 'the month
(named in honor of) Juno', fr. Juno. See Juno.
jungle, n.- Hind. jatiga/, 'desert, forest', fr. OI.
jatigalal), 'dry ground, waste land, desert', which
is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: jung/-ed, jungl-y, adjs.
junior, adj., younger. - L. junior (prob. contracted fr. juvenios), compar. of juvenis, 'young
man'. See juvenile and cp. Juno.
Derivatives: junior, n., junior-ate, n., juniority, n.
juniper, n., any shrub or tree of the genus Juniperus.- L. juniperus, 'juniper tree', a compound,
the first element of which is prob. rei. to juncus,
'rush'; see Juncus. The second element is of
uncertain origin.
Junius, masc. PN.- L. Junius, name of a Roman
gens.
junk, n., a bulrush (obsol.) - ME., fr. OF. jonc,
june (F. jonc), fr. L. juncus. See Juncus and cp.
words there referred to.
junk, n., I) old cable; 2) old cordage. - Port.
junco, 'rush, cordage', fr. L. juncus. See Juncus
and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: junk, tr. v., to make into junk.
junk, n., a Chinese three-masted vessel. - Port.
junco, fr. Javanese jon, of s.m.
junker, n.- G. See younker.
junket, n., curd sweetened and flavored. - It.
giuncata, 'cream cheese', fr. VL. *juncata, prop.
'something served in a rush basket', fr. L.juncus,
'rush'. See Juncus.
Derivatives: junket, intr. v.,junket-ing, verbal n.
Juno, n., wife of Jupiter and queen of the gods
in Greek mythology. - L. Juno, of uncertain

836

origin; possibly rei. to juvenis, 'young' (cp.

junior, 'younger', compar. of juvenis), and lit.
meaning 'the youthful one'. See juvenile and
cp. junior. Cp. also June.
junta, n., r) Spanish legislative council; 2) a junto.
- Sp., 'meeting, conference, assembly, council,
convention, union, fraternity', fr. L. juncta, fern.
pp. of jungere, 'to join'. See join and cp. next
word.
junto, n., a political faction, cabal. - Sp. junto,
corruption of prec. word due to the influence
of Spanish nouns in -o.
Jupiter, n., the supreme god of heaven in Roman
mythology. - L. Juppiter, Jupiter, for Ju-piter,
which is orig. a vocative and stands for *dYeu
ptter (corresponding to Gk. Ze:u rrche:p, voc. of
Ze:uc; rra.-rljp, 'Father Zeus'). Cp. the nominative
Diespiter, 'Jupiter', and 01. Dyauspitd, 'heavenly father', and see deity and father. Cp. also
Jove, Zeus.
jupon, n., skirt, petticoat. - F., fr. Arab. jubbah,
'a long woolen garment' (whence also It. giubba,
OProven9. jupa, Sp. aljuba). Cp. gyp, jump, 'a
kind of jacket', jumper, 'blouse'.
Jura, n., name of a mountain range between
France and Switzerland.- F., fr. L. Jura.
jural, adj., pertaining to law.- Formed with adj.
suff. -alfr. L.jiis, gen. juris, 'right, law'. See jus.
Derivative: jural-ly, adv.
juramentado, n., a Moro of Mohammedan faith
who has taken an oath to die while killing
Christians. - Sp., 'bound by an oath', pp. of
juramentar, 'to bind by an oath', fr. juramenta,
'an oath', fr. L. juramentum, of s.m., fr. jurare.
See jury and cp. jurat (in both senses).
Jurassic, adj., I) of granular limestone (as are
the Jura Mountains); whence 2) pertaining to
the middle period of the Mesozoic era (geol.)
- Prop. 'of the character of the Jura Mountains', formed fr. Jura on analogy of liassic
(from lias) and triassic (from trias).
jurat, n., one who has taken an oath. - F., fr.
ML. juriitus, lit. 'a sworn man', and prop. pp.
of L. jurare, 'to take an oath, swear'. See jury
and cp. juramentado.
jurat, n., memorandum on an affidavit (law). L. juriitum, neut. pp. of juriire. See prec. word.
jurel, n., any of several carangoid food fishes. Sp., fr. Gk. cra.Gpoc;, 'lizard'. Cp. OProven9.
saurel (whence F. saurel), which is of the same
origin. See sauro- and cp. saurel.
juridical, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
juridicus, 'judicial', which is compounded of jus,
gen. juris, 'right, law', and dicere, 'to say'. See
jus and diction and cp. jurisdiction.
jurisconsult, n., a jurist. - L. jurisconsultus, 'one
skilled in the law, lawyer', compounded of jus,
gen. juris, 'right, law', and consultus, 'skilled',
pp. of consulere, 'to take counsel, consult'. See
consult.
jurisdiction, n. - OF. juredicti'on, juridiction (F.
juridiction), fr. L. jurisdictionem, ace. of juris-

837
dicti6, 'administration of justice, jurisdiction',
which is compounded of jus, gen. juris, 'right,
law', and dictio, gen. -onis, 'a saying', fr. dictus,
pp. of dicere, 'to say'. See jus and diction. In OF.
and F., the omission of the s is due to the influence of the adjective jtlridicus, 'judicial' (see
juridical).
Derivatives: jurisdiction-al, adj., jurisdiction-ally, adv.
jurisprudence, n., the science of law. - L. jurisprudentia (also priidentia juris, 'science of law,
jurisprudence', compounded of jus, gen. juris,
'right, law', and prudentia, 'a foreseeing'. See
jus and prudence.
jurisprudent, adj. and n.- Obsol. F.jurisprudent,
back formation fr. F. jurisprudence. See prec.
word and prudent.
jurisprudential, adj., pertaining to jurisprudence.
-Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.jurisprudentia.
See jurisprudence.
Derivative: jurisprudential-ly, adv.
jurist, n. -F. juriste, fr. ML. jtlrista, 'jurist', fr.
L. JUS, gen. juris, 'right, law'. See jus and -ist.
Derivatives: jurist-ic, jurist-ic-a!, adjs., juristic-al-ly, adv.
juror, n., a member of a jury.- ME. juroure, fr.
AF. jurour, corresponding to OF. jureor (F.
jureur), 'one who swears', fr. L. juriit6rem, ace.
of juriitor, fr. juriitus, pp. of jiiriire, 'to take an
oath, swear'. See jus and agential stff. -or.
jury, n., a body of persons sworn to give a true
answer or verdict on a matter submitted to
them. -OF. juree, 'oath, legal inquiry', prop.
fern. pp. used as a noun, fr. OF. ( = F.) jurer,
'to take an oath, swear', fr. 1.. j1iriire, of s.m.,
fr. jus, gen. j1lris. 'right, law'. See jus and -y
(representing OF. -ee, F. -ee) and cp. jurat (in
both senses), juror, abjure, adjure, conjure,
perjure.
jury, adj., temporary (esp. in jury mast). Aphetic for ajury, fr. OF. ajurie, 'aid, help', fr.
L. adjutare, 'to help'. See aid.
jus, n., right, law.--- L. ji:ts (OL. jous), gen. juris,
'right,justice,law', pro b. cogn. with Ol.yob, 'safety'. Cp. judge, judgment, judicious, juramentado,
jurat (in both senses), juridical, jurisconsult,
jurisdiction, jurisprudence, juror, jury, n., just,
adjudge, adjudicate, injury.
Jussiaea, n., a genus of plants, the primrose willow (bot.) - ModL., named after Bernard de
Jussieu (I699-I777), the founder of the Natural
System of Botany.
jussive, adj., expressing command. - Formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. iuulH. pn. 0f iuhi're. 'to bid.
command'. See jube.
Derivative: jussil'e, n., a word or form expressing command.
just, adj. - ME. just, juste, fr. F. juste, fr. L.
jiistus, 'just, right, upright, fair, equitable', fr.
jiis, 'right, law'. See jus and cp. justice. Cp. also
Justin, Justina, Justus, adjust and the first element in juste-milieu.

juvenescence
Derivatives: just, adv., just-ly, adv., just-ness, n.
just, v. -See joust.
juste-milieu, n., the golden mean. - F., lit. 'the
just mean'. See just, adj., and milieu.
justice, n. - ME., fr. OF. justice, justise (F. justice), fr. L.justitia, 'justice, equity, uprightness',
fr. jiistus. See just and -ice.
justiciable, adj., subject to jurisdiction. - OF.
( = F.), fr. OF. justicier, 'to administer justice',
fr. ML. justitiiire, fr. L. justitia. See prec. word
and -able.
Derivatives: justiciable, n., a person subject to
jurisdiction, justici-abil-ity, n.
justiciar, n., the highest judicial officer of the
kings of England from the reign of William I
to that of Henry III. - ML. justitiiirius, 'officer
of justice', fr. L. justitia. See justice and subst.
suff. -ary (representing L. -iirius).
justiciary, adj., pertaining to justice; n., an officer
of justice. - ML. justitiiirius, 'officer of justice'.
See prec. word.
justifiable, adj.- F., fr. justifier, 'to justify'. See
justify and -able.
Derivatives: justifiabil-ity, n., justifiable-ness, n.,
justifiabl-y, adv.
justification, n. - Late L. justificiitio, fr. jiistificiitus, pp. of justificiire. See justify and -ation.
justificative, adj. - Formed with suff. -ive fr.
Late L. justificiitus, pp. of justificiire. See justify
and -ive.
justificatory, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. ML. justificiitus, pp. of justificiire. See next
word.
justify, tr. v.- F. justifier, fr. Late L. jiistificiire,
'to justify', which is compounded of L. justus,
'just', and -ficiire, fr. -ficere, unstressed form of
facere, 'to make, do'. See just, adj., and -fy.
Justin,masc. PN.- L. Jiistfnus, lit. 'just', a derivative of justus, 'just'. See just, adj., and -ine
(representing L. -fnus) and cp. next word.
Justina, Justine, fern. PN. - L. Justina, fern. of
Justlnus. See prec. word.
Justus, masc. PN. - Lit. 'just', fr. L. jiistus. See
just, adj., and cp. Justin, Justina.
jut, intr. v., to project. - Corruption of obsol.
jet, 'to project', which is derivatively identical
with jet, 'to spirt forth'. Cp. jetty.
Derivatives:jut, n.,jutt-ing, adj.,jutt-ing-ly, adv.
Jute, n., one of the ancient inhabitants of Jutland. - Fr. Jutae or Juti (as they are called by
Bede), 'Jutes', fr. ON. l6tar, 'Jute'.
Derivatives: Jut-ic, Jut-ish, adjs., Jut-land, n.,
Jut-land-er, n., Jut-land-ish, adj.
iute, n., a fiber of two East Indian plants, Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius. Bengali jo{o, ju(o, fr. 01. jufab, 'twisted hair',
which is rei. to jd!ii, 'braid of hair'; of uncertain,
probably non-Aryan, origin.
Jutuma, n., a water nymph (Roman mythol.) L., Juturna, a name of Etruscan origin.
juvenescence, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.

juvenescent
juvenescent, adj., becoming young or youthful.L. juvenescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of juvenescere, 'to grow up to youth', an inchoative verb
formed fr. juvenis. See next word and -escent
and cp. rejuvenesce.
juvenile, adj., young, youthful. - F. juvenile,
'youthful', fr. L. juvenilis, 'youthful', fr. juvenis,
'young man'. See young and -ile and cp. Juventas, rejuvenate. Cp. also junior, Juno, Evan.
Derivatives: juvenile-ly, adv., juvenile-ness, n.,
juvenil-ity, n.
Juventas, n. (Roman mythol.), the goddess of
youth, identified with Greek Hebe. - L. Juventiis, prop. personification of juventiis, 'youth',
fr. juvenis. See prec. word.
juxta-, pref. meaning 'near, close to'. - Fr. L.
juxtii, 'near, next, close to, by the side of', contracted fr. *jugistii, adv. super!. formed from
the adjective *jugos, 'closely connected', from
the stem of jugum, 'yoke', jungere, 'to join'. See

838
join and cp. next word. Cp. also jostle, joust,
adjust.
juxtapose, tr. v., to place side by side. - Formed
fr. juxta- and pose, 'to place'.
juxtaposition, n. - F., formed fr. juxta- and
position.
juzail, n. -A var. of jezail.
jynx, n., r) the wryneck; 2) a charm (from the use
of this bird in witchcraft). - ModL. jynx (pl.
jynges), fr. L. iynx, fr. Gk. tuy~ (gen. (uyyo~).
'the wryneck'. Some philologists derive (uy~ fr.
to~e:Lv, 'to shout, yell', so that (uy~ would lit.
mean 'the shouting bird' (see jubilate). According to others, tuy~ is a word of foreign origin,
but was assimilated in form to !o~eLv. See
Frisk, GEW., I 744 s.v. tuy~.
Jynx, n., a genus of birds, the wryneck (ornithol.)
- ModL., fr. L. iynx, 'the wryneck'. See prec.
word.

K
OS. kesur, OFris. keiser (Goth. kaisar is borKaaba, n., the cube-shaped building in the Great
rowed fr. Gk. Ka.i:aa.p, which itself is a loan
Mosque of Mecca containing the Black Stone
word fr. L. Caesar). See Caesar and cp. czar.
of Mecca. - Arab. kd'bal&, 'square house', fr.
kaka, n., any of certain New Zealand parrots. ka'b, 'cube'. Cp. cube.
Maori kaka, 'parrot', imitative of its cry.
kaama,n.,aharteb eest.-S.Africann ativename.
n., the owl parrot. - Maori. Cp. prec.
kakapo,
Tunisia;
or
Algeria
of
Berber
a
1)
n.,
Kabyle,
word.
2) the langauge spoken by the Kabyles.- F.,
kakemono, n., a Japanese hanging picture usually
fr. Arab. qabd'il, pl. of qabtlah, 'tribe', rei. to
mounted on a roller.- Jap.
qdbila, 'was in front of'. See cabal and cp.
kakistocracy, n., government by the worst men.
kiblah.
- Formed on analogy of aristocracy fr. Gk.
kaddish, n., doxology of the Jewish ritual.- Fr.
x&x~a't'o<;, 'worst' super!. of xa.xo<;, 'bad', and
Aram. qaddfsh, 'holy', from the stem of qtdhash,
-xpa.'t'!oc, 'rule of', fr. xp&.'t'o<;, 'strength, power,
'was holy', ithqaddtish, 'was sanctified', rel. to
rule'. See caco-, and -cracy. For the Greek
Heb. qadhdsh, 'was holy', qiidh&sh, 'holy'; see
super!. suff. -La't'o<; in x&xLa't'o<; see -est and cp.
Kedshshah, The kaddish prob. owes its name
Callisto and words there referred to.
to the second word of the text (vtyithqaddtish,
kala, n., a black bulbul. - Hind. kiilii, 'black',
'and sanctified be').
fr. 01. kiilab, 'blue black, black', which is of
Kaffir,Kafir,n., I) anon-Mohammed an; 2)amemDravidian origin (see Albert Thumb, Handber of the most intelligent group of S. African
buch des Sanskrit, II, p.202). Cp. kala azar,
Bantu races.- Fr. Arab. kdfir, 'infidel', prop.
Kali.
part. of kdfara, 'he blotted out, covered, hid; he
kala azar, an infectious tropical disease.- Hind.
denied'. See Yom Kippur and cp. cafard.
kiila iiziir, 'black sickness'. See kala.
Derivative: Kaffir, Kafir, adj.
kale, also kail, n. -Scot. variants of cole (q.v.)
kaftan, n. - A var. of caftan.
Cp. sea kale.
kagu, n., a crested bird peculiar to Caledonia. kaleidopbone, n., an instrument invented by the
Native name.
English physicist Sir Charles Wheatstone (r8o2kaid, n., the chief of a tribe inN. Africa. -Arab.
75) to make sound waves visible (physics). qti'id, 'leader', part. of qtida, 'he led (the army)'.
Lit. 'beautiful form of sound', coined fr. Ck.
Cp. alcaide.
xa.A6.;, 'beautiful', E!3o<;, 'form, shape', and
kail, n.- See kale.
<pwvl), 'sound, voice'. See calo-, eido- and phone,
kaimakam, n., lieutenant colonel of the Turkish
'speech sound', and cp. next word.
army.- Turk. qiiimaqiim, 'deputy', contraction
kaleidoscope, n., an instrument showing various
of Arab. qti'im maqtim, 'substitute, proxy', lit.
patterns. - Lit. 'observer of beautiful forms'
'standing in the place (of another)', fr. qti'im,
coined by its inventor, Sir David Brewste;
participle of qtima, 'he stood', and maqtim,
( 1781- I 868) in I 8 I 7 fr. Gk. xa./..6<;, 'beautiful'
'place' (also from the base of qtima), rei. to Heb.
d8o.;, 'form, shape', and -ax6mov, fr. axo7tEi:v:
and Aram. qiim, 'to arise, stand up', Heb.
'to look at, examine'. See calo-, eido- and -scope.
miiqOm, 'place', Ethiop. qoma, 'he stood', AkDerivative: kaleidoscop-ic, kaleidoscop-ic-a/
kad. kummu, 'place, dwelling', kum, kemu, 'in
'
adjs. kaleidoscop-ic-al-ly, adv.
place of', and prob. also to Akkad. kaiamiinu,
kaleyard, kailyard, n., a cabbage garden. -Com.
'constant, enduring; the planet Saturn' (whence
pounded of kale, resp. kail, and yard.
Heb. kiyyiln, Syr. ke'wtin, Arab. and Pers.
Kali, n., one of the seven tongues of the goddess
kaiwtin, the planet Saturn').
Agni (Vedic mythol.)- 01. Kiili, lit. 'the black
kainite, n., a compound of sulfates of potassium
one', fern. of kiilal:r. See kala.
and magnesium (mineral.)- G. Kainit, coined
kali, n., glasswort. - Arab. qi/1, 'charred ashes
by C. F. Zincken in 1865 fr. Gk. xaLvo<;, 'new',
of the saltwort'. See alkali and cp. kalium.
which is cogn. with L. re-cen-s, gen. recentis,
kalidium, n., a cystocarp (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk.
'fresh, new', and suff. -it, which goes back to
xa.A(3LOv, dimin. formed fr. xa.A~&, 'hut, nest'.
to Gk. -tTYJ<;. See recent and subst. suff. -ite.
See caliology and -idium.
Kaioozoic, adj. - See Cenozoic.
kairine, n., an alkaloid made from quinoline kaligenous, adj., producing alkalis. - A hybrid
coined fr. kali and Gk. yc:vvoc11, 'to beget, bring
(mineral.) - Prob. fr. Gk. xc.:Lpo~, 'the right
forth, generate, produce'. See -genous.
season, the right time'. Cp. eucairite. For the
kaliuni, n., potassium (chem.) - ModL., fr.
ending see chem. suff. -ine.
Arab. qill. See kali and 2nd -ium.
kaiser, n., an emperor; esp. (cap.) a German emkallillte, n., a nickel bismuth sulfide (mineral.) peror.- G. Kaiser, fr. MHG. keiser, fr. OHG.
Compounded of Gk. ~o<;, 'beauty' (fr. XOtAo<;,
keisar, fr. L. Caesar, whence also OE. ciisere,

Kalmia

'beautiful') and :Al-&o~. 'stone' (see calo- and

-lite); prop. translation of G. Schonstein (lit.
'beautiful stone'), name of the place where it
was first found.
Kalmia, n., a genus of plants, the laurel of America (bot.) - ModL., named after Peter Kalm
(1715-79), a pupil of Linnaeus. For the ending
see suff. -ia.
kalmuck, n., a member of any of a group of
Buddhist Mongol tribes.- Turk. kalmuk, prop.
'that part of a tribe which remains at home', pp.
of kalmak, 'to remain'.
kalong, n., a fruit-eating bat. - A Malay word.
Kama, n., the god oflove in Hindu mytholog y.01. Kcfma~, fr. kdma~, 'desire, love', rei. to
kdyamiina~, 'loving', Avestic kii-, 'to desire',
kama, 'desire', fr. I.-E. base *qii-, 'to desire',
whence also L. ciirus, 'dear, precious'. See
charity.
kamala, n., name of an East Indian tree. - 01.
kama/am, 'lotus', which is prob. of Dravidian
origin.
kame, n., a narrow hill, ridge; an eskar (geol.)Scot. variant of comb.
kamsin, n. - See khamsin.
Kanaka, n., a native of the South Sea Islands. -Hawaiian kanaka, 'man'.
Kanarese,n ., I) a member of the people inhabiting
the districts of North and South Kanara in
India; z) the language spoken by this people. Formed fr. Kanara with suff. -ese.
kangaroo, n. - Australian native name.
kantar, n., an Egyptian weight correspond ing
to the hundredw eight.- Arab. qintdr, fr. A ram.
qintcfr, qintard, short for qin(fniirti, 'hundred
pounds', fr. Late Gk. XE\1-r~\l&pLo~, representing
L. centeniirius, 'consisting of a hundred; weighing
a hundred pounds'. (See S. Fraenkel, Die aramaischen Fremdwor ter im Arabischen, Lciden
I 886, p. 203). See centenarian and cp. centner.
Cp. also quintal and kilderkin.
Kantian, adj., pertaining to Immanuel Kant
(I7Z4I804 ) or his philosophy ; n., an adherent
of the teachings of Kant.
Kantianism, n., the philosophy of Immanuel
Kant. - See prec. word and -ism.
kaolin, n., china clay. - F., fr. Chines.: kao-ling,
lit. 'high hill'; so called from the name of the
place where it was first found.
kapellmeister, n., conductor. - G., lit. 'chapel
master', compound ed of Kapelle, 'chapd', and
Meister, 'master'. See chapel and master.
kaph, n., name of the I Ith letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. - Heb. kaph, lit. 'the hollow of the
hand' (rel. to kiiphdph, 'he bent'); so called in
allusion to the ancient Hebrew form of this
letter. Cp. kappa.
kapok, n., silky fiber gained from the seed of the
cotton tree.- Malay kiipoq, 'cotton tree'.
kappa, n., the roth letter of the Greek alphabet.
- Gk. x.X.mrot, fr. Heb. kaph; see kapb. The a
was added because a Greek word cannot end

840
with a c.; cp. alpha and words there referred to.
Karaism, n., doctrine of the Karaites, based exclusively on the literal interpretat ion of the Holy
Scripture s.-A hybrid coined fr. Heb. qiird', 'he
read', and suff. -ism (representing Gk. -Lcr[L6~).
Karaism lit. means 'religion based on miqrii'
(i.e. the Bible text)'. See mikra and cp. kere,
Koran.
Karaite, n., an adherent of Karaism. - A hybrid
coined fr. Heb. qiirti, 'he read', and suff. -ite
(representing Gk. -hr,~). See prec. word.
kareeta, n., a silk bag for letters in the correspondence of native nobles; letter (India). - Hind.
kharf{a, fr. Arab. kharitah, 'bag, purse', which
is rei. to Heb. kharir, of s.m.
karma, n., act; fate (Buddhism). - OI. karma,
'action, work, deed; fate', rei. to kp;zoti, karoti,
Aves tic k'r'naoiti, 'makes', fr. I.-E. base
*qwer-, 'to make, form'. See corpus and cp.
Sanskrit and words there referred to. Cp. also
the second element in Vishvakarma.
kaross, n., a cloak of skin worn by S. African
natives. -- Prob. fr. Hottentot.
karroo, karoo, n., barren table land in S. Africa.
-From a Hottentot word meaning 'dry'.
karyo-, before a vowel kary-, combining form
denoting the nucleus of a cell (bioi.) - Gk.
x~puo-, wxpu-, fr. xcip'J0\1, 'nut, kernel', which is
cogn. with L. carina, 'keel of a ship'. Sec careen.
karyoplasm, n .. nuclear protoplasm . - Compounded of karyo- and Gk. n:A::fcr[L<X, 'something
molded'. See -plasm and cp. cytoplasm.
Derivative: karyoplasm-ic, adj.
kasher, also kosher, adj., ritually fit or pure (said
esp. of food). - Heb. kiishir, 'fit, suitable,
proper', in Mishnaic Heb. 'ritually fit, kasher',
from the base of kiishh, 'was suitable, proper,
succeeded, prospered, ' whence also hikhshir, 'he
made fit', in Mishnaic Heb. also 'he pronounce d
ritually fit, he pronounce d kasher', Hcb. kishron,
'skill. success, advantage' , in Modern Heb. also
aptitude, talent', Mishnaic Heb. kdsher, 'fitness' (whence sh'ath hakkosher, 'opportuni ty'),
kashriith, 'fitness', esp. 'ritual fitness'; rei. to
Aram.-Syr. k'shar, 'was fit or suitable', akhshtir,
'made fit or suitable', ithkashshdr, 'was made
fit'. Mishnaic Heb. hekshh, Mod. Heb. hakhshardh, 'a making fit, preparatio n'.
Derivative: kasher, kosher, tr. v.
kasolite, n., a hydrous uranium lead silicate
(mineral.) - Named after Kasolo in Katanga,
Congo. For the ending see combining form
-lite.
kata-. combining form. - A var. of cata-.
katabolism, n. - See catabolism.
katha, n., story (Indian liter.) - 01. kathti, 'narrattve, ~tory' ~ Vv hence kathd_rat i, 'tells, narrates'),
lit. 'how (sci!. happened this)?', from the I.-E.
pronom. stem ka-, whence also 01. kdb, L. quis,
OE. hwii, 'who'. See who.
Katharine, Katherine, fern. PN.- See Catherine.
katydid, n., an insect of the locust family. - So

841

keepsake

hallow, sanctify'. Cp. kaddish, kiddush, kidducalled from the stridulous sound of the insect,
shin, Kodashim.
suggestive of the words katy did.
keek, intr. v., to peep. - ME. kiken, fr. MDu.
Derivative: katydid, intr. v.
kiken (whence Du. kijken).
kauri, n., a tall tree of New Zealand (Agathis
Derivatives: keek, n., keek-er, n., keek-ing, n.
australis). - Maori.
n., the lowest longitudin al timber of a ship.
keel,
Native
shrub.
pepper
kava, n., a Polynesian
kele, fr. ON. kjo/r, (whence Dan.,
ME.
name.
Norw. kjel, Swed. kol). Cp. MDu. kef, kit, G.
kavass, n., a Turkish policeman. -Turk. qawii$,
Kiel, 'keel'.
fr. Arab. qawwtfs, 'bowman', fr. Arab. qaus,
Derivatives: keel, tr. v., to turn up the keel of;
'bow', which is rel. to Heb. qesheth, A ram.
intr. v., to tum up the keel; keel-age, n., keel-ed,
qashtd, Syr. qeshtcf, Akkad. qasthu, Ethiop.
adj., keel-less, adj.
,
qast, 'bow', Heb. qashshcfth, Aram. qashshiithd
keel, n., ship, barge. - ME. kele, fr. MDu. kiel,
Syr. qushshiithcf, 'bowman'.
'ship', rel. to OE. ceo/, OS., OHG. kiol, ON.
Kavi, Kawi, n., the ancient language of Java. MHG., G. Kiel, 'ship'; of uncertain orikj61/,
Javanese kavi, 'poetic (scil. language)' , fr. 01.
gin. Gk. ycx.uA6c:;, 'milkpail, waterbucket',
kavi[l, 'wise, sage; seer, poet', which is rei. to
yau).o~. 'round-bui lt Phoenician merchant veskaviiri~, 'stingy', ii-kuvate, 'intends', and cogn.
sel', with which the above words are usually
with Gk. xoeco (for *xofew), 'I mark, perceive,
are prob. Sem.loan words; cp. Heb.
connected,
observe,
at,
look
'to
*(s)qlu-,
base
I.-E.
hear', fr.
bowl' (see ge/ilah).
'basin,
gull&",
look,
perceive', whence also OE. sceawian, 'to
keel, tr. v., to keep cool. - ME. kelen, fr. OE.
see'. See show and cp. words there referred to.
celan, 'to cool', fr. col, 'cool'. See cool.
kayak, n., an Eskimo canoe made of sealskin
keelhaul, tr. v., to drag under the keel of a ship.
stretched on a wooden frame.- Eskimo.
- Du. kielhalen, compound ed of keel, 'kiel',
kea, n., a large New Zealand parrot. - Maori.
and halen, 'to haul'. See keel, 'timber of a ship',
keck, intr. v., to retch. - Imitative.
and haul.
Kedar, n., a tribe of northern Arabia. - Heb.
keelson, kelson, n., a set of timbers or plates
Qedhcfr, fr. Qedhdr, son of Ishmael (see Gen.
above the keel. - Pro b. of Scand. origin. Cp.
25:3, IChr. 1: 29), rei. to qiidhdr, 'was black,
Dan., Norw. kjolsvin, Swed. kolsvin, which are
dark, swarthy', whence also qadhriith, 'darked of kjol, resp. ko/, 'keel', and svin
compound
Qidhrdn,
'gloomily,'
ness, gloom', q~dhorannlth,
(fr. ON. svfnn), 'pig'. Cp. also MDu. colzwijn,
name of a wady and valley east of Jerusalem,
Du. kolzwijn, G. Kielschwein, and see keel,
Mishnaic Heb. qtdhercf", 'pot', qaddcfr, 'potter',
'timber of ship', and swine.
and to Aram. qidhrd, q~dhercf, Syr. qedhrd, 'pot',
keen, adj., sharp.- ME. kene, 'sharp, bold', fr.
Arab. qddhura, qddhira, 'was dirty'.
OE. cene, 'brave, bold, wise', rel. to ON. kamn,
Derivative: Kedar-ite, adj. and n.
'skillful, wise'. MDu. coene, Du. koen, 'bold',
keddah, n., an enclosure for entrapping elekuoni, 'pugnacious, strong', MHG.
OHG.
khcdnii
to
rei.
kheda,
Hind.
phants (India).
kiiene, G. kuhn, 'bold, daring'. These words
'to chase, hunt', fr. 01. iikheta~, khetab, 'hunderive fr. Teut. *kon-i and orig. denoted one
ting', which is of uncertain origin.
who knows. They are rei. to E. can, aux. v., and
move
to
v.,
intr.
kedge, tr. v., to warp (a ship);
to the first element in Conrad and in Kenelm
a ship by kedging (naut.) - Of uncertain ori(qq.v.)
gin; perh. a var. of cadge.
Derivatives: keen-ly, adv., keen-ness, n.
kedgeree, n., a mixture of rice and lentils cooked
keen, n., lamentatio n, dirge. - Ir. caoine, 'wail,
together (India)- Hind. khichrf, fr. 01. khiccii,
dirge', fr. caoinim, 'I wail'. See keen, v.
which is of uncertain origin.
Derivative: keen-er, n.
Kedushah, n., proclamati on of holiness, inserted
keen, intr. v., to wail; tr. v., to bewail. - Ir.
before the third benediction of the Amidah; it
caoinim, fr. Oir. ciiinim, c6inim, 'I wail'.
is recited during the repetition of the Amidah
tr. and intr. v.- ME. kepen, fr. OE. cepan,
keep,
Mishnaic
liturgy).
(Hebrew
Reader
the
by
'to observe, notice, attend to, seek, keep', rei.
Heb. qtdhushsh&h, 'holiness', from the stem of
to OE. capian, OS. kap6n, OHG. kapfen, 'to
Heb. qiidhdsh, 'was holy', whence also Heb.
look', ON. kopa, 'to stare, gaze'; of uncertain
qodhesh
'holiness',
qiidhOsh, 'holy', qOdhesh,
origin.
qodhashtm, 'the Holy of Holies', miqdtish, 'sancDerivatives: keep, n. (q.v.), keep-er, n., keep-ertuary. temple' llit. 'a sacred place'), qiddhh, 'he
ship, n., keep-ing, n.
hallowed, sanctified', Mishnaic Heb. qiddtish,
keep, n. - ME. kep, keep, fr. kepen, 'to keep';
'sanctificat ion'; rei. to Aram.-Syr. qaddish, 'he
see prec. word. All meanings of the noun keep
hallowed, sanctified', qaddish, 'holy', Arab. qdare- traceable to the original sense 'that which
dusa, 'was pure, was holy', qdddasd, 'he purikeeps'.
Jeruto
went
he
sanctified;
fied, hallowed,
keepsake, n. - Compound ed of keep and sake.
salem', quds, 'purity, holiness', al-Quds, 'JeruThe literal meaning of the word is 'object kept
salem' (lit. 'the Holy Place'), qiddfs, 'holy', qadfor the sake (of the giver)'.
diis, 'very holy', Akkad. quddusuh, 'to cleanse,

keeshond

keeshond, n., a small kind of dog. - Du., fr.

Kees hond. Kees is dimin. of the PN. Cornelis,
'Cornelius' (see Cornelius). Hond is rei. to E.
hound (q.v.)
keeve, n., a large tub.- ME. kive, keve, fr. OE.
cy/, which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. VL. *cupia, fr. L. cupa,'tub cask, tun,
vat'. See cup.
kef, kief, n., state of dreaminess caused by the
use of hemp or bhang. - Arab. kay/, in VArab.
pronounced kef, 'ease, well-being, pleasure'.
keg, n., a small cask. - Of Scand. origin; cp.
ON. kaggi, Swed. and Norw. kagge, 'cask'.
kehillah, n., Jewish community or congregation.
- Heb. qthilld~. 'assembly, congregation', from
the stem of qiihdl, of s.m., hiqhll, 'he assembled',
whence also Qohe/eth, 'Ecclesiastes', lit. 'assembler, collector'; rei. to qol, 'sound, voice', and to
Arab. qaul, of s.m. See cowle and cp. Koheleth
and the second element in bathkol.
kelp, n., a large seaweed. - From earlier kilp,
fr. ME. culp; of unknown origin.
kelpie, kelpy, n., a water spirit resembling a horse
(Gaelic mythol.) - Prob. rei. to Gael. colpach,
'heifer, steer, colt', colpa, 'cow, horse'.
kelson, n. - See keelson.
Kelt, n.- See Celt.
kelt, n., salmon after spawning (Scot.) - Of
unknown origin.
kelyphite, n. (petrogr.) - Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Gk. x~).uq>O~, 'sheath, case', which
stands in gradational relationship to xcxMrrnw,
'to cover, hide, conceal'. See calyptra.
kemb, tr. v., to comb (dial. Engl.)- ME. kemben,
fr. OE. cemban, rei. to OS. kembian, ON. kemba,
OHG. kemben, 'to comb'. These words are
denominated fr. OE. camb, 'comb', resp. its OS.,
ON., OHG. equivalents. See comb and cp.
kempt.
kemp, n. (esp. used in the pl. kemps), coarse hair.
- ME. kempe, fr. Scand. Cp. ON. kampr,
'mustache', which is rei. to OE. cenep, OFris.
kanep, of s.m.
kempt, partie., adj., combed (archaic). - Pp. of
kern b.
ken, tr. v., to know.- ME. kennen, fr. OE. cennan, 'to make known, declare, attest', prop.
causative of cunnan, 'to know', rei. to ON.
kenna, 'to know, make known', Swed. kiinna,
Dan. kjende, 'to know', OFris. kanna, kenna,
'to recognize, admit', OHG. chennan, OHG.,
MHG., 'to make known', G. kennen, 'to know',
Goth. kannjan, 'to make known'. See can, aux.
v ., ami cp. know.
ken, n., range of sight; range of knowledge. Fr. prec. word.
ken, n., a resort for thieves (slang).- Pro b. short
for kennel, 'shelter for a dog'.
ken-, form of keno- before a vowel.
kendal, n., a green woolen cloth. - so called
from Kendal in Westmorland, England, where
this cloth was manufactured and dyed green.

842
Kenelm, masc. PN.- OE. Cenhelm, compounded
of cene, 'brave, bold', and helm, 'helmet'. See

keen, adj. and helmet.

Kennedya, n., a genus of herbs of the pea family
(bot.)- ModL., named after Lewis Kennedy,
a London gardener (I775I8I8).
kennel, n., shelter for a dog. - ME. kenel, fr.
OF. (= F.) cheni/, fr. chen (F. chien), 'dog', fr.
L. canem, ace. of canis, 'dog'. See hound and
cp. canine. Derivative: kennel, tr. and intr. v.
kennel, n., a gutter.- A doublet of cannel.
Kenneth, masc. PN.- Scot., fr. Gael. Caioneach,
lit. 'handsome, comely'.
keno, n., a game of chance resembling lotto. Prob. fr. F. quine, 'five winning numbers in a
lottery', fr. L. quini, 'five each', which is rei. to
quinque, 'five' (see quinque); so called because
in this game numbered balls are arranged in
rows of five; the player who first has a row of
five covered wins.
keno-, before a vowel ken-, combining form meaning 'empty'. - Gk. xe:vo-, xe:v-, fr. xe:v6~,
'empty', which stands for *xe:vf6~ and is cogn.
with Arm. sin, 'empty, vain'. Cp. the first element in cenotaph.
kenosis, n. (Christian theo/.) - Eccles. L., fr.
Gk. xvwcr~~. 'an emptying', fr. xe:voliv, 'to
empty', fr. xe:v6~, 'empty'. See keno- and -osis.
kent, n., a long staff or pole. - L. contus, fr. Gk.
xovT6~, 'a pole', which stands in gradational
relationship to xe:vTe:i:v, 'to prick, goad', xvTpov, 'point, prickle, ox goad'. See center and
cp. quant, 'pole'.
Kentish, adj., pertaining to the county of Kent. ME., fr. OE. Centisc, formed with suff. -isc fr.
Cent, 'Kent'. For the ending see adj. suff. -ish.
Cp. the first element in canterbury.
kentledge, n., pig iron used as ballast. - Of uncertain origin.
kephalic, adj. -See cephalic.
kepi, n., a peaked cap worn by soldiers. - F.
kepi, fr. Swiss G. Kiippi, dimin. of G. Kappe,
'cap', fr. Late L. cappa, 'hood, cap'. See cap.
kept, past tense and pp. of keep. - ME. kepte,
kept, past tense and pp. of kepen, 'to keep'. See
keep, v.
keramic, adj. - See ceramic.
keratin, n., the basic substance of horns, nails,
hair and feathers (biochem.) - Formed with
chem. suff. -in fr. Gk. xtp<;, gen. x~paTo<;,
'hom'. See cerato-.
keratitis, n., inflammation of the cornea of the
eye (med.)- Medical L., formed with suff. -itis
fr. Gk. xz;::z~, gen. XZ?'i-:o~. 'hom'. See cerato-.
kerato-, before a vowel kerat-, combining form
meaning 'hom, horny'. - See cerato-.
keratose, n., a horny substance forming part of
the skeleton in some sponges (biochem.) Formed with subst. -ose fr. Gk. xep~. gen.
xepa-.o.;, 'hom'. See cerato-.
keratosis, n., an excess of the horny layer of the
skin (med.) - Medical L., formed with suff.

843

kestrel, n., a kind of falcon (Falco tinnunculus). ME. castrel, fr. MF. cresserelle (F. crecerelle),
'kestrel', enlarged fr. cresselle, 'kestrel', fr. cressel/e (F. crecelle), '(hand-)rattle', which prob.
derives fr. VL. *crepicella, 'a rattle', a word
related to L. crepitiiculum, 'a rattle', crepitiicillum, 'a small rattle', fr. crepitiire, 'to rattle';
see crepitate. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF.,
p. I6o s. vv. crecel/e and cn!cerelle.
ketch, n., a kind of small sailing vessel. - Fr.
earlier catch, from the verb catch, 'to seize' (q.v.)
ketchup, also catchup, catsup, n., a kind of
tomato sauce. - Chin. ke-tsiap, 'pickled fish
sauce'.
kethib, also spelled ketib (term of the Masorah),
part. adj., designating that which is written in
the text as opposed to the reading in the margin
called kere; n., that which is written in the text.
- Aram. k 1thibh, 'written', passive part. of
Koran.
k'thabh, 'he wrote' (whence also ktthiibh, 'a
kerf, n., I) the act of cutting; 2) a cut made by
writing'), rei. to Heb. kiitabh, 'he wrote'. See
a saw; 3) a piece cut off. - ME. kir/, kerf, fr.
ketubah.
OE. cyr/, 'a cutting', rei. to OE. ceorfan, 'to
kethubah, n. - See ketubah.
cut'. See carve.
Kethubim, n. - See Ketubim.
Derivative: kerf, tr. v.
ketone, n., a group of compounds containing
Kerite, n., a trademark for artificial cautchouc.
CH (chem.)- G. Keton, coined by the German
- Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. Kl)p6~.
chemist Leopold Gmelin (I788-1853) in I848
'wax'. See cere, n., and cp. kerosene.
fr. G. Aketon, fr. F. acetone. See acetone.
kermes, n., the bodies of the females of an insect
Derivatives: keton-ic, adj., keton-ize, tr. v.
found on the kermes oak. - F. kermes, fr.
kettle, n.- ME. ketel, fr. ON. ketill, fr. L. catilArab. qirmiz, ult. fr. 01. kfmi-dia-, 'produced
lus (dimin. of catinus,' deep vessel for cooking,
by a worm'. See crimson and cp. carmine.
or serving up food'), whence also OE. cetel, OS.
kermess, kermis, n., I) an annual outdoor fair
ketil, ON. keti/1, OFris. zetel, zitel, MDu. (Du.)
in the Low Countries; 2) in the United States,
ketel, OHG. ke33il (MHG. ke33el, G. Kessel),
an indoor fair. - Du. kermis, 'church-mass',
Goth. *katils or *katilus (occurring only in gen.
contraction of kerk mes, fr. kerk, 'church', and
pl. katile), 'kettle'. L. catinus is possibly cogn.
mis, 'mass'. See church and Mass.
with Gk. xo..UA7], 'anything hollow, cup, socket
kern, keme, n., a light-armed foot soldier in anof a joint'. OHG. ke33i (MHG. che33i) is borcient Ireland. - Jr. ceatharn, 'a band of solrowed fr. L. catinus, OSlav. kotilu is a Teut. loan
diers, a soldier'. Cp. cateran.
word, Lith. kiitilas, Lett. kiitls, OPruss. catils
kernel, n. - ME., fr. OE. cyme/, dimin. of corn.
are borrowed from Slavonic. Cp. cotula, cotySee com, 'grain', and dimin. suff. -el.
ledon. OI. cdtviila/:1 (masc.), 'hole', is prob. not
Derivatives: kernel, tr. v., kernel(l)-ed, adj.
cognate with L. catinus, but rei. to catvtira/:1,
kerosene, n., an illuminating oil.- Formed with
'four' (see four) and orig. denoted a square
suff. -ene fr. Gk. X7Jp6.;, 'wax'. See cere, n., and
hole.
cp. Kerite.
ketubah, also spelled kethubah, n., Jewish marKerria, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
riage contract. - Mishnaic Heb. ktthubbti", lit.
(bot.)- ModL., named after the English gar'writing, writ', from the stem of He b. kiithdbh, 'he
ending
the
For
4).
1
8
I
in
(died
Kerr
William
dener
wrote' (whence also mikhtdbh, 'a writing, letter');
see suff. -ia.
rei. to Aram.-Syr. ktthabh, 'he wrote' (whence
kerrite, n., a kind of vermiculite (mineral.) ktthiibh, 'a writing'). Cp. Arab. kataba, 'he wrote',
Named after the American geologist W. C. Kerr
kittib, Ethiop. katiib, 'book', which are Heb. or
(I 827-85). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Aram. Joan words. The original meaning of the
Kerry, n., an Irish breed of cattle.- Named after
Semitic base k-t-b seems to have been 'to enCounty Kerry in the Irish Free State.
grave'; cp. Heb. ktthdbeth, 'tattooing' (Lev.
kersey, n., a kind of coarse cloth. - Named after
I9: 28), Arab. kataba in its orig. sense 'he sewed
Kersey, a village in Suffolk, England.
together', and S. Arab. miktab, 'awl'. Cp.
kerseymere, n., cassimere. - A blend of cassikethib, Ketubim, kitab. For sense development
mere and kersey.
cp. Gk. yp<i<pe:~v. 'to scratch, engrave, write'
kerygma, n., preaching. - Gk. xi]punux, 'pro(see -graph).
clamation', from the stem of X7Jpucscse:w, 'to
Ketubim, a!so spelled Kethublm, n. pl., the Hagioproclaim (said of a herald)', which is denomigrapha (Bible). - Heb. k'thiibhfm, lit. 'written
nated fr. x1jp~l;, 'herald'. See caduceus and -DilL

-osis fr. Gk. xepcx.;, gen. xepaTO<;, 'horn'. See

cerato-.
kerauno-, combining form meaning 'thunderbolt'.
- Gk. xe:pcxuvo-, fr. xepcxuvo.;, 'thunderbolt'.
See cerauno-.
keraunograph, n. - See ceraunograph.
kerb, n. - A variant spelling of curb.
kerc:hlef, n. - ME. curchef, coverchef, fr. OF.
covrechie/, lit. 'cover head', fr. covrir (F. couvrir), and chief, 'head; chief'. See cover and
chief and cp. the first element in curfew.
kere, less correctly, keri (term of the Masorah),
part. adj., indicating that the reading given
in the margin should be substituted for what is
written in the text; n., the reading to be substituted. - Lit. '(to be) read', fr. Aram. q're,
passive part. of q'rii', 'he read', which is rei. to
Heb. qiird', of s.m. See mikra and cp. Karaism,

Ketubim

kin

Keturah

844

which is rel. to Heb. l;iimishshfm, Aram.-S yr.

things', pl. of kiithttbh, '(somet hing) written' , pasl;amshfn, Akkad. !Jamshiiti, 'fifty'.
sive partie. of kiitabh, 'he wrote'. See prec. word.
khan, n., a title of ruler in Moham medan counKeturah, fern. PN. (Bible). - Heb. Q'tur& \ lit.
tries. - Pers. and Arab. khiin, 'lord, prince', fr.
'incense ', from the stem of qitti!r, hiqtlr, 'he
,
q<tiJreth
also
whence
Turki khiin, contrac tion of khtiqiin 'ruler
smoke',
s,
sacrifice
made
nectar.
See
'.
sovereig n', which is prob. of Mongolia~ origin:
'sweet smoke of sacrifice, incense
khan, n., a carava nserai. - Pers. and Arab. khiin,
kevalin, n., a soul freed from matter (Jainism). -'caravan serai, inn'. Cp. astrakh an.
OI., fr. kevalal;, 'alone, belongi ng exclusively
khanate , n., a district ruled by a khan. - A
to a single person' , fr. I.-E. base *qail-, *qoil-,
hybrid coined fr. khan, 'title of ruler', and -ate,
'comple te, sound, well, happy', whence also
OE.
sound',
well,
a suffix of Latin origin.
Goth. hails, 'comple te, whole,
khansam ah, n., a butler (India). - Hind. khiinhal, 'whole, uninjur ed, healthy '. See whole and
siimiin, fr. Pers. khiinsiimiin, lit. 'lord of stores',
cp. words there referred to.
fr. khiin, 'lord' (see khan, 'title of ruler'), and
kevel, n., a peg or bollard to which certain ropes
ond(corresp
siimiin, 'stores, househo ld'.
keville
-ONF.
(naut.)
are fastened
khedive, n., title of the Turkish viceroy of Egypt
ing to F. cheville), 'peg, pin, bolt', fr. VL.
(hist.) - F. khedive, fr. Turk. khidfv, fr. Pers.
*ciivicula, dissimilated fr. Late L. cliivicula, 'a
clavicle.
khidfw, 'prince' , a derivative of khudii, 'master,
Sec
little key'.
prince'.
Kewpie, n., tradema rk for a doll. - Prob. altered
Derivat ives: khediv-al, khedivi-al, adjs., khefr. Cupid.
other
n.
or
k
divi-ate,
hemloc
kex, n., the dry stocks of
khidma tgar, khidmutgar, n., a male waiter (Inplants. -ME. kex, kyx, ult. fr. L. cicilta, 'hemdia). -Hind . khidmatgiir, fr. Pers. khidmatgiir,
lock'. See Cicuta.
a hybrid formed fr. Arab. khidmah, 'service ' (fr.
key, n., an instrum ent for opening or closing a
OE.
fr.
etc.,
keige,
keye,
khtidama, 'he served') , with Pers. suff. -gar,
ME.
etc.-box,
door,
*kf-,
base
Teut.
'holder, owner'.
fr.
c<i:g, lit. 'tool to cleave with',
Khitan, adj. and n., Tatar. - Lit. 'of the king'to cleave, split; to germina te, rise (said of
dom of the Khitans ', fr. Khitai, name of a Tatar
flowers)', whence also OHG., MHG. kif, G.
kingdom . See Cathay.
Keil, 'wedge' , Goth. us-kijans (passive part.),
khoja, khojah, n., a title of respect in Persia, In'come forth' (said of seeds), OS., OHG. kfmo,
'to
keimen,
G.
dia and Turkest an. - Turk. khojah, fr. Pers.
MHG. klme, G. Keirn, 'germ',
khwtijah.
germin ate\ OS. kin, MLG. kine, MDu. kene,
kibbutz, n., a collective agricult ural settleme nt in
'germ', OS., OHG. klnan, Goth. keinan, 'to
Israel. - Heb. qibbfaz, lit. 'gatheri ng, assemgermina te', OE. cfnan, 'to gape, crack', OE.
klde,
MHG.
kfdi,
blage', prop. verbal noun of qihhitz, 'he gather(frumi)
OHG.
kith,
cfo, OS.
I.-E.
to
onds
ed, gathere d togethe r', Pi'el of qiibhatz, 'he
'sprout' . Teut. base *kf- corresp
gathere d'; rei. to Arab. qah{l(ja, 'he grasped ,
*gei-, *gf-, whence Arm. cil, ciul, 'stalk, blade',
also
seized'.
flowers;
of
(said
rise'
Lett. zeiju, ziet, 'to
kibe, n., chillblain. - ME. kybe. Cp. W. cihi,
fig.) See chine, 'valley', and chink, 'crack'.
keye,
key,
cibiost, 'chillbla in'.
fr.
keyen,
ME.
-v.
intr.
key, tr. and
kibitzer, n., 1) looker- on at a card-ga me; 2) a
'key'. See key, n.
meddles ome person. -G. Kiebitzer (slang), 'a
key, n. - A var. of quay.
Job's
of
one
n (at cards)', fr. kiebitzen, 'to look on',
Bible,
the
looker-o
in
Keziah, 1) fern. PN.; 2)
fr. Kiebitz, 'pewit, plover', whence arose the
daughte rs. - Heb. Q'tzf'tih , lit. 'cassia'. See
meaning (used only in slang) 'a meddles ome
cassia.
looker on'. The birdnam e Kiebitz derives fr.
khaki, adj., dust-co lored; n., a du,t-col ored cloth
khaki,
Hind.
s.
MHG. gfhi.3, gfwi3, which is of imitativ e origin.
uniform
military
for
used
'dust'.
khiik,
Pers.
Cp. MLG. klvit, MDu., Du. kie~it, 'plover' , and
'dusty, dust-co lored', fr.
E. pewit, which all are imitative.
khalif, n. -- A var. of caliph.
kiblah, n., the point toward which the Moham khalifat e, n. -- A var. of caliphate.
medans turn in prayer (i.e. the Kaaba in
khalsa, n., the commu nity of the Sikhs. - Hind.,
of
pp.
fern.
prop.
Mecca). - Arab. qiblah, 'directio n to which
'pure',
,
kh&lisah
fr. Arab.
which
retired',
w,
Moham medans turn in prayer', fr. qdhila, 'he
khdla.5a, 'he was pure, withdre
lay oppo~ik, v.a, in front of'. Se.: cabal and
is rei. to Akkad. ljal~u, pure, Heb. l;iilatz, 'he
cp. Kabyle.
drew off, withdre w', l;illhz, 'he saved, delivered,
kibnsh, n., in the phrase to put the kibosh on, 'to
freed', Aram.-S vr. luJI!ir::, 'he drew nff with'
put an end to'.- Of unknow n origin.
drew', Syr. l;alft~&. ;free'.
kick, intr. and tr. v., to strike with the foot. khamsin, also spelled kamsin, n., a hot wind
ME. kiken, of unknow n origin. Cp. kicksies.
flowing from the Sahara for about fifty days
,
khamsfn
.
--Arab
ives: kick, n., a blow with the foot,
May).
Derivat
and
April
(in March,
kick-er, n.
'fifty', short for rikh-al-khamsfn, 'the wind of
ickshaw, kickshaws, n., fancy dish; delicacy. -)'. Khamsln is l!;en. of khamsfin, 'fifty',

84S

Corrup ted fr. F. que/que chose, 'someth ing', fr.

que/que, 'some', and chose, 'thing'. F. quelque
is compou nded of que/ (fr. L. quiilis), 'of what
kind or nature', and que (fr. L. quod), 'what';
see quality and quod. F. chose derives fr. L.
causa; see cause, n.
kkksies , n. pl., trousers (slang). - Fr. kick, 'to
strike with the foot'.
kid, n., I) a young goat; 2) (slang) a child. - ME.
kid, kidde, fr. ON. kiiJ (whence also Dan., Swed.
kid), 'a kid', rei. to OHG. kizzf, chizzi, MHG.,
G. kitze, 'kid'; of imitativ e origin. Cp. next
word and the first element in kidnap.
Derivat ive: kid, intr. v., to bring forth young
(said of goats).
kid, tr. v., to hoax, humbug . - Prob. fr. kid,
'a young goat', and lit. meanin g, 'to make a
kid of'.
Derivat ive: kid, n., a hoax.
kid, n., a small tub. - Prob. a var. of kit, 'tub'.
Kidderminster, n., a kind of carpet. - Prop. 'a
carpet made at Kidderminster'; so called after
the town Kidderminster in England .
kiddie, n., a barrier with nets, used for catchin g
fish. - ME. kydle, fr. OF. quidel, guide/ (F.
guideau), of uncerta in origin.
kiddush, n., proclam ation of the holiness of the
sabbath or a festival, by saying the benedic tion
over wine (or over two loaves) and over the
sabbath , resp. the festival (Jewish ritual). Mishna ic Heb. qiddfish, 'sanctifi cation', prop.
verbal noun of Heb. qiddish, 'he hallowed,
sanctified'. See Kedushah and cp. words there
referred to.
kiddushin, n. pl., 1) Jewish betroth al; 2) (cap.)
a Mishna ic and Talmud ic treatise dealing with
betroth al and marriag e. - Mishna ic Heb. Qiddushfn, prop. pl. of qiddash, 'sanctifi cation'. See
prec. word.
kiddy, n., 1) a young goat; 2) a little child (slang).
-Form ed with suff. -y fr. kid, 'a young goat'.
kidnap, tr. v. - Compo unded of kid, 'a young
goat', used in the sense of 'child', and nap, dial.
form of nab, 'to seize, catch, steal'.
Derivat ives: kidnapp-er, n., kidnapp-ing, n.
kidney, n. - ME. kidenei, which stands for
kiden-ei. The first element is unknow n. The
second element is identica l with ME. ei, 'egg'.
See egg.
kief, n. - See keg.
kieselguhr, n., a fine siliceous powder used as an
absorbe nt. - G. (now spelled Kiese/gur), compounde d of Kiesel, 'flint' (see chesil) and Guhr
(Gur), 'earthy deposit ', lit. 'fermen tation', from
the stem of giiren, 'to ferment '. See chesil and
guhr.
kieserit e, n., a hydrous magnes ium sulfate (mineral. )- G. Kieserit, named after Dietrich G.
Kieser, preside nt of the Academ y of Jena (died
in 1862). For the ending -it, which goes back to
Gk. -tTl)<;, see subst. suff. -ite.
kikl. n., the castor-o il plant. - Fr. Egypt.,

whence also Akkad. kukkiinita, Heb. qfqiiyiJn.

kikumon, n., Japanes e imperia l emblem , representing an open chrysan themum . - Jap.,
compou nded of kiku, 'chrysan themum ', and
mon, 'crest'. Cp. the second element in kirimon.
kil-, the first element in many Celtic place names,
meaning 'cell, church, burial place'. - Gael.
and Ir. -cil, fr. cill, a gradatio nal variant of
cea/l, 'cell, church, burial place', fr. L. cella.
See cell.
kilerg, a physical unit of work, equal to 1000
ergs. - See kilo- and erg.
kilderkin, n., I) a cask; 2) an old English liquid
measure . - ME., dissimil ated fr. MDu. kinderkin (also kindeken), a dimin. formed with
suff. -kin, fr. OF. quintal, 'quintal , hundred weight'. See quintal.
kill, tr. and intr. v. - ME. killen, fr. earlier
cullen, prob. rei. to ME. quellen, 'to kill, strike',
fr. OE. cwellan, of s.m., causativ e of ewe/an, 'to
die'. See quell and cp. qualm.
Derivat ives: kill, n., kill-er, n., kill-ing, adj.
and n.
killadar, n., comma ndant of a fortress (India). A hybrid coined fr. Arab. qal'ah, 'fortres s', and
Pers. suff. -diir, 'holder, possess or'. For the etymology and force of this sutf. see aumilda r and
cp. words there referred to.
kiln, n., a large oven. - ME. ki/ne, kulne, fr. OE.
cy/ene, cylne, fr. L. culfna, 'kitchen '. See
culinary.
kilo-, combin ing form meanin g 'one thousan d'.
- F. kilo-, fr. Gk. zt'A\m (Ion. ze[),w~). 'a
thousan d', which is of uncerta in origin. It is
pcrh. cogn. with L. mUle, 'a thousan d'; see
mille.
kilo, n., a kilogram . - F., short for ki/ogramme.
See next word.
kilogram, kilogramme, n. - F. ki/ogramme, lit.
'one thousan d grams', coined fr. kilo- and gram,
'the metric unit of weight'.
kiloliter, kilolitre, n. - F. kilolitre, lit. 'one
thousan d liters', coined fr. kilo- and liter.
kilometer, kilometre, n. - F. kilometre, lit. 'one
thousan d meters', coined fr. kilo- and Gk.
fJ.E-rpov, 'measur e'. See -meter.
Derivat ives: kilometr-ic, kilometr-ic-a/, adjs.
kilowat t, n. (electr .)- Lit. 'one thousan d watts',
coined fr. kilo- and watt.
kilt, tr. v., to tuck up. -Of Scan d. origin; cp.
Dan. kilte, Swed. kilta, 'to tuck up', ON. kil-

ling, 'shirt'.
Derivat ives: kilt, n., ki/t-ed, adj., kilt-ing, n.
kilter, kelter, n., good conditio n (colloq.) - Of
uncerta in origin.
kimberlite, n., a peridoti te often contain ing diamonds (petrogr.) - Named after Kimberley in
S. Africa, where it occurs. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
kimono, n., a long, loose Japanes e garmen t. Jap., lit. a thing (mono) put on (ki).
kin, n., family, relation ship. - ME. kin, kun, fr.

kin-

OE. cynn, 'kind, kin, race, species, family', rei.

to OE. cennan, 'to beget', to bear', ON. kyn,
OHG. chunni, MHG. kiinne, Goth. kuni, 'family,
race', ON. kundr, 'son', OS., OHG., MHG., G.
kind, 'child', fr. Teut. base *ken-, corresponding
to I.-E. *gen, 'to beget, bear, bring forth',
whence 01. janati, 'begets', jana/:1, 'race', Gk.
y[ yve:cr&!X~ (for y[-yve:-cr&!X~). 'to become, happen', ysve:~~~. 'origin, source, birth, race
descent', L. genus, 'birth, descent, origin, race,
sort, kind, class'. See genus and words there
referred to and cp. esp. kinchin, kind, n., kind,
adj., kindred, king. Cp. also the first element in
kindergarten.
Derivative: kin-ship, n.
kin-, form of kino- before a vowel.
-kin, dimin. suff. as in kilderkin, lambkin, mannikin. - ME. -kin, fr. MDu. -kin, -kijn, prop. a
double dimin. suff. formed from the dimin.
suffixes -k and dimin. -in; cp. OS. -kin, MHG.
-kin, G. -chen.
kinah, n., an elegy, a dirge (Hebrew poetry). Heb. qindh, 'elegy, dirge' (whence qinin, 'he
chanted a kinah'), rei. to Syr. qintd, 'elegy',
qaynah, 'slave girl who is a singer', Ethiop.
qene, 'song' (with reduplication, Syr. qanqen,
'he sang', Jewish-Aram. qunqannithti, 'musical
instrument'), fr. Sem. stem q-y-n, 'to fit together, fabricate', whence also Arab. qdna, 'he
fabricated, forged', qayn, 'craftsman, worker in
steel or another metal, smith', Aram. qenii'd,
Syriac qeniiyd, Akkad. qinai, 'metal worker'.
For sense development cp. Gk. 7tO~'IJ~~. 'poet',
lit. 'a maker', fr. rto~e:~v. 'to make, produce'.
Cp. Cain, Elkanah.
kinchin, n., child. - Corrupted fr. G. Kindchen,
'little child', dimin. of Kind, 'child', which is rei.
to ON. kundr, 'son'. See kin and -kin.
kincob, n., a kind of East Indian brocade. Hind. kimkhiib, fr. Pers. kimkhiib.
kind, n.- ME. kinde, kund, kende, fr. OE. cynd,
ge-cynd, 'kind, nature, quality, manner, origin,
generation, offspring', rei. to OE. cyn, 'kind,
kin'. See kin and cp. kind, adj.
kind, adj. - ME. kinde, kynde, kunde, fr. OE.
cynde, ge-cynde, 'innate, natural', lit. 'according
to nature', fr. cynd, ge-cynd. See kind, n.
Derivatives: kindly, kindness (qq.v.)
kindergarten, n. - G. Kindergarten, lit. 'garden
of children', coined by the German educator
Friedrich Frobel (1782-1852)in 1840 fr. Kinder,
pl. of Kind, 'child', and Garten, 'garden'. For the
first element see kin, for the second see garden.
Derivatives: kindergarten-cr. n. (cp. G. Kindergartner), kindergarten-ing, n.
kindhearted, adj. - Compounded of kind, adj.,
and -hearted (see heart and 3rd -ed); first used
by Miles Coverdale (1488-1569), English translator of the Bible, in 1535.
Derivatives: kindhearted-ly, adv., kindheartedness, n.

kindle, tr. and intr. v. - ME. kind/en, formed fr.

kitab

846

ON. kynda, 'to light a fire', with freq. suff. -le.

Derivatives: kindl-er, n., kindl-ing, n.
kindly, adj. - ME., fr. OE. cyndelie, ge-cyndelic,
'natural', fr. cynd, ge-cynd, 'nature'. See kind,
n., and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: kindli-ness, n.
kindly, adv.- ME., fr. OE. cyndelice,ge-cyndelice, 'naturally', fr. ge-cynde, 'natural'. See kind,
adj., and adv. suff. -ly.
kindness, n. - ME. kindenesse, fr. kinde. See
kind, adj., and -ness.
kindred, n. -ME. kinrede, kinreden, compounded
of ~in, fr. OE. cynn, 'kind, kin, race, species,
fam1ly', and -red, fr. OE. r<eden, 'rule, condition'
(fr. r<edan, 'to advise, discuss, rule, guess, read'),
used as a noun. See kin and read and cp. the
second element in hatred. The first d in kindred
is epenthetic.
Derivatives: kindred, adj., kindred-ship, n.
kine, n., archaic and poetic pl. of cow. - OE.
cyna (gen. pl.), 'of cows', fr. cy, 'cows', pl. of
cii., 'cow'. See cow.
kinema, n. - See cinema.
kinematic, also kinematical, adj., pertaining to
kinematics. - See cinema and -ic, resp. also -at.
Derivative: kinematic-al-ly, adv.
kinematics, n., that branch of science which deals
with motion. - Formed with suff. -ics fr. Gk.
xiV'I]!LIX, gen. xi:v~!l-IXTO~, 'motion', fr. xi:ve:~v. See
kinetic and cp. words there referred to.
kinematograph, n. - See cinematograph.
kinesis, n., physical movement. - Gk. xh1'1]cr~~.
'movement, motion', fr. xi:ve:tv. See next word
and cp. akinesia, diadochokinesis, hyperkinesia,
telekinesis.
kinesthesia, kinesthesis, also kinaesthaesia, kinaesthesis, n., the muscle sense (psycho/.) ModL., compounded of Gk. xi:ve:L'v 'to move'
and IXLcr&lJm~. 'perception'. See kin- ~nd esthetic:
kinesthetic, also kinaesthetic, adj., pertaining to
kinesthesia. - See prec. word and esthetic.
kinetic, adj., 1) pertaining to motion; 2) having
moving force. - Gk. xi:vlJnx6~, 'putting in
motion', fr. xi:vr.o~, 'moved', verbal adj. of
xi:ve:Lv, 'to move', which is rei. to x(e:w, 'to go',
and cogn. with L. ciere, 'to put in motion',
citiire, 'to put into quick motion'. See cite and
cp. cinema, cinerama, kinematics, kino-, Acineta.
Derivatives: kinetic-a!, adj., kinetic-al-ly, adv.
kinetics, n., that branch of science which deals
with the action of forces in causing or changing
the motion of bodies.- See prec. word and -ics.
kineto-, combining form denoting motion.- Gk.
xivr,o-, fr. xiv-r;o<;, 'moved'. verbal adj. of
xi:ve~v, 'to move'. See kinetic.
kinetoscope, n., an instrument for producing motion pictures. - Compounded of kineto- and
Gk. -crx6rttov, fr. crxom:i:v, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scope.
Derivative: kinetoscop-ic, adj.
king, n. - ME. kynge, fr. OE. cyning, cyng,
'king', rei. to Du. koning, OS., OHG. kuning,

847

kirk, n., a church (Northern Engl. and Scot.). kunig, ON. konungr, Dan. konge, Swed. konung,
ON. kirkja, fr. OE. cirice, circe, 'church'. See
Teut.
fr.
Konig;
G.
kunec,
kung, MHG. kiinic,
church and cp. kermis.
kuninga-z, 'king', which is formed fr. *kunya-,
kirsch, n., kirschwasser. -See next word.
'kind, kin, race, species, family' and suff. -ing,
kirschwasser, n., an alcoholic liquor distilled from
-ung; see kin and patronymic suff. -ing. OE.
the fermented juice of cherries. -G., lit. 'cherry
cyning, etc., orig. denoted 'pertaining to a kin',
water', fr. Kirsche, 'cherry', and Wasser, 'water'.
kin'.
his
of
first
'the
meaning
the
arose
whence
The first element derives fr. MHG. kirse, fr.
Cp. the second element in erlking. Finn. kuninOHG. kirsa, fr. VL. *ceresia, fr. Imperial L.
gas, 'king', and OSiav. kiinrgii, kii.nrzi, 'prince',
cerasium, 'cherry'; see cherry. For the second
priest',
Lith. kunigas, Lett. kungs, 'clergyman,
see water.
element
are Teut. loan words. Cp. knez.
r) a man's tunic; 2) a woman's skirt
n.,
kirtle,
adj.,
king-less,
v.,
intr.
and
tr.
king,
Derivatives:
dial.) - ME. kirtel, fr. OE. cyrtel,
or
(archaic
king-less-ness, n., king-like, adj. and adv., kingrei. to ON. kyrtill, 'tunic'. Both the OE. and
ly, adj. and adv., king-li-ness, n.
the ON. word are prob. formed fr. L. curtus,
kingdom, n.- ME., fr. OE. cyningdOm, n., fr.
'short', and the dimin. suff. -el, resp. -ill, and
cyning, 'king'. See prec. word and -dom.
orig. denoted a short garment. See curt and cp.
-let,
and
king
fr.
coined
hybrid
A
n.
kinglet.
words there referred to. For the ending see
dimin. suff. of French origin.
suff. -el.
kink, n., a twist in a rope. - Fr. Swed. or Du.
also Kislew, n., name of the ninth Jewish
Kislev,
ON.
to
rei.
are
which
rope',
kink, 'a twist in a
Heb. kisllw, fr. Akkad. kislimu, kismonth.kika, 'to bend at the knee', Norw. kank, 'a
liwu. For the interchangibility of w and m in
twist'.
Akkadian cp. Marheshvan.
Derivatives: kink, intr. and tr. v., kink-y, adj.,
kismet, n., fate.- Turk. qismet, fr. Arab. qismah,
kink-i-ly, adv., kink-i-ness, n.
'portion, lot, fate', fr. qtisama, 'he divided, diskinkajou, n., a racoonlike animal. - F., of Altributed, apportioned', esp. 'he divided by drawgonquian origin.
ing lots at the sanctuary', whence aqsama, 'he
kinkhost, n., whooping cough. - Rei. to Fris.
swore'; rei. to EthiDp. qasama, He b. qiistim,
kinkhoest,
Du.
kinkhoast, MLG. kinkh6ste,
Aram. qtsam, Syr. qltzam, 'he practiced divi'whooping cough', and to chincough (q.v.)
Heb. qesem, Aram. qism&, 'divination'
nation',
-le.
suff.
dimin.
with
kink
fr.
Formed
n.kinkle,
intr. v.- ME. kissen, fr. OE. cyssan,
and
tr.
kiss,
Derivatives: kinkle, tr. and intr. v., kinkl-ed, adj.
rei. to OS. kussian, ON. kyssa, OFris. kessa,
klnnikinnic, kinnikinic, n., mixture of dried leaves
Du., OHG. kussen, MLG., MHG., G. kussen,
and bark, used instead of tobacco. - A
'to kiss', which are denominated fr. OE. coss,
N. American Indian word lit. meaning 'mixture'.
OFris. koss, resp. OS., MLG., Du., OHG.
ON.,
A
trees.
tropical
various
of
kino, n., gum
pro b. cogn. with Gk. x.uve:i:v, 'to
'kiss';
kus,
W. African native word.
kiss', Hitt, kuwash-anzi, 'they kiss', 01. cumkino-, before a vowel kin, combining form debali, 'he kisses'. All these words are of imitative
noting motion. - Gk. xi:vo-, x.i:v-, fr. x.i:ve:L'v,
origin.
'to move'. See kinetic.
n. - ME., alteration (due to the influence
kiss,
protoplasm.
of
element
active
the
n.,
kinoplasm,
verb kissen) of cos, fr. OE. coss. Sec
the
of
- Compounded of kino- and Gk. rtA&crll-IX,
v.
kiss,
-plasm.
See
molded'.
'something
kist, n., a chest (Northern Engl. and Scot.) kiosk, also kiosque, n., an open pavilion or sumME. kiste, kist, fr. ON. kista, 'chest', fr. L.
merhouse; an open building used as a newsSee chest and cp. cist.
cista.
'pavilion',
kioshk,
Turk.
fr.
stand.- F. kiosque,
n. - The same as cist, 'a sepulchral stone
kist,
fr. Pers. kilshk, 'palace'.
chest'.
kip, n., the hide of a calf or another young beast.
kistvaen, n., a stone coffin.- W. cistfaen, lit. 'a
- Of uncertain origin.
stone chest'. See cistvaen.
kip, n., a lodging; a bed (slang). -Rei. to Dan.
n., a wooden tub, tankard. - MDu. kitte
kit,
kippe, 'a miserable inn'.
kit), rei. to Norw. kitte, 'bin'. Cp. kid,
(Du.
kipper, n., the male salmon. - ME. kypre, fr.
tub', and caboodle.
small
'a
OS.
to
rei.
b.
pro
salmon',
of
kind
'a
OE. cypera,
kit, n., a small fiddle used formerly by dancing
capiro, of s.m., and to OE. copor, 'copper' (see
teachers. - Abbreviation of OE. cythere, fr.
copper), and so called in allusion to the copperL. citharu, 'lute', fr. Gk. :.u8:i;:.i. See either.
colored spots of the male salmon.
n. - Abbreviation of kitten.
kit,
Derivative: kipper, tr. v., to cure (fish) by salting
kitab, n., a book: esp. the Koran or the Bible
and drying.
(Mohammeda nism).- Arab. kit&b, 'book', lit.
ldrimon, n., the Japanese Imperial emblem rep'a writing', fr. Aram. k'thiibh, 'a writing', fr.
resenting three leaves and three buds of the
'he wrote' (whence Arab. kataba, 'he
ktthabh,
kiri,
of
compounded
Jap.,
paulownia tree.
ketubah and cp. words there reSee
wrote').
'the paulownia tree', and mon, 'crest'. Cp. the
ferred to.
second element in ldkumon.

Kit-cat
Kit-cat, adj., r) designating a club founded by
Whig politicians in London in 1703; so called
from Christopher (Kit) Cat(ling}, keeper of the
tavern in which the club first met; 2) designating
a particular size of portrait which is less than
half-length; said to have been so called because
the room in which the portraits of the members
of the Kit-cat Club were to be hung was too
low for half-length pictures.
Derivatives: Kit-cat, n. I) the Kit-cat Club; 2) a
Kit-cat portrait.
kitchen, n. - ME. kuchene, kichene, kichen, fr.
OE. cycene, fr. L. cucina [whence also It. cucina,
OProven9. cozina, F. cuisine, Sp. cocina, and
MDu. cokene (Du. keuken), OHG. chuhhina
(MHG. kuchen, kuche, G. Kuche}, Dan. kjekken), dissimilated var. of L. coquina, 'kitchen',
fr. coquere, 'to cook'. See cook and cp. cuisine.
Derivatives: kitchen, tr. v., kitchen-er, n., kitchenette (q.v.)
kitchenette, n. - A hybrid coined fr. kitchen
with -ette, a suff. of French origin.
kitchen midden, refuse marking a primitive human settlement. - Dan. kjekken medding, lit.
'kitchen midden'. See kitchen and midden.
kichery, n. - A variant of kedgeree.
kite, n.- ME. kite, fr. OE. cpta, 'kite, bittern',
rei. to ciegan (for orig. *kaujan), 'to call', MHO.
(stein-)kilze, G. Kauz, 'screech owl', MLG.
kilten, 'to chatter, babble, prate', LG. k1Jter
(whence G. Koter), 'cur, dog', fr. I.-E. base
*gou-, *gow-; 'to shout, cry', whence also 01.
gavate, 'sounds, resounds', Gk. yoiiv, 'to wail,
groan, weep', yoo~, 'wailing, groaning, weeping',
OE. cyme, 'fine, beautiful, splendid', orig. 'frail,
delicate, tender'. See comely.
kith, n., now used only in the phrase kith and kin.
- ME. cuththe, kith, fr. OE. cyoo(u)-, 'knowledge, acquaintance, relationship; native country', fr. cuo, 'known', pp. of cunnan, 'to know'.
See can, aux. v., and cp. uncouth.
kitling, n., a small kitten. - ME., fr. ON. ket/ingr, 'kitten; young of other animals', dimin.
of kottr, 'cat'. See cat and dimin. suff. -ling.
kittel, n., a white cotton robe which pious Jews
wear during the High Holiday services, and in
which they are buried.- Yiddish kite/, fr. G.
Kittel, 'frock, coat', fr. MHG. kittel, kite/, ult.
fr. Arab. qu(n, 'cotton', whence also G. Kattun,
'cotton'; see cotton. For the ending -el in kittel
see the suffixes -cl and -le.
kitten, n. - ME. kitoun, a blend of kitling and
ONF. eaton (corresponding to OF., F. charon),
'little cat', dimin. of ONF. cat (corresponding
to OF., F. chat}, 'cat'. See cat and cp. kittle, 'to
bring forth kittens', kitty, 'kitten'.
Derivatives: kitten, intr. v., kitten-ish, adj.,
kitten-ish-ly, adv., kitten-ish-ness, n.
kittiwake, n., seagull of the genus Rissa. - Imitative of its cry.
kittle, tr. v., to tickle.- ME. kytyl/en, fr. MDu.
( = Du.) kietelen; rei. to ON. kit/a, OHG. kiz-

848
zilon, kuzzi/on, MHO., G. kitzeln, 'to tickle'.
Cp. tickle, which is a metathesis var. of kittle.
kittle, intr. v., to bring forth kittens (obsol.) Prob. back formation fr. kitling.
kitty, n., a pet name for a kitten. - Formed fr.
kit, 'kitten', with dimin. suff. -y.
kitty, n., a prison or jail (Northern Engl. or slang).
- Of uncertain origin.
kiwi, n., a flightless bird of New Zealand; apteryx. - Maori, of imitative origin.
klaprothite, n., a synonym of lazulite (mineral.)Named after the German mineralogist Martin
Heinrich K/aproth (1743-1817). For the ending
see subt. suff. -ite.
klaprotholite, n., a copper bismuth sulfide
(mineral.) - See prec. word and -lite.
Klaxon, n., a trade mark for motor horns. Coined from the stem of Gk. 0-oc~co (fut.
xAocy~co), 'I shout aloud, scream', which is cogn.
with L. clangere, 'to resound'. See clang.
kleeneboc, n., a small kind of antelope (Antilope
perpusilla). - S. African Du. kleinbok, lit.
'little buck', fr. Du. klein, 'small', and bok, 'buck'.
See clean and buck.
kleisto-, combining form. - See cleisto-.
klepht, n., one of a group of Greeks who after
the conquest of Greece by the Turks formed
communities of partisans; a brigand. -Mod.
Gk. XAEtpTI)~. corresponding to Gk. xAbiTYJ~,
'thief, robber', from the stem of xA8rrnLV, 'to
steal', whence-with vowel gradation-xl-orr-1],
'theft', xl-orr6~ and XA~IjJ. 'thief'; cogn. with L.
clepere, 'to steal', Goth. hlifan, 'to steal', hllftus,
'thief', Mir. cluain, 'deception, flattery', cluainech, 'deceptive'. Cp. klepto-, kleptomania,
clepsydra.
Derivatives: klepht-ic, adj., klepht-ism, n.
klepto-, combining form meaning 'theft' or
'thief'.- Gk. xl-m't'o-, fr. xl-errTII~ See klepht.
kleptomania, n., an uncontrollable propensity to
steal (med.) - Medical L., coined fr. kleptoand Gk. fLIXVlii, 'madness, frenzy'. See mania.
Derivative: kleptomani-ac, n. and adj.
klino-, combining form. - See clino-.
klippe, n., a thrust mass of strata, an outlier
(geol.)- G. Klippe, 'cliff, crag, steep rock', fr.
MHG. klippe, fr. MDu. klippe (Du. klip), which
is rei. to OHG. klep, OE. clif See cliff.
klipspringer, n., a small African antelope. - S.
Afr. Du., lit. 'cliff-springer', fr. Du. k/ip, 'cliff,
rock' and springer, 'leaper, springer'. See cliff
and spring, v.
kloof, n., a deep gorge, ravine. - S. Afr. Du.,
fr. MDu. clove, 'cleft', which stands in gradational relationship to OE. cleofian, eli/ian, 'to stick,
adhere'. See cleave, 'to stick, adhere'.
knack, tr. v. and n. - Of imitative origin. Cp.
Dan. knage, Swed., Norw. knaka, MHG., G.
knacken, 'to crack', and E. knock, which all are
imitative.
knacker, n., one who !:mys or slaughters worn
out horses. - Of uncertain, possibly Scand.,

849

origin. Cp. Icel. hnakkur, 'saddle', which is rei.

to ON. hnakki, hnakkr, 'nape of the neck', and
to OE. hnecca, 'nape of the neck'. See 1st neck
and asential suff. -er.
Derivative: knacker-y, n.
kaac. n., a knot in wood. - ME. knagge; cp.
Swed. kntJgg, 'knot in wood', LG. knagge
(whence G. Knagge), of s.m., Dan. knag, 'hook
to hang clothes on'. These words prob. derive
fr. I.-E. gnegh-, enlargement of base *gen-,
'pressed together'. Cp. knight.
Derivative: kntJgg-y, adj.
bap, n., the crest of a hill.- ME., fr. OE. cnii!p,
Cllltpp, 'top, mountain top, knob, button', rei.
to LG. knap, 'summit, top', ON. knappr, 'knob,
button', and to E. knob, knop.
kDap, tr. v., to snap; to strike with a sharp sound
(obso/.) - Of imitative origin. Cp. MDu. cnappen, Du. and G. knappen, 'to crack'.
Derivative: knapp-er, n.
knapsack, n. - Du. knapzak, compounded of
knappen, 'to crack, snap; to crunch, eat', and
zak, 'bag, sack'. See knap, v. and sack, 'bag'.
Derivatives: knapsack-ed, adj., knapsack-ing, n.
knapweed, n.- ME. knopwed, fr. knop, 'knop',
and wed, 'weed'. See knop and weed.
!mar, n., a knot in wood. - ME. knarre; rei. to
MHG. gnarren, knarren, G. knarren, 'to creak,
rattle', and to E. gnarl (q.v.) Cp. knur, knurl.
knave,n., I) a boy, a servant (archaic); 2) a rascal;
3) a playing card; the jack. - ME. knaue
(=knave), 'boy, servant, knave', fr. OE. cnafa,
'boy, youth, servant', rei. to OHG. knabo, 'boy,
youth, servant', MHG., G. knabe, 'boy, lad',
and to OE. cnapa, 'boy, youth, servant', ON.
knapi, 'servant boy', MLG. knape, ODu. knapo,
MDu. knape, Du. knaap, 'a youth, servant',
OHG. knappo, MHG. knappe, 'a young squire',
G. Knappe, 'squire, shield bearer, attendant'. The
orig. meaning of these words prob. was 'stick,
peg, piece of wood'; cp. dial. G. Knabe and dial.
Swed. knabb, knappe, 'peg', ON. knefi/1, 'crossbar', MLG. knevel, OHG. knebil, MHG., G.
knebel, 'peg, short piece of wood, crossbar'. See
Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS., P-379 s.v. Knabe.
Derivatives: knav-ery, n., knav-ish, adj., knavish-ly, adv., knav-ish-ness, n.
knead, tr. v. - ME. kneden, fr. OE. cnedan, rei.
to OS. knedan, MDu. cneden, Du. kneden, OHG.
knetan, MHG., G. kneten, ON. knooa, Swed.
knada, 'to knead', and cogn. with OSlav. gned(J,
gnesti, 'to crush, squeeze', OPruss. gnode, 'a
trough for kneading bread'.
Derivatives: knead-er, n., knead-ing, adj., kneading-ly, adv.
knee, n. - ME. kne, knee, fr. OE. cneo, cneow,
rei. to OS. kneo, knio, ON. kne, OFris. kni, kne,
MDu. cnie, Du. knie, OHG. kniu, MHO., G.
knie, Goth. kniu, and cogn. with OI.jdnu, Avestic
inum (ace.), Toch. A kanwe'fl (dual), B kenine,
Hitt. genu, 'knee', Arm. cun-r, pl. cunk-k', Gk.
y6w, gen. y6vptTo<; (for y6vfa:TO<;), 'knee', ycov(ii

knife
(for *ywvf(ii}, 'corner, angle', yvu~, 'on the
knees', yvu-rre't'o~, 'falling on the knees', L.
genu, 'knee'. Cp. genua!, genuflect, gonio-,
diagonal.
Derivatives: knee, tr. and intr. v., knee-d, adj.,
kneel (q.v.)
kneel, intr. v.- ME. knelen, fr. OE. cneowlian,
fr. cneo, 'knee'; rei. to MLG. knelen, MDu.
cnielen, Du. knielen, 'to kneel'. See knee.
Derivatives: kneel-er, n., kneel-ing, adj., kneeling-ly, adv.
kneelet, n., a covering for the knee. - A hybrid
coined fr. knee and -let, a suff. of French origin.
kneippism, n., system of hydrotherapy introduced
by Sebastian Kneipp, a German priest ( I82 I -97).
- G. Kneippismus. For the ending see suff.
-ism.
knell, intr. and tr. v. - ME. knyl/en, knellen, fr.
OE. cnyl/an, 'to sound the bell, to ring', of imitative origin. Cp. MHG. erknellen, 'to resound',
whence, with back formation, G. Knall, 'sharp
report, detonation', knal/en, 'to explode, detonate'.
knell, n. - ME. knell, fr. OE. cnyll, fr. cnyllan.
See knell, v.
knelt, past tense and pp. of kneel.
Kneseth, n., the Israeli Parliament. - Mishnaic
Heb. klneseth, 'gathering, assembly' (cp. beth
ktneseth, 'synagogue' lit. 'house of assembly'),
from the stem of Heb. kiinds, 'he gathered, assembled, collected', which is rei. to Aram.
ktnash, 'he gathered, assembled, collected'
(whence be ktnishtd, 'synagogue', lit. 'house of
assembly').
knew, past tense of know.- ME. knew, fr. OE.
cneow, 'he knew', past tense of cniiwan. See
know.
knez, kniaz, n., a Slavonic title.- Russ. knyaz',
'prince', fr. OSlav. kunrgu, kunrzi, of s.m., of
Teut. origin. Cp. OHG., OS. kuning, kunig,
'king', and see king.
Knickerbocker, n., a descendant of the Dutch
settlers of New York; a New Yorker.- From
Diedrich Knickerbocker, the pretended author
of Washington Irving's History of New York.
The name Knickerbocker is formed fr. Du.
knikker, 'marble' (fr. imitative knikken, 'to
crack, click'), and bocker, 'baker', hence it lit.
means 'baker of marble'.
knickerbockers, n. pl., loose, short breeches. Fr. prec. word.
knickers, n. pl., bloomers (vulgar).- Abbreviation of prec. word.
knickknack, n., trifle, toy. - Antiphonic reduplication of knack.
Derivatives: knickknack-ed, adj., knickknackery, n., knickknack-y, adj.
knife, n. - ME. knif, fr. OE. cnif, prob. fr. ON
knifr, which is rei. to MLG. knif, MDu. cnijf,
Du. knijf, G. Kneif, Kneip, 'knife', MLG.
knipen, G. kneifen, 'to pinch, to nip', and prob.
cogn. with Lith. gnybiu, 'I pinch, I nip', gnjihis,

knight

'a pinching, nipping'. F. canif, 'penknife', is

borrowed fr. OE. or fr. ON.
Derivative: knife, tr. v.
knight, n.- ME., 'boy, youth, knight', fr. OE.
cniht, 'boy, youth, attendant, servant, retainer',
rei. to OFris. kniucht, MLG., MDu., Du. knecht,
OS., OHG., MHG. kneht, 'boy, youth, lad,
man, hero', G. Knecht, 'servant, bondman,
vassal'; of uncertain origin; perhaps rei. to
Swed. knagg, 'knot in wood', dialectally used
also in the sense of 'a thickset man'. Cp. E.
knag and see Kluge- Mitzka, EWDS., pp. 380-81
s.v. Knecht. Cp. also the second element in
lansquenet.
Derivatives: knight, tr. v., knight-hood, n.,
knight-ly, adj. and adv., knight+ness, n.
knit, tr. v. - ME. knitten, fr. OE. cnyttan, 'to
tie, knot', rei. to ON. knytja, MLG. kniitten,
'to tie, knot', and to OE. cnotta, 'a knot'. Cp.
knot.
Derivatives: knit, n., knitt-er, n., knitt-ing, n.
knob, n.- ME., rel. to LG. knobbe, 'knob', and
to E. knap, 'crest of a hill', knop, knub, nub.
Derivatives: knobb-y, adj., knobb-i-ness, n.
knobkerrie, n., a short Kaffir club used as a weapon. -- S. Afr. Du. knopkierie, a hybrid coined
fr. Du. knob(be), 'knob' (see knop), and Hottentot kirrie, 'stick, club'.
knock, tr. and intr. v. - ME. knokken, fr. OE.
cnucian, cnocian, of imitative origin. Cp. ON.
knoka, 'to knock', which is also imitative.
Derivative;: knock, n., knock-er, n.
knoll, n., top of a small hill. - ME. knol, fr. OE.
enol/, 'hill top, hill', rel. to ON. knollr, 'hilltop',
MLG., MHG., G. kno/le, 'clod, glebe, lump',
Du. knot, 'turnip', and to OHG. nollo, Du. no!,
'a hill'.
Derivative: knoll)', adj.
knoll, tr. and intr. v., to knell, ring. - A blend
of knell and toll.
Derivative: knoll, n., knell.
knop, n., a knob. - ME. knop, knoppe, fr. OE.
cnoppa, rei. to MLG. knoppe, MDu. cnoppe,
Du. knop, knoppe, 'knob, bud', OHG., MHG.
knopf, 'knotty excrescence, bud, knob, knot',
G. Knopf, 'button, knob, top, pommel', Swcd.
knapp, Dan. knop, 'knob, bud', and to E. knap,
knob. Cp. the first element in knobkerrie.
knopite, n., a mineral intermediate between pcrovskitc and dysanalytc. - G. Knopit, named
after Professor Adolf Knop of Karslruhe, Germany (died in 1893). The ending -it goes back
to Gk. -tr~~; see subst. suff. -ite.
knot, n., bow, tic. -- ME. knot, knolle, fr. OE.
cnotta, rei. to OE. cnyttan, 'to knit', and to Du.
knot, OHG. knoto, knodo, MHG. knote, knode,
G. Knoten, ON. knutr, Swed. knut, Dan. knude,
'knot'. Cp. knit, knout. Cp. also quenelle.
Derivatives: knot, tr. v., knott-ed, adj., knott-er,
n., knott-ing, n., knott-y, adj., knott-i-ness, n.
knot, n., a variety of the sandpiper. - Of unknown oriJtin.

850

knout, n., a leather whip. - Russ. knut, lit.

'knotted whip', of Scand. origin. Cp. ON.
knutr, Swed. knut, 'knot', and see knot, 'bow,
tie'.
know, tr. and intr. v. - ME. knawen, knowen,
fr. OE. cniiwan, rei. to OHG. bi-chniian, irchniian, 'to know', Goth. kannjan, 'to make
known', OE. cunnan, 'to know', cennan, 'to
make known, declare, attest', fr. I.-E. base
*gene-, *geno-, 'to know'. See can, aux. v., and
words there referred to and cp. esp. keen, adj.,
ken, 'to know', ken, 'range of sight'.
Derivatives: know, n., know-er, n., know-ing,
adj., know-ing-ly, adv., know-able, adj., knowabil-ity, n., know-able-ness, n.
knowledge, n. - ME. knawleche, knoweleche,
knowlege, fr. knawlechen, knowlechen, 'to
acknowledge', fr. knawen, knowen, 'to know'
(see prec. word), and the suff. -ledge, which
prob. derives fr. Swed. -leek a suff. rei. to E.
-lock in wedlock (q.v.) Cp. acknowledge.
Derivatives: knowledge-able, adj., knowledgeabil-ity, n., knowledge-able-ness, n., knowledgeabl-y, adv.
known, pp. of know.
knub, n., a protuberance. - Prob. fr. LG. knubbe, 'knob, protuberance', fr. MLG. knubbe, of
s.m., which is rei. to E. knob, nub.
knuckle, n. - ME. knokel, knokil, knokyl, rei. to
MLG. knokel, MDu. cnockel, Du. kneukel,
MHG. knochel, kniichel, G. Knochel, 'knuckle'.
All these words lit. mean 'little bone'; they are
formed fr. MLG. knoke, resp. MDu. cnoke, Du.
knok, MHG. knoche, G. Knochen, 'bone', with
the dimin. suff. -!e.
Derivatives: knuckle, v., knuckl-ed, adj., knuckly, adj.
knur, n., a knotty excrescence.- ME. knorre,
rei. to MLG., MHG. knorre, G. Knorren, 'a
knotty excrescence'. Cp. knar, knurl, gnarl.
knurl, n., a small knotty excrescence. - Related
to prec. word.
Derivatives: knurl, tr. v., knurl-ed, adj., knurling, n.
koa, n., the Hawaiian acacia (Acacia koa). Native name.
koala, n., a small Australian marsupial (Phascolarctus cinereus). - Native name.
kob, n., any of various African antelopes. Native name.
koban, kobang, n., an obsolete Japanese coin. Jap. ko-ban, fr. ko, 'small', and ban, 'division'.
kobellite, n., a lead bismuth antimony sulfide
(mineral.) - Named after the German mineralogist Franz von Kobell (18o3-82). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
kobold, n.- MHG. kobolt (also kobOlt), fr. ML.
cobiilus, fr. Gk. x6~fD.a~, 'a malicious sprite'.
The ending of Gk. x6~-fD.o~, resp. ML. cobiilus was mistaken for a suff. and confused with
MHG. suff. -aft, -ott (cp. MHG. heralt, herolt
and see herald). See cobalt and goblia.

851
Kodak, n.- Trade name coined by the American
inventor George Eastman (18541932) about

189<>.

Derivatives: kodak, tr. and intr. v., kodak-er, n.

Kodashlm, n. pl., the fifth order of the Mishnah.
- Heb. qodtishfm, 'holy things', pl. of q6desh,
'holiness'. See Kedushshah and cp. words there
referred to.
koel, n., a cuckoo of the genus Eudynamys orientalis. - Hind. koel, fr. 01. kokilal;r, 'the Indian
cuckoo', which is of imitative origin. See
cuckoo.
Kobeletb, n., the book of Ecclesiastes. - Heb.
qoheleth, 'preacher', rei. to qtihd/, qhilldn, 'assembly, congregation'. See kehillah.
KobeD, also Cohen, a priest (Jewish religion). Heb. kiihin, 'a priest', from the base of kihin,
'he acted as a priest', whence also khunndh,
'priesthood'; rei. to Aram. kiihln, kiihtimi,
'priest', Arab. kahana, 'he divined, prophesied',
kdhin (properly partie. of the prec. verb), 'seer'.
Cp. Cohen.
Kob-i-noor, n., a famous diamond, one of the
British crown jewels. - Pers. koh-i-mlr, lit.
'mountain of light', prop. a hybrid coined fr.
Pers. kiih, 'mountain', which is rei. to Pers.
kohe, 'hump', OPers. kaufa-, 'mountain', Avestic kaofa-, 'mountain, hump', and fr. Arab.
niir, 'light' (see Menorah).
kohl, n., powder (esp. of antimony), used by Eastem women to darken the eyelids. - Arab.
kul;rl. See alcohol.
kohlrabi, n., a kind of cabbage.- G. Kohlrabi,
fr. It. cavoli rape, pl. of cavolo rapa, lit. 'cole
rape'; influenced in form by G. Kohl, 'cabbage'.
Cp. F. chou-rave and see cole and rape, 'a plant
allied to the turnip'.
kola, n., 1) the kola nut; 2) extract of the kola
nut. - See Cola, 'a genus of trees'.
kolach, n., a variety of cake. - Czech koldc (rei.
to Pol. kolacz, Serbo-Croatian kolac, Church
Slavonic kolaci, etc.), lit. 'a cake resembling a
wheel', fr. kola, 'wheel'; so called from its original shape. See kolo.
kola nut, nut of the African tree called Cola acuminata. See kola.
kolinsky, n., fur of certain kinds of mink. Russ., lit. 'of Kola', fr. Kola, name of a district
in N.W. Russia.
Kol Nidre, declaration made in Aramaic at the
beginning of the evening service on the eve of
Yom Kippur. -Aramaic kol nidhri, 'all vows';
so called from the opening words of the declaration.
kolo, n., a popular round dance of the Slavonic
nations. - OS!av. kolo, 'circle, wheel', cogn.
with 01. cakral;r, Gk. xu)()..o~, OE. hweogo/,
hweol, 'wheel'. See wheel, and cp. kolach.
konak, n., a large mansion or government house
in Turkey. -Turk. qoniiq, 'inn, mansion, governmenthouse'.
kopec:k, also ~ kopek, n., one hundredth

kraal
part of a ruble. - Russ. kopeika, fr. kop'e,
'lance'; so called because orig. the coin represented the czar with a lance in his hand. Russ.
kopeika is rei. to Russ. kopat', 'to dig', Lett.
kapiins, 'chopper, chopping knife', and cogn.
with Gk. xaJt[~, 'chopper, cleaver, billhook'.
See capon.
kopje, n., a small hill in S. Africa. - S. African
Du., dimin. of Du. kop, 'head; hill'. See cop,
'mound, hill'.
koph, qoph, n., name of the 19th letter of the
Hebrew alphabet. - Heb. qoph, lit. 'eye of a
needle'; so called in allusion to the ancient
Hebrew form of this letter. Cp. next word.
koppa, n., a letter of the early Greek alphabet,
corresponding to Hebrew qoph.- Gk. x6mt<X,
fr. an Aramaized form of Heb. qoph. See
prec. word.
koppite, n., a cerium mineral. - G. Koppit,
named after Professor Hermann F. M. Kopp of
Heidelberg (1817-92). The ending -it goes back
to Gk. -fTIJ~; see subst. suff. -ite.
kor, n., a Hebrew measure, also called homer. Heb. kor, lit. 'a round vessel', fr. base k-r-r,
'to be round'.
Koran, n., the sacred book of the Mohammedans. - Arab. Qur'dn, lit. 'reading', fr. qdra'a,
'he recited, read aloud, read', which is prob. borrowed fr. Aram. q<rii'. 'he called, recited, read'.
See mikra and cp. karalsm.
Derivative: Koran-ic, adj.
kos, n., a measure of distance in India. - Hind.
kos, fr. 01. krtisaf,, lit. 'a call, a shout' (i.e. 'the
distance within which a man's shout can be
heard'), from the I.-E. imitative base *qer-,
*qor-, *qr-, 'to shout'. See raven and cp. words
there referred to.
kosher, adj. - See kasher.
Kosteletzkya, n., a genus of plants of the family
Malvaceae (bot.) - ModL., named after the
Czech botanist Vincenz Franz Kostefetzky( 1So 187).
koto, n., a Japanese thirteen-stringed musical instrument. - Jap.
kotow.- See kowtow.
kotwal, n., a police officer (East-India). - Hind.
fr. Pers. kotwiil, 'seneschal, commandant of a
castle', fr. Turk. kotiiul, kotiiwal, 'keeper of a
castle, chief of a garrison'.
koumiss, n.- See kumiss.
kourbash, n.- See kurbash.
kouskous, kuskus, n. - See cous-cous.
kovil, n., a Hindu temple (Anglo-Ind.)- Tamil
kO-v-il. 'house of God', fr. ko, 'lord, heaven',
and il, 'house'.
kowtow, kotow, n., the act of kneeling and knocking the forehead on the ground: a Chinese form
of salutation to a supcrior.-Chin., compounded of ko, 'knock', and tou, 'head'.
Derivative: kowtow, kotow, intr. v., to make a
kowtow.
kraal, n., a village of S. African natives. - S.

krait

852

cogn. with Church Slav. criinii, Russ. coron

African Du. kraal, 'village, pen, enclosure', fr.
(cernyj), Serbo-Croatian ern, Czech cerny,
Port. curral, 'pen for cattle', fr. correr, 'to run'.
OPruss. kirsnas, 'black', Lith. kersas, 'black
See current, adj., and cp. corral, crawl, 'enand white, variegated'.
closure'.
Krishnaism,n., the worship ofKrishna.-Formed
krait, n., a venomous Indian snake. - Hind.
fr. prec. word with suff. -ism.
karait.
krona, n., the monetary unit of Sweden. - Swed.
kraken, n., a mythical seamonster of northern
See krone.
seas. - Formed fr. dial. Norw. krake and the
kroebnkite or krohnkite, n., a hydrous copper
definite article n.
Named after
sodium sulfate (mineral.) kran, n., name of a gold and a silver coin in
B. Krohnke, a German mineralogist of the 19th
Persia. - Pers. qriin.
cent., who analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
krantz, kranz, n., precipice. - S. African Du.,
suff. -ite.
fr. Du. krans, 'garland, wreath, cornice', which
krone, n., 1) the monetary unit of Denmark and
is related to G. Kranz, of s.m.; of uncertain
Norway.- Dan. and Norw. krone, rei. to Swed.
origin.
krona, G. Krone, fr. L. corona, 'crown'. See
krantzite, n., a fossil resin (mineral.) - G.
crown.
Krantzit, named after A. Krantz, a German
krone, n., the former monetary unit of Austriamineralogist of the 19th cent. The ending -it
Hungary. - G. Krone, fr. L. corona. See prec.
goes back to Gk. -tT'l]c;; see subst. suff. -ite.
word.
krater, n., a large bowl used for mixing wine and
krummhorn, n., a curved wind instrument.- G.,
water (archeol.) - Gk. xpiiTI)p. See crater.
lit. 'a crooked horn', fr. krumm, 'curved, crookkraurosis, n., shriveling of the skin due to atrophy
ed', and Horn, 'horn'. See crumple and horn and
(med.) - Medical L., lit. 'brittle condition (of
cp. cromorne.
the skin)', fr. Gk. xpcxupoc:;, 'brittle, friable',
krypto-, combining form. -The same as crypto-.
which is of unknown origin. For the ending see
krypton, n., name of an inert gaseous element
suff. -osis.
(chem.)- ModL., lit. 'the hidden (element)', fr.
kraurotic, adj. - See prec. word and -otic.
Gk. xpu7IT6v, neut. of xpu7IT6c;, 'hidden' (see
kremersite, n., a hydrous chloride of potassium,
crypto-); coined by the discoverers of this eleammonium and iron (mineral.)- G. Kremersit,
ment, the Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay
named after the German chemist Peter Kremers
(1852-1916) and the English chemist Morris
(born in 1827), who first analyzed it. The ending
William Travers (1872-I961) in I898. The ele-it goes back to Gk. -tT'l]c;; see subst. suff. -ite.
ment was long undiscovered, hence its name.
Kremlin, kremlin, n., the citadel of a Russian city,
Cp. neon, xenon.
esp. that of Moscow. - F., fr. Russ. kreml',
Kshatriya, n., a member of the Hindu military
'citadel', which is of Tatar origin.
caste. - OI. k$atriyafz, fr. k11atram, 'rule, dokrennerite, n., a gold silver telluride (mineral.)minion'. See check, 'sudden stop'.
G. Krennerit, named after the Hungarian mineKuba, also kuba, n., a kind of fine rug. - Short
ralogist Joseph S.Krenner(I839-I920). The endfor Kuba rug; so called after Kuba, a town in
ing -it goes back to Gk. -tT'l]c;; see subst. suff.
Azerbaijan.
-ite.
Kubera, n., the god of wealth (Hinduism). - 01.
kreutzer, kreuzer, n., a former German and
Kuberafz, prob. meaning lit. 'the humpbacked
Austrian coin.- G. Kreuzer, fr. MHG. kriuzer,
one', and rei. to kubjafz, kubhra!z, 'crooked,
fr. kriuze, 'cross'; so called from the figure of a
humpbacked'; prob. of Austroasiatic origin.
cross stamped upon it. See cross and -er.
kuchen, n., a variety of German cake. - G.
kriegspiel, n., a war game.- G. Kriegsspie/, lit.
Kuchen, fr. MHG. kuoche, fr. OHG. chuohho,
'war game', fr. Krieg, 'war', and Spiel, 'game'.
kuocho, rei. to MDu. koke, 'cake', and in graThe first element is of uncertain origin. For the
dational relationship to ON. kaka. See cake
second element see spiel and cp. the second eleand cp. Cockayne. Cp. also Catal. coca and
ment in bonspiel, glockenspiel.
OProven9. coco, which are Teut. loan words.
Krigia, n., a genus of plants, the dwarf dandelion
kudos, n., fame, renown (colloq.) - Gk. xuSoc;,
(bot.) - ModL., named after David Krieg or
'glory, fame', which stands for *qUdos and lit.
Krig, an 18th cent. American plant collector.
means 'that which is heard of'. It is cogn. with
For the ending see suff. -ia.
OS!av. cudo, gen. -ese (for *qeudos), 'wonder',
krimmer, n., also crimmer, krimma, a kind of fur
lit. 'that which is heard of', fr. cu}(), cuti, 'to
made from the fleeces of lambs. - G., prop.
feel, perceive, hear'. Cp. Gk. xoew, 'I mark,
'fur of lambs of Crimea', fr. Krim, a Russian
perceive, hear', and see show.
name of Tatar origin (whence Crimea, the
kudo, n., a large S. African antelope (Strepsiceros
Latinized name of the peninsula).
kudu).- Hottentot.
kris, also creese, creas, n., a short Malay dagger
Kufic, Cufic, adj., 1) pertaining to the town Kufa;
with a waved blade. - Malay kris.
2) applied to a form of Arabic letters used at
Krisbna, n., the eighth avatar of Vishnu (Hindu
Kufa by copyists of the Qoran. - Formed with
mvthol.) - 01. Kuruib, lit. 'the Black One',

853

suff. -ic fr. Kufa (fr. Arab. al-Kftjah), name of a

town on the Euphrates.
Kuhnia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) - ModL., named after the American
physician and botanist Adam Kuhn (died in I 8 I 7),
who brought this plant to Linnaeus. For the
ending see suff. -Ia.
Kuklux, Ku-klux, Ku-Klux Klan, n., name of a
secret organization in the U.S.A.- Said to be
a corruption of Gk. xox),o~. 'circle' (see cycle).
kukri, n., a knife with a broad curved blade. Hind. kukri.
kultur, n., ~ulture, civilization. -G. Kultur, fr.
L. cultiira. See culture.
Kulturkampf, n., the struggle between the German government and the Roman Catholic
Church over the control of educational and
ecclesiastical appointments (1872-86). - G.,
lit. 'struggle for culture', compounded of Kultur
(see prec. word) and Kampf, 'combat, fight,
struggle', which is a loan word fr. L. campus,
'field, battlefield'. See camp.
kumiss, koumiss, n., fermented mare's or camel's
milk. - Russ. kumys, fr. Tatar kumiz.
kUmmel, n., liqueur flavored with carawai seeds.
-G. Kiimmel, 'cumin', fr. OHG. kumil, a dissimi!. var. of kumin, fr. OF. cumin, comin (F.
cumin), fr. L. cuminum. See cumin.
kummerbund, n. - See cummerbund.
kumquat, also cumquat, n., a small orange (Citrus
Japonica). -Cantonese pronunciation of Chin.
kin-kii, lit. 'gold orange'.
kuomintang, n., the Chinese nationalist revolutionary party. - Chin., compounded of kuo,
'nation, nationalist', min,, 'people', and tang,
'party'.
kunkur, n., a coarse kind of limestone (India). Hind. karikar, 'gravel'. fr. OI. karkara/l, lit.
'raw'. See cancer.
kunzite, n., a variety of spodumene (mineral.) Named after the American mineralogist and
gem expert Dr. George Frederick Kunz (18561932). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
kupfferite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.)Named afther the Russian physicist Adolph T.

Kyrie eleison

Kupffer (died in 1865). For the ending sec subst.

suff. -ite.
kurbash, kourbash, n., a whip. - Turk. qyrbach
(whence also Hung. korbacs, C7.ech karabfic,
G. Karbatsche}, 'a whip'.
Kursaal, n., public hall at a health resort, casino.
- G. Kursalon, compounded of Kur, 'cure,
medical treatment', and Salon, 'hall'. See cure,
n. and v., and salon.
kusa, n., a grass used in Hindu ceremonies. Hind. kusii, fr. OI. kusa/:1, 'grass; sacred grass',
which is of uncertain origin. It is possibly rei.
to or. kusumam, 'flower'. kusumbhal;r, 'safflower'. Cp. next word.
kusum, n., the safflower (India). -Hind., fr. OI.
kusumbhal;r. See prec. word.
kvass, n., a Russian fermented drink made from
rye or barley. - Russ. kvas, fr. OSiav. kvasii,
'yeast', which is cogn. with L. caseus, 'cheese'.
See cheese, 'milk curd'.
kyanize, tr. v., to preserve wood from decay by
impregnating it with corrosive sublimate. Formed with suff. -ize from the name of John
H. Kyan (1774-1850), who invented this process
in I832.
kyle, n., a strait, a narrow channel. - Gael. caol.
kymatology, n., the science of waves. - Compounded of Gk. xlifLcx, gen. x6fLcx-roc;, 'wave', and
-),oylii, fr. -A6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See cyma and -logy.
kymograph, n. - See cymograph.
Derivative: kymograph-ic, adj.
kyphosis, n., backward curvature of the spine
(med.) - Medical L., formed fr. Gk. xu<p6~,
'bent, crooked, hump-backed' (see cyphella),
with suff. -osis.
Kyrie eleison, a brief petition used in various
offices of the Eastern and Roman Churches. Gk. K6ptE tAb)aov, 'Lord, have mercy'. K6ptE
is voc. of x6ptoc:;, 'lord, master'; see church.
Gk. ),b)aov is aorist imper. of ),ew, 'I have
pity on, show mercy to', fr. ~oc;, 'pity, mercy';
see alms.

A COMPREHEN SIVE
ETYMOLOGI CAL DICTIONARY
OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Dealing with the origin of words
and their sense development thus illustrating
the history of civilization and culture
BY

DR. ERNEST KLEIN

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver

PROVERBS 25; I I

VOLUME II L-Z

ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY

AMSTERDAM LONDON NEW YORK

1967

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WHO DIED IN TOR ONT O IN 1966
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MAY HIS SOU L BE BOU ND IN THE

L
Derivative: labil-ity, n.
Ia, interj. - Imitative. Cp. the interjection law.
labio-, combining form denoting 1) the lips; 2) la
Ia, n., a syllable used in solmization to denote the
bial and.- Fr. L. labium, 'lip'. See labiaL
sixth tone of the diatonic scale (mus.)
labiodental, adj., pertaining to, or formed with,
laager, n., a temporary camp. - S. Afr. Du., rei.
the lips and teeth. - Compounded oflabio- and
to Du. Ieger, G. Lager, 'camp'. See lair and cp.
dental.
lager, leaguer, 'camp'.
Derivative: labiodental, n., a sound formed with
Derivative: laager, intr. v.
the lips and teeth.
labarum, n., the military standard of the late Rolabium, n., a lip or a liplike part (anat., zoot., bot.
man Empire. - Late L. (whence Byzant. Gk.
etc.)- L., 'lip'. See labial.
A&:[3ocpov), of uncertain etymology; possibly a
labor, labour, n.- ME. labour, fr. OF. labour (F.
Gaulish word cogn. with OS. lappa, OHG. laplabeur), fr. L. laborem, ace. of labor, 'labor, toil,
pa, 'rag, shred', OE. l<eppa, 'tip, end, skirt, disexertion, hardship, fatigue, distress, pain, work',
trict'; see lap, 'flap of a garment', and cp. label.
orig. pro b. meaning 'a tottering under a burden',
See Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 737.
and rei. to labtire, 'to totter', ltibi, 'to slide, slip,
labML.
resin.
bitter
fragrant,
a
n.,
labdanum,
glide', fr. I.-E. base *lab-, *leb-, 'slack, loose; to
danum, fr. L.liidanum, ledanum, fr. Gk. :t.~aocvov,
hang down', whence also 01. ltimbate, 'hangs
:t.ijaocvov, fr. :t.'ijaov, 'mastic', which is of Sem.
down', L. limbus (for *lembos), 'hem, border',
origin; cp. Akkad. ladunu, Arab. lddan, Heb.
OS.lappo, OHG. lappa, 'rag, shred', OE. la!ppa,
[of, 'labdanum'. Pers. liidan is an Arabic loan
'tip, end, lappet; district', and perh. also Oir.
word. Cp. laudanum, lotus.
lobur, 'weak' (see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I,
labefaction, n., the process of shaking; downfall.
739-40 s. vv. !abo and labor). See lap, 'flap of a
- Formed with suff. -ion fr. L. /abe/actus, pp.
garment', and cp. laboratory, belabor, collaboof labefacere, 'to cause to totter, shake, overrate, elaborate. Cp. also labefaction, lapse, lava.
throw', which is compounded of liibi, 'to slip,
Cp. also limb, 'border', limp, v. and adj. For deslide, glide', andfacere, 'to make, do'. See labor
rivatives of I.-E. *sltlb-, *sllb-, -s-enlargement
and fact and cp. next word.
of base *lab-, *leb-, see sleep, v.
label, n. - ME., fr. OF. label, Iambe!, 'a strip'
labor, labour, intr. and tr. v. - ME. labouren, fr.
(whence F. lambeau, 'strip, rag, shred, tatter,
MF. (= F.) labourer, 'to labor, drudge, toil,
fragment, scrap'), pro b. fr. Frankish *!abba. Cp.
take pains', fr. OF. laborer, labourer, fr. L.
OHG. lappa, 'rag, shred', and see lap, 'flap of a
laboriire, 'to labor, take pains, suffer, be afflictgarment'. Cp. also labarum.
ed, be in difficulty; to work out, elaborate,
Derivatives: label, tr. v., /abel(l)-er, n.
work', fr. labor. See labor, n.
labellum, n., one of the three parts forming the
Derivatives: labo(u)r-ed, adj., labo(u)r-ed-ly,
corolla in orchidaceous plants (bot.) - L., 'a
adv., labo(u)r-ed-ness, n., labo(u)r-ing, adj.,
little lip', dimin. of labrum. See lip and cp. lalabo(u)r-ing-ly, adv., Labo(u)r-ite, n.
brum. Cp. also next word.
laboratory, n.- ML. labortitorium, 'workshop',
labial, adj., pertaining to, or formed by, the lips.
fr. L. laboriitus, pp. of labortire, 'to work'. See
- ML. labiiilis, fr. L. labium, 'lip'. See lip and
labor, v., and subst. suff. -ory.
labrum.
cp.
and
-al
suff.
adj.
laborer, labourer, n. - ME. labourer, laborer, fr.
Derivatives: labial, n., a labial sound, labial-ly,
MF. ( = F.) laboureur, fr. OF. laboreor, fr. laadv., labialism, labialize (qq.v.)
borer, labourer, 'to labor'. See labor, v., and
labialism, n., 1) quality of being formed by the
agential suff. -er.
lips; 2) tendency to labialize. -See labial and
laborious, adj.- ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) laborieux,
-ism.
fr. L. laboriosus, 'toilsome, wearisome, troublelabialize, tr. v., to make labial.- See labial and
some; industrious', fr. labor. See labor, n., and
-ize.
-ous.
Derivative: labializ-ation, n.
Derivatives: laborious-ly, adv., laborious-ness, n.
labiate, adj., 1) having a labium; 2) having one or
labradorite, n., a brilliant variety of feldspar
several liplike parts (bot. and zoo[.) - ModL.
(mineral.) - Named after the peninsula on the
labiiitus, lit. 'lipped', fr. L. labium, 'lip'. See lip
N.E. of North America. For the ending see
and adj. suff. -ate and cp. labial.
subst. ~uff. -ite.
Derivative: labiate, n., a labiate plant.
Derivative: /abradorit-ic, adj.
labile, adj., unstable.- ME./abyl, fr. MF. (=F.)
labile, fr. L. ltibilis, 'slipping, gliding', lit. 'prone . Iabret, n., an ornament of wood, shell or bone
worn in a hole pierced through the lip.- Formto slip', fr. ltibi, 'to slip, slide, glide'. See labor
ed with dimin. suff. -et fr. L.labrum, 'lip'. See
and -He and cp. lapse. Cp. also the second elenext word.
ment in thermolabile.

1aorum

labrum, n., a lip; applied to liplike parts (zoot.)L., 'a lip', rei. to labium, of s.m. See labial and
cp. prec. word.
Laburnum, n., a genus of poisonous plants of the
pea family (bot.); (not cap.) any plant of this
genus. - L. laburnum, prob. an Etruscan loan
-word. For the suff. cp. viburnum, 'the wayfaring
tree'.
labyrinth, n.- L. labyrinthus, fr. Gk. AIX~Opw.&o~,
'maze; large building with intricate passages',
rei. to M~pu~, 'double hatchet', a word of
Carian origin. Accordingly AIX~Op~v.&o~ originally denoted the 'palace of the double hatchet'.
In its anatomical sense ('the internal ear') the
word labyrinthus was first used by the Italian
anatomist Gabriella Fallopia (1523-62).
Derivatives: labyrinth, tr. v., labyrinth-a/, adj.,
labyrinth-al-ly, adv., labyrinth-ian, adj., labyrinthic (q.v.), labyrinth-ine, adj.
labyrinthic, labyrinthical, adj.- L. labyrinthicus,
'pertaining to a labyrinth', fr. labyrinthus. See
prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: labyrinthical-ly, adv.
labyrinthitis, n., inflammation of the labyrinth
(med.) - Medical L., formed fr. L. labyrinthus
(see labyrinth) with suff. -itis.
lac, lakh, n., I) one hundred thousand; 2) a great
number. - Pers. lak, fr. Hind. lakh, ult. fr. 01.
lak~a. 'one hundred thousand', prop. 'sign,
mark', rei. to ldk~ati, lak~ayati, 'marks, characterizes, defines', and prob. also to rak$a, 'protection, deliverance, preservation, observation',
rtik~ati, 'protects, delivers, preserves, observes',
and cogn. with Gk. <iAE~e:tv, &_).xe:tv, 'to ward
off'. See Alexander and cp. Lakshmi.
lac, n., a red resinous substance. - Pers. lak, fr.
Hind. lakh, fr. OI. lak$a, lit. 'one hundred
thousand' (see prec. word), a name given to the
insects Cocca ilicis, in allusion to their great
number. Their name is used also to denote the
resin of the Quercus cocci/era, which flows from
this tree in consequence of the sting of these
insects. Cp. lacquer and the second element in
shellac. Cp. also the second element in Phytolacca.
lace, n.- ME. las, lace, fr. OF. laz, las (F. lacs),
'noose, snare', fr. L. laqueus, of s.m. (whence
also It. laccio, Sp. lazo), fr. Italic base *laq-, 'to
ensnare', whence also L. lacere, 'to entice', delicere, 'to entice, allure, delight'. Cp. F. lacet,
'lace, noose, snare', dimin. of lacs. Cp. also
lasso, which is a doublet of lace. Cp. also lash,
'to bind', latchet, delectation, delicate, delicious,
delight, elicit, enlace, Illicium, interlace.
Derivatives: lac-y, adj., laci-ly, adv., lad-ness, n.
lace, tr. and intr. v. - ME. lacen, fr. OF. lacier
(F. Iacer), fr. OF. laz, las. See lace, n.
Derivatives: lac-ed, adj., lac-ing, n.
Lacedaemonian. also Lacedemonian, adj., of, or
pertaining to, Lacedaemon or Sparta; n., a
Lacedaemonian or Spartan.- Formed with suff.
-ian fr. L. Lacedaemonius, fr. Gk. AXe3cxr.-

857

!L6vto<;, 'Lacedaemonian, Spartan', fr. Aoo~e:8cd!Lwv, 'Lacedaemon, Sparta'. Cp. Laconic.

lacerable, adj. -Late L. lacerabilis, 'that can be
easily lacerated', fr. L. Iacer, 'torn'. See lacerate
and -able.
Derivative: lacerabil-ity, n.
lacerate, adj. - L. laceratus, 'torn', pp. of lacerare, 'to tear to pieces'. See lacerate, v.
Derivative: lacerate-ly, adv.
lacerate, tr. v., to tear.- L. laceratus, pp. of lacerare, 'to tear to pieces, rend, lacerate', fr. Iacer,
'torn', fr.I.-E. base *leq-, *leq-, 'to rend', whence
also Gk. Aotxl<;, 'tatter, rag', AIXKl~e:w, 'to tear
to pieces, lacerate', Alb. l'akur, 'naked', l'skure,
l'ikure, 'hide, leather, rind'. Cp. lacinia, lancinate. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: lacerat-ed, adj., laceration (q.v.)
laceration, n. - L. laceratiiJ, gen. -iinis, 'a tearing,
rending, laceration', fr.laceratus, pp. of lacerare.
See prec. word and -ion.
Lacerta, n., a genus of lizards (zool.)-L. lacerta,
'lizard'. See lizard.
lacertian, adj., pertaining to lizards. - Formed
with suff. -ian fr. L. lacertus, lacerta. See prec.
word.
Derivative: lacertian, n.
Lacertilia, n. pl., an order of reptiles comprising
the ordinary lizards, chameleons, etc. (zoo/.) ModL., fr. L. lacertus, lacerta, 'lizard'. See
lizard and cp. Lacerta.
lacertilian, adj., pertaining to the Lacertilia. Formed from prec. word with suff. -an.
Derivative: lacertilian, n., one of the Lacertilia.
laches, n., remissness in asserting a right. - ME.
lachesse, fr. OF. laschesse, fr. lasche (F. /fiche),
'loose, slack', fr. VL. *lascus(whence also OProven~;. lase), which was formed-through the
metathesis of x ( = cs) into sc-fr. L. laxus,
'wide, loose, open'. See lax and cp. lash, 'soft
and watery'. The regular E. equivalent of the F.
suff. -esse is -ess (q.v.); laches (with a single -s)
forms an exception to this rule (cp. riches).
Lachesis, n., one of the Fates in Greek mythology. - L., fr. Gk. A&xe:crt~, lit. 'the apportioner, disposer of lots', fr. Actxdv, aor. II inf. of
Actyz&ve:tv, 'to obtain by lot'; of uncertain origin.
Lachnanthes, n., a genus of plants, the redroot
(bot.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. AOCXV1J,
'woolly hair', and &v&o<;, 'flower'. The first element pro b. stands for * f'AIXX-crv-iX, fr. I.-E.
*wolk-o-, whence also Aves tic mresa-, ModPers.
gurs, OSlav. v/asii, Russ. v61os, 'hair'; for the
second element see anther. The genus was so
called in allusion to the woolly flowers.
lachrymal, also lacrimal, adj., 1) related to tears;
2) marked by tears. - ML. lacrimiilis, fr. L.
lacrima, a var. of lacruma, fr. OL. dacruma,
'tear from the eye', which is a loan word fr. Gk.
3cixpli(La;, 'tear', fr. 8otxpueLv, 'to shed tears', fr.
3&xpu, 'tear', which is cogn. with Goth. tagr,
OE. tear, 'tear'. See tear from the eye and cp.

larmoyant. The change of Latin d- to 1- (the so

called 'Sabine' I) is prob. due to dialectal influence. Cp. L.lingua (fr. OL. dingua), 'tongue', L.
levir (for I.-E. *daiwer) 'husband's brother'. Cp.
also L. solium (for *sodium), 'chair of state,
throne', which is rei. to sedere, 'to sit', olere (for
*odere), 'to smell', which is rei. to odor, 'smell',
and malus (for *mazdos), 'mast of a ship', which
is cogn. with OHG. mast, OE. m<est, ofs.m., and
Ulixes, L. equivalent ofGk. '08uaae:o<;, 'Odysseus'. Outside Indo-European cp. Malagasy,
'a native of Madagascar', which is rei. to Madagascar. The spelling lachrymal, lachrymation,
etc. (with-y- instead of with -i-), is due to the influence of the Greek cognates 8ocxpu, 8ocxpuov,
8ocxpiJ(Lct, 'tear'.
Derivative: lachrymal, n.
lachrymation, also lacrimation, n., weeping. - L.
lacrimatiiJ, gen. -onis, fr. lacrimat-(um), pp. stem
of lacrimiire, 'to shed tears, weep', fr. lacrima.
See prec. word and -ation
lachrymatory, also lacrimatory, adj., pertaining
to tears. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory fr. L.
lacrimiit-(um), pp. stem of lacrimare. See lachrymal.
Derivative: lachrymatory, n.
lachrymose, adj., tearful. - L. lacrimiisus, fr. lacrima, 'tear'. See lachrymal and adj. suff. -ose.
Derivatives: lachrymose-ly, adv., lachrymoseness, n., lachrymos-ity, n.
Iachrymous, adj.- A rare var. oflachrymose. For
the ending see suff. -ous.
lacinia, n. (bot. and zoo/.) - L., 'lappet, flap, or
edge of a garment', rei. to Iacer, 'torn'. See lacerate.
Iaciniate, laciniated, adj. - Formed from prec.
word with adj. suff. -ate, resp. also 1st -ed.
Derivative: laciniat-ion, n.
lacinula, n., a small Iacinia (bot. and zoot.)
ModL., dimin. of lacinia. For the ending see
suff. -ule.
Derivatives: lacinu/-ate, lacinul-ose, adjs.
lack, n. - ME. lac, prob. fr. MDu. lac, 'deficiency, fault', which is rei. to ON.lakr, 'lacking',
and to E. slack (q.v.)
lack, tr. and intr. v. - Either fr. lack, n., or fr.
MDu. laken, 'to be wanting; to blame', which is
rei. to MDu. lac.
lackadaisical, adj., listless. - Formed from the
interj. lackadaisy, fr. lackaday; coined by the
English novelist Laurence Sterne (1713-68).
lackaday, interj.- Aphetic form of alack-a-day.
See alack and day.
lacker, n. -A var. of lacquer.
lackey, also lacquey, n.- MF. ( = F.) laquais, fr.
Sp. Iacayo, fr. It. lacche, fr. ModGk. ouAocKl]<;
(read ulakis), ult. fr. Turkish ulak, 'runner, courier', from stem u/-, 'to go'.
Derivatives: lackey, intr. v., lackey-ed, adj.
Laconian, adj., pertainining to Laconia; n., a Laconian or Lacedaemonian. - See Laconic and
suff. -an.

lactase
lacmus, n., litmus. - Du. lakmoes, fr. MDu.
leecmos, fr. leken (Du. Jekken), 'to drip, leak',
and mas ( = Du. moes), 'green vegetables; pulp'.
The first element is rei. to OE. /eccan, 'to moisten, water'; see leak. The second element is rei.
to OE., OS., OFris. mas, 'food', OE. mete,
'food'; see meat.
Laconic, adj., pertaining to Laconia; (not cap.)
concise, abrupt (lit. 'resembling the style of the
Lacedaemonians or Spartans').- L. Laconicus,
fr. Gk. A1Xxwvtx6:;;, 'pertaining to, or characteristic of, the Lacedaemonians', fr. A&xwv, 'Laconian, Lacedaemonian, Spartan', which is
prob. a hypocoristic form of Aotxe:8ot~!L6vto:;;.
See Lacedaemonian.
Derivatives: laconic-al-ly, adv., laconic-al-ness, n.
laconicism, n., laconism. - Formed fr. laconic
with suff. -ism.
laconism, n., 1) laconic (i.e. brief) way of expression; 2) a laconic utterance. - MF ( = F.) laconisme, fr. Gk. A1Xxwvtcr(L6<;, 'imitation of the
Lacedaemonians, laconism', from the stem of
AIXxwvl~e:~v. See next word and -ism.
laconize, tr. and intr. v., to imitate the Lacedaemonians. - Gk. Aotxwv(~e:LV, 'to imitate the
Lacedaemonians (in dress, manners etc.)', fr.
Aocxwv, 'Laconian, Lacedaemonian, Spartan'.
See Laconic and -ize.
lacquer, tacker, n., a kind of varnish. - MF.
{acre, fr. Port. /acre, 'sealing wax', fr. laca, 'gum
lac', which derives fr. Hind. lakh, 'lac', fr. OI.
lak~a. See lac, 'a resinous substance'.
Derivatives: lacquer, tr. v., lacquer-er, n., lacquer-ing, n.
lacquey, n.- A var. of lackey.
lacrimal, adj.- See lachrymal.
lacrimatory, adj.- See lachrymatory.
lacroixite, n., a complex basic fluophosphate
(mineral.)- Named after the French mineralogist Fran~;ois-Antoine-Alfred Lacroix (18631948). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lacrosse, n., a game in which a ball is thrown by
means of a long-handled racket, the crosse.- F.
Ia crosse, 'the <;rozier, the racket used in certain
games', fr. fern. def. article fa (fr. L. ilia, fern. of
ille, 'that') and WTeut. *krukja, 'crutch'. See
ille and crutch and cp. crosse, crossette, crosier.
lactarene, also lactarine, n., material made from
casein of milk, used in calico printing. -Formed with suff. -ene, resp. -ine, fr. L. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal.
Lactarius, n., a genus of agarics (bot.)- ModL.,
fr. L. /actarius, 'pertaining to, or containing,
milk; milky' (see next word); so called in allusion to the milky juice it exudes when broken.
lactary, adj., pertaining to milk. - L. lactarius,
'pertaining to, or containing, milk; milky', fr.
lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj., and cp.
prec. word.
lactase, n., an enzyme capable of decomposing
lactose (biochem.)- Formed with suff. -ase fr.
L. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj.

lactate
lactate, intr. v., to secrete milk (rare). - L. laclatus, pp. of lactare, 'to contain milk; to suckle
young', fr. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal,
adj., and verbal suff. -ate.
lactate, n., a salt of lactic acid (chem.)- See lactate, v.
lactation, n. - Late L. lactati6, gen. -6nis,
'a suckling' [pro b. through the medium of MF.
(=F.) lactation], fr. L. lactatus, pp. of lac tare.
See lactate, v., and -ion.
Derivative: lactation-al, adj.
lacteal, adj., pertaining to milk. - Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. lacteus, 'milky, full of milk',
fr. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk', which is cogn. with
Gk. yoc:Aot, gen. yoc:Aotx-ro1;, 'milk'. The original
base was *glact- (cp. Gk. yAotK't'O<[l&.yoc;, 'eating
milk', Homeric yA&.yoc;, 'milk'). This base was
partly enlarged into Gk. yotAotK't'-, partly dissimilated into L. */act-. Mir. lacht, W. llaeth,
'milk', are Latin loan words. See galactic, and
cp. lactate, v., lactation, lettuce.
lacteal, n., any one of the lymphatic vessels of the
small intestine that take up the chyle (anat.) Fr. prec. word.
lactesce, intr. v., to become milky. - L. lactescere, 'to become milky', inchoative of lactere,
'to contain milk, be milky', fr. lac, gen. lac tis.
See lacteal, adj., and -esce.
lactescence, n., the process of becoming milky.Formed from next word with suff. -ce.
lactescent, adj., becoming milky. - L. lactescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of lactescere, 'to become
milky'. See lactesce and -ent.
Iacti-, combining form meaning 'milk, milky,
milklike'.- L. facti-, fr. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'.
See lacteal, adj.
lactic, adj., pertaining to milk (used in chemistry).
- Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. lac, gen. lactis,
'milk'. See lacteal, adj., and -ic and cp. galactic.
lactide, n., a compound formed from lactic acid
(chem.)- Formed with suff. -ide fr. L. lac, gen.
lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj.
lactiferous, adj., yielding milk. - Compounded
oflacti- and L.ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See-ferous.
)acto-, combining form meaning 'milk'.- Fr. L.
lac, gen. /actis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj.
lactometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
purity of milk. - A hybrid coined fr. L. lac,
gen. lactis, 'milk', and Gk. fli't'pov, 'measure'.
See lacteal, adj., and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
The correct form is galactometer (q.v.), in
which both elements are of Greek origin.
lactose, n., sugar of milk (chem.) - Coined by
the French chemist ~tarcclin-Picrrc-Eugene
Berthelot (1827-1907) fr. L. lac, gen. lactis,
'milk' (see lacteal, adj.), and subst. suff. -ose.
lacuna, n., a gap. - L. lacuna, 'ditch, pit, pool,
pond, hole, hollow, cavity', dimin. of lacus, 'basin, tank, tub, a large reservoir for water, lake'.
See lake. 'pool', and cp. lagooD.
Derivatives: lacun-al, lacun-ar, lacun-ary, adjs.
lacunar, n., l) a caisson; 2) a ceiling consisting of

858
caissons. - L. lacunar, 'a wainscoted and gilded
ceiling', prop. neut. of the adj. *lacunaris, 'provided with cavities', fr. lacuna. See prec. word.
lacunose, adj., full of lacunae. - L. lacunosus,
'full of holes or pits', fr. lacuna. See lacuna and
adj. suff. -ose.
Derivative: lacunos-ity, n.
lacunule, n., a small lacuna. - Formed fr. lacuna
with dimin. suff. -ule.
Derivative: lacunu/-ose, adj.
lacustrian, adj., lacustrine; n., a lake dweller.See next word and -ian.
lacustrine, adj., pertaining to a lake. - Prob. fr.
F. lacustre, which was formed fr. L. lac us, 'lake,'
on analogy of pa/uster, 'marshy, swampy' (fr.
palus, 'marsh, swamp'). See lake, 'pool', and
adj. suff. -ine.
lad, n. - ME. ladde, 'a youth, manservant'; of
unknown origin.
ladanum, n. - L. See labdanum.
ladder, n.- ME. laddre, fr. OE. hlii!der, hlii!dder,
rei. to OFris. hledere, MDu. ledere, Ieder (Du.
leer), Du. ladder, OHG. leitara, MHG. /eitere,
leiter, G. Leiter, 'ladder', fr. I.-E. base *kit-, 'to
slope, incline', whence also Goth. hleipra, 'tent'.
See lean, v., and cp. climax, clinical.
Derivatives: ladder, intr. v., ladder-y, adj.
laddie, n., a young lad (chiefly Scot.)- Dimin. of
lad.
lade, tr. v.- ME. laden, fr. OE. hladan, ladan, 'to
load, put as a load, pile; to draw (water)', rei.
to ON. hlaoa, Dan. lade, Swed. ladda, OFris.
hlada, MDu., Du. laden, OHG. hladan, ladan,
MHG., G. laden, Goth. -hlajJan (in af-hlapan),
'to lade, load', fr. I.-E. base *q/a-, 'to spread',
whence also Lith. kloju, kloti, Lett. klaju, kldt,
'to spread', OSlav. kladq, klasti (for *klad-ti),
'to lay, set, place', Lith. pakl6di, 'sheet'. Cp.
ladle, last, 'measure of weight', lathe, 'machine
for turning', and the first element in larboard.
Derivative: lad-ing, n.
laden, pp. of lade. - OE. hladen, fr. hladan, 'to
lade'. See lade.
ladida, n., an affected person, a fop; adj., affected,
foppish (slang). - Orig. 'affected imitator of
fine speech'; pro b. of imitative origin.
Ladin, n., a Rhaeto-Romanic dialect (esp. the
chief dialect) spoken in Switzerland and Tyrol.Rhaeto-Romanic, fr. L. Latinus, 'Latin'. See
Latin and cp. next word.
Ladino, n., Spanish mixed with Hebrew, Arabic
and other elements, spoken by Sephardim in
Turkey, Greece and elsewhere. - Sp. ladino,
'sagacious, cunning, crafty', orig. 'Latin', fr. L.
Latinus. See Latin and cp. prec. word.
ladle, n. - ME. lade/, fr. OE. hlredel, fr. hladan,
'to draw (water)'. See lade and instrumental suff.
-Ie.
Derivatives: ladle, tr. v.,/adl-ed, adj., /adl-er, n.,
ladle-ful, adj.
lady, n.- ME. lafdl, lavetk, ladi, fr. OE. h/Zfdlge, 'mistress of the house', lit. 'loaf-maker',

859

lake

lit. means 'the animal with the flapping ears'.

compounded of hltiJ; 'loaf', and dii!ge, 'maid'.
The first element of this compound is rei. to Gk.
For the first element see loaf, n. The second eleAotyotp6c;, 'slack, hollow', and cogn. with L. /anment is rei. to Goth. deigan, 'to knead'. See
guere, 'to faint, weary'; see languid. The second
dough and cp. lord.
element is rei. to Gk. otic;, gen. w't'6c;, 'ear'; see
Derivatives: lady, adj., lady-hood, n., lady-like,
oto-.
adj., lady-ship, n.
lagomorph, n., an animal of the order Lagoladybird, n. - In this compound-as in many
morpha. - From next word.
others-lady refers to Virgin Mary. For sense
Lagomorpha, n.pl., an order of rodent mammals
development cp. G. Marienkiifer, 'ladybird', lit.
including the hares, rabbits and pikas (zoo!.) 'Mary's chafer'.
ModL., compounded of lago- and Gk. fLOpcp~,
laeotropic, laeotropous, adj., sinistral. - Com'form, shape'. See morpho-.
pounded of Gk. AotL6c;, 'left', and 't'p67to<;, 'a
lagoon, n., a shallow pond connected with a lake
turn'. The first element stands for *AotLf6t; and
or sea.- F. /agune, fr. It. laguna, fr. L. lacuna,
is cogn. with L. laevus, 'left'; see levo-. For the
'pool, pond'. See lacuna.
second element see -tropic.
lagophthalmos, lagophthalmus, n., a morbid conLaertes, n., king of Ithace and father of Odysseus
dition in which the eyes cannot be entirely closed
(Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. AiiEp't'7j<;, lit.
(med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. Aety6cp.&otAfL01;, lit.
'gatherer of the people', compounded of Aii6c;,
'hare-eyed', fr. Aotywc;, 'hare', and 6cp.&otAf1.6<;,
'people', and dpe:Lv, 'to fasten together, string
'eye'; so called from the belief that hares cannot
together'. For the first element cp. liturgy, for
close their eyes entirely. See lago- and ophthalthe second see series.
mo- and cp. exophthalmos.
laevo-, combining form. - See levo-.
Lagopus, n., a genus of birds, the ptarmigan and
Jaevulose, n. - See levulose.
the red grouse (ornithol.) - ModL., lit. 'harelag, n., stave of a cask.- Prob. ofScand. origin.
footed', compounded of Gk. Aetyw1;, 'hare', and
Cp. ON. IOgg, 'rim of a barrel', Swed. lagg,
1touc;, gen. 1to86c;, 'foot'. See ]ago- and -pod.
'stave of a barrel'.
Lagurus, n., a genus of grasses, the hare's-tail
Derivatives: lag, tr. v., to cover with lags, laggrass (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'hare's tail', comg-ing, n.
pounded of Gk. Aotywc;, 'hare', and oupti, 'tail'.
lag, adj., last, hindmost. - Of uncertain origin,
See lago- and uro-, 'tail-'.
perh. a childish distortion of last, adj.
laic, adj. - F. laique, fr. Late L. /aicus, fr. Gk.
lag, intr. v., to walk behind. - Of uncertain
Aii'(x6c;, 'of, or belonging to, the people', fr.
origin; perh. fr.lag, adj. Cp. graylag.
Aii6c;, 'people'. Sec lay, 'pertaining to the laity'.
Derivatives: lag, n., one who lags, laggard(q.v.),
Derivatives: laic, n., laic-al, adj., laic-al-ity, n.,
!agg-er, n.
laic-al-ly, adv., laic-iz-ation, n., laic-ize, tr. v.
lag, n., retardation. - Fr. lag, 'last'.
laid, past tense and pp. of lay, 'to place'.
lag (slang), tr. v., I) to transport as a convict; 2)
lain, pp. of lie.- ME. lein, fr. OE. (ge)legen, pp.
to arrest; n., I) a convict; 2) a term of transporof licgan. See lie, 'to recline'.
tation. - Of unknown origin.
lair, n., resting place, den of wild beasts.- ME.Ieir,
lag-, form of lago- before a vowel.
fr. OE. Ieger, rei. to ON. legr, OFris.leger, OS.,
lagan, n., cargo sunk in the sea. - OF. lagand,
OHG.legar, MHG. Ieger, G. Lager, Goth.ligrs,
lagan, of Teut. origin and lit. meaning 'that
'place of lying, lair, couch, bed', fr. I.-E. base
which is lying'. See lay, 'to place', lie, 'to recline'.
*legh-, 'to lie'. See lie, 'to recline', and cp.laager,
lagena, n., flask, bottle. - L., fr. Gk. :Aocyuvoc;, a
lager, leaguer, 'camp', beleaguer.
loan word fr. Hcb. 16gh, 'a liquid measure' (cp.
Derivative: lair, intr. and tr. v.
Copt. lok), to which the Syriac suff. -ena has
laird, n., a landed proprietor. - Scot. form of
been added; see Noldeke, Syrische Grammatik,
lord.
132. See log, a liquid measure'.
laissez-faire, n., noninterference.- F., lit. 'let do'
lager (beer), n., a kind of beer which is kept on
(i.e. 'let people do what they like').
store for some months before being drunk. laity, n.- Formed with suff. -ity fr. lay, 'pertainG. Lager, 'camp; storehouse', rei. to OE.leger.
ing to the laity'.
See lair and cp. laager, leaguer, 'camp'.
lake, n., a pool. - ME. lac, lake, fr. OF. ( = F.)
laggard, adj. and n.- Formed with suff. -ard fr.
lac, fr. L. lacus, 'basin, tank, pond, lake, cislag, 'to walk behind'.
tern', which is cogn. with Gk. AtXKKO~ (for
Derhathes: laggard-ly, adv., laggard-n!'ss, n.
*Aocxfoc; ), 'pond, cistern, pit', OSlav. loky,
lagniappe, n., gift, gratuity.- Amer. F., fr. Amer.
'pool, puddle, cistern', ON. logr, OS., OE.lagu,
Sp.la napa, 'the gift', fr. Sp. Ia, 'the', fern. of el,
'sea, flood, water', Olr. loch, 'lake, pond'. Cp.
fr. L. ille, 'that' (see ille), and Amer. Sp. napa,
lacuna, lacustrine, lagoon, loch.
yapa, 'lagniappe', fr. Quecbua yapa, 'something
Derivative: lak-y, adj.
added, gift'.
lake, n., pigment prepared from lac.- F. laque,
lago-, before a vowel lag-, combining form
fr. OProvenc;:. /aca, fr. Pers. lak. See lac, 'resimeaning 'hare'.- Gk. Aa.yo-, Aa.y-, fr. Alltyooc;,
nous substance'.
'hare', whicJt. stands for *Aety(o)-(t)[ua]-6c; and

860

lakh
lakh, n. - See lac, 'one hundred thousand (rupees)'.
Lakshmi, n., goddess of beauty (Hindu my tho/.)
- 01. Lak$mf, fr. lak$mf, 'mark, fortune, riches,
beauty', rei. to ldk$afi, lak,wyati, 'marks, characterizes, defines'. See lac, 'one hundred thousand rupees'.
Lalage, Roman fern. PN.- L., fr. Gk 'Aci/..ocyfj,
'babble, prattle' (whence 'Aoc'Aocydv, 'to babble,
prattle'), fr. 'Aoc/..c.'i.v, 'to talk, chat, prattle', fr.
'A&:'Ao<;;, 'talkative, loquacious', fr. I.-E. imitative base *Ia/-, whence also 01. lala/lii, imitation
of stammering, L. lalliire, 'to sing to sleep, to
lull', G. /allen, 'to stammer', Lith. laluoti, 'to
stammer'. Cp. Eulalia, paralalia. Cp. also lull.
lalique, n., a kind of decorative glassware. Short for Lalique glassware; named after its inventor Rene Lalique (1860-1944).
lam, tr. v., to beat, thrash (slang).- The original
meaning was 'to make lame'; rei. to lame.
lama, n., priest. -Tibetan blama, lama, 'priest'.
Cp. Dalai Lama.
Lamaism, n., the religious system of the lamas. Coined fr. lama with suff. -ism.
Lamaist, n., an adherent of Lamaism.- Formed
fr. lama with suff. -ist.
Derivative: Lamaist-ic, adj.
Lamarckian, adj., pertaining to, or based on, the
teachings of the French naturalist Lamarck
(1744-1829); n., a follower of Lamarck.- For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Lamarckism , n., the teachings of Lamarck. See prec. word and -ism.
lamasery, n., monastery of lamas.- F.lamaserie,
fr. lama. See lama.
lamb, n. - ME. lamb, lomb, fr. OE. lamb, rei. to
OS., ON., OFris., OHG., Goth. lamb, MHG.
lamp, Dan., Du. lam, Swed. G. lamm, 'lamb',
for orig. *lon-bho-s; cogn. with Gk. 2/..ocqJO<;;
(for *e/1}-bhos), 'hart', e'A).6<;; (for *elnos), 'fawn'.
All these words are traceable to I.-E. base *el-,
'brown'. See eland, elk, and cp. the first element
in lammergeier .
Derivatives: lamb, intr. v., lamb-ing, n., lamblike, adj.
lambda, n., name of the II th letter of the Greek
alphabet. - Gk. /,&:~ooc, 'A&:f!.~ooc, fr. Heb.Phoen. ldmedh; see lamed. The final oc was added
because a Greek word cannot end with a o; cp.
alpha and words there referred to.
lambdacism, lambdacismu s, n., 1) too frequent use
of the letter I in speaking or writing; 2) confusion of I and r in pronunciatio n; 3) lallation.Late L. labdacismus, /ambdacismus, fr. Gk. Aoci:l8ocx~cr[L6~, AOC[L~ihxtcrf!-6<;;, 'too frequent use of
the letter lambda', fr. H:~Boc, resp. ).<i!L~Boc, the
letter I. See prec. word and -ism.
lambdoid, adj., shaped like the Greek lambda
(A) ; in anatomy, designating the suture that
connects the two parietal bones with the occipital. - Gk. loc[38oc.t8i]<;, loc[L[38oet8i]t:;, 'of
A'. comnounded ofMB8oc, resp.

and -oe:tBi]<;;, 'like', fr dBo:;, 'form,

shape'. See prec. word and -oid, and cp. hyoid.
Derivative: lambdoid-al, adj.
lambency, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
lambent, adj., moving about lightly; flickering.The orig. meaning was 'licking', fr. L. lambens,
gen. lambentis, pres. part. of lambere, 'to lick',
which is cogn. with Gk. 'A&:1t-re:w, 'to sip, lick',
OE. lapian, 'to lick, lap up, sup'. See lap, 'to
lick up', and -ent.
Lambert, masc. PN. - F., fr. G. Lambert, fr.
OHG. Lambreht, Landberht, which is compounded of /ant, 'land', and beraht, 'bright',
hence lit. meaning 'illustrious with land'. See
land and bright and cp. Albert.
lambkin, n. - Formed fr. lamb with dimin. suff.
-kin.
lambrequin, n., valance, hanging; mantling (her.)
-F., fr. MDu. *lamperkijn, dimin. of tamper,
'veil', lit. 'something hanging'. For the ending
see suff. -kin.
lame, adj.- ME. lame, fr. OE. lama, rei. to ON.
/ami, OS. lama, ON. /ami, Dan., Swed., MDu.,
Du., OHG., MHG. lam, G. lahm, 'lame', lit.
'broken', fr. I.-E. base */em-, 'to break', whence
also OSiav./omit i, 'to break', lomiti se, 'to grow
lame', Russ. /omit', to break', /om, 'fragment',
/omota, 'gout', Lith. luomas, 'lame', l'imt, 'to
break down', OPruss. limtwei, 'to break', Olr.
laime, 'ax', and prob. also Gk. ~WAE:iJ.t<;, 'unceasingly', lit. 'unbroken' (fr. negative particle
*vc.- and 6-'Ae:iJ.o:;, 'a breaking').
Derivatives: lame, tr. and intr. v .. lame-ly, adv.,
lame-ness, n.
lame, n., a thin plate.- F., fr. L. lamina, 'a thin
piece of metal'. See lamina and cp. lamella.
lamed, larnedh, n., name of the 12th letter of the
Hebrew alphabet.- He b. ktmedh, lit. pro b. 'the
rod of the teacher', from the stem of liimadh, 'he
exercised, learned', whence also malmddh, 'ox
goad', talmfdh, 'scholar, pupil'. See Talmud and
cp. lambda.
lamella,-n., a thin plate. - L. lamella, 'a small
thin plate', dimin. of liimina, 'a thin plate of metal or wood'. See lamina and -ella and cp. orneJet.
lamellar, lamellary, lamellate, adjs., composed of
lamellae. - Formed fr. L. liimella (see prec.
word) with suff. -ar, resp. -ary, -ate.
Lamellibranc hia, also Lamellibranc hiata, n. pl., a
class of mollusks (zoo/.) - ModL., lit. 'those
with lamellate gills'. See lamella and branchia,
resp. branchiate.
lamellibranc hiate, adj., pertaining to the Lamelli
branchia. -See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
lamelliform. adj., having the form of a lamella. See lamella and -form.
lament, intr. v.- MF. (=F.) lamenter, fr. L.liimenttiri, 'to wail, moan, weep, lament', fr. Iiimentum, 'a wailing, moaning, weeping, lamentation', which stands for *Iii-men-tom, from the
AXfJ.~Ooc,

861

I.-E.' imitative base *Iii-, 'to shout, cry', whence

also L. liitriire (for lii-triire), 'to bark', Arm. lam,
'I weep', Gk 'Aoc(e:Lv, 'Aoc-f)[L<:Vcxt (Hesychius), 'to
speak loud', Lith. loju, loti, Lett. /at, 'to bark',
OSlav. laje, lajati, 'to bark; to abuse'. Cp. Larus.
For the ending of lament see suff. -ment.
Derivatives: lament-at-ory, adj., lament-ed, adj.,
lament-ed-ly, adv., lament-er, n., lament-ing, n.
and adj., lament-ing-ly, adv., lament-ive, adj.
lament, n.- L.liimentum . See lament, v.
lamentable, adj. - ME., fr. MF. ( = F.), fr. L.
liimentabilis, 'full of sorrow, mournful, lamentable', fr. lamentiiri. See lament, v., and -able.
Derivatives: lamentable-ness, n., lamentabl-y,
adv.
lamentation, n. - ME. lamentacioun, fr. MF.
( = F.) lamentation, fr. L. liimentiitionem, ace. of
/iimentiiti6, 'wailing, moaning, weeping, lamenting', fr. liimentiitus, pp. of liimentiiri. See lament, v., and -ation.
lamia, n., a devouring monster; vampire, witch.
- L., fr. Gk. A&:[Ltry: (fern.), 'monster, specter',
which is rei. to AOCf1.up6<;;, 'voracious, gluttonous',
'AtiiJ.W: (neut. pl.), 'chasm', AC(t[L6r;, 'throat, gullet', and cogn. with L. lemuris, 'spirits of the
dead; ghosts, specters', and pro b. also with Lett.
lamar, 'to scold', lamatas, 'mousetrap'. The idea
underlying all these words is 'jaws open wide'.
Cp. Larnium, Lamnidae. Cp. also lemur.
Lamiaceae, n. pl., a family of plants; synonym of
Menthaceae (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. Lamium with suff. -aceae.
lamiaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
lamina, n., a thin piece of metal. - L. lamina, 'a
thin piece of metal or wood, leaf, layer'; of uncertain origin. Cp. lame, 'a thin plate', and lamella.
lamina!, laminar, adj., arranged in laminae. Formed with suff. -al, resp. -ar, fr. L. liimina.
See prec. word.
laminate, tr. v., to cause to form laminae; intr. v.,
to split into thin layers. - Formed with verbal
suff. -ate fr. L. lamina. See lamina.
Derivatives: laminat-ed, adj., laminat-ion, n.
Comlaminiferous, adj., having laminae. pounded ofL. lamina, 'a thin piece', andferre,
'to bear, carry'. See lamina and -ferous.
laminitis, n., inflammatio n in the laminae of the
horse's foot (reter.)- A ModL. hybrid coined
fr. L liimina (see lamina) and -itis, a suff. of
Greek origin.
Lamium, n., a genus of plants, the dead nettle
(bot.)- L., 'dead nettle', fr. Gk. *A&f.l~ov, which
is rei. to" \if-Lu, mun~ter' (>ee lamia); >u .:ailed
from the labiate flower.
Larnmas, n .. the first day of August. - ME.
Lammasse, fr. OE. hlajma?sse, hliimmil?sse, lit.
'loaf mass, a compound of hliif. 'loaf', and
mil?sse, 'mess'. See loaf, n., and Mass.
lammergeier , the largest European bird of prey.
- G. Liimmergeier, compounded of Llimmer,
Pl. of Lamm, 'lamb' (see lamb), and Geier, 'vul-

lamprey
ture', fr. MHG. gir, fr. OHG. gir, a noun derived from the OHG. adjective gfri (whence
MHG. gire), 'greedy', which is formed with -roformative element fr. I.-E. base *ght-, 'to open
the mouth wide'. Cp. Du. gier, 'vulture', and see
yearn. Cp. also the first element in gerfalcon.
Laumidae, n. pl., a family of sharks (ichthyol.)ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. M[Lvoc,
'a large fish of prey', which is rei. to A&:[Ltoc,
'monster'. See lamia and cp. words there referred to.
lamp, n. - ME. lampe, lamp, fr. OF. ( = F.)
lampe, fr. Late L. lampada (nom.), fr. L. lampada, ace. of lampas, fr. Gk. AOC[L7t&:<;, ace.
AOCf.t7tocooc, 'torch', fr. A.&:iJ.rte:w, 'to shine, be
bright', whence also AOCf.t7tp6r;, 'bright, clear',
AOCfL1tTIJp, 'light, torch, lantern', AOCf1.7tuplr;,
'glowworm', fr.I.-E. base *lap-, *ll!p-, 'to shine',
whence also Lith. /Ope, 'light', Lett./tJpa, 'torch',
OPruss. lapis, 'flame'; fr. *lap-s, an -s-enlargement of base *lap-, derive Olr. lassar, 'flame',
lassaim, 'I flame', W. llachar, 'shining, bright'.
Cp. lantern. Cp. also lampro-, Lampsilis, Lampyridae, eclampsia.
Derivatives: lamp, tr. and intr. v., /amp-less,
adj., lamp-let, n.
lampadedrom y, n., a torch race in honor of Prometheus in which a lighting torch was handed
on from runner to runner (Greek antiq.)- Gk.
AOCf1.1t'CX01JOpofL(ii, 'torch race', compounded of
AOC[L1t'IX<;, gen. ACXfJ.rt&:oor;, 'torch', and op6iJ.O<;,
'course, race'. See lamp and dromedary and cp.
next word.
lampadephore, n., a torchbearer (Greek antiq.)Gk. i.ocfL1tOC01JqJ6po<;;, 'torchbearer ', compounded of AOCf1.7toc<;, gen. AOC[L7t&:8or;, 'torch', and
-qJ6po<;, 'bearer'. See lamp and -pbore.
lampadepbor ia, n., torch race (Greek antiq.) Gk. 'Aoc[Lrt0:07Jtpop(ii, 'torch bearing', fr. AOCfL
1t'OCO'I]<p6po<;. See prec. word and -ia.
lampas, n., a disease in horses. - F., fr. lamper,
'to guzzle'. See lampoon.
lampas, n., silk damask- F., of unknown origin.
lampern, n., the river lamprey.- ME. /amproun,
lampurn, fr. OF. lamprion, lampreon, dimin, of
/ampreie, 'lamprey'. See lamprey.
lampoon, n., a virulent satire. - F. lampon,
'drinking song', from the cry of students in
coffeehouses tampons, 'let us drink', fr. lamper,
'to guzzle', a nasalized form of laper, 'to lap',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. lampas, 'a disease in horses. Cp. also OE.lapian, 'to lap' (see
lap).
DcriYatives: lampoon, tr. v., la.'npoonrr, n.,
lampoon-ery, n., lampoon-ist, n.
lampr-, form of lampro- before a vowel.
lamprey, n., any of a group of eellike aquatic animals. - ME. lampreie, fr. OF. lampreie (F.
lamproie), fr. ML. lamprida, a blend of L. naupreda, 'mud-lampre y, limpet', which is of Gaulish origin, and L. lambere, 'to lick'. See lambent
and cp. limpet.

lam prolampro-, before a vowel lampr-, combining form

meaning 'bright'.- Gk. :Aocp.7tpo-. Aocp.7tp-, fr.
Aocp.7tp6~, 'bright', rel. to :Aocp.m:~v, 'to shine, be
bright', :Aocp.TCoc~, gen. :Aocp.7toc3o~, 'torch'. See
lamp.
Lampsilis, n., a genus of N. American mussels
(zoo/.)- ModL., compounded of Gk. Aocp.7te~v,
'to shine, be bright', and <jlrA6~, 'naked, bare,
stripped of feathers, smooth'. See lamp and
psilo-.

Lampyridae, n. pl., a family of beetles including

many luminous insects (entomol.) - ModL.,
formed with suff. -idae fr. L. /ampyris, fr. Gk.
Aocp.7tup[~, 'glowworm', which derives fr.
:Aocp.TCE~v, 'to shine, be bright'. See lamp.
lanarkite, n., a basic lead sulfate (mineral.) Named after Leadhills, Lanarkshire, in Scotland. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lanate, adj., woolly; covered with wool.-L. laniitus, 'woolly, downy', fr. lana, 'wool, soft hair,
down', fr. I.-E. *welena, *wlna, whence also
OE. wull, 'wool'. See wool and words there referred to and cp. esp. delaine, flannel, laniferous,
lanigerous, lanolin, lanose, lanugo. For the ending see adj. suff. -ate.
lance, n. - ME. launce, lance, fr. OF. ( = F.)
lance, fr. L. lancea, 'a light spear, lance', which
is a Celtic loan word. Cp. It. Iancia, OProven~.
/ansa, Catal. llansa, Sp. Ianza, Port. lanra, Du.,
Swed. fans, G. Lanze, etc., which all are borrowed from Latin. Cp. elan, launch, fer-de-lance.
lance, tr. v. - ME. launcen, fr. MF. fancier,
lancer (F.lancer), fr. Late L. lanceare, 'to wield a
lance' (whence also It. lanciare, Sp. lanzar), fr. L.
lancea. See lance, n.
lance-knight, n., a lansquenet (hist.) - Folk-etymological alteration of G. Landsknecht, 'foot
soldier' (lit. 'land servant'; see lansquenet), due
to a confusion of the first element of the word
with lance.
lancelet, n. - Formed fr. lance, n., with dimin.
suff. -let.
Lancelot, masc. PN.- F., formed with the double
dimin. suff. -el-ot fr. OHG. Lanzo, lit. 'landed',
fr. OHG. land, 'land'. See land, -eland -ot.
lanceolate, adj., lance-shaped (zoot. and bot.) L. lanceolatus, 'shaped like a small lance', fr.
lanceola, dimin. of lancea, 'lance'. See lance, n.,
-ole and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: lanceolat-ed, adj.
lancer, n. - F. fancier, 'a soldier armed with a
lance', fr. lance. See lance, n., and agential suff.
-er.
lancet, n., a small surgical instrument.- F. /ancette, lit. 'a small lance', dimin, of lance. See
lance, n., and the suffixes -et and -ette.
lanciform, adj., lance-shaped.- Compounded of
L. lancea, 'lance', andforma, 'form, shape'. See
lance, n., and fonn. n.
landnate, tr. v., to tear. - L. /anciniitus, pp. of
/anciniire, 'to tear to pieces, rend, lacerate',
which is rei. to /acerare, of s.m. See lacerate.

862
Derivatives: lancinat-ing, adj., /ancinat-ion, n.
land, n.- ME. land, fond, fr. OE. land, fond, rei.
to OS., ON., Dan., Swed., OFris., Du., G.,
Goth. land, MDu., OHG., MHG. /ant, fr. I.-E.
base *lendh-, 'land, heath', whence also Olr.
land, MW. llan, 'an open space', Ir. /ann, 'enclosure', W. 1/an, 'enclosure, yard, churchyard',
Co. Ian, Bret. /ann, 'heath' (F. Iande, 'heath,
moor', is borrowed fr. Gaul. *Ianda), OPruss.
lindan (ace.), 'valley', OS!av. !edina, ledo, 'waste
land, heath', Russ. [jdda, 'land newly cleared',
Czech /ada, 'fallow land'. Cp. lawn, 'stretch
of grass'. Cp. also Lancelot, the first element
in Lambert and the second element in Roland,
uitlander.
Derivatives: land, tr. and intr. v., land-ed, adj.,
land-er, n., land-ing, n., /and-less, adj.
landau, n., a four-wheeled covered horse-carriage. - Usually connected with Landau, name
of a town in Bavaria, Germany, but in reality
derived fr. Sp. lando, orig. 'a light four-wheeled
carriage drawn by mules', fr. Arab. al-andul,
misread as a-landul. Arab. andul is traceable to
OI. an-dola/:1, hin-dola/:1, 'swing, seesaw, litter';
see Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymological Sanskrit Dictionary, I, 549 and Brockelmann
in ZDMG., vol. 51 (1897), p. 658; vol. 52, p.
282, "Nochmals Landauer". Cp. doolie.
landaulet, n., I) a small landau; 2) a kind of automobile. - Formed fr. prec. word with dimin.
suff. -Jet.
landgrave, n., I) formerly, a German count having
jurisdiction over a certain territory; 2) later, the
title of certain German princes. - G. Landgraf,
lit. 'landcount', compounded of Land(fr. MHG.
/ant, fr. OHG.lant), 'land', and Graj(fr. MHG.
grave, fr. OHG. gravo), 'count, earl'. See land
and grave, 'count', and cp. margrave.
landgraviate, n., the office, jurisdiction or territory of a landgrave. - ML. landgraviatus, a hybrid coined fr. landgrave and L.- titus (see 3rd
sutf. -ate).
landgravine, n., wife of a landgrave. - G. Landgriifin, lit. 'landcountess'. See prec. word.
landloper, landlouper, n., a vagabond. - Du.
/and/oper, lit. 'landrunner', fr. land, 'land', and
/open, 'to run'. See land, leap and cp. elope, interloper.
landmark, n. - OE. landmearc. See land and
mark, n.
landscape, n. - Du. landschap, fr. MDu. landscap, 'region' (which is rei. to OE. /andscipe,
ON. /andskapr, OHG. /antsca/, G. Landschaft,
'region'), fr. land, 'land', and -scap, '-ship'. See
land and -ship.
Derivative: landscape, tr. and intr. v.
landsturm, n., a general levy.- G., compounded
of Land, 'country', and Sturm, 'storm'. See land
and storm.
landtag, n., the legislative assembly in German
states. - G., lit. 'day of the country'. See land
and day. For sense development cp. diet, 'par-

863
liamentary assembly'. Cp. also the second element in Reichstag, Rigsdag, Riksdag.
Iandwehr, n., military reserve of trained armed
forces in Germany and other countries (mil.)G., fr. MHG. lantwer, fr. OHG. lantweri, 'army
for the protection of the country', which is compounded of /ant, 'land', and weri, 'protection'.
See land and weir.
Jane, n. - ME. lane, fr. OE. lane, rei. to OFris.
lana, lana, MDu. lane, Du. laan, 'lane', ON. Ion,
'row of houses'. The ultimate etymol. of these
Teut. words is unknown. Cp. the second element in slalom.
]{mgbauite, n., a manganese silicate with ferrous
antimonate (mineral.)- Swed.langbanit, named
after Langban in Viirmland, Sweden. The ending -it goes back to Gk. -h1)~; see subst. suff. -ite.
Jangbeinite, n., double sulfate of potassium and
magnesium (mineral.) - G. Langbeinit, named
after the chemist A. Langbein of Dessau, Germany. The ending -it goes back to Gk. -fTI)<;;
see subst. sutf. -ite.
langley, n., a unit of solar radiation, corresponding to one gram calorie per square centimeter
per unit of time.- Named after the American
astronomer Samuel Pierpont Langley (I 8341906).

Langobard, n., Lombard. - L. Langobardf (pl.),

name of a people of Northern Germany. See
Lombard.
langrage, n., a kind of shot. -Formed on analogy of cartridge fr. earlier langrel, a word of
unknown origin.
Derivative: /angrag-ed, adj.
lang syne, adv., long since; n., the long ago, ancient times- Scot. form of long since.
language, n.- ME. langage, language, fr. OF.
( = F.) /angage, fr. VL. *linguaticum, fr. L. lingua, 'tongue; speech, language'. See tongue and
-age and cp. lingual. The spelling language
(with u) is due to the influence of F. langue,
'tongue; language'. Cp. next word and Janguet.
Jangued, adj., having the tongue of a tincture different from the rest (her.) - Formed with 3rd
suff. -ed fr. L. langue, 'tongue'. See prec. word.
langue d'oc, the Romance language of Southern
France; the Provenc;allanguage. -OF. langue
d'oc, 'language of oc', lit. 'yes language' (i.e. the
language in which oc, fr. L. hoc, 'this thing', is
used for 'yes'). L. hoc is the neut. form of hie;
see hodiernal and cp. haecceity. Cp. next word.
langued'oil, the Romance language spoken in the
center and north of France; the French language.- OF. langue d'oil, 'language of of!, lit.
'yes language', i.e. the language in which oil (now
oui; derived fr. L. hoc ille, scil.fecit, 'he did it')
is used for 'yes'. See prec. word and ille.
langnet, languette, n., a little tongue; used of various tongue-shaped parts of objects. - ME. /anguet,languette, fr. MF. (=F.) /anguette, dimin.
of langue, 'tongue'. See tongue and -et, -ette,
and cp. language.

lank
languid, adj., 1) drooping; weak; 2) dull.- ME.
languide, fr. L. languidus, 'faint, weak, dull,
sluggish, languid' (pro b. through the medium of
F. languide), fr. languere, 'to faint, weary', rei.
to laxus, which stands for *(s)li!g-sos, 'wide,
loose, open', fr. I.-E. base *(s)/lg-, *(s)l~g-,
*(s)leng-, 'to be slack', whence also Gk. :AYjyeLV,
'to leave off, stop', lit. 'to grow tired or weary',
:Aocyocp6~, 'slack, hollow, sunken', :Aocyw~, 'hare'
[for *:Aocy(o)-<U(ucr)6~, lit. 'the animal with the
flapping ears'], Olr. lace, 'slack, loose', Gael.,
Ir.lag, 'slack, weak', ON. s/akr, OE. sl<ec, 'slow,
slack'. See slack and cp. Jack, slake. Cp. also
languish, languor. Cp. also catalectic, delay,
laches, lago-, lash, adj., lax, laxative, leash, lush,
relay, release, relish, and the second element in
algolagnia.
Derivatives: languid-ly, adv., languid-ness, n.
languish, intr. v., 1) to become languid; 2) to become dull. - ME. languishen, fr. OF. ( = F.)
languiss-, pres. part. stem of languir, fr. VL.
*langufre, corresponding to L.languere, 'to faint,
weary'. See languid and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: languish, n., languish-ing, adj., languish-ing-ly, adv., languish-men!, n.
languor, n., 1) weakness; 2) dullness.- ME. fangaur, fr. OF. languor (F. longueur), fr. L. languorem, ace. of languor, 'faintness, feebleness,
weariness', fr. /anguere. See languid.
Derivatives: languor-ous, adj., languor-ous-ly,
adv.
langur, n., a long-tailed monkey of Asia (genus
Presbytis). - Hind. lmigilr, fr. OI. langulin,
'having a (long) tail'.
lani-, combining form meaning 'wool'.- L.liini-,
fr. lana, 'wool'. See lanate.
Janiard, n. -A var. of lanyard.
laniary, adj., canine (anat.) - L. laniarius, 'pertaining to a butcher', fr. Ianius, 'butcher', which
is of Etruscan origin and rei. to lanista, 'trainer
of gladiators'. See lanista and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivative: laniary, n., a laniary tooth.
laniferous, adj., wool-bearing. - L. lanifer,
'wool-bearing', compounded of lana, 'wool',
andferre, 'to bear, carry'. See lanate and -ferous.
lanigerous, adj., wool-bearing. - L. liiniger,
'wool-bearing', compounded of Irina, 'wool',
and gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See lanate and
gerent.
Laniidae, n. pl., a family of birds, the true shrikes
(ornithol.) - ModL., formed fr. Lanius with
suff. -idae.
lanista, n., a trainer of gladiators. - L., 'trainer
of gladiators, fencing master'; as shown by the
suff. -ista, a word of Etruscan origin; cp. fenestra. Cp. laniary, Lanius, lanner, lanneret.
Lanius, n., a genus of birds, the shrike (ornithol.)
- L. Ianius, 'butcher'. See laniary.
lank, adj., slender; lean. - ME. lank, fr. OE.
hlanc, 'lank, lean', rei. to OHG. (h)/anca, MHG.
/anke, 'hip, Dank', and to OE. hlence, 'link of
a coat of mail, (pl.) armor', MHG., G. lenken,

lanner
'to bend, turn, lead', MHG. gelenke, 'bending',
G. Gelenk, 'joint', fr. I.-E. base *qleng-, 'to
bend', whence also L. cling6, clingere, 'to girdle'.
Cp. the var. base *qlenq-, whence OSlav. ki(;cq,
-ati, 'to kneel', Russ. kljacu, 'cudgel, crossbar',
Lith. lenkti, 'to bend'. See link, 'ring of chain',
and cp. flank.
Derivatives: lank-ly, adv., lank-ness, n., lank-y,
adj., lank-i-ly, adv., lank-i-ness, n.
lanner, n., a falcon. - ME. laner, fr. OF ( = F.)
Ianier, fr. L. laniarius, 'butcher'. See laniary.
lanneret, n., the male lanner (falconry). - F.
laneret, formed fr. Ianier, 'tanner' (see prec.
word), with dimin. suff. -et (the male tanner is
smaller than the female).
lanolin, lanoline, n., wool fat. - Coined by the
German physician Mathias Eugenius Oscar
Liebreich (1838-1908) in 1886 fr. L.llina, 'wool',
oleum, 'oil, fat', and chem. suff. -in, -ine. See
lanate and -ole (fr. L. oleum).
lanose, adj., woolly. - L. lan6sus, 'woolly', fr.
llina, 'wool'. See lanate and adj. suff. -ose.
lansfordite, n., a hydrous basic magnesium carbonate (mineral.) - Named after Lansford in
Pennsylvania. For the ending seesubst. suff. -ite.
lansquenet, n., I) a German mercenary in the 16th
and 17th centuries; 2) a card game.- F., fr. G.
Landsknecht, lit. 'servant of the country', fr.
Lands, gen. of Land, 'land, country', and Knecht,
'slave, servant'. See land and knight and cp.
lance-knight.
Lantana, n., a genus of plants of the vervain family (bot.) - ModL., 'viburnum', altered fr.
lentana (form used by Gesner), of s.m., lit. 'the
pliant plant', fr. L. lentus, 'flexible, pliant'. See
lithe and cp. lentiscus, lentitude.
lantern, n. - ME. lanterne, fr. OF. ( = F.) ianferne, fr. L. lanterna, fr. Gk. AOCIJ.7:'t"~p (see
lamp), to which the Etruscan diminutive suff.
-na has been added. The same suff. appears in
L. persona (see person).
Derivatives: lantern, tr. v., lantern-ist, n.
lanthana, n., lanthanum oxide.- ModL., coined
by its discoverer, the Swedish chemist Carl GustafMosander (1797-1858) in 1839 fr. Gk. A:x'Jltoc'JEW, 'to escape notice, lie hid, be unseen', which
is cogn. with L latere, 'to lie hid' (see latent); so
called by him, because it lay concealed in erbia.
lanthanum, n., name of a metallic element of the
rare-earth group (chem.)- ModL, from prec.
word.
lanthorn, n., lantern.- An old var. of lantern.
lanuginous, adj., covered with soft hair, downy.
L lliniiginosus, fr. lliniig6, gen. ltiniiginis. See
next word and -ous.
Derivative: lanuginous-ness, n.
lanugo, n., downy hair that covers the fetus (anat.)
- L. lliniig6, gen. lliniiginis, 'down', fr. /tina,
'wool'. See lanate.
lanyard, laniard, n., a short, thick rope. - ME.
/anyer, fr. MF. (=F.) laniere, 'thong, lash', fr.
OF.lasniere, fr.lasne, 'strap, thong', a metathe-

864
sis form of nasle, 'lace', fr. Frankish *nastila,
which is related to OS., OHG. nestila, MHG.,
G. nestel, 'string, lace, strap'. These words derive fr. I.-E. base *ned-, 'to knot'; see net. The
transposition of nasle to lasne was prob. made
under the influence of OF. laz, 'noose'. The
change of the French ending -iere (in laniere) to
-yard (in E. lanyard) is due to a confusion with
the noun yard; cp. halyard.
Laocoon, n., a priest of Apollo (Greek mythol.)L. Laocoon, fr. Gk. A<iox6wv, compounded of
:A.iX6.;, 'people', and xosw (for *xofEw ), 'I
mark, perceive', which is cogn. with 01. kavf/1,
'wise, sage; seer, poet', L. cavere (for *covere),
'to be on one's guard, take care, beware'. For
the first element see lay, 'pertaining to the laity',
for the second see show and cp. cave, interj.
Laodicean, adj., 1) pertaining to Laodicea; lukewarm in religion (in allusion to Revelations III,
14-16) ; 2) n., an inhabitant of Laodicea; one
lukewarm in religion. - Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Laodicea, fr. Gk. A<io3[xe:~oc, name of a
city in Phrygia (in Asia Minor). Cp. latakia.
lap, n., flap of a garment.- ME. Iappe, fr. lreppa,
'tip, end, skirt, district', rei. to OS. lappo, 'tip,
lappet', MDu, Iappe, Du. lap, 'tip, end', OHG.
lappa, MHG. Iappe, G. Lappen, 'rag, shred',
ON.leppr, Norw./ap, 'patch, rag', Norw.lapa, 'to
hang loosely', fr. I.-E. base *!db-, *llb-, 'loose;
to hang down, whence also L.llibtire, 'to totter',
/libi, 'to slide, slip, glide down' and prob. also
labor, 'labor'. See labor and cp. lapel, lappet.
Cp. also labarum.
Derivative: lap, tr. and intr. v., to wrap, enfold.
lap, tr. v., to lick up; intr. v., to lick up a liquid.
- ME. lapen, Iappen, fr. OE. lapian, 'to lick,
lap up, sup', rei. to Swed. /apa, 'to drink, lap',
OHG. lajfan, 'to lick', OS. lepil, MLG., Du.
lepe/, OHG. le.ffil, MHG. Ieffel, G. Lbjfel,
'spoon', OE. hepeldre, 'pot', and cogn. with Gk.
/.:bt-rEt'J, 'to sip, lick', :A.oc<puo-ae:t'J, 'to swallow
greedily, gulp down', Arm. lap'el, L. lambere,
'to lick". All these words derive from the I.-E.
imitative base *iab-, *lap(h)-. Cp. lambent.
Derivatives: lap, n., the act oflapping, /app-er, n.
lapar-, form of laparo- before a vowel.
laparectomy, n., surgical removal of a part of the
abdominal wall. - Compounded of lapar- and
Gk. -EK't"O!J.U.i, 'a cutting out of', fr. x-ro!J.1J, 'a
cutting out'. See -ectomy.
laparo-, before a vowel lapar-, combining form
denoting the flank or, less exactly, the abdominal
wall (anat.)- Fr. Gk. ).ocn:cip<i, 'the flank, loins',
which is rei. to :A.ocn:ocp6;, 'soft, flaccid, hollow',
Aoc:-tocl:e:w, :A.xr.cio-o-e:tv, 'to empty', and in gradational relationship to :A.e:TM"6<;, 'fine, thin,
small'. See lepto-.
laparotomy, n., incision into the abdominal wall
(surgery).- Coined by the English surgeon Sir
Thomas Bryant (1828-1914) fr. laparo- and Gk.
-'t'O!J.La!, 'cutting of', fr. -rov.-1), 'a cutting, section'. See -tomy.

865
lapel, n., part of a coat folded back. - Diminutive of lap, 'flap of a garment'.
Derivatives: lapel-er, n., lapell-ed, adj.
lapidary, adj., 1) pertaining to stones; 2) pertaining to, or suitable for, engraving on stone
monuments. - L. lapidlirius, 'pertaining to
stone', fr. lapis, gen. lapidis, 'stone', which is
cogn. with Gk. AETCot<;, 'a bare rock, crag', and
prob. also with :A.bte:t'J, 'to strip off, peel'; see
leper and cp. Lepas. For the relationship between Gk. :A.btoc~ and AsTCe:tv cp. L. saxum,
'stone', which is rei. to seclire, 'to cut', and
riipes, 'rock', which is rei. to rumpere, 'to tear,
break, rend' (see saxatile and rupestrian).
lapidary, n., one who cuts or polishes precious
stones. - L. lapidlirius, 'a worker in stone',
prop. the adjective lapidarius, 'pertaining to
stone', used as a noun. See prec. word.
lapidate, tr. v., to stone. - L. lapidatus, pp. of
lapidiire, 'to pelt with stones, to stone', fr./apis,
gen. lapidis. See lapidary, adj., and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: lapidat-ion, n., lapidat-or, n.
lapidification, n., the state of being converted into
stone. - See next word and -ation.
lapidify, tr. v., to convert into stone; intr. v., to be
converted into stone. - F. lapidijier, fr. ML.
lapidificiire, 'to convert into stone', which is
compounded of L. lapis, gen. lapidis, 'stone',
and -ficiire, fr. -ficere, unstressed form offacere,
'to make, do'. See lapidary, adj., and -fy.
lapilli. n. pl., small stones; specif. small stones
erupted by volcanoes. - L., pl. of lapillus, 'a
little stone', dimin. of lapis, 'stone'. See lapidary,
adj.
lapis lazuli, an azure blue stone. - ML., fr. L.
lapis, 'stone', and gen. of ML. lazulum, 'lapis
lazuli', fr. Arab. liizaward. See lapidary, adj.,
and azure.
Laportea, n., a genus of plants, the wood nettle
(bot.) - ModL., named after Frano;ois L de
Laporte, a 19th-century entomologist.
lappet, n., a small flap. - Formed with dimin.
suff. -et fr. lap, 'flap of a garment'.
Derivatives: lappet, tr. v., lappet-ed, adj.
Lappula, n., a genus of plants, the stick seed (bot.)
- ModL., dimin. of L. lappa, a bur; of uncertain origin.
Lapsana, n., a genus of plants, the nipplewort
(bot.) - L. lapsana, /ampsana, 'charlock', fr.
Gk. ).ocyciv7), i.oc[L\jlci'Jr,, of s.m.
lapse, n., 1) a slip; 2) an error. - L. lapsus, 'a
slipping, a fall', fr. lapsus, pp. of tabi, 'to slide,
slip, glide down'. See labor, n., and cp. words
there referred to.
lapse, intr. v., I) to slip; 2) to fail.- L. lapsiire,
'to slide', fr.lapsus, pp. of llibi. See lapse, n., and
cp. collapse, elapse, prolapse, relapse.
Derivatives: laps-able, adj., laps-ed, adj., lapser, n., laps-ing-ly, adv.
lapsus calami, a slip of the pen. - L. See lapse,
n., and calamary.

1ares
lapsus linguae, a slip of the tongue. - L. See
lapse, n., and lingual.
lapwing, n., a bird of the plover family. - ME.
lappewinke, fr. OE. hleapewince, lit. 'leaperwaverer', fr. hteapan, 'to leap', and wincian, 'to
blink, wink' (the original meaning of this latter
was 'to move rapidly, to waver'); influenced in
form by a folk-etymologi cal association with
wing. See leap and wink.
larboard, n., left-hand side of a ship to a person
on board looking from the stern toward the
bow. - ME. ladeborde, lit. 'the loading side'.
The first -r- in E. larboard is due to the analogy
of starboard. See lade and board of a ship.
Derivatives: larboard, adj. and adv.
larcener, n., one guilty of larceny. - See larceny
and agential suff. -er.
larcenist, n., a larcener.- See larceny and -ist.
larcenous, adj., of the nature of larceny. - See
next word and -ous.
Derivative: larcenous-ly, adv.
larceny, n., theft.- ME., fr. OF.(= F.) larcin,
fr. OF. larrecin, fr. L. latrocinium, 'service of
mercenaries; freebooting, robbery', which is
compounded of latr6, 'a mercenary soldier;
robber', and suff. -cinium. L. latro is prob. borrowed fr. Gk. *A(hpw'J, 'a mercenary soldier',
which is rei. to :A.thpov, 'pay, hire, :A.ci-:pt;, 'servant, worshiper', Aot-rpe:[<i, 'hired labor, service
paid to the gods, worship'. Several philologists
derive these Greek words fr. I.-E. base *Ia-,
*le(i)-, 'to grant; possession'. See -latry and cp.
lathe 'administrative district'. Suff. -cinium is
prob: cogn. with Gk. -Kovo; in Stfixovo:;, 'a
servant'. See deacon and cp. tirocinium.
larch, n., a tree of the genus Larix. -Introduced
by the English botanist W. Turner in 1548
through adaptation of G. Larche, fr. MHG.
Iarche, Ierche, fr. OHG. *larihha, *lerihha, borrowed fr. L. larix, gen. laricis, 'larch', which is
prob. a Gaulish loan word from the Alpine region, ult. derived fr. I.-E. base *dere1(o)-, 'tree'
(see tree). See Walde-Hofman n LEW., I. p. 765.
For the change of d- to 1- cp. L. /acrima, fr. OL.
dacruma, 'tear' (see lachrymal). It is also possible, however, that L. larix is a word of nonIndo-European origin.
lard, n. - OF. ( = F.), fr. L. /iiridum, liirdum,
'bacon', which is cogn. with Gk. i.ip1:-'J6~, 'fat'.
Derivatives: lard, tr. v., /ard-aceous, adj., larder
(q.v.), tard-y, adj.
larder, n. - ME., fr. AF. larder, corresponding
to OF. lardier, 'a place where bacon is kept',
fr. lard, 'bacon'. See lard and suff. -er, in the
sense 'receptacle for'.
Derivative: larder-er, n.
lardite, n., agalmatolite (mineral.) - Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. liirdum, 'lard'. See
lard.
!ardon, lardoon, n., a strip of bacon used in
larding. - See lard and -oon.
lares, n. pl., tutelary gods (Roman mythol.) -

large
L. ldres, 'tutelary gods, househol d deities;
home', pl. of liir; prob. derived fr. I.-E. base
*tits-, 'greedy', whence also L. lascivus, 'wanton'. See lascivious and cp. Lariidae, larva.
large, adj.- ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) large, 'broad,
wide', fr. L. !argus, 'abundan t, copious,
plentiful; liberal', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. largess, largo, enlarge.
Derivativ es: large, adv. and n., large-ly, adv.,
large-ness, n., larg-ish, adj.
largess, largesse, n., a gift generousl y given. ME. largesse, fr. OF. ( = F.) largesse, 'bounty,
munificen ce', fr. VL. *largitia, 'abundan ce', fr.
L. /argus, 'abundan t', See large and -ess.
larghetto, adj. and adv., rather slow (musical direction) .- It., diroin. of largo, 'slow'. See next
word.
largo, adj. and adv., very slow (musical direction). - It., 'broad, wide; slow', fr. L. /argus,
'broad, wide'. See large.
lariat, n., a Jasso.- Sp. Ia reata, 'the rope', from
the fern. article Ia and reata, 'rope'. Sp. Ia derives fr. L. ilia, fern. of ille, 'that'; see ille. For Sp.
reata see reata.
Derivativ e: lariat, tr. v.
Laridae, n. pl., a family of birds including the
gulls and terns (ornitho/.) - ModL., formed fr.
Larus with suff. -idae.
Lariidae, n. pl., a family of beetles (entomol.) ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Laria (name
of the type genus), fr. L. liir. See lares.
Larinae, n. pl., a subfamily of the Laridae; the
typical gulls (ornitho/.) - ModL., formed fr.
Larus with suff. -inae.
Larix, n., a genus of trees of the pine family (bot.)
- L. larix, 'larch'. See larch.
lark, n. - ME. Iarke, fr. OE. liiwerce, lfiwerce,
rei. to OS. /ewerka, ON. hevirki, Dan. lerke,
OSwed. liirikia, Swed. liirka, Norw. lerka, LG.
lewerke, Du. leeuwerik, OHG. lerahha, MHG.
lewreche, lereche, G. Lerche, 'lark'; of uncertain
origin.
lark, intr. v., to make sport. -Of uncertain origin.
Derivativ es: lark-er, n., lark-ing, adj., lark-ingly, adv., lark-ish, lark-some, lark-y, adjs.
larkspur, n., the delphiniu m. -Compo unded of
lark, n., and spur; so called in allusion to the
shape of its leaves.
larmoyan t, adj., tearful. - F., pres. part. of farmoyer, 'to shed tears, whimper' , fr. larme, 'tear',
fr. L. lacrima. See lachryma l and -ant.
Iarnax, n., a chest; a coffin. -Gk. Aipv:x~, 'chest,
coffer, box, dissimilat ed fr. vfJv:x; (Hesychiu s),
of s.m., which is of uncertain origin.
larrup, tr. v., to beat, thresh. - Of uncertain
origin; perh. borrowed fr. Du.larpen , 'to thresh'.
Lams, n., a genus of birds, the gull, the tern and
the jaeger (ornitho l.)- Late L. larus, 'gull', fr.
Gk. M.po~, which is prob. rei. to ).ijpo~, 'idle
talk', and lit. means 'the chatterin g bird', fr. the
tative base *Ia-. *le-, 'to shout, cry',

866
whence also L. liimentare, 'to wail, moan, weep,
lament'. See lament.
larva, n. - L. liirva, 'ghost, specter, mask', for
*liisowii-, lit. 'having the shape of a Jar, resembling a Jar', fr. liir, 'a tutelary god'. See lares.
larval, adj. - L. larviilis, 'pertainin g to a ghost',
fr. larva. See larva and adj. suff. -al.
Jarvi-, combinin g form denoting a larva.- Fr. L.
larva. See larva.
laryng-, form oflaryngo - before a vowel.
laryngeal, adj., pertaining to the larynx.- Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. Mpuy~, gen. Aipuyyo<;;, 'throat'. See larynx.
laryngitis , n., inflamma tion of the larynx (med.)
- Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
A:ipuy~, gen. A:ipuyyo<;;, 'throat'. See larynx.
Derivativ e: laryngit-ic, adj.
laryngo-, combinin g form denoting 1) the larynx:;
2) laryngeal and.- Gk. A<Xpuyyo-, fr. Mpuyl;,
gen. :Aocpuyyo~;, 'throat'. See larynx.
laryngology, n., that branch of medicine which
deals with the diseases of the larynx. - Compounded oflaryngo - and Gk. -:Aoylfi, fr. -A6yo<;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivativ es: laryngolog-ic, laryngolog-ic-al,
adjs., laryngolog-ist, n.
laryngoscope, n., an instrumen t for examinin g the
larynx. - Compoun ded of laryngo- and Gk.
-crx6mov, fr. crxom:rv, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scope.
Derivativ es: laryngoscop-ic, laryngoscop-ic-a/,
adjs., laryngoscop-ist, n., laryngoscop-y, n.
larynx, n., the upper part of the windpipe (anat.)
- Medical L., fr. Gk. Mpuy;, gen. Aocpuyyo~,
'throat, upper part of the windpipe ', which is
pro b. a blend of <p:Xpuy~, 'throat' (see pharynx),
and AClLfL6<;, 'throat, gullet'. See Frisk, GEW.,
II 87 s. v. Aocpuy; It is also possible, however,
that Ok. A&:puy~ derives from the I.-E imitative
base *(s)lrg- 'to sip', whence also MHG. slurc,
'gullet, gorge', slurken, 'to sip', Swed. slurca, 'to
sip in big quaffs', and possibly also L. lurc6, furcare (also lurcor, lurciiri), 'to devour' (fr. *lurgicos, 'devourin g'); see Walde-H ofmann, LEW.,
I, 837 s.v. lurco. If this latter etymolog y is
correct, the form of :Apux~ is pro b. due to the
influence of <pipJ"(~, 'throat'.
lascar, n., an East Indian sailor.- Pers. lashkar,
'army', fr. Arab. a/'askar, 'the army', fr. al-,
'the', and 'askar, 'army', which prob. derives fr.
Late Gk. i~epxr,ov, fr. L. exercitus, 'army, fr.
exercere, 'to train, drill'. See exercise and cp.
askari and th.o se.;:ond clement in seraskier. E.
lascar was influenced in meaning by Pers. lashkarl, 'soldier', lit. 'of the army', fr. lashkar.
lascivious, adj., wanton, lustful. - Late L. lasciviosus, fr. L. /ascivia, 'wantonn ess, playfulne ss,
lustfulnes s', fr. loscivus, 'wanton, playful, lustful', fr. I.-E. base *li1s-, 'greedy, desirous',
whence also 0 I. -ftllatl (dissimila ted fr. *lolsati),
yearns', Msati, 'plays, frolics' (also 'llashes,

867
glitters'), Hitt. ilaliya-, 'to desire, covet', Gk.
AL-AIXLO[L:XV (for *).L-Aoccr!OfLIXL ), 'I desire',
A:icr't''t), 'harlot', Aoccr-&1], 'mockery , insult', 0Slav. Iaska, 'flattery', laskaj(J, laskati, 'to outwit,
flatter', laskanije, 'flattery', laskriidu, 'loving
dainties', Czech and Slovak Iaska, 'love', Pol.
-Iaska, 'favor', Olr. lainn (for *las-nis), 'greedy',
Goth. lustus, OE.lust, 'lust'. Cp. list, 'to please',
lust. Cp. also lares, larva.
Derivativ es: lascivious-ly, adv., lascivious-ness,
n.
laser, n.- Coined from the initials of Light Amplification (by) Stimulate d Emission (of) Radiation.
lash, tr. v., to bind.- ME. lasshen, 'to lace', fr.
MF. /achier, lacier, fr. OF. See lace, v.
lash, adj., soft and watery. - OF. lasche (F.
liiche), 'loose', fr. L. laxus, of s.m. See lax and
cp. laches, lush.
lash, tr. and intr. v., to strike with, or as with, a
whip.- ME. /ashen, 'to strike', prob. of imitative origin.
Derivativ es: lash, n., a stroke with a whip, lasher, n., lash-ing, n.
lashkar, n., a body of soldiers (India). - Pers.
lashkar, 'army'. See lascar.
lasio-, before a vowel lasi-, combinin g form
meaning 'shaggy '.- Gk. :A:xmo-, AtxcrL-, fr. M.mo;, 'shaggy', for * fAoc't'-w<;, fr. I.-E. * wltios,
'hairy, woolly, shaggy', whence also Lith. valtis,
'panicle of oats', Little Russian voloti, 'panicle',
ON. Jolt, 'hair. The above base is prob. a-!enlargem ent of base *we/-, 'to break, tear,
pluck', whence also Gk. A'ijvo~;, Dor. Aiivo~; (for
*,");ijvo<;, resp. *fAiivo<;), 'wool', L. vel/ere, 'to
pluck, twitch', vel/us, 'wool shorn off, fleece'.
See vellicate and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also next word.
Lasius, n., a genus of ants (entomo l.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. i.cr~o;, 'hairy, woolly, shaggy. See lasio-.
Iaspring, n., a young salmon (dial. English). Perh. altered fr. laxpink, a compoun d of OE.
lax, 'salmon', and dial. E. pink, 'a young salmon'. See lax, 'salmon'.
lass, n., a girl.- ME.lasse , of uncertain origin.
lassie, n., a young girl. - Dimin. of lass.
lassitude, n., weariness , exhaustio n. - MF. ( =
F.), fr. L. lassitudinem, ace. of lassitudo, 'faintness, weariness, languor, exhaustio n', fr. lassus,
'faint, weary, languid, exhausted ', which stands
for *lad-to-s, and is cogn. with OE. /;et, 'sluggish, slow'. See late and -tude and cp. alas.
lasso, n., a long rope with noose for catching
cattle and hor~es. - Sp. lazo. fr. L. laqueus,
'noose, snare. See lace, n., which is a doublet of
lasso.
Derivativ es: lasso, tr. v., lasso-er, n.
last, adj. - ME. last, dissimilat ed fr. latst, contraction of latest, fr. OE. latost, super!. of llt,
adj., late, adv.; rei. to the superlativ es OFris.
lest, MDu. latest, laest, lest, Du. /aatst, OHG.
leJJist, laJJOSt, MHG. /eJJist, lest, G. letzt,

late
'last', ON. latastr, 'slowest'. See late. For the
dissimilat ion of ME. latst to last cp. best.
Derivativ es: last, n. and adv., last-ly, adv.
last, n., a model of foot. - ME. taste, fr. OE.
liiiste, 'last', fr, OE. kist, 'sole of foot, footprint,
track', rei. to ON. leistr, 'the foot below the
ankle, sock', Dan. llst, Du. leest, 'last', OHG.
Ieist, 'track, footprint, last', MHG. Ieist, G.
Leisten, 'last', Goth. laists, 'footprint , track',
laistjan, 'to follow', laisjan, 'to teach', lais, 'I
know', OE.liiiran (for *liir-jan), 'to teach'. See
learn and cp. last, 'to continue' .
Derivativ e: last, tr. v., to shape with a last.
last, intr. v., to continue, endure. - ME. lasten,
fr. OE.listan, 'to follow, carry out, perform; to
continue, last, endure'. The orig. meaning was
'to follow a track', fr. OE. liist, 'sole of foot,
footprint, track'. Cp. Goth.lais tjan, 'to follow',
OHG. leistan, MHG., G. leisten, 'to perform,
achieve, afford', and see last, 'model of foot'.
Derivativ es: last, n., staying power, last-ing, adj.,
last-ing-ly, adv., last-ing-ness, n.
last, n., I) load (obsol.); 2) unit of weight. - ME.
last, 'load; unit of weight', fr. OE. hllst, 'burden', rei. to OFris. hlest, MDu., Du. last, OHG.
hlast, last, MHG., G. last, 'load', and to OE.,
OHG. hladan, 'to load'. E. last prop. means
'that which is laden'. See lade and cp. the second
element in ballast. Cp. also alastrim.
tat, n., the unit of currency in Latvia. -Lett. lats
(pl. lati), formed from the first syllable of Latvija, the Lett name of the country.
latakia, n., a kind of Syrian tobacco. - Prop.
'tobacco grown in Latakia', a town in N.W. Syria. The name Latakia is traceable toOk. Afioatxe:L:x, name of a city in Phrygia. See Laodicean.
latch, tr. v., to fasten. - ME. lacchen, 'to seize,
catch, take hold of', fr. OE. llccan, prob. cogn.
with Ok. Ai~ofL:xL, 'I take, grasp', which stands
for *Aocy-~ofL:XL or *:Aiyy-!OfL:XL and is rei. to
A<XfL~vw, of s.m. See lemma.
latch, n., a fastening ; a device for fastening. ME. lacche, 'catch, fastening ', fr. lacchen. See
latch, v.
latchet, n. - ME. lachet, fr. OF. lachet, a dial.
var. of lacet, 'a thong', dimin. of laz, 'noose'.
See lace, n.
late, adj.- ME. /at, fr. OE. het, 'sluggish, slow;
late', rei. to OFris. let, 'late', OS. !at, ON. latr,
Dan. lad, 'sluggish, lazy', MDu. /at, of s.m.
(whence Du. laat, 'late', laatst, 'last'), OE.
latost, OHG., MHG. /a3, G. /aft, 'idle, weary',
Goth. lats, 'weary, sluggish, lazy', OHG. leJ
ist, 'last', lit. 'slowest, tardiest', Goth. /atjan, w
hinder', OHG. lezzen, MHO. letzen, 'to stop,
check' (whence MHO., G. ver-letzen, 'to hurt,
injure'), fr. Teut. base *lata-, correspon ding to
I.-E. base */e(i)d-, *l"d-, 'to leave behind, leave,
yield', whence L. lassus (for *lad-to-s), 'faint,
weary, languid, exhausted ', Gk. A7Jas:iv (Hesychius), 'to be weary'. See let, 'to leave', and

lateen
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also latter, last,
adj.
Derivati ves: late-ly, adv., Iat-en, tr. and intr. v.,
late-ness, n., /at-ish, adj.
lateen, adj., 1) designat ing a triangul ar sail suspended from a short mast at an angle of 45; 2)
having such a sail.- F. (voile) latine, lit. 'Latin
(sail)'; so called because used on Mediter ranean
vessels. See Latin.
Derivati ve: lateen, n., a vessel having such a sail.
latence, latency, n. - Formed from next word
with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
latent, adj., hidden, concea led.- L.latens , -entis,
pres. part. of latere, 'to lie hid or conceale d, to
lurk', which is cogn. with Gk. 1.-iJ&"tJ, 'forgetfu lness, oblivion ', a-);Yj&-1)~. 'true', lit. 'not concealinga nything' (fr. priv.pre f. &-and:A-i)&"IJ, 'forgetfulne ss'), AiX\I&civeLv, 'to escape notice, lie
hid, be unseen', and with OSlav. /ajati, 'to lie in
wait for'. Cp. lanthanu m, Lethe, lethargy , Alethea, alethiology.
-later, combini ng form meaning 'worship er', as
in bardo/ater, idolater. - Fr. Gk. -Aci.Tp"IJ~,
'worship er of', which is rei. to AIXTpe[ii, 'worship'. See -latry.
lateral, adj., pertainin g to the side; sideways. L. latera/is, 'pertaini ng to the side', fr. latus,
gen. lateris, 'side', which is pro b. rei. to latus,
'broad'. See latitude and adj. suff. -al and cp.
collatera l.
Derivati ves: lateral, n., lateral-ly, adv., and the
hybrids lateral-ize, tr. v., latera/-iz-ation, n.
Lateran, n., 1) the church of St. John Lateran in
Rome; 2) the palace adjoinin g it; adj., pertainin g
to this church or palace; specif., designat ing a
number of general councils held there. - L.
Lateranus, name of a Roman family whose
palace stood on the site of the present basilica.
lateri-, combini ng form meaning 'lateral'. See
latero-.
laterite, n., a reddish soil formed by the decomposition of rocks (geol.) "-Form ed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. L. later, gen. lateris, 'brick, tile',
which is of uncertai n etymolo gy.
latero-, combini ng form meaning 'lateral '.- Fr.
L. latus, gen. lateris, 'side". See lateral.
latescenc e, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
latescent , adj., becomin g latent. - L. latescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of latescere, 'to hide oneself', inchoati ve of latere. See latent.
latex, n., a milky juice in plants (bot.) - L., 'a
liquid, fluid", prob. borrowe d fr. Gk. ),iTa.~,
"drop of wine, which has been connecte d by
several philolog ists with Gaul. Are-late, lit. 'city
east of the swamp', Mir./ait h (for *lati-), 'beer;
swamp', Co. lad, OW. llat, 'liquor', W. /laid,
Mlr. /athach, 'mud, mire', Lith. latiikas, 'pool,
puddle', ON. /ejJja, 'filth', OHG. letto, G. Letten, 'potter's clay, loam'; see Walde-H ofmann.
LEW.. I, 770 s.v.l. latex. Cp. the first element in
Jatidfero us.

868
lath, n. - ME. laththe, fr. OE. l:!'tt, rei. to OS.,
ON., OHG. latta, MDu., MHG., G. latte,
Du. /at, 'lath', MHG. lade, 'plank', G. Laden,
'shop', and cogn. with Olr. (= lr.) slat, W.
l!ath, Bret. laz, 'rod, pole'. Cp. lattice.
Derivati ves: lath, tr. v., lath-en, adj., lather, one
who puts up laths (q.v.), lath-ing, n.
lathe, n., a machine for turning. - Prob. of
Scan d. origin; cp. Dan. -lad in dreje-/ad, 'turning lathe', which is rei. to ON. hlaoa, 'to lade,
load'. See lade.
Derivati ves: lathe, tr. v., lath-er, n.
lathe, n., one of the five (orig. six) districts of the
county of Kent in Englan d.- ME., fr. OE./iidJ,
'landed property , district', rel. to ON. lao, of
s.m., OE. un-liid, un-liede, 'poor, miserabl e',
Goth. un-/eds, 'poor', orig. 'without property ',
and prob. cogn. with Gk. ),~hpov, 'pay, hire'.
See -latry.
lathee, n. - See lathi.
lather, n., froth, foam.- ME., fr. OE. /eapor, rei.
to ON./auor, 'washing soap,foa m', andcogn . with
Gaul./au tron, Olr. /6athar, lothar, 'bathing tub',
Gk. :Aou~L'I, 'to bathe', :AouTpov. 'bath, water for
bathing' , L. lavare, 'to wash, bathe'. See lave and
cp.lye.
Derivati ves: lather, intr. and tr. v., to cover with
lather, lather-er, n., lather-}, adj.
lather, n., one who puts up laths. - Formed fr.
lath with agential sulf. -er.
lathi, also lathee, n., a heavy wooden staff bound
with iron (India). - Hind. /afhr, fr. Prakrit la.tfhi, 'staff, stick, rod, club', which is rei. to 01.
ya~!ib of s.m., Avestic yaxshti-, 'branch' .
lathyrism , n., a morbid conditio n caused by the
use of meal from the seeds of certain species of
Latlryrus (med.)- Formed from next word with
suff. -ism.
Lathyrus , n., a genus of plants, the' etch ling (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. M&vf>o;. a kind of pulse'.

See lentil.
Comlaticifero us, adj., containi ng latex. pounded ofL.late x, gen.laticis, 'a liquid, fluid',
andjerre , 'to bear, carry. See latex and -ferous.
laticlave , n., one of two broad purple stripes on
the front of the tunic, worn by senators , etc., as
a badge of their rank (Ruman amiq.) - L. liiticlavus, 'a broad purple stripe (on the tunic)'. See
latitude and clavicle.
latifundium, n., a large landed estate. - L., compouaded of latus, 'broad', and fundus, 'bottom,
foundati on, estate'. See latitude and fund.
Latin, adj. - ME., fr. L. Latinus, 'Latin', prop.
'pertaini ng to L::tium', fr. Latium, name of a
disttict of Italy in which Rome was situated. According to P. P. Persson Latium stands for *stlet-iom ant:! lit. means 'the fiat or plain land" (in
contradi stinction to the mountai nous country
inhabite d by the Sabines) fr. I.-E. base *stela-,
'to s:pread, extend', whence also latus (for *stltitos), 'broad, wid~; see latitude. It is also possible, however , that the name Latium is of non-

869
Indo-Eu ropean ongm. See Walde-H ofmann,
LEW., I, 770-71 s.v. Latium.
Derivati ves: Latin, n. and tr. v., Latin-ate, adj.,
Latin-ic, adj., Latin-ism, n., Latin-ist, n., Latinist-ic, adj., Latinity (q.v.), Latinize (q.v.)
Latine, adv., in Latin. - L. Latine, fr. Latinus,
'Latin'. See Latin.
Latinity, n. - L. latinittis, fr. Latinus. See Latin
and -ity.
Latinize , tr. and intr. v. - Late L. latinizare, fr.
L. Latinus. See Latin and -ize.
Derivati ves: Latiniz-ation, n., Latiniz-er, n.
latitude, n., breadth. - ME., fr. L. latitudo,
'breadth ', fr.liitus, 'broad' ,which standsfo r*stlatos and is rei. to stlatta, 'a kind of broad ship',
and pro b. also to latus, gen. Jateris, 'side', fr.
I.-E. base *stelii-, 'to spread', whence also OSiav.
steljq, stilati, 'to spread out', po-stelja, 'bed',
Arm. lain, 'broad'. Cp. lateral, laticlave , latifundium, Latin. For the ending see suff. -tude.
Derivati ves: latitudin-al (q.v.), /atitudin-ous, adj.
latitudin al, adj., pertainin g to latitude .- Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. latitad6, gen. latitudinis,
'breadth '. See prec. word.
Derivati ve: latitudinal-ly, adv.
latitudin arian, adj., characte rized by latitude in
opinion or behavi or.- Formed with suff. -arian
fr. L. /atitildo, gen. latitudinis, 'breadth '. See latitude.
Derivati ves: latitudinarian, n., latitudinarian-ism,
n.
Latona, n., the mother of Apollo and Diana in
Roman mytholo gy; equivale nt to the Greek
Leto. - L. Latona, Latinize d form of Gk.
A"YJTW, Dor. _\x~w. See Leto and cp. Leda. For
the suff. -na in Latona cp. L. BeJ/6-na, the Roman goddess of war (fr. bellum, 'war'), and L.
matro-na, 'matron ' (fr. mater, 'mother' ); see
Bellona, matron.
latria, n., the highest kind of worship, which may
be offered to God only. - Eccles L., fr. Gk.
/.x~pdi. 'service, worship '. See -latry.
latrine, n., a privy. - F. latrines (pl.), fr. L. latrina, 'a privy', contract ion of early lavatrina,
'bath, fr. lavatus, pp. of lavare, 'to wash'. See
lave. For sense developm ent cp. lavatory.
latrobite , n., a ,ariety of anorthite (mineral.) Named after its discover er, the Reveren d C. J.
Latrobe. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
latrocini um, n .. robbery; briganda ge (Roman law).
- L. See larceny.
-latry, combini ng form meaning 'worship '. It occurs not only in original Greek words, but also
in nev. ..:oina.ge, 1~p . .:.g. bi&liulatry). - Gk.
-i,x-:pd i, -i.x~plii, fr. i,C-:pdi, 'hired labor,
service. senice paid to the gods, worship ', which
is rei. to A7.Tp'J'I, pay, hire', i..thpL~, 'servant,
worship er', i.x-:pd~w, 'to serve, worship '. Several philolog ists derive these words fr. I.-E. base
*Ia-, */e(i)-, 'to grant; possessi on', whence also
ON. Uio, OE. lfio, 'landed property , district',
Goth. un-1&/s, 'poor', OE. un-lfid, un-lfide, 'poor,

laugh
miserabl e', orig. 'without property ' (for I.-E.
*n-Ieto-s). Cp. -later, Iatria, larceny. Cp. also
I~the, 'adminis trative district'.
latten, n. 1) an alloy of copper and zinc; 2) a thin
sheet of metal. - ME. latoun, laton, fr. OF. laton (F. laiton), fr. Arab. la{dn, 'copper' [whence
also Sp. laton, Port. latiio, OProven~. laton, teton, It. ottone (in which the I of the Arabic word
was mistaken for the It. article and consequ ently
dropped )]; ult. fr. dial. Turk. a/tan, 'gold'.
latter, adj.- ME. later, l;eter, 'later', fr. OE. /;etra, 'slower; later', compar. of /;et. Cp. the comparative s ON. latari, MHG. la33er, 'slower',
OFris. letora, lettera, 'latter', Du. later, 'later',
and see late.
Derivati ve: latter-ly, adv.
lattice, n. - ME. latis, fr. OF. lattis, fr. latte,
'lath', which is ofTeut. origin. See lath.
Derivati ves: lattice, tr. v., lattic-ed, adj., latticing, n.
Latvia, n. - Lit. 'the country of the Letts'. See
Lett and cp. lat.
Derivati ves: Latvi-an, adj. and n.
laubanite , n., a calcium aluminu m silicate (mineral.) - Named after Lauban in Silesia. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
laud, n., praise. - ME. laudes (pl.), fr. MF./aud es
(pl.), fr. L. laudes, pl. of laus, 'praise', which is
prob. cogn. with OE. teoo, 'song, poem', ON.
ljoo, 'strophe ' (in the pl., 'song'), OHG. liod,
MHG. /iet, G. Lied, 'song', Goth. /iup6n, 'to
praise', awiliup, 'thanksg iving'. Cp. allow, 'to
permit'. Cp. also lied.
laud, tr. v.- L. laudare, 'to praise', fr. /aus, gen.
laudis. See laud, n.
Derivati ve: Iaud-er, n.
laudabili ty, n.- Late L. laudabilitas, fr. L. laudabilis. See next word and -ity.
laudable , adj. - ME., fr. L. /audabilis, 'praiseworthy, laudable ', fr. laudare, 'to praise'. See
laud, v., and -able.
Derivati ves: laudable-ness, n., laudabl-y, adv.
laudanin e, n., a poisonou s alkaloid (chem.) Formed from next word with subst. suff. -ine.
laudanum , n., a tincture of opium. - A ModL.
word used by the Swiss alchemis t and physicia n
Paracels us; pro b. a var. of L. ladanum. See ladanum, labdanum .
laudation , n., praise. - L. /audati6, 'a praising,
commen dation', fr. /audatus, pp. of laudare. See
laud, v., and -ation.
laudative , adj., laudator y. - L. /audativus, 'relating to praise, laudator y', fr. laudatus, pp. of
lawiarc. See laud, Y., -iYe.
laudator y, adj., expressi ng praise. - Late L. laudat6rius, 'relating to praise, laudator y', fr. L.
/audatus, pp. of laudare. See laud, v., and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivati ve: /audatori-ly, adv.
Laudian , adj., pertainin g to Archbish op Laud
(1573-1645) or his principle s.
laugh,in tr. and tr. v.- ME./ahe n, laughen, fr. OE.

laughable
hleahhan, hliehhan, rei. to ON. hlii!ja, Dan. lee,
Swed.le, Du., MHG., G.lachen, OHG.(h)lahhen,
hlahhan, Goth.h/ahjan, 'to laugh'. Cp. Gk. x."Aocyy-f), 'a sharp, quick sound, twang', x."Aci~e:~v (for
*x."Aciyy-~e:~v), 'to make a sharp, quick sound',
L. clangere, 'to resound, clang', Lith. klageti,
Lett. kladzit, 'to cackle', OSiav. klokotati, 'to
clack, cackle'. All these words derive from the
bases *q/ig-, *q/Og-; cp. clang.
Derivatives: laugh, n., Iaugh-er, n., laugh-ing, n.
and adj., laugh-ing-ly, adv., laughable (q.v.),
laughter (q.v.)
laughable, adj. - A hybrid coined from the verb
laugh and suff. -able; first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: laughable-ness, n., laughabl-y,
adv.
laughing jackass, a bird of the kingfisher family in
Australia. - So named from its laughlike call
suggesting the braying of an ass.
laughter, n. - ME. lahter, fr. OE. hleahtor, fr.
hleahhan, 'to laugh'. Cp. ON. h/iitr, Dan. latter,
Norw. laatt, OHG. hlahtar, MHG. lahter, gelehter, G. Geliichter, 'laughter', and see laugh.
laumontite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (mineral.) - Named after the French mineralogist
Gillet Laumont (1747-1834), its discoverer. For
the ending see su bst. suff. -ite.
launch, tr. and intr. v., to hurl, cast.- ME. /anchen, launchen, fr. ONF. lanchier, which corresponds to OF. fancier (F. lancer), 'to fling, hurl,
throw, cast, launch', fr. Late L. lanceiire, 'to
wield a lance', fr. L. lancea. See lance, n. and v.
Derivatives: launch, n., the sliding of a boat
from the land into the water, launch-er, n.
launch, n., a large boat carried by a warship. Sp. and Port. /ancha, fr. Malay lancharan, 'a
kind of boat', fr. !anchor, 'swift, speedy'.
launder, n., a conduit or trough for conveying
water.- The orig. meaning was 'one who washes', fr. ME. lander, launder, contraction of lavender, fr. OF. lavandier, 'washerman', fern. lavandiere (F.lavandiere), 'washerwoman', fr. Late
L. lavandaria (pl.), 'things to be washed', fr. L.
lavandus, 'to be washed', gerundive of lavare, 'to
wash'. See lave. For Latin gerundives or their
derivatives used in English see agenda and cp.
words there referred to.
launder, tr. v., to wash (clothes, etc.); intr. v., to
wash clothes, etc.- Obsol. launder, 'launderer,
laundress', fr. ME. launder. See launder, n.
Derivative: launder-er, n.
laundress, n. - Formed fr. Iauuder, n., with suff.
-ess.
laundry, n. - ME. lavenderie, lavendrie, fr. OF.
lavanderie, fr. Late L. lavandiiria (pl.), 'things to
be washed'. See launder and -y (representing 0 F.
-ie).
Laura, fern. PN.- It., pro b. pet form of L. Laurentia, fern. of Laurentius, 'of Laurentum'. See

Laurence.
Lauraceae, n. pl., the laurel family (bot.)- Formed fr. Laurus with soft'. -aceae.

870

laureate, adj. and n. - L. laureatus, 'crowned

with laurel, laureate', fr. Iaure us, 'laurel'. See
laurel and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: laureate-ship, n.
laureate, tr. v., to crown with laurel.- L. laureiitus. See laureate, adj.
Derivative: laureat-ion, n.
laurel, n. - ME. laurer, /orer, lore!, fr. OF. laurier, lorier (F. laurier), 'laurel', fr. OF.lor, fr. L.
taurus, 'bay tree, laurel; laurel crown', which is
pro b. borrowed from a Mediterranean language,
whence prob. also Gk. 3cicpvYj, 'laurel' (cp.
the variants 3ocux.ov, Thessal., Cypr. 8octizvoc,
3ocuzfL6~, Pergamene AcicpvYj ). Cp. Daphne. Cp.
also Laurus, Laura, Laurence.
Derivative: laurel, tr. v.
Laurence, Lawrence, masc. PN. - OF. Lorenz
(F. Laurent), fr. L. Laurentius, prop. 'of Laurentum', fr. Laurentum, name of a maritime town in
Latium, lit. 'town of bay trees', fr. taurus, 'bay
tree'. It. Lorenzo is of the same origin. See laurel
and cp. Laura.
Laurentian, laurentian, n., a kind of granite and
granitic gneiss in Canada (geol.)- Named from
the Laurentian Mountains in Canada, themselves called after the St. Lawrence River. For the
ending see suff. -ian.
laurite, n., an osmium ruthenium sulfide (mineral.)- Named by the German chemist Friedrich
Wohler (1800-82) in 1866 after Mrs. Laura Joy,
the wife of a friend.- For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Laurus, n., a genus of plants of the laurel family
(bot.)- L. taurus, 'laurel'. See laurel.
laurustine, n., a shrub with evergreen leaves (bot.)
- ML. laurustfnus, compounded of L. taurus,
'laurel', and linus, 'laurustine'. For the first element see laurel. The second element is prob.
cogn. with Gk. -r~i.o~, 'a purging, W. tail, 'dung',
OSlav. tina, timenije, 'mud, mire', OE. pinan, 'to
become moist', piiwian, 'to thaw' (see thaw); so
called in allusion to its purging qualities.
laurustinus, n., the laurustine. - See prec. word.
lautarite, n., calcium iodate (mineral.)- G. Lautarit,named after the Oficina Lautaro in Chile. The
ending -it goes back to Gk. -f-:r,~; see subst.
suff. -ite.
lava, n.- It., orig. 'torrent, stream', fr. Neapolitan lave, fr. L. tabes, 'a fall, falling down', which
is rei. to liibi, 'to slide, slip, glide' (see labor); not
connected with L. /avare, 'to wash'.
lavabo, n. (eccles.)- L. lavabo, 'l will wash', fut.
of laviire, 'to wash' (see lave); so called from the
first word of Ps. 26: 6 in the Vulgate text recited
by the priest in the Mass while washing his
hands.
lavage, n., washing; specif., in med., the washing
out of an organ.- F., 'a washing', fr. laver, 'to
wash'. See lave and -age.
lavalliere, n., an ornament. -F. lavalliere, 'necktie', named after La Valliere (1644-1710), mistress of Louis XIV.

871

Lavandula, n., a genus of plants of the mint family (bot.) - ModL., fr. ML. lavandula, lavendula, 'lavender'. See lavender.
lavation, n., washing. - L. laviitio, gen. -onis, 'a
washing, bathing', fr. lavatus, pp. of laviire. See
lave and -ation.
lavatory, n. - ME. /avatorie, fr. Late L. laviitorium, 'place for washing', prop. neut. of the adj.
Javiitorius, 'pertaining to washing', used as a
noun, fr. L. laviitus, pp. of laviire. See lave and
subst. suff. -ory and cp. laver, 'vessel for washing'.
lave, tr. and intr. v., to wash, bathe.- ME. Iaven,
pro b. a blend of OF. ( = F.) laver, 'to wash' (fr.
L. lavare, 'to wash, bathe'), and OE. lafian, 'to
wash' (which is pro b. also a derivative of L. lavare). L. laviire is prob. assimilated fr. *loviire
and is rei. to L. luere, 'to wash', and cogn. with
Gk. 'AouE~v, Homeric "A6ELV (for *A6fEw), 'to
wash, bathe', Arm. /oganam, 'I bathe, take a
bath', Olr. /Oathar, lothar, 'basin', MBret. lovazr, Bret. laouer, 'trough', liiaith, W. lludw,
Bret. ludu, 'ashes', OE. leah, 'lye, ashes and water for washing', leajJor, 'lather'. See lye, lather
and cp. ablution, alluvion, alluvium, delubrum,
deluge, dilute, diluvium, latrine, launder, lavabo,
lavage, lavatory, lavender, lavish, loment, lotion,
and the second element in aurilave, pyrolusite.
Iaveer, intr. v., to beat against the wind (naut.; archaic).- Du.laveren, fr. MDu. loveren, laveren,
fr. MF. Iouvier (F. louvoyer), fr. MF. ( = F.) !of,
'windward side of a ship', which is a loan word
fr. MDu.lof(Du.loef), 'luff'. See luff.
lavement, n., a washing.- F., fr.laver, 'to wash'.
See lave and -ment.
lavender, n., a fragrant plant of the mint family.
-ME. lavendre, fr. AF. lavendre, fr. ML.Iavandula, fr. It. lavandula, dimin. of lavande (whence
F.lavande), fr.lavare, 'to wash', fr. L.laviire; so
called from the use of this plant to perfume the
water for bathing. See lave, 'to wash'.
lavenite, n., a complex zirconium mineral. Named after the Island of Laven, Langesund
Fiord, in Norway. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
laver, n., a vessel for washing. - ME. favour, fr.
MF. ( = F.) /a voir, fr. Late L. laviitorium, 'place
for washing'. See lavatory.
laver, n., a seaweed. - L. laver, 'a water plant',
of uncertain origin.
laverock, n., an archaic var. of lark.
lavish, adj., profuse, prodigal.- Fr. earlier lavish,
n., 'profusion', fr. ME. lavas, fr. OF.Iavasse, lavache, 'deluge of rain', fr. laver, 'to wash'. See
lave, 'to wash'.
Derivatives: lavish, tr. v., lavish-er, n., lavish-ly,
adv., lavish-ness, n.
la'fi'Ovite, also lavroffite, n., pyroxene colored
green by vanadium (mineral.) - Russ. lavrovit,
named after N. von Lavrov. The ending -it goes
back to Gk. -f't'l)t;; see subst. soft'. -ite.
law, n. - ME. laghe, Ia we, fr. OE. lagu, 'law', of

lax
Scand. origin; cp. ON. lOg, 'law', prop. pl. of lag,
'something laid down, a layer', fr. Teut. base
*lag-, 'to lay'; see lay, 'to place', lie, 'to recline'
and cp. outlaw. Hence law lit. means 'something
laid down, something fixed'. For sense development cp. statute, lit. 'something made to stand'
(fr. L. statuere), G. Gesetz, 'law', and Satzung,
'statute', lit. 'something set' (fr. setzen, 'to set').
Cp. also Gk. x.e:~'t'ocL v6[Lo.;, 'the law is laid
(down), fr. X.EL[LOCL, 'I lie'.
Derivatives: law-ful, adj., law-ful-ly, adv., lawful-ness, n., law-less, adj., law-less-ly, adv., lawless-ness, n., lawyer (q.v.).
law, interj. -Imitative. Cp. the interjection Ia.
law, n., a hill. - OE. hlaw, hlii!w. See low, 'a
hill'.
lawn, n., a kind of fine linen. - Formerly called
laune lynen, 'linen from Laon', fr. Laon, a town
in France, where it was originally manufactured.
F. Laon comes from OF. Lan, fr. L. Laudunum,
a name of Celtic origin.
lawn, n., a stretch of grass. - ME. launde, laund,
fr. OF. launde, Iande (F. Iande), 'heath, moor',
which is borrowed fr. Gaul. *Ianda. See land.
The omission of the din lawn (for *lawn-d) is
prob. due to its having been confused with the
suff. -ed. For a similar omission ofthefinal-dcp.
scan.
lawn tennis. Lit. 'tennis played in the lawn'.
lawny, adj., made of, or resembling, lawn (cloth).
-Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. lawn, 'a kind of
fine linen'.
lawny, adj., I) like a lawn; containing lawns.Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. lawn, 'a stretch of
grass'.
Lawrence, masc. PN.- See Laurence.
lawrencite, n., ferrous chloride (mineral.) - F.,
named after the American chemist and mineralogist J. Lawrence Smith (died in 1883). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lawsonite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (mineralogy). -Named after the American geologist
Andrew Cowper Lawson (1861-1952). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lawyer, n. - ME. lawyere. See law and -yer. Cp.
bowyer, sawyer.
Derivatives: lawyer-ess, n., lawyer-ly, adj.,
lawyer-y, n.
lax, adj., 1) loose; 2) slack.- ME., fr. L. laxus,
for *(s)leg-sos, 'wide, loose, open', rei. to languere, 'to faint, weary', whence languidus, 'faint,
weak, dull, sluggish, languid'. See languid and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also laxate, laxation, laxative, laxity, relax.
Derivatives: lax, n. (q.v.), lax-ly, adv., lax-ness,
n.
lax, n., looseness of the intestines. - Fr. prec.
word.
lax, n., a salmon.- Norw. laks, fr. ON. lax, rei.
to OE. /eax, OS., OHG., MHG. lahs, G. Lochs,
LG. las, 'salmon', and cogn. with Lith. /ilis,
Lett./asis, OPruss.lasasso, Russ./osos, 'salmon'

laxate
and with Toeh. B laks, 'fish'. Cp. the first element
in laspring.
laxate, tr. v., to loosen.- L. laxatus, pp. of laxtire, 'to open, unloose, relax', fr. laxus. See lax,
adj., and verbal suff. -ate.
laxation, n. - ME., fr. L. laxtitio, gen. -onis, 'a
widening, mitigation', fr. laxtitus, pp. of laxare.
See prec. word and -ion.
laxative, adj., loosening; mildly purgative. ME./axati/, fr. ML. laxtitivus, fr. L. ldxatus, pp.
of laxtire, 'to open, relax', fr. laxus, 'wide'. See
lax, adj., and -ative.
Derivatives: laxative, n., a purgative medicine,
laxative-ly, adv., laxative-ness, n.
laxity, n., the quality or state of being lax. - F.
/axite, fr. L. laxitiitem, ace. of laxitiis, 'spaciousness, roominess; languor, laxity', fr. laxus. See
lax, adj., and -ity.
lay, tr. and intr. v., to place.- ME.leggen, leyen,
leien, fr. OE. lecgan, 'to lay, put, place', rei. to
OS. leggian, ON. leggja, OFris. ledza, MDu.
legghan, leghan, Du. leggen, OHG., MHG. leeken, legen, G. legen, Goth. lagjan, 'to lay, put,
place'. These verbs lit. mean 'to cause to lie', and
are causatives of OE. licgan, 'to lie', resp. its
equivalents in the other Teut. languages. See lie,
'to recline, and words there referred to and cp.
esp. lagan, law,ledge, ledger and the second element in fellow. Cp. also layer, allay, underlay.
Derivatives: lay, n., the way in which something
lies, layer (q.v.), lay-ing, n.
lay, past tense of lie.
lay, n., a short song.- ME. /aye, lay, fr. OF. ( =
F.) lai, a word of Celtic origin; cp. Olr. /Oid, Ir.
laid, Gael. laoidh, 'poem, verse, play'. These
words are not connected with L. ludus, 'play'.
Cp. roundelay.
lay, adj., pertaining to the laity, secular. - ME.,
fr. OF. lai, fr. Late L. ltiicus, 'pertaining to the
people', fr. Gk. i,ocLx6~, of s.m., fr. Aoc6~ (Att.
A~w~). 'people, which is of unknown origin.
Cp. laic, laity, the first element in Laertes, Laocoon, liturgy and the second element in Menelaus, Nicholas. Cp. also lewd.
layer, n.- ME. legger, {eyer, fr. /eggen, /eyen, 'to
lay'. See lay, v., and subst. suff. -er. Accordingly
layer lit. means 'that which is laid'.
Derivatives: layer, tr. v., layer-ed, adj.
layette, n., baby's outfit. - F., 'baby's outfit',
dimin. of MF. laie, 'drawer, case, fr. MDu.
laeye, which is rei. to G. Lade, ofs.m., and to E.
lade, load iqq. v.) For the ending see suff.
-ette.
lay figure, n., a jointed model of the human form.
-Fr. earlier layman, fr. Du. Ieeman, lit. 'jointed
man', fr. MDu. led, lit, ghelit (Du. lid, gelid),
'limb, joint', and man, 'man'. MDu.led, lit, ghelit is rei. to OE. lip, OS., OFris. lith, ON. lior,
Dan., Swed. led, OHG. gilid, MHG. gelit, gelid,
G. Glied, Goth.lipus, 'limb, joint', fr. Teut. base
Jr-. corresponding to I.-E. base lei-, 'to bend,
be movable, be nimble'. See lilllb.

872
lazar, n., a filthy beggar; esp. a leper.- ME., fr.
ML. lazarus, named after Lazarus mentioned
Luke 16:20. See Lazarus and cp. lazaretto, lazzarone.
lazaret, n., lazaretto.- F., fr. It. lazzaretto. See
next word.
lazaretto, n., a hospital for lepers; place in a ship
used as storehouse.- Venetian Iazare to (whence
It. lazzaretto), a blend of Lazaro (It. Lazzaro),
name of the Venetian hospital for lepers (so
called after Luke 16:20) and Nazaret, the name
of another hospital in Venice, which was so
called because it was established after the decay
of the former, in the neighborhood of the church
Santa Maria di Nazaret. See Lazarus and cp.
lazar.
Lazarus, masc. PN.- L. Lazarus, fr. Gk. A<i~oc
po~, aphetic for 'EM:&~rxpo~, fr. Heb. El'tizar, lit.
'God has helped'. See Eleazar.
laze, intr. v. -Back formation fr. lazy.
lazy, adj.- Fr. earlier laysy; ofuncertain origin.
Derivatives: lazi-ly, adv., lazi-ness, n.
lazzarone, n., one belonging to a very low class of
people in Naples, living by odd jobs or by begging. - It., augment. of Iazzaro, fr. Lazzaro,
'Lazarus'. See lazar. For the suff. -one see -oon.
-le, suff. forming diminutive nouns. - 1) ME. -el,
-ele, -elle, fr. OE. -el, -ela, -ele; cp. e.g. knuckle;
2) ME. -el, -elle, fr. OF. -el, fr. L. -ellum; cp. e.g.
castle, fr. OF. chaste! (F. chateau), fr. L. castellum; 3) ME. -el, fr. OF. -eille, fr. L. -icula; cp.
e.g. bottle, fr. OF. botele (F. bouteil/e), fr. VL.
butticula.
-le, agential suff. - ME. -le, fr. Teut. -el (often
through the medium of French). Cp. e.g. beadel,
fr. ME. bedel, fr. OF. bedel (F. bedeau).
-le, suff. denoting an instrument. - ME. -el, fr.
OE. -el. Cp. e.g. ladle, fr. ME. lade!, fr. OE.
lz/;edel, fr. hladan, 'to draw (water)'.
-le, suff. forming adjectives from verbs. This suff.
indicates tendency toward the action or process
expressed by the verb.- ME. -el, -il, -le, fr. OE.
-ol. Cp. e.g. brittle, fr. ME. britel, fr. OE. briotan, 'to break'.
-le, suff. forming verbs with freq. or dimin.
meaning.- ME. -elen, -len, fr. OE. -/ian. Cp. e.g.
wrestle, fr. ME. wrest/en, fr. OE. wrfistlian, 'to
wrestle', freq. of wrfistan, 'to twist, wrest'.
lea, n., a tract of open country.- ME. lee, /eye,
fr. OE. leah, 'open field, meadow', rei. to OHG.
/6h, 'cluster of bushes' (whence the PN. Hohenlohe), Flem. loo, of s.m. (whence the place name
Water-loo), and cogn. with 01. /okdb, 'open
space', L.liicus, 'grove', Lith.laiikas, Lett.laiiks,
'open field', Toch. A lok, B lauke, 'far away',
and with L. liicere, 'to shine'; see light, 'brightness". For sense development cp. E. clearing (fr.
clear).
lea, n., a measure of yarn (varying in different
places).- ME. lee, prob. fr. F. lier, 'to bind',
fr. L. ligdre. See lipment.
leadt, tr. v., to moisten; intr. v., to melt. - A

873

Leander

acy, league', fr. Olt. liga, fr. L. /igtire, 'to bind'.

blend of OE. leccan, 'to moisten', and ON. /eka,
See ligament (It. /ega is a back formation fr. It.
'to leak' (whence E. leak, q.v.)
Iegare, 'to bind', fr. L. ligtire).
Derivative: leach, n.
Derivative: leaguer (q.v.)
lead, n., a heavy, bluish grey metal.- ME. lede,
league, tr. v., to form into a league; intr. v., to
fr. OE. lead, rei. to OFris. lad, MDu. loot, food,
form a league. - Fr. prec. word. Cp. F. se
'weight,
Lot,
G.
'lead',
lot,
MHG.
Du. food,
liguer, 'to form a league'.
plummet'; of Celt. origin. Cp. Oir. luaide (for
league, n., an old measure of distance varying in
*louditi, fr. *plouditi), fr. I.-E. base *plou(d)-,
different times and countries. - OF. legue (F.
*pleu(d)-, 'to flow', for which see fleet, 'to pass
lieu), fr. Late L.leuga, leuca (whence alsoOProvswiftly'.
en'<. /ega, Sp. /egua), which is of Gaul ish origin.
(q.v.),
leaden
v.,
tr.
and
adj.
Derivatives: lead,
leaguer, n., member of a league.- Formed with
lead-y, adj., leading (q.v.)
agential suff. -er fr. league, 'alliance'.
lead, tr. and intr. v., to guide. - ME. /eden, fr.
leaguer, n., camp. - Du. Ieger, 'camp'. See lair
OE. lfidan, 'to lead, guide', rei. to OS. ledian,
and cp. laager, lager.
ON.leioa, OFris.leda, Du.leiden, OHG.leittan,
Derivative: leaguer, intr. and tr. v.
leiten, MHG., G. leiten, fr. Teut. *laidian, 'to
Leah, 1) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the elder daughlead', lit. 'to make go', causative formed fr. *liter of Laban and wife of Jacob. - Lit. 'wildpan, 'to go', which appears in OE. lioan, 'to go,
cow'; cp. Arab. /dan, 'wildcow'. See Friedrich
travel, sail', OS. lithan, ON. lioa, 'to go', OHG.
Delitzsch, Prolegomena eines neuen hebr.-aram.
ga-lidan, 'to travel', Goth. ga-leipan, 'to go'. Cp.
Worterbuchs zum Alten Testament p. 80, G.
Teut. *laido-, 'way, guidance', appearing in OE.
Buchanan, Studies in Hebrew Proper Names,
lad, 'path, track, way, course', OS. leda, ON.
96, and Martin Noth, Die israelitischen Perp.
first
the
and
lode,
load,
also
Cp.
leio, 'guidance'.
sonennamen im Rahmen der gemeinsemitisc hen
element in leitmotiv.
Namengebung , p. 10.
Derivatives: lead, n., lead-er, n., lead-er-ship, n.,
leak, intr. v.- ME. leken, fr. ON. leka, 'to leak,
leading (q.v.)
drip', which is rei. to OE. leccan, 'to moisten,
leaden, adj., made of lead. - ME. !eden, fr. OE.
MDu. lecken, Du. lekken, 'to leak',
water',
suff.
adj.
and
metal',
'a
leaden, fr. lead. See lead,
OHG. lecchen, MHG. lechen, 'to become dry',
-en.
MHG. lechezen, lechzen, G. lechzen, 'to be
Derivative: leaden-ness, n.
parched with thirst', ON.lekr, OE. hlec. MDu.
leaderette, n., a short editorial paragraph. - Lit.
leek, Du. lek, G. leek, 'leaky'. Outside Teut. cp.
'a short leading article', a hybrid formed fr.
Olr. legaim, 'I melt, dissolve' (intr.), ModW.
origin.
leader and -ette, a suff. of French
/laith (for *lekto), 'moist'. Cp. leach and the
leading, n., leadwork. - Formed fr. lead, 'a
element in lacmus.
first
-ing.
suff.
subst.
metal', with
leak, n.- ON. leki, fr. leka, 'to leak, drip'. See
leading, n., guidance. - Formed from the verb
leak, v.
lead with -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
Derivatives: leak-y, adj., leak-i-ness, n., and the
leading, adj., directing, guiding. - Formed from
hybrid noun leak-age.
the verb lead with part. suff. -ing.
leal, adj., loyal (dial. or poet.).- ME. /eel, lei, fr.
leaf, n. - ME. leef, lei, fr. OE. lea}; rei. to OS.
OF. leial,leal, /oial (F./oyal); a doublet of legal
/of, ON.lau}; Dan. lev, Swed.lof, OFris. Ia/, Du.
and loyal.
Laub,
G.
loub,
loup,
MHG.
loub,
OHG.
loof,
lean, intr. and tr. v., to incline, bend. - ME.
'foliage', Goth. /auf, 'foliage', laufs, 'leaf', and
lenen, fr. OE. hleonian, hlinian, 'to lean; torecogn. with Lith. lupu, lupti, 'to shell, peel', Lett.
lie', rei. to OS. hlin6n, OFris. lena, MDu.
cline,
'to
it',
/up
/upt, 'to peel; to rob,' Russ. /upljv,
lenen, Du. leunen, OHG. hlinen, linen, MHG.
peel', OSlav. /ubi1, 'bark, rind', Lith. lubd,
linen, lenen, G. Iehnen, 'to lean"; fr. I.-E. base
OPruss./ubbo, 'board', Lith. /uobas, 'bark, rind'.
*klei-, 'to incline, lean', whence also Gk. x)_f.
All these words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base
v<:L'J, 'to cause to slope, slant, incline'. See clin*leub(h)-, *leup-, 'to strip, to peel", whence prob.
ical and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
also L. liber (fr. *Iuber), 'bast, book'; see library
lean, 'thin', ladder,lid, linch,linchet,li nks, 'sand
and cp. alypin. I.-E. base *leub(h)-, *leup- is rei.
hills', low, 'hill'.
'to
/,er:~w.
Gk.
whence
to base *lep-, 'to peel',
Derivatives: lean, n., a slope, lean-ing, n.
strip off the rind, peel, bark'; see leper and cp.
lean, adj., thin. - ME. /ene, fr. OE. hlin, 'lean,
lodge.
thin', which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
Derivatives: leaf, intr. v., leaf-less, adj., leaf-lessmeant orig. 'bending, drooping, and is rei. to
ness, n., leaf-y, adj., leaf-i-ness, n.
OE. hleonian, 'to lean. See lean, v.
leafit, n., leaflet (archaic).- Coined by the EngDerivatives: lean, n., lean-ish, adj., lean-ly, adv.,
lish poet John Keats (1795-1821) fr.leaf and dilean-ness, n.
minutive suff. -it = -et.
Leander, I) masc. PN.; 2) in Greek mythology, a
leaflet, n. - A hybrid coined fr. leaf and -let, a
young man of Abydos, lover of Hero. He swam
dirnin. suff. of French origin.
nightly across the Hellespont to visit Hero in
league, n., alliance. -OF ( = F.) ligue, 'confeder-

leap

874

least, adj.- ME. leste, lest, fr. OE. liist, contracSestos.- L. Leander, fr. Gk. Aelocvapo~, Af.ocvtion of lii!sast, lii!sest, 'smallest', super!. of lii!ssa,
apo~, lit. 'lion man'' compounded of l.iwv, 'lion''
'less'. See less.
and &v~p, gen. &vap6~, 'man'. See lion and anDerivatives: least, n., least-ways, adv. (colloq.),
dro-.
least-wise, adv.
leap, intr. and tr. v.- ME. /epen, fr. OE. hleapan,
leat, n., an open water trench. - ME. feet, fr.
'to jump, dance; to run', rel. to OS. hlopan, ON.
OE. gelii!t, gelii!te, 'junction of roads, outlet',
hlaupa, Dan. lebe, Swed. lopa, OFris. h/apa,
from pref. ge- (see y-) and the stem of lii!tan, 'to
MDu./6pen, Du. /open, OHG. h/ouffan, louffan,
leave'. See let, 'to leave'.
MHG. /oufen, G. laufen, 'to run', Goth. usleather, n.- ME. /ether, fr. OE. leiJer, rel. to OS.
hlaupan, 'to jump up'. The ult. etymol. of these
lethar, ON.leiJr, Dan.l:eder, Swed. Iader, OFris.
words is uncertain. Cp. elope, gallop, gantlet, in/ether, MDu. Ieder, Du. Ieder, leer, OHG. ledar,
terloper, landloper, lapwing, lope, loup, orlop,
MHG., G. Ieder, and cogn. with Olr. lethar, W.
wallop.
lledr, Bret. lezr, 'leather'.
Derivatives: leap, n., leap-er, n., leap-ing, n.
Derivatives: leather, adj. and tr. v., feather-ing,
and adj.
n., leathern (q.v.), leather-y, adj., leather-i-ness,
learn, tr. and intr. v. - ME. Iemen, fr. OE. leorn.
nian, rel. to OS. /in6n (for *lizn6n), OFris.lernia,
leatherette, n. - A hybrid coined fr. leather and
lirnia, OHG. Iemen, limen, MHG., G. Iemen,
-ette, a suff. of French origin.
'to learn', Goth.lais, 'I know', laisjan, OE.lii!ran
leathern, adj. - Formed fr. leather with suff. -en.
(whence ON.liira), OS.lerian, OFris./era, MDu.
leatheroid, n., material used instead of leather;
leeren, Du. leren, OHG. lerran, leren, MHG.
artificial leather. - A hybrid coined fr. leather
leren, G. lehren, 'to teach', lit. 'to make known'.
and Gk. -oe~a~~. 'like', fr. E!aor;, 'form, shape'.
All these words orig. meant 'to follow or find the
See -oid.
track, to follow, go after', resp. 'to cause to find
leave, tr. and intr. v.- ME. Ieven, fr. OE. lii!fan,
the track, to cause to follow'. They are related to
'not to take away, to leave, bequeath', rei. to
OHG. leisa (in wagenleisa), 'track of carriage
OE. Ia[, 'what remains, remnant', OE. belifan,
wheels', MHG. Ieise, geleis, G. Ge/eise, Gleis,
OS. biliban, OHG. biliban, MHG. beliben, G.
'track', OE. /fist, 'sole of foot, track, footprint,
bleiben, Goth. bileiban, 'to remain', and prob.
last', OHG. Ieist, 'track, footprint, last', MHG.
also to OE.lij; 'life', libban, lifian, 'to live', orig.
Ieist, G. Leisten, 'last', ON. leistr, 'foot, sock',
'to remain'; cogn. with Gk. l.btor;, 'grease, fat',
Goth.laists, 'track', laistjan, 'to follow'. Cognates
l.t7tocp6~. 'oily, fat, greasy', AL7tocp~~. 'persistoutside Teut. are L. lira (for *leisti), 'the earth
ing, persevering', lit. 'sticky', Xi:7tocpEL''I, 'to perthrown up between two furrows, furrow',
sist, persevere', lit. 'to stick', Ol. limpdti, 'smears',
OSiav. lecha, 'ridge (in a field)', OPruss. lyso, of
Iiptak, 'sticking together', /epa/:!, 'unguent', L.
s.m., Lith. lyse, 'garden bed'. Cp.last, 'model of
lippus, 'blear-eyed', Lith. limpu, lipti, 'to stick,
foot', last, 'to endure', lore. Cp. also delirium.
adhere', OSlav. pri-linqti, of s.m., li!pu, 'birdDerivatives: learn-ed, adj., learn-ed-ly, adv.,
lime', Alb.l'aparos, 'I soil', gl'ep, ge/'epE, sk/epE,
learn-ed-ness, n., learning (q.v.)
'mucus secreted by the glands of the eyelid', and
learning, n. - ME. leming, fr. OE. leornung,
possibly also Hitt. lippanzi, 'they smear, paint'
'learning, study', fr. leornian, 'to learn'. See learn
(but Gk. l.d1tro, L.linqu6, 'I leave', are not cogand subst. suff. -ing.
nate). All these words derive fr.I.-E. base *leip-,
lease, tr. v.- AF. lesser, fr. OF. laissier, lessier,
'to anoint; to stick, adhere; to remain, perselesser (F.laisser), 'to let, leave', fr. L. laxtire, 'to
vere, continue, live. Cp. life, live, liver and the
open, make wide, slacken, relax, relieve', fr.
second element in Olaf. Cp. also adipose, Lipalaxus, "wide, loose, open. See lax, adj., and cp.
ris, lipase, lipo-, 'fat', lipoma, the first element
lessee.
in liparoid and the second element in celibate.
lease, n. - ME. les. fr. AF., fr. OF. lais, 'a letDerivative: leav-ing, n.
ting, leaving', verbal n. of laissier (see lease, v.).
leave, n.- ME. !eve, fr. OE. lea[, rei. to OE. leo[,
The F. equivalent of OF. /ais is legs, whose
'dear', ON.Ieyfi, MHG.loube, 'permission', OS.
spelling is due to the erroneous derivation of
or/of, OFris. orlo[, orlef, OHG., MHG. urloup,
this word fr. L. /egiitum, 'bequest, legacy' (see
G. Ur/aub, 'leave of absence', OE. lie/an, ON.
legacy).
leyfa, 'to permit, allow', OE. tiliefan, tilyfan,
leash, n., a thong for holding a dog. - ME. lese,
OHG. irlvuben, MHG. erlouben, G. erlauben,
lees, fr. OF. /esse, laisse tF. laisse), fr. L. laxa,
Goth. uslaubjan, of s.m., OE. ge/eafa, OS. gi/6fern. of laxus, 'wide, loose, open'. See lax, adj.,
bo, OHG. giloubo, MHG. geloube, gloube, G.
and cp. lease.
Glaube, Goth. galaubeins, 'belief', OE. geliefan,
Derivative: leash, tr. v.
gelefan, OS. gi/6bian, MHG. ge/ouben, glouben,
leasing. n., a lie, falsehood (archaic). - ME. /eG. glauben, Goth. ga/aubjan, 'to believe', fr.I.-E.
sing, fr. OE. /easung, 'falsehood, deception', fr.
base *leubh-, 'to love, approve, praise'. See lief
leas, 'devoid of, without; false, feigned', rei. to
and love and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
leosan, 'to lose'. See lose and -ing, suff. forming
tlte second element in furlough.
verbal nouns. and C)). -less.

875

ledger

lection, n., a reading, a lesson. - L. lecti6, gen.

leave, intr. v., to put forth leaves, to leaf. - ME.
-6nis, 'a reading', fr. /ectus, pp. of Iegere, 'to
Ieven, fr. le[, 'leaf'. See leaf.
read'. See lecture and -ion and cp.lesson, which
prec.
fr.
Formed
leaves.
having
leaved, adj.,
is a doublet of lection.
word with suff. -ed.
lectionary, n., a list of lections. -Ecclesiastic L.
leaven, n. - ME. levain, levein, fr. F. levain, fr.
lectioniirium, fr. L. lecti6, gen.-6nis, 'a reading'.
VL. *leviimen, 'something that raises' (classical
See prec. word and subst. suff. -ary.
L. levtimen, means 'alleviation, mitigation'), fr.
lector, n., a reader, esp. in a church or in a unilevtire, 'to lift, raise; to lighten, alleviate, mitiversity.- Late L. lector, 'reader', fr. L. lectus,
gate', fr.levis, 'light'. See level and cp. relieve.
pp. of Iegere. See lecture and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: leaven, tr. v., leaven-ing, n.
lectorate, n., the office of a lector.- ML. lect6Iehan, lebban, also Ieben, n., coagulated sour milk
riitus, fr. Late L.lector. See prec. word and subst.
(an Arab beverage). - VArab. laban, Ieben,
suff. -ate.
'sour milk', fr. Arab. laban, 'milk', which is rei.
lecture, n.- ME., fr. MF. (= F.) lecture, fr.
to Heb. ltibhdn, 'white', l"bhdn&h, poetic name
ML. /ectura, fr. L. /ectus, pp. of Iegere, 'to gathfor the moon (lit. 'the white one'), lebhon&h,
er, collect; to pick out, choose; to read, recite'
Aram.-Syr./e bhunt&, Arab. lublin, 'frankincense'
(prop. 'to choose words'), fr.I.-E. base *leg-, 'to
(Gk. l.l~<Xvor;, I.~~<Xvw-.6~, 'frankincense', are
pick together, gather, collect', whence also Gk.
Sem. loan words), Heb. L"bhtinifn, Akkad. Labl.tfye:w, 'to pick out, choose; to say, tell, speak,
ntinu, Aram. Libhn&n, Arab. Lubn&n, 'Mount
declare' (prop. 'to choose words'), 1.~~<; (for
from
called
so
one';
white
Lebanon', lit. 'the
*:Aiy-cr~~ ), 'speech, diction', Myor;, 'word,
the whiteness of its cliffs. Cp. olibanum and the
speech, discourse, account, thought, reason',
first element in benzoin.
Alb. mb-l'eiJ, 'I gather, collect, harvest'. Cp.
Lecanium, n., a genus of scale insects (entomoloalexia, Alogians, analects, analogue, analogy,
gy). - ModL., fr. Gk. l.exocvLOv, dimin. of
apologetic, apologize, apologue, apology, coil,
AEXOCV7J, 'dish, pan'. See lekane and cp. Lecidea.
colleague, collect, college, curiologic, Decalog,
lecanomancy, n., divination by the inspection of
dialect, dialogue, diligent, duologue, dyslogy,
l.e:Gk.
of
Compounded
basin.
a
in
water
eclectic, eclogue, elect, election, elegant, eligible,
xocv7J, 'dish, pan', and [.LIX'ITELii, 'oracle, divinaelite, epilogue, eulogy, florilegium, intellect, intion'. See lekane and -mancy.
telligent, lectern, lection, legal, legation, legend,
Lechea, n., a genus of plants, the pin weed (bot.)
legible, legion, legislation, legitimate, legume,
- ModL., named after the Swedish botanist
lesson, lexicon, ligneous, logic, logos, monologue,
Johan Leche (1704-64).
neglect, negligee, paralogy, predilection, prolelecher, n., lecherous, lewd. - ME. lechour. fr.
gomena, prologue, recollect, religion, sacrilege,
OF. lecheur (F. lecheur), 'libertine', lit. 'Iicker',
select, sortilege, syllogism, tetralogy, trilogy. For
fr. lechier (F. lecher), 'to lick', fr. Frankish *likthe ending of lecture see suff. -ure.
kon, which is rei. to OHG. leckon, 'to lick'. See
Derivatives: lecture, intr. and tr. v., lectur-er, n.,
lick.
lecture-ship, n.
lecherous, adj., lustful. - ME., fr. MF. lechelecytbus, n., a tall, slender vase with a single
reus, fr. OF., fr. lecheur, 'libertine'. See prec.
handle (Greek antiq.)- Late L, fr. Gk. l.~xu
word and -ous and cp. lickerish.
&o<;, 'oil flask', which is of unknown origin.
Derivatives: lecherous-ly, adv., lecherous-ness, n.
led, past tense and pp. of lead. - ME. ledde, fr.
lechery, n., lust, lewdness.- ME. lecherie, fr. OF.
OE. liidde, fr. OE. liidan, 'to lead'. See lead, v.
lecherie, fr. lecheur, 'libertine'. See lecher and-y
Leda, n., mother of Castor and Pollux, Helen,
(representing OF. -ie).
and Clytemnestra (Greek mythol.) - L. Leda,
Lecidea, n., a genus of crustacean lichens (bot.)fr. Gk. A~aa, which prob. derives fr. Lycian
of
dimin.
i,e:xlaor;,
gen.
l.e:xl~,
Gk.
fr.
ModL.,
Lada, and lit. means 'wife, woman. She is identiMxo:;, 'dish'. See lekane and cp. Lecanium.
cal with Latona and Leto (qq.v.)
lecithin, n., a waxy substance found in tissues of
lederite, n., a variety of sphene (mineral.) the brain and the nerves (biochem.)- Coined by
Named after Baron Louis von Lederer, AustriGob ley fr. Gk. /.txdto:;, 'the yolk of an egg',
an Consul at New York, in recognition of his
which is of uncertain, pro b. foreign, origin, and
interest in mineralogy. For the ending see subst.
chem. suff. -in.
suff. -ite.
lecontite, n., a hydrous sodium ammonium poledge, n., a shelf projecting from a wall; a ridge of
tassium sulfate !mineral.) - Named after the
rocks.- ME. Iegge, 'support, bar, prob. relatAmerican scientist John L. Le Conte, its dised to ME. /eggen, 'to lay'. See lay, 'to place',
coverer. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
and cp. next word.
lectern, n., a reading desk in a church. - ME.
Derivative: /edg-y, adj.
/ectorne, refashioned (after ML. lectorinum, tecledger, n., an account book. - ME. /egger, fr.
trinum) fr. ME. lettorne, lettron, fr. OF. letrin,
leggen, 'to lay'; cp. the ME. var. lidger, which
fr. ML. lectorinum, lectrinum, fr. Late L. lectrum,
prob. derives fr. liggen, 'to lie'. ME. legger, lid'reading desk, pulpit', fr. L.lectus, pp. of Iegere,
ger orig. meant 'a book that lies permanently in
'to read'. See lecture.

876

ledger
the same place'. See lay, 'to place', lie, 'to recline', and cp. prec. word.
ledger, adj., stationery- From the stem of ME.
/eggen, 'to lay', fr. OE. lecgan. See ledger, n.
Ledum, n., a genus of plants, the Labrador tea
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ).'ij3ov, the plant Cistus
Cyprius. See ladanum.
lee, n., I) shelter; 2) the side of a ship turned
away from the wind. - ME. lee, 'shelter', fr.
OE. hleo (gen. hleowes), 'shelter, protection', rei.
to OS. hleo, ON. hle, Dan. l;e, Swed. Iii, Du. lij,
'lee', and to ON. hly, 'shelter, warmth', hlyr,
hliir, 'warm, mild', MLG., Du.lauw, MDu.laeu,
OHG. /iio (inflected liiwer), MHG. Iii, liiwes, G.
/au, 'tepid'; pro b. fr. I.-E. *'kleu-, enlargement
of base *kel-, 'warm', whence L. calere, 'to be
warm'. See caldron and cp.lew, luke, 'lukewarm'.
Derivative: lee, adj.
leech, n., I) physician (archaic); 2) a blood sucking worm.- ME. leche, fr. OE. liice, 'physician; leech', rei. to ON. lfiknir, OS. liiki, OFris.
letza, OHG. liihhi, liichi, Goth. lekeis, 'physician', pro b. meaning orig. 'magician', and cogn.
with Olr. liaig, 'charmer, exorcist, physician'.
leech, n., either edge of a square sail (naut.) Rei. to MLG. lfk, Du. lijk, G. Leik, ON. lik,
'boltrope, leechrope'; prob. fr. I.-E. base *leig-,
'to bind', whence also L. ligiire, 'to bind, tie'.
See ligament and cp. words there referred to.
leechcraft, n., medical science (archaic). - ME.
/echecraft, fr. OE. liicecr;eft. See leech, 'physician', and craft.
leechdom, n., medicine, remedy (obsol.) - ME.
lechedom, fr. OE. /iicedom, 'medicine, remedy'.
See leech, 'physician', and -dom.
leek, n. - ME. /ek, lik, fr. OE. leac, lee, 'leek,
onion, garlic', rei. to OS. /ok, 'leek', ON. /aukr,
'leek, garlic', Dan. log, Swed. lok, 'onion', Du.
look, 'leek, garlic', OHG. /ouh, /ouhh, MHG.
!ouch, G. Lauch, 'leek', fr. I.-E. base *leug-,
*lug-, 'to bend, twist', whence also OE. /occ,
'lock of hair'. Finn. lauka, Lith. lukai, Lett. luoks and OSlav. lukii are Teut. loan words.
See lock, 'tuft of hair', and cp. Lygodium,
reluct.
leer, n., cheek, face (obsol.) - ME. fer, fr. OE.
hleor, 'cheek, face', rei. to ON. hlyr, OS. h/eor,
hlfor; of uncertain origin.
leer, intr. v., to look askance. - Prob. fr. prec.
word.
Derivatives: leer, n., a side glance, leer-ing, adj.,
leer-ing-ly, adv., leer-y, adj.
Leersia, n., a genus of grasses, the cut grass (bot.)
- ModL., named after the German botanist
Johann Daniel Leers (1727-74). For the ending
see l st suff. -ia.
lees, n. pl.- ME. lie, fr. OF. ( = F.) lie, 'lees', fr.
Gallo-L. lia (for *liga), 'sediment' (cp. Olr.
lige, 'a lying'); fr. I.-E. base *legh-, 'to lie'. See
He. 'to recline'.
leet, n., a courtleet; its jurisdiction. - Cp. AF.
Jete, AL. leta; of uncertain origin.

leeward, adv., adj. and n.- Compounded oflee,

'shelter', and -ward.
Derivative: /eeward-ly, adv.
leeway, n.-Compounded oflee,'shelter', and way.
left, past tense and pp. of leave. - ME. lafte,
lefte, past tense and pp. of Ieven, 'to leave'. See
leave, v.
left, adj., adv. and n. - ME. /uft, lift, left, orig.
'weak, infirm', fr. OE. lyft, 'weak' (whence OE.
lyftiidl, 'paralysis'), rei. to MLG. Iucht, MDu.
Iucht, /uft, 'left', prob. not connected with Gk.
AE:7tfl6~, 'scaly', AE7tfli'i, 'leprosy' (see leper). See
Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 786 s.v. lepidus.
leg, n. - ME. Iegge, leg, fr. ON. leggr, 'leg'
(which is rei. to ON. armleggr, 'arm'), which is
pro b. rei. to OE. lfra (for *ligiza), 'fleshy part of
the body, flesh', ON. liir, Swed. tar, 'thigh', and
prob. cogn. with 01. r;k~tilii, 'foot joint of a
hoofed animal', L. /acertus, 'upper arm, arm',
lacerta, 'lizard', 16custa, 'grasshopper, locust',
lit. 'the jumper', Gk. Aol~, My3r,v, 'kicking
with the foot', ).ocx(~e:Lv, 'to kick with the foot',
A&.xn~, 'pestle', ALXE:fll~e:w (Hesychius), 'to
spring, leap', Lith. lekiu, lekti, 'to fly', lakstjti,
'to hop', Lett. lezu, lt!kt, 'to jump'. All these
words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *leq-, *l"q-, 'to
bend, twist'. See Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I,
743-44, s.v. /acertus. Cp. Lacerta, lacertian, lizard, lobster, locust. Cp. also polatouche.
Derivatives: leg, intr. v., legg-ed, adj., legg-ing,
n., legg-y, adj., /egg-i-ness, n.
legacy, n.- ME./egacie, fr. OF.legacie, 'legate's
, office', fr. ML. /egiitia, fr. L. legiitus, 'ambassador, envoy'. See legate and -cy.
legal, adj. - ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) legal, fr. L.
legalis, 'pertaining to the law, legal', fr. lex, gen.
legis, 'law'. which is prob. rei. to Iegere, in the
sense of'to gather', and orig. meant 'collection';
see lecture, collection and cp. the second element
in privilege. For the lengthening of the e in lex
cp. the noun rex, 'king', which is rei. to regere,
'to guide, direct'. Cp. leal and loyal, which are
doublets of legal.
Derivatives: legal-ism, n., legal-ist, n., legal-istic, adj., legal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv., legality (q.v.),
legal-ize, tr. v., legal-iz-ation, n., legal-ly, adv.
legality, n. - ME. /egalite, fr. MF. ( = F.) /egalite, fr. ML. legiilitiitem, ace. of legiilitiis, fr. L.
legalis, 'pertaining to the law'. See prec. word
and -ity.
~<!gate, n., envoy.- ME., (r. OE. legat, fr. OF.,
fr. L. legiitus, 'ambassador, envoy', prop. pp. of
Iegare, 'to send with a commission, to send as
ambassador', rei. to lex, gen. legis. 'law'. See
legal and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: legate-ship, n.
legate, tr. v., to bequeath by will.- L.legiitus,pp.
of Iegare, 'to send with a commission; to appoint by a last will'. See legate, n.
legatee, n., one to whom a legacy is bequeathed.
- L. legiitus, pp. of Iegare. See prec. word and

-ee.

ljfl

legatine, adj., pertaining to a legate. - See prec.

word and -ine (corresponding to L. -inus).
legation, n.- ME. /egacioun, fr. OF. ( = F.) legation, fr. L. legiitionem, ace. of legiitio, 'embassy',
fr. /egiitus, pp. of legiire, See legate, n., and -ion.
legato, adv., to be played smoothly, i.e. without
intervals (mus.) - It. legato, 'tied, bound', pp.
of Iegare, fr. L. /igiire, 'to bind'. See ligament.
legator, n., one who bequeaths. - L. legator, fr.
legiitus, pp. of Iegare, 'to appoint by a last will'.
See legate, 'to bequeath', and agential suff. -or.
legend, n. - ME. legende, fr. OF. legende ( = F.
/t!gende), fr. ML.legenda, 'a thing to be read', fr.
L.legendus, 'to be read', gerundive of Iegere, 'to
read'. See lecture. For other Latin gerundives
used in English cp. agenda and words there referred to.
Derivatives: legendary (q.v.), legend-ry, n.
legendary, adj. - ME. legendiirius, fr. /egenda,
'legend'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
legerdemain, n., conjuring tricks, jugglery. - F.
Ieger de main, 'light of hand'. F. Ieger, 'light',
derives fr. VL. *leviiirius, fr. L. levis, 'light in
weight'; see lever and cp. legerity. F. de, 'from,
of', comes fr. L. de, 'from, away from'; see de-.
F. main, 'hand', derives fr. L. manum, ace. of
manus, of s.m; see manual.
Derivative: legerdemain-ist, n.
legerity, n., lightness, nimbleness. - F. legerete,
fr. Ieger, fr. VL. *leviiirius, fr. L. lei'~, 'light in
weight'. See legerdemain and -ity.
Leghorn., I) Leghorn straw; 2) a hat made from
this straw; 3) a Leghorn breed of fowl. Named fr. Leghorn (Livorno) in Italy.
legible, adj. - Late L. /egibi/is, 'readable', fr. L.
Iegere, 'to read'. See lecture and -ible.
Derivatives: legibil-ity, n., legible-ness, n., legibly, adv.
legion, n. - ME. /egioun, ft. OF. /egiun, legion
(F. legion), fr. L. legionem, ace. of /egio, 'a legion', fr. L. Iegere, 'to gather, collect; to read'.
See lecture and -ion.
legionary, adj. and n. - L. legiOniirius, 'pertaining to a legion', fr. /egio, gen. -onis, 'a legion'.
See prec. word and -ary.
legislate, intr. v.- Back formation fr.legislation.
legislation, n., the making of!aws.- L.legisliitio,
prop. two words: legis liitio, 'proposing'(lit. 'bearing) of a law', fr. legis, gen. of lex, 'law', and
liitio, 'a bringing (forward)', fr. latus, 'borne,
brought, carried' (used as pp. of ferre, 'to bear,
carry'), which stands for *tliitos, fr. *tl-, zero
degree of LE. base *tel-, *to/-, 'to bear, carry',
whence L. tal/ere, 'to lift up, raise', tolerare, 'to
bear, support'. See legal and tolerate.
legislative, adj. and n.- See prec. word and -ive.
legislator, n. - L. legis liitor, 'proposer' (lit.
'bearer') of a law', fr.legis, gen. of lex, 'law', and
liitor, 'proposer', fr. liitus, 'borne, brought, carried'. See legislation and agential suff. -or.
legislature, n., a law-making body.- See legislation and -ore.

legist, n., one versed in the law. - MF. ( = F.)

legiste, fr. ML. legista, fr. L. lex, gen. legis, 'law'.
See legal and -ist.
legitimacy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
legitimate, adj. - ML. legitimiitus, pp. of /egitimiire, 'to legitimate', fr. L. /egitimus, 'lawful', fr.
lex, gen. legis, 'law'. See legal.
Derivatives: legitimate-ly, adv., legitimate-ness,
n., legitimation (q.v.), legitimat-ize, tr. v.
legitimate, tr. v. - ML. /egitimiitus, pp. of legitimiire. See legitimate, adj.
legitimation, n., the action of making legitimate.
- ME. legitimacioun, fr. MF. ( = F) legitimation, fr. ML. /egitimiitionem, ace. of legimatio,
fr. legitimiitus, pp. of legitimiire. See legitimate,
adj., and -ion.
legitimism, n., the principles of a legitimist. - F.
legitimisme, fr. L. /egitimus, 'lawful'. See legitimate, adj., and -ism.
legitimist, n., a supporter of legitimate authority.
- F. /egitimiste, fr. L. legitimus, 'lawful'. See
legitimate, adj., and -ist.
Derivatives: legitimist, /egitimist-ic, adjs.
legitimize, tr. v., to legitimate. - Formed with
suff. -ize fr. L. legitimus. See legitimate, adj.
Derivative: legitimiz-ation, n.
leguan, n., a large lizard.- Formed by the agglutination of the Sp. def. article Ia, fr. l'eguan,
l'iguan, fr. Sp. /'iguana, lit. 'the iguana'. See
iguana, guana. Sp. Ia derives fr. L. ilia, fern. of
ille, 'that'; see ille. For the agglutination of the
article cp. /ierre and words there referred to.
legume, n., 1) a plant of the group of the pulse
family; 2) pod. - F. legume, fr. L. /egumen,
'pulse or other leguminous plants', lit. 'that
which is gathered', fr. Iegere, 'to gather, collect'.
See lecture.
legumen, n., the same as legume.
legumin, n., a proteid obtained from the seeds of
leguminous plants (biochem.) - Formed with
suff. -in fr. L. legumen, gen. legzlminis, 'pulse.
See legume.
Leguminosae, n. pl., the pulse family (bot.) ModL. See leguminous and adj. suff. -ose.
leguminous, adj., I) pulselike; 2) pertaining to the
Leguminosae. - Formed with suff. -ous fr. L.
legumen, 'pulse'. See legume.
Leibnizian, also Leibnitzian, adj., pertaining to
the German philosopher, Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (less correctly spelled Leibnitz) (1646-1716) or to his doctrines.
Leibnizianism, n., the doctrines ofLeibniz.- See
prec. word and -ism.
Leicester, n., a breed of sheep. - Named fr.
Leicester, a county in Leicestershire, England.
Leila, Leilah, fern. PN. -Arab. Ltiyla\ prop.
'dark as night', fr. ltiyla\ 'night', which is rei. to
Heb. ltiyi/, ltiyliih, Ararn. leld, lelyd, Syr. /elyd,
Ethiop. lelit, 'night', Akkad. liliitu, 'evening'.
Cp. Lilith.
leio-, combining form meaning 'smooth'.- Gk.

878

leiomyoma
A<:Lo-, fr. A<:~oc;, 'smooth ', which stands for */..o:~
fo~, and is cogn. with L. levis (for *lei-wis),
'smooth ', fr. I.-E. base *(s)lei-, 'slime, slimy,
sticky, dauby, slippery'. See slime and cp. words
there referred to.
leiomyoma, n., a tumor of smooth muscles (med.)
-Medic al L., coined fr. Gk. A<:~oc;, 'smooth ',
(J.Ut;, 'muscle' , and suff. -OO(J.ot. See leio-, myo-

and -oma.
Leiophyllum, n., a genus of plants, the sand myrtle
(bot.) - ModL., compou nded of leio- and <pUAAo'll, 'leaf'. See phyllo-.
Ieister, n., a spear with prongs for striking fish.ON. ljostr, 'spear with prongs', fr. ljosta, 'to
strike', which is of uncertai n origin. It is possibly cogn. with Russ. lusta, 'cut, slice'.
Derivative: Ieister, tr. v.
leisure, n. - ME. leyser, fr. OF. leisir (F. loisir),
'leisure, spare time', orig. an inf. meaning 'to be
permitte d', fr. L. licere. See license. For the use
of the inf. as a noun and for the change of F.
suff. -ir to E. -ure cp. pleasure.
Derivati ves: leisure, leisur-ed, leisure-less, leisure-ly, adjs., leisure-li-ness, n.
leitmotiv, also leitmotif, n., a short musical phrase
recurrin g with a given personag e or situatio n.G. Leitmoti v, lit. 'leading motive', fr. leiten, 'to
lead', and Motiv, 'motive' . See lead, 'to guide',
and motive, n.
Leitneria, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after the German naturalis t Edward F.
Leitner. For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Leitneriaceae, n. pl., the cork wood family (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
leitneriaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
lekane, n., a large dish or bowl (Greek antiq.) Gk. AEXOC'II1J, 'dish, pot, pan', fr. /..zxoc;, of s.m ..
prob. meaning lit. 'somethi ng bent', and cogn.
with L. lanx, gen. lancis, 'plate, dish; scale of
weighing machine'. See balance and cp. words
there referred to.
Lelia, fern. PN.- L. Laelia, fern. of Laelius, name
of a Roman gens.
Ieman, n., sweethe art; usually in the sense of paramour. - ME. leofman, lefman, lemman, fr.
OE. leo[, 'dear', and man, 'man'. See lief and
man.
lemma, n., an assumpt ion taken for granted. L., fr. Gk. AljfLfLOC, 'somethi ng received; something taken for granted, assumpt ion, premise',
rei. to d-A1J(J.(J.OCL, perf. pass. of AocfL(jOC'IIW, 'I
take, grasp, seize; I receive', which derives partly
fr. I.-E. base *(s)/agw-, 'to take, seize', whence
also A~O(J.oct (for */..ocy-~ofL:x~ or *J..Iiyy-~ofLot~),
'I take, grasp. (see latch), and partly fr. base
*labh-, 'to take, seize', whence Gk. 'Ai<pupov,
'spoil, prey', &.fL<pl-A.ot<pi)c;, 'wide-spreading' (lit.
'taking in on both sides'), 01. ltibhate, lambhate,
rdbhate, 'seizes', Lith. liJbis, 'possession, riches',
liibas, 'good'. Cp. analemma, dilemma. trilemma,

eataleDSV. eoDepsy , IUII'I:Olepsy, nym-

pholepsy, prolepsis, syllable. For base *rabh-, as

a probable seconda ry form of base *labh-, see
rabid. For the ending of lemma see suff. -rna.
lemming, n., a small, ratlike animal .- Norw., fr.
Lapp. luomek.
Lemna, n., a genus of plants, the duckweed (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. AefL'IIOC, 'a kind of marsh
plant'.
Lemnaceae, n. pl., the duckweed family (bot.) Formed fr. Lemna with suff. -aceae.
lemnaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
lemniscate, n. (geom.) - Late L. lemnisciitus,
'adorned with ribbons' , fr. lemniscus, 'ribbon' ,
fr. Gk. A1JfLV[crxoc;, of s.m. See next word and
adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: lemniscat-ic, adj.
lemniscus, n., 1) the form -:- used in annotati ons;
2) a band of fibers (anat.) - Late L. lemniscus,
fr. Gk. A1JfL'II[crxoc;, 'ribbon', which is prob. rei.
to AijfLvoc;, 'Lemnos ' (name of an island in the
Aegean Sea), hence orig. meant 'of Lemnos '.
Cp. lemniscate.
lemon, n.- ME. lyman, fr. MF. ( = F.) limon, fr.
Turk. limon, fr. Pers. limun, 'limon, citron'. Cp.
lime, 'a fruit'. limonene.
Derivatives: lemon, adj. and tr. v., lemonade
(q.v.), lemon-y, adj.
lemonade, n.- F. limonade, fr. limon, 'lemon'.
See prec. word and -ade.
lemur, n., any of a group of nocturna l mammal s
related to the monkeys. - ModL., fr. L. !emures, 'spirits of the dead, ghosts, specters', cogn.
with Gk. A.ocfLup6<;, 'voracio us, gluttono us', AocfLLOC, 'spirits of the dead, ghosts, specters '. See
lamia and cp. words there referred to. The animal was called lemur in allusion to its nocturna l
habits.
lemures, n. pl., the spirits of the dead (Roman religion). - L. lemures. See prec. word.
lemuroid, adj., resembling, o~ pertainin g to, the
lemurs or the Lemuroidea. - A hybrid coined
fr. lemur and Gk. -oEL3ljc;, 'like', fr. d(lo~,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
Lemuroidea, n. pl., a suborde r of Primates, the
lemur (zoo/.) - ModL. See prec. word.
Lena, fern. PN.- Shortene d fr. Helena or Magdalena.
lend, tr. and intr. v. - ME. lenen, fr. OE. liinan,
'to lend, grant', fr. /tin, 'loan', rei. to Du.
lenen, OHG. lehanon, MHG.li henen, G.lehne n,
'to lend'. See loan.
Derivative: lend-er, n.
length, n. - ME. lengthe, fr. OE. lengou, for
*{ungioa, fr. OE. lang, 'long', rei. to ON. lengd,
Dan. lamgde, Swed. liingd, OFris. lengethe,
MLG. lengede, Du. lengte, 'length'. See long
adj., and subst. suff. -th and cp. Lent.
Derivatives: length-en, tr. and intr. v., length-y,
adj., length-i-ly, adv., length-i-ness, n.
leniency, lenience, n. - Formed from next word
with suff. -cy, Tel'.,). -ce.
lenient, adj., mild. - L. leniens, gen. -entis, pres .

879
part. of lenire, 'to soften, alleviate, mitigate,
allay, soothe, calm', fr. Ienis, 'soft, smooth,
mild, gentle, calm', which prob. derives fr. I.-E.
base *le(i)-, 'to leave behind, leave, yield',
whence also Lith. lenas, 'quiet, tranquil ; tame;
slow', Lett./~ns, 'slow, lazy', OSlav.le nu, 'lazy'.
Fr. base *le(i)d-, a-d-enla rgement of base *le(i)-,
derive L. lassus (for *lad-to-s), 'faint, weary,
languid' , OE. /ret, 'sluggish, slow', liitan, 'to
leave behind '.See let, 'to leave', and cp. lassitude,
late. For the ending see suff. -ent.
Derivative: lenient-ly, adv.
lenify, tr. v., to soften, mitigat e.- Compou nded
of L. Ienis (see lenient) and suff. -fy.
lenitive, adj., softening, mitigating. - ML. lenitivus, fr. L. lenitus, pp. of lenire, 'to soften'. See
lenient and -ive.
Derivatives: lenitive, n., lenitive-ly, adv., lenitive-ness, n.
lenity, n., lenienc y.- OF. lenite, fr. L. lenittitem,
ace. of lenitiis, 'softness, smoothness, mildness',
fr. Ienis. See lenient and -ity.
leno, n., a soft cotton fabric. - Pro b. fr. F. linon,
'lawn' ( = a fine linen fabric), fr. lin, 'linen'. See
linen.
lens, n., 1) a piece of glass resembling a lentil; 2) a
lens-shaped transpar ent body in the eye (anat.)
- L. lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil'; see lentil.
Lent, n.-Fr. earlier Lenten, fr. ME. lenten, lente,
fr. OE.leng ten, lencten, 'spring, Lent', rei. to OS.
lentin, MLG., MDu. lenten, OHG. lengizin, lenzin, fr. Teut. *langat-tin, lit. 'long days'. For the
first element of this compou nd see long, adj. The
second element appears also in Goth. -teins (in
the compou nd sin-teins, 'daily') and is cogn.
with 01. dina-, OSiav. dini, Lith. diem], Lett.
diena, OPruss. deinam (ace.), 'day', L. -dinae (in
nun-dinae, 'the ninth day, the market day'); and
with L. dies, 'day', deus, 'god'; see dies non,
deity. Accordingly OE. lengten, etc., prop.
meant 'the season of long days'. Cp. MDu., Du.
lente, OHG. Ienzo, MHG. lenze, G. Lenz,
'spring', which arose from short dialectal forms.
lent, past tense and pp. of lend.
lentamente, adv., slowly (musical directio n).- It.,
'slowly', formed fr. lenta, fern. of Iento, 'slow',
and adverbial suff. -mente, fr. L. mente, abl.
of mens, 'mind'. See Iento and mental. 'relating
to the mind', and cp. tardamente, tostamente.
lentando, adv., getting slower (musical direction).
- It., gerund of lentare, 'to render slow, slacken', fr. Iento. See Iento and cp. rallentando.
Lenten, adj.- Formed fr. Lent with suff. -en; not
to be confused with the noun Lenten, which derives fr. OE. lencten (see Lent).
Lentibulariaceae, n. pl., the bladderw ort family
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Lentibularia, name of the
genus (synonymous with Utricularia), shortene d
from L. *Lenti-tubularia (see haplology), which
is compou nded of lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil', and
tubulus, dimin. of tub us, 'tube'. See lentil, tubule
and the suffixes -ary and -aceae.

lentibulariaceous, adj. - See prec. word and

-aceous.
lenticel, n., a lenticula r spot in the bark of a tree
(bot.) - F. lenticelle, dimin. of L. lens, gen.
lentis, 'lentil'. See lentil.
lenticula, n., 1) a freckle (med.); 2) a lenticel (bot.);
3) a small lens (optics ).- L., 'a small lentil', dimin. of lens, gen. len tis. See lentil.
Derivatives: lenticul-ar, adj., lenticul-ate, adj.
and tr. v.
lentiginous, adj., pertainin g to lentigo; freckly .L. lentiginosus, fr. lentigo, gen. lentiginis, 'a lentil-shaped spot'. See next word and -ous.
lentigo, n., freckles. - L. lentigo, lit. 'a lentilshaped spot', fr. lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil'. See
lens, lentil.
lentil, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) lentille, fr. L.
lenticula, 'a small lentil', fr. lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil'. Cp. Gk. M&upoc;, 'a kind of pulse, OSlav.
testa, 'lentil', OHG. linsi, MHG., G. Iinse, of
s.m. Cp. lens, Lentibularia, lenticel, lenticula,
Lentigo,lentiginous. Cp. also Latbyrus.
lentiscus, also lentisc, lentisk, n., the mastic tree;
mastic .- L.lentisc us, fr.lentus , 'flexible; slow'.
See next word.
Ientitude, n., slowness (rare). - L. lentitudo, gen.
-tudinis, 'slowness, sluggishness', fr.lentus , 'flexible, pliant; tenaciou s; slow, sluggish, immovable', which is cogn. with OS. lithi, OE. !foe, 'soft,
mild, gentle'. See lithe and Lantana , lentamente,
lentando, lentiscus, Iento, relent. For the ending
see suff. -tude.
Iento, adj., slow; adv., slowly (musical direction).
-It. Iento, 'slow', fr. L. lentus. See lentitude.
lentoid, adj. lens-shaped. - A hybrid coined fr.
L. lens, gen. len tis, 'lentil', and Gk. -oE~3i)c;,
'like', fr. d3oc;, 'form, shape'. See lens and -oid.
Leo, 1) masc. PN.; 2) name of a northern constellation. - L. Leo, 'lion'. See lion and cp. Leander, Leonard, Leonid, Leonine.
Leonard, masc. PN.- F. Leonard, fr. OF. Leonard, fr. G. Leonhard, fr. OHG. *Lewenhart, lit.
'strong as a lion', compou nded of lewo, lewo (fr.
L. leo), 'lion', and hart, 'hard'. See lion and hard
and cp. Leo.
Leonid, n., any of a shower of shooting stars. Formed fr. Leo with patronym ic suff. -id; cp.
F. Leonides (pl.); so called because they appear
to radiate from the constella tion Leo.
Leonidas, masc. PN.- L. Leonidas, fr. Gk. AEoo'113iic;.
leonine, adj., pertainin g to, or resembling, a lion.
- L. leoninus (whence also F. lionin), fr. leo,
gen. leonis, 'lion'. See lion and suff. -ine (representing L. -in us).
Leonine, adj., pertainin g to one called Leo; esp.
pertaining to one of the thirteen popes called
Leo. See Leo and prec. word.
Leonora, fern. PN. - It. Leonora, of the same
origin as Eleanor (q.v.)
Leontodon, n., a genus of plants, the hawkbit
(bot.)- ModL.,l it. 'lion's tooth', fr. Gk. A.~oo'll,

Leonurus

gen. :Aiov-ro~, 'lion', and oowv, gen. oo6v-ro~,

'tooth'. See lion and odonto- and cp. dandelion.
Leonurus, n., a genus of plants, the motherwo rt
(bot.)- ModL., lit. 'lion's tail', fr. Gk. :Aeoov,
'lion', and oupa, 'tail'. See lion and oro-, 'tail-'.
leopard, n. - ME. leopard, Iepard, fr. OF. leopard (F. leopard), fr. L. leopardus, lit. 'lion pard',
fr. leo, 'lion', and pardus, 'pard'. See lion and
pard.
Derivative : leopard-ess, n.
Ieopardite, n., a quartz porphyry spotted with
stains of manganese (mineral.) - Formed fr.
Jeopard with subst. suff. -ite; so called in allusion
to its spotted appearance .
Leopold, masc. PN. - F. Leopold, of Teut. origin. Cp. OHG. Leutpald, Liutbalt, lit. 'bold in
the people', fr. leudi, 'people' and bald, 'bold'.
For the first element see liberal and cp. Lett,
liege, for the second see hard.
Lepadidae, n. pl., a family of birds, the goose barnacles (ornithol.) - Formed with suff. -idae fr.
Gk. :Aemi~, gen. :Aerr~oo.;. See Lepas.
Lepas, n., a genus of birds, the goose barnacle
(ornithol.) -L., lepas, 'limpet', from Gk. Ae:mi<;,
gen. :Ae:rr<ioo~, of s.m., which is rei. to :AE:m.t<;,
gen. :AE:mxoo<;, 'a bare rock, crag', and pro b. also
to :Airre:Lv, 'to peel'. See next word and lapidary,
adj.
leper, n.- The word orig. meant 'leprosy'; ME.,
fr. OF. Iepre (F.lepre), fr. L.lepra,fr. Gk. Ae7tpfi,
'leprosy', lit. 'that which scales off', fr. Ae:7tp6.;,
'scaly', which is rei. to Ae:rr[~, Ai:7to<;, 'scale',
"AE:7te:Lv, to strip off the rind or husks, peel, bark',
fr. I.-E. base *lep-, 'to peel, scale', whence possibly also L. lepiis (lepor), gen. -oris, 'pleasantness, charm', lepidus, 'pleasant, charming, neat',
and OE. [<fer, 'rush, bulrush, thin plate of
metal', OHG. Ieber, 'rush'; cp. Lepas, Lepidium, lepido-, lepto-, lapidary, adj. Base *lep- is
rei. to base *leub(h)-, *leup-, 'to peel'; see leaf.
Cp.lobe. Gk :Abtp i, 'leprosy', is pro b. not cogn.
with OE. left, 'weak' (see left).
Derivative : leper-ed, adj.
Lepidium, n., a genus of plants, the pepperwor t
(bot.) - L., 'pepperwo rt', fr. Gk. Ae:7t[llwv, fr.
"Ae:rrl<;, 'scale', which is rei. to :AE:rrew, 'to peel,
strip'. See leper and cp. lepido-. For the ending
see I st suff. -ium.
lepido-, combining form meaning 'scale or flake'.
- Gk. ),e;mo(o)-, stem of /.e:r.[c;, gen. :Ae:r.loo.;,
'scale'. See leper and -id.
Lepidopter a, n. pl., insects with four scaly wings.
- ModL., lit. 'scale-wing ed animals', coined by
the Swedish botar.ist Carolus Linnaeus (Karl
von Linne) (1707-78) in 1735 fr. Gk. "Aen:[.;,
'scale', and rr-re:p6v, 'wing'. See lepido- and
ptero-.
Derivative s: Iepidopter-a/, adj., lepidopter-an,
adj. and n., /epidopter-ous, adj.
Ieporld, n., one of the Leporidae; adj., pertaining
to the Leporidae. - See next word.
Leporidae, n. pl., the family of the hares.and rab-

880

bits (zoo/.)- ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.

L. lepus, gen. leporis, 'hare'. See next word.
leporine, adj., pertaining to a hare. - Formed
with suff. -ine (representi ng L.-inus) fr. L. lepus,
gen. /eporis, 'hare', which is of non-Indo- European, prob. Iberian origin. Cp. leveret.
lepra, n., leprosy.- L., fr. Gk. ).btpi, 'leprosy'.
See leper.
leprechaun , n., a pygmy sprite (Irish folklore) .Ir. lupracan, metathesiz ed fr. Mir. luchrupan, lit.
'a very little body', fr. lu, 'little', and corpan,
dimin. of corp, 'body', fr. L. corpus. See corpus.
leprology, n., the study of leprosy.- Coined fr.
Gk. A~7tpfi, 'leprosy', and -:Aoyla, fr. -).6yo~,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See leper and -logy.
Jeprosery, n., leper hospital. - F. leproserie, fr.
tepreux, 'leprous', fr. Iepre. See leper and -ery.
leprosy, n. - Formed fr. leprous with suff. -y
(correspon ding to L. -ia).
Derivative : leprosi-ed, adj.
leprous, adj. - ME. leprous, lepros, fr. Late L.
lepriisus, fr. L. lepra. See leper and -ous.
Derivative s: leprosy (q.v.), leprous-l_v, adv., leprous-ness, n.
-lepsia.- The same as -lepsy.
-lepsy, combining form meaning 'a violent attack' as in catalepsy, epilepsy (med.) - Medical
L. -lepsia, fr. Gk. -A7Jtj;li, lit. 'a seizing', fr.
:Ar,tj;-, the future stem of ).cq.LBocve:Lv, 'to take,
grasp, seize'. See lemma.
Iepto-, before a vowel lept-, combining form
meaning 'thin,small ,fine, delicate '.-Gk. AErr-ro-,
Ae:7t-r-, fr. Ae:n:1'6<;, 'cleaned of the husks; thin,
fine, slender, delicate, slight, small; pleasant,
elegant', lit. 'peeled', verbal adj. of AZ7tELV, 'to
peel'. See leper.
Jeptodactyl, n., a bird or another animal having
slender toes. - Compound ed of lepto- and Gk.
o~x-ru:Ao~, 'finger, toe'. See dactyl.
leptomeninges, n. pl., the pia mater and the arachnoid (anat.) - Medical L., prop. 'the delicate
membrane s', fr. lepto- and Gk. [J.i;v~yyE~, pl. of
tJ.'ii'IL'(!;, 'membrane (see meninx). The term tJ.li
vLy!; AE7t-r-i) was used orig. by Galen in its literal
sense to denote 'delicate membrane s'.
leptomeningitis, n., inflammati on of the pia mater
and the arachnoid (med.) - Medical L., prop.
meaning 'inflammat ion of the delicate membranes'. See prec. word and -itis.
lepton, n., I) a small coin in ancient Greece; 2) the
smallest coin of modern Greece, equivalent to
1/100 of a drachma. - Gk. l.e:1t-r6v, neut. of
tdor."tS<::. 'thin, small'. See lepto-.
Leptothrix , n., 1) a genus of filamentou s organisms first observed by Leeuwenho ek (bacterial.)
- ModL., coined by the English physician Sir
William James Erasmus Wilson (1809-84) fr.
Gk. Ae:rr-r6.;, 'fine, delicate', and &pl~, 'hair'.
See lepto- and -thrix.
Ierot, n., a kind o: dormouse. - F. Ierot, orig.
written /eyrot, dimin. of loir, 'dormouse '. Seeloir.

881

lethargy

pe is the indeclinabl e relative (see the). After the

Lesbian, adj., 1) pertaining to Lesbos; 2) erotic;
dropping of py, [fi!s pe was contracted into lest
n., 1) an inhabitant of Lesbos; 2) a homosexua l
(in the sense of the rule, according to which p
atlity
homosexua
the
from
woman; so called
s becomes t).
after
tributed to Sappho, who lived in Lesbos. -lestes, combining form meaning 'robber'; used
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Lesbius, fr. Gk.
to form generic names (zoo/. and paleontol.)
AE:crBw~, fr. Ascr~o~, name of the island now
-Fr. Ion., Att. Gk. A7Jcr-r-i)~. 'robber', contraccalled Mytilene.
tion of A'lj'Ccr-1)~, of s.m., from the stem of A1Jt~e
women.
between
lity
Lesbianism , n., homosexua
cr&ocL, 'to win, plunder', fr. A1Jt~, 'prey, booty',
- See prec. word and -ism.
is rei. to Ion. A1Jt1J, Att. :Ada, Dor. :Aita,
which
fr.
e,
lese-majest
F.
treason.
high
lese majesty,
&:1to:Aocue:w, 'to enjoy', and pro b. cogn,
s.m.,
of
pp.
fern.
L. laesa nuijestas, lit. 'hurt majesty', fr.
with OI.liitam, 16tram, 'booty', L.lucrum, 'gain'.
of laedere, 'to hurt, injure', and majestas, 'maSee lucre and cp. apolaustic.
jesty'. See lesion and maiesty.
Jet, tr. v., to leave. - ME. /<ten, leten, fr. OE.
lesion, n., an injury.- ME. lesioun fr. MF. (=
liitan, 'to leave behind, bequeath, leave', rei. to
F.) lesion, fr. OF., fr. L. laesiOnem, ace. of laesiO,
OS. liitan, ON. lata, Dan. lade, Swed. /Jta,
'injury, attack', fr. laesus, pp. of laedere, 'to
lata, OFris. leta, MLG., MDu., Du. IaNorw.
violate',
insult,
offend,
damage,
injure,
hurt,
an, MHG.la3e n, G.lassen, Goth.
OHG.la,J3
ten,
colliwhich is of uncertain origin. Cp. collide,
letan, 'to leave, let', fr. I.-E. base *le(i)d-, *led-,
sion, elide, elision.
'to leave behind, leave, yield', whence L. lassus
Lespedeza, n., a genus of plants, the bush clover
(for *lad-to-s), 'faint, weary, languid, exhausted' ,
(bot.)- ModL., named by the French botanist
Gk. A1JOe:~v (Hesychius ), 'to be weary', Alb. l'ofJ,
after
)
(1746-1802
Michaux
Andre
and traveler
tire, weary', l'obem, 'I grow tired', Gheg l'q,
'I
LesVincente Manuel de Cespedez (misspelled
Tosk /'E., 'I let, leave', Lith. teidtiu, leisti, 'to let,
pedes), the Spanish governor of East Florida, a
to let loose'. Cp. let, 'to hinder', late, leat, inlet,
contempor ary of Michaux.
outlet. Cp. also alas, lassitude. I.-E. *le(i)d- is a
Lesquerella , n., a genus of plants, the bladderpod
-d-enlargem ent of base *le(i)-, whence L. Ienis,
(bot.) - ModL., named after the Swiss-Ame ri'smooth, soft, gentle'. See lenient.
can bry9logist and paleobotan ist Leo LesqueDerivative s: let, n., a letting of a house etc.,
-ella.
suff.
see
ending
the
For
(IO_Ilfi-89).
reux
lett-er, n.
'less',
lies,
less, adj.- ME. [esse, partly fr. OE.
let, tr. ~-. to hinder (archaic). - ME. /etten, fr.
partly fr. OE. Iissa, compar. of lies; rel. to OS.,
OE. lettan, 'to delay, hinder, procrastin ate', rei.
OFris. les, 'less', and prob. cogn. with Lith.
OS. lettian, 'to hinder', ON. letja, 'to hold
to
liesas, 'thin'; used as com par. of little, but not
OHG. lezzen, MHG. letzen, 'to stop,
back',
unless.
lest,
least,
rei. to it. Cp.
(whence MHG., G. ver-letzen, 'to hurt,
check'
Derivative s: less, adv. and n., lessen, lesser
injure'), Goth. latjan, 'to hinder, make late,
(qq. v.)
tarry', and to OE. l<t, 'sluggish, slow; late'. See
-less, suff. - ME. -less, -/esse, fr. OE. -leas, fr.
late and cp. let, 'to leave'.
leas, 'devoid of; false, feigned; incorrect,
Derivative : let, n., hindrance.
ON.
'-less',
-los,
G.
-laos,
Du.
to
worthless', rei.
-let, dimin. suff. - Not a contractio n of the two
/auss, 'loose, free, vacant, dissolute' (whence E.
dimin. suffixes-el and -et (as most lexicograp hers
loose), MDu., Du. los, OS., OHG., MHG. liis,
suggest), but the dimin. suff. -et, to which the
vain'.
G. los, 'loose, free', Goth. laus, 'empty,
letter I was prefixed. The addition of the I is due
See lose.
to a misdivision of words that had an organic I
lessee, n., one to whom a lease is given.-M E., fr.
before the suff., as e.g. in circlet, islet, etc. (which
AF. lessee, 'one to whom a lease is given', cormisdivided into circ-let, is-let, etc.; in rewere
leslaissier,
OF.
of
pp.
/esse,
OF.
responding to
stand for circl-et, isl-et as diminuti;ves
they
ality
sier, lesser (F. laisser), 'to let, leave. See lease
isle). From the generalizat ion of
resp.
circle,
of
and -ee.
in the above and similar words
-l-et
ending
the
verlessen, intr. and tr. v.- Formed fr. less with
with organic I arose the new dimin. suff. -let.
bal suff. -en.
lethal, adj., deadly, mortal. - L. letiilis (less corlesser, adj. - A double com par.; formed fr. less
rectly /ethiilis), 'deadly, fatal', fr. /etum (lerhum),
with compar. suff. -er.
'death', which is of uncertain etymology . The
fr.
leron,
(=F.)
OF.
fr.
n,
ME./essou
lesson, n.with -h- (in /ethum, letha/is) is due to a
spelling
/ectus,
L fectiifrwm. ace. of lectiii. 'a reading'. fr.
confusion with Gk. :A-f;&r,, 'forgetfuln ess, oblipp. of Iegere, 'to read'. See lecture and cp. lecvion'. For the ending see adj. suff. -al.
tion, which is a doublet of lesson.
lethargic, lethargical , adj. - MF. ( = F.) letharDerivative : lesson, tr. v.
gique, fr. Late L. lethargic us, fr. Gk. A1J&ocpyLx6~.
lessor, n., one who grants a lease. - See lessee
'lethargic', fr. A7J&ocpyta. See lethargy and -ic,
and agential suff. -or.
res p. also -al.
Jest, conj. - ME. leste, fr. OE. py liis jJe, 'lest',
lethargy, n., morbid drowsiness ; torpidity .- F.
lit. 'by that the less that' ; pji is the instrument al
lethargie, fr. Late L. /ethargia, fr. Gk. Al)&ocpylii,
case of the def. article pe, 'the'; forliis see less,

Lethe

882

leucaemic, leucemic, adj. - See leukemic.

'forgetfulnes s', fr. :Al].&otpyo~, 'forgetful', which
leucine, also leucin, n., a white amino acid (biois compounded of :Al]&l], 'forgetfulnes s', and
chem.) - Coined by the French chemist Henry
*&.-fe:py6~,
of
&.py6~, 'idle, lazy', contraction
Braconnot (1781-1855) in 1820 fr. Gk. ).wx6.;,
lit. 'not working'. See Lethe, argon and -y (rep'white' (see leuco-), and chem. suff. -ine, -in; so
-lii).
Gk.
resenting
called by him because of its color.
Lethe, n., I) a river of Hades, whose water when
leucite, n., a crystalline mineral found in volcanic
drunk caused forgetfulness of the past; 2) forlava (mineral.)- G. Leu cit (now spelled Leuzit),
:A1].&1j,
Gk.
fr.
getfulness, oblivion. - L. Lethe,
coined by the German mineralogist Abraham
'forgetfulnes s, oblivion', which is rei. to :Al].&otpGottlob Werner (1750-1817) in 1791 fr. Gk.
stealth',
by
'secretly,
:l.oc.&p1j,
yo~, 'forgetful',
:Ae:ux6~, 'white', and suff. -it, which goes back
:Aoc.&pw~, 'stealthy', :f.otv.&ocve:w, 'to be hidden';
to Gk. -f'l'1).; (see leuco- and subst. suff. -ite); so
cogn. with L. /atere, 'to lie hid'. See latent and
called by him in allusion to its glassy appearcp. lethargy, lanthanum, Alethea, alethiology.
ance.
Lethean, adj., pertaining to Lethe. - Formed
leuco-, before a vowel leuc-, combining form
with suff. -an fr. L. Letheus, fr. Gk. A't).&otto~,
meaning 'white'. -Gk. ).e;uxo-, :Ae:ux-, fr. Ae:ux6~,
'of Lethe' (fr. );r,.&oti:o~, 'causing forgetfulness'),
'white', which is cogn. with Goth. liuhap, OE.
word.
prec.
See
'Lethe'.
A1J.&1J,
fr.
/eoht, 'light'. See light, n., and cp. words there
Letitia, fern. PN.- Lit. 'gladness', fr. L. laetitia,
referred to.
fr. laetus, 'glad', which is of uncertain etymolleucocyte, n., a white blood corpuscle (anat.) ogy. Cp. Lettice.
Coined by Littre and Robin fr. Gk. :l.e:ux6.;,
Leto, n., daughter of the Titan Coeus and mother
and xu-ro~, 'a hollow vessel'. See leuco'white',
mythol.)
(Greek
Zeus
by
Apollo
and
of Artemis
and -cyte.
- Gk. A1)'l'W, Dor. AiiTw, prob. fr. Lycian
Derivative: leucocyt-ic, adj.
Lada, a word lit. meaning 'wife, woman'. Cp.
leucocythemia, leucocythaemia, n., leukemia. Leda, Latona.
Compounde d of Ieuco-, Gk. xu't'oc;, 'a hollow
Lett, n., an inhabitant of Latvia. - The word
and ot!(Lot, 'blood'. See -cyte and -emia
vessel',
liuti
OHG.
fr.
comes
It
orig. meant 'people'.
and cp. leukemia.
(whence MHG.liute, G. Leute), 'people', which
leucocytosis, n., an increase in the number of
is possibly cogn. with Gk. /,e:u.&e:po~, L. fiber,
white blood corpuscles (med.) - Medical L.,
also
Cp.
'free'. See liberal and cp. eleuthero-.
coined by the German pathologist Rudolf VirLatvia. For sense developmen t cp. Dutch.
chow (1821-1902) about 1865 fr. leucocyte and
's.
n.
and
adjs.
Derivatives: Lett-ie, Lett-ish,
suff. -osis.
letter, n., graphic symbol, character. - ME.
leucoderma, n., abnormal whiteness of the skin
lettre, fr. OF. ( = F.) lettre, fr. L. /ittera, 'letter
(med.) - Medical L., compounded of leucoof the alphabet' (in pl. 'epistle, document'),
and Gk. SE:p!J.ot, 'skin'. See derma.
which is of uncertain origin. Ernout and Meillet
Leucojum, n., a genus of plants, the snowflake
(in DELL., p, 363) point out that since the Latin
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. ).e:ux6'Cov, 'snowflake',
alphabet was borrowed from the Greeks
).wxov tov, lit. 'white violet'. See leuco- and
fr.
not
is
it
Etruscans),
the
of
(through the medium
iolite.
improbable that !ittera itself would be of Greek
leucoma, n., disease of the eye characterize d by
origin. According to Breal (quoted by Ernoutwhite opacity of the cornea (med.) - Medical
Meillet I.e.) littera would derive fr. Gk. Stcp-IMpii,
L., fr. Gk. AEUY.W!J.CX, 'whiteness, anything whit'tablet', a word glossed by Hesychius; for the
ened; a white spot in the eye; a white tablet for
literliteral,
Cp.
change of d- to 1- see lachrymal.
notices', fr. :Ae:ux6c;. See Ieuco- and -oma.
ary, literate, literature, alliteration, belles-lettres,
Ieucomaine, n., any basic substance normally
obliterate.
produced in the living animal body through metDerivatives: letter, tr. v., letter-ed, adj., letter-er,
abolism (biochem.) - Coined by the French
n., letter-ing, n.
Armand Gautier (1837-1920) fr. Gk.
chemist
Lettice, fern. PN. - A var. of Letitia (q. v.)
:Ae:{JY.W(Lot, 'anything whitened' (see prec. word),
Letto-, combining form meaning 'Lettish and'.on analogy of ptomaine. See William Bulloch,
See Lett.
The history of bacteriology , Oxford University
lettuce, n. - ME. /etuse, fr. OF. laitues, pl. of
Press, 1938, p. 135.
lactis,
gen.
lac.
fr.
'lettuce',
/actiica,
L.
laitue, fr.
leucopenia, n., a diminution in the number of
'milk' (see lacteal, adj.); so called' in allusion to
white blood corpuscles (med.) - Compounde d
the milky juice of this plant. For the suff. iica
of leuco-, abbrev. of leucocyte, and Gk. 1t'EVlii,
'the
alb-ileus,
colewort',
of
kind
cp. L. er-iica, 'a
'poverty', fr. 1tbn)~, gen. 1\'Ev't)'l'OI;, 'poor',
plant asphodel'.
which stands in gradational relationship to 11'6leu, also ley, n., monetary unit of Rumania. vo~, 'toil, labor', 1\'0VE~v, 'to toil, work hard',
Rum. /ell (pl. lei), lit. 'lion', fr. L. leo. See lion
1t'OVl)p6~;, 'painful, distressed; bad, worthless'.
and cp.lev.
Cp. Pooera and th' second element in geoponic,
Jeuc., form of leuco- before a vowel.
Melipcma.
leucaemia, leucemia. n. - See leukemia.

levin

883
leucoplakia, n., a disease characterize d by the formation of white patches on a surface (med.) Medical L., coined fr. leuco-, Gk. 1\'AOC~, 'anything fiat' (see placenta), and suff. -ia; introduced by Schwimmer as a term for white patches seen on the tongue, lips or cheeks.
leucoplast, n., one of the colorless bodies found
in the cytoplasm of plants (bot.)- Compounded of leuco- and Gk. -1\'Aotcr'l'o~, fr. 11'Aotcr't'6~,
'molded, formed', verbal adj. of 1\'Aoccrcre:w. See
-plast.
leucorrhea, leucorrhoea, n., white discharge from
the vagina (med.) - Medical L., compounded
of leuco- and Gk. -ppolii, 'a flow, flowing',
from the stem of pe:~v, 'to flow'. See -rrhea.
Leucothoe, n., the daughter of Orehamus, king of
Babylon; said to have been changed by Apollo
into a shrub (Greek and Roman mytho/.) - L.
Leucothoe, n., a genus of plants, the fetter bush
(bot.) - ModL., fr. prec. word.
leukemia, leukaemia, n. (med.)- Medical L., lit.
'whitebloode dness', fr. ).e;ux6.;, 'white', and
ot!(Lot, 'blood'. See leuco- and -emia.
lev, n., the monetary unit of Bulgaria. - Bulg.
lev, 'lion', fr. OSlav. llvu, which prob. derives
through the medium of Goth. *liwa- fr. Gk.
).E:wv. See lion and cp. leu.
Levana, n., the goddess of childbirth in Roman
mythol.- L. Levana, fr. levare, 'to lift up, raise'
(see lever); so called because she was supposed
to raise newborn infants from the ground.
Levant, n., the countries of the Mediterrane an
East of Italy.- ME.levaunt, orig. 'the East', fr.
F. levant, lit. 'the rising (of the sun'), fr. (se)
(se) lever, 'to rise', fr. lever,
levant, pres. part.
'to raise', fr. L. /evare, 'to lift up, raise'. See
lever and -ant. For sense developmen t cp. Bactrian.
levant, intr. v., to run away without paying one's
gambling debts.- Fr. Sp. levantar e/ campo, 'to
break up camp', fr. L. /evans, gen.levantis, pres.
part. of levare, 'to lift up. raise'. See prec. word.
levanter, n., one who levants. - Formed fr.
levant, 'to run away', with agential suff. -er.
levanter, n., a strong eastern wind blowing in the
Mediterran ean.- Formed fr. Levant with agential suff. -er.
Levantine, adj., related to, or connected with, the
Levant.- Formed fr. Levant with adj. suff. -ine.
Derivative: Levantine, n., a native of the Levant.
levator, n., a muscle serving to raise a part of the
body (anat.) - Medical L. levator, lit. 'a lifter',
fr. L. levatus, pp. of levtire. See lever and agential suff. -or.
levee, n., a reception held by a sovereign or his
representativ e. - F. /eve, for lever, 'a rising',
prop. the inf. lever, 'to raise', se lever, 'to rise,
used as a noun. See lever and cp. Levant. The
word levee was applied orig. to the morning reception held by the French king immediately
after rising from bed.
levee, n., a natural or artificial embankmen t. -

of

F. levee, 'raising, lifting; embankmen t', prop.

fern. pp. of lever, 'to raise', used as a noun. See
lever and cp. prec. word.
level, n. - ME. live/, level, fr. OF. live/, level
(whence, with dissimilation , F. niveau), fr. VL.
*libel/us, fr. L. libella, dimin. of libra, 'pound,
measure for liquids, balance, level'; cp. It. livello, OProvem;. live/ (whence Sp. nivel), 'level',
which all derive fr. VL. *libellus. See libra and
cp. deliberate.
Derivatives: level, adj., adv. and tr. v., level(l)-er,
n., leve/(1)-ing, n., level-ness, n.
lever, n. - ME. Ievere, /evour, fr. OF. leveor (F.
leveur), lit. 'a lifter', fr. lever, 'to lift, raise', fr. L.
levare, of s.m., fr. levis, 'light in weight', which
stands for *legwis or *lexwis, fr. I.-E. base
*/e(n)gwh-, 'light, easy, agile, nimble', whence
also 01. laghu/:1, Vedic raghu/:1, 'quick; small',
Toch. B. lykacke, A. lykiily, 'fine, mince', Gk.
e).otxu~; (prob. for *l"ghus), 'small', t:Aotcpp6~
(prob. for *lf}gwhros), 'light', OSlav. /iguku,
'light', Lith. lefigvas, lengvus, Lett. liegs, 'light',
Olr. laigiu (compar.), 'smaller; worse', Goth.
leihts, OE. leoht, 'light', OE. lungun, 'the lungs',
lit. 'the light organs'. See light, adj., and cp.
lights, lung. Cp. also Levant, levator, levee (in
both senses), levitate, levity, levy, v., alevin, alleviate, elevate, elevator, leaven, legerdemain, Levana, relief, relieve, and the second element in
cantilever, champleve, pontlevis.
Derivatives: lever, tr. v., lever-age, n.
MF.
leveret, n., a hare in its first year. *levrete, *levrette (F. levrette), dimin. of levre
(F. lievre), 'hare', fr. OF., fr. L. leporem, ace. of
lepus, 'hare'. See leporine and -et.
Levi, I) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, son of Jacob
by Leah. - Heb. Lewi, lit. 'joining', from the
stem of Heb. liiwdh, 'he joined', rei. to Aram.Syr. ll!wa, 'he accompanied ', Mishnaic Heb.
lewiyydh, 111 waydh, 'accompanim ent, escort,
caravan'. Cp. Levite, Leviticus.
leviable, adj. - Formed with suff. -able fr. levy,
v. See levy, n.
Leviathan, n. -Late L. Leviathan, fr. Heb. liwytithdn, 'serpent, dragon, leviathan', prop, 'tortuous, which is rei. to /iwydh, 'wreath', fr. base
1-w-h, 'to wind, turn, twist', whence also Arab.
ltiwa, 'the wound, turned, twisted', Akkad./amii ,
'to surround, encircle'.
levigate, tr. v., to grind to a fine powder. - L.
/evigatus, pp. of /evigare, 'to make smooth; to
pulverize', compounded of levis, 'smooth', and
agere, 'to drive, lead, do, make'. The first element is cogn. with Gk. ).e;'Lo~, 'smooth, fiat'; see
Ieio-. For the second element see agent, adj.,
and cp. the second element in castigate and
in words there referred to.
levigation, n.- L. levigatio, gen. -onis, 'a smoothing; a pulverizing', fr. levigatus, pp. of levigare.
See prec. word and -ion.
levin, n., lightning. - ME. Ievene, Ieven, levin
(revived by Walter Scott), rei. to ON. lyvna, OE.

884

levirate

leoma(whe nce obsol. E.leam, 'flash'), OS.liomo,

'brightness , light', Goth. lauhmuni, 'lightning',
and cogn. with L. lUmen, 'light', fr. I.-E. base
*leuq-, 'to shine', whence also L. liicere, 'to be
light, to shine', OE. leoht, 'light'. See light,
'brightness '.
levirate, n., the ancient Jewish law according to
which a man was obligated to marry his brother's widow if his brother had died childless. Formed with subst. suff. -ate fr. L. levir, 'husband's brother, brother-in- law', which stands
for I.-E. *daiwer and is cogn. with OJ. devar-,
Homeric Gk. 13ii~p (for *13Q:Lf~p ), Arm. taigr,
Russ.-Chu rch Slav. deveri, Lith. dieveris, OE.
tticor, OHG. zeihhur, 'brother-in -law'. For the
change of initial d- to l- see lachrymal.
Levisticum, n., a genus of plants, the lovage (bot.)
- VL. levisticum, fr. L. ligusticum, lit. 'belonging to Liguria'. See lovage and cp. words there
referred to.
levitate, intr. v., to tend to rise, to rise; tr. v., to
raise. - Formed on analogy of gravitate fr. L.
levittis. See levity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative : levitat-ion, n.
Levite, n., any member of the tribe of Levi ME., fr. Late L. Levites, fr. Gk. Ae:uh-1].:;, fr.
Heb. Lewf, 'Levi, a Levite'. See Levi and subst.
suff. -ite.
Derivative s: Levit-ic, Levit-ic-al (qq. v.).
Levitical, also Levitic, adj. - Late L. Leviticus,
fr. Gk. Aeui:nx6.:;, 'pertaining to a Levite or
Levitcs', fr. Aeuh7j;. See prec. word and -ic,
resp. also -al.
Leviticus, n., the third book of the Pentateuc h.Late L. Leviticus (sci!. fiber), 'Book of the Levites', fr. Gk. 1:0 Aeu"Lnxov ~L~:Alov, of s.m.,
prop. the part of the Pentateuch dealing with
the function of the priests who were oft he tribe
of Levi. Accordingl y the name 1:0 AeuhLxov
(3L(3:Alov correspond s to the orig. Hebrew name
of the Book, i.e. Torath Kohiinfm lit. 'the Law
of the Priests'. Gk. AeJi:nx6v is neut. of Aeu"Lnx6:;. See prec. word.
levity, n., lightness; frivolity. - OF. levite, fr. L.
Jevittitem, ace. of levittis, 'lightness; fickleness,
inconstanc y', fr. levis, 'light in weight'. See
lever and -ity.
levo-, laevo-, combining form mea~ng 'left, to
the left' - L. laevus, 'left', cognate with Gk.
).ocL6:; (for *Ao;Lf6:;), OSlav. leva, 'left'. Cp.levulose.
levorotator y, laevorotato ry, adj., turning the
plane of polarizatio n to the left. - Compound ed of Ievo- and rotatory.
levulose, Iaevulose, n., fruit sugar (chem.) Coined by the French chemist Pierre-Eug eneMarcelin Berthelot (1827-1907) fr. L. laevus,
'left' (see levo-), dimin. suff. -ule and subst. sutf.
-ose; so called by him because it is le11o-rotatory
(q.v.) Cp. dextrose.
levy, n., the act of raising or collecting. - F. leJ1ee, 'a raising, lifting, levying', prop. fern. pp. of

lever, 'to raise', used as a noun. See lever and cp.

levee (in both senses).
Derivative : levy, tr. and intr. v.
levynite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (mineral.)
- Named after the French mineralogi st Armand Levy (died in 1841).
lew, adj., lukewarm (dial. E.) - ME. lew, /ewe,
fr. OE. hleow, 'warm', rei. to hleo, 'shelter'. See
lee.
lewd, adj., 1) ignorant (obsol.); 2) indecent; 3)
base. - ME. lewed, 'lay, ignorant', fr. OE. liiwede, 'lay, layman', of uncertain origin; perhaps
borrowed fr. L. ltii'cus, fr. Gk. :Aii~x6s. See lay,
'pertaining to the laity'.
Derivative s: lewd-ly, adv., lewd-ness, n.
Lewis, masc. PN. - Anglicized form of Louis
(q.v.)
lewis, n., a dovetailed tenon. - Prob. from the
PN. Lewis.
lewis, also Lewis gun.- Named after its inventor
Isaac Newton Lewis (1858-1931).
lewisite, n., a calcium titano-anti monate (mineral.) - Named after the English mineralogi st
William J. Lewis (1847-1926). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
lewisite, n., a vesicant used in chemical warfare.
-Named after the American chemist Winford
Lee Lewis (1878-1943). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
lex, n., law.- L. lex, gen. legis. See legal.
lexical, also Iexie, adj. - See lexicon and adj.
suff. -al.
lexico-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
dictionarie s, lexical'. - See lexicon.
lexicograph er, n., writer of a dictionar y.- Formed with agential suff. -er fr. Gk. ).e~\xorpoctpo~,
'lexicograp her', which is compound ed of:Ae~Lxov
(see Iexico-) and -ypoctpos, 'writer, fr. ypoccpELV,
'to write'. See -graph.
lexicograph y, n., the act or process of making a
dictionary. - Formed fr. Gk. AE~Lxoypoc<:pos,
'lexicograp her' (see prec. word), with suff. -y
(representi ng Gk. -lii).
Derivative s: lexicograph-ic, lexicograph-ic-al,
adjs., lexicograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
Iexicology, n., the study of words.- Compound ed of lexico- and Gk. -:Aoylii, fr. -i.6yo~, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative s: lexicolog-ic, lexicolog-ic-al, adjs.,
lexicolog-ist, n.
lexicon, n., a dictionary. - Gk. i.e~tx6v (scil.
f3L(3i.lov \, 'dictionary ', lit. 'book of words',
neut. oO.E~~x.s,, 'pertaining to words'. fr. At~L<;,
'word, phrase, speech, diction', from the stem
of :Aeyew, 'to speak', which is cogn. with L.
Iegere, 'to read'. See lecture and cp. alexia.
lexigrapby , n., mode of writing in which each
character represents a word.- Compound ed of
Gk. Ai~L.:;, 'word', and -ypQ:<plii, fr. yplitpetv, 'to
write'. See lexicun and -grapby.
le)', n . - See leu.

885

Leyden jar, a jar used for accumulat ing and storing static electricity. - Named after Leyden
(now spelled Leiden) in Holland, because it was
first described by the physicist Pieter van Musschenbroek of Leyden (1692-1761) in 1746.
li, n., a Chinese measure of distance correspond ing to about one third of a mile. - Chin.
liable, adj.- Fr. F. lier, 'to bind', fr. OF., fr. L.
ligtire. See ligament and -able.
Derivative s: liabil-ity, n., liable-ness, n.
liaison, n., relation, link.- F., fr. MF., fr. Late
L. ligtitionem, ace. of ligtiti6, 'a binding', fr. L.
ligtitus, pp. of /igtire, 'to bind'. Cp. OProven.;.
liazon, which is of the same origin and meaning,
and see ligament.
Iiana, n., any climbing woody tropical plant. F. Iiane, fr. dial. F. lione, /iorne, fr. F. viorne, fr.
L. viburna, pl. of viburnum, 'wayfaring -tree' (in
VL. the L. neut. pl. became fern. sing.); initial
li- for vi- is due to the influence of L. ligare, 'to
bind'. See Viburnum.
liar, n.- ME. lier, liar, fr. OE./eogere , fr.leogan,
'to lie'. See lie, 'to tell an untruth'.
Lias, n., the oldest division of the European Jurassic (geol.) - OF. liois (F. /iais), 'calcareous
limestone' ; of uncertain origin. F. lias, 'lias',
has been reborrowe d from English.
liassic, adj., pertaining to Lias. - Formed fr.
Lias with suff. -ic.
Liatris, n., a genus of plants, the button snakeroot (bot.) - ModL., of uncertain origin.
libation, n., the pouring out of a wine in honor of
a deity.- L.libtitio, gen. -onis, 'a drink offering',
fr. libtitus, pp. of libiire, 'to pour out, make a libation', cogn. with Gk. :Ac:L(3eLv, 'to pour, pour
forth, make a libation', AoL(3~, 'drink offering',
:Al<jl, gen. AL~6s (masc.), 'the southwest wind',
*:A(<jl, gen. AL~6s (fern.), 'drop, stream, libation',
fr. I.-E. *(s)llib-, 'to pour, drop', enlargeme nt
of base *lei-, 'to pour, drop', whence Lith.lieju,
lieti, 'to pour', l:PJa, lyti, 'to rain', lytus, 'rain'.
Cp. also with-t-for mative element-G oth.
leipu, OE. lip, 'strong drink'. For the ending
of libation see -ation. Cp. next word. Cp. also
littoral, Lithuanian .
libeccio, n., the southwest wind. - It., fr. Gk.
:Al<jl, gen. AL[36.:; (masc.), 'the southwest wind'.
See prec. word.
libel, n. - ME., fr. OF. libel (F. libelle), fr. L.
libel/us, 'a little book, pamphlet, lampoon', dimin. of tiber, 'book'. See library.
Derivative s: libe/(1)-ant, n., libe/(1)-ee, n., libe/(1)er, n., libel(l)-ous, adj., libe/(1)-ous-/y, adv.
liberal, adj. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) liberal, fr. L.
lrberti/is, 'pertainng to freedom, befitting a free
man, honorable, noble, gracious, generous', fr.
liber, 'free, fr. I.-E. base *leudlzero-s, whence
also Gk. t:Aeu&epo.:;, 'free'. This base prob.
meant orig. 'belonging to the people', hence 'of
legal descent', and derives fr. base *leudho-,
*leudhi-, 'people', whence also OSlav. ljudu,
'people, nation', ljudlje, 'people', ORuss. /judini,

libidinous

'free men', Lith. liaudis, 'people, nation', Lett.

faitdis, 'men', OPruss. ludis, 'man', ON. lyor,
ljoor, 'people, nation', OE. leod, pl. liede, liode,
ME. lede, OS. liud, OFris. liOd(e), MDu. liede,
OHG. liuti, MHG. liute, G. Leute, WGoth.
leodes, 'people'. I.-E. base *leudho-, *leudhi-,
'people', is a derivative of base *leudh-, 'to grow,
rise'. This latter appears in OI. rifdhati, 'grows,
rises, climbs', Avestic raoOa-, 'growth, authority', Toch. A liit-k, 'to cause to grow'. Cp.liberate, liberty, liege, livery, 'allowance of food',
deliver,eleuthero-. Cp. also Lett. For the ending
see adj. suff. -al.
Derivative s: liberal, n., liberal-ly, adv., the hybrids liberal-ism, n., liberal-ist, n., liberal-ist-ic,
adj., liberal-ize, tr. and intr. v., liberal-iz-ation,
n., liberal-iz-er, n., and liberality, liberty, libertine (qq. v.)
liberality, n. - ME. liberalite, fr. OF. (= F.)
liberalite, fr. L. liberalittitem, ace. of liberiilittis,
'way of thinking or acting befitting a freeman',
fr. libertilis. See prec. word and -ity.
liberate, tr. v. - L. liberlitus, pp. of libertire, 'to
set free', fr. liber, 'free'. See liberal and verbal
suff. -ate.
liberation, n. - ME. liberacion, fr. L. libertitiiinem, ace. of libertitio, 'a setting or becoming
free', fr. liberatus, pp. of libertire, fr. /iber. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivative s: liberation-ism, n., liberation-ist, n.
liberator, n. - L. liberator, 'one who sets free, a
deliverer', fr. libertitus, pp. of liberlire. See liberate and agential suff. -or.
libertarian, adj., believing in the doctrine of the
freedom of the will. - Formed fr. liberty with
suff. -arian.
Derivative s: libertarian, n., libertarian-ism, n.
liberticide, n., a destroyer of liberty. - Formed
from L. /iberttis, 'liberty', and -cida, 'killer', fr.
caedere, 'to kill'. See liberty and -cide, 'killer'.
Derivative : liberticid-al, adj.
liberticide, n., destruction of liberty. - Formed
fr. L. libertlis, 'liberty', and -cidium, 'killing', fr.
caedere, 'to kill'. See liberty and -cide, 'killing'.
Derivative : liberticid-al, adj.
libertine, n., a licentious man.- Fr. L Iibertinus,
'a freedman', fr. libertus, 'a manumitte d slave, a
freedman', fr. liber. See liberal and -ine (representing L. '-inus).
Derivative s: libertin-age, n., libertin-ism, n.
liberty, n. - ME. liberte, fr. MF. ( = F.) /iberte, fr. L. liberttitem, ace. of liberttis, 'freedom,
condition of a free man', fr. liber. See liberal and
-ty.
libidinous, adj., lustful; lascivious. - ME. Jybydynous, fr. OF. libidineus (F. libidineux), fr. L.
libidinosus, 'full of desire, lustful', fr.libido, gen.
libidinis, 'pleasure, desire, sensual passion, lust',
fr. libet, earlier lubet, 'it pleases, it is agreeable',
which is cogn. with 01. lUbhyati, 'desires', OE.
lufu, 'love'. See love, n., and -ous and cp. quodlibet. Cp. also quillet.

libido

886

Derivatives: lichen, tr. v., lichen-ed, lichen-ic,

Derivatives: libidinous-ly, adv., libidinous-ness, n.
lichen-oid, lichen-ose, lichen-ous, adjs., lichenilibido, n., the sexual instinct. - L. libido. See
fication, n.
prec. word.
lichenology, adj., the study of lichens. - Comlibra, n., a pound.- L. libra, 'balance; Roman
pounded of Gk. :l>.e:Lx~v (see prec. word) and
pound', fr. earlier *li]mi, whence also Gk. J..hpii
-:l>.oy(ii, fr. -A6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a cer(Dor. :~>.hpii is a later form), of s.m. Cp. librate,
tain manner); one who deals (with a certain
deliberate, equilibrium. Cp. also litra, litre, livre.
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative: libr-a/, adj.
Derivatives: lichenolog-ic, lichenolog-ic-al, adjs.,
library, n. - ME. librarie, fr. OF. librairie, 'lilichenolog-ist, n.
brary' (F. 'bookshop'), fr.livraire, since the 13th
lich-gate, Iych-gate, n., gate to a churchyard uncent. libraire, 'copyist' (F. 'bookseller'), fr. L.
der which a bier is placed to await the coming of
libriirius, 'copyist, bookseller', fr. liber, gen.
the clergyman. -Lit. 'body gate'. See lich.
libri, 'book', orig. 'the inner bark of a tree',
lichi, n. - A var. spelling of litchi.
whence 'the text written on this', 'collection of
licit, adj., permitted, lawful. - F. licite, fr. L.
leaves for writing', and finally 'book'. L. liber
licitus, 'permitted, allowed, lawful', pp. of
prob. stands for *Iuber and is a derivative of
licere. See license and cp. words there referred
peel'.
to
strip,
'to
*leu-p-,
I.-E. base *leu-b(h)-,
to.
See leaf and subst. suff. -ary and cp. leper, lepiDerivatives: licit-ly, adv., licit-ness, n.
do-. Cp. also libel, libretto, ex-libris.
lick, tr. and intr. v.- ME. licken, fr. OE. liccian,
Derivatives: librari-an, n., librari-an-ess, n.,
rei. to OS. likk6n, Du. likken, OHG. lecch6n,
librari-an-ship, n.
MHG., G. lecken, 'to lick', Goth. bi-laig6n, 'to
librate, n., land worth a pound a year (English
lick at' (F. lecher, 'to lick', is a Teut. loan word),
hist.)- ML.libriita (scil. terra), fr. L. libra. See
from the I.-E. imitative base *leigh-, whence also
libra and adj. suff. -ate.
01. l!rjhi, reqhi, also (a later form) lihati, 'he
librate, intr. v., to be balanced or poised - L.
licks', Avestic raez-, 'to lick', Arm. lizum,
libriitus, pp. of libriire, 'to balance, level, make
lizem, lizanem, 'I lick', lakem, of s.m., Gk. :l>.deven', fr. libra, 'balance; pound'. See libra and
xe:w, 'to lick', ).EL;(~V, 'lichen'(lit. 'Iicker'), ALXVEUverbal suff. -ate.
ELV, 'to lick at', ALXrJ.V6~ (sci I. a&x-ruAo~)' 'forelibration, n., a librating. - L. libriiti6, gen. -6nis,
finger' (lit. 'Iicker'), L. lingere, 'to lick', Lith.
'a balancing, leveling', fr. libriitus, pp. of libriire.
lietiu, lieiti, OSiav. liiQ, lizati, 'to lick', Olr. liSee librate, v., and suff. -ion.
gim, 'I lick', MBret. [eat, 'to lick', W. llyfu, 1/yv,
librettist, n., the writer of the libretto of an opera.
'to lick', Mlr. /iag, W.llwy, 'spoon'. Cp.-with
-A hybrid coined fr.libretto, and -ist, a suff. of
initial s-ON. sleikja, MHG. sleeken, G.
Greek origin.
schlecken, 'to lick'. Cp. electuary, lecher, lichen,
libretto, n., the words of an opera. -It., 'a little
ligule, linctus, lingula.
book', dimin. of libro, 'book', fr. L. liber. See
Derivatives: lick, n., lick-ing, n.
library.
lickerish,liquorisb, adj., I) eager; 2) lecherous.license, licence, n.- ME. licence, fr. OF. ( = F.),
Formed, with change of suff. -ous to -ish, fr.
fr. L. licentia, 'freedom, liberty, license', fr. liME. likerous, 'lecherous', fr. AF. *likerous,
cens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of licere, 'to be lawwhich corresponds to OF. licherous, lecherous.
ful, be permitted', which is prob. cogn. with
See lecherous.
Lett. likstu, /ikstu, 'I come to terms'. Cp. licit,
Derivatives: lickerish-ly, adv., lickerish-ness, n.
illicit, scilicet, videlicet, leisure.
licorice, liquorice, n., I) a plant of the pea family;
Derivatives: license, licence, tr. v., licens-ed, li2) its root.- ME. licoris, fr. AF. lycoryce, corcenc-ed, adj., licens-ee, licenc-ee, n., licens-er,
responding to OF. licorece, licorice (whence, by
licenc-er, n.
metathesis, OF. rico/ice, F. reglisse), fr. Late L.
licentiate, n., a person licensed to exercise a proliquiritia, fr. Gk. y:l>.uxuppL~rx 'licorice', lit.
'to
licentiiire,
of
pp.
fession. - ML. licentiiitus,
'sweet root', fr. y:l>.uxu<;, 'sweet', and pt~rx.
permit, license', fr. L. licentia. See prec. word
'root'; cp. It. legorizia (whence, by metathesis,
and -ous.
regolizia). See glyco- and rhizo- and cp. Glycorlicentious, adj., 1) lawless; 2) lewd.- L. licenti6rbiza.
sus, 'unrestrained, wanton, licentious', fr. licenlictor, n., an officer attending a magistrate in antua. See license and -ous.
cient Rome.- L. lictor, lit. 'binder', fr. */ictus,
Derivatives: licentious-ly, adv., licentious-ness.
pp. of *ligere, 'to bind', a collateral form of
n.
ligtire, of s.m. (see ligament); so called from the
licb,lycb, n., body; corpse (obso/. and dial. Engbound rods, which he bore.
lish).- ME. fiche, lyche, fr. OE. lie, 'body'. See
lid, n. - ME. lid, fr. OE. hlid, 'lid, cover, aperlike, adj., and cp. lich-gate. Cp. also adj. and
ture, gate', rei. to hlitian, OFris. hlida, 'to cover',
adv. suff. -ly.
ON. hliiJ, 'gate, gap', Swed. lid, Dan. led, 'gate',
lichen, n. - L. /Cchen, fr. Gk. "MLx.i)v, 'lichen',
OFris. hlid, MLG., MDu. lit. Du. lid, OHG.
fr. ulxew, 'to lick', hence lit. meaning 'the
hlit, lit, MHG. lit, 'lid, cover', MHG. ougelit,
Iicker'. See Uck.

887
G. Augenlid, 'eyelid'; pro b. fr. I.-E. base *'klei-,
'to incline, lean', whence also OE. hlii!nan, 'to
cause to lean'. See lean, 'to incline'.
Derivatives: lidd-ed, lid-less, adjs.
lie, intr. v., to tell an untruth.- ME. ligen, leyen,
lien, fr. OE. /eogan, rei. to ON. [juga, Dan. lyve,
OFris. liiiga, Du. /iegen, OS., OHG. liogan,
MHG., G. hlgen, Goth.liugan, 'tolie',andcogn.
with OSiav. li1iQ,li1gati, 'to lie', /Uta, 'a lie'. Cp.
next word and the second element in warlock.
lie, n., an untruth. - ME. lige, !eye, lie, fr. OE.
lyge, fr. leogan, 'to lie', rei. to ON. lygi, Dan.
logn, Swed. logn, OS., OHG. lugina, OFris.
leyne, Du. leugen, MHG. lugen(e), liigen(e), G.
Luge, Goth.liugn, 'a lie'. See prec. word.
lie, intr. v., to recline.- ME. liggen, lien, fr. OE.
licgan, rei. to OS. liggian, ON. liggja, Swed.
ligga, Dan. ligge, OFris. lidzia, lidza, MDu.
ligghen, Du. liggen, OHG., MHG. ligen, licken,
G. liegen, Goth. ligan, 'to lie', fr. I.-E. base
*legh-, 'to lie', whence also Toch. A lake, B /eke,
'couch, bed', Hitt. /aggari, 'falls, lies', Gk. A~XE
crB-Ct.L, 'to lie down', :l>.~xo~, 'couch, bed, marriage
bed', A6xoc;, 'place for lying in wait, ambush;
company of soldiers; childbirth', A~K't'pov,
'couch, bed', L. lectus, 'bed', OS!av. legQ, letti,
'to lie down', /eiQ, leiati, 'to lie', loie, 'couch,
bed', za-logu, 'pledge', Lith. at-lagai, 'fallow
land', Lett. par-lags, 'piece of ground left uncultivated', Olr. /aigim, 'I lie down', lige, 'bed;
grave', W. lie, Co. le, MBret. lech, ModBret.
leac'h, 'place', Bret. gwele, 'bed', Modlr. luighe,
'couch, grave'. Cp. lay, v., lagan, lair, law,
ledge, ledger, lees, litter, log, 'piece of wood',
low, adj.,Iochia, lochio-, and the second element
in Aristolochia, Gelechia, coverlet. Cp. also rely.
Derivative: lie, n., position, direction.
liebigite, n., a hydrous uranium calcium carbonate (mineral.) - Named after the German
chemist Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-73). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lied, n., a German song. - G. Lied, fr. MHG.
liet, fr. OHG. liod, rei. to ON.lj6o, 'strophe', in
the pl., 'song', OE. teoo, 'song, poem', Goth.
liupon, 'to praise', awiliup, 'thanksgiving', and
cogn. with L. /audiire, 'to praise. Sec laud and
cp. Nibelungenlied, Volkslied.
lief, adj. (archaic), 1) dear, beloved; 2) glad. ME.leej~ lef, /if, fr. OE. /eof, 'dear, beloved', rei.
to OS./iof, ON.ljiljr, OFris.liaj; Du.liej; OHG.
lioh, MHG. /iep, G. lieb, Goth. liufs, 'dear, beloved', and to OE. /ufu, 'love. See love, n., and
words there referred to and cp. esp. belief, believe. Cp. also the first element in Ieman, livelong.
Derivative: lief. adv. (rare).
liege, adj. land n.- ME. lege, lige, liege, fr. OF.
liege, 'liege; free, fr. Late L. liticuJ (corr~spond
ing to Late L. /aeticus), 'belonging to a serf',
formed with suff. -icus (see -ic) fr. litus, letus,
'serf', which occur in the Salic law and are collateral forms of Late L. laetus, which is of Teut.
origin. OE. freolii!ta, Goth. fra/ets, 'freedman',

life
OFris. lethar, 'freedmen'; pro b. not related to
G. /edig, 'free'.
lien, n., the right to hold the property of another
till a debt is paid. - F., fr. L. ligiimen, 'band,
tie', fr. ligtire, 'to bind, tie'. See ligament.
lien, obsol. pp. of lie, 'to recline'. - ME. lien,
formed directly from ME. inf. lien, 'to lie'. See
lie, 'to recline'.
lienal, adj., pertaining to the spleen (anat.) Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.lien, 'the spleen'.
See spleen.
lienculus, n., an accessory spleen (anat.) ModL., dimin. of L. lien, 'spleen'. See prec.
word and -cule.
lienee, n., owner of a property that is subject to a
lien (law). - Formed from the noun lien with
suff. -ee.
lienitis, n., inflammation of the spleen (med.) A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. lien, 'the
spleen' (see spleen), and -itis, a suff. of Greek
origin. The correct form is splenitis, in which
both elements are of Greek origin.
lieno-, combining form denoting the spleen (anat.)
-Fr. L. lien, 'spleen'. See spleen.
lienor, n., the holder of a lien (law). - Formed
from the noun lien with agential suff. -or.
lienteric, adj., pertaining to lientery. - Either
directly fr. L. lientericus or through the medium
of F.lienterique fr. Gk. ),eLEV'tEPLY.O<;, fr. i.s~ev't'e
pli. See next word and -ic.
lientery, n., a form of diarrhea (med.) - Either
directly fr. ML. lienteria or through the medium
ofF.lienterie, fr. Gk. AELEV-rEpLii, which is compounded of:l>.e:Lo~;, 'smooth', and evoo;e:pov, 'intestine'. See leio- and entero-.
lieme, n., a short connecting rib in Gothic vaulting (archaic).- F., prob. fr. tier, 'to bind', fr.
L. ligiire. See ligament and cp. liaison, Iiana,
lien.
Herre, n., the color of ivy green.-F. lierre, 'ivy',
formed through the agglutination of the definite
article from l'ierre, lit. 'the ivy', from the article
Ia and OF. iere, ierre, earlier edre, 'ivy', fr. L.
hedera. F. Ia derives fr. L. ilia, fern. of ille, 'that';
see ille. For the etymology of L. hedera see Hedera. For the agglutination of the article cp.
/eguan, /ingot, /oriot, louver.
lieu, n., place.- ME. /iue (in in /iue of), fr. OF.
( = F.) lieu, fr. L. locum, ace. of locus, 'place'.
See locus.
lieutenancy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
lieuten~t, n. - Lit. 'holding the place of somebody'. See lieu and tenant. The British pronunciation of the word as. 'leftenant' is due to a
confusion of I' with v and f!u and v were represented ori11i::J::: .:;, one ami the same letter (vJ].
Cp. locum tcnen~.
lieve. -The same as lief.
life, n.- MF./ij; fr. OE. /if, rei. to ON. /if, 'life,
body', Du. /ijf, 'body', OHG. lib, 'life', MHG.
lip, lib, 'life, body', G. Leib, 'body', prop. 'con-

lifer

tinuance, perseveran ce', fr. I.-E. base *lip-, 'to

remain, persevere, continue, live'. See leave, v.,
and cp. live, liver, alive.
lifer, n., one sentenced to imprisonm ent for
life. - Formed fr. life with agential suff.

888
'pale',OPru ss./auxnos (pl.)'stars' ,W.llug, 'gleam,
glimmer', Olr. liiach, 'white', l6che, 'lightning',
luchair, 'brightness , luster', Mlr. luan, /On,
'moon', Toch. A luk-, 'to shine', A lok, B lauke
'far away', Hitt. lukezi, lukzi, 'is bright'. Base
*leuq-, 'to be light, to shine', is identical with
base *leuq-, 'to see, behold', whence OI.i6cate,
i6kate, 'sees, perceives', locayati, /Okayati, 'regards, looks at', Toch. A liik-, B lyk-, 'to see',
Gk. :Ae:ucrcre:w (for */.e:U)(~e:t'V), 'to look at, see',
W. am-lwg, 'conspicuo us', Lith. taukti, 'to wait'.
Cp. lea, 'a track of open country', leuco-, levin,
link, 'torch', loka, low, 'blaze', luce, lucent, lucid,
Lucifer, Lucius, lucubrate, luculent, lucule, Iucus
a non lucendo, lucero, Lucy, luminous, lunar,
Iunation, lone, luster, 'gloss', lustrum, lux, Luzula, Lyclmis, lynx.
light, tr. v., to illuminate ; intr. v., to light up
(said of the face).- ME.lihten, lighten, fr. OE.
lihtan, 'to shine, give light', rei. to OS. liohtian,
OHG.liuht an, MHG.liuh ten, G.leuchten , Goth.
liuhtjan, 'to light', and to OE. leoht, 'light' (n.)
See light, 'brightness '.
light, adj., not dark, bright.- ME. liht, light, fr.
OE. leoht, rel. to OS., OHG. lioht, OFris. liacht,
MHG. lieht, G. Iicht, 'bright', and to OE. /eoht,
'light' (n.). See light, 'brightness '.
Derivative s: light-ish, adj., light-ly, adv., light-

-er.
lift, tr. and intr. v. - ME. liften, leften, fr. ON.
lypta (whence Dan. /ofte, Swed. lyfta), 'to lift',
rel. to MLG. liichten, Du. lichten, MHG., G.
liiften, 'to lift'. These verbs are rei. to OS. luft,
ON. /opt, OE. lyft, Du. Iucht, OHG., MHG.,
G. luft, Goth. luftus, 'air', and lit. mean 'to
raise into the air'. Cp. loft.
Derivative s: lift, n., lift-er, n.
ligament, n., 1) a tie, band; 2) a band of tissue
(anat.) - L. ligamentum, 'band, bandage', fr.
ligtire, 'to bind, tie', prob. cogn. with Alb. l'ifJ,
'I bind', l'i& l'ir'3e, 'band, fetter', MLG. lfk,
'band', ON. lik, 'boltrope', MHG. geleich,
'joint, limb'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*leig-, 'to bind'. Cp. ligature. Cp. also alligation,
alloy, ally, colligate, league, 'alliance', leech,
'edge of a sail', liable, liaison, lictor, lien, n.,
Herne, ligation, obligato, obligate, oblige, rally,
'to gather together', religion. Cp. also rely. For
the ending see suff. -ment.
Derivative s: ligament-a[, ligament-ary, ligamentous, adjs.
ness, n.
ligate, tr. v., to bandage. - L. /igtitus, pp. of lilight, adj., not heavy. - ME. liht, light, fr. OE.
gtire. See ligament and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
leoht, lfht, rei. to OS. liht, ON. /ettr, Dan. iet,
religate.
Swed. liitt. OFris., MLG., MDu., Du. Iicht,
ligabond,
2)
binding;
of
act
that
I)
ligation, n.,
, liht, MHG. /fhte,liht, G.leicht, Goth.
OHG.lihti
ture.- MF., fr. Late L. /igtitionem, ace. of ligtileihts, 'light', fr. I.-E. base *le(n)gwh-, 'light,
tiO, 'a binding', fr. L. ligtitus, pp. of ligtire. See
easy, agile, nimble', whence also L. levis, 'light'.
prec. word and -ion.
See lever and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
ligature, n., anything that serves for binding; a
also lighter, 'a flat-bottom ed boat'.
fr.
F.,
(surg.)artery
an
up
cord used for tying
Derivative s: light-ly, adv., light-ness, n.
Late L. ligtitiira, 'a band', fr. L. ligtitus, pp. of
adv., lightly, easily.- ME. lihte, lighte, fr.
light,
-ure.
and
ligament
See
ligtire.
leohte, lfhte, fr. leoht, lfht, 'light'. See
OE.
OE.
fr.
light, n., brightness. - ME. liht, light,
light, 'not heavy'.
leoht, rei. to OS. lioht, OFris. liiicht, MDu. Iucht,
light, intr. v., to dismount, get off. - ME. lihten,
liecht, Iicht, Du. Iicht, OHG. lioht, MHG. /ieht,
lighten, fr. OE. lfhtan, 'to alight', lit. 'to make
G. Licht, Goth./iuha p, 'light', ON.Ij{jmi, OE.lelight', fr. leoht, liht, 'light'; orig. used in the
ON.
'light',
.ljos,
ON
radiance',
oflight,
oma, 'ray
sense 'to relieve a horse of the rider's burden'.
l.vsa, OE. liexan, 'to shine', fr. I.-E. base *leuq-,
light, 'not heavy', and cp. alight and lighten,
See
01.
also
whence
bright',
shine;
to
light,
emit
'to
less heavy'.
make
'to
Avestic
r6cate, 'shines', r6kci/:l, 'light', r6cand/:l,
lighten, tr. v., to illuminate; intr. v., to shine.raocant-, 'shining', raoxshna-, 'shining, bright',
ME. lihtenen, lightenen, fr. liht, 'light'. See light,
Arm. lois, 'light', lusin, 'moon', Gk. :Ae:ux6;,
'bright'.
'bright, shining, white', AlYf.'VO~, 'lamp', }..oucrDerivative : lighten-er, n.
cro'V, 'the white pith of the fir tree', &:!J.<pt-AUY.7J,
lighten, tr. v., to make less heavy; intr. v., to be'twilight', L. liicere, 'to shine', liix, gen. liicis,
come less heavy. - ME. lihtenen, lightenen, fr.
'light', liicidus, 'full of light, clear, bright', lulihr, light, 'light'. See light, 'not heavy', and verby
work
'to
cernu, 'light, lamp', liicubrlire,
bal suff. -en.
lamplight', lUcus, 'grove, thicket' (orig. 'an open
Derivative : lighten-er, n.
place in the wood'), lumen (for *leuqs-men or
lighter, n., one who lights.- Formed fr.light, 'to
*louqs-men), 'light', liina(for *louqs-nti), 'moon',
illumine', with agential suff. -er.
lustrum, 'a purificator y sacrifice; a period of
n., a flat-bottom ed boat. - Du. Iichter,
lighter,
offering',
an
by
purify
'to
liistriire,
five years',
fr. Iichten, 'to lighten. unload', fr. Iicht, 'light'.
Gaul. Leucetius, surname of Mars, L. Liicetius,
See llght, 'not heavy', and agential suff. -er. For
surname of Jupiter, Lucetia, surname of Juno,
sense developme nt ofDu.licht ercp. F. allege,
the
laukas,
Lith.
'ray',
luca,
'light',
lucl,
OSlav.

889
'lighter', fr. alleger, 'to lighten', fr. L. allevitire,
of s.m., fr. levis, 'light'.
Derivative s: lighter, tr. v., to convey in, or as in,
a lighter, lighter-age, n.
lightning, n.- ME. lightening, lightning, fr. lightenen, 'to lighten'. See lighten, 'to illuminate' ,
and -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
lights, n. pl., the lungs, - Lit. 'the light organs';
cp. Flemish Iichte, 'lights', and see light, 'not
heavy'. Cp. also lung.
lightsome, adj., bright.-Fo rmed fr.light, 'bright',
with I st. suff. -some.
lightsome, adj., agile, nimble.- Formed fr. light,
'not heavy', with I st suff. -some.
lignaloes, n., 1) aloes wood; 2) the drug aloes.OF., fr. Late L. lignum aloes, 'the wood of
aloe'. See ligneous and aloe.
ligneous, adj., of the nature of wood; woody. L. ligneus, 'woody', formed with suff. -eous fr.
lignum, 'wood', which stands for *leg-nom and
lit. means 'that which is collected', fr. Iegere, 'to
gather, collect; to read'. See lecture and cp.
lignaloes, lignum vitae, pyroligneo us.
ligni-, combining form meaning 'wood'.- Fr. L.
lignum, 'wood'. See prec. word.
lignification, n. - See next word and -ation.
lignify, tr. v., to make into wood; intr. v., to become wood.- Lit. 'to make into wood', compounded ofligni- and -fy.
lignite, n., an imperfectly formed coal (mineral.)
- F., formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. lignum,
'wood'; see ligneous. F. lignite seems to have
been derived prop. from Lithanthra x Lignius, a
name given to woody coal by Wallerius (in Systema Mineralogicum, vol. II. p. 98, 1775). See
Encyclope dia Britannica , 1947 edition, vol. 14,
p. 118a.
lignivorous, adj., eating wood (the same as xylophagous). - Compound ed of ligni- and L.
-varus, from the stem of voriire, 'to devour'. See
vorous.
lignum vitae, a S. American tree (Guaiacum officina/e). - ModL., fr. L. lignum vitae, 'wood of
life'. See ligneous and vital.
ligroine, ligroin, n., a volatile, inflammab le liquid.
- Of unknown origin.
ligula, n., a ligule.- L. See next word.
Derivative s: ligul-ar, adj., /igul-ate, adj.
ligule, n., a thin appendage at the base of the
blade of a leaf (bot.) - ModL. ligula, fr. L. ligula, 'spoon", fr. I.-E. base *leigh-, 'to lick',
whence also L. lingere, 'to lick', Mlr. liag, W.
1/wy, 'spoon'. For sense developme nt cp. OHG.
leffi/, 'spoon', fr. Ia!fan, 'to lick'. See lick and -ule
and cp. lingula.
Ligurian, adj., pertaining to Liguria, an ancient
country in north\\ estern Italy and southeaste rn
France; n., one of the inhabitant s of Liguria.Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Liguria, fr. Ligures,
'the Ligurians', pl. of Ligus, 'a Ligurian',
whence Ligusticus, 'Ligurian'. Cp. lovage and
words there referred to.

lilac

ligusticum, n., a genus of plants, the lovage (bot.)

- L., 'lovage', lit. 'of Liguria'. See lovage and
cp. words there referred to.
Ligustrum, n., a genus of plants, the privet (bot.)
- L., lit. 'of Liguria'. See prec. word.
like, adj. - ME. lik, ilik, fr. OE. ge-lic, 'similar,
equal, like', rei. to OS. gilfk, ON. glfkr, likr,
Dan. lig, Swed. lik, OFris./ik, MDu. ghelijc, Du.
gelijk, OHG. gilih, MHG. gelich, G. gleich,
Goth. ga/eiks, 'equal, like'. For the pre f. ge- in
OE. ge-lic, etc., see y-; lie in OE. ge-lic is idential with OE. lie, 'body, form'. According ly OE.
ge-lfc and its equivalent s in the other Teut. languages lit. mean 'having the same body or form'.
OE.lic, 'body, form', is rei. to ON., OS., OFris.,
ON. lik, Dan. lig, Swed. lik, MDu. lijc, Du. lijk,
OHG. lih, MHG. lich, Goth. leik, 'body,
corpse', G. Leiche, 'corpse', and cogn. with Lith.
lfgus. Lett. lfdzigs, OPruss. poligu, 'equal',
Lith. lygstu, lygti, 'to equal'. Cp. lich, lieh-gate.
Cp. also alike, -ly, gleek and the second element
in each, ilk, such, which and in barley.
Derivative s: like, adv. (q.v.), like, n., prep. and
conj.
like, adv. - ME. lik, like, ilik, ilike, fr. lik, ilik,
adj. See like, adj.
like, a) intr. v., to be pleasing (obsol.); b) tr. v., to
be pleased with, enjoy. - ME. liken, fr. OE.
lician, 'to please', rei. to OS. /ikon, ON. lika,
OFris. likia, OHG. lihhen, Goth. leikan, 'to
please'. The orig. meaning of these verbs was 'to
be like, be suitable to, be pleasing to; they derive
fr. OE. -lie in gelic, resp. from its equivalent s in
OS. gilik, ON. glikr, OHG. gilih, Goth. galeiks,
'equal, like'. See like, adj.
Derivative s: lik(e)-able, adj., lik(e)-abil-ity, n.,
lik(e)-able-ness, n.
-like, adj. and adv. suff.- See like, adj. and like,
adv.
likely, adj.- ME. likli, fr. ON. g/ikligr, likligr,
'likely', fr. likr, 'like'. Cp. OE. gelic/ic and see
like, adj., and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative s: likeli-hood, n., likeli-ness, n.
likely, adv.- ME. likli, adv., fr. likli, adj.- See
likely, adj.
liken, tr. v. - ME. liknen, fr. lik, 'like'. See like,
adj. and verbal suff. -en.
likeness, n. - ME. liknesse, fr. OE. licnes, short
for ge/icnes, fr. gelic, 'like'. See like, adj., and
-ness.
likewise, adj. -Compou nded of like, adj., and
-wise.
likin, n., a Chinese tax imposed on articles in
transit.- Chin., lit. 'ready money'.
liking, n. - ME., fr. OE. licung, 'pleasure', fr.
lician, 'to please'. See like, 'to be pleased with',
and >ub>t. ;,uff. -ing.
Lila, fern. PN. -See Leila.
lilac, n.- MF., fr. Sp.lilac, fr. Arab.ldyla k, li/ak,
fr. Pers./ilak, var. of ni/ak, 'bluish', fr. nil, 'blue,
indigo', fr. OI. nlla/:1, 'dark blue', which is of uncertain etymology . It possibly derives fr. I.-E.

Liliaceae

base *nt-, 'to shine'. See neat, adj., and cp. anil
and the first element in nilgai and in nainsook.
Derivative: lilac, adj.
Liliaceae, n. pl., the lily family (bot.) - ModL.,
formed fr. Lilium with suff. -aceae.
lillaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Lilith, n., a female evil spirit. - Heb. Lilith, fr.
Akkad. Lilftu (whence also Syr. Lelithd), notrelated to, but folk-etymologi cally connected with,
Heb. layla\ 'night', and explained accordingly
as 'night demon'.
Lilium, n., a genus of plants, the lily (bot.) - L.
lrlium. See lily.
Lilliputian, adj., diminutive, tiny. - Prop. 'pertaining to Lilliput', a fabulous island with inhabitants 6 inches high. The name was coined by
Swift in Gulliver's Travels (1726). For the ending
see suff. -ian.
Derivative: Lilliputian, n.
lilt, intr. and tr. v., to sing rhythmically .- ME.
lulten, of uncertain, perhaps imitative, origin.
Derivative: lilt, n.
lily, n.- ME. li/ie, fr. OE. lilie, fr. L. /ilium, 'lily',
which, together with Gk. J.e:(p~o'l, of s.m., is
prob. borrowed fr. Egypt. /:lrr-t (pronounced in
Coptic hreri, hleli). Cp. fleur-de-lis, gigliato and
tbe second element in Chamaelirium, Dasylirion.
limaceous, adj., limacine (zoo{.) - Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. lfmtix, gen. -ticis, 'snail, slug'.
Seelimax.
limacine, adj., pertaining to the slugs or to the
genus Limax (zoo/.)- Formed fr. L. lfmiix, gen.
-iicis, 'snail, slug' (see next word), with suff. -inc
(representing L. -inus).
Limax, n., the genus containing the slugs (zoo/.)
- L. limax, gen. -iicis, 'slug, snail', fr. Gk. Ae:tfJ.iX~, which is cogn. with Russ. slimtik, 'snail', lit.
'the slimy animal', OPruss. slayx, Lith. sliekas,
Lett. s/ieka, 'earth worm', OE. sliiw-wyrm, 'slowworm' (see slowworm). All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base *(s)lei-, 'slimy', whence
also OE. sliw, 'tench', slim, 'mud'. See slime
and cp. lime, 'birdlime".
limb, n., member. - ME. lim. fr. OE. lim, rei. to
ON. limr, 'limb', lim, 'small branch of a tree',
Norw. lim, Dan., Swed. /em, 'member'; formed
with -m-formative element fr. Teut. base */i-,
which corresponds to I.-E. base *lli-, 'to bend,
be movable, be nimble'. With -d-formative element, the same base appears in Goth. lithus,
OE. lip, 'joint, limb', and possibly also in L. lituus, 'the crooked staff borne by the augurs'.
From base */li- prob. derive also L. limus,
'[)slant, s;delong', limen, 'threshold', and the fir'it
element in limes, 'boundary, limit'. See limit and
cp. lituus. Cp. also lay figure.
Derivatives: limb-ed, /imb-y, limb-less, adjs.
limb, n., edge, border.- L.limbus, 'hem, border',
for *lemhos, cogn. with OI. ltimbate, 'hangs
down', lamha/;1, 'hanging down, long, big',
MHG. limpfen, 'to limp', and to E. Hmp (q.v.)
Jlmbate, adj., edged, bordered. - Late L. limba-

890

tus, fr. L. limbus, 'hem, border'. See prec. word

and adj. suff. -ate.
limbec, n., alembic (archaic).- Aphetic for alembic.
limber, n., the detachable fore part of a gun carriage. -Pro b. rel. to F. limoniere, 'wagon with
two shafts', fr.limon, 'shaft', which is rei. to Sp.
limon, 'shaft', Sp. and Port. feme, 'helm', Sp.
Ieman, 'helmsman'; pro b. of Celtic origin.
Derivative: limber, tr. and intr. v.
limber, adj., pliant, flexible. - According to
W. W. Skeat, related to limp, 'flaccid'.
Derivatives: limber, tr. v., limber-ly, adv., limber-ness, n.
limbers, n. pl. (naut.)- F. lumiere, 'light; limbers', fr. L. liiminiiria, which is the plural of
liiminare, 'a light, lamp, torch', but was mistaken
in Vulgar Latin for a fern. sing. noun. L. liiminare is prop. neut. of the adjective liimindris,
'giving light', used as a noun. See luminary.
limbo, n., a region between heaven and hell. Prop. abl. of L. limbus, 'border' (see limb, 'border'). The abl. form was taken from the phrase
in limbo patrum ('in the border of hell, reserved
for the fathers or saints'), a phrase used by the
church fathers.
Limburger, n., a kind of cheese. - Short for
Limburger cheese, prop. 'cheese made in the
province Limburg in Belgium'.
lime, n., 1) birdlime (rare); 2) calcium oxide. ME. lim, fr. OE. lim, 'birdlime; calcium oxide',
rei. to OS., ON., MLG., OHG., MHG. lim,
Dan. lim. Du. lijm, G. Leim, 'birdlime', and
cogn. with L. limus, 'slime, mud, mire', Cp.,
with other formative elements, ON. leir, 'clay,
loam', OPruss. layso, 'clay', laydis, 'loam', Alb.
['ef}, 'watery clay'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *lei-, 'slime, slimy, sticky'. See slime
and cp. loam. Cp. also limno-, and words there
referred to. Cp. also oblivion.
Derivative: lime, tr. v., 1) to smear with birdlime; 2) to mix with lime.
lime, n., a fruit allied to lemon.- F., fr. Proven<;.
limo, fr. Arab. tfmd' (whence also Sp. lima),
noun of unity, formed from the collective noun
lim, which derives fr. Pers. limiin. See lemon and
cp. limonene.
lime, n., the linden tree.- Fr. earlier line, fr.lind;
see linden. The change of line to lime prob. occurred first in compounds whose second element
began with a labial (as in line-bark, line-bast,
etc.)
Iimehouse, n., defamation of one's political opponenK - Named after the borough Limehouse, near London, where David Lloyd George
(1863-1944) delivered a speech July 30, 1909.
limejuicer, n. (slang), I) a British ship; 2) an English sailor; 3) an Englishman. - Formed fr.
lime, the fruit, juice, and suff. -er; so called from
the limejuice served on British ships to prevent
scurvy.
Umen, n., the threshold of consciousness (psy-

891

cho/.)- L. limen, gen. liminis, 'threshold', pro b.

rei. to limes, gen. lfmitis, 'boundary, limit'. See
limit and -men and cp. lintel, eliminate, preliminary, postliminy, sublime, subliminal.
Limerick, n., a nonsense verse of five lines, usually rhyming a abba. - So called after the Irish
place name Limerick, which is mentioned in the
refrain of a similar verse. (The refrain runs:
"Will you come up to Limerick?")
limes, n., boundary.- L. limes. See limit.
lime tree, the linden tree. - See lime, 'the linden
tree'.
limey, n. (slang), 1) an English sailor; 2) an
Englishman. - Shortened fr.limejuicer. For the
ending see adj. suff. -y.
Limicolae, n. pl., a group of wading birds (ornithol.)- ModL., lit. 'mud dwellers', compounded ofL./imus, 'slime, mud, mire', and co/ere, 'to
till (the ground), inhabit'. For the first element
see limno-, for the second see colony.
liminal, adj., pertaining to, or situated at, the limen. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. limen,
gen. liminis. See limen.
limit, n. - ME. limite, fr. MF. ( = F.) limite, fr.
L. limitem, ace. of limes, 'boundary, limit',
which pro b. stands for *lim-it, lit. 'crossway',
and is compounded of limus, 'aslant, sidelong',
and *it-, 'going', from the stem of eo, ire, 'to go'.
L. limus is prob. rei. to L. limen, 'threshold',
both these words being prob. derived fr. I.-E.
base *Iii-, 'to bend, be movable', whence also
ON. limr, OE. lim, 'member'. See limb, 'member', and cp. Limulus, lituus, oblique. For the
second element in limit see itinerate. Cp. also
delimit, delimitate.
limit, tr. v.- ME. limiten, fr. MF. ( = F.) limiter,
fr. L. limitdre, 'to bound, limit, fix', fr. limes,
gen. limitis. See limit, n.
Derivatives: limit-able, adj., limit-ed, adj., limited-ly, adv., limit-ed-ness, n., limit-er, n., limit-ing, adj.
limitary, adj., serving as a limit, limited. - L.
limitiiris, fr. limes, gen. limitis. See limit, n., and
-ary.
Derivative: limitar-ian, n., one who limits.
limitation, n.- ME. limitacioun, fr. L. /imitiitio,
gen. -onis, 'a fixing', fr. limitdtus, pp. of limittire.
See limit, v. and n., and -atioo.
limitative, adj.- F. limitatif(fem. limitative), fr.
ML. limitiitivus, 'limiting', fr. L. limittitus, pp.
of limitdre. See limit, v. and n., and -ive.
limitless, adj. - Formed fr. limit, n., and suff.
-less; first used by the English poet, statesman
and soldier Sir Philip Sidney (1554-86) in 1581.
Derivatives: /imitles,;-ly, adv., limitless-ness, n.
limitrophe, adj., bordering, adjacent. - F. /imitrophe, fr. Late L. limitrophus, 'set apart for the
support oftroups', a hybrid coined fr. L. limes,
gen. limitis, 'boundary, limit', and Gk. Tpo<p6~,
'feeder', fr. TpE<pELV, 'to feed, nourish'. See limit,
n., and trophic.Late L. limitrophus is shortened
fr. *limitotrophus (see haplology).

Limonium

limma, n., a semitone (pros.) - Late L., fr. Gk.

J.e:l:f.Lf.LIX, 'a semitone', lit. 'a remainder', from
the stem of J.e:btw, 'I leave', which stands for
*leiqwo, and is cogn. with L. linquo (for *li-nqwo), 'I leave, abandon', both deriving fr. I.-E.
base *liqw-, 'to let, leave', whence also OE. [an,
'loan', lii!nan, 'to lend'. See loan and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ma.
limn, tr. v., to illuminate. - ME. limnen, fr. luminen, which is aphetic for enluminen, fr. MF.
enluminer, 'to illuminate', fr. OF. enluminer, 'to
light up, make brilliant', fr. en, 'in' (see 1st en-),
and L. liiminiire, 'to illuminate'. See illuminate.
Derivatives: limn-er, n., limn-ery, n.
limn-, form of limno- before a vowel.
Limnanthaceae , n. pl., the false-mermaid family
(bot.)- ModL., lit. 'marsh flower family', compounded of limno-, Gk. chil-o~, 'flower' (see
anther), and suff. -aceae.
limnanthaceous , adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
limnetic, adj., pertaining to, or inhabiting, fresh
water.- Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. A~f.LV"iJT7j~,
'living in marshes', fr. Atf.L'17J. See limno- and cp.
next word.
Limnetis, n. a genus of crustaceans (zoo!.) ModL., fr. Gk. A~fJ.'V'ijn~, fern. of A~fL'I"iJT7l~. 'living in marshes'. See prec. word.
limno-, before a vowel limo-, combining form
meaning 'marsh, marshy lake'.- Gk. A~fJ.'Io-,
A~f.L'V-, fr. ALfLV7J, 'marsh, pool, Jake', which is
rei. to A~fJ."iJV, 'harbor, haven', J.e:~fJ.W'I, 'a moist,
grassy meadow', and pro b. cogn. with L. limus,
'slime, mud, mire'. See slime and words there referred to and cp. esp. lime, 'birdlime'. Cp. also
limnetic, limonite, Limouium, Lymnaea, and the
first element in Limicolae and in Limosella.
Limnobium, n., a genus of plants, the American
frogbit (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. AW[LO~LO~, 'living in lakes', which is compounded of Atf.L'I"IJ,
'pool, lake', and [3o~, 'life'. See limno- and bio-.
limnology, n., the study of fresh waters, esp. of
ponds and lakes. - Compounded oflimno- and
Gk. -J.oytiX, fr. -J.6yo~, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. Sec -logy.
Derivatives: limnolog-ic, limnolog-ic-al, adjs.,
limno/og-ic-a/-ly, adv., /imno/og-ist, n.
limonene, n., a terpene of lemonlike odor (chem.)
- Formed with suff. -ene fr. ModL. /imonum,
'lemon', fr. F. limon. See lemon and cp. lime, 'a
fruit'.
limonite, n., hydrous ferric oxide (mineral.)- G.
Limonit, lit. 'meadow ore', coined by Hausmann
in 1813 fr. Gk. ).E~[J.C:l'l, 'meadow', and suff. -it.
Gk. ).e:tf.Lw'l is rel. to /.tf.L"iJ'I, 'harbor', ).[f.L'Ilj,
'marsh, pool, Jake'; suff. -it goes back to Gk.
-iT'1l~ See limno- and subst. suff. -ite. For sense
development cp. its former German name Wiesenerz, lit. 'meadow ore'.
Derivative: limonit-ic, adj.
Limonium, n., a genus of plants, the sea lavender

892
Limosella

(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. AELfLWVtov, 'the sea

lavender', fr. AELfLWV, 'meadow'. See prec.
word and 1st -ium.
Limosella, n., a genus of plants, the mudwort
(bot.) - ModL., compounded of L. limus,
'slime, mud, mire', and sella, 'seat', which
stands for *sed-/a, from the stem of sedere, 'to
sit'. For the first element see limno-, for the
second see sedentary and cp. subsellium.
limousine, n., a large automobile, orig. with a
closed compartment. - F., prop. fern. of the
adjective limousin, 'of Limousin', used as a
noun, fr. Limousin, name of an old province in
Central France.
limp, adj., flaccid, drooping.- Related to MHG.
/ampen, 'to hang down', and to limp, v. Cp.
blimp.
Derivatives: limp-ly, adv., limp-ness, n.
limp, intr. v., to walk lamely.- Related to OE.
/emp-healt, 'halting', MHG. limpfen, 'to limp',
/ampen, 'to hang down', and cogn. with OJ. lambate, 'hangs down', /ambal;z, 'hanging down', L.
limbus (for *lembos), 'hem, border', Du. lomp,
'piece, mass', fr. I.-E. base *(s)llib-, *(s)/lb-,
'slack, loose; to hang down', whence also OE.
sliipan, 'to sleep'. See sleep and cp.limp, 'flaccid'.
Cp. also limb, 'edge, border', lumber, 'to move
clumsily', lump, 'mass'.
Derivatives: limp, n., limp-er, n., limp-ing, adj.,
limp-ing-ly, adv., limp-ing-ness, n.
limpet, n., a marine gastropod mollusk. - ME.
lempet, fr. OE. lempedu, fr. ML. lampreda, 'Jimpet, lamprey'. See lamprey.
limpid, adj., clear; transparent.- F. limpide, fr.
L.limpidus, 'clear', fr.limpa, /umpa, 'water goddess; water' (see lympb). L. limpidus orig. meant
'as clear as water'. It was influenced in form by
liquidus, 'flowing, fluid'.
Derivatives: limpid-ly, adv., limpid-ness, n.
limpidity, n. - F. limpidite, fr. Late L. /impiditiitem, ace. of limpiditiis, 'clarity', fr. L. limpidus.
See prec. word and -ity.
Limulus, n., the genus of the king crab (zoo/.) ModL., fr. L. /imulus, 'somewhat askance', dimin. of lim us, 'askance', which is pro b. rei. to
limen, 'threshold', limes, 'boundary'. See limit,

n.
limy, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. Y fr. lime,
'birdlime'.
Unaceae, n. pl., the flax family (bot.) - ModL.,
formed fr. Linum with suff. -aceae.
linaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
linage, lineage, n., number of printed lines on a
page. - Formed fr. line, 'string, cord', with
suff. -age.
Linaria, n., a genus of plants, the toadflax (bot.)
- ModL., fr. /inurn, 'flax' (see Linum); so called
from the resemblance of the foliage to flax. For
the ending see l st suff. -ia.
lincll, linchet, n., a strip of unplowed land.- OE.
h/inc, 'slope, hill', rei. to hlinian, 'to lean'. See
lean, 'to incline', and -et and cp. IIDks.

linchpin, n., a pin passing through the end of an

axletree.- Fr. earlier linspin, lit. 'axle pin'. The
first element of this compound derives fr. OE.
/ynis, 'axletree', which is rei. to OS.Iunisa, MLG.
/unse (whence G. Liinse), MDu. lunse, Ions
(whence Du. funs), 'axletree', and cogn. with
OI. iit;til;z (for *6/ni), 'part of the leg above the
knee'; see ell. For the second element see pin.
linctus, n., a sirupy medicine.- L. linctus, 'a licking', fr. linctus, pp. of lingere, 'to lick'. See lick.
lindackerite, n., a complex nickel copper arsenate
(mineral.) - G. Lindackerit, named after the
19th-cent. Austrian chemist Joseph Lindacker,
who analyzed it. The ending -it goes back to
Gk. -i-:1)~; see subst. suff. -ite.
linden, n., the lime tree.- Prop. subst. use of the
obsol. adjective linden, 'of linden wood', fr. obsol. lind, 'linden tree', fr. OE. lind, which is rei.
to OS. linda, /india, ON. lind, OHG. linta,
MHG., G. Iinde, 'the lime tree'. These words
prob. mean lit. 'the tree with pliant bast', and
derive fr. I.-E. base *lent-, 'flexible', whence also
dial. Russ. Jut, 'lindenbast', Russ /utij6, 'a forest
oflime trees', Pol. let, 'switch, twig', Lith. lenta,
'board, plank', L. /entus, 'flexible', OE. lioe,
'soft, mild, gentle'. See lentitude and cp. the
second element in Ethelinda. Cp. also lime,
'linden'.
line, n., flax (obsol.)- ME., fr. OE. lin, 'flax'. See
linen.
line, n., a string, cord.- ME.; partly fr. F. ligne,
fr. L. linea, 'a linen thread, string, cord, line',
prop. fern. of the adj.lineus, 'of linen', fr.linum,
'flax, linen'; partly fr. OE. line, 'cord, rope, line',
which prob. derives fr. OE. lin, 'flax'. See linen
and cp. line, 'flax'. Cp. also allineate, collimate,
curvilinear, interline, interlineage, lineament,
linear, lingerie, rectilinear.
Derivatives: lined, liner (qq.v.)
line, tr. v., to mark with lines; intr. v., to form a
line- ME. linen, fr. line. See prec. word.
line, tr. v., to cover the inner side of.- Orig. 'to
cover with linen'. See line, 'flax'.
Derivatives: lined (q.v.), lin-er, n., lining (q.v.)
lineage, n., lineal descent, pedigree. - ME. lignage, linage, fr. OF.lignage, fr. VL. *lfneiiticum,
fr. L. linea, 'line'. See line, 'string, cord', and
-age.
lineage, n.- A var. spelling of linage.
lineal, adj.- ME., fr. Late L. lfneiilis, 'pertaining
to a line', fr. L. linea, 'line'. See line, 'string,
cord', and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: lineal, n., /ineal-ity, n., lineal-ly,
adv.
lineament, n. ,feature; contour.- M E.liniament, fr.
L. lineiimentum, 'stroke made with a pen; a feature, lineament', fr.pneiire, 'to reduce to a straight
line', fr.linea. See line, 'string, cord', and -ment.
linear, adj.- L. lineiiris, 'pertaining to a line or
lines, consisting of a line or lines', fr. linea. See
Hoe, 'string, cord', and-ar and cp. collinear.
Derivative: linear-ly, adv.

893
lineate, adj., marked with lines.- L. lineiitus, pp.
of lineiire, 'to make into a straight line', fr. linea,
'line'. See line, 'string, cord', and adj. suff.
-ate.
lineation, n.- ME. lineacion, fr. L. /ineiitio, gen.
-onis, 'the making into a straight line, the drawing of lines', fr.lineiitus, pp. of /ineiire. See prec.
word and -ion.
lined, adj., marked with lines. - Formed with
3rd suff. -ed fr. line, 'string, cord'.
lined, adj., provided with a lining. - Pp. of line,
'to cover'.
linen, n. and adj. - Orig. an adjective in the
sense of 'made of flax'; ME., fr. OE. linen, fr.
lin, 'flax', which is rei. to OS., ON., OHG. lin,
'flax, linen', MHG. linin, linen, 'linen' (adj.), G.
Leinen and Linnen, 'linen' (n.), Goth. lein, 'linen cloth'. These words are prob. borrowed fr.
L; /inurn, 'flax, linen', which, together with Gk.
A!voll, of s.m., prob. derives from a non-IndoEuropean source.Cp. Lith.linaf(pl.), 'flax, linen',
Russ. /i!n (gen. tina), of s.m., which are prob.
borrowe~ fr. Gk. Atvov. Alb l'i-ri, Gheg l'i-ni,
and possibly also Corn., Bret. lin, W. /lin, 'flax'
are Latin loan words. See line, 'string, cord', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also crinoline
gridelin, linon, linnet, linoleum, linseed, lint:
Linum.
Derivatives: linen-ette, n., linen-ize, tr. v., lineniz-er, n.
liner, n., a ship belonging to a line of steamships.
-Formed fr. line, 'string, cord', with agential
suff. -er.
ling, n., a seafish allied to the cod. - ME. /enge,
rei. to ON. langa, Du. /eng, G. Lange, 'ling', lit.
'the long fish', and to OE. lang, 'long'. See long,
adj.
ling, n., the common heather. - ME. /yng, fr.
ON. lyng (whence Dan. lyng, Swed. /jung),
'heather', rei. to ON .s/yngva, 'to throw,sling' ,and
to OE. slingen, 'to creep'. See sling, 'to throw'.
Derivative: /ing-y, adj.
-ling, subst. suff. meaning belonging to or having
the quality of(as in earthling, darling), or having
diminutive of depreciatory force (as in duckling,
gosling, resp. in /ordling, underling).- ME., fr.
OE. -ling, rei. to ON. -lingr, OHG., MHG.,
G. -ling, Goth. -liggs. Cp. -ing, 'pertaining to'.
-ling, -lings, adv. suff. expressing direction as in
back-lings. - ME. -ling, -tinges, fr. OE. -linge,
-linges (the-sin -linges is the adv. genitive suff.);
~rob .. rei. t~ OE. lang, 'long', hence derivatively
Identical with suff. -long, by which it has now
heen replaced.
linga,lingam, n., the phallic emblem under which
~iva is worshiped. 01. lifiga, nom. /itigam,
mark, token, sign, emblem', lit. 'something attaching to an object'; of uncertain origin.
linger, intr. v.- Northern ME. lengeren, freq. of
lengen, 'to tarry', fr. OE. lengan, 'to prolong,
delay', fr. lang, 'long'. Cp. Du.lengen, 'to lengthen', and Sj:C long, adj.

liniment

Derivatives: linger-er, n., linger-ing, adj., lingering-ly, adv.

lingerie, n., linen goods.- F., fr. /inge, 'linen', fr.
OF.Iinge, 'linen', fr.linge (adj.), 'of linen', fr. L.
lineus, of s.m., fr. /inurn, 'linen'. See linen and
-ery.
lingo, n., language; dialect, jargon.- Provem;al
lingo, lengo, 'tongue, language', fr. L. lingua. See
lingual.
!ingot, n., an ingot (archaic).- F., formed by the
agglutination of the definite article /e, /', from
/'ingot, lit. 'the ingot'. F. /e derives fr. L. ille,
'that'. See ille and ingot. For the agglutination
of the article cp. lierre and words there referred
to.
lingua franca, a hybrid language consisting esp.
ofltalian, Spanish, French and Greek elements.
- It., prop. 'the language of the Franks'. See
lingual and Frank.
lingual, adj. - ML. lingua/is, 'pertaining to the
tongue', fr. L. lingua, 'tongue, speech, language',
fr. OL. dingua, which is cogn. with OE. tunge,
Goth. tuggo, 'tongue'. See tongue and cp. language, langued, languet,langue d'oc, langue d'oil,
lingo, lingula, dentilingual, bilingual, trilingual.
The change of d (in OL. dingua) to I (in L.lingua)
was prob. due to dialectal influence (the socalled 'Sabine /'); see lachrymal. It was facilitated by a folk-etymological association with
/ingere, 'to lick', the tongue having been conceived as 'the licking organ'.
Derivatives: lingual, n., a lingual sound, lingua/ity, n., lingual-ly, adv.
linguiform, adj., tongue-shaped.- Compounded
ofL. lingua, 'tongue', andforma, 'form, shape'.
See lingual and form, n.
linguist, n. - A hybrid coined fr. L. lingua (see
lingual) and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivatives: linguist-ic, adj., linguist-ic-al-ly,
adv., linguistics (q.v.)
linguistics, n., the science of language. - See
prec. word and -ics.
lingula, n., a tonguelike part (anat. and zoo/.) L., 'a little tongue', dimin, of lingua, 'tongue'.
See lingual and -ole and cp. ligule.
lingulate, adj., tongue-shaped. - L. /inguliitus,
'tongue-shaped, lingulate', fr. lingula, 'little
tongue'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate and
cp /igulate.
linguo-, combining form meaning lingual, lingually.- Fr. L. lingua, 'tongue'. See lingual.
liniment, n., an oily liquid for applying to the
skin.- ME.lynyment, fr. Late L.linimentum, fr.
L. /fnfre, a secondary form of /fnere, 'to daub,
besmear, anoint', which stands for */i-m!re and
is cogn. with 01. liniiti, ldyate, lfyate, l(vati,
'adheres to; slips into; disappears', Gk. &.J.-tve:~v, 'to anoint, besmear', Olr. as-/einamm
'I soil', /einam, 'I follow' (lit. 'I stick to'); fr:
I.-E. base *(s)lei-, 'slime, slimy, sticky', whence
also OE. slim, 'slime'. See slime and -ment and
cp. lime, 'birdlime'. Cp. also delete. The change

linin
of L. lfnere (3rd conj.) to linire (4th conj.) is
prob. due to the influence of polfre, 'to polish'.
linin, n., a bitter white substance obtained from
the purging flax (chem.) - Formed with chem.
suff. -in fr. L. Unum, 'flax, linen'. See Linum.
lining, n.- Formed fr.line, 'to cover', with -ing,
suff. forming verbal nouns.
link, n., ring of a chain. - ME. Iinke, of Scand.
origin; cp. Swed. liink, 'ring, and ON. hlekkr,
'chain, link', which are rel. to OE. hlence, 'link,
(pl.) armor', MHG. linken, G. lenken, 'to bend,
turn, lead', fr. I.-E. base *qleng-, 'to bend'. See
lank.
Derivative s: link, tr. v., to join together with or
as with a link; intr. v., to join, link-age, n.
link, n., a torch.- Pro b. fr. ML. linchinus, secondary form of lichinus, 'wick', fr. Gk. Mx'lo~,
'portable light, lamp', which stands for *luqsnos and derives fr. I.-E. base *leuq-, 'to emit
light, shine'. See light, 'brightness ', and cp.lune.
links, n. pl., sand hills; a golf course. - OE.
hlinc, 'slope, hill', rei. to OE. hlinian, 'to lean'.
See lean, 'to incline', and cp. linch, linchet.
linn, n., a waterfall. - Prob. a blend of OE.
hlynn, 'torrent', and W. llyn, 'pool, pond'.
Linnaea, n., a genus of plants, the twinflower
(bot.)- ModL., named after Linnaeus. See next
word.
Linnaean, Linnean, adj., pertaining to the system
or method of Linnaeus. -Formed fr. Linnaeus,
Latinized form of Linne, name of the great Swedish botanist (1707-78). For the ending see suff.
-ean.
linnet, n., a small singing bird of the finch family.
- OF. (F. linot, linotte), fr. lin, 'flax', fr. L.
/inurn, of s.m. (see Linum, line, 'string, cord');
so called because it feeds on the seeds of flax.
linoleum, n.- Orig. 'solidified oil'; coined by the
English inventor Frederick Walton in 1863, fr.
L. linum, 'flax', and oleum, 'oil'. See Linum and
oleo-.
linotype, n. - Contractio n of line o' type. See
line, 'string, cord', and type.
Linsang, n., a genus of long-tailed catlike mammals of S. Asia (zoo/.) - ModL., fr. Javanese
native word.
linseed, n., seeds of flax. - ME. linsed, fr. OE.
linsiiid. See line, 'flax', and seed.
Iinsey-woolsey, n., a coarse cloth made of wool or
cotton.- The first element derives fr. Lindsey,
a village in Suffolk (England). The second element is formed fr. wool, on analogy of Iinsey,
which was supposed to be formed fr. lin(en)
with the alleged suff. -sev.
linstock, n., formerly, a staff used for firing cannon. - Du. lontstok, compound ed of font,
'match', and stok, 'stick'. See Junt and stock.
lint, n., soft linen used for dressing wounds.ME. lynt, linnet, fr. L. linteum, 'linen cloth',
prop. neut. of the adjective linteus, 'of linen', fr.
linum, 'flax'. See linen and cp. words there referred to.

894
Derivative s: lint-en, lint-y, adjs.
lintel, n.- ME., fr. OF. lintel (F.linteau) , var. of
lintier, fr. VL. *limitiiris, which is a blend of L.
llmillliris, 'pertaining to the threshold', and
limes, gen. limitis, 'boundary '. See limen, limit.
lintonite, n., a variety ofthomson ite (mineral. )Named after the American scientist Miss Laura
A. Linton (died in 1915), who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Linum, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - L. linum,
'flax'. See linen and cp. line, 'string, cord', and
words there referred to.
liny, adj., marked with lines. - Formed fr. line,
'string, cord', with adj. suff. -y.
lio-, a var. ofleio-.
lion, n. - ME. lion, leon, fr. OF. ( = F.) lion, fr.
L.leonem, ace. of leo, fr. Gk. 'A&w'l, 'lion', which
is of uncertain, possibly Semitic, origin; cp.
Heb. liibhl', Akkad. labbu, 'lion. Cp. also Homeric 'Af~. 'lion', which is prob. a loan word fr.
Heb. ldyish, 'lion'. OE. leo, OHG. /ewo, lewo
(whence MHG. leu, [ewe, G. Lowe), Goth. *liwa
(whence OSiav. livii), Olr. leon (gen. pl.), Mlr.
leo, OCo. leu, W. l/ew, 'lion', are Latin loan
words. Cp. Lionel, chameleon , codling, Lyon, 'a
variant of apple', dandelion, Leander, Leonard,
Leontodon , Leonurus, leopard, leu, lev, pantaloon.
lioncel, n., a young lion. -OF. lioncei (F. lionceau), dimin. of lion. See lion.
Lionel, masc. PN.- F., lit. 'young lion'. See lion.
lionesque, adj., resembling a lion. - A hybrid
formed fr. lion with -esque, a suff. of Italian, ult.
Teut. origin.
lioness, n., a female lion. -Formed fr. lion with
suff. -ess.
lionism, n., the practise of lionizing. - A hybrid
coined fr. lion with -ism, a suff. of Greek origin.
lionize, tr. v., to treat as a lion; intr. v., to visit
the sights (lit. 'the lions') of a place.- A hybrid
coined fr. lion with -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivative : lioniz-ation, n.
lip, n. - ME. Iippe, fr. OE. Iippa, ret. to OFris.
Iippa, MDu. Iippe (whence F. Iippe, 'thick lower
lip'), Du. lip, OHG. lefs, MHG. lefs, lefse, dial.
G. Lefze (G. Lippe is borrowed fr. LG.), Swed.
liipp, Dan. IiEbe, 'lip', and prob. cogn. with L.
labium, labrum, 'lip', and pro b. also with Toch. A
lym-, 'lip'. Cp. labial, labrum.
Derivative s: lip, v. (q.v.), lip-less, adj.
lip, tr. v., to touch with the lips, to kiss. - Fr.
lip, n.; first used by Shakespea re.
Derivative : lipp-ed, adj.
lipar-, form of liparo- before a vowel.
Liparis, n., a genus of plants, the twayblade (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. ),Lr:ap6~. 'oily, fat, greasy'.
See liparo-,
liparo-, before a vowel lipar-, combining form
meaning 'oily'. - Gk. 'Ama.po-, ALr:ocp-, fr.
A.ma.p6~, 'oily, fat, greasy', fr. 'Abto~, 'fat,
grease'. See Upo-, 'fat'.
liparold, adj., fatty.- Compound ed oflipar- and

OY;;>

Gk. -oe:Lil-i)~. 'like', fr. eiilo~, 'form, shape'. See

-oid.
lipase, n., a class of enzymes (biochem .)- Formed with suff. -ase fr. Gk. A.bto~ 'fat, grease'.
See lipo-, 'fat'.
lipide, lipid, n., any of a group of organic substances comprising the fats. -F. lipide, coined
fr. Gk. 'Abto:;, 'fat' (see lipo-, 'fat'), and chem.
suff. -ide.
lipo-, combining form meaning 'fat', as in lipolysis. - Gk. /Mto-, fr. A.bto~, 'fat, grease',
which is cogn. with L. lippus, 'blear-eyed ', OE,
be-lifan, 'to remain'. See leave, v., and cp. Liparis, lipoma.
lipo-, combining form meaning 'lacking', as in
/ipograph y.- From the stem of Gk. 'Adrre:cr&a.L,
'to be lacking', passive of Adrre:L'I, 'to leave'.
See loan.
lipography, n., omission of a letter or syllable in
writing.- Compound ed oflipo-, 'lacking', and
Gk. -yp:xr.p&, fr. yptf<.pe:w, 'to write'. See
-graphy.
lipoid, n., a fatlike substance. - Coined fr. Gk.
A.[rro~. 'fat', and -oe:Lil~~. 'like', fr. e:IIlo~ 'form,
shape'. See lipo-, 'fat', and -oid.
lipolysis, n., decomposi tion offat.- Compound ed of lipo-, 'fat', and Gk. MaL~, 'a loosing,
loosening, setting free; dissolution '. See -lysis.
lipolytic, adj., pertaining to, or causing, lipolysis.
-Compou nded of lipo-, 'fat', and -lytic.
lipoma, n., a fatty tumor (med.) - Medical L.,
coined by the French physician Alexis Littre
(1658-1726), fr. Gk. A[rro~. 'fat, grease. See
lipo-, 'faf, and -oma.
ipothymia, n., a fainting (med.)- Medical L., fr.
Gk. ),L7:olFif1.[~, 'swoon', fr. AL7to&\if1.d'l, 'to
fall into a swoon, to faint', which is compound ed of the base of A.e:lm:cr&a.L, 'to be lacking',
and &\if1.6; 'spirit, mind, soul'. For the first
element see lipo-, 'lacking', for the second see
thio-.
Iipper, n., a slight ruffling of the sea.- Prob. rei.
to ON. h!eypa, 'to cause to leap', and to E. leap
(q.v.)
Lippia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after the Italian naturalist Agostino
Lippi. For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
liquate, tr. v., to separate the more fusible substance from the less fusible. - Orig. 'to melt',
fr. L. liquiitus, pp. of /iquiire, 'to make liquid, to
melt", from the stem of liquere, 'to be liquid'.
See liquid and verbal suff. -ate.
liquation, n., the process of liquating. - Late L.
liquiiti6, gen. -6nis, fr. L. liquiitus, pp. of liquiire.
See prec. word and -ion.
liquefacient, adj., making liquid. - L. liquefaciens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of liquefacere. See
liquefy and -facient.
Derivative : liquefacient, n.
liquefaction , n. - Late L. liquefacti6, gen. -onis,
fr. L. liquefactus, pp. of liquefacere. See next
word and -ation.

Llrloaenar on

liquefy, tr. and intr. v., to change into a liquid.MF. (=F.) liquefier, fr. L.liqueface re, 'to make
liquid, to melt', which is compound ed of liquere,
'to be liquid', andfacere, 'to make, do' (but assimilated in form to the numerous French verbs
ending in -fier). See liquid and fact and cp. -fy.
Derivative s: liquefi-able, adj., liquefi-er, n.
liquescent, adj., tending to become liquid. - L.
liquescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of liquescere,
'to become liquid, to melt', inchoative of liquere,
'to be liquid'. See liquid and -escent and cp. deliquesce, deliquescent.
liqueur, n., any of certain alcoholic liquors sweetened and flavored. - F., fr. L. liqu6rem, ace. of
liquor, 'a fluid, liquid'. See liquor.
Derivative : liqueur, tr. v.
liquid, adj.- ME., fr. OF.(= F.) liquide, fr. L.
liquidus, 'flowing, fluid, liquid, clear', fr. liquere,
'to be fluid, be liquid', which is rei. to lix, gen.
licis, 'ashes', lixa, 'water; lye', pr6lixus, 'extended', orig. 'flowing forward', and prob. cogn.
with Olr.fliuch, 'moist, wet', OW. gulip, ModW.
gwlyb, of s.m., W. glwith, 'dew', MBret. gloeb,
ModBret. gleb, 'moist, wet'. Cp.lixiviat e, prolix.
Derivative s: liquid, n., liquidate (q.v.), liquid-ly,
adv., liquid-ness, n.
Liquidamb ar, n., a genus of trees, the sweet gum
tree (bot.) - A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. liquidus, 'fluid', and Arab. dnbar, 'amber'. See
liquid and amber.
liquidate, tr. and intr. v.- ML. liquidiitus, pp. of
liquidiire, 'to liquidate', fr. L. liquidus. See
liquid and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative s: liquidat-ion, n., liquidat-or, n.
liquiditiy, n. - L. liquiditiis, fr. liquidus. See
liquid and -ity.
liquor, n., 1) any liquid substance; 2) any beverage; specif. an alcoholic beverage. - ME. likour, licur, fr. OF. licour, licur (F. liqueur), fr.
L. liqu6rem, ace. of liquor, 'a fluid, liquid', which
is rei. to liquere. See liquid and -or and cp. liqueur, which is a doublet of liquor.
Derivative s: liquor, tr. and intr. v., liquorish
(q.v.)
liquorice, n.- See licorice.
liquorish, adj., fond of liquor. - Formed fr. liquor with suff. -ish.
Derivative s: liquvrish-ly, auv., liquvrish-ness, n.
liquorish, adj.- A var. oflickerish .
lira, n., an Italian silver coin and monetary unit.
- It., 'pound', fr. L. libra. See libra and cp.
words there referred to.
lirella, n., in lichens, the narrow shield with a
furrow along the middle (bot.) - ModL., dimin. ofL. lira, 'the earth throv.n up betv.een two
furrows, furrow', whencedeliriire, 'to turn aside
from the furrow; to deviate, become deranged,
crazy, delirious'. See delirium and -ella.
Derivative s: lire/l-ate, lirel/-ous, adjs.
Liriodendr on, n., a genus of trees, the tulip tree
(bot.) - ModL., compound ed of Gk. 'AdpLO'I,
'lily', and 3ev3pov, 'tree'. See lily and dendro-.

897

lirlplpe

- ModL., named after the English naturalist

Martin Lister (1638-1711).
listerine, n., an antiseptic. - Named after the
English surgeon Lord Joseph Lister (18271912). For the ending see chem. suff. -ine.
listerize, tr. v., to use an antiseptic during operations. - Named after Lord Lister. See prec.
word and -ize.
listless, adj., languidly indifferent. - Formed fr.
list, 'to be pleased', with suff. -less.
Derivatives: listless-ly, adv., listless-ness, n.
lit, past tense and pp. of the verb light.
litany, n., form of prayer,- ME. letanie, fr. ML.
litania, fr. Gk. AL't'cxvdoc, 'prayer, entreaty, supplication', fr. AL't'cxve:oe:LV, 'to pray, entreat, supplicate', fr. AL't'cxvo<;, 'praying, entreating, suppliant', fr. ALTIJ, 'prayer, supplication', which is
of uncertain origin. L. litiire, 'to sacrifice under
auspicious signs', is pro b. a denominative verb
fr. */ita, fr. Gk. AL't'-1].
litchi, n., the fruit of a Chinese tree (Litchi chinensis).- Chinese.
-lite, combining form meaning 'stone', used esp.
der'.
in geology, mineralogy and paleontology (cp.
list, n. (usually in the pl.), enclosed ground;
e.g. foralite, chrysolite, graptolite).- F. -lite, a
ground for holding tournaments. - A blend of
var. of -lithe, fr. Gk. ).(.[}o:;, 'stone'. See litholist, 'border of cloth', and OF. lice, 'barrier,
and cp. -lith.
lists', which itself is pro b. borrowed fr. Teut.;
liter, litre, n., a measure of capacity. - F. litre,
cp. OHG. lista, 'border, selvage', and see prec.
fr. earlier litron, 'an old measure for gr_ain', fr.
word.
ML.litra, 'a liquid measure', fr. Gk. :Ai:-rpii, 'a
list. n., a catalog.- F. liste, 'list, roll, catalog',
pound'. See litra.
orig. 'strip of paper', fr. It. lista, which is a
literacy, n.- Formed fr. literate with suff. -cy.
Teut. loan word. Cp. OHG. lista, 'border, selliteral, adj. - ME., fr. MF. literal (F. Iittevage', and see list, 'border of cloth'.
ral), fr. L. litteriilis (litera/is), 'pertaining to a
Derivatives: list, tr. v., to make a list of, list-er,
letter', fr. /ittera (litera), 'letter'. See letter and
n., list-ing, n.
adj. suff. -al.
list, n., inclination (naut.)- Of uncertain origin;
Derivatives: literal-ism, n.,literal-ist, n. and adj.,
perh. fr. list, 'to be pleased', taken in the sense
literal-ist-ic, adj., literal-ity, n., literal-ize, tr. v.,
'to incline to'.
literal-iz-ation, n., literal-ly, adv., literal-ness, n.
Derivative: list, tr. and intr. v.
literary, adj. - L. litteriirius (literiirius), 'perlist, intr. v., to be pleased; to desire (obsol.) taining to reading and writing', fr. littera, 'letter'.
ME. lusten, listen, 'to please, desire', fr. OE.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
[ystan, of s.m., fr. lust, 'pleasure, desire'. See
Derivatives: literari-ly, adv., literari-ness, n.
lust.
literate,
adj., learned, educated; n., an educated
list, intr. and tr. v., to listen (archaic). - ME.
person. - L. litteriitus (literatus), 'learned, edulisten, fr. OE. hlystan. See listen.
cated', lit. 'one who knows the letters', fr. /ittera
listen, intr. v.- ME.listnen, a blend of ME. listen
(litera), 'letter'. See letter and adj. suff. -ate and
(fr. OE. hlystan, 'to hear, listen', fr. hlyst, 'a
cp. literatus.
hearing'), and OE. hlysnan, 'to listen', which is rel.
literati, n. pl., men of letters. - L. iitreriiti (liteto OE. hlosnian, 'to listen in suspense', OHG.
rati), pl. of litteriitus (literiitus). See literatus.
hlosen, 'to listen', *hliisken (whence MHG.
literatim,
adv., letter by letter; literally. - L. litliischen, G. lauschen), 'to listen' (cp. also ON.
teriitim (literatim), formed fr. littera (litera),
hlust, 'hearing; ear', hlusta, 'to listen', Swed.
'letter', with adv. suff. -a tim. See letter. For suff.
lystra, Du. luisteren, OHG. liistren, 'to listen'),
-iitim see gradatim and cp. words there referred
and cogn. with OSlav. slysati, slusati, 'to hear',

Jiripipe, liripoop, n., the tail at the back of a hood

(hist.) - ML. liripipium, of uncertain origin.
lisbon, n., a kind of sweet wine.- Prop. 'wine
shipped from Lisbon', the capital of Portugal.
lisle thread. - From Lisle, original spelling of
Lille, town in France, where it was first made.
The town derived its name fr. OF. /'isle (F.
l'ile), 'the island', in allusion to its geographical
situation.
lisp, intr. and tr. v. - ME. lispen, fr. OE. -wlispian, 'to stammer, lisp' .fr. wlisp, 'lisping', which
is ofimitative origin. Cp. MDu., Du., OHG.,
MHG.lispen (whence the dimin. lispeln), Dan.
hespe, Swed. /iispa, dial. Norw. leispa, which
all are imitative.
Derivatives: lisp, n. (q.v.), lisp-er, n., lisp-ing, n.
lisp, n.- OE. wlisp. See lisp, v.
lissome, adj.- For lithesome.
list, n., border of cloth, selvage. - ME. liste, fr.
OE. liste, rel. to ON.lista, MLG. liste, Du. lijst,
OHG. lista, MHG. liste, G. Leiste, 'border, selvage'; prob. cogn. with Alb. l'e&, 'raised bor-

Lith. klausaii, klausyti, 'to hear', Olr. cluas,

'ear', OI. sr6~ati, 'hears, obeys', fr. I.-E.
kleu-s-, an -s-enlargement of base *kleu-, 'to
hear', whence Gk. x:Aeo<;, 'rumor, fame', OE.
h/iid, 'loud'. See loud and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: listen, n., listen-er, n., listen-ing,
adj. andn.
Ustera, n., a genus of plants, the twayblade (bot.)

to.

literature, n. - ME. litterature, fr. L. litteriitiira

(literiitiira), 'writing; grammar; learning, scholarship', fr. /ittera (litera), 'letter. See letter and
-ure.
Hteratus, n., a learned person. - L. litteriitus (/iteratus), 'learned, educated'. See literate and cp.
Hteratl.

lith, n., a limb, a joint. - ME., fr. OE. IUJ. See

limb, 'member', and cp. lay figure.
lith-, form of litho- before a vowel.
-lith, combining form meaning 'stone', used esp.
in archaelogy, biology and medicine (as in eolith,
chololith); in geology, mineralogy, and paleontology, -lite is the regular combining form. - F.
-lithe, fr. Gk. ),[.[}o:;, 'stone'. See litho- and cp. -lite.
litharge, n., lead monoxide. - ME. /itarge, fr.
OF. litarge (F. litharge), fr. L. lithargyrus, fr.
Gk. AL.[}Iipyupoc;, 'vitrified lead, lead monoxide',
lit. 'stone silver', fr. :A(.[}o:;, 'stone', and &pyupo<;,
'silver'. See litho- and argent.
lithe, adj., flexible, supple. - ME. lithe, lith, fr.
OE. liiJe, 'soft, mild, gentle', rei. to OS. lithi,
OHG. lindi, MHG. Iinde, G. lind, ON. linr, fr.
I.-E. base *lent-, 'flexible', whence also L. /entus, 'flexible, pliant; slow', and pro b. also ON.,
OE. lind, 'linden tree', lit. 'the tree with pliant
bast'. See lentitude, and cp. linden.
Derivatives: lithe-ly, adv., lithe-ness, n., lithesome (q.v.)
lither, adj., bad, wicked (obsol.); lazy (dial.); flexible, pliant (archaic). - ME., 'bad, wicked', fr.
OE. f:piJre, 'base, bad, wicked', rel. to MLG.
liider, 'a lewd fellow', G. lieder/ich, 'lewd', OE.
loddere, 'beggar'. See loiter.
Derivatives: lither-ly, adv., lither-ness, n.
lithesome, adj. - Formed fr. lithe with suff.
-some. Cp. lissom.
lithia, n., the oxide of lithium (chem.) - ModL.,
changed fr. lithion (an earlier name for lithia),
which was formed fr. Gk. ),(.[}e:wv, neut. of
),[&e:w:;, 'stony', fr. Al&oc;, 'stone'; see litho-.
The name was suggested by the Swedish chemist, Baron Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848)
for the fixed alkali discovered by his pupil Johan
August Arfvedson (1792-1841) in 1817, owing
to the former's belief that this oxide occurred
only in minerals.
lithiasis, n., the formation of calculi in the body
(med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. AL&loccn<;, lit.
'disease of the stone', formed fr. :A(.[}oc;, 'stone'
(see litho-), and suff. -occrL:; (see -asis).
lithic, adj., of, or pertaining to, stone. - Gk.
i.L&Lx6c;, 'of, or pertaining to, stone', fr. ),(&oc;,
'stone'. See litho- and -ic.
lithium, n., name of a silver-white metallic element (chem.)- ModL., fr. lithia.
Derivatives: lithi-ate, tr. v., lith-ic, adj.
litho-, before a vowel lith-, combining form
meaning 'stone'.- Gk. AL&o-, :AL-l}-, fr. ),(.[}o.;,
'stone', of unknown origin. Cp. -lite, -lith.
Lithobius, n., a genus of myriapods (zoo/.) ModL., compounded of litho- and Gk. plo:;,
'life'. See bio-.
Lithodes, n., a genus of crabs (zoo/.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. ;u&wlh;:;, 'stonelike', which is compounded of ),(&o.;, 'stone', and -wlhj<;, 'like'.
See litho- and -ode, 'like'.
lithodid, n., any of the crabs of the family Lithodidae.- See next word.

lithotrity

Lithodidae, n., a family of crabs (zoo/.)- ModL.

See Uthodes and -idae.
lithograph, n., a print made by lithography; intr.
v., to make prints by lithography; tr. v., to reproduce by lithography. - Back formation fr.
lithography. See -graph.
Derivative: lithograph-er, n.
lithography, n., the art or process of printing
from a prepared stone or metal plate. - Lit.
'writing on stone', compounded of litho- and
Gk. -ypcx~plci, fr. ypoc~pe:w, 'to write'. See
-graphy.
Derivatives: lithograph-ic, adj., lithograph-ic-ally, adv.
lithoid, adj., stonelike. - Gk. AL&oe:L8-Ij.;, 'like a
stone', compounded of :Al&o.;, 'stone', and
-oe:L8-Ij.;, 'like', fr. e:I8oc;, 'form, shape'. See
litho- and -oid.
lithology, n., the study of the formation of rocks.
- Compounded of litho- and Gk. -Aoy!oc, fr.
-:A6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: litholog-ic, litholog-ic-al, adjs.,
litholog-ic-al-ly, adv.
lithomancy, n., divination by stones. - Compounded oflitho- and Gk. fLCXVTdoc, 'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
lithomarge, n., a variety of kaolin. - ModL.
lithomarga, a hybrid coined fr. Gk. ).(&o<;,
'stone', and L. marga, 'marl'. See litho- and marl.
lithontriptic, adj., destroying the calculi in the
bladder (med.) - Medical L. lithontripticus, for
lithonthrypticus, fr. Gk. ),(&wv &purtnxli,
'(drugs) crushing stones'. Gk. Al&wv is gen. pl.
of ),(&oc;, 'stone'; see litho-. Gk. &purt't'LXIi is
neut. pl. of &purt't'LXO<;, 'able to crush', fr. &purt-ro<;, 'crushed', verbal adj. of .[}portnLv, 'to
crush'; see drop, n. The spelling lithontriptic (for
lithonthryptic), arose from a confusion of Gk.
&purt't'o<;, 'crushed', with 't'pm't'o<;, 'rubbed,
ground, pounded', verbal adj. of -rpf~e:LV (see
trite).
Lithospermum, n., a genus of plants, the gromwell and the puccoon (bot.) - ModL., compounded of litho- and Gk. crrtepfLcx, 'seed' (see
sperm); so called in allusion to the hard nutlets.
lithosphere, n., the solid part of the earth. Compounded of litho- and Gk. cr~pcxi:pcx, 'ball,
globe, sphere'. See sphere and cp. words there
referred to.
lithotomy, n., the operation of cutting for stone
in the bladder (surg.) - Late L. lithotomia, fr.
Gk. :AL&o-ro[L(ii, 'cutting for the stone', which is
compounded of :Al&o:;. 'stone' (see litho-), and
-'t'OfLLii, a cutting of', fr. 't'OfL~, ;a cutting.
See -tomy.
Derivatives: lithotom-ic, adj., lithotom-ist, n.
lithotrite, n., an instrument for performing lithotrity. -Back formation fr. lithotrity.
lithotrity, n., operation of crushing a stone in the
bladder into very small pieces capable of being
voided naturally (surg.)- A hybrid coined fr.

Lithuania

898

- Gk. A'LT6't'1]<;, 'plainness, simplicity', fr.

Gk. J..(~o.;, 'stone', and L. tritus, pp. of terere,
ALT6<;, 'plain, simple', fr. I.-E. base *(s)te(i)-,
'to rub, bruise, crush'. See litho- and throw and
'slimy, sticky, dauby, slippery', whence also Gk
cp. trite.
J..doc; (for *J..c:'i:foc;), 'smooth'. See leio-.
Derivatives: lithotrit-ic, adj., lithotrit-y, n.
litra, n., name of a Greek weight and coin. - Gk.
Lithuania, n. - Lith. Lietuva, 'Lithuania', of unJ..hpoc (Dor. J..hpa:), 'pound', fr. earlier */iftrti,
certain origin; perh. rei. to Lith. *lei-, 'to pour,
whence also. L.libra, 'Roman pound'. Cp.libra,
drop', fr. I.-E. base *lli-, 'to flow', whence posliter.
sibly also L. litus, 'shore'; see littoral. Accordlitre, n.- See liter.
ingly Lietuva would lit. mean 'shoreland'. For
Litsea, n., a genus of plants of the laurel family
sense development cp. ML. Ripuiirii, lit. 'people
(bot.) - ModL., fr. F. /itsi, fr. Chin. /i tsai,
living on the banks of a river' (see Ripuarians).
'cherry'.
Derivatives: Lithuani-an, adj. and n.
litter, n., a portable bed. - ME. litere, liter, fr.
litigant, adj., engaged in a lawsuit; n., a party in a
AF. litere, fr. OF. litiere (F. litiere), fr. VL. *leclawsuit. - F., fr. L. litigiins, gen. -antis, pres.
ttiria, fr. L. lectus, 'bed'. See lie, 'to recline'.
part. of litigiire. See next word and -ant.
Derivatives: litter, tr. and intr. v., litter-y, adj.
litigate, intr. v., to go to law; tr. v., to contest in a
little, adj. - ME. lute/, lite/, fr. OE. lytel, which
lawsuit. - L. litigiit-(um), pp. stem of litigiire,
is pro b. orig. a dimin. of OE. lyt, 'little, few';
'to dispute, quarrel, strive', formed from the
rei. to OS. luttil, Du./uttel, OHG. Iuzzi/, MHG.
strife'.
or
dispute
a
lead
'to
lit.
agere,
litem
term
and dial. G. Iutze!, Goth. leiti/s, 'little', fr. Teut.
Litem is the ace. of /is, 'dispute, quarrel, strife,
base *leut-, 'to bow, bend, stoop', whence also
lawsuit' ,for earlier stlis, which stands for* stl-i-t-s,
OE. liitan, 'to bow, bend, turn, fall', ON.liita,
lit. 'that which is placed', fr. I.-E. base *stel-,
'to stoop, fall'. Teut. base *leut- corresponds to
'to place', whence also OL. stlocus, locus, 'place',
base *leud-, 'to bow, bend, stoop', whence
I.-E.
cp.
and
locus
See
placed'.
is
lit. 'where something
OSlav. ludii, 'foolish', Russ. ludit', 'to deceive',
allege. For the etymology of L. agere see agent.
Czech ludaf, 'deceiver', Mlr. liita, 'the little
For the formation of L. litigiire, fr. litem agere,
finger'. Cp. lout, 'to bow, stoop'.
cp. L. jiirigtire, 'to quarrel, scold, chide', fr. jiire
Derivative: little-ness, n.
agere (see objurgate).
littoral, adj., pertaining to the seashore.- F., fr.
Derivatives: litigation (q.v.), litigator (q.v.),litiL. littorti/is, prop. lftoriilis, fr. litus, gen. litoris,
gat-ory, adj.
'seashore', which is of uncertain origin. It meant
litigation, n., the act of litigating; a lawsuit. perh. orig.' a place where water flows', and deLate L. litigtitio, gen. -onis, 'a dispute, quarrel',
rives fr. I.-E. base *lli-, 'to pour, flow', whence
fr. L. litigiit-(um), pp. stem of litigiire. See prec.
also L. libiire, 'to pour out, make a libation'
word and -ion.
(see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 815 s.v. litus).
litigator, n., one who litigates. - L. litigator, 'a
See libation and adj. suff. -al and cp. Lithuanian.
litigiire.
of
stem
pp.
litigtit-(um),
fr.
disputant',
Cp. also next word.
See litigate and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: littoral, n.
litigious, adj., quarrelsome.- ME., fr. MF (=F.)
litigieux (fern. litigieuse), fr. L. litigiosus, 'full of Littorella, n., a genus of plants of the plantain
family (bot.)- ModL., prop. meaning 'growing
disputes; fond of disputes, quarrelsome', fr. lion the shore', fr. L. lftus, gen. /floris. See prec.
tigium, 'dispute, litigation', fr. litigiire. See litiword and -ella.
gate and -ous.
liturgics, n., the study of public worship.- FormDerivatives: litigious-ly, adv., litigious-ness, n.
ed fr. liturgy with suff. -ics.
litmus, n., a dyestuff obtained from lichens. liturgiology, n., the study of liturgy. - ComON. litmose, lit. 'lichen for dyeing', fr.litr, 'colpounded ofliturgy and Gk. -J..oyloc, fr. -),6-yo~.
or', and mosi, 'moss'. The first element is rel. to
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
OE. w/ite, 'splendor, appearance, face, form',
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
deals
form',
'exterior,
OS. wliti, of s.m., OFris. w/ite,
Derivatives :/iturgio/og-ical, adj. ,li turgiolog-is t, n.
Goth. wlits, 'face, form', and to the second eleliturgy, n., public worship. - F. /iturgie, fr.
ment in OE. and-wlita, ON. and-lit, OFris. andLate L. liturgia, fr. Gk. ATf(ToupyUi, A&LToupylii,
tete, OHG. ant-lizzi, MHG. ant-litze, ant-liitze,
'public duty, public worship', fr. A7J'LToupy6c;,
G. Ant-litz, 'face, countenance' (the first element
A&L'toupy6c;, 'public servant', which is comof these words is cogn. with L. ante, 'before', see
pounded ofJ..ij'(To<;, A&t'toc. 'of the people', and
ante-), and to OE. 1rlitan, 'to look', wliitian, 'to
a contracted form of l!pyov, 'work'. The first
search',
seek,
'to
look',/eita,
'to
/ita,
ON.
gaze',
element derives fr. J..iio.;, Att. J..c:w<;, 'people'.
Goth. wlaiton, 'to spy, look'. These words are
See lay, 'pertaining to the laity'. For the second
pro b. rei. to Goth. wulftus, 'splendor', and cogn.
see work and cp. ergon and words there
element
face,
the
of
'expression
with L. vo/tus, vultus,
referred to.
countenance, look', W. gweled, 'to see' and ult.
Derivatives: liturg-ic, liturg-ic-al, adjs., liturgderive fr. I.-E. base wei-, 'to see'.
ic-al-ly, adv., liturg-ist, n.
Utotes, n., a figure of rhetoric in which an affirmaUtous. n., the crooked staff borne by the augurs.tive is expressed by the negative of its opposite.

loam

899

L., of uncertain etymology; possibly a deriv. of

I.-E. base */li-, 'to bend; to be movable, be
nimble', whence also OE. lift, 'joint, limb', OE.
lim, 'member'. See limb, 'member', and cp. words
there referred to.
live, intr. and tr. v. - ME. liven, livien, fr. OE.
libban, lifian, rei. to OS. libbian, ON.lifa, OFris.
libba, liva, OHG. Ieben. MHG., G. Ieben,
Goth. liban, 'to live', fr. I.-E. base *leip-, 'to
remain, persevere, continue, live', whence also
Gk. J..'Lr.a:pc:iv, 'to persist, persevere'. See leave,
v., and words there referred to and cp. esp. life,
liver and the second element in celibate.
Derivatives: liv-able, adj., live, adj., liv-ing, adj.
andn.
live, adv. - Aphetic for alive.
livelihood, n. - Altered fr. ME. live/ode, lit.
'course of life', fr. OE. /if-/tid, 'life way'. See life
and lode.
livelong, adj. - ME. lef long; see lief and long,
adj. The first element was confused later with
live.
lively, adj.- Partly fr. ME., fr. OE. liflic, 'living,
life-giving', lit. 'lifelike', fr. /if, 'life', and -lie,
'-ly'; partly newly formed fr. life and adj. suff.
-ly.
Derivative: liveli-ness, n.
liven, tr. and intr. v. - Formed fr. life with suff.
-en. Cp. enliven.
liver, n., one who, or that which, lives.- Formed
from the verb live with agential suff. -er.
liver, n., secreting organ of the body.- ME., fr.
OE. lifer, rei. to ON. lifr, Dan., Swed. lever,
OFris. livere, MDu. Ievere, lever, Du. lever,
OHG. lebara, MHG. lebere, Ieber, G. Leber,
'liver', and-cogn. with Arm. Ieard (fr. *Iepard),
'liver', and possibly also with Gk. ),trro:p6; 'oily,
fat, greasy'. See leave, v., and cp. life, live.
livery, n., l) allowance of food; 2) distinctive uniform of servants. - ME. livere, fr. OF. /ivree
(F. livrtie), orig. 'clothes delivered by the master
to his servants', prop. fern. pp. of livrer, 'to
deliver, hand over', which is a doublet of libirer,
to set free', fr. L. libertire, 'to set free', fr. fiber,
'free'. See liberal and words there referred to.
For sense development cp. delivery.
Derivative: liveri-ed, adj.
livery, adj., resembling liver. - Formed fr. liver,
'secreting organ of the body', with -y (corresponding to OE. -ig).
livid, adj., of a bluish color. - F. livide, fr. L.
lividus (for *slividus), 'bluish, livid', fr. lfvere,
for *slivere, 'to be of a bluish color', which is
cogn. witn OSlav. sliva, 'plum' (prop. 'the fruit
of blue color'), Olr./i, W. /liw, 'color, splendor',
OE. slti, sliih, 'sloe'. See sloe and -id (representing L. -idus).
Derivatives: livid-ity, n., livid-ly, adv., livid-ness,
n.
Hvor, n., bluish discoloration of the surface of the
body.- L. livor, 'bluish color', fr. livire, 'to be
of a bluish color'. See Jhid and -or.

livre, n., ancient French money of account. - F.,

lit. 'a pound', fr. L. libra. See libra and cp. lira,
liter, litra.
lixiviate, tr. v., to leach. - Formed with verbal
suff. -ate fr. L. lixivius, 'made into lye'. fr. lix,
'ashes, lye', which is rei. to liquere, 'to be fluid,
be liquid'. See liquid and cp. prolix.
Derivative: lixiviat-ion, n.
lizard, n. - ME. lesard, fr. OF. laisard, lesard,
fern. /aisarde (F. lezard, fern. /ezarde), formedwith change of suffix-fr. L. lacertus (masc.),
resp. lacerta (fern.), 'lizard', which stand for
*lacer-tos, *lacro-tos, resp. *lacer-ta, *lacro-tti,
and derive fr. I.-E. base *leq-, *li!q-, 'to bend,
twist', whence prob. also L. locusta, 'grasshopper,locust',lit. 'the jumper', ON.leggr, 'leg'.
See leg and cp. Lacerta, lacertian, lobster, locust.
Cp. also It. /ucerta, OProven<;. lazert, lauzert,
Sp. /agarto, 'lizard', which all derive fr. L. lacerta, resp. /acertus. Cp. also alligator.
llama, n., aS. American ruminant animal. - Sp.,
fr. Peruv. native name.
llanero, n., a cowboy.- Sp., lit. 'plainsman', fr.
llano, 'plain'. See next word.
Hano, n., one of the extensive plains of S. America. - Sp., 'plain, even, level, smooth', fr. L.
pliinus, See plain, adj.
Lloyd, masc. PN.- W. Llwyd, lit. 'gray.
Lloyd's, n., an association of marine underwriters. - So called from Lloyd's Coffee Houselin
Tower St., London, opened by Edward Lloyd_in
1688.
lo, interj. - A blend of ME. lo, fr. OE. Iii, with
ME. lo, prob. a short form of loke, imper. of
Ioken, 'to look'. See look and cp. the second
element in wellaway.
loach, n., a small edible fish. - ME., fr. F. loche,
which is of unknown origin.
load, n., a burden. - ME. lode, 'way, course;
load', fr. OE. !tid, 'way, journey, course; carrying of goods; sustenance'; rel. to lead, 'to guide',
and to lode; influenced in meaning by the verb
lade, to which, however, it is not related.
Derivatives: load, tr. and intr. v., load-ed, adj.,
load-er, n.
loadstar, n.- See lodestar.
loadstone, lodestone, n., magnetite; magnet. Compounded of load, lode (lr. OE. /tid), and
stone.
loaf, n.- ME. laf. !of. fr. OE. hltif. 'bread, loaf',
rei. to ON. hleifr. Swed. lev, Norw. leiv, OFris.
hlif. OHG. hleib, /eib, MHG. leip, leib, G. Laib,
Goth. hlaifs, 'bread, loaf'. OSlav. chlibi1, Lett.
klaips and Finn. /eipii, 'bread, loaf', are very
probably Teut. loan words. L. libum, cake', is
not cognate with the above Teut. words. Cp.
lady, lord, Lammas.
loaf, intr. v., to loiter about.- Of uncertain origin.

Derivatives: loaf-er, n.,loaf-ing, adj.,/oaf-ing-ly,

adv.
loam, n.- ME. lam, lome, fr. OE. lam, rei. to OS.

900

loan

lemo, Du. leem, OHG. leimo, MHG. leime,

leim, G. Lehm, 'loam', and to OE. lim, 'lime'.
See lime, 'birdlime', and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: loam, tr. v., loam-y, adj., /oam-i-/y,
adv., loam-i-ness, n.
loan, n.- ME. /an, ion, fr. ON. liin, which is rei.
to OE. liin, 'lending, thing lent,loan',/ien an, 'to
lend', OS., OHG. Iehan, OFris. len, 'thing lent,
loan', Du. leen, 'loan, fief', MHG. lehen, G.
Lehen, Lehn, 'fief', OE. leon, ON. ljii, OFris.
lia, 'to lend', OHG. lihan, 'to borrow', MHG.
lihen, 'to borrow; to lend', G. leihen, 'to lend',
rarely, 'to borrow', Goth. leilvan, 'to lend'. The
orig. meaning of these verbs was 'to let have,
leave'. They derive fr. I.-E. base *liqw-, 'to let,
leave', whence also or. ril)akti, 'leaves', rikta/:1,
'empty', rekna/:1, 'possession, property', atireka/:1, 'remainder', Arm. lk'anem, 'I leave', e-lik',
'he left', Gk. ).e:bte:~v, 'to leave', Aom6~, 'remaining, surviving'. L. linquere (perf. liqui), 'to
leave', Lith. lieku, likti, 'to leave behind', liktas,
Lett. likts, 'left, left over', Lith. lkas, 'left behind', pii/aikas, 'remainder', the second element
in OSiav. otii-1 eki1, of s.m., OPruss, polinka, 'he
remains', Olr. leicim, 'I leave', and the second
element in Lith. vienuo-lika, 'eleven', dvf-lika,
'twelve'. Cp. lend and the second element in
eleven, twelve. Cp. also relinquish and delict, delinquent, derelict, eclipse, ellipse, ellipsis, elliptic,
limma, lipo-, 'lacking', paraleipsis.
Derivatives: loan, tr. and intr. v., loan-able, adj.,
loan-er, n.
loan word, - Loan translation of G. Lehnwort,
which is compounded of Iehnen, 'to borrow',
and Wort, 'word'. See loan and word.
Loasa, n., a genus of American plants (bot.)ModL., from aS. American Indian native word.
Loasaceae, n. pl., the loasa family (bot.) ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
loasaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
loath, loth, adj. - ME. lath, loth, fr. OE. liio,
'hateful, hostile', rei. to OS., OFris. leth, ON.
leior, of s.m., Dan., Swed. led, 'odious', OHG.
leid, MHG. leit, 'offensive, grievous', G. leid,
'painful", OHG. /eid, MHG. leit, G. Leid, 'sorrow', Du. feed, 'sorrow', and prob. cogn. with
Toch. Aa-litk, 'to be averse', Gk.lihn:rv, 'to sin',
liAe:lTI)~, x),Q\-;-6~, 'sinner', Ir. liuss (for *litu-s),
'horror, disgust'. F. laid, 'ugly', is borrowed fr.
Frankish *laid, which corresponds to OHG.
leid, 'offensive, grievous'.
Derivatives: loath-ful, adj., loath-ful-ly, adv.,
loath-ful-ness. n., loath-some, adj., loath-some-ly,
adv., loath-some-ness, n.
loathe, tr. v.- ME. lothen, fr. OE. liioian, fr. lao,
'hateful, hostile'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: loath-ing, n., loath-ing-ly, adv.
loathly, adj. - ME. lothly, fr. OE. liiolic, 'hateful, horrible, unpleasant', fr. liiiJ, 'hateful, hostile'. See loath.
Derivative: loathli-ness, n.

lob, n., a clumsy person. - Orig. pro b. imitative

and suggesting 'something clumsy; a thick mass
of flesh or fat'. Cp. lop, 'to hang down'. Cp. also
Iooby, lubber.
Derivative: lob, intr. v., to move clumsily.
lobar, adj., pertaining to a lobe or lobes.- ModL.
lobiiris, fr:. Late L. lobus. See lobe and -ar.
lobate, adj., having lobes. - ModL. lobtitus, fr.
Late L. lobus. See lobe and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: lobat-ed, adj., lobate-ly, adv., lobation, n.

lobby, n., a hall; a vestibule. - ML. /aubia,

lobia, fr. OHG. *laubja. See lodge, which is a
doublet of lobby.
Derivatives: lobby, tr. and intr. v., lobby-er, n.,
lobby-ism, n., lobby-ist, n.
lobe, n.- MF. (=F.), fr. Late L.lobus, fr. Gk.
).o[36~, 'lobe of the ear; lobe ofthe liver; lobe of
the lung; seed, pod', pro b. rei. to Gk. Mf'w.&o~,
'peas', ).e:[37)plc;, 'husk of fruits'; fr. I.-E. base
*leb-, which is rei. to base *lep-, 'to peel',
whence Gk. ).b:e:w, 'to peel'. See leper and cp.
lobule and the second element in bilobate, trilobate, antilobium, Gonolobus.
Derivative: lob-ed, adj.
Lobelia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after the Flemish botanist Matthias de
Lobel (1538-1616). For the ending see 1st suff.
-ia.
Lobeliaceae, n. pl., the lobelia family (bot.) ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
lobeliaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
loblolly, n., I) a thick gruel; 2) a mudhole.- Of
uncertain origin; perh. compounded of dial. E.
lob, 'to bubble in boiling', and dial. E. lolly,
'broth'.
lobscouse, n., stewed dish of meat, vegetables,
etc. - Of uncertain origin; cp. prec. word and
scouse.
lobster, n., an edible marine shellfish.- ME., fr.
OE. /opustre, loppestre, prob. corruption of L.
locusta, 'lobster; locust'. See locust.
Lobularia, n., a genus of plants, the sweet alyssum
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Late L. lobulus, 'lobule', fr.
F. lobule. See next word and adj. suff. -ary.
lobule, n., a small lobe. - F. lobule, dimin. of
lobe. See lobe and -ule.
Derivative: lobul-ar, adj.
Iobworm, n., a lugworm - Compounded of lob
and worm.
local, adj.- ME. localle, fr. MF. ( = F). local, fr.
Late L. loctilis, 'pertaining to a place', fr. L.
locus, 'place'. See locus and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: local, n., local-ism, n., locality
(q.v.), local-ize, tr. v., local-iz-ation, n., local-ly,
adv., local-ness, n.
locale, n., a place or locality.- F. local, fr. Late
L. lociilis, 'pertaining to a place'. See prec. word.
locality, n.- F. localitl, fr. Late L. locti/itiitem,
ace. of loctilitiis, 'locality', fr. lociilis. See local
.and -ity.

901

locate, tr. v., to find the place of.- L. loct1tus,

pp. of lociire, 'to place, put, set, dispose, arrange', fr. locus, 'place'. See locus and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. allocate, collocate, dislocate,
couch, accouchement.
location, n. - L. /octiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a placing,
location, disposition', fr. lociitus, pp. of lociire.
See prec. word and -iou.
Derivative: location-a/, adj.
locative, adj., pertaining to a case indicating
place; n., the locative case.- Incorrectly formed fr. L. locus, 'place', on analogy of L. vociitivus, 'vocative' (fr. vociitus, pp. of vociire, 'to call,
summon'). See locus and -ive.
loch, n., a lake.- Gael. loch, 'lake', rei. to Olr.
loch, OCo., Bret. lagen, 'lake', and cogn. with
L. /acus, 'lake'. See lake, 'a pool', and cp. Iough.
lochia, n., the discharge from the uterus after
childbirth (med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. A6x~rx,
neut. pl. of).6x~o~, 'pertaining to childbirth', fr.
A6xo~, 'childbirth', which stands in gradational
relationship to Mxo~, 'bed'. See lie, 'to recline',
and cp. the second element in Aristolochia,
Gelechia.
Derivative: lochi-al, adj.
lochio-, pertaining to childbirth. - Fr. Gk. ).6x~o~, 'pertaining to childbirth'. See prec. word.
lock, n., tuft of hair. - ME. /okk, lokke, fr. OE.
locc, rei. to ON. lokkr, OS., OFris., Du. lok,
OHG., MHG. foe, G. Locke, 'lock of hair', fr.
I.-E. base* leug-, *lug-, 'to bend, twist' ,whence also
Gk. ).uy(~e:~v. 'to bend, twist', Myo~, 'any pliant twig, withe', OL. luctiire, L. luctiiri, 'to
wrestle, struggle, strive, contend', lit. 'to twist,
intertwine', Lith. lugnas, Lett. lugt, 'flexible',
OE, /eac, lee, 'leek, garlic'. Cp. leek, luck. Cp.
also ineluctable, luxate, luxe, reluct, Lygodium.
lock, n., a contrivance for closing doors. - ME.
/ok, fr. OE. Joe, 'lock, bolt', rei. to OE. /iican,
OS. liikan, ON., OFris. liika, OHG. /iihhan,
Goth. ga-liikan, 'to close, shut up', ON. lok
(neut.), luka (fern.), 'fastening, lock', Goth. usluks, 'opening', OHG. loh, MHG. loch, 'dungeon, cavern, hole', G. Loch, 'hole, opening',
Du. luik, 'shutter; trapdoor', G. Luke, 'dormer
window', and cogn. with 01. rujtiti, 'breaks',
Lith. luzti, 'to break' (intr.), ltiuzyti, 'to break'
(tr.); see Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS., p. 443 s.v.
Loch. See lugubrious and cp. locket and the
second element in padlock. Cp. also lucame.
Derivatives: lock, tr. and intr. v., lock-ed, adj.,
lock-er, n., locket (q.v.), lock-ful, n., lock-ing,
adj. and verbal n., lock-less, adj., lock-let, n.
locket, n., a small hinged case worn on a necklace. - OF. ( = F.) /vquet, 'latch of door',
dimin. of OF. foe, 'lock, latch', fr. ON. /ok,
'lock'. See 2nd lock and -et.
Lockian, adj., pertaining to John Lock (16321704) or to his philosophy.
lockram, n., also lockeram, a cheap kind of linen
clpth.- ME. lokerham, fr. MF. (= F.) [acrenan, /ocronan, fr. Locronan, name of a place in

1oage

Lower Brittany where it was first made. The

name Locronan lit. means 'Ronan's cell' (fr.
Bret. lok, 'cell' and the PN. Ronan). Cp. St. Renan, the modern name of the same place.
loco-, combining form meaning 'from place to
place', as in locomotive.- Fr. L. locus, 'place'.
See locus.
locomote, intr. v. - Back formation fr. locomotion. Cp. donate, orate.
locomotion, n.- Compounded of L. loco, abl. of
locus, 'place' and motio, gen. -onis, 'a moving'.
See locus and motion.
locomotive, adj. - Compounded of L. loco, abl.
of locus, 'place', and Late L. motivus, 'moving'.
See locus and motive.
Derivatives: locomotive, n., locomotiv-ity, n.
locomotor, adj. and n.- Compounded ofL.loco,
abl. of locus, 'place', and motor, 'mover'. See
locus and motor.
locular, adj., having loculi.- Formed fr. loculus
with sutf. -ar.
loculus, n., a cell (bot. and zoo/.) - L., 'a little
place', dim in. of locus, 'place'. See locus and -ule.
locumtenens, n., a deputy. - L., 'holding the
place', fr. locum, ace. of locus, 'place', and tenens, pres. part. of tenere, 'to hold'. See tenant
and cp. lieutenant.
locus, n.- L., 'place', fr. OL. st/ocus, lit. 'where
something is placed', fr. I.-E. base *st(h)el-, 'to
cause to stand, to place'. See stall and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also lieu and the second
element in milieu.
locust, n. - ME., fr. L. locusta, 'grasshopper,
locust', prob. fr. *lokos-tii, lit. 'the jumper', and
rei. to lacertus (masc.), lacerta (fern.), 'lizard';
see lizard and cp. lobster. For the form of L.
/ocusta cp. r6bustus, 'strong', onustus, 'laded,
loaden'. For the sense development of locusta
cp. F. sauterelle, 'grasshoper, locust', fr. sauter,
'to leap, hop', G. Heuschrecke, 'grasshopper,
locust', lit. 'hay-jumper', fr. Heu, 'hay', and
schrecken, in the orig. meaning of this verb, 'to
jump'.
locusta, n., 1) a spikelet (bot.); 2) (cap.) a genus of
grasshoppers (zoo/.) - ModL., fr. L. /ocusta,
'locust'. See locust.
locution, n., style of speech. - L. /ociitio, gen.
-onis, 'a speaking, speech, discourse', fr. lvciitus,
pp. of loqui, 'to speak'. See loquacious and -ion
and cp. allocution, elocution.
lode, n., 1) way, course; 2) vein of ore. - ME.
lod, lode, fr. OE. liid, 'way, journey, course;
carrying of goods; sustenance', rei. to OE. lUJan,
'to go, travel', liidan, 'to lead, guide'. See lead
and cp. load and the second clement in livelihood.
lodestar, also loadstar, n. - Compounded of
lode and star; lit. 'a leading star.
lodestone, n. - See loadstone.
lodge, n. - ME. loge, logge, fr. OF. loge, 'arbor,
hut' (whence F. loge, 'hut, cabin, lodge, box at
a theater'), fr. OHG. taubja, /ouba, 'porch,

lodge
gallery', whence MHG. loube, of s.m. (whence
G. Laube, 'bower, arbor', which was influenced
in meaning by Laub, 'foliage'; see leaf). OHG.
louba is rel. to ON. !opt, 'upper room'. See loft
and cp. lobby, loge, loggia. Cp. also logistics.
lodge, intr. and tr. v.- ME.loggen, fr. OF.logier
(F. lager), 'to lodge', fr. loge, 'lodge'. See lodge,

n.
Derivatives: lodg-er, n., lodg-ing, n., lodg(e)ment (q.v.)
lodgment, lodgement, n. - MF. ( = F.) logement,
fr. OF., fr. lager. See lodge, v., and -ment.
loess, n., an unstratified deposit of loam. - G.
Loss, coined by K.C. von Leonhard in 1823
through the alteration of Losch, 'soil interspersed with snail-shells', fr. dial. Swiss Iosch,
'loose', the equivalent of G. los, of s.m. See
loose.
loft, n.- ME., fr. Late OE. loft, fr. ON.lopt, 'air,
sky, upper room', which is rei. to OE. lyft (dial.
E. lift), Du. Iucht, OHG., MHG., G. tuft, Goth.
luftus, 'air'. Cp. aloft, lift. Cp. also lodge, n.
Derivatives: loft, tr. v., loft-er, n., loft-i-ly, adv.,
loft-i-ness, n., loft-ing, n.
log, n., a heavy piece of wood. - ME. logge, of
Scand. origin. Cp. ON. liig (whence Dan. laag,
Norw. log), 'felled tree', orig. 'that which lies',
from the stem of ON. liggja, 'to lie'. See lie, 'to
recline', and cp. the first element in loggerhead.
Derivatives: log, tr. v., to cut into logs; intr. v.,
to fell trees and transport the logs to a sawmill,
adj., logged (q. v.), logg-er, n., logg-ing, n.
log, n., a liquid measure, the 12th part of a hin.
- Heb.l6gh, rel. to Syr. laggii, lagithti, 'a (dessert) dish', and prob. also to Arab. lajja, 'was
deep', laij, 'depth, abyss', Akkad. /ignu, 'vase,
vessel'. Cp. also Copt. /ok, 'a liquid measure,
and see lagena.
log, n. - Abbrev. of logarithm.
log-, form oflogo- before a vowel.
loganberry, n., a kind of dewberry. - So called
after the American jurist James Harvey Logan
(I 841-1928), who first cultivated it.
Logania, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after James Logan (1614-1751), an Irish
botanist, secretary to William Penn. For the
ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Loganiaceae, n. pl., the logania family (bot.) ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
loganiaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
logan stone, rocking stone. - For logging stone,
lit. 'rocking stone', fr. dial. E. log, 'to rock'.
logarithm, n. --~ Lit. 'ratio~number', fr. L. logarithmus, a word coined by the Scottish mathematician John Napier 0550-1617) in 1614 fr. Gk.
J..6yo~. 'word, ratio', and :ipL%!.L6~, 'number'.
See logos and arithmetic.
Derivatives: logarithm-ic, adj., logarithmic-al-ly,
adv.
loge, n., box in a theater.- F. See lodge, n.
logged. adj., made heavy.- Formed with suff.

902
-ed fr. log, 'to cut into logs'. See log, 'a piece of
wood'.
loggerhead, n., a blockhead. - Fr. obsol. log
head, compounded oflog, 'a piece of wood', and
head. For sense development cp. blockhead.
Derivative: loggerhead-ed, adj.
loggia, n., a roofed gallery used as an open-air
room. - It., fr. F. loge. See lodge, n., and cp.
lobby.
logic, n. - ME. logike, fr. OF. ( = F.) logique,
fr. L. logica, fr. Gk. :f.oyLx-1), which is short for
:f.oyLx~ -:-tx'17J, 'logic art', i.e. 'the art of speaking
and reasoning'; :f.oym-1) is fern. of :f.oyLx6.;;, 'pertaining to speaking or reasoning, logical', fr.
:f.6yo.;;, 'word, speech; reason'. See logos and -ic.
logical, adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
/ogicus, fr. Gk. :f.oyLx6.;;, 'logical'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: logical-ly, adv., logical-ity, n.
logician, n., one skilled in logic.- F. /ogicien, fr.
logique, 'logic'. See logic and -ian.
Iogie, n., a piece of sham jewellery. - Named
after the English inventor David Logie, who
invented it about 1860.
logion, pl. logia, saying of Jesus not recorded in
the Gospels.- Gk. MyLo'l, 'a saying', fr. :f.6yo.;;,
'word, speech'. See logos.
logistic, adj., skilled in logic. - ML. logisticus
(pro b. through the medium of F. logistique), 'of
calculation; of reasoning', fr. Gk. ).oy~crnl~6:;,
'skilled in calculation, skilled in reasoning', fr.
:f.oy(~~cr&:n, 'to calculate, reason', fr. :f.6yo.;;,
'word, speech, reason; calculation'. See logos
and -istic.
logistic, n., the art of calculation, arithmetic. See prec. word.
logistics, n., the art of transporting, quartering
and supplying troops.- F. logistique (short for
!'art logistique), a hybrid coined fr. F. logis, 'a
lodging' (fr. loger, 'to lodge', /oger des soldats,
'to quarter soldiers', fr.loge, 'hut, cabin, lodge'),
and the Greek suff.-Lcrnx6~. See lodge and -istic.
For the ending of logistics see suff. -ics.
logo-, before a vowel log-, combining form
meaning 'word, speech', as in logogram, logogriph.-Fr. Gk./,6yo~, 'word, speech'. See logos.
logodaedaly, n., a playing with words. - Gk.
),oyolk.nii'XA(i. See logo-, daedal and -y (representing Gk. -Ui.).
logogram, n., a letter or sign representing a word.
-Compounded of logo- and Gk. yp&fLp.oc, gen.
yp&iJ.fL'X'rO~, 'letter', lit. 'that which is written'.
See -gram and cp. grammalogue.
Deriyatiw: logogrammat-ic, adj.
logograph, n., a logogram. - Compounded of
logo- and Gk. -ypoc<;>o~, fr. yp&q>~L'I, 'to write'.
See -graph.
Derivative: logograph, tr. v.
logograpbic, adj., pertaining to logography. Gk. :f.oyoypocq>tx6~, 'of writing speeches', fr.
:Aoyoypor.q>(ii. See next word and -ic.
Derivative: logographic-al-ly, adv.

La liard

903
logography, n., a method of reporting speeches in
Ion ghand, each of several reporters taking down
a few words in succession. - Gk. Aoyoyp'XtpLiX,
'a writing of speeches', fr. :f.oyoypitpo<;, 'a speech
writer', compounded of Gk. Myo.;;, 'word,
speech', and -ypocrp(ii, fr. yp<iq>~L'I, 'to write'.
See logo-, -graph and -y (representing Gk. -(iX).
logogriph, n., word puzzle. - Compounded of
logo- and Gk. ypi:q>o<;, 'fishing net; something
intricate; a riddle', which prob. stands for *gribhos and is cogn. witn MHG. krebe, 'basket',
ON. kiar/, kerfi, 'bundle', 01. grapsa/.1, 'bundle'.
logomachy, n., a fight in, or about, words.- Gk.
).oyOfL'XXLi, 'war about words', compounded of
Myo~, 'word, speech', and fLOCX'IJ, 'battle'. See
logo- and -machy.
logometric, adj., serving to represent graphically
chemical elements (chem.) - Compounded of
logo- and Gk. fLEorpo'l, 'measure'. See metric.
logos, n., the divine Word.- Gk. Myo<;, 'word,
speech; word which expresses the inward
thought; the thought itself; tale, story; maxim,
proverb, narrative; prose; ratio, reason; relation, proportion, analogy, calculation, reckoning, account; discussion, deliberation, dialogue', fr. AE:yzLv, 'to pick out, choose; to speak,
declare, and cogn. with L. Iegere, 'to gather,
collect; to pick out, choose; to read, recite'. See
lecture and cp. logic, logistic, adj., -Iogue, -logy,
Alogians, apologue, curiologic, Decalog, dialect.
Cp. also paralogism, syllogism.
logothete, n., name of various officers of the Byzantine empire. - ML. logotheta, orig. 'an auditor of accounts', fr. Gk. :f.oyo-&E:-:-1)~, which is
compounded ofi.6;o:;, 'word, speech; account',
and -&0:-rlj:;, a derivative of -&r,-, the stern of
't"LlH'I:xL, 'to place, set, lay down'. See logo- and
theme.
logotype, n., two or more letters cast in a single
type (print.)- Compounded of logo- and type.
Derivative: !ogotyp-y, n.
-Iogue, combining form denoting a kind of discourse as in dialogue, epilogue. - F. -Iogue, fr.
Gk. -).orr;:;. See -logy.
-logy, combining form denoting a 'speaking, discourse, treatise, doctrine, theory, science', as in
hiology, geologr.- Gk. -!.n;iii (either directly
or through the medium of OF. or F. -Iogie or
l\1L. -logia), fr. -/.6yo:;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner): one who deals (with a certain
topic)', fr. i.i,z~v, 'to pick up, choose; to speak,
declare', whence also /.6yo<;, 'word, speech; account'. In some cases-as e.g. in pL:f.oy(ii, 'trilogy'. T-:-~:xi.r;":'(i. 'tetra1ogy'--AoyLi derives
directly from i.~;oc,. See logos and cp. -ology.
MF. ( = F.)
lohoch. Iohock, n., linctus. looch, fr. Arab. la'dq, in \~ulgar pronunciation
la'dq, lit. 'anything licked', fr.ld'iqa, 'he licked'.
Cp. L. linctus, fr. lingere, 'to lick'.
loimic, adj., pertaining to plague. - Gk. AOL!L~
x6~, 'pertaining to pestilence or plague', fr. :AoL[L6c;, 'pestilence, plague', which is prob. rei. to

'hunger', !.my6~, 'ruin, destruction, discase, death', and possibly to ii:f.lyoc;, 'small, little,
few'. See oligo- and -ic and cp. the second element in bulimia.
Ioimo-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
plague, pestilential'. - Gk. AOLfLO-, fr. AOLfL6~,
'pestilence, plague'. See prec. word.
loin, n. - ME. loyne, fr. loigne, logne, var. of
OF. (F.) Ionge, 'loin', fr. ML. *lumbea, fern. of
*/umbeus, adj. used as a noun, fr. L. lumbus,
'loin'. See lumbar and cp. the second element in
sirloin.
Ioir, n., a species of dormouse. -F., fr. VL. glirem, corresponding to L. glirem, ace. of g/i:s,
'dormouse', which is cogn. with 01. giri/.1, girikii,
'mouse', Gk. y'X:f.:1), 'weasel, polecat, marten'.
See galea and cp. lerot.
Loiseleuria, n., a genus of plants, the Alpine azalea (bot.)- ModL., named after the French botanist J. L. A. Loiseleur-Delongchamps (17741849). For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
loiter, intr. and tr. v. - ME. loitren, fr. MDu.
loteren, 'to be loose' (whence Du. leuteren, 'to
delay, linger, loiter'), which is rei. to OE. /oddere, 'beggar', ME. !odder, 'good-for-nothing',
OHG. lotar, 'empty, vain', MHG. toter, 'loose,
vain, frivolous', G. Lotterbube, 'vagabond, rascal', OE.lyiJre, 'base, bad, wicked'. See lither.
Derivative: loiter-er, n.
loka, n., open space, universe, world (Hinduism).
- 01. lokti/.1, lit. 'a clear place, clearing', rei. to
tokayati, tocdyati, 'regards, looks at', fr. I.-E.
base *leuq-, 'to see, behold', which is identical
with base *leuq-, 'to emit light, shine; bright'.
See light, 'brightness', and cp. the first element
in lokapala.
Iokapala, n., a guardian of the world, prop. one
of the eight deities who guard the eight cardinal
points (Hindu mythol.) - OJ. lokapiild/.1, compounded of lokal;, 'open space, universe, world',
and piildl;, 'guardian'. For the first element see
Ioka. The second element derives fr. I.-E. base
*po-, 'to keep, guard, protect', whence also 01.
pati, 'he guards, protects', go-pa/.1, 'shepherd'.
This base is rei., and equivalent in meaning, to
base *pa-, whence pii-scere, 'to feed, nourish',
pii-stor, 'shepherd'. See food.
Lola, fern. PN.- Dimin. of Sp. Dolores (q.v.)
Loligo, n., a genus of squids (zoo/.) - L. lolligo,
/oligo, 'cuttlefish', of uncertain origin.
Lolium, n., a genus of plants, the darnel (bot.)L. folium, 'darnel', of uncertain etymology.
OHG. Iolli (whence MHG. lullich, lulche, G.
Lolch), 'darnel', is a Latin loan word.
loll, intr. v., to lounge; tr. v., to let hang.- ME.
lollen, lullen 'to lounge', of imitative origin. See
lull and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: loll, n., lol/-er, n.
Lollard, n., member of a sect of reformers, followers of John Wycliffe. - MDu. Lol/aerd, lit.
'mutterer (scil. of psalms)', formed fr.lol/en, 'to
hum, mumble'. See lull and -ard and cp. loll.
).~fLo<;,

lollipop

Derivatives: lollard-ism, n., Lollard-y, adj.

lollipop, n., a sweetmeat. - Of uncertain origin.
lollop, intr. v., to loll.- Enlarged fr.loll.
Derivative: lollop, n.
loll shraub, loll shrob, claret (India). - Hind. Iii/
shariib, 'red, wine', fr. Pers. liil, 'red', and Arab.
shardb, 'drink, wine' (see sirup).
lorna, n., a membranous fringe (zoo/.)- ModL.,
fr. Gk. AW!J.O(, 'hem,fringe, border', which pro b.
stands for *fAwfJ.cx and is cogn. with L. lOrum
(for *w!Orum), 'strap, thong'. See lore, 'space
between the eyes and beak of birds', and cp.
next word and the second element in Cycloloma,
Isoloma, Tricholoma.
Lomatium, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. AW!J.&no'11, 'small border', dimin. of
AW!J.O(. See prec. word.
Lombard, n., I) an inhabitant of Lombardy; 2) a
banker or moneylender.- F., fr. Late L. Langobardus, Longobardus ( = G. Langbart, lit., 'Long
Beard'), one of a Teut. tribe which invaded Italy
in 568. See long, adj., and beard and cp. Langobard. The Lombards were generally known as
pawnbrokers, hence the sense development of
the word Lombard in English. Cp. also OF.
lombart, 'usurer', and see lumber, n.
Derivatives: Lombard, Lombard-esque, Lombard-ic, adjs.
loment, n., a legume which breaks at maturity
into one-seeded indehiscent joints (bot.) - L.
/omentum, 'bean meal (used as a wash)', contracted fr. lovimentum, which derives fr. laviire
(for *loviire), 'to wash'. See lave and -ment.
lomentaceous, adj., bearing laments (bot.) Formed with suff. -aceous fr. L. l6mentum. See
prec. word.
loncho-, before a vowel lonch-, combining form
meaning 'lance'. - Fr. Gk. A6yt_'f), 'lance',
which is of uncertain, possibly Sem., origin; cp.
Heb. riimal;, Aram. ruml;a, Arab. rum/;, 'lance'.
lone, adj. - Aphetic form of alone (q.v.)
Derivatives: lone-ly, adj., lone-li-ness, n., lonesome, adj., lone-some-ly, adv., lone-some-ness, n.
long, adj. - ME. long, lang, fr. OE. long, lang,
rei. to OS., Dan., Du., OHG., MHG., G.
lang, ON. langr, Swed. lang, MDu., MHG.
lane, Goth. laggs, 'long', and cogn. with L. longus, 'long', fr. I.-E. base *dlonghos, whence also
MPers. drang, Pers. dirang, 'long'. Base *dlonghos is pro b. a nasalized derivative of base *delegh-, which appears in 01. dirghal;, 'long', Gk.
iloA~z6<;, 'long', b.l-ilEAE;t.-1)~, 'constant, continual', L. in-dulgere, 'to be kind', lit. 'to be longsuffering'. See dolicho- and cp. indulge. Cp. also
length, Lent, ling, 'a fish', linger,long, v., longeron, longitude, lunge, allonge, belong, oblong,
prolong.
Derivatives: long, adv., long-ish, adj.
long, n., a long note (mus.); a long sound (prosody).- Fr. long, adj.
long, intr. v., to desire. - ME. longen, fr. OE.
langian, 'to grow long; to desire, Cl'llve, long

904
after' (impers.), rei. to OS./angon (impers.), ON.
langa (pers. and impers.), MDu. /anghen, verlanghen (impers. and pers.), OHG. Iangen (impers.), bilangen, gilangen (impers. and pers.),
MHG. belangen, also (rarely) verlangen, G. verlangen, 'to desire', and to E. long, adj.
Derivative: long-ing, n.
-long, adverbial suff. expressing direction.- ON.
-langr (in endlangr, 'endlong'), from langr, 'long'
(see long, adj.) This suff. has now displaced adv.
suff. -ling.
Iongan, n., the tree Euphoria Iongan or its fruit.Chin. lung-yen, lit. 'dragon's eye'.
longanimity, n., patience.- Late L. longanimitiis,
'long-suffering, patience, forbearance', fr. L.
longanimis, 'long-suffering, patient', which is
compounded of longus, 'long', and animus, 'soul,
spirit, mind'. See long, adj., animus and -ity.
longeron, n., a longitudinal member of an airplane fuselage.- F., fr. longer, 'to skirt, extend
along', shortened fr. a/longer, 'to lengthen'. See
allonge.
longevity, n., long duration of life. - Late L.
longaevitiis, 'great age, long life', fr. L. /ongaevus, 'of great age', which is compounded of
longus, 'long', and aevum, 'age'. See long, adj.,
age and -ity and cp. aeon and the second element
in coeval, primeval.
longi-, combining form meaning 'long'. - L.
longi-, fr. longus, 'long'. See long, adj.
longicorn, adj., having long antennae (zoo!.) Compounded oflongi- and L. cornu, 'horn'. See
horn and cp. corn, 'horny induration'.
Ionginquity, n., remoteness. - L. longuinquitiis,
gen. -iitis, 'length, extent, long duration', fr.
longinquus, 'long, extensive, remote, distant',
which is formed fr. longus, 'long', with suff. -inquus. See long, adj. For the suff. -inquus cp. L.
propinquus, 'near' (see propinquity).
Iongipennate, adj., having long wings. - Compounded of longi- and pennate.
longirostral, adj., having a long beak (ornithol.)
- Compounded of Iongi- and Late L. rostra/is.
See rostral.
longitude, n., length (geogr. and astron.) - L.
/ongitiido, 'length', fr. longus, 'long'. See long,
adj., and -tude.
longitudinal, adj.- Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. longitiido, gen.longitiidinis, 'length'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: longitudinal, n., longitudinal-ly, adv.
longshoreman, n. - Aphetic for along-shore-man.
long-suft'ering, n. - First used by Tyndale.
Lonicera. n., a genus of plants, the honeysuckle
(bot.) - ModL.; so called after the German botanist Adam Lonitzer (Latinized into Lonicerus)
(1526-86).
loo, n., a card game.- Short for earlier lanterloo,
fr. F. lanturelu, orig. the refrain of a song.
Derivative: loo, tr. v.
Iooby, n., a clumsy fellow. - ME. loby, possibly
derived fr. lob (q.v.), or from the French PN.

905
Lubin, which was an abusive name for the monk
in the Middle Ages. The former sense of Iooby
1 was 'loafer'.
oof, n. - A variant of luff.
Joofah, n.- Fr. Arab. lilfah. See luft'a.
]ook, intr. v. - ME. Ioken, fr. OE. locian, rei. to
OS. lokon, MDu. /oeken, 'to look', OHG. luogen, MHG. luogen, G. lugen, 'to look out',
and perh. cogn. with Toch. A liik-, 'to see',
and with OCorn. lagat, Bret./agad, 'eye'. Cp.lo.
Derivatives: look, n., look-er, n., look-ing, adj.
loom, n., a machine for weaving. - ME. lome,
'tool', fr. OE. gel6ma, 'tool, utensil', rei. to OE.
andloman (pl.), 'utensils'; of uncertain origin.
Cp. heirloom.
Derivative: loom, tr. v., to weave on a loom.
loom, intr. v., to appear, to come into view. Of uncertain origin; perhaps orig. meaning 'to
come slowly toward', and rei. to EFris. /omen,
dial. Swed. lama, 'to move slowly'.
Derivatives: loom, n., loom-ing, adj.
loom, n., a puffin, loon.- Of Scand. origin. Cp.
ON. lomr, Dan., Swed., Norw. lom. Cp. also
loon, 'a water bird'.
loon, n., a lout, rascal. - ME. Iowen, loun. Cp.
MDu. loen, 'a stupid person'.
loon, n., a waterbird.- Corrupted fr.loom, 'loon'
(q.v.)
loony, adj., crazy; n., a crazy person (slang). For luny, short for lunatic.
Derivative: looni-ness, n.
loop, n., a noose.- Of uncertain, possibly, Celtic,
origin. Cp. Gael. and Jr. liib, 'bend'.
Derivative: loop, tr. and intr. v., to form into a
loop.
loop, n., a small opening. - ME. Ioupe, perhaps
fr. MDu. lupen, 'to lie in wait'. Cp.loophole.
looper, n., I) one who or that which loops; 2) a
measuring worm. - Formed fr. loop, 'noose',
with agential suff. -er.
loophole, n. - Compounded of loop, 'opening',
and hole.
loose, adj. - ME. laos, lous, los, fr. ON. lauss,
'loose, free, vacant, dissolute', rei. to OE. teas,
'devoid of; false, feigned, incorrect, worthless',
Dan.les, 'loose, untied', Swed. los, 'loose, movable, detached', MDu., Du. los. OS., OHG.,
MHG, los, G. los, 'loose, free', Goth. laus,
'empty, vain', and to OE.for-leosan, 'to lose; to
destroy', losian, 'to perish, be lost'. See lose and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: loose, adv. and tr. v., n., loose-ly,
adv., loos-en, tr. and intr. v., loos-en-er, n., looseness, n.
loosestrife, n., any plant of the genus Lysimachia
(bot.)- Compounded of loose, v., and strife;
loan translation of the Greco-Latin name Lysimachia.
loot, n., plunder, booty.- Hind. Iii!, fr. OI. lotam, lotram, 'booty', which is rei. to lu7Jtati,
robs, plunders', and prob. cogn. with L. lucrum, 'gain,_profit, advantage'. See lucre.

loquacity

Derivatives: loot, tr. and intr. v., loot-er, n.

lop, tr. v., to hew, cut.- Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: lop, n., lopp-ing, n.
lop, intr. v., to hang down; tr. v., to cause to lop.
- Pro b. of imitative origin. Cp. lob.
Derivative: lop, adj.
lope, intr. v., to move with a long stride; tr. v., to
cause to lope.- ME.lopen, a var. of loupen, fr.
ON. hlaupa, 'to leap'. See leap and cp. loop,
elope, interloper, landloper.
Derivatives: lope, n., Iop-er, n.
Lopezia, n., a genus of plants of the evening primrose family (bot.) - ModL., named after the
Spanish botanist J. Lopez. For the ending see 1st
suff. -ia.
Ioph-, form of lopho- before a vowel.
lophio-, before a vowel lophi-, combining form
meaning a 'small crest' or 'small tuft'. - Gk.
AO~LO-, Ao~~-. fr. :f..6~1ov, 'a small crest, a small
tuft', dimin. of'A6~o~, 'crest, tuft'. See lopho-.
Lophiola, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis
family (bot.)- A ModL. hybrid coined fr. Gk.
:f..6<pL0'11, 'a small crest' (see lophio-), and the L.
suff. -ola (see -ole). The correct form would be
Lophidium, fr. Gk. Ao~lillo'11, fr. A6<po~, 'crest',
and dimin. suff. -lil~ov (see -idium).
]opho-, before a vowel loph-, combining form
meaning 'crest, tuft'.- Gk. Ao<po-, 'Ao?-, fr.
:f..6~o~, 'back of the neck; crest, tuft', which is
pro b. cogn. with Toch. lap, 'summit, head'. Cp.
Zalophus.
lophobranchiate, adj., pertaining to the Lophobranchii; n., any of the Lophobranchii. - See
next word and adj. suff. -ate.
Lophobranchii, n. pl., a suborder of teleost fishes
(ichthyol.)- ModL.;compounded oflopho- and
Gk. ~p&YX,I0'11, 'gill' (see branchiate); so called in
allusion to the gills, which are arranged in tufts.
lophodont, adj., having transverse ridges on the
upper surface of the molar teeth (zoot.) - Compounded of loph- and the stem of Gk. oilw11,
gen. oil6Ho~, 'tooth'. See odonto-.
Lophomis, n., a genus of humming birds, the coquette (ornithol.) - ModL., compounded of
loph- and Gk. op'11~<;, 'bird'. See ornitho-.
Lophura, n., a genus of pheasants, the fireback
(ornithol.) - ModL., compounded ofloph- and
Gk. oup&, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-'.
lopsided, adj., inclining to one side. - Compounded of lop, 'to hang down', and side.
loquacious, adj., talkative. - Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. loquiix, gen. -iicis, 'talkative', fr. loqui,
'to speak', which is of uncertain etymology. It is
perh. cogn. with Olr. -tluchur in atluchur, 'I
think', duttluchur, 'I pray' (see Ernout-Meillet,
DELL., p. 366 s.v. loquor). Cp. locution, loquitur, allocution, collocution, colloquy, elocution,
eloquent, grandiloquent, magniloquent, obloquy,
soliloquy, ventriloquism.
Derivatives: loquacious-ly, adv., loquacious-ness,
n.
loquacity, n., talkativeness.- L.loquiicitiis, 'talk-

loquat

ativeness', fr. loquax, gen. -acis. See prec. word

and -ity.
loquat, n., the Japanese medlar (Eriobotrya japonica). - Canton Chin. lu kwet, corresponding to Pekin Chinese lu chii, lit. 'rush orange'.
loquitur, intr. v., he or she speaks (stage direction).- L., 3rd person pres. indic. sing. of loqui,
'to speak'. See loquacious.
Lora, fern. PN.- A var. of Laura.
Loran, n., long range navigation system. - Invented word, formed fr. the initials of long range
navigation.
Loranthaceae, n., pl., the mistletoe family (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. Loranthus with suff.
-aceae.
Ioranthaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Loranthus, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL,
fr. Late Gk. ).wpov, 'strap, thong', which is a
loan word fr. L. forum, and Gk. &v-Ito~, 'flower'.
See lore, 'space between eyes and beak', and
anther.
]orate, adj., having the shape of a thong (said of
leaves). - L. /oriitus, fr. /Orum, 'thong'. See
lore, 'space between eyes and beak', and adj.
-ate.
lorcha, n., a light Chinese sailing vessel. - Port.
lord, n. - ME. laverd, loverd, lord, fr. OE. hliiford; lit. 'loaf keeper', fr. hliif, 'loaf', and weard,
keeper'. See loaf and ward, 'one who guards',
and cp. laird and the first element in lady.
Derivatives: lord, intr. and tr. v., lord-less, adj.,
lord-ling, n., lordly, adj. (q.v.), lord-ly, adv.,
lordship (q.v.)
lordly, adj. - ME., contraction of loverdlich, fr.
OE. hliifordlic, fr. hliiforJ. See lord and adj. suff.
-ly.
Derivative: lord-li-ness, n.
lordosis, n., forward curvature of the spine (med.)
- Medical L., fr. Gk. J.6pawcnc;, fr. Aopa6c;,
'bent forward', which is prob. cogn. with Arm.
lor<;-k' (pl.), 'distention of the posteriors', Gael.
loire, 'a deformed foot', MHG. lerz, lurz, 'left'
(lit. 'curved'). For the ending see suff. -osis.
lordship, n.- ME., fr. OE. hliifordscipe. See lord
and -ship.
lore, n., learning, knowledge. - ME. /are, lore,
/oor, fr. OE. liir, 'learning, teaching, doctrine,
science', rei. to OS., OHG. /era, OFris. /iire, Du.
leer, MHG. /ere, G. Lehre, 'teaching, precept,
doctrine', and to OE. lieran, 'to teach'. See learn
and cp. words there referred to.
lore, n., space between the eyes and beak of birds.
- L. lurum, ',trap, thong', for h1Jrum, cogn.
with Gk. s:1).7jpct (for *it-J''A'I)pct ), Dor. ctUA7Jpct
(for *&-J'A'I)p ), 'reins', Arm. far (for *wlar),
'cord, rope', Gk. AwfJ.ct (for * fAwfLet ), 'hem,
fringe, border', fr. I.-E. base wei-, 'to turn,
twist, roll', whence also L. volvere, 'to roll, turn
about'. See volute and cp. lorna and words there
referred to. Cp. also lorlca.lorlcate, Iorimer.
lorgnette, n., eyeglass, esp. one with a long band-

906
le; an opera glass.- F., fr. lorgner, 'to leer at,
ogle', fr. lorgne, 'squinting'; of uncertain origin.
lorgnon, n., an eyeglass; a pair of eyeglasses.F., fr. lorgner. See lorgnette.
lorica, n., a cuirass; a hard protective covering
(zoo!.) - L. lorica, 'leather cuirass, corselet of
thong; a plastering', fr. /Orum, 'thong'. See lore,
'space between eyes and beak", and cp. words
there referred to.
loricate, adj., covered with a lorica. - L. loriciitus, pp. of loriciire, 'to clothe in mail, to plaster',
fr. lorica. See Iorica and adj. suff. -ate.
lorikeet, n., a small parrot allied to the lory. -A
blend oflory and parakeet.
Iorimer, Ioriner, n., a maker of bits for bridles and
saddles (archaic). - ME. Iorimer, loriner, fr.
OF. loremier (F. lormier), fr. loraim, lorain,
'bridle strap', fr. VL. */Oriimen, fr. L. Ionon,
'strap, thong, the rein of a bridle'. See lore,
'space between eyes and beak'.
loriot, n., the golden oriole.- F., fr. MF., formed with the agglutination of the def. article
(loriot for OF. /'oriot) and change of suff., fr.
OProvenc. auriol, fr. L. aureolus, 'gold colored',
fr. aurum, 'gold' (see ille and aurora and cp.
oriole and the first element in oriflamme); so
called in allusion to its yellow plumage. According to my opinion, the change of suff. -ol to
-ot is due to the dissimilation of the final -1.
loris, n., either of two small nocturnal lemurs
found in Ceylon and Malaya. - F., of uncertain origin.
lorn, adj., lost, ruined (archaic). - ME. loren,
lorn, fr. OE. -loren, pp. of obsol. /eo san, 'to lose',
whence for/eosan, 'to lose. See lose, forlorn.
lorry, n., a truck. - Perhaps fr. dial E. furry, 'to
pull, drag'.
Derivative: lorry, tr. and intr. v.
lory, n., a small parrot of New Guinea and Australia.- Malay ll/rf, 'a kind of parrot', var. of
niiri.
lose, intr. and tr. v. - ME. losien, 'to perish,
lose', fr. OE. [asian, 'to perish, be lost', fr.
los, 'dissolution, destruction', rei. to ON. los,
'breaking up (of the army)', OE. leas, 'devoid of',
for-leosan (pp. for-loren), 'to lose; to destroy',
OS. far-liosan, OFris. urliasa, MDu. ver-liesen,
Du. ver-liezen, OHG. vir-liosan, MHG. verliesen, G. ver-/ieren, Goth. fra-liusan, 'to lose',
fr. I.-E. base *leus-, an -s-enlargement of base
*leu-, *leu-, */u-, 'to cut off, untie, separate',
whence Goth. fun, usluneins, 'ransom', 01./untiti,
Iunati, 'cuts, cuts off',lavib,lavitram, 'sickle', Hitt.
!a-, 'to untie, undo, unfasten', G. i.-)., .,, 'to loose,
loosen, untie, slacken; to set free, ransom,
dissolve', ).ua~~. 'a loosing, setting free, releasing', ).u-.pov, 'ransom', Alb. fa}, 'lpay',perl'aj,
'I rob, deprive', L.luere, 'to loose, release, atone
for, expiate', luis, 'plague, pestilence', solvere
(for *se-/uere), 'to loosen, untie, dissolve'. See
lysis and cp. leasing, -less, loose, losel, loss,
"forlorn. Cp. also lues, solve.

907
Derivatives: los-able, adj., los-er, n., los-ing,
adj., los-ings, n. pl., los-ing-ly, adv.
Iosel, n., a worthless person. - ME. lose!, fr.
losen (pp. of lesen, 'to lose'), a var. of loren, fr.
OE.loren, pp. of liosan, 'to lose', which is rei. to
OE. losian, 'to perish, be lost'. See lose.
loss, n.- Back formation fr. lost, pp. oflose (q.v.)
lost, past tense and pp. of lose.
lot, n.- ME. lotte, fr. OE. hlot, rei. to ON. hlutr,
'lot, share', OHG, hlu3, lu3, 'share ofland', OS.
h/Ot, ON. hlaut, Swed. !ott, Dan. lad, OHG.
hlo3, lo3, MHG. lo3, G. Los, Goth. hlauts, of
s.m., OE. hliotan, OS. hliotan, ON. hljota,
OHG. h/iOJJan, lio3an, MHG. lie3en, 'to cast
lots, to foretell', fr. Teut. base *hlut-, which possibly meant orig. 'to hook to', and corresponds
to I.-E. base *(s)qleu-, *qliiu-, 'a hook, forked
branch, key; to close, shut; to catch, be caught
on'. See close, adj., and cp. words there referred
to. F. lot, 'lot, portion, share', It. lotto, 'lot,
portion, share', lotteria, 'lottery', are Teut.loan
words. Cp. lottery, lotto, allot.
Derivative: lot, tr. v.
Lot, n., son of Haran and nephew of Abraham
(Bible).- Heb. Lof, lit. 'envelope, wrap, covering'.
Iota, Iotah, n., a round water vessel. - Hind.
lofii.
loth, adj.- A var. of loath.
Lothario, n., a rake. - Fr. Lothario, a character
in Rowe's play "The Fair Penitent". The name
Lothario, and its French equivalent Lothaire,
are ofTeut. origin. Cp. OHG. Hlothari, Hludher
(whence G. Luther), lit. 'famous warrior'. The
first element of this name is rei. to OHG. liit,
'famous, celebrated', the second, to OHG. heri,
'host, army'. See loud and harry.
lotion, n., a medicinal wash.- L. lOtio, gen. -onis,
'a washing', fr. lotus, pp. of lavare, 'to wash'.
See lave and -ion.
Lotophagi, n. pl., a people mentioned in Homer's
Odyssey, IX; they were supposed to live in a
state of indolence caused by their subsisting on
the fruits of the lotus.- L., fr. Gk. AwTo?rkyo~,
lit. 'lotus eaters', fr. Aw-:-6~, 'lotus', and the stem
of ?ctydv, 'to eat'. See lotus and -phagous.
lottery, n. -It. lotteria, 'public lottery', fr. lotto,
'lot, portion, share' (but F. loterie derives fr. Du.
loterije, fr. Du. lot, 'lot'). See lot and cp. lotto.
Lottie, Lotta, fern. PN. - Dimin. of Charlotte.
lotto, n., a game of change.- It., lit. 'a lot'. See
lot and cp. lottery.
lotus, n. - L., fr. Gk. ),w-.6~, name of various
plants, fr. He b. !u;, 'hlbdanum'. See labdanum
and cp. the first element in Lotophagi and the
second element in melilot.
loud, adj. - ME. loud, fr. OE. hliid, rei. to OS.,
OFris. hliid, MDu. luut, /uud, Du. luid, OHG.
hliit, liit, MHG. liit, G. /aut, 'loud', fr. I.-E. pp.
base *klu-to-s, whence also 01. srutab, Gk.
x).~-.6c;, 'heard of, celebrated', L. in-c/utus, inclitus, 'celebrAted, famous', Arm. lu, 'known',

louse

Mlr. cloth, 'glory', W. clod, 'praise'; fr. I.-E.

base *kleu-, 'to hear', whence also 01. S[IJrJti,
'hears', sriitib, 'the act of hearing', srotram,
Avestic srao&ra- 'ear', Avestic srao-ta, 'he shall
hear', Toch. A kloSiim (dual), 'ears', B klautso,
'ear', A kaklyu, 'celebrated, famous', Arm. lsem
(aor. luaj), '1 hear', OSlav. stove, sluti, 'to be
called', slovo, 'word', slava, 'glory', Lith. s/6ve,
slave, 'glory, splendor', OSlav. sluchu, 'hearing',
01. .~ravas-, 'praise, glory', Avestic sravah-,
'word', G k. x).oc; (dial. *x).s fo~), 'rumor, report,
fame', x).de:~v, x).se:w, 'to celebrate', L. cluere,
'to hear oneself called, be spoken of', Olr. roclui-nethar, 'hears', clii, 'glory', W. clywaj; Co.
clewaf, 'I hear', Toch. A klyw, B. kiilywe, 'glory'.
From base *kleus-, an -s-enlargement of base
*kleu-, derive Arm. lut (for *klusri-), 'silent',
Oir. cluas (for *kloustii), 'ear', OSlav. slysq,
slysati, Lith. klausaii, klausyti, 'to hear'. Cp.
ablaut, anlaut, inlaut, auslaut. Cp. also auscultation, cledonism, Clianthus, Clio, Clothilda, Clytemnestra, Damocles, Eteocles, Euclea, Heracles,
Lewis, Lothario, Lonis, Slav, slave, sloka, sruti,
Thecla. Cp. also listen. For the formation of
Teut. adjectives from past participles cp. cold,
dead, old, sad.
Derivatives: louden, tr. and intr. v., loud-ly,
adv., loud-ness, n.
Iough, n., a lake.- Jr. and Gael. loch. See loch.
Louis, masc. PN.- F., fr. OF. Looi's, which derives-prob. through the medium of ML. Ludovicus-fr. OHG. Hluodowig (whence G. Lud
wig), lit. 'famous in war', fr. Teut. *hluda-,
'heard of, famous' (whence also OHG. hliit,
'loud'; see loud), and *wiga, 'war'. Cp. next
word, Lewis and Aloysius. Cp. also louisine.
Louisa, Louise, fern. PN. - F. Louise, fern. of
Louis. See prec. word.
louis d'or, a French gold coin. - F., lit. 'gold
louis'; so called because first struck by Louis
XIII of France (in 1640).
Iouisine, n., a twilled silk used for making dresses.
-F., formed fr. the PN. Louise, or, less probably, fr. the PN. Louis. See Louis, Louisa. For
sense development cp. georgerte.
Louis Quatorze, pertaining to Louis XIV of
France (1643-1715).- F.,lit. 'Louis fourteenth'.
Louis Quinze, pertaining to Louis XV of France
(1715-74).- F., lit. 'Louis fifteenth'.
Louis Seize, pertaining to Louis XVI of France
(I 774-93). - F., lit. 'Louis sixteenth.
lounge, intr. v., to loll idly. -Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: lounge, n., loung-er, n., loung-ing-ly,
ad\'.
Ioup, intr. v., to leap. - ME. loupen, fr. ON.
hlaupa, 'to leap'. See lope.
lour, v., to frown.- A var. of lower.
louse, n. - ME. lous, fr. OE. liis, rei. to ON.,
MLG., MDu., OHG., MHG. liis, G. Laus, and
cogn. with OCo. Iowen, W. lleuen, 'louse'.
Derivatives: louse, tr. and intr. v., lous-y, adj.,
lous-i-ly, adv., lous-i-ness, n.

lout

lout, intr. v., to bow, stoop.- ME. Iuten, /outen,

fr. OE. lutan, rei. to ON. /uta, 'to stoop, fall',
OE. lot, 'deceit', lytig, 'deceitful', Goth. Iuton,
'to deceive', /iuts,'decei tful', fr. Teut. base *leut-,
'to bow, bend, stoop', whence also OE. lytel,
'little'. See little and cp. next word.
lout, n., a clown; a clumsy fellow. - Prob.
meaning orig. 'a fellow bent down', and derived
fr. ON. lutr, 'stooping', fr. luta, 'to stoop, fall'.
See prec. word.
Derivative s: lout-ish, adj., lout-ish-ly, adv., loutish-ness, n.
louver, n., a lantern-sha ped turret on the roof of
an ancient building (medieval archit.) - ME.
lover, fr. OF. lover, louvert, formed by the agglutination of the def. article, fr.l'ouvert, lit. 'the
open (place)', from le (fr. L. ille, 'that') and pp.
of ouvrir, 'to open', fr. VL. *6perire, which corresponds to L. aperire, 'to open'. See ille and
aperient. For the agglutinati on of the article cp.
lierre and words there referred to.
Derivative : louver-ed, adj.
lovage, n., a European herb of the carrot family.
- ME. loveache, fr. OF. luvesche, /evesche (F.
liveche), fr. VL. levistica, fr. L. /igusticum, 'lovage', prop. neuter, of the adj.ligusticus, 'of Liguria', used as a noun, fr. Ligus, 'a Ligurian'. See
Ligurian and cp. Levisticum, Ligusticum, Ligustrum.
love, n.- ME. luve, love, fr. OE.lufu, 'love, affection, friendliness', rei. to OE. leo/, OS. /iof,
OFris. liaj; Du. lief, OHG. liob, MHG. liep, G.
lieb, ON. ljufr, Goth. liufs, 'dear, beloved',
OHG. liubi, 'joy', MHG. Iiebe, 'joy; love', G.
Liebe, 'love', OE., ON., Swed., OFris., Du. loj;
Dan. lov, OHG. lob, MHG./op, G. Lob, 'praise',
fr. I.-E. base *leubh-, 'to love, approve, praise',
whence also L. /ubet, later libet, 'pleases', 01.
lubhyati, 'desires', OSlav. l'ubu, 'dear, beloved',
tuby, 'love', l'ubiti, 'to love', Lith.liaups e, 'song
of praise. Cp. leave, n., lief, belief, believe, and
the second element in furlough. Cp. also libidinous.
Derivative s: love-less, adj love-less-lv adv
.,
.'
.,
la~e-less-ness, n.
OE.
fr.
Ioven,
luvien,
ME.
love, tr. and intr. v. lufian, 'to love', fr. lufu, 'love'. See love, n.
Derivative s: lov-er, n., !ov-er-ly, adj., lov-ing,
adj., lov-ing-ly, adv., lov-ing-ness, n.
love apple, n., the tomato.- Loan translation of
F. pomme d'amour, fr. It. porno d'amore, lit.
'apple of love', which is a popular transforma tion of the original name porno de' Mori, 'apple
of the Moors, Moorish apple'. See pome and
Moor.
love-lorn, adj., pining from love. - Coined by
Milton from love, n., and lorn.
lovely, adj. - ME., fr. OE. lu./llc, 'loving. amiable', fr.lufu, 'love'. See love, n., and adj. suff.
-ly.
Derivative s: /ove/i-/y, adv., loveli-ness, n.
lo~, n . - Coined by COverdale fr.

908
loving, pres. part. of the verb love, and kindness.
low, intr. v., to make the sound of a cow. - ME.
Iowen, fr. OE. hlowan, rei. to OS. hlowan, MDu.
loeyen, Du. /oeien, OHG. hluojen, 'to low'; fr.
Teut. base *h/6-, correspond ing to I.-E. base
*klii-, whence L. clii-miire, 'to call, shout, cry
out'. See claim, v.
Derivative s: low, n., low-ing, n.
low, adj., not high; humble. - ME. lah louh
low, lowe, fr. ON. liigr, which is rei. to Sw;d. lag:
Dan. lav, OFris. lech, MDu. !age, Du. /aag,
MHG. l<ege, dial. G. /iige, 'low'. The orig.
meaning of these words was 'that which is lying
flat'; they are related to ON. liggja, Swed. /igga,
Dan. ligge, OE. licgan etc., 'to lie'. See lie, 'to
recline'.
Derivative s: low, adv. and n., low-ly, adj. and
adv., /ow-ness, n.
low, n., a hill. - ME., fr. OE. hliiw, hliiw 'hill
mound', rei. to OS., OHG. hleo, 'hill, m~und-:
Goth. hlaiw, 'a grave', and to OE. h/eonian
hlinian, 'to lean', and cogn. with L. clivus, 'hill.:
See lean, 'to incline', and cp. clinical and words
there referred to. Cp. also law, 'a hill'.
low, n., blaze (now Scot. and dial. English). ME., fr. ON. /ogi, 'blaze, flame', rei. to ON.
Loki, 'god of flame', OS. l6gna, OFris. loga,
MDu.laye, Du.laai, OHG./oug , MHG.lohe , 16,
G. Lohe, 'flame', fr. I.-E. base *leuq-, 'to emit
light, to shine; bright', whence also OE. Ieoht
'light'. See light, 'brightness ', and cp. word~
there referred to.
low, intr. v., to flame.- ME. Iowen, fr. ON.loga,
fr. logi, 'blaze, flame'. See prec. word.
lowboy, n., chest of drawers supported on short
legs. - A hybrid coined fr. E. low, adj., and F.
bois, 'wood'. See bush and cp. highboy, tallboy.
Cp. also hautboy.
lower, adj.- Compar. oflow, adj.
Derivative : lower, tr. v., to cause to descend;
intr. v., to descend.
lower, lour, intr. v., to frown. - ME. lauren,
luren, 'to frown, lurk', rei. to MDu. ( = Du.)
loeren, of s.m., 'to lurk, lie in wait', MLG.,
MHG. liiren, G. lauern, of s.m. Cp. lurk.
Derivative s: lower, n., lower-ing, adj., lower-ingly, adv., lower-y, adj.
lox-, form of loxo- before a vowel.
loxia. n., wryneck (med.) - Medical L., formed
with 1st suff. -ia fr. Gk. :1-o!;o<;. See Ioxo-.
Loxia, n., a genus of birds, the crossbill (ornithol.)
- ModL. See prec. word.
loxo-, before a vowel lox-, combining form
meaning 'oblique' .- Gk.Ac..:;c..-, l.u:;-, fr. i,c..:;6;;,
'slanting, crosswise, oblique', rei. to :1-ezpLoc;,
'slanting, crosswise', and prob. also to :1-txoc
_,
MxocV7J, 'dish, pot, pan'. See lekane.
loxodrome, n., rhumb line. - Back formation fr.
loxodromic.
loxodromic ; adj., pertaining to oblique sailing. Compound ed of loxo- and Gk. 8p61.1-oc;, 'a
running, course'. See dromedary and adj. suff. -ic.

909
Derivative s: /oxodromic-al-ly, adv., loxodromics
(q.v.)
loxodromics, loxodromy, n., the art of oblique
sailing.- See prec. word and -ics, resp. -y (representing Gk. -liX.).
loyal, adj. - MF. (= F.), fr. OF. /oial, leial,
fr. L. legalis, 'pertaining to the law, legal', fr.
lex, gen. legis, 'law'; see leal and legal, which are
doublets of loyal. F. loyal orig. meant legal. Cp.
for this sense its OProven<;:. equivalent leial,
which means 'legal'.
Derivative s: loyal, n., loyal-ism, n., loyal-ist, n.,
loyal-ly, adv., loyal-ness, n., loyalty (q. v.)
loyalty, n. - ME. loyaltee, fr. OF. loialte (F.
loyaute'), fr.loyal, 'legal'. See prec. word and -ty.
lozenge, n., a figure having four equal sides and
two acute and two obtuse angles, a rhomb. ME./oseng e, fr. OF. losenge, 'a flattering device'
(whence losengier, 'to flatter, praise'), fr. los (fr.
L. laus), 'praise'; see laud. The device was usually painted or engraved into a rhomb, whence
OF. losenge (F. losange), became synonymo us
with rhomb. See Darmestet er, La vie des mots,
13th edition, pp. 50 and 79.
lozengy, adj., divided into lozenges. - OF. losengie, fr. losenge. See prec. word and -y (representing OF. -e, F. -e).
L.s.d., money (colloq.) - Abbreviati on of the
Latin words librae, solidi, denarii (pounds, shillings and pence).
lubber, n., 1) a clumsy fellow; 2) a clumsy seaman.
- ME. lobre, lobur, pro b. of Scand. origin. Cp.
dial. Swed. lubber, 'a plump lazy fellow'. Cp.
also lob, Iooby.
Derivative s: lubber-ly, adj. and adv., lubber-/iness, n.
lubra, n., an aboriginal girl or woman in Australia.- Native Tasmanian name.
lubricant, adj., reducing friction. - L. /Ubricans,
gen. -antis, pres. part. of lubricare, 'to make
smooth'. See next word and -ant.
Derivative : lubricant, n., a substance for reducing friction.
lubricate, tr. v., to make slippery or smooth; to
apply as a lubricant; intr. v., to serve as a lubricant. - L. lubriciitus, pp. of lubriciire, 'to
make slippery or smooth', fr. liibricus, 'slippery,
smooth', which prob. stands for *slubricus and
derives fr. I.-E. base *(s)leub-, 'to slip, slide',
whence also Goth. s/iupan, OE. sliipan, 'to slip,
glide'. See sleeve and cp. words there referred to.
For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative s: lubricat-ion, n., lubricat-ion-a{, adj.,
lubricat-ive, adj., lubricat-or, n., lubricat-ory, adj.
lubricity, n., 1) slipperines s; smoothnes s; 2) instability; 3) lewdness .- F. lubricite, fr. Late L.
lubricitiitem, ace. of lubricitiis, 'slipperine ss', fr.
L. liibricus. See prec. word and -ity.
lubricous, adj., 1) slippery; smooth; 2) unstable;
3) lewd.- L. lilhricus. See lubricate. For E. -ous,
as tlquivalent to L. -us, see -ous
lubritorium , also lubritory, n., a place for lubricat-

1uc1meter

ing automobile s. - Formed fr. lubricate on

analogy of words like auditorium, etc. See suff.
-orium, resp. subst. suff. -ory.
Derivative : lubritor-ian, adj.
lucarne, n., a dormer window (archaic). - F., a
blend of OF. /ucanne, 'lucarne', and /uiserne,
'light'. OF. lucanne is borrowed fr. OProven<;:.
/ucana, which is a Teut. loan word; cp. Du. luik,
'shutter; trapdoor', G. Luke, 'dormer window',
G. Loch, 'hole, opening', and see lock for closing
doors. OF.luisern e derives fr. L.lucerna, 'lamp';
see lucerne.
luce, n., 1) pike; 2) figure of a pike (her.) -ME.,
fr. MF. Ius, fr. L. lUcius, 'pike' (fish), prob. orig.
meaning 'the shining fish' and derived fr.
/ucere, 'to shine' (see lucent); assimilated in
form to the PN. Lucius. See Walde-Ho fmann,
LEW., I, p. 825 s.v. liicius.
lucence,lucency, n.- Formed fr.lucent with suff.
-ce, resp. -cy.
lucent, adj., bright; transpare nt.- L.liicens, gen.
-entis, pres. part. of lucere, 'to shine', fr. lux, gen.
lucis, 'light', fr. I.-E. base *leuq-, 'to emit light,
to shine; bright'. See light, 'brightness ' and -ent
and cp. luce, lucerne, lucid, lucule, luculent,
Luzula, relucent, translucent , Noctiluca.
lucerne, n., a plant grown for forage, alfalfa. F. luzerne, fr. ModProven .;. /uzerno, which is
pro b. a figurative use of /uzerno, 'glowworm '; so
named in allusion to the glittering grains of the
lucerne. ModProven<;: luzerno, 'glowworm ' derives fr. L. lucerna, 'lamp', which is pro b. formed
fr. !Ucere, 'to shine'; see lucent. The ending of L.
lucerna is due to the analogy of its synonym
lanterna (see lantern).
Lucia, fern. PN.- L. Lucia, fern. of Lucius. See
Lucius and cp. Lucy.
Lucian, masc. PN.- L. Lucianus (whence also F.
Lucien), a derivative of Lucius. See Lucius and
-an.
lucid, adj., bright. - L. lucidus, 'full of light,
bright', fr. /Ucere, 'to shine'. See lucent and -id
(representi ng L. -idus) and cp. elucidate, pellucid.
Derivative s: lucid-ity, n., lucid-ly, adv., lucidness, n.
Lucifer, n., the planet Venus appearing as the
morning star. - L., lit. 'light-bear ing', compounded of lux, gen. /Ucis, 'light', andferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See lucent and -fer.
luciferase, n., an enzyme present in fireflies (biochem.) - See Lucifer and -ase.
luciferous, adj., emitting light.- See Lucifer and
-ous.
lucifugous, adj., avoiding light. - L. lucifugus,
'avoiding light', compound ed of hlx, gen. iucis,
'light', andfugere , 'to flee'. See lucent and fugitive.
Lucile, Lucille, fern. PN. - F. Lucille, dimin.
formed fr. L. Lucia, fern. of Lucius. See Lucius.
lucimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the intensity of light. - A hybrid coined fr. L. lUx,
gen. /ucis, 'light' (see lucent), and Gk. [J.ETpov,

lucina

'measure' (see -meter). The correct form is photometer, in which both elements are of Greek
origin.
Lucina, n., the Roman goddess of childbirth (Roman mythol.) - L. Lucina, lit. 'she who brings
to the light', fern. of liicinus, fr. lux, gen. lucis,
'light'. See lucent.
Lucius, masc. PN.- L. Lucius, fr. lux, gen. lucis,
'light'. See lucent and cp. Lucia, Lucian, Lucile,
Lucy.
luck, n.- ME. Iucke, fr. early MDu.luc (whence
MDu. ghelucke, Du. ge/uk), rel. to MHG. g(e)/Ucke, G. G/iick, 'fortune, good luck', lit. 'that
which bends together', fr. I.-E. base *leug-, 'to
bend'. See lock, 'tuft of hair', and cp. leek (see
J. F. Bense, A Dictionary of the Low-Dutch
Element in the English Vocabulary, p. 199).
Derivatives: /uck-/ul, luck-less, adjs., luck-less/y, adv., luck-less-ness, n., luck-y, adj., luck-i-ly,
adv., luck-i-ness, n.
luck, intr. and tr. v.- ME. lukken, 'to happen',
fr. MDu. Iucken. See prec. word.
lucrative, adj., profitable.- ME. lucrati/, fr. OF.
( = F.) lucratif, fr. L. lucrativus, 'gainful, profitable', fr. lucratus, pp. of lucrarf, 'to gain, acquire', fr. lucrum. See lucre and -ative.
Derivatives: lucrative-ly, adv., lucrative-ness, n.
lucre, n., riches, money. - ME., fr. L. lucrum,
'gain, profit, advantage', for *lu-tlom, in gradational relationshio to or. !dtam, Mtram, 'booty',
lu!Jtati, 'robs, plunders', Gk. :Adii, Dor. :Aiitii,
Ion. A't)'t't), Ion., Att. A't)t~. 'prey, booty', A?JO"t'~~.
Dor. i,qccr't'ci.;, 'robber', cbro-Aci\JEtv, 'to enjoy',
OE. lean, ON. faun, OS., MLG. /on, ON. faun,
OFris, hln, OHG., MHG. l6n, G. Lohn, Goth.
faun, 'reward', Olr. log, liiag, liiach, 'reward',
prob. also with OSlav. lovu, 'hunt', loviti, 'to
pursue, seize'. Cp. apolaustic, guerdon, -Iestes,
loot.
Lucrece, fern. PN. - F. Lucrece, fr. L. Lucretia.
See next word.
Lucretia, fern. PN. - L. Lucretia, fern. of Lucretius. See next word.
Lucretius, masc. PN. - L. Lucretius, name of a
Roman gens.
lucubrate, intr. v., to work at night; to work laboriously.- L. lucubratus, pp. of liicubrare, 'to
work by lamplight, to work at night', from the
stem of It/cere, 'to shine'. See lucent and verbal
suff. -ate.
lucubration, n., nocturnal work; laborious study.
- L. lucubrati6, gen. -6nis, 'nocturnal study;
nightwork', fr. lucubratus, pp. of /iicubrare. See
prec. word and -ion.
lucule, n., a small luminous spot on the surface of
the sun (astron.)- F., fr. ModL. lucula, dimin.
of L. lux, gen. lucis, 'light'. See lucent and -ule.
luculent, adj., clear, lucid. - ME., fr. L. luculentus, 'bright, brightly burning', formed from the
stem of lUx, gen. lucis, 'light' (see lucent), with
suff. -u-lentus, meaning 'full of, abounding in,
rich in'. Cp. L. opulentus, 'rich, wealthy', lit. 're-

910

sourceful, powerful', fr. ops. gen. opis, 'strength,

might; riches' (see opulent).
Derivative: /ucu/ent-ly, adv.
Lucullan, Lucullean, adj., pertaining to, or resembling L. Licinius Lucullus (about 110-57), a Roman general famous for the luxury of his banquets.
lucullite, n., a marble colored black by carbon
(mineral.) - L. marmor Luculleum, 'marble of
Lucullus', named after L. Licinius Lucullus. See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
lucumo, n., an Etruscan noble who performed the
functions both of a priest and a prince. - L. lucum6, lucm6, fr. Etruscan *lauxme.
Iucus a non lucendo, an absurd etymology. - L.,
lit. 'a grove because it is not light'. Prop. an etymology as absurd as that which derives L.
lUcus, 'grove', fr. lucere, 'to light', although
a grove is dark, as a rule. Actually, however,
L. We us is related to lucere. Lucus, 'grove', denotes not 'a place with no light', but 'a place
into which light may come' .It stands for *loukos
and is cogn. with Ol. /6kab, ul6kab, 'open place,
space', Lith. laiikas, Lett. /auks, 'field, open
country', fr. I.-E. base *leuq-, 'to be light, to
shine; bright'. Sec light, 'brightness', and cp.
lea, 'a track of open country'.
Lucy, fern. PN.- F. Lucie, fr. L. Lucia, fern. of
Lucius. See Lucius and cp. words there referred
to.
Luddite, n., any of a band organized to destroy
machinery. - Named after Ned Ludd, who
broke stocking frames (in 1779). For the ending
sec subst. suff. -ite.
ludicrous, adj., laughable, ridiculous. - L. ludicrus, a secondary form of liidicer, 'sportive,
playful', fr. ludus, fr. OL /oidos, 'play, game,
sport, pastime', which is rel. to ludere (for *loidere), 'to play, sport, frolic'; and cogn. with Gk.
:Al(sw (Hesychius), 'to play', :Aoloopo~, 'abusing, insulting', ).otoopE'iv, 'to abuse, insult' (for
sense development cp. MHG. schimpf, 'joke,
amusement', whence G. Schimpf; 'disgrace, insult'. Cp. allude, allusion, collude, collusion, delude, delusion, elude, elusion, illude, illusion, interlude, Judo, prelude, prelusion, prolusion. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: ludicrous-ly, adv., ludicrous-ness, n.
ludlamite, n., a hydrous iron phosphate (mineral.)
- Named by Maskelyne and Field after Mr.
Ludlam, a friend of theirs. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Indo, n., a kind of simple play.- L.lud6, 'I play'.
See ludicrous.
Ludovic, Lodowick, Ludwig, masc. PN. - See
Louis.
ludwigite, n., an iron magnesium borate (mineral.) - G. Ludwigit, named after Ernst
Ludwig, professor of chemistry in Vienna (died
in 1915). The ending -it goes back to Gk. -iTI)c;;
see subst. suff. -ite.
lues, n., a) any plague or pestilence (obsol.); b)

lumber

911

syphilis. - L. lues, 'a plague, pestilence', prop.

'dissolution', fr. luere, 'to loose, release', which
is cogn. with Gk. AUEtv, 'to unfasten, loosen, untie, slacken; to loose, release, set free, ransom'.
See lose and cp. -lysis.
luff, n., windward side, weather side. - ME. !uj,
/ooff, fr. OF.(= F.) loj, fr. MDu. 16/(whence
also Du. loej), 'luff', which is rei. to ON. /6ji,
Goth. /6/a, 'palm of the hand' (G. Luv, Dan.
luv, Swed. lufare Dutch loan words), Dan. lab,
Swed., Norw. labb, 'paw', and cogn. with Lith.
/Opa, 'claw', lopeta, 'shovel, water lily', Lett.
tepa, 'paw',ldpst, 'shovel, spade', OPruss.lopto,
'spade', Russ. Iopata, 'shovel', lapa, 'paw'. Cp.
Joof, aloof, Iaveer. Cp. also glove.
Derivative: luff, intr. v.
Luffa, n., a genus of plants of the family Cucurbitaceae (bot.); (not cap.) any plant of this genus;
also its fruit. - ModL., fr. Arab. liijah. Cp.
loofah.
lug, tr. and intr. v., to drag, pull, tug. - ME.
/uggen, pro b. of Scan d. origin; cp. Swed. lugga,
Norw. lugge, 'to pull', which derive fr. Swed.,
resp. Norw. lugg, 'tuft of hair, forelock'. Cp.
next word and luggage.
Jug, n., 1) the ear (Scot.); 2) anything that projects like an ear. - ME. lugge, perh. fr. Swed.
lugg, 'forelock'. See prec. word.
lug, n., a lugworm. - Of uncertain origin. Cp.
lurg.
luge, n., a kind of small toboggan used in Switzerland.- F., a Savoyard word derived fr. ML.
sludia, which occurs in glosses of the 9th cent.
and is of Gaulish origin.
Derivatives: luge, intr. v., lug-er, n.
luggage, n.- Formed fr. lug, 'to pull', with suff.
-age.
lugger, n., one who or that which lugs.- Formed
fr.lug, 'to pull', with agential suff. -er.
lugger, n., a small ship rigged with a lugsail or
lugsails (naut.)- Back formation fr. lugsail.
lugsail, n. - The circumstance that the French
for lugsail is voile de fortune (lit. 'sail of luck'),
makes it probable that lugsail stands for *lucksail. Cp. the English PN. Higson, which stands
for Hickson. See E. Weekley, The Romance of
Words, p. 101.
lugubriosity, n.- See lugubrious and -ity.
lugubrious, adj., mournful. - Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. /ugubris, 'pertaining to mourning,
mournful, painful', fr.lugere, 'to mourn, lament,
bewail'; which is cogn. with 01. rujdti, 'breaks,
torments', rugna/J, 'broken, r6ga/J, 'frailty, disease', Avestic uruxti-. a breaking, tearing', Gk.
A<:JyocAio~, :Aurp6~, 'mournful, sad, dismal',
).uy!J.6~ (Hesychius), 'a loud cry', Lith. lu:!ti, 'to
break' (intr.),lau:!yti, 'to break' (lr.), Lett. lauzit,
'to break the heart', Lith. luiis, lduiis, 'breach'.
All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *leug- (Baltic), *leug-, 'to break; to cause pain'; see lock,
'contrivance for closing doors'. For the sense
development of this base cp. 01. lumpdti,

'breaks', Gk. :A6rr't), 'pain' (both fr. base *leup-).

Derivatives: lugubrious-ly, adv., lugubrious-ness,

n.
lugworm, n. - Compounded of lug, 'lugworm',
and worm.
luke, adj., lukewarm (now dial. English). - ME.
lewk, luke, rei. to LG. luk, Du.leuk, 'tepid', and
to OE. hleow, gehleow, 'warm, sheltered, sunny'.
See lew, lee.
Derivatives: luke-ly, adv., luke-ness, n.
Luke, masc. PN.- L. Lucas, contraction of L.
Luctinus, lit. 'of Lucania (a district in Lower
Italy). For the contraction of Lucas, fr. Lucanus
cp. Silas, which is a pet form of Silvanus (see
Silas).
lukewarm, adj. -Compounded ofluke, adj., and
warm.
Derivatives: lukewarm-ly, adv., lukewarm-ness,

n.
lulab, n., palm branch used for the festive wreath
during the Feast of Tabernacles (Jewish Religion).- Mishnaic Heb. liildbh, 'branch', esp.
'palm branch', dissimilated fr. */ubhldbh, from
the verb libhlebh, 'it bloomed, blossomed',
which is prob. a Pilpel denominative fr. Heb.
lebh, 'heart'.
lull, tr. and intr. v.- ME. lui/en, lollen, of imitative origin. Cp. Swed.lulla, MLG., MDu.lo/len,
G. lui/en, 'to rock', 01. Mlati, 'moves to and fro',
/ulita(z, 'swinging', lalati, 'skips, frisks'. All these
words are derivatives of the I.-E. imitative base
*lei-, *lui-, 'to move to and fro'. Cp.loll, Lollard,
lollop. Cp. also the imitative base *Ia/-, seen in
Gk. :Ao::Adv, 'to talk, chat, prattle', ).6.:Ao~, 'talkative, loquacious', L. la/lare, 'to sing to sleep, to
lull'; see Lalage and words there referred to.
Derivative: lull, n.
lullaby, n. - Formed fr. lull and -by. For the
second element cp. bye-bye, a child's word for
good-bye.
Derivative: lullaby, tr. v.
lumbago, n., rheumatic pain in the loins (med.)Late L., fr. L. /umbus, 'loin'. See lumbar.
lumbar, adj., pertaining to, or situated near, the
loins. - Formed with suff. -ar fr. L /umbus,
'loin', which stands for *londhwos and is cogn.
with OSlav.l(dVi}(!, (pl.), 'loins; soul', Russ.ljddveja, 'loin', OE. /endenu (pl.), 'loins', ON. lend,
Dan. li!!nd, Swed. land, Du. /ende, OHG. /enti,
MHG., G. lende, 'loin', OHG. lunda, 'tallow',
ON. Iunder, 'ham, buttock'. Cp. loin and the
second element in sirloin. Cp. also numbles, urnhies.
lmnber, n., useless furniture; timber.- OF. Lambart (F. Lombard), 'a Lombard'. The noun lumber orig. denoted a pawnbroker's shop, in allusion to the fact that the Lombards were famou'
bankers and pawnbrokers. See Lombard and cp.
Lango bard.
Derivatives: lumber, tr. and intr. v., lumber-er,
n., lumbering (q.v.)
lumber, intr. v., to move clumsily. - ME. lome-

lumbering

ren; prob. rel. to dial. Swed. lorna, 'to walk

heavily', lomra, 'to resound', and to E. lame.
lumbering , n., the act of cutting timber.- Formed with subst. suff. -ing fr. lumber, 'timber'.
lumbering , adj., moving clumsily .- Formed with
part. suff. -ing fr. lumber, 'to move clumsily'.
Derivativ es: lumbering-ly, adj., lumbering-ness,

n.

912

lunacy, n.- Formed fr. lunatic with suff. -cy.

lunar, adj., pertainin g to the moon. - L. liinoris,
'pertainin g to the moon', fr. luna, 'moon'. See
June and -ar and cp. next word.
Lunaria, n., a genus of plants, the moonwor t (bot.)
- ModL., fr. L. luniiris, 'pertainin g to the
moon' (see lunar); so called in allusion to the
silvery septum of the fruit.
lunarian, adj., pertainin g to the moon; n., I) inhabitant of the moon; 2) student of the moon.
-Forme d with suff. -ian fr. L. luniiris. See prec.

!umbo-, combinin g form denoting l) the loin; 2)

lumbar and. -Fr. L. lumbus, 'loin'. See lumbar.
lumbrical , adj., pertainin g to the lumbrical es; n.,
word.
a lumbrical muscle. - Medical L. lumbricalis.
lunate, adj., crescent- shaped. - L. lunatus, 'cresSee next word.
cent-shap ed', fr. luna, 'moon'. See lone and adj.
lumbrical is, n., any of four small muscles in the
suff. -ate.
Medihand and in the sole of the foot (anat.)lunatic, adj., moonstru ck, mad. - Late L. lunacal L. lumbricalis (short for musculus lumbriciiticus, 'affected by the moon; moonstru ck, lunatlis), fr. L. lumbricus, 'earthwor m', which is posic', fr. L. luna, 'moon'; see lone and -atic. Late
sibly cogn. with W. llyngyr (pl.), 'earthwor ms';
L. lunatic us in this sense is prop. a loan translaso called from the supposed resemblan ce of
tion of Gk. ae:A"I)\IO~A"I)'t'O~ or ae:A"I)\Io7tA7JX't'o~,
these muscles to earthwor ms. For the ending see
'moonstru ck'.
-al.
suff.
adj.
Derivativ e: lunatic, n.
lumen, n., a unit of light. - L. lUmen, 'light'. See
lunation, n., time between two successiv e new
luminary.
moons. - ML. liinatio, fr. L. lUna, 'moon'. See
luminary, n.- ME. /uminarye, fr. OF. /uminarie
and -ation and cp. lunate.
lone
(F. luminaire),fr. Late L.lumina re, 'light, torch,
n. - Prob. altered fr. lump, 'piece' (the
lunch,
nis),
(gen.lumi
L.lumen
fr.
body',
lamp; heavenly
meaning of lunch was 'piece, lump').
original
'light', which stands for* /euqs-men or* louqs-men
For a similar alteration cp. hunch, which prob.
and is rei. to lucere, 'to shine'. See lucent and
derives fr. hump.
-men and cp. limbers. Cp. also allumette , illuluncheon, n. -A blend of lunch and nuncheon.
minate.
lundyfoot, n., a kind of snuff. - Named after a
luminesce, intr. v. -Back formation fr. luminestobaccon ist called Lundy Foot, who lived in
cent. Cp. reminisce.
Dublin in the 18th century.
with
word
next
from
Formed
n.
nce,
luminesce
lone, n., any crescentli ke object.- F., fr. L. liina,
suff. -ce.
'moon', which stands for *louqs-na or *leuqs-na
luminesce nt, adj. - Formed with suff. -escent fr.
is rei. to L. lUx, gen. lucis, 'light', /ucere, 'to
and
luminary.
See
L. lumen, gen. luminis, 'light'.
shine', and cogn. with OSlav. luna (for */ouqsluminifero us, adj., producin g or conveying light.
nii), 'moon', OPruss. /auxnos (pl.), 'stars', Mlr.
/uminis,
gen.
lUmen,
L.
of
- Compoun ded
luan, /on (for *louqsno-), 'light, moon', Avestic
carry'.
'light", and the stem of ferre, 'to bear,
raoxshna-, 'shining, bright', Arm. lusin, 'moon'.
See luminary and -ferous.
All these words are derivative s of I.-E. base
luminosity, n. - Formed from next word with
*leuq-, 'to emit light, to shine; bright'. See ligbt,
suff. -ity.
s', and cp. lucent. Cp. also lunette,
'brightnes
L.
fr.
ME.,
bright.
luminous, adj., shining;
MHG. lune (whence G. Laune), 'hudemilune.
/uminosus, 'full of light', fr. lumen, gen. luminis.
mood, whim, fancy', is borrowed
temper,
mor,
-ous.
and
See lumen
(MHG. tune lit. meant 'influ'moon'
luna,
L.
fr.
n.
Derivativ es: luminous-ly, adv., luminous-ness,
ence of the moon').
lump, n., a shapeless mass. - ME. lompe, lumpe,
lunel, n., a muscat wine. - So called from the
rei. to Du. lomp, 'piece, mass' (whence G. Lumtown Lunel in the Pyrenees (France), a center of
pen, 'rag, lump'), which is prob. cogn. with OI.
viticultur e.
down,
'hanging
lambab,
ldmbate, 'hangs down',
lunette, n., any of various objects resemblin g a
long, big', L. limbus, 'hem, border', and with E.
half-moo n or a crescen t.- F., lit. 'little moon',
limp, adj. and v. (qq.v.) Cp.limb, 'edge'. Cp. also
L. luna, 'moon'. See lone and -ette.
fr.
lunch.
lung, n. - ME. lunge, fr. OE. /ungen, rei. to OS.,
Derivativ es: lump, tr. v., to make into a lump;
ON., Swed., Norw. /unga, Dan. lunge, OFris.
intr. v., to form into lumps, Jump-er, n., lumpMDu. /onghe, Du. long, OHG. lungun,
lungen,
ing, adj., lump-ing-ly, adv., lump-ish, adj., /umpG. lunge, 'lung', lit. 'the light organ', fr.
MHG.,
lumpadj.,
,
n.,lump-y
ess,
lump-ish-n
adv.,
ish-ly,
*lengwh-, *legwh-, 'light, easy, agile,
base
I.-E.
i-ly, adv., lump-i-ness, n.
also Arm. lanjk, 'breast' (orig.
whence
nimble',
lump, intr. v., to look sullen; tr. v., to dislike. Pol. lekki, 'light', Russ.leglegkij,
Russ.
'lung'),
origin.
Of uncertain
see light, 'not heavy',
'lung';
lekkie,
Pol.
koje,
mythol.)
Luua. n., the moon-go ddess (Roman
and cp. ligbts. For sense developm ent cp. Port.
a 'moon'. See Iuiie.

913

/eve, 'lung' (fr. L. levis, 'light'), lr. seaman,

'lungs' (fr. seaman, 'light'), W. ysgyfaint (dual),
'the lungs' (fr. ysgafn, 'light').
lunge, n., a thrust. - Aphetic for obsol. allonge,
fr. F. allonge, fr. a/longer, 'to lengthen, extend'.
See allonge.
Derivativ e: lunge, intr. v., to make a lunge.
lunge, n., a long rope for guiding a horse. -F.
Ionge, 'halter, lunge', fr. OF. Ionge, fern. of the
adj. long, 'long' (in ModF. the fern. is longue).
See long and cp. prec. word.
Derivativ e: lunge, tr. v., to train (a horse) by the
use of a lunge.
lungfish, n.- Lit. 'a fish that has lungs'.
luni-, combinin g form meaning 'moon'. - Fr. L.
luna, 'moon'. See lone.
Iunkah, n., a strong kind of cheroot. - Hind.
lanka, a name derived from the Lankah islands
in the delta of Godavary River, where tobacco
is grown.
lunt, n. (Scot.), 1) a slow-burn ing match; 2)
smoke. - Du. lont. 'match, fuse', rei. to MLG.
lunte, 'match, wick' (whence G. Lunte, 'match,
fuse'). Cp. the first element in linstock.
Deri~ative: lunt, tr. v., to kindle; intr. v., to emit
smoke.
Lupercali a, n. pl., a festival held annually on the
15th of February in honor of Lupercus (Roman
rnythol.) -L. Lupercalia, fr. Lupercal, name of a
grotto at the foot of the Palatine Hill, fr. Lupercus, a god identified with the Lycean Pan. The
name Lupercus derives fr. lupus, 'wolf'. See
lupine, adj.
lupin, n.- A var. of lupine, n.
lupine, adj., wolflike .- L. lupinus, 'pertainin g to,
or connected with, a wolf', fr. lupus, 'wolf'. See
wolf and adj. suff. -ine (represen ting L. -inus)
and cp. lupine, n. Cp. also Lupercali a, lupulus,
lupus, robalo.
lupine, n., I) any plant of the genus Lupinus; 2) the
seed of this plant.- ME. lupine, fr. L. lupinum,
also lupinus, 'lupine', fr. lupus, 'wolf'. See prec.
word.
Lupinus, n., a genus of plants, the lupine (bot.)Modl., fr. lupus, 'wolf' (see lupus, lupine); so
called from the belief that the plants af these
genus were harmful to the soil.
lupulin, n., the fine powder on the strobiles of the
hop (bot.)- ModL. lupu/us, dimin. of L. lupus,
'hop'. See lupulus.
lupulone, n., an antibiotic obtained from hops. Coined fr. lupulus.
lupulus, n., the hop.- ModL., 'the hop', dimin.
of L. lupus, 'hop', which is prob. rei. to lupus,
'wolf'. See lupine, adj., and cp. prec. word.
lupus, n., tuberculo us disease of the skin (med.)
- L. lupus, 'wolf' (see lupine, adj.); so called because it is character ized by ulceration s resembling the bite of a wolf.
lurch, n., embarras sment, helpless plight; obsol.,
except in the phrase to leave one in the lurch. F.lourche , a former gaming term.

lurch, n., a sudden movemen t. - Of uncertain

origin.
Derivativ e: lurch, intr. v.
lurch, intr. v., to lie in wait, lurk.- A var.oflurk .
lurcher, n., 1) one who or that which lurches; 2) a
dog of mongrel breed. - Formed fr. prec. word
with agential suff. -er.
lurdan, n., a lazy person; adj., lazy. - ME., fr.
MF. lourdin, fr. OF. ( = F.) lourd, 'heavy, dull,
thick-hea ded, stupid', fr. L.luridus , 'pale yellow,
wan', whence also OF., OProven<;:.lort, 'foolish',
Sp., Port. lerdo, 'slow, dull, obtuse'; see lurid.
The most importan t phases of sense development fr. L. luridus to F. lourd, ModProven<;:.
lurd, 'heavy', seem to nave been 'pale, wan, fainting, dull, heavy-he aded', whence 'slow, clumsy,
heavy'.
lure, n., a bait.- ME., fr. MF. loire (F. leurre),
'lure, decoy, bait', fr. OF. loirre, fr. Frankish
*lopr, which is rei. to MLG.lod er, OHG, MHG.
luoder, G. Luder, 'lure, decoy, bait; carrion',
and to OE.laoia n, OS.lathia n, ON.laoa , OFris.
lathia, MDu. laden, OHG. ladon, MHG., G.
laden, Goth. lapon, 'to call, summon, invite'.
lure, tr. and intr. v., to allure; to entice. - F.
leurrer, fr. /eurre. See lure, n., and cp. allure.
lurg, lurgworm , n., a marine worm. - Of uncertain origin. Cp. lug, 'lugworm '.
lurid, adj., wan; gloomy. - L. luridus, 'pale yellow, sallow, wan, ghastly', of uncertain etymology. For the ending see suff. -id (represen ting L.
-idus). Cp. lurdan.
Derivativ es: lurid-ly, adv. lurid-ity, n. (rare),
lurid-ness, n.
lurk, intr. v., to lie in wait.- ME. lurken, formed
fr. ME. luren, 'to frown, lurk' (see lower, 'to
frown'), with the intensive suff. -k. The same
suff. occurs in the verbs smirk, stalk, talk.
Derivativ es: lurk, n., lurk-er, n.
lorry, n. - A var. of lorry.
luscious, adj., delicious. - ME. lucius, a var. of
licius, which is aphetic for delicious.
Derivativ es: luscious-ly, adv., luscious-ness, n.
lush, adj.- A var. oflash, 'soft and watery' (q. v.)
Derivativ es: lush-ly, adv., lush-ness, n.
lust, n. -ME., fr. OE., 'pleasure, desire, lust',
rei. to OS., OFris., Swed., Du., OHG., MHG.,
G. lust, ON. lyst, losti, Dan. lyst, Goth. lustus,
'pleasure, desire, lust', fr. I.-E. base *las-, 'greedy, desirous', whence also L. /ascivus, 'wanton,
playful, lustful'. See lascivious and cp. list, 'to
please'.
Derivativ es: lust, intr. v., lust-er, n., lust-ful, adj.,
lust-ful-ly, adv., lust-ful-ness, n., lust-less, adj.,
lust-ly, adv., lust-y, adj., lust-ihood, n., lust-i-ly,
adv., lust-i-ness, n.
luster, lustre, n., a lustrum. - L. lustrum. See
lustrum.
luster, lustre, n., gloss, radianc e.- MF. (=F.)
lustre, fr. It. lustro, fr. lustrare, 'to light, illu
minate', fr. L. lustrtire, 'to light, illuminat e'. See
lustrum.

lustral

914

luteous, adj., of orange yellow color. - L. /iiteus,

Derivative: luster, lustre, tr. v., to render lustrous.
'golden yellow, orange yellow', fr. liitum, 'plant
lustral, adj., pertaining to purification. - L. lusused in dying yellow', which is of uncertain etytra lis, 'pertaining to purification from guilt, exmology.
piatory, propitiatory', fr. lustrum. See lustrum
lutestring, n., lustring. - Alteration of lustring
and adj. suff. -al.
which was misconceived as the compound of
lustrate, tr. v., to purify from guilt. - L. li1striilute (the instrument) and string.
tus, pp. of lustriire, 'to purify from guilt', fr.
also lutecia, n., lutetium oxide (clzem.)lutetia,
-ate.
suff.
verbal
and
lustrum
See
lustrum.
ModL., lit. 'of Paris', coined by the French
lustration, n., purification from guilt. - L. luschemist Georges Urbain (187t-1938) in 1907
triiti6, gen. -6nis, 'purification from guilt', fr.
after Gaulish-L. Liitetia, a forttied town of the
liistriitus, pp. of liistriire. See prec. word and -ion.
Gaulish tribe of the Parisii (hence also called
lustring, n., a silk fabric with glossy finish.- F.
Liitetia Parisi6rum), the ancient name of Paris,
lustrine, fr. It. lustrino, fr. lustra, fr. lustrare, 'to
his native city. The name Lutetia literally means
light, illuminate'. See luster, 'gloss, radiance',
'swamps'; cp. Olr. loth, 'dirt', W. lludedic,
and cp. lutestring.
'muddy, slimy', and see lute, 'a cohesive sublustrous, adj., brilliant. - Formed fr. luster,
stance'. Cp. next word.
'gloss, radiance', with suff. -ous.
Lutetian, adj., Parisian.- Formed with suff. -an
Derivatives: lustrous-ly, adv., lustrous-ness, n.
fr. L. Liitetia, short for Lutetia Parisi6rum,
lustrum, luster, n., 1) purification of the Roman
'Paris'. See prec. word.
a
2)
years;
five
every
census
the
after
people'
lutetium, also lutecium, n., name of a metallic eleperiod of five years. - L. lUstrum, 'purificatory
ment of the rare-earth group (elzem. )- ModL.
sacrifice made once in five years ; a period of
See lutetia.
five years' (whence li1striire, 'to purify from
Lutheran, adj. and n. - Formed with suff. -an
guilt'), for *leuqs-trom, *louqs-trom, prop. 'illufrom the name of the German reformer Martin
mination', fr. 1.-E. base *leuq-, 'to emit light, to
Luther (1483 -1546).
shine; bright'; see light, 'brightness', and cp.
Derivative: Lutheran-ism, n.
illustrious. The various phases of the sense develIutist, n., I) a lute player; 2) a maker of lutes.opment of liistrum may pro b. be as follows: 'illuA hybrid coined fr. lute, 'an instrument', and
mination, inspection, review, mustering, expia-ist (fr. Gk. -~crT~<;). Cp. lutanist.
suff.
verbs
the
Accordingly
tory offering, expiation'.
Lutra, n., a genus of mammals, the otter. - L.
liistriire, 'to light, illuminate', and liistriire, 'to
lutra, 'otter', for *utrii, fr. orig. *udrii, influenced
purify from guilt', are identical.
in form by lutum, 'mud, mire'; formed fr. I.-E.
lutanist, n., a lute player. - ML. lutanista, a hybase *udr-, 'water', and lit. meaning 'an aquatic
brid coined fr. lutana, a word of Arabic origin,
animal', whence also ON. otr, OE. otor, oter,
and su'lf. -ista (fr. Gk. -~crT~~). See Jute, 'an
'otter'. See otter and cp. words there referred to.
instrument', and -ist. Cp. lutist.
adj., pertaining to the otter. - Formed
lutrine,
MF.
fr.
ME.,
substance.
cohesive
lute, n., a
with adj. suff. -ine fr. L. lutra, 'otter'. See prec.
( = F.) Jut, fr. L. lutum, 'mud, clay', which stands
word.
for *lutom and is rei. to -luere in polluere (for
*por-luere), 'to pollute, contaminate', and to lus- luxate, tr. v., to displace, dislocate.- L. luxiitus,
pp. of luxiire, 'to dislocate', fr. luxus, 'dislocattrum (for *lu-strom), 'slough, bog, morass'. See
ed', which pro b. stands for *lug-sos, and is
pollute and cp. lutetia, Lutetian.
cogn. with OL. luetiire, L. luctiiri, 'to wrestle,
Derivatives: lute, tr. v., Iut-er, n., lut-ing, n.
struggle' (whence lucta, 'a wrestling'), fr. I.-E.
lute, n., a stringed instrument. - ME., fr. OF.
base *lug-, 'to bend, twist', whence also OE.
lut (F. lutlz), fr. OProven.;. laiit, fr. Arab. allace, 'lock of hair'. See lock, 'tuft of hair', and cp
'iid (whence also Sp. laud, Port. alatide, It.
luxury.
luxe,
liuto), lit. 'the wood', fr. a/-, 'the', and 'iid, 'wood'.
luxation, n.- L. /uxiiti6, gen. -onis, 'dislocation',
Cp. lutanist.
fr. luxiitus, pp. of luxiire. See prec. word and
Derivative: lute, tr. and intr. v.
-ion.
lutecia, n.- A var. oflutetia.
luxe, n., elegance.- F., 'luxury; splendor, maglutecium, n. -A var. of lutetium.
nificence; extravagance, excess', fr. L.luxus (gen.
lutein, n., a yellow pigment (bioclzem.) - Coined
luxiis), 'excess, luxury, pomp, magnificence',
by Thudichum from L. liiteum (in corpus liiteum,
which is prob. rei. to the adj. luxus, 'dislocated',
'egg yolk'), neut. of liiteus, 'of the color of egg
and orig. meant 'dislocation (in the figurative
yolk, yellow' (see luteous) and chem. suff. -in.
sense), excess'. See luxate and cp.luxury.
The pigment was so called because it occurs in
luxuriance, luxuriancy, n.- Formed from next
egg yolk.
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy,
luteo-, combining form meaning 'golden yellow,
luxnriaot, adj. - L. luxuridns, gen. -anti&, pres.
orange yellow'.- Fr. L. luteus. See luteous.
part. of luxuriare. See luxuriate and -ant.
luteolin. n., a yellow coloring matter (chem.) Derivatives: luxuriant-ly, adv., luxuriant-ness, n.
Formed with chem. suff. -In fr. L. luteolus, 'yelluxuriate, intr. v.- L.luxurilitus, pp. of luxuri/irl
lowish', fr. luteus. See luteous.

915

(also luxuriare), 'to be rank, be luxuriant, have

in abundance, be too fruitful; to reyel, be wanton', fr. luxuria. See luxury and verbal suff. -ate.
luxurious, adj. - ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) /uxurieux, fr. L. luxuriosus, 'rank, luxurious, exuberant', fr. luxuria. See luxury and -ous.
Derivatives: luxurious-ly, adv., luxurious-ness, n.
luxury, n. - ME., fr. OF. luxurie (F. /uxure),
fr. L. luxuria, 'rankness, luxury, excess, extravagance, redundancy', fr. luxus, 'luxury'. See luxe.
Luzula, n., a genus of plants, the wood rush (bot.)
ModL., fr. It. luzziola, lucciola (scil. erba), lit.
'the shining plant', dimin. of luce, 'light', fr. L.
li1cem, ace. of /iix, 'light' (see lucent and cp.
words there referred to); so called from its
shining appearance when covered with dew. Cp.
It. lucciola, 'firefly; glowworm'.
-ly, suff. forming adjectives. - ME. -liclz, -ly, -li,
fr. OE. -lie, -lie, orig. identical with OE. lie,
'body'. Cp. OS., OFris. -lie, ON. -/igr, Dan.,
Swed., Norw. -/ig, Du. -liik, OHG; -lih, -lih,
MHG. -lfch, -liclz, G. -/ich, Goth. -leiks, '-ly',
and see lich, like, adj.
-ly, suff. forming adverbs. - ME. -fiche, -ly, -li,
fr. OE. -lice, -lice, fr. OE. -lie, -lie, '-ly' (adj.
suff.) See prec. suff.
lye-, form oflyco- before a vowel.
lycanthrope, n., I) a werewolf; 2) one affected
with lycanthropy (med.) - Gk. 'Auxocv-&pw7to~,
'werewolf', lit. 'man-wolf', compounded of
).,Jxo~, 'wolf', and ii.v-&pw7to<;, 'man'. See lyceum
and anthropo-.
lycanthropy, n., I) assumption of the form of a
wolf in legends; 2) insanity in which the patient
imagines himself to be a wolf (med.) - Gk.
/:Jx:xv&pw7tUi, fr. 'Auxocv&pw7to~. See prec.
word and-y (representing Gk. -(IX).
Lycaon, n., an Arcadian king who set before
Zeus a dish of human flesh, in order to test his
divinity (Greek mytlzol.)- L., fr. Gk. Auxocwv,
fr. 'Auxocwv, 'werewolf', fr. ),uxo~, 'wolf'. See
lyceum and cp. lycanthrope.
lycee, n., a French secondary school.- F., fr. L.
lyceum. See lyceum.
lyceum, n., a lecture hall. - L. lyceum, fr. Gk.
i:)xe:~ov, a gymnasium in Athens in which Aristotle taught; so called after the neighboring
temple of Apollo, one of whose epithets was
.\)xe:w~. lit. 'wolf-slayer', from Mxo:;, 'wolf',
which is cogn. with L. lupus, 'wolf'. See lupine,
adj.
lych, lych-gate. - See lich, lich-gate.
Lycbnis, n., a genus of plants, the campion (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. 'Auxvl:;, 'campion', prop. 'of
bright red color', rei. to 'Auzyo~, 'lamp', which
stands for *).o~x-crvo:; and is cogn. with 01. ruk,wib, 'shining; bright', L. liina (for *louqs-nii or
*leuqs-nii), 'moon'. See lune and cp.link, 'torch'.
Lycian, adj., pertaining to Lycia, an ancient country of Asia Minor. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Lycius, fr. Gk. AuxLo<;, 'Lycian'. Cp. next
word.

L.111111dt::4

Derivative: Lycian, n.
Lycium, n., a genus of plants, the matrimony vine
(bot.) - ModL., fr. Gk. 'Aux~ov, 'the dyer's
buckthorn', prop. 'Lycian plant', fr. Auxwv,
neut. of Auxw~. 'Lycian'.
!yeo-, before a vowel lye-, combining form
meaning 'wolf'.- Gk. 'Auxo-, 'Aux-, fr. 'Auxo~,
'wolf'. See lyceum.
Lycopersicon, n., a genus of plants of the potato
family (bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. 'Auxo1tspmov, a
kind of plant of the nightshade family, which is
compounded of Mxo~, 'wolf' (see lyco-), and
1rsp%e:~v, 'to destroy', which is of uncertain origin.
Lycopodiaceae, n. pl., the club-moss family (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. Lycopodium with suff.
-aceae.
See prec. word and
lycopodiaceous, adj. -aceous.
Lycopodium, n., a genus of plants, the club moss
(bot.)- ModL., lit. 'wolf's foot', compounded
of Gk. Mxo~, 'wolf', and 7tOu;, gen. 1to06~,
'foot'. See lyco- and podo-.
Lycopsis, n., a genus of plants, the bugloss (bot.)
- ModL., compounded oflyco- and Gk. il<jn~,
'sight, appearance'. See -opsis.
Lycopus, n., a genus of plants, the bugleweed and
the water horehound (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'wolf's
foot', fr. lyco- and Gk. 1tou;, gen. 1ro06::;, 'foot'.
See -pod and cp. Lycopodium.
lyddite, n., a high explosive.- Named after Lydd,
a town in Kent (England), where it was first tested (in 1888). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Cp. cheddite.
Lydian, adj., pertaining to Lydia, an ancient country of Asia Minor. - Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Lydius, fr. Gk. A6Sw~. 'Lydian', fr. Au36;,
ofs.m.
Derivative: Lydian, n.
lye, lie, n.-ME.lye, /eye, fr. OE.leag, leah, rei. to
MDu. loglze, Du.loog, OHG.louga, MHG.louge, G. Lauge, 'lye', ON. !aug, 'hot bath, hot
spring', laugardagr, Dan. lerdag, Swed. Wrdag,
'Saturday' (lit. 'washing day'), OHG. luhlzen, 'to
wash', and cogn. with Gk. 'Aoue:w, L. laviire, 'to
wash'. See lave and cp. words there referred to.
Lygeum, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) - ModL.,
fr. Gk. 'Auyouv, 'to bend, tie fast', which is rei.
to ),uyo:;, 'any flexible twig'. See next word.
Lygodium, n., a genus of plants, the climbing fern
(bot.) - ModL., lit. 'flexible, pliant', fr. Gk.
'Auyw37J~, which is compounded of Myo~, 'any
flexible twig, a willow twig; a withy', and -w37J;,
'like'. The first element derives fr. I.-E. base
*leug-, *lug-, 'to bend, twist', whence also ON.
lokkr, OE. locc, 'lock of hair'; see lock, 'tuft of
hair'. For the second element see -ode, 'like', for
the ending see 1st sutT. -ium.
Lymnaea, n., a genus of air-breathing snails (zoo!.)
- ModL., erroneous spelling for Limnaea, fr.
Gk. 'AL[LV(XLO~, 'from the marsh, pertaining to a
marsh', fr. AL[LV7J, 'marsh, pool, lake'. See
limno-.

lymph
lymph, n., a yellowish fluid. - L. lympha, lumpa,
limpa, 'goddess of water, water', pro b. dissimilated fr. Gk. VUf.tcp7J. See nymph and cp. limpid.
Cp. also the second element in endolymph, perilymph.
Derivatives: lymphoid (q.v.), lymph-ous, lymphy, adjs.
lymph-, form of lympho- before a vowel.
lymphatic, adj., 1) pertaining to, containing or
conveying, lymph; 2) having a temperamen t formerly attributed to excess of lymph; sluggish;
n., a lymphatic vessel. - L. lymphtiticus, 'distracted, frantic', fr. lympha, 'water'. See lymph
and -atic. For sense developmen t cp. hydrophobia.
lymphatism, n., lymphatic temperamen t (med.)
See lymphatic and -ism.
lymphatitis, n., inflammatio n of a part of the lymphatic system (med.) - Medical L. See lymph
and -itis.
lympho-, before a vowel lymph-, combining form
meaning 'connected with, or containing, lymph'.
- Fr. L. lympha. See lymph.
lymphocyte, n., any of the cells found in the
lymph. - Compounde d of lympho- and Gk.
xu't'o~, 'a hollow vessel'. See -cyte.
Derivative: lymphocyt-ic, adj.
lymphoid, adj., resembling lymph. - A hybrid
coined fr. L. lympha, 'water', and Gk. -oe:Lo~~.
'like', fr. doo~, 'form, shape'. See lymph and
-oid.
lyncean, adj., pertaining to a lynx. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. lyncius, fr. Gk. Myxe:Lo~, fr.
A.uy~, gen. A.uyx6~, 'lynx'. See lynx.
lynch, tr. v., t~ punish by lynch law, esp. to inflict
capital punishment without legal procedure. See lynch law.
Derivatives: lynch-er, n.,lynch-ing , n.
lynch, lynchet, n. - See linch, linchet.
lynch law, summary punishment inflicted by the
mob without legal formalities. - Fr. earlier
Lynch's law, usually traced to Charles Lynch
(1736-96), a magistrate in Virginia, said to have
started the above practice.
lynx, n.- L., fr. Gk. A.uy~, cogn. with Arm. lusan-un-k' (pl.), Lith. ltWs, Lett. l(jsa, OPruss.
/uysis (whence PN. Luysen), OSlav. rysi (with
secondary r for /, prob. under the influence of
the verb ruvati, 'to tear to pieces'), OSwed. /6,
OS.lohs, OE.lox, MDu., Du.los,OHG ., MHG.
/uhs, G. Luchs, and with 01. rusant-, 'bright,
white'; fr. I.-E. base *leuk-, which is rei. to base
*/euq-, 'to emit light, to shine; bright'; so called
in allusion to the shining eyes. See light, 'brightness', and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
ounce, 'lynx'.
Lyon in Lord Lyon King of Arms, title of the chief
herald of Scotland. - Old spelling of lion (see
lion); so called from the lion represented on the
Royal Arms of Scotland.
lyOilllldse, adj., made in the fashion of the city of
Lyons (said of food).- F., fern. of /yon110i8, 'of

916

Lyons'; prop. shortened from the French term

a Ia lyonnaise, 'in the fashion of Lyons'. Lyons is

a town in France situated at the confluence of

the Rhone and the Saone.
Lyra, n., a northern constellation (astron.) - L.
lyra (see lyre); so called from the lyre of Orpheus
it is supposed to represent.
lyrate, adj., shaped like a lyre. - Formed with
adj. suff. -ate fr. L. lyra, 'lyre'. See lyre.
lyre, n.- ME. lire, fr. OF. lire, fr. L. lyra, fr. Gk.
Mp&, a foreign word of uncertain origin; not
connected with L. laus, 'praise', laudtire, 'to
praise'.
lyric, adj.- MF. lirique (F.lyrique), fr. L./yricus,
fr. Gk. A.upLx6~, 'pertaining to, or singing to,
the lyre', fr. A.up&. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: lyric, n., lyric-al, adj., lyric-al-ly,
adv., lyric-al-ness, n., lyric-ism, n.
lyrico-, combining form meaning 'lyrical and'.Fr. lyric.
lyrism, n., lyricism. - F. lyrisme, fr. Gk. A.upLcrf.t6~, fr. A.up&. See lyre and -ism.
lyrist, n.,a) one who plays the lyre; b) a lyrical
poet.- F. lyriste, fr. L. lyrisfl!s, fr. Gk. A.upLcr~~. fr. A.up&. See lyre and -ist.
Lysimachia, n., a genus of plants, the loosestrife
(bot.)- L. lysimachia, name of a plant, fr. Gk.
AUcrLf.tOI:)([&, fr. Aucr[f.tOI:)(O-:;, Lysimachus, King
of Thrace, discoverer of this plant. This PN. lit.
means 'ending strife', fr. A.um-:;, 'a loosing, setting free; releasing', and f.t&X7J, 'battle'. See
lysis and -machy.
lysin, n., any substance causing the dissolution of
bacteria (biochem.) - Coined fr. Gk. A.umc; (see
lysis) and chem. suff. -in.
lysine, lysin, n., an amino acid, C 6 H 14 N 2 0 2 (biochem.)- See prec. word.
lysis, n., I) gradual recession of a disease (med.);
2) cell destruction by lysins (biochem.) - Gk.
MaL~, 'a loosing, setting free; releasing; dissolution', fr. )..ue:w, 'to unfasten, loose, loosen, untie, slacken; to loose; to set free, release, ransom; to dissolve', whence also A.1hpov, 'ransom',
which is cogn. with 01. Iunati, lun6ti, 'cuts, cuts
off', L. /uere, 'to loose, release; to atone for,
expiate', OE. for-liosan, 'to lose; to destroy',
losian, 'to perish, be lost'. See lose and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also -lysis, -lytic.
-lysis, combining form meaning 'loosing, dissolving, dissolution', as in catalysis, hydrolysis. Fr. Gk. A.ua~c;. See prec. word and cp. -lytic.
lysol, n., a brown oily liquid, soluble in water. Coined fr. Gk. A.ua~c; (see lysis) and suff. -ol
(representing L. oleum, 'oil').
lyssa, n., rabies. - Medical L., fr. Gk. A.uaa01:,
Att. A.u't''t'Ot, 'rage, fury, madness, frenzy, rabies',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. lytta, Alyssum.
-lyte, combining form meaning 'that can be solved'; correspondi ng to nouns ending in -lysis.
- Gk. -'Au't'oc;, fr. AU't'6c;, 'that may be loosed'
or 'that is loosed', verbal adj. of Mew, 'to
loose'. See -lysis.

917

Lythraceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the loosestrife family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr. Lythrum with suff. -aceae.
lythraceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
Lythrum, n., a genus of herbs, the loosestrife (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. M.f}po~, :AU~pov, 'dirt, gore',
which is rei. to A.i3f.t01: (for *A.u't'-f.tOI:), 'filth, dirt,
disgrace', and cogn. with L. lutum, 'mud, clay'.
See lute, 'a cohesive substance', pollute.
lytic, adj., 1) pertaining to lysis; 2) pertaining to
lysin. - See -lytic.
-lytic, combining form forming adjectives corre-

-1yze
sponding to nouns ending in -lysis, as in hydrolytic.- Gk. -Au't'LX6<;, fr. :>.unx6c;, 'able to loose,
loosing', fr. Au't'6<;, 'loosed', verbal adj. of MwJ,
'to loose'. See -lysis.
lytta, n., a wormlike cartilage in the tongue of
many mammals (as e.g. the dog).- L. 'worm
under the tongue of a dog, said to cause madness'. See lyssa.
-lyze, combining form forming verbs corresponding to nouns ending in -lysis.- F. -lyser, back
formation fr. -lyse, fr. L. -lysis, fr. Gk. -A.ucrLc;.
See -lysis.

919

M
ma, n. -A childish or colloquial abbreviation of
mamma, 'mother'.
-ma, subst. suff. representing Gk. fLO!:, forming
nouns that indicate the result of verbal action.
- See suff. -men. which is the exact Latin equivalent of Gk. fLO!:, and cp. suff. -ment. Cp. also
suff. -ism, which is compounded of the suffixes
-ize and -rna.
ma'am, n. - Contraction of madam.
maarib, n., the daily evening prayer (Jewish liturgy).- Heb. ma'arfbh, lit. 'bringing evening',
Hiph'il (=causative) partie. of the verb 'iirtibh,
'it became evening', denominated fr. 'erebh,
'sunset, evening', which is rel. to Arab. ghtiraba,
Ethiop. 'artiba, '(the sun) has set', Arab. gharb,
'place of sunset, west', Akkad. erebu, 'to enter,
go in', ereb shamshi, 'sunset'. The name maarib
is taken from the text of the first benediction.
Cp. Maghrib. Cp. also Erebus, Europe.
Maarib Arabim, the first of the two benedictions
preceding the Shema in the evening prayer (Jewish liturgy).- Heb. ma 'iirfbh 'iiriibhtm, 'bringing evenings'. See prec. word; 'iiriibhfm, 'evenings', is the plural of 'erebh. The name of the
benediction was taken from the words ma'iirfbh
'iiriibhtm occurring in the text.
Maat, n., the goddess of truth and justice in Egyptian mythology.- Egypt. Maii-t, lit. 'truth'.
Mabel, fern. 'PN.- Short for Amabel.
Mac-, pref. in family names of Gaelic, Irish and
Scottish origin.- Gael., Ir., mac, 'son', fr. Olr.
mace, 'son', which is rel. to OW. map, Co. miib,
miip. These words are prob. rel. to Olr. maug,
mug, 'slave', and cogn. with OE. mago, 'son, attendant, servant', ON. mogr, 'son', Goth. magus,
'boy, servant', magaps, 'virgin', OE. m;egeo,
m;ego, 'maid'. See maiden.
macabre, adj., pertaining to the dance of death.
- F., in danse macabre, 'dance of death', altered -owing to a false reading- fr. MF. danse
macabre, fr. earlier Macabre la danse, which is
usually explained as 'dance of the Maccabees'.
The derivation of the PN. Macabre fr. L. Machabeus is based on 111/achabeorum chora, the
Medieval Latin name of the 'dance of death'
(see Du Cange, Glossarium mediae et infimae
Latinitatis, Paris 1883-87, s.v. Machabeorum
chora). It is not improbable that the story of the
seven brothers with their mother and that of
Eleazar (II. Mace., chapters 6 and 7), who suffered martyrdom, conveyed the idea of 'the dance
of death'. For the etymology of the name Machabeus see Maccabees. Some lexicographers derive macabre fr. Syr. (marqadhta dhl) ml!qabbere,
'(dance of the) grave-diggers', or fr. Arab. mtiqbarah, 'cemetery'.
Macaca. n .. a genus of monkeys, the macaque

(zoot.)- ModL., fr. Port. macaca, 'female monkey', fern. of macaco. See macaco.
macaco, n., any of several species of lemurs. Port., fr. African (Congo) name. Cp. macaque.
macadam, n., material for road making. Named after the Scot. engineer John London
Macadam (1756-1836), inventor of the process.
Derivatives: macadam-ize, tr. v., macadam-ization, n.
macao, n., a game, a variety ofvingt-et-un. -So
called from Macao, a seaport in China, where
this game is still in fashion.
macaque, n., any monkey of the genus Macaca.
-F., fr. Port. macaco. See Macaca.
macaroni, n., I) tube-shaped food made of dried
wheaten paste; 2) dandy. -It. maccaroni, now
maccheroni, pl. of maccarone, resp. maccherone,
'paste with cheese', fr. Late Gk. fLOI:XO!:plii, 'food
composed of broth and barley groats', which derives (with obscure sense development) fr. Gk.
fLOI:XO!:plii, 'happiness, bliss', fr. fLXXOI:(', 'blessed,
happy', a word of uncertain origin. Cp. macaroon.
macaronic, adj., written in burlesque style; n., a
burlesque composition. - Formed fr. prec.
word with suff. -ic.
Derivative: macaronic-a/-ly, adv.
macaroon, n., small cake made of almonds.- F.
macaron, fr. diaL It. maccarone, fr.lt. maccaroni.
See macaroni.
macartney, n., the fire-backed pheasant.- Short
for .Macartney pheasant; named after Lord
Macartney (1737-1806).
Macassar oil, a hair oil orig. made from materials
obtained from Macassar. - From Macassar
(native Mangkasara), name of a district of the
island of Celebes. Cp. antimacassar.
macaw, n., any parrot of the genus Ara.- Port.
macau, prob. fr. macauba, 'macaw palm' (see
next word), and so called because it feeds on the
fruit of this tree.
macaw palm,- Port. macauba, fr. Tupi macauba,
'the macaw palm'.
Maccabean, adj., pertaining to the Maccabees.See next word and -an.
Maccabees, n. pl.- F. Machabes, fr. LateL. Machabaef, fr. Machabaeus, surname given to Judas, the third son of Mattathias the Hasmonean,
usually connected with Heb. maqqabh, 'hammer', but pro b. derived from an inexact transliteration of Heb. matzbf', 'general, commander
of an army', fr. tziibha, 'host, army'. See Sabaoth.
maccaboy, n., also maccoboy, maccabaw, a kind
of scented snuff. - Named from Macouba, a
district in Martinique.
mace, n., a weapon (hist.); a staff. - ME.,

fr. OF. mace (F. masse), fr. VL. *mattea, back

formation fr. L. mateo/a, 'mallet', fr. *matea,
which is cogn. with 01. matytim, 'harrow, club',
OSlav. motyka, 'mattock', OHG. medela, 'plow'.
Cp. It. mazza, Sp. maza, 'mace', which also derive fr. VL. *mattea. Cp. also mashie, masse,
mattock, stramazon.
Derivative: mace, tr. v., to strike with a mace.
mace, n., a spice consisting of the dried outer
covering of nutmeg.- ME. macis, fr. F. macis,
fr. Late L. macis, which is prob. a scribal error
for L. macir, 'red bark of an Indian root', fr. Gk.
[LOI:Xlp, a word of uncertain origin. The -sin F.
macis was mistaken for the plural suff. and accordingly dropped in English.
mace, n., swindling; tr. and intr. v., to swindle
(slang).- Of uncertain origin.
macedoine, n., a dish of fruit or vegetables embedded in jelly. -F., fr. Macedoine, fr. L. Macedonia, fr. Macedones, 'the Macedonians', fr.
Gk. M01:xe:Mve:~, of s.m.; so called facetiously in
allusion to the medley of nations of different
origin by which Macedonia was inhabited. See
next word.
Macedonian, adj. and n . ..:.._ Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Macedonius, fr. Gk. M01:xe:MvLo1;, 'Macedanian', fr. Mcxxeil6ve<;, 'the Macedonians', lit.
'the Highlanders', or 'the Tall Ones', rel. to
iJ.OI:Xeilv6<;, 'long, tall', and to fL01:Xp6<;, 'long,
large'. See macro-.
macer, n., one who bears a mace. - Formed fr.
mace, 'a weapon', with agential suff. -er.
macer, n., a swindler (slang).- Formed fr. mace,
'to swindle', with agential suff. -er.
macerate, tr. v., to steep by soaking; to cause to
waste away; to torment; intr. v., to waste away.
- L. miiceriitus, pp. of miiceriire, 'to make soft
or tender', fr. I.-E. base *mag-, *meg-, 'to
knead', whence also Gk. fLOI:Yt<;, 'kneaded mass,
cake', fLG<ye:uc;, 'one who kneads, baker', OSlav.
maiq, mazati, 'to anoint, smear', maslo, 'butter,
oil', mastl, 'ointment', Bret. meza, 'to knead',
Mlr. maistir, 'to churn'. From *miik-, a var. of
*mag-, possibly derives Gk. [Lcicrcrw (if standing
for *ml!q-yo), 'I squeeze, press into a mold,
knead'. See make v., and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
magma, mazo-, 'placenta'. Cp. also mass, 'size,
quantity'.- Cp. *menq-, 'to knead', a collateral base, for the derivatives of which see mingle.
(Gk. [L&crcrw could also stand for *mrq-yo,
hence be a derivative of base *menq-.)
Derivatives: macerat-er, macerat-or, n., maceration, n.
machete, n., a large, heavy knife. - Sp., derived
fr. macho, 'hammer', fr. L. marculus, which was
prob. dissimilated fr. *malclos, for *mal-tlos,
and rei. to malleus, 'hammer'; see malleus and
cp. march, 'to walk'. L. marcus, 'hammer', is a
back formation fr. marculus, which was mistaken for a diminutive.
Machetes, n., a genus of birds, the ruff; synonym
of Philomachus (ornithui.)--ModL ., fr. Gk. p.a:-

-machy
X"')T-i)1;, 'fighter', fr. fLXxe:cr%01:L, 'to fight'. See
-machy and cp. Philomachus.
-machia, combining form. -See -machy.
Machiavellian, adj., 1) pertaining to the Florentine statesman N iccolo Machiavelli ( 1469-152 7),
author of 'II Principe', or to his political doctrines; whence 2) crafty, subtle.- For the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative: Machiavellian, n.
Machiavellism, n.- See prec. word and -ism.
machicolate, tr. v., to provide with machicolations. - ML. machicoltitus, pp. of machicoliire,
fr. MF. machicouler, 'to provide with machicolations', fr. MF. machecolis (whence F. machi~ulis, 'machicolation'), which is perh. an alteration of *machis coulis, fr. *machis, a derivative
of the verb macher, 'to crush, bruise' (whence F.
machure, 'a bruise'), and coulis, 'the act of flowing', fr. couler, 'to flow'; see Bloch-Wartburg,
DELF., p. 361 s.v. machicoulis. See coulisse and
cp. portcullis. For the ending see verbal suff.
-ate.
machicolation, n., an opening in the floor made
between the corbels that support the parapet. See prec. word and -ion.
machicoulis, n., machicolation.- F. machicoulis.
See machicolate.
machina, n., a machine. - L. miichina, 'machine'.
See machine.
machinate, intr. v., to plot, scheme. - L. miichiniitus, pp. of miichiniiri, 'to invent, devise, plot',
fr. miichina. See machine, and verbal suff. -ate.
machination, n., plot, intrigue. - L. nuichinatio
gen. -onis, 'machination, device, trick', fr. ma:
chinatus, pp. of machiniiri. See prec. word and
-ion.
machinator, n., plotter, schemer. - L. machinator, fr. miichinatus, pp. of miichinari. See machinate and agential suff. -or.
machine, n.- MF. ( = F.), fr. L. machina, 'machine, engine, fabric, frame, device, trick', fr.
Dor. fLiixa:v&, corresponding to Att. fL"')XOI:V-f),
'machine, contrivance, artificial means, expedient', fr. Dor. fLOCXO<; (Attic fL'iiXo<; ), 'contrivance, means, expedient, remedy', fr. I.-E. base
*miigh-, *megh-, 'to be able', whence also OSlav.
mogq, mosti, 'to be able', OE. m;eg, 'I can'. See
may, auxil. v., and cp. main, 'might', might. Cp.
also mechanic.
Derivatives: machine, tr. v., machin-ery, n.,
machinist (q.v.)
machinist, n. - A hybrid coined (on analogy of
F. machiniste) fr. L. machina and -ist, a suff. of
Greek origin.
Machpelab, n., name of the cave in Hebron, in
which the patriarchs and their wives were buried
(Bible). - Heb. Makhpetdh, lit. 'double cave,
fr. kiiphal, 'he doubled', whence kephel, 'the
double'; rei. to Aram. kephal, 'he doubled'
kip~/&, kuphta, 'double', Arab. kif/, 'the double':
Eth10p. kafala, 'he divided', kefel, 'a part'.
-machy, -macbia, combining form meaning

920

mackerel
'battle, war, contest', as in alectryomachy, gigantomachy.-Gk. -[Loczl<i, fr. [L<iX1J, 'battle, fight',
rei. to [L<ize:cr&ocL, 'to fight'; of uncertain origin.
Cp. the second element in Andromache, Telemachus.
mackerel, n., an edible fish (Scomber scombrus).
- OF. makerel, maquerel (F. maquereau), of
uncertain origin; possibly identical with next
word.
mackerel, n., a pimp, pander (archaic). - ME.
makerel, fr. OF. makerel, maquerel (F. maquereau), 'pimp, pander', fr. MDu. make/aer (Du.
makelaar), 'broker, agent', fr. make/en, 'to act as
a broker', fr. maken, 'to make'; see make, v. G.
makeln, 'to act as a broker', and Makler, also
Miikler, 'broker', are Dutch loan words.
mackinaw, n. - Short for Mackinaw boat, resp.
Mackinaw coat, Mackinaw blanket, etc., fr. Can.
F. Mackinac, fr. Mackinac, a port in Michigan,
fr. Ojibway Indian mitchimakinak, 'great turtle'.
mackintosh, n., a waterproof outer coat. Named after Charles Mackintosh (1766-1843),
who invented the waterproofing of materials.
mackintoshite, n., a silicate of uranium, thorium
and other metals (mineral.) -Named after the
American chemist James B. Mackintosh. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
mackle, n., macule; blur.- F. macule, fr. L. macula. See macula and cp. mascle.
Derivative: mackl-ed, adj.
macle, n., a twinned crystal.- F., fr. L. macula,
See macula and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: macl-ed, adj.
a genus of trees, the Osage orange
Madura,
(bot.)- ModL., named after the American geologist William Maclure (1763-1840).
macon, n., a red Burgundy wine.- Named after
Miicon, a French city and center of viticulture.
macr-, form of macro- before a vowel.
macrame, n., a kind of ornamental work embroidered into knots. -Turk. maqrama, 'handkerchief', fr. Arab. miqramd', 'embroidered veil'.
macro-, before a vowel macr-, combining form
meaning 'long'.- Gk. [LOCXpo-, fLOCXp-, fr. [LOCxp6:;, 'long, large', cogn. with L. macer, 'lean,
thin', ON. magr, OE. m~Eger, 'lean, thin', fr.
I.-E. *mekros, derivative of base mak-, *mek-,
'long, thin', whence also Gk. [L-ljxo:;, 'length',
p.ocxe:-llv-6:;, 'long, tall'. See meager and cp.
Macedonian, meco-.
macrobiotic, adj., long-lived; tending to prolong
life.-Formed with suff.-ic fr. Gk. [LO'.Xpo~lo":o:;,
'long-lived', fr. [LOCXp6[3La:;, of s.m., which is
compounded of f.l<Xxp6;, 'long', and ~lo:;, 'life'.
See macro- and bio-.
macrocephalic, also macrocephalous, adj., largeheaded. - Formed with suff. -ic, resp. -ous, fr.
Gk. [L<XXpoxtljlocAo:;, 'large-headed', which is
compounded of fL<XXp6:;, 'long', and xe:qloc.)..-lj,
'head'. See macro- and cephallc.
IIIIICI'Ocepbaly. n., the condition of being macro-

n.:

cephalic. - See prec. word and Y (representing

Gk.-l<i).
macrocosm, n., the great world, the universe. F. macrocosme, compounded of macro- and Gk.
x6cr[Lo:;, 'world'. See cosmos and cp. microcosm.
macron, n., a short horizontal line placed over a
vowel to indicate its length. - Gk. fLOCXp6v,
neut. of [L<Xxp6<;, 'long'. See macro-.
macroscopic, also macroscopical, adj., large
enough to be seen by the naked eye. - Compounded of macro- and Gk. crxon:e:~v, 'to look
at, examine' (see -scope), and suff. -ic, resp. also
-al. Cp. microscope.
Derivative: macroscopical-ly, adv.
macrospore, n., a megasphore. - Compounded
of macro- and Gk. crn;op&, 'a sowing, seed'. See
spore.
Macrura, n., a division of crustaceans (zoot.) ModL., lit. 'long-tailed', compounded of macrand Gk. oup&, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-'.
Derivatives: macrur-al, macrur-ous, adjs., macrur-an, n.
macula, n., a spot, stain; a spot on the surface of
the sun; a spot on the skin. - L. macula, 'spot,
mark, stain, blot, mesh', prob. for *(s)mi!-tla, fr.
I.-E. base *sme(i)-, 'to rub', whence also Gk.
O'[LW, cr[L-ljv, 'to anoint, smear, rub, wipe,
cleanse', cr[L-f)A7J, O'fl-'ijp.oc, 'unguent', crfl--f)xe:Lv, 'to
clear off, soap, purge'. Accordingly, the original
meaning of macula seems to have been, 'a soiled
spot, a spot to be cleaned'. See smite and words
there referred to and cp. esp. mackle, mail,
'armor'. Cp. also maquis.
Derivative: macul-ar, adj.
maculate, tr. v.- L. maculatus, pp. of maculare,
'to make spotted, to speckle', fr. macula. See
prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: maculat-ed, adj.
maculate, adj.- L. maculatus, 'spotted', pp. of
maculare. See maculate, v.
maculation, n.- ME. maculacion, fr. L. macultiti6, gen. -6nis, 'a spotting', fr. macultitus, pp.
of maculare. See maculate, v., and -ion.
macule, n., a spot.- F., fr. L. macula. See macula.
macule, tr. and intr. v., to mackle.- F. maculer,
fr. macule. See macule, n.
mad, adj.- ME. mad, madde, fr. OE. gemiidd,
gemiided, pp. of a lost verb, fr. gemad, 'mad',
which is rei. to OS. gi-med, OHG. gi-meit, 'foolish, crazy', Goth. ga-maidans (ace. pl.), 'crippled, wounded', ON. meioa, 'to hurt, maim',
MHO. meidenen, 'to castrate', and prob. cogn.
with Gk. iJ-l-ru:Ao<;, 'maimed, hornless, weak',
1-'-Lcr-ruAAe:Lv, 'to cut into pieces', OLith. apmaitinti, 'to wound'. Cp. maim.
Derivatives: mad, tr. and intr. v. (rare), madd-en,
n., madd-en-ing, adj., madd-en-ing-ly, adv., madly, adv., madness (q.v.)
madam, n.- F. madame, forma dame, 'my lady',
fr. L. mea domina. L. mea is fern. of meus, 'my;
mine'; see me. mine, adj. For the etymology of
dame see dame.

921

madame, n., a French title of respect, orig. for a

woman of rank, now given to every married
woman.- F., fr. madame, 'my lady'. See prec.
word.
madarosis, n., loss of the eyelashes (med.)- Medical L., fr. Gk. fi-<XIlocpcocrL:;, 'baldness', fr. fi-<Xil<Xpau'J, 'to make bald', fr. f.l<XIlocp6<;, 'wet, watery;
bald', from the stem of f.l<XIliiv, 'to be wet, to
flow', which is pro b. rei. to f1-<X~6:;, [L<Xcr-r6:; (for
*fl-ocll--r-6<; ), 'breast'. See mast, 'fruit of beech',
and -osis.
madarotic, adj., affected with the loss of eyelashes
(med.) - See prec. word and -otic.
madder, n., a plant (Rubia tinctorum). - ME.
mader, fr. OE. m;pdere, rei. to ON. maora, Swed.
madra, MDu. mede, Du. mede, mee-krap, OHG.
matara, 'madder', and cogn. with Pol. modry,
Czech modry, 'blue'.
made, pp. of make. - ME. maked, made, fr. OE.
macod, 'made', pp. of macian, 'to make'. See
make, v.
Madeira, n., name of an island in the Atlantic and
name of the wine produced in the island. Port., fr. madeira ( = Sp. madera), 'timber,
wood', fr. L. materia (see matter, 'substance');
so called because it was formerly rich in timber;
cp. madrier. For sense development cp. Cyprus,
'the island of cypress trees' (see Cyprian), and
Pityuses, 'the islands covered with pines'.
Madeline, fern. PN.- Fr. Magdalene (q.v.)
mademoiselle, n., a title given to an unmarried
French woman, equivalent to E. miss.- F., for
mademoiselle, fr. VL. mea *dominicella, lit. 'my
young mistress'. For the first word see madam;
for the second see damsel and cp. demoiselle.
madness, n. - ME. maddnesse, fr. madd, 'mad'.
See mad and -ness.
Madoc, masc. PN. - W. Madawg, fr. madawg,
'benefiting', fr. mad, 'fortunate'.
Madonna, n. - It. madonna, fr. Olt. ma donna
( = It. mia donna), 'my lady', for L. mea domina,
'my lady'. See madam and donna.
madrague, n., a large fishpond. - F. madrague,
fr. Proven'<. madraga, fr. Sp. almadraba, fr.
Arab. almtizrabah, 'the enclosure', which is
formed fr. a/-, 'the', and mtizrabah, 'enclosure',
fr. ztiraba, 'he made an enclosure'.
madras, n., a light cotton fabric. - So called
from Madras, in India.
madrasah, n., a Mohammedan college. - Arab.
mtidrasah, lit. 'a place of study', formed with
local pref. ma- from the stem of dtirasa, 'he read
repeatedly, he studied', a loan word fr. Aram.Syr. ~rash, 'he inquired into, examined', which
is rei. to Heb. dartish, of s.m. See midrash.
Madreporaria, n., an order of Anthozoa (zoo/.)
- ModL. See next word.
madrepore, n., any of various corals of the genus
Acropora. - F. madrepore, fr. It. madrepora
which is compounded of madre, 'mother', and
poro, 'pore'. It. madre derives fr. L. matrem, ace.
of mater, 'mother'; see modler and cp. mater. It.

maffick
poro comes fr. L. porus, fr. Gk. n:6po~, 'pore';
see pore. The change of It. poro to -pora (in ma
drepora) is due to the influence of the gender of
madre (which is nat. feminine).
Derivative: madrepor-ic, adj.
madrier, n., a thick plank serving various purposes, esp. to receive the mouth of a petard.-F.,
fr. OProven'< madier, 'cover of a kneading
trough', fr. VL. *materium, fr. L. materia,
'wood, timber'. See matter and cp. Madeira.
madrigal, n., 1) a short love poem; 2) music for
such a poem. - It. madrigale, of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: madrigal-ian, n., madrigal-ist,
n.
madroiia, madroiio, n., an evergreen tree, Arbutus
menziesii.- Sp. madrofio, 'strawberry tree', rei.
to maduro, 'ripe, mature', fr. L. matiirus, of s.m.
See mature, adj.
Madura foot, infection of the foot caused by a
species of fungus; called also mycetoma (med.)
-Named after Madura, a district in Madras,
India, where this disease especially occurs.
Maecenas, n., a patron of literature or art. - L.
Gaius Cilnius Maecenas (died in the year 8
B.C.E.), the patron of Virgil and Horace.
Maelstrom, n., a famous whirlpool off the NW.
coast of Norway.- Du. maelstrom (now maalstroom), lit. 'grinding stream', fr. malen, 'to
grind', and strom, 'stream'. See meal, 'flour',
and stream.
Maemacterion, n., name of the 5th month of the
Attic Greek calendar year (corresponding to
November-December). - Gk. MocLfi-IXX-rr,pLwv,
fr. M<XLf1-0CX-r7J:;, 'the god of storms', epithet of
Zeus at Athens, lit. 'stormy, boisterous, impetuous', from the stem of f.l<XLfi-OCcrcre:Lv, a secondary
form of fi-IXL!-'-iiv, 'to be very eager', formed with
reduplication from the stem of f1-<Xle:cr.&ocL, 'to
endeavor, seek, strive', which is rei. to f1-wcr.&<XL,
'to seek after, covet'.
Maenad, n., priestess of Bacchus (Greek mythol.)
- L. maenas, gen. -adis, fr. Gk. fLOCL'Joc;, gen.
-ocllo:;, 'a raving woman; a bacchante', from
the stem of fi-'Xl'Je:cr.&<XL, 'to rave, rage'. See
mania.
Maenidae, n. pl., a small family of sea fishes
(zoo/.)- ModL., fr. L. maena, a kind of small,
spratlike sea fish, fr. Gk. f1-<XLV1J, of s.m., which
is possibly cogn. with Lith. menke, Lett. menza,
'codfish'. For the ending see suff. -idae.
maestoso, adj., majestic (musical direction). -It.,
fr. maesta, 'majesty', fr. L. majestatem, ace. of
majestas. See majesty and adj. suff. -ose.
Derivatives: maestoso, adv. and n.
maestro, n., a master, esp. an eminent musical
composer. -It., 'master', fr. L. magistrum, ace.
of magister, 'master'. See master.
maflick, intr. v., to celebrate in a boisterous manner.- Back formation fr. a supposed pres. part.
mafficking, facetious alteration of Mafeking,
name of a town in S. Africa, whose relief (on

maffla

May 17, 1900) was celebrated in London in a

boisterous, uproarious way.
maffia, mafia, n., organized lawless hostility in
Sicily. -It. maffia, mafia, of uncertain origin.
Mag, fern. PN. - Dimin. of Margaret. Cp. maggot, magpie.
magazine, n. - MF. magazin (F. magasin), fr.
OF. magazin, fr. It. magazzino, fr. Arab. makh&zin, pl. of makhzdn, 'storehouse', fr. khtizana,
'he stored up', for the etymology of which see
Paul de Lagarde, Gesammelte Abhandlungen,
Leipzig, 1866, p. 25. Cp. alhacena, almacen.
Derivatives: magazine, tr. v., magazin-er, n.
magdalen, also magdalene, n., a reformed prostitute. -Named after Mary Magdalene, mentioned in Luke 8:2 (often identified with the
penitent woman in Luke 7: 37-50). See Magdalene.
Magdalene, also Magdalen, fern. PN.- Eccles.
L. Magdalene, fr. Gk. Ma:yi>oci:I)'J7), 'Magdalene', lit. 'woman of Magdala', fr. ;'vlci:yi>ocl.oc, fr.
Aram. Maghdel&, place on the Sea of Galilee
(see Yerushalmi 'Erubhin, 5, 1), lit. 'tower', fr.
i dhal, 'he became great'; rei. to. Heb. giidhtil,
'he became great, was great', giidhol, 'great'. Cp.
Madeline, magdalen, maudlin.
mage, n., a magician.- F., fr. L. magus, 'magician'. See magus and cp. magic, adj.
magenta, n., a purplish red dye. - So called because it was discovered shortly after the battle
of Magellfa in 1859.
maggot, n. - Prob. formed (under the influence
of Maggot, dimin. of Mag) fr. ME. maddock, fr.
ON. maokr, which is rei. to OE. maoa, OS.
matho, MLG., MDu., Du. made, OHG. mado,
MHG., G. made, Goth. mapa, 'maggot', and
possibly cogn. with Arm. mat'il, 'louse'. Cp.
mawkish, moth.
Derivative: maggot-y, adj.
Maghrib, n., Barbary. - Arab. Mtighrib, 'the
West', fr. ghtiraba, '(the sun) has set', whence
gharb, 'place of the sunset, west'. See maarib.
Maghribi, n., a nativeofBarbary.-Ara b. Maghribf 'an inhabitant of the West', formed fr.
Mtighrib (see prec. word) with -f, a suff. expressing relationship and corresponding to Heb.
suff. -i.
Magi, n. pl., a priestly caste in Media and Persia.
- L. magi, pl. of magus. See Magus.
Magian, adj., pertaining to the Magi; n .. one of
the Magi. -See prec. word and -ian.
magic, n. - ME. magik, fr. MF. ( = F.) magique, fr. Late L. magice, fr. Gk. tJ.OCy~x~ (scil.
--;f.xvT;), lit. 'magic art', fern. of the adjective
fLOC"(~x6~. 'Magian, magical'. See magic, adj.
magic, adj. - ME. magik, fr. OF. ( = F.) magique, fr. L. magicus, fr. fLOC"(~x6~, 'Magian, magicar, fr. :J.ciyo~, 'Magus, magician'. See Magus
and -ic.
Derivatives: magic-al, adj., magic-al-ly, adv.
magician, n.- ME. magicien, fr. MF. ( = F.) magicien, fr. OF. magique. See magic, n., and -ian.

922
magilp, n. -A var. of megilp.
magisterial, adj., 1) pertaining to a master; 2)
pertaining to a magistrate; 3) authoritative. Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Late L. magisterius, fr. L. magister, 'master'. See master.
Derivatives: magisterial-ly, adv., magisterialness, n.
magistracy, n., the office of a magistrate. Formed fr. magistrate with suff. -cy.
magistral, adj., 1) magisterial; 2) guiding; 3) prepared for a particular case (pharm.)- L. magistriilis, 'of a master', fr. magister, gen. magistri,
'master'. See master and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: magistral-ly, adv.
magistrate, n., a public civil officer.- ME. magistral, fr. L. magistriitus, 'high civil official, magistrate', fr. magister, gen. magistri, 'master'.
See master and subst. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: magistrat-ive, adj., magistrat-ure,
n.
magma, n., a pasty mass. - L., fr. Gk. fLtXYfLOC,
'a thick unguent', fr. fLtXcrcrw (for *fl.ci.y-~w ), 'I
squeeze, press into a mold, knead'. See macerate.
Magna Charta, also Magna Carta, the Great,
Charter obtained from King John on June 15th
1215.- ML., 'great charter'. See magnum and
chart.
magnanimity, n. - ME. magnanimite, fr. MF.
(= F.) magnanimite, fr. L. magnanimitiitem, ace.
of magnanimitiis, 'highmindedness', fr. magnanimus. See next word and -ity.
magnanimous, adj., of a generous, noble character. - L. magnanimus, 'highminded, magnanimous', lit. 'great-souled', compounded of mugnus, 'great', and animus, 'soul'. See magnum and
animus. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
-ous.
Derivatives: magnanimous-ly, adv., magnanimous-ness, n.
magnate, n., a great man; a man of high position.
-Late L. magniis, gen. magniitis, 'magnate', fr.
L. magnus, 'great'. See magnum.
magnesia, n., magnesium oxide (chem. ) - ML.,
fr. Gk. fLOC"'(V7JO"l&, shortened fr. 1) Mocyv7Jcrla
l.l-&o~, 'the Magnesian stone', fr. Mocyv7Jcrla,
the name of a peninsula and a town in East
Thessaly. Cp. magnet, manganese.
Derivatives: magnesi-a/, magnesi-an, adjs.
magnesite, n., magnesium carbonate (mineral.)F. magnesite, fr. Gk. fLOCyv7Jcrl&. See magnesia
and subst. suff. -ite.
magnesium, n., name of a silvery-white metallic
element (chem.) - ModL. See magnesia and
chem. suff. -ium.
Derivatives: magnesi-a/, magnesi-an, magnes-ic,
adjs.
magnet, n. - ME. magnete, fr. OF. magnete,
fr. L. magnetem, ace. of magnes, 'loadstone', fr.
Gk. MO(yv'ijn~ 1-l-&o~, 'stone from Magnesia,
lodestone', fr. Moc"(VVlcrla, a town in Lydia,
Asia Minor.
Derivatives: magnet, tr. v., magnetic (q.v.),

923
magnet-ism, n., magnet-ist, n., magnet-ize, tr. v.,
magnet-iz-able, adj., magnet-iz-abil-ity, n., magnet-iz-ation, n., magnet-iz-er, n., magnet-iz-ing,
adj.
magnetic, adj.- F. magnetique, fr. Late L. magneticus, fr. L magnes, gen. magnetis, 'loadstone'.
See magnet and adj. suff. -ic.
Derivatives: magnetic-a/, adj., magnetic-al-ly,
adv., magnetic-al-ness, n.
magnetite, n., a native oxide of iron; lodestone
(mineral.) - G. Magnetit, fr. L magnes, gen.
-etis. See magnet. The ending-it goes back to Gk.
-h7]:;; see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative: magnetit-ic, adj.
magneto-, combining form meaning 'magnetic'.
-See magnet.
magneto, n., a magneto-electric machine. - See
magneto-.
magni-, combining form meaning 'great'; used
either in a laudatory or a depreciatory sense. L. magni-, fr. magnus, 'great'. See magnum.
magnific, adj., magnificent. - OF. ( = F.)
magnifique, fr. L. magnificus, See magnificent
and -fie.
Derivatives: magnific-a/, adj., magnific-a/-ly, adv.
Magnificat, n., the canticle of the Virgin Mary,
Luke 1:46-55.- So called fr. magnificat, 'magnifies', the first word of the Latin version of the
canticle; L. magnificat is 3rd pers. sing. pres. of
magnificiire, 'to magnify'. See magnify.
magnification, n. - Late L. magnificiitio, gen.
-6nis, fr. L. magnificiitus, pp. of magnificiire. See
magnify and -ation.
magnificence, n.- ME., fr. OF. (= F), fr. L.
magnificentia, 'splendor, munificence', fr. magnificus. See next word and -ce.
magnificent, adj. - OF., back formation fr. L.
magnificentior, com par. of magnificus, 'splendid,
munificent', lit. 'doing great things', fr. magnus,
great', and -ficus, from the stem of L. -ficere,
unstressed form of facere, 'to make, do'. See
magnum, -fie and -ent.
Derivatives: magnificent-ly, adv., magnificentness, n.
magnifico, n., title of a Venetian nobleman. -It.,
lit. 'magnific', fr. L. magnificus, 'splendid, munificent'. See magnific, magnificent.
magnify, tr. v. - ME. magnifien, fr. OF. ( = F.)
magnifier, fr. L. magnificiire, 'to praise highly,
magnify', which is compounded of magnus,
'great', and -ficiire, fr.facere, 'to make, do'. See
magnum and -fy and cp. magnificent.
Derivative: magnifi-er, n.
magniloquence, n.- L. magniloquentia, 'elevated
language; pompous language', fr. magni/oquus.
See next word and -ce.
magniloquent, adj., speaking pompously; bombastic. - Formed with suff. -ent fr. L. magniloquus, 'pompous in talk, boastful', fr. magnus,
'great', and -loquus, 'speaking', fr. loqui, 'to
speak'. See loquacious.
Derivative: magniloquent-ly, adv.

maharaja

magnitude, n., greatness.- ME., fr. L. magnitiido,

'greatness, size, bulk', fr. magnus, 'great'. See
magnum and -tude.
Magnolia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after Pierre Magno/, French professor of
botany (1638-1715). For the ending see 1st suff.
-ia.
Magnoliaceae, n. pl., the magnolia family (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
magnoliaceous, adj. -See prec. word and -aceous.
magnum, n., a bottle holding two quarts of wine
and spirits. - Lit. 'something large', fr. L.
magnum, neut. of magnus, 'great, large, much,
abundant', which stands for *mi!g-nos and derives fr. I.-E. base *meg(h)-, *meg-, 'great,1arge',
whence also 01. mah-, mahii-, mahat-, 'great',
Gk. fLt"(oc~, fern. fLEYtXA7J, neut. fLtyoc, 'great,
large', Goth. mikils, OE. mice/, mycel, 'great,
big, many'. See mickle and cp. words there referred to.
magnum bonum, 1) a large variety of yellow plum;
2) a large variety of potato. - L., 'large and
good', fr. magnum, neut. of magnus, 'great,
large', and bonum, neut. of bonus, 'good'. See
magnum and bonus.
magnum opus, a great work, masterpiece; a person's greatest work. - L., 'great work', fr.
magnum, neut. of magnus, 'great, large', and
opus, gen. operis, 'work'. See magnum and opus.
magot, n., the Barbary ape. - F., fr. the PN.
Magot, corruption of Magog, fr, Heb. Miightigh,
name of a country and of a nation (see Ezek.
38:2 an~ 39: 6), applied derisively to the Barbary ape.
magpie, n. - Compounded of Mag, abbreviation of Margaret and pie, the bird. For sense
development cp. F. margot, 'magpie', fr. Margot, 'Mag, Maggy', a pet form of Marguerite,
'Margaret'.
maguey, n., any of various species of Agave. Sp., fr. Taino.
Magus, n., one of the Magi; (not cap.) a magician.
- L., fr. Gk. wiyo:;, fr. OPers. magush, 'magician', whence also Talmudic Heb. miig6sh,
Aram. amgush&, 'magician'.
Magyar, n., Hungarian.- Hungarian.
Mahabharata, n., one of the two great Hindu epics (the other is Ramayana).- 01. Mahiibhiirata/.1, lit. 'the great (story of the) Bharatas'. 01.
mahii-, 'great', is cogn. with L. magnus, 'great'.
See magnum and cp. maharaja and words there
referred to.
mahaleb, n., a kind of European cherry (Prunus
mahaleb). -Arab. mti/.llab, in V Arab. pronunciation ma/.lleb.
maharaja, maharajah, n., the title of great Hindu
princes.- 01. mahiirdjal), 'a great king', compounded of mahii-, 'great', and rdjan, 'king'. See
magnum and rajah and cp. Maratha and the first
element in Mababharata, maharanee, mahatma,
mahout.

maharanee

924

to the god Maius, whose name stands for *magyos, lit. 'he who brings increase', and is connected with magnus, 'great'. See magnum and
cp. May.
Maianthemum, n., a genus of plants of the family
Convallariaceae (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'May flower', fr. Gk. Mtho~ (fr. L. Maius), 'May', and
&\I.&EfL0\1, 'flower', fr. &\1-&o~, 'flower'. See May
and anther.
maid, n.- Shortened fr. maiden.
Derivative: maid-ish, adj.
maidan, n., an open space in towns of India. Hind. and Pers. maydan, fr. Arab. mayd&n.
maiden, n. - ME. meiden, fr. OE. ma?gden, dimin. of m<Egeo, m;ego, 'maid', which is rei. to
OS. magath, OFris. maged, megith, OHG. rnagad, MHG. maget, 'virgin, maid', G. Magd,
'maid, maidservant', Miidchen, 'girl, maiden,
maid' (prop. contraction of Miigdchen, 'a little
maid or maidservant'), OE. mago, 'son, man,
attendant, servant', ON. mogr, 'son', Goth.
magus, 'boy, servant', magaps, 'virgin', and
cogn. with Avestic mayava-, 'unmarried', Olr.
maug, mug, 'slave', and prob. also with Olr.
mace, W. mab, 'son'. Cp. may, 'maiden'. Cp.
also Mac-.
Derivatives: maiden, adj., maiden-hood, n., maiden-head, n., maiden-ly, adj. and adv., maidenli-ness, n.
maieutic, adj., serving to elicit ideas (said of the
Socratic method ofteaching).-Gk. [J.ocLe:unx6l;,
'pertaining to midwifery, obstetric', fr. fLOCLe:ue:cr.&ocL, 'to act as midwife', fr. [J.OCi:o:, 'mother,
nurse, midwife', fr. [.L<i (voc.), 'mother', from
infants' babbling *ma-, whence also Dor. Gk.
fLiiTIJp, Gk. fL-fJTIJp, 'mother', and-with reduplication-tJ.tXfLfL"IJ, 'mother'. See mother,
'female parent', and cp. mamma, 'mother'.
maigre, adj., containing neither flesh nor its juices
(said of articles of diet). - F., 'meager'. See
meager.
maigre, n., a large food fish.- F., lit. 'meager'.
See prec. word.
mail n armour. - ME. maille, mai/e, fr. OF.
mail/e.(= F.), fr. L. macula, 'spot, mark; mesh'.
See macula and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also camail.
Derivatives: mail, tr. v., mail-ed, adj.
mail, n., bag; bag for letters; post.- ME. male,
fr. OF. male (whence F. malle), 'bag', fr. Frankish *malha, which is rei. to OHG. malaha,
malha, 'saddle bag; wallet', MDu, male, 'bag',
Du. maal, 'postbag, mail'.
Derivatives: mail, tr. v., to send by post, mailable, adj., mail-er, n.
mail. n., rent, tax, payment (obsol. or Scot.). ME. male, 'tax, tribute', fr. OE. mal, 'bargaining, agreement, pay', fr. ON. mal, 'speech,
agreement', which is rei. to OE. ma!iJel, 'meeting,
council', 111Zl, 'speech', Goth. map/, 'meeting
place'. Cp. blackmaD. Cp. also mallus.
(Ezck.. 21 :19).
mabn, tr. v., to hurt, injure, mutilate. - ME.
Mala. n., Roman goddess of fertility.- L., rei.

maharanee, maharani, n., 1) a great Hindu princess; 2) the wife of a maharaja.- Hind. maharani, 'a great queen', compounded of maha-,
'great', and ranf, 'queen'. See prec. word and
ranee.
mahatma. n., great-souled, magnanimous.- 01.
mahatman, 'great-souled', compounded of mahdt-, 'great', and atmdn, 'soul'. The first element
is cogn. with L. magnus, 'great'; see magnum
and cp. maharajah and words there referred to.
For the second element see atman.
Mabdi, n., a Mohammedan prophet expected to
appear in the latter days; title assumed by the
leaders of various Mohammedan sects.- Arab.
mahdt, 'one who is guided aright', pass. part. of
htida, 'he lead in the right way'; rei. to Heb.
had&h, 'he stretched out (the hand)', Aram. haddt, 'he lead, guided'.
Mahdism, also Mahdiism, n., belief in the coming
of the Mahdi. - See prec. word and -ism.
mah-jongg, n., a Chinese game usually played by
four persons with 144 dominolike 'tiles'. Corruption of Chin. machiao, 'sparrow', lit.
'hemp-bird'; so called in allusion to the bird
represented on the first tiles.
mahlstick, n. - See maulstick.
mahogany, n.- Of uncertain origin.
Mahometan. - The same as Mohammedan.
Mahonia, n., a genus of plants of the barberry
family (bot.)- Named after the American horticulturist Bernard McMahon (1775-1816). For
the ending see l st suff. -ia.
Mahound, n., l) Mohammed, the founder of Islam (arch.); 2) the devil (Scot.)- OF. Mahom,
Mahon, corruption of Mahomet, 'Mohammed'.
Cp. Mohammedan.
mahout, n., the keeper and driver of an elephant
(East Indies). - Hind. mahaut, contraction of
mahavat, fr. OI. maha-m&tra/:1, lit. 'great in
measure', fr. maha, 'great', and m&tra(fem.),mdtram (neut.), 'measure'. The first element is cogn.
with Gk. fLEYOC~, L. magnus, 'great, large'; see
magnum and cp. the first element in maharaja
and in words there referred to. For the etymology of the second element see matra.
mabseer, mabsir, n., a large fresh-water fish of
India, allied to the barbel. - Hind. mahiisir, lit.
'big head', fr. maha, 'great, big', and sir, 'head'.
The first element derives fr. 01. mahii-, 'great',
which is cogn. with Gk. fLeyoc~, L. magnus,
'great'; see magnum. The second element is rei.
to 01. siras, 'head, summit', Avestic sarah-,
Pers. sar, 'head', and cogn. with Gk. xocp7J,
'head', xpiivLov, 'skull', L. cerebrum, 'brain';
see cerebrum and cp. the first element in seerband.
mabzor, n., the Hebrew prayerbook used for the
festivals. - Mishnaic Heb. ma/;lzdr, lit. 'cycle',
fr. bazdr, 'he went around; he repeated', which
is rei. to Heb. /.uid4T, 'he surrounded, enclosed'

925

maymen, mahaymen, fr. OF. mehagnier, mahaignier, mayner, which is ofTeut. origin. Cp. ON.
meioa, 'to hurt, maim', Goth. ga-maidans (ace.
pl.), 'crippled, wounded', OE. gemiid, 'mad'.
See mad and cp. mayhem. Cp. also mangle, v.
Derivatives: maim, n. (cp. mayhem), maim-ed,
adj., maim-ed-ness, n., maim-er, n.
maimon, n., the mandrill. -It. maimone, fr. Pers.
maymun, 'ape', fr. Arab. maymiln, 'auspicious'.
See monkey.
main, n., strength, power.- ME., fr. OE. m~Egen,
rei. to OS., OHG. magan, megin, ON. magn,
megin, 'strength, power', and to the E. auxiliary
verb may (q.v.)
main, adj., most important, principal. - Partly
from prec. word, partly fr. ON. meginn, megn,
'strong', which is rei. to ON. magn, megin,
'strength, power'.
Derivative: main-ly, adv.
main, n., I) in games of hazard, any number between five and nine; 2) a match in cockfighting.
- Of uncertain origin; possibly from prec.
word.
mainour, manner, n., something stolen found on
the thief's person (Old English law).- ME. manor, fr. AF. mainoure, corresponding to OF.
manuevre, maneuvre, lit. 'hand work'. See maneuver, n.
mainpernor, n., one who gives mainprize for another's appearance (hist.) - ME. mainpernour,
fr. AF. mainpernour, metathesized fr. OF. *mainprenour, fr. OF. mainprendre, lit. 'to take into
the hand', fr. main, 'hand', and prendre, 'to
take'. See next word.
mainprize, n., an undertaking to be responsible
for the appearance of a released prisoner in
court on a certain day (hist.) - ME., fr. AF.
meinprise, mainprise, lit. 'a takingintothehand',
fr. main, 'hand', and prise, 'a taking, seizing',
prop. fern. pp. of prendre, 'to take', used as a
noun. F. main derives fr. L. manus, 'hand'; see
manual. For the etymology of F. prise see prize,
n. Cp. prec. word.
maintain, tr. v. - ME. maintenen, mainteinen, fr.
OF.(= F.) maintenen, mainteinen, fr. OF.(=
F.) maintenir, fr. L. manu tenere, 'to hold in the
hand', fr. manu, abl. of manus, 'hand', and tenere, 'to hold'. See manual and tenable.
Derivatives: maintain-able, adj., maintain-ability, n., maintain-er, n.
maintenance, n.- F., fr. maintenir. See maintain
and -ance.
maiolica, n. - See majolica.
mair, adj. - Scot. var. of more.
maist, adj.- Scot. var. of most.
maitre, n., a master. -F., fr. OF. maistre, fr. L.
magistrum, ace. of magister, 'master'. See master.
maize, n., Indian com. - Sp. maiz, fr. Taino mahiz, mahis.
majestic, adj. - Formed from next word with
adj. suff. -ic.

make
Derivative: majestic-al-ly, adv.
majesty, n. - ME. magestee, fr. OF. majeste (F.
majeste), fr. L. majestatem, ace. of majestas, 'dignity, honor, excellence', from the base occurring
in major (neut. majus), 'greater', compar. of
magnus. See major, adj., and cp. maestoso, lese
majesty. For the ending see subst. suff. -ty.
Majlis, also Mejlis, n., the Persian national assembly. -Arab. mdjlis, 'assembly', lit. 'session',
fr.jtilasa, 'he sat down'.
majolica, maiolica. n., Italian glazed pottery. It. maiolica, fr. Majolica, early form of Majorca;
so called because such pottery was first made on
the island of Majorca.
majoon, n., a confection made of hemp leaves,
poppy seeds, etc. - Hind. majUn, fr. Arab.
ma'jiln, lit. 'kneaded', passive part. of'tijana, 'he
kneaded'.
major, adj.- ME. majour, fr. L. major, 'greater',
fr. earlier *majjor, for *mag-yos (neut. majus,
fr. earlier *majjus, for *mag-yos), comparative
of, and from the same base, as, magnus, 'great',
rei. to magis, 'more, rather'. See magnum and
cp. mayor and the second word in force majeure.
Cp. also maximum.
Derivative: major, intr. v.
major, n., an officer ranking between captain and
lieutenant-colonel. - F. major, fr. Sp. mayor,
fr. L. major, 'greater'. See major, adj.
major, n., a person of full legal age. - Fr. L.
major, 'greater'. See major, adj.
major-domo, n., a man in charge of a royal or
princely household. - Sp. mayordomo, fr. ML.
major domus, 'chief of the house', fr. L. major,
'greater', and gen. of domus, 'house'. See major,
adj., and dome, building'.
majority, n. - MF. ( = F.) majorite, fr. ML.
miijoritatem, ace. of majoritas, 'majority', fr. L.
major, 'greater'. See major, adj., and -ity.
majuscule, n., a large letter. - L. mtijuscula (sci!.
littera), 'a somewhat greater letter', fern. of
majusculus, 'somewhat greater', dimin. of major,
'greater'. See major, adj., and -cole.
Derivatives: majuscule, majuscul-ar, adjs.
make, tr. and intr. v. - ME. maken, fr. OE. macian, rei. to OS. makon, OFris. makia, 'to build,
make', MDu., Du. maken, 'to make', OHG.
mahhon, 'to construct, make', MHG., G. rnachen, 'to make', fr. I.-E. base *mag-, 'to knead,
mix; to make'. The sense development of the
base *mag-, from the original meaning 'to
knead' into that of'to make' ,may find its explanation in the fact that the first human buildings
were houses of mud. 'To knead a mud house'
meant almost the same as 'to make a mud
house'. See macerate and cp. make, 'match',
mackerel, 'a pimp', mason, match, 'an equal'.
Cp. also mingle, among.
Derivatives: make, n., way of being made, maker, n., mak-er-ess, n., mak-ing, part. adj. and n.
make, n., match, mate, companion (now dial.
Eng.) - ME. make, mak, fr. OE. gemaca, rei.

malto gema?cca, 'one of a pair, mate, consort', gem::ecc, 'well-matched, suitable', and to OE. macian, 'to make'. See make, v., and cp. match, 'an
equal'.
mal-, combining form meaning 'bad, badly, ill'.
-F., fr. mal, 'evil, ill, wrong; wrongly', fr. L.
male (adv.), 'badly, ill', fr. malus (masc.), mala
(fern.), malum (neut.), 'bad, evil', which is of uncertain etymology. It meant perh. orig. 'insignificant, of inferior value', and is cogn. with OE.
sm::el, 'narrow, slender, small'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., II, 19-20 s.v. 3. malus. See small
and cp. male-, malady, malice, malignant, dismal, manilla, 'second highest trump', mauvais.
mala, n., the cheek or the cheekbone (anat. and
zoo/.)- L. mala, 'cheekbone, jawbone; cheek',
of uncertain etymology. Cp. maxilla.
malabathrum, n., the Malabar leaf and the ointment made from it. - L., fr. Gk. !J.IXAtX~ct&pov,
prob. aphetic for 01. tamala-ptittram, 'leaf of
the tamala tree', fr. ttimalah, name of a tree,
which is perh. rei. to tamas-, 'darkness', and
ptitra-m, 'leaf', fr. I.-E. *petra-, zero degree
*ptera-, 'wing, feather; leaf'. For the first element see temerity, for the second see feather and
cp. ptero-. The omission of the first syllable of
the 01. word in Greek is prob. due to a misdivision of ttimala-pdt(t)ra- into 't'OC !J.ctM~ct&piX;
see Frisk, GEW., II, 165 s.v. !J.IXAOC~ct&po\1.
malac-, form of malaco- before a vowel.
malacca, n., a walking stick. - Short for Malacca cane, prop. cane from Malacca, a district in
Malaya.
Malaceae, n. pl., the apple family (bot.)- ModL.,
formed with suff. -aceae fr. L. malus, 'apple
tree'. See Malus.
malaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
Malachi, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the last
in the order of the Twelve Prophets. - Reb.
Mal'akhf, lit. 'my messenger', fr. mai'dkh,
'messenger', fr. base 1-'-k, 'to send', which is rei.
to Arab. ld'aka, a/' aka, 'he sent'.
malachite, n. - F., formed with subst. suff. -ite
fr. Gk. !J.IXA<iz'IJ, 'mallow'. See mallow.
malacia, n., pathological softening of a tissue
(med.) - Medical L., fr. Gk. !J.IXAIXX.LIX, 'softness', fr. !J.ctAocx.6c;, 'soft'. See malaco- and lst -ia.
-malacia, combining form denoting pathological
softening (med.) - See prec. word.
malaco-, before a vowel malac-, combining form
meaning'soft'.-Gk.!J.IXAOOW-, !J.OC),ocx.-, fr. !J.IXActx.6c;, 'soft', which stands for *mell-qos, and isrel.
to Gk. ~Ai~, gen. ~).!Xx.6c;, 'lazy, inactive, sluggish', fr. I.-E. base *melaq-, 'to soften', whence
also Ir. malcaim, 'I rot', Mlr. bien, 'the groins'.
Base *melaq- is enlarged fr. base *(s)mel-, 'to
rub, grind', whence Gk. !L.j).7l, later JLUAOt;,
'mill', L. molere, 'to grind', molina, 'mill'. See
meal, 'edible grain', and cp. words there referred
to.
malacology, n., the study of mollusks. - Comnounded ofmalaco- and Gk. -).oy(iX, fr .-:A6yoc;;,

926
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: malacolog-ic-al, adj., malacolog-ist,
n.
malacon, n., a brown variety of zircon. - Gk.
!J.OCAIXx.6v, neut. of (.tctAIXx.6c;, 'soft'. See malaco-.
Malacostraca, n. pl., a subclass of Crustacea
(zoo/.)- ModL., fr. Gk. (.t1XAIXX.6a't'pctx.oc;;, 'softshelled', compounded of !J.IXAIXX.- (see mala c-) and
ila't'pctx.ov, 'shell'. See ostracon.
Derivative: malacostrac-an, adj.
maladroit, adj., awkward, clumsy.- F. See maland adroit.
Derivatives: maladroit-ly, adv., maladroit-ness,
n.
malady, n., sickness, disease. - ME. maladie,
fr. OF.(= F.) maladie, fr. malade, 'sick', fr.
Late L. male habitus, 'ill', lit. 'ill-kept', fr. male,
'badly, ill', and habitus, pp. of habere, 'to hold,
keep, have'. See mal-, habit, n. and-y (representing F. -ie), and cp. malinger.
mala fide, in bad faith. - L. mala fide, abl. of
mala fides, 'bad faith'. See mal- and fidelity and
cp. bona fide.
Malaga, n., white wine exported from Malaga,
port in Spain. - The name of Malaga, orig. a
Phoenician colony, comes fr. Phoen. mall;ta,
'salt', which is rei. to Heb. mela/:t. See mallow.
Malagasy, adj., pertaining to Madagascar, its
people or its language; n., 1) a native of Madagascar; 2) the language of the Malagasy. Related to Madagas- in Madagas-car. For the
interchangeability of -l- and -d- cp. L. lingua,
'tongue', fr. OL. dingua (see lingual and cp.
words there referred to).
malaise, n., a slight bodily discomfort.- F., lit.
'ill ease', fr. mal-, 'ill', and aise, 'ease'. Seemaland ease.
malapert, adj., impudent. - OF. mal apert, lit.
'ill-skilled', fr. mal-, 'badly, ill', and apert,
'skillful', which was formed-with change of
prefix-fr. OF. espert, 'experienced, skillful,
clever', fr. L. expertus. See expert.
Derivatives: malapert, n., malapert-ly, adv.,
malapert-ness, n.
malapropian, adj., of the nature of malapropisms.
- See next word and -ian.
malapropism, n., misuse of a word. - Fr. Mrs.
Malaprop, name of a character in Sheridan's
Rivals, coined fr. F. mal apropos, 'inopportune,
inappropriate'. See next word and -ism.
malapropos, adv ., inopportunely, inappropriately.
- F. mal apropos, 'inopportunely. inappropriately', fr. mal-, 'ill, badly' and apropos, 'to the
purpose'. See mal- and apropos.
Derivative: malapropos, adj.
malar, adj., pertaining to the cheek or the cheekbone (anal. and zoo/.) - ModL. miilaris, fr. L.
mala, 'cheekbone, jawbone, cheek'. See mala
and -ar and cp. maxilla.
Derivative: malar, n., cheekbone.
malaria, n.- Lit. 'bad air', fr. It. mal'aria, con-

malignancy

927
traction of mala aria, 'bad air', fr. mala, fern. of
malo (fr. L. malus), 'bad', and aria, 'air'. See
mal- and air, 'atmosphere'. The term malaria
was prob. used first by the Italian physician
Francisco Torti (1658-1741).
Derivatives: malari-al, malari-an, malari-ous,
adjs.
malario-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
malaria'. See prec. word.
malax, tr. v., to soften.- L. malaxiire, 'to soften,
mollify', fr. Gk. !J.IXAtXaae:L\1 (aor. !J.IXA&:~IXL ), of
s.m., fr. !J.OCAocx.6~, 'soft'. See malaco- and cp.
Malaxis.
Derivatives: malax-able, adj., malaxage (q.v.),
malax-ate, tr. v., malaxation (q.v.)
malaxage, n., softening. - F., fr. malaxer, 'to
soften, mollify', fr. L. malaxare. See prec. word
and -age.
malaxation, n., softening. - Late L. malaxati6,
'a softening', fr. L. malaxatus, pp. of malaxare.
See malax and -ation.
Malaxis, n., a genus of plants of the orchid family
(bot.)- ModL., fr. Gk. [.t&:AIX~L<;, 'a softening',
from the stem ofwx Aocaae:L\1, 'to soften'. Seemalax.
Malay, adj., pertaining to Malaya or the race inhabiting it; n., a member of the race inhabiting
Malaya. - Native Malayu.
Derivative: Malay-an, adj.
Malayalam, n., the Dravidian language of Malabar.
malcontent, adj., discontented, dissatisfied.- F.,
fr. mal-, 'ill, badly', and content, 'content'. See
mal- and content.
Derivatives: malcontent-ed, adj., malcontent-edly, adv., malcontent-ed-ness, n., malcontentment, n.
maldonite, n., bismuthic gold (mineral.)- Named
after Maldon in Victoria, Australia. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
male, adj. and n. - ME. masle, fr. OF. mascle,
masle, male (F. male), fr. L. masculus, 'male,
masculine', dimin. of mas, 'male'. See masculine.
male-, combining form meaning 'bad, badly, ill'.
-Fr. L. male (adv.), 'badly, ill'. See mal-.
malediction, n., curse.- ME. malediccioun, fr. L.
maledicti6, gen. -6nis, 'a reviling, abuse', lit. 'an
evil-speaking, fr. maledictus, pp. of maledicere,
'to revile, abuse', lit, 'to speak ill', fr. male,
'badly, ill', and dicere, 'to say'. See male- and
diction and cp. malison, which is a doublet of
malediction.
maledictory, adj., of the nature of a malediction.
-Formed with adj. suff. -ory fr. L. maledictus,
pp. of maledicere. See prec. word.
malefaction, n., evil deed, crime.- Formed with
suff. -ion fr. L. malefactus, pp. of malefacere.
See next word.
malefactor, n., an evildoer. - ME. malefactour,
fr. L. malefactor, fr. malefactus, pp. of malefacere, 'to do evil, to injure', fr. male, 'badly, ill',
andfacere, 'to make, do'. See male- and fact and
cp. next word.

malefic, adj., baleful - L. maleficus, 'evildoing,

wicked, criminal', compounded of male, 'badly,
ill', and -ficus, from the stem of -ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make, do'. See maleand -fie.
maleficence, n., harmfulness, mischief.- L. maleficentia, 'evildoing, mischievousness, injury', fr.
maleficus. See next word and -ce and cp. malfeasance.
maleficent, adj., harmful, mischievous. - Back
formation fr. L. maleficentior, compar. of maleficus. See malefic and -ent.
maleic, adj., designating a white crystalline acid
(chem.) - F. maliique, altered arbitrarily fr.
malique. See malic.
malevolence, n., ill-will, malice. - L. malevolentia, 'ill will, ill disposition', fr. malevolens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -ce and cp. benevolence.
malevolent, adj., ill-disposed, malicious. - L.
malevolens, gen. -entis, 'ill-disposed, envious',
fr. male, 'badly, ill', and volens, gen. -entis, pres.
part. of velle, 'to wish, will'. See volition and cp.
benevolent.
Derivative: malevolent-ly, adv.
malfeasance, n., misconduct (law).- F. malfaisance, 'evildoing, mischievousness', fr. malfaisant. See next word and cp. feasance, misfeasance.
malfeasant, adj., doing evil; n., evildoer. - F.
malfaisant, pres. part. of malfaire, 'to do evil',
compounded of mal-, 'ill, badly' and faire, 'to
make, do', fr. L.facere. See mal-, fact and -ant
and cp. prec. word. Cp. also feasible.
malgre, prep., in spite of. - See maugre.
malic, adj., pertaining to a crystallizable acid
occurring in apples (chem.)- F. malique, fr. L.
malum, 'apple'. See Malus, 'the apple tree',
and -ic.
malice,. n., ill will. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.)
malice, fr. L. malitia, 'wickedness, malice', fr.
malus, 'bad'. See mal- and 3rd suff. -ice.
malicious, adj. - ME., fr. OF. malicius, fr. L.
maliti6sus, 'wicked, malicious', fr. malitia. See
prec. word and -ious.
Derivatives: malicious-ly, adv., malicious-ness,

n.
malign, adj., 1) malevolent; 2) evil. - ME. maligne, fr. OF. maligne, fr. L malignus, 'ill-disposed, malicious', orig. 'of a bad nature', compounded of male, 'badly, ill', and *gno-s, 'born,
of a certain nature', fr. I.-E. base *g1J, 'to beget,
bear, bring forth', whence also L. gignere, 'to
beget, bear, bring forth', W. geni, to be born'.
See mal- and genus and cp. benign.
Derivative: malign-ly, adv.
malign, tr. v., to speak ill of, to slander. - ME.
malignen, fr. OF. malignier, fr. L. malignare,
maligntiri, 'to do maliciously', fr. malignus. See
malign, adj.
malignancy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.

malignant

928

petrel. - Du. mallemok, compounded of mal,

'foolish', and mok, 'gull, seamew'; so called because it is easily caught.
malleolus, n., one of the two rounded projecting
bones on each side of the ankle (anat.)- L., 'a
small hammer', dimin. of malleus, 'hammer';
first used in anatomy by Andreas Vesalius (151464), it orig. denoted simply a bony eminence.
See malleus and dimin. suff. -ole.
Derivative: malleol-ar, adj.
mallet, n., a hammer with a heavy wooden head.
-ME. maillet, fr. MF. ( = F.) maillet, fr. OF.,
lit. 'a small hammer', dimin. of mail, fr. L.
malleus, 'hammer'. See next word and -et.
Derivative: mallet, tr. v.
malleus, n., the outermost of the three small bones
of the middle ear (anat.) - L. malleus, 'hammer'; so called in allusion to its shape. L. malleus is cogn. with OSlav. mlati1, Russ. m6loti1,
'hammer'. Cp. mall, malleable, malleolus, mallet, maul, 'hammer', and the second element in
pall-mall. Cp. also machete, marc, march, 'to
walk'.
Derivative: malle-al, adj.
mallow, n., name of a plant. - ME. malwe, fr.
OE. mea/we, fr. L. malva, which, together with
Gk. (J.GtAtXX:"I), of s.m., is borrowed fr. Heb. malziia/:1, 'mallow' (Job 30:4), a derivative of me/a(l,
'salt'; cp. Aram. mil/:1&, Syr. melbd, Arab. mil/:1,
Akkad. milu, 'salt'. (See H. Lewy, Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen, 31 f., and
Immanuel Low, Flora der Juden, I 227 ff. and
242 ff.) Cp. malachite, malvacious, mauve. Cp.
also Malaga.
mallus, n., the hundred court among the Salian
Franks.- L., a Teut.loan word; cp. ON. mal,
'speech, agreement', OHG. mahal, court, assembly', OE. m;epel, of s.m. See mail, 'tax,
payment', and cp. the second element in blackmail.
maim, n., a soft friable limestone.- ME. malme,
fr. OE. mealm, rei. to ON. ma/mr, Swed. maim,
'ore', Goth. malma, 'sand', G. zer-malmen, 'to
bruise, crush', and to OS., MLG., OHG.,
MHG. melm, Du. molm, G. Mulm, 'dust', and
cogn. with Lith. melmua, 'stone in the kidneys'.
All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base
mel-, 'to grind'. See meal, 'edible grain', and
cp.malt.
malmaison, n., 1) a kind of carnation: 21 a kind of
rose. - From Malmaison, name of the palace
oftbe Empress Josephine, near Versailles.
malmsey, n., a sweet white wine; orig., the sweet
white wine made near Monemvasia. - ML.
malmasia, corruption of Gk. \love:!J.fhalii,
'Monemvasia' (also called Napoli di Malvasia)
in the Morea. Gk. Move(J.~ctal.X lit. means 'only
one entrance'. It stands for (J.OV-E!J.~ctal.X and
is compounded of !'-6voc;, 'alone, only', and
~~cxm.;, 'entering into' (fr. ~~~--. iv-, 'in, into',
and ~&:<n~, 'a going, stepping, a base'); the
town was so called because it is connected with
maDemuck, mallemoc:k, mallemoke. n., fulmar,

malignant, adj., l)malign; 2) wishing evil; 3) tending to cause death.- L. malignans, gen. -antis,
pres. part. of ma/ignare, malignari, 'to do maliciously'. See malign, v., and -ant and cp. benignant.
Derivatives: malignant, n., malignant-ly, adv.
malignity, n., state or quality of being malignant.
ME. malignitee, fr. MF. ( = F.) rna/ignite, fr. L. malignitatem, ace. of malignitas,
'malice', fr. malignus. See malign, adj., and -ity.
malik, n., an owner (India). - Hind. malik, fr.
Arab. m&lik, 'owner', active part. of ma/aka,
'he owned'. See Mameluke and cp. words there
referred to.
malines, n., mechlin lace.- F., fr. Malines, name
of a town in Belgium. Cp. Mechlin.
malinger, intr. v., to feign sickness.- Fr. F. malingre, 'sickly, weakly, ailing', which is prob. a
blend of OF. mingre, 'wretched', and malade,
'sick' (see malady). OF. mingre itself seems to be
a blend of OF. maigre, 'lean, meager' (see
meager), and OF. haingre, 'lean', which is of uncertain origin. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p.
367 s.v. malingre.
Derivatives: malinger-er, n., malinger-y, adj.
malism, n., the doctrine that evil predominates
in this world. - A hybrid coined fr. L. malus,
'evil' (see male-), and -ism, a suff. of Greek origin. The correct form would be cacism, fr. Gk.
xctx6c;, 'bad, evil' (cp. Gk. xctKLO'(J.6<;, 'blame,
reproach'.)
malison, n., curse. - ME. malisoun, fr. OF. malel'ron, maleisson, 'curse', fr. L. maledictionem,
ace. of maledictio. See malediction, which is a
doublet of malison, and cp. benison.
malkin,mawkin, n., a slattern; a scarecrow (dial.
Eng.)- Orig. a fern. PN., formed fr. ME. Malkyn, dimin. of Malt, !\fault, 'Maud', fr. OF.
Mahoulte, Malde. See Mathilda, Maud, and cp.
the second element in grimalkin.
mall, n., the game of pall-mall. - Orig. 'the
mallet used in the game of pall-mall', fr. ME.
malle, fr. F. mail, 'mallet'. See maul.
mall, n. - A var. of maul.
malladrite, n., a sodium fluosilicate (mineral.) Named after Professor Alessandro Malladra of
the Royal Observatory of Vesuvius (1868-1945).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
mallard, n., the wild duck. - ME., fr. OF. mal/art (F. ma/ard, malart), 'wild drake', fr. Flemish
maskelaar, but influenced in form by OF. masle
(F. male), 'male'. The -t in OF. mallart is excrescent and due to a confusion with suff. -art.
malleable, adj., that can be hammered. ME. rna/liable, fr. MF. ( = F.) malleable, fr. ML.
malleabilis, fr. obsol. L. mallelire, 'to beat with
a hammer, to hammer', fr. L. malleu.r. See malleus and -able.
Derivatives: malleabil-ity, n., malleable-ness, n.
ma!lee, n., a dwarfish Australian eucalypt. Native Australian.

929
the continent only by a narrow dam (see mono-,
1st en- and base, n.) Cp. malvoisie.
Malpighia, n., a genus of tropical shrubs and
trees (bot.) - Named after the Italian anatomist Marcello Malpighi (1628-94). For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Derivative: Malpighi-an, adj., pertaining to, or
discovered by, Malpighi.
Malpighiaceae, n. pl., a family of tropical shrubs
and trees. - ModL., formed from prec. word
with suff. -aceae.
malpighiaceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
malpractice, n. - A hybrid coined fr. L. male,
'badly, ill' (see male-), and practice.
malt, n. - ME., fr. OE. mealt, malt, rei. to OS.,
ON. malt, Du. mout, OHG., MHG., G. malz,
'malt', and cogn. with 01. mrdu/:1, 'soft, mild',
Gk. f3/..1X3ctp6c; (for *(J.Act3ctp6c;), ~ActM<; (for
*!J.AIX3uc;), 'loose, spongy', (J.eA3eLv, 'to melt,
make liquid', &(J.ctAMve:Lv, 'to grind, destroy', L'
mollis (for *moldwis), 'soft'. All these words are
traceable to I.-E. *mel-d-, a -d-enlargement of
base *mel-, 'to grind', whence Gk. (J.UA"I), 'mill',
L. molere, 'to grind', molina, 'mill'. See mill,
'machine for grinding', and cp. meal, 'edible
grain', and words there referred to.
Derivatives: malt, tr. v., malt-ing, n., malt-y, adj.
Malta, n., an island in the Mediterranean.- Fr.
L. Melita, Meliti', fr. Gk. Me/..l-r"l), fr. Phoen.
m"lit&, lit. 'place of refuge', fr. Phoen.-Heb.
malat, 'he escaped'.
Derivatives: Malt-ese, adj. and n.
maltase, n., an enzyme that changes maltose into
dextrose (biochem.)- Coined fr. malt and -ase.
maltha, n., mixture used as cement.- L., fr. Gk.
(J.&:A&ct, 1-l~:D,&"I), 'mixture of wax and pitch'
(according to F. Solmsen, Beitrage zur griechischen Wortforschung, I, 55, prop. fern. of the
adjective *wD,&oc;, 'soft'), rei. to (J.tXA-ltiXxoc;,
'soft", [LIXi,.!t&:craeLv, (J.ctA-ltiX[ve:Lv, 'to soften',
:d:l.&wv, 'weakling', and cogn. with Goth.
mildeis, OE. milde, 'mild'. See mild and cp. milt.
Cp. also mollify.
Malthusian, adj., pertaining to the English economist Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834), who
maintained that the increase of population must
be checked in order to make it proportionate to
the means of subsistence; n., a follower ofT.R.
Malthus.- For the ending see suff. -ian.
Malthusianism, n., the doctrine ofT.R. Malthus.
- See prec. word and -ism.
maltose, n., sugar formed by the action of diastase of malt on starch. - Coined fr. malt and
subst. suff. -ose.
maltreat, tr. v.- F. maltraiter, 'to ill-treat', compounded of mal-, 'ill, badly', and traiter, 'to
treat'. See mal- and treat.
Derivatives: maltreat-ment, n., maltreat-or, n.
maltster, n., a maker of malt.- Formed fr. malt
with suff. -ster.
Malus, n., the genus of apple trees (bot.) - L.

mamma

malus, 'apple tree', malum, 'apple', fr. Dor. Gk.

(J.OCAOV, 'apple', corresponding to Ion. (J.ljAov;
prob. of Mediterranean origin. Cp. melinite,
melon, and the second element in marmalade,
camomile, Hamamelis.
Malus, n., name of a southern constellation (astron.) - Lit. 'mast', fr. L. malus, fr. "mados,
*mazdos; cogn. with OE. m;est, 'mast'. See
mast, 'pole'. For the change of I.-E. d to I in
Latin cp. lachrymal and words there referred to.
Malva, n., a genus of plants, the mallow (bot.)L., 'mallow'. See mallow and cp. malachite,
mauve.
Malvaceae, n. pl., the mallow family (bot.) ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
malvaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
Malvastrum, n., a genus ofthefalsemallowplants
(bot.)- ModL., formed fr. L. malva, 'mallow',
with -astrum, neut. of the pejorative suff. -aster.
See Malva and -aster.
MF.
malversation, n., maladministration. ( = F.), fr. malverser, compounded of mal-, 'ill,
badly', and L. versari, 'to move about, occupy
oneself', passive of versare, 'to turn about', freq.
of vertere, 'to turn'. See mal-, version and -ation.
malvoisie, malvoisier, n., malmsey. - F., fr.
Mal(e)vesie, fr. It. (Napoli di) Malvasia, fr. Gk.
MoVE(J.[31Xcrlii, 'Monemvasia', name of a town
in the Morea. See malmsey.
mamba, n., a S. African serpent (Dendraspis angustoceps). -Zulu im-amba.
Mameluke,n.,1) member of a military force, originally of slaves, who held the throne of Egypt
between 1250 and 1517 and remained powerful
till their massacre in 1811; 2) a slave.- F.
mamel(o)uk, fr. Arab. mamliik, 'purchased
slave', lit. 'possessed', pass. part. of malaka, 'he
owned, possessed', which is rei. to Ethiop. rnataka, 'he possessed', Arab. malik, Heb. melekh,
Aram. melekh, malk&, Akkad. maliku, ma/ku,
'king'. Cp. malik, the first element in Melchior,
Melchizedek, and the second element in Alchemilla.
mamilla, n. - See mammilla.
mamma, also mama, n., mother. - Formed with
reduplication from infants' babbling "ma-,
whence also Gk. (J.i(J.(J.ct (voc.), [.LtXfL!J-71, 'mother, grandmother; mother's breast', (J.IXfL(J.lii,
'mother', L mamma, 'mother, midwife, grandmother; mother's breast, nipple', ModPers.
mam, mama, 'mother', Alb. mEmE, Gheg marnE,
'mother', Russ. mama, Lith. mama, mama, Lett.
mama, 'mother', OHG. muoma, MHG. muome,
G. ll1uhme, 'mother's sister', F. maman, Sp.
mama, Ir., W., Co., Bret. mam, 'mother', Olr.
muimme, 'foster-mother'. In its unreduplicated
form, infants' babbling *ma- (whence 01. ma,
'mother', Dor. Gk. fLOC (voc.), 'mother') serves
as a basis to 01. miitar, Dor. fLiTIJp, Gk. (J.f,TI)p,
L. mater, etc. 'mother'. See mother and cp.
words there referred to.
mamma, n., mammary gland, milk-secreting or-

mammal
gan of mammal s (normall y only in females). L. mamma, 'breast', identical with mamma,
'mother' . See prec. word.
mammal , n. - See Mamma lia.
Mamma lia, n. pl. - ModL., coined by Linnaeu s
in 1758 fr. Late L. mamma/ia, neut. pl. of mamma/is, 'pertaini ng to the breast', fr. L. mamma,
'breast'. See mamma, 'mamma ry gland', and
adj. suff. -al.
Derivati ves: mammal-ian, adj. and n., mammal-

ity, n.
mammaliferous, adj., containi ng mamma lian remains (geol.) - Compou nded of mammal and
-ferous.
mammal ogy, n., the study of mammal s. -Compounded of ModL. Mammalia and Gk. -J.oyloc,
fr. -Myoc,, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner), one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
Mamma lia and -logy.
Derivati ves: mammalog-ic-al, adj., mamma/agist, n.
mammar y, adj., pertainin g to the mamma e or
breasts .-Forme d with adj. suff. -ary fr. mamma,
'mamma ry gland'.
mammee , n., a tropical America n tree or its fruit.
- Sp. mamey, fr. Taino.
mammiferous, adj., having mammae . - Compounded of mamma, 'mamma ry gland', and
-ferous.
mammif orm, adj., having the shape of a mamma .
-Comp ounded of mamma, 'mamma ry gland',
and -form.
mammil la, n., also mamilla, nipple (anat.) Inexact spelling ofL. mamilla, dimin. of mamma, 'breast' (see mamma, 'breast'). The shortening of mm (in L. mamma) to m (in L. mamilla)
is due to the shifting of the accent. From the
above example this law has been called 'mamilla
law'. For other example s of this law see canal
and curule.
Derivati ves: mammill-ary, mammill-ate, mammill-ated, adjs., mammill-at-ion, n.
Mammil laria, n., a genus of plants, the cactus
(bot.) - ModL., fr. L. mamilla, 'nipple' (see
mammill a); so called in allusion to the tubercle s.
mammilliform, adj., having the shape of a nipple.
- Compou nded of mammill a and -form.
mammon , n., personif ication of wealth. - L.
mamm6na, fr. Gk. fLIXfLOOViit:,, fr. Aram. miim6nd, emphati c state of mamifn, 'money', which
prob. stands for ma'mon, fr. base '-m-n, 'to
trust', and lit. means 'trust, deposit'. See amen.
Derivati ves: mammon-ism, n., mammon-ist, n.,
mammon-ist-ic, adj.
mammot h, n. - Russ. mammot , a dial. (Ostiak)
var. of mamman t, fr. Yakut mamma, 'earth' (the
mammo th was believed to root up the earth like
a mole, whence its name.)
mammy, n., 1) child's word for mother; 2) a Negro nurse. - See llllliiUIIII , 'mother' .
lllliD, n.- ME. man, fr. OE. man, 'human being,
Swe<L Du .. OHG. MHG.

930

man, G. Mann, ON. maor (for *mannr), Dan.

mand, Goth. manna, 'man' (cp. Mannus, a tribal
deity, in Tacitus' Germania, chapt. 2), OS. mennisco, OFris. miinniska, MDu. mensche, Du.
mens, OHG. mannisco, mennisco, MHG. mensche, mensch, G. Mensch, 'man' (orig. adj.
meaning 'human' ), and cogn. with OI. manu(!,
'man; progenit or of mankind ', Avestic manu-,
'man', OSlav. mqzi, 'man'. All these words pro b.
meant orig. 'one who thinks', fr. I.-E. base
*men-, 'to think', whence also OI. matib, matib,
'thought ', L. mens, gen. mentis, 'mind', Goth.
muns, 'thought ', munan, 'to think', ON. minni,
'mind', OE. gemynd, 'memory '. See mind and
cp. Manu, muzlu"k, and the second element in
Marcom anni. Cp. also minx.
Derivati ves: man, tr. v., man-ful, adj., man-fully, adv., man-ful-ness, n., man-hood, n., man-ly,
adj., man-li-ness, n., mann-ish, adj., mann-ish-ly,
adv., mann-ish-ness, n.
man, n., a unit of weight. - See maund.
manacle, n., handcuff . - ME. manicle, fr. OF.
manicle, lit. 'a little hand', fr. L. manicula, dimin.
of manus, 'hand'. See manual, adj., and -cle.
Derivati ve: manacle, tr. v.
Manacus , n., a genus of manakin s (ornithol.) ModL., fr. Du. manneken, 'little man'. See
manikin and cp. manakin .
manada, n., herd, flock, drove. - Sp., fr. VL.
*minata, fr. Late L. minare, 'to drive (animals )
by threaten ing shouts', fr. L. minari, 'to threaten'. See minatory and cp. promena de and
words there referred to.
manage, tr. and intr. v. - It. maneggiare, 'to
control a horse' (whence also F. manege, 'horsemanship , riding'), lit. 'to handle', fr. mana,
'hand', fr. L. manus. See manual and -age and
cp. manege.
Derivati ves: manage-able, n., manage-abil-ity,
n., manage-ab-ly, adv., manage-able-ness, n.,
manage-ment, n., manag-er, n., manag-er-ess, n.,
manag-er-ial, adj., manag-ing, adj.
manage, n., 1) manege; 2) managem ent. - It.
maneggio, fr. maneggiare (see manage, v.); influenced by F. menage (see menage).
manakin , n., any of a group of birds, the Pipridae .
- Du. manneken, 'little man'. See manikin and
cp. Manacus.
maiiana, adv., tomorro w; in the near future. Sp., 'morning , morrow' , fr. L. mane, 'in the
morning ', which orig. meant 'in a good time',
and is rei. to L. manis, a collatera l form of
manus, 'good'. See manes.
manas, n., mind (Hinduism). - 01. monas,
'heart, mind, spirit', rei. to manyate, 'thinks', manati, 'mention s', Avestic manah-, 'mind', mainyeite, 'thinks', fr. I.-E. base *men-, 'to think',
whence also L. mens, gen. mentis, 'mind', Goth.
muns, 'thought ', OE. gemynd, 'memory '. See
mJnd and cp. DWI.
MIUialilleh, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the elder
son of Joseph. - Heb. M'nashs he", lit. 'one

931

who causes to forget', Pi'el part. of hash&\ 'he

forgot' (see Gen. 41: 51), rei. to Aram. n''sha,
Arab. nasiya, 'he forgot', Ethiop. ntihsaya, 'he
condone d, forgave', Akkad. mashii, 'to forget'.
manatee , n., any of aquatic herbivor ous mammal s
of the order Sirenia .- Sp. manatf, a Caribbe an
loan word.
manavelins, n. pl., odds and ends (slang). - Of
uncertai n origin.
manchet , n., I) bread made of the finest and
whitest wheat flour; 2) a loaf of such bread. ME. manchete, fr. OF. manchette.
manchinee1, n., a tropical America n tree (Hippomenu mancinella). -F. mancenille, fr. Sp. manzanilla, dimin. of manzana, 'apple', fr. L. Mat(t)iana (mala), 'apples of Mat(t)iu s', mention ed by
Suetoniu s, fr. Matius, name of a man, rei. to
the Roman gens Mafia. Cp. manzani lla, manzanillo, manzani ta.
Manchu , also Mancbo o, n. and adj. - Manchu .
Derivati ves: Manchu-ria, n., Manchu-rian, adj.
and n.
mancinism, n., left-hand edness. - It. mancinismo, fr. mancino, 'infirm (in the hand)', fr. manco,
fr. L. mancus, 'maimed , infirm', which prob.
stands for *man-cus, and orig. meant 'infirm in
the hand', fr. manus, 'hand'; see manual. For
the ending see suff. -ism.
mancipable, adj., capable of mancipa tion (Roman
Law). -See mancipa te and -ab]e.
mancipa nt, n. (Roman law). - L. manciptins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of mancipare. See mancipa te
and -ant and cp. next word.
mancipa te, tr. v., to transfer property (Roman
law). - L. mancipatus, pp. of mancipare, 'to
make over as property , to transfer, sell', fr.
manceps (gen. mancipis), 'purchas er, contract or,
owner', which stands for *man-cap-s, lit. 'he
who takes by hand', fr. manus, 'hand', and
capere, 'to take, seize, hold'. See manual, captive
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. emancip ate.
Derivati ves: mancipat-ive, mancipat-ory, adjs.
mancipation, n. (Roman law). - L. mancipati6,
gen. -6nis, 'a making over, transfer' , fr. mancipatus, pp. of mancipare. See mancipa te and -ion.
mancipium, n. (Roman law).- L., 'the legal purchase of a thing', lit. 'a taking by hand', fr.
manceps, gen. mancipis. See mancipa te.
manciple, n., a college steward. - ME., fr.
OF. mancipe, manciple, 'slave', formed fr. L.
mancipium. See prec. word.
Mancun ian, adj., of Manches ter; n., a native or
inhabita nt of Manche ster.- Formed with suff.
-an fr. ML. Mancunium, 'Manche ster, fr. Late
L. Mamucium, fr. Old British Mamucion. Cp.
Manchester, fr. ME. Manchestre, fr. OE. Mamecestre, which is contract ed fr. Old British Mamucion and OE. ceaster, 'city' (fr. L. castrum,
'fortified place', castra, 'camp'; see castle).
mancus, n., name of an Old English coin.- OE.,
fr. Arab. manqiish, 'strike in, carve, stamped
(with a die)', pass. part. of naqasha, 'he struck

manoal.e

in, carved, stamped ', a loan word fr. Aram.

n~qash, 'he knocked , struck', which is rei. to
Heb. nliqash, 'he struck'. See Siegmun d Fraenkel, Die aramaisc hen Fremdw orter im Arabischerr, Leiden, 1886, p. 194.
-mancy, combini ng form meaning 'divinati on by
means of', as in chiromancy, hydromancy. ME. -mancie, -mauncie, fr. OF. -mancie, fr. Late
L. -mantia, fr. Gk. [J.ocne:liX, 'oracle, divination', fr. [L&vnc,, 'seer, prophet, soothsay er',
which is rei. to [LIXVliX, 'madnes s, frenzy', fLOClve:cr&OG~ (for *[Lci.V\e:cr.&oc~ ), 'to be mad', and cogn.
with 01. matib, mdti(l, 'thought ', L. mens, 'mind,
understa nding, reason', fr. I.-E. base *men-, 'to
think, have one's mind aroused, rage, be furious', whence also 01. munib, 'sage, seer', Goth.
muns, 'thought ', munan, 'to think', ON. minni,
'mind', OE. gemynd, 'memory '. See mind and
words there referred to and cp. esp. Maenad,
mania, mantic, mantis.
Mandaea n, n., member of a Gnostic sect.-F ormed with suff. -an fr. Mandae an Aram. mandayyti', lit. 'related to knowled ge', fr. mandd',
'knowled ge', shortene d fr. mandd' di!(layye,
'knowled ge of life', which is a loan translati on
of Gk. yv&mc, ~oolj~. of s.m. (see Gnosis).
Mandae an Aram. mandd' 'knowled ge', corresponds to A ram. mandti', a derivativ e of Aram.
/'dha', 'he knew', which is rei. to Heb. yadha',
'he knew', maddd', 'knowled ge', Akkad. idii,
'to know'.
Mandaic , adj. and n.- See prec. word and -ic.
mandamus, n., a writ from a superior court to an
inferior court that a specified thing be done
(law). - L., 'we comman d', 1st person pl. of
the pres. indic. of mandlire. See mandate .
mandarin , n., a Chinese public official. - Port.
mandarim, fr. Hind. mantri, fr. 01. mantrin-,
'conselo r'' fr. mantra(!, 'counsel '' which derives
fr. I.-E. base *men-, 'to think', whence also 01.
mdnyate, 'thinks'. The Port. word was influenced in form by Port. mandar, 'to comman d,
order'. See mind and cp. mantra.
mandarin , n., 1) orange; tangerin e; 2) deep orange
dye. - From prec. word; so called in allusion
to the yellow robe worn by a mandari n.
mandata ry, n., a person to whom a mandate has
been given; a state to which a mandate has been
given.- L. mandatarius, 'one to whom a charge
or commiss ion is given', fr. mandatus, pp. of
mandare. See next word and -ary.
mandate , n.- MF. (=F.) mandat, fr. L. mandatum, 'commis sion, order', prop. neut. pp. of
mandare, 'to commit to one's charge, enjoin,
comman d', lit. 'to give into one's hand', fr.
manus, 'hand', and dare, 'to give'. See manual
and date, 'point of time', and cp. command,
commend, counterm and, demand, maundy, remand.
Derivati ves: mandate, tr. v., mandat-ed, adj.,
mandat-ee, n. (law), mandat-ive, adj._ mandat-or,
n. (law).

mandatory

mandatory, adj., pertaining to a mandate; n., a

mandatary. -Late L. mandatorius, 'of, or pertaining to, a mandator', fr. mandatus, pp. of
mandare. See mandate and -ory.
Derivative: mandatori-ly, adj.
mandible, n., the jaw, esp. the lower jaw. - MF.
mandible (F. mandibule}, fr. L. mandibula, 'jaw',
fr. mandere, 'to chew', which is prob. cogn. with
Gk. tJ.&B-uLocL, 'jaws', tJ.occr&otJ.OtL (for * tJ.Ot.fl-~oco
tJ.OtL), 'I chew, bite', [LOCcr't'oc~w, 'I chew', [LOCIJ't'oc~,
'jaws, mouth' (lit. 'that with which one chews or
eats'), Goth. munps, OE. muo, 'mouth'. See
mouth and cp. mandibular, manducate, mange,
manger.
mandibul-, form ofmandibulo - before a vowel.
mandibular, mandibulary , adj. - Formed fr. L.
mandibula, 'jaw'. See mandible and -ar, resp.
-ary.
mandibulate, mandibulated , adj. -Formed fr. L.
mandibula, 'jaw'. See mandible and adj. suff.
-ate, resp. also -ed.
mandibuliform, adj., having the form of a mandible.- Compounde d of L. mandibula, 'jaw',
and forma, 'shape, form'. See mandible and
form, n.
mandibulo-, combining form meaning 'mandibular'.- Fr. L. mandibula. See mandible.
mandil, n., a turban.- Arab. mandtl, fr. MGk.
11-ocv/l~).Lov, fr. L. mantile, which is rei. to mantelum, 'towel, (table-)napk in'. See mantle,
n.
mandilion, n., a cloak. - F. mandillon, fr. It.
mandiglione, 'soldier's cloak', augment. of
OPisan mandillo, 'handkerchie f', fr. Arab.
mandtl. See prec. word.
mandola, n., a large variety of mandolin. - It.
mandala, mandora, 'Jute', fr. Late L. pandura.
Sec pandora.
mandolin, n. - F. mandoline, fr. It. mandolino,
dimin. of mandala. See prec. word.
mandora, n.- The same as mandola.
mandorla, n., anything almond-shap ed (Fine
Arts). - It., lit. 'almond', fr. VL amandula,
whence also OF. almande. See almond.
mandragora, n., the mandrake. - L mandragoras, fr. Gk. [LOC111lpocy6pocc;, which is of unknown
origin. Cp. next word.
mandrake, n. - ME. mandrake, altered by folk
etymology (as if it were a compound of man and
drake), fr. ME. mar.dragge, fr. OE. mandragora,
fr. L. mandragoras. See prec. word.
mandrel, mandril, n., a metal bar. - Fr. earlier
manderil, corrupted fr. F. mandrin, 'mandrel',
which is rei. to ModProven<;. mandre, 'axle,
winch, crank'; of uncertain origin
mandrill, n., a kind of large baboon, Papio maimon. - Compounde d of man and drill, 'baboon'.
manducable, adj. - Formed with suff. -able fr.
Late L. manducare. See next word.
manducate, tr. v., to chew (rare). - Fr. Late L.
mandiicdtus, pp. of mandiicdre, 'to chew', fr. L.

932
mandere, 'to chew'. See mandible, and verbal
suff. -ate.
manducatlon , n. -Late L. manducati6, gen. -onis,
fr. manducatus, pp. of manduciire. See prec.
word and -ion.
manducatory , adj. - Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. mandiicatus, pp. of manducare. See manducate.
mane, n.- ME. mane, fr. OE. manu, rei. to ON.
mon, Dan., Swed. man, OFris. mana, MDu.,
Du. manen, OHG. mana, MHG. mane, G.
Miihne, 'mane', OE. mene, OHG. menni, 'necklace', and cogn. with 01. mdnya, 'nape of the
neck', Gaul.Gk. !1-0C'ILOCX'IJc;, 11-ocwoc;, 'Celtic
necklace', L monile, 'necklace', OSlav. monisto,
of s.m., Olr. muin (for moni-), 'neck', Mlr.
mong, 'mane, hair', W. mwng, 'mane'. All these
words prob. derive ult. fr. I.-E. base men-, 'to
stand out, project', whence L. eminere, 'to stand
out', mons, 'mountain'. See mount, 'hill', and cp.
minatory. Cp. also moniliform.
Derivatives: man-ed, adj., mane-less, adj.
manege, manege, n., horsemanshi p, riding school.
- F. manege, fr. It. maneggio, fr. maneggiare,
'to control a horse'. See manage, n. and v.
manes, Manes, n. pl., the gods of the Lower
World (Roman mythol.)- L. manes, 'the gods
of the Lower World', prop. 'the good gods', a
euphemistic term rei. to L. manus, 'good'. See
mature and cp. immanity.
Manetti, also manetti, n., a variety of the China
rose. - Named after the Italian botanist Saverio Manetti (1723-84).
maneuver, manoeuvre, n.- F. manO!uvre, fr. OF.
manuevre, maneuvre, fr. VL. manuopera (a word
occurring in Charlemagn e's Capitularies in the
sense of 'statute labor'), fr. manuoperiire, corresponding to L. manu operari, 'to work by
hand', fr. manu, abl. of manus, 'hand', and operari. See manual, adj., and operate and cp. manure and mainour, which are doublets of maneuver.
maneuver, manoeuvre, intr. and tr. v. -F. manll'uvrer, fr. VL. manuoperare. See prec. word.
Derivatives: maneuver-able, maneuvr-able, adj.,
maneuver-abil-ity, maneuvr-abil-ity, n. maneuver-er, manoeuvr-er n.
mangabey, n., a monkey of the genus Cercocebus.
- Fr. Mangaby, name of a district in Madagascar.
manganese, n., a grayish white metallic element
(chem.) - F. manganese, fr. It. manganese,
which is corrupted fr. ML. magnesia. See magnesia.
manganesian , adj., manganic (rare). - Formed
fr. prec. word with suff. -ian.
manganic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
manganese. - See manganese and -ic.
mange, n., any ofvarioussk indiseaseso fanimals.
ME. manjewe, fr. OF. manjue, 'eating,
itching', fr. manjuer, a collateral form of mangier
(whence F. manger), 'to eat', fr. Late L. mandu-

933
care, 'to chew, to eat', fr. L. mandere, 'to chew'
(in Late L. also 'to eat'). See mandible and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also blancmange.
Derivatives: mang-y, adj., mang-i-ly, adv., mangi-ness, n.
mangel-wurzel, n., a kind of large beet. - G.
Mangoldwurzel, compounded of Mangold, 'beet',
and Wurzel, 'root'. The first element derives fr.
MHG. manegolt, which is of uncertain origin.
The second element derives fr. OHG. wurzala,
which stands for *wurzwala and is rei. to OE.
wyrt-wala, 'root', fr. wyrt, 'root', and walu,
'stick, stock'. See wort, 'a plant', and wale, 'mark
on flesh'.
manger, n.- ME., fr. OF: maingeure (F. mangeoire),fr. mangier, 'to eat', fr. Late L. mandiicare.
See mange.
mangle, n., a machine for smoothing linen. - Du.
mangel, fr. MDu. mange, 'mangonel', fr. It.
mangano, fr. L. manganum, fr. Gk. f1o&yyoc11ov,
'any means for tricking or bewitching, philter,
drug' (whence 11-ocyyocve:ue:Lv, 'to use charms of
philters'), fr. I.-E. base *mang-, 'to embellish,
dress, trim', whence also OPruss. manga,
'whore', Mlr. meng, 'craft, deception', and possibly also 01. mafliub, mafijuld(!, 'lovely, charming, beautiful'. Cp. mangonel, monger.
Derivatives: mangle, tr. v., mangl-er, n., mangling, adj., mang/-ing-/y, adv.
mangle, tr. v., to mutilate. - ME. manglen, fr.
AF. mangler, contraction of mahangler, freq. of
OF. mahaignier, 'to mutilate, wound'. See maim.
Derivatives: mangl-er, n., mangl-ing, adj., mangling-ly, adv.
mangle, n., mangrove. - Sp. mangle. See mangrove.
mango, n., a tree of tropical Asia and its fruit. Malay mangga, fr. Tamil man-kay, lit. 'fruit of
the tree called man'.
mangonel, n., military engine for hurling stones.
-OF. ( = F. mangonneau), dimin. of ML. mangonum, mangona, fr. VL. *manganum, 'machine',
fr. Gk. 11-:Xyyocvov, See mangle, 'machine for
smoothing linen'.
mangosteen, n., an East Indian tree and its fruit.
- Malay mangustan.
mangrove, n. - A hybrid coined fr. Sp. mangle
(fr. Taino mangle) and E. grove. Cp. mang]e,
'mangrove'.
mania, n., frenzy. - ME., fr. L. mania, fr. Gk.
floOC'J(iX, 'madness, frenzy', which is rei. to tJ.OCl'JEcr&xL (for *1-'-oc'J~e:cr&ocL ), 'to be mad', !1-0C'ITzliX,
'oracle, divination'. See -mancy and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element
in monomania.
mania, combining form denoting l} a specific
type of mental disorder, as in kleptomania; 2) an
excessive enthusiasm for something, as in bibliomania; 3) an excessive admiration for something, as in ga/lomonia; 4) the opposite of -phobia. - Gk. -1-'-ocv(Ci, fr. J.l-ocv(iX. See prec. word.
lllalliable, adj.- MF. (= F.), fr. OF. maniable,

maniTO Ia

fr. OF. (=F.) manier, 'to feel, handle', fr. main,

'hand', fr. L. manus, 'hand'. See manual, adj.,
and -able.
maniac, adj., pertaining to mania; insane; n.,
madman. - ML. maniacus (whence also F.
maniaque), fr. L. mania, fr. Gk. !J.OCII(cx. See
mania and -ac.
Derivatives: maniac-al, adj., maniac-al-ly, adv.
-maniac, combining form referring to persons affected with a certain ldnd of -mania, as in kleptomaniac.- See maniac, adj.
manic, adj., I) pertaining to mania; 2) affected
with mania.- Gk. 11-ocvut6c; 'mad, frenzied', fr.
!1-0C'J[cx. See mania and -ic.
Manichaean, Manichean, I) n., a Manichee; 2)
adj., pertaining to a Manichee. - Formed with
suff. -an fr. Late L. Manichaeus. See next word.
Manichee, n., a follower of Manichaeism . - L.
Manichaeus, fr. Gk. MocVL)(ocioc;, fr. Mani or
Manes, founder of a sect in Persia (lived about
215-275).
Manichaeism , Manicheism, n., the religious
teaching of the Manichees .- Formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. MocvL)(oc'Loc;. See prec. word.
manicure, n. - F., lit. 'the care of the hands',
compounded of L. manus, 'hand', and cura,
'care'. See manual and cure, n.
Derivatives: manicure, v., and the hybrid noun
manicur-ist.
manifest, adj. - Late ME., fr. L. manifestus,
'clear, evident', orig. 'that which can be seized
by the hand', compounded of manus, 'hand',
and -festus, 'capable of being seized', which is
prob. cognate with 01. dhdr$afi, 'dares', Gk.
&ocpcroc;, .&p&croc;, 'courage, audacity', OE. ic
dearr, 'I dare'. See dare and words there referred
to and cp. esp. infest.
Derivatives: manifest, v. (q.v.), manifest-ly, adv.,
manifest-ness, n.
manifest, tr. and intr. v.- Late ME., fr. L. manifestare, 'to show clearly, exhibit, make public,
to manifest' (prob. through the medium of F.
manifester), fr. L. manifestus. See manifest, adj.
manifest, n.- MF. ( = F.) manifeste, fr. manifester, fr. L. manifestiire. See manifest, v.
manifestant, n., one who takes part in a manifestation.- F., pres. part. of manifester. See manifest, v., and -ant.
manifestation , n. - ME. manifestacion, fr. Late
L. manifestatio, gen. -onis, fr. L. manifestatus,
pp. of manifestare. See manifest, v., and -ation.
Derivative: manifestation-a/, adj.
manifestative , adj.- Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
manifestatus, pp. of manifestare. See manifest, v.
Derivative: manifestative-ly, adv.
manifesto, n., a public declaration .- It., fr. manifestare, fr. L. manifestare. See manifest, v. and
adj.
manifold, adj.- ME. manifald, manifold, fr. OE.
manigfeald. See many and -fold.
Derivatives: manifold, n. and tr. v., manifold-ly,
adv., manifold-ness, n.

Manihot

934

mannite, n., mannitol (chem.)- Formed fr. manna

with subst. suff. -ite.
mannitol, n., a white crystalline compound
(C6 H 8 (0H) 6 (chem.) - Formed fr. prec. word
with sufT. -ol (for alcohol).
mano-, combining form meaning 'thin, rare'; often used also in the sense of 'gas, vapor'.- Gk.
iJ.:XVO-, fr. 11-:xv6~;, 'thin, rare'. See manometer.
manoeuvre.- See maneuver.
manometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
Islands.
pressure of gases and vapors. - F. manometre,
manilla, n., a ring, bracelet.- Sp., fr. L. monflia,
lit. 'instrument for measuring that which is thin',
pl. of monlle, 'collar, necklace' (see moniliform);
coined by Varignon (1654-1722), fr. Gk. iJ.fiv6~.
influenced in form by Sp. mano, 'hand'.
Att. iJ.tiv6~; (for *iJ.txVf6~), 'thin, rare', and iJ.E
manilla, also manille, n., the second highest trump
't'pov, 'measure'. The first element stands in
Sp.
fr.
Dissimilated
in ombre or quadrille. gradational relationship to Gk.iJ.6vo~ (for *IL6vmalilla (viz. carta), dimin. of mala, fern. of malo,
fo~), 'single, alone', and is cogn. with Arm. manr
'bad'. See male-.
manu), 'thin, slender, small', and perh.
(gen.
manioc, n., 1) cassava (a tropical plant); 2) starch
with 01. mandk, 'a little', Toch. B. menki, 'less,
obtained from manioc. - F., fr. manihot, masmaller', Lith. meiikas, 'mediocre', Olr. menb,
niot, 'cassava', prob. directly borrowed fr. Tupi
'small'; cp. mono-. For the second element in
manioch. Cp. Sp. and Port. mandioca, which
manometer see -meter.
of
form
collateral
a
derive fr. Tupi mandioca,
Derivatives: manometr-ic, manometr-ic-al, adjs.,
Tupi manioch. Cp. Manihot.
n.
manometr-y,
the
in
footsoldiers
of
company
a
1)
n.,
maniple,
manor, n., residence of a nobleman. - ME.
Roman army; 2) in the Eucharistic Church, a
maner, fr. OF. (= F.) manoir, 'manor', prop.
short scarf worn on the left arm.- ME., fr. OF.
subst. use of the infinitive manoir, 'to dwell', fr.
maniL.
fr.
maniple (F. manipule), 'a handful',
L. manere, 'to remain'. See mansion and cp.
pulus, 'a handful, a small bundle, company,
words there referred to.
fr.
hand',
the
fills
which
'that
maniple', lit.
Derivative: manor-ial, adj.
manus, 'hand', and the base of ple-re, 'to fill',
mansard, n., a garret.- F. mansarde, shortened
pte-nus, 'full'. See manual, adj., and full, adj.,and
fr. toit a Ia mansarde; named after the French
cp. plenum. The sense 'division of an army' dearchitect Fran<;:ois Mansard (1598-1666).
veloped figuratively and is to be explained from
n., residence of a Scottish presbyterian
manse,
served
bound
the fact that hay bundles variously
minister. - ML. mansus (also mansa and miinas standards for the maniples.
sum), 'a dwelling', prop. masc., resp. fern. or
manipulable, adj.- See manipulate and -able.
neut. pp. of L. manere, 'to remain', used as a
manipulate, tr. v. - Back formation fr. manipulnoun. See mansion and cp. manor.
ation.
n., a stately residence. - ME. mansimansion,
Derivatives: manipulat-or, n., manipulat-ory,
oun, fr. OF.(= F.) mansion, fr. L. mansi6nem,
adj.
ace. of manslo, 'a staying, remaining; night
manipulation, n. - F., fr. manipule. See maniple
quarters, station' (whence also OF., F. maison,
and -ation.
'house'), fr. mansus, pp. of manere, 'to stay, reAlgonquispirit.
nature
a
n.,
manitou,
manito,
main' (in VL., 'to dwell'), which is cogn. with
an, lit. 'spirit, god'.
Gk. iJ.e'i&Lv, 'to remain', iJ.OV~, 'a staying', Avesmankind, n. - ME.; compounded of man and
tic man-, Pers. mandan, 'to remain', Arm. mnam,
man,
fr.
kind. Cp. OE. mancynn, 'mankind',
'I remain, wait for', possibly also with Toch.
'man', and cynn, 'kin'.
AB miisk- 'to be', fr. I.-E. base *men-, 'to remanna, n., the food of the Israelites in the wildermain, wait for'. Cp. manor, manse, immanent,
ness. - Late L., fr. Gk. 11-iw:x, fr. Aram. manmeinie, menage, menial, meno-, 'remaining',
nd, fr. Heb. man.
permanent, remain, remnant.
mannequin, n., I) a model of the human body; 2)
mansuete, adj., tame, gentle, mild. - ME., fr. L.
a woman employed to display clothes by
mansuetus, 'tamed', pp. of mansuescere, 'to
wearing them. - F., fr. Du. manneken, 'little
tame', lit. 'to accustom to the hand', fr. manus,
man'. See manikin.
'hand', and suescere, 'to accustom, habituate'.
(F.
maniere
OF.
fr.
manner, n. - ME. manere,
See manual, adj., and custom and cp. mastiff.
maniere), from the OF. adj. manier, 'made by
Cp. also desuetude.
hand; skillful', fr. main, 'hand', fr. L. manus.
mansuetude, n., tameness, gentleness, mildness'.
See manuel.
-ME., fr. L. miinsuetudo, 'tameness', fr. manDerivatives: manner-ed, adj., manner-less, adj.,
suetus, pp. of mansuescere. See mansuete and
manner-ly, adj., manner-li-ness, n., and the hy-ude.
manner-istn.,
manner-ist,
n.,
brids manner-ism,
manta., n., a kind of cloak.- Sp., fr. VL. *manta,
id-a[). adi.. manner-ist-ic-al-ly, adv.

Manihot, n., a genus of plants of the spurge family (bot.) - ModL., fr. F. manihot, 'cassava'.
See manioc.
manikin, n., 1) a little man; a dwarf; 2) a model
of the human body; 3) a mannequin. - Du.
manneken, 'little man', dimin. of man, 'man'.
See man and cp. Manacus, manakin, mannequin.
Manila, n., cigar; elemi; hemp; nut; paper. From the name of the capital of the Philippine

935

fr. Late L. mantum, 'cloak', back formation fr.

L. mantel/urn, 'cloak'. See mantle.
manteau, n., cloak, mantle.- F., fr. OF. mantel,
fr. L. mantellum, 'cloak'. See mantle and cp.
prec. word.
mantel, n. - A var. of mantle.
mantelet, also mantlet, n., 1) a small cloak; 2) a
temporary shelter. - OF., dimin. of mantel.
See mantle and -et.
mantic, adj., pertaining to divination, prophetic.
- Gk. iJ.IXVnx6~, 'prophetic, oracular', fr. !J.tXV-rL<;. See mantis and adj. suff. -ic.
-mantic, a combining form meaning 'divining,
foretelling', used to form adjectives corresponding to nouns ending in -mancy, as in
chiromantic, oneiromantic .- Fr. Gk. iJ.IXV't'LX6t;.
See prec. word and -mancy.
mantilla, n., a short mantle. - Sp., dimin. of
manta, 'cloak, fr. VL *manta. See manta.
mantis, n., any of various insects holding up their
forelegs as if in prayer.- ModL., fr. Gk. iJ.OCVnc;, 'seer, prophet, soothsayer', which is rel. to
iJ.Xv-re:LCi., 'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
mantissa, n., the decimal part of a logarithm.L. mantlsa, less correctly mantissa, 'a worthless
addition, makeweight', prob. a Celtic (Gaulish)
word introduced into Latin through the medium
of the Etruscans (cp. Olr. meit, ModW. maint,
'size'); so called because it is added to the integral part called clzaracteristic.
mantle, n. - ME. mantel, fr. OF. mantel ( = F.
manteau), and ME. mente!, fr. OE. mente/. Both
OF. mantel and OE. mente/ derive fr. L. mantel/urn, 'cloak, veil' (whence, with back formation, Late L. mantum, 'cloak', mantas, 'a short
cloak'), which is pro b. of Celtic origin. It. montello, OHG. manta/, mandai (whence MHG.
mantel, mandel, G. Mantel), ON. mottu/1, also
derive fr. L. mantellum. Cp. manta, manteau,
mantelet, dismantle, portmanteau.
Derivative: mantle, tr. and intr. v.
mantra, n., that part of the Vedas which contains
hymns (Hinduism)- 01. mantra/:!, lit. 'speech,
sacred text, counsel', rei. to Avestic mqfJra-, of
s.m. See mandarin.
mantua, n., a mantle formerly worn by women.
-F. manteau, 'cloak, mantle' (see mantle); influenced in form by Mantua, town in Italy (as if
the word meant 'a mantle manufactured in
Mantua').
Manu, n., any of the fourteen mythological progenitors of mankind (Hindu mythol.) - 01.
manu/:!, 'man; progenitor of mankind', rel. to
Avestic manu-, and cogn. with OSiav. mQZi,
Goth. manna, OE. mann, 'man'. See man.
manual, adj., pertaining to, or done by, the hand.
- ME. manuel, fr. MF. (= F.) manuel, fr. L.
manualis, relating to the hand', fr. manus,
'hand', which is rel. to Umbr. manim (ace.),
mani, mani (abl.), 'hand', and cogn. with OE.
mund, 'hand; protection, guardianship; protector, guardian', ON. mund, 'hand', mundr,

manumit

'the sum which the bridegroom had to pay for

his bride', OHG., MHG. munt, 'hand, protection', OHG.foramun do, MHG. vormunde, 'protector, guardian', G. Vormund, 'guardian',
OFris. mund, 'guardianship; guardian', Co.
mana/, 'sheaf', MBret. malazn (metathesized
fr. *manazl), ModBret. malan (fr. *manatlo), of
s.m., and pro b. also with Gk. iJ.OCp1J, 'hand', Alb.
mat (for *mar-no), 'I take, receive'. All these
words prob. derive from the heteroclitic I.-E.
base *manfmar, 'hand; to take into one's hand'.
Cp. manus, mainpernor, mainprize, maintain,
manacle, manage, mancinism, manciple, mandate and words there referred to, maneuver, manicure, manifest, maniple, manipulate, manner,
mansuete, manubrium, manufacture, manumission, manumit, manure, mastiff, amanuensis, bimanual, emancipate, legerdemain, mortmain. Cp.
also mound, 'heap of earth', mund, Edmund,
Osmond, Raymond, Sigismnnd.
Derivatives: manual, n. (q.v.), manual-ly, adv.
manual, n., 1) a handbook; 2) keyboard of an
organ.- ME. manuel, fr. ML. manuale, 'handbook' (whence also F. manuel, of s.m.), prop.
neut. of the Latin adjective manualis, 'relating
to the hand', used as a noun. See manual, adj.
manubriated, adj., having a manubrium. Formed with adj. suff. -ed fr. L. manubriiitus,
'furnished with a handle', fr. manubrium. See
next word.
manubrium, n., a handlelike process (anal. and
zoo/.) - L. manubrium, 'handle, hilt', prop.
'that which is held in hand', fr. L. manus, 'hand'.
See manual, adj.
Derivative: manubri-al, adj.
manucode, n., a bird allied to the bird of paradise. - F., fr. ModL. manucodiata, fr. Malay
manuq dewata, 'bird of the gods'.
Manuel, masc. PN. -Shortened fr. Emmanuel.
manufactory, n., a factory. -Lit. 'a place where
something is made with the hands', fr. L.
manus, 'hand', and a derivative of facere, 'to
make'; cp. fact6rium, 'oil press', Sec next word
and subst. suff. -ory and cp. factory.
manufacture, n. - MF. ( = F.), lit. 'something
made with the hands', fr. ML. manufactura, fr.
L. maml, abl. of manus, 'hand', andfactiira, 'a
making', fr. factus, pp. of facere, 'to make, do'.
See manual, fact and -ure.
Derivatives: manufacture, tr. v., manufactur-er,
n., manufactur-ing, verbal n. and adj.
manuka, n., the New Zealand tea tree. - Maori.
manul, n., a small wild cat of Tibet, Mongolia
and Siberia. - Mongolian name.
manmnission, n., liberation. - ME., fr. MF.
( = F.), fr. L. manumissionem, ace. of maniimissi6, 'the freeing of a slave', fr. manumissus, pp.
of maniimittere. See next word and -ion.
manumit, tr. v., to release. - ME. manumitten,
fr. MF. manumitter, fr. L. manumittere, 'torelease, set at liberty, emancipate', lit. 'to let out
of one's hand', fr. manu, abl. of manus, 'hand',

manure

936

guerrill a fighters, etc.; 2) (often cap.) a membe r

and mittere, 'to let go, send'. See manual, adj.,
of the French undergr ound movem ent in World
and mission.
War II, fighting against the Nazis .- F., 'scrub,
manure, tr. v., to fertilize. - ME. manouren,
bush (in Corsica )', fr. It. macchia, 'thicket ', fr.
orig. 'to till (the land)', contrac ted fr. OF. maL. macula, 'spot'. See macula.
nouvrer (F. manll!uvrer), 'to work with the hand'.
tr. v., to injure .- ME. merren, marren, fr.
mar,
inure.
cp.
and
See maneuver
merran, mierran, 'to hinder, obstruc t,
OE.
Derivat ives: manure, n., manur-ial, adj.
squande r, waste', rei. to OFris. meria, OHG.
manus, n., the end of the forelimb of a vertebr ate
marren, merren, 'to hinder, obstruc t', Goth.
adj.
manual,
See
(anat. and zoo/.) - L., 'hand'.
marzjan, 'to hinder, offend', OFris. mere, 'tie,
manuscript, adj.- Fr. L. manii scrfptus, 'written
and pro b. to ON. merja, 'to crush,
fetter',
'hand',
manus,
of
abl.
manii,
with the hand', fr.
cogn. with OI. mnuiti, 'he crushes ,
and
bruise',
and pp. of scribere, 'to write'.
bruises' , Gk. tLotpodvetv, 'to put out, quench ,
See manual, adj., and script.
extingu ish', fr. I.-E. base *mer-, 'to rub, conmanii
L.
fr.
manuscript, n. - ML. maniiscriptum,
sume, wear away'. See smart, v., and cp. words
scriptum, 'someth ing written with the hand',
there referred to. OF. marrir, 'to afflict' (whenc e
word.
prec.
See
.
neut. of manii scrfptus
F. marri, orig. pp., 'sorry, grieved'), OProvenc;.
Manx, adj. - Earlier Manks, metathe sized fr.
marrir, It. smarrire, 'to lead astray, are Teut.
formed
was
which
Man',
of
Isle
the
Manisk , 'of
words.
loan
(fr.
Manfr.
with suff. -isk (see adj. suff. -ish)
u, also marabo ut, n., a large stork of West
marabo
Man'.
of
Isle
'the
Manu),
Oir.
.- F. marabou(l), fr. Port. marabuto, fr.
Africa
Isle
the
of
e
languag
Derivat ive: Manx, n., the
murdbi!, 'hermit '; so called because of its
Arab.
of Man.
solitary habits. See next word.
manx, n. - Short for Manx cat.
ut, n., 1) a Moham medan saint; 2) his
Marabo
fr.
many, adj. and n. - ME. mani, moni, meni,
shrine. - F., fr. Port. marabuto, fr.
or
tomb
manag,
OS.
to
rel.
mamig,
monig,
OE. manig,
, 'hermit ', partie. of rabata, 'he
murabi!
Arab.
,
mdngen
Swed.
,
Late ON. mangr, Dan. mangen
continu ally, he was on duty',
himself
applied
OFris. manich, menich, MDu. menich, Du.
of rdbata, 'he bound'. Cp.
tion
conjuga
3rd
manch,
G.
manec,
MHG.
menig, OHG. manag,
u, maravedi.
marabo
vides,
Almora
Goth. manags, 'many a, many', and cogn. with
first oasis reached by the Israelites
the
n.,
Marah,
W.
menicc,
Oir.
many',
'much,
,
OSiav. miinogii
after passing through the Red Sea. The waters
mynych, Co. menouch, 'frequen t', possibly also
were bitter, but Moses sweetened them. See Ex.
with 01. maghdm, 'gift', maghdvant-, 'liberal,
15: 23-25; Nu. 33, 8:9.- Heb. Mardh, prop.
generou s'.
of mar, 'bitter', used as a noun, from the
fern.
manzanilla, name of various plants .- Sp., dimin.
of mar (contrac tion of mardr), 'was
root
(mala),
na
Mat(t)ia
fr.
of manzana, 'apple',
whence also mor, 'myrrh' , nlrorah , 'gall,
bitter',
'apples of Mat(t)iu s'. See mancbineel.
der', mererah, 'gall', mi!rorfm, 'bitter
gallblad
word.
prec.
See
eel.
manchin
n.,
manzanillo,
'bitter', memer, mi!rfriitlr, 'bittermi!rirf,
herbs',
of
dimin.
Sp.,
manzan ita, n., the bearber ry. Heb. mardh, 'gall' (lit. 'the
ic
Mishna
ness',
manzana, 'apple'. See manzanilla.
myrrh.
See
.
organ')
bitter
ZeaNew
of
native
the
Maori, n., 1) a membe r of
marana tha, n., a curse. - Gk. iJ.:XFot'n:{}i, usually
land; 2) the languag e spoken by them. - New
explain ed as translite ration of Aram. maran
Zealand native word.
iitha, 'the Lord has come', or '0 Lord, come'.
of
'map
map, n. - MF. mappe in mappemonde,
But the associa tion of [J.otpotv:x&&.. with ocv&.&<:IJ.(l
the world', fr. OF., fr. ML. mappa mundi, of
in ~'t'W ocv;i&E[J.:X, f1CY.p:X'Iot&<i, 'Jet him be anasignal
th;
s.m., fr. L. mappa, 'napkin , tableclo
thema, marana tha' (1st Corinth . 16:22), makes
cloth', fr. Heb.-Pu nic mappah, 'napkin , cloth,
it probabl e that the WOrds OC'IX&E:J.CY.. (J.:Xp:xv:x&;i
of
tion
contrac
h,
*manpa
flag', which stands for
a double or intensified curse. It is very
express
Mishna ic Heb. menaph&h (see Mishna h Kelim,
that iJ.O:potvoc&oc is the translite ration
e
probabl
which
'that
lit.
,
banner'
cloth,
ing
16: 7), 'stream
m attdh, 'thou art put under the
mofrora
b.
He
of
move
is moved to and fro', from stem n-w-p, 'to
in the first syllable of the
Qamatz
short
the
ban',
to and fro; to s~ing', whence also Biblical Heb.
been mistake n for the
having
m
mofrord
word
,
wielded
'he
nopheph, 'he brandis hed', henfph,
letter i1 ( = fr), which
the
and
a)
=
(
one
long
waved', naphah, 'sieve', teniiphdh, 'a swinging,
ent in the Greek alphabe t,
equival
exact
no
has
nappe,
Cp.
'.
offering
,
waving, wave offering
having been dropped in the translite ration. The
napkin, apron. Cp. also mop.
omissio n of the letter i1 is the rule in the transDerivat ive: map, tr. v.
n of PN.'s in the LXX. Cp. e.g. 'Ev6lz,
literatio
mapel
r,
mapulde
OE.
maple, n. - ME. mapil, fr.
of 1nn (lfdntfkh), Nwe, translit. of nJ
translit.
(treow), 'maple tree', rei. to ON. mopurr, of s.rn.
translit. of j'MZ:' ( Yitzhdk), Zot
'Iaotocx,
(Ntf"M.
).maqui
elia
(Aristot
Chile
of
shrub
a
maqut. n.,
ii,i (Zeral;, z&rab), 'Oq~&p,
of
translit.
pli,
Sp., fr. Arauca n maqui.
), l:ot).n:xli3, translit. of
{lflpher
,iln
of
translit.
Medmaquis, n, 1} a zone of shrubby plants in the
,n1SZ: (Tz1lophfr&d), 'Ayy, translit. of Jn
as cover for fuJritives,

937

(lfaggz'), 'Ayyot'i:o~, renderi ng of '..lM (lfaggdy).

The Hebrew word mofrOriim is the Hoph'a l ( =
passive of the causativ e) part. of frardm, 'he
devoted , banishe d', which is rei. to Arab. /;ldruma, 'was forbidd en, unlawfu l'; see herem and
cp. harem. For the change of m to n cp. marrano .
The identifi cation of [J.otpotvot&<i with Heb. mo/;IOram attdh is support ed by the fact that the LXX
usually renders the Heb. noun blrem (e.g. in
Lev. 27: 28, 29) by &.v&.&e[J.ot (see anathema) and
the verb hel;lirfm (e.g. in Nu. 21: 2,3) by ocvot&eIJ.OC't'[~Etv (see anathematize).
Marant a, n., a genus of plants (bot.) - ModL.,
named after the Italian physicia n and botanis t
Bartolo meo Maranta (1500-1571).
Marant aceae, n. pl., the arrowro ot family (bot.)
- ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
maranta ceous, adj.- See prec. word and -aceous.
maraschino, n., liqueur made from the ferment ed
juice of the marasca cherry. -It., fr. amarasca,
marasca, 'a kind of small, sour, cherry', fr.
amaro, 'bitter', fr. L. amarus. See amarine and
cp. margosa .
marasmic, adj., pertaini ng to or having marasm us
- See next word and -ic.
marasmus, n., wasting away of the body. ModL., fr. Gk. fi.otpota[J.o~, 'consum ption', fr.
[J.!Xpx(vew, 'to consum e', fr. I.-E. base *mer-, 'to
rub, consum e, wear away'. See mar and cp.
amaran th.
Marath a, n., membe r of a people in South India.
- Marath i Maratha, corresp onding to Hind.
Marha{a, fr. OI. Mahara~.trafr, lit. 'great country', fr. maha-, 'great', and ra~trab, 'kingdo m,
country , which is rei. to rajan, 'king'. See maharaja.
Marath on race, a running race, 26 miles 385 yards
long. - From Marathon, 26 miles north of
Athens, scene of the victory of the Athenia ns
over the Persian s, 490 B.C.E.; so called in allusion to the Greek who ran from Marath on to
Athens to bring the news of victory to his countrymen and fell dead on arrival.
maraud , intr. v., to raid.- F. marauder, fr. maraud, 'scound rel, rascal', fr. dial. F. maraud,
'tomcat ', a word of imitativ e origin. Dial. F.
maraud was prob. used also figuratively in the
sense 'vagabo nd', which account s for the development of meaning .
Derivat ive: maraud-er, n.
maravedi, n., an old Spanish gold coin. - Sp.
maravedi, fr. Arab. murabirf, adj. formed fr.
Murabi.tfn (pl.), name of a Mooris h dynasty
( = Almora yides). Hence maravedi prop. meant
'money of the Almora vides'. See Marabo ut.
marble, n. - ME. marbre, later change d to
marbel, marble, fr. OF.(= F.) marbre, fr. VL.
marmorem, ace. of L. marmor (a neut. noun,
taken in VL. for masc.), fr. Gk. iJ.OCpf!.otpo~.
'white, glistening stone', fr. orig. 'stone, rock',
rei. to [J.ocpvot!J.!XL, 'I fight, battle', lit. 'I strike

march

myself', [J.otpotlvw, 'I put out, quench, extinguish', and cogn. with Ol. mp;~dti, 'crushes ,
bruises' , fr. I.-E. b1ise *mer-, 'to rub, consum e,
wear away'. See smart, v., and cp. marmor eal.
Cp. also marasmus, amaranth. The sense developm ent of Gk. [J.<:ip[J.otpo~ was influenced by
[J.otp[J.ot[pew, 'to shine', to which, howeve r, it is
not related. OHG. marmul, murmul, G. Marmet,
Murmel, 'marble ', are Latin loan words. G.
Marmor, 'marble ', has been refashio ned after L.
marmor.
Derivat ives: marbl-ed, marbl-y, adjs.
marc, n., refuse of fruit, esp. of grapes. - F., lit.
'someth ing trodden or beaten', fr. marcher, 'to
walk', in the original sense of this verb: 'to
tread'. See march, 'to walk'.
marcasite, n., a native iron disulfide FeS 2 (mineral.) - F. marcassite, fr. ML. marchasita, fr.
Sp. marcaxita (ModSp . marcasita), fr. Arab.
marqashithd, fr. Pers. marqashisha.
marcella, n., a cotton quilting. - Lit. 'of Marseilles', fr. F. Marseille, fr. L. Massilia. Cp.
Marseil laise, Marseil les.
Marcellus, masc. PN. - L. Marcellus, dimin. of
Marcus (q.v.)
marcel wave. - Named after the French hairdresser Marcel Grateau (died in 1936).
marcescence, n.- Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
marcescent, adj., withering. - L. marcescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part. of marcescere, 'to wither,
droop, decay, pine away', inchoat ive of marcere,
'to wither, droop, be faint', fr.l.-E. base* mereq-,
*merq-, 'to decay, rot', whence also Lith. merkiu,
mefkti, 'to soak, steep', mirkstit, mifkti, 'to be
soaked, be steeped ', and perh. Gaul. bra cis, 'a
kind of com used for making malt', Mlr.
mraich, braich, W. brach, 'malt', Mlr. bren, W.
braen (for *mrakno-), 'foul, rotten'. Cp. immarcessible. I.-E. base *mereq-, *merq-, 'to
decay, rot', is orig. identical with base *merq-,
'to rub', enlarge ment of base *mer-, whence OI.
mr~ati, 'crushes , bruises' , Gk. wxpxlvew, 'to
put out, quench, extingu ish'. See smart, v. and
cp. marasmus, amaran th, marble. Cp. also mar.
For the ending of marcescent see suff. -ent.
march, n., bounda ry. - ME. marche, fr. OF.
( = F.) marche, 'bounda ry, frontier ', fr. Frankish *marka, which is rei. to OHG. marca,
marcha, MHG. marke, G. Mark, 'bounda ry,
frontier '. It., OProvenc;., Sp. marca, of s.m., are
also Teut. loan words. See mark, 'bounda ry;
sign', and cp. marchioness, marquis.
Derivat ive: march, intr. v., to border.
march, intr. v., to walk. - MF. ( = F.) marcher,
'to walk', fr. OF. marcher, 'to tread, trample ; to
walk', which prob. derives fr. VL. *marcare, 'to
hamme r, fr. L. marcus, 'to beat the time; to
march in time; to march', fr. L. marcus, 'hammer', back formati on fr. marcu/us, which was
mistake n for a diminutive. L. marculus has been
dissimil ated fr. malclos, for *maltlos, which is

march
cogn. with L. malleus, 'hammer '; see malleus
and cp. machete, marc, mush, 'a march on foot'.
Several philologis ts derive OF. marcher fr.
Frankish *markon, 'to mark, to imprint (one's
steps)'; see mark, 'boundar y; sign'. It. marciare
and Sp. marchar, 'to march', are borrowed fr.
F. marcher.
march, n., a walking. - MF. ( = F.) marche, fr.
marcher. See prec. word and cp. demarche.
March, n.- ME., fr. OF. march, also marz (F.
mars), fr. L. Martius (mensis), '(the month of)
Mars', fr. Mars, gen. Martis, 'March'. Cp. It.,
Sp. marzo, 'March', and see Mars.
Marchant ia, n., a genus of plants, the liverwort
(bot.) - ModL., named after the French botanist Nicolas Marchant (died in 1678). For the
ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Marchant iaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the
liverwort family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr.
Marchant ia with suff. -aceae.
marchant iaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
marcher, n., one who marches. - Formed fr.
march, 'to walk', with agential suff. -er.
marcher, n., inhabitan t of a march.- Formed fr.
march, 'boundar y', with agential suff. -er.
marchesa , n., an Italian marchio ness.- It., fern.
of marchese. See next word.
marchese, n., an Italian marquis. - It. See marquis.
Marchesh van, n. - See Marheshv an.
marchioness, n. 1) wife or widow of a marquis;
2) a lady having in her own right the rank of a
marquis. - ML. marchionissa, fern. of marchio
(gen. -onis), 'marquis' , prop. 'ruler of a march'.
See march, 'boundary ', and marquis.
marchpan e, n. -It. marzapane (whence also Sp.
marzaptin, mazapdn, OProvenc . massapan, MF.
marcepain, F. massepain), fr. Venetian matapan,
fr. ML. matapanus, name of a Venetian coin,
used also in the sense of 'weight' and 'box', ult.
fr. Arab. mauthabdn, 'a sitting king', name of a
coin circulatin g in the East during the crusades,
fr. S. Arab. wtithaba, 'he sat; he dwelled' (in
Arab., 'he leaped, jumped'). It. marzapane owes
its form to folk etymolog y; the word was explained as derived fr. L. Marci panis, 'bread of
Mark'. S. Arab. and Arab. wtithaba are rei. to
He b. yiishtibh, 'he sat; he dwelled'. See Yeshibah.
Marcia, fern. PN. - L. Afarcia, fern. of Marcius,
rel. to Marcus. See Marcus.
Marcoma nni, n. pl., name of a Teutonic tribe.L. ,\farcomanni, a Teut. loan word lit. meaning
'men of the border'. The first element is rei. to
OHG. mark, OE. mearc, 'border, mark, district'; see mark, 'boundar y', and cp. march,
'boundar y'. The second element is rei. to OHG.
man, OE. mann, 'man'; see man.
marconig ram, n., a message sent by wireless telegram; radiogra m.- Formed from the name of
the Italian physicist Guglielm o Marconi (18741Ql7) and -IIR'am.

938
Marcus, masc. PN. - L. Marcus, for *Mart-co s,
rei. to Mars, name of the Roman god of war.
See Mars and cp. Marcia, Mark.
mare, n., a female horse. - ME. mere, mare, fr.
OE. mere, fern. to OE. mearh, 'horse'; rei. to
OS. meriha, ON. merr, OFris. merrie, MDu.
merie, Du. merrie, OHG. meriha, merha, MHG.
merhe, G. Miihre, 'mare', ON. marr, OFris.
mar, OHG. marah, marh, 'horse', from preTeut. marka, a form mentione d in Pausania s
Periplous and referred to as of Gaulish origin.
Cp. Ir. and Gael. marc, W. march, Co. margh,
march, Bret. marh, 'horse'. Cp. also the first
element in marshal.
mare, n., the sea. - L. mare, 'sea'. See mere,
'lake'.
mare, n., incubus .- ME., fr. OE., rei. to ON. and
OHG. mara, MDu. mare, Du. -merrie, MHG.
mar, G. Mahr, 'incubus' , and cogn. with the first
element in Olr. Mor-rigain, demoness of corpses
(lit. 'queen of the nightmar e'), Bulg., Serb., Pol.
mora, Czech mura, 'incubus'. Cp. the second
element in nightmare. Cp. also the second element in cauchema r.
maremma , n., marshy land near the seashore. It., fr. L. maritima, neut. pl. of maritimus, 'pertaining to the sea, near the sea', fr. mare, 'sea'.
Cp. OF. maresme, Catal. maresma, 'marsh',
which are of the same origin, and see maritime.
Margaret , fern. PN. - OF. Margaret (F. Marguerite), fr. L. margarita, 'pearl'. See margarite
and cp. Margery.
margaric, adj., pertainin g to a white fatty acid
C 16 H 33C0 2 H (chem.) - F. margarique, fr. Gk.
(J.OCpyocpov, 'pearl'. See margarite and -ic.
margarin, n., a fatty substance found in animal
fats and vegetable oils (chem.) - F. margarine,
fr. margarique, lit. 'of a pearl-like color' (see
margaric and chem. suff. -in); coined by the
French chemist Marie-Eu gene Chevreul (17861889).
margarine , n., artificial butter. - F.; see prec.
word. The name arose from the erroneou s notion that all oils and fats contain margaric acid.
margarite , n., 1) a pearl (archaic); 2) a basic
aluminum calcium silicate (mineral .)- ME., fr.
OF. margarite (F. marguerite), fr. L. margarita,
fr. Gk. (.1-ocpyocphr.~ (sci!. :Al.&o~). 'pearl', which
is of uncertain origin. It possibly derives fr. 01.
maiijaram, maiijari, 'bud, pearl'. Gk. fl.Xfl'(ocpov
is pro b. a back formation fr. fLOCpy:xpTn;~. Cp.
Margaret , margaric, margarin, marguerit e. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
margariti ferous, adj., producin g pearls. -Compounded of L. margarita, 'pearl', and the stem
of ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See prec. word and
-ferous.
margay, n., a spotted wildcat of South America.
-F., altered fr. earlier margaia, fr. Tupi mbaracaia.
marge. n., edge, border. - F., fr. L. margo, gen.
marginis. See margin.

939
margent, n., margin. - An archaic var. of margin.
Margery, fern. PN. - OF. Margerie, rei. to L.
margarita, 'pearl'. See Margaret .
margin, n. - ME. margine, fr. L. margo, gen.
marginis, 'edge, brink, border', which is cogn.
with Goth. marka, 'boundar y, frontier', OE.
mearc, 'boundary , boundary sign, sign, mark'.
See mark, 'boundar y; sign', and cp. marge,
margent.
Derivativ es: margin, tr. v., marginal (q. v.),
marginate (q.v.)
marginal, adj.- ModL. marginiilis, fr. L. margo,
gen. marginis. See margin and adj. suff. -al.
Derivativ es: marginal, n., marginal-ly, adv.
marginate , marginated, adj., having a margin. L. marginatus, pp. of marginare, 'to provide
with a border, to border', fr. margo, gen. marginis. See margin and adj. suff. -ate, resp. also
-ed.
marginali a, n. pl., marginal notes. - ModL.,
prop. neut. pl. of the adjective marginii/is. See
marginal.
Marginel la, n., a genus of marine snails (zoo/.)ModL., fr. L. margo, gen. marginis. See margin
and -ella.
margosa, n., an East Indian tree with bitter bark.
- Fr. Port. amargoso, 'bitter', fr. VL. *amaricosus, 'bitterish' , fr. L. amarus, 'bitter'. See
amarine and cp. maraschino.
margrave , n., 1) orig. a governor of a border
region in Germany ; 2) the hereditar y title of
certain princes of the Holy Roman Empire. MDu. markgrave (Du. markgraa.n, lit. 'count of
the border', fr. mark, 'border' and grave, 'count,
earl'. Cp. MLG. markgreve, OHG. markgravo,
'governor of a border region', G. Markgraf ,
'margrave ', and see march, 'boundar y', and
grave, 'count'. Cp. also Iandgrave.
margravine, n., wife of margrave . - Du. markgravin, fern. of markgraaf. See margrave and
subst. suff. -ine.
F., 'pearl;
marguerit e, n., oxeye daisy. daisy', fr. OF. margarite, 'pearl', resp. OF.
margerite, 'daisy', fr. L. margarita, 'pearl', fr.
Gk. tJ.ocpyocpTTIJ~ See margarite .
Marheshv an, also Marheshw an, n., the eighth
month of the Jewish year. - Mishnaic Heb.
mar/leshwdn, fr. Akkad. war!Ju samnu, lit.
'eighth month'. The first word is rei. to Heb.
yira/1, 'month', yareo./:r, 'moon', Aram, yar/ld,
'month'. The second word is rei. to Akkad.
samiimf(masc.), sa manti (fern.), 'eight'. Cp. He b.
shlmoneh (masc.), shlmondh (fern.), Ugar. f:mn
(masc.), imnt (fern.), Aram. lmane (masc.),
lmanyd (fern.), Arab. thamanin (rnasc.), tharrufniyd' (fern.), Ethiop. samiinf (masc.), samiinitil (fern.), 'eight'. (The masc. forms are used
with fern. nouns, the fern. ones with masc.
nouns.) For the interchan geability of w and m
in Akkadian cp. Kislev. Cp. Heshvan.
Maria, fern. PN.- Late L. See Mary.

mariposit e
Marian, adj., 1) pertainin g to the Virgin Mary;
2) pertaining to Mary, Queen of England; 3)
pertaining to Mary, Queen of Scots. - Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Maria. See Mary.
Marian, n., a follower of Mary, Queen of Scots.
See prec. word.
Marian, Marianne , fern. PN. - Marian is a
collateral form of Marion, dimin. of F. Marie
(see Mary), but was mistaken later for the compound of the two names Mary and Ann(e)
(whence the spelling Marianne).
marigold, n., a yellow-flowered plant. - A hybrid coined fr. Mary (prob. the Virgin) and
gold.
marihuan a, marijuana , n., 1) the hemp plant; 2) a
narcotic obtained from its dried leaves and
flowers. - Mex. Sp., prob. a contracti on of
Maria Juana ( = 'Mary Jane'), so called from
the alleged sexual appeal of the drug.
Marilyn, fern. PN.- Dimin. of Mary.
marimba, n., a kind of musical instrumen t.
Bantu ma/imba, marimba, pl. of limba, name of
a musical instrumen t.
marinade , n., a pickle seasoned with herbs and
spices.- F., fr. mariner, 'to pickle', fr. marin,
'of the sea', fr. L. marinus, of s.m. See marine
adj., and -ade.
Derivativ e: marinade, tr. v.
marinate, tr. v., to steep in pickle. - See prec.
word and verbal suff. -ate.
marine, adj. - ME. maryn(e), fr. OF. ( = F.)
marin, fern. marine, fr. L. marinus, fern. marina,
'of the sea', fr. mare, 'sea'. See mere, 'the sea',
and adj. suff. -ine and cp. submarine, transmarine.
marine, n.- F., 'seamansh ip, navy, seascape' , fr.
marin, 'mariner" , from the adj. marin. See
marine, adj.
mariner, n.- ME., fr. OF. marinier, fr. ML.
mariniirius, 'sailor', fr. L. marinus, 'of the sea'.
See prec. word and agential suff. -er.
Marinism , n., extravaga nt style of writing. - Lit.
'style resemblin g that of the Italian poet Giovanni Battista Marini' (I 569-1625). For the
ending see suff. -ism.
Marinist, n., writer imitating the style of Marini.
- See prec. word and -ist.
Mariolatr y, n. - Lit. 'worship of Mary', compounded ofGk. Mocpla, 'Mary', and -),oc-;-pda,
-:Aoc-rp(i, fr. ).oc-rpc:(ii, 'hired labor, service,
j
worship'. See Mary and -Iatry.
Marion. fern. PN.- F., dimin. of Marie. See
Mary and cp. Marianne . Cp. also next "ord.
marionett e, n., puppet worked by strings. - F.
marionnette, double diminutiv e of ,\farie. See
prec. word and -ette.
Mariposa lily, Mariposa tulip. any plant of the
genus Calocho rtus.- Fr. Sp. mariposa, 'butterfly', which is of uncertain origin; so called in
allusion to the appearan ce of the colorful
blossoms .
marlposite, n., a chromium -bearing mica (min-

marish

era/.) - Named after Mariposa County in

California . For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
marish, n., a marsh. - ME. mares, mareis, fr.
OF. maarais, mareis, maresc (F. marais),
'marsh'. See marsh.
Derivativ es: mar ish, marish-y, adjs., mar ishness, n.
marischal , n., Scot. form of marshal .- F. marechal. See marshal.
Marist, n., member of a Roman Catholic order.
-F. Mariste, fr. Marie. See Mary and -ist.
marital, adj., I) pertainin g to a husband; 2) pertaining to marriage. - L. marltalis, 'of marriage', fr. mar itus, 'a married man, husband' ,
which is of uncertain etymolog y. It possibly
stands for *mari-tos and lit. means 'provided
with a young wife', and is cogn. with Ol.
nuirya/:1, 'young man, lover, wooer', Gk. [LEi pet~,
'boy, girl', Lith. marti, 'bride', Opruss. martin
(ace.), 'bride', Lith. merga, OPruss. mergo, 'girl,
maid, servant', W. merch, Co. myrgh, 'daughter ;
wife', W. morwyn, 'virgin, girl'. Cp marry.
Derivativ es: marital-ity, n., marital-ly, adv.
maritime, adj., of, or pertainin g to, the sea.- F.,
fr. L. maritimus, 'of the sea, near the sea', fr.
mare, 'sea'. See mare, 'sea'. Suff. -timus in maritimus (also -tumus) is prop. a super!. suff., and
occurs also in L. in-timas, 'inmost', ul-timus,
'last', pos-tumus, 'last' (see intimate, ultimate,
posthumous).
Marins, masc. PN.- L., fr. Marius, name of a
Roman gens.
marjoram , n., name of a plant. - ME. majoran,
fr. OF. majorane (F. marjolaine), fr. ML. majordna, fr. L. amaracus, fr. Gk. &[Lap;xxo;, 'marjoram, which, together with Macedon ian Gk.
&:fhp), marjoram ', prob. derives from a language of India. Cp. Ol. marumb, maruvaka(l,
'marjoram '. ML. majortina (fr. L. amdracus) owes
its form to a confusion with L. major, compar.
of magnus, 'great, large' (see major, adj.)
Marjorie, Marjory, fern. PN.- Collatera l forms

of Margery (q.v.)
mark, n., I) boundary (archaic) ; 2) sign.- ME.
merke, marke, fr. OE. mearc, 'boundary ,boundary sign, sign, mark', rei. to ON. merki, mark,
'boundar y sign, miirk, 'forest' (forests often
served as frontiers) , OFris. merke, OS., Goth.
marka, 'boundary , frontier', Du. merk, 'mark,
brand, mark, 'borderla nd; mark, sign', OHG.
marcha, MHG. marke, G. Mark, 'boundary ,
boundary land', G. Marke, 'sign, token; stamp',
and cogn. with Avestic mareza, 'border', L
margo, gen. marginis, 'edge, brink, border', Olr.
mruig, Jr. bruig, 'boundar y; district', W., Co.,
Bret. bro, 'district'. Cp. mark, 'to put a mark
on', mark, a weight. Cp. also man:b, 'boundary', Marcoma nni, margrave , lll8fllue. lll8flluetl'y,
lll8fllWs, marquise, counterm ark, demarc:atioo,
remark. Cp. also lllllrlfa. Cp. also Cymric.
mark, tr. v., to put a mark on.- ME. merken,
. OE. mearcian. 'to make a mark, to

940

mark', fr. OE. mearc, 'boundary , sign, mark',

rei. to ON. merkja, Dan. merke, Swed. miirka,
OFris. merkia, MDu., Du. merken, OHG.
merken, merchen, MHG., G. merken, 'to mark,
note', and to OS. markon, ON. marka, OHG.
marchon, markon, of s.m. See prec. word. OF.
merchier, 'to mark, note', is a Teut. loan word.
Derivativ es: mark-ed, adj., mark-ed-ly, adv.,
mark-ed-ness, n., mark-er, n., mark-ing, n.
mark, n., 1) a weight; 2) any of various coins; 3)
the monetary unit of Germany . - ME. marke,
fr. OE. marc, prob. fr. ON. mark, which is rei.
to MHG. mark, marke, G. Mark, 'mark'. These
words are very prob. rei. to OE. mearc, ON.
mark, 'boundar y sign', OHG. marcha, 'boundary, boundary land'. See mark, 'boundar y;
sign'.
Mark, masc. PN.- L. Marcus. See Marcus.
Markab, n., a star of the constellat ion of Pegasus.
Arab. markab, 'saddle; ship, vessel', fr. rakiba,
'he mounted a horse, he rode' (whence also
markabah, 'vehicle, carriage') , which is rei. to
He b. rakhabh, 'he mounted a horse, he rode',
rekhebh, 'chariot', merkdbh, 'chariot, saddle',
merktibhdh, 'chariot', Aram.-Sy r. r~khebh, 'he
mounted a horse, he rode', Syr. mark~bhd,
'ship', Ugar. rkb, 'to mount a horse, to ride',
Akkad. rakabu, of s.m., markabtu, 'chariot',
Ethiop. raktiba, 'he attained'.
market, n.- ME., fr. ONF. market, correspon ding to OF. marchiet, marchie(w henceF. marche),
fr. L. mercatus, 'trade, business, marketpla ce'
[whence also It. mercato, OProven<;. and Catal.
mercat, Sp. and Port. mercado, OS. markat,
M Du. market (Du. markt, dial. Du. mart),
OHG. markat (MHG. market, G. Markt)], fr.
mercatus, pp. of mercari, 'to trade', fr. merx,
gen. mercis, 'ware, merchand ise'. See merchant
and cp. mart, which is a doublet of market.
Derivativ es: market, intr. and tr. v., market-able,
adj., market-abil-ity, n., market-abl-y, adv.,
market-ing, n.
markhor, n., wild goat of the Himalaya s. Pers. mtir-khor, 'snake eater'.
marl, n., clayey soil. - ME., fr. MF. marie
(whence F. marne), fr. ML. margi/a, dimin. of
L. marga, 'marl', which is a Gaulish word according to Pliny. It. and Sp. marga, 'marl',
derive fr. L. marga, Late OHG. mergil, MDu.
merghel, Du., MLG., MHG., G., Dan. merge/,
Swed. miirgel, W. marl, are loan words fr. ML.
margila.
Derivativ es: marl, tr. v., marl-y, adj.
marl, tr. v., to fasten. - Du. mar/en, freq. of
MDu. miiren, meren, 'to tie, fasten'. See moor,
'to fasten', and cp. next word.
marline, n., a small cord of two strands used for
seizing (naut.) - Du. mar/ijn, formed (under
the influence of lijn, 'line'), fr. mar/ing, fr. marren, fr. MDu. miiren, 'to tie'. See marl, 'to
fasten', and dimin. suff. -ling.
marllte, n., a variety of marl which resists the

941

action of the air. - Formed from marl with

subst. suff. -ite.
marmalad e, n.- F. marmelade, fr. Port. marmelada, 'quince jelly, marmalad e', fr. marmelo,
'quince', fr. L. melimelum, 'honey apple', fr. Gk.
[LEAL[L'Y)Aov, 'sweet apple', which is compoun ded of [LEAL, 'honey', and [L'ij:Aov, apple'. The
first element is cogn. with L. mel, gen. me/lis,
'honey'; see melli-. For the second element see
Malus, 'the apple tree'.
marmolite , n., pale green serpentin e (mineral .)Compoun ded of Gk. fLIXPfL(ctlpeLv ), to shine',
and :A(-Ito<;, 'stone'. The first element is cogn.
with OI. marici/:1, marici, 'beam of light, ray',
and prob. also with L. merus, 'pure, unmixed' .
See mere, adj. For the second element see -lite.
marmorea l, adj., pertainin g to, or like, marble.
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. marmoreus,
'made of marble, resemblin g marble', fr. marmar, 'marble'. See marble.
Derivativ e: marmoreal-ly, adv.
marmoset , n., a small monkey of South and CenME. marmusette, fr. MF.
tral America. marmouset, 'grotesqu e carved figure' [cp. Rue
des Marmousets, a street in Paris, in which there
were grotesque figures of stone. Referring to
this street, a Latin text from 1280 speaks of duo
marmoset i lapidei ['two stone marmose ts' =
two grotesque figures of stone']; rei. to F.
marmot, 'little monkey; puppet, grotesque figure', marmotter, 'to mutter, mumble'. All these
words are pro b. of imitative origin. Cp. marmot.
marmot, n., a burrowin g rodent. - F. marmotte ,
prop. 'the mumblin g (animal)', fr. mar,,wtter,
'to mutter, mumble'; see prec. word. lt. marmot fa and Sp. marmota are French loan words.
The F. forms marmotaine, marmontaine are a
blend of F. marmot with L. mus montiinus, lit.
'mountain -mouse'.
marocain , n., a dress material made of silk. F., lit. 'of Morocco' , fr. Maroc, 'Morocco '; so
called because this material was orig. manufactured in Morocco. Cp. morocco.
Maronite , n., member of a Christian sect living
in the Lebanon district in Syria.- Named after
its founder Maro, a monk, who lived in the 5th
cent. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
maroon, n., one of a class of Negroes; orig. a
fugitive Negro slave. - F. marron, fr. Sp. cimarron, 'wild, untamed' , derivative of cima, fr.
L. cyma, 'mountai n top, summit', fr. Gk. '-UfLGt,
'anything swollen, wave'. See cyma.
Derivativ e: maroon, tr. and intr. v.
maroon, n., and adj., brownish red. - F. marron,
'chestnut ', fr. It. marrone, 'chestnut ', which is
of unknown origin. Cp. marron.
marplot, n. - Compoun ded of mar and plot.
marque, n., seizure by way of reprisal. - F., fr.
OProven<;. marca, 'seizure, reprisal', fr. marcar,
'to seize in reprisal', prop. 'to mark by seizing
in reprisal', which is of Teut. origin. See mark,
'boundar y; sign'.

marrow

marquee, n., a large tent. - Back formation fr.

marquise, which was mistaken for a plural;
marquee orig. denoted 'a place suitable for a
marquise '.
marquetry , marqueter ie, n., inlaid work of wood
or other material used in decoratin g furniture.
-F. marqueterie, 'inlaid work, marquetr y', fr.
marqueter, 'to speckle, spot, inlay', fr. marque,
'a mark'. See mark, 'boundary ; sign', and cp.
marque.
marquis, n., a title of nobility. - ME. markis,
marquis, alteration (due to the analogy of It.
marchese) of OF. marchis, fr. marche, 'border,
borderlan d', fr. Teut. *marka, 'boundary ,
frontier'. Cp. OHG. marcha, 'boundary , frontier', and see march, 'boundary '.
marquisat e, n., the office or dignity of a marquis.
- Formed on analogy of F. marquisat, which
is derived fr. It. marchesato, but was assimilate d
in form to marquis. See marquis and subst. suff.
-ate.
marquise, n., I) wife or widow of a marquis; 2) a
lady holding in her own right the rank equal
to that of a marquis; z) awning, marque e.- F.,
'marchion ess; marquee (tent)', fern. of marquis.
See prec. word and cp. marquee.
marquiset te, n., a thin cotton fabric. - Dimin.
of F. marquise, 'awning, marquee' . See prec.
word and -ette.
marquois scale, a scale for drawing equidista nt
parallel lines. - Named after its inventor
Marquois, who lived in London in the 18th
cent.
marram grass, bent grass. - ON. maralmr, lit.
'sea grass', fr. marr, 'sea', and halmr, 'straw'.
See mere, 'sea', and haulm.
marrano, n., Jew or Moor converted to Christianity.- Sp., 'pig, hog', fr. Arab. IJdruma, 'was
forbidden '. The pig was called the 'forbidde n
animal', from the fact that the eating of pork is
forbidden by Jewish and Moslem religious law.
Cp. (Andalus ian) Sp. maharrana, 'fresh bacon,
salt pork', which derives fr. Arab. mu/:ltirranwh,
fern. of mu/Jdrram, 'anything forbidden ', pass.
part. of /Jarrama. See harem and herem. For the
change of m to n cp. maranath a.
marriage, n. - ME. mariage, fr. OF. (= F.)
mariage, fr. VL. marittiticum (occurrin g in a
text from the year 1062), fr. L. maritatus, pp. of
maritdre, 'to wed, marry, give in marriage' . It.
maritaggio, Sp. maridaje, 'marriage ', also derive
fr. VL. maritaticum. See marry and -age.
, marron, n., the European chestnut. - F. See
maroon, 'brownish red'.
marrow, n.- ME. maro, merowe, fr. OE. mearg,
mearh, rei. to OS. marg, ON. mergr, OFris., Du.
merg, OHG. marag, marg, MHG. marc, G.
Mark, 'marrow' , fr. I.-E. base *mozgho-,
whence also 01. majjdn-, Avestic mazga-, 'marrow', Toch. A miissunt, 'marrow' , OSiav.
mozgu, OPruss. muzgeno, Lith. smagenes
(metathes ized fr. mazgenes), 'brain'.

marry
Derivative s: marrow, tr. v., marrow-ish, marrow-less, marrow-y, adjs.
marry, tr. and intr. v. - ME. marien, fr. OF.
( = F.) marier, fr. L. maritare, 'to wed, marry,
give in marriage' (whence also It. maritare,
Rum. miiritii, OProven~ . Catal. Sp. and Port.
maridar, 'to marry'), fr. maritus, 'married,
husband'. See marital and marriage.
Derivative s: marri-ed, adj., marri-er, n.
Mars, n., the Roman god of war. - L. Mars, of
unknown etymology . Cp. March, Marcia,
Marcus, Mark, Martin, martin, martite. Gk.,
fL&.pv~lqJ.o;;t, 'l fight', is not cognate with L.
Mars (see m'arasmus).
Marsala, n., a kind of wine produced in Sicily.So called from Marsala, a seaport in Sicily, fr.
Arab. Mirsa-llahi, lit. 'the Port of God'.
Marseillais e, n., name of the French national
Republican song, composed by Rouget de Lisle
in 1792. - F., fern. of the adj. Marseillais, 'of
Marseilles' . Rouget de Lisle composed this
song for the Strassburg volunteers , yet it was
named Marseillaise because it was the volunteers from Marseilles who sang it in Paris for
the first time.
Marseilles , marseilles, n., a kind of cotton material. - Prop. 'made at Marseilles'. Cp. marcella, Marseillais e.
marsh, n. - ME. mersh, fr. OE. mersc, merisc,
rei. to OS., OFris. mersk, MDu., MLG. mersch,
marsch (whence Du. mars, G. Marsch). All
these words are derivatives ofTeut. *mari-, 'sea'.
See mere, 'lake', and cp. mare, 'sea', marish,
morass.
Derivative s: marsh, adj., marsh-y, adj., marsh-iness, n.
marshal, n. - ME. mareschal, marshal, fr. OF.
mareschal (F. marechal), fr. Late L. mariscalcus,
a word occurring in the Salic Law, and derived
fr. Frankish *marhskalk, which is rei. to OHG.
marahscalc, lit. 'horse servant' (whence MHG.
marschalc, G. Afarscha/1, 'marshal'), fr. marah,
'horse', and scale, 'servant'. For the etymology
of OHG. marah see mare, 'female horse'. OHG.
scale ( = MHG. schalk, whence G. Schalk,
'rogue: wag') is rei. to OE. scealc, OS., OFris.
scale, Late ON. skalkr, servant', Dan., Swed.
skalk, Du. schalk, 'rogue; wag', Goth. skalks,
servant. skalkinon, 'to serve'. Cp. It. sea/co,
'steward: carver, maresciallo, Sp. mariscal,
'marshal', which are also Teut. loan words. Cp.
also marischal and the second element in seneschal.
Derivative s: marshal, tr. v., marshal-cy, n.,
marsha/(1)-er, n., marshal-ship, n.
Marshalse a, n., a court formerly held in London
by the knight marshal. - ME. marschalcie, fr.
marschal, 'marshal'. See marsbal and -cy.
Marsilea. n., a genus of plants, the clover fern
(bot.) - ModL., named after the Italian naturalist Luigi Ferdinand o Marsili (1658-1730).
Marsileace ae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.) -

942

ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.

-aceae.
marsileaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
marsupial, adj., pertaining to, or like, a pouch;
pertaining to the marsupials . - ModL. marsupia/is, 'having a pouch', fr. L. marsupium. See
marsupium and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative : marsupial, n., a marsupial animal.
Marsupiali a, n. pl., an order of mammals, the
kangaroos , wombats, etc. (zoo/.) - ModL., fr.
ModL. marsupia/is, 'having a pouch', fr. L.
marsupium. See marsupium.
marsupium, n., a pouch (anat. and zoo/.)- L., fr.
Gk. tJ.o;;pcrumov, dimin. of tJ.OCpcruTCo<;, tJ.OCPcrmo<;, 'bag, purse'; of foreign, pro b. oriental origin.
mart, n., market. - D:al. Du. mart, fr. Du.
markt, which is rei. to E. market (q.v.)
Derivative : mart, tr. and intr. v.
martello tower, also martello, n., a small fort. It. martello, 'hammer', altered fr. mortella, fr.
Cape Mort ella in Corsica, name of a tower captured by the English in 1794. Martella comes fr.
VL. *myrtella, *martel/a, and means 'myrtle'.
See myrtle.
marten, n., a kind of weasel. - ME. martryn, fr.
MF. martrine, 'marten fur', fr. OF., fem. of
martrin, 'pertaining to the marten', fr. martre,
'marten'; influenced in form by MLG. marten
(see J. F. Bense, Dictionary of the Low-Dutc h
Element in the English Vocabular y, p. 211).F. martre is a Teut. Joan word; cp. OHG. mardar (whence MHG., G. marder), OFris. merth,
OE. mearjJ, ON. moror. According to Schrader
in Bezzenberg er's Beitrage zur Kunde der indogermanisch en Sprachen, 15, 129f., these Teut.
words are cogn. with Lith. marti, 'bride'. For
sense developme nt cp. It donnola, 'young lady',
ModGk. 'IU[Lq:>t'l'::ro;;, wcpt'l'cro;;, 'sister-in-la w',
OSlav. nevesta, 'bride', all used in the sense of
'weasel'. Cp. also Hung. hiilgymenyet, 'ermine',
lit., 'lady-ermin e'. - Lith marti is possibly cogn.
with L. marftus, 'husband', for the etymology
of which see marital. Cp. the second element in
foumart.
martensite, n., a solid solution formed from iron
with 2 percent or less of carbon (mineral.) Named after the German metallurgi st Adolf
Martens (1850-1914). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Martha, fem. PN. - Aram. Marethd, lit. lady,
mistress, fem. of mar, marii, 'lord, master'.
martial, adj., warlike.- ME., fr. L. Martiiilis, 'of
Mars', fr. Miirs, gen. Miirtis. See Mars and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivative s: martial-ity, n., martial-ly, adv.,
martial-ness, n.
Martialist, n., one born under Mars (astral.) Formed with suff. -ist fr. L. Miirtiiilis, 'of Mars'.
See prec. word.
Martian, n., an inhabitant of the planet Mars.-

mash

943

Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Martius, 'of Mars',

fr. Mars, gen. Martis. See Mars.
Martin, masc. PN. - L. Martfnus, a derivative
of Mars, gen. Martis. See Mars and cp. martial.
martin, n., a kind of swallow. - MF. (= F.)
martin, fr. PN. Martin. See prec. word and cp.
martlet.
martinet, n., a rigid disciplinar ian. - Named
after Jean Martinet, an army officer under
Louis XIV of France.
Derivative s: martinet-ish, adj., martinet-ism, n.
martingale , n., part of a horse's harness. - MF.
( = F.), fr. Sp. almdrtaga, 'litharge; a sort of
halter, rein', fr. Arab. almdrtak; influenced in
form by a confusion with OProven~. martegalo,
fern. of martega/, 'inhabitan t of Martigue', used
in the sense 'worn in the manner of the inhabitants of Martigue'.
martini, also martini cocktail, n.- Named after
Martini, an otherwise unknown person of
Italian origin.
Martinmas , n., St. Martin's day, November lith.
- Prop. Mass of St. Martin, Bishop of Tours
(died in 397).
martite, n., ferric oxide (mineral.) - Formed
with subst. suff. -ite. fr. L. Mars, gen. Martis,
the Roman god of war, whose name was used in
alchemy as the symbol of iron. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
martlet, n., the bird martin. - MF. martelet,
derived, with change of suff., fr. martinet, 'martin'. See martin, 'swallow'.
Martynia, n., a genus of plants, the unicorn
plant (bot.) - ModL., named after John Martyn (1699-1768), professor of botany at Cambridge. For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Martyniace ae, n. pl., the martynia family (bot.)
- ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
martyniaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
martyr, n. - ME. martir, fr. OE. martyr, fr.
Eccles. L. martyr, fr. Gk. [.LOCp'l'u<;, Aeol. and
Dor. [.LOCp'l'up, 'witness; martyr', which prob.
stands for I.-E. *mrtu- and is rel. to Gk. [.LE9t[LV:X, 'care, solicitude, thought', [.LEP[.L'TlPX (poetic), 'care, trouble', tJ.EPtJ.Epo~, 'causing anxiety,
baneful', and cogn. with Ol. smtirati, 'remembers', L. memor, 'mindful'. See memory and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivative s: martyr, tr. v., the hybrid noun
martyr-dom, martyrize (q.v.), martyry (q.v.)
martyrize, tr. v. - ME. martirizen, fr. Eccles. L.
martyriziire, fr. martyr. See martyr and -ize.
Derivative : martyriz-ation, n.
martyrolog y, n., a study of martyrs; a history of
martyrs. - Eccles L. martyrologium, fr. Eccles.
Gk. [.Lo;;p'I'UpoA6ytov, which is compound ed of
Gk. [.LOCp'I'U<; (see martyr), and 'Aoyoc;, 'word,
speech, discourse, account'. See logos.
See martyr and -logy.
martyry, n.- Eccles. L. martyrium, fr. Gk. [.Lo;;p-

'l'upwv, 'testimony , proof; martyr's shrine', fr.

fLOCp'l'u<;;. See martyr and -y (representi ng L.
-ium).
marvel, n. - ME. merveille, fr. OF. ( = F.) merveille, 'wonder', fr. L. mirabilia, 'wonderful
things', neut. pl. (but in VL. taken as fern. sing.)
of mirabilis, 'wonderful ', fr. mirari, 'to wonder
at'. See miracle, admire.
marvel, intr. v.- ME. merveil/en, fr. MF. merveillier, 'to wonder at', fr. merveille. See marvel,

n.
marvelous, marvellous, adj. -ME. merveilous, fr.
OF. merveillos (F. merveilleux), fr. merveille.
See marvel, n., and -ous.
Derivative s: marvel(l)ous-ly, adv., marvel(l)ousness, n.
Marxian, adj., pertaining to Karl Marx (1818-83)
or his doctrine. - For the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative s: Marxian, n., Marxian-ism, n.
Marxism, n., the doctrine of Karl Marx. - See
prec. word and -ism.
Marxist, n., an adherent of Marxism; adj., Marxian. - See prec. word and -ist.
Mary, fern. PN. - ME. Marie, fr. OE. Maria,
Marie, fr. L. Maria, fr. Gk. Mo;;pt&.[L, .\lo;;p[i,
fr. Aram. (Targum) Maryam, fr. Heb. Mirydm,
which is of uncertain origin. See Miriam, and
cp. Marianne, Marion, marionette .
marzipan, n. - See marchpane.
-mas, combining form for Mass, as in Christmas,
Lammas, Michaelmas.
masc;;gnite, n., ammonium sulfate (mineral.) Named after its discoverer, the Italian anatomist and physiologi st Paolo Mascagni ( 17521815). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
mascara, n., a cosmetic preparatio n for coloring
the eyelashes. - Sp. mdscara, 'a mask', fr.
Arab. mdskharah, 'mockery; buffoon. See mask.
mascle, n., I) a steel plate; 2) a lozenge voided
(her.) - OF. mascle (F. mac/e), fr. L. macula,
'spot'. See mackle, macle.
mascot, n., talisman, charm.- F. mascotte, popularized by Audran's operette La Mascotte
(1880). F. mascotte is a Joan word fr. Proven.;.
mascoto, 'sorcery, charm', fr. masco, 'sorceress,
witch', which is of uncertain origin.
masculine, adj. - ME. museu/in, fr. OF. ( = F.)
masculin (fem. masculine), 'of the male sex, fr.
masculus, 'male', fr. mas, 'male', which is of
uncertain origin. Cp. emasculate .
Derivative s: masculine, n., masculine-ness, n.,
masculin-ity, n.
maser,n.- Coined from the initials of A1icrowaYe
Amplificat ion (by) Stimulated Emission (of)
Radiation.
mash, n., crushed malt soaked in warm water to
form wort. - OE. masc-, max-, 'mash', in
mascwyrt, maxwyrt, 'mashwort , infused malt',
rel. to ME. maskefat, 'mashvat', Swed. miisk,
MHG. meisch, G. Maisch, Maische, 'crushed
grapes', OE. meox, OS. mehs, mist, OHG.,
MHG., G. mist, Goth. maihstus, 'dung, filth',

944

mash

fr. I.-E. base *meigh-, 'to sprinkle', whence also

01. mehati, 'urinates', Gk. Of.LEL)(E~v. later form
b[L~)(Eiv, L. meiere, mingere, 'to urinate', Russ.
mezgd, Pol. miazga, 'sap'. See micturition and
cp. mistletoe, mixen. Cp. also mush, 'a thick,
soft mass'.
Derivative: mash, tr. v., I) to convert into a
mash; 2) to change into a soft mass.
mash, tr. v., to make love to; intr. v., to flirt.Fr. mash, 'to convert into a mash', etc. See prec.
word.
Derivative: mash-er, n.
mashie, mashy, n., an iron golf club. -Pro b. fr.
F. massue, 'club', fr. VL. *mattiuca, fr. *matria, which is rei. to L. mateo/a, 'a tool for digging'. See mace, 'a staff', and cp. masse, mattock.
masjid, n., a mosque.- Arab. See mosque.
mask, n. - MF. ( = F) masque, fr. ML. masca,
fr. It. mdschera, fr. Arab. mdskharah, 'mockery;
buffoon', fr. sdkhira, 'he mocked, ridiculed'.
Cp. masque, masquerade.
Derivatives: mask, tr. and intr. v., mask-ed, adj.,
mask-er, n., mask-ette, n.
maskery, masquery, n. - F. masquerie, fr. masquer, 'to mask', fr. masque. See mask and -ery.
maskelynite, n., a feldspar mineral (mineral.) Named after the English mineralogist Nevil
Story-Maskelyne (1823-1911). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
maskinonge, n. - See muskellunge.
maslin, n., a kind of brass (obsol.) - ME., fr.
OE. mil?st/ing, mil?sling, mil?slin, rei. to MDu.,
MHG. messinc, missinc, Du. messing, G. Messing, 'brass'. These Teut. words, as well as
Czech mosaz, Slovak mosadz, Pol. mosiqdz,
'brass', ult. derive fr. Gk. Mocrcruvo~xo~ x.rz).x6~,
'brass made by the Mossynoikoi', a people living south of the Euxine, lit. 'those dwelling in
fLOO"O"UVe:~ (i.e. wooden houses)'. Brass is said
to have been first manufactured by the Mossynoikoi, whence the name Mocrcruvmxo~ J(fY.AXo~.
maslin, n., a mixture of different kinds of grain.
-ME. mastlyoun, mestlyon, fr. OF. mesteillon,
mestil/on, fr. mestuei/, mesteil (F. metei/), fr.
VL. *mistilium, which was formed from the
adjective *mistilis, fr. *mistus, a collateral form
of L. mixtus, pp. of miscere, 'to mix'. See mix.
masochism, n., a form of sexual perversion in
which one finds pleasure in being hurt (med.);
the opposite of sadism. - Named after the
Austrian novelist Leopold Sacher Masoch
( 1836-95), who describes it in one of his works.
For the ending see suff. -ism.
masochist, n. - See prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: mas~'ChTst-ic, adj.
mason, n. - ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) ma(:on, fr.
Frankish *makjo, Latinized into machiii, from
the verb makon, 'to make'. See make and cp.
freemason.
Derivatives: mason, tr. v., ma.wn-ic, adj., masonry, n.
masoDite, n., a variety of chloritoid (mineral.) -

Named after Owen Mason of Providence,

Rhode Island. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
Masorah, also Masora, n., the system of notes
on the external form of the text of the Hebrew
Bible. - Mishnaic Heb. miisor&h, a collateral
form of miisrfreth in miisrfreth habbl!rith, 'the
bond of the covenant' (Ezek. 20: 37). The word
miis6reth is prob. contracted fr. *ma'iisoreth
and is formed with instr. pref. ma- fr. iisdr, 'he
bound'. Later, however, the word miisor&h was
explained as the summary of traditions concerning the correct writing and reading of the
Bible, and, accordingly, was regarded as a derivative of the verb miisdr, 'he handed down,
handed over'.
Derivatives: Masor-ete, n., Masor-etic, Masoretic-al, adjs.
masque, n., I) a masquerade; 2) a kind of dramatic performance.- F. masque. See mask.
masquerade, n., an assembly of persons wearing
masks. - F. mascarade, fr. Sp. mascarada,
prop. 'a ball at which masks are worn', fr.
mascara, 'mask'. See mask and -ade, and cp.
mascara.
Derivatives: masquerade, intr. v., masquerad-er,

n.
Mass, n., celebration of the Eucharist (Latin
Church).- ME. messe, masse, fr. OE. mil?sse, fr.
VL. *messa, for Eccles. L. missa, prop. fern.
pp. of mittere, 'to send'; so called from the
words of dismissal at the end of the service: Jte,
missa est (sci!. ecc/esia), 'Go, (the congregation)
is .dismissed'. See mission and cp. mess, missal
and the second element in kermess, Christmas,
Lammas, Michaelmas.
mass, n., quantity, size. - ME. masse, fr. OF.
( = F.) masse, fr. L. massa, 'that which adheres
together like dough, lump, mass', fr. Gk. f.Lii~o:,
f.LtX~x, 'barley cake, lump, mass, ball', which is
rei. to f.L:Xcrcre:~v, 'to knead'. See macerate and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: mass, v. (q.v.), mass-y, adj., mass-iness, n.
mass, tr. and intr. v. - F. masser, fr. masse. See
mass, n.
massacre, n., indiscriminate killing. - F., fr.
earlier maracre, rei. to OF. macec/e, macecre,
'shambles, butchery'; of uncertain origin.
massage, n. - F. massage, fr. masser, 'to massage', fr. Arab. mdssa, 'he felt, touched', which
is rei. to Heb. miishdsh, 'he felt, touched',
mishshesh, 'he felt through, groped', Aram.
mashsh!sh, 'he felt through, groped', Ethiop.
marsdsa, 'he felt, touched', Akkad. mashiishu,
'to smear over, spread over'. The practice of
massage has come to Europe from the East and
consisted originally in the simple touching of
the superficial parts of the body. This word has
nothing to do with Gk. f.Liiaas:w, 'to knead',
with which it is connected by most lexicographers. For the ending see suff. -age.

945
Derivatives: massage, tr. v., massag-er, n.,
massag-ist, n.
massasauga, n., a small kind of rattlesnake. Fr. Missisauga, name of a river and Indian tribe
in Ontario.
masse, n., stroke in billiards made with the cue
held perpendicularly. - F. masse, pp. of masser, 'to strike with the cue held perpendicularly',
fr. mace, 'club'. See mace, 'a staff', and cp.
mashie.
massebah, n., stone pillar. - Heb. matztzebh&h,
'pillar', from stem n-tz-bh, 'to stand, set, place',
whence also nitztzdbh, 'he stationed himself,
took his stand, stood', hitztzfbh, 'he stationed,
placed, set up, erected', nitztztibh, 'handle (of a
knife or sword); prefect, deputy', nl!tzibh, 'pillar; prefect', matztztibh, 'station, position; garrison, post, outpost' (lit. 'place where one
stands'), rei. to Aram. netzabh, 'he set up, erected, planted', Arab. nd$aba, 'he set up, erected',
na$b, 'something set up; sign, mark, waymark',
ni$tib, 'handle (of a knife)', nU$Ub, 'statue
graven image, idol', mdn$ab, 'place where
something is set up, origin, rank, dignity', Akkad. na$abiiti, 'pillars'.
masseter, n., either of a pair of muscles used in
Medical L., fr. Gk.
mastication (anat.) fJ.fY.0"1)-r-i;p, incorrectly spelled also fl.fY.O"O""IJTIJP
'chewer', fr. f.Lrxmiof.Lrx~ (for *r.trx&I:Xof.Lo:~), 'I
chew, bite', which is rei, to f.L:X&u~rx~, 'jaw',
f.LfY.O"T-i~e:~v. 'to chew', f.LOCO"'t"~)(iiv, 'to gnash the
teeth', f.LfY.O"'t"l)("l], 'mastic', lit, 'chewing gum'.
See masticate and cp. mastic. In its anatomical
sense as name of a muscle of the lower jaw, lit.
'the chewing muscle', the word was first used by
Hippocrates. See Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia
Anatomica, p. 314.
masseur, n., a man who practices massage.- F.,
formed fr. masser, 'to massage', with suiT. -eur,
representing L. -or. See massage, and agential
suff. -or.
masseuse, n., a woman who practices massage. F., fern. of masseur. See prec. word.
massicot, n., yellow oxide of lead. - ME. masticate, fr. MF. ( = F.) massicot, fr. It. marzacatto, 'potter's varnish', fr. Sp. mazacote, 'kali,
mortar; dry, tough mass', which is of uncertain
origin. It is perh. an alteration of Arab. shabb
qubtf, 'Coptic alum' (see Lokotsch, EW. No.
1735); influenced in form by Sp. masa, 'dough;
mass'.
massif, n., a compact group of mountains forming a unit (physical geogr.) - F., prop. subst.
use of the adjective massif See next word.
massive, adj.- ME. massiffe, fr. MF. (= F.)
massif (fern. massive), 'massive, massy, bulky,
solid', fr. masse. See mass, 'quantity, size', and
-ive and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: massive-ly, adv., massive-ness, n.
mast, n., a long pole. - ME., fr. OE. mil?St, rei.
to ON. mastr, MDu. maste, Du., OHG., MHG.,
G. mast, and cogn. with L. malus (which stands

maStiCate

for *miidos, *mazdos), 'mast', Oir. matan, 'club',

lr. maide, 'a stick', OSlav. mostu, 'bridge'. Cp.
Malus, 'name of a constellation'.
Derivatives: mast, tr. v., mast-ing, n.
mast, n., fruit of the beech, etc. - ME. maste,
mast, fr. OE. mil?st, rel. to Du., OHG., MHG.,
G. mast, 'mast', OE. mil?stan, Du., OHG.,
MHG., mesten, 'to fatten, feed', and cogn. with
01. medab, 'fat, marrow', mddati, mddate, 'is
drunk', fr. I.-E. base *mad-, 'wet, moist, dripping; to drip (esp. with fat)'. See meat and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also the second element in durmast.
mast-, form of masto- before a vowel.
mastaba, mastabah, n., an ancient Egyptian tomb.
-Arab. md${ab~.
mastectomy, n., surgical removal of a breast. Compounded of mast- and Gk. -ExTof.Llii, 'a
cutting out of', fr. EXTO[J.-f], 'a cutting out'. See
-ectomy.
master, n. - ME. maistre, fr. OE. mil?gester and
OF. maistre (F. maitre). Both OE. mil?gester and
OF. maistre derive fr. L. magister, 'master,
chief, head, leader', whence also It. maestro,
Ruman. maestru, OProven~., Catal. maestre,
Sp. maestro, Port. mestre. L. magister stands for
*mag-is-teros, which is formed with double
comparative suff. from the stem of L. magnus,
'great'. For the compar. suff. -is cp. L. magis,
'more', which is rei. to magnus, 'great'; for the
com par. suff. *-teros see -ther; for the use of the
double com par. suff. in L. magister cp. minister.
OHG. meistar (whence MHG., G. meister), OS.
mestar, OCo. maister, W. meistr, etc. are Latin
loan words. See mickle and cp. magnum,
megalo-. Cp. also magisterial, magistrate, maestro, mister, mistral.
Derivatives: master, tr. v., master-ful, adj.,
master-ful-ly, adv., master-ful-ness, n., masterhood, n., master-ly, adj. and adv., master-li-ness,
n.
masterpiece, n. - Loan translation of G. /'.feisterstiick, which' is compounded of Meister,
'master', and Sttlck, 'piece'. See 1master and
piece.
mastery, n. -ME. maistrie, fr. OF. maistrie, fr.
'T'aistre, 'master'. See master and -y (repre~ent
ing OF. -ie) and cp. the second element in
palmistry.
mastic, n., resin obtained from certain trees. ME. mastik, fr. OF. mastic, fr. VL. mastichum,
fr. Gk. f.L'XO"~lz"l), 'mastic'. See masticate and cp.
almaciga.
Derivative: mastic-ic, adj.
masticable, adj. - Formed with suff. -able fr.
Late L. masticiire. See next word.
Derivative: masticabil-ity, n.
masticate, tr. v., to chew. - Late L. masticiitus,
pp. of masticiire, 'to chew' (whence also OF.
maschier, F. mticher), fr. Gk. f.LrxaT~)(iiv, 'to
gnash the teeth', which is rei. to fLrxaTL)("IJ, 'mastic', lit. 'chewing gum', and to f1.<XO"Tci1;;e:w, 'to

mastication

946

mat, n., a coarse fabric made of straw, hemp,

chew', !1-ci.cr"rod;, 'jaws, mouth' (lit. 'that with
rushes, etc.- ME. matte, fr. OE. matt, fr. Late
is
which one chews'); a morsel' (lit. 'that which
L. matta, 'mat made of rushes' (whence also
chewed'), 11-o:crd:o!-'-et:~ (for * !1-et:-&~ci.o!-'-o:L), 'I
OHG. matta, MHG., G. matte), fr. Phoen.chew, bite', and prob. cogn. with L. mandere,
Punic marta, correspond ing to Reb. mitr&h,
'to chew', Goth. munps, OE. milo, 'mouth'. See
'bed', which is formed from the stem of niitdh,
Cp.
mastic.
cp.
and
-ate
suff.
mouth and verbal
'he bent' (for sense developme nt cp. Gk. x:Afv-r;,
also mandible.
'bed', fr. x:Afve:Lv, 'to bend'). From Late L.
Derivative s: masticat-or, n., masticat-ory, adj.
natta, a secondary form of Late L. malta, which
and n.
occurs in the writings of Gregoire de Tours, demastication , n. - Late L. masticiiti6, gen. -6nis,
rives F. natte, 'mat, matting'. For the change
'chewing, masticatio n', fr. masticiitus, pp. of
of Heb.-Puni c initial m to n cp. F. nappe,
masticiire. See masticate and -ion.
'tablecloth ', fr. L. nappa, which derives fr. He b.(whence
mastin
OF.
fr.
mastif,
ME.
n.mastiff,
Punic mappah (see napery, napkin).
fr.
F. matin), fr. VL. *mii(n)suetinus, 'tamed',
Derivative s: mat, tr. v., to cover with a mat or
L. miinsuetus, of s.m., pp. of miinsuescere, 'to
mats, matt-ed, adj., matt-ed-ly, adv., matt-edis
mastiff
E.
of
ending
tame; see mansuete. The
ness, n., matting (q.v.)
due to a confusion with OF. mestif, 'mongrel'.
adj., dull (said of color or a surface). - F.,
mat,
(med.)
breast
a
of
ion
mastitis, n., inflammat
lusterless, unpolished ', fr. OF. mat, 'de'dull,
Medical L., coined by Konig fr. Gk. wxcr"r6~,
feated, afflicted, depressed, dejected; dull', fr.
'breast', and suff. -hL~. See masto- and -itis.
Arab. milt in the sentence milt ash-shiih, 'the
masto-, before a vowel mast-, combining form
king has died'. The word mat, orig. used only
meaning 'breast'. - Gk. !1-<XO""ro-, !1-0:0""r-, fr.
as a term of chess, gradually developed also the
11-o:cr-:6~, 'breast', which prob. stands for *!1-et:S'faint, feeble, dull-colore d'. See
meanings
"6<; and derives from the stem of !1-et:ilocv, 'to be
cp. matador, mate, adj.
and
checkmate
moist,
'wet,
*mad-,
base
I.-E.
fr.
flow',
wet, to
man who kills the bull in the
the
I)
n.,
matador,
cp.
and
dripping'. See mast, 'fruit of the beech',
bullfight; 2) one of the three chief cards in the
prec. word, mastoid, mazo-, 'breast', amastia,
game of ombre and quadrille. - Sp., 'killer,
bimastism.
murderer', fr. matar, 'to kill, murder', fr. Arab.
mastodon, n., an extinct elephantlik e mammal. mdta, 'he died'. Cp. checkmate . Cp. also mat,
ModL., compound ed of mast- and Gk 63wv,
'dull'.
gen. u36v-:oc;, 'tooth' (see odonto-); so called
n., a freshwater turtle, Chelys fimmatamata,
mothe
on
projections
ped
nipple-sha
the
from
matamatd, fr. Tupi matamatd.
Port.
briata.lar teeth.
match, n., an equal.-M E. macche, fr. OE. m~Ecca,
mastodonti c, adj., pertaining to, or resembling , a
ge-m~Ecca, 'one suited to another, one of a pair,
mastodon. - See prec. word and -ic.
mate', fr. mac-ian, 'to make'. Cp. OHG. gimastoid, adj., resembling a breast or nipple. mah (n.), 'comfort, advantage' , MHG. ge!-'-et:cr"r6<;,
of
ed
compound
~.
Gk. !1-et:cr"roe:Lil~
mach, 'comfort, ease', OHG. gi-mah (adj.),
'form,
'breast', and -oe:Lil~<;, 'like', fr. d3o<;,
'suitable, comfortab le', MHG. ge-mach, 'comshape'. See masto- and -oid.
quiet', G. ge-mach, 'easy, leisurely',
fortable,
or
process
mastoid
Derivative : mastoid, n., the
and see make, v. For formation cp. batch, fr.
bone.
bake.
masturbate , intr. v., to practice onanism. - L.
Derivative s: match, tr. and intr. v., match-less,
miisturbiitus, pp. of miisturbiirf, 'to masturbate ',
match-less-ly, adv., match-less-ness, n.
adj.,
stupriire,
manu
for
iire,
*man-stupr
from
prob.
n., I) wick or cord for firing a gun; 2) a
match,
abl.
manu,
'to defile oneself with the hand', fr.
slender piece of wood tipped with a substance
of mam1s, 'hand', and stupriire, 'to defile onethat catches fire by friction.- ME. macche, fr.
self', fr. stuprum, 'defilement , dishonor, disOF. mesche (F. meche), 'wick' (of a candle, lamp,
grace'. See manual, stuprum, and verbal suff.
etc.), match, fuse', fr. VL. *micca, which is a
-ate. The ending of L. miisturbiirf is due to a
blend of L. myxa (fr. Gk. !1-U~<X ), 'wick of a
popular connection of the word with L. turbiire,
lamp', and L. mucus, 'slime from the nose'.
'to disturb, agitate, confuse'. See Walde-Ho fSee myco-, mucus.
mann, LEW., II, 48 s.v. miisturbor.
Derivative : match, tr. v.
Derivative s: mastllrbat-ic, adj., masturbat-ion,
n. - A var. of machete.
matchet,
n.,
or,
masturbatadj.,
ion-a!,
n., masturbatmate, tr. v., to checkmate ; to overcom e.- ME.
masturbat-ory, adj.
maten, fr. OF. mater, 'to checkmate ; to defeat,
masurium, n., name of a chemical element; now
, fr. mat, 'checkmate d; defeated, overovercome'
by
named
ModL.,
called technetium (chem.)
come'. See cp. mat, 'dull'.
its discoverers , the German chemists Walter
mate, n., checkmat e.-ME. mat, fr. MF., fr. OF.
Noddack, Ida Tacke and Otto Berg, after MasuSee prec. word.
them,
by
called
so
ria, a district in East Prussia;
mate, n., a compani on.- ME., fr. MLG. miite,
because the platinum ore, from which it was
mdt, 'companio n', orig. 'a messmate' , whence
first extracted, occurs frequently in this district.

947
also Du. maat; cp. Dan., Swed. mat, OHG.
gimazzo, MHG. gema33e, 'messmate' , G. Maat,
'mate'; fr. Teut. base *mati-, 'food', whence
also E. meat (q.v.) See also matelote.
Derivative s: mate, tr. and intr. v., mate-less, adj.
mate, n., I) paraguay tea; 2) the plant from which
it is made. - Sp. mate, fr. Quichua mati, prop.
'calabash, a vessel made of calabash', hence
also 'a vessel in which mate is made'.
matelasse, adj., woven in a manner suggestive of
quilting. -F., pp. of matelasser, 'to stuff, pad,
cushion', fr. mate/as, 'mattress, pad, cushion'.
See mattress.
matelasse, n., a matelasse fabric. - Fr. prcc.
word.
matelote, n., a dish of fish. - F., fr. matelot.
'sailor', fr. MF. matenot, a loan word fr. MDu,
mattenoot, which is rei. to ON. motunautr,
MHG. maJgen6Je, lit. 'messmate '. For the first
element in these words see mate, 'companio n'.
The second element is rei. to ON. nautr, OE.
geneat, OS. gin6t, OFris. niit, OHG. gin63,
gin6Jo, MHG. gen63, G. Genosse, 'mate, companion'. These words orig. meant 'one who
shares cattle with others'. They are rei. to ON.
naut, OE. neat, 'ox, cattle'; see neat, n. Cp.
matross.
mater, n. I) mother (colloq.); 2) either of the two
membrane s of the brain (pia mater and dura
mater).- L. mater, 'mother'. See mother.
materfamil ias, n., the mother of a family. - L.
mater familiiis, compound ed of mater, 'mother',
and familias, ancient gen. of familia, 'family'.
See mater and family and cp. paterfamili as.
material, adj. - ME., fr. Late L. miiteriiilis, 'of
matter', fr. L. materia, 'wood, timber, stuff,
matter'. See matter and cp. materiel.
Derivative s: material, n., material-ism, n., material-ist, n., material-ist-ic, adj., material-ist-ical-ly, adv., material-ity, n., material-ize, tr. and
intr. v., material-iz-ation, n., material-ly, adv.,
material-ness, n.
materia medica, I) substances used in medicine;
2) that branch of medicine which deals with the
properties of drugs and with their application
in the cure of diseases. - Med. L., lit. 'medical
matter'. Sec matter and medical.
materiel, n., material equipmen t.- F., from the
adj. materiel, 'material, physical', fr. Late L.
miiteriiilis. See material.
maternal, adj. - ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) materne/,
fr. L. miitemus, 'of a mother', fr. mater. See
mother and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative s: maternal-ity, n., maternal-ly, adv.,
maternal-ness, n.
maternity, n., motherhoo d. - F. maternite, fr.
MF., fr. L. miiternitiitem, ace. of miiternitiis,
'motherho od', fr. miiternus. See prec. word and
-ity.
matey, adj., friendly (British colloq.) - Formed
with suff. -y fr. mate, 'companio n'.
math, n., a mowing. - ME. *math, fr. OE. ~ft.

matm

'harvest, crop', rei. to OFris. meth, OHG. mad,

MHG. milt, G. Mahd, 'a mowing', fr. Teut.
*mapa-, lit. 'that which is wown', pp. form of
I.-E. base *me-, *m"-, 'to mow'. See mow, 'to
cut (grass)', and cp. aftermath. Cp. also meadow.
mathematic , adj., mathemati cal (now rare). See next word.
mathematic al, adj. -Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. F.mathematique, fr. Gk. !-'-et:-&1)!1-<X"rLX6~, 'scientific, mathemati cal', fr. !1-'*--&1Jfl.IX, 'that which is
learned, learning, science', from the aorist
!1-<X&e:~v (whence the pres. !1-et:v-&ci.veLV ), 'to learn',
fr. *mvdh-, reduced form of I.-E. base *men-dh-,
'to have one's mind aroused, apply oneself
to'. From the same base (resp. its reduced form)
prob. derive Gk. 11-e:v&~p1J, 'care', Lith. mandras, mandrus, 'wide-awak e', OSlav. mqdru,
'wise, sage', Goth. mund6n sis, 'to look at', ON.
munda, 'to aim', OHG. mendan, 'to rejoice',
OHG. muntar, MHG. munter, munder, 'eager,
agile, nimble', G. munter, 'awake, lively, gay,
merry, vigorous', W. mynnu, 'to want, wish',
Alb. mund, 'I can, I am, victorious' , and possibly also 01. medhd, 'wisdom, intelligenc e', Gk.
Moucret: (iffr. *M6v&;a;), 'Muse'. Base *men-dhis an enlargeme nt of base *men-, 'to think'.
See mind and cp. Muse, Epimetheus, Prometheus. Cp. also the second element in chrestomathy, opsimath, polymath. Cp. also the second
element in Ormazd.
Derivative : mathematical-ly, adv.
mathematic ian, n.- F. mathematicien, fr. mathematique. See prec. word and -ian.
mathematic o-, combining form meaning 'mathematical and'.- See next word.
mathemat ics,n.- F. mathematique, fr. L. mathematica, fr. Gk. ilet:.&'IJ!l-et:TLX~ (sci!. "ri:x_v"l)l,
'mathemat ical art', fern. of !1-?:.&1J!l-o:T~K6~,
'scientific, mathemati cal'. Sec mathemati cal and
-ics.
mathematiz e, tr. and intr. v. - See prec. word
and -ize.
Mathilda, fern. PN.- See Matilda.
matico, n., I) a Peruvian shrub; 2) a styptic made
from its leaves. - Sp., fr. Matico, dimin. of
Mateo, 'Matthew'. See Matthew.
Matilda, Mathilda, fern. PN. - F. Mathilde, of
Teut. origin and lit. meaning 'mighty in battle'.
Cp. OHG. Mahthi/da, compound ed of mahti,
'might, power', and hildi, 'battle'. For the first
element see might, for the second cp. Hilda and
words there referred to. Cp. Maud.
matildite, n., a silver bismuth sulfide (mineral. )Named after lvfatilda mine, near Morococh a,
Peru. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
matin, n., I) morning song csp. of birds; 2) (pl.)
the first of the seven canonical hours; 3) (pl.)
morning service of the Church of England. F., 'morning', fr. L. miitiitinum (short for matutinum tempus, 'morning time'), neut. of mt'itutinus, 'of the morning' See matutinal and cp.
matinee.

948

matinee

Derivati ves: matin, adj., matin-al, adj.

matinee, n., afternoo n perform ance. - F. matinee, fr. matin. See matin.
matlocki te, n., lead oxychlor ide (mineral.) Named after Matlock in Derbysh ire, England .
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
matra, n., an Indian unit of measure . - 01.
matram (neut.), matrti (fern.), 'measure ', fr.
mdti (fr. I.-E. *me-ti), 'measure s', fr. I.-E. base
*me-, 'to measure '. See meter, 'poetical rhythm',
and cp. words there referred to.
matrane e, n., a female sweeper ; a female servant
(India). - Hind. mehtarana, mehtranf, fr. Pers.
mihtaranf, 'female sweeper' , fern. of mihtar,
'sweeper '. See mehtar.
matrass, n., a glass vessel with a long neck.- F.
matras, pro b. fr. Arab. md(arah, 'leathern bottle,
skin, vase'.
matri-, combini ng form meaning 'mothe r'.- L.
matri-, from the stem of mater, gen. matris,
'mother' . See mater.
matriarc h, n., a mother who rules her family or
tribe. - Formed fr. matri- on analogy of patriarch (q.v.)
Derivati ves: matriarch-al, adj., matriarch-ate,
n., matriarch-ic, adj., matriarch-y, n.
Matrica ria, n., a genus of plants, the wild camomile (bot.) - ModL., fr. L. matrix, 'womb' (see
matrix); so called for the reputed medicin al value. For the ending see suff. -ia.
matricid al, adj.- See next word and adj. suff. -al.
matricid e, n., one who kills his mother. - L. matricfda, compou nded ofmatri- and -cida, 'killer',
fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See -cide, 'killer'.
matricid e, n., the act of killing one's own mother.
- L. mtitricidium, compou nded of matri- and
-cidium, 'killing', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See -cide,
'killing'.
matricul ar, adj. -Form ed with adj. suff. -ar fr.
Late L. matricula. See matricul ate.
matricul ate, tr. and intr. v.- Late L. matricu/atus, pp. of matricu/iire, 'to register' , fr. L.
matricula, 'register ', dimin. of L. matrix, gen.
matricis. See matrix, and -ule and verbal suff,-ate .
Derivati ves: matriculat-ion, n., matriculat-or, n.,
matriculat-ory, adj.
matriline al, adj., pertainin g to, or descende d
from, the materna l line. - Compou nded of L.
mater, gen. matris, 'mother' , and linea, 'line'.
See mother, line and adj. suff. -al.
Derivati ve: matrilineal-ly, adv.
matrimo nial, adj.- MF. ( = F.), fr. Late L. matrimonialis, fr. L. matrimonium. See next word
and adj. suff. -al.
Derivati ve: matrimonial-ly, adv.
matrimo ny, n., 1) wedlock ; 2) a card game. ME. matrimoine, matrimo ny, fr. OF. matremoine, matrimoine, fr. L. matrimonium, 'marriage, matrimo ny',form ed fr. m4ter, gen. m4tris,
'mother' , with suff. -manium. See mother and
-mony.
matrix. n., womb. -

L. matrix, 'womb, matrix,

source, origin', formed fr. mater, gen. matrrs,

'mother' , on analogy of nutrix, 'wet-nur se,
nurse'. See mother. For the sense developm ent
of L. matrix (fr. mater, 'mother' ) cp. Gk. [.1.~-rpii,
'uterus, womb', which derives fr. fL~-:-t)p, mother', and OHG. muodar, 'belly' (whence G.
Mieder, 'bodice') , which is rei. to OHG. muoter,
'mother' (cp. metralgia).
matron, n., a married woman. -ME. matrone,
fr. MF. ( = F.) matrone, fr. L. matr6na,
'a married woman, wife, matron', fr. mater,
'mother '; see mother. For the formatio n of the
word cp. L. patronus, 'protecto r, patron', fr.
pater, 'father' (see patron) and Bellona, 'the
goddess of war', fr. bellum, 'war' (see Bellona).
Derivati ves: matron-age, n., matronal (q.v.),
matron-hood, n., matron-ize, tr. v., matron-like,
adj. matron-ly, adj., matron-li-ness, n.
matrona l, adj.- L. matronalis, 'of, or belongin g
to, a married woman', fr. mtitrona. See matron
and adj. suff. -al.
matross, n., soldier in a train of artillery (hist.)
Du. matroos, corrupti on of F. matelots, pl. of
mate/at, fr. MF. matenot, which itself is borrowed fr. MDu. mattenoot, lit., 'messma te'. See
matelote .
mattamo re, n., a subterra nean dwelling or storehouse. - F. matamore, fr. Arab. matmdrah,
'somethi ng hidden', prop. fern. pass. part. of
(a mara, 'he hid, conceale d', fr. A ram. ti!mar, of
s.m. See Siegmun d Fraenkel , Die aramaisc hen
Fremdw orter im Arabisch en, p. 137. Aram.
!~mar is rei. to Reb. raman, 'he hid, conceale d'
(whence marmJn, 'treasure ', lit. 'somethi ng hidden'), Akkad. tamaru, 'to cover with earth'.
matter, n.- ME. matere, fr. OF. matere (F. matiere), fr. L. materia, 'wood, timber, stuff, mat
ter', formed fr. L. mater, 'mother' , as translation of Gk. ti:t-1), 'wood, forest, timber, stuff,
matter'. See mother and cp. Madeira , madrier.
L. materia is not cogn. with Arm. mair, 'pine,
cedar', mairi, 'forest'.
Derivati ve: matter, intr. v.
matter offact. - Loan translati on of L. res facti.
Cp. G. Tatsache, which is the loan translati on
of E. matter ojfact.
Derivati ve: matter-oj~fact, adj.
Matthew , masc. PN. - F. Mathieu , fr. Late L.
Matthaeus, fr. Gk . .\loc-r-&txi:o~, fr. Mtx-rlHii~,
contract ion of ~hnoc&lii~, fr. Heb. Mattiyyd h,
shortene d form of Mattithy dh, Mattithy dhu, lit.
'gift of the Lord'. For the first element cp. He b.
mattdth, 'gift', and see Nathan, for the second
see Elijah and cp. words there referred to. The
form Mtx-r-&txio~ is due to change of suff. Cp.
Matthias . Cp. also matico.
Matthias , n. - Late L., fr. Gk. l\Itx-r&lii.;, fr.
Heb. Mattiyya h. See Matthew .
mattock. n. - ME. mattok, fr. OE. mattuc, fr.
VL. matteuc a, which is rel. to L. mateolo,
'mallet'. See mace, 'a staff', and cp. words there
referred to.

949
Derivati ve: mattock, tr. v.
mattoid, n., a person of abnorma l mind verging
on insanity. -It. mattoide, a hybrid coined fr.
It. matto, 'mad', and Gk. -o11:~a~.;, 'like', fr.
d(lo.;, 'shape, form'. The first element derives
fr. L. mattus, intoxica ted', fr. mad(i)dus, 'moist,
wet; drunk, intoxica ted', fr. madere, 'to be wet;
to be drunk or intoxica ted', fr. I.-E. base mad-,
'wet, moist, dripping ; to drip'. See meat and cp.
mast, 'fruit of beech'. For the second element in
mattoid see -oid.
mattress , n. - ME. materas, fr. OF. materas (F.
mate/as), fr. It. materasso, borrowe d in Sicily fr.
Arab. md,trah, 'place where somethin g is thrown
or laid', used also in the sense of'mattr ess' (see
Dozy-En gelmann , G!ossair e des mots espagno ls
et portugai s derives de l'arabe, p. 151); fr.
{ara/:ta, 'he threw'. Cp. Sp. almadraque, 'mattress', which is formed fr. Arab. a/-, 'the' and
md(ra/:1, 'mattres s' (see above). Cp. also matelasse. Cp. also E. tare, 'allowan ce in weight'.
maturate , tr. v., to make mature or ripe; to cause
to suppura te; intr. v., to ripen; to suppur ate.L. maturatus, pp. of maturiire, 'to ripen', fr. maturus. See mature, adj., and verbal suff. -ate.
maturati on, n. -F., fr. L. maturati6nem, ace. of
mtiturtitio, 'a ripening ', fr. mtitiirtitus, pp. of miiturare. See prec. word and -ion.
maturati ve, adj., promoti ng ripeness ; promoti ng
suppura tion. - F. maturat if (fern. maturative),
fr. L. maturativus, 'tending to ripen', fr. maturatus, pp. of maturare. See maturate .
mature, adj., ripe.- L. maturus, 'ripe', which is
rei. to manus, 'good' (whence immanis, 'monstrous'), manes, 'ghosts, the gods of the Lower
World', lit. 'the good gods', miine, 'early in the
morning ', Miituta, 'the goddess of dawn', mtitutinus, 'of, or pertainin g to, the morning '. All
these words derive from base *ma-, 'good;
early', whence possibly also Olr. maith, 'good',
W. mad, Co. mas, of s.m. See manes and cp.
demure, immanit y, manana, matinee, Matuta,
matutina l.
Derivati ves: maturate (q.v.), maturation (q.v.),
maturative (q.v.), mature-ly, adv., mature-ness,
n., mature, v. (q.v.), matur-er, n., maturescent
(q.v.), matur-ing, n., maturity (q.v.)
mature, tr. v., to cause to ripen; intr. v., to ripen.
-OF. maturer, fr. L. maturtire, 'to ripen', fr.
mtiturus. See mature, adj.
maturesc ence, n.- Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
maturesc ent, adj., becomin g ripe. - L. mtiturescens, gen. -entis, pres. part. of mtitiirescere, 'to
become ripe, to ripen', formed with inchoati ve
suff. -escere, fr. maturus, 'ripe'. See mature, adj.,
and -escent.
maturity , n., ripeness. - ME. maturite, fr. L.
matilritiis, 'ripeness , maturity ' [prob. through
the medium of Late MF. ( = F.) maturitl ], fr.
matiirus. See mature, adj., and -ity.
Matuta, n., name of the goddess of dawn in Ro-

maunel

man Religio n.- L. Mtituta (whence mtitutinus,

'of, or pertainig to, the morning '), rei. to maturus. See mature, adj., and cp. next word.
matutina l, adj., pertainin g to, or happenin g, in
the mornin g.- L. matutintilis, fr. mtitutinus, 'of,
or pertainin g to, the morning '. See prec. word,
adj. suff. -ine (represe nting L. -inus) and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivati ve: matutinal-ly, adv.
matutine , adj., matutina l. - L. mtitutinus. See
prec. word.
Derivati ve: matutine-ly, adv.
matzah, also matza, matzoh, matzo, n. (pl. matzoth, also matzos), a fiat piece of unleaven ed
bread eaten by Jews during the Passover . Heb. matztzah (pl. matztz6th), 'unleave ned
bread', lit. 'that which is sucked out', hence
'sapless, juiceless ', from the stem of matzdtz, 'he
sucked out, drained out', which is rei. to Aram.Syr. m~tzatz, matz, 'he sucked out', Arab. md$$a,
'he sucked out', and to Heb. matzoh, 'he drained
out'.
maucher ite, n., a nickel arsenide (mineral.) Named after the German mineral dealer Wilhelm Maucher (1879-1930). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Maud, fern. PN.- OF. Mahaut, ofTeut. origin.
Cp. OHG. Mahthilda and see l':rlatilda.
maud, n., a woolen plaid worn by shepherd s in
Scotland . - Prob. from the PN. Maud.
ME.
maudlin, adj., tearfully sentimen tal. Maudlin, 'Mary Magdale ne' (see Luke 8:2), fr.
OF. ( = F.) Madelaine, fr. L. Magdalena, in
allusion to the fact that painters used to represent Mary Magdale ne weeping ; maudlin
orig. meant 'sheddin g tears of penitenc e like
Magdale ne. See Magdale ne.
mauger, maugre, prep., in spite of (archaic). ME. maugrie, fr. OF. malgre, maugre (F. malgre), lit. 'ill will', fr. mal, 'ill, badly', and gre
(F. gre), 'will, pleasure '. For the first element
see mal-. The second element comes fr. L. gratum, neut. of gratus, 'acceptab le, pleasing ,
agreeabl e, grateful' , used as a noun. See grace,
n., and cp. malgre.
maul, mall, n., a heavy hammer . - ME. mal/e,
fr. OF. ( = F.) mail, 'hammer ', fr. L. malleus.
See malleus and cp. the second element in pallmall.
Derivati ves: maul, mall, tr. v., maul-er, n.
maulstic k, also mahlstic k, n., a long rod used by
painter s.- Du. maalstok, lit. 'painting stick',
compou nded of malen, 'to paint', and stok,
'stick. The first element is rei. to ON. m;e/a,
OHG. ma/6n, malen, MHG. mtilen, G. malen,
'to paint', OE. mal, 'mark, stain'; see mole,
'spot'. For the second element see stock, stick.
maund, also man, n., a unit of weight used in India
Persia and Turkey. - Hind. and Pers. man'
'mina', fr. 01. man&, which is of Sem. origin:
See mina, 'unit of weight'.
maund, n., a hand basket .- ME. maund fr. MF.

mea a

950
maund

mage, G. Magen, 'stoma ch', and cogn. with W.

megin, 'bellow s', and prob. also with Lith.
mdkas, Lett. maks, OSlav. moSfna, 'bag, pouch '.
Rhaeto -Roma nic magun, 'stoma ch', and It.
magone, 'crop of a bird', are Teut. loan words.
mawkish, adj., sickly, nausea ting. - Lit. 'maggoty'; formed with adj. suff. -ish fr. ME. mathe k,
mendicant.
mawke (when ce obsol. E. mawk), 'magg ot',
sly;
aimles
maunder, intr. v., 1) to wande r about
alterat ion of ON. maokr . See maggo t.
,
2) to mutter , mum ble.- Prob. freq. of maund
Deriva tives: mawkish-ly, adv., mawkish-ness, n.
'to beg'.
orm, n., worm infesting the stomac h. maww
Deriva tive: maunder-er, n.
Comp ounde d of maw and worm.
maundy, n., 1) cerem onial washin g of the feet of
a, n., jaw or jawbo ne. - L., 'jawbo ne,
maxill
ME.
poor people ; 2) distrib ution of alms.
jaw', dimin. of mala, 'cheek bone, jawbo ne;
maunde, fr. OF. mande, fr. L. mandatum, 'comcheek' ; see mala. Maxill a stands to mala as
it
comm
'to
re,
mand' , prop. neut. pp. of manda
axilla, 'armpi t', stands to ala, 'wing' .
to one's charge ' (see manda te); influen ced in
ary, adj., pertain ing to the jaw or jawbo ne,
maxill
t'.
form by maund, 'baske
maxillaris, fr. maxilla. See prec. word and
L.
EasMaund y Thursd ay, n., Thurs day preced ing
adj. suff. -ary.
ter. - From prec. word.
iform, adj., having the form of a maxilla.
maxill
tius,
Mauri
Mauri ce, masc. PN.- F., fr. Late L.
maxill a and -form.
See
Mauricius, fr. L. Maurus, 'inhab itant of Maure precep t, princ iple.- ME. maxi me, fr.
n.,
,
maxim
Moor.
See
~.
tania, Moor' , fr. Gk. M<Xupo
maxim e, fr. ML. maxim a (short for
(=F.)
MF.
the
Mause r, n., a kind of rifle. - Name d after
L. maxim a sententia, 'the greate st senten ce'),
brothe rs Mauser who invent ed it (in the second
fern. of maxim us, 'greate st'. See maximum.
half of the 19th cent.)
maxim al, adj., highes t, great est.- Forme d with
mausoleum, n., a magni ficent tomb .- L. mausoadj. suff. -al fr. L. maximus. See maximum.
lus
Mauso
of
'tomb
leum, fr. Gk. M<Xucrw"Ac:~ov,
Deriva tives: maximal-ly, adv., Maxim alist (q. v.)
(king of Caria) ', fr. Mw)crw"Ao~, 'Maus olus',
Maxim alist, n., formerly, a memb er of the exerecte d by his widow queen Artem isia; used
treme radica l group of the Russia n Social Revficent
apellatively, the word denote s any magni
olution ary party. - Lit. 'one who insists on
sepulc hral monum ent.
all his deman ds', formed fr. L. maxim us (see
Deriva tive: mausole-an, adj.
maximum) and suff. -ist. Cp. Minimalist.
mauvais, adj., false, worthl ess; used in French
ilian, masc. PN. - Comp ounde d of the
Maxim
',
fellow
less
'worth
terms (as in mauvais sujet,
Maxim us and Aemilianus. Accor ding
names
L.
').
mauvaise honte, 'bashfu lness', lit. 'bad shame
to Camde n, Freder ick Ill gave this name coined
- F. mauvais (fern. mauvaise), 'bad', fr. VL.
by him to his son, hoping that the latter 'would
comis
mallftitius, 'who has a bad lot', which
imitate the virtues ' of Fabius Maxim us and
pound ed of L. malus, 'bad', and fiitum, 'fate';
Aemilianus.
Scipio
the
of
tion
forma
see male- and fate. For the
maxim ite, n., a synony m of cordite . -Nam ed
word cp. the PN. Bonifatius, lit. 'of good luck'
after Hudso n Maxim (1853-1927), its invent or.
(see Boniface).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
malL.
mauve, n. and adj., purple dye. - F., fr.
ize, tr.v., to raise to the highes t possib le
maxim
.
mallow
See
va, 'mallo w'.
. - Coined by the Englis h philos opher
degree
after
d
Name
maver ick, n., unbran ded cattle. Jeremy Benth am (1748-1832) fr. L. maximus,
Samue l A. Maver ick (died in 1870), a civil en'greate st' (see maximum), and suff. -ize.
ded
unbran
his
to
n
gineer in Texas, in allusio
Deriva tive: maximiz-ation, n.
cattle.
um, n.- L., neut. of maximus, 'greate st',
maxim
fr.
,
mavys
ME:
.
thrush
mavis, n., the song
/'mos, superl ative of, and from the
*magfor
;
malviz
,
MF. (= F.) mauvis, rei. to Sp. malvis
as magnus, 'great' . See magnu m and
base
same
of unkno wn origin. MBret . milhuit (when ce
major.
cp.
loan
French
a
ModB rct. milc'huid, milfid), is
maxwell, n., an interna tional magne tic unit. word.
Name d after the Scottis h physic ist James Clerk
mavrodaphne, n., name of a moder n Greek wine.
Maxw ell (1831-79).
[J.<XG- ModG k., lit. 'black laurel' , fr. Late Gk.
auxil. v.- ME. mai, mei, fr. OE. mzg, 'I
may,
'.
'laurel
,
Mqm;
Gk.
and
dark',
po~, 'black,
(inf. magan, 'to be able'), rei. to OS.
able'
am
See Moor and Daphne.
muga, ON. mega, Norw. moga,
OFris.
,
mugan
the
maw, n., 1) the stoma ch of an anima l, specif.
md, MDu. moghen, Du.
Swed.
,
Dan. maatte
fourth stoma ch of a rumin ant; 2) the craw or
, mugan, MHG . mugen,
magan
OHG.
,
mogen
fish.
a
of
r
crop of a bird; 3) the air bladde
magan, 'to be able', fr.
Goth.
,
mogen
G.
,
mugen
ME. mawe, maugh, fr. OE. maga, rei. to OFris.
1gh-, 'to be able', whenc e
m
-,
I.-E. base *mtigh
maga, ON. magi, Swed. mage, Dan. mave,
also Gk. tJ-iixoc;, Dor. tJ.iixo~. 'means , instruMDu. maJ(he, Du. maag, OHG. mago, MHG.

mande, fr. MDu. mande (Du. mand), 'baske t'.

Cp. F. manne, 'hand basket ', which derives fr.
MDu. manne, a var. of mande.
maund, tr. and intr. v., to beg (slang ).- Pro b. fr.
F. mendier, 'to beg', fr. L. mendicare (when ce
also It. mendicare, Sp., Port. mendigar). See

ment', [J.1Jj(.<XV~, 'means , invent ion, machi ne',

OSlav. mogq, mosti, 'to be able', mosti, 'powe r;
force'. OPruss. massi, 'I can', is a Teut. loan
word. See mechanic and cp. main, might, dismay, Hogen Mogen and the first elemen t in
Matild a.
may, n., a maide n (archaic). - ME. may, mey,
fr. OE. mzg, 'woma n, virgin ', rei. to OE. m;egeo,
m;ego, 'maid' . See maiden and cp. mayweed.
May, n., the fifth month of the year. - ME. mai,
fr. OF. ( = F.) mai, fr. L. Maius (mens is), '(the
month of) May', named after the god Maius,
whose name stands for *magjos, lit. 'he who
brings increa se', and is rei. to magnus, great'.
See major, adj., and cp. Maia, Maian themu m.
maya, n., art, magic (Hinduism). - 01. mayd,
'super natura l power ; magic, decept ion, illusio n',
of uncert ain origin.
Mayac a, n., a genus of plants (bot. )- ModL ., of
S. Amer. Indian origin.
Mayac eae, n. pl., the mayac a family (bot.) _
ModL ., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
mayaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
maybe, adv. - Comp ounde d of may, auxil. v.,
and be.
mayday, an intern ationa l radiote lephon e distress signa l.- F. m'aidez, 'help me', fr. apostrophi zed form of me, 'me' (fr. L. me) and imper. of aider, to help' (fr. L. adjiitare). See me
and aid, v.
mayhem, n., the maimi ng of a person (law). ME. maym, fr. AF. mayhe m, mahaim, 'injury ',
corres pondin g to OF. mehaigne, mahaigne, mehaing, of s.m., fr. OF. mahaignier, 'to 'injure '.
See maim.
mayonnaise, n., a cream y sauce made of egg
yolks, oil and vinegar. - F., short for sauce
mayonnaise, for sauce mahonnaise, 'sauce of
Maho n'; so called fr. Mahon, a town on the
island of Minor ca, in comm emora tion of the
captur e of that town by the French in 1756.
mayor, n.- ME. maire, mair, mer, fr. OF. (=F.)
maire, fr. L. major, 'greate r', com par. of magnus,
'great' . See major, adj.
Deriva tives: mayor-a/, adj., mayor alty (q.v.),
mayor-ess, n.
mayor alty, n.- ME. mairaltee, fr. MF. mairalte,
fr. maire, 'mayo r'. See mayor , adj. suff. -al and
suff. -ty.
mayweed, n., the stinkin g camom ile. - For
maythe-weed, fr. 0. mageoe, magooe, m;egeoe, 'the stinkin g camom ile', which is prob.
rei. to OE. m<egeo, m<ego, 'maid' ; see maiden
and cp. may, 'a maide n'. For the second element in may weed see weed.
mazapilite, n., a calcium iron arsena te (mineral.)
-Nam ed after Mazapil, in Zacate cas, Mexico.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
mazard , n., I) a mazer (obsol.); 2) the head or
skull (obso l.)- Altere d fr. mazer.
Mazda ism, also Mazde ism, n., Zoroa striani sm.
- See Ormaz d and -ism.

maze, tr. v., to bewild er; to confuse. - ME.

masen, mazen, 'to confus e, puzzle ', fr. OE.
masian in timasian, 'to confuse, confou nd'
which is rei. to OE. amasod, 'confu sed, con:
founde d', and prob. also to Norw. masast, 'to
doze off', Swed. masa, 'to be slow, be sluggish'.
Cp. amaze, mizmaze.
maze, n., a labyrin th. - ME. mase, maze, fr.
masen, mazen. See maze, v.
Deriva tives: maz-y, adj., maz-i-ly, adv., maz-iness, n.
mazer, n., a large drinki ng bowl. - ME. maser
'maple wood; bowl made of maple wood' , f/
OF. masere, 'maple wood' , which is of Teut.
origin. Cp. ON. mosurr, 'maple wood' , mosurr
bolli, 'bowl made of maple wood' , OS. masur,
'knot', MDu. maeser, 'maple wood' , OHG.
masar, 'knot in maple wood' (whence MHG
G. maser, 'knot, excrescence in trees'). c~:
mazard . Cp. also measles.
mazo-, combi ning form denoti ng the breast. _
Gk. [J.<X~o-, fr. [J.<X~6c;, 'breast '. See masto- and
cp. words there referre d to.
mazo-, combi ning form used in the sense of 'placenta '.- ModL . mazo-, fr. ModL . maza, 'placenta', fr. Gk. [J.ii~<X, fLIX~<X, 'flat barley cake'
which stands for *tJ.iXY-\<X, fr. fL&crcrw (for *fl&~
knead '
Y\W ), 'I squeeze, press into a mold
fl<X:
c~ke'
mass
ed
'knead
fL<XYL~
also
e
whenc
yc:oc;, 'one who kneads , baker' . See~acerat~ and
cp. magma.
mazuma, n., money (U.S. Slang ).- Yiddis h fr.
ated fi~ed ,
Mishn aic Heb. m~zummifn, 'design
'
. ted', used (in the pl. m ezummanfm)
in
appo_m
'cash'.
of
sense
the
Med1eval Heb. Respo nses in
Mishn aic Heb. mi!zummdn is passiv e part of
zimml n, 'he invited, design ated, appoin ted,
fix~d', a verb denom inated fr. Heb. zeman, 'applmte d time,1 time', which is rei. to Aram.
z ~an, Syr. z bhan, zabhnif, Arab. zdman, zaman, Ethiop . zaman, 'time'. All these words
derive directl y or indirec tly fr. Akkad . simtinu
'
'appoi nted time'.
dance
Polish
lively
a
I)
n.,
mazur ka, mazou rka,
of
2) music for this. - Pol. mazurka, 'a woma n
)'.
Poland
(in
ia
Mazov
ce
the provin
mazzard, n., wild sweet cherry (Prunus avium). Fr. earlier mazer (see mazer ); so called in allusion to the knotty appear ance of the wood.
me, pers. pron. - ME. me, fr. OE. me, rei. to
ON., Goth. mik, OHG. mih, G. mich, 'me' '(ace.),
ON. mer, OHG. , MHG. , G. mir, Goth. mis,
'm~ (dat.), and cogn. with 01., Avesti c ma, 01.
mtim, Avestic mqm, OPers. mtim, 'me' (ace.),
01. mdhyar;z, ~e (dat.), Gk. E[J.s, :1.s, L. me
(ace.), Gk. EfLOL, [J.OL, L. mihi, Umbr. mehe, 'me'
(dat.), OSiav. mf, Olr. me, Hitt. ammu k, ammugga, 'me' (ace.) Cp. mine, pron., my. Cp. also
meum and the first elemen t in mayday.
mead, n., drink made of fermen ted honey and
water. - ME. mede, fr. OE. meodu rei. to ON.
mjoor, Dan. mjod, Swed. mjod, OFris. , MLG. ,

952

meco-

953

mead

MDu.mede, Du. mee,OHG.metu, MHG. mete,

met, G.Met,'mead', fr.l.-E. base*medhu-,'honey,
sweet drink', whence also OI.madhu, 'sweet, sweet
drink, wine, honey', Toch. B mit, 'honey', Gk.
fLt-ltu, 'wine', fLe;-ltue:w, 'to be drunken', fLt-ltucnc;,
'drunkenness', OSlav. medu, Lith. medus,
'honey', Olr. mid (gen. medo), W. medd, Bret.
mez, 'mead'. Cp. methylene, amethyst.
mead, n., meadow (poetic).- ME. mede, fr. OE.
mii?d, mid. See meadow.
meadow, n.- ME. medwe, medewe, fr. OE. mii?dwe, gen. of mii?d (see prec. word); rei. to Du.
made, G. Matte, 'meadow', and to OE. mii?jJ,
'harvest, crop', OHG. miid, 'a mowing', fr.
WTeut. *miijJa-, lit. 'that which is mown', pp.
form of I.-E. base *me-, m-, 'to mow. See
mow, 'to cut (grass)', and cp. math.
Derivative: meadow-y, adj.
meager, meagre, adj. - ME. megre, fr. OF.
maigre, magre, megre (F. maigre), fr. L. miicer,
'lean, thin', which is cogn. with Gk. fLOCxp6c;,
'long', OE. mreger, ON. magr, MDu. magher,
Du. mager, OHG. magar, MHG., G. mager,
'lean, thin', fr. I.-E. base *mi!kros, a derivative
of base mak-, mk-, 'long, thin', whence also
Avestic mas-, 'long', masah-, 'length, size'. Cp.
also-with 1-suff.-Hitt. maklanza, 'thin, meager'. Cp. emaciate, Macedonian, macro-, maigre,
malinger, meco-.
Derivatives: meager-ly, meagre-ly, adv., meagerness, meagre-ness, n.
meal, n., edible grain.- ME. mele, fr. OE. melu,
rei. to OS. melo, ON., Swed., Norw. mjdl, Dan.
mel; OFris. mele, MDu. mele, Du. meel, OHG.
melo MHG. mel, G. Mehl, 'meal', orig. 'that
which is ground', and rei. to OS., OHG., Goth.
malan, ON., Swed. mala, Dan. male, MDu., Du.
malen MHG. main, G. malen, 'to grind', fr.
I.-E. base *(s)mel-, 'to rub, grind', whence also
Toch. A malyw, B. mely, 'to press, tread under
foot', Hitt. mallanzi, 'they grind', miyal/i, 'mill',
Arm. malem, 'I crush, bruise', Gk. fLOCAocx6c;,
'soft', l-'-')):1), later [LUAoc;, 'mill', Alb. miel, 'meal,
flour', L. molere, 'to grind', mola, 'millstone,
mill', OS!av. meljg, mllti, Lith. malu, malti,
Lett. maJu, malt, 'to grind', Lith. miltai, OPruss.
me/tan, Lett. milti, 'meal', OS\av. mo/i, Goth.
malo, ON. molr, Norw. mol, Dan. mel, Swed.
mal, 'moth', OE. m;elsceafa, 'malshave' (caterpillar), OHG. miliwa, milwa, MHG. milwe, G.
Milbe, 'mite', lit. 'a grinding, powder-making
animal', OHG. gimul/i, G. Gemiill, 'moldering
dust', Olr. melim, '1 grind', W. malu, Bret.
mala}; 'to grind', MW. blawt, ModW. blawd,
'meal'. From *mel-d, *mled-, *mJd-, -d-enlargements of base *(s)mel-, 'to rub, grind',
derive 01. mrdu/:1, 'soft, tender, mild', Arm.
melk (for *meldw-i-), 'soft, slack', Gk. ~Aocp6c;
(for *(.I."Aoc8ocp6c;), ~"AocMc; (for *(.I."Aoc8Uc;), 'loose,
spongy', (dA8E~v. 'to melt, make liquid', &!L~M
ww, 'to crush, destroy', L. nwllia (for mold -is),
'soft'. OPruss. maldai (pl.), 'boys, lads' (for

sense development cp. Rum. taniir, 'young', fr.

L. tener, 'soft, tender'), OPruss. maldaisin (ace.),
'youngest', mal:iian, 'foal', OS!av. mladu, Russ.
molodu, 'young', OE. me/tan, mieltan, 'to melt',
prob. also Olr. meldach, 'pleasant'. From base
*mel-dh-, a -dh-enlargement of base *mel-, derive Gk. (J.OCA%ocx6c;, 'soft', OE. melde, OS.
maldia, OHG. melta, molta, multa, MHG., G.
melde, 'orach', Goth. mildeis, OE. milde, 'mild'.
(Olr. meldach and the Balto-Slav. words cited
above as derivatives of base *mel-d-, could also
be derived from base *mel-dh-.) Cp. amalgam,
Amalthaea, ambly, blenno-, blite, emollient,
emolument, immolate, Maelstrom, malaco- rnalax, malt, meldometer, mellow, melt, 'to dissolve',
mild, mildew, mill, millet, milt, moil, molar,
'grinding', mold, 'soil', mole, 'false conception',
molinary, mollify, Mollugo, mollusk, mouille,
moulin, mulch, muliebrity, mull, 'to powder',
mull, 'a snuffbox', mullein, muller, mullet, 'star',
multure, mylo-, ormolu.
Derivatives: meal-y, adj., meal-i-ness, n.
meal, n., food taken at one time.- ME. mele, fr.
OE. mii?l, 'mark, sign; measure; fixed time; time
for taking food, meal', rei. to ON. miil, 'measure, time, meal', OFris. mil( tid), '(time of)
meal', Du. maal, 'time; meal', OHG., MHG.
miil, 'time; meal', G. Mal, 'time', Mahl, 'meal',
Goth. mel, 'time; hour', fr. I.-E. base *me-, 'to
measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivative: meal, tr. v., to have a meal.
-meal, suff. denoting quantity taken at one time;
now used only in piecemeal. - ME. -mele, fr.
OE. -miilum, dat. pl. of OE. miil, 'measure'.
See meal, 'food'.
mealie, n., maize. - S. Afr. Du. milje, fr. Port.
milho, 'millet', fr. L. milium, 'millet'. See millet.
mean, tr. v., to have in mind. - ME. menen, fr.
OE. miinan, 'to mean, signify, intend; to speak
of; to complain, mourn, moan', rei. to OS.
menian, 'to have in mind, intend, signify',
OFris, mena, MDu. menen, Du. menen, OHG.
meinan, meinen, MHG., G. meinen, 'to think,
suppose, be of opinion, fr. I.-E. base *main-,
mein-, 'to be of opinion, think', whence also
OS\av. meniti, 'to think, have an opinion', Olr.
mian, 'wish, desire', lr. mian, 'intention', W.
mwyn, 'enjoyment'. Cp. moan.
Derivatives: mean-ing, n. and adj., meaning-ful,
adj., mean-ing-less, adj., mean-ing-ly, adv.,
mean-ing-ness, n.
mean, adj., intermediate. - ME. mene, fr. OF.
meien, moien (F. moyen), 'middle', fr. Late L.
mediiinus, 'that which is in the middle', fr. L.
medius, 'middle'. See media, 'voiced stop consonant' and cp. median, mesne, monial.
Deriva;ive: mean, n., something intermediate.
mean, adj., of low rank, inferior, base. - ME.
mene, 'common, mean', fr. OE. (ge)mii?ne, 'common', rei. to OS. gimini, OFris. mlne, OS. gimeni, MLG. gemeine, gemine (whence Dan. and
Swed. gemen), MDu. ghemine, Du. gemeen,

OHG. gimeini, MHG., G. gemein, Goth. gamains, 'common', OE. man, ON., OHG. mein,
OS., OFris. men, 'false', OE. maniio, OE.,
ON., meineior, Dan., Swed. mened, OS.,
OFris. menith, MDu. meineet, Du. meineed,
OHG. meineid, MHG. meineit, G. Meineid,
'perjury', lit. 'false oath', and cogn. with
L. miinus (OL. moinos, moenus), 'service, office, function', miinia (OL. moenia), 'official,
duties, functions', communis (OL. ace. comoinem), 'common', OSiav. mlna, 'change', izmlniti, 'to change, exchange', Lith. malnas, 'exchange', mainyti, 'to exchange', 01. meni/:1, 'vengeance', Avestic maini-, 'punishment'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. * mein-, moin-, -n-enlargements of base *mei-, *moi-, 'to change, exchange', whence 01. mayate, 'changes', Lett.
miju, mit, 'to change'. Cp. common, adj., and
words there referred to. For I.-E. *mei-t-,
*moi-t-, -t-enlargements of base *mei-, *moi-,
see mutable, mutual. Base *mei-, 'to change', is
originally identical with base *mei-, 'to change
one's place, to go'. See meatus, migrate.
meander, n., winding, as of a river.- L. Maeander, fr. Gk. Motlrxv3poc;, a river in Caria, noted
for its windings.
Derivatives: meander, intr. v., meander-ing, n.
and adj., meander-ing-ly, adv.
measles, n. pl. - ME. maseles, pl. of mase/, lit.
'spot, excrescence', rei. to MDu. masel, Du.
maze/en, G. Masern, 'measles', and to E. mazer
(q.v.) E. measles was influenced both in form
and pronunciation by a confusion with ME.
mesel, 'leper', which derives fr. OF. mesel, fr. L.
mise/Ius, dimin. of miser, 'wretched, unfortunate, miserable'.
Derivative: measl-y, adj.
measurable, adj.- ME. mesurab/e, fr. OF. (=F.)
mesurable, fr. Late L. mensiiriibilis, fr. mensuriire, fr. L. mensiira. See measure and -able and
cp. mensurable.
Derivatives: measurabil-ity, n., measurable-ness,
n., measurabl-y, adv.
measure, n. - ME. mesure, fr. OF. ( = F.) mesure, fr. L. minsiira, 'measure', fr. mensus, pp.
of metiri, 'to measure'. See mete, 'to measure',
and -ure and cp. meter, 'poetical rhythm'. Cp.
also admeasure, immeasurable, mensure, mensurable, mensurate, commensurable, dimension,
immense. Cp. also I st mensa!.
Derivatives: measure, tr. and intr. v., measur-ed,
adj., measur-ed-ly, adv., measur-ed-ness, n.,measure-less, adj., measure-less-ly, adv., measureless-ness, n., measure-ment, n., measur-er, n.
meat, n.,- ME. mete, fr. OE. mete, rei. to OS.
meti, OFris. mete, ON. matr, OHG. maJ, Goth.
mats, 'food', MLG., MDu., Du. metworst, G.
Mettwurst, 'German sausage', fr. Teut. *mati-,
'food', fr. I.-E. base *mlid-, 'wet, moist, dripping; to drip', whence 01. madati, 'boils, bubbles, gets drunk', medas-, 'fat' (n.), Alb. man, 'I
fatten, feed', Gk. (.l.ot8iiv, 'to be wet, to flow',

[.i.Ot3atp6c;, 'wet, watery', (.l.at3&pwmc;, 'baldness',

L. madere, 'to be wet; to be drunk, to be intoxicated', madidus, 'moist, wet, drunk; intoxicated',
mattus, 'intoxicated', OE. mrest, 'mast (of
beech)', m;estan, 'to fatten', Olr. mat, 'pig,
swine' (prop. 'a fattened animal'), Oir. maisse
(for *mad-tja), 'food'. Cp. the second element in
lacmus. Cp. also madarosis, mast, 'fruit of
beech', masto-, mastoid, mate, 'companion',
mattoid, must, 'frenzied'. For sense development ofOE. mete, etc., 'food', into E. meat, etc.,
'flesh of animals', cp. Heb. Jebem, 'bread, food',
with Arab. labm, 'flesh'.
Derivatives: meat-less, meat-y, adjs.
meatus, n., a duct or passage in the body (anat.)
- L. meatus, 'a going, passing; way, path, passage', fr. meiit-(um), pp. stem of meiire, 'to go,
pass', which is cogn. with Czech mijim, mijeti,
'to go by, pass by, pas~. cease', Pol. mijam,
mijac, 'to go by, avoid', and with the nasalized
forms OS!av. min(), minQti, 'to go by, pass by,
pass', MW. minet, 'to go'; fr. I.-E. base *mei-,
*moi-, 'to change; to change one's place; to go'.
See mean, 'of low rank', and cp. irremeable, permeate. Cp. also conge.
Mecca, n., city in Arabia, birthplace of Mohammed and place of pilgrimage for Mohammedans
hence 'the goal of one's highest aspirations'.Arab. Makkah, in VArab. pronunciation:
Mekka\ 'Mecca'.
mechanic, adj. - L. mechanicus, fr. Gk. [.1.7]
zrxvLx6~, 'resourceful, inventive; mechanical', fr.
[.1.7Jj(Ot'l~, 'means, invention, machine'. See
machine and -ic.
Derivatives: mechanic, n., mechanic-al, adj.,
mechanic-al-ly, adv., mechanic-al-ness, n., mechanic-ian, n., mechan-ics, n.
mechanism, n. - ModL. mechanismus, fr. Gk.
f.I.'Y)Zotv~, 'machine. See prec. word and -ism.
mechanist, n. - Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk.
fL'Y)Xatv-i), 'machine'. See mechanic.
Derivatives: mechanist-ic, adj., mechanist-ic-ally, adv.
mechanize, tr. v.- Formed with suff. -ize fr. Gk.
(.I.'Y)j(atv~, 'machine'. See mechanic.
Derivatives: mechaniz-ation, n., mechaniz-er, n.
mechano-, combining form denoting mechanics
or mechanism. - Gk. (.1.7Jj(Otvo-, fr. (.I.'Y)j(OCvTJ,
'machine. See mechanic.
Mechilta, also Mekhilta, n., a halakic commentary on Exodus from the school of Rabbi Ishmael (2nd cent.) - Fr. Aram. mekhiltti, 'rule',
lit. 'measure of capacity', fr. kiil, 'to comprehend, measure', which is rei. to Heb. kiil, 'he
comprehended, measured', hakhfl, 'to hold,
contain', Ugar. kl, 'to contain, measure, Arab.
ktila, 'he measured (grain)'.
Mechlin, n. - Short for Mechlin lace, i.e. lace
made at Mechlin, a town in Belgium. Cp.
malines.

meco-, combining form meaning 'length' or

'long'.- Gk. (.1.7Jxo-, fr. !L'iixo~, 'length', corre-

me<lrocrrty

meconic

sponding to Dor. Gk. p.iixoc;, of s.m., and rei. to

p.()(xp6c;, 'long'. See macro- and _cp. meko_mete~.
meconic, adj., pertaining to an ac1d found m opium.- Gk. (LlJXWvtx6c;, 'of, or pertaining to, the
poppy', fr. p.-f]xwv. See next word and -ic.
meconium, n., the fecal discharge of the newborn
infant (med.)- L. meconium, 'poppy-juice; the
first excrements of the newborn child', fr. Gk.
[J.lJX~mov, dimin. of [J.~xwv, 'poppy', whic~
corresponds to Dor. [J.iixwv, of s.m., and IS
cogn. with OSlav. maku, Pol. mak (whe~ce
OPruss. moke), 'poppy', OS. maho, OHG. maf!o,
Late MHO. mahen, man, dial. Austro-Bavanan
mogn, G. Mohn, 'poppy' (Lith. magone, Lett.
maguone, of s.m., are German loan words.) Cp.
the second element in Eomecon.
medal n.- MF. ( = F.) medaille, fr. It. medaglia,
fr.
*metallia (scil. moneta), 'metal coin', fr.
L. metallum. See metal and cp. next word.
.
Derivatives: medal, tr. v., medal(l)-ed, adJ.,
medall-ic adj., and the hybrid medal(l)-ist, n.
medallion,' n. -F. medaillon, fr. It. medaglione,
augment. of medaglia. See medal and -oon.
Derivative: medallion, tr. v.
meddle, intr. v., to interfere. - ME. medelen,
medlen, fr. OF. medler, mesler, 'to ~ix, m_ingl~;
to meddle' (whence F. meier, 'to m1x, mmgle,
se meier, 'to meddle'), fr. ML misc~lare, fr. L.
miscere, 'to mix, mingle'. See mix and cp.
medley and words there referred to.
Derivatives: meddl-er, n., meddle-some, adj.,
meddle-some-ness, n.
Mede, n., inhabitant of Media.- L. Medus, fr.
Gk. M-~ao~, 'Mede'.
.
Medea, n., sorceress, daughter of Aeetes, kmg of
Colchis (Greek mythol.) - L. Medea, fr. Gk.
M~SEt()(, lit. 'cunning', rel. to [J.'i)So~, 'c~unsel,
plan, device, cunning', tJ.-IJS<:a-&cn, 'to devise, re~
solve, advise', [J.~Swv, [J.ESE:wv, 'guardian, rul;r
(prop. pres. part. of the ancient verb fl:~SEw, to
rotect rule over'), [J.ESEcr-&()(t, 'to be mmdful of,
P
,
,~
'
'
give heed to, think on', [J.Eot[J.VO~, _a mea~ure,'
fr. I.-E. base *med-, 'to measure, limit, consider,
which is a-d-enlargement of base* me-, 'to measure'. See meditate and cp. Andromeda and
words there referred to. Cp. also Medeol~Medeola, n., a genus of plants, the Indian cucumber-root (bot.) _ ModL., dimin. formed
from the name of Medea, the sorceress; so
called for its reputed medicinal value.
medi-, combining form. -See medio-.
. n ., "ormerly
me dJa,
,,
, a voiced stop consonant
/' (b,
d or g) (phonet.); _ ModL. (short for ltt~ra
. li't 'middle letter'), fern. of L. medius,
me dw,
0
~:~~ln' ,.J.,;,-h <tHncl< fnr *medhvos; rel. to S
'"'""':,:;:(~e-m
... ~ing) 'in the middle', "ndcogn.
can mepai I
'
, . ,
with 01. madhyab, Avestic maii5ya-, middle'
Gk. [LZcrcroc;, Att. [J.E:croc;, Goth. m_idjis; 0~.
'd'd Olr mid- 'middle', OSlav. mezda, road,
ml

'

id 'be
orig. 'ridge (between two fields~ , m_e u, . tween'' OPruss. median, 'forest , Lith. medrs,
'tree', East Lith. medzias, 'forest, tree', Arm.

vi..

me], 'the middle', Alb. mjet, 'means:, m~s, m~es,

mjez, 'means', Gheg mjedis (for mJet-vls, m}edvis), 'middle, center' (lit. 'middle place'), _Ga~l.
media- 'middle' (e.g. in Medio-lanum, 'Mlian ).
Cp. mid, middle, midst, amid. Cp. also medi~,
mediant, mediastinum, mediate, mediocre, medium, immediate, intermediate, intermezzo, mean,
'intermediate', medulla, meridian, mesne, meso-,
meta-, metayer, mezzanine, mezzotint, Midi,
midinette, milieu, mitten, mizzen, mizzeumast,
moiety, monial, moyen age.
media n. middle membrane of an artery (anat.)
_ Medlcal L. (short for membrana media, lit.
'middle membrane'), fern. ofL. medius. Seeprec.
word.
media n. pl. - Pl. of medium.
mediai adj., situated in the middle. - Late L.
medi~lis, fr. L. medius. See media, 'voiced stop
consonant', and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: medial-ly, adv.
median, adj., middle; situated in the ~iddle ..L. medianus, 'that which is in the middle, nuddle', fr. medius. See media, 'voiced stop c~ns~
nant' and -an, and cp. mean, 'intermediate ,
,
mesne, momal, moyen age.
.
Derivative: median, n., a median line, pomt or
number.
Median, adj., pertaining to Media;_n., 1) a Mede;
2) the language of ancient Medm. - F?rmed
with suff. -an fr. Gk. M-lj3to~, 'of Medta', fr.
M'i)So~. See Mede and cp. Medic .. _
median vein (anat.) - L. vena medwna. According to Joseph Hyrtl (in his Onomatologia an~to.
P . 320) these words do not mean thef
m1ca,
middle vein', but are derived from the name 0
Al-Madyan, ibn Abderrahman, a commentator
of Avicenna's Canticum. So arose the term
'vein of Al-Madyan', whence Armegand~s
coined the name vena mediana, which was ~IS
interpreted later a,s 'the middle vein' ~see ~edwn).
mediant, n., the third note of the d!ato~I-c scale
(music).- It. mediante, fr. Late L. _me ',antem,
of medians 'dividing in the middle , pres.
ace.
,
.
'd
be
part. of mediare; so called as bemg ml wa~
tween the tonic and the dominant. See mediate,
adj., and -ant.
.
. tinitis n inflammation of the tissue of the
m ed Jas
.,
1 L h brid
mediastinum (med.) - A Medica
y
coined fr. mediastinum and suff. -itis:
,
e
mediastino-, combining form denotmg of th
mediastinum, mediastinal'. See next "':o.rd.
ed' tinum n. 1) a membranous parttUon se~m Ias
' ,
b d 2) space m
arating two cavities of the o y;
the middle of the chest between the two pleurae
(anat.)- Medical L., neul. ur IIICdi.:IstJI;~~' 's_ervant, attendant', which stands for ~edl~strmus,
fr. *mediastcr, 'the one in the middle' f~- L.
medius. See media, 'voiced stop consonant .
Derivative: mediastin-al, adj.
._
mediate, adj., dependent on. - Late L. '!'edratus,
pp. of mediiire, 'to divide in the middle, to

halve', fr. L. medius. See media, 'voiced stop

consonant' and adj. suff. -ate and cp. mediant.
Derivative: mediate-ly, adv.
mediate, intr. v., to intervene; tr. v., to bring
about by intervention. - Lit. 'to be in the
middle', fr. Late L. mediatus, pp. of mediare.
See prec. word.
mediation, n.- ME. mediacioun, fr. OF. mediacion (F. mediation), fr. Late L. mediati6nem,
ace. of mediati6, lit. 'a division in the middle',
fr. mediatus, pp. of mediiire. See mediate, adj.,
and -ion.
mediatize, tr. v., formerly in Germany, under the
Holy Roman Empire, to reduce to mediate dependance or vassalage. - F. mediatiser, fr.
mediat, 'mediate'. See mediate, adj., and -ize.
Derivative: mediatiz-at-ion, n.
mediator, n. - ME. mediatour, fr. OF. mediatour (F. mediateur), fr. Late L. mediat6rem, ace.
of mediator, fr. media~Js, pp. of mediare. See
mediate, adj., and agential suff. -or.
mediatory, adj.- Formed with adj. suff. -ory fr.
Late L. mediatus, pp. of mediare. See mediate,
adj.
Derivative: mediatori-al, adj.
Medic, adj., Median; n., the language of ancient
Media.- Gk. ~Il)Stx6~, 'Median', fr. M-!j3o~.
See Mede and cp. Median. Cp. also next word.
medic, n., any plant of the genus Medicago (bot.)
- L. medica, fr. Gk. Ml)Stx'f] (sci!. 1t6ii),
'(grass) from Media', fern. ofMl)Stx6~, 'Median'
(see Medic); so called because it came to the
Greeks from Media.
medicable. - L. mediciibilis, 'that which can be
healed, curable', fr. medicari, 'to heal, cure', fr.
medicus. See medical and -able.
Medicago, n., a genus of plants, the medic (bot.)
- ModL., fr. Gk. M1J3tx~, name of the alfalfa,
lit. 'the Median (plant)'. See medic.
medical, adj. - F. medical, fr. Late L. medica/is,
'of a physician, fr. L. medicus, 'physician',
which is rel to mederi, 'to heal', and cogn. with
Avestic vi-mad, 'physician', fr. I.-E. base *med-,
'to measure, limit, consider, advise', whence also
Gk. [L'i)Soc;, 'counsel, plan, device, cunning', the
PN's :M'ijSo~, M/jSlJ, etc., which originally denoted healing deities, ~J--IJSEaB-o:t, 'to devise, resolve, advise', f-lES~cr-&()(t, 'to be mindful of, give
heed to, think on'. See meditate and Medea and
cp. remedy. Cp. also metheglin. The word medical was introduced into English by Thomas
Browne (1605-82). '
Derivatives: medical, n., medical-ly, adv.
medicament, n.- F. medicament, fr. L. medicamentum, 'drug, remedy, medicament', lit.
means or mstrument of healing', formed from
the verb medicari, 'to heal, cure', with -mentum,
a suffix denoting instrument. See medicate and
-ment.
Derivatives: medicament, tr. v., medicament-ary,
adj., medicament-arion, n., medicament-ous, adj.
medicaster, n., a quack.- Formed fr. L. medicus,

'physician', with the pejorative suff. -aster. Cp.

poetaster.
medicate, tr. v.- L. mediciitus, pp. of medicare,
medicari, 'to heal, cure', fr. medicus. See medical
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: medication (q.v.), medicat-ive, adj.,
medicator (q.v.), medicat-ory, adj.
medication, n. L. medicati6, gen. -6nis,
'healing, cure', fr. mediciitus, pp. of medicare,
mediciiri. See prec. word and -ion.
medicator, n. - Late L. medicator, 'physician',
fr. L. medicatus, pp. of medicare, medicari. See
medicate and agential suff. -or.
medicine, n. - ME., fr. OF. medicine, medecine
(F. mt!decine), fr. L. medicina, 'healing art, the
shop of a physician, remedy, relief', prop. fern.
of the adjective medicinus, 'of a physician', used
as a noun, fr. medicus. See medical and subst.
suff. -ine.
Derivatives: medicine, tr. v., medicin-al, adj.
and n., medicin-al-ly, adv.
medico, n., physician (colloq.) - It. medico, fr.
L. medicus. See medical.
medico-, combining form meaning 1) 'medical,
medicinal'; 2) 'medical and'.- Fr. L. medicus.
See medical.
medieval, mediaeval, adj., pertaining to, or suggestive of, the Middle Ages. - Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. medius, 'middle', and aevum,
'age'. See media, 'voiced stop consonant', and
age.
Derivative: medi(a}eval-ly, adv.
medievalism, mediaevalism, n., 1) the spirit of the
Middle Ages; 2) devotion to medieval practices. - See prec. word and -ism.
medievalist, mediaevalist, n., I) a student of
medieval history, etc.; 2) one devoted to the
spirit and practices of the Middle Ages. - See
medieval and -ist.
medievalize, mediaevalize, tr. v., 1) to render
medieval; 2) to adopt medieval customs, etc.See medieval and -ize.
medio-, medi-, combining form meaning 'middle'.
- Fr. L. medius, 'middle'. See media, 'voiced
stop consonant'.
mediocre, adj., of middle quality; average. MF. ( = F.) mediocre, fr. L. mediocris, 'middling, moderate, indifferent, tolerable', orig.
'being half-way up the height of a mountain',
compounded of medius, 'middle', and ocris, 'a
rugged, stony mountain'. For the first element
see media, 'voiced stop consonant'. The second
element is rei. to Umbr. ukar, ocar, 'fortress,
citadel, mountain', and cogn. with Gk. oxpt~,
'peak, point', Homeric oxptiv, 'to make rough
or rugged', ozpticr-&()(t, 'to be exasperated', Mlr.
ochar, W. ochr, 'corner, border', and in gradational relationship to L. iicer, acris, acre, 'sharp'.
See acrid and cp. Oxalis.
mediocrity, n.- ME. mediocrite, fr. MF. ( = F.)
mediocrite, fr. L. mediocritiitem, ace. of mediocritiis, 'moderateness, moderation, indifference,

meditate

mediterriineus, 'inland', lit. 'in the middle of

inferiority', fr. mediocris. See prec. word and
land', fr. medius, 'middle', and terra, 'land'. See
-ity.
media, 'voiced stop consonant', and terra.
meditate, tr. and intr. v.- L. medittitus, pp. of
meditullium, n., 1) the diploe (anat.); 2) the
medittiri, 'to think over, consider; to think, remesophyll (bot.)- L., 'the middle', compounded
flect', fr. I.-E. base *med-, 'to measure, limit,
of medius, 'middle', and *tullium, *tollium,
consider, advise', whence also-with vowel gra'earth', which stands in gradational relationship
dation-L. modus, 'measure, limit, boundary,
to tel/us, 'earth'. See media, 'voiced stop
manner, mode, mood', modertire, 'to set limits
consonant', and tellurian.
to, moderate', modestus, 'moderate, virtuous,
medium, n. - L., 'the middle', neut. of the adsober, discreet, modest', modernus, 'modern',
jective medius, 'middle', used as a noun. See
modius, 'a com measure'. From the same base
media, 'voiced stop consonant'.
derive L. mederi, 'to heal', medicus, 'physician',
Derivatives: medium, adj., medium-istic, adj.,
Oscan meddiss, meddis, 'judge', Gk. [J.tllwv,
medium-ize, tr. v.
fJ.EII&wv, 'ruler' (prop. pres. part. of the ancient
medlar, n., 1) a small tree of the rose family; 2)
verb [J.tlle:w, 'to protect, rule over'), fJ.EIIe:cr.&e~.l,
its fruit.- ME. medler, fr. OF. medler, mesler,
'to be mindful of, give heed to, think on', [J.tlll'medlar tree', fr. OF. mesple, mesle (F. nefle),
fJ.Voc;, 'a measure', fJ.'ijlloc;, 'counsel, plan, device,
'medlar (the fruit)', fr. L. mespila (also mescunning', fJ.-fJIIe:cr.&e~.l, 'to devise, resolve, advise',
pilus, mespilum), of s.m., fr. Gk. [J.Zcrm'Aov,
Olr. midiur, 'I judge, estimate', med, 'measure',
'medlar (the fruit)', which is a foreign word of
mess (for *medtu), 'judgement', W. meddwl,
unknown origin. Cp. naseberry.
'mind, thinking', Goth. miton, OE. metan, 'to
medley, n., mixture.- ME. medle, fr. OF. mesdmeasure'. See mete, v., and cp. meet, 'suitable',
lee, medlee, meslee (F. me/tie), prop. fern. pp. of
must, v. Cp. also Medea, medical, medicine,
medler, mesler (F. meier), 'to mix, mingle', fr.
Medusa, mode, model, moderate, modern, modML. miscultire, fr. L. miscire, 'to mix, mingle'.
est, modicum, modify, modiolus, modulate,
See mix and cp. chance-medley. Cp. also meddle,
module, modus, mood, commode, commodity,
melee, mell, pell-mell, melange.
accommodate, mold, 'pattern', and the second eleDerivative: medley, adj. and tr. v.
ment in Andromeda, automedon, Diomedes, GaMedoc, n., a kind of claret. - So called from
nymede, turmoil. I.-E. base *med- is a -denlarge
Medoc, name of the plain between the Gironde
ment of base *me-, 'to measure', whence 01.
and the Atlantic, where it is produced.
mati/.1, 'measure'' mali, mimtiti, 'measures', rnamedulla, n., the marrow of bones (anat.) - L.,
tram (neut.), matrti (fern.), 'measure', Avestic
'marrow; pith of plants', of uncertain etymoloma-, 'to measure', Toch. A me-, 'to measure',
gy; perh. fr. orig. *(s)merulla (with -d- for -r-,
mem, 'measure', Hitt. mehur, 'time, point of
under the influence of medius, 'middle'), fr.
time', Gk. fJ.'ijnc;, 'counsel, plan, skill', fJ.E't'pov,
I.-E. base *smeru, 'fat', whence also OE. smeoru,
'measure', L. mitior, metiri, 'to measure', Alb.
'fat, grease', Olr. smiur, 'marrow', W. mer, of
mat, mas, 'I measure', mase, 'measure, age, gens.m. See smear, n., and words there referred to.
eration', mates, 'measure, cubit', mot, 'year,
Derivatives: medull-ar, adj., medullary (q.v.),
weather' ,OSlav.mera, 'measure' ,meriti, 'to meas-.
medullat-ed, adj., medullation (q.v.), medull-iz
ure', Lith. matuoti, 'to measure', metas, 'time,
ation, n., medullose (q.v.)
year; measure', OPruss. mettan, 'year', Lett.
medullary, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of,
mets, 'space of time', mtitas, 'measure', OSlav.
the medulla. - L. medulltiris, 'situated in the
m~to, mesti, Lith. metu, mesti, Lett. mest, 'to
marrow', fr. medulla. See prec word and adj.
throw' (orig. 'to measure off, aim at'), OHG.
suff. -ary.
mal, Goth. mil, 'time; hour'. Cp. matra, mensal,
medullation, n., the development of marrow. 'pertaining to the table', meter, 'poetical
Formed fr. Late L. medullatus, 'possessed of
rhythm', -meter, Metis, and the second element
marrow, marrowy', pp. of medulltire, 'to fill
in castrametation, firman, vimana. Cp. also meal,
with marrow', fr. L. medulla. See medulla and
'food'.
-ation.
meditation, n. - ME. meditacioun, fr. OF. medimedullitis, n., inflammation of marrow (med.)tation (F. meditation), fr. L. meditationem, ace.
A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. medulla and
of meditatio, 'a thinking over, meditation', fr.
Gk. suff. -i-rtc;. See medulla and -itis.
meditatus, pp. of medittire. See prec. word and
medullose, adj., pithlike.- L. medullosus, 'full of
-ion.
marrow', fr. medulla. See medulla and adj. suff.
meditative, aJj. - Late L. mcdi~tims, fr. T..
-ose.
medittitus, pp. of medittire. See meditate and
Medusa, n., one of the three Gorgons, whose
-ive.
gaze turned to stone everyone that looked at her
Derivatives: meditative-ly, adv., meditative-ness,
(Greek mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. Melloucre~., lit.
n.
'guardian', prop. fern pres. part. of the ancient
mediterranean, adj., enclosed, or nearly enclosed,
verb fJ.tllEtV, 'to protect, rule over'. See Medea
by sea; n.) a mediterranean sea; (cap.} the Meand cp. words there referred to.
diterranean sea. - Formed with suff. -an fr. L.

957

medusa, n., a jellyfish (zoo/.)- Fr. prec. word.

Derivatives: medus-a/, medus-an, adjs.
medusoid, 1) adj., like a medusa; 2) a medusalike
gonophore of a hydrozoan (zoo/.) - Compounded of medusa and Gk. -oe:lll'ijc;, 'like', fr.
e:!lloc;, 'shape, form'. See -oid.
meed, n., reward (poet.) - ME. mede, fr. OE.
med, meord, 'reward, requital', rel. to OS. mida,
OHG. meta, miata, mieta, MHG., G. miete,
Goth. mizdo, 'reward', and cogn. with 01. mitf.hdm (for *mizdhd-), 'prize, reward, contest,
booty', mitf.hvd/.1, 'giving in abundance', Avestic
miida, 'reward', Gk. [J.Icr.&6c; (for *mizdh6s)
'wages, pay', OSlav. mizda, 'salary'.
'
meek, adj. - ME. mek, fr. earlier meoc, fr.
ON. mjukr, 'mild, soft, gentle', which is rel. to
G.oth. muka-modei, 'humility', and prob. cogn.
with Olr. mocht (for *mukto-), 'mild, gentle',
L. mucus, 'mucus of the nose'. See mucus and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: meek-ly, adv., meek-ness, n.,
meerkat, n., I) a monkey (obsol.); 2) the suricate.
- Du., 'monkey', fr. MDu. meercatte, lit. 'sea
cat'; cp. MLG. merkatte, Dan. marekat, Swed.
markatta, OHG. merikazza, MHG. merkatze,
G. Meerkatze. See mere, 'sea', and cat. These
words are not connected with 01. markdtah
'ape, monkey'.
'
meerschaum, n., a porous, claylike mineral composed of silicate of magnesia. - G., lit. 'sea
foam', loan translation of L. spuma maris
~hich it~elf is a loan translation of Gk. &M~
rxzv'f); ong. name of the Alcyonium, popularly
named 'mermaid's glove'; so called from its
having been mistaken for thickened sea foam.
See mere, 'sea', and scum.
meet, tr. v., to encounter; intr. v., to come together.- ME. meten, fr. OE. metan, rei. to ON.
mreta, OS. motian, 'to meet', and to OS., OE.
mot, 'a meeting'. See moot, 'meeting', and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: meet, n., meet-er, n., meet-ing, n.
meet, adj., suitable.- ME. mete, fr. OE. gemiite
'suitable, fit~ rei. to ON. miitr, OHG. gimii3i:
MHG. gem;eJe, G. gemiifJ, 'suitable', OE. metan, etc., 'to measure'; fr. I.-E. base *medd-enlargement of *me-, 'to measure'. See mete'
'to measure'.
'
Derivatives: meet-ly, adv., meet-ness, n.
Meg, fern. PN. - Dimin. of Margaret.
mega-, before a vowel meg-, combining form
meaning 'large, great' (in physics it is used in the
meaning of 'a million times', e.g. megavolt = a
million volts).- Fr. Gk. fJ.E:ye~.~, fern. fJ.E:"(XA'f),
neut. fl.Eyx, 'great, large, mighty', which is cogn.
With L. magnus, 'great, large, much, abundant',
Goth. mikils, OE. mice/, mycel, 'great, big,
many'. See mickle and cp. magnum. Cp. also
omega, acromegaly, almagest, Agastache.
megacephalic, megacephalous, adj., large-headed.
- Compounded of mega- and Gk. xE<p!XA1)
'head'. See cephalic, resp. cepbalous.
'

megawatt

Megaceros, n., a genus of mammals of the deer

family (zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of megaand Gk. xepe~.<;;, 'hom'. See cerato-.
Megachile, n., a genus of bees (zoo/.) - ModL.,
compounded of mega- and Gk. ze:Tho<;;, 'lip'.
See chilo-.
megal-, form of megalo- before a vowel.
megalith, n., a huge prehistoric stone. - Compounded of mega- and Gk. 'A[.&o<;, 'stone'. See
litho-.
Derivative: megalith-ic, adj.
megalo-, before a vowel megal-, combining form
meaning 'large, great' (in medicine it is used to
denote abnormal enlargement).- Gk. fJ.E:"(CI.Ao~e:ye~.'A-, enlarg~d stem of fJ.Eye~.c; (gen. fle:y&:Aou):
large, great, mighty'. See mega-.
megalocardia, n., abnormal enlargement of the
heart (med.) - Medical L., compounded of
megalo- and Gk. xe~.pll[oc, 'heart'. See cardio-.
~egalocephalic, adj.- The same as megacephalIC.
m~galomania,

n., mania for great things; deluSion of greatness (med.) - Medical L., compounded of megalo- and Gk. fJ.CI.VLoc, 'madness'.
See mania.
Derivative: megalomani-ac, adj.
megalosaur, n., any animal of the genus Megalosaurus. - See Megalosaurus.
megalosaurian, adj., pertaining to the megalosaurs; n., a megalosaur. - See prec. word and
-ian.
Megalosaurus, n., a genus of gigantic dinosaurs
(paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of megaloand Gk. cre~.upoc;, 'lizard'. See sauro-.
megaphone, n. - Compounded of mega- and
Gk. <pwv'ij, 'voice'. See phone, 'speech sound'.
megapode, also megapod, n., any of the birds of
the family Megapodiidae. - See next word.
Mega~iidae, n. pl., a family of birds inhabiting
Australia and the Malay Archipelago (ornithol.) - ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
mega- and Gk. 1touc;, gen. 1toll6c;, 'foot'. See
podo-.
megaron, n., the great hall in the Greek palace,
esp. at Mycenae (archeol.) - Gk. fJ.Eye~.pov,
'large room, hall; sanctuary, shrine'; pl. fJ.E
ye~.pe~., 'pits (into which young pigs were thrown
in t~e Thesmopho_ria)'; of uncertain origin;
posstbly fr. Heb. me'arah, 'cave'.
megasporangium, n., a sporangium containing
megaspores (bot.) - ModL., compounded of
mega- and sporangium.
megaspore, n., a large asexual spore produced by
certain plants, as the embryo sac of a seed
plant _(bot.) - Compounded of mega- and Gk.
cr1topiX, 'a sowing, seed'. See spore.
megass, megasse, n., sugar cane crushed in the
mill. - Variants of bagasse.
megavolt, n., one million volts. - Compounded
of mega- and volt.
megawatt, n., one million watts. - Compounded
of mega- and watt.

meger g

9S6

ed, n., a Jewish teache r, esp.

megerg, n., one million ergs. - Comp ounde d of melammed, melam
Heb. mllam mldh,
heder.
a
in
r
teache
meg- and erg.
'he taught ', Pi'el of
h,
limmld
of
partie.
r',
Ruth,
'teache
Megilloth, n. pl., the five scrolls (Canticles,
d', orig. 'he exercised; aclearne
'he
,
con)
lamadh
Esther
and
iastes
Eccles
,
Lamen tations
custom ed to' (Pi'el is the intensive conjug ation;
tained in the Hagio grapha (Bible). - Heb.
fr.
sometimes, as in this case, it has causat ive force).
m'ghil l6th, 'scrolls, rolls', pl. of m'ghillah,
cp.
See Talmud.
and
gelilah
See
ed'.
unfold
gala/, 'he rolled,
Melampyrum, n., a genus of plants, the cowwords there referred to.
wheat (bot.) - ModL ., fr. Gk. [J.EAci[L1tUflO'I,
megilp, also magilp, megilph, n., a mixtur e of
'black wheat ', fr. [LA~~. gen. [LEAcx\lo~, 'black ',
wn
unkno
Of
h.
linseed oil and mastic varnis
and 1ti:ip6~, 'wheat '. See melano- and pyrene.
origin.
, form ofmela no- before a vowel.
meland
ounde
Comp
ohms.
megohm, n., one million
holia, n.- Late L. See melancholy.
melanc
of meg- and ohm.
melancholiac, n., one who suffers from melanmegrim, n., hemic rania, migraine. - ME. micholia. -Form ed fr. melancholia with suff. -ac.
fr.
ne,
migrai
F.)
grene, migreine fr. OF. ( =
melancholic, adj., pertain ing to, or charac terized
Late L. hemicrania. See migraine, hemicrania.
by, melancholy. - ME. melancolik, fr. MF.
fr.
,
mehtar
Hind.
.mehta r, n., a sweeper, groom
holic us,
( = F.) melancolique, fr. Late L. melanc
'a
e
Pers. mihtar, 'prince ', lit. 'greate r', whenc
next
See
xoA(iX.
[LEAtxy
fr.
~,
yzoALX6
fr. Gk. (LE:Atx
great officer', later ironica lly applie d to a
-ic.
and
word
is
mihtar
sweeper and to a stable boy. Pers.
Deriva tive: melancholic-al-ly, adv.
compa r. of mih, 'great' , which is rei. to Avestic
holy, n.- ME. melancolie, fr. OF. melanmelanc
-,
mazah
meh,
.
MPers
maz-, mazant- 'great' , fr.
melancolie), fr. Late L. melancholia, fr.
(F.
colie
,
'greatn ess', 01. mah-, maha-, mahat-, 'great'
Gk. fLEAIXYXOAliX, 'atrabi liousn ess', lit. 'black
and cogn. with Gk. [J.Eycx~, L. magnus, 'great' .
bile', fr. [LtA~<;, gen. [LEAIX'IO<;, 'black ', and xoAYj,
See magnum and cp. matran ee.
'bile'. See melano- and choler.
meinie, meiny, n., househ old; retinue. - OF.
Deriva tive: melancholy, adj.
of
ace.
nem,
maisnie, mesnie, fr. L. mansio
Melanesia, n., a group of islands in the Pacific,
habita
g,
dwellin
ing,
remain
,
staying
'a
,
mansio
extending from the Admir alty to the Fiji Istion'. See mansion and cp. menial.
lands. -Com pound ed ofmela n- and Gk. 'l'ijclO~,
(minemeionite, n., a calcium alumin um silicate
'island ', which is pro b. rel. to '11)-x.e:w, 'to swim',
ral.) -F. mt!ionite, formed with subst. suff. -ite
fr. I.-E. base *sna-, 'to flow'. See Indonesia and
called
so
s);
fr. Gk. [J.dw\1, 'small er' (see meiosi
cp. words there referre d to.
because thepyr amids ofits crystals are lower than
Derivatives: Melanesi-an, adj. and n.
anite.
vesuvi
the
of
s
the pyram ids of the crystal
e, also melange, n., a mixtur e; medl ey.melang
meiosis, n., I) litotes (rhet.); 2) the process by
F. melange, fr. meier, 'to mix, mingle', fr. OF.
which the numbe r of chrom osome s is reduce d
mes/er. See meddle.
Gk.
from the diploid to the haploi d (bioi.)
c, adj., charac terized by melani sm or
melani
fr.
',
lessen
'to
,
[J.E:~ou\1
fr.
ing',
lessen
[J.dwcn~, 'a
sis. - Forme d with suff. -ic fr. Gk. [LZ
melano
'to
*mei-,
base
[J.dw\1, 'lesser, less', fr. I.-E.
[J.EAIX'IO<;, 'black '. See melano-.
gen.
Aii~,
lessen, dimini sh'. See minimum and -osis and cp.
a black pigme nt found in the hair,
n.,
n,
melani
to.
d
mio- and words there referre
anima ls (bioch em.)- Forme d with
of
etc.
skin,
r
meistersinger, n.- G. Meistersinger, lit. 'maste
chem. suff. -in fr. Gk. [LtA~~. gen. fLEAtxvo~,
singer ', fr. Meister, 'maste r', and Singer, 'sing'black' . See melano-.
and
sing
,
er', fr. singen, 'to sing'. See master
sm, n., abnorm al develo pment of dark
melani
inger.
minnes
cp.
and
-er
agenti al suff.
nt in the skin, hair, eyes, etc. (phys iol.)pigme
Mekbi lta, n. - See Meclu lta.
d with suff. -ism fr. Gk. [J.eAiX~, gen.
Forme
mekometer, n., a range finder. - Comp ounde d
'black '. See melano-.
o~,
[J.EAIX\I
re'.
'measu
'l,
[J.e-rpo
and
of Gk. [J.'ijXo~, 'length ',
a black variety of garnet (mineral.)
n.,
te
melani
See meco- and meter, 'poetic al rhythm '.
-G. Aielanit, coined by the Germa n geologist
mel, n., honey (pharm.) - L., cogn. with Hitt.
and minera logist A. Werne r (1750-1817) in
Arm.
',
milit, 'honey ', milittu, miliddu, 'sweet
1807 fr. Gk. [J.tAiX~, gen. [LiAcxvo~, 'black ', and
melr, gen. melu, 'honey ', Gk. [J.EAI, 'honey ',
-it, which goes back to Gk. -f-rr,~. See melasuff.
'bee',
rlcx),
tJ.EALcrclcx, Att. tJ.eA~-r-rtx (for *tJ.EALsubst. suff. -ite.
and
nolit. 'honey fly', ~Ah-rw (for *tJ.).l't'\W ), 'I cut out
a ;owe! melan-, cnmhi ning form
before
-,
mdano
',
noney
,
miai'te
mjal',
the comb of bees', Alb.
'. - Gk. [J.EAIX\IO-, [J.E:Ax'l-, fr.
'black
ng
meani
mel,
.
Olr. mil, 'honey ', Ir. milis, 'sweet ', WBret
IX, neut. [LE).IX\1 (gen. [J.iAtx'IO<;,
[LEAXW
fern.
[J.EA~~.
'honey ', Goth. milijJ, 'honey ', OE. mi/deaw,
[LAx\lo<; ), 'black ', fr. I.-E. base
1]<;,
[LE:Acd\1
resp.
,
sweet'
ed,
'honey
'honey dew, nectar ', milisc,
*mel-, 'dark, soiled, dirty', whence also OI.
OHG. milsken, 'to sweete n'. See mlldew and cp.
malinti(l, 'dirty, stained , black', Lith. melynas,
melUferous, mellifluent. Cp. also meliceris, meli'blue', Lett. m(Tns, 'black ', mi!{s, 'dark blue',
el,
caram
mulse,
es,
lite, melilot, Meliss a, molass
s. melne, 'a blue spot', L.mull eus,'re ddish',
OPrus
hydromel, oenomel.

Alb. mel-ell, 'elm', Gk. [LUAAO<; (whence L.

mullus), 'red mullet '. See mullet, 'a fish', and cp.
the first elemen t in melancholy and the second
elemen t in Chaemomeles, Corimelaena, Hama melis.
Melan ochroi , n. pl., memb ers of the Cauca sian
race having black hair and pale complexion. ModL ., lit. 'black and pale', compo unded of
melan- and Gk. ooxp6<;, 'pale'. See ocher and cp.
Xantochroi.
Deriva tives: melanochro-ic, adj., melanochroid
(q.v.), melanochro-ism, n.
Commelanochroid, adj., melano chroic . pound ed of prec. word and Gk. -oe:L81j~, 'like',
fr. e:!Bo~, 'form, shape' . See -oid.
melanoma, n., a tumor contai ning melan in (med.)
- Medical L., formed fr. melan- and suff. -oma.
melanosis, n., abnorm al deposi tion of melan in in
the tissues of the body (med .)- Medical L., fr.
\Iouv.
Gk.[J.e:Atx'lwcn~, 'a becom ingbla ck',fr. [J.E:ACX
'to becom e black', fr. [LEA~<;. gen. [LEACX\Io~,
'black '. See melano- and -osis.
melanotic, adj., affected with, or of the nature of
'
melanosis. - See prec. word and -otic.
skin.
dark
and
hair
black
having
adj.,
us,
melano
- Forme d with suff. -ous fr. Gk. [J.EAiX~, gen.
[J.tAIX\Io~, 'black' . See melano-.
Melanthium, n., a genus ofplan ts (bot.) - ModL .,
lit. 'black flower', fr. melan- and Gk. &\l&o~,
'flowe r'; see anther.
Melchior, masc. PN. -Lit. 'king of light', compound ed of Heb. melekh, 'king', and or, 'light'.
For the first elemen t see Mame luke and cp.
malik, for the second see Urim.
Melchizedek, name of a priest-king, contem porary of the patriar ch Abram (Bible). - Heb.
Malki-tzedeq, lit. 'king of righteo usness '. For
the first element see Mame luke and cp. prec.
word. The second elemen t is rei. to Heb.
tzaddq, 'he was eighte ous', tzaddlq, 'just, righteous'. See tzaddik.
meld, tr. and intr. v., in pinoch le, to annou nce
for a score. - G. me/den, 'to annou nce', fr.
MHG. me/den, 'to betray , report ', fr. OHG.
me/don, of s.m., which is rei. to OS. me/don, of
s.m., OE. me/dian, 'to declare, tell, display, proclaim, OE. meld, 'procla mation ', Du. me/den,
'to report ; to mentio n', and perhap s cogn. with
Lith. meldtiu, melsti, 'to request, pray', Arm.
malt'em. 'I beg, reques t', Hitt. maid-, 'to tell,
pray'.
Derivative: meld, n., the act of melding.
meld, tr. and intr. v., to blend. - A blend of
melt and weld.
meldometer, n., an instrum ent for measu ring
melting poim s.- Compo umlt!u of Gk. [LEAoe:~v,
'to melt', and [J.E:-rpo'l, 'measu re'. See meal
'edible grain', and meter, 'poetic al rhythm '. '
Melea gris, n., the genus of turkey s (ornithol.) ModL ., fr. L. meleagris, 'guine a hen', fr. Gk.
. It is
[J.e:Aecxyp~, which is of uncert ain origin
1ga, 'bird', Afgha n
mlr
c
Avesti
with
perh. cogn.

morya, of s.m. The Greek word was prob. influenced in form by the name of the Greek hero
Me:Mcxypot;, Meleagrus, son of Oeneus, king of
Calydo n.
melee, ml!lee, n., conflict, fray, skirmish. - F.
meltfe, prop. fern. pp. of miter, 'to mix, mingle'.
See medley and cp. melange.
meli-, combi ning form meani ng 'honey '. - Gk.
[LEA~-. fr. [J.EA~, gen. [J.EAL-ro~, 'honey ', which
is cogn. with L. mel, gen. mel/is, 'honey '. See
mel.
Melia, n., a genus of trees (bot.) - ModL ., fr.
Gk. [LEA[~, 'ash tree', which is of unkno wn
origin.
Melianthaceae, n. pl., a family of S. Africa n
plants (bot. )- ModL ., formed from next word
with suff. -aceae.
Melianthus, n., a genus of S. Africa n plants (bot.)
- ModL ., compo unded of Gk. [J.EAL, 'honey ',
and &v&ot;, 'flowe r'. See meli- and anther .
meHc, adj., pertain ing to song. - Gk. [J.EALK6~,
'of a song', fr. [LtAo~, 'limb, joint; part of musical phrase ; song, tunc', which is perh. cogn.
with Bret. mel!, Co. mal, 'knuck le, joint', W.
cym-mal, 'joint', and with Toch. A miilk-, 'to
join, unite'. Cp. the first elemen t in melisma,
melodrama, melody, and the second elemen t in
philomel, dulcimer. For the ending see adj. suff.
-ic. For the sense develo pment of Gk. fLEAO<;
cp. lr. alt, 'limb; poem' .
Melica, n., a genus of grasses (bot. )- ModL ., fr.
It. melica, meliga, melga, 'sorgh um', which
prob. comes fr. ML. milica, a derivative of L.
milium, 'millet '. Sec millet.
Melicent, fern. PN.- See Milicent.
meliceris, also melicera, n., a kind of tumor (med.)
- L. meliceris, fr. Gk. [J.EA~X'Y)pt~, 'a tumor
lookin g like honey comb' , compo unded of [J.EAI,
'honey ', and Xl]p6~. 'beesw ax'. See meli- and
cere.
meliJot, n., a kind of clover. - ME. me/lilot, fr.
MF. ( = F.) melilot, fr. L. melilotos, 'a kind of
~lover', fr. Gk. [J.e:AAw-ro~, fLE:AtAw-ro\1, which
).w-r6~
IS compo unded of [J.EAI, 'honey ', and
'
lotus.
and
meHSee
.
'lotus'
Melilotus, n., a genus of plants, the sweet clover
(bot.) - L. melilotos. See melilot.
melinite, n., a high explosive contai ning chiefly
picric acid. - F. melinite, formed with subst.
suff. -ite. fr. Gk. [J.l]AI\16~. 'pertai ning to an
apple' , fr. fL'ijAo\1, 'apple '. See Malus , 'the genus
of apple trees', and cp. the second elemen t in
marmalade and in camomile.
meliorability, n., the capabi lity of being improv ed.- Coined by the English philos opher Jeremy
Bt!mham (l748- l832) fr. L. meliur, 'bt!Hd .
See meliorate and the suffixes -able and -ity.
meliorate, tr. and intr. v. - Late L. me/ioratus,
pp. of meliiirare. 'to make better, impro ve', fr.
mellor, 'better ', prob. with the origin al meani ng
'strong er', fr. I.-E. base *mel-, 'strong , great,
numer ous', whenc e also Gk. [LciAcx, 'very, very

meliorism
melliftuenc:e, n. - Formed from next word with
much, quite', (J.iiMov, 'more, rather' (changed
suff. -ce.
from original *(J.EMOV, under the influence of
melllftuent, adj., mellifluous. - Lit. 'flowing
&ii-r-rov, &iicrcrov, 'quicker, sooner, rather'), (J.ctwith, or as with, honey', fr. L. mel, gen. mel/is,
Atcr-ra:, 'most, most strongly', L. multus (for
'honey', and fluens, gen. -entis, pres. part of
*mltos), 'much', Lett. milns, 'very much'. See
fluere, 'to flow'. See mel and fluent.
multi- and verbal suff. -ate and cp. ameliorate.
Derivatives: mellifluent-ly, adv.
Derivatives: meliorat-ion, n., meliorat-ive, adj.,
mellifluous, adj., flowing with honey; sweetmeliorat-or, n.
sounding. - Late L. mellijluus, 'flowing with,
meliorism, n., the belief that the world tends to
or as with, honey', compounded of L. mel, gen.
become better. - Prob. coined by the English
mel/is, 'honey', and fluere, 'to flow'. See prec.
novelist George Eliot (1819-80) fr. L. melior,
word. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
'better' (see prec. word), and suff. -ism.
-ous.
meliorist, n., one who believes in meliorism. Derivatives: mellifluous-ly, adv., mellifluousFormed with suff. -ist fr. L. melior, 'better'. See
ness, n.
meliorate.
mellow, adj., soft and ripe. - ME. me/we, melDerivative: meliorist-ic, adj.
owe, 'ripe, mature', prob. fr. OE. melu, 'meal,
Melipona, n., a genus of honeybees of South
flour'. See meal, 'edible grain'.
America (zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of
Derivatives: mellow, tr. and intr. v., mellow-ly,
meli- and Gk. n:ove:rv, 'to toil, work hard'. For
adv., mellow-ness, n., mellow-y, adj.
the first element see meli-. The second element
melodeon, n., 1) a kind of reed organ; 2) a kind of
derives fr. n:6vo~, 'toil, labor', which stands in
accordion (mus.)- Coined fr. Late L. mel6dia.
gradational relationship to n:ev7J~, 'poor', n:e:See melody.
v(Ci., 'poverty', n:eve:cr&a:t, 'to work for one's
melodic, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
living, to toil, labor'. Cp. Ponera and the second
melody. - Late L. melodicus, fr. Gk. lJ.<:Ac:>element in geoponic, leucopenia.
3tx6~, fr. tJ.e:l-cr3(Ci.. See melody and -ic.
ornamentation
vocal
tune,
melody,
n.,
meUsma,
adj., 1) full of melody; 2) pleasant to
melodious,
(mus.) - ModL., fr. Gk. (J.EAtcr(J.a:, gen. (J.EALthe ear.- ME., fr. MF. me/odie us (F. me/adieux),
cr(J.a:-ro~, 'song', fr. (J.tAo~, 'song, tune'. See melle.
fr. me/odie (F. me/odie).- See melody and -ous.
For the ending see suff. -rna.
Derivatives: melodious-ly, adv., melodious-ness,
Derivative: melism-atic, adj.
n.
Melissa, n., name of a genus of mints (bot.)
melodist, n., a composer or singer of melodies. ModL., fr. Gk. (J.t!-tcrcra:, Att. (J.EAtTia: (for *(J.Formed fr. melody with suff. -ist.
1-t-r~a:), 'bee', prop. 'honey fly', fr. (J.EAL, gen. (J.EALtr. v., to render melodious; intr. v., to
melodize,
-ro~, 'honey', which is cogn. with L. mel, gen.
compose melodies. - Formed fr. melody with
me/lis, 'honey' (see mel); so called in allusion to
suff. -ize.
the abundant honey yielded by the flowers.
melodrama, n., 1) orig. a play with interspersed
Melissa, fern. PN.- L., lit. 'bee', fr. Gk. (J.tsongs; 2) now, a romantic and sensational
Atcrcra:. See prec word.
drama.- F. melodrame, fr. Gk. tJ.EAo~, 'song',
Melkartb, Melcarth, n., name of the chief divinity
and 3piif.Let., gen. 3p&tJ.a:-ro~, 'drama'. See melic
of Tyre. - Contraction of Phoen. melekh qart,
and drama.
'king of the city'. Phoen. melekh, 'king', is rel.
Derivatives: meiodramat-ic, adj., melodramat-icto Heb. melekh, 'king'; see Mameluke and cp.
al-ly, adv., melodramat-ist, n., melodramat-ize,
the first element in Melchior, Melchizedek.
tr. v.
Phoen. qart, 'town, city', is rel. to Heb. qiry&h,
melody, n.- ME. me/odie, fr. OF. me/odie (F.
qereth, of s.m., Aram. qiry&", qiryd, 'town,
me/odie), fr. Late L. mel6dia, fr. Gk. tJ.e:!-cr3(Ci.,
village', Arab. qarya", 'village, town', of s.m.
'chant, choral song', which is compounded of
Heb. qiry&", etc., prob. meant orig. 'meeting
f.LEAo~, 'song', and <j>31), 'song'. See melle and
place', and derive fr. Heb. qar&", 'he met, enode.
countered', resp. from its corresponding equivDerivative: melody, v.
alents. Cp. Phoen. Qart/:ladasht (whence Gk.
Melolonthinae, n. pl., a subfamily of beetles inKa:px:ll3wv, L. Karthiigo, Carthtigo), 'Carthage',
cluding the cockchafers (entomol.) - ModL.,
lit. 'Newtown'.
formed with suff. -inae fr. Gk. wr,:Ao!-6v-ln],
mell, tr. and intr. v., to mix; to meddle (obsol.
'cockchafer', which is of uncertain origin.
and dial.)- ME. mellen, fr. OF. meller, mesler,
melon,n.-Late ME. meloun, fr. MF. (=F.) melon,
'to mix. minele'. See meddle.
fr. L. melonem, ace. of melu, Cr. Gk. p:r,i,v;;b:w;,
melli-, c~mbi~ng form meaning 'honey'. - L.
'melon', lit. 'apple-shaped ripe fruit', fr. tJ.'ij:A.ov,
'honey'
mel/is,
gen.
mel,
of
stem
the
melli-, from
'apple', and l':ET:(>)\1, 'ripe'. Cp. It. me/lone, Sp.
See mel.
melon, 'melon', which are of the same origin.
melliferous, adj., producing honey. - ComMalus, 'the genus of apple trees', and iJepsin.
See
pounded of L. mel, gen. mel/is, 'honey', and the
Melothria, n., a genus of vines (bot.) - ModL.,
stem of terre, 'to bear, carry'. See melli- and
fr. Gk. (J.i)A(,)&pov, a kind of white vine.
-ferous.

Melpomene, n., the Muse of tragedy (Gret!k

mythol.) - L., fr. Gk. M&A7tO(J.~, lit. 'songstress', fr. (J.EAn:ew, tJ.EAn:ea&a:L, 'to sing', which
is of uncertain origin.
melt, intr. v., to become liquid; dissolve; tr. v., to
cause to melt. - ME. me/ten, fr. OE. me/tan
(intr. v.), mieltan (tr. v.), rel. to ON. melta, 'to
digest', fr. I.-E. base *meld-, whence also Gk.
tJ.A3Et'l, 'to melt', L. molfis (for *moldwis), 'soft,
mild'. See mollify.
Derivatives: melt-er, n., melt-ing, n., melt-ing-ly,
adv., melt-ing-ness, n.
melt, n., molten metal.- Fr. melt, v.
melton, n., smooth woolen cloth. - From Melton Mowbray, in Leicestershire (England), a
famous hunting center.
Derivative: me/ton, adj.
mem, n., name of the 13th letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. - Heb mem, contraction of mayim,
'water', which is rel. to Aram. mayy&, mayyfn,
Arab. mii', Akkad. mii, 'water'; so called in allusion to the ancient form of this letter Cp. mimmation.
member, n.- ME. membre, fr. OF. ( = F.) membre, fr. L. membrum, 'limb, member, part',
which stands for *mems-rom and is cogn. with
01. miiTflSUTfl, 'flesh', Toch. B. misa (pl.), Arm.
mis (gen. msoy), 'flesh', Gk. f.L1Jp6~ (for *memsro- or *mes-ro-), 'thigh' (lit. 'fleshy part'), Alb.
mif, 'flesh', Goth. mims, OSlav. mf!so, OPruss.
mensa, Lett. mlesa, 'flesh', Olr. mir (for memsro-, *mes-ro-), 'piece, bit', and prob. also with
Gk. tJ.'ijvty!; (for *memsninx, *mesninx), 'membrane'. Cp. membrane, dismember, menblx.
Derivatives: member-ed, adj., member-less, adj.,
member-ship, n.
membranaceous, adj., membranous. - Late L.
membriinaceus, fr. L. membrana. See next word
and -aceous.
membrane, n. - L. membrana, 'fine skin, membrane, parchment', fr. membrum; see member.
The orig. meaning of L. membriina was 'that
which covers the members (or a member) of the
body'.
membranous, adj.- F. membraneux (fern. membraneuse), fr. membrane, fr. L. membriina. See
prec. word and -ous.
membranula, membranule, n., a little membrane.
- L. membriinula, dimin. of membrana. See
membrane and -ule.
memento, n., something serving as a reminder.L. memento, 'remember', imper. of meminisse,
'to remember', which is cogn. with Gk. fLEf.LOVa:,
'I am very eager, I purpose, intend', fr. I.-E.
base *men-, 'to think, to have one's mind aroused', whence also L. mens, 'mind, understanding, reason', Goth. muns, 'thought, mind', OE.
gemynd, 'memory'. See mind and cp. words
there referred to.
Memnon, n., an Ethiopian king slain by Achilles
in the Trojan war (Greek mythol.) - L. Memn6n, fr. Gk. Mt(J.V(>)V, a word of uncertain ety-

mology. It possibly stands for *Me8(.J.roV and lit.

means 'ruler', fr. tJ.E3rov, which is prop. the
pres. part. of the ancient verb tJ.E3etv, 'to protect, rule over', hence is of the same origin as the
second element in the name 'Aya:[.Ltf.L\IW'I. See
Agamemnon.
memo, n. - Short for memorandum.
Derivative: memo, tr. v., to make a memorandum of.
memoir, n., biography, biographical notice. -F.
memoire, orig. 'something written to be kept in
mind', masc., derived fr. memoire, fern., 'memory', fr. L. memoria. See memory.
memorabilia, n. pl., things worth remembering.
- L. memorabilia, neut. pl. of memorabilis. See
next word.
memorable, adj.- ME., fr. L. memorabilis, 'memorable, remarkable, worthy to be remembered', fr. memoriire, 'to call to mind', fr. memor.
See memory and -able.
Derivatives: memorable-ness, n., memorabl-y,
adv.
memorandmn, n. - L., 'something to be remembered', gerundive of memoriire. See prec. word.
For other Latin gerundives used in English cp.
agenda and words there referred to.
memorial, adj. - ME., fr. OF. memorial (F.
memoria{), fr. L. memoria/is, 'of memory', fr.
memoria. See memory and adj. suff. -al.
memorial, n. - Subst. use of prec. word. Cp. L.
memoriiile, 'a memorial', prop. neut. of the adj.
memoriiilis.
Derivatives: memorial-ist, n., memorial-ize, tr. v.
memorize, tr. v., to commit to memory.
Formed fr. memory with suff. -ize.
Derivative: memoriz-ation, n.
memory, n.- ME. memorie, fr. OF. memorie (F.
memoire), fr. L. memoria, 'memory', fr. memor,
'mindful', which stands for *me-mor and derives fr. I.-E. *mer-(s)mer-, reduplication of
base *(s)mer-, 'to care for, be anxious about,
think, consider, remember'. From the reduplicated base derive also Avestic mimara-, 'mindful', OE. gemimor, 'known', miimrian, 'to plot,
design', Du. mijmeren, 'to ponder'. Cp.-with
full reduplication of base mer-Gk. tJ.EplJ.e:po~,
'causing anxiety, mischievous, baneful', fLtptllJPO: (poet.), 'care, trouble', tJ.<:ptJ.a:Epe:tv, (J.<:ptllJP[~e:tv, 'to be anxious, to ponder', Arm. mormok' (for mermero- or *mormoro-), 'regret,
grief'. The simple base *(s)mer- appears in 01.
smtirati, Avestic maraiti, 'remembers', Gk. tJ.EpLf.L'IO:, 'care, thought', tJ.EPLtJ.'Iiiv, 'to care for, be
anxious', Serbo-Croat mariti, 'to care for',
Goth. maurnan, OE. murnan, 'to be anxious
for, Y.</. marrh, 'sadness, anl(iety, and possibly
also in L. mora, 'hesitation, delay', Olr. maraim,
'I remain'. Cp. memoir, commemorate, remember. Cp. also martyr, mourn, smriti. Cp. also
moratory.
mem-sahib, n., a word by which Indian speakers
address a European woman. - Hind. mem-

men

fr. mem, 'woman, lady' (fr. E. ma'am),

and Arab. ~abib, 'master'. See ma'am and sahib.
men, n. - Pl. of man.
-men, L. sutf. used to form neuter nouns. - Fr.
I.-E. *-mq, whence also the Greek sutf. fLO(.
See -m, -ma, -ment.
menace, n. - ME. manace, fr. OF. manace,
menace (F. menace), fr. VL. miniicia (occurring
already in Plautus), 'threat, menace', fr. L.
miniix, gen. miniicis, 'projecting; threatening',
fr. miniiri, 'to threaten'. Cp. It. minaccia, Sp.
amenaza, 'threat', which, also derive fr. VL. miniicia. See minatory and cp. amenable, demeanor,
imminent, manada, promenade.
menace, tr. and intr. v.- ME. menacen, fr. OF.
manacer, menacer (F. menacer), fr. VL. *miniiciiire, 'to threaten', fr. miniicia. See menace, n.
Derivatives: menac-er, n., menac-ing, adj.,
menac-ing-ly, adv.
menage, menage, n., 1) household; 2) management of a household.- F. menage, fr. OF. maisnage, mesnage, fr. VL. miinsioniiticum, lit. 'that
which pertains to the house', fr. L. miinsio,
gen. miinsionis, 'a staying, remaining, night
quarters, station, place of abode, halting place',
fr. manere, 'to stay, remain' (in VL., 'to dwell').
See remain and -age and cp. manor, manse,
mansion, messuage.
menagerie, n., collection of wild animals kept in
captivity. - F. menagerie, formed fr. menage
with sutf. -erie. See prec. word and -ery.
Derivative: menagerist, n.
Menaspis, n., an extinct genus of sharks (paleontol.) - ModL., compounded of Gk. f.l~Vlj,
'moon', and cicr7tc;, 'shield'; so called in allusion to the crescentlike shape. See meno-,
'month', and aspidium.
mend, tr. and intr. v. - Aphetic for amend (q.v.)
Derivatives: mend, n., mend-er, n., mend-ing, n.,
mend-able,adj.
mendacious, adj., lying, untruthful. - Fr. L.
mendax, gen. -iicis, 'lying, false, mendacious',
orig. meaning 'faulty', which is rel. to mendum,
menda, 'defect, blemish, fault'; see amend and
-acious and cp. mendicant. The sense development of L. mendiix was influenced by mentior,
mentiri, 'to speak falsely, lie, deceive', with
which it has nothing in common.
Derivatives: mendacious-ly, adv., mendacious
ness, n.
mendacity, n. - Late L. mendiicitiis, 'falsehood,
mendacity', fr. L. mendiix, gen. -iicis. See mendacious and -ity.
mendelevium, n., a radioactive element, produced
csp. by bomb~rdment 0f e!n~teinium {rhPm.)ModL., named after the Russian chemist Dmitri Ivanovich Mende/eev (1834-1907). For the
ending see chem. suff. -ium.
Mendelian, adj., pertaining to the Austrian biologist Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-84) or his
laws of heredity.
Mendelianism, Mendelism. n., the laws of hered~iibib,

III'I;IIILAI

'lb'l.

ity enunciated by Gregor Johann Mendel. See prec. word and -ism.
mendicancy, n. - Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
mendicant, n., a beggar. - L. mendiciins, gen.
-antis, pres. part. of mendiciire, 'to beg', fr.
mendicus, 'beggar', prop. 'an infirm, wretched,
miserable person', fr. mendum, 'blemish, fault'.
See mendacious and -ant and cp. maund, 'to
beg'.
mendicity, n., state of being a beggar. - ME.
mendicite, fr. OF. ( = F) mendicite, fr. L. mendicitiitem, ace. of mendicitiis, 'beggary, mendicity', fr. mendicus. See prec. word and -ity.
meneghinite, n., a lead antimony sulfide (mineral.) - Named after the Italian mineralogist
Giuseppe Meneghini (1811-89). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Menelaus, n., a king of Sparta, brother of Agamemnon and husband of Helen (Greek my tho/.)
- L., fr. Gk. Me:vfl.iioc;, lit. 'resisting the
people', fr. (Leve:~v, 'to stay, abide, remain', and
:A616c;, 'people'. See meno-, 'remaining', and lay,
'pertaining to the laity'.
menhaden, n., a kind of large herring used as fertilizer. - Corruption of Narragansett Indian
munnawhatteaug, 'menhaden', fr. munnawhat,
'fertilizer'.
menhir, n., an upright monumental stone (archaeol.)- F., lit. 'a long stone', fr. Bret. maen, men,
'stone', and hir, 'long'. Bret. maen, men is rei. to
W. maen, Co. men, 'stone'; cp. the second element in dolmen. Bret. hir is rei. to Olr. sir, 'long,
everlasting', and cogn. with L. serus, 'late'; see
serotine and cp. since.
menial, adj., fit for servants; domestic; servile; n.,
a domestic servant. - Orig. 'pertaining to the
household', fr. ME. meynal, fr. AF. menial,
meignal, fr. meinie, 'household', which corresponds to OF. mesnie, fr. VL. *miinsioniita, fr.
L. miinsionem. See mansion and cp. meinie,
menage.
Derivative: menial-ly, adv.
mening-, form of meningo- before a vowel.
meninges, n. pl., the three membranes enveloping the brain and spinal cord (anat.) - Medical L., pl. of meninx, fr. Gk. f.lT.v~y~, 'membrane'. See meninx.
meningitis, n., inflammation of the meninges
(med.)- Medical L., formed with sutf. -itis fr.
Gk. (L'i)v~y;, gen. [L~V~yyoc;, 'membrane'. See
meninx.
Derivative: meningit-ic, adj.
meningo-, before a vowel mening-, combining
form meaning 'pertaining to the meninges,
meningeal'. - Gk. f.lll"~YI'o-, fL'Ij"~yy-, fr. (L'i)v~y!;, gen. f.l~V~yyoc;, 'membrane'. See meninx.
meningocele, n., tumor on the brain (med.) Compounded of meningo- and Gk. z~),-lj, 'tumor, swelling'. See -cele.
meninx. n., one of the three membranes enveloping the brain and spinal cord (anat.)- Med-

ical L., fr. Gk. (L'i)v~y!;, 'membrane', which

prob. stands for *memsninx, *mesninx, and is
rei. to Gk. fLl)p6c;; (for *mems-ro- or *mes-ro-),
'thigh', and cogn. with L. membrum (for *memsrom), 'member'. See member and cp. myringa.
Derivatives: meninge-al, adj., mening-ism. n.,
meningitis (q.v.)
meniscus, n., a crescent.- ModL., fr. Gk. f.l'I)V[mwc;, 'lunar crescent', dimin. of [L~Vlj, 'moon',
which is rei. to [L~V, 'month'. See meno-,
'month'.
Derivatives: menisc-al, menisc-ate, adjs.
menispermaceae, n. pl., a family of plants, the
moonseed family (bot.) - ModL., formed fr.
Menispermum with suff. -aceae.
menispermaceous, adj. - See prec. word and
-aceous.
Menispermum, n., a genus of plants, the moonseed (bot.) - ModL., lit. 'moonseed', fr. Gk.
fL~VlJ, 'moon', which is rei. to f.l~V, 'month'. and
<J7t~p(LO(, 'seed'. See meno-, 'month', and sperm.
meno-, combining form meaning 'month'.- Gk.
fL1JVO-, fr. f.l~V, gen. f.ll)V6c;, 'month', which is
rei. to f.l~V'I), 'moon'. See moon and cp. meniscus, catamenia, emmenic, neomenia.
meno-, combining form meaning 'remaining',
as in Menobranchus (zoot.)- Fr. Gk. (Leve:~v, 'to
remain', which is cogn. with L. manere, 'to remain'. See mansion and cp. the first element in
Menelaus.
Menobrancbus, n., a genus of amphibians having
a broad tail and large external gills; called also
Necturus (zoo/.) - ModL., compounded of
meno-, 'remaining', and ~p&n~O( (pl.) 'gills'.
See branchia.
menology, n., a calendar of the months.- ModL
menologium, fr. Late Gk. !J.1JVoA6y~ov, which is
compounded of Gk. f.l~" gen. (Lljv6c;, 'month',
and ).6yoc;;, 'word, speech, discourse, account'.
See meno-, 'month', and -logy.
menopause, n., period of life during which menstruation ceases. - Compounded of meno-,
'month', and Gk. mxi:iaLc;, 'a stopping, ceasing',
fr. mxue:~v, 'to cause to cease'. See pause.
Derivative: menopaus-al, adj.
Menorah, n., the seven-branched candelabrum in
the Tabernacle and in the Temple of Jerusalem.
- Heb. menor&h, 'candlestick', from stem n-w-r,
'to give light, shine', whence also ner, 'lamp'; rei.
to Aram.-Syr. nur, 'fire', Arab. ndra, 'shone',
nur, 'light', niir, 'fire', Aram. menartd, 'candlestick', Arab. mamird', 'candlestick; lighthouse;
tower of a mosque', Akkad. nuru, 'light', nawiiru, namaru, 'to give light, shine'. Cp. the second
element in Abner. Cp. also minaret and the last
element in Koh-i-noor.
menorrhagia, n., excessive menstruation (med.)
-Medical L., compounded ofmeno-, 'month',
and Gk. -ppO(y[61, 'a bursting forth', from the
stem of pl)yvOvO(~, 'to burst forth'. See -rrbagia.
mensa!, adj., pertaining to, or used at, the table.
-Late L. mensiilis, fr. L. mensa, 'table', which

is prob. identical with mensa, fern. pp. of metiri,

'to measure', and short for tabula mensa, 'a
measured board'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm',
and adj. suff. -al and cp. commensal. Cp. also
mesa.
mensa!, adj., monthly.- Fr. L. mensis, 'month'.
See next word and adj. suff. -al.
meuses, n., the monthly discharge of blood from
the uterus.- L. menses, 'months', pl. of mensis.
See moon and cp. words there referred to.
Menshevik, menshevik, n., I) orig. (from 1903) a
member of the less radical faction of the Russian
Social Democratic Party; 2) later (since the revolution of Nov. 7, 1917), a member of a group
forming one of the parties opposing the policy
of the Soviet government. - Russ., lit. 'one of
the minority' (i.e. mensheviki), fr. menshe,
'smaller, less'; so called with reference to the
party that fought the more radical faction of the
Bolsheviki, i.e. the 'majority' party (see Bolshevik). Russ. menshe derives fr. I.-E. base *men-,
'to lessen, diminish'. See minimum.
Derivative: Menshevik, menshevik, adj.
menstrual, adj., I) pertaining to the menses; 2)
monthly (astron.) - ME. menstrual/, fr. L.
menstrua/is, 'monthly', fr. menstruus, 'pertaining
to a month, monthly', fr. mensis. See menses.
menstruate, intr. v., to discharge the menses. L. menstruiitus, pp. of menstruiire, 'to menstruate', fr. menstruus. See menstrual and verbal
sutf. -ate.
Derivative: menstruat-ion, n.
menstruous, adj., pertaining to, or having, the
menses.- L. menstruus; see menstrual. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
menstruum, n., a liquid dissolving a solid body
(originally a term of alchemy). - ML., prop.
neut. of L. menstruus, 'monthly'. See menstrual.
mensurable, adj. - Late L. mensuriibilis, 'that
which can be measured', fr. mensuriire, 'to measure', fr. L. mensura. See measure and -able and
cp. measurable.
Derivatives: mensurabil-ity, n., mensurabfe-ness,
n., mensurabl-y, adv.
mensural, adj., 1) pertaining to measure; 2) measurable (mus.)- ML. mensuriilis, 'pertaining to
measure', fr. L. mensura. See measure and adj.
suff. -al.
mensuration, n., the act of measuring. - Late L.
mensuriitio, gen. -onis, 'a measuring', fr. mensiiriitus, pp. of mensuriire, 'to measure', fr. L
mensiira. See measure and -ation.
-ment, sutf. expressing I) verbal action or its result; 2) place of action. - L. -mentum, a secondary form of suff. -men. See -men.
mental, adj., pertaining to the mind. - ME., tr.
MF. ( = F.), fr. Late L. mentalis, 'mental', fr. L.
mens, gen. mentis, 'mind, understanding,
reason', which is cogn. with 01. matib, mcitil;,
'thought, mind', Goth. gamunds, OE. gemynd,
'memory, remembrance'. See mind and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see adj. sutf. -al.

mental
Derivatives: mental-ity, n., mental-ly, adv.
mental, adj., pertaining to the chin (anat. and
zoot.)- F. mental, formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. mentum, 'chin', for I.-E. *m1Jt6m, fr. *mr;tto-,
whence also W. mant, 'jawbone, mouth' (Mir.
mant, 'gums', is a Welsh loan word); lit. 'something projecting' , fr. I.-E. base *men-, 'to project', seen in miniiri, 'to jut out, project', iminere, 'to stand out, project', mons, gen.
mantis, 'mountain '. See mount, 'mountain ', and
cp. mento-, mentonniere.
mentation, n., mental function. - Formed with
suff. -ation fr. L. mens, gen. mentis. See mental,
'pertaining to the mind'.
Mentha, n., a genus of plants, the mint (bot.) L. mentha. See mint, 'an aromatic plant'.
Menthacea e, n. pl., a family of plants, the mint
family; synonym of Lamiaceae (bot.)- ModL.,
formed fr. Mentha with suff. -aceae.
menthaceous, adj. - See prec. word and -aceous.
menthene, n., a hydrocarb on, C 10 H, 8 , obtained
fr. menthol (chem). - Formed fr. menth(ol)
with suff. -ene.
menthol, n., a white crystalline substance,
C 10 H 19 0H, obtained from oil of .peppermin t
(chem.}- Coined by Oppenheim m 1861 (see
Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie , CXX,
352) fr. L. mentha (see Mentha} and suff. -ol (fr.
L. oleum, 'oil').
menti-, combining form denoting the mind. -Fr.
L. mens, gen. mentis. See mental, 'pertaining to
the mind'.
mention, n. - ME. mencioun, fr. OF ( = F.)
mention, fr. L. mentionem, ace. of mentio, 'a
speaking of, a calling to mind', fr. mens, gen.
mentis. See mental, 'pertaining to the mind', and

menu, n., 1} a detailed list of food; 2) bill of fare;

3) the food served. - F.; fr. the adj. menu,
'small, detailed', fr. L. mirriitus, 'small', lit. 'made
smaller', pp. of minuere, 'to make smaller, diminish, lessen'. See minute, adj., and cp. minuet
and the first element in miniver.
Menyanthaceae, n. pl., a family of plants (bot.}ModL., formed fr. Menyanthes with suff. -aceae.
menyanthaceous, adj. - See prec. word and

-aceous.
Menyanthes, n., a genus of plants, the buckbean
(bot.)- ModL., irregularly formed fr. Gk. tJ.1Jv,
'month' and &v.&o~, 'flower'. See meno-, 'month',
and anther.
Menziesia, n., a genus of plants of the heath
family (bot.} - ModL., named after the botanist Archibald Menzies (1754-1842}, who
brought the species from the North West Coast
of America. For the ending see lst suff. -ia.
Mephistopheles, n., the name of the evil spirit in
the Faust legend. - G., according to Schroer
(see Faust, ed. 1886, I, 25}, compound ed of Heb.
mephftz, 'destroyer' , and tophll, 'liar' (which is
short for Jophll sheqer, lit. 'falsehood plasterer',
see Job 13: 4}. This etymology is supported by
the fact that the names of devils are in most
cases derived from Hebrew.
Derivatives: Mephistophele-an, Mephistophelian, Mephistophel-ic, Mephistophel-ist-ic, adjs.
mephitic, adj., exhaling poison from the earth; of
poisonous smell. - Late L. mephiticus, fr. L.
mephitis. See mephitis and adj. suff. -ic.
mephitis, n., poisonous exhalation from the earth;
a poisonous smell. - L. mefitis (less correctly
spelled mephitis); of Oscan origin.
mercantile, adj., commerc ial.- F., fr. It. mercantile, fr. L. merciins, gen. -antis, pres. part. of
-ion.
mercari, 'to trade, traffic, buy, purchase', fr.
mention, tr. v. - F. mentionner, fr. mention. See
merx, gen. mercis, 'merchandi se, wares', which
mention, n.
is of uncertain origin. Cp. market, mart, Mer
Derivatives: mention-able, adj., mention-er, n.
cedes, mercenary, merchandise, merchant, mercy,

mento-, combining form denoting the chin (anat.)

amerce, commerce.
-Fr. L. mentum, 'chin'. See mental, 'pertaining
mercantilism, n., the mercantile system. - F.
to the chin'.
mercantilisme, fr. mercantile. See mercantile and
mentonniere, n., a piece of armor for the protec-ism.
tion of the chin.- F., fr. menton, 'chin', fr. VL.
mercantilist, n., a believer in mercantilism. *mentonem, ace. of *menta, fr. L. mentum
See mercantile and -ist.
(whence It. menta, 'chin'}. See mental, 'permercaptan, n., any of a class of compound s analtaining to the chin'.
ogous to the alcohols and combining readily
Mentor, n., friend and adviser of Odysseus (Greek
with mercury (chem.} - G. Mercaptan, MerL.
mythol.}; hence mentor, a wise adviser.
kaptan, coined by Zeise in 1834 fr. ML. (corpus)
Mentor, fr. Gk. MEv-rwp, lit. 'one who thinks',
mer( curium) captiins, 'striving to seize mercury'.
cogn. with 01. man-tar-, 'one who thinks', L.
For the first element see mercury. L. captans is
mon-i-tor, 'one who admonishe s' (fr. monitus,
part. of captiire, 'to seize; to strive after',
pres.
pp. of monere, 'to advise, warn, admonish'}, fr.
is freq. of capere (pp. captus}, 'to seize'.
which
l.-1::. base "men-, 'lu lhink'. Sec mind and -tor
See captive and cp. captation.
and cp. monitor.
Mercator Gerhardus, Flemish geographe r (1512
mentum, n., the chin (anat.) - L. See mental,
94). - Latinized from his original name Ger'pertaining to the chin'.
hard Kremer (kremer means 'tradesman , dealer',
Mentzelia, n., a genus of plants (bot.)- ModL.,
and was rendered lit. by L. mercator). - Hence
named after the German botanist Christian
Mercator's projection, a method of making
Mentzel (1622-170 I}. For the ending see 1st suff.
maps .

......

mercy, n.- ME. merci, fr. OF. mercit, merci (F.

Mercedes, fern. PN.-Sp. (abbreviati on of Maria
merci), fr. L. mercidem, ace. of mercis, 'hire,
de las Mercedes, 'Mary of mercies'), pl. of mer
reward' (in VL. also 'favor, pity'), fr. merx,
pay,
of
ace.
mercedem,
L.
fr.
grace',
ced, 'mercy,
mercis, 'merchandi se, wares'. It. merce, Sp.
gen.
merces, 'hire, pay, reward'. See next word.
merced, 'favor, grace, mercy', also derive fr. L.
mercenary, adj.- ME. mercenarie, fr. L. mercemercedem. See mercantile and cp. gramercy.
niirius, 'hired, paid', which prob. derives fr.
Derivatives: merci-ful, adj., merci-ful-ly, adv.,
*mercennos, for *mercednos, 'of pay, for hire',
merci-fitl-ness, n., merci-less, adj., merci-less-ly,
fr. merces, gen. -edis, 'hire, pay, reward', fr.
adv., merci-less-ness, n.
suff.
adj.
and
mercantile
merx, gen. mercis. See
mercy seat.- Coined by Tyndale; prop. a loan
-ary and cp. mercy.
translation of Luther's gnadenstuhl, an inexact
Derivatives: mercenary, n., mercenari-ly, adv.,
rendering of Heb. kapp6reth, which lit. means
mercenari-ness, n.
'propitiato ry', fr. kipper, 'he propitiated , expimercer, n., a dealer in textile. - F. mercier,
ated'.
gen.
merx.
L.
fr.
s,
'trader', fr. VL. *merciiiriu
merd, n., dung (obsol.)- F. merde, fr. L merda,
mercis. See mercenary.
'dung', which is of uncertain origin.
mercerize, tr. v., to treat (cotton) with a caustic
mere, n., 1} the sea; 2) a lake (archaic or dial.}alkali. - Formed with suff. -ize from the name
ME. mere, fr. OE. mere, 'sea, lake', rei. to ON.
of the inventor John Mercer (1791-1866}.
marr, OS. meri, 'sea', Du. meer, 'lake', OHG.
n.
Derivative : merceriz-ation,
mari, meri, MHG. mer, G. Meer, 'sea', Goth.
mercery, n., 1) mercers' goods; 2) a mercer's
marei, 'sea', mari-saiws 'lake', and cogn. with
trade or shop - ME. mercerie, fr. OF. ( = F.)
L mare, 'sea', OSlav. morje, 'sea', Lith. miires,
mercerie, fr. mercier. See mercer and -y (repre'sea, Baltic Sea', Olr. muir (fr. OCeltic *mori},
senting F. -ie).
W. mor, 'sea', Gaul. Are-morici, 'people
OF.
Co.,
fr.
ise,
merchandise, n. - ME. marchaund
living near the sea'. Cp. mare, 'sea', maremma,
marcheandise (F. marchandise), fr. OF. marmarine, marram grass, marsh, moor, 'waste
cheant, 'merchant' . See next word and subst.
ground', morass, the first element in meerkat,
suff. -ise.
, Merlin, mermaid, merman, Muriel,
v.
meerschaum
tr.
and
intr.
e,
merchandis
:
Derivative
the second element in cormorant, Pomeranian,
merchant, n. - ME., fr. OF. marcheant (later
rosemary, and the last element in heche-de-mer.
marchant, marchand, F. marchand}, fr. VL.
n., a boundary; a landmark. - ME., fr.
of
mere,
part.
pres.
*merciitantem, ace. of merciitiins,
OE. miere, gemiere, 'boundary ', rei. to ON.
*merciitiire (whence OProvem;. mercadar, 'to
m:eri, landa-m:eri, 'boundary, border land',
trade'), fr. L. merciitus, 'trade, place for trade,
MDu. mire, 'boundary mark, stake', and pro b.
market place', fr. merciiri. See mercantile and
with L. miirus, 'wall'. See mural.
,
cogn.
'merchant'
,
mercadante
Sp.
,
mercatante
It.
-ant.
mere, adj., pure. - ME., fr. L. merus, 'pure, unalso derive fr. VL. *merciitantem.
mixed', orig. prob. 'bright, clear', cogn. with
Derivative: merchant-ry, n.
fr.
en,
0 E. ii-merian, 'to purify', 0 Ir. e-mer, 'not clear',
marchaund
ME.
v.tr.
merchant, intr. and
and prob. also with 01. mariciQ marici, 'ray,
OF. marcheander (F. marchander), fr. marGk. tJ.IXPtJ.<XLp<:Lv, 'to gleam, glimmer', fr.
beam',
n.
merchant,
See
cheant.
I.-E. base *mer-, 'to gleam, glimmer, sparkle'.
Derivative: merchant-able, adj.
See morn and cp. words there referred to.
Mercurialis, n., a genus of plants, the mercury
name
,
Derivative: merely, adv.
Mercuriiilis
(bot.) - L., short for herba
mere!, n., the morris game. - ME. mere/, 'counof a plant mentioned by Pliny, lit. meaning 'beter', fr. OF. mere/, mare/, 'counter quoit' (whence
longing to the god Mercury'. See Mercury.
F. marelle, 'hopscotch '); of uncertain origin.
Mercury, n., I) the god of traders and thieves and
;
morris, 'an old game'.
Cp.
mythology
Roman
in
gods
the
of
the messenger
meretricious, adj., pertaining to a prostitute. identified later with the Greek Hermes; 2)
L. meretricius, 'pertaining to harlots', fr. merename of the smallest planet in the solar system.
dia
trix, gen. -icis, 'harlof,lit . 'one who earns monMercura,

- L. Mercuri us, fr. Etruscan

ey (sci!. by prostitutio n)', fr. mererf (pp. merivinity introduced from Etruria into Rome
tus), 'to earn'. See merit and -ous.
about the end of the sixth century B.C. E. (see
Derivatives: meretricious-ly, adv., meretriciousRibezzo in Rivista indo-greco-italica, 15,99};
ness, n.
prob. not related to L. merx, gen. mercis, 'mermerganser, n., any of several ducks constitutin g
chandise'. Cp. mercury, the element.
~1odL.,
lhe ~ubf.:.mily Mcrgir.<ic (omftho!.)
mercury, n., name of a silvery-while, fiuiJ mebird,
diving
of
kind
a
mergus,
L.
of
ed
Mercury,
after
compound
Named
tallic element (chem.)fr. mergere, 'to dip, immerse, plunge', and anser,
the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology ;
'goose'. See merge and Anser.
prob. so called because of the great mobility of
merge, tr. and intr. v., to combine .- L. mergo,
this element.
mergere, 'to dip, immerse, plunge', which stands
Derivatives: mercuri-al, adj., mercuri-al-ly, adv.,
,adj.
for *mezgt'J (see rhotacism) and is cogn. with 01.
mercur-ous
cur-ic,adj.,
ness,n.,mer
mercuri-al-

merger

mdjjati, 'dives under', majjayati, 'causes to dive

under', Lith. mazgoju, mazgoti, Lett. mazgil}u,
mazgat, 'to wash'. Cp. Mergus. Cp. also demersal, emerge, emergency, emersion, immerge, immerse, immersion, Mergus, submerge, submersion.
Derivatives: merge, n., merg-ence, n., merg-er, n.
merger, n., the absorption of an estate, contract,
etc., in another (law). - Formed on analogy of
OF. infinitives used as nouns. See prec. word
and cp. user.
Merginae, n., subfamily of the mergansers (ornithol.) - ModL., formed with suff. -inae fr. L.
mergus. See next word.
Mergus, n., the typical genus of the mergansers
(ornithol.)- L. mergus, 'diver', fr. mergere. See
merge.
mericarp, n., one of the two carpels forming a
cremocarp (bot.) - F. mericarpe, compounded
of Gk. iJ.epo~, 'part', and xocp7t6~, 'fruit'. See
mero-, 'part', and carpel and cp. cremocarp,
carpophore.
meridian, adj., pertaining to noon; on, or pertaining to, a meridian; n., the highest point attained by a heavenly body; (geogr.) an imaginary circle passing through the poles and any
given point on the earth's surface.- ME. meridien, fr. OF. meridien (F. meridien), fr. L. meridiiinus, 'of midday, of noon, of the south', fr.
meridies, 'midday, noon, south', which was
formed-pro b. under the influence of merus,
'pure' ,-fr. *medei-die, dissimilation of* mediei
die, fr. medius, 'middle', and dies, 'day'. See
media, 'voiced stop consonant', and dies non.
For the ending see suff. -an.
meridional, adj., pertaining to a meridian; southern.- Late ME., fr. OF. meridional (F. meridional), fr. Late L. meridi6ntilis, 'of midday, of
the south', enlarged fr. meridiiilis, of s.m., fr.
meridies, 'midday, noon, south' (see meridian),
on analogy of its antonym septentri6niilis, 'of
the north', fr. septentri6, gen. -6nis, 'north' (see
septentrional. Cp. Arab. shamlf, 'northern', and
janbf, 'southern', shortened fr. shamtilf, resp.
janilbf, on analogy of sharqf 'eastern', and
gharbf, 'western'.
Derivatives: meridiona/-ly, adv., meridional-ity,
n.
meringue, n., whites of eggs mixed with sugar,
baked and browned. - F. meringue, of unknown origin.
Derivative: meringu-ed, adj.
merino, n., a fine-wooled breed of sheep ongt
nating in NW. Africa.- Sp. merino, named after
Benf Jvierfn, a B~rb~t lt.i.be uf N\V. Africa.
merism, n., synecdoche in which a totality is expressed by two contrasting parts, as high and
low, rich and poor (rhet.)- ModL. merismus, fr.
Gk. iJ.Ep1crfi.6~, 'dividing, partition', fr. [Le:pll;e:w,
'to divide', fr. [Lepo~, 'part'. See mero-, 'part',
and -ism and cp. next word. Cp. also allomerism, tautomerism.

966
merismatic, adj., capable of active division (of
cells).- Formed with 1st suff. -atlc fr. ModL.
merisma, fr. Gk. iJ.Eplcr[Loc, 'division', fr. [LE
pll;e:1v, 'to divide', fr. [LEpo~, 'part'. See mero-,
'part'.
meristem, n., cell-tissue growing and capable of
division (bot.) - Fr. Gk. [LE:p1cr't'6~, 'divided',
verbal adj. of [LE:pll;e:w, 'to divide', fr. tJ.Epoc;,
'part'. See mero-, 'part'.
Derivative: meristem-atic, adj.
merit, n.- ME., merite, merit, fr. OF. merite (F.
merite), fr. L. meritum, 'desert, reward, merit',
prop. neut. pp. of merere, mereri, 'to earn, obtain, deserve, merit', fr. I.-E. base *(s)mer-, 'to
allot, assign', whence also Gk. iJ.i:poc;, 'part,
lot', fi.dpoiJ.oc~ (for *iJ.i:p~ofLOCI ), 'I receive my
share', iJ.OLpoc (for *iJ.6p~oc ), 'share, fate', [L6poc;,
'fate, destiny, doom', Hitt. mar-k, 'to divide (a
sacrifice)'. Cp. mero-, 'part', and words there
referred to. Cp. also demerit, emeritus, meretricious.
merit, tr. v.- MF. (=F.) meriter, fr. merite. See
merit, n.
Derivatives: merit-ed, adj., merit-ed-ly, adv.,
merit-er, n.
meritorious, adj. - ME., fr. L. merit6rius, 'that
for which money is paid, that by which money
is earned', fr. meritus, pp. of merere, mererf. See
merit, n., and -orious and cp. demeritorious.
Derivatives: meritorious-ly, adv., meritoriousness, n.
merle, also merl, n., the blackbird. - F. merle, fr.
L. merula, 'blackbird', which stands for *meso/a
(see rhotacism), and is cogn. with OE. 6sle (for
*amsle), 'ouzel'. See amsel, ouzel and cp. Merulius.
merlin, n., a small, strong European falcon (Falco aesalon).- ME. meriloun, fr. AF. merilun, fr.
OF. esmeri/lon (F. imerillon), fr. OF. esmeril, fr.
Frankish *smiril, which is rel. to OHG. smerlo,
smiril, MHG. smirel, smirlin, G. Schmerl,
'merlin', MHG. smerle, smerlinc, G. Schmerle,
'loach' (name of a fish).It. smeriglio, smeriglione,
OProveno;:. esmirle and Sp. esmerejon, 'merlin',
are also Teut. loan words.
Merlin, n., in medieval legend, a Welsh magician
and seer who lived at King Arthur's court. ML. Merlinus, fr. W. Merddin, Myrddin, fr.
OCeltic *Mori-dilnon, a name lit. meaning 'of
the seahill', fr. *mori, 'sea', and *dunom, 'hill'.
See mere, 'sea', and dun, 'hill'.
merion, n., the solid part of a battlement. - F.
merion, fr. It. mer/one, augment. of merlo, mer/a,
'battlement', prob. contraction of mergola, diu1in. formed fr. L. merga!'~ 'R twn~pronged pitchfork', lit. 'that which is used for plucking off',
rei. to merges, 'sheaf', and possibly cogn. with
Gk. <i[Lepyc:~v, 'to gather (fruit, etc.)', OiJ.opyvuvoc~, 'to wipe', and 01. mr;jtiti, 'wipes'.
mermaid, n. - Lit. 'maid of the sea', fr. ME.
meremaid. See mere, 'the sea', and maid.
merman, n.- Lit. 'man of the sea', fr. ME. mere-

967
man. See mere, 'sea', and man and cp. prec.
word.
Mermis, n., name of a genus of worms (zoo/.) ModL., fr. Gk. [Ltp[Li:~, 'cord', which is possibly rei. to (cr)[L~p~v.&oc;, 'thread'.
mero-, before a vowel mer-, combining form
meaning 'part; partial'.- Gk. iJ.E:po-, [LE:p-, fr.
[Lotpo~, 'part, lot', which is cogn. with L. merere,
mereri, 'to earn, obtain, deserve, merit'. See
merit and cp. merism, meristem, isomeric, polymer. Cp. also Moira, morioplasty.
mero-, before a vowel mer-, combining form
meaning 'thigh' (anat.)- Gk. tJ.7)po-, iJ.'I)p,- fr.
iL7JP6<;, 'thigh', which stands for *mems-ro- or
mes-ro- and is cogn. with L. membrum (for
*mems-rom), 'limb, member, part'. See member.
meroblastic, adj., undergoing partial segmentation (embryo/.) - Compounde d of mero-, 'partial', and Gk. ~AOCO''t'o~, 'bud, 'sprout, shoot'.
See -blastic.
meroplankto n, n., plankton found only at certain times of the year. -Compoun ded ofmero-,
'part', and plankton.
Merops, n., the typical genus of bee-eaters (ornithol.) - ModL., fr. Gk. fLSpo~, 'bee-eater',
which is of uncertain origin.
-merous, adj., having a specified number of parts,
as in trimerous, decamerous. - Formed with
suff. -ous fr. Gk. iJ.Spo<;, 'part'. See mero-,
'part'.
Merovingian, adj., pertaining to the first Frankish dynasty in Gaul, founded by Clovis. Formed with suff. -an fr. Late L. Merovingi,
'descendants of Meromeus', Latinized name of
a mythical early king of the Franks.
Derivative: ,"Jerovingian, n.
merry, adj., gay. - ME. merie, murie, fr. OE.
myrge, myrige, myrig, mirig, 'pleasing, delightful, merry', orig. 'that which makes the time
short'; rei. to OHG. murg, murgi, 'short', Goth.
*maurgus, 'short' (only in the compound gamaurgjan, 'to shorten'), and cogn. with Gk. ~poc
z,;c;, L. brel'is, 'short'. See brief, adj., and cp.
brachy-. Cp. also mirth. For the sense development of E. merry (from a base meaning 'short')
cp. G. Kur=weil, 'pastime', lit. 'a short time'.
Derivatives: merri-ly, adv., merri-ment, n.,
merri-ness, n.
merry, n., the wild black cherry. -F. merise, for
*amerise, a blend of amer, 'bitter' (fr. L. amtirus), and cerise, 'cherry' (fr. VL. *ceresia); see
amarine and cherry. The a in *amerise was mistaken for part of the article (l'amerise was misdivided into Ia merise) and was dropped accordingly. The s of F. merise was mistaken for the
plural suffix and so F. merise became merry in
English. Cp. E. cherry (fr. F. cerise).
Mertensia, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.) - ModL., named after the German botanist Franz Karl Mertens (1764-1831).
For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Merulius, n., name of a genus of fungi (bot.) -

~""""-''!'''-

ModL.,lit. 'of the color of the blackbird', fr. L.

meru/a. See merle.
merwinlte, n., a calcium magnesium orthosilicate
(mineral.) - Named after the American geophysicist Dr. Herbert E. Merwin (born in 1878).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
mes-, form of meso- before a vowel.
mesa, n., table land, plateau.- Sp., 'table; table
land, plateau', fr. VL. mesa, 'table' (whence also
Rum. masti, OF. moise, OProveno;:., Port. mesa,
'table'), fr. L. mensa. See mensal, 'pertaining to
the table'.
mesalliance, n., marriage with a person of lower
social position. -F., formed fr. pejorative pref.
mes- (fr. L. mis-) and alliance. See mis- and alliance and cp. misalliance.
mesati-, combining form meaning 'midmost'. Fr. Gk. fi.SO'OC't'o<;, 'midmost', super!. of [LSO'O~,
'middle'. See meso-.
mescal, n., an intoxicating spirit made from pulque, which is prepared from the fermented juice
oftheagave .-Sp. mezcal, fr. Nahuatl mexcalli.
mescaline, n., a crystalline alkaltid (C 11 H 17 0 3N)
(chem.)- Formed fr. mescal with chem. suff.
-ine; so called because it is found in mescal buttons.
mesdames, n., pl. of madame, madam.
mesdemoiselles, n., pl. of mademoiselle.
mesel, adj., leprous; n., a leper (obsol.)- ME., fr.
OF., 'leprous', fr. L. misellus, 'unfortunate ' (in
ML. used also in the sense 'leper'), dimin. of L.
miser; see miser. Cp. Olt. misello, 'sick, leprous',
Rum. mi~el, 'miserable, base, mean', OProvenr;.
mesel, 'leprous', Catal. mesel/, 'sick', which all
derive fr. L. misellus.
Mesembryan themum, n., a genus of plants, the
fig marigold (bot.)- ModL., lit. 'noon flower',
compounded of Gk. fLEO''I)fi.~plii, 'noon', and
&v&e:fi.OV, 'flower'. The first element is compounded of fi.EO'o~, 'middle', and -lwO:p ii, 'day';
see meso- and hemero-. The second element derives fr. &~&o~, 'flower'; see anther. The correct
spelling of the word is Mesembrianthemum. The
y (correspondi ng to Gk. v) is a misspelling for i
(Gk. t) in iJ.E0'7)fi.~PLii (see above), and prob.
due to a confusion with Gk. l:fi.~puo~, 'embryo'.
mesencephalon, n., the middle part of the brain
(anat.)- Medical L., compounded of mes- and
encephalon.
Derivative: mesencephal-ic, adj.
mesenchyma, mesenchyme, n., that portion of the
mesoderm which produces all the connective
tissues of the body (embryo/.) - Medical L.,
formed on analogy of parenchyma fr. Gk. fi.Ecro;,
'middle' and e;yf.UfL'X, 'filling (of a vessel), instillation'. See meso- and encbymatous. i he
term mesenchyme was introduced into embryology by the German embryologis ts Oskar Hert
wig (1849-1922) and his brother Richard (I 8501937) in 1881.
Derivatives: mesenchym-al, mesenchym-at-ous,
adjs.

968

mesenter itis
mesenteritis, n., inflamma tion of the mesentery
(med.) - Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr.
Gk. [1-E:cre:v-repwv. See next word.
Derivativ e: mesenterit-ic, adj.
mesentery, n., a fold of the peritoneu m attached
to the posterior abdomina l wall (anat.)- Medical L. mesenterium, lit. 'middle of the intestine', fr. Gk. [1-e:cre:v-repwv, shortened fr. 1lep[LIX
[J.e:cre:v-rE:pwv, 'membran e to which the intestines are attached', fr. f.Ll:cro~, 'middle', and
&vnpoc (pl.), 'intestine s'. See meso- and enteric.
Derivativ es: mesenteri-al, mesenter-ic, mesenteric-a/, adjs., mesenter-ic-al-ly, adv.
mesh, n., any of the open spaces of a net. Earlier meash, mash, meish, fr. obsol. Du.
maesche (whence Du. maas), fr. MDu. maessce,
rei. to OE. max (for *mresc), OS. masca, ON.
moskvi, Dan. maske, Swed. maska, OHG. masca, MHG., G. masche, 'mesh'; fr. I.-E. base
*mezg-, 'to knit, plait, twist', whence also
Lith. mezgu, megsti, 'to knit', mazgas, 'knot',
Lett. mazgs, 'knot'.
Derivativ es: mesh, tr. and intr. v., mesh-ed, adj.
mesial, adj., middle, median. - Formed with
suff. -ial fr. Gk. f.LE:cro~, 'middle'. See meso-.
Derivativ e: mesial-ly, adv.
mesityl, n., a hypotheti cal radical, C 3 H 5 (chem.)
- Coined fr. Gk. fJ.EO'IT1)~, 'mediator ' (fr.
fJ.ecro~, 'middle'), and suff. -yl. See meso-.
mesitylene, n., a hydrocar bon C 6 H 3 (CH 3) 3 (chem.)
-Forme d fr. mesityl with suff. -ene.
mesmeric. adj., pertainin g to mesmerism. - See
mesmerism and -ic.
Derivativ e: mesmeric-al-ly, adv.
mesmerism, n., hypnoti sm.- Named after the
Austrian physician Friedrich Anton Mesmer
(1734-1815). For the ending see suff. -ism.
mesmerist, n., a hypnotist . - See prec. word and
-ist.
mesmerize, tr. v., to hypnoti ze.- See mesmerism
and -ize.
Derivativ e: mesmeriz-ation, n.
mesnalty, n., the estate or the condition of a
mesne lord.- AF. mesnalte, menalte, fr. mesne,
mene, 'mesne'. See next word and -ty.
mesne, adj., intermedi ate, middle; mesne lord,
one who is both a tenant of a superior lord and
a lord of a subordin ate tenant. - AF. mesne, a
var. of AF. meen, which correspon ds to OF.
meien, 'middle', fr. L. m~dianus, 'middle'. See
mean, 'intermed iate', and cp. words there referred to.
meso-, before a vowel mes-, combinin g form
meaning 'middle, intermedi ate'. - Gk. f.LEO'a-,
fLEO'-, fr. f.LE:cro~, 'middle', which stands for
*medhyos, and is cogn. with 01. mddhyal;r, L.
medius, 'middle'. See media, 'voiced stop consonant', and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also mesati-, mesial-.
mesoblast, n., the mesoderm . - Compoun ded of
meso- and Gk. [3AotaT6~, 'bud, sprout, shoot'.
ee -blut.

Derivativ e: mesoblast-ic, adj.

mesocarp, n., the middle layer of a pericarp (bot.)
- Compoun ded of meso- and Gk. X1Xp7t6~,
'fruit'. See carpel and cp. words there referred
to.
mesocephalic, adj., having a medium cranial capacity (anat.)- Compoun ded of meso- and Gk.
xe:cp1XAtx6~, 'pertainin g to the head', fr. xe:cpiXA~,
'head'. See cephalic.
mesoderm, n., the middle germ layer of an embryo
(embryo/.) - Lit. 'middle skin', coined by the
German physician Robert Remak (1815-65) fr.
meso- and Gk. 1lepf.L1X, 'skin'. See derma.
Derivativ e: mesoderm-ic, adj.
mesolite, n., a zeolitic mineral .- G. Mesolith, fr.
Gk. fJ.ecro~, 'middle', and ).(.fl-o~, 'stone' (see
meso- and -lite); so called because it is intermediate between natrolite and scolecite.
mesogastric, adj., pertainin g to the umbilical region (anat.) - Formed from next word with
suff. -ic. Cp. epigastric, hypogastric.
mesogastrimn, n., the umbilical region. - Medical L., compoun ded of meso- and Gk. YIXO'T~p,
'belly'. See gastric and cp. epigastrium, hypogastrium.
mesognathic, adj., mesognat hous. - See mesognathous and adj. suff. -ic.
mesognathous, adj., having medium-s ized and
slightly projectin g jaws (anthropom.) - Compounded of meso- and Gk. yvci&o~. 'jaw, cheek'.
See gnathic and -ous.
meson, n., the median or mesial plane.- ModL.,
fr. Gk. fJ.E:crov, neut. of f!.E:cro~, 'middle'. See
meso-.
meson, n., a musical tetracho rd.- Gk. fJ.ecrwv,
genit. pl. of [L~0'1j (short for fJ-~0'1) xopa~ ),
'middle note', fern. of f.L~O'o~, 'middle'. See meso-.
meson, n., a mesotron (phys.) - Short for meso-

tron.

mesonephros, n., the middle kidney of a vertebrat e

Medical L., comembryo (embryo/.) pounded of meso- and Gk. ve:cpp6~, 'kidney'. See
nephro-. The term mesonephros was introduce d
into embryolo gy by the English zoologist Sir
Edwin Ray Lankeste r (1847-1930). Cp. metanephros, pronephros.
Derivative: mesonephr-ic, adj.
mesophyU, n., the green parenchy ma inside a leaf
(bot.) - Compoun ded of meso- and Gk. cpuA).ov, 'a leaf'. See phyUo-.
mesophyte, n., a plant that grows under conditionsofm edium moisture (bot.)- Compoun ded
of meso- and Gk. cpuT6v, 'plant'. See -phyte.
Derivativ e: mesophyt-ic, adj.
mesoplast, n., the nucleus of a cell (bioi.)- Compounded of meso- and Gk. -7tAIXO'To~, fr. 7tAocaT6~, 'molded, formed'. See -plast.
Derivativ e: mesop[ast-ic, adj.
Mesopotamia, n., name of the ancient country
between the Euphrate s and Tigris rivers. - Gk.
M&cro7toTotf.Llii (scil. x.wpii ), 'the country between two rivers', fern. of !L&Ga7to't'lifJ.tO~, 'sit-

969

mel.a

messenger, n.- ME. messager, messangere, mesuated between two rivers', which is comsengere, fr. OF. messagier (F. messager), fr.
pounded of fJ.Ii:O'o~, 'middle', and 7tOTIXfJ.6~,
message. See message and agential suff. -er. The
potamo-.
and
mesoSee
'river'.
n in messenger is intrusive; cp. harbinger, pasn.
and
adj.
Derivativ es: Mesopotami-an,
senger, porringer, scavenger, wharfinger.
mesothelial, adj. - Formed from next word with
Messiah, n.- Aram. meshil;ra, 'the anointed' , fr.
adj. suff. -al.
Heb. miishtlll;r, 'anointed ', fr. miishd~, 'he anointmesothelium, n., epithelium of mesoderm ic oriwhence mish~ah, 'ointmen t; consecrat ed
ed',
mesoof
blend
an
L.,
Medical
[.)(embryo
gin
rei. to Aram.-Sy r. m~shal;r, 'he anointportion';
and epithelimn.
ed', meshal;r, mish!;rdh, Syr. meshl;rd, 'oil', Ethiop.
mesothor ax, n., the middle of the three segments
masdl;ra, 'he anointed; he feasted', Akkad.
of an insect's thorax (entomol.) - ModL.,
mashii'u, 'to spread (oil) over', Arab. mdsal;ra,
compoun ded of meso- and thorax.
'he stroke or wiped with the hand'. Cp. Messias.
adj.
thorac-ic,
meso
e:
Derivativ
es: Messiah-ship, n., Messi-an-ic, adj.
Derivativ
dise
mesothorium, n., either of two radioactiv
Messias, n., the Messiah .-Late L., fr. Gk. Meaintegratio n products, intermedi ate between raalii~, fr. Aram. m~shil;rd, 'the anointed' . See
dium and radiothor ium (chem.) - ModL.,
Messiah.
compoun ded of meso- and thorium; so called
Messidor, n., name of the lOth month of the
because it is intermedi ate between radium and
French revolutio nary calendar (lasting fr. June
radiothor ium.
19th to July 18th). - F., a hybrid coined by
200
about
particle,
unstable
an
n.,
mesotron,
d'Eglanti ne in 1793 fr. L. messis, 'harFabre
Form(phys.)times the mass of the electron
vest' [fr. mess-(um), pp. stem of metere, 'to reap,
ed fr. meso- and (elec)tron.
mow, crop'], and Gk. 1l&pov, 'gift'. For the first
Mesozoic, adj., designatin g the era between the
element see mow, 'to cut (grass)', for the second
Paleozoic and the Cenozoic (geol.) - Comsee donation and cp. the second element in
zoo-),
(see
'life'
l;w~,
Gk.
meso-,
of
pounded
Fructidor, Thermidor.
and adj. suff. -ic.
messieurs, n., pl. of monsieur.
Derivativ e: Mesozoic, n.
messire, n., a French title of honor and form of
mesquin, adj., mean, sordid. - F., fr. It. meschiaddress .- OF., nom., lit. 'my lord'. See monno, fr. Arab. misktn (in V Arab. pronunci ation
sieur, seigneur, sire.
is
which
',
miserable
,
wretched
meskfn), 'poor,
messmate, n.- Lit. 'compani on in a mess'; comborrowed fr. Heb. or Aram. misken or Syr.
pounded of mess and mate, 'compani on'.
mesken, 'poor', which are perh. loan words fr.
n. pl. - Abbrevia tion of messieurs.
messrs,
Akkad. mushkenu, 'beggar, needy'.
messuage, n., dwelling (law). - ME., fr. AF.
mesquite, n., a mosque (obsol.) - Sp. mesquita
messuage, mesuage, prob. orig. a clerical error
(ModSp. mezquita), 'mosque'. See mosque.
for mesnage. See menage.
mesquite, also mesquit, n., either of two shrubs of
n., a mustee. - See mustee.
mestee,
mizNahuatl
fr.
mezquite,
Sp.
the pea family.n., a person of mixed parentage , esp. one
mestizo,
quitl.
of Spanish and American Indian blood. - Sp.,
mess, n., food for one meal; pottage .- ME. mes,
fr. Late L. mixticius, mistfcius, 'of mixed race',
fr. OF. mes (now spelled mets), 'food, dish (of
fr. L. mixtus, 'mixed', pp. of miscere, 'to mix,
food)', fr. VL. missum, lit. 'that which is placed
See mix and cp. metis.
mingle'.
send'
'to
ere,
mitt
L.
of
pp.
neut.
(on the table)',
met, past tense and pp. of meet.
(in VL. also 'to put, place'). See mission and cp.
meta- (before consonan ts), met- (before vowels),
entremets.
meth- (before aspirated vowels), pref. meaning
adj.,
Derivatives: mess, tr. and intr. v., mess-y,
1) after, behind (as in metaphysics); 2) changed
mess-i-ly, adv., mess-i-ness, n.
form, altered (as in metamorphosis); 3) higher
in
*misVL.
fr.
F.),
message, n.- ME., fr. OF.(=
(used to designate a higher degree of a branch
siiticum, 'message' , fr. L. missus, pp. of mittere,
of science (as in metachemistry = higher chem'to send'. See mission and -age and cp. messenThis usage is due to the analogy of the
istry).
ger.
ics, which was misinterp reted as
metaphys
word
v.
tr.
message,
e:
Derivativ
that which is beyond the physiof
science
'the
a
n.,
;
Messapian, adj., pertainin g to the Messapii
cal'. In chemistry , meta- is used to denote 1) a
native of Messapi a.- Formed with suff. -an fr.
polymeric compound (as in metaldehyde = a
L. Messapii, fr. Gk. Me:crcr&mot, 'Messapi ans',
polymeric compound of aldPhyde); 2) a derivalit. 'they who live between two waters', comtive of the compoun d given (as in metaprotein
base
and
'middle',
fJ.~O'o~,
f.LEO'O'o~,
of
pounded
= a derivative of protein) .- Gk. f.LET:x-, resp.
meso-,
see
*li'lt'-, 'water'. For the first element
fL&T, fJ.E:&-, fr. fJ.ETii, 'in the midst of, among,
for the second see amnic and cp. the second elebetween, with', cogn. with Goth. mip, OHG.
ment in doab.
mit, miti, MHG. mit. mite, G. mit. OFris. mith,
messelite, n., a calcium iron phosphat e (mineral.)
mithi, OS. mid, midi, ON. meo, OE. mid, mio,
-Named after Messel in Hesse, Germany . For
'with, together with, among', and prob. also
the ending see subst. suff. -lte.

metabasis

970

Attic Greek calendar (correspondi ng to Augustwith Gk. 11-ecro~, L. medius, 'middle', OE. midd,
September). - Gk. ME'I'<XYE~'t'V~wv, fr. !J.E':'IXetc., 'mid'. See meso-, media, 'voiced stop conmeta-) and ydTwv, 'neighbor'; so called
(see
elefirst
the
and
middle
mid,
cp.
sonant', and
in this month people flitted and consebecause
ment in midwife.
quently changed their neighbors. The etymetabasis, n., transition (esp. in rhet., from one
mology of ydTwv is unknown.
subject to another); change (med.)- ModL., fr.
metagenesis, n., alternation of generation. Gk. !J.E'I'OC~<Xcr~~. 'a passing over, changing', fr.
Formed fr. meta- and Gk. yeve:m~, 'origin,
iJ.E'I'IX~IXlve:w, 'to pass over', which is formed fr.
source, birth, race, descent'. See genesis.
[l.E'I'<X- (see meta-) and ~IXlve:~v, 'to go'. See base,
metagenetic, adj., pertaining to metagenesis. n.
Formed fr. meta- and genetic. Cp. prec. word.
undergo
Metabola, n., a division of insects that
metal, n.- ME., fr. OF. metal, me tail (F. metal),
complete metamorpho sis (zoo/.) - ModL., fr.
fr. L. metallum, 'mine, quarry, mineral, metal',
Gk. [LE'I'IX~o:A~, 'change', fr. [LE'I'IX~ocA:Ae:~v, 'to
fr. Gk. !J.e't'IX:A:Aov, 'mine, quarry', which is of
turn quickly, turn about, change', fr. [LE'I'IXuncertain origin. It is perh. a loan word fr. He b.
(see meta-) and ~&A:Ae:w, 'to throw'. See ballismtzotah, metziil&h, 'depth'; see H. Lewy, Die
tic and cp. words there referred to.
semitischen Fremdworte r im Griechischen, p.
metabolic, adj., pertaining to, or characterized
132, and Gesenius-Buhl, HWAT., 16th edition,
metaG.
by, metabolism (bioi. and chem.)
p. 452 s.v. *metziil&h. Reb. mi!tzotah is rei. to
bolisch, fr. Gk. [LE'I'<X~o:A~x6~, 'changeable' , fr.
tzu!&h, 'ocean-deep' , and to Reb. tztildl, 'he
[L<:'t'IX~o:A1). See prec. word and adj. suff. -isb,
sank', Ethiop. ~aldla, 'he floated', Akkad. ~alti/u,
resp. -ic.
'to sink down'. For the sense development of
metabolism, n., process of building up assimilated
Gk. !J.~'I'<XA:Aov fr. Reb. metzola\ 'depth', cp.
food into protoplasm (anabolism) and breaking
Gk. !J.E'I'<XA:Aocv, 'to search after, inquire about',
down protoplasm into simpler substances
is connected with [LET<XI.:Aov and prob.
which
suff.
with
Formed
(catabolism) (physiol.)
meant originally 'to search in the depth'. Cp.
-ism fr. Gk. [LE't'IX~o:A-1]. See Metabola.
medal, mettle and the second element in monometabolite, n., a product of metabolism (physiol.)
bimetallism.
metallism,
XI
- Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. [L<:'t'
Derivatives: metall-ic, meta/l-ine, adjs., metall~o:A-1]. See Metabola.
ist, n., metall-ize, tr. v., metall-iz-ation, n.
metabolize, tr. v., to change by metabolism (physmetalliferous, adj., bearing metals. - Comiol.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ize fr. Gk.
pounded of L. metallum, 'metal', and the stem
[LE'I'<X~o:A1). See Metabola.
of fero,ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See -ferous.
metacarpus, n., bones of the palm of the hand
metallography, n., the study of metals. - Lit.
(anat.) - ModL., fr. Gk. [LE't'IXXOCfl7t~ov, fr. p.e:'description of metals', fr. Gk. IL~-:IX:A/.ov, 'met'1'01:- (see meta-) and x<Xp7t6~, 'wrist'. See carpus.
al', and -yp1Xcplii, fr. yp&cpe:w, 'to write'. See
Derivative: metacarp-al, adj.
and -graphy.
metal
shipand
(hydrostatics
metacenter, metacentre, n.
Derivatives: metallograph-ic, metal/ograph-ic-al,
building). - Formed fr. meta- and center
adjs., metallograph-ic-cal-ly, adv.
(centre).
metalloid, adj., resembling metals. - ComDerivatives: metacentr-al, metacentr-ic, adjs.,
pounded ofGk. [J.tT<X/J,ov, 'metal', and -oe:~il-1]~,
metacentr-ic-ity, n.
'like', fr. dilo~, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
Formed
metachemistry, n., higher chemistry.
Derivative: metalloid, n., 1) a nonmetal; 2) an
fr. meta- and chemistry.
element resembling metals in some-but not in
to
due
(esp.
color
of
metachromatism, n., change
all-respects .
a change in temperature ). - Formed fr. metan. - ModL. metallurgia, fr. Gk.
metallurgy,
-ism.
and
chrome
See
'color'.
zpw[LIX,
and Gk.
o~, 'worker in metal', which is
!J.E'I'IXA:Aoupy
metachronism, n., an error in chronology consistcompounded of !J.E'I'IXAAOV, 'metal', and eopyov,
ing in placing an event after its real date.- ML.
'work'. See metal and ergon.
metachronismus, irregularly formed fr. Gk.
Derivatives: metallurg-ic, metallurg-ic-a/, adjs.,
[LE'I'OC)(pavo~, [LE't'IX;(F6vw~, 'afterthe time, done
metallurg-ic-al-ly, adv., metallurg-ist, n.
afterward', fr. [Lt'I'IX- (see meta-) and zp6vo~,
metamere, n., one of a series of similar longitudi'time'. See chronic and -ism and cp. anachronal segments of the body of the earthworm and
nism, parachronism.
animals (zoo/.) - Compounde d of metaother
metachrosis, n .. change of color (esp. in certain
and Gk. [Lepo~, 'part'. See mero-, part".
reptiles and fishes (zoo/.) - ModL., formed fr.
metameric, adj. (zoot.), I) pertaining to metameta- and Gk. zpwcr~~. 'color, coloring', fr.
meres; 2) characterize d by metamerism. xpw~e:tv, 'to tinge, color', fr. )(pw<;, gen. )(pwFormed fr. prec. word with adj. suff. -ic.
metachroma
cp.
and
chrome
See
'color'.
'1'6<;,
metamerism, n., the state of being composed of
tism.
metameres (zoo/.)- Formed fr. metamere with
metage, n., official measuring of weight.-Fo rmsuff. -ism.
ed with suff. -age from the verb mete.
metamorphic, adj., pertaining to, or characterMetageitoion. n., name of the 2nd month of the

metatnetlc

971

ized by, change.- Formed with adj. suff. -ic fr.

meta-, a prefix denoting change, and Gk. !J.opcp-1],
'form, shape'. See morpho-,
metamorphism, n., change of form; specif.,
change in the structure of a rock. - Formed
with suff. -ism fr. meta-, a prefix denoting
change, and Gk. !J.OP<Jl~, 'form, shape'. See
morpho-.
metamorphose, tr. and intr. v., to change in form.
MF. ( = F.) metamorphoser, fr. metamorphose, fr. L. metamorphosis. See next
word.
metamorphosis, n., change of form, transformation. - L., fr. Gk. fLE:'t'IX[L6pcpwm~, 'transformation', fr. !J.E:'I'<X[J.Opcpouv, 'to transform',
which is formed fr. fLE'I'OC (see meta-), and !J.OP<pouv, 'to give form to', fr. !J.Op<p-1], 'form,
shape'. See morpho- and -osis.
metanalysis, n., the analysis of words or groups
of words into elements contrary to their structure, as an adder for a nadder.- Coined by the
Danish philologist Otto Jespersen (1860-1943)
fr. met- and analysis.
metanephros, n., the third kidney of a vertebrate
embryo (embryo!.) - Medical L., compounded
of meta- and Gk. ve:cpp6~, 'kidney'; see nephro-.
The term metanephros was introduced into embryology by the English zoologist Sir Edwin
Ray Lankester (1847-1930). Cp. mesonephros,
pronephros.
metaphor, n., a figure of speech in which a thing
is likened to another, to which it is not literally
applicable (rhet.) - MF. ( = F.) metaphore, fr.
L. metaphora, fr. Gk. !J.E'I'IX<pop&, 'transference,
metaphor', lit. 'a carrying over', from the stem
of [LE:'I'<X<pepe:~v, 'to carry over', which is formed
fr. !J.E'I'oc (see meta-) and cpepe:~v, 'to bear,
carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: metaphor-ic-al, adj., metaphor-ical-ly, adv., metaphor-ist, n.
metaphrase, n., a translation; esp., a literal translation. - Gk. [LE:'t'oc<pp!Xat~, 'paraphrase' , fr.
[LC:TIX<ppoc~e:~v, 'to paraphrase, translate', which
is formed fr. !J.E:'I'<X- (see meta-) and <ppoc~e:w, 'to
show, tell'. See phrase and cp. paraphrase, periphrase.
Derivative: metaphrase, tr. v.
metaphrast, n., one who metaphrases ; esp. one
who writes prose into poetry or poetry into
prose, or changes the meter of verse. - Gk
iJ.E'I'IX'JlP<Xcr'l"ij.;, 'translator', fr. p.e:T<X<ppoc~e:~v. See
prec. word and -ast.
metaphrastic, adj., literal in translation. - Gk.
p.<;O:IX'f't'C<cr.-,:..:C.;, 'paraphrasti c', fr. [J.z-::X~;::xcn;.
See metaphrase and -ic.
metaphysical, adj. - See metaphysics and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivative: metaphysical-ly, adv.
metaphysician, n., one versed in metaphysics. F. mitaphysicien, fr. ML. metaphysica. See metaphysics and -ian.

metaphysicize, intr. v., to study metaphysics. See next word and -ize,
metaphysics, n., that branch of philosophy which
deals with the first principles of being and of
knowledge .- Fr. earlier metaphysic, n., fr. ML.
metaphysica (neut. pl.), fr. Gk. 'l'cX iJ.E-;-cX. 'l'cX
cpumxoc, 'the (works coming) after the physics'
(see meta- and physic). The name 't'cX !Le:-;-cX. 'l'cX
<pucr~xoc was originally given by Andronicus of
Rhodes about 70 B.C.E. to a collection of writings of Aristoteles, in reference to the (quite
accidental) circumstanc e that the treatises
dealing with metaphysicsfollowedthe treatises on
physics. The interpretatio n of metaphysics as
'the science of that which is beyond the physical'
is, accordingly, erroneous (see meta-).
metaphysis, n., the region of growth between the
diaphysis and epiphysis of a bone (med.) Medical L., formed fr. meta- and -physis as in
diaphysis, epiphysis (qq. v.)
metaplasm, n., non-living matter in the protoplasm of a cell (bioi.)- L. metaplasmus, fr. Gk.
p.e:-r!X7t:A1Xcr[L6.;, fr. fLE't'IX- (see meta-) and 7tAetcr[1.6<;, 'something molded'. See plasm.
Derivative: metaplasm-ic, adj.
metapolitics, n., abstract political science.
Formed fr. meta- and politics.
Derivatives: metapolitic-al, adj., metapolitic-ian,

n.
metastasis, n., I) metabolism (bioi.); 2) transference of disease from one part of the body to
another (med.); 3) a sudden transition from one
subject to another (rhet.) - Late L., fr. Gk.
iJ.E'I'OCcr'I'IXcrL~, 'removal, change', fr. the stem of
[LE.&~a't'oc'I<X~, 'to place in another way, remove,
change', which is formed fr. p.e:-r<X- (see meta-)
and [cr't'ocv!Xt, 'to cause to stand', which is cogn.
with L. stare, 'to stand'. See state and cp. stasis.
metastatic, adj., pertaining to metastasis. - Gk.
[LE't'!Xcr'I'<Xnx6.;, fr. [LE't'occr'I'<X-ro.;, 'removed',
verbal adj. of [LE.&~cr't'OC'I<Xt. See metastasis and
static.
metatarsal, 1) pertaining to the metatarsus; n.,
matatarsal bone.- See next word and adj. suff.
-al.
metatarsus, n., part of the foot between the tarsus
and the toes (anat. and zoot.)- ModL., formed
fr. meta- and tarsus.
metate, n., a stone with a fiat or concave surface.
- Sp., fr. Nahuatl met/at[.
metathesis, n., transposition , specifically I) in
grammar, transposition of letters or syllables in
a word; 2) in chemistry, a double decomposition.- Late L., fr. Gk. [LEToc.&e:crt~, 'change of
position, transposition ', from the stem of !LE-:-et'1'~.&8v<X~, 'to transpose', which is formed fr.
[LE:TIX- (see meta-) and '1'~-&eviX~, 'to place, set'.
See theme and cp. thesis and words there referred to.
metathetic, adj., of metathesis. - Formed with
adj. suff. -ic fr. !J-E'I'oc.&e:To<;, 'changed, transposed', verbal adj. of (LE'I'<X'I't.&ev<Xt. See prec. word.

metatho rax

972

outside and yet related to human experience. Derivat ives: metathetic-al, adj., metathetic-alSee metempiric and -ics.
ly, adv.
sychosis, n., passing of the soul at death
metemp
inan
of
t
segmen
r
posterio
the
n.,
rax,
metatho
body. - Late L., fr. Gk. iJ.Il:'t"EiJ.
another
into
fr.
formed
ModL.,
sect's thorax (entomol.)
ljiuxouu.&rxt, 'to pass from one
iJ.E:'I"EiJ.
fr.
~,
lji6xoout
meta- and thorax.
(said of the soul), formed fr.
'
another
into
body
adj.
rac-ic,
Derivat ive: metatho
!J.E:'t"CX- (see meta-) and EiJ.lJiuxouv, 'to put a soul
Metatro n, n., name of the highest angel in haginto', fr. tv, 'in', and lJiux-IJ, 'soul'. See 2nd en-,
).
(Judaism
re
literatu
ic
cabalist
and
garlic
psyche and -osis.
Gk.
Late
fr.
prob.
Talmud ic Heb. MetaJr6n,
metencephalon, n., 1) the posterio r part of the
IJ.l)":l:roop, fr. L. metator, 'marker of bounda brain; 2) that part of the brain which consists of
ries', fr. mettitus, pp. of metari, 'to measur e off,
the cerebell um and the pons Varolii (anat. and
mete,
mark off', fr. meta, 'mark, bounda ry'. See
emhry